A Church Covenant Lawful and Needful, Part 2
The engagement of certaine Brethren, walking under the Band of a Church-Covenant in Gospel-Communion one with another.
After they had made an humble and hearty acknowledgement of what they had received from their God, and are, by the supply of the Spirit, still receiving from Him, for their enabling to keep close unto Him.
WE, whose Names are under-written, having through Him, to whom we lifted up our soules, each of us, alone and apart and altogether, beseeching Him to take us by the Armes, and teach us how to goe; Who a Hos. 11. 3.is All in all bCol. 3. 11.; All in all persons; All in all things, and continually strengthneth cPhil. 4. 13.; therefore He being the strength of Israel d1 Sam. 15. 29, and the Glory of Israel aLuk 2. 32., must have the glory of His own strength in us & with us, who are Nothing b2 Co 12. 11.: having through Him, we were saying,
I. Thought on our wayes cPsa. 119. 59., that is, thoroughly considered them, what those wayes were, and whether they did lead, yea drive us dDeut. 4. 19., being our own aAct. 14. 16., after the flesh bRom. 8. 13. 2 Pet. 2. 10., wayes of sin and death. And the same good Spirit, That gave us a sight of our wayes, giving us to loath cJer. 31, 19. Ezec. 6. 9 20 43.them also, and so to leave them (for we cannot truely leave that, we doe not truely loath) turned our feet from out of those wayes, towards Himself, which before time were running from Him with our backs upon Him as the swiftest and most impetuous streame run's from the fountaine head; Indeed we fled from Him (that is our naturall flight, and so He complaines dHos. 7. 13. Zech. 14. 5, they have fled from Me) like as they fled from before the earth-quake. But He, the Al-mighty God laid His Hand upon us, and put forth the exceeding greatness of His power towards us, being so mercifull to us; and Called us out of our Sodom, that Eph 1. 19. Gen. 19. 16.horrible pit of Darkness (such it appeares to us now) that horrid state of Nature, or of Death, into His marveilous light a1 Pet. 2. 9.; therefore it is called light and Glory together bIsa. 60. 1, 2, 3.
II. Having received for our deare Lord and Saviours sake this first Grace this speciall favour (so we call it being the same He Psal. 106. 4.sheweth to His peculiar people) we are incited and stirred-up (hence we conclude the Truth of our Grace) to cry for more Prov. 2. 3.grace, more and more of the Spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of Him (for we, that have received this Grace can discerne in our selves the want of Grace which they cannot possibly doe, that wholy want it) that we may grow-up into Him Eph. 1. 17. 4. 15. Col. 2. 19. 2 Pet. 3. 18.in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: For this is to grow in Grace, increasing therein with the encrease of God, to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. A gracious man never sayes he has enough Grace, till Grace be consummate in Glory. Also.
III. Having this knowledge of Him, and growing therein, whereby He justifies many, even all them, and none but them, Isa 53. 11.that have this saving, justifying, experimental, fiduciall knowledge of Him, (for a Nationall, or speculative knowledge, a bare work of the understanding, swimming in the braine, having some light as the Moone hath, but no heat, and purifieth not, no more than a notionall or dead hope doth, causing but a wind there, which puffeth 1 Cor. 8. 7.up, no nourishment, and so is, nothing, or a thing of nought worth, nothing) but having we were saying, this knowledge of Him, we are purifying our selves, even as He is pure. We have 1 Joh. 3. 3.also, through the same Grace, a fuller and clearer knowledge of our selves what cursed creatures we were, as all now are, while they are, as we were, with-out Him. Therefore flesh, the wisdome, Eph. 2. 12. Isa. 40. 6. Rom. …. ….goodlinesse, and excellencie thereof (the corruption and filthiness thereof is not to be a1 Cor. …. ….named without indignation, as becometh Saints?) though it would be trusted, for so the Bramble would, b Eph. 5. 3.yet no confidence must be put therein. And we beseech Him dayly, and hope in His mercy we shall hold on seeking, That He would anoint our eyes with eye-salve, that we may have a fuller sight of Rev. 3. 18.Him, that we may, the move love and admire Him; and a clearer in-sight into our selves, that we may more abhorre our selves, Phil. 3. 3.(then we shall put no confidence in our selves) repenting in dust and ashes. Also
IV. Having received this heavenly wisdome and power from Act 20. 28. 1 Tim 4. 16. 1 Tim. 3. 4.above, to take heed unto our selves; and to rule well our own house, having our children in subjection with all gravity, we are in a good posture of spirit, through the supply thereof, (in our station, and according to our measure and gift received) to take care of the Joh 5. 24. 387. first impressiō.Church of God; For, as we have learnt, the same wisdome and justice, and holinesse, for kind, onelyonly more enlarged and extensive, acts in eyther spheare, and, will regularly move in the little and the greater house. But we have experienced the Apostles Conclusion; He, that knowes not how to rule his owne house, cannot take care of the house of God. If we be darksome within doores, we cannot be lightsome without; for, though our lightside may be outward, yet it is dark as darkness it selfe, the more dark because we make a meere shew of light, which is not in us, Joh. 3. 19.but hated by us. The Truth is, If we are, as unsavoury salt within doores; we are the same without, and worse than Infidels in both 1 Tim. 5. 8.places, for not providing things most necessary for our own, we cannot doe it for others. If we are in our own house, as a candle put under a bushel, so as we give no light to those, that are in our Math. 5. 15.house with us, we cannot then shine before others, as the candle does put on a Candlestick, that they may see our good workes, and glorifie our Father which is in heaven. But blessed be the God of all Grace, who hath given us more Grace, and instructed us to more discretion in this matter, so as we can, according to the Grace received, rule our owne house, To whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
V. Having this in the purpose of our hearts to beg of Him [who put good motions, purposes and resolutions into our hearts, where there was not so much as a good thought before; no, but a resisting thereof, of any thing, every thing that was good; therefore this putting into the heart is a meere Creation, as that was, the speaking light out of Darknesse; and more wonderfull; for that darkness made no resistance but our darknesse do's, so great was our darkness] we were saying, having this in the purpose of our hearts to beg of Him, to keepe that in the purpose of our hearts, He 2 Chro. 29. 18.hath so graciously, and as wonderfully put there (for the present preparation of the heart is of God, and this must be still begged of God to continue prepared hearts in a gracious frame), and having perswaded with us to beg this thing; and kept it in our hearts, hetherto, and we are perswaded, will so doe to the end a1 Cor. 1. 8. 1 Thes. 5. 23, 24. Heb. 3. 6. 14. 6. 11, 12., we give all diligence to worke out our salvation with feare and trembling, (which affections or passions rather are two great meanes appointed of God to deliver us from two the greatest plagues, security of the flesh; and pride of spirit) so making bPhil. 2. 12. See Zan…hi p. 131. 2 Pet. 1. 10, 11our calling and election sure, that so an entrance may be ministred unto us abundantly into the everlasting kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Also, and
VI. Lastly, Having followed us with His eye upon us aPsal 32. 8. 34. 15., and dealt bJer. 40. 4.so well with us, as to enable us to follow-on to know Him more, we apply our selves in His feare, and power of His might, to all those meanes He hath appointed for the encrease of Grace, diligently attending them in publick and in private at home and abroad, hearing the Word preached in season and out of season, 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2.(for the charge is full of Dread to the people as well as to Ministers) Reading the Holy Scriptures, giving attendance to exhortation, to Doctrine (for we think that Counsell given to Timothy is for our learning also) Meditate upon these things, give thy selfe 1 Tim. 4. 13, 14. Qui steri velit bonus, Concionator dei opera ut sit bonus Biblicus. Met: Ad:wholy to them, that thy profiting may appeare to all. He that would be a good preacher, said Musculus, must be very conversant in the Scriptures: so also must he be, that would be a good Christian. He cannot be an approved Teacher of others, nor can he approve himselfe taught, that is not conversant-in and studies much that sacred Book. Whence it may be so charitably judged of us, That we abominate their way and their doings, as the Devill or Hell it selfe, who speak evill of that, they have not, learning we meane; and of those they know not, and so would if they could, as others before them, of the same perswasion with them, Cecidere presbiteros & presbiterium, destroy the Ministers and Ministery both.
We are Conversant also as our time and occasions can give foreign.leave [for our Callings must be attended, with all care and diligence, 1 Thes. 5. 14. The 3. 10, 11 Every man must have a lawfull Calling, Gen. 47. 3 and must attend it with all Diligence. 1 Chro. 21. 20else we should walk as unruly ones, like disorderly souldiers out of rank; Nay we should else (not providing for our own house, which we cannot doe, not attending our Callings as we ought to doe,) be worse not onelyonly than an infidel, because the light of nature teacheth him to provide for his house, but we should be worse than Beasts, the fowles of the Aire, and creeping things of the earth, for these provide for their own, the light of Nature teaching them; we should also, shewing the least neglect there, wrong our selves, and prove snares to others, before whom we stand charged to walk in wisdome, that without the word they may Gal. 4. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 1, 2.be won by our good Conversation] we were saying, as our Callings, our attendance thereupon will give us leave, we are conversant in other books, specially those, that may most concerne us, walking together in a Brotherhood, and decently in our families with a perfect heart, wisely in a perfect way; As that full and excellent Psal. 101. ….Confession of Faith, held-out to us by the Assembly of Divines; with their larger and short Catechisms. Also, relating to our dayly practise, that excellent Book, that magnum in minimus, that much in a little; that greatest book in the smallest volum, Dr Owens ESCHOL. We take speciall notice also of that fourth Epistle to the Christian Reader set before the Treatises.
Having now, in the integrity of our hearts, and innocency of our hands, premised all this for the reasons beforesaid: And desiring dayly and earnestly, That all this may be much in our thoughts, and held-out in our lives.
I. We doe in the sight of God and Father; In the Name of His Son; and Continuall supply of the Holy Spirit, engage our selves, all we are, all we have, all we can unto Him, in whom we are by a most speciall in-Being (and not as the whole Creation is Act. 17. 28.in Him, and He in it, by a generall in-being, by the right of a Creator upholding all things by the word of His power, Heb. 1. 3. without which they could not but be annihilated and resolved into their first Nothing) by a most speciall In-Being, we said, and from whom all our fruit is; and for whom as all was laid-in, and Hos. 14. 8.laid-up, so must it be laid-out, All for Him alone, as sure as He is Can. 7. 13.our onelyonly Beloved and we His. And
We doe (2) engage in the strength of All Might to walk Col. 1. 11.worthy of the Lord, to All pleasing, as becometh a people of His choice and care & love, that are called by His Name, and wrought 2 Cor. 5. 5.for the selfe-same thing, being planted in Him, bearing upon Him; made one with Him, and conformable to Him; and are still in the conscionable use and improvement of all His Appointments, maintaining fellowship with Him, by prayer specially, the beaten way of the soules Communion with God, saith one; It is a conference Es…hol p 27. Mr R. …ol. p. 55. Jud: 5.with God, a Company-keeping with Him, saith another. Also
II. We doe through Him, who makes us have dominion over the Mighty [Enemies and Adversaries within and without we know not well, which are the greatest, more deadly, flesh and blood, or principalities and powers; We think, and so we speak, as those that have tasted our own thoughts, That the flesh, though so far from terriblenesse, that it is all pleasingnesse, is the most dangerous and deadly enemy; for were it not for flesh in us, principalities and powers could doe us no hurt. A tryed Truth it is, that children of Anak are in this way terrible enemies, Angels of Darknesse, and sometimes turning themselves into Angels of light, standing as with their swords drawn, to keep from entring into that Narrow way; or, being entred, to walk with a right foot in it, according to the Truth of the Gospel, so holding-up to the Covenant of their God; or if none of all this, they can effect he by his own, his children by their Fathers wiles, methods, and devises, then they will cast a spewing upon the way] therefore we said, through Him, who maketh us more than Conquerours over these Eph. 6. 12. Revel. 12. 11.mighty enemies, in whose strength we wrestle, and by whose blood we overcome, doe engage our selves each to other as members one of onother in the same Body, whereof our Lord and Christ is the Head and the Saviour.
First, To take speciall care, as of the whole Church of Christ, the Mother, and her Daughters, or sister-Churches, so far as their state and Condition can be represented to our thoughts by our eye or eare, or other wayes. And of the Word of Truth which, with the Spirit, begetts children to Her, That the everlasting Gospel may spread it selfe, through the midst of Heaven, as the morning upon the Mountaines: so also (we engage) as
Secondly, To take care one of another, as fellow-helpers of the Truth, so also fellow-helpers one of another, as fellow-members use to doe. And in saying so much, and doing thereafter, we have said and don all for this Naturall caring for one the other, as the member careth for its fellow-member, naturally, sincerely, heartily, foreign. Phil. 1. 20.comprehends the whole duty required of us one towards another. It is a walking full up in desire and endeavour, to those prescriptions set before us in Gods Word summarily, according to Gal. 6. 16.this rule (which obtaines in all Cases of Duty to the Church abroad, to our enemies with-out, (for they with us are members of the politick Body) and to our Brethren within) whereafter all True Gospellers alwayes have, still doe, and still shall walke, by the good hand of God with them, walking uprightly according to the Truth of the Gospel, upon whom is peace and mercy, as upon the whole Israel of God; yet
Because this feeling expression, Members one of another, containes much, yea all, that can be said in this matter, we would insist a little more upon it.
This being a member of another, and dealing with him, and forth unto him as a member doth to his fellow-members, is to have the same soul with another, like minded indeed, as naturally to care for foreign. Phil. 2 20.my Brethren, and to deale forth to them as one member deales with th' other, very studiously readily and carefully as to himselfe, foreign.so to the Church of Christ, so to every particular member there, and wellfare of the whole and every part; he naturally careth for it; he serves the Church and every Brother and sister there, as they did, they took no gaine of money Indeed his work is Jud. 5. 19.his wages; The member of the Naturall body, be it the eye or hand (these are the helping members,) it is abundantly sufficient, it hath given ease and comfort to its fellow-member; To speak it in a word, If we live-up to the engagement (as through Christ we may) to care for each other as members one of another, we shall care for the Churches of Christ, & for the promoting The Truths of Christ, that the Gospel may run and be glorified also, for each others wellfare; specially that our soules may prosper; we shall doe 3 John 2. Exod 2. 9.all this as naturally, as that good Woman the Mother of Moses, took her own child, and nursed it; Ile give thee thy wages, said the Princes; No great matter whether you doe or no, thought the Mother, it shall make no difference, she had her deare child in her Armes againe, whom she feared she should never see more, and she had leave to keepe it in her house, and command to nurse it there; that was abundantly sweet wages for her sweet work; How gratiously will God dispose of things, if we could leave them to His disposing. He gave His Son to the world in the fullnesse of time, so will He with Him, every other Mercy. He will surely, if we can trust Him nay whether we Trust Him, or no, He will give such Nursing Fathers and nursing Mothers to His Church, that shall care for them as naturally, as the Nurse careth for her childe, or as the Mother before-mentioned, took her child and nursed it. Also
Thirdly, We engage as members one of another, against all that may hurt us; for such is the care and watchfullnes, of one member, for and over each other, by making our watch strong against the flesh, borne with us, bred-up with us, feeding with us at the same Table, lying with us in the same bed; the worst enemy in our bosom, though seemingly our best, as it pretendeth to be, and nearest friend; Therefore against the flesh we engage our watchfullnes, as against the world and the Devill. And
Fourthly, Not to meddle in matters too high for us, or which will engender strife, or doubtfull disputations; as they use to doe, who will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts, heap to themselves teachers, having itching eares, turned from the Truth, and unto Fables. But we engage in the strength of Christ to watch in all things. And so2 Ti. 4. 3, 4, 5.
Fifthly, To save our selves from this untoward, froward, perverse and crooked generation, not by leaving our places; or leaving Act. 2. 40. foreign.undon any one of those services, we, in duty, are bound to performe to those, that are with out. But by keeping our garments pure and unspotted of the world; and girding up our loines James 1. 27.(for all care and diligence must be given this way) that we may be kept cleane) from the impurities, pollutions or defilements of 2 Pet. 2. 20.the world we must abominate, and then we shall fly from their damnable Doctrines, and horrid practises; Those that obey not sound doctrine, we are charged, (and then we must engage to it) to note such men) and have no company with them. The companion 2 Thes. 3. 14. Pro. 13. 20.of fooles shall be destroyed. There is an elegancy here, which our English cannot reach-to. But this is to our purpose; why must a Companion of fooles be destroyed? Because he will be such an one, as vile, base, and abominable, as is he, with whom, upon choice, and with delight, he converseth. If Satan take us among his own, he will reckon us for his own, and quickly make us his own. A sad story might be told here, but dayly experience assureth it. If we will work the thing, that good is, we must depart from the workers of iniquitie; Depart from mee ye evill doers: for I will keep the Commandements of my God. We engage not to keep company with them; no not to eat with such an one, upon choice, with 1 Cor 5 11 2 Joh 10 11. Eph. 5. 1.delight, no nor bid him God speed; For he, that biddeth Him God speed, is partaker of his evill deeds.
Sixthly, We engage to live as is comely for sons and daughters; Followers of God as deare Children, calling Him Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every mans work; 1 Pet. 1. 17.and so to passe the time of our sojourning here in feare; That we may be blameless and harmless the Sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, amongst whom, we doe Phil. 2. 15.engage, in the strength of God, to shine as lights; that, as He, who 1 Pet. 1. 15. Eph. 5. 11.hath called us, is Holy, so we may be Holy in all manner of conversation; having no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darknesse, but by the exactnesse of our walk (for we should walk even as He walked, 1 Joh. 2. 6.) and by the Holiness of our lives, or Godlinesse of our conversation; we should (as well as with our tongues declare against sinners, which is not don but by divine assistance aMicah 3. 8., and so) condemne bHeb. 11. 7., testifie cJoh. 7. 7.against, and reprove dMicah 3. 8. 1. Pet. 2. 15. 3. 16.them. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing, we should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; having a good Conscience, that whereas they speak evill of us, as of evill doers they may be ashamed, that falsely accuse our good Conversation in Christ. And
In the last place, Because God hath heard our voyce, and inclined His eare, we can say, as He said, who was not more in the wayes of God, than the wayes of God were in Him aPsal. 84. 5.; for all whose strength is in the Lord as Davids was, can say as He did, and engage so to say, We will call upon Him as long as we live bPsal. 116. 2.. We will never cease praying, the Command being c1 Thes. 5. 17, (and the practise was answerable dAct. 10. 2.,) pray without ceasing; though the words of prayer cease in the mouth, the Grace of prayer, shall not cease in the heart: For when the voice of His people cannot be heard, the voice of their breathing may. The heart has a tongue, that God can heare; and the Spirit has a tongue, which none can cut-out: when the man cannot speak, the Spirit may pray: so we are resolved, and doe engage in the strength of Christ, to call upon Him as long as we live, and to praise Him as long as we have any being; For hetherto, He hath enclined His eare, and heard us, granting to us, what was best for us, if not the same alwayes we asked in kind, yet that, which was better, yea best for us; if not to our will, yet to our weal. He hath heard our prayers, therefore we will Call upon Him as long as we live. And so
We doe engage to one another, to goe to God each for other, entreating Him for His Great Names sake to perfect the work He hath begun—And for His Churches, seeing our meannesse is such, for the most of us, that we cannot Contribute our Counsells, nor purses, nor bodily paines, we will with all the Israel of God, engage our prayers, as a combined strength, as sure as we have set our affections that way; for no man, how poore soever in 1 Chro. 29. 3.outwards, is poore that way, if rich in faith, and poore in spirit: we were saying, we engage to pray with-out ceasing, to the Hearer of prayers for His Churches, That He would remember them with the favour, He beareth towards them; Which He most certainly will doe. But He must be enquired off by the house of Israel Ezr. 36, 37. Isa. 60.to doe it for them; To raise-up Zion so gloriously, That the Gentiles shall come to her light, and Kings to the brightnesse of her Rising. And that Babylon may be cast down like a Milstone into the great waters; That the vengeance that is written, may be executed upon that City of Gods Curse, by Armies chosen, called and faithfull, whose aimes shall be pure, and ends holy in shooting all 14. 20. Rev. 17. 14. 19. 14. Jer. 50. 14.the Arrowes of Gods indignation, against that bloody City, and all those her helpers, or well willers, that cleave unto her in love, making both her and all her lovers, as we read it written, an abhorring to all flesh, chiefly because she hath SINNED AGAINST THE LORD. As for the evill she hath don to the people of God, those execrable cruelties, she has exercised against them, and terrible wrath, whose rage went up to heaven, she hath powred out upon them. All this and much more the people of God leave with their God, to whom belongeth vengeance, and recompence, Deut. 32. 35.as He hath said, onelyonly they say, as the Inhabitants of Zion are allowed to say; The violence don to me and to my flesh be upon Jer. 51. 35.Babylon. O Lord God to whom vengeance belongeth: O God to whom vengeance, shew thy selfe, shine forth clearely, lift up thy selfe Thou Judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud; LORD, Psa. 94. 1, 2, 3.how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked Triumph? No longer, saith the Lord, not one minute longer, than while These Mine Enemies and Adversaries shall have made themselves meet for that astonishing desolation is prepared for them, filling up their measures; and I have made My people meet, for that Glorious salvation, is preparing for them; and for their making them meet for it, My fire is in Zion, and My furnace in Jerusalem. So Isa. 31. 9.soone as this refining work is don (yet the Lord will not refine Isa. 48. 10.His people as silver is refined, for their dross will never out, as long as flesh is with-in, besides He will sit by them while they melt; But so soone as ever this refining worke is don, The salvation that is written shall come to Zion, flying as upon Eagles wings; for Her Lord Himselfe shall bring it, riding upon the Heaven Deut. 33. 26.for her Help; and in His excellency on the skie, (that is,) He will help speedily, and He will shew His state and magnificence in Helping: And as speedily, but terribly shall utter desolation come upon Babylon, as it is written, in a moment, in one day, her plagues shall come upon her in their perfection. The Lord hath said it, Isa. 47. 9. Rev. 18. 7, 8.and He will doe it, Travelling in the greatnesse of His strength, when He do's this thing; He will tread this wine-presse alone; His Isa. 63.owne Arme shall bring this salvation; His own fury shall uphold Him; and of all the people there shall be none with Him: none; (to explaine it in passage) He shall have multitudes with Him, Armies following Him upon white Horses, called and chosen and Revel 17. 14. 19. 14.faithfull; And yet He treads this wine-presse alone, and of all the people there was none with Him, none to ecclipse the Glory of His wisdome, power, righteousnesse, goodnesse, mercy; All these shall be with Him but all their wisdome, is but His wisdome with them; the same may be said, of their power, goodnesse, and help, they brought in that way, all was but His help in them and with them; so that we must find at the foot of the account, Jehovah God did all; And the creature how beautifull soever with the beauty his Lord cast upon him, though a diademe and as a Crowne of Glory in His Lords hand, yet was he nothing; nor did he ought else at all in his own strength but sin; for which he must take to himselfe shame: for as sin is all the creature doth in his own strength; so shame is all he must assume to himself, giving to Him to whom it doth belong, all the Glory, for He did all. When the Day of vengeance, which is in His heart, and the yeare of His Redeemed is come, It shall appeare to all the world, That He treads the wine-presse alone; and of all the people, there was none with Him.
Yet, as was said. He will be enquired off by the house of Israel to doe this for them. Therefore
We engage in the strength of Christ, and as that shall come in to joyne with those, that cannot keep silence at such a time at this. Isa. 62.And Blessed be God, who hath wrought a people for this very thing, and gives them leave to Command Him, to wrestle with Him, and prevaile These people are acquainted with their Lords mind; He withholds that, which He is most willing to give; as we to our child, that they may tugge at it, and with strong wrestlings mighty through Him, get it from Him; He prolongeth the Deliverance, that they may prolong, and stretch-out their prayers; doe as His deare Son did, and the very same His deare children can doe, in His strength; And being in an Agonie, He prayed more earnestly; Luk. 22. 44. foreign.the longer that was stretched-out, so likewise was his prayer. So are the Churches prayers too, longer now than ordinary, and more fervent; Dearely bought and long a comming, is marveilous wellcome, when it is come, and sweetest in enjoying. The summe is, and the Conclusion of all; The Churches mercies must be wrastled out of her Fathers hand, her mercies, and every one of her Childrens mercies, they must be won by prayer, and worne by praises; And blessed be God, His deare Children followers of Him, can wrestle with Him, overcome Him, Command Him, prevaile Isa 45. 11.over Him, in the power of His own might, for which they ascribe to Him all the Glory. Amen.
This is the summe of our engagement, who have found it in our hearts with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord; and to begge his Grace continually, That He would keep it in the purpose of our hearts, so to doe, Amen, and Amen.
An End.