GOSPEL GROUNDS; OR, CHRIST Declared to be the only Treasury of all Good, AND THE FULLNESS OF All, before God the Father, For true Believers. Coloss. 1.19. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell. Printed at London. To the READER. IN honour of the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to vindicate the truth of it from the false and base aspersions which upstart errors, and abominable blasphemies, and as diabolical practices, as well idolatrous as profane have cast upon it; These few Gospel grounds, which are humbly presented to every honest spiritual eye: That it may appear that Gospel knowledge is not obscure, uncertain, difficult, or any more cause of liberty that is wickedly taken up: then wine is of drunkenness, or of pride, or meat of gluttony: Neither is it to be withheld or minced, or clubbed down by any, lest it should be perverted, as it were madness to go naked, lest we should be proud, or destroy vines, lest any be drunk, and to make no provision for food, lest we should be gluttonous; they are partly Antydotes against errors, or Cordials for the comfort of such as are cast down: In which the defects call for supply, and the redundancies for pruning, by some learned Scribe; only let no advantage be taken from any misquoted or misprinted Scripture: If they be good for nothing else, they may be profitable for young people that are to be drawn on with delight: or to such as want leisure to read larger books; or such as are of shallow capacity to conceive a large tract: or for old folk, whose brains are dried up, and so of frail memories, one sentence may be easily learned in one day: and the proofs in two more, and so in as many days as there be conclusions, all may be gotten, and the proofs in twice as many more: The Lord bless them as they are intended to do good to all that are his: Amen. The Gospel's Grounds. Almightiness in God, and the Creatures emptiness in, and of themselves, are the only subjects of all the holy Scriptures. Exod. 6.3. Gen. 17.1. & 28.3.43.14. Psal. 68.34.35. 2 Cor. 6.18. 2 All the holy Scriptures do jointly witness Christ God's arm to save, and tend to make men perfect by faith in Christ. Isa. 40.10, 11. & 52.10. & 53.1. Joh. 5.39. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. 3 All things are to be rejected, as loss, and dung, for the excellency of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. Luk. 14.26. Phil. 3.8, 9 Mat. 19.21. Mat. 10.37. 4 All that profess Gods free and supreme will, a sure ground of believing; confess the same revealed will, a safe rule for their living. Rom. 9.11.20.21. 1 Pet. 1.2. & 2.15, 16. Rom. 12.2. 5 All true believers are in a perfect, and everlasting union with God in Christ, and one with another. Joh. 14.20. Joh. 17.21, 23. Eph. 4.16. & 5.30. 1 Cor. 6.17. 6 All that are actually perfect in Christ, do by faith rest quietly on him, and look out for no other perfection. Heb. 4.3. Rom. 5.1, 2. Phil. 4.7. & 14.17. 7 All man's worthiness is God's esteem of Christ's worthiness imputed to them, and of what he himself worketh, by his Word and Spirit. Rev. 5.9. & 3.4. 1 Thess. 2.12. 2 Thess. 1.14. 8 All faithful prayers, prophecies, and precepts of, and to believers, are as so many plain promises made unto them. Joh. 17. Psal. 3. Eph. 4.4. Mat. 6.9. Ezek. 36.25, 37. Rom. 12.1, 2. 9 A believer is always perfect before God, in Christ, not so to conscience by faith, much less by works to men. Heb. 13.8. Dan. 9.24. Rom. 14.1, 12. Lam. 3.2. 10 A believers perfection is not absolute by renovation, but only by imputation of Christ's perfection. 2 Cor. 4.16. Phil. 3.12, 13. 2 Cor. 5.21. 1 Cor. 1, 30. Rom. 4.7, 8. 11 A believers stay is upon God's Almightiness in Christ, in the greatest straits of the sorest darkness. Isa. 26.3. Hab. 3.17. Isa. 50.10. Mich. 7.8, 9 Psal. 42.11. 12 A believers strength in dangerous straits, is to be still, and the more knowledge of God, the more quietness in any trial. Psal. 46.10. Isa. 30.7, 15. Exod. 14.13. 2 Chron. 20.17. 13 A believers estate is very happy, glorious, and unchangeable, yet nothing to that it shall be at the last day. Prov. 3.13. Psal. 1.1. 1 Joh. 3.1, 2. 1 Pet. 1.3, 4, 5. Heb. 13.5, 8. 14 A believers liberty is so limitless in prayer, that he cannot make over bold with God for things agreeable to his will. 2 Cor. 4.17. Heb. 4.16. & 10, 22. Isa. 49.11. 1 Joh. 5.14, 15. 15 As happy as every believer is, were it only in this life, none could be found more miserable. 2 Cor. 4.17, 18. 1 Cor. 15.19. Heb. 11.26. 16 A believers joy is no fleshly, feeble, or fading joy, but a spiritual, full, and flowing joy. Phil. 3.3. 2 Cor. 5.12. Job 20.5. Isa. 66.10, 11, 12. 17 A believer can accuse himself of more sin, than any; yet can excuse himself of all sin before God himself. 1 Cor. 2.11. Psa. 51.1, 2, 3. Isa. 38.14, 17. Psa. 103.12. 18 A believer having put off himself, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, is as absolutely perfect before God as Christ can make him. Gal. 2.19, 20. Gal. 3.25, 26. 1 Joh. 4.17. Isa. 61.10. 19 A believer is so far from the love of any sin, that for sin, he abhors his best works, and himself. 1 Cor. 13.6. Isa. 64.6. Job 42.6. Eze. 36.31. 20 A believer receiveth the doctrine of renovation as readily to glorify God, as that of justification whereby God glorifies him. Rom. 6.1, 2, 3, 4. Tit. 2.12, 13, 14. 2 Cor. 7.1. 1 Pet. 2.9, 10. 21 Believers are saved already, though salvation appear not as it is, till the last and great day. Eph. 2.8. 2 Tim. 1.9. 1 Pet. 1.9. 22 Believers, though simple, weak, and nothing to themselves, or others, are the wisest, strongest, and most excellent persons in the world. 1 Cor. 1.26, 27, 28. 2 Cor. 12.10. Pro. 12.26. Psal. 16.3. 23 Believers and their sins, are not one thing: but sin in them is far distant from them to faith. Rom. 7.17.21. Psal. 103.12. 24 Believers do not any evils, they seem to do: but sin with them only doth all that is so done. Rom. 7.20, 31. 1 Joh. 3.6, 7, 9 25 Believers, how ever it seem, do always grow in faith, and love and answerable fruits. Psal. 92.12. Job 17.9. Psal. 22.1. Judg. 5.31. 26 Believers are not exhorted to duties because they can do more than others, but God worketh so in them, not in others. Tit. 3.8. Phil. 2.12, 13. Isa. 26.12. 2 Cor. 3.5. 27 Believers persons are pleasing to God in Christ's only person: their works as they are God's pleasure done in them. Mat. 3.17. Heb. 13.21. 2 Thes. 1.11. Psal. 135.6. 28 Believers are most made and built up when they do apprehend themselves in themselves most cast down and undone. Isa. 6.5, 6. Job 40.4, 5. & 42.5, 6. Luke 5.8. 29 Believers cannot loathe themselves, nor love Christ enough in themselves all their days. Ezek. 6.9, 10. Gal. 2.20. Phil. 3.3, 4, 8, 9 1 Cor. 16.22. Mat. 22.37. 30 Believers have much more cause of joy in Christ, than they ever had, or may have of sorrow in Adam. 1 Cor. 15.22. Rom. 5.10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. 1 Cor. 15.45. 31 Believers cannot be prevailed against for hurt, by all the policy, and powers of hell. Mat. 16.18. & 7.24, 25. Rom. 8.28. 32 Believers are simply in all things to do Gods revealed will, without any further question. Deut. 29.29. & 12.32. Joh. 6.28, 29. Phil. 2.14. Gal. 1.16. 33 Believers and Gods Ordinances being mutually disposed one for another, God so leads them on to perfection. 1 Cor. 3.1. Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. & 6.1, 2. 1 Cor. 11.29. Phil. 3 16, 17. Acts 20.20, 27, 32. 34 Believers are never the more just before God, for their own integrity, nor the less just for their iniquity. Rom. 4.2, 5. Rom. 3.28. Isa. 38.14, 17. 35 Causeless suspicion, or contempt of a Gospel ministry betrays ignorance of the Gospel, or malice against it. Luke 7.39. 2 Cor. 13.3, 4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 13.5. Act. 17.18. 36 Christians, whose care is cast wholly on God, are the choicest believers, for such are not negligent in the use of lawful means. 1 Pet. 5.7. Phil. 4.6. Act. 27.25, 31. 37 Censured believers shall be judges of their impenitent censurers at the great day. 1 Cor. 6.1, 2, 3. Judas 14.15. Rev. 20.11. 38 Christ crucified is the only subject of all Gospel preaching, other doctrine is not to be received by believers. 1 Cor. 1.23. & 2.2. & 9.16. 2 Cor. 4.5. 2 Joh. 9.10, 11. 39 Christ first, than a believer in Christ, is the person to whom all promises of happiness do belong. Psal. 1.1, 2. & 119.1, 2. Pro. 3.13. Isa. 33.15, 16. Mat. 5.3. Gal. 3.16. 40 Christ only is the end of all Laws, the hiding place from all threats; and the door of all promises to believers. Rom. 10.4. Isa. 32.2. 2 Cor. 1.20. Gal. 3.16. 42 Christ's birth, blood, death, and righteousness are Almighty, by the personal union of both natures in Christ. Luk. 2.10, 11. Act. 20.28. 1 Joh. 3.16. 2 Cor. 5.21. Joh. 1.14. 43 Christ only is the common treasury of all good, and the fullness of all before God to true believers. Col. 2.3.9, 10. Col. 1.19. & 3.11. 1 Cor. 1.30. Joh. 1.14, 16. 44 Christ knew no sin, yet was for us made not only a sacrifice, but sin; and we that so believe, are made God's righteousness in him. 2 Cor. 5.21. Gal. 3.10, 11, 12. Isa. 53.6. 45 Doubtful disputations are to be avoided in the presence of the weak, lest they be either offended, or ensnared. Rom. 14.1, 2. Rom. 15.12. 1 Tim. 1.4. & 6.4, 20. 46 Doubtings of God's favour yielded unto by the faithful after new sins, are greater added to lesser evils. Mat. 14.30, 31. Heb. 2.1, 2, 3. 1 Joh. 5.10. Gen. 4.13. 47 Evil is as burdensome to believers, as good is to unbelievers, seeing they are both out of their road way. 1 Cor. 13.6. Rom. 7.24. Amos 8.4, 5. Gal. 5.17. 48 Faith, and love, with their attendants, are not gotten by our own industry, nor without it. Psal. 10.17. Ezek. 36.25, 37. Eph. 2.8. Rom. 5.5. 49 Faith is hard, yea, impossible for man to get, but possible, and as easy for God to give. Mat. 7.13. Luk. 18.24, 27. Phil. 1.29. 50 Faith is not founded on our works, yet is the only ready way to all powerful performances. Gal. 5.6. Eph. 2.20. 1 Cor. 3.11. Tit. 3.8. 2 Cor. 4.13. 51 Faith is the only evidence of salvation to ourselves, works do show our faith to others. Heb. 11.1. 1 Joh. 5.10. Jam. 2.18. 52 Faith maketh the hardest duties easy, mastreth the strongest lusts, wanquisheth Devils. Luk. 17.3, 4, 5. Gal. 5.24. Eph. 6.16. 53 Faith maketh God's power ours, and all our enemies Gods adversaries. 1 Pet. 1.4, 5. Act. 9.5. Mat. 25.44, 45. 54 Gospel precepts are creating injunctions, as soon obeyed as enjoined, when, and by whom the commander pleaseth, Gen. 1.3. 2 Cor. 46. Eze. 2.1, 2. Joh. 20.27, 28. Esa 44.26, 27. Deut. 33.27. Dan. 10.8. 55 Gospel arguments to work of sanctification weaken not, but confirm and strengthen believers in faith and love. Cor. 10.8. & 13.10. 1 Pet. 1.3, 4. & 2.12.2, 3. 56 Gospel exhortations are no rods; but hearty encouragements to believers in all performances. Jos. 1.2, 3, 4, 9 Heb. 12.1.5. & 13.22. 1 Cor. 14.3. Paraclesin. 57 Gods works are everlastingly unchangeable, not to be added to, or at all diminished by any creature. Eccles. 3.14. Isa. 46.9, 10. Dan. 4.35. Isa. 14.24, 25. 58 Gods eternal decree is not crossed, but only discovered by the execution, seeming never so strange. Act. 2.23. & 3.18. Act. 4.27, 28. 59 Gods saving purpose free from all causes but his own pleasure, was to save none but by faith in Christ. Eph. 1.4, 5. 1 Cor. 8.6, 7. 60 Gods elect ever beloved of God, are yet by sin truly Gods enemies, till Gods love be declared by faith in Christ. Rom. 8.30. & 10.14, 17. Rom. 8.16. Isa. 59.21. Jer. 31.3. Rom. 5.10. 61 Gods all-sufficient grace is not lost, nor lessened by the sins of the faithful, but commended, illustrated, and magnified. 2 Cor. 12.8, 9, 10. Psa. 51.3. Rom. 3.3, 4, 5. Rom. 5.20. 62 Gods way is the safest way, though known to none but such only as he himself teacheth. Isa. 54.13. Psa. 86.11. Isa. 35.8. 63 Gods image more manifestly appeareth in all believers, as they are more enlightened to behold God's image in Christ. 2 Cor. 3.18. & 4.4, 6. Phil. 3.10. 1 Joh. 3.2. 64 God is most glorified, when most joyfully sought and confidently relied upon for all his free promises. Isa. 56.7. Heb. 4.16. 2 Cor. 5.6, 8. Rom. 4.20, 21. 65 Good or evil acts make no man good or evil; but by some circumstances do manifest what men are. Mat. 7.17, 18▪ 2 Sam. 11.4. 66 Greatest confidence in God through Christ, is attended with greatest love & obedience to God. 2 Cor. 5.6, 7, 8, 9, 11. 1 Cor. 15.10. 67 Growth in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ is the only powerful way to spiritual steadfastness. 2 Pet. 3.17, 18. Heb. 6.1, 2, 3. Eph. 4.12, 13, 14. 68 He only is worthy of a Gospel Ministry which receives the Gospel for its own sake against all opposition. Mat. 10.11, 12, 37, 38. Luk. 3.5, 6. Mat. 8.8, 9 69 Hearty hospitality is discernible by unresistable expressions of fervent love in the entertainment of friends, or strangers, Gen. 19.2, 3. Judg. 19.5, 6, 7, 20, 21. Luk. 24.28, 29. 3. John 5. 70 Increase of mortification, and renovation in believers ariseth from their growth in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Phil. 3.10. Col. 3.1, 2, 5, 10. 1 Joh. 3.2. 71 It is not good to dig up the buried faults of the faithful, but men of foulest lives are most busy with believers blemishes. Gen. 9.22. 1 Pet. 4.8. Mat. 7.5. 2 Sam. 16.5, 7. Joh. 12.4▪ 5, 6. 72 Knowledge of the Gospel increaseth abundantly by dispersing it liberally. Pro. 11.24, 25. Gen. 18.17, 18. Mat. 25.20. 2 Cor. 9.6. 73 Man is said to do only as the created subject wherein, or the form instrument wherewith any thing is done. Phil. 2.13. Isa. 26.12. & 10.5, 15. 74 Man falleth from God by going out from him, to the creature; and riseth by returning to God by faith in Christ. Gen. 3.6, 7. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. Mat. 16.24. 2 Cor. 3.5. Luk. 14.26, 27. 75 Man's renewed perfection in his expectance of all good from God, and ability to glorify God for all good renewed. Rom. 11.36, 1 Cor. 10.31. Jer. 9.23, 24. 76 Many speak seemingly well, but to do good, or to speak well indeed they are altogether to seek. Mat. 7.21. Jer. 7.4. Mat. 23.5. Mat. 12.33, 34. 77 Meditation of the Gospel, together with self resignation wholly to it, is the way by which God teacheth to profit by it. 1 Tim. 4.15. Psa. 1.2. & 119.11. Isa 48.17. 78 New heavens and a new earth shall be created of God for the everlasting happy habitation of believers. Isa. 65.17. 2 Pet. 3.13. Revel. 21.1, 2. 79 No man seeing his sinfulness, can believe too soon, or be over confident of Gods free love in Christ. Rom. 4.5. Psal. 95.7. Heb. 3.7, 15. 2 Cor. 5.6, 8. Rom. 4.19, 20. 80 None but prepared ones will take Christ, yet is no preparation to be forced on any as man's work in any sense. Isa. 61.1, 2. Act. 16.31. & 8.37. Mat. 9.23. 81 Nothing is procured by prayer besides God's purpose, believers are by it only fitted to receive God's gifts. Isa. 46.9, 10. 2 Chron. 20.12, 17. Act. 12. Ezek. 36.25, 37. 82 Perfection is only in God, who being simply and universally perfect, performeth all things perfectly. Mat. 5.48. Deut. 32.4. Psal. 18.30. 83 Perfection is required of the creature to bring it back to the Creator by Christ. Mat. 5.48. 2 Cor. 13.11. Ecles. 7.29. 84 Philosophical subtleties are to be avoided, and plain simplicity to be only used in the publication, and profession of the Gospel. Col. 2.8. 2 Cor. 1.12, & 11.3. & 4.2. 85 Preaching is the only ordinary way of publishing the Gospel: to beget and perfect faith, and love. Rom. 1.15, 16. & 10.8, 14, 17. Gal. 3.1, 2. 86 Quenching the Spirit is prevented and Apostasy, by dehortations from it, and admonitions against it. 1 Thess. 5.19. 2 Tim. 1.6, 7. Heb. 12.15, 16. 87 Regeneration is a new Creation, in which man doth no more than the world did at first in creating itself. 2 Cor. 5.17. Eph. 2.10. Gal. 6.15. 2 Cor. 5.5. Joh. 3.3, 5. Act. 11.18. Eph. 2.8. 88 Such as were never at a stand about Gospel's knowledge, know not what the Gospel is. Jer. 6.16. Isa. 6.5. Act. 2.37. & 8.31. 89 Such as rest satisfied with any measure of Gospel's knowledge, know it not truly in any measure. 1 Cor. 8.2. Eph. 1.18. & 3.18, 19 90 Such as are most acquainted with the Gospel, desire nothing so much as the increase thereof. Phil. 3.9, 10. Joh. 6.34. 2 Pet. 3.18. Act. 13.42. 91 Salvation by Christ containeth in it all the promises of God made to believers in the Scriptures. Mar. 16.16. Joh. 4.22. Isa. 49.6. 1 Pet. 1.5. 92 Sin is not so far from any, as from those to whom it seemeth to be most near. Psal. 51.3, 4, 9, 10, 13. Rom. 7.24. Isa. 18.14, 17. 93 Sudden sadness free from sickness, betrays evil purposes in the wicked; sorrow or temptations in the faithful. Gen. 4.4, 5, 6. 1 Kin. 21.3, 4. Neh. 2.1. Ps. 42.11. Mat. 26.37. 94 The Gospel is a joyful Revelation of God's work in Christ to save elect sinners, and of the work of his spirit in the saved. Rom. 16.25. Luk. 2.10. 2 Cor. 5.19. Rom. 8.30. Gal. 5.22. 2 Cor. 3.18. 95 The Gospel is the Almighty word of God's grace able to beget, and build up, all that are begotten. Rom. 1.16. 1 Cor. 4.15. Act. 20.32. 96 The Gospel is a doctrine of liberty, not to the flesh, nor so wilfully abused by any but very Reprobates. Gal. 5.1, 13. Jud. 4. 1 Pet. 2.8. 97 The Gospel is not to be hidden but openly preached to every creature; but such as obstinately put it from them. Mar. 16.15. 2 Cor. 4.2, 3. Act. 13.45, 46. 98 The Gospel is a transforming doctrine, though the change appear not in all alike, for time, manner, or measure. Es. 11.6, 7, 8, 9 1 Joh. 2.12, 13. Act. 8. & 16. 1 Thes. 1.5. 99 The Gospel, though dark, hard, a foolishness to many, is plain, easy, and excellent to believers. 1 Cor. 2.7, 14. Joh. 6.60. 1 Cor. 8.23. 2 Cor. 4.2. Esa. 35.8. 1 Tim. 1.11. 100 The Gospel is not ordinarily revealed to any at once, but as men are enlarged by the Revealer. Mat. 16.17. 2 Cor. 6.11, 12. 101 The Gospel is not truly believed by such as receive not the doctrine of renovation by it. Tit. 2.12, 13, 14. Rom. 12.1, 2. Eph. 4.18, 19, 20. 102 The Gospel is perverted, when weak ones are terrified and not comforted, and confirmed by it. Isa. 29.20. & 35.3, 4. 103 The Gospel is not the Law, nor the Law the Gospel, but they are to be destinguished by believers. 2 Cor. 3.6, 7. Gal. 3.12, 13. Joh. 1.17. 104 The Gospel fewer in words, is fare greater than the Law in powerful, and glorious administration. 1 Tim. 1.11, 15. 2 Cor. 3.6, 7, 8, 9 2 Cor. 4.1, 2. 105 The Ministers of the Gospel are most jealous lest people's affections be withdrawn from Christ to themselves. 2 Cor. 11.3, 2. 2 Cor. 12.6. Rev. 22.8, 9 106 The more men know they excel in learning and natural parts, the further they are off from the true knowledge of the Gospel. Mat. 11.25, 26. 1 Cor. 2.6, 7. & 3.18. 107 The Law revealeth sin, showing what man was, and is not; should do to life but can never. Rom. 3.19, 20. & 5.20. & 10.5. Deut. 5.29. 108 The Law is a rule of life to believers not from the letter without, but from love within. Joh. 14.13. Rom. 7.6. 109 The Law hath nothing at all to do with believers, but they have most of all other to do with it. 1 Tim. 1.9, 10. Rom. 6.14. & 3.31. 110 The Law of faith is the Law of a believers mind, not Moses Law, but Christ's. Rom. 3.2, 7. & 7.25. Jam. 2.8. Gal. 6.2. 111 The Law of faith receiveth Christ and his fullness for ourselves, and like power to express the same to others. Rom. 6.1, 2. & 3.27. & 8.34. 112 The Law is not used in preaching lawfully if not always with the Gospel, and only for the Gospel's sake. 1 Tim. 1.6, 7, 9, 10. Rom. 6.14. & 10.4. & 3.31. 113 The new Covenant is everlastingly unchangeable, seeing it is founded only on Gods free promises, who is unchangeable. Jer. 31.3. Dan. 9.24. Heb. 6.18, 19 Jer. 31.33, 34. & 32.39, 40, 41. Heb. 8.9. 114 That which they most greedily desire, they do least need, and want most what they least inquire for. Mat. 16. & 21. & 18.1, 2, 3. Act. 1.6. Joh. 6.47. & 55.2. 115 The true knowledge and love of God and the like in us, do slow from God's knowledge and love of us. Gal. 4.9, 10. 1 Joh. 4.19. 116 Things most secret done by men or Angels shall be publicly, and punctually revealed at the great day. 1 Cor. 4.5. Ma. 12.36, 37. 117 The standing of unbelievers is slippery, and being under wrath, the spirit that is in them will pull them down. Psa. 73.18. Eph. 2.2, 3. Mat. 8.31, 32. 118 The excellency of a believer in this life is beyond all manner of expression, and comprehension. 2 Cor. 12.4, 5. Ephe. 3.18. 1 Joh. 3.1. 119 The glorious joy of a believer would be always unspeakable, did he always apprehend his happiness. 1 Pet. 1.3, 8. Rom. 5.1, 2, 11. 1 Thes. 5.16. 2 Thes. 2.16. 120 The ordinances of preaching, reading prayer, Sacraments do strengthen the joyful remembrance of Christ in believers. Luk. 11.28. 2 Pet. 1.12, 13. & 2.1, 2. 1 Cor. 11.24. 1 Cor. 15.2, 3. 121 The imputed perfection of believers is all alike here, and their glorification hath no ground of difference. Phil. 3.21. Rom. 6.23. Mat. 13.43. Psal. 16.3. Rom. 4.7, 8. Mat. 20.9, 10. 122 The more ungodliness is seen, and known, the more hateful it becomes to true believers. Rom. 5.20. Ezech. 6.62. 123 The spiritual sight of sins sinfulness, is only in those that are free from sins dominion. Rom. 6.11, 12. & 7.7, 13, 22, 25. 124 The best preparation for Christ is to see in ourselves no preparation for Christ at all. Mat. 8.8. Luk. 5.8. Isa. 6.5. 125 The more faith, the more humility and courage in the believer. Mat. 8.8. & 15.27. Eph. 3.8. Prov. 28.1. 126 The present heavens and earth shall be on fire, and burn perpetually for the perdition of ungodly men. 2 Pet. 3.7. Mal. 4.1. Mat. 13.42, 50. Isa. 34.1, 9, 10. 127 The day of judgement shall be no usual day, of so many hours, but a great day for the great things then to be done. Rev. 10.6. & 6.17. Zeph. 1.14. Act. 17.31. Rom. 2.16. Zach. 14.8. Mal. 4.1. 128 That interpretation of Scriptures, aught to be rejected as private which agreeth not with other Scriptures. 2 Pet. 1.20, 21. Act. 10.43. & 3.21, 22. 129 Things simply necessary to salvation, may be plainly read in the very letter of the Scriptures by believers. 2 Cor. 1.13. & 4.2. Pro. 8.9. Psa. 19.7, 8. 130 The absolute depth of Scriptures sense our apprehensions at best are too shallow to reach here. Rom. 11.34. 1 Cor. 2.10. Eph. 1.18. & 3.18, 19 131 That interpretation of any dark place that crosseth a more plain is false, and to be utterly refused. Pro. 2.15. & 8.8, 9 Isa. 59.8. 132 The Scriptures that speak of men barely are usually to be understood of unbelievers. Gen. 6.2. Mat. 10.22. & 12.36. & 5.11. 1 Tim. 5.24. 133 That which is most abundantly pressed in Scriptures is most hardly believed and of greatest consequence to be observed. Esa 53.1. Luk. 24.25. Judas 25. 134 That which men boast they do believe they believe least, and what desiring to believe they seem not to believe, that usually they do believe. John 16.30, 31, 32. Phil. 3.9, 10, 12, 13, 14. 135 Truth may never stoop to reason, but reason must always stoop to truth. Joh. 6.60, 61, 62. 2 Cor. 10.3, 4, 5. 136 Truth is to be lessened for no man's infirmity, but men's faith is to be extended to God's omnipotency. Mat. 19.23, 26. Gen. 18.14. Mar. 9.23, 24. Mar. 5.36. 137 Truth is to be received for no man's Authority, but men are to be received for the Authority of Truth. Mat. 10.40. John 8.45, 46, 47. Gal. 1.8, 9 Judg. 3.20. 138 To pervert truth willingly is devilish, but to stoop high thoughts to truth is divine. Mat. 4.6, 10. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. Rom. 3.4. 139 True faith preserveth from all extremes of exaltation or dejection. 1 Cor. 8.1, 2. Rom. 3.27. Mat. 14.30, 31. 140 True believers assembled in Christ's name have Christ's Almighty presence with them. Mat. 18.20. & 28.20. 1 Cor. 5.4. 141 Unbelievers are not simply to be pressed to duties, but first wisely won to the faith. Pro. 15.8. Jo. 9.35. Act. 26.27. & 16.31. 2 Cor. 5.11. 142 Unbelievers dying so, can expect nothing but everlasting fiery torments at the last day. Rev. 21.8. Luk. 12.46. 143 Whatsoever is done, in or by any creatures seem it good or evil; it is Gods own work, done by him well. Esa 45.8. Lam. 3.37. Amos 3.6. Psal. 62.11. 144 Whatsoever Christ was, did, suffered, is or shall be, it was and shall be for the good of believers. 1 Pet. 3.18. Joh. 1.1, 14. 1 Tim. 3.16. Eph. 1.19. 2 Thes. 1.6, 7, 8, 9 145 Whatsoever blamelessness believers attain, the more blameless, the less censorious they always are. 1 Thos. 2.10. 1 Cor. 13.4, 7. 1 Pet. 4.8. Luk. 17.3, 4. Luk. 9.54, 55. 146 Whatsoever believes are most sure of, they do ask most confidently of God. Phil. 4.5, 6. Joh. 17.1, 4, 5, 24. 2 Cor. 5.6, 8. 147 Whatsoever glory they lost in Adam, the glory of believers doth surpass it, for excellency and eternity. Rom. 3.23. & 5.15, 16, 21. 2 Cor. 4.17, 18. 148 When God gins faith in any, he finisheth it always, with whatsoever is agreeable thereunto. Isa. 42.16. Phil. 1.6. 149 Where most unworthiness is apprehended, there true worthiness is most certainly attained. Mat. 8.8. & 15.27. Gen. 18.27. 150 Where Christ is most remembered, faith in Christ hath the greatest increase in those. Mat. 6.21. Col. 3.1, 2. Psa. 119.11. Psa. 10.4. 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. 151 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, that should come in the flesh, and is come according to the Scriptures, is a true believer. 1 Joh. 5.5. & 4.2. 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. 152 Whosoever acknowledgeth Christ to be all for him to God; and to do all in him that is good, hath true faith. Job. 1.14, 16. 1 Cor. 1.30 1 〈◊〉 3.18. 2 Cor. 8.21. 153 Whosoever hath enjoyed most means of salvation, and neglected or abused it, shall have the greatest ●hare in torments. Lu. 12.47. Zeph. 1.14. Mat. 11.22, 23. 154 Works can be no sure ground of our own faith; seeing it is proper to faith to vilify our b●●t perf●●mances. Isa. 64.6. Job 4.6. Eze. 36.31. Phil. 3.8, 9 155 Wic●●d men understand no truth truly, only believers do so understand it. 1 Cor. 2.9. Dan. 12.10. Mat. 13.11. Rectum est index sui et obliqui, Soli Deo in Christo gloria,