Exposition of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 4 · Verse 13

Exposition of Ecclesiastes · Chapter 4 · Verse 13

p. 161Vers. XIII. Better is a poor and a wise Child, than an Old and foolish King, who will no more be admonished (Heb. knoweth not to be admonished.

This poor wise Child, is the true Saint, as run down under the Cross, from a rich, prosperous, fruitful state of his natural spirit, into poverty and barrenness; from the fading beauty, visage, and glory thereof, in the restor'd Life and Image of the Earthy, into a weak, despicable, and (in the sight and judgment of the self-confident, flourishing first-covenant Saint, in holy flesh) shameful condition; yea, in the marr'd visage, glory, life, and wisdom of Man (all the other looks upon, or trusts in, for salvation) the very filth of the World, and offscouring of all things. All this, Paul, when a Gospel-Saint, rich, wise, strong, and honourable in the Lord (even in that spiritual Life, which yet lies hid with Christ in God) seem'd to the Law-Saint. A, who but he, a non-such was he, when an eminent Law-Saint, in his own holy flesh, or restor'd nature. But, when a true, Gospel-Saint, p. 162in Christ's Holy Spirit, a meer no body, or worse, with them that still are where and what he was; his righteous Brother Pharises, and other Professours. Once, beyond them all, at Holiness: now, … … of the World, the off scouring of all things; 1 Cor. 4. 13. See you what the Judgment of Man's Wisdom, at best, is, about persons or things, that belong to God? Or, will ye never see? Take heed of that. If any had whereof to Glory (and rest on, for Salvation) in Holy Flesh; Paul, more, when but there; Phil. 3. 4. Just Job's case, in the eye of his three Friends, far Inferiour to what he had been, in the Light, Wisdom, and Righteousness of that Holy flesh-state of restored naturals. And thus is it, universally, with all true Saints, when passing under the Cross, out of the Holy-flesh Church or House on the Sand, into God's Holy-spirited Church upon the Rock; from a Law, to a Gospel-Principle and State of Life. David's familiar Friends and Companions in a first-Covenant House, People, or Church of God (Intoxicated and Drunk with Satan's Charms, and Wine, there, in the first-Covenant, so as to despise Christ's Kingdom-Wine in the second) on his withdrawing and removal under the Cross (upon all that Life, Principle, Doctrin, State, and things of Man) for Salvation, in, the second, they became his forest Enemies. They lifted up the Heel (Heb. magnified themselvs, above and) against him; Psal. 41. 9. Am I become your Enemy, say's Paul, on this very single account, because I tell you the truth? Preach a Gospel State, to you? Gal. 4. 16. David, though a King, became a Song of those Mystical Drunkards (Ps. 69. 12.) Drunk with Satan's first Creation-Wine, that gratified their natural Palate, Belly, or Appetite; the Belly, that's but for such Meats, as will perish with it; 1 Cor. 6. 13. They that sate in the Gate, spoke against him. Was not the great Lord and Master, Christ himself, thus handled? Despised and Rejected of Men, even his own People in the first-Covenant, for Witnessing and Practicing the Doctrin of the second? Isai. 52. 14. and 53. 2, 3. Jo. 1. 11. Was not Job (the next signal instance, for suffering, to his Lord) thus handled, on the self-same account, by his first-Covenant Friends, when brought under the sharp Disciplin of the Cross, in order to the second? They vex'd; … broke him in pieces, with reiterated, frequent, and continued … Words. They made themselvs … to him. … … themselvs p. 163against him, in pleading his Reproach, when God was Stripping him (by his Cross-work, on that State) of the fading Glory … that State, and taking that Crown from his Head (Job. 19. 2-19.) which he had long worn and enjoy'd, as a first-Covenant Prince or King in the Army (Job 29. 25.) of that sort of Pseudo-Fift-Monarchist's. Thus was Poor Job destroy'd, and gone, on every side; forsaken and abandon'd, on all hands, by God and Men, as to any more or farther Comfort in that state he had king'd it, in, over his fellow-Mortals. His very inward, Bosome-Friends abhorr'd him. And, was not Paul so handled by his Friends, presently after his quitting their Law-Principle and House on the Sand, for Christ's Gospel-Principle and House on the Rock? The next news we hear of him, is he, signally, beyond other Gospel-Saints and Apostles, Persecuted by Law-spirited Jews, at Damascus; Act. 9. 19-25. 2 Cor. 11. 32, 33. What cleer, plain, undeniable instances are here? Who would think, any sober Man (whose obstinate will does not bribe off, Pervert, Obstruct, and deafen his understanding) could withstand such undeniable demonstration, in this case? I would. For, who believ's the report? Who takes any spiritual, Gospel-Testimony, with whatever undeniable Demonstration, attended and Ratified? No Man, in the single Wisdom of humane nature, at best, when made Wise, Strong, and Honourable in Christ, but there; Jo. 3. 32. 1 Cor. 4. 10. The natural Man, even in awak'ned Spiritual Saints, is ready and apt to wonder at this. But, retreating to the Sanctuary-Light of their Spiritual Man, they see how matters go, and the wonderment ceases. The Spiritual Man, the true Watchman, Prophet, and Seer of God, is a Fool, Mad, a Snare, Hatred it self; Where? With whom? With a first-Covenant People, and House of his God; Hos. 9. 7, 8. Was this alway's so? Is it so, even now? (Gal. 4. 29.) will it be so, to the end of this World and Satan's Reign? E'ne cease wondring then, at it, O Saints of the most High. What? Wonder at what has bin the constant course and Practice of Humane nature, in all mankind, corrupt or righteous, Popish or Reform'd, true Saints themselvs not excepted, till unwoman'd by the Cross, as to their mutable, fickle, Womanish Spirit of nature, and made actual Partakers of Christ's manly Life, in his Gospel-Spirit of Grace, springing up from the quick'ned Incorruptible Seed thereof? 1 Pet. 1. 23.

p. 164Be not dismay'd, to see the Law-Church of God, your Brethren in the first-covenant, Children, Spouses of Christ as a sleshly Bridegroom, in their Holy Flesh, turning themselvs into a Synagogue of Satan, and serving his designs, in persecuting Christ's Gospel-Church, in his Holy Spirit; sitting and speaking Blasphemies, against them; Psal. 50. 20, 21. Paul, when a new-Covenant, Gospel-Saint, was a Fool, weak, and despicable to Law-Saints, in the renew'd old, or first. These were still Wise, Strong, and Honourable in Christ, after the flesh, as to both Inherent and Imputed Righteousness, from him, Sanctifying and justifying them, according to the Tenour of that changable first-Covenant Life and State. True Saints, when, with Paul, Job, and others, they find all that, to be but a fading flower, altogether Vanity, or a vanishing Shadow (however good in its kind, and beautiful in its day and season) a Glory to be done away; away they sling it, as Dung, for Christ in his Spiritual, Resurrection-Life, and Gospel-State. Paul also advises others to become Fools, with him, as to the Law-Wisdom of Man, in the first-Covenant, for the Gospel-Wisdom of God, in the second; 1 Cor. 3. 18. In short, Paul was a Poor Wise Child, in Christ's newness of Life, or second Covenant, that had (with the doting, first-Covenant, Law-spirited Corinthians) bin, for a season, an old Foolish King, in the … of letter, his restor'd old first-Creation spirit of nature: But, with this difference; not a fix'd, knowing, wilful one, that would no more be admonish'd. For, as discover'd therein, what he amounted to, and convincingly shew'd and offer'd a more excellent life and way; immediatly, he conferr'd not with Flesh and Blood (consulted not with, or listned to the reasonings of the first-Covenant Wisdom of Man, in himself or others) but, was Obedient to the Heavenly Vision. Trembling, and astonish'd, he said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Act. 9. 6. Had he (after such convincing discovery of his folly and Madness, in Persecuting the Gospel-Spirit and Truths of Christ, in his Saints) obstinately persisted therein, he had bin absolutely unpardonable. But, he did it ignorantly, 1 Tim. 1. 13. For, as soon as he knew a better, a Gospel-Life, and more excellent way of obeying and Worshipping God, he instantly yielded to God's terms, the death of his Law-principled, Persecuting nature, as …, for Christ's Gospel-Life. He found the Corinthians, after all this, confident in that p. 165State, he was in, when a Persecutor; Full, Rich, and Reigning as Kings; Wise, Strong and Honourable, in first-Covenant Attainments, from Christ himself, after the flesh. They were brought out of the corrupt, into the righteous Life of theirnature; and so, into some good degree of Conformity to the Life of Christ, that first Covenant Life of the Law, under which he was Born of a Woman: But, were, in no degree of Conformity to Christ, in the obedient death of that state, in Sacrifice to God. So, if they finally refused Paul's Counsel, Example, and Admonitions, for becoming Fools, Weak, Poor, and Despicable there (as he had done, in following Christ's own example and Counsel) they proved themselvs (with thousands of others) in all Ages and Generations, the very Old, Foolish, doting Kings, here meant; and Paul, with his true Gospel-Disciples and Followers, proved themselvs the Poor Wise Children of God, in a newness of Life; a Wisdom, a Glory, never to be done away. He was content, with Christ, to have his Visage Marr'd, his fading Law-Life and Glory, in the restor'd Image of the earthy, or first Adam, done away, as the undispensible means, of receiving the Life and Image of the Heavenly, or second Adam; 1 Cor. 15. 49. Job (with other first-Covenant Saints or Holy Men, in their own restor'd nature) while in the dark, and (in great measure, if not altogether) ignorant, for a season, as to the spiritual Life and Glory that was to follow (and fall to his lot) was sorely afraid, all along, in the flourish and fruitfulness of his own nature in first-Covenant attainments) of losing all, again; Job. 3. 25. That sort of Life, carries, in its very fading nature, something of a convincing, self-evidencing Demonstration, to the richest Possessour thereof, that it may be all lost again, come to nothing; and so, stand him in no stead, as to Salvation, or any safety, in a day of greatest necessity. The thing I greatly fear'd, is come upon me. What thing? Mystical Wrinckles and Leannes brought upon his smooth, fat, flourishing, rich and full natural spirit, or Man. And, these did bear Witness to his Face, against him; Job 16. 8. For What? For his Foolish, self-flattering thought, that the wisdom and glory of his own restor'd nature, amounted to any thing of true happiness. By the Blasts of God's Temporary Wrath (or dispensation of the Cross, upon it, and him therein) he found all, withering and dying away. All that, in p. 166all that have it, is subject to Mystical Rust, Moth-eating, corrupting, and becomming a Prey to Thieves; as Christ himself warns, with advice to all, to look after that Heavenly Treasure, and Life, that's liable to none of these things, Mat. 6. 19, 20. Such first-Covenant, … Riches, wisdom and glory (in the Possession and Enjoyment whereof, Men are apt to think they need nothing, as to true blessedness) is but a state, in which they are Wretched, Miserable, Poor, Blind, and Naked; wanting every thing that's durably, everlastingly, and unchangably good; Rev. 3. 17. The Mystical Riches and Garments, Gold and Silver of Laodicean, first-Covenant Saints, finally trusted in, will, by the Corrupted, Moth-eaten, Cankered, Rusty state thereof, be sound at last day, witnessing against them, in them, to their faces, as Fools and Madmen, for having wilfully trusted therein, against Gods plentiful warning them, the experience of all Mankind, and their certain knowledg, that they trusted in a lie, a meer Vanity, for Salvation. God, by his Prophet, calls all the righteousnesses of Man, in a first-Covenant Life of Enmity to him, and the second, a fading Leaf, an unclean Thing, a menstruous Cloth, or silthy Raggs; Isal. 64. 6. Enmity to God, that's filth of spirit, is found in them, and all their righteous works. Trusting in this fading slower, their own enlightned and enliven'd nature, with all possible Ornaments and Embellishments thereof (that God, by Christ, and all his Holy Prophets and Apostles, since the World began, has warn'd them of the … of, for true hapiness) will render all, that finally so do, undeniably guilty of inexcusable folly. True Saints rejoyce, and Glory with Paul, under the death-work of the Cross, upon all that, which such wilful Mistakers, trust in, for Salvation; Gal. 6. 14. That which Crucifies the World to Man, and him to the World, all worldly Life or desire in Man, to all or any worldly desirables (and those to him) is far from giving any true ground to the natural Man of the Saint, to complain of, or murmure with Zipporah, in letter, against Moses) at Christ, as a hard Master, a Bloody Husband unto them, by reason of the spiritual Circumcision. For, this cuts off Holy Flesh (kills and offer's up righteous nature, in Sacrifice to God) as that, which cannot enter (1 Cor. 15. 50.) but lets and hinders Man's entrance into the Kingdom of God, or God's Kingdom's entring into him, by his receiving Christs Kingdom-spirit p. 167into him, so as to have the Kingdom of Heaven within him; … Life, abiding in him. Christ tells us, therefore, his Yoke is easy; and Burden, light. His Cross, or death-work on nature, corrupt or righteous, in Publican or Pharisee, is so far, if rightly consider'd and understood, from being a frightful and unsupportably Burdensome and Embondaging a thing, that it is the only undispensable means and way of taking away from Man, the unsupportable Burden of Sin and Punishment, which otherwise, nature at best, will bring upon its own head, in a state of everlasting Bondage and Death. 'Tis the only Curer of all Diseases in, the remover of all Evils of Sin and Punishment, from Man, by the death of the continually guilty Sinner, the natural Man or Spirit, corrupt or righteous; and so, the bringer of the whole person of the Saint, into a Life and State of Everlasting Rest and true Blessedness. All this, have we, from Christ's own Mouth; Mat. 11. 28-30. Christ himself Marr'd the form of Godliness, the Image of the earthy, his first-Covenant Law-Life, his fading Glory, Beauty and Visage, when he had taken it, in our nature, even spotles Holy flesh. He had more of it to Marre, and so, was it more Marr'd in him, then it can be Marr'd in any other Man. And he Marr'd it, to some other ends and purposes, then it is Marr'd in his Saints and followers. He answer'd for the Sins of Mankind, aton'd or appeas'd the Wrath of God, thereby, &c. None of these things are done, by any obedient followers of his suffering-Steps. But, 'tis their duty, to submit to the renting of the Vail of their (but in part) Holy flesh, as he did, of his perfect Holy flesh, as the undispensable way of entring within the Vail, into the true Holy of Holies, and so, of ever comming where he now is. Will such death and loss, expose to Contradiction, Shame, and Contempt from Men; from Wise, Holy, first-Covenant Saints? Such despised and rejected, contradicted, and Blasphem'd all Christ's Gospel, new-Covenant Doctrin, and Crucified his Person; Isai. 52. 14. 53. 3. Heb. 12. 2, …. The new and living way (yea, and the old and only way) by which, any ever could enter within the Vail, into the true Holy of Holies, is that, which Christ Consecrated for us, by … his fleshly Vail, or Holy flesh, his righteous natural state, that was a Vail, a Wall of Partition, between even our fleshly nature, in his own person, and the Holy of Holies. He therefore, p. 168did not the Will, spoke not the Words of that understanding, in our fleshly nature, though pure, spotless, and perfect, in its kind; but suffer'd (yea, in and by his Holy Spirit, put it to) death.

The changably righteous Law-spirit, in Christ himself, was not the infallible Gospel-Preacher: but, his everlasting righteous Gospel-spirit, that Preach'd death to the natural, Law-spirit, in himself & all others. He, herein, spoke the words, did the works (Joh. 14. 10.) and will of the Father that sent him (Joh. 4. 34.) even in preaching death to, and kindling the mystical fire of his heavenly spirit upon his own earthly, and crucifying his own natural, fleshly understanding and will, though perfect in its kind. This is the work, his Father sent him to do, which when finished, he pray'd for his return, out of the death of our crucified nature, into the Life and Glory of his Father; Joh. 17. 4, 5. The words of Christ's Gospel-spirit, are Spirit and Life (Joh. 6. 63.) they all recommend unto Men, and tend to the perswading and counselling them, to submit to the terms of having his everlasting righteous spiritual Life, set up in them; to wit, the death of their natural state. Christ could do nothing of himself (or in his fleshly Law-life and state) Joh. 5. 30. nothing, that his Father sent him about. His errand and business was, to put it to death. Passive obedience to his own Gospel-cross, Spiritual-sword, or Circumcision-knife, was the high duty of his natural spirit and whole Man. There's no other way of coming to do all things well, in God's sight (which can only be in his Gospel-spirit or principle of everlasting righteousness, and active obedience) but, by the passive obedience and death of our Law-spirit, or natural state, in which we can do nothing well, before God, nor ever enter into his Kingdom. Christ, in his Gospel-spirit (the true principle of active obedience to God, for ever) did and said, alwayes, what was well-pleasing to to his Father (Joh. 8. 29.) as found in exact harmony with the very mind and will of his infinite divine spirit. He despised the shame and contempt of those that despised his Crucified natural man; Heb. 12. 2. And those that do not so, he will despise, disown, reject, and be ashamed of, when he comes in the Glory of his Father, with the holy Angels; Mark 8. 38. Christ's Doctrine was not his own, but his that sent him. Whoever does receive, or despise and reject the words of his Gospel-spirit, in himself or saints, receives or despises the Father p. 169that sent him; and him, that sends them. The four Gospels abound with words to this purpose; especially, John's.

First and second Covenant-Saints; poor wise children, in the second; and Old, doting, foolish Kings, in the first, are in a perfectly cross constitution and thought, about salvation; absolute sools to one another. The Cross on Man's wisdom, is reckon'd the starkest, arrantest folly and madness, imaginable, by natural Man and Angel. But, one broken, contrite-spirited, crucified Saint, is of more esteem with God, than millions of unbroken, uncrucified Men and Angels, in all the excellencies, glories, wisdom, and righteousness of their first-creation humane and angelical natures; Isai. 66. 1, 2. Man's day, or light and Judgment, in first-covenant wisdom; and God's day of Judgment, in the second, will be found in flat contradiction to each other, in this grand concern of men, about Salvation. Whose Judgment, whose word will stand? His or theirs? Think well on't, before too late. Ther's no speaking, at present, to the old self-deafned, doting, foolish King, by the poor wise Child. He scorns and rejects (with a wry mouth, Rhetorical mockings, in utmost contempt) all his words and warnings. His whole Gospel-doctrine of the cross, on all, the foolish King rest's in, for Salvation, is rejected, as absolute foolishness, and madness. 1 Cor. 1. 18--23. and 4. 8. 10. Hos. 9. 7, 8.

These foolish, self-confident, first-covenant fifth-monarchists (that tugge it out somtimes, with worldly Caesars, for the civil sword; as that, by which, to manage the reign of Christ, in this world) are but at the same work, the Jews desired to have Christ have been at, by owning himself a King in his first-covenant law-life, and righteousness of man, which he refused them in; …. 6. 15. Refusing to be a King, in the fading Law-principle of first-covenant life and operation; and asserting his kingdom in the Gospel-spirit of the second, they crucified their king; Joh. 19. 15. They, that would have set up Christ for their King, in this world, against Caesar, say (to rid their hands of him) we have no King but Caesar, in answer to Pilat's question. This is the confusion and falshood, found in man's shusfling wisdom, on all accounts, at every turn, about and against his own Salvation. When God, not only by words, but deeds, in his blasting dispensations, witnesses his displeasure against them, and all their false confidences, not suffering them to prosper in them p. 170( …. 2. 37.) still they are at the same point. When they find mystical gray hairs, decays, and old age, convincing Harbingers and Messengers of the approaching Death upon them (as to all that … Life and Riches, they have trusted in) still, there they'l hold, and hope for safety. When God comes upon them, in his beginning Judgments on that State they trust in, so as undeniably to evidence to them, that as six'd in, 'tis but the Mystical Land of their Nativity, and Border of Wickedness; and they (therein) the People, against which and whom, he hath Indignation for ever (Mal. 1. 4.) still, they obstinately rest, and trust for safety, therein. Here's the case of these old foolish Kings, that will not be brought to any happy, obedient chang of mind, by any thing the Lord either say's or does to them. They obstinately persist in bringing forth Wild Grapes, Gall and Worm-wood, from a bitter Root of Enmity in them, against God. And, they will, still, needs pass for his only Gospel-People and Saints, when a downright Synagogue of Satan, fix'd in unchangable Enmity and Rebellion, against him. This do they, to their litteral Graves. And, to carry on the like destructive work on others, that they leave behind them, as their Counsel-Legacy to them, in their dying words, they'l charg their hearers, the pretended Gospel-Churches of Christ, that they look not after, regard, or receive any other Gospel, then (that accursed false one) they have Preach'd to them; even the same, the Old Serpent Preach'd to Eve, that Eternal Life is to be found in the Old or first-Creation State of nature, and that they shall not die at all; and so, that all Preaching the Cross and Death upon it, is a Blasphemous fiction, against the Law, and that Holy place or State of Man. Thus the Jews accused Stephen; Act. 6. 13. The whole Gospel is reckon'd by them, Blasphemy against the Law. The whole current of Scripture (in the Gospel-sense of all, run's for the Poor Wise Child: But, the whole current of their false, other, Law-Gospel, and short sighted Interpretation of all Scripture, run's cleerly, for the old Foolish King, in exact Harmony with the Old Serpent, that Bewitches Teachers and Hearers, through self-love to the sading Life and Glory of their own nature, into a state of unchangable Enmity to God, and Death to themselvs, with him.

Oh, but say they, that which you call Satan's, and our accursed p. 171other Gospel, is the very same, you call Christ's. You only come forth in an affected singularity of words, but say all the same things, we do. We Preach and own the Cross of Christ. Upon what? The corrupt Spirit of fallen nature, with the vile affections and lusts thereof. But, what say you to the Cross on your enlight'ned, restor'd, righteous nature, made Wise, Strong, and Honourable, in Conformity to that Life of the Law, or Holy Flesh, Christ took, as Born of a Virgin? Is this the Subject of the Cross of Christ? Are ye willing to part with all this, in case ye had it to part with? To despise your own righteous Law-Life, or Living Soul, for Christ's Gospel-Spirit? Job. 9. 21. What else, did Christ Crucify in himself, but this Living Soul? He had nothing of the vile affection of corrupt nature, about him. And, as for the Cross, so they are for (and they Preach) Regeneration, new Birth, new Creature, Grace, &c. Who but they? But, what call they so? Reform'd, enliven'd, righteous nature. Thus, while we all talk of, and apply Christ's Gospel-Words, to our several Saintships (natural and spiritual, in first and second Covenant, our Holy Flesh and God's Holy Spirit) all seem's in a Confused Buzz and Jumble of words, to simple, undiscerning People (Ro. 16. 18.) yea, to Man's Wisdom, at best, to be one and the same thing; Christ's and Satan's Gospel, all one. All manner of good Words, fair Speeches, Scripture-Language, in one as well as t'other. While this, in a manner, universally carries it, with Professors, all's their own. Their teachers find little need of any troubling themselvs, to defend Satan's and their Mercenary, False, other Gospel, against Christ's true. But, if the point and edge of Christ's Spiritual Gospel-Sword, the Living WORD of God, come forth in such a sharp, distinguishing sound and way, that this first shuffle won't serve their turn; then go Satan's Apostles and their followers, another way to work. Blasphemers, Mad-Men; the Prophet's a Fool, the Spiritual Man is Mad; This is their Language. So said the Holy Professing Jews, of Christ himself (Jo. 10. 20.) for his new-Covenant, Gospel-Doctrin. I, but yet, while few hear or regard Christ's Gospel, and, almost all the few, that do hear the outward sound of its words, take nothing right (though they conceit they do, and so Halt between God and Baal, Christ's true Gospel, and Satan's lie) all's well. No need, think p. 172they, of any … against this new light. While things go at this rate, that the God of this World, the Devil, can cast his Mist before Professours eyes, or blind their minds, by a sound or noise of all the words of Christ's Gospel, from the letter of Scripture, to carry on his contrary Gospel (as all in all, that's nothing at all) what need his Ministers trouble themselvs, to encounter Christ's? While Christ's … next to … hearers, and yet fewer understanders, e'ne let it alone, … Satan, say his Apostles. No need of taking notice of it, or souling our singers about it, in wilful Contradicting and Blaspheming it. Thus is it, yet. But, if an awak'ned Multitude, under the latter Rain of the Spirit (as under the former, in Primitive Gospel-times) should listen to and look after the very Christ, the very Gospel, with a seeing eye, a right hearing and distinguishing car, so as to know, cleerly, the voice of the true Shepherd in himself and Saints (in its distinction from, and direct Opposition to the Voice or Doctrin of Strangers, Satan and his Apostles, or Gospel-Ministers) this (when it happen's) will cause some Tumultuous, out-ragious doings, you'l find. Some valuable number of Followers and Receivers of Christ's Blessed Gospel, will give such disturbance to their cursed one, as will nettle the Teachers and Hearers thereof, and put them into the temper, Paul once was of, so as to be continually Breathing out 'l … and Slaughters against the Disciples of the Lord (Act. 9. 1) the Asserters and Followers of his Gospel. Will ye hear a comfortable word, yet? While any do this, as ignorantly and innocently as Paul did (in Zeal for his Law-Life, or first-Covenant principle of action) why may we not hope, that they, as Paul, may (through greater Mercy, then they are yet aware of) be turn'd by Christ, into signal Preachers and owners of Christ's Gospel? But then, with Paul, they must look presently for Persecution, even from those they were joynt-Persecuters, with. Sure, this is an encouragement, worth noting, and may serve to wipe off the Injurious Imputations of Censoriousness, Satan's self-confident Gospellers do so brand Christ's, with. Multitudes of Professors, enamout'd wholly with Satan's, will most carefully take heed of coming neer the sound of one word of Christ's Gospel, lest they should be Perverted, to their own Salvation, and delivered from the Wrath to come. But, there are a second sort (a far smaller p. 173number, yet) of Christ-haters, that can afford, sometimes, to hear the sound of true Gospel-words, but take no heed how they hear them. So, do they, little or nothing, perceive, or regard any distinction between the Voice of the true Shepherd, and that of Strangers; Christ's and Satan's Gospel. May we not reckon these shuffling Halters between God and Baal, in a more dangerous condition, then the former? They'l boast of their Wisdom, and Charitable Opinion they have of (almost) every body, any teachers, that take and own the letter of Christ's Gospel, and talk against Profanes, or the like. These glory in their shame. Oh, thank God, say they, we have a liberty to hear any body. What's all this? A Liberty to be Mad, and Rebell against God, that has convincingly evidenc'd to them the true Shepherd's Voice, Words, or Doctrin (in and from himself and Saints) from all variety of Strangers Voices, or Doctrin. They'l please themselvs to talk much of bottom; that they hope, at bottom, and as to the main, all may be well, though at top, ouvert Action, Practice, Choice, and their whole course, be of a dangerous Complexion, and that, against acknowledg'd Conviction of Christ's Gospel-truths, & a kind of general owning, and worded-kindness for them, and the Assertors thereof, in a Corner. But they follow after, and sit under such Teachers and Doctrin's, as are, in all extreamity, contrary thereunto, as Hell to Heaven (sure, Doctrins of Devils are so, to Christ's) and this, when the Doctrin of Christ's Gospel, lies before them, and is fairly offered to them, in the Words of God's Wisdom, which the Holy Ghost teaches. A most dangerous boasted Libertinism! God defend me from such embondaging, destructive Liberty. For, 'tis sorely doubtfull, whoever halt thus between God and Baal (as to own God's Words with their Mouth only, and Baal's in their Heart) that, at bottom, they down right hate God's, and love Baal's Gospel; like that, not only, best; but, only. What less can be feared, when their halting, brings them, at length, wholly to avoid God's offered Gospel, and positively own (so far as wholly chusing to sit under Satan's, is an owning) a directly contrary Gospel? Yea, contrary, in all extreamity; that Devils themselvs shall be saved, at longrun. Might this generally take place, all other Doctrin's of Devils might be spared. If they can get Men to swallow down this, what p. 174need any other, or any care, or troubling our selvs about Religion, or Salvation, at all? We shall all be saved, say Devils, and you shall all be saved. Wee'l warrant you, ye shall fare as well as we do. I believe that. This Perswasion is the largest inlet to Rantism, that ever was devised, be Practice what it will, from a little present self-interest. How powerful and prevalent is felf-destroying selflove? The general and uniform Doctrin of Devils, is, what the old Serpent Preach'd to Eve, that Eternal Life is to be found in the first-Creation State of Man and Angel; so, no need of a second, or second Covenant Principle of Life, in flat contradiction to Heb. 8. 7. Men, in all variety of Church-form or way, all sorts of Pretensions towards God, Christ, Gospel, and Salvation, within the compass of first-Covenant Principles, are all of a Batch, all as one Man, against the true, new-Covenant Gospel of Christ, to a tittle. All spiritual Light, for discerning of Christ's from Baal's Gospel, does but highly aggravate their Sin, in rejecting Christ's for Baal's. The Devil and his Angels had fuller Light, cleerer discerning of Christ's Gospel-Life, at first, then even Adam in his Innocency, and of the necessity of parting with their first-Covenant Law-Life, for it, as their unspeakable advantage, for the gaining Eternal Life, and scaping Eternal death; yet chose, as we find, their own eternal Ruine. All Men, that hate Christ's Gospel-Life, fixedly, unchangably, do the same thing; make the same evil choice, and will come to the same end; Pro. 8. 36. All Men, since the fall, are (in light) below Adam before the fall, that was below Angels before their fall, who yet made such choice as prov'd their irrecoverable Destruction. Consider this, well. And then, since the fall, is there positive Enmity in Man's whole nature, and so in all Mankind, to the Gospel-Life of Christ, and all right words thereof; which was neither in Angel or Man, before their fall. Bare Light or knowledg then, by the best meer Enlightning Spiritual Gifts, is so far from doing our work for Salvation, that through Obstinate, Wilful, Knowing Rebellion against it, does it lay Men under far deeper and sorer Condemnation, then if they had never had such Light, or heard of Christ's Gospel, at all; Heb. 10. 26-29. 2 Pet. 2. 21. 'Tis, indeed, the direct, full, unpardonable Sin against the Holy Ghost, if finally persisted in. Nature, in it self, corrupt or righteous, is as a nether p. 175Milstone, to Christ's Gospel; an Infidel, as to all the Doctrin thereof. What? Wise, Strong, and Honourable in Christ, Infidels, Unbelievers, as to Christ's Gospel? They, or Paul, chuse you whether; 1 Cor. 4. 10. But, let such take their course; the poor wise Child sees, where both he and they are. He know's that Christ the Righteous Judg of all, ha's pronounced and declared, already, beforehand, the poor wise Children, blessed, to their unspeakable Joy; whom, they labour, by their Lies, to make sad, as reckoning and calling them Blasphemers and Mad People.

And, as for the wicked rich ones, the Old foolish Kings, in a state Christ pronounces wo to, they streng then their hands, and confidences (against all the warnings, counsels and power of God himself) promising, assuring, and warranting them eternal Life; Ezek. 13. 6. 22. See Christ's contrary Judgment, on both sides; Mat. 5. 3-12. Luke 6. 20--26. Men's presumptuous, self-confident Kinging it, in their own renew'd law-nature, in a wilful despite to God's Gospel-spirit of Grace, renders them a spiritual Sodom, and Synagogue of Satan. Though they impudently say, they are Jews, or the very Gospel-Church and Spouse of Christ (Rev. 3. 9.) They lie; or, at least, deceive themselvs with most false imaginations, and delusive dreams. They need every thing, conducible to true blessedness. The highest and utmost folly of these Old, doting Kings, is, they'l not hear of their madness; not be told on't. They'l no more be admonish'd. They deafen their Ear, and willfully turn away their understandings from any such true openings of Scripture, as open that Kingdom of Heaven, they set themselvs to shut up against themselvs and others. Yea, if any word, of a seeming tendency towards the Kingdom, or spiritual, Gospel-sense of any Scripture, drop from themselvs, unawares, in their ministry, or sick-bed, they'l carefully call it back, or limit it into a compliance or harmony with all their other false words. They'l, by no means, leave any jealousies behind them, in their hearers, as to the truth of their reputed Gospel ministry and doctrin. Thus go matters, all a long their lives, and at their deaths. So, their hearers applaud their doctrin, praise their sayings, and follow them to those chambers of darkness and death, where none of them ever see light. This get's man in honour (or in the fading Glory of his own restored nature, form of Godliness, Image of the p. 176earthy, not dul considering, or willing to understand, how little it amounts unto) by fixing there, in unchangable enmity to God, and the power of Godlines, in the Image of the heavenly. See, for all this; Psal. 49. 12-20. The old foolish King, in all Generations, is at this desperate work; reckon's and call's Christ and his poor wise children, mad; and say's, they have a Devil; Jo. 10. 20. Hos. 9. 7, 8. But, such Kings are the fools and mad-men, beyond words, in refusing all spiritual admonition and counsel, as to the unspeakable gain of parting with that fading law-life (they trust in) for Christ's everlasting Gospel-life and riches. These foolish Kings are in a Toil. The more they struggle, bestirr themselvs, and lay about them, to heap up their deceitful riches, and strengthen their false confidences therein, the more are they ensnar'd in the works of their own hands; more and more entangled, catch'd, and held fast by Satan, in that fading life, he know's will prove eternal death to them, with himself. They strive for Salvation, in direct enmity to God, and that spirit of grace, in which it ever can be found. This is the sad condition (these, the deplorable circumstances) of these old foolish Kings. And all this, under the undeniable experience of the withering and decay's of all, rested in, by them, for Salvation. Here's the case of Teachers and Hearers, at this day, under the blastings of God's displeasure upon them all; and upon all, they trust in. Such a course, finally persisted in, will render them despicable Creatures, to God, Christ, Spiritual Saints, and Angels, for evermore. But, room still is left for a hopefulness of seven thousand, yea, seventy times seven thousand Spiritual Saints, yet involv'd in the Universal Heresy of the sleshly Professour or Carnal-Gospeller, amongst us. Nothing will do't, with others; neither Words nor Blows. Such a fix'd … Israel, Kinging it in the flourish of their own restored nature, are … by Edom; Mal. 1. 4. Though they know and say, we are … (under the blasts of Gods displeasure, a cleer case) but, we will return and build the desolate places; we will yet build (upon our sandy foundation) and rest confident still, in our desolate, impoverish'd, blasted life of nature. Build, if ye will, while ye will, says …; Ile throw down all, again, as fast as ye build; as a Land, a …, or state of unchangable …, that I have indignation, forever, against. Obadiah gives us a full and larg account of this p. 177mystical Edom-spirit in an earthly-minded generation of Angels and Men, represented by litteral Esau, or Edom. God sends his ambassadour, Obadiah, to declare their offence, and proclaim war against them, for it; v. 1-3. They say in their hearts, who shall bring me down to the ground? This, they Presumptuosly say, in the very day of God's Controversy with them, and Judgments upon them; even when they feel that Power of his, they know there's no bearing up against, or standing before. Yet, they say, who shall bring us down from those Clefts of the Rock, those Mystical high and strong places, we have made (and got for our) Habitation? This high, Rocky Habitation does import that high and Heavenly place or appearance of Christ's truly Rocky new-Creation Life and Glory, they (most wickedly) transform themselves into the likeness and resemblance of, to fight against, even against the true Rock of safety and everlasting Salvation, which the poor wise children trust in, run into, and are safe, for evermore. The old foolish Kings, get into these counterfeit Heavenly places or Gospel-appearances, Satan's prepared strongest holds for them; and there (as fondly imagining themselvs out of the reach of Gods Wrath or Power) do they boldly bid defiance to him and his Spiritof Grace; as if they should say, let God do his worst. We fear him not. For, Who can bring us down, from our high and strong place? They have made their Eagles-Nest so high, that they reckon themselvs secure from the Power of evil; any Punishment from God. Habac. 2. 9. Thus accoutred and fortified for self-defence, do they most proudly, daringly, and Presumptuously send their challenge, against the Almighty Divine and irresistibly mighty new-Creation Power of Christ and God, as if higher and stronger then both; and so, in no danger of being brought down, by either. Who shall bring us down? Here's their confidence in their Mystical first-Creation Rocks and Mountains, evil Angels, their proud helpers, who must all stoop under Christ's all-powerful Revenging hand (helpers and helped) which when actually upon them, they'l still persist obstinately in their Presumption, saying of themselvs, I am God, before him that slay's them; but say's God, thou shalt be seen and found to be but a Man, and no God, in, or under the hand of him that slayeth thee; Ezek. 28. 9. They say, Who shall bring me down? I will, says God; Obad. 4. Though thou exalt thy self, as the Eagle-ey'd Spiritual Saint, as if Wiser p. 178then Daniel (Ezek. 28. 3.) and though thou set thy Nest among the Stars (as if equal to my Holy Angels) thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. Thus will they, by ouvert Acts, give the utmost evidence of their most desperately wicked Hearts; by which, fully to ripen themselvs for the final Triumphs of Gods Justice, upon them all. Though hand joyn in hand, Men with Angels, in this desperate Confederacy and Combination, against God most high, for the practice of the utmost Spiritual wickedness against him, they shall not scape unpunish'd. He is infinitly above them, in all their proud dealings against him; and, will do, as he sees meet, to them all. They pretend to all the safety, Strength, and Wisdom of Spiritual Saints, and Angels. All this will not do their work; but, ripen them for God's strang and wonderful work, in Judgment, upon them all. The things of this Esau-party of Angels and Men, shall be search'd out, and their hidden things sought up (v. 6.) their hidden Works of darkness, not only hidden under the form of Godliness and Righteousness of natural Man or Angel, but under the disguise, and counterfeit resemblance of the very Power of Godliness and Righteousness of God. All won't secure their Mystery of Iniquity from God's infinite divine, and all-searching, all-discovering, infallible new-Creature understanding. All their first-Creation Vanities and Deceits, under whatever Artificial Gildings and Glittering appearances, will be discovered, blasted, and destroy'd, by him they have to do with. 'Tis a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. They'l, too late, find it so. All the disguise and deceit, used by them, has bin, to manage their design, for offring Violence to their Brother Jacob, God's poor wise children, true Spiritual Saints. For this, Shame shall cover them, and they shall be cut off, for …; v. 10. Cruelty, and Persecuting Enmity to them, Christ takes as done to himself. Why Persecutest thou me? Act. 9. 4, 5. Mat. 25. 45. No kindness, from the old foolish Kings, is to be expected by Christ's little ones, his poor wise children. The season, for Jacob's absolute deliverance, will be the season of Esau's absolute destruction; Obad. 21. When the Kingdom shall be the Lord's, Saviours (even Christ, with his Angels and Saints) shall come upon Mount Sion, to judg the Mount of Esau. Then shall it appear, whose Rock or … is strongest, or greatest. Their Rock will dash all Enemies p. 179Rocks, in pieces; their Mountain or Kingdom, crush and sink all the Enemies Mountains or Kingdoms, under-Foot; and be set on the top of them, over all. Spiritual Saints, out of all Nations, shall flow unto it (Isai. 2. 2.) as their invincible strength and safety, against (above, and from) all the Powers of darkness, and Gates of Hell, itself. For, on this Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and the House of Jacob and Joseph shall be a fire, and a flame; and, the House of Esau for Stubble, to be devour'd by them. Will any doubt or question this? The Mouth of the Lord (the Mouth or new-Creature Wisdom, the Living Word or Supream Prophet of God, Christ himself) hath spoken it; Obad. 17, 18. The fire and flame of Jacob and Joseph, signify the irresistibly burning and bright-shining Light of Christ's new-Creation, Gospel-Life and Spirit, in true Saints, at that day of Judgment, that shall undeniably evidence the unpardonable wickedness of their implacable Enemies, and irresistibly burn and consume all their Glory and Power, for ever. So shall the whole Babylonish party of incorrigibly wicked Angels and Men (as fitted fuel for the said Mystical fire and flame) sink, and never rise more; as is figur'd in God's denounced Judgment, on Litteral Babylon; Jer. 51. 64. They shall be punish'd from the presence of the Lord, and Glory of his new-Creation-Power, in himself, in his Saints, and in his Mighty Angels; 2 Thes. 1. 7-9. This get the old foolish Kings, by their obstinate return to build up the desolate places, or that State and Life, in themselvs and others, God is blasting and pulling down in them all, by his righteous Judgments upon them. This work, and design of theirs, is the highest aggravation of their wickedness, under a self-condemning Light within them, and the certain effects of God's evident displeasure, upon them. God will render their final destruction, and the cause of it, so manifest to themselvs and all others, that they shall be seen by all, to be justly called, the People, against whom he hath Indignation, for ever.

And thus have we some account of the poor wise Child, and old foolish King, here; and, what conclusion they will both come to, in Eternal Life or Death.