The practical believer, or, The articles of the Apostles Creed drawn out to form a true Christian's heart and practice in two parts.
         Kettlewell, John, 1653-1695.
      
       
         
           1688
        
      
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             The practical believer, or, The articles of the Apostles Creed drawn out to form a true Christian's heart and practice in two parts.
             Kettlewell, John, 1653-1695.
          
           [21], 263, [13], 361 [i.e. 261], [2] p.
           
             Printed for Robert Kettlewell and are to be sold by the booksellers of London and Westminster,
             London :
             1688.
          
           
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             Errata: preliminary p. [21]
             Advertisement: preliminary p. [1] and p. [1]-[2] at end.
             Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library.
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           Apostles' Creed -- Early works to 1800.
           Theology, Doctrinal -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           Advertisement
           .
        
         
           THere
           is
           lately
           Re-printed
           ,
           
             An
             Help
             and
             Exhortation
             to
             Worthy
             Communicating
             .
          
           Or
           ,
           a
           Treatise
           describing
           the
           Meaning
           ,
           Worthy
           Reception
           ,
           Duty
           ,
           and
           Benefits
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Sacrament
          
           .
           And
           Answering
           the
           
             Doubts
             of
             Conscience
          
           ,
           and
           
             other
             Reasons
          
           ,
           which
           most
           generally
           detain
           Men
           from
           it
           .
           Together
           with
           
             Suitable
             Devotions
          
           added
           .
           By
           
             John
             Kettlewell
          
           ,
           Vicar
           of
           Coles-hill
           in
           Warwickshire
           .
           The
           Second
           Edition
           .
        
         
           Printed
           for
           
             Robert
             Kettlewell
          
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           Sold
           by
           the
           Booksellers
           of
           London
           and
           Westminster
           .
           Price
           Bound
           2
           s.
           6
           d.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           Practical
           Believer
           :
           OR
           ,
           THE
           ARTICLES
           OF
           THE
           
             Apostles
             Creed
          
           ,
           Drawn
           out
           To
           form
           a
           True
           Christian's
           Heart
           ,
           and
           Practice
           .
        
         
           
             In
             Two
             Parts
          
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Robert
             Kettlewell
          
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           Sold
           by
           the
           Booksellers
           of
           London
           and
           Westminster
           .
           1688.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
             
               THE
               Practical
               Believer
               .
               
                 The
                 First
                 Part.
              
               
            
             
               OF
               THE
               NATURE
               and
               CERTAINTY
               OF
               
                 Christian
                 Faith
              
               ,
               AND
               The
               Knowledge
               of
               God
               :
               OR
               ,
               AN
               Explication
               of
               the
               Divine
               Attributes
               ,
               and
               Providence
               .
            
             
               Febr.
               28.
               1687.
               
            
             
               Imprimatur
               Liber
               cui
               Titulus
               ,
               The
               Practical
               ▪
               Believer
               ,
               &c.
               Guil.
               Needham
               RR.
               in
               Christo
               P.
               ac
               D.
               D.
               Wilhelmo
               Archiep.
               Cant.
               à
               Sacr.
               Domest
               .
            
             
               London
               ,
               Printed
               for
               Robert
               Kettlewell
               ,
               and
               are
               to
               be
               Sold
               by
               the
               Booksellers
               of
               London
               and
               Westminster
               .
               1688.
               
            
          
           
             
             
             
               THE
               PREFACE
               .
            
             
               
                 Reader
                 ,
              
            
             
               I
               Here
               present
               thee
               with
               a
               Discourse
               upon
               the
               Holy
               Christian
               Faith
               :
               which
               as
               we
               all
               profess
               seriously
               to
               believe
               ;
               so
               should
               we
               carefully
               endeavour
               to
               answer
               ,
               and
               adorn
               ,
               with
               an
               Holy
               and
               Christian
               Practice
               .
               In
               this
               ,
               I
               have
               endeavoured
               to
               give
               such
               accounts
               of
               Almighty
               God
               ,
               as
               may
               encourage
               all
               good
               Men
               to
               love
               and
               serve
               him
               ;
               and
               deter
               all
               evil
               Men
               ,
               from
               presuming
               on
               his
               Favour
               ,
               or
               
               provoking
               his
               Displeasure
               .
               I
               have
               drawn
               out
               the
               consideration
               of
               his
               Providence
               ,
               into
               the
               usual
               cases
               and
               occurrences
               ,
               and
               shown
               how
               we
               may
               live
               upon
               it
               ,
               and
               give
               our selves
               the
               true
               comfort
               and
               advantage
               thereof
               ,
               in
               all
               events
               and
               transactions
               .
               And
               all
               the
               other
               Articles
               of
               the
               Creed
               ,
               I
               have
               endeavoured
               to
               set
               off
               in
               such
               particulars
               ,
               as
               we
               are
               most
               concerned
               to
               know
               ,
               and
               which
               may
               give
               them
               the
               greatest
               life
               ,
               and
               power
               with
               us
               .
               In
               the
               whole
               ,
               I
               have
               aim'd
               to
               lay
               before
               thee
               the
               summ
               of
               Christian
               Doctrine
               ,
               that
               in
               an
               Age
               ,
               which
               abounds
               with
               unchristian
               falshoods
               ,
               we
               may
               keep
               stedfast
               in
               Christian
               Truths
               :
               and
               that
               among
               all
               the
               Truths
               of
               Christianity
               ,
               we
               may
               lay
               out
               our
               Care
               and
               Zeal
               on
               those
               ,
               
               which
               are
               most
               important
               ,
               and
               worthy
               of
               all
               acceptance
               .
            
             
               My
               great
               design
               in
               this
               Treatise
               ,
               is
               to
               lend
               what
               help
               I
               am
               able
               ,
               to
               those
               ,
               that
               sincerely
               desire
               ,
               and
               seriously
               set
               themselves
               to
               live
               as
               they
               believe
               ,
               and
               to
               make
               Faith
               a
               Governing
               Grace
               :
               showing
               how
               we
               may
               serve
               our selves
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               give
               up
               our
               Souls
               to
               be
               ordered
               and
               directed
               by
               it
               ,
               in
               all
               our
               manifold
               ,
               and
               most
               important
               cases
               and
               concerns
               .
               And
               looking
               all
               along
               at
               this
               mark
               ,
               in
               passing
               through
               all
               the
               
                 Articles
                 of
                 the
                 Creed
              
               ,
               I
               have
               not
               sought
               to
               fill
               up
               a
               Book
               ,
               by
               inserting
               all
               that
               may
               be
               truly
               ,
               or
               pertinently
               said
               :
               But
               have
               applied
               my self
               to
               instruct
               thee
               ,
               in
               such
               ,
               as
               I
               thought
               the
               leading
               ,
               and
               governing
               Notions
               ;
               
               to
               inculcate
               those
               ,
               which
               seem
               to
               me
               the
               most
               concerning
               ,
               and
               powerful
               Truths
               ;
               to
               set
               off
               such
               particulars
               about
               them
               ,
               as
               seem
               fittest
               to
               affect
               us
               ,
               or
               lie
               nearest
               unto
               Practice
               ;
               and
               to
               note
               wherein
               we
               are
               to
               follow
               and
               attend
               to
               them
               ,
               in
               the
               course
               ,
               and
               various
               exigencies
               of
               our
               lives
               .
               And
               hoping
               this
               may
               prove
               beneficial
               to
               the
               instruction
               ,
               and
               use
               of
               plain
               Christians
               ,
               who
               have
               neither
               leisure
               to
               peruse
               ,
               nor
               capacity
               to
               retain
               larger
               Volumes
               ;
               I
               have
               endeavoured
               to
               treat
               of
               these
               things
               with
               convenient
               brevity
               .
               But
               withal
               to
               comprize
               so
               much
               ,
               not
               only
               of
               necessary
               ,
               but
               profitable
               Doctrine
               ,
               as
               may
               be
               sufficient
               to
               any
               Man's
               guidance
               and
               encouragement
               ,
               who
               will
               set
               himself
               diligently
               to
               learn
               ,
               and
               walk
               in
               the
               light
               of
               it
               .
            
             
             
               I
               am
               not
               without
               hopes
               ,
               that
               this
               Discourse
               may
               ,
               in
               some
               degree
               or
               other
               ,
               serve
               the
               end
               ,
               for
               which
               it
               is
               sincerely
               sent
               abroad
               ,
               viz.
               of
               doing
               some
               honour
               and
               service
               to
               the
               ever
               Blessed
               Trinity
               ,
               and
               making
               an
               admirable
               ,
               and
               most
               efficacious
               Faith
               ,
               more
               lively
               and
               powerful
               in
               some
               ,
               that
               profess
               it
               .
               And
               if
               thou
               ,
               good
               Reader
               ,
               shalt
               reap
               any
               benefit
               by
               it
               ,
               as
               thou
               wilt
               not
               fail
               to
               give
               God
               the
               praise
               ,
               for
               suiting
               and
               supplying
               thy
               necessity
               ,
               by
               the
               weakness
               of
               any
               he
               employs
               :
               so
               one
               thing
               I
               heartily
               request
               of
               thee
               ,
               which
               is
               all
               the
               return
               ,
               that
               in
               this
               World
               I
               either
               expect
               ,
               or
               desire
               ,
               that
               thou
               wilt
               thus
               far
               remember
               the
               poor
               instrument
               of
               thy
               Mercy
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               fervency
               of
               
               thy
               Devotion
               ,
               to
               put
               up
               one
               Prayer
               to
               our
               common
               Father
               ,
               for
               his
               Salvation
               ,
               who
               with
               a
               very
               ready
               and
               willing
               mind
               ,
               has
               taken
               all
               this
               pains
               to
               promote
               thine
               .
            
          
           
             
             
               THE
               CONTENTS
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   PART
                   I.
                
                 Of
                 the
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 Certainty
                 of
                 Christian
                 Faith
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 I.
                 Of
                 Christian
                 Faith.
                 
              
               
                 WHat
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ.
                 When
                 this
                 suitably
                 affects
                 us
                 ,
                 it
                 justifies
                 ,
                 or
                 avails
                 to
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 An
                 account
                 of
                 several
                 particulars
                 of
                 Christian
                 Belief
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 respective
                 Affections
                 ,
                 and
                 Practices
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 suitable
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 All
                 these
                 are
                 reasonably
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 follow
                 ,
                 where
                 Men
                 will
                 act
                 inconsistently
                 to
                 their
                 Principles
                 ,
                 and
                 against
                 Reason
                 .
                 Faeith
                 with
                 its
                 suitable
                 effects
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 as
                 Faith
                 and
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 On
                 this
                 account
                 such
                 effects
                 ascribed
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 when
                 alone
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 due
                 only
                 to
                 it
                 and
                 
                 Repentance
                 in
                 conjunction
                 .
                 This
                 Faith
                 with
                 its
                 suitable
                 effects
                 ,
                 was
                 that
                 which
                 justified
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Testament
                
                 Worthies
                 .
                 And
                 is
                 to
                 justifie
                 all
                 good
                 Christians
                 .
                 When
                 S.
                 Paul
                 opposes
                 justifying-Faith
                 to
                 the
                 Deeds
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 he
                 speaks
                 of
                 the
                 Deeds
                 of
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Law.
                 That
                 which
                 fits
                 Faith
                 for
                 these
                 effects
                 ,
                 and
                 distinguishes
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Saints
                 and
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 sincerity
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Its
                 strength
                 and
                 firmness
                 .
                 This
                 consists
                 in
                 its
                 being
                 assured
                 .
                 And
                 honest
                 ,
                 or
                 seated
                 in
                 one
                 that
                 makes
                 conscience
                 to
                 keep
                 his
                 word
                 .
                 And
                 resolute
                 .
                 In
                 what
                 sense
                 Faith
                 may
                 be
                 called
                 an
                 act
                 of
                 Recumbency
                 ,
                 or
                 leaning
                 and
                 rolling
                 on
                 Christ
                 for
                 Salvation
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 hand
                 ,
                 to
                 receive
                 and
                 apply
                 him
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 Faith
                 to
                 believe
                 our
                 sins
                 are
                 pardon'd
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 infidelity
                 to
                 doubt
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 innocence
                 many
                 times
                 of
                 such
                 doubts
                 .
                 And
                 of
                 some
                 good
                 Mens
                 confidence
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 forgiveness
                 .
                 
                   p.
                   1
                
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 II.
                 That
                 Jesus
                 is
                 the
                 Christ
                 from
                 Ancient
                 Prophecies
                 .
              
               
                 Among
                 those
                 Prophecies
                 ,
                 which
                 prove
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 First
                 ,
                 Some
                 prescribe
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 coming
                 .
                 This
                 they
                 mark
                 out
                 by
                 the
                 nearness
                 of
                 such
                 notable
                 Occurrences
                 ,
                 and
                 Revolutions
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 fall
                 under
                 all
                 Mens
                 observation
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 fixing
                 the
                 very
                 Year
                 he
                 should
                 appear
                 in
                 .
                 Accordingly
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 
                 general
                 expectation
                 of
                 him
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 .
                 His
                 coming
                 not
                 put
                 off
                 beyond
                 the
                 time
                 appointed
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 People
                 .
                 An
                 account
                 ,
                 why
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 read
                 these
                 clear
                 Notes
                 of
                 the
                 time
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 convinced
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Others
                 assign
                 many
                 peculiar
                 ,
                 and
                 visible
                 Notes
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 demonstratively
                 pointed
                 out
                 from
                 all
                 other
                 Men.
                 As
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 His
                 being
                 born
                 of
                 a
                 Virgin.
                 This
                 in
                 some
                 sense
                 spoken
                 of
                 a
                 Virgin
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 principally
                 of
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 only
                 fully
                 accomplished
                 ,
                 when
                 Jesus
                 came
                 .
                 This
                 cleared
                 from
                 exceptions
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 His
                 having
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 resting
                 on
                 him
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 His
                 Death
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 particular
                 manner
                 ,
                 and
                 circumstances
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 his
                 returning
                 to
                 Life
                 again
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 His
                 putting
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Sacrifices
                 and
                 Mosaick
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 bringing
                 in
                 a
                 New
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 better
                 ,
                 to
                 supply
                 its
                 defects
                 .
                 5.
                 
                 His
                 erecting
                 an
                 Universal
                 Empire
                 ,
                 and
                 appearing
                 as
                 a
                 mighty
                 King.
                 This
                 not
                 a
                 Secular
                 ,
                 but
                 Spiritual
                 Kingdom
                 .
                 6.
                 
                 His
                 converting
                 the
                 Heathen
                 World
                 ,
                 from
                 their
                 Idol-worship
                 .
                 Jesus
                 silenced
                 the
                 Oracles
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 the
                 impure
                 Spirits
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 Temples
                 .
                 This
                 an
                 Argument
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 as
                 accomplishing
                 a
                 Prediction
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 plainly
                 a
                 Divine
                 thing
                 .
                 The
                 Prophecies
                 of
                 an
                 Universal
                 Probity
                 ,
                 and
                 Peace
                 under
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 cleared
                 up
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 account
                 both
                 of
                 their
                 meaning
                 ,
                 and
                 accomplishment
                 .
                 The
                 fore-cited
                 Prophecies
                 understood
                 of
                 Messiah
                 by
                 the
                 Ancient
                 Jews
                 ,
                 though
                 denied
                 by
                 some
                 later
                 in
                 hatred
                 to
                 our
                 Jesus
                 .
                 
                   p.
                   45.
                
                 
              
               
                 
                 
                   CHAP.
                   III.
                   Proving
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                   from
                   other
                   Divine
                   Testimonies
                   .
                
              
               
                 Jesus
                 proved
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 John
                 the
                 Baptist.
                 John
                 knew
                 this
                 by
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 it
                 confirmed
                 by
                 a
                 sign
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 an
                 acknowledged
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 most
                 clear
                 and
                 currant
                 fame
                 .
                 And
                 gave
                 this
                 testimony
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 was
                 personally
                 acquainted
                 with
                 Jesus
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 Jesus
                 himself
                 .
                 Several
                 considerations
                 shewing
                 the
                 validity
                 of
                 this
                 testimony
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 were
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 case
                 .
                 This
                 not
                 impugned
                 by
                 Christ's
                 words
                 ,
                 
                   John
                   5.
                   31.
                
                 nor
                 gives
                 any
                 colour
                 or
                 advantage
                 to
                 Fanatical
                 Enthusiasts
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 From
                 his
                 Miracles
                 .
                 These
                 no
                 lying
                 wonders
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 appear
                 ,
                 because
                 shewn
                 in
                 several
                 instances
                 not
                 imitable
                 by
                 Demons
                 .
                 As
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Foretelling
                 future
                 Contingencies
                 .
                 An
                 account
                 of
                 Demon-Predictions
                 among
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Discerning
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 Thoughts
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 Raising
                 the
                 Dead
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 Casting
                 out
                 Devils
                 ,
                 of
                 most
                 stubborn
                 ranks
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 greatest
                 numbers
                 and
                 combinations
                 .
                 It
                 may
                 also
                 appear
                 from
                 their
                 intent
                 and
                 design
                 ;
                 and
                 from
                 their
                 numbers
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 working
                 them
                 .
                 No
                 opposing
                 the
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 of
                 Moses
                 against
                 Christ's
                 Miracles
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 wrought
                 to
                 set
                 aside
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Moses
                 .
                 That
                 Law
                 was
                 given
                 with
                 a
                 design
                 to
                 be
                 altered
                 .
                 
                 An
                 account
                 how
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 ,
                 several
                 of
                 its
                 Precepts
                 are
                 justly
                 called
                 Statutes
                 for
                 ever
                 .
                 5.
                 
                 From
                 the
                 testimony
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 who
                 declared
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Christ
                 by
                 audible
                 voices
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 raising
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ,
                 and
                 shewing
                 him
                 in
                 full
                 possession
                 of
                 his
                 pretences
                 .
                 
                   p.
                   96
                
              
            
             
               
                 The
                 Knowledge
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 or
                 ,
                 an
                 Explication
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Attributes
                 ,
                 and
                 Providence
                 .
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 I.
                 Of
                 the
                 Being
                 ,
                 and
                 Attributes
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 World
                 declares
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God.
                 He
                 is
                 an
                 eternal
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 on
                 whom
                 all
                 things
                 depend
                 .
                 Of
                 God's
                 Holiness
                 .
                 Several
                 things
                 explained
                 ,
                 which
                 seem
                 to
                 infringe
                 it
                 :
                 as
                 when
                 God
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 harden
                 Mens
                 hearts
                 .
                 To
                 inflict
                 Spiritual
                 blindness
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 reprobate
                 sense
                 .
                 To
                 send
                 a
                 false
                 Spirit
                 to
                 deceive
                 Ahab
                 :
                 and
                 strong
                 delusion
                 .
                 God
                 oft
                 gives
                 Men
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 delusion
                 of
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 .
                 Cautions
                 to
                 prevent
                 this
                 .
                 To
                 give
                 Men
                 a
                 Spirit
                 of
                 slumber
                 .
                 An
                 account
                 ,
                 how
                 notwithstanding
                 God's
                 irreconcileable
                 hatred
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 still
                 suffered
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 Of
                 God's
                 Goodness
                 .
                 Several
                 false
                 
                 Notions
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 In
                 what
                 things
                 it
                 chiefly
                 consists
                 .
                 Of
                 God's
                 
                   Justice
                   ,
                   or
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 This
                 shown
                 in
                 giving
                 Righteous
                 Laws
                 .
                 And
                 passing
                 Righteous
                 Judgments
                 according
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 respect
                 of
                 Persons
                 .
                 His
                 Punitive
                 Justice
                 cleared
                 from
                 misplacing
                 punishments
                 ,
                 in
                 punishing
                 one
                 for
                 another's
                 sins
                 .
                 And
                 from
                 misproportioning
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 allotting
                 eternal
                 punishments
                 ,
                 to
                 momentany
                 fins
                 .
                 Some
                 false
                 aspersions
                 on
                 this
                 just
                 God
                 wiped
                 off
                 .
                 Of
                 God's
                 
                   Presence
                   in
                   all
                   places
                
                 .
                 The
                 effect
                 of
                 this
                 .
                 Of
                 his
                 Faithfulness
                 .
                 This
                 shown
                 by
                 inviolable
                 performance
                 of
                 his
                 Promises
                 :
                 And
                 interpreting
                 them
                 without
                 evasion
                 ,
                 or
                 secret
                 reserve
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 plain
                 meanings
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 constant
                 adherence
                 to
                 his
                 Friends
                 and
                 Faithful
                 Servants
                 :
                 which
                 is
                 no
                 encouragement
                 for
                 any
                 to
                 return
                 to
                 their
                 former
                 sins
                 .
                 Of
                 God's
                 Wisdom
                 .
                 This
                 shown
                 in
                 setting
                 a
                 just
                 rate
                 and
                 estimate
                 on
                 all
                 things
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 neither
                 gained
                 ,
                 nor
                 lost
                 by
                 worthless
                 services
                 .
                 In
                 discerning
                 the
                 just
                 power
                 and
                 force
                 of
                 all
                 Means
                 ,
                 and
                 success
                 of
                 all
                 Methods
                 ;
                 which
                 should
                 beget
                 the
                 greatest
                 Reverence
                 for
                 all
                 his
                 Ordinances
                 .
                 In
                 seeing
                 the
                 best
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 seasons
                 ,
                 for
                 every
                 purpose
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 must
                 never
                 think
                 any
                 Deliverance
                 too
                 long
                 delayed
                 ,
                 or
                 Affliction
                 too
                 fast
                 hastened
                 .
                 No
                 reason
                 to
                 pretend
                 to
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 without
                 loving
                 ,
                 and
                 imitating
                 these
                 Divine
                 Excellencies
                 .
                 
                   p.
                   143
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   CHAP.
                   II.
                   Of
                   God's
                   Providence
                
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 preserves
                 all
                 things
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 .
                 And
                 governs
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 observes
                 all
                 our
                 actions
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 our
                 temptations
                 .
                 He
                 disposes
                 of
                 all
                 good
                 events
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 gives
                 the
                 fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 .
                 And
                 Children
                 .
                 And
                 success
                 in
                 business
                 .
                 How
                 this
                 should
                 influence
                 us
                 in
                 any
                 enterprize
                 ,
                 shown
                 in
                 sundry
                 particulars
                 .
                 He
                 gives
                 promotion
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 Men.
                 And
                 life
                 and
                 health
                 to
                 enjoy
                 all
                 other
                 Blessings
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 Spiritual
                 Mercies
                 .
                 He
                 disposes
                 also
                 of
                 ill
                 events
                 .
                 As
                 death
                 of
                 Friends
                 .
                 Unfortunate
                 accidents
                 ,
                 that
                 afflict
                 us
                 in
                 our
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 or
                 Goods
                 .
                 Crosses
                 ,
                 and
                 obstructions
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 designs
                 and
                 business
                 .
                 Sufferings
                 from
                 ill
                 Men.
                 How
                 God
                 stints
                 ,
                 and
                 governs
                 these
                 .
                 No
                 excuse
                 of
                 their
                 unjust
                 violence
                 ,
                 to
                 say
                 they
                 are
                 God's
                 Instruments
                 ,
                 and
                 follow
                 Providence
                 .
                 He
                 sends
                 also
                 miscarriages
                 of
                 State
                 ,
                 and
                 Government
                 :
                 and
                 presides
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 tumultuary
                 ,
                 and
                 distressed
                 times
                 .
                 In
                 these
                 ,
                 still
                 have
                 Faith
                 in
                 Providence
                 .
                 But
                 God
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 called
                 the
                 Author
                 ,
                 or
                 sender
                 of
                 th●se
                 evils
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 bring
                 down
                 upon
                 our selves
                 ,
                 by
                 our
                 own
                 faults
                 ,
                 or
                 follies
                 .
                 
                   p.
                   189
                
              
               
                 
                 
                   CHAP.
                   III.
                   Of
                   God's
                   Almightiness
                
                 .
              
               
                 God's
                 Almightiness
                 implies
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 God's
                 Might
                 and
                 Strength
                 to
                 effect
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 viz.
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 any
                 Power
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 repugnant
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Nature
                 .
                 The
                 exerting
                 this
                 Power
                 creates
                 God
                 no
                 labour
                 .
                 He
                 can
                 do
                 whatsoever
                 any
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 can
                 do
                 .
                 This
                 an
                 encouragement
                 to
                 all
                 generous
                 Enterprizes
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 build
                 on
                 Providence
                 ,
                 especially
                 where
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 Promise
                 .
                 The
                 value
                 and
                 acceptance
                 of
                 this
                 trust
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 seemingly
                 most
                 improbable
                 case
                 .
                 And
                 whatsoever
                 any
                 things
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 are
                 inclined
                 ,
                 or
                 wont
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 hinder
                 them
                 from
                 doing
                 .
                 This
                 also
                 a
                 ground
                 of
                 trust
                 in
                 God.
                 And
                 to
                 keep
                 us
                 in
                 any
                 distress
                 ,
                 from
                 flying
                 to
                 unlawful
                 aids
                 .
                 How
                 God
                 will
                 use
                 this
                 Power
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 His
                 Sovereignty
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 command
                 ,
                 and
                 order
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 This
                 includes
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Empire
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Sovereign
                 Ruler
                 .
                 What
                 things
                 God
                 may
                 command
                 .
                 The
                 unalterableness
                 of
                 some
                 commands
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Sovereign
                 Proprietor
                 .
                 In
                 what
                 cases
                 God
                 allots
                 good
                 and
                 ill
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Power
                 of
                 Prerogative
                 ,
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 Mens
                 pre-dispositions
                 .
                 Where
                 he
                 dispenses
                 Arbitrarily
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 it
                 always
                 most
                 Wisely
                 ,
                 and
                 Reasonably
                 .
                 Saving
                 Grace
                 he
                 allots
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 way
                 of
                 Arbitrary
                 Prerogative
                 ,
                 but
                 according
                 to
                 Covenant
                 Rules
                 .
                 And
                 Heaven
                 
                 and
                 Hell
                 ,
                 in
                 way
                 of
                 Legal
                 Trials
                 .
                 A
                 brief
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 Rectitude
                 of
                 God's
                 Nature
                 ,
                 which
                 limits
                 his
                 Sovereign
                 Will
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 This
                 Sovereign
                 Lord
                 and
                 Proprietor
                 an
                 All-sufficient
                 ,
                 so
                 no
                 selfish
                 Being
                 .
                 Several
                 good
                 uses
                 of
                 God's
                 Sovereign
                 Dominion
                 .
                 God's
                 Majesty
                 and
                 Almightiness
                 ,
                 must
                 beget
                 fear
                 and
                 reverence
                 .
                 
                   p.
                   232
                
              
            
          
           
             
             
               ERRATA
               .
            
             
               PAG.
               19.
               lin
               .
               12.
               for
               accepted
               ,
               read
               
                 was
                 accepted
              
               .
               p.
               34.
               l.
               29.
               for
               
                 And
                 half
                 Faith
              
               r.
               
                 An
                 half
                 Faith.
              
               p.
               36.
               l.
               13.
               for
               
                 such
                 as
                 do
              
               r.
               
                 such
                 do
              
               .
               p.
               41.
               l.
               1.
               for
               
                 of
                 sufficiency
              
               r.
               
                 of
                 the
                 sufficiency
              
               .
               p.
               70.
               l.
               24.
               for
               
                 men
                 in
                 Bethlehem
              
               ,
               r.
               
                 men
                 of
                 Bethlehem
              
               .
               p.
               113.
               l.
               17.
               for
               
                 do
                 danger
              
               ,
               r.
               
                 no
                 danger
              
               .
               p.
               150.
               l.
               15.
               for
               
                 this
                 peerless
                 Majesty
              
               ,
               r.
               
                 his
                 peerless
                 Majesty
              
               .
               p.
               154.
               l.
               7.
               for
               
                 in
                 wickedness
                 contracting
              
               ,
               r.
               
                 i●
                 wickedly
                 contracting
              
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               The
               Practical
               Believer
               .
               PART
               I.
               Of
               the
               Nature
               ,
               and
               Certainty
               of
               Christian
               Faith
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   I.
                
                 Of
                 Christian
                 Faith.
                 
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   What
                   is
                   meant
                   by
                   Faith
                   in
                   Christ.
                   When
                   this
                   suitably
                   affects
                   us
                   ,
                   it
                   justifies
                   ,
                   or
                   avails
                   to
                   Righteousness
                   .
                   An
                   account
                   of
                   several
                   particulars
                   of
                   Christian
                   Belief
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   respective
                   Affections
                   ,
                   and
                   Practices
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   suitable
                   to
                   them
                   .
                   All
                   these
                   are
                   reasonably
                   to
                   be
                   expected
                   from
                   them
                   ,
                   though
                   they
                   do
                   not
                   follow
                   ,
                   where
                   Men
                   will
                   act
                   inconsistently
                   to
                   their
                   Principles
                   ,
                   and
                   against
                   Reason
                   .
                   Faith
                   with
                   its
                   suitable
                   effects
                   ,
                   the
                   same
                   as
                   Faith
                   and
                   Repentance
                   .
                   On
                   this
                   account
                   such
                   effects
                   ascribed
                   to
                   it
                   ,
                   when
                   alone
                   ,
                   as
                   are
                   due
                   only
                   to
                   it
                   and
                   Repentance
                   in
                   conjunction
                   .
                   This
                   Faith
                   with
                   its
                   suitable
                   effects
                   ,
                   was
                   that
                   which
                   justified
                   the
                   
                   
                     Old
                     Testament
                  
                   Worthies
                   .
                   And
                   is
                   to
                   justifie
                   all
                   good
                   Christians
                   .
                   When
                   S.
                   Paul
                   opposes
                   justifying-Faith
                   to
                   the
                   Deeds
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   he
                   speaks
                   of
                   the
                   Deeds
                   of
                   the
                   Jewish
                   Law.
                   That
                   which
                   fits
                   Faith
                   for
                   these
                   effects
                   ,
                   and
                   distinguishes
                   the
                   Faith
                   of
                   Saints
                   and
                   Sinners
                   ,
                   is
                   ,
                   First
                   ,
                   The
                   sincerity
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   Its
                   strength
                   and
                   firmness
                   .
                   This
                   consists
                   in
                   its
                   being
                   assured
                   .
                   And
                   honest
                   ,
                   or
                   seated
                   in
                   one
                   that
                   makes
                   conscience
                   to
                   keep
                   his
                   word
                   .
                   And
                   resolute
                   .
                   In
                   what
                   sense
                   Faith
                   may
                   be
                   called
                   an
                   act
                   of
                   Recumbency
                   ,
                   or
                   leaning
                   and
                   rolling
                   on
                   Christ
                   for
                   Salvation
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   hand
                   ,
                   to
                   receive
                   and
                   apply
                   him
                   .
                   'T
                   is
                   no
                   part
                   of
                   Faith
                   to
                   believe
                   our
                   sins
                   are
                   pardon'd
                   ,
                   nor
                   of
                   infidelity
                   to
                   doubt
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   innocence
                   many
                   times
                   of
                   such
                   doubts
                   .
                   And
                   of
                   some
                   good
                   Mens
                   confidence
                   of
                   their
                   own
                   forgiveness
                   .
                
              
               
                 Question
                 .
                 SInce
                 Men
                 are
                 made
                 to
                 live
                 for
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 Souls
                 capable
                 of
                 Eternal
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 What
                 must
                 they
                 do
                 to
                 save
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answer
                   .
                   Believe
                   in
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 repent
                 .
                 For
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 where
                 Men
                 have
                 sinn'd
                 before
                 ,
                 is
                 call'd
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 conditions
                 of
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 one
                 thing
                 necessary
                 to
                 Salvation
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 heareth
                 my
                 word
                 ,
                 
                   says
                   our
                   Saviour
                
                 ,
                 is
                 passed
                 from
                 death
                 unto
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 not
                 come
                 into
                 condemnation
                 ,
                 
                   John
                   5.
                   24.
                
                 
                 He
                 that
                 believeth
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 baptized
                 ,
                 
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 believeth
                 not
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 damned
                 ,
                 
                   Mark
                   16.
                   16.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Will
                 all
                 Faith
                 save
                 Men
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   the
                   Devils
                
                 themselves
                 believe
                 ,
                 says
                 S.
                 James
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 But
                 the
                 saving
                 Faith
                 ,
                 is
                 only
                 that
                 which
                 suitably
                 affects
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 works
                 Repentance
                 :
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Faith
                 ,
                 being
                 necessary
                 to
                 Eternal
                 Happiness
                 .
              
               
                 Quest
                 Since
                 Faith
                 is
                 in
                 it self
                 one
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 our
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 and
                 instrumental
                 also
                 to
                 work
                 the
                 Rest
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 understand
                 well
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 a
                 saving
                 Faith
                 differs
                 from
                 other
                 sorts
                 of
                 Faith.
                 Pray
                 what
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   Christ
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 In
                 general
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 
                   the
                   believing
                   all
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   declared
                   to
                   us
                   by
                   Christ
                   :
                
                 and
                 sometimes
                 more
                 particularly
                 
                   some
                   things
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   declared
                   of
                   him
                   .
                
                 The
                 
                   believing
                   what
                   is
                   said
                   by
                   him
                   ,
                
                 is
                 called
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 Authority
                 and
                 Credit
                 is
                 the
                 Ground
                 ,
                 and
                 Reason
                 of
                 our
                 Belief
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 
                   believing
                   things
                   said
                   of
                   him
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 himself
                 is
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 this
                 belief
                 suitably
                 affects
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 so
                 resolve
                 ,
                 and
                 practise
                 thereupon
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 reasonably
                 expected
                 from
                 Persons
                 under
                 such
                 Persuasions
                 ,
                 then
                 is
                 it
                 imputed
                 to
                 us
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 believing
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 declared
                 to
                 us
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 giving
                 trust
                 and
                 credit
                 to
                 his
                 Word
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 intimate
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 call
                 it
                 faith
                 †
                 
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 
                 his
                 Teaching
                 and
                 Directing
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 sometimes
                 in
                 the
                 Original
                 ,
                 faith
                 *
                 
                   to
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 him
                 testifying
                 and
                 declaring
                 ;
                 and
                 Faith
                 or
                 
                   belief
                   of
                   the
                
                 †
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   of
                   the
                
                 *
                 truth
                 ,
                 the
                 Gospel
                 being
                 that
                 Word
                 of
                 truth
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 on
                 his
                 Credit
                 and
                 Authority
                 ,
                 he
                 testifies
                 and
                 declares
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 Faith
                 or
                 Belief
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 is
                 expressed
                 in
                 Scripture
                 by
                 these
                 several
                 Phrases
                 ,
                 of
                 †
                 
                   hearing
                   and
                   receiving
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 of
                 *
                 
                   receiving
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 of
                 †
                 
                   receiving
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 of
                 *
                 
                   receiving
                   the
                   testimony
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 of
                 †
                 
                   coming
                   unto
                   Christ.
                
                 All
                 which
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 evident
                 from
                 the
                 places
                 alledged
                 ,
                 being
                 made
                 only
                 so
                 many
                 other
                 words
                 for
                 believing
                 ,
                 show
                 plainly
                 that
                 Faith
                 or
                 Belief
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 crediting
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 assenting
                 to
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 declared
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 Which
                 declarations
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 surer
                 derivation
                 to
                 After-times
                 ,
                 were
                 all
                 put
                 in
                 Writing
                 by
                 his
                 Holy
                 Apostles
                 and
                 Evangelists
                 before
                 their
                 Deaths
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 all
                 contain'd
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 if
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 be
                 a
                 
                   belief
                   of
                   Christ's
                   word
                
                 ,
                 it
                 plainly
                 implies
                 hearing
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   receiving
                   it
                
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 Word
                 being
                 sent
                 down
                 to
                 us
                 by
                 him
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 receiving
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 
                   receiving
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 and
                 believing
                 it
                 on
                 
                 Christ's
                 Authority
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   receiving
                   his
                   testimony
                
                 .
                 But
                 how
                 do
                 the
                 two
                 other
                 Phrases
                 ,
                 of
                 
                   receiving
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   coming
                   unto
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 shew
                 the
                 Faith
                 they
                 denote
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 belief
                 of
                 his
                 Word
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 To
                 
                   receive
                   one
                
                 ,
                 notes
                 different
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 apply'd
                 to
                 different
                 cases
                 .
                 Men
                 receive
                 a
                 Guest
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 entertain
                 him
                 in
                 their
                 Houses
                 ;
                 a
                 Ruler
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 become
                 his
                 subjects
                 ;
                 a
                 Friend
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 admit
                 him
                 to
                 intimacies
                 ;
                 but
                 a
                 Prophet
                 and
                 Teacher
                 ,
                 under
                 which
                 notion
                 Christ
                 claims
                 belief
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 
                   credit
                   his
                   Doctrine
                   and
                   Message
                
                 .
                 And
                 because
                 they
                 who
                 thus
                 believ'd
                 him
                 ,
                 came
                 personally
                 to
                 attend
                 and
                 learn
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 associated
                 themselves
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 that
                 retain'd
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 followed
                 him
                 ;
                 therefore
                 was
                 this
                 belief
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 literal
                 sense
                 ,
                 
                   a
                   coming
                   to
                   him
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 signifie
                 also
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 the
                 believing
                 some
                 things
                 concerning
                 Christ
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 too
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 beget
                 trust
                 ,
                 and
                 confidence
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 so
                 ,
                 though
                 
                   the
                   Devils
                
                 know
                 and
                 believe
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 all
                 Christ
                 has
                 declared
                 ,
                 yet
                 S.
                 James
                 says
                 they
                 want
                 the
                 right
                 Faith
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 only
                 tremble
                 at
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 cannot
                 hope
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 ,
                 that
                 ever
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 them
                 any
                 good
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 are
                 we
                 thus
                 particularly
                 to
                 believe
                 concerning
                 Christ
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Not
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 general
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 or
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 for
                 professing
                 whereof
                 S.
                 Peter
                 was
                 pronounced
                 Blessed
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 16.
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 but
                 also
                 particularly
                 ,
                 to
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 
                   died
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 to
                 reconcile
                 us
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 especially
                 called
                 
                   faith
                   in
                   his
                   blood
                
                 ,
                 Ro.
                 3.
                 25.
                 
                 
                 That
                 he
                 
                   rose
                   again
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                
                 ,
                 which
                 whoso
                 
                   believes
                   in
                   his
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 says
                 S.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   saved
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 ascended
                 into
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 seated
                 on
                 the
                 right
                 Hand
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 there
                 to
                 intercede
                 and
                 mediate
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 till
                 at
                 last
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 again
                 to
                 judge
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 eternally
                 reward
                 or
                 punish
                 all
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 their
                 lives
                 have
                 been
                 good
                 or
                 bad
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 I
                 perceive
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 believing
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 things
                 contained
                 therein
                 ,
                 concerning
                 God
                 ,
                 our Selves
                 ,
                 or
                 another
                 World
                 ,
                 upon
                 
                 Christ's
                 Authority
                 .
                 And
                 particularly
                 ,
                 believing
                 what
                 he
                 therein
                 declares
                 concerning
                 his
                 being
                 the
                 Christ
                 and
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 died
                 ,
                 ro●e
                 again
                 ,
                 ascended
                 to
                 God's
                 right
                 Hand
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 return
                 again
                 to
                 judge
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 also
                 expressed
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 to
                 expiate
                 sins
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 reconciled
                 to
                 Sinners
                 upon
                 their
                 true
                 Repentance
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 upon
                 profession
                 whereof
                 the
                 Apostles
                 at
                 first
                 enter'd
                 Men
                 as
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 S.
                 Peter
                 without
                 more
                 ado
                 
                   Baptizing
                   the
                   three
                   thousand
                   that
                   gladly
                   receiv'd
                   the
                   Word
                   ,
                
                 wherein
                 he
                 had
                 declared
                 to
                 them
                 these
                 very
                 things
                 ,
                 Act.
                 2.
                 41.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
                 ever
                 since
                 admitting
                 them
                 to
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 upon
                 their
                 professing
                 Faith
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   Creed
                
                 ,
                 which
                 contains
                 the
                 same
                 particulars
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 perceive
                 what
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 is
                 .
                 Pray
                 what
                 wants
                 this
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 saving
                 and
                 available
                 unto
                 Righteousness
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Only
                 that
                 it
                 suitably
                 affect
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 work
                 in
                 us
                 such
                 Godly
                 Affections
                 ,
                 Purposes
                 ,
                 and
                 Practices
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 justly
                 be
                 expected
                 from
                 Men
                 of
                 such
                 persuasions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Pray
                 what
                 are
                 these
                 suitable
                 affections
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 They
                 will
                 best
                 appear
                 ,
                 by
                 running
                 over
                 briefly
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 chief
                 of
                 those
                 particulars
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 believe
                 on
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 are
                 to
                 produce
                 them
                 in
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 that
                 
                   God
                   is
                   our
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 who
                 at
                 first
                 made
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 preserves
                 ,
                 and
                 provides
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 with
                 Paternal
                 care
                 and
                 tenderness
                 .
                 How
                 must
                 this
                 affect
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 With
                 Love
                 ,
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 dutiful
                 Obedience
                 .
                 
                   If
                   I
                   be
                   a
                   Father
                   ,
                   where
                   is
                   my
                   honour
                   ?
                
                 Mal.
                 1.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 infinite
                 in
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Almighty
                 in
                 Power
                 ,
                 able
                 ,
                 and
                 ready
                 as
                 to
                 con●er
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 desirable
                 on
                 those
                 that
                 fear
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 inflict
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 dreadful
                 on
                 those
                 that
                 affront
                 him
                 .
                 What
                 should
                 this
                 beget
                 in
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Reverence
                 ,
                 and
                 godly
                 fear
                 .
                 Fear
                 him
                 ▪
                 who
                 when
                 he
                 hath
                 killed
                 ,
                 hath
                 Power
                 to
                 cast
                 both
                 Body
                 and
                 Soul
                 into
                 Hell
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 unto
                 you
                 fear
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Luk.
                   12.
                   5.
                   
                   &
                   Matth.
                   10.
                   28.
                   
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 be●ieve
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 perfectly
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 most
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 Just
                 ,
                 and
                 True
                 ,
                 and
                 Faithful
                 ,
                 and
                 Merciful
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 Patient
                 ,
                 and
                 pleased
                 only
                 with
                 what
                 is
                 so
                 .
                 How
                 ought
                 we
                 in
                 reason
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 influenced
                 by
                 this
                 belief
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Made
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 Righteous
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 like
                 him
                 the
                 Supreme
                 Object
                 of
                 all
                 imitation
                 ,
                 and
                 find
                 favour
                 in
                 his
                 Eyes
                 .
                 
                   If
                   we
                   know
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   Righteous
                   ,
                   we
                   know
                   that
                   every
                   one
                   that
                   doth
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   is
                   born
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Jo.
                 2.
                 29.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 his
                 Providence
                 orders
                 all
                 events
                 .
                 What
                 should
                 we
                 do
                 upon
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Be
                 content
                 under
                 all
                 that
                 happens
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Holy
                 
                   Psalmist
                   ,
                   I
                   opened
                   not
                   my
                   mouth
                   ,
                   because
                   thou
                   didst
                   it
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 39.
                 9.
                 or
                 ,
                 as
                 old
                 
                   Eli
                   ,
                   It
                   is
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   do
                   what
                   seemeth
                   him
                   good
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Sam.
                 3.
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 Providence
                 
                   will
                   never
                   leave
                   ,
                   nor
                   forsake
                
                 those
                 that
                 fear
                 God
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 5.
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 make
                 all
                 the
                 evil
                 they
                 meet
                 with
                 here
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   work
                   for
                   their
                   good
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 28.
                 
                 That
                 
                   the
                   desire
                   of
                   the
                   Righteous
                   shall
                   be
                   granted
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 10.
                 24.
                 
                 
                   That
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   want
                   any
                   good
                   thing
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 34.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 
                   seek
                   first
                   the
                   kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   all
                   other
                   things
                   shall
                   be
                   added
                
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 their
                 being
                 solicitous
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 6.
                 33
                 ,
                 34.
                 
                 What
                 would
                 one
                 in
                 reason
                 expect
                 ,
                 from
                 Men
                 so
                 persuaded
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   That
                   they
                   trust
                   in
                   the
                   living
                   God
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Tim.
                 6.
                 17.
                 that
                 they
                 lay
                 aside
                 all
                 distracting
                 solicitude
                 ,
                 and
                 tho●ghtfulness
                 for
                 outward
                 things
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 6.
                 25
                 ,
                 31
                 ,
                 34.
                 
                 That
                 they
                 
                   be
                   careful
                   for
                   nothing
                
                 ,
                 but
                 making
                 their
                 case
                 known
                 to
                 
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   cast
                   all
                   their
                   care
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   who
                   careth
                   for
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 4.
                 6.
                 
                 &
                 1
                 Pet.
                 5.
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 forget
                 his
                 word
                 ,
                 although
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 it
                 be
                 long
                 delaied
                 ,
                 but
                 remember
                 it
                 faithfully
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 give
                 it
                 effect
                 .
                 What
                 should
                 this
                 work
                 in
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   Patience
                
                 and
                 Perseverance
                 of
                 Hope
                 ,
                 whereof
                 all
                 
                   have
                   need
                   ,
                   that
                   after
                   they
                   have
                   done
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   they
                   may
                   receive
                   the
                   Promise
                   :
                
                 It
                 being
                 God's
                 way
                 ,
                 for
                 some
                 time
                 to
                 exercise
                 Mens
                 Faith
                 of
                 a
                 Promise
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 accomplish
                 it
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 36
                 ,
                 37.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 fulfil
                 it
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 most
                 improbable
                 ,
                 and
                 unlike
                 to
                 take
                 effect
                 ,
                 there
                 
                   being
                   no
                   word
                   impossible
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 1.
                 37.
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 it
                 .
                 What
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 To
                 beget
                 in
                 us
                 a
                 firm
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 unshaken
                 confidence
                 in
                 his
                 Promise
                 :
                 such
                 as
                 
                 Abraham's
                 was
                 ,
                 for
                 having
                 a
                 Child
                 ,
                 when
                 both
                 He
                 and
                 his
                 Wife
                 were
                 
                   past
                   Age
                
                 for
                 Children
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 having
                 a
                 numerous
                 Issue
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 at
                 Gods
                 command
                 he
                 was
                 just
                 about
                 to
                 slay
                 him
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 &
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 for
                 
                 Christ's
                 sake
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 good
                 things
                 to
                 those
                 ,
                 that
                 seek
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 if
                 
                   they
                   ask
                   ,
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 7.
                 7.
                 
                 What
                 should
                 follow
                 upon
                 this
                 opinion
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Prayer
                 and
                 Devotion
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 whatsoever
                 Temporal
                 ,
                 or
                 Spiritual
                 Blessings
                 Men
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 ,
                 they
                 should
                 seek
                 to
                 
                 God
                 the
                 Author
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 the
                 procurer
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 that
                 Jesus
                 is
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Christ
                 that
                 was
                 to
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 World.
                 What
                 would
                 any
                 serious
                 ,
                 and
                 considerate
                 Man
                 do
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 so
                 persuaded
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Confide
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 worship
                 and
                 submit
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 most
                 just
                 Object
                 of
                 our
                 Homage
                 ,
                 Trust
                 ,
                 and
                 Adoration
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 this
                 same
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 our
                 Lord.
                 What
                 should
                 he
                 in
                 reason
                 do
                 ,
                 who
                 believes
                 and
                 professes
                 that
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Keep
                 his
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 and
                 observe
                 his
                 Orders
                 .
                 For
                 
                   why
                   call
                   ye
                   me
                   Lord
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   do
                   not
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   I
                   say
                   ?
                
                 Luke
                 6.
                 46.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 came
                 down
                 from
                 Heaven
                 in
                 love
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 restore
                 us
                 to
                 God's
                 Favour
                 ,
                 and
                 Eternal
                 Happiness
                 .
                 What
                 would
                 any
                 ingenuous
                 Person
                 do
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 convinced
                 of
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Love
                 him
                 most
                 dearly
                 that
                 so
                 loved
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 thank
                 him
                 most
                 heartily
                 ,
                 and
                 intirely
                 ,
                 for
                 having
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 suffered
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 our
                 sakes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 his
                 dying
                 so
                 painful
                 and
                 ignominious
                 a
                 Death
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 any
                 ill
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 at
                 last
                 they
                 will
                 bring
                 us
                 to
                 Eternal
                 Death
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 What
                 can
                 be
                 expected
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 have
                 this
                 persuasion
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Irreconcileably
                 to
                 hate
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 repent
                 and
                 sin
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 lest
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 ●eel
                 the
                 same
                 at
                 last
                 intolerably
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 too
                 without
                 all
                 hopes
                 of
                 remedy
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 Persons
                 .
                 We
                 must
                 
                   die
                   to
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 says
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 
                   died
                   for
                   it
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 6
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 
                   we
                   judge
                
                 that
                 
                   he
                   died
                   for
                   us
                
                 ,
                 his
                 love
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 our
                 own
                 danger
                 ,
                 will
                 constrain
                 us
                 
                   not
                   to
                   live
                   unto
                   our selves
                   ,
                   but
                   unto
                   him
                   that
                   died
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 in
                 Heaven
                 at
                 God's
                 right
                 Hand
                 to
                 present
                 our
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 intercede
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 procure
                 whatsoever
                 we
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 .
                 What
                 effect
                 ought
                 this
                 to
                 have
                 upon
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Make
                 us
                 look
                 up
                 to
                 him
                 with
                 affiance
                 in
                 his
                 Patronage
                 ,
                 and
                 apply
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 him
                 with
                 confidence
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 distresses
                 .
                 
                   Having
                   such
                   an
                   high-priest
                   now
                   passed
                   into
                   the
                   heavens
                   ,
                
                 says
                 the
                 
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   let
                   us
                   come
                   boldly
                   unto
                   the
                   throne
                   of
                   grace
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 by
                 his
                 Death
                 he
                 purchased
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 Heaven
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 taking
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 preparing
                 Mansions
                 of
                 Eternal
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 such
                 holy
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 ,
                 by
                 purity
                 of
                 heart
                 and
                 life
                 ,
                 are
                 fit
                 to
                 partake
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 delight
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 What
                 must
                 every
                 Man
                 of
                 this
                 belief
                 do
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 true
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 sentiments
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Purifie
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 meet
                 to
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 and
                 qualified
                 to
                 relish
                 the
                 immaculate
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 of
                 that
                 pure
                 ,
                 and
                 spotless
                 Place
                 .
                 
                   Every
                   man
                   ,
                   that
                   hath
                   this
                   hope
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                   purifies
                   himself
                   ,
                   even
                   as
                   he
                   is
                   pure
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Jo.
                 3.
                 3.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 the
                 
                   last
                   day
                   Christ
                   will
                   judge
                   all
                   men
                   according
                   to
                   their
                   deeds
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 10.
                 
                 Eternally
                 rewarding
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 truly
                 Pious
                 ,
                 Humble
                 ,
                 Temperate
                 ,
                 Just
                 ,
                 True
                 ,
                 and
                 Peaceable
                 ;
                 and
                 eternally
                 condemning
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 otherwise
                 .
                 What
                 should
                 every
                 Person
                 do
                 in
                 common
                 care
                 and
                 prudence
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 fully
                 persuaded
                 of
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Faithfully
                 serve
                 and
                 fear
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 call
                 him
                 to
                 this
                 strict
                 account
                 .
                 He
                 should
                 
                   be
                   sober
                   ,
                   and
                   watch
                   unto
                   prayer
                   ,
                
                 1.
                 
                 Pet.
                 4.
                 5
                 ,
                 7.
                 and
                 
                   be
                   temperate
                   in
                   all
                   things
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 9.
                 25.
                 and
                 
                   owe
                   nothing
                   ,
                   but
                   love
                   ,
                   to
                   any
                   man
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 13.
                 8.
                 and
                 
                   follow
                   peace
                   with
                   all
                   men
                   ,
                   and
                   holiness
                
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 no
                 
                   man
                   shall
                   see
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 assist
                 us
                 in
                 every
                 good
                 act
                 ,
                 and
                 help
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 use
                 his
                 aid
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 Holy
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 requires
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 .
                 What
                 would
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 seriously
                 attend
                 to
                 this
                 belief
                 ,
                 do
                 upon
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Obey
                 his
                 motions
                 ,
                 and
                 concur
                 with
                 his
                 assistances
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 wilfully
                 do
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 forfeit
                 the
                 aid
                 and
                 influence
                 ,
                 of
                 so
                 desireable
                 ,
                 and
                 Divine
                 a
                 Guest
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 .
                 Have
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 use
                 Grace
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   you
                   may
                   serve
                   God
                   acceptably
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 28.
                 
                 
                   Work
                   out
                   your
                   own
                   salvation
                   ,
                   for
                   it
                   is
                   God
                   that
                   worketh
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 and
                 
                   grieve
                   not
                   the
                   Holy
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 believe
                 the
                 communion
                 of
                 Saints
                 ,
                 which
                 implies
                 an
                 obedient
                 submission
                 and
                 adherence
                 to
                 our
                 common
                 Rulers
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 particularly
                 a
                 communion
                 in
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 .
                 What
                 would
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 Men
                 expect
                 ,
                 from
                 a
                 Person
                 of
                 this
                 belief
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 To
                 keep
                 the
                 unity
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 frequent
                 the
                 publick
                 †
                 Assemblies
                 ,
                 where
                 these
                 Saints
                 are
                 to
                 meet
                 ,
                 and
                 unite
                 in
                 all
                 Divine
                 Offices
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 to
                 name
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 these
                 Points
                 of
                 Belief
                 already
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 if
                 duly
                 attended
                 to
                 ,
                 would
                 influence
                 and
                 act
                 on
                 all
                 serious
                 embracers
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 into
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 godly
                 Fear
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 rest
                 contented
                 in
                 all
                 estates
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 God
                 with
                 all
                 Futurities
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 affiance
                 in
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 greatest
                 Difficulties
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 patience
                 and
                 perseverance
                 under
                 the
                 most
                 tedious
                 Delays
                 ,
                 and
                 purifie
                 their
                 Hearts
                 and
                 Lives
                 ,
                 and
                 render
                 them
                 universally
                 Righteous
                 as
                 God
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 them
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 Humble
                 ,
                 and
                 Temperate
                 ,
                 and
                 Just
                 ,
                 and
                 Peaceable
                 ,
                 thereby
                 to
                 come
                 off
                 well
                 at
                 the
                 Great
                 Day
                 of
                 Accounts
                 .
                 It
                 would
                 cause
                 them
                 to
                 love
                 ,
                 honour
                 ,
                 and
                 obey
                 their
                 Saviour
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 repent
                 truly
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 them
                 upon
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Devotions
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 unity
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Publick
                 Assemblies
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 encourage
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 joyn
                 therewith
                 their
                 best
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 all
                 which
                 are
                 only
                 the
                 forecited
                 particulars
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 where
                 a
                 belief
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 is
                 ,
                 these
                 fruits
                 may
                 reasonably
                 be
                 expected
                 
                 from
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 naturally
                 follow
                 on
                 such
                 apprehensions
                 ,
                 and
                 accordingly
                 are
                 ascribed
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 intended
                 to
                 result
                 from
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 as
                 it
                 appears
                 in
                 these
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 suppose
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 made
                 appear
                 ,
                 how
                 we
                 are
                 led
                 on
                 by
                 some
                 Points
                 of
                 Belief
                 ,
                 to
                 every
                 other
                 Point
                 of
                 Practice
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 It
                 might
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 judge
                 these
                 to
                 be
                 abundantly
                 enough
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 although
                 all
                 among
                 us
                 profess
                 to
                 believe
                 these
                 Principles
                 ,
                 yet
                 are
                 few
                 thus
                 affected
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 influenced
                 thereby
                 into
                 these
                 practices
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Too
                 true
                 ,
                 alas
                 !
                 But
                 therein
                 they
                 act
                 most
                 unreasonably
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 false
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 persuasions
                 .
                 Whereas
                 ,
                 if
                 a
                 Man
                 has
                 a
                 real
                 belief
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 both
                 attend
                 or
                 dwell
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 true
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 following
                 on
                 whither
                 it
                 leads
                 him
                 ;
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 natural
                 tendency
                 ,
                 and
                 according
                 to
                 all
                 reason
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 affect
                 and
                 influence
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 has
                 been
                 declared
                 .
                 From
                 this
                 Faith
                 ,
                 such
                 Fruits
                 are
                 reasonably
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 ;
                 though
                 where
                 Men
                 act
                 out
                 of
                 reason
                 ,
                 and
                 either
                 forget
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 to
                 gratifie
                 some
                 unlawful
                 lusts
                 ,
                 are
                 wilfully
                 false
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 opinions
                 ,
                 no
                 such
                 things
                 will
                 follow
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 Faith
                 be
                 such
                 a
                 sertile
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 apt
                 to
                 usher
                 in
                 all
                 others
                 ;
                 though
                 it
                 be
                 but
                 one
                 in
                 the
                 Root
                 and
                 Cause
                 ,
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 Fruit
                 and
                 Effect
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 all
                 Virtues
                 .
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 .
                 What
                 in
                 
                   Nature
                   ,
                   Pleasure
                
                 and
                 Pain
                 are
                 among
                 the
                 Passions
                 ;
                 that
                 in
                 
                   Religion
                   ,
                   Faith
                
                 is
                 among
                 the
                 Graces
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 Source
                 ,
                 Root
                 ,
                 and
                 Ground-work
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 only
                 its
                 different
                 expressions
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 its
                 various
                 Aspects
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 looks
                 several
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 conversant
                 about
                 several
                 Objects
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 Pleasure
                 ,
                 simply
                 offer'd
                 and
                 apprehended
                 ,
                 begets
                 Love
                 ;
                 if
                 offer'd
                 as
                 absent
                 ,
                 especially
                 as
                 remote
                 ,
                 it
                 turns
                 Desire
                 ;
                 if
                 as
                 attainable
                 ,
                 chiefly
                 when
                 that
                 attainment
                 seems
                 near
                 ,
                 it
                 becomes
                 Hope
                 ;
                 if
                 as
                 attainable
                 surely
                 ,
                 Confidence
                 :
                 and
                 as
                 Pain
                 doth
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Passions
                 opposite
                 :
                 So
                 Faith
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 observ'd
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 of
                 God's
                 Precepts
                 ,
                 turns
                 Obedience
                 ;
                 when
                 of
                 his
                 Threatnings
                 ,
                 Fear
                 and
                 holy
                 Awe
                 ;
                 when
                 of
                 his
                 Promises
                 ,
                 Hope
                 and
                 Trust
                 ;
                 when
                 the
                 things
                 promised
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 sought
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 becomes
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Devotions
                 ;
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 delaied
                 ,
                 Patience
                 and
                 Perseverance
                 ;
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 bestow'd
                 and
                 receiv'd
                 ,
                 Thankfulness
                 ;
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 it
                 turns
                 Contentedness
                 ;
                 when
                 of
                 the
                 horrible
                 nature
                 and
                 effects
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 Repentance
                 ;
                 when
                 of
                 the
                 spotless
                 rewards
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 World
                 ,
                 purification
                 of
                 our
                 Hearts
                 and
                 Lives
                 ;
                 when
                 of
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 universal
                 Innocence
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 stand
                 the
                 trial
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 when
                 of
                 God's
                 Purity
                 and
                 Perfection
                 ,
                 Imitation
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 being
                 Righteous
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 ;
                 when
                 of
                 Christ
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 keeping
                 the
                 Commandments
                 ;
                 when
                 
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 assistances
                 ,
                 godly
                 Care
                 and
                 good
                 Endeavours
                 ;
                 when
                 of
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 Saints
                 ,
                 keeping
                 Unity
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 attending
                 Publick
                 Ordinances
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 according
                 to
                 several
                 objects
                 ,
                 and
                 occasions
                 ,
                 this
                 one
                 Principle
                 of
                 Faith
                 transforms
                 it self
                 into
                 all
                 shapes
                 ,
                 and
                 becomes
                 all
                 Duties
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 all
                 therefore
                 ascribed
                 to
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 As
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 
                   to
                   quench
                   the
                   ●●ery
                   darts
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 6.
                 16.
                 
                   to
                   overcome
                   the
                   world
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Jo.
                 5.
                 4.
                 
                   to
                   puri●ie
                   the
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 15.
                 9.
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Grand
                 Parent
                 of
                 all
                 Righteous
                 doings
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 therefore
                 called
                 an
                 obedience
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   righteousness
                   of
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 11
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 16.
                 26.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 good
                 deeds
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 Men
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 
                   Noah
                   ,
                   Abraham
                   ,
                   Moses
                   ,
                   Daniel
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 are
                 attributed
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 from
                 this
                 effecting
                 all
                 Virtues
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 stands
                 adorn'd
                 with
                 all
                 Privileges
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 such
                 Promises
                 are
                 made
                 to
                 it
                 when
                 named
                 alone
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 due
                 only
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 others
                 in
                 conjunction
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 that
                 thereby
                 we
                 are
                 
                   the
                   children
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 3.
                 26.
                 and
                 
                   abide
                   in
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 24.
                 and
                 have
                 
                   Christ
                   dwelling
                   in
                   us
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 
                   justifies
                   us
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 1.
                 
                   makes
                   us
                   righteous
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 10.
                 gains
                 
                   the
                   remission
                   of
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 25.
                 saves
                 us
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 24.
                 
                 All
                 which
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 manifestly
                 require
                 Repentance
                 and
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 are
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 places
                 cited
                 ascribed
                 to
                 Faith
                 ,
                 because
                 ,
                 as
                 opportunity
                 serves
                 ,
                 and
                 objects
                 call
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 productive
                 of
                 them
                 both
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 fully
                 shewed
                 what
                 are
                 those
                 suitable
                 affections
                 ,
                 which
                 Faith
                 is
                 to
                 work
                 in
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 thereby
                 I
                 perceive
                 plainly
                 ,
                 that
                 Faith
                 with
                 its
                 suitable
                 effects
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 other
                 words
                 ,
                 with
                 Faith
                 and
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 which
                 at
                 first
                 you
                 said
                 was
                 the
                 way
                 for
                 Men
                 to
                 save
                 their
                 Souls
                 .
                 But
                 will
                 not
                 Faith
                 save
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 imputed
                 unto
                 us
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 till
                 we
                 are
                 thus
                 affected
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 act
                 according
                 to
                 our
                 persuasions
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 without
                 this
                 it
                 did
                 not
                 save
                 good
                 Men
                 in
                 old
                 Times
                 ,
                 nor
                 will
                 now
                 save
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 
                   Old
                   Testament
                
                 Worthies
                 ,
                 both
                 before
                 the
                 Flood
                 and
                 after
                 ,
                 were
                 accounted
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 saved
                 by
                 their
                 Faith
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Scripture
                 †
                 testifies
                 .
                 But
                 was
                 not
                 Faith
                 accepted
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 unless
                 it
                 thus
                 influenced
                 and
                 affected
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 plain
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 particular
                 accounts
                 of
                 those
                 Worthies
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Pray
                 make
                 that
                 out
                 in
                 instances
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 clear
                 proof
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   First
                   ,
                   Noah
                   became
                   Heir
                   of
                   the
                   Righteousness
                   by
                   Faith
                   ,
                
                 by
                 believing
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 sinful
                 and
                 secure
                 Generation
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 bring
                 the
                 general
                 Flood
                 upon
                 the
                 World.
                 But
                 that
                 was
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 fear'd
                 ,
                 and
                 acted
                 as
                 one
                 so
                 persuaded
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   being
                   moved
                   with
                   fear
                   ,
                   prepared
                   an
                   Ark
                   at
                   God's
                   command
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   saving
                   his
                
                 own
                 house
                 from
                 it
                 .
                 
                   By
                   which
                
                 Fear
                 ,
                 and
                 preparation
                 of
                 the
                 Ark
                 upon
                 his
                 Faith
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 notes
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   condemned
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   and
                   became
                   heir
                   of
                   the
                   Righteousness
                   which
                   is
                   by
                   faith
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 
                 ●
                 .
              
               
               
                 
                   Again
                   ,
                   Moses
                
                 was
                 accepted
                 ,
                 for
                 believing
                 the
                 poor
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 then
                 all
                 oppressed
                 slaves
                 in
                 Egypt
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 the
                 
                   People
                   of
                   God.
                
                 But
                 that
                 was
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 pursuance
                 of
                 that
                 belief
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   refused
                   to
                   be
                   called
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   Pharaoh's
                   Daughter
                   ,
                
                 the
                 greatest
                 Honour
                 and
                 Worldly
                 good
                 he
                 had
                 in
                 Egypt
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   chose
                   rather
                
                 to
                 side
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   bear
                   affliction
                   with
                   them
                
                 .
                 Yea
                 further
                 ,
                 as
                 at
                 God's
                 command
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 confidence
                 of
                 his
                 Presence
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   forsook
                   Egypt
                   ,
                   not
                   fearing
                   the
                   wrath
                   of
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                
                 who
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 must
                 needs
                 think
                 ,
                 would
                 be
                 most
                 highly
                 incensed
                 at
                 his
                 carrying
                 away
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 Body
                 of
                 a
                 Laborious
                 ,
                 and
                 Drudging
                 People
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 His
                 Faith
                 is
                 also
                 cried
                 up
                 ▪
                 for
                 believing
                 God
                 would
                 
                   pass
                   over
                
                 all
                 the
                 Houses
                 of
                 the
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 went
                 to
                 
                   slay
                   all
                   the
                   first-born
                
                 among
                 the
                 Egyptians
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 acceptance
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 notes
                 ,
                 was
                 as
                 through
                 that
                 Faith
                 he
                 obey'd
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   keep
                   the
                   Passover
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   sprinkling
                   of
                   blood
                   upon
                   the
                   lintel
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   two
                   side
                   posts
                
                 of
                 their
                 Doors
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 the
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 *
                 token
                 of
                 their
                 being
                 preserv'd
                 ,
                 verse
                 28.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 celebrated
                 ,
                 lastly
                 ,
                 for
                 believing
                 God's
                 †
                 Promise
                 to
                 
                   divide
                   the
                   waters
                   of
                   the
                   red
                   sea
                   ,
                
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 stand
                 as
                 a
                 Wall
                 on
                 either
                 side
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 was
                 passed
                 over
                 .
                 But
                 all
                 the
                 Praise
                 of
                 this
                 belief
                 ,
                 was
                 as
                 in
                 virtue
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 ventur'd
                 himself
                 and
                 People
                 ,
                 betwixt
                 those
                 Mountains
                 of
                 Water
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   passed
                   through
                   as
                   if
                   it
                   had
                   been
                   dry
                   land
                   ,
                
                 as
                 God
                 directed
                 ,
                 verse
                 29.
                 
              
               
               
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Harlot
                   Rahab
                
                 was
                 preserv'd
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 and
                 justified
                 as
                 S.
                 James
                 says
                 ,
                 for
                 believing
                 that
                 the
                 *
                 
                   God
                   of
                   Israel
                
                 was
                 
                   stronger
                   than
                   all
                   Gods
                
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 
                   given
                   Jericho
                   to
                   the
                   Israelites
                
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 expresly
                 told
                 ,
                 was
                 only
                 as
                 in
                 pursuance
                 of
                 that
                 belief
                 ,
                 she
                 turn'd
                 to
                 that
                 side
                 ,
                 which
                 she
                 saw
                 God
                 espoused
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   concealed
                   the
                   spies
                   ,
                   and
                   sent
                   them
                   away
                   in
                   peace
                   ,
                
                 James
                 2.
                 25.
                 
                 &
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 
                 3●
                 .
              
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 †
                 
                   dwelt
                   in
                   Mesopotamia
                
                 ,
                 accepted
                 for
                 believing
                 ,
                 that
                 *
                 
                   God
                   would
                   give
                   him
                   another
                   land
                   ,
                   wherein
                   he
                   should
                   grow
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   great
                   nation
                   .
                
                 But
                 that
                 was
                 ,
                 when
                 in
                 vertue
                 of
                 that
                 belief
                 ,
                 
                   at
                   God's
                   command
                   he
                   left
                   his
                   own
                   country
                   ,
                
                 and
                 obey'd
                 to
                 
                   wander
                   ,
                   not
                   knowing
                   whither
                   he
                   went
                   ,
                
                 in
                 search
                 of
                 that
                 Seat
                 and
                 Inheritance
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 had
                 chosen
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 8.
                 
                 He
                 was
                 especially
                 justified
                 for
                 believing
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 promised
                 *
                 to
                 
                   make
                   his
                   Son
                   Isaac
                   a
                   numerous
                   ,
                   and
                   blessed
                   people
                   .
                
                 But
                 this
                 was
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 Power
                 of
                 that
                 Faith
                 he
                 stuck
                 at
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 God's
                 command
                 readily
                 
                   offered
                   him
                   up
                   when
                   he
                   was
                   tried
                   ,
                   accounting
                   that
                   God
                   was
                   able
                   to
                   raise
                   him
                   up
                   ,
                   even
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                
                 to
                 verifie
                 that
                 Promise
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 17
                 ,
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 His
                 
                   offering
                   up
                   Isaac
                
                 in
                 virtue
                 of
                 that
                 Faith
                 ,
                 
                   fulfilled
                   that
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   which
                   saith
                   ,
                   Abraham
                   believed
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   was
                   imputed
                   to
                   him
                   for
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                
                 as
                 S.
                 James
                 saith
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 21
                 ,
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 plainly
                 from
                 these
                 instances
                 ,
                 that
                 Faith
                 when
                 it
                 had
                 these
                 suitable
                 effects
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 thing
                 God
                 imputed
                 for
                 
                 Righteousness
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Testament
                
                 Worthies
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 all
                 Righteous
                 through
                 Faith
                 ,
                 not
                 whilst
                 Faith
                 was
                 only
                 an
                 idle
                 belief
                 ,
                 and
                 speculative
                 Notion
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 they
                 feared
                 ,
                 and
                 acted
                 ,
                 as
                 any
                 rational
                 and
                 considerate
                 Man
                 would
                 do
                 under
                 such
                 persuasions
                 .
                 What
                 have
                 you
                 to
                 add
                 more
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 the
                 same
                 of
                 us
                 Christians
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 The
                 Faith
                 that
                 will
                 avail
                 and
                 save
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 plainly
                 told
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 Faith
                 that
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 Affects
                 our
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 renews
                 all
                 within
                 us
                 .
                 It
                 must
                 beget
                 Hope
                 and
                 
                   Trust
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Devils
                   faith
                
                 being
                 rejected
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 only
                 tremble
                 at
                 God's
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 dare
                 not
                 trust
                 it
                 will
                 do
                 them
                 any
                 good
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 It
                 must
                 produce
                 Charity
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 says
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 *
                 
                   fulfils
                   the
                   Law
                
                 of
                 the
                 Second
                 Table
                 ,
                 and
                 leads
                 into
                 every
                 other
                 Duty
                 .
                 For
                 
                   Charity
                   is
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   out
                   of
                   faith
                   unfeigned
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 5.
                 and
                 the
                 Faith
                 which
                 
                   avails
                   to
                   the
                   hope
                   of
                   righteousness
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   Faith
                   which
                   worketh
                   by
                   love
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 In
                 summ
                 ,
                 lastly
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 
                   cleanse
                   the
                   Heart
                
                 ,
                 whence
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 observes
                 ,
                 *
                 
                   all
                   evil
                   doth
                   procede
                
                 ,
                 purging
                 out
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Man
                
                 of
                 Pride
                 ,
                 Anger
                 ,
                 Envy
                 ,
                 Lust
                 ,
                 &c.
                 and
                 planting
                 therein
                 the
                 New
                 Man
                 of
                 Humble
                 ,
                 Pious
                 ,
                 Pure
                 ,
                 and
                 Virtuous
                 Tempers
                 in
                 its
                 stead
                 :
                 
                   purifying
                   the
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Peter
                 says
                 ,
                 Act.
                 15.
                 9.
                 and
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 Reforms
                 our
                 Practice
                 .
                 The
                 Numbers
                 that
                 believed
                 acceptably
                 ,
                 
                   turned
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 S.
                 Luke
                 ,
                 Act.
                 11.
                 21.
                 
                 The
                 
                   Faith
                   which
                   availeth
                   ,
                   worketh
                   by
                   love
                   ,
                
                 says
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 Gal
                 5.
                 6
                 ▪
                 
                 it
                 
                   overcomes
                   the
                   world
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 S.
                 John
                 ,
                 1
                 Jo.
                 5.
                 4.
                 it
                 
                   makes
                   us
                   free
                   from
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 Jo.
                 8.
                 32.
                 
                 It
                 must
                 carry
                 us
                 on
                 to
                 good
                 deeds
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 did
                 Abraham
                 to
                 
                   leave
                   his
                   country
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 8.
                 and
                 to
                 
                   sacrifice
                   his
                   son
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 did
                 
                   Rahab
                   to
                   receive
                   the
                   spies
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 25.
                 
                 A
                 working
                 Faith
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 Faith
                 that
                 lives
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   faith
                   without
                   works
                   is
                   dead
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 20.
                 
                   as
                   the
                   body
                   without
                   the
                   spirit
                   is
                   dead
                   ,
                   so
                   is
                   faith
                   without
                   works
                   dead
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 26.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 Faith
                 that
                 profits
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   if
                   a
                   man
                   say
                   he
                   hath
                   faith
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   not
                   works
                   ,
                   what
                   doth
                   it
                   profit
                   ?
                
                 verse
                 14.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 Faith
                 that
                 saves
                 ,
                 and
                 justifies
                 .
                 
                   If
                   a
                   man
                   shows
                   faith
                   without
                   works
                   ,
                   can
                   faith
                   save
                   him
                   ?
                   Abraham
                   was
                   justified
                   by
                   works
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 21.
                 and
                 
                   Rahab
                   was
                   justified
                   by
                   works
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 25.
                 
                   ye
                   see
                   then
                   ,
                   how
                   that
                   by
                   works
                   a
                   man
                   is
                   justified
                
                 together
                 with
                 Faith
                 ;
                 
                   and
                   not
                   by
                   faith
                   only
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Justification
                 by
                 any
                 Faith
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 reforms
                 the
                 heart
                 and
                 practice
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 in
                 the
                 question
                 of
                 Justification
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 no
                 longer
                 oppose
                 Faith
                 and
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 but
                 take
                 care
                 to
                 secure
                 both
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 saith
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   working
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 
                   James
                   ,
                   faith
                   and
                   works
                
                 together
                 ,
                 that
                 justifies
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 not
                 S
                 Paul
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 speaks
                 of
                 
                   our
                   justification
                
                 ,
                 say
                 it
                 is
                 
                   by
                   saith
                   without
                   the
                   deeds
                   of
                   the
                   law
                   ?
                
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 28.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Those
                 deeds
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 deeds
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 chiefly
                 such
                 distinguishing
                 ones
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Circumcision
                   ,
                   Sacrifices
                   ,
                   Jewish
                   Holy-Days
                   ,
                
                 
                 and
                 observing
                 the
                 
                   Mosaick
                   differences
                   of
                   clean
                   and
                   unclean
                   Meats
                   .
                
                 These
                 ,
                 some
                 Zelots
                 for
                 Moses
                 pressed
                 upon
                 the
                 Gentile-Converts
                 in
                 many
                 Churches
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Except
                   ye
                   be
                   circumcised
                   after
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   Moses
                   ,
                   ye
                   cannot
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 15.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 some
                 started
                 up
                 at
                 Rome
                 ,
                 to
                 press
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 to
                 Justification
                 there
                 ,
                 S.
                 Paul
                 opposes
                 all
                 such
                 deeds
                 ,
                 and
                 tells
                 them
                 they
                 must
                 not
                 seek
                 to
                 be
                 justified
                 as
                 Jews
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 Christians
                 .
                 So
                 what
                 he
                 rejects
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   Mosaick
                   deeds
                
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 others
                 
                   under
                   such
                   qualifications
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                
                 Jews
                 
                   obtruded
                   ,
                   and
                   cried
                   up
                   for
                   Righteousness
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Pray
                 what
                 are
                 those
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 They
                 set
                 up
                 a
                 
                   mere
                   Humane
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   in
                   outward
                   Acts.
                
                 This
                 is
                 Righteousness
                 in
                 
                   Civil
                   Courts
                
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 Judges
                 are
                 Men
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 see
                 the
                 Heart
                 ,
                 but
                 judge
                 and
                 pronounce
                 according
                 to
                 Overt-Actions
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Moses
                 being
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 their
                 Common-Wealth
                 ,
                 whose
                 Breaches
                 were
                 triable
                 in
                 their
                 
                   own
                   Courts
                
                 ;
                 they
                 esteemed
                 themselves
                 Righteous
                 in
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 their
                 Law
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 World
                 doth
                 in
                 case
                 of
                 other
                 Political
                 and
                 
                   State
                   Laws
                
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 liable
                 to
                 be
                 brought
                 in
                 Trouble
                 ,
                 or
                 Indicted
                 upon
                 them
                 before
                 any
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Tribunals
                 .
                 This
                 sense
                 of
                 their
                 
                   Legal
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 was
                 currant
                 *
                 among
                 the
                 Doctors
                 .
                 And
                 Josephus
                 ,
                 a
                 learned
                 Jew
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 and
                 flourished
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 own
                 Days
                 ,
                 asserts
                 it
                 in
                 no
                 less
                 an
                 instance
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 of
                 Sacriledge
                 :
                 *
                 wondering
                 at
                 Polybius
                 ,
                 an
                 
                 
                   otherwise
                   Praise-worthy
                   Writer
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 for
                 ascribing
                 
                   God's
                   exemplary
                   Vengeance
                
                 on
                 
                   Antiochus
                   Epiphanes
                
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   his
                   Sacriledge
                   only
                   design'd
                   upon
                   the
                   Temple
                   at
                
                 Elymaïs
                 .
                 Whereas
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   he
                   only
                   intended
                   ,
                   but
                   did
                   not
                   execute
                   and
                   effect
                   it
                   ,
                   he
                   did
                   not
                   deserve
                   to
                   be
                   punished
                   for
                   it
                   .
                
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 in
                 S.
                 
                 Paul's
                 accounts
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 careful
                 still
                 to
                 call
                 it
                 a
                 *
                 Justification
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Righteousness
                   of
                   works
                
                 ,
                 as
                 consisting
                 only
                 in
                 things
                 brought
                 on
                 to
                 act
                 and
                 practice
                 .
                 And
                 measuring
                 themselves
                 thus
                 only
                 by
                 External
                 acts
                 ,
                 as
                 cognizable
                 before
                 Humane
                 Courts
                 ;
                 the
                 orderly
                 Livers
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 made
                 no
                 more
                 scruple
                 of
                 asserting
                 their
                 Righteousness
                 in
                 the
                 Eye
                 of
                 their
                 Law
                 ,
                 than
                 any
                 good
                 Subjects
                 do
                 in
                 pleading
                 their
                 innocence
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 them
                 several
                 Countries
                 .
                 As
                 we
                 find
                 
                   the
                   young
                   man
                
                 did
                 to
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 posed
                 him
                 upon
                 
                   the
                   Ten
                   Commandments
                
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   these
                   things
                   have
                   I
                   kept
                   from
                   my
                   youth
                   up
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 19.
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 did
                 ,
                 in
                 setting
                 off
                 his
                 
                   Jewish
                   Confidences
                
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   touching
                   the
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 he
                 was
                 blameless
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 blamed
                 before
                 any
                 of
                 their
                 Tribunals
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 did
                 not
                 some
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Law
                 ,
                 extend
                 to
                 Mens
                 Hearts
                 and
                 Spirits
                 .
                 Particularly
                 among
                 the
                 
                   Ten
                   Commandments
                
                 ,
                 is
                 there
                 not
                 One
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 Tenth
                 ,
                 which
                 forbids
                 all
                 inward
                 coveting
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 our
                 Neighbours
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 being
                 no
                 notice
                 taken
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 nor
                 punishments
                 inflicted
                 for
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 Courts
                 ,
                 the
                 Doctors
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 appear
                 from
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 looked
                 on
                 them
                 rather
                 as
                 Counsels
                 of
                 Perfection
                 ,
                 than
                 strict
                 Laws
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 Or
                 if
                 as
                 Laws
                 ,
                 yet
                 such
                 ,
                 the
                 Breaches
                 whereof
                 were
                 sufficiently
                 atoned
                 by
                 their
                 Daily
                 ,
                 or
                 Annual
                 Sacrifices
                 :
                 which
                 sanctified
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   the
                   purging
                   of
                   the
                   flesh
                
                 ;
                 i.
                 e.
                 to
                 indemnifie
                 them
                 before
                 Men
                 as
                 to
                 their
                 Carnal
                 ,
                 Secular
                 Interests
                 ;
                 though
                 not
                 to
                 clear
                 them
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   make
                   them
                   perfect
                   as
                   pertaining
                   to
                   the
                   conscience
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 9
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 Qualifications
                 did
                 the
                 Jews
                 cry
                 up
                 in
                 those
                 Works
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 depended
                 on
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 Righteous
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans
                   ▪
                   Secondly
                
                 ,
                 Their
                 merits
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 set
                 up
                 a
                 proud
                 ,
                 boastful
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 which
                 should
                 challenge
                 the
                 reward
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 merit
                 and
                 equivalence
                 :
                 not
                 being
                 content
                 to
                 reap
                 all
                 the
                 Benefit
                 ,
                 unless
                 they
                 could
                 also
                 arrogate
                 all
                 the
                 Glory
                 and
                 Honour
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Whereon
                 could
                 they
                 pretend
                 to
                 erect
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 On
                 two
                 Foundations
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 
                   Power
                   of
                   natural
                   free-will
                
                 ,
                 affirming
                 their
                 good
                 deeds
                 to
                 be
                 wrought
                 in
                 virtue
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 strength
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 whatever
                 Glory
                 there
                 might
                 be
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 it
                 could
                 be
                 none
                 of
                 theirs
                 .
                 They
                 thought
                 they
                 had
                 Ability
                 enough
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 Righteous
                 works
                 
                 they
                 were
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   stock
                   of
                   Nature
                
                 :
                 and
                 needed
                 no
                 inward
                 and
                 enlivening
                 Grace
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 meer
                 
                   external
                   Revelation
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   dead
                   Letter
                
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 Law
                 is
                 stiled
                 in
                 *
                 Scripture
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 this
                 Power
                 ,
                 they
                 ascribe
                 to
                 
                   Natural
                   free-will
                
                 since
                 the
                 fall
                 .
                 For
                 
                   the
                   good
                   ,
                   which
                
                 Adam
                 
                   did
                   before
                   it
                
                 ,
                 †
                 say
                 they
                 ,
                 
                   was
                   as
                   a
                   pure
                   intelligence
                   ,
                   out
                   of
                   necessity
                   of
                   Nature
                   .
                   But
                   his
                   eating
                   of
                   the
                   forbidden
                   tree
                   ,
                   of
                   the
                   Knowledge
                   of
                   good
                   and
                   ill
                   ,
                   brought
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Posterity
                   ,
                   down
                   to
                   free
                   will
                   ,
                
                 or
                 an
                 indifferency
                 to
                 either
                 .
                 Which
                 liberty
                 ,
                 they
                 make
                 most
                 absolute
                 ever
                 since
                 :
                 and
                 accordingly
                 interpret
                 that
                 common
                 saying
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   All
                   things
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   Hand
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   fear
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 to
                 note
                 such
                 absoluteness
                 of
                 our
                 free-will
                 to
                 good
                 ,
                 as
                 has
                 nothing
                 to
                 controul
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 On
                 the
                 
                   intrinsick
                   worth
                
                 and
                 
                   value
                   of
                   their
                   own
                   deeds
                
                 ,
                 making
                 them
                 to
                 deserve
                 Heaven
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 equivalence
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 the
                 great
                 affecters
                 ,
                 and
                 aspirers
                 after
                 merits
                 ,
                 *
                 saying
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   happiness
                   by
                   way
                   of
                   reward
                   ,
                   is
                   far
                   greater
                   ,
                   and
                   more
                   magnificent
                   ,
                   than
                   by
                   way
                   of
                   mercy
                   .
                
                 And
                 they
                 were
                 the
                 great
                 asserters
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 claiming
                 the
                 reward
                 on
                 such
                 deeds
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 
                   excluded
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 aimed
                 all
                 for
                 *
                 boasting
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 says
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 several
                 Rules
                 of
                 estimate
                 and
                 valuation
                 they
                 had
                 ,
                 to
                 secure
                 this
                 to
                 themselves
                 :
                 †
                 one
                 was
                 ,
                 from
                 
                   the
                   number
                   and
                   tale
                   of
                   their
                   good
                   deeds
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                   had
                   but
                   done
                   one
                   more
                   good
                   ,
                   than
                   bad
                   actions
                   ,
                   to
                   make
                   their
                   merits
                   preponderate
                   their
                   demerits
                   .
                   Another
                
                 was
                 ,
                 from
                 
                   their
                   weight
                   and
                   importance
                
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 
                 had
                 either
                 the
                 Skill
                 ,
                 or
                 good
                 Fortune
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   make
                   choice
                   of
                   such
                   ,
                   as
                   God
                   set
                   most
                   by
                   ,
                   which
                   might
                   be
                   put
                   in
                   the
                   Scale
                   against
                   several
                   others
                   .
                
                 Nay
                 ,
                 
                   such
                   in
                   their
                   account
                   was
                   the
                   desert
                   of
                   every
                   good
                   work
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                   continued
                   to
                   keep
                   any
                   one
                   of
                   their
                   Sixteen
                   hundred
                   and
                   thirteen
                   Precepts
                   ,
                
                 out
                 of
                 
                   Love
                   to
                   it
                
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 from
                 any
                 
                   worldly
                   respect
                   ,
                   though
                   at
                   the
                   same
                   time
                   the
                   rest
                   were
                   neglected
                   .
                
                 Or
                 if
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 had
                 nothing
                 else
                 to
                 produce
                 ,
                 they
                 could
                 but
                 say
                 
                   they
                   were
                   the
                   natural
                   Seed
                   of
                   Abraham
                   ,
                
                 (
                 a
                 ground
                 of
                 Jewish
                 confidence
                 tax'd
                 by
                 *
                 S.
                 John
                 the
                 Baptist
                 )
                 and
                 
                   were
                   literally
                   circumcised
                
                 ,
                 they
                 thought
                 there
                 was
                 enough
                 in
                 them
                 to
                 merit
                 the
                 future
                 reward
                 .
                 And
                 being
                 thus
                 liberal
                 in
                 undervaluing
                 what
                 came
                 from
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 over-valuing
                 what
                 they
                 did
                 for
                 him
                 :
                 whilst
                 they
                 thus
                 set
                 their
                 own
                 rates
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 sure
                 not
                 to
                 want
                 desert
                 enough
                 for
                 the
                 greatest
                 recompences
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 out
                 their
                 common
                 saying
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   all
                   Israelites
                   shall
                   have
                   a
                   portion
                   in
                   the
                   world
                   to
                   come
                   .
                
                 And
                 for
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 sufficient
                 testimonies
                 are
                 produced
                 by
                 learned
                 Men
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Writings
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 I
                 perceive
                 the
                 Jewish
                 deeds
                 ,
                 set
                 up
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 by
                 their
                 Doctors
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 deeds
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Law
                 ,
                 especially
                 those
                 distinguishing
                 Laws
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 peculiar
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
                 And
                 those
                 not
                 any
                 secret
                 and
                 spiritual
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 external
                 acts
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 fell
                 under
                 the
                 cognizance
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Courts
                 of
                 Justice
                 .
                 Which
                 were
                 cried
                 up
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 as
                 performed
                 in
                 virtue
                 
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 meriting
                 the
                 reward
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 worth
                 and
                 excellence
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 asserters
                 of
                 such
                 works
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 under
                 a
                 great
                 surprise
                 ,
                 to
                 hear
                 of
                 Justification
                 by
                 Gospel-duties
                 .
                 Extending
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 Overt-Acts
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 Spirits
                 ;
                 which
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 by
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 God's
                 inward
                 Grace
                 ;
                 and
                 rewarded
                 through
                 
                 Christ's
                 merits
                 ,
                 and
                 God's
                 merciful
                 acceptance
                 .
                 And
                 their
                 way
                 of
                 meriting
                 acceptance
                 ,
                 by
                 meer
                 external
                 Mosaick
                 works
                 ,
                 performed
                 in
                 vertue
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 free-will
                 and
                 Humane
                 strength
                 ,
                 being
                 in
                 all
                 its
                 points
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 setting
                 up
                 ,
                 but
                 disowned
                 and
                 rejected
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 S.
                 Paul
                 calls
                 
                   their
                   own
                   Righteousness
                
                 :
                 and
                 opposes
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 of
                 being
                 esteemed
                 Righteous
                 through
                 
                 Christ's
                 merits
                 ,
                 and
                 God's
                 merciful
                 acceptance
                 ,
                 on
                 Faith
                 and
                 Obedience
                 to
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 wrought
                 by
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 God's
                 Grace
                 ;
                 which
                 he
                 calls
                 
                   God's
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Righteousness
                   of
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 9.
                 
                 &
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 3
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Do
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 disputes
                 of
                 Justification
                 with
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 set
                 themselves
                 to
                 beat
                 down
                 these
                 points
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 especially
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 both
                 at
                 Rome
                 ,
                 and
                 Galatia
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 places
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 this
                 matter
                 they
                 declare
                 ,
                 how
                 *
                 
                   by
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   shall
                   no
                   flesh
                   be
                   justified
                   ,
                
                 so
                 that
                 
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   must
                   not
                   live
                   like
                   Jews
                   :
                
                 but
                 only
                 by
                 
                   faith
                   and
                   obedience
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 or
                 †
                 
                   faith
                   working
                   by
                   love
                
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 
                   the
                   natural
                   Jews
                
                 must
                 
                 live
                 as
                 Christians
                 .
                 That
                 this
                 Obedience
                 avails
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 with
                 the
                 outward
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 with
                 the
                 inward
                 Man
                 ,
                 containing
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 external
                 Practice
                 ,
                 a
                 *
                 
                   renewal
                   of
                   the
                   mind
                   ,
                   a
                
                 †
                 
                   circumcision
                   of
                   the
                   heart
                   and
                   spirit
                   ,
                
                 and
                 a
                 *
                 
                   new
                   creature
                
                 .
                 That
                 't
                 is
                 wrought
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 not
                 through
                 meer
                 
                   humane
                   strength
                
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 
                   internal
                   grace
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 truly
                 the
                 †
                 
                   fruit
                   of
                   ●he
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 *
                 
                   renewal
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 Gospel
                 offering
                 such
                 inward
                 Grace
                 is
                 thereupon
                 a
                 †
                 
                   ministry
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 
                   ministration
                   of
                   Righteousness
                
                 :
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 Law
                 wanting
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 therefore
                 only
                 an
                 external
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   ministration
                   of
                   the
                   letter
                   ,
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                   and
                   condemnation
                   ,
                
                 which
                 seeing
                 it
                 *
                 
                   could
                   not
                   give
                
                 the
                 life
                 it
                 required
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 an
                 outward
                 direction
                 how
                 to
                 lead
                 it
                 ,
                 therefore
                 
                   Righteousness
                   could
                   not
                   come
                   by
                   it
                   .
                
                 That
                 this
                 is
                 counted
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 only
                 in
                 virtue
                 of
                 
                   Redemption
                   by
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 
                   merit
                   of
                   his
                   Sacrifice
                
                 ,
                 first
                 purchasing
                 the
                 †
                 
                   pardon
                   of
                   our
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 the
                 
                   acceptance
                   of
                   our
                   services
                
                 :
                 *
                 
                   Christ
                   being
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   law
                   for
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                
                 and
                 we
                 †
                 
                   being
                   justified
                   through
                   the
                   redemption
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   whose
                   blood
                   is
                   a
                   propitiation
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 and
                 *
                 
                   who
                   is
                   made
                   to
                   us
                   of
                   God
                   redemption
                   ,
                   and
                   righteousness
                   .
                
                 That
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 God
                 accepts
                 and
                 rewards
                 it
                 ,
                 not
                 for
                 its
                 
                   own
                   merits
                
                 ,
                 but
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 
                   meer
                   bounty
                
                 and
                 
                   free
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 without
                 ,
                 and
                 infinitely
                 beyond
                 its
                 deserts
                 .
                 We
                 †
                 
                   being
                   justified
                   freely
                   ,
                   by
                   his
                   grace
                   .
                
                 And
                 that
                 this
                 way
                 ,
                 as
                 God's
                 free
                 Grace
                 is
                 exalted
                 ,
                 so
                 all
                 Jewish
                 *
                 boasts
                 
                 
                   are
                   excluded
                   .
                   Lastly
                
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 the
                 Jewish
                 barter
                 and
                 exchange
                 ,
                 in
                 weighing
                 out
                 good
                 against
                 bad
                 actions
                 ,
                 or
                 merits
                 against
                 demerits
                 ;
                 they
                 tell
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 who
                 continues
                 to
                 *
                 
                   offend
                   in
                   one
                   point
                
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 liable
                 to
                 be
                 condemned
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 to
                 so
                 sore
                 a
                 punishment
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 
                   is
                   guilty
                   of
                   all
                
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 he
                 ,
                 who
                 sincerely
                 endeavours
                 to
                 keep
                 all
                 ,
                 after
                 *
                 
                   he
                   has
                   done
                   the
                   most
                
                 ,
                 must
                 
                   say
                   he
                   has
                   done
                   no
                   more
                   than
                   his
                   duty
                   ,
                
                 and
                 is
                 still
                 
                   an
                   unprofitable
                   servant
                
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 ,
                 with
                 sundry
                 others
                 ,
                 every
                 where
                 observable
                 by
                 any
                 careful
                 peruser
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Apostolical
                   Writings
                
                 ,
                 are
                 directly
                 levelled
                 against
                 the
                 foresaid
                 Jewish
                 Tenets
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 such
                 
                   Jewish
                   Deeds
                
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   the
                   deeds
                   of
                   the
                   law
                
                 ,
                 which
                 S.
                 Paul
                 opposes
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 28.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 the
                 Apostles
                 Disputation
                 there
                 of
                 Justification
                 ,
                 is
                 evidently
                 against
                 the
                 Jews
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 way
                 whereby
                 they
                 sought
                 to
                 be
                 justified
                 ,
                 was
                 by
                 
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Moses
                
                 .
                 That
                 they
                 cried
                 up
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 great
                 Rule
                 ,
                 and
                 Dispensation
                 of
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 Perfection
                 :
                 
                   they
                   stumbled
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 declares
                 ,
                 
                   at
                   that
                   stumbling
                   stone
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 
                 And
                 they
                 looked
                 to
                 be
                 justified
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 virtue
                 and
                 
                   merit
                   of
                   their
                   own
                   works
                
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 shew'd
                 ,
                 not
                 through
                 the
                 
                   merit
                   of
                   Christ's
                   Sacrifice
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Grace
                   of
                   God
                   pardoning
                   their
                   offences
                   :
                
                 which
                 made
                 S.
                 Paul
                 declare
                 to
                 
                   all
                   ,
                   who
                   would
                   be
                   justified
                   by
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   that
                   Christ
                   was
                   become
                
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                   of
                   none
                   effect
                   to
                   them
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   that
                   they
                   were
                   fallen
                   from
                   grace
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 2
                 ,
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 clear
                 he
                 speaks
                 of
                 such
                 
                   Jewish
                   deeds
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 because
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 such
                 were
                 set
                 up
                 by
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 against
                 whom
                 he
                 argues
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 adds
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 make
                 it
                 necessary
                 for
                 all
                 Men
                 to
                 turn
                 Jews
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 way
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   would
                   be
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   the
                   Jews
                   only
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   of
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 29.
                 
                 Besides
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 such
                 works
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 a
                 ground
                 of
                 *
                 boasting
                 ,
                 verse
                 27.
                 and
                 make
                 
                   the
                   reward
                   reckoned
                   out
                   of
                   debt
                
                 or
                 desert
                 ,
                 
                   without
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 or
                 being
                 beholden
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 4.
                 
                   excluding
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 inconsistent
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 the
                 Jews
                 believed
                 ,
                 and
                 taught
                 of
                 theirs
                 ,
                 accounting
                 Heaven
                 a
                 just
                 and
                 deserved
                 Wages
                 for
                 their
                 works
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 need
                 of
                 Redemption
                 by
                 
                 Christ's
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 already
                 shewed
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 denies
                 such
                 Jewish
                 works
                 ,
                 asserts
                 works
                 after
                 the
                 Christian
                 Faith
                 ,
                 wrought
                 in
                 us
                 by
                 God's
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 accepted
                 through
                 
                 Christ's
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 to
                 justifie
                 and
                 make
                 us
                 Righteous
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 same
                 Verse
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 rejects
                 
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   works
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Jewish
                 works
                 ,
                 he
                 declares
                 we
                 are
                 justified
                 by
                 
                   another
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 in
                 performing
                 what
                 it
                 imposes
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 27.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 which
                 
                   avails
                   to
                   Righteousness
                   in
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 
                   working
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 S.
                 Paul
                 speaking
                 of
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 which
                 justified
                 the
                 Ancient
                 
                 Worthies
                 ,
                 particularly
                 notes
                 those
                 correspondent
                 Affections
                 and
                 Practices
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 produced
                 in
                 them
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 Righteous
                 .
                 As
                 
                   Noah's
                   holy
                   fear
                
                 ,
                 and
                 obedience
                 in
                 
                   building
                   of
                   the
                   Ark
                
                 ,
                 though
                 all
                 the
                 while
                 he
                 was
                 laughed
                 at
                 for
                 his
                 pains
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 merry
                 and
                 secure
                 World
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   Moses's
                   quitting
                   the
                   highest
                   hopes
                   and
                   honours
                   of
                   Egypt
                   ,
                
                 to
                 associate
                 with
                 the
                 persecuted
                 People
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   Abraham's
                   leaving
                   his
                   Country
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   sacrificing
                   his
                   Son
                
                 at
                 God's
                 command
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 other
                 instances
                 above-mentioned
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 plainly
                 perceive
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 working
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Faith
                 that
                 suitably
                 influences
                 and
                 affects
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Faith
                 that
                 always
                 did
                 ,
                 and
                 always
                 must
                 recommend
                 Men
                 to
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ▪
                 Which
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Scripture
                 contents
                 it self
                 barely
                 to
                 imply
                 the
                 effects
                 ,
                 it
                 simply
                 calls
                 Faith
                 ;
                 when
                 it
                 would
                 speak
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 express
                 both
                 ,
                 it
                 calls
                 Faith
                 and
                 Repentance
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 since
                 all
                 Faith
                 doth
                 not
                 atchieve
                 these
                 noble
                 feats
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Graces
                 do
                 not
                 grow
                 upon
                 this
                 single
                 stock
                 in
                 all
                 Believers
                 ;
                 Pray
                 what
                 are
                 the
                 great
                 properties
                 ,
                 that
                 fit
                 Faith
                 for
                 these
                 effects
                 ,
                 and
                 distinguish
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 show
                 these
                 Fruits
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 want
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 They
                 are
                 reducible
                 ,
                 I
                 think
                 ,
                 to
                 these
                 Two
                 ,
                 the
                 sincerity
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 the
                 sincerity
                 of
                 this
                 Faith
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 That
                 it
                 be
                 
                   real
                   and
                   unfeigned
                
                 .
                 Not
                 a
                 meer
                 pretence
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 under
                 which
                 Infidels
                 may
                 disguise
                 themselves
                 among
                 Christians
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 trusted
                 or
                 emploied
                 .
                 Nor
                 a
                 meer
                 outside
                 profession
                 ,
                 which
                 unthinking
                 Men
                 may
                 chuse
                 and
                 put
                 on
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 their
                 Cloathes
                 ,
                 without
                 looking
                 for
                 any
                 further
                 reason
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 fashion
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 they
                 can
                 as
                 easily
                 and
                 readily
                 alter
                 again
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 their
                 Habit
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Mode
                 shall
                 turn
                 .
                 But
                 a
                 real
                 ,
                 inward
                 belief
                 and
                 persuasion
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 
                   unfeigned
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 that
                 S.
                 Paul
                 commends
                 in
                 Timothy
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 5.
                 and
                 an
                 
                   unfeigned
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 which
                 flows
                 charity
                 ,
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 5.
                 and
                 the
                 Faith
                 or
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 Men
                 
                   pure
                   and
                   peaceable
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 says
                 S.
                 James
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   without
                   Hypocrisie
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 never
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 fruitful
                 Believers
                 ,
                 who
                 follow
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 Jews
                 did
                 ,
                 only
                 to
                 run
                 in
                 with
                 the
                 Crowd
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 
                   of
                   the
                   Loaves
                
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 out
                 of
                 inward
                 Convictions
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 That
                 it
                 be
                 Hearty
                 and
                 Affectionate
                 .
                 Not
                 a
                 meer
                 speculative
                 Opinion
                 ,
                 and
                 careless
                 Notion
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 things
                 wherein
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 much
                 interested
                 :
                 but
                 a
                 moving
                 and
                 influencing
                 perswasion
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 all
                 the
                 powers
                 of
                 the
                 Soul
                 are
                 affected
                 .
                 Our
                 Opinions
                 must
                 form
                 our
                 Passions
                 ,
                 and
                 advance
                 into
                 
                   Love
                   ,
                   Desire
                   ,
                   Hope
                   ,
                   Fear
                   ,
                   Care
                   ,
                   Endeavour
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 different
                 nature
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 things
                 believed
                 .
                 
                 The
                 Belief
                 that
                 saves
                 ,
                 says
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 Belief
                 
                   with
                   the
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 with
                 the
                 head
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 which
                 
                   avails
                   to
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   works
                   by
                   love
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 5
                 ▪
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 they
                 are
                 never
                 like
                 to
                 prove
                 fruitful
                 Believers
                 ,
                 who
                 read
                 and
                 credit
                 the
                 Story
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 would
                 the
                 Story
                 of
                 Caesar
                 or
                 Alexander
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 or
                 
                   Persian
                   Empire
                
                 ,
                 as
                 things
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 very
                 remote
                 in
                 Place
                 ,
                 or
                 Time
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 being
                 of
                 little
                 concern
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 do
                 not
                 much
                 either
                 delight
                 ,
                 or
                 afflict
                 them
                 .
                 Such
                 indifferent
                 and
                 unconcern'd
                 Believers
                 ,
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 make
                 no
                 better
                 than
                 Christian
                 News-mongers
                 ,
                 whose
                 Christian
                 Faith
                 furnishes
                 them
                 only
                 to
                 talk
                 and
                 tell
                 stories
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Besides
                 this
                 sincerity
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 necessary
                 to
                 a
                 saving
                 and
                 
                   effective
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 be
                 moreover
                 a
                 good
                 degree
                 of
                 strength
                 and
                 firmness
                 in
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 strong
                 Faith
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 made
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 
                   Holy
                   Men
                
                 ,
                 obey
                 God
                 ,
                 whereupon
                 they
                 were
                 accepted
                 .
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 
                   was
                   not
                   weak
                
                 or
                 sickly
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   strong
                   in
                   Faith
                   ,
                   whereby
                   he
                   gave
                   glory
                   unto
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 the
                 Faith
                 that
                 fits
                 us
                 for
                 Christian
                 Privileges
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Blessings
                 of
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Philip
                   told
                   the
                   Eunuch
                
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   a
                   belief
                   with
                   all
                   the
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 8.
                 37.
                 
                 If
                 good
                 Fruits
                 do
                 not
                 spring
                 from
                 Faith
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 because
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 little
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 why
                 
                   take
                   ye
                   thought
                   ,
                   O
                   ye
                   of
                   little
                   faith
                   ?
                
                 Matth.
                 6.
                 30.
                 
                 &
                 8.
                 26.
                 or
                 because
                 there
                 is
                 very
                 small
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 no
                 life
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 Faith
                 being
                 as
                 
                   dead
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   body
                   is
                   without
                   the
                   spirit
                   ,
                   when
                   it
                
                 stands
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 vital
                 motions
                 or
                 effects
                 stream
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 17
                 ,
                 20
                 ,
                 26.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 this
                 strength
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 enable
                 it
                 to
                 do
                 its
                 work
                 and
                 conquer
                 all
                 that
                 doth
                 oppose
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 what
                 doth
                 this
                 strength
                 consist
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 In
                 three
                 things
                 especially
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 be
                 
                   assured
                   and
                   confident
                
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 be
                 honest
                 ,
                 or
                 seated
                 in
                 one
                 that
                 makes
                 conscience
                 of
                 being
                 just
                 to
                 his
                 word
                 .
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 it
                 be
                 resolute
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 that
                 produces
                 these
                 suitable
                 effects
                 ,
                 be
                 assured
                 and
                 confident
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 wavering
                 Opinion
                 will
                 not
                 accomplish
                 its
                 work
                 .
                 It
                 must
                 make
                 us
                 forego
                 many
                 grateful
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 undergo
                 many
                 ungrateful
                 ones
                 ,
                 and
                 attempt
                 many
                 that
                 are
                 very
                 difficult
                 and
                 laborious
                 .
                 And
                 Men
                 will
                 not
                 run
                 these
                 ventures
                 ,
                 and
                 bear
                 these
                 losses
                 ,
                 on
                 uncertain
                 hopes
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 on
                 firm
                 and
                 certain
                 expectations
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 right
                 and
                 acceptable
                 Believers
                 are
                 exhorted
                 to
                 
                   draw
                   near
                   to
                   God
                   with
                   full
                   assurance
                   of
                   faith
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   to
                   hold
                   fast
                   their
                   profession
                   without
                   wavering
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 and
                 to
                 
                   shew
                   diligence
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   full
                   assurance
                   of
                   hope
                   t●
                   the
                   end
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 half
                 Faith
                 ,
                 makes
                 such
                 Believers
                 to
                 be
                 like
                 
                   King
                   Agrippa
                
                 ,
                 only
                 half
                 and
                 
                   almost
                   Christians
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 26.
                 28.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 it
                 also
                 be
                 honest
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 ha●e
                 a
                 ●●●d
                 Conscience
                 accompanying
                 it
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 be
                 seated
                 in
                 one
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 careful
                 to
                 be
                 just
                 to
                 his
                 word
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 implies
                 the
                 owning
                 of
                 Doctrines
                 and
                 Propositions
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 leads
                 to
                 ingage
                 in
                 Promises
                 and
                 Undertakings
                 ,
                 the
                 good
                 performance
                 whereof
                 includes
                 not
                 only
                 Understanding
                 and
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 Honesty
                 and
                 good
                 Conscience
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 a
                 fruitful
                 Faith
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 a
                 bare
                 skilfulness
                 in
                 Opinion
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 a
                 trustiness
                 and
                 integrity
                 in
                 discharging
                 a
                 Profession
                 .
                 It
                 effects
                 Obedience
                 only
                 in
                 just
                 and
                 upright
                 tempers
                 ,
                 that
                 make
                 Conscience
                 to
                 perform
                 their
                 promises
                 ,
                 to
                 fulfil
                 their
                 pretences
                 ,
                 and
                 answer
                 all
                 just
                 expectations
                 .
                 Among
                 all
                 those
                 several
                 sorts
                 of
                 hearers
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 it
                 was
                 received
                 ,
                 the
                 word
                 believed
                 
                   brought
                   forth
                   fruit
                
                 only
                 
                   in
                   an
                   honest
                   and
                   good
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 as
                 our
                 Lord
                 himself
                 notes
                 ,
                 Luke
                 8.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 
                   to
                   draw
                
                 us
                 
                   near
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                   with
                   a
                   full
                   assurance
                   of
                   faith
                   ,
                
                 we
                 must
                 joyn
                 
                   a
                   true
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   clean
                   conscience
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 22.
                 and
                 the
                 charity
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Law
                 requires
                 ,
                 flows
                 then
                 only
                 from
                 an
                 
                   unfeigned
                   faith
                
                 ,
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 accompanied
                 with
                 
                   a
                   pure
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   good
                   conscience
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 in
                 
                   Simon
                   Magus
                
                 it
                 bore
                 no
                 Fruit
                 ,
                 because
                 
                   his
                   heart
                   was
                   not
                   right
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 8.
                 13
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 wonder
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 see
                 a
                 crue
                 Faith
                 prove
                 barren
                 ,
                 and
                 producing
                 no
                 obedience
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 dishonest
                 ,
                 and
                 false
                 Man.
                 Since
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 Faith
                 alone
                 ,
                 but
                 Honesty
                 that
                 must
                 make
                 a
                 Man
                 careful
                 to
                 remember
                 ,
                 and
                 perform
                 his
                 undertaking
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 false
                 unjust
                 Persons
                 ,
                 how
                 right
                 soever
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 their
                 belief
                 and
                 apprehensions
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 as
                 like
                 to
                 break
                 their
                 word
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 with
                 their
                 Neighbours
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 it
                 also
                 ,
                 lastly
                 ,
                 be
                 resolute
                 ,
                 and
                 fully
                 fixed
                 after
                 all
                 things
                 are
                 well
                 considered
                 :
                 That
                 so
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 hardships
                 arise
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 soon
                 staggered
                 in
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 to
                 deliberate
                 anew
                 ,
                 whether
                 or
                 no
                 to
                 go
                 on
                 in
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 want
                 this
                 resolvedness
                 ,
                 Men
                 are
                 not
                 like
                 to
                 hold
                 on
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 difficulties
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 do
                 every
                 where
                 occur
                 in
                 Faiths
                 race
                 .
                 Every
                 true
                 Believer
                 must
                 have
                 cast
                 up
                 all
                 the
                 cost
                 ,
                 and
                 pains
                 of
                 his
                 way
                 beforehand
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 tells
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 Parables
                 of
                 the
                 
                   wise
                   builder
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 
                   king
                   going
                   to
                   war
                
                 ,
                 Luke
                 14.
                 28
                 ,
                 31.
                 
                 They
                 must
                 stand
                 prepared
                 to
                 run
                 all
                 hazards
                 ,
                 and
                 sustain
                 all
                 losses
                 ,
                 setting
                 Faith
                 above
                 all
                 things
                 else
                 ,
                 and
                 resolving
                 to
                 stick
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 whatever
                 prove
                 its
                 trials
                 and
                 discouragements
                 .
                 And
                 such
                 Believers
                 as
                 these
                 ,
                 the
                 Scripture
                 calls
                 
                   grounded
                   ,
                   and
                   settled
                   in
                   the
                   faith
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 1.
                 23.
                 and
                 
                   rooted
                   ,
                   built
                   up
                   ,
                   and
                   established
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 2.
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 believers
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   receivers
                   of
                   the
                   word
                
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   fell
                   off
                   in
                   tribulation
                
                 ,
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 
                   have
                   had
                   no
                   root
                   in
                   themselves
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 13.
                 21.
                 
                 A
                 deliberate
                 resolution
                 is
                 a
                 sure
                 Ground-work
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 is
                 built
                 on
                 that
                 may
                 be
                 like
                 to
                 stand
                 a
                 Storm
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 all
                 the
                 Assaults
                 that
                 are
                 made
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 remain
                 unshaken
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 whereon
                 all
                 the
                 fore-mentioned
                 Fruits
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 grow
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 a
                 meer
                 pretence
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 but
                 sincere
                 and
                 undissembled
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 ●n
                 empty
                 profession
                 ,
                 and
                 formal
                 out-side
                 ,
                 out
                 inward
                 in
                 the
                 apprehension
                 of
                 the
                 mind
                 ;
                 ●t
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 a
                 wavering
                 Opinion
                 ,
                 but
                 confident
                 ,
                 and
                 well
                 assured
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 not
                 ●e
                 a
                 speculative
                 ,
                 cool
                 ,
                 and
                 unmoving
                 Notion
                 ,
                 but
                 hearty
                 ,
                 concerning
                 ,
                 and
                 affectionate
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 in
                 a
                 careless
                 ,
                 forgetful
                 ,
                 and
                 failing
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 conscientiously
                 careful
                 ,
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 performing
                 Man
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 not
                 act
                 on
                 an
                 irresolute
                 heart
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 easily
                 daunted
                 ,
                 or
                 soon
                 staggered
                 ,
                 but
                 one
                 ,
                 that
                 upon
                 good
                 reason
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 due
                 deliberation
                 ,
                 is
                 fully
                 fixt
                 ,
                 and
                 resolved
                 to
                 follow
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 the
                 Faith
                 that
                 influences
                 the
                 Heart
                 and
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 stands
                 in
                 all
                 times
                 and
                 trials
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 thus
                 qualified
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 either
                 dissembled
                 ,
                 formal
                 ,
                 wavering
                 ,
                 unaffecting
                 ,
                 careless
                 ,
                 or
                 irresolute
                 ,
                 some
                 one
                 or
                 other
                 of
                 which
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 all
                 Sinners
                 is
                 ,
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 have
                 no
                 such
                 Blessed
                 Fruits
                 proceding
                 from
                 it
                 :
                 As
                 Simon
                 Magus's
                 had
                 not
                 ,
                 whose
                 
                   heart
                   was
                   not
                   right
                
                 ;
                 ●or
                 
                 Agrippa's
                 ,
                 whose
                 Faith
                 was
                 but
                 almost
                 ;
                 ●or
                 the
                 Temporary
                 Believers
                 ,
                 whose
                 
                   faith
                   ●ell
                   away
                   because
                   it
                   wanted
                   root
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 these
                 different
                 attendants
                 ,
                 and
                 various
                 qualifications
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 make
                 the
                 difference
                 in
                 its
                 Fruits
                 and
                 Effects
                 ,
                 and
                 distinguish
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Saints
                 from
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Sinners
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 It
                 has
                 been
                 often
                 said
                 of
                 Faith
                 by
                 some
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 act
                 of
                 Recumbency
                 ,
                 or
                 leaning
                 and
                 
                   rolling
                   our selves
                   on
                   Christ
                   for
                   Salvation
                   .
                
                 Are
                 such
                 Phrases
                 applicable
                 to
                 Faith
                 in
                 a
                 literal
                 ,
                 and
                 common
                 understanding
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 Faith
                 is
                 an
                 act
                 of
                 our
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 and
                 though
                 Bodies
                 lean
                 and
                 rest
                 on
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 yet
                 Spirits
                 have
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 Bodily
                 Gestures
                 ,
                 and
                 Affections
                 .
                 When
                 such
                 words
                 are
                 used
                 in
                 expressing
                 mental
                 acts
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 Metaphors
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 applied
                 to
                 them
                 on
                 account
                 of
                 some
                 Similitude
                 and
                 Resemblance
                 ?
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 acts
                 can
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 a
                 Man's
                 mind
                 exert
                 about
                 a
                 Person
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 answer
                 these
                 forms
                 of
                 recumbing
                 ,
                 or
                 leaning
                 upon
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Either
                 Believing
                 some
                 Doctrine
                 which
                 he
                 teaches
                 ,
                 or
                 relying
                 on
                 some
                 Promise
                 which
                 he
                 makes
                 .
                 These
                 may
                 be
                 set
                 off
                 by
                 the
                 acts
                 of
                 recumbing
                 ,
                 leaning
                 ,
                 and
                 rolling
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 these
                 are
                 ways
                 of
                 Bodies
                 resting
                 ,
                 and
                 depending
                 ;
                 so
                 are
                 those
                 of
                 a
                 Man's
                 mind's
                 doing
                 the
                 same
                 upon
                 any
                 Person
                 .
                 They
                 acquiesce
                 and
                 rest
                 on
                 his
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 he
                 says
                 ;
                 and
                 on
                 his
                 Fidelity
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 he
                 promises
                 :
                 which
                 gives
                 them
                 the
                 same
                 ease
                 and
                 settlement
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 acts
                 of
                 rolling
                 ,
                 leaning
                 ,
                 and
                 recumbing
                 do
                 to
                 Bodies
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Faith
                 is
                 also
                 called
                 by
                 some
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   hand
                   of
                   the
                   Soul
                
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   reaches
                   at
                
                 ,
                 and
                 apprehends
                 and
                 
                   applies
                   Christ's
                   Merits
                
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 there
                 
                 in
                 this
                 Spiritual
                 Grace
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 answer
                 these
                 expressions
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   Reaching
                   at
                
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 assenting
                 to
                 some
                 Propositions
                 about
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 
                   laying
                   hold
                   of
                
                 and
                 applying
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 consenting
                 and
                 complying
                 with
                 some
                 Overtures
                 ,
                 or
                 fulfilling
                 some
                 terms
                 and
                 conditions
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 become
                 our
                 own
                 .
                 Putting
                 out
                 these
                 mental
                 acts
                 has
                 the
                 same
                 effect
                 and
                 use
                 to
                 our
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 stretching
                 out
                 the
                 hand
                 to
                 apprehend
                 and
                 apply
                 things
                 has
                 to
                 our
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   bring
                   the
                   thing
                   desired
                   down
                   to
                   our selves
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 to
                 roll
                 and
                 lean
                 upon
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 plain
                 English
                 only
                 to
                 believe
                 what
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 rely
                 upon
                 what
                 he
                 promises
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 apprehend
                 ,
                 or
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 apply
                 his
                 Merits
                 ,
                 in
                 clearer
                 and
                 more
                 intelligible
                 Language
                 ,
                 is
                 only
                 to
                 fulfil
                 the
                 Gospel-terms
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 have
                 Faith
                 with
                 its
                 fore-cited
                 effects
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 believe
                 and
                 repent
                 ,
                 whereby
                 his
                 benefits
                 become
                 ours
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 take
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 true
                 meaning
                 and
                 explication
                 of
                 these
                 obscure
                 Phrases
                 .
                 I
                 confess
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 great
                 lover
                 of
                 plain
                 ,
                 and
                 intelligible
                 Speech
                 .
                 And
                 above
                 all
                 things
                 else
                 ,
                 I
                 love
                 to
                 hear
                 Men
                 speak
                 plain
                 in
                 the
                 great
                 Truths
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 Points
                 of
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 wherein
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 need
                 of
                 all
                 to
                 inform
                 ,
                 and
                 edifie
                 Men's
                 understandings
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 I
                 heartily
                 wish
                 these
                 dark
                 ,
                 and
                 intricate
                 words
                 were
                 less
                 used
                 ,
                 or
                 wholly
                 laid
                 aside
                 in
                 these
                 important
                 
                 matters
                 ,
                 they
                 being
                 words
                 of
                 Mens
                 invention
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scripture
                 no
                 where
                 uses
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 words
                 too
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 do
                 more
                 amuse
                 ,
                 than
                 instruct
                 those
                 that
                 hear
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 any
                 think
                 fit
                 still
                 to
                 use
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 meet
                 with
                 Faith
                 set
                 off
                 by
                 them
                 in
                 Books
                 or
                 Discourses
                 ,
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 true
                 sense
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 plain
                 intelligible
                 English
                 ,
                 I
                 think
                 is
                 the
                 meaning
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 Faith
                 in
                 Christ
                 be
                 a
                 Faith
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 then
                 is
                 it
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 Faith
                 for
                 any
                 Man
                 to
                 
                   believe
                   his
                   sins
                   are
                   pardoned
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 Infidelity
                 to
                 doubt
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 particular
                 Men
                 have
                 no
                 word
                 of
                 his
                 for
                 that
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
                 He
                 tells
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 general
                 he
                 will
                 pardon
                 Penitents
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 his
                 Word
                 he
                 has
                 not
                 descended
                 to
                 tell
                 particular
                 Men
                 they
                 are
                 truly
                 Penitent
                 ,
                 having
                 reserved
                 that
                 to
                 be
                 declared
                 at
                 the
                 
                   last
                   judgment
                
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 every
                 Man
                 must
                 have
                 true
                 Faith
                 before
                 he
                 can
                 be
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 Faith
                 and
                 Repentance
                 being
                 the
                 conditions
                 of
                 Pardon
                 .
                 But
                 no
                 Man
                 must
                 believe
                 his
                 sins
                 are
                 pardoned
                 before
                 they
                 are
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 since
                 that
                 were
                 plainly
                 to
                 believe
                 a
                 falshood
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 since
                 all
                 doubting
                 of
                 the
                 Pardon
                 of
                 our
                 Sins
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Favour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 implies
                 distrust
                 ,
                 how
                 will
                 it
                 stand
                 with
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   God
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 The
                 belief
                 that
                 our
                 Sins
                 are
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 implies
                 our
                 trust
                 and
                 confidence
                 of
                 two
                 things
                 .
                 One
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 God's
                 Power
                 and
                 Fidelity
                 ,
                 in
                 fulfilling
                 his
                 Promises
                 .
                 The
                 
                 other
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 sufficiency
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 care
                 ,
                 in
                 performing
                 his
                 Terms
                 .
                 Now
                 Faith
                 implies
                 trust
                 ,
                 and
                 confidence
                 ,
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 of
                 these
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 Faith
                 only
                 a
                 confidence
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 implies
                 a
                 good
                 opinion
                 only
                 of
                 his
                 Power
                 and
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 fitness
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 of
                 Abraham
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   he
                   believed
                
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   he
                   gave
                   glory
                   to
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 20.
                 
                 His
                 Faith
                 consisted
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 notes
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 regarded
                 him
                 :
                 he
                 
                   being
                   counted
                   righteous
                   for
                   believing
                
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   what
                   God
                   had
                   promised
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   fully
                   able
                   to
                   perform
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 21.
                 
                 When
                 once
                 Men
                 have
                 the
                 greatest
                 assurance
                 of
                 those
                 Divine
                 Properties
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 greatest
                 Faith
                 ,
                 though
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 they
                 think
                 meanly
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 most
                 distrustful
                 of
                 themselves
                 .
                 So
                 the
                 good
                 Centurion
                 was
                 ,
                 having
                 such
                 confidence
                 in
                 Christ's
                 Power
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 thought
                 a
                 
                   word
                   of
                   his
                   mouth
                
                 would
                 recover
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 without
                 giving
                 him
                 the
                 trouble
                 to
                 
                   come
                   in
                   person
                
                 :
                 and
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 thinking
                 so
                 meanly
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 judged
                 
                   his
                   house
                   unworthy
                   to
                   receive
                   him
                   .
                
                 And
                 of
                 this
                 Christ
                 declares
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   have
                   not
                   found
                   so
                   great
                   faith
                   ,
                   no
                   not
                   in
                   Israel
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 8.
                 8
                 ,
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 't
                 is
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 any
                 Man's
                 Faith
                 ,
                 to
                 believe
                 his
                 sins
                 are
                 pardoned
                 ,
                 nor
                 of
                 Infidelity
                 to
                 doubt
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 though
                 such
                 doubts
                 are
                 not
                 the
                 sin
                 of
                 Infidelity
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 yet
                 are
                 they
                 not
                 always
                 sinful
                 ,
                 and
                 blame-worthy
                 upon
                 some
                 other
                 account
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 but
                 oft-times
                 expressions
                 of
                 virtue
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 to
                 recommend
                 us
                 the
                 more
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 as
                 being
                 acts
                 of
                 humility
                 and
                 self-abasement
                 ,
                 of
                 modesty
                 and
                 poverty
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 set
                 no
                 Man
                 further
                 off
                 ,
                 but
                 bring
                 him
                 nearer
                 ,
                 and
                 interest
                 him
                 the
                 more
                 in
                 his
                 favour
                 .
                 The
                 fearful
                 
                   humble
                   Publican
                
                 ,
                 who
                 durst
                 not
                 presume
                 on
                 any
                 favour
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   with
                   dejected
                   eyes
                   stood
                   afar
                   off
                   ,
                   went
                   home
                   justified
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   rather
                   than
                   the
                   proud
                   Pharisee
                   ,
                
                 who
                 
                   justified
                   himself
                
                 .
                 Upon
                 which
                 our
                 Saviour
                 adds
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   every
                   one
                   ,
                   who
                   exalts
                   himself
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   abased
                   ;
                   and
                   every
                   one
                   ,
                   that
                   humbleth
                   himself
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   exalted
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 18.
                 10.
                 to
                 15.
                 
                 
                   God
                   is
                   nigh
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 
                   Psalmist
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   broken
                   of
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   contrite
                   of
                   spirit
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 34.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   He
                   dwells
                   with
                   the
                   contrite
                   ,
                   and
                   humble
                   spirit
                   ,
                   to
                   revive
                   the
                   spirit
                   of
                   the
                   humble
                   ,
                   and
                   revive
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   the
                   contrite
                   ones
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 57.
                 15.
                 
                 
                   He
                   looks
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   poor
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   a
                   contrite
                   spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   trembles
                   at
                   his
                   word
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 66.
                 2.
                 to
                 
                   lift
                   up
                   those
                   ,
                   that
                   humble
                   themselves
                   in
                   his
                   sight
                   ,
                
                 James
                 4.
                 10.
                 and
                 to
                 
                   bless
                   the
                   poor
                   in
                   spirit
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 5.
                 3.
                 
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 dejection
                 ,
                 sadness
                 ,
                 and
                 tormenting
                 fears
                 ,
                 are
                 a
                 backner
                 of
                 good
                 endeavours
                 ;
                 and
                 accuse
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 an
                 hard
                 ,
                 uncomfortable
                 Master
                 ,
                 very
                 difficult
                 to
                 please
                 ;
                 and
                 Religion
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 were
                 a
                 sowre
                 ,
                 melancholy
                 service
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 faithful
                 hearts
                 must
                 not
                 affect
                 ,
                 or
                 harbour
                 fear
                 to
                 these
                 degrees
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 they
                 maintain
                 a
                 comfortable
                 hope
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 generally
                 more
                 commendable
                 to
                 lean
                 to
                 the
                 side
                 of
                 humble
                 fear
                 ,
                 than
                 of
                 arrogant
                 self-flattery
                 ,
                 to
                 
                 be
                 too
                 lowly
                 and
                 modest
                 ,
                 rather
                 than
                 too
                 presumptuous
                 and
                 boasting
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 more
                 safe
                 too
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 fear
                 begets
                 care
                 ,
                 whereas
                 security
                 slackens
                 watchfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 abates
                 endeavour
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 the
                 Apostle
                 advises
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 expect
                 
                   to
                   stand
                   ,
                   not
                   to
                   think
                   highly
                   ,
                   but
                   fear
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 11
                 ▪
                 20.
                 and
                 to
                 
                   work
                   out
                   their
                   salvation
                   with
                   fear
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 wise
                 Man
                 that
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Happy
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   feareth
                   always
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   that
                   hardneth
                   his
                   heart
                
                 against
                 fear
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   fall
                   into
                   mischief
                
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 28.
                 14.
                 
                 The
                 wisest
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 best
                 way
                 generally
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 
                   fully
                   assured
                   of
                   what
                   concerns
                   God
                   ,
                
                 but
                 
                   fearful
                   and
                   jealous
                   of
                   what
                   depends
                   upon
                   our selves
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 have
                 not
                 some
                 good
                 Men
                 ,
                 great
                 confidence
                 of
                 God's
                 favour
                 ?
                 And
                 since
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 priviledge
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 consummate
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 the
                 greatest
                 *
                 peace
                 and
                 †
                 
                   joy
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   comfort
                   in
                   believing
                
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Scripture
                 speaks
                 of
                 :
                 must
                 it
                 not
                 be
                 a
                 most
                 justifiable
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 really
                 a
                 most
                 blessed
                 and
                 desirable
                 thing
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 if
                 their
                 confidence
                 is
                 not
                 beyond
                 their
                 grounds
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 this
                 comfortable
                 assurance
                 of
                 their
                 present
                 claim
                 to
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 they
                 preserve
                 an
                 humble
                 sense
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 defects
                 and
                 unworthiness
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 fear
                 of
                 their
                 falling
                 from
                 it
                 by
                 afterfailures
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 comfortable
                 assurance
                 is
                 vouchsafed
                 to
                 some
                 extraordinary
                 good
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 special
                 priviledge
                 ;
                 as
                 fears
                 and
                 doubts
                 are
                 continued
                 to
                 others
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 
                 exercise
                 .
                 And
                 different
                 Persons
                 are
                 either
                 indulged
                 more
                 happy
                 injoyment
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 so
                 exercised
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 more
                 acceptable
                 and
                 dear
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 both
                 these
                 ways
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 said
                 enough
                 to
                 explain
                 the
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 set
                 off
                 the
                 excellency
                 and
                 usefulness
                 of
                 Faith.
                 But
                 lest
                 after
                 we
                 have
                 taken
                 the
                 pains
                 to
                 walk
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 should
                 fail
                 all
                 our
                 expectations
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 ;
                 pray
                 show
                 me
                 something
                 of
                 the
                 certainty
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 That
                 depends
                 on
                 the
                 
                   Authority
                   of
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 our
                 Faith.
                 And
                 all
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 true
                 that
                 he
                 Says
                 ,
                 and
                 sure
                 that
                 he
                 Promises
                 ;
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 
                   true
                   Messiah
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 
                   Christ
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 to
                 come
                 as
                 his
                 Great
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 known
                 his
                 mind
                 unto
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   II.
                
                 That
                 Jesus
                 is
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 from
                 Ancient
                 Prophecies
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   Among
                   those
                   Prophecies
                   ,
                   which
                   prove
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                   First
                   ,
                   Some
                   prescribe
                   the
                   time
                   of
                   his
                   coming
                   .
                   This
                   they
                   mark
                   out
                   by
                   the
                   nearness
                   of
                   such
                   notable
                   Occurrences
                   ,
                   and
                   Revolutions
                   ,
                   as
                   would
                   fall
                   under
                   all
                   Mens
                   observation
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   fixing
                   the
                   very
                   Year
                   he
                   should
                   appear
                   in
                   .
                   Accordingly
                   there
                   was
                   a
                   general
                   expectation
                   of
                   him
                   at
                   that
                   time
                   .
                   His
                   coming
                   not
                   put
                   off
                   beyond
                   the
                   time
                   appointed
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   sins
                   of
                   the
                   People
                   .
                   An
                   account
                   ,
                   why
                   the
                   Jews
                   ,
                   who
                   read
                   these
                   clear
                   Notes
                   of
                   the
                   time
                   in
                   their
                   own
                   Prophets
                   ,
                   are
                   not
                   convinced
                   by
                   them
                   .
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   Others
                   assign
                   man
                   ▪
                   peculiar
                   ,
                   and
                   visible
                   Notes
                   ,
                   whereby
                   he
                   may
                   be
                   demonstratively
                   pointed
                   out
                   from
                   all
                   other
                   Men.
                   As
                   ,
                   1.
                   
                   His
                   being
                   born
                   of
                   a
                   Virgin.
                   This
                   in
                   some
                   sense
                   spoken
                   of
                   a
                   Virgin
                   of
                   that
                   time
                   ,
                   but
                   principally
                   of
                   Messiah
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   only
                   fully
                   accomplished
                   ,
                   when
                   Jesus
                   came
                   .
                   This
                   cleared
                   from
                   exceptions
                   .
                   2.
                   
                   His
                   having
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Miracles
                   ,
                   resting
                   on
                   him
                   .
                   3.
                   
                   His
                   Death
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   particular
                   manner
                   ,
                   and
                   circumstances
                   of
                   
                   it
                   .
                   And
                   his
                   returning
                   to
                   Life
                   again
                   .
                   4.
                   
                   His
                   putting
                   an
                   end
                   to
                   the
                   Jewish
                   Sacrifices
                   and
                   Mosaick
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   and
                   bringing
                   in
                   a
                   New
                   one
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   better
                   ,
                   to
                   supply
                   its
                   defects
                   .
                   5.
                   
                   His
                   erecting
                   an
                   Universal
                   Empire
                   ,
                   and
                   appearing
                   as
                   a
                   mighty
                   King.
                   This
                   not
                   a
                   Secular
                   ,
                   but
                   Spiritual
                   Kingdom
                   .
                   6.
                   
                   His
                   converting
                   the
                   Heathen
                   World
                   ,
                   from
                   their
                   Idol-worship
                   .
                   Jesus
                   silenced
                   the
                   Oracles
                   ,
                   and
                   cast
                   the
                   impure
                   Spirits
                   out
                   of
                   their
                   Temples
                   .
                   This
                   an
                   Argument
                   for
                   him
                   ,
                   not
                   only
                   as
                   accomplishing
                   a
                   Prediction
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   as
                   't
                   is
                   plainly
                   a
                   Divine
                   thing
                   .
                   The
                   Prophecies
                   of
                   an
                   Universal
                   Probity
                   ,
                   and
                   Peace
                   under
                   Messiah
                   ,
                   cleared
                   up
                   ,
                   by
                   an
                   account
                   both
                   of
                   their
                   meaning
                   ,
                   and
                   accomplishment
                   .
                   The
                   fore-cited
                   Prophecies
                   understood
                   of
                   Messiah
                   by
                   the
                   Ancient
                   Jews
                   ,
                   though
                   denied
                   by
                   some
                   later
                   in
                   hatred
                   to
                   our
                   Jesus
                   .
                
              
               
                 Question
                 .
                 HOW
                 doth
                 it
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 born
                 of
                 Mary
                 ,
                 and
                 suffered
                 under
                 
                   Pontius
                   Pilate
                
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Christ
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 From
                 
                   ancient
                   Prophecies
                   .
                   Secondly
                
                 ,
                 From
                 undoubted
                 
                   Divine
                   Testimonies
                
                 other
                 ways
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 this
                 appear
                 from
                 
                   ancient
                   Prophecies
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 these
                 S.
                 Paul
                 endeavour'd
                 to
                 convince
                 the
                 Jews
                 at
                 
                   Rome
                   ,
                   persuading
                   them
                   concerning
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   both
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Moses
                   ,
                   and
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Prophets
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 28.
                 23.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 do
                 these
                 Prophecies
                 demonstrate
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   Two
                
                 ways
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 By
                 
                   prescribing
                   the
                   exact
                   time
                   of
                   his
                   coming
                   .
                
                 2.
                 
                 By
                 
                   assigning
                   many
                   peculiar
                   ,
                   and
                   most
                   visible
                   Notes
                   ,
                   whereby
                   he
                   may
                   be
                   demonstratively
                   pointed
                   out
                   from
                   all
                   other
                   Men.
                   
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 
                   How
                   do
                   they
                
                 prefix
                 the
                 exact
                 time
                 for
                 Messiah's
                 coming
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 By
                 sundry
                 notable
                 ,
                 and
                 publick
                 turns
                 and
                 occurrences
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 be
                 remarked
                 by
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 judging
                 whereof
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 mistaken
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 name
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 1.
                 
                 They
                 say
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 before
                 the
                 People
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Nation
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 
                   Body
                   Politick
                
                 :
                 which
                 now
                 they
                 are
                 ceased
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 having
                 no
                 Country
                 ,
                 or
                 Common-wealth
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 can
                 call
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 above
                 1600
                 years
                 ,
                 ever
                 since
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 living
                 scatter'd
                 ,
                 and
                 dispersed
                 in
                 every
                 Country
                 and
                 Kingdom
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 notable
                 alteration
                 ,
                 which
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 must
                 observe
                 ,
                 because
                 thereby
                 it
                 lost
                 a
                 Nation
                 that
                 bore
                 a
                 great
                 name
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 by
                 using
                 most
                 appropriate
                 and
                 separate
                 rites
                 ,
                 made
                 a
                 peculiar
                 Figure
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 expresly
                 set
                 out
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Patriarch
                   Jacob
                
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 sign
                 to
                 follow
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 
                   Messiah
                   .
                   The
                   Scepter
                   shall
                   not
                   depart
                   from
                   Judah
                   ,
                   nor
                   a
                   Law-giver
                   from
                   between
                   his
                   feet
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Nation
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 denominated
                 from
                 Judah
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 cease
                 to
                 have
                 Government
                 among
                 them
                 as
                 a
                 Civil
                 State
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 the
                 Benefit
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Laws
                 ,
                 
                   till
                   Shil●
                   come
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 49.
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 notable
                 sign
                 do
                 they
                 give
                 of
                 this
                 time
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   Secondly
                
                 ,
                 They
                 say
                 his
                 coming
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 whilst
                 the
                 
                   second
                   Temple
                
                 is
                 yet
                 standing
                 ;
                 which
                 has
                 been
                 ruinated
                 and
                 demolished
                 ,
                 ever
                 since
                 the
                 City
                 was
                 destroyed
                 by
                 
                   Titus
                   Vespasian
                   .
                   The
                   Lord
                   whom
                   you
                   seek
                   ,
                   the
                   messenger
                   of
                   the
                   covenant
                   ,
                   shall
                   suddenly
                   come
                   to
                   his
                   temple
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 God
                 by
                 Malachi
                 ,
                 Mal.
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 of
                 the
                 
                   second
                   Temple
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 again
                 by
                 
                   Haggai
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   shake
                   all
                   nations
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   desire
                   of
                   all
                   Nations
                   shall
                   come
                   ,
                   and
                   fill
                   this
                   house
                   with
                   glory
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Glory
                 of
                 his
                 Presence
                 ,
                 Hag.
                 2.
                 7.
                 
                 This
                 presence
                 of
                 Messiah
                 in
                 resorting
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 was
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 to
                 make
                 
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   this
                   later
                   house
                   ,
                   greater
                   than
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   the
                   former
                   house
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 9.
                 
                 It
                 was
                 much
                 inferiour
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 the
                 Magnificence
                 of
                 Building
                 :
                 
                   Is
                   it
                   not
                   in
                   your
                   eyes
                   ,
                   who
                   have
                   seen
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   the
                   former
                   house
                   ,
                
                 says
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   comparison
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   as
                   nothing
                   ?
                
                 verse
                 3.
                 
                 
                   And
                   when
                   the
                   Priests
                   ,
                   and
                   Levites
                   ,
                   and
                   Fathers
                   ,
                   that
                   were
                   ancient
                   Men
                   ,
                   and
                   had
                   seen
                   the
                   first
                   house
                   ,
                
                 saw
                 the
                 
                   Foundation
                   of
                   it
                   laid
                
                 ,
                 whilst
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 not
                 seen
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 
                   shouted
                   for
                   joy
                   ,
                   they
                   wept
                   ,
                
                 remembring
                 the
                 disproportion
                 ,
                 Ezra
                 3.
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 under
                 it
                 Five
                 noble
                 priviledges
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 
                   Ark
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 whence
                 God
                 gave
                 *
                 Responses
                 by
                 audible
                 Voices
                 ;
                 the
                 †
                 
                   Urim
                   and
                   Thummim
                
                 ,
                 that
                 Oracle
                 for
                 the
                 miraculous
                 Instruction
                 of
                 the
                 High-Priest
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 consulted
                 God
                 on
                 
                 any
                 State-concern
                 ;
                 the
                 *
                 
                   fire
                   from
                   heaven
                
                 upon
                 the
                 altar
                 ,
                 to
                 consume
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 ;
                 the
                 †
                 Schechinah
                 ,
                 or
                 Divine
                 Presence
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   of
                   Holies
                
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 
                   visible
                   Glory
                
                 and
                 appearance
                 upon
                 the
                 *
                 mercy-seat
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Prophecy
                
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 did
                 many
                 under
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 inspired
                 none
                 under
                 this
                 House
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Writers
                 observe
                 ,
                 were
                 all
                 withdrawn
                 .
                 But
                 notwithstanding
                 it
                 ●●d
                 the
                 disadvantage
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 eminent
                 respects
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 Messiah
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 give
                 such
                 a
                 lustre
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 Judgment
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 would
                 make
                 it
                 more
                 Glorious
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Do
                 they
                 mention
                 any
                 other
                 Sign
                 ,
                 that
                 visibly
                 marks
                 out
                 this
                 time
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 That
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 shortly
                 before
                 the
                 
                   destruction
                   of
                   the
                   Temple
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 
                   City
                   Jerusalem
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   utter
                   desolation
                   of
                   the
                   Jewish
                   Nation
                   .
                
                 For
                 so
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Daniel
                 declares
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 a
                 set
                 number
                 
                   of
                   weeks
                   ,
                   Messiah
                   shall
                   be
                   cut
                   off
                   ,
                   and
                
                 then
                 
                   the
                   people
                   of
                   the
                   prince
                   that
                   shall
                   come
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Romans
                 who
                 should
                 invade
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   destroy
                   the
                   city
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   sanctuary
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   end
                   thereof
                   shall
                   be
                   with
                   a
                   flood
                   ,
                
                 viz.
                 of
                 Romans
                 over
                 powering
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   unto
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   war
                   desolations
                   are
                   determined
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 that
                 time
                 this
                 War
                 ends
                 ,
                 the
                 desolation
                 of
                 the
                 miserable
                 Jews
                 shall
                 be
                 consummated
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 26.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 to
                 this
                 he
                 adds
                 another
                 most
                 conspicuous
                 sign
                 ,
                 viz.
                 that
                 after
                 Messiah
                 was
                 once
                 come
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Sacrifices
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                
                 should
                 all
                 cease
                 among
                 them
                 .
                 
                   Seventy
                   weeks
                   ▪
                
                 
                 says
                 the
                 Angel
                 ,
                 
                   are
                   determined
                   upon
                   thy
                   people
                   ,
                   to
                   anoint
                   the
                   most
                   holy
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   finish
                   the
                   transgression
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   make
                   an
                   end
                   of
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 †
                 usual
                 Phrase
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Jows
                 ,
                 of
                 sin-offerings
                 or
                 
                   sacrifices
                   for
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 to
                 pass
                 off
                 when
                 once
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 had
                 fulfilled
                 all
                 that
                 was
                 typified
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 verse
                 24.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 has
                 been
                 most
                 notoriously
                 verified
                 upon
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 by
                 their
                 Law
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 to
                 have
                 but
                 
                   one
                   Altar
                
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 to
                 *
                 
                   bring
                   all
                   their
                   sacrifices
                
                 from
                 all
                 places
                 of
                 the
                 Land
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 temple
                 in
                 Jerusalem
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 were
                 never
                 to
                 worship
                 God
                 with
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Nation
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 never
                 sacrificed
                 at
                 all
                 since
                 they
                 were
                 driven
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Country
                 ,
                 and
                 both
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 and
                 City
                 were
                 laid
                 waste
                 by
                 
                   Titus
                   Vespasian
                
                 ,
                 which
                 happened
                 within
                 forty
                 Years
                 after
                 the
                 offering
                 up
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 Crucifixion
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 All
                 these
                 signs
                 are
                 so
                 publick
                 and
                 conspicuous
                 ,
                 as
                 must
                 needs
                 force
                 themselves
                 upon
                 all
                 Mens
                 observation
                 .
                 And
                 being
                 all
                 near
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 they
                 sufficiently
                 direct
                 Men
                 when
                 about
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 this
                 Great
                 Person
                 .
                 But
                 are
                 there
                 no
                 Predictions
                 more
                 punctual
                 in
                 point
                 of
                 Time
                 still
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 prefix
                 the
                 exact
                 Year
                 of
                 his
                 coming
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Daniel
                 foretels
                 the
                 very
                 Year
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 his
                 Manifestation
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 Death
                 and
                 Passion
                 :
                 that
                 the
                 former
                 should
                 happen
                 483.
                 and
                 the
                 latter
                 486
                 
                 Years
                 after
                 the
                 issuing
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Decree
                 to
                 rebuild
                 ,
                 not
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 
                   city
                   and
                   the
                   walls
                   of
                   Jerusalem
                   .
                   Know
                   therefore
                   ,
                   and
                   understand
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 
                   Angel
                   ,
                   that
                   from
                   the
                   going
                   forth
                   of
                   the
                   commandment
                   to
                   restore
                   and
                   build
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                   unto
                   Messiah
                   the
                   Prince
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 manifestation
                 ,
                 which
                 begun
                 at
                 his
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 first
                 drew
                 Disciples
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   be
                   seven
                   weeks
                   ,
                   and
                   threescore
                   and
                   two
                   weeks
                   ,
                
                 in
                 all
                 sixty
                 nine
                 Weeks
                 or
                 Septenaries
                 of
                 Years
                 ,
                 opposite
                 to
                 
                   weeks
                   of
                   days
                
                 mentioned
                 Dan.
                 10.
                 2.
                 which
                 makes
                 Four
                 hundred
                 eighty
                 three
                 Years
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 expiration
                 whereof
                 he
                 should
                 come
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 25.
                 
                 This
                 punctually
                 marks
                 out
                 the
                 Year
                 484.
                 for
                 the
                 Year
                 of
                 his
                 manifestation
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 as
                 for
                 his
                 Passion
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 says
                 shall
                 fall
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 
                   week
                   following
                
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   middle
                   of
                   the
                   week
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 about
                 three
                 Years
                 and
                 a
                 half
                 after
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 fourth
                 Year
                 from
                 the
                 manifestation
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 Four
                 hundred
                 eighty
                 seventh
                 Year
                 from
                 the
                 granting
                 out
                 the
                 Decree
                 to
                 rebuild
                 
                   Jerusalem
                   .
                   And
                   after
                
                 the
                 seven
                 weeks
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   threescore
                   and
                   two
                   weeks
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 sixty
                 nine
                 weeks
                 ,
                 are
                 ended
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 the
                 seventieth
                 Week
                 or
                 Septenary
                 of
                 Years
                 is
                 begun
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   Messiah
                   be
                   cut
                   off
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 26.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 cut
                 off
                 in
                 the
                 middle
                 of
                 that
                 Week
                 .
                 For
                 
                   he
                   shall
                   confirm
                   the
                   covenant
                   with
                   many
                   for
                   one
                   week
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 seventieth
                 Week
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 begun
                 his
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 whereby
                 many
                 were
                 converted
                 ;
                 
                   and
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   of
                   the
                   week
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   cause
                   the
                   sacrifice
                   and
                   oblation
                   to
                
                 
                 cease
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 put
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 verse
                 27.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 These
                 Predictions
                 are
                 as
                 express
                 ,
                 and
                 determinate
                 in
                 point
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 as
                 can
                 be
                 spoken
                 ;
                 but
                 did
                 the
                 Manifestation
                 ,
                 and
                 Crucifixion
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 fall
                 out
                 punctually
                 according
                 to
                 this
                 time
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 *
                 learned
                 examiners
                 of
                 time
                 do
                 note
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 Year
                 in
                 both
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 
                   the
                   command
                   to
                   rebuild
                   Jerusalem
                
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 temple
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   the
                   street
                   and
                   the
                   wall
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 specifies
                 it
                 ,
                 verse
                 25.
                 was
                 
                   in
                   the
                   twentieth
                   year
                   of
                   A●taxerxes
                   ,
                
                 as
                 Nehemiah
                 relates
                 ,
                 Neh.
                 2.
                 1
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 There
                 was
                 a
                 Decree
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 to
                 rebuild
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 given
                 before
                 by
                 *
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 by
                 †
                 
                   Darius
                   Hystaspis
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 again
                 by
                 *
                 
                   Artaxerxes
                   Longimanus
                
                 in
                 the
                 seventh
                 Year
                 of
                 his
                 Reign
                 ,
                 as
                 appears
                 by
                 the
                 Book
                 of
                 Ezra
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 for
                 rebuilding
                 
                   the
                   city
                   and
                   wall
                
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Prophet
                 is
                 careful
                 to
                 specifie
                 here
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 Nehemiah
                 expresly
                 says
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 
                   twentieth
                   year
                   of
                   Artaxerxes
                
                 .
                 Which
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 likeliest
                 ,
                 and
                 best
                 grounded
                 *
                 computation
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 begins
                 his
                 Reign
                 in
                 the
                 second
                 Year
                 of
                 the
                 77
                 Olympiad
                 ,
                 fell
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 Year
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 according
                 to
                 †
                 Helvicus
                 3498.
                 
                 Now
                 beginning
                 
                 with
                 this
                 Year
                 ,
                 and
                 reckoning
                 69
                 Weeks
                 ,
                 or
                 483
                 Years
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 predicted
                 to
                 expire
                 before
                 
                 Messiah's
                 manifestation
                 ,
                 the
                 Year
                 ensuing
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 appear
                 in
                 ,
                 makes
                 the
                 fourth
                 Year
                 of
                 the
                 202
                 Olympiad
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Year
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 3981.
                 and
                 the
                 nineteenth
                 Year
                 of
                 Tiberius
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 falls
                 to
                 be
                 
                   the
                   thirtieth
                   Year
                   of
                
                 Christ's
                 Age
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 what
                 I
                 judge
                 the
                 *
                 fairest
                 Account
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Birth
                   (
                   viz.
                
                 that
                 which
                 fixes
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 third
                 Year
                 of
                 the
                 195th
                 .
                 Olympiad
                 ,
                 which
                 fell
                 upon
                 the
                 †
                 41st
                 .
                 Year
                 of
                 Augustus
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Year
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 3952.
                 )
                 and
                 is
                 that
                 very
                 Year
                 of
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 wherein
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 the
                 Levites
                 ,
                 who
                 at
                 *
                 
                   thirty
                   years
                
                 old
                 begun
                 their
                 Service
                 ,
                 S.
                 Luke
                 says
                 our
                 Lord
                 was
                 †
                 Baptized
                 ,
                 and
                 begun
                 his
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 Luke
                 3.
                 21
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 reckoning
                 to
                 the
                 487th
                 .
                 Year
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 prefixed
                 for
                 his
                 Passion
                 ,
                 it
                 makes
                 the
                 third
                 Year
                 of
                 the
                 203d
                 .
                 Olympiad
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 22d
                 .
                 of
                 Tiberius
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 Year
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 seemingly
                 *
                 exactest
                 calculation
                 of
                 times
                 ,
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour's
                 Crucifixion
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 Apostles
                 had
                 the
                 greatest
                 reason
                 to
                 declare
                 of
                 
                   Christ's
                   coming
                
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 
                   when
                   the
                   fulness
                   of
                   time
                   was
                   come
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 4.
                 4
                 thereby
                 denoting
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 most
                 proper
                 Season
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 exact
                 
                 Time
                 and
                 Year
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 predicted
                 of
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 wonderful
                 exactness
                 in
                 prefixing
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 
                 Messiah's
                 coming
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 so
                 punctually
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 conclude
                 undeniably
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 unless
                 some
                 other
                 pretender
                 appeared
                 in
                 that
                 Year
                 to
                 contest
                 it
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 since
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 particularly
                 informed
                 about
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 how
                 came
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 it
                 drew
                 on
                 ,
                 the
                 Jews
                 were
                 not
                 daily
                 looking
                 for
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 They
                 were
                 all
                 full
                 of
                 expectation
                 ,
                 about
                 the
                 time
                 our
                 Saviour
                 came
                 .
                 For
                 at
                 his
                 Birth
                 ,
                 
                   Simeon
                   was
                   waiting
                   for
                   the
                   consolation
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 2.
                 25.
                 
                 Anna
                 also
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 she
                 saw
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   spoke
                   of
                   him
                   to
                   all
                   those
                   ,
                   that
                   looked
                   for
                   redemption
                   in
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 38.
                 
                 So
                 full
                 of
                 expectation
                 were
                 the
                 People
                 in
                 those
                 days
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 ready
                 to
                 give
                 ear
                 to
                 every
                 pretender
                 ,
                 running
                 after
                 The●das
                 ,
                 and
                 Judas
                 ,
                 as
                 Gamaliel
                 reports
                 ,
                 Acts
                 5.
                 36
                 ,
                 37
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 several
                 others
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 related
                 by
                 *
                 Josephus
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 so
                 near
                 was
                 their
                 expectation
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 apt
                 were
                 they
                 to
                 fix
                 that
                 Character
                 on
                 some
                 ;
                 that
                 if
                 a
                 Man
                 were
                 extraordinary
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 great
                 Name
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 pretend
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 yet
                 of
                 themselves
                 they
                 were
                 ready
                 to
                 surmise
                 it
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 
                 thus
                 they
                 did
                 of
                 *
                 John
                 the
                 Baptist
                 :
                 for
                 when
                 he
                 appeared
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 Person
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   sent
                   Priests
                   and
                   Levites
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   to
                   know
                   whether
                   he
                   was
                   the
                   Christ
                   :
                   and
                   he
                
                 
                 
                   confessed
                   ,
                   and
                   denied
                   not
                   ;
                   but
                   confessed
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   ●ot
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 John
                 1.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 this
                 expectation
                 they
                 did
                 not
                 keep
                 as
                 a
                 secret
                 among
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 boasted
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 all
                 places
                 where
                 they
                 lived
                 ,
                 and
                 filled
                 the
                 Greeks
                 ,
                 and
                 Romans
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 
                   An
                   opinion
                   had
                   then
                   prevailed
                   over
                   all
                   the
                   East
                   ,
                   grown
                   up
                   to
                   be
                   both
                   old
                   and
                   constant
                   ,
                   that
                   God
                   had
                   decreed
                   at
                   that
                   time
                   to
                   raise
                   up
                   one
                   out
                   of
                   Judea
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   empire
                
                 
                 
                   of
                   the
                   world
                
                 ;
                 says
                 Suetonius
                 in
                 the
                 *
                 
                   Life
                   of
                   Vespasian
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 as
                 the
                 Holy
                 Prophets
                 had
                 given
                 them
                 just
                 reason
                 ,
                 both
                 Jews
                 ,
                 and
                 Gentiles
                 were
                 in
                 full
                 expectation
                 of
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 it
                 was
                 that
                 our
                 Saviour
                 Christ
                 came
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 manifested
                 ere
                 the
                 Scepter
                 was
                 departed
                 ,
                 for
                 in
                 his
                 days
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 some
                 time
                 after
                 ,
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Nation
                 were
                 a
                 Body
                 Politick
                 ,
                 and
                 lived
                 under
                 a
                 form
                 of
                 Government
                 :
                 and
                 while
                 the
                 second
                 Temple
                 stood
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 daily
                 conversed
                 ,
                 and
                 taught
                 in
                 it
                 :
                 and
                 ere
                 the
                 City
                 and
                 Temple
                 were
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 their
                 Sacrifices
                 all
                 at
                 an
                 end
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 till
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 almost
                 forty
                 Years
                 after
                 he
                 was
                 Crucified
                 .
                 In
                 summ
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 manifested
                 exactly
                 at
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 sixty
                 nine
                 Weeks
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 19th
                 .
                 of
                 Tiberius
                 ,
                 and
                 suffered
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 70th
                 .
                 Week
                 ,
                 which
                 fell
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 22d
                 .
                 of
                 Tiberius
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 L'aniel
                 had
                 punctually
                 fore
                 told
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 Messiah
                 falling
                 so
                 exactly
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 no
                 other
                 Person
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 undeniably
                 clear
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Man.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 though
                 God
                 expresly
                 promised
                 to
                 send
                 Messiah
                 at
                 that
                 prefix●d
                 time
                 ,
                 yet
                 might
                 he
                 not
                 put
                 it
                 off
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 People
                 ,
                 which
                 rendred
                 them
                 utterly
                 unworthy
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 Blessing
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 those
                 sins
                 were
                 fore-told
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 his
                 coming
                 promised
                 notwithstanding
                 them
                 .
                 *
                 Isaiab
                 represents
                 the
                 Men
                 of
                 
                 Messiab's
                 Age
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 Infidel
                 and
                 hard-hearted
                 Generation
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   would
                   not
                   believe
                   his
                   report
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   hide
                   their
                   faces
                   from
                   him
                
                 in
                 the
                 extremity
                 of
                 his
                 affliction
                 ;
                 *
                 Jeremy
                 ,
                 as
                 having
                 
                   made
                   void
                   God's
                   former
                   covenant
                
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 needing
                 
                   a
                   second
                
                 to
                 be
                 introduced
                 by
                 him
                 ;
                 †
                 Mal●●hi
                 ,
                 as
                 having
                 lost
                 even
                 
                   natural
                   affection
                   between
                   Parents
                   and
                   Children
                   ,
                
                 which
                 Elias
                 must
                 go
                 before
                 to
                 restore
                 among
                 them
                 ;
                 *
                 Daniel
                 ,
                 as
                 persevering
                 under
                 his
                 appearance
                 to
                 sin
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 provoke
                 God
                 to
                 that
                 height
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 cause
                 him
                 shortly
                 after
                 to
                 cut
                 them
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   destroy
                   both
                   the
                   City
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Sanctuary
                   ,
                
                 by
                 a
                 most
                 just
                 and
                 terrible
                 judgment
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 so
                 far
                 were
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 People
                 ,
                 from
                 being
                 an
                 hindrance
                 to
                 his
                 coming
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Prophets
                 plainly
                 declare
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 cause
                 and
                 reason
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 coming
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   anointing
                   of
                   the
                   most
                   holy
                
                 ,
                 says
                 Daniel
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   to
                   make
                   an
                   end
                   of
                   sins
                
                 or
                 sin-offerings
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   make
                   reconciliation
                   for
                   iniquity
                
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 24.
                 
                   to
                   offer
                   up
                   his
                   soul
                   an
                   offering
                   for
                   sin
                   ,
                   to
                   bear
                   the
                   iniquity
                   of
                   us
                   all
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   wounded
                   for
                   our
                   transgressions
                   ,
                   and
                   bruised
                   for
                   our
                   iniquities
                   ,
                   that
                   through
                   his
                   stripes
                
                 
                 
                   we
                   may
                   be
                   healed
                
                 ,
                 says
                 Isaiah
                 53.
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 His
                 coming
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 for
                 the
                 expiation
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   open
                   a
                   fountain
                   to
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   David
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   inhabitants
                   of
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                   for
                   sin
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   uncleanness
                   ,
                
                 Zech.
                 13.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 coming
                 thus
                 to
                 expiate
                 ,
                 and
                 cure
                 sin
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 reason
                 to
                 stay
                 him
                 beyond
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 because
                 sin
                 grows
                 strong
                 ,
                 than
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 increase
                 of
                 a
                 Disease
                 ,
                 to
                 delay
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 Remedies
                 ,
                 or
                 stop
                 the
                 coming
                 of
                 the
                 Physician
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 
                   But
                   doth
                   not
                   God
                   say
                
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 speaks
                 of
                 building
                 up
                 ,
                 or
                 exalting
                 any
                 ●ation
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 evil
                 in
                 his
                 sight
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 repent
                 of
                 the
                 good
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 he
                 said
                 he
                 would
                 benefit
                 them
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 18.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 he
                 doth
                 in
                 all
                 those
                 Promises
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 makes
                 upon
                 Mens
                 supposed
                 virtues
                 ,
                 and
                 on
                 condition
                 of
                 their
                 good
                 carriage
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Promise
                 of
                 Messiah
                 was
                 absolute
                 ,
                 and
                 intended
                 ,
                 as
                 appears
                 ,
                 on
                 no
                 such
                 prospect
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 declared
                 he
                 should
                 come
                 among
                 a
                 People
                 full
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 instead
                 of
                 being
                 de●erred
                 by
                 their
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 sent
                 because
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 atone
                 and
                 heal
                 it
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 if
                 only
                 the
                 Fathers
                 sins
                 had
                 stopped
                 his
                 coming
                 ,
                 their
                 Posterities
                 Repentance
                 would
                 have
                 removed
                 that
                 impediment
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 brought
                 him
                 down
                 ;
                 which
                 they
                 see
                 for
                 above
                 this
                 1600
                 Years
                 ,
                 it
                 has
                 not
                 done
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 ancient
                 Prophecies
                 declare
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 by
                 prefixing
                 the
                 exact
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 coming
                 :
                 wherein
                 they
                 
                 are
                 so
                 particular
                 ,
                 and
                 punctual
                 ,
                 as
                 might
                 suffice
                 in
                 a
                 History
                 of
                 things
                 already
                 passed
                 .
                 But
                 I
                 pray
                 before
                 you
                 leave
                 this
                 point
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 exactness
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 how
                 can
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 believe
                 all
                 these
                 Prophecies
                 ,
                 shut
                 their
                 Eyes
                 against
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 The
                 elder
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 before
                 Christ
                 ,
                 did
                 see
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 appears
                 from
                 their
                 general
                 expectation
                 of
                 him
                 about
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 what
                 the
                 learned
                 *
                 Grotius
                 relates
                 of
                 
                   Rabbi
                   Nehumias
                
                 ,
                 who
                 living
                 fifty
                 Years
                 before
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 came
                 ,
                 declared
                 ,
                 that
                 within
                 fifty
                 Years
                 Messiah
                 must
                 come
                 ,
                 because
                 in
                 that
                 time
                 
                 Daniel's
                 Weeks
                 prefixt
                 for
                 him
                 were
                 to
                 determine
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 later
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 since
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 they
                 turn
                 by
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 by
                 one
                 rule
                 ,
                 whereby
                 at
                 their
                 pleasure
                 they
                 may
                 turn
                 by
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 not
                 medling
                 at
                 all
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 suffering
                 any
                 to
                 interpret
                 ,
                 or
                 collect
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 coming
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 meaning
                 of
                 that
                 severe
                 Anathema
                 ,
                 which
                 *
                 some
                 have
                 noted
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Thalmud
                   ,
                   Let
                   his
                   puft
                   up
                   Bones
                   burst
                   ,
                   that
                   shall
                   meddle
                   in
                   computing
                   the
                   periods
                   of
                   times
                   .
                
                 And
                 accordingly
                 the
                 rule
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 Maimonides
                 ,
                 their
                 
                   second
                   Moses
                
                 ,
                 concerning
                 the
                 
                   days
                   of
                   Messiah
                
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   believe
                   surely
                   that
                   he
                   will
                   come
                   ,
                   and
                   if
                   he
                   prove
                   slow
                   ,
                   still
                   to
                   expect
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   never
                   to
                   fix
                   him
                   any
                   time
                   ,
                   or
                   so
                   to
                   explain
                   any
                   Texts
                   of
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   infer
                   the
                   time
                   of
                   his
                   appearance
                   from
                   them
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 That
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 clear
                 reason
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 plainest
                 words
                 can
                 never
                 convince
                 those
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 read
                 ,
                 or
                 understand
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 besides
                 that
                 the
                 ancient
                 Prophecies
                 prove
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   prescribing
                   the
                   exact
                   time
                   of
                   his
                   coming
                   ,
                
                 you
                 said
                 also
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 demonstrate
                 it
                 further
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   assigning
                   many
                   peculiar
                   ,
                   and
                   most
                   visible
                   notes
                   ,
                   whereby
                   he
                   may
                   be
                   demonstratively
                   pointed
                   out
                   from
                   all
                   other
                   Men.
                
                 What
                 are
                 those
                 peculiar
                 ,
                 and
                 notable
                 marks
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 so
                 effectually
                 describe
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 They
                 are
                 certain
                 eminent
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 observable
                 things
                 ,
                 
                   belonging
                   to
                   him
                
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 
                   be
                   performed
                   by
                   him
                   ,
                   which
                   ,
                
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 most
                 visible
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 so
                 were
                 peculiarly
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 found
                 in
                 any
                 other
                 Man.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 things
                 are
                 those
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 so
                 notable
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 peculiarly
                 belonging
                 to
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Not
                 only
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 born
                 of
                 the
                 
                   lineage
                   of
                   David
                
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 11.
                 1
                 ,
                 10.
                 and
                 in
                 
                   the
                   city
                   Bethlehem
                
                 ,
                 Mic.
                 5.
                 2.
                 which
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 conjunction
                 with
                 the
                 exact
                 time
                 before-described
                 ,
                 are
                 very
                 discovering
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 time
                 when
                 ,
                 adding
                 the
                 very
                 Family
                 ,
                 and
                 Place
                 where
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 born
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 might
                 know
                 the
                 very
                 Town
                 ,
                 and
                 Kindred
                 ,
                 amongst
                 whom
                 in
                 that
                 Year
                 they
                 were
                 to
                 seek
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 more
                 particularly
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 set
                 off
                 by
                 these
                 signs
                 following
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 are
                 they
                 ?
              
               
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 should
                 
                   be
                   born
                   of
                   a
                   Virgin
                
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 a
                 thing
                 never
                 known
                 before
                 ,
                 or
                 since
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 was
                 sure
                 to
                 point
                 him
                 out
                 demonstratively
                 from
                 all
                 other
                 Men.
                 
                   Behold
                   ,
                   a
                   virgin
                   shall
                   conceive
                   ,
                   and
                   bear
                   a
                   son
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 God
                 by
                 the
                 Prophet
                 
                   Isaiah
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   call
                   his
                   name
                   Immanuel
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 7.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 the
                 word
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 there
                 rendred
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 say
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 may
                 signifie
                 only
                 a
                 
                   young
                   Woman
                
                 ,
                 denoting
                 her
                 Age
                 ,
                 not
                 Condition
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 this
                 having
                 in
                 it
                 nothing
                 peculiar
                 ,
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 proof
                 to
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 It
                 doth
                 not
                 appear
                 that
                 it
                 signifies
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 the
                 *
                 place
                 alledg'd
                 for
                 a
                 laxer
                 sense
                 ,
                 well
                 admitting
                 that
                 interpretation
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 it
                 did
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 needs
                 signifie
                 a
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 one
                 
                   that
                   has
                   not
                   known
                   man
                
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 place
                 .
                 For
                 not
                 only
                 
                   the
                   Septuagint
                
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 all
                 Jews
                 ,
                 and
                 lived
                 long
                 before
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 translate
                 it
                 Virgin
                 :
                 but
                 this
                 conception
                 is
                 here
                 given
                 for
                 a
                 sign
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 miraculous
                 thing
                 ;
                 which
                 would
                 be
                 none
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 spoken
                 only
                 of
                 a
                 
                   young
                   Woman
                
                 ;
                 especially
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 *
                 
                   whose
                   custom
                
                 it
                 was
                 most
                 early
                 to
                 contract
                 their
                 Daughters
                 ,
                 and
                 Marry
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 their
                 Age
                 would
                 suffer
                 them
                 .
                 When
                 Achaz
                 refused
                 
                   to
                   tempt
                   the
                   Lord
                   in
                   asking
                   a
                   sign
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 says
                 
                   Isaiah
                   ,
                   shall
                   give
                   you
                   a
                   sign
                   .
                   Behold
                   !
                   a
                   virgin
                   shall
                   conceive
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 verse
                 12
                 ,
                 14.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 shews
                 it
                 was
                 spoken
                 of
                 some
                 Virgin.
                 But
                 yet
                 may
                 it
                 not
                 be
                 understood
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 say
                 ,
                 of
                 some
                 one
                 ,
                 that
                 only
                 was
                 a
                 Virgin
                 at
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet's
                 speaking
                 ,
                 who
                 before
                 she
                 could
                 lose
                 her
                 Virginity
                 ,
                 conceive
                 a
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Child
                 come
                 to
                 any
                 understanding
                 ,
                 God
                 would
                 work
                 the
                 deliverance
                 which
                 they
                 desired
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Prophet
                 declares
                 ,
                 verse
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 There
                 is
                 cause
                 to
                 think
                 it
                 was
                 spoken
                 of
                 some
                 such
                 Person
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 present
                 before
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 and
                 pointed
                 out
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 this
                 Prediction
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 Original
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 Behold
                 
                   a
                   Virgin
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   that
                   Virgin
                   shall
                   conceive
                
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 particularly
                 marked
                 out
                 the
                 Person
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 
                   before
                   the
                   child
                
                 to
                 be
                 born
                 of
                 her
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   know
                   how
                   to
                   refuse
                   the
                   evil
                   ,
                   and
                   chuse
                   the
                   good
                   ,
                   the
                   land
                   that
                   thou
                   abhorrest
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   be
                   forsaken
                   of
                   both
                   her
                   kings
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 *
                 
                   Rezin
                   king
                   of
                   Syria
                   ,
                   and
                   Pekah
                   king
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                
                 who
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 were
                 their
                 invaders
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 accordingly
                 came
                 to
                 pass
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 the
                 
                   twentieth
                   Year
                
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 
                 Jotham's
                 Reign
                 ,
                 whereof
                 sixteen
                 were
                 elapsed
                 before
                 Achaz
                 came
                 to
                 succeed
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 therefore
                 must
                 fall
                 within
                 two
                 ,
                 or
                 three
                 whole
                 Years
                 at
                 most
                 from
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 this
                 Prediction
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 space
                 ,
                 the
                 Child
                 but
                 then
                 conceiv'd
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 grown
                 up
                 to
                 Years
                 of
                 understanding
                 ,
                 
                   Tiglath-Pileser
                   ,
                   king
                   of
                   Assyria
                   ,
                   slew
                   Rezin
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   Hoshea
                   slew
                   Pekah
                
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 read
                 2
                 Kings
                 15.
                 30
                 ,
                 32
                 ,
                 33.
                 
                 &
                 16.
                 9.
                 
                 
                 But
                 although
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 this
                 Prophecy
                 had
                 some
                 respect
                 to
                 a
                 Virgin
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 yet
                 did
                 it
                 look
                 beyond
                 her
                 to
                 a
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 that
                 remaining
                 such
                 ,
                 should
                 conceive
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 never
                 fulfilled
                 till
                 he
                 came
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 doth
                 it
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 the
                 Virgin
                 pointed
                 out
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Because
                 the
                 most
                 noted
                 things
                 in
                 that
                 Prophecy
                 ,
                 were
                 left
                 unaccomplished
                 then
                 ,
                 particularly
                 these
                 following
                 :
              
               
                 First
                 ,
                 The
                 conceiving
                 of
                 this
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 is
                 made
                 a
                 miraculous
                 conception
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 Judah
                 for
                 a
                 sign
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 ,
                 verse
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 meant
                 of
                 her
                 conceiving
                 ,
                 remaining
                 still
                 a
                 Virgin
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 for
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 now
                 a
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 to
                 Marry
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 that
                 conceive
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 miraculous
                 ,
                 nor
                 strange
                 thing
                 .
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 The
                 Child
                 Immanuel
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 born
                 of
                 this
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 
                   Master
                   of
                   the
                   Land
                   of
                   Judah
                   ,
                
                 which
                 the
                 Prophet
                 therefore
                 calls
                 
                   thy
                   land
                   ,
                   O
                   Immanuel
                
                 !
                 Isaiah
                 8.
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 not
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 the
                 Virgins
                 Child
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 .
                 That
                 Child
                 the
                 Jews
                 make
                 to
                 be
                 
                 Achaz's
                 Son
                 ,
                 viz.
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 afterwards
                 King
                 of
                 Judah
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 was
                 born
                 several
                 Years
                 before
                 this
                 Prophecy
                 ,
                 which
                 cannot
                 therefore
                 speak
                 of
                 conceiving
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Prophet
                 is
                 expresly
                 said
                 to
                 come
                 with
                 this
                 Message
                 to
                 
                   king
                   Achaz
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 1
                 ,
                 3.
                 a
                 clear
                 evidence
                 of
                 its
                 falling
                 some
                 time
                 in
                 
                   his
                   Reign
                
                 .
                 Now
                 
                   he
                   reigned
                   sixteen
                   years
                   in
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Kings
                 16.
                 2.
                 and
                 
                 then
                 left
                 Hezekiah
                 his
                 Son
                 to
                 succeed
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   was
                   twenty
                   five
                   years
                   old
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   began
                   to
                   reign
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Kings
                 18.
                 2.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 he
                 must
                 needs
                 have
                 been
                 eight
                 or
                 nine
                 Years
                 old
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 Father
                 Achaz
                 ascended
                 to
                 the
                 Throne
                 .
                 The
                 Child
                 here
                 promised
                 then
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 afterwards
                 King
                 ;
                 but
                 very
                 probably
                 was
                 the
                 Prophets
                 own
                 Son
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 and
                 died
                 a
                 private
                 Man
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 this
                 part
                 ,
                 of
                 being
                 
                   Master
                   of
                   the
                   Land
                   of
                   Judah
                   ,
                
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Had
                 the
                 Prophet
                 a
                 Son
                 born
                 to
                 him
                 presently
                 after
                 that
                 time
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 like
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 whom
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 Prediction
                 ,
                 he
                 either
                 had
                 espoused
                 ,
                 or
                 designed
                 to
                 espouse
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 
                   I
                   went
                   in
                   unto
                   the
                   Prophetess
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 proceeding
                 on
                 still
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Prediction
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   she
                   conceived
                   ,
                   and
                   bare
                   a
                   son
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 8.
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 how
                 doth
                 this
                 Son
                 appear
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 same
                 Immanuel
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 promised
                 to
                 be
                 
                   born
                   of
                   a
                   Virgin
                
                 ?
                 Chap.
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 Because
                 he
                 has
                 the
                 
                   same
                   Name
                
                 .
                 By
                 which
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 mean
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 noted
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 word
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 one
                 that
                 implies
                 what
                 the
                 other
                 expressed
                 ,
                 and
                 signifies
                 the
                 same
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 Name
                 in
                 Scripture
                 account
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 
                   Virgins
                   son
                
                 ,
                 chap.
                 7.
                 was
                 
                   to
                   be
                   called
                   Immanuel
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   with
                   us
                
                 ,
                 to
                 note
                 God's
                 Favour
                 and
                 Presence
                 ,
                 verse
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Prophet
                 is
                 ordered
                 to
                 call
                 his
                 Son
                 Maher-shalal-hash-baz
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 is
                 ▪
                 one
                 
                   born
                   to
                   speed
                   on
                   the
                   spoil
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   hasten
                   the
                   prey
                
                 ,
                 chap.
                 8.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 ,
                 though
                 a
                 different
                 word
                 ,
                 has
                 the
                 same
                 virtue
                 and
                 effect
                 with
                 the
                 other
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 a
                 People
                 are
                 in
                 any
                 distress
                 by
                 Invaders
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 were
                 at
                 the
                 †
                 time
                 of
                 this
                 Promise
                 ,
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 God's
                 Favour
                 and
                 Presence
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 give
                 them
                 Conquest
                 ,
                 and
                 Spoil
                 over
                 their
                 Enemies
                 .
                 ▪
                 And
                 this
                 answering
                 the
                 virtue
                 and
                 effect
                 of
                 a
                 Name
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 the
                 having
                 that
                 Name
                 in
                 Scripture
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 is
                 frequently
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 a
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 b
                 Jeremy
                 ,
                 c
                 Ezekiel
                 ,
                 d
                 Zechary
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 
                 Christ's
                 being
                 called
                 Immanuel
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   with
                   us
                   ,
                   was
                   fulfilled
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 S.
                 Matthew
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   he
                   was
                   called
                   Jesus
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 because
                 God's
                 Kindness
                 and
                 Presence
                 ,
                 is
                 most
                 eminently
                 shown
                 and
                 brought
                 to
                 effect
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Salvation
                 and
                 Deliverance
                 of
                 his
                 Servants
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 1.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 Because
                 the
                 Prophets
                 Son
                 was
                 made
                 a
                 
                   sign
                   for
                   the
                   same
                   thing
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 deliverance
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 from
                 these
                 two
                 invading
                 Princes
                 ,
                 in
                 less
                 time
                 ,
                 than
                 would
                 suffice
                 him
                 to
                 attain
                 to
                 any
                 understanding
                 .
                 
                   Before
                   the
                
                 Virgins
                 child
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 
                   chap.
                   7.
                   shall
                   know
                   to
                   refuse
                   the
                   evil
                   ,
                   and
                   chuse
                   the
                   good
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 can
                 attain
                 to
                 distinguish
                 between
                 good
                 and
                 bad
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   land
                   that
                   thou
                   abhorrest
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 †
                 Syria
                 and
                 Israel
                 ,
                 now
                 become
                 hateful
                 to
                 the
                 Jews
                 for
                 these
                 their
                 inrodes
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   be
                   forsaken
                
                 or
                 deprived
                 
                   of
                   both
                   her
                   kings
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 
                   before
                   the
                   Prophets
                   child
                
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 relation
                 ,
                 
                 chap.
                 8.
                 
                   shall
                   have
                   knowledge
                   to
                   cry
                   my
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   Mother
                   ,
                   the
                   riches
                   of
                   Damascus
                
                 the
                 metropolis
                 of
                 
                   Syria
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   spoil
                   of
                   Samaria
                
                 the
                 *
                 capital
                 place
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 
                   Israel
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   taken
                   away
                   before
                   the
                   king
                   of
                   Assyria
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 both
                 which
                 places
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 evident
                 promise
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 Kings
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 within
                 the
                 same
                 space
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 viz.
                 before
                 the
                 Child
                 then
                 promised
                 could
                 attain
                 to
                 the
                 Age
                 of
                 any
                 understanding
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 Virgins
                 Child
                 referred
                 to
                 in
                 the
                 Prophets
                 time
                 ,
                 was
                 most
                 probably
                 the
                 Prophets
                 own
                 Son.
                 And
                 he
                 not
                 being
                 of
                 Royal
                 Race
                 ,
                 but
                 living
                 and
                 dying
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 a
                 private
                 Person
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 plain
                 this
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Prophecy
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
                   the
                   childs
                   being
                   master
                   of
                   the
                   land
                   of
                   Judah
                   ,
                
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Have
                 you
                 any
                 more
                 things
                 to
                 instance
                 in
                 ,
                 which
                 shew
                 this
                 Prophecy
                 was
                 not
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 the
                 Virgins
                 Child
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 Because
                 the
                 Virgins
                 Child
                 in
                 that
                 promise
                 is
                 adorned
                 with
                 the
                 
                   glorious
                   Titles
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   plain
                   Characters
                   of
                   Messiah
                
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 further
                 pursuit
                 of
                 God's
                 Promise
                 in
                 this
                 Child
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 deliverance
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 ninth
                 Chapter
                 the
                 Prophet
                 cries
                 out
                 triumphantly
                 ,
                 
                   Unto
                   us
                   a
                   child
                   is
                   born
                   ,
                   unto
                   us
                   a
                   son
                   is
                   given
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   government
                   shall
                   be
                   upon
                   his
                   shoulder
                   :
                   and
                   his
                   Name
                   shall
                   be
                   called
                   Wonderful
                   ,
                   Counsellor
                   ,
                   The
                   mighty
                   God
                   ,
                   The
                   everlasting
                   Father
                   ,
                   The
                   Prince
                   of
                   Peace
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   Of
                   the
                   increase
                   of
                   his
                   government
                   ,
                   and
                   peace
                   ,
                   there
                   shall
                   be
                   no
                   end
                   ,
                   upon
                   the
                   throne
                   of
                   David
                   ,
                   and
                   upon
                   his
                   kingdom
                   ,
                   to
                   order
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   establish
                   it
                   ,
                   with
                   judgment
                   and
                   with
                   justice
                   ,
                   from
                   henceforth
                   even
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 Now
                 this
                 Person
                 ,
                 whose
                 Title
                 and
                 Character
                 is
                 
                   Wonderful
                   ,
                   The
                   mighty
                   God
                   ,
                   The
                   everlasting
                   Father
                   ,
                   The
                   Prince
                   of
                   Peace
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   whose
                   government
                   on
                   the
                   throne
                   of
                   David
                   was
                   to
                   be
                   perpetually
                   increasing
                   ,
                
                 is
                 plainly
                 no
                 other
                 but
                 Messiah
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 being
                 the
                 Person
                 promised
                 by
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   be
                   born
                   of
                   a
                   Virgin
                
                 ,
                 that
                 Prophecy
                 ,
                 however
                 answered
                 in
                 some
                 parts
                 before
                 ,
                 could
                 never
                 be
                 fulfilled
                 and
                 accomplished
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 you
                 said
                 before
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 respect
                 to
                 the
                 Virgins
                 Son
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 in
                 part
                 effected
                 then
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 it
                 must
                 still
                 be
                 meant
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 good
                 in
                 him
                 again
                 some
                 hundreds
                 of
                 Years
                 after
                 ,
                 this
                 makes
                 the
                 same
                 words
                 to
                 be
                 designed
                 for
                 several
                 meanings
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 must
                 be
                 verified
                 at
                 far
                 distant
                 times
                 ,
                 which
                 seems
                 a
                 strange
                 thing
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 This
                 is
                 most
                 usual
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 and
                 especially
                 in
                 Prophecies
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 often
                 spoken
                 of
                 one
                 Person
                 next
                 in
                 view
                 and
                 near
                 at
                 hand
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 they
                 are
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 part
                 ;
                 but
                 of
                 another
                 further
                 off
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 lies
                 hid
                 till
                 he
                 is
                 shown
                 by
                 the
                 event
                 ,
                 is
                 yet
                 the
                 Person
                 chiefly
                 meant
                 ,
                 whereof
                 the
                 other
                 was
                 only
                 a
                 Figure
                 or
                 Type
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 whom
                 they
                 are
                 fully
                 to
                 be
                 accomplished
                 .
                 Thus
                 God's
                 Promise
                 to
                 David
                 ,
                 
                 2
                 Sam.
                 7.
                 12
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 Of
                 
                   setting
                   up
                   his
                   seed
                   for
                   ever
                   after
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   be
                   his
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   be
                   my
                   Son
                   ,
                
                 though
                 it
                 were
                 spoken
                 immediately
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 part
                 of
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 most
                 apparent
                 ,
                 yet
                 was
                 chiefly
                 intended
                 ,
                 and
                 fully
                 made
                 good
                 in
                 †
                 Christ.
                 And
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 David
                 ,
                 about
                 God
                 's
                 
                   not
                   leaving
                   his
                   soul
                   in
                   hell
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 Psal.
                 16.
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 though
                 seemingly
                 spoken
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 part
                 verified
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Person
                 ,
                 were
                 yet
                 meant
                 ,
                 and
                 fully
                 accomplished
                 in
                 
                 Christ's
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 whereto
                 S.
                 Peter
                 applies
                 them
                 ,
                 Act.
                 2.
                 29
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 when
                 
                   God
                   said
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   Thou
                   art
                   my
                   son
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   thee
                   the
                   Heathen
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 2.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 which
                 had
                 its
                 full
                 effect
                 in
                 Christ
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 S.
                 
                 Paul's
                 interpretation
                 ,
                 Act.
                 13.
                 33.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 S.
                 Matthew
                 assures
                 us
                 of
                 the
                 Virgins
                 Son
                 ,
                 which
                 though
                 it
                 might
                 have
                 some
                 regard
                 to
                 a
                 Child
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 yet
                 was
                 then
                 only
                 fulfilled
                 ,
                 when
                 Christ
                 came
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 1.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 this
                 Virgins
                 bearing
                 a
                 Son
                 ,
                 be
                 meant
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 How
                 could
                 it
                 be
                 given
                 to
                 Achaz
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 Judah
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 sign
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 was
                 then
                 afar
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 come
                 till
                 long
                 after
                 that
                 Generation
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Because
                 it
                 was
                 meant
                 of
                 another
                 too
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 conceived
                 at
                 that
                 very
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 prove
                 a
                 
                   sign
                   to
                   them
                
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 this
                 inferiour
                 accomplishment
                 ,
                 would
                 be
                 a
                 sign
                 of
                 this
                 answerable
                 Deliverance
                 in
                 that
                 Age
                 :
                 so
                 would
                 the
                 miraculous
                 Birth
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 should
                 more
                 eminently
                 
                 fulfil
                 this
                 Prophecy
                 ,
                 be
                 a
                 much
                 more
                 illustrious
                 sign
                 ,
                 of
                 an
                 incomparably
                 greater
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 Successors
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 also
                 answers
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 its
                 being
                 given
                 here
                 for
                 a
                 sign
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 limited
                 to
                 any
                 Person
                 ,
                 or
                 Time
                 ,
                 but
                 indefinite
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 
                   House
                   of
                   David
                   .
                   Hear
                
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 not
                 
                   O!
                   Ahaz
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   O!
                   house
                   of
                   David
                
                 ,
                 &c.
                 verse
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 Besides
                 ,
                 in
                 
                 Ahaz's
                 time
                 ,
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 
                 Christ's
                 being
                 born
                 of
                 a
                 Virgin
                 whilst
                 only
                 promised
                 ,
                 would
                 give
                 it
                 the
                 virtue
                 of
                 a
                 sign
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 it
                 when
                 performed
                 .
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 assure
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 Syria
                 ,
                 and
                 Israel
                 ,
                 should
                 not
                 prevail
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 verse
                 4
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 believed
                 it
                 ,
                 't
                 was
                 apt
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 argument
                 from
                 God's
                 intending
                 for
                 them
                 a
                 greater
                 kindness
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 readiness
                 in
                 performing
                 a
                 less
                 :
                 for
                 sending
                 Messiah
                 to
                 be
                 
                   born
                   of
                   a
                   Virgin
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 
                   God
                   with
                   us
                
                 ,
                 must
                 argue
                 a
                 greater
                 power
                 and
                 kindness
                 ,
                 than
                 would
                 suffice
                 to
                 work
                 this
                 deliverance
                 from
                 these
                 invading
                 Princes
                 .
                 And
                 after
                 all
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 unusual
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 to
                 beget
                 Faith
                 and
                 confidence
                 ,
                 by
                 such
                 signs
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 remote
                 and
                 far
                 off
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 did
                 to
                 Moses
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 3.
                 12.
                 and
                 to
                 Hezekiah
                 and
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 37.
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 perceive
                 this
                 Prophecy
                 ,
                 of
                 a
                 
                   Virgin
                   bearing
                   a
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 was
                 intended
                 of
                 Messiah
                 .
                 But
                 was
                 it
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 Jesus
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 most
                 miraculously
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 Mother
                 that
                 bare
                 him
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 pure
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 appeared
                 both
                 from
                 her
                 own
                 account
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 Joseph's
                 her
                 reputed
                 Husband
                 ,
                 both
                 Persons
                 of
                 known
                 Integrity
                 ,
                 and
                 unquestionable
                 Credit
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 after
                 her
                 espousal
                 ,
                 Joseph
                 doubted
                 of
                 her
                 Chastity
                 ,
                 because
                 
                   she
                   was
                   found
                   with
                   Child
                   before
                   their
                   coming
                   together
                   ,
                
                 an
                 Angel
                 is
                 dispatched
                 from
                 Heaven
                 to
                 clear
                 her
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 assure
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 what
                 was
                 conceived
                 in
                 her
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 any
                 Humane
                 Production
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 1.
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 as
                 another
                 Angel
                 explained
                 it
                 to
                 her self
                 ,
                 
                   coming
                   upon
                   her
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   the
                   Highest
                   overshadowing
                   her
                   ,
                
                 when
                 she
                 objected
                 the
                 impossibility
                 of
                 her
                 being
                 a
                 Mother
                 ,
                 because
                 
                   she
                   was
                   a
                   pure
                   maid
                
                 ,
                 Luke
                 1.
                 34
                 ,
                 35.
                 
                 All
                 which
                 was
                 so
                 unquestionable
                 ,
                 and
                 notoriously
                 made
                 out
                 to
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Primitive
                   Christians
                
                 ,
                 their
                 greatest
                 Enemies
                 finding
                 no
                 pretence
                 to
                 cavil
                 ,
                 and
                 start
                 doubts
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 universally
                 and
                 firmly
                 believed
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 thought
                 it
                 a
                 point
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 account
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 deserve
                 a
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 one
                 Article
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 short
                 Summary
                 and
                 Abridgment
                 of
                 Christian
                 Faith
                 ,
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   Creed
                
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 that
                 ,
                 one
                 thing
                 we
                 profess
                 to
                 believe
                 concerning
                 Jesus
                 is
                 ,
                 That
                 being
                 
                   conceived
                   by
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   Virgin
                   Mary
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 No
                 wonder
                 it
                 found
                 a
                 place
                 there
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 sign
                 ,
                 not
                 more
                 strange
                 than
                 convincing
                 ,
                 being
                 of
                 it self
                 alone
                 sufficient
                 to
                 prove
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 since
                 in
                 this
                 he
                 has
                 no
                 Competitors
                 ,
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 I
                 think
                 ,
                 
                 being
                 never
                 known
                 ,
                 or
                 pretended
                 of
                 any
                 other
                 Man.
                 But
                 besides
                 this
                 ,
                 are
                 there
                 not
                 other
                 notable
                 things
                 set
                 down
                 by
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   belonging
                   to
                   him
                
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 serve
                 still
                 further
                 to
                 discover
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 That
                 an
                 
                   extraordinary
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 of
                 Might
                 or
                 
                   miraculous
                   Power
                
                 ,
                 should
                 not
                 only
                 descend
                 now
                 and
                 then
                 by
                 fits
                 ,
                 but
                 make
                 a
                 settled
                 abode
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   rest
                   upon
                   him
                
                 .
                 Concerning
                 
                   the
                   branch
                   ,
                   that
                   shall
                   grow
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   root
                   of
                   Jesse
                   ,
                
                 says
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   shall
                   rest
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   wisdom
                   and
                   understanding
                   ,
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   counsel
                   and
                   might
                   ,
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   knowledge
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 11.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 once
                 the
                 former
                 Prophecies
                 had
                 pointed
                 out
                 the
                 exact
                 Year
                 ,
                 and
                 place
                 of
                 his
                 appearing
                 ,
                 this
                 sign
                 of
                 it self
                 had
                 been
                 enough
                 to
                 discover
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 being
                 thus
                 extraordinary
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 for
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Piety
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 for
                 Might
                 and
                 miraculous
                 Power
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 would
                 survey
                 all
                 the
                 Men
                 in
                 Bethlehem
                 in
                 search
                 of
                 Messiah
                 at
                 the
                 prefixed
                 time
                 ,
                 he
                 infinitely
                 ,
                 above
                 all
                 others
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 draw
                 all
                 Mens
                 Eyes
                 to
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Are
                 there
                 any
                 more
                 things
                 still
                 belonging
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 confirm
                 the
                 same
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 
                   cut
                   off
                   as
                   a
                   Malefactor
                
                 by
                 corrupt
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 noting
                 the
                 main
                 circumstances
                 both
                 previous
                 and
                 concomitant
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 particular
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 then
                 unusual
                 manner
                 of
                 his
                 punishment
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 after
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 he
                 should
                 
                   return
                   from
                   the
                   Grave
                
                 ,
                 and
                 appear
                 alive
                 again
                 .
                 All
                 this
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Prophets
                
                 ,
                 plainly
                 foretel
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 
                   When
                   we
                   shall
                   see
                   him
                
                 ,
                 says
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 
                   without
                   form
                   ,
                   or
                   comeliness
                   :
                   he
                   is
                   despised
                   ,
                   and
                   rejected
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 53.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 He
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 betrayed
                 ,
                 and
                 sold
                 to
                 his
                 Adversaries
                 
                   for
                   thirty
                   pieces
                   of
                   silver
                
                 ,
                 Zach.
                 11.
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 their
                 Hands
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 judged
                 as
                 a
                 prisoner
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 53.
                 8.
                 his
                 
                   back
                   shall
                   be
                   scourged
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   his
                   face
                   shall
                   be
                   spit
                   on
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 50.
                 6.
                 
                 He
                 shall
                 be
                 tried
                 and
                 condemned
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   cut
                   off
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   land
                   of
                   the
                   living
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 53.
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 by
                 the
                 
                   piercing
                   of
                   his
                   hands
                   and
                   feet
                   ,
                
                 and
                 keeping
                 his
                 Body
                 between
                 them
                 so
                 at
                 stretch
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   they
                   may
                   tell
                   all
                   his
                   bones
                
                 ;
                 a
                 plain
                 description
                 of
                 a
                 Death
                 on
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 a
                 Roman
                 punishment
                 ,
                 and
                 brought
                 in
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 by
                 their
                 Conquest
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 unknown
                 in
                 
                 David's
                 Age
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 more
                 observable
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 foretold
                 by
                 him
                 so
                 many
                 hundred
                 Years
                 before
                 ,
                 in
                 describing
                 the
                 sufferings
                 of
                 Messiah
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 under
                 this
                 Execution
                 ,
                 they
                 relate
                 the
                 
                   very
                   words
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 should
                 express
                 the
                 bitterness
                 of
                 his
                 Sorrows
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 the
                 
                   starers
                   on
                
                 would
                 vent
                 their
                 cruel
                 Scoffs
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 they
                 should
                 seek
                 to
                 sharpen
                 his
                 Pains
                 by
                 a
                 
                   draught
                   of
                
                 *
                 vinegar
                 ,
                 and
                 pierce
                 or
                 thrust
                 him
                 through
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Zechary
                 declared
                 in
                 a
                 Text
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 old
                 
                 Rabbins
                 applied
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 Dead
                 ,
                 
                   share
                   his
                   garment
                
                 by
                 
                   casting
                   Lots
                
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 
                   They
                   pierced
                   my
                   hands
                   and
                   my
                   feet
                   ,
                   I
                   may
                   tell
                   all
                   my
                   bones
                   ,
                   they
                   part
                   my
                   garments
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   cast
                   lots
                   upon
                   my
                   vesture
                   :
                   My
                   God
                   ,
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   why
                   hast
                   thou
                   forsaken
                   me
                   ?
                   Whilst
                   they
                   stare
                   upon
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   laugh
                   me
                   to
                   scorn
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   He
                   trusted
                   in
                   God
                   that
                   he
                   would
                   deliver
                   him
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   deliver
                   him
                   if
                   he
                   delight
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 says
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 22.
                 1
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 Which
                 Psalm
                 ,
                 and
                 these
                 passages
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Letter
                 ,
                 never
                 fully
                 verified
                 in
                 the
                 Story
                 of
                 David
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Jews
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   New
                   Testament
                
                 applies
                 to
                 
                   Christ
                   ,
                   Matth.
                
                 27.
                 35
                 ,
                 43
                 ,
                 46.
                 
                 &
                 John
                 19.
                 24.
                 
                 These
                 places
                 evidently
                 foretel
                 the
                 method
                 of
                 his
                 Death
                 and
                 Humiliation
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 after
                 Death
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 Prophets
                 as
                 evidently
                 foretel
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 not
                 lie
                 to
                 *
                 
                   see
                   corruption
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   return
                   from
                   the
                   grave
                
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 long
                 ,
                 happy
                 ,
                 and
                 successful
                 Life
                 .
                 When
                 
                   he
                   shall
                   make
                   his
                   Soul
                   an
                   offering
                   for
                   Sin
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   prolong
                   his
                   days
                
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 after
                 his
                 dying
                 as
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 live
                 Man.
                 Nay
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   pleasure
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   shall
                   prosper
                   in
                   his
                   hand
                   .
                   He
                   shall
                   see
                   of
                   the
                   travel
                   of
                   his
                   soul
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   be
                   satisfied
                
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 also
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 active
                 ,
                 undertaking
                 ,
                 and
                 successful
                 Man
                 ,
                 verse
                 10.
                 yea
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   will
                   divide
                   him
                   a
                   portion
                   with
                   the
                   great
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   divide
                   the
                   spoil
                   with
                   the
                   strong
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 be
                 most
                 Wealthy
                 ,
                 Potent
                 ,
                 and
                 Victorious
                 amongst
                 Men
                 ,
                 verse
                 12.
                 
                 All
                 which
                 long
                 ,
                 active
                 ,
                 and
                 happy
                 Life
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 bestowed
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 after
                 
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 a
                 recompence
                 and
                 reward
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   divide
                   the
                   spoil
                   with
                   the
                   strong
                   ,
                   because
                   he
                   hath
                   poured
                   out
                   his
                   soul
                   unto
                   death
                   ,
                   and
                   was
                   numbered
                   with
                   the
                   transgressors
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 was
                 condemned
                 and
                 executed
                 in
                 the
                 herd
                 of
                 Malefactors
                 ,
                 verse
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 all
                 this
                 was
                 plainly
                 prophesied
                 of
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 it
                 fully
                 made
                 good
                 in
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 For
                 he
                 appeared
                 in
                 a
                 poor
                 and
                 despicable
                 condition
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 *
                 
                   carpenter's
                   son
                
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 sold
                 by
                 his
                 own
                 Servant
                 †
                 
                   for
                   thirty
                   pieces
                   of
                   silver
                
                 ,
                 which
                 did
                 the
                 Traytor
                 no
                 good
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 an
                 over-ruling
                 Providence
                 was
                 
                   cast
                   to
                   the
                   Potter
                
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 *
                 buy
                 the
                 
                   Potters
                   Field
                
                 for
                 a
                 Burying
                 place
                 ,
                 as
                 Zechary
                 had
                 foretold
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 put
                 in
                 Bonds
                 as
                 a
                 Prisoner
                 ,
                 and
                 led
                 about
                 before
                 †
                 
                   the
                   high-priest
                   ,
                   Herod
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Roman
                   Governour
                
                 .
                 They
                 *
                 scourged
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 †
                 spit
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 condemned
                 and
                 
                   cut
                   him
                   off
                
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 as
                 a
                 Malefactor
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 in
                 company
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 executing
                 him
                 †
                 
                   between
                   two
                   thieves
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Evangelists
                 
                 relate
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 though
                 Crucifixion
                 was
                 no
                 Jewish
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 Roman
                 Punishment
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 the
                 
                   High
                   Priest
                
                 had
                 pronounced
                 him
                 
                   guilty
                   of
                
                 *
                 Blasphemy
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 constitution
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 and
                 the
                 †
                 
                   Law
                   of
                   Moses
                
                 ,
                 he
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 stoned
                 :
                 yet
                 by
                 the
                 special
                 ordering
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 suffered
                 by
                 the
                 
                   piercing
                   of
                   his
                   hands
                   and
                   feet
                   ,
                
                 and
                 hanging
                 so
                 at
                 stretch
                 upon
                 the
                 Tree
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 
                   bones
                   might
                   be
                   numbered
                
                 ,
                 according
                 ▪
                 
                 to
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 David
                 .
                 In
                 his
                 extremities
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 custom
                 of
                 the
                 Nation
                 was
                 to
                 offer
                 stupefactives
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Wine
                   and
                   Myrrh
                
                 ,
                 to
                 benum
                 the
                 Sense
                 ,
                 and
                 ease
                 the
                 pains
                 of
                 dying
                 Persons
                 ;
                 yet
                 to
                 verifie
                 the
                 saying
                 of
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 they
                 brought
                 him
                 *
                 Vinegar
                 ,
                 to
                 whet
                 and
                 sharpen
                 his
                 .
                 The
                 
                   chief
                   Priests
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   Scribes
                   and
                   Elders
                   ,
                
                 most
                 inhumanly
                 staring
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 said
                 with
                 cruel
                 scorn
                 ,
                 He
                 †
                 
                   trusted
                   in
                   God
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   deliver
                   him
                   now
                   if
                   he
                   will
                   have
                   him
                   ,
                
                 the
                 very
                 words
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Holy
                 Psalmist
                 had
                 so
                 long
                 before
                 set
                 down
                 for
                 them
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 himself
                 cried
                 out
                 ,
                 *
                 
                   My
                   God
                   ,
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   why
                   hast
                   thou
                   forsaken
                   me
                   ?
                
                 The
                 very
                 words
                 again
                 ,
                 which
                 that
                 Holy
                 Prophet
                 spoke
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 extremity
                 .
                 As
                 he
                 hung
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 a
                 Soldier
                 †
                 
                   pierced
                   his
                   side
                
                 ,
                 and
                 thrust
                 him
                 through
                 ,
                 to
                 fulfil
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Zechary
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 they
                 saw
                 he
                 had
                 expired
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   four
                   Soldiers
                
                 that
                 stood
                 by
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 to
                 share
                 his
                 Cloathes
                 ,
                 would
                 
                   not
                   divide
                   his
                   seamless
                   coat
                
                 ,
                 but
                 *
                 
                   cast
                   lots
                   for
                   it
                
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Prediction
                 of
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 .
                 Amidst
                 all
                 which
                 strange
                 congruities
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 one
                 other
                 qualifying
                 circumstance
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Isaiah
                 remarks
                 ,
                 viz.
                 to
                 
                   make
                   his
                   grave
                
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   with
                   the
                   wicked
                
                 ,
                 by
                 dying
                 for
                 a
                 pretended
                 crime
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   with
                   the
                   rich
                   in
                   his
                   death
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 53.
                 9
                 which
                 was
                 verified
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 being
                 
                   wrapt
                   in
                   fine
                   linen
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Entombed
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 his
                 care
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 †
                 
                   Joseph
                   of
                   Arimathea's
                   own
                   Sepulchre
                
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 a
                 *
                 
                   rich
                   man
                
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 †
                 
                   honourable
                   counsellor
                
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 as
                 for
                 
                 his
                 
                   return
                   to
                   life
                   again
                
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 
                   undertaking
                   ,
                   successful
                
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 
                   potent
                   ,
                   happy
                
                 Person
                 :
                 that
                 has
                 been
                 most
                 notoriously
                 ,
                 and
                 eminently
                 made
                 good
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 Blessed
                 Saviour's
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 unparalleled
                 success
                 of
                 his
                 Religion
                 in
                 all
                 places
                 since
                 that
                 time
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 again
                 ,
                 especially
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 is
                 another
                 note
                 ,
                 which
                 as
                 it
                 fits
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 so
                 beyond
                 dispute
                 excludes
                 all
                 other
                 Men.
                 For
                 though
                 Theudas
                 ,
                 and
                 Judas
                 ,
                 as
                 Gamaliel
                 *
                 observed
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 
                   false
                   Christs
                
                 ,
                 in
                 just
                 reward
                 of
                 their
                 Impostures
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 condemned
                 and
                 slain
                 ;
                 yet
                 was
                 never
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 seen
                 to
                 return
                 to
                 life
                 again
                 ,
                 to
                 carry
                 on
                 their
                 pretences
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 prosper
                 and
                 thrive
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Have
                 you
                 any
                 other
                 notable
                 ,
                 and
                 appropriating
                 marks
                 to
                 add
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 these
                 already
                 given
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 should
                 
                   put
                   an
                   end
                   to
                   the
                
                 Jewish
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Covenant
                   brought
                   in
                   by
                
                 Moses
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 its
                 imperfection
                 ;
                 and
                 instead
                 thereof
                 ,
                 make
                 a
                 new
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   more
                   Gracious
                   and
                   Perfect
                   Covenant
                   ,
                   between
                   God
                   and
                   Men.
                
                 And
                 this
                 being
                 a
                 most
                 publick
                 change
                 ,
                 and
                 abolishing
                 an
                 Institution
                 most
                 peculiarly
                 distinguished
                 ,
                 and
                 universally
                 eyed
                 and
                 taken
                 notice
                 of
                 among
                 Men
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 a
                 convincing
                 sign
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 might
                 easily
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 observe
                 when
                 it
                 came
                 .
                 When
                 Messiah
                 comes
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Daniel
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 
                   make
                   an
                   end
                   of
                   sin-offerings
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   cause
                   the
                
                 Mosaical
                 
                 
                   Sacrifices
                   and
                   Oblations
                   to
                   cease
                
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 24
                 27.
                 
                 
                   Behold
                   !
                   the
                   days
                   come
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 by
                 
                   Jeremiah
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   will
                   make
                   a
                   new
                   covenant
                   with
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   and
                   Judah
                   ,
                
                 Jer.
                 31.
                 31.
                 
                 Which
                 days
                 are
                 plainly
                 the
                 
                   days
                   of
                   Messiah
                
                 ,
                 noted
                 verse
                 22.
                 who
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 
                   the
                   Messenger
                   or
                   Angel
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                
                 answerable
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Angel
                   of
                   God's
                   Presence
                
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 *
                 ministry
                 he
                 established
                 the
                 
                   Mosaick
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Malachy
                 foretold
                 ,
                 Mal.
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Covenant
                 was
                 to
                 offer
                 more
                 large
                 Indulgence
                 ,
                 and
                 richer
                 Overtures
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 make
                 it
                 a
                 Message
                 
                   of
                   Joy
                
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Zechary
                 ;
                 a
                 
                   publication
                   of
                   Peace
                   ,
                   and
                   Salvation
                   ,
                
                 a
                 
                   bringing
                   glad
                   tidings
                   of
                   good
                
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   binding
                   up
                   of
                   broken
                   hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   proclaiming
                   liberty
                   to
                   the
                   Captives
                   ,
                   and
                   preaching
                   the
                   acceptable
                   year
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 as
                 *
                 Isaiah
                 :
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 
                   forgive
                   iniquity
                
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 
                   Jeremy
                   ;
                   making
                   reconciliation
                
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 
                   Daniel
                   ;
                   opening
                   a
                   fountain
                
                 to
                 wash
                 away
                 
                   sin
                   and
                   uncleanness
                
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Zechary
                 says
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 did
                 Jesus
                 fulfil
                 all
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 taken
                 off
                 the
                 yoke
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   abolished
                   all
                   its
                   Ordinances
                   ,
                   nailing
                   them
                   unto
                   his
                   Cross
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 2.
                 14.
                 
                 He
                 hath
                 fulfilled
                 all
                 former
                 ,
                 and
                 superseded
                 all
                 later
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   once
                   offering
                   that
                   one
                   Sacrifice
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 He
                 hath
                 brought
                 in
                 a
                 
                   new
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Laws
                 whereof
                 have
                 more
                 root
                 in
                 our
                 own
                 Reason
                 ,
                 called
                 their
                 being
                 *
                 
                   writ
                   in
                   our
                   hearts
                   and
                   minds
                
                 ;
                 which
                 makes
                 them
                 the
                 
                   easier
                   to
                   be
                   remembred
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Moses
                 is
                 brought
                 in
                 saying
                 
                 †
                 
                   the
                   Laws
                   of
                   Messiah
                
                 should
                 be
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 an
                 
                   old
                   Tradition
                
                 of
                 the
                 Rabbies
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 Mercy
                 whereof
                 extends
                 to
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 more
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Prophets
                 foretold
                 ,
                 than
                 could
                 be
                 hoped
                 for
                 by
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Moses
                 .
                 For
                 Murder
                 ,
                 or
                 Adultery
                 ,
                 under
                 that
                 Law
                 ,
                 God
                 admitted
                 of
                 
                   no
                   Sacrifice
                
                 to
                 
                   bear
                   any
                   persons
                   iniquity
                
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 seen
                 in
                 *
                 Leviticus
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 David
                 declares
                 in
                 
                 Uriah's
                 case
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 51.
                 16.
                 
                 Nor
                 for
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 17.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 &c.
                 nor
                 for
                 
                   giving
                   their
                   seed
                   to
                   Moloch
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 for
                 
                   seeking
                   after
                   Wizards
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 for
                 
                   cursing
                   Parents
                
                 ,
                 nor
                 for
                 Incest
                 ,
                 or
                 ▪
                 Sodomy
                 ,
                 or
                 Bestiality
                 ,
                 all
                 which
                 were
                 
                   Surely
                   to
                   be
                   put
                   to
                   death
                
                 according
                 to
                 God's
                 Ordinance
                 ,
                 Lev.
                 20.
                 2
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 Nor
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 for
                 any
                 
                   presumptuous
                   offence
                
                 ,
                 the
                 iniquity
                 whereof
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Law
                 says
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 
                   laid
                   upon
                   any
                   Sacrifice
                
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 
                   rest
                   upon
                   themselves
                
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 to
                 
                   be
                   utterly
                   cut
                   off
                
                 ,
                 Num.
                 15.
                 30
                 ,
                 31.
                 and
                 
                   die
                   without
                   mercy
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 28.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 under
                 it
                 a
                 curse
                 was
                 pronounced
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 guilty
                 of
                 some
                 certain
                 offences
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 what
                 was
                 more
                 hard
                 to
                 be
                 avoided
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   all
                   ,
                   who
                   continued
                   not
                   in
                   all
                   points
                   written
                   in
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   to
                   do
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 27.
                 26.
                 
                 &
                 Gal.
                 3.
                 10.
                 
                 But
                 for
                 all
                 these
                 sins
                 ,
                 unpardonable
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Mosaick
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Holy
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 bring
                 in
                 a
                 fuller
                 Pardon
                 and
                 Oblivion
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
                 than
                 before
                 was
                 offered
                 ,
                 doth
                 proclaim
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 on
                 Mens
                 true
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 
                   New
                   Covenant
                
                 .
                 By
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 declares
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   that
                   believe
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   are
                   justified
                   from
                   all
                   things
                   from
                   which
                   they
                   could
                   not
                   be
                   justified
                   by
                   the
                   law
                   of
                   Moses
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 13.
                 38
                 ,
                 39.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 he
                 to
                 do
                 any
                 more
                 things
                 besides
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 To
                 
                   found
                   a
                   kingdom
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   appear
                   as
                   a
                   mighty
                   Prince
                   .
                   The
                   Government
                   ,
                
                 says
                 
                   Isaiah
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   upon
                   his
                   shoulder
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   shall
                   increase
                   without
                   end
                   upon
                   the
                   throne
                   of
                   David
                   ,
                   and
                   upon
                   his
                   kingdom
                   ,
                   to
                   order
                   ,
                   and
                   establish
                   it
                   ,
                   with
                   justice
                   and
                   judgment
                   ,
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 9.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Principality
                 ,
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 not
                 over
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Nation
                 alone
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 had
                 been
                 confined
                 aforetime
                 :
                 but
                 over
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 too
                 ,
                 who
                 should
                 all
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 submit
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 
                   The
                   root
                   of
                   Jesse
                   ,
                   which
                   shall
                   stand
                   for
                   an
                   Ensign
                   of
                   the
                   People
                   ,
                   shall
                   set
                   up
                   an
                   Ensign
                   for
                   the
                   Nations
                   ,
                   and
                   unto
                   it
                   shall
                   the
                
                 †
                 
                   Gentiles
                   seek
                
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 11.
                 10
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 
                   My
                   servant
                   shall
                   bring
                   forth
                   judgment
                   to
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   give
                   him
                   for
                   a
                   covenant
                   of
                   the
                   People
                   ,
                   for
                   a
                   light
                   of
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                   for
                   salvation
                   to
                   the
                   ends
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 42.
                 1
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 &
                 49.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   To
                   him
                   whom
                   man
                   despiseth
                   ,
                   Kings
                   shall
                   see
                   and
                   arise
                   ,
                   Princes
                   also
                   shall
                   worship
                   .
                   I
                   will
                   lift
                   up
                   my
                   hand
                   to
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   bring
                   thy
                   sons
                   in
                   their
                   arms
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   daughters
                   shall
                   be
                   carried
                   upon
                   their
                   shoulders
                   .
                   And
                   Kings
                   shall
                   be
                   thy
                   nursing-fathers
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   Queens
                   thy
                   nursing-mothers
                   :
                   they
                   shall
                   bow
                   down
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                   with
                   their
                   face
                   towards
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   and
                   lick
                   up
                   the
                   dust
                   of
                   thy
                   feet
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 49.
                 7
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 Messiah
                 were
                 to
                 come
                 as
                 such
                 a
                 Royal
                 Prince
                 ,
                 and
                 erect
                 an
                 Universal
                 Monarchy
                 over
                 all
                 Nations
                 ;
                 by
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 easily
                 be
                 known
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 Man
                 would
                 be
                 at
                 a
                 loss
                 to
                 discern
                 
                   who
                   is
                   he
                
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 this
                 is
                 done
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 they
                 are
                 at
                 a
                 loss
                 to
                 know
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 
                   King
                   of
                   Great
                   Britain
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   German
                   Emperour
                
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 
                   Grand
                   Signior
                
                 .
                 Besides
                 the
                 dependancies
                 ,
                 that
                 make
                 so
                 many
                 concerned
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 Quality
                 and
                 Greatness
                 of
                 such
                 Characters
                 ,
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 Man
                 known
                 ,
                 and
                 draw
                 all
                 Eyes
                 upon
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 did
                 Jesus
                 found
                 such
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 such
                 Kingly
                 Power
                 he
                 claimed
                 before
                 
                   Pontius
                   Pilate
                
                 ,
                 John
                 18.
                 37.
                 
                 And
                 such
                 he
                 exercises
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 His
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 praised
                 be
                 God
                 ,
                 goes
                 beyond
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 spread
                 far
                 and
                 wide
                 among
                 the
                 Nations
                 ,
                 whose
                 Princes
                 submit
                 their
                 Scepters
                 to
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 glory
                 in
                 being
                 his
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 account
                 being
                 stiled
                 
                   Defenders
                   of
                   the
                   Faith
                   ,
                   most
                   Christian
                   ,
                
                 or
                 
                   Catholick
                   Kings
                
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 Flower
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 Titles
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 how
                 did
                 he
                 appear
                 like
                 such
                 a
                 mighty
                 Prince
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 made
                 no
                 pompous
                 Entrance
                 ,
                 with
                 splendid
                 Retinues
                 ,
                 and
                 strong
                 Guards
                 ;
                 nor
                 erected
                 any
                 Courts
                 ,
                 to
                 judge
                 of
                 Properties
                 ;
                 nor
                 listed
                 potent
                 Armies
                 ,
                 to
                 repel
                 Invaders
                 ;
                 nor
                 came
                 furnished
                 ,
                 either
                 with
                 rich
                 Mannors
                 and
                 Preferments
                 ,
                 to
                 reward
                 good
                 Services
                 ;
                 or
                 with
                 
                 visible
                 and
                 present
                 Punishments
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 Confiscations
                 ,
                 Prisons
                 ,
                 Gibbets
                 ,
                 to
                 avenge
                 the
                 Transgressions
                 of
                 his
                 Followers
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 This
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 was
                 a
                 
                   stumbling
                   Block
                
                 to
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 expected
                 a
                 
                   Secular
                   Saviour
                
                 ,
                 a
                 Prince
                 in
                 worldly
                 Power
                 ,
                 Pomp
                 ,
                 and
                 Greatness
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 to
                 
                   Messiah's
                   outward
                   appearance
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Prophets
                 foretold
                 quite
                 contrary
                 things
                 .
                 So
                 did
                 Isaiah
                 among
                 others
                 ,
                 calling
                 
                   Christ
                   ,
                   him
                   whom
                   man
                   despiseth
                   ,
                   whom
                   the
                   nation
                   abhorreth
                   ,
                   a
                   servant
                   of
                   rulers
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 49.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   grow
                   up
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 in
                 another
                 place
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   a
                   tender
                   plant
                   out
                   of
                   a
                   dry
                   ground
                   ,
                   he
                   hath
                   no
                   form
                   nor
                   comeliness
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   beauty
                   that
                   we
                   should
                   desire
                   him
                   .
                   He
                   is
                   despised
                   ,
                   and
                   rejected
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   a
                   man
                   of
                   sorrows
                   ,
                   and
                   acquainted
                   with
                   grief
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   hid
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   our
                   faces
                   from
                   him
                   ,
                
                 being
                 ashamed
                 to
                 own
                 him
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 53.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 By
                 these
                 accounts
                 ,
                 in
                 outward
                 appearance
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 come
                 more
                 like
                 a
                 Peasant
                 ,
                 than
                 a
                 Prince
                 .
                 But
                 his
                 Kingdom
                 so
                 much
                 cried
                 up
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 Spiritual
                 ,
                 giving
                 Laws
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 Overt-Acts
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 triable
                 in
                 Secular
                 Courts
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 Mens
                 Hearts
                 and
                 Consciences
                 ;
                 protecting
                 ,
                 and
                 aiding
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 unseen
                 Providences
                 ,
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 Assistances
                 ;
                 rewarding
                 and
                 punishing
                 ,
                 not
                 with
                 Temporal
                 ,
                 but
                 Eternal
                 Recompences
                 ;
                 not
                 medling
                 with
                 a
                 Secular
                 Domination
                 ,
                 over
                 Mens
                 Persons
                 ,
                 or
                 Purses
                 ,
                 in
                 things
                 relating
                 to
                 this
                 Life
                 ,
                 but
                 leaving
                 that
                 Power
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 hands
                 ,
                 where
                 it
                 was
                 lodg'd
                 before
                 .
                 
                 And
                 such
                 a
                 principality
                 as
                 this
                 our
                 Saviour
                 claimed
                 ,
                 telling
                 Pilate
                 he
                 
                   was
                   a
                   King
                   ,
                   but
                
                 that
                 
                   his
                   kingdom
                   was
                   not
                   of
                   this
                   world
                
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   if
                   it
                   had
                   ,
                   his
                   servants
                   would
                   have
                   fought
                   ,
                   to
                   have
                   delivered
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   Jews
                   ,
                
                 John
                 18.
                 36.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 Messiah
                 to
                 do
                 any
                 other
                 notable
                 thing
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 still
                 be
                 a
                 further
                 manifestation
                 of
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Sixthly
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   was
                   to
                
                 convert
                 the
                 Heathen
                 world
                 from
                 their
                 Idol-worship
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   make
                
                 Pagan-Idolatry
                 
                   fall
                   before
                   him
                
                 .
                 In
                 that
                 day
                 ,
                 saith
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 describing
                 Christ
                 '
                 
                   s
                   Kingdom
                   both
                   over
                
                 Jews
                 and
                 *
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 the
                 Lord
                 alone
                 shall
                 be
                 exalted
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Idols
                 shall
                 he
                 utterly
                 abolish
                 ,
                 
                   Isaiah
                   2.
                   17
                   ,
                   18.
                
                 
                 In
                 that
                 day
                 ,
                 
                   says
                   God
                   by
                
                 Zechary
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 cut
                 off
                 the
                 names
                 of
                 the
                 Idols
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 land
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 no
                 more
                 be
                 remembred
                 ,
                 
                   Zech.
                   13.
                   2.
                
                 
                 All
                 nations
                 then
                 shall
                 serve
                 him
                 ,
                 all
                 nations
                 shall
                 call
                 him
                 blessed
                 ,
                 
                   saith
                   the
                
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 
                   Psal.
                   72.
                   11
                   ,
                   17.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Did
                 Jesus
                 perform
                 this
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 drave
                 the
                 proud
                 Spirits
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 Temples
                 ,
                 and
                 silenced
                 them
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 Oracles
                 and
                 other
                 Divinations
                 ,
                 and
                 convinced
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 those
                 they
                 had
                 hitherto
                 worshipped
                 for
                 Gods
                 ,
                 were
                 Devils
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 those
                 are
                 no
                 Gods
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 made
                 with
                 hands
                 .
                 And
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 there
                 were
                 so
                 many
                 instances
                 ,
                 as
                 there
                 were
                 of
                 Heathen
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 Heathen
                 Nations
                 ,
                 that
                 turned
                 Christians
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Those
                 Converts
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 are
                 so
                 many
                 plain
                 proofs
                 of
                 the
                 overthrow
                 of
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 Idols
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 first
                 step
                 in
                 Christianity
                 is
                 the
                 renouncing
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 Idol
                 gods
                 .
                 But
                 how
                 doth
                 it
                 appear
                 that
                 he
                 put
                 an
                 end
                 to
                 their
                 Oracles
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Divinations
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 the
                 strongest
                 argument
                 of
                 their
                 Divinity
                 among
                 their
                 Worshippers
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 As
                 his
                 Birth
                 drew
                 near
                 ,
                 they
                 all
                 grew
                 dumb
                 :
                 God
                 stopping
                 all
                 their
                 false
                 mouths
                 against
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 own
                 Eternal
                 Word
                 might
                 be
                 heard
                 alone
                 .
                 The
                 famed
                 Apollo
                 was
                 then
                 so
                 sparing
                 of
                 his
                 Responses
                 ,
                 that
                 *
                 Cicero
                 thought
                 his
                 renowned
                 Oracle
                 at
                 Delphos
                 had
                 ceased
                 in
                 his
                 days
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 afterwards
                 he
                 did
                 speak
                 sometimes
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 shall
                 note
                 in
                 several
                 instances
                 :
                 yet
                 by
                 the
                 Power
                 and
                 Spirit
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 Religion
                 had
                 got
                 footing
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 his
                 Mouth
                 was
                 wholly
                 stopped
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   locked
                   up
                   with
                   the
                   Keys
                   of
                   never
                   ▪
                   Divining
                   silence
                   ,
                
                 as
                 he
                 himself
                 says
                 in
                 a
                 
                   Farewel
                   Answer
                
                 recorded
                 by
                 his
                 Champion
                 †
                 Porphyrius
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 were
                 also
                 the
                 Mouths
                 of
                 
                   Jupiter
                   Ammon
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 impure
                 Spirits
                 most
                 famed
                 for
                 Oracles
                 in
                 other
                 places
                 .
                 This
                 their
                 devout
                 Worshippers
                 with
                 grief
                 beheld
                 ,
                 and
                 admired
                 :
                 and
                 Plutarch
                 ,
                 a
                 learned
                 Heathen
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 within
                 an
                 hundred
                 Years
                 after
                 Christ
                 ,
                 writ
                 a
                 *
                 Book
                 about
                 it
                 still
                 extant
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 inquires
                 the
                 best
                 he
                 can
                 into
                 the
                 causes
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 their
                 general
                 silence
                 is
                 beyond
                 question
                 .
                 But
                 can
                 you
                 show
                 that
                 Jesus
                 silenced
                 them
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Their
                 own
                 professed
                 Advocates
                 make
                 him
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 the
                 Demons
                 withdrawing
                 themselves
                 from
                 Men
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 this
                 and
                 in
                 other
                 effects
                 of
                 their
                 presence
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 
                   since
                   Jesus
                   began
                   to
                   be
                   worshipped
                   ,
                
                 says
                 *
                 
                   Porphyry
                   ,
                   the
                   Gods
                   are
                   no
                   longer
                   conversant
                   with
                   Men
                   ,
                   nor
                   has
                   any
                   Man
                   received
                   any
                   publick
                   benefit
                   by
                   them
                   .
                
                 Nay
                 ,
                 the
                 vanquished
                 Spirits
                 themselves
                 ,
                 who
                 gave
                 so
                 many
                 Testimonies
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 drove
                 them
                 from
                 before
                 his
                 personal
                 Presence
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 Oracles
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Divinations
                 ,
                 confessed
                 so
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 Augustus
                 ,
                 in
                 whose
                 time
                 our
                 Saviour
                 was
                 born
                 ,
                 inquired
                 of
                 Apollo
                 who
                 should
                 succeed
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Empire
                 ,
                 his
                 Reply
                 was
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Suidas
                 reports
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   an
                
                 Hebrew
                 
                   Boy
                   ,
                   who
                   rules
                   the
                   blessed
                   Gods
                   ,
                   had
                   commanded
                   him
                   to
                   pack
                   away
                   to
                   Hell
                   ,
                   and
                   leave
                   that
                   place
                   ,
                
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 like
                 to
                 give
                 them
                 no
                 more
                 answers
                 .
                 Again
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 Diocletian
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 Constantine
                 relates
                 in
                 
                   his
                   Edict
                   to
                   the
                   Provincials
                   of
                   the
                   East
                   ,
                
                 he
                 gave
                 out
                 another
                 Oracle
                 ,
                 Declaring
                 
                   he
                   could
                   give
                   no
                   true
                   Answers
                   ,
                   because
                   of
                   the
                   just
                   Persons
                   upon
                   the
                   Earth
                   .
                
                 And
                 when
                 Diocletian
                 asked
                 ,
                 
                   Who
                   were
                   those
                   just
                   Persons
                
                 :
                 the
                 Priest
                 answered
                 ,
                 
                   They
                   were
                   the
                   Christians
                
                 .
                 Which
                 
                   Constantine
                   declares
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   calls
                   God
                   to
                   witness
                
                 ,
                 was
                 
                   said
                   in
                   his
                   hearing
                
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 
                   very
                   Youth
                
                 ,
                 attended
                 the
                 Emperour
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 .
                 Afterwards
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Reign
                 of
                 Julian
                 †
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 
                   Temple
                   at
                   Daphne
                
                 ,
                 celebrated
                 for
                 Oracles
                 ,
                 
                 was
                 confronted
                 by
                 a
                 
                   Christian
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 were
                 laid
                 the
                 Bones
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Martyr
                   Babylas
                
                 ,
                 he
                 presently
                 
                   grew
                   speechless
                
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 Julian
                 pressed
                 him
                 for
                 an
                 Answer
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   magnificent
                   Gifts
                   and
                   Sacrifices
                
                 ,
                 at
                 last
                 he
                 told
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   was
                   hindred
                   from
                   giving
                   Oracles
                   by
                   the
                   dead
                   Bodies
                   in
                   that
                   place
                   .
                
                 Which
                 the
                 Emperour
                 well
                 understanding
                 ,
                 
                   singled
                   out
                   the
                   Coffin
                   of
                   Babylas
                   ,
                
                 without
                 disturbing
                 the
                 other
                 dead
                 ,
                 whereof
                 many
                 lay
                 there
                 interr'd
                 ,
                 and
                 ordered
                 the
                 Christians
                 to
                 remove
                 it
                 .
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Heathens
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 
                   consulted
                   their
                   Gods
                   by
                   Sacrifice
                
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 to
                 read
                 their
                 Answer
                 painted
                 upon
                 the
                 entrails
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 of
                 their
                 
                   Christian
                   Servants
                
                 happened
                 to
                 stand
                 by
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   wicked
                   Spirits
                   fled
                   away
                   without
                   giving
                   the
                   accustomed
                   signs
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   deserted
                   Prophets
                   could
                   make
                   no
                   Predictions
                   .
                
                 Which
                 being
                 complained
                 of
                 to
                 their
                 wicked
                 and
                 superstitious
                 Princes
                 ,
                 was
                 several
                 times
                 the
                 chief
                 cause
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 Lactantius
                 notes
                 ,
                 which
                 enraged
                 them
                 to
                 
                   persecute
                   the
                   Christians
                
                 .
                 In
                 particular
                 ,
                 it
                 inflamed
                 Diocletian
                 to
                 begin
                 his
                 Persecution
                 ,
                 the
                 Bloodiest
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 madness
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 †
                 same
                 Author
                 reports
                 ,
                 was
                 because
                 
                   their
                   presence
                   ,
                   and
                   profession
                   of
                   Faith
                   in
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   stopped
                   the
                   mouth
                   of
                   his
                   Gods
                   ,
                   and
                   troubled
                   all
                   his
                   Sacrifices
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 whilst
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 was
                 there
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 offered
                 often
                 ,
                 one
                 time
                 after
                 another
                 ,
                 this
                 superstitious
                 Man
                 ,
                 an
                 insatiable
                 inquirer
                 into
                 Futurities
                 ,
                 
                   could
                   receive
                   no
                   answer
                
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 further
                 the
                 Power
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 every
                 
                   common
                   Christian
                
                 had
                 ,
                 to
                 command
                 and
                 controul
                 these
                 unclean
                 Demons
                 ,
                 *
                 Tertullian
                 desires
                 the
                 Emperours
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 Experiment
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 any
                 that
                 is
                 
                   vexed
                   by
                   a
                   Demon
                
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 
                   Prophet
                   that
                   is
                   thought
                   inspired
                   by
                   him
                   ,
                
                 before
                 the
                 Judgment-seat
                 :
                 and
                 there
                 set
                 any
                 
                   poor
                   Christian
                
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   command
                   that
                   Demon
                   to
                   speak
                   who
                   he
                   is
                   .
                   And
                   if
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   not
                   daring
                   to
                   lye
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   he
                   doth
                   not
                   as
                   truly
                   there
                   before
                   you
                   all
                   confess
                   himself
                   a
                   Devil
                   ,
                   as
                   he
                   had
                   falsly
                   otherwhere
                   proclaimed
                   himself
                   a
                   God
                   ,
                   then
                   let
                   that
                   malapert
                   Christian
                   be
                   put
                   to
                   death
                   ,
                   for
                   undertaking
                   what
                   he
                   is
                   not
                   able
                   to
                   make
                   good
                   .
                
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 is
                 alledged
                 by
                 †
                 
                   Minutius
                   Felix
                
                 in
                 his
                 Book
                 against
                 the
                 Heathens
                 .
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 extirpation
                 of
                 Pagan
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 being
                 an
                 effect
                 so
                 illustriously
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 would
                 be
                 so
                 vehemently
                 opposed
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 so
                 many
                 People
                 and
                 Nations
                 were
                 concerned
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 the
                 observation
                 ,
                 and
                 astonishment
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Men
                 must
                 evidently
                 see
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 brought
                 about
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 it
                 happened
                 .
                 After
                 our
                 Saviour's
                 Death
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 great
                 business
                 ,
                 that
                 took
                 up
                 Mens
                 thoughts
                 and
                 discourse
                 ,
                 that
                 exercised
                 the
                 Pens
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 Wits
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Skill
                 of
                 Politicians
                 ,
                 that
                 unsheathed
                 the
                 Magistrates
                 Sword
                 against
                 the
                 Godliest
                 of
                 his
                 Subjects
                 ,
                 and
                 exposed
                 the
                 blessed
                 Martyrs
                 on
                 Theatres
                 ,
                 to
                 wild
                 Beasts
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 Torments
                 and
                 Deaths
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Roman
                 Empire
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 places
                 ,
                 for
                 
                 several
                 Ages
                 .
                 This
                 Triumph
                 of
                 Messiah
                 over
                 Satan
                 ,
                 that
                 grand
                 Enemy
                 and
                 Usurper
                 ,
                 made
                 a
                 greater
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 universal
                 and
                 lasting
                 noise
                 ,
                 and
                 astonishment
                 ,
                 than
                 ever
                 was
                 made
                 at
                 the
                 downfal
                 of
                 the
                 vastest
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 potent
                 Empire
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 besides
                 this
                 evidence
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 accomplished
                 a
                 Prediction
                 ;
                 was
                 not
                 such
                 wonderful
                 prevalence
                 of
                 
                 Christ's
                 Religion
                 ,
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 Legal
                 Establishments
                 and
                 Idolatrous
                 Religions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 a
                 clear
                 testimony
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 most
                 miraculous
                 ,
                 and
                 plainly
                 Divine
                 thing
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 indisputably
                 it
                 was
                 .
                 When
                 Religions
                 prevail
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 possession
                 for
                 several
                 Ages
                 ;
                 that
                 shows
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Custom
                 ,
                 and
                 Education
                 .
                 When
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 inforced
                 by
                 Laws
                 and
                 Arms
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 the
                 Secular
                 Power
                 doth
                 espouse
                 ,
                 and
                 propagate
                 ;
                 that
                 shows
                 the
                 might
                 of
                 Authority
                 ,
                 and
                 forcible
                 Violence
                 .
                 When
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 agreeable
                 to
                 Mens
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 gratifie
                 their
                 natural
                 inclinations
                 ,
                 that
                 manifests
                 how
                 easily
                 Men
                 are
                 persuaded
                 to
                 what
                 they
                 like
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 mighty
                 influence
                 of
                 natural
                 Propensions
                 .
                 When
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 come
                 fortified
                 with
                 a
                 general
                 Vogue
                 ,
                 and
                 numerous
                 Assertors
                 ;
                 that
                 shows
                 the
                 over-awing
                 influence
                 of
                 Crouds
                 ,
                 and
                 Multitudes
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 a
                 Religion
                 is
                 made
                 up
                 of
                 self-denials
                 ,
                 and
                 runs
                 in
                 many
                 things
                 cross
                 to
                 Mens
                 common
                 sentiments
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 more
                 to
                 their
                 inclinations
                 ,
                 and
                 foretels
                 sufferings
                 
                 to
                 its
                 followers
                 ,
                 and
                 inrages
                 evil
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 .
                 When
                 it
                 decries
                 the
                 assumed
                 Divine
                 Honours
                 of
                 Emperours
                 ,
                 and
                 stints
                 and
                 controuls
                 all
                 their
                 unjust
                 ,
                 and
                 impious
                 commands
                 .
                 When
                 it
                 lessens
                 the
                 credit
                 of
                 all
                 Gentile
                 Priests
                 ,
                 who
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 had
                 the
                 guidance
                 of
                 Mens
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 reproving
                 their
                 most
                 extol'd
                 Opinions
                 ,
                 as
                 false
                 ,
                 or
                 frivolous
                 ;
                 and
                 their
                 most
                 beloved
                 Practices
                 ,
                 as
                 wicked
                 ,
                 or
                 superstitious
                 .
                 When
                 it
                 enters
                 against
                 all
                 authority
                 of
                 Laws
                 ,
                 and
                 craft
                 of
                 Politicians
                 ,
                 and
                 subtilty
                 of
                 Philosophers
                 ,
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 Magistrates
                 ,
                 and
                 violence
                 of
                 Tumults
                 ,
                 and
                 Prejudices
                 and
                 Lusts
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 seeks
                 to
                 pull
                 up
                 all
                 the
                 firmest
                 establishments
                 of
                 former
                 Ages
                 ,
                 altering
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 publick
                 Constitution
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 what
                 usually
                 men
                 are
                 more
                 fond
                 of
                 ,
                 the
                 approved
                 Religion
                 of
                 Kingdoms
                 ,
                 under
                 which
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 their
                 Ancestors
                 most
                 flourishing
                 and
                 victorious
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 plain
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 the
                 Romans
                 .
                 When
                 it
                 attempts
                 all
                 this
                 by
                 a
                 few
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 too
                 unlearned
                 ,
                 and
                 unfriended
                 ,
                 mean
                 ,
                 and
                 despicable
                 Persons
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 they
                 seek
                 to
                 atchieve
                 it
                 ,
                 not
                 by
                 fraud
                 ,
                 or
                 indirect
                 arts
                 ,
                 or
                 quaint
                 speeches
                 ,
                 or
                 sly
                 allurements
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 meekly
                 telling
                 a
                 plain
                 story
                 concerning
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 and
                 hoping
                 to
                 prevail
                 and
                 conquer
                 all
                 ,
                 not
                 by
                 Fighting
                 ,
                 but
                 Suffering
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 When
                 a
                 Religion
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 teaches
                 such
                 hard
                 and
                 unwelcome
                 Lessons
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 managed
                 by
                 such
                 Instruments
                 ,
                 and
                 meets
                 with
                 such
                 oppositions
                 ,
                 and
                 has
                 nothing
                 humane
                 great
                 ,
                 or
                 promising
                 
                 about
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 things
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 to
                 reason
                 ,
                 insuperable
                 against
                 it
                 ,
                 doth
                 yet
                 after
                 all
                 overspread
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 all
                 visible
                 Powers
                 seem
                 thus
                 combined
                 to
                 drive
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 't
                 is
                 plain
                 it
                 is
                 helped
                 on
                 by
                 an
                 invisible
                 Hand
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 God
                 interposes
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 victorious
                 .
                 And
                 I
                 need
                 not
                 show
                 ,
                 how
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 particulars
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Those
                 Prophecies
                 ,
                 which
                 prefixt
                 the
                 exact
                 time
                 of
                 
                 Messiah's
                 coming
                 ,
                 did
                 plainly
                 prove
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Man
                 ,
                 because
                 none
                 started
                 up
                 at
                 the
                 time
                 appointed
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 competition
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 there
                 had
                 ,
                 these
                 other
                 signs
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 have
                 given
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 are
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 so
                 peculiar
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 so
                 obvious
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
                 but
                 so
                 hard
                 ,
                 and
                 almost
                 impossible
                 ,
                 when
                 brought
                 to
                 pass
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 overlooked
                 ,
                 as
                 must
                 needs
                 to
                 the
                 satisfaction
                 of
                 all
                 reasonable
                 inquirers
                 ,
                 demonstrate
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Person
                 against
                 all
                 pretenders
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 they
                 would
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 knew
                 his
                 Story
                 ,
                 what
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 did
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 take
                 the
                 pains
                 to
                 compare
                 it
                 with
                 these
                 distinguishing
                 marks
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Holy
                 Prophets
                 several
                 hundred
                 Years
                 before
                 had
                 given
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 had
                 any
                 
                   false
                   Christ
                
                 appeared
                 exactly
                 in
                 
                   the
                   fulness
                   of
                   time
                
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 through
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 God's
                 watchful
                 Providence
                 ,
                 no
                 one
                 then
                 made
                 any
                 pretence
                 besides
                 him
                 )
                 yet
                 had
                 it
                 been
                 easie
                 to
                 show
                 such
                 deceiver
                 was
                 not
                 the
                 Christ
                 whom
                 the
                 Prophets
                 foretold
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 
                 born
                 of
                 a
                 pure
                 Maid
                 ,
                 whereto
                 no
                 Man
                 but
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ever
                 pretended
                 .
                 Or
                 because
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 did
                 at
                 some
                 times
                 shew
                 some
                 feats
                 of
                 Magick
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Enchanters
                 whom
                 Josephus
                 mentions
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 withal
                 eminent
                 for
                 Piety
                 ,
                 or
                 had
                 not
                 the
                 Spirit
                 resting
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 do
                 Cures
                 on
                 all
                 occasions
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 sorts
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 cast
                 out
                 Devils
                 of
                 whatever
                 kind
                 ,
                 and
                 numbers
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 Man
                 but
                 Jesus
                 ever
                 enjoyed
                 .
                 Or
                 because
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 might
                 die
                 for
                 his
                 Imposture
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 justly
                 deserved
                 ,
                 yet
                 his
                 Death
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 that
                 way
                 they
                 had
                 described
                 ,
                 nor
                 with
                 those
                 many
                 notable
                 circumstances
                 they
                 had
                 prefixed
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 Nor
                 would
                 any
                 such
                 
                   false
                   Christs
                
                 rise
                 again
                 from
                 the
                 Dead
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 plainly
                 promised
                 Messiah
                 should
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Jesus
                 did
                 .
                 Nor
                 were
                 they
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 the
                 Authors
                 of
                 a
                 new
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 which
                 supplied
                 what
                 the
                 Covenant
                 from
                 
                   Mount
                   Sinai
                
                 wanted
                 .
                 Neither
                 did
                 they
                 erect
                 a
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 taking
                 in
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Nation
                 :
                 nor
                 had
                 Kings
                 and
                 Queens
                 to
                 come
                 and
                 worship
                 ,
                 and
                 pay
                 homage
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 Nor
                 did
                 they
                 convert
                 the
                 Gentile
                 World
                 from
                 the
                 worship
                 of
                 Idols
                 ,
                 and
                 drive
                 the
                 Devils
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 Temples
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 most
                 gloriously
                 by
                 his
                 appearance
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 after
                 all
                 these
                 instances
                 ,
                 of
                 a
                 punctual
                 ,
                 and
                 exact
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 the
                 ancient
                 Prophecies
                 in
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 Isaiah
                 foretel
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 
                   Messiah's
                   days
                   ,
                   the
                   Wolf
                   shall
                   dwell
                   with
                   the
                   Lamb
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Leopard
                
                 
                 
                   with
                   the
                   Kid
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   sucking
                   Child
                   shall
                   play
                
                 safely
                 
                   on
                   the
                   hole
                   of
                   the
                   Asp
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   hurt
                   ,
                   nor
                   destroy
                   in
                   all
                   Gods
                   ho●y
                   mountain
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 11.
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 That
                 then
                 Men
                 
                   shall
                   beat
                   their
                   swords
                   into
                   plow-shares
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   spears
                   into
                   pruning-hooks
                   ,
                   nation
                   shall
                   not
                   lift
                   up
                   sword
                   against
                   nation
                   ,
                   neither
                   shall
                   they
                   learn
                   war
                   any
                   more
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 By
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 Prophecies
                 ,
                 Messiah
                 was
                 to
                 bring
                 in
                 a
                 marvellous
                 Probity
                 ,
                 and
                 universal
                 Peace
                 into
                 the
                 World.
                 And
                 amidst
                 all
                 the
                 injuries
                 ,
                 the
                 bitter
                 Contentions
                 ,
                 and
                 bloody
                 Wars
                 among
                 Christians
                 ,
                 how
                 is
                 this
                 accomplished
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 These
                 Prophecies
                 speak
                 not
                 this
                 of
                 all
                 Persons
                 in
                 his
                 days
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 his
                 true
                 followers
                 ,
                 and
                 govern
                 themselves
                 according
                 to
                 Prince
                 
                 Messiah's
                 Laws
                 ,
                 and
                 Practice
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 prevent
                 all
                 
                   doing
                   hurt
                   among
                   them
                
                 ,
                 says
                 Isaiah
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   the
                   full
                   knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 which
                 restrains
                 only
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 practise
                 what
                 they
                 understand
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 11.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 they
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   shall
                   beat
                   their
                   swords
                   into
                   plow
                   shares
                   ,
                
                 says
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   the
                   many
                   people
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 
                   Messiah
                   shall
                   rebuke
                
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 usual
                 Phrase
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 may
                 imply
                 their
                 amending
                 upon
                 his
                 rebuking
                 them
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 They
                 were
                 the
                 sincerely
                 devout
                 ,
                 and
                 honestly
                 obedient
                 ,
                 who
                 say
                 to
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   go
                   up
                   to
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Jacob
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   will
                   teach
                   us
                   of
                   his
                   ways
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   will
                   walk
                   in
                   them
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 3.
                 
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 inviolable
                 maintenance
                 of
                 this
                 Probity
                 and
                 
                 Peace
                 ,
                 by
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 only
                 his
                 nominal
                 Servants
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 the
                 universality
                 of
                 Men
                 in
                 his
                 days
                 ,
                 that
                 doth
                 not
                 follow
                 from
                 these
                 places
                 ;
                 nor
                 doth
                 it
                 well
                 comport
                 with
                 the
                 present
                 state
                 of
                 human
                 Nature
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 mixt
                 with
                 many
                 angry
                 ;
                 and
                 incroaching
                 Passions
                 ;
                 nor
                 suit
                 with
                 other
                 Prophecies
                 before-mentioned
                 ,
                 that
                 speak
                 of
                 much
                 wickedness
                 after
                 
                 Messiah's
                 coming
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 many
                 still
                 retaining
                 their
                 old
                 genius
                 ,
                 which
                 Predictions
                 must
                 all
                 be
                 accomplished
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 these
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 this
                 Peace
                 ,
                 and
                 Probity
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 limited
                 ,
                 and
                 conditionate
                 in
                 the
                 event
                 ,
                 how
                 come
                 they
                 to
                 be
                 expressed
                 so
                 generally
                 ,
                 and
                 absolutely
                 in
                 the
                 Prediction
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 odd
                 to
                 speak
                 of
                 an
                 effect
                 as
                 universal
                 under
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 not
                 appear
                 universally
                 in
                 all
                 under
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 in
                 those
                 that
                 will
                 hearken
                 to
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 an
                 effect
                 ,
                 wherein
                 both
                 he
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 joyntly
                 concerned
                 ,
                 his
                 saying
                 all
                 shall
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 implies
                 they
                 shall
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 as
                 concerns
                 his
                 part
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 do
                 all
                 ▪
                 which
                 behoves
                 him
                 towards
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Jesus
                 has
                 done
                 ,
                 giving
                 a
                 Law
                 as
                 apt
                 to
                 engender
                 ,
                 and
                 preserve
                 Peace
                 ,
                 as
                 any
                 Law
                 can
                 be
                 ,
                 and
                 taking
                 away
                 all
                 separating
                 and
                 dividing
                 rites
                 introduced
                 by
                 Moses
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 apt
                 to
                 make
                 difference
                 between
                 Jews
                 and
                 Gentiles
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 say
                 
                   all
                   Men
                   shall
                   do
                   a
                   thing
                   ,
                
                 when
                 God
                 has
                 done
                 his
                 part
                 to
                 make
                 all
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 though
                 ,
                 through
                 their
                 obstinate
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 
                 will
                 not
                 do
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 event
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 form
                 of
                 Speech
                 usual
                 in
                 Holy
                 Scripture
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 is
                 particularly
                 in
                 Ezekiel
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 foretels
                 the
                 
                   taking
                   away
                   all
                   detestable
                   Idols
                
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 place
                 speaks
                 of
                 several
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 still
                 retain
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 incur
                 his
                 heavy
                 indignation
                 ,
                 Ezekiel
                 11.
                 18
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 Jeremy
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 foretels
                 
                   his
                   peoples
                   living
                   again
                   in
                   their
                   own
                   land
                   after
                   the
                   captivity
                   ,
                
                 most
                 piously
                 ,
                 and
                 peaceably
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 32.
                 37
                 ,
                 &c.
                 although
                 ,
                 through
                 their
                 stubborn
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 which
                 nothing
                 would
                 amend
                 ,
                 things
                 fell
                 out
                 contrary
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 though
                 these
                 Prophecies
                 do
                 not
                 imply
                 ,
                 that
                 every
                 Man
                 shall
                 live
                 so
                 when
                 Messiah
                 comes
                 ,
                 yet
                 however
                 they
                 seem
                 to
                 note
                 that
                 many
                 will
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 otherwise
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 Godliness
                 ,
                 Peace
                 ,
                 and
                 Justice
                 ,
                 shall
                 mightily
                 increase
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 by
                 his
                 appearance
                 .
                 And
                 has
                 this
                 been
                 fulfilled
                 by
                 Jesus
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 eminently
                 verified
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 times
                 .
                 For
                 then
                 the
                 Christians
                 were
                 remarkably
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 most
                 virtuous
                 livers
                 ,
                 and
                 honest
                 dealers
                 ,
                 so
                 most
                 kind
                 ,
                 and
                 friendly
                 among
                 themselves
                 ;
                 See
                 ,
                 *
                 said
                 the
                 
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                   how
                   the
                   Christians
                   love
                   one
                   another
                   .
                
                 They
                 were
                 absolutely
                 the
                 best
                 Neighbours
                 ,
                 being
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 offering
                 any
                 injuries
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 durst
                 not
                 requite
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Kindnesses
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 indisputably
                 the
                 most
                 tame
                 ,
                 and
                 peaceable
                 Subjects
                 ,
                 overcoming
                 all
                 the
                 outragious
                 violence
                 ,
                 and
                 oppressions
                 of
                 their
                 Persecutors
                 ,
                 
                 not
                 by
                 fighting
                 their
                 way
                 through
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 Faith
                 and
                 Patience
                 under
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 like
                 effects
                 ,
                 his
                 Religion
                 has
                 produced
                 in
                 all
                 other
                 times
                 ,
                 upon
                 all
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 true
                 followers
                 both
                 of
                 him
                 and
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 Christians
                 in
                 very
                 deed
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 name
                 and
                 profession
                 .
                 It
                 has
                 improved
                 all
                 peaceable
                 tempers
                 ,
                 and
                 sweetned
                 many
                 sowre
                 ,
                 and
                 smoothed
                 many
                 rough
                 ones
                 ,
                 and
                 brought
                 Men
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 different
                 Complexions
                 ,
                 Estates
                 ,
                 Interests
                 ,
                 and
                 Abilities
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 fairly
                 and
                 sociably
                 together
                 .
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 all
                 Men
                 are
                 not
                 thereby
                 made
                 godly
                 ,
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 tame
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 expect
                 they
                 ever
                 will
                 be
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ;
                 for
                 Men
                 will
                 be
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 human
                 passions
                 ,
                 and
                 errors
                 ,
                 under
                 any
                 institution
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 the
                 common
                 estate
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 is
                 much
                 amended
                 ,
                 and
                 things
                 generally
                 much
                 more
                 fairly
                 ,
                 and
                 equitably
                 managed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 more
                 duly
                 and
                 devoutly
                 worshipped
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Virtue
                 and
                 Piety
                 in
                 greater
                 repute
                 ,
                 and
                 Injustice
                 much
                 curbed
                 ,
                 and
                 both
                 private
                 ,
                 and
                 publi●…
                 Quarrels
                 ,
                 much
                 more
                 frequently
                 prevented
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 fairly
                 and
                 speedily
                 composed
                 since
                 
                 Christ's
                 coming
                 amongst
                 us
                 ,
                 than
                 they
                 were
                 before
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 although
                 the
                 improvement
                 of
                 these
                 Virtues
                 among
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 little
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 our
                 aids
                 ,
                 and
                 opportunities
                 ;
                 yet
                 is
                 it
                 great
                 in
                 comparison
                 with
                 the
                 former
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 may
                 pass
                 for
                 a
                 New
                 ,
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 reformed
                 Stat●
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 what
                 it
                 was
                 in
                 days
                 of
                 Heathen
                 ignorance
                 .
                 And
                 
                 this
                 is
                 as
                 much
                 accomplishment
                 ,
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 reasonable
                 to
                 require
                 in
                 such
                 Prophecies
                 ;
                 which
                 being
                 made
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 frail
                 and
                 corrupt
                 Natures
                 ,
                 and
                 converse
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 temptations
                 ,
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 strained
                 beyond
                 what
                 is
                 consistent
                 with
                 the
                 condition
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 human
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 Circumstances
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 above
                 cited
                 Prophecies
                 did
                 really
                 speak
                 of
                 a
                 more
                 universal
                 effect
                 ,
                 than
                 has
                 been
                 hitherto
                 accomplished
                 :
                 there
                 is
                 time
                 enough
                 still
                 behind
                 ,
                 ere
                 Christ
                 resign
                 up
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 wherein
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 good
                 .
                 For
                 of
                 the
                 things
                 predicted
                 to
                 fall
                 out
                 under
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 some
                 came
                 to
                 pass
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 long
                 flux
                 of
                 time
                 ever
                 since
                 ,
                 have
                 still
                 been
                 successively
                 fulfilled
                 ;
                 but
                 many
                 are
                 still
                 behind
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 have
                 no
                 accomplishment
                 ,
                 till
                 near
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgment
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 fully
                 shewed
                 ,
                 how
                 Jesus
                 appears
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Christ
                 from
                 
                   ancient
                   Prophecies
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 I
                 plainly
                 perceive
                 how
                 deserved
                 〈◊〉
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Prophecy
                
                 is
                 called
                 the
                 
                   testimony
                   of
                   Jesus
                
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 19.
                 10.
                 
                 But
                 do
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 these
                 Prophets
                 all
                 spake
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 not
                 only
                 had
                 the
                 keeping
                 ,
                 but
                 were
                 also
                 most
                 diligent
                 and
                 careful
                 in
                 examining
                 these
                 Oracles
                 ,
                 understand
                 these
                 places
                 as
                 Predictions
                 of
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 which
                 appear
                 to
                 have
                 had
                 such
                 clear
                 ,
                 and
                 undeniable
                 accomplishment
                 in
                 our
                 Jesus
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 The
                 old
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 before
                 Christ
                 ,
                 generally
                 did
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 plain
                 from
                 
                   Rabbi
                   Nehumias
                
                 ,
                 and
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 their
                 general
                 expectation
                 of
                 him
                 about
                 the
                 time
                 prescribed
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 those
                 Prophecies
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 did
                 numbers
                 of
                 their
                 earliest
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 renowned
                 Doctors
                 since
                 ,
                 as
                 learned
                 Men
                 have
                 shown
                 abundantly
                 from
                 their
                 Writings
                 .
                 But
                 many
                 of
                 the
                 later
                 Rabbins
                 ,
                 not
                 daring
                 to
                 denie
                 the
                 suitableness
                 of
                 the
                 events
                 in
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 have
                 chose
                 rather
                 to
                 wrest
                 those
                 places
                 ,
                 against
                 their
                 plain
                 meaning
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 opinions
                 of
                 their
                 Ancestors
                 ,
                 to
                 other
                 purposes
                 ,
                 and
                 deny
                 them
                 as
                 spoken
                 of
                 Messiah
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 should
                 make
                 this
                 difference
                 ,
                 and
                 cause
                 later
                 Men
                 to
                 go
                 off
                 from
                 ancient
                 times
                 ,
                 even
                 from
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 near
                 to
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 themselves
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 gave
                 any
                 hints
                 ,
                 and
                 interpretations
                 of
                 what
                 they
                 delivered
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 days
                 ,
                 were
                 most
                 likely
                 to
                 gather
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 understand
                 such
                 traditionary
                 Explications
                 ?
                 The
                 reason
                 of
                 this
                 difference
                 is
                 pretty
                 obvious
                 .
                 For
                 those
                 ancient
                 Jews
                 ,
                 living
                 before
                 Christ
                 ,
                 looked
                 only
                 to
                 the
                 Prophecies
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 general
                 sense
                 and
                 expectation
                 raised
                 about
                 them
                 by
                 the
                 Prophets
                 :
                 But
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 since
                 Christ
                 ,
                 several
                 look
                 also
                 at
                 personal
                 prejudices
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 rather
                 deny
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 than
                 own
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 cannot
                 well
                 avoid
                 doing
                 ,
                 if
                 those
                 places
                 are
                 spoken
                 of
                 him
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   III.
                
                 Proving
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 from
                 other
                 Divine
                 Testimonies
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   Jesus
                   proved
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                   2.
                   
                   From
                   the
                   testimony
                   of
                   John
                   the
                   Baptist.
                   John
                   knew
                   this
                   by
                   Revelation
                   ,
                   and
                   had
                   it
                   confirmed
                   by
                   a
                   sign
                   .
                   He
                   was
                   an
                   acknowledged
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   most
                   clear
                   and
                   currant
                   fame
                   .
                   And
                   gave
                   this
                   testimony
                   ,
                   before
                   he
                   was
                   personally
                   acquainted
                   with
                   Jesus
                   .
                   3.
                   
                   From
                   the
                   testimony
                   of
                   Jesus
                   himself
                   several
                   considerations
                   shewing
                   the
                   validity
                   of
                   this
                   testimony
                   ,
                   though
                   it
                   were
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   case
                   .
                   This
                   not
                   impugned
                   by
                   Christ's
                   words
                   ,
                   
                     John
                     5.
                     31.
                  
                   nor
                   gives
                   any
                   colour
                   or
                   advantage
                   to
                   Fanatical
                   Enthusiasts
                   .
                   4.
                   
                   From
                   his
                   Miracles
                   .
                   These
                   no
                   lying
                   wonders
                   ,
                   as
                   may
                   appear
                   ,
                   because
                   shewn
                   in
                   several
                   instances
                   not
                   imitable
                   by
                   Demons
                   .
                   As
                   ,
                   1.
                   
                   Foretelling
                   future
                   Contingencies
                   .
                   An
                   account
                   of
                   Demon-Predictions
                   among
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   .
                   2.
                   
                   Discer●ing
                   Hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   Thoughts
                   .
                   3.
                   
                   Raising
                   the
                   Dead
                   .
                   4.
                   
                   Casting
                   out
                   Devils
                   ,
                   of
                   most
                   stubborn
                   ranks
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   greatest
                   numbers
                   and
                   combinations
                   .
                   It
                   may
                   also
                   appear
                   from
                   their
                   i●●ent
                   and
                   design
                   ;
                   and
                   
                   from
                   their
                   numbers
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   working
                   them
                   .
                   No
                   opposing
                   the
                   Miracles
                   of
                   Moses
                   against
                   Christ's
                   Miracles
                   because
                   they
                   were
                   wrought
                   to
                   set
                   aside
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Moses
                   .
                   That
                   Law
                   was
                   given
                   with
                   a
                   design
                   to
                   be
                   altered
                   .
                   An
                   account
                   how
                   for
                   all
                   that
                   ,
                   several
                   of
                   its
                   Precepts
                   are
                   justly
                   called
                   Statutes
                   for
                   ever
                   .
                   5.
                   
                   From
                   the
                   testimony
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   who
                   declared
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                   by
                   audible
                   voices
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   raising
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                   and
                   shewing
                   him
                   in
                   full
                   possession
                   of
                   his
                   pretences
                   .
                
              
               
                 Question
                 .
                 BUT
                 besides
                 this
                 proof
                 of
                 Jesus
                 being
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 from
                 
                   ancient
                   Prophecies
                
                 ,
                 you
                 said
                 the
                 same
                 would
                 be
                 evidently
                 made
                 out
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   several
                   Divine
                   Testimonies
                   other
                   ways
                
                 .
                 Pray
                 what
                 are
                 those
                 Testimonies
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 The
                 Testimony
                 of
                 
                   John
                   the
                   Baptist
                
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 sent
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 give
                 Witness
                 to
                 it
                 ;
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 which
                 very
                 well
                 deserves
                 to
                 be
                 trusted
                 ;
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 his
                 
                   miraculous
                   works
                
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 an
                 evidence
                 drawn
                 up
                 by
                 the
                 Finger
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 to
                 name
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 who
                 himself
                 became
                 a
                 Voucher
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 he
                 must
                 give
                 the
                 lye
                 ,
                 both
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 Earth
                 ,
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Men
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 disbelieve
                 ,
                 or
                 gainsay
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Did
                 
                   John
                   the
                   Baptist
                
                 testifie
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 upon
                 a
                 most
                 publick
                 occasion
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 
                   great
                   Council
                   of
                   the
                   Nation
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Sanhedrim
                   ,
                   sent
                   Priests
                   and
                   Levites
                
                 to
                 him
                 on
                 purpose
                 ,
                 to
                 know
                 whether
                 he
                 himself
                 
                   were
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 John
                 1.
                 19.
                 
                 For
                 then
                 his
                 answer
                 was
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   he
                   was
                   not
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 20.
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 Christ
                 was
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 then
                 
                   among
                   them
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   next
                   day
                   seeing
                   Jesus
                   coming
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                
                 he
                 points
                 at
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 declares
                 to
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Person
                 .
                 Behold
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Lamb
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   which
                   takes
                   away
                   the
                   sins
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   he
                   ,
                   of
                   whom
                   I
                   said
                   ,
                   after
                   ●e
                   comes
                   a
                   man
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   preferred
                   before
                   me
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 29
                 ,
                 30.
                 which
                 Testimony
                 he
                 repeats
                 again
                 
                   the
                   next
                   day
                
                 ,
                 upon
                 another
                 occasion
                 ,
                 verse
                 35
                 ,
                 36.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Testimony
                 Jesus
                 alledged
                 for
                 himself
                 when
                 he
                 reasoned
                 with
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 in
                 vindication
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Authority
                 .
                 
                   Ye
                   sent
                   unto
                   John
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 in
                 the
                 message
                 from
                 
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   bare
                   witness
                   unto
                   the
                   truth
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 33.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 how
                 came
                 John
                 to
                 know
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 why
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 must
                 we
                 take
                 his
                 word
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Because
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   all
                   the
                   Jews
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 testifie
                 ,
                 
                   held
                   John
                   for
                   a
                   Prophet
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 21.
                 26.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 says
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   of
                   all
                   that
                   are
                   born
                   of
                   women
                   ,
                   there
                   hath
                   not
                   risen
                   a
                   greater
                   ,
                   than
                   John
                   the
                   Baptist
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 9
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 he
                 declares
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   the
                   Spirit
                   revealed
                   this
                   to
                   him
                   :
                
                 nay
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 greater
                 confirmation
                 ,
                 it
                 gave
                 him
                 a
                 visible
                 
                 and
                 most
                 illustrious
                 sign
                 ;
                 
                   saying
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   Upon
                   whom
                   thou
                   shalt
                   see
                   the
                   Spirit
                   descend
                   ,
                   and
                   remain
                   on
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   same
                   is
                   he
                   .
                
                 And
                 
                   this
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   John
                
                 declares
                 he
                 
                   did
                   see
                   descend
                
                 in
                 a
                 
                   bodily
                   shape
                
                 upon
                 Jesus
                 at
                 his
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Matthew
                 *
                 adds
                 ,
                 
                   heard
                   a
                   voice
                   from
                   God
                
                 ,
                 calling
                 him
                 
                   his
                   beloved
                   Son
                
                 for
                 his
                 fuller
                 conviction
                 ,
                 John
                 1.
                 32
                 ,
                 33.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 since
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Nazarene
                 Gospel
                 relates
                 it
                 ,
                 upon
                 this
                 descent
                 ,
                 presently
                 there
                 
                   shone
                   a
                   great
                   light
                   about
                   the
                   place
                
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 
                   fire
                   was
                   lighted
                   in
                   Jordan
                
                 wherein
                 John
                 Baptized
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Justin
                 the
                 Martyr
                 testifies
                 :
                 what
                 would
                 still
                 be
                 a
                 more
                 assuring
                 proof
                 to
                 John
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 this
                 
                   bodily
                   descent
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 was
                 in
                 a
                 body
                 of
                 Light
                 and
                 dazling
                 Splendor
                 ,
                 the
                 usual
                 Glory
                 wherein
                 God
                 himself
                 was
                 wont
                 to
                 appear
                 ,
                 which
                 hovering
                 over
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Dove
                 doth
                 when
                 it
                 lights
                 ,
                 and
                 darting
                 forth
                 its
                 bright
                 Beams
                 round
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 did
                 plainly
                 represent
                 what
                 the
                 Jews
                 call
                 the
                 Schechinah
                 ,
                 and
                 proclaim
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Divine
                 Person
                 .
                 Thus
                 did
                 John
                 know
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 evidence
                 infallible
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 way
                 convincing
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 he
                 testifies
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 a
                 thing
                 by
                 the
                 bye
                 ,
                 but
                 says
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 very
                 Errand
                 whereon
                 he
                 was
                 sent
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 declaration
                 whereof
                 he
                 was
                 called
                 out
                 by
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 
                   Prophet
                   .
                   That
                   he
                   should
                   be
                   made
                   manifest
                   to
                   Israel
                   ,
                
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   therefore
                   am
                   I
                   come
                
                 ,
                 John
                 1.
                 31.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 if
                 John
                 had
                 such
                 Revelations
                 of
                 this
                 matter
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 declares
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 plain
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 deceiv'd
                 about
                 it
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 spoke
                 out
                 of
                 sober
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 certain
                 grounds
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 cause
                 to
                 question
                 his
                 honesty
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 getting
                 off
                 from
                 his
                 Testimony
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 can
                 you
                 say
                 to
                 show
                 him
                 a
                 true
                 and
                 honest
                 Man
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 feign
                 things
                 to
                 deceive
                 others
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 His
                 Sanctity
                 ,
                 and
                 Integrity
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 honour
                 ,
                 and
                 admiration
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 times
                 .
                 He
                 led
                 a
                 most
                 mortified
                 ,
                 rigid
                 Life
                 ,
                 neither
                 caring
                 how
                 hard
                 his
                 Fare
                 was
                 ,
                 nor
                 how
                 coarse
                 his
                 Habit.
                 He
                 
                   neither
                   eat
                   Bread
                   ,
                   nor
                   drank
                   Wine
                   ,
                
                 whence
                 in
                 Scripture
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 
                   come
                   ,
                   neither
                   eating
                   ,
                   nor
                   drinking
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 not
                 living
                 upon
                 the
                 usual
                 Diet
                 of
                 other
                 Men
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 18.
                 compared
                 with
                 Luke
                 7.
                 33.
                 
                 
                   His
                   meat
                   was
                   locusts
                   ,
                   and
                   wild
                   hony
                   ;
                   and
                
                 all
                 
                   his
                   rayment
                   of
                   camels
                   hair
                   ,
                   girt
                   about
                   him
                   with
                   a
                   leathern
                   girdle
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 3.
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 thus
                 voluntarily
                 abandoning
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 say
                 the
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 but
                 even
                 the
                 ease
                 ,
                 and
                 common
                 conveniences
                 of
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 capable
                 to
                 be
                 tempted
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 eminently
                 above
                 all
                 affectation
                 of
                 Power
                 ,
                 or
                 Praise
                 ;
                 insomuch
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 all
                 were
                 ready
                 to
                 receive
                 him
                 for
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 he
                 told
                 them
                 he
                 *
                 
                   was
                   not
                   worthy
                   to
                   unty
                   his
                   sho●s
                   ,
                
                 and
                 was
                 glad
                 when
                 he
                 could
                 fix
                 that
                 Honour
                 on
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 whose
                 right
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 declaring
                 openly
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   must
                   increase
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   must
                   decrease
                   ,
                
                 John.
                 3.
                 29
                 ,
                 30
                 ,
                 31.
                 
                 He
                 was
                 illustrious
                 for
                 
                 Piety
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 bold
                 and
                 zealous
                 in
                 reproving
                 Vice
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 fully
                 manifested
                 by
                 his
                 undaunted
                 freedom
                 ,
                 in
                 censuring
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 all
                 states
                 ,
                 and
                 sorts
                 of
                 People
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   they
                   came
                   to
                   him
                
                 for
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 his
                 sincerity
                 and
                 plain-dealing
                 ,
                 till
                 Jesus
                 came
                 ,
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 Age
                 show
                 such
                 a
                 down-right
                 ,
                 honest
                 Man.
                 When
                 Herod
                 set
                 his
                 heart
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 loved
                 to
                 hear
                 him
                 ,
                 his
                 growing
                 great
                 at
                 Court
                 did
                 not
                 make
                 him
                 swerve
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 from
                 his
                 Country
                 simplicity
                 ,
                 or
                 teach
                 him
                 how
                 to
                 flatter
                 ,
                 nor
                 would
                 he
                 there
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 connive
                 at
                 his
                 
                   Prince's
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 lose
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 his
                 Favour
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 own
                 Hearts
                 Blood
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 plain
                 freedom
                 in
                 taxing
                 and
                 reproving
                 it
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 14.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 These
                 are
                 signal
                 proofs
                 of
                 an
                 upright
                 ,
                 honest
                 Man.
                 But
                 did
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 in
                 those
                 days
                 ,
                 see
                 all
                 this
                 in
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 honour
                 and
                 admire
                 it
                 too
                 .
                 
                   He
                   was
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   a
                   burning
                   and
                   a
                   shining
                   light
                
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   for
                   a
                   while
                
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 had
                 disgusted
                 them
                 by
                 testifying
                 so
                 fully
                 for
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 they
                 
                   were
                   willing
                   to
                   rejoyce
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 35.
                 
                 
                   They
                   all
                   held
                   him
                   for
                   a
                   Prophet
                   ,
                
                 and
                 so
                 if
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 true
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 ought
                 surely
                 to
                 rely
                 upon
                 his
                 word
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 21.
                 26.
                 
                 They
                 thought
                 it
                 not
                 enough
                 to
                 Admire
                 and
                 Praise
                 ,
                 but
                 thronged
                 in
                 to
                 become
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 and
                 Followers
                 :
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 did
                 so
                 ,
                 were
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 ignorant
                 vulgar
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 most
                 learned
                 and
                 best
                 reputed
                 Sects
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Pharisees
                   and
                   Sadducees
                
                 ,
                 who
                 
                 came
                 ,
                 desiring
                 to
                 receive
                 Baptism
                 at
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 3.
                 7.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 they
                 did
                 not
                 only
                 repute
                 him
                 for
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 but
                 fancied
                 him
                 the
                 greatest
                 of
                 all
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 whom
                 all
                 desired
                 ,
                 and
                 expected
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 not
                 barely
                 the
                 surmize
                 of
                 some
                 private
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 opinion
                 of
                 the
                 Sanhedrim
                 ,
                 that
                 Great
                 Council
                 and
                 Representative
                 of
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Nation
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 sent
                 Deputies
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 a
                 select
                 number
                 of
                 
                   Priests
                   ,
                   and
                   Levites
                   from
                   Jerusalem
                   ,
                   to
                   ask
                   him
                
                 this
                 Question
                 ,
                 John
                 1.
                 19.
                 
                 Thus
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 currant
                 was
                 
                 John's
                 Fame
                 in
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Nation
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 declared
                 also
                 by
                 †
                 Josephus
                 a
                 Jewish
                 Historian
                 ;
                 which
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 begun
                 to
                 value
                 him
                 less
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 hatred
                 to
                 Jesus
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 bore
                 witness
                 ,
                 was
                 yet
                 of
                 such
                 awful
                 Authority
                 and
                 Account
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 receive
                 durst
                 not
                 openly
                 gainsay
                 it
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 durst
                 not
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 when
                 Jesus
                 pressed
                 them
                 with
                 
                 John's
                 Testimony
                 for
                 his
                 Authority
                 ,
                 pitifully
                 sneaked
                 ,
                 and
                 openly
                 refused
                 to
                 give
                 any
                 Answer
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 21.
                 27.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 was
                 not
                 Jesus
                 John's
                 Friend
                 ?
                 And
                 though
                 he
                 was
                 too
                 mortified
                 to
                 be
                 tempted
                 ,
                 and
                 too
                 honest
                 to
                 be
                 gained
                 by
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 ;
                 yet
                 might
                 not
                 affection
                 blind
                 his
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 fancy
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 things
                 greater
                 ,
                 than
                 were
                 true
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 Friendship
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 an
                 old
                 Friend
                 ,
                 the
                 grounds
                 John
                 gives
                 are
                 so
                 clear
                 and
                 full
                 ,
                 as
                 could
                 not
                 in
                 any
                 reason
                 be
                 questioned
                 .
                 
                 But
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 still
                 a
                 further
                 circumstance
                 in
                 this
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 careful
                 to
                 tell
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 declared
                 this
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 were
                 acquainted
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 he
                 gives
                 his
                 Testimony
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 seen
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 descend
                 upon
                 him
                 at
                 his
                 
                   Baptism
                   ,
                   I
                   knew
                   him
                   not
                   ,
                
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   he
                   that
                   sent
                   me
                   to
                   baptize
                   with
                   water
                   ,
                   the
                   same
                   said
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                   Upon
                   whom
                   thou
                   shalt
                   see
                   the
                   Spirit
                   descending
                   ,
                   and
                   remaining
                   on
                   him
                   ,
                   that
                   same
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   baptizeth
                   with
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   .
                   And
                
                 this
                 
                   I
                   saw
                
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   bare
                   record
                
                 ,
                 John
                 1.
                 33
                 ,
                 34.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 before
                 he
                 had
                 seen
                 this
                 sign
                 ,
                 or
                 made
                 this
                 declaration
                 ,
                 S.
                 Matthew
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   John
                   knew
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 thereupon
                 would
                 have
                 put
                 him
                 by
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   having
                   more
                   need
                   to
                   be
                   baptized
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 3.
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 that
                 was
                 purely
                 by
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 Spirit
                 then
                 suggesting
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 Messiah
                 to
                 John
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   made
                   him
                   leap
                   for
                   joy
                   in
                   the
                   womb
                   ,
                
                 at
                 the
                 
                   salutation
                   of
                   the
                   blessed
                   Virgin
                
                 ,
                 after
                 She
                 had
                 conceived
                 him
                 Luc.
                 ●
                 .
                 44.
                 
                 But
                 till
                 he
                 gave
                 this
                 Testimony
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 knew
                 him
                 not
                 as
                 a
                 Friend
                 or
                 Acquaintance
                 ,
                 nor
                 had
                 any
                 former
                 Conversation
                 ,
                 or
                 correspondence
                 passed
                 between
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 No
                 wonder
                 this
                 Testimony
                 should
                 over-awe
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 when
                 Jesus
                 urged
                 it
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 convince
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 besides
                 this
                 Testimony
                 of
                 John
                 the
                 Baptist
                 ,
                 you
                 mentioned
                 also
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 as
                 deserving
                 credit
                 .
                 Pray
                 clear
                 up
                 that
                 .
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 This
                 also
                 Jesus
                 alledges
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 stands
                 upon
                 it
                 .
                 
                   I
                   am
                   one
                   that
                   bear
                   witness
                   of
                   my self
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   record
                   is
                   true
                   :
                   for
                   I
                   know
                   whence
                   I
                   came
                   ,
                   and
                   whither
                   I
                   go
                   ,
                
                 John
                 8.
                 14
                 ,
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 only
                 his
                 own
                 word
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 case
                 .
                 And
                 Men
                 are
                 too
                 apt
                 to
                 say
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 undue
                 things
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 desire
                 of
                 Honour
                 ,
                 or
                 Advantage
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 believe
                 all
                 on
                 their
                 own
                 sayings
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 believe
                 all
                 deceivers
                 :
                 for
                 the
                 rankest
                 Impostors
                 are
                 true
                 Men
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 dare
                 trust
                 themselves
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 True
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 it
                 were
                 as
                 unreasonable
                 to
                 believe
                 all
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 believe
                 none
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 these
                 cases
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 put
                 a
                 difference
                 between
                 Witnesses
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 trust
                 the
                 accounts
                 given
                 of
                 themselves
                 by
                 all
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 by
                 credible
                 Persons
                 .
                 In
                 particular
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 appears
                 of
                 any
                 Man
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 fanciful
                 ,
                 false
                 ,
                 or
                 designing
                 ;
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 very
                 inclinable
                 to
                 believe
                 his
                 account
                 :
                 especially
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 had
                 set
                 some
                 extraordinary
                 attesting
                 marks
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 shewed
                 some
                 Miracles
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 if
                 he
                 himself
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 †
                 Legal
                 Test
                 of
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 should
                 give
                 some
                 extraordinary
                 sign
                 to
                 gain
                 credit
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 most
                 eminently
                 concur
                 in
                 this
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 which
                 Jesus
                 gave
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   his
                   being
                   the
                   Christ.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 it
                 appear
                 that
                 Jesus
                 was
                 no
                 fanciful
                 Man
                 ,
                 apt
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 Opinions
                 on
                 slight
                 grounds
                 ,
                 or
                 presume
                 things
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 favour
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 without
                 reason
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 carriage
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 appeared
                 most
                 humble
                 ,
                 and
                 self-denying
                 ;
                 so
                 did
                 he
                 clearly
                 manifest
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 a
                 most
                 quick
                 and
                 penetrating
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 a
                 most
                 sober
                 ,
                 and
                 considerate
                 Wisdom
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 never
                 seen
                 to
                 be
                 precipitate
                 in
                 any
                 Counsels
                 ,
                 nor
                 presumptuous
                 in
                 any
                 Conceits
                 ,
                 nor
                 mistaken
                 in
                 any
                 Opinions
                 and
                 Resolutions
                 ,
                 but
                 could
                 solve
                 clearly
                 all
                 Questions
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 the
                 true
                 weight
                 ,
                 and
                 just
                 validity
                 of
                 all
                 Arguments
                 .
                 Even
                 they
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 receive
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 admire
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 very
                 Officers
                 sent
                 to
                 apprehend
                 him
                 ,
                 returned
                 
                   saying
                   ,
                   Never
                   man
                   spake
                   like
                   this
                   man
                   ,
                
                 John
                 7.
                 46.
                 
                 Besides
                 ,
                 the
                 things
                 whereon
                 *
                 he
                 builds
                 his
                 own
                 Credit
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 any
                 conjectural
                 Speculations
                 ,
                 or
                 disputable
                 Opinions
                 ,
                 but
                 plain
                 matters
                 of
                 Fact
                 :
                 such
                 as
                 his
                 †
                 living
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   conversing
                   with
                   God
                   in
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 long
                 
                   before
                   he
                   came
                   into
                   the
                   world
                
                 ;
                 his
                 *
                 
                   coming
                   out
                   from
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   speaking
                   what
                   he
                
                 †
                 saw
                 ,
                 and
                 heard
                 him
                 declare
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 lay
                 from
                 Eternal
                 Ages
                 in
                 his
                 Bosom
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 are
                 untruths
                 ,
                 cannot
                 be
                 fancies
                 ,
                 but
                 downright
                 Forgeries
                 ,
                 and
                 Impostures
                 :
                 they
                 argue
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 an
                 Enthusiastical
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 false
                 and
                 designing
                 Man
                 ,
                 since
                 no
                 Person
                 in
                 his
                 wits
                 ,
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 most
                 evident
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 could
                 fancy
                 himself
                 into
                 such
                 persuasions
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 ,
                 the
                 Adversaries
                 of
                 Jesus
                 themselves
                 believed
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 never
                 once
                 accused
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 a
                 deluded
                 Enthusiast
                 ,
                 but
                 always
                 as
                 a
                 false
                 Impostor
                 ,
                 
                 who
                 crastily
                 invented
                 those
                 pretensions
                 ;
                 which
                 he
                 sought
                 to
                 impose
                 upon
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 27.
                 63.
                 
                 &
                 John
                 7.
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 he
                 also
                 as
                 apparently
                 honest
                 ,
                 and
                 undesigning
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 never
                 Man
                 sought
                 so
                 little
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 or
                 did
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 others
                 ,
                 making
                 it
                 his
                 
                   meat
                   and
                   drink
                
                 to
                 bring
                 Glory
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 dispense
                 Blessings
                 to
                 the
                 World.
                 Whatsoever
                 he
                 claimed
                 ,
                 or
                 did
                 ,
                 was
                 in
                 pursuit
                 of
                 those
                 publick
                 ends
                 ;
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 to
                 greaten
                 his
                 own
                 secular
                 State
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 gratifie
                 his
                 own
                 Will
                 and
                 Humour
                 .
                 And
                 on
                 this
                 score
                 he
                 calls
                 upon
                 all
                 Men
                 to
                 believe
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 visibly
                 could
                 have
                 no
                 temptation
                 to
                 deceive
                 ,
                 and
                 plainly
                 sought
                 to
                 serve
                 no
                 ends
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 upon
                 them
                 .
                 
                   My
                   judgment
                   is
                   just
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   because
                   I
                   seek
                   not
                   mine
                   own
                   will
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   which
                   hath
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Quest.
                   Two
                
                 great
                 things
                 there
                 are
                 ,
                 which
                 Men
                 may
                 seek
                 by
                 such
                 pretences
                 :
                 Interest
                 ,
                 that
                 ratifies
                 the
                 covetous
                 ;
                 and
                 Honour
                 ,
                 that
                 Idol
                 of
                 the
                 ambitious
                 ,
                 and
                 vain
                 glorious
                 .
                 And
                 doth
                 it
                 plainly
                 appear
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 pursuing
                 his
                 pretensions
                 ,
                 he
                 sought
                 neither
                 of
                 these
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 For
                 as
                 for
                 Honour
                 ,
                 though
                 by
                 his
                 miraculous
                 Power
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 every
                 where
                 the
                 most
                 stupendious
                 things
                 :
                 yet
                 was
                 he
                 never
                 tempted
                 to
                 do
                 any
                 one
                 out
                 of
                 vanity
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 Praise
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 as
                 occasion
                 was
                 given
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 requests
                 ,
                 or
                 needs
                 
                 of
                 Men
                 ;
                 or
                 as
                 he
                 saw
                 they
                 might
                 serve
                 to
                 accomplish
                 God's
                 ends
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 miraculous
                 Cures
                 were
                 done
                 ,
                 he
                 several
                 times
                 imposed
                 silence
                 on
                 *
                 those
                 he
                 cured
                 ,
                 or
                 those
                 who
                 were
                 privy
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 stifle
                 the
                 spreading
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Fame
                 .
                 He
                 gave
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 all
                 he
                 did
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 declaring
                 ,
                 That
                 †
                 
                   of
                   himself
                   he
                   could
                   do
                   nothing
                   ,
                
                 but
                 that
                 his
                 *
                 finger
                 wrought
                 all
                 the
                 works
                 they
                 so
                 much
                 admired
                 ,
                 and
                 directing
                 them
                 to
                 adore
                 ,
                 and
                 laud
                 him
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 accordingly
                 they
                 †
                 did
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 
                   worldly
                   interest
                
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 pretended
                 to
                 come
                 as
                 a
                 Prince
                 and
                 Shepherd
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 declared
                 that
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 serve
                 himself
                 of
                 his
                 People
                 but
                 to
                 serve
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 shed
                 his
                 
                   Hearts
                   Blood
                   for
                   them
                
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 Men
                 must
                 needs
                 say
                 he
                 seeks
                 no
                 private
                 interest
                 ,
                 or
                 self
                 design
                 who
                 comes
                 among
                 Men
                 ,
                 only
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 opportunity
                 to
                 die
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 being
                 thus
                 apparently
                 free
                 from
                 all
                 designs
                 ,
                 or
                 endeavours
                 ,
                 of
                 seeking
                 his
                 own
                 interest
                 ,
                 or
                 applause
                 ;
                 upon
                 this
                 score
                 he
                 calls
                 upon
                 all
                 reasonable
                 Men
                 to
                 receive
                 ●is
                 Testimony
                 .
                 
                   The
                   good
                   Shepherd
                   lays
                   down
                   his
                   life
                   for
                   the
                   sheep
                   :
                   I
                   am
                   the
                   good
                   Shepherd
                   ,
                
                 for
                 
                   I
                   lay
                   down
                   my
                   life
                   for
                   them
                   ,
                
                 J●●n
                 10.
                 11
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 
                   I
                   honour
                   my
                   father
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   seek
                   not
                   mine
                   own
                   glory
                   .
                   He
                   that
                   speaketh
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                   seeketh
                   his
                   own
                   glory
                   :
                   but
                   he
                   that
                   seeketh
                   his
                   glory
                   that
                   sent
                   him
                   ,
                   the
                   same
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                   and
                   no
                   unrighteousness
                   is
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 John
                 8.
                 49
                 ,
                 50.
                 
                 &
                 7.
                 18.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 such
                 manifestations
                 of
                 sober
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 undesigning
                 Integrity
                 ,
                 are
                 enough
                 to
                 gain
                 great
                 regard
                 to
                 any
                 Man's
                 account
                 .
                 But
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 said
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 of
                 more
                 force
                 still
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 extraordinary
                 Providences
                 ,
                 and
                 miraculous
                 Events
                 ,
                 brought
                 to
                 pass
                 for
                 ,
                 or
                 about
                 a
                 Person
                 ,
                 should
                 prepossess
                 the
                 World
                 with
                 a
                 great
                 Opinion
                 ,
                 and
                 raise
                 in
                 all
                 Men
                 some
                 extraordinary
                 expectations
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 was
                 this
                 done
                 for
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 ,
                 besides
                 that
                 a
                 
                   confessed
                   Prophet
                
                 was
                 sent
                 in
                 God's
                 Name
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 shewed
                 ,
                 on
                 purpose
                 to
                 declare
                 him
                 ;
                 a
                 Train
                 of
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 and
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 was
                 laid
                 by
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 prepare
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 usher
                 him
                 in
                 .
                 One
                 Angel
                 is
                 sent
                 to
                 his
                 Mother
                 ,
                 then
                 and
                 afterwards
                 a
                 Virgin
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 news
                 of
                 his
                 Miraculous
                 Conception
                 ;
                 another
                 to
                 clear
                 her
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfie
                 her
                 jealous
                 Husband
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 whole
                 *
                 Host
                 of
                 them
                 are
                 heard
                 to
                 sing
                 Anthems
                 of
                 Joy
                 and
                 Praise
                 at
                 his
                 Birth
                 ,
                 declaring
                 to
                 the
                 Shepherds
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 
                   Christ
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 A
                 prodigious
                 Star
                 ,
                 of
                 an
                 irregular
                 place
                 and
                 motion
                 ,
                 is
                 created
                 to
                 lead
                 some
                 great
                 Men
                 
                 of
                 the
                 East
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 place
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 .
                 Who
                 ,
                 coming
                 by
                 its
                 guidance
                 to
                 Jerusalem
                 in
                 search
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 put
                 King
                 Herod
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 into
                 an
                 anxious
                 fear
                 and
                 consternation
                 .
                 And
                 being
                 led
                 on
                 farther
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 Bethlehem
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 very
                 House
                 where
                 he
                 lay
                 ,
                 they
                 most
                 solemnly
                 paid
                 their
                 Homage
                 and
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 
                   offering
                   him
                   Gifts
                   ,
                   Gold
                   ,
                   Frankincense
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   Myrrh
                
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 heighten
                 the
                 observation
                 ,
                 and
                 perpetuate
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 a
                 strange
                 instance
                 of
                 most
                 lamentable
                 ,
                 and
                 unheard
                 of
                 cruelty
                 accompanied
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 at
                 the
                 
                   Wise
                   Mens
                
                 report
                 ,
                 Herod
                 growing
                 jealous
                 of
                 this
                 new
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 being
                 able
                 to
                 learn
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 under
                 pretence
                 of
                 going
                 to
                 Worship
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 seize
                 and
                 devour
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 failing
                 to
                 
                   bring
                   him
                   word
                
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 promise
                 ,
                 through
                 
                   God's
                   warning
                
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 contrary
                 
                   in
                   a
                   Dream
                
                 :
                 in
                 his
                 Bloody
                 Rage
                 he
                 
                   slew
                   all
                   the
                   Children
                   ,
                   under
                   two
                   years
                   old
                   ,
                   in
                   Bethlehem
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   coasts
                   thereof
                   ,
                
                 assuredly
                 concluding
                 he
                 should
                 cut
                 off
                 him
                 among
                 them
                 .
                 Besides
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 *
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 his
                 Mothers
                 
                   days
                   of
                   Purification
                
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 brought
                 into
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 †
                 Simeon
                 (
                 Son
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 supposed
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Great
                 Hillel
                 ,
                 and
                 Father
                 to
                 Gamaliel
                 )
                 and
                 
                 *
                 Hannah
                 ,
                 two
                 Persons
                 eminent
                 for
                 Piety
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 known
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 in
                 ordinary
                 course
                 ,
                 yet
                 at
                 some
                 times
                 to
                 be
                 acted
                 by
                 a
                 
                   Prophetick
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 having
                 ceased
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 for
                 four
                 hundred
                 Years
                 ,
                 ever
                 since
                 Zechary
                 and
                 Malachy
                 ,
                 begun
                 then
                 to
                 revive
                 again
                 ,
                 did
                 own
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Christ
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   spoke
                   of
                   him
                   to
                   all
                   that
                   looked
                   for
                   Redemption
                   in
                   Jerusalem
                   .
                
                 All
                 these
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 number
                 of
                 other
                 great
                 Signs
                 shewed
                 about
                 him
                 ,
                 were
                 most
                 publickly
                 known
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 the
                 wonder
                 ,
                 and
                 discourse
                 of
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 needs
                 raise
                 in
                 Mens
                 minds
                 strange
                 expectations
                 
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 seeing
                 him
                 thus
                 visibly
                 sent
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 the
                 more
                 prepared
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 declared
                 himself
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 credit
                 .
                 Especially
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 knew
                 him
                 still
                 more
                 Gloriously
                 set
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 foregoing
                 Signs
                 advanced
                 and
                 confirmed
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 
                   visible
                   descent
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   voice
                   from
                   Heaven
                
                 accompanying
                 it
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 begun
                 his
                 Preaching
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 to
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 did
                 he
                 also
                 himself
                 give
                 them
                 a
                 Sign
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 justification
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 very
                 same
                 too
                 ,
                 that
                 Moses
                 prescribed
                 for
                 a
                 proof
                 of
                 any
                 Man
                 's
                 being
                 sent
                 of
                 God
                 as
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 
                   viz.
                   his
                   fore
                   telling
                   things
                   to
                   come
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 18.
                 22.
                 
                 For
                 this
                 Jesus
                 did
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 too
                 on
                 this
                 very
                 score
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 rule
                 of
                 Moses
                 to
                 justifie
                 
                   his
                   Mission
                
                 .
                 His
                 
                   own
                   Resurrection
                
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 Type
                 of
                 Jonas
                 ,
                 he
                 gives
                 to
                 the
                 Jews
                 for
                 a
                 sign
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 40.
                 
                 And
                 
                   Judas's
                   Treason
                
                 he
                 foretold
                 to
                 his
                 Disciples
                 before
                 it
                 happened
                 ,
                 that
                 thereby
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   when
                   it
                   is
                   come
                   to
                   pass
                   ,
                   you
                   may
                   believe
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   he
                   ,
                
                 John
                 13.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 alone
                 is
                 a
                 sufficient
                 vindication
                 of
                 his
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 could
                 produce
                 nothing
                 else
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 a
                 Legal
                 Trial
                 at
                 the
                 Bar
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 this
                 would
                 prove
                 him
                 a
                 
                   true
                   Prophet
                
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 being
                 once
                 made
                 out
                 ,
                 his
                 Testimony
                 is
                 no
                 further
                 to
                 be
                 questioned
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 such
                 personal
                 endowments
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 miraculous
                 an
                 entry
                 ,
                 are
                 enough
                 to
                 gain
                 credit
                 to
                 any
                 Person
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 the
                 World
                 believe
                 what
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 wrought
                 no
                 Miracles
                 for
                 confirmation
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 true
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 they
                 did
                 in
                 John's
                 case
                 .
                 For
                 John
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Scripture
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   wrought
                   no
                   miracle
                
                 ,
                 John.
                 10.
                 41.
                 
                 But
                 yet
                 he
                 was
                 universally
                 held
                 for
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 his
                 eminent
                 Integrity
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 because
                 his
                 Conception
                 was
                 by
                 a
                 Mother
                 barren
                 and
                 past
                 Child-bearing
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 first
                 revealed
                 by
                 the
                 Message
                 of
                 an
                 Angel
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 unbelieving
                 Father
                 struck
                 dumb
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Tongue
                 as
                 miraculously
                 loosed
                 again
                 upon
                 the
                 Child's
                 Birth
                 to
                 Prophesie
                 concerning
                 him
                 ;
                 by
                 all
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 notoriously
                 known
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 
                   Child
                   of
                   Miracles
                
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 
                   wrought
                   none
                
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 noted
                 ,
                 were
                 far
                 more
                 eminent
                 in
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 which
                 therefore
                 in
                 all
                 equity
                 and
                 reason
                 should
                 have
                 gained
                 him
                 credit
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 him
                 pass
                 for
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 as
                 John
                 did
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 that
                 Jesus
                 gave
                 them
                 Predictions
                 ,
                 the
                 Legal
                 proof
                 of
                 true
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 been
                 enough
                 to
                 authorize
                 and
                 justifie
                 his
                 Witness
                 ,
                 had
                 it
                 come
                 backed
                 with
                 no
                 other
                 credentials
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 shewn
                 reason
                 enough
                 ,
                 why
                 Jesus's
                 report
                 of
                 himself
                 should
                 be
                 trusted
                 ,
                 since
                 it
                 came
                 thus
                 well
                 fortified
                 .
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 this
                 shows
                 him
                 a
                 most
                 creditable
                 Witness
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 appeared
                 among
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 testifie
                 for
                 himself
                 here
                 
                   on
                   Earth
                
                 .
                 But
                 besides
                 that
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 moreover
                 showed
                 himself
                 several
                 times
                 since
                 he
                 
                   went
                   to
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 particularly
                 to
                 Stephen
                 ,
                 and
                 Saul
                 ,
                 giving
                 them
                 an
                 ocular
                 evidence
                 ,
                 by
                 appearing
                 in
                 actual
                 Possession
                 of
                 his
                 Pretences
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 exhibition
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 in
                 Glorious
                 Majesty
                 at
                 God's
                 own
                 Throne
                 ,
                 doth
                 as
                 convincingly
                 speak
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 
                   Christ
                   the
                   King
                
                 ,
                 as
                 any
                 Man
                 's
                 Personal
                 appearance
                 and
                 presentation
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 can
                 prove
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 live
                 Person
                 .
                 In
                 doubt
                 of
                 a
                 thing
                 's
                 existing
                 in
                 any
                 condition
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 such
                 satisfactory
                 proof
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 thing
                 presents
                 it self
                 ,
                 and
                 shews
                 its
                 state
                 by
                 ocular
                 demonstration
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 after
                 all
                 that
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 about
                 the
                 validity
                 of
                 this
                 Testimony
                 of
                 Jesus
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 case
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 Jesus
                 himself
                 say
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 tells
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   ,
                   If
                   I
                   bear
                   witness
                   of
                   my self
                   ,
                   my
                   witness
                   is
                   not
                   true
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 31.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 By
                 
                   not
                   true
                
                 ,
                 he
                 means
                 not
                 that
                 't
                 is
                 no
                 real
                 Truth
                 ,
                 nor
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 proof
                 of
                 Truth
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 another
                 place
                 he
                 says
                 expresly
                 ,
                 
                   though
                   I
                   bear
                   record
                   of
                   my self
                   ,
                   my
                   witness
                   is
                   true
                   ,
                
                 John
                 8.
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 only
                 that
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 pass
                 in
                 Law
                 for
                 a
                 proof
                 of
                 Truth
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 ,
                 not
                 for
                 any
                 defect
                 in
                 the
                 kind
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 tale
                 and
                 number
                 of
                 Evidence
                 .
                 For
                 
                   their
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 notes
                 ,
                 required
                 
                   two
                   Witnesses
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 although
                 his
                 own
                 Testimony
                 were
                 one
                 good
                 proof
                 ,
                 yet
                 being
                 
                 but
                 one
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 of
                 it self
                 alone
                 no
                 full
                 proof
                 ,
                 but
                 wanted
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 
                   his
                   Father
                
                 too
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 a
                 Legal
                 Evidence
                 ,
                 John
                 8.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 accordingly
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 objected
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 says
                 his
                 own
                 is
                 no
                 good
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 words
                 he
                 adds
                 ,
                 
                   there
                   is
                   another
                   that
                   beareth
                   witness
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                
                 which
                 making
                 up
                 the
                 Legal
                 number
                 if
                 added
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 would
                 make
                 an
                 undeniable
                 Testimony
                 ,
                 John
                 5.
                 32.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 after
                 all
                 ▪
                 will
                 not
                 this
                 taking
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 Jesus
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 case
                 ,
                 give
                 colour
                 and
                 credit
                 to
                 designing
                 Impostors
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Fanatical
                   Enthusiasts
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 It
                 would
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 ,
                 or
                 they
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 believ'd
                 upon
                 their
                 bare
                 sayings
                 .
                 But
                 there
                 is
                 do
                 danger
                 at
                 all
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 if
                 ,
                 to
                 back
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 produce
                 such
                 Credentials
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 set
                 off
                 in
                 his
                 case
                 .
                 For
                 to
                 be
                 sure
                 upon
                 examination
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 appear
                 ,
                 either
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 Persons
                 of
                 sober
                 and
                 solid
                 reason
                 ,
                 or
                 not
                 exempt
                 from
                 all
                 just
                 suspicion
                 of
                 vanity
                 and
                 self-design
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 want
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 and
                 miraculous
                 introduction
                 .
                 Not
                 to
                 mention
                 moreover
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 have
                 no
                 acknowledged
                 Prophet
                 to
                 bear
                 Witness
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 fail
                 of
                 giving
                 a
                 Sign
                 and
                 Prediction
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 strictest
                 Test
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 was
                 answered
                 and
                 made
                 good
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 Which
                 great
                 differences
                 ,
                 make
                 their
                 words
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 case
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 only
                 either
                 a
                 forged
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Fanatical
                 bold
                 Saying
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 sober
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 solid
                 Evidence
                 in
                 him
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Besides
                 these
                 Testimonies
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   Jesus
                   being
                   the
                   Messiah
                
                 ,
                 you
                 mentioned
                 a
                 third
                 ,
                 viz.
                 his
                 
                   miraculous
                   works
                
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 called
                 an
                 
                   Evidence
                   drawn
                   up
                   by
                   the
                   finger
                   of
                   God.
                
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 declare
                 that
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 This
                 Jesus
                 often
                 urges
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 too
                 as
                 of
                 greater
                 validity
                 ,
                 than
                 either
                 
                   his
                   own
                
                 ,
                 or
                 John's
                 Testimony
                 .
                 
                   I
                   have
                   greater
                   witness
                   ,
                   than
                   that
                   of
                   John
                   ;
                   for
                   the
                   works
                   ,
                   which
                   the
                   Father
                   hath
                   given
                   me
                   to
                   finish
                   ,
                   the
                   same
                   works
                   that
                   I
                   do
                   bear
                   witness
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Father
                   hath
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 36.
                 
                 And
                 
                   if
                   I
                   do
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   my
                   Father
                   ,
                   though
                   you
                   believe
                   not
                   me
                   ,
                   believe
                   the
                   works
                   ,
                
                 John
                 10.
                 37
                 ,
                 38.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 in
                 pretence
                 that
                 any
                 thing
                 comes
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 Signs
                 and
                 Miracles
                 are
                 a
                 convi●cing
                 argument
                 .
                 For
                 being
                 a
                 visible
                 effect
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 said
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 
                   finger
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 they
                 show
                 evidently
                 that
                 God
                 espouses
                 the
                 Person
                 who
                 is
                 impowered
                 to
                 work
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 employ
                 his
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 Sayings
                 good
                 .
                 But
                 one
                 great
                 difficulty
                 lies
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 this
                 Evidence
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 or
                 things
                 seemingly
                 as
                 strange
                 as
                 they
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 cannot
                 distinguish
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 are
                 oft-times
                 wrought
                 by
                 Satan
                 and
                 
                   his
                   Agents
                
                 .
                 As
                 they
                 were
                 by
                 *
                 Jannes
                 and
                 Jambres
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Egyptian
                   Magicians
                
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 contest
                 with
                 Moses
                 :
                 and
                 by
                 
                   false
                   Christs
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   false
                   Prophets
                
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 foretold
                 ,
                 
                   should
                   shew
                   signs
                   and
                   wonders
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 24.
                 24.
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 great
                 Antichrist
                 and
                 
                   Man
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 whose
                 coming
                 ,
                 
                 S.
                 Paul
                 declares
                 ,
                 should
                 
                   be
                   after
                   the
                   working
                   of
                   Satan
                   ,
                   with
                   all
                   power
                   ,
                   and
                   signs
                   ,
                   and
                   lying
                   wonders
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Thess.
                 2.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 Satan
                 works
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 effect
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 ,
                 what
                 we
                 shall
                 take
                 for
                 such
                 ,
                 to
                 credit
                 false
                 Impostors
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 God
                 doth
                 to
                 justifie
                 true
                 Prophets
                 ;
                 how
                 shall
                 we
                 distinguish
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 of
                 the
                 Signs
                 which
                 Jesus
                 gave
                 us
                 ,
                 whether
                 they
                 are
                 Divine
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 that
                 evidence
                 a
                 true
                 Man
                 ,
                 or
                 only
                 Feats
                 of
                 Magick
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 shewn
                 by
                 many
                 false
                 Men
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 They
                 are
                 easily
                 distinguished
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 whole
                 kind
                 of
                 some
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 intent
                 and
                 design
                 of
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 instance
                 to
                 me
                 in
                 some
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 distinguished
                 by
                 the
                 whole
                 kind
                 .
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 some
                 sorts
                 of
                 Miracles
                 done
                 by
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 peculiar
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 cannot
                 be
                 performed
                 by
                 any
                 unclean
                 Spirit
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 One
                 is
                 
                   foretelling
                   future
                   contingencies
                
                 ,
                 which
                 Jesus
                 did
                 several
                 times
                 .
                 Particularly
                 he
                 foretold
                 his
                 own
                 *
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 strange
                 kind
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 hanging
                 after
                 the
                 Roman
                 way
                 
                   upon
                   a
                
                 †
                 Cross
                 ;
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 only
                 most
                 accidental
                 ,
                 but
                 most
                 improbable
                 ,
                 since
                 if
                 he
                 was
                 taken
                 off
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 by
                 Roman
                 ,
                 but
                 Jewish
                 malice
                 .
                 He
                 foretold
                 also
                 that
                 Judas
                 ,
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 should
                 
                   betray
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 before
                 he
                 was
                 given
                 up
                 to
                 Satan
                 to
                 
                   enter
                   into
                   him
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Judas
                 himself
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 like
                 ,
                 ever
                 thought
                 of
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 :
                 nay
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   knew
                   it
                
                 ,
                 says
                 S.
                 John
                 ,
                 
                 
                   from
                   the
                
                 very
                 beginning
                 ,
                 John
                 6.
                 64
                 ,
                 70
                 ,
                 71.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 Peter
                 should
                 
                   deny
                   him
                
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 just
                 
                   thrice
                   ,
                   before
                   the
                   Cock
                   crew
                   twice
                   ,
                
                 Mark
                 14.
                 30.
                 whereas
                 ,
                 those
                 three
                 occasions
                 of
                 his
                 denial
                 ,
                 were
                 then
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 themselves
                 most
                 uncertain
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 Peter
                 made
                 so
                 sure
                 of
                 his
                 not
                 denying
                 him
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 confidently
                 said
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 
                   rather
                   die
                   with
                   him
                
                 ,
                 than
                 do
                 it
                 
                   in
                   any
                   wise
                
                 ,
                 Verse
                 31.
                 
                 To
                 these
                 I
                 might
                 add
                 ,
                 his
                 Prediction
                 of
                 the
                 Bloody
                 *
                 
                   persecutions
                   of
                   his
                   Disciples
                
                 ,
                 the
                 unhappy
                 †
                 
                   success
                   of
                   false
                   Prophets
                
                 ,
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Church
                   and
                   Religion
                
                 ,
                 though
                 ever
                 and
                 anon
                 groaning
                 under
                 most
                 heavy
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 *
                 
                   worlds
                   end
                
                 ;
                 with
                 many
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 this
                 
                   Prediction
                   of
                   future
                   Contingencies
                
                 ,
                 a
                 work
                 peculiar
                 to
                 the
                 All-seeing
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 above
                 the
                 skill
                 of
                 all
                 infernal
                 Spirits
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 thence
                 't
                 is
                 called
                 Divination
                 ,
                 as
                 manifesting
                 the
                 Divinity
                 of
                 a
                 Being
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 herein
                 God
                 challenges
                 all
                 the
                 pretended
                 Gods
                 of
                 the
                 Heathens
                 ;
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Shew
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   are
                   to
                   come
                   hereafter
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   know
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   Gods
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 41.
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 the
                 Devils
                 plainly
                 manifest
                 themselves
                 unable
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Ambiguity
                 of
                 their
                 Oracles
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 consulted
                 in
                 these
                 cases
                 .
                 For
                 not
                 knowing
                 what
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 event
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 they
                 use
                 artifice
                 in
                 words
                 ,
                 and
                 frame
                 Responses
                 of
                 such
                 doubtful
                 construction
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 liable
                 to
                 be
                 turned
                 both
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 so
                 equally
                 capable
                 of
                 being
                 verified
                 by
                 all
                 events
                 .
                 Such
                 was
                 the
                 noted
                 Answer
                 of
                 the
                 Devil
                 at
                 
                   ●
                   elphos
                
                 ,
                 cited
                 by
                 *
                 Cicero
                 from
                 Ennius
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 given
                 to
                 Pyrrhus
                 King
                 of
                 Epirus
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 consulted
                 him
                 about
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 the
                 War
                 with
                 the
                 Romans
                 :
              
               
                 Aio
                 te
                 AEacida
                 Romanos
                 vincere
                 posse
                 .
              
               
                 Which
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 different
                 ways
                 Men
                 should
                 begin
                 the
                 construction
                 ,
                 was
                 equally
                 good
                 Latin
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 be
                 equally
                 true
                 ,
                 whether
                 he
                 should
                 conquer
                 the
                 Romans
                 ,
                 or
                 they
                 should
                 conquer
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 such
                 also
                 was
                 that
                 other
                 Answer
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 cites
                 from
                 Herodotus
                 ,
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 given
                 to
                 Croesus
                 King
                 of
                 Lydia
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 went
                 against
                 Cyrus
                 :
              
               
                 Croesus
                 Halym
                 penetrans
                 magnam
                 pervertet
                 opum
                 vim
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 passed
                 the
                 River
                 Halys
                 against
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 he
                 should
                 consume
                 a
                 vast
                 Wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 waste
                 a
                 great
                 Domination
                 :
                 which
                 would
                 be
                 very
                 true
                 ,
                 whether
                 it
                 fell
                 out
                 to
                 be
                 theirs
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 own
                 .
                 These
                 studiously
                 uncertain
                 ,
                 and
                 ambiguous
                 Answers
                 ,
                 are
                 a
                 plain
                 sign
                 the
                 Demon
                 was
                 at
                 a
                 non-plus
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 that
                 future
                 Contingencies
                 are
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 reach
                 ,
                 and
                 foresight
                 of
                 impure
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 is
                 plain
                 ,
                 because
                 those
                 causes
                 are
                 ,
                 whereon
                 such
                 futurities
                 depend
                 .
                 
                 For
                 they
                 are
                 wrapt
                 up
                 in
                 the
                 free-will
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Devils
                 cannot
                 force
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 tempt
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Counsel
                 ,
                 and
                 Providence
                 of
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 whose
                 early
                 determinations
                 are
                 hid
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 a
                 secret
                 locked
                 up
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Breast
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 have
                 not
                 Demons
                 oft
                 foretold
                 such
                 futurities
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 *
                 Spurinna
                 the
                 Augur
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Diabolical
                 signs
                 in
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 could
                 warn
                 
                   Julius
                   Caesar
                
                 of
                 his
                 danger
                 such
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 went
                 into
                 the
                 Senate-House
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 That
                 the
                 Demon
                 might
                 easily
                 foretel
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 persons
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 circumstances
                 of
                 the
                 Murder
                 ,
                 had
                 been
                 resolved
                 on
                 among
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 present
                 ,
                 and
                 principally
                 influenced
                 their
                 Debates
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 Consults
                 .
                 Such
                 Predictions
                 are
                 but
                 like
                 a
                 seasonable
                 discovery
                 made
                 by
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 Conspirators
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 say
                 you
                 to
                 Predictions
                 of
                 more
                 remote
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 yet
                 unconcerted
                 among
                 the
                 immediate
                 Actors
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 their
                 foretelling
                 the
                 success
                 of
                 attempts
                 ,
                 or
                 expeditions
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 futurities
                 of
                 contingent
                 nature
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Demons
                 often
                 revealed
                 to
                 their
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 both
                 by
                 
                   Oracles
                   ,
                   entrails
                   of
                   Sacrifices
                   ,
                   feeding
                   of
                   Pullen
                   ,
                
                 and
                 other
                 ways
                 in
                 use
                 among
                 
                   Heathen
                   Diviners
                
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 When
                 they
                 ventured
                 at
                 these
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 with
                 certainty
                 and
                 assurance
                 ,
                 as
                 infallible
                 understandings
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 by
                 guesses
                 and
                 conjectures
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 appearances
                 
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 their
                 preparations
                 ,
                 and
                 probabilities
                 ,
                 as
                 politick
                 observers
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 can
                 go
                 far
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 their
                 great
                 knowledge
                 and
                 experience
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 put
                 to
                 Answer
                 on
                 these
                 points
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 more
                 distrustful
                 of
                 the
                 issue
                 ,
                 they
                 gave
                 ambiguous
                 and
                 uncertain
                 Answers
                 ,
                 capable
                 of
                 being
                 verified
                 by
                 all
                 events
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 be
                 a
                 sure
                 reserve
                 for
                 their
                 errors
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 Croesus
                 ,
                 and
                 Pyrrhus
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 event
                 seemed
                 more
                 likely
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 were
                 presuming
                 and
                 bold
                 enough
                 to
                 Answer
                 plainly
                 ;
                 then
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 effect
                 would
                 several
                 times
                 hit
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 sometimes
                 miss
                 ,
                 they
                 hoped
                 all
                 would
                 be
                 expounded
                 in
                 their
                 favour
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 mistakes
                 salved
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Candor
                 and
                 Devotion
                 of
                 their
                 Worshippers
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 do
                 not
                 you
                 think
                 Demons
                 can
                 speak
                 of
                 some
                 such
                 futurities
                 in
                 plain
                 Speech
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 too
                 with
                 certainty
                 and
                 assurance
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 some
                 events
                 are
                 put
                 into
                 their
                 hands
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 Persons
                 are
                 delivered
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 either
                 for
                 their
                 trial
                 ,
                 as
                 Job
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 their
                 punishment
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 Ahab
                 .
                 And
                 after
                 such
                 delivery
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 foretel
                 these
                 events
                 ,
                 as
                 depending
                 upon
                 themselves
                 Thus
                 might
                 Satan
                 easily
                 have
                 foretold
                 the
                 Inva●ions
                 of
                 the
                 †
                 Chaldeans
                 ,
                 and
                 Sabeans
                 ,
                 upon
                 
                   Job's
                   Oxen
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Camels
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 gained
                 God's
                 Licence
                 :
                 and
                 
                   Judas's
                   Treason
                
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 was
                 delivered
                 up
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 *
                 
                   enter
                   into
                   him
                
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 might
                 they
                 in
                 the
                 Gentile
                 
                 Divinations
                 ,
                 foretel
                 
                   cures
                   of
                   Diseases
                
                 ,
                 whereof
                 by
                 God's
                 Commission
                 they
                 had
                 been
                 the
                 Inflictors
                 ,
                 
                   seeming
                   then
                   to
                   cure
                   ,
                   where
                   they
                   only
                   ceased
                   to
                   kill
                   ,
                
                 as
                 *
                 Tertullian
                 says
                 .
                 To
                 predict
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 left
                 to
                 their
                 Power
                 and
                 Ministry
                 to
                 accomplish
                 ,
                 requires
                 no
                 more
                 skill
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 know
                 before-hand
                 what
                 they
                 intend
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 are
                 their
                 own
                 Decrees
                 and
                 Purposes
                 .
                 But
                 't
                 is
                 beyond
                 the
                 fore-sight
                 of
                 any
                 Demons
                 to
                 foretel
                 such
                 remote
                 Contingencies
                 ,
                 
                   before
                   the
                   abandoning
                   of
                   Persons
                
                 ;
                 as
                 God
                 doth
                 frequently
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 declaring
                 the
                 most
                 accidental
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 †
                 happen
                 to
                 Men
                 yet
                 *
                 unborn
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 most
                 free
                 and
                 voluntary
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 be
                 *
                 done
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 the
                 Blessed
                 Jesus
                 did
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 after
                 him
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 foretelling
                 what
                 should
                 befal
                 the
                 whole
                 Nation
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 both
                 young
                 and
                 old
                 ,
                 after
                 almost
                 forty
                 Years
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 should
                 happen
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Church
                 ,
                 in
                 remote
                 Ages
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 should
                 be
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 temptations
                 and
                 trials
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 most
                 contingent
                 carriage
                 and
                 free
                 actions
                 of
                 good
                 Men
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 in
                 God's
                 Protection
                 ,
                 and
                 whom
                 the
                 impure
                 Spirits
                 could
                 only
                 tempt
                 ,
                 not
                 govern
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 plain
                 among
                 many
                 others
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 of
                 
                   Peter's
                   thrice
                   denying
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   forsaking
                
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 the
                 famed
                 Oracles
                 of
                 the
                 Sibyls
                 ,
                 from
                 which
                 *
                 Virgil
                 transcribed
                 some
                 Predictions
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 startled
                 †
                 Cicero
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Quindecemviri
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 the
                 custody
                 
                 and
                 exposition
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 were
                 bringing
                 out
                 thence
                 the
                 news
                 of
                 a
                 King
                 into
                 the
                 Senate
                 ,
                 were
                 spoke
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 fully
                 verified
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 no
                 abandoned
                 Person
                 .
                 And
                 did
                 not
                 Demons
                 here
                 foresee
                 ,
                 and
                 foretel
                 such
                 futurities
                 ,
                 as
                 depend
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 wrapt
                 up
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 said
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Counsel
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 very
                 probably
                 the
                 Spirit
                 that
                 revealed
                 those
                 things
                 to
                 these
                 
                   Heathen
                   Sibyls
                
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 any
                 infernal
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 sometimes
                 inspired
                 Heathens
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 did
                 *
                 Balaam
                 the
                 Aramite
                 ,
                 to
                 Prophesy
                 of
                 several
                 events
                 ,
                 particularly
                 of
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 thereby
                 even
                 among
                 the
                 Gentile
                 World
                 ,
                 to
                 raise
                 an
                 expectation
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 †
                 
                   desire
                   of
                   all
                   Nations
                
                 .
                 Or
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 it
                 not
                 from
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 hand
                 ,
                 yet
                 had
                 they
                 it
                 thence
                 at
                 the
                 second
                 ,
                 viz.
                 by
                 reading
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 God
                 had
                 before
                 foretold
                 these
                 things
                 :
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 not
                 improbable
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 express
                 them
                 sometimes
                 in
                 their
                 very
                 Forms
                 ,
                 and
                 Allegories
                 .
                 The
                 Demons
                 revealed
                 not
                 these
                 things
                 to
                 their
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 did
                 ,
                 the
                 Prediction
                 was
                 not
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 Tertullian
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   stole
                   their
                   Divination
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 powers
                 of
                 darkness
                 then
                 ,
                 can
                 only
                 guess
                 at
                 such
                 futurities
                 ,
                 whose
                 causes
                 are
                 at
                 work
                 ,
                 and
                 whereof
                 they
                 see
                 signs
                 and
                 appearances
                 ,
                 like
                 Politicians
                 ;
                 or
                 discover
                 things
                 ready
                 to
                 take
                 effect
                 ,
                 when
                 
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 in
                 the
                 club
                 of
                 the
                 Actors
                 and
                 Conspirators
                 ;
                 or
                 presignifie
                 what
                 they
                 intend
                 to
                 do
                 with
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 has
                 delivered
                 into
                 their
                 hands
                 ;
                 or
                 repeat
                 Predictions
                 ,
                 from
                 God's
                 true
                 Prophets
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 :
                 in
                 some
                 one
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 whereof
                 ,
                 did
                 their
                 fore-sight
                 consist
                 in
                 Heathen
                 Divinations
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 voluntary
                 actions
                 of
                 all
                 under
                 God's
                 Protection
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 such
                 remote
                 and
                 contingent
                 futurities
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 not
                 determinable
                 by
                 natural
                 causes
                 ,
                 but
                 depend
                 upon
                 Mens
                 free-will
                 ,
                 and
                 God's
                 free
                 Providence
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 above
                 their
                 reach
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 sure
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 where
                 we
                 have
                 such
                 Predictions
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 evident
                 Jesus
                 came
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 after
                 him
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 did
                 foretel
                 such
                 as
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 shewn
                 in
                 several
                 instances
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 Miracles
                 did
                 Jesus
                 work
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 peculiar
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 above
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 a
                 wicked
                 Spirit
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   Secondly
                
                 ,
                 He
                 
                   saw
                   into
                   Mens
                   hearts
                   and
                   secret
                   thoughts
                   :
                
                 discovering
                 ,
                 before
                 any
                 outward
                 proofs
                 and
                 manifestations
                 ,
                 the
                 fickleness
                 of
                 
                   some
                   Disciples
                
                 ,
                 John
                 2.
                 24.
                 and
                 the
                 veil'd
                 falshood
                 of
                 the
                 Scribes
                 and
                 Pharisees
                 ,
                 who
                 stood
                 as
                 insidious
                 Spies
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 Luke
                 6.
                 8.
                 and
                 adapting
                 his
                 Answers
                 ,
                 and
                 Discourses
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 Mens
                 Questions
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 their
                 inward
                 Thoughts
                 and
                 Surmizes
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 expressed
                 and
                 proposed
                 them
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 with
                 the
                 
                 Pharisees
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 25.
                 and
                 in
                 several
                 *
                 other
                 places
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 another
                 work
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 claims
                 as
                 peculiar
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 stiling
                 himself
                 the
                 
                   searcher
                   of
                   hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   trier
                   of
                   reins
                
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 claiming
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 them
                 for
                 this
                 reason
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 peculiar
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 to
                 judge
                 ,
                 and
                 recompence
                 them
                 .
                 
                   I
                   the
                   Lord
                   search
                   the
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   try
                   the
                   reins
                   ,
                   to
                   give
                   every
                   man
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   ways
                   ,
                   and
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   fruit
                   of
                   his
                   doings
                   ,
                
                 Jer.
                 17.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 
                   thou
                   ,
                   even
                   thou
                   only
                   knowest
                   the
                   hearts
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   children
                   of
                   men
                
                 ;
                 saith
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 1
                 King.
                 8.
                 39.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Did
                 Jesus
                 any
                 more
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 performable
                 only
                 by
                 the
                 
                   finger
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 and
                 are
                 above
                 the
                 force
                 of
                 Magick
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 He
                 
                   raised
                   the
                   dead
                
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 
                 Jairus's
                 daughter
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 *
                 
                   widows
                   son
                
                 of
                 Nain
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 
                   carried
                   out
                   to
                   be
                   buried
                
                 ;
                 and
                 †
                 Lazarus
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 
                   had
                   been
                   four
                   days
                   dead
                
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 again
                 is
                 peculiarly
                 God's
                 work
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 once
                 Souls
                 are
                 separated
                 from
                 their
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 they
                 undergo
                 God's
                 Sentence
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 secured
                 in
                 such
                 places
                 as
                 he
                 allots
                 ,
                 whence
                 they
                 cannot
                 return
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 remanded
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 his
                 Licence
                 ,
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 that
                 effects
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 
                   There
                   is
                   no
                   God
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   kill
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   make
                   alive
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 God
                 by
                 Moses
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 32.
                 39.
                 
                 All
                 separate
                 Souls
                 are
                 under
                 Locks
                 and
                 Keys
                 ,
                 and
                 't
                 is
                 a
                 Divine
                 Hand
                 ,
                 which
                 holds
                 
                   the
                   keys
                   of
                   hell
                   and
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 1.
                 18.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Have
                 you
                 any
                 more
                 instances
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   Fourthly
                   ,
                   Casting
                   out
                   Devils
                
                 .
                 And
                 those
                 not
                 only
                 where
                 they
                 were
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 stubborn
                 sorts
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 proved
                 too
                 *
                 
                   hard
                   for
                   his
                   Disciples
                
                 :
                 but
                 also
                 where
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 greatest
                 numbers
                 ,
                 the
                 Devils
                 ejected
                 by
                 him
                 out
                 of
                 one
                 Man
                 ,
                 being
                 called
                 by
                 themselves
                 Legion
                 ;
                 which
                 notes
                 a
                 Roman
                 Army
                 of
                 six
                 thousand
                 Men
                 ,
                 Mark
                 5.
                 9.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 expelling
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 their
                 awful
                 Judge
                 ,
                 whose
                 Rod
                 they
                 dread
                 ,
                 and
                 at
                 whose
                 frown
                 they
                 tremble
                 ,
                 terrifying
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 forcing
                 them
                 often
                 to
                 
                   cry
                   out
                   ,
                   Let
                   us
                   alone
                   ,
                   thou
                   Holy
                   One
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   thou
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   :
                   we
                   beseech
                   thee
                   torment
                   us
                   not
                   ,
                   art
                   thou
                   come
                   to
                   torment
                   us
                   before
                   the
                   time
                   ?
                
                 Mark
                 1.
                 24.
                 
                 Luke
                 8.
                 28.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 he
                 impowered
                 the
                 
                   seventy
                   Disciples
                
                 ,
                 and
                 afterwards
                 the
                 very
                 meanest
                 of
                 his
                 followers
                 ,
                 in
                 virtue
                 of
                 his
                 dreadful
                 Name
                 ,
                 with
                 like
                 Triumph
                 to
                 eject
                 them
                 ,
                 Luke
                 10.
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 more
                 ,
                 when
                 some
                 that
                 did
                 
                   not
                   adhere
                   to
                   him
                
                 ,
                 would
                 try
                 to
                 scare
                 and
                 controul
                 them
                 by
                 his
                 Sacred
                 Name
                 ,
                 the
                 trembling
                 Devils
                 fled
                 before
                 them
                 ,
                 Mark
                 9.
                 38.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 another
                 work
                 peculiar
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 some
                 Potent
                 Demons
                 can
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 sure
                 they
                 never
                 will
                 imitate
                 .
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 particular
                 instances
                 ,
                 the
                 higher
                 Orders
                 may
                 command
                 ,
                 and
                 eject
                 some
                 particular
                 inferiour
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 serve
                 their
                 own
                 designs
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 go
                 on
                 ejecting
                 all
                 Ranks
                 and
                 Orders
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 greatest
                 numbers
                 
                 and
                 combinations
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 terrors
                 ,
                 consternation
                 ,
                 and
                 torments
                 ;
                 is
                 plainly
                 to
                 commence
                 an
                 open
                 War
                 among
                 themselves
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 argued
                 ,
                 must
                 
                   needs
                   destroy
                   the
                   Devil's
                   Kingdom
                
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 too
                 foolish
                 and
                 absurd
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 imagined
                 of
                 intelligent
                 ,
                 subtle
                 ,
                 and
                 designing
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 
                   Miracles
                   of
                   Jesus
                
                 were
                 evidently
                 distinguished
                 from
                 the
                 
                   lying
                   wonders
                   of
                   Satan
                
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 
                   very
                   kind
                
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 these
                 instances
                 .
                 Pray
                 now
                 show
                 also
                 how
                 they
                 were
                 as
                 convincingly
                 discriminated
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 
                   intent
                   and
                   design
                
                 in
                 all
                 others
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Because
                 all
                 the
                 Miracles
                 of
                 Jesus
                 were
                 apparently
                 wrought
                 to
                 exalt
                 the
                 honour
                 ,
                 and
                 service
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 promote
                 the
                 real
                 good
                 of
                 Men
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 plant
                 Tempers
                 ,
                 and
                 Practices
                 ,
                 diametrically
                 opposite
                 to
                 the
                 way
                 and
                 genius
                 of
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 aiming
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 all
                 those
                 Errors
                 and
                 Superstitions
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 cultivated
                 with
                 utmost
                 care
                 through
                 all
                 former
                 Ages
                 ,
                 to
                 overthrow
                 their
                 Altars
                 ,
                 reduce
                 their
                 Worshippers
                 ,
                 and
                 utterly
                 exclude
                 them
                 from
                 all
                 that
                 Domination
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 so
                 long
                 usurped
                 among
                 Men.
                 And
                 't
                 is
                 certain
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 worker
                 of
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 for
                 these
                 Pious
                 ,
                 Heavenly
                 ,
                 and
                 Charitable
                 purposes
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 acted
                 ,
                 or
                 directed
                 by
                 wicked
                 Spirits
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 they
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 God's
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 ours
                 ,
                 they
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 Devils
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 turn
                 Preachers
                 of
                 Humility
                 ,
                 Purity
                 ,
                 the
                 Love
                 of
                 God
                 ▪
                 
                 and
                 of
                 one
                 another
                 ,
                 What
                 becomes
                 of
                 their
                 Apostasie
                 ?
                 If
                 they
                 proclaim
                 the
                 God
                 and
                 Father
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 only
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 whom
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 fear
                 and
                 worship
                 ,
                 and
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 fallen
                 Angels
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 no
                 longer
                 to
                 be
                 adored
                 in
                 Temples
                 ,
                 hearkened
                 to
                 in
                 their
                 suggestions
                 ,
                 nor
                 imitated
                 in
                 their
                 falshood
                 ,
                 pride
                 ,
                 envy
                 ,
                 hatred
                 of
                 God
                 and
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 practices
                 ;
                 they
                 turn
                 Angels
                 of
                 Light
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 being
                 Powers
                 of
                 Darkness
                 .
                 The
                 Devils
                 can
                 work
                 no
                 Miracles
                 for
                 these
                 ends
                 ,
                 except
                 they
                 should
                 first
                 turn
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 change
                 their
                 Natures
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 most
                 authentick
                 ,
                 and
                 assuring
                 mark
                 ,
                 which
                 Jesus
                 gave
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 called
                 them
                 
                   the
                   works
                   his
                   Father
                   had
                   given
                   him
                   to
                   finish
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 not
                 wrought
                 for
                 any
                 ill
                 ends
                 ,
                 nor
                 out
                 of
                 vanity
                 to
                 exalt
                 his
                 own
                 Praise
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 serve
                 the
                 ends
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 on
                 his
                 
                 Father's
                 desires
                 and
                 purposes
                 ,
                 John
                 5.
                 36.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 kinds
                 ,
                 which
                 seem
                 more
                 imitable
                 by
                 created
                 powers
                 ,
                 these
                 intents
                 and
                 designs
                 would
                 indisputably
                 distinguish
                 
                   his
                   signs
                
                 ,
                 from
                 all
                 
                   Satanical
                   Delusions
                
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 I
                 might
                 add
                 in
                 the
                 last
                 place
                 ,
                 would
                 his
                 
                   manner
                   of
                   performance
                
                 too
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 usual
                 way
                 of
                 working
                 wonders
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 by
                 any
                 Magical
                 Rites
                 ,
                 and
                 Invocations
                 ,
                 but
                 meerly
                 by
                 a
                 Word
                 of
                 his
                 Mouth
                 .
                 
                   To
                   the
                   wind
                   ,
                   and
                   sea
                   ,
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   Peace
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   was
                   still
                   ,
                
                 Mark
                 4.
                 39.
                 
                   to
                   the
                   deaf
                   man's
                   Ears
                   ,
                   Be
                   opened
                   ,
                
                 and
                 instantly
                 
                   he
                   heard
                   ,
                   Mark
                
                 7.
                 34
                 ,
                 35.
                 
                   to
                   the
                   blind
                   man
                   ,
                   Go
                   thy
                   way
                   ,
                   thy
                   faith
                   hath
                   made
                   thee
                   see
                   ,
                
                 and
                 without
                 more
                 ado
                 
                   he
                   saw
                
                 again
                 ,
                 Mark
                 10.
                 52.
                 
                   to
                   the
                   leper
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   ,
                   Be
                   thou
                   cleansed
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   leprosie
                   was
                   cured
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 5.
                 13.
                 
                 Which
                 way
                 of
                 effecting
                 things
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 all-commanding
                 Word
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 plain
                 an
                 evidence
                 of
                 a
                 Divine
                 Power
                 ,
                 as
                 Creating
                 all
                 things
                 was
                 at
                 first
                 :
                 for
                 then
                 God
                 only
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   there
                   be
                   light
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   was
                   light
                   ,
                
                 Gen.
                 1.
                 3.
                 he
                 only
                 
                   spake
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   was
                   done
                   ,
                   he
                   commanded
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   stood
                   fast
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 33.
                 9.
                 
                 Not
                 to
                 mention
                 moreover
                 ,
                 the
                 vast
                 number
                 of
                 his
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 which
                 more
                 assuredly
                 inferred
                 a
                 Divine
                 Power
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 in
                 any
                 ,
                 nay
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Prophets
                 put
                 together
                 ,
                 who
                 lived
                 before
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 whereas
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 when
                 ,
                 to
                 exalt
                 Moses
                 and
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 they
                 ambitiously
                 make
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 their
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 after
                 they
                 have
                 picked
                 up
                 all
                 they
                 can
                 ,
                 compute
                 all
                 his
                 only
                 at
                 76.
                 and
                 all
                 theirs
                 from
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 to
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 only
                 at
                 74.
                 which
                 both
                 together
                 make
                 but
                 150.
                 in
                 above
                 3000
                 Years
                 time
                 :
                 this
                 single
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 in
                 three
                 Years
                 wrought
                 so
                 many
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   were
                   they
                   all
                   written
                   ,
                   the
                   world
                   it self
                   would
                   not
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   contain
                   the
                   Books
                   ,
                   that
                   should
                   be
                   written
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                
                 John
                 21.
                 25.
                 
                 To
                 all
                 which
                 I
                 might
                 add
                 ,
                 lastly
                 ,
                 That
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 only
                 show
                 these
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 numerous
                 signs
                 himself
                 in
                 Person
                 ;
                 but
                 transmitted
                 the
                 Power
                 to
                 Numbers
                 to
                 
                 do
                 the
                 same
                 
                   in
                   his
                   Name
                
                 ,
                 and
                 conferred
                 this
                 Power
                 on
                 Gentiles
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Jews
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 things
                 utterly
                 unknown
                 among
                 all
                 the
                 wonder-workers
                 of
                 former
                 times
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 in
                 this
                 point
                 one
                 thing
                 sticks
                 still
                 with
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 Jesus
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 in
                 credit
                 of
                 their
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 went
                 about
                 to
                 overthrow
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Moses
                 .
                 And
                 may
                 not
                 they
                 therefore
                 confront
                 all
                 the
                 Miracles
                 wrought
                 in
                 justification
                 of
                 that
                 Law
                 ,
                 against
                 theirs
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 They
                 might
                 ,
                 to
                 one
                 that
                 accused
                 that
                 Law
                 as
                 forged
                 or
                 erroneous
                 .
                 Which
                 Jesus
                 was
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 doing
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 all
                 along
                 makes
                 Moses
                 and
                 the
                 Prophets
                 his
                 Vouchers
                 ,
                 telling
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   ,
                   had
                   you
                   believed
                   Moses
                   ,
                   you
                   would
                   have
                   believed
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   he
                   wrote
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 46
                 ▪
                 and
                 
                   search
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   for
                   in
                   them
                   ye
                   think
                   ye
                   have
                   eternal
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   are
                   they
                   which
                   testifie
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 39.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 did
                 not
                 those
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 proved
                 that
                 Law
                 to
                 come
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 prove
                 also
                 that
                 none
                 should
                 come
                 in
                 after-time
                 ,
                 to
                 abrogate
                 and
                 annull
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 but
                 on
                 the
                 contrary
                 the
                 Holy
                 Prophets
                 under
                 that
                 Law
                 ,
                 declared
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 changed
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 those
                 things
                 subverted
                 ,
                 whereto
                 it
                 was
                 adapted
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 were
                 the
                 ground
                 and
                 foundation
                 ▪
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 To
                 what
                 things
                 was
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Law
                 adapted
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Their
                 Moral
                 Laws
                 ,
                 contained
                 in
                 the
                 Ten
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 were
                 adapted
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 particular
                 state
                 and
                 circumstances
                 
                 of
                 any
                 place
                 or
                 People
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 the
                 common
                 humane
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 were
                 unchangeable
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 when
                 our
                 Saviour
                 comes
                 to
                 meddle
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 declares
                 it
                 was
                 
                   not
                   to
                   destroy
                
                 or
                 vacate
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   fulfil
                
                 and
                 add
                 what
                 was
                 wanting
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 5.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 But
                 their
                 Judicial
                 Laws
                 ,
                 which
                 prescribed
                 the
                 Rules
                 of
                 Courts
                 and
                 Judgments
                 ,
                 were
                 fitted
                 to
                 their
                 external
                 Polity
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 a
                 civil
                 State
                 in
                 Canaan
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 their
                 Ceremonial
                 ,
                 which
                 order'd
                 the
                 Rules
                 of
                 their
                 Religion
                 and
                 Worship
                 ,
                 to
                 omit
                 other
                 specialties
                 therein
                 ,
                 that
                 chief
                 part
                 of
                 them
                 about
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 was
                 all
                 to
                 be
                 administred
                 by
                 
                   one
                   Family
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 †
                 
                 Aaron's
                 line
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 limited
                 to
                 
                   one
                   place
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 *
                 
                   temple
                   of
                   Jerusalem
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 did
                 the
                 Holy
                 Prophets
                 under
                 that
                 Law
                 ,
                 foretel
                 any
                 change
                 in
                 that
                 
                   Priesthood
                   ,
                   Temple-worship
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Civil
                   State
                
                 ,
                 or
                 talk
                 of
                 any
                 new
                 settlement
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 independent
                 on
                 ,
                 or
                 inconsistent
                 with
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   In
                   the
                   last
                   days
                
                 ,
                 a
                 known
                 Phrase
                 for
                 the
                 
                   days
                   of
                   Messiah
                   ,
                   the
                   mountain
                   of
                   the
                   Lord's
                   house
                   ,
                
                 says
                 
                   Isaiah
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   established
                   in
                   the
                   top
                   of
                   the
                   mountains
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   nations
                   shall
                   flow
                   unto
                   it
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   God's
                   Name
                   shall
                   be
                   great
                   among
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   rising
                   to
                   the
                   setting
                   of
                   the
                   sun
                   ,
                   in
                   every
                   place
                   shall
                   incense
                   be
                   offered
                   to
                   his
                   Name
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   pure
                   offering
                   :
                
                 which
                 cannot
                 consist
                 with
                 Worshipping
                 still
                 in
                 one
                 appropriate
                 place
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Temple
                 in
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 Mal.
                 1.
                 11.
                 
                 A
                 new
                 Priesthood
                 shall
                 be
                 erected
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 
                 in
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 not
                 
                   after
                   the
                   order
                
                 of
                 Aaron
                 ,
                 but
                 Melchisedech
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 110.
                 4.
                 and
                 then
                 shall
                 
                   God
                   take
                
                 to
                 himself
                 
                   Priests
                   and
                   Levites
                   out
                   of
                   other
                   nations
                   ,
                
                 no
                 longer
                 confining
                 his
                 choice
                 to
                 Aaron
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Sons
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 66.
                 19
                 ,
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 a
                 plain
                 sign
                 the
                 
                   Law
                   was
                   to
                   cease
                
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 
                   Priesthood
                   was
                
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 the
                 Ministration
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 7.
                 12.
                 
                 About
                 
                 Messiah's
                 time
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Prophet
                 
                   Daniel
                   ,
                   shall
                   God
                   destroy
                   the
                   city
                   ,
                   and
                   make
                   an
                   utter
                   desolation
                   ,
                
                 the
                 
                   Scepter
                   too
                   departing
                
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 Jacob
                 foretold
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 
                   Shilo
                   was
                   come
                
                 :
                 and
                 what
                 place
                 then
                 for
                 their
                 Judicial
                 Laws
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 no
                 longer
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Nation
                 ,
                 nor
                 have
                 any
                 Established
                 Polity
                 ,
                 to
                 administer
                 ,
                 and
                 judge
                 by
                 them
                 ?
                 
                   He
                   shall
                
                 also
                 
                   destroy
                   the
                   Sanctuary
                
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 then
                 becomes
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 the
                 place
                 was
                 demolished
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 Law
                 required
                 they
                 should
                 all
                 be
                 offered
                 ?
                 Dan.
                 9.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 In
                 summ
                 ,
                 they
                 declare
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 before
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 
                   set
                   aside
                   the
                   Mosaick
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 its
                 insufficiency
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   give
                   them
                   a
                   new
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   better
                   Covenant
                
                 in
                 its
                 place
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 make
                 this
                 change
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 
                   woman
                   should
                   compass
                   a
                   Man
                
                 ,
                 which
                 plainly
                 notes
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 Jeremiah
                 31.
                 22
                 ,
                 31
                 ,
                 32
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 these
                 are
                 plain
                 proofs
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Moses
                 was
                 designedly
                 subject
                 unto
                 change
                 in
                 
                 Messiah's
                 days
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 Jesus
                 abrogates
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 foretold
                 he
                 should
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 evident
                 he
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 
                 looked
                 upon
                 as
                 opposing
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Prophets
                
                 ,
                 for
                 accomplishing
                 their
                 own
                 Predictions
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 therein
                 owned
                 and
                 vouched
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 event
                 too
                 by
                 God
                 himself
                 ,
                 when
                 by
                 the
                 
                   confusion
                   of
                   Tribes
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   destruction
                   of
                   the
                   Temple
                
                 and
                 Commonwealth
                 ,
                 by
                 Vespasian
                 ,
                 he
                 plainly
                 set
                 aside
                 those
                 Laws
                 ,
                 by
                 rendring
                 them
                 impossible
                 ,
                 and
                 leaving
                 no
                 more
                 place
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 Their
                 Civil
                 or
                 Judicial
                 Laws
                 ,
                 about
                 Buying
                 and
                 
                   Selling
                   ,
                   Succession
                   into
                   Estates
                   ,
                   Reparation
                   of
                   Dammages
                   ,
                   Punishments
                   of
                   Offences
                   ,
                
                 and
                 other
                 things
                 ,
                 are
                 plainly
                 now
                 of
                 no
                 force
                 ,
                 having
                 never
                 since
                 then
                 had
                 any
                 standing
                 Polity
                 ,
                 or
                 live-Power
                 to
                 put
                 them
                 in
                 Execution
                 .
                 The
                 Laws
                 fixing
                 the
                 
                   Priesthood
                   in
                   Aaron's
                   line
                
                 ,
                 and
                 directing
                 their
                 Ministration
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 evidently
                 superseded
                 ever
                 since
                 that
                 Line
                 was
                 utterly
                 undistinguishable
                 ,
                 and
                 irrecoverably
                 unknown
                 .
                 The
                 Laws
                 and
                 Ceremonies
                 about
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 all
                 determined
                 to
                 the
                 Temple
                 at
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 have
                 been
                 apparently
                 out
                 of
                 doors
                 ,
                 ever
                 since
                 the
                 Temple
                 was
                 brought
                 to
                 ruine
                 .
                 And
                 those
                 many
                 other
                 Laws
                 observed
                 by
                 learned
                 Men
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 with
                 a
                 
                   limited
                   Obligation
                
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Land
                   of
                   Canaan
                
                 ,
                 are
                 manifestly
                 taken
                 off
                 ,
                 since
                 God
                 has
                 irreversibly
                 banished
                 them
                 from
                 thence
                 ,
                 and
                 scattered
                 them
                 abroad
                 in
                 every
                 Nation
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 all
                 these
                 Laws
                 are
                 visibly
                 abrogated
                 by
                 God
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 fallen
                 on
                 course
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 their
                 Country
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 of
                 the
                 distinction
                 of
                 Tribes
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 fall
                 of
                 the
                 Civil
                 State
                 and
                 Temple
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 their
                 Foundation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 do
                 not
                 some
                 places
                 speak
                 the
                 perpetui●y
                 of
                 some
                 of
                 those
                 Laws
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 the
                 *
                 Passover
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Precept
                   of
                
                 †
                 
                   First
                   fruits
                
                 ,
                 and
                 several
                 others
                 ,
                 are
                 called
                 a
                 
                   Statute
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ?
                 And
                 how
                 can
                 these
                 admit
                 of
                 such
                 change
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Just
                 as
                 the
                 Priesthood
                 did
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 said
                 to
                 
                   minister
                   to
                   God
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 18.
                 5.
                 
                 &
                 1
                 Chron.
                 15.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 wherein
                 God
                 says
                 
                   he
                   will
                   take
                   up
                   his
                   rest
                   for
                   ever
                   :
                
                 which
                 yet
                 ,
                 we
                 all
                 know
                 ,
                 for
                 above
                 Sixteen
                 hundred
                 Years
                 has
                 been
                 utterly
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 132.
                 14.
                 
                 Perpetual
                 Statutes
                 ,
                 and
                 unalterable
                 ,
                 are
                 two
                 things
                 .
                 Those
                 are
                 perpetual
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 made
                 without
                 an
                 express
                 limitation
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 must
                 last
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 same
                 Power
                 repeals
                 that
                 enacted
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 some
                 Statutes
                 in
                 
                   Moses's
                   Law
                
                 are
                 stiled
                 perpetual
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 exclude
                 all
                 Power
                 of
                 Abrogation
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 opposition
                 to
                 some
                 other
                 Pendent
                 Statutes
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 not
                 to
                 oblige
                 till
                 
                   after
                   a
                   certain
                   time
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 †
                 
                   driving
                   out
                   the
                   Canaanites
                
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 force
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 came
                 among
                 them
                 .
                 Or
                 to
                 some
                 ,
                 that
                 obliged
                 only
                 in
                 
                   some
                   certain
                   state
                
                 and
                 condition
                 :
                 as
                 the
                 Statute
                 for
                 *
                 
                   going
                   without
                   the
                   Camp
                
                 ,
                 which
                 related
                 to
                 their
                 State
                 of
                 Pereg●ination
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Statutes
                 about
                 the
                 †
                 Tabernacle
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 to
                 last
                 only
                 till
                 God
                 chose
                 out
                 a
                 place
                 ,
                 where
                 
                 they
                 should
                 build
                 him
                 a
                 Temple
                 .
                 But
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 those
                 things
                 especially
                 were
                 said
                 to
                 
                   be
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 to
                 
                   continue
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                
                 or
                 last
                 out
                 the
                 
                   whole
                   course
                   of
                   any
                   period
                   of
                   time
                   ,
                
                 and
                 till
                 a
                 new
                 Revolution
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 Samuel
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 brought
                 to
                 *
                 
                   abide
                   before
                   the
                   Lord
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 life
                 time
                 ;
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 form
                 of
                 our
                 Law
                 ,
                 an
                 Estate
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 granted
                 and
                 bequeathed
                 to
                 a
                 Man
                 
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 given
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 life
                 :
                 and
                 a
                 Servant
                 was
                 said
                 in
                 the
                 †
                 Law
                 to
                 be
                 
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 to
                 serve
                 only
                 
                   till
                   the
                   next
                
                 *
                 Jubilee
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 a
                 time
                 of
                 general
                 Release
                 ,
                 and
                 begun
                 a
                 new
                 reckoning
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Moses
                 did
                 last
                 
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 it
                 lasted
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 that
                 State
                 whereto
                 it
                 was
                 adapted
                 ,
                 continuing
                 till
                 Christ
                 came
                 ,
                 whose
                 time
                 was
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 a
                 new
                 Age
                 ,
                 commonly
                 known
                 and
                 expressed
                 in
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Phrase
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 †
                 
                   last
                   days
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 *
                 
                   last
                   time
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 †
                 
                   world
                   to
                   come
                
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Typical
                 part
                 of
                 that
                 Law
                 ,
                 being
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 Nature
                 of
                 an
                 obscure
                 Prophecy
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 a
                 *
                 
                   School-master
                   to
                   bring
                   us
                   to
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 by
                 shadowing
                 out
                 the
                 good
                 things
                 to
                 come
                 by
                 him
                 ;
                 it
                 was
                 superseded
                 of
                 course
                 by
                 his
                 fulfilling
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 Predictions
                 are
                 by
                 their
                 Accomplishment
                 and
                 Consummation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 perceive
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 clashing
                 in
                 designs
                 between
                 our
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 and
                 Moses
                 and
                 the
                 Prophets
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 set
                 aside
                 that
                 Law
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 only
                 as
                 they
                 hoped
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 foretold
                 he
                 should
                 ,
                 by
                 consummating
                 and
                 fulfilling
                 whatsoever
                 it
                 prefigured
                 ,
                 and
                 clearing
                 up
                 what
                 it
                 obscured
                 ,
                 and
                 supplying
                 what
                 it
                 omitted
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 substituting
                 a
                 better
                 Law
                 in
                 its
                 place
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Testament
                
                 Miracles
                 do
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 oppose
                 ,
                 but
                 fortifie
                 and
                 confirm
                 his
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 told
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                
                 really
                 
                   believed
                   Moses
                
                 ,
                 that
                 would
                 lead
                 them
                 to
                 
                   believe
                   him
                
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 they
                 
                   rejected
                   him
                
                 ,
                 that
                 very
                 
                   Moses
                   ,
                   in
                   whom
                   they
                   trusted
                   ,
                   would
                   accuse
                   them
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 45
                 ,
                 46.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 plainly
                 evident
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Miracles
                 which
                 
                   Jesus
                   wrought
                
                 ,
                 were
                 done
                 
                   by
                   the
                   finger
                   of
                   God
                
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 naturally
                 follows
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 thereupon
                 infers
                 ,
                 therefore
                 
                   no
                   doubt
                   the
                   kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   come
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 28
                 ,
                 29.
                 
              
               
                 But
                 one
                 
                   Divine
                   Testimony
                
                 you
                 mentioned
                 besides
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 for
                 proving
                 Jesus
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 was
                 the
                 Testimony
                 of
                 
                   the
                   Father
                
                 :
                 pray
                 make
                 that
                 clear
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 This
                 Testimony
                 Jesus
                 alledges
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 behalf
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 additional
                 evidence
                 to
                 the
                 former
                 Testimony
                 of
                 his
                 works
                 .
                 
                   The
                   same
                   works
                   that
                   I
                   do
                   ,
                   bear
                   witness
                   of
                   me
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   Father
                
                 also
                 
                   himself
                   ,
                   which
                   hath
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                   hath
                   born
                   witness
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 36
                 ,
                 37.
                 &
                 chap.
                 8.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 since
                 we
                 are
                 upon
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Father
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 visibly
                 appear
                 to
                 converse
                 among
                 Men
                 ,
                 how
                 did
                 he
                 give
                 Testimony
                 to
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 I
                 shall
                 mention
                 two
                 ways
                 :
                 First
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   audible
                   voices
                   ,
                   ye
                   have
                   not
                   at
                   any
                   time
                   heard
                   his
                   voice
                   ,
                
                 says
                 Jesus
                 to
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 mentions
                 his
                 Father's
                 Witness
                 ,
                 John
                 5.
                 37.
                 
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 By
                 
                   raising
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   Dead
                
                 ,
                 and
                 showing
                 him
                 openly
                 in
                 
                   full
                   possession
                   of
                   his
                   pretences
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 ever
                 heard
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Jesus
                   is
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 declare
                 for
                 him
                 by
                 
                   audible
                   Voices
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 several
                 times
                 .
                 He
                 appeared
                 cloathed
                 with
                 Light
                 and
                 Brightness
                 ,
                 the
                 usual
                 visible
                 Symbol
                 of
                 his
                 presence
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 of
                 old
                 to
                 
                   Moses
                   at
                   the
                   Bush
                
                 ,
                 and
                 thence
                 gave
                 a
                 vocal
                 Testimony
                 to
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 in
                 as
                 plain
                 and
                 intelligible
                 words
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 he
                 had
                 used
                 to
                 Moses
                 ,
                 or
                 as
                 we
                 can
                 use
                 in
                 giving
                 Testimony
                 to
                 one
                 another
                 .
                 This
                 he
                 did
                 first
                 at
                 his
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 before
                 
                   John
                   the
                   Baptist
                
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   is
                   my
                   beloved
                   son
                   ,
                   in
                   whom
                   I
                   am
                   well
                   pleased
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 3.
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 again
                 at
                 his
                 Trans●●guration
                 ,
                 before
                 three
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   Peter
                   ,
                   James
                
                 ,
                 and
                 John
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   bright
                   cloud
                   a
                   voice
                   came
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   This
                   is
                   my
                   beloved
                   son
                   ,
                   in
                   whom
                   I
                   am
                   well
                   pleased
                   ;
                   hear
                   ye
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 17.
                 1
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 Which
                 Voice
                 ,
                 saith
                 S.
                 
                   Peter
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   excellent
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   we
                   heard
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   when
                   we
                   were
                   with
                   him
                   in
                   the
                   Holy
                   mount
                   ,
                   and
                   were
                   eye-witnesses
                   of
                   his
                   Majesty
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 16
                 ,
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 he
                 repeated
                 again
                 a
                 third
                 time
                 before
                 a
                 Multitude
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   Andrew
                   and
                   Philip
                   brought
                   the
                   Greeks
                   to
                   him
                   .
                
                 For
                 before
                 them
                 all
                 ,
                 
                   Jesus
                   Prayed
                   ,
                   Father
                   ,
                   Glorifie
                   thy
                   Name
                   .
                
                 And
                 thereupon
                 
                   came
                   a
                   voice
                   from
                   heaven
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   both
                   glorified
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   glorifie
                   it
                   again
                   ,
                
                 John
                 12.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 most
                 sensible
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfactory
                 way
                 of
                 God's
                 declaring
                 himself
                 ,
                 not
                 meerly
                 by
                 shows
                 and
                 resemblances
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 impressed
                 by
                 Visions
                 and
                 Dreams
                 upon
                 Mens
                 imaginations
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 plain
                 ,
                 proper
                 ,
                 and
                 significant
                 words
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 he
                 used
                 in
                 conversing
                 with
                 
                   Adam
                   in
                   paradise
                
                 ,
                 Genesis
                 3.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 and
                 with
                 
                   Moses
                   at
                   the
                   bush
                
                 ,
                 Exodus
                 3.
                 4.
                 when
                 assuming
                 a
                 Glorious
                 Light
                 ,
                 the
                 usual
                 way
                 of
                 shewing
                 himself
                 particularly
                 present
                 ,
                 he
                 spoke
                 to
                 Men
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 an
                 audible
                 Voice
                 ,
                 as
                 sensibly
                 ,
                 and
                 intelligibly
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Man
                 can
                 talk
                 and
                 discourse
                 with
                 his
                 Friend
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Did
                 the
                 Father
                 also
                 testifie
                 
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 by
                 
                   raising
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   Dead
                
                 ,
                 and
                 shewing
                 him
                 openly
                 in
                 
                   full
                   possession
                   of
                   his
                   pretences
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   on
                   the
                   third
                   day
                   ,
                   he
                   rose
                   again
                   ,
                
                 as
                 we
                 profess
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 .
                 And
                 Almighty
                 *
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Peter
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   raised
                   him
                   up
                
                 .
                 And
                 hereby
                 he
                 did
                 plainly
                 testifie
                 ,
                 and
                 vouch
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 after
                 the
                 
                 Jews
                 had
                 done
                 their
                 worst
                 ,
                 condemning
                 ,
                 and
                 cruelly
                 executing
                 him
                 :
                 in
                 raising
                 him
                 up
                 again
                 ,
                 God
                 visibly
                 reversed
                 their
                 Sentence
                 ,
                 and
                 undid
                 what
                 they
                 had
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 justified
                 him
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 deserved
                 not
                 to
                 continue
                 under
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 Death
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 live
                 again
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 put
                 to
                 Death
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   justified
                   in
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 by
                 that
                 Divine
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 raised
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 Dead
                 ,
                 1
                 Tim.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
                 He
                 was
                 
                   declared
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   power
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   resurrection
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 4.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 after
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 he
                 set
                 him
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 right
                 Hand
                 ,
                 surrounded
                 with
                 a
                 Divine
                 Glory
                 ,
                 the
                 usual
                 Symbol
                 of
                 God's
                 Presence
                 and
                 Majesty
                 .
                 In
                 which
                 august
                 form
                 ,
                 he
                 shewed
                 him
                 to
                 *
                 Stephen
                 ,
                 to
                 prepare
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 Martyrdom
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 †
                 Saul
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 
                   Conversion
                   ;
                   Jesus
                
                 appearing
                 to
                 them
                 from
                 God's
                 right
                 Hand
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 Glory
                 that
                 surpassed
                 the
                 
                   Brightness
                   of
                   the
                   Sun.
                
                 And
                 having
                 enthroned
                 him
                 there
                 ,
                 he
                 intrusted
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 to
                 dispose
                 of
                 it
                 as
                 he
                 pleased
                 ;
                 a
                 plain
                 Evidence
                 of
                 his
                 having
                 
                   all
                   Power
                   in
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 
                   on
                   Earth
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 pretended
                 .
                 Which
                 Power
                 he
                 visibly
                 manifested
                 to
                 all
                 Men
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 by
                 sending
                 down
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 variety
                 of
                 most
                 stupendious
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 Apostles
                 ;
                 but
                 enabling
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   imposition
                   of
                   Hands
                   in
                   his
                   Name
                   ,
                
                 to
                 confer
                 the
                 same
                 upon
                 innumerable
                 Multitudes
                 of
                 his
                 followers
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 appears
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Acts
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Apostles
                
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 other
                 Scriptures
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 ask
                 you
                 for
                 any
                 more
                 Evidence
                 in
                 this
                 great
                 point
                 ,
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   being
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 :
                 such
                 demonstrations
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 insisted
                 on
                 ,
                 being
                 abundantly
                 sufficient
                 to
                 gain
                 belief
                 from
                 every
                 honest
                 mind
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 careful
                 to
                 inquire
                 ,
                 and
                 willing
                 to
                 be
                 informed
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 wantonly
                 captious
                 ,
                 or
                 wilfully
                 blind
                 and
                 incredulous
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 convinced
                 by
                 Reason
                 and
                 Arguments
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 building
                 on
                 this
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 most
                 unquestionably
                 sure
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   Jesus
                   is
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 that
                 undeniably
                 prove
                 the
                 
                   Divine
                   Authority
                   of
                   the
                   New
                   Testament
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 his
                 Word
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 it
                 doth
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 contains
                 only
                 what
                 he
                 either
                 spoke
                 ,
                 or
                 acted
                 himself
                 in
                 his
                 Life
                 ;
                 or
                 ordered
                 his
                 Apostles
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 teach
                 in
                 his
                 Name
                 ,
                 after
                 his
                 Death
                 .
                 The
                 same
                 Proofs
                 and
                 Testimonies
                 ,
                 which
                 justifie
                 him
                 ,
                 do
                 authorize
                 it
                 ;
                 since
                 it
                 only
                 sets
                 out
                 to
                 us
                 all
                 that
                 Word
                 ,
                 in
                 declaration
                 whereof
                 all
                 the
                 Evidences
                 urged
                 hitherto
                 are
                 to
                 gain
                 him
                 credit
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 am
                 fully
                 satisfied
                 of
                 the
                 certainty
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 heard
                 enough
                 to
                 convince
                 me
                 of
                 the
                 usefulness
                 ,
                 and
                 efficacy
                 of
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   Christ.
                
                 I
                 would
                 desire
                 now
                 to
                 hear
                 something
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 particular
                 points
                 of
                 that
                 Faith
                 ,
                 whereof
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 
                 be
                 thus
                 firmly
                 persuaded
                 ,
                 and
                 whereby
                 such
                 admirable
                 things
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Those
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 hinted
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 are
                 summed
                 up
                 in
                 that
                 
                   short
                   Creed
                
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 profession
                 whereof
                 we
                 are
                 all
                 Baptized
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 next
                 endeavour
                 to
                 discourse
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 explain
                 to
                 you
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
             
               THE
               Knowledge
               of
               GOD
               ▪
               OR
               ,
               AN
               EXPLICATION
               OF
               THE
               Divine
               Attributes
               ,
               AND
               PROVIDENCE
               .
            
             
               
               
               The
               Knowledge
               of
               God
               :
               or
               ,
               an
               Explication
               of
               the
               Divine
               Attributes
               ,
               and
               Providence
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   I.
                
                 Of
                 the
                 Being
                 ,
                 and
                 Attributes
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   World
                   declares
                   there
                   is
                   a
                   God.
                   He
                   is
                   an
                   eternal
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   on
                   whom
                   all
                   things
                   depend
                   .
                   Of
                   God's
                   Holiness
                   .
                   Several
                   things
                   explained
                   ,
                   which
                   seem
                   to
                   infringe
                   it
                   :
                   as
                   when
                   God
                   is
                   said
                   to
                   harden
                   Mens
                   hearts
                   .
                   To
                   inflict
                   Spiritual
                   blindness
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   reprobate
                   sense
                   .
                   To
                   send
                   a
                   false
                   Spirit
                   to
                   deceive
                   Ahab
                   :
                   and
                   strong
                   delusion
                   .
                   God
                   oft
                   gives
                   Men
                   up
                   to
                   the
                   delusion
                   of
                   evil
                   Spirits
                   .
                   Cautions
                   to
                   prevent
                   this
                   .
                   To
                   give
                   Men
                   a
                   Spirit
                   of
                   slumber
                   .
                   An
                   account
                   ,
                   how
                   notwithstanding
                   God's
                   irreconcileable
                   hatred
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   still
                   suffered
                   in
                   the
                   World.
                   Of
                   God's
                   Goodness
                   .
                   Several
                   false
                   Notions
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   In
                   what
                   things
                   it
                   chiefly
                   consists
                   .
                   Of
                   God's
                   
                     Justice
                     ,
                     or
                     Righteousness
                  
                   ,
                   This
                   shown
                   in
                   giving
                   Righteous
                   Laws
                   .
                   And
                   passing
                   Righteous
                   Judgments
                   according
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   
                   without
                   respect
                   of
                   Persons
                   .
                   His
                   Punitive
                   Justice
                   cleared
                   from
                   misplacing
                   punishments
                   ,
                   in
                   punishing
                   one
                   for
                   another's
                   sins
                   .
                   And
                   from
                   misproportioning
                   them
                   ,
                   in
                   allotting
                   eternal
                   punishments
                   ,
                   to
                   momentany
                   sins
                   .
                   Some
                   false
                   aspersions
                   on
                   this
                   just
                   God
                   wiped
                   off
                   .
                   Of
                   God's
                   
                     Presence
                     in
                     all
                     places
                  
                   .
                   The
                   effect
                   of
                   this
                   .
                   Of
                   his
                   Faithfulness
                   .
                   This
                   shown
                   by
                   inviolable
                   performance
                   of
                   his
                   Promises
                   :
                   And
                   interpreting
                   them
                   without
                   evasion
                   ,
                   or
                   secret
                   reserve
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   their
                   plain
                   meanings
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   constant
                   adherence
                   to
                   his
                   Friends
                   and
                   Faithful
                   Servants
                   :
                   which
                   is
                   no
                   encouragement
                   for
                   any
                   to
                   return
                   to
                   their
                   former
                   sins
                   .
                   Of
                   God's
                   Wisdom
                   .
                   This
                   shown
                   in
                   setting
                   a
                   just
                   rate
                   and
                   estimate
                   on
                   all
                   things
                   ;
                   so
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   neither
                   gained
                   ,
                   nor
                   lost
                   by
                   worthless
                   services
                   .
                   In
                   discerning
                   the
                   just
                   power
                   and
                   force
                   of
                   all
                   Means
                   ,
                   and
                   success
                   of
                   all
                   Methods
                   ;
                   which
                   should
                   beget
                   the
                   greatest
                   Reverence
                   for
                   all
                   his
                   Ordinances
                   .
                   In
                   seeing
                   the
                   best
                   times
                   ,
                   and
                   seasons
                   ,
                   for
                   every
                   purpose
                   :
                   so
                   that
                   we
                   must
                   never
                   think
                   any
                   Deliverance
                   too
                   long
                   delayed
                   ,
                   or
                   Affliction
                   too
                   fast
                   hastened
                   .
                   No
                   reason
                   to
                   pretend
                   to
                   the
                   Love
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   without
                   loving
                   ,
                   and
                   imitating
                   these
                   Divine
                   Excellencies
                   .
                
              
               
                 Question
                 .
                 WHat
                 are
                 the
                 
                   Articles
                   of
                   Christian
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 or
                 particular
                 points
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 Christians
                 are
                 to
                 believe
                 ?
              
               
                 Answer
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 all
                 contained
                 in
                 this
                 Creed
                 ,
                 commonly
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   Creed
                
                 ;
                 
                 
                   I
                   believe
                   in
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                   Almighty
                   ,
                   maker
                   of
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   .
                   And
                   in
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   his
                   only
                   Son
                   ,
                   our
                   Lord
                   ;
                   who
                   was
                   conceived
                   by
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   Virgin
                
                 Mary
                 ,
                 
                   suffered
                   under
                
                 Pontius
                 Pilate
                 ,
                 
                   was
                   crucified
                   ,
                   dead
                   ,
                   and
                   buried
                   ,
                   he
                   descended
                   into
                   Hell
                   ;
                   the
                   third
                   day
                   he
                   rose
                   again
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                   he
                   ascended
                   into
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   sitteth
                   at
                   the
                   right
                   Hand
                   of
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                   Almighty
                   ,
                   from
                   thence
                   he
                   shall
                   come
                   to
                   judge
                   the
                   quick
                   and
                   the
                   dead
                   .
                   I
                   believe
                   in
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ;
                   the
                   Holy
                   Catholick
                   Church
                   ;
                   the
                   Communion
                   of
                   Saints
                   ;
                   the
                   Forgiveness
                   of
                   Sins
                   ;
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                   ;
                   and
                   the
                   Life
                   Everlasting
                   .
                
              
               
                 Amen
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 this
                 Creed
                 contain
                 all
                 points
                 of
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 necessary
                 to
                 be
                 believed
                 by
                 every
                 Christian
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 it
                 was
                 given
                 for
                 a
                 Confession
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 fit
                 Men
                 for
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 any
                 Person
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Christian
                 :
                 and
                 they
                 had
                 better
                 have
                 made
                 no
                 Rule
                 ,
                 or
                 Confession
                 of
                 Faith
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 than
                 an
                 imperfect
                 one
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 do
                 you
                 make
                 the
                 first
                 Article
                 in
                 this
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 I
                 believe
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Father
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 maker
                 of
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Earth
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 doth
                 it
                 appear
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 From
                 this
                 vast
                 World
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 has
                 made
                 .
                 Even
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 unquestionably
                 assured
                 of
                 the
                 Being
                 of
                 a
                 Skilful
                 Architect
                 ,
                 where
                 we
                 see
                 a
                 stately
                 ,
                 and
                 well
                 contrived
                 House
                 erected
                 ;
                 or
                 of
                 a
                 learned
                 Author
                 ▪
                 
                 from
                 an
                 excellent
                 ,
                 and
                 well-penned
                 Book
                 ;
                 or
                 of
                 an
                 Ingenious
                 Artificer
                 ,
                 from
                 a
                 Watch
                 of
                 exact
                 ,
                 and
                 various
                 Movements
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 elaborate
                 ,
                 and
                 curious
                 piece
                 of
                 Workmanship
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 shows
                 us
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 on
                 whom
                 we
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 this
                 created
                 World
                 depend
                 :
                 but
                 also
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 most
                 Wise
                 ,
                 Powerful
                 ,
                 and
                 Good
                 ;
                 because
                 the
                 greatest
                 Power
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 are
                 every
                 where
                 apparent
                 in
                 the
                 contrivance
                 ,
                 and
                 formation
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 
                   the
                   invisible
                   things
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   even
                   his
                   eternal
                   Power
                   and
                   Godhead
                   ,
                   are
                   clearly
                   seen
                   from
                   the
                   Creation
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   being
                   understood
                   by
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   are
                   made
                   ,
                
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 ●
                 .
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 nothing
                 in
                 reason
                 seems
                 more
                 obvious
                 ,
                 than
                 that
                 all
                 this
                 World
                 must
                 have
                 an
                 Architect
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 we
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 things
                 about
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 every
                 where
                 spring
                 up
                 and
                 perish
                 ,
                 could
                 never
                 make
                 our selves
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 things
                 of
                 such
                 admirable
                 Order
                 ,
                 Harmony
                 ,
                 and
                 Usefulness
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 any
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 less
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 be
                 put
                 together
                 by
                 blind
                 and
                 uncontriving
                 chance
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 methinks
                 ,
                 this
                 proof
                 of
                 
                   God's
                   Being
                
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 
                   voice
                   of
                   his
                   Works
                
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 convince
                 all
                 his
                 reasonable
                 Creatures
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 ever
                 since
                 the
                 World
                 began
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 has
                 .
                 
                   There
                   is
                   neither
                   speech
                   nor
                   language
                   ,
                   where
                   their
                   voice
                   is
                   not
                   heard
                   :
                   their
                   ●i●e
                   is
                   gone
                   out
                   through
                   all
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   words
                   unto
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 19.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 
                 On
                 this
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 Arguments
                 ,
                 all
                 People
                 ,
                 in
                 every
                 Age
                 ,
                 and
                 Nation
                 ,
                 believed
                 ,
                 and
                 acknowledged
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 delivered
                 down
                 that
                 Belief
                 to
                 those
                 who
                 followed
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 no
                 Person
                 can
                 ever
                 oppose
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 pretend
                 to
                 reason
                 ,
                 since
                 thereby
                 ,
                 he
                 sets
                 up
                 himself
                 against
                 all
                 People
                 of
                 every
                 place
                 and
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 against
                 what
                 passed
                 for
                 the
                 plainest
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 uncontestable
                 Principle
                 of
                 humane
                 reason
                 ,
                 ever
                 since
                 there
                 was
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 therein
                 he
                 has
                 reason
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 it
                 to
                 himself
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 present
                 World
                 besides
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Ages
                 too
                 that
                 went
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 had
                 none
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 things
                 are
                 we
                 to
                 know
                 ,
                 and
                 believe
                 concerning
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 His
                 
                   God-head
                   ,
                   and
                   Divine
                   Attributes
                   .
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   His
                   Providence
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 in
                 all
                 Religion
                 more
                 necessary
                 ,
                 or
                 useful
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 than
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 right
                 apprehension
                 of
                 Almighty
                 God.
                 Is
                 he
                 like
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 behold
                 with
                 our
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 or
                 feel
                 with
                 our
                 Hands
                 ,
                 or
                 discern
                 by
                 any
                 Bodily
                 Senses
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 have
                 Ears
                 ,
                 and
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 Hands
                 ,
                 and
                 Feet
                 .
                 But
                 therein
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   Rabbins
                
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Law
                   speaks
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   the
                   Tongue
                   of
                   the
                   Children
                   of
                   Men.
                
                 And
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 understand
                 ,
                 not
                 that
                 he
                 has
                 any
                 such
                 parts
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 that
                 he
                 has
                 as
                 full
                 perceptions
                 ,
                 and
                 performs
                 the
                 same
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 do
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 invisible
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   whom
                   no
                   man
                   hath
                   seen
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   or
                   can
                   see
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Tim.
                 6.
                 16.
                 
                   is
                   a
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 John
                 4.
                 24.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 teach
                 us
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 Services
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 pay
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 think
                 of
                 putting
                 him
                 off
                 with
                 outward
                 Shows
                 ,
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 and
                 Ceremonies
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 inwardly
                 affected
                 in
                 all
                 we
                 do
                 ,
                 or
                 say
                 ,
                 and
                 always
                 to
                 offer
                 him
                 our
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 Spirits
                 :
                 For
                 
                   he
                   being
                   a
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   must
                   be
                   worshipped
                   ,
                
                 as
                 Christ
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   spirit
                   and
                   in
                   truth
                
                 ,
                 John
                 4.
                 24.
                 
                 And
                 moreover
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 Bodily
                 Images
                 ,
                 and
                 representations
                 of
                 him
                 ;
                 or
                 fancy
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 Honour
                 by
                 them
                 :
                 since
                 a
                 pure
                 unbodied
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 represented
                 ,
                 but
                 *
                 belyed
                 ;
                 not
                 honoured
                 ;
                 but
                 debased
                 by
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 .
                 
                   Ye
                   saw
                
                 †
                 
                   no
                   manner
                   of
                   similitude
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 and
                 
                   spake
                   to
                   you
                
                 ,
                 said
                 Moses
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   ,
                   therefore
                   take
                   good
                   heed
                   ,
                   left
                   ye
                   corrupt
                   your selves
                   in
                   making
                   any
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 4.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 
                   thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   make
                   to
                   thee
                   any
                   likeness
                   ,
                   of
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                
                 either
                 
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   or
                   Earth
                   ,
                   to
                   bow
                   down
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                
                 said
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 20.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 although
                 we
                 cannot
                 see
                 him
                 with
                 our
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 yet
                 we
                 may
                 apprehend
                 several
                 things
                 of
                 him
                 in
                 our
                 minds
                 .
                 And
                 one
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 is
                 his
                 God-head
                 :
                 what
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 that
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 His
                 Sovereignty
                 ,
                 or
                 being
                 the
                 Supreme
                 Being
                 ,
                 that
                 depends
                 on
                 none
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 all
                 other
                 things
                 depend
                 upon
                 .
                 Particularly
                 Men
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 at
                 first
                 made
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 absolutely
                 depend
                 on
                 him
                 .
                 
                   In
                   him
                   we
                   live
                   ,
                   move
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   our
                   being
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 17.
                 28.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 he
                 depends
                 on
                 none
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 be
                 an
                 eternal
                 Being
                 ,
                 which
                 never
                 had
                 beginning
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 because
                 there
                 was
                 nothing
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 beginning
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 from
                 all
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 never
                 have
                 been
                 at
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 if
                 all
                 things
                 else
                 ,
                 but
                 especially
                 all
                 Men
                 ,
                 do
                 absolutely
                 depend
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 make
                 all
                 careful
                 to
                 serve
                 and
                 please
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 found
                 Religion
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Undoubtedly
                 so
                 it
                 should
                 .
                 And
                 where
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 believed
                 ,
                 but
                 seriously
                 laid
                 to
                 heart
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 will.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 
                   Divine
                   Attributes
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Properties
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 show
                 us
                 how
                 he
                 stands
                 affected
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 will
                 please
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 He
                 is
                 all
                 
                   Holiness
                   ,
                   Goodness
                   ,
                   Justice
                   ,
                   Faithfulness
                   ,
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                   Almighty
                   ,
                   every
                   where
                   present
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   can
                   never
                   change
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 God's
                 
                   Natural
                   Purity
                
                 and
                 Holiness
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 His
                 absolute
                 exemption
                 from
                 all
                 sin
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 perfect
                 aversation
                 ,
                 and
                 immutable
                 hatred
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 all
                 others
                 .
                 He
                 can
                 
                   take
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   wickedness
                   ,
                   he
                   hates
                   all
                   workers
                   of
                   iniquity
                   ,
                
                 and
                 therefore
                 
                   evil
                   shall
                   not
                   dwell
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 5.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 this
                 be
                 his
                 unalterable
                 Nature
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 reconciled
                 to
                 Mens
                 sins
                 ,
                 nor
                 take
                 delight
                 in
                 any
                 Man
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 goes
                 on
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 sinner
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 as
                 soon
                 may
                 we
                 hope
                 to
                 bring
                 Light
                 and
                 Darkness
                 ,
                 Snow
                 and
                 Fire
                 to
                 dwell
                 together
                 .
                 So
                 far
                 is
                 he
                 from
                 living
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 cannot
                 endure
                 
                   to
                   look
                   upon
                   iniquity
                
                 ,
                 Habak
                 .
                 1.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 God's
                 Holiness
                 bespeaks
                 such
                 absolute
                 abhorrence
                 of
                 all
                 vice
                 and
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 it
                 implies
                 something
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 barely
                 his
                 affectation
                 of
                 External
                 Decency
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 hatred
                 to
                 be
                 treated
                 rudely
                 and
                 unmannerly
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 doth
                 .
                 It
                 implies
                 that
                 too
                 .
                 For
                 God's
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 †
                 often
                 notes
                 his
                 supereminent
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 Greatness
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 use
                 this
                 peerless
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 things
                 appropriated
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 without
                 that
                 separate
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 visible
                 Reverence
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 due
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 unhallow
                 and
                 prophane
                 him
                 ;
                 which
                 he
                 says
                 in
                 Ezekiel
                 the
                 Priests
                 did
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   they
                   put
                   no
                   difference
                   between
                   the
                   holy
                   and
                   prophane
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 22.
                 26.
                 
                 Our
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 matchless
                 Creator
                 ,
                 must
                 have
                 a
                 distinguishing
                 respect
                 ,
                 and
                 honour
                 ,
                 visibly
                 paid
                 him
                 in
                 our
                 outward
                 behaviour
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 in
                 Gifts
                 and
                 Presents
                 ,
                 some
                 would
                 shew
                 visible
                 neglect
                 ,
                 and
                 dishonour
                 of
                 him
                 ;
                 he
                 complained
                 they
                 did
                 not
                 treat
                 him
                 as
                 
                   a
                   Great
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Dreadful
                   King
                
                 :
                 adding
                 ,
                 that
                 herein
                 their
                 undutifulness
                 might
                 evidently
                 appear
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 durst
                 not
                 go
                 so
                 ,
                 to
                 pay
                 respect
                 to
                 any
                 Temporal
                 Governour
                 or
                 Superiour
                 ,
                 Mal.
                 1.
                 8
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 ,
                 though
                 this
                 
                   hatred
                   of
                   External
                   irreverence
                
                 ,
                 be
                 one
                 thing
                 implied
                 in
                 it
                 ;
                 yet
                 is
                 it
                 but
                 the
                 outside
                 
                 of
                 God's
                 Holiness
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 no
                 Man
                 must
                 ever
                 think
                 to
                 content
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 Ceremonious
                 Formalities
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 extreme
                 nice
                 and
                 scrupulously
                 careful
                 about
                 the
                 Place
                 ,
                 the
                 Garb
                 ,
                 the
                 Posture
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 decent
                 Dress
                 ,
                 or
                 circumstance
                 of
                 his
                 Worship
                 and
                 Service
                 ;
                 except
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 he
                 shun
                 all
                 sin
                 and
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 which
                 affront
                 him
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 bear
                 the
                 directest
                 opposition
                 to
                 his
                 Holiness
                 .
                 As
                 this
                 without
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 is
                 Spiritual
                 ill
                 Breeding
                 ,
                 and
                 Clownish
                 Rusticity
                 :
                 so
                 is
                 the
                 other
                 without
                 it
                 ,
                 mere
                 Form
                 and
                 Complement
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 empty
                 unprofitable
                 Ceremony
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 this
                 Holy
                 God
                 is
                 so
                 irreconcileably
                 set
                 against
                 sin
                 ,
                 sure
                 he
                 can
                 never
                 be
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 
                   let
                   no
                   Man
                   say
                   when
                   he
                   is
                   tempted
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   tempted
                   of
                   God
                   :
                   for
                   God
                   cannot
                   be
                   tempted
                   with
                   evil
                   ,
                   neither
                   doth
                   he
                   tempt
                
                 or
                 incite
                 
                   any
                   man
                
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 James
                 1.
                 13.
                 
                 The
                 Devil
                 tempts
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 called
                 
                   the
                   Tempter
                
                 in
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 4.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 
                   wicked
                   men
                
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 his
                 Instruments
                 .
                 And
                 
                   our
                   own
                   Lusts
                
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 
                   draw
                   us
                   away
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   intice
                   us
                   to
                   evil
                
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 James
                 says
                 ,
                 James
                 1.
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 Holy
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 concern
                 he
                 has
                 about
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 to
                 decree
                 ,
                 or
                 help
                 them
                 on
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 forbid
                 ,
                 and
                 punish
                 them
                 .
                 
                   He
                   has
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   wickedness
                   ,
                
                 or
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 *
                 Septuagint
                 translate
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   doth
                   not
                   will
                   it
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 5.
                 4.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 not
                 God
                 himself
                 say
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   he
                   had
                   hardned
                   Pharaoh's
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   his
                   servants
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 10.
                 1.
                 and
                 Chap.
                 14.
                 4
                 ,
                 17.
                 and
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 also
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   moved
                   David
                   to
                   number
                   Israel
                   ,
                   and
                   Judah
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Sam.
                 24.
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 did
                 these
                 ,
                 not
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 positive
                 influence
                 and
                 efficiency
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 concurrent
                 cause
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 by
                 withdrawing
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 leaving
                 Men
                 to
                 be
                 hardned
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 of
                 Pharaoh
                 't
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   hardned
                   his
                   own
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 8.
                 15
                 ,
                 32.
                 and
                 of
                 David
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   Satan
                   moved
                   him
                   to
                   number
                   the
                   people
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Chron.
                 21.
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 not
                 his
                 withdrawing
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 show
                 a
                 willingness
                 to
                 have
                 sin
                 take
                 place
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 although
                 he
                 is
                 loth
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 himself
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 is
                 free
                 ,
                 Men
                 should
                 be
                 hardned
                 by
                 others
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 only
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 put
                 to
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 Wise
                 ,
                 and
                 upright
                 Judge
                 ,
                 in
                 way
                 of
                 Justice
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 never
                 withdraws
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 leaves
                 Men
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 malignant
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 have
                 first
                 made
                 a
                 forfeiture
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 reiterated
                 repulses
                 and
                 affronts
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 high
                 provocations
                 .
                 Thus
                 in
                 the
                 Story
                 of
                 Pharaoh
                 in
                 Exodus
                 ,
                 (
                 except
                 what
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 Chap.
                 7
                 :
                 13.
                 
                   he
                   bardned
                   Pharaoh's
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 *
                 Learned
                 note
                 ,
                 may
                 as
                 well
                 be
                 rendred
                 
                   Pharaoh's
                   heart
                   was
                   hardned
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 same
                 word
                 is
                 rendred
                 verse
                 22.
                 
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 said
                 thus
                 
                   to
                   harden
                   Pharaoh's
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   send
                   all
                
                 
                 
                   his
                   plagues
                   upon
                   his
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 chap.
                 9.
                 12
                 ,
                 14.
                 till
                 Pharaoh
                 had
                 several
                 times
                 wickedly
                 disobeyed
                 ,
                 and
                 wilfully
                 
                   hardned
                   his
                   own
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 chap.
                 8.
                 15
                 ,
                 32.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   God
                   moved
                   David
                   to
                   number
                   the
                   people
                   ,
                
                 't
                 is
                 added
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 sins
                 had
                 provoked
                 him
                 to
                 Anger
                 ,
                 which
                 made
                 him
                 give
                 him
                 up
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 24.
                 1.
                 
                 God's
                 Grace
                 and
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 is
                 always
                 repulsed
                 and
                 driven
                 away
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 recals
                 it
                 from
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 gives
                 them
                 up
                 to
                 an
                 evil
                 Lust
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 infernal
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 harden
                 ,
                 and
                 work
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 say
                 you
                 when
                 God
                 threatens
                 Men
                 with
                 
                   Spiritual
                   Blindness
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 
                   look
                   on
                   without
                   seeing
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   hear
                   without
                   understanding
                
                 ,
                 Isaiah
                 6.
                 9.
                 
                 Which
                 Judgment
                 S.
                 Paul
                 testifies
                 ,
                 was
                 
                   befallen
                   the
                   unbelieving
                   Jews
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 7
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 As
                 our
                 Lord
                 himself
                 also
                 noted
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 13.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Not
                 that
                 he
                 instils
                 into
                 them
                 any
                 errors
                 ,
                 or
                 pushes
                 and
                 precipitates
                 them
                 on
                 to
                 any
                 wicked
                 act
                 ,
                 without
                 opening
                 their
                 Eyes
                 .
                 But
                 only
                 that
                 he
                 leaves
                 them
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 violent
                 and
                 blind
                 prejudices
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 neither
                 let
                 them
                 hear
                 ,
                 nor
                 see
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 makes
                 against
                 them
                 :
                 and
                 withdraws
                 clear
                 means
                 of
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 after
                 they
                 have
                 long
                 slighted
                 ,
                 and
                 abused
                 them
                 ;
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 did
                 from
                 the
                 
                   blinded
                   Jews
                   ,
                   therefore
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   speaking
                   to
                   them
                   in
                   Paxables
                   ,
                   because
                   seeing
                   they
                   saw
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   hearing
                   they
                   heard
                   not
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 
                 not
                 be
                 made
                 to
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 hear
                 ,
                 by
                 plain
                 Speeches
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 13.
                 13.
                 
                 This
                 infliction
                 of
                 Spiritual
                 blindness
                 ,
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 the
                 Romans
                 ,
                 calls
                 
                   giving
                   up
                   to
                   a
                   reprobate
                   sense
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 28.
                 
                 Whereto
                 God
                 then
                 gave
                 them
                 up
                 ,
                 when
                 ,
                 they
                 of
                 themselves
                 having
                 already
                 gone
                 far
                 in
                 wickedness
                 contracting
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 justly
                 left
                 them
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 
                   Whilst
                   they
                   knew
                   God
                
                 ,
                 they
                 gave
                 him
                 no
                 
                   due
                   glory
                
                 and
                 acknowledgment
                 ;
                 and
                 thereupon
                 
                   he
                   gaue
                   them
                   over
                   to
                   a
                   reprobate
                   mind
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 21
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 Their
                 reprobate
                 sense
                 ,
                 verse
                 28.
                 was
                 the
                 woful
                 consequent
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 
                   foul
                   lusts
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   precontracted
                   foolishness
                
                 ,
                 noted
                 verse
                 21
                 ,
                 23
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 God
                 did
                 not
                 leave
                 them
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 had
                 first
                 ,
                 by
                 false
                 worship
                 and
                 filthy
                 practices
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 deserted
                 ,
                 but
                 driven
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 enlightening
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 away
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 say
                 you
                 to
                 
                   Ahab's
                   case
                
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 God
                 himself
                 deceive
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 left
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 deceived
                 by
                 a
                 wicked
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 till
                 
                   Ahab
                   had
                   sold
                   himself
                   to
                   work
                   wickedness
                   ,
                
                 and
                 thereby
                 most
                 justly
                 deserved
                 to
                 be
                 deserted
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 The
                 wicked
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 have
                 will
                 enough
                 to
                 hurt
                 us
                 ,
                 yet
                 are
                 held
                 in
                 Chains
                 and
                 Fetters
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 not
                 let
                 loose
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 power
                 to
                 work
                 their
                 wills
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 have
                 God's
                 Licence
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 the
                 good
                 Angels
                 ,
                 from
                 their
                 several
                 earthly
                 charges
                 ,
                 return
                 back
                 to
                 God
                 to
                 make
                 their
                 reports
                 ,
                 some
                 wicked
                 ones
                 ,
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 represented
                 in
                 the
                 Story
                 of
                 Job
                 ,
                 still
                 
                 croud
                 in
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 gain
                 Commissions
                 ,
                 either
                 for
                 trial
                 or
                 punishment
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 who
                 will
                 be
                 delivered
                 into
                 their
                 hands
                 .
                 Thus
                 Satan
                 did
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 obtained
                 power
                 against
                 Job
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 
                   trial
                   of
                   his
                   patience
                
                 ,
                 Job
                 1.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 thus
                 on
                 another
                 set
                 day
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 publickly
                 decreed
                 the
                 
                   fall
                   of
                   Ahab
                
                 ,
                 an
                 evil
                 Spirit
                 presents
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 voluntarily
                 offers
                 to
                 
                   be
                   a
                   lying
                   Spirit
                   in
                   the
                   mouth
                   of
                   all
                   his
                   Prophets
                   ,
                
                 to
                 encourage
                 him
                 to
                 his
                 
                   fall
                   at
                   Ramoth
                   Gilead
                
                 ,
                 in
                 deserved
                 punishment
                 of
                 his
                 wickedness
                 .
                 And
                 God
                 not
                 only
                 foretels
                 ,
                 that
                 Ahab
                 would
                 hear
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 bids
                 him
                 go
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 
                   Christ
                   bid
                   Judas
                
                 when
                 he
                 
                   went
                   out
                   to
                   betray
                   him
                
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 also
                 the
                 †
                 Devils
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   they
                   entred
                   into
                   the
                   herd
                   of
                   swine
                   ,
                
                 )
                 not
                 thereby
                 commanding
                 and
                 authorizing
                 his
                 Practice
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 taking
                 off
                 his
                 restraint
                 ,
                 and
                 letting
                 him
                 loose
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 wicked
                 purposes
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 permission
                 and
                 sufferance
                 ,
                 1
                 King
                 22.
                 19
                 ,
                 20
                 ,
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 that
                 S.
                 
                 Paul's
                 meaning
                 ,
                 when
                 under
                 the
                 
                   great
                   mystery
                   of
                   iniquity
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Man
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   shall
                   send
                   men
                   ,
                   who
                   loved
                   not
                   the
                   truth
                   ,
                   but
                   had
                   pleasure
                   in
                   unrighteousness
                   ,
                   strong
                   delusion
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Thess.
                 2.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 that
                 delusion
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 by
                 giving
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 Licence
                 to
                 delude
                 them
                 .
                 It
                 shall
                 
                   come
                   with
                   all
                   deceivableness
                   of
                   power
                   ,
                   and
                   signs
                   ,
                   and
                   lying
                   wonders
                   ,
                   after
                   the
                   working
                   of
                   Satan
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 God's
                 sending
                 strong
                 delusion
                 in
                 those
                 days
                 ,
                 is
                 letting
                 Satan
                 loose
                 ,
                 and
                 permitting
                 him
                 to
                 give
                 plausible
                 proofs
                 ,
                 and
                 shows
                 ,
                 to
                 seduce
                 
                 Men.
                 Which
                 ,
                 with
                 those
                 that
                 loved
                 unrighteousness
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 
                   no
                   love
                   for
                   the
                   truth
                
                 ,
                 but
                 would
                 be
                 glad
                 of
                 any
                 pretence
                 to
                 embrace
                 a
                 pleasing
                 error
                 instead
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 would
                 be
                 like
                 enough
                 to
                 prevail
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 often
                 give
                 Men
                 up
                 thus
                 to
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 to
                 delude
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 have
                 a
                 general
                 influence
                 ,
                 in
                 producing
                 the
                 errors
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 sins
                 and
                 transgressions
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 Men.
                 But
                 they
                 have
                 often
                 a
                 more
                 especial
                 Licence
                 ,
                 and
                 extraordinary
                 power
                 of
                 delusion
                 ,
                 in
                 degree
                 sometimes
                 greater
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 less
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 any
                 Persons
                 ,
                 or
                 Places
                 ,
                 through
                 their
                 own
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 their
                 pride
                 ,
                 and
                 wantonness
                 ,
                 are
                 left
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 thrown
                 out
                 of
                 God's
                 protection
                 .
                 Thus
                 
                   the
                   darkness
                   of
                   the
                
                 Heathen
                 World
                 or
                 *
                 Age
                 ,
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ascribes
                 
                   to
                   the
                   spiritual
                   wickednesses
                   in
                   high
                
                 or
                 †
                 
                   heavenly
                   places
                
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 the
                 *
                 
                   wicked
                   Spirits
                
                 in
                 the
                 Air
                 called
                 Heaven
                 in
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Books
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 
                   the
                   Rulers
                
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 6.
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 
                   deluded
                   nations
                
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 told
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   the
                   old
                   Serpent
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   the
                   Devil
                   and
                   Satan
                   ,
                   had
                   deceived
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 general
                 Apostasie
                 and
                 Delusion
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   the
                   Man
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 is
                 ascribed
                 by
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   the
                   working
                   of
                   Satan
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Thess.
                 2.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 on
                 the
                 rising
                 of
                 any
                 
                   notable
                   Hereticks
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   perverters
                   of
                   the
                   truth
                
                 ,
                 the
                 crafty
                 and
                 malignant
                 
                 Devil
                 is
                 usually
                 said
                 to
                 stir
                 ,
                 and
                 rage
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Ecclesiastical
                 Language
                 .
                 The
                 great
                 deceits
                 and
                 delusions
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 owing
                 only
                 to
                 the
                 darkness
                 of
                 Mens
                 own
                 minds
                 ,
                 and
                 hearts
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 malignant
                 fraud
                 of
                 wicked
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 who
                 by
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 instruments
                 ,
                 miserably
                 blind
                 and
                 mislead
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 forsaken
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 delivered
                 into
                 their
                 hands
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 need
                 not
                 seem
                 strange
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 see
                 Men
                 abused
                 into
                 such
                 gross
                 absurdities
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 against
                 the
                 plainest
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 Reason
                 ,
                 and
                 common
                 Sense
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 be
                 as
                 confident
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 received
                 them
                 by
                 
                   immediate
                   inspiration
                
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 
                   voice
                   from
                   Heaven
                
                 ;
                 and
                 think
                 they
                 have
                 as
                 sure
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 sensless
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   absurd
                   dreams
                
                 ,
                 as
                 ever
                 the
                 
                   blessed
                   Apostles
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Evangelists
                 had
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                
                 .
                 For
                 though
                 several
                 of
                 these
                 seem
                 too
                 gross
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 natural
                 folly
                 of
                 Men
                 ;
                 yet
                 are
                 they
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 malignity
                 of
                 a
                 delusive
                 Daemon
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 has
                 gained
                 a
                 Licence
                 to
                 besot
                 ,
                 and
                 abuse
                 Mens
                 minds
                 ,
                 we
                 need
                 not
                 stand
                 astonished
                 at
                 the
                 most
                 extravagantly
                 sensless
                 ,
                 or
                 ridiculous
                 Opinions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 this
                 is
                 one
                 method
                 of
                 God's
                 Justice
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 up
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 abuse
                 the
                 Light
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 means
                 thereof
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   Satan's
                   delusion
                
                 ;
                 must
                 not
                 this
                 make
                 us
                 all
                 exceeding
                 careful
                 ,
                 with
                 Humility
                 ,
                 and
                 Reverence
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 in
                 his
                 ways
                 and
                 appointments
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 we
                 may
                 abide
                 under
                 his
                 Protection
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 by
                 all
                 means
                 we
                 must
                 have
                 a
                 care
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 set
                 our selves
                 above
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 to
                 vilifie
                 Prayers
                 or
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 to
                 despise
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 to
                 disparage
                 the
                 Sacred
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 to
                 contemn
                 superciliously
                 and
                 outbrave
                 our
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 making
                 our selves
                 wiser
                 than
                 our
                 Teachers
                 ,
                 to
                 cast
                 off
                 the
                 Government
                 of
                 our
                 Lawful
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 or
                 break
                 the
                 Unity
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 things
                 .
                 For
                 this
                 is
                 breaking
                 all
                 God's
                 Bounds
                 ,
                 and
                 discarding
                 his
                 Methods
                 ,
                 appointed
                 to
                 keep
                 us
                 all
                 stable
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 practice
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 thus
                 leave
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 wantonly
                 leap
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 ways
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 just
                 cause
                 to
                 fear
                 ,
                 lest
                 he
                 leave
                 us
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 we
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 become
                 a
                 prey
                 to
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 get
                 leave
                 in
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 degrees
                 ,
                 will
                 carry
                 us
                 away
                 with
                 their
                 delusions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 think
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 less
                 danger
                 of
                 these
                 delusions
                 ,
                 whilst
                 Men
                 keep
                 humbly
                 ,
                 and
                 awfully
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Unity
                 and
                 Communion
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Church
                 ,
                 than
                 when
                 they
                 depart
                 from
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 by
                 breaking
                 out
                 thence
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 got
                 into
                 a
                 place
                 more
                 insecure
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 full
                 of
                 danger
                 .
                 As
                 out-lying
                 Deer
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 under
                 the
                 Eye
                 and
                 Care
                 of
                 the
                 Keeper
                 ,
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 become
                 a
                 prey
                 to
                 every
                 Hunter
                 .
                 Or
                 ,
                 as
                 Sheep
                 without
                 the
                 Fold
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 straggle
                 from
                 the
                 Flock
                 ,
                 and
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 compass
                 of
                 that
                 special
                 Providence
                 which
                 protects
                 it
                 ,
                 are
                 in
                 danger
                 
                 by
                 every
                 hurtful
                 Beast
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 a
                 prey
                 ,
                 and
                 picked
                 up
                 .
                 Or
                 ,
                 as
                 near
                 an
                 Enemies
                 Quarters
                 ,
                 they
                 who
                 will
                 run
                 abroad
                 without
                 the
                 Camp
                 ,
                 are
                 in
                 danger
                 of
                 being
                 seized
                 ,
                 or
                 slain
                 by
                 Adversaries
                 :
                 so
                 are
                 Men
                 without
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 by
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 are
                 more
                 at
                 liberty
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 loose
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 though
                 chain'd
                 and
                 fetter'd
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 they
                 find
                 any
                 leap'd
                 out
                 thence
                 ,
                 are
                 more
                 likely
                 to
                 seize
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 straves
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 Dominions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 restrains
                 their
                 malice
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Protection
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 called
                 
                   the
                   Hedge
                
                 ,
                 that
                 fenced
                 off
                 
                   Satan
                   from
                   Job
                
                 ,
                 Job
                 1.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 since
                 all
                 have
                 not
                 an
                 equal
                 share
                 in
                 the
                 Guardianship
                 of
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 good
                 Angels
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 obvious
                 to
                 infer
                 ,
                 that
                 these
                 impure
                 Spirits
                 have
                 more
                 power
                 in
                 some
                 Places
                 ,
                 and
                 over
                 some
                 Persons
                 ,
                 than
                 over
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 the
                 Daemon
                 in
                 *
                 Tertullian
                 urged
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 who
                 being
                 
                   charged
                   by
                   some
                
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 those
                 
                   days
                   of
                   Miracles
                
                 came
                 to
                 eject
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 rebuked
                 for
                 
                   daring
                   to
                   attempt
                   ,
                   and
                   possess
                   a
                   Christian
                   Woman
                   ,
                
                 who
                 was
                 listed
                 under
                 Christ's
                 Protection
                 ;
                 
                   constantly
                   pleaded
                   ,
                   his
                   seisure
                   was
                   most
                   just
                   ,
                   because
                   he
                   found
                   her
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   Precincts
                   ,
                
                 viz.
                 at
                 the
                 lewd
                 ,
                 bloody
                 ,
                 and
                 ungodly
                 shows
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Heathen
                   Theatres
                
                 .
                 This
                 Power
                 of
                 
                   evil
                   Spirits
                
                 ,
                 is
                 greatest
                 in
                 the
                 unhallowed
                 World
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Scripture
                 sufficiently
                 intimates
                 ,
                 when
                 Satan
                 is
                 called
                 by
                 our
                 
                   Lord
                   ,
                   the
                   Prince
                   of
                   this
                   world
                   ,
                
                 John
                 12.
                 31.
                 and
                 chap.
                 14.
                 30.
                 and
                 
                 16.
                 11.
                 and
                 by
                 S.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   this
                   world
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 3.
                 and
                 when
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ascribes
                 
                   the
                   darkness
                   of
                   the
                   Heathen
                   world
                   ,
                
                 to
                 
                   wicked
                   spirits
                
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 
                   the
                   rule
                
                 and
                 Empire
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 6.
                 12.
                 and
                 
                   wrought
                   in
                   those
                   that
                   were
                   disobedient
                   ,
                
                 or
                 the
                 *
                 unpersuadable
                 part
                 of
                 Mankind
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 most
                 ,
                 before
                 Men
                 are
                 entred
                 into
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Church
                   of
                   God
                
                 :
                 as
                 from
                 the
                 danger
                 Moses
                 was
                 in
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 had
                 
                   Circumcised
                   his
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   Doctors
                
                 note
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 a
                 
                   destroying
                   Angel
                
                 on
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 have
                 not
                 received
                 the
                 initiatory
                 Rite
                 of
                 Circumcision
                 ;
                 answerable
                 whereto
                 is
                 that
                 old
                 †
                 tradition
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   God
                   exempted
                   their
                   Nation
                   from
                   the
                   Power
                   of
                   the
                   Angel
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                   to
                   which
                   he
                   subjected
                   the
                   rest
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   chose
                   them
                   for
                   his
                   own
                   People
                   ,
                   and
                   gave
                   them
                   the
                   Law.
                
                 Or
                 when
                 ,
                 being
                 once
                 enter'd
                 ,
                 they
                 either
                 burst
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 just
                 excommunication
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Lord
                 *
                 says
                 ,
                 brings
                 Men
                 back
                 into
                 the
                 state
                 
                   of
                   the
                   Heathen
                
                 ,
                 are
                 cast
                 out
                 into
                 the
                 World
                 again
                 .
                 For
                 then
                 ,
                 the
                 Devils
                 obtain
                 more
                 Power
                 over
                 them
                 :
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 notes
                 ,
                 saying
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 grow
                 turbulent
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   oppose
                   themselves
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 
                   taken
                   captive
                   by
                   him
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 and
                 calling
                 excommunication
                 ,
                 a
                 
                   delivering
                   over
                   unto
                   Satan
                
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 throws
                 them
                 out
                 into
                 his
                 Territory
                 ,
                 and
                 within
                 the
                 verge
                 of
                 his
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 5.
                 
                 &
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 20.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 probably
                 ,
                 their
                 attempts
                 are
                 more
                 greedy
                 ,
                 and
                 violent
                 upon
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 were
                 
                 rescued
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 hands
                 ,
                 than
                 on
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 held
                 always
                 under
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Parable
                   of
                   the
                   unclean
                   Spirit
                
                 we
                 are
                 told
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 ,
                 being
                 
                   once
                   driven
                   out
                   of
                   a
                   man
                   ,
                
                 he
                 find
                 him
                 empty
                 ,
                 and
                 naked
                 of
                 Guards
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 a
                 prey
                 again
                 ;
                 
                   he
                   takes
                   with
                   him
                   seven
                   Spirits
                   worse
                   than
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 when
                 he
                 seeks
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 him
                 the
                 second
                 time
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 12.
                 43
                 ,
                 44
                 ,
                 45.
                 
                 &
                 2
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Would
                 you
                 note
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 provoke
                 God
                 to
                 abandon
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 us
                 up
                 to
                 these
                 deluding
                 Spirits
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 to
                 omit
                 others
                 ,
                 buying
                 and
                 selling
                 of
                 the
                 Truth
                 ,
                 or
                 acting
                 for
                 Gain
                 ,
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 .
                 When
                 Men
                 forsake
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 good
                 way
                 or
                 thing
                 ,
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 sincere
                 convictions
                 ,
                 but
                 secular
                 interests
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 worldly
                 gain
                 :
                 then
                 doth
                 the
                 Devil
                 enter
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 possession
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 great
                 way
                 is
                 to
                 open
                 the
                 Door
                 by
                 a
                 golden
                 Key
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 offers
                 of
                 gain
                 to
                 get
                 admission
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 he
                 
                   enter'd
                   into
                   Judas
                
                 ,
                 taking
                 possession
                 of
                 him
                 by
                 
                   thirty
                   pieces
                   of
                   silver
                
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 preferred
                 before
                 
                   his
                   Master
                
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 22.
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 into
                 Ananias
                 ,
                 getting
                 him
                 into
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   filling
                   his
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 desire
                 of
                 
                   keeping
                   the
                   price
                   of
                   his
                   land
                
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 Act.
                 5.
                 3.
                 
                 When
                 Men
                 once
                 put
                 themselves
                 into
                 Satan's
                 hands
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   putting
                   away
                   a
                   good
                   conscience
                
                 ,
                 and
                 professing
                 ,
                 or
                 acting
                 against
                 convictions
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 ready
                 way
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   make
                   shipwrack
                   of
                   the
                
                 right
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 fall
                 under
                 a
                 delusion
                 of
                 their
                 understandings
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 not
                 God
                 himself
                 do
                 more
                 than
                 suffer
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 way
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 by
                 leaving
                 them
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 Satan
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 to
                 push
                 them
                 on
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 talks
                 of
                 
                   giving
                   men
                   a
                   spirit
                   of
                   slumber
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 8
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 &
                 Isaiah
                 6.
                 10.
                 
                 Is
                 not
                 that
                 something
                 positive
                 of
                 his
                 inflicting
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 'T
                 is
                 like
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 sending
                 a
                 sluggishness
                 of
                 thought
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 dulness
                 and
                 drowsiness
                 of
                 apprehension
                 on
                 them
                 .
                 Not
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 makes
                 them
                 quite
                 unable
                 to
                 apprehend
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 drowsie
                 Man
                 ,
                 more
                 listless
                 ,
                 heavy
                 ,
                 and
                 slow
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 
                   eyes
                   ,
                   wherewith
                   they
                   should
                   not
                   see
                   ;
                   and
                   ears
                   ,
                   wherewith
                   they
                   should
                   not
                   hear
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 such
                 wherewith
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 do
                 it
                 easily
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 11.
                 8.
                 
                 Such
                 abatement
                 of
                 intellectual
                 perspicacity
                 ,
                 and
                 power
                 ,
                 God
                 sometimes
                 threatens
                 to
                 obdurate
                 sinners
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   will
                   smite
                   them
                   with
                   madness
                   ,
                   or
                   blindness
                   ,
                
                 or
                 astonishment
                 ,
                 and
                 stupidity
                 
                   of
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 28.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 very
                 just
                 ,
                 thus
                 to
                 impair
                 the
                 perfection
                 of
                 our
                 minds
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 health
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 our
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 in
                 punishment
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 .
                 For
                 both
                 these
                 ,
                 being
                 his
                 gratuitous
                 and
                 undeserved
                 gifts
                 ,
                 are
                 reversible
                 in
                 what
                 measure
                 he
                 pleases
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 never
                 withdraws
                 them
                 in
                 his
                 wrath
                 from
                 contumacious
                 sinners
                 ,
                 but
                 on
                 forfeiture
                 and
                 high
                 provocations
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 winked
                 long
                 against
                 the
                 
                 Light
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 not
                 see
                 with
                 quick
                 and
                 clear
                 senses
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 all
                 in
                 way
                 of
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Judicial
                 Process
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 shows
                 a
                 Holy
                 ,
                 a
                 Just
                 ,
                 and
                 Good
                 God
                 too
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 this
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 God
                 so
                 irreconcileably
                 hates
                 sin
                 ,
                 why
                 doth
                 he
                 not
                 employ
                 his
                 Power
                 to
                 keep
                 it
                 out
                 ?
                 Were
                 it
                 not
                 easie
                 for
                 an
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 prevent
                 sin
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 would
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 fit
                 he
                 should
                 make
                 it
                 impossible
                 ,
                 by
                 putting
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 our
                 power
                 to
                 chuse
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 such
                 ways
                 ,
                 as
                 infer
                 no
                 force
                 upon
                 our
                 wills
                 ,
                 but
                 consist
                 with
                 our
                 free
                 and
                 rewardable
                 avoidance
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 not
                 been
                 wanting
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 expected
                 on
                 his
                 part
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 ,
                 to
                 ease
                 both
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 us
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 evil
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 might
                 not
                 God
                 make
                 it
                 impossible
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 our
                 power
                 to
                 chuse
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Because
                 that
                 is
                 inconsistent
                 with
                 our
                 Natures
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 having
                 Flesh
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 free
                 to
                 Evil
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Good.
                 It
                 would
                 leave
                 nothing
                 in
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 commended
                 ,
                 or
                 rewarded
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 do
                 abstain
                 from
                 it
                 ;
                 there
                 being
                 no
                 thanks
                 due
                 to
                 any
                 Man
                 ,
                 for
                 omitting
                 what
                 he
                 was
                 utterly
                 incapable
                 to
                 act
                 .
                 To
                 make
                 sin
                 impossible
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 offer
                 violence
                 to
                 our
                 free
                 and
                 reasonable
                 Natures
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 set
                 aside
                 all
                 Laws
                 ,
                 all
                 Censure
                 ,
                 and
                 reward
                 of
                 Actions
                 .
                 Which
                 no
                 reason
                 will
                 expect
                 a
                 Holy
                 
                 God
                 should
                 do
                 ,
                 who
                 looks
                 not
                 only
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 Power
                 and
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 displaying
                 of
                 his
                 Governing-Justice
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Freedom
                 and
                 Liberty
                 of
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 take
                 such
                 ways
                 to
                 keep
                 out
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 best
                 comport
                 with
                 all
                 these
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 an
                 utter
                 incapacity
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 way
                 of
                 hindring
                 us
                 free
                 and
                 rewardable
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 irresistably
                 forced
                 and
                 compelled
                 ,
                 but
                 drawn
                 and
                 persuaded
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 has
                 God
                 done
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 reasonably
                 be
                 expected
                 that
                 way
                 ,
                 to
                 prevent
                 sin
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 given
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 to
                 die
                 a
                 cruel
                 Death
                 ,
                 thereby
                 to
                 purchase
                 Mercy
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 truly
                 repent
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 ;
                 he
                 has
                 plainly
                 showed
                 ,
                 and
                 forbid
                 all
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 Person
                 need
                 be
                 ignorant
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 he
                 has
                 threatned
                 it
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 insupportable
                 punishments
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 may
                 be
                 afraid
                 to
                 come
                 near
                 it
                 ;
                 he
                 offers
                 the
                 most
                 incomparable
                 rewards
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 will
                 overcome
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 promises
                 the
                 aid
                 of
                 an
                 unconquerable
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 to
                 enable
                 all
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 strive
                 as
                 they
                 ought
                 ,
                 to
                 prevail
                 against
                 it
                 .
                 In
                 summ
                 ,
                 having
                 stupendiously
                 brought
                 about
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 meritorious
                 Death
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 ,
                 that
                 Mercy
                 should
                 be
                 offered
                 to
                 all
                 Men
                 to
                 pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 Grace
                 to
                 extirpate
                 and
                 abolish
                 sin
                 :
                 he
                 has
                 left
                 nothing
                 wanting
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 own
                 wills
                 ,
                 to
                 perfect
                 the
                 conquest
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 has
                 done
                 all
                 that
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 all
                 those
                 
                 things
                 before
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 should
                 ,
                 not
                 force
                 their
                 wills
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 but
                 bend
                 and
                 persuade
                 them
                 to
                 resolve
                 upon
                 such
                 conquest
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 is
                 all
                 ,
                 which
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 with
                 free
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 whose
                 wills
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 forced
                 ,
                 but
                 won
                 and
                 persuaded
                 ,
                 towards
                 its
                 exclusion
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 after
                 all
                 ,
                 sin
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 God's
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 add
                 ,
                 his
                 Goodness
                 too
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 charged
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 not
                 abundantly
                 done
                 their
                 part
                 :
                 but
                 only
                 the
                 obstinacy
                 of
                 Mens
                 own
                 perverse
                 wills
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 forced
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 dissuaded
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 all
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 fitly
                 and
                 reasonably
                 offered
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 may
                 still
                 be
                 most
                 justly
                 said
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Scripture
                 doth
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   could
                   have
                   been
                   done
                   more
                   to
                   my
                   vineyard
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   have
                   not
                   done
                   in
                   it
                   ?
                
                 Isaiah
                 5.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   is
                   not
                   willing
                   that
                   any
                   should
                   perish
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   all
                   should
                   come
                   to
                   repentance
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   As
                   I
                   live
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   the
                   death
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   ,
                   but
                
                 had
                 rather
                 
                   that
                   the
                   wicked
                
                 man
                 would
                 
                   turn
                   from
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                   and
                   live
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 33.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Another
                 of
                 
                   God's
                   Attributes
                
                 you
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 is
                 his
                 Goodness
                 .
                 Is
                 
                   God's
                   Goodness
                
                 an
                 
                   undistinguishing
                   Indulgence
                
                 ,
                 that
                 lights
                 promiscuously
                 on
                 all
                 Persons
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 a
                 Wise
                 and
                 Holy
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 that
                 respects
                 qualifications
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 the
                 Goodness
                 of
                 a
                 just
                 God
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 a
                 fond
                 Man
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 is
                 prone
                 to
                 all
                 tenderness
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 consistent
                 with
                 Wise
                 and
                 Holy
                 
                 Ends
                 ,
                 and
                 Governing
                 Justice
                 .
                 But
                 tenderness
                 and
                 indulgence
                 to
                 ill
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 ill
                 purposes
                 and
                 effects
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 goodness
                 ,
                 but
                 dotage
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 God's
                 Goodness
                 doth
                 not
                 bespeak
                 such
                 tenderness
                 ,
                 as
                 relents
                 at
                 the
                 very
                 sight
                 of
                 all
                 miserable
                 objects
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 when
                 Love
                 and
                 Kindness
                 have
                 been
                 finally
                 abused
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 affronted
                 Goodness
                 gives
                 way
                 to
                 inflamed
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 see
                 Men
                 smart
                 and
                 suffer
                 ,
                 without
                 being
                 grieved
                 for
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Then
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 fancy
                 God's
                 Mercy
                 is
                 such
                 an
                 effeminate
                 softness
                 ,
                 and
                 fond
                 pity
                 ,
                 as
                 starts
                 at
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 any
                 severity
                 ,
                 though
                 most
                 wholesome
                 and
                 necessary
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 Mercy
                 to
                 the
                 Penitent
                 ,
                 and
                 Pitiable
                 ;
                 but
                 can
                 well
                 bear
                 to
                 see
                 tormenting
                 Cures
                 wrought
                 ,
                 on
                 diseased
                 ,
                 and
                 straying
                 offenders
                 ;
                 or
                 Vengeance
                 executed
                 ,
                 on
                 obdurate
                 Criminals
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Neither
                 is
                 his
                 Goodness
                 such
                 easiness
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 be
                 won
                 or
                 wearied
                 out
                 ,
                 purely
                 by
                 the
                 confidence
                 in
                 requests
                 ,
                 and
                 meer
                 importunity
                 of
                 obdurate
                 sinners
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 this
                 good
                 and
                 easie
                 God
                 can
                 be
                 inflexible
                 to
                 any
                 impious
                 ,
                 or
                 unreasonable
                 request
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 deaf
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 time
                 of
                 calling
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 shew
                 himself
                 Just
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Good
                 ,
                 and
                 requite
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 kind
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 deaf
                 to
                 them
                 in
                 theirs
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 extremity
                 of
                 their
                 distress
                 makes
                 them
                 cry
                 to
                 him
                 with
                 
                 utmost
                 importunity
                 ,
                 and
                 loudness
                 .
                 
                   When
                   their
                   fear
                   comes
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   desolation
                
                 to
                 lay
                 all
                 waste
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   destruction
                   as
                   a
                   whirlwind
                
                 to
                 sweep
                 all
                 before
                 it
                 :
                 then
                 ,
                 though
                 
                   they
                   call
                   ,
                   and
                   seek
                   me
                   early
                   ,
                   will
                   I
                   ▪
                
                 instead
                 of
                 relenting
                 ,
                 
                   laugh
                   ,
                   and
                   mock
                   at
                   their
                   calamity
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 1.
                 26
                 ,
                 27
                 ,
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 this
                 Goodness
                 puts
                 such
                 difference
                 between
                 Objects
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 fancy
                 ,
                 a
                 blind
                 and
                 partial
                 benevolence
                 ,
                 that
                 fixes
                 by
                 chance
                 ,
                 or
                 humour
                 ,
                 on
                 some
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 once
                 it
                 is
                 fixed
                 ,
                 heaps
                 all
                 favours
                 ,
                 and
                 sees
                 no
                 faults
                 in
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 .
                 God's
                 Goodness
                 is
                 not
                 guided
                 ,
                 as
                 fond
                 Man
                 's
                 often
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 blind
                 fancy
                 ,
                 but
                 always
                 by
                 highest
                 discretion
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 infinite
                 in
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 but
                 yet
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 equal
                 in
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 too
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 good
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 not
                 incapacitated
                 themselves
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 fault
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 none
                 against
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 wise
                 reason
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 it
                 seems
                 ,
                 this
                 good
                 God
                 has
                 not
                 more
                 love
                 of
                 any
                 Persons
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 or
                 Favorites
                 ,
                 than
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 endowed
                 with
                 certain
                 qualifications
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 his
                 hatred
                 is
                 stronger
                 against
                 sin
                 ,
                 than
                 his
                 Love
                 is
                 for
                 any
                 Favorite
                 ,
                 or
                 created
                 Being
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 never
                 loves
                 an
                 evil
                 work
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 favour
                 to
                 the
                 workers
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 *
                 Scripture
                 often
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 hates
                 the
                 workers
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 their
                 evil
                 works
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 no
                 Persons
                 must
                 ever
                 fancy
                 they
                 are
                 
                 such
                 Favorites
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 tolerate
                 them
                 in
                 any
                 wickedness
                 .
                 Or
                 that
                 ,
                 having
                 once
                 fixed
                 his
                 Love
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 made
                 Decrees
                 in
                 their
                 favour
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 see
                 sin
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 impute
                 it
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 hate
                 them
                 for
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 most
                 hateful
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 it
                 is
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 understand
                 by
                 God's
                 Goodness
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 His
                 perfect
                 delight
                 in
                 doing
                 good
                 .
                 Which
                 I
                 shall
                 note
                 especially
                 in
                 two
                 things
                 ,
                 viz.
                 his
                 forwardness
                 in
                 rewarding
                 good
                 Services
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 great
                 Patience
                 and
                 Easiness
                 in
                 passing
                 over
                 offences
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 he
                 mindful
                 of
                 his
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 careful
                 to
                 reward
                 all
                 their
                 good
                 Services
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 all
                 Men
                 undoubtedly
                 ,
                 to
                 think
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 encouraged
                 to
                 serve
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 
                   he
                   that
                   cometh
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                   must
                   believe
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   ▪
                   and
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   a
                   rewarder
                   of
                   those
                   ,
                   that
                   diligently
                   seek
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 he
                 also
                 Patient
                 and
                 Merciful
                 upon
                 their
                 Offences
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Bountiful
                 upon
                 their
                 good
                 Services
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 repent
                 ,
                 and
                 turn
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 proclaims
                 himself
                 
                   long-suffering
                   ,
                   keeping
                   mercy
                   for
                   thousands
                   ,
                   forgiving
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   transgression
                   ,
                   and
                   sin
                   ▪
                
                 Exod.
                 34.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 He
                 shows
                 wonderful
                 Patience
                 ,
                 in
                 bearing
                 with
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 Men
                 ;
                 and
                 Mercy
                 in
                 pardoning
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 truly
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 not
                 this
                 Mercy
                 some
                 incouragement
                 to
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 go
                 on
                 in
                 their
                 sins
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 because
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 Mercy
                 on
                 those
                 only
                 ,
                 who
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 His
                 long-suffering
                 with
                 sinners
                 ,
                 is
                 only
                 to
                 give
                 them
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   lead
                   them
                   to
                   repentance
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 his
                 forgiving
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 only
                 when
                 they
                 do
                 repent
                 .
                 For
                 even
                 there
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 proclaims
                 his
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 he
                 declares
                 
                   he
                   will
                   by
                   no
                   means
                   clear
                   the
                   guilty
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 34.
                 7.
                 
                 If
                 we
                 are
                 impenitent
                 to
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 expectation
                 of
                 Mercy
                 to
                 forgive
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 Justice
                 to
                 punish
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 say
                 God
                 shows
                 this
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 in
                 bountifully
                 rewarding
                 good
                 Services
                 .
                 Doth
                 he
                 not
                 also
                 show
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 in
                 estimating
                 what
                 Services
                 are
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 rewarded
                 by
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 as
                 far
                 as
                 is
                 consistent
                 with
                 truth
                 ,
                 and
                 reason
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 captious
                 ,
                 or
                 exceptious
                 ,
                 like
                 one
                 that
                 studied
                 to
                 find
                 faults
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 our
                 performances
                 .
                 Nor
                 stiff
                 ,
                 and
                 rigid
                 in
                 standing
                 upon
                 the
                 extremities
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 make
                 all
                 fair
                 abatements
                 ,
                 and
                 allowances
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 reasonably
                 and
                 justly
                 pleadable
                 in
                 our
                 case
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 shall
                 have
                 occasion
                 to
                 observe
                 afterwards
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 God's
                 Justice
                 ,
                 or
                 Righteousness
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 His
                 doing
                 Right
                 and
                 Equity
                 ,
                 both
                 first
                 ,
                 in
                 giving
                 Righteous
                 Laws
                 ;
                 and
                 secondly
                 ,
                 in
                 passing
                 Righteous
                 Judgments
                 
                 according
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 respect
                 of
                 Persons
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 God
                 Righteous
                 as
                 a
                 Law-giver
                 ,
                 in
                 imposing
                 only
                 just
                 and
                 Righteous
                 Laws
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 The
                 Gods
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 which
                 S.
                 Paul
                 *
                 says
                 were
                 Devils
                 ,
                 injoyned
                 their
                 Worshippers
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 sinful
                 ,
                 foul
                 ,
                 and
                 cruel
                 things
                 .
                 They
                 served
                 Bacchus
                 in
                 the
                 Idol-Feasts
                 called
                 the
                 Bacchanals
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 of
                 their
                 Deities
                 ,
                 with
                 Revellings
                 ,
                 and
                 Drunkenness
                 ,
                 and
                 Profligate
                 Uncleanness
                 :
                 and
                 so
                 S.
                 Peter
                 says
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 
                   wrought
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                
                 together
                 with
                 their
                 
                   abominable
                   Idolatries
                
                 ,
                 they
                 
                   walked
                   in
                   lasciviousness
                   ,
                   excess
                   of
                   wine
                   ,
                   revellings
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 4.
                 3.
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Israelites
                   ,
                   joyning
                   themselves
                   to
                   the
                   Idol
                   Baal
                   ▪
                   Peor
                   ,
                   committed
                   .
                   whoredoms
                   ,
                
                 Num.
                 25.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 They
                 served
                 Moloch
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Saturn
                 ,
                 by
                 most
                 horrible
                 and
                 unnatural
                 cruelties
                 ,
                 dropping
                 their
                 own
                 Children
                 into
                 the
                 Fire
                 through
                 the
                 Hands
                 of
                 his
                 Statue
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 burning
                 them
                 alive
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 which
                 the
                 Scripture
                 calls
                 
                   making
                   them
                   pass
                   through
                   the
                   fire
                   to
                   Moloch
                   ,
                
                 as
                 a
                 burnt-offering
                 ,
                 Lev.
                 18.
                 21.
                 
                 &
                 Jer.
                 19.
                 5.
                 
                 But
                 the
                 True
                 God
                 is
                 most
                 utterly
                 opposite
                 to
                 all
                 such
                 impositions
                 .
                 He
                 commands
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 pure
                 ,
                 and
                 virtuous
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 our
                 own
                 good
                 and
                 advantage
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 honorable
                 ,
                 and
                 perfective
                 of
                 our
                 Natures
                 ;
                 nay
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 worthy
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 submit
                 to
                 any
                 Laws
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 when
                 in
                 Christ
                 he
                 became
                 Man
                 ,
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 shews
                 the
                 excellency
                 of
                 his
                 Laws
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 say
                 you
                 to
                 the
                 equity
                 of
                 them
                 ?
                 Are
                 they
                 not
                 rigorous
                 and
                 over-burdensome
                 ,
                 requiring
                 more
                 than
                 we
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 perform
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 requires
                 great
                 things
                 ,
                 yet
                 together
                 with
                 that
                 ,
                 he
                 offers
                 such
                 help
                 and
                 grace
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 render
                 them
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 possible
                 ,
                 but
                 tolerably
                 easie
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 
                   His
                   commandments
                   are
                   not
                   grievous
                
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 5.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   His
                   yoke
                   is
                   easie
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   burden
                   light
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 God
                 Righteous
                 also
                 as
                 a
                 Judge
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 comes
                 to
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 impartially
                 execute
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 without
                 favour
                 ,
                 or
                 respect
                 of
                 Persons
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 
                   Yes
                   .
                   For
                
                 in
                 his
                 Righteous
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 render
                 to
                 every
                 Man
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 deeds
                 .
                 To
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 by
                 continuance
                 in
                 well-doing
                 ,
                 sought
                 Glory
                 ,
                 eternal
                 Life
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 obey
                 unrighteousness
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   are
                   impenitent
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 wrath
                 and
                 anguish
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 on
                 every
                 one
                 ,
                 that
                 doth
                 evil
                 ,
                 without
                 respect
                 of
                 persons
                 ,
                 
                   Rom.
                   2.
                   5.
                   to
                   12.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 will
                 become
                 then
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 ,
                 that
                 break
                 his
                 Laws
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Unless
                 they
                 make
                 their
                 peace
                 by
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 condemned
                 to
                 that
                 eternal
                 Death
                 ,
                 which
                 his
                 Law
                 threatens
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 not
                 God
                 sometimes
                 punish
                 one
                 Man
                 for
                 another's
                 sin
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Children
                 for
                 the
                 Parents
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Parents
                 for
                 the
                 Children
                 ;
                 whereas
                 the
                 rule
                 of
                 Justice
                 is
                 to
                 give
                 every
                 Man
                 his
                 own
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 allotments
                 ,
                 he
                 assures
                 us
                 
                   the
                   righteousness
                   of
                   the
                   righteous
                   shall
                   be
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   wickedness
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   shall
                   be
                   upon
                   him
                   .
                   Behold
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   souls
                   are
                   mine
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   soul
                   of
                   the
                   father
                   ,
                   so
                
                 also
                 
                   the
                   soul
                   of
                   the
                   son
                
                 :
                 and
                 one
                 shall
                 not
                 suffer
                 for
                 another
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   the
                   soul
                   that
                   sinneth
                   ,
                   it
                   shall
                   die
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 18.
                 4
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 if
                 a
                 Father
                 shares
                 in
                 a
                 Child's
                 fault
                 ,
                 by
                 setting
                 an
                 evil
                 example
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 being
                 too
                 indulgent
                 and
                 not
                 seasonably
                 correcting
                 it
                 ;
                 then
                 he
                 shall
                 suffer
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 Eli
                 did
                 :
                 but
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 his
                 Child's
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 sin
                 ,
                 in
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 he
                 concurred
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 a
                 Child
                 follow
                 his
                 Father's
                 sin
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 partake
                 in
                 his
                 punishment
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 implied
                 in
                 Ezekiel
                 ,
                 chap.
                 18.
                 14.
                 but
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 because
                 his
                 Father
                 sinned
                 ,
                 but
                 because
                 he
                 imitated
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 communicate
                 in
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 other
                 Men
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 answer
                 for
                 their
                 guilt
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   every
                   man
                   shall
                   bear
                   his
                   own
                   burden
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 6.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 say
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 punishes
                 a
                 wicked
                 Parent
                 with
                 want
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 infirm
                 body
                 ;
                 doth
                 not
                 that
                 transmit
                 Diseases
                 ,
                 or
                 Poverty
                 to
                 his
                 innocent
                 Posterity
                 ?
                 Or
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 scourges
                 a
                 sinful
                 Nation
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Sword
                 ,
                 Famine
                 ,
                 or
                 Pestilence
                 ;
                 do
                 not
                 those
                 involve
                 the
                 innocent
                 ,
                 in
                 common
                 with
                 the
                 Criminals
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 but
                 these
                 not
                 being
                 directed
                 by
                 Almighty
                 God
                 upon
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 seizing
                 them
                 through
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 second
                 causes
                 ,
                 and
                 course
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 
                 of
                 their
                 joynt
                 Interests
                 and
                 Relations
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 vindictive
                 strokes
                 ,
                 nor
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 punishments
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 their
                 calamities
                 and
                 misfortunes
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 their
                 mixt
                 Interests
                 ,
                 not
                 God's
                 Justice
                 ,
                 which
                 brings
                 these
                 upon
                 their
                 heads
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 Men
                 have
                 forfeited
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 sins
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 otherwise
                 spare
                 ,
                 oft-times
                 moved
                 to
                 exact
                 the
                 forfeiture
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 be
                 afflicted
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 intended
                 to
                 be
                 punished
                 in
                 their
                 misfortunes
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 like
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 a
                 reason
                 ,
                 why
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 says
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Second
                   Commandment
                
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   will
                   punish
                   the
                   sins
                   of
                
                 Idolatrous
                 Fathers
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 particularly
                 called
                 
                   haters
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                   on
                   the
                   Children
                   ,
                
                 he
                 limits
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 
                   third
                   ,
                   and
                   fourth
                   generation
                
                 .
                 For
                 't
                 is
                 very
                 possible
                 the
                 Parents
                 may
                 live
                 so
                 long
                 to
                 see
                 their
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 be
                 punished
                 themselves
                 ,
                 in
                 beholding
                 what
                 their
                 unfortunate
                 Posterities
                 endure
                 for
                 their
                 sakes
                 .
                 But
                 since
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 God
                 only
                 takes
                 just
                 forfeitures
                 ,
                 and
                 withholds
                 undue
                 favours
                 ,
                 and
                 forbearance
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 has
                 great
                 and
                 wise
                 reasons
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 reflexion
                 at
                 all
                 on
                 his
                 Justice
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 Attributes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 misplace
                 punishments
                 ,
                 by
                 punishing
                 one
                 for
                 another's
                 offences
                 .
                 But
                 may
                 he
                 not
                 seem
                 to
                 misproportion
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 punishes
                 momentany
                 sins
                 with
                 eternal
                 torments
                 ?
                 Is
                 that
                 consistent
                 with
                 Rules
                 of
                 Justice
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 whatever
                 punishments
                 are
                 justly
                 proposed
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 justly
                 exacted
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 a
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 wise
                 Law-giver
                 denounces
                 ,
                 a
                 just
                 Judge
                 may
                 execute
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 Men
                 feel
                 the
                 smart
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 can
                 only
                 blame
                 themselves
                 .
                 For
                 why
                 would
                 they
                 deserve
                 it
                 ?
                 The
                 punishment
                 was
                 denounced
                 to
                 the
                 sin
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 had
                 made
                 themselves
                 guilty
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 denunciation
                 was
                 intended
                 to
                 restrain
                 them
                 from
                 committing
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 they
                 would
                 ,
                 by
                 God's
                 help
                 they
                 might
                 have
                 been
                 restrained
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 be
                 their
                 suffering
                 hard
                 ,
                 or
                 their
                 punishment
                 what
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 none
                 to
                 accuse
                 but
                 themselves
                 ,
                 for
                 having
                 voluntarily
                 called
                 it
                 down
                 upon
                 their
                 own
                 heads
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 just
                 ,
                 to
                 propose
                 and
                 denounce
                 such
                 heavy
                 punishments
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 because
                 there
                 is
                 need
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 Mankind
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 restrained
                 by
                 less
                 .
                 For
                 so
                 strong
                 is
                 the
                 sinful
                 byass
                 and
                 inclination
                 of
                 our
                 Natures
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 and
                 great
                 our
                 temptations
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 advantage
                 of
                 sensible
                 and
                 present
                 pleasures
                 above
                 future
                 and
                 unseen
                 recompences
                 ;
                 that
                 Men
                 would
                 never
                 forego
                 the
                 pleasures
                 of
                 their
                 sins
                 on
                 smaller
                 Considerations
                 .
                 Not
                 only
                 the
                 offers
                 of
                 all
                 temptations
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 the
                 reluctancies
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 Natures
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 out-weighed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 great
                 disadvantage
                 of
                 remote
                 and
                 unseen
                 things
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 compensated
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 immensity
                 ,
                 and
                 eternal
                 duration
                 of
                 these
                 punishments
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 less
                 than
                 these
                 ,
                 would
                 not
                 discourage
                 
                 any
                 numbers
                 in
                 our
                 circumstances
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 alas
                 ,
                 how
                 few
                 do
                 these
                 hinder
                 and
                 discourage
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 general
                 wickedness
                 of
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 profess
                 to
                 believe
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 lamentable
                 and
                 abundant
                 evidence
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 between
                 sin
                 and
                 punishment
                 ,
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 usually
                 said
                 ,
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 some
                 proportion
                 .
                 Whereas
                 sins
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 soon
                 at
                 an
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 no
                 end
                 ,
                 bear
                 no
                 proportion
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Since
                 sins
                 and
                 sufferings
                 are
                 no
                 material
                 bodily
                 things
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 capable
                 of
                 being
                 proportioned
                 to
                 each
                 other
                 by
                 weight
                 ,
                 or
                 measure
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 weighed
                 out
                 equally
                 in
                 Scales
                 ,
                 or
                 measured
                 by
                 a
                 Rule
                 and
                 Line
                 ,
                 as
                 Bodies
                 are
                 .
                 Their
                 proportion
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 natural
                 proportion
                 ,
                 on
                 account
                 of
                 intrinsick
                 weight
                 and
                 size
                 ;
                 but
                 a
                 moral
                 proportion
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 ends
                 and
                 uses
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 work
                 on
                 Mens
                 wills
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 their
                 free
                 choice
                 to
                 surmount
                 all
                 impediments
                 ,
                 and
                 out-weigh
                 all
                 temptations
                 to
                 disobedience
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 to
                 proportion
                 punishments
                 to
                 sins
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 equalize
                 them
                 in
                 intrinsick
                 weights
                 and
                 measures
                 ,
                 there
                 being
                 nothing
                 in
                 their
                 Natures
                 ,
                 which
                 can
                 ground
                 such
                 comparisons
                 :
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 proportion
                 punishments
                 to
                 temptations
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 out-weigh
                 them
                 in
                 our
                 choice
                 and
                 free-wills
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 eternal
                 punishments
                 are
                 proportionate
                 to
                 our
                 offences
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ▪
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 than
                 are
                 necessary
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 forego
                 those
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 or
                 advantages
                 ,
                 which
                 recommend
                 
                 them
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 alas
                 !
                 with
                 the
                 greater
                 part
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 do
                 this
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 so
                 bewitched
                 with
                 sins
                 present
                 pleasures
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 will
                 enjoy
                 them
                 ,
                 though
                 for
                 that
                 they
                 fall
                 at
                 last
                 under
                 these
                 eternal
                 torments
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 see
                 by
                 sad
                 experience
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 God
                 is
                 thus
                 exactly
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 equal
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 ways
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 great
                 Blasphemy
                 in
                 any
                 to
                 represent
                 him
                 as
                 tyrannical
                 ,
                 or
                 imperious
                 ,
                 that
                 doth
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 hurt
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 meer
                 will
                 or
                 humour
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 regard
                 to
                 the
                 qualifications
                 of
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 .
                 Thus
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 the
                 Indians
                 thought
                 of
                 the
                 Devils
                 they
                 worshipped
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 all
                 superstitious
                 Persons
                 think
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 seek
                 to
                 appease
                 him
                 by
                 vile
                 flatteries
                 ,
                 slavish
                 tremblings
                 ,
                 and
                 forced
                 submissions
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 suited
                 to
                 such
                 imperious
                 and
                 humoursome
                 tempers
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 is
                 most
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 reasonable
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 ways
                 ,
                 requiring
                 to
                 be
                 served
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 wisest
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 willing
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 recompencing
                 by
                 a
                 most
                 unbiassed
                 and
                 exact
                 sentence
                 .
                 All
                 is
                 highest
                 reason
                 and
                 unblemished
                 Justice
                 ,
                 nothing
                 weak
                 humour
                 or
                 passion
                 ,
                 which
                 this
                 Almighty
                 Prince
                 doth
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 God's
                 punitive
                 Justice
                 then
                 ,
                 is
                 nothing
                 like
                 impotent
                 Men's
                 implacable
                 revenge
                 ,
                 who
                 cannot
                 be
                 at
                 ease
                 till
                 their
                 anger
                 is
                 sated
                 with
                 the
                 smart
                 of
                 their
                 Enemies
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 .
                 He
                 doth
                 not
                 punish
                 to
                 gratifie
                 private
                 passions
                 ,
                 and
                 resentments
                 .
                 
                 When
                 
                   he
                   afflicts
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 
                   not
                   willingly
                
                 ,
                 Lam.
                 3.
                 33.
                 
                 
                   How
                   shall
                   I
                   give
                   thee
                   up
                   ?
                
                 is
                 his
                 compassionate
                 relenting
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 sinner
                 is
                 almost
                 past
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 Hos.
                 11.
                 8.
                 
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 wise
                 ,
                 and
                 publick
                 ends
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 up
                 Government
                 ,
                 to
                 secure
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 discourage
                 Offences
                 .
                 God's
                 Justice
                 is
                 a
                 wise
                 Resolution
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 weak
                 Passion
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 takes
                 pleasure
                 in
                 the
                 pains
                 inflicted
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 well
                 and
                 wisely
                 done
                 ;
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 as
                 angry
                 Men
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 because
                 thereby
                 they
                 have
                 wrecked
                 their
                 spite
                 on
                 those
                 that
                 vexed
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Besides
                 this
                 Justice
                 ,
                 in
                 allotting
                 future
                 recompences
                 ;
                 doth
                 not
                 God
                 also
                 show
                 himself
                 just
                 ,
                 in
                 bestowing
                 present
                 ,
                 and
                 suitable
                 events
                 to
                 actions
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 *
                 Hannah
                 acknowledged
                 ,
                 
                   actions
                   are
                   weighed
                
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 are
                 accomplished
                 ,
                 to
                 bestow
                 events
                 ;
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 after
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 retributions
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 Reason
                 and
                 Justice
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 present
                 Judicature
                 ,
                 God
                 discharges
                 in
                 the
                 Administration
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 .
                 Which
                 must
                 make
                 all
                 Men
                 extreme
                 wary
                 what
                 designs
                 ,
                 or
                 attempts
                 they
                 ingage
                 in
                 ,
                 never
                 despairing
                 of
                 his
                 Blessing
                 in
                 a
                 good
                 way
                 ,
                 nor
                 presuming
                 on
                 it
                 in
                 an
                 ill
                 one
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 shall
                 note
                 afterwards
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 God
                 present
                 in
                 all
                 places
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 actions
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 bad
                 Men
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 will
                 thus
                 justly
                 reward
                 or
                 punish
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   whither
                   shall
                   I
                   flee
                   from
                   thy
                   presence
                   ?
                
                 Psal.
                 139.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   The
                   eyes
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   are
                   in
                   every
                   place
                   ,
                   beholding
                   the
                   evil
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   good
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 15.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   He
                   fills
                   heaven
                   and
                   earth
                
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 
                   no
                   man
                   may
                   hide
                   himself
                   in
                   secret
                   places
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   shall
                   not
                   see
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Jer.
                 23.
                 24.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 will
                 induce
                 us
                 every
                 where
                 to
                 pray
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 ,
                 though
                 unseen
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 every
                 where
                 present
                 to
                 hear
                 our
                 Prayers
                 ;
                 so
                 would
                 it
                 be
                 every
                 where
                 an
                 effectual
                 restraint
                 ,
                 and
                 hinder
                 us
                 from
                 venturing
                 on
                 any
                 evil
                 ,
                 or
                 misbecoming
                 thing
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 Man
                 would
                 presume
                 to
                 do
                 a
                 rude
                 thing
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Sovereign's
                 presence
                 ;
                 or
                 an
                 impertinent
                 and
                 trifling
                 one
                 ,
                 before
                 any
                 wise
                 ,
                 and
                 grave
                 Persons
                 ;
                 or
                 a
                 base
                 and
                 filthy
                 one
                 ,
                 before
                 even
                 a
                 Child
                 ,
                 or
                 Stranger
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 more
                 before
                 those
                 ,
                 whose
                 care
                 't
                 is
                 to
                 rebuke
                 ,
                 and
                 punish
                 such
                 misdoings
                 ?
                 So
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 Places
                 and
                 Companies
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 demean
                 our selves
                 with
                 decency
                 and
                 modesty
                 ,
                 with
                 seriousness
                 and
                 gravity
                 ,
                 with
                 circumspection
                 and
                 care
                 ,
                 purity
                 and
                 integrity
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 bethought
                 our selves
                 that
                 the
                 Great
                 and
                 Holy
                 God
                 stands
                 looking
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 observes
                 all
                 our
                 motions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 will
                 it
                 not
                 also
                 quicken
                 Mens
                 diligence
                 in
                 good
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 active
                 in
                 his
                 Service
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 do
                 so
                 even
                 with
                 eye
                 servants
                 ,
                 who
                 put
                 on
                 a
                 great
                 shew
                 of
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 diligence
                 in
                 their
                 Master's
                 presence
                 .
                 And
                 besides
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 incite
                 Men
                 
                 to
                 a
                 great
                 frequency
                 in
                 devout
                 Ejaculations
                 ,
                 and
                 solemn
                 Addresses
                 to
                 Almighty
                 God
                 :
                 it
                 being
                 most
                 unseemly
                 to
                 stand
                 mute
                 and
                 regardless
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 without
                 suitable
                 expressions
                 of
                 Adoration
                 and
                 Reverence
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 doth
                 this
                 Omnipresent
                 God
                 see
                 even
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 secret
                 thoughts
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   is
                   acquainted
                   with
                   all
                   our
                   ways
                   ,
                   he
                   understands
                   our
                   thoughts
                   afar
                   off
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   is
                   not
                   a
                   word
                   in
                   our
                   tongue
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   knows
                   it
                   altogether
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 139.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 it
                 seems
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 knows
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 done
                 by
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 be
                 incorruptibly
                 just
                 in
                 rewarding
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 punishing
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 bad
                 ,
                 except
                 repentance
                 prevents
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 God's
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 another
                 of
                 his
                 Attributes
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 I
                 mean
                 two
                 things
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 his
                 inviolable
                 performance
                 of
                 his
                 promises
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 his
                 constant
                 adherence
                 to
                 his
                 Friends
                 ,
                 and
                 faithful
                 Servants
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 God
                 has
                 made
                 most
                 Gracious
                 Promises
                 to
                 his
                 Servants
                 ,
                 both
                 for
                 this
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 next
                 .
                 Will
                 he
                 be
                 inviolably
                 Faithful
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 his
                 Word
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 as
                 Man
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 overseen
                 ,
                 and
                 afterwards
                 see
                 his
                 folly
                 ,
                 and
                 repent
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   He
                   is
                   not
                   as
                   man
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   should
                   repent
                   :
                   hath
                   he
                   spoken
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   he
                   not
                   make
                   it
                   good
                   ?
                
                 Num.
                 23.
                 19.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 he
                 Promises
                 ,
                 or
                 makes
                 Gracious
                 Invitations
                 ,
                 or
                 Declarations
                 to
                 sinners
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 *
                 often
                 doth
                 ,
                 doth
                 he
                 deal
                 plainly
                 ,
                 and
                 mean
                 as
                 he
                 says
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 God
                 forbid
                 we
                 should
                 think
                 otherwise
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 is
                 essential
                 ,
                 unmixt
                 Truth
                 ,
                 as
                 incapable
                 of
                 all
                 insincere
                 arts
                 and
                 double
                 dealings
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 of
                 down-right
                 falshoods
                 .
                 He
                 never
                 salves
                 his
                 Sincerity
                 or
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 by
                 secret
                 reserves
                 ,
                 or
                 evasive
                 interpretations
                 ,
                 being
                 absolutely
                 above
                 all
                 need
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 temptation
                 to
                 such
                 unworthy
                 Artifices
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 whatsoever
                 we
                 have
                 reason
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 or
                 expect
                 from
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 is
                 plain
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 be
                 most
                 honestly
                 and
                 punctually
                 made
                 good
                 .
                 Especially
                 ,
                 if
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 †
                 these
                 cases
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 not
                 only
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 his
                 Oath
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 calls
                 
                   two
                   immutable
                   things
                   ,
                   wherein
                   't
                   is
                   impossible
                   for
                   God
                   to
                   lye
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 delude
                 our
                 expectations
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 God
                 calls
                 ,
                 and
                 invites
                 Men
                 ,
                 to
                 accept
                 of
                 his
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 return
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 let
                 not
                 any
                 Person
                 harbour
                 the
                 least
                 thought
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 not
                 in
                 earnest
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 his
                 secret
                 Will
                 doth
                 contradict
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 when
                 he
                 calls
                 for
                 their
                 return
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 desire
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 has
                 set
                 some
                 impregnable
                 Decrees
                 as
                 a
                 bar
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 will
                 substract
                 that
                 aid
                 which
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 impossible
                 for
                 them
                 ever
                 to
                 return
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 These
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 like
                 ,
                 are
                 ungodly
                 and
                 prophane
                 suspicions
                 ,
                 which
                 stain
                 and
                 blemish
                 the
                 spotless
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 absolute
                 sincerity
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 faults
                 and
                 falshoods
                 of
                 wicked
                 and
                 deceitful
                 Men.
                 And
                 where
                 is
                 Mens
                 Reason
                 ,
                 or
                 Reverence
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 question
                 whether
                 God
                 means
                 as
                 he
                 says
                 ;
                 who
                 yet
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 resent
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 great
                 affront
                 ,
                 if
                 ,
                 on
                 their
                 most
                 serious
                 assertions
                 ,
                 any
                 Person
                 shall
                 make
                 the
                 same
                 doubt
                 and
                 question
                 of
                 themselves
                 ?
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 he
                 as
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 good
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 sincere
                 in
                 passing
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   doth
                   whatsoever
                   he
                   pleases
                   ,
                   both
                   in
                   heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   earth
                   ,
                   the
                   sea
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   all
                   deep
                   places
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 135.
                 6.
                 
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 Explication
                 ,
                 and
                 Remarques
                 upon
                 this
                 Attribute
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 reserve
                 them
                 ,
                 till
                 it
                 comes
                 to
                 be
                 considered
                 in
                 its
                 own
                 place
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 God
                 promises
                 ,
                 he
                 oft-times
                 drives
                 long
                 ere
                 he
                 accomplishes
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Though
                 he
                 delays
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 never
                 forgets
                 ,
                 or
                 alters
                 .
                 Neither
                 multitude
                 of
                 affairs
                 ,
                 nor
                 length
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 nor
                 after-thoughts
                 ,
                 can
                 either
                 wear
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 Memory
                 ,
                 or
                 change
                 his
                 Purpose
                 .
                 
                   He
                   will
                   ever
                   be
                   mindful
                   of
                   his
                   covenant
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 111.
                 5.
                 
                 He
                 is
                 
                   the
                   faithful
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   keepeth
                   covenant
                   to
                   a
                   thousand
                   generations
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 7.
                 9.
                 
                   who
                   keepeth
                   truth
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 146.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 being
                 sure
                 of
                 God's
                 Promises
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 well
                 have
                 patience
                 in
                 waiting
                 for
                 them
                 :
                 as
                 Abraham
                 had
                 ,
                 who
                 received
                 not
                 the
                 Child
                 of
                 promise
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 was
                 very
                 old
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 seed
                 after
                 
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 entred
                 not
                 into
                 the
                 
                   promised
                   land
                
                 ,
                 till
                 above
                 *
                 400
                 Years
                 after
                 God
                 had
                 made
                 him
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 ,
                 if
                 in
                 hopes
                 of
                 his
                 promised
                 rewards
                 ,
                 and
                 dread
                 of
                 his
                 just
                 punishments
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 take
                 the
                 pains
                 to
                 be
                 
                   Holy
                   as
                   he
                   is
                   Holy
                
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 him
                 our
                 Friend
                 :
                 is
                 he
                 never
                 inconstant
                 to
                 his
                 Friends
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 we
                 in
                 no
                 danger
                 of
                 losing
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 One
                 thing
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 of
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 live
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 shall
                 do
                 ,
                 to
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 Eternal
                 ,
                 
                   from
                   everlasting
                   to
                   everlasting
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 90.
                 2.
                 and
                 
                   when
                   the
                   heavens
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   earth
                   shall
                   be
                   changed
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   same
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   years
                   shall
                   have
                   no
                   end
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 102.
                 25
                 ,
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 once
                 he
                 loves
                 ,
                 and
                 takes
                 complacence
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 be
                 constant
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 alter
                 his
                 affection
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 continue
                 to
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   same
                   yesterday
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   day
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   evermore
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 8.
                 
                   with
                   him
                   is
                   no
                   variableness
                   ,
                   nor
                
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 
                   shadow
                   of
                   turning
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 1.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 ,
                 if
                 ,
                 after
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 Friends
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 return
                 to
                 live
                 in
                 sin
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Then
                 we
                 should
                 lose
                 his
                 Love.
                 For
                 the
                 constancy
                 of
                 his
                 Affection
                 ,
                 lies
                 not
                 in
                 loving
                 and
                 hating
                 always
                 the
                 same
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 loving
                 and
                 hating
                 always
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 reason
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 an
                 immovable
                 fixedness
                 ,
                 
                 not
                 upon
                 the
                 same
                 Persons
                 ,
                 but
                 upon
                 the
                 same
                 carriage
                 and
                 qualities
                 .
                 For
                 
                   if
                   the
                   wicked
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 hates
                 ,
                 
                   turn
                   from
                   his
                   wickedness
                   ;
                   he
                   shall
                   surely
                   live
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   die
                   .
                
                 And
                 
                   if
                   the
                   righteous
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 loves
                 ,
                 
                   turn
                   from
                   his
                   righteousness
                   ,
                   and
                   doth
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   ways
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   ,
                   all
                   his
                   former
                   righteousness
                   shall
                   be
                   forgotten
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   his
                   sins
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                
                 since
                 
                   committed
                   ,
                   shall
                   he
                   die
                
                 ,
                 Ezek.
                 18.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Another
                 Attribute
                 above-mentioned
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Wisdom
                   of
                   God.
                
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 God's
                 Wisdom
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 His
                 most
                 absolute
                 Understanding
                 ,
                 which
                 clearly
                 sees
                 through
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 knows
                 what
                 means
                 are
                 most
                 proper
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 seasons
                 best
                 to
                 move
                 in
                 ,
                 to
                 bring
                 about
                 every
                 purpose
                 ,
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 one
                 part
                 of
                 God's
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 the
                 justest
                 rate
                 and
                 estimate
                 on
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 clearly
                 apprehending
                 the
                 truth
                 ,
                 but
                 proportionably
                 valuing
                 the
                 worth
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 never
                 magnifying
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 or
                 undervaluing
                 a
                 great
                 and
                 weighty
                 matter
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 fond
                 of
                 worthless
                 things
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 property
                 of
                 the
                 Wise
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 Children
                 and
                 simple
                 Persons
                 ;
                 for
                 such
                 only
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 with
                 Toys
                 ,
                 and
                 Trifles
                 .
                 Little
                 things
                 may
                 greatly
                 delight
                 ,
                 or
                 disturb
                 little
                 Spirits
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 Great
                 and
                 All-wise
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 most
                 Wise
                 and
                 Great
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 resentments
                 ,
                 never
                 setting
                 more
                 by
                 any
                 things
                 ,
                 than
                 is
                 really
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 valuing
                 
                 them
                 without
                 ,
                 or
                 beyond
                 just
                 cause
                 .
                 As
                 all
                 ill
                 things
                 he
                 hates
                 ,
                 so
                 all
                 empty
                 ones
                 he
                 slights
                 :
                 proportioning
                 all
                 his
                 resentments
                 to
                 the
                 true
                 weight
                 and
                 worth
                 of
                 Objects
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 always
                 wise
                 ,
                 and
                 worthy
                 of
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 no
                 Men
                 must
                 ever
                 fancy
                 to
                 gain
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 fear
                 to
                 lose
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 such
                 little
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 trivial
                 indifferencies
                 ,
                 as
                 have
                 little
                 or
                 nothing
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 below
                 the
                 resentment
                 of
                 any
                 intelligent
                 ,
                 and
                 prudent
                 Man.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 a
                 small
                 indifferent
                 matter
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 fit
                 to
                 bear
                 a
                 great
                 resentment
                 ,
                 either
                 on
                 one
                 side
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 frequent
                 Crossings
                 ,
                 or
                 Sprinkling
                 our selves
                 with
                 Holy
                 Water
                 ,
                 or
                 Visiting
                 certain
                 Shrines
                 ,
                 or
                 putting
                 on
                 some
                 Religious
                 Habits
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 empty
                 and
                 uncommanded
                 Ceremonies
                 ,
                 are
                 no
                 more
                 fit
                 to
                 gain
                 the
                 good
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 protection
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 than
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 a
                 Surplice
                 ,
                 a
                 Posture
                 ,
                 a
                 Place
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 unforbidden
                 Ceremony
                 ,
                 are
                 to
                 forfeit
                 and
                 drive
                 them
                 from
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 ;
                 but
                 what
                 doth
                 either
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 must
                 always
                 be
                 things
                 of
                 weight
                 and
                 moment
                 .
                 In
                 particular
                 ,
                 his
                 own
                 Laws
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 all
                 about
                 the
                 most
                 important
                 matters
                 ,
                 contain
                 the
                 things
                 he
                 likes
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 we
                 gain
                 ,
                 and
                 please
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 obedience
                 ;
                 and
                 offend
                 ,
                 and
                 lose
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 disobeying
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 no
                 Men
                 must
                 build
                 on
                 uncommanded
                 abstinencies
                 or
                 severities
                 ,
                 or
                 on
                 any
                 affected
                 singularities
                 ;
                 nor
                 ,
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 must
                 we
                 ever
                 
                 seek
                 the
                 favour
                 ,
                 or
                 shun
                 the
                 displeasure
                 of
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 arbitrary
                 fancies
                 and
                 inventions
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 ,
                 but
                 always
                 according
                 to
                 what
                 is
                 written
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 this
                 All-wise
                 God
                 sees
                 through
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 he
                 perfectly
                 understands
                 our
                 Natures
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 made
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 our
                 faculties
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 thorowly
                 understands
                 them
                 ,
                 seeing
                 clearly
                 into
                 all
                 their
                 turnings
                 and
                 windings
                 ,
                 tempers
                 and
                 inclinations
                 ,
                 what
                 things
                 will
                 incite
                 and
                 draw
                 them
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 again
                 will
                 effectually
                 restrain
                 ,
                 and
                 divert
                 them
                 from
                 any
                 purpose
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 he
                 can
                 tell
                 how
                 far
                 every
                 thing
                 will
                 work
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 foresee
                 the
                 issue
                 and
                 effect
                 of
                 all
                 means
                 and
                 methods
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 what
                 force
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 Persuasion
                 ,
                 Reproof
                 ,
                 Discipline
                 ,
                 Promises
                 ,
                 Threatnings
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 means
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 will
                 have
                 upon
                 Mankind
                 at
                 large
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 upon
                 all
                 particular
                 Men
                 ,
                 of
                 every
                 genius
                 ,
                 interest
                 ,
                 and
                 temptation
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 knew
                 assuredly
                 that
                 
                   Pharaoh
                   would
                   not
                   let
                   the
                   Israelites
                   go
                   ,
                
                 no
                 not
                 
                   for
                   all
                   his
                   plagues
                
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 
                   the
                   elders
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   would
                   hearken
                   to
                   the
                   voice
                   of
                   Moses
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 
                   Tyre
                   ,
                   and
                   Sydon
                   ,
                   would
                   have
                   repented
                   at
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   Christ's
                
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   wonderful
                   works
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 beget
                 in
                 us
                 the
                 greatest
                 Opinion
                 ,
                 and
                 Reverence
                 for
                 all
                 God's
                 Ordinances
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 no
                 Persons
                 must
                 ever
                 ask
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 prophanely
                 do
                 ,
                 what
                 good
                 it
                 doth
                 to
                 go
                 
                 so
                 oft
                 to
                 Prayers
                 ;
                 or
                 say
                 they
                 can
                 benefit
                 as
                 much
                 by
                 reading
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 called
                 upon
                 to
                 go
                 to
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 hear
                 a
                 Sermon
                 ;
                 or
                 slightfully
                 neglect
                 ,
                 or
                 undervalue
                 any
                 other
                 means
                 of
                 God's
                 appointing
                 .
                 Since
                 God
                 has
                 prescribed
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 and
                 Preaching
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Authority
                 of
                 Spiritual
                 Guides
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Unity
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 &c.
                 as
                 perpetual
                 ,
                 and
                 powerful
                 means
                 of
                 Faith
                 and
                 good
                 Life
                 ;
                 who
                 shall
                 dare
                 to
                 accuse
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 of
                 weakness
                 ,
                 or
                 unfitness
                 ;
                 and
                 pretend
                 better
                 to
                 understand
                 their
                 efficacy
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 that
                 understands
                 all
                 things
                 ;
                 or
                 put
                 down
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 up
                 their
                 own
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 by
                 neglecting
                 the
                 old
                 ,
                 and
                 beating
                 out
                 new
                 ways
                 for
                 themselves
                 ?
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 also
                 see
                 the
                 best
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fittest
                 seasons
                 for
                 every
                 purpose
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 so
                 exactly
                 ,
                 as
                 never
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 degree
                 either
                 to
                 precipitate
                 any
                 business
                 ,
                 or
                 stay
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 fittest
                 minute
                 for
                 it
                 has
                 over-passed
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 teach
                 us
                 never
                 to
                 think
                 any
                 Mercies
                 too
                 long
                 delaied
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 Afflictions
                 from
                 his
                 hand
                 too
                 fast
                 hastned
                 .
                 Though
                 in
                 case
                 of
                 good
                 desired
                 ,
                 the
                 present
                 generally
                 seems
                 best
                 to
                 Flesh
                 and
                 Blood
                 ;
                 yet
                 in
                 truth
                 God's
                 own
                 time
                 is
                 always
                 fittest
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 whether
                 any
                 things
                 sent
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 come
                 too
                 soon
                 ,
                 or
                 too
                 slow
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 our
                 wishes
                 ,
                 they
                 come
                 just
                 when
                 they
                 should
                 ,
                 neither
                 too
                 early
                 ,
                 nor
                 too
                 late
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 exactness
                 of
                 season
                 ,
                 and
                 usefulness
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 the
                 Character
                 of
                 the
                 Great
                 God
                 ,
                 be
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 Just
                 ,
                 and
                 True
                 ,
                 and
                 Faithful
                 ,
                 and
                 Good
                 ,
                 and
                 Patient
                 ,
                 &c.
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 shewed
                 ,
                 then
                 no
                 Man
                 ,
                 who
                 considers
                 what
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 can
                 reasonably
                 pretend
                 to
                 love
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 loves
                 not
                 these
                 excellencies
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
                 He
                 can
                 only
                 have
                 a
                 blind
                 love
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 is
                 fond
                 of
                 he
                 knows
                 not
                 what
                 :
                 Or
                 a
                 mistaken
                 love
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 fancies
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 .
                 But
                 he
                 has
                 no
                 intelligent
                 ,
                 rational
                 ▪
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 unless
                 he
                 love
                 those
                 excellencies
                 ,
                 that
                 make
                 up
                 the
                 Godhead
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 Men
                 would
                 worthily
                 love
                 these
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 seek
                 to
                 attain
                 ,
                 and
                 transcribe
                 them
                 out
                 in
                 themselves
                 too
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 At
                 this
                 rate
                 no
                 ungodly
                 evil
                 Man
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 an
                 enemy
                 of
                 these
                 Divine
                 Tempers
                 ,
                 can
                 love
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 they
                 may
                 love
                 some
                 things
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 taken
                 asunder
                 :
                 as
                 his
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 move
                 their
                 admiration
                 ;
                 or
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 employs
                 it
                 for
                 them
                 ;
                 or
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 feel
                 its
                 bountiful
                 effects
                 .
                 But
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 seriously
                 consider
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 love
                 the
                 Godhead
                 ,
                 where
                 all
                 these
                 properties
                 are
                 put
                 together
                 .
                 For
                 therein
                 is
                 an
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 irreconcileable
                 to
                 their
                 sins
                 ;
                 and
                 a
                 Justice
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 inexorable
                 in
                 punishing
                 them
                 ;
                 a
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 execute
                 Threatnings
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 fulfil
                 Promises
                 ;
                 and
                 an
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 employed
                 in
                 Eternally
                 tormenting
                 
                 those
                 that
                 offend
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 Eternally
                 rewarding
                 all
                 that
                 truly
                 serve
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 a
                 God
                 of
                 this
                 Character
                 ,
                 is
                 all
                 terrour
                 unto
                 them
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 considerately
                 view
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 soon
                 see
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 keep
                 them
                 from
                 being
                 truly
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 ,
                 or
                 desirous
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 No
                 Man
                 can
                 freely
                 ,
                 and
                 intelligently
                 be
                 in
                 love
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 or
                 desires
                 to
                 be
                 like
                 him
                 :
                 and
                 accordingly
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   love
                   of
                   God
                
                 doth
                 ordinarily
                 include
                 
                   Obedience
                   to
                   him
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 these
                 excellencies
                 make
                 up
                 God's
                 Character
                 ,
                 then
                 when
                 any
                 Persons
                 by
                 his
                 Grace
                 have
                 once
                 attained
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 like
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   partakers
                   of
                   the
                   Divine
                   Nature
                
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   Image
                
                 consists
                 in
                 
                   righteousness
                   ,
                   and
                   true
                   holiness
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 24.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 whosoever
                 are
                 endowed
                 with
                 these
                 ,
                 are
                 truly
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 Godlike
                 Persons
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   II.
                
                 Of
                 God's
                 Providence
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     God
                     preserves
                     all
                     things
                     he
                     hath
                     made
                     .
                     And
                     governs
                     them
                     .
                     He
                     observes
                     all
                     our
                     actions
                     .
                     And
                     all
                     our
                     temptations
                     .
                     He
                     disposes
                     of
                     all
                     good
                     events
                     .
                     For
                     he
                     gives
                     the
                     fruits
                     of
                     the
                     Earth
                     .
                     And
                     Children
                     .
                     And
                     success
                     in
                     business
                     .
                     How
                     this
                     should
                     influence
                     us
                     in
                     any
                     enterprize
                     ,
                     shown
                     in
                     sundry
                     particulars
                     .
                     He
                     gives
                     promotion
                     .
                     And
                     the
                     favour
                     of
                     Men.
                     And
                     life
                     and
                     health
                     to
                     enjoy
                     all
                     other
                     Blessings
                     .
                     And
                     all
                     Spiritual
                     Mercies
                     .
                     He
                     disposes
                     also
                     of
                     ill
                     events
                     .
                     As
                     death
                     of
                     Friends
                     .
                     Unfortunate
                     accidents
                     ,
                     that
                     afflict
                     us
                     in
                     our
                     Bodies
                     ,
                     or
                     Goods
                     .
                     Crosses
                     ,
                     and
                     obstructions
                     ,
                     in
                     our
                     designs
                     and
                     business
                     .
                     Sufferings
                     from
                     ill
                     Men.
                     How
                     God
                     stints
                     ,
                     and
                     governs
                     these
                     .
                     No
                     excuse
                     of
                     their
                     unjust
                     violence
                     ,
                     to
                     say
                  
                   
                   
                     they
                     are
                     God's
                     Instruments
                     ,
                     and
                     follow
                     Providence
                     .
                     He
                     sends
                     also
                     miscarriages
                     of
                     State
                     ,
                     and
                     Government
                     :
                     and
                     presides
                     in
                     the
                     most
                     tumultuary
                     ,
                     and
                     distressed
                     times
                     .
                     In
                     these
                     ,
                     still
                     have
                     .
                     Faith
                     in
                     Providence
                     .
                     But
                     God
                     must
                     not
                     be
                     called
                     the
                     Author
                     ,
                     or
                     sender
                     of
                     those
                     evils
                     ,
                     which
                     we
                     bring
                     down
                     upon
                     our selves
                     ,
                     by
                     our
                     own
                     faults
                     ,
                     or
                     follies
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Question
                 .
                 YOU
                 have
                 already
                 showed
                 what
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 believe
                 of
                 the
                 Being
                 ,
                 and
                 Attributes
                 of
                 God.
                 But
                 another
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 known
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 you
                 said
                 ,
                 is
                 his
                 Providence
                 .
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 that
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 His
                 Preserving
                 ,
                 and
                 Governing
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 things
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 preserve
                 all
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 their
                 Beings
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 their
                 Powers
                 and
                 Perfections
                 .
                 
                   He
                   preserveth
                   man
                   ,
                   and
                   beast
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 36
                 ▪
                 6.
                 
                 
                   He
                   gives
                   to
                   all
                   their
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   breath
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   things
                   :
                   for
                   in
                   him
                   we
                   live
                   ,
                   move
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   our
                   being
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 17.
                 25
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 In
                 particular
                 ,
                 he
                 preserves
                 Men
                 in
                 their
                 Persons
                 ,
                 and
                 Faculties
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 no
                 Man
                 loses
                 ,
                 either
                 his
                 Memory
                 ,
                 or
                 Understanding
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 Senses
                 ▪
                 or
                 any
                 other
                 bodily
                 Powers
                 and
                 Perfections
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 when
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 God
                 orders
                 ,
                 or
                 permits
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 teach
                 all
                 Persons
                 ,
                 under
                 any
                 apprehension
                 of
                 diminution
                 ,
                 or
                 loss
                 of
                 their
                 Senses
                 ,
                 or
                 Intellectuals
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 Powers
                 and
                 Perfections
                 ,
                 
                 not
                 to
                 distract
                 and
                 afflict
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 by
                 fearing
                 and
                 fancying
                 the
                 worst
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 that
                 gave
                 these
                 Powers
                 ,
                 is
                 still
                 the
                 continuer
                 and
                 preserver
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 't
                 is
                 very
                 hard
                 if
                 he
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 trusted
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 Let
                 us
                 commit
                 them
                 cheerfully
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 either
                 continue
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 supply
                 the
                 defect
                 ,
                 and
                 repair
                 the
                 detriment
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 come
                 by
                 their
                 loss
                 ,
                 or
                 diminution
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 it
                 not
                 teach
                 us
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 prospects
                 of
                 dangerous
                 ,
                 or
                 tormenting
                 distempers
                 too
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 preserver
                 of
                 our
                 health
                 ,
                 and
                 strength
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 other
                 faculties
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 any
                 Persons
                 are
                 entring
                 under
                 any
                 bodily
                 Pains
                 ,
                 or
                 Diseases
                 ,
                 let
                 them
                 endeavour
                 to
                 bear
                 the
                 present
                 burden
                 with
                 patience
                 .
                 But
                 not
                 make
                 it
                 heavier
                 ,
                 by
                 painful
                 anticipations
                 of
                 futurities
                 ;
                 fancying
                 what
                 they
                 shall
                 do
                 ,
                 if
                 their
                 Distemper
                 grows
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 extremities
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 if
                 some
                 other
                 cross
                 Distemper
                 ,
                 should
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 incapacitate
                 ,
                 and
                 deprive
                 them
                 of
                 those
                 helps
                 ,
                 which
                 yield
                 them
                 their
                 greatest
                 ease
                 and
                 support
                 under
                 this
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 if
                 their
                 Pain
                 and
                 Sickness
                 be
                 prolonged
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 distance
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 outlast
                 both
                 their
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 patience
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 God
                 is
                 their
                 preserver
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 timing
                 ,
                 and
                 stinting
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 in
                 his
                 hands
                 ?
                 And
                 will
                 not
                 he
                 order
                 all
                 ,
                 in
                 compassionate
                 proportion
                 to
                 our
                 strength
                 and
                 necessities
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 supplies
                 of
                 his
                 
                 own
                 Grace
                 ?
                 Besides
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 great
                 folly
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 distrust
                 ,
                 to
                 anticipate
                 distant
                 maladies
                 ,
                 by
                 precipitate
                 fears
                 ,
                 and
                 tormenting
                 fancies
                 .
                 When
                 all
                 the
                 while
                 ,
                 God's
                 Providence
                 may
                 prove
                 as
                 kind
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 melancholy
                 imagination
                 is
                 cruel
                 ,
                 and
                 preserve
                 all
                 that
                 by
                 a
                 tender
                 care
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 throw
                 away
                 in
                 an
                 over-hasty
                 fear
                 ,
                 by
                 fancying
                 to
                 our selves
                 very
                 dreadful
                 futurities
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 he
                 never
                 intends
                 to
                 try
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 also
                 govern
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Wherein
                 is
                 that
                 shown
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 In
                 two
                 things
                 .
                 First
                 ,
                 In
                 observing
                 all
                 actions
                 .
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 In
                 ordering
                 ,
                 and
                 disposing
                 all
                 events
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 observe
                 all
                 our
                 actions
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   the
                   eyes
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   are
                   in
                   every
                   place
                   ,
                   beholding
                   both
                   the
                   evil
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   good
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 15.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 should
                 ingage
                 us
                 in
                 every
                 thing
                 to
                 keep
                 Innocency
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 clear
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 stands
                 always
                 looking
                 on
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 how
                 we
                 acquit
                 our selves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 belief
                 of
                 this
                 present
                 Providence
                 ,
                 in
                 observing
                 all
                 actions
                 ,
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 all
                 expectation
                 of
                 future
                 recompences
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 here
                 God
                 takes
                 no
                 cognizance
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 afterwards
                 make
                 no
                 retributions
                 ,
                 not
                 knowing
                 what
                 Men
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 reward
                 ,
                 or
                 punish
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 to
                 Religion
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 to
                 deny
                 the
                 Being
                 of
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 deny
                 his
                 Providence
                 ;
                 and
                 Epicureans
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 respect
                 ,
                 are
                 as
                 bad
                 as
                 Atheists
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 As
                 God
                 is
                 most
                 watchful
                 in
                 observing
                 all
                 our
                 actions
                 ,
                 is
                 he
                 not
                 equally
                 so
                 ,
                 in
                 marking
                 all
                 our
                 trials
                 and
                 temptations
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 not
                 only
                 sees
                 ,
                 but
                 sends
                 ,
                 and
                 sets
                 bounds
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 proportions
                 answerable
                 succours
                 ,
                 to
                 prevent
                 their
                 prevailing
                 over
                 us
                 .
                 
                   God
                   is
                   faithful
                   ,
                   who
                   will
                   not
                   suffer
                   us
                   to
                   be
                   tempted
                   above
                   what
                   we
                   are
                   able
                   ,
                   but
                   will
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   temptation
                   ,
                   make
                   a
                   way
                   to
                   escape
                
                 what
                 is
                 over-hard
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   bear
                
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 10.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 whensoever
                 we
                 fall
                 under
                 any
                 great
                 trials
                 ,
                 or
                 fear
                 them
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 neither
                 trust
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 strength
                 without
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 despair
                 of
                 conquering
                 them
                 by
                 his
                 help
                 .
                 But
                 seeking
                 to
                 him
                 with
                 earnest
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 watching
                 against
                 the
                 temptation
                 with
                 much
                 heedfulness
                 ,
                 have
                 Faith
                 in
                 his
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Providence
                 ,
                 assuredly
                 believing
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 either
                 put
                 by
                 and
                 break
                 its
                 strength
                 ,
                 or
                 increase
                 ours
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 doth
                 God
                 order
                 ,
                 and
                 dispose
                 of
                 all
                 events
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 even
                 those
                 that
                 befal
                 the
                 meanest
                 Creatures
                 .
                 For
                 
                   not
                   a
                   Sparrow
                   falls
                   to
                   the
                   ground
                   ,
                   without
                   our
                   heavenly
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 10.
                 29.
                 
                 But
                 especially
                 those
                 ,
                 which
                 befal
                 Men
                 ,
                 for
                 whom
                 his
                 care
                 extends
                 to
                 things
                 so
                 minute
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   even
                   the
                   hairs
                   of
                   their
                
                 
                 
                   head
                   are
                   all
                   numbred
                
                 ,
                 verse
                 30.
                 
                 He
                 sends
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 evil
                 ,
                 that
                 happens
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 meet
                 him
                 at
                 all
                 turns
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 discern
                 his
                 Hand
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 happens
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 order
                 for
                 us
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 events
                 we
                 meet
                 with
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 both
                 all
                 those
                 ,
                 which
                 come
                 upon
                 us
                 by
                 accident
                 ;
                 for
                 though
                 they
                 are
                 accidents
                 ,
                 and
                 unexpected
                 things
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 Providences
                 and
                 designed
                 favours
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 likewise
                 all
                 which
                 come
                 by
                 our
                 own
                 care
                 and
                 pains
                 ,
                 since
                 when
                 we
                 labour
                 and
                 contrive
                 for
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 his
                 Blessing
                 that
                 gives
                 success
                 to
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Both
                 to
                 be
                 thankful
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 every
                 good
                 thing
                 ,
                 whilst
                 we
                 have
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 live
                 upon
                 Providence
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 want
                 them
                 ;
                 considering
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 has
                 the
                 Gift
                 and
                 Donation
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 need
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 has
                 taken
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 bestow
                 them
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 fit
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 This
                 dependance
                 upon
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 living
                 upon
                 Providence
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 constant
                 Character
                 of
                 Religious
                 Men
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Scriptures
                   .
                   Abraham
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Isaac
                 ,
                 and
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 and
                 Joseph
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 Holy
                 Men
                 in
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 always
                 attributed
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 they
                 injoyed
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 trusted
                 in
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 supply
                 of
                 all
                 they
                 wanted
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Life
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 confidence
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 great
                 mark
                 of
                 their
                 Religion
                 .
                 
                   The
                   just
                   shall
                   live
                
                 or
                 be
                 sustained
                 
                   by
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 God's
                 
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 kindness
                 ,
                 and
                 especial
                 promises
                 ,
                 Habak
                 .
                 2.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 gives
                 us
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Fruits
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   plentiful
                   Seasons
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   visiteth
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   and
                   watereth
                   it
                   ,
                   he
                   maketh
                   it
                   soft
                   with
                   showres
                   ,
                   and
                   blesseth
                   the
                   springing
                   thereof
                   .
                   He
                   crowns
                   the
                   year
                   with
                   his
                   goodness
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   paths
                   drop
                   fatness
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 65.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 
                   He
                   causeth
                   the
                   grass
                   to
                   gr●w
                   for
                   the
                   cattel
                   ,
                   and
                   herb
                   for
                   the
                   service
                   of
                   man
                   :
                   that
                   he
                   may
                   bring
                   forth
                   food
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   and
                   wine
                   that
                   maketh
                   glad
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   man
                   ,
                   and
                   oyl
                   to
                   make
                   him
                   a
                   cheerful
                   countenance
                   ,
                   and
                   bread
                   to
                   strengthen
                   man's
                   heart
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 104.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Before
                 the
                 Fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Earth
                 are
                 grown
                 up
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 make
                 us
                 Till
                 the
                 Ground
                 ,
                 and
                 Plow
                 in
                 hope
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 a
                 Blessing
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 hard
                 Seed-time
                 ,
                 or
                 discouraging
                 Season
                 ,
                 or
                 under
                 any
                 seemingly
                 approaching
                 scarcity
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 quiet
                 the
                 Husbandman's
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 ,
                 with
                 trust
                 in
                 God's
                 Providence
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 open
                 his
                 Hand
                 ,
                 and
                 push
                 on
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 kept
                 back
                 when
                 he
                 pleases
                 ,
                 and
                 proportion
                 his
                 supplies
                 to
                 our
                 necessities
                 .
                 
                   The
                   eyes
                   of
                   all
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ,
                 must
                 
                   wait
                   upon
                   God
                   ,
                   for
                   he
                   gives
                   them
                   their
                   meat
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 
                   in
                   due
                   season
                   .
                   He
                   opens
                   his
                   hand
                   ,
                   and
                   satisfieth
                   the
                   desire
                   of
                   every
                   living
                   thing
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 145.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 what
                 must
                 it
                 teach
                 us
                 ,
                 after
                 we
                 have
                 reaped
                 them
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 With
                 cheerful
                 ,
                 and
                 thankful
                 hearts
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Priest
                 his
                 just
                 due
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 another
                 of
                 God's
                 receivers
                 ,
                 his
                 portion
                 .
                 Which
                 is
                 most
                 necessary
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 express
                 our
                 thanks
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 sent
                 us
                 all
                 these
                 Fruits
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 increase
                 our
                 own
                 store
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 down
                 God's
                 Blessing
                 upon
                 our
                 Fields
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 multiply
                 the
                 Seed
                 sown
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 in
                 more
                 .
                 This
                 ,
                 Solomon
                 says
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 giving
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Poor
                   .
                   There
                   is
                   that
                   scattereth
                   ,
                   and
                   yet
                   increaseth
                   :
                   the
                   liberal
                   soul
                   shall
                   be
                   made
                   fat
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   watereth
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   watered
                   also
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 11.
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 increase
                 we
                 may
                 hope
                 to
                 reap
                 from
                 paying
                 the
                 Priest
                 all
                 his
                 just
                 dues
                 also
                 .
                 
                   Honour
                   the
                   Lord
                   with
                   thy
                   substance
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   the
                   first-fruits
                   of
                   all
                   thine
                   increase
                   :
                   so
                   shall
                   thy
                   barns
                   be
                   filled
                   with
                   plenty
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   presses
                   shall
                   burst
                   out
                   with
                   new
                   wine
                   :
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 give
                 thee
                 for
                 this
                 ,
                 both
                 a
                 plentiful
                 Harvest
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 rich
                 Vintage
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 3.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 if
                 God's
                 Blessing
                 maketh
                 Rich
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 obvious
                 to
                 infer
                 ,
                 that
                 being
                 just
                 to
                 the
                 Priest
                 ,
                 and
                 charitable
                 to
                 the
                 Poor
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 both
                 under
                 God's
                 especial
                 care
                 ,
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 gain
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 is
                 the
                 truest
                 way
                 of
                 thriving
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 thinks
                 Providence
                 gives
                 the
                 increase
                 ,
                 will
                 readily
                 believe
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 who
                 tries
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 wanting
                 to
                 it
                 on
                 other
                 accounts
                 ,
                 will
                 experimentally
                 find
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 diminish
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 to
                 increase
                 an
                 estate
                 .
                 This
                 ,
                 
                   Azariah
                   the
                   chief
                   Priest
                
                 told
                 
                   King
                   Hezekiah
                
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 that
                 surplusage
                 of
                 plenty
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 2
                 Chron.
                 31.
                 
                 The
                 King
                 had
                 
                   commanded
                   all
                   the
                   people
                
                 ,
                 to
                 pay
                 justly
                 all
                 their
                 Tythes
                 and
                 Offerings
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 been
                 fraudulently
                 withheld
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   the
                   Priests
                   and
                   Levites
                
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 
                   incouragement
                   in
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   :
                
                 beginning
                 the
                 Practice
                 with
                 his
                 own
                 example
                 ,
                 paying
                 all
                 his
                 dues
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 verse
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 
                   And
                   as
                   soon
                   as
                   this
                   commandment
                   came
                   abroad
                   ,
                   the
                   people
                   brought
                
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 Tythes
                 and
                 Oblations
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 fell
                 due
                 
                   in
                   abundance
                   ,
                   the
                   first-fruits
                   of
                   corn
                   ,
                   of
                   wine
                   ,
                   and
                   oyl
                   ,
                   and
                   hony
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   increase
                   of
                   the
                   field
                   ,
                   the
                   tythe
                   of
                   oxen
                   ,
                   and
                   sheep
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   tythe
                   of
                   holy
                   things
                   which
                   were
                   consecrated
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   their
                   God
                   ,
                   the
                   tythe
                   of
                   all
                   things
                   brought
                   they
                   in
                   abundantly
                   ,
                   and
                   laid
                   them
                   heaps
                   by
                   heaps
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 
                   And
                   when
                   Hezekiah
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Princes
                   ,
                   came
                   and
                   saw
                   the
                   heaps
                   ,
                
                 and
                 thereby
                 understood
                 the
                 vast
                 increase
                 the
                 People
                 had
                 received
                 ,
                 which
                 yielded
                 such
                 abundance
                 of
                 Dues
                 to
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   blessed
                   God
                
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   asked
                   Azariah
                
                 concerning
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 this
                 mighty
                 surplusage
                 ,
                 verse
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 
                   And
                   Azariah
                   the
                   chief
                   Priest
                   answered
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   said
                   ,
                   Since
                   the
                   people
                   began
                   to
                   bring
                   the
                   offerings
                   into
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   had
                   enough
                   to
                   eat
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   left
                   plenty
                   :
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   blessed
                   his
                   people
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   left
                   ,
                   is
                   this
                   great
                   store
                   .
                
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 since
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 Fruits
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 faithfully
                 paid
                 their
                 Dues
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 he
                 has
                 so
                 increased
                 their
                 store
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 share
                 comes
                 to
                 so
                 much
                 we
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 to
                 dispose
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 have
                 left
                 all
                 these
                 heaps
                 thou
                 seest
                 ,
                 after
                 we
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Families
                 ,
                 have
                 eaten
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 verse
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 it
                 teaches
                 us
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 Duty
                 ,
                 and
                 prudence
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 willingly
                 ,
                 and
                 cheerfully
                 ,
                 the
                 Poors
                 Dole
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Priests
                 Dues
                 :
                 but
                 doth
                 it
                 not
                 also
                 teach
                 us
                 how
                 to
                 injoy
                 ,
                 and
                 spend
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 which
                 remains
                 to
                 our selves
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 coming
                 from
                 the
                 free
                 Bounty
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 injoy
                 it
                 with
                 a
                 thankful
                 and
                 cheerful
                 heart
                 ,
                 not
                 with
                 murmuring
                 ,
                 envy
                 ,
                 or
                 discontent
                 ,
                 like
                 Men
                 that
                 are
                 proner
                 to
                 spy
                 faults
                 than
                 to
                 own
                 favours
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 never
                 pleased
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 since
                 it
                 is
                 God's
                 gift
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 take
                 care
                 that
                 God
                 be
                 honoured
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 dishonour
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 abuse
                 our selves
                 ,
                 by
                 spending
                 it
                 upon
                 vice
                 ,
                 or
                 vanity
                 ,
                 but
                 own
                 his
                 Gift
                 in
                 a
                 temperate
                 ,
                 and
                 sober
                 use
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 I
                 add
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 charitable
                 use
                 too
                 .
                 For
                 these
                 Fruits
                 God
                 gives
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 Proprietors
                 ,
                 but
                 *
                 Stewards
                 ,
                 to
                 distribute
                 abroad
                 to
                 the
                 necessities
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 after
                 we
                 have
                 served
                 our selves
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 not
                 only
                 temperance
                 and
                 thankful
                 hearts
                 ,
                 but
                 Alms
                 and
                 Charity
                 also
                 ,
                 are
                 necessary
                 to
                 hallow
                 our
                 enjoyments
                 .
                 
                   Give
                   alms
                   of
                   such
                   things
                   ,
                   as
                   you
                   have
                   ,
                   and
                   behold
                   all
                   things
                   are
                   clean
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 11.
                 41.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 God
                 also
                 that
                 gives
                 us
                 Children
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   Children
                   ,
                   or
                   the
                   Fruit
                   of
                   the
                   Womb
                   ,
                   are
                   a
                   reward
                   ,
                   and
                   heritage
                   ,
                   that
                   cometh
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   :
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 he
                 disposes
                 of
                 them
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 pleases
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Parent
                 doth
                 of
                 his
                 Estate
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 127.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 must
                 rest
                 satisfied
                 whilst
                 we
                 have
                 none
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 God
                 that
                 withholds
                 them
                 :
                 so
                 must
                 we
                 trust
                 in
                 God
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 believing
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 since
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 saith
                 ,
                 *
                 
                   the
                   life
                   is
                   more
                   than
                   meat
                   ,
                
                 he
                 that
                 sent
                 Mouths
                 will
                 send
                 Meat
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 at
                 first
                 his
                 Gift
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 still
                 his
                 Care
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 ,
                 who
                 provides
                 for
                 the
                 Ravens
                 ,
                 will
                 much
                 more
                 provide
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 Luke
                 12.
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 the
                 same
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 makes
                 us
                 
                   thrive
                   in
                   our
                   Trades
                
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 a
                 
                   prosperous
                   success
                
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 any
                 business
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   horse
                   is
                   provided
                   against
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Battel
                   ,
                   but
                   safety
                   is
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 21.
                 31.
                 
                 Though
                 
                   a
                   man's
                   heart
                   deviseth
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Men
                 hammer
                 out
                 a
                 project
                 ,
                 yet
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   directeth
                   his
                   steps
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 God
                 determines
                 the
                 event
                 ,
                 and
                 orders
                 such
                 an
                 issue
                 ,
                 as
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 he
                 never
                 intended
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 9.
                 
                 Men
                 may
                 contrive
                 ,
                 and
                 pursue
                 methods
                 ;
                 but
                 God
                 still
                 must
                 give
                 events
                 .
                 
                   The
                   way
                   of
                   man
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   himself
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   not
                   in
                   man
                   that
                   walks
                   to
                   direct
                   his
                   own
                   steps
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 fix
                 and
                 determine
                 them
                 on
                 any
                 final
                 issues
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 10.
                 23.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 not
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 ,
                 whensoever
                 we
                 begin
                 any
                 business
                 ,
                 or
                 set
                 upon
                 any
                 attempts
                 ,
                 to
                 recommend
                 them
                 first
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 Prayers
                 or
                 Pious
                 Ejaculations
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 place
                 our
                 chiefest
                 confidence
                 in
                 his
                 Blessing
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   In
                   all
                   thy
                   ways
                   acknowledge
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   direct
                   thy
                   paths
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 3.
                 6.
                 
                   commit
                   thy
                   works
                   unto
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   thoughts
                   shall
                   be
                   established
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 shall
                 take
                 effect
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 I
                 think
                 there
                 is
                 little
                 question
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 Men
                 miscarry
                 far
                 oftner
                 ,
                 than
                 otherwise
                 they
                 would
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 designs
                 and
                 business
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 trust
                 too
                 much
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 skill
                 ,
                 and
                 human
                 aids
                 ,
                 and
                 seek
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 ingage
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 his
                 good
                 Providence
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 Men
                 seek
                 thus
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 even
                 in
                 things
                 wherein
                 they
                 are
                 best
                 skilled
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 confident
                 they
                 take
                 the
                 surest
                 methods
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 surest
                 means
                 without
                 a
                 good
                 Providence
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 secure
                 the
                 issues
                 .
                 
                   The
                   race
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Solomon
                 observed
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   not
                   always
                   to
                   the
                   swift
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   battel
                   to
                   the
                   strong
                   ,
                   nor
                   favour
                   to
                   men
                   of
                   skill
                   ,
                
                 Eccles.
                 9.
                 11.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 when
                 Men
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 wisest
                 courses
                 ,
                 or
                 most
                 probable
                 preparations
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 need
                 still
                 to
                 look
                 up
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 must
                 consummate
                 all
                 by
                 his
                 assistance
                 .
                 
                   Trust
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   with
                   all
                   thine
                   heart
                   ,
                   and
                   lean
                   not
                   to
                   thine
                   own
                   understanding
                   .
                   In
                   all
                   thy
                   ways
                   acknowledge
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   direct
                   thy
                   paths
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 3.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 
                 There
                 is
                 very
                 much
                 indeed
                 ,
                 lies
                 in
                 wise
                 management
                 ,
                 
                   every
                   purpose
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Solomon
                 says
                 ,
                 being
                 
                   established
                   by
                   counsel
                
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 20.
                 18.
                 
                 But
                 when
                 wise
                 managers
                 shew
                 a
                 Religious
                 dependance
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 in
                 God
                 too
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 assure
                 the
                 event
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   handles
                   a
                   matter
                   wisely
                   ,
                   shall
                   find
                   good
                   :
                
                 but
                 if
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 that
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   trust
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 more
                 than
                 his
                 own
                 skill
                 ,
                 
                   happy
                   is
                   he
                
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 event
                 depends
                 thus
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 till
                 we
                 see
                 what
                 way
                 he
                 will
                 take
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 be
                 sure
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 must
                 not
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 positive
                 ,
                 but
                 modest
                 in
                 these
                 expectations
                 ,
                 and
                 promise
                 the
                 desired
                 issue
                 to
                 our selves
                 ,
                 still
                 with
                 this
                 reserve
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 sees
                 it
                 fit
                 for
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   man's
                   goings
                   are
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   how
                   can
                   a
                   man
                   then
                   understand
                   his
                   own
                   way
                   ?
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 foresee
                 the
                 event
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 since
                 God
                 oftentimes
                 over-rules
                 their
                 motions
                 ,
                 to
                 ends
                 far
                 distant
                 from
                 their
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 20.
                 24.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 will
                 keep
                 us
                 from
                 being
                 too
                 confident
                 of
                 gaining
                 any
                 good
                 things
                 ,
                 will
                 preserve
                 us
                 also
                 from
                 desponding
                 under
                 the
                 apparent
                 danger
                 of
                 any
                 bad
                 ones
                 :
                 since
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 nearest
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 God
                 can
                 turn
                 them
                 off
                 by
                 a
                 thousand
                 ways
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 make
                 them
                 serve
                 as
                 means
                 to
                 accomplish
                 our
                 advantage
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 he
                 is
                 to
                 give
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 actions
                 ,
                 may
                 we
                 not
                 safely
                 trust
                 him
                 with
                 that
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 what
                 we
                 ought
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 though
                 thereby
                 we
                 foresee
                 danger
                 of
                 displeasing
                 others
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 prejudicing
                 our
                 worldly
                 interests
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 careful
                 to
                 do
                 our
                 duty
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 our
                 part
                 :
                 and
                 trust
                 him
                 with
                 events
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 is
                 his
                 .
                 God
                 oft
                 surprizes
                 us
                 with
                 issues
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 a
                 Man
                 cannot
                 foresee
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 way
                 ,
                 which
                 frequently
                 will
                 be
                 better
                 than
                 he
                 expects
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 perillous
                 and
                 threatning
                 times
                 ,
                 should
                 teach
                 all
                 Men
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 thoughtful
                 ,
                 and
                 concerned
                 for
                 the
                 exact
                 doing
                 of
                 their
                 duty
                 ,
                 than
                 for
                 escaping
                 the
                 cross
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 accompany
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 then
                 they
                 can
                 be
                 so
                 happy
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 consider
                 wisely
                 ,
                 and
                 perform
                 what
                 they
                 ought
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 leave
                 Providence
                 to
                 give
                 it
                 a
                 good
                 effect
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 care
                 they
                 be
                 no
                 losers
                 by
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 since
                 we
                 can
                 bring
                 no
                 business
                 about
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 God's
                 Blessing
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 never
                 to
                 seek
                 to
                 gain
                 our
                 end
                 by
                 any
                 sin
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 offend
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 move
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 bless
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 blast
                 our
                 design
                 .
                 If
                 we
                 hope
                 to
                 succede
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 observed
                 from
                 
                   Solomon
                   ,
                   we
                   must
                   commit
                   our
                   work
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 only
                 in
                 well-doing
                 :
                 
                   we
                   must
                   acknowledge
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 not
                 seek
                 help
                 from
                 any
                 sin
                 ,
                 since
                 that
                 were
                 to
                 renounce
                 him
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   thine
                   eyes
                   look
                   straight
                   on
                   ,
                
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 aim
                 only
                 at
                 just
                 ends
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   ponder
                   the
                   way
                   of
                   thy
                   feet
                   ,
                
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 take
                 none
                 but
                 lawful
                 methods
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 
                   thy
                   paths
                   shall
                   be
                   established
                
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 4.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 you
                 will
                 say
                 of
                 driving
                 Trade
                 ,
                 by
                 false
                 Weights
                 and
                 Measures
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 belying
                 Wares
                 ,
                 or
                 setting
                 exacting
                 Prices
                 ,
                 or
                 otherwise
                 using
                 indirect
                 Arts
                 ,
                 or
                 deceitful
                 Speeches
                 and
                 Pretences
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 these
                 in
                 God's
                 Eyes
                 are
                 an
                 abomination
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 can
                 never
                 bring
                 down
                 ,
                 but
                 may
                 well
                 stop
                 a
                 Blessing
                 .
                 Which
                 every
                 Man
                 ought
                 seriously
                 to
                 consider
                 ,
                 who
                 believes
                 a
                 good
                 Trade
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 God's
                 sending
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 have
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 effect
                 of
                 our
                 pains
                 ,
                 and
                 projects
                 ,
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 have
                 it
                 at
                 his
                 time
                 .
                 And
                 ought
                 we
                 not
                 to
                 think
                 his
                 the
                 best
                 Season
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 sees
                 what
                 opportunities
                 are
                 fittest
                 ,
                 and
                 brings
                 about
                 a
                 good
                 event
                 with
                 most
                 advantage
                 ,
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 wait
                 his
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 him
                 with
                 it
                 :
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 to
                 Joseph
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   rule
                   over
                   his
                   brethren
                
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 David
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   possession
                   of
                   the
                   kingdom
                   .
                   I
                   the
                   Lord
                   will
                   hasten
                   it
                   in
                   its
                   time
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 60.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   He
                   will
                   arise
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   mercy
                   upon
                   Sion
                   ,
                   when
                   the
                   time
                   of
                   favour
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   the
                   set
                   time
                   is
                   come
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 102.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 teach
                 all
                 Men
                 ,
                 in
                 any
                 hopes
                 ,
                 or
                 pursuits
                 of
                 good
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 hasty
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 indirect
                 or
                 evil
                 ways
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 matter
                 out
                 of
                 God's
                 hand
                 ,
                 but
                 patiently
                 to
                 wait
                 his
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 stay
                 till
                 he
                 sees
                 fit
                 to
                 fulfil
                 their
                 expectation
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   believeth
                   ,
                   will
                   not
                   make
                   haste
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 28.
                 16.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 Providence
                 is
                 slow
                 in
                 bringing
                 longing
                 desires
                 to
                 pass
                 ,
                 and
                 lays
                 fair
                 opportunities
                 in
                 their
                 way
                 ,
                 may
                 not
                 Men
                 turn
                 aside
                 a
                 little
                 to
                 anticipate
                 ,
                 and
                 prevent
                 God's
                 orderings
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 matter
                 out
                 of
                 God's
                 hand
                 ,
                 where
                 it
                 must
                 needs
                 succeed
                 to
                 best
                 advantage
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 endanger
                 ,
                 both
                 the
                 loss
                 of
                 God's
                 favour
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 concurrent
                 Mercies
                 depending
                 on
                 those
                 methods
                 ,
                 whereby
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 time
                 he
                 has
                 determined
                 to
                 promote
                 ,
                 or
                 save
                 us
                 .
                 Joseph
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 
                   keeper
                   of
                   the
                   prison
                
                 had
                 *
                 put
                 the
                 keys
                 into
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 might
                 very
                 probably
                 have
                 made
                 his
                 own
                 escape
                 .
                 But
                 had
                 he
                 impatiently
                 catched
                 at
                 that
                 opportunity
                 before
                 God's
                 time
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 preferred
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 when
                 God
                 delivered
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 his
                 Father
                 Jacob
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 hastily
                 †
                 snatch
                 the
                 
                   promised
                   birth-right
                
                 by
                 a
                 falshood
                 ,
                 underwent
                 therefore
                 great
                 hazards
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 long
                 banishment
                 ;
                 all
                 which
                 would
                 probably
                 have
                 been
                 saved
                 ,
                 had
                 he
                 patiently
                 stayed
                 ,
                 till
                 God's
                 Wisdom
                 had
                 found
                 a
                 way
                 for
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 God
                 must
                 thus
                 give
                 success
                 to
                 all
                 means
                 ,
                 then
                 no
                 design
                 can
                 take
                 effect
                 ,
                 though
                 never
                 so
                 wisely
                 laid
                 ,
                 or
                 powerfully
                 backed
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 crosses
                 the
                 designs
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 neither
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 managed
                 by
                 the
                 deepest
                 Counsel
                 and
                 Advice
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   nor
                   counsel
                   ,
                   nor
                   understanding
                   against
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 21.
                 30.
                 
                 Nor
                 such
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 are
                 pushed
                 on
                 by
                 the
                 most
                 violent
                 ,
                 and
                 *
                 powerful
                 force
                 .
                 For
                 though
                 
                   the
                   horse
                   is
                   provided
                   against
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   battel
                   ,
                   yet
                   safety
                   is
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 31.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 let
                 Men
                 always
                 take
                 care
                 wisely
                 to
                 fix
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 hopes
                 on
                 such
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 reason
                 to
                 believe
                 God
                 will
                 support
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 be
                 confident
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 though
                 to
                 try
                 their
                 Faith
                 and
                 Patience
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 suffer
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 endangered
                 ,
                 or
                 distressed
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 suffered
                 Joseph
                 to
                 be
                 imprisoned
                 ,
                 and
                 David
                 to
                 be
                 persecuted
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 the
                 *
                 Revelations
                 to
                 be
                 obscured
                 
                 and
                 driven
                 from
                 places
                 of
                 habitation
                 and
                 resort
                 
                   into
                   the
                   wilderness
                
                 ,
                 yet
                 at
                 last
                 he
                 will
                 visibly
                 stand
                 by
                 the
                 things
                 he
                 doth
                 espouse
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 prove
                 too
                 hard
                 for
                 the
                 most
                 Politick
                 ,
                 or
                 Puissant
                 adversaries
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 no
                 work
                 can
                 take
                 effect
                 without
                 God
                 ,
                 then
                 no
                 work
                 of
                 our
                 Enemies
                 .
                 And
                 may
                 not
                 this
                 comfort
                 us
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 whilst
                 he
                 designs
                 well
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 no
                 contrivance
                 ,
                 or
                 power
                 ,
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 or
                 Devils
                 ,
                 can
                 harm
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 It
                 may
                 most
                 justly
                 .
                 As
                 it
                 did
                 holy
                 David
                 ,
                 who
                 when
                 his
                 Enemies
                 
                   devised
                   to
                   take
                   away
                   his
                   life
                   ,
                
                 made
                 this
                 his
                 support
                 ,
                 that
                 whatever
                 they
                 contrived
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   times
                   were
                   in
                   God's
                   hand
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 31.
                 13
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 This
                 ,
                 says
                 
                   Isaiah
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   heritage
                   of
                   God's
                   servants
                   ,
                   no
                   weapon
                   shall
                   prosper
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   formed
                   against
                   them
                   ;
                   and
                   every
                   tongue
                   ,
                   that
                   shall
                   implead
                   them
                   in
                   judgment
                   ,
                   shall
                   they
                   condemn
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 54.
                 17.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 no
                 craft
                 ,
                 or
                 cruelty
                 can
                 destroy
                 ,
                 whilst
                 God
                 is
                 minded
                 to
                 preserve
                 us
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 we
                 must
                 acknowledge
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 Donor
                 of
                 success
                 to
                 every
                 work
                 ,
                 or
                 design
                 :
                 but
                 is
                 it
                 he
                 also
                 that
                 gives
                 promotion
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   both
                   riches
                   ,
                   and
                   honour
                   come
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                   in
                   his
                   hand
                   is
                   power
                   and
                   might
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   him
                   it
                   is
                   to
                   make
                   great
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   give
                   strength
                   to
                   all
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Chron.
                 29.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   Promotion
                   cometh
                   neither
                   from
                   the
                   east
                   ,
                   nor
                   from
                   the
                   west
                   ,
                   nor
                   from
                   the
                   south
                   .
                   But
                   God
                   is
                   the
                   judge
                   ;
                   he
                   puts
                   down
                   one
                   ,
                   and
                   setteth
                   up
                   another
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 75.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 no
                 Man
                 must
                 ever
                 seek
                 to
                 exalt
                 himself
                 by
                 any
                 sinful
                 ,
                 or
                 indirect
                 means
                 ,
                 as
                 vile
                 flatteries
                 ,
                 and
                 sinful
                 compliances
                 ,
                 and
                 serving
                 wicked
                 turns
                 ,
                 and
                 undermining
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 promotion
                 is
                 not
                 wholly
                 in
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 sinful
                 Man
                 ,
                 but
                 depends
                 on
                 the
                 over-ruling
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 these
                 certainly
                 are
                 not
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 make
                 an
                 interest
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 a
                 Man
                 is
                 a
                 rising
                 then
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 safe
                 to
                 step
                 aside
                 ,
                 or
                 take
                 up
                 the
                 least
                 sin
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 seem
                 to
                 lie
                 in
                 the
                 ready
                 way
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 fortune
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 when
                 all
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 prudent
                 integrity
                 is
                 the
                 best
                 counseller
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 surest
                 way
                 to
                 maintain
                 a
                 present
                 station
                 ,
                 or
                 advance
                 higher
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 good
                 support
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 a
                 kind
                 Providence
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 make
                 amends
                 ,
                 when
                 thereby
                 we
                 miss
                 of
                 either
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   walketh
                   uprightly
                   ,
                   walketh
                   surely
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 10.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   The
                   integrity
                   of
                   the
                   upright
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   guide
                   ,
                   and
                   direct
                   them
                   :
                
                 yea
                 ,
                 in
                 any
                 dangers
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   shall
                   deliver
                
                 
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 by
                 wicked
                 craft
                 ,
                 and
                 ungodly
                 policy
                 ,
                 Men
                 shall
                 chuse
                 to
                 do
                 ill
                 to
                 serve
                 a
                 turn
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   perverseness
                   of
                
                 such
                 
                   transgressors
                   shall
                   destroy
                   them
                
                 :
                 And
                 instead
                 of
                 being
                 saved
                 ,
                 or
                 advanced
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   shall
                   fall
                   by
                   their
                   own
                   wickedness
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   taken
                   in
                   their
                   own
                   naughtiness
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 11.
                 3.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 Whilst
                 
                   righteousness
                   keeps
                   him
                   that
                   is
                   upright
                   in
                   the
                   way
                   ,
                
                 by
                 God's
                 usual
                 and
                 just
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 
                   wickedness
                   overthrows
                   the
                   sinner
                
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 13.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 God
                 gives
                 promotion
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 this
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 all
                 Men
                 contented
                 and
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 rest
                 in
                 a
                 lower
                 state
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 others
                 exalted
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 because
                 their
                 lower
                 state
                 is
                 what
                 God
                 allots
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 easily
                 exalt
                 them
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 sees
                 it
                 convenient
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 good
                 ,
                 against
                 which
                 ,
                 no
                 wise
                 Person
                 would
                 desire
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 highest
                 duty
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 truest
                 interest
                 of
                 all
                 Men
                 ,
                 to
                 let
                 God
                 chuse
                 for
                 them
                 every
                 estate
                 ;
                 because
                 he
                 alone
                 knows
                 perfectly
                 all
                 the
                 troubles
                 and
                 temptations
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 fitness
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 He
                 understands
                 us
                 all
                 far
                 better
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 wisest
                 of
                 us
                 understand
                 our selves
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 best
                 sees
                 what
                 condition
                 is
                 proper
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 give
                 us
                 less
                 here
                 ,
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 Judgment
                 will
                 make
                 up
                 all
                 the
                 seemingly
                 unequal
                 distributions
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 hope
                 for
                 the
                 more
                 hereafter
                 .
                 Lazarus
                 ,
                 though
                 a
                 very
                 good
                 Man
                 ,
                 was
                 
                   extreme
                   poor
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   full
                   of
                   sores
                
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 
                   received
                   his
                   evil
                   things
                
                 .
                 But
                 his
                 
                 more
                 than
                 ordinary
                 wants
                 in
                 
                   this
                   present
                   life
                
                 ,
                 were
                 abundantly
                 made
                 up
                 by
                 the
                 surplusage
                 of
                 bliss
                 in
                 
                   Abraham's
                   bosom
                
                 ,
                 Luke
                 16.
                 20
                 ,
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 Persons
                 of
                 equal
                 goodness
                 ,
                 have
                 not
                 equal
                 encouragements
                 of
                 Providence
                 allotted
                 them
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 the
                 more
                 in
                 reversion
                 ,
                 and
                 greater
                 things
                 to
                 expect
                 afterwards
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 also
                 give
                 all
                 that
                 favour
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 in
                 the
                 Eyes
                 of
                 Men
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   gave
                   Joseph
                   favour
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   the
                   keeper
                   of
                   the
                   prison
                   ,
                
                 Gen.
                 39.
                 21.
                 and
                 
                   gave
                   him
                   favour
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   Pharaoh
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 7.
                 10.
                 and
                 
                   Israel
                   favour
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   the
                   Egyptians
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 3.
                 21.
                 and
                 
                   Daniel
                   favour
                   ,
                   and
                   tender
                   love
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   prince
                   of
                   the
                   Eunuchs
                   ,
                
                 Dan.
                 1.
                 9.
                 
                 The
                 skill
                 ,
                 and
                 goodness
                 ,
                 of
                 some
                 excellent
                 and
                 useful
                 Persons
                 ,
                 may
                 deserve
                 to
                 be
                 favoured
                 :
                 but
                 
                   favour
                   is
                   not
                   always
                   to
                   men
                   of
                   skill
                   ,
                
                 but
                 only
                 where
                 God
                 bends
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 bestows
                 it
                 ,
                 Eccles.
                 9.
                 11.
                 
                 All
                 the
                 favour
                 ,
                 which
                 any
                 Men
                 shew
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 good
                 God's
                 ,
                 who
                 conveys
                 it
                 to
                 us
                 through
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 hands
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 them
                 for
                 any
                 favours
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 God
                 that
                 helps
                 us
                 to
                 address
                 with
                 moving
                 Speech
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 clear
                 and
                 persuasive
                 Reason
                 ,
                 and
                 Arguments
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 inclines
                 them
                 too
                 to
                 hearken
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 return
                 us
                 soft
                 ,
                 and
                 gracious
                 Answers
                 .
                 As
                 
                   the
                   preparation
                   of
                   the
                   heart
                
                 ,
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 pleads
                 and
                 craves
                 favour
                 ;
                 so
                 
                   the
                   answer
                   of
                   the
                   tongue
                
                 ,
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 grants
                 
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   is
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 suits
                 ,
                 and
                 dependances
                 on
                 Men
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 first
                 seek
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 place
                 our
                 trust
                 in
                 God.
                 For
                 if
                 our
                 suit
                 please
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 help
                 us
                 so
                 to
                 deliver
                 our
                 requests
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 prefer
                 them
                 at
                 such
                 times
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 receive
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 pleased
                 with
                 them
                 too
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 will
                 they
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 do
                 this
                 ,
                 though
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 they
                 are
                 solicited
                 ,
                 and
                 inclined
                 very
                 different
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 in
                 their
                 Eye
                 and
                 Intention
                 many
                 other
                 projects
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 oppose
                 ,
                 and
                 justle
                 out
                 ours
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 when
                 
                   there
                   are
                   many
                   devices
                   in
                   a
                   man's
                   heart
                   ,
                   nevertheless
                   the
                   counsel
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 or
                 that
                 device
                 among
                 them
                 all
                 which
                 God
                 espouses
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   shall
                   stand
                
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 19.
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 in
                 any
                 matters
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 loves
                 and
                 espouses
                 ,
                 let
                 no
                 good
                 Men
                 despond
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 instability
                 and
                 unsettledness
                 ,
                 or
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 number
                 ,
                 interest
                 ,
                 or
                 oppositeness
                 of
                 other
                 Counsels
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 is
                 exercised
                 ,
                 who
                 has
                 the
                 disposal
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 can
                 quickly
                 alter
                 his
                 measures
                 ,
                 and
                 turn
                 his
                 deliberations
                 as
                 he
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 fix
                 the
                 determination
                 where
                 he
                 pleases
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 cannot
                 have
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 gift
                 and
                 blessing
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 never
                 to
                 commit
                 any
                 sin
                 to
                 please
                 Men
                 ,
                 nor
                 do
                 the
                 least
                 offence
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 in
                 hopes
                 thereby
                 to
                 ingratiate
                 our selves
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 gain
                 their
                 favour
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 keep
                 and
                 retain
                 it
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 teach
                 us
                 this
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 we
                 fall
                 out
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 quickly
                 spoil
                 our
                 credit
                 ,
                 and
                 favour
                 with
                 Men
                 too
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 keep
                 favour
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 holding
                 punctually
                 to
                 well-doing
                 ,
                 he
                 rules
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 all
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 either
                 preserve
                 us
                 in
                 their
                 favour
                 ,
                 or
                 protect
                 us
                 from
                 their
                 displeasure
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 likelihood
                 ,
                 he
                 both
                 can
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 continue
                 to
                 us
                 our
                 old
                 Friends
                 ,
                 who
                 must
                 needs
                 secretly
                 approve
                 our
                 upright
                 dealings
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 comply
                 not
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 private
                 ends
                 ;
                 but
                 also
                 add
                 more
                 .
                 For
                 
                   when
                   a
                   man's
                   ways
                   please
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   he
                   maketh
                   even
                   his
                   enemies
                   to
                   be
                   at
                   peace
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 7.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 Men
                 must
                 never
                 neglect
                 their
                 own
                 duty
                 ,
                 or
                 commit
                 any
                 sin
                 ,
                 to
                 please
                 great
                 Persons
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 keep
                 peace
                 with
                 their
                 violent
                 ,
                 or
                 malicious
                 Neighbours
                 .
                 Let
                 them
                 adhere
                 strictly
                 to
                 their
                 duty
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 secure
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 and
                 then
                 his
                 Providence
                 will
                 add
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 sees
                 that
                 will
                 do
                 them
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 make
                 their
                 lives
                 competently
                 happy
                 ,
                 and
                 comfortable
                 without
                 it
                 ;
                 or
                 however
                 ,
                 make
                 good
                 the
                 want
                 thereof
                 to
                 them
                 abundantly
                 in
                 another
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 't
                 is
                 Providence
                 that
                 gives
                 us
                 Children
                 ,
                 to
                 recompence
                 our
                 cares
                 ,
                 and
                 perpetuate
                 our
                 memories
                 ,
                 and
                 success
                 to
                 our
                 honest
                 labours
                 ,
                 and
                 wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 honour
                 ,
                 and
                 favour
                 :
                 and
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 still
                 ,
                 that
                 gives
                 us
                 both
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 health
                 to
                 injoy
                 them
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   in
                   him
                   we
                   live
                   ,
                   move
                   ,
                   and
                   have
                   our
                   being
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 17.
                 28.
                 
                 When
                 
                   he
                   hides
                   his
                   face
                   ,
                   all
                   things
                   are
                   troubled
                   :
                   he
                   takes
                   away
                   their
                   breath
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   die
                   ,
                   and
                   are
                   turned
                   to
                   their
                   dust
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 104.
                 29.
                 
                 And
                 for
                 this
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 only
                 thankfully
                 to
                 own
                 his
                 gift
                 ,
                 but
                 since
                 we
                 every
                 minute
                 live
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 ought
                 by
                 all
                 means
                 continually
                 to
                 live
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 lay
                 out
                 our
                 health
                 ,
                 and
                 strength
                 ,
                 in
                 vice
                 ,
                 or
                 vanities
                 .
                 For
                 whensoever
                 these
                 are
                 shamefully
                 mis-spent
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 but
                 for
                 him
                 to
                 hold
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 sickness
                 ,
                 pains
                 ,
                 or
                 death
                 the
                 next
                 moment
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 God
                 is
                 thus
                 the
                 giver
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 restorer
                 of
                 health
                 ,
                 then
                 ,
                 when
                 Men
                 are
                 in
                 sickness
                 ,
                 fervent
                 Prayer
                 is
                 one
                 step
                 to
                 a
                 cure
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 they
                 send
                 for
                 a
                 Physician
                 ,
                 and
                 follow
                 his
                 prescriptions
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 look
                 up
                 to
                 God
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 he
                 will
                 work
                 their
                 recovery
                 ,
                 by
                 what
                 the
                 other
                 orders
                 for
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 depend
                 on
                 him
                 as
                 the
                 chief
                 Physician
                 .
                 Men
                 must
                 not
                 presume
                 God
                 will
                 work
                 without
                 means
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 to
                 put
                 him
                 to
                 work
                 Miracles
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 used
                 the
                 likeliest
                 means
                 ,
                 and
                 taken
                 the
                 best
                 ways
                 they
                 can
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 perfect
                 all
                 by
                 Prayer
                 and
                 dependance
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 hoping
                 he
                 will
                 give
                 a
                 Blessing
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 Prayer
                 of
                 the
                 Minister
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 prescription
                 of
                 the
                 Doctor
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 proper
                 means
                 to
                 recover
                 an
                 infirm
                 ,
                 or
                 sick
                 Person
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 S.
                 James
                 directs
                 
                 any
                 that
                 are
                 sick
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   send
                   for
                   the
                   elders
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   pray
                   over
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 5.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 From
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 plain
                 that
                 God's
                 providence
                 allots
                 for
                 us
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 things
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 .
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 he
                 too
                 ,
                 that
                 orders
                 for
                 us
                 all
                 Spiritual
                 advantages
                 ;
                 not
                 only
                 virtuous
                 endowments
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 all
                 outward
                 means
                 and
                 opportunities
                 of
                 Virtue
                 and
                 Religion
                 ,
                 which
                 must
                 fit
                 us
                 for
                 a
                 better
                 life
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 most
                 certainly
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 must
                 thankfully
                 injoy
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 the
                 best
                 use
                 we
                 can
                 of
                 those
                 means
                 ,
                 and
                 opportunities
                 God
                 has
                 given
                 us
                 :
                 so
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 meaner
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 are
                 of
                 his
                 ordering
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 keep
                 his
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 no
                 evil
                 thing
                 ,
                 particularly
                 not
                 break
                 the
                 Order
                 and
                 Unity
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 to
                 find
                 better
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 giver
                 of
                 every
                 good
                 thing
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 must
                 own
                 all
                 that
                 comes
                 well
                 to
                 us
                 any
                 way
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 Gift
                 and
                 Blessing
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 both
                 when
                 we
                 receive
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 often
                 as
                 we
                 speak
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 We
                 should
                 not
                 forget
                 to
                 thank
                 God
                 on
                 all
                 good
                 occurrences
                 ,
                 though
                 coming
                 to
                 us
                 from
                 seeming
                 accidents
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 our
                 Neighbours
                 .
                 Nor
                 should
                 we
                 forget
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 on
                 all
                 relations
                 of
                 them
                 unto
                 others
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 speaking
                 of
                 any
                 Blessings
                 ,
                 or
                 comfortable
                 Enjoyments
                 ,
                 think
                 a
                 serious
                 
                   God
                   be
                   thanked
                
                 ,
                 most
                 seemly
                 and
                 savory
                 in
                 all
                 Pious
                 Persons
                 mouths
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 as
                 God's
                 Providence
                 orders
                 for
                 us
                 all
                 good
                 events
                 ,
                 doth
                 he
                 likewise
                 order
                 for
                 us
                 all
                 evil
                 ones
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 whether
                 those
                 that
                 come
                 upon
                 us
                 by
                 accident
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 ill
                 Men
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 either
                 private
                 to
                 our selves
                 ,
                 or
                 publick
                 and
                 common
                 to
                 the
                 whole
                 Church
                 or
                 Nation
                 .
                 
                   Out
                   of
                   the
                   mouth
                   of
                   the
                   most
                   high
                   ,
                   proceedeth
                   not
                   evil
                   ,
                   and
                   good
                   ?
                
                 Lam.
                 3.
                 38.
                 
                 And
                 
                   shall
                   there
                   be
                   evil
                   in
                   a
                   city
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   not
                   done
                   it
                   ?
                
                 Amos
                 3.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 our
                 Friends
                 die
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 through
                 Providence
                 ,
                 and
                 doth
                 God
                 take
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 albeit
                 they
                 are
                 snatched
                 away
                 untimely
                 by
                 evil
                 accidents
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 though
                 casual
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 are
                 foreseen
                 and
                 ordered
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 In
                 his
                 hand
                 are
                 life
                 and
                 death
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 whensoever
                 our
                 Friends
                 die
                 ,
                 he
                 calls
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 teach
                 us
                 patiently
                 to
                 bear
                 their
                 loss
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 moreover
                 ,
                 to
                 trust
                 him
                 to
                 make
                 up
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 them
                 some
                 other
                 ways
                 ,
                 though
                 their
                 life
                 seemed
                 not
                 only
                 very
                 useful
                 ,
                 but
                 almost
                 necessary
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 For
                 let
                 our
                 Friends
                 be
                 as
                 useful
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 will
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 only
                 his
                 instruments
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 gives
                 them
                 ,
                 both
                 the
                 inclination
                 ,
                 the
                 skill
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 opportunity
                 to
                 help
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 supplied
                 us
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 can
                 supply
                 us
                 without
                 them
                 :
                 he
                 can
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 pleases
                 ,
                 raise
                 up
                 others
                 ,
                 or
                 put
                 us
                 into
                 a
                 way
                 and
                 capacity
                 to
                 provide
                 for
                 our selves
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 no
                 Person
                 can
                 be
                 Friendless
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 rich
                 in
                 Friends
                 ,
                 who
                 has
                 a
                 
                 Friend
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 under
                 a
                 good
                 Providence
                 .
                 And
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 surest
                 ways
                 to
                 make
                 him
                 a
                 Friend
                 ,
                 when
                 others
                 are
                 gone
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 trust
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 is
                 satisfactory
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 loss
                 ,
                 but
                 oh
                 !
                 the
                 misfortune
                 of
                 the
                 time
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 were
                 taken
                 away
                 just
                 then
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 promised
                 our selves
                 most
                 pleasure
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 made
                 us
                 most
                 desirous
                 to
                 keep
                 ,
                 and
                 loth
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 If
                 we
                 believe
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 most
                 Wise
                 God
                 took
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 modesty
                 we
                 should
                 believe
                 too
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 knows
                 what
                 are
                 the
                 most
                 convenient
                 ,
                 and
                 fittest
                 Seasons
                 ,
                 for
                 Friends
                 to
                 part
                 in
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 when
                 God
                 takes
                 a
                 Friend
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 submit
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 doth
                 it
                 not
                 shew
                 he
                 is
                 angry
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 tears
                 a
                 Friend
                 from
                 our
                 sides
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 only
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 pleased
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 take
                 them
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 judge
                 he
                 hates
                 us
                 ,
                 for
                 loving
                 those
                 that
                 we
                 love
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 we
                 suffer
                 by
                 mischances
                 ,
                 or
                 ill
                 accidents
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 or
                 Goods
                 ,
                 are
                 those
                 sufferings
                 from
                 Providence
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 it
                 not
                 only
                 foresees
                 ,
                 but
                 times
                 the
                 evils
                 to
                 be
                 ready
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 orders
                 ,
                 and
                 directs
                 them
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 If
                 
                   the
                   lot
                
                 fall
                 against
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 
                   cast
                   into
                   the
                   lap
                   ,
                   the
                   whole
                   disposal
                   thereof
                   is
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 33.
                 
                 If
                 a
                 Man
                 is
                 accidentally
                 
                 maimed
                 ,
                 or
                 murdered
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 chance-medly
                 and
                 accident
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 hurt
                 ,
                 or
                 slew
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 design
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Scripture
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 
                   delivered
                   the
                   man
                   into
                   his
                   hand
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 21.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 teach
                 Men
                 in
                 all
                 unlucky
                 chances
                 ,
                 and
                 unfortunate
                 accidents
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 vent
                 themselves
                 in
                 wrath
                 and
                 foolish
                 passion
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 immediate
                 occasions
                 ,
                 whether
                 inanimate
                 things
                 that
                 could
                 not
                 ,
                 or
                 undesigning
                 Persons
                 that
                 did
                 not
                 intend
                 any
                 ill
                 to
                 them
                 :
                 but
                 to
                 look
                 up
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 humility
                 and
                 patience
                 under
                 what
                 they
                 feel
                 ,
                 and
                 thankfulness
                 for
                 all
                 they
                 have
                 escaped
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 him
                 only
                 the
                 evil
                 accident
                 was
                 design
                 ;
                 and
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 justly
                 can
                 ,
                 or
                 dare
                 complain
                 ?
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 is
                 well
                 as
                 to
                 unfortunate
                 accidents
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 our
                 hopes
                 or
                 happiness
                 are
                 damped
                 ,
                 or
                 our
                 maladies
                 made
                 worse
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 irremediable
                 ,
                 by
                 gross
                 heedlesness
                 ,
                 or
                 unkindness
                 and
                 hard-heartedness
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 exasperating
                 faultiness
                 or
                 over-sights
                 ,
                 of
                 our
                 seeming
                 Friends
                 ,
                 or
                 Servants
                 ,
                 or
                 others
                 that
                 are
                 concerned
                 about
                 us
                 ?
                 'T
                 is
                 easier
                 to
                 bear
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 made
                 miserable
                 by
                 God's
                 Providence
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 grates
                 hard
                 when
                 their
                 faultiness
                 makes
                 us
                 so
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 we
                 might
                 well
                 expect
                 better
                 things
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Though
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 actors
                 ,
                 God's
                 Providence
                 is
                 the
                 orderer
                 of
                 these
                 misfortunes
                 :
                 which
                 therefore
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 undergone
                 with
                 the
                 same
                 patience
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 a
                 
                 good
                 Wife
                 or
                 Husband
                 ,
                 so
                 a
                 wise
                 and
                 good
                 Servant
                 ,
                 or
                 Friend
                 ,
                 is
                 God's
                 gift
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 God
                 chastises
                 and
                 smites
                 us
                 ,
                 by
                 such
                 as
                 are
                 exasperatingly
                 unkind
                 ,
                 or
                 mischievously
                 careless
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 own
                 his
                 Justice
                 in
                 their
                 neglects
                 ,
                 and
                 submit
                 to
                 them
                 as
                 we
                 do
                 to
                 a
                 Disease
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 reckon
                 them
                 among
                 that
                 burden
                 ,
                 or
                 share
                 of
                 suffering
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 has
                 allotted
                 for
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 Providence
                 still
                 ,
                 that
                 sends
                 us
                 any
                 crosses
                 ,
                 and
                 obstructions
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 designs
                 and
                 business
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 those
                 crosses
                 come
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 exercise
                 our
                 Faith
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 approves
                 of
                 our
                 pursuits
                 ;
                 or
                 to
                 disappoint
                 and
                 put
                 us
                 by
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 dislikes
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 teach
                 us
                 patience
                 ,
                 as
                 often
                 as
                 we
                 meet
                 with
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 'T
                 is
                 enough
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 to
                 stop
                 all
                 complaints
                 ,
                 that
                 any
                 thing
                 is
                 of
                 his
                 doing
                 .
                 But
                 can
                 you
                 say
                 moreover
                 ,
                 that
                 these
                 crosses
                 are
                 for
                 ends
                 both
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 those
                 that
                 love
                 him
                 .
                 If
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 defeat
                 their
                 projects
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 see
                 at
                 last
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 favour
                 to
                 them
                 :
                 or
                 if
                 only
                 to
                 backen
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 respite
                 them
                 for
                 a
                 more
                 advantageous
                 issue
                 at
                 a
                 fitter
                 season
                 ;
                 nay
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 these
                 seeming
                 backners
                 ,
                 will
                 at
                 last
                 appear
                 the
                 truest
                 promoters
                 to
                 help
                 them
                 on
                 .
                 If
                 Men
                 will
                 have
                 patience
                 till
                 all
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 their
                 crosses
                 and
                 misadventures
                 will
                 appear
                 most
                 orderly
                 ,
                 proper
                 ,
                 and
                 beautiful
                 in
                 their
                 time
                 ,
                 
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 seen
                 on
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 chain
                 ,
                 and
                 viewed
                 the
                 whole
                 frame
                 and
                 dependance
                 of
                 God's
                 ordering
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 upon
                 any
                 cross
                 occurrences
                 ,
                 Men
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 hasty
                 in
                 judging
                 ,
                 to
                 discourage
                 and
                 discontent
                 their
                 hearts
                 :
                 but
                 wait
                 God's
                 time
                 with
                 Patience
                 ,
                 Hope
                 ,
                 and
                 implicite
                 Faith
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 things
                 discovers
                 his
                 most
                 Wise
                 ,
                 and
                 Gracious
                 Purpose
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 in
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 our
                 hopes
                 ,
                 and
                 probabilities
                 ,
                 some
                 cross
                 accident
                 starts
                 up
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 break
                 all
                 our
                 measures
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 If
                 God
                 sees
                 good
                 to
                 make
                 our
                 hopes
                 take
                 place
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 make
                 our
                 crosses
                 carry
                 on
                 our
                 desires
                 to
                 advantage
                 .
                 For
                 't
                 is
                 his
                 Prerogative
                 to
                 
                   bring
                   light
                   out
                   of
                   darkness
                
                 ;
                 to
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 
                   weak
                   things
                   to
                   worst
                   the
                   strong
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   foolish
                   things
                   to
                   confound
                   the
                   wise
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 27.
                 
                 And
                 he
                 has
                 declared
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   all
                   things
                   shall
                   work
                   together
                   for
                   good
                   ,
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   love
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 28.
                 
                 But
                 then
                 they
                 must
                 commit
                 their
                 case
                 to
                 his
                 conduct
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 him
                 with
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 the
                 evil
                 accident
                 happens
                 at
                 that
                 very
                 time
                 ,
                 which
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 seems
                 most
                 unseasonable
                 ,
                 and
                 fit
                 to
                 pull
                 down
                 all
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 long
                 a
                 building
                 up
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Though
                 it
                 doth
                 ,
                 to
                 God
                 the
                 easiness
                 of
                 accomplishing
                 his
                 Gracious
                 Purposes
                 ,
                 is
                 still
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 It
                 only
                 gets
                 him
                 the
                 greater
                 Glory
                 ,
                 in
                 making
                 the
                 crossest
                 events
                 serve
                 such
                 turns
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 beside
                 all
                 
                 expectation
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 chuses
                 to
                 work
                 by
                 such
                 improbable
                 means
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 his
                 overruling
                 Wisdom
                 .
                 What
                 ,
                 in
                 appearance
                 ,
                 could
                 be
                 worse
                 timed
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 dissension
                 of
                 Paul
                 and
                 Barnabas
                 ,
                 two
                 chief
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 in
                 an
                 Infant-Church
                 .
                 Yet
                 this
                 God
                 turned
                 to
                 the
                 furtherance
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 by
                 dividing
                 them
                 ,
                 like
                 two
                 great
                 Streams
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 watering
                 of
                 more
                 Countries
                 ;
                 
                   Paul
                   going
                   through
                   Syria
                   and
                   Cilicia
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   Barnabas
                   to
                   Cyprus
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 15.
                 39
                 ,
                 40
                 ,
                 41.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 we
                 must
                 never
                 be
                 immoderately
                 troubled
                 ,
                 or
                 dejected
                 ,
                 at
                 private
                 ,
                 or
                 publick
                 mischances
                 ,
                 falling
                 out
                 most
                 unseasonably
                 to
                 cross
                 our
                 hopes
                 ,
                 either
                 for
                 our
                 particular
                 Interests
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 God's
                 Holy
                 Church
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 God
                 is
                 ingaged
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 over-rules
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 greatest
                 evils
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 crossest
                 seasons
                 too
                 to
                 serve
                 his
                 own
                 purpose
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Sickness
                 ,
                 loss
                 of
                 friends
                 ,
                 and
                 crosses
                 and
                 mischances
                 ,
                 that
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 foreseen
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 plainly
                 are
                 the
                 Hand
                 of
                 God.
                 But
                 when
                 we
                 suffer
                 from
                 ill
                 Men
                 ,
                 are
                 those
                 evils
                 also
                 of
                 God's
                 sending
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   the
                   wicked
                   are
                   God's
                   sword
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 17.
                 13.
                 
                 He
                 over-rules
                 the
                 most
                 troublesom
                 ,
                 and
                 ungodly
                 Men
                 ,
                 to
                 serve
                 his
                 own
                 turn
                 :
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   made
                
                 ,
                 or
                 disposed
                 
                   all
                   things
                   for
                   himself
                   ▪
                   yea
                   ,
                   even
                   the
                   wicked
                   for
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   evil
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 vent
                 themselves
                 there
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 sees
                 fit
                 to
                 send
                 evil
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 16.
                 4.
                 
                 They
                 are
                 his
                 instruments
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 either
                 exercises
                 our
                 patience
                 ,
                 or
                 corrects
                 our
                 disobedience
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 't
                 is
                 God
                 that
                 afflicts
                 us
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 as
                 a
                 Rod
                 or
                 Instrument
                 in
                 his
                 Hand
                 ;
                 when
                 they
                 design
                 to
                 vex
                 ,
                 and
                 hurt
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 put
                 by
                 their
                 design
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 often
                 doth
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 put
                 by
                 Abimelech
                 from
                 
                   committing
                   wickedness
                
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 
                   terrifying
                   dream
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 20.
                 3
                 ,
                 6.
                 and
                 Pharaoh
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   sending
                   great
                   plagues
                   upon
                   him
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 12.
                 17.
                 
                 His
                 Providence
                 can
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 throw
                 in
                 their
                 way
                 a
                 discouraging
                 reason
                 ,
                 a
                 diverting
                 fear
                 ,
                 an
                 inward
                 relenting
                 ,
                 or
                 expose
                 some
                 other
                 object
                 to
                 their
                 hurtful
                 passion
                 ,
                 and
                 divert
                 it
                 from
                 him
                 it
                 fixed
                 first
                 upon
                 .
                 Even
                 
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   kings
                
                 ,
                 says
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 having
                 no
                 Superiours
                 here
                 ,
                 seem
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 left
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 wills
                 ,
                 
                   are
                   in
                   God's
                   hand
                
                 to
                 derive
                 into
                 any
                 channels
                 or
                 courses
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   the
                   rivers
                   of
                   water
                
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 Husbandman's
                 ,
                 to
                 bring
                 them
                 over
                 what
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Ground
                 he
                 pleases
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 21.
                 1.
                 whereof
                 we
                 have
                 abundant
                 instances
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 Holy
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 and
                 Experience
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 fully
                 fixed
                 to
                 do
                 us
                 hurt
                 ,
                 yet
                 since
                 they
                 are
                 under
                 his
                 conduct
                 and
                 direction
                 ,
                 let
                 them
                 desire
                 ,
                 and
                 endeavour
                 it
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 they
                 cannot
                 do
                 us
                 any
                 hurt
                 before
                 his
                 time
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 That
                 is
                 very
                 right
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 plain
                 in
                 the
                 
                   wicked
                   Jews
                
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 sought
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 might
                 to
                 
                   kill
                   Christ
                
                 :
                 yet
                 either
                 he
                 
                   secretly
                   withdrew
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 very
                 point
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   they
                   thought
                   to
                   lay
                
                 
                 
                   hands
                   on
                   him
                
                 ,
                 Luke
                 4.
                 29
                 ,
                 30.
                 or
                 the
                 officers
                 hearts
                 relented
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 
                   sent
                   to
                   apprehend
                   him
                
                 ,
                 John
                 7.
                 32
                 ,
                 44
                 ,
                 45
                 ,
                 46.
                 or
                 they
                 were
                 providentially
                 struck
                 with
                 a
                 startling
                 fear
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   the
                   People
                
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   held
                   him
                   for
                   a
                   Prophet
                
                 ,
                 would
                 rise
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 21.
                 46.
                 
                 Some
                 thing
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 ,
                 stood
                 always
                 ready
                 to
                 put
                 them
                 by
                 ,
                 
                   because
                   his
                   hour
                   was
                   not
                   yet
                   come
                   ,
                
                 John
                 7.
                 30.
                 
                 But
                 when
                 God's
                 own
                 time
                 drew
                 on
                 ,
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 a
                 Wall
                 of
                 Brass
                 about
                 him
                 before
                 ,
                 laid
                 him
                 open
                 to
                 their
                 spite
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 they
                 wrought
                 their
                 wills
                 upon
                 him
                 :
                 
                   this
                   is
                   your
                   hour
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   darkness
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 22.
                 53.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 it
                 was
                 also
                 in
                 
                   Job's
                   case
                
                 .
                 Whilst
                 
                   God
                   set
                   an
                   hedge
                   about
                   him
                   ,
                
                 no
                 Enemy
                 could
                 annoy
                 him
                 :
                 and
                 till
                 God
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   he
                   has
                   is
                   in
                   thine
                   hand
                   ,
                
                 Satan
                 himself
                 could
                 not
                 bring
                 his
                 mischievous
                 instruments
                 ,
                 the
                 Sabaans
                 ,
                 and
                 Chaldaeans
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 Job
                 1.
                 10
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 that
                 time
                 is
                 come
                 ,
                 can
                 they
                 exceed
                 his
                 bounds
                 ,
                 or
                 afflict
                 further
                 than
                 he
                 has
                 allowed
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 though
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 to
                 increase
                 
                 Christ's
                 pain
                 ,
                 designed
                 to
                 
                   break
                   his
                   legs
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 Legs
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 Malefactors
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   he
                   hung
                   upon
                   the
                   cross
                
                 :
                 yet
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 speediness
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 God
                 prevented
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   fulfil
                   the
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   which
                   saith
                   ,
                   a
                   bone
                   of
                   him
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   broken
                   ,
                
                 John
                 19.
                 33
                 ,
                 36.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 Corinthians
                 were
                 full
                 of
                 fears
                 ,
                 and
                 apprehensive
                 of
                 great
                 trials
                 .
                 
                 S.
                 Paul
                 tells
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   is
                   faithful
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   not
                   suffer
                   you
                   to
                   be
                   tempted
                   above
                   what
                   ye
                   are
                   able
                   ,
                   but
                   will
                   make
                   a
                   way
                   to
                   escape
                
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 
                   the
                   temptation
                
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 prove
                 over
                 hard
                 for
                 you
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 10.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 has
                 been
                 the
                 general
                 experience
                 of
                 God's
                 Servants
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 speaks
                 ,
                 might
                 
                   be
                   troubled
                   on
                   every
                   side
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   distressed
                   ;
                   perplexed
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   in
                   despair
                   ;
                   persecuted
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   forsaken
                   ;
                   cast
                   down
                   ,
                   but
                   not
                   destroyed
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 as
                 God
                 stints
                 the
                 measure
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 appoints
                 the
                 season
                 ,
                 doth
                 he
                 also
                 fix
                 the
                 length
                 and
                 duration
                 of
                 our
                 sufferings
                 from
                 evil
                 Men
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 left
                 to
                 their
                 malice
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 our
                 sufferings
                 have
                 accomplished
                 God's
                 ends
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 take
                 care
                 to
                 alter
                 the
                 counsels
                 ,
                 and
                 course
                 of
                 things
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   knoweth
                   how
                   to
                   deliver
                   the
                   godly
                   out
                   of
                   temptation
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   reserve
                   the
                   unjust
                   to
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   judgment
                   to
                   be
                   punished
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 proportioning
                 this
                 continuance
                 ,
                 he
                 uses
                 great
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 tenderness
                 to
                 his
                 Servants
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 sufferings
                 may
                 not
                 outlast
                 their
                 patience
                 ,
                 or
                 wear
                 out
                 their
                 hope
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 
                   The
                   rod
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   shall
                   not
                   rest
                   ,
                
                 or
                 make
                 a
                 fixt
                 abode
                 ,
                 and
                 stay
                 too
                 long
                 
                   upon
                   the
                   lot
                   of
                   the
                   righteous
                   ,
                   lest
                
                 it
                 put
                 them
                 upon
                 desperate
                 counsels
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   the
                   righteous
                   put
                   forth
                   their
                   hands
                   unto
                   iniquity
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 125.
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 wicked
                 Men
                 are
                 thus
                 an
                 instrument
                 in
                 God's
                 Hand
                 ,
                 then
                 whatever
                 evils
                 we
                 suffer
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 
                 look
                 only
                 at
                 the
                 immediate
                 actors
                 ,
                 but
                 see
                 beyond
                 them
                 to
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 own
                 his
                 Providence
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 only
                 teach
                 us
                 to
                 please
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 apply
                 our selves
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 redress
                 ;
                 but
                 teach
                 us
                 patience
                 too
                 ,
                 because
                 how
                 undeserved
                 soever
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 from
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 we
                 have
                 deserved
                 a
                 thousand
                 times
                 worse
                 at
                 his
                 hands
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   him
                   curse
                
                 ,
                 says
                 David
                 of
                 
                   wicked
                   Shim●i
                
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 return
                 no
                 ill
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   bidden
                   him
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Sam.
                 16.
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 and
                 
                   I
                   was
                   dumb
                   ,
                   and
                   opened
                   not
                   my
                   mouth
                   ,
                   because
                   thou
                   didst
                   it
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 39.
                 9.
                 nay
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 teach
                 us
                 willingness
                 in
                 submission
                 .
                 For
                 be
                 the
                 Cup
                 untoothsome
                 ,
                 and
                 bitter
                 as
                 Gall
                 and
                 Wormwood
                 :
                 yet
                 he
                 is
                 both
                 
                   our
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   our
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 that
                 offers
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 suspect
                 any
                 hurt
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 comes
                 from
                 his
                 Hand
                 .
                 
                   The
                   cup
                   ,
                   which
                   my
                   Father
                   hath
                   given
                   me
                   ,
                   shall
                   I
                   not
                   drink
                   it
                   ?
                
                 said
                 our
                 Blessed
                 Lord
                 of
                 the
                 unparallelled
                 injuries
                 he
                 suffered
                 ,
                 John
                 18.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 ,
                 when
                 Men
                 wickedly
                 afflict
                 us
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 God
                 sends
                 these
                 afflictions
                 ;
                 will
                 it
                 not
                 excuse
                 them
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 God
                 gives
                 them
                 success
                 against
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 follow
                 Providence
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 in
                 no
                 wise
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 excite
                 ,
                 or
                 tempt
                 them
                 to
                 injure
                 us
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 injurious
                 of
                 themselves
                 ,
                 his
                 Providence
                 sets
                 us
                 in
                 their
                 way
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 wickedness
                 may
                 spend
                 it self
                 upon
                 
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 exercise
                 our
                 Faith
                 and
                 Patience
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 chastise
                 our
                 disobedience
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 accountable
                 for
                 their
                 own
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 wicked
                 ,
                 all
                 he
                 doth
                 is
                 to
                 over-rule
                 it
                 to
                 serve
                 his
                 own
                 designs
                 :
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 in
                 the
                 murder
                 of
                 our
                 Blessed
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 ordered
                 for
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   slew
                   him
                   by
                   wicked
                   hands
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 2.
                 23.
                 
                 When
                 we
                 suffer
                 by
                 other
                 Mens
                 sins
                 ,
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 punishes
                 us
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 will
                 punish
                 them
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 declared
                 of
                 
                   the
                   Assyrian
                   ,
                   the
                   rod
                   of
                   his
                   indignation
                   ,
                   Is.
                
                 10.
                 5
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 17.
                 and
                 as
                 all
                 wicked
                 Slanderers
                 ,
                 Oppressors
                 ,
                 Thieves
                 ,
                 Rebels
                 ,
                 and
                 Murderers
                 ,
                 shall
                 find
                 to
                 their
                 cost
                 in
                 the
                 end
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 acting
                 successfully
                 ,
                 but
                 acting
                 according
                 to
                 our
                 Duty
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 justifie
                 what
                 we
                 do
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 comes
                 to
                 judge
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 't
                 is
                 Providence
                 ,
                 that
                 sends
                 wicked
                 and
                 violent
                 Oppressors
                 ,
                 since
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Patron
                 of
                 Justice
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 Chastiser
                 of
                 Undutifulness
                 ,
                 sure
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 continue
                 to
                 such
                 Men
                 the
                 Power
                 to
                 oppress
                 always
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 the
                 more
                 violent
                 and
                 boisterous
                 any
                 wicked
                 Oppressor
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 sooner
                 will
                 his
                 Power
                 fail
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 spend
                 it self
                 .
                 
                   The
                   wicked
                
                 Oppressor
                 ,
                 says
                 
                   Solomon
                   ,
                   passes
                   as
                   a
                   whirl-wind
                   ,
                
                 which
                 may
                 for
                 a
                 while
                 storm
                 terribly
                 ,
                 and
                 bluster
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 quickly
                 over
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 10.
                 25.
                 
                 
                   The
                   rod
                   of
                   his
                   anger
                   shall
                   fail
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Might
                 ,
                 or
                 even
                 the
                 Authority
                 
                 whereby
                 he
                 scourges
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 bear
                 him
                 out
                 ,
                 or
                 preserve
                 him
                 in
                 unjust
                 violence
                 :
                 but
                 by
                 abusing
                 Power
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 soon
                 lose
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 reap
                 that
                 trouble
                 he
                 has
                 justly
                 deserved
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 22.
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 any
                 are
                 oppressed
                 by
                 Potent
                 Neighbours
                 ,
                 or
                 Men
                 of
                 Violence
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 support
                 themselves
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 sees
                 all
                 their
                 wrongs
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 will
                 give
                 them
                 ease
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 ,
                 those
                 evils
                 ,
                 which
                 befal
                 our selves
                 in
                 our
                 own
                 particulars
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 allotment
                 of
                 Providence
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 miscarriages
                 of
                 State
                 and
                 Government
                 ,
                 must
                 the
                 People
                 look
                 upon
                 these
                 too
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 God's
                 sending
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 generally
                 as
                 a
                 punishment
                 for
                 the
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 and
                 provocations
                 of
                 a
                 Nation
                 .
                 
                   For
                   the
                   transgressions
                   of
                   a
                   land
                   ,
                   many
                   are
                   the
                   princes
                   thereof
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 28.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 through
                 
                   the
                   anger
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 being
                 
                   kindled
                   against
                   Israel
                   ,
                   God
                   moved
                   David
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 left
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 won
                 by
                 *
                 Satan
                 moving
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   number
                   the
                   people
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 24.
                 1.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 in
                 any
                 publick
                 miscarriages
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 spend
                 our selves
                 in
                 exclaiming
                 against
                 Ministers
                 of
                 State
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Instruments
                 concerned
                 therein
                 :
                 but
                 look
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 Justice
                 of
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 reflect
                 with
                 patience
                 ,
                 and
                 penitent
                 hearts
                 ,
                 upon
                 our
                 own
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 punished
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 must
                 we
                 think
                 God's
                 Providence
                 directs
                 and
                 disposes
                 ,
                 when
                 Publick
                 
                 Affairs
                 are
                 most
                 tumultuary
                 and
                 irregular
                 ,
                 and
                 seem
                 to
                 shew
                 forth
                 fewest
                 footsteps
                 of
                 his
                 perfections
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   reigns
                   ,
                   though
                   the
                   people
                   tremble
                
                 through
                 convulsive
                 and
                 distracting
                 fears
                 ;
                 
                   he
                   sitteth
                   between
                   the
                   cherubims
                   ,
                   though
                   the
                   earth
                   be
                   moved
                
                 with
                 the
                 violence
                 of
                 stirs
                 and
                 tumults
                 ,
                 Psalm
                 99.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 support
                 all
                 good
                 Men
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 dangerous
                 ,
                 and
                 distracted
                 times
                 ,
                 because
                 even
                 then
                 they
                 are
                 still
                 under
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 not
                 at
                 the
                 Mercy
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 ill
                 chances
                 and
                 threatning
                 evils
                 ,
                 that
                 fly
                 round
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 how
                 loose
                 soever
                 they
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 fly
                 abroad
                 ,
                 are
                 yet
                 all
                 bound
                 up
                 in
                 God's
                 Hand
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 't
                 is
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 sends
                 all
                 these
                 evils
                 ,
                 then
                 whensoever
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 threaten
                 and
                 hang
                 over
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 look
                 up
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 Faith
                 in
                 his
                 Providence
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 too
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 seem
                 reduced
                 almost
                 to
                 irremediable
                 extremities
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 loves
                 to
                 delay
                 deliverance
                 to
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 that
                 our
                 Faith
                 and
                 dependance
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 more
                 throughly
                 tried
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 shows
                 himself
                 nearest
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 more
                 hope
                 left
                 in
                 our selves
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 any
                 humane
                 means
                 .
                 Thus
                 he
                 appeared
                 not
                 to
                 
                   save
                   Isaac's
                   life
                
                 ,
                 till
                 
                   Abraham's
                   hand
                   was
                   stretched
                   out
                
                 to
                 take
                 it
                 away
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 22.
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 then
                 God
                 comes
                 as
                 a
                 
                   present
                   help
                
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 
                   time
                   of
                   need
                
                 ,
                 
                 Psalm
                 46.
                 1.
                 
                 &
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 16.
                 
                 He
                 chuses
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 our
                 distress
                 ,
                 to
                 give
                 us
                 a
                 more
                 affecting
                 sense
                 of
                 our
                 deliverance
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 too
                 he
                 often
                 works
                 it
                 ,
                 by
                 those
                 very
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 seem
                 not
                 only
                 unprofitable
                 ,
                 but
                 opposite
                 ,
                 and
                 apt
                 to
                 hinder
                 it
                 :
                 that
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 it
                 may
                 go
                 to
                 humane
                 means
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 whole
                 of
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ascribed
                 to
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 shown
                 that
                 God
                 orders
                 all
                 those
                 ill
                 events
                 ,
                 which
                 cross
                 accidents
                 ,
                 or
                 ill
                 Men
                 bring
                 upon
                 us
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 say
                 you
                 to
                 those
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 bring
                 upon
                 our selves
                 ,
                 by
                 our
                 own
                 gross
                 faults
                 ,
                 or
                 follies
                 ?
                 Must
                 they
                 be
                 ascribed
                 to
                 God's
                 Providence
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 this
                 Solomon
                 taxes
                 ▪
                 in
                 fond
                 sinners
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 
                   the
                   foolishness
                   of
                   man
                   perverteth
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                
                 and
                 he
                 falls
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 Ignorant
                 ,
                 or
                 rash
                 and
                 
                   hasty
                   with
                   his
                   feet
                
                 :
                 yet
                 for
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   heart
                   fretteth
                   against
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 as
                 if
                 not
                 his
                 own
                 pure
                 folly
                 ,
                 but
                 God
                 had
                 brought
                 him
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 19.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 most
                 Holy
                 God
                 forbids
                 all
                 our
                 faults
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 Wise
                 God
                 disclaims
                 all
                 our
                 follies
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 ascribe
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 take
                 to
                 our selves
                 .
                 As
                 all
                 Persons
                 must
                 do
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 throw
                 away
                 themselves
                 in
                 foolish
                 Marriages
                 ,
                 or
                 throw
                 away
                 their
                 Estates
                 by
                 extravagance
                 ,
                 and
                 foolish
                 projects
                 ,
                 or
                 are
                 any
                 other
                 ways
                 the
                 direct
                 Authors
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 miseries
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 bring
                 upon
                 themselves
                 by
                 going
                 against
                 
                 his
                 will
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 such
                 sins
                 as
                 he
                 forbids
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 such
                 follies
                 as
                 he
                 disapproves
                 .
                 When
                 our
                 calamities
                 are
                 thus
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 seeking
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 remove
                 the
                 blame
                 from
                 off
                 our selves
                 by
                 casting
                 it
                 on
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 they
                 are
                 of
                 his
                 sending
                 .
                 
                   Say
                   not
                   thou
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                   wise
                   son
                   of
                   Sirach
                
                 most
                 piously
                 and
                 justly
                 cautions
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                   through
                   the
                   Lord
                   that
                   I
                   fell
                   away
                   ;
                   for
                   thou
                   oughtest
                   not
                   to
                   do
                   the
                   things
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   hateth
                   .
                   Say
                   not
                   thou
                   ,
                   he
                   hath
                   caused
                   me
                   to
                   err
                   :
                
                 for
                 
                   he
                   hath
                   no
                   need
                   of
                   the
                   sinful
                   man
                   ,
                
                 Ecclus
                 .
                 15.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 perceive
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 Persons
                 have
                 made
                 a
                 foolish
                 Marriage
                 ,
                 or
                 otherwise
                 done
                 foolishly
                 for
                 themselves
                 ;
                 you
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 them
                 say
                 ,
                 as
                 too
                 ordinarily
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 that
                 such
                 match
                 was
                 made
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 what
                 God
                 had
                 decreed
                 for
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 is
                 only
                 to
                 make
                 God
                 accountable
                 for
                 their
                 faults
                 .
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 fit
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 ashamed
                 of
                 a
                 thing
                 ,
                 to
                 lay
                 it
                 upon
                 God
                 to
                 excuse
                 themselves
                 ?
                 God
                 bids
                 no
                 Man
                 do
                 foolishly
                 ,
                 or
                 wickedly
                 ;
                 nor
                 tempts
                 him
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   no
                   man
                   say
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   is
                   tempted
                   ,
                   I
                   am
                   tempted
                   of
                   God.
                   For
                   God
                   cannot
                   be
                   tempted
                   with
                   evil
                   ,
                   neither
                   doth
                   he
                   tempt
                   any
                   man
                   ,
                
                 James
                 1.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 God
                 no
                 way
                 allot
                 these
                 for
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 allots
                 the
                 miseries
                 as
                 a
                 punishment
                 ,
                 after
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 faulty
                 ,
                 or
                 foolish
                 :
                 but
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 allot
                 that
                 foolish
                 
                 miscarriage
                 ,
                 whereby
                 we
                 bring
                 the
                 misery
                 upon
                 our
                 heads
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 Author
                 ,
                 either
                 of
                 the
                 sins
                 ,
                 or
                 follies
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 being
                 in
                 himself
                 all
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 Wisdom
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 well
                 done
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 ascribe
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 ill
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 take
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 selves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 is
                 he
                 not
                 sometimes
                 concerned
                 in
                 sending
                 Mens
                 faults
                 and
                 follies
                 too
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 miseries
                 ,
                 in
                 punishment
                 of
                 former
                 provocations
                 ?
                 For
                 when
                 Men
                 have
                 been
                 great
                 sinners
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 oft
                 provoked
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 noted
                 above
                 ,
                 to
                 withdraw
                 his
                 Grace
                 in
                 just
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 them
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 whence
                 they
                 fall
                 still
                 into
                 more
                 folly
                 ,
                 and
                 wickedness
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 punishment
                 ,
                 God
                 sometimes
                 gives
                 Men
                 up
                 thus
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 folly
                 .
                 Not
                 that
                 he
                 tempts
                 ,
                 or
                 inclines
                 Men
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 either
                 foolish
                 ,
                 or
                 wicked
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 :
                 but
                 that
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 throughly
                 prepared
                 of
                 themselves
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 just
                 Judgment
                 he
                 withdraws
                 his
                 abused
                 Grace
                 ,
                 the
                 continuance
                 whereof
                 might
                 help
                 to
                 prevent
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 leaves
                 them
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 incitation
                 of
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 before
                 declared
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 any
                 Persons
                 would
                 ascribe
                 any
                 share
                 in
                 their
                 miscarriages
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 only
                 be
                 in
                 owning
                 his
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 taking
                 shame
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 confessing
                 he
                 Righteously
                 gave
                 them
                 up
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 punishment
                 of
                 former
                 sins
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 instanced
                 in
                 foolish
                 Marriages
                 :
                 and
                 I
                 see
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 impute
                 them
                 to
                 Destiny
                 ,
                 and
                 God's
                 irresistible
                 Decrees
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 only
                 a
                 throwing
                 the
                 blame
                 on
                 God
                 to
                 clear
                 our selves
                 .
                 But
                 do
                 not
                 you
                 think
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Providence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 numbers
                 even
                 the
                 Hairs
                 of
                 our
                 Heads
                 ,
                 is
                 more
                 than
                 ordinarily
                 concerned
                 in
                 making
                 Marriages
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 an
                 affair
                 of
                 highest
                 importance
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 I
                 make
                 no
                 doubt
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   Houses
                   ,
                   and
                   lands
                   ,
                   are
                   the
                   inheritance
                   of
                   fathers
                   ;
                   but
                   a
                   prudent
                   wife
                   is
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 19.
                 14.
                 
                 &
                 18.
                 22.
                 
                 But
                 when
                 God's
                 Providence
                 orders
                 ,
                 and
                 accomplishes
                 Marriages
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 by
                 fate
                 ,
                 and
                 irresistible
                 ways
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 by
                 affording
                 such
                 opportunities
                 and
                 inducements
                 ,
                 as
                 ,
                 though
                 oft-times
                 they
                 may
                 very
                 potently
                 induce
                 ,
                 yet
                 leave
                 a
                 liberty
                 in
                 the
                 Persons
                 themselves
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 ,
                 especially
                 ere
                 they
                 are
                 suffered
                 to
                 proceed
                 too
                 far
                 ,
                 to
                 refuse
                 .
                 When
                 God
                 brings
                 them
                 about
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 way
                 agreeable
                 to
                 free
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 a
                 liberty
                 to
                 refuse
                 ,
                 and
                 voluntarily
                 of
                 themselves
                 take
                 hold
                 of
                 these
                 offers
                 and
                 facilitating
                 turns
                 of
                 Providence
                 ,
                 to
                 bring
                 about
                 their
                 own
                 Marriages
                 ;
                 whence
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 doing
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 accountable
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 deserve
                 Praise
                 when
                 they
                 bestow
                 themselves
                 wisely
                 ,
                 and
                 blame
                 when
                 they
                 do
                 foolishly
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 As
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 actions
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 do
                 then
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 we
                 must
                 believe
                 that
                 God
                 observes
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 or
                 ill
                 events
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 meet
                 with
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 believe
                 he
                 orders
                 and
                 allots
                 them
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 accordingly
                 affected
                 with
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 
                   walking
                   before
                   God
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Abraham
                 was
                 bid
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 17.
                 1.
                 and
                 owning
                 Providence
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 all
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 great
                 Character
                 through
                 all
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 of
                 good
                 Men
                 :
                 and
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 perfection
                 of
                 our
                 affection
                 ,
                 and
                 service
                 to
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 only
                 ground
                 of
                 solid
                 comfort
                 and
                 tranquillity
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 under
                 all
                 the
                 various
                 accidents
                 of
                 this
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 this
                 Great
                 ,
                 and
                 Good
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 preserves
                 ,
                 and
                 carefully
                 provides
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 our
                 Friend
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 
                   our
                   Father
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Father
                 of
                 our
                 Lord
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 
                   our
                   Father
                
                 too
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 he
                 has
                 taught
                 us
                 to
                 call
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 ,
                 
                   Our
                   Father
                   which
                   art
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Not
                 only
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 freedom
                 of
                 access
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 confidence
                 ;
                 but
                 withal
                 to
                 pay
                 the
                 Reverence
                 ,
                 and
                 dutiful
                 Obedience
                 of
                 Children
                 .
                 
                   If
                   I
                   be
                   a
                   father
                   ,
                   where
                   is
                   mine
                   honour
                   ?
                
                 Mal.
                 1.
                 6.
                 
                 To
                 imitate
                 the
                 ways
                 and
                 virtues
                 of
                 our
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 turn
                 
                   followers
                   of
                   God
                   as
                   dear
                   children
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 5.
                 1.
                 this
                 being
                 a
                 Natural
                 Fruit
                 of
                 Spiritual
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 usually
                 is
                 of
                 Secular
                 Relation
                 .
                 It
                 must
                 engender
                 noble
                 thoughts
                 and
                 pursuits
                 ,
                 worthy
                 of
                 this
                 high
                 Alliance
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 suffer
                 us
                 to
                 debase
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 dishonour
                 our
                 Race
                 ,
                 by
                 sinking
                 into
                 sensuality
                 ,
                 or
                 doting
                 on
                 ,
                 and
                 taking
                 up
                 with
                 any
                 vain
                 and
                 perishing
                 goods
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 .
                 In
                 summ
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 cause
                 us
                 to
                 depend
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 with
                 trust
                 and
                 affiance
                 ;
                 to
                 receive
                 what
                 he
                 sends
                 ,
                 with
                 submission
                 ,
                 and
                 cheerfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 opinion
                 that
                 it
                 proceeds
                 from
                 kindness
                 ;
                 with
                 other
                 such
                 like
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 filial
                 tempers
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 this
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Father
                 ,
                 the
                 Creed
                 says
                 ,
                 is
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   the
                   maker
                   of
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   .
                
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 added
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 next
                 in
                 course
                 to
                 be
                 explained
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   III.
                
                 Of
                 God's
                 Almightiness
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   God's
                   Almightiness
                   implies
                   ,
                   1.
                   
                   God's
                   Might
                   and
                   Strength
                   to
                   effect
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   viz.
                   all
                   that
                   are
                   the
                   object
                   of
                   any
                   Power
                   .
                   And
                   that
                   are
                   not
                   repugnant
                   to
                   his
                   own
                   Nature
                   .
                   The
                   exerting
                   this
                   Power
                   creates
                   God
                   no
                   labour
                   .
                   He
                   can
                   do
                   ,
                   whatsoever
                   any
                   things
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   can
                   do
                   .
                   This
                   an
                   encouragement
                   to
                   all
                   generous
                   Enterprizes
                   .
                   And
                   to
                   build
                   on
                   Providence
                   ,
                   especially
                   where
                   we
                   have
                   a
                   Promise
                   .
                   The
                   value
                   and
                   acceptance
                   of
                   this
                   trust
                   ,
                   in
                   a
                   seemingly
                   most
                   improbable
                   case
                   .
                   And
                   whatsoever
                   any
                   things
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   are
                   inclined
                   ,
                   or
                   wont
                   
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                   he
                   can
                   hinder
                   them
                   from
                   doing
                   .
                   This
                   also
                   a
                   ground
                   of
                   trust
                   in
                   God.
                   And
                   to
                   keep
                   us
                   in
                   any
                   distress
                   ,
                   from
                   flying
                   to
                   unlawful
                   aids
                   .
                   How
                   God
                   will
                   use
                   this
                   Power
                   .
                   2.
                   
                   His
                   Sovereignty
                   and
                   Power
                   ,
                   to
                   command
                   ,
                   and
                   order
                   all
                   things
                   .
                   This
                   includes
                   ,
                   1.
                   
                   Empire
                   ,
                   as
                   a
                   Sovereign
                   Ruler
                   .
                   What
                   things
                   God
                   may
                   command
                   .
                   The
                   unalterableness
                   of
                   some
                   commands
                   .
                   2.
                   
                   Dominion
                   ,
                   as
                   a
                   Sovereign
                   Proprietor
                   .
                   In
                   what
                   cases
                   God
                   allots
                   good
                   and
                   ill
                   ,
                   out
                   of
                   his
                   Power
                   of
                   Prerogative
                   ,
                   not
                   according
                   to
                   Mens
                   pre-dispositions
                   .
                   Where
                   he
                   dispenses
                   Arbitrarily
                   ,
                   he
                   doth
                   it
                   always
                   most
                   Wisely
                   ,
                   and
                   Reasonably
                   .
                   Saving
                   Grace
                   he
                   allots
                   ,
                   not
                   in
                   way
                   of
                   Arbitrary
                   Prerogative
                   ,
                   but
                   according
                   to
                   Covenant
                   Rules
                   .
                   And
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Hell
                   ,
                   in
                   way
                   of
                   Legal
                   Trials
                   .
                   A
                   brief
                   account
                   of
                   the
                   Rectitude
                   of
                   God's
                   Nature
                   ,
                   which
                   limits
                   his
                   Sovereign
                   Will
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   .
                   This
                   Sovereign
                   Lord
                   and
                   Proprietor
                   an
                   All-sufficient
                   ,
                   so
                   no
                   selfish
                   Being
                   .
                   Several
                   good
                   uses
                   of
                   God's
                   Sovereign
                   Dominion
                   .
                   God's
                   Majesty
                   and
                   Almightiness
                   ,
                   must
                   beget
                   fear
                   and
                   reverence
                   .
                
              
               
                 Question
                 .
                 THE
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 particularly
                 professed
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 God
                 would
                 give
                 a
                 Character
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 he
                 told
                 Abraham
                 he
                 was
                 
                   the
                   Almighty
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 17.
                 1.
                 
                 Is
                 this
                 Attribute
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 account
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 so
                 short
                 a
                 Summary
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 singled
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 particularly
                 mentioned
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 since
                 God
                 has
                 an
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 over
                 all
                 ,
                 all
                 must
                 fear
                 and
                 submit
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Since
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 his
                 Friends
                 and
                 Servants
                 have
                 cause
                 to
                 trust
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 depend
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 wants
                 to
                 seek
                 and
                 address
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 convenient
                 supplies
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 his
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 main
                 ground
                 of
                 all
                 Religious
                 Service
                 ,
                 of
                 Fear
                 ,
                 and
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 Trust
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Devotion
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 God's
                 Almightiness
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Two
                 things
                 :
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 has
                 Might
                 and
                 Strength
                 ,
                 to
                 effect
                 and
                 do
                 .
                 And
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 has
                 Sovereignty
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 command
                 and
                 order
                 all
                 things
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Has
                 God
                 all
                 Might
                 and
                 Strength
                 ,
                 to
                 effect
                 and
                 do
                 all
                 things
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 any
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 repugnant
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Nature
                 .
                 He
                 made
                 all
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 at
                 his
                 Will
                 make
                 more
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   nothing
                   shall
                   be
                   impossible
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 1.
                 37.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 do
                 you
                 say
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 any
                 Power
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Because
                 contradictions
                 are
                 the
                 object
                 of
                 no
                 Power
                 :
                 and
                 though
                 an
                 Almighty
                 Arm
                 must
                 be
                 sufficient
                 for
                 one
                 part
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 who
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 bare
                 Word
                 ,
                 can
                 at
                 his
                 Will
                 speak
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 either
                 out
                 of
                 ,
                 or
                 into
                 nothing
                 ;
                 yet
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 way
                 concerned
                 to
                 fulfil
                 both
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 .
                 Thus
                 is
                 it
                 
                 diminution
                 to
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 cannot
                 make
                 twice
                 two
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 four
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 past
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 ,
                 or
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 Body
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 once
                 in
                 many
                 and
                 far
                 distant
                 places
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 under
                 all
                 this
                 multiplicity
                 to
                 be
                 but
                 one
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 all
                 imply
                 a
                 contradiction
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 thing
                 should
                 be
                 somewhat
                 ,
                 and
                 withal
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 not
                 be
                 it
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 why
                 do
                 you
                 add
                 ▪
                 All
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 Repugnant
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Nature
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Because
                 ,
                 as
                 God's
                 power
                 is
                 infinite
                 ,
                 foe
                 is
                 every
                 other
                 Attribute
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 must
                 not
                 destroy
                 ,
                 or
                 weaken
                 another
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 must
                 consist
                 together
                 .
                 Thus
                 ,
                 though
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   God
                   all
                   things
                   are
                   possible
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 19.
                 26.
                 yet
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 saith
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                   impossible
                   for
                   God
                   to
                   lye
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 18.
                 
                 He
                 cannot
                 be
                 sick
                 ,
                 or
                 weary
                 ,
                 or
                 sleepy
                 .
                 He
                 cannot
                 be
                 unjust
                 ,
                 or
                 cruel
                 ,
                 or
                 unfaithful
                 ,
                 or
                 delight
                 in
                 ill
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 ignorant
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 or
                 change
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 excellencies
                 ,
                 or
                 cease
                 to
                 be
                 himself
                 ,
                 or
                 make
                 other
                 Gods
                 besides
                 himself
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 any
                 other
                 ways
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 he
                 can
                 be
                 weak
                 and
                 impotent
                 .
                 The
                 properties
                 ,
                 and
                 perfections
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 ,
                 are
                 unalterable
                 by
                 the
                 Divine
                 Power
                 :
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 a
                 matter
                 of
                 God's
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 hinder
                 himself
                 from
                 being
                 Pure
                 ,
                 or
                 Just
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 Good
                 ;
                 than
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 to
                 restrain
                 it self
                 from
                 giving
                 Light
                 ;
                 or
                 of
                 the
                 Fire
                 ,
                 from
                 giving
                 heat
                 ;
                 or
                 of
                 any
                 other
                 thing
                 ,
                 from
                 doing
                 what
                 is
                 natural
                 ,
                 and
                 necessary
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 Whatsoever
                 the
                 Divine
                 Pleasure
                 can
                 will
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Divine
                 Power
                 can
                 execute
                 :
                 but
                 God's
                 Will
                 that
                 controuls
                 all
                 things
                 else
                 ,
                 doth
                 never
                 contradict
                 his
                 own
                 Nature
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 always
                 suited
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 ruled
                 by
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 God
                 exerts
                 this
                 Power
                 in
                 doing
                 things
                 ,
                 doth
                 it
                 create
                 him
                 any
                 labour
                 and
                 pains
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 he
                 makes
                 ,
                 or
                 unmakes
                 every
                 thing
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 bare
                 
                   word
                   of
                   his
                   mouth
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 at
                 the
                 Creation
                 .
                 We
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 are
                 imperfect
                 Natures
                 ,
                 and
                 activity
                 spends
                 our
                 Powers
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 things
                 we
                 go
                 to
                 alter
                 and
                 act
                 upon
                 ,
                 are
                 stubborn
                 in
                 sticking
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 Natures
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 resistance
                 :
                 on
                 which
                 accounts
                 ,
                 our
                 actings
                 cause
                 trouble
                 and
                 weariness
                 .
                 But
                 all
                 things
                 obey
                 every
                 inclination
                 ,
                 and
                 tendency
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 intire
                 submission
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 Power
                 is
                 Absolute
                 and
                 Infinite
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 if
                 he
                 doth
                 but
                 will
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 immediately
                 it
                 is
                 done
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 vain
                 fancy
                 ,
                 and
                 ignorant
                 complement
                 of
                 the
                 Epicureans
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Enemies
                 of
                 Providence
                 in
                 later
                 times
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 exclude
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 Inspection
                 ,
                 Ordering
                 ,
                 and
                 Government
                 
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 in
                 pretence
                 thereby
                 to
                 secure
                 his
                 ease
                 and
                 self-enjoyment
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 keep
                 back
                 trouble
                 and
                 toil
                 from
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Can
                 God
                 do
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 any
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 can
                 do
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 gave
                 them
                 all
                 their
                 Power
                 of
                 doing
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 retaining
                 still
                 the
                 same
                 Power
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 communicated
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 ordinarily
                 doth
                 things
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 pleases
                 ,
                 can
                 he
                 do
                 the
                 same
                 without
                 them
                 .
                 Thus
                 can
                 he
                 preserve
                 Life
                 without
                 Meat
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 to
                 
                   Moses
                   ,
                   Elias
                
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 
                   Saviour
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 
                   forty
                   days
                   fast
                
                 ;
                 and
                 restore
                 Health
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 Physick
                 ;
                 and
                 give
                 Children
                 to
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 past
                 Child-bearing
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 to
                 Sarah
                 ;
                 and
                 make
                 a
                 Maid
                 a
                 Mother
                 without
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 a
                 Father
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 Generation
                 of
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ;
                 and
                 give
                 us
                 Bodies
                 without
                 all
                 help
                 of
                 Parents
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   dust
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                
                 at
                 first
                 to
                 Adam
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 at
                 last
                 to
                 all
                 in
                 the
                 
                   general
                   Resurrection
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Not
                 only
                 to
                 believe
                 him
                 in
                 those
                 Articles
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 which
                 seem
                 hardest
                 in
                 Nature
                 to
                 be
                 brought
                 to
                 pass
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Christ
                   '
                   being
                   born
                   of
                   a
                   virgin
                   ,
                
                 and
                 the
                 
                   general
                   resurrection
                
                 :
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 take
                 heart
                 and
                 courage
                 ,
                 
                 in
                 all
                 honest
                 and
                 prudent
                 enterprizes
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 suddenly
                 to
                 desist
                 ,
                 or
                 despair
                 of
                 success
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 number
                 ,
                 and
                 greatness
                 of
                 discouragements
                 .
                 All
                 virtuous
                 ,
                 publick
                 ,
                 and
                 generous
                 undertakings
                 ,
                 are
                 both
                 acceptable
                 and
                 honourable
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 more
                 like
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 sure
                 Friend
                 of
                 Providence
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 God
                 espouses
                 any
                 cause
                 ,
                 though
                 there
                 be
                 little
                 probability
                 ,
                 and
                 preparation
                 for
                 it
                 in
                 Natural
                 appearance
                 ,
                 yet
                 will
                 it
                 surely
                 come
                 to
                 pass
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 has
                 the
                 Power
                 and
                 Probability
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 Creatures
                 in
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 Men
                 so
                 backed
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 speed
                 designs
                 ,
                 where
                 there
                 are
                 fewer
                 visible
                 preparations
                 ,
                 and
                 find
                 success
                 beyond
                 appearances
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 prospect
                 of
                 that
                 animated
                 the
                 Apostles
                 to
                 go
                 on
                 couragiously
                 in
                 
                   converting
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 an
                 attempt
                 impossible
                 in
                 all
                 human
                 judgment
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 Ancient
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Modern
                   Worthies
                
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 on
                 any
                 
                   Publick
                   Reformations
                
                 in
                 evil
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 the
                 World
                 good
                 against
                 their
                 wills
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 honest
                 Men
                 ,
                 whose
                 cause
                 was
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 dear
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 hope
                 he
                 would
                 stand
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 restore
                 it
                 ,
                 even
                 when
                 they
                 saw
                 it
                 reduced
                 to
                 the
                 last
                 extremities
                 .
                 In
                 summ
                 ,
                 in
                 licentious
                 times
                 ,
                 it
                 has
                 heretofore
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 still
                 strengthen
                 Magistrates
                 ,
                 in
                 asserting
                 Laws
                 and
                 Justice
                 ;
                 and
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 in
                 
                 preaching
                 down
                 prevailing
                 errors
                 ,
                 and
                 reigning
                 vices
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 
                   Publick
                   Spirits
                
                 ,
                 in
                 pursuing
                 Pious
                 ,
                 or
                 Charitable
                 Projects
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 
                   Good
                   Men
                
                 ,
                 in
                 supporting
                 the
                 oppressed
                 ;
                 in
                 curbing
                 vice
                 ,
                 in
                 breaking
                 wicked
                 customs
                 ,
                 in
                 setting
                 on
                 any
                 great
                 honour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 good
                 Men
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 several
                 stations
                 .
                 They
                 must
                 not
                 hastily
                 think
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 effect
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 cause
                 to
                 hope
                 God
                 will
                 set
                 forward
                 :
                 but
                 believe
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   they
                   can
                   do
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   through
                   Christ
                   strengthening
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 4.
                 13.
                 
                 But
                 then
                 their
                 hope
                 and
                 confidence
                 must
                 still
                 be
                 fixed
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 outward
                 aids
                 :
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 go
                 to
                 meet
                 difficulties
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 as
                 David
                 did
                 to
                 meet
                 Goliah
                 ,
                 only
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                   hosts
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Sam.
                 17.
                 45.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 this
                 consideration
                 ,
                 of
                 God's
                 having
                 in
                 him
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 teach
                 us
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 to
                 trust
                 his
                 Providence
                 for
                 the
                 supply
                 of
                 any
                 wants
                 ,
                 especially
                 where
                 he
                 has
                 given
                 us
                 any
                 Word
                 and
                 Promise
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 hold
                 on
                 trusting
                 ▪
                 even
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 destitute
                 cases
                 ,
                 and
                 against
                 all
                 probabilities
                 .
                 For
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 hardest
                 and
                 most
                 improbable
                 ,
                 are
                 equally
                 easie
                 unto
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 nothing
                 must
                 seem
                 improbable
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 declares
                 he
                 will
                 bring
                 about
                 .
                 When
                 Faith
                 and
                 Trust
                 is
                 in
                 Man
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 any
                 Earthly
                 thing
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 ruled
                 by
                 probability
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 Power
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 it
                 makes
                 no
                 difference
                 of
                 likely
                 ,
                 or
                 unlikely
                 .
                 As
                 Abraham's
                 Faith
                 did
                 not
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 believed
                 Gods
                 Promise
                 to
                 
                   send
                   him
                   a
                   son
                
                 ,
                 though
                 at
                 that
                 time
                 ,
                 both
                 Sarah
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 ,
                 were
                 too
                 old
                 in
                 course
                 of
                 Nature
                 to
                 have
                 one
                 :
                 and
                 to
                 make
                 that
                 Son
                 a
                 
                   numerous
                   seed
                
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 firmly
                 believed
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 he
                 was
                 commanded
                 to
                 offer
                 him
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 could
                 have
                 no
                 Son
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 unless
                 he
                 were
                 first
                 restored
                 to
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 shows
                 a
                 high
                 esteem
                 ,
                 and
                 confidence
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 relie
                 upon
                 his
                 Word
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 sign
                 of
                 its
                 taking
                 effect
                 ,
                 but
                 things
                 look
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 way
                 for
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 effected
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 so
                 it
                 doth
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 among
                 all
                 acts
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 that
                 doth
                 more
                 endear
                 Men
                 to
                 God.
                 This
                 
                   our
                   Father
                   Abraham
                
                 found
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 upon
                 this
                 account
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 became
                 so
                 dear
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 
                   called
                   the
                   friend
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 23.
                 and
                 
                   the
                   father
                   of
                   the
                   faithful
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 11.
                 16.
                 and
                 that
                 
                   his
                   bosom
                
                 should
                 be
                 made
                 the
                 receptacle
                 of
                 the
                 blessed
                 ,
                 Luke
                 16.
                 22.
                 
                 For
                 
                   his
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 above
                 all
                 his
                 other
                 virtues
                 ,
                 
                   was
                   imputed
                   to
                   him
                   for
                   righteousness
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 3
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 among
                 all
                 his
                 
                 acts
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 those
                 God
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 impute
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 most
                 notable
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 shown
                 in
                 these
                 two
                 difficult
                 instances
                 .
                 
                   He
                   staggered
                   not
                
                 at
                 the
                 unlikelihood
                 of
                 his
                 
                   having
                   a
                   son
                   ,
                   but
                   was
                   fully
                   persuaded
                   ,
                   that
                   what
                   God
                   had
                   promised
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   able
                   to
                   perform
                   :
                   and
                   therefore
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 S.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   it
                   was
                   imputed
                   unto
                   him
                   for
                   righteousness
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 19
                 ,
                 20
                 ,
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
                 And
                 
                   when
                   he
                   offered
                   Isaac
                   his
                   son
                   upon
                   the
                   altar
                   ,
                
                 says
                 S.
                 James
                 ,
                 then
                 
                   the
                   Scripture
                   was
                   fulfilled
                   ,
                   which
                   saith
                   ,
                   Abraham
                   believed
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   was
                   imputed
                   to
                   him
                   for
                   righteousness
                   :
                   and
                   he
                   was
                   called
                   the
                   friend
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 21
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 Such
                 is
                 the
                 extraordinary
                 value
                 ,
                 and
                 recompence
                 ,
                 of
                 trusting
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 seemingly
                 most
                 improbable
                 ,
                 and
                 desperate
                 case
                 ,
                 where
                 't
                 is
                 visibly
                 put
                 to
                 a
                 push
                 of
                 Omnipotence
                 to
                 make
                 good
                 his
                 Promise
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 God
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 any
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 can
                 do
                 .
                 But
                 can
                 he
                 also
                 hinder
                 any
                 things
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 from
                 doing
                 whatsoever
                 they
                 are
                 naturally
                 bent
                 ,
                 or
                 wont
                 to
                 do
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 as
                 by
                 him
                 they
                 were
                 all
                 made
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 *
                 says
                 ,
                 in
                 him
                 they
                 still
                 subsist
                 ,
                 and
                 move
                 ,
                 and
                 operate
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 whensoever
                 he
                 pleases
                 to
                 suspend
                 ,
                 or
                 withdraw
                 their
                 Power
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 longer
                 use
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 †
                 fire
                 could
                 not
                 consume
                 ,
                 nor
                 singe
                 
                   Shadrach
                   ,
                   Meshach
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Abednego
                 ;
                 nor
                 the
                 *
                 
                   hungry
                   Lyons
                
                 fasten
                 on
                 
                 the
                 
                   Prophet
                   Daniel
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 the
                 *
                 
                   venemous
                   Beast
                
                 sting
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Apostle
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 the
                 †
                 
                   destroying
                   Angel
                
                 touch
                 an
                 Israelite
                 ;
                 nor
                 the
                 *
                 Plague
                 ,
                 or
                 Pestilence
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 contagious
                 Disease
                 ,
                 infect
                 or
                 seize
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 ;
                 nor
                 the
                 †
                 
                   wicked
                   Jews
                
                 act
                 their
                 spite
                 on
                 our
                 
                   Saviour
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 the
                 *
                 
                   Infernal
                   Spirits
                
                 touch
                 Job
                 ,
                 or
                 try
                 his
                 Patience
                 ,
                 whilst
                 God
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 withhold
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 suspends
                 the
                 Operations
                 of
                 all
                 hurtful
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 evil
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 wicked
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 Will
                 :
                 so
                 that
                 they
                 invade
                 no
                 Person
                 ,
                 and
                 act
                 at
                 no
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 when
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 he
                 allows
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 what
                 must
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Not
                 hastily
                 to
                 conclude
                 any
                 case
                 of
                 good
                 Men
                 desperate
                 ,
                 and
                 incapable
                 of
                 cure
                 ,
                 or
                 ease
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 dangers
                 ,
                 or
                 disasters
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 most
                 hurtful
                 things
                 ,
                 or
                 Persons
                 ,
                 threaten
                 most
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 but
                 for
                 God
                 to
                 interpose
                 ,
                 and
                 either
                 divert
                 ,
                 or
                 suspend
                 their
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 the
                 most
                 fierce
                 and
                 mischievous
                 things
                 become
                 tame
                 and
                 harmless
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 dangers
                 from
                 them
                 little
                 ,
                 or
                 none
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 he
                 is
                 wont
                 to
                 interpose
                 for
                 good
                 Men
                 ;
                 rescuing
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 Holy
                 David
                 frequently
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 very
                 jaws
                 of
                 Death
                 ;
                 and
                 saving
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 
                   had
                   the
                   sentence
                   of
                   death
                   in
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 9.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 we
                 are
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 extremities
                 ?
                 must
                 we
                 hope
                 still
                 ,
                 when
                 evil
                 is
                 fastning
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 the
                 very
                 door
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 any
                 express
                 promise
                 of
                 deliverance
                 :
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 formerly
                 ,
                 never
                 forgets
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 though
                 sometimes
                 he
                 may
                 delay
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 last
                 .
                 Or
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 an
                 express
                 command
                 for
                 the
                 work
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 danger
                 meets
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 S.
                 Peter
                 had
                 for
                 
                   coming
                   to
                   Christ
                   upon
                   the
                   water
                   .
                
                 For
                 since
                 Christ
                 bid
                 him
                 do
                 the
                 thing
                 ,
                 he
                 should
                 have
                 hoped
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 stand
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 was
                 rebuked
                 for
                 doubting
                 and
                 
                   staggering
                   in
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 were
                 when
                 
                   the
                   wind
                   was
                   boistrous
                
                 ,
                 ready
                 to
                 bury
                 him
                 in
                 every
                 Wave
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 already
                 
                   began
                   to
                   sink
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 14.
                 29
                 ,
                 30
                 ,
                 31.
                 
                 Or
                 ,
                 lastly
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 other
                 claim
                 for
                 relief
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 from
                 God's
                 Providence
                 ,
                 whose
                 Protection
                 we
                 may
                 generally
                 presume
                 on
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 pursuit
                 of
                 all
                 good
                 and
                 prudent
                 enterprizes
                 :
                 as
                 our
                 Lord
                 intimates
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 rebukes
                 
                   the
                   Apostles
                   for
                   want
                   of
                   Faith
                   in
                   fearing
                   Shipwrack
                   ,
                
                 though
                 they
                 neither
                 had
                 any
                 particular
                 command
                 to
                 Sail
                 ,
                 nor
                 express
                 promise
                 of
                 a
                 safe
                 Voyage
                 ,
                 but
                 were
                 to
                 ground
                 this
                 Faith
                 on
                 being
                 under
                 his
                 Protection
                 ,
                 and
                 going
                 on
                 lawful
                 Errands
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 8.
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 God
                 very
                 commonly
                 
                 suffers
                 good
                 Mens
                 dangers
                 ,
                 which
                 at
                 last
                 he
                 designs
                 to
                 remove
                 ,
                 to
                 go
                 on
                 first
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 extremities
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 Faith
                 and
                 Trust
                 may
                 pass
                 through
                 a
                 more
                 full
                 trial
                 ,
                 and
                 illustrious
                 exercise
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 it
                 teach
                 us
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 in
                 no
                 case
                 to
                 forsake
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 fly
                 to
                 any
                 Foreign
                 and
                 unlawful
                 Aids
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 we
                 stick
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 this
                 over-ruling
                 Power
                 ,
                 when
                 things
                 are
                 at
                 the
                 worst
                 ,
                 can
                 with
                 a
                 Word
                 put
                 all
                 the
                 evil
                 by
                 ,
                 and
                 rescue
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 forsake
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 as
                 easily
                 turn
                 that
                 Power
                 against
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 us
                 fall
                 by
                 our
                 own
                 succours
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 this
                 Almighty
                 Arm
                 ,
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 bring
                 all
                 things
                 about
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 so
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 pleases
                 ,
                 can
                 it
                 also
                 bring
                 them
                 about
                 against
                 us
                 ,
                 in
                 spite
                 of
                 all
                 probabilities
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 is
                 a
                 stupendious
                 height
                 of
                 Power
                 :
                 how
                 will
                 God
                 employ
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 In
                 making
                 good
                 all
                 his
                 Promises
                 ,
                 and
                 executing
                 all
                 his
                 Threatnings
                 ,
                 heaping
                 Favours
                 on
                 his
                 Friends
                 and
                 faithful
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 Judgments
                 on
                 his
                 Enemies
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 all
                 Holy
                 Men
                 shall
                 taste
                 the
                 sweetness
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 endearing
                 Providences
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Jacob
                   ,
                   Joseph
                   ,
                   David
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Patriarchs
                 ,
                 and
                 pious
                 Men
                 of
                 old
                 did
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 Glorious
                 ,
                 and
                 endless
                 Rewards
                 in
                 the
                 
                 next
                 .
                 And
                 wicked
                 Men
                 shall
                 feel
                 the
                 smart
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 crosses
                 ,
                 and
                 penal
                 inflictions
                 of
                 this
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 everlasting
                 torments
                 of
                 the
                 Life
                 to
                 come
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 this
                 irresistible
                 Power
                 ,
                 were
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 thus
                 justly
                 ,
                 and
                 kindly
                 used
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 should
                 basely
                 fear
                 and
                 dread
                 ,
                 yet
                 should
                 we
                 not
                 love
                 and
                 value
                 him
                 that
                 has
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 nothing
                 is
                 so
                 hateful
                 ,
                 as
                 power
                 in
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 malice
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 us
                 have
                 such
                 an
                 utter
                 hatred
                 of
                 the
                 powers
                 of
                 darkness
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 teach
                 all
                 ambitious
                 Men
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 covet
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 Potent
                 Men
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 employ
                 their
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 oppress
                 ,
                 or
                 tyrannize
                 ,
                 to
                 accomplish
                 unlawful
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 work
                 their
                 wills
                 on
                 others
                 .
                 But
                 only
                 to
                 encourage
                 Virtue
                 ,
                 and
                 reward
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 protect
                 the
                 innocent
                 ,
                 relieve
                 the
                 oppressed
                 ,
                 curb
                 the
                 vicious
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 way
                 or
                 other
                 to
                 do
                 good
                 with
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Another
                 Branch
                 of
                 God's
                 Almightiness
                 ,
                 you
                 said
                 ,
                 is
                 his
                 Sovereignty
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 command
                 ,
                 and
                 order
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 God's
                 Sovereignty
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 His
                 Supreme
                 Authority
                 ,
                 being
                 accountable
                 to
                 none
                 ,
                 but
                 having
                 Power
                 to
                 order
                 ,
                 and
                 injoyn
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 seemeth
                 fittest
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Wisdom
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 doth
                 this
                 imply
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Two
                 things
                 :
                 both
                 Empire
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 a
                 Power
                 to
                 injoyn
                 and
                 command
                 as
                 a
                 Ruler
                 ;
                 and
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 a
                 Power
                 to
                 allot
                 and
                 dispose
                 as
                 a
                 Proprietor
                 .
                 God
                 may
                 give
                 any
                 Commands
                 ,
                 and
                 exact
                 them
                 of
                 any
                 Persons
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 absolute
                 Governour
                 :
                 and
                 make
                 any
                 distributions
                 of
                 Things
                 ,
                 or
                 allotment
                 of
                 States
                 and
                 Conditions
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 absolute
                 Lord
                 and
                 Proprietor
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 is
                 Sovereign
                 in
                 both
                 these
                 ,
                 being
                 bound
                 to
                 please
                 none
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 order
                 as
                 seems
                 best
                 to
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 exercise
                 over
                 the
                 World
                 a
                 Sovereign
                 Empire
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 all
                 other
                 Rulers
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 says
                 ,
                 are
                 but
                 
                   his
                   ministers
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 13.
                 4.
                 but
                 he
                 still
                 keeps
                 the
                 controlling
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Reins
                 of
                 Government
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Hands
                 ,
                 being
                 
                   the
                   blessed
                   ,
                   and
                   only
                   Potentate
                   ,
                   King
                   of
                   kings
                   ,
                   and
                   Lord
                   of
                   lords
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Tim.
                 6.
                 15.
                 
                 
                   He
                   hath
                   prepared
                   his
                   throne
                   in
                   heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   kingdom
                   ruleth
                   over
                   all
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 103.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Empire
                 he
                 exercises
                 ,
                 in
                 giving
                 and
                 exacting
                 all
                 Commands
                 ,
                 and
                 guiding
                 and
                 directing
                 all
                 Actions
                 ,
                 and
                 turns
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 pleases
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest
                 Has
                 God
                 an
                 absolute
                 ,
                 and
                 unlimited
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 command
                 all
                 things
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 doing
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 his
                 most
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 Perfect
                 Nature
                 ,
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 injoyning
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 do
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Grace
                 ,
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 doing
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Because
                 his
                 most
                 just
                 ,
                 and
                 equitable
                 Government
                 ,
                 cannot
                 impose
                 an
                 impossible
                 thing
                 .
                 His
                 Laws
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 impossible
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 considered
                 naked
                 in
                 our
                 own
                 strength
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 as
                 consider'd
                 under
                 those
                 assistances
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 strength
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 afford
                 us
                 .
                 He
                 doth
                 not
                 reap
                 where
                 he
                 has
                 not
                 sown
                 ,
                 and
                 whatsoever
                 his
                 Laws
                 require
                 ,
                 his
                 Spirit
                 will
                 assist
                 Men
                 to
                 perform
                 ,
                 
                   His
                   commandments
                   are
                   not
                   grievous
                
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 5.
                 3.
                 and
                 
                   his
                   yoke
                   is
                   easie
                   ,
                   and
                   its
                   burden
                   light
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 11.
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 do
                 you
                 add
                 also
                 ,
                 all
                 that
                 his
                 most
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 Perfect
                 Nature
                 ,
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 injoyning
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 To
                 shew
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 give
                 Commands
                 out
                 of
                 unlimited
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 Arbitrariness
                 ;
                 but
                 doth
                 all
                 according
                 to
                 unalterable
                 Principles
                 of
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 Justice
                 .
                 
                 He
                 may
                 command
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 will
                 :
                 but
                 then
                 he
                 cannot
                 will
                 all
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 fancy
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 like
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 Wise
                 ,
                 and
                 Good.
                 He
                 never
                 Wills
                 against
                 the
                 Perfection
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 will
                 do
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 then
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 having
                 commanded
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Mercifulness
                 ,
                 and
                 Truth
                 ,
                 and
                 Faithfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 his
                 own
                 Natural
                 Perfections
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 possibility
                 of
                 his
                 reversing
                 these
                 Commands
                 to
                 shew
                 unlimitedness
                 of
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 commanding
                 their
                 contraries
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ;
                 in
                 commanding
                 these
                 Virtues
                 ,
                 he
                 only
                 commands
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 like
                 himself
                 :
                 to
                 be
                 
                   holy
                   as
                   he
                   is
                   holy
                   ,
                   perfect
                
                 in
                 kindness
                 
                   as
                   he
                   is
                   perfect
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 *
                 Scripture
                 says
                 .
                 And
                 being
                 Transcripts
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Perfections
                 ,
                 these
                 Virtues
                 are
                 a
                 limitation
                 to
                 his
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 whilst
                 he
                 is
                 himself
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 never
                 will
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 otherwise
                 .
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 his
                 Command
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 them
                 become
                 duties
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 instances
                 of
                 our
                 obedience
                 :
                 but
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 made
                 him
                 command
                 them
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 Goodness
                 they
                 had
                 antecedent
                 to
                 his
                 Command
                 ,
                 as
                 being
                 Draughts
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Perfections
                 .
                 He
                 willed
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 Good
                 ,
                 and
                 like
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 he
                 being
                 unchangeable
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 always
                 like
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 that
                 account
                 he
                 
                 must
                 always
                 will
                 them
                 ;
                 whence
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 duties
                 of
                 Essential
                 ,
                 and
                 Eternal
                 Goodness
                 and
                 Obligation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 exercise
                 this
                 Empire
                 also
                 in
                 guiding
                 ,
                 and
                 directing
                 all
                 Actions
                 ,
                 and
                 Turns
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 pleases
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   doth
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   will
                   in
                   the
                   army
                   of
                   heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   among
                   the
                   inhabitants
                   of
                   the
                   earth
                   :
                   and
                   none
                   can
                   stay
                   his
                   hand
                   ,
                   or
                   say
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   What
                   doest
                   thou
                   ?
                
                 as
                 Nebuchadnezzar
                 most
                 justly
                 acknowledged
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 
                   returned
                   to
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 Dan.
                 4.
                 35.
                 
                 He
                 presides
                 in
                 all
                 Councils
                 ,
                 and
                 directs
                 ,
                 and
                 over-rules
                 all
                 Actions
                 and
                 Events
                 .
                 
                   I
                   form
                   the
                   light
                   ,
                   and
                   create
                   darkness
                   ,
                   I
                   make
                   peace
                   ,
                   and
                   create
                   evil
                   :
                   I
                   the
                   Lord
                   do
                   all
                   these
                   things
                   ,
                
                 Isaiah
                 45.
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Administration
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 which
                 has
                 already
                 been
                 discoursed
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Has
                 God
                 also
                 a
                 Sovereign
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 to
                 dispose
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 allot
                 all
                 their
                 different
                 states
                 and
                 conditions
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Supreme
                 Proprietor
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 his
                 Hand
                 made
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 bestowing
                 upon
                 them
                 both
                 the
                 Workmanship
                 and
                 the
                 Materials
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Power
                 still
                 preserves
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 this
                 for
                 what
                 uses
                 he
                 pleases
                 .
                 
                   Thou
                   hast
                   created
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   thy
                   pleasure
                   they
                   are
                   ,
                   and
                   were
                   created
                   ,
                
                 
                 Rev.
                 4.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   As
                   the
                   clay
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   potters
                   hand
                   ,
                   to
                   form
                   it
                
                 into
                 a
                 Vessel
                 either
                 honourable
                 ;
                 or
                 base
                 ,
                 
                   so
                   are
                   ye
                   in
                   my
                   hand
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Jer.
                 18.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   The
                   heaven
                   is
                   his
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   heaven
                   of
                   heavens
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 10.
                 14.
                 
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   fulness
                   thereof
                   ;
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   that
                   dwell
                   therein
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 24.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 being
                 thus
                 absolute
                 ,
                 and
                 universal
                 a
                 Proprietor
                 ,
                 he
                 places
                 and
                 alters
                 ,
                 grants
                 and
                 resumes
                 all
                 things
                 at
                 pleasure
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 
                   he
                   takes
                   away
                
                 ,
                 says
                 
                   Job
                   ,
                   who
                   can
                   hinder
                   him
                   ,
                   or
                   say
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   What
                   dost
                   thou
                   ?
                
                 Job
                 9.
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 and
                 evil
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 next
                 ,
                 are
                 in
                 God's
                 Hand
                 ,
                 to
                 allot
                 as
                 he
                 sees
                 fit
                 .
                 Doth
                 he
                 allot
                 them
                 according
                 to
                 any
                 rules
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 recompence
                 of
                 Mens
                 predispositions
                 :
                 or
                 Arbitrarily
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 Sovereign
                 Will
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 he
                 pleases
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 In
                 allotting
                 the
                 principal
                 things
                 ,
                 particularly
                 the
                 Eternal
                 pains
                 and
                 pleasures
                 of
                 another
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 all
                 rewards
                 and
                 punishments
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 graciously
                 bounded
                 his
                 own
                 unlimited
                 Power
                 ,
                 by
                 Laws
                 and
                 Compacts
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 all
                 good
                 and
                 evil
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 under
                 Promises
                 or
                 Covenants
                 ,
                 he
                 dispenses
                 them
                 Arbitrarily
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 sees
                 fit
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 those
                 allotments
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 evil
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 makes
                 in
                 recompence
                 to
                 Mens
                 Deeds
                 ,
                 and
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 direction
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Laws
                 and
                 Promises
                 ,
                 
                 may
                 be
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Legal
                   Distributions
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Covenant-Justice
                 :
                 so
                 may
                 those
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 has
                 not
                 limited
                 himself
                 by
                 any
                 such
                 Contracts
                 ,
                 be
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Prerogative
                   Power
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Arbitrary
                   Will
                
                 of
                 this
                 Almighty
                 Potentate
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 what
                 things
                 doth
                 God
                 act
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 
                   Power
                   of
                   Prerogative
                
                 ,
                 allotting
                 good
                 or
                 evil
                 things
                 ,
                 or
                 states
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 unlimited
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 Mens
                 qualities
                 and
                 predispositions
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 I
                 do
                 not
                 say
                 he
                 acts
                 constantly
                 so
                 :
                 but
                 oft-times
                 he
                 doth
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 In
                 allotting
                 Mens
                 different
                 state
                 ,
                 and
                 worldly
                 circumstances
                 :
                 as
                 that
                 one
                 should
                 be
                 born
                 of
                 Noble
                 Parents
                 ,
                 to
                 great
                 Fortunes
                 ,
                 or
                 honourable
                 Employments
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 well-shaped
                 healthy
                 Body
                 ,
                 or
                 pregnant
                 parts
                 ;
                 and
                 another
                 should
                 be
                 born
                 mean
                 ,
                 or
                 servile
                 ,
                 or
                 sickly
                 ,
                 or
                 mis-shaped
                 ,
                 or
                 poor
                 ,
                 or
                 foolish
                 .
                 Thus
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Jews
                 asked
                 the
                 reason
                 of
                 a
                 
                   man's
                   being
                   born
                   blind
                
                 ,
                 whether
                 
                   for
                   his
                   parents
                   sin
                   ,
                   or
                   his
                   own
                
                 ;
                 our
                 Saviour
                 told
                 them
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 need
                 for
                 that
                 ,
                 to
                 seek
                 out
                 for
                 such
                 precedent
                 desert
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 't
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 say
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   God
                   might
                   be
                   made
                   manifest
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 John
                 9.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 allotting
                 their
                 different
                 outward
                 helps
                 for
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 opportunities
                 ;
                 
                 as
                 that
                 one
                 should
                 be
                 born
                 of
                 Christian
                 Parents
                 ,
                 trained
                 up
                 in
                 an
                 Orthodox
                 Belief
                 ,
                 and
                 pure
                 Worship
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Eyes
                 of
                 good
                 Examples
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 skilful
                 Pastors
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 another
                 should
                 be
                 deprived
                 of
                 some
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 .
                 Thus
                 ,
                 the
                 difference
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 Secular
                 ,
                 and
                 Ecclesiastical
                 Priviledges
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 put
                 between
                 the
                 Jews
                 and
                 
                   Edomites
                   ,
                   (
                   the
                   elder
                   serving
                   the
                   younger
                   ,
                
                 not
                 being
                 intended
                 ,
                 or
                 verified
                 of
                 Jacob
                 and
                 
                 Esau's
                 Persons
                 ,
                 Jacob
                 rather
                 serving
                 Esau
                 ,
                 than
                 Esau
                 him
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 33.
                 3.
                 but
                 of
                 their
                 Posterities
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 God
                 expresly
                 speaks
                 it
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 first
                 declared
                 it
                 to
                 Rebekah
                 ,
                 Gen.
                 25.
                 23.
                 and
                 to
                 whom
                 Malachy
                 ,
                 from
                 whom
                 also
                 S.
                 Paul
                 cites
                 this
                 passage
                 ,
                 doth
                 apply
                 it
                 ,
                 Mal.
                 1.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 )
                 this
                 difference
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 was
                 an
                 allotment
                 out
                 of
                 
                 God's
                 Sovereign
                 Will
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 precedent
                 deserts
                 ;
                 God
                 declaring
                 that
                 to
                 
                   Rebekkah
                   ,
                   while
                   the
                   children
                   were
                   yet
                   unborn
                   ,
                   and
                   had
                   neither
                   done
                   good
                   nor
                   ill
                   ,
                
                 to
                 prepare
                 them
                 for
                 this
                 discrimination
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 These
                 different
                 allotments
                 ,
                 of
                 National
                 Priviledges
                 to
                 Jews
                 above
                 Edomites
                 ,
                 and
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 *
                 there
                 notes
                 ,
                 to
                 Gentiles
                 above
                 Jews
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Jews
                 were
                 
                   cast
                   off
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 taken
                 into
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 their
                 place
                 ,
                 was
                 
                   no
                   unrighteousness
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   hath
                   mercy
                   on
                   whom
                   he
                   will
                   have
                   mercy
                   ,
                
                 verse
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 to
                 name
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 offers
                 what
                 is
                 sufficient
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 to
                 enable
                 them
                 to
                 do
                 his
                 will
                 if
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 wanting
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 which
                 renders
                 all
                 without
                 excuse
                 ;
                 yet
                 allotting
                 more
                 eminent
                 ,
                 and
                 efficacious
                 degrees
                 of
                 Grace
                 to
                 some
                 Persons
                 ,
                 and
                 shewing
                 more
                 respite
                 and
                 forbearance
                 towards
                 some
                 offenders
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 doth
                 to
                 others
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 strikes
                 with
                 a
                 swifter
                 vengeance
                 ,
                 cutting
                 them
                 off
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 very
                 first
                 attempts
                 .
                 Thus
                 his
                 sparing
                 Pharaoh
                 ,
                 and
                 still
                 
                   raising
                   him
                   up
                
                 again
                 to
                 a
                 new
                 trial
                 after
                 numerous
                 repulses
                 ,
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ascribes
                 to
                 God's
                 Sovereignty
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   has
                   mercy
                   on
                   whom
                   he
                   will
                   have
                   mercy
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 In
                 allotting
                 these
                 different
                 worldly
                 Circumstances
                 ,
                 and
                 external
                 Priviledges
                 and
                 Opportunities
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 eminent
                 degrees
                 of
                 inward
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 shewing
                 this
                 different
                 forbearance
                 ,
                 God
                 uses
                 the
                 same
                 Prerogative
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 absolute
                 Sovereignty
                 over
                 his
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 which
                 
                   the
                   potter
                   doth
                   over
                   the
                   clay
                   ,
                
                 as
                 S.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   forming
                   one
                   vessel
                   to
                   honour
                   ,
                   and
                   another
                   to
                   dishonour
                   ,
                
                 not
                 because
                 of
                 any
                 different
                 fineness
                 of
                 the
                 matter
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 taking
                 both
                 
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   same
                   lump
                
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 will
                 and
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 21.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 in
                 these
                 allotments
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 dispenses
                 Arbitrarily
                 ,
                 doth
                 he
                 not
                 always
                 dispense
                 Wisely
                 ,
                 and
                 Reasonably
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 most
                 certainly
                 .
                 Mans
                 will
                 is
                 too
                 oft
                 a
                 blind
                 ,
                 precipitate
                 resolution
                 .
                 But
                 God's
                 Will
                 is
                 never
                 without
                 Reason
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 highest
                 Counsel
                 directs
                 him
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 seems
                 most
                 Arbitrary
                 in
                 acting
                 .
                 
                   He
                   works
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   counsel
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   will
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 1.
                 11.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 said
                 to
                 act
                 out
                 of
                 Will
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 Will
                 upon
                 good
                 Reason
                 ,
                 but
                 because
                 that
                 Reason
                 is
                 not
                 his
                 being
                 directed
                 so
                 by
                 any
                 of
                 his
                 Laws
                 or
                 Covenants
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 recompence
                 any
                 pre
                 dispositions
                 of
                 his
                 Creatures
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 Arbitrary
                 ,
                 because
                 uncovenanted
                 ,
                 and
                 left
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 But
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 left
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 is
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 managed
                 with
                 the
                 highest
                 Equity
                 ,
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 appear
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 let
                 in
                 to
                 behold
                 the
                 Counsel
                 of
                 God's
                 actings
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 God
                 use
                 this
                 Prerogative-Power
                 ,
                 in
                 allotting
                 Saving
                 Grace
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 one
                 shall
                 have
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 in
                 a
                 good
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 shall
                 be
                 denied
                 it
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 seeks
                 it
                 earnestly
                 and
                 sincerely
                 ,
                 only
                 because
                 God
                 pleases
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 under
                 Promises
                 and
                 Compacts
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 dispensed
                 and
                 measured
                 out
                 to
                 Men
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 readiness
                 to
                 comply
                 with
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 care
                 to
                 seek
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   If
                   any
                   man
                   lack
                   wisdom
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   ask
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   giveth
                   to
                   all
                
                 
                 
                   men
                   liberally
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   God
                   will
                   give
                   the
                   holy
                   spirit
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   ask
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 11.
                 13.
                 and
                 
                   to
                   every
                   one
                   that
                   hath
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 improves
                 his
                 
                   talents
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                
                 ,
                 Matth.
                 25.
                 29.
                 
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 Covenant-Rules
                 ,
                 for
                 allotting
                 Saving
                 Graces
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Or
                 doth
                 he
                 use
                 it
                 in
                 allotting
                 Heaven
                 and
                 Hell
                 ,
                 and
                 dispensing
                 Eternal
                 Rewards
                 and
                 Punishments
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 these
                 are
                 not
                 given
                 in
                 way
                 of
                 Arbitrary
                 Dispensations
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 Legal
                 Trials
                 .
                 At
                 the
                 last
                 day
                 ,
                 
                   men
                   must
                   all
                   appear
                   before
                   Christ
                   ,
                   to
                   receive
                   according
                   to
                   what
                   they
                   have
                   done
                   in
                   the
                   body
                   ,
                   whether
                   it
                   be
                   good
                   ,
                   or
                   bad
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 10.
                 they
                 must
                 
                   all
                   be
                   judged
                   according
                   to
                   their
                   works
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 no
                 Man
                 who
                 lives
                 ill
                 ,
                 must
                 think
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 his
                 Sovereignty
                 ,
                 may
                 save
                 him
                 if
                 he
                 will
                 ;
                 nor
                 any
                 Man
                 ,
                 that
                 lives
                 well
                 ,
                 fear
                 lest
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 his
                 Sovereignty
                 ,
                 may
                 damn
                 him
                 if
                 he
                 will
                 ;
                 nor
                 if
                 any
                 Person
                 seriously
                 sets
                 himself
                 to
                 be
                 good
                 ,
                 must
                 he
                 harbour
                 any
                 jealousie
                 of
                 Prerogative-Power
                 ,
                 and
                 Arbitrary
                 decrees
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 whereby
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 shut
                 out
                 from
                 that
                 Grace
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 help
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 No
                 ,
                 there
                 were
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 danger
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 had
                 we
                 nothing
                 else
                 to
                 trust
                 
                 to
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 absolute
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 .
                 But
                 moreover
                 ,
                 in
                 these
                 most
                 important
                 disposals
                 ,
                 God
                 acts
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 Arbitrary
                 ,
                 unlimited
                 Power
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 he
                 has
                 made
                 himself
                 a
                 Legal
                 ,
                 Covenanting
                 Governour
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 graciously
                 pleased
                 to
                 rule
                 the
                 World
                 by
                 Laws
                 and
                 Compacts
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 distribute
                 rewards
                 and
                 punishments
                 according
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 in
                 expecting
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 have
                 recourse
                 to
                 any
                 fancied
                 secret
                 Decrees
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 revealed
                 Promises
                 ,
                 and
                 Covenant-Declarations
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 shown
                 ,
                 pronounce
                 Mercy
                 on
                 the
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 Vengeance
                 on
                 the
                 bad
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 that
                 sincerely
                 and
                 carefully
                 seek
                 after
                 it
                 .
                 In
                 relation
                 to
                 future
                 recompences
                 ,
                 saith
                 S.
                 
                   John
                   ,
                   God
                   is
                   just
                
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 1.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 relation
                 to
                 present
                 assistances
                 ,
                 saith
                 S.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   God
                   is
                   faithful
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 10.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 relation
                 to
                 both
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   is
                   not
                   unrighteous
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 10.
                 
                 So
                 making
                 ,
                 not
                 absolute
                 Will
                 and
                 Prerogative-Arbitrariness
                 ,
                 but
                 Moral
                 Honesty
                 and
                 Covenant-Justice
                 ,
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 Mens
                 expectation
                 from
                 him
                 in
                 these
                 matters
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 several
                 times
                 mentioned
                 the
                 rectitude
                 of
                 God's
                 Nature
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 voluntary
                 addition
                 of
                 his
                 Laws
                 and
                 Compacts
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 limitation
                 of
                 his
                 Sovereign
                 Will
                 and
                 Power
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 you
                 have
                 particularly
                 explained
                 before
                 :
                 but
                 I
                 should
                 be
                 glad
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 brief
                 account
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 ways
                 and
                 temper
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scripture
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Thus
                 they
                 represent
                 him
                 .
                 
                   That
                   't
                   is
                   impossible
                   for
                   God
                   to
                   lie
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 18.
                 that
                 
                   he
                   is
                   faithful
                   ,
                   and
                   cannot
                   deny
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   He
                   is
                   of
                   purer
                   eyes
                   ,
                   than
                   to
                   behold
                   iniquity
                   ,
                
                 Hab.
                 1.
                 13.
                 
                   he
                   hates
                   all
                   workers
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 5.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   He
                   cannot
                   be
                   tempted
                   with
                   evil
                   ,
                   nor
                   tempt
                   any
                   man
                   to
                   it
                   ,
                
                 James
                 1.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   All
                   his
                   ways
                   are
                   judgment
                   ,
                   a
                   God
                   of
                   Truth
                   ,
                   and
                   without
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   just
                   and
                   right
                   is
                   he
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 32.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   He
                   regardeth
                   not
                   persons
                   ,
                   nor
                   taketh
                   rewards
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 10.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   He
                   loveth
                   righteousness
                   ,
                   and
                   beholdeth
                   the
                   upright
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 11.
                 7.
                 
                 He
                 is
                 
                   merciful
                   ,
                   and
                   gracious
                   ,
                   long-suffering
                   ,
                   and
                   abundant
                   in
                   goodness
                   and
                   truth
                   ,
                   keeping
                   mercy
                   for
                   thousands
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 34.
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 
                   God
                   is
                   love
                
                 ,
                 1
                 John
                 4.
                 8
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 
                   he
                   will
                   by
                   no
                   means
                   clear
                   the
                   guilty
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 34.
                 7.
                 so
                 has
                 
                   he
                   no
                   pleasure
                   in
                   the
                   death
                   of
                   the
                   wicked
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   the
                   wicked
                   man
                   turn
                   from
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                   and
                   live
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 33.
                 11.
                 
                 These
                 are
                 the
                 Almighty
                 Deities
                 fixt
                 ,
                 and
                 immutable
                 Ways
                 ,
                 and
                 Principles
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 never
                 thwarts
                 ,
                 or
                 contradicts
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 absoluteness
                 of
                 Power
                 and
                 Wilfulness
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 Almighty
                 God
                 is
                 the
                 Proprietor
                 of
                 all
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 do
                 what
                 he
                 pleases
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 be
                 All-sufficient
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 need
                 no
                 accessions
                 from
                 any
                 Body
                 to
                 his
                 Happiness
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 So
                 he
                 is
                 .
                 
                   My
                   goodness
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                   David
                   ,
                   extendeth
                   not
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 16.
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 needs
                 nothing
                 ,
                 that
                 any
                 Creatures
                 can
                 offer
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 supply
                 himself
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 since
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 can
                 present
                 him
                 with
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 from
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 are
                 so
                 poor
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 give
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 so
                 full
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 receive
                 nothing
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 plain
                 he
                 is
                 no
                 selfish
                 Being
                 ,
                 nor
                 seeks
                 any
                 separate
                 Interests
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 services
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 pay
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Very
                 true
                 .
                 His
                 ends
                 are
                 only
                 to
                 communicate
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 gain
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 may
                 shew
                 Men
                 how
                 unnecessary
                 their
                 scruple
                 is
                 ,
                 who
                 fear
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 sincere
                 in
                 God's
                 Service
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 seek
                 thereby
                 to
                 benefit
                 themselves
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 that
                 ,
                 their
                 end
                 is
                 not
                 different
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 same
                 with
                 his
                 .
                 They
                 seek
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 in
                 pursuing
                 their
                 own
                 truest
                 good
                 ,
                 for
                 in
                 giving
                 ,
                 not
                 receiving
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 seeks
                 to
                 be
                 glorified
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 God's
                 Sovereignty
                 ,
                 and
                 absolute
                 Dominion
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 since
                 all
                 we
                 possess
                 ,
                 is
                 held
                 under
                 him
                 ,
                 never
                 to
                 compass
                 any
                 worldly
                 thing
                 by
                 fraud
                 ,
                 or
                 falshood
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 deceitful
                 and
                 dishonest
                 dealing
                 .
                 For
                 since
                 God
                 never
                 allows
                 of
                 such
                 ,
                 whosoever
                 come
                 into
                 Possessions
                 that
                 way
                 ,
                 have
                 no
                 consent
                 ,
                 or
                 grant
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 whatever
                 they
                 hold
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 by
                 any
                 Title
                 of
                 Right
                 and
                 Lawful
                 Claim
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 by
                 unjust
                 Usurpation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 do
                 we
                 learn
                 from
                 this
                 absolute
                 Dominion
                 besides
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Ans.
                   Secondly
                
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 content
                 with
                 that
                 state
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 portion
                 of
                 Goods
                 and
                 Accommodation
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 allots
                 us
                 .
                 For
                 be
                 our
                 part
                 what
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Mens
                 never
                 so
                 much
                 above
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 most
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 fancy
                 all
                 their
                 own
                 burthens
                 heaviest
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 own
                 injoyments
                 least
                 :
                 yet
                 ,
                 God
                 having
                 as
                 absolute
                 Propriety
                 to
                 make
                 one
                 Rich
                 ,
                 and
                 another
                 Poor
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 *
                 Potter
                 has
                 ,
                 
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   same
                   lump
                   ,
                   to
                   frame
                   one
                   vessel
                   to
                   honour
                   ,
                   and
                   another
                   to
                   dishonour
                   ,
                
                 they
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 most
                 rightfully
                 disposed
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 moreover
                 ,
                 whatever
                 little
                 any
                 of
                 us
                 injoy
                 ,
                 in
                 comparison
                 with
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 that
                 little
                 wholly
                 undeserved
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 from
                 the
                 same
                 bounty
                 ,
                 which
                 grants
                 us
                 our
                 share
                 ,
                 any
                 other
                 Men
                 have
                 more
                 ,
                 
                   our
                   eye
                   must
                   not
                   be
                   evil
                   ,
                   because
                   God's
                   is
                   good
                   ,
                
                 Matth.
                 20.
                 15.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 it
                 teach
                 us
                 any
                 thing
                 else
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 content
                 when
                 he
                 resumes
                 his
                 own
                 allotments
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 he
                 grants
                 us
                 things
                 ,
                 he
                 still
                 keeps
                 the
                 Propriety
                 in
                 himself
                 .
                 He
                 makes
                 no
                 
                   Tenants
                   in
                   Fee
                
                 ,
                 no
                 ,
                 nor
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 
                   Tenants
                   for
                   Life
                
                 :
                 Whatsoever
                 outward
                 things
                 we
                 hold
                 under
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 all
                 as
                 
                   Tenants
                   at
                   Will
                
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 disseiz'd
                 when
                 he
                 pleases
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 whensoever
                 God
                 lends
                 us
                 Health
                 ,
                 or
                 Wealth
                 ,
                 or
                 Honour
                 ,
                 or
                 Friends
                 ,
                 or
                 Children
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 injoy
                 them
                 with
                 an
                 apprehension
                 of
                 their
                 being
                 only
                 Loans
                 for
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 a
                 readiness
                 to
                 resign
                 them
                 up
                 ,
                 when
                 called
                 for
                 again
                 .
                 As
                 good
                 
                   old
                   Eli
                   did
                
                 ,
                 who
                 upon
                 an
                 irreparable
                 degradation
                 of
                 his
                 Family
                 ,
                 from
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 highest
                 Power
                 and
                 dignity
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 want
                 and
                 meanness
                 ,
                 only
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   do
                   what
                   seemeth
                   him
                   good
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Sam.
                 3.
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 Job
                 ,
                 who
                 upon
                 his
                 sudden
                 and
                 amazing
                 change
                 of
                 fortune
                 ,
                 when
                 from
                 the
                 most
                 rich
                 and
                 happy
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 few
                 minutes
                 time
                 he
                 was
                 made
                 the
                 most
                 poor
                 and
                 miserable
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Men
                 in
                 the
                 East
                 ,
                 said
                 only
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   gave
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   taken
                   away
                   ,
                   blessed
                   be
                   the
                   name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Job
                 1.
                 21.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 it
                 teach
                 us
                 any
                 thing
                 more
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 to
                 use
                 all
                 his
                 allotments
                 to
                 his
                 Honour
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 spares
                 them
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 He
                 makes
                 no
                 Proprietors
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 Stewards
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 4.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 
                   in
                   stewards
                   it
                   is
                   required
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   prove
                   faithful
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 2.
                 employing
                 what
                 is
                 under
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 Masters
                 ends
                 ,
                 use
                 ,
                 and
                 interest
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 no
                 Persons
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 God
                 has
                 given
                 Estates
                 ,
                 must
                 think
                 them
                 a
                 priviledge
                 ,
                 for
                 being
                 idle
                 ,
                 and
                 careless
                 ;
                 or
                 for
                 spending
                 them
                 wholly
                 upon
                 sports
                 and
                 pastimes
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 wealthy
                 Persons
                 were
                 made
                 for
                 no
                 other
                 business
                 ,
                 but
                 diversions
                 ;
                 and
                 much
                 less
                 for
                 laying
                 them
                 out
                 in
                 ostentation
                 of
                 Pride
                 ,
                 and
                 Vanity
                 ;
                 or
                 in
                 ministring
                 to
                 Vice
                 and
                 Luxury
                 .
                 Health
                 ,
                 and
                 Wit
                 ,
                 and
                 Wealth
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Temporal
                 advantages
                 ,
                 being
                 only
                 Loans
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 Faithfully
                 stewarded
                 ,
                 and
                 laid
                 out
                 ,
                 not
                 slothfully
                 neglected
                 ,
                 wasted
                 ,
                 embezelled
                 ,
                 or
                 abused
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Are
                 we
                 to
                 learn
                 from
                 it
                 any
                 thing
                 further
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 humble
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 modestly
                 and
                 soberly
                 of
                 our selves
                 ,
                 under
                 any
                 preeminence
                 of
                 Body
                 ,
                 or
                 Parts
                 ,
                 Power
                 ,
                 or
                 Possessions
                 .
                 When
                 these
                 advantages
                 puff
                 Men
                 up
                 with
                 pride
                 ,
                 and
                 vain
                 fondness
                 ,
                 and
                 self-conceit
                 ,
                 they
                 arrogate
                 all
                 the
                 fancied
                 honour
                 and
                 estimation
                 of
                 
                 them
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 Proprietors
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 they
                 own
                 them
                 as
                 God's
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 and
                 Trusts
                 ,
                 and
                 themselves
                 as
                 holding
                 them
                 only
                 during
                 Pleasure
                 by
                 uncertain
                 Tenures
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 ascribe
                 all
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 them
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 learn
                 Modesty
                 ,
                 Care
                 ,
                 Dependance
                 ,
                 and
                 Thankfulness
                 .
                 And
                 withal
                 ,
                 never
                 insult
                 ,
                 or
                 deride
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 others
                 :
                 remembring
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 who
                 
                   mocketh
                   the
                   poor
                
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 the
                 case
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 all
                 other
                 Natural
                 Defects
                 ,
                 or
                 Calamities
                 ,
                 )
                 
                   reproacheth
                   his
                   Maker
                
                 ,
                 who
                 disposed
                 of
                 him
                 in
                 that
                 condition
                 ,
                 as
                 Solomon
                 says
                 Prov.
                 17.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 see
                 
                   God
                   Almighty
                
                 is
                 an
                 immensly
                 Great
                 Being
                 .
                 How
                 must
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 irresistible
                 Might
                 ,
                 and
                 absolute
                 Sovereignty
                 affect
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Ans.
                 With
                 the
                 greatest
                 submission
                 of
                 Humility
                 ,
                 and
                 Reverence
                 .
                 For
                 such
                 immense
                 Greatness
                 and
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 should
                 strike
                 us
                 with
                 holy
                 fear
                 and
                 submission
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 degree
                 ,
                 every
                 time
                 we
                 think
                 ,
                 or
                 speak
                 of
                 this
                 Great
                 God
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 all
                 acts
                 of
                 Adoration
                 and
                 Worship
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 pay
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 
                   Thou
                   must
                   fear
                   this
                   glorious
                   ,
                   and
                   fearful
                   name
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   thy
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 28.
                 58.
                 
                 
                   He
                   is
                   the
                   excellency
                   of
                   Jacob
                   ,
                
                 Amos
                 8.
                 7.
                 
                   the
                   most
                   high
                   over
                   all
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 83.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   a
                   great
                   God
                   ,
                   a
                   mighty
                   ,
                   and
                   terrible
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 10.
                 17.
                 
                   glorious
                   in
                   holiness
                   ,
                   fearful
                   in
                   praises
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   doing
                   wonders
                
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 15.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   Holy
                   ,
                   and
                   reverend
                   is
                   his
                   name
                   ,
                
                 Psalm
                 111.
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 easie
                 to
                 believe
                 God
                 made
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Ans.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 thereby
                 
                   in
                   the
                   beginning
                   God
                   created
                   the
                   heaven
                   and
                   the
                   earth
                   ,
                
                 Gen.
                 1.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 Power
                 he
                 still
                 Governs
                 and
                 Preserves
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 before
                 explained
                 .
              
            
             
               The
               End
               of
               the
               First
               Part.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
               Imprimatur
               Liber
               cui
               Titulus
               ,
               
                 The
                 Practical
                 Believer
              
               ,
               Part
               II.
               
            
             
               
                 Guil.
                 Needham
                 ,
                 R.
                 R.
              
               in
               Christo
               P.
               ac
               D.
               D.
               Wilhelmo
               Archiep.
               Cant.
               á
               Sacr.
               Domest
               .
               
                 
                   June
                   28.
                   1688.
                   
                
              
            
          
           
             
             
               THE
               Practical
               Believer
               .
            
             
               PART
               II.
               
            
             
               OR
               ,
               THE
               KNOWLEDGE
               OF
               JESUS
               CHRIST
               .
            
             
               By
               
                 John
                 Kettlewell
              
               ,
               Minister
               of
               Coles-Hill
               in
               Warwick-shire
               .
            
             
               LONDON
               ,
               Printed
               for
               
                 Robert
                 Kettlewell
              
               ,
               and
               are
               to
               be
               sold
               by
               
                 R.
                 Clavell
              
               at
               the
               Peacock
               in
               St.
               
               Paul's
               Church-yard
               ,
               and
               
                 W.
                 Rogers
              
               at
               the
               Sun
               in
               Fleetstreet
               ,
               1689.
               
            
          
           
             
             
             
               THE
               CONTENTS
               .
            
             
               
                 CHAP.
                 I.
                 
              
               
                 
                   OF
                   the
                   Office
                   ,
                   and
                   Natures
                   of
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                   In
                   what
                   Salvation
                   by
                   Christ
                   consists
                   .
                   Being
                   Christ
                   ,
                   notes
                   his
                   being
                   ,
                
                 1.
                 
                 
                   A
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   to
                   teach
                   his
                   Church
                   .
                   We
                   must
                   hear
                   and
                   learn
                   of
                   him
                   in
                   the
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                   ;
                   and
                   at
                   the
                   mouths
                   of
                   his
                   Ministers
                   .
                
                 2.
                 
                 
                   A
                   Priest
                   ,
                   to
                   Redeem
                   ,
                   and
                   Intercede
                   for
                   it
                   .
                
                 3.
                 
                 
                   A
                   King
                   ,
                   to
                   Govern
                   it
                   by
                   his
                   Laws
                   .
                   And
                   by
                   his
                   Officers
                   ,
                   whom
                   we
                   are
                   to
                   submit
                   to
                   in
                   his
                   place
                   .
                   Also
                   to
                   Protect
                   it
                   against
                   all
                   visible
                   and
                   invisible
                   Enemies
                   .
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   is
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   as
                   having
                   receiv'd
                   from
                   the
                   Father
                   the
                   Nature
                   of
                   God.
                   And
                   the
                   Power
                   of
                   God.
                   On
                   both
                   these
                   Accounts
                   ,
                   and
                   others
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   our
                   Lord.
                   And
                   to
                   be
                   worshipped
                   .
                   What
                   we
                   learn
                   from
                   his
                   being
                   our
                   Lord.
                   Of
                   Christ's
                   being
                   Conceiv'd
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   and
                   Born
                   of
                   a
                   Virgin.
                   He
                   was
                   truly
                   Man.
                   And
                   why
                   he
                   was
                   so
                   .
                
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 II.
                 
              
               
                 
                   OF
                   the
                   Sufferings
                   of
                   Christ.
                   An
                   Account
                   of
                   what
                   Christ
                   suffer'd
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   whom
                   .
                   Both
                   he
                   ,
                   and
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                   were
                   consenting
                   to
                   it
                   .
                   What
                   he
                   suffer'd
                   ,
                   was
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   to
                   save
                   us
                   from
                   suffering
                   for
                   them
                   ,
                   when
                   we
                   truly
                   repent
                   of
                   them
                   .
                   Pardon
                   on
                   Repentance
                   ,
                   the
                   design
                   of
                   his
                   Satisfaction
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Merit
                   of
                   his
                   Death
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   a
                   free
                   Grace
                   ,
                   which
                   implies
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   not
                   given
                   in
                   Recompence
                   of
                   our
                   Deserts
                   ,
                   not
                   that
                   it
                   requires
                   no
                   Conditions
                   .
                   An
                   Account
                   why
                   God
                   would
                   not
                   grant
                   this
                   Grace
                   of
                   Pardon
                   to
                   Penitents
                   ,
                   without
                   Christ's
                   dying
                   to
                   satisfie
                   for
                   them
                   .
                   And
                   how
                   his
                   Death
                   serv'd
                   all
                   the
                   designs
                   of
                   God's
                   Justice
                   ,
                   full
                   as
                   well
                   ,
                   as
                   their
                   own
                   would
                   have
                   done
                   .
                   Christ's
                   Sacrifice
                   but
                   once
                   offered
                   ,
                   but
                   daily
                   commemorated
                   .
                   Several
                   useful
                   inferences
                   from
                   Christ's
                   dying
                   for
                   us
                   .
                   Christ's
                   dead
                   Body
                   was
                   Buried
                   .
                   Of
                   his
                   descent
                   into
                   Hell.
                   
                
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 III.
                 
              
               
                 
                   OF
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   sitting
                   at
                   God's
                   Right-hand
                   .
                   An
                   Account
                   how
                   Christ
                   may
                   be
                   said
                   to
                   have
                   been
                   three
                   days
                   in
                   the
                   Earth
                   .
                   His
                   Resurrection
                   proved
                   .
                   The
                   necessity
                   of
                   it
                   .
                   He
                   ascended
                   to
                   Heaven
                   .
                   What
                   is
                   meant
                   by
                   his
                   sitting
                   at
                   the
                   Right-Hand
                   of
                   God.
                   There
                   he
                   ,
                
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Intercedes
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                   as
                   our
                   Priest.
                   This
                   intercession
                   not
                   vocal
                   ,
                   by
                   Words
                   and
                   formal
                   Pleas
                   ,
                   but
                   by
                   presenting
                   himself
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   own
                   meritorious
                   Sacrifice
                   .
                   He
                   intercedes
                   only
                   for
                   Covenant-Mercies
                   ,
                   and
                   on
                   Covenant-Terms
                   .
                   He
                   is
                   an
                   Intercessor
                   of
                   absolute
                   Power
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   truest
                   Affection
                   for
                   us
                   .
                   One
                   part
                   of
                   his
                   intercession
                   ,
                   is
                   to
                   hand
                   and
                   present
                   our
                   Prayers
                
                 
                 
                   to
                   God.
                   Therefore
                   whensoever
                   we
                   pray
                   for
                   any
                   thing
                   ,
                   't
                   is
                   both
                   our
                   duty
                   ,
                   and
                   wisdom
                   to
                   apply
                   by
                   him
                   .
                
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Governs
                   his
                   Church
                   ,
                   as
                   a
                   King.
                   In
                   what
                   Acts
                   this
                   consists
                   .
                
                 3.
                 
                 
                   Instructs
                   his
                   Church
                   ,
                   as
                   a
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   by
                   sending
                   to
                   it
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   .
                   Christ's
                   Body
                   having
                   now
                   taken
                   up
                   its
                   fixt
                   abode
                   at
                   God's
                   Right-Hand
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   not
                   in
                   any
                   Ordinances
                   to
                   expect
                   his
                   Bodily
                   Presence
                   ,
                   but
                   only
                   a
                   Presence
                   by
                   his
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   more
                   to
                   be
                   desired
                   .
                   Some
                   Inferences
                   from
                   Christ's
                   sitting
                   at
                   God's
                   Right-hand
                   .
                
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 IV.
                 
              
               
                 
                   OF
                   the
                   Future
                   Judgment
                   .
                   The
                   necessity
                   of
                   the
                   Future
                   Judgment
                   .
                   All
                   men
                   are
                   judged
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   happy
                   or
                   miserable
                   ,
                   at
                   their
                   Deaths
                   .
                   But
                   not
                   so
                   fully
                   then
                   ,
                   as
                   they
                   will
                   be
                   afterwards
                   .
                   The
                   Compleat
                   and
                   General
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   is
                   at
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   World.
                   In
                   that
                   ,
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Judge
                   .
                   Who
                   are
                   to
                   be
                   Judged
                   .
                   In
                   that
                   Judgement
                   no
                   Condemnation
                   ,
                   but
                   for
                   breaking
                   God's
                   Laws
                   :
                   So
                   not
                   for
                   indifferent
                   things
                   .
                   Men
                   shall
                   be
                   tryed
                   and
                   sentenced
                   for
                   all
                   their
                   sinful
                   Actions
                   ,
                   with
                   regard
                   to
                   their
                   lasting
                   Effects
                   .
                   For
                   their
                   most
                   secret
                   ones
                   .
                   And
                   such
                   ill
                   deeds
                   as
                   were
                   disguised
                   under
                   the
                   fairest
                   Pretences
                   .
                   For
                   their
                   sinful
                   Omissions
                   .
                   And
                   Neglecting
                   to
                   employ
                   ,
                   and
                   improve
                   their
                   Talents
                   .
                   For
                   sinful
                   Words
                   .
                   And
                   Thoughts
                   and
                   Desires
                   .
                   For
                   all
                   these
                   Men
                   shall
                   be
                   judged
                   impartially
                   ,
                   without
                   respect
                   of
                   Persons
                   .
                   But
                   with
                   Equity
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   Candor
                   ,
                   not
                   in
                   Rigor
                   .
                   The
                   Benign
                   Judge
                   will
                   be
                   very
                   ready
                   to
                   observe
                   what
                   makes
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                   and
                   make
                   the
                   best
                   of
                   our
                   Performances
                   .
                   And
                   interpret
                   the
                   seemingly
                   Rigorous
                   Expressions
                   of
                   his
                   own
                   Laws
                   ,
                   with
                   great
                   condescension
                   to
                   Humane
                   Measures
                   .
                   He
                   will
                   allow
                   for
                   involuntary
                   Failings
                   .
                   And
                   judge
                   Candidly
                   and
                   Favourably
                   of
                   that
                   involuntariness
                   .
                   And
                   for
                   Natural
                   Infirmities
                   .
                   And
                   for
                   Providential
                   disadvantages
                   ,
                   as
                   Multiplicity
                   of
                   Business
                   ,
                   greatness
                   of
                   Temptations
                   ,
                   Bodily
                   Indispositions
                   .
                   For
                   Pitiable
                   Defects
                   of
                   Degrees
                   in
                   Duties
                   .
                   Great
                   Latitude
                   on
                   the
                   side
                   of
                   Bliss
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   not
                   required
                   to
                   be
                   of
                   the
                   same
                   Size
                   .
                   He
                   will
                   Reward
                   Good
                   Things
                   ,
                   tho'
                   done
                   with
                   Difficulty
                   and
                   Reluctance
                   ,
                   yea
                   ,
                   when
                   Pitiably
                   stain'd
                   with
                   impure
                   mixtures
                   .
                   Our
                   Judge
                   will
                   shew
                   all
                   this
                   Candor
                   ,
                   and
                   would
                   have
                   us
                   expect
                   it
                   .
                   In
                   Recompencing
                   good
                   Men
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   consider
                   the
                   Difficulties
                   and
                   Oppositions
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   hazard
                   ,
                   and
                   cost
                   of
                   their
                   Services
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   hardships
                   of
                   Providence
                   ,
                   allotted
                   to
                   exercise
                   good
                   Men
                   in
                   this
                   Life
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   Condemnation
                   of
                   ill
                   Men.
                   The
                   Fire
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   to
                   torment
                   them
                   ,
                   shall
                   burn
                   up
                   and
                   dissolve
                   the
                   World.
                   Practical
                   Inferences
                   from
                   the
                   last
                   judgment
                   .
                
                 
                   ☞
                   Through
                   a
                   Mistake
                   there
                   is
                   neither
                   
                     5th
                     .
                     6th
                  
                   .
                   nor
                   7th
                   .
                   Chapters
                   .
                   But
                   tho'
                   in
                   the
                   numbering
                   of
                   the
                   Chapters
                   there
                   is
                   this
                   mistake
                   ,
                   yet
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   omission
                   of
                   matter
                   .
                
              
               
                 
                 CHAP.
                 VIII
                 .
              
               
                 
                   OF
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   .
                   The
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   is
                   God.
                   What
                   he
                   hath
                   done
                   for
                   our
                   Salvation
                   .
                   Of
                   his
                   extraordinary
                   Gifts
                   bestowed
                   on
                   Apostles
                   and
                   Evangelists
                   ,
                   which
                   were
                   for
                   the
                   Planting
                   ,
                   and
                   Propagating
                   Christ's
                   Religion
                   .
                
                 1.
                 
                 
                   The
                   gift
                   of
                   inspiration
                   ,
                   in
                   Revelations
                   .
                   This
                   bestowed
                   upon
                   the
                   Apostles
                   .
                   These
                   Revelations
                   they
                   have
                   fully
                   set
                   down
                   in
                   the
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                   ,
                   after
                   which
                   we
                   are
                   not
                   to
                   look
                   for
                   any
                   others
                   .
                   This
                   Gift
                   ,
                   of
                   knowing
                   Religion
                   by
                   immediate
                   Revelation
                   ,
                   necessary
                   only
                   in
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   and
                   Evangelists
                   .
                   And
                   design'd
                   for
                   the
                   Infancy
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   .
                   Other
                   Rules
                   ,
                   whereby
                   to
                   examine
                   new
                   Lights
                   and
                   Revelations
                   in
                   Religion
                   .
                   As
                   ,
                   try
                   them
                   by
                   the
                   Scriptures
                   .
                   Call
                   for
                   their
                   Miracles
                   ,
                   wherewith
                   God
                   still
                   empower'd
                   men
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   sent
                   them
                   to
                   reveal
                   new
                   Things
                   .
                   No
                   need
                   of
                   Miracles
                   ,
                   when
                   men
                   pretend
                   only
                   to
                   revive
                   old
                   ,
                   and
                   acknowledged
                   Revelations
                   .
                   If
                   they
                   shew
                   Miracles
                   ,
                   for
                   things
                   plainly
                   against
                   Scripture
                   ,
                   they
                   must
                   work
                   more
                   ,
                   than
                   were
                   wrought
                   to
                   confirm
                   the
                   Scripture
                   .
                   An
                   account
                   of
                   Joel
                   .
                
                 2.
                 28
                 ,
                 29.
                 
                 
                   Which
                   seems
                   to
                   foretell
                   the
                   commonness
                   of
                   Revelations
                   among
                   Christians
                   .
                   The
                   first
                   Inspirations
                   were
                   not
                   only
                   in
                   Doctrinal
                   Points
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   in
                   Devotions
                   .
                   And
                   about
                   Temporal
                   matters
                   .
                   Subservient
                   to
                   this
                   Gift
                   of
                   Revelations
                   ,
                   was
                   the
                   Gift
                   of
                   discerning
                   Spirits
                   .
                   This
                   done
                   afterwards
                   by
                   ordinary
                   Rules
                   .
                   And
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Gift
                   of
                   utterance
                   and
                   boldness
                   .
                   Their
                   minds
                   not
                   influenced
                   by
                   this
                   constantly
                   ,
                   and
                   at
                   all
                   Times
                   .
                   But
                   ordinarily
                   they
                   were
                   ,
                   and
                   especially
                   when
                   they
                   had
                   most
                   need
                   of
                   it
                   .
                
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Of
                   the
                   Gift
                   of
                   Miracles
                   .
                   Miracles
                   a
                   Proof
                   of
                   Divine
                   Revelation
                   .
                   How
                   discernible
                   from
                   Lying
                   Wonders
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   Doctrines
                   built
                   on
                   them
                   .
                   By
                   their
                   ends
                   and
                   usefulness
                   ,
                   and
                   being
                   wrought
                   on
                   needful
                   Occasions
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   miraculous
                   Gift
                   of
                   healing
                   Diseases
                   .
                   This
                   sometimes
                   by
                   annointing
                   with
                   Oyl
                   .
                   And
                   Prayers
                   .
                   Of
                   casting
                   out
                   Devils
                   ,
                   and
                   other
                   Miracles
                   .
                   Of
                   delivering
                   to
                   Satan
                   ,
                   what
                   it
                   was
                   ,
                   and
                   why
                   so
                   call'd
                   .
                   Of
                   Joy
                   in
                   Tribulations
                   ,
                   and
                   what
                   was
                   extraordinary
                   in
                   that
                   of
                   the
                   Apostles
                   .
                   To
                   the
                   working
                   these
                   Miracles
                   ,
                   there
                   was
                   always
                   required
                   Faith
                   in
                   him
                   that
                   wrought
                   them
                   .
                   And
                   sometimes
                   Faith
                   in
                   him
                   that
                   received
                   them
                   .
                
                 3.
                 
                   of
                   the
                   Gift
                   of
                   Strange
                   Tongues
                   .
                   The
                   ends
                   of
                   this
                   .
                   And
                   of
                   the
                   Gift
                   of
                   Interpreting
                   such
                   Strange
                   Tongues
                   .
                   What
                   is
                   meant
                   by
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   being
                   a
                   Comforter
                   .
                   The
                   Sin
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   is
                   a
                   Sin
                   against
                   these
                   extraordinary
                   Gifts
                   .
                   Why
                   Blasphemy
                   against
                   him
                   more
                   irremisable
                   ,
                   than
                   against
                   the
                   Father
                   or
                   the
                   Son.
                   Extraordinary
                   Gifts
                   no
                   mark
                   of
                   a
                   justified
                   State.
                   Of
                   Offices
                   appointed
                   by
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   .
                   Some
                   of
                   these
                   Temporary
                   ,
                   others
                   to
                   continue
                   through
                   all
                   Times
                   ,
                   the
                   present
                   Officers
                   ordaining
                   Successors
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost's
                   ordinary
                   Graces
                   .
                   By
                   these
                   we
                   may
                   know
                   he
                   dwells
                   in
                   us
                   .
                   Our
                   care
                   required
                   towards
                   these
                   .
                   Of
                   Preventing
                   Grace
                   in
                   outward
                
                 
                 
                   advantages
                   ,
                   and
                   inward
                   good
                   motions
                   .
                   Directions
                   how
                   we
                   are
                   to
                   endeavour
                   after
                   saving
                   Graces
                   ,
                   in
                   six
                   Particulars
                   .
                   How
                   God
                   gives
                   them
                   ,
                   though
                   we
                   are
                   thus
                   to
                   acquire
                   them
                   .
                   The
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   works
                   also
                   in
                   us
                   Spiritual
                   Joys
                   and
                   Comforts
                   .
                   This
                   he
                   doth
                   not
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   minds
                   he
                   sanctifies
                   ,
                   because
                   some
                   are
                   unfit
                   for
                   them
                   through
                   intrinsick
                   impediments
                   .
                   But
                   they
                   are
                   with-held
                   from
                   none
                   ,
                   through
                   his
                   Arbitrary
                   withdrawing
                   ,
                   which
                   some
                   count
                   Spiritual
                   Desertion
                   .
                
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 IX
                 .
              
               
                 
                   OF
                   the
                   Holy
                   Catholick
                   Church
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Communion
                   of
                   Saints
                   .
                   No
                   assurance
                   of
                   Salvation
                   by
                   Christ
                   ,
                   but
                   in
                   his
                   Church
                   .
                   This
                   Church
                   Holy.
                   And
                   Catholick
                   .
                   Admission
                   into
                   it
                   by
                   Baptism
                   ;
                   when
                   regularly
                   perform'd
                   in
                   any
                   one
                   ,
                   valid
                   in
                   all
                   Churches
                   .
                   Excommunication
                   is
                   so
                   too
                   .
                   This
                   Church
                   is
                   one
                   Body
                   ,
                   by
                   external
                   visible
                   unity
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   Communion
                   of
                   Saints
                   in
                   this
                   Church
                   .
                   Of
                   their
                   visible
                   Union
                   in
                   Faith
                   or
                   Doctrine
                   .
                   And
                   in
                   Prayers
                   and
                   Devotion
                   .
                   Of
                   communicating
                   in
                   Publick
                   Prayers
                   .
                   A
                   Sin
                   to
                   separate
                   without
                   just
                   cause
                   .
                   Imposing
                   Sins
                   ,
                   or
                   Errours
                   ,
                   as
                   Conditions
                   of
                   Communion
                   is
                   a
                   just
                   cause
                   .
                   Not
                   Lawful
                   to
                   separate
                   for
                   Things
                   indifferent
                   .
                   Nor
                   for
                   better
                   means
                   of
                   edification
                   .
                   Just
                   to
                   separate
                   from
                   a
                   Church
                   ,
                   that
                   doth
                   not
                   impose
                   her
                   Corruptions
                   ,
                   when
                   her
                   Errors
                   in
                   Faith
                   overthrow
                   the
                   Foundation
                   .
                   That
                   is
                   ,
                   when
                   she
                   ceases
                   to
                   own
                   the
                   one
                   true
                
                 
                 
                   God.
                   Or
                   denys
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                   or
                   Salvation
                   by
                   his
                   Merits
                   and
                   Mediation
                   .
                   Owning
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                   implies
                   ,
                   owning
                   the
                   Articles
                   of
                   the
                   Apostles
                   Creed
                   ,
                   which
                   contains
                   all
                   Fundamentals
                   .
                   Whilst
                   any
                   Churches
                   hold
                   to
                   this
                   Creed
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   the
                   Foundation
                   ,
                   Errors
                   in
                   other
                   things
                   do
                   not
                   unchurch
                   them
                   .
                   But
                   such
                   Erroneous
                   are
                   in
                   a
                   worse
                   state
                   ,
                   than
                   Orthodox
                   Christians
                   .
                   Nor
                   is
                   her
                   Communion
                   to
                   be
                   deserted
                   meerly
                   for
                   such
                   Errors
                   ,
                   tho'
                   very
                   gross
                   ,
                   if
                   she
                   doth
                   not
                   impose
                   them
                   .
                   Just
                   to
                   separate
                   from
                   a
                   Church
                   of
                   a
                   corrupt
                   Worship
                   ,
                   when
                   sinful
                   things
                   pollute
                   her
                   Publick
                   Offices
                   .
                   Or
                   when
                   good
                   Devotions
                   are
                   put
                   up
                   in
                   a
                   strange
                   Language
                   ▪
                   not
                   for
                   Rites
                   and
                   Customs
                   about
                   indifferent
                   matters
                   .
                   Nor
                   just
                   to
                   separate
                   for
                   scandalous
                   Members
                   ,
                   where
                   a
                   Churches
                   constitution
                   is
                   faultless
                   .
                   Nor
                   tho'
                   it
                   neglect
                   Discipline
                   ,
                   which
                   should
                   reform
                   them
                   .
                   Of
                   keeping
                   Fellowship
                   with
                   the
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   by
                   submitting
                   to
                   our
                   lawful
                   Bishops
                   their
                   Successors
                   .
                   Christians
                   to
                   communicate
                   in
                   Affections
                   ,
                   in
                   Alms
                   ,
                   and
                   Temporal
                   good
                   Things
                   .
                
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 X.
                 
              
               
                 
                   OF
                   the
                   Forgiveness
                   of
                   Sins
                   .
                   What
                   Sin
                   is
                   .
                   Of
                   wilful
                   sins
                   .
                   Of
                   sins
                   of
                   Ignorance
                   ,
                   Surreption
                   ,
                   Passion
                   .
                   Forgiveness
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   Release
                   of
                   its
                   Punishment
                   .
                   When
                   Eternal
                   Punishments
                   are
                   remitted
                   ,
                   Present
                   and
                   Temporal
                   are
                   often
                   exacted
                   .
                   What
                   is
                   the
                   Time
                   of
                   Relaxing
                   these
                   Punishments
                   .
                   Remission
                
                 
                 
                   of
                   all
                   Sins
                   ,
                   but
                   Blasphemy
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   .
                   And
                   wilful
                   Apostacy
                   from
                   Christianity
                   .
                   Wilful
                   sins
                   forgiven
                   ,
                   when
                   we
                   Repent
                   ,
                   and
                   forgive
                   others
                   .
                   Sins
                   of
                   Ignorance
                   and
                   inadvertence
                   ,
                   upon
                   our
                   Charity
                   to
                   others
                   .
                   This
                   forgiveness
                   outwardly
                   dispensed
                   in
                   Baptism
                   .
                   The
                   Eucharist
                   .
                   And
                   Sacerdotal
                   Absolution
                   .
                   The
                   Power
                   of
                   the
                   Keys
                   lies
                   in
                   Retaining
                   as
                   well
                   as
                   Absolving
                   ,
                   which
                   ought
                   to
                   beget
                   a
                   just
                   dread
                   of
                   Excommunication
                   .
                   What
                   is
                   meant
                   by
                   our
                   Forgiving
                   sins
                   .
                   What
                   use
                   we
                   are
                   to
                   make
                   of
                   the
                   Forgiveness
                   of
                   Sins
                   .
                
              
               
                 CHAP.
                 XI
                 .
              
               
                 
                   OF
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Life
                   Everlasting
                   .
                   The
                   Resurrection
                   not
                   meerly
                   of
                   our
                   Spirits
                   from
                   sin
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   our
                   Bodies
                   from
                   the
                   Grave
                   .
                   This
                   to
                   be
                   brought
                   about
                   by
                   the
                   Almighty
                   Power
                   of
                   God.
                   The
                   Perfections
                   of
                   Glorified
                   Bodies
                   ,
                
                 viz.
                 
                   Immortality
                   ,
                   Spirituality
                   ,
                   and
                   Glory
                   .
                   The
                   Bodies
                   of
                   the
                   Wicked
                   Immortal
                   .
                   And
                   exquisitely
                   sensible
                   .
                   Some
                   Inferences
                   from
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   our
                   Bodies
                   .
                   Good
                   Souls
                   carried
                   straight-way
                   into
                   a
                   Place
                   of
                   Bliss
                   .
                   Of
                   Eternal
                   Life
                   ,
                   wherein
                   there
                   is
                   Full
                   and
                   unmixed
                   Happiness
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   satisfaction
                   of
                   their
                   Senses
                   .
                   Their
                   clear
                   and
                   distinct
                   Knowledge
                   .
                   Perfect
                   Holiness
                   .
                   And
                   without
                   Reluctance
                   .
                   Blissful
                   Companions
                   .
                   Perfection
                   of
                   Love
                   and
                   Kindness
                   .
                   Honour
                   ,
                   and
                   Eminence
                   of
                   Place
                   .
                   All
                   these
                   to
                   be
                   injoy'd
                   in
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   Highest
                   Heavens
                   ,
                   without
                   satiety
                   ,
                   or
                   weariness
                   .
                   For
                   evermore
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   miseries
                   of
                   the
                   Damned
                   ,
                   in
                   Tormenting
                   Passions
                   .
                   The
                   worm
                   of
                   Conscience
                   .
                   Fire
                   and
                   Flames
                   .
                   Disgrace
                   .
                   Under
                   all
                   which
                   ,
                   no
                   favour
                   of
                   God.
                   No
                   company
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   Tormenting
                   Devils
                   ,
                   and
                   damned
                   Spirits
                   .
                   None
                   to
                   condole
                   ,
                   when
                   they
                   cannot
                   relieve
                   .
                   No
                   rest
                   and
                   sleep
                   ,
                   for
                   Recruit
                   of
                   Spirits
                   .
                   No
                   end
                   of
                   their
                   miseries
                   .
                   The
                   Use
                   of
                   this
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               The
               Practical
               Believer
               .
               PART
               II.
               Of
               the
               Knowledge
               of
               Jesus
               Christ.
               
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   I.
                
                 Of
                 the
                 Office
                 ,
                 and
                 Natures
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     In
                     what
                     Salvation
                     by
                     Christ
                     consists
                     .
                     Being
                     Christ
                     ,
                     notes
                     his
                     being
                     ,
                  
                   1.
                   
                   
                     A
                     Prophet
                     ,
                     to
                     teach
                     his
                     Church
                     .
                     We
                     must
                     hear
                     and
                     learn
                     of
                     him
                     in
                     the
                     Holy
                     Scriptures
                     ;
                     and
                     at
                     the
                     mouths
                     of
                     his
                     Ministers
                     .
                  
                   2.
                   
                   
                     A
                     Priest
                     ,
                     to
                     Redeem
                     ,
                     and
                     Intercede
                     for
                     it
                     .
                  
                   3.
                   
                   
                     A
                     King
                     ,
                     to
                     Govern
                     it
                     by
                     his
                     Laws
                     .
                     And
                     by
                     his
                     Officers
                     ,
                     whom
                     we
                     are
                     to
                     submit
                     to
                     in
                     his
                     place
                     .
                     Also
                     to
                     Protect
                     it
                     against
                     all
                     visible
                     and
                     invisible
                     Enemies
                     .
                     Jesus
                     Christ
                     is
                     the
                     Son
                     of
                     God
                     ,
                     as
                     having
                     receiv'd
                     from
                     the
                     Father
                     the
                     Nature
                     of
                     God.
                     And
                     the
                     Power
                     of
                     God.
                     On
                     both
                     these
                     Accounts
                     ,
                     and
                     others
                     ,
                     he
                     is
                     our
                     Lord.
                     And
                     to
                     be
                     worshipped
                     .
                     What
                     we
                     learn
                     from
                     his
                     being
                     our
                     Lord.
                     Of
                     Christ's
                     being
                     Conceiv'd
                     of
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     and
                     Born
                     of
                     a
                     Virgin.
                     He
                     was
                     truly
                     Man.
                     And
                     why
                     he
                     was
                     so
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 WHat
                 is
                 the
                 Second
                 Article
                 of
                 the
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 And
                 
                   in
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   his
                   only
                   Son
                   ,
                   our
                   Lord.
                   
                
              
               
                 
                   Quest.
                   Jesus
                
                 signifies
                 a
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 from
                 what
                 doth
                 Christ
                 save
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 From
                 two
                 things
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 Our
                 sins
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Those
                 eternal
                 Torments
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 Punishment
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 he
                 prove
                 a
                 Saviour
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 must
                 he
                 Reform
                 ,
                 and
                 save
                 us
                 from
                 our
                 sins
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 main
                 Reason
                 ,
                 why
                 that
                 Name
                 was
                 given
                 him
                 .
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   call
                   his
                   Name
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   for
                   he
                   shall
                   save
                   his
                   People
                   from
                   their
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 1.
                 21.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Will
                 he
                 save
                 none
                 from
                 the
                 Punishment
                 ,
                 but
                 whom
                 he
                 saves
                 from
                 the
                 sins
                 first
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   except
                   ye
                   Repent
                   ,
                   ye
                   shall
                   all
                   perish
                   ,
                   Luke
                
                 13.
                 3.
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 he
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Depart
                   from
                   me
                   ye
                   workers
                   of
                   iniquity
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 7.
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 once
                 they
                 are
                 delivered
                 from
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 make
                 sure
                 of
                 being
                 freed
                 by
                 him
                 from
                 Eternal
                 Death
                 too
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   there
                   is
                   now
                   no
                   condemnation
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   in
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   who
                   walk
                   not
                   after
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                   but
                   after
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Quest.
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 signifies
                 anointed
                 among
                 the
                 Greeks
                 ,
                 as
                 Messiah
                 doth
                 among
                 the
                 
                   Hebrews
                   ;
                   Messiah
                   ,
                   if
                   interpreted
                   ,
                   being
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 
                 or
                 anointed
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Andrew
                 said
                 ,
                 John
                 1.
                 41.
                 
                 But
                 what
                 mean
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 call
                 Jesus
                 the
                 Messiah
                 or
                 Christ
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 anointed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 His
                 being
                 invested
                 with
                 the
                 Office
                 of
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 his
                 Church
                 ;
                 of
                 a
                 Priest
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 and
                 intercede
                 for
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 to
                 Govern
                 and
                 Protect
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 do
                 you
                 call
                 such
                 Investiture
                 ,
                 his
                 Anointing
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 anciently
                 Investitures
                 into
                 these
                 Offices
                 ,
                 were
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Eastern
                 Custom
                 ,
                 by
                 pouring
                 Oyl
                 upon
                 them
                 :
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Arch-Prophet
                   Elisha
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Kings
                 19.
                 16.
                 and
                 
                   High-Priest
                   Aaron
                   ,
                   Lev.
                
                 8.
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 Kings
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Doctors
                 note
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 received
                 not
                 their
                 Office
                 and
                 Authority
                 by
                 Succession
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 extraordinary
                 Designation
                 ;
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 King
                 Saul
                 ,
                 1
                 Sam.
                 9.
                 16.
                 
                 &
                 10.
                 1.
                 and
                 King
                 David
                 ,
                 1
                 Sam.
                 16.
                 13.
                 
                 Answerable
                 to
                 which
                 ,
                 
                 Messiah's
                 Designation
                 to
                 his
                 Office
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 to
                 include
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 is
                 call'd
                 his
                 
                   being
                   Anointed
                
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 61.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 Christ
                 invested
                 in
                 these
                 Offices
                 ,
                 by
                 pouring
                 Oyl
                 upon
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 pouring
                 a
                 nobler
                 thing
                 ,
                 the
                 miraculous
                 Powers
                 and
                 Gifts
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 which
                 install'd
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 answer'd
                 to
                 their
                 anointing
                 .
                 
                   God
                   anointed
                   Jesus
                   with
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   Power
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 10.
                 38.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 Christ
                 in
                 the
                 Office
                 and
                 Quality
                 of
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 his
                 Church
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   was
                   a
                   Teacher
                   sent
                   from
                   God
                   ,
                
                 John
                 3.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   What
                   he
                   said
                   ,
                   he
                   spake
                   not
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                   but
                   as
                   the
                   Father
                   gave
                   him
                   Commandment
                   ,
                   so
                   he
                   spake
                   ,
                
                 John
                 12.
                 49
                 ,
                 50.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 People
                 spoke
                 a
                 great
                 truth
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   is
                   of
                   a
                   truth
                   that
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   who
                   was
                   to
                   come
                   into
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 John
                 6.
                 14.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 rank
                 of
                 an
                 ordinary
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 pitch
                 of
                 Eminence
                 ,
                 far
                 above
                 all
                 others
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 not
                 only
                 had
                 a
                 Prophetick
                 Spirit
                 resting
                 always
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 them
                 enjoy'd
                 but
                 on
                 certain
                 times
                 and
                 occasions
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 knew
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 Personal
                 Acquaintance
                 ,
                 and
                 immediate
                 intuition
                 ,
                 not
                 barely
                 at
                 second
                 hand
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Message
                   of
                   an
                   Angel
                
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 a
                 Vision
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Dream
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 all
                 did
                 .
                 
                   The
                   only
                   begotten
                   Son
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   in
                   the
                   bosom
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   he
                   hath
                   declared
                   him
                   ,
                
                 John
                 1.
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 ,
                 among
                 others
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 Prophets
                 and
                 Interpreters
                 of
                 God's
                 mind
                 ,
                 he
                 alone
                 is
                 call'd
                 
                   the
                   Word
                
                 ;
                 because
                 ,
                 lying
                 in
                 God's
                 Bosom
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 his
                 mind
                 without
                 any
                 thing
                 intervening
                 ,
                 as
                 immediately
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 word
                 expresses
                 ones
                 meaning
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Whensoever
                 we
                 would
                 know
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 seek
                 only
                 unto
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 never
                 to
                 hearken
                 to
                 any
                 other
                 New
                 Lights
                 ,
                 or
                 Enthusiastical
                 Pretenders
                 .
                 In
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 days
                 ,
                 and
                 ours
                 ,
                 several
                 Impostors
                 ,
                 and
                 false
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 have
                 come
                 with
                 pretended
                 Messages
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 men
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 Happiness
                 .
                 
                 But
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 give
                 ear
                 to
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 this
                 work
                 of
                 communicating
                 God's
                 mind
                 to
                 men
                 ,
                 not
                 being
                 left
                 at
                 random
                 ,
                 but
                 peculiarly
                 intrusted
                 with
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 that
                 great
                 Prophet
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 especially
                 constituted
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 anointed
                 for
                 this
                 purpose
                 .
                 
                   This
                   is
                   my
                   beloved
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 said
                 God
                 
                   in
                   the
                   voice
                   from
                   the
                   bright
                   Cloud
                   ,
                   in
                   whom
                   I
                   am
                   well
                   pleased
                   ,
                   hear
                   ye
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 17.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 how
                 shall
                 we
                 do
                 to
                 learn
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 since
                 now
                 he
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 among
                 us
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 gone
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Two
                
                 ways
                 he
                 exercises
                 his
                 Prophetick
                 Office
                 to
                 communicate
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 1.
                 
                 By
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 What
                 God
                 told
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 first
                 by
                 Personal
                 Converse
                 ,
                 and
                 afterwards
                 by
                 †
                 
                   his
                   Spirit
                   leading
                   them
                   into
                   all
                   truth
                   ,
                
                 told
                 the
                 Apostles
                 and
                 Evangelists
                 :
                 and
                 they
                 put
                 it
                 in
                 writing
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Book
                 call'd
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 preached
                 and
                 published
                 to
                 all
                 others
                 ,
                 thro'
                 all
                 times
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 when
                 we
                 hear
                 them
                 read
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 think
                 we
                 hear
                 Christ
                 our
                 great
                 Prophet
                 speaking
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 be
                 debarr'd
                 ,
                 or
                 debar
                 our selves
                 of
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 be
                 debarr'd
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 Prophet's
                 free
                 Communication
                 ?
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 By
                 his
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 has
                 left
                 and
                 appointed
                 to
                 declare
                 God's
                 mind
                 to
                 the
                 People
                 in
                 his
                 place
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 Priests
                 were
                 appointed
                 among
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   :
                   The
                   Priests
                   lips
                   should
                   preserve
                   Knowledge
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   People
                   should
                
                 
                 
                   seek
                   the
                   Law
                   at
                   his
                   mouth
                   ;
                   for
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   Messenger
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                   Hosts
                   ,
                
                 Mal.
                 2.
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 are
                 the
                 
                   Ministers
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 among
                 us
                 
                   Christians
                   .
                   Loe
                   !
                   I
                   am
                   with
                   you
                   ,
                   teaching
                   them
                   all
                   things
                   whatsoever
                   I
                   have
                   commanded
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 
                   always
                   ,
                   even
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   World.
                
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 with
                 you
                 during
                 your
                 own
                 lives
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Pastors
                 and
                 Teachers
                 your
                 Successors
                 ,
                 for
                 ever
                 after
                 your
                 deaths
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 20.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 give
                 ear
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 own
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 Prophet
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 seek
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 mouths
                 of
                 our
                 Bishops
                 and
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 his
                 established
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 to
                 inculcate
                 and
                 explain
                 those
                 Scriptures
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Another
                 Office
                 you
                 say
                 he
                 was
                 design'd
                 and
                 anointed
                 to
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 Office
                 of
                 a
                 Priest.
                 Wherein
                 doth
                 that
                 consist
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 In
                 two
                 things
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 
                   payment
                   of
                   a
                   Price
                
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 and
                 expiate
                 mens
                 sins
                 with
                 God.
                 And
                 2.
                 
                 Interceding
                 for
                 ever
                 after
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 have
                 the
                 benefit
                 and
                 blessing
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 A
                 Prophet
                 is
                 employ'd
                 from
                 God
                 to
                 men
                 ,
                 to
                 declare
                 his
                 will
                 and
                 pleasure
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 a
                 Priest
                 is
                 employ'd
                 from
                 men
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 ordain'd
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   men
                   in
                   things
                   pertaining
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 1.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 a
                 Priest
                 stands
                 for
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 and
                 intercede
                 for
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 did
                 Christ
                 act
                 the
                 part
                 of
                 a
                 Priest
                 for
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 paying
                 a
                 Price
                 to
                 make
                 Reconciliation
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 
                 virtue
                 of
                 that
                 to
                 intercede
                 for
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 reconciled
                 us
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 dying
                 in
                 our
                 stead
                 .
                 
                   We
                   are
                   reconciled
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   death
                   of
                   his
                   Son
                   :
                
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 being
                 now
                 raised
                 from
                 the
                 Dead
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 
                   entred
                   into
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   where
                   he
                   ever
                   lives
                   to
                   make
                   intercession
                   for
                   us
                   :
                
                 Heb.
                 7.
                 25.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 he
                 intercede
                 ,
                 that
                 men
                 may
                 have
                 this
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 go
                 on
                 in
                 sin
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 when
                 they
                 forsake
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Repent
                   ,
                   that
                   their
                   sins
                   may
                   be
                   blotted
                   out
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 till
                 they
                 amend
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 never
                 expect
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 move
                 for
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 doth
                 the
                 consideration
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Priesthood
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 hope
                 for
                 the
                 Mercy
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 upon
                 our
                 true
                 Repentance
                 .
                 
                   If
                   any
                   man
                   sin
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   an
                   Advocate
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   the
                   Righteous
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   the
                   Propitiation
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 having
                 
                   him
                   our
                   High-Priest
                   ,
                   we
                   may
                   draw
                   near
                   with
                   full
                   assurance
                   of
                   Faith
                   ,
                
                 if
                 once
                 
                   our
                   Hearts
                   are
                   sprinkled
                
                 ,
                 and
                 cleansed
                 
                   from
                   an
                   evil
                   Conscience
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 it
                 teaches
                 us
                 ,
                 whensoever
                 we
                 want
                 any
                 Mercy
                 or
                 Favour
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 apply
                 to
                 him
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 anointed
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 sole
                 Intercessor
                 ,
                 or
                 Great
                 Master
                 of
                 Requests
                 ,
                 from
                 whom
                 he
                 will
                 receive
                 our
                 Prayers
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 said
                 ,
                 thirdly
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 was
                 invested
                 with
                 the
                 Office
                 of
                 a
                 King
                 
                 to
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 what
                 doth
                 that
                 imply
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Two
                
                 things
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 govern
                 it
                 by
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 and
                 Officers
                 ,
                 the
                 Bishops
                 and
                 Pastors
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 That
                 he
                 protect
                 it
                 from
                 all
                 visible
                 and
                 invisible
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Providence
                 .
                 And
                 both
                 these
                 Parts
                 of
                 
                   Regal
                   Power
                   ,
                   Christ
                
                 exercises
                 over
                 his
                 Church
                 .
                 
                   He
                   is
                   our
                   Lord
                   to
                   command
                   ,
                   the
                   Head
                   over
                   all
                   things
                   to
                   his
                   Body
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 1.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 and
                 sits
                 now
                 as
                 a
                 Protector
                 
                   at
                   God's
                   Right-hand
                   ,
                   till
                   his
                   Enemies
                   be
                   made
                   his
                   Foot-stool
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 110.
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 'T
                 is
                 plain
                 he
                 exercises
                 his
                 Kingly
                 Power
                 of
                 Governing
                 us
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 contain'd
                 in
                 the
                 holy
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 But
                 doth
                 he
                 also
                 govern
                 his
                 Church
                 by
                 his
                 
                   Officers
                   ,
                   viz.
                
                 the
                 Bishops
                 and
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 making
                 them
                 his
                 Deputies
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 called
                 
                   his
                   Pastors
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 8
                 ,
                 11.
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Scriptural
                 word
                 for
                 Governours
                 ,
                 to
                 feed
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 rule
                 ,
                 being
                 used
                 promiscuously
                 in
                 the
                 holy
                 Language
                 .
                 
                   That
                   saith
                   of
                
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   is
                   my
                   Shepherd
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 my
                 Deputy
                 in
                 Power
                 ,
                 or
                 Substitute
                 in
                 Government
                 Isa
                 44.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 God
                 brought
                 David
                 
                   to
                   feed
                
                 Jacob
                 
                   his
                   people
                   ,
                   and
                
                 Israel
                 
                   his
                   inheritance
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 Rule
                 them
                 :
                 
                   So
                   he
                   fed
                   them
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Integrity
                   of
                   his
                   Heart
                   ,
                   and
                   guided
                   them
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   skilfulness
                   of
                   his
                   Hand
                   .
                
                 Psal
                 78.
                 71
                 ,
                 72.
                 
                 His
                 Ministers
                 are
                 his
                 Substitutes
                 in
                 Government
                 ,
                 whom
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 hearken
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 obey
                 in
                 his
                 place
                 .
                 
                   Know
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   over
                   you
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   admonish
                   you
                
                 ;
                 
                 1
                 Thess.
                 5.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 and
                 
                   obey
                   those
                   that
                   have
                   the
                   rule
                   you
                   ,
                   for
                   they
                   watch
                   for
                   your
                   Souls
                
                 ;
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 submit
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 Bishops
                 and
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 acting
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 would
                 to
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 own
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 King
                 over
                 us
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 are
                 his
                 Deputies
                 ,
                 to
                 Rule
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 his
                 place
                 .
                 And
                 whilst
                 they
                 act
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 Commission
                 ,
                 he
                 Decrees
                 and
                 Sentences
                 ,
                 Binds
                 and
                 Looses
                 ,
                 Speaks
                 and
                 Acts
                 by
                 them
                 ;
                 as
                 every
                 Royal
                 Prince
                 doth
                 by
                 his
                 Representatives
                 and
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 Authoritative
                 Acts
                 ,
                 whereto
                 they
                 are
                 commission'd
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 when
                 done
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 have
                 the
                 same
                 Authority
                 and
                 Force
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 performed
                 by
                 himself
                 in
                 Person
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 if
                 we
                 reject
                 them
                 in
                 such
                 cases
                 ,
                 we
                 shew
                 that
                 we
                 will
                 not
                 have
                 him
                 to
                 Reign
                 over
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   that
                   heareth
                   you
                   ,
                   heareth
                   me
                   :
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   despiseth
                   you
                   ,
                   despiseth
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 10.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 accordingly
                 St
                 Paul
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 binding
                 and
                 loosing
                 ,
                 declares
                 ,
                 he
                 acted
                 
                   in
                   the
                   person
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 10.
                 and
                 commends
                 the
                 
                   Galatians
                   ,
                   for
                   receiving
                   him
                   as
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 4.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 wherein
                 must
                 we
                 shew
                 this
                 Submission
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 In
                 uniting
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ;
                 they
                 having
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 ministring
                 in
                 his
                 Worship
                 and
                 Service
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 he
                 solemnly
                 and
                 openly
                 receives
                 in
                 his
                 Princely
                 Dependancies
                 ,
                 being
                 from
                 
                 the
                 Mouths
                 and
                 Mediation
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Stewards
                 and
                 Officers
                 .
                 In
                 hearkening
                 to
                 their
                 Godly
                 Admonitions
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 has
                 left
                 them
                 to
                 instruct
                 ,
                 and
                 rebuke
                 Sinners
                 .
                 In
                 meekly
                 undergoing
                 their
                 deserved
                 Censures
                 ,
                 and
                 seeking
                 again
                 the
                 Peace
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 by
                 true
                 Repentance
                 .
                 And
                 ,
                 lastly
                 ,
                 in
                 chearfully
                 conforming
                 to
                 all
                 their
                 Church-Laws
                 and
                 Constitutions
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 thwart
                 ,
                 or
                 oppose
                 his
                 .
                 Christ
                 himself
                 ,
                 our
                 Soveraign
                 Lord
                 and
                 King
                 ,
                 has
                 given
                 Laws
                 for
                 all
                 necessary
                 things
                 ;
                 but
                 has
                 left
                 them
                 to
                 regulate
                 Rites
                 and
                 Ceremonies
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 variable
                 matters
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 Order
                 and
                 Decency
                 of
                 Worship
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 publick
                 Assemblies
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   every
                   thing
                   be
                   done
                   decently
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   order
                   in
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 40
                 ;
                 is
                 a
                 Precept
                 given
                 to
                 Church-Governours
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 have
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 God's
                 Publick
                 Service
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 they
                 make
                 any
                 innocent
                 ,
                 or
                 useful
                 Appointments
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 cheerfully
                 obey
                 and
                 conform
                 our selves
                 .
                 
                   Obey
                   them
                   that
                   have
                   the
                   Rule
                   or
                   Guidance
                   over
                   you
                   ,
                   for
                   they
                   watch
                   for
                   your
                   Souls
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 another
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Kingly
                 Power
                 ,
                 to
                 protect
                 his
                 Church
                 from
                 all
                 visible
                 and
                 invisible
                 Enemies
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 guards
                 it
                 against
                 all
                 inward
                 ,
                 and
                 invisible
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 and
                 from
                 all
                 outward
                 ,
                 and
                 visible
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Providence
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 security
                 he
                 gives
                 against
                 these
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 
                 eclipsed
                 and
                 persecuted
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 destroyed
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 The
                 Promise
                 is
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   the
                   Gates
                   of
                   Hell
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Powers
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 wicked
                 instruments
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   not
                   prevail
                   against
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                
                 Matt.
                 16.
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 Christ's
                 protecting
                 his
                 Church
                 teach
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 trust
                 him
                 with
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 sin
                 to
                 save
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 most
                 perillous
                 times
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 more
                 concern'd
                 for
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 than
                 any
                 of
                 us
                 are
                 ,
                 or
                 can
                 be
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 knows
                 how
                 to
                 protect
                 it
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 or
                 our
                 acting
                 wickedly
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 such
                 times
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 practise
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 our
                 duty
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 recommend
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 the
                 Preservation
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 his
                 care
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 would
                 own
                 Christ
                 as
                 our
                 King
                 ,
                 then
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 obey
                 his
                 Laws
                 and
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 and
                 commit
                 our selves
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 well-doing
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Protector
                 of
                 his
                 Church
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 will
                 none
                 partake
                 of
                 the
                 Reconciliation
                 of
                 his
                 Priesthood
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 who
                 thus
                 believe
                 him
                 as
                 their
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 and
                 obey
                 him
                 as
                 their
                 Lord
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 Faith
                 and
                 Obedience
                 are
                 necessary
                 to
                 our
                 Peace
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 injoying
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 one
                 ,
                 without
                 embracing
                 him
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 Offices
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 To
                 
                   believe
                   in
                   Christ
                
                 then
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 
                 own
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 Prophet
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 by
                 hearkning
                 to
                 his
                 Word
                 and
                 Ministers
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Priest
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 hoping
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 applying
                 to
                 God
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 other
                 mercies
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 by
                 obeying
                 both
                 his
                 Laws
                 and
                 Officers
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 course
                 of
                 well-doing
                 ,
                 trusting
                 both
                 our selves
                 and
                 our
                 Religion
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 Protection
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 follows
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 ,
                 his
                 being
                 
                   God's
                   only
                   Son
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Our
                 meaning
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 his
                 Nature
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 begat
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Father
                 doth
                 a
                 Son
                 ,
                 of
                 like
                 nature
                 with
                 himself
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 God
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Man.
                 For
                 
                   he
                   is
                   equal
                   with
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   The
                   true
                   God
                
                 ;
                 1
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 20.
                 and
                 
                   over
                   all
                   ,
                   God
                   blessed
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 9.
                 5.
                 
                 Which
                 last
                 was
                 the
                 special
                 Character
                 and
                 Title
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 common
                 stile
                 and
                 expression
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 .
                 Who
                 ,
                 from
                 their
                 Custom
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Priest
                 in
                 the
                 Sanctuary
                 rehearsed
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 answering
                 ,
                 
                   Blessed
                   be
                   his
                   name
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 came
                 in
                 their
                 common
                 speech
                 to
                 call
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Blessed
                   One
                
                 ;
                 which
                 phrase
                 ,
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 often
                 denote
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 Mar.
                 14.
                 61.
                 2
                 
                 Cor.
                 11.
                 31.
                 
                 Rom.
                 1.
                 25.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 agreeable
                 to
                 his
                 having
                 this
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 ,
                 we
                 find
                 the
                 Divine
                 Works
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Creating
                 ,
                 and
                 *
                 Sustaining
                 ;
                 and
                 Divine
                 Honours
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 *
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 †
                 
                   Baptism
                   in
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 
                 of
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 ascribed
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 Holy
                 Scripture
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 was
                 it
                 requisite
                 our
                 Redeemer
                 should
                 be
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 give
                 Merit
                 to
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 infinitely
                 advanced
                 ,
                 in
                 regard
                 his
                 Blood
                 was
                 
                   the
                   Blood
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 20.
                 28.
                 
                 
                   How
                   much
                   more
                   shall
                   the
                   Blood
                   of
                   Christ
                   purge
                   your
                   Consciences
                   ,
                   who
                   offered
                   himself
                   thro'
                   the
                   eternal
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 14.
                 
                 As
                 its
                 being
                 committed
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 extreme
                 aggravation
                 of
                 our
                 sin
                 :
                 So
                 must
                 its
                 being
                 performed
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 be
                 equally
                 an
                 enhansement
                 of
                 his
                 Reparation
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 several
                 other
                 purposes
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 his
                 having
                 Power
                 enough
                 to
                 conquer
                 Death
                 and
                 Hell
                 ,
                 and
                 save
                 us
                 from
                 all
                 our
                 Spiritual
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 to
                 fit
                 him
                 for
                 a
                 capable
                 and
                 competent
                 Judge
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 seeing
                 into
                 their
                 Hearts
                 and
                 Thoughts
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 God's
                 Prerogatives
                 .
                 To
                 recommend
                 Vertue
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 was
                 possible
                 by
                 an
                 example
                 since
                 in
                 him
                 it
                 appears
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 things
                 required
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 are
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 excellent
                 Natures
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 below
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 meaning
                 is
                 there
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Another
                 is
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 is
                 invested
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 Authority
                 and
                 Power
                 of
                 God.
                 For
                 
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 signifies
                 sometimes
                 the
                 same
                 as
                 
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 one
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 commissioned
                 to
                 act
                 in
                 his
                 stead
                 .
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   be
                   great
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   the
                   Highest
                   ,
                   and
                   God
                   shall
                   give
                   him
                   the
                   Throne
                   of
                   his
                   Father
                
                 David
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 1.
                 32.
                 
                 And
                 thus
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 is
                 God's
                 Son
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   he
                   hath
                   given
                   him
                   all
                   Power
                   ,
                   both
                   in
                   Heaven
                   and
                   Earth
                   ,
                
                 Matt.
                 28.
                 18.
                 and
                 
                   committed
                   all
                   Authority
                   to
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                   that
                   all
                   should
                   honour
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                   as
                   they
                   honour
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 being
                 
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                
                 in
                 this
                 sense
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 having
                 Soveraign
                 Power
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 our
                 Lord
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 this
                 derived
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Soveraign
                 Divine
                 Nature
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 invaluable
                 Merit
                 and
                 Purchace
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 our
                 voluntary
                 Compacts
                 and
                 Submissions
                 :
                 on
                 all
                 accounts
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 found
                 a
                 just
                 Dominion
                 ,
                 and
                 Lordship
                 over
                 us
                 :
                 
                   God
                   has
                   given
                   him
                   a
                   Name
                   above
                   every
                   Name
                   ,
                   that
                   every
                   Tongue
                   should
                   confess
                   ,
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   is
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 9
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 
                   To
                   us
                   there
                   is
                   one
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 8.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 being
                 God
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 Power
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 in
                 Nature
                 ,
                 must
                 we
                 not
                 all
                 worship
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 in
                 him
                 as
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   at
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   Jesus
                   every
                   Knee
                   shall
                   bow
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 10
                 :
                 and
                 
                   all
                   must
                   honour
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                   as
                   they
                   honour
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 23.
                 
                 This
                 is
                 done
                 by
                 all
                 good
                 Christians
                 ,
                 and
                 Saints
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 styled
                 ,
                 They
                 
                   that
                   call
                   upon
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 also
                 by
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 glorified
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   sing
                   their
                   Hallelujah's
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 so
                 also
                 to
                 
                   the
                   Lamb
                
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 5.
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 
                 by
                 the
                 Angels
                 too
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   when
                   he
                   bringeth
                   his
                   first-begotten
                   into
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   he
                   saith
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   all
                   the
                   Angels
                   of
                   God
                   worship
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 1.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Divine
                 Honour
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 not
                 a
                 God
                 in
                 Nature
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 Power
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 never
                 claim
                 ,
                 nor
                 receive
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 Christ
                 is
                 our
                 Rightful
                 ,
                 Sovereign
                 Lord
                 ,
                 then
                 we
                 must
                 give
                 up
                 our
                 Wills
                 to
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 perform
                 faithfully
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 orders
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   Why
                   call
                   ye
                   me
                   Lord
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   do
                   not
                   the
                   things
                   that
                   I
                   say
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 6.
                 46.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 is
                 
                   our
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 are
                 his
                 Houshold-Servants
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   be
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   Men
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 so
                 wholly
                 given
                 up
                 to
                 their
                 Service
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 we
                 cannot
                 mind
                 his
                 ;
                 or
                 serve
                 their
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 interferes
                 with
                 his
                 Laws
                 ;
                 or
                 comply
                 with
                 their
                 Meen
                 and
                 Customs
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 contrary
                 unto
                 his
                 ;
                 or
                 sooth
                 and
                 flatter
                 their
                 weak
                 Minds
                 ,
                 and
                 feed
                 their
                 sickly
                 Humours
                 ,
                 like
                 timerous
                 or
                 mercenary
                 Slaves
                 .
                 
                   No
                   man
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 can
                 thus
                 
                   serve
                   two
                   Masters
                
                 ,
                 Matt.
                 6.
                 24.
                 
                 
                   Ye
                   are
                   bought
                   with
                   a
                   price
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   be
                   not
                   ye
                   therefore
                   the
                   Servants
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 7.
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 
                   if
                   I
                   yet
                   pleased
                
                 or
                 soothed
                 up
                 
                   men
                   ,
                   I
                   should
                   not
                   be
                   the
                   Servant
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 1.
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 he
                 is
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 think
                 any
                 thing
                 too
                 mean
                 ,
                 or
                 ill
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 thought
                 not
                 so
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 compose
                 our selves
                 to
                 his
                 Behaviour
                 ,
                 willingly
                 following
                 where
                 he
                 has
                 gone
                 before
                 ;
                 it
                 
                 being
                 a
                 shame
                 for
                 a
                 Servant
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 nice
                 and
                 delicate
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 hard
                 to
                 please
                 ,
                 than
                 his
                 Master
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 he
                 presses
                 us
                 on
                 to
                 those
                 Duties
                 ,
                 which
                 otherwise
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 most
                 like
                 to
                 disdain
                 and
                 grumble
                 at
                 ,
                 by
                 putting
                 us
                 in
                 mind
                 ,
                 how
                 he
                 has
                 done
                 ,
                 or
                 undergone
                 the
                 same
                 himself
                 .
                 
                   If
                   I
                   ,
                   your
                   Lord
                   and
                   Master
                   ,
                   have
                   washed
                   your
                   feet
                   ,
                   ye
                   ought
                   also
                   to
                   wash
                   one
                   anothers
                   feet
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 13.
                 14.
                 
                 If
                 men
                 
                   give
                   you
                   hard
                   names
                
                 ,
                 be
                 content
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 the
                 same
                 to
                 me
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Disciple
                   is
                   not
                   above
                   his
                   Master
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   Servant
                   above
                   his
                   Lord
                   ;
                   't
                   is
                   enough
                   for
                   the
                   Disciple
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   be
                   as
                   his
                   Master
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Servant
                   as
                   his
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Matt.
                 10.
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 He
                 that
                 
                   would
                   be
                   greatest
                   amongst
                   you
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   let
                   ▪
                   him
                   minister
                   most
                
                 ,
                 and
                 strive
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 useful
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   he
                   that
                   serveth
                   ;
                   for
                   I
                   am
                   among
                   you
                   as
                   he
                   that
                   serveth
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 22.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 
                   Be
                   patient
                
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 
                   are
                   persecuted
                   ,
                   remembring
                   what
                   I
                   said
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Servant
                   is
                   not
                   greater
                   than
                   his
                   Lord.
                
                 Joh.
                 15.
                 20.
                 
                 Thus
                 must
                 we
                 spurn
                 at
                 no
                 condescensions
                 ,
                 or
                 labours
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Service
                 :
                 no
                 ,
                 nor
                 at
                 Reproaches
                 for
                 well-doing
                 ,
                 or
                 suffering
                 in
                 God's
                 Cause
                 ;
                 since
                 thereby
                 we
                 only
                 wear
                 our
                 Lord's
                 Livery
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 are
                 made
                 like
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 follow
                 his
                 steps
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 has
                 led
                 the
                 way
                 before
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 common
                 Lord
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 Masters
                 and
                 Servants
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 this
                 teach
                 us
                 great
                 Moderation
                 and
                 Equity
                 towards
                 our
                 Servants
                 and
                 Dependants
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 however
                 
                 inferior
                 and
                 subject
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 in
                 Humane
                 Respects
                 ,
                 are
                 yet
                 equally
                 near
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 Brethren
                 and
                 Fellow-servants
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 his
                 Dominion
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 God
                 would
                 not
                 permit
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 of
                 their
                 Brethren
                 Slaves
                 ,
                 tho'
                 they
                 might
                 use
                 them
                 as
                 Fellow-servants
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 all
                 his
                 Servants
                 .
                 
                   They
                   are
                   my
                   Servants
                   ,
                   which
                   I
                   brought
                   forth
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Land
                   of
                   Egypt
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   sold
                   as
                   Bondmen
                   ,
                
                 Lev.
                 25.
                 42.
                 
                 And
                 
                   give
                   unto
                   your
                   Servants
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   just
                   and
                   equal
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   knowing
                   ,
                   that
                   ye
                   also
                   have
                   a
                   Master
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 4.
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 third
                 Article
                 of
                 the
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Who
                   was
                   conceived
                   by
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   born
                   of
                   the
                   Virgin
                
                 Mary
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 must
                 Christ
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Natural
                 Course
                 of
                 Generation
                 ,
                 be
                 born
                 of
                 a
                 Virgin
                 ?
                 And
                 why
                 must
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 beget
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 undefiled
                 from
                 the
                 Womb
                 ,
                 and
                 fit
                 to
                 satisfie
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 having
                 none
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 .
                 
                   For
                   such
                   an
                   High-Priest
                   became
                   us
                   ,
                   as
                   was
                   Holy
                   ,
                   Undefiled
                   ,
                   seperate
                   from
                   Sinners
                
                 ;
                 Heb.
                 7.
                 26.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 Christ
                 truly
                 man
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 underwent
                 all
                 the
                 wants
                 of
                 our
                 Natures
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 was
                 hungry
                 ,
                 weary
                 ,
                 and
                 sleepy
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 the
                 Infirmities
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 wept
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 sorrowful
                 ,
                 troubled
                 ,
                 and
                 sore
                 amazed
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   was
                   in
                   all
                
                 
                 
                   points
                   tempted
                   as
                   we
                   are
                   ,
                   only
                   without
                   sin
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Having
                 felt
                 them
                 thus
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 not
                 be
                 apt
                 to
                 sympathize
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 compassion
                 on
                 all
                 our
                 weaknesses
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 thereupon
                 the
                 Apostle
                 argues
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 
                   soon
                   touched
                   with
                   the
                   feeling
                   of
                   our
                   infirmities
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 was
                 it
                 requisite
                 ,
                 that
                 to
                 redeem
                 us
                 ,
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 should
                 become
                 Man
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 fit
                 him
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 attone
                 and
                 appease
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 Man
                 might
                 gain
                 what
                 Man
                 had
                 lost
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 by
                 his
                 performing
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 capable
                 to
                 restore
                 what
                 Disobedience
                 had
                 forfeited
                 .
                 
                   As
                   by
                   one
                   man's
                   Disobedience
                   many
                   were
                   made
                   Sinners
                   ,
                   so
                   by
                   the
                   Obedience
                   of
                   one
                   ,
                   were
                   many
                   to
                   be
                   made
                   Righteous
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 
                   we
                   having
                   Flesh
                   and
                   Blood
                   ,
                   he
                   also
                   took
                   part
                   of
                   the
                   same
                   ,
                   that
                   through
                   death
                   ,
                   he
                   might
                   destroy
                   him
                   that
                   had
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   death
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   ,
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 To
                 be
                 Gentle
                 and
                 Compassionate
                 towards
                 us
                 ,
                 affectionately
                 interceding
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 reasonably
                 bearing
                 with
                 our
                 infirmities
                 .
                 
                   It
                   behoved
                   him
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   to
                   be
                   like
                   unto
                   his
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   be
                   a
                   merciful
                   ,
                   and
                   faithful
                   High-Priest
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 was
                 his
                 becoming
                 man
                 ,
                 necessary
                 to
                 give
                 him
                 a
                 knowledge
                 and
                 compassionate
                 sense
                 of
                 our
                 infirmities
                 ;
                 was
                 he
                 not
                 God
                 before
                 ?
                 And
                 doth
                 not
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 made
                 our
                 Frame
                 ,
                 know
                 our
                 infirmities
                 better
                 ,
                 than
                 we
                 who
                 feel
                 them
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 but
                 on
                 other
                 accounts
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 appeasing
                 God
                 ,
                 because
                 not
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 Man
                 could
                 suffer
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfie
                 ;
                 and
                 man's
                 Obedience
                 was
                 fittest
                 to
                 regain
                 what
                 man
                 's
                 Disobedience
                 had
                 lost
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 would
                 be
                 most
                 easie
                 ,
                 and
                 favourable
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 ,
                 who
                 should
                 give
                 Laws
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 judge
                 us
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 a
                 man
                 like
                 our selves
                 ;
                 it
                 was
                 requisite
                 the
                 Mediator
                 should
                 be
                 man.
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 not
                 only
                 his
                 Divinity
                 ,
                 that
                 made
                 our
                 Frame
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 Humane
                 Nature
                 too
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 transacts
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 compassionate
                 to
                 the
                 utmost
                 of
                 our
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 't
                 was
                 requisite
                 he
                 should
                 feel
                 them
                 in
                 himself
                 ;
                 since
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 way
                 to
                 make
                 men
                 so
                 sensible
                 of
                 any
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 feeling
                 them
                 by
                 sorrowful
                 experience
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 we
                 learn
                 from
                 this
                 Condescention
                 of
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 be
                 humble
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 contemn
                 the
                 poorest
                 and
                 meanest
                 state
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 has
                 dignified
                 it
                 with
                 his
                 Appearance
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 Charitable
                 ,
                 and
                 Condescensive
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 nothing
                 below
                 us
                 ,
                 whereby
                 we
                 may
                 do
                 good
                 .
                 To
                 be
                 content
                 in
                 any
                 state
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 allots
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 thinking
                 the
                 greatest
                 measure
                 of
                 his
                 Love
                 and
                 Tenderness
                 ,
                 consistent
                 with
                 the
                 greatest
                 meanness
                 of
                 our
                 outward
                 state
                 and
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 plainly
                 was
                 in
                 his
                 Son's
                 case
                 .
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 To
                 think
                 all
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 utterly
                 unworthy
                 of
                 our
                 Nature
                 ,
                 since
                 now
                 God
                 has
                 so
                 marvellously
                 united
                 it
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 .
                 These
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 such
                 like
                 things
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 learn
                 and
                 practise
                 from
                 it
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 his
                 followers
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 
                   the
                   same
                   mind
                   to
                   be
                   in
                   us
                   ,
                   which
                   was
                   before
                   in
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 3
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 must
                 he
                 be
                 both
                 God
                 and
                 Man
                 ,
                 in
                 one
                 Person
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 fit
                 him
                 for
                 the
                 Office
                 of
                 a
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 and
                 Reconciler
                 :
                 who
                 was
                 to
                 go
                 between
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 both
                 one
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 was
                 fit
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 nearly
                 allied
                 to
                 each
                 Party
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 interest
                 in
                 both
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   II.
                
                 Of
                 the
                 Sufferings
                 of
                 Christ.
                 
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     An
                     Account
                     of
                     what
                     Christ
                     suffer'd
                     ,
                     and
                     from
                     whom
                     .
                     Both
                     he
                     ,
                     and
                     God
                     the
                     Father
                     were
                     consenting
                     to
                     it
                     .
                     What
                     he
                     suffer'd
                     ,
                     was
                     for
                     our
                     sins
                     ,
                     to
                     save
                     us
                     from
                     suffering
                     for
                     them
                     ,
                     when
                     we
                     truly
                     repent
                     of
                     them
                     .
                     Pardon
                     on
                     Repentance
                     ,
                     the
                     design
                     of
                     his
                     Satisfaction
                     ,
                     and
                     the
                     Merit
                     of
                     his
                     Death
                     .
                     This
                     is
                     a
                     Free
                     Grace
                     ,
                     which
                     implies
                     that
                     it
                     is
                     not
                     given
                     in
                     Recompence
                     of
                     our
                     Deserts
                     ,
                     not
                     that
                     it
                     requires
                     no
                     Conditions
                     .
                     An
                     Account
                     why
                     God
                     would
                     not
                     grant
                     this
                     Grace
                     of
                     Pardon
                     to
                     Penitents
                     ,
                     without
                     Christ's
                     dying
                     to
                     satisfie
                     for
                     them
                     .
                     And
                     how
                     his
                     Death
                     serv'd
                     all
                     the
                     designs
                     of
                     God's
                     Justice
                     ,
                     full
                     as
                     well
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     as
                     their
                     own
                     would
                     have
                     done
                     .
                     Christ's
                     Sacrifice
                     but
                     once
                     offered
                     ,
                     but
                     daily
                     commemorated
                     .
                     Several
                     useful
                     inferences
                     from
                     Christ's
                     dying
                     for
                     us
                     .
                     Christ's
                     dead
                     Body
                     was
                     buried
                     .
                     Of
                     his
                     descent
                     into
                     Hell.
                     
                  
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 WHat
                 is
                 the
                 Fourth
                 Article
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Suffered
                   under
                
                 Pontius
                 Pilate
                 ,
                 
                   was
                   crucified
                   ,
                   dead
                   ,
                   and
                   buried
                   ;
                   he
                   descended
                   into
                   Hell.
                   
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 did
                 Christ
                 suffer
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Besides
                 his
                 previous
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 particularly
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Garden
                
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 God
                 was
                 strongly
                 represented
                 ,
                 and
                 Hell
                 let
                 loose
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 under
                 which
                 't
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 
                   exceeding
                   sorrowful
                   ,
                   even
                   unto
                   death
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 37
                 ,
                 38.
                 and
                 thrown
                 into
                 
                   an
                   Agony
                   ,
                   wherein
                   he
                   sweat
                   great
                   drops
                   of
                   Blood
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 22.
                 44.
                 
                 Besides
                 these
                 previous
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 he
                 suffered
                 also
                 after
                 his
                 Apprehension
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 rudeness
                 from
                 the
                 inraged
                 Rabble
                 and
                 Soldiery
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   mocked
                   him
                
                 ,
                 †
                 
                   spit
                   upon
                   him
                   ,
                   buffeted
                
                 ,
                 and
                 scourged
                 him
                 ;
                 bound
                 his
                 Head
                 about
                 with
                 a
                 *
                 
                   wreath
                   of
                   sharp
                   Thorns
                
                 ,
                 which
                 every
                 where
                 like
                 Darts
                 pierced
                 his
                 tender
                 flesh
                 ;
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 nail'd
                 his
                 Hands
                 and
                 Feet
                 to
                 a
                 Cross
                 ,
                 a
                 most
                 acute
                 and
                 lingring
                 Death
                 :
                 and
                 to
                 make
                 that
                 most
                 ignominious
                 Suffering
                 more
                 ignominious
                 still
                 ,
                 hung
                 him
                 
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   between
                
                 †
                 
                   two
                   Thieves
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Who
                 were
                 the
                 Executioners
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 Cruelties
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 Jewish
                 Rulers
                 and
                 People
                 went
                 as
                 far
                 in
                 it
                 as
                 they
                 could
                 .
                 But
                 because
                 the
                 Romans
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 conquer'd
                 them
                 ,
                 had
                 not
                 left
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   any
                   Power
                
                 and
                 Authority
                 
                   to
                   put
                   any
                   man
                   to
                   death
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 18.
                 31.
                 they
                 drew
                 in
                 
                   Pontius
                   Pilate
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Roman
                   Governour
                
                 ,
                 to
                 sentence
                 his
                 Crucifixion
                 ,
                 against
                 his
                 Conscience
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Did
                 not
                 Pilate
                 believe
                 Christ
                 to
                 deserve
                 all
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 
                   he
                   knew
                   they
                   had
                   delivered
                   him
                   for
                   envy
                   ,
                
                 and
                 malice
                 ,
                 Matt.
                 27.
                 18.
                 
                 He
                 declared
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 
                   just
                   person
                   ,
                   Matt.
                
                 27.
                 24.
                 and
                 that
                 
                   upon
                   examination
                   ,
                   he
                   found
                   no
                   fault
                   at
                   all
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 23.
                 4
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 No
                 ,
                 nor
                 yet
                 Herod
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   he
                   sent
                
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 judged
                 
                   by
                   him
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 15.
                 
                 But
                 because
                 by
                 their
                 importunity
                 
                   a
                   tumult
                   was
                   made
                
                 ,
                 he
                 yielded
                 to
                 pass
                 sentence
                 against
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 quiet
                 ,
                 Matt.
                 27.
                 24.
                 and
                 
                   to
                   content
                   the
                   people
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 durst
                 not
                 offend
                 ,
                 Mar.
                 15.
                 15.
                 
                 Luk.
                 23.
                 23
                 ,
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 need
                 had
                 he
                 to
                 fear
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 such
                 an
                 abject
                 fear
                 should
                 betray
                 him
                 into
                 so
                 unjust
                 ,
                 and
                 vile
                 an
                 Action
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ
                 He
                 had
                 incensed
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 himself
                 obnoxious
                 to
                 be
                 articled
                 against
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 former
                 violences
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 man
                 very
                 Cruel
                 and
                 Tyrannical
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 complaint
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Samaritan
                   Jews
                
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 presently
                 after
                 removed
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Josephus
                 reports
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 this
                 case
                 ,
                 they
                 terrified
                 him
                 moreover
                 ,
                 by
                 threatning
                 to
                 accuse
                 him
                 to
                 his
                 jealous
                 Governour
                 ,
                 
                   Tiberius
                   Caesar
                
                 ,
                 as
                 no
                 friend
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   letting
                   Christ
                   go
                   ,
                   who
                
                 
                 
                   called
                   himself
                   a
                   King
                
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 they
                 said
                 ,
                 was
                 
                   speaking
                   against
                
                 Caesar
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 19.
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Christ
                 did
                 testify
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 before
                 Pilate
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 
                   was
                   a
                   King
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 
                   for
                   this
                   end
                   he
                   came
                   into
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   should
                   bear
                   witness
                   of
                   this
                   Truth
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 18.
                 37.
                 
                 And
                 did
                 not
                 this
                 give
                 Caesar
                 just
                 cause
                 to
                 be
                 afraid
                 of
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 because
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 declared
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   Kingdom
                   was
                   not
                   of
                   this
                   World
                   ,
                   neither
                   should
                   his
                   Servants
                   fight
                
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Subjects
                 of
                 worldly
                 Princes
                 do
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 18.
                 36.
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 take
                 nothing
                 from
                 the
                 Emperor
                 ,
                 nor
                 pretend
                 to
                 thwart
                 him
                 ,
                 or
                 resist
                 his
                 just
                 Power
                 .
                 But
                 his
                 Kingdom
                 was
                 in
                 relation
                 to
                 another
                 World
                 ,
                 a
                 Spiritual
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 set
                 up
                 in
                 men's
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 administred
                 by
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 future
                 Rewards
                 and
                 Punishments
                 ,
                 leaving
                 Princes
                 still
                 to
                 govern
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Affairs
                 of
                 this
                 life
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 did
                 not
                 intrench
                 any
                 thing
                 upon
                 the
                 Prerogatives
                 of
                 the
                 present
                 Powers
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 left
                 all
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Authority
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Subjects
                 under
                 the
                 same
                 Duty
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 found
                 them
                 .
                 As
                 Pilate
                 plainly
                 perceiv'd
                 by
                 Christ's
                 Answer
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 he
                 was
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 and
                 pronounced
                 him
                 innocent
                 upon
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 These
                 Sufferings
                 of
                 Christ
                 you
                 mention
                 ,
                 were
                 most
                 barbarous
                 and
                 horrible
                 things
                 .
                 But
                 amidst
                 all
                 these
                 bodily
                 Tortures
                 ,
                 had
                 he
                 not
                 ease
                 within
                 ,
                 and
                 great
                 support
                 of
                 inward
                 spiritual
                 Comforts
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 afforded
                 the
                 Martyrs
                 and
                 Confessors
                 afterwards
                 in
                 theirs
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 the
                 Horrours
                 of
                 his
                 Mind
                 were
                 beyond
                 the
                 Anguish
                 of
                 his
                 Body
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 design'd
                 to
                 suffer
                 the
                 extremity
                 of
                 what
                 Nature
                 could
                 bear
                 .
                 
                   His
                   Soul
                   was
                   troubled
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 12.
                 27.
                 
                   very
                   heavy
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 37.
                 
                 
                   Sore
                   amazed
                
                 ,
                 Mark
                 14.
                 33.
                 
                 
                   Exceeding
                   sorrowful
                   ,
                   even
                   unto
                   death
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 38.
                 and
                 in
                 such
                 an
                 Agony
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 apprehension
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Wrath
                 he
                 was
                 conflicting
                 with
                 ,
                 as
                 put
                 a
                 most
                 unwonted
                 force
                 upon
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 him
                 
                   sweat
                   as
                   it
                   were
                   great
                   drops
                   of
                   Blood
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 22.
                 44.
                 
                 Under
                 all
                 which
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 over-born
                 with
                 the
                 Burden
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 needed
                 
                   an
                   Angel
                   to
                   be
                   sent
                   to
                   strengthen
                   him
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 43.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Could
                 Christ
                 have
                 avoided
                 these
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 would
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 have
                 had
                 
                   Legions
                   of
                   Angels
                
                 for
                 his
                 Rescue
                 ,
                 Matt.
                 26.
                 53.
                 
                 But
                 for
                 our
                 sakes
                 ,
                 he
                 voluntarily
                 submitted
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 
                   I
                   have
                   power
                   to
                   lay
                   down
                   my
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   take
                   it
                   again
                   .
                   No
                   man
                   taketh
                   it
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   but
                   I
                   lay
                   it
                   down
                   of
                   my self
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 10.
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 was
                 God
                 consenting
                 to
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 they
                 came
                 about
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 by
                 his
                 Permission
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 his
                 Counsel
                 and
                 Determination
                 .
                 He
                 did
                 no
                 ways
                 excite
                 the
                 Jews
                 to
                 this
                 abominable
                 Act
                 ;
                 but
                 left
                 them
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 envy
                 and
                 malice
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 more
                 than
                 enough
                 to
                 push
                 them
                 forward
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 they
                 of
                 themselves
                 were
                 wicked
                 enough
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 infinite
                 Wisdom
                 ,
                 accomplishes
                 what
                 his
                 Son
                 and
                 he
                 had
                 before
                 agreed
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 working
                 our
                 Redemption
                 
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 He
                 suffered
                 according
                 to
                 
                   what
                   was
                   determined
                
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 22.
                 22.
                 
                 He
                 was
                 delivered
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   by
                   the
                   determinate
                   Counsel
                   and
                   Foreknowledge
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 2.
                 23.
                 
                 Herod
                 and
                 
                   Pontius
                   Pilate
                
                 did
                 only
                 
                   what
                   his
                   Hand
                   ,
                   and
                   Counsel
                   had
                   determined
                   before
                   to
                   be
                   done
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 4.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 he
                 
                   was
                   a
                   Lamb
                   fore-ordain'd
                   to
                   be
                   slain
                   ,
                   before
                   the
                   foundation
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 His
                 death
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 exaltation
                 therefore
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 
                   Mediatory
                   King
                
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Redeemer
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 Bargain
                 driven
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Matter
                 concerted
                 long
                 before
                 betwixt
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 heavenly
                 Father
                 .
                 
                   My
                   Father
                   hath
                   appointed
                
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 word
                 is
                 †
                 covenanted
                 )
                 
                   to
                   me
                   a
                   Kingdom
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 everlasting
                 agreement
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 promised
                 as
                 the
                 Reward
                 of
                 his
                 undertaking
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 22.
                 29.
                 
                 And
                 on
                 this
                 account
                 ,
                 his
                 Servants
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 given
                 to
                 him
                 as
                 a
                 Retribution
                 :
                 
                   He
                   gave
                   himself
                   for
                   them
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 purchase
                 them
                 ,
                 Tit.
                 2.
                 14.
                 
                 
                   Thine
                   they
                   were
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 to
                 his
                 
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   thou
                   gavest
                   them
                   me
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 on
                 this
                 consideration
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 17.
                 4
                 ,
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 since
                 the
                 things
                 he
                 endured
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 absolute
                 perfection
                 of
                 shame
                 and
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 why
                 should
                 Christ
                 submit
                 ,
                 or
                 God
                 bring
                 Christ
                 to
                 that
                 end
                 ?
                 was
                 it
                 to
                 punish
                 his
                 own
                 sins
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   did
                   no
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 22.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   tempted
                   in
                   all
                   points
                
                 of
                 Natural
                 Infirmities
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   yet
                   without
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 15.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 For
                 whose
                 sins
                 was
                 it
                 then
                 ;
                 for
                 all
                 
                   death
                   is
                   the
                   wages
                   of
                   sin
                   ,
                   Rom.
                
                 6.
                 23
                 
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 For
                 ours
                 ,
                 for
                 we
                 had
                 sinned
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 all
                 to
                 die
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 comes
                 by
                 the
                 Allowance
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 bears
                 our
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 by
                 dying
                 in
                 our
                 place
                 .
                 
                   God
                   laid
                   on
                   him
                   the
                   iniquities
                   of
                   us
                   all
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 53.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   He
                   tasted
                   death
                   for
                   every
                   man
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 9.
                 
                 
                   He
                   died
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 3.
                 
                 
                   He
                   poured
                   out
                   his
                   Soul
                   a
                   Sin-Offering
                   ,
                
                 Isa.
                 53.
                 5
                 ,
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 are
                 we
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 his
                 dying
                 for
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Infinitely
                 the
                 better
                 every
                 way
                 ;
                 but
                 particularly
                 ,
                 his
                 death
                 will
                 save
                 us
                 from
                 dying
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 truly
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 
                   He
                   hath
                   redeemed
                   us
                   from
                   the
                   Curse
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 by
                 
                   being
                   made
                   a
                   Curse
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 enduring
                 a
                 cursed
                 death
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   us
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 3.
                 13.
                 2
                 
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 21.
                 
                 He
                 
                   bought
                   us
                   off
                
                 from
                 death
                 by
                 
                   dying
                   for
                   us
                
                 ;
                 whence
                 he
                 is
                 called
                 our
                 Redeemer
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Ransom
                 ,
                 1
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 has
                 not
                 his
                 death
                 bought
                 us
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 Punishment
                 of
                 our
                 Sins
                 ,
                 till
                 we
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 we
                 must
                 
                   Repent
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   converted
                   ,
                   that
                   our
                   sins
                   may
                   be
                   blotted
                   out
                
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
                 Acts
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                   and
                   being
                   made
                   perfect
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 inaugurated
                 into
                 his
                 Princely
                 Power
                 ,
                 
                   by
                   suffering
                   ,
                   he
                   became
                   the
                   Author
                   of
                   Eternal
                   Salvation
                   to
                   all
                   them
                   that
                   obey
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 men
                 remain
                 impenitent
                 then
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 die
                 for
                 their
                 own
                 sins
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   Except
                   they
                   repent
                   ,
                   they
                   must
                   all
                   perish
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 13.
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 since
                 Christ
                 hath
                 died
                 for
                 them
                 once
                 already
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 that
                 be
                 dying
                 twice
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 being
                 twice
                 punished
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 sin
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 profered
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 accepted
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 an
                 unlimited
                 exchange
                 for
                 all
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 for
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 leave
                 their
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 He
                 died
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   all
                   men
                
                 :
                 but
                 he
                 died
                 as
                 
                   their
                   Sacrifice
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 5.
                 2.
                 and
                 Sacrifices
                 were
                 accepted
                 in
                 lieu
                 only
                 of
                 Penitent
                 Offenders
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 God
                 still
                 told
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 would
                 never
                 put
                 away
                 sins
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 Repentance
                 of
                 those
                 they
                 were
                 offered
                 for
                 .
                 
                   To
                   what
                   purpose
                   is
                   the
                   number
                   of
                   your
                   Sacrifices
                   ?
                
                 said
                 he
                 to
                 those
                 who
                 went
                 on
                 still
                 in
                 their
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 1.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Sacrifice
                   of
                   God
                   is
                   a
                   broken
                   Spirit
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 God
                 accepts
                 must
                 be
                 accompanied
                 with
                 it
                 ;
                 
                   a
                   broken
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   contrite
                   heart
                   ,
                   O
                   God
                   ,
                   thou
                   wilt
                   not
                   despise
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 51.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 was
                 not
                 his
                 death
                 a
                 satisfaction
                 for
                 sins
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 he
                 has
                 satisfied
                 for
                 them
                 already
                 ,
                 what
                 need
                 we
                 do
                 more
                 ?
                 must
                 we
                 satisfie
                 for
                 them
                 again
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 All
                 the
                 fruit
                 ,
                 and
                 estimate
                 of
                 his
                 Satisfaction
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 Argument
                 between
                 God
                 and
                 him
                 .
                 His
                 death
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 an
                 innocent
                 man
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 signified
                 nothing
                 at
                 all
                 towards
                 our
                 release
                 ,
                 unless
                 God
                 had
                 been
                 graciously
                 pleased
                 to
                 
                 admit
                 of
                 him
                 in
                 commutation
                 ,
                 and
                 exchange
                 for
                 our
                 Suffering
                 .
                 It
                 avails
                 ,
                 and
                 operates
                 nothing
                 by
                 it self
                 alone
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 as
                 God
                 accepted
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 nature
                 and
                 effect
                 of
                 his
                 Satisfaction
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 joyntly
                 designed
                 and
                 concerted
                 between
                 his
                 Father
                 and
                 him
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 sinner
                 whatsoever
                 should
                 be
                 accountable
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 sins
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 that
                 none
                 should
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 repented
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 then
                 were
                 his
                 merits
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 deserved
                 ,
                 and
                 obtained
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 death
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 
                   Grace
                   and
                   Favour
                   of
                   .
                   Repentance
                   ,
                
                 or
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 we
                 truly
                 repent
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 die
                 for
                 our selves
                 .
                 So
                 St.
                 Peter
                 expresses
                 that
                 benefit
                 ,
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 had
                 received
                 ,
                 in
                 being
                 admitted
                 Christians
                 :
                 
                   then
                   hath
                   God
                   also
                   to
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   ,
                   granted
                   Repentance
                   unto
                   life
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 11.
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   exalted
                   him
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   Saviour
                   ,
                   to
                   give
                   Repentance
                   unto
                   Israel
                   ,
                   and
                   remission
                   of
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 5.
                 31.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 merit
                 of
                 Christ's
                 death
                 is
                 the
                 Pardon
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 sins
                 on
                 true
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 likewise
                 the
                 Grace
                 to
                 enable
                 us
                 thus
                 to
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 this
                 Pardon
                 on
                 Repentance
                 a
                 Grace
                 and
                 Favour
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 needed
                 him
                 to
                 purchase
                 for
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Works
                 ,
                 which
                 condemned
                 us
                 all
                 ,
                 was
                 ,
                 
                   Do
                   this
                   ,
                   and
                   live
                
                 ;
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 thro'
                 Christ
                 the
                 Gospel
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   either
                   do
                   it
                   ,
                   or
                   repent
                   where
                   you
                   fail
                   .
                
                 So
                 that
                 God
                 was
                 not
                 bound
                 to
                 pardon
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 
                 did
                 repent
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 his
                 Holiness
                 and
                 Justice
                 ,
                 the
                 maintaining
                 the
                 Authority
                 of
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 seriousness
                 and
                 veracity
                 of
                 his
                 threatnings
                 ,
                 were
                 ready
                 to
                 interpose
                 ,
                 and
                 hinder
                 him
                 from
                 doing
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 Christ
                 came
                 to
                 die
                 in
                 our
                 stead
                 ,
                 and
                 pay
                 his
                 own
                 Blood
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 price
                 to
                 induce
                 God
                 pardon
                 Penitents
                 :
                 Then
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 doth
                 it
                 not
                 without
                 such
                 a
                 valuable
                 Recompence
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 pardon
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 Reflection
                 on
                 those
                 glorious
                 Attributes
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 his
                 Satisfaction
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Merit
                 and
                 Purchase
                 of
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 
                   Favour
                   of
                   Pardon
                   of
                   sin
                   upon
                   Repentance
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 there
                 no
                 other
                 Merit
                 ,
                 and
                 Fruit
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Death
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 besides
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 thereupon
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 also
                 merited
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 the
                 Grace
                 to
                 cure
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 favour
                 and
                 indulgence
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 ever
                 sought
                 ,
                 or
                 has
                 procured
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 towards
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 cannot
                 partake
                 of
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 but
                 upon
                 these
                 terms
                 ,
                 how
                 is
                 all
                 the
                 favour
                 we
                 receive
                 by
                 it
                 ,
                 said
                 to
                 come
                 freely
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 
                   free
                   Grace
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Grace
                 may
                 be
                 called
                 Free
                 ,
                 on
                 two
                 accounts
                 ;
                 either
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 given
                 us
                 
                   for
                   our
                   deserts
                
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 given
                 
                   upon
                   any
                   conditions
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 free
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 sense
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 excludes
                 all
                 Merits
                 ,
                 or
                 so
                 free
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 given
                 us
                 for
                 our
                 deserts
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 
                 Scripture-sense
                 of
                 Free-Grace
                 ;
                 for
                 there
                 Free-Grace
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 as
                 Undeserved-Grace
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 doth
                 that
                 appear
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 Free-Grace
                 is
                 there
                 opposed
                 to
                 Boasting
                 ,
                 which
                 has
                 place
                 only
                 on
                 the
                 Plea
                 of
                 Merit
                 or
                 desert
                 .
                 
                   We
                   are
                   justified
                   freely
                   by
                   his
                   Grace
                   ,
                   then
                   where
                   is
                   Boasting
                   ?
                   it
                   is
                   thereby
                   excluded
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 24
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 And
                 
                   by
                   Grace
                   ye
                   are
                   saved
                   ,
                   not
                   of
                   works
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 by
                 the
                 desert
                 of
                 any
                 works
                 ,
                 
                   lest
                   any
                   man
                   should
                   boast
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 2.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 the
                 Scripture
                 had
                 been
                 silent
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 easie
                 to
                 apprehend
                 this
                 Grace
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 undeserved
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 because
                 all
                 we
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 but
                 his
                 just
                 due
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 give
                 ,
                 but
                 pay
                 as
                 Debters
                 ;
                 and
                 were
                 it
                 our
                 own
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 yet
                 defective
                 and
                 mean
                 ,
                 and
                 utterly
                 unw●rthy
                 of
                 so
                 vast
                 a
                 Recompence
                 .
                 But
                 tho'
                 it
                 be
                 thus
                 absolutely
                 undeserved
                 by
                 us
                 ,
                 yet
                 has
                 not
                 Christ
                 fully
                 merited
                 and
                 deserved
                 it
                 for
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 bound
                 to
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 voluntarily
                 subjected
                 himself
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 took
                 our
                 Nature
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 perfect
                 Obedience
                 he
                 shewed
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 doing
                 or
                 suffering
                 the
                 Will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 was
                 his
                 free
                 and
                 gratuitous
                 Offering
                 ;
                 and
                 was
                 good
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 degree
                 and
                 perfection
                 ;
                 and
                 received
                 an
                 infinite
                 estimate
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Divinity
                 of
                 his
                 Person
                 ;
                 and
                 gratified
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 greatest
                 designs
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 mens
                 Salvation
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 by
                 
                 his
                 Services
                 ,
                 so
                 free
                 and
                 gratuitous
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 infinite
                 Recompence
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 justly
                 merited
                 all
                 that
                 Grace
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
                 God
                 bestows
                 on
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Grace
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 ,
                 is
                 absolutely
                 free
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 sense
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 it
                 comes
                 to
                 us
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 of
                 
                   our
                   deserts
                
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 is
                 also
                 free
                 in
                 the
                 second
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 require
                 in
                 us
                 any
                 Terms
                 or
                 Conditions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 main
                 instances
                 of
                 God's
                 Grace
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 gratuitous
                 ,
                 and
                 undeserved
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   saving
                   assistances
                   of
                   his
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Eternal
                   Life
                
                 :
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 are
                 given
                 ,
                 tho'
                 not
                 for
                 any
                 of
                 our
                 Deserts
                 ,
                 yet
                 upon
                 Conditions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 one
                 instance
                 of
                 God's
                 Free
                 Grace
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   are
                   justified
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 acquitted
                 in
                 judgment
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 our
                 sins
                 pardon'd
                 ,
                 
                   freely
                   by
                   his
                   Grace
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 24.
                 and
                 
                   we
                   have
                   forgiveness
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   riches
                   of
                   his
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 1.
                 7.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 this
                 Grace
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 is
                 granted
                 to
                 us
                 on
                 Conditions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 on
                 Condition
                 of
                 our
                 
                   true
                   Repentance
                
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 
                   Repent
                   ,
                   that
                   our
                   sins
                   may
                   be
                   blotted
                   out
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 3.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 
                   Christ
                   was
                   exalted
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   Saviour
                   ,
                   to
                   give
                   Repentance
                   and
                   Remission
                   of
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 5.
                 31.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 sends
                 out
                 his
                 Apostles
                 to
                 publish
                 this
                 Grace
                 ,
                 he
                 orders
                 them
                 to
                 
                   preach
                   Repentance
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   and
                   Remission
                   of
                   sins
                   in
                   his
                   Name
                   ,
                   to
                   all
                   Nations
                   ,
                
                 Luk
                 24.
                 47.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 
                   saving
                   Assistance
                   of
                   God's
                   holy
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 is
                 another
                 eminent
                 instance
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 most
                 commonly
                 called
                 so
                 in
                 common
                 speech
                 ;
                 but
                 is
                 that
                 given
                 too
                 upon
                 Conditions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 on
                 condition
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 concurrent
                 endeavours
                 .
                 For
                 tho'
                 the
                 first
                 motions
                 and
                 suggestions
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 make
                 the
                 first
                 step
                 in
                 our
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 may
                 prevent
                 our
                 endeavours
                 :
                 yet
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 them
                 on
                 our
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 encrease
                 to
                 a
                 saving
                 pitch
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 govern
                 our
                 Lives
                 ,
                 and
                 guard
                 us
                 against
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 depends
                 upon
                 our
                 own
                 Concurrence
                 .
                 
                   To
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 improves
                 what
                 God
                 bestows
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   more
                   be
                   given
                
                 :
                 but
                 
                   from
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                   not
                
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 doth
                 not
                 profit
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 wicked
                 Servant
                 did
                 not
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   went
                   ,
                   and
                   hid
                   his
                   Talent
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   taken
                   away
                   even
                   what
                   he
                   hath
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 25
                 ,
                 29.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 St.
                 Paul
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   works
                   in
                   us
                   both
                   to
                   will
                   and
                   to
                   do
                
                 ;
                 he
                 tells
                 us
                 withal
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 Fellow-workers
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   work
                   out
                   our
                   own
                   Salvation
                
                 ,
                 Phil
                 2.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 
                   Eternal
                   Life
                
                 another
                 instance
                 of
                 Free-Grace
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 an
                 instance
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Crown
                 ,
                 and
                 consummation
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Gift
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 23.
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Free
                   gift
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 15
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 also
                 bestow'd
                 upon
                 Conditions
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 upon
                 condition
                 of
                 our
                 Obedience
                 to
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 God.
                 
                   Being
                   made
                   perfect
                   thro'
                   Suffering
                   ,
                   Christ
                   became
                   the
                   Author
                   of
                   Eternal
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   obey
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 
                   blessed
                   are
                   they
                   that
                   do
                   his
                   Commandments
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   have
                   right
                   to
                   the
                   Tree
                   of
                   Life
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 22.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Grace
                 we
                 have
                 by
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Christ
                 then
                 is
                 free
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 only
                 as
                 that
                 excludes
                 all
                 our
                 Deserts
                 ,
                 but
                 not
                 as
                 it
                 excludes
                 all
                 Terms
                 and
                 Conditions
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 plain
                 by
                 that
                 way
                 wherein
                 God
                 makes
                 over
                 all
                 that
                 Grace
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 by
                 the
                 
                   New
                   Covenant
                
                 .
                 For
                 what
                 is
                 given
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 is
                 given
                 upon
                 Terms
                 ;
                 because
                 Covenants
                 differ
                 from
                 absolute
                 Grants
                 ,
                 and
                 imply
                 Articles
                 on
                 both
                 sides
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 the
                 Benefits
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 are
                 given
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 For
                 Christ's
                 sake
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 receive
                 Remission
                 of
                 sins
                 ,
                 the
                 Assistance
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 ,
                 tho'
                 we
                 never
                 deserved
                 them
                 :
                 but
                 we
                 shall
                 not
                 receive
                 them
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 Repent
                 ,
                 and
                 obey
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 perceive
                 ,
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 Christ
                 is
                 no
                 encouragement
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 slothfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 his
                 dying
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 save
                 us
                 from
                 dying
                 for
                 them
                 our selves
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Undoubtedly
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 ever
                 we
                 repent
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 saved
                 by
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                
                 
                 
                   his
                   Blood
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 a
                 Faith
                 that
                 our
                 Life
                 shall
                 be
                 spared
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 reconciled
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   set
                   forth
                   Christ
                   a
                   Propitiation
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Remission
                   of
                   sins
                   that
                   are
                   pass'd
                   ,
                   thro'
                   Faith
                   in
                   his
                   Blood
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 25.
                 
                 But
                 this
                 Faith
                 belongs
                 not
                 to
                 any
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 continue
                 in
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 wicked
                 men
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 when
                 they
                 begin
                 to
                 obey
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 From
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 it
                 appears
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ's
                 great
                 aim
                 in
                 dying
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 reclaim
                 us
                 from
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 us
                 holy
                 and
                 good
                 men
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 purchased
                 Reconciliation
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 favour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 only
                 to
                 shew
                 us
                 it
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 encourage
                 us
                 to
                 become
                 so
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 
                   Yes
                   ,
                   so
                   it
                   was
                   .
                   For
                
                 he
                 gave
                 himself
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 redeem
                 us
                 from
                 all
                 iniquity
                 ,
                 and
                 purifie
                 to
                 himself
                 a
                 peculiar
                 people
                 ,
                 zealous
                 of
                 good
                 works
                 ,
                 
                   Tit.
                   2.
                   14.
                   
                   And
                
                 he
                 bare
                 our
                 sins
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Body
                 upon
                 the
                 Tree
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 being
                 dead
                 to
                 sin
                 ,
                 should
                 live
                 unto
                 righteousness
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 say
                 Christ
                 died
                 to
                 atone
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfie
                 for
                 sins
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 might
                 pardon
                 us
                 when
                 we
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 why
                 did
                 he
                 not
                 think
                 Repentance
                 enough
                 without
                 a
                 Ransom
                 ?
                 Why
                 would
                 he
                 not
                 pardon
                 Penitents
                 ,
                 unless
                 Christ
                 would
                 die
                 to
                 make
                 satisfaction
                 for
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 the
                 requiring
                 such
                 a
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 shewed
                 his
                 perfect
                 hatred
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 his
                 Holiness
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 strict
                 care
                 of
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 which
                 maintains
                 
                 the
                 Reputation
                 of
                 his
                 Justice
                 ;
                 and
                 took
                 off
                 all
                 hope
                 of
                 impunity
                 ,
                 if
                 men
                 shall
                 go
                 on
                 still
                 to
                 transgress
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 was
                 the
                 greatest
                 discouragement
                 to
                 future
                 offences
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 had
                 he
                 been
                 easie
                 in
                 forgiving
                 ,
                 and
                 admitted
                 of
                 a
                 Reconciliation
                 without
                 a
                 Ransom
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 doth
                 the
                 requiring
                 such
                 a
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 shew
                 his
                 
                   perfect
                   hatred
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Honour
                   of
                   his
                   Holiness
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 remit
                 the
                 Punishment
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 upon
                 the
                 highest
                 Ransom
                 ;
                 and
                 because
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 undertook
                 to
                 answer
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 spare
                 it
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 his
                 hatred
                 to
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 overcome
                 even
                 by
                 his
                 love
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 moreover
                 ,
                 because
                 when
                 ,
                 in
                 consideration
                 of
                 his
                 infinite
                 Merits
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 he
                 returns
                 into
                 favour
                 with
                 them
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 his
                 absolute
                 detestation
                 of
                 their
                 former
                 sins
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 receive
                 even
                 the
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Devotions
                 of
                 Penitent
                 Sinners
                 at
                 their
                 own
                 Hands
                 ,
                 or
                 treat
                 with
                 them
                 in
                 person
                 ,
                 but
                 requires
                 a
                 Mediator
                 to
                 offer
                 up
                 ,
                 and
                 transact
                 all
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 withal
                 ,
                 admitting
                 no
                 other
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 Heaven
                 or
                 Earth
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 his
                 own
                 eternal
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 dearly
                 beloved
                 Son
                 :
                 To
                 shew
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 they
                 offered
                 the
                 greatest
                 Consideration
                 ,
                 yet
                 ,
                 in
                 indignation
                 at
                 their
                 former
                 Provocations
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 have
                 no
                 deangs
                 with
                 them
                 by
                 any
                 person
                 ,
                 less
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 dear
                 than
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 doth
                 it
                 shew
                 his
                 
                   strict
                   care
                   of
                
                 
                 
                   his
                   Laws
                
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Honour
                   of
                   his
                   Justice
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 dispense
                 with
                 the
                 threatnings
                 of
                 those
                 Laws
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 had
                 no
                 less
                 a
                 Reason
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 the
                 greatest
                 and
                 most
                 considerable
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 visible
                 Creation
                 ,
                 without
                 a
                 valuable
                 recompence
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 doth
                 it
                 cut
                 off
                 all
                 
                   hopes
                   of
                   impunity
                
                 ,
                 and
                 utterly
                 discourage
                 all
                 future
                 offenders
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 God
                 has
                 no
                 more
                 Sons
                 to
                 die
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 sollicited
                 to
                 remit
                 the
                 punishment
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 do
                 it
                 upon
                 a
                 less
                 exchange
                 .
                 When
                 man
                 sinn'd
                 against
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 unerring
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 Merits
                 and
                 Death
                 of
                 his
                 Son
                 ,
                 God
                 pardon'd
                 that
                 ,
                 and
                 admitted
                 them
                 to
                 favour
                 again
                 upon
                 their
                 Repentance
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 they
                 shall
                 offend
                 against
                 this
                 Law
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 finally
                 impenitent
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 no
                 Sons
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 suffer
                 again
                 ,
                 to
                 purchase
                 their
                 Forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 Christ's
                 Suffering
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 salved
                 all
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 God's
                 Attributes
                 ,
                 and
                 served
                 all
                 the
                 Purposes
                 of
                 his
                 Justice
                 ,
                 that
                 would
                 have
                 been
                 served
                 by
                 our
                 suffering
                 for
                 our selves
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 It
                 did
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 as
                 well
                 too
                 ;
                 the
                 punishing
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 answered
                 for
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 shewing
                 a
                 more
                 implacable
                 hatred
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 inexorable
                 Justice
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 could
                 have
                 shewn
                 ,
                 by
                 punishing
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 Sinners
                 themselves
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 his
                 death
                 was
                 
                 a
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 World.
                 Not
                 only
                 a
                 satisfaction
                 to
                 Benevolence
                 ,
                 and
                 yielding
                 Goodness
                 ;
                 as
                 when
                 easy
                 and
                 indulgent
                 Natures
                 ,
                 are
                 appeas'd
                 by
                 any
                 small
                 returns
                 ,
                 and
                 incompetent
                 Recompences
                 :
                 but
                 a
                 Satisfaction
                 to
                 Justice
                 ,
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 full
                 Compensation
                 and
                 Equivalence
                 ;
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 one
                 suffering
                 displaying
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 all
                 God's
                 ▪
                 Attributes
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 God
                 could
                 have
                 display'd
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 punishing
                 the
                 whole
                 Humane
                 Race
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 the
                 Death
                 and
                 Sacrifice
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 were
                 so
                 full
                 a
                 satisfaction
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 now
                 to
                 be
                 paid
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 need
                 never
                 be
                 repeated
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 nor
                 ever
                 must
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 Jewish
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 needed
                 constantly
                 to
                 be
                 repeated
                 ;
                 because
                 ,
                 being
                 of
                 little
                 worth
                 ,
                 and
                 very
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 their
                 virtue
                 was
                 soon
                 spent
                 ;
                 so
                 that
                 
                   year
                   by
                   year
                   they
                   were
                   continually
                   offered
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 25.
                 and
                 10.
                 1
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 But
                 his
                 being
                 full
                 and
                 perfect
                 from
                 the
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 leaving
                 nothing
                 to
                 be
                 added
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   is
                   not
                   to
                   be
                   offered
                   often
                   ,
                   but
                   at
                   once
                   hath
                   he
                   put
                   away
                   sin
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   Sacrifice
                   of
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 and
                 10.
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 altho
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 be
                 really
                 acted
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 needs
                 not
                 ,
                 the
                 whole
                 effect
                 of
                 it
                 being
                 as
                 fresh
                 and
                 full
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 at
                 first
                 ;
                 yet
                 is
                 it
                 daily
                 still
                 commemorated
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 virtue
                 thereof
                 apply'd
                 ,
                 in
                 every
                 
                   good
                   Prayer
                
                 ,
                 but
                 especially
                 in
                 every
                 Sacrament
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 learn
                 you
                 from
                 Christ's
                 dying
                 a
                 Ransom
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 1.
                 
                 To
                 
                   abhor
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 since
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 odio●●
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 spare
                 it
                 in
                 no
                 person
                 ,
                 no
                 not
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Son
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 took
                 other
                 men's
                 sins
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 he
                 spared
                 not
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 bear
                 the
                 punishment
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 how
                 can
                 we
                 hope
                 he
                 will
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 spare
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 come
                 to
                 undergo
                 it
                 for
                 our selves
                 .
                 
                   If
                   these
                   things
                   were
                   done
                   in
                   the
                   green
                   Tree
                   ,
                   what
                   shall
                   be
                   done
                   in
                   the
                   dry
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 23.
                 31.
                 
              
               
                 2
                 To
                 
                   give
                   our selves
                
                 up
                 to
                 the
                 service
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 bought
                 us
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 property
                 ,
                 at
                 so
                 dear
                 a
                 rate
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 least
                 we
                 can
                 do
                 ,
                 in
                 Equity
                 and
                 Justice
                 .
                 
                   Ye
                   are
                   bought
                   with
                   a
                   price
                   ,
                   therefore
                   glorifie
                   God
                   in
                   your
                   Bodies
                   and
                   Spirits
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   God's
                   ,
                
                 by
                 such
                 costly
                 purchase
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 there
                 is
                 any
                 spark
                 of
                 Love
                 and
                 Gratitude
                 in
                 our
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 we
                 can
                 do
                 no
                 less
                 in
                 Resentment
                 of
                 such
                 stupendious
                 kindness
                 .
                 
                   For
                   the
                   Love
                   of
                   Christ
                   constrains
                   us
                   ,
                   because
                   we
                   thus
                   judge
                   ,
                   that
                   if
                   Christ
                   died
                   for
                   all
                   ,
                   they
                   which
                   live
                   ,
                   should
                   not
                   henceforth
                   live
                   unto
                   themselves
                   ,
                   but
                   unto
                   him
                   that
                   died
                   for
                   them
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Ought
                 it
                 not
                 also
                 to
                 teach
                 us
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 beget
                 in
                 us
                 a
                 firm
                 Trust
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 perform
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 has
                 promised
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 as
                 plainly
                 shewing
                 ,
                 that
                 nothing
                 is
                 too
                 great
                 for
                 his
                 love
                 to
                 make
                 good
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   spared
                   not
                   his
                   own
                   Son
                   ,
                   but
                   delivered
                   him
                   up
                   for
                   us
                   all
                   ,
                   how
                   shall
                   he
                   not
                   with
                   him
                   freely
                   give
                   us
                   all
                   things
                   ?
                
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 32.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 not
                 his
                 Patience
                 ,
                 and
                 Charity
                 in
                 his
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 not
                 reviling
                 again
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   praying
                   for
                   his
                   Enemies
                
                 ,
                 teach
                 us
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 called
                 to
                 suffer
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 
                   suffering
                   thus
                   ,
                   without
                   threatning
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   when
                   he
                   was
                   reviled
                   ,
                   not
                   reviling
                   again
                   ,
                   he
                   hath
                   left
                   us
                   an
                   example
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   should
                   follow
                   his
                   steps
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 21.
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Should
                 not
                 God's
                 imposing
                 so
                 many
                 ,
                 and
                 great
                 secular
                 hardships
                 and
                 sufferings
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 most
                 dear
                 Son
                 ,
                 make
                 us
                 have
                 easier
                 thoughts
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 than
                 others
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   reconcile
                   us
                   to
                   Affliction
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 In
                 all
                 Reason
                 it
                 should
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 shews
                 how
                 inconsiderable
                 worldly
                 Goods
                 and
                 Glories
                 are
                 in
                 Gods
                 Eyes
                 ;
                 how
                 temporal
                 evils
                 are
                 allotted
                 to
                 the
                 dearest
                 persons
                 ,
                 how
                 proper
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 Discipline
                 ,
                 and
                 improve
                 the
                 most
                 virtuous
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 perfect
                 Piety
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 a
                 step
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 Felicity
                 and
                 Glory
                 .
                 
                   Jesus
                   himself
                   ,
                   tho'
                   he
                   were
                   a
                   Son
                   ,
                   yet
                   learned
                   obedience
                   by
                   the
                   things
                   which
                   he
                   suffered
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   He
                   was
                   made
                   perfect
                   through
                   suffering
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   He
                   ought
                   to
                   suffer
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   enter
                   into
                   his
                   Glory
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 24.
                 26.
                 
                 
                   We
                   see
                   him
                   for
                   suffering
                   death
                   ,
                   crowned
                   with
                   Glory
                   and
                   Honour
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 seeing
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 thus
                 providentially
                 allotted
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 thus
                 profitably
                 undergone
                 ,
                 and
                 highly
                 recompenced
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 the
                 blessed
                 Apostles
                 and
                 
                   primitive
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 whose
                 Ambition
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 his
                 true
                 followers
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 repine
                 and
                 mourn
                 ,
                 but
                 rejoyce
                 and
                 glory
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 since
                 in
                 dying
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 shewed
                 us
                 such
                 stupendious
                 Love
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 that
                 mutually
                 endear
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 teach
                 us
                 if
                 we
                 would
                 be
                 his
                 followers
                 ,
                 most
                 tenderly
                 to
                 
                   love
                   one
                   another
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   if
                   God
                   so
                   loved
                   us
                   ,
                   we
                   ought
                   also
                   to
                   love
                   one
                   another
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 4.
                 11.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 since
                 
                   hereby
                   we
                   perceive
                   the
                   love
                   of
                   God
                   to
                   us
                   ,
                   because
                   he
                   laid
                   down
                   his
                   life
                   for
                   us
                   ;
                   we
                   ought
                   ,
                
                 upon
                 just
                 occasion
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   lay
                   down
                   our
                   lives
                   for
                   the
                   Brethren
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 the
                 Creed
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 dead
                 and
                 buried
                 .
                 When
                 Christ
                 expired
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 was
                 his
                 Body
                 taken
                 down
                 ,
                 and
                 buried
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 laid
                 in
                 a
                 Tomb
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 great
                 Stone
                 roll'd
                 before
                 its
                 mouth
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Custom
                 .
                 And
                 
                   for
                   fear
                   his
                   Disciples
                   should
                   come
                   by
                   night
                   ,
                   and
                   steal
                   him
                   away
                   ,
                
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   Rulers
                
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 
                   had
                   sealed
                   the
                   Stone
                
                 ,
                 got
                 a
                 Guard
                 from
                 the
                 Governour
                 to
                 watch
                 it
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 27.
                 64
                 ,
                 66.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 
                   Christ's
                   descent
                   into
                   Hell
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 His
                 abode
                 in
                 that
                 state
                 of
                 Death
                 and
                 Separation
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 Soul
                 's
                 being
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Separate
                 Souls
                 ,
                 till
                 it
                 was
                 united
                 again
                 to
                 his
                 Body
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 ;
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 written
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   leave
                   my
                   Soul
                   in
                   Hell
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 2.
                 27.
                 which
                 St.
                 Peter
                 there
                 says
                 ,
                 was
                 fulfilled
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 ceased
                 to
                 continue
                 under
                 
                   the
                   power
                   of
                   death
                
                 ,
                 and
                 gloriously
                 
                   arose
                   to
                   triumph
                   over
                   it
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 30
                 ,
                 31.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 the
                 word
                 Hell
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 signifie
                 only
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Dead
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Souls
                 departed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 as
                 David
                 says
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   man
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   liveth
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   not
                   see
                   death
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   he
                   deliver
                   his
                   Soul
                   from
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   Hell
                   ?
                
                 Psal.
                 89.
                 48.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 Jacob
                 talked
                 of
                 
                   going
                   down
                   to
                   Hell
                   to
                
                 Joseph
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 thought
                 
                   some
                   evil
                   Beast
                   had
                   devoured
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Gen.
                 37.
                 33
                 ,
                 35.
                 
                 In
                 both
                 which
                 places
                 ,
                 the
                 word
                 translated
                 Grave
                 in
                 our
                 Bibles
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Greek
                 is
                 Hades
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 word
                 that
                 stands
                 for
                 Hell
                 here
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 .
                 Oft-times
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 
                   New
                   Testament
                
                 ,
                 Hell
                 fignifies
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 general
                 ,
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Dead
                 ,
                 but
                 particularly
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Wicked
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Torment
                 .
                 In
                 which
                 sense
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 likely
                 that
                 
                   Christ
                   descended
                   into
                   Hell
                
                 after
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 because
                 in
                 his
                 dying
                 hour
                 he
                 told
                 the
                 
                   Penitent
                   Thief
                   ,
                   This
                   day
                   shalt
                   thou
                   be
                   with
                   me
                   in
                   Paradise
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 23.
                 43.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   III.
                
                 Of
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 sitting
                 at
                 God's
                 Right-Hand
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     An
                     Account
                     how
                     Christ
                     may
                     be
                     said
                     to
                     have
                     been
                     three
                     days
                     in
                     the
                     Earth
                     .
                     His
                     Resurrection
                     proved
                     .
                     The
                     necessity
                     of
                     it
                     .
                     He
                  
                   
                   
                     ascended
                     to
                     Heaven
                     .
                     What
                     is
                     meant
                     by
                     his
                     sitting
                     at
                     the
                     Right-Hand
                     of
                     God.
                     There
                     he
                     ,
                  
                   1.
                   
                   
                     Intercedes
                     for
                     us
                     ,
                     as
                     our
                     Priest.
                     This
                     intercession
                     not
                     vocal
                     ,
                     by
                     Words
                     and
                     formal
                     Pleas
                     ,
                     but
                     by
                     presenting
                     himself
                     ,
                     and
                     his
                     own
                     meritorious
                     Sacrifice
                     .
                     He
                     intercedes
                     only
                     for
                     Covenant-Mercies
                     ,
                     and
                     on
                     Covenant-Terms
                     .
                     He
                     is
                     an
                     Intercessor
                     of
                     absolute
                     Power
                     with
                     God
                     ,
                     and
                     truest
                     Affection
                     for
                     us
                     .
                     One
                     part
                     of
                     his
                     intercession
                     ,
                     is
                     to
                     hand
                     and
                     present
                     our
                     Prayers
                     to
                     God.
                     Therefore
                     whensoever
                     we
                     pray
                     for
                     any
                     thing
                     ,
                     't
                     is
                     both
                     our
                     duty
                     ,
                     and
                     wisdom
                     to
                     apply
                     by
                     him
                     .
                  
                   2.
                   
                   
                     Governs
                     his
                     Church
                     ,
                     as
                     a
                     King.
                     In
                     what
                     Acts
                     this
                     consists
                     .
                  
                   3.
                   
                   
                     Instructs
                     his
                     Church
                     ,
                     as
                     a
                     Prophet
                     ,
                     by
                     sending
                     to
                     it
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     .
                     Christ's
                     Body
                     having
                     now
                     taken
                     up
                     its
                     fixt
                     abode
                     at
                     God's
                     Right-hand
                     ,
                     we
                     are
                     not
                     in
                     any
                     Ordinances
                     to
                     expect
                     his
                     Bodily
                     Presence
                     ,
                     but
                     only
                     a
                     Presence
                     by
                     his
                     Spirit
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     more
                     to
                     be
                     desired
                     .
                     Some
                     Inferences
                     from
                     Christ's
                     sitting
                     at
                     God's
                     Right-hand
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 long
                 did
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 abide
                 in
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 the
                 Dead
                 ;
                 till
                 his
                 Body
                 was
                 corrupted
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 he
                 staid
                 not
                 so
                 long
                 .
                 
                   God
                   did
                   not
                   suffer
                   his
                   Holy
                   one
                   to
                   see
                   Corruption
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 13.
                 35
                 ,
                 36
                 ,
                 37.
                 but
                 reunited
                 his
                 Soul
                 and
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   raised
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   on
                   the
                   third
                   day
                   ,
                
                 before
                 the
                 time
                 ▪
                 Corruption
                 usually
                 seizes
                 the
                 Bodies
                 of
                 dead
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Quest.
                   Christ
                
                 said
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 
                 told
                 Pilate
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   after
                   three
                   days
                   he
                   would
                   rise
                   again
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 27.
                 63.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 
                   Jonas
                   was
                   three
                   days
                   ,
                   and
                   three
                   nights
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   Whales
                   Belly
                   :
                   so
                   ,
                
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   Man
                   be
                   three
                   days
                   ,
                   and
                   three
                   nights
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 12.
                 40.
                 
                 But
                 if
                 he
                 died
                 as
                 we
                 commemorate
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 upon
                 Good-Friday
                 ,
                 and
                 rose
                 †
                 early
                 on
                 Easter-day
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 there
                 were
                 only
                 part
                 of
                 two
                 days
                 ,
                 and
                 one
                 entire
                 day
                 between
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   three
                   days
                
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 common
                 computation
                 of
                 days
                 ,
                 both
                 Ancient
                 and
                 Modern
                 ,
                 and
                 particularly
                 in
                 Scripture
                 reckoning
                 .
                 Thus
                 Lazarus
                 is
                 said
                 
                   four
                   days
                   dead
                
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 
                   fourth
                   day
                
                 ,
                 whereon
                 Jesus
                 raised
                 him
                 up
                 ,
                 was
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 11.
                 39.
                 
                 And
                 
                   eight
                   days
                
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   accomplished
                   ,
                   for
                   Christ's
                   Circumcision
                
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 his
                 Birth
                 ,
                 and
                 Circumcision
                 too
                 ,
                 went
                 both
                 in
                 to
                 that
                 Reckoning
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 2.
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Priests
                 in
                 their
                 courses
                 were
                 appointed
                 ,
                 and
                 †
                 reputed
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   Minister
                   before
                   the
                   Lord
                   eight
                   days
                   ,
                
                 though
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 Entrance
                 ,
                 and
                 Release
                 ,
                 was
                 †
                 
                   every
                   Sabbath
                   day
                   morning
                
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 what
                 in
                 the
                 currant
                 way
                 of
                 expression
                 ,
                 is
                 thus
                 sometimes
                 termed
                 
                   three
                   days
                
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 speaking
                 more
                 exactly
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 ,
                 expresses
                 by
                 
                   on
                   the
                   third
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   within
                   three
                   days
                   .
                   Jesus
                   shewed
                   his
                   Disciples
                   ,
                   he
                   should
                   rise
                   again
                   the
                   third
                   day
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 16.
                 21.
                 and
                 17.
                 23.
                 and
                 20.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 
                   destroy
                   this
                   Temple
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   three
                   days
                   I
                   will
                   raise
                   it
                   up
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 19.
                 or
                 ,
                 
                   within
                   three
                   days
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 otherwhere
                 
                 call
                 it
                 
                   after
                   three
                   days
                
                 ,
                 related
                 it
                 ,
                 Mark
                 14.
                 58.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 doth
                 it
                 appear
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 was
                 raised
                 again
                 
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 It
                 might
                 appear
                 to
                 any
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 the
                 curiosity
                 to
                 look
                 into
                 the
                 Sepulchre
                 ;
                 for
                 they
                 would
                 see
                 he
                 was
                 gone
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 said
                 the
                 Watch
                 ,
                 who
                 stood
                 to
                 guard
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 They
                 knew
                 it
                 full
                 well
                 ,
                 for
                 when
                 the
                 Angel
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 
                   Countenance
                   like
                   Lightning
                   ,
                   descended
                   in
                   an
                   Earth-quake
                   ,
                
                 to
                 
                   roll
                   back
                   the
                   Stone
                   ,
                   the
                   Keepers
                   saw
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   shaked
                   ,
                   and
                   became
                   as
                   dead
                   men
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 2
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 But
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   Rulers
                   bribed
                   them
                   ,
                   to
                   say
                   ,
                   his
                   Disciples
                   came
                   by
                   night
                   ,
                   and
                   stole
                   him
                   away
                   while
                   they
                   slept
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 which
                 was
                 a
                 foolish
                 lie
                 ,
                 and
                 bore
                 along
                 with
                 it
                 its
                 own
                 Confutation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 so
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 asleep
                 ,
                 how
                 could
                 they
                 tell
                 any
                 one
                 stole
                 him
                 ?
                 If
                 they
                 had
                 any
                 thoughts
                 of
                 what
                 others
                 did
                 then
                 ,
                 it
                 could
                 be
                 only
                 in
                 a
                 Dream
                 ;
                 unless
                 they
                 would
                 pretend
                 to
                 sleep
                 with
                 their
                 Senses
                 awake
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Eyes
                 open
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 
                   this
                   saying
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Matthew
                   ,
                   is
                   commonly
                   reported
                   among
                   the
                
                 Jews
                 ,
                 and
                 passes
                 for
                 a
                 Truth
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 by
                 what
                 other
                 ways
                 can
                 you
                 convince
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 is
                 risen
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 By
                 those
                 that
                 saw
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 conversed
                 with
                 him
                 after
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 appeared
                 for
                 the
                 space
                 of
                 †
                 
                   forty
                   days
                
                 to
                 
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 satisfie
                 them
                 he
                 had
                 a
                 real
                 Body
                 ,
                 
                   eat
                   and
                   drank
                   with
                   them
                   after
                   he
                   was
                   risen
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 10.
                 41.
                 
                 Luk.
                 24.
                 43.
                 
                 He
                 appeared
                 to
                 Thomas
                 ,
                 who
                 searched
                 
                   the
                   holes
                   the
                   Nails
                   had
                   made
                   in
                   his
                   Hands
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   thrust
                   his
                   Finger
                   into
                   his
                   Side
                   ,
                
                 where
                 the
                 Spear
                 had
                 pierced
                 it
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 would
                 believe
                 him
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 20.
                 27
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 
                   To
                   five
                   hundred
                   Brethren
                   all
                   at
                   one
                   time
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 6.
                 
                 To
                 Stephen
                 in
                 a
                 bright
                 
                   Glory
                   from
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 Martyrdom
                 ,
                 Acts
                 7.
                 56.
                 and
                 to
                 Saul
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 Acts
                 9.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 was
                 risen
                 ,
                 and
                 gone
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   sent
                   down
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 upon
                 his
                 Apostles
                 and
                 followers
                 ,
                 which
                 shewed
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 alive
                 again
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 that
                 he
                 lives
                 in
                 Power
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Apostles
                 seem
                 extraordinary
                 careful
                 ,
                 to
                 confirm
                 the
                 
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 call
                 
                   the
                   ordaining
                   one
                   to
                   be
                   an
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   ordaining
                   him
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   witness
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 1.
                 22.
                 
                 Was
                 it
                 necessary
                 that
                 Christ
                 should
                 rise
                 from
                 the
                 dead
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 the
                 debt
                 he
                 died
                 for
                 was
                 discharged
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 his
                 satisfaction
                 was
                 accepted
                 .
                 He
                 died
                 as
                 a
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 to
                 satisfie
                 for
                 our
                 sins
                 ;
                 and
                 till
                 God
                 raised
                 him
                 up
                 again
                 ,
                 it
                 did
                 not
                 appear
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 satisfied
                 with
                 what
                 Christ
                 had
                 done
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 
                   If
                   Christ
                   be
                   not
                   risen
                   ,
                   ye
                   are
                   yet
                   in
                   your
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 was
                 not
                 his
                 death
                 a
                 full
                 payment
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 did
                 he
                 not
                 relate
                 to
                 that
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 said
                 
                   it
                   is
                   finished
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 19.
                 30
                 
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 It
                 was
                 so
                 indeed
                 ,
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 Redemption
                 then
                 was
                 fully
                 paid
                 .
                 But
                 till
                 he
                 raised
                 him
                 up
                 again
                 ,
                 God
                 had
                 given
                 no
                 publick
                 Acquitrance
                 ,
                 nor
                 done
                 any
                 open
                 Act
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 we
                 were
                 discharged
                 by
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 by
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 
                   to
                   be
                   justified
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 declared
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 .
                 
                   He
                   died
                   for
                   our
                   sins
                   ,
                   and
                   rose
                   again
                   for
                   our
                   Justification
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 25.
                 and
                 
                   who
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   condemneth
                   ?
                   it
                   is
                   Christ
                   that
                   died
                   ,
                   yea
                   rather
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   risen
                   again
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 34.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 necessary
                 on
                 any
                 other
                 Accounts
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 virtue
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 our
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 to
                 intercede
                 with
                 God
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 and
                 our
                 Saviour
                 and
                 Deliverer
                 ,
                 to
                 protect
                 and
                 rescue
                 us
                 from
                 our
                 Spiritual
                 Enemies
                 :
                 And
                 these
                 great
                 works
                 suppose
                 a
                 live
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 performed
                 by
                 a
                 dead
                 person
                 .
                 And
                 being
                 thus
                 necessary
                 to
                 discharge
                 his
                 continual
                 care
                 of
                 us
                 ;
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 equally
                 so
                 ,
                 to
                 support
                 our
                 Faith
                 and
                 Trust
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 When
                 men
                 are
                 dead
                 ,
                 we
                 expect
                 no
                 service
                 ,
                 or
                 succour
                 from
                 them
                 :
                 And
                 therefore
                 were
                 he
                 still
                 in
                 the
                 Grave
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 fix
                 our
                 Hope
                 and
                 Trust
                 in
                 ,
                 or
                 make
                 our
                 Addresses
                 to
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 it
                 necessary
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Messiah
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 prove
                 his
                 Religion
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 had
                 appealed
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   a
                   sign
                
                 of
                 his
                 being
                 a
                 
                   true
                   Prophet
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 12
                 ▪
                 38
                 ,
                 39
                 ,
                 40.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 tryal
                 which
                 God
                 †
                 prescribed
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   ,
                   viz.
                
                 the
                 
                   accomplishment
                   of
                   predictions
                
                 ,
                 
                 he
                 had
                 appear'd
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 false
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 had
                 he
                 failed
                 in
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 
                   if
                   Christ
                   be
                   not
                   risen
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   your
                   Faith
                   is
                   vain
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 his
                 Death
                 and
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 methinks
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 plain
                 and
                 palpable
                 instance
                 of
                 the
                 immortality
                 of
                 Humane
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 a
                 future
                 Life
                 beyond
                 the
                 Grave
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 may
                 reward
                 or
                 punish
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 So
                 we
                 have
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 Soul
                 manifestly
                 did
                 exist
                 apart
                 from
                 his
                 Body
                 ,
                 during
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 their
                 Separation
                 ,
                 till
                 on
                 the
                 
                   third
                   day
                
                 it
                 was
                 reunited
                 again
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 mens
                 Souls
                 can
                 subsist
                 without
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 in
                 their
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 depart
                 hence
                 ,
                 go
                 into
                 another
                 place
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 capable
                 of
                 being
                 called
                 to
                 account
                 for
                 all
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 .
                 On
                 which
                 account
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 others
                 ,
                 St.
                 Paul
                 might
                 well
                 say
                 ,
                 That
                 God
                 hath
                 
                   given
                   assurance
                   of
                   a
                   future
                   Life
                
                 and
                 
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   by
                   raising
                   Christ
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 17.
                 31.
                 
                 And
                 St.
                 Peter
                 ,
                 That
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   begotten
                   us
                   to
                   the
                   hope
                   of
                   an
                   Eternal
                   Inheritance
                   ,
                   thro'
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Christ
                   from
                   the
                   Dead
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 We
                 read
                 of
                 several
                 others
                 ,
                 that
                 rose
                 from
                 the
                 Dead
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Christ
                 ;
                 had
                 he
                 any
                 thing
                 singular
                 in
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 above
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 raised
                 himself
                 by
                 his
                 own
                 power
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 were
                 all
                 raised
                 by
                 him
                 ;
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 first
                 that
                 rose
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 the
                 First-Fruits
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 besides
                 rise
                 as
                 the
                 ensuing
                 Crop
                 ,
                 which
                 depends
                 
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 
                   Destroy
                   this
                   Temple
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   in
                   three
                   days
                   I
                   will
                   raise
                   it
                   up
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 19
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 
                   I
                   lay
                   down
                   my
                   life
                   ,
                   and
                   take
                   it
                   up
                   again
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 10.
                 18.
                 
                 
                   He
                   is
                   the
                   first-born
                   from
                   the
                   Dead
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 1.
                 18.
                 
                 Rev.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   As
                   in
                
                 Adam
                 
                   all
                   die
                   ,
                   so
                   in
                   Christ
                   shall
                   all
                   be
                   made
                   alive
                   :
                   but
                   every
                   man
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   order
                   ,
                   Christ
                   the
                   First-fruits
                   ,
                   afterwards
                   they
                   that
                   are
                   Christ's
                   at
                   his
                   coming
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 did
                 not
                 Lazarus
                 rise
                 before
                 Christ
                 ,
                 John
                 11.
                 44.
                 and
                 
                 Jairus's
                 Daughter
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 8.
                 55.
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Widows
                   Son
                   of
                
                 Nain
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 7.
                 12
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 and
                 how
                 then
                 is
                 he
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 
                   first
                   of
                   the
                   Dead
                
                 ,
                 that
                 returned
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 They
                 returned
                 to
                 die
                 again
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 was
                 the
                 first
                 that
                 rose
                 to
                 life
                 everlasting
                 .
                 
                   He
                   being
                   raised
                   ,
                   dieth
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   death
                   hath
                   no
                   more
                   dominion
                   over
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 Christ
                 got
                 Glory
                 and
                 Happiness
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 even
                 that
                 Joy
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 St.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   endured
                   the
                   Cross
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 did
                 he
                 thereby
                 acquire
                 any
                 Power
                 over
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 his
                 Death
                 purchased
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 invested
                 him
                 with
                 an
                 absolute
                 Power
                 and
                 Dominion
                 over
                 us
                 .
                 
                   For
                   this
                   end
                   ,
                   Christ
                   both
                   died
                   ,
                   and
                   rose
                   ,
                   and
                   revived
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   be
                   Lord
                   ,
                   both
                   of
                   the
                   Dead
                   and
                   Living
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 14.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 after
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   All
                   Power
                   is
                   given
                   to
                   me
                   ,
                   both
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   Earth
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 18.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 so
                 ,
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 lays
                 an
                 obligation
                 upon
                 us
                 to
                 obey
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   like
                   as
                   he
                   rose
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   so
                   must
                   we
                   rise
                   to
                   newness
                   of
                   life
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest
                 How
                 long
                 stay'd
                 he
                 upon
                 Earth
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 was
                 risen
                 again
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 For
                 the
                 space
                 of
                 
                   forty
                   days
                   ,
                   discoursing
                   ,
                   and
                   speaking
                   of
                   the
                   things
                   concerning
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 1.
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Whither
                 went
                 he
                 when
                 he
                 left
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 whither
                 he
                 was
                 taken
                 up
                 in
                 a
                 
                   bright
                   Cloud
                
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   looking
                   up
                
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   till
                   he
                   was
                   taken
                   up
                   out
                   of
                   their
                   sight
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 1.
                 3
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 now
                 he
                 is
                 there
                 ,
                 he
                 
                   sitteth
                   at
                   the
                   right
                   hand
                   of
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 his
                 
                   sitting
                   at
                   the
                   right
                   hand
                   of
                   God
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Answ.
                 His
                 advancement
                 to
                 the
                 heighth
                 of
                 Dignity
                 and
                 Authority
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God.
                 The
                 Right-hand
                 of
                 a
                 Prince
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 peculiar
                 Favour
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 highest
                 Honour
                 and
                 Respect
                 :
                 as
                 Solomon
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 
                   do
                   Honour
                
                 to
                 his
                 Mother
                 
                   Bathsheba
                   ,
                   set
                   her
                   at
                   his
                   Right-hand
                   ,
                
                 1
                 King.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 To
                 be
                 placed
                 at
                 hand
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 priviledge
                 of
                 nearness
                 ,
                 gives
                 opportunity
                 for
                 Conference
                 and
                 Address
                 :
                 And
                 to
                 be
                 placed
                 at
                 the
                 Right-hand
                 ,
                 the
                 Hand
                 of
                 use
                 and
                 business
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 presenting
                 all
                 Offers
                 ,
                 and
                 receiving
                 of
                 Returns
                 ;
                 whence
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 known
                 mark
                 of
                 special
                 Favour
                 and
                 Honour
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 Potentates
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 by
                 Christ's
                 
                   sitting
                   at
                   God's
                   Right-Hand
                
                 ,
                 is
                 expressed
                 his
                 Soveraign
                 Honour
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God.
                 Or
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 moreover
                 his
                 sitting
                 in
                 his
                 humane
                 shape
                 ,
                 
                 on
                 the
                 Right-hand
                 of
                 that
                 Bright
                 Throne
                 ,
                 or
                 Resplendant
                 Glory
                 ,
                 which
                 visibly
                 accompanies
                 ,
                 and
                 manifests
                 some
                 extraordinary
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 as
                 he
                 appeared
                 to
                 
                   Stephen
                   in
                   his
                   Vision
                   ,
                   who
                   saw
                   the
                   Glory
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   Jesus
                   standing
                   on
                   the
                   Right-hand
                   of
                   God
                
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 Right-hand
                 of
                 that
                 visible
                 Glory
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 God
                 appeared
                 ,
                 Acts
                 7.
                 55.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 ,
                 probably
                 ,
                 is
                 what
                 the
                 Scripture
                 means
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   his
                   sitting
                   at
                   the
                   Right-hand
                   of
                   Power
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 64.
                 and
                 
                   on
                   the
                   Right
                   hand
                   of
                   Majesty
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 1.
                 3.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 Right-hand
                 of
                 such
                 †
                 Glory
                 ,
                 or
                 bright
                 Appearance
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 usual
                 Symbol
                 of
                 God's
                 Power
                 and
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 which
                 at
                 other
                 times
                 is
                 expressed
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   his
                   sitting
                   on
                   the
                   Right-hand
                   of
                   the
                   Throne
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 2.
                 or
                 ,
                 
                   on
                   the
                   Right-hand
                   of
                   the
                   Throne
                   of
                   the
                   Majesty
                   in
                   the
                   Heavens
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 8.
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 It
                 was
                 most
                 just
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 exalted
                 thither
                 in
                 recompence
                 of
                 his
                 meritorious
                 sufferings
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 notes
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 and
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 is
                 he
                 gone
                 thither
                 ,
                 to
                 carry
                 on
                 any
                 Designs
                 for
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 importance
                 .
                 For
                 there
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 manner
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 fullest
                 effect
                 ,
                 he
                 exercises
                 all
                 his
                 Offices
                 in
                 our
                 behalf
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 explain
                 the
                 Designs
                 he
                 carries
                 on
                 for
                 us
                 there
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 The
                 work
                 of
                 
                   Intercession
                   ,
                   as
                   our
                   Priest.
                
                 For
                 he
                 stands
                 before
                 God
                 to
                 mediate
                 on
                 our
                 behalf
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 obtain
                 ▪
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 whatsoever
                 God
                 has
                 promised
                 ,
                 or
                 he
                 
                 has
                 purchased
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 .
                 
                   He
                   is
                   enter'd
                   into
                   Heaven
                   it self
                   ,
                   now
                   to
                   appear
                   in
                   the
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 he
                 then
                 plead
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 move
                 and
                 Petition
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 things
                 we
                 gain
                 from
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 His
                 Intercession
                 is
                 not
                 by
                 Words
                 ,
                 and
                 formal
                 Pleas
                 ,
                 and
                 Supplications
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 Actions
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 by
                 presenting
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 shewing
                 his
                 own
                 Sacrificed
                 Body
                 before
                 God.
                 He
                 intercedes
                 ,
                 by
                 shewing
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 St.
                 Paul
                 calls
                 his
                 Intercession
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   appearance
                   in
                   the
                   presence
                   of
                   God
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 this
                 way
                 as
                 effectual
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 forming
                 Vocal
                 Pleas
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 undoubtedly
                 .
                 The
                 Blood
                 of
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 speaks
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 24.
                 
                 It
                 doth
                 not
                 only
                 breathe
                 out
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 but
                 prefers
                 Claims
                 and
                 Demands
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 too
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 virtue
                 of
                 Gods
                 Promise
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Merits
                 and
                 dear-bought
                 Purchase
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 moving
                 with
                 Power
                 and
                 Prevalence
                 ,
                 beyond
                 all
                 expressions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Did
                 the
                 High-Priest
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 intercede
                 thus
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 went
                 in
                 to
                 intercede
                 with
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   of
                   Holies
                
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 slain
                 the
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 directed
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 set
                 Speeches
                 ,
                 and
                 vocal
                 Supplications
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 carry
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Blood
                   of
                   Expiation
                
                 ,
                 and
                 present
                 it
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   sprinkling
                   it
                   upon
                   ,
                   and
                   before
                   the
                   Mercy-seat
                   ,
                
                 
                 Lev.
                 16.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 which
                 real
                 exhibition
                 of
                 the
                 thing
                 it self
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 to
                 plead
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 was
                 more
                 moving
                 and
                 effectual
                 ,
                 than
                 any
                 Verbal
                 Speech
                 ,
                 or
                 Vocal
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 have
                 put
                 up
                 for
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 will
                 Christ
                 continue
                 thus
                 to
                 intercede
                 for
                 us
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 exhibit
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 before
                 God
                 in
                 our
                 behalf
                 ,
                 always
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   ever
                   lives
                   to
                   make
                   intercession
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                
                 which
                 renders
                 him
                 
                   able
                   to
                   save
                   to
                   the
                   uttermost
                   ,
                   them
                   that
                   come
                   to
                   God
                   by
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 7.
                 25.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 
                   the
                   Heavens
                   must
                   receive
                   him
                   ,
                   till
                   the
                   restitution
                   of
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 3.
                 21.
                 
                 It
                 was
                 enough
                 for
                 the
                 Sacrificing
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Priest-hood
                 ,
                 which
                 made
                 the
                 Purchase
                 to
                 be
                 once
                 done
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Interceding
                 part
                 ,
                 which
                 brings
                 down
                 the
                 purchased
                 Blessings
                 to
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 times
                 and
                 places
                 ,
                 must
                 still
                 be
                 a
                 doing
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 he
                 continues
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 intercede
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ;
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 will
                 exercise
                 his
                 Mediatory
                 Power
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 shall
                 stand
                 in
                 need
                 of
                 his
                 Intercession
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 things
                 will
                 he
                 move
                 ,
                 and
                 intercede
                 with
                 God
                 for
                 ,
                 which
                 therefore
                 we
                 may
                 make
                 sure
                 to
                 speed
                 in
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 For
                 all
                 the
                 Benefits
                 he
                 has
                 purchased
                 ,
                 and
                 God
                 has
                 promised
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 all
                 contain'd
                 in
                 the
                 New-Covenant
                 .
                 His
                 intercession
                 in
                 virtue
                 of
                 his
                 Blood
                 ,
                 is
                 only
                 to
                 apply
                 the
                 Merits
                 and
                 Purchase
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 as
                 at
                 first
                 he
                 shed
                 it
                 ,
                 so
                 now
                 he
                 shews
                 
                 his
                 Blood
                 ,
                 for
                 Covenant-Mercies
                 ,
                 and
                 on
                 Covenant-Terms
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 never
                 moves
                 that
                 any
                 Person
                 should
                 obtain
                 them
                 otherwise
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Then
                 he
                 will
                 never
                 move
                 for
                 wicked
                 and
                 obdurate
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 relax
                 the
                 severity
                 of
                 his
                 Laws
                 for
                 their
                 sakes
                 .
                 Nor
                 ,
                 for
                 slothful
                 and
                 careless
                 ones
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 an
                 over-powering
                 and
                 irresistible
                 Grace
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 do
                 all
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 work
                 his
                 Will
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 save
                 all
                 their
                 Pains
                 .
                 Since
                 the
                 New
                 Covenant
                 offers
                 no
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 Penitent
                 ;
                 nor
                 saving
                 Grace
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 Sincere
                 and
                 Industrious
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Very
                 Right
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 see
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 look
                 upon
                 Christ
                 at
                 
                   God's
                   Right-Hand
                
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Byassed
                 ,
                 Partial
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 that
                 seeks
                 to
                 wring
                 what
                 he
                 can
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 gain
                 all
                 for
                 our
                 side
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 an
                 Equal
                 and
                 Impartial
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 who
                 has
                 a
                 just
                 Regard
                 to
                 both
                 sides
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 shew
                 himself
                 as
                 careful
                 of
                 God's
                 Authority
                 and
                 Honour
                 ,
                 by
                 securing
                 him
                 of
                 our
                 Duty
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 our
                 wellfare
                 ,
                 by
                 obtaining
                 for
                 us
                 his
                 Mercy
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 .
                 
                   For
                   this
                   cause
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 
                   of
                   purging
                   our
                   Consciences
                   from
                   dead
                   Works
                   to
                   God's
                   Service
                   ,
                
                 as
                 well
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   that
                   they
                   who
                   are
                   called
                   ,
                   may
                   receive
                   the
                   Promise
                   of
                   the
                   Eternal
                   Inheritance
                   ,
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   Mediator
                   of
                   the
                   New
                   Testament
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 9.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 In
                 discharging
                 this
                 Trust
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 heighth
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 care
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 just
                 to
                 God.
                 Nay
                 ,
                 being
                 God's
                 own
                 
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 both
                 intimately
                 nearer
                 Related
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 better
                 pleased
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 is
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 were
                 he
                 any
                 ways
                 capable
                 of
                 being
                 byassed
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 imagine
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 on
                 ours
                 ,
                 but
                 on
                 his
                 side
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Part
                 he
                 acts
                 as
                 our
                 Intercessor
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 imagine
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 dishonour
                 God
                 to
                 oblige
                 us
                 ,
                 or
                 ever
                 once
                 aim
                 ,
                 or
                 attempt
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 secure
                 ,
                 in
                 any
                 undutifulness
                 ,
                 and
                 contempt
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Heavenly
                 Father
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Surely
                 ,
                 being
                 the
                 most
                 dearly
                 Beloved
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 an
                 Intercessor
                 of
                 Great
                 Power
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 of
                 Absolute
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 infallibly
                 sure
                 to
                 gain
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 moves
                 for
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 besides
                 his
                 Relation
                 and
                 Filial
                 nearness
                 ,
                 he
                 continually
                 Represents
                 his
                 own
                 infinite
                 Merits
                 ,
                 which
                 can
                 claim
                 any
                 Favours
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 those
                 Merits
                 ,
                 on
                 this
                 Appearance
                 to
                 plead
                 them
                 before
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 made
                 a
                 
                   Royal
                   Priest
                
                 ,
                 and
                 has
                 all
                 Power
                 given
                 unto
                 him
                 as
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 grant
                 what
                 he
                 pleases
                 .
                 
                   Whatsoever
                   ye
                   shall
                   ask
                   the
                   Father
                   in
                   my
                   Name
                   ,
                   that
                   will
                   I
                   do
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Father
                   may
                   be
                   glorified
                   in
                   the
                   Son.
                   If
                   ye
                   ask
                   any
                   thing
                   in
                   my
                   Name
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   do
                   it
                   .
                
                 Joh.
                 14.
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 shews
                 how
                 able
                 he
                 is
                 to
                 Succeed
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 he
                 willing
                 ,
                 and
                 ready
                 to
                 use
                 all
                 his
                 Interest
                 ,
                 and
                 move
                 for
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 doubt
                 of
                 that
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 Love
                 has
                 made
                 him
                 shed
                 for
                 us
                 his
                 own
                 Hearts-Blood
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 it
                 can
                 never
                 stick
                 at
                 
                 any
                 other
                 Service
                 ,
                 or
                 procuring
                 for
                 us
                 any
                 Blessings
                 from
                 Almighty
                 God.
                 
                   He
                   is
                   a
                   Merciful
                   ,
                   and
                   Faithful
                   High-Priest
                   ,
                
                 both
                 true
                 to
                 our
                 Interests
                 ,
                 and
                 tender
                 of
                 our
                 Infirmities
                 ,
                 having
                 felt
                 them
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 17.
                 and
                 4.
                 15.
                 and
                 therefore
                 is
                 as
                 willing
                 and
                 ready
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 intercede
                 for
                 us
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 particularly
                 any
                 part
                 of
                 his
                 Intercession
                 ,
                 to
                 hand
                 and
                 present
                 our
                 Prayers
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 This
                 was
                 the
                 Business
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   Priests
                
                 .
                 One
                 part
                 of
                 their
                 Priesthood
                 was
                 to
                 
                   burn
                   Incense
                
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 to
                 perfume
                 the
                 Peoples
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Luke
                 notes
                 ,
                 
                   prayed
                   without
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   time
                   of
                   Incense
                   ,
                   Luk.
                
                 1.
                 10.
                 presenting
                 their
                 Prayers
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 sweet
                 Smells
                 ;
                 whence
                 the
                 Psalmist
                 begs
                 his
                 
                   Prayers
                   may
                   be
                   set
                   forth
                   before
                   God
                   as
                   the
                   Incense
                   ,
                
                 Plal.
                 141.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 
                   the
                   Vials
                   of
                   Odors
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Incense
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 St.
                 John
                 says
                 ,
                 are
                 
                   the
                   Prayers
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 5.
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 Christ
                 our
                 Intercessor
                 in
                 Heaven
                 doth
                 for
                 us
                 :
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 
                   the
                   Angel
                
                 in
                 the
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   on
                   the
                   golden
                   Altar
                   before
                   the
                   Throne
                   ,
                   offers
                   the
                   Incense
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   Prayers
                   of
                   all
                   Saints
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 8.
                 3.
                 
                 By
                 him
                 it
                 is
                 we
                 must
                 present
                 all
                 our
                 Prayers
                 ;
                 whence
                 we
                 are
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   thro'
                   him
                   to
                   have
                   access
                   to
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 2.
                 18.
                 and
                 
                   in
                   him
                   to
                   have
                   boldness
                   ,
                   and
                   access
                   with
                   confidence
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 3.
                 12.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 Prayers
                 we
                 put
                 up
                 ,
                 have
                 many
                 sinful
                 Defects
                 adhering
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 fit
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 most
                 holy
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 Hand
                 of
                 no
                 other
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 but
                 him
                 ,
                 
                 who
                 has
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 acceptableness
                 of
                 his
                 Person
                 to
                 prefer
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Merit
                 of
                 his
                 Sacrifice
                 too
                 to
                 atone
                 for
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 it
                 should
                 seem
                 ,
                 that
                 whensoever
                 we
                 pray
                 for
                 any
                 thing
                 to
                 Almighty
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 seek
                 after
                 other
                 Mediators
                 ,
                 but
                 apply
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 since
                 he
                 is
                 so
                 Powerful
                 in
                 Mediation
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 our
                 bounden
                 Duty
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 truest
                 Wisdom
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 So
                 it
                 is
                 :
                 For
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   is
                   our
                   Advocate
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 1
                 John
                 2.
                 1.
                 the
                 
                   one
                   Mediator
                   between
                   God
                   and
                   Man
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 5.
                 
                 Whatsoever
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   you
                   shall
                   ask
                   the
                   Father
                   in
                   my
                   Name
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   give
                   it
                   you
                   ,
                
                 John
                 16.
                 23.
                 
                 We
                 are
                 sure
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 in
                 the
                 immediate
                 Presence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 prefer
                 any
                 Suit
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 sure
                 that
                 Departed
                 Saints
                 are
                 there
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 for
                 ought
                 we
                 know
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 kept
                 till
                 the
                 last
                 Day
                 in
                 some
                 inferior
                 Place
                 of
                 Comfort
                 and
                 Refreshment
                 ;
                 Good
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 shall
                 note
                 hereafter
                 ,
                 not
                 receiving
                 their
                 Consummation
                 before
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 address
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 only
                 take
                 that
                 way
                 of
                 Application
                 God
                 himself
                 has
                 prescribed
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Reason
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 allow
                 God
                 the
                 Direction
                 how
                 we
                 shall
                 seek
                 his
                 Favours
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 Free
                 and
                 Soveraign
                 Disposer
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 Prayers
                 we
                 put
                 up
                 are
                 uttered
                 by
                 sinful
                 Lips
                 ,
                 and
                 mingled
                 with
                 our
                 own
                 Frailties
                 and
                 Defects
                 ,
                 they
                 can
                 come
                 worthy
                 and
                 pure
                 to
                 God
                 from
                 him
                 alone
                 ,
                 whose
                 Blood
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 has
                 Merit
                 enough
                 to
                 purge
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 his
                 Person
                 Favour
                 
                 enough
                 to
                 prefer
                 them
                 .
                 Tho
                 a
                 perfect
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 had
                 not
                 God
                 otherwise
                 order'd
                 it
                 ,
                 might
                 in
                 it self
                 be
                 presented
                 ,
                 especially
                 from
                 a
                 perfect
                 Man
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 acceptable
                 Mediator
                 ;
                 yet
                 a
                 sinful
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 from
                 sinful
                 Men
                 ,
                 doth
                 plainly
                 need
                 such
                 a
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Person
                 is
                 both
                 Intercessor
                 and
                 Redeemer
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 
                   Altar
                   of
                   Incense
                
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 which
                 
                   stood
                   without
                   the
                   Vail
                   ,
                   before
                   the
                   Mercy-seat
                   ,
                   daily
                
                 to
                 perfume
                 and
                 present
                 the
                 Peoples
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 was
                 
                   once
                   a
                   year
                   to
                   be
                   sprinkled
                   with
                   the
                   Blood
                   of
                   Atonement
                   ,
                
                 plainly
                 intimating
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Means
                 of
                 presenting
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 must
                 be
                 endow'd
                 withal
                 with
                 a
                 Power
                 of
                 expiating
                 them
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 30.
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 the
                 Apostle
                 mentions
                 
                 Christ's
                 Mediation
                 ,
                 as
                 joyn'd
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 founded
                 on
                 his
                 Redemption
                 .
                 
                   One
                   Mediator
                   between
                   God
                   and
                   Man
                   ,
                   the
                   Man
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   who
                   gave
                   himself
                   a
                   Ransom
                   for
                   all
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   any
                   Man
                   sin
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   an
                   Advocate
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                
                 also
                 
                   the
                   Propitiation
                   for
                   our
                   Sins
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 Design
                 doth
                 Christ
                 carry
                 on
                 for
                 us
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Care
                 of
                 
                   Governing
                   his
                   Church
                
                 as
                 a
                 
                   King.
                   He
                   is
                   at
                   the
                   Right-hand
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   Angels
                   ,
                   and
                   Authorities
                   ,
                   and
                   Powers
                   ,
                   being
                   subject
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 22.
                 and
                 
                   all
                   Authority
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   Earth
                   ,
                   being
                   put
                   into
                   his
                   Hand
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 18.
                 
                 This
                 Power
                 he
                 purchased
                 by
                 his
                 Death
                 ;
                 but
                 was
                 put
                 in
                 full
                 Possession
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 to
                 claim
                 it
                 by
                 his
                 Intercession
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Wherein
                 doth
                 he
                 exercise
                 this
                 Plenitude
                 of
                 Power
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 In
                 Giving
                 Laws
                 to
                 his
                 Church
                 :
                 For
                 
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   one
                   Law-giver
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   able
                   either
                   to
                   save
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   destroy
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 4.
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 since
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Legislator
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 an
                 Usurpation
                 upon
                 his
                 Prerogative
                 ,
                 for
                 any
                 to
                 form
                 to
                 themselves
                 a
                 new-fangled
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 beat
                 out
                 other
                 Paths
                 to
                 Heaven
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 devising
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 Protecting
                 it
                 from
                 all
                 ,
                 both
                 outward
                 and
                 intestine
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 whether
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 the
                 Flesh
                 ,
                 or
                 Men
                 ,
                 or
                 Devils
                 .
                 For
                 
                   he
                   sits
                   at
                   God's
                   Right-hand
                   ,
                   till
                   his
                   Enemies
                   be
                   made
                   his
                   Foot-stooll
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 110.
                 1.
                 and
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 and
                 
                   he
                   must
                   reign
                   till
                   he
                   hath
                   put
                   all
                   Enemies
                   under
                   his
                   Feet
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 25.
                 
              
               
                 And
                 ,
                 lastly
                 ,
                 in
                 judging
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 present
                 Portion
                 of
                 the
                 Eternal
                 State
                 when
                 they
                 leave
                 the
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 Consummation
                 of
                 it
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Day
                 .
                 For
                 now
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Father
                   judgeth
                   no
                   Man
                   ,
                   but
                   hath
                   committed
                   all
                   Judgment
                   to
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 22.
                 27.
                 
                 Which
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 makes
                 for
                 the
                 unspeakable
                 Comfort
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 Faithful
                 Servants
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 judg'd
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 who
                 has
                 preferr'd
                 their
                 Ease
                 and
                 Happiness
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Life
                 ;
                 so
                 will
                 it
                 be
                 to
                 the
                 eternal
                 Terrour
                 of
                 all
                 
                   those
                   his
                   Enemies
                   ,
                   who
                   would
                   not
                   have
                   him
                   to
                   reign
                   over
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 19.
                 27.
                 
                 And
                 all
                 this
                 Power
                 he
                 exercises
                 himself
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 besides
                 what
                 he
                 doth
                 by
                 his
                 Bishops
                 and
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 the
                 Officers
                 of
                 his
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 
                 Deputies
                 and
                 Substitutes
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Has
                 he
                 any
                 other
                 Business
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 us
                 at
                 God's
                 Right-hand
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 King
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   prepare
                   a
                   Place
                   for
                   us
                
                 ,
                 and
                 allot
                 us
                 Royal
                 Habitations
                 with
                 himself
                 .
                 
                   I
                   go
                   to
                   prepare
                   a
                   Place
                   for
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   come
                   again
                   ,
                   and
                   receive
                   you
                   to
                   my self
                   ,
                   that
                   where
                   I
                   am
                   ,
                   there
                   ye
                   may
                   be
                   also
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 14.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 The
                 
                   First
                   Adam
                
                 lost
                 Paradise
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Second
                   Adam
                
                 was
                 to
                 restore
                 us
                 to
                 it
                 :
                 Who
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 merited
                 it
                 for
                 us
                 by
                 his
                 Cross
                 ,
                 ascended
                 into
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 to
                 instal
                 our
                 Nature
                 there
                 ,
                 and
                 claim
                 his
                 Purchase
                 .
                 And
                 ,
                 discharging
                 the
                 mighty
                 Angel
                 ,
                 whose
                 flaming
                 Sword
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Fall
                 ,
                 was
                 set
                 to
                 guard
                 the
                 Passage
                 to
                 it
                 from
                 our
                 Intrusions
                 ,
                 open'd
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 to
                 all
                 Believers
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 further
                 Concern
                 did
                 he
                 transact
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 by
                 going
                 to
                 Heaven
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 3.
                 
                 As
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 he
                 sent
                 down
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 to
                 instruct
                 his
                 Church
                 in
                 his
                 Absence
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 with
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 stead
                 .
                 
                   It
                   is
                   expedient
                   for
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   go
                   away
                   :
                   For
                   if
                   I
                   go
                   not
                   away
                   ,
                   the
                   Comforter
                   will
                   not
                   come
                   to
                   you
                   ;
                   but
                   if
                   I
                   depart
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   send
                   him
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 7.
                 
                 
                   Being
                   by
                   the
                   Right-hand
                   of
                   God
                   exalted
                   ,
                   he
                   received
                   the
                   Promise
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 2.
                 33.
                 and
                 sent
                 him
                 on
                 his
                 
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   to
                   abide
                   with
                   them
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 14.
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 did
                 the
                 Holy-Spirit
                 supply
                 his
                 Absence
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 By
                 endowing
                 them
                 with
                 such
                 miraculous
                 
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 as
                 enabled
                 them
                 to
                 propagate
                 his
                 Religion
                 thro
                 the
                 World
                 as
                 effectually
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 staid
                 with
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 with
                 such
                 inward
                 Graces
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 fit
                 themselves
                 for
                 those
                 Mansions
                 he
                 had
                 provided
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 Of
                 both
                 which
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 say
                 more
                 in
                 their
                 proper
                 place
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 these
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 he
                 ascended
                 to
                 bestow
                 upon
                 his
                 Church
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   the
                   Holy-Ghost
                   was
                   not
                   to
                   be
                   given
                   ,
                   till
                   after
                   Jesus
                   was
                   glorified
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 7.
                 39.
                 but
                 
                   when
                   he
                   ascended
                   up
                   on
                   high
                   ,
                   he
                   received
                   Gifts
                   for
                   Men
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Lord
                   might
                   dwell
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 68.
                 18.
                 and
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 8.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Now
                 our
                 Saviour
                 Christ
                 is
                 Ascended
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 his
                 Glorified
                 Body
                 to
                 take
                 up
                 its
                 Mansion
                 ,
                 and
                 fixt
                 Abode
                 at
                 God's
                 Right-hand
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 as
                 St.
                 Peter
                 told
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   ,
                   the
                   Heavens
                   must
                   receive
                   him
                   ,
                   unto
                   the
                   Times
                   of
                   Restitution
                   of
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 3.
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 then
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Angel
                 told
                 his
                 
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   so
                   come
                   again
                   to
                   judge
                   the
                   World
                   from
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   in
                   like
                   manner
                   as
                   ▪
                   they
                   then
                   saw
                   him
                   go
                   into
                   Heaven
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 1.
                 
                 1●
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 his
                 Bodily
                 Presence
                 and
                 Local
                 Abode
                 be
                 at
                 the
                 
                   Right-hand
                   of
                   God's
                   Throne
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                
                 then
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 expect
                 any
                 thing
                 of
                 a
                 Bodily
                 Presence
                 in
                 any
                 Ordinances
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 as
                 to
                 his
                 
                   Bodily
                   Presence
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 expresly
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   parted
                   from
                   his
                   Disciples
                
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 24.
                 51.
                 that
                 
                   he
                   left
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 28.
                 and
                 
                   is
                   no
                   more
                   in
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 
                 Joh.
                 17.
                 11.
                 and
                 ,
                 tho
                 
                   the
                   Poor
                   we
                   should
                   ,
                   yet
                   him
                   we
                   should
                   not
                   have
                   always
                   with
                   us
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 11.
                 that
                 
                   whilst
                   we
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   Body
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   absent
                   from
                   him
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 6.
                 and
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 
                   be
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                   till
                   we
                   depart
                   hence
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 1.
                 23.
                 that
                 his
                 Bodily
                 Abode
                 is
                 
                   in
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 is
                 to
                 remain
                 
                   till
                   the
                   Consummation
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 3.
                 21.
                 and
                 without
                 
                   ascending
                   to
                   Heaven
                
                 to
                 fetch
                 him
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   bringing
                   him
                   back
                
                 to
                 Earth
                 again
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 6.
                 and
                 when
                 he
                 comes
                 to
                 judge
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 from
                 thence
                 by
                 Change
                 of
                 Place
                 and
                 Local
                 Motion
                 ,
                 call'd
                 
                   his
                   Descending
                   from
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Thess.
                 4.
                 16.
                 and
                 
                   coming
                   in
                   the
                   Clouds
                   of
                   Heaven
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 64.
                 and
                 the
                 Saints
                 are
                 
                   to
                   be
                   call'd
                
                 up
                 from
                 the
                 Earth
                 
                   into
                   the
                   Air
                   to
                   meet
                   him
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Thess.
                 4.
                 17.
                 
                 All
                 which
                 plainly
                 imply
                 his
                 Bodily
                 Presence
                 to
                 be
                 circumscribed
                 ,
                 and
                 limited
                 to
                 God's
                 Right-hand
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 longer
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 But
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Presence
                 with
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 is
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 works
                 the
                 same
                 Effects
                 ,
                 and
                 confers
                 the
                 same
                 Graces
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 himself
                 would
                 ,
                 were
                 he
                 personally
                 upon
                 Earth
                 .
                 His
                 Spirit
                 is
                 his
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 to
                 succeed
                 in
                 his
                 Place
                 ,
                 to
                 maintain
                 his
                 Cause
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 15.
                 26.
                 and
                 to
                 stay
                 with
                 us
                 all
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 his
                 absence
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   shall
                   abide
                   with
                   you
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 14.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Presence
                 of
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 compleatness
                 of
                 Vertue
                 and
                 real
                 .
                 Effects
                 ,
                 he
                 himself
                 judges
                 preferable
                 to
                 all
                 Ocular
                 Manifestations
                 of
                 his
                 Person
                 or
                 Sensible
                 Presence
                 ;
                 which
                 ,
                 tho
                 it
                 might
                 serve
                 more
                 to
                 delight
                 our
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 entertain
                 
                 our
                 Fancies
                 ,
                 yet
                 would
                 signifie
                 less
                 to
                 real
                 and
                 desirable
                 Purposes
                 .
                 
                   'T
                   is
                   expedient
                   for
                   you
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   I
                   go
                   away
                
                 ,
                 speaking
                 to
                 his
                 Disciples
                 of
                 his
                 Bodily
                 Absence
                 :
                 
                   For
                   if
                   I
                   go
                   not
                   away
                   ,
                   the
                   Comforter
                   will
                   not
                   come
                   ;
                   but
                   if
                   I
                   depart
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   send
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   the
                   Spirit
                   that
                   quickneth
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   Flesh
                   profits
                   nothing
                   ,
                
                 said
                 he
                 at
                 another
                 time
                 to
                 the
                 gross
                 Capernaites
                 ,
                 upon
                 a
                 like
                 Competition
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 ways
                 of
                 his
                 Presence
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 6.
                 63.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 must
                 we
                 learn
                 from
                 Christ's
                 being
                 exalted
                 to
                 such
                 Sovereign
                 and
                 Supereminent
                 Authority
                 ,
                 at
                 God's
                 Right-hand
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 render
                 him
                 the
                 Reverence
                 ,
                 and
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 due
                 to
                 so
                 High
                 a
                 Majesty
                 .
                 For
                 since
                 
                   God
                   has
                
                 thus
                 
                   highly
                   exalted
                   him
                   ,
                   at
                   his
                   Name
                   every
                   Knee
                   must
                   bow
                   ,
                   and
                   every
                   Tongue
                   confess
                   ,
                   that
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   is
                   Lord
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   glory
                   of
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 from
                 his
                 being
                 so
                 Compassionate
                 ,
                 and
                 Powerful
                 an
                 Advocate
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 come
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 every
                 Want
                 or
                 Distress
                 ,
                 with
                 Confidence
                 and
                 
                   Assurance
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ;
                 being
                 fully
                 perswaded
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 his
                 Kindness
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 Interest
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 obtain
                 whatsoever
                 is
                 necessary
                 ,
                 or
                 convenient
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 
                   Having
                   such
                   an
                   High-Priest
                   ,
                   let
                   us
                   come
                   boldly
                   unto
                   the
                   Throne
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   obtain
                   Mercy
                   ,
                   and
                   find
                   Grace
                   to
                   help
                   in
                   time
                   of
                   need
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 14
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 But
                 particularly
                 ,
                 to
                 come
                 with
                 sure
                 Hope
                 and
                 Expectation
                 of
                 the
                 Pardon
                 of
                 our
                 Sins
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 truly
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 
                 Good
                 Spirit
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 careful
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 Diligent
                 and
                 Right
                 use
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 
                   If
                   any
                   Man
                   Sin
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   an
                   Advocate
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   the
                   Righteous
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   a
                   Propitiation
                   for
                   our
                   Sins
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   condemneth
                   ?
                   It
                   is
                   Christ
                   that
                   dyed
                   ,
                   yea
                   rather
                   that
                   is
                   risen
                   again
                   ,
                   who
                   also
                   maketh
                   intercession
                   for
                   us
                   .
                
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 34.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 learn
                 we
                 from
                 his
                 Power
                 to
                 Subdue
                 all
                 his
                 Enemies
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 trust
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 above
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 suffer
                 our selves
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 into
                 any
                 anxious
                 Fears
                 ,
                 or
                 forced
                 upon
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 any
                 unlawful
                 means
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 Streights
                 .
                 But
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 (
                 let
                 Dangers
                 and
                 Disorders
                 be
                 what
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 )
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Lord
                   Reigns
                
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 we
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 faithful
                 People
                 ,
                 are
                 safest
                 whilst
                 we
                 are
                 doing
                 our
                 Duty
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 in
                 his
                 hands
                 .
                 That
                 indeed
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 true
                 way
                 to
                 yield
                 present
                 security
                 ,
                 but
                 especially
                 ,
                 if
                 thereby
                 we
                 happen
                 to
                 suffer
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 sure
                 a
                 surpassing
                 Recompence
                 of
                 Glory
                 .
                 
                   For
                   this
                   is
                   a
                   Faithful
                   saying
                   ,
                   if
                   we
                   be
                   dead
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 to
                 Sin
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   shall
                   also
                   live
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 in
                 Glory
                 :
                 
                   If
                   we
                   suffer
                   and
                   endure
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 persevere
                 in
                 obeying
                 ,
                 chiefly
                 when
                 we
                 obey
                 with
                 Loss
                 and
                 Difficulty
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   shall
                   also
                   Reign
                   with
                   him
                   .
                
                 2
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 Christ
                 is
                 now
                 in
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 profess
                 to
                 fix
                 all
                 our
                 Hopes
                 in
                 him
                 :
                 Should
                 not
                 that
                 make
                 us
                 think
                 much
                 of
                 that
                 
                 Place
                 where
                 he
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 come
                 thither
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Without
                 Question
                 it
                 should
                 .
                 
                   If
                   ye
                   be
                   risen
                   with
                   Christ
                   ,
                   seek
                   those
                   Things
                   which
                   are
                   above
                   ,
                   where
                   Christ
                   sitteth
                   at
                   the
                   Right
                   Hand
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 3.
                 1.
                 
                 
                   Here
                   in
                   the
                   Body
                   ,
                   we
                   sojourn
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 6.
                 
                 
                   In
                   this
                   World
                   we
                   are
                   strangers
                   and
                   Pilgrims
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 11.
                 
                 But
                 God
                 above
                 is
                 our
                 Father
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 at
                 God's
                 Right-Hand
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Glorified
                   Saints
                   are
                   our
                   Fellow-Citizens
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 2.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 being
                 thus
                 
                   Gods
                   Family
                   or
                   Domesticks
                
                 ,
                 our
                 
                   Conversation
                   should
                   be
                
                 ,
                 where
                 our
                 Civil
                 Relation
                 and
                 Society
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   whence
                   also
                   we
                   look
                   for
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 20.
                 
                 Since
                 
                   our
                   Treasure
                   is
                
                 with
                 him
                 
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   there
                   should
                   our
                   Hearts
                   be
                   also
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 6.
                 21.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 although
                 in
                 passing
                 through
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 quite
                 neglect
                 the
                 things
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 yet
                 must
                 we
                 always
                 heedfully
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 carefully
                 seek
                 the
                 things
                 above
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   IV.
                
                 Of
                 the
                 Future
                 Judgment
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     The
                     necessity
                     of
                     the
                     Future
                     Judgment
                     .
                     All
                     men
                     are
                     judged
                     ,
                     and
                     made
                     happy
                     or
                     miserable
                     ,
                     at
                     their
                     Deaths
                     .
                     But
                     not
                     so
                     fully
                     then
                     ,
                     as
                     they
                     will
                     be
                     afterwards
                     .
                     The
                     Compleat
                     and
                     General
                  
                   
                   
                     Judgment
                     ,
                     is
                     at
                     the
                     end
                     of
                     the
                     World.
                     In
                     that
                     ,
                     Jesus
                     Christ
                     is
                     to
                     be
                     the
                     Judge
                     .
                     Who
                     are
                     to
                     be
                     judged
                     .
                     In
                     that
                     Judgment
                     no
                     Condemnation
                     ,
                     but
                     for
                     breaking
                     Gods
                     Laws
                     :
                     So
                     not
                     for
                     indifferent
                     things
                     .
                     Men
                     shall
                     be
                     tryed
                     and
                     sentenced
                     for
                     all
                     their
                     sinful
                     Actions
                     ,
                     with
                     regard
                     to
                     their
                     lasting
                     Effects
                     .
                     For
                     their
                     most
                     secret
                     ones
                     .
                     And
                     such
                     ill
                     deeds
                     as
                     were
                     disguised
                     under
                     the
                     fairest
                     Pretences
                     .
                     For
                     their
                     sinful
                     Omissions
                     .
                     And
                     Neglecting
                     to
                     Employ
                     ,
                     and
                     improve
                     their
                     Talents
                     .
                     For
                     sinful
                     Words
                     .
                     And
                     Thoughts
                     and
                     Desires
                     .
                     For
                     all
                     these
                     Men
                     shall
                     be
                     judged
                     impartially
                     ,
                     without
                     Respect
                     of
                     Persons
                     .
                     But
                     with
                     Equity
                     and
                     Candor
                     ,
                     not
                     in
                     Rigor
                     .
                     The
                     Benign
                     Judge
                     will
                     be
                     very
                     ready
                     to
                     observe
                     what
                     makes
                     for
                     us
                     ,
                     and
                     make
                     the
                     best
                     of
                     our
                     Performances
                     .
                     And
                     interpret
                     the
                     seemingly
                     Rigorous
                     Expressions
                     of
                     his
                     own
                     Laws
                     ,
                     with
                     great
                     condescension
                     to
                     Humane
                     Measures
                     .
                     He
                     will
                     allow
                     for
                     involuntary
                     Failings
                     .
                     And
                     judge
                     Candidly
                     and
                     Favourably
                     of
                     that
                     involuntariness
                     .
                     And
                     for
                     Natural
                     Infirmities
                     .
                     And
                     for
                     Providential
                     disadvantages
                     ,
                     as
                     Multiplicity
                     of
                     Business
                     ,
                     greatness
                     of
                     Temptations
                     ,
                     Bodily
                     Indispositions
                     .
                     For
                     Pitiable
                     Defects
                     of
                     Degrees
                     in
                     Duties
                     .
                     Great
                     Latitude
                     on
                     the
                     side
                     of
                     Bliss
                     ,
                     and
                     all
                     not
                     required
                     to
                     be
                     of
                     the
                     same
                     Size
                     .
                     He
                     will
                     Reward
                     Good
                     Things
                     ,
                     tho'
                     done
                     with
                     Difficulty
                     and
                     Reluctance
                     ,
                     yea
                     when
                     Pitiably
                     stain'd
                     with
                     impure
                     mixtures
                     .
                     Our
                     Judge
                     will
                     shew
                     all
                     this
                     Candor
                     ,
                     and
                     would
                     have
                     us
                     expect
                     it
                     .
                     In
                     Recompencing
                     good
                  
                   
                   
                     Men
                     ,
                     he
                     will
                     consider
                     the
                     Difficulties
                     and
                     Oppositions
                     .
                     And
                     the
                     hazard
                     ,
                     and
                     cost
                     of
                     their
                     Services
                     .
                     And
                     the
                     hardships
                     of
                     Providence
                     ,
                     allotted
                     to
                     exercise
                     good
                     Men
                     in
                     this
                     Life
                     .
                     Of
                     the
                     Condemnation
                     of
                     ill
                     Men.
                     The
                     Fire
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     to
                     torment
                     them
                     ,
                     shall
                     burn
                     up
                     and
                     dissolve
                     the
                     World●
                     Practical
                     Inferences
                     from
                     the
                     last
                     judgment
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 THE
                 Seventh
                 Article
                 is
                 ,
                 That
                 ,
                 from
                 Gods
                 Right-Hand
                 ,
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   shall
                   come
                   to
                   judge
                   both
                   the
                   quick
                   and
                   the
                   dead
                   .
                
                 Is
                 there
                 any
                 Necessity
                 of
                 a
                 
                   Future
                   Judgment
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 upon
                 many
                 Accounts
                 .
                 As
                 ,
                 1st
                 .
                 For
                 an
                 exact
                 Discrimination
                 ,
                 to
                 distinguish
                 Persons
                 .
                 Numbers
                 of
                 ill
                 Men
                 are
                 Hypocrites
                 ,
                 or
                 Good
                 only
                 in
                 outward
                 appearance
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 pass
                 here
                 for
                 Saints
                 .
                 But
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Day
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 make
                 them
                 manifest
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 them
                 into
                 Separate
                 Companies
                 ,
                 Dividing
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 foretold
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Sheep
                   from
                   the
                   Goats
                
                 ,
                 Mal.
                 25.
                 32.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 clearing
                 of
                 Gods
                 Justice
                 ,
                 which
                 seems
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 oftentimes
                 ,
                 to
                 misplace
                 Rewards
                 and
                 Punishments
                 ,
                 afflicting
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 Sinners
                 Prosperous
                 :
                 and
                 therfore
                 will
                 surly
                 be
                 manifested
                 in
                 allotting
                 more
                 suitable
                 Retributions
                 ,
                 visibly
                 Rewarding
                 the
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 Punishing
                 the
                 wicked
                 afterwards
                 .
                 Thus
                 St.
                 Paul
                 told
                 the
                 Thessalonians
                 ,
                 that
                 their
                 Present
                 Sufferings
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 Gods
                 good
                 Servants
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 Token
                 and
                 Pledge
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                 Future
                 Rewards
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 ●unishments
                 upon
                 their
                 Persecutors
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Persecutions
                   ,
                   and
                   Tribulations
                   you
                   endure
                   ,
                   are
                   ●
                   manifest
                   Token
                   of
                   the
                   Righteous
                   Judgment
                   ●f
                   God
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 a
                 token
                 and
                 ingagement
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 hereafter
                 manifest
                 his
                 Righteous
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 Punishment
                 ,
                 and
                 ●our
                 Reward
                 ▪
                 
                   Seeing
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   Righteous
                   Thing
                   ●ith
                   God
                   ,
                   to
                   recompence
                   Tribulation
                   to
                   them
                   ●hat
                   trouble
                   you
                   ;
                   and
                   to
                   you
                   ,
                   who
                   are
                   troubled
                   ,
                   ●est
                   with
                   us
                   ,
                   when
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   shall
                   be
                   re●ealed
                   from
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   with
                   his
                   mighty
                   Angels
                   ,
                
                 ●
                 Thes.
                 1.
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6
                 ,
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 
                   that
                   Day
                
                 ,
                 St.
                 
                 Paul
                 ●alls
                 
                   the
                   Revelation
                   of
                   the
                   Righteous
                   Judgment
                   ●f
                   God
                   ,
                   when
                   ,
                
                 however
                 here
                 they
                 might
                 ●eem
                 connived
                 at
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   will
                   render
                   to
                   every
                   Man
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   Deeds
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 For
                 Reversing
                 the
                 Error
                 of
                 all
                 Humane
                 Judgments
                 .
                 All
                 Humane
                 Courts
                 are
                 ●nder
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 Supreme
                 Dispenser
                 of
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Protector
                 of
                 injured
                 Inno●ence
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 if
                 Humane
                 Courts
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 his
                 Substitutes
                 ,
                 through
                 Corruption
                 ,
                 ●r
                 Mistake
                 ,
                 Condemn
                 the
                 Innocent
                 ;
                 it
                 may
                 ●eseem
                 him
                 ,
                 whose
                 Care
                 comprehends
                 ,
                 ●nd
                 whose
                 Justice
                 will
                 do
                 Right
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 ●o
                 Reverse
                 the
                 Error
                 ,
                 and
                 clear
                 them
                 again
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 4.
                 
                 For
                 the
                 support
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 which
                 ●as
                 no
                 sufficient
                 encouragement
                 ,
                 without
                 Hope
                 of
                 future
                 Rewards
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   comes
                   to
                   God
                
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 
                   must
                   believe
                   he
                   is
                   a
                   Rewarder
                   of
                   those
                   that
                   diligently
                   seek
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 
                 ●
                 .
                 Moses
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Patriarchs
                 ,
                 served
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 out
                 of
                 
                   a
                   Respect
                   to
                   the
                   Recompence
                   of
                   a
                   Reward
                   .
                
                 v.
                 26.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Reward
                 was
                 not
                 present
                 here
                 ,
                 but
                 Future
                 in
                 another
                 World.
                 
                   They
                   dyed
                   ,
                   not
                   having
                   received
                   the
                   Promises
                   ,
                   but
                   only
                   having
                   seen
                   them
                   afar
                   off
                   ,
                
                 confessing
                 themselves
                 here
                 to
                 be
                 
                   Strangers
                   and
                   Pilgrims
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   seek
                   a
                   Country
                
                 in
                 a
                 better
                 place
                 .
                 v.
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 Religious
                 ,
                 from
                 an
                 eye
                 to
                 future
                 Judgment
                 and
                 Retributions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 From
                 these
                 Reasons
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 seem
                 fit
                 and
                 necessary
                 ,
                 God
                 should
                 have
                 a
                 Future
                 Judgment
                 ;
                 but
                 are
                 we
                 sure
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   he
                   hath
                   given
                   assurance
                   unto
                   all
                   men
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   will
                   judge
                   the
                   World
                   by
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   by
                   raising
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   Dead
                   .
                
                 Act.
                 17.
                 31.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 doth
                 this
                 assure
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Both
                 as
                 an
                 Instance
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 since
                 thereby
                 he
                 most
                 justly
                 rewarded
                 our
                 Saviour
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 done
                 and
                 suffered
                 so
                 much
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 And
                 also
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 Gods
                 owning
                 ,
                 and
                 irrefragable
                 Testimony
                 to
                 his
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 which
                 declares
                 the
                 Future
                 Judgment
                 as
                 a
                 Principal
                 Part
                 of
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 is
                 this
                 Judgment
                 to
                 be
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 At
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 when
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 Days
                 of
                 Labour
                 and
                 Tryal
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 of
                 Recompence
                 ,
                 in
                 Punishment
                 or
                 Reward
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 so
                 far
                 off
                 ,
                 men
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 less
                 afraid
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 being
                 very
                 apt
                 to
                 overlook
                 Dangers
                 that
                 lye
                 remote
                 ;
                 as
                 
                 indeed
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 things
                 are
                 far
                 distant
                 ,
                 to
                 look
                 upon
                 Great
                 ones
                 as
                 little
                 ,
                 and
                 little
                 ones
                 as
                 none
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 And
                 will
                 none
                 be
                 judged
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 end
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 :
                 That
                 is
                 only
                 for
                 the
                 General
                 Judgment
                 of
                 all
                 men
                 .
                 But
                 every
                 particular
                 Man
                 is
                 sentenced
                 at
                 his
                 Death
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 a
                 State
                 of
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 or
                 Misery
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 be
                 condemned
                 in
                 the
                 First
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 since
                 there
                 is
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 Distance
                 betwixt
                 it
                 and
                 the
                 Second
                 ,
                 may
                 he
                 not
                 have
                 time
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 Peace
                 ,
                 and
                 either
                 by
                 doing
                 or
                 suffering
                 something
                 himself
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 the
                 Care
                 and
                 Kindness
                 of
                 his
                 Friends
                 ,
                 offering
                 Sacrifices
                 ,
                 Prayers
                 or
                 Alms
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 get
                 the
                 Sentence
                 reversed
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 State
                 alter'd
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 off
                 clear
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 :
                 Betwixt
                 the
                 Place
                 of
                 Rewards
                 and
                 Punishments
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 World
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 
                   unpassable
                   Gulph
                   fixed
                   ,
                   so
                   that
                   they
                   who
                   would
                   pass
                   from
                   you
                   to
                   us
                   ,
                   cannot
                
                 ;
                 as
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 told
                 the
                 
                   Rich
                   Man
                   in
                   Torment
                
                 *
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 neither
                 Repentance
                 nor
                 Reconciliation
                 in
                 the
                 Grave
                 .
                 When
                 once
                 
                   the
                   Night
                   is
                   come
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   no
                   Man
                   can
                   Work
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 9.
                 4.
                 
                 
                   Now
                   ,
                   in
                   this
                   Life
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   is
                   the
                   accepted
                   Time
                   ,
                   now
                   is
                   the
                   Day
                   of
                   Salvation
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Day
                 ,
                 Men
                 shall
                 all
                 be
                 tryed
                 ,
                 not
                 
                   for
                   what
                   they
                   have
                   done
                
                 ,
                 or
                 suffered
                 since
                 they
                 were
                 separate
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 what
                 they
                 did
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 Cloathed
                 with
                 their
                 Bodies
                 ;
                 
                   giving
                   account
                   for
                   every
                
                 
                 
                   thing
                   done
                   in
                   the
                   Body
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 those
                 deeds
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 what
                 others
                 have
                 done
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Benifit
                 of
                 their
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 been
                 enabled
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 our selves
                 .
                 
                   Every
                   Man
                   shall
                   receive
                   for
                   things
                   done
                   in
                   his
                   Body
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   what
                   he
                   hath
                   done
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 Paul.
                 And
                 
                   every
                   Mans
                   cause
                   of
                   rejoycing
                   ,
                   must
                   be
                   in
                   himself
                   alone
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   in
                   another
                   ,
                
                 by
                 passing
                 over
                 his
                 Neighbours
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 or
                 Merits
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 
                   For
                   every
                   man
                   shall
                   bear
                   his
                   own
                   Burden
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 6.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 As
                 a
                 just
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 punish
                 one
                 for
                 anothers
                 Sin
                 ;
                 so
                 neither
                 will
                 he
                 accept
                 one
                 for
                 anothers
                 Well-doing
                 ,
                 Ezek.
                 18.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 Sentence
                 is
                 so
                 quickly
                 passed
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 good
                 men
                 are
                 not
                 in
                 a
                 deep
                 sleep
                 ,
                 and
                 insensible
                 State
                 ,
                 but
                 enter
                 upon
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 ill
                 men
                 do
                 upon
                 misery
                 ,
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 they
                 leave
                 this
                 world
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 so
                 .
                 For
                 
                   this
                   day
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Penitent
                   Thief
                   ,
                   thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   with
                   me
                   in
                   Paradise
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 in
                 a
                 place
                 of
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 23.
                 43.
                 
                 And
                 
                   for
                   me
                   to
                   dye
                   is
                   gain
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 S.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 whereas
                 an
                 insensible
                 State
                 would
                 have
                 brought
                 him
                 no
                 Advantage
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 1.
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 
                   when
                   we
                   are
                   absent
                   from
                   the
                   Body
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   present
                   with
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 which
                 presence
                 notes
                 happy
                 enjoyment
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 68.
                 
                 And
                 
                   Lazarus
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   dyed
                   ,
                   was
                   carried
                   into
                   Abraham's
                   bosom
                   ,
                   and
                   Dives
                   lift
                   up
                   his
                   eyes
                   in
                   Hell
                   ,
                   being
                   in
                   Torment
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 16.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 All
                 which
                 shew
                 ,
                 the
                 Deceased
                 Righteous
                 
                 to
                 be
                 Happy
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 Wicked
                 Wretched
                 ,
                 )
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 expectation
                 ,
                 but
                 present
                 enjoyment
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 speak
                 this
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Scripture
                 makes
                 no
                 Difference
                 .
                 
                   This
                   Day
                   shalt
                   thou
                   be
                   with
                   me
                   in
                   Paradise
                   ,
                
                 said
                 Christ
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Penitent
                   Thief
                
                 ,
                 tho'
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 a
                 very
                 great
                 Sinner
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 but
                 a
                 very
                 young
                 Convert
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 usual
                 way
                 of
                 expressing
                 the
                 Death
                 of
                 good
                 Men
                 ,
                 is
                 by
                 their
                 †
                 
                   falling
                   asleep
                
                 ,
                 which
                 notes
                 Ease
                 and
                 Refreshment
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 general
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 of
                 these
                 
                   that
                   dye
                   in
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   from
                   henceforth
                   they
                   are
                   blessed
                   ,
                   and
                   rest
                   from
                   their
                   Labours
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 14.
                 13.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 this
                 
                   Present
                   Life
                
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 Lord
                 notes
                 in
                 the
                 *
                 Story
                 of
                 Lazarus
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Time
                 of
                 
                   their
                   receiving
                   evil
                   things
                
                 :
                 And
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 longer
                 exercised
                 with
                 Torments
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 inconsistant
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 enter
                 upon
                 ease
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 in
                 degree
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 difference
                 of
                 their
                 virtuous
                 Attainments
                 ,
                 immediately
                 upon
                 their
                 Deaths
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 is
                 the
                 Happiness
                 of
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Misery
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 so
                 full
                 then
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 after
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 now
                 their
                 Souls
                 only
                 are
                 Happy
                 ,
                 but
                 then
                 their
                 Bodies
                 shall
                 be
                 raised
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Bliss
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 man
                 ,
                 both
                 Soul
                 and
                 Body
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 compleat
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 happy
                 in
                 a
                 fuller
                 degree
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 a
                 more
                 perfect
                 measure
                 
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 This
                 increase
                 of
                 Happiness
                 they
                 shall
                 receive
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 †
                 called
                 the
                 Time
                 of
                 their
                 being
                 crown'd
                 ,
                 or
                 rewarded
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 8.
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 represented
                 as
                 desiring
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 
                   the
                   Souls
                   under
                   the
                   Altar
                   ,
                   slain
                   for
                   the
                   Testimony
                   of
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 do
                 in
                 the
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 asking
                 
                   how
                   long
                
                 God
                 would
                 delay
                 
                   to
                   judge
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Consummation
                 of
                 
                   their
                   Reward
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 their
                 
                   Persecutors
                   Punishment
                
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 6.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 the
                 damned
                 Spirits
                 too
                 ,
                 the
                 heaviest
                 part
                 of
                 their
                 Doom
                 being
                 still
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 present
                 Miseries
                 ,
                 tho'
                 very
                 great
                 ,
                 being
                 but
                 Foretastes
                 and
                 Beginnings
                 of
                 what
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 consign'd
                 to
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Day
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 Devils
                 are
                 said
                 
                   to
                   be
                   reserved
                   in
                   Chains
                   ,
                   against
                   the
                   Judgment
                   of
                   the
                   Great
                   Day
                
                 ;
                 their
                 present
                 State
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 ,
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 being
                 no
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 Misery
                 of
                 a
                 Prison
                 ,
                 compared
                 to
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Day
                 of
                 Execution
                 ,
                 2
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 4.
                 and
                 Jude
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 
                   the
                   Devils
                   ask
                   Christ
                   ,
                   if
                   he
                   were
                   come
                   to
                   torment
                   them
                   before
                   the
                   time
                
                 ;
                 plainly
                 intimating
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Fulness
                 of
                 their
                 Torment
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 Great
                 Day
                 comes
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 8.
                 29.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 These
                 Private
                 Judgments
                 then
                 are
                 much
                 short
                 of
                 the
                 Last
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 because
                 then
                 is
                 the
                 Consummation
                 of
                 Reward
                 and
                 Punishment
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 And
                 also
                 ,
                 because
                 that
                 Judgment
                 shall
                 be
                 Solemn
                 and
                 Publick
                 ,
                 in
                 full
                 Audience
                 and
                 open
                 Court
                 ,
                 
                   before
                   Angels
                
                 and
                 
                   all
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 12.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 and
                 General
                 ,
                 
                 whereat
                 all
                 ,
                 both
                 Angels
                 and
                 Men
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 Convened
                 and
                 Tried
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 must
                 not
                 this
                 be
                 ,
                 till
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 
                 Christ's
                 last
                 Act
                 in
                 Discharging
                 his
                 Mediatory
                 Office
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 concluded
                 ,
                 till
                 all
                 Things
                 are
                 at
                 an
                 End.
                 All
                 the
                 Time
                 before
                 the
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 State
                 of
                 Trial
                 ,
                 for
                 proving
                 Persons
                 ;
                 wherein
                 Christ
                 gives
                 Laws
                 to
                 direct
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 sufficient
                 Opportunities
                 ,
                 and
                 inward
                 Grace
                 ,
                 to
                 help
                 us
                 to
                 perform
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 all
                 the
                 Time
                 after
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 State
                 of
                 irreversible
                 Recompences
                 ,
                 in
                 sharing
                 and
                 dispensing
                 promised
                 Rewards
                 ,
                 and
                 Penal
                 Executions
                 .
                 After
                 the
                 last
                 Sentence
                 is
                 once
                 pass'd
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 more
                 place
                 for
                 Intercessions
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 Friends
                 ;
                 but
                 a
                 New
                 and
                 Unalterable
                 State
                 ,
                 of
                 Eternal
                 Joys
                 or
                 Miseries
                 ,
                 commences
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 having
                 consummated
                 his
                 Trust
                 as
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 will
                 surrender
                 up
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   deliver
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   to
                   God
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 General
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 is
                 at
                 the
                 End
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 :
                 Has
                 God
                 decreed
                 a
                 set
                 Time
                 ,
                 and
                 fixed
                 a
                 Day
                 for
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   he
                   hath
                   appointed
                   a
                   Day
                   ,
                   in
                   which
                   he
                   will
                   judge
                   the
                   World
                   in
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 17.
                 31.
                 
                 Which
                 Day
                 is
                 called
                 
                   the
                   Coming
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 23.
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Day
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Thess.
                 5.
                 2.
                 
                 &
                 2
                 Thess.
                 2.
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 every
                 Mans
                 Case
                 must
                 then
                 be
                 fully
                 scann'd
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Actions
                 inquired
                 into
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 Pleas
                 heard
                 ;
                 methinks
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 be
                 more
                 than
                 one
                 Days
                 Work
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 So
                 I
                 suppose
                 it
                 will
                 ,
                 the
                 continuance
                 perhaps
                 of
                 a
                 thousand
                 Days
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 of
                 a
                 great
                 number
                 of
                 Years
                 .
                 For
                 Day
                 ,
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 is
                 any
                 Continuance
                 of
                 Time
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 allotted
                 for
                 any
                 Business
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Time
                 of
                 
                   Israels
                   forty
                   Years
                
                 Travel
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Wilderness
                
                 ,
                 is
                 call'd
                 
                   the
                   Day
                   of
                   Temptation
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 3.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 and
                 the
                 Time
                 of
                 
                   God's
                   scourging
                
                 and
                 correcting
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Day
                   of
                   Visitation
                
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 10.
                 3.
                 
                 &
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 12.
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Time
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   the
                   Day
                   of
                   Salvation
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 the
                 
                   Day
                   of
                   Judgment
                
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 Space
                 of
                 twenty
                 four
                 Hours
                 ,
                 but
                 all
                 that
                 Time
                 which
                 Christ
                 shall
                 spend
                 upon
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 It
                 seems
                 ,
                 God
                 has
                 fixed
                 the
                 Day
                 within
                 himself
                 ;
                 but
                 is
                 that
                 determinate
                 Day
                 known
                 to
                 any
                 besides
                 himself
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 :
                 For
                 
                   of
                   that
                   determinate
                   Day
                   knoweth
                   no
                   Man
                   ,
                   no
                   not
                   the
                   Angels
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   Son
                
                 himself
                 as
                 Man
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   the
                   Father
                   only
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 24.
                 36.
                 
                 Mar.
                 13.
                 32.
                 
                 It
                 shall
                 surprise
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 coming
                 shall
                 be
                 sudden
                 and
                 unexpected
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   a
                   Thief
                   in
                   the
                   Night
                   ,
                
                 or
                 
                   Travel
                   upon
                   a
                   Woman
                   with
                   Child
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Thess.
                 5.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Who
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 Judge
                 at
                 that
                 Great
                 Day
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 all
                 Men
                 shall
                 be
                 tried
                 ,
                 and
                 sentenced
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                
                 For
                 
                   God
                   will
                   judge
                   the
                   World
                   in
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   by
                   that
                   Man
                   whom
                   he
                   hath
                   ordain'd
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   hath
                   assured
                   them
                   of
                
                 
                 
                   it
                   ,
                   by
                   raising
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 17.
                 31.
                 
                 He
                 only
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 discharge
                 this
                 transcendent
                 Trust
                 ,
                 having
                 an
                 Authority
                 Paramount
                 ,
                 which
                 none
                 can
                 question
                 ,
                 or
                 appeal
                 from
                 ;
                 an
                 Infinite
                 Understanding
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 search
                 the
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 discover
                 the
                 naked
                 Truth
                 of
                 every
                 Mans
                 Case
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 just
                 Validity
                 of
                 their
                 Pleas
                 ;
                 an
                 incorruptible
                 Integrity
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 in
                 the
                 least
                 be
                 byassed
                 by
                 any
                 Flatteries
                 ,
                 Offers
                 ,
                 Intercessions
                 ,
                 or
                 Intreaties
                 ;
                 and
                 an
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 reward
                 the
                 greatest
                 Services
                 ,
                 and
                 punish
                 the
                 most
                 high
                 and
                 haughty
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 meanest
                 Criminals
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 he
                 alone
                 is
                 qualified
                 to
                 Discharge
                 ,
                 so
                 he
                 is
                 also
                 to
                 sustain
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 who
                 is
                 fit
                 to
                 sit
                 as
                 Judge
                 of
                 Princes
                 and
                 Potentates
                 ,
                 Men
                 and
                 Angels
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 ,
                 who
                 made
                 and
                 governs
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 over
                 all
                 in
                 Power
                 ,
                 and
                 next
                 in
                 Dignity
                 to
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 even
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 .
                 
                   All
                   Judgment
                   is
                   committed
                   to
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                   that
                   all
                   should
                   honour
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                   even
                   as
                   they
                   honour
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Who
                 ,
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 ,
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 judged
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 All
                 Men
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 either
                 be
                 found
                 alive
                 at
                 his
                 coming
                 ,
                 or
                 were
                 dead
                 before
                 .
                 For
                 
                   we
                   must
                   all
                   appear
                   before
                   the
                   Judgment-seat
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   that
                   every
                   one
                   may
                   receive
                   for
                   the
                   things
                   done
                   in
                   the
                   Body
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 10.
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 lost
                 Angels
                 too
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   know
                   you
                   not
                   that
                   we
                   shall
                   judge
                   Angels
                   ?
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 sit
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 approve
                 of
                 his
                 Sentence
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 condemns
                 them
                 ?
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 3.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 Proof
                 will
                 there
                 be
                 of
                 Crimes
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 Witnesses
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 Devils
                 are
                 
                   the
                   Accusers
                   of
                   the
                   Brethren
                
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 12.
                 10.
                 and
                 they
                 will
                 call
                 for
                 Justice
                 :
                 But
                 there
                 needs
                 no
                 Testimony
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 ,
                 from
                 
                   the
                   Father
                   of
                   Lies
                
                 ;
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Omniscience
                 ,
                 keeps
                 a
                 Register
                 and
                 Record
                 of
                 all
                 Mens
                 Actions
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   that
                   Book
                   shall
                   be
                   opened
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Dead
                   shall
                   be
                   judged
                
                 by
                 that
                 unerring
                 Book
                 of
                 his
                 Remembrance
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 12.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 any
                 Witnesses
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Guilty
                 shall
                 confess
                 their
                 Crimes
                 ,
                 and
                 bear
                 witness
                 against
                 themselves
                 :
                 
                   Their
                   Consciences
                   shall
                   bear
                   witness
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   own
                   Thoughts
                   accuse
                   ,
                   or
                   excuse
                   one
                   another
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   Day
                   when
                   God
                   shall
                   judge
                   the
                   Secrets
                   of
                   Men
                   ,
                   by
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   my
                   Gospel
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Shall
                 all
                 this
                 be
                 acted
                 in
                 great
                 Solemnity
                 ,
                 with
                 Pomp
                 and
                 Splendour
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 .
                 For
                 Christ
                 will
                 translate
                 his
                 Royal
                 Court
                 from
                 Heaven
                 to
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 at
                 the
                 Right-hand
                 of
                 that
                 Glory
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 he
                 now
                 sits
                 in
                 peerless
                 Splendor
                 and
                 Majesty
                 ,
                 having
                 all
                 the
                 Holy
                 Angels
                 glittering
                 in
                 their
                 utmost
                 Brightness
                 ,
                 to
                 attend
                 this
                 Triumph
                 .
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   come
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   Glory
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   his
                   Fathers
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   Holy
                   Angels
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 9.
                 26.
                 
                 &
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 31.
                 
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   descend
                   from
                   Heaven
                   with
                   a
                   Shout
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   Voice
                   of
                   the
                   Archangel
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Trump
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Thess.
                 4.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 that
                 sounds
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   that
                   are
                   in
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   Graves
                   shall
                   hear
                   his
                   Voice
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   come
                   forth
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 28
                 ,
                 29.
                 and
                 
                   there
                   shall
                   be
                   a
                   Resurrection
                   both
                   of
                   the
                   Just
                   and
                   Unjust
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 24.
                 15.
                 
                 All
                 these
                 
                   shall
                   stand
                   before
                   his
                   Throne
                
                 :
                 And
                 ,
                 after
                 an
                 exact
                 Scrutiny
                 ,
                 and
                 fair
                 Trial
                 of
                 all
                 Persons
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   will
                   separate
                   them
                   one
                   from
                   another
                   ,
                
                 into
                 two
                 Companies
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   a
                   Shepherd
                   divides
                   the
                   Sheep
                   from
                   the
                   Goats
                
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 were
                 wont
                 to
                 do
                 in
                 their
                 Courts
                 ,
                 setting
                 such
                 as
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 Absolv'd
                 ,
                 together
                 upon
                 
                   the
                   Right
                
                 ;
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 Condemn'd
                 ,
                 upon
                 
                   the
                   Left-hand
                
                 of
                 their
                 Tribunals
                 :
                 And
                 then
                 ,
                 with
                 great
                 Solemnity
                 ,
                 pass
                 Sentence
                 ;
                 bidding
                 the
                 
                   Righteous
                   ,
                   Come
                   ,
                   ye
                   Blessed
                   of
                   my
                   Father
                   ,
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   prepared
                   for
                   you
                   :
                
                 But
                 saying
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Wicked
                   ,
                   Depart
                   from
                   me
                   ,
                   ye
                   Cursed
                   ,
                   into
                   everlasting
                   Fire
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 31
                 ,
                 32
                 ,
                 34
                 ,
                 41.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Where
                 shall
                 this
                 Glorious
                 Appearance
                 be
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   In
                   the
                   Air
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 1
                 Thess.
                 4.
                 17.
                 
                 
                   In
                   the
                   Clouds
                   of
                   Heaven
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 64.
                 
                 Somewhere
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 near
                 the
                 Earth
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 what
                 particular
                 Part
                 ,
                 it
                 little
                 concerns
                 us
                 to
                 inquire
                 ,
                 or
                 advantages
                 us
                 to
                 understand
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 this
                 Great
                 Judge
                 has
                 passed
                 Sentence
                 ,
                 shall
                 all
                 Parties
                 concern'd
                 acquiesce
                 in
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 last
                 Judge
                 ,
                 from
                 whom
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 Appeal
                 .
                 And
                 there
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 any
                 :
                 For
                 all
                 shall
                 acknowledge
                 the
                 Perfect
                 and
                 irreprehensible
                 Justice
                 of
                 what
                 he
                 determines
                 .
                 The
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 
                 being
                 tried
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 call'd
                 up
                 to
                 surround
                 him
                 in
                 Glorious
                 Circles
                 whilst
                 he
                 tries
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 shall
                 approve
                 and
                 praise
                 his
                 Justice
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Saints
                   shall
                   judge
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 as
                 his
                 Assessors
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Comprobators
                 of
                 his
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Mouth
                 of
                 all
                 Wicked
                 ,
                 who
                 suffer
                 under
                 it
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 stopped
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 convinced
                 of
                 it
                 within
                 themselves
                 .
                 For
                 
                   he
                   will
                   then
                   convince
                   all
                   that
                   are
                   ungodly
                   ,
                   of
                   all
                   their
                   ungodly
                   Deeds
                   ,
                   which
                   they
                   have
                   ungodly
                   committed
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   all
                   the
                   hard
                   Speeches
                   which
                   ungodly
                   Sinners
                   have
                   spoken
                   against
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Jude
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 For
                 what
                 shall
                 we
                 be
                 judged
                 ,
                 and
                 condemned
                 in
                 this
                 Judgment
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 For
                 all
                 
                   Transgressions
                   of
                   the
                   Laws
                   of
                   his
                   Gospel
                   ,
                
                 and
                 for
                 those
                 only
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 not
                 judge
                 Arbitrarily
                 ,
                 or
                 condemn
                 any
                 for
                 unforbidden
                 Things
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 no
                 Cause
                 but
                 only
                 because
                 he
                 pleases
                 :
                 But
                 the
                 
                   Laws
                   of
                   his
                   Gospel
                
                 are
                 the
                 Rule
                 he
                 will
                 try
                 ,
                 and
                 judge
                 all
                 Christians
                 by
                 .
                 
                   God
                   shall
                   judge
                   Men
                   by
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   my
                   Gospel
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 16.
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Word
                   that
                   I
                   have
                   spoken
                   ,
                   the
                   same
                   shall
                   judge
                   Men
                   at
                   the
                   last
                   Day
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 12.
                 48.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 condemn'd
                 only
                 by
                 God's
                 Laws
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 be
                 sure
                 unforbidden
                 Things
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 threatned
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Law
                 against
                 ,
                 will
                 never
                 condemn
                 any
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 they
                 will
                 not
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Sin
                 in
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 condemned
                 .
                 For
                 
                   where
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   Law
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   Transgression
                   ,
                
                 
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 
                   whosoever
                   commits
                   Sin
                   ,
                   transgresses
                   also
                   the
                   Law
                   ;
                   for
                   Sin
                   is
                   the
                   Transgression
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 3.
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 
                   Sin
                   is
                   not
                   imputed
                   ,
                   when
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 13.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 vain
                 Fear
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 Common
                 Life
                 ,
                 when
                 Mens
                 Consciences
                 scruple
                 Things
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 confess
                 to
                 be
                 Indifferent
                 ,
                 
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 forbid
                 by
                 no
                 Laws
                 ;
                 as
                 using
                 a
                 Form
                 of
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 Kneeling
                 ,
                 Standing
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 Rites
                 and
                 Ceremonies
                 no
                 where
                 forbidden
                 in
                 the
                 Worship
                 of
                 God.
                 In
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 answer
                 only
                 for
                 the
                 Breach
                 of
                 Laws
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 are
                 sure
                 not
                 to
                 endanger
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 or
                 become
                 accountable
                 for
                 such
                 as
                 these
                 ,
                 since
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Law
                 against
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 say
                 Men
                 shall
                 be
                 judged
                 for
                 all
                 their
                 Transgressions
                 of
                 Gods
                 Laws
                 ;
                 then
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 sure
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 their
                 
                   Sinful
                   Actions
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 :
                 For
                 
                   we
                   must
                   all
                   appear
                   before
                   the
                   Judgment-seat
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   that
                   every
                   one
                   may
                   receive
                   according
                   to
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   done
                   in
                   the
                   Body
                   ,
                   whether
                   it
                   be
                   good
                   ,
                   or
                   bad
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 
                   the
                   Dead
                   are
                   judged
                   every
                   Man
                   according
                   to
                   their
                   Works
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 then
                 we
                 must
                 answer
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 Actions
                 of
                 our
                 Lives
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 Reward
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 Punishment
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 ill
                 ones
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Actions
                 of
                 Men
                 are
                 quickly
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 over
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 think
                 there
                 is
                 an
                 end
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 But
                 do
                 not
                 the
                 good
                 or
                 ill
                 Effects
                 of
                 several
                 
                 survive
                 ,
                 and
                 last
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 for
                 a
                 great
                 while
                 after
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 Action
                 were
                 still
                 a
                 doing
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 good
                 and
                 bad
                 Actions
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 Men
                 may
                 be
                 sinning
                 ,
                 and
                 serving
                 God
                 ,
                 no●
                 only
                 whilst
                 they
                 live
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 their
                 Graves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 instance
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 how
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 in
                 good
                 Actions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 If
                 a
                 Man
                 gains
                 Proselytes
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 this
                 good
                 Fruit
                 will
                 last
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 will
                 serve
                 him
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 dead
                 .
                 If
                 he
                 promotes
                 Pious
                 Truths
                 ,
                 or
                 gives
                 good
                 Advice
                 ,
                 or
                 shews
                 an
                 holy
                 Example
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ;
                 the
                 Truths
                 may
                 be
                 remembred
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Advice
                 followed
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Example
                 copied
                 out
                 and
                 imitated
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 gone
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 If
                 he
                 endows
                 Churches
                 ,
                 or
                 builds
                 Hospitals
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 ;
                 his
                 Piety
                 will
                 be
                 Active
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 at
                 Rest
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 doing
                 Good
                 to
                 the
                 Worlds
                 End.
                 Of
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 such
                 Good
                 Works
                 of
                 permanent
                 Effects
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 said
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 did
                 of
                 
                 Abel's
                 Faith
                 ,
                 whereto
                 God
                 gave
                 witness
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   by
                   it
                   ,
                   he
                   being
                   dead
                   ,
                   yet
                   speaketh
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 thus
                 also
                 in
                 bad
                 Actions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 For
                 thus
                 the
                 wicked
                 Opinions
                 a
                 Man
                 broaches
                 ,
                 may
                 infect
                 after-Ages
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 his
                 corrupt
                 Example
                 ,
                 or
                 Advice
                 ,
                 live
                 in
                 his
                 Posterity
                 and
                 Acquaintance
                 .
                 Or
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 corrupt
                 and
                 seduce
                 others
                 into
                 any
                 Sins
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 persist
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 after
                 he
                 is
                 reclaimed
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 then
                 he
                 will
                 
                 sin
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 in
                 his
                 Grave
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 has
                 introduced
                 wicked
                 and
                 irreligious
                 Laws
                 and
                 Customs
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 hardly
                 altered
                 ,
                 even
                 where
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 plainest
                 ,
                 and
                 greatest
                 Reason
                 for
                 it
                 ;
                 or
                 abused
                 the
                 Laws
                 ,
                 to
                 possess
                 himself
                 of
                 other
                 Mens
                 Rights
                 ,
                 which
                 derives
                 down
                 the
                 Crime
                 and
                 Curse
                 of
                 Detaining
                 ill-gotten
                 Goods
                 ,
                 on
                 all
                 his
                 Posterity
                 ;
                 or
                 writ
                 Pestilential
                 Books
                 ;
                 or
                 establish'd
                 any
                 ungodly
                 or
                 injurious
                 Thing
                 ,
                 the
                 Mischief
                 whereof
                 no
                 one
                 knows
                 when
                 it
                 may
                 determine
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 God
                 comes
                 to
                 judge
                 us
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 take
                 notice
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 respect
                 to
                 these
                 continued
                 and
                 multiplied
                 Effects
                 of
                 our
                 Actions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 'T
                 is
                 just
                 he
                 should
                 ,
                 they
                 being
                 all
                 imputable
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 reasonable
                 to
                 believe
                 he
                 will.
                 For
                 Jeroboam
                 is
                 taxed
                 for
                 sinning
                 long
                 after
                 he
                 was
                 dead
                 ,
                 because
                 other
                 Mens
                 Sins
                 were
                 owing
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 having
                 establish'd
                 Iniquity
                 by
                 a
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 formed
                 an
                 Idolatrous
                 Schism
                 ,
                 and
                 †
                 
                   made
                   Israel
                   to
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Kings
                 10.
                 29.
                 
                 And
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 ,
                 in
                 part
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 ascribe
                 the
                 Trouble
                 and
                 
                   Concern
                   of
                   Ghosts
                
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 sometimes
                 appearing
                 to
                 make
                 Satisfaction
                 ,
                 after
                 any
                 great
                 Injuries
                 have
                 been
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 repaired
                 in
                 their
                 Life-time
                 :
                 Which
                 may
                 shew
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 God's
                 Care
                 ,
                 in
                 doing
                 Justice
                 ;
                 but
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 in
                 lessening
                 their
                 Account
                 too
                 .
                 On
                 which
                 Inducement
                 ,
                 I
                 believe
                 ,
                 Dives
                 was
                 sollicitous
                 to
                 have
                 his
                 Brethren
                 advertised
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Place
                   of
                   Torment
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   by
                   one
                   sent
                   from
                   the
                   other
                   World
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 16.
                 27
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 For
                 he
                 being
                 the
                 
                   Head
                   of
                   his
                   Family
                
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 vicious
                 Man
                 ,
                 might
                 have
                 done
                 much
                 in
                 corrupting
                 his
                 Kindred
                 and
                 Acquaintance
                 ,
                 that
                 resorted
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 they
                 being
                 made
                 the
                 worse
                 by
                 his
                 Example
                 and
                 Influence
                 ;
                 the
                 Growth
                 of
                 their
                 Guilt
                 ,
                 and
                 Fructification
                 of
                 the
                 ill
                 Seed
                 he
                 had
                 sown
                 ,
                 would
                 accumulate
                 and
                 increase
                 his
                 Sufferings
                 .
                 Which
                 Principle
                 of
                 Self-Love
                 ,
                 I
                 take
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 better
                 Reason
                 of
                 that
                 Care
                 of
                 his
                 ,
                 than
                 any
                 Charity
                 for
                 others
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 we
                 have
                 cause
                 to
                 think
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Room
                 in
                 that
                 Place
                 .
                 For
                 
                   God
                   is
                   Love
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   dwells
                   in
                   Love
                   ,
                   dwells
                   in
                   God
                
                 ;
                 which
                 certainly
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 excluded
                 from
                 his
                 Presence
                 into
                 that
                 State
                 of
                 Torment
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 4.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 should
                 make
                 all
                 Men
                 careful
                 how
                 they
                 broach
                 any
                 ill
                 Opinions
                 ,
                 or
                 give
                 others
                 any
                 evil
                 Example
                 or
                 Advice
                 :
                 But
                 especially
                 ,
                 how
                 they
                 introduce
                 ,
                 or
                 revive
                 ,
                 or
                 any
                 ways
                 support
                 Irreligious
                 Customs
                 ,
                 or
                 enrich
                 themselves
                 and
                 Families
                 by
                 Injustice
                 ,
                 or
                 establish
                 any
                 Wickedness
                 ,
                 lest
                 thereby
                 they
                 sin
                 in
                 their
                 Graves
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 Power
                 to
                 offend
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 Power
                 to
                 serve
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 continue
                 daily
                 adding
                 Sin
                 to
                 Sin
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 can
                 no
                 longer
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 hand
                 ,
                 it
                 should
                 as
                 much
                 encourage
                 them
                 in
                 any
                 good
                 and
                 useful
                 Deeds
                 ;
                 whose
                 Effects
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 spread
                 beyond
                 their
                 Expectations
                 ,
                 or
                 last
                 beyond
                 their
                 Times
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 reasonably
                 hope
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 more
                 ready
                 to
                 
                 reward
                 than
                 punish
                 ,
                 will
                 impute
                 to
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Day
                 Men
                 shall
                 be
                 judged
                 for
                 the
                 Actions
                 of
                 their
                 Lives
                 :
                 But
                 shall
                 they
                 be
                 judged
                 not
                 only
                 for
                 their
                 more
                 Open
                 and
                 Publick
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 for
                 their
                 most
                 Secret
                 Deeds
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 committed
                 under
                 Concealment
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Dark
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   for
                   God
                   shall
                   bring
                   every
                   Work
                   into
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   with
                   every
                   Secret
                   Thing
                   ,
                   whether
                   it
                   be
                   Good
                   ,
                   or
                   whether
                   it
                   be
                   Evil
                   ,
                
                 Eccl.
                 12.
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 all
                 Men
                 are
                 infinitely
                 concern'd
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 commit
                 any
                 Wickedness
                 under
                 the
                 fancied
                 Security
                 of
                 Privacy
                 ,
                 or
                 act
                 shamefully
                 even
                 in
                 the
                 Dark
                 ;
                 since
                 all
                 those
                 Secret
                 Works
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 exposed
                 to
                 Publick
                 View
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 put
                 to
                 shame
                 ,
                 and
                 condemned
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 before
                 Angels
                 and
                 Men
                 ,
                 all
                 looking
                 on
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 is
                 most
                 terrible
                 to
                 all
                 impenitent
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 then
                 be
                 punish'd
                 for
                 these
                 Sins
                 .
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 discouraging
                 to
                 the
                 Righteous
                 too
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 repented
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 forgiven
                 ?
                 For
                 their
                 Secret
                 Sins
                 ,
                 which
                 cost
                 them
                 so
                 much
                 Sorrow
                 here
                 ,
                 will
                 then
                 renew
                 their
                 Grief
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 them
                 to
                 an
                 open
                 Shame
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 such
                 Publick
                 Mention
                 and
                 Exposal
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 no
                 danger
                 of
                 any
                 more
                 trouble
                 from
                 them
                 :
                 For
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 brought
                 to
                 light
                 ,
                 as
                 Solomon
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   will
                   bring
                   every
                   Work
                   into
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   whether
                   it
                   be
                   good
                   or
                   bad
                   ,
                
                 Eccl.
                 12.
                 14.
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 only
                 to
                 set
                 off
                 the
                 Impartiality
                 of
                 this
                 
                 Scrutiny
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Riches
                 of
                 Gods
                 pardoning
                 Mercy
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 upbraided
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 lessen'd
                 in
                 the
                 esteem
                 ,
                 either
                 of
                 Glorified
                 Angels
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 Men.
                 For
                 as
                 God
                 himself
                 doth
                 ,
                 so
                 do
                 they
                 esteem
                 of
                 Penitents
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 always
                 lived
                 innocent
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 once
                 they
                 have
                 left
                 them
                 ,
                 forget
                 all
                 their
                 former
                 Offences
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 done
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 as
                 to
                 all
                 real
                 Effects
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 suffering
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 Persons
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 Estimation
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 the
                 Sins
                 of
                 the
                 Righteous
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 ,
                 are
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 mention'd
                 ,
                 but
                 conceal'd
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 will
                 make
                 out
                 those
                 Expressions
                 of
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 which
                 speak
                 of
                 the
                 †
                 
                   Lord
                   's
                   not
                   imputing
                   Sin
                   to
                   them
                   ▪
                
                 and
                 ,
                 
                   of
                   their
                   Sins
                   being
                   cover'd
                
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 *
                 
                   God's
                   remembring
                   their
                   Sins
                   and
                   Iniquities
                   no
                   more
                   .
                
                 They
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 mention'd
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 them
                 either
                 afraid
                 ,
                 or
                 ashamed
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 as
                 good
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 wholly
                 hid
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 mention'd
                 at
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Among
                 the
                 Deeds
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 all
                 those
                 are
                 not
                 really
                 Good
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 so
                 in
                 outward
                 Appearance
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 the
                 World
                 takes
                 for
                 such
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 :
                 Several
                 good
                 Actions
                 ,
                 Hypocritical
                 Men
                 put
                 on
                 only
                 in
                 Disguise
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Pharisee
                 seemed
                 to
                 be
                 devout
                 in
                 
                   making
                   long
                   Prayers
                
                 ,
                 when
                 that
                 was
                 not
                 to
                 serve
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 get
                 Trust
                 among
                 Men
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 able
                 
                   to
                   devour
                   Widows
                   Houses
                
                 without
                 suspicion
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 23.
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 
                 when
                 the
                 
                   Precious
                   Ointment
                   was
                   poured
                   on
                   Christ's
                   Head
                   ,
                   Judas
                
                 pretended
                 great
                 
                   Care
                   of
                   the
                   Poor
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   cried
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Waste
                
                 on
                 that
                 pretence
                 ;
                 when
                 ,
                 in
                 truth
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 made
                 him
                 speak
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 his
                 Charity
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 Covetousness
                 ,
                 John
                 12.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 Absalom
                 pretends
                 the
                 
                   Payment
                   of
                   a
                   Vow
                   in
                   Hebron
                
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 Design
                 was
                 to
                 execute
                 a
                 fore-laid
                 Rebellion
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 15.
                 7
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 Many
                 Men
                 pretend
                 Kindness
                 ,
                 only
                 for
                 Self-ends
                 ;
                 Religion
                 ,
                 for
                 Secular
                 Interests
                 ;
                 the
                 Publick
                 Good
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 only
                 seek
                 to
                 satisfie
                 their
                 own
                 By-ends
                 ,
                 or
                 private
                 Resentments
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 under
                 this
                 Hypocritical
                 Mask
                 ,
                 Men
                 commit
                 ill
                 Deeds
                 under
                 fair
                 Colours
                 ,
                 will
                 Christ
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 bring
                 this
                 Hypocrisie
                 to
                 Light
                 ,
                 and
                 condemn
                 these
                 Actions
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 Authors
                 justified
                 to
                 the
                 World
                 by
                 these
                 Pretences
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 :
                 For
                 
                   when
                   the
                   Lord
                   cometh
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   bring
                   to
                   light
                   the
                   hidden
                   things
                   of
                   darkness
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   make
                   manifest
                   the
                   Counsels
                   of
                   the
                   Hearts
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   He
                   shall
                   be
                   of
                   quick
                   Understanding
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   Fear
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   not
                   judge
                   after
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   his
                   Eyes
                   ,
                   nor
                   reprove
                   after
                   the
                   hearing
                   of
                   his
                   Ears
                   ;
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 barely
                 from
                 outward
                 Appearances
                 ;
                 
                   but
                   with
                   Righteousness
                   shall
                   he
                   judge
                   the
                   Poor
                   ,
                   and
                   reprove
                   with
                   Equity
                
                 even
                 
                   the
                   Meek
                   upon
                   Earth
                
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 Trespassers
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 11.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 nearly
                 concerns
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 sincere
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Goodness
                 we
                 make
                 shew
                 of
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 same
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 appear
                 to
                 be
                 to
                 Men
                 :
                 For
                 if
                 we
                 dissemble
                 in
                 
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 pluck
                 off
                 the
                 Disguise
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 us
                 openly
                 to
                 be
                 Hypocritical
                 Pretenders
                 ,
                 and
                 disguised
                 Sinners
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 judged
                 then
                 for
                 all
                 our
                 sinful
                 Actions
                 .
                 But
                 shall
                 we
                 judged
                 too
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 our
                 
                   sinful
                   Omissions
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 we
                 are
                 as
                 much
                 bound
                 to
                 do
                 what
                 God
                 injoyns
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 forbear
                 doing
                 what
                 he
                 forbids
                 :
                 and
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 call
                 us
                 to
                 an
                 account
                 for
                 both
                 .
                 
                   Go
                   ye
                   Cursed
                   into
                   everlasting
                   Fire
                   ,
                
                 for
                 in
                 my
                 poor
                 Members
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   felt
                   Hunger
                   ,
                   and
                   ye
                   gave
                   me
                   no
                   Meat
                   ;
                   I
                   was
                   Thirsty
                   ,
                   and
                   ye
                   gave
                   me
                   no
                   Drink
                   ;
                   a
                   Stranger
                   and
                   ye
                   took
                   me
                   not
                   in
                   ;
                   Naked
                   ,
                   and
                   ye
                   Cloathed
                   me
                   not
                   ;
                   Sick
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   Prison
                   ,
                   and
                   ye
                   visited
                   me
                   not
                   .
                
                 All
                 which
                 are
                 omissions
                 of
                 Duty
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 them
                 they
                 are
                 Sentenced
                 .
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 41
                 ,
                 42
                 ,
                 43.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 sentenced
                 for
                 neglecting
                 to
                 fulfill
                 Laws
                 .
                 But
                 will
                 Judgment
                 also
                 pass
                 upon
                 us
                 ,
                 for
                 neglecting
                 to
                 employ
                 ,
                 or
                 improve
                 our
                 Talents
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 orders
                 the
                 
                   unprofitable
                   Servant
                
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 hoarded
                 up
                 his
                 Talent
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 no
                 gain
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   be
                   cast
                   into
                   utter
                   Darkness
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 30.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 concerns
                 all
                 men
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 God
                 has
                 given
                 Leisure
                 ,
                 or
                 Power
                 ,
                 or
                 Wealth
                 ,
                 or
                 Credit
                 ,
                 or
                 Wit
                 and
                 Parts
                 ,
                 to
                 look
                 upon
                 all
                 these
                 as
                 Trusts
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 squander
                 them
                 away
                 on
                 Vice
                 ,
                 or
                 Vanities
                 ,
                 Sports
                 and
                 Pastimes
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 as
                 Wise
                 and
                 Faithful
                 Stewards
                 ,
                 to
                 employ
                 them
                 all
                 for
                 God's
                 
                 service
                 ,
                 remembring
                 that
                 all
                 these
                 were
                 ●ommitted
                 to
                 them
                 for
                 their
                 Master's
                 ●se
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Day
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 called
                 to
                 give
                 an
                 account
                 how
                 they
                 have
                 spent
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 say
                 you
                 to
                 our
                 words
                 ,
                 shall
                 we
                 be
                 judged
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Day
                 for
                 them
                 too
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   by
                   thy
                   words
                   thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   Justified
                   ,
                   and
                   by
                   thy
                   words
                   thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   Condemned
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 12.
                 37.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 should
                 make
                 all
                 men
                 careful
                 ,
                 to
                 Govern
                 their
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 must
                 give
                 so
                 strict
                 an
                 account
                 for
                 the
                 abuse
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Quest.
                   Christ
                
                 there
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   Men
                   shall
                   give
                   account
                   in
                   the
                   Day
                   of
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   for
                   every
                   idle
                   word
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 26.
                 what
                 then
                 will
                 become
                 of
                 most
                 men
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ?
                 For
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 Discourses
                 with
                 freedom
                 ,
                 liable
                 to
                 utter
                 something
                 that
                 is
                 Idle
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 works
                 no
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 makes
                 none
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 By
                 
                   Idle
                   word
                
                 there
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 understood
                 every
                 False
                 and
                 Slanderous
                 word
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 had
                 then
                 cast
                 out
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 said
                 
                   he
                   wrought
                   Miracles
                   through
                   Beelzebub
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 in
                 this
                 strict
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 our
                 sinful
                 Actions
                 ,
                 and
                 sinful
                 Words
                 ,
                 will
                 there
                 be
                 any
                 account
                 still
                 further
                 required
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 
                   inward
                   Thoughts
                
                 and
                 Desires
                 of
                 ill
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 never
                 come
                 to
                 act
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   will
                
                 
                 
                   Judge
                   the
                   Secrets
                   of
                   men
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 
                   when
                   the
                   Lord
                   comes
                
                 to
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   will
                   make
                   manifest
                   the
                   Counsels
                   of
                   the
                   Heart
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 is
                 not
                 every
                 man
                 troubled
                 ,
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 with
                 ill
                 Thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 unlawful
                 Desires
                 ,
                 and
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 so
                 ,
                 whilst
                 we
                 bear
                 these
                 Bodies
                 about
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 the
                 Regenerate
                 themselves
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Flesh
                   Lusteth
                   against
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 then
                 can
                 any
                 man
                 stand
                 in
                 the
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 if
                 for
                 these
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 Condemned
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 If
                 the
                 bare
                 sudden
                 Thoughts
                 and
                 Desires
                 were
                 Damnable
                 ,
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 God
                 will
                 then
                 Condemn
                 men
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 all
                 stirring
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 all
                 
                   yielding
                   to
                   fulfill
                   them
                   .
                   Make
                   no
                   Provision
                   for
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                   to
                   fulfill
                   the
                   Lusts
                   thereof
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 13.
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 the
                 Righteous
                 do
                 not
                 commit
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 before
                 their
                 Death
                 they
                 Repent
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 amend
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 will
                 be
                 judged
                 
                   yielding
                   to
                   fulfill
                   them
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 1.
                 
                 All
                 
                   inward
                   Consent
                
                 to
                 the
                 fulfilling
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 tho
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 do
                 it
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 opportunity
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 
                   when
                   Lust
                   has
                   thus
                   Conceived
                   ,
                   it
                   bringeth
                   forth
                   Sin
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 1.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   Adultery
                   may
                   be
                   committed
                   in
                   the
                   Heart
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 5.
                 28.
                 
              
               
                 2.
                 
                 All
                 Contrivance
                 for
                 the
                 acting
                 and
                 
                 Fulfilling
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 after
                 we
                 have
                 consented
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   Deviseth
                   to
                   do
                   evil
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   called
                   ,
                
                 and
                 dealt
                 with
                 as
                 
                   a
                   mischievous
                   Person
                
                 ,
                 Prov.
                 24.
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 
                   evil
                   Thoughts
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Murderous
                 Machinations
                 and
                 Contrivances
                 ,
                 are
                 ranked
                 in
                 Guilt
                 and
                 Punishment
                 with
                 Murders
                 themselves
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 15.
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 3.
                 
                 All
                 Actual
                 accomplishment
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 Deed
                 and
                 Practice
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   fulfilling
                   the
                   Lusts
                   of
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 more
                 provoking
                 still
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 in
                 a
                 settled
                 Custom
                 ,
                 and
                 constant
                 Tenor
                 of
                 action
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 
                   walking
                   or
                   living
                   after
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 1.
                 4.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 then
                 ,
                 when
                 Christ
                 comes
                 to
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 all
                 be
                 called
                 to
                 Account
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 sinful
                 Deeds
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 sinful
                 Words
                 we
                 have
                 spoken
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 evil
                 Thoughts
                 or
                 Desires
                 we
                 have
                 consented
                 ,
                 or
                 endeavoured
                 to
                 fulfill
                 ;
                 and
                 Condemned
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 have
                 sincerely
                 repented
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 how
                 will
                 Christ
                 proceed
                 in
                 Judging
                 us
                 for
                 these
                 Things
                 ?
                 Will
                 he
                 pass
                 Sentence
                 impartially
                 ,
                 without
                 respect
                 of
                 Persons
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 All
                 that
                 are
                 equal
                 in
                 Guilt
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 have
                 equal
                 Punishment
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Judge
                 is
                 not
                 capable
                 of
                 being
                 Byassed
                 ,
                 by
                 Fear
                 or
                 Favour
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 Fondness
                 or
                 Indulgence
                 towards
                 any
                 Criminals
                 ,
                 by
                 any
                 of
                 their
                 Flatter●●
                 〈◊〉
                 Complements
                 ,
                 Gifts
                 or
                 Services
                 ,
                 their
                 Crafty
                 insinuations
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 tiresom
                 importunities
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 Kindred
                 or
                 Families
                 ,
                 Sects
                 and
                 Opinions
                 .
                 But
                 absolutely
                 setting
                 aside
                 all
                 by-Respects
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 regard
                 only
                 the
                 Merit
                 of
                 Causes
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 doth
                 really
                 influence
                 the
                 Case
                 ,
                 and
                 Sentence
                 every
                 Man
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Evidence
                 that
                 lyes
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 At
                 that
                 
                   Revelation
                   of
                   his
                   Righteous
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   Respect
                   of
                   Persons
                   with
                   God.
                   They
                   that
                   have
                   sinned
                   without
                   Law
                   ,
                   shall
                   Perish
                   without
                   Law
                   ;
                   and
                   as
                   many
                   as
                   have
                   sinned
                   under
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   Judged
                   by
                   the
                   Law.
                   God
                   will
                   render
                   to
                   every
                   man
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   Deeds
                   ;
                   Eternal
                   Life
                   ,
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   have
                   continued
                   in
                   well-doing
                   ;
                   but
                   Wrath
                   ,
                   and
                   Anguish
                   ,
                   on
                   every
                   Soul
                   that
                   doth
                   evil
                   ,
                   whether
                
                 Jew
                 ,
                 or
                 Gentile
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 5.
                 to
                 13.
                 
                 
                   God
                   without
                   respect
                   of
                   Persons
                   ,
                   judges
                   as
                   every
                   Mans
                   work
                   shall
                   be
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 in
                 judging
                 upon
                 all
                 these
                 Points
                 ,
                 will
                 Christ
                 do
                 it
                 in
                 Rigor
                 ,
                 pressing
                 all
                 the
                 Punctilio's
                 ,
                 and
                 taking
                 all
                 the
                 Advantages
                 of
                 Law
                 :
                 or
                 will
                 he
                 do
                 it
                 with
                 Equity
                 and
                 Candor
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 plainly
                 inclined
                 to
                 shew
                 all
                 reasonable
                 favour
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 He
                 will
                 be
                 the
                 most
                 
                   Fair
                   ,
                   Equitable
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Candid
                 Judge
                 ,
                 our
                 Hearts
                 can
                 wish
                 for
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 our
                 Judge
                 who
                 is
                 our
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 and
                 has
                 all
                 along
                 espoused
                 our
                 Cause
                 :
                 our
                 Friend
                 ,
                 that
                 Loved
                 us
                 better
                 than
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 shed
                 his
                 Blood
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 brought
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 promise
                 our selves
                 all
                 the
                 Favour
                 that
                 is
                 consistent
                 with
                 Justice
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Will
                 he
                 favourably
                 interpret
                 our
                 Performances
                 when
                 they
                 come
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 every
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 justly
                 bear
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 as
                 ready
                 to
                 note
                 what
                 may
                 make
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 what
                 may
                 make
                 against
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 the
                 Description
                 of
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 he
                 assigns
                 good
                 deeds
                 to
                 
                   those
                   on
                   his
                   Right-hand
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 the
                 Feeding
                 ,
                 and
                 Cloathing
                 ,
                 and
                 Visiting
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 strict
                 Truth
                 they
                 had
                 not
                 done
                 ,
                 having
                 never
                 seen
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 by
                 a
                 favourable
                 interpretation
                 ,
                 from
                 their
                 having
                 done
                 so
                 to
                 his
                 Brethren
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
                 which
                 shews
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 seen
                 him
                 in
                 that
                 want
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 much
                 more
                 have
                 done
                 it
                 to
                 himself
                 .
                 
                   Come
                   ,
                   ye
                   Blessed
                   of
                   my
                   Father
                   ,
                   for
                   I
                   was
                   an
                   hungred
                   ,
                   and
                   ye
                   gave
                   me
                   Meat
                   ;
                   thirsty
                   ,
                   and
                   ye
                   gave
                   me
                   Drink
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 
                   they
                   shall
                   answer
                   ,
                   Lord
                   ,
                   when
                   saw
                   we
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 to
                 do
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 things
                 for
                 thee
                 ?
                 He
                 tells
                 us
                 he
                 will
                 reply
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   as
                   much
                   as
                   ye
                   have
                   done
                   it
                   to
                   the
                   least
                   of
                   these
                   my
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   ye
                   have
                   done
                   it
                   unto
                   me
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 34.
                 to
                 41.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 to
                 assure
                 us
                 further
                 of
                 his
                 extraordinary
                 Favour
                 ,
                 in
                 Censuring
                 of
                 his
                 Friends
                 ;
                 behold
                 his
                 marvellous
                 Candor
                 ,
                 in
                 judging
                 of
                 the
                 worst
                 Actions
                 of
                 his
                 Enemies
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 too
                 at
                 a
                 Time
                 ,
                 when
                 ,
                 if
                 ever
                 ,
                 he
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 prone
                 to
                 pass
                 a
                 hard
                 Construction
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 representing
                 the
                 most
                 Barbarous
                 Murder
                 of
                 himself
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 hung
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 a
                 most
                 pungent
                 sense
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 imputes
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 most
                 Pardonable
                 
                 Principles
                 ,
                 and
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   acted
                   so
                   through
                   Ignorance
                
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 only
                 possible
                 thing
                 that
                 could
                 be
                 suggested
                 for
                 their
                 excuse
                 ,
                 )
                 censuring
                 that
                 horrid
                 Act
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 of
                 all
                 Men
                 had
                 cause
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 an
                 Accuser
                 ,
                 but
                 rather
                 like
                 a
                 retain'd
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 23.
                 34.
                 
                 Thus
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   that
                   Day
                
                 ,
                 will
                 the
                 most
                 benign
                 Judge
                 be
                 of
                 Counsel
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 Prisoners
                 ,
                 and
                 spye
                 all
                 their
                 Virtues
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 the
                 best
                 he
                 reasonably
                 can
                 of
                 every
                 bad
                 Case
                 .
                 And
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 good
                 Men
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 impute
                 their
                 Failures
                 to
                 the
                 most
                 pardonable
                 Causes
                 ,
                 and
                 Remember
                 their
                 good
                 Services
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 forgot
                 them
                 ,
                 setting
                 them
                 off
                 by
                 a
                 kind
                 interpretation
                 ,
                 and
                 thinking
                 better
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 than
                 their
                 own
                 Humility
                 and
                 Modesty
                 would
                 allow
                 themselves
                 to
                 do
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 say
                 you
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 seeming
                 Rigor
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Laws
                 ,
                 which
                 require
                 us
                 to
                 †
                 
                   Love
                   and
                   serve
                   him
                   ,
                   with
                   all
                   our
                   Heart
                   and
                   strength
                   ?
                
                 And
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 drawn
                 out
                 to
                 a
                 full
                 stretch
                 ,
                 and
                 strained
                 to
                 mean
                 our
                 utmost
                 Possibilities
                 ,
                 no
                 Candor
                 to
                 our
                 Performances
                 ,
                 can
                 construe
                 them
                 to
                 come
                 up
                 to
                 this
                 pitch
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 seeming
                 Rigor
                 of
                 that
                 Expression
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 interpret
                 with
                 great
                 condescension
                 to
                 the
                 Measures
                 of
                 Men.
                 He
                 will
                 reasonably
                 allow
                 ,
                 and
                 abate
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 many
                 Temptations
                 and
                 Distracting
                 Thoughts
                 ,
                 our
                 Natural
                 Backwardness
                 ,
                 and
                 Forgetfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Frailties
                 so
                 incident
                 to
                 our
                 present
                 State
                 and
                 Circumstances
                 .
                 
                 And
                 when
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 candidly
                 deducted
                 ,
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 our
                 Circumstances
                 we
                 are
                 honestly
                 and
                 fairly
                 able
                 to
                 Do
                 ,
                 will
                 pass
                 for
                 serving
                 him
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 heart
                 and
                 strength
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Commandment
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 will
                 you
                 make
                 that
                 out
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 the
                 Scripture
                 Declares
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 
                   bear
                   in
                   Reason
                   with
                   our
                   Infirmities
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 because
                 he
                 has
                 done
                 so
                 in
                 several
                 judged
                 Cases
                 ,
                 expresly
                 declaring
                 of
                 several
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 kept
                 this
                 Commandment
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 needed
                 these
                 abatements
                 .
                 Thus
                 ,
                 of
                 Asa
                 it
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   his
                   Heart
                   was
                   Perfect
                   before
                   God
                   ,
                
                 1
                 ▪
                 King.
                 15.
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 of
                 David
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   followed
                   God
                   with
                   his
                   whole
                   Heart
                   :
                
                 Yea
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   turned
                   not
                   aside
                   from
                   any
                   thing
                   he
                   commanded
                   him
                   ,
                   all
                   his
                   days
                   ,
                   except
                   in
                   the
                   matter
                   of
                   Uriah
                   .
                
                 1
                 King.
                 14
                 8.
                 and
                 c.
                 15.
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 of
                 Josiah
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   did
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   right
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   neither
                   declining
                   to
                   the
                   Right
                   Hand
                   ,
                   nor
                   to
                   the
                   left
                   ,
                
                 2
                 King.
                 22.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 of
                 Zachariah
                 and
                 Elizabeth
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   they
                   walked
                   before
                   God
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   Ordinances
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                   Blameless
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 1.
                 6.
                 
                 Now
                 all
                 these
                 were
                 Persons
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 Frailties
                 ,
                 and
                 Infirmities
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 defective
                 in
                 their
                 Care
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 though
                 they
                 went
                 beyond
                 the
                 pitch
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 yet
                 fell
                 below
                 the
                 utmost
                 of
                 their
                 possibilities
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 have
                 recorded
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 †
                 several
                 instances
                 .
                 They
                 served
                 God
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 
                   with
                   all
                   their
                   Souls
                
                 ,
                 in
                 one
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 Precept
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 that
                 notes
                 their
                 
                   adhering
                   only
                   to
                   his
                
                 
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 allowing
                 no
                 part
                 of
                 their
                 Heart
                 to
                 any
                 
                   Idol
                   God.
                
                 But
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 note●
                 the
                 
                   intireness
                   of
                   Degrees
                
                 in
                 serving
                 him
                 :
                 Such
                 failings
                 ,
                 as
                 were
                 pardonable
                 under
                 humane
                 Circumstances
                 and
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 were
                 first
                 taken
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 after
                 that
                 abatement
                 ,
                 was
                 judged
                 their
                 
                   serving
                   God
                   with
                   all
                   their
                   Heart
                   ,
                
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Commandment
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Will
                 Christ
                 then
                 after
                 he
                 has
                 thus
                 made
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 their
                 good
                 Performances
                 ,
                 make
                 
                   reasonable
                   Allowances
                
                 also
                 for
                 mens
                 Slips
                 and
                 Failures
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 committing
                 ill
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 omitting
                 Good
                 things
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 when
                 they
                 fail
                 in
                 either
                 ,
                 through
                 some
                 innocent
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   well
                   meant
                   Error
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Ignorance
                 :
                 Or
                 when
                 they
                 slip
                 through
                 pure
                 haste
                 and
                 unadvisedness
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 surprized
                 into
                 some
                 ill
                 Thoughts
                 ,
                 or
                 sudden
                 Passions
                 ,
                 or
                 rash
                 words
                 ,
                 but
                 correct
                 themselves
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 they
                 consider
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 do
                 not
                 continue
                 in
                 it
                 with
                 Observation
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 then
                 have
                 Compassion
                 on
                 these
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 comes
                 as
                 our
                 Judge
                 ;
                 as
                 now
                 he
                 has
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 acts
                 as
                 our
                 Priest
                 ,
                 and
                 intercedes
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Priests
                 had
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   can
                   he
                   have
                   compassion
                   on
                   the
                   Ignorant
                   ,
                   and
                   Erroneous
                   ,
                
                 or
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 †
                 
                 word
                 notes
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 
                   Suffer
                   in
                   moderation
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   reasonably
                   bear
                   with
                   them
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 men
                 are
                 Ignorant
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 neglect
                 to
                 learn
                 their
                 Duty
                 ,
                 nay
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 stop
                 their
                 Eyes
                 and
                 Ears
                 ,
                 and
                 Refuse
                 to
                 see
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 told
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Then
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 excuse
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 fail
                 of
                 performing
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 being
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Peter
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   willingly
                   Ignorant
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 he
                 will
                 shew
                 Favour
                 towards
                 our
                 involuntary
                 Failures
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 will
                 not
                 avail
                 us
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 Strict
                 and
                 Rigorous
                 in
                 judging
                 of
                 that
                 Involuntariness
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 alas
                 !
                 what
                 man
                 doth
                 all
                 that
                 is
                 Possible
                 ,
                 to
                 prevent
                 Ignorance
                 ,
                 or
                 Surprize
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 all
                 we
                 can
                 against
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 say
                 they
                 come
                 through
                 our
                 own
                 wills
                 and
                 sufferance
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 will
                 judge
                 in
                 Srictness
                 .
                 Will
                 he
                 therefore
                 shew
                 Candor
                 ,
                 in
                 judging
                 any
                 escapes
                 to
                 be
                 Pitiable
                 ,
                 and
                 unwill'd
                 Miscarriages
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 Candor
                 in
                 other
                 Things
                 will
                 not
                 support
                 us
                 in
                 his
                 Presence
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 He
                 will
                 shew
                 all
                 Reasonable
                 Favour
                 ,
                 in
                 admitting
                 Actions
                 for
                 involuntary
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 Child
                 could
                 expect
                 from
                 a
                 Wise
                 and
                 Tender
                 Father
                 ,
                 or
                 we
                 experiment
                 from
                 one
                 another
                 .
                 A
                 marvellous
                 Instance
                 we
                 have
                 of
                 his
                 Proneness
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 ill
                 Actions
                 ,
                 in
                 ascribing
                 his
                 own
                 Crucifixion
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 noted
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Jews
                 Ignorance
                 ,
                 which
                 seemed
                 so
                 lyable
                 to
                 be
                 imputed
                 to
                 Envy
                 ,
                 Malice
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 other
                 more
                 inexcusable
                 Principles
                 .
                 Thus
                 benign
                 he
                 was
                 upon
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 no
                 less
                 so
                 when
                 he
                 appears
                 in
                 Court.
                 He
                 will
                 only
                 have
                 more
                 Glory
                 and
                 Power
                 ,
                 not
                 less
                 Benignity
                 and
                 Candor
                 there
                 also
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 Christ
                 our
                 Judge
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 ,
                 will
                 very
                 graciously
                 bear
                 with
                 our
                 involuntary
                 failings
                 .
                 But
                 will
                 he
                 bear
                 also
                 with
                 any
                 
                   willful
                   Sins
                
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 transgress
                 wittingly
                 ,
                 or
                 against
                 our
                 Consciences
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   whatever
                   ill
                   proceeds
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   Heart
                   of
                   man
                   ,
                   defiles
                   the
                   man
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 15.
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 tho
                 innocent
                 Ignorance
                 plead
                 some
                 excuse
                 ;
                 yet
                 
                   when
                   a
                   man
                   knows
                   to
                   do
                   good
                   ,
                   and
                   doth
                   it
                   not
                   ,
                   to
                   him
                   't
                   is
                   Sin
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 4.
                 17.
                 
                 But
                 if
                 they
                 truly
                 Repent
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 amend
                 them
                 before
                 their
                 Death
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 Condemned
                 for
                 them
                 at
                 that
                 great
                 Day
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 O!
                 how
                 happy
                 are
                 we
                 in
                 this
                 marvellous
                 Clemency
                 and
                 Candor
                 of
                 our
                 Judge
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 be
                 so
                 ready
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 our
                 Good
                 Deeds
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 connive
                 at
                 our
                 ignorant
                 and
                 involuntary
                 Failings
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 pass
                 over
                 all
                 our
                 wilful
                 Sins
                 themselves
                 ,
                 upon
                 our
                 true
                 Repentance
                 .
                 But
                 besides
                 these
                 ignorant
                 and
                 inconsiderate
                 Failings
                 ,
                 have
                 we
                 not
                 many
                 other
                 
                   Natural
                   Infirmities
                
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 need
                 his
                 Clemency
                 and
                 Favour
                 towards
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 the
                 Natural
                 Uncertainty
                 of
                 our
                 Tempers
                 ;
                 our
                 Dulness
                 in
                 any
                 Duties
                 ,
                 more
                 especially
                 at
                 some
                 times
                 ;
                 our
                 Distractions
                 and
                 wandring
                 Thoughts
                 in
                 Prayers
                 ;
                 our
                 Desires
                 of
                 Praise
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 indirect
                 Aims
                 ,
                 intruding
                 into
                 our
                 best
                 Actions
                 ;
                 our
                 Natural
                 Backwardness
                 to
                 Good
                 ;
                 our
                 Remisness
                 and
                 Faintness
                 in
                 performing
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 being
                 soon
                 wearied
                 with
                 it
                 ;
                 our
                 
                 Weakness
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 in
                 believing
                 the
                 unseen
                 Things
                 God
                 has
                 promised
                 ;
                 our
                 great
                 Adherence
                 to
                 Worldly
                 and
                 Sensible
                 Things
                 ;
                 and
                 our
                 Unaffectedness
                 with
                 Spiritual
                 and
                 Divine
                 Objects
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
                 These
                 are
                 Infirmities
                 incident
                 to
                 the
                 best
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 cling
                 to
                 us
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 bear
                 these
                 Bodies
                 about
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 converse
                 with
                 the
                 Things
                 of
                 this
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 will
                 our
                 Equitable
                 and
                 Benign
                 Judge
                 ,
                 shew
                 favour
                 to
                 these
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 so
                 inseparable
                 from
                 our
                 Natures
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 Were
                 he
                 only
                 God
                 ,
                 we
                 might
                 be
                 more
                 prone
                 to
                 fear
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 look
                 more
                 at
                 the
                 just
                 Demand
                 of
                 God's
                 Laws
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 little
                 
                   touch'd
                   with
                   our
                   Infirmities
                
                 ,
                 which
                 hinder
                 us
                 from
                 fully
                 answering
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 for
                 this
                 very
                 end
                 he
                 took
                 our
                 Nature
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 submitting
                 to
                 our
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 and
                 conflicting
                 with
                 our
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 that
                 having
                 felt
                 and
                 experimented
                 them
                 in
                 himself
                 ,
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 more
                 feelingly
                 tender
                 ,
                 and
                 Compassionate
                 towards
                 them
                 in
                 us
                 .
                 
                   He
                   is
                   such
                   an
                   High-Priest
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   as
                   is
                   touched
                   with
                   the
                   feeling
                   of
                   our
                   infirmities
                   ,
                   having
                   been
                   tempted
                   as
                   we
                   are
                   in
                   all
                   Points
                   ,
                   tho'
                   without
                   Sin.
                   Therefore
                   let
                   us
                   come
                   with
                   Boldness
                   to
                   the
                   Throne
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 4.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 
                   It
                   behoved
                   him
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   be
                   made
                   like
                   unto
                   his
                   Brethren
                   in
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   might
                   be
                   ,
                
                 as
                 Faithful
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 merciful
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   having
                   been
                   Tempted
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 be
                 the
                 readier
                 to
                 
                 Consider
                 ,
                 and
                 Succour
                 our
                 infirmities
                 and
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 2.
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 This
                 sense
                 of
                 our
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 makes
                 him
                 ,
                 now
                 he
                 acts
                 in
                 Heaven
                 as
                 our
                 High-Priest
                 ,
                 most
                 compassionately
                 to
                 recommend
                 them
                 to
                 God's
                 mercy
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 sense
                 he
                 will
                 have
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 sits
                 upon
                 us
                 as
                 our
                 Judge
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 we
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 Graciously
                 Dispense
                 that
                 mercy
                 towards
                 them
                 which
                 before
                 he
                 interceded
                 for
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Besides
                 these
                 Natural
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 sorely
                 kept
                 back
                 by
                 many
                 
                   supervening
                   Disadvantages
                
                 .
                 Particularly
                 ,
                 by
                 multiplicity
                 of
                 Business
                 ;
                 which
                 causes
                 much
                 distraction
                 of
                 Thoughts
                 ,
                 and
                 Haste
                 in
                 Dispatch
                 ,
                 whence
                 arise
                 many
                 Errors
                 .
                 By
                 the
                 greatness
                 of
                 Temptations
                 ;
                 as
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 hastily
                 driven
                 to
                 do
                 ill
                 ,
                 through
                 some
                 great
                 and
                 sudden
                 Terrours
                 ,
                 or
                 urgent
                 necessities
                 ,
                 to
                 secure
                 our
                 Lives
                 ,
                 or
                 sustenance
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 our
                 Bodily
                 indispositions
                 ;
                 as
                 when
                 Sickness
                 ,
                 or
                 habitual
                 Pain
                 and
                 uneasiness
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 continual
                 succession
                 of
                 cross
                 Accidents
                 and
                 Provocations
                 ,
                 make
                 us
                 Pevish
                 and
                 impatient
                 ,
                 or
                 betray
                 us
                 into
                 other
                 rash
                 miscarriages
                 .
                 And
                 will
                 our
                 Candid
                 favourable
                 Judge
                 ,
                 make
                 abatements
                 for
                 these
                 
                   Providential
                   disadvantages
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 all
                 just
                 and
                 reasonable
                 abatements
                 he
                 will
                 exactly
                 consider
                 ,
                 and
                 fairly
                 and
                 equitably
                 allow
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 
                   They
                   that
                   sinned
                   without
                   Law
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 S.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   judged
                   without
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 with
                 such
                 abatements
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 allowable
                 to
                 those
                 ,
                 
                 who
                 wanted
                 the
                 Law
                 ;
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 such
                 stricter
                 Terms
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 reasonably
                 exacted
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 who
                 enjoy'd
                 it
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   The
                   time
                   of
                   Heathen
                   ignorance
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   winked
                   at
                
                 :
                 expecting
                 less
                 from
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 the
                 great
                 disadvantage
                 of
                 walking
                 in
                 the
                 dark
                 ,
                 Act.
                 17.
                 30.
                 
                 Where
                 these
                 disadvantages
                 betray
                 men
                 into
                 haste
                 ,
                 and
                 inadvertence
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 pitiable
                 involuntariness
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 graciously
                 connive
                 at
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 did
                 at
                 †
                 St.
                 Paul's
                 undutifulness
                 to
                 Ananias
                 ,
                 upon
                 a
                 sudden
                 provocation
                 ;
                 and
                 Job's
                 many
                 fretful
                 expostulations
                 ,
                 under
                 a
                 most
                 uneasie
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 heavy
                 Afflictions
                 ;
                 and
                 where
                 they
                 bring
                 guilt
                 ,
                 by
                 drawing
                 us
                 in
                 to
                 yield
                 ,
                 and
                 consent
                 to
                 those
                 sins
                 ,
                 whereto
                 they
                 expose
                 us
                 ;
                 on
                 their
                 account
                 he
                 will
                 exact
                 the
                 less
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 sins
                 will
                 be
                 sooner
                 expiated
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Judge
                 easilier
                 satisfied
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 more
                 moderate
                 Repentance
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 That
                 which
                 through
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 must
                 gain
                 us
                 acceptance
                 ,
                 is
                 our
                 good
                 deeds
                 .
                 But
                 may
                 not
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 us
                 all
                 find
                 defects
                 enow
                 even
                 in
                 these
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 Our
                 Zeal
                 for
                 God
                 is
                 not
                 all
                 Flame
                 ,
                 and
                 inexhaustible
                 activity
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul's
                 was
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 prompt
                 and
                 forward
                 in
                 any
                 act
                 of
                 Love
                 to
                 our
                 dear
                 Lord
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Peter
                 ;
                 so
                 slow
                 to
                 Anger
                 ,
                 as
                 Moses
                 ;
                 so
                 persevering
                 in
                 Patience
                 ,
                 as
                 Job
                 ;
                 so
                 intirely
                 affected
                 with
                 Divine
                 Things
                 ,
                 and
                 formed
                 after
                 Gods
                 own
                 Heart
                 ,
                 as
                 David
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 attain
                 to
                 be
                 submissive
                 under
                 
                 Crosses
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 arrive
                 ,
                 with
                 any
                 great
                 affectionateness
                 ,
                 to
                 thank
                 God
                 for
                 them
                 :
                 tho'
                 we
                 contentedly
                 bear
                 reproaches
                 for
                 Christ
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 take
                 pleasure
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 Count
                 Poverty
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
                 the
                 truest
                 Riches
                 ;
                 or
                 Labour
                 and
                 Travel
                 ,
                 an
                 ease
                 ;
                 or
                 Stripes
                 and
                 Imprisonments
                 ,
                 a
                 Triumph
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 Cross
                 ,
                 a
                 Crown
                 ;
                 like
                 the
                 Holy
                 Apostles
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 do
                 God's
                 will
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 intent
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 nor
                 so
                 sensibly
                 delighted
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 our
                 meat
                 and
                 drink
                 ,
                 like
                 our
                 
                   Blessed
                   Saviour
                
                 :
                 we
                 want
                 that
                 pitch
                 of
                 contempt
                 for
                 worldly
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 command
                 over
                 our
                 own
                 Appetites
                 ;
                 that
                 height
                 of
                 Abstinence
                 and
                 Self-denyal
                 ;
                 that
                 ease
                 ,
                 delight
                 ,
                 and
                 watchfulness
                 in
                 Prayer
                 ;
                 that
                 Assiduity
                 and
                 Pleasure
                 in
                 Divine
                 Meditations
                 ;
                 that
                 depth
                 of
                 Humility
                 ,
                 and
                 poverty
                 of
                 Spirit
                 ;
                 that
                 fervour
                 of
                 Charity
                 ;
                 that
                 promptness
                 to
                 shew
                 kindnesses
                 ,
                 and
                 gladness
                 in
                 doing
                 them
                 ;
                 that
                 backwardness
                 to
                 admit
                 of
                 Provocation
                 ;
                 that
                 easiness
                 in
                 forgetting
                 ,
                 and
                 remitting
                 injuries
                 ,
                 which
                 some
                 of
                 God's
                 Saints
                 have
                 happily
                 enjoy'd
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 which
                 they
                 have
                 been
                 most
                 highly
                 Rewarded
                 .
              
               
                 Quest
                 And
                 will
                 not
                 this
                 failure
                 of
                 Degrees
                 in
                 good
                 things
                 ,
                 need
                 a
                 like
                 Indulgence
                 from
                 this
                 compassionate
                 and
                 benign
                 Judge
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 and
                 find
                 it
                 too
                 .
                 For
                 these
                 heighths
                 and
                 eminent
                 degrees
                 of
                 Virtue
                 ,
                 he
                 proposes
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 with
                 more
                 resplendant
                 Crowns
                 of
                 Glory
                 to
                 recompence
                 them
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 noble
                 examples
                 that
                 lead
                 on
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 not
                 as
                 
                   indispensable
                   Articles
                   of
                   Salvation
                
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 required
                 as
                 Things
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 hard
                 for
                 any
                 to
                 attain
                 ,
                 praise
                 worthy
                 to
                 attempt
                 ,
                 and
                 pardonable
                 to
                 miss
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 Gems
                 ,
                 that
                 adorn
                 and
                 set
                 off
                 ;
                 or
                 Radiant
                 Crowns
                 ,
                 which
                 surround
                 the
                 brightest
                 Stars
                 ;
                 but
                 Stars
                 they
                 are
                 still
                 ,
                 which
                 want
                 these
                 Glories
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 ,
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 a
                 great
                 Latitude
                 in
                 virtuous
                 attainments
                 on
                 the
                 side
                 of
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 will
                 not
                 screw
                 up
                 all
                 he
                 saves
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 certain
                 Standard
                 of
                 perfection
                 ,
                 or
                 require
                 them
                 all
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 size
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 the
                 Tenor
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 it self
                 ,
                 is
                 only
                 to
                 
                   obey
                   God
                   with
                
                 †
                 
                   all
                   our
                   strength
                
                 :
                 but
                 that
                 strength
                 is
                 more
                 in
                 some
                 ,
                 than
                 it
                 is
                 in
                 others
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 weak
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 strong
                 ,
                 among
                 Christ's
                 accepted
                 Servants
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 different
                 Magnitudes
                 among
                 the
                 Glorified
                 Saints
                 ,
                 as
                 there
                 are
                 among
                 the
                 
                   Sun
                   ,
                   Moon
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Stars
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Prophet
                 †
                 Daniels
                 ,
                 and
                 St.
                 †
                 Pauls
                 ;
                 or
                 the
                 different
                 Rooms
                 and
                 Mansions
                 of
                 a
                 Stately
                 Palace
                 ,
                 in
                 our
                 Blessed
                 †
                 Lords
                 resemblance
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 St.
                 Paul
                 could
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   labour'd
                   more
                   abundantly
                   than
                   they
                   all
                   ,
                
                 even
                 among
                 the
                 
                   Blessed
                   Apostles
                
                 themselves
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 10.
                 
                 Thus
                 do
                 very
                 widely
                 distant
                 ,
                 and
                 unequal
                 virtues
                 ,
                 all
                 meet
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 each
                 Beatified
                 in
                 their
                 several
                 Proportions
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   soweth
                   much
                   ,
                   shall
                   reap
                   much
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   soweth
                   little
                   shall
                   reap
                   little
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 but
                 both
                 are
                 to
                 reap
                 something
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 9.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 Parable
                 †
                 
                   according
                   to
                   their
                   several
                   Abilities
                
                 ,
                 one
                 Servant
                 improved
                 his
                 Pound
                 to
                 ten
                 Pounds
                 ,
                 Luk
                 19.
                 16.
                 another
                 his
                 ,
                 to
                 five
                 Pounds
                 ,
                 v.
                 18.
                 and
                 a
                 third
                 ,
                 only
                 doubled
                 his
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 22.
                 
                 But
                 yet
                 all
                 these
                 were
                 welcomed
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 
                   well
                   done
                   ,
                   thou
                   Good
                   and
                   Faithful
                   Servant
                   .
                
                 And
                 as
                 he
                 that
                 gain'd
                 
                   Ten
                   Pounds
                
                 ,
                 had
                 
                   the
                   Rule
                   over
                   ten
                   Cities
                
                 ;
                 and
                 he
                 who
                 gain'd
                 five
                 ,
                 had
                 
                   Authority
                   over
                   five
                   Cities
                
                 :
                 so
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 only
                 
                   doubled
                   his
                   Talents
                
                 ,
                 was
                 recompensed
                 with
                 a
                 proportionable
                 Reward
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 19.
                 17
                 ,
                 19.
                 and
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 Christ
                 will
                 not
                 require
                 us
                 all
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 as
                 tall
                 in
                 Spiritual
                 stature
                 as
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 graciously
                 accept
                 of
                 inferiour
                 virtues
                 ,
                 and
                 encourage
                 them
                 with
                 proportionable
                 Recompences
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 will
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 if
                 even
                 these
                 small
                 and
                 slender
                 things
                 ,
                 are
                 performed
                 with
                 much
                 Difficulty
                 and
                 Reluctance
                 ?
                 It
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 little
                 good
                 we
                 do
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 forward
                 to
                 catch
                 at
                 good
                 motions
                 ,
                 nor
                 presently
                 yield
                 to
                 a
                 virtuous
                 Discourse
                 ,
                 or
                 good
                 Advice
                 ,
                 but
                 adhere
                 a
                 while
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 self-will
                 ,
                 chiefly
                 in
                 cases
                 against
                 our
                 own
                 humour
                 ,
                 inclinations
                 or
                 former
                 opinions
                 ,
                 though
                 we
                 do
                 the
                 thing
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 after
                 some
                 disputings
                 with
                 our selves
                 .
                 And
                 will
                 this
                 gracious
                 Judge
                 accept
                 of
                 such
                 slow
                 ,
                 and
                 backward
                 services
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 stood
                 out
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   said
                   he
                   would
                   not
                   go
                   work
                   in
                   the
                   Vineyard
                   ,
                
                 
                 but
                 after
                 he
                 had
                 better
                 considered
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   repented
                   ,
                   and
                   went
                
                 ,
                 is
                 judged
                 by
                 our
                 Saviour
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 number
                 of
                 those
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   do
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   his
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 21.
                 29
                 ,
                 31.
                 
                 Easiness
                 ,
                 and
                 alacrity
                 in
                 closing
                 with
                 good
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 perfection
                 of
                 virtue
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 receive
                 a
                 greater
                 Recompence
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 obey
                 at
                 all
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 be
                 with
                 Reluctance
                 and
                 Disputings
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 List
                 of
                 Servants
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 of
                 Rebels
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 rewards
                 still
                 ,
                 though
                 in
                 smaller
                 Proportions
                 .
                 Albeit
                 
                   the
                   Flesh
                   lust
                   against
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 yet
                 if
                 
                   we
                   do
                   not
                   fulfill
                   its
                   Lusts
                   ,
                
                 but
                 the
                 Spirit
                 prevails
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   walk
                   in
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 truly
                 Regenerate
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 ,
                 alas
                 !
                 the
                 little
                 good
                 we
                 do
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 thus
                 defective
                 in
                 degrees
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 oft-times
                 polluted
                 by
                 
                   impure
                   mixtures
                
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 do
                 an
                 act
                 of
                 honour
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 instance
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 too
                 apt
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 it
                 serve
                 our
                 own
                 vanity
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 seek
                 thereby
                 our
                 own
                 Praise
                 .
                 In
                 censuring
                 and
                 reproving
                 others
                 Vices
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 degree
                 ,
                 we
                 gratifie
                 our
                 own
                 peevishness
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 corrupt
                 passions
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 in
                 other
                 Cases
                 .
                 And
                 can
                 we
                 expect
                 any
                 reward
                 at
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 this
                 Benign
                 Judge
                 ,
                 for
                 such
                 impure
                 Services
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 through
                 his
                 infinite
                 mercy
                 and
                 goodness
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 so
                 Candid
                 ,
                 and
                 inclined
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 overlook
                 some
                 compassionable
                 and
                 lesser
                 ill
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 twisted
                 with
                 it
                 ;
                 passing
                 by
                 the
                 ill
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 
                 humbled
                 and
                 sorry
                 for
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 not
                 throwing
                 away
                 the
                 good
                 for
                 the
                 evil's
                 sake
                 .
                 Thus
                 in
                 the
                 mixt
                 action
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Egyptian
                   Midwives
                
                 ;
                 he
                 commends
                 ,
                 and
                 rewards
                 their
                 
                   Pious
                   Charity
                
                 ,
                 and
                 passes
                 over
                 their
                 
                   Officious
                   falseness
                
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 1.
                 19
                 ,
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 
                 Rahab's
                 case
                 ,
                 he
                 recompences
                 her
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   the
                   true
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   friendship
                   for
                   the
                   Spyes
                
                 ,
                 and
                 winks
                 at
                 the
                 insincerity
                 of
                 her
                 
                   feign'd
                   excuse
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 2.
                 25.
                 and
                 Josh.
                 2.
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 9.
                 yea
                 ,
                 in
                 censuring
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 virtues
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 liberties
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 justifiable
                 in
                 the
                 main
                 ,
                 but
                 culpable
                 in
                 some
                 pitiable
                 circumstance
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 observe
                 in
                 the
                 Action
                 what
                 may
                 bear
                 it
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 humbled
                 for
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 to
                 draw
                 a
                 vail
                 over
                 what
                 may
                 pitiably
                 be
                 connived
                 at
                 :
                 as
                 our
                 Lord
                 did
                 in
                 mentioning
                 
                 David's
                 
                   eating
                   of
                   the
                   Shew-bread
                
                 ,
                 vindicating
                 him
                 on
                 account
                 of
                 that
                 necessity
                 which
                 authorized
                 ,
                 not
                 censuring
                 him
                 on
                 account
                 of
                 that
                 falshood
                 whereby
                 he
                 procured
                 it
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 12.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 said
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 we
                 Pray
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   give
                   Alms
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Fast
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Praise
                   of
                   men
                   ,
                   we
                   shall
                   lose
                   our
                   reward
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 6.
                 2
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 when
                 the
                 main
                 design
                 of
                 our
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 or
                 Alms
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 good
                 Deeds
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 commended
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 do
                 them
                 but
                 in
                 hopes
                 of
                 that
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 Acting
                 Principally
                 for
                 commendations
                 sake
                 ,
                 we
                 serve
                 our
                 own
                 Pride
                 and
                 Vanity
                 ,
                 but
                 do
                 not
                 serve
                 God.
                 But
                 when
                 our
                 chief
                 
                 aim
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 please
                 God
                 ,
                 he
                 accepts
                 a
                 Good
                 work
                 ,
                 though
                 some
                 pitiable
                 defect
                 adhere
                 ,
                 or
                 pardonable
                 faultiness
                 be
                 unwarily
                 let
                 in
                 and
                 combined
                 with
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 in
                 contemplating
                 all
                 this
                 Indulgence
                 of
                 our
                 Judge
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 think
                 his
                 favour
                 will
                 pass
                 into
                 fondness
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 bear
                 with
                 all
                 we
                 do
                 ,
                 and
                 spy
                 no
                 faults
                 in
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 good
                 and
                 candid
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 before
                 ,
                 is
                 he
                 a
                 most
                 Righteous
                 and
                 just
                 Judge
                 .
                 What
                 he
                 will
                 give
                 to
                 
                   our
                   infirmities
                
                 ,
                 St.
                 Paul
                 calls
                 †
                 moderate
                 and
                 
                   reasonable
                   allowance
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 2.
                 
                 He
                 bears
                 in
                 him
                 the
                 most
                 exact
                 temperament
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 and
                 Severity
                 :
                 being
                 most
                 prone
                 to
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 in
                 every
                 compassionable
                 Case
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 inexorably
                 bent
                 on
                 Justice
                 ,
                 where
                 't
                 is
                 reasonable
                 ,
                 and
                 fit
                 ●o
                 inflict
                 Vengeance
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 shewn
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 will
                 use
                 all
                 this
                 Candor
                 in
                 constructions
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 these
                 favourable
                 Allowances
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 brought
                 to
                 his
                 Bar
                 upon
                 our
                 Tryals
                 .
                 Would
                 he
                 not
                 have
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 mean
                 time
                 ,
                 to
                 promise
                 to
                 our selves
                 ,
                 and
                 expect
                 all
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 or
                 else
                 considering
                 the
                 infirmities
                 and
                 defects
                 of
                 most
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 Followers
                 ,
                 we
                 could
                 never
                 have
                 any
                 comfortable
                 hope
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 much
                 less
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 desire
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Pray
                   for
                   his
                   Appearance
                
                 .
                 And
                 yet
                 the
                 Apostles
                 give
                 this
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Character
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 acceptable
                 
                 Christians
                 ,
                 who
                 may
                 therefore
                 hope
                 to
                 be
                 made
                 happy
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 qualified
                 for
                 it
                 according
                 to
                 Humane
                 measures
                 .
                 The
                 
                   Crown
                   of
                   Righteousness
                   is
                   for
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   that
                   love
                   his
                   appearing
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 8.
                 
                 
                   Look
                   for
                   ,
                   and
                
                 ,
                 by
                 your
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 
                   haste
                   on
                   the
                   coming
                   of
                   the
                   great
                   Day
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 Peter
                 ,
                 2
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 12.
                 
                 
                   Come
                   ,
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   come
                   quickly
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 John
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 22.
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 our
                 daily
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 our
                 Lord
                 himself
                 has
                 taught
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   every
                   day
                
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   thy
                   Kingdom
                   come
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Are
                 we
                 not
                 indebted
                 for
                 all
                 this
                 indulgence
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 merit
                 of
                 his
                 Death
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   we
                   are
                   accepted
                   in
                   the
                   Beloved
                   ,
                   in
                   whom
                   we
                   have
                   Redemption
                   through
                   his
                   Blood
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 1
                 ,
                 6.
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 owing
                 all
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 both
                 Pray
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   give
                   thanks
                
                 for
                 it
                 
                   in
                   his
                   Name
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 14.
                 13.
                 
                 &
                 Eph.
                 5.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 All
                 these
                 acts
                 of
                 favour
                 you
                 have
                 recited
                 ,
                 are
                 marvellous
                 instances
                 of
                 Gods
                 clemency
                 to
                 all
                 his
                 faithful
                 Servants
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 encourages
                 us
                 to
                 expect
                 them
                 at
                 his
                 hands
                 .
                 But
                 are
                 we
                 sure
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 stand
                 to
                 these
                 Gospel
                 Terms
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 most
                 sure
                 .
                 For
                 he
                 never
                 repents
                 of
                 his
                 promises
                 ,
                 nor
                 can
                 deny
                 himself
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 who
                 once
                 came
                 from
                 God
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 these
                 gracious
                 offers
                 ,
                 is
                 then
                 to
                 come
                 and
                 Judge
                 us
                 according
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 good
                 his
                 own
                 Proposals
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 since
                 there
                 may
                 seem
                 the
                 same
                 Reason
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 retaining
                 them
                 on
                 
                 to
                 the
                 consummation
                 ,
                 as
                 for
                 his
                 resuming
                 them
                 at
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 probably
                 come
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 Ancients
                 have
                 thought
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Glorious
                 Scars
                 of
                 the
                 Spear
                 and
                 Nails
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 signs
                 of
                 his
                 Meritorious
                 wounds
                 ,
                 which
                 purchased
                 all
                 this
                 Grace
                 ,
                 about
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 the
                 Wicked
                 †
                 
                   shall
                   look
                   on
                   him
                   whom
                   they
                   have
                   pierced
                   ,
                
                 with
                 horror
                 and
                 consternation
                 :
                 so
                 shall
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 with
                 unspeakable
                 comfort
                 ,
                 most
                 joyfully
                 beholding
                 in
                 his
                 wounds
                 ,
                 both
                 the
                 heighth
                 of
                 their
                 most
                 dear
                 and
                 compassionate
                 Judge's
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Price
                 and
                 assurance
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 indulgence
                 of
                 our
                 Almighty
                 Judge
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 an
                 inexhaustible
                 Fountain
                 of
                 ravishing
                 joy
                 and
                 comfort
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 serious
                 and
                 considerate
                 minds
                 .
                 And
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 without
                 such
                 clemency
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 described
                 ,
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 the
                 future
                 judgment
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 a
                 very
                 melancholly
                 consideration
                 to
                 the
                 best
                 Persons
                 .
                 But
                 expecting
                 so
                 much
                 Candor
                 and
                 Benignity
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 cause
                 enough
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 look
                 for
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 love
                 and
                 desire
                 his
                 appearing
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 to
                 good
                 men
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 They
                 shall
                 be
                 sentenced
                 to
                 an
                 Everlasting
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 Rewarded
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 Happiness
                 of
                 an
                 Eternal
                 Kingdom
                 .
                 For
                 having
                 fairly
                 ,
                 and
                 impartially
                 heard
                 their
                 Cause
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 all
                 these
                 Allowances
                 ,
                 and
                 found
                 them
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 say
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   Come
                   ye
                   Blessed
                
                 
                 
                   Children
                   of
                   my
                   Father
                   ,
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   prepared
                   for
                   you
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   Beginning
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 34.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 in
                 that
                 Allotment
                 ,
                 and
                 Proportioning
                 of
                 Rewards
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 consider
                 the
                 Difficulties
                 ,
                 and
                 Oppositions
                 in
                 Doing
                 Good
                 ,
                 which
                 some
                 Men
                 meet
                 withal
                 above
                 others
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 As
                 these
                 Tryals
                 and
                 Temptations
                 ,
                 are
                 Proofs
                 of
                 a
                 greater
                 Love
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 in
                 proportion
                 be
                 a
                 Ground
                 of
                 a
                 Greater
                 Reward
                 .
                 Thus
                 St
                 ,
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   adding
                   of
                   Affliction
                   to
                   his
                   Bonds
                   ,
                
                 or
                 Multiplying
                 his
                 Trouble
                 in
                 
                   preaching
                   of
                   the
                   Word
                
                 ,
                 would
                 surely
                 
                   turn
                   to
                   his
                   greater
                   Salvation
                
                 in
                 the
                 End
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 1.
                 16
                 ,
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Will
                 he
                 also
                 consider
                 the
                 Costliness
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 done
                 ,
                 with
                 hazard
                 ,
                 or
                 Loss
                 of
                 their
                 Friends
                 or
                 Estates
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 Lives
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 one
                 single
                 Act
                 under
                 such
                 hazards
                 ,
                 may
                 shew
                 as
                 much
                 Religious
                 Love
                 and
                 Zeal
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 suffice
                 to
                 great
                 Numbers
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 free
                 from
                 such
                 incumbrances
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 obey
                 God
                 with
                 present
                 Damage
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 only
                 consider
                 our
                 Services
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 Loss
                 in
                 his
                 Cause
                 ;
                 and
                 recompence
                 abundantly
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 all
                 we
                 did
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 all
                 we
                 suffered
                 for
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 
                   every
                   one
                   that
                   forsakes
                   Houses
                   ,
                   or
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   or
                   Sisters
                   ,
                   or
                   Father
                   ,
                   or
                   Mother
                   ,
                   or
                   Wife
                   ,
                   or
                   Children
                   ,
                   or
                   Lands
                   ,
                   for
                   my
                   Name
                   's
                   sake
                   ,
                
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   receive
                
                 therefore
                 
                   an
                   hundred
                   fold
                
                 ,
                 Mat
                 19.
                 29.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 
                 
                   Martyrs
                   that
                   were
                   beheaded
                   for
                   the
                   Witness
                   of
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   shall
                   rise
                   first
                   ,
                   and
                   Reign
                   with
                   Christ
                   a
                   thousand
                   years
                   ;
                   but
                   the
                   Rest
                   of
                   the
                   Dead
                   ,
                   not
                   till
                   the
                   thousand
                   years
                   are
                   finished
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 whensoever
                 God
                 calls
                 Men
                 to
                 suffer
                 for
                 Righteousness
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 not
                 look
                 upon
                 it
                 as
                 a
                 Calamitous
                 Scourge
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 a
                 Favour
                 and
                 Priviledge
                 ,
                 such
                 Suffering
                 being
                 sent
                 ,
                 in
                 Truth
                 ,
                 as
                 opportunities
                 of
                 accumulating
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 and
                 securing
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 more
                 ample
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 when
                 their
                 Sufferings
                 proceed
                 to
                 Blood
                 ,
                 more
                 early
                 shares
                 of
                 the
                 Future
                 Glories
                 .
                 
                   To
                   you
                   't
                   is
                   given
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   behalf
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   not
                   only
                   to
                   believe
                   on
                   him
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   to
                   suffer
                   for
                   his
                   sake
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 1.
                 29.
                 
                 
                   Count
                   it
                   all
                   joy
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   James
                   ,
                   when
                   you
                   fall
                   into
                   diverse
                   Temptations
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
                 
                   When
                   you
                   are
                   Reviled
                   ,
                   and
                   Slandered
                   ,
                   and
                   Persecuted
                   for
                   Righteousness
                   sake
                   ,
                
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 then
                 think
                 your selves
                 
                   Blessed
                   ,
                   and
                   Rejoice
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   exceeding
                   glad
                   ,
                   for
                   your
                   Reward
                   in
                   Heaven
                   shall
                   be
                   great
                
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 5.
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 As
                 the
                 Apostles
                 did
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 
                   when
                   the
                   Council
                   had
                   beaten
                   them
                   ,
                   departed
                   from
                   their
                   Presence
                   ,
                   rejoicing
                   that
                   they
                   were
                   counted
                   worthy
                   to
                   suffer
                   shame
                   for
                   Christ's
                   Name
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 5.
                 40
                 ,
                 41.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Hebrews
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   took
                   joyfully
                   the
                   spoiling
                   of
                   their
                   Goods
                   ,
                   as
                   knowing
                   they
                   had
                   in
                   Heaven
                   a
                   better
                   and
                   more
                   Durable
                   Substance
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 34.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 numbers
                 of
                 the
                 Evils
                 we
                 endure
                 ,
                 come
                 not
                 on
                 us
                 for
                 keeping
                 God's
                 Commandments
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 as
                 our
                 share
                 of
                 
                 that
                 Misery
                 and
                 Trouble
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 has
                 allotted
                 for
                 us
                 in
                 this
                 Life
                 .
                 And
                 will
                 he
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 Rate
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 consider
                 any
                 persons
                 having
                 endured
                 more
                 Poverty
                 ,
                 Oppression
                 ,
                 Shame
                 ,
                 or
                 Sickness
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 than
                 other
                 good
                 Persons
                 ,
                 who
                 yet
                 are
                 no
                 better
                 ,
                 nor
                 Dearer
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 than
                 themselves
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 I
                 suppose
                 he
                 will
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 
                   no
                   Respecter
                   of
                   Persons
                
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 Persons
                 of
                 equal
                 ,
                 or
                 higher
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 present
                 ordering
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 want
                 much
                 of
                 their
                 Brethrens
                 Temporal
                 Encouragements
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 hope
                 for
                 a
                 more
                 Liberal
                 share
                 in
                 a
                 better
                 place
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 extraordinary
                 Measure
                 of
                 
                   Evil
                   things
                
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 
                   present
                   time
                   ,
                   Lazarus
                
                 had
                 a
                 proportionable
                 surplusage
                 of
                 Good
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Abraham's
                   Bosom
                
                 ,
                 Luk.
                 16.
                 24.
                 
                 
                   Blessed
                   are
                   ye
                   that
                
                 live
                 in
                 Poverty
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Hunger
                   now
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   ye
                   shall
                   be
                   filled
                   .
                   Blessed
                   are
                   ye
                   that
                   weep
                   now
                   ,
                   for
                   ye
                   shall
                   laugh
                   .
                
                 Noteing
                 thereby
                 ,
                 such
                 an
                 ample
                 Recompence
                 for
                 these
                 present
                 Evils
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 render
                 them
                 to
                 all
                 good
                 Men
                 ,
                 not
                 the
                 Miseries
                 ,
                 as
                 this
                 World
                 esteems
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 truest
                 Favours
                 ,
                 and
                 Gainful
                 Blessings
                 of
                 their
                 Lives
                 ,
                 Luke
                 6.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 This
                 seeming
                 inequality
                 of
                 Gods
                 present
                 Distributions
                 ,
                 which
                 lies
                 upon
                 Providence
                 ,
                 will
                 then
                 be
                 cleared
                 up
                 by
                 a
                 full
                 and
                 Liberal
                 Amends
                 .
                 For
                 
                   then
                   ,
                   God's
                   Righteousness
                   in
                   Judgment
                   ,
                
                 that
                 in
                 great
                 part
                 lay
                 hid
                 before
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 fully
                 Revealed
                 and
                 made
                 manifest
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 2.
                 5.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 he
                 deals
                 thus
                 graciously
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 good
                 ,
                 how
                 will
                 he
                 proceed
                 with
                 
                   ill
                   Men
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 In
                 all
                 the
                 equity
                 of
                 a
                 fair
                 Tryal
                 ,
                 but
                 yet
                 to
                 a
                 just
                 Condemnation
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 bears
                 with
                 all
                 Natural
                 Infirmities
                 ,
                 and
                 reasonably
                 abates
                 for
                 outward
                 Impediments
                 ,
                 and
                 connives
                 at
                 involuntary
                 Failings
                 ,
                 and
                 forgives
                 all
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 the
                 Penitents
                 ;
                 he
                 will
                 avenge
                 the
                 willful
                 Sins
                 of
                 all
                 impenitent
                 Persons
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 their
                 Deserts
                 .
                 For
                 
                   he
                   will
                   judge
                   the
                   World
                   in
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 17.
                 31.
                 
                 
                   To
                   the
                   wicked
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   say
                   ,
                   Depart
                   from
                   me
                   ye
                   workers
                   of
                   iniquity
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 7.
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 
                   they
                   ,
                   that
                   have
                   done
                   Good
                   ,
                   come
                   forth
                   to
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Life
                   ;
                   they
                   that
                   have
                   done
                   Evil
                   ,
                   shall
                   come
                   to
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Damnation
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 29.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 Punishment
                 shall
                 these
                 Miserable
                 Men
                 be
                 condemned
                 to
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 All
                 the
                 Plagues
                 of
                 Hell
                 ,
                 where
                 their
                 Spirits
                 shall
                 always
                 be
                 gnawed
                 and
                 preyed
                 upon
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Worm
                 of
                 Conscience
                 ;
                 and
                 their
                 Bodies
                 scorched
                 with
                 Fire
                 and
                 Flames
                 .
                 
                   Go
                   ye
                   cursed
                   into
                   everlasting
                   Fire
                   ,
                   prepared
                   for
                   the
                   Devil
                   and
                   his
                   Angels
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 41.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 have
                 all
                 the
                 smart
                 of
                 Fire
                 ,
                 where
                 't
                 is
                 the
                 hottest
                 :
                 being
                 
                   cast
                   into
                   a
                   Furnace
                   of
                   Fire
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 13.
                 42.
                 and
                 
                   into
                   a
                   Lake
                   of
                   Fire
                   ,
                   burning
                   with
                   Brimstone
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 19.
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 there
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   the
                   Fire
                   is
                   not
                   quenched
                
                 ,
                 so
                 
                   their
                   Worm
                
                 of
                 Conscience
                 
                   Dyeth
                   not
                
                 ,
                 Mar.
                 9.
                 44.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 shall
                 all
                 these
                 Dreadful
                 Miseries
                 seize
                 them
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 So
                 soon
                 as
                 this
                 Terrible
                 Sentence
                 ,
                 of
                 
                   Go
                   ye
                   Cursed
                   into
                   everlasting
                   Fire
                   ,
                
                 is
                 solemnly
                 passed
                 upon
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 this
                 way
                 of
                 Effecting
                 things
                 ,
                 is
                 by
                 his
                 Omnipotent
                 Word
                 .
                 When
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   let
                   there
                   be
                   Light
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Earth
                 ,
                 immediately
                 there
                 was
                 so
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 Gen
                 ,
                 1.
                 3
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   go
                   ye
                   Cursed
                   into
                   everlasting
                   Fire
                   ,
                
                 in
                 obedience
                 to
                 that
                 all-powerful
                 Word
                 ,
                 streight-way
                 a
                 Fire
                 shall
                 come
                 forth
                 from
                 his
                 Presence
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 seize
                 on
                 the
                 whole
                 Earth
                 ,
                 and
                 Air
                 ,
                 where
                 his
                 Adversaries
                 Abode
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 it
                 all
                 on
                 fire
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 turning
                 all
                 this
                 lower
                 World
                 ,
                 which
                 probably
                 thenceforwards
                 is
                 to
                 serve
                 for
                 no
                 other
                 use
                 ,
                 into
                 one
                 intire
                 Globe
                 of
                 Fire
                 ,
                 or
                 Flaming
                 Furnace
                 .
                 The
                 Fire
                 that
                 shall
                 Torment
                 and
                 Scorch
                 the
                 Damned
                 ,
                 at
                 
                   the
                   coming
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                   ,
                   shall
                   burn
                   up
                   the
                   Earth
                   ,
                   and
                   melt
                   the
                   Elements
                   ,
                
                 and
                 Crack
                 
                   the
                   Heavens
                
                 ,
                 making
                 them
                 
                   dissolve
                   ,
                   and
                   pass
                   away
                   with
                   a
                   Great
                   Noise
                   ,
                
                 says
                 St.
                 Peter
                 ,
                 2
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 10
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Heavens
                   ,
                   and
                   Earth
                   that
                   are
                   now
                   ,
                
                 says
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   are
                   kept
                   in
                   store
                   ,
                   and
                   reserved
                   unto
                   Fire
                   ,
                   against
                   the
                   Day
                   of
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   and
                   Perdition
                   of
                   Ungodly
                   Men
                
                 ;
                 the
                 Fire
                 that
                 shall
                 break
                 out
                 from
                 God
                 upon
                 the
                 Ungodly
                 ,
                 being
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 ,
                 to
                 seize
                 and
                 dissolve
                 them
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 7.
                 
                 And
                 
                   the
                   Fire
                   that
                   comes
                   down
                   from
                   God
                   ,
                   to
                   devour
                   and
                   torment
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   he
                   has
                   deceived
                   ,
                   Day
                   and
                   Night
                   ,
                   for
                   ever
                
                 ;
                 shall
                 make
                 
                   the
                   Earth
                   and
                   Heaven
                   that
                   now
                   is
                   ,
                   flee
                   away
                   ,
                
                 as
                 may
                 seem
                 from
                 St.
                 John
                 ,
                 and
                 leave
                 nothing
                 ,
                 
                   but
                   a
                   devouring
                   Hell
                
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 
                 
                   World
                   of
                   never
                   Dying
                   Fire
                   and
                   Flame
                   ,
                
                 in
                 its
                 place
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 20.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 14.
                 and
                 c.
                 21.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 once
                 this
                 is
                 kindled
                 ,
                 those
                 forelorn
                 Wretches
                 may
                 †
                 cry
                 in
                 vain
                 to
                 
                   the
                   Hills
                   to
                   fall
                   on
                   them
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   to
                   the
                   Rocks
                   to
                   cover
                   them
                   .
                
                 For
                 every
                 Cave
                 is
                 then
                 a
                 Furnace
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 high
                 Hill
                 a
                 Flaming
                 Mountain
                 :
                 a
                 Fervent
                 Heat
                 has
                 melted
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 nothing
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 felt
                 or
                 seen
                 ,
                 but
                 boyling
                 Element
                 ,
                 and
                 scorching
                 Fire
                 all
                 about
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Oh!
                 the
                 wonder
                 of
                 God's
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 displayed
                 towards
                 all
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Terror
                 of
                 his
                 Judgments
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 then
                 be
                 inflicted
                 on
                 all
                 incorrigible
                 Offenders
                 !
                 Must
                 not
                 this
                 expectation
                 of
                 
                   Christ's
                   future
                   Judgment
                
                 of
                 us
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 our
                 Actions
                 ,
                 make
                 us
                 very
                 careful
                 how
                 we
                 lead
                 our
                 Lives
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 it
                 should
                 do
                 it
                 above
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 We
                 must
                 account
                 for
                 all
                 our
                 Thoughts
                 ,
                 Words
                 ,
                 and
                 Actions
                 .
                 And
                 an
                 Eternity
                 of
                 highest
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 or
                 Woe
                 ,
                 depends
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 we
                 make
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 we
                 had
                 need
                 to
                 do
                 all
                 things
                 here
                 with
                 such
                 care
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 taken
                 to
                 task
                 at
                 that
                 Great
                 Day
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 give
                 in
                 a
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 comfortable
                 account
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Seeing
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 more
                 terrible
                 in
                 punishing
                 all
                 ungodly
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 
                   what
                   manner
                   of
                   Persons
                   ought
                   we
                   to
                   be
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   holy
                   Conversation
                   ,
                   and
                   Godliness
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 That
                 day
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 will
                 surprize
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 
                   Thief
                   in
                   the
                   Night
                
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 
                 is
                 most
                 uncertain
                 to
                 every
                 Man
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 be
                 called
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 Ought
                 not
                 that
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 every
                 day
                 secure
                 our
                 Peace
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 watch
                 always
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 a
                 readiness
                 ,
                 and
                 preparation
                 for
                 that
                 great
                 Account
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 room
                 for
                 preparation
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 are
                 unprepared
                 when
                 he
                 calls
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Foolish
                   Virgins
                
                 experienced
                 to
                 their
                 cost
                 .
                 
                   Watch
                   therefore
                   ,
                   for
                   ye
                   know
                   neither
                   the
                   Day
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   Hour
                   ,
                   wherein
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   Man
                   cometh
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 Christ
                 has
                 reserved
                 the
                 judgment
                 of
                 all
                 Men
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 who
                 best
                 knows
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 alone
                 is
                 able
                 unerringly
                 to
                 judge
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 Must
                 not
                 this
                 make
                 us
                 wary
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 judge
                 and
                 censure
                 one
                 another
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 by
                 all
                 means
                 ;
                 for
                 this
                 Judgment
                 he
                 esteems
                 an
                 usurpation
                 upon
                 his
                 Office.
                 
                   Why
                   doest
                   thou
                   judge
                   thy
                   Brother
                   ,
                   or
                   why
                   doest
                   thou
                   set
                   at
                   naught
                   thy
                   Brother
                   ?
                   We
                   shall
                   all
                   stand
                   at
                   the
                   Judgment
                   Seat
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 14.
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Who
                   art
                   thou
                   that
                   Judgest
                   another
                   Man's
                   Servant
                   ?
                   To
                   his
                   own
                   Master
                   he
                   stands
                   ,
                   or
                   falls
                   ,
                
                 ver
                 .
                 4.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 he
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 Authority
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 so
                 we
                 are
                 unfit
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 cannot
                 see
                 each
                 others
                 Hearts
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 ,
                 in
                 many
                 Censures
                 we
                 pass
                 ,
                 can
                 have
                 no
                 true
                 Judgment
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 Actions
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 has
                 .
                 
                   Judge
                   nothing
                   before
                   the
                   Time
                   ,
                   until
                   the
                   Lord
                   come
                   ,
                   who
                   will
                   bring
                   to
                   Light
                   the
                   hidden
                   things
                   of
                   Darkness
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   make
                   manifest
                   the
                   Counsels
                   of
                   the
                   Hearts
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 since
                 God
                 will
                 clear
                 the
                 Innocent
                 ,
                 before
                 Men
                 and
                 Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 judgment
                 set
                 all
                 right
                 at
                 last
                 :
                 Is
                 not
                 this
                 a
                 support
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 under
                 all
                 the
                 unjust
                 Slanders
                 ,
                 and
                 wrongful
                 Judgments
                 we
                 meet
                 with
                 here
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 shews
                 all
                 will
                 be
                 fully
                 wiped
                 off
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 can
                 have
                 a
                 little
                 patience
                 .
                 Our
                 Innocence
                 shall
                 shine
                 the
                 brighter
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Vail
                 that
                 was
                 drawn
                 before
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Sun
                 doth
                 when
                 he
                 recovers
                 from
                 a
                 Cloud
                 :
                 For
                 then
                 
                   God
                   shall
                   bring
                   forth
                   our
                   Righteousness
                   as
                   the
                   Light
                   ,
                   and
                   our
                   Judgment
                   as
                   the
                   Noon-day
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 37.
                 6.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 in
                 such
                 Cases
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 all
                 say
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   a
                   very
                   small
                   thing
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   should
                   be
                   judged
                   of
                   Mans
                   Judgment
                   ,
                
                 because
                 
                   he
                   that
                   judgeth
                   me
                   i●
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 who
                 will
                 shortly
                 reverse
                 all
                 the
                 Errors
                 of
                 Mens
                 Censures
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 them
                 Publickly
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   VIII
                
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     The
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     is
                     God.
                     What
                     he
                     hath
                     done
                     for
                     our
                     Salvation
                     .
                     Of
                     his
                     extraordinary
                     Gifts
                     bestowed
                     on
                     Apostles
                     and
                     Evangelists
                     ,
                     which
                     were
                     for
                     the
                     Planting
                     ,
                     and
                     Propagating
                     Christ's
                     Religion
                     .
                  
                   1.
                   
                   
                     The
                     gift
                     of
                     inspiration
                     ,
                     in
                     Revelations
                     .
                     This
                     bestowed
                     upon
                     the
                     Apostles
                     .
                     These
                     Revelations
                     they
                     have
                     fully
                     set
                     down
                     in
                     the
                     Holy
                     Scriptures
                     ,
                     after
                     which
                     we
                     are
                     not
                     to
                     look
                     for
                     any
                     others
                     .
                     This
                     Gift
                     ,
                     of
                     knowing
                     Religion
                     by
                     immediate
                     Revelation
                     ,
                     necessary
                     only
                     in
                     Apostles
                     ,
                     and
                     Evangelists
                     .
                     And
                     design'd
                     for
                     the
                     Infancy
                     of
                     the
                     Church
                     .
                     Other
                     Rules
                     ,
                     whereby
                     to
                     examine
                     new
                     Lights
                     and
                     Revelations
                     in
                     Religion
                     .
                     As
                     ,
                     try
                     them
                     by
                     the
                     Scriptures
                     .
                     Call
                     for
                     their
                     Miracles
                     ,
                     wherewith
                     God
                     still
                     empower'd
                     men
                     ,
                     when
                     he
                     sent
                     them
                     to
                     reveal
                     new
                     Things
                     .
                     No
                     need
                     of
                     Miracles
                     ,
                     when
                     men
                     pretend
                     only
                     to
                     revive
                     old
                     ,
                     and
                     acknowledged
                     Revelations
                     .
                     If
                     they
                     shew
                     Miracles
                     ,
                     for
                     things
                     plainly
                     against
                     Scripture
                     ,
                     they
                     must
                     work
                     more
                     ,
                     than
                     were
                     wrought
                     to
                     confirm
                     the
                     Scripture
                     .
                     An
                     account
                     of
                     Joel
                  
                   2.
                   28
                   ,
                   29.
                   
                   
                     Which
                     seems
                     to
                     foretell
                     the
                     commonness
                     of
                     Revelations
                     among
                     Christians
                     .
                     The
                     first
                     Inspirations
                     were
                     not
                     only
                     in
                     Doctrinal
                     Points
                     ,
                     but
                     also
                  
                   
                   
                     in
                     Devotions
                     .
                     And
                     about
                     Temporal
                     matters
                     .
                     Subservient
                     to
                     this
                     Gift
                     of
                     Revelations
                     ,
                     was
                     the
                     Gift
                     of
                     discerning
                     Spirits
                     .
                     This
                     done
                     afterwards
                     by
                     ordinary
                     Rules
                     .
                     And
                     the
                     Gift
                     of
                     utterance
                     and
                     boldness
                     .
                     Their
                     minds
                     not
                     influenced
                     by
                     this
                     constantly
                     ,
                     and
                     at
                     all
                     Times
                     .
                     But
                     ordinarily
                     they
                     were
                     ,
                     and
                     especially
                     when
                     they
                     had
                     most
                     need
                     of
                     it
                     .
                  
                   2.
                   
                   
                     Of
                     the
                     Gift
                     of
                     Miracles
                     .
                     Miraracles
                     a
                     Proof
                     of
                     Divine
                     Revelation
                     .
                     How
                     discernible
                     from
                     Lying
                     Wonders
                     ,
                     by
                     the
                     Doctrines
                     built
                     on
                     them
                     .
                     By
                     their
                     ends
                     and
                     usefulness
                     ,
                     and
                     being
                     wrought
                     on
                     needful
                     Occasions
                     .
                     Of
                     the
                     miraculous
                     Gift
                     of
                     healing
                     Diseases
                     .
                     This
                     sometimes
                     by
                     anointing
                     with
                     Oyl
                     .
                     And
                     Prayers
                     .
                     Of
                     casting
                     out
                     Devils
                     ,
                     and
                     other
                     Miracles
                     .
                     Of
                     delivering
                     to
                     Satan
                     ,
                     what
                     it
                     was
                     ,
                     and
                     why
                     so
                     call'd
                     .
                     Of
                     Joy
                     in
                     Tribulations
                     ,
                     and
                     what
                     was
                     extraordinary
                     in
                     that
                     of
                     the
                     Apostles
                     .
                     To
                     the
                     working
                     these
                     Miracles
                     ,
                     there
                     was
                     always
                     required
                     Faith
                     in
                     him
                     that
                     wrought
                     them
                     .
                     And
                     sometimes
                     Faith
                     in
                     him
                     that
                     received
                     them
                     .
                  
                   3.
                   
                     of
                     the
                     Gift
                     of
                     Strange
                     Tongues
                     .
                     The
                     ends
                     of
                     this
                     .
                     And
                     of
                     the
                     Gift
                     of
                     Interpreting
                     such
                     Strange
                     Tongues
                     .
                     What
                     is
                     meant
                     by
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     being
                     a
                     Comforter
                     .
                     The
                     Sin
                     against
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     ,
                     is
                     a
                     Sin
                     against
                     these
                     extraordinary
                     Gifts
                     .
                     Why
                     Blasphemy
                     against
                     him
                     more
                     irremisable
                     ,
                     than
                     against
                     the
                     Father
                     or
                     the
                     Son.
                     Extraordinary
                     Gifts
                     no
                     mark
                     ,
                     of
                     a
                     justified
                     State.
                     Of
                     Offices
                     appointed
                     by
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     .
                     Some
                     of
                  
                   
                   
                     these
                     Temporary
                     ,
                     others
                     to
                     continue
                     through
                     all
                     Times
                     ,
                     the
                     present
                     Officers
                     ordaining
                     Successors
                     of
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost's
                     ordinary
                     Graces
                     .
                     By
                     these
                     we
                     may
                     know
                     he
                     dwells
                     in
                     us
                     .
                     Our
                     care
                     required
                     towards
                     these
                     .
                     Of
                     Preventing
                     Grace
                     in
                     outward
                     advantages
                     ,
                     and
                     inward
                     good
                     motions
                     .
                     Directions
                     how
                     we
                     are
                     to
                     endeavour
                     after
                     saving
                     Graces
                     ,
                     in
                     six
                     Particulars
                     .
                     How
                     God
                     gives
                     them
                     ,
                     though
                     we
                     are
                     thus
                     to
                     acquire
                     them
                     .
                     The
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     works
                     also
                     in
                     us
                     Spiritual
                     Joys
                     and
                     Comforts
                     .
                     This
                     he
                     doth
                     not
                     in
                     all
                     the
                     minds
                     he
                     sanctifies
                     ,
                     because
                     some
                     are
                     unfit
                     for
                     them
                     through
                     intrinsick
                     impediments
                     .
                     But
                     they
                     are
                     withheld
                     from
                     none
                     ,
                     through
                     his
                     Arbitrary
                     withdrawing
                     ,
                     which
                     some
                     count
                     Spiritual
                     Desertion
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 WHat
                 is
                 the
                 eighth
                 Article
                 of
                 the
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 I
                 Believe
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 very
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 
                   For
                   Lying
                   to
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 is
                 call'd
                 
                   Lying
                   to
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 5.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 because
                 Christians
                 are
                 the
                 Temple
                 
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 
                   the
                   Temple
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 all
                 the
                 Properties
                 of
                 Divinity
                 are
                 ascribed
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 as
                 ,
                 †
                 
                   knowing
                   all
                   things
                
                 ;
                 ubiquity
                 ,
                 or
                 *
                 
                   Presence
                   in
                   all
                   Places
                
                 ;
                 †
                 Eternity
                 ,
                 or
                 duration
                 through
                 all
                 Times
                 ;
                 *
                 
                   Creating
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 being
                 joyned
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   will
                   not
                
                 †
                 
                   impart
                   his
                   Glory
                   to
                   another
                
                 ,
                 as
                 an
                 Object
                 of
                 
                 Faith
                 and
                 Worship
                 ,
                 in
                 *
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 †
                 
                   Apostolical
                   Benediction
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 both
                 the
                 Father
                 and
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 be
                 God
                 ,
                 are
                 there
                 not
                 three
                 Gods
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 because
                 
                   these
                   three
                   are
                   One
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ▪
                 one
                 in
                 Nature
                 ,
                 or
                 *
                 one
                 Thing
                 ;
                 1
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 7.
                 
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 Trinity
                 of
                 Persons
                 ▪
                 but
                 these
                 three
                 are
                 mysteriously
                 united
                 in
                 Nature
                 ,
                 and
                 dependance
                 :
                 which
                 makes
                 but
                 one
                 God-head
                 ,
                 not
                 three
                 Gods.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 why
                 is
                 he
                 call'd
                 Holy
                 ,
                 more
                 than
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Son
                 ?
                 Since
                 Holiness
                 was
                 reckon'd
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 Divine
                 Attributes
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 all
                 the
                 three
                 Persons
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 equally
                 God
                 ,
                 equal
                 also
                 in
                 Holiness
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 But
                 though
                 they
                 are
                 equally
                 Holy
                 ,
                 in
                 Nature
                 ,
                 or
                 Essence
                 :
                 yet
                 is
                 he
                 particularly
                 styled
                 so
                 ,
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 his
                 Operations
                 .
                 For
                 as
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 particularly
                 undertook
                 for
                 the
                 Creation
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 and
                 God
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Redemption
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 so
                 did
                 God
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 Sanctification
                 ,
                 being
                 always
                 ready
                 to
                 work
                 holiness
                 in
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 set
                 themselves
                 to
                 fear
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 serve
                 our
                 Lord
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                   We
                   are
                   saved
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   renewal
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 Tit.
                 3.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 
                   purified
                   through
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 22.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 do
                 we
                 profess
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 in
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 receive
                 all
                 our
                 Graces
                 ,
                 and
                 preparations
                 for
                 Eternal
                 Glory
                 
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 after
                 Christ
                 had
                 Redeemed
                 us
                 with
                 his
                 Blood
                 ,
                 and
                 ascended
                 into
                 Heaven
                 ;
                 the
                 Rest
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 further
                 for
                 our
                 Salvation
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 was
                 left
                 to
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 Christ
                 sent
                 down
                 as
                 his
                 substitute
                 ,
                 to
                 supply
                 his
                 absence
                 ,
                 and
                 minister
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 left
                 wanting
                 to
                 his
                 Body
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 to
                 perfect
                 it
                 in
                 Faith
                 and
                 Holiness
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 perceive
                 ,
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 
                   Christian
                   Knowledge
                
                 ,
                 lyes
                 in
                 understanding
                 what
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Spirit
                
                 has
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 still
                 to
                 do
                 for
                 us
                 .
                 Pray
                 what
                 has
                 he
                 bestowed
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 effecting
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 work
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Gifts
                   of
                   two
                   sorts
                
                 .
                 1.
                 
                 Extraordinary
                 ,
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 Apostles
                 and
                 
                   Evangelists
                   ▪
                
                 for
                 the
                 Planting
                 and
                 Establishing
                 Christ's
                 Church
                 and
                 Religion
                 .
                 2.
                 
                 Ordinary
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 given
                 in
                 common
                 to
                 all
                 oothers
                 ,
                 for
                 every
                 particular
                 man's
                 Salvation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 are
                 his
                 
                   extraordinary
                   Gifts
                
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 Holy
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Planting
                 and
                 Establishing
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Church
                 and
                 Religion
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 They
                 consist
                 not
                 only
                 of
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 of
                 Offices
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 
                   Extraordinary
                   Gifts
                
                 he
                 gave
                 them
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 I
                 shall
                 reduce
                 them
                 to
                 three
                 .
                 The
                 Gift
                 of
                 Inspiration
                 ,
                 which
                 revealed
                 Christianity
                 to
                 themselves
                 ;
                 of
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 which
                 
                 enabled
                 them
                 to
                 prove
                 it
                 undeniable
                 unto
                 others
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 could
                 publish
                 it
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 understood
                 by
                 men
                 of
                 every
                 Language
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 were
                 these
                 extraordinary
                 Gifts
                 bestowed
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 
                   Feast
                   of
                   Pentecost
                
                 upon
                 the
                 Twelve
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 
                   Spirit
                   descended
                   on
                   each
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   shape
                   of
                   Cloven
                   Tongues
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 generally
                 upon
                 others
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 imposition
                 of
                 their
                 hands
                 ,
                 as
                 abundantly
                 appears
                 ,
                 from
                 St.
                 Luke's
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 Acts
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Apostles
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 were
                 to
                 enable
                 them
                 to
                 Plant
                 and
                 Propagate
                 their
                 Religion
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 by
                 these
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 call'd
                 
                   the
                   Promise
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 1.
                 4.
                 
                 (
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 which
                 Christ
                 had
                 promised
                 to
                 
                   send
                   them
                   from
                   the
                   Father
                
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 15.
                 26.
                 
                 )
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 was
                 to
                 act
                 the
                 Part
                 of
                 an
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 the
                 †
                 word
                 Paraclete
                 signifies
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 accordingly
                 render'd
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 1.
                 
                 )
                 which
                 was
                 to
                 plead
                 his
                 Cause
                 to
                 the
                 unbelieving
                 World.
                 For
                 when
                 this
                 Comforter
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Advocate
                   is
                   come
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   will
                   reprove
                
                 ,
                 or
                 convince
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   world
                   of
                
                 these
                 three
                 Things
                 .
                 
                   Of
                   Sin
                   ,
                   because
                   they
                   believe
                   not
                   on
                   me
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 of
                 the
                 sinfulness
                 of
                 infidelity
                 .
                 
                   Of
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   because
                   I
                   go
                   to
                   the
                   Father
                   ;
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 of
                 my
                 being
                 a
                 Righteous
                 Person
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Gods
                 owning
                 me
                 for
                 such
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 Jews
                 condemned
                 me
                 as
                 a
                 Malefactor
                 .
                 
                   And
                   of
                   Judgment
                   ,
                   because
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Prince
                   of
                   this
                   World
                   is
                   judged
                   .
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 of
                 the
                 downfall
                 of
                 Idolatry
                 and
                 Demon-worship
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Devil
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Heathen
                 Temples
                 by
                 this
                 Almighty
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 Oracles
                 silenced
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 first
                 of
                 these
                 Gifts
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 was
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 Inspiration
                 ,
                 which
                 revealed
                 
                 Christ's
                 Religion
                 fully
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
                 Did
                 the
                 Apostles
                 receive
                 their
                 Religion
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 they
                 inspired
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 in
                 what
                 they
                 Taught
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   all
                   Scripture
                   is
                   given
                   by
                   the
                   inspiration
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Tim.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
                 Thus
                 God
                 inspired
                 Moses
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Prophets
                
                 of
                 old
                 :
                 for
                 
                   no
                   Prophecy
                   of
                   the
                   Scripture
                   is
                   of
                   any
                   private
                   interpretation
                   ,
                   nor
                   came
                   by
                   the
                   will
                   of
                   man
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 therein
                 the
                 Prophets
                 did
                 not
                 speak
                 their
                 own
                 sense
                 ,
                 and
                 reason
                 :
                 
                   but
                   Holy
                   men
                   of
                   God
                   spake
                   ,
                   as
                   they
                   were
                   moved
                   by
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 after
                 the
                 same
                 manner
                 ,
                 Christ
                 promises
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 should
                 teach
                 them
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 shall
                 come
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   teach
                   you
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                   bring
                   all
                   things
                   to
                   your
                   remembrance
                   ,
                   whatsoever
                   I
                   have
                   said
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 14.
                 26.
                 
                 And
                 
                   when
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Truth
                   is
                   come
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   guide
                   you
                   into
                   all
                   Truth
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 had
                 not
                 Christ
                 been
                 their
                 Teacher
                 for
                 several
                 years
                 together
                 ?
                 and
                 then
                 what
                 need
                 was
                 there
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 to
                 come
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 further
                 Instructer
                 ?
              
               
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Christ
                
                 taught
                 them
                 by
                 outward
                 ,
                 and
                 humane
                 means
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 man
                 doth
                 another
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 this
                 way
                 ,
                 though
                 he
                 took
                 care
                 abundantly
                 to
                 propose
                 Things
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 yet
                 after
                 all
                 ,
                 they
                 being
                 Persons
                 of
                 slow
                 and
                 rustick
                 understandings
                 ,
                 were
                 very
                 liable
                 to
                 forget
                 ,
                 or
                 misconceive
                 them
                 :
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 plain
                 they
                 did
                 the
                 
                   Nature
                   of
                   his
                   Kingdom
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Reasons
                   of
                   his
                   Death
                
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 came
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 inwardly
                 enlightned
                 their
                 minds
                 ,
                 and
                 fill'd
                 them
                 with
                 all
                 variety
                 of
                 Heavenly
                 Truth
                 ,
                 bringing
                 to
                 their
                 remembrance
                 whatsoever
                 Christ
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 and
                 supplying
                 whatsoever
                 he
                 designedly
                 †
                 omitted
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 were
                 better
                 able
                 to
                 bear
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 though
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 teach
                 them
                 all
                 things
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 they
                 being
                 ignorant
                 for
                 some
                 time
                 after
                 his
                 descent
                 ,
                 of
                 *
                 
                   the
                   calling
                   of
                   the
                   Gentiles
                
                 :
                 yet
                 in
                 a
                 moment
                 he
                 made
                 a
                 strange
                 progress
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 far
                 illuminated
                 their
                 minds
                 ,
                 that
                 immediately
                 upon
                 his
                 coming
                 down
                 ,
                 they
                 understand
                 ,
                 and
                 apply
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   expound
                   Prophecies
                
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 up
                 for
                 Teachers
                 of
                 other
                 men
                 ,
                 Act.
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 what
                 knowledge
                 they
                 had
                 of
                 their
                 Religion
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 was
                 of
                 his
                 inspiring
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 after
                 once
                 he
                 took
                 the
                 conduct
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Their
                 way
                 of
                 
                   knowing
                   all
                   things
                
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 John
                 told
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 their
                 Age
                 ,
                 was
                 by
                 
                   an
                   unction
                   from
                   the
                   Holy
                   one
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 20
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 And
                 
                   the
                   Gospel
                   which
                   was
                
                 
                 
                   preached
                   by
                   me
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   after
                   Men
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 of
                 Mans
                 devising
                 .
                 
                   For
                   I
                   neither
                   received
                   it
                   of
                   Man
                   ,
                   neither
                   was
                   I
                   taught
                   it
                   ,
                   but
                   by
                   the
                   Revelation
                   of
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 1.
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 of
                 
                   all
                   Holy
                   Scripture
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 declared
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 
                   given
                   by
                   inspiration
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 3.
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 'T
                 is
                 plain
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 they
                 say
                 they
                 are
                 inspired
                 ,
                 and
                 taught
                 of
                 God.
                 But
                 have
                 we
                 any
                 more
                 than
                 these
                 Testimonies
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 their
                 own
                 word
                 and
                 saying
                 for
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 the
                 Miracles
                 they
                 wrought
                 in
                 confirmation
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   They
                   preached
                   every
                   where
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   working
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   confirming
                   the
                   word
                   with
                   Signs
                   following
                   ,
                
                 Mar.
                 16.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 did
                 reveal
                 God's
                 will
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 they
                 have
                 revealed
                 it
                 unto
                 us
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 those
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 have
                 they
                 done
                 it
                 fully
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 in
                 that
                 Epistle
                 ,
                 which
                 St.
                 Paul
                 sent
                 last
                 to
                 Timothy
                 ,
                 before
                 which
                 ,
                 the
                 greatest
                 Part
                 of
                 his
                 other
                 Epistles
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel-Canon
                 was
                 writ
                 ,
                 he
                 Declares
                 of
                 
                   all
                   the
                   Scriptures
                
                 then
                 extant
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 
                   are
                   able
                   to
                   make
                   us
                   wise
                   unto
                   Salvation
                   ,
                
                 being
                 
                   Profitable
                   for
                   Doctrine
                   ,
                   for
                   Reproof
                   ,
                   for
                   Correction
                   ,
                   for
                   instruction
                   in
                   Righteousness
                   .
                   That
                   the
                   Man
                   of
                   God
                   may
                   be
                   Perfect
                   ,
                   throughly
                   furnished
                
                 out
                 of
                 them
                 
                   unto
                   all
                   Good
                   works
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 3.
                 15
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 Nay
                 some
                 single
                 Books
                 of
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Particular
                 Gospels
                 are
                 
                 full
                 enough
                 to
                 this
                 end
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 St.
                 Luke
                 testifies
                 of
                 his
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 contains
                 
                   those
                   Things
                   which
                   all
                   Christians
                   most
                   surely
                   believed
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   wherein
                   Theophilus
                
                 ,
                 an
                 Excellent
                 Person
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 way
                 Defective
                 in
                 saving
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 had
                 been
                 Principled
                 and
                 instructed
                 Luk
                 ,
                 1.
                 1
                 ,
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 and
                 
                   all
                   that
                   Jesus
                   began
                   to
                   do
                   and
                   teach
                   ,
                   till
                   he
                   was
                   taken
                   up
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 1.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 All
                 necessary
                 Christianity
                 was
                 Faithfully
                 preached
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 Faithfully
                 set
                 out
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 and
                 Preaching
                 .
                 And
                 what
                 St.
                 Luke
                 added
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Acts
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Apostles
                
                 ,
                 was
                 only
                 an
                 Historical
                 Account
                 of
                 the
                 Method
                 they
                 took
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 suffered
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 they
                 succeeded
                 in
                 Preaching
                 this
                 Doctrine
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 Epistles
                 of
                 the
                 several
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 accidentally
                 ,
                 and
                 occasionally
                 writ
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Emergent
                 Benefit
                 of
                 the
                 Churches
                 ,
                 they
                 either
                 repeat
                 and
                 press
                 the
                 same
                 Things
                 ,
                 or
                 Comment
                 upon
                 them
                 in
                 fuller
                 Explications
                 ,
                 or
                 Determine
                 some
                 Controversies
                 started
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 about
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 confute
                 some
                 unchristian
                 Opinions
                 and
                 Heretical
                 corruptions
                 of
                 Gospel-Truths
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 obvious
                 to
                 any
                 careful
                 ,
                 and
                 intelligent
                 comparer
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Having
                 therefore
                 these
                 Scriptures
                 Faithfully
                 conveyed
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 by
                 God's
                 Blessing
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 look
                 for
                 ,
                 or
                 listen
                 to
                 any
                 
                   New
                   Revelation
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 Way
                 to
                 please
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 go
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
                 Christ
                 ,
                 our
                 Great
                 
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   was
                   to
                
                 †
                 
                   Seal
                   up
                   Vision
                   and
                   Prophesie
                
                 ,
                 having
                 inspired
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 fully
                 Revealed
                 all
                 these
                 things
                 to
                 us
                 once
                 already
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 vain
                 thing
                 to
                 fancy
                 he
                 should
                 do
                 it
                 over
                 again
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Gift
                 of
                 Inspiration
                 then
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 having
                 Religion
                 immediately
                 Revealed
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 was
                 necessary
                 only
                 to
                 Apostles
                 and
                 Evangelists
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 the
                 first
                 Publishers
                 of
                 it
                 from
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 'T
                 is
                 very
                 true
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 in
                 Suiting
                 the
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 and
                 Ministries
                 ,
                 reckned
                 up
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 to
                 the
                 
                   word
                   of
                   Wisdom
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Gospel
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 First
                 ,
                 and
                 Chiefest
                 in
                 the
                 List
                 of
                 
                   Gifts
                   ,
                   v.
                
                 8.
                 
                 St.
                 Paul
                 adapts
                 the
                 Order
                 of
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 as
                 its
                 Correspondent
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 first
                 and
                 chiefest
                 in
                 the
                 Number
                 of
                 Ministries
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 28.
                 
                 Inspiration
                 of
                 Religion
                 was
                 only
                 to
                 fit
                 and
                 Qualifie
                 them
                 for
                 that
                 Office.
                 Hence
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 probably
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 by
                 St.
                 John
                 called
                 †
                 
                   their
                   Unction
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 ,
                 their
                 investiture
                 in
                 their
                 Office
                 :
                 For
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 well
                 known
                 ,
                 the
                 common
                 way
                 of
                 investing
                 Men
                 in
                 Offices
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 Priesthood
                 ,
                 and
                 Prophetick
                 Office
                 ,
                 was
                 by
                 anointing
                 .
                 And
                 St.
                 Paul
                 infers
                 his
                 Authority
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Apostolical
                   Office
                
                 ,
                 from
                 his
                 inspiration
                 ,
                 because
                 
                   his
                   Gospel
                   was
                   not
                   after
                   Man
                   ,
                
                 but
                 he
                 was
                 sent
                 out
                 by
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 it
                 
                   immediately
                   Revealed
                
                 to
                 him
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 1.
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Promise
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 †
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   should
                   teach
                   them
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   and
                
                 *
                 
                   guide
                   them
                   into
                   all
                   Truth
                
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 made
                 to
                 any
                 Christian
                 of
                 
                 succeeding
                 Times
                 ,
                 but
                 particularly
                 to
                 the
                 Holy
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 with
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 our
                 Blessed
                 Lord
                 there
                 Discourses
                 .
                 And
                 
                   the
                   Unction
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   whereby
                   they
                   knew
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                
                 that
                 St.
                 *
                 John
                 speaks
                 of
                 ,
                 was
                 whilst
                 he
                 himself
                 was
                 alive
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 Evangelists
                 ;
                 not
                 to
                 add
                 ,
                 moreover
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 Epistle
                 seems
                 writ
                 among
                 the
                 latest
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Books
                   of
                   the
                   New
                   Testament
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 then
                 ,
                 probably
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 among
                 them
                 the
                 inspirations
                 of
                 almost
                 all
                 the
                 other
                 Apostles
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 inspiration
                 of
                 Religion
                 was
                 design'd
                 only
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Infancy
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 whilst
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 Planting
                 ,
                 and
                 Religion
                 a
                 Publishing
                 ,
                 but
                 was
                 to
                 cease
                 when
                 that
                 was
                 done
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 it
                 was
                 so
                 .
                 
                   Knowledge
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 inspired
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 Prophesie
                 ,
                 and
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 were
                 fitted
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 notes
                 ,
                 only
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Child-hood
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 Similitude
                 he
                 uses
                 ,
                 in
                 expressing
                 the
                 transitoriness
                 of
                 these
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 13.
                 9.
                 
                   whilst
                   I
                   was
                   a
                   Child
                   ,
                   I
                   spake
                   as
                   a
                   Child
                   ,
                   I
                   understood
                   as
                   a
                   Child
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 But
                 these
                 Helps
                 of
                 the
                 Infant
                 State
                 ,
                 were
                 to
                 vanish
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 took
                 Root
                 ,
                 and
                 grew
                 up
                 to
                 Manhood
                 .
                 
                   When
                   I
                   became
                   a
                   Man
                   ,
                   I
                   put
                   away
                   Childish
                   Things
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 11.
                 
                 
                   We
                   know
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 again
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   part
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   prophesie
                   in
                   part
                   :
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 at
                 present
                 this
                 inspiration
                 is
                 imperfect
                 ,
                 this
                 Epistle
                 being
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 earliest
                 Writ
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Scripture-Canon
                 at
                 that
                 Time
                 not
                 being
                 finished
                 ,
                 and
                 generally
                 come
                 abroad
                 .
                 
                   But
                   when
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   perfect
                   is
                   come
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 as
                 I
                 
                 conceive
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Perfection
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 World
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 more
                 Perfect
                 State
                 of
                 the
                 present
                 Church
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Canon
                 shall
                 be
                 consummated
                 ,
                 and
                 commonly
                 given
                 out
                 ,
                 
                   then
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   in
                   part
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                
                 superseded
                 and
                 
                   Done
                   away
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 As
                 for
                 Charity
                 ,
                 that
                 bright
                 Gem
                 among
                 saving
                 Graces
                 ,
                 it
                 indeed
                 
                   never
                   fails
                   .
                   But
                   whether
                   there
                   be
                   Prophesies
                   ,
                   they
                   shall
                   fail
                   ;
                   whether
                   there
                   be
                   Tongues
                   they
                   shall
                   cease
                   ;
                   whether
                   there
                   be
                   Knowledge
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 inspired
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   shall
                   vanish
                   away
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 8.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 Christianity
                 then
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 we
                 must
                 take
                 up
                 with
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 look
                 for
                 new
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 except
                 we
                 would
                 look
                 also
                 for
                 a
                 new
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 new
                 Apostles
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Very
                 right
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 is
                 enough
                 against
                 any
                 man
                 ,
                 who
                 pretends
                 to
                 
                   new
                   Lights
                
                 and
                 Revelations
                 in
                 Religion
                 .
                 But
                 since
                 there
                 are
                 many
                 such
                 in
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 can
                 you
                 give
                 me
                 any
                 further
                 Direction
                 how
                 to
                 try
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 examine
                 them
                 First
                 by
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 bringing
                 those
                 New
                 Revelations
                 to
                 the
                 Old
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 be
                 sure
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 either
                 inventions
                 of
                 Men
                 ,
                 or
                 Delusions
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 contradict
                 it
                 .
                 
                   Tho
                   we
                   ,
                   or
                   an
                   Angel
                   from
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   preach
                   any
                   other
                   Gospel
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   than
                   that
                   which
                   we
                   have
                
                 already
                 
                   preached
                   unto
                   you
                
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 is
                 set
                 forth
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 
                   let
                   him
                   be
                   accursed
                   .
                   As
                   we
                   said
                   before
                   ,
                   so
                   say
                   I
                   now
                   again
                   ,
                   if
                   any
                   ,
                
                 pretending
                 never
                 so
                 much
                 
                   Revelation
                   ,
                   preach
                   any
                
                 
                 
                   other
                   Gospel
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   than
                   that
                   you
                   have
                   received
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   be
                   accursed
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 1.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 way
                 would
                 you
                 direct
                 me
                 to
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Tryal
                 of
                 such
                 Pretenders
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Secondly
                
                 ,
                 call
                 for
                 their
                 signs
                 ,
                 or
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 as
                 God's
                 Token
                 ,
                 to
                 manifest
                 that
                 he
                 speaks
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 God
                 sends
                 Men
                 on
                 new
                 Messages
                 ,
                 and
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 to
                 testifie
                 they
                 come
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 gain
                 them
                 credit
                 ,
                 he
                 empowers
                 them
                 to
                 work
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 or
                 give
                 Signs
                 ,
                 because
                 else
                 they
                 would
                 go
                 upon
                 vain
                 Errands
                 .
                 Thus
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 sent
                 Moses
                 to
                 the
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 objected
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   they
                   would
                   disbelieve
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   say
                   ,
                   God
                   had
                   not
                   appeared
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 4.
                 1.
                 
                 God
                 owns
                 the
                 reasonableness
                 of
                 the
                 Objection
                 ,
                 and
                 impowers
                 him
                 to
                 
                   turn
                   his
                   Rod
                   into
                   a
                   Serpent
                   ,
                
                 and
                 work
                 other
                 Signs
                 from
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 gain
                 Credit
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 Which
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 himself
                 told
                 
                   Moses
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   believe
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   of
                   their
                   Fathers
                   hath
                   appeared
                   unto
                   thee
                   .
                   And
                   it
                   shall
                   come
                   to
                   pass
                   ,
                   if
                   they
                   will
                   not
                   believe
                   thee
                   after
                   the
                   first
                   sign
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   will
                   believe
                   thee
                   after
                   the
                   latter
                   sign
                   .
                
                 Or
                 ,
                 if
                 
                   they
                   disbelieve
                   after
                   that
                   too
                
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 
                   work
                   another
                   Sign
                
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 5.
                 to
                 ver
                 .
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Have
                 you
                 any
                 further
                 Evidence
                 of
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 in
                 Christ
                 himself
                 .
                 For
                 without
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 require
                 all
                 Men
                 to
                 believe
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 came
                 in
                 God's
                 name
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 sure
                 ,
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 they
                 
                 are
                 not
                 bound
                 to
                 believe
                 any
                 other
                 pretender
                 to
                 new
                 Revelation
                 .
                 
                   If
                   I
                   had
                   n●●
                   done
                   among
                   them
                   the
                   Works
                   which
                   no
                   other
                   Man
                   did
                   ,
                   they
                   had
                   not
                   had
                   sin
                
                 in
                 disbelieving
                 ,
                 John
                 15.
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 still
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 sent
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 when
                 he
                 sent
                 them
                 to
                 reveal
                 any
                 
                   New
                   Thing
                
                 .
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 when
                 Prophets
                 came
                 only
                 to
                 press
                 old
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 that
                 stood
                 confirmed
                 by
                 former
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 they
                 needed
                 not
                 always
                 to
                 come
                 with
                 a
                 New
                 Sign
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 many
                 
                   Ordinary
                   Prophets
                
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 specially
                 sent
                 and
                 stirred
                 up
                 ,
                 to
                 inforce
                 some
                 neglected
                 Precepts
                 ,
                 and
                 chiefly
                 the
                 Moral
                 and
                 Spiritual
                 Parts
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 Moses
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 any
                 pretended
                 to
                 any
                 extraordinary
                 Commission
                 ,
                 for
                 reversing
                 of
                 some
                 Old
                 ,
                 or
                 setting
                 up
                 some
                 New
                 Rule
                 ,
                 or
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 was
                 resonable
                 to
                 expect
                 they
                 should
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 always
                 empowred
                 to
                 give
                 a
                 Sign
                 ,
                 or
                 work
                 a
                 Miracle
                 ,
                 in
                 Confirmation
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Test
                 God
                 himself
                 gives
                 ,
                 whereby
                 to
                 know
                 when
                 he
                 had
                 sent
                 any
                 one
                 .
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   say
                   in
                   thine
                   Heart
                   ,
                   how
                   shall
                   we
                   know
                   the
                   Word
                   ,
                   which
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   not
                   spoken
                   ?
                   When
                   a
                   Prophet
                   speaketh
                   in
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   if
                   the
                   thing
                   follow
                   not
                   ,
                   nor
                   come
                   to
                   pass
                   ,
                   that
                   is
                   the
                   thing
                   which
                   the
                   Lord
                   hath
                   not
                   spoken
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   Prophet
                   hath
                   spoken
                   presumptuously
                   ,
                   thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   be
                   afraid
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 18.
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 no
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 pretending
                 
                 to
                 New
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 believed
                 barely
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 word
                 ,
                 till
                 some
                 sign
                 from
                 God
                 gave
                 witness
                 to
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 the
                 great
                 Prophet
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 himself
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 expect
                 it
                 .
                 
                   If
                   I
                   bear
                   Witness
                   of
                   my self
                   ,
                   my
                   Witness
                   is
                   not
                   true
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 pass
                 for
                 true
                 .
                 
                   But
                   there
                   is
                   another
                   that
                   beareth
                   Witness
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Works
                   which
                   the
                   Father
                   hath
                   given
                   me
                   to
                   finish
                   ,
                   the
                   same
                   Works
                   that
                   I
                   do
                   ,
                   bear
                   witness
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Father
                   hath
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                
                 John
                 5.
                 31
                 ,
                 32
                 ,
                 36.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 necessary
                 ,
                 to
                 prevent
                 our
                 being
                 deceived
                 .
                 For
                 
                   many
                   false
                   Prophets
                   are
                   gone
                   out
                   into
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 1
                 John
                 4.
                 1.
                 
                 And
                 these
                 come
                 all
                 in
                 God's
                 Name
                 ,
                 though
                 what
                 they
                 declare
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 his
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 own
                 invention
                 ,
                 or
                 some
                 Satanical
                 Delusion
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 were
                 to
                 believe
                 a
                 Man
                 inspired
                 ,
                 barely
                 upon
                 his
                 own
                 Word
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 all
                 say
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 believe
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 to
                 prevent
                 being
                 deceived
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 take
                 a
                 Man
                 's
                 own
                 Word
                 for
                 his
                 being
                 sent
                 thus
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 shews
                 some
                 Sign
                 from
                 him
                 to
                 attest
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 say
                 they
                 are
                 miraculously
                 assisted
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 sent
                 to
                 reveal
                 any
                 New
                 thing
                 .
                 Is
                 there
                 not
                 a
                 like
                 necessity
                 of
                 Signs
                 and
                 Miracles
                 then
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 only
                 come
                 to
                 Remove
                 Corruptions
                 ,
                 and
                 revive
                 such
                 former
                 acknowledged
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 as
                 had
                 Miracles
                 to
                 confirm
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 to
                 Persons
                 that
                 own
                 he
                 spake
                 it
                 ,
                 God's
                 Word
                 has
                 as
                 much
                 Authority
                 as
                 
                 his
                 Work
                 Whilst
                 they
                 have
                 his
                 clear
                 Word
                 to
                 shew
                 for
                 themselves
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 sufficiently
                 qualified
                 to
                 use
                 his
                 Name
                 ,
                 to
                 reprove
                 and
                 convince
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 score
                 and
                 credit
                 of
                 
                   ordinary
                   Ministers
                
                 ,
                 without
                 producing
                 any
                 new
                 and
                 
                   extraordinary
                   Credentials
                
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 for
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 appeal
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 old
                 Miracles
                 wrought
                 to
                 testifie
                 these
                 Revelations
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 a
                 great
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 
                   old
                   Prophets
                
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 Jewesh
                 State
                 ,
                 coming
                 to
                 reduce
                 men
                 to
                 the
                 obedience
                 of
                 Moses
                 ,
                 to
                 reprove
                 sins
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 reform
                 abuses
                 ,
                 wrought
                 no
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 enough
                 for
                 them
                 to
                 produce
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 who
                 only
                 sought
                 to
                 bring
                 those
                 back
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 swerved
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 also
                 was
                 the
                 Case
                 of
                 our
                 
                   first
                   Reformers
                
                 .
                 They
                 studied
                 no
                 new
                 ways
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 endeavour'd
                 to
                 restore
                 Religion
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 much
                 depraved
                 in
                 these
                 Parts
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 Form
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 at
                 first
                 most
                 miraculously
                 confirmed
                 by
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 their
                 Proofs
                 were
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 fetched
                 from
                 signs
                 and
                 wonders
                 ,
                 as
                 Men
                 that
                 introduced
                 new
                 ,
                 and
                 unattested
                 Tenets
                 ,
                 but
                 from
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 are
                 we
                 not
                 told
                 of
                 False
                 
                 
                   Prophets
                   shewing
                   Signs
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 24.
                 24
                 ?
                 And
                 what
                 shall
                 we
                 say
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 alledge
                 Miracles
                 for
                 false
                 Things
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 If
                 they
                 teach
                 things
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 not
                 only
                 work
                 Miracles
                 for
                 their
                 contrary
                 Opinions
                 ,
                 but
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 greater
                 than
                 were
                 wrought
                 by
                 
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 to
                 confirm
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 For
                 here
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Miracles
                 wrought
                 for
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 are
                 against
                 them
                 ;
                 since
                 their
                 pretended
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 are
                 brought
                 for
                 a
                 contrary
                 Thing
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 our
                 Faith
                 is
                 sollicited
                 by
                 a
                 competition
                 of
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 was
                 ,
                 between
                 the
                 Miracles
                 of
                 Moses
                 and
                 those
                 of
                 the
                 Magicians
                 ,
                 Exod.
                 7.
                 11
                 ,
                 22.
                 and
                 when
                 any
                 
                   Seducer
                   gave
                   signs
                
                 ,
                 to
                 draw
                 them
                 to
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 Deut.
                 13.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 we
                 must
                 believe
                 that
                 side
                 which
                 has
                 the
                 greatest
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 will
                 secure
                 us
                 against
                 all
                 the
                 Errors
                 and
                 feign'd
                 Miracles
                 of
                 new
                 Lights
                 and
                 Pretenders
                 .
                 For
                 't
                 is
                 certain
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 never
                 shew
                 the
                 tenth
                 part
                 of
                 those
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 to
                 confute
                 any
                 Doctrine
                 contain'd
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 that
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 to
                 confirm
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 confess
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 very
                 clear
                 from
                 what
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Scripture
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 Revelation
                 we
                 must
                 stick
                 to
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 in
                 
                   matters
                   of
                   Religion
                
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 hearken
                 to
                 any
                 other
                 Pretenders
                 to
                 new
                 Light
                 and
                 inspiration
                 .
                 But
                 doth
                 not
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Joel
                 say
                 ,
                 Revelations
                 should
                 be
                 common
                 things
                 among
                 Christians
                 ?
                 
                   I
                   will
                   pour
                   out
                   my
                   Spirit
                   in
                   those
                   days
                   upon
                   all
                   Flesh
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   Sons
                   and
                   Daughters
                   shall
                   Prophesie
                   ;
                   your
                   young
                   men
                   shall
                   see
                   Visions
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   old
                   men
                   shall
                   dream
                   Dreams
                   ,
                
                 Joel
                 2.
                 28
                 ,
                 29.
                 
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 
                   those
                   days
                
                 ,
                 he
                 means
                 not
                 all
                 the
                 days
                 of
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 the
                 
                   days
                   of
                   the
                   Apostles
                
                 ,
                 when
                 such
                 Revelations
                 
                 were
                 common
                 Things
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 those
                 same
                 days
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 follows
                 in
                 
                   Joel
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   shew
                   Wonders
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   Earth
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   Blood
                   ,
                   and
                   Fire
                   ,
                   and
                   Pillars
                   of
                   Smoak
                   .
                   And
                   the
                   Sun
                   shall
                   be
                   turned
                   into
                   darkness
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Moon
                   into
                   Blood
                   ,
                   before
                   the
                   Great
                   and
                   Terrible
                   day
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   come
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 before
                 the
                 destruction
                 of
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 whereof
                 our
                 Saviour
                 interprets
                 this
                 passage
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 24.
                 29.
                 which
                 destruction
                 fell
                 out
                 in
                 the
                 Apostolical
                 Age
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 St.
                 
                   John
                   ,
                   Joel
                
                 2.
                 30
                 ,
                 31.
                 
                 And
                 St.
                 Peter
                 says
                 ,
                 these
                 inspirations
                 foretold
                 by
                 Joel
                 ,
                 were
                 fulfilled
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   at
                   Pentecost
                   descended
                   upon
                   them
                   .
                   This
                   is
                   that
                   which
                   was
                   spoken
                   of
                   by
                   the
                   Prophet
                
                 Joel
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   shall
                   come
                   to
                   pass
                   in
                   the
                   last
                   days
                   ,
                   I
                   will
                   pour
                   out
                   my
                   Spirit
                   upon
                   all
                   Flesh
                   ,
                   and
                   your
                   Sons
                   and
                   your
                   Daughters
                   shall
                   Prophesie
                   ,
                
                 &c.
                 
                 Act.
                 2.
                 16
                 ,
                 17
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 
                 Joel's
                 Prophecy
                 of
                 inspirations
                 doth
                 not
                 remain
                 now
                 to
                 be
                 fulfilled
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 as
                 Joel
                 himself
                 foretold
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 St.
                 Peter
                 declared
                 ,
                 was
                 long
                 since
                 accomplished
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 God
                 gave
                 these
                 Revelations
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 Age
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 not
                 he
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 still
                 in
                 ours
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 he
                 is
                 always
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 always
                 do
                 the
                 same
                 things
                 .
                 He
                 came
                 down
                 before
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 in
                 Thunder
                 and
                 
                   Fire
                   upon
                   Mount
                   Sinai
                
                 †
                 once
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 do
                 so
                 in
                 after-times
                 .
                 He
                 shed
                 abroad
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 and
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 generality
                 of
                 Christians
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 days
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 has
                 not
                 done
                 so
                 in
                 
                 any
                 others
                 since
                 .
                 He
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 has
                 the
                 same
                 care
                 and
                 kindness
                 for
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 Times
                 :
                 but
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 always
                 work
                 the
                 same
                 effects
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 according
                 to
                 our
                 occasions
                 and
                 necessities
                 .
                 And
                 immediate
                 Revelation
                 was
                 necessary
                 to
                 the
                 Apostles
                 in
                 their
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 unnecessary
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 ours
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Were
                 these
                 inspirations
                 meerly
                 about
                 Doctrinal
                 Things
                 ,
                 and
                 declaring
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 only
                 in
                 points
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 manners
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 but
                 sometimes
                 ,
                 in
                 those
                 days
                 of
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 inspired
                 also
                 in
                 their
                 Devotions
                 ,
                 with
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Hymns
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 a
                 blessing
                 they
                 were
                 more
                 sensible
                 of
                 in
                 that
                 Age
                 ,
                 because
                 as
                 yet
                 they
                 had
                 no
                 formed
                 and
                 established
                 Liturgies
                 .
                 Thus
                 St.
                 Paul
                 tells
                 the
                 
                   Corinthians
                   ,
                   every
                   one
                   in
                   their
                   Assemblies
                   had
                
                 an
                 inspired
                 Psalm
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 an
                 inspired
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 Praying
                 and
                 Praising
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Preaching
                 by
                 Revelation
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 26.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 they
                 spoke
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Gift
                   of
                   Tongues
                
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 oft
                 in
                 
                   inspired
                   Hymns
                
                 and
                 
                   Devotions
                   :
                   for
                   he
                   that
                   speaketh
                   in
                   an
                   unknown
                   Tongue
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   speaketh
                   unto
                   God
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 2.
                 he
                 Prays
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 Praises
                 him
                 in
                 that
                 strange
                 Gift
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 v.
                 14
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Enthusiasms
                   of
                   Tongues
                
                 ,
                 which
                 
                   fell
                   on
                   Cornelius
                
                 and
                 his
                 
                   Gentile
                   Friends
                   ,
                   they
                   magnified
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 10.
                 40.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Besides
                 these
                 Revelations
                 about
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 not
                 also
                 Prophesie
                 ,
                 or
                 Revelation
                 about
                 other
                 Things
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 they
                 had
                 Revelations
                 of
                 future
                 events
                 ,
                 concerning
                 either
                 themselves
                 ,
                 their
                 Friends
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 whole
                 Church
                 .
                 Thus
                 Agabus
                 foretold
                 the
                 Famine
                 ,
                 Acts
                 11.
                 28.
                 and
                 St.
                 
                   Paul's
                   imprisonment
                   at
                   Jerusalem
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 21.
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 Paul
                 foretold
                 to
                 his
                 
                   Company
                   in
                   the
                   Ship
                
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 should
                 
                   all
                   be
                   saved
                
                 ,
                 and
                 none
                 of
                 them
                 perish
                 in
                 the
                 Ship-wrack
                 ,
                 Act.
                 27.
                 22
                 ,
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 &c.
                 And
                 St.
                 John
                 foretold
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 what
                 was
                 to
                 befall
                 particular
                 Persons
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 whole
                 Church
                 in
                 succeeding
                 Ages
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Book
                 of
                 the
                 Revelations
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 remember
                 you
                 said
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 now
                 to
                 expect
                 any
                 more
                 Revelations
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 us
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 please
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 go
                 to
                 Heaven
                 .
                 But
                 do
                 you
                 suppose
                 ,
                 that
                 some
                 may
                 still
                 be
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 Revelations
                 about
                 other
                 things
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Perhaps
                 they
                 may
                 ,
                 about
                 
                   Particular
                   accidents
                
                 to
                 particular
                 Persons
                 ,
                 or
                 Families
                 ;
                 or
                 about
                 
                   great
                   Revolutions
                
                 ,
                 to
                 States
                 ,
                 or
                 Empires
                 .
                 As
                 to
                 these
                 Matters
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 stint
                 the
                 kindness
                 and
                 care
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 determine
                 what
                 intimations
                 he
                 may
                 sometimes
                 vouchsafe
                 from
                 the
                 other
                 World.
                 And
                 if
                 any
                 wise
                 ,
                 sober
                 ,
                 and
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 forcibleness
                 of
                 the
                 impression
                 on
                 their
                 minds
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Prophetick
                 way
                 ,
                 which
                 convinces
                 and
                 satisfies
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 the
                 correspondence
                 of
                 events
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 satisfie
                 others
                 ,
                 find
                 they
                 have
                 any
                 such
                 thing
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 withstand
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 offer
                 
                 these
                 ,
                 to
                 innovate
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 the
                 Revelations
                 of
                 the
                 Scripture
                 are
                 no
                 bar
                 against
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 fully
                 explained
                 this
                 first
                 miraculous
                 Gift
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 inspirations
                 .
                 Were
                 there
                 any
                 other
                 miraculous
                 Gifts
                 subservient
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 would
                 explain
                 to
                 me
                 under
                 this
                 Head
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 First
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 
                   discerning
                   Spirits
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 among
                 all
                 the
                 Pretenders
                 to
                 inspiration
                 ,
                 who
                 spoke
                 true
                 inspirations
                 ,
                 and
                 who
                 meer
                 pretences
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 Satanical
                 delusions
                 .
                 
                   We
                   have
                   received
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   which
                   reveals
                   to
                   us
                   the
                   Things
                   of
                   God.
                
                 And
                 
                   he
                   that
                   is
                   Spiritual
                   ,
                   judgeth
                   all
                   Things
                   ,
                
                 that
                 are
                 pretended
                 by
                 others
                 ;
                 
                   yet
                   he
                   himself
                   is
                   judged
                   of
                   no
                   man
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 they
                 who
                 want
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 cannot
                 judge
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 
                   For
                   who
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 want
                 this
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 
                   hath
                   known
                   the
                   mind
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 to
                 discern
                 when
                 another
                 meerly
                 pretends
                 to
                 it
                 ?
                 1
                 Cor.
                 10.
                 12
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Gift
                 of
                 Discerning
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 was
                 very
                 necessary
                 in
                 that
                 Age
                 ,
                 to
                 warn
                 the
                 Church
                 against
                 False
                 Prophets
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 there
                 was
                 such
                 a
                 commonness
                 of
                 true
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 it
                 gave
                 the
                 greatest
                 opportunity
                 to
                 Diabolical
                 Enthusiasts
                 ,
                 or
                 wicked
                 Impostors
                 ,
                 to
                 obtrude
                 their
                 inventions
                 ,
                 or
                 delusions
                 upon
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 hoping
                 they
                 should
                 pass
                 for
                 inspirations
                 among
                 the
                 crowd
                 of
                 others
                 .
                 
                   Now
                   are
                   there
                   many
                   False
                   Phrophets
                   gone
                   out
                   into
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 John
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 it
                 necessary
                 
                   not
                   to
                   believe
                   every
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 4.
                 1.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 Gift
                 indeed
                 ,
                 was
                 necessary
                 to
                 discover
                 them
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 were
                 written
                 :
                 but
                 when
                 once
                 they
                 had
                 them
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 any
                 Christians
                 thereby
                 detect
                 Impostors
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 discerning
                 Spirits
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 St.
                 John
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 Apostles
                 in
                 their
                 Epistles
                 ,
                 gave
                 ordinary
                 Rules
                 for
                 this
                 purpose
                 .
                 One
                 of
                 these
                 Rules
                 was
                 ,
                 confessing
                 Christ
                 to
                 be
                 come
                 in
                 the
                 Flesh.
                 
                   Try
                   the
                   Spirits
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   whether
                   they
                   be
                   of
                   God
                   :
                   and
                   hereby
                   know
                   ye
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   :
                   every
                   Spirit
                   that
                   confesseth
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   is
                   come
                   in
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                   is
                   of
                   God
                   ;
                   and
                   every
                   one
                   that
                   denys
                   it
                   ,
                   is
                   not
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 4.
                 1
                 ,
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 and
                 2
                 Joh.
                 7.
                 
                 Another
                 Rule
                 was
                 ,
                 their
                 submission
                 to
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 Governours
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 since
                 God
                 would
                 inspire
                 no
                 man
                 to
                 break
                 Unity
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 needless
                 Schisms
                 .
                 
                   We
                   are
                   of
                   God.
                   He
                   that
                   knoweth
                   God
                   ,
                   heareth
                   us
                   ;
                   he
                   that
                   is
                   not
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   heareth
                   not
                   us
                   :
                   hereby
                   know
                   we
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Truth
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Errour
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 4.
                 6.
                 
                 But
                 the
                 most
                 comprehensive
                 Rule
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 was
                 their
                 agreement
                 ,
                 or
                 dissonancy
                 with
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 before
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Revelations
                 of
                 the
                 undoubted
                 
                   Apostles
                   .
                   If
                   any
                   man
                   think
                   himself
                   to
                   be
                   a
                   Prophet
                   ,
                   or
                   Spiritual
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   acknowledge
                   that
                   the
                   Things
                   which
                   I
                   write
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                   are
                   the
                   Commandments
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 37.
                 
                 But
                 
                   if
                   any
                   Man
                   ,
                   or
                   Angel
                   from
                   Heaven
                   ,
                   preach
                   unto
                   you
                   any
                   other
                   Gospel
                   ,
                   than
                   that
                   you
                   have
                   received
                   already
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   be
                   accursed
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 1.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 miraculous
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 besides
                 this
                 of
                 
                   Discerning
                   Spirits
                
                 ,
                 were
                 subservlent
                 to
                 this
                 Gift
                 of
                 inspirations
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Secondly
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 
                   utterance
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 of
                 assurance
                 ,
                 fluency
                 ,
                 and
                 volubility
                 of
                 speech
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 were
                 enabled
                 to
                 declare
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 known
                 their
                 Revelations
                 to
                 advantage
                 .
                 This
                 St.
                 Paul
                 desired
                 the
                 Colossians
                 ,
                 to
                 beg
                 of
                 God
                 for
                 him
                 ;
                 
                   Praying
                   for
                   us
                   ,
                   that
                   God
                   ▪
                   would
                   open
                   to
                   us
                   a
                   Door
                   of
                   utterance
                   ,
                   to
                   speak
                   the
                   mystery
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   make
                   it
                   manifest
                   ,
                   as
                   I
                   ought
                   to
                   speak
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 4.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 Under
                 which
                 is
                 comprehended
                 that
                 miraculous
                 boldness
                 ,
                 which
                 these
                 poor
                 men
                 shew'd
                 to
                 admiration
                 ,
                 in
                 asserting
                 undauntedly
                 a
                 most
                 exploded
                 Cause
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 their
                 numerous
                 and
                 potent
                 Adversaries
                 .
                 
                   That
                   utterance
                   may
                   be
                   given
                   to
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   open
                   my
                   mouth
                   boldly
                   ,
                   to
                   make
                   known
                   the
                   mystery
                   of
                   the
                   Gospel
                   :
                   that
                   therein
                   I
                   may
                   speak
                   boldly
                   ,
                   as
                   I
                   ought
                   to
                   speak
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 6.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 this
                 miraculous
                 Boldness
                 ,
                 a
                 Gift
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   Old
                   Prophets
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 part
                 of
                 that
                 
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Fortitude
                
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Writers
                 speak
                 of
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 God
                 armed
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 before
                 he
                 sent
                 him
                 with
                 a
                 difficult
                 and
                 perillous
                 Message
                 ,
                 in
                 which
                 he
                 might
                 foresee
                 the
                 greatest
                 terrour
                 ,
                 and
                 dread
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 to
                 stop
                 his
                 Mouth
                 .
                 Thus
                 God
                 told
                 Ezekiel
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 sent
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 impudent
                 ,
                 and
                 hard-hearted
                 
                   Israelites
                   .
                   Behold
                   ,
                   I
                   have
                   made
                   thy
                   face
                   strong
                   against
                   their
                   faces
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   thy
                   forehead
                   strong
                   against
                   their
                   foreheads
                   .
                   As
                   an
                   Adamant
                   ,
                   harder
                   than
                   Flint
                   ,
                   have
                   I
                   made
                   thy
                   Fore-head
                   :
                   Fear
                   them
                   not
                   ,
                   neither
                   be
                   dismayed
                   at
                   their
                   Looks
                   ,
                   though
                   they
                   be
                   a
                   Rebellious
                   House
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 3.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 Thus
                 also
                 he
                 bid
                 
                   Jeremiah
                   ,
                   speak
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   be
                   dismayed
                   at
                   their
                   Faces
                   ;
                   for
                   he
                   had
                   that
                   Day
                   made
                   him
                   a
                   defenced
                   City
                   ,
                   an
                   Iron
                   Pillar
                   ,
                   and
                   Brazen
                   Walls
                   ,
                   against
                   the
                   whole
                   Land
                   ,
                   against
                   the
                   Kings
                   of
                   Judah
                   ,
                   the
                   Princes
                   ,
                   the
                   Priests
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   People
                   thereof
                   ,
                
                 Jer.
                 1.
                 8
                 ,
                 17
                 ,
                 18
                 ,
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 did
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 give
                 this
                 miraculous
                 Boldness
                 to
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 in
                 a
                 wonderful
                 measure
                 .
                 
                   They
                   were
                   all
                   filled
                   with
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   and
                   spake
                   the
                   word
                   of
                   God
                   with
                   Boldness
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 4.
                 31.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   Rulers
                   saw
                   the
                   Boldness
                   of
                   Peter
                   and
                   John
                   ,
                
                 asserting
                 freely
                 
                   the
                   Power
                   and
                   Authority
                   of
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 and
                 taxing
                 them
                 openly
                 as
                 his
                 wicked
                 Murderers
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 very
                 Faces
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   marvelled
                
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Had
                 they
                 this
                 boldness
                 of
                 Spirit
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No.
                 For
                 at
                 Corinth
                 St.
                 Paul
                 says
                 of
                 himself
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   was
                   with
                   them
                   in
                   Weakness
                   and
                   Fear
                   ,
                   and
                   much
                   Trembling
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 3.
                 
                 In
                 some
                 great
                 Dangers
                 ,
                 and
                 pressing
                 Necessities
                 ,
                 their
                 Natural
                 Fears
                 would
                 return
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 trouble
                 them
                 for
                 some
                 time
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 sometimes
                 happen'd
                 to
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 expected
                 the
                 most
                 perillous
                 opposition
                 :
                 for
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 hardships
                 ,
                 and
                 hazards
                 he
                 had
                 run
                 through
                 at
                 †
                 Philippi
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 at
                 †
                 Thessalonica
                 ,
                 expecting
                 the
                 like
                 at
                 Corinth
                 too
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   was
                   with
                   them
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   in
                   much
                   trembling
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 discouraged
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 needed
                 a
                 Revelation
                 to
                 embolden
                 him
                 ,
                 Act.
                 18.
                 1
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 thus
                 it
                 did
                 especially
                 ,
                 if
                 at
                 such
                 time
                 he
                 were
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 not
                 his
                 Companions
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 
                   When
                   he
                   came
                   into
                   Macedonia
                
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 was
                 by
                 himself
                 ,
                 
                   his
                   Flesh
                   had
                   no
                   Rest
                   ,
                   but
                   he
                   was
                   troubled
                   on
                   every
                   side
                   ,
                   without
                   were
                   fightings
                   ,
                   and
                   within
                   were
                   fears
                   .
                
                 But
                 as
                 soon
                 as
                 his
                 Coadjutor
                 Titus
                 came
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 took
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   comforteth
                   those
                   who
                   are
                   cast
                   down
                   ,
                   comforted
                   him
                   by
                   the
                   coming
                   of
                   Titus
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 7.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 
                   And
                   when
                   he
                   came
                   to
                   Troas
                   ,
                   where
                   a
                   Door
                   was
                   opened
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   he
                   had
                   no
                   Rest
                   in
                   his
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   because
                   he
                   found
                   not
                   Titus
                   his
                   Brother
                   ,
                
                 as
                 he
                 expected
                 ,
                 to
                 stand
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 at
                 Corinth
                 ,
                 whilst
                 he
                 was
                 alone
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 the
                 more
                 afraid
                 ;
                 but
                 
                   when
                   Silas
                   and
                   Timotheus
                   were
                   come
                   ,
                   he
                   was
                   pressed
                   in
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 vigorously
                 put
                 forward
                 ,
                 and
                 emboldened
                 by
                 their
                 Presence
                 ,
                 Act.
                 18.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 Apostles
                 were
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 some
                 Returns
                 of
                 Humane
                 Fears
                 ,
                 and
                 Infirmities
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 miraculous
                 boldness
                 did
                 not
                 actuate
                 and
                 invigorate
                 them
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 'T
                 is
                 true
                 indeed
                 .
                 But
                 ordinarily
                 they
                 injoy'd
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 particularly
                 at
                 those
                 very
                 instants
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 had
                 the
                 greatest
                 need
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 As
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   did
                   before
                   Nero
                
                 ,
                 where
                 
                   the
                   Lord
                   stood
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   strengthned
                
                 
                 
                   him
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 with
                 a
                 mind
                 undaunted
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 Peter
                 and
                 John
                 did
                 before
                 the
                 Sanhedrim
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 were
                 so
                 bold
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Rulers
                   marvelled
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 4.
                 6
                 ,
                 7
                 ,
                 8
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 Christ
                 promised
                 they
                 should
                 all
                 do
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 
                   brought
                   before
                   Governours
                   ,
                   and
                   Kings
                   ,
                   for
                   his
                   sake
                   .
                
                 For
                 then
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   take
                   no
                   thought
                   beforehand
                   ,
                   how
                   ,
                   or
                   what
                   ye
                   shall
                   speak
                   ;
                   for
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   you
                   in
                   that
                   same
                   Hour
                   ,
                   what
                   you
                   shall
                   speak
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 both
                 matter
                 ,
                 and
                 Presence
                 of
                 Mind
                 to
                 utter
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   For
                   it
                   is
                   not
                   ye
                   that
                   speak
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   your
                   Father
                   that
                   speaketh
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 10.
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 second
                 of
                 those
                 
                   Extraordinary
                   Gifts
                
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Planting
                 and
                 establishing
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Church
                 and
                 Religion
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 Gift
                 of
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 which
                 enabled
                 them
                 to
                 prove
                 those
                 things
                 undeniably
                 unto
                 others
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 had
                 revealed
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 working
                 a
                 Miracle
                 for
                 any
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 a
                 Proof
                 it
                 comes
                 from
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Doctrine
                 tends
                 to
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 worthy
                 of
                 God.
                 For
                 a
                 Miracle
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 work
                 of
                 Man
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 God's
                 and
                 shews
                 that
                 God
                 stands
                 on
                 his
                 side
                 that
                 works
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 Miracles
                 are
                 God's
                 Witness
                 ,
                 and
                 way
                 of
                 proving
                 Things
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Works
                   that
                   I
                   do
                   in
                   my
                   Father's
                   Name
                   ,
                   bear
                   witness
                   of
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 10.
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 
                   If
                   I
                   do
                   not
                   the
                   works
                   of
                   my
                   Father
                   ,
                   believe
                   me
                   not
                   .
                
                 
                 
                   But
                   If
                   I
                   do
                   ,
                   though
                   you
                   believe
                   not
                   me
                   ,
                   believe
                   the
                   Works
                   ,
                
                 ver
                 .
                 37
                 ,
                 38.
                 
                 And
                 
                   God
                   bore
                   the
                   Apostles
                   witness
                   ,
                   with
                   signs
                   and
                   wonders
                   ,
                   and
                   divers
                   Miracles
                   ,
                   and
                   Gifts
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 Heb
                 ,
                 2.
                 4.
                 and
                 
                   confirmed
                   the
                   Word
                   with
                   signs
                   following
                   ,
                
                 Mar.
                 16.
                 20.
                 
                 The
                 Power
                 of
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Spirits
                   Proof
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Demonstration
                   .
                   My
                   Speech
                   was
                   in
                   Demonstration
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   Power
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 not
                 Satan
                 himself
                 sometimes
                 work
                 a
                 Miracle
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 a
                 lying
                 Wonder
                 ,
                 as
                 will
                 pass
                 for
                 a
                 Miracle
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 Doctrines
                 that
                 serve
                 his
                 own
                 ends
                 ;
                 but
                 never
                 for
                 a
                 Doctrine
                 that
                 plainly
                 opposes
                 and
                 overthrows
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 so
                 Satan
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 argues
                 undeniably
                 ,
                 
                   would
                   be
                   divided
                   against
                   Satan
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   how
                   could
                   his
                   Kingdom
                   stand
                   ?
                
                 Mat.
                 12.
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 If
                 a
                 Doctrine
                 therefore
                 tends
                 to
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 worthy
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 Christianity
                 doth
                 most
                 eminently
                 ,
                 a
                 Miracle
                 is
                 a
                 sure
                 proof
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 't
                 is
                 certain
                 the
                 evil
                 Spirits
                 have
                 no
                 hand
                 in
                 working
                 it
                 .
                 Not
                 to
                 mention
                 those
                 other
                 most
                 demonstrative
                 marks
                 of
                 the
                 Miracles
                 wrought
                 for
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 whereof
                 I
                 have
                 already
                 discoursed
                 in
                 †
                 another
                 Place
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 any
                 Miracles
                 then
                 which
                 are
                 proposed
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 look
                 not
                 only
                 at
                 the
                 works
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 at
                 their
                 end
                 ,
                 and
                 usefulness
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 they
                 are
                 for
                 impious
                 ,
                 and
                 impure
                 Ends
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 plain
                 they
                 come
                 from
                 impious
                 ,
                 and
                 unclean
                 Spirits
                 ;
                 if
                 
                 only
                 for
                 Ostentation
                 and
                 Praise
                 ,
                 from
                 vain-glorious
                 and
                 proud
                 ones
                 ;
                 if
                 meerly
                 to
                 gratifie
                 idle
                 Curiosity
                 of
                 Spectators
                 ,
                 like
                 Feats
                 of
                 Juglers
                 ,
                 from
                 Ludicrous
                 and
                 Vain
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 who
                 delight
                 to
                 amuse
                 with
                 Toys
                 and
                 Trifles
                 .
                 All
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 being
                 the
                 effect
                 of
                 intelligent
                 Agents
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 Design
                 shew
                 the
                 Temper
                 and
                 Genius
                 of
                 the
                 Actors
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 are
                 pretended
                 to
                 come
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 must
                 be
                 shewn
                 in
                 their
                 gravity
                 ,
                 grandure
                 ,
                 pious
                 heavenly
                 fruits
                 ,
                 or
                 important
                 usefulness
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 put
                 his
                 Hand
                 to
                 any
                 that
                 serve
                 only
                 to
                 vicious
                 ends
                 ,
                 or
                 ridiculous
                 impertinence
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 as
                 God
                 works
                 them
                 only
                 for
                 important
                 and
                 needful
                 ends
                 ,
                 Doth
                 he
                 not
                 also
                 only
                 on
                 needful
                 occasions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Very
                 right
                 ;
                 either
                 of
                 succouring
                 his
                 Servants
                 ,
                 or
                 Crediting
                 his
                 Messengers
                 ,
                 especially
                 when
                 he
                 sends
                 them
                 out
                 at
                 first
                 to
                 promulge
                 a
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 sometimes
                 ,
                 though
                 in
                 this
                 more
                 seldom
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 sends
                 them
                 to
                 revive
                 it
                 after
                 some
                 great
                 and
                 general
                 Defection
                 from
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 Miracles
                 that
                 were
                 wrought
                 all
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   State
                
                 ,
                 were
                 either
                 by
                 Moses
                 ,
                 who
                 first
                 published
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 Elias
                 and
                 Elisha
                 to
                 restore
                 it
                 ,
                 after
                 
                   Jeroboam's
                   Calves
                
                 had
                 made
                 
                   ten
                   Tribes
                
                 of
                 twelve
                 ,
                 most
                 grosly
                 to
                 swerve
                 from
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 vain
                 thing
                 ,
                 for
                 any
                 of
                 those
                 to
                 listen
                 after
                 new
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 who
                 pretend
                 to
                 Rule
                 their
                 Faith
                 by
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 stand
                 attested
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 old
                 ones
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 some
                 Defects
                 in
                 the
                 Miracles
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 which
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 supplied
                 by
                 their
                 Followers
                 .
                 But
                 't
                 is
                 more
                 especially
                 vain
                 to
                 pretend
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Rome
                 doth
                 ,
                 to
                 work
                 such
                 Miracles
                 only
                 among
                 themselves
                 ,
                 who
                 believe
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 never
                 before
                 us
                 ,
                 who
                 have
                 more
                 need
                 to
                 be
                 convinced
                 by
                 them
                 .
                 Moses
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 
                   Saviour
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 
                   blessed
                   Apostles
                
                 ,
                 shewed
                 their
                 Miracles
                 among
                 those
                 they
                 design'd
                 to
                 make
                 Converts
                 ,
                 or
                 such
                 young
                 and
                 unsetled
                 Followers
                 ,
                 as
                 needed
                 to
                 be
                 confirmed
                 and
                 established
                 in
                 the
                 Faith.
                 And
                 in
                 Testimony
                 to
                 
                   the
                   Man
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 Jeroboam's
                 hand
                 is
                 miraculously
                 withered
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 miraculously
                 
                   restored
                   before
                   the
                   Altar
                   at
                   Bethel
                   ,
                
                 the
                 very
                 Seat
                 of
                 the
                 Schismaticks
                 ,
                 1
                 King.
                 13.
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 Tongues
                 are
                 used
                 
                   for
                   a
                   sign
                
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 those
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   who
                   believe
                   ,
                   but
                   to
                   those
                   who
                   believe
                   not
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 22.
                 
                 To
                 shew
                 signs
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 needed
                 ,
                 and
                 withhold
                 them
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 more
                 needful
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 way
                 and
                 method
                 of
                 h●s
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 neither
                 wanting
                 in
                 necessaries
                 ,
                 nor
                 Liberal
                 in
                 superfluities
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 this
                 Gift
                 of
                 Miracles
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 God
                 bore
                 them
                 witness
                 ,
                 with
                 Signs
                 ,
                 and
                 Wonders
                 ,
                 and
                 divers
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 
                   Heb.
                   2.
                   4.
                   and
                
                 confirmed
                 the
                 word
                 with
                 Signs
                 following
                 ,
                 
                   Mar.
                   16.
                   20.
                
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 Miracles
                 had
                 they
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 They
                 had
                 
                   the
                   Gift
                   of
                   Healing
                
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 Medicine
                 .
                 
                   To
                   one
                   is
                   given
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   the
                   Gift
                   of
                   healing
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 thus
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   Pet●●
                
                 and
                 
                   John
                   healed
                   the
                   Lame
                   Man
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 3.
                 2
                 ,
                 6.
                 
                 In
                 working
                 these
                 Cures
                 ,
                 when
                 our
                 Saviour
                 sent
                 them
                 out
                 at
                 First
                 ,
                 they
                 used
                 the
                 Ceremony
                 of
                 
                   anointing
                   with
                   Oyl
                   .
                   They
                   anointed
                   with
                   Oyl
                   many
                   that
                   were
                   sick
                   ,
                   and
                   healed
                   them
                   ▪
                
                 Mar.
                 6.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Ceremony
                 of
                 anointting
                 ,
                 was
                 held
                 on
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 whilst
                 this
                 miraculous
                 
                   Gift
                   of
                   Healing
                
                 lasted
                 ,
                 and
                 Prayer
                 was
                 added
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 
                   Is
                   any
                   Sick
                   among
                   you
                
                 ,
                 says
                 St.
                 
                   James
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   call
                   for
                   the
                   Elders
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   them
                   Pray
                   over
                   him
                   ,
                   anointing
                   him
                   with
                   Oyl
                   in
                   the
                   Name
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 for
                 in
                 Christ's
                 Name
                 all
                 their
                 Miracles
                 were
                 wrought
                 :
                 
                   And
                   the
                   Prayer
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 put
                 up
                 in
                 Faith
                 of
                 the
                 miraculous
                 cure
                 ,
                 
                   shal
                   save
                   the
                   sick
                
                 ,
                 viz.
                 from
                 his
                 Disease
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   shall
                   raise
                   him
                   up
                   ;
                   and
                   if
                   he
                   have
                   committed
                   Sins
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 if
                 any
                 Sins
                 brought
                 this
                 sickness
                 ,
                 
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   forgiven
                   him
                
                 in
                 the
                 cure
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 5.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 
                   saving
                   of
                   the
                   Sick
                
                 here
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 be
                 meant
                 saving
                 of
                 him
                 from
                 his
                 Disease
                 ;
                 because
                 it
                 follows
                 ;
                 
                   and
                   the
                   Lord
                   shall
                   raise
                   him
                   up
                   .
                
                 But
                 
                   the
                   Prayer
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   forgiveness
                   of
                   Sins
                
                 ,
                 seem
                 to
                 note
                 something
                 else
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 As
                 for
                 
                   the
                   Prayer
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 that
                 Agrees
                 very
                 well
                 :
                 for
                 a
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 belief
                 
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 enable
                 him
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 necessary
                 in
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 works
                 a
                 Miracle
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Forgiving
                   of
                   his
                   Sins
                
                 ;
                 you
                 must
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Punishment
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 eternal
                 Death
                 ,
                 but
                 Present
                 Diseases
                 :
                 and
                 therefore
                 that
                 the
                 sin
                 is
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 in
                 part
                 ,
                 when
                 either
                 of
                 these
                 is
                 taken
                 off
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 the
                 Scripture
                 speaks
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 any
                 sickness
                 ,
                 or
                 infirmities
                 ,
                 come
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 makes
                 it
                 the
                 same
                 thing
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   thy
                   sins
                   are
                   forgiven
                
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   arise
                   and
                   walk
                
                 :
                 and
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 design'd
                 to
                 work
                 a
                 Cure
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   thy
                   sins
                   are
                   pardoned
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 9.
                 2
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 the
                 gift
                 of
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Of
                 
                   casting
                   out
                   Devils
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostles
                 did
                 
                   out
                   of
                   Multitudes
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 5.
                 16.
                 
                 Of
                 
                   Raising
                   the
                   Dead
                
                 ,
                 as
                 Peter
                 raised
                 Dorcas
                 ,
                 Act.
                 9.
                 39
                 ,
                 40.
                 and
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   Eutichus
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 20.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 
                   Of
                   inflicting
                   Bodily
                   Diseases
                   ,
                   and
                   Torments
                   ,
                
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 
                   Spiritual
                   Horrors
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Supernatural
                   Agonies
                   ,
                   on
                   contumacious
                   sinners
                   ,
                
                 as
                 Paul
                 did
                 on
                 
                   Elymas
                   the
                   Sorcerer
                   ,
                   striking
                   him
                   with
                   blindness
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 13.
                 8
                 ,
                 9
                 ,
                 11.
                 and
                 on
                 the
                 
                   incestuous
                   Corinthian
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 thus
                 punished
                 
                   for
                   the
                   destruction
                   of
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 5.
                 
                 Which
                 Corporal
                 inflictions
                 ,
                 he
                 seems
                 plainly
                 to
                 threaten
                 the
                 Back-sliders
                 at
                 Corinth
                 withal
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 tells
                 them
                 of
                 
                   coming
                   to
                   them
                   with
                   a
                   Rod
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 21.
                 
                 Of
                 
                   using
                   sharpness
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 13.
                 10.
                 
                 Of
                 
                   Revenging
                   all
                   Disobedience
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 10.
                 6.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 of
                 such
                 sharpness
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 over-awe
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 humble
                 the
                 most
                 carnal
                 minds
                 ,
                 and
                 contemptuous
                 Opposers
                 of
                 Church
                 Authority
                 and
                 Censures
                 :
                 
                   bringing
                   down
                   the
                   Flesh
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 said
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Incestuous
                   Persons
                
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 them
                 
                   afraid
                   to
                   Blaspheme
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 said
                 of
                 Hymeneus
                 and
                 Alexander
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   were
                   most
                   contemptuous
                   and
                   stubborn
                   in
                   their
                   Heretical
                   Opinion
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Tim.
                 19.
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 infliction
                 of
                 smart
                 ,
                 and
                 Bodily
                 Diseases
                 ,
                 upon
                 obstinate
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 
                   Delivering
                   over
                   unto
                   Satan
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 says
                 he
                 had
                 done
                 in
                 these
                 last
                 mentioned
                 Cases
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 was
                 this
                 infliction
                 of
                 Bodily
                 smart
                 and
                 punishment
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 called
                 
                   Delivering
                   over
                   to
                   Satan
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 these
                 Pains
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Effect
                 of
                 God's
                 immediate
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Satan
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 Tormentor
                 ,
                 and
                 Executioner
                 of
                 God's
                 Vengeance
                 :
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 when
                 these
                 Offenders
                 were
                 given
                 up
                 to
                 God's
                 Justice
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 said
                 to
                 be
                 delivered
                 into
                 his
                 Hands
                 .
                 When
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 more
                 immediate
                 ,
                 and
                 extraordinary
                 way
                 ,
                 sends
                 present
                 heavy
                 Plagues
                 upon
                 Men
                 ,
                 especially
                 as
                 a
                 Punishment
                 for
                 sin
                 ,
                 Satan
                 is
                 often
                 said
                 to
                 inflict
                 them
                 .
                 
                 Saul's
                 Melancholly
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 
                   an
                   Evil
                   Spirit
                   from
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 1
                 Sam.
                 18.
                 10.
                 
                 God's
                 
                   Plagueing
                   the
                   Egyptians
                   ,
                   sending
                   evil
                   Angels
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Ps.
                 78.
                 49.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Woman
                
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 
                   been
                   bowed
                   together
                   eighteen
                   years
                   ,
                   one
                   whom
                   Satan
                   had
                   bound
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 13.
                 11
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 The
                 Lunatick
                 ,
                 a
                 Demoniack
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   one
                   vexed
                   with
                   an
                   unclean
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 17.
                 15
                 ,
                 18.
                 and
                 Luk.
                 9.
                 39
                 ,
                 42.
                 
                 
                 And
                 thus
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Apostles
                 gave
                 up
                 offenders
                 to
                 God
                 to
                 punish
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 Devil
                 executes
                 the
                 Punishment
                 which
                 God
                 decrees
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 
                   Delivering
                   them
                   over
                   unto
                   Satan
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 delivering
                 to
                 Satan
                 then
                 was
                 an
                 Act
                 of
                 Divine
                 Justice
                 upon
                 these
                 Criminals
                 ;
                 and
                 God
                 commanded
                 Satan
                 thus
                 to
                 afflict
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 formerly
                 he
                 afflicted
                 Job
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 instance
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 ,
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 improbable
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 done
                 with
                 Prayer
                 to
                 God
                 to
                 take
                 vengeance
                 .
                 For
                 so
                 the
                 Apostle
                 may
                 seem
                 to
                 express
                 himself
                 ,
                 on
                 his
                 Delivering
                 up
                 
                   Alexander
                   .
                   Alexander
                   the
                   Copper-Smith
                   did
                   me
                   much
                   Evil
                   ,
                   the
                   Lord
                   reward
                   him
                   according
                   to
                   his
                   Works
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Tim.
                 4.
                 14.
                 
                 In
                 this
                 he
                 Acted
                 as
                 a
                 Spiritual
                 Judge
                 ,
                 delivering
                 up
                 to
                 Justice
                 ,
                 and
                 Prayed
                 God
                 to
                 exact
                 the
                 Penalty
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 Sentence
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Had
                 they
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 any
                 other
                 Miracles
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 such
                 I
                 reckon
                 was
                 their
                 
                   Joy
                   in
                   Tribulations
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Glorying
                 even
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 Hour
                 of
                 their
                 sufferings
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 
                   Council
                   had
                   beaten
                   them
                   ,
                   they
                   departed
                   from
                   their
                   Presence
                   ,
                   rejoycing
                   that
                   they
                   were
                   counted
                   worthy
                   to
                   suffer
                   shame
                   for
                   Christ's
                   Name
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 5.
                 40
                 ,
                 41.
                 
                 Whilst
                 their
                 Stripes
                 were
                 yet
                 sore
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 were
                 pinched
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Stocks
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Dark
                 Dungeon
                 ,
                 
                   Paul
                   and
                   Silas
                   sang
                   Praises
                   to
                   God
                   ,
                
                 and
                 triumphed
                 
                 rejoycing
                 ,
                 Act.
                 16.
                 23
                 ,
                 24
                 ,
                 25.
                 
                 And
                 upon
                 
                   their
                   Persecution
                   at
                   Antioch
                   ,
                   the
                   Disciples
                   were
                   filled
                   with
                   Joy
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 13.
                 50
                 ,
                 52.
                 
                 Thus
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Mold
                 ,
                 nor
                 had
                 Bodies
                 like
                 other
                 Men
                 ,
                 did
                 they
                 Glory
                 in
                 their
                 Shame
                 for
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 rejoice
                 in
                 Tribulation
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 is
                 not
                 Joy
                 an
                 ordinary
                 Fruit
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ?
                 And
                 why
                 then
                 do
                 you
                 think
                 this
                 rejoicing
                 of
                 theirs
                 ,
                 had
                 something
                 Miraculous
                 in
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 A
                 secret
                 Joy
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 God's
                 Love
                 ,
                 is
                 common
                 among
                 Good
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 ordinary
                 
                   Fruit
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 't
                 is
                 reckon'd
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 22.
                 
                 Yea
                 ,
                 and
                 Joy
                 in
                 Tribulation
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 Tribulation
                 is
                 past
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   afterwards
                   it
                   yields
                   the
                   Peaceable
                   Fruits
                   of
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   are
                   exercised
                   with
                   it
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 11.
                 
                 But
                 to
                 rejoice
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 midst
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 the
                 Stroke
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 did
                 ,
                 I
                 think
                 has
                 an
                 extraordinary
                 Gift
                 ,
                 and
                 miraculous
                 Aid
                 in
                 it
                 :
                 For
                 under
                 the
                 ordinary
                 Assistance
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 the
                 Bodily
                 Pain
                 hinders
                 rejoycing
                 at
                 the
                 very
                 instant
                 .
                 
                   For
                   the
                   Present
                   ,
                   no
                   chastening
                   seemeth
                   to
                   be
                   joyous
                   ,
                   but
                   grievous
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 
                   What
                   say
                   you
                   then
                   to
                   the
                   Words
                   of
                
                 Christ
                 ,
                 Rejoice
                 and
                 be
                 exceeding
                 glad
                 ,
                 when
                 you
                 are
                 Persecuted
                 for
                 my
                 sake
                 ,
                 
                   Mat.
                   5.
                   11
                   ,
                   12.
                
                 
              
               
                 Answ.
                 I
                 think
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 express
                 a
                 Duty
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 strictly
                 exacts
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Gift
                 and
                 Priviledge
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 sometimes
                 bestows
                 upon
                 his
                 Martyrs
                 and
                 Confessors
                 :
                 
                 As
                 was
                 visible
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 days
                 ,
                 and
                 among
                 the
                 
                   Primitive
                   Martyrs
                
                 .
                 For
                 their
                 minds
                 were
                 sometimes
                 so
                 ravished
                 ,
                 and
                 transported
                 ,
                 with
                 Spiritual
                 Consolations
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 seize
                 all
                 the
                 Powers
                 of
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 suffer
                 them
                 to
                 attend
                 to
                 the
                 most
                 Exquisite
                 Bodily
                 Tortures
                 .
                 So
                 as
                 they
                 could
                 smile
                 upon
                 Racks
                 ,
                 and
                 sing
                 under
                 their
                 Executioners
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 so
                 far
                 intranced
                 in
                 Spiritual
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 declare
                 under
                 the
                 most
                 Bloody
                 Butcheries
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 not
                 sensible
                 of
                 any
                 Pain
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 stupendious
                 supports
                 ,
                 God
                 has
                 sometimes
                 vouchsafed
                 in
                 later
                 ,
                 and
                 modern
                 Persecutions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 endowed
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 with
                 strange
                 Gifts
                 of
                 Miracles
                 .
                 But
                 could
                 they
                 work
                 these
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 at
                 any
                 instant
                 of
                 time
                 when
                 they
                 would
                 ;
                 or
                 were
                 some
                 Preparations
                 required
                 to
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 There
                 was
                 required
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 1.
                 
                 Always
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   him
                   that
                   wrought
                
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 2.
                 sometimes
                 ,
                 particularly
                 in
                 miraculous
                 Cures
                 ,
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   the
                   Person
                   that
                   received
                
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 whom
                 they
                 were
                 wrought
                 upon
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 was
                 the
                 Faith
                 required
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 wrought
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 A
                 Perswasion
                 that
                 God's
                 Power
                 would
                 assist
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 perform
                 the
                 Miracle
                 by
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 never
                 offer
                 at
                 this
                 in
                 vain
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 have
                 exposed
                 both
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 Religion
                 ,
                 whensoever
                 God
                 would
                 enable
                 them
                 
                 to
                 work
                 a
                 Miracle
                 ,
                 he
                 first
                 possessed
                 their
                 minds
                 with
                 a
                 firm
                 Belief
                 and
                 Assurance
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 so
                 oft
                 required
                 of
                 Wonder-workers
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Scriptures
                   .
                   Though
                   I
                   have
                   all
                   Faith
                   ,
                   so
                   that
                   I
                   could
                   remove
                   Mountains
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 13.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   ye
                   have
                   Faith
                   as
                   a
                   Grane
                   of
                   Mustard-Seed
                   ,
                   ye
                   shall
                   say
                   to
                   this
                   Mountain
                   ,
                   Remove
                   hence
                   to
                   yonder
                   Place
                   ▪
                   and
                   it
                   shall
                   Remove
                   ,
                   and
                   nothing
                   shall
                   be
                   unpossible
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 17.
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Faith
                 is
                 reckon'd
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 extraordinary
                 Gifts
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
                 
                   To
                   another
                   Faith
                   ,
                   by
                   the
                   same
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 was
                 the
                 Faith
                 that
                 sometimes
                 ,
                 but
                 more
                 especially
                 in
                 the
                 
                   cure
                   of
                   Diseases
                
                 ,
                 was
                 required
                 on
                 him
                 that
                 received
                 a
                 Miracle
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Person
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 be
                 wrought
                 upon
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 A
                 Perswasion
                 that
                 God
                 would
                 enable
                 the
                 Wonder-worker
                 to
                 do
                 the
                 cure
                 for
                 ,
                 or
                 shew
                 the
                 Miracle
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 This
                 also
                 was
                 another
                 Requisite
                 .
                 For
                 
                   Paul
                   stedfastly
                   beholding
                   the
                   Creeple
                   ,
                   and
                   perceiving
                   he
                   had
                   faith
                   to
                   be
                   healed
                   ,
                
                 said
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   stand
                   upright
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 14.
                 9
                 ,
                 10.
                 
                 
                   Believe
                   ye
                   that
                   I
                   am
                   able
                   to
                   do
                   this
                   ,
                
                 said
                 
                   Christ
                   to
                   the
                   blind
                   Men
                   ?
                   according
                   to
                   your
                   Faith
                   ,
                   so
                   be
                   it
                   unto
                   you
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 9.
                 28
                 ,
                 29.
                 
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   canst
                   do
                   any
                   thing
                   ▪
                
                 said
                 the
                 
                   Father
                   of
                   the
                   Demoniack
                   ,
                   have
                   Compassion
                   on
                   us
                   ,
                   and
                   help
                   us
                   .
                   Jesus
                   said
                   unto
                   him
                   ,
                   if
                   thou
                   canst
                   believe
                
                 I
                 can
                 ,
                 all
                 miraculous
                 
                   Things
                   are
                   possible
                
                 to
                 be
                 done
                 
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   believeth
                
                 ,
                 Mar.
                 9.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 
                   in
                   his
                   own
                   Country
                
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Christ
                   did
                   not
                   many
                
                 
                 
                   Miracles
                   ,
                   because
                   of
                   their
                   unbelief
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 13.
                 58.
                 or
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 
                   Mark
                   ▪
                   he
                   could
                   not
                   do
                   them
                   ,
                
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 seems
                 ,
                 suspending
                 this
                 miraculous
                 aid
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 such
                 ,
                 whose
                 unbelief
                 rendred
                 them
                 unworthy
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 Mark
                 6.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 third
                 ,
                 and
                 last
                 of
                 those
                 
                   extraordinary
                   Gifts
                
                 which
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 Gift
                 of
                 
                   strange
                   Tongues
                
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 all
                 Jews
                 ,
                 were
                 able
                 in
                 an
                 instant
                 to
                 Publish
                 that
                 Religion
                 God
                 had
                 revealed
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 over
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 understood
                 by
                 men
                 of
                 every
                 Language
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 this
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 visibly
                 at
                 
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Pentecost
                
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   descended
                   upon
                   each
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   shape
                   of
                   Cloven
                   Tongues
                   ,
                   like
                   as
                   of
                   Fire
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   spake
                   with
                   other
                   Tongues
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   Spirit
                   gave
                   them
                   utterance
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   talked
                   to
                   Parthians
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Romans
                   ,
                   Cretes
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Arabians
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 
                   the
                   devout
                   men
                   from
                   every
                   Nation
                   under
                   Heaven
                   at
                   that
                   time
                
                 gathered
                 together
                 to
                 Jerusalem
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   every
                   man
                   in
                   the
                   Tongue
                   wherein
                   he
                   was
                   born
                   ,
                
                 Acts.
                 2.
                 1.
                 to
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 at
                 the
                 
                   imposition
                   of
                   the
                   Apostles
                   hands
                
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 generally
                 bestowed
                 on
                 others
                 afterwards
                 .
                 As
                 on
                 
                   the
                   Disciples
                   at
                   Ephesus
                   ,
                   at
                   the
                   imposition
                   of
                   Paul's
                   hands
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 19.
                 2
                 ,
                 6.
                 on
                 Cornelius
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 
                   Gentile
                   Friends
                
                 ,
                 at
                 
                   Peter's
                   Preaching
                
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   while
                   he
                   yet
                   spake
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   fell
                   on
                   all
                   them
                   that
                   heard
                   the
                   word
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   spake
                   with
                   Tongues
                   ,
                   and
                   magnified
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 10.
                 44
                 ,
                 45
                 ,
                 46.
                 
                 And
                 so
                 on
                 others
                 in
                 great
                 
                 numbers
                 ,
                 particularly
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Church
                   of
                   Corinth
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 To
                 what
                 end
                 were
                 they
                 thus
                 endowed
                 with
                 all
                 Languages
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 enable
                 them
                 to
                 Preach
                 to
                 all
                 Nations
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 were
                 Commission'd
                 to
                 
                   teach
                   all
                   Nations
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 teach
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 speaking
                 to
                 every
                 man
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 Language
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 wheresoever
                 they
                 came
                 ,
                 the
                 Spirit
                 immediately
                 made
                 them
                 as
                 perfect
                 in
                 the
                 Language
                 of
                 the
                 Place
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 Mother
                 Tongue
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Had
                 not
                 some
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 not
                 sent
                 out
                 to
                 men
                 of
                 ▪
                 another
                 Language
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 as
                 particularly
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Corinth
                 ,
                 for
                 there
                 many
                 would
                 speak
                 in
                 the
                 Assemblies
                 ,
                 where
                 all
                 ,
                 or
                 most
                 were
                 Greeks
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Strange
                   Tongues
                
                 ;
                 which
                 ,
                 because
                 
                   the
                   Church
                   did
                   not
                   understand
                
                 ,
                 St.
                 Paul
                 directs
                 such
                 gifted
                 ▪
                 Linguists
                 ,
                 to
                 Pray
                 for
                 another
                 Gift
                 of
                 
                   interpreting
                   Tongues
                
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 such
                 enthusiasms
                 intelligible
                 to
                 their
                 Hearers
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 2
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 In
                 these
                 
                   strange
                   Tongues
                
                 they
                 Preached
                 ,
                 v.
                 6.
                 and
                 
                   Prayed
                   to
                   God
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 ,
                 being
                 an
                 offering
                 up
                 both
                 inspired
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 inspired
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 both
                 his
                 extraordinary
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 Praying
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Singing
                   ,
                   by
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   with
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 To
                 what
                 end
                 then
                 served
                 these
                 strange
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 Churches
                 all
                 of
                 one
                 Tongue
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Not
                 to
                 make
                 known
                 Religion
                 indeed
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 hearers
                 did
                 not
                 understand
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 they
                 serv'd
                 to
                 express
                 the
                 Speakers
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 
                   edified
                   himself
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 4.
                 and
                 as
                 a
                 Sign
                 ,
                 to
                 confirm
                 our
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 were
                 an
                 argument
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 other
                 Miracles
                 were
                 ,
                 to
                 prove
                 it
                 true
                 to
                 
                   Infidels
                   .
                   Tongues
                   are
                   for
                   a
                   sign
                   ,
                   not
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   believe
                   ,
                   but
                   to
                   them
                   that
                   believe
                   not
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 22.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Was
                 there
                 any
                 Guilt
                 subservient
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 of
                 speaking
                 with
                 strange
                 Tongues
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 
                   interpreting
                   those
                   strange
                   Tongues
                
                 ,
                 when
                 spoken
                 either
                 by
                 themselves
                 ,
                 or
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 what
                 need
                 of
                 that
                 ?
                 did
                 not
                 they
                 that
                 spoke
                 these
                 strange
                 Tongues
                 understand
                 themselves
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   he
                   that
                   spoke
                   in
                   an
                   unknown
                   Tongue
                   ,
                   edified
                   himself
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 4.
                 and
                 
                   he
                   that
                   gave
                   Thanks
                   in
                   it
                   ,
                   gave
                   Thanks
                   well
                   ,
                
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 v.
                 17.
                 
                 But
                 in
                 this
                 exercise
                 of
                 strange
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 the
                 heat
                 of
                 Enthusiasm
                 and
                 Divine
                 Rapture
                 ,
                 was
                 sometimes
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Speaker
                 could
                 not
                 interpret
                 himself
                 as
                 he
                 spoke
                 ,
                 nor
                 remember
                 it
                 after
                 that
                 heat
                 was
                 over
                 ,
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 give
                 an
                 explication
                 to
                 those
                 that
                 heard
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 defect
                 ,
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 
                   interpreting
                   Tongues
                
                 supplyed
                 ;
                 which
                 Gift
                 ,
                 St
                 ▪
                 Paul
                 directs
                 those
                 who
                 had
                 the
                 other
                 of
                 speaking
                 with
                 strange
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 to
                 beg
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 order
                 to
                 their
                 greater
                 
                   usefulness
                   .
                   Let
                   him
                   that
                   speaketh
                   in
                   an
                   unknown
                   Tongue
                   ,
                   pray
                   also
                   that
                
                 
                 
                   he
                   may
                   interpret
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 do
                 it
                 with
                 such
                 consistency
                 ,
                 and
                 moderation
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 able
                 afterwards
                 to
                 give
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 in
                 other
                 more
                 intelligible
                 words
                 ,
                 v.
                 13.
                 and
                 orders
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 any
                 spoke
                 with
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 not
                 thus
                 qualified
                 to
                 explain
                 themselves
                 ,
                 they
                 should
                 speak
                 ,
                 not
                 all
                 at
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 sometimes
                 did
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   by
                   course
                   ,
                   and
                
                 have
                 one
                 still
                 to
                 second
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   interpret
                
                 their
                 strange
                 speech
                 ,
                 v.
                 27.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 I
                 see
                 what
                 are
                 the
                 extraordinary
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   viz.
                
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 inspiration
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 should
                 be
                 infallibly
                 instructed
                 in
                 their
                 Religion
                 ;
                 of
                 Tongues
                 ,
                 and
                 utterance
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 should
                 intelligibly
                 ,
                 and
                 undauntedly
                 express
                 and
                 declare
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 should
                 undoubtedly
                 prove
                 and
                 demonstrate
                 it
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 Christ
                 promised
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 to
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 he
                 calls
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 Comforter
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 7.
                 
                 What
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 that
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   First
                
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 an
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 one
                 sence
                 of
                 the
                 word
                 Paraclete
                 ,
                 to
                 plead
                 the
                 Cause
                 of
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Religion
                 ,
                 against
                 all
                 that
                 opposed
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 he
                 did
                 most
                 convincingly
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 miraculous
                 Gifts
                 already
                 mentioned
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 this
                 sence
                 ,
                 Christ
                 says
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   when
                   he
                   is
                   come
                   ,
                   he
                   will
                   reprove
                   ,
                
                 or
                 convince
                 
                   the
                   world
                   of
                   Sin
                   ,
                   of
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   Judgment
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 8.
                 
              
               
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 a
                 Comforter
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 another
                 sence
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 support
                 them
                 under
                 all
                 that
                 troubled
                 them
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 plainly
                 another
                 sence
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 tells
                 them
                 of
                 
                   sending
                   the
                   Comforter
                
                 ,
                 because
                 
                   sorrow
                   had
                   filled
                   their
                   hearts
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 6.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Office
                 he
                 fulfill'd
                 ,
                 by
                 assuring
                 them
                 their
                 Lord
                 ,
                 whose
                 death
                 they
                 lamented
                 ,
                 was
                 now
                 alive
                 again
                 ;
                 by
                 supplying
                 his
                 Place
                 ,
                 in
                 making
                 their
                 defence
                 ,
                 and
                 giving
                 them
                 assistance
                 and
                 direction
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 shewing
                 them
                 an
                 happy
                 end
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 Troubles
                 ,
                 and
                 preparing
                 them
                 for
                 the
                 Kingdom
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 the
                 
                   unpardonable
                   Sin
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 a
                 Sin
                 against
                 these
                 miraculous
                 Gifts
                 of
                 his
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 it
                 was
                 against
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 Miracles
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   casting
                   out
                   Devils
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 sin'd
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 cautions
                 them
                 against
                 this
                 dreadful
                 sin
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   sin
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   shall
                   never
                   be
                   forgiven
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 12.
                 24
                 ,
                 32.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 unpardonable
                 sin
                 against
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Slandering
                 ,
                 or
                 Blaspheming
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 there
                 did
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 attributed
                 them
                 to
                 Magick
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   said
                   ,
                   he
                   cast
                   out
                   Devils
                   by
                   Beelzebub
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 24.
                 for
                 it
                 is
                 expresly
                 called
                 
                   speaking
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 32.
                 and
                 
                   Blasphemy
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 31.
                 
                 
                   And
                   this
                   he
                   said
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                   St.
                   Mark
                   ,
                   because
                   they
                   said
                   he
                   hath
                   an
                   unclean
                   Spirit
                   ,
                
                 Mar.
                 3.
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 
                   What
                   is
                   meant
                   ,
                   by
                
                 never
                 forgiven
                 in
                 this
                 world
                 ,
                 nor
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 to
                 come
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Not
                 being
                 pardonable
                 under
                 any
                 dispensation
                 or
                 Religion
                 ,
                 either
                 Jewish
                 ,
                 or
                 Christian
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Jews
                 looked
                 on
                 the
                 
                   days
                   of
                   Messiah
                
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 
                   later
                   state
                
                 and
                 dispensation
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 to
                 succeed
                 their
                 own
                 :
                 on
                 which
                 account
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 
                   the
                   last
                   ▪
                   days
                
                 ,
                 Is.
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 &
                 Heb.
                 1.
                 2.
                 and
                 
                   the
                   last
                   time
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 18.
                 and
                 the
                 
                   World
                   to
                   come
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 †
                 some
                 sins
                 were
                 to
                 be
                 atoneable
                 among
                 Christians
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 atonement
                 among
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 since
                 by
                 
                   Christ
                   they
                   were
                   to
                   be
                   justified
                   from
                   those
                   Things
                   ,
                   from
                   which
                   they
                   could
                   not
                   be
                   justified
                   by
                   the
                   Law
                   of
                   Moses
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 13.
                 39.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 Christ
                 says
                 ,
                 this
                 Blasphemy
                 
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   forgiven
                   in
                   this
                   World
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   World
                   to
                   come
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 as
                 neither
                 to
                 be
                 forgiven
                 in
                 the
                 Jewish
                 State
                 while
                 it
                 lasted
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 Christian
                 ;
                 neither
                 Moses
                 ,
                 nor
                 He
                 ,
                 having
                 provided
                 any
                 Sacrifice
                 or
                 expiation
                 for
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 Blaspheming
                 God
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Son
                 unpardonable
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 whosoever
                 speaketh
                 a
                 word
                 against
                 the
                 Son
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 forgiven
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Mat.
                   12.
                   32.
                   yea
                
                 ,
                 all
                 manner
                 of
                 other
                 Sin
                 ,
                 and
                 Blasphemy
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 forgiven
                 unto
                 Men
                 ,
                 
                   v.
                   31.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 then
                 will
                 the
                 Blasphemy
                 against
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 never
                 be
                 forgiven
                 ?
                 Is
                 he
                 more
                 worthy
                 than
                 either
                 the
                 Father
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Son
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 reason
                 .
                 But
                 these
                 his
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 last
                 means
                 of
                 begetting
                 Belief
                 in
                 men
                 ;
                 and
                 without
                 Faith
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 Repentance
                 wrought
                 by
                 Faith
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Pardon
                 .
                 If
                 men
                 would
                 not
                 believe
                 ,
                 but
                 revile
                 the
                 Son
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 was
                 among
                 them
                 ;
                 after
                 he
                 was
                 taken
                 up
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 was
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 his
                 Advocate
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 by
                 all
                 the
                 miraculous
                 Gifts
                 I
                 have
                 mentioned
                 ,
                 gain
                 credit
                 from
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 believing
                 him
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 go
                 to
                 Blaspheme
                 and
                 Revile
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 slanderously
                 call
                 all
                 his
                 stupendious
                 Gifts
                 magical
                 Tricks
                 ,
                 and
                 works
                 of
                 Satan
                 ;
                 God
                 is
                 resolved
                 to
                 endeavour
                 no
                 more
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 nor
                 ever
                 to
                 bring
                 them
                 to
                 Believe
                 ,
                 and
                 Repent
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Pardon
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 unpardonable
                 ,
                 because
                 after
                 it
                 ,
                 God
                 has
                 decreed
                 that
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 impossible
                 .
                 Of
                 Apostates
                 ,
                 says
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 who
                 committed
                 this
                 sin
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                   impossible
                   to
                   renew
                   them
                   again
                   to
                   Repentance
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 These
                 miraculous
                 Gifts
                 were
                 wonderful
                 vouchsafements
                 :
                 did
                 not
                 they
                 evidence
                 all
                 that
                 enjoy'd
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 in
                 Favour
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 
                   justified
                   state
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 they
                 were
                 bestowed
                 promiscuously
                 ,
                 on
                 good
                 and
                 bad
                 .
                 
                   Balaam
                   loved
                   the
                   wages
                   of
                   unrighteousness
                
                 ;
                 yet
                 he
                 was
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
                 Judas
                 was
                 
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   Perdition
                
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 
                   wrought
                   Miracles
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 
                   other
                   Apostles
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 10.
                 1
                 ,
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 
                   at
                   the
                   last
                   Day
                   ,
                   many
                   will
                   plead
                   ,
                
                 that
                 in
                 Christ's
                 
                   Name
                   they
                   Prophesied
                   ,
                   and
                   cast
                   out
                   Devils
                   ,
                   and
                   did
                   Wonders
                   :
                
                 and
                 yet
                 he
                 will
                 bid
                 them
                 
                   depart
                   from
                   him
                
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 
                   wrought
                   iniquity
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 7.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 obedience
                 ,
                 not
                 
                 miracles
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 save
                 our
                 Souls
                 ,
                 it
                 being
                 not
                 the
                 
                   workers
                   of
                   wonders
                
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   workers
                   of
                   Righteousness
                
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 accepts
                 of
                 .
                 And
                 thereupon
                 our
                 Saviour
                 
                   bid
                   his
                   Disciples
                   rejoyce
                
                 ,
                 not
                 for
                 
                   that
                   the
                   Devils
                   were
                   subject
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   but
                   rather
                   because
                   their
                   Names
                   were
                   written
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 10.
                 17
                 ,
                 18
                 ,
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Thus
                 much
                 may
                 suffice
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 understanding
                 of
                 the
                 
                   extraordinary
                   Gifts
                
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 .
                 But
                 besides
                 his
                 bestowing
                 these
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 you
                 said
                 he
                 has
                 appointed
                 several
                 
                   Offices
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Planting
                   ,
                   and
                   Establishing
                   Christ's
                   Church
                   and
                   Religion
                   ,
                
                 what
                 are
                 those
                 Offices
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 Authour
                 of
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   He
                   gave
                   some
                   Apostles
                
                 ,
                 the
                 highest
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 extensive
                 power
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Church
                   ;
                   and
                   some
                   Prophets
                
                 ,
                 who
                 foretold
                 future
                 Things
                 ,
                 Expounded
                 old
                 ,
                 and
                 utter'd
                 new
                 Prophesies
                 ;
                 
                   and
                   some
                   Evangelists
                
                 ,
                 who
                 writ
                 the
                 Gospels
                 ,
                 or
                 preach'd
                 the
                 Word
                 in
                 unconverted
                 Places
                 ,
                 where
                 it
                 was
                 never
                 heard
                 before
                 ;
                 
                   and
                   some
                   Pastors
                   and
                   Teachers
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Bishops
                 and
                 Presbyters
                 ,
                 to
                 govern
                 and
                 instruct
                 the
                 Church
                 :
                 All
                 which
                 he
                 gave
                 
                   for
                   the
                   perfecting
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   ,
                   the
                   Work
                   of
                   the
                   Ministry
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   edifying
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 8
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   set
                   in
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                   first
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   secondarily
                   Prophets
                   ,
                   thirdly
                   Teachers
                   ,
                   after
                   that
                   Miracles
                   ,
                   Governments
                   ,
                   &c.
                   
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 28.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 For
                 what
                 end
                 were
                 these
                 Offices
                 appointed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 For
                 the
                 Government
                 and
                 Edification
                 
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Work
                   of
                   the
                   Ministry
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 and
                 Prayers
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 given
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   perfecting
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Work
                   of
                   the
                   Ministry
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   the
                   edifying
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                   of
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 were
                 all
                 these
                 Offices
                 to
                 last
                 through
                 all
                 Ages
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   Evangelists
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Prophets
                 were
                 Temporary
                 Offices
                 ,
                 which
                 lay
                 in
                 founding
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 revealing
                 
                 Christ's
                 Religion
                 by
                 Inspiration
                 from
                 himself
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Church
                 being
                 once
                 founded
                 and
                 built
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 Revelation
                 being
                 once
                 committed
                 to
                 Writing
                 ,
                 it
                 remains
                 a
                 lasting
                 Thing
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 needs
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 repeated
                 a
                 second
                 time
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 they
                 had
                 perform'd
                 this
                 Work
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 after
                 Ages
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 further
                 need
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 Pastors
                 and
                 Teachers
                 ,
                 to
                 govern
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 ordain
                 Successors
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 minister
                 the
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 be
                 equally
                 wanted
                 in
                 every
                 Age
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 has
                 appointed
                 them
                 to
                 continue
                 always
                 .
                 
                   Go
                   ,
                   Baptise
                   all
                   Nations
                   ,
                   teaching
                   them
                   to
                   observe
                   all
                   my
                   Commandments
                   .
                   And
                   lo
                   !
                
                 in
                 such
                 Teaching
                 and
                 Baptising
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   am
                   with
                   you
                   always
                   ,
                   even
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 tho
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 Offices
                 mentioned
                 by
                 St.
                 Paul
                 were
                 necessary
                 only
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 Age
                 ;
                 yet
                 others
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 equally
                 necessary
                 to
                 the
                 
                   edifying
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Work
                   of
                   the
                   Ministry
                
                 ,
                 in
                 
                 every
                 Age
                 ,
                 are
                 to
                 continue
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   ti●
                   we
                   all
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 all
                 Christians
                 that
                 are
                 ,
                 and
                 a●
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 ,
                 
                   come
                   in
                   the
                   Unity
                   of
                   the
                   Faith
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   the
                   Knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   unt●
                   a
                   perfect
                   Man
                   ,
                   unto
                   the
                   Measure
                   of
                   the
                   St●ture
                   of
                   the
                   Fulness
                   of
                   Christ.
                
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 is
                 to
                 enjoy
                 the
                 Benefit
                 of
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 Worlds
                 end
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Since
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 at
                 any
                 time
                 in
                 these
                 Offices
                 die
                 in
                 one
                 Age
                 ,
                 how
                 are
                 they
                 to
                 be
                 continued
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 Bishops
                 or
                 Governours
                 are
                 stil●
                 to
                 Ordain
                 others
                 ,
                 to
                 remedy
                 their
                 ow●
                 Mortality
                 ,
                 and
                 supply
                 the
                 Necessities
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 through
                 all
                 Times
                 .
                 Thus
                 Christ
                 told
                 his
                 
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   As
                   my
                   Father
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                
                 viz
                 ▪
                 with
                 a
                 Power
                 of
                 Commissioning
                 you
                 to
                 succeed
                 in
                 this
                 Ministry
                 when
                 I
                 am
                 gone
                 ;
                 
                   s●
                   send
                   I
                   you
                
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 with
                 Power
                 of
                 Ordaining
                 others
                 ,
                 in
                 like
                 manner
                 of
                 Succession
                 ,
                 John
                 20.
                 21.
                 
                 Pursuant
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 they
                 Ordained
                 Bishops
                 in
                 all
                 Churches
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 did
                 Titus
                 at
                 Crete
                 ,
                 and
                 Timothy
                 at
                 Ephesus
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 constant
                 Succession
                 ,
                 were
                 to
                 Ordain
                 others
                 ;
                 as
                 Paul
                 bid
                 Timothy
                 give
                 Commissions
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 Commission'd
                 himself
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   commit
                   what
                   he
                   had
                   heard
                   of
                   him
                   ,
                   to
                   faithful
                   Men
                   ,
                   who
                   should
                   be
                   able
                   to
                   teach
                   others
                   also
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 14.
                 and
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 with
                 these
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 Work
                 of
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 God
                 would
                 be
                 present
                 and
                 assistant
                 in
                 all
                 after
                 Times
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 had
                 been
                 with
                 the
                 Apostles
                 in
                 the
                 First
                 Age.
                 In
                 thus
                 Preaching
                 and
                 
                   Baptizing
                   ,
                   lo
                   !
                   I
                   am
                   with
                   ●ou
                   always
                   ,
                   even
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                
                 
                 World
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 20.
                 
                 
                   With
                   you
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 with
                 your selves
                 during
                 your
                 own
                 Lives
                 ,
                 and
                 your
                 Successors
                 in
                 all
                 after
                 ▪
                 times
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 way
                 that
                 in
                 this
                 Work
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 with
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 Worlds
                 end
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 all
                 to
                 die
                 in
                 that
                 Age.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 these
                 Offices
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   set
                
                 these
                 Officers
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 28.
                 and
                 
                   Christ
                   gave
                   them
                
                 as
                 a
                 
                   Gift
                   ,
                   after
                   he
                   was
                   ascended
                   ,
                
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 8
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 That
                 is
                 ,
                 God
                 gave
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 Christ
                 gave
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 who
                 now
                 ,
                 since
                 Christ
                 is
                 gone
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Right-hand
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 is
                 come
                 down
                 to
                 his
                 Church
                 as
                 his
                 †
                 Substitute
                 ,
                 from
                 whom
                 both
                 the
                 Authority
                 and
                 Ability
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 Officers
                 is
                 derived
                 .
                 
                   Feed
                   the
                   Flock
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   over
                   which
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   hath
                   made
                   you
                   Overseers
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 20.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 Christ
                 ordain'd
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 giving
                 them
                 Power
                 to
                 
                   send
                   others
                
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   the
                   Father
                   gave
                   him
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 remit
                 and
                 
                   retain
                   Sins
                   ,
                   he
                   breathed
                   on
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   said
                   ;
                   Receive
                   ye
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 20.
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 from
                 whom
                 these
                 Powers
                 are
                 derived
                 ,
                 in
                 Ordinations
                 of
                 these
                 Officers
                 ,
                 whether
                 Bishops
                 or
                 Priests
                 ,
                 the
                 Power
                 is
                 to
                 this
                 day
                 conferr'd
                 by
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   Receive
                   thou
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 shall
                 we
                 think
                 then
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 reject
                 the
                 Ministry
                 ,
                 and
                 cast
                 off
                 all
                 Church-Officers
                 and
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 pretend
                 in
                 all
                 this
                 to
                 be
                 guided
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 You
                 may
                 be
                 sure
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 by
                 that
                 Spirit
                 which
                 Christ
                 sent
                 down
                 upon
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 indited
                 the
                 holy
                 Scriptures
                 .
                 For
                 that
                 Spirit
                 gave
                 these
                 Offices
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 most
                 necessary
                 and
                 greatest
                 Blessing
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 :
                 Whereas
                 this
                 Spirit
                 of
                 theirs
                 ,
                 plucks
                 up
                 what
                 he
                 planted
                 ,
                 and
                 endeavours
                 to
                 abolish
                 and
                 overthrow
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 From
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 how
                 infinitely
                 we
                 are
                 obliged
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 care
                 he
                 has
                 taken
                 ,
                 in
                 Planting
                 and
                 Propagating
                 
                 Christ's
                 Church
                 and
                 Religion
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 
                   miraculous
                   Gifts
                
                 he
                 bestowed
                 upon
                 his
                 Church
                 so
                 amply
                 in
                 the
                 
                   First
                   Age
                
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Offices
                 and
                 Governments
                 he
                 has
                 appointed
                 to
                 Feed
                 and
                 Rule
                 it
                 in
                 all
                 succeeding
                 Ages
                 .
                 But
                 besides
                 these
                 extraordinary
                 Gifts
                 ,
                 bestowed
                 only
                 on
                 some
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Propagation
                 and
                 Establishment
                 of
                 
                 Christ's
                 Church
                 and
                 Religion
                 ,
                 you
                 mention'd
                 another
                 sort
                 of
                 Gifts
                 for
                 the
                 effecting
                 this
                 Great
                 Work
                 of
                 our
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   bestows
                   ordinarily
                   ,
                   on
                   Persons
                   of
                   all
                   Times
                   and
                   Places
                   .
                
                 What
                 Gifts
                 are
                 those
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 All
                 the
                 
                   inward
                   Graces
                
                 and
                 
                   vertuous
                   Endowments
                
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 necessary
                 to
                 the
                 Salvation
                 of
                 all
                 particular
                 Persons
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 reckons
                 up
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Fruits
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                   are
                   Love
                   ,
                   Joy
                   ,
                   Peace
                   ,
                   Long-suffering
                   ,
                   Gentleness
                   ,
                   Goodness
                   ,
                   Faith
                   ,
                   Meekness
                   ,
                   Temperance
                   ,
                   and
                   such
                   like
                   ,
                
                 v.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 Particularly
                 ,
                 he
                 excites
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 and
                 helps
                 to
                 raise
                 in
                 us
                 holy
                 Desires
                 ,
                 and
                 Life
                 and
                 Quickness
                 
                 in
                 our
                 Prayers
                 .
                 There
                 ,
                 says
                 the
                 
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   the
                   Spirit
                   helps
                   our
                   Infirmities
                   ,
                   making
                   Intercession
                   for
                   the
                   Saints
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Will
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 by
                 inspiring
                 them
                 
                   with
                   such
                
                 Desires
                 and
                 
                   Groanings
                   as
                   cannot
                   be
                   uttered
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 the
                 Author
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 inward
                 Graces
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 we
                 not
                 have
                 them
                 without
                 his
                 Gift
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   the
                   Renewing
                   of
                   our
                   Nature
                
                 is
                 ascribed
                 
                   to
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 Tit.
                 3.
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 St.
                 Paul
                 calls
                 all
                 the
                 recited
                 Virtues
                 ,
                 
                   Fruits
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 22.
                 
                 And
                 
                   no
                   Man
                   can
                   come
                   to
                   me
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 
                   Christ
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 believe
                 on
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 obey
                 me
                 ,
                 
                   except
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   which
                   hath
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                   draw
                   him
                   ,
                
                 John
                 6.
                 44.
                 
                 All
                 our
                 Graces
                 come
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 be
                 sought
                 of
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 because
                 we
                 are
                 daily
                 in
                 want
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 taught
                 by
                 our
                 Lord
                 himself
                 to
                 pray
                 ,
                 
                   Hallowed
                   be
                   thy
                   Name
                   ,
                   Thy
                   Kingdom
                   come
                   ,
                   Thy
                   Will
                   be
                   done
                   ,
                   Deliver
                   us
                   from
                   Evil
                   ,
                   &c.
                
                 as
                 constantly
                 as
                 we
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   Give
                   us
                   this
                   Day
                   our
                   Daily
                   Bread.
                   
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 gives
                 these
                 ,
                 then
                 any
                 Man
                 ,
                 that
                 has
                 them
                 ,
                 may
                 know
                 he
                 has
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 dwells
                 and
                 acts
                 in
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 if
                 he
                 is
                 affected
                 and
                 influenc'd
                 not
                 only
                 by
                 some
                 few
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 are
                 the
                 Fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 ;
                 and
                 where
                 we
                 see
                 the
                 genuine
                 Fruit
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 make
                 sure
                 of
                 the
                 Principle
                 that
                 gives
                 Birth
                 to
                 it
                 ;
                 as
                 our
                 Saviour
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Tree
                   is
                   known
                   by
                   its
                   Fruit
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 6.
                 
                 43
                 ,
                 44.
                 
                 Mat.
                 7.
                 16
                 ,
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 given
                 as
                 Marks
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 sure
                 Proof
                 that
                 Men
                 belong
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Scriptures
                   .
                   Hereby
                   know
                   we
                   that
                   we
                   know
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   we
                   are
                   in
                   him
                   ,
                   if
                   we
                   keep
                   his
                   Commandments
                   ,
                
                 1
                 John
                 2.
                 3
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 
                   We
                   know
                   that
                   we
                   have
                   passed
                   from
                   Death
                   unto
                   Life
                   ,
                   because
                   we
                   love
                   the
                   Brethren
                   ,
                
                 1
                 John
                 3.
                 14.
                 
                 
                   He
                   that
                   doth
                   Righteousness
                   is
                   righteous
                   ;
                   in
                   this
                   the
                   Children
                   of
                   God
                   are
                   manifest
                   ,
                
                 1
                 John
                 3.
                 7
                 ,
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 may
                 not
                 an
                 ill
                 Man
                 have
                 some
                 Good
                 in
                 him
                 ?
                 And
                 have
                 not
                 several
                 practised
                 some
                 Virtues
                 ,
                 who
                 yet
                 were
                 void
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   saving
                   Grace
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 :
                 For
                 Herod
                 ,
                 an
                 ill
                 Man
                 ,
                 
                   heard
                   John
                   Baptist
                   gladly
                   ,
                   and
                   did
                   many
                   things
                   ,
                
                 Mark
                 6.
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 
                   the
                   Foolish
                   Virgins
                
                 kept
                 pace
                 in
                 some
                 Points
                 with
                 
                   the
                   Wise
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 Either
                 that
                 general
                 Grace
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 common
                 to
                 all
                 Persons
                 ,
                 or
                 their
                 particular
                 Inclination
                 ,
                 or
                 Interest
                 ,
                 or
                 Natural
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 can
                 carry
                 on
                 Men
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 Enemies
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 main
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Performance
                 of
                 some
                 Duties
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 I
                 said
                 these
                 Vertues
                 are
                 a
                 Sign
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Saving
                 Grace
                 ,
                 not
                 when
                 some
                 few
                 or
                 more
                 of
                 them
                 meet
                 by
                 chance
                 in
                 an
                 otherwise
                 evil
                 Man
                 ;
                 but
                 only
                 in
                 those
                 who
                 have
                 a
                 general
                 Care
                 ,
                 and
                 Conscientious
                 Regard
                 to
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 shewn
                 how
                 these
                 Graces
                 are
                 the
                 Fruits
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Gift
                 of
                 God.
                 But
                 since
                 God's
                 Spirit
                 is
                 thus
                 to
                 
                 work
                 them
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 may
                 we
                 not
                 leave
                 God's
                 Work
                 to
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 our selves
                 free
                 from
                 any
                 Care
                 or
                 Pains
                 about
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 :
                 For
                 he
                 that
                 made
                 us
                 Men
                 ,
                 will
                 not
                 also
                 make
                 us
                 Saints
                 ,
                 without
                 our selves
                 .
                 He
                 created
                 us
                 by
                 himself
                 alone
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 renew
                 and
                 save
                 us
                 only
                 through
                 our
                 Concurrence
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 carrying
                 on
                 this
                 Work
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 must
                 we
                 do
                 towards
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Our
                 Heart
                 and
                 Will
                 must
                 go
                 along
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Care
                 and
                 Endeavour
                 too
                 t
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 God's
                 Spirit
                 begins
                 any
                 Grace
                 or
                 Vertue
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 must
                 our
                 Heart
                 go
                 along
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 we
                 readily
                 to
                 embrace
                 and
                 make
                 choice
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 force
                 an
                 unwilling
                 Mind
                 into
                 Goodness
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 our
                 own
                 Wills
                 are
                 call'd
                 upon
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 press'd
                 to
                 become
                 Good.
                 
                   I
                   have
                   set
                   before
                   you
                   Life
                   and
                   Good
                   ,
                   Death
                   and
                   Evil
                   :
                   Chuse
                   Life
                   ,
                
                 Deut.
                 30.
                 15
                 ,
                 19.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 we
                 obey
                 such
                 Calls
                 ,
                 some
                 good
                 Tempers
                 of
                 our
                 Wills
                 are
                 noted
                 as
                 the
                 Cause
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Word
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Grace
                 accompanying
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   brought
                   forth
                   Fruit
                
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 wat
                 
                   received
                   in
                   an
                   honest
                   and
                   good
                   Heart
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 8.
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 we
                 refuse
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 continue
                 Bad
                 ,
                 our
                 own
                 Wills
                 still
                 are
                 charged
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 
                   Ye
                   will
                   not
                   come
                   to
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   ye
                   might
                   have
                   Life
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 40.
                 and
                 ,
                 
                   Why
                   will
                   ye
                   die
                   ,
                   O
                   House
                   of
                   Israel
                   ?
                
                 Ezek.
                 18.
                 31
                 ,
                 32.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 our
                 Heart
                 is
                 thus
                 bent
                 upon
                 any
                 Graces
                 and
                 Good
                 Things
                 ,
                 must
                 
                 our
                 Care
                 and
                 Endeavour
                 also
                 be
                 put
                 forth
                 in
                 attainment
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 God
                 gives
                 these
                 Graces
                 as
                 a
                 Blessing
                 upon
                 our
                 own
                 Care
                 and
                 Pains
                 ,
                 and
                 works
                 them
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 work
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 So
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 Fruit
                 of
                 our
                 Industry
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 of
                 his
                 Bounty
                 .
                 God
                 calls
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   Make
                   you
                   clean
                
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 1.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   Turn
                   your selves
                
                 ,
                 Ezek.
                 18.
                 30
                 ,
                 32.
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 we
                 pray
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Turn
                   thou
                   us
                
                 ,
                 Jer.
                 31.
                 18.
                 and
                 ,
                 
                   Give
                   us
                   clean
                   Hearts
                
                 ,
                 Psal.
                 51.
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 is
                 not
                 God
                 before-hand
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 us
                 some
                 Grace
                 ,
                 before
                 we
                 endeavour
                 any
                 thing
                 ?
                 
                   I
                   was
                   found
                   of
                   them
                   that
                   sought
                   me
                   not
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 65.
                 1.
                 
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 the
                 Grace
                 of
                 
                   outward
                   Revelations
                
                 and
                 Opportunities
                 .
                 These
                 prevent
                 our
                 Care
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 given
                 before
                 we
                 ask
                 them
                 .
                 In
                 this
                 Kingdom
                 ,
                 for
                 Instance
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 Light
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 the
                 Guidance
                 and
                 Care
                 of
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 the
                 Benefit
                 of
                 Publick
                 Assemblies
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Protection
                 of
                 Laws
                 for
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 in
                 Heathen
                 Countries
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 have
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 in
                 our
                 own
                 Language
                 ,
                 and
                 Purity
                 of
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 truly
                 Primitive
                 ,
                 Edifying
                 way
                 of
                 Worship
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 in
                 many
                 Christian
                 Nations
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 with
                 other
                 Advantages
                 ,
                 came
                 to
                 us
                 unasked
                 ;
                 we
                 did
                 not
                 seek
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 were
                 born
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 of
                 these
                 Isaiah
                 speaks
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 not
                 treating
                 of
                 inward
                 Assistances
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 outward
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 would
                 make
                 to
                 the
                 
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 who
                 made
                 
                   no
                   inquiry
                   after
                   them
                
                 ,
                 but
                 had
                 the
                 Revelations
                 brought
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Heathen
                 World
                 did
                 not
                 seek
                 out
                 to
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Apostles
                 sought
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 doth
                 not
                 he
                 prevent
                 us
                 too
                 ,
                 with
                 
                   good
                   Desires
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   inward
                   Motions
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 First
                 Motions
                 and
                 ▪
                 Beginnings
                 of
                 his
                 Grace
                 .
                 But
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 Ripening
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 growing
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 Mastery
                 over
                 our
                 Lusts
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Saving
                 Pitch
                 ;
                 that
                 requires
                 our
                 own
                 Care
                 and
                 Endeavours
                 ,
                 which
                 these
                 First
                 Stirrings
                 of
                 Grace
                 must
                 awaken
                 in
                 us
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 we
                 do
                 so
                 endeavour
                 after
                 them
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 still
                 give
                 more
                 Grace
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 effect
                 in
                 us
                 such
                 Virtues
                 as
                 we
                 labour
                 after
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 will
                 withdraw
                 what
                 he
                 has
                 already
                 given
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 are
                 idle
                 ,
                 and
                 labour
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 .
                 For
                 concerning
                 this
                 Improvement
                 of
                 God's
                 Grace
                 ,
                 by
                 our
                 own
                 Care
                 and
                 Pains
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   To
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   have
                   abundance
                   :
                   but
                   from
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                   not
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 hath
                 not
                 improved
                 what
                 God
                 bestowed
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   be
                   taken
                   away
                   even
                   what
                   he
                   hath
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 29.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 God's
                 Giving
                 then
                 is
                 only
                 an
                 Encouragement
                 for
                 our
                 Seeking
                 ;
                 since
                 he
                 gives
                 those
                 Graces
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 gives
                 our
                 Food
                 and
                 Maintenance
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 idle
                 ,
                 careless
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 such
                 as
                 diligently
                 and
                 wisely
                 labour
                 after
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Very
                 true
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 are
                 press'd
                 to
                 work
                 them
                 out
                 our selves
                 ,
                 by
                 
                 that
                 very
                 Reason
                 
                   work
                   out
                   your
                   own
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   for
                   it
                   is
                   God
                   that
                   worketh
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                   both
                   to
                   will
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   do
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 way
                 should
                 we
                 seek
                 these
                 Graces
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 God's
                 Blessing
                 we
                 may
                 attain
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   First
                   ,
                   Pray
                
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 
                   If
                   any
                   man
                   lack
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   ask
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   giveth
                   to
                   all
                   Men
                   Liberally
                   ,
                   and
                   upbraideth
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
                 And
                 
                   God
                   will
                   give
                   the
                   Holy
                   Spirit
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   ask
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 11.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 must
                 we
                 pray
                 
                   in
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 ask
                 with
                 an
                 expectation
                 to
                 Receive
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 God
                 cannot
                 bear
                 to
                 see
                 us
                 question
                 his
                 kindness
                 ,
                 or
                 distrust
                 his
                 Promise
                 .
                 Our
                 distrust
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 him
                 deny
                 us
                 any
                 thing
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 are
                 sure
                 to
                 receive
                 the
                 Graces
                 he
                 has
                 promised
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 dare
                 confide
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 
                   Whatsoever
                   ye
                   shall
                   ask
                   ,
                   Believing
                   ,
                   you
                   shall
                   receive
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 21.
                 22.
                 
                 And
                 
                   if
                   any
                   man
                   lack
                   Wisdom
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   ask
                   of
                   God.
                   But
                   let
                   him
                   ask
                   in
                   Faith
                   ,
                   nothing
                   wavering
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 1.
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 other
                 ways
                 of
                 seeking
                 these
                 Graces
                 ,
                 would
                 you
                 direct
                 to
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Secondly
                
                 ,
                 a
                 frequent
                 ,
                 and
                 serious
                 use
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Sacrament
                
                 .
                 That
                 is
                 no
                 unfruitful
                 Ordinance
                 ,
                 but
                 conveys
                 Spiritual
                 strength
                 into
                 our
                 Souls
                 ,
                 as
                 Bread
                 doth
                 to
                 our
                 Bodies
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Scripture
                 intimates
                 ,
                 when
                 
                   Christ's
                   Eucharistical
                   Body
                
                 is
                 called
                 Bread
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 6.
                 51
                 ,
                 55.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 eating
                 
                 Bread
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   drinking
                   Wine
                
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 
                   the
                   Communion
                   of
                   his
                   Body
                   and
                   Blood
                   ,
                
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Communication
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 Graces
                 ,
                 and
                 Benefits
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 purchased
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 10.
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Have
                 you
                 any
                 other
                 Rules
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 with
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 we
                 must
                 joyn
                 a
                 Diligent
                 use
                 of
                 wise
                 and
                 
                   likely
                   means
                
                 of
                 attaining
                 the
                 Desired
                 Graces
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 seek
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 Daily
                 Bread
                 and
                 maintenance
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 in
                 following
                 our
                 Callings
                 ,
                 with
                 Prudent
                 Care
                 ,
                 and
                 Diligence
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 like
                 sort
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 seek
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 any
                 Virtues
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 such
                 Probable
                 ,
                 and
                 Discreet
                 ways
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 like
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 Masters
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Would
                 you
                 add
                 any
                 thing
                 further
                 ,
                 about
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 these
                 means
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 Fourthly
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 be
                 with
                 a
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   God's
                   Power
                
                 and
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 confidence
                 of
                 success
                 through
                 that
                 Assistance
                 .
                 God
                 has
                 promised
                 his
                 Grace
                 and
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 Good
                 ;
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 his
                 Mercy
                 to
                 Pardon
                 us
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 so
                 .
                 And
                 we
                 must
                 eye
                 this
                 Promise
                 of
                 his
                 Powerful
                 assistance
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 set
                 about
                 any
                 Vertue
                 and
                 Goodness
                 .
                 A
                 Faith
                 in
                 his
                 Power
                 ,
                 is
                 as
                 necessary
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 Good
                 ;
                 as
                 Faith
                 in
                 his
                 Mercy
                 towards
                 all
                 good
                 Men
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 make
                 us
                 desirous
                 of
                 being
                 Good.
                 And
                 to
                 this
                 Faith
                 ,
                 the
                 Scripture
                 Directs
                 us
                 in
                 working
                 out
                 our
                 Obedience
                 .
                 
                   Work
                   out
                   your
                   own
                   Salvation
                   ,
                   for
                   it
                   is
                   God
                   that
                   worketh
                   in
                
                 
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 strengthen
                 your
                 Hands
                 in
                 that
                 expectation
                 ,
                 Phil.
                 2.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 
                   we
                   are
                   kept
                   by
                   the
                   Power
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   through
                   Faith
                   ,
                
                 viz.
                 in
                 that
                 Power
                 
                   unto
                   Salvation
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 there
                 any
                 other
                 Rule
                 to
                 be
                 observed
                 ,
                 in
                 seeking
                 these
                 Graces
                 of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Spirit
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 Fifthly
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Time
                 we
                 are
                 endeavouring
                 after
                 them
                 ,
                 we
                 do
                 nothing
                 to
                 Grieve
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   annoy
                   him
                
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 't
                 is
                 with
                 every
                 ingenious
                 Person
                 ,
                 he
                 grows
                 weary
                 of
                 staying
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 finds
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 welcome
                 ,
                 and
                 where
                 men
                 are
                 still
                 taking
                 occasion
                 to
                 displease
                 ,
                 and
                 pass
                 Affronts
                 upon
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 warn'd
                 against
                 several
                 sins
                 ,
                 to
                 conclude
                 all
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 cautioned
                 
                   not
                   to
                   grieve
                   the
                   Holy
                   Spirit
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 restrain
                 us
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 30.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 things
                 will
                 grieve
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 Apostle
                 there
                 particularly
                 mentions
                 
                   obscene
                   Talk
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   corrupt
                   Communication
                
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 29.
                 
                 But
                 he
                 is
                 grieved
                 by
                 our
                 consenting
                 to
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 a
                 declared
                 Enemy
                 to
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 Especially
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 commit
                 any
                 ,
                 against
                 many
                 of
                 his
                 suggestions
                 ,
                 and
                 checks
                 of
                 Conscience
                 :
                 As
                 David
                 did
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Murder
                   of
                   Uriah
                
                 ,
                 after
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 sore
                 afraid
                 ,
                 lest
                 God
                 should
                 
                   take
                   his
                   Holy
                   Spirit
                   from
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Ps.
                 51.
                 11.
                 or
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 sinned
                 our selves
                 up
                 to
                 a
                 Custom
                 ;
                 or
                 take
                 delight
                 in
                 sinning
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 it
                 offend
                 him
                 knowingly
                 to
                 Neglect
                 ,
                 and
                 Slight
                 his
                 good
                 suggestions
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 is
                 concerned
                 to
                 have
                 them
                 take
                 Place
                 ,
                 since
                 he
                 suggests
                 nothing
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 most
                 agreable
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 most
                 Holy
                 Inclinations
                 ,
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Eternal
                 Happiness
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   us
                   have
                
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 use
                 
                   Grace
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   serve
                   God
                   acceptably
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 let
                 this
                 pass
                 for
                 a
                 Sixth
                 Rule
                 of
                 obtaining
                 his
                 saving
                 Graces
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   cherish
                   the
                   Good
                   Suggestions
                
                 he
                 inspires
                 ,
                 and
                 always
                 improve
                 the
                 Grace
                 he
                 has
                 already
                 given
                 ,
                 to
                 bring
                 down
                 more
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   shall
                   have
                   abundance
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 29.
                 
                 In
                 things
                 of
                 Trust
                 ,
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 all
                 Discreet
                 Persons
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 't
                 is
                 his
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 idely
                 neglect
                 ,
                 and
                 fail
                 to
                 cultivate
                 our
                 Present
                 Grace
                 then
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 withhold
                 such
                 further
                 Measures
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 Designed
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 long
                 Patience
                 ,
                 at
                 last
                 
                   withdraw
                   the
                   former
                
                 too
                 .
                 For
                 ,
                 
                   from
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                   not
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   taken
                   away
                   ,
                
                 even
                 
                   that
                   which
                   he
                   hath
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 29.
                 
                 Thus
                 Felix
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 trembled
                 at
                 St.
                 
                 Paul's
                 Sermon
                 ,
                 not
                 fomenting
                 that
                 Fear
                 ,
                 nor
                 proceeding
                 to
                 improve
                 ,
                 and
                 penitently
                 resolve
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 fell
                 back
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 we
                 have
                 cause
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 heard
                 no
                 more
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 Act.
                 24.
                 25.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 These
                 seem
                 Good
                 and
                 plain
                 Rules
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 attainment
                 of
                 these
                 Graces
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 careful
                 to
                 use
                 them
                 ,
                 may
                 we
                 be
                 confident
                 of
                 his
                 Gift
                 ,
                 and
                 promise
                 our selves
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 bestow
                 them
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 therein
                 he
                 fulf●ls
                 the
                 Design
                 of
                 Christ
                 that
                 sent
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 gratifies
                 his
                 own
                 inclination
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 God
                 has
                 promised
                 ,
                 and
                 ordered
                 us
                 to
                 expect
                 from
                 him
                 .
                 Bidding
                 us
                 
                   seek
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   shall
                   find
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 7.
                 7.
                 and
                 declaring
                 ,
                 how
                 
                   to
                   him
                   that
                   hath
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   given
                   :
                
                 and
                 
                   God
                   will
                   give
                   the
                   Holy
                   Spirit
                   to
                   those
                   that
                   ask
                   him
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 have
                 shewed
                 me
                 ,
                 how
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 attain
                 the
                 Graces
                 of
                 the
                 Spirit
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 they
                 are
                 thus
                 to
                 be
                 our
                 own
                 Attainment
                 ;
                 how
                 are
                 they
                 God's
                 Gift
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 said
                 before
                 ,
                 God
                 gives
                 them
                 ,
                 what
                 need
                 we
                 take
                 all
                 this
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 Pains
                 ,
                 to
                 acquire
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 If
                 they
                 were
                 an
                 absolute
                 Gift
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 we
                 should
                 not
                 need
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 a
                 Gift
                 is
                 absolute
                 ,
                 no
                 Conditions
                 are
                 required
                 on
                 our
                 part
                 :
                 And
                 then
                 ,
                 no
                 defects
                 in
                 us
                 can
                 hinder
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 dispositions
                 of
                 ours
                 further
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 way
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 It
                 depends
                 not
                 on
                 any
                 thing
                 in
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 purely
                 God's
                 Act
                 :
                 So
                 that
                 nothing
                 is
                 left
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 do
                 towards
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 these
                 Graces
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 an
                 absolute
                 ,
                 but
                 conditional
                 Grant
                 :
                 before
                 the
                 Spirit
                 gives
                 them
                 ,
                 he
                 requires
                 something
                 towards
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 works
                 them
                 not
                 in
                 all
                 Men
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 in
                 those
                 who
                 are
                 prepared
                 for
                 them
                 .
                 Some
                 things
                 hinder
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 carefully
                 avoided
                 :
                 Others
                 further
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 diligently
                 pursued
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 expect
                 them
                 ,
                 from
                 God's
                 Grace
                 and
                 Spirit
                 alone
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 our selves
                 also
                 ,
                 in
                 such
                 
                 sort
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 described
                 ,
                 concur
                 and
                 joyn
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 how
                 careful
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 fill
                 our
                 Souls
                 with
                 gracious
                 dispositions
                 .
                 Doth
                 he
                 not
                 also
                 refresh
                 them
                 ,
                 with
                 such
                 
                   Spiritual
                   Joy
                
                 and
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 result
                 from
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 For
                 St.
                 Paul
                 reckons
                 
                   joy
                   ,
                   and
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 
                   Meekness
                   and
                   Tempera●ce
                
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   Fruits
                   of
                   the
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 and
                 Prays
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Hope
                   ,
                   would
                   fill
                   them
                   with
                   all
                   Joy
                   ,
                   and
                   Peace
                   in
                   Believing
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   abound
                   in
                   Hope
                   ,
                   through
                   the
                   Power
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 15.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 St
                 Luke
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Churches
                   walked
                   in
                   the
                   Comfort
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 9.
                 31.
                 
                 And
                 St.
                 Peter
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Dispersed
                   Strangers
                
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   in
                   believing
                   ,
                   they
                   rejoyced
                   with
                   Joy
                   unspeakable
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 1.
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 good
                 Christians
                 must
                 not
                 affect
                 Scruples
                 ,
                 or
                 think
                 it
                 any
                 sign
                 of
                 Spirituality
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 a
                 Down-looked
                 and
                 Melancholy
                 Religion
                 :
                 Since
                 Joy
                 and
                 Peace
                 ,
                 a
                 Filial
                 Hope
                 and
                 ingenious
                 chearfulness
                 ,
                 are
                 Fruits
                 that
                 he
                 loves
                 to
                 produce
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 inspire
                 these
                 comforts
                 into
                 all
                 minds
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 displays
                 his
                 saving
                 Graces
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 Ground
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 He
                 is
                 inclined
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 in
                 all
                 ▪
                 And
                 doth
                 it
                 in
                 one
                 degree
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 ;
                 not
                 always
                 producing
                 Raptures
                 ,
                 and
                 Transports
                 of
                 Mind
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 but
                 ease
                 and
                 
                 quietness
                 ,
                 an
                 inward
                 complacency
                 and
                 comfortable
                 Hope
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 themselves
                 do
                 not
                 put
                 a
                 Bar
                 against
                 him
                 .
                 But
                 some
                 minds
                 he
                 sanctifies
                 ,
                 are
                 of
                 a
                 Melancholly
                 Temper
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 prone
                 to
                 sadness
                 and
                 suspicions
                 ,
                 especially
                 of
                 themselves
                 .
                 Or
                 are
                 frighted
                 by
                 undue-thoughts
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 Stern
                 and
                 Rigorous
                 ,
                 soon
                 offended
                 ,
                 but
                 very
                 difficult
                 to
                 be
                 reconciled
                 .
                 Or
                 mistake
                 the
                 Gospel
                 Terms
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 over-rigid
                 ,
                 and
                 exacted
                 more
                 than
                 can
                 possibly
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 least
                 ordinarily
                 ,
                 be
                 performed
                 .
                 Or
                 labour
                 under
                 some
                 other
                 cloudy
                 ,
                 and
                 afflicting
                 Error
                 ,
                 or
                 distemper
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 which
                 hinders
                 a
                 most
                 comfortable
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 peaceful
                 Piety
                 ,
                 from
                 creating
                 any
                 Joy
                 or
                 Comfort
                 ,
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 there
                 are
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 intrinsick
                 impediments
                 ,
                 to
                 interpose
                 betwixt
                 his
                 Joy
                 and
                 them
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 he
                 sometimes
                 Arbitrarily
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 any
                 provocation
                 ,
                 withdraw
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 hide
                 his
                 Face
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 were
                 displeased
                 with
                 them
                 ?
                 Which
                 withdrawing
                 ,
                 is
                 oft
                 given
                 as
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 many
                 Good
                 mens
                 Grief
                 and
                 Dejection
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 what
                 some
                 call
                 
                   Spiritual
                   Desertion
                
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 At
                 this
                 rate
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 all
                 Spiritual
                 Comfort
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 most
                 variable
                 and
                 uncertain
                 ,
                 as
                 depending
                 ,
                 not
                 on
                 any
                 Constancy
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 comfortable
                 Dispositions
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 but
                 on
                 the
                 Arbitrariness
                 of
                 such
                 unprovoked
                 withdrawings
                 ,
                 to
                 try
                 Experiments
                 upon
                 Men.
                 But
                 this
                 ,
                 
                 I
                 think
                 ,
                 is
                 all
                 humane
                 invention
                 ;
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 teaching
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 
                   Sinners
                   purify
                   their
                   hearts
                   ,
                   and
                   draw
                   nigh
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   God
                
                 doth
                 not
                 withdraw
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 shrink
                 away
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   draws
                   nigh
                   to
                   them
                
                 ,
                 Jam.
                 4.
                 8.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 imputation
                 on
                 this
                 good
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 not
                 at
                 all
                 agreeing
                 with
                 his
                 inclination
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 an
                 immutable
                 lover
                 of
                 goodness
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 unalterably
                 pleased
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 do
                 what
                 is
                 pleasing
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 delight
                 in
                 having
                 them
                 take
                 pleasure
                 and
                 joy
                 in
                 him
                 .
                 It
                 seems
                 very
                 opposite
                 to
                 his
                 Office
                 and
                 Undertaking
                 .
                 For
                 his
                 Work
                 and
                 Office
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 shewn
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 engender
                 Peace
                 and
                 Comfort
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 his
                 Servants
                 .
                 And
                 since
                 that
                 is
                 his
                 business
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 be
                 as
                 constant
                 in
                 pursuing
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 more
                 withdraw
                 his
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 than
                 he
                 doth
                 his
                 Graces
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 being
                 justly
                 provoked
                 thereto
                 by
                 some
                 act
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 contrary
                 ,
                 when
                 their
                 own
                 melancholly
                 humours
                 ,
                 or
                 mispersuasions
                 ,
                 have
                 intercepted
                 his
                 joyful
                 presence
                 from
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 ready
                 with
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 his
                 Countenance
                 to
                 break
                 thro'
                 that
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 in
                 great
                 pity
                 ,
                 very
                 often
                 restores
                 that
                 Comfort
                 to
                 their
                 minds
                 ,
                 which
                 their
                 own
                 errour
                 ,
                 or
                 distemper
                 ,
                 had
                 driven
                 from
                 it
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 these
                 arbitrary
                 and
                 unprovoked
                 desertions
                 ,
                 whether
                 in
                 Grace
                 ,
                 or
                 Comforts
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 foundation
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 but
                 there
                 meet
                 with
                 opposition
                 ;
                 so
                 are
                 they
                 not
                 suitable
                 to
                 the
                 Holy
                 and
                 good
                 Spirit
                 's
                 natural
                 
                 Genius
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 Undertaking
                 and
                 Office
                 .
                 He
                 always
                 loves
                 and
                 delights
                 in
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 voluntarily
                 withdraws
                 himself
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 always
                 driven
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   IX
                
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 Holy
                 Catholick
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 Saints
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     No
                     assurance
                     of
                     Salvation
                     by
                     Christ
                     ,
                     but
                     in
                     his
                     Church
                     .
                     This
                     Church
                     Holy.
                     And
                     Catholick
                     .
                     Admission
                     into
                     it
                     by
                     Baptism
                     ;
                     when
                     regularly
                     perform'd
                     in
                     any
                     one
                     ,
                     valid
                     in
                     all
                     Churches
                     .
                     Excommunication
                     is
                     so
                     too
                     .
                     This
                     Church
                     is
                     one
                     Body
                     ,
                     by
                     external
                     visible
                     unity
                     .
                     Of
                     the
                     Communion
                     of
                     Saints
                     in
                     this
                     Church
                     .
                     Of
                     their
                     visible
                     union
                     in
                     Faith
                     or
                     Doctrine
                     .
                     And
                     in
                     Pray●rs
                     and
                     Devotion
                     .
                     Of
                     communicating
                     in
                     Publick
                     Prayers
                     .
                     A
                     Sin
                     to
                     separate
                     without
                     just
                     cause
                     .
                     Imposing
                     Sins
                     ,
                     or
                     Errours
                     ,
                     as
                     Conditions
                     of
                     Communion
                     ,
                     is
                     a
                     just
                     cause
                     .
                     Not
                     Lawful
                     to
                     separate
                     for
                     Things
                     indifferent
                     .
                     Nor
                     for
                     better
                     means
                     of
                     edification
                     .
                     Just
                     to
                     separate
                     from
                     a
                     Church
                     ,
                     that
                     doth
                     not
                     impose
                     her
                     Corruptions
                     ,
                     when
                     her
                     Errors
                     in
                     Faith
                     overthrow
                     the
                     Foundation
                     .
                     That
                     is
                     ,
                     when
                     she
                     ceases
                     to
                     own
                     the
                     one
                     true
                     God.
                     Or
                     denys
                     Jesus
                     to
                     be
                     the
                     Christ
                     ,
                     or
                     Salvation
                     by
                     his
                     Merits
                     and
                     Mediation
                     .
                     Owning
                     Jesus
                     to
                     be
                     the
                     Christ
                     ,
                     implies
                     ,
                  
                   
                   
                     owning
                     the
                     Articles
                     of
                     the
                     Apostles
                     Creed
                     ,
                     which
                     contains
                     all
                     Fundamentals
                     .
                     Whilst
                     any
                     Churches
                     hold
                     to
                     this
                     Creed
                     ,
                     which
                     is
                     the
                     Foundation
                     ,
                     Errors
                     in
                     other
                     things
                     do
                     not
                     unchurch
                     them
                     .
                     But
                     such
                     Erroneous
                     are
                     in
                     a
                     worse
                     state
                     ,
                     than
                     Orthodox
                     Christians
                     .
                     Nor
                     is
                     her
                     Communion
                     to
                     be
                     deserted
                     meerly
                     for
                     such
                     Errors
                     ,
                     tho'
                     very
                     gross
                     ,
                     if
                     she
                     doth
                     not
                     impose
                     them
                     .
                     Just
                     to
                     separate
                     from
                     a
                     Church
                     of
                     a
                     corrupt
                     Worship
                     ,
                     when
                     sinful
                     things
                     pollute
                     her
                     Publick
                     Offices
                     .
                     Or
                     when
                     good
                     Devotions
                     are
                     put
                     up
                     in
                     a
                     strange
                     Language
                     .
                     Not
                     for
                     Rites
                     and
                     Customs
                     about
                     indifferent
                     Matters
                     .
                     Nor
                     just
                     to
                     separate
                     for
                     scandalous
                     Members
                     ,
                     where
                     a
                     Churches
                     constitution
                     is
                     faultless
                     .
                     Nor
                     tho'
                     it
                     neglect
                     Discipline
                     ,
                     which
                     should
                     reform
                     them
                     .
                     Of
                     keeping
                     Fellowship
                     with
                     the
                     Apostles
                     ,
                     by
                     submitting
                     to
                     our
                     lawful
                     Bishops
                     their
                     Successors
                     .
                     Christians
                     to
                     communicate
                     in
                     Affections
                     ,
                     in
                     Alms
                     ,
                     and
                     Temporal
                     good
                     Things
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 WHat
                 is
                 the
                 Ninth
                 Article
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 
                   Holy
                   Catholick
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Communion
                   of
                   Saints
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 there
                 no
                 assurance
                 of
                 Salvation
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 his
                 Church
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 whereby
                 we
                 are
                 made
                 members
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 is
                 compared
                 to
                 
                   Noah's
                   Ark
                
                 ,
                 whereinto
                 all
                 were
                 to
                 enter
                 ,
                 that
                 would
                 not
                 
                   perish
                   with
                   the
                   World
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 3.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 Christ
                 is
                 represented
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Head
                   of
                   his
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Saviour
                 
                 
                   of
                   the
                   body
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 5.
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 
                   God
                   daily
                   added
                   to
                   the
                   Church
                   such
                   as
                   should
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 Luke
                 ,
                 Act.
                 2.
                 47.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 all
                 good
                 men
                 have
                 a
                 sure
                 claim
                 to
                 God's
                 favour
                 ,
                 by
                 Promises
                 and
                 Compacts
                 ,
                 which
                 ingage
                 him
                 in
                 Faithfulness
                 .
                 But
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 stand
                 to
                 courtesie
                 ,
                 and
                 can
                 build
                 ,
                 at
                 best
                 ,
                 only
                 on
                 presumptions
                 ,
                 and
                 uncovenanted
                 mercies
                 ;
                 the
                 Covenant
                 which
                 God
                 seals
                 with
                 us
                 ,
                 respecting
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 being
                 proposed
                 and
                 ratified
                 in
                 the
                 Word
                 which
                 it
                 preaches
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Sacraments
                 which
                 it
                 dispences
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 not
                 this
                 make
                 all
                 careful
                 to
                 be
                 Members
                 of
                 this
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 keep
                 in
                 Comm●nion
                 with
                 
                 Christ's
                 Church
                 ,
                 who
                 profess
                 Christianity
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 ,
                 as
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 Religion
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 a
                 want
                 of
                 the
                 set
                 means
                 and
                 opportunities
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 of
                 all
                 express
                 Contracts
                 and
                 Promises
                 of
                 Salvation
                 .
                 Our
                 Saviour
                 Christ
                 has
                 appointed
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Christian
                 Religion
                 ,
                 which
                 all
                 are
                 to
                 believe
                 and
                 practise
                 :
                 but
                 the
                 Christian
                 Church
                 too
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 are
                 to
                 profess
                 that
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Communicate
                 as
                 Members
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 that
                 lists
                 us
                 Professors
                 of
                 his
                 Religion
                 ,
                 makes
                 us
                 Members
                 of
                 his
                 Church
                 also
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 is
                 the
                 Church
                 called
                 Holy
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Because
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 Body
                 of
                 men
                 that
                 is
                 Holy
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   separated
                   from
                   the
                   rest
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   dedicated
                   to
                   A●mighty
                   God.
                   Ye
                   are
                   a
                   chosen
                   Generation
                   ,
                   an
                   Holy
                   Nation
                   ,
                   a
                   Peculiar
                   People
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 because
                 ,
                 
                 whatever
                 they
                 prove
                 in
                 reality
                 ,
                 their
                 Religion
                 is
                 a
                 Profession
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 Baptismal
                 Vow
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 made
                 at
                 their
                 entrance
                 on
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 sufficiently
                 declares
                 .
                 
                   To
                   the
                   Church
                   at
                   Corinth
                   ,
                   called
                   to
                   be
                   Saints
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 1.
                 2.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Why
                 is
                 it
                 called
                 Catholick
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 To
                 shew
                 its
                 Universality
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 confined
                 to
                 one
                 Nation
                 or
                 Place
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Church
                 was
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 
                   Catholick
                   Church
                
                 notes
                 the
                 whole
                 Body
                 of
                 Christians
                 ,
                 diffused
                 through
                 all
                 places
                 ,
                 and
                 enduring
                 through
                 all
                 times
                 .
                 The
                 Church
                 is
                 also
                 call'd
                 Catholick
                 ,
                 in
                 relation
                 to
                 the
                 Faith
                 it
                 holds
                 ,
                 which
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 all
                 Places
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 this
                 sense
                 ,
                 particular
                 Churches
                 are
                 sometimes
                 stiled
                 Catholick
                 ,
                 meaning
                 thereby
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 Orthodox
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 in
                 the
                 Faith
                 and
                 Communion
                 of
                 the
                 Catholick
                 Church
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 any
                 Heretical
                 Combinations
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Church
                 is
                 Catholick
                 ,
                 as
                 containing
                 all
                 Places
                 and
                 Persons
                 :
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 universal
                 as
                 to
                 some
                 Acts
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 done
                 any
                 where
                 ,
                 are
                 valid
                 ,
                 and
                 equally
                 bind
                 every
                 where
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 Catholick
                 in
                 the
                 Admission
                 into
                 its
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 which
                 being
                 duly
                 administred
                 in
                 one
                 Church
                 ,
                 makes
                 a
                 man
                 free
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 Christian
                 Society
                 ,
                 and
                 gives
                 him
                 a
                 Right
                 to
                 all
                 Christian
                 Priviledges
                 in
                 all
                 other
                 Churches
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 go
                 where
                 he
                 will
                 ,
                 every
                 Church
                 shall
                 own
                 him
                 for
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 and
                 admit
                 him
                 to
                 Communion
                 ,
                 
                 without
                 requiring
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 Baptised
                 over
                 again
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 a
                 true
                 member
                 ▪
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 allow'd
                 to
                 Pray
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 the
                 Sacrament
                 in
                 one
                 Church
                 ,
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 allowed
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 every
                 Church
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 ancient
                 times
                 ,
                 when
                 upon
                 producing
                 their
                 Certificates
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Commendatory
                   Letters
                
                 from
                 their
                 own
                 Churches
                 ,
                 Strangers
                 and
                 Travellers
                 were
                 owned
                 as
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 and
                 admitted
                 to
                 Communion
                 in
                 the
                 remotest
                 Places
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 fit
                 they
                 should
                 seek
                 this
                 Communion
                 ,
                 wheresoever
                 they
                 pass
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 very
                 fit
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 themselves
                 true
                 Catholicks
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 own
                 the
                 Christians
                 of
                 all
                 other
                 places
                 ,
                 as
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 and
                 Fellow-members
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 must
                 be
                 only
                 where
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 admitted
                 to
                 Communion
                 upon
                 lawful
                 terms
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 Churches
                 will
                 suffer
                 none
                 to
                 Pray
                 ,
                 or
                 Communicate
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 without
                 professing
                 some
                 Errors
                 ,
                 or
                 joyning
                 in
                 some
                 forbidden
                 Practice
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 seeking
                 to
                 associate
                 with
                 such
                 Assemblies
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Can
                 you
                 shew
                 this
                 Catholick
                 efficacy
                 in
                 other
                 Acts
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 not
                 to
                 insist
                 on
                 others
                 ;
                 secondly
                 ,
                 in
                 excluding
                 Persons
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 by
                 Excommunication
                 .
                 For
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 is
                 justly
                 excommunicated
                 in
                 one
                 Place
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 shall
                 shew
                 ,
                 being
                 but
                 one
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 valid
                 and
                 ought
                 to
                 stand
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 is
                 duly
                 loosed
                 and
                 reconciled
                 again
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 places
                 .
                 He
                 
                 is
                 cast
                 out
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 for
                 any
                 unchristian
                 Practices
                 ,
                 is
                 regularly
                 and
                 justly
                 bound
                 ,
                 or
                 excommunicated
                 by
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   whatsoever
                   you
                   bind
                   or
                   retain
                   on
                   Earth
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   shall
                   be
                   bound
                   and
                   retain'd
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 20.
                 23.
                 and
                 Mat.
                 18.
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 whilst
                 Christ
                 himself
                 rejects
                 ,
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 any
                 other
                 Church
                 of
                 Christ
                 to
                 receive
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 it
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 Ancient
                 Church
                 :
                 where
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 for
                 Heretical
                 stubbornness
                 ,
                 or
                 lewd
                 Lives
                 ,
                 were
                 cut
                 off
                 from
                 Christ
                 by
                 their
                 own
                 Church
                 ,
                 no
                 †
                 other
                 Churches
                 would
                 admit
                 them
                 ,
                 'till
                 they
                 had
                 made
                 their
                 peace
                 again
                 .
                 And
                 to
                 prevent
                 any
                 over-sight
                 ,
                 and
                 unwary
                 Communion
                 with
                 an
                 Excommunicate
                 Person
                 ;
                 when
                 any
                 Strangers
                 and
                 Travellers
                 ,
                 especially
                 whom
                 they
                 had
                 ground
                 to
                 suspect
                 ,
                 came
                 to
                 them
                 from
                 Foreign
                 parts
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 admit
                 them
                 to
                 joyn
                 in
                 their
                 Church-Offices
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 produced
                 their
                 *
                 
                   Communicatory
                   Letters
                
                 ,
                 to
                 certifie
                 their
                 being
                 in
                 Communion
                 with
                 their
                 own
                 Churches
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 must
                 make
                 all
                 good
                 Christians
                 extreamly
                 careful
                 ,
                 by
                 all
                 innocent
                 ways
                 ,
                 to
                 keep
                 the
                 peace
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Church
                 ;
                 and
                 never
                 contumaciously
                 provoke
                 ,
                 or
                 proudly
                 slight
                 it
                 ,
                 presuming
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 casts
                 them
                 out
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 do
                 as
                 well
                 ,
                 by
                 being
                 let
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 harboured
                 by
                 others
                 .
                 Which
                 if
                 all
                 Christ's
                 Members
                 really
                 believed
                 ,
                 
                   Church
                   Discipline
                
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 so
                 precarious
                 a
                 thing
                 ;
                 nor
                 would
                 any
                 think
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 fear
                 too
                 many
                 do
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 Church
                 is
                 beholding
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 sticking
                 to
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 keeping
                 in
                 her
                 Communion
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 
                   Believe
                   the
                   Holy
                   Catholick
                   Church
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Not
                 only
                 to
                 believe
                 there
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 Church
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 ,
                 agreeable
                 to
                 that
                 belief
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 those
                 Acts
                 which
                 declare
                 our
                 Union
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 adhere
                 to
                 it
                 as
                 its
                 Members
                 ,
                 against
                 all
                 Factious
                 Innovators
                 ,
                 and
                 Dividers
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 this
                 Church
                 but
                 
                   one
                   Body
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No.
                 
                   For
                   we
                   are
                   call'd
                   to
                   peace
                   in
                   one
                   Body
                   ,
                
                 Col.
                 3.
                 15.
                 and
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 
                   one
                   Body
                   ,
                   as
                   one
                   Spirit
                   ,
                   one
                   Lord
                   ,
                   one
                   Baptism
                   ,
                
                 Eph
                 4.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 one
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 
                   External
                   ,
                   Visible
                
                 Unity
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 an
                 
                   external
                   Union
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   common
                   Offices
                
                 and
                 Advantages
                 of
                 the
                 Society
                 ,
                 must
                 shew
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 ,
                 what
                 the
                 Sripture
                 calls
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   one
                   Body
                
                 .
                 It
                 must
                 have
                 such
                 an
                 Union
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 taken
                 notice
                 of
                 by
                 Men
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 whence
                 they
                 will
                 say
                 ,
                 Christians
                 ,
                 are
                 all
                 of
                 
                   one
                   Religion
                   .
                   I
                   pray
                   not
                   for
                   these
                   alone
                   ,
                   but
                   for
                   all
                   that
                   shall
                   believe
                   on
                   me
                   ,
                   through
                   their
                   word
                   :
                   That
                   they
                   may
                   all
                   be
                   one
                   ,
                
                 and
                 that
                 so
                 visibly
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   the
                   World
                   may
                
                 see
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 
                   know
                   and
                   believe
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   hast
                   sent
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   hast
                   loved
                   them
                   ,
                   as
                   thou
                   hast
                   loved
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 17.
                 20
                 ,
                 21
                 ,
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 
                   visible
                   union
                
                 ,
                 is
                 their
                 maintaining
                 
                   one
                   Communion
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Church-Fellowship
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 their
                 readiness
                 to
                 Pray
                 ,
                 and
                 Communicate
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 join
                 in
                 all
                 Acts
                 of
                 Christian
                 
                   Worship
                   ,
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Charity
                 with
                 each
                 other
                 .
                 
                   By
                   this
                   shall
                   all
                   Men
                   know
                   ,
                   that
                   you
                   are
                   my
                   Disciples
                   ,
                   if
                   ye
                   love
                   one
                   another
                   .
                
                 If
                 ye
                 
                   Love
                   one
                
                 
                 another
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 if
                 ye
                 love
                 so
                 as
                 to
                 unite
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 Faith
                 and
                 Affection
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Worship
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   pray
                   and
                   communicate
                   together
                
                 .
                 For
                 a
                 readiness
                 to
                 worship
                 God
                 together
                 ,
                 must
                 shew
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 any
                 thing
                 their
                 unity
                 in
                 Discipleship
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 Servants
                 of
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 Lord
                 and
                 Master
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 13.
                 35.
                 
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 are
                 set
                 down
                 among
                 the
                 
                   Bonds
                   of
                   Union
                
                 ,
                 which
                 compact
                 together
                 the
                 Members
                 of
                 this
                 
                   one
                   Church
                
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 Eucharist
                 ,
                 says
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   ,
                   we
                   being
                   many
                   are
                   made
                   one
                   Body
                   ,
                
                 by
                 being
                 
                   all
                   partakers
                   of
                   that
                   one
                   Bread
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 10.
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 of
                 
                   Baptism
                   ,
                   we
                   are
                   all
                   Baptized
                   into
                   one
                   Body
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 13.
                 and
                 
                   as
                   many
                   as
                   have
                   been
                   Baptized
                   into
                   Christ
                   ,
                   are
                   all
                   one
                   in
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 3.
                 27
                 ,
                 28.
                 
                 And
                 among
                 those
                 various
                 ways
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 Church
                 becomes
                 
                   one
                   Body
                
                 ,
                 he
                 lays
                 down
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   one
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 all
                 Profess
                 :
                 So
                 
                   one
                   Baptism
                
                 ,
                 whereof
                 they
                 all
                 partake
                 ;
                 
                   one
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   Father
                   of
                   all
                   ,
                
                 whom
                 they
                 all
                 invocate
                 with
                 
                   one
                   Hope
                
                 ;
                 and
                 
                   one
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 all
                 serve
                 and
                 worship
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 this
                 
                   visible
                   union
                
                 imply
                 a
                 profest
                 subjection
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 Church
                 ,
                 to
                 one
                 
                   visible
                   Head
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Bishop
                   of
                   Rome
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 that
                 is
                 a
                 Title
                 too
                 haughty
                 to
                 be
                 assumed
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 Power
                 too
                 extensive
                 to
                 be
                 managed
                 by
                 any
                 one
                 Person
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 mention
                 of
                 this
                 universal
                 Headship
                 .
                 No
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 †
                 Lists
                 of
                 Church-Powers
                 ,
                 and
                 Ministrations
                 ,
                 
                 where
                 this
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 highest
                 of
                 all
                 others
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 left
                 out
                 .
                 Nor
                 ,
                 in
                 Silencing
                 any
                 Heresies
                 ,
                 or
                 deciding
                 any
                 Controversies
                 and
                 Disputes
                 ,
                 of
                 which
                 there
                 was
                 great
                 number
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 determination
                 whereof
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 ought
                 to
                 have
                 been
                 used
                 ,
                 so
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 conceivable
                 ,
                 had
                 it
                 then
                 been
                 owned
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Apostles
                 would
                 have
                 directed
                 and
                 sent
                 men
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Litigants
                 themselves
                 would
                 have
                 appeal'd
                 to
                 its
                 sentence
                 .
                 Among
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 our
                 Blessed
                 Lord
                 precludes
                 all
                 pretence
                 to
                 such
                 Power
                 ,
                 telling
                 the
                 †
                 Twelve
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 at
                 
                   Strife
                   who
                   should
                   be
                   highest
                
                 in
                 Empire
                 and
                 Lordship
                 ,
                 that
                 one
                 of
                 them
                 should
                 not
                 bear
                 Rule
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   exercise
                   Authority
                
                 over
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 Luke
                 22.
                 24
                 ,
                 25
                 ,
                 26.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 St.
                 Peter
                 ,
                 in
                 particular
                 ,
                 he
                 set
                 up
                 no
                 claim
                 of
                 Power
                 over
                 the
                 other
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 but
                 bore
                 himself
                 in
                 all
                 things
                 towards
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 correspondently
                 treated
                 by
                 them
                 as
                 a
                 Brother
                 .
                 In
                 any
                 common
                 Debates
                 ,
                 and
                 particularly
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Council
                   of
                   Jerusalem
                
                 ,
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 preside
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 James
                 there
                 †
                 seems
                 rather
                 to
                 have
                 done
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 an
                 Equal
                 ,
                 gave
                 his
                 Reasons
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Voice
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 Act.
                 15.
                 7.
                 
                 When
                 his
                 actings
                 seem'd
                 very
                 Novel
                 and
                 Doubtful
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 
                   going
                   in
                   to
                
                 Cornelius
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   his
                   Gentile
                   Friends
                
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Brethren
                   of
                   the
                   Circumcision
                
                 freely
                 required
                 an
                 Account
                 thereof
                 ,
                 and
                 stifly
                 contended
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 Act.
                 11.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 really
                 Blame-worthy
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 
                   dissimulation
                   was
                   at
                   Antioch
                
                 ,
                 St
                 Paul
                 ,
                 like
                 his
                 Com-Peer
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 
                 
                   openly
                   withstood
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   rebuked
                   him
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 2.
                 11
                 ,
                 12
                 ,
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 These
                 ,
                 with
                 sundry
                 other
                 like
                 Passages
                 ,
                 shew
                 how
                 unknown
                 such
                 Universal
                 Headship
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 time
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 appear
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Ages
                 following
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 visible
                 Unity
                 ,
                 which
                 all
                 Christians
                 were
                 obliged
                 to
                 endeavour
                 after
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 was
                 preserv'd
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 by
                 their
                 joint
                 readiness
                 to
                 communicate
                 externally
                 as
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 not
                 by
                 a
                 profest
                 subjection
                 of
                 all
                 Churches
                 to
                 one
                 Visible
                 Head
                 ,
                 and
                 submitting
                 to
                 his
                 Authority
                 and
                 Jurisdiction
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 this
                 one
                 Church
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 follows
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 ,
                 there
                 must
                 be
                 a
                 
                   Communion
                   of
                   Saints
                
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 Saints
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Christians
                
                 .
                 By
                 their
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 styled
                 *
                 Hereticks
                 ,
                 or
                 Nazarenes
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Names
                 they
                 gave
                 themselves
                 ,
                 were
                 the
                 †
                 Elect
                 ,
                 the
                 *
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 the
                 †
                 Christians
                 ,
                 or
                 many
                 times
                 the
                 *
                 Saints
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 very
                 commonly
                 seen
                 in
                 the
                 inscriptions
                 ,
                 or
                 salutations
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Epistles
                 writ
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 holy
                 Apostles
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 
                   Communion
                   of
                   these
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Christians
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Their
                 
                   joining
                   in
                   common
                
                 in
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 make
                 them
                 Christians
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 
                   the
                   common
                   Offices
                   and
                   concerns
                   of
                   Christianity
                   .
                
                 There
                 must
                 be
                 Communion
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 their
                 Unity
                 as
                 one
                 Body
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Communion
                 must
                 be
                 in
                 something
                 sensible
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 a
                 visible
                 Unity
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 World
                 shall
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 reflect
                 upon
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 from
                 our
                 Saviour
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 what
                 doth
                 this
                 Communion
                 consist
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 In
                 adhering
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 
                   Doctrine
                   ,
                   Government
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Worship
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 .
                 For
                 in
                 these
                 St.
                 Luke
                 places
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 the
                 Primitive
                 Church
                 .
                 
                   They
                   continued
                   stedfastly
                   in
                   the
                   Apostles
                   Doctrine
                   ,
                   and
                   Fellowship
                   ,
                   and
                   breaking
                   of
                   Bread
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   Prayers
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 2.
                 42.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 How
                 must
                 they
                 keep
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Doctrine
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 By
                 adhering
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                
                 ,
                 which
                 ought
                 to
                 be
                 every
                 where
                 the
                 same
                 Rule
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 Unity
                 of
                 Faith
                 requiring
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 that
                 they
                 inwardly
                 believe
                 the
                 same
                 things
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 that
                 they
                 outwardly
                 profess
                 that
                 Belief
                 ;
                 to
                 make
                 Unity
                 in
                 this
                 Profession
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 days
                 there
                 is
                 mention
                 of
                 its
                 being
                 drawn
                 up
                 into
                 a
                 
                   Form
                   of
                   Sound
                   words
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 13.
                 
                 This
                 Form
                 was
                 ,
                 as
                 some
                 think
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   Creed
                
                 ,
                 which
                 contains
                 all
                 that
                 Catholick
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 necessary
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 Man
                 a
                 Good
                 Christian
                 ,
                 and
                 which
                 accordingly
                 has
                 been
                 always
                 received
                 as
                 the
                 Form
                 in
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 the
                 most
                 learned
                 ,
                 not
                 professing
                 more
                 thereat
                 ,
                 nor
                 the
                 most
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 less
                 ,
                 through
                 all
                 Ages
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 united
                 Adherence
                 to
                 the
                 
                   same
                   Rule
                
                 and
                 Form
                 ,
                 will
                 keep
                 up
                 a
                 visible
                 Union
                 in
                 Faith
                 ,
                 or
                 Doctrine
                 .
                 But
                 how
                 can
                 they
                 all
                 be
                 thus
                 united
                 in
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Devotions
                 ,
                 not
                 having
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 Forms
                 of
                 Prayer
                 and
                 Liturgies
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 By
                 making
                 them
                 all
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 
                   same
                   Rules
                
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 
                   same
                   intents
                   and
                   purposes
                
                 .
                 For
                 all
                 their
                 Prayers
                 are
                 put
                 up
                 to
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 one
                 and
                 the
                 same
                 common
                 mercies
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 same
                 common
                 terms
                 and
                 expectations
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 same
                 common
                 Merits
                 and
                 Mediation
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 same
                 common
                 Affection
                 and
                 Brotherly
                 concern
                 for
                 each
                 other
                 .
                 Which
                 make
                 them
                 in
                 Substance
                 the
                 same
                 Worship
                 and
                 Devotions
                 ,
                 though
                 put
                 up
                 in
                 far
                 distant
                 places
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 different
                 Forms
                 of
                 expression
                 ,
                 or
                 Languages
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 According
                 to
                 what
                 you
                 said
                 before
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Unity
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 the
                 Members
                 of
                 this
                 one
                 Body
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 only
                 worship
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 like
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 but
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 worship
                 and
                 pray
                 together
                 .
                 But
                 how
                 can
                 we
                 communicate
                 ,
                 or
                 joyn
                 in
                 the
                 use
                 of
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 Christians
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 so
                 far
                 spread
                 ,
                 and
                 widely
                 distant
                 in
                 their
                 Habitations
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 With
                 Foreigners
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 bound
                 to
                 joyn
                 only
                 as
                 we
                 meet
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 When
                 we
                 happen
                 to
                 be
                 amongst
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 they
                 amongst
                 us
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 we
                 are
                 all
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 is
                 one
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 mutually
                 Associate
                 in
                 worship
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 each
                 other
                 to
                 Communion
                 ,
                 not
                 sticking
                 at
                 any
                 different
                 Rites
                 ,
                 and
                 usages
                 we
                 find
                 in
                 other
                 Churches
                 ,
                 whilst
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Sin
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 Christians
                 of
                 our
                 
                   own
                   Country
                
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 difficulty
                 of
                 joining
                 thus
                 in
                 Worship
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 Government
                 
                 too
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 are
                 all
                 under
                 the
                 same
                 Laws
                 and
                 spiritual
                 Guides
                 ,
                 and
                 live
                 among
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Do
                 you
                 lay
                 much
                 weight
                 upon
                 
                   Publick
                   Prayers
                
                 ,
                 and
                 think
                 the
                 People
                 ought
                 to
                 place
                 much
                 in
                 attending
                 the
                 Churches
                 Service
                 ,
                 and
                 Praying
                 along
                 with
                 the
                 Minister
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 For
                 though
                 God
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 hear
                 any
                 Good
                 man
                 ,
                 by
                 himself
                 alone
                 :
                 Yet
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Countenance
                 of
                 the
                 Publick
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 maintenance
                 of
                 good
                 order
                 ,
                 he
                 sets
                 particular
                 marks
                 of
                 Favour
                 on
                 those
                 Prayers
                 which
                 are
                 offer'd
                 to
                 him
                 in
                 Publick
                 ,
                 in
                 concurrence
                 with
                 his
                 Minister
                 .
                 Thus
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Law
                 ,
                 he
                 appointed
                 the
                 Priests
                 to
                 Offer
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   burn
                   incense
                
                 †
                 
                   twice
                   a
                   Day
                
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 
                   Daily
                   Service
                
                 :
                 the
                 end
                 whereof
                 was
                 ,
                 to
                 present
                 those
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 *
                 People
                 offer'd
                 up
                 during
                 this
                 Ministration
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 sweet
                 smell
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 these
                 Perfumes
                 .
                 And
                 David
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 desire
                 a
                 great
                 Recommendation
                 to
                 his
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 begs
                 they
                 may
                 come
                 fortifi'd
                 with
                 this
                 advantage
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   be
                   set
                   forth
                   in
                   God's
                   sight
                   like
                   Incense
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 141.
                 2.
                 
                 In
                 like
                 manner
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   four
                   and
                   twenty
                   Elders
                
                 in
                 the
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 the
                 Bishops
                 or
                 Pastors
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 are
                 represented
                 as
                 
                   having
                   every
                   one
                
                 ,
                 like
                 the
                 Jewish
                 Priests
                 ,
                 
                   Golden
                   Vials
                   full
                   of
                   Odors
                   ,
                   which
                   are
                   the
                   Prayers
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 5.
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 any
                 Persons
                 in
                 sickness
                 ,
                 would
                 have
                 Recourse
                 to
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 St.
                 James
                 directs
                 them
                 to
                 present
                 them
                 by
                 their
                 Pastors
                 ,
                 and
                 send
                 
                 
                   for
                   the
                   Elders
                   of
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 5
                 ▪
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 that
                 Angel
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   at
                   the
                   Golden
                   Altar
                   ,
                   offers
                   up
                   the
                   Prayers
                   of
                   all
                   Saints
                   ,
                
                 is
                 set
                 out
                 particularly
                 as
                 presenting
                 those
                 Prayers
                 of
                 theirs
                 ,
                 
                   which
                   came
                   up
                   with
                   the
                   smoke
                   of
                   incense
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 8.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 Not
                 to
                 mention
                 the
                 many
                 other
                 Advantages
                 of
                 Publick
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 as
                 its
                 being
                 an
                 addressing
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 united
                 Number
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 all
                 Addresses
                 ,
                 is
                 confessedly
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 most
                 Force
                 and
                 Power
                 ;
                 and
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 in
                 conjunction
                 with
                 some
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 very
                 likely
                 ,
                 with
                 several
                 more
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 dearer
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 than
                 our selves
                 ,
                 for
                 whose
                 *
                 sake
                 he
                 may
                 be
                 more
                 like
                 to
                 hear
                 our
                 joint
                 supplications
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 would
                 
                   hear
                   Job
                   for
                   his
                   Friends
                
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 would
                 not
                 accept
                 either
                 their
                 Prayer
                 ,
                 or
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 at
                 their
                 own
                 hands
                 ,
                 Job
                 42.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 most
                 fond
                 and
                 prejudicial
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Criminal
                 and
                 inexcusable
                 carelesness
                 ,
                 for
                 Men
                 so
                 sloathfully
                 and
                 irreligiously
                 ,
                 to
                 neglect
                 the
                 
                   daily
                   opportunities
                
                 of
                 
                   Publick
                   Prayers
                
                 ,
                 as
                 ,
                 God
                 knows
                 ,
                 the
                 generality
                 do
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 though
                 under
                 this
                 neglect
                 they
                 do
                 serve
                 God
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 Prayers
                 daily
                 in
                 their
                 own
                 Families
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 speak
                 of
                 Communicating
                 in
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 tho'
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 Sermon
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 certainly
                 no
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 comes
                 to
                 Church
                 to
                 serve
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 understand
                 what
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 can
                 come
                 more
                 for
                 Sermons
                 ,
                 than
                 for
                 Prayers
                 sake
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 for
                 Prayers
                 principally
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 come
                 to
                 
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   my
                   House
                   is
                   the
                   House
                   of
                   Prayer
                   ,
                
                 says
                 God
                 ,
                 Isa.
                 56.
                 7.
                 and
                 Mat.
                 21.
                 13.
                 
                 In
                 these
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 God's
                 Worship
                 doth
                 chiefly
                 consist
                 .
                 And
                 by
                 these
                 especially
                 ,
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 all
                 Times
                 ,
                 and
                 Places
                 ,
                 thought
                 to
                 worship
                 God.
                 And
                 these
                 ,
                 above
                 all
                 our
                 other
                 Services
                 ,
                 our
                 Mediator
                 is
                 careful
                 to
                 offer
                 up
                 to
                 God
                 from
                 us
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 is
                 represented
                 ,
                 as
                 presenting
                 
                   at
                   the
                   Golden
                   Altar
                
                 from
                 the
                 Publick
                 Assemblies
                 ,
                 being
                 
                   the
                   Prayers
                   of
                   the
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 8.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 it
                 shews
                 a
                 very
                 untaught
                 and
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 an
                 Irreligious
                 and
                 Prophane
                 Objector
                 ,
                 to
                 pretend
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 go
                 to
                 Church
                 ,
                 because
                 there
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 Prayers
                 :
                 for
                 that
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 chief
                 things
                 for
                 which
                 he
                 should
                 go
                 thither
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 very
                 Life
                 and
                 Spirit
                 of
                 our
                 Service
                 and
                 Performance
                 there
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 we
                 are
                 bound
                 thus
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 Unity
                 of
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 but
                 likewise
                 to
                 preserve
                 Unity
                 of
                 Publick
                 Worship
                 and
                 Communion
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 we
                 think
                 of
                 Schism
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   rending
                   and
                   dividing
                   the
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 either
                 the
                 whole
                 Church
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 part
                 where
                 we
                 live
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 makeing
                 two
                 Churches
                 out
                 of
                 one
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 a
                 Sin
                 to
                 Erect
                 new
                 Churches
                 ,
                 and
                 separate
                 in
                 these
                 Acts
                 of
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 Body
                 of
                 a
                 Church
                 ,
                 or
                 Nation
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 most
                 certainly
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 very
                 great
                 one
                 ,
                 except
                 there
                 be
                 a
                 
                   just
                   Cause
                
                 of
                 Separation
                 .
                 For
                 so
                 at
                 Corinth
                 ,
                 St.
                 Paul
                 told
                 them
                 ,
                 whilst
                 
                   one
                   was
                   for
                
                 Paul
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   another
                   for
                
                 Apollos
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   there
                   were
                   Divisions
                
                 
                 
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   they
                   were
                   Carnal
                   ,
                   and
                   walked
                   as
                   men
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 3
                 ,
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 at
                 Rome
                 ,
                 he
                 bids
                 them
                 
                   mark
                   those
                   who
                   cause
                   Divisions
                   and
                   Offences
                   ,
                
                 and
                 not
                 adhere
                 and
                 associate
                 with
                 ,
                 but
                 
                   avoid
                   them
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 16.
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 he
                 spoke
                 of
                 Schism
                 ,
                 whilst
                 it
                 was
                 only
                 an
                 imperfect
                 Birth
                 ,
                 not
                 gone
                 on
                 to
                 open
                 Separation
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 to
                 such
                 unquiet
                 practices
                 ,
                 and
                 making
                 of
                 Parties
                 ,
                 as
                 would
                 shortly
                 end
                 therein
                 .
                 For
                 so
                 ,
                 under
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Corinthian
                   Sidings
                
                 and
                 Divisions
                 ,
                 he
                 declares
                 that
                 they
                 
                   came
                   together
                
                 still
                 
                   in
                   the
                   same
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 and
                 met
                 to
                 partake
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Worship
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Supper
                   of
                   our
                   Lord
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 11.
                 18
                 ,
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 a
                 
                   just
                   Cause
                
                 of
                 Separation
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 A
                 
                   Necessity
                   of
                   sinning
                   ,
                   if
                   we
                   joyn
                   with
                   them
                   .
                
                 Which
                 always
                 is
                 ,
                 when
                 some
                 sinful
                 things
                 are
                 imposed
                 by
                 any
                 Society
                 of
                 Christians
                 ,
                 as
                 〈◊〉
                 Conditions
                 of
                 their
                 Communion
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 to
                 maintain
                 the
                 Churches
                 Peace
                 ,
                 only
                 †
                 
                   so
                   far
                   as
                   lyes
                   in
                   us
                
                 ;
                 but
                 we
                 have
                 no
                 Power
                 ,
                 or
                 Liberty
                 ,
                 to
                 sin
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 Church
                 it self
                 is
                 called
                 Holy
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 think
                 to
                 shew
                 our selves
                 its
                 true
                 Members
                 ,
                 by
                 acting
                 unholily
                 .
                 When
                 without
                 sinning
                 we
                 cannot
                 continue
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 voice
                 of
                 the
                 Scripture
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   come
                   out
                   from
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   ye
                   separate
                   ,
                   and
                   touch
                   not
                   the
                   unclean
                   thing
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 doth
                 a
                 Church
                 impose
                 such
                 
                   sinful
                   things
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 When
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 allow
                 us
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 its
                 Communion
                 ,
                 without
                 Believing
                 ,
                 or
                 
                 Professing
                 ,
                 Errors
                 of
                 Faith
                 ;
                 or
                 committing
                 sins
                 in
                 Practice
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Rome
                 doth
                 ,
                 by
                 casting
                 all
                 out
                 of
                 its
                 Communion
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 not
                 believe
                 that
                 Churches
                 Infallibility
                 ,
                 and
                 Transubstantiation
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 Errors
                 in
                 Faith
                 ;
                 nor
                 Adore
                 the
                 Host
                 ,
                 Worship
                 Images
                 ,
                 Pray
                 to
                 Saints
                 and
                 An-Angels
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 sins
                 in
                 Practice
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 breach
                 of
                 Church-Unity
                 then
                 ,
                 nor
                 Act
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 to
                 separate
                 from
                 such
                 Imposers
                 of
                 unlawful
                 things
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 but
                 an
                 adhering
                 to
                 Christ
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Universal
                   Church
                
                 of
                 all
                 Ages
                 ,
                 who
                 disclaim
                 these
                 Corruptions
                 .
                 In
                 these
                 Particulars
                 ,
                 the
                 imposing
                 Church
                 separates
                 her self
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Catholick
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 we
                 keep
                 the
                 Unity
                 of
                 the
                 Catholick
                 Church
                 ▪
                 in
                 adhering
                 to
                 it
                 against
                 her
                 ,
                 who
                 makes
                 〈◊〉
                 upstart
                 Combination
                 ,
                 and
                 proves
                 a
                 Schismatical
                 Divider
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 
                   just
                   Cause
                
                 of
                 Separating
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 we
                 must
                 needs
                 commit
                 some
                 sin
                 in
                 joyning
                 with
                 a
                 Church
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 never
                 just
                 to
                 Separate
                 for
                 
                   things
                   indifferent
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 because
                 they
                 lawfully
                 may
                 be
                 done
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 sin
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 For
                 all
                 
                   sin
                   is
                   the
                   transgression
                   of
                   a
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 3.
                 4.
                 and
                 therefore
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 sin
                 in
                 indifferent
                 things
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 would
                 be
                 no
                 longer
                 indifferent
                 ,
                 but
                 unlawful
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 were
                 any
                 Law
                 against
                 them
                 .
                 We
                 are
                 to
                 
                   keep
                   Peace
                   as
                   much
                   as
                   lyes
                   in
                   us
                
                 ;
                 and
                 indifferent
                 things
                 certainly
                 do
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 are
                 no
                 where
                 forbidden
                 
                 to
                 us
                 .
                 Nay
                 ,
                 in
                 these
                 things
                 ,
                 a
                 good
                 Christian
                 should
                 be
                 easie
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 submitting
                 to
                 Church-Laws
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 complying
                 with
                 Innocent
                 Church-Customs
                 ;
                 St.
                 Paul
                 thinking
                 it
                 Argument
                 sufficient
                 in
                 a
                 little
                 Case
                 ,
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   have
                   no
                   such
                   Custome
                   ,
                   nor
                   the
                   Churches
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 11.
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 unjust
                 also
                 to
                 Separate
                 from
                 a
                 Church
                 ,
                 on
                 pretence
                 the
                 Establish'd
                 Means
                 there
                 are
                 
                   less
                   Edifying
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 Means
                 were
                 less
                 Edifying
                 in
                 the
                 Assemblies
                 at
                 Corinth
                 .
                 Many
                 spoke
                 
                   confusedly
                   at
                   once
                
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 
                   a
                   doing
                   Things
                   to
                   edifying
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 26
                 ,
                 27.
                 
                 And
                 many
                 
                   spoke
                   in
                   strange
                   Tongues
                
                 ,
                 which
                 could
                 not
                 Edifie
                 their
                 Hearers
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 did
                 
                   not
                   understand
                   them
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 16
                 ,
                 17.
                 
                 But
                 under
                 this
                 less
                 Edifying
                 State
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 lawful
                 to
                 divide
                 .
                 
                   Whilst
                   there
                   are
                   Divisions
                   among
                   you
                   ,
                   are
                   you
                   not
                   Carnal
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 3.
                 
                 All
                 Christians
                 must
                 seek
                 to
                 Edifie
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 themselves
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Church
                 is
                 Edified
                 by
                 Unity
                 and
                 Peace
                 .
                 
                   Follow
                   after
                   the
                   things
                   ,
                   which
                   make
                   for
                   Peace
                   ,
                   for
                   with
                   them
                   we
                   must
                   Edifie
                   one
                   another
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 14.
                 19.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 just
                 Cause
                 of
                 Separation
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 Church
                 imposes
                 any
                 Sins
                 ,
                 or
                 Errors
                 as
                 Conditions
                 of
                 her
                 Communion
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 a
                 Church
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 Defiled
                 with
                 these
                 ,
                 is
                 yet
                 so
                 Moderate
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   not
                   to
                   impose
                
                 them
                 ;
                 may
                 she
                 not
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 that
                 ,
                 be
                 so
                 far
                 corrupted
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 on
                 account
                 thereof
                 all
                 Good
                 Men
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 take
                 due
                 care
                 
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Souls
                 ,
                 ought
                 to
                 leave
                 her
                 Communion
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 if
                 she
                 errs
                 so
                 foully
                 ▪
                 in
                 Faith
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 overthrow
                 ,
                 or
                 go
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 Foundation
                 .
                 Or
                 ,
                 if
                 her
                 Corruptions
                 have
                 so
                 overspread
                 ,
                 and
                 poison'd
                 all
                 the
                 necessary
                 Parts
                 of
                 her
                 Worship
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 joyning
                 in
                 her
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 without
                 joyning
                 in
                 the
                 Corruptions
                 too
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 Embodied
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 In
                 these
                 cases
                 ,
                 
                   be
                   ye
                   Separate
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   touch
                   not
                   the
                   unclean
                   thing
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 17.
                 and
                 
                   come
                   out
                   of
                   her
                   ,
                   my
                   People
                   ,
                   that
                   ye
                   be
                   not
                   Partakers
                   of
                   her
                   Sins
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   ye
                   receive
                   not
                   of
                   her
                   Plagues
                   .
                
                 Rev.
                 18.
                 4.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 One
                 Case
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 
                   Errors
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 which
                 
                   overthrow
                   the
                   Foundation
                
                 .
                 What
                 mean
                 you
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Foundation
                   of
                   Faith
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Such
                 points
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 the
                 very
                 Bottom
                 and
                 
                   Ground-work
                   of
                   the
                   Christian
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 whereinto
                 we
                 are
                 all
                 Baptized
                 ,
                 and
                 whereon
                 the
                 Church
                 is
                 Erected
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 such
                 Articles
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 the
                 Root
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 Obedience
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 pay
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 Submission
                 ,
                 Trust
                 ,
                 and
                 Adoration
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 shew
                 towards
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 Labour
                 ,
                 and
                 Success
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 call'd
                 to
                 here
                 in
                 the
                 Prosecution
                 of
                 an
                 
                   Holy
                   Life
                
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 Points
                 of
                 our
                 Christian
                 Faith
                 ,
                 are
                 a-like
                 True
                 :
                 but
                 all
                 Truths
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 a-like
                 useful
                 ;
                 nor
                 all
                 useful
                 Truths
                 ,
                 a-like
                 necessary
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 necessary
                 for
                 us
                 to
                 believe
                 all
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 sufficiently
                 shew'd
                 that
                 Christ
                 has
                 taught
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 't
                 is
                 moreover
                 
                 necessary
                 for
                 us
                 all
                 to
                 see
                 he
                 has
                 taught
                 some
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 be
                 Believed
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 Revealed
                 ;
                 but
                 were
                 therefore
                 Revealed
                 ,
                 because
                 necessary
                 to
                 be
                 Learned
                 ,
                 and
                 Believed
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 retain
                 to
                 him
                 .
                 And
                 these
                 Points
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 not
                 only
                 Profitable
                 ,
                 but
                 necessary
                 to
                 the
                 Worship
                 and
                 Service
                 of
                 God
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 maintenance
                 of
                 the
                 Christian
                 Covenant
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 which
                 is
                 Built
                 upon
                 it
                 ,
                 are
                 called
                 Fundamentals
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Can
                 you
                 shew
                 me
                 ,
                 what
                 points
                 are
                 such
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   One
                
                 is
                 the
                 common
                 foundation
                 of
                 all
                 true
                 Religion
                 ,
                 Mosaical
                 ,
                 and
                 Natural
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Christian
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Belief
                   of
                   the
                   one
                   True
                   God
                   ,
                
                 not
                 only
                 of
                 his
                 Being
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 and
                 Care
                 to
                 Reward
                 those
                 that
                 seek
                 him
                 .
                 Thus
                 St.
                 Paul
                 sets
                 down
                 
                   Faith
                   towards
                   God
                
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 Article
                 to
                 be
                 
                   first
                   laid
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 6
                 ▪
                 1.
                 
                 
                   For
                   he
                   that
                   comes
                   to
                   God
                
                 in
                 any
                 way
                 ,
                 saith
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   must
                   believe
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   ;
                   and
                   that
                   he
                   is
                   a
                   Rewarder
                   of
                   them
                   that
                   diligently
                   seek
                   him
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 11.
                 6.
                 
                 This
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   the
                   one
                   true
                   God
                   ,
                
                 is
                 overthrown
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 when
                 Men
                 overlook
                 ,
                 or
                 deny
                 him
                 ;
                 but
                 also
                 when
                 they
                 joyn
                 ,
                 any
                 Gentile
                 Gods
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 Apostate
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 in
                 Copartnership
                 with
                 him
                 .
                 For
                 every
                 true
                 Church
                 ,
                 must
                 have
                 Repentance
                 from
                 Idols
                 
                   towards
                   God
                
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 
                   Faith
                   towards
                   our
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 Act
                 20.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 
                   this
                   is
                   Life
                   eternal
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   know
                   thee
                   the
                   only
                   true
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   whom
                   thou
                   hast
                   sent
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 17.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 
                   he
                   is
                   Antichrist
                
                 ,
                 
                 saith
                 St.
                 
                   John
                   ,
                   that
                   denies
                   the
                   Father
                   and
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 22.
                 
                 If
                 she
                 cast
                 off
                 the
                 
                   Belief
                   of
                   the
                   one
                   true
                   God
                   ,
                
                 the
                 common
                 Principle
                 of
                 all
                 true
                 Religion
                 ,
                 she
                 is
                 the
                 Congregation
                 of
                 some
                 Faln
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 which
                 set
                 up
                 for
                 false
                 Gods
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 the
                 Great
                 God
                 of
                 Heaven
                 .
                 As
                 well
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 she
                 have
                 not
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 she
                 is
                 no
                 longer
                 Christian.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 a
                 Church
                 professes
                 Faith
                 in
                 the
                 one
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 common
                 Ground-work
                 of
                 all
                 true
                 Religion
                 :
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 Particular
                 Foundation
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Christian
                   Religion
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Belief
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   being
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   of
                   Salvation
                   by
                   his
                   Merits
                   and
                   Mediation
                   .
                
                 When
                 
                   Peter
                   confessed
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   the
                   living
                   God
                   ,
                
                 our
                 Saviour
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   upon
                   this
                   Rock
                   will
                   I
                   build
                   my
                   Church
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 16.
                 16
                 ,
                 18.
                 
                 And
                 St.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Foundation
                   which
                   he
                   had
                   laid
                   ,
                   and
                   other
                   than
                   which
                   no
                   Man
                   can
                   lay
                   ,
                   is
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 11.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 compass
                 of
                 
                   saving
                   Knowledge
                
                 ,
                 marked
                 out
                 by
                 our
                 Lord
                 himself
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 
                   Knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   one
                   true
                   God
                   ,
                   to
                   know
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   whom
                   he
                   has
                   sent
                   .
                
                 Whilst
                 any
                 Church
                 retains
                 this
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 Christian
                 ,
                 and
                 has
                 Right
                 to
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Philip
                 declar'd
                 to
                 the
                 Eunuch
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 Baptized
                 upon
                 his
                 making
                 this
                 Confession
                 ,
                 Act.
                 8.
                 37
                 ,
                 38.
                 
                 But
                 if
                 it
                 denys
                 this
                 Authority
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 its
                 dependance
                 upon
                 him
                 ,
                 for
                 salvation
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 thereby
                 unchurched
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 becomes
                 unchristian
                 ,
                 like
                 
                   Jewish
                   ,
                   Mahometane
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Heathen
                 Churches
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 put
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 ordinary
                 way
                 of
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 there
                 
                   being
                   no
                   Name
                   under
                   Heaven
                   given
                   among
                   Men
                   ,
                   whereby
                   we
                   may
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                   but
                   his
                   alone
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 4.
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 doth
                 not
                 this
                 Grand
                 Article
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   being
                   the
                   Christ
                   and
                   Saviour
                   ,
                
                 imply
                 in
                 it
                 sundry
                 other
                 Articles
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 if
                 we
                 Believe
                 
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 believe
                 all
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Scriptures
                
                 as
                 his
                 Word
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 contain
                 all
                 Articles
                 .
                 But
                 it
                 more
                 especially
                 implies
                 his
                 
                   Incarnation
                   ,
                   Passion
                   ,
                   Resurrection
                
                 ,
                 and
                 other
                 great
                 Articles
                 of
                 the
                 Creed
                 ,
                 which
                 must
                 be
                 expresly
                 owned
                 by
                 every
                 one
                 that
                 rightly
                 understands
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 various
                 Repetitions
                 of
                 this
                 
                   Grand
                   Article
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Representations
                 of
                 the
                 
                   saving
                   Faith
                
                 ,
                 one
                 or
                 other
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 is
                 oft-times
                 added
                 ,
                 and
                 given
                 as
                 the
                 instance
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 *
                 
                   Believing
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                   ,
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   you
                   may
                   have
                   Life
                   through
                   his
                   Name
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 John
                 ,
                 shewing
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 this
                 main
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 20.
                 31.
                 
                 But
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 speaking
                 of
                 this
                 Grand
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   determined
                   to
                   know
                   nothing
                   among
                   you
                   ,
                   but
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   and
                   him
                   Crucified
                
                 ;
                 setting
                 out
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 his
                 Passion
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   thou
                   confess
                   the
                   Lord
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   and
                   believe
                   God
                   raised
                   him
                   from
                   the
                   Dead
                   ,
                   thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   saved
                
                 ;
                 exemplifying
                 the
                 saving
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Jesus
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Belief
                 of
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 10.
                 9.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 he
                 commanded
                 us
                 to
                 preach
                 him
                 ,
                 saith
                 
                 St.
                 
                   Peter
                   ,
                   he
                   commanded
                   us
                   to
                   preach
                   ,
                   and
                   testifie
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   is
                   he
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   ordained
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Judge
                   both
                   of
                   quick
                   and
                   dead
                
                 ;
                 illustrating
                 the
                 Preaching
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 preaching
                 the
                 Judgment
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 Act.
                 10.
                 42.
                 
                 
                   Every
                   Spirit
                   that
                   confesseth
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   is
                   come
                   in
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                   is
                   of
                   God
                   :
                   And
                   every
                   Spirit
                   that
                   confesses
                   it
                   not
                   ,
                   is
                   Antichrist
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 St.
                 John
                 ;
                 explaining
                 the
                 Confession
                 of
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Confession
                 of
                 his
                 Incarnation
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 4.
                 2
                 ,
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 speaking
                 of
                 the
                 Record
                 ,
                 or
                 Witness
                 ,
                 God
                 had
                 given
                 to
                 the
                 Christian
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 he
                 thus
                 declares
                 the
                 matter
                 attested
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   Record
                   ,
                   God
                   hath
                   given
                   us
                   Eternal
                   Life
                   ,
                   and
                   this
                   Life
                   is
                   in
                   his
                   Son.
                   He
                   that
                   hath
                   the
                   Son
                   ,
                   hath
                   Life
                   ;
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   hath
                   not
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   hath
                   not
                   Life
                   :
                
                 Setting
                 off
                 the
                 Christian
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Saving
                 Faith
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Belief
                 of
                 the
                 Life
                 everlasting
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 10
                 ,
                 11
                 ,
                 12.
                 
                 And
                 as
                 for
                 the
                 Belief
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 our
                 Dependance
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 man
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 our
                 Saviour
                 has
                 sufficiently
                 expressed
                 ,
                 by
                 ordering
                 our
                 very
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 which
                 initiates
                 us
                 into
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 
                   into
                   his
                   Name
                   ,
                   Mat.
                
                 28.
                 19.
                 
                 All
                 these
                 Points
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 very
                 Ground
                 and
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 of
                 our
                 Subjection
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Father
                   ,
                   Son
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 (
                 the
                 Parties
                 we
                 contract
                 withal
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Christian
                   Covenant
                
                 ,
                 )
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 Adoration
                 ,
                 Trust
                 ,
                 and
                 Submission
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Blessed
                 Jesus
                 ;
                 of
                 our
                 worshipping
                 ,
                 and
                 serving
                 God
                 by
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 
                 Holiness
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 which
                 must
                 gain
                 us
                 the
                 Divine
                 Acceptance
                 ;
                 on
                 all
                 which
                 Accounts
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 necessary
                 and
                 Ground-work
                 Articles
                 of
                 Christian
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 properly
                 call'd
                 Fundamentals
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 this
                 it
                 may
                 seem
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 Believing
                 
                   Jesus
                   to
                   be
                   the
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 were
                 in
                 more
                 explicit
                 words
                 ,
                 to
                 believe
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   Creed
                
                 ,
                 since
                 that
                 sets
                 forth
                 all
                 the
                 Forecited
                 Articles
                 .
                 But
                 doth
                 it
                 contain
                 all
                 Points
                 of
                 meer
                 Belief
                 ,
                 that
                 are
                 necessary
                 and
                 Fundamental
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 was
                 made
                 for
                 a
                 Badge
                 of
                 true
                 Christians
                 ;
                 and
                 thereupon
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 conclude
                 ,
                 was
                 design'd
                 to
                 be
                 no
                 ways
                 Defective
                 ,
                 in
                 any
                 necessary
                 Articles
                 of
                 Christianity
                 .
                 It
                 has
                 ever
                 been
                 the
                 Form
                 of
                 Faith
                 at
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 all
                 which
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Ignorant
                 ,
                 but
                 even
                 the
                 most
                 Learned
                 then
                 professed
                 :
                 So
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 sufficient
                 to
                 make
                 any
                 Person
                 a
                 Disciple
                 and
                 Member
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ.
                
                 It
                 was
                 held
                 ,
                 and
                 Styled
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 well
                 known
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Ancient
                   Fathers
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Canon
                 ,
                 the
                 Sum
                 ,
                 the
                 
                   Perfect
                   Sum
                   of
                   Faith
                   ;
                   that
                   Token
                   ,
                   which
                   was
                   sufficient
                   to
                   shew
                   who
                   preached
                   Christ
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   Doctrine
                   of
                   the
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   distinguish
                   Believers
                   from
                   Infidels
                
                 ;
                 that
                 
                   wherein
                   the
                   Church
                   Educated
                   ,
                   and
                   Catechized
                   her
                   Children
                
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 in
                 sum
                 ,
                 which
                 passed
                 as
                 the
                 Test
                 of
                 common
                 Christianity
                 among
                 them
                 .
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 Compilers
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 short
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 gave
                 room
                 to
                 some
                 things
                 only
                 Circumstantial
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Judge
                 under
                 whom
                 Christ
                 suffer'd
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                 Time
                 of
                 his
                 Rising
                 from
                 the
                 Dead
                 :
                 'T
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 thought
                 they
                 would
                 omit
                 any
                 thing
                 essential
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Body
                 of
                 the
                 Faith
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 necessary
                 to
                 be
                 inserted
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Whilst
                 any
                 Church
                 then
                 professes
                 this
                 Creed
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 doth
                 it
                 continue
                 a
                 
                   Christian
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 tho'
                 it
                 tacks
                 thereto
                 many
                 gross
                 Errors
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   builds
                   Wood
                   ,
                   Hay
                   ,
                   and
                   Stubble
                   thereupon
                   ?
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 they
                 ,
                 who
                 profess
                 this
                 ,
                 may
                 be
                 Baptized
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ;
                 and
                 Baptism
                 admits
                 men
                 into
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 makes
                 them
                 Christians
                 .
                 And
                 some
                 Churches
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 days
                 ,
                 had
                 imbibed
                 sundry
                 great
                 Errors
                 .
                 But
                 retaining
                 still
                 their
                 
                   Faith
                   in
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 owned
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Churches
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 styled
                 and
                 treated
                 so
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Apostolical
                 Epistles
                 to
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 tho'
                 it
                 be
                 a
                 most
                 sad
                 thing
                 ,
                 to
                 consider
                 of
                 the
                 present
                 divisions
                 of
                 Christendom
                 :
                 yet
                 ,
                 God
                 be
                 thanked
                 ,
                 this
                 Creed
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 full
                 foundation
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 is
                 still
                 unanimously
                 own'd
                 ,
                 and
                 profess'd
                 ,
                 by
                 all
                 Churches
                 ,
                 which
                 make
                 any
                 considerable
                 Figure
                 and
                 large
                 spread
                 ,
                 or
                 have
                 attain'd
                 at
                 this
                 day
                 to
                 become
                 National
                 in
                 the
                 Christian
                 World.
                 On
                 account
                 whereof
                 ,
                 how
                 wide
                 soever
                 their
                 differences
                 ,
                 or
                 great
                 the
                 errors
                 ,
                 of
                 many
                 of
                 them
                 are
                 in
                 superstructures
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 still
                 look
                 upon
                 them
                 as
                 
                   Churches
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 tho'
                 some
                 ,
                 alas
                 !
                 are
                 very
                 degenerate
                 and
                 corrupt
                 ones
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 may
                 they
                 be
                 saved
                 too
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 :
                 if
                 they
                 have
                 nothing
                 else
                 to
                 hinder
                 their
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 but
                 such
                 Errors
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 them
                 they
                 sincerely
                 fear
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 work
                 Righteousness
                 .
                 For
                 
                   Christ
                   is
                   the
                   Saviour
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                   :
                
                 so
                 that
                 retaining
                 so
                 much
                 truth
                 as
                 may
                 qualifie
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 Baptism
                 ;
                 they
                 have
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 indispensably
                 requisite
                 to
                 Salvation
                 .
                 But
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 saved
                 notwithstanding
                 their
                 great
                 Errors
                 ,
                 which
                 imply
                 unbelief
                 of
                 some
                 weighty
                 and
                 concerning
                 Truths
                 our
                 Lord
                 has
                 revealed
                 to
                 us
                 ,
                 is
                 on
                 the
                 score
                 of
                 their
                 well
                 meant
                 and
                 pityable
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 their
                 unmasterable
                 Prejudices
                 and
                 Prepossessions
                 .
                 Whilst
                 men
                 hold
                 the
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 and
                 err
                 only
                 in
                 superstructures
                 :
                 tho'
                 their
                 corrupt
                 superstructures
                 ,
                 
                   their
                   Hay
                   ,
                   and
                   Stubble
                   ,
                   which
                   they
                   Build
                   thereupon
                   ,
                
                 as
                 St.
                 
                   Paul
                   says
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   burnt
                   ,
                   and
                   suffer
                   loss
                   :
                
                 yet
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Foundations
                 sake
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 hold
                 the
                 errors
                 thro'
                 an
                 evil
                 mind
                 ,
                 nor
                 are
                 obstinate
                 in
                 them
                 against
                 convictive
                 evidence
                 ,
                 
                   the
                   Persons
                   themselves
                   may
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                
                 who
                 were
                 such
                 unskilful
                 Builders
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 15.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Are
                 not
                 such
                 erroneous
                 Christians
                 or
                 Churches
                 then
                 ,
                 in
                 as
                 good
                 a
                 state
                 ,
                 as
                 more
                 sound
                 and
                 Orthodox
                 ones
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 neither
                 so
                 sure
                 of
                 having
                 any
                 Reward
                 ,
                 nor
                 ,
                 if
                 that
                 falls
                 right
                 ,
                 like
                 to
                 receive
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 their
                 errors
                 make
                 their
                 passage
                 at
                 the
                 
                   Day
                   of
                   Judgment
                
                 to
                 the
                 side
                 of
                 the
                 Blessed
                 more
                 hazardous
                 ;
                 errors
                 being
                 punishable
                 in
                 some
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 pardonable
                 in
                 others
                 ,
                 according
                 as
                 they
                 have
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 of
                 willfulness
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 finally
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 hinder
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 at
                 least
                 render
                 it
                 more
                 difficult
                 ,
                 and
                 painful
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 Apostle
                 intimates
                 ,
                 in
                 comparing
                 mens
                 escape
                 from
                 among
                 such
                 errors
                 ,
                 to
                 ones
                 escaping
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 House
                 
                   all
                   on
                   Fire
                
                 about
                 him
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 I
                 add
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 much
                 pain
                 and
                 trouble
                 ,
                 so
                 with
                 much
                 harm
                 and
                 loss
                 too
                 .
                 For
                 their
                 superstructed
                 Works
                 at
                 that
                 day
                 ,
                 suffering
                 loss
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 receiving
                 recompence
                 ,
                 their
                 reward
                 for
                 the
                 Foundations
                 sake
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 still
                 hold
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 less
                 than
                 the
                 reward
                 of
                 other
                 Christians
                 ,
                 who
                 not
                 only
                 hold
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 build
                 thereon
                 rewardable
                 superstructures
                 ,
                 void
                 of
                 their
                 Corruptions
                 .
                 This
                 the
                 Apostle
                 sets
                 off
                 by
                 †
                 Fire
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 tryes
                 solid
                 Works
                 ,
                 like
                 as
                 when
                 it
                 proves
                 Gold
                 ,
                 or
                 Silver
                 ,
                 doth
                 no
                 harm
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 makes
                 them
                 finer
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 it
                 meets
                 with
                 corrupt
                 ones
                 ,
                 like
                 as
                 when
                 it
                 seizes
                 Hay
                 ,
                 or
                 Stubble
                 ,
                 it
                 feeds
                 upon
                 ,
                 and
                 consumes
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 combustible
                 Matter
                 .
                 
                   If
                   a
                   mans
                   work
                
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   abide
                   the
                   Fire
                
                 ,
                 which
                 tryes
                 all
                 Works
                 at
                 that
                 Day
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   shall
                   receive
                   a
                   reward
                
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 
                   But
                   if
                   any
                   Man's
                   Work
                   be
                   burnt
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   suffer
                   loss
                   ,
                   yet
                   he
                   shall
                   be
                   saved
                   ,
                   but
                   so
                   as
                   by
                
                 
                 
                   Fire
                   ;
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 snatch'd
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 those
                 superstructures
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 set
                 all
                 on
                 Fire
                 ,
                 like
                 a
                 man
                 rescued
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 House
                 on
                 Fire
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 lay
                 encompassed
                 with
                 the
                 Flames
                 :
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 way
                 of
                 escape
                 full
                 of
                 dammage
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 difficulty
                 and
                 danger
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 reward
                 of
                 the
                 pityable
                 misled
                 ,
                 is
                 neither
                 so
                 considerable
                 ,
                 nor
                 so
                 secure
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 Orthodox
                 and
                 well
                 directed
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 whilst
                 a
                 Church
                 holds
                 to
                 this
                 Foundation
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 are
                 we
                 not
                 to
                 forsake
                 her
                 ,
                 meerly
                 for
                 her
                 building
                 many
                 gross
                 Errors
                 thereupon
                 ,
                 if
                 she
                 doth
                 not
                 impose
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 under
                 such
                 Errors
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 have
                 shewn
                 ,
                 it
                 still
                 remains
                 a
                 
                   Christian
                   Church
                
                 :
                 and
                 among
                 all
                 true
                 Christians
                 ,
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 
                   Communion
                   of
                   Saints
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 a
                 readiness
                 to
                 joyn
                 mutually
                 in
                 the
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 Offices
                 of
                 our
                 common
                 Christianity
                 .
                 Requiring
                 no
                 unlawful
                 terms
                 of
                 Communion
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 unite
                 with
                 her
                 without
                 sin
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 if
                 we
                 separate
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 without
                 just
                 cause
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 always
                 blame-worthy
                 ,
                 to
                 separate
                 causelesly
                 from
                 any
                 Church
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 the
                 Apostles
                 taught
                 the
                 Christians
                 to
                 practise
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 
                 Days
                 .
                 For
                 many
                 great
                 Errors
                 had
                 then
                 crept
                 into
                 the
                 Churches
                 .
                 Some
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 struck
                 at
                 the
                 very
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 of
                 
                   denying
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   to
                   be
                   come
                   in
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                
                 a
                 Point
                 ,
                 the
                 Profession
                 whereof
                 is
                 necessary
                 ,
                 to
                 our
                 
                   having
                   both
                   the
                   Father
                   and
                   the
                   Son
                
                 ;
                 and
                 accordingly
                 the
                 
                   denyal
                   of
                   it
                
                 ,
                 is
                 given
                 as
                 a
                 sure
                 mark
                 of
                 an
                 Antichrist
                 by
                 St.
                 John
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 Christians
                 warn'd
                 not
                 to
                 have
                 
                   any
                   Communion
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Society
                   with
                   him
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Joh.
                 7.
                 9
                 ,
                 10
                 ,
                 11.
                 
                 Such
                 also
                 was
                 the
                 error
                 of
                 those
                 at
                 Corinth
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   deny'd
                   the
                   Resurrection
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 12.
                 and
                 that
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 rigorous
                 sort
                 of
                 Judaizers
                 ,
                 who
                 set
                 up
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Law
                   of
                   Moses
                
                 ,
                 but
                 its
                 sufficiency
                 without
                 any
                 need
                 of
                 
                   Christs
                   Sacrifice
                
                 ,
                 so
                 casting
                 off
                 all
                 
                   dependance
                   on
                   his
                   Blood
                   for
                   Salvation
                   .
                
                 Both
                 which
                 the
                 Apostle
                 loads
                 with
                 such
                 heavy
                 consequences
                 ,
                 †
                 telling
                 the
                 Judaizers
                 they
                 were
                 
                   faln
                   from
                   grace
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Christ
                   would
                   profit
                   them
                   nothing
                
                 ,
                 or
                 be
                 
                   of
                   none
                   effect
                   to
                   them
                
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 *
                 
                   Denyers
                   of
                   the
                   Resurrection
                
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   then
                   is
                   Christ
                   not
                   risen
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   yet
                   in
                   their
                   Sins
                   ,
                   their
                   Faith
                   is
                   vain
                   ,
                
                 and
                 so
                 
                   is
                   the
                   Apostles
                   Preaching
                   ,
                   &c.
                
                 as
                 give
                 us
                 cause
                 to
                 think
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 prevailed
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 the
                 common
                 Profession
                 in
                 those
                 Churches
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 have
                 rendred
                 them
                 Christians
                 meerly
                 in
                 Name
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 Truth
                 would
                 have
                 unchurched
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 other
                 Churches
                 ,
                 that
                 kept
                 true
                 to
                 the
                 Foundation
                 ,
                 did
                 in
                 those
                 days
                 build
                 many
                 great
                 errors
                 thereupon
                 .
                 At
                 Corinth
                 ,
                 they
                 
                   built
                   Wood
                   ,
                   Hay
                   ,
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   Stubble
                   upon
                   the
                   Foundation
                
                 ;
                 and
                 fell
                 to
                 hold
                 
                 not
                 only
                 speculative
                 Errors
                 ,
                 but
                 some
                 very
                 dangerous
                 Tenets
                 in
                 practice
                 :
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 †
                 lawfulness
                 of
                 
                   incestuous
                   Marriages
                
                 ,
                 esteemed
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 seem
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 thing
                 indifferent
                 ,
                 even
                 by
                 the
                 Pastors
                 themselves
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 *
                 
                   Communicating
                   in
                   Idol-Feasts
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 thought
                 they
                 did
                 not
                 sin
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 believed
                 an
                 †
                 
                   Idol
                   is
                   nothing
                
                 .
                 At
                 Colos
                 ,
                 they
                 were
                 prone
                 to
                 superstition
                 ,
                 to
                 place
                 Religion
                 in
                 uncommanded
                 Abstinencies
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 
                   touch
                   not
                   ,
                   taste
                   not
                   ,
                   handle
                   not
                   ,
                
                 which
                 were
                 
                   the
                   Doctrines
                
                 and
                 Devices
                 
                   of
                   men
                
                 ,
                 Col.
                 2.
                 20
                 ,
                 21
                 ,
                 22.
                 
                 At
                 Ephesus
                 St.
                 Paul
                 foretold
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   several
                   would
                   arise
                   ,
                   speaking
                   perverse
                   Things
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 20.
                 30.
                 
                 And
                 at
                 Rome
                 ,
                 and
                 abundance
                 of
                 Churches
                 in
                 the
                 Provinces
                 where
                 the
                 Jews
                 had
                 Synagogues
                 ;
                 besides
                 those
                 rigid
                 Judaizers
                 ,
                 who
                 deny'd
                 the
                 
                   Redemption
                   by
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   merit
                   of
                   his
                   Sacrifice
                
                 ;
                 there
                 were
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 believed
                 these
                 ,
                 but
                 yet
                 maintain'd
                 together
                 with
                 them
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 the
                 Mosaick
                 Rites
                 ,
                 observing
                 the
                 
                   Jewish
                   difference
                   of
                   Meats
                   and
                   Days
                   ,
                
                 and
                 
                   teaching
                   the
                   Gentiles
                   to
                   live
                   as
                   do
                   the
                   Jews
                   ,
                
                 Ro.
                 14.
                 2
                 ,
                 5.
                 
                 &
                 Gal.
                 2.
                 14.
                 
                 But
                 amidst
                 all
                 these
                 errors
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 held
                 ,
                 sometimes
                 by
                 Parties
                 and
                 Factions
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 by
                 the
                 greatest
                 numbers
                 in
                 the
                 Churches
                 ,
                 the
                 Apostles
                 preach'd
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 own
                 the
                 erroneous
                 as
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 whom
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 those
                 great
                 Truths
                 they
                 held
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   had
                   received
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 14.
                 3.
                 to
                 beware
                 of
                 Schisms
                 ,
                 and
                 Divisions
                 ,
                 as
                 things
                 that
                 shew'd
                 Carnal
                 Professors
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 3.
                 and
                 to
                 
                   keep
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   Bond
                   of
                   Peace
                
                 ,
                 Eph.
                 4.
                 3.
                 
                 And
                 upon
                 these
                 Christian
                 Grounds
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 correspondence
                 to
                 these
                 Apostolical
                 Ordinances
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Protestants
                 of
                 the
                 opposite
                 Confessions
                 ,
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 Communicate
                 with
                 the
                 Lutherans
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 their
                 Errors
                 of
                 Ubiquity
                 and
                 Consubstantiation
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 Champions
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 Church
                 ,
                 have
                 sundry
                 times
                 declared
                 their
                 readiness
                 to
                 Communicate
                 ,
                 even
                 with
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 Rome
                 ,
                 in
                 any
                 truly
                 Christian
                 thing
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 Errors
                 that
                 Church
                 has
                 added
                 to
                 the
                 Foundation
                 :
                 But
                 that
                 they
                 have
                 barr'd
                 us
                 all
                 out
                 ,
                 by
                 imposing
                 their
                 Errors
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 staining
                 and
                 polluting
                 their
                 Worship
                 ,
                 that
                 with
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 we
                 cannot
                 joyn
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 were
                 free
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 till
                 the
                 Pope
                 forbid
                 them
                 ;
                 the
                 Romanists
                 were
                 †
                 for
                 many
                 years
                 admitted
                 to
                 our
                 Publick
                 Service
                 ,
                 and
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 their
                 different
                 apprehensions
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 part
                 of
                 
                   Queen
                   Elizabeth's
                
                 Reign
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 suppose
                 you
                 speak
                 this
                 ,
                 of
                 our
                 uniting
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 only
                 whilst
                 their
                 Errors
                 are
                 meer
                 Errors
                 of
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 consist
                 in
                 Opinion
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 't
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 found
                 any
                 corrupt
                 Worship
                 thereupon
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 such
                 unfundamental
                 Errors
                 ,
                 they
                 have
                 a
                 faultless
                 Worship
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 call
                 us
                 to
                 joyn
                 in
                 ;
                 we
                 must
                 not
                 separate
                 for
                 their
                 Errors
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 keep
                 them
                 to
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 are
                 under
                 no
                 necessity
                 
                 of
                 sharing
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 we
                 never
                 are
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 impose
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 leave
                 us
                 at
                 liberty
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 dissent
                 ,
                 where
                 their
                 errors
                 are
                 in
                 little
                 Matters
                 ;
                 or
                 to
                 gainsay
                 and
                 confute
                 them
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 are
                 of
                 more
                 importance
                 to
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 mens
                 Souls
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 think
                 I
                 see
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 Church
                 errs
                 so
                 foully
                 in
                 Faith
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 ought
                 to
                 forsake
                 her
                 .
                 But
                 another
                 ground
                 of
                 withdrawing
                 our
                 Communion
                 ,
                 you
                 said
                 ,
                 is
                 
                   Corruption
                   of
                   Worship
                
                 .
                 And
                 when
                 is
                 a
                 Church
                 so
                 far
                 corrupted
                 in
                 her
                 Worship
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 ought
                 not
                 to
                 joyn
                 in
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 That
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 either
                 in
                 case
                 of
                 
                   intrinsick
                   impediments
                
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 her
                 Offices
                 .
                 Or
                 ,
                 when
                 good
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Devotions
                 are
                 put
                 up
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 an
                 
                   unknown
                   Language
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 is
                 she
                 so
                 far
                 corrupted
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 
                   matter
                   of
                   her
                   Worship
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Publick
                 Services
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 When
                 she
                 falls
                 off
                 ,
                 either
                 from
                 Worshipping
                 the
                 one
                 true
                 God
                 ;
                 or
                 by
                 one
                 Mediator
                 ,
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 or
                 mixes
                 Sin
                 in
                 all
                 her
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 whereby
                 Grace
                 and
                 Mercy
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 sought
                 ;
                 or
                 in
                 her
                 Sacraments
                 of
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 
                   Lords
                   Supper
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 that
                 Grace
                 and
                 Mercy
                 are
                 sealed
                 and
                 convey'd
                 .
                 We
                 cannot
                 live
                 Religiously
                 ,
                 without
                 Prayers
                 ;
                 nor
                 pray
                 to
                 any
                 but
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 except
                 we
                 pray
                 like
                 
                   Idolatrous
                   Heathens
                
                 ;
                 nor
                 Pray
                 to
                 him
                 by
                 any
                 other
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ;
                 the
                 defective
                 Prayers
                 of
                 Sinners
                 needing
                 to
                 be
                 expiated
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 †
                 observed
                 ,
                 
                 
                 before
                 they
                 are
                 preferr'd
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 being
                 acceptable
                 from
                 any
                 other
                 hands
                 ;
                 nor
                 claim
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 his
                 intercession
                 for
                 our
                 Prayers
                 ,
                 'till
                 we
                 are
                 Baptized
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 Members
                 of
                 his
                 Church
                 ;
                 nor
                 shew
                 our selves
                 worthy
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 and
                 assure
                 ,
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 the
                 Blessings
                 we
                 pray
                 for
                 ,
                 without
                 partaking
                 of
                 the
                 Lords
                 Supper
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 any
                 Church
                 has
                 embody'd
                 Sin
                 into
                 her
                 Service
                 in
                 these
                 particulars
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 perform
                 the
                 necessary
                 parts
                 ,
                 and
                 vital
                 acts
                 of
                 Worship
                 in
                 her
                 Communion
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 good
                 Conscience
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 the
                 Publick
                 Offices
                 of
                 any
                 Church
                 ,
                 direct
                 their
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Adorations
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 to
                 Creatures
                 ,
                 either
                 Rational
                 Beings
                 ,
                 or
                 senseless
                 Images
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 prefer
                 not
                 these
                 Prayers
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 alone
                 ,
                 but
                 make
                 use
                 of
                 other
                 Mediators
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   Departed
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Angels
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 pollute
                 their
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Lords
                 Supper
                 ,
                 by
                 unlawful
                 mixtures
                 ;
                 the
                 twisting
                 of
                 these
                 Corruptions
                 into
                 her
                 Worship
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 further
                 Imposition
                 ,
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 bar
                 all
                 good
                 People
                 from
                 joyning
                 with
                 her
                 in
                 these
                 Offices
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 For
                 as
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 careful
                 ,
                 publickly
                 to
                 Worship
                 and
                 serve
                 God
                 ;
                 so
                 must
                 we
                 be
                 as
                 careful
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 offer
                 up
                 any
                 sinful
                 and
                 forbidden
                 Thing
                 in
                 service
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 honour
                 and
                 please
                 ,
                 but
                 affront
                 and
                 provoke
                 him
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 when
                 any
                 particular
                 Office
                 ,
                 is
                 thus
                 tainted
                 in
                 any
                 Church
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 separate
                 from
                 that
                 ,
                 although
                 
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 whilst
                 that
                 will
                 be
                 allowed
                 ,
                 we
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 joyn
                 in
                 others
                 .
                 When
                 't
                 is
                 generally
                 corrupt
                 ,
                 and
                 sound
                 and
                 unsound
                 lye
                 intermixt
                 thro
                 all
                 their
                 service
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 separate
                 from
                 them
                 in
                 all
                 Offices
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 the
                 Devotions
                 themselves
                 are
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 directed
                 only
                 unto
                 God
                 by
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 
                   strange
                   Language
                
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 understand
                 .
                 Were
                 it
                 enough
                 to
                 desert
                 a
                 Churches
                 service
                 for
                 that
                 reason
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 because
                 God
                 will
                 
                   have
                   Prayers
                   with
                   the
                   understanding
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 and
                 
                   God
                   being
                   a
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 receives
                 such
                 only
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 notes
                 ,
                 
                   who
                   Worship
                   him
                   in
                   Spirit
                
                 ,
                 which
                 a
                 man
                 doth
                 not
                 ,
                 whose
                 Spirit
                 is
                 idle
                 ,
                 and
                 understands
                 not
                 what
                 he
                 says
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 John
                 4.
                 23
                 ,
                 24.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 any
                 Church
                 locks
                 up
                 her
                 Publick
                 Prayers
                 and
                 Offices
                 in
                 an
                 unknown
                 Tongue
                 ,
                 good
                 People
                 must
                 seek
                 out
                 another
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 may
                 offer
                 up
                 the
                 same
                 Services
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 Language
                 their
                 Spirits
                 can
                 joyn
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 Worship
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Scripture
                 requires
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   Edification
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 26.
                 
                 We
                 must
                 not
                 separate
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 from
                 a
                 sound
                 Church
                 ,
                 only
                 because
                 it
                 seems
                 less
                 edifying
                 .
                 But
                 we
                 must
                 separate
                 ,
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Devotion
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 directly
                 contrary
                 to
                 Edification
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 separate
                 ,
                 where
                 there
                 are
                 such
                 real
                 Faults
                 in
                 a
                 Church
                 ;
                 then
                 much
                 less
                 for
                 the
                 dislike
                 of
                 
                   received
                   Customs
                   ,
                   Rites
                   and
                   Usages
                   ,
                
                 when
                 confessedly
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 said
                 ,
                 in
                 indifferent
                 matters
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 .
                 To
                 rend
                 the
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 disturbance
                 for
                 light
                 things
                 ,
                 shews
                 an
                 ill
                 Member
                 in
                 all
                 Societies
                 .
                 Not
                 to
                 yield
                 to
                 an
                 
                   innocent
                   Custom
                
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 before
                 from
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 shews
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 be
                 no
                 lover
                 of
                 peace
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 
                   lover
                   of
                   contention
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 11.
                 16.
                 
                 Nay
                 ,
                 if
                 any
                 man
                 would
                 shew
                 himself
                 a
                 Catholick
                 Christian
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 not
                 only
                 readily
                 comply
                 with
                 the
                 indifferent
                 Rites
                 and
                 Usages
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 has
                 Authority
                 over
                 him
                 :
                 but
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 has
                 occasion
                 to
                 pass
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 converse
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 Usages
                 of
                 other
                 Churches
                 ,
                 or
                 Christians
                 ,
                 tho'
                 very
                 different
                 from
                 his
                 own
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 sin
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 a
                 Catholick
                 Christian
                 ,
                 must
                 have
                 a
                 Catholick
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 shew
                 he
                 owns
                 all
                 other
                 Christians
                 ,
                 'till
                 they
                 are
                 regularly
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 
                 Christ's
                 Church
                 ,
                 for
                 Brethren
                 and
                 fellow-members
                 :
                 and
                 never
                 stick
                 out
                 from
                 exercising
                 with
                 them
                 the
                 common
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 whereby
                 all
                 Christians
                 serve
                 and
                 honour
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 reason
                 of
                 the
                 particular
                 Rites
                 in
                 any
                 Church
                 or
                 Place
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 no
                 offence
                 to
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 may
                 not
                 lawfully
                 separate
                 from
                 a
                 Church
                 ,
                 whose
                 Constitution
                 has
                 some
                 Faults
                 ,
                 yea
                 some
                 great
                 ones
                 ,
                 as
                 were
                 among
                 the
                 Churches
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 times
                 :
                 I
                 suppose
                 we
                 may
                 much
                 less
                 separate
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Church
                 it self
                 in
                 its
                 constitution
                 is
                 faultless
                 ,
                 meerly
                 for
                 the
                 ill
                 and
                 
                   scandalous
                   Lives
                
                 of
                 its
                 Members
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Most
                 certainly
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 
                 St.
                 Paul
                 is
                 most
                 severe
                 against
                 the
                 Schisms
                 at
                 Corinth
                 :
                 tho'
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Church
                 ,
                 he
                 complains
                 of
                 the
                 horrible
                 prophaneness
                 of
                 many
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 
                   came
                   drunk
                   to
                   the
                   Lords
                   Supper
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 11.
                 21.
                 and
                 
                   of
                   the
                   Wraths
                   ,
                   Envyings
                   ,
                   Strifes
                   ,
                   Back-bitings
                   ,
                   Swellings
                   ,
                   Tumults
                   ,
                   unrepented
                   Uncleanness
                   ,
                   Laciviousness
                   ,
                   and
                   Fornication
                
                 ;
                 for
                 which
                 
                   he
                   feared
                   God
                   would
                   humble
                   him
                   ,
                   when
                   he
                   came
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Cor.
                 12.
                 20
                 ,
                 21.
                 
                 The
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 under
                 the
                 
                   Ancient
                   Patriarchs
                
                 ,
                 and
                 afterwards
                 in
                 the
                 Nation
                 of
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 was
                 a
                 mixt
                 Society
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 bad
                 livers
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 Christianity
                 it
                 is
                 compared
                 to
                 a
                 †
                 Net
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   catches
                   Fish
                   of
                   every
                   kind
                
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 a
                 *
                 Field
                 ,
                 sown
                 with
                 Tares
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 Wheat
                 ,
                 and
                 wherein
                 
                   both
                   must
                   grow
                   together
                   ,
                   till
                   the
                
                 Great
                 and
                 General
                 Harvest
                 .
                 'T
                 is
                 always
                 its
                 misfortune
                 here
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 some
                 true
                 Saints
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 some
                 Hypocritical
                 Professors
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 were
                 we
                 to
                 separate
                 from
                 a
                 good
                 Church
                 for
                 this
                 Cause
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 separate
                 from
                 all
                 Churches
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 hold
                 Communion
                 with
                 no
                 Church
                 on
                 Earth
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 men
                 must
                 never
                 think
                 of
                 leaving
                 a
                 good
                 Church
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 happens
                 to
                 have
                 some
                 corrupt
                 People
                 ,
                 or
                 scandalous
                 Ministers
                 .
                 From
                 the
                 Sins
                 we
                 must
                 separate
                 ,
                 which
                 give
                 the
                 scandal
                 ,
                 but
                 unite
                 ,
                 and
                 adhere
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 condemns
                 them
                 :
                 the
                 good
                 must
                 not
                 desert
                 it
                 ,
                 because
                 the
                 bad
                 will
                 not
                 obey
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 ruled
                 by
                 it
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 what
                 if
                 it
                 doth
                 not
                 use
                 the
                 
                   Rod
                   of
                   Discipline
                
                 to
                 correct
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 We
                 are
                 not
                 to
                 separate
                 notwithstanding
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Apostles
                 told
                 the
                 Churches
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 Sins
                 were
                 too
                 strong
                 ▪
                 And
                 the
                 Sinners
                 too
                 numerous
                 for
                 Discipline
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 Pastors
                 too
                 remiss
                 in
                 using
                 it
                 .
                 Thus
                 the
                 Pastors
                 were
                 at
                 Corinth
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 
                   mourning
                   over
                   the
                   incestuous
                   Person
                   ,
                   were
                   rather
                   puff'd
                   up
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 yet
                 for
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 St.
                 Paul
                 would
                 not
                 bear
                 ,
                 to
                 hear
                 of
                 any
                 tendenoies
                 towards
                 Schism
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 3.
                 3.
                 
                 Thus
                 also
                 it
                 was
                 at
                 Pergamus
                 ,
                 where
                 several
                 were
                 infected
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 scandalous
                 Doctrines
                 of
                 the
                 Nicolaitans
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 2.
                 15.
                 and
                 at
                 Thyatira
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 followers
                 of
                 Jezabel
                 the
                 
                   False
                   Prophetess
                
                 ,
                 were
                 
                   suffer'd
                   to
                   go
                   on
                
                 in
                 their
                 Spiritual
                 Fornication
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Sacrificing
                   to
                   Idols
                
                 ,
                 v.
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 other
                 Churches
                 ,
                 which
                 either
                 out
                 of
                 necessity
                 ,
                 or
                 neglect
                 ,
                 relaxed
                 the
                 reins
                 of
                 Discipline
                 ,
                 and
                 tolerated
                 scandalous
                 Persons
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 own
                 times
                 .
                 But
                 yet
                 no
                 plea
                 for
                 separation
                 ,
                 would
                 ever
                 be
                 admitted
                 by
                 them
                 on
                 this
                 pretence
                 .
                 In
                 these
                 cases
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 must
                 answer
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 its
                 power
                 ;
                 and
                 scandalous
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 scandals
                 they
                 give
                 ;
                 but
                 as
                 for
                 any
                 private
                 Christians
                 ,
                 whilst
                 they
                 neither
                 help
                 on
                 their
                 scandals
                 ,
                 nor
                 imitate
                 them
                 ,
                 their
                 Consciences
                 are
                 not
                 defiled
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 Besides
                 ,
                 the
                 growth
                 of
                 Schism
                 ,
                 has
                 been
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 weakners
                 of
                 Discipline
                 ,
                 one
                 Congregation
                 admitting
                 and
                 harbouring
                 men
                 ,
                 when
                 another
                 
                 rejects
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 to
                 pretend
                 want
                 of
                 Discipline
                 for
                 separation
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 a
                 most
                 dis-ingenuous
                 thing
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 bring
                 Discipline
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 complain
                 of
                 as
                 too
                 little
                 already
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 none
                 at
                 all
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 discoursed
                 on
                 this
                 Point
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 we
                 are
                 never
                 Guilty
                 of
                 Schism
                 ,
                 in
                 separating
                 from
                 any
                 Church
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 just
                 cause
                 .
                 But
                 that
                 all
                 breaking
                 off
                 ,
                 from
                 any
                 Part
                 of
                 
                 Christ's
                 Body
                 ,
                 is
                 Schismatical
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 Causeless
                 .
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 is
                 all
                 Driving
                 others
                 into
                 Separation
                 ,
                 by
                 
                   imposing
                   sinful
                   Terms
                
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 
                   Condition
                   of
                   their
                   Communion
                
                 .
                 And
                 then
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 last
                 thing
                 I
                 shall
                 note
                 concerning
                 it
                 ,
                 Schism
                 from
                 any
                 Churches
                 is
                 most
                 compleat
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 do
                 not
                 only
                 separate
                 from
                 their
                 Religious
                 Assemblies
                 and
                 Divine
                 Offices
                 ,
                 but
                 withal
                 ,
                 deny
                 them
                 to
                 be
                 Members
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Body
                 ,
                 or
                 Parts
                 of
                 the
                 Catholick
                 Church
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 Highest
                 step
                 in
                 Separation
                 ,
                 and
                 leaves
                 not
                 the
                 least
                 Ground
                 for
                 Church-Communion
                 .
                 For
                 't
                 is
                 only
                 the
                 
                   Members
                   of
                
                 Christ's
                 Body
                 ,
                 that
                 must
                 Communicate
                 under
                 him
                 their
                 Head
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   proper
                   Offices
                   of
                   Christianity
                
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 
                   Communion
                   of
                   Saints
                
                 profess'd
                 in
                 the
                 Creed
                 ,
                 is
                 only
                 within
                 the
                 compass
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Catholick
                   Church
                
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 we
                 cut
                 off
                 any
                 Societies
                 ,
                 from
                 being
                 Members
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 
                   true
                   Church
                
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 have
                 no
                 more
                 Communion
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 than
                 if
                 they
                 were
                 profest
                 Heathens
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 was
                 the
                 Sacrilegious
                 ,
                 
                 Breach
                 of
                 the
                 Donatists
                 ,
                 and
                 Novatians
                 ;
                 the
                 Consummation
                 of
                 whose
                 Schism
                 ,
                 was
                 their
                 confining
                 the
                 Catholick
                 Church
                 to
                 their
                 own
                 Party
                 ,
                 and
                 allowing
                 no
                 Church
                 ,
                 no
                 Sacraments
                 ,
                 or
                 Promise
                 of
                 Salvation
                 ,
                 but
                 among
                 themselves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 There
                 remains
                 yet
                 one
                 instance
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 the
                 Primitive
                 Christians
                 mentioned
                 by
                 St.
                 Luke
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
                   Continuing
                   in
                   the
                   Apostles
                   Fellowship
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 2.
                 42.
                 
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 what
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 that
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Owning
                   their
                   Authority
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   continuing
                   under
                   their
                   Government
                
                 .
                 They
                 were
                 appointed
                 by
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 Deputies
                 ,
                 to
                 Govern
                 his
                 Church
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 adhering
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Delegates
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 is
                 call'd
                 
                   living
                   in
                   their
                   Fellowship
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 how
                 can
                 we
                 live
                 in
                 their
                 Fellowship
                 ,
                 and
                 adhere
                 to
                 their
                 Government
                 ,
                 now
                 they
                 are
                 dead
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 By
                 adhering
                 to
                 ,
                 and
                 owning
                 the
                 Authority
                 of
                 our
                 
                   own
                   Bishops
                
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 their
                 Successors
                 ,
                 and
                 rule
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 their
                 stead
                 .
                 Christ
                 told
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   he
                   would
                   be
                   Present
                   with
                   them
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   end
                   of
                   the
                   World
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 28.
                 20.
                 
                 Being
                 present
                 with
                 their
                 Successors
                 ,
                 he
                 calls
                 being
                 Present
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 in
                 like
                 sort
                 ,
                 keeping
                 Fellowship
                 with
                 our
                 Lawful
                 Bishops
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 their
                 Successors
                 ,
                 is
                 keeping
                 Fellowship
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   one
                   sends
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 
                   Jews
                   ,
                   is
                   as
                   himself
                
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 ,
                 when
                 Christ
                 had
                 sent
                 out
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 he
                 tells
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   that
                   receiveth
                   you
                   ,
                   receiveth
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 10.
                 40.
                 and
                 
                   he
                   that
                   receives
                
                 
                 
                   whomsoever
                   I
                   send
                   ,
                   receiveth
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 13.
                 20.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Apostle
                 commends
                 the
                 Galatians
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   that
                   they
                   received
                   him
                   ,
                   not
                   only
                   as
                   an
                   Angel
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   but
                   as
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 4.
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 St.
                 Ignatius
                 ,
                 that
                 Blessed
                 Martyr
                 ,
                 and
                 contemporary
                 of
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 applauds
                 the
                 Trallians
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   they
                   were
                   subject
                   to
                   their
                   Bishop
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   the
                   Presbytery
                   ,
                   as
                   to
                   the
                   Apostles
                   .
                
                 In
                 Scripture
                 Account
                 ,
                 and
                 Legal
                 estimate
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 done
                 to
                 any
                 Persons
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 done
                 to
                 their
                 Substitutes
                 and
                 Representatives
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 keeping
                 Fellowship
                 and
                 Subjection
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Bishops
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 in
                 all
                 Ages
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 at
                 first
                 sent
                 and
                 commissioned
                 by
                 the
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 and
                 empowered
                 to
                 send
                 and
                 ordain
                 others
                 at
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 is
                 holding
                 Fellowship
                 ,
                 and
                 paying
                 subjection
                 to
                 the
                 Apostles
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 them
                 to
                 
                   Christ
                   Jesus
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 then
                 is
                 one
                 Part
                 of
                 the
                 Communion
                 of
                 Saints
                 ,
                 to
                 live
                 subject
                 to
                 our
                 own
                 Bishops
                 ,
                 not
                 suffering
                 our selves
                 to
                 be
                 drawn
                 away
                 by
                 such
                 as
                 would
                 seduce
                 us
                 ,
                 but
                 adhering
                 to
                 them
                 against
                 all
                 Schismatical
                 Opposers
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 
                   Obey
                   them
                   that
                   have
                   the
                   Rule
                   over
                   you
                   ,
                   and
                   submit
                   your selves
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 17.
                 
                 And
                 
                   mark
                   those
                   that
                   cause
                   Divisions
                   ,
                   and
                   avoid
                   them
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 16.
                 17.
                 
                 Be
                 their
                 Pretences
                 ,
                 and
                 Appearance
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 will
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 lead
                 us
                 into
                 Schism
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 unnecessary
                 Rejecting
                 of
                 our
                 Lawful
                 Governours
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 not
                 sent
                 ,
                 nor
                 doth
                 his
                 Spirit
                 go
                 along
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 That
                 cannot
                 lead
                 to
                 Schism
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Author
                   of
                   Peace
                   ,
                   not
                   of
                   Confusion
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 33.
                 
                 It
                 will
                 not
                 put
                 us
                 upon
                 a
                 needless
                 rejecting
                 of
                 our
                 Spiritual
                 Governours
                 ,
                 since
                 Adherance
                 to
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 Apostles
                 Days
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 before
                 ,
                 was
                 made
                 a
                 Test
                 of
                 discerning
                 True
                 Spirits
                 from
                 False
                 ones
                 .
                 
                   We
                   are
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   he
                   that
                   knoweth
                   God
                   ,
                   heareth
                   us
                   ;
                   he
                   that
                   is
                   not
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   heareth
                   not
                   us
                   :
                   Hereby
                   know
                   we
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Truth
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Error
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 4.
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 a
                 Man
                 is
                 careful
                 to
                 Believe
                 ,
                 and
                 Practise
                 
                 Christ's
                 own
                 Laws
                 and
                 Doctrines
                 ;
                 is
                 not
                 that
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 him
                 a
                 good
                 Christian
                 ,
                 except
                 he
                 likewise
                 submit
                 to
                 Church-Rulers
                 ,
                 and
                 peaceably
                 conform
                 to
                 their
                 innocent
                 Constitutions
                 ,
                 and
                 Rules
                 of
                 Discipline
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No.
                 For
                 this
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 Laws
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   obey
                   those
                   that
                   have
                   the
                   Rule
                   over
                   us
                   ,
                   and
                   watch
                   for
                   our
                   Souls
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   submit
                   our selves
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 17.
                 
                 He
                 orders
                 them
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   all
                   things
                
                 in
                 his
                 Worship
                 ,
                 
                   be
                   done
                   decently
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   Edification
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 14.
                 26
                 ,
                 40.
                 
                 And
                 he
                 requires
                 us
                 to
                 obey
                 ,
                 and
                 submit
                 to
                 their
                 ordering
                 .
                 A
                 good
                 Christian
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 one
                 that
                 believes
                 and
                 professes
                 the
                 
                   Christian
                   Religion
                
                 ,
                 but
                 is
                 also
                 a
                 Member
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Christian
                   Church
                
                 .
                 And
                 they
                 cannot
                 be
                 good
                 Church-members
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 not
                 submit
                 so
                 far
                 as
                 conscionably
                 they
                 may
                 ,
                 to
                 Church-Governours
                 ,
                 nor
                 Communicate
                 in
                 Church-Offices
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 
                   Communion
                   of
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 implies
                 their
                 Communion
                 in
                 Christian
                 Doctrine
                 ,
                 
                 Worship
                 ,
                 and
                 Government
                 .
                 But
                 doth
                 it
                 not
                 also
                 imply
                 Communicating
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 in
                 Affections
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 all
                 
                   Good
                   Offices
                
                 ,
                 in
                 Alms
                 and
                 
                   outward
                   Things
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 
                   to
                   do
                   Good
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   Communicate
                   ,
                   forget
                   not
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 13.
                 16.
                 
                 And
                 the
                 Receiving
                 their
                 charitable
                 Contributions
                 ,
                 St.
                 Paul
                 calls
                 
                   taking
                   upon
                   him
                   the
                   Gift
                   ,
                   and
                   Fellowship
                
                 or
                 Communion
                 ,
                 
                   of
                   Ministring
                   to
                   the
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 8.
                 4.
                 
                 In
                 the
                 extream
                 distress
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Jerusalem
                   Christians
                
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 this
                 communication
                 of
                 Alms
                 was
                 wonderful
                 :
                 For
                 
                   all
                   that
                   were
                   Rich
                   ,
                   sold
                   their
                   Pessessions
                   ,
                
                 and
                 put
                 them
                 into
                 a
                 
                   Common
                   Stock
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   distributed
                
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Apostles
                   ,
                   as
                   every
                   one
                   had
                   need
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 2.
                 44
                 ,
                 45.
                 and
                 c.
                 4.
                 33
                 ,
                 34.
                 
                 And
                 in
                 other
                 places
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 did
                 not
                 take
                 this
                 course
                 ,
                 yet
                 was
                 Communicating
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 all
                 good
                 Offices
                 ,
                 so
                 particularly
                 in
                 outward
                 Things
                 with
                 their
                 poorer
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 the
                 Profession
                 of
                 all
                 Christians
                 .
                 Their
                 Rule
                 was
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   they
                   had
                   opportunity
                   ,
                   to
                   do
                   Good
                   unto
                   all
                   ,
                   but
                   especially
                   to
                   those
                   of
                   the
                   Houshold
                   of
                   Faith
                   ,
                
                 Gal.
                 6.
                 10.
                 
                 And
                 to
                 do
                 good
                 to
                 these
                 more
                 particularly
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 travelled
                 about
                 as
                 Strangers
                 ,
                 and
                 fled
                 from
                 place
                 to
                 place
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 
                   Faith
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 :
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 Charity
                 and
                 *
                 Hospitality
                 of
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 magnified
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 any
                 Saints
                 then
                 of
                 Foreign
                 Countries
                 ,
                 are
                 forced
                 to
                 fly
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 among
                 us
                 for
                 
                 Christ's
                 sake
                 ,
                 to
                 entertain
                 them
                 in
                 our
                 Houses
                 ,
                 and
                 communicate
                 to
                 them
                 of
                 our
                 Substance
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 here
                 professed
                 ,
                 
                 is
                 of
                 Great
                 Account
                 with
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 of
                 high
                 Account
                 .
                 For
                 it
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 Good
                 Deeds
                 ,
                 which
                 Christ
                 will
                 expresly
                 mention
                 in
                 our
                 behalf
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 .
                 
                   Come
                   ye
                   Blessed
                   ,
                   inherit
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   :
                
                 for
                 
                   I
                   was
                   a
                   Stranger
                   ,
                   and
                   ye
                   took
                   me
                   in
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 34
                 ,
                 35.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 tells
                 us
                 of
                 
                   distributing
                   to
                   the
                   necessities
                   of
                   Saints
                   ,
                
                 reminds
                 us
                 particularly
                 ,
                 of
                 being
                 
                   given
                   to
                   Hospitality
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 12.
                 13.
                 
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   X.
                
                 Of
                 the
                 Forgiveness
                 of
                 Sins
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   
                     What
                     Sin
                     is
                     .
                     Of
                     wilful
                     sins
                     .
                     Of
                     sins
                     of
                     Ignorance
                     ,
                     Surreption
                     ,
                     Passion
                     .
                     Forgiveness
                     of
                     sin
                     ,
                     is
                     the
                     Release
                     of
                     its
                     Punishment
                     .
                     When
                     Eternal
                     Punishments
                     are
                     remitted
                     ,
                     Present
                     and
                     Temporal
                     are
                     often
                     exacted
                     .
                     What
                     is
                     the
                     Time
                     of
                     Relaxing
                     these
                     Punishments
                     .
                     Remission
                     of
                     all
                     sins
                     ,
                     but
                     Blasphemy
                     against
                     the
                     Holy
                     Ghost
                     .
                     And
                     wilful
                     Apostacy
                     from
                     Christianity
                     .
                     Wilful
                     sins
                     forgiven
                     ,
                     when
                     we
                     Repent
                     ,
                     and
                     forgive
                     others
                     .
                     Sins
                     of
                     Ignorance
                     and
                     inadvertence
                     ,
                     upon
                     our
                     Charity
                     to
                     others
                     .
                     This
                     forgiveness
                     outwardly
                     dispensed
                     in
                     Baptism
                     .
                     The
                     Eucharist
                     .
                     And
                     Sacerdotal
                     Absolution
                     .
                     The
                     Power
                     of
                     the
                     Keys
                     lies
                     in
                     Retaining
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     Absolving
                     ,
                     which
                     ought
                  
                   
                   
                     to
                     beget
                     a
                     just
                     dread
                     of
                     Excommunication
                     .
                     What
                     is
                     meant
                     by
                     our
                     Forgiving
                     sins
                     .
                     What
                     use
                     we
                     are
                     to
                     make
                     of
                     the
                     Forgiveness
                     of
                     sins
                     .
                  
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 WHat
                 is
                 the
                 Tenth
                 Article
                 of
                 the
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 I
                 Believe
                 the
                 Forgiveness
                 of
                 Sins
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 Sin
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 
                   Breach
                   of
                   a
                   Commandment
                
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Transgression
                 of
                 some
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 committing
                 what
                 his
                 Law
                 forbids
                 ,
                 or
                 omitting
                 what
                 it
                 injoins
                 us
                 .
                 
                   Sin
                   is
                   the
                   Transgession
                   of
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 3.
                 4.
                 
                 And
                 all
                 the
                 Laws
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 we
                 transgress
                 in
                 sinning
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 are
                 contain'd
                 in
                 Holy
                 Scripture
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Then
                 we
                 never
                 offend
                 God
                 ,
                 nor
                 shall
                 suffer
                 for
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 the
                 Scripture
                 has
                 forbid
                 ,
                 and
                 against
                 which
                 we
                 can
                 produce
                 some
                 Law
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 
                   Sin
                   is
                   not
                   imputed
                   ,
                   where
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 it
                 must
                 always
                 be
                 
                   a
                   Law
                   that
                   worketh
                   Wrath
                
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 makes
                 us
                 liable
                 to
                 suffer
                 it
                 ,
                 
                   For
                   where
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   Law
                   ,
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   Transgression
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 15.
                 
                 
                   The
                   strength
                   of
                   sin
                   is
                   the
                   Law
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 the
                 Apostle
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 56.
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Law
                   enter'd
                   ,
                   e're
                   sin
                   did
                   abound
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 5.
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 To
                 prove
                 any
                 thing
                 Sinless
                 and
                 Lawful
                 then
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 necessary
                 to
                 produce
                 a
                 Law
                 ,
                 or
                 Example
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 since
                 a
                 Law
                 commanding
                 it
                 ,
                 would
                 render
                 it
                 not
                 barely
                 Lawful
                 ,
                 but
                 necessary
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 is
                 enough
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 there
                 be
                 no
                 Law
                 against
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Very
                 right
                 ;
                 for
                 till
                 a
                 Law
                 forbids
                 a
                 thing
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 sin
                 in
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 a
                 Wilful
                 Sin
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 A
                 Sin
                 
                   against
                   Knowledge
                
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 doing
                 what
                 we
                 know
                 to
                 be
                 displeasing
                 to
                 God.
                 And
                 this
                 ,
                 either
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 aware
                 of
                 the
                 Evil
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 Time
                 we
                 commit
                 it
                 ;
                 or
                 should
                 have
                 been
                 so
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 we
                 have
                 accustomed
                 our selves
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 us
                 sin
                 without
                 observing
                 that
                 we
                 do
                 so
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 a
                 Man
                 by
                 custom
                 brings
                 himself
                 to
                 Swear
                 ,
                 or
                 Lye
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 like
                 ,
                 without
                 thinking
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 his
                 Sin
                 you
                 say
                 say
                 is
                 wilful
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 he
                 doth
                 not
                 bethink
                 himself
                 in
                 committing
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 doubt
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 wilfully
                 contracted
                 this
                 Custom
                 and
                 Habit
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 so
                 far
                 from
                 being
                 an
                 excuse
                 for
                 his
                 Sin
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 aggravations
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 Habit
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 the
                 
                   Law
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 7.
                 23.
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Body
                   of
                   Death
                
                 ,
                 ver
                 .
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 if
                 a
                 man
                 has
                 such
                 a
                 mind
                 to
                 a
                 Sin
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 see
                 it
                 ,
                 but
                 checks
                 and
                 stifles
                 all
                 Thoughts
                 that
                 would
                 arise
                 in
                 his
                 mind
                 against
                 it
                 ?
                 Nay
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 endeavours
                 to
                 deceive
                 himself
                 ,
                 and
                 come
                 to
                 a
                 Persuasion
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Fault
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 ,
                 some
                 Praise
                 in
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 He
                 is
                 a
                 wilful
                 Offender
                 indeed
                 ,
                 because
                 his
                 own
                 Will
                 makes
                 him
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 did
                 the
                 Pharisees
                 and
                 other
                 Jews
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 
                   wilfully
                   Blind
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 13.
                 15.
                 
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 is
                 a
                 wilful
                 Sin
                 
                   against
                   Conscience
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 When
                 't
                 is
                 acted
                 against
                 the
                 present
                 checks
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 minds
                 ,
                 and
                 under
                 Fears
                 and
                 Relentings
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 is
                 a
                 Sin
                 against
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 called
                 Deliberate
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 I
                 suppose
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 higher
                 pitch
                 of
                 Wilfulness
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 When
                 't
                 is
                 committed
                 after
                 Fears
                 and
                 Debates
                 ,
                 and
                 we
                 consider'd
                 and
                 disputed
                 with
                 our selves
                 for
                 some
                 time
                 ,
                 whether
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 or
                 no
                 ,
                 before
                 we
                 ventur'd
                 on
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 a
                 sin
                 of
                 Ignorance
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 When
                 we
                 do
                 an
                 Evil
                 thing
                 ,
                 not
                 knowing
                 it
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 sin
                 ,
                 nor
                 seeing
                 its
                 sinfulness
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Doth
                 Ignorance
                 excuse
                 any
                 Offences
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 when
                 men
                 are
                 not
                 ignorant
                 through
                 culpable
                 Neglects
                 ,
                 nor
                 blinded
                 by
                 wicked
                 Lusts.
                 For
                 in
                 this
                 ease
                 't
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Christ
                   can
                   have
                   compassion
                   on
                   the
                   Ignorant
                   ,
                   and
                   Erroneous
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 5.
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 when
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 mind
                 to
                 see
                 a
                 Thing
                 ,
                 nor
                 care
                 to
                 find
                 it
                 out
                 ,
                 that
                 Ignorance
                 is
                 faulty
                 ,
                 because
                 chargeable
                 on
                 their
                 own
                 wills
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 say
                 you
                 ,
                 when
                 their
                 Judgments
                 are
                 resolv'd
                 on
                 the
                 wrong
                 side
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 act
                 under
                 Erroneous
                 Opinions
                 ?
                 Are
                 they
                 not
                 excusable
                 in
                 any
                 Actions
                 ,
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 they
                 only
                 
                   follow
                   their
                   Conscience
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 except
                 their
                 Conscience
                 Errs
                 so
                 pitiably
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 reasonably
                 qualified
                 for
                 excuse
                 .
                 The
                 Jews
                 followed
                 their
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 
                 when
                 
                   they
                   crucified
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 3.
                 17.
                 and
                 1
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 8.
                 but
                 yet
                 God
                 esteemed
                 them
                 
                   wicked
                   Murderers
                
                 ,
                 Act.
                 7.
                 52.
                 
                 
                   Paul
                   verily
                   thought
                
                 ,
                 that
                 
                   he
                   ought
                   to
                   Persecute
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 26.
                 9.
                 
                 But
                 in
                 that
                 he
                 declares
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 
                   the
                   greatest
                   of
                   sinners
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Tim.
                 1.
                 13
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 
                   The
                   times
                   are
                   coming
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   that
                   they
                   who
                   kill
                   you
                   ,
                   will
                   think
                   therein
                   they
                   do
                   God
                   service
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 16.
                 2.
                 
                 But
                 yet
                 God
                 would
                 take
                 vengeance
                 on
                 them
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   the
                   Blood
                
                 of
                 these
                 Righteous
                 Persons
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 23.
                 35.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 no
                 sufficient
                 warranty
                 in
                 what
                 a
                 Man
                 doth
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 follows
                 his
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 except
                 he
                 take
                 care
                 to
                 have
                 a
                 right
                 Conscience
                 ,
                 or
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 wrong
                 ,
                 it
                 err
                 only
                 through
                 misfortunes
                 ,
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 wilful
                 Neglect
                 ,
                 a
                 wicked
                 Lust
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 unteachable
                 Temper
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 a
                 Sin
                 of
                 inadvertence
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 When
                 in
                 the
                 general
                 we
                 know
                 a
                 thing
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 sin
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 not
                 free
                 at
                 the
                 time
                 of
                 acting
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 consider
                 ,
                 and
                 reflect
                 upon
                 its
                 sinfulness
                 .
                 This
                 generally
                 happens
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 do
                 the
                 evil
                 suddenly
                 ,
                 e're
                 we
                 can
                 bethink
                 our selves
                 ,
                 whence
                 they
                 are
                 called
                 sins
                 of
                 Surreption
                 ,
                 i.
                 e.
                 which
                 steal
                 upon
                 us
                 unawares
                 ,
                 and
                 sins
                 of
                 Surprise
                 .
                 And
                 thus
                 it
                 falls
                 out
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 many
                 sudden
                 envious
                 ,
                 lustful
                 ,
                 repining
                 ,
                 or
                 otherwise
                 ill
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 or
                 Desires
                 ;
                 the
                 beginnings
                 of
                 Anger
                 ,
                 the
                 rash
                 Words
                 and
                 Censures
                 ,
                 Good
                 People
                 are
                 Guilty
                 of
                 .
                 All
                 which
                 ,
                 till
                 they
                 can
                 come
                 to
                 observe
                 them
                 ,
                 if
                 then
                 they
                 are
                 careful
                 to
                 check
                 and
                 Repress
                 them
                 ,
                 are
                 pitiable
                 inadvertences
                 and
                 surprises
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 
                 because
                 we
                 are
                 all
                 apt
                 daily
                 to
                 fall
                 into
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 are
                 call'd
                 sins
                 of
                 
                   Daily
                   incursion
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 think
                 you
                 of
                 sins
                 of
                 Passion
                 ,
                 when
                 either
                 mens
                 own
                 Consciences
                 ,
                 or
                 other
                 Friendly
                 Monitors
                 ,
                 tell
                 them
                 they
                 are
                 doing
                 ill
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 go
                 on
                 notwithstanding
                 ,
                 because
                 Passion
                 is
                 strong
                 ,
                 and
                 Lust
                 ,
                 or
                 Anger
                 ,
                 hurries
                 them
                 away
                 ,
                 being
                 very
                 high
                 in
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 These
                 are
                 not
                 perfectly
                 wilful
                 ,
                 because
                 ,
                 when
                 their
                 Passions
                 are
                 at
                 such
                 height
                 ,
                 their
                 Wills
                 are
                 captivated
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 little
                 Power
                 over
                 them
                 for
                 that
                 time
                 .
                 But
                 they
                 are
                 punishable
                 ,
                 as
                 wilful
                 sins
                 are
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 Mens
                 voluntary
                 Fault
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 do
                 not
                 mortifie
                 all
                 such
                 inordinate
                 Passion
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 that
                 belong
                 to
                 Christ
                 ,
                 must
                 not
                 suffer
                 Passion
                 to
                 arise
                 so
                 high
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 captivate
                 and
                 reign
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 
                   They
                   that
                   are
                   Christ's
                   ,
                   have
                   Crucified
                   the
                   Flesh
                   ,
                   with
                   the
                   Affections
                   ,
                
                 or
                 Passsions
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   Lusts
                
                 ,
                 Gal.
                 5.
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 From
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 what
                 
                   Sin
                   is
                
                 :
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 meant
                 by
                 the
                 Forgiveness
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 A
                 
                   Release
                   of
                   the
                   Punishment
                
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 due
                 to
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 then
                 God
                 forgives
                 a
                 sin
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 acquits
                 Men
                 of
                 the
                 Punishment
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 because
                 this
                 is
                 a
                 passing
                 over
                 sins
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 never
                 been
                 ,
                 and
                 taking
                 no
                 notice
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 
                   covering
                   sins
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   not
                   imputing
                   them
                
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 4.
                 7
                 ,
                 8.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 are
                 the
                 Punishments
                 due
                 to
                 Sin
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   Death
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Diseases
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 
                 
                   Miseries
                   of
                   this
                   World.
                
                 But
                 especially
                 the
                 
                   Eternal
                   Torments
                
                 of
                 
                   Hell
                   Fire
                
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Eternal
                 Pains
                 of
                 Hell
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 acquitted
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 Sinner
                 is
                 pardon'd
                 .
                 For
                 we
                 can
                 never
                 think
                 any
                 sin
                 pardon'd
                 ,
                 whilst
                 the
                 Sinner
                 is
                 eternally
                 suffering
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 the
                 everlasting
                 Punishments
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 Life
                 are
                 released
                 ,
                 are
                 all
                 the
                 Temporal
                 Inflictions
                 in
                 this
                 Life
                 struck
                 off
                 too
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   Death
                   is
                   the
                   Wages
                   of
                   sin
                
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 still
                 is
                 all
                 Mens
                 Portion
                 .
                 And
                 
                 when
                 Men
                 by
                 their
                 sins
                 have
                 greatly
                 dishonoured
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 given
                 great
                 Scandal
                 unto
                 others
                 ,
                 to
                 manifest
                 the
                 justice
                 of
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 God
                 oft-times
                 here
                 chastiseth
                 them
                 by
                 present
                 Judgments
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 even
                 after
                 they
                 have
                 Repented
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 has
                 thereupon
                 remitted
                 to
                 them
                 all
                 eternal
                 Pains
                 .
                 Thus
                 ,
                 when
                 Nathan
                 told
                 Penitent
                 David
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 seeing
                 his
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 
                   had
                   put
                   away
                   his
                   sin
                
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 last
                 account
                 ,
                 he
                 would
                 
                   be
                   acquitted
                
                 :
                 Yet
                 ,
                 because
                 thereby
                 
                   he
                   had
                   given
                   occasion
                   to
                   the
                   Enemies
                   of
                   God
                   to
                   Blaspheme
                   ,
                
                 he
                 should
                 be
                 punished
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   the
                   Child
                   should
                   die
                
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 2
                 Sam.
                 12.
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 at
                 Corinth
                 ,
                 several
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 on
                 the
                 score
                 of
                 their
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 
                   should
                   not
                   be
                   condemned
                   with
                   the
                   Wicked
                   World
                
                 at
                 last
                 :
                 Yet
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 Scandalous
                 Prophanations
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Lords
                   Supper
                
                 ,
                 were
                 
                   sickly
                   ,
                   and
                   weak
                   ,
                   and
                   fell
                   asleep
                
                 at
                 present
                 .
                 1
                 Cor.
                 11.
                 30
                 ,
                 32.
                 
                 And
                 
                   the
                   Man
                   of
                   God
                
                 from
                 Judah
                 ,
                 being
                 pitiably
                 seduced
                 by
                 a
                 Dissembling
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 
                 thing
                 that
                 appears
                 of
                 an
                 Evil
                 intent
                 ,
                 and
                 having
                 first
                 faithfully
                 ,
                 and
                 boldly
                 declared
                 God's
                 Message
                 against
                 
                   Jeroboam's
                   Altar
                
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 reasonably
                 hope
                 ,
                 was
                 mercifully
                 spared
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 other
                 World.
                 But
                 yet
                 here
                 God
                 met
                 him
                 by
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   devoured
                   him
                   by
                   a
                   Lion
                
                 ,
                 for
                 yielding
                 to
                 a
                 Seducer
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   eat
                   Bread
                   against
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 1
                 King.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 ought
                 mightily
                 to
                 restrain
                 us
                 all
                 ,
                 from
                 acting
                 any
                 great
                 dishonour
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 crying
                 Offences
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 God
                 may
                 judge
                 us
                 in
                 our
                 Persons
                 ,
                 Estates
                 ,
                 or
                 Families
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 when
                 upon
                 our
                 true
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 he
                 acquits
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 .
                 Penitence
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 good
                 a
                 Preservative
                 against
                 the
                 sting
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 innocence
                 is
                 .
                 For
                 such
                 Offences
                 do
                 always
                 justly
                 expose
                 us
                 to
                 Temporal
                 Calamities
                 ,
                 and
                 sometimes
                 make
                 it
                 necessary
                 for
                 us
                 that
                 we
                 should
                 be
                 severely
                 corrected
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 Which
                 consideration
                 ought
                 to
                 restrain
                 all
                 ,
                 that
                 regard
                 either
                 their
                 own
                 ,
                 or
                 their
                 Families
                 welfare
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ,
                 from
                 ever
                 being
                 guilty
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 are
                 these
                 punishments
                 relaxed
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 is
                 the
                 
                   time
                   of
                   Pardon
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 solemn
                 ,
                 full
                 ,
                 and
                 irreversible
                 declaration
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 at
                 the
                 
                   Day
                   of
                   judgement
                
                 .
                 But
                 before
                 that
                 ,
                 God
                 pardons
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 good
                 Men
                 in
                 this
                 life
                 ,
                 giving
                 them
                 a
                 general
                 pardon
                 of
                 all
                 sins
                 in
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 all
                 particular
                 Failures
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 So
                 on
                 David's
                 repentance
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 
                   matter
                   of
                   Uriah
                   ,
                   Nathan
                
                 
                 told
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   had
                   put
                   away
                   his
                   Sin
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Sam.
                 12.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 perfect
                 ,
                 and
                 irreversible
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 when
                 once
                 any
                 sins
                 are
                 struck
                 off
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 never
                 more
                 placed
                 to
                 account
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 but
                 limited
                 ,
                 and
                 suspended
                 on
                 Terms
                 ,
                 viz.
                 mens
                 
                   perseverance
                   in
                   repentance
                
                 ;
                 for
                 ,
                 if
                 after
                 their
                 pardon
                 they
                 fall
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 relapse
                 into
                 the
                 same
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 unpardon'd
                 all
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 stand
                 accountable
                 for
                 all
                 former
                 Transgressions
                 .
                 
                   If
                   the
                   Righteous
                   man
                   turn
                   from
                   his
                   Righteousness
                   ,
                   to
                   iniquity
                   ,
                
                 saith
                 God
                 in
                 
                   Ezekiel
                   ,
                   all
                   the
                   Righteousness
                   he
                   hath
                   done
                   ,
                   shall
                   not
                   be
                   mention'd
                   to
                   him
                   ,
                   but
                   in
                   his
                   Sins
                   that
                   he
                   hath
                   sinn'd
                   ,
                   shall
                   he
                   dye
                   ,
                
                 Ezek.
                 18.
                 24.
                 
                 &
                 33.
                 12
                 ,
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 when
                 the
                 Debtor
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 his
                 
                   Lord
                   had
                   pardon'd
                   all
                   his
                   great
                   Sums
                   ,
                
                 had
                 render'd
                 himself
                 unworthy
                 of
                 that
                 grace
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 merciless
                 usage
                 of
                 a
                 
                   small
                   Debtor
                   among
                   his
                   fellow
                   Servants
                   ,
                
                 his
                 incensed
                 Lord
                 cancel'd
                 the
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 and
                 exacted
                 all
                 the
                 dispunged
                 Accounts
                 .
                 And
                 so
                 ,
                 says
                 
                   Christ
                   ,
                   will
                   my
                   Heavenly
                   Father
                   do
                   with
                   you
                   in
                   like
                   case
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 18.
                 24
                 ,
                 27
                 ,
                 30
                 ,
                 34
                 ,
                 35.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Do
                 we
                 believe
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 all
                 Sins
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 except
                 the
                 
                   Sin
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   willful
                   Apostacy
                
                 from
                 the
                 Faith
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 forgiveness
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 already
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 Pardon
                 for
                 
                   Blasphemy
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                
                 
                 Ghost
                 .
                 But
                 is
                 there
                 none
                 also
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   willful
                   Apostacy
                   from
                   Christianity
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 
                   for
                   if
                   we
                   sin
                   willfully
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 by
                 willful
                 Apostacy
                 ,
                 
                   after
                   we
                   have
                   received
                   the
                   knowledge
                   of
                   the
                   Truth
                   ,
                   there
                   remains
                   no
                   more
                   Sacrifice
                   for
                   Sin
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 Christ's
                 Sacrifice
                 is
                 not
                 designed
                 to
                 expiate
                 such
                 offence
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 10.
                 26.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 that
                 
                   Sinning
                   willfully
                   ,
                   willful
                   Apostacy
                
                 from
                 Christianity
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 For
                 these
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 saith
                 the
                 
                   Apostle
                   ,
                   tread
                   under
                   foot
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 affirm
                 Christ
                 to
                 be
                 still
                 in
                 the
                 Grave
                 ,
                 not
                 risen
                 from
                 the
                 Dead
                 ;
                 
                   and
                   count
                   the
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   Covenant
                   ,
                
                 or
                 
                 Christ's
                 Blood
                 ,
                 
                   an
                   unholy
                   Thing
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 as
                 the
                 Blood
                 of
                 a
                 Malefactor
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 it
                 was
                 justly
                 shed
                 ;
                 
                   and
                   do
                   despite
                   to
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   Grace
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 despite
                 the
                 Holy
                 Ghost
                 ,
                 which
                 confirm'd
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 and
                 reject
                 all
                 his
                 Miracles
                 as
                 Satanical
                 delusions
                 ,
                 v.
                 29.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 these
                 Sinners
                 were
                 plainly
                 Apostates
                 ,
                 who
                 ceased
                 to
                 own
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 begun
                 to
                 accuse
                 Christ
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 and
                 Heathens
                 did
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 Apostacy
                 St.
                 Paul
                 speaks
                 of
                 in
                 another
                 place
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 tells
                 us
                 ,
                 
                   if
                   Christians
                   fall
                   away
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 from
                 their
                 Christianity
                 ,
                 whereby
                 
                   they
                   Crucify
                   to
                   themselves
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   God
                   afresh
                   ,
                
                 or
                 joyn
                 in
                 Condemning
                 him
                 with
                 his
                 Crucifiers
                 ,
                 
                   it
                   is
                   impossible
                   to
                   renew
                   them
                   again
                   unto
                   repentance
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 6.
                 4
                 ,
                 5
                 ,
                 6.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 all
                 other
                 Sins
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 we
                 may
                 believe
                 ,
                 and
                 trust
                 to
                 have
                 the
                 pardon
                 of
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 thro'
                 the
                 
                   merits
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 the
                 
                   mercy
                   of
                   God.
                
                 So
                 Christ
                 Commissions
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   Preach
                   Repentance
                   ,
                   and
                   Remission
                   of
                   Sins
                   ,
                   to
                   all
                   Nations
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 24.
                 47.
                 
                 And
                 
                   if
                   any
                   man
                   sin
                   ,
                   we
                   have
                   an
                   Advocate
                   with
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   is
                   the
                   Propitiation
                   for
                   our
                   Sins
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 2.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 
                   all
                   manner
                   of
                   Sin
                   and
                   Blasphemy
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   forgiven
                   unto
                   men
                   ,
                   but
                   that
                   against
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                   which
                   shall
                   never
                   be
                   forgiven
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 12.
                 31.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 would
                 have
                 no
                 Sinners
                 then
                 to
                 despair
                 of
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 or
                 think
                 their
                 Sins
                 greater
                 ,
                 than
                 
                 Christ's
                 merits
                 ,
                 or
                 God's
                 grace
                 ,
                 and
                 too
                 big
                 to
                 be
                 forgiven
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 .
                 For
                 Christ
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 most
                 precious
                 death
                 ,
                 has
                 gain'd
                 a
                 full
                 Pardon
                 for
                 the
                 greatest
                 Sins
                 ,
                 and
                 sends
                 out
                 his
                 Apostles
                 to
                 Proclaim
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 Sinners
                 .
                 David
                 was
                 guilty
                 of
                 
                   Adultery
                   ▪
                
                 and
                 
                   Murder
                   ;
                   Paul
                
                 was
                 a
                 cruel
                 and
                 
                   bloody
                   Persecutor
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Blasphemer
                   ;
                   Peter
                
                 was
                 perjuriously
                 false
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   denyed
                   his
                   Master
                
                 .
                 But
                 †
                 all
                 these
                 were
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 and
                 none
                 need
                 ,
                 or
                 must
                 despair
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 Repent
                 ,
                 God
                 had
                 not
                 pardon
                 enough
                 in
                 store
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 These
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 are
                 instances
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 sins
                 .
                 But
                 is
                 there
                 forgiveness
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 committed
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 aggravating
                 Circumstances
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 .
                 For
                 
                 David's
                 Murder
                 ,
                 and
                 Adultery
                 ,
                 was
                 with
                 much
                 †
                 deliberation
                 and
                 contrivance
                 ,
                 and
                 against
                 so
                 many
                 struglings
                 and
                 reluctances
                 ,
                 that
                 thereby
                 he
                 became
                 almost
                 quite
                 *
                 hardned
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 a
                 seared
                 Conscience
                 .
                 And
                 
                 Peter's
                 denyal
                 ,
                 was
                 repeated
                 
                 several
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 †
                 considerably
                 distant
                 ,
                 to
                 allow
                 space
                 enough
                 for
                 remorse
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 too
                 with
                 false
                 Oaths
                 ,
                 and
                 bitter
                 imprecations
                 .
                 But
                 both
                 these
                 obtain'd
                 mercy
                 ,
                 on
                 their
                 true
                 repentance
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 say
                 on
                 true
                 Repentance
                 .
                 Is
                 all
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 then
                 ,
                 upon
                 some
                 Terms
                 and
                 Conditions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 God's
                 grants
                 of
                 grace
                 are
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 consideration
                 of
                 Christs
                 Sacrifice
                 ,
                 so
                 also
                 of
                 our
                 Faith
                 and
                 Repentance
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 neither
                 to
                 Infidels
                 ,
                 nor
                 impenitent
                 Persons
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Upon
                 what
                 terms
                 must
                 we
                 believe
                 God
                 will
                 forgive
                 us
                 any
                 
                   willful
                   Sins
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 When
                 we
                 repent
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   forgive
                   others
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Will
                 he
                 not
                 pardon
                 them
                 ,
                 'till
                 we
                 repent
                 and
                 amend
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 for
                 to
                 all
                 the
                 willful
                 Sinners
                 of
                 the
                 World
                 ,
                 the
                 Apostles
                 were
                 to
                 
                   Preach
                   Repentance
                   ,
                   and
                   Remission
                   of
                   Sins
                   .
                
                 And
                 of
                 these
                 't
                 is
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   he
                   that
                   confesses
                   ,
                   and
                   forsakes
                   his
                   Sins
                   ,
                   shall
                   find
                   mercy
                   ,
                
                 Prov.
                 28.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 we
                 have
                 repented
                 ,
                 and
                 left
                 these
                 Sins
                 ,
                 will
                 he
                 not
                 forgive
                 us
                 still
                 ,
                 unless
                 we
                 
                   forgive
                   others
                
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 trespass'd
                 against
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 neither
                 for
                 impenitent
                 ,
                 nor
                 uncharitable
                 Persons
                 .
                 
                   For
                   if
                   ye
                   forgive
                   men
                   their
                   Trespasses
                   ,
                   your
                   Heavenly
                   Father
                   will
                   also
                   forgive
                   you
                   :
                   But
                   if
                   ye
                   forgive
                   not
                   men
                   their
                   Trespasses
                   ,
                   neither
                   will
                   your
                   Heavenly
                   Father
                   forgive
                   you
                   ,
                
                 
                 Mat.
                 6.
                 14
                 ,
                 15.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 we
                 pray
                 for
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 our
                 Lord
                 allows
                 us
                 to
                 do
                 it
                 only
                 upon
                 these
                 terms
                 .
                 
                   Forgive
                   us
                   our
                   Trespasses
                   ,
                   as
                   we
                   forgive
                   them
                   that
                   Trespass
                   against
                   us
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 if
                 we
                 have
                 wronged
                 any
                 Persons
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 enough
                 towards
                 forgiveness
                 to
                 do
                 so
                 no
                 more
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 ;
                 but
                 withal
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 
                   make
                   Restitution
                
                 and
                 amends
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 wrong
                 we
                 have
                 done
                 already
                 .
                 
                   If
                   thou
                   bring
                   thy
                   Gift
                   to
                   the
                   Altar
                   ,
                   and
                   there
                   remembrest
                   thy
                   Brother
                   hath
                   ought
                   against
                   thee
                   ;
                   leave
                   there
                   thy
                   Gift
                   before
                   the
                   Altar
                   ,
                   and
                   go
                   thy
                   way
                   ,
                   first
                   be
                   reconciled
                   to
                   thy
                   Brother
                   ,
                   and
                   then
                   come
                   ,
                   and
                   offer
                   thy
                   Gift
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 5.
                 23
                 ,
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 see
                 we
                 must
                 hope
                 to
                 have
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 our
                 Sins
                 of
                 willfulness
                 ,
                 and
                 also
                 of
                 our
                 
                   Sins
                   of
                   Passion
                
                 ,
                 which
                 you
                 shew'd
                 to
                 be
                 of
                 like
                 guilt
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 only
                 upon
                 our
                 true
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 amendment
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 upon
                 what
                 terms
                 ,
                 shall
                 our
                 ▪
                 slips
                 of
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 and
                 inadvertence
                 be
                 pardon'd
                 ,
                 since
                 they
                 are
                 never
                 perfectly
                 amended
                 ,
                 but
                 hang
                 about
                 us
                 more
                 or
                 less
                 ,
                 as
                 long
                 as
                 we
                 are
                 in
                 this
                 World
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Upon
                 our
                 
                   great
                   Charity
                
                 to
                 other
                 men
                 ,
                 especially
                 to
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 in
                 endeavouring
                 their
                 Conversion
                 ,
                 and
                 Salvation
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 that
                 St.
                 Peter
                 recommends
                 above
                 all
                 other
                 Virtues
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 this
                 Reason
                 .
                 
                   Above
                   all
                   things
                   ,
                   have
                   fervent
                   Charity
                   among
                   your selves
                   ,
                   for
                   Charity
                   shall
                   cover
                   the
                   multitude
                   of
                   Sins
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Pet.
                 4.
                 8.
                 
                 And
                 
                   if
                   any
                   of
                
                 
                 
                   you
                   err
                   ,
                   and
                   one
                   convert
                   him
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   know
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   ,
                   who
                   converts
                   a
                   Sinner
                   from
                   the
                   Error
                   of
                   his
                   way
                   ,
                   shall
                   save
                   a
                   Soul
                   from
                   Death
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   hide
                   a
                   Multitude
                   of
                   sins
                   ,
                
                 Jam.
                 5.
                 19
                 ,
                 20.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 For
                 whose
                 sake
                 doth
                 Almighty
                 God
                 allow
                 us
                 all
                 this
                 Benefit
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 For
                 Jesus
                 Christ's
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 as
                 you
                 have
                 seen
                 ,
                 dyed
                 for
                 our
                 Sins
                 ,
                 and
                 gave
                 his
                 blood
                 a
                 Ransom
                 ,
                 to
                 purchase
                 for
                 us
                 all
                 this
                 Pardon
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 
                   He
                   is
                   set
                   forth
                   a
                   propitiation
                   for
                   the
                   remission
                   of
                   Sins
                   that
                   are
                   pass'd
                   ,
                   thro'
                   Faith
                   in
                   his
                   Blood
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 3.
                 25.
                 
                 And
                 then
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 we
                 shall
                 receive
                 all
                 this
                 mercy
                 ,
                 when
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 dispositions
                 before
                 express'd
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Name
                 we
                 devoutly
                 pray
                 to
                 God
                 for
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 the
                 promises
                 of
                 the
                 Gospel
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 is
                 assured
                 to
                 all
                 Christians
                 ,
                 upon
                 the
                 terms
                 you
                 have
                 described
                 .
                 But
                 is
                 it
                 in
                 any
                 Signs
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Tokens
                   ,
                   outwardly
                   dispensed
                
                 to
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Sacraments
                
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 
                   Sacerdotal
                   Absolution
                
                 .
                 Which
                 ways
                 of
                 ministring
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 it self
                 ,
                 are
                 noted
                 in
                 some
                 Ancient
                 Creeds
                 :
                 This
                 Article
                 being
                 thus
                 profess'd
                 in
                 St.
                 †
                 Cyprian's
                 Form
                 at
                 
                   Baptism
                   ,
                   I
                   believe
                   the
                   Remission
                   of
                   Sins
                   by
                   the
                   Church
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 dispensed
                 to
                 us
                 in
                 the
                 Sacrament
                 of
                 Baptism
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 most
                 amply
                 ,
                 the
                 
                 water
                 of
                 Baptism
                 washing
                 off
                 the
                 stain
                 of
                 all
                 former
                 Sins
                 .
                 
                   Be
                   Baptized
                   ,
                   and
                   wash
                   away
                   thy
                   Sins
                   ,
                
                 said
                 Ananias
                 to
                 Saul
                 ,
                 Acts
                 22.
                 16.
                 
                 
                   Repent
                   ,
                   and
                   be
                   Baptized
                   for
                   the
                   Remission
                   of
                   Sins
                   ,
                
                 said
                 St.
                 Peter
                 to
                 the
                 Jews
                 ,
                 Acts
                 2.
                 38.
                 
                 And
                 
                   he
                   hath
                   saved
                   us
                   by
                   the
                   Laver
                   of
                   Regeneration
                   ,
                   i.
                   e.
                
                 the
                 water
                 of
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   the
                   renewing
                   of
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   ,
                
                 Tit.
                 3
                 5.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 whateve
                 pollutions
                 men
                 had
                 before
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 Baptism
                 ,
                 with
                 true
                 Faith
                 and
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 thereby
                 made
                 clean
                 again
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 it
                 also
                 dispensed
                 in
                 the
                 Sacrament
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Lords
                   Supper
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 if
                 after
                 the
                 Baptismal
                 cleansing
                 ,
                 they
                 relapse
                 ,
                 and
                 contract
                 new
                 guilt
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 admitted
                 to
                 renew
                 the
                 same
                 Covenant
                 of
                 Grace
                 again
                 ,
                 and
                 seal
                 the
                 Pardon
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 therein
                 Christ
                 gives
                 us
                 
                   his
                   own
                   Blood
                   ,
                   which
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 says
                 particularly
                 ,
                 
                   was
                   shed
                   for
                   the
                   Remission
                   of
                   Sins
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 26.
                 28.
                 
                 He
                 entertains
                 us
                 there
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 Table
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 an
                 open
                 profession
                 to
                 all
                 worthy
                 comers
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 reconciled
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 receives
                 them
                 again
                 as
                 Friends
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 ,
                 when
                 any
                 Baptized
                 Christians
                 are
                 startled
                 ,
                 and
                 terrified
                 with
                 the
                 Conscience
                 of
                 their
                 Sins
                 ,
                 let
                 them
                 repair
                 to
                 that
                 Holy
                 Sacrament
                 ,
                 to
                 seal
                 ,
                 and
                 assure
                 the
                 forgiveness
                 of
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 let
                 them
                 come
                 with
                 Faith
                 ,
                 and
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 Reconciliation
                 to
                 their
                 Brethren
                 ;
                 which
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 are
                 the
                 Terms
                 of
                 our
                 being
                 Forgiven
                 .
                 For
                 the
                 Holy
                 Sacraments
                 dispense
                 this
                 forgiveness
                 to
                 none
                 ,
                 but
                 such
                 as
                 worthily
                 receive
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 
                 they
                 do
                 cleanse
                 from
                 all
                 former
                 Pollutions
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 there
                 also
                 a
                 dispensation
                 of
                 this
                 Pardon
                 ,
                 in
                 
                   Priestly
                   Absolution
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 for
                 therein
                 Christ
                 has
                 authoriz'd
                 his
                 Ministers
                 ,
                 that
                 act
                 in
                 his
                 place
                 and
                 stead
                 ,
                 to
                 pronounce
                 the
                 Sentence
                 of
                 Pardon
                 upon
                 all
                 true
                 Penitents
                 ,
                 and
                 bid
                 them
                 expect
                 ,
                 that
                 what
                 they
                 regularly
                 thus
                 declare
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 Soveraign
                 Court
                 in
                 Heaven
                 he
                 will
                 make
                 good
                 .
                 
                   He
                   breathed
                   on
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   said
                   ,
                   receive
                   ye
                   the
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                   .
                   Whose
                   soever
                   Sins
                   ye
                   remit
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   remitted
                   ;
                   and
                   whose
                   soever
                   Sins
                   ye
                   retain
                   ,
                   they
                   are
                   retained
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 20.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 And
                 therefore
                 when
                 a
                 true
                 Penitent
                 hears
                 his
                 Pardon
                 solemnly
                 pronounced
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 Officer
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 has
                 deputed
                 and
                 Commission'd
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 quiet
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 whose
                 case
                 is
                 judged
                 ,
                 and
                 firmly
                 hope
                 God
                 will
                 pronounce
                 the
                 same
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 .
                 But
                 this
                 ,
                 I
                 say
                 ,
                 he
                 must
                 do
                 only
                 after
                 true
                 Repentance
                 .
                 For
                 't
                 is
                 only
                 
                   the
                   Ministry
                   of
                   Reconciliation
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 which
                 
                   God
                   hath
                   committed
                   unto
                   us
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 18.
                 but
                 the
                 direction
                 ,
                 and
                 ratification
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 reserved
                 to
                 himself
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 only
                 ratifies
                 what
                 his
                 Ministers
                 do
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 pronounce
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 own
                 Rules
                 and
                 Orders
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 if
                 the
                 Priest
                 pronounce
                 by
                 mistake
                 ,
                 and
                 absolve
                 the
                 impenitent
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 judge
                 right
                 ,
                 tho'
                 he
                 judge
                 wrong
                 ,
                 and
                 Condemn
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 had
                 before
                 erroneously
                 absolved
                 in
                 his
                 Judgment
                 .
              
               
                 
                   Quest.
                   Christ
                
                 says
                 ,
                 
                   what
                   they
                   retain
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   retained
                
                 ;
                 as
                 well
                 ,
                 as
                 
                   what
                   they
                   remit
                   ,
                   shall
                
                 
                 
                   be
                   remitted
                
                 .
                 Ought
                 not
                 that
                 to
                 beget
                 in
                 all
                 Christians
                 ,
                 a
                 great
                 dread
                 of
                 Excommunication
                 ,
                 and
                 Reverence
                 for
                 Church-Censures
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 questionless
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 proceed
                 upon
                 just
                 Cause
                 ;
                 for
                 then
                 Christ
                 will
                 maintain
                 the
                 Honour
                 of
                 his
                 Deputies
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 good
                 their
                 sentence
                 .
                 
                   He
                   that
                   heareth
                   you
                   ,
                   heareth
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   that
                   despiseth
                   you
                   despiseth
                   me
                   ,
                
                 Luke
                 10.
                 16.
                 
                 If
                 
                   any
                   Offender
                   will
                   not
                   hear
                   the
                   Church
                   ,
                   let
                   him
                   be
                   unto
                   thee
                   as
                   an
                   Heathen
                   man
                   ,
                   and
                   a
                   Publican
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 18.
                 17.
                 
                 In
                 these
                 Acts
                 ,
                 what
                 his
                 Ministers
                 do
                 Regularly
                 ,
                 and
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 Direction
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 it
                 as
                 representing
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 vertue
                 of
                 his
                 Commission
                 and
                 Authority
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 having
                 given
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 sure
                 he
                 will
                 stand
                 by
                 .
                 And
                 accordingly
                 St.
                 Paul
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Church-Governours
                 at
                 Corinth
                 under
                 him
                 ,
                 exercising
                 their
                 Power
                 by
                 virtue
                 of
                 Christ's
                 Commission
                 ,
                 Declares
                 ,
                 that
                 both
                 in
                 binding
                 ,
                 and
                 relaxing
                 or
                 forgiving
                 ,
                 he
                 acted
                 
                   with
                   the
                   Power
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   in
                   the
                   Person
                
                 or
                 place
                 
                   of
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 4
                 ,
                 5.
                 and
                 2
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 10.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Do
                 all
                 Censures
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 then
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 Truth
                 is
                 on
                 its
                 side
                 ,
                 cut
                 men
                 off
                 ,
                 as
                 from
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 his
                 Body
                 ,
                 so
                 from
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 the
                 Head
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 All
                 those
                 do
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 passed
                 for
                 such
                 sins
                 or
                 errors
                 ,
                 as
                 are
                 Damnable
                 by
                 the
                 Tenor
                 of
                 Christ's
                 own
                 Laws
                 .
                 For
                 then
                 ,
                 they
                 only
                 speak
                 the
                 Language
                 of
                 Christ's
                 own
                 Rules
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 Tertullian
                 says
                 ,
                 are
                 a
                 
                 
                   true
                   anticipation
                
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Fore-hand
                   Draught
                   of
                   the
                   great
                   Judgment
                   .
                
                 And
                 when
                 his
                 Officers
                 only
                 pronounce
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 after
                 him
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 will
                 confirm
                 what
                 they
                 have
                 pronounced
                 in
                 his
                 Name
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 from
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 formerly
                 discoursed
                 ,
                 I
                 perceive
                 that
                 some
                 things
                 in
                 Religon
                 ,
                 being
                 against
                 the
                 Prime
                 ,
                 and
                 Fundamental
                 Doctrines
                 ,
                 are
                 so
                 Damnable
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 capable
                 of
                 any
                 Favour
                 or
                 Allowances
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 others
                 ,
                 being
                 only
                 against
                 inferior
                 Truths
                 ,
                 are
                 Damnable
                 only
                 as
                 accompanied
                 with
                 an
                 Evil
                 Mind
                 ,
                 but
                 capable
                 withal
                 of
                 being
                 incurred
                 under
                 Pardonable
                 circumstances
                 .
                 Now
                 in
                 these
                 last
                 Points
                 ,
                 many
                 Persons
                 ,
                 that
                 mean
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 serve
                 Christ
                 sincerely
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 main
                 and
                 essentials
                 of
                 a
                 Christian
                 ,
                 may
                 yet
                 be
                 unhappily
                 mislead
                 into
                 wrong
                 Opinions
                 ,
                 or
                 Practices
                 .
                 And
                 if
                 for
                 their
                 fixedness
                 ,
                 and
                 obstinacy
                 in
                 these
                 ,
                 they
                 happen
                 to
                 be
                 cast
                 out
                 of
                 any
                 Church
                 ;
                 do
                 you
                 think
                 they
                 are
                 always
                 cut
                 off
                 from
                 Christ
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 he
                 will
                 Finally
                 Anathematise
                 ,
                 and
                 condemn
                 them
                 in
                 his
                 Sentence
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No.
                 For
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 humane
                 Judges
                 ,
                 being
                 unable
                 to
                 see
                 into
                 Mens
                 Hearts
                 ,
                 give
                 sentence
                 in
                 these
                 cases
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 outward
                 Actions
                 .
                 But
                 Christ
                 in
                 his
                 judgment
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 looks
                 also
                 at
                 the
                 mind
                 and
                 heart
                 of
                 the
                 Actors
                 :
                 Rateing
                 exactly
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 Punishableness
                 of
                 the
                 Offences
                 ;
                 but
                 also
                 the
                 Degrees
                 of
                 voluntary
                 and
                 involuntary
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 a
                 Pardonableness
                 
                 or
                 Punishableness
                 of
                 the
                 Offenders
                 .
                 And
                 making
                 these
                 Allowances
                 on
                 such
                 scores
                 ,
                 as
                 fall
                 not
                 under
                 their
                 Notice
                 ;
                 't
                 is
                 reasonable
                 to
                 believe
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 still
                 own
                 and
                 receive
                 several
                 compassionably
                 mislead
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 cast
                 out
                 on
                 these
                 accounts
                 by
                 the
                 
                   Churches
                   Censures
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 validity
                 and
                 effect
                 of
                 Church-Censures
                 ,
                 you
                 say
                 ,
                 is
                 when
                 they
                 proceed
                 according
                 to
                 
                   Christ's
                   own
                   Rules
                
                 ,
                 and
                 upon
                 
                   just
                   cause
                
                 .
                 But
                 if
                 they
                 bind
                 where
                 the
                 Gospel
                 says
                 they
                 should
                 loose
                 ,
                 and
                 Excommunicate
                 against
                 Reason
                 ;
                 I
                 suppose
                 those
                 Censures
                 are
                 meer
                 Scare-crows
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 serve
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 show
                 ,
                 but
                 bring
                 no
                 hurt
                 with
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Very
                 true
                 .
                 
                   Blessed
                   are
                   ye
                
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 
                   Saviour
                   ,
                   when
                   Men
                   shall
                   separate
                   you
                   from
                   their
                   Company
                   ,
                   and
                
                 expunge
                 or
                 
                   cast
                   out
                   your
                   Name
                   as
                   evil
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   Son
                   of
                   Mans
                   sake
                   :
                   for
                   so
                   persecuted
                   their
                   Fathers
                   the
                   Prophets
                   .
                   Rejoice
                   ye
                   in
                   that
                   day
                   ,
                   and
                   leap
                   for
                   joy
                   ,
                   for
                   your
                   Reward
                   is
                   great
                   in
                   Heaven
                   ,
                
                 Luk.
                 6.
                 22
                 ,
                 23.
                 
                 If
                 good
                 Christians
                 are
                 Excommunicated
                 in
                 any
                 Church
                 ,
                 for
                 not
                 going
                 against
                 the
                 Scriptures
                 ,
                 and
                 complying
                 with
                 it
                 in
                 ill
                 things
                 ,
                 as
                 poor
                 Protestants
                 are
                 by
                 the
                 Romish
                 Church
                 ,
                 they
                 lose
                 nothing
                 thereby
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 not
                 ratifie
                 a
                 wrong
                 sentence
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 increase
                 their
                 Reward
                 ,
                 for
                 having
                 bravely
                 suffer'd
                 in
                 his
                 Cause
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 By
                 what
                 you
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 how
                 God
                 forgives
                 Sins
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 committed
                 against
                 us
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 bid
                 to
                 
                   forgive
                   them
                
                 
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 our selves
                 hope
                 to
                 be
                 forgiven
                 .
                 I
                 pray
                 you
                 what
                 doth
                 that
                 imply
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Not
                 our
                 remitting
                 Future
                 punishments
                 ,
                 which
                 lye
                 at
                 God's
                 mercy
                 ,
                 not
                 in
                 ours
                 .
                 Nor
                 always
                 that
                 we
                 sit
                 still
                 ,
                 without
                 offering
                 to
                 defend
                 our selves
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 assaulted
                 ;
                 or
                 to
                 seek
                 redress
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 injured
                 .
                 But
                 only
                 that
                 we
                 bear
                 no
                 malice
                 to
                 them
                 in
                 our
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 if
                 the
                 case
                 require
                 Redress
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 seek
                 it
                 not
                 in
                 Spiteful
                 ways
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 ,
                 beside
                 the
                 Reparation
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 Wrong
                 ,
                 we
                 aim
                 not
                 at
                 our
                 Adversary's
                 Prejudice
                 ,
                 nor
                 seek
                 his
                 hurt
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 nor
                 Pray
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 the
                 Magistrate
                 for
                 vengeance
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Jews
                 might
                 to
                 ease
                 an
                 angry
                 mind
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 do
                 no
                 more
                 against
                 him
                 our selves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 use
                 must
                 we
                 make
                 of
                 this
                 Belief
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Forgiveness
                   of
                   Sins
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Admire
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 forgive
                 such
                 Profligate
                 ,
                 and
                 Provoking
                 Offenders
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 wonderful
                 love
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 who
                 could
                 dye
                 to
                 procure
                 this
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 utter
                 Enemies
                 .
                 And
                 not
                 despair
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 but
                 stedfastly
                 hope
                 there
                 is
                 place
                 of
                 Pardon
                 after
                 any
                 of
                 our
                 sins
                 .
                 And
                 above
                 all
                 ,
                 to
                 shew
                 true
                 Repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 forgive
                 others
                 ,
                 and
                 perform
                 all
                 those
                 things
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 condition
                 and
                 Terms
                 of
                 Forgiveness
                 ,
                 thereby
                 to
                 secure
                 it
                 to
                 our selves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 once
                 forgiven
                 ,
                 may
                 we
                 embolden
                 our selves
                 ,
                 from
                 God's
                 
                 readiness
                 to
                 forgive
                 ,
                 to
                 Repeat
                 our
                 sins
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 by
                 no
                 means
                 .
                 
                   Shall
                   we
                   continue
                   in
                   Sin
                   ,
                   that
                   Grace
                   may
                   abound
                   in
                   pardoning
                   ?
                   God
                   forbid
                   ,
                
                 Rom.
                 6.
                 1
                 ,
                 2.
                 
                 
                   Now
                   thou
                   art
                   made
                   whole
                   ,
                   sin
                   no
                   more
                   ,
                   lest
                   a
                   worse
                   thing
                   come
                   upon
                   thee
                   ,
                
                 said
                 our
                 Saviour
                 ,
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 14.
                 
                 Such
                 ingratitude
                 ,
                 and
                 abuse
                 of
                 Grace
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 most
                 provoking
                 to
                 the
                 Spirit
                 ,
                 and
                 tempts
                 him
                 to
                 withdraw
                 from
                 us
                 :
                 and
                 calls
                 down
                 from
                 God
                 heavier
                 ,
                 and
                 surer
                 Punishments
                 :
                 But
                 also
                 it
                 brings
                 in
                 force
                 against
                 us
                 all
                 the
                 old
                 scores
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 all
                 struck
                 off
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 only
                 on
                 presumption
                 of
                 our
                 Perseverance
                 in
                 repenting
                 of
                 them
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 
                   CHAP.
                   XI
                
                 .
                 Of
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 the
                 Body
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Life
                 everlasting
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   Contents
                   .
                
                 
                   The
                   Resurrection
                   not
                   meerly
                   of
                   our
                   Spirits
                   from
                   sin
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   our
                   Bodies
                   from
                   the
                   Grave
                   .
                   This
                   to
                   be
                   brought
                   about
                   by
                   the
                   Almighty
                   Power
                   of
                   God.
                   The
                   Perfections
                   of
                   Glorified
                   Bodies
                   ,
                   viz.
                   Immortality
                   ,
                   Spirituality
                   ,
                   and
                   Glory
                   .
                   The
                   Bodies
                   of
                   the
                   Wicked
                   Immortal
                   .
                   And
                   exquisitely
                   sensible
                   .
                   Some
                   Inferences
                   from
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   our
                   Bodies
                   .
                   Good
                   Souls
                   carried
                   straight-way
                   into
                   a
                   Place
                   of
                   Bliss
                   .
                   Of
                   Eternal
                   Life
                   ,
                   wherin
                   there
                   is
                   Full
                   and
                   unmixed
                   Happiness
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   satisfaction
                   
                   of
                   their
                   Senses
                   .
                   Their
                   clear
                   and
                   distinct
                   Knowledge
                   .
                   Perfect
                   Holiness
                   .
                   And
                   without
                   Reluctance
                   .
                   Blissful
                   Companions
                   .
                   Perfection
                   of
                   Love
                   and
                   Kindness
                   .
                   Honour
                   ,
                   and
                   Eminence
                   of
                   Place
                   .
                   All
                   these
                   to
                   be
                   injoy'd
                   in
                   the
                   Highest
                   Heavens
                   ,
                   without
                   satiety
                   ,
                   or
                   weariness
                   .
                   For
                   evermore
                   .
                   Of
                   the
                   miseries
                   of
                   the
                   Damned
                   ,
                   in
                   Tormenting
                   Passions
                   .
                   The
                   worm
                   of
                   Conscience
                   .
                   Fire
                   and
                   Flames
                   .
                   Disgrace
                   .
                   Under
                   all
                   which
                   ,
                   no
                   favour
                   of
                   God.
                   No
                   company
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   Tormenting
                   Devils
                   ,
                   and
                   damned
                   Spirits
                   .
                   None
                   to
                   condole
                   ,
                   when
                   they
                   cannot
                   relieve
                   .
                   No
                   rest
                   and
                   sleep
                   ,
                   for
                   Recruit
                   of
                   Spirits
                   .
                   No
                   end
                   of
                   their
                   miseries
                   .
                   The
                   Use
                   of
                   this
                   .
                
              
               
                 Quest.
                 WHat
                 is
                 the
                 Eleventh
                 Article
                 of
                 the
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 I
                 believe
                 the
                 
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 May
                 not
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 be
                 interpreted
                 ,
                 only
                 of
                 a
                 Spiritual
                 Resurrection
                 from
                 sin
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 So
                 some
                 taught
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 testifies
                 ,
                 
                   saying
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   is
                   passed
                   already
                   ,
                
                 i.
                 e.
                 when
                 Men
                 rose
                 from
                 a
                 State
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 ,
                 says
                 he
                 ,
                 get
                 credit
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   overthrow
                   the
                   Faith
                   of
                   some
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Tim.
                 2.
                 18.
                 
                 But
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 we
                 expect
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                
                 .
                 Our
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 after
                 we
                 have
                 laid
                 them
                 down
                 by
                 Death
                 ,
                 shall
                 at
                 the
                 Day
                 of
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 be
                 quickned
                 ,
                 and
                 raised
                 up
                 again
                 .
                 Then
                 ,
                 
                   all
                   that
                   are
                   in
                   the
                   Graves
                   shall
                   hear
                   Christ's
                   voice
                   ,
                
                 
                 
                   and
                   come
                   forth
                   ,
                   they
                   that
                   have
                   done
                   good
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Life
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   that
                   have
                   done
                   evil
                   ,
                   to
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   Damnation
                   ,
                
                 Joh.
                 5.
                 28
                 ,
                 29.
                 
                 
                   This
                   mortal
                
                 Body
                 
                   must
                   put
                   on
                   immortality
                   ,
                   and
                   this
                   corruptible
                   must
                   put
                   on
                   Incorruption
                   ,
                
                 that
                 so
                 all
                 that
                 being
                 revived
                 ,
                 which
                 Death
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 
                   Death
                   may
                   be
                   swallowed
                   up
                   in
                   Victory
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 53
                 ,
                 54.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 a
                 Body
                 which
                 had
                 been
                 crumbled
                 into
                 Dust
                 ,
                 seemed
                 an
                 incredible
                 thing
                 when
                 it
                 was
                 preach'd
                 at
                 first
                 :
                 When
                 the
                 Philosophers
                 
                   heard
                   of
                   a
                   Resurrection
                   ,
                   some
                   mocked
                   ,
                
                 Act.
                 17.
                 32.
                 
                 What
                 can
                 make
                 it
                 credible
                 ,
                 or
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 Believed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 Omnipotent
                 Power
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 that
                 is
                 ingaged
                 for
                 it
                 .
                 For
                 no
                 one
                 can
                 think
                 it
                 impossible
                 ,
                 for
                 God
                 to
                 raise
                 up
                 a
                 Body
                 out
                 of
                 dust
                 ,
                 that
                 at
                 first
                 made
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 dust
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 that
                 raised
                 all
                 things
                 out
                 of
                 nothing
                 .
                 
                   Ye
                   err
                
                 ,
                 saith
                 our
                 Saviour
                 to
                 the
                 Sadduces
                 ,
                 about
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 
                   not
                   knowing
                   the
                   Power
                   of
                   God
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 22.
                 29.
                 
                 And
                 this
                 Power
                 ,
                 he
                 has
                 given
                 us
                 a
                 sensible
                 proof
                 of
                 ;
                 by
                 raising
                 up
                 
                   Christ.
                   If
                   Christ
                   be
                   preached
                   ,
                   that
                   he
                   rose
                   from
                   the
                   dead
                   ,
                   how
                   say
                   some
                   among
                   you
                   ,
                   that
                   there
                   is
                   no
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   the
                   Dead
                
                 ;
                 i.
                 e.
                 in
                 regard
                 his
                 Rising
                 is
                 such
                 an
                 irrefragable
                 instance
                 ,
                 and
                 example
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Shall
                 the
                 Bodies
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 be
                 raised
                 up
                 by
                 the
                 Power
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 now
                 makes
                 them
                 his
                 Temples
                 ,
                 by
                 displaying
                 in
                 them
                 his
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 shall
                 at
                 last
                 display
                 in
                 them
                 his
                 Omnipotence
                 ,
                 
                 breathing
                 into
                 their
                 scatter'd
                 dust
                 the
                 Breath
                 of
                 Life
                 ,
                 as
                 at
                 first
                 he
                 breathed
                 Life
                 into
                 all
                 things
                 .
                 
                   If
                   the
                   Spirit
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   raised
                   up
                   Jesus
                   from
                   the
                   Dead
                   ,
                   dwell
                   in
                   you
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                
                 at
                 last
                 
                   also
                   quicken
                   your
                   mortal
                   Bodies
                
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 quickned
                 his
                 ,
                 Rom.
                 8.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 The
                 Rising
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 ,
                 will
                 no
                 doubt
                 be
                 very
                 Glorious
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 Perfections
                 shall
                 their
                 Bodies
                 receive
                 at
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Answ.
                   First
                   ,
                   Immortality
                
                 .
                 Nothing
                 after
                 that
                 shall
                 ever
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 pain
                 ,
                 decay
                 ,
                 or
                 annoy
                 them
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 liable
                 to
                 suffer
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 dye
                 any
                 more
                 .
                 
                   This
                   corruptible
                   must
                   put
                   on
                   incorruption
                   ;
                   and
                   this
                   mortal
                   must
                   put
                   on
                   immortality
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 53.
                 
                 
                   They
                   cannot
                   dye
                   any
                   more
                
                 ,
                 Luke
                 20.
                 36.
                 
              
               
                 
                   Secondly
                   ,
                   Spirituality
                   ;
                   it
                   is
                   sown
                   a
                   Natural
                   Body
                   ,
                   it
                   is
                   raised
                   a
                   Spiritual
                   Body
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 15.
                 44.
                 
                 Whereby
                 is
                 not
                 meant
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 a
                 Spirit
                 in
                 Substance
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 it
                 shall
                 have
                 those
                 
                   Perfections
                   of
                   Spirits
                
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 excel
                 Bodies
                 .
                 As
                 ,
                 1.
                 being
                 
                   above
                   the
                   gross
                   Pleasures
                   of
                   Sense
                   ,
                
                 such
                 as
                 Eating
                 ,
                 Drinking
                 ,
                 and
                 carnal
                 Injoyments
                 .
                 
                   In
                   the
                   Resurrection
                   ,
                   they
                   neither
                   Marry
                   ,
                   nor
                   are
                   given
                   in
                   Marriage
                   ,
                   but
                   are
                   as
                   the
                   Angels
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 22.
                 30.
                 
                 And
                 
                   Meats
                   for
                   the
                   Belly
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Belly
                   for
                   Meats
                   ,
                   but
                   God
                   shall
                   shortly
                   destroy
                   both
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   them
                   ,
                
                 viz.
                 in
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 when
                 men
                 shall
                 live
                 without
                 them
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 6.
                 13.
                 
                 
                   2dly
                   .
                   Vigor
                
                 and
                 Activity
                 ,
                 such
                 as
                 may
                 answer
                 and
                 keep
                 pace
                 with
                 the
                 vehement
                 Transports
                 ,
                 and
                 quick
                 Emotions
                 of
                 Glorified
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 capable
                 
                 to
                 support
                 their
                 Joys
                 ,
                 bear
                 their
                 Raptures
                 ,
                 and
                 express
                 their
                 Activities
                 .
                 And
                 
                   3dly
                   ,
                   Agility
                
                 ,
                 or
                 Spriteliness
                 in
                 their
                 motions
                 ,
                 moveing
                 towards
                 all
                 Points
                 ,
                 upwards
                 †
                 
                   into
                   the
                   Air
                   and
                   Clouds
                
                 ,
                 as
                 St.
                 Paul
                 notes
                 of
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 their
                 new
                 Bodies
                 ;
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 downwards
                 :
                 And
                 to
                 Places
                 at
                 any
                 distance
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 quickness
                 of
                 Spirits
                 ;
                 whence
                 they
                 are
                 able
                 in
                 a
                 moment
                 to
                 appear
                 ,
                 or
                 disappear
                 as
                 the
                 Soul
                 pleases
                 ,
                 as
                 our
                 
                   Saviour's
                   Body
                
                 did
                 after
                 his
                 Resurrestion
                 ,
                 and
                 †
                 
                   our
                   raised
                   Bodies
                
                 must
                 be
                 
                   like
                   his
                
                 ,
                 being
                 in
                 this
                 respect
                 also
                 
                   equal
                   to
                   the
                   Angels
                
                 ,
                 Luke
                 20.
                 36.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Shall
                 they
                 receive
                 any
                 more
                 Perfections
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 Thirdly
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 a
                 perfect
                 Beauty
                 ,
                 instead
                 of
                 any
                 Mishape
                 or
                 Deformity
                 ,
                 but
                 also
                 a
                 marvellous
                 Brightness
                 ,
                 or
                 
                   Glory
                   .
                   It
                   is
                   sown
                   in
                   Dishonour
                   ,
                   but
                   it
                   is
                   raised
                   in
                   Glory
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor
                 ,
                 15.
                 43.
                 
                 
                   The
                   Righteous
                   shall
                   shine
                   forth
                   as
                   the
                   Sun
                   ,
                   in
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   of
                   the
                   Father
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 13.
                 43.
                 
                 
                   Christ
                   shall
                   change
                   our
                   vile
                   Body
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   may
                   be
                   like
                   unto
                   his
                   Glorious
                   Body
                   ,
                
                 Phil.
                 3.
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 that
                 was
                 full
                 of
                 glittering
                 Splendor
                 .
                 Whilst
                 he
                 conversed
                 with
                 his
                 Disciples
                 ,
                 after
                 his
                 Resurrection
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 ,
                 he
                 laid
                 it
                 aside
                 ,
                 because
                 fleshly
                 eyes
                 were
                 not
                 able
                 to
                 behold
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 appeared
                 by
                 its
                 
                   Striking
                   Saul
                   blind
                
                 ,
                 Acts
                 9.
                 3
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 But
                 in
                 Heaven
                 he
                 shines
                 with
                 a
                 dazeling
                 Lustre
                 .
                 Thus
                 he
                 appeared
                 from
                 thence
                 ,
                 
                   to
                   Stephen
                
                 ,
                 Acts
                 7.
                 55.
                 and
                 to
                 Paul
                 ,
                 who
                 describes
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 his
                 Presence
                 to
                 
                 have
                 been
                 
                   above
                   the
                   brightness
                   of
                   the
                   Sun
                   ,
                
                 Acts
                 26.
                 13.
                 
                 And
                 
                   his
                   head
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   hairs
                   were
                   white
                   like
                   Wooll
                   ,
                
                 yea
                 ,
                 
                   as
                   white
                   as
                   Snow
                   ,
                   his
                   Eyes
                   as
                   a
                   Flame
                   of
                   Fire
                   ,
                   his
                   Feet
                   like
                   fine
                   Brass
                   burning
                   in
                   a
                   Furnace
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Countenance
                   as
                   the
                   Sun
                   ,
                   shining
                   in
                   its
                   strength
                   ,
                
                 in
                 that
                 Vision
                 St.
                 John
                 had
                 of
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 Revelations
                 ,
                 Rev.
                 1.
                 13
                 ,
                 14
                 ,
                 15
                 ,
                 16.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 will
                 be
                 a
                 most
                 happy
                 Resurrection
                 of
                 the
                 Just
                 :
                 But
                 what
                 kind
                 of
                 Bodies
                 shall
                 the
                 Wicked
                 have
                 ?
                 shall
                 theirs
                 be
                 immortal
                 too
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 their
                 cost
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 no
                 other
                 end
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 be
                 immortally
                 punished
                 .
                 For
                 when
                 they
                 always
                 fry
                 in
                 Eternal
                 Fire
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 never
                 be
                 consumed
                 by
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 shall
                 their
                 raised
                 Bodies
                 be
                 sensible
                 of
                 Torment
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 far
                 more
                 than
                 their
                 Bodies
                 are
                 now
                 ;
                 and
                 they
                 shall
                 always
                 have
                 the
                 smartest
                 ,
                 and
                 most
                 terrible
                 things
                 in
                 Nature
                 to
                 Torment
                 them
                 ,
                 viz.
                 
                   Eternal
                   Fire
                   .
                   Depart
                   from
                   me
                   ye
                   Cursed
                   into
                   everlasting
                   Fire
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 41.
                 
                 There
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 
                   tormented
                   in
                   the
                   Flames
                
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 have
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 
                   drop
                   of
                   Water
                   ,
                   to
                   cool
                   their
                
                 parched
                 Tongue
                 ,
                 Luke
                 16.
                 23
                 ,
                 24.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 thus
                 extream
                 violent
                 ,
                 it
                 will
                 soon
                 consume
                 them
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 as
                 extremity
                 of
                 pain
                 sometimes
                 causes
                 dictraction
                 ,
                 so
                 over-power
                 their
                 Souls
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 mind
                 ,
                 or
                 attend
                 to
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 as
                 their
                 sense
                 of
                 pains
                 shall
                 
                 be
                 most
                 exquisite
                 ,
                 and
                 insensible
                 ,
                 so
                 shall
                 their
                 Bodies
                 be
                 indissoluble
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 sense
                 insuperable
                 .
                 As
                 an
                 Almighty
                 Vengeance
                 shall
                 ever
                 inflict
                 the
                 most
                 tormenting
                 strokes
                 upon
                 them
                 :
                 so
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 an
                 Almighty
                 Power
                 shall
                 continue
                 their
                 strength
                 to
                 bear
                 ,
                 and
                 an
                 exquisite
                 sense
                 or
                 feeling
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 most
                 piercingly
                 affected
                 with
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Must
                 not
                 this
                 Belief
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Resurrection
                   of
                   the
                   Body
                
                 ,
                 comfort
                 us
                 upon
                 the
                 
                   death
                   of
                   Friends
                
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 lay
                 their
                 Bodies
                 in
                 the
                 Graves
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 because
                 those
                 Bodies
                 are
                 not
                 perished
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 faln
                 asleep
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 be
                 infinitely
                 more
                 perfect
                 ,
                 and
                 glorious
                 ,
                 and
                 full
                 of
                 strength
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 awake
                 out
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   I
                   would
                   not
                   have
                   you
                   ignorant
                   ,
                   Brethren
                   ,
                   concerning
                   them
                   that
                   are
                   asleep
                   ,
                   that
                   ye
                   sorrow
                   not
                   even
                   as
                   others
                   which
                   have
                   no
                   hope
                   .
                   For
                   if
                   we
                   believe
                   ,
                   that
                   Jesus
                   dyed
                   ,
                   and
                   rose
                   again
                   :
                   even
                   so
                   them
                   also
                   ,
                   that
                   sleep
                   in
                   Jesus
                   ,
                   will
                   God
                   bring
                   with
                   him
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Thess.
                 4.
                 13
                 ,
                 14.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 ought
                 it
                 not
                 to
                 arm
                 us
                 against
                 the
                 fear
                 of
                 our
                 own
                 death
                 too
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 
                   Yes
                   ;
                   for
                   since
                
                 ,
                 when
                 our
                 earthly
                 House
                 of
                 this
                 Tabernacle
                 is
                 dissolved
                 ,
                 we
                 have
                 a
                 Building
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Eternal
                 in
                 the
                 Heavens
                 :
                 in
                 this
                 we
                 groan
                 earnestly
                 ,
                 desiring
                 to
                 be
                 cloath'd
                 upon
                 ,
                 with
                 our
                 House
                 which
                 is
                 from
                 Heaven
                 ,
                 2
                 
                   Cor.
                   5.
                   1
                   ,
                   2.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 the
                 Twelfth
                 ,
                 and
                 last
                 Article
                 of
                 the
                 Creed
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 I
                 Believe
                 the
                 Life
                 Everlasting
                 .
              
               
               
                 Quest.
                 When
                 good
                 mens
                 Souls
                 leave
                 their
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 what
                 becomes
                 of
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 They
                 are
                 carried
                 into
                 a
                 place
                 of
                 Bliss
                 and
                 Refreshment
                 ,
                 which
                 Christ
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 discourse
                 to
                 the
                 
                   Penitent
                   Thief
                
                 ,
                 called
                 †
                 Paradise
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 Parable
                 of
                 Dives
                 and
                 Lazarus
                 ,
                 *
                 
                   Abrahams
                   Bosom
                
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 conducting
                 them
                 thither
                 ,
                 as
                 Christ
                 noted
                 in
                 the
                 account
                 of
                 Lazarus
                 ,
                 is
                 committed
                 to
                 some
                 good
                 Angels
                 .
                 For
                 some
                 of
                 these
                 ,
                 as
                 ministring
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 always
                 attend
                 the
                 death-beds
                 of
                 God's
                 Saints
                 ,
                 and
                 receive
                 the
                 departed
                 Soul
                 into
                 their
                 care
                 ;
                 to
                 guard
                 it
                 from
                 all
                 frights
                 and
                 molestations
                 of
                 envious
                 Fiends
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 passes
                 thro'
                 the
                 
                   Regions
                   of
                   the
                   Air
                
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 the
                 †
                 Principality
                 or
                 Territory
                 
                   of
                   the
                   Powers
                   of
                   Darkness
                
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 guide
                 it
                 in
                 all
                 that
                 long
                 passage
                 ,
                 of
                 new
                 and
                 unknown
                 ways
                 ,
                 which
                 lead
                 to
                 the
                 Blessed
                 Receptacles
                 of
                 departed
                 Spirits
                 .
                 Whereas
                 the
                 Souls
                 of
                 the
                 Wicked
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 thrust
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 are
                 left
                 naked
                 and
                 defenceless
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 seiz'd
                 by
                 those
                 greedy
                 and
                 implacable
                 Furies
                 ,
                 and
                 hurried
                 away
                 upon
                 the
                 award
                 of
                 their
                 most
                 just
                 Judge
                 ,
                 in
                 extream
                 anguish
                 and
                 despair
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 most
                 wretched
                 Prisons
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 at
                 the
                 Resurrection
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 both
                 Good
                 and
                 Bad
                 shall
                 return
                 to
                 their
                 Bodies
                 again
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 that
                 Life
                 last
                 for
                 ever
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 after
                 once
                 they
                 are
                 reunited
                 ,
                 their
                 Souls
                 and
                 Bodies
                 shall
                 never
                 part
                 any
                 more
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 good
                 shall
                 continue
                 
                 in
                 everlasting
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 wicked
                 in
                 everlasting
                 pain
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 happiness
                 is
                 there
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 of
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 All
                 possible
                 happiness
                 their
                 hearts
                 can
                 wish
                 ,
                 or
                 their
                 Nature
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 .
                 They
                 shall
                 see
                 and
                 enjoy
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 give
                 himself
                 to
                 them
                 :
                 and
                 that
                 implies
                 every
                 thing
                 that
                 is
                 Beatifying
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 Blessedness
                 we
                 can
                 imagine
                 ,
                 and
                 infinitely
                 more
                 ,
                 being
                 contain'd
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 communicated
                 together
                 with
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 shall
                 this
                 Blessedness
                 never
                 be
                 imbitter'd
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 with
                 any
                 care
                 ,
                 or
                 fear
                 ,
                 or
                 grief
                 ,
                 or
                 crosses
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 the
                 happyness
                 of
                 this
                 present
                 Life
                 is
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 They
                 shall
                 neither
                 hunger
                 ,
                 nor
                 thirst
                 any
                 more
                 ,
                 
                   Rev.
                   7.
                   16.
                
                 
                 God
                 shall
                 wipe
                 away
                 all
                 tears
                 from
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 more
                 Death
                 ,
                 nor
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 nor
                 crying
                 ,
                 nor
                 Pain
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   all
                   those
                
                 former
                 things
                 are
                 passed
                 away
                 ,
                 
                   Rev.
                   21.
                   4.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Shall
                 all
                 their
                 Senses
                 be
                 gratified
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 delightful
                 ,
                 and
                 agreeable
                 enjoyments
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 the
                 Scripture
                 is
                 wont
                 to
                 set
                 off
                 by
                 Feasts
                 ,
                 and
                 Banquets
                 ,
                 and
                 Marriage-Entertainments
                 ;
                 by
                 melodious
                 Songs
                 ,
                 and
                 joyful
                 Hallelujahs
                 ;
                 by
                 transporting
                 sights
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Beauty
                 ,
                 the
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 Magnificence
                 of
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 Court
                 ;
                 the
                 Majesty
                 of
                 God's
                 Throne
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Splendor
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Heavenly
                 Host
                 that
                 do
                 surround
                 it
                 .
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 their
                 exalted
                 and
                 refined
                 
                 Senses
                 ,
                 are
                 above
                 the
                 gross
                 delights
                 of
                 Eating
                 ,
                 and
                 Drinking
                 ,
                 and
                 giving
                 in
                 Marriage
                 .
                 But
                 such
                 as
                 these
                 the
                 Scripture
                 uses
                 ,
                 because
                 our
                 present
                 state
                 places
                 so
                 much
                 in
                 them
                 .
                 And
                 whatsoever
                 delight
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 express
                 to
                 our
                 present
                 Capacities
                 ;
                 that
                 ,
                 and
                 abundance
                 more
                 ,
                 shall
                 the
                 enjoyments
                 of
                 that
                 life
                 yield
                 to
                 our
                 glorified
                 and
                 improved
                 Bodies
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 great
                 heappiness
                 ,
                 to
                 have
                 clear
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   distinct
                   knowledge
                
                 of
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 distracted
                 with
                 doubts
                 ,
                 or
                 posed
                 with
                 difficulties
                 .
                 Shall
                 the
                 Righteous
                 in
                 that
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 ,
                 have
                 such
                 clear
                 and
                 advanced
                 understandings
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 get
                 rid
                 of
                 all
                 darkness
                 ,
                 and
                 doubtfulness
                 of
                 mind
                 ,
                 and
                 know
                 every
                 thing
                 they
                 desire
                 ,
                 without
                 study
                 ,
                 or
                 pains
                 .
                 
                   Now
                   we
                   see
                   as
                   in
                   a
                   Glass
                   ,
                   darkly
                   ,
                   but
                   then
                   face
                   to
                   face
                   :
                   Now
                   we
                   know
                   in
                   part
                   ,
                   but
                   then
                   shall
                   we
                   know
                   ,
                   even
                   as
                   also
                   we
                   are
                   known
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 13.
                 12.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 'T
                 is
                 a
                 singular
                 Point
                 of
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 perfect
                 in
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 most
                 Blissful
                 Attributes
                 of
                 God
                 himself
                 .
                 Shall
                 they
                 also
                 be
                 such
                 perfectly
                 Holy
                 Persons
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 excel
                 in
                 every
                 Virtue
                 ,
                 and
                 Grace
                 ,
                 wherein
                 Christ
                 himself
                 doth
                 :
                 for
                 
                   when
                   he
                   appears
                   ,
                   we
                   shall
                   be
                   like
                   him
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Joh.
                 3.
                 2.
                 
                 And
                 those
                 they
                 shall
                 enjoy
                 ,
                 free
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 weaknesses
                 and
                 defects
                 ,
                 whereby
                 their
                 Virtues
                 are
                 obscur'd
                 ,
                 and
                 lessen'd
                 in
                 this
                 World.
                 For
                 
                   in
                   new
                   Jerusalem
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   the
                   Spirits
                   of
                   just
                   men
                   are
                   made
                   perfect
                   ,
                
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 23.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 shall
                 they
                 exercise
                 all
                 this
                 Holiness
                 
                   without
                   trouble
                
                 and
                 reluctance
                 ,
                 which
                 makes
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 it
                 painful
                 here
                 on
                 Earth
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 they
                 shall
                 neither
                 have
                 any
                 inward
                 Lusts
                 to
                 oppose
                 it
                 ,
                 nor
                 outward
                 Temptations
                 to
                 draw
                 them
                 from
                 it
                 .
                 They
                 hear
                 no
                 advice
                 ,
                 nor
                 see
                 any
                 example
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 what
                 is
                 good
                 .
                 Their
                 inclinations
                 are
                 all
                 rectified
                 ,
                 and
                 become
                 Holiness
                 to
                 the
                 Lord.
                 Their
                 Nature
                 is
                 perfect
                 in
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 duty
                 is
                 become
                 their
                 delight
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 in
                 conforming
                 entirely
                 to
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 do
                 in
                 the
                 highest
                 measure
                 gratifie
                 their
                 own
                 wills
                 too
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 with
                 this
                 height
                 of
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 shall
                 they
                 also
                 be
                 
                   inwardly
                   pleased
                   in
                   their
                   own
                   minds
                   ,
                
                 and
                 think
                 themselves
                 happy
                 ;
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 is
                 happy
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 they
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 infinitely
                 pleased
                 in
                 every
                 thing
                 they
                 have
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 every
                 thing
                 they
                 do
                 ,
                 for
                 whatsoever
                 comes
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 pure
                 happiness
                 ;
                 and
                 whatsoever
                 proceeds
                 from
                 them
                 ,
                 is
                 full
                 of
                 Wisdom
                 and
                 Goodness
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 least
                 word
                 ,
                 or
                 action
                 ,
                 to
                 repent
                 of
                 .
                 Their
                 State
                 is
                 all
                 Joy
                 ,
                 and
                 Peace
                 :
                 
                   enter
                   thou
                   into
                   the
                   joy
                   of
                   thy
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 21.
                 
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 bid
                 to
                 enter
                 into
                 them
                 ,
                 being
                 infinitely
                 more
                 than
                 they
                 can
                 hold
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 into
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 into
                 a
                 vast
                 Ocean
                 of
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 whereof
                 they
                 shall
                 
                 always
                 drink
                 to
                 the
                 full
                 ,
                 but
                 never
                 empty
                 or
                 exhaust
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 such
                 compleat
                 Knowledge
                 ,
                 and
                 perfect
                 Holiness
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 give
                 them
                 cause
                 of
                 greatest
                 satisfaction
                 from
                 themselves
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 sort
                 of
                 Company
                 must
                 they
                 keep
                 ?
                 will
                 they
                 be
                 equally
                 happy
                 in
                 that
                 too
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 unimaginably
                 happy
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 will
                 live
                 always
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 ineffably
                 Communicate
                 himself
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 
                   Jesus
                   Christ
                
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 infinitely
                 rejoyce
                 to
                 see
                 how
                 happy
                 he
                 has
                 made
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 
                   Holy
                   Ghost
                
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 eternally
                 Congratulate
                 the
                 reward
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Graces
                 in
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 converse
                 with
                 
                   Angels
                   ,
                   Apostles
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   Glorified
                   Saints
                
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 their
                 Godly
                 dear
                 Friends
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 valued
                 as
                 their
                 own
                 Souls
                 ,
                 and
                 whom
                 they
                 clave
                 so
                 fast
                 to
                 in
                 their
                 hearts
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 could
                 have
                 followed
                 them
                 into
                 the
                 other
                 World
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 were
                 taken
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 all
                 this
                 God-like
                 Society
                 ,
                 are
                 every
                 way
                 fitted
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 most
                 happy
                 ,
                 and
                 delightful
                 Companions
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 most
                 Blissful
                 ,
                 that
                 possibly
                 can
                 be
                 thought
                 of
                 .
                 For
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 light
                 ,
                 and
                 quickness
                 in
                 their
                 understandings
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 love
                 ,
                 and
                 tenderness
                 in
                 their
                 Affections
                 ;
                 and
                 most
                 sweet
                 ,
                 and
                 obliging
                 in
                 their
                 carriage
                 ,
                 being
                 perfectly
                 free
                 from
                 all
                 Anger
                 ,
                 Crossness
                 ,
                 Scorn
                 ,
                 or
                 Contempt
                 ,
                 and
                 every
                 thing
                 that
                 may
                 give
                 offence
                 .
                 They
                 all
                 look
                 pleased
                 ,
                 and
                 inviting
                 
                 in
                 their
                 countenances
                 ;
                 and
                 are
                 exquisitely
                 wise
                 ,
                 useful
                 ,
                 and
                 entertaining
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 Discourses
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 agree
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Opinions
                 ,
                 and
                 speak
                 the
                 same
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 pursue
                 the
                 same
                 ends
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 pleased
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 Objects
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 no
                 strife
                 among
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 who
                 shall
                 love
                 highest
                 ,
                 and
                 oblige
                 most
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 most
                 like
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 agreeable
                 to
                 each
                 other
                 for
                 evermore
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 You
                 say
                 there
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 strife
                 ,
                 but
                 who
                 shall
                 love
                 most
                 .
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 a
                 state
                 of
                 love
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 not
                 cooled
                 by
                 any
                 unkindnesses
                 ,
                 nor
                 crossed
                 by
                 Disappointments
                 ,
                 nor
                 made
                 unfortunate
                 by
                 the
                 Follies
                 ,
                 or
                 Sufferings
                 of
                 those
                 we
                 dearly
                 love
                 ,
                 is
                 absolutely
                 the
                 most
                 agreeable
                 ,
                 pleasant
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfactory
                 Employment
                 in
                 the
                 World.
                 And
                 amidst
                 all
                 these
                 Companions
                 ,
                 shall
                 the
                 Righteous
                 be
                 Perfect
                 in
                 this
                 Love
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 
                   Yes
                   ,
                   most
                   Perfect
                
                 .
                 For
                 God
                 is
                 Love
                 ,
                 and
                 he
                 that
                 dwells
                 in
                 God
                 ,
                 dwells
                 in
                 Love
                 ,
                 
                   1
                   Joh.
                   4.
                   16.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Will
                 all
                 that
                 blessed
                 Company
                 entirely
                 love
                 us
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 do
                 their
                 own
                 Souls
                 ;
                 they
                 were
                 full
                 of
                 Love
                 ,
                 while
                 they
                 lived
                 here
                 ;
                 loving
                 even
                 their
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 after
                 
                 Christ's
                 Precept
                 ,
                 and
                 Example
                 ;
                 but
                 especially
                 the
                 servants
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 whom
                 they
                 discern'd
                 his
                 Image
                 .
                 But
                 in
                 Heaven
                 they
                 shall
                 love
                 us
                 in
                 Perfection
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 full
                 Ripe
                 and
                 Compleat
                 in
                 this
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 all
                 other
                 Graces
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 shall
                 we
                 entirely
                 Love
                 all
                 them
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 all
                 be
                 so
                 absolute
                 in
                 all
                 amiable
                 excellencies
                 ,
                 and
                 continually
                 discover
                 such
                 a
                 boundless
                 Love
                 for
                 us
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 Natures
                 will
                 be
                 so
                 wholly
                 framed
                 for
                 Love
                 and
                 Kindness
                 ;
                 that
                 we
                 cannot
                 chuse
                 but
                 love
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 with
                 the
                 greatest
                 fervour
                 ,
                 and
                 intenseness
                 of
                 Affection
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 will
                 be
                 all
                 Pleasure
                 ,
                 and
                 no
                 Pain
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 incapable
                 of
                 doing
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 either
                 shame
                 ,
                 or
                 disgust
                 us
                 .
                 God
                 is
                 all
                 in
                 all
                 in
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 they
                 can
                 do
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 we
                 ,
                 who
                 entirely
                 love
                 God
                 and
                 them
                 ,
                 may
                 perfectly
                 delight
                 in
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 If
                 we
                 shall
                 have
                 such
                 entire
                 Love
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 Saints
                 in
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 we
                 shall
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 true
                 Friends
                 do
                 ,
                 partake
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 Joys
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 their
                 Happiness
                 will
                 be
                 ours
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 It
                 will
                 be
                 so
                 ;
                 for
                 Love
                 of
                 Happy
                 Persons
                 ,
                 multiplies
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 as
                 oft
                 as
                 it
                 multiplies
                 Objects
                 .
                 Because
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 entirely
                 love
                 them
                 ,
                 we
                 esteem
                 and
                 are
                 pleased
                 with
                 all
                 their
                 Happiness
                 ,
                 as
                 with
                 our
                 own
                 .
                 And
                 this
                 way
                 ,
                 every
                 Saint
                 will
                 be
                 as
                 full
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 a
                 Monopoly
                 of
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 and
                 draw
                 all
                 the
                 Happiness
                 of
                 Heaven
                 to
                 themselves
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 amidst
                 all
                 these
                 inward
                 excellencies
                 ,
                 and
                 happy
                 Company
                 ,
                 and
                 Blissful
                 intercourse
                 of
                 kindness
                 ,
                 shall
                 they
                 live
                 in
                 Honour
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 
                   eminent
                   in
                   Place
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ,
                 as
                 Kings
                 and
                 Princes
                 .
                 They
                 shall
                 †
                 
                   Sit
                   on
                   Thrones
                
                 ,
                 and
                 wear
                 *
                 Crowns
                 and
                 Scepters
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 †
                 
                   Sons
                   of
                   God
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 *
                 Joint-heirs
                 with
                 Christ
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 †
                 
                   inherit
                   all
                   things
                
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 only
                 have
                 the
                 Priviledge
                 to
                 stand
                 about
                 Christs
                 Throne
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 would
                 surpass
                 belief
                 ,
                 if
                 Truth
                 it self
                 had
                 not
                 assured
                 us
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 sit
                 down
                 with
                 him
                 thereon
                 .
                 
                   To
                   him
                   that
                   overcometh
                   ,
                   will
                   I
                   grant
                   to
                   sit
                   with
                   me
                   in
                   my
                   Throne
                   ;
                   even
                   as
                   I
                   also
                   overcame
                   ,
                   and
                   am
                   set
                   down
                   with
                   my
                   Father
                   in
                   his
                   Throne
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 3.
                 21.
                 
                 And
                 besides
                 this
                 glory
                 of
                 their
                 State
                 ,
                 and
                 eminence
                 in
                 Place
                 ;
                 their
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 observed
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 cloathed
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 Radiant
                 Light
                 ,
                 and
                 surpass
                 even
                 the
                 Sun
                 it self
                 in
                 Brightness
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 In
                 what
                 place
                 must
                 they
                 live
                 ,
                 to
                 wear
                 these
                 Glories
                 ,
                 and
                 Feast
                 on
                 all
                 this
                 immense
                 Happiness
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 In
                 the
                 
                   Heaven
                   of
                   Heavens
                
                 ,
                 a
                 Place
                 scituate
                 on
                 High
                 ,
                 †
                 
                   far
                   above
                   all
                   visible
                
                 
                 things
                 ,
                 unspeakably
                 vast
                 in
                 extent
                 ,
                 and
                 magnificent
                 in
                 structure
                 ,
                 and
                 illustrious
                 in
                 Glory
                 ,
                 the
                 Presence
                 Chamber
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 King
                 ;
                 where
                 he
                 lives
                 incircled
                 with
                 Lustre
                 ,
                 and
                 †
                 
                   Light
                   inaccessible
                
                 ,
                 which
                 no
                 mortal
                 Eye
                 
                   can
                   approach
                   unto
                
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   no
                   Man
                
                 ,
                 (
                 as
                 he
                 told
                 
                   Moses
                   ,
                   )
                   can
                   see
                   my
                   Face
                   and
                   live
                   ,
                
                 Exod.
                 33.
                 20.
                 
                 Here
                 shall
                 all
                 Righteous
                 Persons
                 ,
                 with
                 their
                 immortal
                 Eyes
                 ,
                 ever
                 see
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 shine
                 in
                 his
                 Glory
                 ,
                 and
                 feast
                 on
                 all
                 the
                 forecited
                 joys
                 ,
                 and
                 fulness
                 of
                 
                   Pleasure
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   at
                   his
                   Right
                   hand
                   for
                   evermore
                   ,
                
                 Psal.
                 16.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 this
                 happy
                 enjoyment
                 last
                 long
                 ,
                 will
                 they
                 not
                 
                   grow
                   weary
                
                 of
                 it
                 in
                 the
                 
                 end
                 ;
                 since
                 humane
                 Appetites
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 love
                 change
                 ,
                 and
                 loath
                 the
                 best
                 things
                 ,
                 if
                 held
                 constant
                 to
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 as
                 the
                 enjoyments
                 are
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 the
                 desire
                 and
                 relish
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 always
                 the
                 same
                 .
                 The
                 Goods
                 are
                 pure
                 ,
                 having
                 no
                 ungrateful
                 mixtures
                 to
                 be
                 discover'd
                 ,
                 and
                 tasted
                 by
                 time
                 :
                 and
                 the
                 Appetite
                 and
                 Relish
                 perfect
                 ,
                 subject
                 to
                 no
                 ebbs
                 or
                 flows
                 ,
                 no
                 weariness
                 or
                 alterations
                 .
                 So
                 that
                 we
                 shall
                 still
                 desire
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 enjoy
                 these
                 pleasant
                 things
                 ,
                 and
                 find
                 an
                 inexpressible
                 sweetness
                 ,
                 and
                 satisfaction
                 in
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 to
                 Crown
                 all
                 ,
                 and
                 render
                 us
                 secure
                 in
                 this
                 Blessed
                 State
                 ,
                 shall
                 the
                 happiness
                 of
                 it
                 be
                 no
                 fading
                 transitory
                 Thing
                 ,
                 as
                 all
                 worldly
                 pleasure
                 is
                 ,
                 but
                 everlasting
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 always
                 in
                 its
                 Spring
                 ,
                 and
                 look
                 fresh
                 ,
                 and
                 flourish
                 ,
                 thro'
                 Eternal
                 Ages
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Pleasures
                   at
                   God's
                   Right
                   Hand
                   ,
                   are
                   for
                   evermore
                   ,
                
                 Ps.
                 16.
                 11.
                 
                   the
                   weight
                   of
                   Glory
                
                 is
                 Eternal
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 4.
                 17.
                 
                   the
                   Kingdom
                   cannot
                   be
                   moved
                
                 ,
                 Heb.
                 12.
                 28.
                 the
                 
                   Crown
                   is
                   incorruptible
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Cor.
                 9.
                 25.
                 
                   that
                   fadeth
                   not
                   away
                
                 ,
                 1
                 Pet.
                 5.
                 4.
                 
                 'T
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 limited
                 happiness
                 ,
                 held
                 only
                 for
                 a
                 term
                 of
                 years
                 ,
                 or
                 Ages
                 ,
                 but
                 an
                 
                   Eternal
                   Life
                
                 ,
                 1
                 John.
                 5.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 is
                 such
                 a
                 perfection
                 of
                 Bliss
                 ,
                 as
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 make
                 all
                 Righteous
                 men
                 impatient
                 of
                 living
                 here
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   long
                   to
                   dye
                
                 ,
                 as
                 †
                 St.
                 Paul
                 did
                 ,
                 thereby
                 to
                 be
                 possess'd
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 It
                 is
                 so
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 contain'd
                 no
                 
                 more
                 than
                 I
                 have
                 described
                 .
                 But
                 when
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 enjoy
                 it
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 find
                 infinitely
                 more
                 than
                 I
                 have
                 said
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 than
                 any
                 Tongue
                 can
                 express
                 ,
                 or
                 heart
                 imagine
                 and
                 apprehend
                 .
                 For
                 
                   Eye
                   hath
                   not
                   seen
                   ,
                   nor
                   Ear
                   heard
                   ,
                   neither
                   hath
                
                 it
                 
                   enter'd
                   into
                   the
                   heart
                   of
                   man
                   ,
                
                 to
                 conceive
                 
                   the
                   Things
                   God
                   has
                   prepared
                   for
                   those
                   that
                   love
                   him
                   ,
                
                 1
                 Cor.
                 2.
                 9.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 I
                 perceive
                 ,
                 how
                 Blissful
                 the
                 Eternal
                 Life
                 of
                 the
                 Righteous
                 is
                 .
                 But
                 the
                 Wicked
                 too
                 shall
                 be
                 raised
                 to
                 an
                 Eternal
                 State
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 shall
                 their
                 Life
                 be
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 most
                 
                   perfect
                   misery
                
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 Body
                 and
                 Soul
                 ,
                 whence
                 in
                 Scripture
                 ,
                 when
                 by
                 Life
                 is
                 meant
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 the
                 
                   continuance
                   in
                   being
                
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 happiness
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 their
                 state
                 is
                 call'd
                 
                   everlasting
                   death
                
                 ,
                 2
                 Thes.
                 1.
                 8
                 ,
                 9.
                 
                 Rev.
                 2.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 sorrow
                 and
                 torment
                 shall
                 the
                 Wicked
                 for
                 ever
                 endure
                 in
                 their
                 Souls
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 The
                 torment
                 of
                 all
                 
                   vexatious
                   Passions
                
                 ,
                 being
                 continually
                 wracked
                 with
                 Envy
                 ,
                 Anger
                 ,
                 Fruitless
                 Cares
                 ,
                 and
                 Boundless
                 Fears
                 ,
                 utter
                 despair
                 of
                 all
                 relief
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 extream
                 desires
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 
                   Sting
                   of
                   Conscience
                
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 pierce
                 them
                 thro'
                 with
                 bitter
                 remorse
                 ,
                 and
                 gnaw
                 perpetually
                 like
                 a
                 Worm
                 ,
                 upon
                 their
                 Hearts
                 and
                 Vitals
                 ,
                 
                   their
                   Worm
                   dieth
                   not
                
                 ,
                 Mark
                 9.
                 44.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 mention'd
                 Passions
                 ,
                 when
                 at
                 the
                 heighth
                 ,
                 are
                 so
                 many
                 Furies
                 ,
                 especially
                 distracting
                 and
                 
                   amazing
                   Fears
                
                 ,
                 and
                 Horrors
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 wretched
                 Souls
                 be
                 wholly
                 seized
                 by
                 these
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 as
                 much
                 as
                 we
                 may
                 imagine
                 they
                 can
                 possibly
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 surrounded
                 on
                 every
                 side
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 mischievous
                 and
                 spiteful
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 left
                 among
                 them
                 in
                 the
                 Dark
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 possible
                 ,
                 would
                 magnify
                 their
                 Fears
                 by
                 fancy
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 them
                 infinite
                 .
                 To
                 express
                 which
                 utter
                 uncomfortableness
                 ,
                 and
                 insecurity
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 said
                 
                   to
                   be
                   cast
                   into
                   utter
                   Darkness
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 22.
                 13.
                 and
                 
                   reserved
                   unto
                   Blackness
                   of
                   Darkness
                   for
                   ever
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Pet.
                 2.
                 17.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 What
                 is
                 implyed
                 in
                 the
                 
                   Worm
                   of
                   Conscience
                
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Bitter
                 ,
                 and
                 cutting
                 remorse
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 own
                 wretched
                 folly
                 ,
                 which
                 has
                 call'd
                 down
                 upon
                 them
                 those
                 intolerable
                 miseries
                 ,
                 and
                 utter
                 and
                 horrid
                 despair
                 ,
                 of
                 ever
                 removing
                 or
                 abating
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Is
                 this
                 
                   Sting
                   of
                   Conscience
                
                 so
                 extreamly
                 tormenting
                 to
                 mens
                 Souls
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 should
                 be
                 compared
                 to
                 a
                 Worm
                 ,
                 preying
                 upon
                 their
                 vitals
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 for
                 they
                 who
                 feel
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 only
                 can
                 tell
                 the
                 smart
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 think
                 it
                 more
                 exquisite
                 and
                 insupportable
                 ,
                 than
                 the
                 pangs
                 of
                 death
                 it self
                 .
                 And
                 therefore
                 they
                 run
                 greedily
                 after
                 Death
                 ,
                 and
                 seek
                 by
                 any
                 means
                 to
                 make
                 away
                 themselves
                 ,
                 in
                 hopes
                 thereby
                 to
                 get
                 quit
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   The
                   Spirit
                   of
                   a
                   man
                   will
                   sustain
                   all
                   other
                   his
                   infirmities
                   ,
                   but
                   a
                   wounded
                   Spirit
                   who
                   can
                   bear
                   ?
                
                 Prov.
                 18.
                 14.
                 
                 And
                 if
                 't
                 is
                 so
                 intolerable
                 here
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 have
                 only
                 some
                 beginnings
                 ,
                 and
                 small
                 fore-tastes
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 what
                 must
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 
                 when
                 horror
                 is
                 at
                 the
                 heighth
                 ,
                 and
                 despair
                 and
                 anguish
                 is
                 consummate
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rage
                 of
                 all
                 infernal
                 Spirits
                 is
                 let
                 loose
                 ,
                 to
                 represent
                 at
                 full
                 the
                 most
                 formidable
                 Phantasms
                 ,
                 and
                 imprint
                 Anguish
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 Agonies
                 and
                 painful
                 Horrors
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 utmost
                 activity
                 of
                 Furious
                 and
                 powerful
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 next
                 World.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 whilst
                 their
                 forlorn
                 Souls
                 are
                 racked
                 with
                 all
                 these
                 horrible
                 pangs
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 become
                 of
                 their
                 Bodies
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 They
                 shall
                 
                   Frye
                   in
                   Flames
                
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 said
                 ,
                 and
                 endure
                 all
                 the
                 Torment
                 ,
                 which
                 men
                 can
                 feel
                 in
                 the
                 
                   hottest
                   Fire
                   .
                   They
                   shall
                   be
                   cast
                   into
                   a
                   Furnace
                   of
                   Fire
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 13.
                 42.
                 and
                 
                   have
                   their
                   part
                   in
                   the
                   Lake
                   ,
                   which
                   burneth
                   with
                   Fire
                   and
                   Brimstone
                   ,
                   which
                   is
                   the
                   second
                   death
                   ,
                
                 Rev.
                 21.
                 8.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 This
                 must
                 needs
                 cause
                 excessive
                 pain
                 .
                 But
                 shall
                 they
                 not
                 have
                 something
                 to
                 mitigate
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 it
                 easier
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 a
                 
                   drop
                   of
                   water
                   to
                   cool
                   their
                   Tongue
                   ,
                
                 when
                 't
                 is
                 parched
                 and
                 
                   tormented
                   in
                   the
                   Flame
                
                 ,
                 Luke
                 16.
                 24.
                 
                 Nor
                 ,
                 that
                 poor
                 relief
                 of
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 extream
                 weary
                 ,
                 and
                 sore
                 ,
                 to
                 shift
                 sides
                 ,
                 or
                 change
                 their
                 posture
                 .
                 
                   Bind
                   him
                   hand
                   and
                   foot
                
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 cannot
                 stir
                 ,
                 says
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 Condemns
                 the
                 Sinner
                 to
                 this
                 
                   Lake
                   of
                   Fire
                
                 ,
                 Mat.
                 22.
                 13.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 shall
                 
                   desperate
                   shame
                
                 ,
                 and
                 disgrace
                 ,
                 be
                 added
                 to
                 all
                 this
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 For
                 they
                 are
                 all
                 as
                 vile
                 and
                 hateful
                 ,
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 good
                 men
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 to
                 themselves
                 too
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 can
                 be
                 made
                 ;
                 and
                 it
                 is
                 purely
                 their
                 own
                 wilful
                 and
                 wretched
                 Folly
                 ,
                 and
                 desperate
                 wickedness
                 ,
                 which
                 has
                 brought
                 them
                 to
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 will
                 not
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 hope
                 and
                 comfort
                 of
                 all
                 that
                 are
                 in
                 utter
                 distress
                 ,
                 look
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 shew
                 them
                 countenance
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 wretched
                 state
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 never
                 see
                 his
                 face
                 ,
                 nor
                 receive
                 the
                 least
                 glimpse
                 of
                 favour
                 from
                 his
                 Countenance
                 .
                 
                   He
                   will
                   say
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   depart
                   from
                   me
                   ye
                   Cursed
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 41.
                 
                 And
                 
                   they
                   shall
                   be
                   punished
                   with
                   everlasting
                   destruction
                   ,
                   from
                   the
                   Presence
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 2
                 Thes.
                 1.
                 9.
                 
                 He
                 will
                 not
                 look
                 upon
                 them
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 wrath
                 and
                 fury
                 ,
                 and
                 never
                 think
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 mercy
                 any
                 more
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 when
                 God
                 deserts
                 them
                 ,
                 shall
                 they
                 be
                 quite
                 forsaken
                 ?
                 or
                 ,
                 will
                 they
                 not
                 be
                 allowed
                 some
                 Company
                 in
                 this
                 distress
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 but
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 
                   Company
                   of
                   Devils
                
                 ,
                 and
                 
                   tormenting
                   Spirits
                
                 ,
                 who
                 thirst
                 more
                 after
                 Blood
                 ,
                 than
                 ever
                 the
                 most
                 starved
                 Appetite
                 did
                 after
                 food
                 :
                 and
                 who
                 have
                 no
                 other
                 way
                 ,
                 to
                 ease
                 their
                 own
                 pains
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 the
                 satisfaction
                 of
                 augmenting
                 theirs
                 .
                 
                   Go
                   into
                   everlasting
                   Fire
                   ,
                   prepared
                   for
                   the
                   Devil
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   Angels
                   ,
                
                 Mat.
                 25.
                 41.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 amidst
                 all
                 this
                 horrid
                 Crew
                 ,
                 that
                 take
                 such
                 pleasure
                 to
                 despite
                 them
                 ,
                 shall
                 there
                 be
                 none
                 to
                 help
                 them
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 unable
                 to
                 help
                 themselves
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 to
                 pity
                 ,
                 and
                 condole
                 with
                 them
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ
                 ,
                 No
                 ,
                 there
                 are
                 none
                 ,
                 but
                 Partners
                 
                 in
                 destruction
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 all
                 too
                 full
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 miseries
                 ,
                 to
                 attend
                 theirs
                 .
                 And
                 all
                 these
                 in
                 Nature
                 are
                 perfect
                 Furies
                 ,
                 that
                 have
                 no
                 love
                 and
                 tenderness
                 for
                 others
                 .
                 For
                 Hell
                 is
                 no
                 place
                 for
                 pity
                 and
                 kindness
                 :
                 since
                 
                   he
                   that
                   dwells
                   in
                   Love
                   ,
                   dwells
                   in
                   God
                   ,
                
                 as
                 St.
                 John
                 says
                 ,
                 1
                 Joh.
                 4.
                 16.
                 
                 So
                 that
                 there
                 they
                 shall
                 have
                 no
                 Friend
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 help
                 ,
                 or
                 hearten
                 ,
                 or
                 sympathize
                 with
                 them
                 .
                 But
                 all
                 about
                 them
                 shall
                 spitefully
                 vex
                 and
                 reproach
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 add
                 more
                 to
                 their
                 burden
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 already
                 heavier
                 ,
                 by
                 far
                 ,
                 than
                 they
                 can
                 bear
                 .
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 there
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 still
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 extreamest
                 Torments
                 ,
                 gives
                 some
                 ease
                 and
                 recruit
                 of
                 Spirits
                 ,
                 tho'
                 it
                 cannot
                 give
                 a
                 full
                 deliverance
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 is
                 Rest
                 and
                 Sleep
                 .
                 And
                 shall
                 not
                 miserable
                 wretches
                 have
                 some
                 rest
                 from
                 these
                 Torments
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 
                   No
                   ;
                   for
                
                 the
                 smoke
                 of
                 their
                 Torment
                 ascendeth
                 up
                 for
                 ever
                 and
                 ever
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 have
                 no
                 rest
                 ,
                 day
                 nor
                 night
                 ,
                 
                   Rev.
                   14.
                   11.
                
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 But
                 if
                 this
                 Torment
                 ,
                 be
                 thus
                 without
                 all
                 intermission
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 violent
                 ,
                 sure
                 it
                 will
                 not
                 
                   last
                   long
                
                 ,
                 but
                 they
                 will
                 c●●●e
                 in
                 good
                 time
                 to
                 an
                 end
                 of
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 No
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 never
                 end
                 .
                 Their
                 Bodies
                 ,
                 as
                 I
                 noted
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 made
                 indissoluble
                 ,
                 and
                 immortal
                 ,
                 only
                 that
                 their
                 pains
                 may
                 be
                 immortal
                 .
                 
                   Their
                   worm
                   dieth
                   not
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   Fire
                   never
                   shall
                   be
                   quenched
                   ,
                
                 Mark
                 9.
                 43
                 ,
                 44.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 Good
                 God!
                 how
                 intolerable
                 ,
                 and
                 irremediable
                 is
                 this
                 State
                 ?
                 will
                 not
                 every
                 
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 believes
                 he
                 shall
                 unavoidably
                 suffer
                 all
                 this
                 for
                 persisting
                 wicked
                 ,
                 take
                 any
                 pains
                 ,
                 and
                 endure
                 any
                 hardships
                 in
                 Religion
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 amendment
                 of
                 his
                 Life
                 ,
                 to
                 prevent
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 Yes
                 ;
                 most
                 certainly
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 wise
                 use
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 make
                 of
                 it
                 .
                 
                   Knowing
                   the
                   Terrors
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                
                 in
                 executing
                 the
                 Wicked
                 after
                 the
                 last
                 Judgment
                 ,
                 
                   we
                   perswade
                   men
                
                 to
                 live
                 well
                 here
                 ,
                 without
                 which
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 avoiding
                 them
                 ,
                 2
                 Cor.
                 5.
                 11.
                 
              
               
                 Quest.
                 And
                 since
                 the
                 happiness
                 of
                 the
                 Righteous
                 ,
                 is
                 so
                 infinitely
                 lasting
                 ,
                 and
                 large
                 ;
                 must
                 not
                 the
                 belief
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 make
                 us
                 contemn
                 all
                 the
                 short
                 pleasures
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 bereave
                 us
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 think
                 all
                 the
                 sufferings
                 of
                 Virtue
                 ,
                 nothing
                 in
                 comparison
                 of
                 the
                 reward
                 ,
                 that
                 doth
                 attend
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Answ.
                 
                   Yes
                   ;
                   for
                   since
                
                 the
                 sufferings
                 of
                 this
                 present
                 Time
                 ,
                 are
                 not
                 worthy
                 to
                 be
                 compared
                 with
                 the
                 Glory
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 revealed
                 in
                 us
                 :
                 neither
                 Death
                 ,
                 nor
                 Life
                 ,
                 nor
                 Things
                 present
                 ,
                 nor
                 Things
                 to
                 come
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 other
                 Creature
                 ,
                 ●●all
                 be
                 able
                 to
                 separate
                 us
                 from
                 the
                 love
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 in
                 Christ
                 Jesus
                 our
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   Rom.
                   8.
                   18
                   ,
                   38
                   ,
                   39.
                   
                
              
            
             
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                 Pastoral
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                 .
              
            
          
           
             
             
               ERRATA
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                 PAg.
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         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A47309-e1180
           
             †
             Gal.
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             Phil.
             3.
             9.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             18.
             8.
             
          
           
             †
             Mar.
             1.
             15.
             
             &
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             1.
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             *
             2
             Thess.
             2.
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             Heb.
             10.
             26.
             
          
           
             †
             Joh.
             12.
             47
             ,
             48.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             11.
             1.
             
          
           
             †
             Jo.
             1.
             12.
             
          
           
             *
             Jo.
             3.
             33.
             
          
           
             †
             Jo
             6.
             35
             ,
             37
             ,
             64
             ,
             65.
             
          
           
             †
             Heb.
             10.
             25.
             
          
           
             †
             Heb.
             11.
             
          
           
             *
             Exod.
             12.
             22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             14.
             16.
             
          
           
             *
             Josh.
             2.
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             †
             Act.
             7.
             2.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             12.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             15.
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             ,
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             &c.
             21.
             12.
             
          
           
             *
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               Vid.
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             Gal.
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             See
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             †
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             9.
             
          
           
             *
             Rom.
             3.
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             Gal.
             2.
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             ,
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             †
             Gal.
             5.
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             *
             Rom.
             12.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Rom.
             2.
             28
             ,
             29.
             
          
           
             *
             Gal.
             6.
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             †
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             5.
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             *
             Tit.
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             †
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             Cor.
             3.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             *
             Gal.
             3.
             21
             ,
             22.
             &c.
             5.
             5.
             
          
           
             †
             Rom.
             4.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             &
             3.
             25.
             
          
           
             *
             Rom.
             10.
             4.
             
          
           
             †
             Rom.
             3.
             24
             ,
             25.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             30.
             
          
           
             †
             Ro.
             3.
             24.
             
          
           
             *
             Ro.
             3
             27.
             
             Eph.
             2.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             *
             Jam.
             2.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Luke
             17
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Eph.
             2.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             *
             Gal.
             5.
             22.
             
             Psal.
             37.
             37.
             
          
           
             †
             Rom.
             15.
             13.
             
          
           
             *
             Exod.
             25.
             21
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             †
             Num.
             ●7
             .
             21.
             
          
           
             *
             Lev.
             9.
             23
             ,
             24.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             King.
             8.
             11.
             
             &
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             80.
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             Lev.
             16.
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Lev.
             4.
             3
             ,
             25
             ,
             29.
             
             &
             5.
             6.
             
             &
             Psal.
             40.
             6.
             in
             all
             which
             for
             sin-offering
             the
             Septuagint
             use
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
             &
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             21.
             
          
           
             *
             Deut.
             12.
             11
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             *
             
               Lydiat
               Emend
               .
               temp
            
             .
             &c.
             An
             account
             of
             whose
             method
             ,
             and
             reasons
             ,
             may
             be
             seen
             in
             Dr.
             
             More
             's
             Expos.
             of
             
             Daniel's
             Visions
             ,
             on
             Vis.
             4.
             p.
             1●0
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             Ezra
             1.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             Ezra
             6.
             1
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             Ezra
             7.
             1
             ,
             8
             ,
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             *
             
               Lydiat
               Emend
               .
               temp
            
             .
             p.
             69
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               &
               Canon
               .
               Chron.
            
             p.
             54
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             †
             In
             Mr.
             
             Lydiat's
             Calculation
             of
             the
             Worlds
             Age
             ,
             a
             point
             differently
             fixed
             by
             most
             Chonologers
             ,
             whilst
             they
             agree
             in
             the
             other
             Calculations
             ,
             the
             twentieth
             year
             from
             the
             second
             Ol.
             77.
             is
             made
             
               A.
               M.
            
             3553.
             
          
           
             *
             See
             
               Lydiat
               Emend
               .
               Temp.
            
             p.
             134.
             
               &
               seq
            
             .
          
           
             †
             According
             to
             the
             
               AEra
               Hispan
               .
               in
               Tom.
               Co●cil
               .
            
             though
             according
             to
             the
             common
             computation
             't
             is
             45.
             
          
           
             *
             Num.
             4.
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             For
             Christ's
             Baptism
             in
             the
             19.
             
             Tib.
             see
             
               Lydiat
               Emend
               .
               Temp.
            
             p.
             168.
             
               &
               seq
            
             .
          
           
             *
             
               Lydiat
               ,
               ib.
               p.
            
             176.
             
               &
               seq
            
             .
             And
             of
             all
             these
             particulars
             more
             largely
             in
             his
             
               Recensio
               &
               Explicat
               .
               Argum.
               Lib.
               Emend
               .
               Temp.
               
            
          
           
             *
             Antiq.
             l.
             20.
             
             ●
             .
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             †
             Luke
             3.
             15
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             †
             
               Suet.
               in
               Vesp.
            
             c.
             4.
             
          
           
             *
             Isa.
             ●3
             .
             1
             ,
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             Jer.
             31.
             31
             ,
             32
             ,
             33.
             
          
           
             †
             Mal.
             4.
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             *
             Dan.
             9.
             
             ●6
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             *
             
               De
               Verit.
            
             l.
             5.
             c.
             14.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid.
             Episcop
             .
             Instit
             .
             l.
             3.
             c.
             5.
             
          
           
             *
             Prov.
             30.
             18
             ,
             19.
             
          
           
             *
             Vid
             Seld.
             ●x
             .
             Heb.
             l.
             2.
             c.
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             Verse
             1.
             
          
           
             †
             Chap.
             7.
             1.
             
          
           
             a
             Isa.
             1.
             26.
             
             &
             62.
             4.
             
          
           
             b
             Jer.
             3.
             17.
             
          
           
             c
             Ezek.
             48.
             35.
             
          
           
             d
             Zec.
             8.
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             Verse
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             Chap.
             7.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             †
             Heb.
             1.
             5.
             
          
           
             *
             Ps.
             69.
             21.
             
          
           
             †
             Zech.
             12.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Ps.
             16.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             13.
             55.
             
             Mar.
             6.
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             26.
             15.
             
          
           
             *
             Mat.
             27.
             7.
             
          
           
             †
             Luk.
             22.
             &
             chap.
             23.
             
          
           
             *
             Jo.
             19.
             1.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             26.
             67.
             
          
           
             *
             Mar.
             15.
             27
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             26.
             65.
             
          
           
             †
             Lev.
             24.
             16.
             
          
           
             *
             John
             19.
             28
             ,
             29.
             
             &
             Matth
             27.
             34
             ,
             48.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             27.
             41
             ,
             43.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             27.
             46.
             
          
           
             †
             John
             19.
             34.
             
          
           
             *
             John
             19.
             23
             ,
             24.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             27.
             60.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             27.
             57.
             
          
           
             †
             Mark
             15.
             43.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             5.
             36
             ,
             37.
             
          
           
             *
             Exod.
             23.
             20
             ,
             21.
             
             Gal.
             3.
             19.
             
          
           
             †
             Zech
             9.
             9.
             
          
           
             *
             Is.
             52.
             7.
             
             &
             61.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Jer.
             31.
             34.
             
          
           
             *
             Dan.
             9.
             24
             
          
           
             †
             Zech.
             13.
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             Jer.
             31.
             33.
             
             &
             Heb.
             8.
             10.
             
          
           
             †
             Mr.
             Smith
             of
             a
             Legal
             Right
             .
             ch
             .
             2.
             o●t
             of
             
               Breshith
               Rabba
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Lev.
             20.
             10.
             
          
           
             †
             Mal.
             1.
             11.
             
          
           
             *
             Verse
             2
             ,
             4
             ▪
             
          
           
             *
             De
             Divinat
             .
             l.
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Vid.
             Euseb
             .
             Praep.
             Evang.
             l.
             5.
             c.
             16.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             
               Vid.
               Euseb
               .
               Praep.
               Evang.
               l.
            
             5.
             c.
             1.
             
             
               &
               Th●●dor
               .
               de
               curand
               .
               Graec.
               Affect
               .
               l.
            
             10.
             
          
           
             †
             Under
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Euseb.
             de
             vit
             .
             Constant
             .
             l.
             2.
             c.
             50
             ,
             51.
             
          
           
             †
             
               Sozom.
               Hist.
               Eccl.
               l.
            
             5.
             c.
             19.
             
             
               &
               Th●od
               .
               Hist.
               Eccl.
               l.
            
             3.
             c.
             10
             ▪
             
               &
               Chrys.
               Homil.
               〈◊〉
               S.
               Ba●
               .
            
          
           
             *
             Instit.
             l.
             4.
             c.
             27.
             
          
           
             †
             De
             M●r●
             .
             Persec
             .
             c.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Apol.
             c.
             23.
             
          
           
             *
             De
             Idol
             .
             Van.
             p.
             30.
             
          
           
             *
             Tertull.
             Apol.
             c.
             39.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             3
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             †
             Dial.
             cum
             Tryph.
             
          
           
             *
             John
             1.
             27.
             
          
           
             †
             Antiq.
             l.
             18.
             
             ●
             .
             7.
             
          
           
             †
             Deut.
             18.
             22.
             
          
           
             *
             John
             8.
             14.
             
          
           
             †
             John
             17.
             5.
             
          
           
             *
             John
             16.
             28.
             
             &
             8.
             42.
             
          
           
             †
             John
             8.
             38.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             8.
             4
             
             &
             9.
             30.
             
             &
             12.
             16.
             
          
           
             †
             John
             5.
             30.
             
             &
             14.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Luke
             11.
             20.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             9.
             8
             
             &
             15.
             31.
             
             Luke
             7.
             16.
             
             &
             18.
             43.
             
          
           
             *
             Luke
             2.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             2.
             
          
           
             *
             Luke
             2.
             22.
             
          
           
             †
             Ver.
             25
             ,
             26
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             36
             ,
             37
             ,
             38
             ,
             &c
             ▪
             
          
           
             *
             ●
             Tim.
             3.
             8.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             16.
             21.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             20.
             19.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             24
             9
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             24.
             11
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             28.
             20.
             
             &
             16.
             18.
             
          
           
             *
             De
             Divinat
             .
             l.
             2.
             
          
           
             *
             Suet.
             in
             Jul.
             c.
             81.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             King.
             22.
             22.
             
          
           
             †
             Job
             1.
             12
             ,
             15
             ,
             1●
             .
          
           
             *
             Luke
             22.
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             Apol.
             c.
             22.
             
          
           
             †
             Gen.
             15.
             13.
             ●
             
          
           
             *
             Jer.
             25.
             12.
             
             &c.
             29.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             King.
             13.
             2.
             
             &
             Isa.
             44.
             28.
             
          
           
             *
             Eclog.
             4.
             
          
           
             †
             De
             Divin
             .
             l.
             2.
             
          
           
             *
             Num.
             24.
             
          
           
             †
             Hag.
             2.
             7.
             
          
           
             *
             Apol.
             c.
             22.
             
          
           
             *
             Luke
             6.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             Matth.
             9.
             4.
             
          
           
             †
             Mar.
             5.
             42.
             
          
           
             *
             Luke
             7.
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             †
             John
             11
             ▪
             39
             ,
             44.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             17.
             18
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             28.
             1.
             
             &
             1
             Chron.
             23.
             13.
             
          
           
             *
             Deut.
             12.
             11
             ,
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             &
             John
             4.
             20.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             49.
             
             ●0
             .
          
           
             *
             Exod.
             12.
             17.
             
          
           
             †
             Lev.
             23.
             14.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             23
             31.
             
             &
             Num.
             33.
             52.
             
          
           
             *
             Deut.
             23.
             12.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             40.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Sam.
             1.
             22.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             21.
             6.
             
          
           
             *
             Lev.
             25.
             40
             ,
             41.
             
          
           
             †
             Mic.
             4.
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             20.
             
          
           
             †
             Heb.
             2.
             5.
             
          
           
             *
             Gal.
             3.
             24.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             2.
             24
             ,
             32.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             7.
             55.
             
          
           
             †
             Act.
             26.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             16.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A47309-e32160
           
             *
             Rom.
             1.
             23
             ,
             25.
             
             Is.
             44.
             20.
             
          
           
             †
             Is.
             40.
             18.
             
          
           
             †
             Psal.
             89.
             18.
             
             Isa.
             6.
             3.
             
             Habak
             .
             1.
             12.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             Dr.
             
               Hammond's
               Annot
            
             .
             on
             Rom.
             9.
             18.
             
          
           
             *
             Joh.
             13.
             27.
             
          
           
             †
             Matth.
             8.
             32.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             †
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             :
             or
             as
             the
             Syriack
             Version
             reads
             it
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             *
             De
             Spectac
             .
             c.
             26.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             †
             Dr.
             
               Lightsoot's
               Hor.
               Heb.
            
             in
             Joh.
             12.
             31.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             18.
             17.
             
          
           
             *
             Psal.
             5.
             5.
             
             Prov.
             21.
             27.
             
             &
             chap.
             28.
             9.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Cor.
             10.
             20.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Sam.
             2.
             23
             ,
             24
             ,
             29.
             &
             chap.
             3.
             13.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Sam.
             2.
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Tim.
             2.
             4.
             2
             
             Pet.
             3.
             9.
             
             Ezek.
             33.
             11.
             
          
           
             †
             Ezek.
             33.
             11.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             13.
             13.
             
             Exod.
             12.
             41.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Pet
             4.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Matth.
             6.
             25.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             39.
             22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             †
             Gen.
             27.
             
          
           
             *
             Psal.
             66.
             3
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             †
             Chap.
             12.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Chron.
             21.
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             17.
             28.
             
          
           
             †
             Dan.
             3.
             27.
             
          
           
             *
             Dan.
             6.
             22.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             28.
             5.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             12.
             13
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             *
             Psal.
             91.
             1
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             †
             John
             7.
             30.
             
          
           
             *
             Job
             1.
             12.
             
             &
             2.
             6.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Pet.
             1.
             16.
             
             Matth.
             5.
             48.
             
          
           
             *
             Ver.
             23
             ,
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26
             ,
             30.
             
          
           
             *
             Jer.
             18.
             6.
             
             Rom.
             9.
             21.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A47309-e49900
           
             †
             Joh.
             16.
             13.
             
          
           
             †
             Jo.
             1.
             3.
             
          
           
             *
             Heb.
             1.
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             Heb.
             1.
             6.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Cor.
             1.
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Mat.
             28.
             16.
             
          
           
             †
             Mat.
             27.
             26.
             30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             *
             ver
             .
             29.
             
          
           
             †
             Luk.
             23.
             33.
             
          
           
             †
             Antiqu.
             l.
             18.
             5.
             
          
           
             †
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             †
             Mar.
             16.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Joseph
             .
             Antiqu.
             l.
             7.
             c.
             11.
             
          
           
             †
             2
             King.
             11.
             5
             7.
             
             &
             2
             Chron.
             23.
             4.
             
          
           
             †
             Act.
             1.
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             Deut.
             18.
             18
             ,
             21
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             24.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
             Ezek.
             1.
             27
             ,
             28.
             
          
           
             *
             Luk.
             16.
             26.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             6
             ,
             8
             ,
             20
             ,
             51.
             
             &
             1
             Thes.
             3.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             *
             Luk.
             16.
             25.
             
          
           
             †
             Luk.
             14.
             14.
             2
             
             Thess.
             1.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Kings
             15.
             29
             ,
             30
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             †
             Rom.
             4.
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             *
             Heb.
             8.
             12.
             
          
           
             †
             Deut.
             6.
             5.
             
             Mat.
             22.
             37.
             
          
           
             †
             2
             Chron.
             16.
             ver
             .
             1
             ,
             10
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             1
             Sam.
             21
             1
             ,
             2.
             2
             
             Sam.
             19.
             29.
             2
             
             Chron.
             35
             21
             ,
             22
             ,
             23.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             †
             Act.
             23.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             5.
             
          
           
             †
             Luk.
             10.
             27.
             
          
           
             †
             Dan.
             12.
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Cor.
             15
             41
             ,
             4●
             .
          
           
             †
             Joh.
             14.
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Mat.
             25.
             15.
             
          
           
             †
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             †
             Rev.
             1.
             7.
             
          
           
             †
             Rev.
             6.
             15
             16.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Cor.
             2.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             *
             Ps.
             139.
             7.
             
          
           
             †
             Heb.
             9.
             14.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             1.
             2.
             
             Job
             26.
             13.
             
          
           
             †
             Isa.
             42.
             8.
             and
             48.
             11.
             
          
           
             *
             Mat.
             28.
             19.
             
          
           
             †
             2
             Cor.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             *
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             †
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             .
          
           
             †
             John
             16.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             *
             Acts
             10.
             
             &
             Ch.
             11.
             
          
           
             †
             Dan.
             9.
             24.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             John
             2.
             20.
             
          
           
             †
             John
             14.
             26.
             
          
           
             *
             John
             16.
             13.
             
          
           
             *
             John
             2.
             20.
             17.
             
          
           
             Rev.
             13.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             &
             16.
             14.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             19.
             16
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             †
             Act.
             16.
             12
             ,
             22
             ,
             23
             24.
             
          
           
             †
             Act.
             17.
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             10.
             
          
           
             †
             Part.
             1.
             c.
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             See
             Part
             1.
             
             Ch.
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Jo.
             16.
             7.
             and
             c.
             14.
             16
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             †
             
               Canon
               .
               Apost
            
             .
             10.
             12.
             32.
             
             
               Et
               Concil
            
             .
             Nicen
             .
             
               prim
               .
               Cap.
            
             5.
             
             
               &
               Ep.
               Cler.
               Rom.
               ad
            
             Cypr.
             Ep.
             30.
             
               ed.
               
               Oxon.
            
             
          
           
             *
             Canon
             .
             Apost
             .
             12.
             vid.
             Zonar
             .
             in
             loc
             .
             &
             Cap.
             33.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             28.
             
             Eph.
             4.
             11.
             
          
           
             †
             ver
             .
             14.
             
          
           
             †
             ver
             .
             19.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             24.
             5.
             14.
             
          
           
             †
             Col.
             3.
             12
             
             Tit.
             1.
             1.
             
          
           
             *
             Act.
             9.
             30
             
             &
             14.
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Act.
             11.
             26.
             
          
           
             *
             Rom.
             1.
             7.
             1
             
             Cor.
             14.
             33.
             
             Jude
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             Exod.
             30
             7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             *
             Luke
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             Gen.
             20.
             7.
             
          
           
             †
             Rom.
             12.
             18.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Joh.
             4.
             15.
             
             &
             c.
             5.
             1.
             
          
           
             †
             Not
             the
             Purgatory
             Fire
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             ,
             which
             is
             only
             for
             Sinners
             ,
             whose
             Sins
             ,
             not
             fully
             purged
             before
             ,
             are
             to
             be
             purged
             there
             ,
             either
             by
             the
             Fire
             it self
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             
               Application
               of
               others
               merits
            
             ,
             in
             Indulgences
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             help
             of
             
               Masses
               ,
               Prayers
            
             ,
             or
             Alms
             done
             for
             them
             ,
             by
             their
             Friends
             on
             Earth
             .
             And
             all
             this
             ,
             
               before
               the
               Day
               of
               judgement
            
             ;
             they
             themselves
             ,
             after
             that
             is
             once
             pass'd
             ,
             owning
             only
             Eternal
             Punishments
             .
             Whereas
             ,
             the
             Fire
             here
             spoken
             of
             ,
             besides
             its
             liableness
             to
             metaphorical
             interpretations
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             litteral
             ,
             is
             
               at
               the
               Day
               of
               judgment
               .
               The
               Day
               ,
               viz.
            
             That
             great
             signal
             Day
             ,
             which
             tryes
             and
             
               manifests
               all
               Actions
            
             ,
             and
             which
             
               shall
               be
               revealed
               by
               Fire
            
             (
             the
             proper
             Character
             and
             Description
             of
             the
             
               Day
               of
               judgement
            
             in
             Scriptute
             ,
             2
             Thes.
             1.
             7
             ,
             8.
             )
             
               shall
               declare
               it
            
             ,
             v.
             13.
             as
             several
             of
             the
             Fathers
             talk
             of
             a
             
               Purging
               Fire
               ,
               viz.
            
             The
             great
             Fire
             at
             the
             end
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             which
             they
             fancy'd
             might
             prove
             all
             things
             else
             ,
             when
             it
             refines
             the
             Earth
             ,
             and
             Heavens
             .
             And
             this
             Fire
             is
             further
             said
             ,
             to
             be
             for
             the
             Tryal
             of
             
               every
               Man
            
             ,
             and
             of
             
               every
               Work
               ,
               Gold
            
             and
             Silver
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             Wood
             ,
             and
             Stubble
             :
             not
             only
             for
             the
             punishment
             of
             evil
             Works
             ,
             and
             unpurged
             evil
             Workers
             ,
             as
             theirs
             is
             ,
             v.
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             †
             Gal
             5.
             2
             ,
             4.
             
             &
             Ch.
             1.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             &c.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.
             12.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Cor.
             5.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Cor.
             8.
             
          
           
             †
             v.
             4.
             
             &
             Ch.
             10.
             19.
             
          
           
             †
             Cambd.
             Eliz.
             
               ad
               An.
            
             1570.
             
          
           
             Chap.
             3.
             
          
           
             †
             Mat.
             13.
             47.
             
          
           
             *
             ver
             .
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             30.
             
          
           
             *
             Rom.
             12
             ▪
             13.
             1
             
             Pet.
             4.
             9.
             
             Heb.
             13.
             2.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             6.
             23.
             
          
           
             †
             2
             Sam.
             12
             ,
             13.
             1
             
             Tim.
             1.
             13
             16.
             
             Mat.
             26.
             70.
             
          
           
             †
             2
             Sam.
             11.
             
          
           
             *
             Ps.
             51.
             10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             †
             Luk.
             22.
             56
             ,
             58
             ,
             59.
             
          
           
             †
             Ep.
             ad
             Januar.
             &c.
             
             &
             Ep.
             ad
             Magnum
             .
             Ep.
             69
             ,
             70.
             
             Ed.
             Oxon.
             
          
           
             †
             Apolog.
             c.
             39.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Thess.
             4.
             17.
             
          
           
             †
             Phil.
             3.
             21
             
          
           
             †
             Luke
             23.
             43.
             
          
           
             *
             Luke
             16.
             22.
             
          
           
             †
             Eph
             2.
             2.
             
          
           
             †
             Rev.
             3.
             21.
             
          
           
             *
             1
             Pet.
             5.
             4.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Jo.
             3.
             1
             
          
           
             *
             Rom.
             8.
             17.
             
          
           
             †
             Rev.
             21.
             7.
             
          
           
             *
             Eph.
             4.
             10.
             
          
           
             †
             1
             Tim.
             6.
             16.
             
          
           
             †
             Phil.
             1.
             21
             ,
             23.