The Parents Primer and the Mothers Looking-glass, Dialogue 2 – Title page 2

The Parents Primer and the Mothers Looking-glass · Dialogue 2 – Title page 2

p. 145A SECOND DIALOGUE OF THE DECALOGUE.

Fath.

GOd Save you Sir. Since our Late Conference, I have deſired ſome Diſcourſe from you of the Decalogue: for I am much perſwaded there is more in it than many Imagine. When you delivered me the Sixt Document, viz, To acquaint my Children with the Decalogue, I deſired to hear that Leſſon Enlarged: yet was loth to interrupt you: but now I come on purpoſe to deſire you to give me ſome account of the Ten Commandments.

Min.

Sir, you are Welcome to me upon this account: for I had alſo a mind to enlarge that Sixt Leſſon upon the Law, but was loth to be too tedious: and am glad of an opportunity to do it now. By the Title pages of old Books which lay open in Moor Fields, I perceive there are ſome Tracts on the Ten Commandments p. 146by way of Expoſition: and ſo I ſhall not go that way to work: but ſhall give you 12 Uſefull Notes upon the whole, to ſhew you (in part) what is contained in them. Between which Notes you may put in (and after them all adde) what Queſtion you pleaſe.

Firſt.1 Note. The M L on Adam's Heart. The Moral Law, Decalogue, or Ten Commandments was engraven on Adam's heart, as a Primitive Perfect Law of Nature. Adam being created in God's Image, which conſiſteth in Holineſſe and Righteouſneſſe, had the Law written in his Heart, the Sum of which is Holineſſe and Righteouſneſſe. And Adam being capable of it, God entred into a C W with him which contained (1) A peremptory precept, [Do this:] (2) A conditional promiſe, [If thou Do, thou ſhalt Live:] (3) A conditional threat, [If thou Do not, thou ſhalt Die.] To keep this C W for Life, no man was ever able: except (1) Adam who brake it and ruined All mankind: and (2) Jeſus the Second Adam, who by his obedience to it hath recovered all the Elect. But though no man can keep it, yet Every unbeleever is under it: and to Them it is a miniſtry of Condemnation††2 Cor. 3.92 Cor 3:9.

¶ By the way N B.A new State. After the Fall there was a New Church State ſet up. Ceremonial Sacrifices for God's ſervice Inſtituted. And man accepted with God upon a New account: viz, on Chriſt's account, who Subſtituted himſelf p. 147in mans ſtead to Die for him: by vertue of which Death, beleeving man hath Life and Favour with God. And that for 2000 years (and more) from the Fall to the delivery of the Law on Mount Sinai; the Subſtance of their Religion was the Same, as after the Publick promulgation of the Law. (1) Inſtances of the uſe of Ceremonial Sacrifice we have in Abel **Gen. 4.4.Gen 4:4, Noah ††Ch. 8.20.Abram **Ch. 15.9., and Job alſo††Job 1.5.Job 1:5, who was before the Law on Sinai, as is eaſily proved. THEN the maſter of a family was King to rule, Prophet to teach, Prieſt to offer ſacrifices (cut in pieces) for the Sins of his family**Gen. 15.10.Gen 15:10: ſo Now ſhould maſters Rule, Teach, and offer the Sacrifices of a broken, cut,Exo. 29.17.Exod 29:17 contrite Heart in prayer for the Sins of their families††Pſal. 51.17.Ps 51:17. (2) And the M L of Nature did in part remain in the heart of man after the Fall: and God made a Farther manifeſtation of it to man: elſe the world was in a wofull wild poſture for One 2000 years at leaſt.A ſottiſh conceit. To think the world was without Law till they had it from Sinai, is a ridiculous conceit: if So, for what was the world Drowned, and Sodom Burned? for where no Law is, there is no Tranſgreſſion ††Rom. 4.15.Rom 4:15. If no Law in the world, no Sin in the world: but untill the law Sin was in the world **Ch. 5.13., q d, untill the law, the Law was in the world, for Sin is not imputed when there is no Law: i e, ſuch Acts are not counted Sin if no Law to forbid them. I doubt Religious Perſons knew the p. 148law Then, better than they do Now: ſince the promulgation both of Law and Goſpel too.

Second.2 Note. The M L given to a people in a C G. The Law delivered on Mount Sinai, with an audible voice as a Sermon from God himſelf: was given to a People under a C G. This covenant God made with Abraham, viz, To be a God to Him and his Seed††Gen. 17.7Gen 17:7.] And renewed it with Them, Behold the Blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with YOƲ **EXO. 24.8Exod 24:8. The blood of the C W is a ſaying of a Strange Sound: except you mean the blood of the Breach of that covenant, i e, the blood of the Offender: which is Execution, not Salvation. I will commune with thee from above the Mercy Seat from between the two Cherubims of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Iſrael ††Exo. 25.22.Exod 25:22. The faces of the Cherubims looked toward the Mercy Seat**Ver. 20., to ſignifie the deſire of Angels to look into this myſtery of Grace and Life for man††1 Pet. 1.12.1 Pet 1:12, after God that cannot Lie had ſaid Man muſt die.foreign. This covenant [Verbally] was made with all Abraham's ſeed Indefinitely: but [Virtually and Efficaciouſly] ſo as to ſecure life Eternally, it reſpected a Secret Diſtinction, and Vein of Election: for they are not all Iſrael which are of Iſrael **Rom. 9.6.Rom 9:6, but the children of the Promiſe are counted for the Seed ††Ver. 8.. God is LORD of ALL**Mat. 11.25.Matt 11:25, but to Theſe he is a GOD: God is not the GOD of the Dead but of the Living ††Ch. 22.32. They that did Beleeve were p. 149not under a C W, and Cured: but under a C G, and Bleſſed with faithfull Abraham **Gal. 3.9.Gal 3:9. And the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Chriſt, the Law which was 430 years after cannot diſanull ††Ver. 17.. To our purpoſe is the Preface to the Ten commandments: viz, I am the Lord thy God:] which cannot Be by a C W. It is not, Do this and I will be thy God:] but I am thy God therefore Do this**Deu. 5.15Deut 5:15.

Fath.

God ſaith, If ye keep my Covenant, Object. 1 then ye ſhall be a Peculiar treaſure unto me††Exo. 19.5Exod 19:5.

Min.

So Jeſus ſaith, He that loveth me ſhall be loved of my Father **Joh. 14.21.John 14:21. In ſuch ſayings God ſpeaks as a Father to children to draw to Duty: q d, Do So, and I will Love thee. The childs love is not the Cauſe but the Effect, not the Root but the Fruit of the fathers love to the child: we love Him becauſe he firſt loved Ʋs ††1 Joh. 4.19.1 John 4:19. To a people under a C G the Law on Mount Sinai was delivered as on Mount Sion, in the hand of a Mediatour**Gal. 3.19.Gal 3:19: without whom God had nothing to ſpeak to man but Death. N B. From his Right hand (i e, where Chriſt ſitteth, and Then [virtually] ſat) went a fiery law, Heb foreign A fire of law] For them, not Againſt them: and how Formidable and Fiery ſoever, yet it was a fruit of Gods love: yea he Loved the people ††Deu. 33.2, 3.Deut 33:2Deut 33:3.

Fath.

Not againſt them ſay you! Object. 2 Paul ſaith it was againſt them, and ſo took out of the way by Chriſt**Col. 2.14.Col 2:14.

p. 150Min.

He ſpeaks of the C L which to diſobey was death††Lev. 23.29, 30.Lev 23:29Lev 23:30. The M L as a C W, is againſt all men under it, as well ſince Chriſt's death as before. And as a C W, it was taken away Before Chriſt's death as well as Since, for them that beleeve. And as a rule of life it never was againſt any man ſince nor before. It was, and is againſt Sin: but it's For man, if God be for him.

Fath.

You ſay the law on Mount Sinai was delivered as on Mount Sion: Object. 3 Paul oppoſeth them one to the other: and ſpeaketh of one as Dreadfull, of the other as Comfortable**Heb. 12.18, 22.Heb 12:18Heb 12:22.

Min.

Paul ſheweth what you See not: viz, that the miniſtry of the Goſpel on Mount Sion, is attended with more terrour than the Law on Mount Sinai was. e g. Looking diligently leſt any man fail of the grace of God, … **Ver. 15., leſt there be any fornicatour or prophane perſon as Eſau, &c†Ver. 16., why ſo? for ye are not come to the mount that might be touched, &c**Ver. 18., which was very terrible: but ye are come to Mount Sion, &c††Ver. 22., what then? See that ye refuſe not him that ſpeaketh: for if they eſcaped not who refuſed him that ſpake on Earth, much more ſhall not we eſcape, if we turn away from him who ſpeaketh from Heaven **Ver. 25.. Whoſe voice then ſhook the Earth, but now he hath promiſed, ſaying, Yet once more I ſhake not the Earth onelyonly but alſo Heaven ††Ver. 26.He that deſpiſed Moſes law died without mercy: of how much Sorer puniſhment p. 151ſuppoſe ye ſhall he be thought worthy, who hath troden under foot the Son of God? **Heb. 10.28, 29.Heb 10:28Heb 10:29The Goſpel is glad tidings: it's Seaſon is a day of Salvation: but yet attended with a day of Vengeance for diſobedience††Iſa. 61.2.Isa 61:2, without which what dread is in the Law?

Fath.

Surely the Law was delivered to the Jews, Object. 4 as a C W.

Min.

The Ten Commandments contain the Matter and Words of the C W. And they were to acquaint Them (and are to acquaint Us) with the C W that All by Nature are Under: that men may know what it is, and not truſt to Death for Life. The Jews had been ſo long in Egyptian darkneſſe, that Religion was almoſt rooted out of Heart and Life††Joſ. 24.14.Josh 24:14: and ſo needed to have a Rowſing Lecture read in their Ears. But that ever God did (ſince mans fall) deliver the Law as a C W for man to be Saved by it, is Quite beſides the Book: contrary to the Goſpel, a Weakneſſe and a Shame for a man (who hath a Bible in his houſe) once to Imagine.

Fath.

God ſaith, Object. 5 Keep my Statutes, which if a man Do he ſhall live in them **Lev. 18.5.Lev 18:5.

Min.

For one to think (from any ſuch Text) that Ever man was ſaved by Works, ſavours of Groſſe ignorance of the C W. This covenant requires a man to be as perfectly Righteous as Jeſus himſelf was: and if a man Once ſin, though he Never ſin more, there is p. 152no More to be ſaid: he can Never be ſaved by that covenant. If then Eternal life be in this Text intended††Lev. 18.5.Lev 18:5, the law of Faith is included, by which a perſon muſt be juſtified to live Eternally. And then by Evangelical obedience to the Law he ſhall live, (1) Temporally] for Godlineſſe hath the promiſe of the life that now is **1 Tim. 4.8.1 Tim 4:8(2) Spiritually] for the Righteous ſhall flouriſh ††Pſal. 92.12.Ps 92:12, as the Body by it's Food: for God deals out his Heavenly bread in a way of Duty. But by defect in Duty, ſome die [Temporally] in Body**1 Cor. 11.30.1 Cor 11:30: and many die [Spiritually] in Soul, who do not die Eternally in both.

Fath.

That Iſrael were under a C W is hard to beat out of my Head. Object. 6

Min.

A covenant between God and man is not Made, except GOD require, and Man conſent. (1) God did not Require: it is contrary to his purpoſe of Salvation by Grace: and if by Grace, then is it no more of Works ††Rom. 11.6.Rom 11:6, (2) Man did not Conſent. If in ſaying, All that the Lord hath ſpoken we will do ††Exo. 19.8.Exod 19:8they counted to comply with a C W, they ſaid they knew not what: nor are they Commended for it. But when they ſaid to Moſes, Speak thou with us and we will hear, but let not God ſpeak with us leſt we die ††Ch. 20.19; then ſaid Moſes Fear not **Ver. 20.: and ſaid God, They have Well ſaid ††Den. 5.28, i e, to deſire a Mediatour: theſe are no ſigns of a C W. Nor did they Conſent to a C W p. 153when they ſaid [Amen] to the curſes pronounced againſt him that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them ††Deu. 27.26.Deut 27:26: but did acquieſce in the pronunciation of the Curſe for him to whom it did belong. Nor did Paul (in ſaying, As many as are of the works of the Law are under the curſe **Gal. 3.10.Gal 3:10) ſay, They were all ſo. Nor doth Moſes (in deſcribing the righteouſneſſe of the Law, viz, The man which doth thoſe things ſhall live by them **Rom. 10 5.Rom 10:5) ſay, They were ſo to live: or that it was Poſſible for them. The man that Doth ſhall Live] is q d, The man that emptieth the Ocean with a Spoon, ſhall go into the depth of it and not be Drowned: for, to fulfill the Law, and to empty the Sea, are Parallel impoſſibilities.

Fath.

But God ſpeaks of a New Covenant Object. 7 ††Jer. 31.31.Jer 31:31, and this at Sinai is called Old**Heb. 8.13Heb 8:13: ſo that it ſeems Not to be a C G as you call it: nor that they were ſaved Before Chriſts death as we are ſince.

Min.

There is ſome Circumſtantial difference, (1) The Old (as it's called) comprehended the Promiſe of Canaan, containing many Temporal bleſſings. (2) The Jews were by it Obliged to Ceremonial ſervice. (3) Some few excepted, it was confined to the Jews only. (4) It was Sealed with the blood of Sacrifices, Typical of Chriſt to Come. Theſe things being Tranſitory, it is ſaid to wax Old and vaniſh away††Heb. 8.13.Heb 8:13: yet the covenant is One and the Same in Subſtance. AT Chriſt's death, it was Sealed by p. 154his own blood [Actively:] Before, it was Sealed by his blood [Virtually.] Since Chriſt's death, it is Signified by the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, which is Permanent till Chriſt come: ſo was the Ceremonial Sacrifice till he came to Die: the blood of which ſignified Chriſt's blood Was to be ſhed, as well as the Element of Wine ſignifieth it Is ſhed. N B. Covenants are Certainly the Same, if they accord in theſe 3 Subſtantials: [Subject, End, Condition.] Jeſus Chriſt as Head of the Elect, is the [Subject:] Salvation is the [End] Faith is the [Condition] of Both: and ſo is the way of Salvation the Same. Before Chriſt's death the Jews were ſaid to be under a yoke they were not able to bear††Act. 15.10.Acts 15:10: what then? but we beleeve that by the grace of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, we ſhall be ſaved Even as they **Ver. 11. Identity or the Sameneſſe of Salvation.We Jews even as they Gentiles: for Chriſt, and Salvation, and the Way to it are the Same: Jew and Gentile ſaved the Same way, Before and After Chriſts death. Before it, they were under the Goſpel clouded with the Law. Since, we are under the Goſpel more clearly diſpenſed. They that God taught ſaw it Then: no more ſee it Now: and from the Reſt it is hid.

Fath.

If the law was not delivered as a C W what ſignified the dreadfull delivery of it with Thunder and Lightning, Object. 8 and breaking the Tables when Iſrael Sinned?

Min.

God by delivering the Law on Mount p. 155Sinai at firſt with his own mouth, did ſignifie he had made a C W with Adam: and in him with all Men: and what he might juſtly require of men. The thunder ſignified the dreadfull effects of the breach of that Covenant. It's being written on Tables, ſignified it was written on Adam's Heart: I will give thee Tables of ſtone and a Law which I have written ††Exo. 24.12.Exod 24:12: they were the work of God without Moſes, i e, without a Mediatour. (2) The tables being broken when Iſrael ſinned, ſignified, the C W was broken when Adam ſinned: and was never to be made with Man more. God doth not ſay, Moſes mend the Tables thou haſt broken: but Hew thee two (new Tables **Ch. 34.1.(3) The law written on the Tables a ſecond time, ſignified, or was an Embleme of the law written on the Heart of Chriſtians, according to the C G. (4) God by proclaiming his gracious name on Mount Sinai, and giving the law there the ſecond time to Moſes alone††Ver. 3.5, 6, ſignified, he had made a C G with Chriſt for Chriſtians: and had given the law by Chriſt, by Angels in the hand of a Mediatour. N B This M L thus written, not as a C W;The Law the Rule. but as it is the law of Chriſt, IS a Chriſtians rule of Life. The Saviour is the Law-giver, and Ruler**Iſa. 33.22Isa 33:22: the Decalogue is the Sum: it's branched through the Bible, for a rule of righteouſneſſe, and Goſpel obedience, for all Chriſtians in all Nations, throughout all Generations.

p. 156Fath.

But ſome ſay, Object. 9 The law as written in the Bible, is not a Chriſtians rule of life: but as it is written in the Heart: they act from a principle of Love, are led by the Spirit of God, and delight to do his Will.

Min.

That a true Chriſtian hath the law written in his Heart, acts from a principle of Love, is led by the Spirit of God, delights to do his Will, is True: but [the law as written in the Bible is not a Chriſtians rule of life] is not only Falſe, but Prefixt to the Reſt, makes all to be a piece of ridiculous Non-ſenſe.Peſtilent Opinion. This peſtilent opinion hath 5 parts. (1) The law as written in the Bible is not a Chriſtians rule of life.] A. As the Goſpel teacheth how to Beleeve, and is a rule of Faith: ſo the Law teacheth how to Live, and is a rule of Life. As the Goſpel is an everlaſting rule for Faith: ſo is the Law an everlaſting rule for Life. As the Civil law is a rule of Civil life: ſo is Gods Divine law a rule of Godly life.Simile. The law is as a Touch-ſtone,Simile. to try if gold be Good. The law is as a Line, to ſhew what is Straight, and what is Crooked.Simile. A good work-man will have his Rule ready at his Back, to try his work. So let a Chriſtian have the Law: not only in his Heart and Head, but alſo under his Eye in the Bible: that ſtanding Rule, that Sure word, more to be regarded than what is ſpoken with an audible voice out of Heaven††2 Pet. 2.18, 19.2 Pet 2:182 Pet 2:19. The commandment is a Lamp, and the law is p. 157Light **Pro. 6.23. Simile.Prov 6:23: the Sun is not more neceſſary by Day, nor the Moon by Night, nor a Candle in a Coal-pit, or dark Dungeon, than the Law: without which the world would be a Hell.Dr Luther. (2) They are ruled by the law written in their hearts.] How ſhall we know whether theſe Perſons pretences are pure? To the Law, if they ſpeak not according to this WORD, be they men or Devils or Angels, there is no Light in them: Heb foreign no morning] Junius, nulla lucis ſcintilla, not a ſpark of light††Iſa. 8.20.Isa 8:20. N B. There is an Outward law written in the Bible) and an Inward law written in a true Chriſtians Heart: the Outward law is the rule of Life, not the Inward: for the outward is Perfect, the inward Imperfect. The outward law is to Rule the inward: and the inward is to be Ruled by the outward. That the law is written in the Heart that loves it not as written in the Bible, I utterly Deny:Apage. if the heart be not on the Law, the law is not on the Heart. (3) They are acted by a principle of love.] As if a Perſon ſhould profeſſe to love his Prince beyond him who in All points punctually obeys his Princes laws: yet will not this perſon regard his Princes laws, for his Love (forſooth) muſt be his Supream Law. Whether this perſon have any love to his Prince or no, I will not determine: but this is certain, his Prince hath one Singular Self-conceited Subject:A piece of Pride. to whom he may ſay, Love me and love p. 158my law. They that love God love his law: as ſaith the man after Gods own heart: O how love I thy law! **Pſal. 119.97.Ps 119:97there is NO more Lord-lovers than law-lovers. Some profeſſe love who have none: ſome deny it who have it: how ſhall we know who loves Chriſt? this critical Queſtion Chriſt himſelf reſolves, He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, He it is that loveth me ††Joh. 14.21.John 14:21. (4) They are led by the Spirit of God.] How ſhall a man know he is led by the Spirit of God, but by the Word of God? i e, as it leads him according to the Word. Beleeve not every ſpirit, but try the ſpirits whether they are of God **1 Joh. 4.1.1 John 4:1. We muſt try the ſpirits by the Word and not the word by the ſpirits. (5) They delight to do the will of God.] How ſhall a man know the Will of God but by the Word of God? and how ſhall a man delight in the Will of God without delight in the Word of God? if a man delight not in the will of God in his word for Direction, how ſhall he delight in the will of God in his rod for Correction? e g, Suppoſe God WILL take away Health, Wealth, Wife, Child. If once perſons are puffed up with Pride, they are ſoon filled with Swelling words of vanity††2 Pet. 2.182 Pet 2:18.

Fath.

It is clear to me that the law as written in the Bible is a Chriſtians rule of life:Q. is it a rule of life for a Carnal man too?

Min.

The law is for a rule of Life to all men Living who have it:A Rule for All. Jeſus himſelf was not p. 159excepted when under it**Gal. 4.4.Gal 4:4. N B, Man is to be conſidered in a twofold State, precedent to a State of Grace. (1) In innocency.] In this State the law as a C W, was mans rule Of life, and For life: ſo long as he Obeyed he lived. (2) In a Fallen ſtate.] The condition of the C W was ſuch, that the Leaſt ſin Brake it: and brought man under the Curſe of it. Before ſin man was under the Bleſſing of the covenant: after ſin man was under the Curſe of the C W: and this is the Caſe of all Carnal men. In this State the M L is a rule of Moral Life. And the more exactly (to his light) a Moral man is ruled by it, the more he is to be Commended: though thereby he is not Juſtified. And it is (in a Senſe) a rule, To life eternal: i e, as it is a School-maſter to direct to Chriſt to be Juſtified by Faith. And this it doth Occaſionally, by ſhewing Sin and Wrath: without a ſight of which, what cares a Sinner for a Saviour. God likeneth his Law to a Looking-glaſſe††Jam. 1.23 Simile.Jas 1:23. A glaſſe by ſhewing the Spots in the Face, Occaſionally directs to water to cleanſe, though water be not ſeen in the glaſſe. A ſenſe of a Diſeaſe directs to the Doctour for Cure,Simile. though the Doctour be not ſeen in the diſeaſe. So the Law, though it do not [Verbally] bid one go to Chriſt, or ſhew the way of Salvation by it's light: yet the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the Soul **Pſal. 19.7.Ps 19:7But if this ſhould never be (for ſome p. 160men were never made to be ſaved††2 Pet. 2.12.2 Pet 2:12) yet the Law is to be their rule of life: and by ſhewing what is Good and Evil, it is to reſtrain them from Evil, and to conſtrain them to Good: and the more a man is thus ruled by the Law, the more Mercy may he expect here, and the leſſe Miſery here and hereafter.

Fath.

How was the M L a rule of life to the Jews before Chriſts death?Q how were they under it as we are Since his death?

Min.

The Jews were (like Rebekahs Twins) two manner of people**Gen. 25.23.Gen 25:23: viz, Carnal and Spiritual. The carnal and wicked (though Externally and by Profeſſion under a C G) were under the Curſe of the Law: and for the Future it was to Fare with them, as with thoſe that never were under that C G. Behold the dayes come ſaith the Lord, that I will puniſh all them which are circumciſed with the uncircumciſed: Egypt, and Judah, and Ammon, &c, for theſe nations, i e, Egypt and Ammon are uncircumciſed, i e, in Fleſh: and the houſe of Iſrael is uncircumciſed in Heart ††Jer. 9.25, 26.Jer 9:25Jer 9:26. So we in our Congregational Reformed Gentile Church: ſome Wiſe, ſome Fooliſh virgins**Mat. 25.2Matt 25:2. The wiſe are under the Law for rule of life: the Fooliſh for all their Church member-ſhip, are under the Curſe of the Law.

¶ 2) The Jews were under the law to Terrifie and Humble them, to prepare them for Chriſt: and So are we. Not that the work of p. 161the law in humiliation of Heart, and reformation of Life, makes a Sinner acceptable to Chriſt, as if Worthy becauſe of this Humility. But it makes Chriſt acceptable to a Sinner:Simile. as a Phyſitian to a Sick perſon at point of death, who Can and Will cure him on Free-coſt: for which the Sick will Love him when he is Well.

¶ 3) The Jews under this Legal Thunder, were prone to put themſelves under the hot Bolts of it, to avoid the Stroke of it: to run upon the Flaming Sword, for Shelter from Slaughter. As many as are of the works of the Law, are under the Curſe ††Gal. 3.10Gal 3:10: and yet under it they would run with their daily Dialect: viz, What ſhall we do? **Act. 2.37.Acts 2:37Sirs, what muſt I do to be Saved? ††Ch. 16.30So do we under Conviction without ſpecial Direction.

¶ 4) They that are under a C G (by which they are ſaved without Works) are under a holy Covenant of good works. N B. In a Covenant between God and man, God Requires and man Conſents. God requires Holineſſe of Life, man conſents to it, elſe no Converſion. This holy Covenant the Jews were (and we are) under. God required them to be holy, Ye ſhall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy **Lev. 19.2Lev 19:2: they conſent, All that the Lord hath ſaid will we do and be obedient ††Exo. 24.7.Exod 24:7: i e, Chriſtian duties under a C G. This covenant Chriſtians are …ow under. Gods command to the Jews was Be ye holy **Lev. 20.7Lev 20:7: it is the ſame to us, Peter pleads p. 162the ſame Precept: be ye holy in all manner of converſation, becauſe it is written, Be ye holy for I am holy ††1 Pet. 1.161 Pet 1:16. N B. The Matter of this covenant was Propoſed when the law was Delivered: the ten commandments are called the Words of the Covenant**Exo. 34.27, 28.Exod 34:27Exod 34:28: but the covenant is not Made till we be Converted, till we cordially Conſent. Adam brought us into a C W, and under the Curſe of it: Jeſus Chriſt brings us into a C G, and under the Bleſſings of it; but we muſt bring our Selves into this Covenant, i e, it muſt be our voluntary Act, yet Gods Work. God putteth this Cry into the hearts of Converts: viz, Come, and let us joyn our ſelves to the Lord, in a Perpetual Covenant ††Jer. 50.5.Jer 50:5.

¶ 5) This holy Life muſt ſpring from a holy Heart: which God doth not only Require, and Command, but alſo Promiſe to effect in the Elect: both Jew and Gentile. Take ſome inſtances both of Precepts and Promiſes. Circumciſe thy heart **Den. 10.16., there is the Precept: thy God will circumciſe thine heart ††Ch. 30.6., here is the Promiſe. Cleanſe your hands **Jam. 4.8.Jas 4:8, there is the Precept: I will cleanſe you ††Ezek. 36.25.Ezek 36:25, here is the Promiſe. Make you a new heart **Ch. 18.31., there is the Precept: A new heart alſo will I give you ††Ch. 36.26, here is the Promiſe.

¶ 6) This Covenant the Jews were apt to break, and ſo are we. They have broken the everlaſting Covenant **Iſa. 24.5.Isa 24:5, Heb foreign the covenant of Eternity: [everlaſting] for all ages p. 163[a covenant of eternity] i e, Gods decree for a holy converſation is as Ancient as Election: he hath choſen us before the foundation of the world that we ſhould be holy ††Eph. 1.4.Eph 1:4. For ever O Lord thy Word is ſetled in Heaven **Pſal. 119.89.Ps 119:89. This word and covenant Chriſtians break by Sin, for which God breaks them by Sorrow: for though we fail God, he will not fail us. Some will (contrary to God) keep it as a C W to be Saved: or elſe caſt it quite off and ſo be Damned.

¶ 7) The carnal Jews at length were utterly rejected for their Sins: but the ſpiritual Jews were Saved, though in their ſins there was (in a Senſe) a continuance††Iſa. 64.5.Isa 64:5. I will NO more have mercy upon the houſe of Iſrael, but I will Ʋtterly take them away: but I will have mercy upon the houſe of Judah, and I will ſave them by the Lord their God **Ho. 1.6, 7.. Thus thoſe of Us that are not Chriſtians indeed, it will come to paſſe that God will No more have mercy on ſuch: no not ſo much as a drop of water to cool the Tongue in Hell fire: but they that are ſincerely Sanctified ſhall certainly be Saved. Thus we are under the Law as the Jews were.

Fath.

How are we Not under the law as the Jews were?Q

Min.

The univerſal Body of the Jews were by Divine conſtitution a National Church: a Sacred Society, under a C G: thus was never any Nation but they. What one Nation in the Earth is like thy people, even like Iſrael whom p. 164God went to redeem for a people to himſelf?††2 Sam. 7.23.2 Sam 7:23

¶ 2) They were under the Primitive Publick immediate miniſtry of the Law on Mount Sinai: thus no other people ever was: he ſheweth his word unto Jacob, his Statutes and judgments to Iſrael, he hath not dealt SO with any Nation **Pſal. 147.19, 20.Ps 147:19Ps 147:20. To them were committed the Oracles of God ††Ro. 3.2.Rom 3:2: to them the Adoption, and the Glory, and the Covenants, the giving of the Law, the ſervice of God, and the Promiſes **Ch. 9.4.. They were under the immediate miniſtry of God himſelf: Ye have ſeen that I have talked with you from Heaven ††Exo. 20.22.Exod 20:22. The Lord talked with you Face to Face in the Mount, out of the midſt of the Fire **Deu. 5.4.Deut 5:4. Ask from the One ſide of Heaven to the Other, whether there hath been any ſuch thing ††Ch. 4.32..

¶ 3) They were under an Engagement to keep Gods Commandments different from us: viz,600000. delivered at once. their deliverance from Egyptian bondage was Litteral, and Univerſal: their whole Body being about Six hundred thouſand men were all brought out**Exo. 12.37.Exod 12:37, they left not an Hoof behind††Ch. 10.26. But our deliverance from Egyptian bondage is Myſtical, and Particular: and comparatively it is but a ſmal Part of us Gentiles, who are thus Redeemed.

¶ 4) The Jews were under the M L as accompanied with the C L. If they ſinned againſt the M L, they muſt to their Ceremonial Sacrifices of ſin-offerings. And they muſt pray, in, or towards the Temple: ſuch a Place. p. 165They muſt confeſſe ſin over the head of the Scape Goat: theſe were Types of Chriſt by whom they were to be forgiven. By reaſon of theſe Ceremonial Shadows, elements, rudiments, tutours and governours, fit to teach the Church by in it's Minority; the Apoſtle compares them to Children**Gal. 4.1, 3 Col. 2.17, 20.Gal 4:1Gal 4:3Col 2:17Col 2:20: (q d) in their A B C, or in their Accidence.

¶ 5) The Jews were under the Law as preached Clearly, and under the Goſpel as preached Darkly. The O T was a clear Law, and a dark Goſpel. In the O T the N T was vailed: in the N T the O T is revealed. And upon this account, They are ſaid to be under the Law, and We are ſaid to be under the Goſpel. Chriſt was preached to them not only Ceremonially, but alſo Doctrinally: but yet Myſtically. He was called a Rod, a Branch††Iſa. 11.1.Isa 11:1, Water, Wine, Milk**Ch. 55.1., a Fountain††Zec. 13.1.: this was myſtical Doctrine, their ignorance of which is ſometime bewailed: Ah Lord God! they ſay of me, Doth he not ſpeak Parables? **Ezek. 20.49.Ezek 20:49N B The Goſpel to the Jews was like an ineſtimable treaſure in a dark gay Glaſſe,Simile. overlaid with fair Flowers, painted with Pictures, to ſignifie the Subſtance within: but they like children were apter to eye the Out-ſide than the Inſide. The Goſpel to Us is like the ſame treaſure in a Clear glaſſe,Simile. plain without gays and pictures: ſo that we can ſee the inſide.Simile. Or it's like the ſame treaſure in an open earthen p. 166veſſel, or Shell, as the word ſignifies††2 Cor. 4.7. foreign. Teſta, A Shell.2 Cor 4:7. Moſes put a vail over his Face, and when Moſes is read the vail is upon their Heart: i e, their minds were blinded **Ch. 3.13.. Hence little Faith, much Fear: darkneſſe and dread dwell together. Zion ſaid, The Lord hath forſaken me ††Iſa. 49.14Isa 49:14: they would conclude it from a croſſe Providence, e g, The Lord is with thee thou mighty man of valour: and Gideon ſaid, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us why then is all This befallen us? but now the Lord hath forſaken us **Judg. 6.12, 13.Judg 6:12Judg 6:13. Thus ſubject were they to ſlaviſh fear, and a ſpirit of bondage. But we being under a clear Goſpel have much light: light and joy are joyned together††Pſ. 97.11.Ps 97:11: peace cometh by the knowledge of God**2 Pet. 1.22 Pet 1:2. If a fearful child meets his father in the Dark,Simile. he dreads him as Death: for thinks he [that man will Kill me:] but if he meet him in the Light, he runs into his Arms. Hence Chriſtians under clear Goſpel light are ſaid to have the Spirit of Adoption, crying, Abba, Father ††Rom. 8.15.Rom 8:15: i e, Father, Father, child-like with much freedom from fear. This is called the Spirit of the Son: God hath ſent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father **Gal. 4.6.Gal 4:6. The excellency of which Spirit appears in this, viz, it acts a Soul to own God as a Father, under the moſt Diſmal diſpenſation: like the Spirit of the Son under the Fathers wrath: crying, My God, my God, (though as forſaken) in that p. 167diſmal Dooms-day of his Death, which made the air Dark, and the earth Quake. Howbeit ſome Perſons (at Times) did Act faith very Nobly under the Law alſo. e g, When death is at the Door, if Eſther the Queen will not ſpeak a word to the King for life,Noble Acts. yet Mordecai will beleeve Deliverance ſhall ariſe for the Jews from another place ††Eſt. 4.14.Esth 4:14. David will not fear when his Sins compaſſe him about**Pſ. 49.5.Ps 49:5: nor when all Nations compaſſe him about like Bees ††Pſal. 118.10.Ps 118:10: nor if the Earth be removed, and the Mountains into the midſt of the Sea **Pſ. 46.2.Ps 46:2. If Gods Zeal, Strength, Bowels, Mercies, and all are reſtrained; yet Evangelical Iſaiah will ſay to God, Doubtleſſe thou art our Father ††Iſa. 63.15 16.Isa 63:15. Shadrach, Meſhach and Abed-nego will believe in their God in the very Face of the furious King: and at the Mouth of the Seven-fold fiery furnace**Dan. 3.16Dan 3:16. And Daniel will do the like in the lions den††Ch. 6.. And ſome did Noble acts by faith, a Catalogue of which we have upon record**Heb. 11.Heb 11.

¶ 6) The Jews were under the M L as pointing at Chriſt to Come: to juſtifie by blood not (then) in Being. e g, If a man ſin againſt any of the (ten) commandments of the Lord, and his ſin come to his knowledge (by the law is this knowledge of ſin, and by it is the Conſcience troubled) he ſhall bring his Sin-offering, a Kid of the goats, a Male without blemiſh, and kill it, and his ſin ſhall be forgiven him ††Lev. 4.Lev 4. Thus the M L by its Scourge, ſent the p. 168Sinner to the C L the Sacrifice and Type of Chriſt: and the Type pointed to Chriſt himſelf then to come: for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them ††1 Cor. 10.4.1 Cor 10:4. Before faith came (i e, faith in Chriſt [actually] crucified) we were kept under the Law, ſhut up to the faith which ſhould afterwards be revealed **Gal. 3.23.Gal 3:23: i e, when Chriſt the Object of faith ſhould be revealed, as manifeſt in the Fleſh, and So believed on in the world ††1 Tim. 3.16.1 Tim 3:16: faith in Chriſt actually crucified. Chriſt was [Virtually] crucified from the foundation of the World. And under the Law they were [Virtually] redeemed from the Curſe of the Law: but not [Actually] redeemed, but when the fulneſſe of time was come, God ſent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law [Actually] to redeem them that were under the law **Gal. 4.4, 5Gal 4:4Gal 4:5.

¶ 7) The Jews were under many and great Promiſes of temporal Bleſſings annexed to their obedience to the Law: even a full land flowing with Milk and Honey, the glory of all Lands ††Ezek. 20 6.Ezek 20:6. Thus we are not under the Law as the Jews were. Of the great judgments they were under the execution of for their Diſobedience to the M L, I ſay nothing: but, they happened to them for Enſamples or Types: and they are written for OƲR admonition, upon whom the Ends of the world are Come **1 Cor. 10.11.1 Cor 10:11.

¶ N B,A threefold Affirmation. Under the Miniſtry of the Goſpel, the C W requires as perfect obedience of p. 169them that are under it, as it did under the miniſtry of the Law. (2) Under the miniſtry of the Goſpel, there is as high a degree of Holineſs required of juſtified Perſons, as there was under the miniſtry of the Law. It's a Mad miſtake to think the Law requires obedience to the law,A mad miſtake. but the Goſpel requires no obedience to the law. (3) Under the Miniſtry of the Goſpel the Law is to be preached to prick the Heart, and prepare for Chriſt: as Peter did by charging the Jews with the Murder of Jeſus ††Act. 2.36, 37.Acts 2:36Acts 2:37. They that ſay Nay, in effect ſay, Peter, Paul, Jeſus himſelf, James, and John, whom he Surnamed the ſons of Thunder**Mar. 3.17.Mark 3:17, were all a company of Dunces in their Doctrine. Therefore to ſay, [Before Chriſts death the Jews were all (by nature) under the law as a C W:A 3 fold Folly. but we are all freed from it, ſince Chriſts death, under the Goſpel. Or (2) They (in a State of nature, or in a juſtified State) were under the law for a rule of life: but not we. Or (3) They were under the law to humble and prepare them for Chriſt, but not we:] theſe are falſe fooliſh Fopperies, to be fanned away and Burned: as not deſerving to be otherwiſe Anſwered. Yea ſuch ſottiſh, doltiſh,Deep Dreams. damnable Dreams; that I could hazard my heart Blood, to bear witneſſe againſt them.

Fath.

You ſay Peter and Paul preached the law: Object. 10 Paul ſaith they were Miniſters of p. 170the N T, not of the Letter, i e, the Law, which (ſaith he) killeth, and he calls it a Miniſtration of death ††2 Cor. 3.6, 7.2 Cor 3:62 Cor 3:7.

Min.

There is a threefold killing by the law. (1) By applying the Curſe to a Prophane perſon, and leaving him under it in deſpair. (2) By condemning a Preciſe perſon, for his imperfect obedience. Thus many are killed, and yet ſecure: but they will find themſelves killed at Laſt, let them do their Beſt. Thus the Law is a Miniſtry of death. (3) To kill ſelf-confidence, in ſelf-righteouſneſſe. To make a Sinner ſenſible of the ſentence of Condemnation he is under: as one dead in Law,Simile. at ſtake to be Burned, at pits brink to be damned: ſo as to be ſet a ſeeking life by Free Grace. Thus the law is a Miniſtry of death too: but this is the way to life. Thus Paul was killed, ſaith he, I was alive, i e, I thought ſo, I ſeemed ſo, without the law, i e, without the knowledge of the law, or killing condition of the C W: but when the commandment came, i e, the knowledge of it, ſin revived, and I died **Ro. 7.9.Rom 7:9. For without the law ſin was dead ††Ver. 8. Simile.: i e, Seemingly, as a Ban-dog in a deep ſleep: but, wake him, and he will fly in your face, to pull out your throat.Simile. So ſin when the commandment comes, as a meſſenger to tell a Priſoner, he is condemned at Court to die. Obedience to the law for life is in no wiſe to be preached up: ſo Paul p. 171was not a Miniſter of the law. But to preach the law to convince Sinners, and counſel Saints, is the part of a Miniſter of the N T: and he that refuſes ſo to preach the law, is no Miniſter for me: nor do I value him above them Popiſh Prieſts, who having heard the letter killeth, caſt off the law, and all good literature,Mr T. leſt they ſhould be killed with the letter.

Fath.

I will no longer hinder you in your Twelve Notes promiſed: as yet there is but Two delivered: I pray proceed, and let me hear the Reſt.

Min.

That is well if our ſtrife be at an end: and will you alſo attend?

Fath.

Yes, I deſire to hear the end.

Min.

Third. As a Miniſter when he hath preached a Sermon gives it in writing to one of a weak Memory,Note 3. Simile. The M L given as a Sermon. or puts it in Print for Publick profit: ſo when God had preached this Sermon on Mount Sinai, he gave it to Moſes for the uſe of Iſrael: on two Tables of Stone, written with the Finger of God **Exo. 31.18.Exod 31:18. The firſt Table containeth the Firſt four commandments, which declare mans duty to GOD: obedience to which is properly called Piety. The ſecond Table containeth the Laſt ſix commandments, which declare mans duty to Man: obedience to which is properly called Equity. Chriſt is pleaſed to contract theſe Ten into Two.Chriſt's contraction. viz (1) Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, &c††Mat. 22.37.Matt 22:37. (2) p. 172Thou ſhalt love thy Neighbour as thy Self. This contraction of ten into two, is to teach us theſe Leſſons. (1) That God is to be loved Before, and More than all men: thou ſhalt love the Lord, &c, this is the Firſt and Great commandment ††Ver. 38.. (2) That the main Spring of mans obedience to both Tables muſt be LOVE: viz, Love to God, Love to man. (3) A ſummary account of the large Extent of both Tables: on theſe two hang All the law and the Prophets **Ver. 40.. (4) The impoſſibility of ſuch perfect obedience as the law requires, conſidered as a C W: that conſequently it may become our School maſter to Chriſt, to be juſtified by his obedience to the law: and not reſt in our Own, to our Ruine.

Fourth.Note 4. A Second Edition. The law thus written on Tables of Stone was a Second Edition and Impreſſion of the primitive perfect law written on the Table of Adam's heart in Innocency. By his Fall he brake this Table in pieces. And man having but a poor imperfect knowledge of God's law left, God did graciouſly make known his law, by making it audible to the Ear at Mount Sinai: and viſible to the Eye on Tables of Stone. Since which God hath by his good Providence put it upon Paper: and written a Book (reſponſible to Job's wiſh††Job 31.35 The Book of Books.Job 31:35) viz, the Bleſſed Bible. The O T in Hebrew: the language of Gods people of Old. The N T in Greek: which when written was more generally p. 173known among the Nations. Since both are Tranſlated into the Native language of the Nations who do enjoy them: and Happy are they that Well uſe them.

Fiſt. The M L which is an Epitomy,Note 5. The M L given in few words. or Breviary, and the Sum of the Will of God, and Whole duty of man: God hath delivered in few Words foreign ten words **Exo. 34.28.Exod 34:28:] a Command for it's Conciſeneſſe called a Word. No more Commands than a man hath fingers on his Hands: that he may eaſily carry them in his Head, and get acquainted with them: and not plead Largeneſs to excuſe Ignorance, which probably would be his Plea, if God had delivered his mind in a multiplicity of Precepts,A Plea prevented. and Words.

Sixt. God hath (by his Servants the Prophets, Apoſtles, and by the Son himſelf) Expounded, and Branched out in the Bible,Note 6. The M L branched by 10000. words. theſe [Ten words] with more than Ten thouſand words: to prevent this Pretence alſo for Ignorance: viz, [This Brevity is Obſcurity, this Shortneſſe is Darkneſſe: a Word is for the Wiſe, we are Weak: if God would have Us underſtand his Mind, he ſhould have explained it with more Words.] It is Done: God hath SO ſpake as to ſpeak all men Speechleſſe:Prudence prevents pretences. So as to ſtop every mouth, and make All the world guilty before God††Ro. 3.19.Rom 3:19.

Seventh.Note 7. Eight Negatives in Ten. All the ten commandments but two, i e [the fourth and fift] are delivered p. 174Negatively: i e, by way of Denying and Forbidding of ſin, to ſignifie that the Right way to be Religious or Practically obedient, is to be firſt Negatively ſo. e g, Depart from Evil, and do Good ††Pſal. 34.14.Ps 34:14: ceaſe to do Evil, learn to do Well **Iſa. 1.16, 17.Isa 1:16Isa 1:17. If a man flee not Sinfull Vices, it is in vain to follow Religious Courſes. N B, A precept for Faith is included in the Firſt Commandment: which will appear before we part. And it is in the Preface to all the Ten: to ſignifie that Faith and a New Heart, are neceſſary Antedecents for both Negative and Poſitive obedience to follow: for a man muſt Be good before he can Do good.

Eight.Note 8. Negatives include Poſitives. Every Negative command includes a Poſitive command: i e, when God forbiddeth evil Expreſſely, he biddeth good Implicitly. e g, Thou ſhalt have no other gods before me ††Exo. 20.3.Exod 20:3:] there is the evil of idolatry forbid Expreſſely: thou ſhalt have Me for thy God, there is the good of chooſing God commanded Implicitly. Thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain **Ver. 7., this is the evil forbid: thou ſhalt talk Vertuouſly, and Graciouſly of thy God, this is the good commanded. Thou ſhalt not Kill, commit Adultery, Steal, &c††Ver. 13, 14, 15., theſe are evils expreſſely Forbid: thou ſhalt Prevent murder, adultery, theft in Others by good counſel if thou canſt: this is good implicitly Commanded.Poſitives include Negatives. And Poſitive commands include Negative commands. e g, Remember p. 175the Sabbath day to keep it holy **Ver. 8., there is good expreſſely Commanded: remember it not to Prophane it with thy Own works, words, thoughts: there is evil implicitly Forbid. Honour thy father and thy mother ††Ver. 12., is good Commanded: diſhonour them not, is the evil Forbid.

Ninth.Note 9. A negative includes negatives. A Negative command includes Many negative commands. The ſin forbid, is forbid in Act, Word, and Thought: and the Occaſion of it, and whatſoever hath a Tendency to it. And theſe Incluſive commands are Expreſſed as they are Branched out in the Bible. e g, Thou ſhalt have no other gods before me: q d, No National god imaginable, no Perſonal, or private god of wood to worſhip in thy Houſe: no god of Gold in thy Heart, thy Self, Wife, Child, Houſe, Land, Friend, Goods, Gold, ſhall not be thy gods; as they will Be if loved more than Me. And ſee with what Caution the Occaſion of idolatry is forbid in theſe Texts**Deu. 12.30.Deut 12:30.] Thou ſhalt not Kill: not with Hand,Ch. 13.1, 3. Mouth murder. nor with Tongue, to be a Mouth-murderer as ſome call a Slanderer: and ſo we may call an evil Counceller. Not with Heart, to be a Heart-murderer: he that hates his brother is a murderer ††1 Joh. 3.15.1 John 3:15. Kill not by evil Counſel, or bad Example: neither Do, nor Say any thing that may Tend to, or Occaſion thy neighbours death: in Body, or Soul. Thou ſhalt not kill thy Self. Not with violent Hands, nor with Words ſpoken againſt thy own life: nor by p. 176Careleſneſſe of deaths and dangers: nor by ill Diet, not by Drunkenneſſe, nor by Gluttony. Plures periere Gula quam Gladio: more die by the Board than by the Sword.] Thou ſhalt not commit adultery. Not in Act, nor in Heart: whoſoever looketh on a woman to luſt after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his Heart **Mat. 5.28Matt 5:28. Chriſt calleth a Thought, an Act: to ſignifie, that Smal ſin in Mans ſight, is Great ſin in GOD's ſight. Thou ſhalt not occaſion it by unclean Cogitations, and Contemplations: nor by adulterous Diſcourſes with Delilahs: Remove thy way F AR from her, and come not nigh the door of her houſe ††Pro. 5.8. Simile.Prov 5:8. As he that carrieth Gun powder about him, had need keep far from Fire: ſo he that carrieth Corruption had need keep far from Temptation. As when children meet a Horſe,Simile. Cart, or Cow, they will (if timerous) run Ten times farther out of the way than need: ſo let men learn to flee from Sin. Keep thee Far from a falſe matter **Exo. 23.7Exod 23:7. Avoid it, paſſe not by it, turn from it, and paſſe away ††Pro. 4.15.Prov 4:15.] The law is Spiritual **Ro. 7.14.Rom 7:14; it forbids the Leaſt evil motion, and Firſt carnal conception: it commands our Spirits and Hearts to be holy: it condemneth for the moſt Secret ſin in the Soul. It is called the Royal law, foreign, the Kingly law ††Jam. 2.8.Jas 2:8: it is the law of the King of Kings. No earthly Kings law can condemn a man for a ſecret thought againſt the King:Diſſimile. but this Divine Law p. 177of the King of Heaven can and doth: it condemneth a man for the moſt Secret thought againſt the Law-giver.

Tenth.Note 10. A poſitive includes poſitives. A Poſitive command includes Many poſitive commands. e g, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. q d, Remember it to Prepare for it, to begin it Early, to ſpend it in holy duties, in holy diſcourſes, in holy meditations, to be in the Spirit: to cauſe all under you to keep it holy.] Honour thy Father and thy Mother. Honour them in Deed, in Word, in Thought, in their Preſence, in their Abſence, in their Old Age, when tempted by the Devil, and by the diſobedient to diſhonour them, when they Pleaſe thee, when they Diſpleaſe thee, Rebuke and Correct thee. N B, A Negative command incluſively commands All lawfull means to avoid the evil forbid: and a Poſitive command incluſively commands All lawfull means to perform the good commanded. On theſe things I have but Harped and Touched, for One of theſe Ten Words is a great Text: and to ſhew what is contained in a Commandment would make a long Sermon: for thy commandment is Exceeding Broad ††Pſal. 119.96.Ps 119:96.

¶ This tenth Note having ſome reſpect to the Sabbath,A leſſon for the Lords day. leads me to leave this Leſſon with you. viz, Fail not to learn your children to Reverence the Sabbath day. FAR be it from you to follow our Engliſh Heathens:Hatefull Heathens. who let their children Looſe to ſerve Satan on the Sabbath p. 178day. Tell them of the Sore judgments, God hath ſent upon Sabbath-breakers: for which Search the Scriptures, and See the Practice of Piety,Practice of Piety preferred. one of the Beſt Books (but one) that ever was written: and is like to riſe up in judgment againſt many. N B, God delivered no other commandment as he delivered this for the Sabbath. e g. (1) It hath a Memento preſixt: viz, Remember. (2) It is amplified with Arguments more than all the reſt, except the Second. (3) It is delivered [Poſitively] keep it holy: and [Negatively] thou ſhalt not do any work: and ſo is no other commandment delivered. FAIL not in this for the Fear of God: this Glorious and Fearfull name, THE LORD THY GOD **Deu. 28.58.Deut 28:58.

Eleventh.Note 11. Heaven and Earth made in Six dayes. The GREAT GOD that was but Six dayes in making Heaven and Earth, was twice Forty dayes and Forty nights in writing and delivering theſe Ten Words††Ex. 24.18.Exod 24:18, to remain a Law and Rule for mans life. And Moſes was as long waiting,Ch. 34.28. proſtrate on his Face faſting to receive them**Deu. 9.9, 10, 11, 18.Deut 9:9Deut 9:10Deut 9:11Deut 9:18: he did neither eat bread nor drink water, but did unceſſantly attend this Heavenly miniſtry of God. And theſe Ten words were written with the Finger of God, upon two Tables of Stone††Ex. 31.18.Exod 31:18: and put into an Ark of Shittim-wood**Deu. 10.3, 5.Deut 10:3Deut 10:5, very Durable, and counted incorruptible. There was nothing in the Arkſave the two Tables ††2 Chro. 5.10.2 Chr 5:10: for thou haſt magnified thy word above all thy Name **Pſ. 138.2.Ps 138:2. God p. 179will magnifie the Law and make it Honourable. If the Ark ſet forward, the enemy muſt Flee before it††Nu. 10.35. If the Ark go through Jordan, the waters muſt make way**Joſ. 3.15, 16Josh 3:15Josh 3:16. If the Ark be ſet up by Dagon, then Dagon muſt Down††1 Sa. 5.2, 31 Sam 5:21 Sam 5:3. If Dagon will try the other fall, he ſhall loſe his Head and Hands, and have nothing left but his Stump**Ver. 4.: which can neither Invent nor Act, as head and hands do. If the law of God be in the Heart, the reproach of men is not to be feared: for the Worm ſhall eat them like Wool ††Iſa. 51.7.Isa 51:7. The Ark containing the two Tables, was a Sacred Symbole of Gods preſence. God will be with his Law, and with the Lovers of it. God will keep them as the Apple of his Eye, who keep his Law as the apple of Their eye: as he hath commanded**Pſ. 17.8. Pro. 7.2. The ark a triple Type.Ps 17:8Prov 7:2. And the Ark was a type of Chriſt, who is the End of the law. (1) It was made for him to Keep. (2) He was made to keep That. (3) He keepeth it for Our uſe, Ark-like. N B, As Jeſus obeyed the law for our juſtification Perfectly, in love to GOD, and to the Law,A ſweet Simile. and to Us: ſo we are to obey the law in our converſation Sincerely, in love to GOD, and to the Law, and to the Lord Jeſus. Was the onelyonly wiſe God twice 40 dayes and 40 nights engraving Ten Words upon Two Tables of Stone, and will vain man make them Void? it is eaſier for Heaven and Earth to paſſe, than One Tittle of the Law to fail ††Lu. 16.17..

p. 180Twelfth and Laſt.Note 12. A deep Decalogue. The ten commandments are a Vaſt Continent. The M L is the fountain of all laws: viz, Moral, Ceremonial, Judicial and Evangelical. They all belong to it, it is the Root, they are the Branches: they are contained in it, and may be reduced to it: on theſe two commandments (i e the ten) hang all the Law and the Prophets **Mat. 22.40.Matt 22:40. Here if we conſider man in his three-fold State, viz, of Innocency, of Sin, and of Grace; we may ſee the M L containeth mans duty in every State. ¶ Firſt, in Innocency.] Adam being capable of receiving it,Ten in One. Break one break all. God gave him the ten commandments in One commandment: this is clearly implyed in Adam's breaking them All, by breaking that One. As the Sanction of the law is Diſjunctive, viz, Do or die; and the Injunction of the law Copulative, viz, Do this and that and all; ſo is the law it ſelf Copulative, i e, ſo linked together that in breaking one he brake all. This M L then contained Adam's duty in innocency, e g, in the firſt commandment, [thou ſhalt have no other gods before me:] that Negative implyeth this Poſitive [thou ſhalt have me for thy God] i e, by thy obedience to my M L: for no other was in uſe, yet all other Laws were Conditionally contained in it. ¶ Second, Conſider man in his Fallen State,] and there other laws fall in as uſefull: they being conditionally and providentially prepared thereunto. (1) The judicial p. 181law cometh and killeth him.Adam's Death. Adam's Soul died: i e, he was as diſable to recover his Fall by a C W, or any other way, as a Dead man is to live. And death of Body followed: and death of Soul and Body paſſed upon all men††Ro. 5.12.Rom 5:12. (2) Man being fallen, the law of faith falleth in for his Recovery: for this implicit Poſitive precept is ſtill in force: viz, [thou ſhalt have me for thy God.] This muſt of Neceſſity imply, [thou ſhalt beleeve on my SON] q d, For having Loſt me, thou haſt No other way left to Find me to be thy God. Thus the law for Faith appears to be implyed in the firſt Commandment, as I fore-told you. (3) Man being fallen, Ceremonial Sacrifices fall in as uſefull, from Adam's Fall to Chriſts Death: at which time they ceaſed. And ſince Chriſts death, Moral, Judicial and Evangelical laws are contained in the M L for mans uſe in a Fallen State. ¶ Third, Conſider man in a State of Grace,] and the ſame laws are contained in the M L for his uſe: viz, Moral, Judicial, Evangelical laws. The firſt commandment containeth many Evangelical laws: this implicit Poſitive precept, [thou ſhalt have me for thy God,] implyeth thou ſhalt Beleeve in me, and in my Son: for faith in Chriſt is a Chriſtians daily duty. And Repentance, Love, Humility, Hope, Fear: are implyed in this firſt precept: [thou ſhalt have me for thy God.] It is q d, If I be thy God, thou ſhalt p. 182Repent of thy Sins againſt me, thou ſhalt Love me, thou ſhalt walk Humbly with thy God, and Hope in thy God, and Fear thy God. e g, Beleeve in the Lord your God **2 Chro. 20.20.2 Chr 20:20, Repent and turn from your Idols ††Ezek. 14.6.Ezek 14:6, thou ſhalt Love the Lord thy God **Deu. 6.5.Deut 6:5, Humble your ſelves in the ſight of the Lord ††Ja. 4.10., Let Iſrael Hope in the Lord **Pſ. 130.7.Ps 130:7, thou ſhalt Fear thy God ††Lev. 25.17.Lev 25:17: theſe and the like are Branches of the firſt commandment.] The ſecond commandment containeth Laws againſt Idolatry, Will-worſhip of mans invention: worſhipping of Images, Pictures, the Sun, Moon or Stars**Deu. 4.19Deut 4:19: and laws for the True worſhip of God.] The third commandment containeth Laws for Prayer, Praiſe, giving of Thanks: for godly Diſcourſe in Private, and Publick: which includeth Preaching. And laws againſt Swearing, Curſing, Blaſpheming, and Murmuring againſt God: and ſpeaking of God vainly, idlely, formally, unprofitably, proudly.] The fourth commandment containeth Laws for the Sanctification of the Sabbath day: and Laws againſt the Prophaning of it. This commandment is called, Cuſtos primae tabulae: and this firſt Table containeth all mans duty to God.] The fift commandment containeth Laws for honouring of Parents, and Miniſters, and Magiſtrats, godly Governours, and pious Princes called in Scripture Fathers††Iſa. 49.23Isa 49:23: and Laws againſt diſhonouring them: and for Correction for diſobedient children.] The ſixt commandment p. 183containeth Laws againſt all kinds of Murder, unjuſt Battels, Quarrels, Blows with hand or heart, to hurt in any part.] The ſeventh commandment containeth Laws againſt Adultery of every degree: Fornication, Inceſt, Sodomy, Buggery: all uncleanneſſe, wantonneſſe, wearing of apparel contrary to the Sex, whether Male or Female**Deut. 22.5.Deut 22:5.] The eight commandment containeth Laws againſt all kinds of Thefts, Robberies, Rapines, Sacriledge, antiſcriptural Uſury††Ex. 22.25 Deu. 23.19Exod 22:25Deut 23:19, detaining of wages, pledges, fraud, deceit, falſe weights and meaſures**Chap. 25.13, 14..] The ninth commandment containeth Laws againſt falſe witneſſe, back-biting, tale-bearing, giving or taking of Bribes to blind the eyes to ill ends††Ex. 23.8. Deu. 16.19Exod 23:8Deut 16:19.] The tenth commandment containeth Laws againſt evil thoughts: and is very direct againſt deſires after whatſoever is our neighbours: and as a Sword ſhould cut the cords of covetouſneſſe in Sunder. This Second Table containeth all mans Duty to man. Thus far of the M L.

Fath.

What ſay you of the C L?

Min.

The C L reſpected Typical worſhip:Of the C L. of which Sacred Ceremonies there were 4 Sorts. (1) Holy Perſons: viz, High prieſts, Prieſts, Levites, Nazarites. (2) Holy Places: viz, the Tabernacle, the Temple, and other places of Divine appointment, where God recorded his Name**Exo. 20.24.Exod 20:24. (3) Holy Things: viz, the Ark, Oyl, Fire, holy-Water, Firſt-fruits, p. 184Incenſe, Burnt-offerings, Meat-offerings, Peace-offerings, Sin-offerings, Silver trumpets. (4) Holy Times: viz, Holy dayes, as New moons, Ceremonial Sabbaths. [Feaſts,] viz, feaſt of Paſſe-over, and unleavened bread, feaſt of Pentecoſt, feaſt of Tabernacles, feaſt of Trumpets, feaſt of Attonement. Holy years: viz, the Sabbatical or Seventh year††Lev. 25.2, 3, 4.Lev 25:2Lev 25:3Lev 25:4: the year of Jubile or the Fiftieth year**Ver. 8.10..

Fath.

What of the Judicial Law?

Min.

The Judicial Law was made to provide puniſhments for Offenders againſt the M L,Of the Judicial Law. and the C L: for a Rule to puniſh by according to Equity and Juſtice. For Capital offences the Jews had 4 kinds of death: viz, Stoning, Strangling, Beheading, and Burning. Crucifying was not by their law, but by Pilate's the Roman Deputy††Mat. 20.19. Jo. 18.32.Matt 20:19John 18:32. For offences not Capital, they had Scourging, Impriſonment, Reſtitution, Retaliation.

¶ By theſe three Sorts of Laws the Jews were governed. By the M L as they were Men, and a Humane Society: by the C L as they were a Church ſo conſtituted, and a Sacred Society: by the Judicial Law as they were a Common-wealth, and a Civil Society.

Fath.

How is the M L aboliſhed? and how is it not aboliſhed?

Min.

The M L as a C W,Abolition of the M L. or the Curſe and Rigour of the law which ſeparateth man from God, is aboliſhed and made void for p. 185true Believers: but as to the Doctrine, Diſcipline, Government of it for rule of life; it is as Permanent as Heaven and Earth.

Fath.

How is the C L aboliſhed?

Min.

The Practice of the C L which ſeparated man from man, viz, Jew and Gentile,Abolition of the C L. is aboliſhed: for he is our Peace who hath made Both One, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us **Eph. 2.14.Eph 2:14. But though it is out of uſe as it was Practical, yet it is in uſe as it is Doctrinall.

Fath.

How is the Judicial Law aboliſhed?Abolition of Ju Law.

Min.

The Judicial Law is aboliſhed as it provided puniſhment for Sin againſt the C L. Like as Flowers or Plants are fenced to keep them from being broken down while they are to Stand:Simile. ſo was the C L fenced with the Judicial Law: but when theſe Plants are plucked up, to what end ſhall the fence Stand? e g, The 10 day of the 7 month was a Ceremonial holy day: he that did any work was to be deſtroyed by the Judicial Law††Lev. 23.27, 30.Lev 23:27Lev 23:30: but now this C L is aboliſhed, this Plant plucked up, the Judicial Law (the fence) is gone too. But Judicial Laws to puniſh Offenders againſt the M L, are not abrogate, but Permanent: and are to be uſed (with diſcretion) by the godly Civil Magiſtrate, who is to adminiſter Juſtice, and execute them on Offenders. e g, If a man kill a man, and ſo break the Sixth commandment; he that killeth with the ſword, muſt be killed with p. 186the ſword **Rev. 13.10.Rev 13:10:] whoſo ſheddeth mans blood, (the Judicial Law is in full force) by man Shall his blood be ſhed ††Gen. 9.6.Gen 9:6.

¶ Thus God who foreknew mans Fall,Wonderfull wiſdom. and made a C G, with Chriſt before he made a C W with Adam, hath in wiſdom So delivered this Sacred Divine Law of the Decalogue, that it ſhould contain in Ten Words the whole Duty of man: to GOD and Man, in his threefold State. (1) In a State of Innocency: (2) In a Fallen State: (3) In a State of Grace by Jeſus Chriſt. I conclude theſe 12 Notes on the Ten Commandments with Davids prayer: LORD! Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold Wonderous things out of thy LAW **Pſal. 119.18.Ps 119:18.

Fath.

I ſee now my perſwaſion of the Decalogue was no deluſion, but O how little do I ſee! I and others had need uſe David's prayer for light in God's law: but I fear our Antinomians who do ſo ſlight it, will never pray for light in it.

Min.

They that ſee by the light of Strange Fire, and are ſo deep-learned in the Doctrine of Devils as to deny Gods law to be a rule of life; are never like to uſe David's prayer for light in God's law: for their light being darkneſſe, they ſee not ſo much as their own ignorance, nor the danger of ſelf-conceitedneſſe: and ſo are like to go into the land of outer darkneſſe.

Fath.

God be mercifull to me! and deliver me from Antinomian deluſion: ſometimes p. 187when I talk with Mr A, I am ready to Q whether the law be any rule of life or no.

Min.

You pray well, but look a little dull: if it may recreate (and not corrupt) you, let me tell you a Story. viz, A German woman deſiring to rid the houſe of her husband,German woman. caſt him into a deep ſleep: and then Dreſſes, Shaves, Cuts and Clips him into the faſhion of a Fryar.A godly Miniſter is my Author. When he wakes ſhe Stares and Storms, q d, What does this Fryar here in my houſe!] Fryar! q d, Wife art mad! doeſt not know thy husband? Still ſhe ſtorms, bawls, and fumes againſt the Fryar. The man being amazed looks in the glaſs to ſee if he can know himſelf: but ſeeing himſelf in ſuch a Shape, he almoſt believed he was a Fryar as his wife affirmed. Thus the Antinomians uſe the law. e g, (1) They paddle with the Preface, viz, I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: that belongs to the Jews only, and ſo is rejected.] Viſiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children: to cut off that they bring this as a Sword, every one ſhall die for his own iniquity ††Jer. 31.30.Jer 31:30.] Remember the Sabbath day: forſooth that is Ceremonial, and ſo Snipt off.] That thy dayes may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee: that belongs to the Jews, and ſo is clipt off. Having thus maimed and diſmembred the Decalogue they wholly reject it: that (with the German woman) they may be at liberty to go a whoring from God. p. 188They are of kinne to that curſed King, who cut the Roll and caſt it into the fire**Jer. 36.23.Jer 36:23: but it was reſcribed, and many like words added ††Ver. 32.: if man will diminiſh the Preceptive part, God will adde to the Penal part of his Precept. There were deſperate Antinomians in Job's dayes. e g, He ſtretcheth out his hand againſt God **Job 15.25Job 15:25. Take this literally, and ſo did Julian the Apoſtate when (wounded in battell and bleeding to death) he ſtretched out his hand to throw his blood up to Heaven:Julian againſt Jeſus. ſaying in indignation to Jeſus, Theod, l 3. Cap. 20.O Galilean! thou haſt overcome me. And the Amalekites, who when they could catch a Jew and kill him, would cut off the part that received the Seal of the Covenant: and with an out-ſtretched hand throw it up towards Heaven,Jerom. with indignation againſt God for that inſtitution. Take it metaphorically, and ſo doth he ſtretch out his hand againſt God, who uſeth his Wits and Words againſt God: as the Antinomian when he argueth againſt Gods law. A man ſhould not lift up hand, word, or thought againſt God: but hand, heart, tongue and all For God: but he ſtrengthens himſelf againſt the Almighty ††Job 15.25.Job 15:25foreign Shaddai, Omnipotency it ſelf who can do all things, and yet what can the Almighty do for them? yet he ſilled their houſes with good things **Chap. 22. 17, 18., and yet what can the Almighty do for them? Reaſon will tell a man, the Almighty can do All things. Reaſon differs the ſpirit of a Man p. 189from the ſpirit of a Beaſt: what unreaſonable blind beaſt is this then that thus argues? If the Almighty can do nothing For, he can do nothing Againſt a man: and that I preſume is their hope: viz, the Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil **Zeph. 1.12.Zeph 1:12.] He runs upon the boſſes of his bucklers ††Job 15.26.Job 15:26: alluding to the fierce aſſault of a Souldier. The buckler is Defenſive armour: the boſſe Offenſive, i e, a Sharp Spike, if a man come cloſe it kills him. God's Buckler is the Preceptive part of his law, by which he defends his honour: his Boſſe is the Curſe, threat or Penal part, by which he kills them that break his command. e g, Thou ſhalt not eat of the tree of knowledge, there is the Buckler: in the day thou eateſt thereof thou ſhalt ſurely die **Gen. 2.17Gen 2:17, there is the Boſſe: Adam runs upon it and dies for it. Thus Job's Antinomian, or ours, his Couſin German. He will offer violence to God, and his Law, with Goſpel in his mouth. He runs upon him, even on his neck ††Job 15.26.Job 15:26. He will try a twich with God. He would pull God out of Heaven, and throw the world out at Window. A Saint playes the man againſt Satan: but he playes the Devil againſt God, who makes his Law void. Here is ſin of a Size! what blows big enough for ſin So big? it will puzzle an Apoſtle and a Philoſopher too, to define it.

Fath.

What may be the Reaſon of our Antimian averſneſſe to the Law of God?

p. 190Min.

(1) Becauſe of its Antiquity,1 R. and their Novelty.] They have an evil eye upon the O T for its Names-ſake. Upon this account they may ſlight God himſelf, who is the Ancient of dayes ††Dan. 7.9.Dan 7:9. And on this account they may ſlight the Goſpel (for that is as old as the Law) as no doubt they will do when a New one comes up. And on the ſame account they may ſlight their Own opinion, for it's as old as Adam's fall: Adam was an Antinomian when he brake the Law. It's older than Adam's fall: the Devil was an Antinomian when he tempted Adam to be of the like Religion.

¶ 2) Becauſe of its Purity.2 R.] It is a ſacred, divine, perfect, pur**Pſ. 19.8.Ps 19:8, holy, ſpiritual Law††Rom. 7.12, 14.Rom 7:12Rom 7:14. It binds hands, feet, tongue, heart and All to holineſſe. Antinomians are Libertine, who love not to be bound by the bonds of Gods holy commands: but a David loves the law upon this account: thy word is very pure, therefore thy ſervant loveth it **Pſ. 119.140.Ps 119:140.

¶ 3) Becauſe of their own Obſcurity,3 R. and ignorance of its excellency.] That excellent office of the law, viz, to wound for Sin, and ſend to a Saviour; they are Strangers to. They never ſaw their own ſins in Gods Looking-glaſſe: but other mens ſins in the Devils Proſpecitive-glaſſe:Simile. The young Blackmoor. Simile. and ſo are like the Black boy that fled from his Black father to his White mother, not conſidering his Own blackneſſe. Antinomians ſlight the law, as the Indians did p. 191their Gold, when they knew not its worth. And as a Natural man doth Gods gold (i e,Simile. grace) which is to him as droſſe. And as the Jews did Jeſus, not diſcerning his Beauty, though altogether lovely ††Cant. 5.10.Song 5:10. The very Name of Jeſus was hatefull to the Jews: they could not call him by it, but, this fellow **M. 26.61., that deceiver ††Ch. 27.63, and the Carpenter **Mar. 6.3.Mark 6:3: ſo is the very word [Law] contemptible to our Antinomians. But this is madneſſe with a Witneſſe! for without law, what right hath a man to any good? viz, Temporal, Spiritual or Eternal. What right to houſe, goods, land without law? or what Safety are lands or life in without law? what right to Chriſt, Heaven, eternal life without law? It is by Law that Chriſts righteouſneſſe IS righteouſneſſe: i e, by the law of Works. It is by Law that Chriſts righteouſneſſe is a Chriſtians righteouſneſſe: i e, by the law of Grace††Jer. 23.6.Jer 23:6. It is by Law that Chriſtians are Saved, i e, the law of Faith: and it's by Law that ſinners are Damned, i e, by the law of Works. God imputeth righteouſneſſe by law and Saveth: and God imputeth ſin by law and Damneth: and is LAW to be ſlighted! He that breaks one breaks all**Ja. 2.10. Break one break all.: the breach of the ten commandments brings a man 10000 Talents into Gods debt by Law: and is LAW to be ſlighted! Little England hath a great deal of Rome in it, and (ſeeing darkneſſe is now a dayes ſo deſirable) p. 192it's to be wiſhed theſe perſons wiſh not for Popery and Tyranny, who do ſo diſguſt this good word LAW: for if a man would have laws againſt Theft nulled, no doubt that man deſires to be a Thief: and ſo of any other ſuch like deſire to deſtroy Law. It is no wonder theſe perſons are in darkneſſe, for they will ſhut their eyes againſt Scripture-light, if it be contrary to their own conceptions.Simile. They are like the Elephant, who makes the water Muddy, that he may not ſee his Deformity. They will ſearch Scripture for what ſeems to ſuit with their ſinfull minds: but would bury the oppoſite truth in oblivion. They bring their opinions to the Word, not to be diſcovered, but covered and maintained: and Role them through the Bible to ſee what Moſſe they can gather to cloath them with. Scripture with Scripture they will Not compare: but run away with a Piece of a Scripture, as the Devil did††Pſ. 91.11. Mat. 4.6.Ps 91:11Matt 4:6. If theſe perſons were Indians, they were objects of pity: but if they will ſhut their eyes in a land of light, let them go into the land of darkneſſe, as perſons to whom is referved the blackneſſe of darkneſſe for ever **Jud. 13.Judg 13.

¶ 4) Becauſe of their Impurity and wickedneſſe.4 R.] This curſed Doctrine of diſowning the Law, comes from a corrupt Heart: and by ſuch it ſhall be drunk Up, and ſwallowed Down with delight. Such are glad of a goſpel that gives them liberty from Piety, p. 193to live in Iniquity. They love to hear a ſmooth Sermon to day, to ſee a Play to morrow, to go to a Dancing-ſchool the next day:Chryſoſtom's ſaying of Dancing. though Chryſoſtome ſayes, Where dancing is, the Devil is.] And to go Gaudy in their Garments, for the ſake of a little curſed credit among the carnal: and this at Such a time when God is calling ſo loud for Sackcloth and Aſhes. And to neglect their childrens Souls, when Papiſts are coming to cut their Throats, and ſend them to Hell to howl there againſt their Parents for their Lawleſſe life. To ſay [the law is no rule of life] is for the Devil to ſpeak with a Tongue of fleſh, enough to horrifie a mans heart to hear it. Such in effect ſay Idolatry, ſwearing, Sabbath-breaking, killing, ſtealing, whoring, are no ſin. No wonder if ſuch fall foul, and become veſſels for the Devil to empty his Excrements into, until they are full and flow over.A Story too true. I knew a perſon Anno 1666 then a Preacher, who (in oppoſition to the uſe of the law in preaching) ſaid, I hate the law of God as Poyſon:] after which this preacher turned adulterer: even when he had an amiable wife of his own. What wonder? it may be the man did it to bear his teſtimony againſt the law of God: which he uſed to complain of as the cauſe of the corruptions of his heart. God will one day roar like a Lion againſt theſe Rebels, and rend the caul of their heart ††Ho 11.10. Chap. 13.8.: when he aſſaults ehm, q d, [Was I p. 19440 dayes and 40 nights preparing a Law for you to loath, ſlight, ſnuffe at, and ſpit out your venome againſt?] Let ſuch expect the Antitype of the 40 dayes deluge for their portion, to laſt as long as everlaſting. N B, They that forſake God's Law, forſake God himſelf. Rehoboam forſook the law of the Lord **2 Chro. 12.1.2 Chr 12:1: what then? Thus ſaith the Lord, Ye have forſaken Me ††Ver. 5.. To the ſame purpoſe is this ſaying, Ye are gone from mine Ordinances, return unto Me **Mal. 3.7.Mal 3:7: q d, In going from mine Ordinances ye are gone from Me. Some wicked men own God in Words, and deny him in Works††Tit. 1.16.Titus 1:16: Antinomians deny God in Words, and overpaſſe the deeds of the wicked. **Jer. 5.28.Jer 5:28. Religion! I value it not with the duſt of my Shoes, which I ſhake off as a witneſſe againſt them. It is worſe to make the Law void than to make Heaven and Earth void††Luk. 16.17.Luke 16:17: and he that had rather overturn heaven and earth than his own rotten opinion, I fear will never find a place in Heaven, nor on Earth long: but in Hell ere long.

¶ 5) Becauſe of the Judgments of God which Antinomians are under:5 R. and they are two-fold. (1) The judgment of Deluſion, for their tranſgreſſion.] They have choſen their own wayes, and their ſoul delighteth in their abominations: I alſo will chooſe their Deluſions **Iſa. 66.3, 4.Isa 66:3Isa 66:4.] They received not the love of of the truth that they might be Saved: and for this cauſe God ſhall ſend them ſtrong deluſion, p. 195that they all might be Damned ††2 Theſſ. 2.10, 11, 12.2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:112 Thess 2:12. If once perſons are made drunk with the wine of the wrath of God in the cup of an imaginary goſpel of liberty; then the Law is ſpewed out and caſt behind the back: like a mad man,Simile. who cares not if he ſtraw the ſtreet with Pearls. (2) The judgment of Prophanation.] Sometimes God puniſheth Sin with Sin, i e, one ſin with another: for ſin he gives up to ſin; for the practice and Pleaſure of ſin, God gives up to the Power of ſin: this is the way to prepare for the greateſt plague in Hell. Better be under all Job's boils, and Pharoh's plagues, and all the Tyrants in Turkey, An unparallel'd plague.than under this judgment of the Powr of ſin: though it be to the ſinner a Pleaſure. ¶ To theſe judgments of Deluſion, and Prophanation; is linked the judgment of eternal Deſtruction. Man chooſes his abomination: God chooſes his Deluſion: and God will chooſe his Deſtruction. Let no man think to chooſe his work and his wages, his ſin and his ſorrow: if man will chooſe his Sin, God will chooſe his Sword: and ſharpen it for the Slaughter, to cut in pieces the Sinner**Ezek. 21.10.Ezek 21:10.

Fath.

It's a ſad caſe to be in: I told Mr A a piece of my mind one day: and he was angry, and ſaid, I had learned by Leſſon of my Legal Preachers.

Min.

Angry!Silly folly. what kind of angry folly is this? for a man to ſhew me a piece of Pitch, p. 196and be angry becauſe I ſay it's Black. [Legal Preacher!] They that call a Miniſter [Legal Preacher] becauſe he uſes the Law lawfully, know neither Law nor Goſpel: and had need begin at great A. If a man be Practical, he will ſeem to be Legal: though he be indeed Evangelical.Holy E Hunt. [That holy man at Hitchin, E Hunt: when I firſt knew him, and obſerved how much he delighted in Gods law, and did (in heart and life) adhere to holineſſe; I feared he did reſt in his own righteouſneſſe. But when he came to declare his Converſion, and his Opinion in point of Juſtification; he made it appear that he truſted in Chriſt only for That: and that he was in Practice an excellent Perſon. The Lord make Me and Mine, and You and Yours like him.] And let Mr A ſay what he will, I ſay; a mans ſpirit, thoughts, words, works are No more to be approved than they are Legal:Legality a glory. a mans legality is his glory, which is to the Antinomian a Myſtery.

Fath.

Mr. A ſaith he hath fulfilled the law in Chriſt, hath Juſtification, and Sanctification alike in Chriſt: and needs none in himſelf, in heart or life: which he ſaith is to Me a Myſtery.

Min.

A myſtery of iniquity, of which let me make a diſcovery. Righteouſneſſe for Juſtification is reſident in Chriſt: Righteouſneſſe for Sanctification is reſident in the Chriſtian: Mr A ſaith they are both alike in p. 197Chriſt, none in the Chriſtian. N B, A mans own perſonal righteouſneſſe for Juſtification is to be rejected and abhorred: by Mr A's rule, righteouſneſſe for Sanctification of heart and Holineſſe of life, is to be abhorred too:Deſperate Doctrine. and not a Dram of grace ſuffered to be in the Soul. What then is an Antinomian better than a Babylonian? who is the habitation of Devils, and the hold of every foul ſpirit, and a cage of every unclean and hatefull bird ††Rev. 18.2Rev 18:2. The next time you ſee Mr A, pray give him this ſhort Sentence: viz, He that hath Juſtification without Sanctification, ſhall ſurely have it without Salvation.

Fath.

I told Mr A of his looſe life, and he ſaid, Faith was greater than Holineſſe.

Min.

Greater or leſſer, they are linked together: the one is not without the other. Faith without works is no more alive, than the Body is alive without the Soul**Ja. 2.26.. What does Mr A think to be ſaved by? faith without fruit! faith with froth and filth! faith that makes void the Law! weigh ſuch faith and the faith of Devils together, and you will ſoon ſee which is the lighter. That faith which hath not obedience to the Law for its fruit, I deny. That goſpel which is without Law, a Lawleſſe goſpel, I diſown as another goſpel, the preacher of which I count accurſed, though he comes as an Angel from Heaven††Gal. 1.8.Gal 1:8.

Fath.

If I plead with Mr A for a holy life, p. 198he tells me Faith can do that for me which Holineſſe cannot do for me.

Min.

And Holineſſe can do that for you which Faith cannot do for you. e g, Suppoſe you have faith, and fall into ſome ſin: what ſhall be your defence from the word of reproof and reproach, which is as an arrow ſhot out **Pſ. 64.3. Jer. 9.8.Ps 64:3Jer 9:8? will you ſay, I have faith, I believe in Chriſt? your faith and you will be abhorred together. But if you live holy, and be faiſely accuſed, you have a Breaſt-plate of righteouſneſſe to defend you from theſe Darts††Eph. 6.14.Eph 6:14. N B. As faith juſtifies before God which works cannot do, ſo works juſtifie before men which Faith cannot do.

Fath.

If Mr A heard you, he would count you ignorant of Chriſt and the Goſpel.

Min.

Mr A and Mr B too have their liberty to come and try whether they or I can produce and declare, (1) The greateſt ſenſe of Sin, Gods wrath, Hell and Eternity. (2) The cleareſt ſight of the emptineſſe of Self-righteouſneſſ. (3) The greateſt and ſweeteſt comfort and aſſurance of Salvation by Chriſt. Or, (4) The greateſt love to the Lord Jeſus: to his Perſon now in Heaven.

Fath.

It ſeems you have not got Goſpel-Notions without Convictions, as Mr A hath. But ſome Miniſters (which are not called Antinomians) preach nothing but the Doctrine of Juſtification by believing: I wonder at them.

p. 199Min.

That you wonder at ſuch is no wonder: for ſuch are Pieces of preachers: if I ſaw a piece of a man in a pulpit, I ſhould wonder with you. It ſeems by ſuch, that there are hundreds of Texts in the holy Scriptures; which ſtand for Cyphers. If a Miniſter tell men only what God hath done for them, and not what they muſt do for God, their neighbour, and themſelves; how does he declare the whole councel of God **Act. 20 27.Acts 20:27? Is a man born to do nothing but believe? what ſtrange trade is this! whether ſuch workmen do half their work? is a hard Queſtion. Such preachers and hearers are like to have their work to do in the grave, where it will never be done††Ecl. 9.10. And how much Blood ſuch Miniſters will go Off under the guilt of, God only knows: for their not informing men of the C W which they are under (by nature) under the Goſpel, will (I doubt not) occaſion the damnation of Thouſands of Souls in this City.

Fath.

They ſay, The grace of God teacheth men to deny ungodlineſſe**Tit. 2.12.Titus 2:12.

Min.

True: it's therefore a ſign their ſingle way of preaching the Goſpel is not bleſſed for the reception of that grace: ſeeing their hearers deny not ungodlineſſe.

Fath.

What may be the Reaſon why ſuch Miniſters do not preach the Law?

Min.

(1) A fooliſh fond affection for the Title of a N T Miniſter: Goſpel Miniſter:1 R. p. 200Preacher of Free grace. They are afraid of the Title [Legal] as if the word [Law] which God hath magnified and made ſo honourable, would diſhonour them.

¶ 2) A man-pleaſing ſpirit:2 R. loth to diſpleaſe: love of the praiſe of men, more than the praiſe of God **Joh. 12.43.John 12:43. Men will praiſe them that pleaſe them with fine ſtories of Gods favour (concealing his diſpleaſure) inſtead of ſhewing them their foul faces in the clear glaſſe of God's Law. They like not to give occaſion for this Reflection, viz. What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come to call my Sin to remembrance?††1 Kin. 17.18.1 Kgs 17:18

¶ 9) Ignorance of the neceſſity of preaching Goſpel Duty to the godly.3 R. Such preachers ſee not the Duty of the goſpel, as neceſſary to be preached as the Doctrine of the goſpel. They fill the Head with goſpel Notions: but doth Heart and Hand are empty of good Operations. Some write whole Volumes of Notions, to Blaze abroad their Notion: which (Occaſionally) will but treaſure up wrath for Writer and Reader, if Practice prevent not. ALAS! Alas! the lamentable neglect of Duty and barrenneſſe of Life is not laid to Heart. To inform Chriſtians of their duty; to direct, excite, provoke them to it; is no ſmall part of the work of a preacher: by the want of which, Chriſtians are almoſt in all evil, in the midſt of the Congregation**Pro. 5.14.Prov 5:14

p. 201¶ 4. Ignorance of the neceſſity of a Law-miniſtry to awaken ſleepy Sinners,4 R. and make them ſound Saints: by warning them to flee from the curſe of the Law to Chriſt. Such goſpel Miniſters underſtand not how many of their Hearers are aſleep in their Sins, under their goſpel Sermons, with all their Notions: and what to be warned with Thunder and Lightning, to flee from Hell: whither they are haſting with a lie in their right hand ††Iſa. 44.20Isa 44:20.

Fath.

It ſeems by theſe Reaſons, the effects of neglect of preaching the Law, are Sad.

Min.

SAD! yes, and very ſinfull: as for inſtance in each of the ten commandments. Its becauſe the Firſt commandment is not preached, that there is ſo much monſtrous Idolatry among men. Men make gods of Devils, of Men, of Beaſts; of Houſes, of Lands, of Friends, of Enemies, of Themſelves, of their Bellies**Phil. 3.19Phil 3:19, of their Wits, of their Works, of their Worſhip††Hab. 1.16Hab 1:16. To which I may adde, mens denying the very Being of God. e g, This laſt Sturbridge Fair Anno 1681, a Cambridge Scholar in diſcourſe ſaid,I had it of him that heard it. I do not believe there is either God or Devil or Heaven or Hell. Here is an eye for a Pariſh! what Doctrine will this perſon preach? who hath took ſuch a Degree from the Devil and Hell. Another denied the Being of God to an honeſt mans face who affirmed it: ſaid the A theiſt, I will prove there is no God thus, viz, I will fall a Swearing as p. 202faſt as ever I can Swear, and let your God come and hinder me if he Can.] And ſo fell into a Swearing fit, and Belched out abundance of Oaths, as long as he liſt: then inſulted over the honeſt man with a [Where is your God?] intimating that he had infallibly diſproved his Being. O the patience of God! who did not turn ſuch a wretch's Swearing into Roaring.] It's becauſe the Second commandment is not preached, that men have ſo many falſe Ideas of God in their minds. Some imagine God to be an Old Man ſitting in Heaven,A ſort of Indians. who will do them no hurt: and ſo fear the Devil only, but yet ſerve both. They light up One candle to God that he may Help them: another to the Devil that he may not Hurt them. Some few, fancy God to be all Severity: and ſo deſpair of mercy. Many imagine God to be all Mercy; and ſo take liberty for Iniquity. Antinomians are much like the Hereticks of old, who held, that under the Law God was a ſevere Judge: but under the Goſpel all Mercy. But if God be changeable, why may he not be all Juſtice again? and that in Judgment to them.] It's becauſe the Third commandment is not preached, that men uſe the name of God ſo lightly, vainly, irreverently: in diſcourſe Of God, in preaching For and From God, in prayer To God. And that men Swear ſo ſadly, and frequently, even All oaths ſmall and great, from [God Save p. 203me] to that dreadfull [God Damn me] which laſt I tremble to relate. They that not onelyonly neglect to pray God to Save them, but alſo do daily dare God to Damn them; I have No hope of their Salvation: nor No doubt of their Damnation: they take Long ſteps to the Lake that is but a little before them. They that ſwear [God Save me] may poſſibly be penitent, pardoned, and Saved: but this dreadfull [God Damn me] is like to prove an unpardonable Oath to All that uſe it.] It's becauſe the Fourth commandment is not preached, that the Sabbath is ſo Slighted, ſo Slept away, ſo talked away about Trifles, and that Chriſtians are ſo carnal in ſpiritual duties: and enjoy ſo little of God.] It's becauſe the Fifth commandment is not preached, that Children are at ſuch a Paſſe: and do ſo many wayes deſpiſe, diſobey, diſhonour their Parents: and Kick up their heels at Correction when it comes.] It's becauſe the Sixth commandment is not preached, that there are ſo many Murders: with Heart, Hand, and Tongue.] It's becauſe the Seventh commandment is not preached, that there are ſo many Adulteries: in Act Word, Heart: which ſin is ſometimes of ſad conſequence. e g, One ſent Luther a letter to tell him this Story: viz,A letter to Luther. A widdow had a child by a Scholar: and the Prieſt would not baptize it, except ſhe would diſcover the Father. At this ſhe killed the child: and Hanged p. 204her ſelf. The Scholar hearing this, Hanged himſelf. The Prieſt hearing this, Hanged himſelf.] It's becauſe the Eighth commandment is not preached, that there are ſo many Thefts with Hand, and Heart. And ſo much immorality, and want of Common honeſty among profeſſors: ſo much fraud and deceit in dealing, the Leaſt of which is not to be allowed, but condemned: and he that uſes it, not to be truſted more or leſſe, for he that is unjuſt in the Leaſt, is unjuſt alſo in much **Lu. 16.10. Never truſt him with a Guiny who will deceive you of a Peny. It may ſeem a ſmall matter for a Weak woman under Strong temptation to take an Apple: but the Lord God ſaid unto the woman, What is this thou haſt done? ††Gen. 3.13Gen 3:13A Queſtion enough to make a man Quake.] It's becauſe the Ninth commandment is not preached, that there is ſo much evil Speaking; backbiting, devouring, ſowing diſcord, that ſurpaſſing ſervice of Satan.] It's becauſe the Tenth commandment is not preached, that men are ſo Covetous. With this cord, ſin is drawn as with a cart-rope **Iſa. 5.18.Isa 5:18. Covetouſneſſe comes of the love of the world: that root of all evil ††1 Tim. 6.10.1 Tim 6:10. If this ſin live in the Heart, I know not what ſin will die: nor what ſin ſuch a Soul ſhall eſcape the Snare of. What multitudes of murders doth it make men commit! how doth it make men murder and ruin even their own relations! ſometimes themſelves and all. I p. 205could tell you many a Dreadfull Story had I time: take 2 or 3 for a taſte.

¶ One left his Lover, for a Richer.In July 1681. A Knight that I can name. The forſaken damſel, Drowned her ſelf by London Bridge. This Ladies death ſtruck this Knight with grief, and Death: for in few hours after he died. And now their Relations are laviſhing out their hundreds at Law, for the thouſands theſe unhappy Lovers left behind.

¶ Two fatherleſſe Females lived in a Lone houſe.Mr W. Their Uncle (who that day paid them their Portions) came with his Sons at Midnight to murder them for their Money; He was killed, and his Sons taken and hanged, by means of a Stranger who loſt his way and lodged there that night: which is a Story of ſuch Singular Circumſtances, I am ſorry I have not time to tell it out.

¶ A man being long at Sea, at length came home to ſee his Father and Mother.Mr C. Mr W. This Seaman had a Siſter living at Towns end, whom he called to ſee as he came in the Even: and ſhe knew him. But coming to his Parents, they knew him not. He delighting to keep them in the dark for that night, to make merry with it on the morrow, made himſelf a ſtranger, and deſired a nights lodging. They lodge him in a barn which he accepts: but deſires them to lodge his bag of Money in the houſe. They take it in: and in the night conſult to kill him for it, and did ſo: and ſo were ſoon p. 206made rich. But in the morning, his ſiſter came betime to ſee her brother. They underſtanding what they had done, ran Mad, and ſo were hanged. Sir theſe are no Idle Tales.

Fath.

Truly theſe are Sad Stories. And I ſee now, this defect in preaching ſin Down, and duty Up (by opening the glaſſe of the Law to ſhew ſin) is the cauſe why ſin lives ſo much under Sermons. What ſymptoms of the ſin of Pride in the Heart, is in the Habit! it troubles me to ſee in what a Garb ſome go, that I could name.

Min.

O! pray take heed of that! it is good ſleeping in a whole ſkin. Trouble you! if you and I were well awake, it would make us tremble, to ſee perſons come to Sermons as if they came for Shows: and appear on Galleries, as if they were on a Stage in Smithfield Fair, to act a part in a play. And how is it poſſible theſe painted perſons ſhould be reproved by a preacher who appears in a Pulpit in a monſtrous Periwig? a Crown of Pride! N B, If theſe perſons preach not pride Down, their hearers go down to Hell: if they do at all attempt it, it's impudence in them: and ſo it is to ſpeak any word in the name of God††Pſ. 50.16.Ps 50:16 O what a Shame is it for a man to pretend to have the ſpirit of God, and yet go as if deſtitute of the dictates of Nature! for doth not even nature it Self teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a Shame unto him **1 Cor. 11.14.1 Cor 11:14? A ſhame if it p. 207be his Own, which God and nature have given him: much more it it be another mans hair, which comes not from God, nor nature, but Art, that coins a man for the Court: or makes him liker a Courtier than a Preacher.Scripture phraſe. Gods word in ſuch a mans mouth is as a Jewel of Gold in a Swines Snout ††Pr. 11.22. Simile.. And in handling it ſuch do Swine-like, muſle a Pearl up and down the Mire. The lip of the Leper was to be covered**Lev. 13.45.Lev 13:45: and the unclean ſpirit was to hold his peace††Mar. 1.25Mark 1:25. Brethren to theſe in iniquity, are ſuch Miniſters who ſuffer their Wives and Daughters to go like Ladies of honour: as if they came from a Court to wait on a Queen: or were of Madam Guins Gang, though maintained byu the Congregation.

¶ But O how perillous is Pride or Sin in ſuch perſons!The perill of pride. when the Prieſts were to go into the Tabernacle, ſaid the holy Lord God, They ſhall waſh their hands and their feet, that they Dis not: and it ſhall be a Statute for Ever to them **Exo. 30.21.Exod 30:21. When the Prieſts ſons were wicked in worſhip, there went out Fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord ††Lev. 10.1, 2.Lev 10:1Lev 10:2: a prodigious plague! If the Prieſts daughter did commit fornication, ſhe was doomed to the moſt diſmal death, viz, to be burnt with fire**Lev. 21.9.Lev 21:9: when others did not die at all for fornication††Ex. 22.16Exod 22:16, though they did for adultery**Lev. 20.10.Lev 20:10. Theſe prodigious plagues, ſhew how hatefull ſin is in Such, more than in others. With ſuch Miniſters, p. 208we may rank ſuch Members, who being Coached to their meetings, ſuffer their Coachmen to ſit at an Ale-houſe, in Sermontime: and to ſit drinking at the Table of Devils, while they ſit at the Lords Table. AY Sir! you can ſhake your Head and ſit Silent, but I muſt Speak: theſe things ſtink up to Heaven. The ſins of profeſſors of Religion, make religion Stink in the noſtrils of the prophane††Gen. 34 30.Gen 34:30: and make profeſſors themſelves ſtink in the noſtrils of God**Iſa. 65.5.Isa 65:5. Let ſuch preachers, and profeſſors take heed, the Holy God, who hates pride in a high degree, do not ſpeedily Spew them out of his mouth. By reaſon of proud perſons God may ſay to London, Behold, this was the iniquity of thy ſiſter Sodom, Pride, &c **Ezek. 16 49.Ezek 16:49. PRIDE was one of the Engines that pulled down the fire of God from Heaven, to burn them down to Hell. A proud perſon is in a Perillous condition: eſpecially if a Preacher, or a Profeſſor. But whoſoever it be, the higher in Pride, the lower and farther from God: the liker the Devil, and the nearer Hell. Yet a proud man is above God: for God will have his will in nothing but what is good and juſt: but a proud man will have his will, right or wrong. How can a proud perſon receive any grace from God?Bernards Simile. God is the Fountain, his grace and mercy to man is the Stream: as in a water-courſe, the Stream can riſe no higher than the Fountain from whence it comes: ſo p. 209grace can riſe no higher than God, which a proud man is above. N B, Pride lifting up ſo high, will let fall full low at laſt: he that is above God, will doubtleſſe fall below the Devil.

¶ Beware of World-likeneſſe.Caution. Likeneſſe in Chriſtians to the world in Sin, cauſes likeneſſe in Sorrow. When the ſmall Pox, or the great Plague rages, the Reaſon why God puts ſo little difference between the Egyptians and Iſrael, is becauſe Iſrael differs ſo little from Egypt. They Live alike, and Die alike. Some profeſſors promiſe themſelves ſafety in Peſtilence from this promiſe, viz, 1000 ſhall fall at thy ſide, and 10000 at thy right hand, but it ſhall not come nigh thee **Pſ. 91.7.Ps 91:7but why? becauſe thou haſt made the Lord, the moſt high, thy habitation ††Ver. 9.: this is a dwelling in God by a holy life; It is a promiſe of preſervation with a condition, ſuch expect it without, why not Salvation too without believing? Sir, I ſee by your looks, I have ſaid more of preachers than hath pleaſed you: but if perſons will not be reproved, and reformed when ſuch a Plague of darkneſſe is approaching us from the Pit, to prepare us, or Ours for that place of torment; we may write the Red Croſſe on our doors.

Fath.

Let than paſſe. I ſpake only againſt Pride: but I fear we have ſome who hear to Poor purpoſe, beſides ſuch Proud perſons.

Min.

Now you talk of ſuch hearers, and put it into my head, I tell you, here are ſuch p. 210Parcels as I could not have believed to be in London, had I not heard and ſeen it. eg,

¶ 1) Some are pleaſed with their pure goſpel,1 Sort of ſimple hearers. without Law or Duty: with faith without works. Let a Miniſter tell them a ſtory of Chriſt's benefits, &c, they think All is their own. Poor deluded creatures! where is their Faith? they muſt ſhew it by their Works, if God may be Judge**Ja. 2.18.. If their goſpel Miniſter ſhould preach duty ſo neceſſary, and preſſe the power of godlineſſe; they would leave him for a Legal preacher: not enduring ſuch ſound Doctrine, for want of ſound Hearts.

¶ 2) Other judge of a Miniſter,2 Sort. by the multitude of his auditors: being albe to give no other account of him, than he who haſteth to ſome Hurly-burly or Tumult in the Street: viz, he runs becauſe he ſees others run before him. If this be a rule to judge a Miniſter by, we may cry up the Quakers, and other who are unſound in Fundamentals: for ſuch have the great Aſſernablies.

¶ 3) Other are taken with Tones,3 Sort. and Accents: as if the life and power of Preaching lay in Points, and Tittles: for if a Sermon be Subſtantial, yet if not Tonical, its to them a Toy. Or, let the ſame ſounding Sermon be delivered without Tone, or Read to them, its not worth a Ruſh.

¶ 4) Other admire a Miniſter,4 Sort. who hath a ſtrange kind of confidence with God: though p. 211his boldneſſe be a fruit of his ignorance. And admire his out cryes againſt the enemy: and the broad ſides he give them out of his pulpit, prophetically pulling them down before their time: though this be a fruit of a 3-fold ignorance. (1) Of the enemies power, and policy, rather than knowledge of Gods power and wiſdom to oppoſe them. (2) Ignorance of Englands Sins: for which God may juſtly ſuffer Antichriſt to make the Nations Shake at the ſound of our fall, before he comes down. (3) Ignorance of their own duty, to ſtay God's time: wait ye upon Me, ſaith the Lord, untill the day that I riſe up to the pray ††Zepb. 3.8.Yet is this kind of confidence admired: and if a preacher be Sober, and do not Hector and Vapour, his Sermon is ſnuffed at as a Cypher.

¶ 5) Other are in love with a loud noiſe:5 Sort. they like him beſt who ſpeaks Loudeſt: though he deſreve to be told as one told the Nightingale in eating its little carkaſe, Vox tu es preterea nihil, thou art nothing but noiſe.] It is not the Sermon, but the Sound, that is Significant to ſuch. If the ſame Sermon, or a much better, be delivered with a low voice, though a ſubſtantial, ſound, ſuitable Sermon, and preached in Print, its not worth a Pin. I do not know but a Drum in a Pulpit, is as good for them as good Doctrine. Call them to an account of their Canorous preachers proceeding, they reply, O he is a Thundering preacher! p. 212he hath a Rouſing voice! ſo it ſeems, if a man have but bare Brains, and ſtrong Lungs, its enough, though that be all.Simile. Such hearers are like the Servant who came home crying up the Sermon to the Clouds: to whom ſaid his Mr, What was the Text? Sir it was taken out before I came in. What of the application of the Sermon? I came out before he had done. What of the middle of the Sermon? Sir, I was aſleep then. I will trouble you but with one ſort more, and they are

¶ 6) A company of Children,6 Sort. who chooſe to hear Youths preach. Theſe you will ſay are Young hearers, before you hear that ſome of them have been hearers near half a hundred years. Excellent Elihu was otherwiſe minded: viz,I ſaid Dayes ſhould ſpeak ††Job 32.7.Job 32:7. Surely ſuch never read this Text, foreign, not a novice **1 Tim. 3.61 Tim 3:6.] Paul dehorts from deſpiſing Timothy's youth ††Ch. 4.12.: but he was no Upſtart, nor new plant **foreign.: he had know the Holy Scriptures foreign from an infant ††2 Tim. 3.15.2 Tim 3:15. It ſeems he was ſanctified from the cradle, for that Sacred Service. He was not prepared with a little humane learning, and ſome notions of Divinity ſcraped up together into a Paper, to read over in a Pulpit: as ſome of our Youths are, whoſe grace I doubt is not a Dram. If I was to hear a Sermon, before I would go over a threſhold to hear a youth, ſurely I would walk 7 miles to hear ſome grave ſolid Senior: for with the Ancient is wiſdom, p. 213and in length of dayes, underſtanding **Job 12.12Job 12:12Sir, if I was informing ſome Ignoramus, it would be neceſſary to ſay, I deſpiſe not any proper comely Accent, or audible voice in preaching: but you are paſt a Child, to whom I ſpeak.

Fath.

I have obſerved ſome of theſe Simple things: I fear we have a pack of pitifull profeſſors here in London.

Min.

Do you but Fear it! as for our Congregational (to ſay nothing of National) profeſſors in London, I am ſatisfied in this to my Sorrow, viz, that the Religion of abundance of them is like the heart of the wicked: little worth ††Pro. 10.20.Prov 10:20. And though they learn the language of Canaan, yet their end will be deſtruction **Iſa. 19.18Isa 19:18: and they the people againſt whom the Lord hath indignation for ever ††Mal. 1.4Mal 1:4. I reflect upon none truely gracious: or that carry it Chriſtian-like. As for others, never tell me, They are Churchmembers, and belong to this Miniſter, and that Dr: let them leave off worldly-love, and others Vaities: part with their Pride, and practice Piety, or never profeſſe it more. And to all Libertines and Antinomians at once, I ſay; Its obedience to the Law of God, in Love to God, as a fruit of this root [the Grace of God,] done to this end [the Glory of God,] that I plead for: and if this will not Down, let them throw their goſpel after the Law, and be ſo honeſt as to turn profeſt Atheiſts, and deceive the world no more with the Name of Chriſt, and not depart from iniquity ††2 Tim. 2.19.2 Tim 2:19.

p. 214Fath.

You ſeem to of an implacalbe ſpirit againſt the Antinomians.

Min.

I am ſo, every Inch of me: my ſpirit is like the Northern Iron and the Steel **Jer. 15.12Jer 15:12, to Stab their rotten religion to Death: for to reconcile Right Religion and the Antinomian, is to bring God and Baal together.

Fath.

I am of your mind, but I muſt deſire, you to diſmiſſe me, for my occaſions call me.

Min.

If you be in haſt,Concluſion I will make a haſty Concluſion, with this Exhortation. viz, Love the pure precious Laws of the God of Love. Be grieved becauſe they are Slighted††Pſ. 119.158.Ps 119:158. The more other ſlight them, the more od you delight in them. Keep them as the apple of thine eye **Pro. 7.2.Prov 7:2. Bind them upon thy fingers: write them upon the table of thine heart ††Ver. 3.. Keep them in the midſt of thine heart **Ch. 4.21.Eſteem them more than your neceſſary food ††Job 23.12Job 23:12. Let them be ſweeter than hony, and the hony comb **Pſ. 19.10.Ps 19:10. Be legal in all your Life. Glory in legality. Never think well of what is not done according to Law ††Ezra 10.3Ezra 10:3. Labour for life: work as if you were to win Heaven by working**Joh. 6.27. Phil. 2.12. Heb. 4.11.John 6:27Phil 2:12Heb 4:11: and when you have done all, count all nothing in point of Juſtification. Reſt upon Chriſt onelyonly for That, as if you had done nothing at all. And follow not a man living a Step farther than he follows Jeſus Chriſt††1 Cor. 11.1.1 Cor 11:1: and ſo Sir, I bid you Farewell.

Fath.

Farewell Sir: the Lord reward you.

foreign

A THIRD DIALOGUE Concerning the SABBATH-DAY.

The Third Part.

Then I contended with the Nobles of Judah, and ſaid unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and prophane the Sabbath-Day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this City? yet ye bring more wrath upon Iſrael by prophaning the Sabbath. Neh. 13.17, 18.

Hallow my Sabbaths and they ſhall be a Sign between Me and You, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Ezek. 20.20.

Bleſſed is the Man that doth this, and the Son of man that layeth bold on it, that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it. Iſa. 56.2.

Alſo the ſons of the Stranger, that Joyn themſelves to the Lord, to ſerve him, Every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it: even them will I bring to my hold Mountain, and make them joyfull in my Houſe of Prayer. Ver. 6, 7.

And he ſaw that Reſt was Good, and the Land that it was Pleaſant, and bowed his ſhoulder to bear, and became a Servant unto tribute. Gen. 49.15.

LONDON, Printed by J A for the Author, 1681.