The Confirming Work of Religion, Chapter 3

The Confirming Work of Religion · Chapter 3

p. 81CHAPTER III.

The confirming worke of Religion, improven wich reſpect to the times, to clear the way of the Lord herein, before this generation, and let us ſee how nothing is ſo ſtrang in the events of this day, which should not more ſtrenthen, then shake, and that the God of the Reformed Church doth ſtill own the ſame intereſt, according to his faithfulneſſe: which is here briefly pointed at, upon ſome ſpecial inquiry, propoſed about the ſame.

SECTION I.

QU. WHat can afford both light, and confirmation to our faith, in ſuch a time, when we ſee the worke of the Lord, about his Church, to be moſt remarkably now a worke of judgement, with ſuch dark and ſearching tryals therwith, as former times have not known.

p. 82ANSW. It is ſure, we have ſeen nothing, but what might have been too evidently looked for, and that we can pretend no want of light herein, upon theſe grounds. I. That the Trialls of a Church, should be ſuited to the meaſure of their talent of light, & when this hath been in ſome more then ordinare way diſpenſed, that ſome remarkably ſearching times might be expected to follow; nor can it be now ſtrang to us, that ſuch things fall in with this day, which did not meet the Churches of Chriſt at the firſt entry of the Reformation, who then had not ſo clear diſcoveries of the truth, and that meaſure of confirmation therein, which hath been ſince. II. That ſome unuſual tryals, and conflicts, in the Lords uſuall method of providence, should be ſuited alſo, to the greatneſſe of that worke, which he is bringing forth, may be no ſtrang thing; and to ſee a time of ſuch ſore wreſtlings as this, when all things ſeem to cry, be in pain as Micah 4:20. Yea when ſome great event of the Scripture is to be revealed to the world, and near to its full hight, and period of accomplishment, as we have ſafe ground for aſſurance of this …ay. III. Nor hath this ſad and diſmal hower on the Church, been more obvious then the provoking cauſe hereof, in which the holy righteouſneſſe of God, may be p. 83no leſſe clear then the cloud now is dark; when ſuch a viſible falling of hath been from that love, tendernes, and power of religion that did formerly attend its profeſſion; as for theſe many years paſt we might have ſeen that ſome ſore and remarkable judgment was coming, and that if we had not been in ſuch a maner undone, we were, under ſome ſadder ſtrock of ſpiritual judgment, ready to be undone. IV. Yea it hath been too viſible, that ſuch evils followed the Reformed Churches, as in no time it was ever known, that the holy God, did paſſe ſuch by, without ſome ſignal evidence of his wrath againſt the ſame before the world. V. We know that carnal confidence hath a curſe ever waiting upon it in the Scripture, which none can take of, or make that thrive which God hath himſelf curſed; and it is too viſible how far we have gone thus out of the way of our ſtrenth, by ſuch eager ſeeking human props, & ſupport, as we have for…ot the guide of our youth, and convenant of our God, and what great things he hath formerly done in the greateſt ſtraits of his Church, when there was much humble truſting, with little ſence; as though the ſpirit of the Lord, had not done more to recover his truth, then all human might or power, ever could doe.

p. 84SECTION II.

QU. WHat talent, are we ſtill accountable for to ſupport our faith againſt the greateſt fears of this time, from theſe immediate appearances of God, and of the glory of his power, for the ſame truth and cauſe of the Reformed Church, we are now called to contend for, which hath been ſince the reformation when ſo ſtrong & unuſual a tyde, now is againſt the ſame?

ANSW. If men shut not their eyes, and hide this great talent of the workes of God, under the ground, its ſure none can queſtion ſuch a ſeal, which before the ſun, to the amazment and conviction of the world, hath been put to the truth of the Reformed Religion; that we are now ſiſted under ſuch a call, as the Church of Iſrael was, Deut. 4:34. to ask of the times, that are past, ſince Iſraels coming out of Egypt, and ſince the firſt planting of the Gentil Church, by the Goſpel, whither there hath been ſo great a thing as this in the earth, that God hath eſſayed to take to himſelf a people from the midſt of other nations, by temptations, by ſigns, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by an ouſtretched arm, and by great terrours, according to all that the Lord our God hath p. 85done for the reſcue of his people, in theſe laſt times, from Antichriſtian bondage and darkneſſe; and ſettling them in a church ſtate; but unto us was this shewed, that we might know, that the Lord he is God, and there is noncelſe beſide him: yea are ſtill called to ſee, and be as eye witneſſes to theſe things; I. How bright a day of the Goſpel of Chriſt, did goe before this great darkneſſe on the Church, and what a ſolemne triumph in theſe late ages the truth hath had over Antichriſt, ſo as the full ſtrock and ruine of his kingdome, which is ſure and eſtablished in the promiſe of God, ſeems not now more marvelous and above human appearence, then what we have ſeen, in the begun degrees of its accomplishment. II. In how few years alſo, there was, as a new Chriſtian world brought forth, in that ſwift courſe and progreſſe which the ingathering of the Reformed Churches had, ſo as between the year 1621, and 1560. ſuch famous plantations of the Goſpel, were ſetled in a Church ſtate; which all may ſee was the immediate worke and power of God; to shew that none should fear, or ſtagger at his promiſe, though the waters yet ſwell, and come to the flowings of Jordan, and difficulties appear unſuperable to human ſenſe, after this great things which the Lord hath done. III. How extraordinare a calling, and p. 86excitment of inſtruments, was then evident, for the ſervice of that time, and reapers thus eminently prepared for ſo great an harveſt of the Goſpel, as might put the world to inquire whence theſe were, in ſo numerous a concurrence, when a few of ſuch a ſpirit, were ſo rarely to be found in many ages before. IV. Yea ſuch an acceſſion alſo, of ſpiritual gifts, and induments then for building of the Church, as had not been formerly known, ſince the firſt coming of the Goſpel to the Gentils; wherein it may be ſaid, the glory of theſe laſt times hath even in ſome degree exceeded that of the firſt. V. And can the moſt diſmal things of this time, countervail the confirmations of our faith, who have ſo clearly ſeen, with the firſt breaking up of the pur doctrine of Chriſt, the power and life of Chriſtianity came therwith to the world, as a ſeal, and atteſtation therto, beyond any miracles; yea how innumberable a company, in theſe laſt ages of different tongues and languages, and theſe ſo remot from one another, did not only receive the ſame truth, but with ſuch reſolution adventure their ſouls theron, as might fully witneſſe, they had another proſpect of Chriſtianity, and to be in ſome other manner ravished with the glory & beuty of the ſame, then is now in theſe times. VI. That ſuch high ſpring tydes p. 87of the power, and efficacy of the Goſpel, might be evident to all, after ſo ſad a reſtraint had been for ſo many ages before, under Antichriſtian darkneſſe; for whatever was then as a private ſeall, on the ſpirit of Chriſtians whilſt the witneſſes did propheſy in ſack-cloth, yet was there no ſuch evidence and demonſtration of the H. Ghoſt, or a publick confirmatory ſeal to the truth, as was after the Reformation. VII. Yea was it not the moſt ſober, ſerious, and inquiſitive part of men, upon a ſure tryal of the grounds of their faith, who did moſt firmly imbrace the ſame; and how many of theſe alſo were of the greateſt parts and abilities, whom none could judge to adventure ſo far herein, without the higheſt aſſurances, that this was their undoubted intereſt and upmaking. VIII. We have ſeen not only theſe of mean and low eſtate, but ſuch of the higheſt place and quality, moſt chearfully adventuring whatever intereſt could be deareſt to them, in the earth for the truths ſake; yea was ever found, how ſuch as were moſt acquaint, with the reformed religion in its power, and living up in their practiſe, to what they profeſt thereof, were theſe who with the greateſt aſſurance, have moſt reſoluty ſtill adhered thereto. IX. We have ſeen alſo, its moſt remarkable ſpreading in the world, p. 88when there could be no poſſible pretence of a lucrative intereſt, or external motives for the ſame. X. We have ſeen ſomething not only extraordinare, but even miraculous in the joy, and reſolution of innumberable martyrs ſince the Reformation who did bear out with a more then human ſtrenth, againſt a cruelty ſo viſibly inhuman, and ſavage; yea which did in ſome degrees exceed that meaſure of the Heathens, in the Primitive times, as being againſt a greater light then theirs. II. And have we not ſeen of what ſpirit, ſuch ſtill have been ſince the Reformation, who were the moſt notour inſtruments in the Churches perſecution, and how viſibly ſuch did act herein, under ſo impetuous an incitment of the Devil, that as Tertullien, in his Apollogy ſpeaks of Nero, the truth might boaſt in having ſuch adverſaries. XII. It is ſure we have ſeen, how no human power, could yet ever undoe this bleſſed intereſt of the Reformed religion, tho no way, or change of weapons, hath been left untryed; but we have thus ſeen, whither ſo ſtrong, and unite a confederacy, as the Catholick league in France did at laſt reſolve, and, not only in the ruine of the greateſt acters and contrivers therein, but to a further eſtablishing of the Reformed Church there, as though ſuch had intentionally acted for the ſame; when p. 89if ſecond cauſes had brought forth their ordinare effects, it might have been judged impoſſible to fail. XIII. We have ſeen that iſſue of the whole councels, expenſe and cruelty of Philip the II. of Spain, to bear down the truth of the Goſpel in the Netherlands, which was to the furtheſt ſetling of this illuſtrious ſtate and the Church of Christ there; yea how their conſpicuous riſe and flowrishing even in the externals, and their reſolute adherence to the truth of Chriſt did moſt viſibly keep together. XIV. We know that deludge of blood, which ſo quickly followed the French maſſacre; and the moſt diſmal time which ever that nation know, did then viſibly contemporate, with ſuch a time of their greateſt rage and perſecution againſt the truth, and that event of the third vial moſt clearly fulfilled herein, Revel. 16: 5, 6. Thou art righteous, o Lord, which art, and was, and shall be, becauſe thou hast judged t…us, for they have shed the blood of thy ſaints and prophets, and thou haſt given them blood to drink in great meaſure. XV. Yea have we not ſeen how four Kings of France ſucceſſively were in leſſe then 30. years, taken away, in the ſame continued purſuit, how to deſtroy the Church there, in whom that whole race of the Valois was thus extinct; yea in the manner of their p. 90death, were moſt remarkable monuments of divine judgement, as the moſt famous writers of that time does atteſt. XVI. We have ſeen what marvelous effects did follow theſe bloody years of Queen Mary's reign in England, to promot and commend the Proteſtant doctrine to mens conſciences there, with ſo great a triumph it had in the ſufferings of ſuch choiſe and excellent witneſſes for Chriſt, as hath brought in more rent to the praiſe and glory of their bleſſed head, then may to the furtheſt compenſe all that blood of the Saints there, though highly precious in the eyes of the Lord. XVII. We have ſeen likewayes the blood and cruelty, of late againſt the Proteſtants in Bohemia, in a short time moſt obſervably returned on the authors thereof, and how the immediate finger of God might be ſeen in calling forth the Swedes to avenge the ſame, and in that deſolating ſtrock which followed on Germany. XVIII. We have ſeen in theſe late times the iſſue of that horrid maſſacre on the Proteſtants in Ireland, to the utter ruine in a very few years after, of that barbarous party, who had thus acted herein. XIX. We have ſeen what wonderful providences did attend the actings of that poor handful of Proteſtants in the Valleys of Piemont ſince the Reformation, upon the account of that p. 91bloody maſſacre which was ſet on foot there againſt them, which was ſo aſtonishing as all might ſee an extraordinare appearence of the Lord herein, as is clearly atteſted by the moſt faithful Hiſtories of that time. XX. And can it be forgot unto this day, how viſibly a divine hand did appear in breaking that great Spanish Armado, in the year 1588. which had been for ſome years in contriving againſt England. XXI. As it was aſtonishing, and ſpecially demonſtrative of the immediate power and preſence of God, it should be matter of wonder and praiſe alſo for after ages, that ſolemne time of the Reformation of the Church in Scotland, for planting the reformed Religion there; with that zeal and onneſſe of ſpirit, as did then appear in all ranks to imbrace and adhere to the profeſſion thereof, amidſt the greateſt threatnings of their adverſaries; ſo as a few years did bring forth that, which would have ſeemed ſtrang for an age to accomplish; yea that we find betwixt the laſt Martyr for the truth there, who was burnt at St. Andrews 1558. and the eſtablishment of the Proteſtant Religion, and full abolishment of Popery, with the full concurrence of civil authority herein, in July 1560. was but little above two years; to shew what great things the Lord can doe, above all human councel or p. 92confidence. XXII. Its ſure we have ſeen in what remarkable degrees theſe laſt vials of the holy judgment of God, hath taken place on the Kingdome of Antichriſt, and how conſpicuous the event hath been of that prophecy, 2 Theſſal. 2: 8. in theſe great effects and conſumption thereof by the miniſtry of the Goſpel, as an aſſured pledge of the full accomplishment of what remains herein. XXIII. And as every ſtep of the Churches riſe, hath been ſtill advanced in a continued conflict betwixt the truth and Antichriſt, ſo have we ſtill ſeen, when the aſſault and oppoſition hath been greateſt, its moſt remarkable tendancy to a greater victory; which were it rightly conſidered upon clear and ſolid grounds from the Scripture, the moſt formidable appearences of trouble from this adverſary should with more comfort then fear this day be looked on; ſo that whatever be the neareſt and moſt immediate events, yet is it ſure, as the Lord is true, whoſe word is paſſed hereon, that whoſoever gives their power and ſtrength to ſupport that intereſt of Antichrist shall loſe the day and find their cauſe deſperate, for the party with whom they contend herein is the Son of God, againſt whom no human power shall ever be able to ſtand. Theſe are but a few, which are here mentioned, p. 93of the great acts of our God, in behalf of his Truth, to be ſtill as preſent in our ſight, in a time when the ſpirits of many are ready to ſtagger and faint; and here mentioned, to lay no ſtreſſe or weight of the authority of the truth and doctrine of our profeſſion thereon, but on the alone revelation of the Scripture; but that they are ſuch an undenyable ſeal for confirming our faith, and of ſo known, publick and famous evidence, as should be no leſſe conſidered and taken to heart now, then in the time when the Lord thus appeared herein.

SECTION III.

QU. WHat preſent judgment are we called to have of this time, upon clear and aſſured grounds from the Scripture; that we may know under what aſpect therof, the preſent ſtate of Religion and of the reformed Churches is under, when ſo great a criſis is this day, as would ſeem to be in the very foreign of its conflict, whither as to life or death?

ANSW. It is no preſent appearences of the time muſt direct our faith, nor should we either ſtreath our fears or expectations of things and events, beyond what the God of truth doth warrand in his word, but its p. 94clear, if we credite the ſame, and admitt the divinity of the New Teſtament, there is no juſt cauſe of heſitation or darkneſſe as to what the Lord is bringing forth for his Church now in theſe latter dayes; nor can there be any pretence, to ſeek an other light, either from the ſtars above, or the diviners of this time, when ſo woful a trade hath got up in the world, that men will thus goe to the God of Ekron, as though there were not a God in Iſrael, or ſuch a thing, as his written Oracles to inquire at, when its ſure theſe ly open, and with a clear and diſtinct ſound ſpeaks to all who have a ſerious and unprejudged ſpirit. I. That the Church under the New Teſtament hath now paſſed and gone through that moſt diſmal and continued tryal herein, which was to goe over her head under Antichriſts reigne and hight; and whatever appearence he now hath in great wrath, yet is it ſure and evident that the winter is paſt and the Churches ſpring begun; and a few ſteps further of that judgment which is now haſtning on, will at lenth end the quarrel; ſo that by a near converſe with the word, we may clearly ſee from what point the Churches courſe and motion this day lyes, and how exactly it keeps, in the certainty thereof, by that clear conduct of the Scriptures of truth, where a full map of her whole p. 95courſe and paſſage through time is clearly shewed. II. That we may now with ſome clear evidence judge, and have our faith perſwaded hereof, that the Churches intereſt is upon the riſing hand, and on a preſent advance, though nothing would ſeem more contradictory then all viſible grounds now are; ſince this cannot ſail, John. 3:30. that Jeſus Chriſt in his kingdom in the earth muſt increaſe; yea that the Scripture ſo clearly points forth Antichriſts ruine and progreſſe of his fall and douncaſting, with reſemblance to that great judgment on Pharaoh as an evident type hereof; in the ſame judicial ſtrocks of induration, on both, and gradual progreſſe herein by one plague after another, until the laſt and greateſt aſſault, as was then at the Red-ſea, hath the ſame effect for a more glorious appearence of God, in the greateſt ſtep of judgment, and victory over this adverſary, when not only the ſong of Moſes but of the Lamb alſo shall be then ſung, Rev. 15: 3. as importing ſomething more glorious and a greater brightneſſe to be put on this illuſtrious act of divine judgment, reſerved to theſe laſt times, when a more immediate appearence of the Lord will be ſeen, then in any ſormer deliveries of his Church. III. It is no conjectural thing, but what by a clear Scripture conduct we may ſee, that this p. 96time of the Church now under ſo notable a Criſis in her caſe, is evidently falling under that remarkable aſſault and conflict, with that adverſary, before the accomplishing of that vial on his ſeat and throne, as we may ſee Revel. 17:13, 14. that when ſo conſpicuous a ſtep of the Churches victory is near; the oppoſition thereto alſo will be in ſome higher degree proportionable to the ſame, when the great men of the earth, and ſuch who shall receive power as Kings, one hower with the beaſt, shall have one mind and give their power and ſtrength thereto, and shall make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, &c. Nor is it found through the Scripture where any great thing, the Lord hath done for his Church, but ſome unuſual darkneſſe, and ſore wreſtlings hath ſtill gone before, and should be no matter of ſtaggering to our faith, whatever be of preſent fears, to ſee ſo diſmal a time of tryal as now is, and amazing hight of trouble beyond what former times have known, when one of the greateſt events of providence in behalf of the Church, ſince the revealing of Christ to the world, until his ſecond coming, is aſſuredly near in the fall and overthrow of the man of ſin. IV. We have clear ground alſo to judge, that ſo great an eclipſe as ſeems p. 97allmoſt univerſally over the ſtate of the Reformed Churches, is no goeing down of the ſun theron, whatever did befall the moſt famous eaſtern Churches to an utter diſſipation thereof; if theſe different periodes of time be juſtly conſidered, how their ſun-ſet did then fall in with the entry of that great Apoſtacy of the Chriſtian Church and with that long and diſmall night of Antichriſts reign; whilſt now this hower of tryal on the Churches, doth meet in that bleſſed period of Antichriſts begun fall, and of a growing light of the Goſpel, and when the Scripture ſo clearly warrands our faith herein, that the worke of providence is to plant, and not cutt of, but to bring forward that intereſt of the Reformed Churches, in the founding of which the Mediator hath ſo eminently appeared in the glory of his power in theſe last times. V. It is ſure me now live in the evening, and extremity of time, when the motions of providence may be expected to be more quick and ſpeady, as being ſo near the center, and to the laſt Epocha, and period of all prophetick Chronology; wherein the glory of God in his truth and faithfulneſſe shall moſt eminently shine forth, and theſe Scripture truths which were formerly dark & abſtruſe, with that evidence shine forth in the event, as shall cauſe men to wonder at their former p. 98thoughts and ſtumblings thereat. And here I muſt ſay, that there is ſuch a ſight now in the earth, as the Romish Church, in its complex frame and ſtate, in ſo different a mould caſt from any power or juriſdiction elſe, and ſuch a compound of a civil, and Spiritual Monarchy in one and the ſame perſon, is ſo ſolemn and undenyable a ſeal to the Chriſtian faith, and divinity of the New Teſtament; that its ſtrang why this is not improven more, againſt the Atheiſm of this time, that ſuch a viſible event of the Scripture is now in being, which was ſo clearly fortold by the Holy Ghoſt 1500. years ago, with its proper circumſtances, as to the manner of that Antichriſtian ſtate, with its riſe, grouth, & duration, as is to admiration ſtil evident to the world, when not the leaſt shaddow or appearence of ſo ſtrang future emergencies was to be ſeen or could have entred in mens thoughts; to shew it only could be revealed to the Church by him, to whom all his works are known from the beginning. This I have looked on, as ſuch a confirmation to the truth of Chriſtianity, that no miracles in the firſt times of the Church could have more evidence for the ſame; yea if ſuch a party were not in being, both what it now is and in former ages hath been, it might in another manner ſtagger the faith of the p. 99Saints, to a queſtioning the truth of the Scripture, then its moſt formidable appearence this day can doe. VI. I shall but add here, that we know and are ſure the Lord hath reſerved his greateſt works to theſe latter dayes, wherein his judgments shall be manifeſt; and that one of the moſt eminent manifeſtations of his glory before the cloſe of time shal be conſpicuous in the fall of Antichriſt, on whoſe ruines that glorious hous which Chriſt is yet to have for himſelf both of Jews and Gentiles, shall be prepared and built up; and though this great eclipſe of Antichriſtian darkneſſe, should yet more prevail, even over the viſible profeſſion of the truth in the Churches of Britain, and Ireland, there is no cauſe to be ſtaggered in the faith of Romes fatal period, being near, but to look hereon according to the Scripture as the Ʋltimus Conatus of that wounded adverſary, which will be found in the iſſue to have the moſt immediate connexion with his greateſt downfall, and the reviving glory of the Church; for ſtrong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

SECTION IV.

QU. WHat is ſpecially called for, in this day, of ſuch as are accountable p. 100for ſo great a talent of light, and confirmations to our faith?

ANSW. If this were ſuitably taken to heart, we could not but reckon our ſelves under the greateſt excitment and call, to ſuch an improvment hereof.

I. That we account it not enough to have a faith, for quieting our own ſpirits, but how to confirme others, by putting to our ſeal that God is true, in the great aſſurances of his word, and to ſanctify him before the world, which is ſo important a duty, as the Lord was wroth even with a Moſes, and Aaron for one short-coming, when he called for the ſame, Numb. 20:12. and its ſure in no time was ſuch a ſpecial truſt more repoſed thereon, then in this age, both as a publick debt on the Church, & perſonal on each Chriſtian, how to witneſſe for the Lord, upon that great intereſt of his faithfulneſſe and for tranſmitting the ſame, to the ages to come, by a confirmatory ſeal, and teſtimony therto.

II. To reckon our ſelves alſo under ſome more then ordinare call this day, each in their preſent capacity and ſtation, how to appear for the credite of the truth, and ſtemm ſo viſible and impetuous a tyde, as is now running of diſtruct, and of a diſcreditable faint; for it may be ſaid, never was the Church under p. 101the New Teſtament ſo remarkably ſiſted under ſuch a trial, as that wherein the Lord did prove the Church of Iſrael, Numb. 14. or had a more evident reſemblance therto, in the ſame circumſtances as in this day, if they were ſeriouſly pondered; as I how in the ſame manner, ſuch a falſe & evil report is too viſibly raiſed upon the bleſt ways of the Lord, to diſcourage and faint the ſpirits of his people, as was then by the ſpyes, that there were inſuperable difficulties in the way of the promiſe, by reaſon of the Anakims, and of their walled cities, and did thus oppoſe the credite of ſenſe, to all theſe aſſurances which God had given to their faith. II. That this highly dishonourable faint and diſtruſt did ſo ſeaſe on that people, as was like to reſolve in a viſible revolt, and to cry for a leader to goe back to Egypt again; which amongſt too many in this time may be juſtly feared. III. That this was after ſuch extraordinare confirmations which the Lord had given to the faith of his Church then, who had by his own immediate and outſtretched hand ſo latly brought them out of the houſe of bondage, and from the iron furnace in Egypt, as rendred their misbeliefe to be a guilt under ſuch aggravations, as the holy God did in that manner plead, verſ. 22. Theſe ten times have they tempted me, who have ſeen my glory, and p. 102my miracles, which I did in the wilderneſſe, &c. IV. But herein we hope, and are confidently ſure of a bleſſed diſparity in this reſemblance, as to the numberouſneſſe of ſuch, who shall be found of the Reformed Churches, to act ſomething of that part, which theſe heroick witneſſes a Caleb & Joshua did & were then put to ſtand alone therein, who through grat shall yet appear with ſome meaſure of that ſpirit, and withſtand ſo high a tyde of fears, diſcouragment and misbeliefe as is this day, and thus to plead againſt the ſame as theſe did, Num. 14:9. if the Lord delight in us, then let us not rebel againſt him, neither fear the greateſt difficulties can be in the way &c. V. And is not the ſame precedent of providence, of ſo ſingular a reſpect as the Lord did then teſtify to his Caleb and Joshua (who were of another ſpirit in following him fully, in that day) a continued aſſurance, for all who shall be helped to any honourable appearence of this kind, by making them ſee, and inherit the truth of his promiſe; yea that ſuch a reſidue who outlives this great and amazing ſtorme shal have ſomething of that teſtimony to bear alſo which Caleb gave Josh. 14:8, 10. My brethren which went up with me made the heart of the people faint, but I fully followed the Lord my God, and now behold the Lord hath keeped me alive, &c. o bleſſed they whoſe p. 103ſouls are raiſed with that holy zeal for the truth to ſtand up in this great breach, by a reſolute profeſſion of their faith, and witneſſe to the faithfulneſſe of God, as ſuch great and extraordinar confirmations, given thertho, now calls for.

III. It is one of the ſpecial duties of this day we ſtand alſo accomptable for, how to ſtemm this high and growing tyde of prejudice, and reproach againſt the Reformed Religion which in ſome unuſual way is now aloft; and by manifeſtation of the truth to gain ſome more awfull regard herof on mens conſcience, that they may ſee ſomthing of the glory of our profeſſion, and in what maner it maintains its conqueſt as no way elſe can poſſibly claim; I. Which reckons none elſe to be the true and genuine profeſſours hereof, who imbrace not the ſame upon evidence, and with reſpect to its intrinſick excellency and worth; nor does judge the intereſt of religion to goe by number, and poll, where this is wanting; but to purſue that end to have men ingadged firſt to be Chriſtians, that they may be true and ſincere Proteſtants; and therfor can admitt no ſuch methods of any baſe compliance with the humour and intereſts of men, which its principles will not bear. II. Which in its courſe is ever regulare and certain, according to that rule p. 104of an uncheangable and eternal truth, without dependance on the will of man herein, or any mutable revolutions of the time. III. Which doth with the greateſt luſtre shine forth in the brighteſt light, and is maintained by the cleareſt knowledge; yea by the furtheſt plaineſſe, and openneſſe of heart, towards all, commends it ſelf; ſo that the world may ſee, it eſpouſeth not mens affection, before it gain on their conſcience; and to have their judgment fixed on a judicious tryal, before their reſolution; nor accounts the truth of religion, can ever ſubſiſt by an external shew and profeſſion, without is known evidence and the efficacy therof on mens ſoul. IV. Which ſincerly follows the Catholick intereſt of Chriſtianitie and publick good of mankind, in promotting the great ends of the Goſpel, ſo as the world may ſee its higheſt intent is to exalt all divine inſtitutions, and advance the ſimplicity, and ſpirituality of Goſpel adminiſtrations, (according to the revealed rule) amonghſt men, as that which doth moſt nearly conceirn the vitals of religion and ane inward life of communion with God. V. Which pleads an impartial tryal of al its adverſaries, whither the principles of our profeſſion or of Popery, gives the greateſt ſecurity to Civil Government, & founds the ſtrongeſt obligations to Magiſtracy and p. 105to all Civil, and Moral duties, by which the awe and venerable eſteem of religion is kept up in a nation. It is high time that men should ceaſe to be implicit upon this greateſt intereſt they have within time, which is the truth of their profeſſion in the matter of religion, when a deceit or miſtake here is of an eternal conceirn: upon which account without reſpect to intereſt, party, or education, I have this day ſought to know the truth, and what adverſaries could poſſibly pretend, to reproach, or prejudge any at the Reformed Religion, which can only amount, to charge mens corruption and offences in their practiſe, upon the rule and principles of their profeſſion, that can never give the leaſt latitude, or connivance therto, but is clear as the ſun; when on the other hand I could know no other way, to imbrace ſuch a profeſſion, as Popery, but by turning Atheiſt, in the firſt place, and quite both religion and reaſon at once: but may ſay, in a reſolute adherence to the doctrine of the Reformed Church, I fear not to adventure my ſoul, and enter into an eternal ſtate.