THE COMMUNION of Saints. A treatise of the fellowship that the faithful have with God, and his Angels, and one with an other; in this present life. Gathered out of the holy Scriptures, by H. A. Let thy hand help me (Lord,) for I have chosen thy precepts. Psal. 119. 173. Imprinted at Amsterdam by Giles Thorp. 1607. To the Christian Reader, Grace mercy and peace from God be multiplied. THe communion of Christians with the Lord and among themselves, is a doctrine (good reader) both needful and comfortable to be known: for it is the stay and strength of the soul in many temptations, and the means to conse●v the Church steadfast in faith and love. And if in this point men's minds be settled aright, upon the ground of God's word; they willbe as the ‡ Exod. 36. 20. 23. 24▪ etc. boards of the Tabernacle standing upright, with their tenons sastened in sockets of silver. For what is sweeter to a troubled conscience, than the assurance of salvation; and what is better to 'stablish our weak & fainting faith, then when both flesh and heart do fail, to know & feel, that † Psal. 73. 26 God is the rock of our heart, and our portion for ever? Again, how good is it, & how pleasant, for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psal. 133. like the precious ointment on Aaron's head, & the dew on the mountains of Zion. God hath appointed his holy son jesus, to be the head and governor of his people; the * Heb. 5. 9 author of eternal salvation to all the that obey him. He hath set up also the kingdom of Christ on earth, which is his Church▪ the ‡ 1 Tim. ●. 1● pillar and ground of truth. He is the ‖ joh. 8. 18. light of the world, whom all must follow, that would have the light of life; & † Rev. 21. 9 10. 11. jerusalem his spouse, is made bright by his glory, & the people which are saved * Rev. 21. 24. shall walk in the Isa. 60. 1. 2. 3. light of it. He is the ‡ Isa. 9 6. Father, this the Gal. 4. 26. mother of us al. Of the Son it is said, * Psal. 2. 12. happy are all that shroud in him, for he is our † Isa. 32. 2. hiding place from the wind, our refuge from the tempest of God's wrath: of Zion also it is said, that Isa. 14. 32. the poor of his people shall shroud in it; for there hath the Lord † Isa. 4. 5. 6. created a cloud by day, and flaming fire by night, (as when ‡ Exod. 13. 21 he brought his Israel out of Egypt) & upon all the glory, is a defence; there is a shadow in the day for the heat, a refuge & shelter for the storm and for the rain. It is requisite therefore, that all men come Mat. 11. 28 to Christ, if they would have life, and by him † joh. 14. 6. unto the Father, & abide in * 1 joh. 1. 3. communion with them both; that they may be † Phil. 3. 9 found in him, and have the justice which is of God through faith; that they may ‡ vers. 10. know him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his afflictions, & be made conformable unto his death: this is as the first and great commandment of the law, & the second is like unto it, that they seek Deut. 12. 5 the place which he hath chosen to put his name there, & * Psal. 26. ●. love the place where his honour dwelleth, where he † Song. 1. 6. feedeth & causeth (his flock) to ly-down at noon; that thither they bring ‡ Isa. 60. 5. their riches, their glory & honour, Rev. 21. 26. that of every such one the Lord may count when he writeth the people, a Psal. 87. 6. He was born there; that so being b Gal. 3. 29. & 4. 26. 28 31. Christ's, and children of the free woman, & heirs by promise; they may c Act. 26. 18 receive forgiunes of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in him: for he hath said, that d Isa. 65. 9 his elect shall inherit his mountain, & his servants shall dwell there. But, two things there are, which will hinder our feet from running this way, if we beware not of them: the one is, too much liberty which many men take in the faith of the gospel and obedience of the same, whiles they turn God's grace into wantonness, and abuse his mercy to the fulfilling of their own lusts and licentiousness; whereas they should make an end of their salvation e Phil. 2. 12. in fear and trembling, knowing that even the f 1 Pet. 4. 18. righteous are scarcely saved. Whiles also they take boldness to communicate in spiritual actions with any, supposing that the sins of some, or of the public congregation cannot hurt them, especially if in heart they disallow the evil, and condemn the same. Such men seem not to discern the nature of communion, how far it reacheth; or the contagion of sin, how far it infecteth. They seem neither to have learned the Law g Hag. 2. 12. 13. 14. which taught that a man by bearing or touching holy things, was not himself made holy thereby, but a polluted person touching any of them, made them unclear: nor the doctrine of the gospel, which confirmeth, that h ● Cor. 10. 〈◊〉. they which eat of the sacrifices are par takers of the altar; & all they i vers. 17. one bread & one body, which partake of one bread; where if there be but a k ● Cor. 5. 6. etc. little leaven, it maketh sour the whole lump. And then look how far they partake with other men's sins; so far are they in danger, to l ●●●. 18. 4. receive of their plagues. The other impediment, is over much straightness which some men have in their own bowels: whiles their feeble consciences are too much affected, both with their own & others infirmities. Such had need to have their knowledge and faith increased, their hearts enlarged, lest by expecting a greater perfection in themselves and others, then is to be found upon earth, they faint & fall. Let such look on the image of Christ, as he is portrahed m Psal. ●2. 〈◊〉. ●3. Ma●. 〈◊〉. etc. in the scriptures, whiles the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him; so shall they find balm for their wounded consciences; and healing for their souls by his stripes; and their shivered bones will rejoice. ●or of his cup must we all drink our parts, & be baptized with his baptism, into his death, before we can taste the sweetness of his life; & be under the rigour of that schoolmaster n Gal. ●. 24. the Law like servants, ere we can perceive the adoption of sons, & liberty of his faith and Gospel. And if he which knew no sin, and had but our sins imputed unto him, felt such fears and sorrows in his precious soul, and was so smitten of God and humbled, so despised and rejected of the world: what shall we expect, in whose Rom. 7. ●le●h there dwelleth no good thing. Let them also look upon the estate of Christ's church in all ages from the ●●. beginning, how it hath been vexed with troubles & terrors, within & without, & 2. 5. they shall find Sions case to be continually as o Rev. 12. 2 a woman in travel, whose pains & infirmities Gal 4. 19 26. 27. are sometimes so great, that the children come to the birth, p 2 King. 19 3. and there is no strength to bring forth. And when they have viewed the many tribulations through which the Lord hath led his people, how he hath suffered them to be buffeted of Satan, persecuted by enemies without, and molested with hypocrites within, for their trial & humiliation; they will confess that we must walk here by q 2 Cor. 5. 7. faith and not by sight, for our r Colos. 3. 3. life is hid with Christ in God; his spouse s Song. 1. 5. is black, for the Sun hath looked upon her, her own mother's sons have been angry against her, and all the glory of the king's daughter t Psal. 45. 1●. is inward. And furthest astray are such vain men as imagine to themselves a state of perfection, as if they had already u Phil. 3. 11. 12. attained the resurrection of the dead: & do disclaim all Churches and societies where sins are to be seen. Moses face is x Exod. 34. 30. 33, 35. hid from them as with a veil, they discern not the use 2 Cor. 3, 13. 14. 15. of his law, nor end of his ministery, for a veil covereth their hearts; neither see they 〈…〉 the possession that sin hath in them, yea 〈…〉. 7. 17 〈…〉 1 joh. 1. in all Saints, so long as they dwell in these houses of clay, for which cause they sigh desiring to be clothed with their house 〈…〉. 5. 2. which is from heaven, to be loosed and to be with Christ. And when the voyl shallbe 〈…〉. 1. 23. taken from those men's hearts, who so far mistake themselves to be that they are not: they will cry with the Leper, f Lewit. 13. 45. I am unclean, I am unclean; & will g Ezech. 16. 61. 63. remember their wares and be ashamed, & never open their mouth any more because of their shame, but will h Ezech. 20. 43. judge themselves worthy to be cut of, for all their evils that that they have committed. Such also as either of ignorance, or worse humour, do unorderly depart, and rend themselves upon every occasion from the church and body of Christ; will walk better, when they have learned to i Gal. 6. ●. bear one an others burden, and tread in the steps of Christ, his prophets and Apostles; who used all good means with patience, to reclaim the offenders, before they forsook them. Yet because the faith must not be held k jam. 2. 1. in respect of persons, neither may we l Exod. 23. 2 follow a multitude to do evil; and it often falleth out, that the m Isa. 1. 21. faithful city becometh a harlot, and they which were n M●c. 2. ●. yesterday God's people, are risen up on the other side as against an enemy: therefore the Saints should be wise in heart, and not hold communion with any but in the Light, in the faith, in the true worship of God; for he is jealous even over his own people, and will not o Exod. 23. 21. spare their misdeeds, but will take his kingdom from them, and remove p Rev. 2. 5. the candlestick out of the place, if they repent not; & as he saith by his prophet, q Amos. 3. 2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore will I visit you for all your iniquities. Thus may Christians walk as they are counseled by the wisdom of God, not being r Eccles. 7. 18 just overmuch, neither s vers, 19 wicked overmuch, laying hold, and not withdrawing their hand from this, t vers. 20. that he which feareth God, shall come forth of them al. For this cause have I endeavoured, (though the unfittest among many,) to help forward in the way of truth, such as love the same with me; and have penned this treatise following, for their sakes, that have not means and leisure to search the scriptures as they should and would, or by reason of their weakness cannot gather and compare the scriptures together for their comfort & assurance in these points, as they desire. I have laboured both for plainness & brevity, as I could in so large & ample argument; & by references rather sent the reader to look himself into God's book, then to insist upon collections or expositions of mine own. Wherein if any places be alleged amiss or impertinent, or things gathered otherwise then the text will afford; (as through my ignorance, or unheedines, no doubt many may ●e:) I humbly ask pardon for the same, both of God and his people; and do 〈◊〉 ●●● reader not to rely upon my judgement in any thing, but as himself by the wisdom of God's spirit, shall see agreeable unto truth. For if any shall build upon my words, with out sure ground from the Law of the Lord; he shall first offend God, who hath given his scriptures by divine inspiration to teach and persuade all truth, to improve and correct 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. all error, to instruct in righteousness, & make men perfect unto every good work; he shall injury me also, who have written these things to be tried and examined by Christ's law, not to be accepted for a law; and he shall injury his own soul, by relying upon the word of frail man whose breath is in his nostrils, which cannot 'stablish the heart, nor assure the conscience in any thing. Let therefore the grass wither & the flower fade, for it is the x Isa. 40. 8. word of our God that shall stand for ever. Finally this one thing I would advertise thee of, (good reader,) that sometimes I allege the scriptures otherwise then our common translations have them; when the force of the Original words, doth afford an other or more ample sense. Herein I fear not to be blamed of any that love the truth in incorruption; and for the places so changed, I leave them to their trial, that are men of judgement. The Lord who is author of every good gift unto all men, who passeth by the sins of his servants, and covereth all their trespasses; pass by in mercy, whatsoever in this work is done amiss: & turn these my labours, to the glory of his name, & the benefit of his people. Amen. Henry Ainsworth. The contents of the Chapters. O● the communion and peace that was at the first; and how soon it was broken. Chapt. 1 of the horrible miseries that Divils' and men fell into, after they had forsaken God.— Chapt. 2 Of man's redemption, & the renewing of his peace, by the grace of God in jesus Christ— Chapt. 3. Who be the Saints of this communion.— Chapt. 4. Holiness or sanctity, what it is.— Chapt. 5. How holiness is given unto God and Christ, and how unto creatures.— Chapt. 6. How the word was communicated with Adam & his children and of the Saints interest in the same.— Chapt. 7. How God by his word hath always called and separated a people, from communion with Divils' and wickedmen, to the fellowship of his grace, by faith in Christ— Chapt. 8. How far we must avoid communion with Divils', and how far with wickedmen— Chapt. 9 How the Saints are called out of themselves, & taught to forsake their own ways and works, that they may have communion with God in Christ Chapt.— 10. Of the communion that we have with God, in general.— Chapt. 11 Of the communion that we have with jesus Christ our mediator— Chapt. 12 Of our communion with the holy Ghost.— Chapt. 13 How the foresaid communion & peace between God & his Saints, is sometimes interrupted by their sins: what unrest and trouble they then feel in themselves, & how their ancient peace is renewed. Ch. 14. Of the communion that the Saints have in this life with Angels.— Chapt. 15 How the Saints on earth are called to a holy communion among themselves.— Chapt. 16. How the Saints gather into communion, & grow up unto a body or church.— Chap. 17. Of the communion that the Saints in all churches have in things spiritual.— Chapt. 18 Of the communion of the Saints in civil things and human— Chapt. 19 How the communion and peace of the saints is hindered by enemies without.— Chapt. 20 How the peace and communion of the church, is disturbed by troubles & sins within itself Chapt. 21 How the commuion of Saints may be purged of the evils that arise therein, by the power & censures of Christ: and how needful it is for the Saints all, to look hereunto.— Chapt. 22. How far the Saints may hold and walk in communion together, if offences be not removed. Ch. 23 Of the communion that one Church hath with an other.— Chapt. 24. The conclusion. The Communion of Saints. CHAPTER 1. Of the Communion and peace that was at the first; and how soon it was broken. FOr as much as we find in the Scriptures so great a difference made between the sons of Adam, that some are named the children † 1 joh. 3. ●. Hos. 1. 10. of God, of ‡ 1 Thes. 5. 5. the Light and Day, the * Dan. 7. 22. Saints of the Most-high, the Lords ‖ Psal. 135. 4. chief treasure, the † 1 Pet. 3. 10. heirs of blessing; othersome, the ‡ Gen. 6. 2. children of men, of * Luk. 16. 8. this world, of the ‖ joh. 8. 44. Devil, & † 2 Pet. 2. 14. of curse; & the one of these sorts commanded to ‡ 2 Cor. 6. 17 separate from the other, but to entertain and continue a holy † Act. 2. 42 Heb. 10. 24. 25 communion among themselves endeavouring to keep the ‖ Ephes. 4. 3. unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: it is good and needful that we know, both who are the persons, and what be the causes & conditions of this communion; how far the bounds and limits of it do extend. For the better perceiving hereof; let us take a summary view, of the first state of us all. 2. God which hath made of ‖ Act. 17. 26 one bloodal mankind, to dwell on all the face of the earth; made in the beginning, * Gen. 1. 31. all things good: but chiefly imprinted the image of his Majesty, on Angels & on men, & comunicated his graces with them. The Angels he created holy ‖ Psal. 104. 4. Spirits, † Psal. 103. 20 excelling in strength, and in ‡ Dan. 10. 5. 6 glory; & in all ability & readiness to do his will; and set them to serve himself in ‖ Mark. 12. 25 Luk. 2. 15 heaven, there to behold the joyful light of his face; where the * Dan. 7. 10 many thousands of them minisster unto him, & are as ‡ Psal. 68 17 & 18. 10. charets whereon his Majesty rideth. Unto them he vouchsafed this love & honour, that they should be named the † job. 1. 6. Sons of God; yea his own glorious title he imparteth unto them, when in the scripture he calleththem Psal●7 ●7. 7. with Heb. 1. 6▪ & Psal 8. 6. with Heb. 2. 7 Gods. And for this their excellent creation, he requireth of them * Psal. 148. 10 2. 5. praise & glory; which those heavenly soldiers cheerfully ‡ Luk. 2. 13. Isa. 6▪ 3. perform to the Lord of hosts of whose glory the whole earth is full. 3. God's favour unto man above a● earthly creatures, appeareth in the goodly frame and fashion, first of his body made of † Gen. 2. 7. earthly mould in admirable comeliness, beauty & proportion; and with all-sufficient furniture of several members, for his own use and service of his Maker. He is so clad ‖ job. 10. 11. with skin and flesh and joined together with bones & sinews; the veins & arteries are so disspred over all, and every part so cunningly framed, in such curious weise, that the Prophet compareth his fashioning, to an * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 embroidery beneath in the earth; Psal. 139. 15 and minding this excellent workmanship, saith unto God, ‡ Psa. 139. 14. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully & wonderfully made. Into the body (the house † job. 4. 19 of clay) God did inspire the Gen. 2. 7. breath of lives, & the man became a living soul; for the breath of the Almighty gave him * job. 33. 4. life, and this breath or mind of man, is ‡ Pro. 20. 27. the light or candle of the Lord, which searcheth all the bowels of the belly. This spiritual and immortal substance so infused had very singular and gracious endouments of † job. 38. 36. wisdom, understanding, will, and many affections, all ‖ Gen. 1. 31. good for the holy * Gen. 1. 26. Trinity had consulted ● john. 5, 7. together to make him an excellent creature; and so the man did carry the image of God, ‡ Gen. 1. 27. for in it he was created. He had † Col. 3. 10. Eccles. 7. 31. knowledge, righteousness & holiness for performance of all duties to his maker, & his fellow creatures; & this in † Eph. 4. 24 truth simpleness and sincerity. He had ‖ Gen. 1. 28. rule and sovereignty over the earth and seas, & all the plenty of them; he knew the hidden nature of the creatures, & gave them * Gen. 2. 19 names accordingly; this world was made for his sake, even the glorious ‡ Deut. 4. 19 Sun and Moon and Stars for his use & service. He had the † Gen. 1. 28. blessing of the Lord upon himself & the creatures under him; a ‖ Gen. 2. 18. 22. help like unto himself made and given unto him for comfort & procreation of his kind; a * Gen. 2. 8. 9 garden of delight, full of all pleasant fruits planted by Gods own hand for to yield him food & solace; he was all honourable inwardly & outwardly there was nothing in soul or body whereof he might be ‡ Gen. 3. 25. ashamed; for he was the † Act. 17. 28. generation and 1. Cor. 11. 7. glory of his God, he had given him * job. 10. 12. life & grace, and his visitation preserved his spirit. 4. And God which made all things ‡ Prov. 16. 4. for his own sake, made this earthly king to be his subject & to serve him: Wherefore he communicated with him his word, informing him how to walk both in body and mind obedient to his will. For outward exercise he had the garden to † Gen. 2. 15. dress & to keep; for inward contemplation, the seventh day vers. 3. sanctified as a holy rest: and two trees before him of divers end & use, the one * vers. 9 of life, by the eating whereof he might have hope to live in God ‡ Gen. 3. 22. for ever; the other of knowledge of good & evil, the tasting whereof would bring him unto assured † Gen. 2. 17. death, with all his posterity. Thus God gav a law to man in his innocency, and required obedience which was easy to be performed; which he graciously would accept; for which, his blessing should have abidden, his favour & light of his face have shined still upon him continually. Then did the Lord ‖ Psal. 104. 3● rejoice in his works, & his Wisdom * Prov. 8. 31. took solace in the compass of his earth; peace was between him & his creatures, all his works ‡ Psal. 145. 10. did praise him, and his Saints did bless him; the † job. 38. 7. stars of the morning sang praises together, and all the sons of God (the Angels) rejoiced. 5. And then some beams of the incomprehensible light and joy & sweet society, which the Father Son & Holy Ghost had from all eternity ‖ Prov. 8. 30. joh. 17. 5. among themselves in the unity of the Godhead; were communicated with those principal creatures the Angels & men; whiles the one sort did * Mat. 18. 10. always behold his face in heaven, the other enjoyed his favours in paradise: then also was sweet harmony & most comfortable fellowship, peace and amity, ‡ job. 5. 23. between the creatures, for their mutual delight & consolation; with out division discord or enmity. There were no hateful spirits made to rebel against God, to tempt & torment man, or misuse any other creature. No death diseases or calamities to molest them; no terrors to drive them from their Maker; no guilty fears to afflict the soul, no noisome lusts to reign or rebel in their bodies; nor any other means to hinder or disturb the peace and communion, or cause jar and debate among all or any Gods handy works. 6. But some of those sons of God the Angels, soon ‡ 2. Pet. 2. 4. john. 8. 44. sinned; & abode not in the truth, neither jude. vers. 6. kept their first estate; but forsook their own habitation where they dwelled in bliss with God: and so became the causes of their own endless and unspeakable miseries. For they having fallen of their own accord; were not holpen nor ‖ 2. Pet. 2. 4. spared, but forsaken of God, separated from the other holy and elect Angels, thrust out of Heaven, and bound in bonds of eternal night and darkness, to be reserved for judgement at the appointed time. 7. These Spirits, being of Saints become unclean Divils', hateful to the Lord, impenitent and malicious in themselves; fell also to be * john. 8. 44. mankillers even from the beginning; and liars against the truth of God's word; ‡ Gen. 3. 1. 2 etc. assaulted our first Parents, the woman by the Serpent, the man by the woman; & by subtlety drew them into transgression of God's plain▪ Law, and so into the snares of sin and death: and this soon after their seating in paradise, as by Moses narration doth appear. For which willing transgression, whereby those our progenitors wrapped † Rom. 5.▪ 12. 15. 18. themselves & all their offpring in everlasting woe and wretchedness: the communion and peace between God and man, was soon disannulled also; & with all earthly creatures for man's sake. Then was Gods ‖ Gen. 3. 14— 17 etc. curse poured out on the head of that old Serpent, & his wrath into the world; where the creature became † Rom. 8. 20. etc. subject to vanity. Man which had hid himself from the face of his Maker, was found out, arraighned and judged for his disobedience; was thrust out of the garden of pleasure, and the holy ‡ Cherubims Gen. 3. 24. Angels kept him from the tree of life. Thus was his happiness suddenly changed into misery; in labour & sorrow to spend his days till the spirit go out of him unto God for judgement; & the body return to dust. Man (that is) in honour, and understandeth not; he is like to the beasts, that perish. Psalm 49. 20. Chapt. 2. Of the horrible miseries that Divils' and men fell into, after they had forsaken God. That we may the better discern God's grace unto us in Christ, who hath freed us from all calamities, and restored us to a most happy state, from which we shall never fall: let us take a view more particularly of the many miseries which sin did bring upon the creatures; so will the benefit of our redemption appear most precious our hearts shallbe filled with gladness, and our mouth with songs of praise, to him that hath saved us from so great a destruction. 2. The Devil having willingly rebelled against God, repented not of his wickedness, but being full of malice, set himself as an enemy against the Lord and his creatures. And for this cause is named in Hebrew † job. 1. 6. Re● 20. 2. Satan, that is ● ffiend, an ‖ 1. Pet. 5. 8. adversary, enemy or resister, * zach. 3. 1. hindering all good, ‡ Mat. 13. 28. 39 beginning and 1 Tses. 2. 18. helping forward all evil. He is called also with his fellows † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. ●2. 17. Shedim, that is wasters; for the scathe and hurt which they do, ‖ Luk. 8. 29. 30 33. preying upon the creatures and spoiling them: and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Levit. 17. 7. Seghnirim, that is rough, rugged or hairy, for the horror of their hue wherein they appeared like ‡ Isa. 13. 21. & 34, 14. Satyrs, or other ugly creatures; and wherewith they terrified such as saw them. In Greek he is named † Mat. 4. 1, Diabolos (Devil,) that is a calumniator, because he maliciously Rev. 12. 9 10. job. 1. 9 1● & 2. 4. 5. accuseth, detracteth & depraveth, the persons, words, actions, not of men only, but even of * Gen. 3. 3. 4. 5. God himself. He is called also the ‡ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wicked or malignant one, for molesting, & with his 1. joh. 2. 13. † Ephes. 6. 16. fiery darts endeavouring man's ruin & misery: the ‖ Mat. 4. 3. Tempter, for assaying to draw men unto sin: a * Revel. 12. 9 Serpent & a Drago, for his subtlety & fierceness, and venomous nature; an ‡ Luk. 11. 24 unclean spirit, for his filthiness: a † 1 King. 22. 23. lying spirit, for his falsehood and deceit, being a Liar, and the father ‖ joh. 8. 44. thereof, no truth is in him. And though one Devil be principal, yet hath he many partners called * Mat. 25. 41. his Angels; all of them malicious and ‡ Mat. 10. 1. unclean spirits like himself, going about with him that † 1. Pet, 5. 8. roaring lion, to rend and to devour. These Ephes. 6. 1●. spiritual wickednesses, are authors, instruments and abettors of all manner * Mat. 4. 3. 9 & 12. 45. job 13. 2. Act. 5. 3 Rev. 16 14. ungodliness, unrighteousness, abomination and uncleanness; they seek by all means to overthrow God's kingdom, & to 'stablish their own; therefore like ravenous birds ‡ Luk. 8. 5. 12. they devour up the seed of the word, least men should believe it and be saved: & like † Mat. 13. 25. 28. 39 envious men, sow tars among the wheat, and go their way; they corrupt men's minds with errors & heresies, the doctrines ‡ 1 Tim. 4. 1. of Divils'. Great knowledge they have to do evil, and are therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark. 5 12. daemons that is cunning or skilful; great ability also to effect it, and are therefore named * Colos 2. 15. principalities & powers; their captain being called ‡ john. 14. 30 the Prince of this world, for his effectual † Ephs. 2. 2. working in the children of disobedience; & is compared Luk. 11. 21. to a strong man armed, keeping his palace; yet is he also ranging abroad and very diligent to work mischief; & therefore * job. 1. 7 & 2. 2. compasseth the earth to and fro, and walketh about in it; seeking, to ‡ Luk. 22. ●1. winnow the godly as wheat, and make their saith to fail. And as there is no end of these fiends wickedness in themselves, & their own abominable nature: so neither would there be end or measure, of their cursed actions and effects; were it not, that God restraineth their malice, and hath set up the kingdom of his holy son jesus, to † 1, john 3. 8. lose the works of the Devil; to destroy & Heb 2. 14. Rev. 12. 7. 10 abolish him. 3, And as these fowl spirits, being fallen from grace, thus set themselves against God & all goodness; so God again cast them out of his favour & from his presence, wherein is the * Psal. 16. 11. fullness of joy,) from the cheerful light liberty and happiness which they enjoyed, & thrust them down ‡ 2. pet. 2. 4. Jude vers. 6. into hell, there keeping them in everlasting chains under darkness unto damnation in that day when he will come to judge the world. And although they have in the mean space some looseness & liberty, not only to range abroad in the world but even † job. 1. 6. 7. 1 King. 22. 19 11. 22. 23. to appear before God in heaven, when, he pleaseth so to suffer them: yet have they no joy in his presence, but ‖ jam. 2. 19 horror & trembling; neither is there any comfortable * 2 Cor. 6. 14. 15. Mat. 8. 29 communion between his majesty and them, nor peace between the holy spirits & them; but Michael and his Angels ‡ Rev. 12. 7. warreth against them, † Jude ver. 9 striveth with them, and ‖ Zach. 3. 1. 2. rebuketh them in the name of the Lord, for his chosens sake. Enmity hath * Gen. 3. 15. Eph. 6. 12. etc. he also put, & war between the saints on earth and them; the saints whom he hath redeemed from their damnation by the ‡ Eph. 1. 7. blood of his beloved son; by whose blood they † Rev. 12. 1● overcome; and under their feet, the God of peace ‖ Rom. 16. 20 will tread down Satan shortly. In dread those damned spirits are of the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 8. 3●. bottomlesse-deep, which they desired Christ that he would not command them into; and fearfully they expect from his hand, torment, the effect of that ‡ Gen. 3. 14. curse which is come upon them to the utmost, and shall be executed in unspeakable manner & measure in that day when (having fulfilled the measure of their sin,) they shallbe † Revel. ●0. 10. Mat. 25. 41. cast into the lake of everlasting fire & brimston, prepared for them; & so without end or relaxation of their misery, be separated from the Lord and all his Saints, from hïs' life, light, and blessed communion, for ever and yet. 4. Men that had been made in the similitude of God, holy just happy & immortal, without any want or imperfection in soul or body; not continuing in this honour but making shipwreck of faith by believing the word of Satan; & of good conscience, by obeying his counsel, & acting the same: whereas they were promised to be as Gen. 3. 5. Gods knowing good & evil, fell by this means into corruption and misery, and became like devil's, * Atheists. Eph 2. ●2. without God in the world; subject to the horror of his wrath, and eternal damnation. Whose woeful estate is to be considered, first in regard of sin; (which stayed not in one action but fretted as a canker and overflowed all:) secondly of punishments for sin; Both of these are in soul and body and their full measure or accomplishment is, of the one in this world, of the other in the world to come. 5. The first sin of man was as venom, that suddenly spread itself into all the powers of soul & body: & subdued them all under death & corruption so soon as the serpent had bitten him. And as he was the root of all mankind; so did the contagion also spread into all the branches his children. By ‡ Rom. 5. 19 his disobedience, many were made sinners, and became ● dead; even by the † ●e. 15. ver. 16. one offence of that one man, was the evil propagated unto * ver. 18. all men, to condemnation: who now being evil by nature, could neither ‡ Mat. 12. 34 speak nor do good, but daily waxed worse. So that when the Lord † Psal. 14. 2. 3. 4. Rom. 3. 10. 11. 12. from heaven looked down upon the son●s of Adam, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God: behold all were gone back, all were corrupt, none that did good, no not one; yea even the children Lev. 12. Psa. 51. 5. & 58. 3 from their birth & conception, unclean and sinful. 6. The corruption and nakedness of man in soul, is to be seen in the Understanding, which * 1. Cor. 2. 14 jer. 10. 14. perceiveth not, neither can know the things of God; yea though light shine into this darkness, yet doth not the ‡ john. 1. 5. darkness comprehend it, † Dan. 29. 23 4. the heart knows not, the eye sees not, the ear hears not after much instruction: man's wisdom is but ‖ 1. Cor. 1. 20 foolishness, and whatsoever he savoureth in mind, is * Rom. 8. 7. enmity against God, and ” Vers. 6. death to himself. The heart of man, which is the fountain ‡ prov. 4. 23. whence all the actions of life do flow; is † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 import all these evils. Ier 17. 9 crooked, crafty, deceitful above all, and wretched, desperately sick even unto death: so that ‖ Gen. 6. 5. every fiction of the thoughts of his heart, is only evil every day, * Gen. 8. 21. even from his childhood. And as the mind is without ‡ jer. 4. 22. the knowledge of God, or † Psal. 106. 21 forgetful if it have known him; so is it otherwise ‖ 1 Tim. 6. 7. corrupted in the faculties thereof, & carried with * Eph 4. 17. vanity. The Conscience which all men have within them, to * Rom. 2. 15. bear witness of their works, this also is ‡ Tit. 1, 15. defiled together with the mind; and through custom of sin, & Satan's effectual working is † 1. Tim. 4. 2. seared as with a hot iron and bcome without remorse or feeling. The ‖ Psal. 81. 11 Will is also alienated from God, and from his * Prov. 1. 25. 30. correction counsel, or ” Isa. 28. 12. hearing the same. All the other affections in like manner corrupted, by cruel ‡ Tit. 3. 3. hatred one of an other, even of own † Prov. 19 7. brethren; of that which is ” Mic. 3. 2. good, yea even of ‖ 2. Chron. 19 2. God himself: the love and delight being set on † Psal. 4. 2. vanity & wickedness Finally the soul of sinful man is fraught with ‖ Rom. 1. 29. etc. all unrighteousness wickedness, maliciousness, wrath, envy, debate, covetousness, inordinate lusts, ambition, pride, unmercifulness, and deep hypocrisy, with all other vices: being * Mat. 12. 44. empty and destitute of every good grace & virtue; he hath neither ‡ Psal. 36. 1. Luk. 18. 2. fear of God, nor reverence of man; yea, that there is † Psal. 10. 4. no God, be all his cogitations. 7. The body (which is the ‖ ●. Cor. 5. 1. earthly tabernacle & * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dan. 7. 15. sheath of the soul,) and all the members of the same, are fit instruments to fulfil the evil thoughts of the mind; & ‡ Rom. 6. 13. 19 be given over in like weise to the service of uncleanness & iniquity. The evils which lust hath conceived inwardly, are by Satan's help and these instruments, brought forth and effected. Hereupon doth man commit all iniquity with greediness: his † Psal. 58. 2. hands execute wickedness and cruelty; his ‖ Prov. 1. 16. feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood; his * 2. Pet. 2. 14. eyes are full of adultery and cannot cease to sin, defiled with ‡ Prov. 6. 17. & 30. 17. haughtiness and mocking, with † Psal. 10. 8. murder and ‖ Mat. 20. 15. maliciousness; his thorat * Rom. 3. 13. is an open sepulchre, the venom of asps is under his lips; his mouth, full of cursing and bitterness; his tongue, an ‖ jam. 3. 6. 8. unruly evil full of deadly poison, a world of wickedness, defiling the whole body, & setting on fire the wheel or course of nature, being itself set on fire of hell, wherewith he curseth men & * Levi. 24. 11. blasphemeth God. His carcase he decketh & clotheth with pride; his belly he pampereth & filleth with excess, for it is his ‡ Phil. 3. 19 God; he is powered out into all lasciviousness. Neither is there any † Rom. 1. 26. 27. 29. Lev. 20. 10. 13. 15. uncleanness, fornication, unnatural filthiness or beastliness, wherewith he abuseth not his own body: no treachery, theft, murder, Witchcraft, worship of idols, yea even of ‖ Rev. 9 20. 21. Psal. 106 37 38. Divils', which he committeth not. And these things he doth with an high hand & obstinate heart, till he become most * job. 15. 16. abominable & fiilthy, drinking iniquity as water; making it ‡ Prou. 10. 23 a pastime to do wickedly, † Psal. 36. 4. refusing not any evil; but for to glut himself with his loathsome delights, addeth sin unto sin, and ‖ Deut. 29. 19 drunkenness unto thirst, groweth * Eph. 4. 19 past feeling, and after his Rom. 2. 5. hardness & heart which cannot repent, heapeth up wrath against the day of wrath, and of the revelation of the just judgement of God, unto whom he hath said † jeb. 21. 14. 15. depart from me, for Idesire not the knowledge of thy ways; who is the Almighty that I should serve him, and what profit should I have, if I should pray unto him; 8. So men that would themselves be ‖ Ezek. 28. 2. Gen. 3. 5. Gods, are fallen to such impiety that they are not far from the loathsome nature of devil's; which our Saviour signified, when he called judas * joh. 6. 70. &. 8. 44. a Devil; and the jews, the Devil's children. And now God abhorreth all wretched man's works & even his most ‡ Isa. 1. 13. 14 religious actions, which his troubled, ignorant & hypocritical conscience, causeth him to perform. The Lord regardeth neither † Gen. 4. 5. him nor his offering, his sacrifice is ‖ Prov. 21. 27 an abomination, his prayer is * Psal. 109. 7 turned to sin, all his worship is ” Mat. 15. 9 vain, his works of mercy ‡ Mat. 6. 1. 2. unprofitable, and † Tit. 1. 15. nothing is pure unto him, his labour ‖ Prov. 10. 1●. & his revenues are unto sin, he himself lieth ” Eph. 2. 1. dead in sins, & the * Psal. 11. ●● soul of God doth hate him. Therefore ‡ job. 11. 20. his eyes shall fail, his refuge shall perish, and his hope be expiration of soul: for he † Eccles. 4. 17. offereth the sacrifice of fools, and knoweth not that he doth evil; he is ‖ 2 Tim. 38. reprobate concerning faith, abominable ‡ Tit. 1. 16. and unto every good work reprobate. 9 The reward of sin unto man, from the just hand of God, is fearful ‡ Deut. 32. 35 vengeance † Prov. 3. 33. curse and ‖ Rom. 6. 23. death, begun in this world, to be fulfilled in the next. His vengeance and curse God inflicteth, sometime by his own powerful hand, upon the bodies and souls of sinners; sometime he useth his creatures to torment them: yea often he vexeth one man by an other, and even by himself. For man in himself hath confusion, and is ‡ Gen. 3. 7. 10 ashamed of his own body and members; his reason, will and affections, are often at war one with another, & his concupiscences † jam. 4. 1. fight within him: rancorous envy ‖ Psal. 112. 10 fretteth and consumeth him; carking covetousness * 1 Tim. 6. 10 pierceth him through with many sorrows; his own inordinate lusts do vex ‡ 2 Sam. 13. 2. 4. and make him sick and lean; generally his whole life he leadeth in vanity † Eccl. 2. 17. and vexation of spirit, all his days are sorrows, & his travail grief; his heart taketh not rest in the night; for he is like ‖ Isa. 57 20. 21. the raging sea that cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt; there is no peace unto him. Again he is often troubled in mind for his misdeeds, guilty fears do torment his conscience, and he is * 1 joh. 3. 20. condemned of his own heart; ‡ Gen. 4. 13. despairing of all help & mercy at God's hand: where upon men dread oft-times † Psal. 53. 5. Lev. 26. 36 Deut. 28. 65. 66. where no dread is, and the sound of a leaf shaken, doth chase them away, they flee as from a sword and fall, no man pursuing them; a * job. 15. 21. 22 sound of fear is in their ears, that in their prosperity the destroyer shall come upon them, neither believe they to return out of darkness. So that in this misery, loathing longer life; some lay violent hands ‡ 2 Sam. 17. 23. Act. 1. 18. on their own bodies, and murder themselves. And man to man, doth all manner mischief and outrage, that they are as † Eccles. 3. 18 job. 24. 5. 7. 9 14. 15. 21. 22. beasts unto themselves by reproaching, blaspheming, robbing, defile, captiving and murdering one an other both secretly and openly, not sparing their own brethren, wives, children, or dearest friends, in their savage wrath, hatred and cruelty. The Lord moreover afflicteth their bodies with ‡ Deut. 28. 21 22. 35. etc. many grievous and noisome sicknesses; their bowels are inwardly tormented with pains, their joints and limbs with aches; filthy leprosies, sores and botches do vex and deform them; burning & pestilent fevers do afflict & consume them: neither is there any part or member from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, which is not smitten & wounded; even the mind and understanding with frenzy and * Dan 4. 13. 29. 30 31. madness; and the bodies sometime devoured with louse and † Act. 12. 23. vermin, whiles they are yet alive. 10. The creatures all, are executioners of Gods just judgements upon wicked men. The heavens sometime withhold their dews and rain, and become like * Lev. 26. 19 brass: sometime they send down stormy tempests ‡ Psal. 18. 12. Exod. 9, 23. 24. with hailstones and fire and other evil influences, to destroy the earth, the inhabitants & fruits thereof. The Psal. 121. 6. Sun smiteth them by day, the moon by night; the * judg. 5. 20. stars from their bulwarks fight against them. The earth either ‡ Gen. 4. 1● & 3. 1●. yieldeth not her fruit, but is like iron; or bringeth forth thorns and thistles and venomous weeds: yea sometimes † Num. 16. 32 openeth her mouth, and swalloweth men up alive. Hunger and famine do afflictt them, that for want of food, they are enforced to eat the flesh of their ‖ Deut 28. 53 57 own children. The wild beasts ‡ 2 Kin. 17. 25. prey upon & devour them; even the smallest and vilest creatures, * Exod. 8. 6. 17. 24. as frogs, flies, lice and the like; are ministers of wrath and vengeance upon the disobedient. The sire breaketh out & burneth them with their substance; the water overfloweth & drowneth them. The ‡ Psal. 35. 5. 6. 2 Kin. 19 35. Angels of the Lord, do pursue, scatter and destroy them. And the devils unto whom wretched men yield homage & obedience, do tyrannize over their † Mat. 8. 32. goods, their bodies and their ●owls; Mark. 9 17. 18. 20. 22. tearing and tormenting them, casting them into fire and into water; * Luk. 8. 27. 29. & ●1. 14 depriving them of reason sense and speech: having them also in horrible bondage under sin, ‡ Eph. 2. 2. working effectually in them, and holding them as in a snare † 2 Tim. 2. 26 unto their own wil So that the benefits of God towards them, wicked men do abuse to further Psal. 73. 4. 5— 8. licentiousness and presumption; by his punishments also they are not bettered, but increase impiety as it is written * Reu. 16. 9 Men blasthemed the name of God; which hath power over these plagues, and they repented not to give him glory: ‡ vers. 11. they blasphemed the God of heaven for their pains and for their sores, and repented not of their works. 11. Therefore after a few evil days on earth, which also for his sins a● Prov. 10 27 shortened, the man being broken, decayed and worn out with miseries, is caused at last to go to * job. 18. 14. the King of fears; death feazeth upon him, and separateth the soul from the body; neither can ‡ Psal. 49. 7. 9 any man redeem his brother, or giv his ransom to God, that he may liv still for ever, and not see the grave: but † job. 27. 20. 22. terrors take him away as waters, a tempest stealeth him away by night; God casteth upon him (his plagues,) & spareth not, though he would fain slay out of his hand; as a whirlwind Prov. 10. 2● that passeth, so is the wicked no more. For * Psal. 146. 4 his spirit departeth, he returneth to his earth, than his thoughts perish, his ‡ Psal. 49. 14 form & beauty consumeth; & as he himself, so his † Prov. 10. 7. Name also shall ●ot. His soul being Luk. 12. 10. fetched away from the body, (wherein it lived and joyed but † job. 20. 5. a little while in the momentany pleasures of sin,) is brought to the † 1 Pet. 3. 19 prison of hell; where all damned ghosts fearfully expect their final doom, at the great day of God; when the souls being again joined with their carcases which the Lord Act. 24. 15. will raise out of the dust; the seas and death and hell * Rev. 20. 13. having delivered up the dead which were in them, they shallbe judged every man according to their works ‡ 2 Cor. 5. 10. done in the body. the † Rev. 20, 12. books shallbe opened, and all things brought to light that were 1 Cor. 4. 5. hid in darkness, the counsels of the hearts, made manifest; the job. 20. 27. heavens shall declare man's wickedness, and the earth shall rise up against him; account shallbe given of ‡ jude. ver. 15 Mat. 12. 36. every evil work and idle word, and God will render to these sinner's † Rom. 2. 8. indignation and wrath; they shallbe ” Mat. 13. 39— 42. & 25. 31. 32. 41 46. cast into the fiery lake prepared for the Devil and his Angels, & with them be tormented in those eternal flames; being for ever separated from the ” 2. Thes. 1. 90 presence of the Lord, & from the glory of his power, from his comfort life and light: & Death shall † Psal. 49. 14. feed upon them, the fire ‖ joh. 20. 26. that is not blown shall devour them. Then shallbe * Mat. 8. 12. weeping & wailing and gnashing of teeth, with too late repentance and fruitless lamentation, in that ‡ Rev. 20. 24. second death, and utter darkness, where the ” worm shall † Isa. 66. 24. Mark. 9 43. 44. not die, nor the fire be quenched for evermore. This is the portion of the wicked from God; and the reward of their sins, from the hand of the Most High. The wicked is kept unto the day of destruction; they shall be brought forth to th● day of wrath. job. 21. 30. CHAP. III. Of man's redemption, & the renewing of his peace; by the grace of God in jesus Christ. 1. God, though he spared not the Angels which sinned of their own accord, and maliciously drew man into their condemnation: yet showed he favour to Adam and his children, when it was neither deserved nor asked. For of them, he had † Eph. 1. 4. chosen to be his, before the foundations of the world, & ‖ Mat. 25. 34 prepared for them a kingdom, which it was * Luk. 12. 32. his pleasure to giv unto them; therefore could he not be hindered, ‡ Prov. 21. 30 no wisdom nor understanding, nor counsel could prevail against him, but ” Psal. 33. 11. his own counsel did stand for ever, & the thoughts of his heart, throughout all ages; he also is † john. 10. 29. greater than all, and none is able to take his sheep out of his hand; therefore he said unto them, ‖ Ezek. 16. 6. when they were polluted in their own blood, ye shall live; even when they were in their blood, he said unto them, ye shall live; I will * Hos. 13. 14. redeem them from the power of the grave, I will deliver them from death. 2. Yet because as his mercy should be magnified, his justice also was to be satisfied, and death inflicted for the transgression of his law; & now man's misery & weakness was such, as endure death he might, but overcome it he ‡ job. 14. 10. 12. could not, nor † Psal. 89. 48 deliver his soul from the hand of the grave: therefore had God of his rich grace and incomprehensible love, ordained his ‖ john. 1. 14. 18. only begotten Son, which was in his bosom, ” john. 10. 30. one with himself, and in glory with him * john. 17. 5. before the world was; by whom ‡ Cols. 1. 16. 17. all things were created in heaven and in earth, things visible & invisible, and in whom all things consist; even this his own dear son had the Father ordained ” 1. Pet 1. 20. before the foundation of the world, that he should † Mat. 1. 21. save his people from their sins, and ‖ 1. Thes. 1. 10 deliver them from the wrath to come. 3. And forasmuch as being in the * Philip. 2. 6. form of God, and ‡ 1. joh. 5. 20. very God himself, (who liveth and is blessed for ever) he could not in that nature & glory (wherein ” 1 Tim. 6. 16 only is immortality,) partake with man's wretchedness, or taste of his death, which yet by God's grace ‖ Heb. 2. 9 he was to taste for all men: therefore was it also ordained, that the † john. 1. 14. Word should be made flesh, even the Son of God, when he came into the world, should be made of ‖ Gal. 4. 4. a woman, and of the * Act. 13. 23. seed of earthly man according to the flesh; that he should take on him the form ‡ Phil. 1. 7. of a servant, and be found in shape as a man, partaker ” Heb. 2. 14. with his children of flesh and blood, that he might suffer for their sake, be touched with the feeling of their infirmities ” Heb. 4. 15. and in all things tempted in like sort, yet without sin. 4. This incarnation of the Lord whereby he should become our ” Mat. 1. 2●. Emmanuel, that is, God with us; was not to be man's work, or brought to pass by carnal generation, but by the † Luk. 1. 35. holy Ghost, and power of the most high, overshadowing a virgin, whereby she should ‖ vers. 31. conceive in her womb, and bear a * vers. 35. holy thing that should be called the Son of God. Who for the fullness of the grace of the Godhead, which was to ‡ Colos. 2. 9 dwell in him bodily, & the † Luk. 4. 18. spirit wherewith he was to be anointed; should be named the ‖ joh. 1. 21. Messiah and the Christ, that is the Anointed of God: & for the salvation of sinners, should be crowned with the title of * Mat. 1. 21. jesus, that is the Saviour or Deliverer, at whose name ‡ Phil. 2. 10. 11. every knee should bow, both of things in heaven & things in earth, & things under the earth; and every tongue confess that jesus Christ is the Lord, unto the glory of God the Father; who gave him to be ” Isa. 49. 6. his salvation to the end of the earth. 5. For by this his Son, the ‡ Heb. 1. 3. brightness of his glory, God would † 2 Cor. 5. 19 reconcile the world to himself, not imputing but freely ‖ Eph. 1. 7. forgiving their sins unto them; and by this * Col. 1. 15. image of his own invisible majesty, would ‡ Col. 3. 10. renew the heavenly image in man, which now was defaced, giving him ” Ezek. 36. 26 a new heart and a new spirit, even putting † vers. 27. his own spirit within him, & making him a ‖ 2 Cor. 5. 17. new creature. For whereas the first Adam was made but a * Gen. 2. 7. living soul, and having lost his life by sin, could not recover the same again, but death ‡ Rom. 5. 12. 14. reigned over all: this second Adam which was a ” 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 15. 45. livemaking spirit, should ” Ephes. 2. 5. quicken them that were dead in trespasses and sins, and by his ‡ joh. 5. 25. voice should raise them up, and give them life eternal; that so the dead men ” Isa. 26. 19 might liv again, and they awake and sing, that dwell in dust. 6. The way to work out this wondrous grace for men's redemption, was appointed to be by great afflictions through which the ” Heb. 2. 10. Prince of their salvation was to be consecrate, that many children might be brought unto glory. For this Son of God the Lord and heir of all ” Phil. 2. 7, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 things, was to † empty himself, and take on him the form of a servant, to become lesser than the † Heb. 2. 7. 9 Angels, yea more deformed ‖ Isa. 52. 14. then the sons of Adam, even a * Psal. 22. 6. worm and not a man, the shame of men and contempt of the people, that when we should see him, ‡ Isa. 53. ●. he should have neither form nor beauty that we should desire him: though yet in himself, he was much ” Psal. 45. 2. fairer than the sons of Adam, all his parts and features and countenance so excellent, as he was ‡ Song. 5. 16. wholly delectable. 7. So when the first begotten of the Father was brought into the world, though † Heb. 1. 6. all the Angels of God did worship him, the ‖ Mat. 8. 27. winds and seas obeyed him, the Fish * Mat. 17. 27. paid his tribute, the ” Mark. 1. 13. wild beasts lived at peace with him, and the very ‡ Luk. 8. 28. devils confessed him, and were afraid: yet wretched man would not acknowledge him, his † john. 1. 11. own received him not, he was ‖ Psal. 69. 8. a stranger to his brethren, an alien to his Mother's sons, * Isa. 53. 3. despised he was & we esteemed him not. Yea God himself would ‡ vers. 10. break him & make him subject to infirmities, & lay upon him the ” vers. 6. iniquity of usal; for we ‖ Isa. 43. 24. made him to serve for our sins, we wearied him with our iniquities; so that innumerable troubles compassed him about, & our sins which now were * Psal. 40. 12. his, took such hold upon him, that he was not able to lookup; for which a cup was ‡ joh. 18. 11. given him of the Father to drink, full of † Mat. 26. 37. 38. Mark. 14. 33. sorrow, fear, heaviness, & agony, that made his soul heavy even unto the death, & he prayed his Father, that ‖ Mat. 26. 39 if it had been possible, it might have passed from him; offering up his prayers with * Heb. 5. 7. strong crying and tears, & sweat ‡ Luk. 22. 44. like drops of blood trickling down to the ground, the shadow of death ” job. 16. 16. being upon his eyes. But because it could not be but he must drink (for therefore † joh. 12. 27. came he to that hour,) and the Lord God had ‖ Isa. 50. 5. opened his ear that he was not rebellious, neither turned back: he * Psal. 40. 7. 8 willingly gave up his body for a sacrifice, & bore the wrath of God due for our trespasses, he which knew no sin ‡ 2 Cor. 5. 21● was made sin for us; and ” Isa. 53. 12. powered out his soul unto death. 8. Then came Satan the Prince of this world to see if he could have conquered him, but he ” john. 14. 30. had nothing in him: yea his own time was now come, † john. 12. 31. 32. now was he to be cast out, & Christ being lifted up from the earth, would draw all men to himself. The serpent beset him with ‖ Psal. 18. 4. 5 the snares of death, and with floods of Belial to make him afraid; but he said unto death * Hos. 13. 14. I will be thy death, and unto the grave, I will be thy destruction; so he spoiled ‡ Colos. 2. 15. the Principalities and powers of that kingdom of darkness, made a show of them openly, triumphed over them in the same cross, & destroyed ” Heb. 2. 14. through death him that had the power of death, that is the Devil. 9 They for whom he suffered all these things regarded not the rock of their salvation, but ” Isa. 53. 4. judged him as plagued and smitten of God & humbled. He ‡ Isa. 63. 30 trod the winepresle alone, and of all the people there was none with him, his * Mat. 26. 56. own disciples had all forsaken him and fled, that he by † Heb. 1. 3. himself might purge our sins. He looked ‖ Psal. 69. 20. for some to have pity on him, but there was none; for comforters, but none he found; there was * Psal. 142. 4. not any that would know him, all refuge failed him, none cared for his soul. His own people * ‡ Act. 3. 13. betrayed him, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had judged him to be delivered, they ” vers. 14, denied the holy one and the just, and desired a murderer to be given them. Then was the Lord of glory misused, & suffered much speaking against of sinners they ‖ Psal. 109. 2. 3. 5. opened upon him the mouth of deceit, and compassed him about with words of hatred, they rewarded him evil for good, and hatred for his friendship; they * Mat. 26. 67 spate on his face & buffeted him; they crowned him with ‡ joh. 19 1. 2. thorns and scourged him; he became a ” Psa. 109. 25 reproach unto them, they that looked upon him shaked their heads, yea rebuke † Psal. 69. 20 did break his heart, and he was full of heaviness, for ‖ Psal. 22. 16. dogs did compass him about, the assembly of the wicked enclosed him, they pierced his hands and his feet, and gored * john. 19 34. his side; they ‡ Act. 5. 30. slew & hanged him on a tree, so was he made a ” Gal. 3. 13. curse for us, for the † Deut. 21. 23 curse of God was on him that was hanged. 10. But in his trouble he called upon the Lord & cried unto his ” Psal. 22. 1. & 142. 5. God, why hast thou forsaken me? thou art my hope my portion in the land of the living. ‖ Psal. 69. 14. 15. Deliver me out of the mire that I sink not, let me be delivered from them that hate me, & out of the deep waters, let not the water flood drown me, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me; ” Psal. 22. 2●. deliver my soul from the Sword, my desolate soul from the hand of the Dog. In the end, he commended ‡ Luk. 23. 46. his spirit into the hands of his Father, † Heb. 9 17. confirmed the Testament by his death, and unto the ‖ Psal. 22. 15. dust of death he was brought, his grave * Isa. 53. 9 was with the wicked. 11. But the sorrows of death were soon loosed, because it ‡ Act. 2. 24. was unpossible that the † Act. 3. 15. Lord of life should be holden of it: for as he had power to lay down his life, so had he power to take it again, ‖ john. 10. 18. this commandment he had received of his Father, who ” Psal. 16. 11. showed him also the path of life, and ‡ Heb. 13. 20. brought again from the dead, this great Shepherd of the sheep. Wherefore the † 1 Cor. 15. 4. third day he rose up alive, he rose up, and ‖ Psal. 68 1. his enemies were scattered, and they that hated him fled from before him; & now behold ‖ Rev. 1. 18. he is alive for evermore, Amen: and hath the keys of hell and of death; death hath ” Rome 6. 9 no more dominion over him, for ‡ 1 Cor. 15. 54 it is swallowed up in victory. 12. Thus God's hand was † Psal. 80. 17. with the man of his right hand, with the son of man whom he made strong for himself; the Lord ‖ Psal. 20. 1. 2 3. 4. heard him in the day of trouble, and sent him help from his Sanctuary, remembered all his oblations and turned his burnt-offring into ashes, gave him according to his heart, & fulfilled all his counsel, * vers. 5 that we might rejoice in his salvation, and set up banners in the name of our God, when the Lord had performed all his petitions. For he having thus through the eternal spirit ‡ Heb. 9 14. offered himself without spot unto God, obtained † vers. 12. eternal redemption; & having drunk of the brook in the way, he ‖ Psal. 110. 7. therefore lifted up the head. He ascended up on high with triumph, leading ‡ Psal. 68 18 captivity captive, and approached unto the † Dan. 7. 13. Ancient of days, who ‖ Eph. 1. 20. 21 set him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality & power, and might, & domination, and every name that is named, not in this world only but also in that which is to come, & made all things subject under his feet; * Dan. 7. 14. gave him dominion and honour and a kingdom, that all people's nations and languages should serve him, his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall never be taken away, & his kingdom shall never be corrupted, and this is the name whereby we must call him, ‡ jer. 23. 6. jehovah our justice. 13. And now the gates of the heavenly Paradise † Luk. 23. 43. were opened to the sons of Adam, and the tree of Life, better than that from which the Cherubims ‖ Gen. 3. 24. sword had kept man, was * Rev. 2. 7. given him by Christ to eat of, and live for ever. Now felt men the effect of that heavenly oracle that came out of Caiaphas' mouth, ‡ john. 11. 50. It is expedient for us that one man die for the people, and the Whole nation perish not: for lo the wrath of God kindled for man's sin, was appeased by the death of this † 1 Tim. 2. 5. 6 man Christ jesus who gave himself a ransom for all men, and ‖ 1 Pet. 2. 24. bore our sins in his body on the tree, being the * Heb. 7. 22. surety of the Testament. It pleased the Father by him, the ‡ Isa 9 6. Prince of peace, to † Col. 1. 20. reconcile all things to himself, & to set at peace through the blood of his cross both the things in earth and the things in heaven. For it was his beloved son in † 2 Pet. 1. 17. whom he was well pleased, his chosen one ‖ Isa. 42. ● in whom his soul delighted, that had * Ephes. 5. 2. given himself to be an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God, who smelled here a savour of rest, sweeter than that in † Gen. 8. 21. Noah's sacrifice, which caused him to say in his heart, that he would curse the ground no more for man's cause though the imagination of man's heart were evil from his youth: for now there shallbe ‖ Rev 22. 3. zach. 14. 11. no more curse, but the throne of God & of the Lamb (that was slain) shallbe in the city, he * Deut. 32. 43 will be merciful unto his land, unto his people. The Angels saw this, & were glad for our salvation, they sung at our Saviour's birth, ‡ Luk. 2. 13. 14. Glory to God in the highest (heavens) and upon earth peace, towards men goodwill. And when he was glorified, the thousand thousands of them praised him saying, † Rev. 5. 11. 12. worthy is the Lamb that was killed, to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory and praise. The heavens ‖ Isa. 44. 23. rejoiced for that the Lord had done, the lower parts of the earth shouted, the mountains forests and every tree burst forth into praises, for that the Lord had redeemed jaakob, & would be glorified in Israel. and * Rev. 5. 13. all creatures in heaven & in earth, under the earth, and in the sea, & all that are in them, gave Praise & honour and glory & power, unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever more. Amen. 14. This grace was the ‡ 1. Cor. 2. 7. Wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God had fore-determined before the world unto our glory; but † job. 28. 21. it was hid from the eyes of all the living, & hid from the fowls of the heaven; none ‖ 1. Cor. 2. 8. 9 of the Princes of this world knew it, no ye had seen it, nor ear heard it, neither came it into man's heart, only * job. 28 23. God understood the Way thereof, and ‡ Ephes. 3. 9 from the beginning of the world it was kept secret and hid in him, and still † Mat. 11, 25. he hideth it from the wise & men of understanding, neither can the ” 1 Cor. 2. 14. natural perceive it until he revel it unto them by his † 1 Cor. 2. 10. spirit, which spirit searcheth all things even the deep things of God, and by it we ‖ vers. 12. know the things that are given to us of God. 15. And now * Eph. 1. ●. he hath opened unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in Christ; he ‡ Isa. 62. 11. hath proclaimed unto the ends of the world, that the Saviour of the daughter Zion is come, his wages with him, and his work before him; that we might clearly see the ” Eph. 3. 9 fellowship of the mystery, & might be able to † vers. 18. 19 comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth and length and depth and height, & to know the lov of Christ which passeth knowledge, and might be filled with all fullness of God; who hath given us ‖ Isa. 61. 3. beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of gladness for the spirit of heaviness, because our ‡ warfare is accomplished, .40. 2. and our iniquity is pardoned. For while we were ” Rom. 5. 8. 9 10. yet sinners, Christ died for us; and when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by his death, and now shall be saved by his life; for the † Isa. 53. 5. chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed; he hath ‖ Rev. 1. 5. washed us from our sins in his blood, and * Heb. 9 14. purged our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God; and is gone up into very heaven ‡ vers. 24. to appear now in the sight of God for us, and there to ” joh. 14. 2. 3. prepare us a place, that where he is we may be also. From whence he will shortly show himself † 2 Thes. 1. 7. with his mighty Angels, to be ‖ vers. 10. glorified in his Saints, and made marvelous in them that believe; who after that they have drunk of his cup, & been * Rom. 6. 3. 4. baptized into his death and burial, and walked with him in newness of life in this vale of tears, and ‡ Col. 1. 24. fulfilled the rest of his afflictions in their flesh, shall have their ” Phil▪ 3. 21. vile bodies changed & fashioned like to his glorious body, the dead † 1 Cor. 15. 52▪ being raised up incorruptible, and such as ‖ 1 Thes. 4. 17. live & remain, being changed and caught up with them also in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall they ever be with the Lord, their * Mat. 13. 43. faces shining as the Sun, in the kingdom of their Father. 16. Although this mystery of Christ, ‡ Eph. 3. 4. 5. was not opened unto the sons of men in other ages, as it was at last reveled unto his holy Apostles and Prophets by the spirit: yet was the effect and sum thereof, made known to all the Patriarches from the beginning. For jesus Christ was ” Heb. 13. 8. yesterday, is to day, & the same for ever, & Abraham † john. 8. 56. saw his day and was glad; Abel also by faith in him Heb. 11. 4. obtained testimony that he was righteous; which faith he learned of his father Adam; who heard of God the riches of this grace freely preached in paradise, before the sentence of exile and death was pronounced upon him; namely that the woman's * Gen. 3. 15. seed should crush the Serpent's head; who also was showed the way to be by death and sacrifice, a shadow whereof he saw in the Lambs ‡ Gon. 4. 4. then slain and sacrificed in the service of the Lord. The great afflictions of Christ and of his people, were foretold in the Serpent's crushing of his ●eel, and the enmity between the woman's seed & that Serpents; foreshowed also in the ” ver. 8. murder of Abel the just by Cain his wicked brother. To Christ gave † Act. 10. 43. & 28. 23. all the Prophet's witness, that through his name all that believed in him, should receive remission of sins: and the * Act. 26. 7. twelve tribes instantly serving God night & day, hoped to come unto this promise. So in this hope and expectation of redemption, by the Son of God, the Fathers rested, and comforted their fainting souls by faith, the ‡ Heb. 11. 1. evidence of things not seen: by which faith ” vers. 13. they saw the promises a far off, were persuaded, saluted them, & confessed that they were strangers and pilgroms upon earth, and so died, having † vers. 39 40. through their faith obtained testimony, but received not the promise; God providing a better thing for us, that they without us, should not be made perfect; but in patient hope pass out their days on earth; & after death job. 14. 14. wait all the days of their appointed time, till their changing shall come, and then * Dan. 12. 13. stand up in their lot, (with us and all Saints,) at the end of the days. 17. But all this grace, and riches of the glorious mystery now manifested to the Saints, ” Col. 1. 27. which is, Christ in us the hope of glory; God did not communicate with all men, neither yet doth: save with some † Mat. 20. 16. few chosen in Christ Ephes 1. 4. before the foundation of the world. Which little flock have their election, * Rom. 9 11. not by works, but by him that caleth, according to the ‡ Eph. 1. 5. good pleasure of his own will: who without any unrighteousness ” Rom. 9 18. hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth; having made † vers. 21. 22. 23. as the clay-potter of one lump, some men vessels of mercy prepared unto glory, & some vessels of wrath prepared to destruction; which yet notwithstanding have many favours and benefits from God to draw them to repentance out of the snare of Satan, but all in vain for they despise the grace proffered unto them, and run headlong into the condemnation, whereto they were * jude. vers. 4. of old ordained; let mercy be showed them, yet ‡ Isa. 26. 10. will they not learn righteousness, in the land of equity's they will do wickedly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. 18. And of these there are two sorts; some that are called to the knowledge of the truth, & have Luke. 8. 13. received it with joy▪ yet having no roots, beleiv but for a while, and in time of tentation go away. Yea of these there are, that have been once † Heb. 6. ●. ●. 6. lightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and been made partakers of the holy Ghost, & have tasted of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come: and yet not with standing fall away, and crucify again to themselves the son of God▪ and make a mock of him; and ” Heb. 10. 29. tread him under foot, and count the blood of the Testament as an unholy thing, wherewith they were sanctified, and do despite the spirit of grace. Such, it is † Heb. 6 4. 6. impossible they should be renewed again unto repentance; neither ‖ Heb. 10. 26. ●7. remaineth any more sacrifice for their sins, but a fearful looking for of judgement and violent fire which shall devour them. And such, howsoever they were among the Saints, yet were they not of them, for than * 1 john. 2. 19 they would have continued with them; neither were they of Christ's sheep, for than he would have ‡ john. 10. 27. 28. given them eternal life, and they should never have perished, neither should any have plucked them out of his hand; he would have put his fear in their hearts, that † Ie●. 32. 40. they should not have departed from him; though they had fallen ‖ Psal. 37. 24. they should not have been cast off, for the Lord would have put under his hand. 19 Othersome there are, not called to the faith but * Eph. 2. 12. strangers from the covenants of promise, whom God ‡ Act. 14. 16. suffereth to walk in their own ways, † Psal. 147. 19 20. not showing them his word nor his statutes and judgements. Or if he cause his gospel to come unto them, yet will not ‖ john. 5. 40. they come unto him that they might have life; they hear not his words * john. 8. 47. because they are not of God; neither believe, ‡ joh. 10. 26. because they are not Christ's sheep; all the day long ” Rom. 10. 21. he stretcheth forth his hand to an unperswadeable and gainsaying people. Yea believe they cannot, because † john. 12. 39 40. he hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they should not see with eyes nor understand with heart, and be converted, and he to heal them: the Lord ‖ Isa. 29. 10. Rom. 11. 8. hath covered them with the spirit of slumber. 20. And these are for the most part the * Luk. 10. 21. wise and learned of the world from whom God hideth the secret of his Gospel, and worketh a marvelous work in this people, even a marvelous work & a wonder (as ‡ Isa. 29. 14. saith the Prophet) that the wisdom of the wise men perish, for ” 1 Cor. 3. 20. the Lord knoweth that their thoughts be vain. Therefore he † 1 Cor. 1. 19 maketh their wisdom to perish, and casteth away the understanding of the prudent; he poureth ‖ Psal. 107. 40 contempt upon princes, and causeth them to err in desert places, out of the way, and maketh * job. 12. 21. the strength of the mighty weak: he ‡ Luk. 1. 51. 52 scattereth the proud in the imagination of their hearts, and putteth down the mighty from the thrones: the ” 1 Cor. 1. 20. wisdom of this world maketh he foolishness, and by the † vers. 21. foolishness of preaching saveth them that believe; which also are the ‖ vers. 27. 28. foolish weak vile and despised things of the world, even things that are not; which yet he hath chosen to bring to naught the things that are: that ‡ vers. 29. no flesh should rejoice in his presence, but as it is written, ” vers. 31. he that rejoiceth let him rejoice in the Lord. 21. Thus Christ crucified † 1 Cor. 1. 2●. 24. is to the jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks, foolishness; and only to them which are called, both of jews & Greeks, he is the power of God, & the wisdom of God; in whom they triumph & say, Lo ‖ Isa. 2●. 9 this is our God, we waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord whom we waited for, we will joy and be glad in his salvation. 22. And thus is there a distinction made of the sons of Adam, some left to perish in their sins, the children of wrath * Eph. 2. 3. as they were by nature, who because they are not ‡ john. 3. 3. borne again, they cannot see the kingdom of God: othersome are ” Rev. 14. 3. bought from the earth and † 1 Pet. 1. 23. born a new of immortal seed, and are ‖ john. 17. 16. not of this world, but have their * Phil. 3. 20. conversation in heaven, & ‡ joh. 1. 12. 13 power given them of Christ to be the sons of God, which are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 23. Between these two sorts of men is great difference; both in the affections of God, who ” Rom. 9 13. Psal. 146. 8. & 11. 5. loveth the one and hateth the other: and of Christ, † john. 17. 9 who prayeth for one & not for another: and in their affections again towards God, & one towards another. For the Saint's ‖ Psal. 18. 1. 1 john. 4. 19 ●1. love the Lord, and have mutual love among themselves; but the wickeds * Zech. 11. 8. soul abhorreth him; and they hate ‡ joh. 15. 18. 19 such as he hath chosen out of the world; and are hated again of ” Psal. 139. 21. 22. them with perfect hatred. Thus is there war & enmity ‡ Gen. 3. 15. betwixt the just and the wicked, the one of them being † Pro. 2●. 27. an abomination to the other. 24. Hence is it, that the scripture speaketh so much of the fellowship and communion of the Saints, with God and among themselves; and of their separation from the Devil, and from his children the wicked men even in this life, whiles yet they live together with them in civil society, & breathe one common air: expecting with patience the full and final separation, which Christ and his Angels ‖ Mat. 13. 39 40. 41. etc. will make at the last and great day of doom. Of this holy communion here on earth, I purpose to entreat, as God hath given me to discern by his word. His gracious spirit breath upon my soul, and guided my pen to set down his truth. CHAPT. four Who be the Saints of this Communion. THat we may the better discern the Comunion of Saints, whereof we treat; let us first consider who the persons be, that have fellowship together. The Head & highest in this holy society is the Lord our God; who is not only Most holy in himself, but communicateth his holiness with us his creatures: & doth vouchsafe to have fellowship with us even in this life & world, as it is written, † 1 john. 1. 6. 7 If we say that we have communion with him, & walk in darkness, we lie & do not the truth: but if we walk in the light as he is in the light; we have communion one with an other, (that is God with us, and we with him:) and the blood of jesus Christ his son, cleanseth us from all sin. For this cause he is often called in the scripture, the ” Isa. 5. 19 24 Psal. 71. 22. & 78. 41. & 89. 18. Saint or Holy-one of Israel; and the † Rev. 15. 3. King of the Saints. This is to be understood of all three persons in the unity of the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, of whom it is written ‖ The mystery of the Holy trinity joshu. 24. 19 and He (is) holy Gods; & accordingly his people are named, the * Dan. 8. 24. in the Hebrew. people of the Holy ones. 2. jesus Christ, as he is God manifested in the flesh, is the ‡ Mark. 1. 24 Saint of God, the † Rev. 3. 7. Holy one and the True, even the ‖ Isa. 54. 5. holy one of Israel; being himself full of the * Luk. 4. 1. Holy ghost, and therewith ‡ Mat. 3. 11. Act. 1. 5. baptizeth his church whereof he is the mediator. And was figured out by the High priest in the law, who in type of him was also called the † Psal. 106. 16 Saint of the Lord, and carried this writing graven in gold upon his forehead, ‖ Exod. 28. 36 Holiness to jehovah. With this jesus our redeemer, we that believe, have a very near communion; according to that which is written, * Heb. 2. 11. He that Sanctifieth (which is Christ) and they that are sanctified (which are his people) are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. And again, † 1 Cor. 1. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye are called unto the communion of his Son jesus Christ our Lord. 3. The elect and blessed Angels, are also ‖ Deut. 33. 2. ●ith Act. 7. 53. jude. ver. 14. Saints; having sanctity by creation, continued and confirmed unto them for ever. These heavenly spirits have communion not only with God, in whose presence they stand; but also with us the children of God through faith; by which we are come unto the * Heb. 12. 22. great assembly of the many thousands of them, have them for our ‡ Psal. 34. 7. & 91. 11. 12. guardians, and acknowledging themselves to be our ” Rev. 22. 9 fellow servants. 4. All men and women, called to the faith of God, are † Deut. 33. 3. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Saints by caling; being sanctified by Christ jesus, and one with an other are ‖ Heb. 3. 1. holy brethren. Of these some are * Mat. 27. 52. Saints departed this life, and sleeping in the Lord: othersome are on earth, & whiles they here live (notwithstanding their many infirmities & afflictions) are ‡ Psal. 16. 3. Dan. 7. 18. 21. 22. 25. Rom. 1. 7. Saints of the most High; a † 1 Pet. 2. 9 holy nation 5. This happy society. our fathers of old saw shadowed in the Tabernacle, where God ‖ Psal. 78. 60. dwelled among men. His own gracious presence appeared, when his * Exo 40. 34. glory filled the Tabernacle, & his voice was heard of Moses ‡ Lev. 1. 1. out of the same; and the † Psal. 132. 8. Ark of his strength was a continual sign of his residence and rest therein. His son Christ was represented by the ‖ Exo. 25. 17. mercy-seat or Propitiatory covering the Ark, in whom and by whom God is reconciled with his people, who therefore is called the * hilactério●. Rom. 3. 25. Propititiatory or Reconciliation; from that was the ‡ Nom. 7. 89. voice of God heard speaking, even as by Christ ” Heb. 1. 2. he speaketh to the end. The Angels were figured in the Cherubims upon the † Exod. 25. 18 & 26. 1. etc. mercy-seat, and in the curtains of the tent round about, for so those blessed Spirits * Heb. 1. 6. 14. ' minister unto Christ and to his church the heirs of his salvation. The multitude of believers were resembled in the ‡ Lev. 24. 5. 6. twelve cakes (according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel,) set upon the pure table before the Lord, with ” vers. 7. pure incense upon them, to be for a remembrance & offering by fire to the Lord in steed of them. So we Christians are † 1 Cor. 5. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unlevened cakes, standing before the Lord in his church, and being in Christ a sweet odour unto him, who still hath his spiritual † Rev. 21. 3. Tabernacle with men, and dwelleth with them. CHAP. V. Holiness or Sanctity what it is. THe Scripture caleth that thing or person holy, which is separated from profaneness & pollution, and is addicted or applied to divine use or service of God. Thus the Sabbath day was hallowed, when God had severed it from common labour and human employments, to be spent in heavenly exercises and meditations, whereupon it is named † Exod. 35. 2. & 16. 23. the holy Sabbath of rest to the Lord: The like is to minded for all ‖ Levit 23. 2. 3. 4. 21. 24. 27. 35. 36. 37 other feast days appointed of God for holy convocations. The firstborn of man and beast * Exod. 13. 2. Deut. 15. 19 Num. 3. 13. 41. & 8. 17. 18. were sanctified to the Lord, by being exempted from man's use; dedicated to God, and employed in his service. Hence was it, that all strange or unclean persons were forbidden to ‡ Exod. 29. 33 Lev. 22. 3 4. 5. 6. 9 10. eat, yea or to touch the holy things. And when the Israelites were sanctified ceremonially, it was ” Exod. 19 14 15. 22 by washing their garments, abstaining from their wives, thus preparing their bodies and minds to converse with God. And in the whole course of their life, this was their sanctification and signs thereof, to abstain from all sin and uncleanness, as also from communion with the sinners and unclean: and to give themselves to the service of God & keeping of his laws. 2. This is to be seen in many particulars. As, the call and † Lev. 20. 26. separating of Israel from other people that they might be holy unto God. The shadow hereof; namely abstinence from eating unclean meats (which figured ” Act. 10. 12. 13. 17. 20. 28 etc. their refreyning from the fellowship of wicked men,) for a sign and testimony of their * Lovit. 11. 44 45. Exod. 22. 31. Deut. 14. 21. sanctification & holiness with the Lord. To Moloch they might not offer their children, for that was to ‡ Lev. 20. 3. defile God's sanctuary and pollute his holy name; nor † urs. 6. 7. turn after soothsayers, for the same cause. All monuments of idolatry they were to destroy, ‖ Deut. 7. 5. 6. because they were a holy people to the Lord their God. Idolatrous rites and customs they were to refreyn, * Deut. 14. 1. 2. for the same cause. Even their bodily excrements were to be covered, ‡ Deut. 23. 13 14. that their host might be holy before the Lord. And being thus cleansed from evil, they were willed to remember, and do all his commandments, † Num. 15. 40 and so be holy unto their God. 3. The new testament also teacheth this same, whiles it opposeth † 1. Cor. 6. 9 10. 11. 1. Thes 4. 7. sanctity unto all manner sin and uncleanness; and exhorteth us to * 2. Cor. 7. 1. cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and so grow up unto full holiness in the fear of God: that being sanctified † 1 Thes. 5. 23 throughout, we may by good works give all our members ‖ Rom. 6. 19 servants unto righteousness in holiness. CHAPTER. VI HOw holiness is given unto God and Christ, and how unto creatures. Holiness is ascribed unto God in the word, both by * Isa. 6. 3. Psal. 99 3. 5. 9 Rev. 4. 8. Angels & men, in two respects; 1. Because he in himself is sanctity and purity itself; and it is unpossible that in him should be any evil sin, or uncleanness. He ‡ 1 john. 1. 5. is light, & darkness in him there is not any; he † Psal. 5. 4. delighteth not wickedness, neither shall evil sojourn with him he cannot so much as be ‡ jam. 1. 13. tempted with evil; therefore is he sequestered from this sinful world, and heaven is the ” Isa. 63. 15. habitation of his holiness. 2. Again because he is the only author and effecter of all holiness & sanctimony in whomsoever; † Lev. 20. 8. john. 17. 17. jude. vers. 1. sanctifying us his people, & giving his Sabbath for a ‖ Ezek. 20. 1● sign hereof; & * Deut. ●6. 18. 19 advancing us hereby, above all nations which he hath made; this being one of his principal ‡ Deut. 28. 2. 9 blessings. He giveth holiness to all things about him, to the ” Psal. 20. 6. heavens, and to earthly places where he vouchethsafe † Exod. 3. 5. Psal. 48. 1. Neh. 11. 1. 18 Rev. 21. 2. to appear or remain. So that ‖ 1 Sam. 2. 2. none is holy as jehovah; he is a * Isa. 5. 16. holy God sanctified in justice, and let ‡ Psal. 145. 21. all flesh bless the name of his holiness for ever and ay. 2. jesus Christ hath holiness in his divine nature equal with the Father, and Holy Ghost: and in his manhood he was holy by ” Luk. 1. 35. birth; in life also and conversation he showed all manner holiness † Isa. 53. 9 john. 8. 46. 1 Pet. 2. 22. without sin or spot. For such an high priest it ‖ Heb. 7. 26. became us to have, as is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners. And he giveth * Ephes. 5. 26. holiness and purity to his church, for whose sake he ‡ john. 17. 19 sanctified himself; and is therefore worthily entitled the † Luk. 4. 34. Act. 4. 27. holy one of God, even the * Dan. 9 24. Holy of holies; unto whom the Seraphim do sing as he sitteth on the high throne of his glory within his temple, ‡ Isay. 6. 1. 3. with joh. 12. 41. Holy holy holy (is) the Lord of hosts. 3. The Angels are spirits holy by nature, so created of God at the first, and having kept their original, are established by God's election through Christ their * Colos. 2. 10. head, in their holy & happy estate for ever, & therefore carry the title of Angels * 1 Tim. 5. 21 elect and † Mat. 25. 31. Rev. 14. 10 holy. Yet even these heavenly spirits, being compared with God himself, the bottomless fountain of holiness; are as * job. 15. 15. impure in his sight & ‡ Isa. 6. 2. hide their faces: though through the grace of God by which they are confirmed, they always do ‖ Mat. 18. 10. behold his face. 4. Holiness in men, by nature there is not any, for they are ‖ Psal. 51. 5. Isa. 64. 6. sinners & unclean from the womb; † Eph. 2. 3. children of wrath, and rather to be reputed ‡ job. 11. 12. & 24. 5. jer. 51. 17. beasts than men: having lost the holiness wherein God at first created them; as † Chap. 2. Sect. 3. 4. etc. before is showed. But holiness is restored again to men by the Lord; as it is written ‖ Lev. 22. 32. I The Lord sanctify you: and again, † 1 Thes. 5. 23. Now the God of peace sanctify you throughout: wherefore he caleth himself, ‖ Isa. 43. 15. the Lord our Holy one. 5. This our sanctification, is ascribed unto the Father: according to the prayer of Christ ‖ joh. 17. 17. Sanctify them with thy truth, and in the epistle of ‖ jude. 1. 1. ●ude, to them that are called and sanctified of God the Father. It is ascribed to the Son ‖ Eph. 5. 25. 26. who loved the church and gav himself for it that he might sanctify it, and of God is made unto us wisdom and justice & * 1. Cor. 1. 30. sanctification & redemption; Also to the holy Ghost, as it is written, ‖ 1. Cor. 6. 11. ye are washed ye are sanctified ye are justified in the name of the Lord jesus, and by the spirit of our God 6. Our sanctification in Christ is two ways; First by imputation of that which himself wrought for us, when by the will of God we were † Heb. 10. 10. sanctified by the offering of his body once; and thus are we ‖ Rev. 1. 5. washed from our sins in his blood, and God reconciled us to himself, in the body of his flesh through death to make us * Colos. 1. 20. 22. Holy and unblamable, & without fault in his sight. Secondly, it is by his own gracious work in us ‖ Mat. 3. 11. baptizing us with the holy spirit into his † Rom. 6. 3. 4. 5. death, burial & resurrection; that our ‖ vers. 6. old man being crucified with him, the body of sin might be destroyed, & henceforth we should not serve sin, but ‖ vers. 19 give our members servants unto righteousness in holiness: and so † vers. 22. being freed from sin, and made servants unto God, may have our fruit in holiness, and the end everlasting life. Both which ways of our sanctification, were shadowed out unto Israel by blood and by oil. 7. For when the body of that church was purged once a year; the † Lev. 16. 15. blood of the sin offering was sprinkled in the inmost holy place of the Sanctuary and upon * verse 1●. the altar without, to ‖ vers. 16. 19 ●ense and sanctify them from the sin and uncleanness of the sons of Israel. When the priests were consecrate the ‖ Exod. 29. 20 21. Lev. 8. 23 24. 30. blood of their sacrifice was put upon their right ears, thumbs, & toes; and sprinkled upon their bodies and garments, that so they might be sanctified: even as before at the making of the covenant, the people had been * Exod. 24. 8 sprinkled with blood. The holy Ghost thereby signifying, how by ‡ Heb. 9 13. 14. 22. etc. the blood of Christ much more, our consciences should be purged; and therefore caleth it the Heb. 10. 29. blood of the testament wherewith we are sanctified. 8. The precious oynting oil, † Exod. 30. 23 etc. made of principal spices, and called ‖ vers. 32. holy, did hollow and sanctify the * Exod. 40. 9 Tabernacle and all therein, the ‡ vers. 10. brazen altar and all his instruments; the ‖ vers. 11. Laver and his foot; the † vers. 13. 15. Priests & their garments, on whom it was ‖ Lev. 8. 30. Exod. 29▪ 21 sprinkled together with the blood of their consecraion, for their sanctification; and figured out the graces of the Isa. 61. ●. Spirit, and † 1 john. 2. 2●. 2 Cor. 1. 21. ointment that we have from him that is holy; that ‖ Rom. 8. 9 10 Christ and his spirit being in us, the body may be dead because of sin, and the Spirit life for righteousness sake; whiles the * 1 john. 2. 27. anointing that we have received dwelleth in us, & Christ as a ‡ Song. 1. 1●. bundle of myrrh lodgeth between our breasts. Thus are we made an acceptable sacrifice unto God, Rom. 15. 16. being sanctified by the holy Ghost. 9 The outward means which God useth, for our sanctification, is his truth or word, as it is written, † job. 17. 17. Sanctify them with thy truth, thy Word is truth. By this word ‖ Rom. 10. 17. faith is wrought in us, which faith * Act. 15. 9 purifieth the heart, ‡ Act. 26. 18. sanctifieth the believers, and causeth them to † Isa. 8. 13. sanctify the Lord, (as ‖ Num. 20. 1● unbelief maketh men that they sanctify him not;) and therefore is worthily called the * jude. ver. 20 most holy faith. The ‡ Ephes. 5. 26. Act 22. 16. Mat. 26. 28. seals of the covenant, do also confirm and help forward our faith and sanctification; yea even the chastisements of God upon us, have this use & end, † Heb. 12. 10. that we might be partakers of his holiness. And we by prayer obtain at God's hand, as other blessings, so this ‖ 2 Chron. 30. 17. 18. 19 20 1 Tim. 4. 5. sanctification both of ourselves and of all his creatures to our use. Finally, this grace is conveyghed * Rom. 12. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 7. 34. both into our bodies & into our spirits even into the whole man ‡ 1 Thes. 5. 23 throughout; so great is † Isa. 12. 6. the Holy-one of Israel in the mids of us. CHAPT. VII. How the word of God was communicated with Adam & his children & of the Saint's interest in the same. Forasmuch as the word of God is the ‡ john. 17. 17. truth whereby we our selves are sanctified, and all † 1. Tim. 4. 5. his creatures unto our use; even the ‖ 1. Pet. 1. 23. 25. jam. 1. 18 immortal seed by which we are begotten and born anew of Gods own will, that we should be as the first fruits of his creatures; and the sincere * 1. Pet. 2. 2. milk without guile, whereby we are ‡ 1. Tim. 4. 6. nourished & grow in faith: let us take a view of this treasure and tree of life, which is better to the Saints then † Psal 119. 72 thousands of gold and silver, ‖ Psal. 19 10. sweeter also than honey or the honey comb, even sweetness to the soul * Prov. 16. 2● and health to the bones, which if a man keep, he ‡ joh. 8. 51. shall never see death. 2. Three ways there are whereby God maketh himself known unto men. The first is by his works; for the † Rom. 1. 20. invisible things of him, that is, his eternal power and Godhead, are seen by the creation of the world; the heavens ‖ Psal. 19 1. declare his glory, & the firmament showeth the work of his hands; the beasts if they be asked * job. 12. 7. 8. will teach man, & the fowls of the heaven will tell him, the earth will show him, and the fishes of the sea will declare unto him; for how manifold are the works of God? & ‡ Psal. 104. 24. in wisdomhath he made them al. 3. But because the world by wisdom † 1. Cor. 1. 21. knew not God in this wisdom of God, (though it be enough to make all men ‖ Rom. 1. 20. without excuse:) it pleased God of his grace to giv us his word; as a second and more excellent means of knowledge, by which word he * Psal. 138. 2. hath magnified his name above all; for it is able to make man ‡ 2. Tim. 3. 15 wise unto salvation; and he that is of God, † john. 8. 47. and 14. 23. heareth that his word, and if any man love him he will keep the same, & the Lord will lov him again & dwell with him: but they that refuse & put it away, do ‖ Act. 13. 46. judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life, and that word shall * john. 12. 48 judge them in the last day; & for despising of it, ‖ Prov. 13. 13 they shallbe destroyed. 4. Yet is not the outward ministry of the word sufficient, unless we be also taught of † john. 6. 45. God himself; who therefore voucheth safe to giv us a third help, even his own † Nehe. 9 20. good spirit to instruct us, without which no man can ‖ 1 Cor. 12. 3. say that jesus is the Lord. By this his spirit God * 1 Cor. 2. 10. 12. reveleth unto us the deep mysteries of his gospel, this Anointing ‡ 1 joh. 2. 27. teacheth us all things; and that worthy thing which is committed to us, we keep ” 2 Tim. 1. 14 through the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in us. Of whom and our communion with him, more is to be spoken in due place. 5. The Word of God, (whereof here we entreat,) was given to Adam even in his † Gen. 2. 16. upright state; to be a law for him to lead his life in paradise. It was again reveled unto him ‖ Gen. 3. 15. 16. 17. after his fall; to restore him grace and life which he had lost. And not for himself alone, received he this light; but for all his children, that were fallen with him into darkness and the shadow of death: wherefore he imparted it to them, as by * Gen. 4. the sacrifices of Cain and Abel, doth appear. Yea God himself ‡ vers. ●. 7. spoke unto Cain, (though he was wicked and without faith,) and gave him warning of his evil way. Likewise in the new world, the ” Gen. 9 1. 8. 9 11. etc. covenant of God was by his word renewed with all Noah's household, wherein were Cham and Canaan, the vessels of destruction. Christ also, the † Mat. 13. 3. 4. 5. etc. sour of that precious seed, let some fall on the high way, some on stony ground, & some among thorns; from which places no fruit did grow. And his disciples were sent to * Mark. 16. 15 preach the gospel to every creature, to all nations under heaven. By which appeareth the bounty of God, that offereth the word of life unto all, even as he causeth his Sun to shine upon just and unjust: and we are taught, that the word of God, may not be forbidden to be preached unto any people, be they never so profane or heathenish. 6. But all people to whom the ‡ Act. 5. 〈◊〉. words of this life were spoken, receyved not life by them; for the word profiteth not ” Heb. 4. ●. if it be not mixed with belief in them that hear it. And the † 2 Cor. 4. ●. God of this world hath blinded the eyes of many unbelievers, that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, should not shine unto them, therefore they ‖ 1 Pet. ●. ●. stumble at the word, being unperswaded; to the which thing they were even ordained; and the ambassadors of Christ, (to whom he hath ‡ 2 Cor. 5. 19 committed the word of reconciliation;) are unto such, the savour † 2 Cor. 2. 16. of death unto death. They * joh. 3. 20. hate the light because they do evil, & will not come to it, lest their deeds should be reproved; for wickedness is ‡ job. 20. 12. 13. sweet in their mouth, they hide it under their tongue, they favour it and will not forsake it; therefore ” job. 24. 13. 17. abhor they the light and know not the ways thereof, the morning is unto them even as the shadow of death: so salvation is far from them, ” Psal. 119. 155. for that they seek not the statutes of the Lord. 7. Again, because the word of God is contrary to human reason, and condemneth for † 1 Cor. 1. 20. foolishness the wisdom of this world, and calleth men out of themselves, making all the * Isa. 40. 6. 7. ● Pet. 1. 24. glory and grace of the flesh, to fade as the flower of grass; and leading us to Christ alone, and him crucified: therefore is the preaching of the cross, to them that perish, * 1 Cor. 1. 18. foolishness; they ‡ Prov. 1. 25. 30. despise all wisdoms counsel and correction, and seek after another † 1 Cor. 1. 22. Rom. 8. 7. wisdom, & prudence of the flesh, which is enmity against God, and cannot be subject to his law; and her they follow ‖ Prov. 7. 〈◊〉. as an ox that goeth to the slaughter, and as a fool to the stocks for correction, though her * vers. 27. house is the way unto the grave, which goeth down to the chambers of death, and her ‡ Prov. 9 18. guests are in the depth of hell. 8. And forasmuch as many afflictions do accompany the word of † Rev. 3. 1●. Christ's patience, that on them which receive it, the ‖ Mat. 13. 6. 21. Sun of tribulation or persecution often ariseth, and for it they are hated, * 2 Tim. 2. 9 imprisoned ‡ Rev. 1. 9 ●▪ 6. 9 exiled or killed; so that a man must forsake himself, and † Mar. 8. 34. take up his cross and follow Christ: therefore also many men, are offended & ashamed of the ‖ 2. Tim. 1. 8. Luk. 9 26. testimony of our Lord, & will not be partakers of the tribulations of the gospel; but choose * job. 36. 21. iniquity rather then affliction, & count it pleasure to liv deliciously for a season, till ease ‡ Prov. 1. 32. do slay the foolish, and the prosperity of the fools destroy them. 9 For when they thus contemn the word; God withdraweth from them this favour and food of their souls, sending a † Amos. 8. 11. 1●. 'samine in the land, that their fair virgins & young men perish for thirst; & having caused the Sun to ‖ vers. 9 go down at noon, & darkened the earth, he letteth them walk in their own ignorance unto perdition, So Cain for his cruelty & contempt, being banished from the presence of God; we find not the benefit of God's oracles to be after vouchsafed him or his, as was unto † Gen. 5. 22. 29. & 6. 13. 14. etc. Seths' posterity. The like is to be minded in the children of Cham, Ishmael, Esau etc. Who after they were removed from God's church, were also deprived of his word and doctrine, which he continued & increased unto the people that of his grace he called and kept to himself as his own. 10. For the light of the Gospel and day of Christ was reveled unto ‖ Gen. 1●. & 15. & 26. etc. Abram Isaak and jaakob; and to the Israelites their posterity, did God give * Ex●d. 20. his law by Moses, and continued the preaching and opening of the same by other prophets and ministers; when as the heathens had not this help but lay in darkness, héarkning ‡ Deut. 18. 10 11. 12. 14. unto witches, soothsayers, sorcerers, necromancers and other like abominable instruments of Satan which turned to their eternal confusion: when as for Israel the Lord their God suffered them not so; but * Deut. 4. 36. out of heaven he made them hear his voice to instruct them, and upon earth he showed them his great fire, and they heard his voice out of the mids of the fire; they had ordinances and laws most righteous, to keep and to do, which was their praise for * vers. 6. 7. 8. wisdom and understanding in the sight and mouths of all people's. Wherefore David provokes them again to praise the Lord, who had ‡ Psal. 147. 19 20. showed his word unto jaakob his statutes and his judgements unto Israel, and had not dealt so with any nation. Paul likewise magnifieth this people greatly, because † Rom. 3. 2. to them were committed the oracles of God; to ‖ Rom. 9 4. them were the covenants and the giving of the law, the service, and the promises. And this grace was so peculiar to God's people, that the Law is called by the Holy Ghost, * Deut. 33 4. the inheritance of the congregation of jaakob, as being their proper right given them of God, as any other possession which they enjoyed: the Saints again taking his testimonies as † Psal. 119. 111. an heritage for ever, for they were the joy of their hearts. 11. The drift and scope of all God's oracles was to call and lead men unto Christ, and by him to the kingdom of heaven where we might glorify God in our salvation and life eternal. Our Fathers from Adam to Moses, were quickened & comforted with this promise. And though Moses gave us a law, which was the ministry of ‖ 2 Cor. 3. 7. 9 death and condemnation by reason of sin that dwelleth in us: yet even he * joh. 5. 46. wrote also of Christ, and foreshowed his crucifying and sufferings for our sins, in the ‡ john. 3. 14. Heb. 9 7. 8. 9 11. 12. etc. serpent, sacrifices and manifold services; yea the law itself was * Gal. 3. 24. our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be made righteous by faith in him, in respect of whom the ‡ ver. 17. covenant was many years afore confirmed of God, & could not by the Law that came after, be disannulled. 12. The hope of salvation for all mankind, was in the promised † Gen. 3. 15. seed: and as God by his word taught men more particularly from whose loins he should spring; so were they to expect him if they would have life, and keep communion with such as should be his Fathers after the flesh. When the woman Evahs' sons were multiplied, and many of them proved wicked; the hope of the saving Seed, was restrained unto Seth * Gen. 4. 25. set in place of Abel whom the Serpent's seed had murdered. Then were all to look for the Saviour from him; and if they sought him in cain's posterity, they perished for ever. Among Noah's children, Sem † Gen. 9 2●. 27. had the prerogative, and into his tents must japheth (though his elder brother) come for to dwell and partake of his blessing; & Cham's house was condemned to bondage. After that unto Abraham was the ‖ Gal. 3. 8. Gospel preached that in him all nations should be blessed; and to his Seed * vers. 16. Christ were the promises made: than who so believed (after knowledge of this promise) in a Saviour to come of any other man; set up an idol in his heart, in stead of Christ. Among Abraham's offspring, judah was chosen governor, and of him should ‡ viz. Christ. Gen. 49. 10 Shiloh come, therefore his father's sons were to † vers. 8. bow down unto him, because of him ‖ 1 Chro. 5. ●. should be the Prince. Of the tribe of juda, David * Psal. 132. 1● Act▪ 2. 30. Rom. 1. 3. was named to be the father of Christ according to the flesh; then were all to believe in David's son, for redemption from sin, and life eternal. In fullness of time the Messiah jesus came, and was born ‡ Luk. 2. of Marie the virgin, according to the promises: unto him now were all people to repair; and so they did both jews & Gentiles, so many as were ordained unto life. And if Adam, Noah, Abraham & the other fathers, had now been on earth, they must have embraced this man for their Saviour, and not have sought nor waited for any other. Therefore the jews that rejected him, died in their sins, † joh. 8. 24. because they believed not that he was He, and the word of God they had not abiding in them, ‖ joh. 5. 38. because whom he had sent, him they believed not: but many of the gentiles trusted in him, after that * Eph. 1. 13. they heard the word of truth, even the gospel of their salvation; and by faith became the ‡ Luk. 19 9 Gal. 3. 28. 29 sons of Abraham, and heirs by promise 13. And always before, if any of them heathens, hearing of God's great name, would repair unto his people, they there might freely enjoy this heavenly blessing, to hear the law and promises † Deut. 31. 12 red & taught; & being united with them in faith, had ‖ Exod. 12. 48 49. one law for sacrifice & alother services. Yea many such strangers were in Israel, in the days of Moses, * Exod. 12. 38. Num. 11. 4. that went with them out of Egypt; and afterwards daily their number increased, that in Salomon's time they were counted and found ‡ 2 Chron. 2. 17. a hundred fifty three thousand and six hundred persons. Sometimes also the Lord sent his word in some measure, home to their own countries, as by * jonah. 1. etc. jonah to the Ninevites; though this was more rare, till the Apostles days, and then the partition wall being broken down, God imparted again the glad tidings of his salvation to all peoples, though the jews could † 1. Thes. 2. 16 not endure it. 14. For Christ though he restrained this grace a while, saying to his disciples, Mat. ●0. 5. Go not into the way of the Gentiles, & into the cities of the Samaritans enterye not: yet when he was risen from the dead, he said they should be his witnesses both * Act. 1. 8. in judea & Samaria & to the utmost of the earth. And as he had willed them, where his word should be refused, to ‡ Luk. 10. 10. 11. shake off the dust of their feet against them, and depart thence: so the Apostles † Act. 13. 51. & 18. 6. did, and travailed from place to place, till the people to ‖ Rom. 15. 21. whom God had not been spoken of did see; & they that had not heard, did understand. 15. When thus there was one sheepfold made both of jews and Gentiles, and their eyes were opened to see the † Psal. 119. 18. wonders of God's law, & the glorious mystery of man's redemption, reveled and published amongal nations ‖ Rom. 16. 25. 26. by the scriptures of the prophets: they whose hearts God opened, received the word * Act. 17. 10. with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily, taking heed to that most ‡ 2. Pet. 1. 1●. sure word of the prophets as to a light shining in a dark place, till the day dawned, and the day star arose in their hearts. And though for that word they found tribulation as others before them, for whom Christ complained to his father saying, † joh. 17. 14. I have given them thy word, & the world hath hated them: yet received they that word † in much affliction, ● 1. Thes. 1. 6. with joy of the holy Ghost; accepting it not as the word of men * 1. Thes. 2. 13. but of God, and holding it forth as the word ‡ Phil. 2. 16. of life, which being graffed in them † jam. 1. 21. was able to save their souls. 16. For such is the grace and virtue of God's word, that it ‖ Psal. 19 7. 8 turneth the soul, rejoiceth the heart, giveth light to the eyes, wisdom to the simple; worketh * Rom. 10. 17. faith in God, ‡ joh. 5. 25 quickeneth them that hear it; † Psal. 119. 50 92. comforteth the Saints in their troubles, & strengtheneth them in their temptations, being the Eph. 6. 17. sword of the Spirit, by help whereof they vanquish their enemies and * Rev. 12. 11 Satan himself, and their own corruptions, & are ‡ joh. 8. 31. 32 34. freed thereby from the servitude of sin. It is a sovereign preservative from all evils that might befall us; for as Solomon saith, † Prov. 6. 22. It leadeth us when we walk, it watcheth for us when we sleep; & when we wake, it talketh with us. Also it is Heb. 4. 12. lively & mighty in operation, sharper than any two edged sword, entering through even to the dividing asunder of the soul & the spirit, of the joints & marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart; and Christ hath † Ephes. 5. 26. sanctified and cleansed his church by the washing of water through this word, as also himself said to his disciples, ‖ john. 15. ●. Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken to you. 17. And unto this church hath he specially commended & committed those heavenly oracles, binding up the testimony and sealing up the law * Isa. 8. 16. among his disciples, directing ‡ Rev. 2. 1. 7. etc. his words & writings unto them, & promising that his spirit which is upon them, ” Isa. 59 21. & his words which he hath put in their mouth, shall not depart out of their mouth, nor out of the mouth of their seed, nor their seeds seed for ever. Who again rejoice for this word † Psal. 119. 162. as if they had found a great spoil, and their lips ‖ vers. 171. do utter praise, when he hath taught them his statutes. And having all and every of them a common right in this treasure, they use it for the good of their own souls and one of another, teaching, exhorting, admonishing, reproving and comforting * Heb. 10. 24. 1 Thes. 4. 18. & 5. one another; which that they may the better do, they are willed the word of Christ should † Colos. 3. 16. dwell in them plenteously, that if any man speak, ‡ 1 Pet. 4. 11. it may be as the words of God. Hear my law o my people▪ incline your eared unto the words of my mouth. Psal. 78. 1. The secret things belong to the Lord our God; but the things reveled, belong unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this Law. Deut. 29. 29. CHAP. VIII. HOw God by his word, hath always called and separated a people▪, from communion with Divils' and wicked men; to the fellowship of his grace, by faith in Christ. WHen our ‖ Gen. 3. first parents had revolted from God, forsaken his word the ground of their faith and obedience, and embraced the * vers. 5. contrary word of the Serpent; whereby they were brought unto sin, & by sin being finished, unto death: they were estranged from God, ‡ vers. 8. afraid of his face and voice, ashamed of themselves; & sought to shroud them among the trees, to hide their shame with ●igleaves, and to excuse their sin by translating the fault unto others, the † vers. 12. man to the woman, given him of God, the woman ‖ vers. 13. to the serpent; but showed no repentance, neither asked mercy for their misdeeds, though they were summoned to the judgement of God. Wherefore, had not his grace prevented them, they had proceeded on to all manner impiety, as did and do the devils, (whom God hath left in their wretchedness;) in whose slavish subjection, they and we all their children had continued captives, unto eternal damnation. 2. But God immediately manifested his purpose, according to his election of grace, by giving to men that were dead in sin, the word of life whereby they were revived; by which word he called them from Satan's service to his own again by faith in Christ, who should in time become the woman's seed, and crush that Serpent's head for his chosens sake. He also broke that cursed amity between men and Devil's, and said Gen. 3. 15. that the would put enmity between them; & not that only, but between the Serpent's seed (that is the wicked men and reprobates, who are named the sons † Deut. 13. 13 1 john. 3. 10. of Belial and of the Devil;) and the woman's seed, that is Christ & his church, even all men and women that should embrace the faith of the woman now named Evah, that is Living, and the * Gen. 3. 20. mother of all that live. 3. And Adam which had showed that singular faith in God's promise, by naming her ‡ Adam upon the promise of God called his wife Evah that is Life. Life, whom of late he accused to be the instrument of his death: informed his children in this grace of God; who together with their parents professed one common faith & obedience, which also they testified by their service and sacrifices † Gen. 4. 3. 4. offered to the Lord. Thus he & his house were freed from Satan's bondage by the word of truth the Gospel which was taught them, and were made * 1 Cor. 1. 2. Saints by calling. 4. But Cain who was the first seed of the serpent, and therefore said in scripture to be of of that ‡ 1 john. 3. 10 11. 12. Wickedone, being an hypocrite and without † Heb. 11. 4. faith, for which cause his ‖ 1 john. 3. 1●. works also were evil: though he were among the Saints, yet was he not * 1 john. 2. 19 of them, and therefore continued not with them. Yea though he were ‡ Gen. 4. 6. 7. warned of God, he would not be amended; but showed the malice and enmity of his father the Devil, by ” vers. 8. killing his righteous brother. Neither then relented he, but added † ver. 9 obstinacy to his bloody act: wherefore he was cursed of God, and fell into ‖ ver. 13. 14. desperation, & condemnation of the Devil. 5. The peace and communion of the Saints, being by that caitiff thus disturbed and broken; & the deadly war with the woman's seed, by that trump of Satan thus proclaimed: God for the good & preservation of his Church, cast out this sinner from his ‖ Gen. 4. 14. 15. 16. presence on earth, (as he had done the Angels which sinned, from the same in heaven;) and he being separated from the fellowship of the faithful, dwelled a runagate in a land of that * A runagate is in Hebreve called Nad, Gen. 4. 12. & Cain was driven into the land of Nod, ver. 16▪ which took the name of him & his wof●●ll state therein. name, and an other seed was ‡ Gen. 4. 25. given to Eve in stead of just Abel decessed. And so the Church of Christ was propagated, governed by ten faithful † Gen. 5. patriarches successively; distinguished from the seven ‖ Gen. ●. 17. etc. generations of Cain, as in place and estate, so in name; the one sort called the children of * Gen. 6. 1. 2. God, the other of men. And whereas the Cainites increased, as well in wickedness as in multitude: the Lord to keep his people from mixture with them, gave warning by * Gen. 5. 22. Jude ver. 14. 15. Henoch the seventh from Adam; who prophesied the destruction of them and all ungodly persons, for their wicked deeds & cruel speakings; when God should come to give judgement, with ten thousands of his Saints. 6. But neither his word whereby he admonished his people, nor yet his spirit which † Gen. 6. 3. strove in them; could restreyn them from being commingled with the profane, and Serpent's seed: for ‖ Vers. 2. they coupled themselves in marriage with their fair women, whereby there sprung a tyrannous race of * Vers. 4. 13. Giants, by whom the▪ earth was filled with cruelty. That God seeing how his children were degenerate & become also ‡ Vers. 3. flesh, and that † Vers. 5 the wickedness of man was wexen great, ‡ Verse. 6. repented that he had made man in the earth, and was sorry in his heart: Yet warned them again by * Gen. 6. 13. 14. ● Pet. 2. ● Noah a preacher of righteousness, and by the building of the ark 120. years: which patience they contemning, God brought the flood upon the world of the ungodly, & destroyed them; only Noah and his house were reserved, finding grace in the eyes of the Lord. 7. Yet even in that little family of eight souls, so wondrously saved in the water as ‡ 1 Pet. 3. 20. 21. by a Baptism; the Serpent had his seed still, which in process of time was discovered, in the person of Cham & his posterity and by the Patriarch † Gen. 9 22. 24. 25. Noah was accursed. Which wicked brood to get themselves a name, went about to build a tower up to heaven, in ‖ Gen. 11. ●. etc. the land of Shinar the place and habitation of * Zach. 5. ●. 〈◊〉. Wickedness; where God confounded their lips, scattered them from thence, stayed their proud building, and Babel or Confusion is their monument to this day. And when not only Chams cursed progeny, but also the seed of blessed Sem, even ” Gen. 11. 27. gerah the father of Abram, and Nachor fell to idolatry, and † josh. 24. 2. they served other Gods, or rather in deed Divils' as the Lev. 17. 7. Deut. 32. 17. scripture also nameth them; then God called 1 Cor. 10. 20. Gen. 12. 1. Act. 7. 3. Abram from his country, kindred and father's house, to go into the land which he would show him, unto which caling he † Hebr. 11. 8. by faith obeyed, and departed, not knowing whither he went. 8. The Lord who was the caller and Isa. 〈◊〉. 22. redeemer of Abram, gav him two gracious promises to confirm his faith; as 1. that he should † Gen. 15. 7. inherit the land of Canaan to which he brought him: 2. & that he should have heirs of his own seed Gen. 12. 2. to inherit it after him even a great nation, and one seed specially (which was † Gal. 3. 16. Gen. 12. 3. Act. 3. 25. Christ) in whom all families of the earth should be blessed. With these promises, and blessing and ronoume adjoined to them, the Lord persuaded him to forsake his idolatrous country and communion with idols, and to † Gen. 17. ●. walk before him, who was God the all-sufficient, and to be upright; and gav him the counant of circumcision, the † Rom. 4. 11. seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had; he gav him also Gal. 4. 21. 23. etc. two sons, Ishmael of Hagar a servant born after the flesh; and Isaak of Sarah a free woman, born by promise. 9 But he that was born after the flesh, fell to profaneness, became a Gen. 21. ●. mocker and † Gal. 4. 23. persecutor of the true and promised seed: wherefore he was cast out of the church, the house of Abraham; and lost the honour of being reputed his † Rom. 9 7. 8. seed, or heir with Isaak the freeborn, and child of promise. 10. Again, unto Isaak were born Gen. 25. Esau and jakob; but God * Rom. 9 13. loved jakob, and hated Esau; and he also degenerated and became profane; ‡ Heb. 12. 16. sold his birthright and † Gen. 27. lost his blessing, and was Gen. 28. 1. 2●●4. & 36. 6. josh. 24. 4. separated from his brother jaakob, unto whom alone the blessing of Abraham was derived. 11. jaakob (whose name was Israel) being willed of God to build him † Gen. 35. 1. an altar at Bethel before he would do it, had a care to purge his household of the false Gods wherewith they were defiled, vers. 2. who giving him both their Idols & idolatrous jewels he * ver. 4. hid them under an oak at Sichem, for he knew that the worship of God & of Idols could not stand together. Afterwards he went with his family by the ‡ Gen. 46. 2. 3. etc. word of the Lord from Canaan into Egypt, & was a sojourner in the † Psal. 105. 23 land of Cham: where God Exod. 1. 7. multiplied his church exceedingly, as he had promised to Abraham his friend. There when the Israelites forgot the Lord their God, and defiled themselves with the Idols of Egypt: * Ezek. 20. 7. he recaled them by his word from those abominations, & ‡ vers. 8. 9 had almost destroyed them for their disobedience. But respecting his own name and glory, he ceased not to visit them, first by his † Exod. 1. 23. 14. & 2. 23. punishments, then by his Exod. 4. 30. promises & miracles; till he had won them again unto his * vers. 31. faith and service. 12. Then bringing them forth from that both spiritual and corporal bondage, & executing judgements upon the Egyptians and upon their * Num. 33. 4. Exod. 12. 12. Gods; he certified Israel of his end and purpose herein, which was to † Exo. 19 4. 5 bring them to himself, that they might hear his voice, and keep his covenant, and be his chief treasure above all people, though all the earth were his. Charging them, not to do * Levit. 18. 3. ●. after the doings of the land of Egypt wherein they dwelled, neither to do after the manner of the land of Canaan whither he would bring them, nor walk in their ordinances; but to do after his judgements and keep his ordinances to walk in them, for he was the Lord their God; and to this end had ‡ Lev. 20. 23. 24. separated them from other people, even from among † 1. king. 8. 53 all people of the earth did he separate them unto himself for an inheritance. Wherefore he commanded Deut. 7 2. 3. them utterly to destroy those cursed nations, to make no covenant with them, nor have compassion on them, nor make marriages with them: for they would † Vers. 4. cause them to turn from him, and serve other Gods, which would be to their destruction, & willed to ‡ abolish all their ● Vers. 5 also chap. 12. 2. 3. idolatry with the names & monuments of the same; for that they were an holy people unto him. 13. josua, treating with Israel of serving the Lord in uprightness & truth, † jos. 24. 14. exhorted them to put away the Gods which their fathers had served in Mesopotamia and in Egypt; & so to serve the Lord, whom he caleth ‡ Vers. 19 20. holy and jealous, that would not pardon their iniquity or their sins, if they should forsake him, & serve strange Gods. And when the people made choice of the Lord, to serve him; he required them again, * Vers. 23. to put away the strange Gods that were among them: teaching them and us thereby; that Gods true worship, & the service of Idols, cannot be joined together, but the one will expel the other. Which law when they kept not, but worshipped the Gods of the people's round about them, and so forsook the Lord: ” judg. 2. 12. 13. 14. his wrath was hot against them, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoilt them, and they could no longer stand before their enemies; yea the Lord would no more cast out before them † vers. 21. any of the nations which joshua left when he died. Again when Samuel reconciled them unto the Lord; 1 Sam 7. 3. 4. etc. he in like manner first procured them to put away their false religion, (which was the cause of their calamity,) and to direct their hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only. 14. Neither did this warning of idolatry respect the idols of Canaan only, but the false religions of all other people's near or far off, for any other * Exod. 20. 2. 3. 4. 5. God besides or with jehovah they might not have or serve. Therefore though they had no commission to root out any idols save those in Canaan, because that should be their † Deut. 12. 1. possession; yet were they to Deut. 29. 16 17. 18. avoid communion with all other idolaters; which when they did not, but * Num. 25. 1. 2. 3. etc. coupled themselves with Baalpeor the God of the Moabites, and ‡ Hos. 9 10. separated themselves unto that Shame, and did eat the sacrifices of † Psal. 106. 28 29. etc. the dead: the plague of God broke out upon them, and there fell of the Israelites in one day Num. 25. 9 four & twenty thousand; even every man that followed Baal-peor the Lord destroyed * Deut. 4. 3. him from among his people. 15. And in no better account were the idols and voluntary services of the Israelites themselves; for God by his word forbade them * Exod. 20. 4. 5. either to make or use any manner idol or similitude upon pain of his jealous indignation. Therefore when they had made a resemblance & memorial of their ‡ Exod. 32. God that brought them out of the land of Egypt; and turned him their † Psal. 106. 20 Glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass: then were they esteemed to have ‖ vers. 21. forgotten God their saviour, and * Neh. 9 1●. committed great blasphemies; & for that ‡ Exod. 32. 27 35. sin many of them died, & all of them † vers. 10. had been rooted out, (with ‖ Deut. 9 20. Aaron himself,) but that Moses stood in the breach and by * Exod. 32 11. 31. 32. Deut. 9 25. 26. etc. his instant prayer, turned away the Lords wrath from destroying them. 16. Again when jeroboam the king of Israel had set up signs for the people to worship their ‡ 1 Kin. 1●. 27. 28. God (as they thought) that brought them out of the Land of Egypt; because they were in the Lords account but * 2 Chron. 11. 15. Divils', & so all that followed them worshipped Satan & not God, yea the people in that estate were ‡ 2 Chro. 15. 3. without the true God: therefore he ceased not both by † 1 Kin. 13. 1. etc. doctrines and judgements to keep & reclaim his people from them; warning ‖ Hos. 4. 15. judah not to sin, though Israel played the harlot; and forasmuch as Ephraim was joined to Idols, they should * ver. 17. let him alone; and not ‡ Amos. 5. 5. seek Bethel, nor enter to Gilgal, nor go to Beersheba, (which were the places of public worship among them,) but to seek the Lord and they should live, whereas † Amos. 9 10. all those sinners of his people should die; even as jeroboams house for his sin was ‖ 1 Kin. 1●. 34. rooted out and destroyed from the face of the earth. 17. As the Prophets thus witnessed unto Israel in their several ages: so our Saviour Christ when he came, with his Apostles, first laboured to keep and withdraw the people from the service of Divils' and idols, whither more open or secret. For as he appeared for this purpose ‡ 1 joh. 3. 8. that he might loose the works of the Devil, and was that promised seed which should crush the serpent's head: so did he first himself hand to hand * Mat. 4. combat with Satan, resisted his temptations, overcame and put him to flight, and would not admit of any communion between the Fiends and him, nor suffer them to say so much as that they * Mar. 1. 24. 34. knew him. He † Luk. 4. 41. & 8. 2. dispossessed them of many men over whom they tyrannised, and commanded his ‖ Mat. 10. 1. 8. disciples to do the like; and ceased not this war, till Satan which had usurped the princedom of this world * joh. 12. 31. was cast out; even to the death did he resist him, and by ‡ Heb. 2. 14. death destroyed him which had the power of death. For though in him the Serpent could find † john. 14. 30. nothing, yet for his chosens sake he endured all things: till he had spoiled ‖ Colos. 2. 15. the principalities and powers, and triumphed over them in his cross: thus teaching us in his own example and person, to hate with perfect hatred that enemy of God & man; and to know, that there can no concord be, betwixt * 2 Cor. 6. 15. Christ and Belial. 18. Satan being thus ‡ Luk. 10. 18. like lightning fallen down from heaven, & his place † Rev. 12. 8. not found there any more, after our Michael had overcome him ‖ Luk. 11. 22. taken from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divided his spoils: many people's were more easily recovered and drawn out of his snares; who were all taught by the trumpet of the gospel to prepare themselves to battle against him, to take unto them the * Ephes. 6. 13. whole armour of God, that they might be able to resist in the evil day; to fight the good fight of faith, and by it steadfastly to resist * 1 Pet. 5. 8. 2. that roaring Lion which walked about, seeking whom he might devour: being with this comforted and assured, that * Rom. 16. 20. the God of peace would tread Satan under their feet shortly. 19 But because this Adversary would transfigure himself into an Angel of light, and his ministers 2 Cor. 11. 14. 15. also, as though they were ministers of righteousness: the more care & watchfulness the Saints were warned to have, lest they should be circumvented. They were taught therefore touching all the heathen's religion, that whatsoever they sacrificed, they sacrificed to † 1 Cor. 10. 20. Divils' and not to God; and that Christians might have no fellowship with Divils', and consequently neither with those idolaters which ignorantly worshipped such: but must * 2 Cor. 6. 17. come out from among them, separate themselves and touch no unclean thing: for they could not be partakers ‡ 1 Cor. 10. 21 both of the Lords table and of the table of Divils', two such contrary masters † Mat. 6. 24. they could by no means serve. And if they joined with the wicked in their worship, or haunted their assemblies; even as in Israel they that did ‖ 1 Cor. 10. 18. eat of the sacrifices were partakers of the Altar; whereby they had part and interest in the whole worship, and the God worshipped: even so had they with Satan, that did eat of his sacrifices in his temples; how ever they might persuade themselves otherwise, because they did know the idol * 1 Cor. 10. 19 & 8. 1. 4. was nothing. Wherefore they were forbidden all communion with such, and exhorted to * 1 Cor. 10. 14 flee from idolatry, for behold all that are of the fellowship thereof shallbe confounded, ‡ Isa. 44. 10. as saith the Prophet. 20. And because this old serpent would creep again into the church and paradise of God, to seduce the Saints, & set his own throne there: the Lord jesus by his Angel certified his † In the book of Revelation servant john, and by him hath warned us all, that the Christians also would in time forsake the true service of God in spirit, & would worship ‖ Rev. 9 20. Divils'; even idols of gold and silver and brass and stone & wood; being drawn hereunto by the effectual delusion of Satan in his eldest son Antichrist the child of perdition; whose doctrines would be the doctrines of * 1 Tim. 4. 1. Divils'; whose kingdom should be managed by ‡ Rev. 16. 13. 14. spirits of Divils', and men drawn by them to battle against God almighty. Hereupon is that glorious synagogue proclaimed with the loud voice of an heavenly Angel, to be become the † Rev. 18. 1. 2 habitation of Divils', and with an other voice ‖ vers. 4. all God's people are willed to go out of her, that they partake not in her sins, and receive not of her plagues: for if * Rev. 14. 9 10. any man worship that beast or his image, or take his mark; he shall drink of the wine of God's wrath, and be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels & before the Lamb, and the smoke of their torment shall ascend evermore. 21. And as by the word of Christ men were withdrawn from idolatry and communion with the wicked; so were they also exhorted to draw near to the Lord and in faith and love to cleav unto him alone: that turning from darkness to light, and from † the power of Satan unto ‡ Act. 26. 18. God, they might receive forgiunes of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in him. They were therefore ‖ Mat. 28. 19 20. Act. 2. 14.— 38. and 8. 35.- 38. & 10. 36— 48. informed in the mysteries of the gospel, baptized into the name of the Lord in whom they believed, separated from others * Act. 2. 40. & 19 8. 9 that frowardly refused, had their ‡ Act. 1. 13. 14. 15. & 2. 1. and 12. 12. & 14. 27. assemblies for prayer doctrine and other holy exercises, which they were exhorted † Heb. 10. 25. to continue, taking heed that they were not unequally yoked with ‖ 2 Cor. 6. 14. infidels of the world; nor commingled with open sinners in the church, but to † 1 Cor. 5. 9 11. 13. cast out the wicked from among them, that they might be jointly a sweet new lump as they were severally ‖ ver. 7. unlevened loaves, and so to serve * Heb. 12. 28. the Lord as they might please him with reverence and fear, ‡ 1 joh. 5. 21. keeping themselves from idols, and † jam. 1. 27. unspotted of the world. 22. Thus hath God taught us, that all idolatry, whither of Paynims Jews or Christians, is the worship of Divils': & from it, hath in all ages since the world began, called his elect; that they shunning the society of the Serpent & his seed, might repair to * Revelat. 14, 1.— 4. the Lamb that standeth on mount Zion, having his Father's name written on their foreheads, and follow him whither soever he goeth; might walk in the * Rev. 21. 24. light of the heavenly jerusalem, and there have fellowship with the Lord and one with an other; to their preservation from death, & the glory of God in their eternal life & salvation. CHAPTER IX. How far we must avoid communion with Divils': & how far with the wicked men. FOrasmuch as Satan is an open professed adversary of God & men always, and all his endeavours tend to the Lords dishonour and our destruction; neither is there any bond of nature or otherwise between him & us that we should have intercourse with him or seek his good or peace for ever: therefore are we absolutely forbidden all manner communion with him, in things spiritual or human; all which we may reduce unto four heads. 2. The first concerneth our faith, that we give no credit to his word as did our * Gen. 3. first parents, nor admit into our hearts any of his doctrines or damnable heresies; which are called by the Apostle * 1 Tim, 4. 1. 2 doctrines of Divils': but that we hold fast the word of life taught us of God in his scriptures only, ‡ 2 Cor. 11. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 19 Tit. 1. 13. 14. avoiding all errors and lies in religion; whither heathenish jewish or antichristian; for who soever be the instruments, Satan † joh. 8. 44. 2 Thes. 2. 9 10. 11. 12. is the Father of them, and by them doth draw men unto destruction. 3. The second concerneth our outward carriage, that we do not † Exod. 20. 5. Num. 25. 2. 3 Psal. 97. 7. Dan. 3. 18. 1 Cor. 10. 14— 20. Rev. 14. 7. 9 10. present our bodies; or by any thing that we have, give ‖ Ezek. 16. 17 18. 19 Hos. 2. 8. maintenance to his worship and service, where or howsoever: but as our bodies and spirits are the Lords, * 1 Cor. 6. 20. Mat. 4. 9 10. Rom. 6. 13. so with them both to glorify, and serve him only, and honour ‡ Prov. 3. 9 him with our substance; fleeing all idolatry which is Satan's worship, and outward communion therewith; & not upon any pretence, either of our own knowledge and inward dislike of the idol, or the pleasing of others, or winning them by this means to the faith, or avoiding of our trouble, or presuming of the mercy of God, or the like, to participate in the service & sacrifice of Divils'. God in his law gav this general precept for his people † Lev. 17. 7. They shall no more offer their offerings to devil's; and in the Gospel we have this instruction, ‖ 1. Cor. ●0. 21 ye can not be partakers of the Lords table, and of the table of Divils'. 4. The third concerneth all devilish arts, whereby many men have fellowship with the damned spirits; as Conjuring, enchantment, Witchcraft, sorcery, diuniation, charming, necromantie, and all other of the like nature. Touching which Gods law forbiddeth two things, 1. that no man should himself use any such cursed craft, many of which are particularly named Deut. 18. 10. 11. but man or woman that had such spirits, † Lev. 20. 27. Exod. 22. 18. should die the death: 2. also that none should ‖ Isa. 8. 19 Deut. 18. 14. seek unto such for instruction or counsel in any matter, for so they should forsake the living God, & turn to the dead. Wherefore this transgression is noted for one of the two causes of King Saul's death: that he * 1 Ghro. 10. 13 14. sought and asked counsel of a familiar spirit, (by a witch at ‡ 1 Sam. 28. 7 etc. Endor,) and asked not of the Lord. And as Christ would not † Mar. 1. 34. have the devils to bear witness of him; so neither would the Apostles suffer a maid which had ‖ Act. 16. 16. 17. 18. a spirit of Divination to acknowledge them to be the servants of the most high God, and preachers of the way of salvation. Finally, not only these evil arts and practisers of them; but all books or writings, or other means which may nourish the same, are to be shunned & abolished: as the practice of the Christians, that * Act. 19 19 burned their books of curious crafts, doth teach us. 5. The fourth head concerneth Satan's temptations, suggestions, & provocations unto evil; whereby he daily soliciteth every man unto sin: all which we are taught of God carefully to ‡ 1 Pet. 5. 9 jam. 4, 7. resist, giving no † Ephes. 4. 27. place to the Devil, but by faith to quench ‖ Eph. 6. 16. 13, 14. etc. all his fiery darts; and being armed with the whole armour of God to stand fast in the evil day, and in our prayers to desire * Mat. 6. 13. that we may be delivered from that Wicked one. Herein all the Saints, while they live on earth, come short of their duty; and too often do admit of fellowship with the Devil; by reason of the corruption of nature, and infirmity of the flesh: but by faith in Christ we overcome and triumph, and ‡ Rom. 16. 20. shall in the end have full redemption from all these evils. 6. Thus are we taught of God to resist Satan, and avoid all manner fellowship with him to the utmost of our power: because all his endeavours are against us for evil, neither can we work in him any good, by any means, at any time. But the estate of wicked men, is otherwise to be considered; because they and we are all one flesh and blood; are all placed of God, to live together in this world, and enjoy mutually his common blessings, as the light of the sun, the rain, & fivits of the earth, and other creatures; besides our civil society in common weals: so that we cannot avoid all meddling with them, except we should go out of the world as * 1 Cor. 5. 10. the Apostle teacheth. Also of many of them there is hope, that they may be converted from their evil ways; which by all good & gentle means we should procure. Howbeit of sinners there is difference to be made; for some are yet uncaled to the knowledge and faith of Christ; others are called, and do profess one common faith in Christ's Church with us, but walk unworthy of the same; and some have departed from the faith and obedience whereunto they were come, and are cast out of the church, * 1 Cor, 5. 5. 1 Tim. 1. 20. delivered unto Satan. Of our special duty to such as being in the church do transgress, it resteth to be spoken hereafter; here I will treat of wicked men in general. 7 Concerning whom, we are taught of God, not to communicate with them in any evil action; as not to * Psal. 50. 18. run with the thief nor partake with the adulterer, not to ‡ Pro. 1. 10. 11 14. 15. walk in the way with those that lay wait for blood; nor † Pro, 23. 20. keep company with drunkards or gluttons, nor have * Eph. 5. 11. fellowship with any other their unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them rather and avoid them; especially their spiritual & religious actions, as ‡ Psal. 16. 4. not to offer their offerings of blood, nor make mention of their names with our lips, not to frequent their † Psal. 26, 5. 6 assemblies, nor eat of their sacrifices, though they ‖ Exod. ● 34. 1● Num. 25. 2. Prov. 9 15. etc. call and invite us thereto; for even the word of God, and all other holy things * Num. 19, 22 Hag. 2. 12, 14 15. Tit, 1. 15. 16, are polluted among them, their prayers ‡ Psal, 109. 7 turned to sin, and their sacrifices † Prov, 15. 8. abomination to the Lord. 8. And not in heart and mind alone, are we to mislike & eschew their idolatries, & other evil actions: but to keep our † Rom. 6. 12. 13, 1 Cor. 6, 15. 20. bodies as well as our spirits pure, because Christ hath redeemed both, & with both we must glorify God. We may not therefore * ●●r. 5, 7. swear by their idols, nor ‡ Exo, 23. 13. Hos. 2. 17. make any other religious mention of them with our lips. We may not † Hos. 13. 2. 1 Kin. 19 18. Exod. 20. 5. kiss them, nor bow the knee, nor do any other sign of reverence unto them. We may not ‖ Cor, 10. 14— 20. Hose. 4. 14. present our bodies at their holy feasts, in their hallowed places, nor suffer our mouths to * Ezek. 18. 6. 11. Psal. 141. 4. eat of their delicates; much less repair to any such places for the repast or feeding of our souls. We may not either ‡ Deut. 13. 6. & 33. 9, at allurement of parents, brethren, or most dear friends; or by the example or enticement of the † Exod, 23. 2. Mat. 7. 13. multitude, or by the ‖ Dan, 3. 14. 15— 18. Act. 4. 19 commandment of the Magistrate, do these or any of these evils: but following the word of God to * 2 Cor, 6, 17. and 7. 1. separate ourselves, touch no unclean thing, cleanse us from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, & so grow up unto full holiness in the fear of God. Finally; we may not * Gen. 6. 2, Mal. 2, 11, 1 Cor. 7. 39 join ourselves in marriage, with any that are no● of the same faith and fellowship with us, in the Gospel of Christ. 9 The causes of this restraint & separation from the wicked, are. First the will & glory of God, who to the end we might be his ‖ Lev, 20. 26. hath severed us from other people: and upon this condition hath promised to * 2 Cor. 6. 17. accept us, & ‡ Hos. 2. 20. marry us unto himself in faith, that we should giv ourselves † Mat, 4, 10, alone to him and to his service, and not run a ‖ Deut, 31. 16 17. whoring after strangers. And hath made this our refreyning from communion with the wicked, * Exod, 34, 27 with vers. 11. 15. 16. one express & special part of his covenant with us. Secondly it is for our own good, least by familiarity with the wicked ‡ Pro. 22. 25. we should learn their ways, & receive destruction to our sowls, as others before us, ‖ Ps●. 106. 3● 36. Deut. 4. 3. by and for like carriage have done. Therefore a●● we † Prov. 7. 21— 25. 27, warned, not to wander in their paths, nor let our heart decline to their ways; for they go down to the chambers of death: and if we be * Rev. 18, 4. partakers in their sins, we shall receive also of their plagues. Thirdly it is for the good of those wicked men themselves, (if such be the grace of God towards them) or for their more certain & just condemnation; that seeing us to separate from them, * 1 Pet, 4. 4. and thinking it strange that we run not with them unto the same evils; hearing our reproofs and witness against them; are either ‡ Act 2, 37. 40. 41, drawn to consider their ways and turn their feet unto God's testimonies, or else † Act 19, 9, & 13. 46. 50 51. blaspheming, persist and are hardened in their evil course unto judgement. Fourthly it is for the overthrow of * Act, 26. 18. Rev, ●, 13. 2 Cor. 6. 15. 17. Satan's throne and kingdom, which the words and works of the Saints do beat down daily, discovering his errors and abominations, keeping themselves, and drawing others from his deceits and snares: whereas by * 1 Cor. 10. 20 21. communicating in those evils, they should both honour and advance that enemy; and strengthen the wickeds hands, that they should not turn from their impiety. 10. But though we may have no communion with the wicked in their religion, nor any other evil action, against either table of God's Law: yet in civil affairs we are taught of God to converse with them in peace. As to * 1 Cor. 10. 27 eat and drink with them, ‡ Gen. 23. 3. 4.— 16. buy & sell, make † Gen. 14. 13. covenants of peace, ‖ 2 Sam. 10, 2. show Deut, 20. 10, kindness to them, pity their estate, * Mat. 5. 44. love them, ‡ Pro, 21. 25. relieve their wants, and † Deut. 23. 4. receive from them for our relief; ” 1 Tim, 2, 1. pray for them, labour by all gentle demeanour † 2 Tim, 2. 24 25. to convert them from their evil way, and do any * Gal. 6. 10. good we can to their souls or bodies, or any thing that is theirs. And if we live in their policies and dominions, we ought to be ‡ Rom. 13. 1, 2 1 Pet, 2, 13. 14. subject to all civil Magistrates high or low, and that of conscience; pay † Mat. 22. 21. them their tributes, customs & other like duties for their common wealth; to bear their exactions, oppressions, persecutions, Mat. 5. 39 Rome, 12. 19 patiently, without rebellion or resistance; and even pray * L●●. 23. 34. A●●. 7. 60. for them that shall so misuse us: that thus as much as in us lieth, we may do good unto, & have peace with ‡ Rom. 〈◊〉. 18 all men, in all things except sin; & be perfect, † Mat. 5, 45. 〈◊〉. as our father which is in heaven is perfect. CHAP. X. How the Saints are called out of themselves, & taught to forsake their own ways and works, that they may have communion with God in Christ. FOrasmuch as all men bear in their bosoms natural corruptions, bred with them † Psal. 51. 5. in the womb, & brought up with them from the cradle, whereby they are all alike ‖ Eph. 2. 3. children of wrath: our separation from other wicked, will little avail us, unless we be also separated from ourselves, and learn to renounce the lusts and affections, yea even the fayr-seeming works and wisdom of the flesh. For what are we the better for avoiding outward pollution by others, if a fretting leprosy cleav to our flesh & bones, and our * job. 9 31. own clothes do make us filthy? 2 To draw us therefore quite out of the miry pit of corruption, the Lord hath called us from the love and liking of ourselves also; as being naturally both his enemies and our own; teaching us that our wits are * 1 Cor, 2. 14, uncapable of his heavenly mysteries, our reason ‡ Rom. 8, 7. enmity against him & his Law; our thoughts & purposes ‖ Gen. 8, 21. evil, our affections † jer. 10. 14. Psal. 73. 22. brutish, our wisdom ‡ 1 Cor. ●. 19, 20. foolishness, all our glorious grace † 1 Pet. 1. 24, as the flower of grass: and that therefore we must be turned and become * Mat. 18. 3. as little children; even ‖ john. 3. 3, born again, or else we cannot see the kingdom of God. 3. In matters of religion, we must not do what * Deut, 12, 8. seemeth good in our own eyes, nor † Esa. 66. 3. choose our own ways, nor ‖ 1 Kin, 12, 33 forge things out of our own hearts, nor * Exod. 20. 4. make to ourselves any similitude of things in heaven or earth, nor walk ‡ Psal, 81. 12, in our own counsels: for what is man that he should invent services of God, or do any thing which the Lord ” Isa. 1, 12, Ier, 7, 31. requireth not at his hands. The things of God † 1 Cor, 2. 11. knoweth no man but the spirit of God; of him therefore we must learn his fear, what he commandeth, that only must we do, ‖ Deut. 12. 32 we may not put to it, nor take aught from it. For when Israel set their own thresholds and posts by the Lords, * Eze, 43, 8. they defiled his holy name with their abominations. 4. The ‡ 1 Tim, 3, 16 mysteries of his faith, we may not measure by ” john. 6. 52. 60. 63. carnal reason, or our own shallow understanding; but learn with reverence to believe all his words; knowing that † 1 Cor. 2, 9 the things which eye hath not seen, neither ear heard, neither came into man's heart, are which God hath prepared for them that love him: and neither ‖ Mat. 16. 17. john, 6. 45, flesh nor blood, but himself doth manifest them unto us; and as his words are spirit and life, so is it * 1 Cor. 2. 10. Ioh, 6, 63. Eph, 3. 3. 5. his spirit that searcheth all, even the deep things of God, reveleth them unto us, and quickeneth us. 5. The promises which are made us, we must embrace not by sight but by faith which is † Hebr. 11. 1. the evidence of things not seen. And seem they never so unlikely or unpossible, yet ought we not to ‖ Rom. 4. 20. 21. 18. doubt of them, or reason against them through unbelief; but even above hope to believe under hope: being fully assured that he which hath promised is able to do it. For as Sara received strength to bring forth achild when she was past age, * Heb. 11. 11. because she judged him faithful which had promised: so contrariwise, the children of Israel, when God had brought them through the wilderness even ‡ Deut, 1. 19 20. 21. 26. 32 45. 46. Heb. 3. 19, to the borders of the land of promise; yet could they not enter in, because of their unbelief. 6. The commandments of God, how hard or unreasonable soever they seem, we must readily and cheerfully obey; laying aside all * Exod. 4. 1. 2. 10. 13. 14. excuses, † Psa. 119. 60 delays, ‖ 1. Sam. 15 24. jer. 1. 7. 8. 17. fears, or other things that may hinder us: knowing that all * Psal. 19 7. 8. & 119. 128. his precepts are perfect, righteous, pure, and just. Therefore when God calleth us, we must follow him ‡ Heb. 11. 8. joh. 21. 19 22. though we know not whither we shall come; when he sendeth us to any place, of danger, we must go † Act. 20. 22. 23. 24. Luk. 10. 3. though we know not what may befall us there; when he commandeth us a thing, that is both ‖ Gen. 22. 2. 3. Heb. 11. 17, 18. against nature of man, and promise of God, we must obey without murmuring or reasoning: yea even to * Phil. 2. 8. Rev. 2. 10. the death must we be obedient, that we may receive the crown of life. 7. In all our trials and tribulatious, we must in faith & patience possess our souls. We may not ‡ Num. 20. 2. 3. etc. Exod. 15. 24. murmur, though we want both bread and water; nor speak against God, Num. 21. 4. 5. though our way be never so grievous. When we be in danger of our foes pursuing us, † Exod. 14. 9 11. etc. we must not complain; nor be afraid, ” Psa. 3. 6. ● Kin. 6. 15. 16. when they beset us round about. If God ‖ Psal. 66. 12, cause men to ride over our heads; if he lead us into fire and into water, if he give us as * Psal. 44. 11. 1●, 17. etc. sheep to be eaten, & scatter us among the nations; if he smite us down into the place of dragons, and cover us with the shadow of death: yet may we not forget him, nor deal falsely concerning his covenant; but in all these triumph ‡ Rome, 8. 37. as more than conquerors, through him that loved us. When in our troubles we expect his salvation, we must not † Isa. 28. 16. make haste, & ‖ Hab. 2. 3. 2 k●ng. 6. 33. Lam. 3. 26. though it tarry, we must wait; if he hide his face from us, and * Psal. 80. 4 be angry against our prayer, so that we cry by ‡ Psal. 22. 2. day, but he heareth not, and by night, but have no audience; if he put us back † Mat. 15. 26. as dogs unworthy of his grace; if he turn himself ‖ job. 30, ●● to be cruel against us, & to be enemy to us with the strength of his hand: yet must we remember that he is the rock of our salvation, and say, * Isa. 8. 17. I will wait for the Lord that hath hid his face from jaakob, and I will look for him; ‡ job. 13. ●● Lo though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. 8, Notwithstanding all these & what soever else we can do or suffer for his name's sake, yet must we empty & cast down ourselves before him, confessing that † Luk▪ 17. 1● we are but unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do: & it ‖ job, 22. 3. & 35. 7. is nothing to the Almighty that we are righteous, our * Psal. 16. 2●. well-doing extendeth not to him. Neither ‡ Rom. 3. 28 & 9 11. 2. Tim. 1, 9 for our works done, or of him foreseen to be done, hath he saved & called us with a holy caling; but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us through Christ jesus before the world was. And because we are all too well persuaded of ourselves & our good deserts, the Lord useth two means for to humble us; the one is his Law which showeth us our sins and infirmities; the other, job. 33. 16. 17, Corrections whereby he openeth our ears, to cause us to turn away our work, & that he might cover our pride; of both these Solomon saith Prov. 6 23. the commandment is a lantern, and the law alight; & correcttions for instruction, are the way of life. 9 The Law * Rom. 3. 20, reveleth our sins which lay hid within us, & showeth our weakness to be greater than we could imagine. For first we are ‡ Rome, 7. 9 alive (in our own conceit) without the law, and will not stick to say Exod, 19 8 All that the Lord commandeth, we will do. But when he speaketh, we ‖ Exod, 20. 19 〈◊〉. Deut, 5. 5 can not endure to hear the law at his mouth, but run away. Or if we do receive it, it is with a vail * Exod. 34, 30— 33. over Moses face, not discerning the true nature of the Law which is ‡ Rom. 7. 14, spiritual, or end of the same, which is to † Gal, 3. 24, bring us to Christ: but in hypocrisy, with hollow and covered hearts, imagining the outward observation thereof howsoever it be, to be sufficient. But when it cometh in deed to our conscience, we die, Rome 7. 9 for sin (which we thought was dead) reviveth, and * vers. 11. taking occasion by the commandment, deceiveth us, and thereby slayeth us; and when the law saith Thou shalt not lust, sin ‡ vers. 8. worketh in us all manner of lust. And as the Israelites having heard the thundering voice of the Lord from heaven, forbidding them to have any other Gods before his face; did before forty days were expired, forget both their ” Exo, 19 8. promise, and their † Exo, 20, 18. etc., fear, & ‖ Psal. 106. ●1 God himself their saviour, and * Exo. 32. 7, 8, made them Gods of metal: so is it with us all, when the commandment cometh, sin aboundeth and † Rom. 7. 13. appeareth to be sin, yea out of measure sinful. And because the wages of sin is death, the law also ‖ Rom. 4. 15. causeth wrath, which is * Rom. 1. 18. reveled from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Then are we cast down with sight and horror of our wretched case; and the more we strive to rid ourselves out of these snares of hell, the faster we are entangled: for we find ourselves ‡ Rom. 7. 14. carnal, & sold under sin; so as if we have will to do good, yet ” Rom. 7. 18. find we no means to perform it; and without God's grace we can neither † Philip. 2. 13 will nor do. Wherhfore we ‖ Rom. 7. 24. cry out upon our misery, and should die in despeyr, were it not that God did cause his favour in the face of Christ to shine upon us: in whom being graffed by faith, we * Gal. 2. 19 20. are dead to the law, but alive unto God by belief in his son, who hath loved us, given himself for us, and liveth in us. Thus is the law, a light to discover, a fire to burn, a ‡ jer. 23. 29. hammer to break whatsoever in us is exalted against God, & is † Gal. ●▪ ●. a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ, that we might be made righteous by him, after that we are stripped naked of our own misconceived righteousness; & having our ‖ Zechar, 3. 4, filthy garments taken from us, may be arrayed with chan●● of raiment, even that * Rev. 19 8. fine-li●●n pure and shining, which 〈◊〉 the righteousness of the Saint▪ 10. The chastisements 〈◊〉 God, † Lev, 26. 39 40. 41. are an other good means to ●umble our stubborn nature, & baptized hearts: making us to ‖ Lam. 3. 39 40. 〈◊〉 & try our ways, and turn 〈◊〉 to the Lord; to * Psal. 107. 12 13. 17. 18. 19 &. 78. 3●. cry unto 〈◊〉 our distress; to have care to ‡ Psal. 119. 67. 71. 〈◊〉 and keep his word. By them he † Deut. 8. 2. proveth us, to know what is in our hearts, and letteth us have experience both of our own infirmities, and of his power & grace. By them he bringeth us to an humble ‖ job. 33. 19 ●0— 27. 28. confession & sorrow for our sins, and so delivereth our souls from going into the pit. By them and our weakness in them, he teacheth us to * 2 Cor. ●. 8. 9 trust in him & not in ourselves. Thus ‡ Pro. 29. 〈◊〉. the rod and correction giveth us wisdom, and we are chastened for ” Heb. 12. 10. our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11. And thus God calleth us out of ourselves, from the unbelief, blindness, hypocrisy, hardness of heart, pride, wantonness, & all other inordinate affections that do possess us, that we may believe, love, fear and obey him alone; that we may † Num. 15. 4● remember and do all his commandments, and be holy unto our God▪ He teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, even such as ” jam. 4. 1. fight in our own members; that † Rom. 6. 6 our old man being crucified with Christ, the body of sin may be destroyed, & we serve sin no more. But having ‖ Psal. 131. 2. our souls as weanlings with us, withdrawn from all carnal pleasures, and having * Heb. 12. 1. cast off every thing that presseth down, and the sin that so easily compasseth us about; may delight in the Lord & in his law, depending upon him alone for life succour and salvation; neither despairing for our evil deeds, nor boasting of our good, but by faith taking hold upon Christ and saying, ‡ Psal. 7●. 25. 26. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and I desire none in the earth with thee: my flesh faileth, and my heart, but God is the rock of my heart and my portion for ever. Then bidding farewell to the world, and meekly taking our cross upon us, as men ” joh. 12. 25. hating our own life here, to † ●●●. 14. 4. follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth and shall bring us, to mountains or deserts, to hunger or thirst, to cold or nakedness, to trouble of body, or grief of mind, to fears or terrors, or even to the dust of death: knowing that in all he will sustain us, & in the end, wipe all tears from our eyes; after we have gone into fire and into water, † Psa. 66. 12. he will bring us out into a wealthy place; in our weakness he will strengthen us, in our wants he will reliev us, in all our cares, doubts, dangers, & distresses, he will ‖ Psal. 73. 24. guide us by his counsel, and after receive us to glory. 12. But these things are so hard unto flesh and blood, that the natural man chooseth rather to remain still in his woeful state, and enjoy the momentany pleasures of sin, then in such straits and difficulties to follow Christ. For it is a heavy thing to renounce and forsake his own affections, to condemn his own wisdom for foolishness, to rest wholly upon God's word and promises, when nothing is seen but present want & calamity; to abandon pleasures, to tame and subdue his wanton lusts, to bear cheerfully the reproaches and persecutions of the world, and whatsoever else God shall bring upon him; oftentimes to the lost of friends, wife, children, goods, lands and life itself. Therefore this state is in deed † Luk. 9 23. a Denial of ourselves, & carrying of our cross daily: a ‖ Col. 3. 5. Mortification of our earthly members, even a * 1 Cor. 15. 31. daily dying and ‡ Psa. 86. 15. breathing out of the ghost. As the sacrifices given unto God were ‖ Lev. 1. 5. etc. Ezec. 43. 24. killed, salted, and sent up in fire; so we that must give up our own * Rom. 12. 1. bodies for a living sacrifice, must also be salted with fire, as ‡ Mar. 9 49. Christ hath said. And as himself (fulfilling the figure of the sin offerings which were burnt without the camp,) ” Heb. 13. 11. 12. 13. that he might sanctify us with his own blood, suffered without the gate of jerusalem, so must we likewise go out of the camp, bearing his reproach; which we never do willingly, till he † Song. 1. 3. john. 6. 44. draw us. For this our new birth, is not ‖ Ioh, 1. 13. of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God; who regenerateth, caleth, and sanctifieth his Israel, increasing them with men like a flock; * Eze. 36. 37. 38. and as the flock of holinesses, as the flock of jerusalem in their solemn feasts, so filleth he desolate cities with flocks of men, which being by the ministry of the gospel ‡ Rom. 15. 16. Isa. 66. 20. offered up for sacrifices, are acceptable being sanctified by the holy Ghost. 13. When thus we be changed by the power of God's grace, and have got the victory of ourselves, subduing and ruling over our own spirits, which as Solomon saith ” Pro. 16. 3●. is better than if we won a city; when we have hearkened to the cry of the † Isa. 40. 6. 7. Voice that all flesh is grass, & all the grace thereof as the flower of the field, and when we have found our grass to be withered and flower faded, because the spirit of the Lord hath blown upon it: when the strong hold of our imaginations is cast down, and every ‖ 2 Cor. 10. 5. thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; when we have discerned our sins, felt the smart of them in our consciences, * Lev. 26. 39 pined away for our iniquities, and ‡ Eze. 20. 43 judged ourselves worthy to be cut off for all our evils; when we have renounced all confidence in ourselves, rejected all our righteousnesses ” Isa. 64. 6. as filthy clouts, and being humbled under the mighty hand of God, do with job † job. 42. 6. abhor ourselves & repent in dust and ashes: then will he look upon us and turn our captivity, and bring us into his promised rest, into which we ‖ Hebr. 4. 3. etc. entering by faith shall there keep the true Sabbath of God, * ver. 10. cease from our own works as he did from his, & wholly give ourselves to work the works of God, which is ‡ joh. 6. 28. 29. to believe in him whom he hath sent, even jesus Christ our ” 1 Cor. 1, 30. wisdom, justice, sanctification, and redemption, who caleth us with a holy calling from the fellowship of Satan, Synon, this world, and our own corruptions, to the happy communion with himself and with his Father, by faith a while on earth; till we † Psal. 17. 15. shall behold his face in justice, and when we awake, be satisfied with his image. O jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayct be saved: how long shall thy wicked thoughts remain within thee? jer. 4. 14. CHAPT. XI. Of the Communion that we have with God, in general God having graciously freed us from the captivity of Satan, and called us out of the world, & from our own corruptions▪ doth after this take us near unto him, bestoweth more graces and blessings upon us, and accepteth again the fruits of his own spirit in us. For he hath separated us from others, to ” 2 Cor. 6. 17. 18. receive us unto himself, and he willbe a Father unto us, and we shallbe the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. 2. This grace God signified to our fathers, when he had freed them from the bondage of Egypt, saying; ‖ Exod. 19 4. 5. 6. ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you upon eagle's wings, and have brought you unto me: now therefore, if ye will hear my voice in deed, and keep my covenant; then shall ye be my chief treasure above all people's, though all the earth be mine; ye shallbe unto me also a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. 3. The manifestation and assurance of this grace, is to be seen in that eternal * Deut. 29. 12 Covenant and Oath which he maketh with us, and whereby he ‡ ver. 13. stablisheth us for a people unto himself, and willbe unto us a God; as he also swore unto our father's Abraham Isaak and jaakob. Who were themselves joined in league with the Lord, that had established this everlasting covenant with Abraham and his posterity, to ‖ Gen. 17. 7. be God unto him, and to his seed after him; but hath now fully and finally ratified in Christ, and by that new Testamental bond confirmed in his blood, whereby he hath covenanted, that ‡ Heb. 8. 10. he willbe our God, and we shall be his people: whereupon it followeth that he being ours, and we his, assured hereof by faith in his gospel, we have † 1 john. 1. 3. communion with the Father and with his Son jesus Christ, to the praise of the glory of his grace, & our eternal happiness. Whiles he being our God, applieth his * Pro. 8. wisdom, ‡ Psal. 18. 1. 2 strength, ” Psal. 84. 11. grace, and all other goodness unto us for good: & causeth us again to apply * Rome, 12. 1. 2 our bodies & our minds, with all the faculties of them, to the honour and service of his majesty; and this with such mutual love, and near conjunction, as God is said to ” ● joh. 4. 16. dwelin us and we in him; and with such peace, as † Phil. 4, 7. passeth all understanding, that not without cause doth the Psalmist sing, ‖ Psa. 144. 15 Blessed is the people whese God jehovah is. 4. The persons whom God admitteth into this gracious communion, are all sorts of people without respect of persons: † Gal. 3. 28. Jews & Gentiles, bond men and free, male & female, ‖ Psal. ● 48. 11 〈◊〉. etc. kings of the earth and all peoples, Princes and all judges of the world, young men & maidens, old men and children, * 1 Cor, 1. 26. 27. wise men and fools; even as ‡ Act. ●. 39 many as the Lord our God shall call. The riches of which grace, Moses also manifested unto Israel, when he said; ” Deut. 29. 10 11. 12. Ye stand this day every one of you before the Lord your God, your heads of your tribes, your elders and your officers, all the men of Israel, your children, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the † that is the basest servants. as jos. 9 ●3. hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water; that thou shouldest pass into the covenant of the Lord thy God, & into his oath which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day etc. This ample mercy, God showed even then, but hath much enlarged since ‖ Eph. 2. 11. 17. by the sending of his Son; that it might be seen how he is * Psal. 145. 9. good to all, and his mercies over all his works; and that * all flesh might bless his holy ‡ vers. 21. name, for ever and ever. 5 The original of this grace to the Saints, cometh from the election of God, who having set † Deut. 10. 14▪ 15. and. 7. 6▪ 7. 8. his delight in them to love them, chooseth them & their seed, to be a precious people to himself, above all peoples upon the earth, and as he saith by the Prophet, ‖ jer. 31. 3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with mercy I have drawn thee. From which further grace proceedeth; for they being thus drawn, do * Song, 1. 3. run after him, and ‡ josh. 24. 15. 22. chose him again to be their God, and to serve him; † Psal. 119. 30 173. they chose the way of faith, they chose his precepts. So is there a willing & joyful covenant made between God and them, by mutual agreement, upon most holy and happy conditions; which Moses briefly describeth thus: ‖ Deut. 26. 17 18. 19 Thou hast * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made the Lord to say this day, (that is, thou hast taken promise of, conditioned with, and consequently ‡ so the Greek▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. hast chosen him,) to be to thee for a God, and to walk in his ways and to keep his statutes & his commandments and his judgements, and to hearken unto his voice. And the Lord hath made thee to say this day (hath conditioned with & ‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. chosen thee,) to be unto him for a peculiar people, even as he spoke unto thee, and to keep all his commandments; and to set thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise and in name & in glory; and that ●hou shouldest be an holy people to the Lord thy God, even as he hath spoken. 6. The good things communicated with us of God by that covenant of his grace, the Apostle summeth up, when he saith that * 2▪ Per. 1. 3. his divine power hath given us all things that pertain to Life & godliness. For as he is himself the ‡ jer. 10. 10. Living God, & † 1 Tim. 6. 13. giver of life unto all things; so is he ‖ Mat. 22. 32. not the God of the Dead, but of the Living. To the end therefore that we, which were * Eph. 2. ●● dead in trespasses and sins, and ‡ Eph. 4. 18. strangers from the Life of God, through the ignorance that was in us, and in that estate were not his people; might be the † Hos. 1. 10. sons of the Living God, and ‖ 1 Pet. 3. 7. heirs of the grace of Life: it was needful, that we should receive from him this grace, which else we could not have from any other; because ” Psal. 36. 9 with him is the well of life, and in his light shall we see light; he is † Deut. 30. 20 our Life and the length of our days, his ‖ Psal. 119. 93 50. precepts and his promises do quicken us, and by all * Deut. 8. 3. that proceedeth out of his mouth, doth a man live; as that good king Hezekiah confessed upon his recovery from death, ‡ Is●. 38. 16. O Lord by them (men) live, and by all of them (is) the life of my spirit; and thou hast caused me to sleep, and hast given life unto me. 7. And when we are made partakers of the life of God, then feel we the fellowship and communion spoken of; and as our life increaseth, so doth our joy, by the perceiving of our happiness; & we ” Rom. 6. 13. give ourselves unto God, as they that are alive from the dead, † Psal. 56. 13. walking before him in the light of the living. God also himself ‖ Lev. 26. 12. walketh with us, leading us * I●r. 31, 9 12. 14. by the rivers of waters, in a strait way wherein we shall not stumble, and our soul shallbe as a watered garden; we shall have no more sorrow, but shallbe satisfied with the goodness of the Lord; ‡ Psal. 22. 26. our heart shall live for ever. To the end therefore that we may in some sort discern this incomprehensible grace, let us consider some principal of the many good things, that God doth give us pertaining unto Life and godliness. 8. And first, for that Understanding is ‖ Pro. 16. 22. a wellspring of Life unto them that have it; the God of our Lord jesus Christ, the Father of glory, * Eph. 1. 17. 18. giveth unto us the Spirit of wisdom, and revelation through the knowledge of him, whereby the eyes of our understanding are lightened, and we know what is the hope of his caling, and what the riches of his glorious inheritance is in the Saints: so he having opened our eyes,, * Psa. 119. 18 we see the wonders of his law, & he causeth us † vers. 27. to understand the way of his precepts. This is a special point of the happiness of God's people, above all peoples of the earth that they have both his Law for a light, and himself for their instructor, and so are all ‖ joh. 6. 45. the taught of God, and have * 1 joh. 2. 20. an Ointment from him that is holy, whereby they know all things, and ‡ ver. 2●. need not that any man teach them, but as the same anointing teacheth them all things. Hereupon the Prophet said unto God, I have not declined ● Psal. 119. ●02. from thy judgements, because thou didst teach me; and himself saith unto his people, † Isa. 48. 17. I am the Lord thy God, which teach thee to profit, and lead thee by the way that thou shouldest go; & thine ‖ Isa. 30. ●1. ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying; This is the way, walk ye in it, when thou turnest to the right hand, & when thou turnest to the left. Thus the † Psal. 25. 14. secret of the Lord is reveled to them that fear him; & his covenant, for to giv them knowledge; he ‖ Luk. 24, 45. openeth their mind, that they may understand the scriptures, he openeth unto them the * Eph. 1. 9 ● Colos. 1. 9 mystery of his will, and ‡ filleth them with knowledge of the same, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that so they may be partakers of his life, as David saith, ” Psal. 119. 144. Give me understanding, and I shall live. And that this grace proceedeth from his covenant, and confirmeth the same, himself showeth when he saith; † jer. 24. 7. I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord; and they shallbe my people, and I will be their God. 9 An other of the gifts per●eyning unto Life and godliness, is Faith; whereby our Fathers ” Gen. 5. 22. Heb. 11. 5. 6. 39 walked with God, pleased him, wrought many good works, obtained good report, and in the end, the salvation of their souls. This grace we have not of ourselves, ‖ Eph. 2. 8. it is the gift of God, who openeth * Act. 14. 27. the door thereof unto his chosen people, which therefore is called ‡ Tit, 1. 1. the faith of Gods elect; and wondrous is the force thereof in our souls, for by it ” Mark. 9, 23. all things are made possible to us, it is our † 1 Thes. 5, 8. breastplate, & it is our | Eph. 6. 16. shield whereby we quench all the fiery darts of the Devil; it is the * 1 john. 5. 4. victory whereby we overcome the world; by it we ‡ 2 Cor. 5. 7, walk, whiles we are pilgroms here on earth, and absent from the Lord; by it we stand ” Rom. 11. 20. in the grace & favour of God; by it † Gal. 2. 20. we Live, by it our God doth ‖ Act. 15. 9 purify our hearts, and through it * 1 Pet, 1. 5. doth keep us by his power unto salvation. 10. This Faith, doth always respect the word of God, † Rom. 10. 17. from whence it ariseth, and by which it is wrought in us through his Spirit: which therefore is called, the ‖ ver, 8. word of faith, and is no vain word concerning us, but is * Deut. 32. 47 our Life. It looketh also unto all God's oracles, teaching us to believe ‡ Act. 24. 14. all things that are written in the law and prophets, and † john. 20. 31. in the gospel. It causeth us to apprehend Gods ancient mercies showed to our fathers, as belonging also to us; for so we learn of the Apostles, to apply the ‖ Hebr. 13. 5. with jos. 1. 5. promise of God's presence and continued favour with josua; his * Rom. 4, 23. 24. imputation of justice unto Abraham; the ‡ Psal. 118. 6. with Heb. 15. 6. boldness and courage of David, upon God's assistance; & generally ” Rom. 15. 4. whatsoever things are written aforetime, as being written for our learning, comfort, and increase of faith. So also we learn of the Prophets, which spoke of things done long before, as if they had been seen and felt by themselves. Hoseas saith of jakob, † Hos. 12. 4. God found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us; the Psalmist singeth of Gods bringing Israel through the Sea & jarden, He turned sea into dry land, ‖ Psal. 66. 6. they passed through the river on foot, there did we rejoice in him. According to whose examples, we that now live and believe, because we have received the * 2 Cor. 4. 13. same spirit of faith with the patriarchs, and have obtained a ‡ 2 Pet. 1. 1. likeprecious faith with the Apostles; may also say with them, ” Song. 2. 16. my well-beloved is mine & jam his; I ‡ job. 19, 25. know that my redeemer liveth; and I † Gal. 2. 20 live by faith in him who hath loved me, and given himself for me. 11. The most excellent fruit that we reap of Faith, is our justification in the sight of God, by his grace in Christ jesus. For whereas two ways of Life & justice are set before us in the scriptures, the one by keeping the Law of the Lord, even all his precepts, of which it is said, ” Rom. 10. 5. The man that doth them, shall live by them; and again, † Deut. 6. ●5. This shall be our justice before the Lord our God, if we take heed to keep all his commandments, as he hath commanded us: the other by faith in Christ; as it is written, ‖ john. 3. ●6. God so loved the world that he hath given his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life: the first of these ways is such, as no * Gal. 2. 16. flesh can be justified by. For though the Law consists of ‡ Act 7. 38, Living oracles, and every commandment ” Rome, ●▪ 12. is holy and just and good; yet by reason of sin that dwelleth in us, † ver. 10. the same commandment which was ordained unto life, is found to be unto us to death. For † Rom. 7. 11. sin taketh occasion by the commandment, & deceiveth us, & thereby killeth us; as when the Law saith, Thou shalt not lust, ‖ ver. 8. sin worketh in us all manner of lust; so the Law is the life and strength ofsyn, in us that a● carnal and sold under sin; and sin * ver. 13. is made out of measure sinful by the commandment, & the ‡ Rom. 5. 20. Law entered that the offence might abound. Therefore ” Gal. 3. 21. can it not giv us Life, neither was it given to that end, but was added unto the promise of grace by Christ, † ver, ●9. because of the transgressions; and by it cometh ‖ Rom. 3. 20. the knowledge of sin; it also condemneth and curseth * Gal. 3, 10. all sin and sinners, and ‡ Gal. 2. 15. through it are we dead unto it, that we might live unto God. For the terrors thereof tormenting our sinful souls, we are forced to seek refuge from God's wrath in some other, which we can not find † Act. 4. 1●. in any but in Christ, whom God hath proposed to be the reconciliation for all our sins, whom we apprehend by faith; & until faith come are ‖ Gal. 3. 23. 24. kept fast, and as it were locked up under the Law, whereof we have this excellent use and benefit, that it is a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 child-leader or schoolmaster, to bring us unto Christ. In whom the justice of God is satisfied for all our trespasses by his death on the tree whereon he was made a ‡ Gal. 3. 13. curse for us, and redeemed us from the curse of the Law. And so our sins which were imputed unto him, shall no more be imputed unto us, but forgiven for his sake, and that blessedness cometh on us which is written, † Rom. 4. 7. 8 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sin. Yea God, ●as he imputeth not but pardoneth sin, so doth he impute▪ † Vers. 6. justice or righteousness to us without works of ours; because Christ fulfilled all righteousness for us that believe, and we shallbe found in him ‖ Phil. 3. 9 not having our own justice which is of the Law, but that which is through the Faith of Christ, even the justice which is of God through Faith. To teach us this, the * Abraham. Gen. 15. 6. first man whom Moses mentioneth to have believed the Lord; he presently adorneth with this grace, that God imputed that to him for justice. And he being made the ‡ Rom. 4. 16. Father of all believers; that is written † Vers. 23. 24 for us also, unto whom Belief shallbe imputed for justice in like weise. Thus are we ‖ Rom. 3. 28. justified by Faith, without the works of the Law; yea Faith is come in place of all good works, as Christ hath said, * joh. 6. 29. This is the work of God, that ye believe in him whom he hath sent; this also is his commandment, ‡ 1. joh. 3. 23. that we believe in the name of his Son jesus Christ; whom he that hath, ” 1 joh. 5. 12. hath Life, & he that hath not the son of God hath not Life: but who so * Ezek. 33. 13. trusteth to his own righteousness, and committeth iniquity shall surely die, as saith the prophet. Thus live we by faith in Christ, and that heavenly oracle is fulfilled, ‡ Hab. 2. 4. Gal. 3. 11. The just shallive by his faith. 12. This Life and grace, is one condition of that everlasting covenant which our God hath made with us, and said † Heb. ●. 1●. I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and will remember their sins and their iniquities no more. And being thus justified by faith, we ‖ Rom. 5. 1. have peace towards God through our Lord jesus Christ, whom he * Isa. 42. 6. hath given to be our covenant and our light; he ‡ Psal. 51. 9 hideth his face from our sins, and wipeth away all our iniquities, and saith † job. 33. 24. deliver them that they go not down into the pit, for I have found a ransom. Yea now he Num. 23. 21 seeth no iniquity in jaakob, nor transgression in Israel; the Lord his God is with him, and the joyful shout of a king is among them; though the sins of judah be sought for, * Ier 50. 20. they shallbe no more found, for the Lord is merciful to them whom he reserveth, he ‡ Isa. 4. 4. & 44. 22. 23. hath washed the filthiness of the daughters of Zion, their transgressions are put away as aclowd, and like a mist, their sins are all † Mic. 7. 19 cast into the bottom of the sea. For this, the Saints do triumph and say, Rom. 8. 33. who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? it is God that justifieth, who shall condemn? we will ” Psal. 71. 16. go forward in the strength of the Lord God, we will make mention of thy justice, even of thine only. And thus is fulfilled the saying of the prophet Isa. 45. 25. The whole seed of Israel shall be justified, and glory, in the Lord. 13. Yet is their also further grace pertaining to life and godliness given us of God, even our Sanctification; whereunto he hath * 1. Thes. 4. 7. called us, and which we attain unto ‡ Act. 26. 18. by faith in Christ. For the grace of God, that bringeth salvation unto all men, and hath appeared; doth † Tit. 2. 11. 1● teach us that we should deny ungodliness & worldly lusts, and that we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world, and not Rom. 6. 1. continue still in sin, that grace may abound. We are the people of * Isa. 63. 18. God's holiness, and he willbe ‡ Levit. 23. 32. hallowed among us, he the Lord doth sanctify us; he poureth † Ezek. 36. 25 clean water upon us that we may be clean, † Heb. 10. 22 sprinkled in our hearts from an evil conscience, and washed in our bodies with pure water; he Ezek. 35. 26 taketh away the stony heart out of our body, and giveth us an heart of flesh, he * vers. 27 putteth his spirit within us, and causeth us to walk in his statutes, to keep his judgements and do them, that we be ‡ Ezek. 37. 23 polluted no more with our abominations, nor any of our transgressions; and saith unto us † Levi. 19 2. ye shallbe holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. And this is an other condition of his gracious covenant with us, as it is written, Heb. 8. 10. I will put my laws in their mind and in their heart I will write them, & I will be their God, and they shallbe my peaple. 14. Of this Sanctification there be two parts, which they that long after Life and to see good days, must seek; 1 * 1. Pet. 3. 10 11 to eschew evil, 2 & to do good. The way to attain these, is by the ‡ Rom. 6. 3. 4. 6. death & burial of the old man, the corruption of nature; and the resurrection of the new: that so being † verse. ●● dead unto sin, we may be alive unto God in jesus Christ our Lord. The old man or body of sin, is the joh. 3. 6. 3. whole man soul and body, as he is born by nature, even * Isa. 40. 6. 7 1 Pet. 1. 24. all flesh, & all the grace and glory thereof, which the Spirit of the Lord must blow upon, and cause to fade as the flower of grass, that the man may be born again, and made a new creature, even born ‡ joh. 1. 13. of God. To work this wondrous change in us; the Lord giveth two special graces, the 1 Fear & 2 Love of his name; by the one to restreyn us from evil, and by the other to allure us unto good. 15. The Fear of the Lord, as it is the † Psal. 111. 10 beginning of wisdom; so did david's) † Psal. 119. 120. for fear of the Lord, and we being afraid of his judgements. His mercies also are showed us to this end, as it is written, ‖ Psa. 130. 4 Mercy is with thee that thou mayst be feared. This grace God giveth to his Saints, to humble them, that they be * Rom. 11. 20 not highminded, but may walk in reverence before him, and their hearts be * Pro. 23. 17 in his fear continually, that ‡ Deut. 5. 29 it may go well with them and with their children for ever; for he that † Pro. 13. 13 feareth the commandment shallbe rewarded. By this grace have his people commuinon with him, and feel his goodness, for ‖ Psal. 33. 18 the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, & trust in his mercy; † Ps. 147. 11 he delighteth in them, he will fulfil * Ps. 145. 19 the desire of them, and nothing ‡ Psal. 34. 9 shallbe wanting unto them, as he hath promised by his prophet; † Psal. 25. 13 14. their souls shall dwell in good, their seed shall inherit the land, and the secret of the Lord, and his covenant shallbe revealed unto them. Wherefore unto man he saith, † job. 28, 2● Behold the Fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding; ‖ Pro. 22. 4. the reward of humility and the fear of God, is riches and glory & Life. Unto this therefore let us take heed, for in it * Pro. 14. 26 is an assured strength; by it we shall ‡ Ecel. 7. 20. 18. 19 come out of all extremities that are either too much or too little; and to † Eccl. 12. 13 fear God and keep his commandments is the whole man; this leadeth him ‖ Pro. 19 23. unto Life, and being filled therewith, he shall continue and not be visited with evil: that he may know, that * Isa. 33. ●. the fear of the Lord is his treasure, as saith the Prophet. 16. But because the end of the Commandment, is † 1 Tim. 1. ●● Love, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience & of faith unfeigned, & Love is the ‖ Rom. 13. 16 fulfilling of the Law: therefore hath God comprised his whole will touching our Sanctification and obedience in two precepts, 1 Thou shalt * Mat. 22. 37 Love thy Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; & 2 Thou shalt ‡ vers. 39 Love thy neighbour as thyself; on † vers. 40. these two commandments hangeth the whole Law, and the Prophets. As evil therefore is to be ‖ Psal. 97. 10 hated and eschewed, so that which is good aught * Amos 5. 15. to be loved, and ‡ Rom. 12. 9 cleaved unto: the head and fountain of all which good, is only ‖ Luke 18. 19 God himself; who first is to be loved, and above all; but hath given us this commandment, * 1 joh. 4. 21 that he which loveth God, should love his brother also. 17. And as we have of him this Law of love, so have we from him the grace to love both him & his law, and shall from him receive the fruit thereof which is Life. This Moses showed Israel of old, saying, ‖ Deut. 30. 6 The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed, that thou mayst Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, that thou mayst Live. Thus we love him, * 1 joh. 4. 19 because he loved us first, and hath inclined our hearts & drawn us after him. Again because as Christ saith, ‡ joh. 14. 29 he that hath his commandments and keepeth them, is he that Loveth him; therefore have we this rule & direction given us by Moses further, joining these two together, † Deut. 11. ● Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and shalt keep that which he commandeth to be kept; that is, his ordinances and his laws and his commandments alway. 18. From this ariseth much comfort to the Saints, which finding themselves affected with the Lov of God, & feeling his love ‖ Rom. 5. 5. shed abroad in their hearts by the holy Ghost which is given unto them, do grow in this grace, & * jude. 21. keep themselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord jesus Christ unto eternal life. They ‡ Psal. 119. 127. lov his commandments above the finest gold, & therefore have † verse 165. much peace, and shall have no hurt or scandal; their vers. 47. delight is in his commandments which they have loved, their * vers. 48. hands also do they lift up unto them; and hereupon do expect to be ‡ vers. 159. quickened and conserved in life according to the loving kindness of the Lord, who † Psal. 145. 20. preserveth all them that love him, Dan. 9 4. keepeth covenant and mercy towards them, and causeth all things to * Rom. 8. 28. work together for the best unto them. For God ‡ 1 joh. 4. 16 is Love (as saith the disciple † joh. 21. 20. 24. whom jesus loved,) and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him; and † Ephe. 6. 24. grace shallbe unto all them that love him, unto immortality. Moses in spirit foreseeing this, said unto Israel; ‖ Deut. 30. 19 20. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you Life & death, the blessing & the curse: therefore choose Life that thou and thy seed may live; by loving the Lord thy God, by obeying his voice, and by cleaving unto him; for he is thy Life, and the length of thy days. 19 But because our Life † Col. 3. 3. is hid with Christ in God, & though now we be the sons of God, ‖ 1 john. 3. 2. yet it doth not appear what we shallbe, but when * Col. 3. 4●. Christ which is our Life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory, be like unto him, and see him as he is: therefore hath he given us another grace pertaining to Life and godliness, called † 1. Pet. 1. 3. a living Hope, unto which God of his abundant▪ mercy hath begotten us by the resurrection of jesus Christ from the dead. This virtue respecteth our good that is to come, our ‖ vers. 4. inheritance reserved for us in heaven, yea thither hath it power to come, entering (as the Apostle saith) * Heb. 6. 18. 19, 20. into that which is within the vail, whither the forerunner jesus is for us entered in, & this Hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure & steadfast, holding it fast in all tempests of tribulations or temptations, knowing (as Solomon saith) that ‡ Prov. 24. 14. there is an end, and our hope shall not be cut-off. 20. There be two companions and as it were sisters of this grace; 1 Faith & 2 patience; Faith goeth before as the guide and susteyner, being the † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Heb. 11. 1. subsistence or ground of things hoped for; as Abraham by faith, even ‖ Rom. 4. 18. above hope, believed under hope; Patience accompanieth it, and teacheth to wait, as it is written, * Rom. 8. 25. if we hope for that we see not, we do with patience abide for it. And thus is fulfilled that which Isaias saith, ‡ Isa. 28. 16. he that believeth shall not make haste, and consequently, shall not † 1. pet. 2. 6. be ashamed; but being assured that ‖ Heb. 10. 37. he which shall come will come, and will not delay, * Hab. 2. 3. though he tarry yet we wait, as the prophet biddeth us, because the Father which hath loved us, hath ‡ 2. Thes. 2. 16. given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace; and hope † Rom. 5. 5. maketh not ashamed; yea we ‖ Rom. 12. 12 rejoice in hope, as being the thing whereby * Rom. 8. 24. we are saved, & he which is the ‡ Rom. 15. 13. God of hope filleth us with all joy and peace in believing, and causeth us to abound in hope, through the power of the holy Ghost. 21. One of the special promises which the anchor of Hope layeth hold upon, and that by reason of the Covenant of God with us, is the Resurrection of the Dead. For as God caling himself the † Exod. 3. 6. God of Abraham Isaak & jaakob, when they were dead unto the world, but Living unto him, did teach his people thereby, that he would raise them up again from death, as our Saviour ‖ Luk. 20. 37. 38. expoundeth his Father's oracle: even so we all that are in the same covenant of grace, and have him for our God, do believe that after our flesh hath been sown in dishonour, and seen corruption, it * 1 Cor. 15. 43 shallbe raised in glory by the power of God; for in our graves, ‡ joh. 5. 28. 29 we shall hear the voice of Christ at his appearing, & shall come forth unto the resurrection of Life. And then shall we enjoy all the good promises in that City ” Heb. 11. 10. which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, who is not ashamed of us to be called our God, because † Heb. 11. 16. he hath prepared for us a city. 22. Thus have we through the grace of our God, those three heavenly virtues mentioned by † 1 Thes. ●. 3. the Apostle; 1 an effectual Faith, 2 adiligent Love, 3 and the patience of Hope in our Lord jesus Christ; by Faith to believe the mysteries of life and all his word; by Love to cleav unto him and keep his commandments; by hope to expect the fulfilling of all good promises which God that cannot lie hath made unto us; and these three things do ‖ 1 Cor. 13. 〈◊〉. abide with us during this present life, that walking in them, we may have fellowship with the Lord in spirit, who having thus decked us with the garments of beauty and glory, with mercy and salvation through faith in his name, doth then * Eph. 1. 13. 14. seal us with that holy spirit of Promise which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession purchased, (the full redemption of all Saints,) unto the praise of his glory. For as he hath ‡ vers. 4. chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: so having effectually called justified and sanctified us of his unspeakable grace, he giveth us also certainty and assurance of † 2. Pet. 1. 10 our election, that we shall never fall from, nor be forsaken of him. For the seed wherewith we are born anew, is an ‖ 1. Pet. 1. 23 immortal seed, which can never die, & this seed * 1. joh. 3. 9 remaineth in us, to keep us from sin: and if we sin, we have an ‡ 1. joh. 2. 1. advocate with the Father, even jesus Christ the just, who maketh intercession, and prayeth for us that our † Luk. 22. 3●. faith fail not; he also giveth us repentance Act. 11. 18. unto Life, and worketh in us godly sorrow for our misdeeds; so we are renewed by repentance daily, and revived by faith, knowing that God hath * ● Sam. 7. 24. established to himself his people Israel, to be his people for ever, & he is their God, his gifts and caling are ‡ Rom. 11. ●9 without repentance; he that hath begun his good work in us, will † Phil. 1. 6. perform it unto the day of jesus Christ; for he hath made an jer. 32. 40. everlasting covenant with us, that he will never turn away from us to do us good, and hath put his fear in our hearts, that we shall never depart from him; and hath said concerning us by his prophet, * joel. 2. 26. 27. My people shall never be ashamed. Thus the ‡ 1 Thes. 5. 8. hope of salvation, is for an helmet upon our heads; for that God hath † ver. 9 not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord jesus Christ; and we rejoice with joy unspeakable & glorious, being persuaded ‖ Rom. 8. 38 39 that neither death nor life nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shallbe able to separate us fion the love of God which is in Christ jesus our Lord. 23. Our God it is which thus ‖ 2 Cor. 1. 21. 22. stablisheth us in Christ, & hath anointed us, and also sealed us, and given us the earnest of his spirit in our hearts, even the spirit of adoption whereby we cry unto him ‡ Rom. 8. 15. Abba Father; and of us he saith, * Isa. 43. 21. This people have I form for myself, they shall show forth my praise. And being thus furnished with his graces, we find & feel the sweetness of that fellowship and communion, that we have with him in Christ jesus and by his Spirit. 24. This communion the scripture setteth down by similitude of walking and dwelling together. For God hath promised † Lev. 26. 12. I will walk among you, and I will be your God & ye shallbe my people; and for his habitation, although ‖ jor. 23. 24. he filleth heavens and earth, & the * 1 Kin. 8. 27. heavens of heavens are not able to contain him, being considered in his infinite majesty: yet abaseth he himself to converse with us that dwell in houses of clay, as he saith by the Prophet, ‡ Isa. 57 12. I dwell in the high & holy place; with him also that is of a contrite & humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble, and to give life to them that are of a contrite heart. Which grace that all the Saints might take knowledge of, the voice is written which was heard out of heaven to say, † Rev. 21. 3. Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shallbe his people, and God himself will be their God with them. This Tabernacle is the bodies and souls of the Saints, as the Apostle saith, ‖ 2 Cor. 6. 16. Ye are the Temple of the Living God, even as God hath said, * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will dwell in them, & walk (with them:) ‡ 1 Cor. 6. 10. your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. On the other side, we are said to walk with God, as did † Gen. 5. 24. & 6. 9 Enoch, & Noah, and as the Lord requireth of every man that ‖ Mic. 6. 8. he humble himself to walk with his God; we * Psal. 61. 4. dwell in his tabernacle for ever, our trust is under the covering of his wings, & as the Apostle john saith, ‡ 1 job. 3. 24. He that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. 25. This grace is so heavenly and supernatural, as it cannot be comprehended by the carnal man; nor embraced & walked in with comfort by sinners & hypocrites. The natural man thinketh † D●●. 2. 11. the dwelling of God is not with flesh; the unbelieving among the Saints, in day of their distress do say, ‖ Exod. 17. ●. Is the Lord among us or no? The sinners and hypocrites 〈…〉 Zion, are afraid saying, † Isa. 33. 14. who among us shall dwell with the devouring sire? who among us shall dwell with the everlasting burnings? And indeed the throne of iniquity * Psal. 94. 20. hath no fellowship with him; but the pure of heart edure as ‡ Heb. 11. 27. seeing him who is invisible; they sing, † Psal. 46. 7. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of jaakob is our refuge; they serve him and * Rev. 22. 4. see his face, his name is on their foreheads, & they say, ‡ Psal. 73. 28. It is good for us to draw near unto God; ” Psal. 4. 6. Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. 26 This conversing of the Saints with God is spiritual and mystical; we walk † 2 Cor. 5. 7. by faith and not by sight; faith which is the ‖ Heb. 11. 1. evidence of things not seen. He that is joined to the Lord * 1 Cor. 6. 17. is one spirit saith the Apostle. Again Gods walking with us is strange and uncouth to the world; for he bringeth us into many tribulations; his way ‡ Psal. 77. 19 is in the sea, his paths in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known; he leadeth us through the wilderness, through a desert and waste land, † jer. 2. 6. and by the shadow of death; where ‖ Deut. 8. 15. fiery serpents are, and scorpions, and drought, without water; * ver. 2. to humble us and to prove us, to know what is in our heart, that he may ‡ vers. 16. do us good in the latter end; he bringeth us through † Zach. 13. 9 the fire, and fineth us as the silver is fined, and trieth us as gold is tried; & yet he saith It is my people, & we do say, The Lord is our God. 27. And hence ariseth, the comfort of our hearts, that always we behold God with us, yea feel him within us; and answer Amen by faith to all his promises. He saith ‖ Isa. 41. 10. Fear not for I am with thee, be not afraid for I am thy God; we say again, * Psal. 23. 4. Though I should walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because thou art with me. He saith of every of his Saints, ‡ Psal. 98. 15. I willbe with him in trouble, I will deliver him and glorify him; they testify & say; ‖ Act. 2. 2●. I beheld the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I should not be shaken; * Isa. 8. 9 1●. gather together on heaps o ye people, and ye shallbe broken in pieces, take counsel together, yet shall it be brought to nought, pronounce a decree, yet shall it not stand, for God is with us. The Patriarches moved with envy, sold joseph into Egypt, but ‡ Act. 7. 9 1●. God was with him (saith the scripture,) and delivered him out of all his afflictions. To jakob God said, ” Gen. 31. ●. turn again to the land of thy fathers & to thy kindred, & I ●ilbe with thee; in his return, he was in danger & prayed, † Gen. 32. 9 o God of my father Abraham etc., Lord which said est unto me return to thy country and kindred, and I will do thee good. Thus always the Saints assure themselves of good by God's presence with them, and of shelter from evil; & count themselves naked and helpless when he withdraws his face; as when in displeasure he had moved his Tabernacle † Exod. 33. 7. far off from the host of Israel, and seemed as if he would have walked no further with them; then Moses said, ‖ ver. 15. 16. If thy presence go not with us carry us not hence; & wherein now shall it be known that I and thy people have found favour in thy sight? shall it not be when thou goest with us? so I and thy people shall have pre-eminence before all people that are on the earth. Finally, as the Saints encourage themselves against their foe● with this, * Num. 14. ●. their shadow is departed from them, & the Lord is with us, fear them not: so God foretold that when many tribulations should come upon his people, they then would say, ‡ Deut. 31. 17 Are not these troubles come upon me, because my God is not with me? 28 For the presence of God, & communion of his graces, so saveth his Saints out of all adversities; that no wisdom counsel or strength of any enemy can hurt, no creature can hinder them from their happiness; the Lord their God ” Deut. 1. 3●. who goeth before them, he fighteth for them, and † Deut. 33. 2● rideth upon the heavens for their help▪ the eternal God ‖ ver. 27. is their refuge, & under his arms they are for ever, he casteth out the enemy before them and saith, Destroy; so as wax melteth from the presence of the fire, ‖ Psal. 68 ●● the wicked perish from the presence of God; But his people he * Psal. 41. 12. upholdeth in their integrity, and doth set them before his face for ever, both they and ‡ Psa. 102. 28 their seed shall stand fast in his sight; for they are his ” Deut. 32. 9 portion or inheritance, and they shall † Psal. 89. 15. walk in the light of his countenance, he leadeth them with his own glorious arm, ‖ Isa. 63. 12. dividing the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name; he saith, * Isa. 57 14. prepare the way, take up the stumbling blocks out of the way of my people, so causeth he them to ‡ Lev. 26. 13. go upright, giving ” Isa. 40. 29. strength unto him that fainteth, & multiplying might to him that hath no power, and they † ver, 31. renew strength, they lift up the wings as the eagles, they run & are not weary, they walk & faint not. He supply 〈…〉 their wants, ‖ Psal. 107. 9 filling the hungry soul with good, & satisfying the soul that thirsteth after † Mat. 5. 6. righteousness; for righteousness ‖ Psal. 85. 1●. goeth before him, & setteth her steps in the way; he * Isa. 46. 130 bringeth near his justice, it is not far off, and his salvation shall not tarry, for he giveth it in Zion, and his glory unto Israel. 29. And they again, being a people in ‡ Isa. 51. 7● whose heart is his law, & knowing that two cannot walk together (as saith † Amos. 3. ●0 the prophet,) except they be agreed; labour by faith to have peace with him, and to walk before him in uprightness, to walk ‖ Col. 1. 10. worthy of him, and please him in all things, being fruitful in all good works, and increasing in the knowledge of God. For this they have * Deut. 26. 17 18. promised unto him when they entered into his covenant; & therefore are their souls delivered from death, ‡ Psal. 116. 80 9 that they may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. And because to walk † 1 Kin. 8. 25 with 2 Chro▪ 6. 16. before God, is to walk in his Law, (as the scripture teacheth;) therefore † Psa. 119. 97 love they the law of the Lord, it is their meditation continually, and it is written upon † 2 Cor. 3. 3. the table of their heart; their delight is * Psal. 119. ●7. 48. in his commandments which they have loved, their hands also do they lift up unto them, their mouth ‡ ver. 46. talketh of them, their feet ” ver. 32. run in them, their † ver. 167. soul keepeth them, and they will ‖ ver. 93. never forget them; all their members are given up as * Rom. 6. 13. 17. instruments of righteousness to serve and please the Lord, & they * Psal. 119. 112. apply their heart to fulfil his statutes always even unto the end. Thus their ‡ Isa. 58. 8. righteousness goeth before them, and the glory of the Lord embraceth them, he ” Zach. 10. 12. strengtheneth them in the Lord, & they walk in his name, their hearts being † 1 Thes. 3. 13 stable and unblamable in holiness before him, and there is no ‖ Rom. 8. 1. condemnation unto them, for that they are in Christ jesus, and walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. 30. And now they eat their bread * Eccl. 9 7. with joy, and drink their wine with a cheerful heart, because God accepteth their works, ‡ Psal. 19 14. the words of their mouths, & the meditation of their hearts. They please him and have his blessing even in their civil affairs and ” Psal. 1●8. handy labours: the world and † 1 Cor. 10. 25 26. all earthly creatures are subdued unto them, and they use them for their service and comfort in the Lord; if they ‖ Rom. 14. 6. eat, it is to the Lord, if they eat not it is to him also, giving God thanks, and doing all things that they do, * 1 Cor. 10. 38 unto his glory. So though they be in the world, yet are they not † joh. 17. 14. of the world, and though they ‖ 2 Cor. 10. 3. walk in the flesh yet war they not, neither * Rom. 8. 1. walk they after the flesh; but being on earth, their ‡ Phil. 3. 20. conversation is in heaven, and the way of Life is † Pro. 15. ●4. on high unto them, to avoid from hell beneath. They seek the Lord and his strength, they ‖ Psal. 105. 4. seek his face continually, and with * Psal. 21. 6. the joy of his face he maketh them glad, and in the ‡ Psal. 31. 20. secret thereof, he hideth them from the pride of men, he keepeth them † Deut. 32. 10. as the apple of his eye. He saith unto them, ‖ Psal. 78. 1. Hear my law o my people, incline your ears to the words of my mouth, ” jer. 11. 4. obey my voice and do all things which I command you, so shall ye be my people, and I willbe your God: they answer, all people's * Mi●. 4. 5. will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of our God for ever and ever; teach us thy way o Lord, ‡ Psal. 16. 11. and we will walk in thy truth, knit our hearts to thee, that we may fear thy name, Thus hoping for his glory which is to be reveled, they ” 1 john. 3. ●. purge themselves as he is pure, and walk in the light, † 1 joh. ●. 7. as he is in the light, having fellowship one with another, & the blood of jesus Christ his Son cleansing them from all sin. And the Lord ‖ Psal. 29. 1●. giveth strength unto his people, the Lord blesseth his people with peace; he is as * Hos. 14. 6. the dew unto them, they grow as lilies and fasten their roots as the trees of Lebanon, dwelling under his shadow ‡ ver. 8. they revive as the corn and flourish as the vine, and still † Psal. ●2. 1● bring forth fruit even in their hoary age, and God is their guide even unto the death. Yet then forsaketh he then not; but as when they lived, they lived unto him, so now when they die, they ‖ Rome, 14. ●. die unto him & are his; peace cometh, and * Isa. 57 ●0 they rest in their beds, every one that walketh before him, till their changing shall come, and they be translated from death to life, to see the king in his glory, even God as he is, & to be satisfied with his image. 31. For notwithstanding all this grace, and communion that we have with God by faith; we are not perfect, neither shallbe, till we have attained † Phil. ●. 12. the resurrection of the dead: here ‖ 1. Cor. 13. 12 we see through a glass darkly, & not face to face, we know in part only, and do grow in grace and knowledge daily; we behold the, glory of the Lord with open face, but † 2 Cor. 3. 18 as in a mirror, and are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. We have first our infancy, and are ‡ 1. Cor. 3. 1. 2 as babes in Christ; after we are as * 1. joh. 2. 14. young men strong in faith, and do overcome the wicked one; and proceed in riper years, waxing old in faith, and knowledge of him which is from the beginning: thus our way shineth as the morning light, ‡ Prov 4. 18. that shineth more and more unto the perfect day; and we walk on earth, as did Abram in Canaan, † Gen. 12. 9 going and journeying towards the South. 32. But of all the ways & means, whereby we have communion with God, there is none more lively, powerful & comfortable then Prayer; whereby we converse with the Lord most nearly, power out our complaints as children into the bosom of their father, & praise his name; are heard & answered of him to the glory of his grace, the joy of our hearts, & the increase of our faith, with all virtues and fruits of the Spirit. 33. The ground of this heavenly exercise, whereby man is so bold as to come unto the throne of grace, and talk with God, is his commandment which saith, * Cal upon 1 Psal. 50. 100LS me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me; ‡ jer. 33. 3. Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee groat & mighty things which thou knowest not. Moreover he willeth us to † Phil. 4. 6. be nothing careful, but in all things to let our requests be showed unto him, in prayer and suppplication; with giving of thanks; yea ‖ 1. Thes. 5. 17 18. to pray continually, and in all things to giv thanks, because this is the will of God in Christ jesus towards us. 34. To guide us in this action, he hath given us outward instruction * Mat. 6. 5. 9 etc. in his word, that we may ask according to his will; with assurance, that ‡ 1. joh. 5. 14 15. whatsoever we so ask, he heareth us, and we have the petitions that we desire of him. He giveth us also inward assistance by his Spirit which † Rom. 8. 9 1 Vers. 15. dwelleth in us, and is the Spirit of the adoptions-of-son whereby we cry Abba Father; which spirit † Rom. 8. 〈◊〉. also helpeth our infirmities, (who know not what to pray as we ought,) and itself maketh requests for us with sighs & groans unutterable. Thus pouring out upon his people (as he did promise,) ‖ Zaeh. 12. 10. the spirit of grace & of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 supplications, and furnishing them with gifts for this heavenly work, he heareth & granteth their requests, as David saith ‡ Psal. 10. 17. Lord thou hearest the desire of the poor, thou preparest their heart, thou bendest thine ear. 35. So when we call upon the Lord in our trouble and cry unto our God, † Psal. 18. 6. he heareth our voice out of his temple, & our cry comes before him into his ears; yea ‖ Isa. 65. 24. Gen. 24. 15. before we call, he answereth, & whiles we speak he heareth; for by * Heb. 10. 19 the blood of jesus we may be bold to enter into the holy place, & ‡ joh. 16. 24. ask the Father in his name, & we shall receive that our joy may be full; the spirit also ” R●m. 8. 27. maketh request for us, according to the will of God; & he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the meaning of the Spirit; and the odour of our prayers, cometh up as the sweet † Psal. 141. 2. incense before him, being perfumed with those odours that are offered with the ‖ Rev. 8. 3. 4. prayers of all Saints, out of the Angel's hand, that Angel * Mal. 3. 1. of the Covenant, who is now at the right hand of God, ‡ Rom. 8. 34. and maketh request also for us. 36. Thus the Saints have access unto God, and near communion with him in prayer; (though the wicked ” Psal. 14. 4. call not upon him, or if they call, he † joh. 9 31. heareth them not.) Their golden ‖ Rev. 5. 8. vials are full of odours, they * job. 22. 26. 27. delight in the Almighty, and lift up their faces unto God, they make their prayer unto him, and he heareth them, & they pay their vows, saying, ‡ Psa. 118. 21 I will thank thee for thou hast heard me, and hast been my salvation, ” Psal. 66. 2●. Blessed be God which hath not put back my prayer, nor his mercy from me. 37. The fruits that come untous by this holy exercise are more than can be told; there being infinite occasions from day to day, of making request to the Lord, and filling our mouths with new songs of praise for our salvations. Admirable is the force and valour of this action, which pierceth the heavens and cometh unto God, and prevaileth with him, in † 1 joh. 5. 14. whatsoever we ask according to his will, if we ask in faith, & ‖ jam. 1. 6. waver not: for he is near to all that call upon him, * Psal. 145. 1● 19 to all that call upon him in truth; & fulfilleth the desire of them that fear him, unto whom he hath promised, ‡ Psal. 81. 10. Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. Hereupon Moses said, Deut. 4. 7. What nation is so great, unto whom the Gods come so near unto them, as the Lord our God is near unto us, in all that we call unto him for? And if he be so near unto every one of us; let us know also, that it will be our good to draw near unto him, & to say † Psal. 8●. 18. revive thou us, and we will call upon thy name, because ‖ Psal. 65. 2. thou hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come; trust in him always ye people, * Psal. 62. 8. pour out your hearts before him, for God is our hope; ‡ Mic. 7. 7. our God will hear us. 38. By all these things (& many other the like,) we may see how God hath ” Psa. 14●. 14. exalted the horn of his people, which is a praise for all his Saints the sons of Israel, a people near unto him; unto whom he hath given † ● 〈◊〉. 1. 4. most great & precious promises, that by them they should be partakers of the godly nature, in that they flee the corruption which is in the world through lust; with whom he so graciously communicateth his goodness, that they taste in this world, † Heb. 6. ●● of the powers of the world to come, and o●e walk in the light of his face, & feel his holy presence with them. Which presence, although it be with every of his Saints, ‖ Psal. 139. 3. 8. in all places where they become; yet is it most lively seen in their Assembly, and there * Psa. 89. 7. he is very terrible. For this cause did his people ‡ Psal. 26. 8. & 27. 4. love the habitation of his house, & desired to dwell there all their days, that they might be hold his beauty; and being absent from it, their souls † Psal. 42. 2. thirsted for God, saving, when shall we come and appear before the presence of God? for they knew his promise which had said, In ‖ Exod. 20. 24 every place where I shall put the remembrance of my name, I will come unto thee & bless thee; they knew God was * Psal. 46. 5. in the mids of his sanctuary, it should not be moved, he would help it very early. But of this holy society, more is to be spoken particularly in another place. CHAP. XII. Of the Communion that we have with jesus Christ our Mediator. Jesus Christ being God † 1 Tim. 3. 16. manifested in the flesh, is given of the Father to be the only ‖ 1 Tim. 2. 5. mediator between him and us; and he hath given him power to * joh. 5. 27. execute judgement, in that he is the son of Man. He is the ‡ Col. 1. 18. head of the body of the Church; in him ” Eph. 1. 21. 22. all the building coupled together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord, and we all are built together in him, to be the habitation of God by the Spirit; he is † joh. 14. 6. the way, the truth, & the life, no man cometh to the Father but by him. And of him and his mediation, this Oracle was spoken of old to the Saints; that ‖ I●●. 30. 〈…〉 22. their Noble-ruler should be of themselves, & their Governor ( * Mat. 2. 6. Christ) should proceed from the mids of them; & God would cause him to draw near and approach unto himself, (when he should ascend ‡ Dan. 7. 13. Rom. 8. 34. and sit at his right hand to make intercession for us;) for who is he (else) that warranteth his heart to come unto me saith the Lord: And ye shallbe my people, and I willbe your God. 2. As we are made the people and ” Deut. 32. 9 portion of God by Christ, & brought by him † joh. 17. unto the fellowship and glory of his Father; so is there a special fellowship and communion that we have with Christ, being called thereunto of the Father, as it is written, ‖ 1 Cor. 1. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye are called unto the communion of his Son jesus Christ our Lord. And that this hath always been the chief end and scope of God in all his Oracles, since the world began, to draw men unto Christ, & so unto himself, is † Chap. 7. sect 11. 12. before showed. 3. The sum of the grace given us through communion with our Lord jesus, is comprised in those words of the Apostle saying, that Christ is of God made unto us ‖ 1. Cor. 1. 30. Wisdom, and justice, and Sanctification, and Redemption. These things he is unto us by virtue of his Mediatorship, which consisteth in the three functions or offices of Prophecy, Priesthood, & Kingdom, committed unto him by the Father. For from the in most holy place, and from the bosom of the Father, is he come to * joh. 1. 18. declare God unto us; he is a ‡ Deut. 18. 15 Prophet raised up of the Lord, to speak unto us all that he commanded him, and him are we willed for to hear; the yles ” Esa. 42. 4. are to wait for his Law. And as he being worthy ‖ Rev. 5. 1. 5. 9 obtained to open the book that is in the right hand of him that sitteth on the throne, & to lose the seven seals thereof; because * Col. 2. 3. all the treasures of wisdom, and knowledge are hid in him: so having ‡ joh. 15. 15. made known to us all things that he heard of his Father, having declared and still declaring † joh. 17. 26. his Name by his word and spirit, he is the * 1. Cor. 1. 24. Power of God and the wisdom of God unto us. And the things which he hath declared are two; 1 the Law to show us our sin, and the evils due for the same: 2 the Gospel to show us our righteousness by grace from God, with the blessings that flow therefrom. He also being our ‡ Heb. 4. 14. great high priest or sacrificer hath taken away our sins and all the evils accompanying them, hath redeemed us † Gal. 3. 13. from the Curse of the Law, finished ‖ Dan. 9 24. wickedness, & sealed up sins, made reconciliation for iniquity, & brought the * Rom. 5. 17. 1●. gift of righteousness or justice: so by his obedience we are made just, & ‡ Vers. 21. grace shall reign by justice, unto eternal life, through jesus Christ our Lord, whose blood doth also † Heb. 9 14. purge our consciences from dead works to serve the Living God, and by the same hath he ‖ Heb. 13. 12. sanctified his people, and continueth a Priest for ever, and is both our justice & Sanctification. Finally this our redemption from evil, and restoration unto happiness, he conserveth & maintaineth by his mighty power, from all enemies whom he hath subdued under his own feet, & will also subdue under ours: and is therefore named our * john. 12. 15 King, whom ” Psal. 72. 11. all kings shall worship, all nations shall serve, who will ‡ Vers. 14. redeem our souls from deceit & violence, will giv us also the † Rom. 8. 23. redemption of our body, and cause our last enemy Death ‖ 1 Cor. 15. 5●. to be swallowed up in victory, & so will be our full Redemption for ever & ever, at his appearing with glory, in the day * Ephe. 4. ●● of Redemption. 4. More particularly, touching his prophesy and our communion with him therein; as God gave him * Isa. 55. 4, john. 18. 37. for a witness to the people, for a Prince and a Commander unto them; so showed he himself to be a faithful and true witness, in that he † john. 8. 26. spoke to the world, the things which he had heard of the Father. This he did in his own person whiles he walked with men; teaching ‖ Mat. 5. & 6. & 7. chap. etc. the true meaning and end of all his Father's Law, and urging the sincere keeping of it in Love; freeing it also * Mark. 7. 6. 8 10. 13. from the false glosses and leaven of the Pharisees, and cutting down their traditions; for the Lord to this end, had made ‡ Isa. 49. 2. &. 11. 4. his mouth like a sharp sword; that by the breath of his lips he might slay the wicked. He also taught the glad tidings of the Gospel unto the poor; thereby † Luk. 4. 18. etc. healing the broken hearted, preaching deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, and the acceptable year of the Lord: that whosoever should ‖ john. 5. 24. hear his word and believe in him that sent him; should have everlasting life and not come into condemnation, but was passed from death unto life. So he * Psal. 40. 10. hid not his Father's righteousness within his heart, but declared his truth and his salvation; he concealed not his mercy and his truth from the great congregation, but preached peace and comfort to his people. For God had given him ‡ Isa. 50. 4. a tongue of the Learned, that he might know to minister a word in time to him that is weary: grace † Psal. 45. 2. was powered in his lips, and they they were like ‖ Som. 5. 13 16 lilies dropping down pure myrrh, and his mouth was sweet things. 5. As in his own person, so did he by others publish the will of his Father, using hereto the ministery both of men and Angels. He gave and still giveth the † Eph. 4. 8. ●● gifts of ministry unto many men; above all other he furnished his Apostles with ‖ Luk. 24. 49. power from on high, & sent them to teach all nations * Mat. 〈◊〉. 20. to observe all things whatsoever he had commauned them, (and he had ‡ joh. 15. 15. made known to them all things that he had heard of his Father:) and they faithfully performed their charge keeping † Act. 20. 27. nothing back, but showing men all the counsel of God, for Christ ‖ 2. Cor. 13. 3. spoke in them: so that now we have * 1. Cor. 2. 16. the mind of Christ, and the word is near us, ‡ Rom. 10. 8. even in our mouth and in our heart, neither may we admit of any † Gal. 1. 8. other doctrine though it should be taught by Angels from heaven, but that which we have, we must † Rev. 2. 25. hold fast till he come. And Christ it is, that hath always reveled Gods will unto the world since the beginning. He it was that preached in Spirit, ‖ ● Pet. 3. 19 20. to those that were disobedient in the days of No; he * Isa. 6. 8. 9 with joh. 12. 41. sent Esaia● to preach unto Israel, and furnished him with gifts & graces for that work; and still he sendeth his messengers daily for ‡ Eph. 4. 12. 13. the gathering together of the Saints, the work of the ministry, and edification of his body, till the world's end; & they are † 2. Cor. 8. 23. his glory. Finally the heavenly Spirits are also his messengers for this end and purpose, when he seeth meet so to employ them, as it is written, ‖ Rev. 22. 16. I jesus have sent my Angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. Thus opening unto us by all means, the secrets of his Gospel, our souls are comforted, for he bringeth us into his † Song. ●. 4. wine cellar, and Love is his ●anner over us. 6 To assure the world that he was both the wisdom and power of God, he confirmed his doctrine ●y signs and wonders, doing such works ‖ joh. 15. 24. as no other man did; even as his words were such as * john. 7. 46. never man spoke, his enemies being judges. He gave also of this power, to * Mar. 16. 17. 18. 20. such as believed in his name and were his witnesses; himself working with them, & confirming the word with signs that followed. 7. Unto this outward administration, Christ annexeth his inward grace by divine power; making even the Dead ” joh. 5. 25. to hear his voice and live, for he hath the † joh. 6. 68 words of eternal life, he openeth ‖ Act. 16. 14. the hearts and causeth attention, he openeth * Luk 24. 45. the minds and causeth men to understand the scriptures; he giveth them also ‡ Luk. 21. 15. a mouth and wisdom, which all their adversaries are not able to speak against, nor resist. 8. Now all this life and grace doth Christ communicate with the Saints, being their Head, & they his members. For first the Ministers of the word, how great gifts or authority soever they have, they all ” 1 Cor. 3. 22. 2●. are ours, and we Christ's, and Christ Gods; we are to try their doctrine by † Act. 17. 11. the scriptures, for they have not ‖ 2 Cor. 1. 24. dominion over our faith, but are helpers of our joy; and in declaration of the truth * 2 Cor. 4. 2. are to approve themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Secondly the Word itself, even all the scriptures, are given ‡ Prov. 8. 1. 2. etc. Rom. 15. 4. unto us, and written for our learning and comfort; & this not only to know for ourselves, but to teach exhort and edify ” 1 Thes. 5. 11. one another. Therefore is the word said to be † jam. 1. 2●. graffed in us, and what by it we do believe, we also may boldly ‖ 2 Cor. 4. 13. speak, and freely * Mat. 28. 20. practise, even all that Christ hath commanded; that as he is a ‡ Rev. 1. 5. faithful and true witness, so we also that are the Lords witnesses with him his chosen servant, (as ” Isa. 43. 1●. saith the Prophet,) may bear a good testimony unto the truth; & having his word † Col. 3. 16. dwelling in us plenteously in all wisdom, may thereby ourselves ‖ Prov. ●. ●● understand righteousness & judgement, and equity, and every good path, and be preserved from the evil way; and unto others may impart the * Song. 4. 11. honey and milk of God's graces that are under our tongue: and having the ‡ Psal. 14●. 6. 7. 8. 9 high-acts of God in our mouth, and the twoedged sword (of his * Heb. 4, 1●. word) in our hands, may execute vengeance on the heathen, corrections among the people; binding their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; this honour is to all his Saints: who ” Phil. 2. 15. 16. holding forth the word of life, do shine as lights in the world; Christ illuminating them with his glory continually, and making his Church by his prophesy, the † Isa. 22. 5. valley of Vision, as of old it was named. 9 Touching his Priesthood, and our communion therewith, two things are to be considered; First What of his grace in his own person he hath wrought and worketh for us; to weet, † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the things pertaining to God, (as the Apostle speaketh:) which are, ‖ Heb. 5, 1. & 2. 17. the Offering of a sacrifice, to make reconciliation for our sins; and * Heb. 7. 25. Intercession, which as our ‡ 1 john. 2. 1. Advocate he maketh with the Father for us. Secondly, what by his mighty power he graciously worketh in us, and applieth unto us; whiles he maketh us also Priests unto God his Father, and communicateth with us his obedience, death, burial, resurrection, & ascension; so causing the Blessing of God to come upon us, (as he is that seed in whom all families of the earth shallbe blessed.) and giving us comfort and peace. Under these two heads, are all things comprehended, that pertain to our justification, & Sanctification, in the sight of God. 10. These three things of Reconciliation, Intercession and Blessing; the Priests of Moses law, in shadow & figure of him performed of old for Israel. The first, whiles at the brazen altar, they † Lev. 1. & ● etc. offered Burnt- offerings, and Forsyn; made ‖ Lev. 4. 35. atonement, & obtained forgiunes at the hands of God, for the sinners: but chiefly when the high-prest * 1 Chr. 23. 13 sanctified the Most holy place, with ‡ Lev. 16. 2. 15— 34. blood of the Sacrifice, & made an atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins once a year. The second; whiles at the † Exod. 40. 26 27. & 30. 7. 8. 10. golden altar, he burned sweet incense every morning and evening; and once a year also, made reconciliation upon the horns thereof, with the blood of the Synoffring; & entered † Lev. 16. 12. 13. with in the veil; putting incense on the fire in the censer before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense covered the mercy-seat. The third, when having finished his ministery, the Sacrificer Lev. 9 22. 23. lifted up his hand towards the people, and Blessed them; as he was separated of God * 1 Chro. 23. 13. to bless in his name for ever, and to ‡ Num. 6. 23. 27. put his name upon the children of Israel, that he might bless them, as he had promised. 11. The truth of these three, are fully performed by the Heb. 3. 1. Apostle and Highpriest of our profession Christ jesus. For, that he might reconcile us unto God, because it was † Heb. 10. 4. unpossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins, neither would his Father accept other sacrifice or offering, than the Heb. 10. 5. 6. etc. body which he had ordained his Son: therefore through the eternal Spirit he offered * Heb. 9, 14. himself without spot unto God, and gave his ‡ Mat. 20. 28. soul for the ransom of many, bare 1 Pet. 2. 24. our sins in his body on the tree, and by his † Heb. 9 12. own blood entered in once unto the holy place, (not the holy places made with hands, but ver. 24. into very heaven,) and obtained eternal redemption. So the Lord took away * Zach. 3. 9 the iniquity of his land in one day, (as he had promised;) for the ransom was most precious, even of infinite value & effect, seeing by the union of the God head with the manhood in this our High-priests person, it was the blood of ‡ Act. 30. 38. God himself, (as the scripture speaketh,) wherewith we are purchased. Thus Christ hath Rom. 5. 10. reconciled us that were enemies, unto God by his death; and hath put away sin, * john. 1. 29. by the sacrifice of Heb. 9 26. himself: for he was the ‡ Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world; and the prophesy of Abraham was fulfilled, Gen. 22. 8. God will provide him a Lamb for a burnt offering, my son. 12. Touching Christ's Intercession, as he prayed † john. 17. for his church when he was on earth, and his Father heard him joh. 11. 42. always; so now being ascended and set at the right hand of God, he still * Rom. 8. 34. maketh request for us, being therefore entered into very heaven, to appear now ‡ Heb. 9 24. in the sight of God for us. Whose prayer as it is pure and perfect, so prevaileth it with God, and is of unspeakable efficacy, to make us to be accepted. For the Father loveth the Son, and accepteth him better than he did his servant job, when † job. 42. 8. 9 he prayed for the trespassers. This is that Angel, (the Mal. 3. 1. Angel or messenger of the covenant,) that hath a * Rev. 8. ●▪ ●0 golden censer, & much odours, which he offereth with the prayers of all Saints, upon the golden altar that is before the throne; the smoke of which odours, with the prayers of the Saints, goeth up before God out of the Angel's hand: and unto his requests, which he maketh for his afflicted people, the Lord ‡ Zach. 1. 12. 13. answereth good and comfortable words. Thus our high sacrificer, having the Exod. 28. 9— 12. names of the whole Israel of God, as it were graven upon two precious stones, and embossed in gold; beareth us upon his two shoulders, for a remembrance; and presenteth us pure & holy & just, before the Lord. 13. The things towards us, which are his Blessing and the fruits that follow, he graciously communicateth as a merciful & faithful high priest, † Heb, 4. 15. touched with the feeling of our infirmities; being raised up unto us of God, and sent ‖ Act. 3. 26. to Bless us, in turning every one of us from our iniquities. And as at the end of his ministry upon earth, he * Luk. 24. 50. 51. lifted up his hands and blessed his disciples, and then was taken from them into heaven: so, continuing still a * Heb. 6. 20. & 7. 1. 7. priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek, (who met Abraham & blessed him,) he still blesseth the children of Abraham; giving and applying the promises of the Gospel, unto the hearts and consciences of his people; even the † Num. 6. 24. 25. 26. favour & protection of God, the light of his countenance, and his peace. So the ‖ Gal. 3. 14 blessing of Abraham cometh on us through Christ jesus, who is that promised seed, in * ver. 8. whom all nations are blessed; and whom God hath set to be ‡ Psal, 21. 6. Blessings for ever. Thus Christ, by Sacrifice hath merited, by Intercession obtaineth, and by Blessing bestoweth and distributeth unto us, the love & graces of God his Father, even all things pertaining to life and godliness: that we being partakers of his peace, may again bless God, even the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, ‡ Eph. 1. 3. which hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ, as the Apostle saith. 14. The communion of this Blessing, is more particularly to be discerned in that honour of Priesthood, which is given to all Christians; & the seals of God's grace, and love towards us in Christ. For he hath made us ” Rev. 1. 6. Priests unto God even his Father, and we as lively stones ‖ 1 Pet. 2. 5. are made a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by jesus Christ. For first, applying him unto ourselves by Faith, his sufferings death & burial are ” Isa. 53. 4. 5. ours; his righteousness, resurrection, and glorious victory over sin, Satan, Death and Hell, † Rom. 4. 25. & 8. 33. 34. ours; so that we ‖ Heb. 10. 19 20. by the blood of jesus, may be bold to enter into the holy place, (though the Levitical Priests might * Lev. 16. 2. not enter into the shadow thereof at all times;) by the new & living way which he hath prepared for us, through the veil that is his flesh: even ‡ Heb. 4. 16, boldly may we go unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Presenting unto God his Father and ours, this Lamb that was slain for our sins, who is our ” Heb. 7. 22. surety and our † 1 Cor. 5. 7. sacrifice, by whose ‖ 1 Pet. 1. 24. stripes we are healed, by whose death * Gal. 2. 20. we are restored to life, by whose ‡ Heb. 10. 10. body once offered we are sanctified; upon whose ” Lev. 4. 15. head we have laid the burden of our sins, and by whose † Gal. 3. 13. 14. curse, we are made the heirs of blessing, and of all the riches of God's grace. 15. We also † Rom. 1●. ●, giv up our own bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable serving of God; so the heavenly jerusalem is filled with Eze. 36. 3● the Flocks of men, as the earthly once was with Flocks of holinesses or sacrifices external. Our spirits being contrite, our hearts humbled and broken for our sins; are the * Psal 51, 17. sacrifices of God also, which he will not despise. By Christ, we ‡ Heb. 13. 15. offer the sacrifice of Praise always to God that is the fruit (or † Hos, 14. 3. calves) of our lips, which confess his name, and magnify him with thanksgiving: Psal, 69. 31. this also pleaseth the Lord, better than ox or heiffer, that beareth horns, that parteth the hoof. Our * Act. 24. 17. alms and offerings for relief of the poor, especially the ministers of the Gospel of Christ: are ‡ Phil. 4. 18. Heb. 13. 16. an odour that smelleth sweet, a sacrifice acceptable & pleasant to God. Finally if we be † Phil. 2. 17, 2 Tim. 4. 6. powered out as a drink offering, upon the sacrifice & service of the faith of Christ's church, & do ‖ Heb. 12. 4. resist unto blood striving against sin: we have 〈◊〉 16. 15 cause to rejoice; for precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of ●. 10 his Saints; & the ‡ soul's of such, rest under the altar, till the Lord holy and true, do avenge their blood on them that dwell on the earth. 16. This honour of Priesthood, (which † Heb. 5. 4. no man can take to himself, nor ‖ job. 3, 27, any other thing except it be given him from heaven,) * Rev, 5. 10. Christ giveth unto us, of his rich grace by his word & spirit. For as by the preaching of the Gospel, he is daily described in our sight, and among us ‡ Gal 3. 1. crucified: so we by the ministery of the Gospel, are made ” Rom. 15. 16. Isa. 66. 20. an acceptable offering unto the Lord, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. His word is a † Heb. 4. 12. sharp two edged sword, and divideth a sunder the soul and the spirit, the joints and the marrow; by it we are taught to ‖ Col. 3. 5. mortify our members which are on earth; his spirit is as * Mat. 3. 11. fire, where with we being baptized, do also ‡ Rom. 8. 13. mortify the deeds of the body, that we may live, & give ourselves up unto God for a ” Rom. 12. 1, living sacrifice. The afflictions that we feel in this world, when for his sake we † Rom. 8. 36. are killed all the day long, & are counted as sheep for the slaughter, do ‖ 2 Cor. 4. 10. 11. bear about in our body the dying of the Lord jesus, and are always delivered unto death for jesus sake, that the life also of our Lord jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh: these serve for furtherances of our sanctification, by being * Heb. 12. 10. partakers of his holiness; and make us as ‡ Gen. 15. 9 11. 13. sacrifices, and a prey for the ravenous fowls, whiles we liv strangers here on earth, the land that is not ours, as did Ahrahams' seed. Thus are we named † Isa, 61. 6. the Priests of the Lord, and have authority in ‖ Mal. 1. 11. every place to offer incense unto his name, and a pure offering, both we and our works, (our spiritual sacrifices,) being acceptable unto God in Christ jesus. 17. To illustrate and seal up more assuredly our communion with Christ's Priesthood, We are washed with water, for a sign & assurance, of the † Act. 3. 38. & 22. 16. forgiunes & washing away of our sins, and to be as the ‖ Tit. 3. 5. laver of our regeneration & new birth; whereby we are also baptized * Rom. 6. 3. 4. into his death, and buried with him by baptism; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life, our ‡ job. 6. old man being crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, and ourselves be † vers. 18. dead to sin, but alive to God in jesus Christ our Lord; whom by this symbol we have ‖ Gal. 3. 37. put on, and do bear his name upon us, with * Mat. 28. 1●. the name of the Father and of the holy Spirit. And after this, Christ often feedeth our souls, with his own ‡ Mat. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 & ●. body & blood, which was broken & powered out for our sakes, figured out unto us by bread & wine: hereby confirming the former grace of remission of sins, and a further growth in Christ continually, into whom we are incorporate, & have so near a † 1. Cor. 〈◊〉. ●● communion with him, under these visible earthly elements; which we looking passed by the eye of faith, seeing and feeding upon Christ, have ” job. 6. 57 our life by him, do ‖ vers. 56. dwell in him & he in us, and shall by him be * vers. 54. raised up at the last day, unto life eternal. 18. Having seen how Christ being our Prophet informeth us in all the wisdom of God, and by the Law showeth us our sin & wretchedness; by the Gospel, our justice & happiness; and being our Priest & Sacrifice, hath by himself purged us from all sin, & given us the gift of justice and sanctity to present us pure & blameless before God his Father: it remaineth, that we also consider, how he conserveth and maintaineth this our blessed state; against all enemies, by his mighty power and sovereignty, which as Lord and King he hath over al. 19 This sovereignty, is set forth by divers titles of honour and dignity given him in the scriptures; as when he is named Messiah the † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dan. 9 25. Governor, Captain or Fore- leader; the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mic. 5. 2. Ruler, that is, having dominion right and authority, to govern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 2. 6. and guide his people; Michael ‖ Dan 12. 1. the great Prince; the * jos 5. 14. Captain of the Lords host; a master ‡ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa. 55. 4. or Commander to the peoples; a Potentate or † Psal. 45. 3. Mighty one; the ‖ Rev. 19 16. king of kings & Lord of Lords, and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 1. 5. Prince of the kings of the earth, the ‡ Act. 10. 36. Lord of all, unto whom is given † Mat. 28. 18. all power in heaven & in earth, an ‖ Dan. 7. 14. everlasting dominion, & honour and kingdom, that all people's nations and languages shall serve him. And he the true * Heb. 7. 1. 2. Melchisedek king of Salem, shall reign as ‡ Isa. 32. 1. king in justice, and sit as † Isa. 9 6. ●. Prince of Peace, upon the throne of David, & upon his kingdom; to order it & to 'stablish it, with judgement & with justice, from henceforth even for ever. 20. This kingdom of Christ, is no earthly Monarchy, nor ‖ joh. 18. 36. of this world; but spiritual and * Mat. 3. 2. heavenly: and therefore is more mighty than the kingdoms of the earth, able ‡ Dan. 2. 34. 35. 44▪ 45. Luk. 20. 18. to beat down, break in pieces, & grind to powder all adverse power and domination; whither of this world, or † Ephe. 6. 12. the spiritual wickednesses which are in the high places. 21. Therefore also is the manner of administering this kingdom, no● worldly nor pompous; but a● Christ the king himself, came unto us ‖ Zach. 9 9 poor, and riding upon an asse● and he the * Rev. 5, 5. Lion of the tribe o● judah, the root of David, was fo● to see to, like ‡ ver. 6, a killed Lamb: s● menageth he his kingdom stil● † Zach. 4. 6. neither by an army, nor a Power but by his Spirit; that it cometh not ‖ Luk. 17. 20. 21. with observation, for men to say, Lo here or lo there, but is with in us; wielded by the spiritual sceptre of his word (the Gospel * Mat. 4, 23. of the kingdom,) and by the almighty working of the Spirit, and therefore containeth in it ‡ Luk. 8. 10, mysteries or secrets, that can not be understood but by the gift of God. 22. Our Lord himself, hath subdued, and daily subdueth all his foes; the world ” john, 16. 33 he hath overcome; sin he hath † Rom. 8, 3, condemned and ‖ Heb 9 26. put-away, Death he hath * 2 Tim. 1, 10. abolished; & the Devil that had the power there of, he hath ‡ Heb. 2. 14. destroyed: neither shall these, or any of these, ever have dominion over him; but he shall reign, till he hath put ” 1 Cor. 15. 2● all his enemies under his feet, and death and hell * Rev. ●0. 14. be cast into the lake of fire. 23. This his power & regiment, he communicateth with his Saints, two manner of ways; First by applying unto them for their benefit and salvation, all that himself hath done and doth; as the Lord saith by his prophet † Zach. 9 8. I will camp about mine house, against the army, against him that passeth by, and against him that returneth, & no oppressor shall come upon them any more. And as for their sakes, Christ ‖ john. 17. 19 sanctified himself, so for their * john. 16. 33. comfort he overcame the world; to take away ‡ 1 Ioh, 3. 5. their sins, did he appear, when in himself there was no sin; for the † Dam. 12. 1. children of the people Israel standeth this Michael the great prince, & ‖ Rev. 12, 7. 9 10. fighteth against the Dragon and casteth him out of heaven; where now is salvatin, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; the accuser of the Saint's being cast down. Wherefore the Lord being king, * Psal. 97, 1. the earth may rejoice, and the multitude of the yles be glad; because he ‡ ver. 10, preserveth the souls of his Saints, he will deliver them from the hand of the wicked; he will ” Psal 78. 2. 3 judge the people of God in justice, and his poor with equity, that the mountains & the hills shall bring peace to the people by justice, and in his † ver. 7. days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace shallbe so long as the moon endureth. For the ‖ Zach, 9 10. charets being cut off from Ephraim and the horse from jerusalem, the bow of the battle shall be broken, and he shall speak peace unto the nations; but in the ” Psal. 108. 8. morning's he will destroy all the wicked of the land, † Isa. 11. 4. smiting the earth with the rod of his mouth, and slaying the wicked with the breath of his lips; wounding ‖ Psa. 110. ●. Isa. 63. 6. kings & treading down peoples in the day of his wrath. Therefore the poor shall * Psal. 10. 14. commit themselves unto him, and triumph in his salvation saying; ‡ ver. 16. The Lord is king for ever and ever, the heathen are destroyed forth of his land; ” Rev. 11. 15, the kingdoms of this world are our Lords, and his Christ's, and he shall reign for evermore. 24. Secondly he communicateth with his Saints this grace, to be † Rev, 5, 10. & 20. 4. Kings also with him, and to reign on earth: that as himself ‖ Zach. 6. 13. sitteth & ruleth upon his throne, & is a Priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace is between them both: so they whom he hath made * Rev. 1. 6. kings & Priests unto God his Father, being a ‡ 1 Pet. ●. 9 kingly priesthood, even a ” Exod. 19 6. kingdom of Priests and an holy nation; having part † Rev. 20. 6. in the first resurrection, the second death may have no power over them; but being the Priests of God and of Christ, and reigning with him the term of years limited; at last, when they have overcome, may ‖ Rev. ●. 21. sit with Christ in his throne; even as he overcame, & sitteth with his Father in his throne. 25. This spiritual kingdom, whereby the Saint's reign on earth, is first over their own sins and corruptions; for they are careful to be upright with God, and to * Psal. 18. 23, keep themselves from their wickedness; and the Lord ‡ Mi●. 7. 19 subdueth their iniquities, that sin shall ” Rom. 6. 14. not have dominion over them, because they are ver. 22. freed from it, and made servants unto God, having their fruit in holiness, and the end everlasting life. And this victory whereby they overcome themselves, is greater than all earthly conquests, according to the true proverb; ‖ Pro. 16. 32. He that is slow to anger, is better than the Mighty man; & he that ruleth his own spirit, (is better) than he that winneth a city. Secondly it is over the world, which also they set themselves against, as knowing that it * 1 joh. 5. 19 lieth in wickedness; the wisdom thereof is ‡ 1 Cor. 1. 20. & 2. 6. foolishness, & cometh to nought; the pleasures of it are ” Eccl. 1. & 2. etc. vanity, and vexation of spirit; the sorrows of it work † 3 Cor. 7. 10. death; and the amity thereof is ‖ jam. 4. 4. the enmity of God: therefore flee they the * 2 Pet. 1. 4. corruption that is in the world through lust, walking before God as ‡ 1 Chron. 29. 15. strangers & pilgroms on earth, not loving ” 1 joh. 2. 15. the world, nor the things that are in the world, which have neither † Eccl. 5. 9 satisfying nor fruit in them but being ‖ Gal. 6. 14. crucified unto it, & it unto them, they keep themselves * jam. 1. 27. unspotted of it, & free from the ‡ Gal. 5. 1. bondage & servitude of the same; they use it, as though they used it ● Cor. 7. 23. 31 not; they bear with patience all the reproaches & injuries that it offereth; yea though they be made the ” 1 Cor. 4, 9 13. gazing stock & as the filth of the same, yet are they † Rom. 8. 37. more than conquerors through him that loved than, and do fulfil that which is written, ” 1 joh. 5. 4, All that is born of God overcometh the world; & this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Thirdly the conquest of the Saints is over Satan himself, the prince of this world, and worker of all mischief. Him also they * 1 Pet. 5. ●. resist steadfast in the faith, and do ‡ Rev. 12. 11. overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, & by the word of their testimony, and love not their lives unto the death: so that wicked one ” jam. 4. 7. fleeth from them, and ‖ 1 joh. 5. 18. toucheth them not, for they keep themselves, because they are begotten of God, who will * Rom. 16. 20. tread that adversary under their feet shortly, & with him shall be destroyed ” 1 Cor. 15. 26 the last enemy, Death. And as now, the Saints do reign with Christ on earth, by faith and patience: so then, having † 1 Cor. 6. 2. 3. judged the world, and even the Angels; they shall reign ‖ Rom. 8. 17. 2 ●●m. 2. 12. 1 Thes. 4. 17. with him in glory, in heaven for evermore. 26. To teach us this Communion with Christ, we have in the scripture many doctrines & similitudes; as that he will make his church a † Isa. 41. 1●. roller & a new threshing instrument having teeth, for to thrash the mountains, and bring them to powder; & make the hills as chaff: that he ‖ Psal. 68 35. giveth strength and power to his people, making * Mic. 4. 13. their horn iron, & their hoofs brass, & themselves ‡ Zach. 10. 3. as his beautiful horse in the battle; that they shallbe as † ver. 5. the mighty men, which tread down (their enemies) in the mire of the streets in the battle; for ‖ Zach. 9 15. the Lord of hosts shall defend them, & they shall devowr and subdue their foes. That Christ shall * Psal. 4●. 16. make his children Princes throughout all the earth; & as himself hath ‡ Rev. 19 12. many Crowns upon his head, so will he communicate them with his Saints; as the crowns of his figure ” Zach. 6. 11. 14. jesus son of jehozadak the high Priest, were to Helem, Tobijah and others for a memorial in the temple of the Lord. That as Christ is the head corner stone, † Luk. 20. 17. 18. upon which whosoever fall, shall be broken, & on whomsoever it fall, it shall grind them to powder: so jerusalem (his church) shall be made ‖ Zach. 12. 3. a heavy stone for all people▪ all that lift it up shallbe torn, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. That as Christ shall * Psal. 2. 9 crush the nations with a sceptre of iron, and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel: so ‡ Rev. 2. 26. 27. he that overcometh and keepeth his works unto the end; to him will he give power over nations, & he shall rule them with a rod of iron, that as potter's vessels they shall be broken; even as he received of his Father, ” ver. 28. so will he give to that man, the morning star. 27. To illustrate this Communion between our Saviour and us, we have the similitude of an human body, the members whereof by their due joints and sinews are joined to the head, receive from it life and motion, and government in all the actions and affairs: so Christ † Col. 1, 18. 1 Cor. 12, 1●. etc. is the head of the body of his church, & communicateth with all the Saints his members, ‖ Gal. 2, 20. Rom. 8. 32. life and grace, and all good things for their conservation. Also of a vine or Olive tree whose branches are made partakers of the juice sap and fatness * Rom. 11. 17. that is in the root & stock: so we abiding in ‡ joh. 15. 1. 2, 4. 5. Christ the true vine, do by the juice & moisture of his grace live and bear fruits to the praise of God. Again as the husband and wife, are not two, † Mar. 10. 8. but one flesh; & the first woman ‖ Gen. 2. 22. builded of the rib of man, was flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone, and so did love & live together partaking each with others well fare: in like manner are we joined to the Lord, & made * 1 Cor. 6. 17. one spirit; he that ‡ Isa. 54, 5. Hos. 2. 20. made us is our husband, and we are married to him in faith; whereupon he ” Eph. 5. 29. 30. nourisheth & cherisheth us; for we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones; and this is a † ver, 32. great Secret, as the Apostle saith, which they that would behold, had need ‖ Rev, 21. 9 20. be carried in Spirit (as was john) to a great & an high Mountain, there to be showed this Spouse adorned with the glory of God, & all precious ornaments of his Spirit. And so greatly doth the King * Psal. 45. 〈◊〉. delight in her beauty, that the words which were spoken to the first woman Evah, how ‡ Gen. 3. ●6. her desire should be unto her husband; are now on the other hand, (as touching the affection of love) applied by the Spouse unto him whom her soul loveth, ” Song, 7. 10. I am my welbeloveds, and his desire is towards me. 28. From all that which is before spoken, of the Communion that God hath called us unto with his Son, it followeth, that whatsoever justice and holiness was in Christ manifested in the flesh, either by nature or by action; the same is made † Rom. 4. 24. 25, & 5. 19 ours by grace and imputation: as on the contrary, whatsoever sin & unrighteousness is in us by nature or action, the same is made 2 Cor. 5. 21. his by imputation, and by him is healed Psal. 40. 12. and taken away; that it can not be we now * Rom. 8. 1. 38 ●9. should perish, if we hold fast our faith and confidence of rejoicing unto the end. Whatsoever troubles, sorrows or temptations, (sin only excepted,) do befall us in this life; the like have befallen ‡ Heb. 4. 15. unto him, were by him overcome, and shall from ” Rev. 21. 4. us, as already they are from him, be done away. Finally whatsoever † john. 8. 36. Rom. 8. 2. Gal 3. 13. & 5. 1. Lev. 26. 13. 1 Cor. 7. 23. Mat. 17. 25. 27. 1 Cor. 6. 12. & 10. 25. 26. freedom & liberty, Christ as man, in ordinary estate, had on earth conversing among men● the like hath he given, daily giveth & confirmeth unto Christians; whither we respect the spiritual law of God, or the politic laws of men, and civil states. For he it is that Gal. 2. 20. liveth in us; himself * Song. 6. 2. is ours, and we are his, ‡ Rom. 6. 5. 6. 8. graffed into his death and resurrection to eternal life: he hath given ” Isa. 46. 13. his glory unto Israel; even the † joh. 17. 〈◊〉▪ 23. glory that the Father gav him, hath he given us, that we may be one; as the Father and he are one, he in us, and God in him; & where he is, ‖ vers. 24. there shall we also be to behold his glory; though for the present we walk * 2. Co●. 5. 7. by faith and not by sight, and it doth ‡ 1. john. ●. 2. not yet appear what we shallbe. The consideration of which riches of his grace, may cause us to say with the prophet, † Zach. 9 17. how great is his goodness, & how great is his beauty? And we may conclude with the last word of Moses the man of God, ‖ Deut. 33. 29 Blessed art thou o Israel: who is like unto thee, o people saved by the Lord, the shield of thine help, and which is the sword of thy glory? therefore thine enemies shallbe in subjection to thee, & thou shalt tread upon their high places. CHAP. XIII. Of our Communion with the holy Ghost. ALthough the fellowship that we have with the holy Ghost, (who is ” 1 joh. 5. 7. one with the Father and the Son,) may much be discerned by that which is before spoken of God & of Christ: yet because the scripture speaketh many things of the work of God's Spirit in us, and particularly of the † ● Cor. 13. 13 Communion of the Holy Ghost with us; it willbe for the good and comfort of the Saints, to consider the graces and benefits that do come unto them, by this communion also in particular. 2. And this the rather, for that the Spirit is the Comforter, (that joh. 14. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. other Comforter or Advocate,) which the Father at Christ's request doth give unto us for to abide with us for ever, and cheer us in the absence of our Lord jesus from us, (who is gone unto his Father and ours) that we should not be left as * joh. 14. 18. orphans on earth, destitute of help and comfort amids our many trials and tribulations. 3. Very great is the grace, & admirable the strength and consolation, which this Comforter giveth to the Saints; as the example of the Apostles themselves doth confirm; who all the while that Christ was with them in this world, though he ceased not to teach & inform them, to comfort and embolden them, to reprove and blame them, as there was occasion: yet were they ‡ Mat. 16. 8. 23. & 17. 20 & 20. 22. 24 25. & 26. 31 40. 56. Mark. 16. 14. weak and faint in faith, fearful of their enemies, forgetful of Christ's promises, without understanding of his mysteries, and overcaried many ways with their own infirmities. But when he had sent down upon them ” Luk. 24. 4●. the promise of his Father, & endued them with power from on high, † Act. 1. 5. baptizing them with the holy Ghost: then began they to speak with ‖ Act. 2. 4. 11. other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, the wonderful works of God; showed great * Act. 4. 8. 13. 1. 9 31. 33. boldness in preaching the word, & with great power witnessed the resurrection of the Lord jesus, and ‡ Act. 5. 12. 15 41. 42. & throughout the whole book. many signs and wonders were showed by their hands, and they ceased not to teach and preach jesus Christ amongst many troubles; rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. 4. Neither unto them alone was the holy Ghost given, (though the abundance of his graces was powered most plentifully upon them;) but all that in those days, or before, or since, do believe in the Lord jesus Christ, are sealed also with the same spirit of promise▪ & furnished in some measure with the gifts of the same. Which grace the Lord himself proclaimed in that † Ioh: 2. 7▪ ●● last and great day of the Feast of Tabernacles, saying, vers. 30. He that believeth in me, as saith the scripture, out of his bel'y shall flow rivers of water of life; speaking this * vers. 39 of the Spirit, which they that believed in him, should receive; for if ‡ Rom. 8. 9 any man have not the Spirit of Christ, the same is not his. 5. As there is but † Ep● 4. 6. 5. one God and Father of all, and one Lord Jesus Christ; so is there but one and ‖ 1. Cor. 12. 4. 5, 6. the same Spirit: although for the * vers. 8.— 11. diversities of gifts which that Spirit distributeth among the Saints, the scripture sometime speaketh as of ‡ Rev. 1. 4. seven Spirits which are before the throne of God; (seven being a full and perfect number, and signifying † 1. Sam. ●. 5. jer. 15 9 Prov. 26 25. 16. Many:) and these seven Spirits be the Rev. 5. 6. seven horns & seven eyes, (that is the manifold and absolute power & providence) of the Lamb Christ jesus; of whom it was prophesied, that † Isa. 11. 2. the Spirit of the Lord should rest upon him; the Spirit of wisdom, and Understanding; the Spirit of counsel, & of strength; the Spirit of knowledge, & of the fear of the Lord: of whom also it was witnessed, ‖ Io●. ●. 34. God giveth him not the Spirit by measure. 6. The Spirit, as he was at first * Gen. 1. 2. Psal. 33. 6. creator of the world, with the Father & the Son; & ‡ job. 26. 13. garnished the heavens: so is he still the † Luk 11. 20 with Mat. 12 28. finger of God, that worketh effectually all his actions, ‖ Psal. 104. 30 creating the creatures, & renewing the face of the earth. And generally as God speaketh unto men outwardly, by the ministry of his word: so sendeth he also inwardly, motions of his Spirit; against which many struggle, to their just judgement. In the old world * Gen. 6. 3. God's spirit strove in man, as his word was ‡ 2. Pet. 2. 5. preached by Noah; but they † job. ●2. 15. 17. said unto God, Depart from us: wherefore they were ” job. 32. 16. wrinkled before the time, and the flood was powered out upon their foundation. When Israel came out of Egypt, the Lord sent before them Mic. 6. 4. Moses Aaron & Miriam, to guided them outwardly by kingdom priesthood and prophesy; he gave them also * Neh. 9 20. his good Spirit to instruct them, and jesus Christ his Son, the ‡ Isa. 63. 9 Exod. 23. 20. 21. Angel of his face or presence, saved them: yet they both ” Psa. 106. 16. envied Moses, and Aaron the holy one of the Lord; and often † Psa. 78. 40. 41. provoked, grieved, & tempted God himself, and limited the Holy one of Israel; they rebelled & ‖ Isa. 63. 10. vexed his holy Spirit, (the Spirit of the Lord * ver. 14. which had given them rest▪) therefore was he turned to be their enemy, and fought against them. In these last days of the Gospel, we are also taught, how some that have tasted of the heavenly gift, & ‡ Heb. 6. 4. 5. 6. were made partakers of the Holy Ghost; yet fall so away that they cannot be renewed unto repentance. So that even▪ wicked men and reprobates, do often receive * Num, 24. 2. Mat. 7. 22. ●3. the gifts of the Spirit, whereby they do many great works, yet are not benifited hereby unto salvation▪ for they have not the grace of God to sanctify those gifts, & seal them up unto the day of redemption; therefore God ‡ 1 Sam. 16. ●4. Psal. 51. 11. taketh his holy Spirit from them, and sometime sendeth his evil spirit in stead thereof, to vex them, as he did unto ” 1 Sam. 18. 10 Saul; & this worthily, seeing there are of these wretches, that do even † Heb. 10. 29. despite the Spirit of grace. 7. But the Saints elect of God, have an other manner communion with the Holy Ghost; for their help comfort and sanctification in this life, and assurance of life eternal. For, because they are sons, ‖ Gal. 4. 6. God sendeth the Spirit of his son into their hearts, which crieth Abba Father; so they are * Gal. 4. 7. no more servants but sons, and heirs also of God through Christ, who hath obtained of his Father ‡ joh. 14. 16. 17. this Comforter to abide with them▪ for ever, even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive▪ because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but they know him, for he dwelleth with them, & shallbe in them; their ” Cor. 6. 19 bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost. 8. The communion which the Saints have with the Spirit, is in many particulars; and that from the beginning of their days, unto the end. For jeremiah † jer. 1. 5. was sanctified, and john Baptist ‖ Luk. 1. 15. filled with the Holy Ghost, even from their mother's wombs. And we all that are born of God, have our regeneration and new birth * job. 3 5. of the Spirit: & according to his mercy are saved, ‡ Tit. 3. 5. by the washing of the new birth, & the renewing of the Holy Ghost. 9 The word of God, which it the immortal seed whereby we are begotten, hath always been uttered, explained, and understood, by means of this Spirit. David testifieth of himself, that ” ● Sam. 23. 2 the Spirit of the Lord spoke in him, & his word was in his tongue: our † Mas. 22. 43. Act. 1. 16. saviour Christ, and his Apostles do witness also the same concerning him; so the things that he spoke, we must receive, as the sayings Heb. 3. 7. with Psal. 95 7. of the Holy Ghost. The like is to be minded for * Act. 28. 25. Isaias ‡ Mic. 3. 8. Michaias, and all other Prophets, by whose hands the Lord ” Neh. 9 30. Zach. 7. 12. protested among his people by his spirit; for Prophesy (as the Apostle † 2 Pet. 1. 21. saith) came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God, spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; the Lord jehovah & ‖ Isa. 48. 16. his Spirit sent them. Yea Christ himself had the * Mat. 1●. 18. Spirit of God put on him, that he might show judgement to the Gentiles; and was anointed with ‡ Luk. ●. 18. Act. 1●. 38. the Spirit, that he might preach the Gospel to the poor; and unto the Apostles whom he had chosen, gave he commandments through ” Act. 1. ●. the Holy Ghost, who also having received † 1 Cor. 2. ●● the Spirit which is of God, spoke the things that were given them of him, not in the words which man's wisdom taught, but which ‖ ver. 13. the holy Ghost did teach them: so preached they the Gospel unto the Saints, * 1 Pet. ●. 1●. by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. 10. Unto this Gospel of salvation first preached by the Lord, and after confirmed by them that heard him; God ‡ Heb. ●. ●. ●. bare witness both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost. For to one (as the Apostle saith) † Cor. 12. ●. 9, 10. etc. was given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to an other the word of knowledge, by the same spirit; to an other Faith, by the same Spirit; to an other, the gifts of healing, by the same Spirit; to an other the operations of great works; to an other prophesy; to an other discerning of spirits; to an other diversities of tongues; to an other, the interpretations of tongues▪ and all these things wrought even the self same Spirit, distributing to every man severally as he would. 11. But these spiritual gifts, though they were powered out upon many; yet are they not, neither ever were given unto all; as it is written, † 1 Cor. 12. 30 Are all doers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? Again, to all that have them, they are not seals of the adoption of Sons; for if men have 1 Cor. 13. ●. prophesy, and know all secrets and all knowledge; if they have all faith, so that they can remove mountains, and have not Love, they are nothing. Yet is this * 1 Cor. 1●. ●. manifestation of the Spirit given to every man to profit withal: & as the Apostles were God's witnesses concerning the things which they said; so ‡ Act. ●. 3●. was the holy Ghost, whom God gave to them that obeyed him; the Spirit was one ” 1 john. ●. ●. of the three witnesses on earth, as the Apostle john saith. 12. As the mystery of Christ was reveled † Eph. 3. 5. to his holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit, & they preached the Gospel unto others, 1 Pet. 1. 1●. by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; & as the ordinary permanent officers of the Churches, are made Overseers * Act. 20. 28. by the Holy Ghost, to feed the Church of God: so by the hearing of Faith preached, do men ‡ Gal. 3. 2. receive the Spirit; which God openly showed, when while Peter yet was speaking, ” Act. 1●. 44. the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard th●● word. And as by the work of the Spirit, the word is received and believed; so is the same also † 1 Pet. 1. 〈◊〉. obeyed, kept and retained, ‖ ● Tim. 1. 14. through the Holy Ghost that dwelleth in us. The Sacraments also have by him their effects in us, as it is written, * 1 Cor. 12. 13 by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whither Jews or Greeks, whither bond or free, and have been a●● made to drink into one Spirit. 13. And having thus our new birth, caling unto, and stablishing in the faith, by the work of the holy Ghost; we are further by him confirmed, comforted, emboldened, & assisted, in all our spiritual battles against Satan, this world, and our own corruptions. For wear † Eph. 3. 16. strengthened by God's Spirit in the inner man; & being armed with the word of God which is the ‖ Eph. 6. 17. sword of the Spirit, we stand fast; and though the enemy come like a flood, yet * Isa. 59 19 the Spirit of the Lord shall chase him away, as saith the Prophet. And in rebuking the world, he useth great boldness, convincing ‡ john. 16. 8. 11. them of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement: so that God's servants are full of power † Mic. 3. 8. by the Spirit of the Lord and of judgement, and of strength, to declare unto the people their transgression, and their sin; an example whereof we may see in ‖ Paul. Act. 13. 9 10. 11. Saul, who being full of the Holy Ghost, set his eyes upon Elymas the sorcerer and said; O full of all subtlety, & all mischief, child of the Devil, enemy of all righteousness; wilt thou not ce●se to pervert the strait ways of the Lord? Now therefore behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee, & thou shalt be blind, and not see the Sun for a season. And this courage the Saints have even before Princes and potentates of 〈◊〉 earth 〈◊〉 ●ay be 〈◊〉 in † 2. Chro●. 24 20. 21. Zech●●●ah son of jehojada, who being clo●●ed with the Spirit, and rebuking the transgressions of the people, was therefore stoned with stones, at the commandment of the king. For the ‖ Luk. 12. 11. ●. H●ly Ghost teacheth them in that ●owr what they ought to say; wherefore they are to take no thought how or what to answer, but resting upon the aid of God's Spirit, do boldly say, * Psal. 119. 46 ● will speak of thy testimonies (Lord) before kings, and will not be ashamed. 14 But in the Saints themselves, the Spirit is most mighty in operation for the subduing and sanctifying of their affections, and confirmation of their souls and spirits in the love & favour of God. For whereas before time, some of them were fornicators, idolaters, thiefs, covetous, extortioners, or given to other like vices: ‡ 1. Cor. 6. 9 10. 11. they 〈◊〉 washed, they a 〈◊〉, they are justified in the name of the Lord jesus, and by the Spirit of God. And whereas while they were fleshly, † jude. ver. 19 having not the Spiri● they walked after the ‖ Rom. 8. 4. 5. 8. 13. flesh, and favoured the things t●●● of, & could not ●lease God, but were subject unto death: now he that raised up Christ from the Dead, doth also quicken their mortal bodies, * v●r. 11. because that his Spirit dwelleth in them; and so is fulfilled that which in figure God said of old unto Israel; ‡ Eze. 37. 13. 14. Ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, o my people, and brought you up out of your sepulchres, and shall put my Spirit in you, & ye shall live. Who then living in the Spirit, do also ” Gal. 5. 25. walk in the Spirit, and by it do † Rom. 8. 13. mortify the deeds of the body, not ‖ Gal. 5. 16. 24. fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, which they have crucified, but bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit, which are * Gal. 5. 2●. love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance▪ for when the Spirit is powered upon them from above; then ‡ Isa. 32. 15. the wilderness becometh a fruitful field, a● saith the Prophet. 15. And God which hath promise● to power water upon the thirsty, ● stoods upon the dry ground, t● ” Isa. 44. 3. power his Spirit upon the seed ● his Church, and his blessing vpo● their buds; will not only † Luk. 11. 13. give the Holy Ghost to them that desi● him; but also continue his gifts ● grace's for the assurance of the● hearts; so that they shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth in fear, because ‖ Isa. 65. 23. they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, & their buds with them. The love of God is * Rom. 5. 5. shed abroad in their hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto them, and by him ” Eph. 4. 30. are they sealed unto the day of redemption; the same Spirit Rom. 8. 1●. beareth witness with their spirits that they are the Sons of God; and hereby they 1. joh. 4. 13. know that they dwell in God, and he in them, because he hath given them of his Spirit, which is as a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 1. 22. pawn or earnest in their hearts, whereby they do not only behold the glory of the Lord with open face, but are ‡ 2 Cor. 3. 18. changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. And this Spirit which they have received, is not the Spirit of bondage to fear again, (as at the ” Exod. 19 16▪ & 34. 30. giving of the Law, and looking upon Moses face,) but is the Spirit of † Rom. 8. 15. adoptions-of-children, whereby they cry Abba Father, even the Spirit of his Son Christ, ‖ Gal. 4▪ 6. which God hath sent into their hearts, because they also are sons, and the * Gal. 3. 14. blessing of Abraham is come upon them through Christ jesus. So Gods good Spirit ‡ Psal. 143. 10. leadeth them unto the Lan● of righteousness, and this is a par● of his covenant with them, tha● ” Isa. 59 21. his Spirit which is upon them, an● his words which he hath put i● their mouth, shall not depart out ● the mouth of them or their se●● or their seeds seed for ever. Neith● will he hide his face any more fro● than † Ezek. 39 89. because he hath powered out his spirit upon the hence of Israel, as he hat● promised by his Prophet. From a● which proceedeth unto the Sain● unspeakable peace comfort & joy which they find and feel, both ● the receiving of the word, (as the Apostle saith 1. Thes. 1. 6. ye received the wor● in much affliction with joy of the holy Ghost;) in the obedience the● unto in the kingdom of God; which is * Rom. 14. 17. righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. 16. Amongst other benefits which the Spirit affordeth, this is one special, that it helpeth the Saint's infirmities in prayer; who ●ls know not what to pray as they ●ught, but † Rom. 8. 26. 27. the Spirit itself maketh request for them▪ with sighs which cannot be expressed; & the request which he maketh is according to ●he will of God, who searcheth the ●arts, and knoweth what the meaning of the Spirit is. 17. But that the Saints be not deceived, and led astray from the truth, by any motion, suggestion, vision, revelation, or other means whatsoever, as from the Spirit of the Lord; our Saviour hath given us a rule, to discern the work of his Spirit, from the delusion of Satan; which is this, that his Spirit john. 16. 13. 14. speaketh not of himself, but whatsoever he heareth he speaketh: that he glorifieth Christ, for he receiveth of Christ's, (& * vers. 15. all things that the Father hath at Christ's,) and showeth it unto Christians. Therefore is he the Spirit ‡ vers. 13. of truth, and leadeth into altruth, because he teacheth nothing but according to the word of God, which word is † john. 17. 17. truth. And by that word must all spirits be tried; by it may be discerned the Spirit of truth from the Spirit of error: and josua, though he were full of the Spirit o● ‖ Deut 34. 9 wisdom; yet was charged of God to * jos. 1. 7. 8. attend unto the book of the Law, (for his direction,) to observe and do, according to all that was written therein. 18. Finally, the Spirit of God, hath generally in all things wrought much and mightily in and by the Saints. With this was † Exod. 31. 3. 4. Bezaleel filled, in wisdom and in understanding, & in knowledge, & in all workmanship, to find out curious works for the Lords Tabernacle; with this were the ‖ Num. 11. 25 seventy Ancients furnished for the government of Israel, & prophesied. With the wisdom of this Spirit, was † Deut. 34. 9 Num. 27. 18. 20. josua full, after that Moses had put his hands upon him, & given him of his glory, when he ordained him to be his successor in the kingdom. And what should I speak of all the judges, as of Othoniel, of Gedeon, of ●ephte & of Samson, upon whom the ‖ jud. 3 10. Spirit of the Lord came, * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 6. 34. & 11. 29. & 13. 25 & 14. 6. 1●. clothed them, strengthened them, and prospered upon them; whereby they went boldly unto great battles, overcame their enemies, and ●ent the wild beasts that roared upon them. The Prophets also & Apostles, were ‡ Eze 2. 2. & 3. 14. 24. & 37. 1. Act. 8. 29. 39 & 10 19 20. & 13 2. 4 & 16. 6 7. & 20. 22. & 21. 4. carried and guided by the Spirit, in their ways words, and works; taught whom for to go to, and from whom to refreyn; and had great intelligence of things ” Act. 11. 28. for to come; and in every city, the † Act. 20. 2●. Holy Ghost witnessed, such things as God's wisdom saw good to revel. So that the help which the Spirit ministereth to the Saints, is infinite and incomprehensible; and they may say to the Lord with the Prophet, ‖ Psal. 13 9 7. whishal I go from thy Spirit? for lo, the wisdom of God * Prov. 1. 23. poureth out her Spirit unto them, & maketh them understand her words: this ” 1 joh. 2. 20. Ointment they have from him that is holy, & do know all things: through the power of the Holy Ghost they ‡ Rom. 15. 13. abound in hope; by the comfort of the Holy Ghost, they and the ‖ Act. 9 31, Churches of them are multiplied and by him the † Rom. 15. 16. offering up of the Gentiles (by the ministry of the Gospel) is sanctified: and whatsoever good thing is done among God's people, is not by an Army nor strength, but * Zach. 4. 6. by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, without which ‡ 1 Cor. 12 3. no man can say, that jesus is the Lord. 19 Thus are the Saints of God, advanced to honour & dignity, above all peoples on the earth; being themselves the ” 1 Cor. 3. 1●. Temple of God, & having his Spirit dwelling in them: enjoying a most holy and happy communion, † 1 joh. 1. 3. with the Father, and with his son jesus Christ, and with ‖ 2 Cor. 13. 13 the Holy Ghost; the grace and peace and comfort whereof, passeth all understanding, and can no way be sufficiently expressed, by the tongue or pen of man. And this holy communion with his people God showed of old by his prophet, in these gracious words, * Hag. ●. ●. 6. I am with you saith the Lord of hosts with the ‡ Christ. joh. 1. 1. Word, by whom I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt; and my Spirit remaining among you: Fear you not. Al thy works praise thee, o Lord; & thy Saints bless thee. Psal. 145. 10. CHAP. XIIII. How the fores●yd communion and peace between God and his Sainsts, is sometimes interrupted by their sins: what unrest & trouble, they then feel in themselves; and how their ancient peace is renewed. B●cause ther is † Eccl. 7. 22. 2. Chron. 6. 36 no man just in the earth, that doth good and sinneth not; and whiles men dwell in these houses of clay, they be compassed about with their own infirmities, tempted of their own concupiscences, and beset with Divils', that always lie in wait to entrap and devour: it falleth out, that the Saints of God are not only assaulted, but oftentimes foiled by their enemies, and do fall into snares, and loathsome trespasses, whereby God is dishonoured, the Devil delighted, & their own hearts wounded and distressed. 2. For our knowledge in this life, is but ‖ 1 Cor. 13. 9 12. in part; so that through error & ignorance we oft do amiss; neither can any man * Psal. 19 12. understand or discern those errors. Our affections & lusts are not fully subdued, but do yet ‡ jam. 4. ●. war in our members; the flesh † Gal. 5. 17. lusteth against the spirit, and these ‖ 1 Pet. 2. 11. lusts fight against the soul, & are as a * Rom. 7. 23. law in our members, rebelling against the law of our mind, and captivating us to the law of sin which is in our members. Our strength is infirm; and though we would do good, yet ‡ ver. 1●. find we no means to perform it. Our enemy Satan, is both subtle and strong, and seeketh daily to circumvent us, & often prevaileth through our weakness and unheedines, that in † jam. 3. 2. many things we sin all, & no man can say ‖ Prov. 20. 9 I have purified my heart, I am clean from my sin. 3. Sometime the pleasures of the flesh, do bewitch and draw us into grievous offences; * Gen. 9 21. drunkenness, ‡ 2 Sam. 11. 4 1 King. 11. 1. 2. 3. 4. adultery, fornication, murder, and idolatry itself; sometime the blessings of God upon us, do make us proud, our ” 2 Chron. 32. 25. hearts are lifted up, we commit † 1 Chron. 21. 1. 2 etc. vainglorious actions, forgetting ‖ Luk. 15. 13. 17. ourselves, and * Deut. 32. 18 15. God that begat us, even forsaking the Rock of our salvation; sometime our affections are so stirred, that we fall into intemperance ‡ 1 Sam. 25. 23. 21. 22. 31. 32. 33. 34. 2 Chro. 16. 10. Psal. 106. 32. 33. Act 7. 9 Gen 49. 7. both in word & work, not only against men, but even † jon. 4. 1. 4. 9 etc. God himself; sometime fears, doubts, dangers, threatenings, and afflictions, do ‖ Exod. 14. 10. Isa. 7. 2. Mat. 14. 30. 31. daunt and discourage us, making the heart to faint, the tongue to deny * Mat. 26. 70. 72. 74. and forswear the truth, the hands ‡ Ex. 32. 2. 4. 22. 2●. etc. to work impiety, our faith to quail, that we forsake Christ and † Mat. 26. 56. flee away. Yea Gods children have in error and blind zeal, persecuted the truth and professors thereof, even killed Christ himself, & crucified the Lord of Glory; as the example of ‖ Act. 9 1. etc. & Act. 2. 22. 23. 29. 36. 38 39 Saul & sundry other elect Israelites doth manifest. These and many like grievous sins do the Saints sometimes fall into through their infirmities, (God withdrawing his hand, & leaving them to themselves,) besides their ignorances & defaults which multiply daily: so as they surmount in number * Psal. 40. 12. the hairs of their heads. And many times such men lie sleeping in their sins ‡ As the former examples of the patriarchs show. long, forgetting themselves in their voluptuous delights; till God awakeneth them of his grace, lest they should sleep the death, and perish for ever. 4. He awakeneth us sometime by the sound of ” 2 Sam. 1●. 1— 7— 13. Act▪ 2. 37. his word, knocking at the door of our hearts; and by his † Neb. 9 30. Spirit wherewith he ‖ Gen. 6. 3. striveth in us: sometime by * job. 33. 16. 17. 19 etc. jon 1. 17. & 2. 1. 2. etc. corrections & punishments for our misdeeds inflicted upon our bodies; sometime by ‡ ● Sam 24. 10. Psal. 38. 3 8. 10. striking our consciences with dread dismay and terror for our sins, and withdrawing the cheerful light of his countenance from us, so as we feel not the joy of his spirit, neither have peace in ourselves; but the comfortable communion betweme his Majesty & us, seemeth quite to be disannulled & broken. 5. For he withdraweth his face and favour from us, † job. 19 11. kindleth his anger against us, & counteth us as his enemies, the horror of his wrath is as fire sent from above into our bones; the curse ‖ Dan. 9 1●. written in the law, is powered upon us, and is as the arrows of the Almighty, the venom whereof drinketh up our spirit. He * Psal. 90. 8. setteth our iniquities before himself, & our secret sins in the light of his countenance; he setteth them also in our own sight, and our sin is ‡ Psal. 51. 3. before us continually; with his hand he † Lam. 1. 14. bindeth the yoke of our transgressions, & with them being wrapped & laid upon our neck, he maketh our strength to fail; ‖ job. 13. 26. bitter things doth he write against us, & make us to inherit the iniquities of our youth; so as there is * Psal. 38. 3. 5 7. nothing found in our flesh because of his anger; neither is their rest in our bones because of our sin: our wounds stink and are corrupt, our reins are full of burning, our heart is ‡ Psal. 22. 14. as wax, it melteth in the mids of our bowels; our bones are parched † Psal. 102 3. like an hearth, & our ‖ Psal. 32. 40 moisture is turned to a summer's drought, so heavy is his hand upon us night and day. Then cry we out for grief of heart, we ‖ roar like bears, and mourn like doves; looking for judgement, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us; because our trespasses are many both before him and ourselves, for which his terrors do fight against us, he visiteth us * Isa. 59 11, 12. every ‡ job. 7. 18. morning, and trieth us every moment; setteth us as a mark against him, so that we are a burden to ourselves. Also when we cry & shout, ” Lam. 3. 8. he shutteth out our prayer, and is even † Psal. 80. 4. angry against it; because our ‖ Isa. 59 2. iniquities have separated between us and him, and our sins have hid his face from us, that he will not hear; so loathsome are our trespasses unto him, so venomous to ourselves is the biting of those fiery serpents. 6. Then are we left comfortless and desolate, cast down in ourselves, our soul powered out upon us, * job. 30. 15. 16 and our salvation passed away as a cloud; we are kept out of the paradise of God with the terror of his law and judgements, as with the ‡ Gen. 3. 24. Psal. 88 6. 7 blade of the Cherubims brandishing sword; we are laid ” in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deep; where God's indignation lieth upon us, and we are vexed with all his waves. We are a reproach to wicked men, who because of our misdeeds do † 2. Sam. 1●. 14. blaspheme: we are a scorn to the devils, who insult at our sins, cease not to accuse us before ‖ Rev. 12. 10. God day and night, and hope to have us in the end, a prey to their teeth. Our * Psal. 38. 18 lovers and our friends stand a side from our plague, and our kinsmen stand far off. They that should guide & direct us to Christ, in stead of good counsel do often ‡ Song. 3. 3. & 5. 7. smite and wound us, persecuting them whom God hath smitten, † Psal. 69. 26 & adding to their sorrows whom he hath wounded. The worm of our own conscience continually biteth us, so as when we would ‖ job. 9 ●7. 2● forget our complaint, and comfort ourselves; then are we afraid of all our sorrows, knowing that God will not judge us innocent, who * job. 10. ●. inquireth of our iniquity and searcheth out our sin; yet † job. 13. 24. hideth his face, and reputeth us for his enemies. Thus our soul Lam. 3. 17. 18. is far off from peace, we have forgotten prosperity, saying, Our strength and our hope is perished from the Lord; and * job. 3. 20. wherefore is the light given to them that are in misery, and life unto them that have heavy hearts? for our harp is turned to mourning; ‡ job. 30. 31. and our organs, into the voice of them that weep. 7 But the † job. 19 28. root of the word which is found in us, and the * 1. john. 3. 9 ●eed of God which remaineth in us; stirreth up the spark of faith, and suffereth it not to die in these distresses. It bringeth to mind God's ancient mercies, his faith confirmed, and love sealed towards us in Christ; it telleth us, where sin aboundeth, * Rom. 5. 20 grace doth abound much more. Then remembering our song in the night, communing with our own heart, & our spirit searching diligently, we say, ‡ Psal. 77. 6. 7. 8. Will the Lord absent himself for ever? and will he show no more favour▪? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? hath God forgotten to be merciful? hath he shut up his tender mercies in displeasure? we have sinned, † job. 7. 20. what shall we do unto thee, o thou preserver of men? If thou straightly ‖ Psal. 130. 3. 4. markest iniquities, Lord who shall stand? surely than the * job. 14. 18. mountain would fall and come to nought, and the rock would be removed from his place; neither shall any ‡ Psal. 143. ●. that liveth be justified in thy sight. But mercy is with thee, that thou mayst be feared. And now Lord thou art our † Isa. 64. 8. ●● Father; we are the clay, and thou art the potter, we all are the work of thine hands; be not angry o Lord above measure, neither remember iniquity for ever; purge thou us with hyssop and we shallbe clean, † Psal. 51. 7. ● wash us and we shallbe whiter than snow; make us to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice, turn us again o God of Psal. 80. 3. 7 1 ● hosts, and cause thy face to shine, that we may be saved. 8. When thus we shall submit ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and drawing waters from the well of our hearts, ‡ 1 Sam. 7. 6. Lam. ●. 19 shall power them out before the Lord: when we shall confess our iniquities, and in faith ask mercy at his hands, hungering and thirsting after his righteousness, and † Psal. 42. 1. braying for it as the hind for the rivers of waters: the Lord will Deu. 32. 36. repent towards his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone; he will * Isa. 44. 3. power water upon the thirsty, & floods upon the dry ground, and will say unto us, ‡ Isa. 41. 10. Fear not for I am with you; be not afraid, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you and sustain you with the right hand of my justice; though † Isa. 1. 18. your sins were as crimson, they shallbe made white as snow, though they were red like scarlet, they shallbe as wool: for a little while I have forsaken you, ‖ Isa. 54. 7. 8. but with great compassion will I gather you; for a moment in anger I hid my face from you for a little season, but with everlasting mercy have I had compassion on you, saith the Lord your redeemer. Then shall we see in the black cloud of our tribulations, the ‡ Gen. 9 13. 14. bow of the Lord, even himself will appear with the † Eze. 1. 28. Rev. 4. 3. raynbow about his throne, the token of his covenant of grace, which he remembreth; and as he swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, ‖ Isa. 54. 9 10 so sweareth he not to be angry with us nor rebuke us; though the mountains remove, and the hills fall down, yet his mercy shall not depart from us, nor the covenant of his peace fall away. 9 Thus God which had wounded Hos. 6. 1. 2. us, bindeth us up; after two days [troubles] he reviveth us, in the third day he raiseth us up & we live in his sight; he * Psal. 147. 3. healeth our broken hearts, and bindeth up our sores. For Christ our mediator, that Angel of the covenant, hath asked for us mercy of God his Father, who was so long displeased with us, and ‡ Isa. 32. 2. the Lord hath answered him with good and comfortable words; this man is unto us, as † Zec. 1. 12. 13 an hiding place from the wind, & as a secret from the tempest; as rivers of waters in a dry place, & as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. And though our bark hath been tossed in the sea of afflictions, where Christ himself seemed ‖ Mat. 14. 24. 26. 27. 32. to us a sprite, and made us afraid; yet now his gracious voice doth comfort us, and his presence ceaseth all wind & tempest. It is he, even he that * Isa. 43. 25. putteth away our iniquities for his own sake, & remembreth not our sins; but restoreth to us the ‡ Psal. 51. 12. joy of his salvation, giveth us † Isa. 61. 3. beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of gladness for the spirit of heaviness; so that ‖ Psal. 103. 5. Isa. 40. 31. our youth is renewed, and we lift up the wings as the Eagles; our * job. 33. 23. flesh is as fresh as a child's; strength is ‡ Psal. 138. 3. increased in our souls; and being now as widows divorced † Rom. 7. 1. 2. 3— 6. from our sins, delivered from that law; and returned to our Father's house, like the ‖ Lev. 22. 13. Priest's daughters we eat of our Father's bread, as we did in our youth; we shall feel no * Isa. 49. 10. more hunger, nor thirst, neither shall the heat smite on us, nor the sun; God wipeth ‡ Rev. 21. 4. all tears from our eyes, there is no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain; for the first things are passed. 10 Having thus after long seeking † Song. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. found him whom our sowlloveth, we take hold upon him, and leave him ●ot, till we have brought him home unto us; and after this nights ‖ Gen 32. 24. etc. wrestling with the Angel, we will not let him go, until he bless us, and giv unto weak jaakob the new name of Israel; for that by strong faith we have power with God & prevail, * Hos. 12. 3. 4. having wept and prayed unto him. And now he putteth in our mouth, a ‡ Psal. 40, 3. & 51. 14. & 103. 1, 2. 3. new song of praise unto our God; our tongues sing joyfully of his justice, & our souls do bless him, which hath pardoned all our iniquities, healed all our infirmities, redeemed our life from the pit, and crowned us with mercy and compassions. And because we believe, therefore we speak and say, † ●sa. 118. 17. 18. We shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord; the Lord hath chastened us sore, but hath not delivered us to death. Wherefore after our agonies & conflicts with death, terrors within, and fears round about; we repose in Christ our redeemer, who hath taken away our sins, vanquished all our foes, put Satan to flight, renewed our peace, and quieted our consciences: and then we rejoice and say, * Psal. 116. 7. My soul return unto thy rest, for the Lord hath been bountiful unto thee. 11. Then giveth he us to see, how in all these troubles and torments, we have most near communion with Christ, and are by them made conformable unto him; for he was wounded for our ‡ Isa. 53. 5. transgressions, he was broken for our iniquities, innumerable † Psal. 40. 〈◊〉. troubles compassed him, the sins of the elect, which by imputation were his, took such hold upon him that he was not able to look up; for the Lord * 〈…〉 laid upon him the iniquity of us all; though he had done no wickedness, neither was any deceit in his mouth, yet the Lord would break him and make him subject to infirmities, so that he felt ‡ 〈…〉 terror and anguish, and heaviness in his soul even unto the death; his sweat in his agony was like † 〈…〉 drops of blood trickling down to the ground, and his cry unto his God was, ‖ 〈…〉 why hast thou forsaken me? And we in our afflictions do but drink of his cup, and are baptized but with his baptism; that after we have suffered with him, we may also reign with him, & by many tribulations * 〈…〉 must we enter into his kingdom. And he that was thus smitten of God, & humbled even to the death; thus troubled in soul, and left of his Father for a season; found an issue out of all temptations, not for himself alone, but for us whose surety he was; who therefore have this hope for an anchor to our souls, that as we now suffer with him, so shall we also reign with him, notwithstanding that for the present we are brought into the dust of death. 12. After this, admiring the mercies of our God, and the unsearchable depth of his counsels, who worketh & turneth all things, even our own sins unto our good; who leadeth us in such ways and wildernesses, where fiery † Deut. 8. 15. serpents and scorpions are, & drought without water; which maketh us follow him when his ‖ Psal. 77. 19 way is in the sea, and his paths in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known; in all which dangers he defendeth us, & afterwards bringeth us into his rest: we say the Lord dwelleth * 2 Chro. 6. ●. in a dark cloud, ‡ Isa. 45. 15. Verily thou o God hidest thyself, o God the saviour of Israel; how unsearchable are thy judgements, and thy ways past finding out? Then minding our frail estate in this flesh, how we are † Rom. 7. 14. 15-18. sold under sin, & do trespass against God every day, and cannot do the good that we would▪ we abase our horns unto the dust, and by repentance do die daily, washing Christ's feet with our tears, knowing that notwithstanding the communion that we have with him here by faith, yet are we but strangers and pilgroms on earth, and whiles we are ‖ ● Cor. 5. 6. at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; whiles our * job. 14. ●2. flesh is upon us we shallbe sorrowful, and whiles our soul is in us, it shall mourn. Therefore ‡ Is●. 35. 3. Heb, 12. 12. 13 strengthening our weak hands and comforting our feeble knees, we make straight steps unto our feet, being careful & circumspect lest Satan further circumvent us, seeking to make an end of our salvation with † Phil. 2. 12. fear & trembling, giving all diligence ‖ 2 Pet. 1. 5. ●● to join virtue with our faith, and to make our caling and election sure; for behold * Pro. 11. 38. 1 Pet. 4. 18. the righteous have [for their sins] recompense in the earth and are scarcely saved, where then shall the ungodly & sinner appear? but we which believe in Christ, expect with patience our full redemption, & as we have ‡ Psal. 55. 22. cast our burden on the Lord, and † Psal. 10. 14. committed our poor selves unto him; so we are persuaded ‖ 2 Tim. 1. 12. that he is able to keep that which is committed unto him against that day, even to * jude. ver. ●● keep us that we fall not, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with joy; where we shall always behold his face, and being quite freed from our sins, & from all possibility of ever synning more; shall perpetually serve and honour him, with his Angels at his right hand, where ‡ Psal. 16. 11. pleasures are for evermore. He that walketh in darkness, & hath no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord, & stay upon his God. Isa. 50. 10. CHAPT. XV. Of the communion that the Saints have in this life with Angels. The name of Angel, which is in English a Messenger, is in the scriptures attributed, 1. to our Lord Christ; 2. to the spiritual creatures in heaven; 3. and to some certain men on earth, employed in the message and service of God. 2. Christ, is the Angel whom God † Num. 20. 16 1 Cor. 10. 9 sent to bring Israel out of Egypt, in whom ‖ Exod. 23. 20. 21. God's name is, and is therefore called the Angel * Isa. 63. 9 of his Face or Presence, even the ‡ Exo. 34. 14. Face of God itself; the * Mal. ●. ●. Angel of the Covenant, whom the Israelites desired; the Angel that ‡ Gen. 48. 116. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Redeemer; the title of Christ. delivered jaakob from all evil; the Angel that † Deut. 33. 116 Exod. 8. 2. 6. dwelled in the bush, whiles it burned and was not consumed; who was the God of Abraham Isaak & jaakob; the ‖ judg. 6. 11●. 14. 16 〈◊〉 Angel jehovah, who emboldened Gedeon to battle against the Madianits, and was with him in the same; the Angel with the golden censer * Rev. 68 68 ●. that giveth many odours to the prayers of all Saints, and out of whose hand the odours with the prayers go up before God in his throne. He is no created Angel, but the ‡ Colos. 11. 1●6 creator of Angels, and all other things in heaven and earth; therefore is he the † jude. ver. ●. Archangel, the ‖ Col. 2. 10. head of all principality and power the * Dan. 10. 113. first of the chief Princes, even ‡ Revel. 12. 7. Dan. 10. 21. Michael our prince, whom † Heb. 1. 6. all the Angels of God do worship. Of him and our communion with him is before spoken. 3. The ministers of God, though men on the earth, yet for the service wherein they be employed are called Angels or Messengers. Such were the priests in the time of the Law, as Malachi * Mal. 2. 7. entitleth them; such was Mat. 11. 10 john Baptist; & such are Christ's ordinary ministers the † Rev. 1. 20. and 2. 1 etc. and often in that book Angels of the Churches. Of whom it remaineth to be spoken otherwhere. 4. The blessed spirits which are about the throne of God, where ‖ Dan. 7. 10. thousand thousands minister unto him, and ten thousand thousands stand before him; these heavenly creatures being often sent forth into this world on God's message, are therefore most properly & usually called Angels. Of them do we treat in this place. These are * 2. Sam. 14. 20. wise & ‡ Psal. 103. 20 excel in strength, and in all ready and swift performance of the will of God; They are † Col. 1. 16. Thrones; Dominions, principalities, & powers, they are the † Dan. 10. 13. chief princes above all the princes of the earth; and the title of ‖ Psal. 8. 5. & 97. 7. with Heb. 1. 6. & 2. 6. 7. Gods is given unto them: God imparteth * 1. king. 22. 19 20. Zach. 1. 10. 11. etc. to them his counsels and useth their ministery in the government of the world. 5. These heavenly creatures, are parties in the communion of the Saints, as is ‡ Chap. 4. Sect 3. before touched; for they & we have all one head † Col. 2. 10. & 1. 18. which is Christ, & are all ‖ 1. Tim. 5. 2● elect to be partakers of the glory of God for ever. But because they are * Heb. 1. 7. spirits, and have not flesh and blood as we; therefore the fellowship between them and us is spiritual, to be learned out of the scriptures, and discerned by faith, not by eyesight. Again God hath in ages past, before the incarnation of Christ, more employed them outwardly in revelling his will unto men, then in these last days he doth; since he hath opened unto us the whole mystery of his counsel, † Heb. 1. 1. by his Son. Yet as at the giving of the Law, when the Lord came from mount Sinai, & rose up from Seir unto his people, he came with ‖ Deut. 33. 2. ten thousands of the Saints: so in the time of the Gospel, when his feet stood on the mount of Olives, the Lord our God came, and * Zech. 14. 4. 5 all the Saints with him, to do him worship ‡ Mar. 1. 13. and minister unto him; to guard † Rev. 9 11. his throne & church; & to be sent forth in ministry ‖ Heb. 1. 14. for their sakes which shallbe heirs of salvation. 6. Sometimes the Angels appeared in visible forms of * Gen. 18. 2. etc. & 19 1. etc. Heb. 13. 2 men, and for a while so conversed with men, eating and drinking, and talking familiarly of the matters whereabout they were sent; as in the history of Abraham & Lot is to be seen. Sometimes they appeared in more glorious shapes, like * Isa. 6. 2. 6. 7 Dan. 8. 15. 17 & 9 21. 22. winged creatures, and so would treat with men about their affairs vocally: but their celestial majesty, then much daunted the sons of Adam. Sometimes they appeared, † Gen. 28. 12. but spoke not; & again sometime they spoke, ‖ Act. 8. 26. when no mention is made of their appearing. 7. The causes also and effects of their appearing, were many and weighty. For by them Abraham was told of the * Gen. 18. 10. 17. 20. birth of Isaak; & the destruction of Sodom; Manoah & his ‡ judg. 13. wife, of the birth of Sanson; Zecharie, of the † Luk. 1. 13. birth of john Baptist; Mary, ‖ Luk. 1. 30. 32 of the conception, & the shepherds, * Luk. 2. 10. of the birth of our Lord Christ; the women ‡ Mark. 16. 1. 5. 6. of his resurrection; & the Apostles, † Act. 1. 10. 11 of his second coming at the last day. By them Zecharie was ‖ Zech. 2. 3. 4. certified of the restoration of jerusalem; Daniel * Dan. 7. 10. 16. etc. & 8. 13. 15. 17. & ● & 9 21. etc. & 10. 5. 6. etc. was informed of the state of the church from his time to ‡ Revel. 1. 1● etc. unto Chap. 22. 6. 16. Christ; and john, of the * estate thereof, from his days, to the world's end. By them, Lot † Gen. 19 was delivered from the burning of Sodom; Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego, † Dan. 3. 28. from the fiery furnace; Daniel, ‖ Dan. 6. 22. from the Lion's mouths; & Peter, * Act. 12. 7. etc. out of Herod's prison. By them, Abraham's servant, was ‡ Gen. 24. 7. 40. guided in his journey; Philip, was directed to go † Act. 8. 26. 29 and preach to the Eunuch; Paul ‖ Act 16. 9 10. to the Macedonians; jaakob, was encouraged * Gen. 28. 12. & 32. 1. 2. 11 24. in his going towards, & returning from Mesopotomia, Eliah, was ‡ 1 king. 19 5. 6. 7. refreshed with food in his flight from jezebel; joseph † Mat. 2. 13. was counseled to flee with Christ, from Herod's persecution; and Paul ‖ Act. 27. 23. 24. was comforted against peril of shipwreck. Their ministry was used at * Gal. 3. 19 Act. 7. 53. the giving of the fiery law on mount Sinai; their melody was heard at the ‡ Luk. 2. 13. 14. birth of the Lamb, that reigneth on mount Zion; and they still sing loud † Rev. 5. 11. 12 his praises about God's throne; and they shallbe the harvestmen to ‖ Mat. 13. 39 41. & 24. 31 reap the earth and to sever the bad from among the just, at the end of this world. 8. They are Gods powerful instruments as for smiting † Psal. 78. 4● Act. 12. 23. the wicked with sore diseases; so for the help and healing of our sicknesses, when it pleaseth God so to employ them: as appeareth by that famous miracle, often wrought in the pool at jerusalem, whose waters were at certain times troubled by an Angel; after which stirring, who so first stepped in, was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. In memory of which heavenly grace, the place was called ‖ joh. 5. 2. 4. etc. Beth-esda, that is the house of bountifulness or mercy. 9 And although now a days they appear not visibly, nor afford us such outward help: yet are these heavenly messengers, still secretly employed for the safeguard and benefit of the Saints. For who so dwelleth in the secret of the Most high, and lodgeth in the shadow of the Almighty; over him (as the * Psal. 91. 1. 11 Psalmist saith,) God giveth his Angels charge to keep him in all his ways: yea even unto ‡ Mat. 18. 10. little children doth their care extend, & as the embroidered † Exod. 26. 1. Cherubims environed the Tabernacle, so do those heavenly soldjers' compass and guard Gods true tabernacle the Church. And whereas we are in danger two manner wise, 1. by our own infirmity, 2. and our enemy's might & subtlety: these ‖ Dan. 4. 14. watchmen and guardians * Heb. 1. 14. of our salvation, do succour us in both. For as the mother, carrieth in her arms the child which cannot well go; so these do Psal. 91. 12. bear-us-up in their hands, that we hurt not our foot against a stone; and when we are besieged by our foes, these † Psal. 34. 7. pitch round about us, and deliver us; being as a bulwark betwixt the fiends, even all our enemies, and us. So that if God gave us to see with the eye, as we are taught to believe by faith; we might behold with Elishaes' servant * 2. king. 6. 17 the mountains to be full of horses & charets of fire round about us: and would say with jaakob, ‡ Gen. 32. 1. ●. This is God's host. Neither do they only save us from peril; but as heavenly warriors that excel in strength, they † Dan. 10. 20. fight against our enemies, pursuing and ‖ Psal. 35. 1. 5 6. scattering them, as chaff before the wind; like as at Hezekiahs' prayer, * Isa. 37. 21. 〈◊〉 36. an Angel came and killed 185. thousand of his foes. And as they attend upon us in our life, so do they also at our death; being sent to fetch our flitting souls, & carry them into ‡ Luk. 16. 22. Abraham's bosom, in the Paradise of God. 10. These things as those blessed spirits the † job. 1. 6. & 38. 7. sons of God, do at the commandment of their heavenly father, ‖ Psal. 103. ●0 Mat. 6. 10. readily and cheerfully, for his elect: so also are they beholders of our ways & conversation, & affected (after their spiritual manner) with the things they see in us. For they are, even the thousand * Rev. 5. 1●. 12 thousands of them, as about God's throne, so about the four living creatures & the 24. Elders, together with them magnifiing Christ the killed Lamb, & prostrate on their faces do worship God, ‡ Rev. 7. 11. 12. and giv glory unto him for evermore. Into the celestial mysteries reveled by the Gospel, they have a † 1 Pet. 1. 12. desire to look; because God hath by his church ‖ Eph. 3. 10. made known his manifold wisdom unto them. Loving also they are, glad and desirous of our good; as appeareth by their glorifying of the Lamb that was killed for us, not for them; and by the joy which they have, when any one of us converteth from our sins; as Christ * Luk. 15. 7. 10 hath showed. Witnesses they are with the Lord, of the charges & contestations laid upon us, for the observing of our duties; as by † 1 Tim. 5 21. the Apostles words to Timothee, we be taught. Wherefore we ought holily, righteously, & soberly to carry ourselves, in all our actions; seeing we are a spectacle to those heavenly ‖ Psal. 104. 4. Flames, and * Heb. 12. 〈◊〉. are come to the great assembly of innumerable of them: yea the Apostle seemeth to require of ‡ 1 Cor. 11. 10. women, modest and submissiveattire, in respect of them. 11. All this notwithstanding, we must take heed, both of superstition, and curiosity about them; for we are forbidden of God the † Colos. 2. 18. religion or worship of Angels: which when john for the revelations showed him would have done; the Angel refused, and said, ‖ Rev. 22. 8. ● See thou do it not. If therefore we have need of succour let us pray unto * Mat. 26. 53. our Father, and he can send us legions of them; and if we would giv thanks for their help, & offer a sacrifice; themselves † judg. 13. 16. have taught us, to offer it to the Lord; whose servants they are, even ‖ Rev. 22. 9 fellow servants with us; though much more excellent, able, and obedient. He it is, that sendeth them forth, for our sakes which are heirs of salvation; he also will change this our corruptible estate, & clothe us with immortality, and make us * Luk. 20. 36. equal to those holy Angels, and giv us ● place ‡ Zech. 3. 7. among them: whose communion at that day we shall fully enjoy, together with them serving our God, and lauding his Majesty, in his own blessed presence for ever. The Angel of the Lord pitcheth round about them that fear him, & delivereth them. Psal. 34. 7. CHAPT. XVI. How the Saints on earth, are called to a holy communion among themselves. God who hath chosen and called us in Christ from this world, and fellowship of all wicked ones therein, to be his, and to serve him: hath further required at our hands, that we which are called, should not live alone, or a sunder by ourselves, but join together, and so entertain and nourish, a loving & holy communion one with an other, in the unity of the faith and spirit, by the bond of peace. For man is made a sociable creature; and when he was in his perfection, God saw & said, it was † Gen. 2. 18. not good for him to be alone, and therefore made him a help meet for him: but after, when we were corrupted, there was much more need of fellowship one with an other for our mutal help and comfort. And many are the benefits which we reap hereby; even as on the contrary, the evils, dangers, and discomforts, which arise for want hereof, are more than can be told. 2. When God had brought his people out of Egypt, to lead them into Canaan; whiles thither they were traveyling, even in the wilderness caused he a Tent to be made, for himself ‡ Exod. 25. 8. to dwell among them, and in mids of their tents; which when it was perfected, he took possession of, † Exod. 40. 34 filled and sanctified it with his glory; commanded also the people; Lev. 1. 3. & 4. 4. etc. thither for to bring their services and their sacrifices; promised there * Exod. 29. 42 43. to meet with them, to speak there unto them; whereupon that place was called the Tent (or Tabernacle) of ‡ ver. 42 44. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Meeting or Congregation. And whereas this Sanctuary was flitting & movable not only in the † Num. 4. 4. &. 10. 7. etc. wilderness, but also in jos. 5. 10. & 18. 1. 1. Chron. 15. 1. the land of Canaan: therefore God gav Israel a charge by Moses, that they should seek * Deut. 12. ver. 5. 6. the place which he should choose out of all their tribes, to put his Name there, and there to dwell; that thither they should come, to sacrifice, and rejoice before the Lord; themselves ‡ ver. 12. 13. 14. their children, and their servants; there to keep † Deut. 16. ●. 11. 15. 16. their solemn feasts, and take heed they offered not in any other place. For he had told than, whosoever, Israelite or stranger sojourning among them, that resorted not to this Tabernacle with his oblations, but sacrificed other where, either within or without the host, that man should be reputed ‖ Levit. 17. 3. 4. 7. 8. 9 as if he had shed blood, or offered unto Divils'; and was to be cut off from among his people. This tent, (together with the Ternple which for like * ●. Chron. 2. ●. holy use, succeeded the same,) was a figure of the church or congregation of Christians, amongst whom God hath placed his * Rev. 21. 3. Ezek. 37. 27 28. tabernacle, to dwell as their God with them, and they to be his people, even his ‡ Heb. 3. 6. house and habitation; & should therefore † Mat. 18. 20. gather themselves together in his name, to keep their spiritual ‖ 1 Cor. 5. 4. 8 Nahum. 1. 15 feasts, not withdrawing from, nor leaving * Heb. 10. 25. the mutual assembling or fellowship that they have among themselves; for who so repaireth not to the Church the true jerusalem, of all the families of the earth, there to ‡ Zech. 14. 16 17. keep the feast of Tabernacles, & worship the king the Lord of hosts; no rain (of God's grace or blessing) shall come upon them. 3. This gathering together of the Saints, is not a bare assembly or concourse only, of people; but a near uniting and knitting of themselves, in one holy communion and fellowship. For as the foresaid Tent was made of many curtains, but all of them so coupled one to another, with loops & taches, that they were but † Ex. 26. 1●●● one Tabernacle; and as the ‖ 1 Kin. 5. 17. & 6. 7. 12. 13 many costly hewed stones, wherewith Solomon built the Temple, when they were laid together, made one House wherein God had his habitation: so the servants of Christ though they be many, yet are so built * Ephs. 2. 21. 22. & coupled together by faith, that they grow unto an holy temple in the Lord, to be the habitation of God by the spirit; and are builded as a city ‡ Psal. 122. 3. that is compact together in itself. Which near conjunction is further set forth, by similitude of a body, wherein there be many members of several shape & use, yet by the wisdom of God so united & set together, that there appeareth a goodly frame and proportion of the man; and every limb so fastened to other, and all the parts so serviceable needful & comfortable each to other, that they cannot without pain, loss, and deformity be pulled asunder: even so the Saints of God, are (as the Apostle saith) † Rom. 12. 5. one body in Christ, & every one, one another's members; being by one ‖ 1 Cor. 12. 13 spirit all baptized into one body; which is called Christ's * Eph. 1. 22. 23 Church or Congregation, because we are gathered and joined together unto him our head, ‡ Ephes. 4. 15. 16. by whom all the body being coupled and knit together by every joint, for the furniture thereof, (according to the effectual power which is in the measure of every part,) receiveth increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 4. The strength & virtue of this union of the Saints, proceedeth from the unity of their Faith and spirit. For faith is the † Act. 14. 27. door, by which we have entry & access both unto ‖ Rom. 5. ●. God, and into * Act. 2. 44. his Church or assembly, which thereupon is called the ‡ Act 4. 32. multitude of the faithful, or believers; even the † Gal. 6. 10. household of faith. And as by it we enter into this society so being entered, we there build up ‖ jude. ver 2● Heb. 10. 38 ourselves in our most holy faith; by it we * live, by it we ‡ Rom. 11. 20. stand, by it we all are the † Gal. ●▪ 26. 7 29. sons of God, the seed of Abraham, & consequently heirs by promise, of the blessed inheritance, and so do enter into ‡ Heb. 4. 3. his rest. Which faith because it is † Eph. 4. 5. one as the Lord is one, and is by his holy spirit communicated with all the Saints; it is therefore called the ‖ Tit. 1. 4. common faith, from which, the communion * Philem. ver. 6. of faith, that is of all Christian duties do flow; and especially is seen in our conversing together, for the better performance of them. For as Christ prayed, that they which should belev in him, might ‡ joh. 17. 20. 21. 22. all be one, as the Father & He were one, in and with another; so the effect of that his prayer appeareth in the union & communion of the first believers which were of one ha●● & of one † Act. 4. 32. & 2. soul, and continued daily with one accord ‖ Acts. 2. 42. 44. 45. 46. their meetings and fellowships for duties both spiritual & human. Of which happy day the Lord did foretell by his prophets saying, * jer. 32. 39 I will giv them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever, for the wealth of them and of their children after them; and ‡ Eze. 37. 22 I w●● make them one people, in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; & one king shallbe king to them all; & they shallbe no more two peoples, nor divided any more henceforth into two kingdoms. This fellowship ought all men to labour that they may come unto; and being come, there to abide; ‡ Eph. 4. 3. endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, and † Phil. 1. 27. to continue in one spirit & in one mind, fight together through the faith of the Gospel. 5. The causes why God requireth this gathering and knitting together of ourselves, are these. First for the better service of his Majesty, which he most esteemeth when it is done of us with joint consent and agreement, that we with one mind ‖ Rom. ●5. 6. & one mouth, praise God even the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, and (as the prophet saith) serve him * Zeph. 3. 9 with one shoulder. And for this cause, at the first constitution of the Church of Israel, he commanded that at their solemn feasts they should, all the males, ‡ Exo. 23. 1●▪ 17. three times in the year appear before the Lord jehovah, (besides their usual meetings on the Sabbaths,) which feasts were called holy † Lev. 23. 1. 4 assemblies or convocations, and had special Num. 28. 2. 18. 25. 26. & 29. 1. 7. 12. 35. days for calling and assembling the people, wherein God's word * Neh. 8. 1. 2. 8. was read & expounded unto them; his name magnified▪ with † 2 Chro 7. 6. & 30. 21. songs & praises; the people answering Neh. 8. 6. Amen, bowing down and worshipping; sacrifices were offered * 2 Chron. 35. 8. 12. 13. for the whole congregation; feasts were celebrated with relief of ‡ Neh. 8. 10. Deut 16. 14. the poor; and the people received a † 2 Chron. 30. 27. blessing, in the name of the Lord. Which open & solemn service, as it was pleasing to the Lord, Psal. 51. 19 Ez●. 20. 40. who there required the service, offerings, & all the holy things of all his people: so the neglect and omission hereof, was a forsaking of him and 2 Chron. 29. 6. 7. 8. a procuring of his wrath. Wherefore the godly magistrates, were careful to establish & maintain that public worship, appointing ‡ 2 Chron. 31. ●. the Priests & Levites for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord; and the faithful used to frequent that place, and those solemnities, that they might praise God Psal 22. 22. & 122. 4. & 35. 18. in the mids of the congregation, among much people, & there declare with the voice † Psal. 26. 7. 8. of thanksgiving, and set forth all his wondrous works; & pay Psal. 116. 18 19 their vows unto him, in the presence of all the folk, within the courts of his house, which he had * Psal. 132. 13. 14. chosen for his rest for ever, loved there to dwell, and delighted therein. They used also to ‡ Deut. 33. 19 call the people unto the mountain, there to offer the sacrifices of righteousness; to stir up, and exhort one another, to bless † Psal. 68 36. God in the Assemblies, and ‖ Psa 107. 31. 32. exalt him in the congregation of the people. The like public worship, the Lamb solemnizeth unto his Father, whiles he standeth upon Mount Zion with his 144. thousand; * Rev. 14. ●. 2. 3. where the voice of the heavenly congregation, is heard like the sound of many waters, and of a great thunder, and like harpers harping with their harps, & singing a new song before the throne. And there Christ's praise * Psal. 22. 25. is of God, in the great assembly, his vows he performeth before them that fear him, he declareth ‡ Ps. 40. 9 10. God's justice and mercy, his truth and his salvation. Whose praise therefore is heard in the † Ps. 149. 1. 2. Congregation of Saints, Israel joying in his maker, and the sons of Zion rejoicing in their king; saying Rev. 19 1. Halelujah, salvation and glory & honour & power, unto the Lord our God; * ver. 6. Halelujah for the Lord God almighty reigneth. 6. another cause of the joining together of the Saints; is their edification, in the knowledge and fear of God. For although they have his word privately to meditate therein day & night, which also he blesseth unto them; yet in his church or assembly he more plentifully poureth out his blessings, as he promised by Moses, † Exo. 20. 24. In every place where I shall put the remembrance of my name, I will come unto thee & bless thee. And as his name was in his ‖ 2 Chro. 20. 9 house and Temple, so there he appointed ministers to * 1 Chr. 16. 4. rehearse or make mention of the same, to ‡ Deut. 33. 10 teach jaakob his judgements and Israel his laws. Which Law when he first gav unto them, he said unto Moses, † Deut. 4. 1●. Gather me the people together, & I will cause them to hear my words; and when afterwards it was solemnly repeated, every Sabbath year; by like commandment the people ‖ Deut 31. 12. were to be gathered together, men, women, children, and strangers; to hear and learn the same. Yea every Sabbath day, the people assembled in their * Act. 15. 21. synagogues, throughout all their cities, for the same purpose. And in these last days, it was foretold, how many people should provoke one another to go up to the mountain and house of God, where he would * Isa. 2. 2. 3. teach them his ways, and they would walk in his paths; because the law was to go forth of Zion, & the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Wherefore Christ often visited the ‡ john. 18. 20. Luk. 4. 15. 16 Temple and synagogues, (as did also his † Act. 3. 1. & ●3. 5. 14. 44. disciples,) to show how he regarded the assemblies of his people, in which he uttered so many gracious words, and wrought so many great miracles. And after that he had gathered a new people to himself, they also usually met together, Acts. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 1●. 17. 18. etc. & 14 4. 5. 12. 19 26. for the food of God's word, and other holy things, in the churches or assemblies; where Christ had given gifts unto men, in the persons of his officers, * Eph. 4. 8. 11. 12. for the gathering together of the Saints, & edification of his body. Then the ‡ Isa. 60. 3. nations walked in the light of jerusalem, & there the Lord gathered * jer. 23. 3. 4. his sheep into their folds, where they might grow and increase; & set up ‡ 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2 shepherds over them, which should feed them; he † Ezek. 34. 14 15. 16. fed them in good pasture, & they lay in a good fold, he brought them to their rest, reduced that which was driven away, bound up that which was broken, and strengthened the weak, by the doctrines of his gospel. There God is very terrible Psal. 89. 7. in the mystery of the Saints, whiles by the fire of his spirit, he causeth on earth & in his heavenly temple, * Rev. ●. 5. & 11. 1●. lightnings, and Voices, and thunderings, and earthquake, and much hail. For the words that his wise men there speak, given by him the One pastor, are like ‡ Eccl. 12. 1●. go●ds to excite and stir up our dull nature, that being † Act. 2. 37. pricked in our hearts we may be drawn to repentance; like jer. 5. 14. a fire to devour the adversaries; like * Ps. 149. 6. 7 a two edged sword to execute vengeance; like a ‡ jer. 23. 29. ●āmer to break the stone; like * 2 Cor. 10. 4. 5. mighty weapons of war, to cast down bulwarks, and whereby the wise † Pro. 21. 22. goeth up into the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. Again, there are uttered the words of ‖ Act. 5. 20. life, which * Psa 119. 50. joh. 5. 25. qui●ken the hearers, and bring them o● of the graves of sin; the words o● ‡ 3 Cor, 5. 19 reconciliation, which make peac● between God and the conscience are as † Song. 2. 5. flagons of wine, and comfortable apples, to refresh the si● soul; even the words of ‖ Act. 13. 26. salvation▪ and of * joh. 6. 68 eternal life. These Chris● putteth in the mouths of his ministers; and by the oil of his spirit, causeth the seven lamps ‡ Exo. 25. 37. Num. 8. 2. 3. Psal. 119. 105 of the golden candlestick of his law, to give light continually in his tabernacle. With these waters, he moisteneth the garden of his church, and the several roots and brnches of the same; whereupon such as are planted in the Lord; house, † Psal. 92. 13. 14. do flourish in his courts, & still bring forth fruit; their leaf fadeth not, neither doth their fruit fail, ‖ Ezek 47. 12 because their waters run out of the sanctuary. 7. A third reason of the Saint's gathering together, is that they might the better resist the common adversaries. For there is war continual, † Gen. 3 15. between the serpent's seed and the church; and they ‖ Psal. 2. 2. band themselves together, to bese●t * Rev. 20. 9 the ●ents of the Saints and the beloved city. Against that kingdom of darkness, God gathereth and setteth a contrary kingdom, a band of Christian soldjers, or ‡ Rev. 19 14. 19 heavenly warriors, the † 1 Chron. 9 19 host of the Lord; who standing & fight together under the banner of his gospel, by the conduct of his Spirit, and Christ their captain; are an help, strength and comfort one to another. These come ‖ Psal. 110. 3. willingly, at the time of assembling Christ's army in holy beauty; among them are * Heb. 13. 17. ●. Tim. 2. 3. 4 guides and leaders, the overseers of the Churches, as the ‡ 2. King. 2. 12. &. 13. 14 charets & horsemen of Israel; they are all furnished with the † Eph. 6. 11. 12. 13. etc. armour of God, having his word for asword, his faith for a shield, his salvation for a helmet upon their heads. These weapons of their warfare, are mighty through God; and here are more shields & targets, ‖ Song. 4. 4. than hung on David's tower; the trumpets of the Lord do * 2. Cron 13. 12. Num. 10. 10. sound an alarm against the enemies, and in their conflicts the people of God do * 2. Sam 10. 11. josh. 1. 14. help one another as need requireth, whereby they are emboldened and comforted among themselves, are terrible to their foes as an ‡ Song. 6. 9 army with banners, and having fought together the good fight of faith, do get the victory over † Rev. 12. 7. 11. the Dragon and his Angels, by the blood of the Lamb, through many▪ afflictions, & so at last, do triumph in glory. 8. A fourth cause and benefit of this society, is the mutual aid strengthening, and consolation one of another in all other Christian duties both public & private. For as the several members of a man's body are serviceable to the whole and each to other; so are the Saints among themselves, having every one their ‖ Rom. 12. 3. measure of faith, their diversity of gifts and graces from God, that what is wanting in one, may be supplied by an other. And as the * 1. Cor. 12. 21 eye cannot say to the hand, nor the head to the feet, I have no need of you: so cannot the least member in the church of Christ, be refused as unnecessary, but may be beneficial to the greatest. For ‡ Pro. 27. 17. as yton sharpeneth iron; so doth man sharpen the face of his friend. † 1. Thes. 5. 11 And hence do arise the mutual exhorting ‖ 1 Thes. 5. 11. Heb. 3. 13. and building up one of another in the faith * 3. john 8. labouring together unto the truth; ‡ 1. Thes. 5. 14. &. 4. 18. admonishing the unruly, comforting the feeble minded, bearing with the weak, † Heb. 10. 24. considering one another to provoke unto love and good works; ‖ Luke. 18. 3. Lev. 19 17. rebuking for sin & trespass, confessing of faults * jam. 5. 16. one to another, & praying one for an other, bearing ‡ Gal. 6. 2. one another's burden; rejoicing † Rom. 12. 15. job. 30. ●5. with them that rejoice, & weeping with them that are in trouble; ‖ Phil 4. 14. communicating to the afflictions and distributing * Rom. 12. 13 to the necessities one of an other; ‡ Mat. 25. 36 49. Psal. 35. 13. 14. 2. Cor. ●. 11. visiting them in sickness, mourning & labouring together in prayer for them; with many other offices of like nature, for the refreshing of soul & body; all which are found and felt in this holy communion and body, wherein if one † 1. Cor. 12. 26. member suffer, all suffer with it; & if one be had in honour, all rejoice with it; so near a conjunction doth God's spirit work in the hearts of the faithful, which maketh them to look, † Phil. 2. 4. not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 9 For these and the like reasons, hath the communion and society of the Church been always praised, sought for, loved and esteemed. For as God though he ‖ Deut. 33. 3. love his people, and hath all his saints in his hand; yet * Psal. 87. 2. loveth the gates of Zion, above all the habitations of jakob: so his people likewise have ‡ Psal. 26. 8. loved the habitation of his house, & desired this † Psal. 27. 4. one thing of the Lord, that they might dwell in the same all days of their life, to behold the Lords beauty and to inquire in his temple▪ esteeming ‖ Psal. 84. 10. a day in his courts better than a thousand other where; lamenting their lot when they were exiled therefrom; & * Psal. 42. 4. pouring out their very heart, when they remembered how they had gone with the multitude into God's house, with voice of song, praise, and solemnity; for which now their ‡ Psal. 84. 2. souls longed, and even fainted in them. Yea the very † Lam. 1. 4. ways of Zion lamented, when no man came to the solemn feasts; & Israel mourned, when the Lord had destroyed his ‖ Lam 2. 6. 7. congregation, caused the feasts and Sabbathes to be forgotten in Zion, and forsaken his altar; their heart was heavy, & their eyes dim, * Lam. 5. 17. 18. because the mountain of Zion was desolate. And so comfortable was the fellowship of God's children, unto the Apostles themselves (though they were the ‡ Gal ●. 9 Rev. 21. 14, pillars & foundations of the church, & needed this help less than others,) that they often longed to † Rom. 1. 11. 12. 1. Thes. 2. 17. see the brethren, for their comfort, through their mutual faith; and earnestly entreated the help of their ‖ Rom. 15. 3●▪ Eph. 6. 19 Hebr. 13. 1●. 19 prayers, even as they again 1 The. 1●. ●. prayed for them, had great * Philem 1. 7. 3 joh. 4. joy & consolation in their love, and holy walking in the truth; yea esteemed them the ‡ 1 Thes. ●. 19 20. crown of their rejoicing, their glory & their joy. Even Christ himself in the heaviness of his heart, † Mat. 26. 38 40. 43. Luk. 22. 46. sought comfort by the prayers of his disciples; to teach us how to esteem the fellowship of the faithful. 10. Of all these, and many more blessings, are those deprived, that refuse or neglect to unite themselves with Christ in his Church; or do with draw & separate themselves therefrom, to live alone, as in the desert; or to frequent the company of the wicked. They want the benefit and comfort of God's graces in his children, they want the help, strengthening, and encouragement in time of trouble; and the labour of such foolish ones do●● weary them, † keels. 10. 15 because they kno● not to go into the City; they a● exposed to many perils, like wa● dring sheep upon the mountain ready to be ‖ Ezek. 34. 5. devoured of the w 〈…〉 beasts, and made a prey unto S 〈…〉 tan. If they err, there is none to 〈…〉 duce them into the right way; 〈…〉 they be wounded or broken, the● is none to bind them up; if they 〈◊〉 in misery and want, there is none 〈…〉 give them so much as * Luk. 15. 16. husks to ●●t if they fall, woe unto them, ‡ Eccles. 4. 10. 〈◊〉 there is not a second to lift them 〈…〉 What remaineth then, but seeing Wisdom hath † Prov. 9 1. 3 4. Luk. 14. 16 etc. built her house, fu● nished her table, and invited t 〈…〉 poor and simple unto her fest: th' 〈…〉 all repair thither without excu 〈…〉 or delay, there to eat ‖ Isa. 55. ●. that why 〈…〉 is good and let their fowl delight in fatness; remembering how it is wri 〈…〉 ten, * Act. 2. 47. the Lord added to the church from day to day, such as should be saved And if any know not the place, of their repast, or fold of Christ; let them beseech him whom their soul loveth, † Song. 1. 6. to show them where he feedeth, & maketh (his flock) to lie down at noon; lest they turn a side to the flocks of his companions, or remain still in dispersion; For behold how good & how pleasant it is, brethren to dwell even together! ‖ Psal. 133. 1. 3 for there the Lord hath commanded the blessing, life everlasting. Send thy light & thy truth (o God;) let them lead me, let them bring me, to thy holy mountain & to thy tabernacles. Psal. 43. 3. CHAP. XVII. How the Saints gather into communion, & grow up unto a body or church. The caling of the Saints into communion, we have seen to consist of two branches, 1. A separation from the wicked of the world; 2. and a collection or gathering together of themselves in the faith & love of Christ. Which two things were also implied in the first caling of our father Abraham, when he was willed; 1. to get † Gen. 12. ● him out from his country, kindred, and father's house, (which were jos. 24. 2. idolaters:) 2, and to come to the place which God would show him, (where he & his posterity, * Psal. 105. 44 45, Deut. 4. 5 might serve & obey the Lord. It remaineth yet further to be spoken, of the covenant and communion, that the Saints enter into, & keep among themselves. 2. This congregation of Saints, when it is at the greatest, is but a little flock and small remnant; being compared with the multitudes of the world: but the beginnings hereof, are marvelously weak, small and contemptible; like the grain of mustardseed which * Mat. 13. 32. is the least of all seeds; and as Israel, which ‡ Deut. 7. 7. were the fewest of all people's. For God taking them one * jer. 3. 14. of a city & two of a tribe, and these the ‡ 1 Cor. 1. 26. 27. 28. foolish, weak, and vile of the world, the † Luk. 14. 21. poor, the maimed, the halt & the blind, whose dwelling is by the ‖ ver. 23. highways and hedges, he brings them neither * Zech. 4. 6. by an army, nor strength, but by his own spirit, into his house and kingdom, where though there be but ‡ Mat. 18. ●●. two or three gathered together in his name, he is in the mids of them. These being once borne of God, begotten by the immortal seed of his word, unto the faith of the Gospel; know also that there is a jerusalem from above, * Gal. 4. 26. which is the mother of us all; that of Zion it shallbe said, ‡ Psal. 87. 5. Man & man, (that is many men) are borne in her, & the Lord will count when he writeth the people, † ver. 6. He was borne there; therefore they seek to enter into this estate and happy communion; they ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, ‖ Ier 50. 5. Come and join to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten. 3. This covenant which they make together, standeth upon two pillars; 1. to keep their faith in God by jesus Christ, 2. & to observe his laws in love. In both these are they to build up and help forward one another, saying, * Mic. 4. 5. all people's will walk every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of jehovah our God for ever and ever. Hereupon follow their assembling * Heb. 10, 25. or gathering together for the instruction one of an other; their mutual ex hortations to † Act. 14. 22. Colos. 1. 23. continue in the faith grounded & established, & to ‖ 1 Cor. 16. 13. stand fast therein; their prayers one with and for another, that * Eph. 3. 14. 17. Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith; their rebuking such as teach unwholesome doctrine, that so they may be ‡ Tit. 1. 13 hail or sound in the faith; of which if any make shipwreck, they are to be thrust out of the communion of the Saints, and † 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. Tit. 3. 10. delivered unto Satan. And for their conversation, they ‖ Deut. 27. 17 set up the Lord in that day to be their God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his ordinances, and his commandments and his laws, & to hearken unto his voice: & they promise to * Isa. 2. 3. walk in the paths of God as he shall teach them; from whence arise (both publicly and privately) their mutual love & care each of other, ‡ Heb. 10. 24. provoking unto love & good works, & walking † Eph. 4. 1. worthy of their caling whereunto they are called: their * 1 Thes 5. 14 Lev. 19 17. 1 Tim. 5. 20. admonitions and reproofs one of another when they sin, seeking to ‡ Gal. 6. 1. restore them with the spirit of meekness; but withdrawing † 1 Thes. 3. 5. from the disobedient, & putting away such as are wicked ‖ 1 Cor. 5. 13. from among them. 4. Unto this covenant, are all that make profession of faith and obedience, to be admitted, without respect of persons; for in Christ jesus there is † Gal. 3. 28. no difference of jew or Gentile, of rich or poor, of bond or free, of male or female, for all are one, and alike redeemed by his blood, whereby he hath confirmed the covenant ‖ Mat. 26. 28. Dan. 9 27. for the many; and he hath powered out his spirit upon all flesh, * joel. 2. 28. 〈◊〉. upon sons & daughters, upon old and young, upon servants and maids. And together with themselves, their infants also are received, by virtue of Gods, promise unto ‡ Gen. 17. 7. Abraham, which promise by Christ is † Luk. 1. 54. 55. 72. 73. 74. Act. 2. 39 2 Cor. 1. 20. confirmed unto us, with all the benefits & privileges of the same. Which infants, though they want discretion to perceive the favour of God for the present; yet want they not sanctification, but ‖ 1 Cor. 7. 14 are holy, if but one parent believe in Christ, & this through the mighty work of God's spirit, who sanctifieth * jer. 1. 5. his from the womb; and by this grace, doth comfort the parents, in that he is both God of them and of their seed; and after, the children also have their faith confirmed, by knowing that ‡ Psal. 〈◊〉. 10. they were cast upon him from the womb; and he was their God, from their mother's belly. 5. And as the number of believers groweth, so ought they to gather together and we accept into our fellowship, all that † Act. 2. 41. gladly receive the word; even such as be ‖ Rom. 14. 1. weak in faith must we receive, * Rom. 15. 1. 3 bearing their infirmities after Christ's example, who would not ‡ Mat. 12▪ 20. break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking week, but nourish it rather by the oil and breath of his spirit, that it might burn bright. And if notorious infamous sinners, repent and believe the Gospel; they may not be repelled, for Christ came to † Luk. 5. 32. & 15. 1. etc. 1 Tim. 1. 15. call, and save such; neither are they to be refused▪ as impure, whom he hath ‖ 1 Cor. 6. 10. 11. washed and cleansed by his blood, and received to the glory of his father. Which grace of his David did fore shadow, unto whom there gathered * 1 Sam. 22. ●. all men that were in trouble, & all men that were in debt, and all those that were vexed in mind, & he was their Prince. Also when God converteth the child and not the father, the servant and not the master, the wife and not the husband, the subject & not the magistrate; such as he caleth must come to his church; we also must admit, knowing that Christ hath said, he cameto * Mat. 10. 34. 35. set variance betwixt parents and children, so that a man's enemies should be they of his own household. Yet is not their entrance into the faith and church of God, any discharge of them from their duty and obedience towards their former governors; but let every man (as saith the Apostle) ‡ 1 Cor▪ 7. 20. 21. abide in the same vocation wherein he was called. The believing wife, may † ver 13. not forsake her unbelieving husband; nor the servant ‖ 1 Tim. 6. 1. 2. his master; and every soul must▪ * Rom. 13. 1. be subject to the higher powers, even to ‡ 1 Pet. 2. 13. every human creature for the Lords sake. As Christ's kingdom is † joh. 18. 36. not of this world, so neither doth it destroy or abolish the policies of the same, but maintain them rather, whiles it teacheth all men to do their duty, and subject themselves, even for * Rom. 13. 5. Eccles 10. 20. conscience sake. 6. Again as no earthly power can compel a man unto this estate of grace, (for no man cometh unto Christ, ‡ joh. 6. 44. except the Father draw him; faith is the † Eph. 2. 8. gift of God not of men, & he ‖ Act. ●. 47. addeth to his church such as he will save:) so neither can any creature hinder this good work; but when Christ draweth us, we * Song. 1. 3. will run after him; & when he effectually caleth us, we * Mat. 4. 20. 22. will leave father and friends and all to follow him. And as our gathering together is in ‡ Mat. 18. 20. his name, so must we defend it by his authority, answering as did the Apostles to them that blame us, † Act. 5. 29. we ought rather to obey God then men. 7. But forasmuch as the Saints are dispersed over all the face of the earth, in several cities & countries; God requireth not that they should all go to one place; for that could not stand with civil policy, neither were possible for them to perform. Therefore, albeit whiles the seat of his church was in the little land of jewrie, he commanded all the men to appear together before him at jerusalem, ‖ Deut. 16. 16. thrice every year: yet when all nations were admitted into his covenant, adopted to be Abraham's seed, & the Israel of God; he gathered them together by his Apostles, in several cities where they dwelled, and so established many congregations in one country, as the seven churches in the lesser * Rev. 1. 4. 20 Asia, the churches of ‡ 1 Cor. 16. ●. Galatia, of † Act. 15. 41. Syria & Cilicia, and sundry other mentioned in scripture, do witness; even in judea were more churches planted as the Apostle ‖ Gal. 1. 21. Paul noteth. 8. And God which called the people unto his faith; furnished them also with divers gifts of his spirit, * 1 Cor. 12. 8. 9 10. etc. wisdom, and knowledge, & prophesy, & tongues, and many other graces wherewith he adorned the spouse & bride of his beloved son; that by them they might serve him, and help, comfort, and edify one an other in their most holy faith. He appointed also that some which for their gifts and conversation were found fit, should have the care and oversight of that congregation where they were set, ‡ Heb. 13. 17. to watch for their souls, and to feed and rule them with the word of God. These for their gravity are called † 1 Tim. 5. 17 Elders; for the charge committed to them, ‖ Phil. 1● Act 20. 28. Bishops or Overseers; for the message whereon they are sent, the * Rev. 1. 20. Angels of the churches; and for the effect of their administration, they are named ‡ Hobad. verse. 〈◊〉. Saviour's, by the doctrine of the Gospel, † 1 Tim. 4. 16 saving those that hear them. Yet are not these ‖ 1 Pet. 5. 3. Lords over God's heritage, but the administers of his graces and blessings among them, and ensamples to the flock; not * 2 Cor. 1. 24. having dominion over their faith, but helpers of their joy. 9 By the † 1 Pet. 1. 23. seed of the Word in the mouths of these ‖ Eph 4. 11. 1● ministers and the other * 1 Cor. 14. 3. 5. 24. 31. members of of the church, are children begotten & multiplied daily, that jerusalem enlargeth ‡ Isa. 54. 2. 3 the place of her tents, and they spread out the curtains of her habitations. For she increaseth on the right hand & on the left, until this host of our David become great, ‡ 1 Chron. 12. 22. like the host of God; & his † jer. 33. 22. seed, as the army of heaven that cannot be numbered. By the same word, as by ‖ 1 Pet. 2. 20 Isa. 55. 10 milk and wine, are the people nourished up unto life eternal; & their covenant with God & one with another, are the two staves, * Zach. 11. 7 Be wtie & Bands, which Christ the good shepherd hath taken to feed and rule his flock. His covenant with them, † Zach. 11. 10 is Beauty or Pleasance, for by ‖ Psal. 25. 14. it he giveth them knowledge, which * Prov. 2. 10. & 22. 17. 18. is pleasant to their soul, as is also ‡ Song. 1. 16. himself and his † Prov 3. 17. ways. By this covenant he confirmeth his ‖ Isa. 59 21. spirit upon them & his words in the mouth of them & their seed, which words are * Prov. 16. 24 Psal. 19 7. 10. pleasant & as the honey comb, sweetness to the soul, & health to the bones; which causeth them to desire that they may dwell ‡ Psal. 27. 4. in his house all their days, to behold his beauty, and always they say, † Psal. 90. 17. Let the Beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. His other staff, Bands, conserveth the ‖ Zech. 11. 14. brotherhood of his people, whereby they are linked together in love, labouring to be * 1 Pet. 3. 8. all of one mind, one suffering with an other, loving as brethren, living & growing together as ‡ Ezek. 37. 17. 19 one tree or staff in his hand. This † 1 Pet. 2. 17. brotherhood the Saints are all exhorted to love, and endeavour * Eph. 4. 30 to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, being clothed with the ‡ Col. 3. 12. 13 bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffring, forbearing & forgiving one an other, even as Christ forgave them; and above all these things, having † ver. 1●. Love, which is the bond of perfectness. 10. Sometimes God bringeth unto his faith and church, the governors & great men of the earth; whose authority and sceptres are a great help to the conservation of true religion, and outward peace of his people, by their defence of the just, and punishment of evil-doers. These notwithstanding their high places, yet are to have no * Psa. 131. 1. ● haughty hearts nor lofty eyes, but behave themselves, and compose their souls, like weyned children; learning daily from * D●●. 17. 18. 19 the ministery and book of God, to fear the Lord & to keep all the words of his law, that their * Deut. 17. 20 hearts be not lifted up above their brethren; They are with them to ‡ Eze. 46. 10. begin & end the public worship of God; they may not take of the † ver. 18. people's inheritance, nor thrust them out of their possession; they are to contain as well themselves as their subjects in the obedience of Christ, to be foster fathers ‖ Isa. 49. 23. and nurses of the church; unto which they have brought their * Rev. 21. 24. glory and their honour; expecting a better and an eternal glory with all Saints in the kingdom of God. For there is a covenant between them and their subjects * 2 Chron. 23. 16. that they will be the Lords people, yea themselves are the foremost ‡ 2 Chron. 29. 10. and so forward in the chap. to make it, & to order all things in their kingdoms according to God's word. As that good king josiah ” 2 Chron. 34. 29— 32. in the assembly of all his people, both great and small, first covenanted himself to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments & his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart and with all his soul, that he would accomplish the words of the covenant written in God's book: and then caused all that were found in jerusalem and Benajamin, to stand to the same. 11. But because in times of worldly peace, many will press to enter into the church, for company, favour, or fashion sake; which otherwise would never regard the same, being profane, idolatrous or irreligious, the children of this world: therefore care must be had that no such unclean wicked persons be accepted. For though the gates be open, † Isa. 26. 2. that the righteous nation which keepeth the faith, may enter in: yet seeing it is said, that the way shallbe called ‖ Isa. 35. 8. holy, & the polluted shall not pass by it; that jerusalem shallbe holy, † joel 3. 17. & no strangers shall go through her, nor a ‖ Zach. 14. ●1. Canaanite be any more in the house of the Lord of hosts: there must be seen in them, the seed and foundation of religion, before they be received, namely Heb. 6. 1. repentance fion dead works, & faith towards God. For this was ‡ Mat. 3. 2. 3. the voice, of the crier that proclaimed the kingdom of heaven; which they that obeyed, † Vers. 6. were baptized unto remission of sins; the residue were rejected, as a ‖ Vers. 7. viperous generation: the same thing also Christ made the beginning and groundwork of his kingdom, saying * Mark. 1. 15. Repent, and believe the Gospel. Until therefore, such willingly ‡ Act. 2. 41. Rom. 10. ●. receive and confess the truth, renouncing their former evil ways; promising submission, meekness, & obedience in the faith of the Gospel: until the wolf have, learned † Isa. 11. 6. 7. 8. to dwell in peace with the lamb, the leopard to lie with the kid, the bear to feed with the kow, and the Lion to eat straw like the bullock: we may not admit them into communion with us, (for † 2. Cor ●. ●● what part hath the believer with the unbeliever?) but refuse their proffered and pretended service, as the fathers of Israel answered the like intruders, ‖ Ez●. ●. ●. ●. It is not for you & for us (jointly,) to build an house unto our God, but we ourselves together will build it, unto the Lord God of Israel. And as there were * 1 Chron. ●. ●4. porters in the four winds or quarters of Gods ancient house; even porters set, that ‡ 2 Chron. 23. 19 none that was unclean in any thing, should enter in; and diligent watch and † Nohem. 7. 3 ward was kept at the gates of jerusalem, for fear of enemies: so in this new and Christian jerusalem, though the gates thereof be ‖ Ro●el. 21. 2● never shut, yet is there such watch to be kept, that no † Rev. 21. 27. no unclean thing may enter into it, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or lies, but they which a● written in the Lamb's book of life. 12. The Saint's being thus gathered, as a people Num. 23. 9 that shall dwell by themselves, and not be reckner among the nations, (for that the are * job. 15. 19 chosen out of the world, & ‡ Lev. 30. 24. separated from the same;) and being builded as a city ” Psal. 122. 3. compact together in itself, and growing up in Christ the chief corner stone unto an holy Temple in the Lord: are made the † Ephes. 2. 21. 22. habitation of God by the spirit, and do dwell Dout. 33. 28 alone in safety, in a land of wheat and wine, also their heavens do drop the dew. For the graces of God, by his word and spirit, are as a * Psal. 46. 4. Rev. 22. 1. river of water of life clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the lamb, whose streams make glad this city of God, and moisten the trees planted in this garden. Yea God himself * Rev. 21. 3. Psal. 46. 5. dwelleth here, & is in the mids of it, therefore it shall not be moved. As the good husbandman, he ‡ john. 15. 2. purgeth every fruitful branch in this vine, that it may bring forth more fruit; for this his vineyard is † Son. 8. 12. Isa. 27. 3. before himself, not let out to others; he keepeth it & watereth it every moment; lest any assayl it, he keepeth it night & day, from injury of enemies, ” Psal. 147. 13. 14. making the bars of the gates strong, and in itself he setteth peace, and this not in one, but in * 1 Cor. 14. 33 all the churches of the Saints, amids ‡ Rev. 2. 1. 2. etc. whom he walketh, visiting and knowing their works and all their ways. which churches though they be many in number, yet are they one in unity. To them all, he hath given one ‡ Eph. 4. 5. jude. 1. 3. Gal 6. 16. 1 Cor. 16. 1. Mat. ●8. 19 20. faith order and canon, to be kept for ever unto the world's end▪ & to every of them a like power and grace. And as he guided his ancient Israel the twelve tribes, by day in the pillar of a cloud, † 〈◊〉. 1●. 21. & by night in a pillar of fire, to giv them light, that they might go both by day & night: so hath he created (according to his promise,) * 〈◊〉. 4. 5. 6. upon every place of mount Zion, the church under the Gospel,) & upon the assemblies thereof, a cloud & smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night, that all Christian churches, have from him their direction & protection; whiles in the ministery of his word & spirit, he speaks unto them as in ‡ Psal. 99 7. the cloudy pillar; & is their ” Isa. 25. 4. shelter against the tempest, their shadow against the heat. For which grace, † Psal. 68 26 praise ye God in the Assemblies; even the Lord, ye that are of the fountain of Israel. 13. Thus every Church is like mount Zion, * Psal. 48. 2. 3 fair in situation, the joy of the whole earth, the city of the great king, in the palaces whereof God is known for a refuge, which he will * Psal. 48. ●. 'stablish for ever, and where his people ” ver. ●0 wait for his mercy in the mids of his temple. And as the house of jaakob, walketh † Is●. 2. 50 in the light of the Lord, which shineth in the face of john. 8. 18. Christ, in which light they * john. 12. 36. believe, that they may be the children of the light: so also they, even all nations and people which are saved, walk in the Isa. 60. 30. Rev. 21. 24. light of the church, which it hath fi on the Lord who is her light * Isa. 60. 19 20. everlasting, her Psal. ●4. 11. sun & shield, in whose light she ” Psal. 36. 9 seeth light. This is the * Zech. ●. 3. city of truth, the mount of holiness, the † Psal. 111. 1. secret and congregation of the righteous; which looketh forth as the So●. 6. 9 Morning, fair as the Moon, pure as the Sun; terrible as an army with banners. It is the house of the living God, * Gen. 28. 19 the gate of heaven, the ‡ 1 Tim. 3. 1● pillar & ground of truth; all the ” Eze. 43. 12. limits thereof round about, are most holy; the Lord hath established it, & the * Isa. 14. 32. poor of his people will shroud themselves in it, the glory and honour of the nations † Rev. ●1. 26. shallbe brought unto it, & upon all the glory ‖ Isa 4. 5. shallbe a defence; it shallbe a ” Isa. 33. 20. quiet habitation, a tabernacle that cannot be removed, a kingdom that * Heb. 12. 28. cannot be shaken, and the nation or kingdom that will not serve it, ‡ Isa. 60. 12. shall perish: but the people that dwell therein, shall have ” Isa. 33. 24. their iniquity forgiven, and from the day that this city is builded, the name thereof is, * Eze. 48. 35. THE LORD IS THERE. The Lord bless thee, o habitation of 〈…〉, holy mountain. jer. 31. 23. CHAP. XVIII. Of the communion that the Saints in all Churches have in things spiritual. NOW as the faithful are thus compact, like living and precious stones, in one holy Temple, and members of one body; so havethey fellowship together in all Christian offices spiritual and human, & each with other do willingly communicate the manifold graces of God. Their spiritual communion may be considered in three things: First in all duties from themselves towards God; as be praises, thanksgivings, prayers supplications etc. which they power out one with & for an other. Secondly in all graces given them of God, as are the words of his covenant, the comforts and seals of the same, opened and applied for the helping forward and assurance of their salvation. Thirdly in all duties among themselves, one towards an other, as counsels, deliberations, exhortations, consolations, admonitions, rebukes, censures, and such like: all which for the honour of God and their mutual good, they carefully together do keep & execute. 2. Their communion in the Worship of God, is when at time and place appointed, they all come together, † Psal. 1●2. 21 〈◊〉. to serve, confess, and praise the Lord, and call upon his name. For which as Israel of old had their assemblies, where the ‖ 1 Chron. 16. 7. 8. & ● ministers of God publicly and solemnly uttered his praises, discoursing of all his wonderful works, and giving unto him the glory of his name; made also * vers. 35. their requests unto God for their wants, unto all which, all the people ‡ ver. 36. said Amen, and praised the Lord: so also in the Apostles days, God's people had still their ‖ Act. 16. 1●. 16. places of prayer, for which holy exercise, the Christians ‖ Act. 1●. 1●. assembled, & in which they continued * Act. 1. 14. with one accord, both men & women. Where the ‡ Act. 6. 4. ministers of Christ, gav themselves unto this business, that minding the public state of the church, they might for & with the same, make requests & giv thanks, in the ears & understanding of the people which thereunto † 1 Cor. 14. 1● 16. answered Amen. These now are not the prayers or praises-of him alone that speaketh, but of the whole assembly, which attend with their ears, assent with their hearts, & seal with their lips, that part of public administration; confirming it also by signs ‖ Nehem. ●. 6. Act. 20. 36. & 21. 5. Rev 4. 9 10. 11. and gestures, beseeming such an action. In these, (whither ordinary, or extraordinary with * 1 Sam. 7. 5. 6. Ezr. 8. 21 joel. 1. 14. Act 13. 2. 3. fasting and humiliation of soul, upon special occasions,) there is a ‡ Act. 2. 42. Rev. 5. 8. 9 Psal. 98. 5. 6. communion & harmony among the Saints, that with one mind † Rev. 15. 6. & one mouth do praise God, and their prayer † 2 Chron. 30. ●5. 27. cometh up unto heaven to his holy habitation And as the public assemblies of the whole church; so the more private meetings in families, or of other friends for special causes, is both comfortable to themselves, and acceptable to the Lord: for he had promised that where there is a ‖ Mat. 18. 19 symphony or agreement, but of two o● his together in earth, to desire anything, it shall be given them; so much he respecteth the fellowship & unanimity of his people, and the● * vers. 20. gathering together in his name▪ 3. But when through distance of place, or other just occasion, they cannot or do not come together▪ as also in their private prayers, which they power out before the Lord, either some few together, o● each one apart; the faithful have yet spiritual communion and benefit by praying one for an other; while they * 2 Tim. 1. 3. remember and ” 1 Thes. 1. 2. make mention of their brethren unto God, rejoicing † Phil. 1. 3. 4. and giving thanks for his blessings upon them, ‖ Rom. 1. 9 10 desiring things that may benefit & comfort them, praying for deliverance from * Philem. 22. bands or other afflictions, for strength & ‡ Col. 4. 12. stability in the truth, for ” 1 john. 5. 16. remission of sins, or for other graces as the necessities of the Saints do require, for all whom we are * Eph. 6. 18. 19 exhorted to pray, with all manner prayer and supplication in the spirit, and for ‖ Act. 12. 5. special persons, to make more earnest suit, to * Rom. 15. 30. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. strive or wrestle together with them, by prayers to God for them. This fellowship is comfortable, to all that know the use of prayer; & how much it prevaileth with God if it be fervent. Wherefore the Apostles did not only perform this duty for others in their absence, but themselves so * Heb. 13. 18. 19 2 Cor. 1. 10. 11. Philem 22. earnestly desired it at the hands of all, and trusted for help by it. Also the Saints that were before them knew well, and nourished this communion, whiles they † Dan. 2. 17. 18. requested their brethren to pray unto God for them especially the 1. Sa●. 7. 8. & 1●. 19 prophets, whose petitions were exceeding beneficial, not only to the * Exod. 32. 11 24. Deut. 9 ●0. Am▪ 7. 2. 3. 6. church & man▪ bers thereof, whom they sometime saved from death by this means; but also for ‡ Gon. 20. 17 strangers; so effectual with the Lord is the prayer of the Saints, and the odour thereof, as sweet † Psal. 141. ● Rev. 5. 8. incense before him: and a token it was of his heavy indignation, when he ‖ jor. 7. 16. & ●4. 11. for bad his prophets to pray for the people. 4. Concerning the word of God and our fellowship in the same, we have Chapt. ●. before seen how God bestowed it specially upon his own people, as a testimony of his grace towards them, though also in a general favour he communicateth it with Mark. 1●. 15 the whole world. Now the saints whose peculiar right & Deut. 33. 4. inheritance it is, must be careful to use it as a common blessing, every one in himself, and all of them with and for one an other both privately and publicly. Privately to read & speak of the same, unto their families & neighbours, continually-rehersing or * Deut. 6. 7 〈◊〉 whetting the words of God, upon & unto their children, talking of them when they are in the house, and as they walk by the way, when they lie down, and when they rise up; that so men may learn & know the scriptures from their childhood, ‡ ● Tim. 3. ●5 & by them be made wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ jesus. And that all Christians, may by this means be able, to exhort † 1 Thess. 5. ●● & edify one an other, in the knowledge & faith of God; may have their speech ‖ Colos. 4. ●. gracious always, & powdered with sal●; may discern truth from error, whiles by searching the scripture, as did the men of Berea, † Act. 17. 11. they see whither the things taught them be so. And this was foretold to be a special part of God's covenant with his people, that ‖ Isa. 59 21. his words which he hath put in their mouth, shall no● depart out of their mouth, nor on of the mouth of their seed, nor out of the mouth of their seeds seed, from henceforth even for ever. 5. But in the Assemblies of the Saints, the light of this grace shineth more clearly; for in them have the scriptures beme read and preached of old * Act. 15. 21. every sabbath day; there all men have not only liberty, but are exhorted to desire that they may ‡ 1 Cor. 14. 1. 39 prophesy; that is, † vers. 3. 4. speak unto the church, to edifying, to exhortation, and to comfort: which is therefore to be coveted ‖ vers. 1. 5. rather than other spiritual gifts, because it tendeth both to the building up of the brethren, and conversion of the unbelievers, † 1 Cor. 14. 23 24. 25. and glory of God thereby. Al therefore that have received this gift, may in ‖ ver. 40. seemliness and order use and manifest it, for the profit of the whole & every member; being careful that it be done according to * Rom. 12. 6. the proportion of faith, & when any speak, that it be ‡ 1 Pet. 4. 10. 11. as the words of God. And although a woman, in regard of her sex, may † 1 Cor. 14. 34 35. not speak or teach in the church: yet with other women, and in her private family, she ‖ Prov. 31. 26 openeth her mouth in wisdom, & the doctrine of grace is in her tongue. So Marry * Exod. 15. 20 the prophetess, was guide to the women of Israel, in their songs of thanksgiving: so ‡ Act. 18. 25. 26. Priscilla at home, helped to expound the way of God more perfectly to learned Apollo's; and was (together with ” Phil. 4. 3. other women) acknowledged of the Apostle Paul, to be one of his † Rom. 16. 3. fellowhelpers in Christ jesus. And the Lord both in those days, and before, had furnished sundry holy women with the gift of ‖ Luk. 2. 36. Act. 21. 9 Ex 15. 20. jud. 4. 4. 2 King 22 14. prophesy, as he promised also by joel. 2. 28. 29. his servant joel: to teach, that his graces are given unto all as he seeth good to bestow them; though there is a difference between the extraordinary gift of prophesy, given but unto few, & the ordinary prophesy or exposision of scripture, which is common with many. 6. Above all other, the Officers given of Christ, for the work of the ministery, the ‡ Act. 20. 28. Overseers of the churches, are to study and ” 1 Tim. 5. 17. labour in the word and doctrine, to † 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2. feed the flocks that depend upon them, to ‖ 1 Sam. 1●. 23 show them the good and right way, to ‡ Ephos. 4. 11. 12. build up the body of Christ, to 2 Tim. 2. 15. divide the word aright, to speak it † Ier 23. 28. faithfully, to keep ‖ Act. 20. 27. nothing back, either through negligence fear or flattery, but to show them the whole counsel of God, & teach them † Levit. 10. 11 all the statutes which the Lord hath commanded, not ‖ jer. 26. 2. keeping back a word. These * Heb. 13. 17. watch for their people's souls, as they that shall giv accounts; and necessity is laid upon them, therefore woe ‡ Ezek. 34. ●. unto them, if they preach not the Gospel. 1 Cor. 9 16. These must have care both of strong and weak, † joh. ●1. 15. 16. 1 Cor. 3. 1. 2 Heb. 5. 1●. 13. 14. of sheep and lambs; to feed with strong meat or with milk, as their flock hath need, & is ‖ Mark. 4. 33. capable. Upon these the charge lieth, to * Exod. 27. 2● 21. dress the lamps of God's law, from evening to morning, that they may alway burn in the Tabernacle of the congregation; to giv to the how should, their ‡ Luk. 12. 4●. portion of meat in season; and to communicate this heavenly Manna with all the Israel of God, that there may be an equality, as it is written, † Exod. 16. ●8 he that gathered much had nothing over, & he that gathered little had no lack. 7. And together with the words of Gods eternal covenant, † Mas. 28. 19 1 Cor. 11. 23. 24. these also dispense the seals of the same; by which the communion of the Saints is more illustrated & confirmed. For by baptism which is Eph. 4. 5. one, we all are made * Gal 3. 27. 28. one in Christ jesus. And as our fathers were 〈◊〉 ‡ 1 Cor. 10. 2. baptized unto Moses, in the cloud & in the sea; so now under Christ▪ by one Spirit, we all are baptized into † 1 Cor. 12. 13. one body, whither we be jews or Greeks, bond or free. Neither can any man forbid water Act. 10. 47. & 8. 36. 37. 12. from those which have received the holy Ghost and faith; it is the * Mat. 28. 19 Mark. 16. 16. common symbol and pledge of our salvation, & (like ‡ Col. 2. 11. 12 circumcision,) the ” Rom. 4. 11. seal of our righteousness by faith, even the seal of God's covenant to us & † Gen. 17 10. 12. 13. 14 Gal 3. 14. Act. 2. 38. 39 to our seed. The Supper also of our Lord, is to be distributed to all the Saints that can * 1 Cor. 11. 28 29. examine themselves, & discern his body therein by faith; and is an other seal, as of our union with Christ, whose flesh we eat, and drink his blood; so of our uniting together in his faith. For we (saith * 1 Cor. 10. 17. the Apostle) that are many, are one bread & one body, because we all are partakers of one bread. Therefore must ” 1 Cor. 11. 20 we come together for this communion, and tarry † vers. 33. one for another, that as brethren we may eat and drink and rejoice together before the Lord; which he that refuseth, or neglecteth; is worthy to be Num. 9 13. rooted out from amongst his people. 8. As the Saints have all a right & interest in the covenant of God, & seals of the same, wherein they have and hold communion together: so have and do they also, in all other Christian spiritual duties, public or private. For all the actions of the Church, being but a practice and performance of God's Law; as the members have their portion in the general, so have they also in the particulars: each one according to his place, caling, and measure of grace, given him from Christ the head. In the primitive church established by Moses, when public actions were to be performed, the whole congregation was assembled▪ as about the ” Exod. ●5. 1. 4 etc. making of the Tabernacle, and all the furniture for the service of God; at the ordination and authorizing of the * Lev. 8. 3. 4. etc. Priests and ‡ Num. 8. 9 10. 20. Levites; at the first ” Deut. 5. 2. 3. 22. making and † Exod. 24. 3. 4. etc. solemnizing of the covenant, at the ‖ Deut. 29. 1● 11. 12. renewing of the same; and at the * Deut. 1. 1. etc. repetition of all the Laws & ordinances of the Lord. Unto all & every of the Israelites, was comm●nded the care and observation of all God's statutes; that neither all nor any of them, ‡ Deut. 29. 18 man nor woman, nor family, nor tribe, should forsake the Lord, nor suffer among them any root to bring forth gall and wormwood; but plainly ” Lev. 19 17. rebuke their neighbour when he sinned in private, or testify against him ‡ Lev. 5. 1. in public if they could, and there were need; to ” Deu. 13. 8. Lev. 20. 2. 4. bewray & execute judgement upon open & notorious malefactors; even the leprous and unclean, though the trial of them appertained to the † Lev. 〈◊〉. Priests, yet all the Num. 5. ●. ● children of Israel were to look that such were removed out of the host; yea the care of the Priest's purity in their administration, appertained * Lev. 21. ●. ●. 24. to all the people. And long after, both in * 2 Chro. 〈◊〉▪ ● 21. 23. counsels, and in the redressing of public evils & trespasses, all Israel indifferently, had their hand and presence; as the scripture showeth. Ezra. 10. 1. 9 12. etc. 9 The churches in the Apostles days had also the like right & liberty▪ for the multitudes of believers. were both beholders & acto● in the common affairs; as at the † Act. 1. 15— 23. & 6. 2. 3. 5. & 14 23. choice & ordination of church-officers; at the Act. 15. 2. 4. 6. 7. 12 22. 23. & 21. 22 1. Cor. 6. 2. etc. deciding of questions & controversies; at the * Mat 18. 17 1 Cor. 5. 4. 5. 13. excommunication or casting out of impenitent sinners; at the ‡ 2 Cor. 8. 19 1 Cor. 16. 3. choice & appointment of men, to carry the grace or benevolence of the Saints, ● their needy brethren; at the receving and reading of the Apostles † Rom. 1. 7. Letters; and generally, in the public These. 5. 27 ● Act. 2. 41. 42. etc. communion and fellowship of the Apostles, & one of another. They were also willed to exhort, ● admonish * 1 Thes. 5. 14 2 Thes. 3. 14. 15. each other; even the ‡ Colos. 4. 17. Officers of the churches; to † Rom. 16. 17 1 Heb. 12. 15. ma● diligently, and avoid, the causer● of division and offences; & to loo● that † no root of bitterness sprung 〈◊〉 and troubled them, lest thereby many should be defiled. 10. These & the like privileges in the faith and practise of the Gospel are permitted to all Saints in all churches; which they must use in all Rome, 12. 3. 16. 1 Cor. 14. 33. 40. sobriety, order, and peace: not presuming above their calling, place, or measure of understanding; nor abusing their liberty to the trouble or annoyance of their brethren. And therefore * 1 Tim. 5. 17. Elders or ‡ 1 Cor. 12. 28 Act. 20. 17. 28. Governors are set to rule the people, and together with the other Officers to wield the church's affairs. By which means confusion is avoided, & order observed in the Assemblies; as was in the primitive churches, where the Overseers and public Ministers, † Act. 1. 15. & 15. 6. 7. 13. propounded, discussed, & carried matters in seemliness and peace. These guides are to Heb. 13. 7. 17. be heard, reverenced, and submitted unto in the Lord; they attend to the public service of the church, and are as the hand, mouth, & eyes of the same; by such God of old * Exod. 1●. ● 7. 8. signified his will to the people; & for the obtaining of that promised ” Gen. 3. 15. & 15. 3. 4. 5. Act. 3. 25. seed that should bruise the Serpent's head, and bring blessing upon all families of the earth. And until that seed, (which was Christ,) came; our Fathers generally embraced that kind of life, & ” Deut. 25. 5. 6. etc. Gen. 30, 1. 1 Sam. 1. 6. Luk. 1. 13, 25. thought it a dishonour to die childless: a●● since that time, it hath still been kept in, and sanctified unto the church, to such as saw good, or had need so to live; ” 1 Cor▪ 7. 2. etc. 9, 5, 1 Tim. 5▪ 14, both for the avoiding of sin, and for other help and comfort which that estate affordeth. But they which have from God, * 1 Cor, 7. 7. the gift to contain their vessels in holiness and honour without marriage, and which addicting ‡ Mat, 19, 12, 1 Tim. 5. 5, 〈◊〉, Luk. 2, 37 themselves to the service of Christ, find it best for avoiding the burdens & ” 1 Cor, 7. 32, 33, 34, cares of this life, to keep themselves single, in virginity or widowhood; are counseled by Mat▪ 19, 12, 1 Cor, 7. 37, 38. 4●. Christ and his Apostle so to rest. Yet if any mary they vers. 28. 36. sin not; only they must so ●ive as * vers. 29. 31. if they were not married, & so use all other worldly things, as if they used them not, because the fashion of this world passeth away. And in their marrying, they must have care not to match themselves in an unequal yoke with unbelievers, (for that ” Gen. 6. 2. 3. etc. & 27. 46 Deut. 7. 3. Ezr. 9 1. 2. Mal. 2. 11. 12. hath always been reproved,) but only ‡ 1 Cor 7. 39 in the Lord: though if they be married to unbelievers before they are called to the faith, they must not then ” 1 Cor. 7. 10. 12. 13. 16 depart, or put away. 3. The faithful man & woman thus fastened in wedlock, are 1 Pet 3. 7. heirs together of the grace of life; and so ought to live in peace and love, the wife * Eph. 5. 22. 1 Pe. 3. 1. being subject to her husband (whose 1 Cor. 11. 7 glory she is) as unto the Lord. Their fellowship as it is in † 1 Pet. 3. 7. spiritual duties, so also in human; such as be Gen. 2. 24. Mat. 19 6. 1 Cor. 7. 3. living & conversing together; * Eph. 6. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 10. education of children, government offervants, & ordering of the Col, 4, 1, Pro, 31, 15, family; joint † 1 Tim. 5. 8. Prov. 31. 16. 17. 18. 19 etc. labour & diligence for their livelihood; and all other offices, whereby their mutual love, help, and comfort may be maintained, in this honourable state of life, which to forbid any Christian, 〈◊〉 a doctrine ‖ 1 Tim. 4. 1, 3 of Divils'; and which a shadow * Eph. 5. 23. ●5. of that mystical & heavenly communion between Christ & his church, whiles the man loveth & cherisheth his wife as ‡ vers. 28. 29. his own body, the woman again loveth, † vers. 33. feareth, & obeyeth her husband. This society endureth ‖ Rom. 7. 2. until death and can not be dissolved except * Mat. 5. 32. for adultery, for which trespass if the magistrate inflict not death, according ‡ Levit. 20. 10 to God's law; the injuried person may * Num. 5. 31. Mat. 19 7. 8. 9 lawfully divorce and put away the offender. 4. The next in the family, a● children; which as they are the † Psa. 1●7. 3. inheritance and wages of the Lord, so must they be † Eph. 6. 4. Psal 78. 3. 4. 6. 7. brought up & nour●ured in his fear; for they are Ezek. 16. 21. his, & * ● Cor 7. 14. holy from the womb. And because foolishness ‡ Prov 2●. 15. is bound in the hearts of children, therefore, the parents are to govern † Prov. 23. 13 14. & correct, but without provoking them to wrath, lest ‖ Colos. 3. 21. they be discouraged. For them are parents also to * 2 Cor. 12. 14 Gen. 25. 5. 6. store up, & provide for their maintenance, ‡ Gen 24. 3 etc. Exod 22. 17. Deut 7. 3. marriage, and other necessities, what in them ●ieth; the children again, † Ephes. 6. 1. 2 honouring and obeying their fathers and mothers in the Lord; & ‖ 1 Tim. 5. 4. Prov. 23. 22. recompensing them, (if they can & there be need,) in their old age & poverty. And they that shall * Exod. 2●. 15. 17 Mat. 15. 4 Prov. 2●. 20. smite, curse, or blaspheme their parents, o ‡ Deut. 21. 18 20. 21. stubbornly refuse to obey them; are for such unnaturalness, to die the death. 5 Servants are the last in the family, inferior unto children both † Io●. 8. 35. Heb. 3. 5. 5. in durance and fidelity; yet as their fellowship may be in the faith, for which their masters should regard them ” Philem. 1. 16. above servants, even brethren beloved: so in civil society they are notwithstanding to be in ‡ Tit. 2. 9 10. subjection to their masters, faithful and pleasing them in all things. Of these, ther be two sorts, 1. Free or hired servants; 2. and Bondmen or Sclaves. Of the first sort wer● the poor Israelites, which ” Lev. 25. 39 sold or hired out themselves for necessity to their brethren, or were chaff●ed by their * 2 King. 4. 1. creditors. These were to be well entreated like brethren, ‡ Lev. 25. 43. not overruled with cruelty; they were to be dismissed ” Exod. 21. 2. in the seventh, or at furthest in the fiftieth year † Lev 25. 40. 41. 54. called the jubilee. And when they went out, they were to be Deut. 15. 13 14. liberally rewarded with their masters goods. Of the latter sort were the heathens, either * Lev. 25. 44. 45. bought with price, or conquered by battle; which remained servants always, themselves and their seed after them. Servitude, especially bondage, is a judgement of God upon the world for sin; inflicted upon Cham's ” Gen. 9 25. 26. posterity as a curse; yet is the curse by Christ taken away, in whom the bond & the ‡ Gal. 3 28. free are one. And this was the case of many strangers in Israel, as of the Gibeonites the offspring of Canaan, upon whom their father's ” jos. 9 23. curse for outward slavery was inflicted, which they cheerfully ‡ ver. 25. 27. underwent, and had God's favour and blessing upon their souls; they serving him, and he continuing them, (though Saul sought to root them out,) & ” 2 Sam. 21. 1. 2. 3. etc. punishing all Israel for their injury. The like was also to be seen in others of that progeny, whom Solomon subdued under ‖ 1 King. 9 31 servile tribute, & whose children remained among the Israelits after the captivity of Babylon, (as did also the Nethinims of Gibeon,) and were named * Nehem. 11. 3 & 7. ●0. the sons of Solomon's servants. When such bondmen are brought to the faith of the Gospel, their civil servitude is not thereby at an end, no not though they have 1 Tim. 6. 2. believing masters; but they are still to giv honour, and do service, even Colos. 3. 〈◊〉. 2●. heartily as to the Lord and not to men; 〈◊〉 they serve * vers. 24. the Lord Christ in that estate, and are his 1 Cor. 7. 22. freemen; therefore they should not verse 21. care for this yoke, yet if they may be free, they should use it rather. The masters, are Clos. 4. 1. to do unto their servants that which is just and equal, knowing that they also have a master in heaven: they may * Gen. 16. 6. chasten them but not oppress them, nor contemn their judgement ‡ job, 31. 13. when they contend with them. Thus servants notwithstanding their freedom in the faith, are to be in subjection, and ” Gen. 16. 9 humble themselves under the hand of their governors; they are to obey in Luk. 17. 7. 8 etc. labour and attendance, in service Gen. 2▪ 4, 2▪ 4. at home or abroad, in peace * Gen. 14. 14. 15. or in war; and both master and servant are to keep communion together in their holy faith, (wherein is ‡ jam. 2. 1. no respect of persons,) without oppression, feawd, murmuring, or debate; till they end their days in peace, and come to the place appointed for all the living; where small & great do lodge together, and † job. 3. 19 the servant free from his master. 6. This much of families, which being well ordered, and conjoined in the faith of Christ, are as little churches, so called by ‖ Rom. 16. 5. the Apostle; and aught to have care, whatsoever 1 Cor. 16. 19, be done in others, that * jos 24, 15. Gen. 35, 2. God's true worship be continued in them. The second sort of human society, is in Policies or Commune weals; which may be diversely constituted, lesser or greater, & under sundry sorts of government. As, many families compact together in one * Num. 1. 18. 20 22 etc. tribe; many tribes in one ‡ Exo. 19 6. Act, ●0. 22. nation or Kingdom; many kingdoms in † Ezr. 1. 2. Luk. 2. 1. one Empire; & these managed by one or by many; by Num. 7. 2. Princes, * Num. 11 16 17. S●natouis, ” Act. 13. 20. judges, ‡ vers. 2. Kings or Act 25. 11. 12. Kaesa●s, as God shall dispose, & the public states see best. For ‖ Rom. 13. 1. all powers are of God, what soever be their names, titles▪ dignities or forms of regiment; and when or howsoever they be altered at the discretion of man, (in respect whereof they are called * 1 Pet. 2. 13. ●●mane ‡ or creatures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. creations▪ or ordinances,) they are to be submitted unto for the Lords sake. And this though they be unbelievers; how much more if they also believe, & have brought their glory to the Church of Christ, and have their ‡ Ezek. 48. 21 portion in the holy land. 7. These magistrates if they be freely chosen of the church, must be of their † Deut. 17. 15 brethren, ‖ Deut. 1. 13. 15. etc., men of wisdom and good conscience, who must judge all causes aright, & govern the people in justice, * 2 Sam. 23. 3. and in the fear of God: whom the Commons are to honour, submit unto, and reverence, ‡ Psal. 72. 9 10. 15. Rom. 13. 6. 7. jude. 8. in deed, word, and gesture, as to the Lord; for † john. 10. 35. the word of God is committed unto them, and they therefore are called Psal. 82. 6. Exod. 21. 6. Gods. This subjection is due unto all, whither * 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14. unto the King as to the superior, or unto the Governors, as they that are sent of him. It must be both openly & ‡ Eccles. 10 20 secretly, even † Rom. 13. 5. of conscience, & not for fear of wrath only. The communion of the faith, is not a cause, why either princes should forsake their place, titles, or dignities; or the people shake off their subjection. For seeing Magistracy is still God's ‖ Rom. 13. 1. 2 3. ordinance; none are meeter to execute it, to have his word and sword committed to them, to carry his titles, & to judge in his congregation, than his own servants * 2 Chron. 1. 10 11. 12. Num. 11. 17. furnished with his spirit. And seeing it is still his ” Rom. 13. 4. 6. ministery for the good of his people, the punishment of malefactors, & praise of weldoers; none can better perform this duty, & be * Isa, 49. 23. nursing fathers & mothers of Christ's church, than Christians▪ Kings are not to cast away, but Revel. 21, 24 bring their glory & honour to jerusalem, (as the gentiles do their * Isa. 60. 5. 6. 9 11. riches,) & themselves to ‡ vers. 10. minister thereunto. 8. In which ministration, they both ” Ezek. 45. 17 maintain and conserve the true religion of God according to his word, & reform things amiss, in themselves and their subjects, (as is ‡ Chap. 17. Sect. 10. before touched:) and also maintain civil peace, by executing † Psal. 101. 1. mercy and judgement, Psal 82 3. 4 justifying & delivering the poor and needy, and * Psal. 72. 4. beating down the oppressor. Such magistrates ‡ job. 29. 15. 16. 17. are eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, fathers to the poor; whose cause when they know not, they seek out diligently; breaking the jaws of the unrighteous man, & plucking the prey out of his teeth. And as their sword preserveth peace at home, so ” judg. 11. 27. 29. etc. 2 Chro. 32. 1. 2. 5. 6. etc. it resisteth injuries from abroad; that they are not only ornaments of common weals, but their safety and strength under God; and may well be called, (as the Prophet's name them,) the ” Psalm. 47. 9 & 89. ●8. Hos. 4. 18. Shields of the world. For which cause, all Christians as they may (by † Act. 22. 25. 28. &. 25. 10. 11. Paul's example) be partakers of the benefit of their laws politic; so do they owe ‖ Rome 13. 〈◊〉 5. 6. homage, service, and subjection unto them, should allow them maintenance, pay them tributes, and other like duties; in recompense of their cares, labours, and employments: that so mutual peace and concord in the communion of the Saints, may all manner ways be conserved. 9 There remaineth yet an other sort of civil duties among the Saints, general unto all, married or unmarried, bond or free, magistrate or subject; which are, love, mercy, relief, kindness, courtesy, and many other the like sociable actions, at all times to be performed, of all persons as there is occasion, and according to their power and place. For Christians are to have care of those ” 1 Thes. 5. 12 13. that labour among them, a● over them in the Lord, and admonish them; that they have them in singular love for their works sake, & let them ” 1 Cor. 9 11. reap their carnal things, which sow unto them spiritual. For God which willed Israel to beware * Deut. 12. 19 that they forsakt not the Levite, as long as they lived upon the earth, ” Deu. 14. 27 because he had neither part nor inheritance with them, but was busied in † Deut. 33. 10 teaching them the law, & other ministerial actions, ‖ Deut. 10. 8. ●. for which the Lord himself would be his inheritance: hath also ordained, ” 1. Cor. 9 14. that they which preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel. And seeing for the service of Christ in that warfare, ‡ 2 Tim. 2. ●. they entangle not themselves with the affairs of life, because they would please him that hath chosen them to be soldjers: they should have ” Phili. 4. 1●. 16. their wants supplied by the church, that they be not forced to war † 1 Cor. 9 7. at their own cost; but may ●a● of the milk of the flock which they feed, & be made partakers ‖ Gal. 6. 6. of all their goods; which will not only be an encouragement to them in their ministery, but also turn to the great good of such as reliev them, as it is written, ye ” Ezek. 44. 30 shall give unto the Priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest upon thy house. And together with them, the poor, the strangers, the fatherless, and the widows, (as was the manner ” Deu. 14. 2● in Israel,) are also to be relieved; to them we must ” Deut. 15. ●. open the hand and lend sufficient for their need, and that without ‡ verse 10. grief of heart, and even freely, † Luk 6. 35. looking for nothing again, but expecting a blessing & reward from God▪ Pilgroms and strangers are ‖ Heb. 13. 2. to be harboured; our brethren in bo●● * vers. 3. to be remembered, as though we were bound with them; ‡ Isa. 58 7. job. 31. 16. 17 18. 19 Mat. 25. 35. 36. jam▪ 1▪ ●7. the take to be clothed; the hungry soul filled; the sick and distressed, to be visited, tended, and comforted; and all other good works, which are to be done unto all men, ” Galat. 6. 10. especially to them which are of the household of faith. For these works of mercy, are better † Hos. 6. 6. than sacrifices; they are ‖ Philip. 4. 18 odours that smell sweet, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasant to God, who can make * ● Cor. 9 8. 9 all grace to abound towards us, that we always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work, to an everlasting memory of our justice, the ” vers. 13. 14▪ 15. 26. prayers of the Saints for us, with praise and thanks unto God for his unspeakable gifts. These human duties, are so united unto true religion, as God of old commanded them on his Sabbathes and solemn ” Deut. 16. 1● 14. Nehem. ● 10. feasts; Christ hath ordained * Act. 6. 1. 2. etc. Rom. 1●. 8. &▪ 16. 1. ● 1 Tim. 3. 12. & 5. 9 10. Deacons in his Church, and other Helpers for this ministration; besides the general care of all the faithful; and on every ‡ 1 Cor. 16. 1 ●. first day of the week, (which were days of the church's ” Act. 20. 7. joh. 20. 19 assemblies,) such care & provision for the poor was made. yea when occasion so required, the Christians † Act. 2. 45. sold their possessions & goods, and parted them to all men as every one had need; which work the ‖ Act. 4. 3●▪ 35. 37. Apostles themselves a while looked unto. Good therefore and comfortable is it for all the Saints that have this world's good, to do good and to distribute, * Heb. 13. 1●. because with such sacrifices God is well pleased; that they be rich in good works, and ready to communicate; that with the godly Tyrians, Isa. 23 1●. their occupying and their gain may be holy unto the Lord; whiles they hoard it not up, nor keep it in store, but let it be for them that dwell before the Lord, for food & clothing: by this means ” 1 Tim. 6. 18 〈◊〉. laying up in store for themselves, a good foundation against the time to come, that they may obtain eternal life. 10. Concerning other Christian offices special regard must be had in all our actions of reverence & lov; for towards superiors, & the aged, men must show all honour in giving them their Luk. 1. 3. Act 26. 25. 2 job. 1. titles of dignity, when ● Lev. 19 32. 1 King. 1. 16. ●3. Ruth. 2. 10 they speak or write unto them; rising up; and bowing down before them for honour sake; they may not * 1 Tim▪ 5. 1▪ 1 Sam. 1. 14 15. rebuke, but exhort them as fathers, they are to giv them ‡ Luk▪ 14. 7. 8. 9 10. the upper places, and suffer them † job. 32. 4. 6. 7. first to speak in causes; And they again are kindly to entreat the younger sort as ‖ josh. 7. 19 Philem. 9 1 Tim. 5. 1. children and as brethren; yet as they may deserve, † Tit. 1. 13. 3. joh. 10. Num. 32. 6. 7.— 14. sharply to rebuke also. Amongst all, there should be, in behaviour, seemliness & ‖ Eph. 4. 32. courtesy; in giving honour, * Rom. 12. 10 to go one before an other; ‡ 1 Thess. 5. 26. 1 Cor. 16. 20. saluting, kissing, and ” Act. 21. 6. embracing of friends, as there is occasion. In words, † Tit. 3. 2. Gal. 5. 23. softness, meekness and gentleness towards all, without ‖ Ephe. 4. 31 bitterness or wrath, clamorous or evil speaking: even then giving good words, & blessing, * 1 Pet. 3. 9 when we are reproached. In actions; dealing ‡ 1 Cor. 16. 14. Prov. 18 24. 2 Cor. 1. 12. 1 Tim. 5 11. friendly, simply, faithfully; neither by force † 1 Thess. 4. 6 oppressing, nor by fraud deceiving our brethren in any thing; ready to ‖ Mat▪ 5. 42. give, lend, or pleasure them any way; and unto every honest action * jam 3. 17. easy to be entreated; ‡ Rom. 12▪ 15. rejoicing with them for their joy, & mourning for their sorrow. Nourishing good will by ‡ 1 Pet. 3. 8. affability, sociablenes, † Rom. 12. 16 lowly carriage, ‖ jude. 12. Act●. 46. love-feasts, and rejoicing together; that the bond of peace may by all good and lawful means be preserved amongst us during life; and when we are parted by death, the living to * Luk. 7. 12. ● Sam. 3. ●1. etc. carry and accompany the dead unto the grave. 11. In this manner men carrying themselves, towards God whom they serve with reverence and with fear, and adore in spirit and truth; also to their neighbours, with whom they are coupled in peace and amity: the ‡ Ezech. 34. 26. blessings of the Lord, as the rain & showers from heaven, are powered upon them; † Levit. 26. 11. 12. his own tabernacle and gracious presence, and the ‖ Num. 23. ●1. joyful shout of a king is among them; and he will * Isa. 60. 13. glorify the place of his feet. Against all foreign enemies he will defend them, making ‖ Psal. 147. 13. the bars of their gates strong; salvation will he Isa. 26. 1. set for walls & bulwarks, even himself, willbe a ” Zech. ●. 5. wall of fire round about them; that they shall dwell ‖ Isa. 32. 18. in the tabernacle of peace in sure dwellings, and in safe resting places: He will clothe them * Isa. 61. 1●. with garments of salvation, will cover them with the rob of righteousness; & adorn them with his graces, as a bride garnisheth herself with her jewels. Here will he make unto all people, ‡ Isa. 25. ●. a fest of fat things and full of marrow, a feast of wines fined and purified; feeding them † Psal. 8●. 1● with the fat of wheat, and filling them with honey out of the rock. Zion shallbe ‖ Isa. 62. 3. a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of her God; and as a * verse. ●. bridegroom is glad of the bride, so will he rejoice over her; and she again shall joy in him, & praise his name, because * Psa. 148. 14 he hath exalted the horn of his people, which is a praise for all his Saints, even for the sons of Israel, a people near unto him. Pray for the peace of jerusalem: let them prosper that love thee. Psal. 122. 6. CHAPT. XX. How the communion and peace of the Saints, is hindered by enemies without. ALthough the Church hath received such grace and glory, from the Lord God her † Psal. 84. 11. Sun and shield, that she may well be an ‖ Psa. 48. 4. 5 astonishment to the kings of the earth, and wonder of the world; as having * Revel. 1●. ● the Sun for her clothing, the moon for her footstool, and the twelve stars for a crown upon her head, whiles by faith and holiness she hath ‡ Rom. 13. 1● put on Christ, the † Mal. 4. 2. Sun of righteousness that is risen unto her, as she hath learned him of his ‖ 2 Pet. 3. ●. Apostles; and is hereby advanced to heavenly dignity, that even her * Philip. 3. 20 conversation is in heaven, so as she loveth no more ‡ 1 joh. 2. 15 this world, of which she herself † joh. 17. 14 is not, and the ‖ 1 Cor. 7. ●● fashion whereof passeth away: yet forasmuch as she hath both in her own body, * Rev. 12. ●. pains of childbirth, whiles she is in travail to bring forth Christ, which by the preaching of the Gospel is ‡ Gal. 4. 19 form in her; and without herself, Satan (for his fierceness a † Rev. 10. ●. dragon) ‖ Rev. 1●. 13. 17. persecuting her in wrath, & warring with the remnant of her seed, gathering his soldjers which are * Rev. 〈◊〉. ●. ●. as the sand of the sea, to compass about the tents of the Saints, the beloved city; it shallbe therefore good, that we take a view of these troubles and assaults, learn of God the end and use of them, and how we may either escape or overcome them, lest we be offended & our faith fail. 2. That old crooked serpent, the enemy of man's salvation, perceiving the uniting & communion of the Saints, to be a great help & furtherance of their happiness; a praise to their God, a daunting to the world, & a comfort to themselves: doth therefore bend his utmost might and malice against this brotherhood, that he may dissolve the same. He stirreth up the wicked multitudes, like the raging waves of the sea, that some out mire & dirt, to belly and blaspheme the truth and witnesses of Christ, accusing them of ” Act. 17. 18. & 24. 5. 14. Nehem. 6. 6. 7. novelty, heresy, sedition, treason, and rebellion. He further kindleth this fire, by his † Amos. 7. 10. Luk. 23. 2. Ioh 19 7. 12. false Prophets, that cease not to inveigh against, and calumniate this little flock; and by their abused wit and learning, to prove & persuade that they are as bad or worse than they be reported of, both for their faith towards God, and loyalty to the princes of the earth. which princes also, for like ‖ 1 Kin. 22. 8. malice in themselves, or for that they * Num 22. 3. 4. Mat. 2. 3. fear the loss or impeachment of their honour and dignities; or because they loathe ‡ Psal 2. 3. the bonds and yoke of the gospel; or ” Act. 12. 3. & 24. 28. for to gratify their people and subjects; are ready to turn the dint of their sword, (wherewith they should conserv the truth and peace of Christian religion,) against the Saints, and especially their communion & assemblies; which seem most dangerous, and are indeed terrible to the world, as an Song. 6. 3. army with banners. 3. Hereupon they think to ‖ Exod. 1. 1●. work wisely, if any way they can hinder the propagation and increase of the church; whither by privy oppression, or open persecution: though the wisdom of God hath said, ‖ Pro. 17. 16. Sure● it is not good to condemn the just; 〈◊〉 that princes should smite for equity. Especially the * Exod. 4. 16. ●2. man-children, the teachers, guides, and principal of Christ's flock, are most maligned, & exposed to their tyranny: though sometime neither women nor infants, can be exempted from their rage and cruelty. For which, these civil polities, with the heads and governors of them, unto whom erewhile it was said ‡ Psal. 82. 6. ye are Gods & ye all are children of the most high; are now become more base than any men; and are called in holy scripture, ” Zep. 3. 3. Pro 28. 15. Dan. 7, 4. 5. 6. Psa. 80. 13. Luke. ●3. 31. 32. Lions, Wolves, bears, Leopard's, wild-bores, and foxes, even pourtrahed out by ” Dan. ●. 7. 8. Rev. 13. 1. ●. monstrous, savage, and deformed beasts; for such their barbarous havoc, and misusage of the Saints. 4. For lo, in their malignant hearts, they fret against ‡ Num. 〈◊〉. ●. the people of God, and against ” Dan. 11. ●0. the holy covenant; with their mouths they speak evil, even † Dan. 11. 36. & 7. 8. marvelous and presumptuous things, ‖ Rev. 13. 6. blaspheming God's name and tabernacle, & them that dwell in heaven; with their hands and horns they smite and push the poor flock of Christ, * Heb. 10. 34. Rev. 1. 9 jer. 38. 6. 1 King. 22. 27. Act. 8 3. spoiling them of their goods, banishing them out of their dominions, casting them into prisons and dungeons, feeding them with bread of adversity and water of affliction; devising all cruel and exquisite torments, to make their death miserable, * Heb. 11. 35. 36. 37. Dan. 3. 19 20. and 6. 16. racking, stoning, hanging, hewing in pieces, burning in fire, casting to wild beasts, and many more horrible tortures; as the lambs of Christ have felt in all ages; whiles children have been brought ” Exod. 1. 22. Mat. 2. 16. from the womb to their martyrdom; & * ● king. 8. 12. women with child, ripped up in their unnatural cruelty. 5. By this means, the communion of the Saints is oft times dissolved and * Act 8. 1. scattered; their shepherds and watchmen ‡ Act. 2. 1. 2. etc. apprehended and killed; the whole flock pursued, as ” Rom. 8. 36. sheep appointed to the slaughter. Some for fear deny and forsake the faith, and are † Act. 26. 11. compelled to blaspheme. Some by flattery are * Dan. 11. 30. 32. caused to sin, and wickedly break the holy covenant, and to be the betrayers of their brethren. Such as escape these evils, sometime ‡ Heb. 11. 37. 38. wander up and down in sheep's skins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and tormented, in deserts and mountains, in dens, and caves of the earth. Thus waters of a full cup are wrung out unto them; and now the † Lam. 1. 4. ways of Zion lament, because no man cometh to the solemn feasts; for ” Dan. 1●. 38. the daily sacrifice (whereby they were wont publicly to worship God,) is taken away, and abominable desolation put in the place. The ‖ Psal. 74. ●. 8. sanctuary & synagogues of God are burned; * jer. 52. 7. Psal. 79. 1. 2. 3. jerusalem broken up, made a ruinous heap, the stones thereof laid in dust, and the dead bodies of the Saints, cast to the fowls & beasts of the earth. Then the faithful mourn, because God hath ‡ Lam. 2. 6. ●. destroyed his congregation, caused the sabbaths to be forgotten, forsaken his sanctuary, and given into the enemy's hand the walls of her palaces: their eyes ” vers. 1●. fail with tears, their bowels swell, their liver is powered upon the earth; & they cry out with the Prophet, † Amos. 7. 2. ●. O Lord God, spare we beseech thee: who shall raise up jaakob, for he is small. 6. Thus God who hath Isa. 31. 9 his fire in Sion, & furnace in jerusalem, melteth his metal, ‖ Mal. 3. 3. trieth & fineth his people as silver, & purifieth them as gold, by the * Isa. 4. 4. spirit of judgement and the spirit of burning; draweth them to repentance, by chastening ‡ Lam. 3. 39 40. 4●. them for their sins, and making judgement † 1 Pet. 4. 17. to begin at his own house; consuming the dross, & making known them, that are approved▪ that the ‖ ● Pet. 1. 7. trial of their faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth, (though it be tried with fire,) may be found unto praise & honour & glory, at the appearing of jesus Christ. For not withstanding all the rage of the persecutors, God will preserve to himself * Rom. 9 27. 29. a little flock, unto whom he willbe ‡ Ezek. 11. 16 a little Sanctuary, in all places where they are dispersed: who in this their desolation, yet pray with their faces † 1 king. 8. 47 48. Dan. 6. 10. towards jerusalem; do convene and meet together ‖ joh. 20. 19 Act. 4. 18. 〈◊〉. secretly for fear of their foes, and cease not to perform all holy duties unto God and one to an other, to the utmost of their power; and in all their afflictions are * Rom. 8. 37. more than conquerors through him that loved them. For they ‡ verse. 〈◊〉. account the sufferings of this present time, not worthy of the glory which shallbe showed unto them; they † Heb. 12. 2. ●. consider Christ their head, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God; who when he was both in name & power a Lion, appeared ” Revel. ●4●. ● as a Lamb killed; yet behold ‖ Rev. 1. 18. he is alive for evermore, Amen; and hath the keys of hell and of death. And he it is, that raiseth up his children fion death; he will prophesy, and their dispersed bones Ezek. 37. 7. ●. etc. shall come together, sinews and flesh shall grow upon them, breath shall enter into them, & they stand upon their feet an exceeding great army. For in their tribulations, they have but washed their garments ” Rev. 7. 14. white in his blood; and this is all the fruit, † Isa. ●7. 9 the taking away of their sin; and the more the adversaries vex them, thinking to root them out, ‖ Exod. 1. 12. the more they multiply & grow: by patient suffering, they triumph; and by dying daily, they attain to life eternal. And God who hath chastened them with rods for their good, will turn his hand upon their enemies, & scourge them with scorpions; they shall * Psal. 75. 8. wring out and drink the dregs of this cup of wrath; he that made them ‡ Isa. 27. 11. will not have compassion of them, and he that form them will have no mercy on them; the beasts shall be destroyed ” Dan. 7. 11. and given to the burning fire, & the righteous shall Psal. 49. 14. have dominion over them in the morning. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform it. The Lord preserveth the souls of his Saints, he will deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm. 97. 10. CHAPT. XXI. How the peace and communion of the Church, is disturbed by troubles, & sins within itself. But it is a small thing for Satan thus to molest the Saints with troubles from abroad; for he hath means and instruments many in the church itself, to work the woe, yea often the ruin of the same; & he most delighteth to kindle contentions among brethren, knowing that such things are most offensive unto God, heavy to his people, & give to the enemy occasion of reproach. The means are two, that he chiefly useth hereunto; 1. the infirmities of the Saints, who though they would do good, yet through sin that dwelleth in them, oft times do the evil which they hate; 2. & the iniquities of false brethren and hypocrites; who always are corrupted in themselves, and seek to bring corruption into the whole body of the church. 2. For when the faithful through common ●iaylty, defile their precious souls and bodies, through the remainders of ●yn; both the enemies without take occasion to ” 2 Sam. 12. 14. blaspheme; and the brethren within to stumble & contend: as Moses was murmured against by his own sister and brother, * Num. 12. ●. because he had married an Aethiopian wife. And God himself is often angry with the whole church, and punisheth many, for the fault of a few; as when David ” 1 Chron. 2●▪ 1. 2. sinned in numbering the people, God in displeasure plagued Israel, † vers. 7. 1●. that of them there died seventy thousand men. Again, the homebred wars and dessentions, are heavier to the brethren's hearts, than all foreign troubles, & many weak ones are offended, no less than was Rebekah, who feeling the children to strive in her body, made question of her conception, and said, Gen. 25. 〈◊〉. If it be so, why am I thus? But above all, the hypocrites in heart, do increase wrath, & oft-times molest the church, of which they ‡ 1 joh. 2. 19 are not, though they be in the same, (like the * 1 king. 10. 2●. Apes & peacocks in Solomon's ships;) being in deed the serpent's seed, and appertaining to an other kingdom than Christ's; yet are thrust among the Saints through Satan's malice, for to annoy them; God also permitting this for the trial of his elect. By these means, the little bark of Christ's church, hathever been tossed as with winds and tempests; and is like ever to be, so l●g as it is on the seas of this world: that none may look for Angelical perfection, or absolute peace upon the earth. 3. The Saints are subject, (if they be not wary, & have their wits exercised to discern good and evil,) to ” Heb. 13. 9 be carried about with divers and, strange doctrines; to fall into errors heresies, & idolatries; Satan raiseth up even among the teachers of the church, ‖ Act. 20. 30. some speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them, and the people many of them are through their own corruption prone unto vice, even set * Exo. 3●. 22 on mischief. The children of Israel living in Egypt, defiled themselves with † Ezek. 2●▪ 7. 8. the abominations and idols of that land; being brought out into the wilderness, and informed in the statutes of the Lord, they there rebelled ● vers. 10 12. 13. against him, sinned still, & * Psal. 78. 17. 40. 41. provoked the most High, tempted God, and limited the holy one of Israel, made them a molten calf, ‡ Exod. 32. Ne●em. 9 18. & said this is thy God o Israel that brought thee out of the land of Egypt, & committed great blasphemies. When they were entered into the good land promised to their fathers, there also they † Psal. 206. 3●▪ 36. mingled themselves among the heathen, & learned their works, and served their idols, which were their ruin. False prophets there were many among them, that ‖ jer. 23. 13. 14. 17. seduced the people to error and idolatry, strengthened their hands in evil, preached peace to the wicked, * Ezek. 1●. 1●▪ 18. 19 & put pillows under their arms; but smote the righteous, grieved and killed (what in them lay,) the sowls of such as should not have died. False teachers, (the † 2 Pet. 2. 1. 2. Apostle saith) there will be also amongst us, which privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that hath bought them. The primitive churches had woeful experience hereof, whiles in Galatia they were ‖ Gal. 1. 6. 7. etc. soon removed away to an other gospel, being bewitched by their misleaders, who under pretence of the law of God, * Chapt. 5. 4. abolished them from Christ, and made them fall from grace. And in many other churches, false doctrine fretted as a canker, and destroyed the faith of certain, whiles some taught ‡ 2 Tim. 2. 17 18. 1 Cor. 15. 12. the resurrection was passed already; some with jezabel & Balaam persuaded † Rev. 2. 14. ●5. 20. to eat of things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication, with other hateful doctrine of the Nicolaitans, idolatrous doctrine of ‖ Colos. 2. 18. 19 worshipping Angels, Christ the head being let go; the grace of God * jude. ver. 4. turned to wantonness, & God the only Lord & our Lord jesus Christ, denied; Antichrist, even ” 1 joh. 2. 18. many Antichrists entered in, to deceyv & destroy men's souls. 4. By such seducers, much trouble & discord was wrought among the people, some of ignorance, some of wilfulness receiving and walking in their † jer. 23. 32. errors; by whom the ‖ 2 Pet. 2. 2. way of truth was evil spoken of: others opposing against them, and * jude. 3. earnestly contending for the faith once given to the Saints. Especially the Apostles, and other trusty ministers of Christ, (to whose care the souls of men were committed,) set themselves against those falsers, by ‡ 2 Cor. 6. 7 the word of truth, by the power of God, & by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left: ” 1 Tim. 1. 3. commanding men to teach no other doctrine, nor give heed thereto, but † 2 Tim. 1. 13. keep the true pattern of wholesome words, in faith & love which is in Christ jesus; exhorting thereunto, ” Tit. 1. 9 〈◊〉. 1●. improving and convincing them that spoke against it, stopping their mouths, & rebuking them sharply that they might be sound in the faith. Those again like † 8 Tim. 3. 8. jannes' & jambres resisting the truth, with ‖ 2 Tim. 2. 1●. ● Tim. 6. 5. profane vain babblings, disputations, and oppositions of science falsely so called, & * 3 john. 10. prating against them with malicious words; and seeking to ‡ ● Cor. 10. 10 disgrace them. And well was it with the churches then, whiles those circumspect careful watchmen the Apostles and Evangelists lived among them, & took those ” Song. 2. 15. foxes which destroyed the Lords vines: but after their departure, there entered † Act. 20. 29. grievous wolves, not sparing the flock; as by the innumerable heresies, and lamentable decay of churches since their time doth appear. 5. As for doctrine, so about many other things also, contention hath often risen through men's infirmities, † Prov. 10. 1● &. 13. 10. malice, and pride: that by errors in faith, & corruptions in manners, as by a double chain of iniquity, many souls have been fettered & afflicted. For some moved ‖ Act. 7 9 with envy, have sold their brethren to aliens, & sought for * Gen. 27. 41. & 37. 20. tokil them: some through ambition would climb above their caling; & ‡ Num. 16. 1. 2. 7. 9 10. intrude into higher offices; presuming upon their own † vers. 3. holiness, & seeking to disgrace others. And as the church of Israel was infamous ‖ Deut. 9 22. 23. 24. & 29 4. all Moses days, for their idolatries, rebellions, & many murmurings, for which they carcases fell in the wilderness; & strife & * Exod. 32. 2●. 27. 28. bloodshed came among them: so after that they were seated in the land of Canaan, they continued not long in peace together, but tribe with tribe ‡ jud. 12. & 20. 2 Sam. 2. & 3. 1. 1 Kin 14. 30. & 15. 7. 16. 32. etc. Isa. 9 20. 21. made war, and rend themselves asunder, to the great reproach of God's true religion, & giving advantage to the common adversary, to invade and dispossess them of their land. Yea even in families betweme brethren, parents and children, most bitter & bloody strife broke forth, as the stories of ” judg. 9 Abimelech, † 2 Sam. 13. Amnon and Absalon, ‖ 2 Sam. 15. etc. Absalon and David, & sundry others do declare. Also how they were divided, when Christ lived among them, into Sects & factions, Pharisees, Saducees, & other like: the history of the Gospel, every where showeth. Neither were the Christian Churches which the Apostles had planted, free of this ●even; but contentions among them grew unto schisms and factions, ” 1 Cor. 1. 1●. 12 etc. whiles sundry men followed and re 〈…〉ed upon sundry Teachers; in their public meetings also, ‡ 1 Cor. 11. 18 19 dissensions were among them. Some ministers would of strife and envy ” Philip. 1. 15. 16. preach Christ to the people; some loving the pre-eminence, would tyrannyze over the flock, forbidding to receive brethren sent by the Apostles, and * 3 john. ●. 10. thrusting them out of the Church. And amongst Gods elect, most faithful servants, and loving friends, Satan did his utmost to kindle the coals of emulation, dissension, and strife; as between ‡ Gen. 13. 7. 8 Abraham and Lot, ” Num. 12. 1. Moses & Aaron, † Gal. 2. 11. 14. Peter and Paul, ‖ Act. 15. 38. 39 Paul and Barnabas; and among the Apostles generally, when there was contention * Luk. 2●. 24. 25. who should be greatest, till they had learned better of their master Christ. 6. The poison of sin hath spread itself exceeding far in churches, & corrupted the manners & actions of all degrees. For Magistrates leaving the love & cherishing of the people, ” Isa. 1. 2●. loved gifts, and followed after rewards; judged not the fatherless, neither did the widows cause come before them: they † Mic. 3. 1. 2. 3 Zeph. 3. 3. plucked off their skins from them, and their flesh from their bones, did eat their flesh and break their bones, and chop them in pieces as for the pot. Again the subjects ” jude. vers. 8. despised and spoke evil of their rulers, † Psal. 3. 1. 2. 3 rose up & rebelled against them. The rich were unmerciful, and Mic. 6. 12. cruel to the poor; Among the people and brethren of the church, was bitter * jam. 3. 14. 16. 10. envying, strife, sedition, & reproach; every man ‡ Mic. 6. 2. 5. ●er. 9 4. hunted his brother with a net, that they could not trust in any friend, but must beware even of her that lay in their bosom. The teachers were ” Tit. 1. 10. 11 vain talkers and deceivers of minds, subverting whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre sake; the priests † Zeph. ●. 4. wrested the law; the Prophets were like ‖ Ezech. 13. 4 foxes in the waste places, and from them wickedness * jer. 23. 15. went forth into all the land. Thus judgement was turned into wormwood, faith into heresy, God's grace into wantonness, the liberty of his Gospel made a cloak of maliciousness; and in stead of the gracious ornaments of his spirit, there was ‡ Rev. 3. 17. wretchedness, misery, poverty, blindness & nakedness; they had a name to be alive, † vers. 1. but were dead. Nor this alone; for they hated such as rebuked them, and would not admit of reproof, but jer. 5. 3. made their faces harder than a stone; they killed the prophets * Mat. 23 37. and stoned those that were sent unto them; even when Christ himself came among them, they would not receive him, but said, this is the heir, ‡ Luk. 〈◊〉. 1● come let us kill him, and the inheritance shallbe ours. 7. These and many more like evils have crept into the Churches of God, whereby they have been troubled, distracted, and rend in pieces; much people have been defiled & corrupted, & the Saints have had cause to complain † Isa. 9 3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, but hast not increased their joy. Against these, the ministers and witnesses of the Lord, have cried out in their several ages; being sent & rising early to recall the sinners into the right way. Who were threatened, that * Micah. 3. 12. Zion for their sakes should be ploughed as a field, and jerusalem made a ruinous heap, ‡ Math. 23 ● 38. & her habitation left unto her desolate; that Christ would † Rev. 2. 16. war against them with the sword of his mouth, and ‖ vers. 5. remove the candlestick out of the place, except they amended. And such as hearkened to the voice of their God, & turned unto him; had their iniquities forgiven, and their crimson sins † Isa. 1. 18. made white as snow: but such as obeyed not, were ‖ vers. 20. devoured of the sword; and * Isa. 3. 9 woe was unto their souls, for they rewarded evil unto themselves; and were called ‡ jer. 6. 30. reprobate silver, because the Lord rejected them. 8. Thus cometh it to pass, through Satan's malice, and men's corruption, that the city of God, of which so glorious things are spoken in the scriptures; seemeth more vile and contemptible than any other place; the spouse of Christ appeareth † Song. 1. 4. black, which was named the vers. 7. fairest among women; her foes which * Psal. 48. 5. 6. feared and marveyled at her, do hiss & say, ‡ Lam. 2. 15 Is this the city that men call, The perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth? her children, to whom † Isa. 54. 13 much peace was promised; do ‖ Ezek. 9 4. mourn and cry, for the many abominations that are done in the mids of her; & from the daughter Zion▪ Lam. 1. 6. all her beauty is departed; being thus persecuted by the Dragon, hated & reproached of the world, molested and forsaken of her own children, misused and * Song. 5. 7. wounded of her watchmen, to the grief & affliction of her spirit. 9 And if there were not a healing of this error in time, but the gangrene suffered to spread & fret; it grew at length incurable, brought death and desolation upon the diseased Churches. For God after many warnings and ‡ Isa. 1. 5. 6. much correction, did at length disclaim the faithful city as † vers. 21. a harlot, giv her jer. 3. 8. a bill of divorce, & put her away; Hos. 2. 2. she was no more his wife, nor he her husband; Ezek. 23. 18 his heart forsook her, he left his heritage, he gave the † jer. 12. 7. dearly beloved of his soul, into the hands of her enemies; & ‖ Ezek. 9 3. & 10. 4. 18. 19 & 11 23. removed his glory from amids her. Then jerusalem became, with all the inhabitants thereof * jer. 23. 14. as Sodom & Gomorrah: the ‡ Ezek 22, 18. house of Israel was reputed as dross, the congregation of the ‖ Rom. 1. 7. Saints, turned to an † Rev. 18. 2. habitation of devil's. And the Lords people that feared his name were willed † Rev. 18. 4. to forsake and come out from among them, to judge them * Ezek. 23. 45. as harlots, to ‡ Hos. 2. 2. plead against them, & † Hos. 4. 15. 17. etc. forsake all communion with them. Whereupon followed again most bitter strife, hatred Micah. 2 100 jer. 16▪ 5. 6. 7. 8. Act. 3● 40. & persecution, whiles they that refrained from evil, * Isa. 5●. 15. made themselves a prey, & suffered all manner of misusage & affliction at their hands which made † Rev. 17. 6 themselves drunken with the blood of the Saints, & yet boasted to be the church & spouse of Christ, when they were the ‖ Rev. 3. 9 synagogue of Satan. 10. This is the troublous estate of the church of God on earth, more tossed and tormented then any other people; of which church, (by reason of the many hypocrites and vessels of † 2 Tim. 2. 20. dishonour that are therein,) though the number were as the sand of the sea, Rom. 9 2● yet but a remnant shallbe saved; & except the Lord of hosts vers. 29. had left us a seed, we had been made as Sodom, & had been like to Gomorrah. For which cause, it behoveth the Saints, to seek the Lord while he may be found, and medicine, while the disease is curable; for Christ hath ordained ways and means, for the purging of his church from corruptions; or at least, for his elect to keep themselves pure and unspotted of these sins; of which it remaineth to be spoken in the next place. CHAPT. XXII. How the Communion of Saints, may be purged of the evils that arise therein, by the power and censures of Christ: and how needful it is for the Saints all, to look hereunto. The Lord jesus, who is the author of grace & salvation unto his people, is also the finisher of the same, and performer of his good work towards them; & as he ” quoth. 15. 25 26. sweetened with a tree, the bitter waters of Marah, where also he made Israel an ordinance, promising that if they would hearken to his voice, he would free them from all the diseases of Egypt: so hath he set & showed us in the garden of his church, ‖ Rev. ●2. 2. Ezek. 47. 12. the tree of life, whose fruit is for meat, and leaves for medicine, to heal the nations with; that there is no disease incurable to his obedient people, but in all their troubles, temptations, offences, fears, and other sowl-sicknesses; when they cry unto 〈…〉, 〈…〉 * Psal. 107. 20 sendeth his word & healeth 〈…〉 & delivereth them sion their graves of corruption. Most wholesome laws are left unto all churches, to redress the evils that arise within them; which being wisely handled and applied, by those whose tongues are also † Prov. 15. 2. 4. t●●es of life; are more effectual than the balm † I●r. 8. 22. of Gilead, to recover the health of the daughter Sion, though Babbles sore ‖ jer. 51. 8. 9 cannot be cured. 2. And first, the Saints as they are most nearly united together in one body; so in the bowels of love and mercy, they are to tender e●● one his neighbour * L●vit. 19 18. as himself, And seeing all men have their ‡ Psal. 38. 4. burden of sins and infirmities upon them▪ we are exhorted to † Gal. 6. 2. bear one an others burden, and so fulfil the law of Christ. If occasions then of offence be offered by misspeaking; we should remember, that he that sinneth not in word is ” jam. 3. 2. a perfect man and in many things, we sin all; & that therefore we take that which▪ is spoken▪ in the best part, bear hard words with meekness of spirit, not rendering again evil for evil, but with a * Prov. 15. ● soft answer to put away wrath. If actions seem offensive, or begin to breed strife; love will teach us▪ ‡ 1 Cor. 13. 4. ● not to be provoked to anger, but with long sufferance to bear all things; and to seek by all gentleness to compound the controversy, for it is a man's † Prov. 20. 3. honour to cease▪ from strife: therefore as Gods elect holy & beloved, we should ” Colos. 3. 12. 13 forbear & forgiv one another, even as Christ forgave us. Thus by loving and gentle demeanour, * Gen. 13. ●. 9 Abram stayed strife between Lo● and him; ‡ judg. 8. 1. 2. 3. Gedeon, between the Ephramits & him; † 1 Sam. 17. 28. 29. 30. David, betweme his soldiers: Moses sought to do y● like▪ ” 1 Sam. 30. 2● 23. 24. between two Israelits: and we ought all in the love of Christ to labour thus to do; for when offences arise, it shallbe out glory if we can pass them by, as Prov. 19 11 Solomon hath said. 3. But if the trespass be such as we may not but insist upon, both for the honour of God who is offended, and soul of the sinner which is endangered, and o● own or neighbours good, who are endamaged thereby: then 〈◊〉 we bound to admonish the trespasser hereof, observing two rules, 1. Loving carriage as becometh brethren; 2. and secrecy, to concese the fault as much as we may. For the first, as all our things † 1 Cor. 16. 14 〈…〉 be done in Love; so when a man ● fallen by occasion into any fault, we are willed to restore him with 1 Gal. 6. 1. the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted. For the second, we are taught to * Prov. 25. 9 debate the matter with our neighbour himself, and not to discover the secret to another; but to tell him his fault ‡ Mat. 18. 25. between us & him alone. And if by our reproof he do repent, then is he won or gained, his soul † jam. 5. 20. saved from death, and we are to ‖ Luk, 17. 3. Eph. 4. 32. forgiv him in tenderness of heart, as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us; and in love we ought to conceal his transgression and bury the same, not * Prov. 11. 13. discovering it to others, nor ‡ Prov. 17. 9 & 16. 28. repeating it to himself; for such dealing makes division among principal friends. But if he hear not our private admonition, then should we take with us † Mat. 18. 16. one or two, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be confirmed; and that so by ‖ 2 Cor. 13. 1. 2 the second or third admonition, he may either be reclaimed, or not spared, but brought to further blame and censure. And if he will not vouchsafe to hear them, then are we to tell it▪ * Mat. 18. 17. unto the Church. where he may be rebuked of † 1. Cor. 2. 6. many: and if he refuse to hear the church also, then is he by the ” 1 Cor. 5. 4. power of Christ, which is given thereunto for the judging of all * vers. 12. within the same, to be ‡ vers. 13. cast out from among the Saints when they are assembled, & to be delivered unto † vers. 5. Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord jesus; & whiles he remaineth in that impenitency and excommunicate estate; all Christians are to ” Rom. 16. 17. 1 Co. 5. 11. Ma●. 18. 17. avoid him, & all communion with him, as the jews avoided heathens and publicans. 4. The keeping of this rule, causeth much peace in the communion of the Saints; for by this orderly dealing with the party all whispering, Backbiting, slandering, and calumniating one of another, are stayed; sins which reign in deed * Rom. 1. 29. 30. among the profane work ling, and heathens; but are not † Psal. 15. 3. & 101. 57 sufferable in the city of the Lord. By this, occasions of grief and contention are cut off: for as † Prov. 26. 20. without wood, the fire is quenched, so without a whisperer strife is silent. By this, either the sinner is amended, whereat men & * Luk. 15. 9 10 Angels do rejoice; or the church at least weise purged of the evil: for ‡ Prov. 29. 1. he that hardeneth his neck, when he is often rebuked, shall suddenly be broken off, and can not be cured; but the church's wound is cured hereby, as an other proverb saith, † Prov. ●2. 10 Cast out the scorner, and strife shall go out: so contention & reproach shall cease. 5. But if the sin be openly committed, then must the sinner be rebuked † 1 Ti●. 5. 20. openly, that others also may fear; or if it be of such a nature as tendeth to the seducing of men from God, though he that enticeth be near and dear unto us; we are forbidden to spare or keep him secret, for so may many be defiled by his privy suggestions; Or if any secret hypocritical practice be seen to impeach the truth of the Gospel or upright walking therein; such aught in public to be reproved, as ‖ Galat. 2. 11. 12. 13. 14. Paul for the like fault, blamed Peter before all men. Or if the crime be heighnous, bloody, & dangerous to the life of others, by treason or treachery such mischief is both to be Act 23. 16 17. etc. 1. king 1. 11. 12. 13. etc. be●●ed, prevented, and punished; and bloodshed so defileth the land, 〈◊〉 it cannot be cleansed * Num. 35. 33 but by the blood of him that shed it: such therefore (saith ‡ Prov. 28. 17 Solomon) shall flee to 〈◊〉 grave, let them not stay him. 6. The foresaid censures of Christ for rebuke and excommunication, are to be inflicted upon all the members of the church without † respect of persons, as for other “ jam. 2. 1. sins so specially for errors & heresies, & contentions against the true faith. For an heretic must be rejected ” Tit. 3. 10. after one and the second admonition; they that teach or receive doctrines which they ought not, must, be ” Tit. 1. 11. 13 rebuked sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, they that cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine learned, † Rom. 16. 17 must be diligently marked and avoided; and such disquieters of the church, to be ‖ Gal 5. 12. cut off. Generally all * Luk 17. 3. sinners & all ‡ 1 Thes. 5. 14 unruly persons, are liable to the Saint's admonitions; and if any lust to be contentious, ” 1 Cor. 11. 16 the churches of God have no such custom; for the Lord is author † 1 Cor. 14. 3● of peace in them all; neither may the wicked be suffered ‖ Psal. 101. 4. 8. 1 Cor. 5. 12. 13. to remain in the communion of his people, but judgement * jer. 21. 12. must be execued in the morning; neither may any ‡ Rom. 1. 31. favour evil doers; for he that justifieth the wicked, him (saith ” Prov. 24. ●4 29. Solomon) shall the people's curse, & the nations shall abhor him, but to them that rebuke, that be pleasant 〈…〉 & upon them shall come the blessing of good. 7. The causes why the Saints must thus redress the evils that arise among them, are these. First, for the glory of God, who commanded this duty in his law ” Levit. 19 17. play●y to rebuke our neighbour; that so upon warning and sight of his sin, * Lev. 4. 23▪ 28. he might bring his sacrifice & reconcile himself unto the Lord w●● he had offended; which if he reg●ded not, but should do oug 〈…〉 with a high hand, he then was said ‡ Num. 15. 30 31. to blaspheme the Lord, and must be 〈…〉 off from among his people, because 〈…〉 despised the word of the Lord, 〈…〉 broke his commandment. God th● who is dishonoured by men's transgressions, will again be glorified among them, either by their ” jos. 7. 19 confession of, or † Lev. 10. 3. Ezek. 28. 22. punishment for the same. For his way is holy, the ‖ Isa. 35. 8. polluted may not pass by it; they defile * Num. 19 20 22. Lev. 2●. 2 3 15. his sanctuary and holy things; therefore they must sanctify themselves that draw near unto him, for holiness ” Psal. 93. 5. becometh his house for ever. 8. Secondly, for the good of the sinner himself, who by these admonition's rebukes and censures, is often-tymes bettered; especially if he be the Lords elect. For a prudent man when he is reproved, † Prov. 19 2● will understand knowledge, and a rebuke sinketh more into him, ‖ Prov. 17. 10 than a hundred stripes into a fool: the censures of the church are for his * 2 Cor. 2. 6. humbling, & ” 1 Cor. 5. 5. salvation of his spirit in the day of the Lord. We owe this therefore as a duty of love unto our brethren, for their good; seeing love ‡ 1 Pet. 4. 9 covereth a multitude of sins; & that is done, when † jam. 5. 20. we convert the sinner from going astray, and save his soul from death. And hereupon it was, that God gave that Law of rebukes in these words, ‖ Lev. 19 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy 〈◊〉 thou shalt plainly rebuke thy neigh●●●● & ” Or, bear not sin for him▪ as Lev. 2●. 9 suffer not sin upon him. For what greater hatred can there be showed, then to see and suffer our brothers soul to perish? therefore Solomon was not afraid to say, that * Prov. 27. 5. open rebuke was better than secret love. And David minding this did desire ‡ Psal. 141. 5. th●● the righteous might smite him▪ f●● it should be a benefit; and r 〈…〉 him, for it should be a precious 〈◊〉 which hewished might not fails 〈…〉 being on his head. How ever then the wicked esteem of this heavenly ordinance, and hate those that rebuke them, for which cause Christ forbade ” Mat. 7. 6. to cast these holy thinger & pearls, to dogs & swine, which would but rend the giver; and Solomon, * Prov. 23. 9 to speak in the ●ares of a fool, which would despise the wisdom of their words▪ yet he saith▪ Prov. ●. 8. rebuke ● wise man, & he will love th●●. And an other prophet showeth, how men that by such wounds are drawn to amendment of life, will acknowledge & say, ” Zech. ●3. 6. thus was I wounded in the house of my friends. To verify the proverb which teacheth, that howsoever the kisses of an enemy be pleasant, † Prov. 27. 6. the wounds of a lover are faithful. 9 A third cause of these censures, is the benefit of the church; that it may be kept from the contagion & corruption of sinners, which is great and dangerous. For in as much as they are all one body and brotherhood; the fault of a few, yea even of one, may be a snare unto the whole company. This Israel felt of old, when for ‖ jos. 7. 1. 4. achan's sin the Lord chastised the whole congregation, yea told them they were * vers. 12. execrable, and said he would be with them no more, except they destroyed the excerable thing from among them. And that correct●● was a warning to the church a good while after, ” jos 22. 11. ●2. 16. 20. and made them for fear of the like again, severely to look to their brethren's actions, when they seemed evil in their eyes, and to say unto them, if▪ * vers. 18. we rebel to day against the Lord, even to mor●●● he will be wroth with at the congregation of Israel. This also the Church of Corinth felt, whiles for the suffering ‡ 1 Cor. 5. 1. 2 etc. of one wicked man as l●ven among them, the whole lump of the congregation was so l●vened as the Apostle told them, ” vers. 6. their rejoicing was not good, for that they kept the fest of their▪ passover Christ, with such so w●●●even among them, whereas in the shadow thereof, the leaven of material bread was forbid to be eaten Exod. 12. 19 upon pain of cutting off from Israel. The whole Church is endangered when they neglect this duty; first, because whiles in▪ penitent sinners are suffered, their example is on evil precedent, & an emboldening of others, to do likewise: as even the heathens ” Esth. 1. 16. 17. 18. could tell King Ahas●●verosh, about Queen Vashties * Prov. 19 25 offence; whereas if the scorner be smitten the foolish will beware. And God who punisheth some, for an ‡ Num. 26. 10 1 Cor. 10. 6. example to others, would also have his church to chasten evil doers, that ” Deut. 17. 13. ●● Israel may hear & fear, & do no more presumptuously; because some will not stick to † Prov. 1. 10. 11 & 7. 10. 13. 21. entice & persuade others unto their vices; especially ‖ Prov. 9 14. 15. etc. heretics, which leaven men's souls with false doctrine, entangle the weak consciences, * Act. 20. 30. draw disciples after them▪ ‡ Tit. 1. 11. subvert whole houses, and steal away the hearts of the people as ” 2 Sam. 1●. 6 did Absalon; such therefore a● to be discovered & cast our, that all may know and beware of them. Needfully then the Apostle warneth to † 1 job. 12. 1●. let no root of bitterness spring up & trouble us, lest thereby many be defiled; for de●● flies ” Eccles. 10. 1. causeth to stink & patrify the orn●ment of the Ap●thecarre; scornful men (as the proverb * Prov. 2. 9 8. saith▪) bring the city into a snare; and ‡ Eccl. 9 18. one sinner destroyeth much good. 10. A fourth cause why the evil must be purged out of the church is to stop the reproaches of the world, and those without. For they take occasion by the sins of God's people to Titus. 2. 5. 1 Tim. 6. 1. speak evil of them and of the truth and doctrine they profess; how much more will & may they do this, if there be no rebuking and censuring of the sinners: As God himself therefore hath a ca●e that his name ‖ Ezek. 20. 9 14. 22. should not be polluted before the heathen, by the punishment and destruction of us his people; so ought we again, to have our * 1 Pet. 2. 12. conversation honest among them▪ that God may be glorified, & his name not ‡ Rom. 2. 23. 24. blasphemed by our transgression of his law. And such as break out unto † 1 Corin. 5. 1. etc. infamous vices, either speedily to repent & amend them, or to be cast out from the fellowship of God and his people; so shall the throne of Christ our king be established in justice, when the wicked are taken away before him, ‖ Prov. 25. ●. 5. as when the dross is taken from the silver, there proceedeth a vessel for the finer. 11. This care of keeping the church clean and pure, the Lord hath required in all ages, by many laws and rites, leading men hereunto. Himself first practised it, by * Gen 3. 9 10. 11. etc. the rebuking and caling to repentance of our first parents that sinned in paradise; and afterwards by * Gen. 4. 6. 7 11. 12. 14. admonishing, & excommunicating Cain. The patriarches Noah & Abraham, † Gen. 9 24. 25. & 21. 9 10. 12. 14. Gal. 4. 30. executed these judgements on their own children▪ when the height of their sin so deserved▪ So soon as the host of Israel was constituted † Num. 1. 2. 3. & 4. chapters. & ordered, God provided for their holiness & purity in that order wherein he had set them, by causing all sorts of evil to be removed away. First he commanded that such as had corporal & ceremonial pollutions, as ‖ Num. 5. vers. 2. 3. leprosies, or issues, or were defiled by the dead, should be put out of the host. After that for sins & trespasses, whereby both soul & body were in deed defiled; he required * vers. 6. 7. 8. confession, restitution, & sacrifice. And lastly for the finding out and purging of secret sin, he ordained ‡ vers. 12. 13.— 30. 31. that severe Law of gealousy, with the bitter curse bringing water, & dreadful, effects of the same; by all these teaching them carefully to cleanse, both themselves and the congregation; which that they might the better mind, & observe, he afterwards enacted for the lighest, even the ceremonial uncleanness, that the man which purified not himself according unto the rites prescribed, should be ” Num. 19 20. cut off from among the congregation, as having defiled the sanctuary of the Lord: the like he did for all other † Num. 15. 27. 30. 31. presumptuous sinners whosoever. And these jaws were kept in Israel, executed ‖ 2 Chron. 23. 19 Ezra. 6. 21. among the people, even upon kings, who were * 1 Sam. 13. 13. 14. & 15 19 23. 26. 2 Chron. 26. 18 19 20. 21. rebuked for their sins, and thrust out for their leprosies. Christ also and his Apostles have given many rules, (as is before showed) for cleansing the churches of sin. 12. The keeping of which rules, belongeth to all the Saints, as the commandment directed of old ‡ Num. 5. ●. Levit 19 17. to the children of Israel, & in the new testament to all the * Mat. 1●. 1● 1 Cor. 5. brethren and church, doth show. It is a duty of love, from which no Christian can be exempted; to be performed by the word of God, which is given unto all, as a two edged sword, to execute vengeance and rebukes, to † Psal. 149. 5. 6. 7. 8. bind both Kings and Nobles, and execute on them the judgement written: this honour (saith David) shallbe ‖ vers. 9 to all the Saint. But chiefly this pertaineth to the ministers & watchmen of the church, who having the word of reconciliation * 2 Cor. 5. 19 committed unto them, & overseing the manners of ‡ Act. 20. 28 all the flock; must preach that word, † 2 Tim. 4. 2 be instant in season and out of season improve, rebuke, and exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine; they must hear the word at God's mouth, ‖ Ezek. 3. 17. 18. etc. & give the people warning from him, admonishing them of their wicked ways, else they shall die in their sins, and their blood shallbe required at those watchman's hands: they ” Ezeeh. 44. 23. must teach the people the difference between the holy & profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. These have the keys of the kingdom of heaven, in more special manner † Mat. 16. 1●. joh. 20. 23. given unto them, for the binding and losing of sins by the public ministery of the word: they are to guide and go before the people, as in other affairs, ‖ 1 Cor. 5. 3. 1 Tim. 1. 〈◊〉. so in administering the censures of the church. By such God of old did * jer. 1. 10. pluck up and root out, destroy and throw down, and again build and plant; by such he ‡ Hos. 6. ●. cut down sinners in Israel, and slew them by the words of his mouth: Unto such the people are to hearken, obey, ” Heb. 13. 17. and submit themselves; yet also to ‖ Golos. 4. 17. Levit. 21. 8. 24. admonish them again if need so require, and not suffer themselves to be * 1 joh. 2. 18. 26. 27. seduced by false doctrine, ‡ 2 Cor. 21. 20 brought into bondage, devoured or smitten on the face; but stand fast in the faith and ‡ ●a●▪ 5. 1. liberty of the Gospel, & when any is cast out from among them, or again received in, that it be the joint action of the church assembled, as Mat. 18. 17. 18. 20. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 13. 2 Cor●. 7. 8. 10. Christ and his Apostle have given direction. 13. Thus are the hurts of the daughter of God's people to be healed by admonitions, exhortations, rebukes, denunciations, censures, and † Ezek. 16. 23 woes; a more wholesome and pleasant balm, than the sweet words of them that cry I●●. 6. 14. peace peace, when there is no peace: for the blownes of the ●●●nd serveth sometimes to * P●ov. 20. 30 purge the evil, & the stripes within the bowels of the be●y. By such means the Saints are brought to a sight of their sins, which they do away with ‡ judg. 2 4. 5. tears and sacrifice; they † jer. ●6. ●8. ●9. fear the Lord and pray before him, & he repenteth of the plague pronounced against them. Therefore ought all God's servants, to love his rebukes and censures, sent by the hands of their brethren; to P●ov. 19 〈◊〉. hear counsel & receive instruction, that they may be wise in their later end: to be more careful to bury the dung & sin of their souls, in the grave of Christ by repentance, them the Israelits in their camp to Deut. ●3. 13 14. cover their excrements, for offending the Lord: to judge themselves * Ezek. 36. 38. worthy to have beme destroyed for their iniquities, & to cry with the Leper, ‡ Lev. 13. 45. I am unclean I am unclean: to † jam. 5. 16. acknowledge their faults one to another and pray one for another that they may be healed; for mercy is Prov. 28. 13. promised to them that confess and forsake their sins, and is to be * 1 Sam. 12. 20 22. 2 Sam. 12▪ 13. pronounced unto them in the name of the Lord; they are to be ‡ 2 Cor. 2. 7. forgiven of their brethren and comforted, lest they be swallowed up with overmuch heaviness. Thus the ear Prov. 1●. 3●. that hearkeneth to the correction of life, shall lodge among the wise: but he that † Pro. 29. 1. hardeneth his neck when he is rebuked, shall suddenly be destroyed & cannot be cured. Such therefore must more roughly be entreated, and jer. 26. 4 5. 6. judgements denounced against them; & if they convert not, as in their Prov. 29. 6. transgression is their snare, and they are holden * Prov. 5. 22. with the cords of their own sin; so must they also by their brethren ‡ Mat. 18. 18. be bound, and their sins john. 20. 23. retained; and God in heaven will confirm this censure against them. Then are they till they repent and humble themselves; † 1 Cor. 5. 13. Ezra. 10. 8. put away and separated from among God● people, Rev. 22. 15. excluded the heavenly jerusalem, regarded as strangers from the common wealth of Israel, as * Mat. 18. 17. heathens and publicans; & for despising correction, are almost brought ‡ Prov. 5. 12. 14. into all evil, in the mids of the congregation and assembly. And if they continue still to hate correction, they Prov. 15. ●0. shall die, such judgements▪ hath the Lord appointed for † Pro. 19 29. scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. By this means the body of Christ is disburdened of noisome rotten members, the joh. 15. ●. fruitless branches are taken away from the vine; the woman * Zach. 5. 8. 11. wickedness pressed down in her bushel, is lifted up and carried away from jerusalem to Babylon in the land of Shinar, her own proper place; the old leven being purged out, the congregation jointly is a sweet & ‡ 1 Cor 5. 7. new lump, as the members severally are unlevened; and keep a holy and joyful feast unto the Lord; who now is turned josh. 7. 26. 11. 12. from his fierce wrath which was kindled for the transgressors. Then he that is left in Zion, and remaineth in jerusalem, may be called holy, every one written unto life in jerusalem, † Isa. 4. 3. 4. when the Lord hath washed the filthiness of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of ●e, rusalem out of the mids thereof, by the spirit of judgement, & by the spirit of burning. The ways of the Lord are righteous, & the 〈◊〉 shall walk in them; but the wicked shall f●l ther●n. Hos. 14 10. CHAPTER XXIII. How far the Saints may hold & walk in communion together, if offences be not removed. IT falleth often out, through the default and neglect of churches, that the foresaid law & power of Christ is not duly practised, but sinners suffered and winked at, yea sometimes justified and upheld▪ by reason whereof, all kind of iniquity waxeth & aboundeth, to the dishonour of God, the reproach and grief of men. The duties therefore of the Saints, what then they are to do themselves, & what to bear in others, is needful to be considered: for their covenant with the church, persuadeth them † Ephe. 4. 3. to peace and concord, and not to schism or rent away from the fellowship; again their covenant with God, bindeth them to the obedience & keeping of Deut 8. ●. Eph. 5. 7. 11 Prov. 4. 26. 27. all his commandments, with reproof of, and departure from all evil. 2. In this strait, regard is to be given, first unto the cause & thing itself, which is done or suffered amiss; secondly unto the handling thereof, & dealing about the same. For the cause itself, that in questions and disputable controversies the Saints bear one with another's * Rom. 14. 1. 2. etc. & 15 1. Philip. 3. 15. infirmities & diversity of judgement, especially for the present, till the truth be tried out, either among themselves, or by the help of other churches; which was the practice ‡ Act 15. 1. 2. etc. in th' Apostles days; as also in Moses law, for hard and doubtful matters, the people dispersed through their cities & tribes had † Deut. 17. 8 9 2 Chron. 19 8. aid of the Senate in jerusalem. In this case therefore all Christians should mind that counsel of God's wisdom, Rom. 12. 16 not to be wise in themselves; † Philip, 3. 15 if they be otherwise minded, God shall revel even the same unto them, they know not perfectly * 1 Cor. 13. 9 10. but in part. Or if it be a personal controyersie, that as much as they may, they fulfil Christ's law to Gal. 6. 2. bear their brother's burden, & procure their own glory, Prov. 19 11 bypassing by an offence: rather to * ● Cor, 6. 7. suffer wrong & sustain harm, then by strife and contention to cause reproach; remembering his counsel which said, * Eccles. 7. 1●. be not just overmuch. But if the doctrine be ‡ 1. Tim. 1. 3. 4. & 4. 1. 2. etc. Tit. ●. 9 10. jude. 3. erroneous, and pernicious for the infecting of men's souls, and withdrawing them from the faith; if the practice be † 1 Cor. 5. Col. 2. 18. 1 Cor. 10 6. ● 8. 14. wicked, superstitious, or idolatrous, violating God's covenant, injuring their brethren, or defiling themselves, to the slander of the Gospel; then all the Saints must neither suffer (so far as is in their power,) nor partake at all in any such evil. Yet before they make any breach or departure from the Church, they are to use all means † Heb. 12. 14 Philip. 2. 3. 1 Cor. 16. 14 & 14. 40. in holy, meek, peaceable, and orderly manner, for their redress, as is Chap. 22. before showed. 3. That transgressions may not be suffered in churches, the reasons in the former chapter alleged, do prove; and may further be confirmed by the reproof that Christ sent to the Angels and Churches of Pergamus & Thyatira, for † Rev. ●. 14. ●5. 20. having and suffering false teachers among them, that drew the people into sin; of this fault they were willed to * vers. 16. repent, or else he would fight against them with the sword of his mouth; and vers. 23. kill their children with death. And such as had kept themselves from these corruptions, were * vers. 24. 25 26. willed to hold first that which they had, unto the end▪ On the other hand, he perused the Ephesians, that they could not † vers. 2. bear with them which were evil, but had tried & found out false Apostles. And this m●rke Solomon set on them that keep the law, that ‖ Prov. 28. 4 they will set themselves against the wicked. 4. And that the Saints may not for fellowship with the church or any members thereof, do any evil thing, either in God's worship or th'affairs of man; the very form of the law given to them▪ all jon●y & severally showeth; for God speaketh to every soul apart, ” Exod. 20. Thou shalt have no other Gods before my face; and ●o in all the other precepts. And least by the error of many, any should be withdrawn from this obedience; he gav another express law, † Exod. 23. ●. Then shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. After that, when corruption spread among the people, he said ‖ Hos. 4. 15. though thou Israel play the harlot, yet let not judah sin. And so far ought all to be from synning for company, as they should say with ●aak●b, * Gen. 49. ●. into their secret let not my soul ●●me; my glory be not thou joined with their assembly; and with David should ‡ Psal. 26. ●. 6. hate the assembly of the evil, and not s●t with the wicked, but wash their hands in innocency, & compass the Lords altar; for howsoever men join together in sin, yet ●●and in band ” Prov. 11. 2●. the wicked shall not be unpunished; the soul that sinneth † Ezek. 18. 4. it shall die; & whither it be ‖ Deut. 29. 18 19 20. 〈…〉 or woman or family or tribe, why 〈…〉 shall turn their heart away from th' 〈…〉 Lord, and so persist, blessing th' 〈…〉 selves in their evil; he will not be merciful to such a person, but p 〈…〉 out his name from under heaven. A 〈…〉 the Lord when he taketh his 〈…〉 the hand, teacheth them * Isa. 8. 11. 13 〈…〉 walk in the way of such people, b 〈…〉 to sanctify and fear him. This then is the duty of every soul, that they keep themselves pure, and refrain from all wickedness, that so th● praise of judah may come upon them, which ‡ ●os. 11. 12. yet ●●led with God ● was faithful with the Saints, when Ephraim compassed the Lord with lies, ● the house of Israel with deceit. So also shall their reward be with those ” Rev. 3. 1. ●. few names in Sardi (which church had a name that it lived, but was dead,) which had not defiled their garments, and should walk with Christ in whites, for they were worthy. 5. Moreover the Saints must have a care of their communion in the church, that by reason of their brotherhood & corporation, they † 1 Tim. 5. 2●. partake not with other men's sins. True it is, that some hypocrites will carry themselves so cunningly, that they can hardly be discovered or avoided, howsoever in godly jealousy they may be suspected; such must be born with patience, till their sins be ripe. And it appeareth, that the Apostles themselves were much troubled with such, whom they theifore called ‖ 2 Cor. 11. 13. 14. 15. deceitful workers, for that they could, (like Satan) transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ, and ministers of righteousness; and these sought * vers. 12. occasion against the faithful servants of God, & would impurely, ‡ Philip. 1. 15 16. even of envy and strife; preach Christ, supposing to add more affliction to their band● neither hath the church in any age been without such tars; whose judgement is with the Lord not far off, and their damnation sleepeth not. But if their wickedness be apparent, they must either be reclaimed from their sin, or rejected: otherwise the whole church may be † 1 Cor. 5. 6. leavened, and in fault also, as before is proved. And when either in God's worship, corruptions are admitted; or the open wicked suffered unamended: all the godly ought not only to reprove and witness against these evils, but refrayn from partaking with the church in them. So did the prophets, and holy men of old themselves; & so they taught others. When false worship was set up in the churches, they warned the people ‖ Hos. 4. 15. not to come there; when false prophets taught, * jer. 23. 16. not to hear them; yea though they were their own children, ‡ Zech. 13. ●. to thrust them through when they prophesied. And generally for all iniquity against God & men, they taught every one † Ezek 18. 10 11. 12. 13. 20. to refrayn as they loved their lives and salvation; to ‖ Vers. 30. 31. turn themselves, and cause others to turn from all their transgressions; because they should be judged every one according to his ways. Hereupon the godly when they could not reclaim their brethren, both * Ezek. 9 4. mourned and cried for all the abominations done among them, and also ‡ Isa. 59 15. refrained from evil, whereby they made themselves a prey to the wicked; who † Isa. 66. 5. hated them & cast them out for God's name sake; yet they again were taught to ‖ Ezek. 23. 45 iudg them after the manner of harlots; to * Hos. 2. 2. 30 4. plead with their mother (the Church) that she was not the wife of the Lord, nor he her husband, but for her adulteries she should be slain, & her children unpitied, if she took not away her fornications out of her sight. And in jeremy's days the Lord asketh ‡ jor. 11. 15. what his beloved should tarry in his house, seeing it had committed abomination with many? and the holy flesh, (that is the flesh ” Hag. 2. 13. 14. 15. of the sacrifices,) was gone away from them, (being defiled by their impure actions, & therefore rather to be † Lev. 7. 19 burnt with fire then eaten of any man;) for when they did evil, they rejoiced; so that it were better for every Godly one to separate, then communicate with that worship, where (as another * Isa. 66. 3. Prophet saith,) the sacrificing of bulloks & sheep, was as if they had slain a man, or cut off a dogs neck, or offered swine's blood, and the memory of incense, as if they blessed an Idol; they having chosen their own ways, and their soul delighting in their abominations. In like manner did Christ inform his Apostles, and they the churches; that they should not admit of any erroneous doctrines, or partake in any evil act with the Scribes and Pharisees, but ” Mat. 15. 1●. let them alone like blind guides, and ‡ Act. 2. 40. save themselves from that froward generation; to † Eph. 5. 7. have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; to * 1 Tim. 6. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 5. separate, and turn away from false teachers, & evil doers; to ‡ 1 john. 4. 1. try the spirits, & having tried all things, to keep only ” 1 Thes. 5. 3● that which was good; to refuse all fellowship with false teachers, † 2 john. 10. not to receive them to house, nor bid them God speed; to hold such accursed as should preach * Gal. 1. 8. 9 otherwise then they had received of the Apostles; And generally not to ‡ Rev. 18. 4. partake in the sins of others, that they receyved not of their plagues. 6. By which and many other like scriptures, we are taught, not to keep communion with people or church, in any open or known wickedness, against either table of God's law; for that were to honour man morethen God. Our fellowship is in the † 1 joh. 1. 6. 7 light, not in darkness; neither is it good walking to speak against faults in others, and ourselves ‖ Psal. 50. 16. 17. 18. do the same with them how should our reproofs or admonitions be regarded of men, when the * Mat. 7. 3. 4 beam is in our own eye, and our works do ‡ Tit. 1. 16. more justify, than our words can condemn them? The prophets of old, our saviour, and his Apostles, are never found either to do, or join in the doing of any unlawful thing, for which they blamed their peoples: in like weise must we walk; else shall we be inexcusable before God and men; for (as itis written,) † Rom. 2. 1. he that judgeth another and doth the same things, condemneth himself. 7. And in our assemblies where Gods ‖ Psal. 19 7. presence is, ought our holiness, fear, and obedience, most to shine; & all evil things most be shunned: where by reason of our near conjunction, & communion, the contagion of sin may spread over al. For there all are one loaf, & one body, * 1 Cor. 10. 17 because we are all partakers of one bread. And if the wicked partake with us, neither we nor the holy things can sanctify them; but chose they defile us and every thing they touch, as the law saith ‡ Num. 19 22. whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shallbe unclean, and the person that toucheth him, shallbe unclean. And this touching, figured our fellowship together in the Church, as the Apostle † 2 Cor. 6. 14 15. 16. 17. showeth; & by this, the prophet Haggai convinced the people of Israel to be ‖ Hag. 2. 14. 15. unclean in God's sight, they and all their works and sacrifices. Wherefore straight * Levit. 22. laws were given to that nation, as well priests as people, even upon pain of ‡ verse. 〈◊〉. death, that none in his uncleanness should ‡ Levit. 22 3. touch the holy things of the church, for that was not only a defiling of the † vers. 15. things themselves, but of God's ‖ vers. 2, &. 52. name also. For avoiding whereof, the Priests were to * Ezek. 44. 23 teach the people how to discern between holy and profane, clean and unclean Which if they did, and took away the precious from the vile, then were they as ‡ jer. 15. 19 God's mouth: otherwise, when they put no difference between holy and profane, they † Ezek. 22. 26 broke God's law, & defiled his holy things; for which cause, he powered out ‖ vers. 31. his indignation upon them. And now that all Christians are made * Rev. 1. 6. Priests unto God, even a ‡ 2 Pet. 2. 9 kingly priesthood to † Rev. 5. 10. reign upon earth, & have the ‖ 1 Cor. 5. 4. power of Christ, to judge all that are * verse 12. within the church, & ‡ vers. 13. cast out the wicked from among them: they ought to † 1 Cor. 7. 23. ● 5. 1. reteyn and use their power, to execute the Psal. 149. 9 judgement that is written; and as the priests of old, to ‖ Ezek. 44. 24. keep God's laws and statutes in all his assemblies, or else to * Isa 52. 11. depart from among them. 8. For if any church or people, violate God's covenant, by synning against him, & one against another: and if their ears ‡ jer. 6. 10. be uncircumcised that they cannot hearken to admonition, nor be † vers. 15. ashamed when they have committed abomination; but despising the word, walk stubbornly with God, & will not be reclaimed: them they that were ” Mic. 2. 8. yesterday God's people, are risen up for an enemy, & he will walk * Levit. 26. 28 stubbornly in anger against them, & his ” vers. 30 soul will abhor them, he will bring their † vers. 31. sanctuary to nought, and will not smell the savour of their sweet odours; the incense of their prayers is ” Isa. 1. 13. Prov. 15. 8. an abomination unto him; he * Amos. 5. 2● hateth, he abhorreth their feast days, and will not smell in their solemn assemblies; both ” Ier 7. 15. them and the house which he had hallowed for his name, will he † 1 ●ing. 9 7. cast out of his sight, and Rev. 2. 5. remove the candlestick out of his place; the Lord of hosts * jer. 11. 17. that planted them, pronounceth a plague against them, he will take Mat. 21 43 his kingdom from them, & give it to a nation which shall bring forth the fruits thereof, and their ” Mat. 23. 38. habitation shall be left unto them desolate. He will do unto them as he threateneth by his prophet, † Hos. 9 15. For the wickedness of their inventions I will cast them ou● of my house, I will love them no more; & again vers, 17. my God will cast them away because they did not obey him. For * ● Sam. 15. 23 rebellion is as the sin of witch craft, and transgression is wickedness and idolatry; seeing they have cast away the word of the Lord, therefore he casteth away them; the curse is ‡ Da●. 9 11. powered upon them, and the oath that is written in the Law. For God proclaimeth, ” I●r. 11. 3. 4. Cursed be the man, that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, which I commanded your fathers, saying, obey my voice, and do according to all these things which I command you, so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God: And his servants answer and say, † vers. 5. Amen o Lord. Thus the curse devoureth the land, of that Assembly or people, and the inhabitants thereof are desolate, for that Isa. 24. 5. 6. they transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, & broke the everlasting covenant; & then the Lord sweareth and saith, ‖ Amos. 6. 8. I abhor the excellency of jaakob, and hate his palaces. 9 Then they, that cried out against their abominations, are † Ezek. 9 4. 6 marked and saved from destruction; a book of ‡ Mal 3. 16. remembrance, is written before the Lord, for them that fear him, and think on his name, & they shallbe unto him ” vers. 17. for a flock, and he will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him; they † Mal. 3. 18. shall discern between the righteous and the wicked; unto them shall ” Mal. 4. 2. the sun of righteousness arise, with health under his wings, and they shall * Ger. 3. tread down the wicked as dust under the soles of their feet. Thus the redeemer will come ‡ Isa. 59 20. unto them that turn from iniquity in jaakob; & he will leave in the mids of it, an ” Zeph. 3. 1●. ●3. humble and poor people, and they shall trust in his name, and the remnant of Israel shall do no iniquity nor speak lies: And over them will the Lord † Ger. 17. rejoice with joy, he will quiet himself in his love, even with joy will he rejoice over them. The Lord preserveth all them that love him▪ but he will destroy all the wicked. Psalm. 145. 20. CHAPT. XXIIII Of the communion that one church hath with an other. HAving spoken of the Saint's communion in their several Congregations, wherein they are distinct bodies, and owe special duty and care one toward another: it remaineth that something be said, of the communion between Church and church. For though they be disjoined in place, yet are they united in heart and spirit; so as they generally are but † Ephe. 4. 4. 5. Colos. 1. 18 one body or church, under one head Christ, called in one hope of their vocation, by one God and Father of all; and must endeavour, to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. 2. When Christ sent forth his Apostles into the world, he ‖ Nat. 2●. 19 20. gave them one and the same commission, for preaching the Gospel in all nations, and teaching them to observe whatsoever he had commanded: who thereupon preached * Ephe. 4. 5. 'tis 1. 4. one common faith, a covenant & Gospel ‡ Heb. 13. 20 Rev. 14. 6. everlasting, for every tongue and people; and exhorted them † jude. vers. 3 earnestly to contend for that faith once given to the Saints. And as the faith was one, so was there one rule or ‖ Gal. 6. 16. canon for all Gods Israel to walk by, the * Act. 14. 23 & 20. 17. jam. 5. 14. 1 Pet. 5. 1. 'tis 1 5. same officers in all churches; the same ‡ 1 Cor. 7. 17 & 16. 1. Act 16. 4. ordinances & decrees; the same ways taught by the Apostles † 1 Cor. 4. 17 every where in every Church, and all other ‖ 1 Tim. 1 3. & 6. 3. 14. forbidden: so peace was set by God in * 1 Cor. 14. 33. all churches of the Saints. 3. And as the church generally considered is the ‡ Gal. 4. 26. mother of all the faithful; so the particular churches are † Song. 8. 8. sisters each to other, and there is a 1 Pet. 5. 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 brotherhood of the Saints throughout the world; they being * Gal. 3. 28. all one in Christ jesus, the ‡ joh. 10. 16. one shepherd that hath made one sheepfold: and are therefore exhorted to be * 1 Pet. 1. 〈◊〉 with 3. 8. all of one mind, and to lov as brethren. For so was it prophesied of the latter days, that peoples should jointly † Isa. 2. 2. 3. 4. seek for knowledge of God's ways, in the mountain of his house; and nation not lift up a sword against nation, nor learn to fight any more. 4. From hence ariseth, the communion of love, & all God's graces and blessings among the churches; wherein our elder sister, the Congregation of Israel, hath walked before us for an example. For she had mind and care of us when we were small ” Song. 8. 8. and without breasts, not able to bear or nurse up children to the Lord; she * Psal. 67. prayed for us unto God, ‡ Psal. 87. 4 made mention of us to her acquaintance, & taught her children by many † Gen. 9 27. & 12. 3. Ps. 2. 8. & 72. 8 9 10. 11. Isa. 49. 6. & 66 19 20. 21. Hos. 2. 23. Mal. 1. 11. prophecies, to expect our birth, caling, and conjoining in one spiritual body, faith, worship and religion. And now that we through Christ have obtained this riches & mercy, though it be by her ‖ Rom. 11. 12 fall and diminishing; we ought both to nourish unity & peace among ourselves, and to remember her again, who notwithstanding her present misery, is * vers. 28. beloved for her father's sakes, & shall again ‡ vers. 31. obtain mercy; which what will it be unto us, but † vers. 15. life from the dead? 5. Examples also we have of the churches in the Apostles days who communicated each with other, in blessings spiritual and temporal, as amongst others chiefly appeareth in those two loving sisters the Churches at jerusalem and Antiochia, the one of which were Jews, the other Gentiles. For they Act. 11. ●2. etc. in jerusalem hearing that many in Antioch were turned unto Christ; sent for their further edification, Bainabas unto them, ” Act. 11. 24. a good man and full of the holy Ghost, and of faith; by whose means, much people joined themselves unto the Lord. The Antiochians knowing, ( ‖ Rom. 15. 27 as the Apostle saith,) that if they were made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty was to minister unto them in carnal things: when they heard of a * Act. 11. 28. 29. 30. famine foretold to come over all the world, sent succour to their brethren in judea, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Again when there * Act. 15. 8. 2. etc. grew a dissension by means of false doctrine sown among them; they sent the said Paul and Barnabas for advise and help unto jerusalem; which church after ” vers. 7. great disputation even by the Apostles themselves, * vers. 22. sent back choice and chief men of their own company, to Antiochia with Paul and Barnabas, and wrote letters also, of the same matter; so bot● by word & writing, † Act. 15. 30. 31. etc. the multitude of believers there, were confirmed in the truth, and rejoiced for the consolation. 6. Thus have we a pattern and precedent of Christian duties between Churches, in that Church which first was crowned with the name of Act. 11. 26. Christians; & have besides this, many other instructions and examples proposed in the scriptures; as of the Churches in * 2 Cor. 8. 1. ●. 3. etc. Macedonia, so ready and instant to bestow grace and fellowship of ministering to other Saints; of ‡ ● Cor. 9 1. ●. 3. etc. Corinth also in the like case, whose readiness of mind, Paul boasted of to other congregations, and their zeal provoked many. And well was it with the churches them, which strove not for primacy, nor knew no pre-eminence one over an other; but walked all as brethren under one † 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 5. 4. Archpastour Christ, who still ‖ Revel. 2. 1. 2. etc. walked among them, visiting the ways and works of those golden candlesticks, whose lights shined not only in themselves, but unto others, so as they were * 1 Thes. 1. 6. followers of the Apostles & of the Lord, ‡ vers. 7. 8. ensamples to their sister churches, in doctrine, faith, virtue; & † 1 Thes. 2. 14 followers of them in patience; for which the Apostles ” 2 Thes. 1, 4. rejoiced in the churches of God. Hereupon followed * 2 Cor. 9 13. 14. 15. Rom. 16. 4. 16. 1 Cor. 16. 19 prayers one for another, thanks, & salutations, with all other means to nourish lov, and continue peace. Then was fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah, which foretold ‡ Isa. 19 23. 24. of a path from Egypt to Asshur, (that is from one church and nation of the Gentiles, to another,) whereby they should come and communicate together in the worship of God, Israel also being a third with them, even a blessing in the mids of the land, (as we have seen before ” Act. 11. &. 15. in the church at jerusalem,) and the blessing of the Lord upon it, in this holy communion, saying, † Isa. 19 25. Blessed be my people Egypt, and Asshur the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. 7 From these few examples, compared with the † Chapt. 18. & 19 former general duties of all Christians; may appear how churches owe help, comfort, and refreshing one to another, as they have need & ability, and should not one envy or vex an other, but ‖ Isa. 11. 13. 14. as Ephraim and judah, flee together upon the shoulders of the common enemy; yet avoiding both ambition & confusion. For although we may advise, exhort, warn, reprove etc., so far as Christian love and power extendeth: yet find we no authority committed to one congregation over an other, for excommunicating the same, as every church hath over her own members. Christ reserveth this power in his own hand, to * Rev. 2. 5. remove the candlesticks out of their places, if they sin and repent not. And he in his Epistles to the seven churches, dealeth ‡ Rev. 2 & 3. chapt. with every of them severally for their own estate and faults; not imputing the sins of one unto an other: though the admonitions given to every one, were to be a warning to all churches, even whosoever had an ear to hear. Neither may members disorderly run from church to church, which may work trouble and confusion; for avoiding whereof, in the Apostles days, letters of † 2 Cor. 3. ●. 3 john. 8. 9 10. Col, 4, 10. Act. 15. 24. 25. etc. commendation were written, for such as by occasion traveiled to other places; that they might be esteemed and received as brethren; as on the contrary, false teachers, heretics, excommunicats, and such like; ‖ 1 Tim. 1. 20. 2 Tim. 1. 15. & 2. 17. &. 4. 14. 15. be shunned & avoided. 8. As for communicating with an other church, when it lieth in sin; Christians are to consider the rules mentioned in the former chapter. For when they may not partake with their own congregation, unto which they are joined; neither may they partake with an other, being in the same estate and transgression. A Multitude * Exod. 23. ●. cannot make an evil thing good; neither can many or all churches together, justify or make tolerable, that which Gods law condemneth; for ‡ Psal. 61. 9 all men, though they be laid together in the balance, are lighter than vanity as the prophet saith. It is justice (according to the true proverb) † Prov. 14. 34 which exalteth a nation: but sin, is the shame of peoples. As therefore when Israel was in trespass, Hos. 4. 15. judah was forbidden to sin, and every godly jew, to go to their assemblies: so the Christians in Sardi, * Rev 3. 4. which were commended of Christ for not dofiling their garments, in the sins of that church; could not have been blameless, if they had joined with their sister church of Thyatira, ‡ Rev 2. 20. where jesabel sat as Doctress, to teach & to deceive God's servants. 9 When ” Ezek. 23. 4. etc. kholah, (the church of Samaria,) had defiled herself with the idols of Asshur, and was therefore chastised of God; it should have been a warning to Aholihah, (the church of jerusalem,) not to do the like, nor partake in her sister's evils: but when they became both after one sort, the Lords * vers. 18. heart forsook them both alike; and because jerusalem walked in her sister's way, ‡ vers. 31. therefore God gave the others cup into her hand, the cup of ” vers. 33. destruction and desolation. For the Lord being exceeding wroth with Israel, and having † 2 king. 17. 18. 19 put them out of his sight, that none was left but the tribe of judah only, yet judah not keeping the commandments of the Lord their God, but walking after the fashion of Israel which they used, the Lord did therefore ” vers. 20. cast off all the seed of Israel, & afflicted them, and delivered them into the hands of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. It behoveth all therefore to mind well their communion, both with their own and other churches; and to nourish peace, but in holiness; to keep communion, but in light, not in darkness; for we must all appear before † 2 Cor 5. 10. the judgement seat of Christ, where Rom. 14. 12 every one of us shall give account of himself unto God, and * Galat. 6. 5. every man bear his own burden. As we have sown in this flesh, so shall we reap; the soul that hath ‡ Ezek. 18. 20 24. sinned shall die; Noah, Daniel, and job, shall ” Ezek. 14. 13. 14. 20. deliver neither son nor daughter, but their own souls by their righteousness. And whosoever overcometh, shall † Rev. 21. 7. inherit all things; and shall not be ” Rev. 2. 11. hurt of the second death. Sow to yourselves in righteousness: reap after the measure of mercy. Hos. 10. 12. The conclusion. SEeing then we have received such grace from God, (so many as believe in the name of his son Christ,) as that we are † Ezek. 37. 1● john. 5. 25. raised up from the graves of sin, wherein we all lay naturally the children ‖ Eph. 2. 3. of wrath; & are called with a holy caling, from the servitude of Satan and sin, and all communion with the wickedness of this world to serve the Lord in freedom of spirit, and newness of life; according to his word; & are conjoined in a holy society with himself, after a wonderful & incomprehensible manner, apprehended by faith; and one with another in the fellowship of the Gospel; being through his mercy made a ” 1 Pet. 2. 9 chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, washed from all our sins * Rev. 1. 5. in the blood of Christ, and ‡ Rev. 5. 10. reigning with him on earth, by mortifying & subduing our earthly members; and seeing we have in this estate, all the promises of life, blessing, and salvation, the presence and protection of him our God, the guard and assistance of his holy † Heb. 1. 14. Angels, & whatsoever thing is good, for our help, joy, and comfort, whiles we live on earth▪ What remaineth them, but that we 2 Cor. 7. 1. purge ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, & so grow up unto full holiness in the fear of God, making straight steps unto our feet, running with patience the race that is set before us, fight the good fight of faith and of afflictions, resisting sin both in ourselves and others, nourishing mutual love and peace, & making an end of our salvation Phil. 2. 18. in fear & trembling. That after we have ended this warfare in the flesh, and have so fought as we win the victory, and none other get our crown; when our souls shall flit out of these earthly tabernacles, our bodies may sleep and rest in their ” Isa. 57 2. beds, till our change come, & our souls not sent to the spirits ‡ 1 Pet. 3 19 in prison, but received among the spirits * Heb. 22. 23. of just and perfect men, we may so rest from our labours, and wait for the full redemption of our bodies; at that day, when our Lord jesus shall † 2 Thes. ●. 7. 8. 9 1●. show himself from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming sire, to render vengeance unto them that know not God; nor obey the Gospel of our Lord Christ; punishing them with everlasting perdition, from his presence & from the glory of his power; and to be glorified in his saints, and made marvelous in all them that believe▪ which all shallbe where himself is, & see the blessed face of God, & there enjoy that heavenly communion in the great assembly of all Saints, with everlasting joy upon the 〈…〉 heads, where sorrow and mourning shallbe forgotten, and all happiness & pleasures possessed for evermore. For desire of that day, the † Rev. 23. 17. spirit & the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say Come. The faithful and true witness saith, ” vers. 20. Surely 〈…〉 quickly: Amen. Even so come Lord▪ jesus. He that is a Saint, let him be sanctified still Rev. 22. 11. Of the three sorts of men, all diversely affected in things concerning God. Men are either OPEN WICKED, HYPOCRITES, SAINTS, licentious and profane livers▪ professed enemies of the law of the Lord. job. 21. 14. 15. outwardly religious, but inwardly wicked, hating God's law, and the true righteousness▪ Isa. 29. 13. Mic. 3▪ 11▪ that rightly believe & obey God's word, with their utmost power; the friends of the Lord. Psal. 119. 3, 5, 10. 11, etc. These are born but after the flesh/ therefore savour they only the things of the flesh/ and remain as they are by nature/ Children of wrath. joh. 3. 6. 1 Cor. 2. 14. ●●h. 2. 3. These seem to be renewed, & born again of ye Spirit, they are enlightened, and boast of heavenly grace: yet continue they still in their old natural corruption, unwashed from their filthiness. Heb 6. 4. Isa, 65. 5. joh. 8. 41. 42. Pro. 30. 12. These are born a new, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, or of man, but of God: therefore they savour the things of God, and mind heavenly things, being children of Wisdom. john. 1. 13. &. 3. 3● Luk. 7. 35. These are neither chosen of God/ nor called▪ being neither of the church/ nor in the sane. Psa. 11. 5 Rev. 22. 15. 1 Cor. 5. 82. These are called, but not chosen; are in the church for a a while, but not of it. Math. 22. 14. 1 john. 2. 19 These are called and chosen of God; are both in & of the Church, and so continue. Ephes. 1. 4. etc. job. 17. 9 In these/ sin daily increaseth inwardly and outwardly/ till righteousness in them be utterly extinct Psal. 36. 1. 2. 3. 4. In these, righteousness increaseth outwardly, but sin liveth inwardly, and aboundeth. Isa. 1. 11. etc. jer. 3. 4. 5. In these, sin dieth, and righteousness rev●●eth daily, both inwardly and outwardly. 〈◊〉. 6. 2. ●. 4. etc. To these the Law if it be sent/ cometh in tables of stone/ (for such is the nature of their hearts;) but they receive it not; the tables are broken before they come at them; for these dance (as it were) about the golden calf of their own impiety/ I●●●w not what: is become of Moses; they break and violate all. Exod. 32. Yet unto such/ the la is given/ mid lieth upon them as a ●urse and condemnation. 1 Tim. ●. 9 Deut. 27. 15-26. To these God giveth the stony tables, and they receive them; but Moses face so shineth, that they can not look upon him, unless heveil his countenance. They outwardly keep the law, and rest therein, they also teach others to keep it, yet are themselves transgressors of it; the inward power and end thereof, they cannot see Exod. 34. 29. 30 etc. 2 Cor. 3. 13. 14. Rom. 2. 17. 22 23. etc. To these the Law is not given, or it lieth 〈◊〉 (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) on them; 1 Tim. 1. 2. 〈◊〉 they have the Gospel, the Law and ministry of the spirit▪ and 〈◊〉 word 〈…〉 fleshly tables of their hearts, 〈◊〉 on and without by the finger of God: & they 〈◊〉 behold as in a 〈◊〉, the glory of the Lord with open face, and are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3. 3. 18. Ezek. 11. 19 Heb. 8. 10. These keep not the Law/ neither are they kept by the Law; but break forth into all sin and wickedness. job. 24. 13. etc. Psal. 73. 8. 9 These, though they keep not the Law, yet are kept by the law, and restrained by terror thereof, from open wickedness. Mat. 23. 13. 16. 23. 25. These are the right keepers of the Law in spirit; which sometime also were kept of the Law, till Faith came. Ps. 119. 33. 34. Gal. 3. 23. 25. These hate the Law/ and profess their hatred Psa. 2, 3. job. 22. 17. These hate the Law, but profess to love it. Psal. 78. 36. 37. These love the the Law, & profess their love. Psa. 119. 97. Rom. 7. 22. These are naked/ yet without s●ame: though all men see their filthiness/ they hide it not. jor. 6. 〈◊〉. & 〈◊〉. These ashamed of their nakedness. cover it with fig-leaves, or spider's webs of their own external righteousness. Isa. 59 5. 6. These have their nakedness covered of Christ, and by the garments of his righteousness. Rev. 3 1●, & 16. 15. ● sa●iters/ Numb. 3●. the ●niorite●/ Sihon/ ●●gh/ and the like. come not into the land of promise. an● the rest that remaineth for the p●●ple of God. Heb. ● 8, 9 These both shall perish; and be punished with everlasting perdition, from the presence of the Lord; their portion shallbe with the devils in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Mat. 25. 30, 41, & ●4, 51, job, 13, 16. 2 Thes, 1, 8, 9, Rev, 20, ●0. 13, 15. These shall enter into the joy of then Lord; shall live and reign with him in heaven, & with his holy Angels for evermore Amen. Mat, 25. 21, 34, 4● The Wicked shall turn into hell Psa. 9, 17. The Hypocrites hope shall perish. job, 8. 13. The Saints shallbe preserved forever, Psal, 37, 28. The rejoicing of the Wicked is short; the joy of Hypocrites is but a moment. job. 20. 5. And men shall say. Verily there is fruit for the righteous, doubtless there is a God that judgeth in ye earth. Psa. 58. 15. Finis