*«ggpf«ljE *W mm ill jv¥t ^W A , ^ K ffly| y^i M^yyyyj: v^yy »W $C6*(0T7 A DESCRIPTION OF THE Confirmed State* O F A ■ CHRISTIAN. By the late Reverend Mr. Roeekt Fleming, Author of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures* < G L A S G O IV, Printed by Robert F-o u l i s, and fold by him-, and other Bookfellers in V/a/go-zv and Edinburgh, MD.CGXLIH. ( iii ) TO THE RE A D E R. IT" is like thou may eft think /irange, how thefe few Sheets in the Clofe fall in here, after the foregoing ^Parf was finijhed; but tho they meet in one, Defign and Inter eft, yet^was not this then intended until the former was done, and if it might tend to a /olid Ufe and Fruit unto any, I Jhall forbear a fur~ ther Apology herein. I may truly fay, the Weight of the Suhjetl hath carried it fome further Length than was defgned, wheirlfo much fought to be fort, as I aim at hi A 2 any isr To the READER. . any Thing of this Kind, that through my 13 e fire to avoid any unneceffary mul- • tiph/mg of Words, I fear left it may make fome Things feeni a little dark at the.firji View: Thd 1 hope, not upon any ferious ^Perufal of the fame. Two Things Imujl further crave Leave to add, I. That when fome fnccintl View of the great Affiftances, and Confirmati- ons of our Faith is here offered, which thefe of the low eft Capacity of the Churchy might with that Advantage 'improve*, as in a few Flours, by read- ing it fometimes over, may he fo far hnpreffed on their Mind and Judgment, that they conic] give fome clear and ju- dicious Account thereof; it may he by fuchj, but ferioufly weighed, and taken to Heart of what concern the Ufe here- of is. a mo i> That 1 humbly judge alfo, it were noft fpecial Service for the Truth in this Day, to havefomefort Directory,*? /?i Remembrancer of the great Atls of the Lord. To the. READER. v Lord, and Monuments of his *Provh dence now under the New Teftament, in that Manner held forth, as might mo ft tend to fome univerfal Ufe of all within the Church. I corfefs, my De ■■ fire pre fed me to fome fmall E[fdy herein, with Intent to have joined it to this Work, but having with -much Con- vitiion laid this wholly afide, as to any further jlppearanc^e that Way, fo is it with an earneft Deftre, that fome more qualified, ?night take to Heart, . and under ■ their Hand, fo great- a Service, both for their Generation and Tofterity. It is fire, the Lord hath defigned his Teople to be taught the Greafnefs of his Works, as. well as the Trecepts of his Word, and as no Duty is' more preffed than this under the Old Teftament, both as to Tublick and Fa- mily Inftrutlion, fo art we no lefs ac- countable in thefe I aft Times, for this Improvement, of fitch as are of knozvn % public, and itncontroulable Evidence, and, fh.ould he the Care of each j4ge to have A3 that vi To the READER. that folemri Remembrance kept up here- of, fo as not a few, but the very Mul- titude within the Church, might he as a public Library, and Repofitory of the fame. A DE* c o • DESCRIPTION OF THE Confirmed State OF A CHRISTIAN. H O' tire Meafure of all ChrifK- ans Eftablifhment in the Truth be not alike, but inuft have RefpeS to their different Trials, Talents, and Improvements for this End. 5 yet may it caufe Aftonifhment to fee r how rare any Study of this Kind Is now to 2 d. Defer if t ion of the confirmed to be found, When 'tis not only one of the higheft Concerns ofChriftianity, but in a more than ordinary Way called for, as the Work of this Day $ yea, being this is a Part of Religion, which feems leaft improved of any, for the more generaF State of Profeffors within the Church , under fome Conviction hereof, was this Eflay defigned ^ wherein, with humble Confidence, I may fay, the Truth hath been fought with that f erious Enquiry in . to the Nature of thefe Things held forth, as I judged needful for fuch, who have fo great an Intereft, and adventure not only through Time, but for all Eternity, to Fupport themfelves upon the alone Certainty hereof • and ere thefe Days of Trial, which we now fee, pafs over this Generation, it may be found, this was not unfeafonable, or without Caufe dire- cted to fuch a Time, if the Lord graciouf- ly.blefs the fame- nor will it, I hope, be found ''unneceffery -to prefent.yet further, fome clear Frofped of a Confirmed State Mi Religion, and what thofe ought to be, who, with Light, and Affurance of Mind, are like to follow the Lord fully in fuch a Day ^ which is here offered in a feven- fold Charade r, under which a truly c -on- firmed State of a Christian. 3 firmed Chriflian in the Vruth of his Pt'Oi fejjion may he fated. Cha r a c te r I. He is one, ivho hath another Senfe, and ImpreJJion of this great Study for attaining to a confirmed State in Religion, and is on higher Grounds prejjed to folioiv the fame, than moft of the yifihle Church do apprehend) and fhould be thus confidered. i. As one to whom the Glory of the Chriftian Profejfion is in the higheft De- gree dear, and who would have the World fee, that fuch as embrace the lame, and do moft fully adventure on the Teftimo- ny of God in his Word, are thofe^ who walk on the higheft Principles of true and enlightned Reafon *, yea, who take deep- ly to Heart, that Obligation which is on all, who defire to advance the Repute, and Honour of the Truth, to be in fuch Terms therewith upon its own Evidence, that they may know how to confute and fhame Atheifts, and Infidels, if called thereunto. -2. Who fee alfo, that fuch is the State of fallen Man, as ftands in need of all A 3 the 4 A Defcription of tie confirmed the Contributions that can be, not-only to ftrengthen the Chriftian's Faith, to bear out againft the ftrong Affaults of Infide- lity, but to gain alfo more Credit and Veneration to the Truth, with thofe who are not eafily dealt with, but by fuch Means as bear fome Congruity to their; natural Light and Reafon ^ for which- End the Lord hath afforded his minifte- rial Helps, to render the Unbelief of the World, and all Pretence of Hefitation a- bout his Truths more inexcufable. -3. He alio fees, that the mo ft impor- tant and fundamental Truths of Chriftia- nity, need the greateft Confirmation in bis Faith ^ and thofe, who enter into fo high and diferiminating a Profeflion from the Refidue of the World, need to know in what Manner they embrace the fame. He fees, that the natural Order of Things does absolutely require to have the Foun- dation fure laid, on which fo great a Su- perftru&ure mull reft, fo as he judgeth It a Work by itfelf, and to need fome pe- culiar retiring his Soul irr the moft feri* ous Recefs, and. Compofure thereof, to attain a Stedfaftnefs in the Truth, and to know the ftrong and firm Conveyances of that greateft Myftery of the Gofpel, in fuch State of a C h r i s t i a n J 5 •fuch a Manner, as needs not a new Mi- racle to confirm the fame. But he knows, that no Sharpnefs of Mens natural Under- ■{landing about the Truth, can ever attain a true Reft, and Settlement of Mind therein, without an humble and ferious Spirit, {looping down before the Wifdom of God, and entring as a little Child into his School -, and by that humble Pra&ice and Obedience of the Gofpel, there is an undoubted coming up to the greateft Af- furance and cleared .. Demonitrations of the fame, as John vii. 17. 4. He knows, that as nothing tends more to (hake Mens Spirits, and ftagger them about the Truth, than a light and tranflent View hereof, fo does the great- eft Eftablifhment follow, on the neareft approach by a deep and ferious Enquiry about the fame .5 and he clearly fees, that if fuch, who look but at a Diftance on the Way of Religion, did but once come to have their Spirits exceed in a more ferious Reflection thereon, the firft View they fhould have, could not but be Matter of Wonder and Amazement $ to think what can fupport a Soul, in fo marvellous a Way, as the Life and Practice of Cfrri- Hianity, which is fo vifible above Na- ture, 6 A Description of the confirmed ture, and that wherein they muft do Vio- lence to the fame *, wh^reia they muft part with the Multitude, and oppofe themfelves to the ftrongeft Tide of Ex- ample, and muft endure alio in Hope, ^nd believe for Things not feen, (which were never the Object of human Senfe,) to any in this Ear,th $ and are oft called to part with the moil defireable Things of Senfe, upon the alone Credit of their Faith , yea, wherein they muft enter that Profeffion, on no other Terms, than to be Martjrrs for the fame, and feal it with their Blood $ fo that he muft needs fee a Chriftian, according to the Rule and Inftitution of the Gofpel, to be the greateft Riddle and Wonder of any Sight within Time ^ but when fnch come more clefe and near upon this Trial, and have- once under ftood the Nature and Greatnefs of that Security, which thefe have to ad- venture, on, and what is the Glory of their Hope, and the fure Spring of their Sup* plies, for their Work and Trials within Time *, then will this fecond Wonderun- fpeakably exceed 'the firft •, how 'tis pof- ilble, that fuch are not of a more raifec and enlarged Spirit, in the Service of the Gofpel, m that fhort Seafon they hav< her< > State of a Christian." 7 here for it on the Earth, and how their Difficulty fhould not be more, to bear the Joy of fo great a Profpeft and Expec- tation, than to bear any prefent Griefs and Troubles. Yea, how a Mans Life, who indeed fincerely makes the Chrifti- an Profeffion, is not in fome more conti- nued Tranfport of Ravifhment and Won- dering, to know, that they are furely made for their eternal State in another World, and are among thofe, on whom the glorious God hath chofen to have the exceeding Riches of his Grace fhewecl forth, in the Regions of BlefTednefs a- bove forever. 5. He hath another Sight and ProfpeS cf the Chriftian Creed, than moft who < give an eafy Affent thereunto y and hath .jhis Reafon fo dazled with the Revelation of the Gofpel, and of the Wonders there- of, as hath put him to f uch an Exercife, as that 2 Chron.vi. iS. How to credit his Eyes therewith, the more deep Re- flection he hath upon the fame ^ but will God in very Deed dwell with Men on the Earth ? He judgeth, that they, ivho aftes fome fluctuating Sufpence, are admitted* to fee the Truth of Chriftianity, with that Certainty of its Evidence, as the B Greatnefi 8 A Defer i^tion , ofjhe confirmed Greatnefs of fuch a Difcovery does ;re^ quire \ may have fome Ref emblance to that Tranfport which the Angels had at the firft Creation ^ when the Morning Stars Tung together, and the Sons of God fhouted for Joy ^ to fee themfelves thus, who were brought .out of pure nothing, entred into that ineffable Light of feeing God, and alio their, own Bleflednefs in him, in lo high a Degree. , So that he ac- counts it on© of the higheft Attainments of Religion, for a Chriftian indeed to Re- lieve the Articles of his own Faith, and have his Soul, as fully perftiaded hereof, as of his Being \ that fuch a Time aflur- edly was, and is now many Ages fince paft, when the glorious Redeemer of the Church, the lecond Perfon of the God- head, came down from Heaven, and-was revealed in our Nature./, that on him, a§ Surety to divine Juitice in the Room oi the ele£t Church, was~the whole Guilt and Sin thereof transferred j and in -this marvellous Way did the holy God take Satisfa&ion to himfelf, by himfelf^ that thus our Nature is exalted, by the Incar- nation of Chrift above the Nature of An- gels 5 that the Time is near, when the meanelt affii&ed Chxiltian {hall take~in no State of a Christian* $ no other Air,^ than the Breat-hibgs of the higher Paradife above, and now hath an Eternity of Joy. and Blefiednefs before him-, that, within a very little' Time, he fhall kucvv this Welcome of our bleffed Redeemer to his Follqwers here on the Earth, Come ye hlejfed of my Father , in- herit the Kingdom, &c. When he fhall take off the Crofs, and put on the Crown, when it fhall be then na more a Matter of Faith, but of Senfe, to be partaker of that Inheritance with the Saints in Light j and know thofe proper Manfions in that State of Glory, and peculiar Aihgnment thereunto, which all the Redeemed fhall then have*, and be j)Ut-in the fame Rank with the eleO: Angels -, to be as thofe pure Flames of Love and joy:, yea, know what it is to walk in. the Streets of the JNeiv Jernfalem, which are as Gold, transparent as Chriftal-, and what that Meeting will be of his Soul perfected, and in a triumphant State, with his glorified Body, raifed incorruptible, and never to part any more ?,- and to have his proper Share of that bleffed and greater! Solem- nity, that fhall be celebrated in Heaven; the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb, w>ith the whole triumphant Church -, and hear "~~ B 2 that to A Ttefcription of the confirmed ^ that honourable Account which the great Judge will then make of thefe Trials of his Faith, and fharp Conflicts which he had gone through within Time \ with that folemn Teftimony of Approbation, which will be given hereof ! And, fince 'tis fure, thefe great Things muft be a Part of the Chriftian Faith'-, can it be Urange, that fuch, as would in that Man- ner converfe therewith, (trio' they be not jet feen) as no lefs^ undoubted Realities than any prefent Objects of Senfe, cannot be eafily fatisfied with a low Degree of Evidence and Confirmation of their Judgment 5 but would have their Joy perfected fo far aslhis State of Mortality can bear 5 and fo find it eafy to rejoice and glory in Tribulation, and to weep now for a Seafon, who are to rejoice for ever $ yea, to fay in the Words of Me* fhibojheth, Let them take it all, and en- joy the fame, fince he, who is their Life, and exceeding Joy, lives and reigns, whd is infinitely better to them than all thefe Things. 6. He accounts the ftrengthning of his Faith, to be fuch a Concern, not only as it is his Soul's Adventure for all Eternity, but as the higheft Way of glorifying Gocjl here: State of a Christian. h here : That whatever tends to a more ful* Confirmation of the fame, he reckons al- io one of the great eft Additions to his Joy and Comfort withinTime _$ and that thefe manifold Affiftances, (with fuch Redu- plication thereof,) which the Lord hath himfelf given for this End, are fuch, that no Fragments of fo rich a Talent fhould be loft j and tho* he knows the greateft Demonftrations of our Faith can add nothing to the Certainty of divine Truth in itfelf; yet are they thus given, in regard of the ftrong Trials of a Chri- ftian^s Life, and of what their WeaknefTes ftand in need of, for Support. 7. 'Tis in this Study, he fees and takes to Heart, how not only the Condition of Man in the Earth, but the Prof ellion of Chrift alfo calls for fuch a Reckoning, that he may have Trials in that Manner difpenfed, that no vifible Refuge will be -found in the leaft to ftand by him, but all human Comfort and Affiftance wiH . fail him, fo. that _he muft needs lay in Ballaft now in its Seafon, and be found- ed thereon, with that AfTuranee of Judg- ment, as is needful for that Day, when he muft either get through in the alone Way of believing, againft Senfe 3 or pe- B 3 -rifh. 12 ex en in his Integrity; which is a Ih. ig lo marvellous, that the great and infinite God only could find out and effedt it. '_ 2. He does now fee, how clear aCon- fiftence and Harmony is here, that he who had no Sin by Inhefion, but was holy, harmlefs, andundefiled, fhould Be under the greateft Weight of Sin by Im- putation ^ 1 6 A [ Defer ipion of the confirmed putation h and by the exadteft Rule of dl vine Juftice, be made liable toanfwer both the whole Duty, and full Penalty of the Xaw. having, as Surety, betwixt the Cre- ditor and Debitor, put himfelf in his People's Room, to. anfwer the Full De- mands thereof, both for Debt and- Cut}'. 3. It is here, he does fee, that bleft Con fen t and Harmony betwixt the fpotlefs Juftice of God, and his marvel- lous Grace 5 fo as his Love is- to the high- eft ; glorified, hi that marvellous Way, which fecures the full and compleat Satis- faction of his Law, and all the Rights of inviolable Juftice. 4. Whilft he is thus dazled with the Greatnefs of fuch a Light, and put to en- quire what fuch a Myftery can mean, he js then further led on to fee, that rare Plot and Contrivance of the Covenant of Re- conciliation between God and Man, here within Time 5 to be the very Duplicate, and Counterpart of that eternal Tranfa- clion and Stipulation between the Father and the Son ; and thus fees whatever God hath declared, and promifed in the form- er to his Church, was fir ft promifed and fecured to our bleffed Head in the Cove- nant of Redemption, wherein, as with a reverend . State of a Christian. 17 reverend and awful Diftance, fo with the greateft Evidence of Light, he is made to fee here thefe -reciprocal Obligations be- twixt them, and mutual Truft for mak- ing good the whole Terms thereof in the appointed Time. 5. He does alfo clearly fee, that rare Order, and Harmony of Time, in thefe iignal Periods of the Revelation of this great Myftery of Chrift, which from its -more dark Difcovcry, andDawning, did ffill more glorioufly open itfelf to the Ohurch ^ by a gradual Light, and unvail- ing of the iame, as the. Sun in its Courfe 4into the perfect Day \ yea, he hath his Faith unfpeakably confirmed, to fee 'herewith the Gofpel Church being ftill the fame, whether jof Jews or Gen* 4iles^ and how that Series and Con- fent hath yet never been broken off, fince the beginning of a Church, called forth irom the Refidue of Mankind, fet apart, as a peculiar People for the Lord •, where none ever had Right and Privilege to be Members of the fame, but by Faith m iheMeJ/ias, and FrofeJFion of their Obe- dience to his Laws. 6. It is in this Union and Harmony, he fees all the Branches, and Parts of Gofpel Obedi^ f & A Defer if t ion of the confirmed Obedience moft exadily meet and" termi- nate, to, advance, both the greateft Ex- cellency and BlefTednefs of Man, and af- fimilate him to the bleffed Image of God. Yea, how all the Rules and Precepts thereof, do fo entirely confpire for this End, as may conftrain the World to fee, and admire the glorious Nature and Per- fections of him, whofe Laws thefe are, wherein he does fo brightly ihine forth. 7. Nor can he look ferioufly herein, and not fee that fweet Concord, as a Part of this Harmony, which is betwixt the promiflbry and mandatory Part of the Gofpel^ fo as the Chriftian's Comfort is moft fully eftablifhed, and no Duty abo- lifhed 51 but the very Path-road to the tnoft full Enjoyments of the Promife and proper Way to attain Reft and Tranquil- lity of Spirit, muft be ever by taking on the Yoke of Chrift. 8. Yea, to confirm this entire Union and Harmony more fully, he now fees, that exa£t ana marvelloHsCorrefpondence which |is betwixt that firffc fundamental Promife of the Mejfias, and the. Event * betwixt all the ancient Figures and Types of the Levitical Service, and the Revela- tion of Chrift himfelf, in which all thefe did State of a Christian. i^ did meet, as in their proper Centre, and now have their full End and AccomplifK- ment. 9. His Confirmation thus grows to fee, that wonderful Confent of Chriftianity, and native Refult hereof, to put. fallen Man in a due Pofture towards God, to- wards his Neighbours, and towards him- felf t, fo as he may know by Faith and Adoration, how to enjoy God, and his Brother, by Love ^ and thus by Patience, Meeknefs and Humility, to poflefs his own Soul, and enjoy himfelf. 10. Yea, it is in this rare and wonder- ful Frame,- he is made to fee, and no "Sight can be like this, that exacl Corref- pondence which is betwixt the Foundation and Superftrudture, how the whole Tra£fc of the Gofpel is but one entire and com- pleat Means to glorify God, and reftore fallen Man to the higheft Bleflednefs. How that excellent Stream of Sanctifica* tion, does flow from that Fountain Head of an eternal Decree ^ which does ftill run under theGround, until it break up atlaft in the Heart of each Chriftian, by the effe&ual Call of the Gofpel; and thus runs down through Time, until it lofe_ it- i elf in that unconceiveabk Deep of Per- C feclicn 20 A Defcripim of the. cmfirmei fe&ion and Glory. Thus is it, that, each Chriftian might attain fome higher De- grees of -Confirmation in his Faith, than irioft feem either to know, or look after, If he underftood more how to improve this rare comparing Work of Religion, by letting the great Truths and Principles thereof in their Order and Dependence, fo as each may be feen, in its neceflary Coherence with other, and under its pro- per Afpe£t. But the more deep Reflection and En- * quiry he hath herein, he. is the more made to wonder, and finds this one of the great Aflaults to his Faith \ that the Revelati- on of .Chriffi, and Redemption by his Blood, mould have no greater Effe&s this Day amongft Men, and that the Chriftian World is not in fome other Man- ner awakened with the Glory of this Light, and preft after a^ larger fpreading and Diffufion of this .higheft and univer- fal Good to poor Mankind; yea, the more he confiders this, it doth heighten his Amazement to think, how Mens De- figns in the Matter of Duty and Service for the Kingdom of Chrift, can be fo low within Time, who-fe Defigns and Hopes in State of a Christian. 21 in the Clofe thereof, are fo high in the Jviatter of Enjoyment $ or take fo little to Heart, that the whole Day of the Dif- penfation of the Gofpel, a mid ft the moil difmal Trials that may fall in therewith, is a continued Time wherein we are cal- led to keep the Feaft, and fwm one Age to another celebrate the fame, as a per- petual Jubilee of Joy and Exultation, flnce Chrift our PafTover was facrificed for us^ but, oh! how rare a Thing feems this to be, and how little of that Flame and Fervency of Love to our blefled Re- deemer is now kindled on his Altar? Such as might be expected'on f uch won- derful Incitements thereto, and which once were in the Church. Character III. Tho' a confirmed ChrifHan, moil be fpecially ftated as fuch, one v/ho knows the internal Part of Religion, and Sealing Work of the Holy Ghoit on his own Soul, which is not by Words, but Things cf the highe ft Truth, Subftance and Reality; yet is he not fatisfled to know this by fpi- , ritual Senfe, until he caa fee the fame with tlie furtheft Evidence of Lightalfo C 2 to 2 2 A Defcripion of the confirmed to his Mind-, and have no lefs a clear and judicious Trial of this great Myftery ol experimental Religion, for Confirmation of his Faith, than to be fenfibly affe&ed with the felt Power thereof. And, jn the firft Place, why this is necefla'rily requi- fite and called for, with refpect to the confirmed State of a Chriflian, may be thus confidejed, on fome few Grounds. I. That the Things of Religion, which muft be experienced within Time, are fuch fublime and wonderful Myfteries, as may be juft Matter of Aftonifhment, and make Men a 'Wonder to themfelves, to think that thefe prefent Pledges of fo great a Hope which is to come, are no Shadows, no Appearances of Things, but moffc fure and undoubted Realities ^ and that fuch there are this Day in the Earth, who know fo near a Converfe with an invifible God, and the fuperna-- tural Truths of his Word, with the fenfi- ■ tie Feeling of the ineftimable Love of Chrift, by this Demonftration of Experi- ence 5 yea, who in fuch diimal Times do affuredly know, what the Joy of his Pre- fence, and an immediate Fellowfhip with their blefled Head is, upon the gre'ateft Certainty of Trial j fince thefe are fo high, State of a Christian^ 23- high, and marvelous Things, which ex- ceed all natural Understanding, as the felt Sweetnefs of their Enjoyment fhould not more deeply take Men up, than, to fee the Truth and Surenefs of thefe Prin- ciples, whereon they build. 2. Becaufe this Teftimony of the Truth of experimental Religion, fhould be underftood, not only as 'tis of higher! Ufe for Chriftians perfonal (Comfort and Eftabliihment *, but with refpect to the public Inrereft of the Church 5 a fpecial. Duty it is to have the Credit of this greater! Teftimony and Seal, demonftra- bly cleared, with the furtheft Strength of harmonious and argumentative Rea«, fon, for fuch who look but at a Diftance yet thereon *, .which may not only awa? ken them to fome deeper Senfe and Im- preffion hereof, but conftrain them to fee, how no natural Science hath more clear and firm Demonftrations, than the experimental Part of Chriftianity, which is the very Life and Soul thereof, may have to Mens Reafon and judgment, tho 9 they never knew it within themfelves. Yea. for this End, fhould- fuch-, as have experienced the Truth and Virtue of 'the Gofpel, reckon themfelves as Witneffes y C 3 who 24 *d Defer iption of the confirmed who are judicially obliged to put their Seal thereunto •, and is *now more called for in an Age, when no particular Truth feems more ftrongly impugned, than the Reality of experimental Godlinefs is \ arid become as a public Theam of Derifion •, tho' Men muft either quit the whole Re- velation of the Scripture, or fee this to be as effential to the Conftitution of aChri- ftian> as vital Principles are to a living Man. 3. Yea, 'tis fure herein, that fuch as take Religion to Heart, muft needs look to be put to the greateft Trial of its Cer- tainty and mould moft nearly concern themfelves, to know if they can abide, as firmly by their spiritual Senfe, as by that which is natural •, and do know as furely in themfelves the Operations and Motions of a Spiritual Life, as that they have Being by Nature $ and that here be no doubtful or abftracl Notions, but which have had deep Trial and Reflecti- on on them *, that they, who dare to ven- ture their eternal State on the known Certainty thereof, do Reafon their Souls to a ftedfaft Adherence to the Truth, when they are called to facrifice their Lives thereto \ to wit, from the rare Ex- periments State of a Christian. 2? periments and Proofs, the&have oft had of the fame in their own WfiaL 4. It doth more fpeei&fiy call for a demonstrative clearing of the Credit of this Teilimony, as one of the Services of Religion, to promote the Kingdom of Chrift amOngfl Men, which feem§ leaft improved of any, with refpedt to the ge- neral State of iuch- who are within the Church, who are fo great Strangers to the fame •, yea, mould be judged one of the great Wants of this Day, when Athe- ifm is now at fo aftoiiifhing a Height, that it is not more fludied to have the ex- perimental Part of Religion, (which in itfelf lies deep and hid, and is a Secret betwixt God and the Chriftian's Soul,) with fuch Clearnefs, and by that Manner of Evidence demonstrated to the World, as might tend to beget fome more awful Senfe and Convidion hereof, when fuch clear and unanfwerable Grounds might be improved for this End, on thofe who look thereon, as fome ftrange and dark Rid- dle, fo as they could no more deny, or withftand the Evidences hereof, than that theyliavea living Soul which yet they never faw-, or could ever be the Objed: of human Senfe* And, how fad a Prof- pe£t 2 6 A fiefcriptioft of the confirmed peel fhoolcj this give of the greateft Part of the Chriftian World, who. not only know nothing of the true Glory and fpi- ritual Powers of Chriftianity, but have not the very Notion, or any Senfe of the Reality oifuch a Thing? But, in the fecond Place, it is thus, that each Chriftian, for being folidly con- firmed in the Way of Religion, may as clearly fee, as he does fenfibly feel, the Truth of his own Experience, and have his Faith as fully eftablilhed by this in- ward and great Demonftration of the Things of God, as his ArTeclions are quickened, upon fuch ftrong and demon- ftrative Grounds of the Certainty hereof, as thefe are, i. By considering his prefent and for- mer State* that not in a Dream, but in the molt deep and ferious Compofure of Spirit," he knows that once he was blind, and wholly eftranged from this Myftery of Chriftian Experience, which now he does fee $ and once had the fame Senti- ment hereof with fuch who do. never at all reflecl on the fame % but no fooner did the Truth, and Power of Religion feize on his Soul, than he found himfelf entred into a new World, to knowthe J) awnings State of a Christian. 27 Dawnings of this marvelous Light, and what belongs to thefe Enjoyments, and vital Acts of Chriftianity, that have not the leaft Dependence on any natural Caufe. c 2. By considering the marvelous Su- perftructure of experimental Religion, which from the inward Obfervation of Christians in all Ages, is fuch as the World could not aim oft contain the Books -that might be written hereof 5 which yet is lo entirely founded on one and the fame Foundation, and does^ in all the Lines of this great Circumference, ftill meet in the fame Centre •, yea, thus how entire and harmonious a Thing Religion, in all the Parts thereof is within upon the Soul,as well as without -, fo as every Step in this Way of the Experience of the Saints is no groping in the Dark, but what is by Line and by Rule, with as fureancTde- monftrable a Connection with the exter- nal Teftimony of the Word, as there is in Nature, betwixt the Caufeandthe Effect^ which affords a more wonderful Aflift- ance to his Faith, than the greateft exter- nal Miracles could ever do 5 and tho' the Spirit of God, does fometimes, in an ex- traordinary Manner, reveal himfelf to Men 28 A Defcription of the confirmed Men, (as a£ts Who is the alone Pattern and Example of all Truth and Holinefs-, which is fo great a Difcovery, as he is made to wonder, that Men, in this Age, are fo much awaken- ed to find out the true Phenomena of Na- ture, (tho' in its own Room a raoft choice Study, and fpecially defireable,) and will be as in a Tranfport, upon fome rare State of a Christian. a9 rare natural Experiment, as made one in that Manner, cry out, Ihaye found it, I have found it \ whilft here is ano- ther Kind of Demonftration, and of. more tranfcendent Intereft than all rhefe could ever amount to, on which the Eyes of moll are this Day ftiut. 4. By confidering that unchangeable Congruity, which is betwixt the Nature of thefe Things enjoined in the whole In- ftitutions of the Gofpel, and Mens being made happy thereby, now in their pre- fent State ; and hov/ great a temporal Re- venue of the Fruits of Religion, as in- ward Confidence, Peace, and Serenity of Mind, doth as natively follow the Life and Practice hereof, as the Fruit of a Tree anfwers to its_ Kind, and is ever found the alone true Relief of Mankind, againft all the Griefs and Bitternefs of Time; yea, that 'tis no Diftance of Place, but of Mens Spirit by Impurity and Corruption, that makes fo fad a Di- ftance betwixt God and Man here in the Earth. ?. He is thus further confirmed upon his great Teftimony of experimental Religion, by confidering that 'tis fure uch as do bear this Witnefs are known, 1. To '36 \A Defcription of the confirmed i. To be-fucty who are of the moft dis- cerning and judicious in the Things "of Reafon, as well as any elfe.- 2. Whole Walk and Pra&ice ufe to have the greateft Authority over Mens Consciences with whom they converfe. 3. Who are found moft intenfly taken up in the retired Work and Duties of Religion 5 that can have no Refpecl to the Witnefs and Ob- fervation oi others. 4, Who feek no irn-j plicit Credit from any herein ^ but do pray Men to come, and fee, and prove the fame in their own Experience^ with an Appeal to the moft exacl: Inqui- ry, and rational Trial of all Mankind,- if here be any cafual Thing - y and if that Teftimony of the doctrinal and experi- mental Part, of Religion, be not ftill one and the fame. ?. Who alfo out of the jnoft remote Places of the Earth, and o- iherwife Strangers amongft themfelves,do yet moft harmonioufly meet in the fame Witnefs, and are thus mutually difclofed to each other, by a near and feeling In- tercourfe of their Souls, from fuch an Onenefs in a fpiritual State, and thofe fpecifick Properties of a fpiritual and new Nature, with as difcernible Evidence, as if one Man fhould meet with another of the State of a Christian, ^i the fame Kind, In fiich a Place of the Earth, which were only inhabited with Beafts. 6. By confiderirjg alfo, with a deep and ferious Reflection hereon, that fure^ and known Conjunction, which is be- twixt the moft rare Experiences of a - Chriftian's Life, and the jnoft fearching Trials thereof, with that uniform Confent that hath in all Ages of the Church been, in f uch marvelous Things, as thefe. i. What folemn Tokens and Teftimo- nies of the Love of God, and his Accept- tance, are found ufually to meet his Peo- ple in the Entry of fome great Trial or Service for him $ even in fome unufua! Manner then, in the Senfe whereof, as it was with TLlijah, they have heen made to go many Days after in a Wildemefs- State ^ yea, how this does not refpecl Per- sons only, but Churches \ that the Word ftill ufeth to go before with fome remark- able confirming Work, to fecure the Heart before the Crofs, and fome fpecial Trial of Perfection comes. 2. That, as each Day hath its proper Burden and Work, fo hath it its proper Allowance provided for the fame* which fhould be no lefs fought after by a Chriftian, than D his • 3 i A Defcrlption of the confirmed his daily Bread, and when the Preffure of fuch a Day grows to fome more /Jugular Height i io alfo mould the Exprience hereof be in Faith fought for and expert- ed. 3/ How the' choice ft Mercies are re- served to the faddeft Times of a Chrifti- an's Lot 5 and moft ufnally crofs to their own Choice, and they have had the great- eft Struglings with thofe Methods of Pro- vidence, which in the liTue tended moft to their Advancement. 4. Yea, how the Returnings of a long deferred Hope, a£ ter much humble waiting have beeivto them, as a Pifgah, whence they have not only had a clear and comforting Prof- pe£t of theirby-paft Trials, but have b^en more fully confirmed for the Time to come •, and can bear now that Teftimony, that the Lord hath cleared all paft Things to them, and hath taken the Vail off. his* Work, which 'for. long had been as a dark and ftrange Riddle. 7. This likewife gives a moft clear and confirming Profpe£t of that great Seal of Experience, when he can now fee, both in his own Cafe, and of others, what the Iffne of believing in a fingular Exigency and Trial, and upon fome fpecial Acl: of Truft and Adventure herein, does at laft come State of a Christian. ^ come to } which, the more deeply 'tis con- ffdered, he finds one of the moil peculiar Atilftances x to his Faith-, and one of the greatefl Attainments of experimental Re- ligion within Time • when he can thus fee the fame Way of believing, in iorne ftrong and extraordinary Afla-ults, which he hath found tocrulh and break him herein 5 which hath carried fo 'many tho- rough in their fad deft Trials $ bring him alfo in his Turn, to be an Inftance in the fame Kind, to bear an honourable ..Tefti-" mony, to this fure and excellent "Way of believing before the World, that none may fear after him to hold hy the Promife of God, and venture on that Security, tho 5 it then feem againft Hope, whofe Difpenfations, did yet never give his Word the Lye. m Character- IV. He is a truly confirmed Chriftian, who in a difmal Time, is not ftaggered in his Faith from the'prefent Signs and Appear- ances thereof,, but hath his Soul ballaft- ed with fuch folid Grounds of Confirma- tion againft the fame, that thofe Provi- dences, whereat others do mo ft ftumble, D 2 tend 54 ^ Defer iff ion If the confirmed . . tend to his further ftrengthning in the Way of the Lord, when he does now clearly fee, ■ i. How Tribulation, and the Crofs, make^ one of the 1*1 oft illuftrious and beautiful Parts of the whole Frame" of Providence about the Church, and in the Lot of each -Chriftian \ €6, as there can be no poffible ftumbling -to any for Want of Light here, -that fore Trials and Di- fbreffes mould moft remarkably follow- thofe in the Journey, who have an eter- nal Bleffednefs before them in the clofe hereof^ when lo great a Part of the Scrip- ture is directed, not only for Comfort, But for clear Conduct of the Chriftiaifs Faith, *hrough all the Intricacies and La- byrinths of fuch a Difpenfation. He fees Show highly congruous it is to the infinite Wifdom of God, that fo f trait and nar- row a Way, in fuch a State of Trial as is here, mould go before the State of ever- lafting Enjoyment 5 that there mould be fuch a Stage and Theatre alio, whereon the paffive Graces of the Spirit, may not only be exercifed, but difplayed in their true Luftre, and Glory before Angels, and Men. Yea, that thus the Redeemed of State of a Christian^ 35 of the Lord fliould be firft trained in fo (harp a Warfare, as may not only put a due Value, and Refpedt on the Great- nefs of that Triumph, and Reward which is to come, but be Matter of ineffable Joy and Exultation, that ever they, were admitted thus to evidence their Love and Adherence to their blefled Head, and his Truth here on the Earth $■ and accounted worthy to be put on lome hotter^ervice, and to peculiar Trials and Conflicts, this Way beyond others, far lome Example and Encouragement to the Church in thek Day^ and here alio, he can now fee, how the greateft Enjoyments of Comfort, are -more owing to the moil fharp and afflict- ing Trials of their "Life, than to the greateft external Calm 5 and that to en- dure patiently, and fuffer for the Name ofCERisT, is fuch a Privilege, as the e» lect Angels have not been admitted to. Yea, that the Lord's chaftning: Work, and foreft fmiting of his own, is an Act alfo of faving-, fo that thus, the more deeply. he fearcheth here, the more doe$ he fee, admire, and confent to that glo- rious Piece of the Adminiftration of Pro- vidence about the Church j and finds it to D I fee 3 6 and that Men err through not knowing the Scripture,, Matth. xxii. And yet believe all the while, that thefe facred Fountains of Light mould be fruit up to keep Men from Errors ^ and that the fole Right of underftanding the fame, belongs to a few, not to the Multitude 5 who yet can pre- tend no extraordinary AiFiftance or Re- velation herein, nor will themfelves come to thefe Waters of Jealoufy to be tried. State of a Christian. 4? tried. 4. Where he muft needs believe, that the Scriptures are the Oracles of God committed to the Church, to give Arifwer in every dark Cafe, Rom. iii, 2. The Type and Form of found Doctrine, _Rom\ vi. 17. Unto whole Sentence, in all Mat- ters, both of Faith and Practice, we are exprefly referred, Ifaiah viii. 20. And yet believe alfo, that it hath no Authori- ty or decifive Voice ^ but what is preca- rious and dependent on the Romijh Church, and thus confent to have the whole Chri- stian Faith, vifiblyunhinged of the Foun- dation of the Scripture •, and mbjeeted to a fnpreme, vifible, and pretended infal- lible Judge here in the Earth, with fuch a Claim of Dominion. over 'the Faith of the Saints, as the Apoftles of Chrift durft never own, but did fully difclaim, 2 Cor. 1. 24. 5% Where he muft believe, that Jefus Chrift came for this End to fa ve loft Man, and by one Offering hath perfecled for eyer them that are fanftifted, Heb. 10. 1 8. And yet join with the fame, a Faith of a human Satisfaction for Sin, fo as Men may both merit, medi- ate, and fupererogate, go above what is needful for themfelves -, and fo be faved in the fame Way of Life, which was by E 2 ~ the 46 A Defcripion of the confirmed the Covenant of Works 5 afcribing no more tdChrift, than the giving Salvation to Mens own-Merits $ which their own in- trinfick Value and Condignity, doth re- quire as a Debt. 6. He finds not how in the fame Creed, he could poilibly hold by one Mediator betwixt God and Man, where a Plural : ty for this End is admit- ted 5 'and by the Reality of Chrift's hu- man Nature, and his having a true and finite Body, which is fubjedted to have a new created Being, each Time in the con- fecrated Hoft - 3 or believe the Truth of his Sufferings, as now fully accomplinV ed, and to be repeated no more, when it is hi that daily Sacrifice of the Mafs ftill offered, as a propitiatory Sacrifice for the Living and the Dead. So, on the mod fevere and impartial Enquiry, he cannot find, how one holding thefe Principles mould go a further Length than Morali- ty v or claim another Handing than by a Covenant of Works, 7. Nor knows he how to believe at once the Truth of the Gofpel, to be a Doftrine of Holinefs and infinite Purity, and yet join in the fame Faith, fuch an Indulgence for Men to fin, that Money may ftand for Merit, and the Rich may have the moll eafy and large Entry -State of a Chris tian.^ 47 Entry into Heaven. Conceit that it is a Privilege for Men to deftroy themfelves 5 and by external Severities and Penance to the Fleih, like to thelancing and gairi- ing of Baal's Priefts, fupply the Room of Chriftian Mortification. 8. Yea,- he finds it not poffible to believe, that Sin can only be expiated by the Blood of Chrift. 3 and is his alone Work, who hath purged our Sin himfelf, Heb. i. 3. Or, that there are more than two Ways that lead to a twofold State of Men 5 (a ftrait Way, which leads to a Life, and a broad unto Deftruction, Matth. vii. 14.) and y^t believe, that there is a Purgatory after after this Life, wherein Men muft.be tor- mented and f uffer extream Pains, to ex- piate fuch venial "Sins, as their Prayers and Penances here could not do -,. yea, he is made to wonder, how any who be- lieves fuch a Thing, can ever have true Peace or Comfort in the World y conclud- ing, that Papifts do either take it as a Fi- ction, or forget themfelves, when they are chearful. For the Fear of fuch- a Place, the Uncertainty of Releale,. and how long a Term it may be ere this purging Work be compleat, when their mru Writers afiign no lets Time than E 3 ttm 4-S *i Definition of the confirmed ten thoufand Years, as needful to fatisfy for fome Sins, and fear left it prove a real Hell, muft ftill be a piercing Ter- ror -j nor can he believe, that fuch mould credit themfelves herein, who affume this Power to change the Condition of the Dead. Since were it reallj> believed, that the Keys of fuch a Prifon were here in Mens Hands, and Folk could, by the largeft Bribes to the RomiJJ? Church, get a fafe Deliverance thence; it were not ftrange to fee the the temporal State of Chriftendom, in a fhort Time made over to thefe. We fhould judge they were, in a ftrange Manner, indeed, privileged a- bove the whole Refidue of Men, who by fuch a Power over the World to come could make fo eafy aPurchafe of this alfo which is prefent. 9. He finds, and is fure, he could never get his Reafon and Confcience brought toiuch a Faith, even tr^o 5 he made a feigned Profeilion herein, of that pretended Supremacy of Peter j as Bifhop of Rome, on which the whole Frame and Structure of the Papacy leans, and the Virtue of all the Pardons and Ab- folutions founded thereon ; on which fo many have adventured into another World* State of a Christian. 49 World; except he would build on the Sand only, and not on the Rock. 10. He finds alfo how fuch an Ere£Hon of the Go- fpel Church in her Militant State here, as the Papacy in its complex Frameis, united in fuch an Head, as the Pope, (who, as the fole Vicegerent of Chrift in the Earth, is at once invefted with a civil Monar- chy, and univerfal Empire over the Church, to impofe-and judge in the high-, eft Tranfa&ions, which relate to the e- ternal State and immortal Souls of Men,) is a Thing, that as to Matter of Right, is as foreign to the Scripture, and incon- liftent therewith, as Mahumetanifm can "be. And as to Matter of Fadt, is a Truft that no created Being could ever exercife. 1 r. He fees, and is fure, that he muft either lofe Sight, both of the Rule and Spirit of the Gofpel, or have a juffc Ab- horrence of that "Way, wherein he mould he inevitably involve^ in a virtual Con- fent, and Accefforineis to all that Cruel- ty and Blood, which for To many Ages hath been fhed therein 5 when 'tis fo clear that this was no Exorbitance only of Pra- ctice ; but a native Refult of their Tenets and Principles, and not only difpenced with, but counted an highly- me^orious Service j jo A Definition of the confirmed Service; yea, when it is fare, that un- der no fecular Government of the moft -tyrannical State that ever was in the "World, hath fuch arbitrary Violence and Oppreflion been exercifed. Or fo much innocent Blood been fixed, as by this Party. 12. And thoV his Judgment flood undetermined, and in an equal Balance upon this great Controverfy, he could not .exercife Reafon, and not fee upon what Hand fuch a Decifion is, as was in Solo- mon's Time of the true Mother of the Child - y and who do molt- ruefully feelc to inter eft themfelves in the imminent-Ha- zard of the Chriftian Faith, and who. un- der the leaft Influence of any temporal Motives, do- this* Day ftand for the Truth and Subftanceof Chriftianity, and plead that it be not deffcroyed in Envy and Ha* tred to them ^ or on what Side it is like- ly, that this Manner of Conqueft is moft followed' to gain Men to the Profeilion of the Truth, by a prevailing Evidence of their own Light and Judgment herein, and to require their exadreft perfonal" Trial and Enquiry about the fame. In the third Place, tho* he fees there can be no Pretence of doctrinal "Waver- ing about the Reformed Religion, and iinds State of a Christian. $i finds it not eafy to comprehend, how in one and the fame Age, wherein the Truth hath fo brightly mined, this Way of Po- ■ fery mould have Prevalence, or gain Ground any more, by Seduction with Ar- guments to the Reafon orConfcience of any 5 yet, fince it is an Hour of Temp- tation and of Fainting, above all that have been hitherto known, and Mens Eyes are arrefted with fuch a Piofped of the Times, as is like to ftagger the Faith of ther moft eftablimed ^ he is preffed, (as counting it one of the higheft Duties of this Day,) fo know and fearch out what may afford greater!: AfTiftance to his Faith, from the Difpenfations of Provi- dence therein, and to IcnSwtne Evidence and Strength of fuch Reflections, as thefe are for this End. . 1. That 'tis fnre, as the fmalleft Things which the-Lord does afford to ffrengthen and fupport againft fuch a Storm, mould be ferioufly improved and taken to Hearty fo does it lay u§ in the Way of that Pro- mife for having greater Things given to our Obfervation t, yea, that now is the Time, when fuch as have been moft comforted by the Word of Promife, may be put to the foreft Trial in their Faith of any, 52 A Defer iptton of the confirmed any, to keep off fiumbling at the Work of Providence *, and be thus tried accord- ing to the Meafure of thefe Confirmati- ons. 2* Tho' the Churches Declinings, un- der greateft Meafbres of Light, may be tod vifible, and that Religion gains not by Perfection as formerly,- with fuch an amazing Change as is now in her external Condition, yet he fees it to be no ftrange Thing, when molt fignal Warnings have gone before of fach a Trial, with too evi- dent Difpofitions towards the fame, and Difcovery of its Approach in all the Cau« fes thereof^ yea, might be forefeen by all, that the holy God would not frill- bear with an inipure^nd -unenlivened Prof eflion of the pure and, glorious Truth of Chri- ffianity, which hath now long been one of the moil fad and mortal Signs in the public State of Religion; nor can it be found, that ever any Church did decline and fall from the Purity of the Truth, and lofe Ground herein by external Per- fecution, where a judicial Departure of its Life and Power did not remarkably go before 5 'fo as it is not of late, this hath been clearly prefaged, that fome dark and unufual Meafure of Trial from Anti- chrifr. State of a Christian. 53 chrift, and the laft Havoclt of the" Re- formed Churches was drawing near, which would be fore ere it had done its Work. 3. He lees alfo, how this prefent Hour is not more fearching and dark, than it may he clear herewith. 1. That now, -after the Iffue of that Oppofition, which was betwixt the Chriftian Faith in the firft Entry of the Gof pel, and that dying apo- ftate Church of the Jews ^ and -nest, v/ith the Pagan Empire, after that new Erection of the- Gof pel Church among the Gentiles, which is now'over -, fo is the greater!: Trial of the latter Days fixed on the Decifion of that long depending Controverfy betwixt Chrift . and Ariti- ehrift. 2. That, according to the Scrip- ture, we muft believe, that as after the ■ Manner of Egypt r that glorious Triumph and Delivery of the Church from Anti- -chrift will be furely carried on \ 10 the more near it comes to the laft AfTault ^ (and when this falls in to have its proper Room in the Frame arid - Adminiftration of Providence $ ) the greater Extremity, Terror, and Darknefs may be expected alfo, fuch as hath .not been in any former Time, Yea, with that united and foi> midable 54^ *A' DefcrifitiQn of the confirmed midable Conjundtion of Strength and growing Succefs of this Adyerfarv for a Time, that the moft eftabhmed Chrifti* ans may be in Hazard to ftagger 3. That, now is rhe I .V , wherein -the Lord will have Men know, what it is to have the Bible, as the alone Security of the Prote- ctant Religion, on which they muft eii» tirely reft, no lefs than as it is the fole Rule and Standard thereof ^ which is; a Trial worthy of all that Expence, of the Pain, Anguifh, and Wreftlings, that can now pofhbly attend the , fame. . 4. Whilft the great Standard of Anti- thrift's Kingdom is vifibly fet up and brought to the open Field, as 'tis this Day in the Church of France , and all human Help taken out of Sight-, yet does he fee herewith. 1. How this now is conclud- ed, as the moft infallible Remedy to re- cover Popery. And that Argument, to which they truft more than to Peter's. Keys, to wit, thefe fanguinary Laws by the Sword and Rack-, which the}' have a- gain betaken themfelves to, tho' fan an Argument the Scripture never knew, and • fober Heathens would abhor, and which gives up the Credit of all Religion to A- theifm. 2, That there can be no more Evidence State of a Christian. 55 Evidence of a defperate and finking Caufe than is here, and nothing elfe can fupport it, but thefe Weapons which are not a- gainft the Confcience -, or r -by any Terror of the lecond Death, hut of the firft. 3. That this is fuch an Argument, if they have not in a ftrange Manner forgot, which Tiath within thefe hundred Years been fo fully anfwered, and by fuch an immediate Appearance of God in the King- dom of France , that, according to thefe Meafures of Cruelty againft theProteftants there, fo was it returned in a Deluge of their own Blood, yea, fo both the public State, of the Church, and Faith of the Saints, in the Truth was more deeply rooted 5 and tho 5 we yet fee not the End of thefe Wonders, but the Dark- fide on- ly of the Difpenfations of fuch a Day, yet do we know this~ fore Rod on the Church, is but as the Saw and Ax m the Carpenter's Hand, who fhall never undo that glorious Work which Chrift hath done, and is ftill further perfecting on the Ruins of Amichrif t's Kingdom, ?. Tho' fome unufual Deeps and Me- thods of Subtilty be now' on Footalfo a- gainft the Truth -3 yet he cannot but fee, F how - $6 A ' Definition of ■ the confirmed how nothing could more effe&ually tend to confirm the Proteiknt Caufe, and take' the Credit of Popery off the Conferences of thofe in their own Profeffion, who are confederate and in the leaft ferious here-; in 5 when the World muft thus fee. i. How eafy it is for fuch to take any Mea- fore and Latitude in the Dodtrinals of their Profeffion, when this can moil ferve the Jundure of fuch -a- Time, and heigh- ten or narrow the Controverfy betwixt them, and the Reformed Church at their Pieafure • fo as to facrifice the Church of Koine unto the Court of Rome, if no lefs can fecure that End. 2. That the moft horrid Turkifl) Slavery over Mens Bodies comes no fuch Length, as that ftrange Claim that thefe now make of an abfolute Empire over Mens Confci- encesrby the Sword \ and to put them to fuch a Tribute of their Obedience, that they -fliall then be fecure, if they but come the Length to fin againft their Light, and adventure on fo fmalla Thing as to go to Hell, and perifh eternally *, fince 'tis an external and feigned Profef- fion of fuch a Way that they do thus force from thofe, who they fee cannot in Faith be perfuaded hereof, 3, Yea, it hath State of j Christian. fj hath been too vifible, how much that Ma- tter- plot and Engine, hath inthefe Times heen working, to take Men fir ft off from all Senfe of Religion, and deftroy them in the Morals of Chriftianity, to make thisConqueft more eafy, thatfuch may have no inward Defence- and Support a- gainft the Terror of human Violence. Yea, in thisJVVay, when they have- fought how to divide Proteftants among them- felves, and betwixt Rulers- and them, this feems the laft and greateft Engine of all, how to divide betwixt them and their God, acting the fame Plot, which was laid -betwixt Balak and Balaam, as know- ing that 'tis no naked Shew or Profeffion i of the Reformed Religion they need fear, fo much as that old Proteftant Spirit in the Power and Life thereof, before whicfv their Intereflf could never ftand $ and dread nothing fo much as the reviving - hereof! which, as the Hand-writing upon the Wall, did ever more threaten the fa- tal Ruin of that Kingdom, than any hu- man Power or Strength. 6. Here alfo he finds jaft Caufe of A- ftonifhment, how Kings, or great Men, in the Earth, Ihould give their Power to P 3 fun- 58 efcr i^tion of the confirmed Character VII. A truly confirmed Chriftian, may in the laft Place "be herein alfo confldered, as fuch, whole Faith being oft tried thro' all thefe Stages of Chriftianity he hath been taken $ hath fome proper Record of the moil choice and fignai Confirmations of his Life, to improve the fame, not only for his own Support in that laft Warfare of Death, but for ftrengthning the Faith of others $ wherein he does thus judge, i. That there could be no true Support or Relief from Religion here in the Earth, if it cannot bear out then. And that Death is the great Touchftone and Trial, when the true Value and Differ- ence betwixt Things of an eternal Truth and Subfhnce, and the Things of this "World will be b'eft feen. 2. He reckons each real Chriftian^ by his Profeffion then engaged and accountable, even by fbme erplicite perfonal Teftimony, to put to his Seal that God is true, and bear the fameWitnefs, with his laft and dying Breath to the Truth of Chriftianity, which State of a Christian.' 63 which he gave in the' whole Courfe of his Life h and of that Joy, Complacence and Affuranee of Mind, which he hath found, and now hath in the Way of Truth : So as to prefs the fame on his dearer! Relations, a£ their alone true In- tereft. 3. He fees alfo, how honourable it is for the Lord, that fuch, whofe Faith hath been oft tried, (and when thus with Joy and Admiration, he can look back on the moft preflihg and confpicuous Con«^ Aids of Time J mould have it their laft Work to pay in fome Tribute of Praife unto him, whofe Word and Promife unto them, did yet never fail. 4. He accounts the more weighty Trials he hath been carried thro 5 in his Chriftian Warfare, do both add more to this Service, and im- part more to the Value of fuch a Tefti- mony, 5. He judgeth this one fpecial Way and Advantage, whereby one Ge- neration might declare the Truth and Faithful.nefs of God unto another, in a Family-Line and Relation, to fhew forth thus, that the Lord is upright $ that he is their Rock, and with him is no Un- righteoufnefs. Yea, which mould be Matter of unfpeakable Joy, when now in j$4 - A Defcrifition of the confirmed in his Turn, he can fay, that fuch hath the Lord been to him ; what were Da- yid's dying Words, i Kings i. 14. Who hath delivered my Soul out of all Diftrefs, how that in no Trouble, or Exigence of his Life, he was ever left without a Door of Hope, and jhus alfo with Caleb ^ Joflma xiv. 10. To give infome fuch .'Wit nefs for God, Cc I am now near the Clofeof Time, " and do teftify, that the Word of his " Truth and Promife, he hafh finely cc accomplished \ which hath brought me " fafe and honourably through, when fuch ct as did difiruft the fame by Misbelief^ " and fought after another Refuge, found " all their Confidences fail" 6 .And knowing lite wife bow great a Surprizal Death may "be-, and that Inch as have Ihined in their Day, niay yet fet tinder a Cloud, and go filerrt off the Stage ^ he judgeth it the more needful to have fuch a Piece of -his dying Work prepared, as one of the choiceft Legacies he can be- queath to his furviving Friends, in a Sea* ion, when it hath ufually the greateft Advantage of Weight and Acceptance 5 it being ftill qualified with Chriftian Prudence and humble Sobriety ^ L fo as all may State of a Christian 6$ may fee Its whole Intent is to commend to Mens Confcienee ^the Way of Truth and Godlinefs, and not thenifelves, and thus direct it for the proper Ufe and Im- provement of their nearer! Relations. I know it may be -ft range to feme, what is fpoke upon this Head \ but as 'tis fure the prefent Day hath its Duty, and each Time of our Life hath foiiie proper Work, fo I humbly judge, that this feems. to fall in, as the laft Service of a dying Chriftian to his Generation, to de- liver off his Hand the Truth which he had received and bath oft proved, with his ^confirmatory Seal and Teftimony there- to. And now is it in fome more than or- dinary Way called for in this Hour of great Darknefi, when, if the Security of the abfolute Promifes ftood not good to !the Church, v/e might fear Religion might quickly wear out, and Truth pe- rifh from the Earth i and as fo'foleinn and weighty a Thing fhouldit be mana- ged with much humble Prudence, fo that it may be judged, that there is no ferious and obferving Chriftian,, but hath fbme peculiar Engagements, under which they tfind themfelves held even beyond others, yea, ^ $6 A Defcripiion of the confirmed yea, fome fuch fingular Confirmations in the Journal of their Life, that fhould not be eafy to hide under the Ground $ where the ftrengthening of others here- by is concerned *, and that fuch fhould not then leave the Crofs of Jefus Chrift at a Lofs, or part therewith without their Teftimony, which hath left them at fo great an Advantage. And'tho' this is not to offer particular Rules in fuch a Duty, but that Chriftian Wifdom muft direct herein, as the prefent Cafe is circumftantiated, yet might it be hoped, were this more taken to Heart, it fhould be a fingular Means to make more deep Impreihons of Mens dying Work on their Spirits. Even whilft they are in Health, to excite their furviving Friends, and to keep Religion thus a- live in a Family State and Relation, and gain a more venerable Refpect to the fame on Mens Confciences •, yea, to .fix alfo ftronger Engagements on the fucceeding Offspring. Thus is prefented here, a fhort Idea of the - folid and judicious Work of Chriftian Confirmation in the Truth, under thefe foregoing Ghara&ers, to fhew ! State of a Christian. 67 fliew, how rare an Attainment of Reli- gion this is, yea, to prefent herein a fpecial Series and Scale of the greateft Steps in this confirmatory. .Work, by which it mould be followed. And none of tKefe may be parted from other, tho' fome be of an higher and more abfolute life for fuch an End. And if it mould be obje&ed here, "What needs any fuch Expence of Time, or Pains in this Cafe, when 'tis fure^he effential Truths of the Gofpel are not questioned, and that without internal Evidence of the Spirit, no external Means of this Kind can be of Ufe, I know that 'tis the alone Work of the Holy Ghoft, to . beget a divine and^fu- pernatural Faith 5- without which the further! Light and objective Evidence, tho' backed with a continued Difpen-- fa'tion of external Miracles, could ne- ver bear Chrifiians out, either as* to 1 Duty or Comfort, in their PafTage thorow Time 5 yea, nothing is in the leaft here to fiibjec~t the Credit of our Faith to Mens rational Comprehensi- on, "but rather tends, to enervate whol- ly the Strength of any fuch Tenet, G and 68 J Defcription of the confirmed and take off all Pretence for the fame : But 'tis fure alfo, I muft quit all fo- lic! Security in the Way of Religion, and any clear Founding in the Light and Certainty of the Scripture, or ad- mit thefe Things as undeniable. i. That fupernatural Faith is the rnoft highly rational Light that's with- in Time. And that none, who profefs the Name of Chrift, can be of fo low a Size, as fhould not be prefled and excited to be much about this Ground- work of knowing the Truth and Prin- ciples of their Profeffion upon its own Evidence ^ yea, are thus called, as \new bom Babes to drink in the fmcere Milk of the Word, i Pet, ii. Which, as 'tis clearly in the Original, as the rational Milk of th-e fVord, to.be thus received, no lefs on Convi&ion and Certainty of the Judgment, than with the but* going of their Affections. 2. That as 'tis not concejveable, how* a true and firm Aflent can be to di* vine Truth, but on its known Cer- tainty, fo here is no refolving of the Chriftian's Faith on the ftrongeft ra- tional Evidences hereof, which muffi fiill State of a Christian. 69 ftjll be refolved on the Teftirriony of God, made clear and evident to them to be luch. 3. It is fure alfo, the Lord hath not given fo large a Meafure of thefe Grounds and Demonftrations of his Truth 3 with fuch redoubled Arguments of that Kind, to be of fo fmall Re- gard as is with moft. But for fome great and univerfal Ufe hereof to the whole Church, and knew how needful fuch Affiftances to the Faith of his People would be whilft they are 021 the Earth.* 4. That thefe Means, which tend moft convincingly to found a rational Affurance in the Judgment, are the *. proper Vehicle of the Spirit of. God, hy which hk fealing Work fhould be both fought and expe&edj nor can I judge how the Creak and Ufe hereof fhould be fo fmall. and not on the fame Ground quit any external Ordinance of the Golpel 5 which without the Spi- rit of the Lord can never profit, nor how we fhould expect and fuit ' his confirming Work on the Soul, when thefe greateft confirming Means, which G 2 he 70 A Defer ipion of the confirmed he hath given to the Church, have no juft Weight : But, oh ! how wonderful a Teacher is the Bob? Ghoft, when .fuch ordinary Means fail, "and are inaceeiii- ble ? by funii (hi ng his People ^hen with thefe ftrongeft Arguments of Love and Power, who having had but final 1 Me«fures of Light, jQt were not Unfaithful to improve the fmalleft De- gree of fuch a Talent ? 5. Yea^ fo' great a Thing is it, to at- tain a folid Faith of Things wholly remote from our Senfe, and fo far a- bo\ r e the Reach and Apprehenfion of Nature, or to have an abfblute Reli- ance on an invifible Refuge for our prefent and eternal State, as no com- mon Affent can anfwer, when the very Reft and quiet of the Soul, muft needs' lie in the fur-e and firm Perfwafion hereof 6, It is too vifible alfo, how little the practical Ufe of fuch a Mean hath yet Been e flayed in the Church, that all who are Members thereof, might no lefs know the Strength and Finnnefs of the Foundations of their Faith, by its own Evidence,- than the general Articles of State of a Christian, 71 of Religion. The moft ufual infiruct- ing Work lies almoft wholly about'the noetic Part of Divinity, there feems not that ferious Regard to prefs the diano- etic Part hereof on Mens Confcience, as if this were to be reftrained to a few, who are more knowing, learn- ed, and of an inquifitive Spirit about the rational Certainty of the Truth, and for whom thefe choice and abun- dant Helps of this Kind, which are in this Age, feem more peculiarly direct- ed. 3 Tis fure, that the Chriffian Faith in the firft Times did remarkably then fpread and prevail, by thefe efear Evi- dences hereof to the Judgment, made effectual by the Spirit of God, more than „ by extraordinary Miracles., Nor knew they otherwife what it was to be Chriftians, but by embracing the Truth, with a full AfTurance of Un- derftanding, no left than of Delight and Affe&ion. But if it be /objected., it is not the Cafe now, where Religion is planted in a Nation, and hath an un- controulable public Profeilion under the Support of human Laws ^ I know no admitted Weight this can have, except G 3 that 72 A Defcription of the ' confirmed that it mould be granted, that Chrifti- ans now be born, and not new creat- ■ ed. y. Yea, is it not fure, tho' it feem little underfbod, that the primary Grounds and Evidences of our Faith, are not only as to their End, demon- strative of the Truth and Divinity of the Scripture, but are upon the Mat- ter, fuch Demonftrations alfo, which moft natively refult from the fame by infallibly ' Confequence 5 and are . iTius to be accounted, not as humane but divine Arguments, given us by the Spirit of God. 8. I mall but further add, how fuch as do ferioufly ponder Things, will find this Demonftration to be no more important than clear, that to be aeon- firmed Chriftian, and a confTmed Prote- ftant are convertible Terms -, and that if they that are under that deplorable Bondage and Darlcnefs of Popery, were tut once awakened, to fee the Truth and Certainty of the Chriftian Faith, by its intrinfick and objective Evi- dence, and taken oft that brutifli Cre- dulity and Dependence on the . alone Credit State of a Christian. 75 Credit of ofbers herein, it might be faid the ftronge.ft Engine to hold up that Pro- feifion were then broke, and .we mould fee the Do&rine and Rule of Faith, to be of fiich full and perfpicuous Evi* dence from the Scripture, as without Blafphemy, they could not feek from the Lord to give them a plainer Rule, than what he hath there given. FINIS. CHANGES AND TROUBLES PEace, way ward Soul ! let not tbqfe various Storms, Which hourly fill the World with frefh Alarms, Invade thy Peace ; nor difcompofe that Reft, Which thou may^ft keep tmtoucPd within thy- Breaft, Amidftthofe Whirlwinds, if thou keep but free The Interc-ourfe betwixt thy God and thee ; Thy Region lies above thefe Storms ; and know, Thy Thoughts are earthly, and they creep too low, If thefe can reach thee, or Accefs can find, To bring or raife like Tempefts in thy Mind. But yet in thefe Dif orders fome thing lies, Thafs 'worths thy Notice, out of which the wife May trace and find that jaft and powerful Hand^ That fecretly but furely y doth command, And manage thefe Difle?npers with that Skill, Thai E 3 . That while they feem to crofs, they a£l his Will. Obfsrve that filver Thread, that (leers and bends The worfl of all Diforders, to fuch Ends, That /peak his Juftice, Goodnefs, Providence, Who clofely guides it by his Influence. And though thefe Storms are loud, yet lijien well, There is another Mejfage that they tell : This World is not thy Country ; "'tis thy way ; Too ?nuch Contentment would invite thy ft ay Too long upon thy Journey $ make it firange, Unwelcome Nevus, to think upon a Change : Whereas thefe rugged Entertainments fend Thy Thoughts before thee to thy Journey's End ; Guide thy Defires all homewards ', tell thee plain. To think of refling here is but in vain j Make thee to fet an equal Eft innate On- this uncertain World, and a juji Rate On that to come ; they bid thee wait and flay Until thy Mafter\s Call, and then with Joy K To entertain it. Such a Change as this, Renders thy Lofs 3 thy Gain ' 3 improves thy Blifs. yy^piwig§ipr I >W:. \ \ fffilit HIUifiM WW wmsw* ^SWM ^W^Ufeu.