God a Christians Choice, Sermon – Publishers advertisement

God a Christians Choice · Sermon – Publishers advertisement

p. 7Gods Covenant-People near unto him, Pſal. 148. part of the laſt verſ.

A People near unto him.

THis Pſalm is of the number of them, that are called Euchariſtical, pen'd by way of thankſgiving to God, wherein, the Prophet doth exhort all the Creatures to that Duty, both that are in Heaven, and that are one Earth too; and I cannot better diſtribute them, than it is already done in the Contents preſixt before it, with a very little variation. 1. We find all things in Heaven; all things Celeſtial exhorted ſo to do, in the four firſt verſes, Praiſe the Lord from the Heavens, ver. 1. Praiſe him all ye his Angels, verſ. 2. All his Hoſts praiſe him, Sun, Moon, Stars, verſ. 3. &c. and there is good Reaſon ſubjoyn'd, p. 8verſ. 5, 6. For he commanded, and they were created, and he hath eſtabliſhed them for ever and ever, &c. 2. All things Terreſtrial from the 7th verſ. to the 13th verſ. wherein we may obſerve, all things i…a…i…ate, or life-leſs are exhorted to bleſs God, with all things animate or living. 1. Irrational Creatures, Beaſts and all Cattle, cre…ping things. 2. Rational Creatures of all ranks, Kings of the Earth, and all P…inces, and all Judges of the Earth; of all ages, young M…n and Maidens, old Men and Children: and here is good reaſon here ſubjoy…'d too. firſt, from what God is in himſelf. verſ. 13. His Name is excellent, and his Glory above the Earth and Heavens, 2dly, From what he hath done for his own People, verſ. 14, & ult. He hath exalted the Horn of his People, that is, the dignity, proſperity, and plenty of his People. After which the Prophet goes on to ſet forth the title, that is given to them; they are ſaid to be his people, and …led Saints; then ſpecifies who they be (viz.) the people… of Iſrael, p. 9the alone people, that were in Covenant with God in all the world at that time. 3. Then ſhews their Priviledg, what their happineſs was, in the words of the Text, They are a people near unto him, So that in ſhort the words lay before us, the priviledg, happineſs and dignity of the Saints and People of God, that are in Covenant with him; which I ſhall lay before you in this Obſervation.

Doct. That God's Church & People are near unto him: or, God's Saints, and Covenant-people, are a people near unto him: or, as word for word, it may be rendered, His near people,…ſſi…m pronom…n pro Sep…r…to. foreign pro foreign M. P… ſyn… …. God's true Iſrael is his near people. And beſides what is ſpoken in this Text, I ſhall confirm it by the conſideration of one Text of Scripture more, in which we may obſerve one paſſage, wherein the very Priviledg that is here expreſly ſpoken, is ſtrongly implyed. Jer. 6.8. Be thou inſtructed, O Jeruſ… lem, leſt my ſoul depart from thee, p. 10according to the Original Language,foreign …e lu…a…a r…aa… a…ima … abs … Buxt. …. Leſt my ſoul be disjoynted from thee, a metaphor from a Limb thruſt out of his place, and put out of joynt. There is as great a Nearneſs between God and his people, (a Nearneſs of Union, of which afterward) as there is between a mans Limbs and Joynts one to the other, and you know, that they are ſo near, that it is an impoſſible thing to ſeparate them, without great pain and difficulty one from another Intimating, what a pain and grief it is to God to leave or caſt off a people,Annotat. in Loc. whom he is once in league with, and with how much difficulty he is drawn thereunto.

All that I ſhall open in the Explication of this Truth, I ſhall draw up into this

Query; How, and in what regard, are God's Saints, and Covenant-people ſaid to be a People near unto him, and whence it is. And that through God's aſſiſtance, I ſhall endeavour to open to you, in five or ſix particulars.

p. 11Firſt, They are ſaid to be near to God, in regard of God's Nearneſs unto them, and ſo this Nearneſs is a paſſive Nearneſs: and ſome critically obſerve,Exponipo teſt paſſiv… q. d. populo cui ille eſt propinquus. Muis ex. Ab. Ez, M. P. ſy…, Crit. they muſt be Near to God if he be Near to them. Nearneſs comes to paſs, by the approaching motion of one thing to another, now if God be nigh unto his People, and approacheth unto them, certainly then, they muſt be near unto him alſo, and ſo there is a mutual Nearneſs between God and his People; this is according to the direction the holy Ghoſt gives by the Apoſtle, James 4.8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Now that God is Near unto his People, the Scripture is as full of it, as can be deſired. Deut. 47. It is the great Commendation of the People of Iſrael: For what nation is there ſo great who hath God ſo nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things, that we call upon him for. Pſal. 145.18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him. The like paſſage in Pſal. 34.18. The Lord is nigh to them that are of a p. 12broken heart, and ſaveth ſuch as be of a Contrite Spirit. This then is the firſt regard, wherein Gods People are ſaid to be Near to him; (viz.) God's Nearneſs unto them.

2. In regard of Affection to them, he is, and is ſaid to be Near to them. Lord help us to believe it, God's People ſometimes can't hardly believe it; you know theſe People whom we by love account dear, we account alſo to be very Near to us. Dearneſs and Nearneſs are here Convertible. Now God's People are the dearly beloved of his Soul, Jer. 12.7. in Original but one word, I have given the dearly beloved of my Soul. [Heb. the love] into the hands of her enemies. And that is one of the titles Chriſt gives his Church, throughout the whole Song of Solomon; My Love, my Dove, &c. So near to him the Church deſireth to be, that Song. 8.6. ſhe prays, Set me as a Seal on thy heart, What is the meaning of that? in ſhort, love me dearly, and love makes as ſtrong an impreſſion p. 13on the heart as a Seal doth upon any thing, to which it is applyed; ſhe deſires to be near the heart of Chriſt, and that his Love towards her may have deep impreſſions there, as the names of the twelve Tribes of Iſrael, had on the breſt-plate of Judgment, which Aaron did bear on his heart, when he went in into the Holy-place. Exod. 28.21, 29. Further, ſhe prays there, as a Seal upon thine arm, for love is as ſtrong as death; in which ſhe deſires alſo his Compaſſion, and Affection. The Lord expreſſeth the ſame thing in a like phraſe, to his Church: ſaying, Behold I have graven thee on the palms of my hands, Iſa. 49.16. I remember the Lord makes uſe of one expreſſion more, to ſet it forth by, the ſignet on the right hand, and that is near, in place and affection too. Jer. 22.24. where the Lord ſpeaks of Coniah, one of the Kings of Judah, and ſaith to this purpoſe! As I live ſaith the Lord, though Coniah the Son of Jehojakim, King of Judah, were their Signet on my p. 14right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence, &c. A Man's Signet, that he wears on his right hand, what an eſteem and love hath he for that! yet ſaith God, though he was as the Signet on my right hand, would I pluck thee thence: Sin will make a ſeparation between a perſon or people, though near to him. And that is the ſecond thing, God's People are his dearly beloved, and ſo they are near upon the account of Affection.

3. In regard of Relation to God, they are nearly related to God; there is a Spiritual kin, and alliance between God and his people, you ſhall find nearneſs and kin are Convertible in the Scripture. Lev. 21.2. But for his kin that is near unto him, that is, for his Mother, and Father, and for his Son, and for his Daughter, and for his Brother, and ver. 3. and for his Siſter,— That is nigh unto him, &c. So that Kin and Nearneſs are joyned together, words of the ſame import.

p. 15Now there is a twofold Relation betwen God and his People, which makes the Kin to be ſo Near.

1. By Regeneration and the newbirth.

2. By the Marriage-Covenant; and bleſſed are the people, that are in ſuch a Nearneſs unto God!

Firſt by Regeneration, and the new-birth: that is one way the kin comes in, (if I may ſo ſpeak) and therefore you ſhall find throughout the Scripture, that they are ſaid to be born of God, and born again; and hence is it that all that are regenerate are called the Sons and Daughters of the living God, and who are nearer to us than our Children; theſe are the Children of God, being born of him. Joh. 1.12. As many as believed, to them gave he power, to become the Sons of God, How came they to be the Sons of God? ver. 13. ſhews, which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the fleſh, nor of the will of man, but of God. So in the Epiſtle of John throughout, are they ſaid p. 16to be born of God: Now how near is the Father and Son, I need not tell you that are Pa…ents. So near is the relation between God and his People, 2 Cor. 6.18. I will be a Father unto you, and ye ſhall be my Sons, and Daughters, ſaith the Lord Almighty. What a Promiſe is this! he will receive them to be as near unto him, as he will receive his own Son that ſerveth him. And what a deal of Nearneſs of Affection as well as Relation is there in this caſe, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath beſtowed upon us! that we ſhould be called the Sons of God. 1 Joh. 3.1. You that are parents, think on this; when you ſee your Children in the ſtreets, or any where about you, Oh how are your hearts drawn out after them; learn hence, to be affected with the nearneſs, both of Relation and Affection, that is between God and his People; you cannot love your Children though your hearts run out after them, as God loves his Children; all the affection of all the parents in the World to their Children, is p. 17but the drops of a bucket in Compariſon of God's love to his people and his Children.

2. By Marriage-Covenant are they Near to God. And this is ſo near a Relation, that all other kin are to be left for this Relation; they that are married, as to their Relation in the fleſh, are become one fleſh, ſo near they are, Mat. 19.5. Juſt as Adam ſaid of the woman, when God brought her to him, this is bone of my bone, and fleſh of my fleſh, Gen. 2.23. Beloved, Gods people are his married people, and they are his eſpouſed people; full of this is the Scripture in many places. 2 Cor. 11.2. I have eſpouſed you to one husband, that I may preſent you a chaſt Virgin to Chriſt. Hoſ. 2.19, 20. I will betroth thee unto me for ever, yea I will betroth thee unto me, in righteouſneſs and in judgment and in loving kindneſs, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulneſs, &c. Jer. 3.14. turn Oh backſliding Children, ſaith the Lord, for I am married unto you, Iſa. 54.5. For thy Maker is thine husband, the p. 18Lord of hoſts is his name. Oh what an husband is this! Every woman is apt to admire her own huſband, but what an husband is this of Souls! Mark, how the Apoſtle doth improve this natural marriage to a Spiritual uſe. 1 Cor. 6.16, 17. What, know ye not that he that is joyned to an Harlot is one body? for he ſaith, ye ſhall be one fleſh, ver. 17. but he that is joyned to the Lord, is one Spirit. The Apoſtles deſign is, to take off people from Fornication, and the argument is taken from the deſign of God in Marriage: God made Marriage that there might be an union betwixt the Man and the Woman. Now preſently after Marriage, for perſons to run away one from another, for a Man to make himſelf one body with an Harlot, it ſubverts the deſign of God in Marriage; and the Apoſtle improves it, in the next words, He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit. A Spiritual myſtical Union there is betwixt God and his People, and I hope many that heard and now read this, have experience and aſſurance of p. 19it, and the Lord grant that more may. And here alſo are both the Nearneſſes joyned together, not only the Nearneſs of Relation, but of Affection: if the Affection be ſtrongly knit between the husband and the wife, there is no Affection ſtronger than that, and no leſs ſtrong and faithful between God and the Soul. All which ſhews, that they are related to God, as near as any Relation in the World.

3. I may yet add another Relation which is not ſo near as the former, that are already mentioned, though near alſo; that ſets forth this Nearneſs between God and his People: and that is that of Servants, God is the Maſter, and his People are the Servants too; and ſome Maſters and Servants are very dear one to another, a wonderful Nearneſs of Affection there is of ſome Maſters to their Servants, and of ſome Servants to their Maſters; though no Relation as to the fleſh by affinity, or Conſanguinity, yet they love them tenderly. I ſhall give you an inſtance of this in the p. 20Centurion and his Servant, Luk. 7.2. A certain Centurions Servant who was Dear unto him was ſick, and he ſhewed that he was dear to him in his tenderneſs of him, in that weak Condition he was; and applying himſelf to Chriſt for him. Moſes is called the Servant of the Lord, Moſes my Servant is dead, ſaith God, and you know that expreſſion, Moſes my Servant, is a token of the great Affection God had to him, and an high honour and eſteem, that after he was dead the Almighty confer'd upon hm.

4. Nay obſerve, in the laſt place that God's People are as Near to him, and as Dear to him, as any of our Houſhold, and Family are to us. And therefore are they called the houſhold, and family of God. Eph. 2.13. But now in Chriſt Jeſus, ye who ſometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Chriſt: Compare this with ver. 19. Now therefore, ye are no more ſtrangers, and foreigners, but fellow-Citizens with the Saints, and of the houſhold of God. Yea to cloſe up this particular, p. 21whatſoever Relation may expreſs Nearneſs and Dearneſs, in that Relation ſtand God and his People each to other; and thus is the third thing fully proved.

4. They are near to God, in regard of Jeſus Chriſt; and that on two accounts:

1. Of Union to Jeſus Chriſt:

2. Of being purchaſed by Jeſus Chriſt.

Firſt, in regard of the Near Union there is between Chriſt and them. Nay and add to this, the Near Relation that is between Chriſt and them; and there is one, that renders theſe words, to this very ſenſe and purpoſe: A people Near unto him. One reads it very critically,**Populo propinqui ſui. h. …. e…s qui accedit ad ipſ…, ut ſacerdos, & ſ…d…t ad dexteram e…us, ut rex, …empe Chriſti. M. P. ſyn. ex Gel. & Cocceio. the people of his Near one, or of him that is near to him, viz. God, of him that comes near to him as a Prieſt, and ſits at his right hand as a King, meaning the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; now Chriſt is near to God, and there is none Nearer to God than he. So p. 22near that he is his only natural Son, the only begotten Son of God; nay he is God himſelf, he is of the ſame ſubſtance with the Father, one that accounts it no robbery to be equal with God, Phil. 2.6. and therefore call'd God's fellow, Zech. 13.7. they are as near to him, as the members are to the body, 1 Cor. 12.27. Now ye are the body of Chriſt and members in particular. What a priviledg is here! you are the body of Chriſt, that is, the myſtical body of Chriſt. Chriſt hath a natural body, and a myſtical body, his natural body is that, which was made up of fleſh & blood, formed by the Holy Ghoſt in the Womb of the Virgin: But then his myſtical body are all Chriſtians, who are as really his members, as his Hands, and Arms, and Feet, and Eyes, and Legs were members of his natural body. Chriſt is the myſtical Head of his Church and every believer is a myſtical member of Jeſus Chriſt: how fully yet doth the Apoſtle expreſs this, to the ſame purpoſe, Eph. 5.30. For we are members of his body, p. 23of his fleſh, and of his bone. He ſpeaks of the Marriage-Union in the neighbouring verſes, much like that of Adam concerning Eve his wife, Gen. 2. This is bone of my bone, and fleſh of my fleſh. But ſaith the Apoſtle, This is a great myſtery, but I ſpeak concerning Chriſt and his Church, ver. 32. Further, if you obſerve the Nearneſs of relation they have to Jeſus Chriſt, it will alſo appear how near they are to God. They are near to him, in regard of their kin and allyance to Chriſt too; He counts them in the neareſt Relation to himſelf, and therefore they muſt be near to God by vertue thereof: ſee it in that full Scripture, Mat. 12.46, &c. One ſaid to him (that is, to Chriſt) behold thy Mother, and thy Brethren ſtand without, deſiring to ſpeak with thee. 48. But he anſwered, who is my Mother?— &c. 49. And he ſtretched forth his hands towards his diſciples, and ſaid, behold my Mother and my Brethren. verſ. 50. For whoſoever ſhall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the ſame is my Brother and Siſter, p. 24and Mother. Now if they be Near to Chriſt by vertue of relation, and Union, to him, as we have ſeen, they are in both theſe regards one together, and proved; then certainly, they muſt alſo be Near to God. So that that is the firſt regard, they are near to God on the account of Chriſt, (viz.) their Union and Relation to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

Secondly, They are Near to God, with reſpect to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in regard they are the purchaſe of his blood. They are his purchaſed people, and that makes them Near to God; he hath bought them to God by his blood, out of every kindred and tongue and nation. Rev. 5.9. by the Sufferings of Jeſus Chriſt, and by no other means, were we brought unto God. 1 Pet. 3.18. For Chriſt alſo hath once ſuffered for ſins, the Juſt for the unjuſt, that he might bring us to God. We had never been brought unto God, had it not been for the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, whereby we that were a-far off were made nigh. Eph. 2.14. Time was, when there was a great diſtance between God p. 25and them, and when they were a great way off, what a ſad caſe was that! but being bought by Chriſt's blood, we were thereby brought nig… unto God alſo. How ſo? Why, we were brought nigh unto God by Chriſt's reconciliation, which he made for us to God; by his death and ſufferings. And we ſhall be wholly and fully brought nigh unto God hereafter, when we ſhall be brought into the Kingdom of God, where God & Jeſus Chriſt are, and we ſhall be with him for ever. Here are we brought nigh in regard of friendſhip, but not in regard of that fulneſs of fellowſhip which we ſhall enjoy in Heaven. And therefore are we ſaid to be abſent from the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.6. while at home in the body. But there had been no enjoyment of God here, nor of the Kingdom of God hereafter, if Chriſt had not ſuffered, but now ther's both: this is the fourth regard, in which we are ſaid to be nigh unto God.

5. They are ſaid to be a People Near to God, in regard of their p. 26liberty of free acceſs unto God; they have the priviledg of approaching nigh to the throne of grace, and thereby draw nigh to God. And this the Apoſtle lays down by way of Encouragement and Counſel in two places of the Hebrews, Heb. 4.16. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help us in the time of need. And all this is ſtill upon the account of Jeſus Chriſt, becauſe we have ſuch a great high-Prieſt, that is paſſed into the Heavens. Hence it is that we may come boldly to the Throne of Grace. Compare with ver. 14. ſo Heb. 10.22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full aſſurance of Faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil Conſcience. This is the great priviledg of Chriſtians, that they are made Kings, and Prieſts unto God, and his Father. Now you know the Prieſts under the law, it was their place, and office to draw nigh unto God; as doth appear by theſe two places of Scripture, Lev. 10.3. where when fire from Heaven p. 27had devoured Nadab and Abihu, the two Sons of Aaron, for offering ſtrange fire, Moſes uttered theſe words: This is that the Lord ſpake, I will be Sanctified in them that come nigh me. It was their Office to draw nigh to God, and for them to draw nigh to God with ſtrange fire, contrary to the very Command of God! therefore fire from Heaven came down upon them. See likewiſe, Numb. 16.40. There, upon the occaſion of the deſtruction of Korab, Dathan and Abiram for oftering Incenſe unto the Lord, which thing belonged only unto the Prieſt, the Cenſers were laid aſide to be a memorial to the Children of Iſrael, That no ſtranger, that is not of the Seed of Aaron, come near to offer Incenſe before the Lord: Now Jeſus Chriſt having made us Kings and Prieſts to God, this is the great Priviledg, that we have by him, that we may draw nigh unto God, Heb. 7.19. and offer up our Prayers as Incenſe to God, together with all other our holy Duties, as ſo many Spirltual p. 28Sacrifiees, acceptable to God by Jeſus Chriſt. 1 Pet 2.5. Being built upon him a Spiritual Houſe, and Holy Prieſthood, to that very end. Jeſus Chriſt is the perſon that doth approach nigh to God in our behalf. Jer. 30.21. I will cauſe him to draw near and he ſhall approach to me, for who is he that engageth his heart, to approach unto me! ſaith the Lord. Who is he that God will chuſe to draw near unto him? Literally and primarily it may be underſtood of the civil Governour, but ultimately and conſummately of Jeſus Chriſt, (who undertook not his Office without Gods call) who in the behalf of believers, hath engaged his heart to approach nigh unto God, and we by him do draw nigh to God. Heb.10.19. Boldneſs we have to enter into the holieſt by the blood of Jeſus, with Eph. 2.18. For through him we both have an acceſs, by one Spirit unto the Father; ſo Eph. 3.12. In whom we have boldneſs, and acceſs, with Confidence by the faith of him. And what a Priviledg is this, that every one of Gods p. 29Saints and People, may have the liberty as often as they will, to approach nigh to God, to make their requeſts in every thing by Prayer and Supplication!

6. They are ſaid to be near unto God in regard of the Lord's choice and ſeparation of them, from, and and above all the People of the World unto himſelf; they are ſo, both from all eternity, and alſo in time; and this is ſpoken of particular perſons, and a whoſe People jointly. Obſerve both Elect according to the foreknowledg of God the Father; 1 Pet. 1.2. they are his choſen people, Eph. 1.4. According as he hath choſen us in him, before the Foundation of the World: thus for perſons. If you will obſerve it alſo, for a nation, or a people; Pſal. 135.4. For the Lord hath choſen Jacob for himſelf, and Iſrael for his peculiar treaſure. To which join that place Iſa. 41.89. But thou Iſrael, art my Servant, Jacob whom I have choſen, the Seed of Abraham my friend; thou whom I have taken from the ends of the Earth, and ſard p. 30unto thee, thou art my Servant; I have choſen thee and not caſt thee away. Hence are they ſaid to be a ſeparated People; ſo ſhall we be ſeparated I and my People from all the people that are upon the face of the Earth, foreign Same word as ſeparated Exod.Exod. 33.16. ſo David Pſal. 4.3. The Lord hath ſet apart him that is godly unto himſelf, therefore ſaid to be a people of his inheritance, foreign ſame as Saints in TextDeut 4.20. and the lot of his inheritance, Deut. 32.9. and his peculiar treaſure, Exod. 19.5. peculiar people. 1 Pet. 2.9. and Chriſt tells the Diſciples, That he had choſen them out of the World, and therefore the World hated them, Joh. 15.19. ſo that not only from eternity but in time, not only perſons but nations, God hath choſen to be his own people, above all the World beſides. And how great is the Priviledg to be God's choſen and peculiar People! and ſo made Near unto him: mind this I beſeech you; What a matter of ſpecial obſervance ſhould this be to us, that God doth take here and there, one, or two, or three above p. 31others, ſpecially when God Caſts away all the Wicked of the Earth like droſs, as Pſal. 119.119. as a man throws dirt out of doors, then to be choſen out of them that are caſt away, what a ſpecial favour is this! not to be caſt out as droſs, but made up as Jewels, and preſerved in Jeſus Chriſt, what grace is this!

7. And Laſtly, in regard of their daily choſe walking with God, are they near to him. A Chriſtians Converſation is ſaid to be a walking with God; ſo ſaid of Enoch, Gen. 22.24. twice together, it was his whole courſe, throughout all his life till God took him. Yea more fully a walking together, and they that walk together are Near each to other: though ſin makes a diſtance that God and a People can't twalk together, becauſe then they are not, cannot be agreed; yet being agreed and the proceſs made, they may and do very many of God's People walk together: not only in their duties, are they near to him, but in the whole courſe of their Converſation; their hearts p. 32and Affections are ſtill with him, and his preſence is with them. And thus in their whloe life is there a bleſſed Communion, kept up and maintained betwixt God and their Souls. And this is the laſt kind of Nearneſs, (viz.) the Nearneſs of Converſe and Holy Communion with God.

Thus very briefly, I have opened to you, the Explicatory part of this Obſervation. There remains yet the Application of all this, and I ſhall ſpeak ſomething to this purpoſe;

By way of Information.

By way of Conſolation.

By way of Exhortation.

1. Uſe of Information; this diſcovers to us the great difference there is between Gods own Church and People, and others that are Worldly and Wicked men. God's Saints and People they are near to God, and all others are People far off from him; this is that difference that God hath made, between all the People of the World, and his p. 33own People and Saints. And as wicked men are ſeparated and far from God, ſo are they far from the People of God alſo; they are divided by God and ſeparated in regard of their eſtates here, and the work is ſtill doing till the end of the World ſhall come; and when he hath done this in time, then ſhall time have an end: but now they are ſeparated in regard of their eſtates only, hereafter they ſhall be ſeparated not only in regard of their eſtates but place alſo; on Earth there is no ſuch ſeparation, there is no poſſibility of being altogether ſeparated from the company of wicked men here; yea in the very Church it ſelf, whoſoever will be ſo, muſt needs go out of the World, 1 Cor. 5.9, 10. hereafter the wicked ſhall be ſeparated to the fartheſt diſtance from God and the Saints too, that poſſible can be, they are here now far from him; The Lord is far from the wicked, but he heareth the prayer of the righteous, Prov. 15.29. what a Priviledg is that! that God is ſo Near to the Righteous, p. 34that he heareth every one of their Prayers in the ſaddeſt ſtate, they can be here in the World! and what a Comfort and Encouragement is that to pray to God! there, God's hearing Prayer, is put contradiſtinct from God's being far from the wicked; and God is far from the wicked in this regard, that he hears none of their prayers, Pſal. 18.41. They cryed, but there was none to ſave them, even to the Lord, but he anſwered them not, according to that Joh. 9.31. God heareth not finners; that is, wilful and impenitent finners; but on the contrary, The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him, that call upon him in truth, Pſal. 145.18. the Lord is ſo near to his People, that he dwels in his People, Iſa. 57.15. Thus ſaith the high and lofty one, that inhabiteth Eternity, whoſe name is bloy, I dwell in the High and Holy place, with him alſo that is of a contrite and Humble Spirit, &c. While men abide in their natural condition, God is far from them, and they are far from God. What a ſad p. 35condition is it, to be at a diſtance from God, did men but believe and ſeriouſly weigh it! on the other hand, this is indeed the high Prerogative of Gods People to be ſo Near to him. Even here in this World, what a great dignity, do people think it to be, to be near to a great perſonage, whether the King, or if it be one Inferiour! and indeed it is a noble Priviledg to be nigh unto the Kings Perſon, either in regard of kin or alliance, or to be converſant about him by way of attendance. And how greatly do they take on them, that are near the blood Royal in deſcent, or but near a Noble-man by way of ſervice? what honour and exaltation is it then to be near the living God in Spiritual kin and alliance! this is true Nobility, when God is the top of the kin, and Religion the root, ſaith one, and to be Converſant about the preſence of the Lord in Spiritual ſervices, and performances. It is the periphraſis or deſcription of Nobles, to be near the Kings Perſon, Jer. 52.25. in p. 36Heb. That ſaw the face of the King: to be about great and high perſons is a great dignity; but how much more to compaſs God about and to be round about him; as the Saints are ſaid to do, and to be, Pſal. 7.7. So ſhall the Congregation of the people Compaſs thee about, So Pſal. 76.11. let all that be round about him, bring preſents! &c. Gods People are ſaid to be round about him, as the 12. Tribes pitched round about the Tabernacle, Numb. 2.2. and as the four Beaſts, and four and twenty Elders were found about Gods throne, Rev. 4.4. with 6. ſo the Chaldee expoundeth it; Ye that dwell about the Sanctuary, as the Nobles dwell round about the Kings Court:Anſ. in Pſal. 76.Ps 76 they ſee the Face of God, that are round about God and converſe with God, and God and they ſpeak together, as God is ſaid to do to Moſes, who could ſpeak to God, when he would, and was near to God, a great while together, at ſome times; and God is ſaid to ſpeak to Moſes Face to Face, as a man ſpeaketh unto p. 37his Friend, Exod. 33.11. the ſame he is ſaid to do to Iſrael his people, (whom the Text tells us was a people near unto him) on mount Sinai, Deut. 5.4. but now wicked men are afar off, they have no relation to God, nor affection from God; ſo ſaith David, he knows the proud afar off, Pſal. 138.6. and as they are ſo they deſire to be, for, They ſay unto God, depart from us, Job 22.17. thus do we ſee the firſt thing diſcovered to us, even the difference there is between Wicked and Godly men.

2. Uſe. By way of Conſolation; it is for Comfort to all the Saints and People of God, that do enjoy this Priviledg, that are indeed near unto God; and I ſhall tell you (brethren) there are divers Priviledges follow from this.

Firſt of all, God will be ſure to ſuffer none to do them harm that be near to him, or if he doth, he will avenge them. Would you not do ſo for them that are near you? If any ſhould come to hurt your Child, would you not ſave p. 38him if you could? If any body ſhould ſet on your wife, to do her any wrong or injury, you would do the utmoſt you could to avenge their quarrel: juſt ſo it is with God, he ſuffered no man to do them wrong, Pſal. 105.14… yea, he rebuked Kings for their ſakes, 15. ſaying touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm; or if they do, he will avenge them, and ſhalt not God avenge his own Elect? Luk. 18.78. which cry unto him day and night, I tell you he will avenge them ſpeedily, although he bear long with them; where the injury and wrong of Gods People are ſet forth by the injury done by a great perſon to a poor Widow, God avenging them; by the parable of a Judg, who though he feared not God, nor yet regarded Man, yet becauſe of the Widows importunity, would avenge her of her adveſrary: now if an unjuſt Judg will avenge, becauſe of importunity, a perſon that is no way allied to him; ſhall not the moſt righteous God, take Vengeance for the wrongs of his own p. 39People, that are ſo near unto him? Now mind that, and comfort your ſelves, God will be careful of your ſafety; no body ſhall hurt you, or if they dare, and do endeavour it, the Lord to whom vengeance belongeth, will take your part, and take vengeance for you. It may be, you may ſuffer affliction for the Goſpels ſake, wicked men may be injurious to you, for Religions ſake; remember, there is a God that will take your part, that are thus nigh to him; and I could wiſh that all that are under ſufferings for Righteouſneſs ſake, might have Faith to live upon this Truth, and if God call us to more and greater ſufferings, we might treaſure up this Truth againſt ſuch a time comes.

2ly, God will fellow-feel with you too, if you are a People near unto him, and this Priviledg is as great, as the former; there is a famous Scripture for this, Iſa. 63.9. In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the Angel of his preſence ſaved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and bare p. 40them, and carried them all the days of old. The Chapter ſpeaks of the works God had done formerly for Iſrael, but principally with reſpect to the Wilderneſs, how pitiful was God to Iſrael, when they were in the Wilderneſs! and how did God ſhew himſelf to be concerned, in all the Affliction that did light upon them, by a compaſſionate Fellowfeeling! If any be ſick, or in Affliction, that be near to us, how ready are we to lay it to heart, how are we affected with it! ſo will God be with all our troubles, be they what they will be. And mark you, the ſame expreſſion is ſpoken concerning our inward Affliction, and remember it againſt the time that trouble comes; it is ſpoken of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; Heb. 4.14. Seeing then we have a great highPrieſt, that is paſſed into the Heavens, Jeſus the Son of God. — For we have not an high Prieſt, that cannot be touched with our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without ſin. He was tempted to ſin, though he was not p. 41prevailed over by the temptation, and therefore Jeſus the Son of God, can be touched with the feeling of our temptations. Sometimes the violence of temptation is ſo ſtrong, and ſo hard to be dealt with, that were it not, that a perſon could look to Chriſts fellow-feeling, and to God's pitty, it were a cauſe not to be undergon. I believe I ſpeak to ſome that underſtand, and experience what I ſay now; if we commiſerate thoſe that be Dear and Near to us, (nay and thoſe that be not ſo, but in the common bonds of nature with us) ſo that we take what hath befallen them, as though it had fallen on our own ſelves, how much more will God! and bleſſed be God, that we are nigh to ſuch an one that can fellow-feel with us, if not, we were an undone people; that's the ſecond.

3. A third Priviledg is this, the advantage they have of prevailing with God, in the requeſts they do preſent to him; all their ſuits and requeſts ſhall be accepted and granted, and free and open acceſs to p. 42his preſence to ask any thing of him, and not be denied, ſtill asking according to his Will. And hence it is, that they are ſo prevalent with God, becauſe they are a people near to God, and becauſe they are ſo near to him, that is, ſo near to him that is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; hence it is, that they can have all their Payers anſwered, an da l their petitions fulfilled, becauſe they are a People near to God; the Lord is near to anſwer all their Prayers; the Lord increaſe our Faith, for herein lyes much of the comfort of Chriſtianity. You know if a ſtranger come to requeſt any thing of us, or an enemy, we do not ſo much as look on them, nor grant them (though it ſhould not be ſo with us, and we ſhould not do ſo) but if our familiar friend requeſts any thing of us, he will ſoon prevail; if a wife come, and deſire her Husband to do ſomething for her, or a Child ſhould deſire his Father to do ſomething for him, or give ſomething to him, though another ſhould not, yet they ſhall prevail, p. 43why? Becauſe they be near to him. So it is with God, God's People are his Married People, his newborn Children, therefore they have ſuch prevalence with him in all their addreſſes unto him. They may ſreely, but humbly Converſe with him, and may have Communion with him, 1 Joh. 1.3. God Commanded, Exod. 25.22. that there ſhould be a Mercy-ſeat, and over the Mercy-ſeat two golden Cherubims, and they ſhonld look one towards another; and when God did come and ſpeak to his People, the text tells us God promiſed, There will I meet with thee, and there will I Commune with thee, from above the Mercy-Seat; and hence the Apoſtle draws his encouraging argument, let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace, Heb. 4.16. that we may obtain mercy &c. the Mercy-Seat in the Old-Teſtament, is the throne of Grace in the New.

4. Their protection is ſure, God will undertake for their defence, which is much of the ſame importance with the firſt; therefore I ſhall ſay by way of addition little of it p. 44here; their ſafeguard is ſure, becauſe God undertakes for them; They are as dear to him as the Apple of his eye, and he that toucheth you, toucheth the Apple of my eye, ſaith God, Zech. 2.8. and their ſafety is ſet forth by their Nearneſs to God, yea under the ſhadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, till theſe calamities be over-paſt, Pſal. 57.1. I have covered thee in the ſhadow of mine hand. Iſa. 51.16. he ſhall cover thee with his feathers, Pſal. 91.4. nearer we can't be, nor yet ſafer.

5. They being a People nigh to God, God will provide for them too, and take care for their ſupply; will not an husband provide for his Wife? and a Father for his Children? O God be merciful to a great many Husbands and Fathers, that have no Compaſſion on their Wives and Children, but ſpend all they get, and undoe their poor families! but God is not ſuch an Husband, nor ſuch a Father, God hath laid a ſpecial charge upon Maſters of families, that they ſhould provide for their own houſhold; and if a man provide p. 45not for his own, and ſpecially them of his own houſe, he hath denied the Faith, and is worſe than an infidel, ſaith God by the Apoſtle, 1 Tim. 5.8. How many ſuch Maſters and Parents are there in the pale of this viſible Church, that have the badg of Chriſtianity upon them, that conſuem all in their luſts, and are in this ſenſe worſe than the Infidels, the Heathens, and Pagans! now will God lay that charge upon us, and will he not do it himſelf? doth God require us to provide for our houſhold, and will not God provide for his? are not God's People his houſhold, and ſo his own, as near as Wife, Children, and Servants? and will not God then take care of them? Will God teach us providence, and care for our Relations, and ſhall not God do ſo for his? When you want your bread, you that are poor remember this, if you be a People near unto God, he will provide for you; and this ſhould learn you the Apoſtles leſſon, to caſt all your care upon him, who careth for you, 1 Pry. 5.7. And what a mercy it p. 44duplicate page p. 45duplicate page p. 44duplicate page p. 45duplicate page p. 46is to be able to beg our daily bread from God, upon this Relation, that we are a People nigh to him! will not God provide for his own? Surely he will. God that requires us to do good to all men, but eſpecially to the houſhold of Faith, Gal. 6.10. he himſelf is alſo good to all, by that general common Goodneſs which he extends to the whole Creation, Pſal. 145.9. but ſpecially to his own Iſrael; truely God is good to Iſrael, Pſal. 73.1. the People near unto him, (text). It's only the houſhold of Faith that is near to God, for Faith is the bond of our Union unto God and Jeſus Chriſt.

6. And Laſtly, remember and take comfort in this alſo, as you are now near to him here, ſo you ſhall be more near to him in Heaven hereafter; and this cloſeth up, and compleateth the Happineſs of the People of God, he will bring them all to be near to him in Heaven: methinks theſe things ſhould make our hearts a little burn within us, with affection, to be in a longing after this great Priviledg; remember, p. 47you ſhall be as near to God as Heaven and Glory ſhall make you; and how near will that be? God is near to you now and you are near to God now, but yet notwithſtanding in Heaven is the greateſt and chiefeſt Nearneſs. Here you have his preſence in a meaſure with many interruptions; here ſin, that makes a ſeparation between God and you; but hereafter, you ſhall fully, immediately, and for ever have his preſence, you ſhall never be excluded, or ſhut out of it; time will come when there will be nothing that ſhall ſtand and interpoſe between God and you, all that ſhall cauſe a diſtance ſhall be taken out of the way: Oh what a bleſſed time will that be!

3. Uſe. By way of Exhortation in two branches.

Firſt, Labour to make ſure with the greateſt diligence and ſpeed you are poſſibly able, that you are a People near unto God. And will not all thoſe things that I hinted, and propoſed to you, prevail with you? may not the Conſideration p. 48of all thoſe Priviledges, that follow upon this forenamed, that you are near to God, allure us, and prevail with us? do not be at a diſtance from God ſtill, as you have been; may you not ſay truely It is good for me to be near, as David ſaid, It is good for me to draw near to God? Pſal. 73.28. run through in your meditations, every one of the Priviledges I have mentioned, be not hearers or readers only, be perſwaded then: methinks this one wellthought of before-named, of having every requeſt anſwered, ſhould be a mighty thing. It is a Priviledg beyond all imagination, ſufficient to Provoke to the higheſt admiration, and greateſt deſire, and endeavour about this, that poſſible can be. But Conſider on the other hand, what is the miſery of being afar off from God, how great is the evil of being far off! why, They that are far from thee ſhall periſh, thou haſt deſtroyed all that go a-whoring from thee, ſaith David, Pſal. 73.27. well, it is a ſad caſe then to be at a diſtance from him. If we do p. 49ſeriouſly lay it to heart, and this is the Condition of every man & Woman, as they come into the World, till Chriſt make them nigh; I pray God make you and me more Conſiderate of it: How long have you lived, and yet continue far from God! It would make ones heart to ake to conſider, how many years we have lived afar off, in point of reconciliation. Conſider one thing more, what Patience hath God exerciſed to you all this while, that he hath prevented your periſhing in that Condition! what wonderful Patience, & what a World of longſuffering hath God lengthned out towards you! Let me add one thing more, by asking you a queſtion, Will you live and die at laſt at a diſtance from God, and not be made nigh unto him? What do you ſay? If I ſhould ask every Man, and woman of you, as every one of you ought to apply the word of God to your ſelves, Art thou willing to live and dy and not be made hear to God? what do your hearts ſay to this? the Lord God of Heaven p. 50by his Spirit awaken every one to a ſerious Conſideration of it: I dare ſay there is never a man or woman, if they were going to die this moment, but would be of this mind, that he might be near unto God; unleſs God had given them over unto a reprobate ſenſe, to be ſo blinded by the Devil in their wickedneſs, that they cared not what became of body, or ſoul, or any thing for ever. What a ſad thing, that many ſay in their hearts, with thoſe in Job 22. Depart from us, for we deſire not the knowledg of thy ways. Theſe do not deſire God, or to be nigh unto him: but now weigh this, as if you were going to die, Would I be ſet at a diſtance from God for ever and for ever? and can I ever expect to be near to God hereafter, if I am afar off from God now?

Weigh theſe things above-mentioned in theſe five particulars, for method and memories ſake.

1. You came every one into the World, at a diſtance from God.

p. 512. How long have you lived at a diſtance from him?

3. How much patience hath God exerciſed towards you all this while?

4. Whether you intend to live and die in that Condition? or

5. Whether you can expect to be near to God hereafter, if you be not near to but far off from God here? if you live and die at the ſame, yea greater diſtance, than you came into the World from God at, how far then will you be removed from God? and that for ever? if you be now ſo far by nature and continue all your lives widening the diſtance and pie without having it made up, you will never then come ſo near, as to ſee the face of God with Comfort. I beſeech you look to it, for theſe be the great truths, yea the greateſt concernments of your Souls.

Query. What ſhall I do, what Courſe would you adviſe me to take, that I may be near to God?

Anſw. 1. Pray to God for the Spirit of regeneration, that thou p. 52maiſt be born of God, thereby thou wilt be made partaker of the Divine Nature; if thou art born of the Spirit, then wilt thou be near to God; As near and as dear as a Child is to his Father.

2. Beg of God, to communicate to you the Benefits of Chriſt's Sufferings. For it is the blood of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt that makes us nigh to God, Eph. 2.14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and broken down the middle-Wall of partition, &c. between God and men, as well as between Jew and Gentile. Oh that we might by Faith, and Prayer ſtill apply him to our Souls; He ſuffered the Juſt for the unjuſt, that he might bring us near to God. Now beg of God to bring you nigh to him by his Sons blood: I wiſh I could engage every perſon of you, not to lie down this night, till you had prayed this Prayer, that you might be brought nigh to God by the blood of his Son.

3. Lay hold on the Covenant of God, the Covenant between God and his people, it is a matrimonial p. 53Covenant, a Marriage-Covenant: now it is the work of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, to be wooers for Chriſt, and to beſeech you in the name of Chriſt, to be married to him; and I deſire in the name of God to make this propoſal, Will you hearken to it and accept of it? God in his Word doth offer to be married to your Souls, God doth call you, you have every one of you run away from God, and he calls you, as he did to Iſrael of old, Return you back ſliding Children, for I am (I will be) married unto you, Jer. 3.14. What do you ſay? Will you give Conſent or no? ſhall your Maker be your Husband or ſhall he not? ask your own hearts this queſtion, Art thou willing, Oh my Soul to be eſpouſed to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, or art thou not? we are ambaſſadors for Chriſt, and he hath ſent me to invite you to him. And if this day there might be but one Soul brought in to accept of Jeſus Chriſt, as it would be the day of the gladneſs of his heart, Song. 3.11. ſo would it be the rejoicing of p. 54mine. There is no ſuch match as this, no ſuch Husband as Jeſus Chriſt; how near if eſpouſed to God and Jeſus Chriſt! none nearer than Husband and Wife, the Lord therefore prevail with you. You have in the foregoing papers, direction to and information of a Deſign of a worthy man, and Miniſter of God, propoſing in ſeveral treatiſes, advice about particular tranſacting with God, between God and your own Souls apart, not in word only, but in writing; and you have alſo a few things added to ſhew the warrantableneſs, and advantage of ſo doing: and I could wiſh that every Chriſtian in the World, might be prevailed with to do it effectually and ſpeedily, Bleſſed be God for the comfort of it! never any one that hath taſted of the comfort of it would for any thing have it to do. Beſides the inſtance of one perſon, I have given in the foregoing Appendix, that in ſore troubles improved it, I ſhall here add one more of a perſon dying, whom when I came to viſit, being near to death, after I asked concerning p. 55the parties ſtate, I ſaid I hope you are able to reſign up your whole ſelf, Body and Soul, into the hands of God: Reply was made, this have I done between God and my own ſelf many a time in a Corner; and the draught between God and the Perſon, was ſound after amongſt other writings, when deceaſed. So that there is no greater preparative, that fits for, nor will there be a greater ſtay to comfort, and embolden, when at the point of death: What can be greater encouragement hereunto, than the experience of the Saints of God, both living and dead? Up therefore, and delay no longer, but do it, that ſo you may live, and die in full aſſurance, that you are, and ſhall be fully, and for ever, near to God.

2. Branch of Exhortation. Let me beſeech you in the name of God, that have made ſure that you are a people near to God, that you would walk as a people near unto him. Firſt, make the matter clear, and then be ſure to have ſuitable Converſation; and that will be ſo p. 56if the former be done indeed, for the ſame Spirit of Grace that draws us to the one, will enable us to the other. Carry it towards God as becomes ſo great a Priviledg.

Query, But how ſhall we do that may ſome ſay?

Anſw. 1. Be ſure to have a care of that that will cloud your evidences, and aſſurance of Nearneſs unto God, and put you in your apprehenſions at a great diſtance again from him. You may get aſſurance, but then take heed, you do not meddle with that which will cloud it: time was you rejoiced in God as your God, and your Father, that your ſelves were his Children, taken into Covenant with him, and into his family, in the neareſt relation to him. And when you are near to God, you will be ever near to God: but yet you may loſe your aſſurance by your ſin; for that will ſet you at a diſtance again, it being a forſaking God, and departure from him; and ſo cloud your apprehenſion of Gods affection, your adoption, and regeneration p. 57and acceptation, and thereby rob you of the Comfort of your condition and all your relation to God; therefore have a care of ſin, of all and every ſin whatſoever, and ſpecially your own iniquity. Some perſons are addicted to ſome ſins more than others, ſpecially therefore take care of them, theſe will crack your peace, and cloud your evidences: walk watchfully therefore, and labour to have an unſpotted Converſation; for the ſpots and ſins of a mans Converſation will be clouds upon his Soul, and will blur all his evidences, and ſo break his Peace.

2. Keep near to God as much as you can, and be as often with God as poſſibly you can. Do not carry it ſtrangely towards God: be often in Gods Company, and frequent in his preſence, often ſee his face, and draw nigh to him: my meaning is, be often in the uſe of Ordinances, and the Duties of Gods Worſhip; ſpecially in Prayer, which is a duty wherein God and the Soul draw as near one to another as in any duty p. 58whatſoever. Nobles are ſtill about the King, and if the King ſtir to any place without their privity, away they go, and poſt to follow after him; ſo ſhould we, if God ſeems to withdraw himſelf: ſo the Church after her beloved, Song. 3. & 5. Pſal. 63.8. My Soul followeth hard after thee, ſaith David.

3. Bleſs God for his diſtinguiſhing Mercy, to you above many others, many thouſands in the World: how many are kept off, and at a diſtance ſtill, and what are you that you ſhould be made nigh to God, when many thouſands are yet ſo far off from him! I cannot tell you why it ſhould be ſo, only it is Gods good-will towards you; becauſe he will do it, therefore he doth it. There are thouſands and ten thouſands in the World, that have not this liberty to come near to God; they are in the ſame ſtate that ever they were, and enjoy not ſuch a Priviledg as this is; therefore ſhould we ſeriouſly conſider it. Mark what the Holy Ghoſt ſpeaks, Deut. 6.7, 8. Thou art an holy people p. 59unto the Lord thy God, the Lord hath choſen thee to be a ſpecial people unto himſelf, above all people that are upon the Face of the earth. The Lord did not ſet his love upon you, or chuſe you, becauſe ye were more in number than any people, for ye were the feweſt of all people; but becauſe the Lord loved you, and becauſe he would keep the oath which he had ſworn unto our Forefathers, &c. and ſay within your hearts, why ſhould God deal ſo with me to bring me ſo near to him, and leave others in the ſame ſtate wherein they were born? let your heart be mightily affected with this Love of God, and kindneſs of God. Methinks I could dwell on the perſwaſion of people to this duty, that they would be much more taken with the Conſideration of Gods ſpecial and diſtinguiſhing Kindneſs towards them.

4. Laſtly be ſure to be humble and keep low; and that upon a double reaſon. 1. Becauſe that though you are a people nigh to God, of his free Grace, yet there is a great diſtance and diſproportion between p. 60God and you; for though you are brought ſo near God, yet you are but Creatures: whereas God is the great Creatour, you are but duſt and aſhes; God is the infinite, holy Majeſty of Heaven and Earth. Now the diſtance that is between God and you, ſhould dwell upon your hearts, and make you keep in a lowly frame ſtill, and ſhould Create ſelf-abaſing thoughts in you ſo much the more: The Conſideration of our Priviledges, & the Conſideration of God's great diſtance from us, ſhould increaſe our ſelf. abaſement. 2. And then upon the account of our own ſinfulneſs we ſhould be humble before God. Micah. 6.8. What doth the Lord thy God require of thee? but to do juſtly and love mercy and walk humbly with thy God. See to it, that you do walk more lowly, and ſelf-abſingly, conſidering what you are, on both theſe accounts, although God hath ſo dignified you. Amen.

FINIS.

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Pretious Faith; or a diſcourſe of its Nature, Growth and Effect; by Edward Polehil of Burwaſh in Suſſex: Eſquire in Octavo.

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An Antidote againſt Diſtractions; or An Endeavour to ſerve the Church, in the Daily Caſe of wandrings in the Worſhip of God, by Richard Steel. M. A. in Octavo.

The Reuniting Chriſtianity; or the Manner how to rejoyn all Chriſtians under one Confeſſion of Faith, in Octavo.

God a Chriſtian's Choice Compleated, by Particular Covenanting with God &c. in Purſuit of a Deſign Propoſed by Mr. R. A. in his Book entitled the Vindication of Godlineſs; and by Mr. Thomas Vincent in his Book Called, Words whereby we may be ſaved. in Twelves.

End of the text · Samuel Winney, God a Christians Choice (1675)