No Power But of God, Table of contents (1 of 2)

No Power But of God · Table of contents (1 of 2)

The Contents of the moſt principal things handled in the enſuing Treatiſe.

THere are three things for a Chriſtian to doe, which are of great concernment, as to the well being of a Chriſtian, viz.

1. To put on the Armour of Chriſt.

2. To abide in the Doctrine of Chriſt.

3. To live in the will of God; For there is no power but of God.

The ſeveral temptations that lye before Chriſtians.

The way to withſtand them, is not onelyonly to put on this armour, but to keep it on alſo.

And ſo to abide in the Doctrine of Chriſt, as in a Caſtle of Ref…ge againſt all ſtorms.

And wait upon God in the uſe of Ordinances.

Nine arguments to prove that Goſpel Ordinances are ſtill in force.

What the Doctrine of Chriſt is.

What it is to abide in the Doctrine of Chriſt.

That there is no power but of God, and yet a power in every Creature.

Of our fall in the firſt Adam, and of the ſubtiltie of Satan therein.

Of our Reſtoration by the ſecond Adam, in whom we have gotten more then we loſt b… the firſt Adam.

A Dialogue between the Law and the Goſpel.

Of what we are delivered from by Chriſt, and what he hath reſtored his Elect unto.

Wherein many men and women doe deceive themſelves, thinking they are ſomething, when they are nothing.

A few words of Faith.

A word to the pretended Miniſters, or a few words to ſome of thoſe that have taken to themſelves the name of the Miniſters of England.

A brief Epiſtle to the World.

Ten Characters of a falſe pretended Miniſter by which he may be known.

Fourteen Characters of a faithfull Miniſter of the Goſpel, whom we ſhall doe well to honour.

A brief Epiſtle to all the Lambes, that through a providence have not been devoured by the Wolves.

A brief Propheſie of the glorious ſtate of the Church Militant that will be ſhortly.

There be glorious deliverances comming for the Saints, but the Saints be for the moſt part too ſudden in their expecting theſe deliverrances.

There be many other things held forth in this Treatiſe, very ſeaſonable and uſeful, and worthy our ſerious conſideration. The heads of which, for ſome reaſon I forbear to mention in this Table.

The ſeveral Temptations that lie before us.

THere are three things that be of abſolute neceſſity for a Chriſtian to doe at all times, but more eſpecially in theſe dividing times: I ſay, of abſolute neceſſity, if not in point of being, yet in point of well-being as to Chriſtians.

Firſt, To put on the Armour of Chriſt.

Secondly, To abide in the Doctrine of Chriſt.

Thirdly, To live in the will of God.

Firſt, Put on the whole armour of Chriſt. Before come particularly to ſpeak of this point, I ſhall endeavour to lay before you the neceſſity that we have to arm our ſelves with this Armour at this time. For now Satan in more then an ordinary meaſure hath transformed himſelf into an Angel of light, and comes to us by his miniſters in ſheepstloathing, though inwardly we find him to p. 2be a ravening wolf. He is ſubtle, and knows that thoſe former ordinary ſnares, gins, and baits will not take with many men: wherefore now, though he can deceive but few with the hiſtory, yet he endeavours to deceive many with the myſterie of iniquity. You will and may eaſily ſee him with thoſe that call themſelves our Joſhua's, in the Pulpit, not only at their elbow, but ſometimes in their Explications, and moſt frequently in their Applications: Nay, there is ſcarce one Ordinance of the Goſpel, but he will cloath himſelf withall. If he cannot keep people from the practice or uſe of Ordinances, he will as much as in him lies cauſe them to reſt upon Ordinances: in a word, he will vail himſelf under any form or forms, under any order, or ordinance Again, he hath his gins, pits and ſnares for all ſorts of men, in all adminiſtrations The Parliament is not free, but they doe o… may ſee Sathan among them, and ſometimes in them, improving all opportunities … deceive them: Our Armies both in Englan… Ireland and Scotland call one upon another to ſtand upon their guard, to make ready preſent, and to give fire not only upon their bodily enemies, but upon their ſpiritua… enemies. Methinks I hear many of the Souldiers p. 3ſpeaking one to the other in the language of Paul, 1 Cor. 16. 13.

Firſt, Watch what comes in.

Secondly, Watch what goes out.

1. Watch what comes in: You ſhall find thoughts ariſing one after another in your hearts; call them all to …n account, ſaying, Who art thou? for if thou art for Chriſt, give me the word, thou ſhalt freely paſſe; if thou art not for Chriſt, and haſt not his word, Stand, …f thou comeſt up one ſtep further, I'le fire at thee.

2. Watch what goes out: Take heed to thy words, let them be ſuch as may adminiſter grace to the hearers; remember what S. James ſaith, Jam. 3. 5. 6. The tongue …s a little member, and boaſteth great things; be…old how great a matter a little fire kindleth! and …he Tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, it defileth …he whole body, & ſetteth on fire the whole courſe …f nature, &c. Wherefore watch what goes …ut; remember, the Lord thy God hath …et a double pale to rule that little mem…er.

Again, as he tempts Parliament and Army, …o he tempts Magiſtrates and Miniſtry; high …nd low, rich and poor, old and young; …e hath his temptations ſuitable to all con…itions: He will tempt you when you ar… p. 4praying, hearing, reading, meditating, eating, drinking, waking and ſleeping; he improves all opportunities, he takes all advantages, for he lies in wait to deceive, and winnow you, as Chriſt told Peter; He is a great traveller, he roves up and down the earth, as he told the Lord in the book of Job; He is a great Philoſopher, he is acquainted with all natures; he hath his Logick and his Rhetorick as perfect as the Heathen Philoſophers, or the National Miniſters, nay he outſtrips them, for he often deceives them: You know he was too ſubtle for the firſt Adam, he engaged him and overcame him, and gave Adam and all us in him the fall: Again, he imployes all his policie, improves all his ſubtilty, to foile the ſecond Adam as he did the firſt, Mat. 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, &c.

Note theſe two things:

1. The Devil ſuits his temptation to our Lord Chriſts preſent condition: Chriſt had been faſting forty dayes, why, ſaith the Devil, Command that theſe ſtones be made bread The Lord anſwers him from Scripture, and tels him, Deut. 8. 3. it is written, Man ſhall … live by bread alone, but by every word that p… ceedeth out of the mouth of God. The Devil ſeeing there is no dealing with Chriſt, unle… p. 5he could bring Scripture, he haſtens and prepares his next temptation, as you may ſee Mat. 4. 5, 6. he intreats Chriſt to caſt himſelf down from the pinacle of the Temple, and endeavours to ground his temptation upon Scripture, and cites Pſal. 91. 11. For he ſhall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. The Devil cites this Pſalm and this verſe to Chriſt: but mark his policie, he leaves out ſomewhat moſt conſiderable in that 11. verſe, and addes ſomewhat that was not in that verſe, as you may ſee, if you compare Mat. 4. 6. with Pſal. 91. 11. Again, this ſubtile Serpent will bring pride into our hearts under the name of decencie and neatneſſe, and covetouſneſſe under the name of good husbandry; nay he wil clothe drunkenneſſe with the garment of goodfellowſhip, and gluttony with the robe of hoſpitality, nay he will hide frowardneſſe under the name of zeale; he will promiſe you peace, and bring you into trouble; he …ll promiſe you honour, and bring you into diſhonour both with God and man; he will promiſe us liberty, and bring us into bondage; In a word, (to adde no more) he will promiſe us life, as he did our firſt parents, and bring us to death, The wage… of ſinne is death.

p. 62. O Chriſtians, conſider, that we have a deceitful heart within us, a map of miſery which is more deſtructive to us then all the wiles of Sathan; it is deſperately wicked, ſaith Jeremy in his 17. chap. v. 9. The heart is deceitfull above all things, and deſperately wick… who can know it? There is a magazine of filthineſſe within us, in thine and mine heart; we have ſeen much of it, and there is a thouſand times more then we have ſeen, Who can know it? There is nothing called ſin in the Word of God, but thou and I may find in more or leſſe, taking up its lodging in our hearts; it doth miſchief us more then Satan for he can but tempt, but our deceitful hearts do yield; it will make us believe that it is plodding for our good, when it is contriving our ruine; it will cheat us in our obediences to God, it will tell us we have done well when we have done ill; in a word, the Heart is the ſole troubler of the times, ſee Eccleſ. 9. 3. The hearts of the ſonn… of men are full of madneſſe, for evil and madne… are in their hearts. Now there are three thing by which a mad man may be known.

1. Miſchievouſneſſe to himſelfe and others.

2. Unſenſibleneſſe, they feele not th… ſmart.

p. 73. Wilfulneſſe; there is no perſwading of them.

Firſt now, O Chriſtian, deal impartially; doſt not thou find that thou haſt miſchiefed thy ſelf and others many a time? and yet thou wouldſt be ready to ſpet in the face of him that ſhould ſay thou art mad.

Again in the next place, haſt not thou been inſenſible at the preſent what miſery thou haſt brought upon thy ſelf? And then

Thirdly, for wilfulneſſe: There are characters of wilfulneſs to be ſeen in thoſe that do look on themſelves as the chiefeſt Saints, and yet they would take it as a raſh expreſſion, if one tell them that there is madneſſe in their hearts.

3. Conſider, O Chriſtians, there is not only a Devil without thee, and a deceitful heart within thee, but alſo there be all thy carnal Acquaintance before thee, which do claim an intereſt in thee, wherefore they will not forſake thee, but lie perſwading of thee to run with them to the ſame exceſs of riot; and if thou begin to refuſe to comply with them, they will ſay, You begin too ſoon to be preciſe: What, a young Saint! loſe the beſt of your time, the flower of your age! what, wither your body with griefe for a few petty ſins! what, ſpoil your ſelfe with p. 8ſtudying and poring upon books! what run into corners to weep and pray, when thou mighteſt be ſinging and dancing, eating & drinking with the reſt of thy friends what, muſt you be ſo preciſe? ſhall no body be ſaved but you, and a few ſuch as you b… what is become of our forefathers, think you, which made no ſuch ado? I hope you will not ſay but they be ſaved, &c.

Wilt thou ſee now, O man, what is the cauſe that the ſonnes and daughters of men are multiplying their iniquities, committing ſinne… with greedineſſe: why, herein lies the cauſe; there is a devil without thee, and a deceitful heart within thee, and there be all thy carnal acquaintance before thee, all pretending love unto thee, and they all bending together and improving all opportunities to cheat, delude, and deceive thee. Hence it commeth to paſſe that the whole world lieth in wickedneſſe: hence it is, that when thou comeſt into the City, thou ſhalt ſee it ſwim… with pride before thee, and abound with covetouſneſſe behind thee: on thy right hand, as thou go…ſt along the ſtreets, thou ſhalt hear them ſwearing, and on thy left hand in their ſhops lying; goe out of the ſtreets into any by-place, thou ſhalt heard ſome curſing, and others backbiting, and all p. 9almoſt (unleſſe here and there one) in the City, bond their forces together againſt the Lord Chriſts Kingly power.

Me thinks I ſee now and then a ſincerehearted Country-Chriſtian come walking along the ſtreets of the City; and when he ſees theſe abominations before him, behind him, on his right hand, and on his left, he begi… to ſay, Lord, what is the cauſe of this great wic…dneſſe in the City? And if he receive no anſwer from the Lord, he enquires for the Lords people, and through Gods goodneſſe he finds here and there a Chriſtian following of Chriſt, and a pretty conſiderable party enquiring after Chriſt; well, he comes to one and asketh him, why doth ſin ſo abound in this City? it is true, ſin reigns much in the Country, but it exceeds in the City. Why (ſaith the Citizen to him) we have more Temptations living in the City, then you in the Country. Well but the Country-man is not fully ſatisfied, he goes to another, and demands a reaſon, Why doth ſin reign in this City? have you not godly Magiſtrates, and godly Miniſters, and other godly Officers in your City? Me thinks I hear the Citizen anſwering him and ſaying, Why through the Lords goodneſſe it is much better with us in that reſpect then it hath been here to fore.

p. 10Q. What then is the cauſe of the abounding of ſin?

A. Sir, I think one or both of theſe following reaſons may be given for it; either firſt we have ſleighted the means of gra… more then others, or elſe (as I have ſaid before) we are under greater temptations in the City, then you in the Country.

But ſhall we ſee a little farther, and enquire into the cauſe why both City and Country, not only in this Nation, but all the World-over is ſo overſpread with all maner of abominations both in Principles and Practice; which is the reaſon ſo many thouſands that would be looked upon as Saints and ſervants of Chriſt, are fallen off, one to this error, and another to that faction. Some deny Ordinances, others deny the Scriptures, and ſome deny both: Some will acknowledge God, but deny the Son; others acknowledge both the Father and the Son, but deſpiſe the Spirit; others will acknowledge Father, Son and Spirit, in word and in tongue, but deny all in their practice And here I am ſure is the ſtate of the greateſt part of the Engliſh Nation, but the Lord (bleſſed be his name) is beginning to deſtroy this darkneſſe by his own light. But is not this the cauſe why the whole world lieth in p. 11wickedneſſe, as John ſaith? There is a Devil tempting, and a deceitful heart yielding, and carnal friends perſwading; the one comes and takes thee by one arm, the other by the other arm, the third ties as it were a ſtring about thy middle, and all three ſaying, Come along with us.

Thus much of the cauſe of our diviſions, backſlidings, deadneſſe, dulneſſe, formality and infidelity. Now I ſhall in the next place lay before you the Cure, and therein ſpeak of two things.

The firſt is concerning the being,

The ſecond is concerning the well-being of a Chriſtian.

Firſt then, if thou wouldeſt be preſerved in theſe perilous times, Put on the armour of Chriſt, and abide in the doctrine of Chriſt.

Secondly, for thy well-being; learn this leſſon, There is no power but of God, who will turn all theſe things to his glory and thy good: Or, Abide in the will of God.

Firſt of the firſt, Put on the whole armour of Chriſt, and abide in the doctrine of Chriſt. The one is laid down by way of command in Epheſ. 6. 11. the other by way of trial and prevention, in the 2. Epiſt. of John, v. 9. To each of theſe Scriptures, as far as I have light witneſſed with experience, I ſhall hold forth briefly and plainly.

p. 12Epheſ. 6. 11. Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to ſtand againſt the wiles … the Devil. The armour here ſpoken unto … not a temporal, but a ſpiritual armour and what this ſpiritual armour is, you ha… it laid down diſtinctly in this Epiſtle o… Paul to the Epheſians, viz.

1. To gird them with the girdle of truth▪ Eph. 6. 14.

2. To put on the breaſt-plate of righteouſneſſe, ver. 14.

3. To be ſhod with the ſhooes of the Goſpel o… peace, v. 15.

4 To take the ſhield of faith, which is a moſt victorious weapon, v. 16.

5. To put on the helmet of ſalvation, v. 17.

6. To take into thy hand of faith the ſword of the Spirit, v. 17.

Beloved, I dare boldly ſay, that man o… woman that puts on this armour, ma… march forth into the field, and challenge al… the Devils in hell, and all the wicked men in… the world, and rout them all. What mad… David go out againſt Goliah? Why, he ſaw himſelf armed, not with Sauls armour, but with this Spiritual armour. What was that that made him ſo confident, Pſ. 27. 3. Though an hoſt ſhould encamp againſt me, my heart ſhall not feare, though warre ſhould riſe againſt me… p. 13…n this will I be confident. What made him …reak forth in ſuch words, Pſal. 3. 6. I will …ot (ſaid he) be afraid of ten thouſand of people …hat have ſet themſelves againſt me round about. …ov. 28. 1. The wicked flees when no man pur…eth, but the righteous is as bold as a lyon.

Q. Why be the righteous ſo bold as a Lion?

A. They be armed with the armour of God.

Q. What is meant or underſtood by the girdle of truth?

A. To be rightly principled, & through…y doctrinated in the doctrine of Chriſt. Again,

Q. What is meant by the breaſt-plate of righteouſneſſe?

A. A good conſcience, or innocencie of life &c. and ſo for the ſhield of faith, what is it but the righteouſneſſe to Chriſt, able like a brazen ſhield to protect and cover us from the darts of the world, the fleſh and the devil? Nay I ſuppoſe it to be not only a deſenſive, but an offenſive weapon, I Joh. 5. 4. This is the victory that overcommeth the world, even our faith. Heb. 11. 33, 34. Who through faith ſubdued Kingdoms, wrought righteouſneſſe▪ obtained promiſes, ſtopped the mouths of Lions, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies p. 14of the Aliens, &c. If we ſhould ſee an Army of men marching into the field, where their Enemies had placed themſelves in Battalia … I ſay, if we ſhould ſee them march toward their enemy unarmed, why, we would preſently conclude that theſe men will be put to the worſt, they will receive the rout, they will be either taken, or elſe return hacked and hewed and terribly wounded.

What is the cauſe that we be ſo eaſily and ſo often routed by Sathan? why, he comes and finds us unarmed; hence it is that we have ſo many cuts and ſores in our inward man, we do not conſider the ſtrength and ſubtilty of our enemies; and hence it is that we do not put on the whole armour of God. Nay, how many thouſands of men and women be there, nay of thoſe that would be accounted pious Chriſtians, that are ſo far from puting on the whole armour of God, that they ne're put on a peece of it; Nay, it is a rare thing to find a Profeſſor that can tell one what this armour is, and the right place of every peece: hence it is that ſome do put the peece behind, that ſhould be before, and that upon the foot which ſhould be on the head; and ſo though it be the armour of Chriſt, you cannot fight in it, it will be to thee as Sauls armour was to p. 15David, unfit for ſervice. Surely Chriſtians, …f I ſee any thing of God, this (I do know) …s one of the greateſt evils that now reigns …mongſt Profeſſors, their diſordering what God hath ordered. Take a thing that is …ood, it is good but in its place; put it a …ittle above, or ſomething beneath its place, …he thing that is good in it ſelf becomes evil …o you, &c.

Again, let us examine what neceſſity there …s for the ſonnes of Sion thus to arm them…elves. Oh conſider, conſider theſe enſuing …criptures. Eph. 6. 11, 12. Put on the whole …rmour of God, (there is the precept:) For we …reſtle not againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt …rincipalities and powers, againſt the rulers of …arkneſſe, againſt ſpiritual wickedneſſe in high …laces, (there is the reaſon.) Take heed that no …an deceive you, ſaith our Lord Chriſt, Mat. …4. 4. For we be living in thoſe dayes ſpoken …0, v. 24. There ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſts and falſe Prophets, ſhewing great ſignes and wonders. Theſe are the dayes ſpoken to, 1 Tim. 4. 1. Now the Spirit ſpeaketh expreſſely, that in the …ater dayes ſome ſhall depart from the faith, giving …eed to ſeducing ſpirits and doctrines of devils, &c.

Oh what troops of men and women is Sathan driving before him! Look up a p. 16little, intreat the Lord to take the vail off thy ſpiritual eye, and thou ſhalt ſee a great rode-way exceeding broad, and very populous, and drove after drove paſſing on, not ſoftly, but ſwiftly, they all ride poſt. Mark diligently, and thou ſhalt ſee Sathan that great Prince af the aire, bravely mounted, and richly clothed, as their Generall marching before them, and his Angels bringing up the rear: Take a view of the Droves as they paſſe by thee, and thou ſhalt ſee ſome of all ranks of men amongſt them. Me thinks I hear thee ſaying, look, look, methinks I ſee a Parliament-man there, me thinks I ſee here and there one of the Army, and abundance of the Clergie there; but they march more honourably then the reſt, for Satan their Prince hath made them File-leaders. Look, look, what an innumerable company of men and women, old and young, high and low, rich and poor, are poſting away to hel… Now I ſee the words of Chriſt be true, Mat. 7. 13. For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to deſtruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Now I ſee what is the meaning of that text, Mat. 7. 22. Lord, Lord, have we not propheſied in thy name, and in thy name have caſt out devils, and in thy name have done many wonderfull works! Depart from me p. 17…aith Chriſt, I never knew you. How! not know us, and we have taught in thy ſtreets, and eat and drank in thy preſence! Depart, ſaith Chriſt to them. How! depart! Doſt thou ſpeak to us that have done ſo many wonderful things in thy name? Lord, let the word depart be given to the Ign rant, and not to us that are Scholars! Why, ſaith Chriſt, many of thoſe whom you call Ignorant, are the greateſt Scholars in my ſchool, 1 Cor. 1. 26, 27, 28. Not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty, not many noble are …alled; but God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world to confound the wiſe, and God hath choſen the weak things of the world to confound …he mighty, and baſe things of the world and things which are deſpiſed hath God choſen, yea and …hings which are not, to bring to nought things that …re, that no fleſh ſhould glory in his preſence. Oh how doth fleſh glory in his preſence! if a man can ſpeak ſcholaſtically, though …he be not authentique, how is he admired of men! if he can ſpeak eloquently, and lay down things methodically, (which be but the gifts of nature) how doth this fleſh glory in his preſence! Methinks I hear a voice from heaven ſaying, Come down thou proud ſelf-ſeeking Fleſh! Thou haſt ſet thy ſelf in my Spirits place, and haſt cauſed the people to admire p. 18thee, ſaying of thee as once it was ſaid of Herod It is the v…ice of God, and not of man. I will ſmit… thee, and the wormes ſhall deſtroy thee, ſaith the Lord. In a word, we may clearly ſee that Sathan hath his pits, gins and ſnares for al… degrees and degrees and ranks of men, under all adminiſtrations, form or forms: He endeavours to cheat us in all things, at all times, and in… all places. But me thinks I ſee him lay the cloſeſt ſiege, and raiſe the ſtrongeſt batteries, and plant his greateſt peeces againſt theſe two things:

FIrſt, againſt the Doctrine of Chriſt.

Secondly, againſt the Diſcipline of Chriſt

1. Againſt the Doctrine of Chriſt, which tells thou art freely juſtified by grace, Rom. 3. 24. in comes Antichriſt, and tels thee it i… partly by grace, and partly by works: And ſo though thou doſt not ſeek to be juſtified by the Law, yet it is as it were by the works … the Law, Rom. 9. 3. 2. Wherefore? becauſe the ſought it not by faith, but as it were by the work… of the law, for they ſtumbled at that ſtumbling ſtone Conſider theſe enſuing Scriptures, which ſpeak of juſtification by grace; and if thi… point were well underſtood, men woul… not ſo eaſily be led away with the error of th… wi…ked. Epheſ. 2. 5. By grace are you ſaved, a… freely quickned when you were dead in your ſin… p. 19and v. 8. For by grace are you ſaved through faith, and that not of your ſelves, it is the gift of God. Rom. 11. 6. And if it be by grace, then it is no more of works, &c. And in Rom. 3. 24. Being juſtified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Chriſt. In a word: Creation, Election, Redemption, Juſtification, and Sanctification are all of Free-grace, to which both Old and New Teſtament ſpeaks abundantly: And for want of underſtanding this point, the Papiſts erre in ſeeking ſalvation by works; For want of underſtanding this point, the Arminians erre, ſaying, Election and Salvation in effect depend upon Qualification; yea, for want of the true knowledge of this point, doth that error of Free-will and Generall Redemption ſo abound at this day: In a word, for want of the knowledge of this point, do ſo many at this time in this Common-wealth make a hotch-potch in mingling and interweaving Law and Goſpel, in joyning their obedience with the obedience of Chriſt, to patch up a ſalvation. 2. Here is another cheat of Satan, wherein he endeavours to cheat thee and me in the Doctrine of Chriſt. The doctrine of Chriſt tels thee, that Chriſt came to reconcile thee to God, 2 Cor. 5. 23. When this point is held forth a little, in creeps p. 20Antichriſt, and declares that Chriſt came alſo to reconcile God to thee; and ſo endeavours to make the immutable God mutable, or the unchangeable God changeable. You might trace him in every branch of the Doctrine of Chriſt, and find him either endeavouring to make thee to deny it, or if he cannot prevail in that, then he endeavours to make thee adde ſomething to it, or take ſomething from it. Wherefore put on the whole armour of God, ſtand upon thy guard and watch: Belieue not every ſpirit, but try the ſpirits whether they be of God.

2. Again, as firſt he endeavours to cheat us in the doctrine of Chriſt, ſo ſecondly he endeavours to cheat us in the diſcipline of Chriſt. Now Diſcipline, though it be not of abſolute neceſſity as to the being of a Church of Chriſt, yet it is abſolutely neceſſary to the well-being of a Church: for as a City without walls, a Sea without banks, a Vineyard without hedges, ſo is a Church without diſcipline: For a Church without government is as a ſhip without a Pilot, or a Commonwealth without a Magiſtrate, or a World without a Sun. Hence it is that you ſhall find the Apoſtles ſo frequently exhorting, perſwading, and intreating the Church of Jeſus Chriſt to walk by p. 21rule, to obſerve order: The Paſtor is commanded to walk as a Paſtor and Teacher, that both by his doctrine and converſation he might win others to Chriſt: the Teachers, Elders, Deacons have all their rules laid before them, how they ought to build up one another in their moſt holy faith, and to watch over the flock, &c. And ſo every member in the Church in his place is to obſerve order, in endeavouring to be uſefull to the whole body. Nay hence it is, that one quarter part of the New Teſtament is ſpent about treating of the ſeveral gifts of the Spirit to ſeveral men, to ſeveral ends, viz. He gave ſome Apoſtles, and ſome Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts, ſome Paſtors, and ſome Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the miniſtry, &c.

Now that Ordinances were the appointments of Chriſt, I ſuppoſe that all rational men will eaſily grant; And that they be now in being, and ought to be in uſe, will be eaſily proved.

The firſt is granted by all hands, viz. That there were Ordinances, appointments and inſtitutions given forth by Chriſt unto the Churches in the Apoſtles dayes, accompanied with Gods preſence, and confirmed …y miracles, and extraordinary gifts of the p. 22Spirit. But the queſtion is, whether theſe are ſtill to continue? are they now in being as to us? Prove that. For anſwer hereunto conſider theſe things.

1 ORdinances are not of humane, but of divine inſtitution, 1 Cor. 1…. 28.

2. Conſider, the Saints both in Old and New Teſtament, under the greateſt diſcoveries, living in the greateſt enjoyments, even theſe waited upon God in the uſe of Ordinances; and Paul ſaith, Phil. 3. 17. Ye ought to walk ſo as you have us for an example: and in another place he ſaith, Be ye followers of me as I am of Chriſt, &c.

3. We have not only commands of God and the examples of the Apoſtles, but w… have experience that God hath done u… good by them: it is our Fathers walks, i… which our ſoules do often meet with ou… Beloved.

4. Conſider, the Lord of glory doth blame thoſe that neglect making uſe of Ordinances. Mal. 3. 7. Ye have gone away fro… mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Is no… this the ſtate of this Nation? Luk. 19. 27 Thoſe mine enemies that would not that I ſhould reign over them, bring them before me. Compare this 27 verſe with the 13. and 14. an… you ſhal ſee that there were a people who… p. 23Chriſt threatned to puniſh for not ſubmit…ing to his appointments, nor improving their talents. Not to wait upon God in the uſe of Ordinances, is to be careleſſe to …hearken to his voice; and ſo the Lord may juſtly complain of thee and me, as once he did, Pſal. 81. 11. But my people would not heark…en to my voice, &c.

5. Conſider, while we are in a body we be in a form, and therefore cannot altogether live without forms, unleſſe we will be monſt…rs, and neglect our own mercies. God hath given us an external body, as well as an internal ſoul, and will be waited upon, worſhipped and glorified by both, 1 Cor. 6. 20. Glorifie God in your bodies and in your ſouls, which are the Lords.

6. Conſider, that theſe appointments, inſtitutions and ordinances, when they were appointed and inſtituted, were to continue in the Church till the Saints were perfected. Epheſ. 4. 11, 12, 13. And he gave ſome Apoſtles, and ſome Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the miniſtery, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt, till we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of p. 24Chriſt. In which there be four things conſiderable: I will but name them.

1. Here is the giver, and that is the Lord Chriſt, the Fountain in whom all the fulneſſe of the Godhead dwels bodily, from whom we receiv… grace for grace.

2. Here is the gift, and that is his Spirit in its meaſures, according to the meaſure of the gift of Chriſt.

3. Here is the end why God gave ſuch gifts, v. 12. For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the miniſtery, &c.

4. Here is the time, how long theſe inſtitutions, offices and ordinances are to continue, and that is in v. 13. Till we all come i… the unity of the faith into the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure… of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt.

Now if there be any Church of Chriſt o… Congregation o… Saints that be compleatly come up to this ſtate ſpoken unto in that verſe, why then all that I would ſay to them is, Caſt not a ſtumbling block in thy brothers way, ſpeak not ſo diſdainfully of thoſe paths which thou… thy ſelf haſt gone through; muſt not thy brother that is weak eat milk, becauſe thou doſt eat ſtrong meat? muſt not he ſpeak as a child, becauſe tho… doſt ſpeak as a man? muſt he ſee by thy eyes, o… elſe wilt thou ſay he doth not ſee at all? Tho… p. 25that doſt think thou ſtandeſt, take heed leſt thou doſt fall. Think not of thy ſelf above what thou art, Ro. 12. 3. Remember thy ſiſter-Church, Rev. 3. 17. Becauſe thou ſayeſt, I am rich and increaſed with heavenly enjoyments, gracious diſcoveries, and unſpeakable manifeſtations, and art perfect and compleat, and come to the fulneſſe of Chriſt, and haſt need of nothing, neither Ordinance or Adminiſtration, helps nor governments. Doſt thou think thus of thy ſelfe? why, ſo did that Church of Laodiceans, Rev. 3. 17. which was the moſt barren and unfruitful of all the ſeven Churches of Aſia. Reaſon thus with thy ſelf: Was that Church ſo exceedingly deceived? then why not I?

7. Conſider, that in the laſt age of the Church, and in the moſt glorious times of that age, when both Jewes and Gentiles ſhall have one Shepheard, and one ſheepfold, when knowledge ſhall cover the earth as the waters the ſea, when the Law ſhall be written in our hearts, and Babylon fallen, and the mountain of the Lords houſe eſtabliſhed upon the top of the mountaines; Even in theſe moſt glorious dayes of light and knowledge, freedome and liberty, ſhall the Saints wait upon God in the uſe of Ordinances, and call one upon another ſo to do, Iſa. 2. 2. 3. Mic. 4. 1, 2. p. 26Again, if there ſhall be Ordinances in th… moſt glorious times that are to come, whe… there ſhall be a full pouring out of the Sp… rit of God upon the children of men; the… certainly they are to remain now: And you look upon the laſt of Iſa. Jer 3. Zac. 1… or upon other Scriptures where mentio… is made of the moſt glorious times that an… yet to come, ye ſhall find that there is me… tion alſo made of Ordinances in tho… times. Let us look into Rev. 11. 15. T… ſeventh Angel ſounded, and there were gre… voices in Heaven ſaying, The kingdomes of th… world are become the kingdomes of our Lord an… of his Chriſts, and he ſhall reign for ever and eve… Here are plainly the glorious times ſpoke… of that are yet to come. Well, ſhall there b… any Ordinances then? Yes: for, v. 19. An… the temple of the Lord was opened in heaven, an… there was ſeen in his …emple the Ark of his Teſt… ment. What is this but Ordinances? Th… Ark, the viſible ſigne of the preſence of Go… in way of Ordinances, and the Temple opened, though it was ſhut before.

8. Conſider, if the miniſtration of th… Goſpel be ſtill to continue, then ſurel… the Ordinances of Chriſt are ſtill to abid… 2 Cor. 3. 11. For if that which is done away w… glorious, much more that which remains is gloriou… p. 27The Apoſtle here makes this difference be… …he miniſtration of the Goſpel, and … …he Law; that the one is to be done …d the other to remain. Now if the … were not to continue, what …rence would there be as concerning …his matter, between the miniſtration of Moſes, and the miniſtration of the Goſpel? …ut the Apo… here plainly ſpeaks that …his is the …erence; The miniſtration of …he one is to be done away, the miniſtration …f the other doth ſtill continue. Therefore …he Ordinances of the Goſpel doe ſtill re…naine.

9. Conſider, if that the word of the new …eſtament, as commanding to believe, and …romiſing to give the Spirit; I ſay, if this Word do continue, then the Ordinances of Chriſt are ſtill to continue; if the Ordinances of Chriſt be not ſtill to continue, …hen the Word of the New Teſtament, as …he commandment of believing, and the promiſe of giving the Spirit, doe not continue: There is the ſame reaſon for the one …s for the other. You ſay you are bound to believe: (How prove you that?) Why, Chriſt hath commanded me, ſay you. But … anſwer you with your own anſwer, You …ue to wait upon God in the uſe of Ordinances. p. 28(How prove you that?) I anſw… Chriſt hath commanded you. If Sathan … get us to lay down but one Ordinance … the Goſpel, he will never leave tugging an pulling till he hath brought us out of lo… with all Ordinances; and then he w… teach us to deny the Scriptures, and then … deny God, and laſt of all we ſhall be denie… of God, and ſo fitted for deſtruction.

The Commonwealth of England doth … bound of two ſorts of men and women and both in extremes:

The firſt will have no Ordinances at al…

The ſecond doe reſt upon Ordinance… or idolize them.

The firſt will have no Ordinances at al… call the Ordinances of Chriſt dead form beggerly—and thoſe that wait upon God in them, Legaliſts, Heaven-drivers Formaliſts, and Duty-mongers: And fo… themſelves, they are taught of God, we have n… need of the teachings of men, we be rich and f… and want nothing; not knowing they be poo… blind, miſerable and naked.

Secondly, there be another party that d… reſt upon Ordinances, and they be not a few… you ſhall know them by their fruits: D… not you hear them crying and pleading i… City and Country, Give us Ordinances, or e… p. 29… die! And this they plead for unto and …ongſt a Congregation of people, which … not capable of it, but for one Ordinance, …d that is to ſtand under the droppings of the …ſpel, and the powerful preachings thereof, the …eanes appointed by Chriſt to work faith … their ſoules, Rom. 10. 17. For untill this …ord doth come to them in power, they … not fitted for Fellowſhips and Commu…ons: they muſt ſee their union with God, …fore they can have true communion with …s people. The Ordinances, or at leaſt …any of them be Childrens bread, and muſt …t be given to Swine. Thoſe Ordinances …at be ordained for Converſion and Re…neration are to be held forth to all, to the …d as many as be ordained to eternal life may …lieve. All other Ordinances belong to …hildren, and they have right to them as …ible members of that body whereof Chriſt …the head. He who was the Son of God, came the Son of man, that we who be the theſe things were well conſidered, me…inks it ſhould abate the practice both of …iniſter and People in City and Country, …ho (for many of them) yet being in the …d man, and having ſpent their dayes in the …vice of Sathan, yet forſooth they would p. 30known by the name of Chriſtians, or leaſt Apoſtle-imitators; though they cann… bu know they want the power, yet th… will cry up the form of godlineſſe. Now whe… the Miniſters of our times, or at leaſt ſo… of them, have gathered a parcel of th… Rabble-rout together, (I do not ſtile th… ſo becauſe they be the pooreſt; no, no, ſ… they be ſuch a people as David ſpeaks … they flouriſh as the green bay-tree, their eyes ſt… out with fatneſſe, they go cloathed in the choice array, and be the moſt honorable men in th… Pariſh: and they want but two thing… which are, the knowledge of God, and obed… to his will.) When the Miniſter hath gather… a parcel of theſe together into fellowſhi… up he ſprings into the Pulpit to feed … Flock: and truly ſo he doth; for he giv… them ſuch food as is both pleaſant to th… palate, and eaſie for digeſtion, for he kno… well the ſtate of their bodies: And if … chance to ſee any poore Dove come in … mongſt theſe fat Turkies, he will no… leave throwing of ſtones till he hath gall… her forth. (Had I not ſeen this with my … I had not written it with my pen.) An… when this poor Dove is frighted forth, … flies up and down from one Congregati… to another, and it may be finds no reſt … p. 31…he ſole of her foot: then ſhe retires into …ome private Aſſemb…y, and there refreſheth …er ſelf. Well, the publique Teachers heare …f a company of Doves gathered together … ſuch a place, and their carriage to be ſuch …hat it is like to draw away ſome of their Congregations; they lift up their voices, …nd tell their hearers, that theſe be not Doves, but Wolves, Sabbath-breakers, Blaſ…hemers, factious Sectaries, creeping into cor…ers, and leading ſilly women captive: Often …aying of them as once the enemies of Chriſt …id, Have any of the Rulers believed on him? …o, none but this ignorant people that know …ot the Law.

Are there Private Meetings, and doth that …ffend you? Let me ask you, Are not you …he cauſe of their meeting in private? Have …ot you deprived them of their expectati…ns in publique? They came to be inſtruct…d in the Goſpel, and you preach the Law: They came to be refreſhed, and you ſent them way ſorrowfull: They came to heare of …hriſt, and you told them of Moſes: They …ame to know their freedome, & you brought …hem into bondage: They came to be in…ructed in their Union with their Father, …nd you told them of Communion: They …ame to be inſtructed in the Doctrinal part p. 32of Divinity, and you told them of the Pracctical part of Divinity: they came to hear of Grace, and you told them of Gifts: in … word, we and you have looked more upon Gifts then upon Grace, upon Law then upon Goſpel, u…on the form more then the power of godlineſſe. Alas, what is the ſhadow without the ſubſtance? what is the Letter without the Spirit? what is an Ordinance without the preſence of God in it… Oh then make uſe of all Ordinances, bu… reſt upon none: Look upon them as th… path to walk in, but not the pillar to re… upon; look upon them as the way, but no … the cauſe of your acceptation with God account not thy ſelf the better when tho… haſt made uſe of them, unleſſe thou haſt m… God in them. Labour to be well informe… in theſe four things, and then thou wil… eſtabliſh Ordinances in their right place viz.

1. Conſider what is the ground of a… theſe Ordinances.

2. Conſider what is the end of all Go… ſpel Ordinances.

3. Conſider the time of them, how lo… they be to continue. Eph. 4. 13.

4. Conſider the proper uſe of them, th… ſo thou and I may not abuſe them in … uſe of them.

p. 33… much concerning idolizing or reſting …pon Ordinances.

Now then the way to defend and pre…rve our ſelves from theſe or other like ex…emes, is, to abide in the doctrine of Chriſt: …d without this, let no man boaſt of his …tereſt in the Father, or of his relation to …e Sonne, or of his evidence by the Spirit. …t us then a little conſider the mind of …od in that Scripture written for our lear…ng, 2. Epiſt. of John, latter part of verſ. 9. …hoſoever abideth in the doctrine of Chriſt, hath not the Father and the Son. The whole verſe …ns thus: Whoſoever tranſgreſſeth and abi…h not in the doctrine of Chriſt, hath not God; … whoſoever abideth in the doctrine of Chriſt, …th both the Father and the Sonne. From the …tter part of this verſe, let us conſider of …d enquire into theſe two things.

VVHat this Doctrine of Chriſt here meant, is.

What it is to abide in this Doctrine.

Firſt, what this Doctrine of Chriſt here …ant, is. Surely if ever it were needful for …riſtians to enquire into this, now much …ore: For in theſe latter dayes there be …ny Doctrines that are preſented before …u, and all in the name of the Doctrine of p. 34Chriſt, ſaying, Lo here is Chriſt! lo here … Chriſt! And if we look upon their habi… they be cloathed in ſheeps-cloathing; ca… your eyes upon their heads, and they ha… horns like a Lan…b, onelyonly they ſpeak as … Dragon: as in Rev. 13. 11. And I beheld a… other beaſt comming up out of the earth, he … two horns like a Lamb, and he ſpeaks as a Drag… Surely theſe Lambs horns, and Dragon… tongues are not alwayes in Monarchy, bu… ſometimes in Miniſtry. Let us then enquir… what this Doctrine of Chriſt is: for the… be many Doctrines with which people h… taken, that have no relation to Chriſt.

1. We read of a Doctrine of vanity, Je… 10. 8. Their ſtock is a doctrine of vanity. The… be many taken with this doctrine in the day…s, but this is not the doctrine of Chri…

2. There is the Doctrine of the Scribe and Phariſees, Mat. 15. 9. But in vain do th… worſhip me, teaching for doctrine the comman… ments of men. Mat. 16. 12. Chriſt bid the beware of the doctrine of the Phariſees.

3. We read in Scripture of another d… ctrine, called the doctrine of Balaam. Re… 2. 14. Who taught Balack to caſt a ſtumbling bl… before the children of Iſrael, to eat things ſa… ficed to idols, and to commit fornication.

4. We read in Scripture of another d… ctrine, p. 35called the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, Rev. 2. 15. So haſt thou them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. And their doctrine was this, To uphold the common uſe of women, that is, that women might be common; much like to thoſe new upſtart wantons of our times.

5. There is another Doctrine, which includes all the former, ſpoken of 1 Tim. 4. 1. Now the Spirit ſpeaketh expreſſely, that in the latter times ſome ſhall depart from the faith, giving …heed to ſeducing ſpirits and doctrines of Devils. But none of theſe is the Doctrine of Chriſt …here ſpoken to.

6. Laſtly, we find another Doctrine frequently mentioned in Scripture, which if we abide not in, ſad is our caſe, miſerable …is our condition, 2 Ep. Iohn 9. He that tranſgreſſeth and abideth not in the doctrine of Chriſt, (mark that man, mark that woman) they have not God. Let them talk of God, and make their boaſt of God, as it may be they do, they be without God in the world.

Theſe things being well conſider d, we cannot but ſee the neceſſity we have to be well acquainted with the Doctrine of Chriſt. Which leads us to the firſt thing here to be enquired into, What this Doctrine of Chriſt here ſpoken unto is.

p. 36A It is a doctrine of Grace, and a doctrine of Free-grace. I know what be the judgments of many knowing men concerning this thing: If you ask them what the doctrine of Chriſt is, they will tell you it is a doctrine of Faith and Obedience: but this is the effects of the doctrine, rather then the doctrine it ſelf: For the doctrine of Freegrace being preached to a ſoule, and having gotten entrance to lodg in the inward man, then it works faith and obedience as the effects or fruits of that Spirit of grace. Hence it is that when Chriſt ſent forth his Diſciples to preach this doctrine of Grace, he commands them ſaying, Into whatſoever houſe you enter, ſay, Peace unto this houſe. Lo, peace is the firſt word, which word is full of grace: Chriſt doth not bid them fire the people out of their neſts by preaching the Law, and then heal them with the balm of the Goſpel; no, they muſt firſt preach peace, for God is in the ſtill voice, that ſo the love of Chriſt held forth in the doctrine of Free-grace, Tit. 2. 11, 12. might teach them to deny ungodlineſſe and worldly luſts, and conſtrain them out of a principle of love to live godly and ſoberly in this preſent world. Now that the doctrine of Chriſt is a doctrine of grace, it will appear by theſe and the like Scriptures p. 37which I ſhall but name. Act. 13. v. 39 & 43 compared together. Act. 20. 24. Rom. 3. 24. Rom. 11. 6. Epheſ. 2. 5. & 8 compar'd together. In a word, (as was ſaid before) Creation, Election, Redemption, and Sanctification, …it is all of Free-grace.

Now me thinks I ſee moſt men in a ſenſe give their aſſent and conſent to the truth of this, that the doctrine of Chriſt is a doctrine of grace; and they will tell you further, that they do abide in this doctrine. Now then let us examine our ſelves a little by the effects of this doctrine: for as a tree is known by his fruit, ſo is this doctrine by its effects.

Firſt then, it is a doctrine of grace enlightening the ſoul.

Secondly, it is a doctrine of grace working faith in the ſoul.

Thirdly, it is a doctrine of grace workin love in the ſoul.

Fourthly, it is a doctrine of grace working upon the will and affections to will and affect the things of God.

1. The doctrine of Chriſt is a doctrine of grace enlightening the ſoul. Luk. 2. 3 2. A light to lighten the Gentiles. This is ſpoken of Chriſt and his doctrine. Luk. 1. 79. To give light to them that ſit in darkneſſe and in the ſhadow p. 38of death; to guide our feet in a way of peace. Joh. 1. 9. That was tha… true light that lighteneth every man, &c. Now if thou doſt abide in the doctrine of Chriſt, thy ſoul is enlightened by Chriſt: hence it is that the children of God are called the children of light, E…. 5. 8 hence it is that they be exhorted to walk…s children of the day. Are you enlightened? You will ſay, I am. What mean theſe works of darkneſſe then?

2. The doctrine of Chriſt is a doctrine of grace working faith in the ſoul. Joh. 14. 1. Ye believe in God, believe alſo in me. Joh. 6. 29. This is the work of God, that you believe. Joh. 14. 11. If you will not believe me for my words, yet believe in me for the very works ſake that you have ſeen me do. 1 Joh. 3. 23. And this is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his Sonne Jeſ…s Chriſt. No obedience like unto the obedience of faith; no diſobedience like unto that of unbelief, for it makes the God of truth a liar. 1 Joh. 5. 10. …e that believeth on the Sonne of God hath the witneſſe in himſelf; He that believeth not God hath made him a lia…, becauſe be believed not the record that God gave of his Son. But moſt men and women will ſay they do believe: but there be but few that can ſhew their faith by their wor…s; for faith without works is dead, Jam. 17, 18, &c.

p. 393. The doctrine of Chriſt is a doctrine of grace working love in the ſoul.

Firſt to God. Mat. 22. 37. Chriſt told the Lawyer that came to him to know (at leaſt …s he pretended) what was his doctrine, and what was the moſt principal part of it: why, ſaith Chriſt, Mat. 22. 37. Thou ſhalt love …he Lord thy God wi…h all thy heart, with …ll thy …treng…h, and with all thy ſoule.

Secondly, it works love to the people of God. Joh. 13. 34. A new commandment give I …nto you, that you love one another as I have loved …o…. I loved you when you were in your …lood and filthineſſe; my love was free, let yours be ſo: I loved all mine, do you love all the Saints: I laid down my life for the …rethren; you ought to lay down your lives for the brethren: I loved you with a conſtant love, having loved my own, I loved them to the end; ſo do you: My love carried me forth to become ſervant to all, even to waſh your feet; you, if you will be followers of me, and be known to be my diſciples, ought to do ſo too.

Thirdly, as the doctrine of Chriſt is a do…trine of grace working love in the ſoule, firſt to God, ſecondly to his people, ſo thirdly to our enemies. See and well conſider that place. Mat. 5. 44. But I ſay unto p. 40you, love your enemies, do good to thoſe that ha… you, pray for thoſe that deſpitefully uſe you a… perſecute you. Never think that you contin… in my doctrine, unleſs you obſerve my commands: My commands are, that you ſhoul… not only love God, but alſo your brother and it muſt not be limited only there, bu… you muſt love your enemies, or elſe yo… will not be like unto me and my Father Mat. 5. 45. That you may appear to all th… world to be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his ſun to ariſe … the evil and on the good, and ſendeth rain on the juſt and on the unjuſt: For if you love onelyonly th… that love you, the vileſt man in the world goeth ſo far, this is no character or badge o… my ſervants, the Publicans and Harlots did … much as this.

Fourthly, it is a doctrine of grace working upon the will and affections, to will and affect the things of God. Firſt it works upon the will, it reſigns it up unto the will of God, nay it makes him live in the will of God. 1. By doing his will. 2. By ſuffering his will to be done, though it croſſe thy will. Again, it works mightily upon thin… affections: thy affections are taken off the creatures, and fixed upon the Creator: thou ſeeſt more and more beauty in God, and p. 41…nd leſſe and leſſe beauty in the creature. …he things of the world would ſatisfie thee …eretofore: Now thou cryeſt out, None but …hriſt, none but Chriſt! Nothing will ſatisfie …ut his preſence, nothing will make thee …d but his abſence.

THe ſecond Quaerie is, What is it to abide in the Doctrine of Chriſt. For the Scriture ſaith, 2 ep. Joh. 9. He that abideth in the …ctrine of Chriſt, hath both the Father and the …onne. Now there be ſeveral diſcoveries or …haracters of one that abideth in the do…rine of Chriſt.

Firſt, there be ſome inward evidences.

Secondly, there be ſome outward evi…ences.

For the inward evidence, Call a counſel … thy own heart, ſilence thy own thoughts, …ll all the faculties of thy ſoul and mem…ers of thy body to the bar, examine thy …ill, thy affections, thy judgment, and me…ory, Who are you for? what are you doing? …ow are you imployed all day long? Search for …hat White-ſtone that hath a Name in it that …ne can read but he that hath it. See whether …e Spirit of God doth witneſſe with thy ſpirit …at thou belongeſt to God. Doth the preſence …f Chriſt rejoice thee? doth his abſence p. 42grieve thee? See whether thou art like un… Chriſt in thy deſires, and in thy endeavou… whoſe work it was to doe the will of his F… ther, &c.

Secondly, there be ſome outward e… dences: I ſhall name a few.

1. He that abideth in the doctrine … Chriſt, is one that is not eaſily withdraw… from the truth that he firſt received. 1 J… 2. 24. Let that therefore abide in you which y… have heard from the beginning: If that whic… you have heard from the beginning ſhall remain … you, you ſhall continue in the Sonne and in th… Father. 1. Tim. 4. 16. Take heed to thy ſelf … unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in … ing this thou ſhalt both ſave thy ſelf and ſuch hear thee. Be not carried about with every wi… of doctrine, ſaith Paul, Epheſ. 4. 14. Beware … you fall from your ſteadfaſtneſſe, ſaith Peter, 2 P… 3. 17. If you continue in my words, then are y… my Diſciples, ſaith Chriſt, Joh. 8. 31. Oh the continue in the faith to be grounded an… ſetled, rooted and eſtabliſhed: Be ye ſtedfo… and unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the wo… of the Lord.

2. He that abideth in the doctrine … Chriſt, may be known by this; He is a ver… fruitful Chriſtian. What is the reaſon ther… is ſo much barrenneſſe, coldneſſe, deadneſſ… p. 43…lity, lukewarmneſſe, evil furniſhings and …liperings? Why, behold the reaſon, …y abide not in the doctrine of Chriſt: that abide in that doctrine doe beare …ns, there is none barren among th…m; …y be planted in his houſe, they abide it; doctrine, therefore they flouriſh in his …urts. Joh. 15. 4. The branch cannot beare …t except it abide in the vine; no more can you, …ept you abide in me.

3. He that abideth in the doctrine of …ſt may be known by this alſo; He ſtands …nd contends for the faith and obedience …he Goſpel againſt all oppoſers; he envours by ſound doctrine to convince all …nſayers; He doth not ſo much plead for …mane learning, as he doth for the mind God in the Spirit; he knows the ſpiri…l learning can eaſily foyle the humane …rning that wants the ſpiritual. See that …ce Jude 3, 4. That you ſhould earneſtly contend … the faith that was once delivered to the Saints; …n he brings the reaſon of this con…enti…, v. 4. For there are certain men crept in un…ares, turning the grace of God into laſciviouſ…ſe. And ſurely this is one of Englands ſins this day: There be many men and wo…n puffed up with a high conceit of their …n knowledge; and when their principles p. 44and practices are a little examin… they be but as clouds without rain, and … without water, as here Jude ſpeaks.

4. He that abideth in the doctrine Chriſt, continueth ſtedfaſt in the doctr… of the Apoſtles. Act. 2. 42. And they contin… ſtedfaſtly in the Apoſtles doctrine and fellowſ… and in breaking of bread and prayer. Not th… the Apoſtles doctrine was one thing, a… the doctrine of Chriſt another thing; … whoſoever abideth in the one, could n… but abide in the other: And they abode fr… faſt in the Apoſtles doctrine, that is, they co… tinued ſtedfaſtly in the doctrine of Chri… for they delivered that unto us which th… received from Chriſt. They continued in … Apoſtles doctrine and fellowſhip, and in break… of bread and prayer. Let us examine a litt… how many men and women, that be god… (for I do not ſpeak of others) I ſay, ho… many have we, that do walk together Fellowſhip? 2. How many are there, that enjoy that Ordinance of the Lords Supp… here called Breaking of Bread? 3. How ma… have the Spirit of Prayer? Are they not fe… yea very few? And yet all be ready to ſa… that they do abide in the doctrine of Chr… Go from one man to another through… a whole Shire, and ask them one after … p. 45…er, Do you abide in the doctrine of Chriſt? …ou do not, you have not God. Yea, ſaith the …, I do abide in the doctrine of Chriſt.

Q. How prove you that?

A. I do, ſaith he, for I have reformed …y things that were amiſſe in me. So did …od, that enemy of truth, Mark 6. 20. For …od heard Iohn, knowing he was a juſt man: … when he heard him, he did many things.

Q. Come to a ſecond and ask him, Do … abide in the doctrine of Chriſt?

A. I do, ſaith he; and I know it by this, … free from many groſs ſinnes that others …my neighbours are guilty of. So was …t Phariſee, Luk. 18. 11, 12. O God I thank …e that I am not as other men are, I faſt twice …eek, and give tithe of all I do poſſeſſe.

Q. Come to a third and ask him, Do you …de in the doctrine of Chriſt?

A. I do, ſaith he, and I prove it thus: …ontinue waiting upon God in the uſe of Ordinances, which others neglect. So … thoſe hypocrites, Iſa. 58. 2, 3. Yet you ſeek daily, ſaith the Lord, and delight to know my …es, as a Nation that did righteouſneſſe, and …ook not the ordinances of God. And yet for this the Lord rejected them and their …ices.

Q. Come to a fourth, Do you abide in p. 46the doctrine of Chriſt? If you do not, have not God.

A. I do, and I prove it thus: I know will of God, that many others be ignor… of, and I approve of his wayes. Rep. So thoſe caſt-awayes, Rom. 2. 18. And knoweſ… will, and approveſt the things that be more ex… lent, &c. Yet we ſee the Lord rejects the upon this ground, They did not prac… themſelves that which they knew & taug… to others.

Q. Come to a fifth, Do you abide in … doctrine of Chriſt?

A. I do, and I can make it good, ſaith … by this: I have humbled my ſelf for all… ſinnes before the Lord. R. So did wi… Ahab, 1 King. 21. 27, 28, 29.

Q. Come to a ſixth, Do you abide in … doctrine of Chriſt?

A. I do abide in it, and I think there but few that do outſtrip me: for I am … ſo cold and lukewarm as moſt be, doing… Lords work by halfs; I am zealous for … Lord, I have had my hand in pulling do… the Images and Crucifixes and Altars t… the Idolaters had ſet up, nay I have b… chief in this great Reformation. R. So… Jehu, whom the Lord rejected, 2 King. … 27, 28, 29.

p. 47Q. But I do abide in the doctrine of …hriſt, ſaith a ſeventh: If none of the for…er, yet I am ſure I do outſtrip them all; …r I do keep the commands of God, and …at from my youth.

A. So did that young man, Mat. 19. 20. …ll theſe things have I kept from my youth up. …hou art not fully in my doctrine, ſaith …hriſt; thou muſt go ſell all that thou haſt; …ou haſt abundance of ſelf-righteouſneſſe, …at muſt be ſold.

Q. But I do abide in the doctrine of …hriſt, ſaith an eighth; for I do confeſſe …y ſins both unto God and to his people, …d I do pray for pardon, and deſire them … pray for pardon alſo.

A. So did Pharaoh, whom the Lord was …leaſed to get him honour upon, in over…rowing him and all his hoſt in the midſt …f the ſea, Exod. 10. 16, 17.

Q. But I do abide in the doctrine of …hriſt, ſaith a ninth: for I am mercifull …nd pittifull to thoſe in want, yea I have …elieved the Lords Prophets.

A. The heathen did as much as this to …aul, Act. 28. 2. and Ananias and Sapphira did …ore then this, and yet periſhed, as you may …e Act. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Q. But I go beyond all that you have p. 48mentioned before, ſaith a tenth man. Wh… what haſt thou done? I have (ſaith he) n… only heard the Lords word, but I ha… heard it with delight, and it takes root … my heart, and growes within me both … knowledge and obedience.

A. So did thoſe mentioned by Chriſt … thoſe parables, and yet were caſt-awayes Mat. 13. 22. Mark 4. 16.

Q. But (ſaith another) I abide in th… doctrine of Chriſt here, and ſhall dwell in … holy hill hereafter; And that I am aſſured … by the teſtimony of Scripture, for I have kep… mine oaths and promiſes, yea ſometime… although it hath been to my hurt: and I fin… my name regiſtred in the book of life. An… if that fail me, then farewell all. I ſay, I hav… kept my vowes, oaths and promiſes, thoug… ſometimes to my loſſe; and David tells … this is a ſure mark of a ſon of Sion: ſee el… Pſal. 15. 1, 2, 3, 4. The Pſalm begins thus Lord, who ſhall abide in thy tabernacle? who ſh… dwell in thy holy hill? There is the queſtion Then for anſwer, v. 2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteouſneſſe, and ſpeaketh th… truth in his heart, he that backbiteth not with … tongue, nor doth evil to his neighbour, nor taket… up a reproach againſt him; in whoſe eyes a vi… perſon is contemned, but he honoureth them th… p. 49…re the Lord; he that ſweareth to his own hurt …d changeth not, &c.

See what a Catalogue of Evidences here for Heaven: and if I have not more, I am …re I have the laſt; I have kept my promiſes …d vowes, though to mine own hurt. Now if …u can find in Scripture any man left up… record that hath gone ſo far as I have …ne, and yet a Caſtaway at laſt, then ſpeak, otherwiſe with ſilence give your conſent this mine Evidence for Heaven.

A. I could even ſay to thee, O man, as …ce our Lord Chriſt ſaid to that learned …derate Scribe, Mark 12. 34. Thou art not from the Kingdome of God.

But for keeping oathes and promiſes, …ough it be an excellent ornament for a …riſtian, yet let me tell thee it is no in…lible mark of a true Saint: and that will …pear, if thou a little conſider that in Dan. 29. & 16. compared together: the ſumme that Chapter is this. Belſhazar had ſeen hand-writing on the wall, and it troubled …m: He ſends for the Aſtrologers and …uthſayers to give the interpretation to …e King: They could not do it: He hears Daniel by the Queens information, he …ds for him, Daniel comes to the King; …e King deſires two things of Daniel, firſt p. 50to read the writing, ſecondly to ma… known the interpretation: which if Da… could or would do, the King promiſeth … three things: Firſt, that he ſhould be cl… thed with Scarlet; ſecondly, that he ſhou… have a Chain of gold about his neck; thi… ly, that he ſhould be made the third ruler his Kingdome. Well, Daniel read the w… ting, and gave the interpretation, and to… the King plainly and boldly, it tended his ruine, and the ruine of all his hou… Yet this heathen King kept his oath, vow… promiſe in every tittle of it, as you may… Dan. 5. 29. Then commanded Belſhazzar, … they cloathed Daniel with ſcarlet, and put a … of gold about his neck, & made a proclamation … cerning him that he ſhould be the third ruler in… kingdome. In that night was the King ſlain, v. 3 Oh how may this condemn many a ma… Shall a Heathen keep promiſe, and a Ch… ſtian break his promiſe? What, ſhall we… outſtript by Heathens? Doth not the S… ptures ſay, Mat. 5. 20. For I ſay unto you, th… except your righteouſneſſe ſhall exceed the righ… eouſneſſe of the Scribes and Phariſees, you ſ… in no caſe enter into the kingdome of God. Is not a great ſhame for a Chriſtian profeſſ… godlineſſe, to be outſtript by Heathens Truly I have been at a ſtand many time p. 51when I read of Converſations of heathens, &c. The Gentiles had a law to themſelues, and …t of God.

Firſt, for Temperance.

Secondly, for Obedience.

Thirdly, for Mercy.

Fourthly, for Juſtice and upright deal…ng.

1. For Temperance: King Ahaſuerus a …eathen King made a law, Heſt. 1. 8. And …e drinking was according to the Law; none did …mpell, for the King had appointed to all the …fficers of his houſe, that they ſhould do accord…g to every mans pleaſure.

2. For Obedience: when King Abimelech …ok Abrahams wife, although he was a …eathen King, he obeyed the voice of the …ord; for no ſooner did the Lord com…and him to deliver Abraham his wife again …t he did it: Jonah preached at Niniveh a…ong the Heathen, and no ſooner did they …ar him, but the Text ſaith of them, they …d believe and repent.

3. For Mercy: The barbarous heathen… people were very merciful to Paul and …e reſt of the company, Act. 28. 22. And the …rbarous people ſhewed us no little kindneſſe; … they kindled a fire, and received us every one, …auſe of the preſent rain and becauſe of the cold.

p. 524. For Juſtice and upright dealing: Th… King of Sodome a heathen King, when Abraham had overcome the foure Kings, and brought home the Sodomites, the King o… Sodome ſaid unto him, Give me the men, and take the goods for thy pains, Gen. 14. 21.

Oh then were Heathens taught by th… law of Nature the ſweet principles and pr… ctice of Temperance, Mercy, Obedience an… Juſtice; and ſhall we who do think of ou… ſelves far beyond them in matters natur… and ſpiritual, ſhall we (I ſay) be outſtrippe by them and come ſhort of them? Shall … thus requite the Lord for all his love? ſhal… ſhall we diſhonour him, that hath ſo high… honoured us as to call us his fervants, h… brethren, his members, his Bride, his Body his Temple! Oh let not Heathens outſtr… us in obedience! let us outſtrip them, y… let us endeavour to outſtrip the moſt for ward Saints in the world; Labour to exc… all the Saints in love, in patience, in mee… neſſe, ſobriety and temperance: impro… all thy ſpiritual ſtrength for him who ga… it to thee; Thou haſt enjoyments of hi… improve it for him, yea let all thy know ledge of him bring thee neerer to him, an… make thee more like him: Let thy longing deſires and endeavours be more to grow p. 53grace then gifts. 1. Cor. 12. 31. But covet earneſtly the beſt gifts: and yet I ſhew …n…o you a more excellent way. This more excellent …way here ſpoken of, is the grace of Love, as you may ſee 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Now it will be uſeful a little to enquire how many ſorts of gifts there be, ſeeing the Apoſtle ſaith, Covet earneſtly the beſt.

For anſwer hereunto in generall, There be but two ſorts of gifts:

Firſt, there are gifts of Nature, or gifts Natural; and they are many.

Secondly, there are gifts Spiritual, or gifts given by the Spirit; and they be ſeverall.

1. There are gifts of Nature, or gifts Natural: And by theſe a man may doe many excellent things, and yet not have one grain of grace. If a man ſhould preach as never man preached, and though he ſhould pray as never man prayed, and though he confer and diſcourſe of all things as never man did; may if he ſhould ſpeak with the tongues of men and Angels, and have gifts of Prophecie, and underſtand all myſteries: yea, though he be ſo pittiful as to give all his goods to the poor, & his body to be burned; nay though he hath all the gifts, arts and parts that ever were in man, only grace excepted, all this avails him nothing. p. 54It is true, ſuch a man is a little honoured of men, they cry him up for a brave Churchman: if he be given to covetouſneſſe, of drunkenneſſe, or any other vice, Oh (ſay the people) he is a brave Scholar, there is not a man more deeper learned in all the City! And ſuch is the groſſe ignorance of this Commonweale, (to your ſhame be it ſpoken) that moſt of you do think and ſay, That he that is a Scholar cannot but be acquainted with Religion; and when you hear him preach, he is ſo ſcholaſtick, and ſo eloquent, and ſo pleaſing, that you are apt to ſay of him as once the people did of Herod when he made his oration, It is the voice of God, and not of a man. Act. 12. 21, 22.

What excellent wiſdome had graceleſſe Achitophel? 2 Sam. 16. 23. And the counſels of Achitophel which he gave in thoſe dayes, was, as if a man had enquired at the oracles of God; ſo was all the counſel of Achitophel both with David and Abſolom. Here were gifts in the higheſt nature, but for want of grace he periſhed: and it is apparent that he was cryed up in thoſe dayes, as our Achitophels be now adayes.

What wiſe and diſcreet anſwer did that Scribe give unto our Lord Chriſt, Mar. 12. 33, 34. And when Ieſus heard his anſwer, he p. 55told him, he was not far from the kingdome of …od. There were but three things required, …nd this Scribe had gotten two of them, …nly he wanted grace: he had gifts in aundance, the leaſt dram or grain of grace …ad made him happy for ever.

Oh then, (in a word, and ſo to cloſe up …is) would you live and abide in the doctrine …f Chriſt? Oh then live out of your ſelves, … the Spirit, upon Chriſt! let him be high…t in thy thoughts, deareſt in thine affecti…ns, conſtant in thy purpoſes! See him once … be the chiefeſt of ten thouſand, and then …ou wilt have no need of any man to bid …ee enquire after him. Read and well …on…der this Scripture, Cant. 5. 9, 10, &c.

This is all at preſent that I have to ſay of …e Armour of Chriſt, and of the Doctrine of …hriſt. The next thing to be conſidered, …hich neerly concerns all Chriſtians, is this, …iz.

3. To live in the will of God. For, There is no …wer, but of God.

In this third particular, here are two …ings to be enquired into.

Q. 1. What is it to live in the will of …od?

A. 1. To be doing the will of God.

2. By ſuffering the will of our Father.

p. 56Q. 2. How are we to underſtandth is, tha… there is no power but of God?

A. 1. We are to conſider, there is n… power but of and in God, eſſentially or originally, habitually or virtually &c.

2. And yet there is a power in ever… Creature, diſtributively and by participation.

Now then to live in the will of God, it is t… be doing his will, and ſuffering his will. But o… this I ſhall ſpeak or write afterwards, and ſ… enter upon the ſecond Quaere.

1. There is no power but of God originally and eſſentially; He hath his being in himſelf, and he alone gives being to al… creatures: Of him, from him, and to him are al… things. There was no motion, vigor or action, life or growth, untill he created and enlivened the creatures: ſo that all things center in him, as having their being from him, who hath his being in himſelf, and gives being to them: He made all things for his own glory, who alone is worthy of al… glory, honour and praiſe, and he will be glorified by every living thing in the whole creation, either by their ſalvation or deſtruction; He will magnifie the attribute of his mercy on the one, and the attribute of his juſtice on the other: yea, the whol… p. 57Creation is a book wherein we may read God, every thing doth utter its voice, the …e…vens, the Stars, the Sun and the Moon, …o all in their kind declare the handy work …f God; nay every thing above us, beneath …s, on our right hand, and on our left, do …ll ſpeak ſaying, Behold the wonderfull …orks of the Lord God Almighty, from …hom I had my being, in whom I center, …y whoſe life I live, by whoſe ſtrength I …ove: his power may be ſeen in creation, …edemption, vocation, juſtification, and …anctification. Yea, by him all things con…ſt, 1 Col. 17. The Fiſh cannot ſwim in the …ater, but by his power; the Bird cannot …y in the aire, but by his power; the Spar…ow cannot fall to the ground, ſaith the …criptures, without his providence. Mat. …2. 29.

The attribute of his Wiſdome is ſeen in …he variety of Creatures that he hath made, …nd the ſweet harmony that there is among …hem, each of them doing after his kinde, …nely M…n excepted, which in his creation …as made the moſt bleſſ…d of all creatures, …ut by his fall in the firſt Adam, and not im…racing the ſecond Adam, is become the moſt …rſed creature of all: ſo that we may ſay …f all men and women fallen in the firſt Adam, p. 58and not reſtored by the ſecond, as on… our Lord Chriſt ſaid concerning Judas, Ma… 14. 2. Good were it for that man, if he had neve… been borne.

So the attribute of his Power may be ſee… in the upholding the whole Creation; an… the attribute of his Mercy, in the preſerv… tion of his Creatures.

All that we are, have, or do enjoy, ar… gifts of God; and if we act and move b… the power of God, then it is impoſſibly tha… we ſhould perform any ſpiritual duty o… our ſelves without his aſſiſtance. Chriſt tel… leth Pilate, that he could have no power at a… againſt him, unleſſe it was given him. A ma… can receive nothing (ſaith the Baptiſt) excep… it be given him from heaven, Joh. 3. 27. It i… God (ſaith Paul) that worketh in us both to wi… and to doe: what have we therefore which w… did not receive?

So then all things be from him, but al… things are not him, (as ſome ignorantl… imagine) I ſay again, all things are from hi… but all things are not him: He is the Creator, we be the creatures; He hath his being in himſelfe, we have our being from him▪ He was from everlaſting before time, we ha… our being from him in time; He is immutable, we are all mutable; He is Alpha an… p. 59Omega, the beginning and the ending, which … and which was, and which is to come. The … mighty, he can bring good out of evil, …ht out of darkneſſe, ſtrength out of weak…ſſe, hobour out of diſhonour. If the firſt …am be deceived by the Serpent, he will …rn it to his glory; if the ſecond Adam be …trayed by a Judas, he will turn it to … Glory: If the firſt fall by unbelief, he … raiſe us in a ſecond by faith: in a word, … is the head of all principality & power, 2 Col. …. All power is in him habitually, vertu…y, primitively, originally, eſſentially.

The Scriptures are ſo full in ſetting forth …s, that there is no power but of God, almoſt every book from the beginning of Geneſis … the end of the Revelation, that I ſuppoſe …ere is no man, if he be endued but with …mmon reaſon, will or can deny it: where…e excuſe me if I am ſilent and ſpeak no …ther to it.

2. The next thing to be conſidered is, …e power that is in every Creature. If there be … power but in God, (as hath in ſome …aſure been proved in the former expreſ…ns) Tell me then, without any evaſions, …w there is a power in every Creature?

A. There is no power but of God, ori…ally and eſſentially, habitually, primitively, p. 60or virtually: But there is a power … every Creature diſtributively. The pow… is in God as in a fountain, it is in us… ſtreams flowing from that fountain, but n… eſſentially, habitually or virtually.

There is a twofold power that is diſt… buted or given forth to the Creature; t… firſt is common to all, the ſecond is prop… only to ſome.

Firſt there is a natural power, as one tale… which we ought not to hide in a napki… given forth to all men and women, wi… ſeverall commands from the Giver to i… prove that.

Secondly, there is his bleſſed Spirit giv… forth with a ſpiritual power only to ſom… by vertue of which they can pray in the Sp… rit, rejoyce in the Spirit, worſhip God wh… is a Spirit in ſpirit and truth; they can re… and underſtand the L…er in the Spirit, th… can diſcourſe of ſpiritual things unde… ſtandingly and feelingly: further, by th… power they can bring down ſtrong holds, th… can caſt down imaginations and every high thin… they can bring more or leſſe their though… into captivity unto the obedience of Chriſt. Re… and well conſider 2 Cor. 10. 3, 4, 5, 6.

1. Firſt of the firſt: There is a natu… power given forth from God to the Creature, p. 61… Talent; which the Creature is not to hide in …apkin, but to improve. Now …hough this …wer was not ours, but Gods, in whom … power dwels: yet (he having given this … us) it becomes ours; for a man may as …operly cal that his own which was given …m, as that which he bought with his …ony. Chriſt tels Pilate, that he could have … power either to releaſe him or to condemn him, …les it were given him, Jo. 19. 10, 11. But there …as a power given to Pilate, even a natural …ower; and Pilate judged him and con…emned him.

If there be no power given forth from …od to the Creature, then there is no pow… in the Creature; and then all thoſe ex…ortations, perſwaſions, intreatings and …eſeechings are in vain. But that there is a …ower in the Creature, I ſay a received pow…r, a derivative power, it will appear, if you …ill anſwer ſeriouſly to what followes, …iz. Tell me, O man, whoſoever thou art, …hat doſt read or hear theſe lines, Haſt thou …er done ſo much good, or refrained ſo …uch evil, as thou mighteſt have done? Conſider of it, and ſee: what knowledge, …hat wiſdome, what comfort, what full …ſſurance mighteſt thou and I by this time …ave riſen unto? What means that Scripture, p. 62Heb. 5. 12. Where as by this time you mi… have been teachers of others, you have need to taught your ſelves what be the firſt principles religion. You might have been teachers … others, if you had improved your talen… Did Paul ſpeak truly or falſely, O ma… when he brake forth into theſe words, 1 C… 9. 4, 5, 6. in v. 4. Have we not power to e… and to drink? and have we not power to lead … bout a ſiſter or wife as well as others? v. 6. Agai… have we not power to forbeare working, &c. There is a place worth our noting, Jer. 3… 6. & 18. 19. compared together. In v. … there is mention made of one Jonadah whic… commanded his ſonnes that they ſhoul… drink no wine: and in v. 18. & 19. we fin… that they in obedience to the command … their father did forbear to drink any during lif… Inſomuch that the Almighty took noti… of this their obedience to their father, i… improving their natural power in a wa… of temperance. Juſt as Paul: I have power t… eat and to drink (ſaith he) and as oft as … pleaſed he could forbear eating and drinking fo… a ſeaſon. Oh how much is God blamed, an… man excuſed by denying this! Solomon ſaith Wherefore is there a price put into the hands of … foole to get wiſdom? Mind, firſt here is a pric… or talent given; 2. Where it is put, into th… p. 63hands of a fool; 3. For what end it is put in…o his hands, to get wiſdome, &c. 4. The rea…on why he hath not wiſdome, he hath no …eart to mind it, no deſire to it. Some would …ave God not only to give them ability, …ut to perform the action; and then indeed …ey might ſay it was the will of God it …uld be ſo, when they did evil; for then …ey would be carried on as the Sun, Moon …nd Stars are without reſiſtance. But God …aving made man a rational creature, and …iven him power to act, he requires him to …t by vertue of that power given him, and … commends him for acting well, & blames …im for acting ill. And though our ability …e but ſmall at firſt, yet if we improve that …ccording to the ſtrength we have, God hath …romiſed to increaſe it, and we ſhall grow …om ſtrength to ſtrength: But if we be un…ithful in that which is leaſt, he will not …uſt us with more. It is good therefore to …o what we can, and ask and ſeek for what …e cannot do. It was poſſible for the ſons …f Jonadab to obey their fathers command, … not drinking wine: and it was as poſ…ble for Iſrael to obey their Lords com…and; for God reproves them by that …xample, Jer. 35. 14. I ſuppoſe that the …ghteous God never commands impoſſible p. 64things. The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth a… in thy heart, ſaith Moſes, that thou mayeſt do… Deut. 30. 13, 14. Therefore (in the book) … bids them chooſe life. Chooſe (ſaith Joſhu… whom you will ſerve; as for me and my houſe, … will improve our ſelves to the utterm… to ſerve the Lord, Joſ. 24. 15. And therefo… the Lord complains, becauſe they did n… chuſe the feare of the Lord, Pro. 12. 9. The… want of ability is not once mentioned as a… excuſe.