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THE 
 CONFIRMING WORK 
 O F 
 
 RELIGION: 
 
 O R, 
 
 Its great Things made plain, 
 
 By their Primary 
 
 Evidences _andDEMONSTR at ions. 
 
 Whereby the meaneft in the Church, m&y 
 foon be made able to render a rational 
 Account of their Faith. 
 
 By the late Reverend Mr. Roberp 
 Fleming, Aut^ of the Fy filling 
 of the Scriptures* 
 
 G L A S GO Wq 
 
 Printed by Robert Foulis/ and fold by him, 
 and other Bookfellers in Glafgo<w and Edinburgh' 
 MD.CC.XLIII, 
 
C 3 ) 
 
 THE 
 
 JUDGEMENT 
 
 OF SOME 
 
 London Minifters 
 
 Concerning this . 
 
 TREATISE. 
 
 THin-gs of unqueftionable Ex- 
 cellence in themfelves, and. of 
 greateft Importance unto our 
 Welfare, have not always the deep- 
 eft and moft conftant Thoughts be- 
 flown upon them. ' Witnefs the:'Sa- 
 a 2 tisfa£ion 
 
[ h 3 
 
 tisfaclion of our Minds, about the 
 Matter, and about the Foundations 
 of our holy Chriftian Faith. 
 
 It feenis too little obferved, but it 
 can never be fufficiently lamented, 
 what we do obferve of Proteftants 
 Negleft of the Matter of their Faith. 
 And, yet our fad Experience certi- 
 fies us, that they are incomparably 
 more heedlefs of acquainting them- 
 felves widi the Reafons thereof. We 
 have very many that do competently 
 know, what it is to be a Chriftian, for 
 every fingle Man that can render a 
 Reaibn, why he ought to be fo. 
 
 Storms do make Men look to their 
 Anchors; and we do not know, but 
 awful Judgments are haftening on us, 
 (being remote Ones do not awaken 
 us,.) to beat us put of our inconfider- 
 ately chofen Refuges. Our precari- 
 ous and unexamined Confidences, 
 which in very Propriety are but Fan- 
 cy, and not Faith built upon any fo- 
 lid Grounds. However, we muft all 
 
 needs 
 
needs die; and it is more tlian pro- 
 bable, that a near Profped: "of the fu-^ 
 ture State, may convincingly fhew 
 the moft obftinate, that the King of 
 Terrors is not to be conquered, and 
 ntf Miracles' are to be wrought by an 
 implicit Faith % Or by a Way of 
 Religion, that is taken up and walk- 
 ed in, merely for Company. 
 
 Wherefore we give our great 
 Thanks to the Author of every good 
 Gift; who hath drawn this his richly 
 furnifhed Scribe to fupply us with fa 
 very needful a Treatife as is here of- 
 fered. Some of us do profefs, that in 
 reading it, we were furprized with 
 Joy and with Wonder^ that a Topic 
 fo little written, difcourfed, or thought 
 of, mould be treated on with fuch< 
 Depth of Judgment, and with fnch 
 Experience, as is rarely found in the 
 moll laudible Writers,. 
 
 a 3 Thro" 
 
 * Pecudum ritu euntes, non qua eundeni eft, k<L- 
 quaitur, Sen. 
 
Thro' the divine Blefling, which 
 we implore, we hope, that we, and 
 our Brethren, throughout thefe Na- 
 tions, fhall find good Succefs of our 
 Peoples Ufe. of this moft infbu&ive 
 Work. For which, with the excel- 
 lent Author, (who did but confent to 
 this Edition of ft; j we are indebted 
 unto, * the Reverend and Worthy 
 
 Publisher, 
 
 * Mr. Vlaniel Burgefs, whofe Chara&er is weM 
 known ; his Recommendatory Preface follows : The 
 higheit Angels are moll: humble Creatures ; the 
 Church of God is full of their Services, b\xt knoweth 
 next to nothing of their Names. Their Works praife 
 their Lord and ours/ but not themfelves. And if the 
 Evangelical Author of this Book could have had his 
 Will, the Churches of Chrilt fbould not have had his 
 Name. He would have kept himfelf together a Be- 
 nefactor, and a Sort of Stranger unto them. 
 
 Againft his Will, it came to be known, that his 
 Book of the Fulfilling of the Scriptures was his. And 
 by the divine Providence, it was made neceJTary, that 
 his latter Works fhould bear his Name. Obfcurity 
 was his Ambition ; tho' his Gifts and Graces prove 
 too big and too bright to be covered. And, in fhort, 
 it hath pleafed the Supream Ruler and Fountain of 
 Honour, to honour him, whether he would or no*. 
 
 Thf Book fiift named, is followed with the Eulo- 
 gies of greateft Pivines ; and is a Manna fweet to the 
 
 Tafte 
 
C vii ] 
 
 Publiflier, by whofe Means we re* 
 ceive it. We join with both of them, 
 in Prayer to the mod High, that this 
 rich Seed of the Sower may be made 
 Bread of Life to the Eater. 
 
 William Bates, 
 
 Matthew Meab ? 
 
 Thomas Cole, 
 
 John Howe, 
 
 Matthew Sylvester, 
 Daniel Williams, 
 John Showers. 
 
 Talie of all ferious Chriftians. His Epijofary Dif~ 
 courfe, dedicated to the Queen's Majelty, hath been 
 moil gracioufly accepted by her. ; and highly valued 
 by thofe that I mull think of the bed of her Subjects, 
 Being, as his Difcourfe of Earthquakes, a Treafure of 
 Things old and new ; Mkhtuins golden Jewels. Ar- 
 guments, feveral, not fo much as touched by any Pen 
 within her Dominions, or beyond them, fave Mrv 
 Fleming's. 
 
 Neverthelefs, it is of this his Treatife, that I would 
 fey, with SubmiiTion to better Judgments, there is 
 none like it. - Herein it is, that I think he hath An- 
 gularly honoured his God, and, I believe, his God 
 will veryjingularly honour him. For, is any Difeife 
 more mortal or more epidemical, than Topijh implicit 
 Faith ? And is there any to be named, againft which, 
 we are fo deftitute of Medicines ? Is there extant, in 
 
C viii ] 
 
 EngUJby or any European Language, any one ratio* 
 nah of Chriftianity, in Method luited to them, who 
 do moll need it ? Hath any one Writer, befide oar 
 Author, fet himfelf to teach Minors the primary Evi- 
 dences and reafonable Demonftrations of, Chriilian 
 Faith? I will con him my, bell Thanks who mall 
 name me fo much as one. 
 
 How found, and how generous a Medicine this 
 Treatife is, let the Wife judge, I declare it to be the 
 only one, that on no flight Enquiry I have heard of. 
 Being fo, I no fooner read it, but I bleffed it, and its 
 unknown Author. Privately and publickly I praifed 
 it, and finding it not to be had in our Shops, nor but 
 from Holland, if from thence, to be gotten, I pre- 
 fently refolved to re-print it. Soon after, hearing 
 who was the Author, and where he was, I fent him 
 notice of that my fixed Refolution, whether he con- 
 fented to it or no. For thus, I argued, that if he 
 were of the heavenly Spirit, breathing in his Book, he 
 could not gainfay it , and if he were of another Spi- 
 rit, for the Church's Service, it would be innocent 
 and praife-worthy to crofs it. But, bleffed be God, 
 and bleffed be he from his Lord and mine, he readily 
 forgave me this Wrong, and cheerfully I proceeded. 
 
 No Lion found I in my Way ; but a forry Worm I 
 'counted the Exclamations of fome nice Folk, againft 
 the Phrafe and Style of this confeffedly excellent Work. 
 Dutifully I compaflionated the Weak ; and no lefs the 
 many Sick, of Curiofity. Who have fuch Ulcers in 
 thejr Palates, that they cannot, withont cruel Pain, 
 fwallow the moll delirec.ble Dainties, unlefs they may 
 take them in Oil and Sugar,. Cannot prevail with- 
 felvet to read Periods, that require an attentive Min^ 
 and the leaft Strain of their Understanding. Where- 
 fore 
 
C ix 1 
 
 fore I ufed my Spunge, and took out as many Expref- 
 fions of my Author's native Language, as I thought 
 would diiturb an EngUjh Reader. Subftituting fuch 
 as appeared fufhciently intelligible. Which being done, 
 the Bookfelier was wife enough to fet the Prefi going. 
 
 I Signified my Purpofe to catechiie Youth publickly 
 in the Pofitions and Characters of this Book, one 
 Lord's-Day ; as in Wefminfer Affemblys Catechifm, 
 on the other by Courfe. Which Practice other Mini- 
 jlers foon told me, that they would take up. As, I 
 trull many more would do , forafmuch, as none can 
 be unfenfible what Multitudes of Men do go to grafs 
 on this Side the Alps, as well as on the other ; and 
 what a £mtaHick Faith common Proteflants do reft in, 
 as well as Romanifts. Making Show of a Faith, as the 
 Moon of a Light, whereof not any is in themfelves 
 rooted. Sadly it is feen of all, how 
 Brit, is painted, too too properly we are fHll na- 
 Tainfis a Nation, med Britain*; the Faith of moll 
 being fuch a Paint, as cannot but 
 melt and vanimin any Trial that is fiery. 
 
 Memorable are the Words of the learned unhap- 
 py Spalato, to this Effect as I remember. To fay, 
 that I do not myfelf know, nvhy I do believe a Re- 
 ligious Article, but yet I do believe it, becayfe 
 the Church in which 1 am doth believe it ; it 
 is the felf-fawe as to fay, I do not myfelf open one of 
 tny Eyes, but yet I do fee the Thing fpoken of, becaufe 
 the Company in which I am doth fee it. The good 
 Lord lelfen among us the Number of Men fo abfurd, 
 and fo plainly void of Faith! He hath . 
 already made the Leaves of this Book fo 7**w 
 healing unto fome, that in great Hopes I commend 
 them unto all. And efpecially to the Societies of ycung 
 
 Men. 
 
C x v 
 
 Men, that hold weekly ftated Meetings for edifying 
 Conference. In which, as I tell thofe of my own 
 Charge, they mall not find more eligible Arguments 
 than this Book (lores them with.x Happy they, if, 
 in the bell Senfe, they do make them their own ! Lord 
 encreafe holy Faith, and quench fiery Faclion ; fo 
 prayeth, 
 
 Bridges-fir eet, near C&- 
 went -Gar den, Feb, 28. 
 
 Daniel Burgess, 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 Underjianding the Foreign Churches want of this 
 Work, as well as our own, I purpofe ire long to 
 tranjlate, and fend it forth in the Latin '* Tongue. 
 Vnlefs fame good Hand of more Leifure do prevent me* 
 
 iM3k\\tlj9 L 
 
 IHi 
 
 -Vtvw 
 
 THE 
 
C xi ] 
 
 UlUill'l » ■« 
 
 K II il I a iuirtUir4(ai«lB3BEaiaBaiBi!i 
 
 jTHE AUTHOR'S 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 1 HIS fmall Treatife here off er- 
 ^f| >^ /j- 0/7? o/"M^ greateft Sob • 
 § jVSj- //;atf ca;/ /#// goffer the 
 Confide rat ion of Mankind ; 
 and is a Study, /which was never more 
 prejfingly called fir, than in thefe Days 
 for making ^Peace with God, and gain- 
 ing fuel? an Affurance of his Truth, as 
 may fully quiet and fupport the Soul, 
 thd all fenfible Trops fhould be broken 
 and faiL Great Changes do fur eh 
 haft en on this Generation, and the Life 
 of Faith, is in another Manner like to 
 
 be 
 
xii The Author's Preface, 
 
 ■be put to Trial, than Jince the Chur- 
 ches Rife' and Recovery from Antichri- 
 flian Bondage. The Storm now vifibly 
 grows upon the Churches of Chrift, 
 thd nothing ought to faint or floake the 
 Spirits of any, who know their Anchor is 
 fure and caft within the Vail ; but the 
 ftrongeft Difficulties, in following the 
 Lord, when overcome, yield the great eft 
 ViBory, and will he not only Matter of 
 Joy here, but to all Eternity, in having 
 with ^Patience and Hope endured, and 
 got well through a Throng of Tempta- 
 tions and AJfaults, in a refolute Adhe- 
 rence to the Truth. If Men think it 
 their TVifdom to fecure their private In- 
 tereft, by dividing it in fuch a Time 
 from the public Caufe of the Reformed 
 Church, and make Light of the great- 
 eft Truths of God now a/faulted, of the 
 Blood of the Martyrs, yea, of their 
 own eternal State, by any Coolnefs or 
 fhrinhng from the fame ; they will find 
 no temporal Motives can ever compen- 
 fate that Lofs and Ruin which inevita- 
 
 . My 
 
The Author's Preface. xiii 
 
 - bly will meet fuch in the IJfue. Yea t 
 that thefe Words of Mordecai to Eit- 
 her, {Efth. iv. 13, 14.) have the 
 fame Voice and Weight in this Day. 
 What is held forth in ihe following 
 Work^ I may with humble Confidence 
 fay, was under fome Treffiire to have 
 fuch clear Evidence and quieting Ter- 
 fuafion of divine Truth, as made it lefs 
 eafy to have my own Spirit fatisfied 
 herein, than pdjjibly it may be to others ; 
 for, if it were not from that blejfed 
 Ajfurance of the Lord's being God, of 
 the -Revelation of Chrift, and of the 
 Glory to come, I Jhould not know what 
 could be comforting, or make a rational 
 Being deftreable. Some (Ingular En- , 
 gagements I judge myfelfalfo to ft and 
 under, for putting to my Seal to the 
 Truth and Faith fulnefs of God jn his 
 Word, from many fignal Confirmations 
 hereof in the Courfe of my Tilgrimage, 
 if fuch a poor Teftimony might be of any 
 Weight. Let the blejfed Lord, gracV 
 'cujly accept this fmall Offering to him, 
 b for 
 
xiv The Author's Preface. 
 
 for the Inter eft of his Truth, by fo mean 
 an Inftrument, and give fome Fruit- 
 hereof that may abide, and be found in 
 the Day of Chrift. 
 
 I hope the Reader may find, by a 
 Terufual of the firfl Chapter, of what 
 ferious Ufe and Intent the Second /V, 
 yea, that in this Day, it was not un- 
 feafonable or incongruous to the forego- 
 ing Subject what is held forth in the 
 third Chapter. But, Oh! it -is fad 
 and amazing to think, how few are un- 
 der that Weight of Religion, as vnceto 
 have a ferious Enquiry on the Qrbunds 
 and Reafons thereof, and to account the 
 moft fpecial Affiftances to their Faith, 
 to be the greateft Helpers of their Joy 
 within Time. . m- 
 
 THE 
 
[ ^ 3 
 
 THE 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 %he Primitive Confirmation} held forth and 
 cleared in fey en P options* 
 
 Page 
 
 PO S I T. I. Sad is the Afpeft, which 
 the implicit and traditional Profeffion, 
 of this Day hath upon the prefent 
 State of Religion. I 
 
 POSIT. II. It is a great Service for the 
 Church to have a clear Founding of the 
 Faith of AflTent, upon known and folid 
 Grounds herein, more univerfally pro- 
 moted. 4 
 POSIT. III. The true primitive Confir- 
 mation, as it was in the Times of the 
 Apoftles, is held forth and cleared from 
 the Scripture. 7 
 b z POSIT. 
 
xvi - The C ONTENT S. 
 
 Pag§. 
 
 POSIT: IV. The continued Neceffity 
 thereof] is no lefs convincing now for the 
 Church's Ufe, than in thofe primitive 
 Times. II 
 
 POSIT. V. Such a confirmatory Work, 
 refpeets not only the more knowing and 
 inquifltive Part of Men, but the mean- 
 er!: within the Church. 14 
 
 POSIT. VI. What is fpecially called for 
 in the practical Ufe of this primitive 
 Confirmation, is held forth in fome fe- 
 nous Propotals tor tms j-^vi. . ;* 
 
 POSIT. VII. Special Excitement we are 
 under for promoting the fame in fo re- 
 markable a Period of Time as this, and 
 from the Hope of a greater reviving yet 
 of fuch a Catholick Spirit, to advance 
 the higheft Ends of Religion amongft 
 • Men. *" • 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 For giving fome clear View of the fe prima- 
 ry Evidences and Demonftrations of our 
 Faith, that the meaneft Chriftian Jhould 
 know, and with the leaft Expetrce of 
 lime, may improve for their daily Ufe 
 on thefe great eft Principles. 
 
 SEC- 
 
The CONTENTS, xvii 
 
 SECTION L 
 
 Page. 
 
 I. /~\F the glorious Being of God, which 
 V/ is the fitft Foundation of all Reli- 
 gion. 26 
 
 II. Of the Original of the World, and its 
 not being eternal. 3° 
 
 III. Of a Supreme Providence in the Con- 
 fervation and Government of the 
 World. 32 
 
 IV. Of that fpecial Providence, which in 
 : its continued Adminiftration of human 
 
 Affairs-, doth unchangeably difference 
 
 betwixt the Righteous and the Wick- 
 
 j> ed. 34, 3? 
 
 V. Howfuch a wonderful Record, as that 
 of an immediate Revelation of God un- 
 to Men, Is fo demonflrably Extant in the 
 World. 33 
 
 VI. Of the Ipecial Evidences of the Scrip- 
 tures Divinity, which Men mull needs 
 fee to be infallible. 40 
 
 VII . Of the fecure" Conveyance of tire 
 Scripture through all tire Changes of 
 Times paft. 43. 
 
 b 3 VIII. Of 
 
4$fi 'The CONTEN T S. 
 
 VIII. Of the Fall of Man, and Entry o§ 
 Sin into the World, as it is fully de- 
 monftrable to Reafon, as well as by the 
 - Certainty of Faith. 45 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 I. TTOlding forth thofe great AlTiitances 
 JlX to the Chriftian Faith, and of the 
 
 Mellias being furely promifed to 
 the Church before his coming. 46^ 
 
 II. Of the Truth and Accomplishment of 
 this great Promife of the Meflias, and 
 how it is now, as fure in the Event, as 
 'tis clear he was promifed. 48 
 
 III. Of the fpecial Advantage for Confir- 
 mation of our Faith herein, that for Four 
 thoufand Years the promifed coming of 
 the MeiTias was deferred. 51 
 
 TV. Of the Nature and internal Excellency 
 of Chriftianity, to bear furtheft Evidence 
 to the Truth thereof. 52,53 
 
 V. That jhis is the fame Gofpel v we now 
 receive and enjoy, which from the firil 
 Promulgation thereof, hath had fo great 
 Effects on the World. 5* 
 
 VI. That the Sufferings of the Saints in" 
 Times pall, was' fo demonftrably above 
 the Affiftance of Nature. 57 
 
 SECTI- 
 
The CON TENTS. %i% 
 SECT I Q N in. 
 
 Page.' 
 I. TJ^ O R holding' Forth on what Grounds 
 J7 the Faith of a Deity mufl deter- 
 mine Men to be Chriftians. $9 
 
 II What Confirmation the Chriftian Reli- 
 gion hath from that vifible State of the 
 Jews: 61 
 
 III The Way and Manner of its prevail- 
 ing on the Wortd, which no Profefiion 
 elfe could ever pretend to. ^3 
 
 IV. The Nature of that great Evidence, 
 which Chrift- hath himfelf given to the 
 World, of his divine Miflion in the 
 Love and Unity of his People, John 
 xvii. 21. 6% 
 
 V. How the Strength of fuch a Demonftra- 
 tion r flands flill clear, and evident in 
 
 ' thefe dividing Times of the Church,.. 6j 
 
 VI. What in thefe laft Times is under our 
 Hand to compensate fuch a Confirmation 
 by Miracles, which was in the firft 
 Times of the Gofpel, 6$ 
 
 JSECTI 
 
xx The C O NTENT& 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 Page. 
 
 I. T?® R holding forth with the furthefl 
 J7 rational Certainty and Evidence, 
 
 the Truth and Doctrine of Chrift, 
 to be a Soul-quickning and experimental 
 Religion. 71, 72 
 
 II. The Truth alfo of Convcrfion of 
 Men, from a State of Nature to a new- 
 State of Grace. 74 
 
 III. Offo great an Experiment of Religi- 
 on, as Communion betwixt God and 
 Men here on Earth. s, jy 
 
 IV. Offo great a Demonftration of Religi- 
 on in the Power and Workings of the 
 Confcience. 79 
 
 V. Of that fpecial Confirmation to our 
 Faith, which doth refult from fuch a De- 
 monftf ation of this Power of the Confci- 
 ence over Men. 8 1 
 
 L F 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 OR holding forth the Truth of a 
 Kingdom of Darknefsin the World, 
 in opposition to the Kingdom of 
 Child. 83 
 
 IL What 
 
The- GO NT ENT&' xxl 
 
 Page. 
 
 II. What Confirmation to our Faith, the 
 Certainty hereof, and of thefe Powers of 
 Darknefs, doth clearly afford. 85 
 
 III. That great Truth of the Immortality of 
 the Soul, with the cleareft Evidence to 
 Reafon, as well as by the Certainty of 
 Faith. " 87 
 
 IV. How confirming a Seal to the Scrip- 
 ture, that -great Change which pafleth 
 on all Men by Death is, and how 'tis no 
 natural Accident. op 
 
 .Y.jSome fbecial Affiftances to theChriftian's 
 Faith of an eternal Glory in IJeaveriJ 
 and to ferve an unavoidable Conviction 
 on the greatcft Atheifts. 92 
 
 VI. Something of a vifible Hell, in fome 
 near Approach hereof, even to Mens 
 Senfes, held forth to awake and coa- 
 
 "vince the World of fuch a Sta^e of Hor- 
 ror and Torment in another World. o5 
 
 VII. Some Affiftances to our Faith of that 
 great Truth of the Refurreclion of the 
 Body. CO 
 
 CHAP 
 
icxii The CONTENTS. 
 
 C HA P T E R IIL 
 
 The confirming Work of Religion further 
 improved, with refpeSl to this difinal 
 and amazing Time we are now fallen in. 
 
 SECTION L 
 
 Page 
 
 TO hold forth what may be both for 
 Light and Confirmation upon this 
 great Diftrefs the Churches of Chrift are 
 now under. io-i, ioz 
 
 H 
 
 SECTION It 
 
 O W great a Talent we ftand account- 
 able for in this Day of fuch immedi- 
 ate and extraordinary Appearances of the 
 Lord for confirming the faid publick 
 Caufe of the Reformed Church fince 
 the Reformation, which we are now 
 called to adhere to. 104. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 WHAT Manner of Time is the pre- 
 fent Lot of the Church now fallen. 
 in 3 and what Judgment we ought to have 
 
 hereof 
 
The CQNTEN T $. xxiii 
 
 Page. 
 
 hereof from the Scripture, for our fur- 
 theft confirming in fuch a Day. n6 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 SOME fpecial Service that we are now 
 called to, and accountable for; in behalf 
 of the Truth, and for fan6~tifying the 
 Lord in the Eyes of others, who are 
 under fo great a Talent of Light and Con- 
 firmation in the fame. 1 24 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 True and Infallible 
 
 W ■ A- Y 
 
 For attaining a confirmed State in 
 
 RELIGION 
 
 CHAP. L 
 
 The Primitiye Confirmation in the Truth 
 - ^/Christianity, held forth and 
 cleared, in its continued NeceJJity and 
 Ufe to this Day, in Seven POSI- 
 TIONS. 
 
 Po s I t . I. Jlpiiil. HA T nothing can he 
 IIJVpl of a more fad and 
 IgllPg: thr earning AfpeSt 
 " on the prefent State 
 
 of Religion in all the Churches ofQ H R i s t, 
 A than 
 
2 - The confirming Work 
 
 than that utter Ejlrangement, mofl are 
 under , to the true Grounds of Faith, and 
 to thofe fundamental 'Differences betwixt 
 Chrlflianity, and every falfe JVay, -which 
 no pretended Religion can lay claim to. 
 
 The Reafons of the Position, are 
 thefe*, 
 
 I. That It is too vifibly manifeft, 
 how no Men in the World know fo little 
 of their own ProfefTion, of any human 
 .Art or Science, as fuch who bear the 
 Name of Chriftians. Or are fo generally 
 Strangers to the Truth and Firmnefs of 
 the Principles thereof, for maintaining 
 either a due Valuation, or powerful 
 Senfe of the fame on their Soul * 3 fo that 
 an implicit and traditional ProfeJJion is 
 the onlv Part and Propriety which moffc 
 can claim in the Truth, and Doctrine 
 they profefs. 
 
 II. That very rarely alfo is any fe- 
 rious, perfonal Enquiry and Trial, if 
 there be indeed fuch a Thing, as an Ex- 
 perimental and Soul-quichiing Religion in 
 the Earth. That can bear the Expence 
 of the mofl: difmal and affli&ing Times, 
 and hath lo great a temporal Revenue, 
 as Peace with GOD^an immediate Com- 
 munion 
 
of RELIGION. 3 
 
 munion with him, the Joy and Com- 
 forts of the Holy Ghost, when we 
 are under fuch PrelTures of Trouble as 
 are above the Support of Nature. 
 
 III. That the furtheft Account, why 
 molt go under, the Name of Chrijlians, 
 rather than of any other Form, can rife no 
 higher thanCuftom and Education, that 
 it did befpeak them from their Birth, 
 and was the Religion of their Anceftors -, 
 yea, become in that Manner natural to 
 them, as the Cuftoms and Language of 
 their Country. Which are Grounds that 
 would determine to the very oppofite 
 Profefliojjp if they were Hated under 
 the lame Circumftances, and had the 
 fame Motives to be Mahometans % fince 
 it is fure thefe can found no other At 
 fent, than is fuitable to the Nature and 
 Strength thereof 
 
 IV. That, thus it is plain, the moil 
 numerous Part of vifible Profeflors, are 
 deftitute of. any Defence from internal 
 Motives, and {olid Conviction of the 
 Truth they profefs, upon its own Evi- 
 dence ^ and there was never more Caufe 
 to fear fomeunufual Apoftacy from the 
 very vifible Profeihon of Christ, upon 
 any violent Trial and Aflault this Way. 
 
 A 2 . When 
 
4 The confirming Work 
 
 "When fuch find it more eafy to render 
 up their Religion, than to adhere to the 
 fame, under ftrong Temptations, who 
 jox never knew that -Subftarice, Advan- 
 tage, or Certainty, herein, as could pro- 
 ponderate with the Want of all external 
 Motives for fuch a Profeffion. 
 
 Posit. IT. THA T thus one of the 
 highefi Services of thefe Times, for the 
 public Good of the Church, does convinc- 
 ingly lie here ; to have the Faith of AfTent 
 to the Truth and Doffrine of Christ, in 
 a clear and firm Certainty of the Judg- 
 ment, on its own Evidence, more vigor- 
 vujly promoted, and the proper Means and 
 Jjjijlances, -which the Lord hath given 
 for this End, in fame other Manner yet 
 improved, than feems to he at this Day % 
 for a more -univerfal Ufa.- 
 
 The Grounds to inforce the NecefFity 
 hereof, are thefe ^ 
 
 L That 'tis fare wherever the Gof- 
 pel is revealed to Men, it comes with fo 
 fall an Aflurance of Underilanding, and 
 Sufficiency/ of objective Evidence, as can 
 admit of no pofiible Doubtfulnefs herein. 
 Which is the Credit and Glory of our 
 
 Religfon, 
 
of RELIGION*. | 
 
 Religion, that in no other Way it doth 
 require Acceptance, but with the fur* 
 theft ConvicUon of Evidence. 
 
 II. Because the eiprefs Defign and 
 Tendency of this blefled Revelation, is 
 no lefs to found fuch a rational Affurance 
 in the Judgment, of its Truth, than to 
 ingage the Will and Confent for em* 
 bracing thereof ^ and tho' fuch great Be- 
 jrionftrations for this End can only, in 
 fuo getter e, have a convincing Influence 
 to perfuade the Underftanding, yet are 
 they of fuch "Weight here, as next to the 
 Demonftration of the Spirit of GOD, 
 they are the greater!: Means to bring up 
 Mens Aflent to a full and quieting Reft 
 on that Security to which they muft truft 
 themfeives forever, and to let them fee, 
 that this even here by the Way, is af« 
 furedly full, though not yet their Enjoy- 
 ment. 
 
 III. Because this Faith of Affent, . 
 fhould be firft followed in the Order of 
 Nature, as being the very firft Principle 
 of Converfion, to know and be fure, " 
 that GOD hath fent his Son into the 
 World to fave Sinners -, wherein as the 
 Holy Ghoft is not the Objective, but the 
 efficient Caufe of our Faith, fo is not the 
 
 A 3 internal 
 
6 ±he confirming Jf ork 
 
 internal Work and Teftimony, he gives 
 on the Soul the firft Teftimony, but mu'ft 
 ftill have Refpedfc to the Revelation of 
 the Word- without,' and fuch demonftra- 
 tive Evidences thereof, wherewith it is 
 revealed to the World. Nor may any 
 ever feparate, that which GOD hath 
 himfelf fo indiflolubly joined. 
 
 IV. That there is fo convincing a 
 Neceffity-and Ufe hereof to the Church, 
 and in a fpecial Way with refpedt to the 
 Youth, for a more firm laying of the 
 Ground-work of their Chriftian Profeffi- 
 on, and for the Seed-plot of a, bleffed 
 and definable Growth amongft fuch in 
 this Day \ that, they might thus know 
 early, fomething of thefe primary 
 Grounds and Demon Miration's of their 
 Faith 5 fo alfo is it a Study of that high 
 Importance, as I humbly Judge mould 
 te of notable Ufe for aManududion, in 
 the firft Place to Students of Divinity, 
 before they launch forth in that vaft and 
 immenfe Ocean of the fpeculative Part 
 thereof ^ and for being at Tome greater 
 Advantage thus for carrying on fuch a 
 confirming Work in the Church in their 
 future Service. 
 
 - V. Yea, 
 
of RELIGION. -j 
 
 V, Yea, of what Ufe might this be, 
 with refpect to many, who may before 
 haunted, with hidden ancjL dreadful Temp- 
 tations to Infidelity, and to weaken them 
 in the very Foundations of their Faith ; 
 who are wholly unfurnifhed of any fuch 
 Grounds and Arguments in. their Judg- 
 ment to repel the fame : And it is cer- 
 tain, that to believe firmly the Hiftory 
 of the Gofyel, that GOD was-manifeff- 
 ed in our Nature, to fave Man, is with 
 refped to the Objeft, a much higher Act 
 of Faith, than to believe, that he will 
 fave us •, fince "as the one doth unfpeak- 
 ably more tranfcend all human Reafon 
 than the other, fo doth the Apoftle thus 
 argue from the greater to the lefs, Rem. 
 viii. 32. that he who gave his own Son 
 to the Death ^ will he not alfo with him 
 give us all Things? 
 
 Pos 1 t. III. T HA. T 3 fuch a confirming 
 JVbrk, ~was moft fpecially followed in the 
 Practice of the Primitive Times, and one 
 of the great Ends of the Miniftry of the 
 Apoftles and Evangelifts, to have this 
 Faith of Ajfent unj, Doctrinal Certainty 
 thereof on its proper Grounds and Eyi* 
 deuces, deeply founded in Mens Judg- 
 
 went 2 
 
8 %he confirming JVork 
 
 ment ; is fo clear as* cannot come under 
 Debate. 
 
 I. That this Way did the great Au- 
 thor of our Profeilion himfelf take, not 
 only by the Authority of his "Word, and 
 the Power and Energy of Grace, but 
 with that convincing Evidence and De- 
 rnonftration of his Truth to Mens Un- 
 derftanding, as might found alio a firm 
 and rational Affurance hereof. 
 
 II. Th a t for this End he did pray 
 the Father, John ilvii. 21. and was fo 
 much preffed herein, that fo great an ex- 
 ternal Demonfrration of the Truth of the 
 Gofpel, in the Concord and Unity of his 
 People, might be kept clear, that the 
 World might thus believe that he was 
 fent of GOD, and have a deeper Convi- 
 ction hereof wrought in them, by luch 
 anJEvidence. 
 
 III. That one fpecial Intent of the 
 Gofpel of Luke, was for this End, Luke 
 i. 4, That Men might know, not only 
 the Things themfelves by a naked Re- 
 lation, but the Certainty of thefe Things, 
 wherein they had been formerly inftru- 
 cled, 
 
 IV. That 
 
of RELIGION. 9 
 
 IV. That herein did the Miniftry 
 of Apo'lhs fo brightly fhine forth, Acts 
 xviii. 28. And was then of mtift ilngular 
 Ufe to the Church, by that Clear nefs of 
 rational Coavidion and demonftrative 
 Arguments for the Truth of Christ, 
 as the greateft Gainfayers could not 
 withftand. 
 
 V. That 'tis fure, it was then with- 
 out Exception, exprefly required of the 
 mean eft within the Church, to be always 
 ready to render the Reafons of their 
 Hope to all who asked : ^nd not only to 
 know v/hat they did believe,, but why 
 they did fo, as is clear, 1 Pet. iii. 1?. 
 This could not be by bringing forth of 
 internal Evidences, for Conviction of 0- 
 thers, but by giving them an Account 
 of the moft cogent Grounds and De- 
 monftrations of the Gpfpel, as might be 
 nioft prevalent, and confirming to the 
 Weak, and leave others inexcufkble : 
 And ieems to have been then Ipecially 
 preffed in thefe Primitive Times, as a 
 proper Teft of their Christian Profeiflom 
 
 VI. Anp we fee herein alfo, how 
 much thefe excellent Bereans were taken 
 up, and were fo highly commended of 
 the Holy Ghojl> Acts xvii. 11. To know 
 
 the 
 
» 
 
 jo The confirming i JVork 
 
 the demonflratiye Part of Chriftianity, 
 and by its own Evidence, with that intire 
 Harmony and Confent of the Scripture 
 therein, and their being thus diligently 
 intent in that comparing Work ot Reli- 
 gion, to fee the Truth thereof, not fingly, 
 and apart by themfelves alone,but in that 
 joint Union and Coherence wherein they 
 ftand, each in their own Room, for con- 
 finning and giving Light to other. 
 
 VlL That this 'was the Way alfo, 
 wherein the Gofpel did come to the 
 Gentile Church, is clearly (hewed, I 
 Thefs, i, 5, Not in Word only, hit as in 
 Power, and in the Holy Ghofl, fo alfo in 
 much Ajjiirance of Under ft anding, upon 
 its own Evidence, which was that Way, 
 it did fo wonderfully prevail over the 
 World againft Nature, and the Stream 
 of Flefli and Blood, that flood in the 
 further! Oppofition thereto. 
 
 VIII That one of the greate ft Ser- 
 vices of the Apoftles in their vifiting the 
 Churches, did exprefly lie here, Atis 
 xiv. 22. Tq confirm the Souls . of the 
 Difciples, in the firft Place, in the Cer- 
 tainty of their Faith, and then in ex- 
 horting them to continue in the fame, 
 fo as they might follow the Lord, with 
 
 the 
 
of RELIGION. ii 
 
 the furtheft Light and Murance of 
 Mind, amidft the great Trials of fuch a 
 Time. 
 
 IX. That 'tis this Way alf o the World 
 is rendered inexcusable for their Mifbe- 
 lief of the Gofpel, when under fuch Suf- 
 ficiency of Means given for this End, by 
 fo great a Difcovery of the confirming 
 Evidences of its Truth, fo as the}' caa 
 have no Pretence -herein, but an Qbfti- 
 nacy and Refolution not to be convinced; 
 on which Ground doth our bleiTed Lord 
 leftify, that it was no Want of Light, up- 
 on the Certainty of his Truth,, why Men 
 did not receive it, but that they loved 
 Darknefs better than Light, becaufe their 
 Deeds were evil $ and when fuch clear, 
 rational, and convincing Evidences are 
 laid open to their View, how moft Men 
 poflibiy can get thefe put by or rejected, 
 is not eafy to comprehend, but that a 
 real Irritation and torment of Spirit, 
 from fuch Clearnefs of Evidence, doth 
 thus more tend to harden than convince. 
 
 Pos 1 T. IV. <T H A 7 'there is a conti- 
 nued Necejfity of fuch a Confirmation in 
 the Faith to this Day^ whatever can be 
 vbjecied of fo long a Confent and Pre- 
 
 fcrigtion 
 
'12 The confirming Work 
 
 fcription of Tipie in the Profejfion thereof 
 is fully clemonflrable on the fe Grounds. 
 
 I. Because, it is fare, the Chriftian 
 -Faith doth ftill need r thefe Alhftances, 
 and it is a ft range' Miiftake, that only 
 for Heathens and idtheifts, fuch confirm- 
 ing Evidences of the fame fhould be N pro- 
 pofed, but not for any under a vifible. 
 Profeflion, when the whole of Divinity, 
 and Doclrine of our Faith, is fo full of 
 demon ftrative Arguments, for the daily 
 Ule ofthe moft eftablifhed Chriftians in 
 their Paffage through Time. 
 
 II. That as the higheft Motives to 
 all ferious Godlinefs, and the moral Du- 
 ties of Chriftianity, muft needs be from 
 its known Certainty to us, fo is the con- 
 tinued Ufe thereof to be ftill the fame. 
 
 III. That thefe numerous Trials and 
 Confii&s of Chriftians now, do no left 
 call for fome higher Eftablifhment in 
 the Truth, on which they muft alone 
 reft, when all vifible Props fail in their 
 Judgments, than of fupporting Grace ^ 
 nor is it conceivable, how Men can this 
 Day walk in the Light of any true Joy 
 and Comfort, without a more folid Ai- 
 
 furance 
 
ef RELIGION. fejj 
 
 furance of their being on fafe Grounds 
 herein than moftTeem to reckon. 
 
 IV. Because the Revelation -of the 
 Gofpel, and of an eternal State in ano- 
 ther World, is fo great and wonderful, 
 as 'tis ftrange how this is not the higheft 
 In te reft of Mens Life, to have their 
 Faith more deeply confirmed on the fur- 
 theft Trial of their Security now by 
 the Way herein, who muft fhortly make 
 fo great a Trial thereof at Death «, for, if 
 we were but once come thus far, as to 
 afk our own Soul, what the Chriftidit 
 Faith, indeed is, that we are thus called 
 to believe, it could not poilibly but be- 
 get fome Extafy of wondering at" the 
 Great nefs thereof, and to reckon- any 
 Light and implicit Ailent to the fame, 
 as a Degree both of Atheifm and Indiffe- 
 rency in this Matter. 
 
 V. Though there be no Conflict 
 with Heathens, as in the firft Times, yet 
 was fuch a Spirit never at a higher Pitch 
 than it is now, to take off all firm Affent 
 to the greater! Principles of Truth, when 
 Atheifm feems to be at its laft Attempt 
 in the World, and we are fallen in fo a- 
 mazing an Hour of the Power of Dark- 
 nefs, as makes thefe latter Times more 
 
 B remark? 
 
1 4 The confirming Work 
 
 remarkably perilous and trying than the 
 firft. 
 
 VI. Yea, if fuch a confirming Work 
 he one of the greateft Means to advance 
 the Repute and Honour of Religion, 
 when its wonted Awe and Veneration is 
 io far loft, and to awake Men to deeper 
 Impreifions of its Truth, when fo few 
 feem now under any fuch Weight •, then 
 it is certain, there was never more Need 
 of the fame than in this Day* 
 
 Pos i tv V. 7 HAl fuch a Eery ice to 
 the Church, cloth not only reflect the more 
 knowing inquifitiye find judicious Part 
 thereof hut the meanefi Prof effors of Religi- 
 on alfo, of whom this is neceffarily required^ 
 is evident on thefe Grounds* 
 
 I. Be c a us ^ each Chriftian mould have 
 undoubtedly fuch a Ballajl on their o\vn 
 Soul, of the folid and rational Grounds 
 of their Faith, as well as thofe of greater 
 Parts and Endowments : The promoting 
 of which, were it more deeply confider- 
 ed 9i I dare humbly' adventure to fay, 
 would be found one of the choicer! 
 Means to, promote Chriftianity this 
 Day. 
 
 II Be- 
 
of religion: it 
 
 II. Because this is not to drive any 
 to doubt or queftion the lead fincere De- 
 gree of Affent ^h.o it be not with fuch - 
 Strength oi Evidence as in others, nor 
 can -by ..that formal Argumentation give, 
 the fame Account thereof ^ fince a few- 
 Grounds this Way may fpecially help to 
 fbme folid Conviction, and confirming of 
 their Mind, when they may be ignorant 
 of many -other 'cogent Arguments for this 
 End; but it is certain alfo, the greater 
 Clearnefs of Evidence, doth ftill' in the 
 appointed Way oi Means lead in to a 
 more/firm and ftrong AiTent of the Judg- 
 ment, to the Truth of cur Religion. 
 
 III. Because the Strength of the 
 Foundation in itfelf cannot be enough, 
 if it be not with, fuch a known Evidence, 
 as Men may build firmly and with Af- 
 furance thereon: Nor hath the Lord 
 thus only defigned to give his People an 
 infallible and fure Teftifxiony to adven- 
 ture on, but thai it fhould be made fure 
 alfo to them, 
 
 IV. Because "none can in Truth fay, 
 that Jtfus is the Lord, but by the Holy . 
 Ghoft, i Cor. xxii. 3. by which is not to 
 be- under Hood fo much the NecefTity of 
 fopernatural Grace, for a. faring Faith, 
 
 B 2 but 
 
1 6 The confirming Work 
 
 but that none can give a true Alien t and 
 Confeffion of the fame, but from thefe 
 Grounds and Arguments, which are re- 
 vealed by- the Holy Ghoft unto Men for 
 this End 5 arid* as 'tis certain, that thefe 
 Cham Hers and Evidence --of Divinity, 
 which are imprinted on the whole Reve- 
 lation of the Gofpel, may be clear and 
 demonftrative to our Judgment, foare 
 they as truly Divine, as the Doctrine 
 which is confirmed thereby. 
 
 V. Because there can be no poffible 
 Caufe for Unbelief of the Truth from 
 any intricate Obfcurenefs of the fame, 
 when the Lord hath given fuch great 
 Aifiltances to our Faith, to be *ds Milk 
 for Babes, as well as Meat to ftrong 
 Men, And tho' it be objected, that the 
 furtheft objective Evidence of the Got 
 pel, with fb clear and ftrong a Convey- 
 ance thereof, is yet fo little operative 
 on moft} the fame might be faid alio of 
 the whole Letter of the Scripture; but, 
 tho' this tends not in the leaft to refolve 
 our Religion into any meer Exercife of 
 Reaicn, and leaves the whole Work of 
 the Spirit, in its Energy and Operation 
 therewith on Mens Souls, intire , yet 
 doth it fully evince fuch a Sufficien- 
 cy 
 
of RELIGION. 17 
 
 cy of Evidence- with «the Ghriftian Faith, 
 as makes any Doubtfulnefs herein Am- 
 ply impoffible, through want of the 
 greater!: Advantage of Meinsj yea, fuch 
 as are of another Kind than to induce 
 only a probable Perfvafton of the fame. 
 VI. Because it is one of the fad- 
 deft Symptoms of the prefent State o£ 
 Religion, that fo few almoft in whole 
 Congregations, can give any clear Aflerit 
 to the Truth and Certainty thereof, but 
 to Amazement, both live and die Stran- 
 gers to the fame 5 yea, how many of 
 thele who are otherwife ferious in Reli- 
 gion, yet have their Faith ftarved this 
 "Way, and are deftitute of any fuch Sup- 
 port, but, as it is not the JMumermifnefs 
 of Profejfors, but the' Strength, and So- 
 lidity of their Faith, wherein the Chur- 
 ches Strength moft lies, and hath more 
 flourished in "a few fuch to beget a grea- 
 ter Awe and Veneration of Religion a- 
 mongft Men, than at other Times in 
 the greateil Multitude ^ fo is it the Glory 
 of Divine Truth, that it can fubfift hy 
 its own proper Evidence, and preferve 
 its Station in -the worft of Times, when 
 iall external Arguments do moft vifibly 
 ceafe. 
 
 B z Posit, 
 
1 8 The confirming Work 
 
 Pos t t. VI. 1 HA V 'tis fully de- 
 vionftrahle and clear % how no fimple in- 
 flrutling of ^ Men, in the general Princi- 
 ples of Religion, can be the proper and 
 adequate Means for fuch a Faith of Af 
 fent to the Truth thereof, on its otun Evi- 
 dence, or anftver that Apoftolick Pattern 
 of laying the Foundation, Heb. vi. 2. 
 But that fome fpecial Duties elfe are cal- 
 led for to fo high an End ;* fuch -wherein^ 
 not only that true primitive Confirmation 
 in the Chriftian Faith, might have fome 
 pratlical Ufe, but -we might alfo hope 
 therewith, for a more remarkable out-let- 
 ting of confirming Influences of the Spirit 
 if God. 
 
 What is to be unclerftood herein, I 
 fliall humbty offer in a few Particu- 
 lars 
 
 I. That it is one of the greater!: 
 Concerns of the Minifterial Work, and 
 of the Key of DoSirine, to have all who 
 hear the Gofpel, in the fiift Place, pref- 
 fed to take Religion fo far to Heart, as 
 to make a ferious Enquiry into the 
 Grounds and Reafons hereof, and thus 
 to know their being on fure Ground 
 herein, not becaufe they know not ano- 
 ther 
 
of RELIGION. j 9 
 
 ther Way, but becaufe they know this 
 is the alone Way of Truth, to which 
 they dare truft their Immortal Souls. 
 2. That for this End the fupream Truths 
 of Religion be represented with that 
 Certainty of Evidence, and Demonftra-' 
 tion, as both fuch great and marvellous 
 Things do require ? and the Temper, of 
 fuch a gain-faying; Age now calls for 5 
 and to have this preffed more on Mens 
 Judgment and Confcience, that the 
 things of God, which are of the higheft 
 Conference, Reality and Sulflance, can 
 have no poffible Reception by any im- 
 plicite or probable Belief thereof, nor 
 can admit any Pretence for the fame, 
 when the Lord hatfr given fuch Kind of 
 Proofs and Evidence, as leaves Mens 
 Darknefs herein, without any Shadow of 
 Excufe. 
 
 "II. That it peculiarly belongs to. 
 the Catechetical Work of Religion, to take 
 fome Account of the meaneft Profeflors 
 thereof, and with a fpecial Refpedt to the 
 Youth; of their Faith of Ajfent to the 
 Doctrine of Christ, on what Grounds 
 and Certainty of Evidence this is found* 
 ed,- and for their inftructing therein, as 
 well as in the general Principles of Reli- 
 gion! 
 
20 The confirming TForh 
 
 gion 5 when one of the nloft ruining 
 Things to the Church lies here, that the 
 Trofellion of mo ft is laid in fo deep an 
 Ignorance, as they have almoft nothing 
 Z to fay for the fame, hat a naked Affirma- 
 tion. I know the Difficulty hereof, for 
 the Weak may be objected, but without 
 juftCaufe^ mice as the Prime Truths 
 of Religion are few> eafy and plain for 
 the meaneft Capacity, fo alfo are the 
 primary. Evidences and Demonftrations 
 of our Faith, if fuch once with that De- 
 fire did fearch after the fame, as for a 
 hidden and invaluable Treafure 5 where- 
 in this Refped fhould be ftill had to dif- 
 ference betwixt what is Initial and of a 
 more fundamental Concern for the 
 Weak, and what may tend to an higher 
 Growth and Tncreafe of others. 
 
 III. It mould be of greateft Ufe and 
 Advantage alio for the fame End, that 
 the young Growth now coming up in the 
 Church, were put to give fome explicit 
 Evidence of their Confent and Choice of 
 the Profeffion of Ch r i s t, fo far as may 
 witnefs a Ratification of the Baptifimal 
 Covenant, now. as their own proper 
 Deed, wherein they were implicitely 
 engaged in their Infancy. Some fpecial 
 
 Grounds 
 
of RELIGION. si 
 
 Grounds and Reafons for this, are, i. Be- 
 caufe GOD will have his Service freely 
 .entredin and upon Choice, as that Way 
 which is moft agreeable to his Honour \ 
 for, as the Covenant binds mutually, fo 
 do the Seals thereof alfo, and therefore 
 upon our Part is Baftifm a Sacramental 
 Oath of /die glance to God. 2. .Becaufe 
 it tends to a more relolute and firm Ad- 
 herence to the Service of GOD, that this 
 Bufinefs mould be perfonally brought 
 Home to Mens Confcience, especially 
 before their firft Admittance to the Sa- 
 crament of the Lord's Supper, and thus 
 to engage them as Jofua'dSA, Chap, 
 xxiv. 22. Ye are Witnejfes againft your- 
 f elves herein, and they [aid, ive are Wit- 
 nejfes. 3. Becaufe this is exprefly held 
 forth, 1 Pet. iii. 21. where Baptfm is 
 called the Anfwer of a good Confcience to- 
 -ward God, upon this Ground, that fuch 
 then who were. come to Yearsof Know- 
 ledge, were perfonally brought to con- 
 firm by their own Content that folemn 
 Engagement and Dedication by Bap'tifm 
 to be the Lord's, and therefore it is 
 called ixt.aTm*, which is t ox juris, and, 
 fignifies, fponfw^ & ftipnlatio pnhlica in- 
 ter Chriflianum^ & Dominwn Chrifiuni, 
 
 as 
 
22 7 he confirming Work 
 
 as the mod judicious Commentators on 
 that Scripture do" clearly render if -, and 
 fo this was a fpecial Part of the primi- 
 tive Practice, not only with refpedfc to 
 fuch, who were converted from Heathe- 
 fii/m 7 hut W ere born within the Church, 
 and Partakers of that Seal of Baptifa 
 in their Infancy ^ to bring them to anfwer 
 to that great Demand of the Covenant, 
 Do you now Confent \^])on Evidence and 
 Choice, to be the Lord's, and to be a 
 Subject of his Kingdom, and embrace 
 the Laws thereof, and do you thus in 
 Sincerity and Truth, declare the fame, 
 
 1 wherein you have a good Confcience be- 
 fore GOD> And of what "bleffed Fruit 
 and Advantage mould this be both for 
 thelncreafe and Honour of the Gofpel, if 
 this were more deeply taken to Heart 
 for fome practical Ufe, according to the ' 
 Rule ,\mi primitive Pattern in the Chur- 
 ches of Christ I 
 
 IV. It were fpecially defireable alfo, 
 that there be fbme clear L Vieiv and Sum- 
 maryhy itfelf,of the mod cogent Grounds ' 
 and Demonftrations of the Chriftian Faith , 
 with refpect both to the doctrinal, hifio- 
 
 ' rical, and prophetical Part thereof, and 
 in that Manner accommodated, as the 
 
 meaneft 
 
the Chrtftiau Religion. 2; 
 
 itteaneft within the Church might have 
 fuch a Help ftill at their Hand, and thus- 
 with the leaft Expence of Time, be pro- 
 vided of fuch Arguments and Reaions, 
 as mould tend (through the Bleffing of 
 GOD) not only to the further! rational 
 AfTent, and Certainty of the Truth of 
 their Profeffion, but to give a moil ipe- 
 cial Support of Mind againft that inward 
 Trial of Satan's Temptations and fiery 
 Darts this Way \ yea, is fuch a Mean, 
 that in the ferious Improvement hereof, 
 by having fuch Evidences once brought 
 in on Mens Judgment and Confcience, 
 fo as to fee with their own Eyes the 
 Truth of the fame, I muft humbly judge, 
 there is nothing, next to the internal 
 Work of the Spirit, of this Kind, might 
 tend more to promote the Kingdom of 
 Christ in this Day. 
 
 Po s 1 TvVIX. THAT as Were are fome 
 wore fignal Periods of Time, to Mich a 
 greater Brightnefs and Increafe of Light 
 hath RefjreSl under the New Teftamentj 
 fo doth there now feem to be fome remark- 
 able Call and Excitement ■ to fuch a con- 
 firming Work, in this T)ay about the 
 Ghrifiian Faith / when we may .hope y that 
 
 a mors 
 
24 Th? confirming Work 
 
 a more folemn and reftoring Time of Re* 
 ligion in the JVorld, is on a near Ap~ , 
 proach, (tho* all fenftble Evidence -would 
 feem to csntroul this ,) \ and may he now 
 more looked after, and prepared for, tin- 
 der a fait able Impreffton of thefe Grounds 
 for the fame. 
 
 I. That the promifed Time of the 
 Converfwn of the Jews doth afluredly 
 draw near ^ and whatever be judged by 
 fome of the Lord's immediate Appear- 
 ance herein by a Miracle '., yet it is un- 
 queftionable that nothing in the Way of 
 Means, could be more promifing and 
 hopeful topromote this great End, than 
 by promoting fo great a Service as this 
 for the Chriftian Church. 
 
 II. That a greater Extent alfo of the 
 ProfeiFion of Christ amongft the Gen* 
 tiles, and rending of the Vail that is now- 
 over many dark Nations, feemeth clear- - 
 ly infured therewith 5 and what a hope- 
 ful Evidence fhould this be if fuch a Pu- 
 blick and Cathoiick Spirit were more feen, 
 how to advance the higheft Ends of Re- 
 ligion on fuch an Account without Ref- 
 ped to any partial or divided Intereft ? 
 Yea, that this bleft Zeal of GOD, might 
 
 ia 
 
of RELIGION. z S 
 
 in that Manner appear to have the dark 
 "World, get a more clear and convincing 
 Frofpect of the higheft rational Demonftra- 
 tionsofChriftianity, as might through the 
 Lord's gracious Concurrence bring Men 
 once to an inquiiitive and ferious Spirit 
 about the fame. Oh ! that fuch may be rai- 
 fedfup in this difmalHour,withfomething 
 the ancient Spirit, to travel with Defire 
 for the Salvation of Mankind, and of 
 ; whom it may be faid, as of bleft Nehe* 
 viiah, thofe are indeed come to feck the 
 Welfare of their People ', in their greateft 
 Intereft. 
 
 III. And this further Excitement we 
 are now under for this End, in a Time 
 when Popery feems to be upon one of 
 its lafl: and greateft Aflaults againft the 
 Church • fince 'tis fo clear, that what- 
 ever tends to confirm Men in Chriftia- 
 nity, from their own Trial and Enqui- 
 ry upon the confirming Evidences there- 
 of, muft have the fame native Refult 
 to make fuch confirmed Protefrants^ 
 yea, .nothing is more demonftrable than 
 that the Method and Grounds that are 
 taken, both to engage and fix Men in the 
 Popifli ProfeiTion, have the fame ratio- 
 nal Tendency to promote Atheifm, and 
 C . to 
 
26 The confirming Work 
 
 to give Infidels the greateft Advantage 
 to reject the ProFeffion of Ch r i s t. He 
 that hath Ears to hear, let him hear. 
 AMEN. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 The confirming Work of Religion, redu- 
 ced to pratical Ufe ; infome clear View 
 vf thofe preliminary Grounds, and *De- 
 monjlrations of our Faith, -which none 
 jhoidd pretend Ignorance of,jwho enter 
 the Profeffion of Chrifl upon Choice ', 
 and Certainty of Eyidence. 
 
 Section I. 
 
 Qir.I y\TH'JiT Reafons, .and De- 
 W monftrations, canyon give 
 for fo great a Faith, as that -of the glori- 
 ous Being of GOD; -who is invifible to 
 human Senfe ; fmce this is the Foundation 
 of all Religion f 
 
 Anfw* Tho' this is principally foun- 
 ded on the Sacred Truth and Authority 
 of his own Word, yet I am with the fur- 
 theft infallible Evidence confirmed here- 
 in. I. That 
 
of RELIGION. 27 
 
 I. That it can be no more fare, that 
 this marvellous Frame of the Heavens 
 and Earth hath a Being, and is the Ob- 
 ject of our Senfe, than that a fupream 
 infinite Wifdom and Power mud be the 
 firft Caufe hereof, and it were limply im- 
 poflible it could ever otherwife have been. 
 
 II. That he hath thus made himfelf 
 vifible to our Eyes, by fuch a vifible 
 World, and in fo exquifite an Order and ' 
 Correfpondence to fupport the fame, as 
 nothing Hands alone by itlelf, but in a 
 Line of mutual Refpecr, which runs 
 through the whole Creation. We may 
 as clearly thus fee, that God is, as that 
 there is an invifible Soul in a livingBody. 
 
 III. That, this Harmony is amongil 
 Things, in their own Nature fo contrary 
 and deftructive to other, for to hold this 
 wonderful Frame, as all muft abandon 
 Reafon, or fee an infinitely wife Con- 
 duct herein 5 and no need of extraordi- 
 narjr Miracles, to confirm what the 
 whole Constitutions of Nature do Wit- 
 nefs, 
 
 IV. That this rare Frame of Man 
 could never have come in Being, but by 
 him who could unite fuch different 
 Subftances as a Material Body, and an 
 
 C 2 Imma- 
 
28 The confirming Work 
 
 Immaterial Soul, in fo near and marvel- 
 lous an Union. 
 
 V. That there is fuch an univerfal 
 Confenf of Mankind in all Ages there- 
 to, as ihews Religion to be founded in 
 the very "Nature of Man, and as effential 
 to his Being, as his Reafon is, yea, that 
 the ultimate Difference of Man from the 
 Beaft, and moft effential Property of hu- 
 man Nature lies here. 
 
 VI. That tho 5 every one be an Ene- 
 my to what torments him y yet it was 
 never pofible for an Atheift to free him* 
 feif from that unavoidable Senfe and 
 Fear of a Deity ^ nor, in a World fb 
 much loft in Wickednefs, could he ever 
 extinguifh the Awe of Religion, or make 
 any rational Opposition to this greateft 
 Article of the common Faith of Man- 
 kind. 
 
 VII. That the Reafon of the whole 
 Conftitution of Nature, and Viciffitude of 
 Things here, is fo great, as, without 
 {hutting out theUfe of Reafon, we can- 
 not but fee, how nothing poilibly could 
 have been better ^ and that any want 
 hereof in the whole Frame of the Uni- 
 verfe, would be as the Diflocation of a 
 joint of the Body, and were not concei- 
 vable 
 
of RELIGION. 2 9 
 
 vable to be otherwife than it is by infi- 
 nite Wifdom appointed. 
 
 VIII. That 'tis limply impoffible, 
 that GOD bleffed for ever mould not ex- 
 
 rift, or that this Univerfe, (which is a 
 Work fo highly becoming the Greatnefs 
 of its Maker,) could poilibly fubfifl: for 
 one Hour or Minute of Time without a fu> 
 pream Independent Power and Being, 
 on which all. vifible Beings have their 
 t Dependence, (ince th?y cannot depend 
 upon nothing. 
 
 IX. That luch is the abfolute Necefc 
 fity of the Faith aljo of a Godhead, as 
 without this the State of Mankind could 
 not morally fubfifl:, or any poflible Or- 
 der, Subjection, Piety, and Juftice, 
 be to fupport" human Society, but 
 as Br ad-war dine faith, O quam necejfeeji 
 hunc ejje y quern impojfibile eft non ejfe. 
 
 X. How plain is it, that Men cannot 
 but lee thefe Effects of his Power on the 
 Confcience, in the Certainty of a prophe- 
 tic Light and Difcovery, as hath been oft 
 given of future Things, and in the un- 
 deniable Truth of Miracles, fo as fuch a 
 Prodigy^ as a profelt Atheift, can have 
 no Claim to human Race, as a rational 
 Being, more 'than the greateft Monfter in 
 
 ■ Nature to be a true Man. C 3 Qii. IL 
 
go The confirming Work 
 
 Q.U. II. What doth witnefs the Worlds 
 not being Eternal, and its fir ft Original 
 and Beginning from God, to confirm' our 
 Faith herein, by rational Ttemonft ration f 
 
 Anfw. I. That Eternity is an incom- 
 municable Perfedion of the firfi: Caufe, 
 and that which is made up of corrupti- 
 ble and perifhing Things, as this vifible 
 World cannot poifibly be in itfelf eter- 
 nal ^ nor could ever produce itfelf, fince 
 thus it mud both be and not be at the 
 fame Time^ which is the greater! Con- 
 tradiction. 
 
 IL That if there be fuch a 
 Thing now as Time, there can be no 
 Judging of Days, Years and Ages to be 
 infinite, or how one Thing in a continu- 
 ed Order, fhouldthus go before another, 
 without coming to fome firfl: Begin- 
 ning. 
 
 III. If there be a gradual Increafe of 
 human Learning on the Earth, and afur- 
 ther Difcovery of Arts and Sciences \ and 
 the greateft Experiments and Inventions 
 have been but of a late Rife and Date ; 
 then canthere not poffihly be an eternal 
 
 Sue- 
 
ef RELIGION, fj 
 
 Succeffion of Mankind, with a continued 
 Progrefs and Experience this Way ; nor 
 can it be, that but of late, one Part of 
 the World is known and difcovered to a- 
 nother. 
 
 IV. That fo {hort an Hiftory as 
 we have in the moft ancient Records of 
 Time, were wholly inconfiftent with 
 fuch an eternal Duration, or that infi- 
 nite Ages preceding, fhould leave no 
 Remembrance to Pofterity, when fo 
 fmall.a Meafure of Time, as a few thou- 
 fand Years, have left fo much. 
 
 V. Nor could Men beget Men eter- 
 nally, without [going back to fome firft 
 Man, who could not beget himfelf. 
 
 VI. That if Eternity be preferable. 
 to Time, then mould not the eiccel] en reft 
 Being in the Earth, Man, be thus cor- 
 ruptible, and only this inanimate Mais 
 of the Earth eterrfal. 
 
 VII. That infinite Ages part, tho' 
 they mould have but multiplied the 
 Race of Man in an Age, to two or three 
 more, mould have come to that at lafr, 
 that the whole Precioct of the Earth could 
 not poffibly bear the Product of fuch an 
 infinite Increafe -, and no Wars or eitra- 
 ordinary Judgments were ever yst known 
 
 to 
 
32 *The confirming Work 
 
 to be fuclvas.to reftrain fuch an una- 
 voidable Growth. 
 
 Queft. III. What infallible Evidence 
 to Reafon is there of a Supr earn Provi- 
 dence, both in the Confervation, and Go- 
 vernment of the World -^ for confirming 
 our Faith in the Scripture herein f 
 
 Anfiv. I. That it is clear the Sup- 
 port of this great Frame of the Uni- 
 verfe, with that continued and regular 
 Courfe of Nature herein, is as fimply in> 
 poffible without an infinite divine Power, 
 as its firft Being and Creation. 
 
 II. Th.at fuch an Extent of Provi- 
 dence as refpe&s fo innumerable Objecls, 
 with fuch a Contrariety, both of Quali- 
 ties and Paffions in the fame, muft needs 
 be from, an infinite r and intelligent 
 Caufe. 
 
 III. That all Things to this Day, 
 continue in that eftablifhed Order of ie«- 
 cond Caufes, wherein GOD hath placed 
 them by a Law fo vifibly imprinted oh 
 the Nature of Things without Reafon, 
 that they .do as exadlly anfwer the fame, 
 in their proper Courie.and Station, as if 
 
 they 
 
of RELIGION. 33 
 
 they had a rational Knowledge of their 
 Duty. 
 
 IV. That univerfal Refpe£t, the Sun 
 in the Firmament, hath to Things here 
 below, tho* at fo great aDiftance, which 
 doth neither ceafe, or grow weary to 
 fend forth its Beams and hidden Influen* 
 ces to the meaneft Creatures, may let us 
 clearly fee, how it hath the fame vifible 
 Ufe and End to confirm an incomprehen- 
 sible and infinite Providence about the 
 meaneft Things, as well as the greateft. 
 
 V. That immediate Precedency of 
 the Soul in that . leffer World of Man, 
 bears the fame Evidence therewith^ 
 which tho' we never faw with our Eyes, 
 yet doth undeniably aftuate the whole 
 Body in its Functions, as the proper 
 Spring of every Act and Motion there. 
 
 VI. It is thus further confirmed, by 
 thefe continued Viciffitudes and Turns 
 of Summer and Winter, and of Day and 
 Night, that Man might have, both Light 
 for his Labour, and Darknefs as a Co- 
 vering for his Reft, 
 
 VII. By fuch vifible Difcoveries of di- 
 vine Judgment, and Execution of his 
 Laws on Men here, as all may fee his 
 
 Hand 
 
:ar his 
 
 34 *The confirming Work 
 
 Hand therein, who yet will not hear 
 Voice in the Word. 
 
 VIII. By thefe extraordinary and 
 wonderful Works of Providence, which 
 have been in all Ages. 
 
 IX. By fo evident a Reftraint, both 
 over Devils, and wicked Men, without 
 which, they would quickly dift.urb the 
 whole Frame of this Earth, and make it 
 uninhabitable for human Society -^ if 
 their being thus bounded and chained, 
 were not as vifible, as the Certainty of 
 their Being. 
 
 X. By fuch a natural Obligation to 
 moral Duties, with the Senfe of a Dif- 
 ference betwixt Good and Evil, as is 
 founded in the very rational Nature of 
 Man, that none can potlibly root out, 
 even where the Scripture is not known. 
 
 XI. By that natural Confidence alfo 
 in GOD, which all Men have, and Re- 
 courfe to him on any prefent extream 
 Hazard, to witnefs not only that the 
 mofl: High bears Rule in the Kingdoms 
 of Men, but that the Senfe and Evi- 
 dence hereof is unavoidable. 
 
 Qiieft. IV. Bui doth this great Admi- 
 niftration of Providence, about human 
 
 Affairs, 
 
of RELIGION. i? 
 
 Affairs, as unchangeably appear, ///# dif- 
 ferencing betwixt the Righteous and the 
 Wicked, by fome Recompence to the one, 
 and Punijhment to the other, as in the 
 ejlablified Courfe of Nature f 
 
 Anfiv. It is certain, that fuch as de- 
 fire a confirming of their Faith* herein, 
 want it net, with the furtheft Evidence, 
 but may ever fee that exact Conformity 
 in the whole Difpenfationof Providence r 
 to the 'Rectitude and Perfection of the 
 divine Nature, and how a firm Belief, 
 that God is, and that he is a Reivarder 
 of them that diligently feek him, is one 
 and the fame Faith «, when we cannot 
 but fee, 
 
 L That natural Senfe of Good and 
 Evil, and effential Difference betwixt 
 the fame, which is fo firmly founded in 
 the Reafon of all Mankind, as no hu- 
 man Laws or Cuftom could ever take 
 this off their Conference, or make an 
 Indifference herein, without extinguifh- 
 ing the very Nature of Man 5 to ihew, 
 that ete nal and unchangeable Diffe- 
 rence, which ^ the holy Nature of GOD 
 I hath put betwixt them, 
 
 'II. That 
 
3 6 The confirming Work 
 
 IL That we fee the worft of Men fo 
 conftrained to an awful Senfe and Regard 
 of Truth and Well-doings and to acknow- 
 ledge the Lovelinefs and Excellency 
 hereof,as does make them leek their tiHgg 
 own Repute, by a falfe Shew and Coun- 
 terfeit of the f ame ^ and gives fuch a 
 Being and Rife to that dreadful Impo- 
 fture of Hypocrify. 
 
 III. That 'tis the Truth's Privilege 
 ever to outlive Falfhood, and prevail o- 
 ver the fame, yea, to have the greater 
 Triumph after Its for eft Conflicts 5 and 
 how this is of as fundamental a Confti- 
 tution, in the Courfe of Providence, as 
 the moft firm Eftablilhment of Nature. 
 
 IV. That, in no Time fince Man 
 was formed in the Earth, doth true Joy 
 and Serenity of Mind, ceafe to be the 
 native Refult of Well-d.ojmg, or the Fruit 
 of Righteoufnefs to be Peace and AfTur* 
 ance of Mind, nor hath it ever wanted a 
 Witnefs, even before any Word given of 
 the Lord's taking Pleafure herein, 
 
 V. That 'tis fo evident, in the moft 
 difrnal Times, what a public Bleflmg 
 fuch are, who by more extraordinary 
 Trials, have been put to the higheft Ex- 
 ercife of their Grace and Patience -, yea, 
 
 how 
 
*f RELIGION. 37 
 
 how vifibly fuch have been promoted to 
 the moft honourable Service for GOD, 
 and to advance the Credit of Religion be- 
 fore Men, who on the firft Sight and 
 View, have been accounted the moft re- 
 ferable of any, 
 
 VI. Whilst, on the other Hand, it 
 may be ever fcen, how with the greateft 
 Prosperity of the Wicked here^ there are 
 Puniuhments of another Kind difpenfed, 
 and more dreadful than any outward Af- 
 fliction, fuch, as judicial Obftinacy, and 
 Blindnefs of Mind in oppofition to GOD, 
 even when their own Ruin is made vifi- 
 ble to them herein. 
 
 VII. Ho w oft Men are thus evidently 
 condemned to be happy in this World, 
 by fome ftrange Mealure of temporal 
 Saccefs and Profperity, before fome 
 great Fall and Ruin, as the Iflue hereof 
 in the laft Scene of Providence 3 doth ful- 
 ly atteft" 
 
 VIII. That 'tis feen alfo, how Sin 
 doth ever bring its own Punifhment 
 with it, in fome begun Degree both of 
 Shame and Torment 3 and, as Seneca y 
 an Heathen, could fay, That IVickednefs 
 'was the mofl exquifite Contriver of hu- 
 man Mifery, fo the World likewife may 
 
 D fee 
 
5 8 %he confirming W~orh 
 
 fee how a prefent Immunity from Judg- 
 ment is no Releafe, but when its Sen- 
 tence is not fpeedily executed, yet is it 
 at laft furely executed. 
 
 IX. And how evident is it, that the 
 greateft Haters of Godlinefs are yet in- 
 forced tojuftify the fame, and the Chri- 
 stian's Choice herein, as the greateft 
 Wifdom, upon any furprizing State and 
 Extremity •, yea, how fuch would be 
 glad to join Interefts then with fuch in 
 their Death,, whom they moil contem- 
 ned in their Life. 
 
 Queft. V. How is it convincing and de- 
 mon]} ruble, that God hath given any clear 
 and exprefs Revelation of his Will and 
 Council unto Men, and that fuch a won- 
 derful Record^ undoubtedly extant in the 
 World f 
 
 jinfw. That, I. It is notpoffible to 
 belie\'e the Being of God, and not al fo 
 the Truth of an eftablifhed Law, and 
 Rule of Commerce betwixt him and 
 Man here, fo as to know both what we 
 fhould do,, and what we fhould expect 
 and hope from him* 
 
 IL That this alfo muft be known 
 and difplay its Power andEfficacy to the 
 
 World 
 
of RELIGION. 39 
 
 World, in that Manner, and by fuch in- 
 fallible Evidence of its Truth, as may 
 render all inexeufable, who give' not in- 
 tire Credit thereto. 
 
 III. I can be no more clear and afliir" 
 ed, that there is but one Sun in the Fir" 
 mament, jhan that there is iut one 
 Fountain, and Repofitory of facred Light 
 about Religion, which is the Scripture, 
 and its being the alone public Standard 
 of Truth to the whole World. 
 
 IV. That no Way was ever made 
 known to recover Mankind from a State 
 of Bondage, Darknefs, and Mifery, con- 
 fident with the very Ufeof Reafon, but 
 by this bleffed Light which fhineth there. 
 
 V. Yea, that there is as vifible a Dif 
 ference, betwixt the fame and any pre- 
 tended Religion which ever was beilcles 
 in the World, as there is betwixt Day 
 and Night, which is founded in the im- 
 mutable Nature of theie Things inthem- 
 felves. 
 
 VI. That there is one proper Sphere, 
 where this glorious Light of divine 
 Truth is fixed, and wherein it mines 
 forth from one Age to another -, which 
 is the Chriftian Church. 
 
 D 2 Queft. VI. 
 
4° The confirming Work 
 
 Quefr. VI. But tvhat more peculiar 
 Evidences can you Jljew of the Divinity 
 of the Scriptures, that all may fee them to 
 he of infallible Truth f 
 
 - Anfiv. I. That 'tis fure fuch a Book 
 is this Day in the Earth, which no crea- 
 ted Wifdom could ever have made, and 
 contain 'fuch Things of higher! Concern 
 to Mankind, as does infinitely exceed 
 the Bounds of human Abilit} 7- and Inven- 
 tion, and could never have been difco- 
 vered but by GOD. him (elf. 
 
 IL That it gives forth fuch exquifite 
 Laws and Conftitutions or our Religion, 
 as Men muft needs fee the holy Nature, 
 Purity, and Per fed ion of GOD, moll 
 brightly fhining forth therein. 
 
 III. Which doth difcover fo great 
 and proper a Relief for all thofe Evils and 
 Miferies that do attend this fallen Eftate 
 of Man, as none but an All-fufficient 
 COD could work. 
 
 TV. That he alone mufi: be the Au- 
 thor of this blefled Record, who rules 
 the World, and hath determined the 
 Changes and Revolutions thereof when 
 it is not more evident that thefe vifible 
 Heavens are fir etched- forth over the 
 
 Earth, 
 
of RELIGION. 41 
 
 Earth, than that this Line of the Scrip- 
 ture is ftretched over the whole Wort 
 and Frame of Providence, and doth mofr, 
 clearly and brightly illuminate the fame. 
 
 V. That, finely this was the Product 
 of infinite Wifdom, that fo great a Va- 
 riety of Matter fhould meet with fo vi- 
 sible a Confent and Harmony in one per- 
 fect and entire Frame ^ yea, knit in fo 
 clofe a Bond of Union together, as makes 
 the whole Bible to be entirely one Piece 5 
 tho' in the writing of each diftinct Part 
 thereof, it could never have poffibly, 
 been contrived or forefeen by human 
 Wifdom, as we fee here, of fo admira- 
 ble an Agreement and Correfpondence, 
 as is in all the Parts thereof. 
 
 VI. That none elfe could have fpolce 
 the World, in fo majeftic a Way, and fo 
 becoming the Greatnefs and Sovereignty 
 of GOD, to afTume fuch a Supremacy, 
 and give forth Laws for abfolute Obedi- 
 ence from all Mankind thereto, and on 
 fuch a Penalty of eternal Deft'ru&ion 5 
 or that any Impoftors, either poffibly 
 could or darft have, in fuch a Manner 
 perfonated the fame. 
 
 VII. That it mnft needs be his 
 Word, who perfectly knows what is ia 
 
 D B Man, 
 
42 The confirming Work 
 
 Man, and hath an abfolute Authority o- 
 verthe Soul, and is a Difcerner of the 
 Thoughts thereof, who, thus not only 
 gives Law to the Conference, and our in- 
 ward Parts, but doth euVolifh an inter- 
 nal Religion there, no lefs abfolutely, 
 than what refpects our external Work 
 and Actions. 
 
 VIII. Yea, where all may fee the 
 Penmen thereof, under fo intire a Sub- 
 jection to the Doctrine which they 
 taught, and that it is no Contrivance of 
 their own, as they did record their own 
 Failings and Imperfections ; in Behalf of 
 rhe Truth \ and did thus alfo require all 
 juft Reiped and Obedience to Magiflra- 
 tes, when thro' the whole Earth they 
 were then greateft Enemies to the Truth 
 of the Gofpel. 
 
 IX. That this muft be his Word, 
 \yho alone can derive Principles of Life 
 to his own Institutions, and animate the 
 fame with a quickening Spirit ^ and is a 
 Work above the Contrivance of Angels 
 or MeiijWhen directed to each new Trial 
 of the Church, anch perfonal Cale of 
 Chriftians, as tho 5 it had been alone 
 written for that Time $ fo that I can be 
 no more perfuaded in Reafon that there 
 
 is 
 
of REL IGION. 45 
 
 is fuch a Book as the Bible in the Earth, 
 than that it came from Heaven, and is 
 the alone Rule of Religion, and of di- 
 vine Revelation, for the governing of 
 Mankind. , 
 
 Queft. VII. How is the fe cure Convey- 
 ance of the Scripture demonftrable amidft 
 all the Changes of Times paft, and that 
 there could be no fiojfihle Tendency to its 
 Corruption f 
 
 Anfw. I. That 'tis fo undeniably the 
 firft Rule, which ever was given to Man- 
 kind about Religion, and the alone pub- 
 lic Standard of Truth, that hath endured 
 the Trial and Inquiry of all Times pair, 
 fo as no Pretences in the Matter of An- 
 tiquity could yet ever be to the con- 
 trary. 
 
 II, That there is fo exact an Harmo- 
 ny betwixt the Old and New Teftament, 
 as the one is a vifible Tianfcript of the 
 other, in its Accomplishment} that I 
 can be nomoie fure of -fuch a venerable 
 Record as the Old Teftament, and its un- 
 alterable Conveyance to the Church, to 
 which the whole Race M the Jews is 
 yet a Handing Witnefs, than how it is 
 
 conti- 
 
44 ^he confirming Worl 
 
 continued and perfected in the Revelati- 
 on of the Gofpel, and but one entire 
 Frame. 
 
 III. That its Deliverance was by no 
 private Deed, but by a public Truft to 
 the whole univerfal Church*, fo gs it 
 were more eafy in the way of Reafon, to 
 queftion the moft fundamental Statutes 
 and Laws of any Nation, by which Mens 
 private Right and Property is fecured, 
 than the Truth hereof. 
 
 IY. That, under the Gofpel, it hath 
 been fo fully difperfed over the World, 
 and in fuch various Languages 5 that an 
 innumerable Company of Chriftians 
 thefe 1600 Years paft, have been as com- 
 mon living Books of the fame. 
 
 V. That thofe numerous Verfions 
 and Commentaries written thereon in 
 in diverfe Languages, do fully evidence 
 they had the fame Scripture, and no 0- 
 ther than what we have this Day. 
 
 VI. That this was delivered to the 
 Church, not only in Writing, but in that 
 Form of found Words, for keeping clofe 
 thereto, as could admit of no poifible 
 Tendency to corrupt or alter the fame-, 
 befides the continued and public Refe- 
 rence that hath been fince the firfl: Ages 
 
 of 
 
of RELIGION. 45 
 
 of the Gofpel to its Decifion, which all 
 thefe fharp Controverfles, that have been 
 in the Church on all Sides, do inevitably 
 require. 
 
 Quefr. VIII. What doth confirm the 
 Fall of Man, and entry of Sin into the 
 World this Way, from char and unayoid* 
 able Eyidences of Reafon f 
 
 Aufvj. I. Teat there is fuch a Thing 
 as Sin and Evil in the World, with the 
 Senfe and Confcience of Guilt arifing 
 hereon amongft all Mankind, can nt^d 
 no Proof nor Evidence. 
 
 II. That it is iimpfy impoffible this 
 Ihould have been originally created with 
 Man, or elTentially belonging to his fir ft 
 Frame and Conftitutioo, fince. then there 
 could be no Confcience of Guilt or Re- 
 rnorfe, for what was given to be a Part 
 of hirnfelfin his firft Frame § nor could 
 it beany Sin, to a&thus fuitably to their 
 own original State. 
 
 III. -That it were not conceivable 
 alfo, how one Part of Man fhould be in 
 fuch Oppofition to another, 
 
 IV. .Kor that fuch a Thing as inhe- 
 rent Shame could be ia the Nature of 
 
 Man 
 
4 6 T'he confirming Work 
 
 Man upon the Senfeof Guilt, and by lo 
 natural a Refult follow the fame, or that 
 fuch fhouldbe afhamed of any Part of his 
 own Being, if this were not upon an un- 
 doubted Apoftacy, from what once he 
 was, and that inevitable Conviction of 
 Confcience, that he now is what he ought 
 not to be, fo as the Certainty of Man's 
 Fall, tho' alone revealed in the Scrip- 
 ture, as to the true Caufe thereof, yet 
 may be as evident to Reafon, as the 
 Truth of his Being now is. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 Question I. 
 
 ARE there fuch Affiftances to the 
 Chriflian Faith, upon that great aad 
 aftoniflnng Myftery of the Revelation of 
 Chrift to the World, as can fully anfwer 
 the Greatnefs thereof from clear and in- 
 fallible Evidence to Mens Judgments f 
 
 Jinfw. Tt is fure, there could nothing 
 poffibly be defired more to fatisfy the 
 moft doubtful and fufpicious Mind, than 
 is given for the furtheft Certainty hereof. 
 
 I. That 
 
 
of RELIGION. # 
 
 LThat fuch a glorious Perfon as the 
 Mejfiah was to come, and be anointed to 
 that great Work of redeeming Mankind 
 from Sin and Mifery, and bring Man 
 back again unto GOD ^ a nd that this 
 promife is the. alone Foundation, where- 
 on the Church was founded -fince Man 
 fell. 
 
 II. That all the numerous Types 
 and Sacrifices under the Law, did fo ex^ 
 prefly tend to confirm their Faith of that 
 one blefied propitiatory Sacrifice which 
 was to be offered up. 
 
 III. That long ere the New Teftament 
 was written, there was fo clear and ex- 
 a£l a Portrai&ure of the MeJJias drawn 
 forth in the Old, with fuch peculiar 
 Marks, whereby he fnould be known to 
 the Church, and infallibly take Place in 
 the Event, as Men could not upon any 
 Scripture Evidence expecl his coming in 
 another Way. 
 
 IV. That his Humiliation and Suffer- 
 ings wereJo exprefly held forth and fore- 
 told, with the peculiar Circumftances 
 thereof, in the liii. Chapter of Ifaiah, 
 and ix. of Daniel, as if they had been 
 Eye-witneffea of the Accomplifliment 
 thereof 
 
 V. That, 
 
48 Qhe confirming Work 
 
 V. That, even the fpecial Seafon and 
 Period of Time for accomplifliing this 
 great Promife was fo far made known, 
 as upon diligent Search and Enquiry, its 
 near Approach might be difcernable and 
 clear to what, or what Manner of Time 
 this did fpecially 'relate 5 for; which 
 both the Fall of the Monarchies, and 
 DanieVs leventy Weeks, were fet up as 
 High-way Marks to guide Mens Faith 
 herein. 
 
 VI That 'tis fimpry impoffible, ac- 
 cording to the Scripture, how the promi- 
 fed Mejjias could be yet to come, ex- 
 cept the Jews were put in the fame 
 State they were in at his coming, when 
 now for thefe 1600 Years there hath been 
 no Sceptre, nor Law-giver, no Temple, 
 or daily Sacrifice. 
 
 VII. That this great Myftery could 
 never poffibly have entred in our 
 Thoughts, or be deviled by any created 
 Underftanding. 
 
 Queft. II. But are there as clear and 
 infallible 'Evidences of the Truth of this 
 greot Promife in the Event, that furely 
 the llefjed Meflias of the World is now 
 come, as that it is Jure he was promt fed? 
 
 Anfv/* 
 
of RELIGION. 4? 
 
 Anfw. 'Tis beyond all poffible De- 
 bate, 
 
 I. That fo divine and wonderful a 
 Perfon, was in the Days of Tiberius Ca- 
 far, manifefted to Ifrael, with no out- 
 ward Shew or Obfervation , who did fb 
 great and marvellous Things, before all 
 the People, as were above all .created 
 Power, yea, that he was crucified at 
 Jerufalem, under Pontius Pilate, is a 
 Truth in the Matter of Facl, that both 
 Jews and Heathens have been enforced 
 to corifefs it. 
 
 II. That' this fpecial Seafon of his 
 coming into the Woild 5 is the great 
 Epocha . andPeriod of Time, from which 
 the Chriftian Church hath ever fince to 
 this Day, reckoned her State and Sue- 
 ceflion, is undoubted and clear alfo. 
 
 "III. That the Time of his Appear- 
 ance unto the World, did fo exa&ly fuit 
 that which was foretold by the Prophets^ 
 that the JevAJlo Church was at that Time 
 with greateft Intentnefs looking afier the 
 Mejfias ; fo as fome remarkable Impo- 
 frors took Occafion from hence to de- 
 ceive the-People herein. 
 
 E IV. That, 
 
1YS 
 
 50 The confirming If^ork 
 
 IV. That, in him, who was then re- 
 vealed, and whom the Chriftian Church 
 worfhips, 'tis fare, was moil exactly ful- 
 filled, whatever was foretold, concerning 
 the 'Meffms in the Old Teftamenr ; and 
 we do appeal herein to' thefe Records, 
 which all the Jews even to this Day do 
 acknowledge to be divine. 
 
 V. That this was not done in a Cor- 
 ner, but in the public View of Men in 
 thofe Days, moit known to all and fa- 
 mous 5 yea, by the fpecial Appoint- 
 ment of GOD, at fo folemn a Time of 
 the Paffover in Jernfalent, where Chrift 
 our Paffover was then facrificed. 
 
 VI. That no human Intereft or Policy 
 could poflibly be in this Difcovery of the 
 Gofpel \ when nothing could have been 
 more vifibly crofs thereto, or obilrudive 
 of its Succeis, than fuch a publifhi ng of 
 the Death and Sufferings of our Lord, 
 with all the Ignominy and Abafement 
 which attended the fame, had there been 
 any way here to confult carnal Reafon, 
 or any other Ground to bear it out than 
 the Evidence and Certainty of its Truth. 
 
 , VII* That, herein have all divided 
 Parties and Sects, in the Chriftian World 
 been enforced frill to meet and confent, . 
 
 in 
 
of RELIGION. $i 
 
 in an Acknowledgement of the Subftanee 
 thereof. 
 
 VIH. That in the fame Light which 
 was held forth in the Old Teftament a- 
 bout the MeJ/ias y did the whole Gentile 
 Church enter-, and made Claim to their 
 Right for being adopted the Seed and 
 Children of Ahraham^ on thefe clear 
 and exprefs Prom ifes given for the fame ^ 
 which the Jews could not but confefs to 
 be of divine Authority*. 
 
 Que ft. III. If hat Co rfirmat ion is it to 
 the Ghriflian Faith, that the coming of 
 the ' Meiiias floould he deferred for Four 
 thonfand Tears after the Promifr f 
 
 Anfu. Tho' the fovereign Pleafure of. 
 God mould filence and fatisfy our Mind 
 herein 5 yet is there fiich a Sight to be 
 had hereof, and of infinite divine Wif- 
 dom mining forth in the fame, as mould 
 be molt confirming for thefe <fc.nds, 
 
 I. That there might be a more dirtinct 
 representing the Glory of this Myftery 
 to Angels, and Men, in fuch a gradual 
 opening up of the fame. 
 
 II. To put that Weight and high Va- 
 lue on his own Promife and Teftimony 
 
 E 2 herein, 
 
$2 The confirming TVorh 
 
 herein, when on the alone Credit there- 
 of, he would thus both try, and bear out 
 the Faith of his Church, for fo many 
 Ages, and draw forth their Defires and 
 Longings in all that long Space of Time 
 after the fame. 
 
 III. To teftify the Greatnefs of his 
 Wrath againft Sin, and the Apoftacy of 
 Mankind, by fuffering the Generality 
 thereof to lie fo long under its fatal Ef- 
 fects. 
 
 IV. To prepare the Church for fo 
 great a Reception, by all that long pre- 
 paratory Service of legal Inftitutions, it 
 highly becoming the Greatnefs of this 
 Mvflery, to have fo folemn and won- 
 drous an Introduction thereto. 
 
 V. That thus the World might have 
 its full Trial of the Infufficiency of na- 
 tural Abilities,- and of any Improve- 
 ments of human Wifdom and Learning, 
 for Help ^ after this had firft been at the 
 furtheft Height, -both in Greece and 
 Rome, before the alone Redeemer of the 
 Church came. 
 
 Quell:. lYJVhat can offer furtheft Con- 
 yiBion to the World, of the tfruth of 
 Chriftianity, from its JS attire and internal 
 
 Excel 
 
of RELIGION. 5? 
 
 Excellencies ; and that it is no lefs ef- 
 fentially Good in itfelf y than eyidently 
 true f 
 
 Anfw. I. It is undeniable even to 
 thofe that live at a Difta'nce, that fuch 
 is the Truth of Chrifr, that tho' all viifi- 
 ble and human Props mould fail, it can 
 fhbflft by its own Evidence, and Autho- 
 rity over Mens Confciences $ and hath 
 thus ever prefer ved its Station in the 
 worfr. of Times, 
 
 II. That, as it holds forth the moft ex- 
 quiiite Rule of Perfection to follow, fo doth 
 it bring the greater! Relief to the Diftem- 
 pers of the Mind, and thole Miferies 
 which attend the human State here ^ fo 
 that a higher Glory doth thus refult to 
 the holy GOD, by this Difpenfation of 
 Grace to fallen Man, than if he had flood 
 in his Primitive State. 
 
 III. That it is fure the Truth and Do- 
 ctrine of Chrift, doth natively tend to 
 fix Men in a State of Light and Com- 
 munion with GOD, and in a State of 
 Separation in their Principles, Affection, 
 and Converfation from the V/orld. 
 
 IV,, That it doth more brightly fhine 
 
 forth in Simplicity, and Truth, and in 
 
 E 3 its 
 
54 The confirming- TVorh x 
 
 its internal and vital. ASs, than in any 
 outward Form or Show : Yea, in the 
 Way of Self-denial, Meeknefs, and Po- 
 verty of Spirit, doth fuch an Excellen- 
 cy appear, as in its own Nature, hath as 
 vifible a Difference from 1 he proud and 
 vindictive Spirit of this World, as the 
 Day hath from the Night. 
 
 V. That fuch Chriftianity can be 
 known, by no naked do&rinal Diicovery 
 of the fame to Mens Judgment, or fuch 
 Rules as any human Science is acquired 
 hy, without an inward Power, and Prin- 
 ciples of a new Life $ nor can there ever 
 be a rightKnowledge of Divinity , until it 
 be firft ingrafted in a divine Heart, So far 
 isthisMyftery above all human Rule and 
 Contrivance. 
 
 VI. That it is ftated in the greatefl: 
 Oppofition to any falfe Show of Hypo- 
 crify 5 yea, brings iuch Inforcements 
 therewith of Candor, and Truth, and of 
 Love, Tendernefs and Sympathy to- 
 wards others, as all muft fee, is not on- 
 ly the higheft Ornament and Perfection 
 of our Nature, but the greatefl: BleiFing 
 to the World that ever was known. 
 
 VII. That fuch *a native Luftre and 
 Fragrancy doth attend the Truth, and 
 
 Simnli- 
 
of RELIGION. 5? 
 
 Simplicity of the Gofpel, as m alee s it no 
 more pofiible for human Art or Cunning 
 to reprefent this, than to make the dead 
 Image of a Man to live, or to paint on a 
 Board the vital Scent of a Violet or Rofe 
 to our Senfes. 
 
 VIII. That, in this Way of the Gof- 
 pel's fubduing Men to the Obedience 
 thereof, by the Power of inward Grace, 
 the Glory of Chrift doth more eminently 
 fhine forth, than if he had appeared for 
 this End with the greateft outward Ma- 
 jefty, and Attendance of Angels to our 
 bodily Eyes. 
 
 IX. That it is vifible^ that the whole 
 World befides, that is without the Reve- 
 lation of Chrift, is a Place, 'where Hor- 
 ror, Falfhood, and Impiety do manifeft- 
 ly reign. 
 
 Queft. V. But, how do you receive fa 
 wonderful a Truth, as that of the Gofpel 
 is, "when 'tis now fo great a Diftance of 
 Time from its fir ft Promulgation f 
 
 *Anfw. L That we can be more Hire 
 and perfaaded of the moft vifible and 
 prefent Objecls of Senfe, than, that 
 this is the fame Gofpel which is^ ftill 
 
 Ihinins 
 
$& The confirming Work 
 
 Alining forth to the World, whereby an 
 innumerable Company of all Nations, 
 Tongues and Languages, have received 
 the Spirit, and been fealed $ yea, it hath 
 made that Change upon Men, in turning* 
 them from Ungodlinefs and Idols, to 
 ferve the living GOD, as hath been no 
 lefs marvellous than the turning of fo 
 many Wolves into Lambs. 
 
 II. That it is the fame Gofpel, which 
 not only through &. Series of 1600 Years 
 hath been attefted, but by fuch innume- 
 rable Witneftes, who counted not their 
 Life dear unto the Death for .fealing 
 thereof, and found it fweet to be offered 
 up in the Flames for Chrift. 
 
 III. Which, in all Ages pall, hath 
 flood out the great eft Oppofition that e- 
 yer the World made to any Intereft, 
 while the Weapons of its Warfare were, 
 fpiritual, and not carnal • and with that 
 Succefs, that made the Time of the 
 Churches botteft Perfection from Hea- 
 thens, the Time alfo of its moft re- 
 markable fpreading in the World. 
 
 IV. That the fame Gofpel is revealed 
 this Day, which hath had fuch difcerna- 
 ble Triumphs and Succefs, when no ex- 
 ternal Affiftance could be had for it £ and 
 
 there 
 
of RELIGION. si 
 
 there was no vifible Power, hy which 
 it gained the moft lavage and dark Parts 
 of the Earth to take on > the Yoak-of 
 Chrift, and prefer the Obje&s of Faith 
 to the moft defireable Obje&s of Senfe. 
 
 V. Yea, the Gofpel hath not only 
 had fuch vital Influence on Mens Hearts 
 and Practice, to change it into the fame 
 Image; bat that herein the Do&rine of 
 the Crofs of Chrift, in the greateft Sim- 
 plicity, hath ft ill been the moft efFe&u- 
 al Way of its Conqueft, and the greateft 
 Attractive on Mens Souls to receive the 
 fame. 
 
 Qiieft. VI. How is it demonftrable, that 
 fuch remarkable Sufferings of limes paft 
 for the Iruth of Chrift, were both found- 
 ed on the alone Certainty thereof and -car- 
 ried out by a diyine Spirit ab ore any *Af 
 fftance of Nature f 
 
 Anfw. That it is fure, I. Here was no 
 Comedy, Play, or perfonated Sufferings 
 which the Primitive Chriftians, then, 
 and in after Times, did endure for 
 Chrift; or, that thefe unexpreffible Tor- 
 ments and Pains were any Dream, and 
 Delufion, either to themfelves, or the 
 
 • World 
 
58 %he confirming TVork 
 
 World, and that their Adversaries did 
 thus confiidt and wreftle with their own 
 Shadow, in fo continued and cruel an 
 Oppofltion. 
 
 II. That the Joy and Exultation of 
 Spirit, thefe Witneiles had a'midft their 
 Torments, (who other wife wanted no 
 Senfe or Feeling of their Pains and Suf- 
 ferings,) could have no Rife hut what 
 was fupernatural. . 
 
 III. That this could -be no poffible Dif- 
 fimulation, or Counterfeit, when they 
 were ftepping into Eternity, nor the 
 Product of a- diff entered Judgment $ 
 whilll all might fee what Serioufnefs of 
 Spirit, Terulerneis, and Bowels of Com- 
 panion to their Adyerfaries thev did then 
 evidence. 
 
 IV That thofe greater! Sufferings were 
 upon Choice, and Chriftians haftened to 
 endure them, rather than to be fafe at 
 the Rate of receding and departing ill" 
 any thing from the Truth. 
 
 V. Yea, no natural Reafon, can com- 
 prehend how fuch mean and feeble Per- 
 sons, as many of thefe were, fhotild en- 
 dure, what would have made the great- 
 er!: natural Courage to faint, as if they 
 bad foregone all human PaiSons, which 
 
 Flefy 
 
of RELIGION. <$ 9 
 
 Flefh and Blood muft needs have here- 
 in 5 fo tha f I am conftrained to fee fome- 
 thirig no lefs marvellous and fupernatu- 
 ral in the Faith of Martyrs, than in the 
 Faith of Miracles. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 Question. I. 
 
 I Sit fully demonftrahle^ that the Faith ol 
 a Deity, and offuch an Eftablifhment, 
 as a religious JVorjhip^ muft necejjarily de- 
 termine Men, and confer ain them to he 
 Chriftians, on this Ground^ that they can- 
 not hut fee how Religion hath not another 
 Being in the Earth, hut in the Iruth of 
 Chrif tianity ? 
 
 Anfw. It is fimply impofTible to mate 
 a rational Trial herein, and not fee the 
 Certainty of this Demonftration, to be 
 thus clear. 
 
 J[. That there needs no more for any 
 of a ferious Spirit, but to come and fee, 
 what the whole Frame of Heathenifm 
 was, and if it be poffible to deny, (even 
 under any Senfe of the Law, and Di- 
 ctates' 
 
6o The confirming Work 
 
 Gates of Nature,) its being the higheft 
 Reproach of Mankind •, and that the 
 very Myfteries of that Heatheniih WorJ ' 
 fhip, were fo horrid and impure, as they 
 needed a Vail from the common View 
 of the World. 
 
 II. Nor can there be a rational Refle- ' 
 £tion this Day, on that ftrange Mqnfter 
 of Mahumetanifm ; but as of a viiible 
 Prodigy of the Judgment of GOD, on 
 thefe Parts of the Earth -, upon their A-~ 
 poftacy from the Chriftian Faith, by-gi- 
 ving Men up to fuch an Impofture, as 
 expofeth the very Name and Form of 
 Religion to Derifion •, and can never 
 claim a Reception, either from the Puri- 
 ty of its Rule, or internal Evidence of 
 the Truth thereof, or of its having any 
 poifible Confiftejice with itfelf, 
 
 Ijl. That 'tis fure alfo, that the Jew- 
 ~i/Jj Religion, had never another Being, 
 but in the Truth and Faith of Chriftia- 
 nity, and where this Foundation is di- 
 vided from, it hath none at all ; yea, 
 that that People, unto this Day, are fuch 
 a confirming Witnefs to the Chriftian 
 Religion, as 'tis ftrange this doth not 
 beget deeper Imprellions on Mens Spi- 
 rits, So that there is an abfolute Necef- 
 
 fity, 
 
of RELIGION. 61 
 
 fity, we muft either forego the Ufe of 
 Reafon, or fee, if there be not fuch a 
 Rule given and revealed for Commerce 
 betwixt God and Man, as the Scripture, 
 (where the Laws and Conftitutions of the 
 Chriftian Faith, are for this End held 
 forth) that 'tis then fure, there is no 
 fuch Thing, as any Religion in the 
 Earth, but what were fo highly irratio- 
 nal and abfurd, as fhould rather juftify 
 Atheifm* 
 
 Queft. II. What fpecial Confirmation to 
 Chriftianity, can this vifible State of the 
 Jews hear^ tvho are in fo exprefs an Op- 
 pofttion to the Goftel of Chrijl f 
 
 Anfw % If this were brought near our 
 Thoughts, we fhould find it one of the 
 great Aififtances to our Faith* 
 
 I. That 'tis fure, there is fuch a 
 People and Race, as a living and vifible 
 Evidence to our Senfe, of the Truth of 
 that renowned Nation, and Church of 
 Ifrael, to which the Oracles of God were 
 committed ^ and thus is ftill, as fome 
 Part of the evident Ruins of that once 
 flourilhing State. 
 
 F II. That 
 
6 2 Qhe confirming Work 
 
 II, That the World may fee, fuch 
 a People kept by themfelves, and not 
 mixed with the Nations, whole Fathers, 
 from one Generation to another, did ftill 
 own the Divinity of the Old Teftament ; 
 and doth atteft that Doclrine, in which 
 the Troth and Subftance of Chriftianity 
 lies,' even whilft with greater! Malice 
 they oppofe the Chriftian Faith, to wit* 
 riefs, that there can be no pomble Col- 
 lufion and Deceit here. 
 
 III. Their being under a Stroke of 
 that judicial Induration and Blindnefs of 
 Mind, as no Reason could poilibly com- 
 prehend fuch a Thing, how they mould 
 not fee the Light in the very Noon-day 
 of the Gofpel, if we -were not exprefly 
 foretold, that they mould be concluded 
 under fuch an Arreft of Judgment, un- 
 til the Fulnefs of the Gentiles bt brought 
 in. 
 
 IV. That fo immediate an Appear- 
 ance of GOD, is in the Judgment of that 
 People, both in the Manner and Conti- 
 nuance thereof, as no Inftance could e- 
 ver be found to referable the fame, fince 
 Man was formed in the Earth $ and is as a 
 confpicuous Monument of divine Wrath, 
 fei up for every AgQ and Time of the 
 
 Church, 
 
ofRELIGION. 63 
 
 Church, to turn afide and confider this 
 great Sight, and enquire what means fo 
 ftrange and amazing a Thing, as the State 
 of the fcattered Jetvs is/ now under the 
 Times of the Gofpel, 
 
 V. That this Defolation on them, 
 and Stroke, had fuch fpecial concurring 
 Circumftances for giving Light thereto , 
 as being not above forty eight Years, af- 
 ter the Death of Chrift, with their Hands, 
 as it were, hot and reeking with that 
 Blood, which they had wiihed on them, 
 and their Children 5 that it mould be at 
 that Time of the PafTover, which was 
 the very fame of the Sufferings of our 
 blefled Lord there, and pointing, as with 
 the Finger, at the fame ^ as alfo by the 
 Romans, whofe Intereft in their Oppo- 
 iition to Chrift, they pretended to own. 
 
 Queft. III. Is the Way and Mariner of 
 the Gofpels Promulgation fuch, as no o- 
 ther Profeffion could ever pretend to, and 
 'tuber e_ all may fee^ there can be no hu- 
 man Intereft or Contriyance in the famef 
 
 Anfw. It is undeniable, that no In- 
 tereft elfe was ever in fuch a Way pro- 
 moted, and it does exceed all natural 
 F 3 Under- 
 
6\ The confirming Work 
 
 Underftanding, how the Truth of Chri- 
 itianity could in this Manner prevail. 
 
 I. To perfuade Men, without any Mo- 
 tives, or Inducements from this prefent 
 World, to embrace a Doctrine fo wholly 
 repugnant to Nature ; yea, to prefer an 
 Inter eft of Things not feen, and which 
 Hone ever in the Earth faw, to the moft 
 defirable Objedts of Senfe. 
 
 II. To admit no implicite Reception 
 from any, but on their exadteft Enquiry 
 and Trial herein *, or, in another Way, 
 claim an Intereft in Mens Affedtionsj 
 but by a full Aflent of their Light and 
 Judgment to the fame. 
 
 lit. To admit no Gratification to the 
 moft predominant Defires and Inclina- 
 tions of Men towards any darling Sin $ 
 which, according to human Wifdom, 
 would be judged ofanabfolute Neceffity 
 for gaining any Acceptance with fuch •, 
 yea,to give no partial Refpedt to the grea- 
 ter!: Princes more than to the meaneft. 
 
 IV. To purfue its Intereft, by fo 
 plain a Difcovery of the Death, and Suf- 
 ferings of our bleiled Lord, with the 
 whole Ignominy thereof, when nothing 
 could more evidently controul fuch an 
 End, by any Rules of human Wifdom 
 
 and 
 
of RELIGION. 6s 
 
 and Policy, if there had been confulting 
 with Flelh and Blood herein. 
 
 V. And, 'tis fure, there could be no. 
 Defign, without an immediate divine 
 Power, in fuch a Manner to plead the 
 Intereft of Chriftianity with Men, by 
 inferting Affliction, and the Crofs in the 
 firft Entry, as eflential to the Profeffiou 
 thereof, and holding forth the Neceffity 
 of taking on the Yoke of Chris t , with- 
 out which none can be his Difciples. 
 
 - Que ft. IV. But -wherein doth the Evi- 
 dence of that great Demonjlration of the 
 Gofpel, moft clearly appear, in the Love 
 and Unity ofChriftians among themfefoes, 
 which %v e find Chrift doth fo fpe daily prefs 
 for this Endjhat the Tf^orld might kno-tv 9 
 vnd have fuch a yifihle Seal of his divine 
 Miffion ? John svii. 21. 
 
 ' Anfu\ The Greatnefs of this Demon^ 
 ftration may be thus evident to 'all. 
 
 I. That 'tis fo clearly demonftra- 
 tive of the Purity of our Religion, which 
 can admit of no Bitternefs, Strife, •Re- 
 crimination, or fuch Indecencies of 
 Heat and Paffion, which are the fatal 
 Effects of Difcord in the Church $ and 
 F 3 thus 
 
66 *Ihe confirming Work 
 
 thus lets us lee the Excellency of the 
 Spirit and Rule of the Gofpel 
 
 II. That, thus alfo we may know 
 the Power and Efficacy of the Truth 
 thereof, which is according to Godlinefs, 
 upon Mens Hearts, in fubduing thefe 
 Diftimpers of the Mind and Judgment. 
 
 III. That this doth fo fpecially tend 
 to make Religion lovely, and to draw 
 forth Matter of Praife and Blefling to 
 GOD from the World, when they fee 
 fuch a native EffecT: of Chriftianity as 
 this, to make thofe who profefs the fame 
 in that Manner fhine forth in Tender- 
 liefs, Humility, and brotherly Love, fo 
 that they become as a iMiblic Good and 
 Blefling to Mankind in the f laces they 
 are in. 
 
 IV This appears alfo from the Na- 
 ture of that Union in the Church of 
 Chrift, and amongft his Followers, 
 which only a divine Power could both 
 frame and make effe&ual ^ and 'tis fure, 
 that no human Society or Conftitution, 
 could ever claim fuch an Unity therein 
 as this is & where not only Perfons of all 
 Nations and Languages, and of all 
 Conditions, both high and low, but of 
 the moft different Interefts, Humours, 
 
 and 
 
of RELIGION. 6 1 
 
 and dividing Circumftances in other 
 Things, do yet in fo marvellous an Har- 
 mony, meet in the Body of Chrift, 
 which is his Church here in the Earth. 
 
 V. Because, herein alfo doth the 
 Glory and Honour of our bleffed, Head, 
 more eminently appear in fecuring this 
 Unity of his Church, under a Diverfity 
 of Light and Judgment otherwife, by a 
 Spirit of Love, Meeknefs, andCondefcen* 
 dence among his People ^ than by im- 
 posing the moft fevere and abfolute Uni- 
 formity in all Things, to be the alGne 
 Condition of Chriftian Communion. 
 
 Queft. V. But -what Strength and E* 
 yidence doth this Demonftration of the 
 Go/pel, now hear in fo divided -a State of 
 Religion, and ivhen the IVounds and 
 Breaches of the Church this Day are like 
 to Meed unto Death i 
 
 Anfw. Whatever j%ft Caufe be of 
 Grief, yet is there none for darkening 
 the Truth of this Demonftration on thefe 
 Grounds. 
 
 I. That none can deny the Perfection 
 of the ftule of the Gofpel, for there is a 
 
 moft 
 
£8 %he confirming Work 
 
 moft firm and entire Unity amongft all 
 the Followers of Chrift on the Earth. 
 
 II. That no Oppofition is made there- 
 to, but what hath been foretold, as one 
 of the greateft Trials of the Church un • 
 der the New Teftament, and the Spirit 
 of GOD doth moft exprefly point at in 
 thefe latter Times. 
 
 III. Becaufe the fur theft Oppofition 
 thereto, can be no more Caufe for any 
 to f tumble, or queftion the Truth of this 
 Demonftration, than whether there is a 
 Devil, whofe greateft Defign hath ever 
 been to divide and break Chriftians a- 
 mongft themfelves. 
 
 < IY. Becaufe this Union, which is 
 chiefly myftical and invifible, is much 
 greater often, than what this Way may 
 appear to the World, f|f and of that 
 Kind, as is not interrupted by Diftance 
 of Place, or any want of local Com- 
 munion. 
 
 V. That fucVa Guard is fet by the 
 Lord, unto this Piece of his Glory, to 
 oppofe any Invafion thereon, that there 
 ftands an Angel with a flaming Sword, 
 upon every Hand in the Commands and 
 Threatnings of the Gofpel, to fecure this 
 bleffed Unity of the Saints among them* 
 
 felves., 
 
> of RELIGION. 69 
 
 felves, fo as none can invade the fame, 
 but on their higheft Peril, of oppofing 
 that which is as the Apple of Chrilt's Eye. 
 
 VI. That 'tis ever found, that this De« 
 monftration hath lome clear Evidence a- 
 mongft fuch, who are indeed the Difci* 
 pies of Chrift, and, according to their 
 Advance in the Life, and Power of Chri* 
 ftianity, doth the more brightly fhine 
 forth 5 fo that the nearer the Lines are to 
 the Centre, the nearer alfo are they a- 
 mong themfelves. 
 
 VII. That, in all Times, there hath 
 been fome tremendous Mark of the 
 Judgment of God, made vifible on fuch 
 who are contentious, and have made it 
 their Work to caufe Divifion in the 
 Church, and fow Difcordamongft Breth- 
 ren. 
 
 Queft VI. But what hath the Church 
 now in thefe latter Days to compenfate^ 
 and make up the Want of that great De- 
 monftration by Miracles, and fuch extra- 
 ordinary Confirmations, of the Chriftian 
 Faith , as were in thefirjl limes f 
 
 Anfw. I. We may hereby fee, that 
 the Seal of Martyrdom, which came in 
 
 the 
 
yo The confirming Work 
 
 the Room of Miracles to the Church, 
 hath exceeded that which was in the firft 
 Times of the Gofpel. 
 
 II. That there have been fince fuch in- 
 numerable mining Examples oi Holi- 
 nefs, yea, thefe continued to this Day, 
 
 whom the World might fee, did walk in 
 the Light and Power of Chriftianity, as 
 fure as Men walk under the Pov/er and 
 .Virtue of a living Soul, 
 
 III. That we now fee what a Length 
 the Courfe of the Gofpel, and of the 
 Church Militant is come, and how far 
 thus the Times of the Gentiles are ful- 
 filled, which once was fo contrary to ajl 
 human Appearance, 
 
 IV. That fo fure and exact a Perform- 
 ance of the Scripture, is now undenia- 
 ble in the Event, and of Inch great and 
 marvellous Things, which were foretold 
 under the New Teltament, that in an or- 
 dinary Way none could have believed, 
 what we fee with our Eyes ; and now 
 have thefe Things, which were in former 
 Ages the Object of the Churches Faith, 
 been made the Object of our Senfe ^ and 
 'tis fure, this is fuch a Seal and Confir- 
 mation to our Faith, in thefe laft Times, 
 as doth much exceed the greateft Mira- 
 cles,, 
 
of RELIGION. 71 
 
 cles, which were in the firft Planting of 
 the Gofpel. , , 
 
 V, Tho' we may not refolve our Faith 
 on any extraordinary Providences, or 
 lay the leaft Weight hereon to fupport 
 the Authority of the Do&rine we prb- 
 fefs, (fince this only is founded on that 
 facred Revelation of divine Truth in the 
 Scripture, which is the infallible Rule to 
 difcern true Miracles, and what is God s 
 Seal herein,, under the undoubted Signa- 
 ture, and Stamp of his own Power, and 
 working in the fame -,) yet hath there 
 been fuch incontroulable Evidence of 
 extraordinary Signs and Confirmations 
 to confirm the Truth of the Reformed 
 Religion, -fince the Reformation, "as in 
 no Ages pari was ever known, but with 
 the firft planting of the Gofpel among 
 the Gentiles. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 Question I. 
 
 IS it -clear and demonflr able, that the Do* 
 dtrine of Chrift, is a Soul- quicken- 
 ing and experimental Religion, and the 
 
 %rial 
 
72 %he confirming Wor% 
 
 c irial thereof, in its mofl fupcrnatural 
 5 ruths, of Juch rational Certainty and E- 
 yidence, that the World can no more deny 
 cr queftion the fame, than thofe Experi- 
 ments of Nature, that are of mofl uni* 
 yerfal Ufe f 
 
 *Anfw. Tho 3 Men looted but at a Di- 
 ftance here, or were come from Heathe- 
 nilrru fo far as to male a lerious Trial 
 of Chriftianity, 'tis fpre, they could not 
 but fee, and be fully perfuaoed in their 
 Judgment hereof on thefe Grounds. 
 
 I. That a Difcovery is undoubted and 
 clear in the Scripture of fo great Things, 
 as, that there is a Holy Ghoft, and there 
 be his Workings on Mens Souls, of Peace 
 with God, and the Joy of his Prefence, 
 which all who receive the Gofpel are 
 called to know and prove on their own 
 Trial 
 
 II. That this Witnefs of Chriftian 
 Experience, hath as difcernable a Con- 
 lent and Harmony therewith, as Face 
 anfwereth to Face in the Glafs, and is 
 clear to be no cafual Thing, but every 
 Step in this Way of Trial, is by Scrip- 
 ture Light, and" what Chriftians did be- 
 fore 
 
of RELIGION. 75 
 
 fore read there, they know it now by 
 Feelings on their own Souls. 
 
 III. That this, in all Ages .of the 
 Church, and wherever fuch as ferved 
 God in the Spirit,fwere found in themoft 
 remote Parts from others, hath dill been 
 the fame^ and, like a great Roll, is fent 
 down from one Generation to another, 
 with their confirmatory Seal, that GOD 
 is faithful and true, in thole Truths, of 
 his Word, which feem moft incredible 
 to the "World, and now come to our 
 Hand, Jo require the fame Attefration 
 and Witnefs. 
 
 IV. That they who know and teftify 
 thefe Things, fometimes found it not 
 eafy to believe the fame, and did no lets 
 judge of fuch great Experiments of Reli- 
 gion, as a Dream or imaginary Thing, 
 than moft now do, untiL they knew 
 them by Experience on their Soul. 
 
 V. That fuch alfo have been the moft 
 burning and Alining Lights that ever 
 were in the Church, and thefe innume- 
 rable in all Ages declare the fame -, and 
 that in the Mouth of the Grave, and 
 Entrance to an eternal State, when no 
 outward Intereft could fway them 
 hereto. 
 
 G VI. That 
 
74 The confirming Work'. • 
 
 ~ VI. That it muftbe a Matter of 
 greateft Affurance, Which hath then 
 preffed the moft tender Parents, with 
 their laft and dying Breath, to commend 
 the fame Trial to their Children, and to 
 charge their being earneft herein, as the 
 greater!: Intereft thejr could leave them. 
 
 VII. That whatever Differences be oft 
 among thefe in fome Matters of Truth : 
 Yet, in the Certainty of this great Trial 
 of the Life, Power, and Comforts of 
 Religion, there is an harmonious One- 
 nefs in the fame Teftimony in all Times 
 of the Church. 
 
 VIII. That if any que/Hon this, be- 
 caufe fo remote from Mens Senfes, and 
 the Judgment of carnal Reafon * the 
 Reality of its Effe&s doth unanswera- 
 bly prove, both the Reality and Excel- 
 lency of the Caufe. 
 
 Queft. II. What clear and rational Con- 
 yiclion can you offer, of fo great a Ihwg, 
 as Conversion of Men from a State of 
 Nature + to a new State by Grace, •which 
 doth raife them, as far above the Rejidue 
 of Mankind, as Reajon doth ahoye the 
 State of the Beafls t 
 
 Jnfiv. 
 
_ of RELIGION. : 75 
 
 Anpw. Tho'I mould ftrive againft the 
 Conviction of fuch a Miracle, and De- 
 monstration of the Gofpel, as Converfi- 
 on is, yet were it not poflible to -deny, 
 fuch demonftrative Evidences as the 
 "World hath hereof, 
 
 I. That it is fur e, fuch a Change is 
 made effentially requifite to the Be- 
 ing, and Conftitution of a Chriftian, by 
 the whole Confent of the Scripture. 
 
 IL That there was never yet an Ar- 
 gument in Mature, for one's being a 
 Chriftian in the Life and Power thereof 5 
 whatever may be for a naked Form or 
 Show. 
 
 III. That they are not a few, but in- 
 numerable Inftances' in all Times, and 
 of all Ranks and Conditions of Men, on 
 whom fo great a Change and Difference, 
 hath been made thus evident, both from 
 themfelves, what once they weie^ and 
 from the Refidue of the World. 
 
 IV. That this hath been, not only up* 
 on fuch as have been-fignally impious in 
 their Practice, but who in their Judg- 
 ment were wont to deride Holinefs as a 
 Fancy; fo as Atheifts muft grant that 
 there have been as profeft Atheifts fome- 
 times as themfelves, who have been 
 
 G 2 made 
 
j 6 The confirming Work 
 
 made fuch confpicuous Monuments of 
 the Power of the Gofpel. 
 
 V. That none can objed here, as once 
 the Jews did, Do any of the Rulers, or 
 fuch as the World counts moft wife and 
 knowing, ftand Witnefles to the fame ? 
 when it is fo known, that there have not 
 been more wife, learned, and judicious, 
 in the Things of Reaion upon the Earth, 
 than fuch as have "been eminent Exam- 
 ples of the power of Converfibn. 
 
 VI. That its marvellous Effe&s'in fiib- 
 ctuirig Men, from what once was their 
 predominant Interefc and Idol, and to 
 part from what had been as their Right- 
 eye or Hand % could only be from anim- 
 mediate divine Power. 
 
 ■VII. That fuch as were great eft Ad- 
 verfaries to the Truth, have been made 
 no lels eminent Inftrumenrs" in the Ser- 
 vice of Chrift, and choice Veilels of Ho- 
 2iour, than once they were in their En- 
 mity and Oppofttion. 
 
 VIII. That this Change hath been dif- 
 cernable in Times of moft vifiblePerfecu- 
 tions and Hazard, when no outward Ad» 
 vantage or' Gain could have the leaft In- 
 fluence thereon. Now, as thefe are de- 
 monftaably. clear, fo can there be no 
 
 poifible 
 
of RELIGION. 77 
 
 poiTible Ground to queftion this,- I. That 
 the Scripture is faithful and true in fo 
 great a Difcovery. 2. That there is a 
 divine Spirit, and a Power abot r e Nature, 
 which accompanies the fame in fuch a 
 Change. 3. That there are furely, con- 
 trary States in another World, when 
 they are fo undeniably manifeft here. 
 
 Que ft. III. But can fo great an Expe- 
 riment of Religion , as that of Communi- 
 on betwixt God and Men, here upon 
 Earthy he made rationally convincing to 
 fuch, as are jhemfehes Strangers there- 
 to ; and for a further confirming of the 
 Chrijlian Faith f 
 
 Anfw. Tho' this be an Experiment of 
 divine Truth, of a more tranfcendent 
 Intereft and Value, than all that ever 
 were in Nature, yet it is no lefs evident, 
 and there can be no poffible Delufion 
 herein, if, 
 
 I. Tis that to which fo innumerable 
 a Company, bears Teftimony, and hath 
 fet down the fame, as that which not 
 once or twice they have approved, but 
 in the continued Trial of their Life. 
 
 G3 II. That 
 
7 8 ' The confirming Work 
 
 II. That 'tis known to the "World, 
 that fuch as teftify what they do, and 
 "have fo oft found in the Retirement of 
 their Souls with GOD, are of as difcern- 
 ing Spirits, to know the true Value of 
 Things, as any elfe \ yea, inch whofe 
 Teftimony in other Things, the worft 
 of Men could not refufe nor deny.' 
 
 III. That 'tis undeniably evident, 
 fuch mil ft have another Acquaintance 
 and Society than that of Men •, which, 
 not only makes thefe hidden Ex* 
 ercifes of Godlinefs fo defireable, (where 
 all may fee they more flee than follow 
 any human Witnefs,) but alfo makes fo 
 vifible a Change, both in their Cafe and 
 Countenance, after moft fad Anguifli 
 and Down-caftings of Spirit. 
 
 IV. That k is fo evident alfo, how 
 fuch as are moft ferious this Way, have 
 been vifibly oft raifed above their ordi- 
 nary Cafe, and Frame in Prayer, and o- 
 ther Duties of Religion $ yea, in that 
 Manner, as they who never knew there 
 is a Holy Ghoft, but by Report, could 
 not withftand fo clear Con vidion of the 
 Reality hereof, that can beget fuch Li- 
 berty, humble Tendernefs, and melting 
 
 of 
 
of RELIG ION. 79 
 
 of Heart, yea, fuch difcernable Joy and 
 Confidence. 
 
 V. That no Belufion or' falfe Shew 
 can be here, when 'tis ever, fe en, that 
 fuch as are moft ferious and Frequent iii 
 Prayer, and thefe hid Retirements with 
 GOD, are the moft flourifhing alio in 
 the Vitals of Chriftianity, and have the 
 moft honourable Luftre and Appearance 
 of any in their Profeffion. 
 
 *VT. That 'tis fuch only, whofe Joy 
 and Comfort is moft fpecially difcerna- 
 ble beyond others, when thefe lower 
 Springs of outward Help and Encourage- 
 ment are moft vifibly faut up. 
 
 Que ft. IV. Is that great and experi- 
 mental Part of Religion, in the Pov/er of 
 the Confcience oyer Man, fitch as may he 
 as demonflrahle to the World, as the 
 'Truth of a rational Being f 
 
 Anfw, It may be matter of Wonder, 
 that Men are not ftruck with deeper 
 Convictions hereon, when they cannot 
 but fee, 
 
 L That tho 5 this be the greatect Tor- 
 menter and Troubler of the World, }'et 
 is there no poffible Retreat from "its 
 
 Power, 
 
8o. The confirming J4 r orh 
 
 Power, tho' Men fhould flee to the ut- 
 termoft Parts of the Earth, but doth it 
 enforce the Soul to a Reflection on itfelf^ 
 even when it trembleth at that Sight. 
 
 II. That it caufeth great Fear and 
 Horror upon the Commitment of fecret 
 Sins, when no Dread of human "Witnefs, 
 or of vifible Hazard this Wajr could oc- 
 cafion it. 
 
 III. That it admits no Violence in any 
 to out-dare the fame, but is a Power 
 that the greateft Monarchs find to be 
 ftronger than they \ and is fuch, that 
 thefe oft are enforced for prefent Eafe 
 and Relief, either to divert, or bribe the 
 fame, by fbme falfe Grounds of Peace. 
 
 IV. That it conftrains Men to juftify 
 GOD, and judge themfelves, (when his 
 Hand doth purine them,) and to find out 
 their Sin, and Guilty which was before 
 hid. 
 
 V. That it mates Men alfo afraid to 
 be alone with themfelves^ and to trem- 
 ble at the Word of Truth, becaufe its 
 Light doth torment them, by that una- 
 voidable Application which Confcience 
 makes hereof. 
 
 VI. Yea, it makes Mens Guilt fo le- 
 gible oft in their Countenance, (even 
 
 when 
 
of RELIGION. Si 
 
 when they ftudy moft to conceal it, ) that* 
 ail may fee there is an Accufer within, 
 whole Authority and Power cannot pot 
 fibly be declined. 
 
 VII. That with fo remarkable a Con- 
 fidence and Security, it doth fupport 
 Mens Spirit, and makes it eafy to fuf- 
 tain its greater!: Infirmities from without, 
 when it is a Friend 5 yea, and upholds 
 the opprefl, with unfpeakable Peace and 
 Comfort, when it doth oft caufe the Op- 
 preffor to tremble. 
 
 Que ft." V. But -what doth moft necejfa- 
 rily refnlt from fo clear a Demonftration, 
 as the Confcience is, for confirming of 
 our Faith f 
 
 Anf~w. I. That 'tis infallibly thus 
 clear, that there is a higher Power and 
 Judgment, 'o which all Mankind is fub- 
 jec^d, and gives'thc World an unavoid- 
 able Demonftration, both of the Being 
 of GOD, and of the Truth of his Word, 
 in the great and fupernatural Difcovery 
 which it makes hereoE 
 
 II. That there is a fupreme and infal- 
 lible Law alio, and invifible Judge, a- 
 bove us, under whofe Power and Autho- 
 rity 
 
82 Qhe confirming Work 
 
 rity this Court of Juftice, doth, with> 
 out refp'edt of Perfons, both fummon, 
 arreft, bring in witnefs, and fentence 
 great and fmall. 
 
 III. That the internal Government of 
 our bleffedLord, this Way, (both in the 
 Seventy of his Rebukes, and moft fen- 
 iible Enlargements of Peace and Com- 
 fort,) is unavoidably demonftrated. 
 
 IV. That it bears fo clear Evidence to 
 unknown and undoubted Relief, and 
 none elfe could* be ever found, for thefe 
 Wounds and Stings of the Confcience, 
 but in the Light and Power of Chriftia- 
 nity. 
 
 V. That it is limply impoflible for 
 Men to delight freely in a Courfe of Sin, 
 when no human" Power can difarm the 
 Confcience of that fo intolerable a Sting, 
 by which it begins fo early a Hell with- 
 in the Soul. 
 
 VI. That, fuch is the Power and Peace 
 of a good Confcience, as can make it 
 fraud unbroken, a mid ft the greater!: 
 Ruins and Terrors of the World, when 
 under fuch a Guard as that of its own 
 Innocency. 
 
 SECTION 
 
y rf RELIGION. 83 
 
 SECTION V. 
 Question I. 
 
 IS the Evidence of a Kingdom of Dark- 
 nefs, in a direci Oppofition and Con- 
 trariety to that Kingdom' of Light, which 
 Chrift hath fet tip by the Gofpel, fitch as 
 the Certainty thereof may he a Matter of 
 Senfe, as well as of Faith f 
 
 Anfw. That is of fuch fpecial life, 
 both to confirm the Chriftian Faith, and 
 awake fuch to deeper Reflection on the 
 fame, with whom there feems no Hope 
 to prevail, but hj Proofs from palpable 
 Experience 5 and it is not poiiible to 
 deny, 
 
 I. That there is inch a Power, as the 
 Devil and thofe wicked Spirits encom- 
 paffing the Earth, yea, that they have 
 an ordinary and familiar Converfe with 
 many therein. 
 
 II. That theft Spirits; tho* once origi- 
 nally excellent, have fallen into fuch an 
 Apoftacy, as all may fee their Aim and 
 only Pleafure,isto difhonour GOD, and. 
 deftroy his Image in Man. 
 
 III. That 
 
$4 The confirming Work 
 
 III. That it is impoiTibleto deny the 
 Marks of ~ that Power and Conqueft, 
 which the Prince of this World hath eve- 
 ry where amongft Men * }^ea, how vifi- 
 bly many are transformed into his I- 
 mage, by fuch prodigious and defperate 
 Acts of Wickednefs, as we mould think 
 human Nature could-not but tremble at. 
 
 IV. That none can queftion the Cer- 
 tainty, both of Senfe and Reafon, which 
 is in the Truth of Apparitions, and bo- 
 dily PofTeffions of Men in allAges, and 
 in all Places of the Earth $ and can need 
 no Demonftration for this, that in many 
 Places of the Earth, the Devil is both 
 vifibly and audibly known. 
 
 V. That he is fo manifeft in his Ap- 
 pearance, as a Spirit of Blafpherny, 
 which impetuoufly ads Men to war a- 
 gainft Heaven with their Tongue, in 
 fuch Oaths and Curfing, as have no fen- 
 fual Pleafure, or Gain herein 5 }^ea, as a 
 Spirit of Delufion, in fo vifible an Ex- 
 citement of others to fuch Extravagan- 
 cies, under a Shew of Religion, as are 
 inconfiftent with any Ufe of Judgment 
 or Reafon. 
 
 VI. That fo innumerable a Company 
 of human Race, hath in all Ages, been 
 
 in j 
 
o/RELIGIOK 85 
 
 in a formal, and exprefs Covenant with 
 thefe Powers of Darknefs, is undeniable, 
 upon the moil fevere and impartial En- 
 quiry herein. 
 
 Qiieft. II. Whatfpecial Affiftance to 
 
 your Faith, doth the Certainty of thefe 
 Powers of Darknefs bring therewith f 
 
 *Anfa. I. It is plain, that fuch a Party, 
 both in their Nature and continued A£t- 
 ings, are in a ftated Qppofition to the 
 Kingdom of Chrift. 
 
 II. It is vifible, that the Prey, which 
 thefe mighty Hunters do follow after, is 
 not our Body, or the Things of this Life, 
 but it is the immortaL Soul and future 
 State, that Man might be made Sharer 
 of the fame Mifery, under which they 
 are concluded. 
 
 III. All may fee their being under 
 Reftraint of a fupreme Power above 
 them, and under iuch Chains, as do ir- 
 refiftibly bound their Rage and Enmity 
 againft Man, by an invisible Guard and 
 Hedge, which they cannot break over. 
 
 IV. Their greatefl: Rage, and Strug- 
 gling, is againft the Converfion of Sin- 
 ners to GOD, and to hold faft his Pof- 
 
 H feffioa 
 
86 <lhe confirming Work 
 
 feiTion in fuch, as the Spirit of God, 
 doth not more clearly move for their 
 Refcue, than thofe do to crofs that blejp 
 fed Defign of the Gofpel. 
 
 V. There are none that are ferious in 
 the Truth and Life of Religion, but find 
 themfelves purfued by fuch an Adverfa- 
 xy $ and have as difcernably another 
 Party than themfelves, or the World to 
 conflict with, as- if they faw them in a 
 vifible Shape. 
 
 VI. That, by the Gofpel, and within 
 the Precind of the Church, there is dif- 
 cernably a much greater Reftraint of Sa* 
 tan's Dominion and Power, than in all 
 the Earth befides $ yea-, that the Advan- 
 tage of being within the external Cove- 
 nant of Baptifm, is fo demonftrable, 
 that the leaft yielding or Tendency to a 
 renouncing of the fame, or any Ads 
 of Homage, for making Ufe of his 
 Help, hath ever made Way for fome 
 more extraordinary Power of the Devil 
 over fuch than others,. 
 
 VII. Thus is a mo ft undeniable Con- 
 firmation given of an invifible World, 
 and of fuch intellectual Beings there, as 
 are far above Man ^ yea, and it is plain, 
 that there is an Intereourfe betwixt Men 
 
 and 
 
of RELIGION. 8 7 
 
 and Spirits, fuch may clearly mew the 
 Intereft that Man's Soul hath in- another - 
 State and World than this. 
 
 Queft. III. Is that great Truth of the 
 
 Immortality of the Soul, audits neyer 
 
 dying State after Death, as fully demon- 
 
 Jlrahle to Reafon, as it is by the -fur theft 
 
 Certainty of Faith f = 
 
 Anfw* Tho' it be fo amazing a Thing 
 to believe an immortal Soul, and eternal 
 State, wherein it m'uft fhortly enter, as 
 by few feems to be apprehended, yet are 
 its demonftrative Evidences fuch, that 
 except Meii lofe all Senfe and Ufe of 
 Reafon, it is not pollible to deny, 
 
 I. That there is fuch an immaterial and 
 aclive Subftance, as the Soul, which can 
 admit ofnoCaufe, either of its Decay or 
 DifTolution from the Body^ yea, that 
 the greater!: Excellency of this vifible 
 Creation, is here, that fuch a vital Beam 
 of Life, Light, and Immortality, as the 
 Soul of Man is therein. 
 
 II. Tho' we cannot fee this fare and 
 wonderful Being, yet we fully 'perceive 
 
 . it to be fomething diftinct from the Bodjr, 
 H 2 and 
 
S.8 %~h~e. confirming Work 
 
 and to ha\ ? e a diftincl Intereft, Loth in 
 its Griefs and Comforts. 
 
 III. That it can have no Dependence 
 on the Body in its Being, which doth 
 noway depend thereon in its A&ings and 
 Exercife $ but is oft moft vigorous and 
 clear, in its Exercife, not only when 
 moft feparate and abftraft from fenfible 
 Things, but when the Fleili is under the 
 greater! Decay, and near its Diflolution $ 
 to {hew the Soul lieth not a dying with 
 the Body, but jhath its diftincl: Subfift- 
 ence, to live in a feparate State when it 
 dies 
 
 IV. Its being peculiarly framed for 
 Converfe, and Intercourse with ipiritual 
 Beings, yea, its being the only Part of 
 the vifible Creation admitted to Fellow- 
 ship with the invifible GOD* and to have 
 reflex Ads upon itfelf. 
 
 V. It is a Being of a higher Nature 
 and ..Value, than the Sun, Moon, and 
 Stars •, which not only can know, and 
 conceive of Things above the Evidence 
 and ImprefTions of Senfe, but makes a 
 rational Choice of Good, (tho' crofs to 
 any fenfual Pleafure^ ) yea, to rejoice, 
 and have its proper Delights, when the 
 Body is afflicted and in pain ♦, nor can it 
 
 be 
 
of RELIGION. 8? 
 
 he defiled from the moft loathfome Sores 
 and Defilements of the Flefh, fo as we 
 muft needs fee, both its Dominion and . 
 Preheminence over the Body, and have 
 afluredly aSubfiftence without the fame. 
 
 VI. It is fnch a Being, as is capable 
 of a Happinefs beyond the whole Extent 
 of the World, and hath thefe intellectu- 
 al Faculties, which cannot poifibly want, 
 both Objeds fuitable thereto, and En- 
 joyments above the Senfes. 
 
 VII. The moft choice and excellent, 
 are ufually moft afflicted, and crufhed 
 under the Feet of their OppreiTors, 
 whilft the vileft fiourim in the Earth/ 
 and have no Bands in their Death, fothat 
 fuch were "of all ivien the moft mifera- 
 ble, if in this Life both their Being and 
 Bleffednefs were terminated* 
 
 VIII. That there is fo univerfal a 
 Senfe of Immortality, that they who 
 both fear and hate the Evidences hereof, 
 yet under fome Conftraint of Reafony 
 have the fame for a continued Terror. 
 
 IX. That it is fure the Certainty of 
 Death makes it -fimply impoffibie, for 
 Things only fuited to this Life of Senfe, 
 to be the ultimate Good, or Fruition oT 
 Man j fines elfe the Beafts fhould have a 
 
 H 3 greater 
 
90 *lhe confirming Work 
 
 greater Happinefs than fuch, if it were 
 not for Refpedfc to an after and immortal 
 State. 
 
 Que ft. IV. What Confirmation to your 
 Faith , does that great una 1 amazing 
 Change by Death offer ^ -when it would 
 feeni to he fomething merely natural? 
 
 Anftv. Tho' the only wife God moves 
 herein, according to the Nature of fe- 
 condCaufes, and it hath various "Ways ' 
 of Approach unto Men •, yet may all fee 
 with the further!: Convi&ion of rational 
 Evidence, as well as Certainty, of Faith, 
 
 1.. That Death in its firft Conftitution 
 is Penal*, and comes by a divine Ap- 
 pointment unto all 7 not merely as Men, 
 but as Sinners •, and to be no natural Ac- 
 cident and Ref ult of our primitive and 
 original Frame. 
 
 II. That 'tis Death, as a Penalty, 
 which keeps the Fear and Dread there- 
 of fo much on all living, it being in 
 that laft" Period, that the eternal State of 
 Men is decided. 
 
 III. That the Sting and Bitternefs of 
 Sin, is fo manifeft in innumerable Dif- 
 cafes and Strokes of Death, which many 
 
 ~- " " - ■■; I fc?J 
 
of RELIGION. 91 
 
 feel an hundred Times ere they die once, 
 beyond any other ot the Creatures. 
 
 IV, Tho' the Sentence of dying is on 
 all, yet fo great a Difference is betwixt 
 the Saints and Refidueof Men here, that 
 Its penal Execution on the ungodly, is 
 fuch as Nature can give no Support un- 
 der it. . 
 
 V. That fupernatural Prefages and 
 Warnings hereof, ere it come, are in all 
 Times known and fure -, yea, fuch ex- 
 traordinary Evidences are fometimes of 
 the precife Time, as could have no pofli- 
 b.le Rife from any natural Caufe. 
 
 VI, That its immediate Commiffion 
 from a fupreme and invifible Power, is 
 fo evident, in fuch Executions oft, of 
 this Sentence, by Sword, Famine, and 
 Peftilence, as the vifible Finger of God, 
 in a jufl: .Retribution unto Men for Sin, 
 may be no lefs feen, and a f upematu- 
 al Carnality, than the Effects have been 
 undoubted and clear ^ to fhew, that fuch 
 Is the State of Man, that this great Re- 
 volution by Death, doth each Moment 
 depend on a Call from Heaven. 
 
 VII. That the Certainty of fomething 
 fupernatural in this King or Terrors, is 
 fo known, that as no Relief can poffibly 
 
 be 
 
92 % he confirming Work 
 
 be found, but in the Truth and Power 
 of Chriftianity, to fet Men both" above 
 the' Fear of Death, and an after State, 
 when once it comes near. 
 
 VIIL Yea, that it isfurely above the 
 Poffibility of Nature, which can bear 
 out in this greaf ^Adventure and Trial of 
 Mens Faith, both in the Truth and 
 Strength thereof, at Death \ for which 
 End, the Lord hath thus chofen that by 
 fo ftrange an Entry, and at fo dart a 
 Port, they fhould firftpafs to the full 
 Enjoyment of that glorious State above. 
 
 Quefr, Y.What Evidence and Demon- 
 ftfation can you fioetv, to confirm fo great 
 a Faith of an eternal Glory prepared for 
 the Saints in Heaven, .and of its earned 
 rind fifft-Frufts here, as may firike an un- 
 deniable Conviction hereof- on the World ? 
 
 Anfw.'I. The vifible ripening and 
 Rcferriblance to fuch a State, in all the 
 Degrees of a Chriftiau's Growth, to a 
 mote full Stature of the Man in Chrift, 
 may be no leiS evident than vhe natural 
 Growth of our Body. 
 
 II. The* the opening of thefe Gates 
 of .the fecond World be hid/ (fa as no 
 
 human 
 
of RELIGION. 93 
 
 human Senfe can difcern the Spirit in 
 its Afcent through thofe higher Regi- 
 ons, to that unconceivable Paradife and 
 Glory in the third Heaven,) yet is the 
 triumphant Entry and PafTage of innu- 
 merable Chriftians at Death, fuch as 
 hath oft been a Matter of Senfe and 
 cleared Evidence to the World. 
 
 III. Such alfo were both humble, ten- 
 der, and fincere in their Life, and then 
 in fo great a Compofure of Judgment, 
 that all might fee, they knew what 
 made them glad, and could fwallow up, 
 both the Fears and Bitternefs of Death} 
 yea, and this was not given for their 
 own Support only, but for a more pub- 
 lic Ufe, for the Conviction and Confir- 
 mation of others. 
 
 IV. The State of Glory is demonftra- 
 ble, and hath been oft brought down to 
 Mens Senfe, by thefe ravifhing Joys of 
 the Martyrs of ChrifL and Exultation 
 of Spirit/ even in the Flames, 
 
 V. Supernatural Comforts attend the 
 Life of Chriftianity, and can have no 
 poffible Rife from the Flefh, and out- 
 ward Caufes, with that Joy and Peace, 
 which hy fo natural a Refult follows 
 well-doing, and any Service of Love for 
 i Chriii $ 
 
p4 The confirming Work 
 
 Chrjftj which- all may fee to be the firft 
 Fruits of that Harveft which is above. 
 
 VI. Rare and marvellous a Frame of 
 the new Man, fet up in this lower Re- 
 gion of Grace, in To difcernable a Con- 
 formity to the bleffed GOD, and.Refem- 
 blance to another State than here, to 
 which the World is but as a Place of Pil- 
 grimage, Trial, and a preparatory State 
 only. 
 
 VII VifiMe Returns of Joy and Com- 
 fort, Chriftians have after lad deft Con- 
 flicts and Down-caftings, and fuch Day- 
 break of vital quickening Beams of di- 
 vine Light, that have often been no lefs 
 evident, than that of the Martyrs at the 
 Stake, who cried out, Now, he is come, 
 he is come. 
 
 VIII Their Breathings of Love after 
 an unfeen Chrift, and vifible Effects of 
 its Power on Men, might (hew fome be- 
 gun Tranflation of the Soul f o far herein, 
 as. to be more where it loves than where 
 it lives. 
 
 IX. Tho 5 we cannot fee here, that in- 
 effable Glory, which is above, but fhould 
 have our Faith inftead of Eyes t, yet 
 fuch is the Truth of Holinefs, as doth _ 
 not only evidence, but in its own Na-. 
 
 ture 
 
of RELIGION. $5 
 
 ture partake of a future Glory $ fb as e- 
 very Degree and M\ thereof, doth enter 
 in a begun State of Fruition and Blefled- 
 nefs, and makes it "fimply , fmpofhble 
 for a good Man, in any true Exercife of 
 Godlinefi, not to be happy alio, and 
 thus in a more near Capacity to know 
 that Joy unfpeakable, and full of Glory, 
 which is above. 
 
 X. By fo fure, known, and tried a 
 PafTage betwixt Heaven arfd Mens Souls 
 in Prayer, with fo fettled a Trade of 
 Commerce this Way, and certain Re- 
 turns, as with Aflurance, fuch can fay, 
 tho' they mull: change their Place, yet 
 not their Company. 
 
 XI. The whole Difpenfations of Pro- 
 vidence, in Ifr'aeVs PafTage through the 
 Wildernefs, and to fo excellent a Coun- 
 try as Canaan, is no lefs fure in itfelf, 
 than that it was given for an Emblem 
 and Type of the journying and militant 
 State of the Saints here, and to be a fo- 
 lemn Pledge of that Canaan above. 
 
 XII. Such isthe .Magnificence, Har- 
 mony, and Order of thefe vifible Hea- 
 vens, and celeftial Bodies there, with 
 their different Degrees of Glory, (tho' 
 all illuminated from the fame Fountain 
 
 of 
 
'$6 Tie confirming Work" 
 
 of Light the Snn,) as we may judge by 
 a divine Ordination to have fome pecu- 
 liar Refpeft to that End, Ho awake and 
 raife our Thoughts to thefe higher Regi- 
 ons of Glory, which are above all thefe, 
 hy what is thus vifible to our Eyes j 
 where the redeemed of the Lord fhall be 
 ever fixed, and fhine forth as the Sun in 
 the Kingdom of their Father. 
 
 Que ft. VI. What y if hie and aivalen- 
 ing Evidences, are there of the Truth of 
 an Hell, and that State of Horror and 
 Torment in another Worlds which eyen 
 to Mens Senfes here,' might prefent the 
 Certainty thereof f 
 
 ,Anfw. I. That it can he no more f ure, 
 that there is ftich a Power, and Party, as 
 that of the Devils, than the Reality of 
 fome fuch a horrid Region, and Place 
 alfo, to which they belong, and are ad- 
 judged to. 
 
 II. From fo innumerable a Company 
 of human Race, as are not in the vifible 
 Service of thefe infernal Spirits, but 
 Partakers of the fame Nature, and En- 
 mity again ft the holy God, and his I- 
 mage, which doth clearly Witnefs their 
 
 Refpeft 
 
of RELIGION. 97 
 
 RefpecT: and Tendency-to the fame State 
 and Place, and Confederacy in their 
 Judgment, as here in their Sin. 
 
 III. Such vifible Impreffions of vindi- 
 ctive Juftice are on Mens Souls, with 
 fuch Horror of Confcience, and unfnf- 
 ferable Torments this Way, as in all 
 Ages have been known by moft remark- 
 able Inftances, (when not in the leaft 
 Diftemper of their natural Reafon,) 
 that may prefent to Mens Senfes lome- 
 thing of a vifible Hell, as convincingly, 
 as if one had rifen from the Dead for 
 the fame. 
 
 IV. A trembling Senfe, and Terror 
 of divine Vengeance, oft follows upon 
 horrid Acts of "Wickednefs, and fo emi- 
 nently breaks forth upon a furprizing 
 Sight of Death, that all may fee fome- 
 thing more dreadful herein, than in the 
 DifTolution of Nature 5 and the Power 
 and prefent Arreft of a future Judgment 
 is maae vifible in the fame. 
 
 V. There are begun Degrees, of BlaC 
 pheming and Rage againft God, becaufe 
 of his Plagues, and fuch Prodigies of 
 Cruelty exeicifed by Men here in the 
 Earth, as may be evident to all to be 
 more than human, and rather the Effects 
 
 I of 
 
98 Th£ confirming JVorU 
 
 of infernal Spirits acting in a human 
 Shape. 
 
 VL So clear a Prelude and begin- 
 ning of Hell, is in thaf judicial Obdu- 
 ration, and Blindnefs, which many are 
 given up to, (under the greateft Difco- 
 veries of Light,) that all may fee their 
 being thus bound over in Chains, and 
 flrut'up in Prifon, until Death bring 
 them forth to the Execution -, and that 
 no Relief or Application of the Means 
 of Grace hath then any Succefs. 
 
 VII, Such a Map and Shadow of. eter- 
 nal Vengeance, is in thefe' terrible Ads 
 of divine Judgment inflicted here on Apo- 
 ftates, and Perfecutprs of the Truth, and 
 other flagitious .Perfons, which with the 
 very firft View might prefent an awful 
 and immediate Appearance of God in the 
 fame, fome ftrange andfupernatural Pu- 
 nifhment is oft fo vifible on the Workers 
 of Iniquity. 
 
 VIII. And, (whatever be of natural 
 Caufes in Inch vifible Representations 
 here in the Earth, as that fulphureous 
 Lake where once Sodom, was, and thole 
 burning Mountains of H<zcla v JEtna y and 
 F'efuvius,) yet we may truly judge that 
 they are thus let before the World, as 
 
 vifible 
 
of RELIGION.- 99 
 
 vifible Memorials of the infernal Flames, 
 and as it were To many Chimnies or 
 Vent-holes thereof, for fuch who will 
 not believe the fame, becaufe they do 
 not yet fee or feel fuch a Thing, 
 
 Queft. VII. What Afliftances hath 
 our Faith, of that great and ."wonderful 
 'Truth of the Refurrection of the Body, 
 after its Dijfolution in the Grave unto 
 Duft? 
 
 Anfw. I. It hath great AiTiilance from 
 that vifible and ftupendous Frame of the 
 Heavens aud-theJEarth, .when 'tis fure, 
 that the fame infinite Power, that hath 
 not only made Man, but the whole Cre- 
 ation, can as eafily collect and re-unite 
 the difperfed Afhes of the Body, as form 
 the fame. 
 
 II. From that greatefl Pledge hereof* 
 in the Refurre&ion of the Body of 
 Chrift. 
 
 III. From that Tribulation and forePain, 
 that the Saints here in their outward, Man 
 are expofed to, fince it is fure, that in the 
 holy Juftice of God, he did not give fuch 
 Bodies for Labour, and for Toil, and to 
 his Martyrs, to endure unexpreiftble 
 I 2 Tor- 
 
loo *fhe confirming Work 
 
 Torments for Chrift, at laft to perifli 
 for ever. 
 
 IV. From thefe vifible Refemblances. 
 and Prefigurations of the Refurre&ion, 
 which the Lord hath given to confirm 
 our Faith herein, in the ordinary Courfe 
 and Productions of Nature $ fo as all may 
 fee, how every Night is as the Grave of 
 the Day-light, and each Morning a new 
 Refurredtion of the fame ; and how vifi- 
 ble an Image of Death is in each Seafon 
 of the Winter, with fo marvellous and 
 beautiful a Refurre&ion of the Earth, 
 on every Return of the Spring, in the 
 Herbs, Flowers, and Plants, taking 
 Life, and riiing again, in the Leaves, 
 Bloffoms, and Fruits •, yea, this is fuch 
 a Variety, as may no lefs convincingly 
 evidence an infinite divine Power here- 
 in, than that the fame Body of Man 
 ihould be raifed at the laft Day. 
 
 V. From that continued Miracle of 
 the Harveft after the Seed-time, with fo 
 amazing a Production of the Grain fown 
 in the Earth, and its firft dying there be^ 
 fore it be quickened, Co as to be at laft 
 brought to thirty, fixty, yea, fometimes, 
 an hundred Fold, out of the very fame 
 Grain j which to thefe, who had never 
 
 known 
 
of RELIGION. ioi 
 
 known the fame, would feem incredi- 
 ble, and above all Reafon to conceive, 
 or give Credit thereto. 
 
 - CHAP. III. 
 
 *The confirming "Work of Religion, hit- 
 proved -with RefpeB to the ^limes, to 
 clear the Way of the Lord herein, be- 
 fore this Generation, and let us Jee 
 how nothing is fo ft range in the Events 
 of this Day, which .Jbould not more 
 ftrengthen^ then jhake, and that the 
 God of the Reformed Church, doth 
 ftill own the fame Intereft^ according 
 fo his Faithfulnefs : Which is here 
 briefly pointed at, upon fome fpecial 
 Enquir}% proposed about the fame. 
 
 , SECTIO N, L 
 
 Question. L 
 
 WHA T can afford both Light, and 
 Confirmation to our Faith, in fitch 
 a Time, when we fee the Work of the 
 Lord about his Church, to be moft remark- 
 ably now a Work of Judgment, with 
 I 3 fuch 
 
102 The confirming Work 
 
 fach dark and fear ching 'Trials therewith, 
 as former Times have, not known f 
 
 Anfw. It is fure,. we have feen no- 
 thing, but what might have been too 
 evidently looked for, and that we can 
 pretend no Want of Light herein, upon 
 thefe Grounds, 
 
 I. That the Trials of a Church, fhould 
 be f uited to the Meafure of their Talent 
 of Light, and when this hath been in 
 fome more than ordinary "Way di (pen- 
 fed, that fome remarkably fearching 
 Times might be expe&ed to follow \ nor 
 can it ie now ftrange to us, that fuch 
 Things fall in with this Day, which did 
 not meet the Churches of Chrift at the 
 fitft Entry of the Reformation, who 
 then had not fo clear Difcoveries of the 
 Truth, and that Meafure of Confirmation 
 therein, which hath been fince. 
 
 II That fome unufual Trials, and 
 Confli&s, in the Lord's Method of Pro- 
 vidence, mould be fuited alfo to the 
 Great nefs of that Work, which lie is 
 bringing for th,fnay be no ftrange Things 
 and to fee a Time of fuch fore Wreftlings 
 as this, when all Things feem to cry, 
 and be in Pain, as Micah iv, 20. Yea* 
 
 when 
 
of RELIGION. 105 
 
 when fome great Event of the Scripture 
 is to be revealed to the World, and near 
 to its full Height, and Period of Accom- 
 plishment, (as we have fafe Ground for 
 Aflurance of this Day.) 
 
 III. Nor hath this fad and difmal 
 Hour on the Church, been more obvious 
 than the provoking Caufe hereof, in 
 which the holy Righteoufnefs of God, 
 may be no lels clear, than the Cloud 
 now is dark 5 when there has been_fiich' 
 a vifible falling off from that Love, 
 Tendernefs, and Power of Religion, that 
 did formerly attend its Profeihon $ for 
 thefe many Years pait, we might have 
 feen that fome tore and remarkable 
 Judgment was coming", and that if we 
 had not been in fuch a Manner undone, 
 we were, under ibnie fadder Stroke of 
 fpiritual Judgment, ready to be utterly 
 undone, 
 
 IV. Yea, it hath been too vifible, that 
 fuck Evils followed the Reformed Chur- 
 ches, as in no Time it was ever known, 
 that the holy God did pafs by, without 
 fome fignal. Evidence of his Wrath a- 
 gainft the fame before the World. 
 
 V. We know, that carnal. Cenfidence 
 * hath a Curfe ever waiting upon it in the 
 
 v r ^ Scrip, 
 
104 The confirming PForl 
 
 Scripture, and none can take it off, or 
 make that thrive, which God hath him- 
 felf curfed ^ and it is too viilble, how far 
 we have gone thus out of the Way of our 
 Strength, by fuch eager feeking human 
 Props, and Support, that we have forgot 
 the Guide of our Youth, and Covenant 
 of our God, and what great Things he 
 hath formerly done in the greater! Straits 
 of his Chinch, when there was much 
 humble trailing, that the Spirit of the 
 Lord, would do more to recover his 
 Truth, than all human Might or Power 
 could do. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 Question L 
 
 V¥ J Hat Talent, are we ft ill accountable 
 W for, to fupport our Faith againft 
 the great eft Fears of this Time, from the fe 
 immediate Appearances of God, and of 
 ,the Glory of his Power? for the fame 
 Truth and Caufe of the Reformed Ghurch, 
 we are now called to contend for, -which 
 hath heenfmce the Reformation, when fo 
 
 flrong 
 
of RELIGION. ios 
 
 ftrong and umifual a Vide^ now is againfl 
 the fame f 
 
 Anfw. If Men fhut not their Eyes, 
 and hide this great Talent of the Works 
 of God, under the Ground, 'tis fure none 
 can queftion fuch a Seal, which before 
 the Sun, ( to the Amazement and Con- 
 viction of the World) hath been put to 
 the Truth of the Reformed Religion $ 
 that we are now brought under fuch a 
 Call, as the Church of Ifrael was, *Deut. 
 iv. 34. To ask of the Times that are 
 paft, fince IfraePs coming out of Egypt, 
 and fince the firft planting oLthe Gentile 
 Church, by .the Gofpel, whether there 
 hath been fo great a Thing as this in the 
 Earth, that God hath effayed to take to 
 himfelf a People from the midft of other 
 Nations, by Temptations, hj Signs, and 
 by Wonders, and by War, and by a 
 mighty Hand, and by an out-ftretched 
 Arm, and by great Terrors, according 
 to all that the Lord our God hath done 
 for the Refcue of his People, in thefelaft 
 Times, from Antichriftian Bondage and 
 Darknefs -, and fettling them in a 
 Church-Hate, but unto us "was this mew- 
 ed, that we might know, that the Lord 
 
 he 
 
ic6 , *The confirming Wofk 
 
 he is God, and there is none elfe beficle 
 him : Ye are ftill called to fee, and be 
 as Eye-witneffes to thefe Things - ? 
 
 I. How bright a Day of the Gofpel 
 of Chnft, did go before this great Dark- 
 nefs on the Church, and what a folemn 
 Triumph in thefe late Ages the Truth 
 hath had over Anticbrift, fo as the full 
 Stroke and Ruin of his Kingdom, (which 
 is fure and eftabliihed in thePrornife of 
 God,) feems not now more marvellous, 
 and above human Appearance, than 
 what we have feen, in the begun De- 
 grees of its Accomplimrnent. 
 
 II. In how few Years alio, there was, 
 as a new Chriftian World brought forth, 
 in that fwift Gourfe and Progrefs which 
 the ingathering of the Reformed Chur* 
 ches had, fo as between, the Year 1 560, 
 and 162 1. ftfch famous Plantations of the 
 Gofpel were fettled in a Church irate ; 
 which all may fee was the immediate 
 Work and Power of God 5 to (hew, that 
 none mould fear, or ftagger at his Pro- 
 mife -j tho' the Waters yet fwell, and 
 come to the.Flowings ^of Jordan, and 
 Difficulties appear unfuperable to hu- 
 man Senfe, after thefe, great Things 
 which the Lord hath done. 
 
 III. How 
 
of RELIGION. 107 
 
 III. How extraordinary a Calling, and 
 Excitement of Inftruments. was then evi- 
 dent for the Service of that Time, and 
 Reapers thus eminently prepared for fo 
 great an Harveft of the GofpeL as might 
 put the World to enquire whence thefe 
 were, in fo numerous a Concurrence, 
 v/hen a few of fuch a Spirit were fo rare- 
 ly to be found in many -Ages before. 
 
 IV. Yea, fuch an Acceilion alio, of 
 fpiritual Gifts and Endowments was then 
 for building of the Church, _as had not 
 been formerly feiiown, fince the fir ft 
 coming of the Gofpel to the Gentiles 5 
 wherein it may be laid, the Glory of 
 thefe laft Times hath even in fome De* 
 gree exceeded that of the firft. 
 
 V. And can the moft difmal Things 
 of this Time, countervail the Confirma- 
 tions of our Faith, who have fo clearly 
 feen, with the fir ft breaking up of the 
 purer JDoftrine of Chrift, the Power and 
 Life of Chriftianity came therewith to 
 the World, -as a Seal, and Atteftation 
 thereto, beyond any Miracles, yea, how 
 innumerable a Company, in thefe laft 
 Ages of different Tongues and Langua- 
 ges, and thefe fo remote from one ano- 
 ther, did not only receive the 'fame 
 
 Truth 
 
Io8 The confirming Work * 
 
 Truth, but with - fuch Refolution, ad 
 venture their Souls thereon, as might 
 fully witnefs, they had another Profpedt 
 of Chriftianity, and to be in fome other 
 Manner ravifhed with the Glory and 
 Beauty of the fame, than is now in thefe 
 Times. 
 
 ■ VI. Such high Spring Tides of the 
 Power and Efficacy of the Gofpel, might 
 be evident to all, after fo fad a Reftraint 
 had been for fo many Ages before, un- 
 der Antichriftian Darknefs \ for whate- 
 ver was then, as a private Seal, on the 
 Spirit of Chriftians, whilft the Witnef- 
 fes did prophecy in Sack-cloth, yet was 
 there no f uch Evidence, and Demonftra- 
 tionof the Holy Ghoft, or a public con- 
 firmatory Seal to the Truth, as was 
 after the Reformation, 
 
 VII. Yea, was it not the moft fober, 
 ferious, and inquifitive Part of Men, 
 upon a fure Trial of the Grounds of 
 their Faith, who did moft firmly em- 
 brace the fame? and how many of thefe 
 alfo were of the greater!: Parts and Abili- 
 ties, whom none could judge to adven- 
 ture fo far herein, without the higheft 
 AfTurances, that this w^as their undoubt- 
 ed Intereft and Salvation f 
 
 VIII We 
 
of RELIGION. 109 
 
 VIII. We have feen not only Men of 
 mean and low Eftate, but fuch of the 
 higheft Place and Quality, raoft chear- 
 fully adventuring whatever Intereft 
 could be deareft to them in the Earth for 
 the Truth's Sake 5 yea, it was ever found 
 that fuch as were moft acquainted with 
 the Reformed Religion in its Power, and 
 lived up in their Practice to what they 
 profeffed thereof, were thofe who with 
 the greater!: Affurance, moll refolutely 
 ftill adhered thereto. 
 
 IX. AVe have feen aHo,- its moft re- 
 markable fpreading in the World, when 
 there could be no poflible Pretence of a 
 worldly Intereft, or external Motives for 
 the fame. 
 
 X. We have feen fomething. not only 
 extraordinary,but even miraculous in the 
 Joy, and Refolution of innumerable 
 Martyrs mice the Reformation, who did 
 bear out with a more than human 
 Strength, againft a Cruelty fo vifibly in- 
 human and favage •, yea, which did in 
 lome- Degrees exceed that Meafur.e of the 
 Heathens, in the primitive Times, as 
 being againft a greater Light than theirs. 
 
 XI. And have we not feen, of what 
 Spirit, fuch ftill have been fince the Re- 
 
 K forma- 
 
no %he confirming Work 
 
 formation, who were the moft notorious 
 Inftruments in the ChurchesPerfecution, 
 and how vifibly fuch did ad herein, un- 
 der fo impetuous an Incitement of the 
 Devil, that as Tertullian, in his Apolo- 
 gy fpeaks of Nero, the Truth might 
 boaft in having fuch Adverfaries. 
 
 XII. It is fure we have feen, that no 
 human Power, could yet ever undo this 
 bleffed Intereft of the Reformed Religi- 
 on, tho' no way, or change of Weapons, 
 hath been left untried - r but we have thus 
 feen, whether fo ftrong, and united a 
 Confederacy, as the Catholick League in 
 France did at laft refolve, and not only 
 In the Ruin of the greateft Adtors and 
 Contrivers therein, but to a further efta- 
 blifhing of the Reformed Churches there, 
 as tho 1 fuch had intentionally a£red for 
 the fame •, when, if fecond Caufes had 
 brought forth their ordinary Effe£ts, it 
 might have been judged impoffible to fail. 
 
 XIIL We have feen that lilueof all the 
 Counfels, Expence and Cruelty of Philip 
 II. of Spain to bear down the Truth of 
 the Gofpel in the Netherlands^ which 
 was to the furtheft fettling of this illu- 
 ftrious State, and * the Church of 
 Chrift there $ yea, how their confpicu- 
 
 ous 
 
of RELIGION. in 
 
 oiis Rife and Flourifhing, even in the 
 Externals, and their refolute Adherence 
 to the Truth of Chriff, did moil vifibiy 
 keep together. \ 
 
 XIV. We know that Deluge of Blood, 
 which fo quickly followed the French 
 MaiTacre^ and the moil difmal Time 
 which ever that Nation knew, did then 
 vifibiy contemporate with fuch a Time 
 of their greateii Rage and Perfection a- 
 gainft the Truth, and that Event of the 
 third Vial moil clearly fulfilled herein, 
 Rev. xvi. 5, 6. l Thou art Righteous, O 
 c Lord, which art, and waft, and {halt 
 
 * be, becauie thou haft judged thus, for 
 
 * they have fhed the Blood of thy Saints 
 
 * and Prophets, and thou haft given them 
 *- Blood to drink in great Meafure/ 
 
 XV. Yea, have we not feen hov/ four 
 Kings of France, fucceiEvely -were in 
 lefs than thirty Years, taken away in the 
 fame continued Purfuit, how to deftroy 
 the Church there, in whom that whole 
 Race of the Valois was thus extinct 5 yea, 
 in the Manner oi their Death, were moft 
 remarkable Monuments of divine Judg- 
 ment, as the moft ; famous Writers of 
 that Time do atteft. 
 
 K 2 XVI. We 
 
i 1 2 ^ The confirming Work' 
 
 XVL We have feen what marvellous 
 Effecls did follow thofe bloody Years of 
 Queen Maryh Reign in England, to pro- 
 mote and Commend -the Proteftant Do- 
 ctrine to Mens Conferences there, with 
 io great a Triumph, as it had in the 
 Sufferings of fuch choice and excellent 
 WitnefTes for Chrift, and hath brought in 
 more Rent to the 'Praife and Glory of 
 their blelled Head, than may to the fur- 
 theft compenfe all that Blood of the 
 Saints there, tho' highly precious in the 
 Eyes of the Lord, 
 
 XVII. We have feen like wife the 
 Blood and Cruelty of late, againft the 
 Proteftants in Bohemia, in a fhort Time 
 rooft vifibly returned on the Authors 
 thereof, and how the immediate Finger 
 of God might be feen in calling forth 
 the Swedes to avenge the fame, and in 
 that defolating Stroke which followed in 
 Germany. 
 
 XVIII. We have feen in thefe late 
 Times the Iflue of that horrid Maflacre 
 on the Proteftants in Ireland, to the ut- 
 ter Rain, (in a very few Years after,) of 
 that barbarous Party, who had thus a&ed 
 
 herein. 
 
 XIX. We 
 
cf RELIGION. 115 
 
 XIX. We have ken what wonderful 
 Providences did attend the Actings of 
 that poor handful of Proteftants in the 
 Valleys of Piedmont \ fince the Reforma- 
 tion,uponthe Account of that bloody Mafc 
 facre which was fet on foot there againft 
 them, which was fo aftonifhing, as all 
 might fee an extraordinary. Appearance 
 of the Lord herein, as is clearly attefted 
 by the moft faithful Hiftories of that 
 Time. 
 
 XX. And can it be forgot unto this 
 Day, how vifibly a divine Hand did ap- 
 pear in breaking that great Spanijh Ar- 
 mado, in the Year 1588, which had been 
 for fome Years in contriving againft 
 England. 
 
 XXI. Aftonifhing, and fpecially de* 
 monftrative of the immediate Power and 
 Prefence of God, and Matter of Wonder 
 and Praife alfo for after Ages, was that 
 folemn Time of the Reformation of the 
 Church in Scotland., for planting the Re- 
 formed Religion there - v with that Zeal 
 and. Onenefs of Spirit, as did then ap- 
 pear in all Ranis to embrace and adhere 
 to the Profellion thereof, amidft the, 
 greateft Threatnings of their Adverfa- 
 ries 5 fo as a few Years did bring forth 
 
 K 5 that, 
 
114 , %he confirming Work 
 
 that, which would have feemed ftrange 
 for an Age to accompiifli ; yea, that we 
 find betwixt the lad Martyr for the 
 Truth there, who was burnt at St. An- 
 drews, i??8, and the Eftablifhment of 
 the Proteftant Religion, and full Abo- 
 lifhment of Popery, with the full Con- 
 currence of civil Authority herein, iii 
 July 1560, was but little above two 
 Years, to (hew what great Things the 
 Lord can do, above all human Council 
 or Confidence. 
 
 ■ XXII. 'Tis fure, we have feen in 
 what remarkable Degrees thefe laft Vials 
 of the holy Judgment of God, have ta- 
 ken place on the Kingdom oi Antichrift, 
 and how confpicuous the Event hath 
 heen of that Prophecy, 2 Ihefs. ii. 8. in 
 thefe great Effeds and Confumption 
 thereof by the Miniftry of the Gofpel, 
 as an affured Pledge of the full Accom- 
 pliihmentof what remains herein. 
 
 XXIII. And as every Step of the 
 Church's Rife, hath been ftill advanced 
 in a continued Conflict betwixt the Truth 
 and Aitichrift, fo have we ftill feen, 
 %vhen the AiTault and Oppofition hath 
 been greateft, its moft remarkable Ten- 
 dencv to a greater Victory 5 which were 
 
 it 
 
of RELIGION. ii? 
 
 it rightly confldered, upon clear and fo- 
 lid Grounds from the Scripture, the mod 
 formidable Appearances of Trouble from 
 this Adverfary, would with more Com- 
 fort than Fear this Day he looted on $ 
 fo that whatever be the neareft and mofi 
 immediate Events, yet it is fure, as the 
 Lord is true, (whofe Word is paffed here- 
 on,) that whomever gives their Power 
 and Strength to lupport that Intereft of 
 Antichrift, {hall lofe the Day, and find 
 their Caufe defperate, for the. Party 
 with whom they contend herein is the 
 Son of God, againit whom no human 
 Power fhall be ever able to Hand. 
 Thefe are but a few, which are here 
 mentioned, of the great Acts of our God s 
 in Behalf of his Truth, to be ftill as 
 prefent in our Sight, in a Time when 
 the Spirits of many are ready to ftagger 
 and faint 5, and here mentioned, to lay 
 no Strefs or Weight of the Authority of. 
 the Truth and Doftrine of our Profeffi- 
 cn thereon, but on the alone Revelation 
 of the Scripture ; but they are f uch an 
 undeniable Seal for confirming our 
 Faith, and of fo known'-, public and fa- 
 mous Evidence, as mould be no lefs con- 
 fidered, and taken to Heart now, than 
 
 in 
 
1 16 *Ihe confirming Work 
 
 in the Time when the Lord thus appear* 
 ed herein. 
 
 S E C T ION III. 
 Question I. 
 
 WHat prefent Judgment are ive cal- 
 led to hare of this Time, upon 
 clear and ajjured Grounds from the Scrip- 
 ture ; that ive may know under -what Af- 
 pec~t thereof the prefent State of Religi- 
 on, and of the Reformed Churches is un- 
 der, -when fo great a Crifis is this Day, 
 as "would feem to he in the yery Height of 
 its ConfliSi; whether as to Life or Death f 
 
 Anpw. It is no prefent Appearance of 
 the Time that muft diredt our Faith, nor 
 fhould we either Pa etch our Fears or Ex- 
 pectations of Things and Events, beyond 
 what the God of Truth doth warrant in 
 his Word, but 'tis clear, if we credit the 
 fame, and admit the Divinity of the 
 New Teftament, there is no juft Caufe 
 of Hefitation or Darknefs, as to what 
 the Lord is bringing forthfor his Church 
 
 now 
 
of RELIC ION. 117 
 
 now in thefe latter Days, nor can there 
 be any Pretence to feek another Light, 
 (either from the Stars above, or the Di- 
 viners of this Time,) when fo woful a 
 Trade hath got up in the World, that 
 Men will thus go to the God of Ekron, 
 as tho' there were not a God in Ifrael 9 
 or fitch a Thing, as his written Oracles 
 to enquire at, when 'tis fure thefe lie o- 
 pen, and with a clear and diftiudt Sound 
 fpeak to all who have a ferious and un- 
 prejudged Spirit. 
 
 I. That the Church* under the New- 
 Teftamenr 5 ,hath now palled and gone 
 through that moil difmal and continued 
 Trial herein, which was to go over her 
 Head, under AntichriJFs Reign and 
 Height, and whatever Appearance he 
 now hath in great Wrath,, yet is it 
 fure and evident, that ,the Winter is 
 paft, and the Church's Spring begun ^ 
 and a few Steps further off, that Judg- 
 ment which is now haftning on, will 
 at length end the Quarrel •, fo that by a 
 near Converfe with the Word, we may 
 clearly fee from what Point the Church's 
 Courfe and Motion this Day lies, and 
 how exactly it keeps, in the Certainty 
 thereof, by the clear Conduct of the Scrip- 
 tures 
 
nS The confirming Work 
 
 hires of Truth, where a full Map of her 
 -whole Courfe and Paffage through Time 
 is clearly fhewed. 
 
 II. That we may how with fome clear 
 Evidence judge, and have our Faith per* 
 fuaded hereof, that the Church's Interefl: 
 is upon the rifing Hand, and on a pre- 
 lent Advance, tho s nothing would feem 
 more contradictory than all vifible 
 Grounds now are •, fince this cannot fail, 
 John 'iii. 30. That Jefus Chrift, in his 
 Kingdom, in the Earth, mult increafe ^ 
 yea, that the Scripture fo clearly points 
 forth Antkhrifth Ruin and Progrefs of 
 his Fall and Downcafting, with Refem- 
 folance to that great Judgment on Pha- 
 raoh , as an evident Type hereof 5 m the 
 fame judicial Strokes of Induration, on 
 both, and gradual Progrefs herein, by 
 one Plague after another, until the laft 
 and greateft Affault, as was then at the 
 Red-Sea, hath the fame Effect for a more 
 glorious Appearance of God, in the great- 
 eft Step of Judgment, and Victory over 
 this Adverfary, when not only the Song 
 of Mofes, but of the Lamb alfo, fhall be 
 then fung, Rev 9 xv. 3 as importing fome- 
 thing more glorious end a greater Bright* 
 nefs to be put on this illuftrious Act 
 
 of 
 
ofJLELIG ION. u 9 
 
 of divine Judgment, referred to thefe 
 laft Times, when a more immediate Ap- 
 pearance of the Lord will be feen, than 
 m any former Deliverances of his 
 Church. 
 
 III. It is no conjectural Thing, hut 
 what by a clear Scripture Conduct, we 
 may fee, ihat this Time of the Church 
 now, under fo notable a Crifis in her 
 Cafe, is evidently falling under that re- 
 markable AfTault and Conflict with that 
 Adverfary, before the accomplilhing of 
 that Vial on his Seat and Throne, as we 
 may fee, Rev. xvii. 13, 14. That when 
 lo confpicuous a Step of the Church's Vi- 
 ctory is near "• the Oppofltion thereto 
 alfo will be in fome jhigher Degree pro- 
 portionable to the fame, when the great 
 Men of the Earth, and fuch who fhall 
 receive Power as Kings, one Hour with 
 the Beaft, fnall have one Mind, and give 
 their Power and Strength thereto, and 
 fhall make War with the Lamb, but the 
 Lamb fhall -overcome them, for he is 
 King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, gjr. 
 Nor is it found through the Scripture, 
 where the Lord hath done any great 
 Thing for his Church, but fome unufual 
 Darknefs, and fore "Wreftlings have ftill 
 
 gone 
 
120 *Lbe confirming Work. 
 
 gone before, -and mould be no Matter of 
 daggering to our Faith, (whatever it 
 be of prefent Fears,) to fee fo difmal a 
 Time of Trial as now is, and amazing 
 Heighth of Trouble beyond what former 
 Times have known, when one of the 
 greater! Events of Providence in Behalf 
 of the Church, lince the revealing of 
 Chrift to the World, until his fecond 
 coming, is affuredly near in the Fall 
 and Overthrow of the Man of Sin. 
 
 IV. We have clear Ground alfo to 
 judge, that fo great an Eel ipfe, as feems 
 almoft universally over the State of the 
 Reformed Churches, is no going down of 
 the Sun thereon, (whatever did befal the 
 moft famous Eaftern Churches to an ut- 
 ter Diffipation thereof $ ) if thefe different 
 Periods of Time be juftly confidered, 
 how their Sun-let did then fall in with 
 the Entry of that great Apoftacy of the 
 Chriftian Church, and with that long 
 and difmal Night of Antichriffs Reign * 
 whilft now this Hour of Trial" on the 
 Churches, doth meet in that blefled Pe- 
 riod of Antichrift's begun Fall, and of a 
 growing Light of the Gofpel, and when 
 the Scripture fo clearly warrants our 
 Faith herein, that the Work of Provi- 
 dence 
 
of RELIGION. 121 
 
 denceisto plant, and not cut off, tut to 
 bring forward that Intereft of the Re- 
 formed Churches, in the founding of 
 which, the Mediator hath fo eminently 
 appeared in the Glory of his Power in 
 thefe laft Times. 
 
 V. It is fure, we now live in the Even- 
 ing, and Extremity of Time, when the 
 Motions of Providence may be expe&ed 
 to be more quick and fpeedy, as being 
 fo near the Centre, and to the laft Epo- 
 cha, and Period of all prophetic Chrono- 
 logy -, wherein the Glory of God, in his 
 Truth and Faithfulnefs, mall moft emi- 
 nently mine forth, and thefe Scripture 
 Truths, which were formerly dark and 
 abftrufe, with that Evidence mine forth 
 in the Event, as fhall caufeMento won* 
 der at their former Thoughts and Stum- 
 blings thereat. And here, I muft fay, 
 that there is fuch a Sight now in the 
 Earth, as the Romijfj Churchy in its Com* 
 plex Frame and State, in fo different a 
 Mold caft from any Power or Jurifdicli- 
 on elfe, and fuch a Compound of a ci- 
 vil, and fpiritual Monarchy, in one and 
 the fame Perfon, is To folemn and un- 
 deniable a Seal to the Chriftian- Faith, 
 and Divinity of the New Teftament - 5 
 L that 
 
122 The confirming Work 
 
 that 'tis ftrange why this is not impro- 
 ved more, againft the Atheifm of this 
 Time, that fuch a vifible Event of the 
 Scripture is now in Being, which was 
 fo clearly foretold by the Holy Ghoft, 
 Fifteen hundred . Years ago, with its 
 proper Circumftances, as to the Manner 
 of that Antic-hriftian State, with its Rife, 
 Growth, and Duration, as is to Admira- 
 tion ftill evident to the World, when not 
 the leaft Shadow or Appearance of fo 
 ftrange future Emergencies was to 
 be feen, or could have entred Men's 
 Thoughts 5 to fhew, it only could be re- 
 vealed to the Church by him, to whom 
 all his "Works are known from the Be* 
 ginning. This I have looked on, as fuch •■ 
 a Confirmation to the Truth of Ghriftia- 
 ivXy, that no Miracles in the firft Times 
 of the Church, could have more Evi- 
 dence for the fame ^ yea, if fuch a Party 
 were not in Being, both what it now is, 
 and in former Ages hath been, it might, 
 in another Manner, ftagger the Faith 
 of the Saints, to a quellioning the Truth 
 of the Scripture, than its mofi formida* 
 ble Appearance this Day can do. 
 
 VL I fhall but add here, that we know 
 and are! ure the Lord hath referved his 
 
 greateft 
 
of RELIGION. 123 
 
 greatefl: Works to thefe latter Days, 
 wherein his Judgments {hall be mani- 
 felt 5 and that one of the moft eminent 
 Manifestations of his Glory, before the 
 clofe of Time, fhall be confprcuous in 
 the Fall of Aiitichrift, on whofe Ruins 
 that glorious Houfe which Chrift is yet 
 to have for himfelf, both of Jews and 
 Gentiles t fhall be prepared and built up ^ 
 and tho' this great Eclipfe of Antichri- 
 ftian Darknefs, fhould yet more pre- 
 vail, even over the vifible Profeffion of 
 _ the Truth in the Churches of Britain and 
 Ireland, there is no Caufe to befiagger- 
 ed in the Faith of Rome\ fatal Period, 
 being near, but to look hereon, accord- 
 ing to the Scripture, as thatlaft Attempt 
 of that wounded Adverfary, which will 
 be found in the I flue- to have the moft 
 immediate Connexion with his greatefl 
 Downfal, and the reviving Glory of the 
 Church • for ftrong is the Lord God who 
 judgeth her* 
 
 L 2 SEC 
 
; 124 5n^ confirming Work 
 
 SECTION IV.- 
 Question. 
 
 WHat is fpecially called for, /;/ this 
 Day^ of fitch as are accountable 
 for fo great a Talent of Light , and Con- 
 firmations to our .Faith f 
 
 Anfw. If this were fuitably taken to 
 Heart, we could not but reckon ourfelves 
 under the greatell Excitement and Gall, 
 to fuch an Improvement hereof. 
 
 I. That we account it not enough to 
 have a Faith for quieting our own Spirits, 
 but alfo to confirm others, by putting to 
 our Seal that God is true, in the great Af- 
 fu ranees of his Word, and to fandiify him 
 before the World \ which is- fo important 
 a Duty, as the Lord was wroth even with 
 a Mofes and Aaron, for. one fhort-coming, 
 wheii he called for the fame, Numb. xx. 
 J 2. and 'tis fure, in no Time was fuch a 
 fpecial Truft more repofed thereon, than 
 in this Age, both as a public Debt on the 
 Church, and perfonal on each Chriftian, 
 how to witnefs for the Lord, upon that 
 great Intereft of his Faithfulnefs, and for 
 
 tranf- 
 
of RELIGION. X2? 
 
 tranfmitting the fame to the Ages to 
 come, by a confirmatory Seal and Tefti- 
 mony thereto. 
 
 II. To reckon ourfelves alfo under 
 fome more than ordinary Call this Day, 
 (each in their prefent Capacity and Sta- 
 tion,) to. appear for the Credit of the 
 Truth, and ftem fo vifible and impetuous 
 a Tide, as is. now running of Diftruft, and 
 of a difcreditable Faintnefs y for it may be 
 faid, never was the Church under the 
 New Teftament, fo remarkably held un- 
 der inch a Trial, as that wherein the 
 Lord did prove the Church of Ifrael, 
 Numb, xiv, or had a more evident Re- 
 femblance thereto, in the fame Circum- 
 ftances as in this Day, if they were feri- 
 oufly pondered j As* 
 
 I. How, in the fame Manner, fuch a 
 falfe and evil Report is too vifibly raifed 
 upon the fefeft Ways of the Lord, to dif- 
 courage and faint the Spirits of his People, 
 as was then by the Spies, that there were 
 infuperable Difficulties in the Way of the 
 Promife, by Reafon of the */lnakims, and 
 of their walled Cities, and did thus op- 
 pofe the Credit of Senfe, to all thefe Af- 
 lurances which God had given to their 
 Faith. 
 
 L 3' ..II. That 
 
Ho The confirming JVorh 
 
 IL TKat this highly difhonourable 
 Cowardice and Diftruft, did fo feize on 
 that People, as was like to refolvein a vi- 
 iible Revolt, and to cry for a Leader to 
 go back to Egypt again $ which, amongft 
 too many in this Time may be juftly 
 feared. 
 
 III. That this was after fuch extraor- 
 dinary Confirmations, which the Lord 
 had given to the Faith of his Church then, 
 who had by his own immediate and out* 
 ftretched Hand, fo lately brought them 
 out of the Hoitfe of Bondage, and from 
 the Iron Furnace in Egypt, as rendered 
 their Misbelief to be a Guilt under fuch 
 Aggravations, as the holy God did in 
 that Manner plead, Yerfe 22. %hefe ten 
 climes haye they tempted me, who haye 
 feen my Glory, and my Miracles , -which I 
 did in the Wilder tie ft , &c. 
 
 IV. But herein, we hope, and are con- 
 fidently fure of a blefled Difparity in this 
 Refeniblance, as to the Numeroufnefs of 
 fuch, who mall be found of the Reform- 
 ed Churches, to a& fomething of that 
 Par£, which thefe heroic WitnefTes, Ca~ 
 leh and Jojbua did $ and were then put to 
 ftand alone therein «, who through Grace, 
 mail yet appear with fome Meafure of 
 
 that 
 
of RELIGION. 127 
 
 that Spirit, and withftand fo high a Tide 
 of Fears, Difcouragement and Unbelief, 
 as is at this Day ; and thus to plead a- 
 gainft the fame as thefe did, Numb. x\v. 
 9. If the Lord delight in us, then let us 
 not rebel againft him, neither fear the 
 greateft Difficulties that can be in the 
 Way, &c. 
 
 V. And is not the fame Precedent of 
 Providence, of fo lingular a Refpecl, as 
 the Lord did then teftify to his Caleb and 
 Joflma, (who were of another Spirit, in 
 following him fully, in that Day,) a con- 
 tinued AfTurance for all who fhall be 
 helped to any honourable Appearance of 
 this Kind, by making them fee, and in- 
 herit the Truth of his Promife-, yea, that 
 fuch a Refidue, as out-lives this great and 
 amazing Storm,- fhall have fomething of 
 that Teflimony to bear alfo, which Caleb 
 gave, Jojhua xiv. 8, 10. My Brethren, 
 ivhich -went up -with me, made the Heart 
 of the People faint ^ but I fully folio-wed 
 the Lord my God, and now behold the 
 Lord hath kept me alive, &c. ^ObleiTed 
 they, whofe Souls are railed with |hat 
 holy Zeal for the Truth, to ftand up in 
 this great Breach, by a refolute Profeffi- 
 on. of their Faith, and Witnefs to the 
 
 Faithful. 
 
128 The confirming Work 
 
 Faithfulriefs of God, as fuch great and 
 extraordinary Confirmations given there- 
 to, now call for, 
 
 III. It is one of the fpecialThities of 
 this Day, we ftand alfo accountable for, 
 how to ftem this high and growing Tide 
 of Prejudice, and Reproach againfl: the 
 Reformed Religion, which iniomeunu* 
 fual Way is now aloft, and raging 5 and 
 by Manifeftation of the Truth, to gain 
 forrie more awful Regard hereof on Mens 
 Confcience, that thej^ may fee fomething 
 of the Glory of our Profeffion, and in 
 what Manner it maintains its Conqueft, 
 as no Way elfe can poffibly claim ^ 
 
 I. Which reckons none to be the true 
 and genuine Proleflors hereof, who em- 
 brace not the fame upon Evidence, and 
 with refpedt to its intrinfic Excellency 
 and Worth -, nor does judge the Inlereft 
 of Religion to go by Number and Poll 3 
 where this is Wanting *, but purfues that 
 End, to have Men engaged iirffc to be 
 Chriftians, that they may be true and 
 iincere Proteftants "•, and therefore can ad^ 
 xnit no fuch Methods of any bafe Com- 
 pliance with the Humour and Interefts of 
 Men, which its Principles will not bear. 
 
 IL Which 
 
of RELIGION. 129 
 
 If, Which, in its Courfe is ever regu- 
 lar and certain, according to the Rule of 
 an unchangeable and eternal Truth, with- 
 out Dependence on the Will of Man 
 herein, or any mutable Revolutions of 
 the Time. 
 
 III. Which doth with the greateft 
 Luftre fhine forth in the brigheft Light, 
 and is maintained by the cleareft Know- 
 ledge • yea, by the furtheft Plafnnefs, 
 and Opennefs of Heart, towards all, com- 
 mends itfelf } fo that the World may lee, 
 it efpoufeth not Mens Affection, before 
 it gains on their Confidence $ and it hath 
 their Judgment fixed on a judicious Trial, 
 before their Refolution ^ nor accounts the 
 Truth of Religion, can ever fubfift by 
 an external Shew and Profeffion, without 
 its known Evidence and the Efficacy 
 thereof on Mens Souls. 
 
 IV. Which fincerely follows the Ca- 
 tholick Intereft of Chriftianity, and pub- 
 lic Good of Mankind, in promoting the 
 great Ends of the Gofpel, fo as the World 
 may fee its higheft Intent is to exalt all 
 divine Inftitutions, and advance the Sim- 
 plicity and Spirituality of Gofpel Admi- 
 niftrations, (according to the revealed 
 Rule; amongft Men, as. that which doth 
 
 moft 
 
130 '-*The confirming Work 
 
 mofl nearly concern the Vitals of Religi- 
 on, and an inward Life of Communion 
 with God. 
 
 V. Which pleads an impartial Trial of 
 all its Adversaries, whether the Princi- 
 ples of our Profellion, or of Popery, 
 give the greater!: Security to Civil Go^ 
 vernment, and founds the ftrongeft Obli- 
 gations to Magiftracy, and to all Civil 
 and Moral Duties, by which the Awe and 
 venerable Efteem- of Religion is kept up 
 in a Nation. It is high Time, that Men 
 fhould ceafe to be implicite, and become 
 exprefs upon this greaterl Intereft they 
 have within Time, which is the Truth of 
 their Profellion in the Matter of Religion \ 
 when a Deceit or Miftake here is of an 
 eternal Concern : Upon which Account, 
 without refpe& to Intereft, Party, or 
 Education, I have this Da}? fought to 
 know the Truth, and what Adverfaries 
 could poffibly pretend to reproach, or 
 prejudge any for the Reformed Religion 
 all they can -do, is but to charge Mens 
 Corruption and Offences in their Pra'Hce, 
 upon the Rule and Principles of their 
 ProfeflTion, that can never give the lead: 
 Latitude or Connivance thereto, but is 
 clear as the Sun ^ when, on the other 
 
 Hand, 
 
of RELIGION. i 3 £ 
 
 Hand, I could know no other Way to 
 embrace fuch a Profeifion, as Popery, 
 but by turning, Atheift, in the firft Place' 
 and then quitting both Religion and Rea- 
 fon at once : But I can fay, in a refolute 
 Adherence to the DoSrine of the Reform- 
 ed Church, I fear not to adventure my 
 Soul, and enter into an eternal State. 
 
 F I N I & 
 
^ttjs^^