Three Questions Resolved Briefly and Plainly, Postscript
Poſtſcript.
THE Deſires of ſome, and ſuppoſed Needs of others, invite me to place here this ſhorter Solution of the third Queſtion.
The Change in us, which ſheweth Salvation to be come on us, is twofold; Intellectual, and Practical. Of our Underſtandings, and of our Converſations [We do not Omit that of the Affections, but comprehend it in the other.]
The Intellectual Change is then, and not till then, when four things are Learned, and are alſo a Learning better by us.
1. The Principles of the Doctrine of Chriſt. The Doctrines which are the Foundations. We have ſhewn them, upon the ſecond Queſtion. Who can think him ſavingly Built on Chriſt, that knows not the very firſt Stones to be laid in that Spiritual Building?
2. The Concluſions from the Principles foreſaid. The Doctrines, that are for Upbuilding on Chriſt. Theſe alſo have been ſet forth with the fore-mentioned. Building on, is as neceſſary as the Laying of the Foundation is. Neither is it ſavingly Laid, where the Holy Spirit is not teaching, and a Soul learning to Build up and Build on. To wit, that it may become a complete Temple for the Holy Spirit, Epheſ. 4.12, 13, 15. 2 Pet. 2.4, 5.
3. The Confirmations of the ſaid Principles. The Doctrines Proving, and Strengthening them. And Warranting our Foundation and Superſtructure; Securing 'em againſt Winds of Oppoſition. 'Tis as needful to cover and preſerve what we build, from the injuries of weather, as it is to build, Epheſ. 4.12, 16.
4. The Applications of the mention'd Principles. The Doctrines directing their Improvement unto Duties, as well Relative, as Perſonal. What are Means worth, but for the Ends of them? What good do all Truths in our Minds, if not improved unto all holy Services in our Lives? Who would Build and Cover a Houſe, but for Uſe to themſelves and their Friends? Savingly, the Spirit has not Built and Strengthned us in Chriſt, if he has not taught us to make our Life a ſervice to Him. And to make His Will, not our own, our Law and Rule. Our Rule, for behaviour toward God, Our Selves, Neighbours, Friends, Enemies, Superiors, Inferiors, Equals.
The ignorant, and the liſtleſs to know the firſt of theſe be Owls and Bats. Thoſe that be the like, to know the ſecond, be Dwarfs, yea Embryo's. Souls regardleſs to know the third, be Sand-builders, and lie at the mercy of the Weather. And the mindleſs of the fourth, be barren Heaths. All ſhort of what they ſhould be: yea contrary to what they muſt be, if ever they paſs from Death to Life.
The Practical Change is then, when four things can be ſaid of a Man.
1. That he is Changed as far as Felix, Agrippa, and Herod. That he is one that Trembles at God's Word. Has an Inclination to be a very Chriſtian. Hears the Word preach'd gladly. Otherwiſe he is not ſo much as a Waſhed, Swine, or Painted Sepulchre.
2. That he is Changed farther; and as a Stone into a Flame of Fire. A Stone, is Dark, Cold, and Inclines downward to its earthy Centre. Fire is Bright, Hot Active, and that Upward. To ſay a Man is thus Changed, is to ſay that of Ignorant, he is made Knowing. Of Liſtleſs, he is made Zealous for God in Chriſt. Of Induſtrious for Earth, he is made ſo for Heaven
3. That he is Changed into the Man of God by Saint Paul's Character. That is, a man throughly furniſhed for every good work. I mean every one, from him required as a Church-Member, e. gr. For Reading and Hearing the Word profitably … for Uſing of Baptiſm and the Lord's Supper ſo; and for ſubmitting unto Church-diſcipline, ſo; Not to ſay, for Governing his Family holily, &c. which are imported. By being furniſhed hereto, I underſtand prepared with neceſſary Skill and Zeal.
4. That he is Changed from a Demas into a Martyr. That is, that of a fearer of the Croſs more than of the Loſs of the immortal Crown, he be made in reſolution a Martyr. And become reſolved, by God's grace, to die any the worſt death rather than commit any the leaſt ſin. To be ſalted with fiery Tryals, rather than with Hell's fire.
FINIS.