CHAP. I.
The Preface.

SUch and so great the infinite grace and Free Love of God in Christ, to manward: in the cost he hath been at for us, in such xcellencies and fulness of Grace, Truth, Spi­rit and life, he hath received in the man, and is impowred as mediator to bestow on us: And such his faithfulness in his mediation for and mercies extended to us; And such the glory he will after give to those that receive him in [Page 6] his gratious teachings, that it justly requireth, and if beleivingly minded, forcibly moveth, to love him with all the heart, and above all things, so as to love his waies and love to be like him, and to love as he loveth, and that he loveth &c. 1 Iohn 4. 9, 10, 11, 19. Psal. 116. 1, 2, 7, 8, 12. So as what ever any man know­eth or professeth of Christ, yet if the love of Christ known, gain not the heart to love Christ, even to love Christ above all things: And so to love whom he loveth, and as he loveth, he knoweth nothing as he ought to know, nor is appro­ved of God, not meet to be Christ's Disciple. 1 Cor. 8. 1, 2. 3. Mat. 10. 37. Luk. 14. 26. And this love issuing from his love beleived, abiden and walked in, doth shew forth it self, in denying a mans self, in his own humane wis­dome, righteousness, strength, confidence and designs, for Christs sake, and that in him dis­covered, yea in every thing, that will not stand with this love of Christ and the Services of it, as is seen in the places last cited and Mat. 10. 38. Mar. 8. 34. Luke 14. 26. 27. Ier. 9. 23. 24. Phil. 3. 7. 8. 9. Ioh. 12. 25. 26. So he that from the knowledge and belief of this love of Jesus Christ, heartily doth love him, as is sayd, would rather submit himself to bear any shame or affliction, and to lose any Honour, Re­putation, Gain, Relation or life, then for the getting and retaining them to offend Jesus Christ in deviating from the Faith, love and ser­vices of Christ, in and according to the Gos­pel▪ [Page 7] or occasion others so to do, and so to take offence at Christ, and his Word, way and Cross, so as to deviate or give occasion to others so to do; knowing also from our Saviours one affirma­tion, Whatever any man seeketh to save, or saveth that way, he certainly loseth more abundantly▪ and incurrs unspeakeable loss, vers. 42. Matt. 18. 6, and 11, 6, and 16, 25, 26. Mar. 8. 35, 36. Our Savi­our therefore as he exhorted them to continue his love, and how to continue in his love, he also shewed them even by keeping his commands, in be­lieving on his name, and loveing one another as he hath loved us and that such love him, Joh. 14. 21, 23 and 15, 9, 10. 1 Joh. 2. 24, 25. and 3, 23, 24. So in this chapter, he councils, directs and chargeth them to avoid such things, as if closed with, will certainly deviate them from this love of Christ, and so from loveing him: And so he saith, in verse

43. And if thy right hand offend thee (thy best humane wisdome and furniture, or that which is dearest to thee, and appears as most necessary and gainful, and occasions thee to offend, or moves thee for the getting or retai­ning thereof, to a slighting of, or devia­ting from Christ in his mind, and waies dis­covered in the Gospel▪ or to cause or occasion others so to do) cut it off, (or cast it from thee, reject and put by all such thoughts, motions, and councel arising therefrom, and suffer what ever deprivation or loss may come to thee thereby, &c.)

[Page 8]45. And if thy foot offend thee (thy power and strength, affections and demeanor for per­suing such and such a design) cut it off (cast aside the use of such power, and satisfying such affecti­on and the use of such demeanor, for persu­ing such a design, what ever loss or suffering comes to thee thereby.) vers. 47.

47. And if thine Eye offend thee (any behold­ing or looking on any thing below for any goodliness, beauty, gainfulness, &c. that ap­peareth in it) pluck it out (reject such views, and suffer not thy eye to gaze on it) and the same councel and charge given on the same ground, M [...]. 18. 8. 9. namely with this advise. It is better for thee to enter into life▪ halt and maimed, and so with one hand, or one foot, or one eye, then having too to be cast, &c. That is, its better with suffering any loss or damage in things below, and with enduring any shame, suffering▪ or death to enter into life, and into the Kingdome of God, then with having enjoyed all desierable here, to be after cast into hell into fire unquenchable▪ where the worm dyeth not, and the fire never goeth out: the same also here, vers. 43. to 48. implying that what beleif soever men profess, yet unless they do cut off, the hand, the foot, the eye in that wherein they cause to offend, by denying themselves in that what­ever it be, Honour, Lands, Riches, Relati­ons, Life, &c. when the getting, retaining o [...] sa­ving thereof, leads and canseth to offend &c. (as aforesaid) if he do not then reject it, lay it aside [Page 9] and submit to suffer the loss thereof, it will turn him aside from the Faith, And so he will be cast into unquenchable fire. And as our Saviour hath in all this, intimated, Trouble recoverable, fire, quenchable, and exprest a loss irrecoverable and fire unquenchable; so least any should deceive themselves, in conceiting and hoping by their wisdome to avoid both that fire here, and that hereafter also, and so slight [...]his councel and charge of our Saviour: Ou [...] Saviour here shew­eth the vanity of such thoughts and hope, and presseth to receive his councel [...]nd charge, and this by a threefold affirmation, and an exhortati­on joyned: the two first affirmations plain and absolute, and the third conditional: And from all the exhortations or commands: the affirmati­ons are three.

• 1. For every one (that is, every man one and other) shall be salted with fire▪
• 2. And every Sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
• 3. Salt is good (that is, if it retain its salt­ness) but if the salt have lost its saltness where­with shall it be seasoned.

And from these three affirmations, and all foresaid, he gives this two [...]old exhortation and command, namely,

1. Have salt in your selves, look to this at all times, in all things with whomsoever you deal, have salt in your selves.

2. And have peace one with another, or then, and so you shall, or else you cann [...] have peace one with another▪

CHAP. II.
The first affirmation.

1. For every one shall be salted with Fire, This affirmative is general and abso­lutely affirmed of all, there is no escape for any, every one shall be salted with fire: and rightly to understand this, the testimony of Christ will help us. For as Jesus Christ susterd and dyed and rose again, and gave himself a sacrifice to God for us, and so in himself as the publick man, compleately wrought Redemption for all man­kind from perishing in the first death: and yet did not this to such an end, as wholly to free and exempt mankind, or any of them, from partaking at all of sufferings and death, but to take out the sting and poyson out of both, and make them beareable, and san [...]ti [...]y them for to be corrections, and a passage to immortallity, and so to redeem and bring them out of both, the sufferings and Foret [...]ners of this death, and to raise them out of this death it self, so its appointed to men once to dye, Heb. 9. 27. And man is born to trouble as the sparks that fly upward, and this from the ordering hand of God also, Iob 5. 5, 6, 7. and 14. 1. 2. And trouble and afflictions are oft exprest by fire, Psal. 66. 11. 12. and 78. 63. Hos. 4. 11.

2. Even so also Jesus Christ in making [Page 11] known and dispensing of the grace and vertue of this Redemption and Salvation, wrought by and in himself for men, and in his means used to bring men to confess him Lord to the glory of God, he doth also salt them with fire, he as­sayes it here in the means he useth,

1. By spiritual convincements and reproofs of their guiltiness, and the vileness of their personal sins▪ the folly of their wisdom, the vanity of their own wrought righteousness, and of their own de­sires designs and hopes, &c. 1 Ioh. 7. 7. and 16. 8. 9. 10. Eph. 5. 12. 3. And the spirit in the word in such convincements is as fire, Psal. 39. 3. Jer. 20. 9. And with this

2. Movings, To strip deprive men of that which was pretious to them, as Applause, Ho­nour, Riches, Ease, Wo [...]ldly friendship, and that in near relations, yea the natural life, so as they must adventure, yea part with, and under­goe the loss of All, any or every of them, when and so far, as they do not stand and suite with the approbation and good pleasure of God, and their abiding and walking in the faith of Christ, and love of him, and the service [...] thereof, Matt. 10. 37. 38, 39. and 19. 27, 29. And in both are such pu [...]gations, as in which the flesh feels smart and pain, or punishment, and the outward man suffers shame and damage, Heb. 12. 11. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 16. And such sufferings likewise are as fire, Psal. 66. 11. 12. And thus also shall every one be salted with fire, a fire that cer­tainly burneth.

[Page 12]And so those that here receive his con­vincements, and turn at his reproof, and yield up to accept and endure this fire, with the effica­cies of it, though it may heat and something pain the flesh, yet it will burn up nothing, but what would harm and destroy them, nor de­prive them of any thing, but what would then be prejudicial to retain; those that refuse to receive his convincements, and to turn at his reproofs: and so will not accept to endure this fire with the effica [...]ies of it, it shall certainly seize on them after they have persisted in refusal till the day of Grace be over, in another day, and burn both on soul and body, so as it can neither be resisted nor quenched: and our Saviour ha­ving so often spoken of a fire unquenchable, and that cannot be quenched, and here affir­ming that every one shall be salted with fire, giveth us to understand, that there is a fire that is quenchable with which it is good to be salted, and there will be a fire unquenchable, with which those that refuse to be salted with the formet in this day of grace, shall certainly be salted with the latter, after that day of grace is past: And so as the wrath and judgement of the Lord in and according to that w [...]ath, is oft called fire; Even so,

1. There was a fire that is quenched, wrath that is appeased, a judgement that is execu [...]ed, a curse suffered and overcome. And that was the wrath and displeasure of God against man­kind, as having sinned in the first publick man, [Page 13] and being necessitated to sinning thereby, de­stitute of any remedy, and so to have perished for ever in this first death, this wrath appeased, this fire quenched by Jesus Christ the second publick man Rom. 3. 23. 24. and 5. 12, 18. Gall. 3 13. Ezeck. 11. 2. 3. 4. its the deceit of sin and Satan and his ministers, that fright the Conscience with this.

2. There is a fire that is quenchable, wrath that is appeasable, judgements, and punish­ments that are healable and curable, and so but for a moment or short time. And this is the wrath and displeasure of God, against, and judgements and punishments inflicted on men for their willing and personal sinning against light and knowledge with grace extended in the means vouchsafed through Christ, in not turning at his reproof, but refusing his counsel, hardning their hearts against that which leadeth to repen­tance, and so refusing for his sake, to deny sin­ful lusts, that they may walk in the teachings of his grace: and such yet abide under wrath, though many insensible of it, Pro. 1. 23, 24, 30, 34 35. and 8, 36. Ioh. 3. 19, 20, 36. Rom. 8. 13. Eph. 5. 5, 6. Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. And this the sin of the world which Christ is yet taking away, so as he mediateth for them, so as to procure patience, forbearance, and means still to them, Ioh. 1. 9, 10 29. Luk. 13, 8. 9. and 23, 34. He being the propitiation for their sins, 1 Joh. 2. 2. and their Saviour. And it by this means in this day of Grace, they do re­pent▪ [Page 14] and come into him, they shall be forgi­ven and healed, And so will his wrath be ap­peased, and fire quenched, Isa. 55. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. But,

3. There is a wrath to come that never can be appeased, a fire that never can be quench­ed, that is an everlasting fire, And this is that wrath of God, and that judgement, and those torments to be executed on such, as in all his means used through the day of grace rebelled a­gainst him, refusing his salting in his convince­ments and corrections▪ and willingly walked af­ter the lusts of the slesh, which wrath and fire is everlasting, and without ceasing, tormenting for ever and ever, And so cannot be quenched. Heb. 9. 27. Revel. 20. 15. and 21, 8. And so first or last every one shall be salted with fire, as to say,

1. The spirit in the word and discovery of the grace in Christ convinceing and reproving of sin, of want of righteousness, and of evil designs in a man and his wayes (as hath been shewn) is a fire to burn up that filth, and heats to the ac­knowledgement of Christ the Lord, Ioh. 16. 8. 9, 10. which is now received and yeilded to, so as it may have its perfect work, would burn up that, and nothing but that, which would destroy the man, and heat with desires and fitness to receive the teachings of the spirit, Pro. 1. 23, and 6. 23. But if refused and rejected, till the day of Grace be past, the same spirits, convincements now rejected, shall after seize on them so as they [Page 15] cannot avoyd it, but it will kindle a fire that shall everlastingly burn on soul and body for ever, and cannot be quenched, Isa. 45. 23. Phill. 2. 9. 10. 11. Isa. 30. 33. 2 Thes. 1. 7. 8. 9.

2. Corrections and punishments added where convincements and reproofs are not readily recei­ved, to set them home to the heart, and take down mans pride, and break him off his enter­prise, and bow him to hearken, and to submit to, indu [...]e such shame, loss and pain in the flesh, as is to be endured, in receiving such convincements, Iob. 33. 14. 24. 29, 36. Prov. 6. 23. Yea for Christs sake, to forsake all a man hath to be his Disciple, Luke 14. 33. In which they will be re­ceived and blessed, and enriched with better life, &c. by Christ. But if a man refuse his convince­ments and corrections and prize not the Grace of Christ, so as to bear that layd on them, and un­dergoe the loss of natural life, and all the com­forts of it, as required by Christ and for his sake, but then and in such cases seek to save his life, &c. he shall certainly lose it, and undergoe that loss and pain here if ever brought to repentance, or else, hereafter to his eternal woe, lose all fa­vour with God and Christ, and Saints, and all en­joyment of the inheritance and eternal life: and yet confess Christ the Lord, and then endure the torments of everlasting fire. And this oft affir­med Matt. 10. 31. 35. and 16. 25. 26. Mar. 8. 35. 38, and 9.

So that this is a most certain truth, that to bring men to acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the [Page 16] Lord to the glory of God, and every one shall be brought to it, and that in bringing to confess it rightly here, there must be a self denyal and sor­row with shame and grief for sin, and loss of some things desirable to the natural life, in Honour, Ease, Riches, Friendship, and relations below, and it may be in some cases natural life it self, which if for Christs sake not accepted, but refu­sed, and not undergone, they shall lose and un­dergo all, and lose a far better use, Riches, Friend and Relations, and yet be brought to this con­fession to their shame, and then suffer eternal torments.

Vse. 1. For every one shall be salted with Fire, which sheweth both the truth of our Saviours, saying, Its better to endure the pain of this salting here, (what ever losses be in it) then hereafter, vers. 43. 45. 47. And the necessity of taking and obeying our Saviours counsel given, seeing there is no escape but this salting with fire must be endured now or hereafter: And this also shews,

2. The vanity and deceivedness of those that think to follow Christ, and yet when his name or service requires this self-denyal, suffering and loss, seek to save themselves in these things & yet think to be saved by him also, and so to serve God & Mammon, & enjoy their desires in these things here, and life with Christ hereafter and this also, shews,

3. To warm and admonish us when a price is put in our hand to get wisdome, not to think it too costly, what ever is to be parted with for [Page 17] it, or undergone to enjoy it, whatever reproofs▪ to be received, or whatever self denyals, and shame or sufferings to be undergone, part not with the p [...]ize that is in truth for it! Oh let not ly­ing Vanities, withdraw us from receiving our own Mercies▪ but let us turn at his reproofs, for­sake the Foolish, abase and Judge our selves in this World and so believe in his Mercy, that we may not be condemned with the World, but receive this Salting with Fire here, that we may not be Salted with Fire hereafter.

And this is the first Affirmation given by our Saviour here in this Case, to move us whatever it be that causeth us to offend, how dear to us soever, to cut it off and suffer the loss of it now in this Life, for every one shall be Salted with Fire, the next is.

CHAP. III
The Second Affirmation.

ANd every Sacrifice shall be salted with Salt, he speaketh here in the Plural Number, every Sacrifice: And so as Christ himself in his own body was abased and made despicable, and dispised and suffered much, and so was Crucified, and died for our sins, and overcame death and rose again righteous in that very body: And then through the eternal Spirit offered himself in that body a spotless Sacrifice to God, & so made Peace, & compleated Righteousness, and obtained eternal Redemption and an Inheritance; And the Sacrifice, that one Sacrifice, offered by him once for all, and by which he is able to perfect all comers to God by him, Heb. 10. 1. 14. and 9. 12. 14. 25. 28. and 7. 25. And so offers and presents them in himself before God blamless, Col. 1. 22. And makes them, enabling them, to offer Spiritual Sacrifices, acceptable to God by him, Heb. 8. 5. 1. Pet. 2. 4. 5. and every Sacrifice here meant is of these many Sacrifices, and so they are, and it verily is both.

1. Every unfeighned Beleiver, that in belief of this Sacrifice of Christ is thereby brought un­to him, and so into Covenant to be the Lords, to have their Life in him and live to him.

[Page 19]2. And every Spiritual Sacrifice by such Be­leivers offered to God by Christ, or in the name of Christ.

1. And every unfeighned Beleever, that in belief of the Sacrifice once offered by Christ, is thereby brought into him, and so into Cove­nant to be the Lords, to have their life in him, and live to him: In which respect they are said to have made a Covenant with God by Sacrifice, Psal. 50. 5. And so to be the Lords, and have given themselves to the Lord according to his will to be his, Psal. 116. 8, 9, 16. Rom. 14. 7, 29. 1. Cor. 6. 19. 20. 2. Cor. 5. And these are called his Offerings by vertue of his own Sacrifice, the fatness whereof is manifested therein, Psal▪ 20. 3, 4, 5. And as this was tipyfied in the High Priest presenting before the Lord, and offer­ing the Levites for an Offering to the Lord, Numb. 8. 13. 14. So in this sence Christ is said in the body of this Flesh through death, to present Beleevers, holy, unblameable, and unreprovable, in his sight, Coll. 1. 22, 23. Though they b [...] brought to him by his Servants ministration▪ Rom. 15. 16. 2. Cor. 11. 2. So every of these Be­leevers, he thus offereth and presenteth to God in himself, shall be salted with Salt, with that which hath a firy and [...]rging nature, to consume filth, and to make savory that which is presented. And every Sacrifice, every Beleever without exception of any, shall be salted with Salt: And this,

1. Not only in their first being brought into [Page 20] beliefe by reproofs and corrections▪ brought to▪ turn at his reproofe, and denying themselves, and letting all go for his name sake and therein▪ exercising Sorrow, Repentance, and Self denial, &c. But,

2. Also when Beleevers in their abiding and walking in the Faith and Services of Love, and in reci [...]e o [...] more grace and savour from him: For­asmuch as they are not yet wholly Spiritual, but partly Carnal having no good thing dwelling in their Flesh but the Lusts of the Flesh, warring against the Spirit, Rom. 7. 14 24. Gal. 5. 17. So as there is still need of reproof, and turning at them, and o [...] corrections and receiving the same, that Flesh may be still purged, that they may still abide and go on in the Services of Faith and Love for there is no one of them in mo [...]tal Bodies, that is without sin▪ or that doeth good and sineth not. 2. Ch [...]on. 6. 36. Prov. 20. 9. Eccles. 7. 20. Job. 15. 14. 1. Joh. 1. 8, 10. And so Jesus Christ in his meditation by ve [...]ue of his Blood and Sacrifice▪ is still about that work, (not only interceding for Trangessours and tak­ing away the sins of the World▪ Isaiah 53. 12. Joh. 1. 29. but) even for Beleevers that are coming to God by him, Rom▪ 8. 34. 1. Ioh. 1. 2. Heb. 7. 25. and 9. 15. And so by the freeness and greatness of his Love▪ commended in his Blood▪ and by his Word and Spirit, therein teaching▪ washing and cleansing them▪ &c. Ephes. 5. 26. Both in their walking in the light as he is in the light, cleansing them from all sin: And wherein over­taken [Page 12] with a fault, as they confess and seek so forgiving and healing them, 1 Joh. 1. 7, 9. And so as i [...] is his Office and work in which he is faithful▪ to sanctify them throughout, &c. 1. Thes. 5. 23, 24. And so as there is corruption of sin in their Flesh, and in their Walkings, to pu [...]ge out the remaining filth, and make savoury his grations teachings to them, that they may more readi­l [...] receive them: Even so there is dispensed Salt to them: And this.

1. From the Testimony of Christ, in that set before them of the excellencies in him, teach­ing to receive of that life in him, are certain re­proofs of some things in us and our wayes, to be still repented of, denied and turned from. And the reproofs of Instruction are the wayes of life, or of receiving▪ enjoying and retaining that life in Christ, Prov. 6. 23. And he is wise that learneth in his teachings, and loveth and receiveth his reproofs: and he that doth not so is brutish, what ever he boast to know and believe, Prov. 9. 8. and 20. 3. and 12. 1. and 13. 1. And so Job that was such an upright and perfect man, Job. 1. 1. 8. and 2. 10. Yet discerning the power and excellencies of the Almighty, was mightily abased, and sitted to lay down himself and seek knowledge of, and pray to God, Job 40. 3, 4. 5▪ and 42. 2. 5. Yea Isaiah the Prophet in be­holding a glymphs of the glory of the Lord, cryed [...]ut of his uncleanness, and was sitted to hear and [...]eild to what ever God would send him about, Isa. 6. 1, 8. So he dispenseth Salt in his word: And [...]et.

[Page 22]2. To boar the Ear, and bow the mind, to drink in these reproofs, and yeild more readily to his teachings, he also even to Beleevers useth his Rod of afflictions and punishments, to take down their Pride and break them of their own enterprize, to reduce them, &c. Iob. 33. 14, 15. 24. 29, 30. Psal. 94. 12. and 119. 66. 67. And so correcteth every Son that he receiveth, &c. Prov. 3. 11, 12. Heb. 12. 6, 7. Revel. 3. 19. And by these afflictions to prize home his re­proofs, for purging out their follies▪ Isa. 27. 7. To humble and make them poor and low in them­selves, that they may not look to or rest on, or glo­ry in, or of any seen or sencible things, or any of their Wisdom Parts▪ Gifts, or Attainments but in his strength and salvation only▪ Psal. 20. 5▪ 9. Jer. 9. 22, 23, 24. 2 Cor. 12. 7, 10. To ve­hement them more to pray to him, Hos. 5. 16. And make them more ready to keep his Testimonies, Psal. 119. 66. 67. and 9 [...]. 12.

3. And so both by these reproofs and afflicti­ons, to salt and season them, in their believing and confidence, that they may receive no instructi­on that causeth to erre from the words of know­ledge, no [...] believe every word, or appearance of truth nor any thing for truth, but his word his Testimony only, and so the truth manifested therein to rest on: that so they may not be rash in their confidence, to rest in any thing besides or short of this truth, nor mixe any thing in their confidence, besides, or with his Word, or his Power, Mercy or Truth manifested therein to [Page 23] rest on, nor presume to confide in him for assist­ance, and helpfulness in walking out of his way: And this salting for this end is also needful for (who through the Flesh in us and Satan▪ and evil Ministers assailing us▪ are too ready to miscarry herein,) that so our believing and confidence may be upright, Prov. 14. 7, 15, 16. and 19. 27. Ye that in our confidence we may be taken off from resting on, or attributing any thing of our helpfulness to any seen, or humane things, any Parts, Gifts or Attainments received: But as Christ by death, overcame death, being raised by the power of God so we in all straights, and for all help may give all glory to God▪ trusting in him that raiseth the dead, 2 Cor. 12. 7▪ 10. and 1. 9▪ 10. which if not so salted we would not do: And as.

4. An addition (to the forementioned re­proofs and afflictions) even sufferings of shame and reproach and tribulations, &c. For the name of Christ for his sake, that we may be conformed to Christ in the fellowship of his sufferings and death: and so through many Afflictions and Tri­bulations enter his Kingdome, as he through suffer­ings entred his glory, and the power of the life of Christ in the Testimony, may be manifested in our mortal and dying Flesh▪ Act 14. 22. Luk. 24. 26. 2 Tim. 3. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 10, 11, 16.

And so when by the Testimony of Christ, men are called and brought in▪ to beleeve him, then as God in Christ▪ and so Christ, by his Spirit, chooseth and refineth such be­leevers▪ [Page 24] seperating them from the Union and Fel­lowship of the World and b [...]inging them into further Union and Fellowship with himself, to receive more abundance of his G [...]ace to b [...]ing them to glory: By the sanctification of the Spi­rit, and belief of the Truth, framing them to be obedient to the blood of sprinkling, 2 Thes. 2. 13, 14. 1 Pet. 1. 1, 2. So also press home and to make ef­fectual and prevelent this choosing work, he salt­eth them with these reproofs and afflictions and [...]ery trials, and so chooseth through the Furnace of afflictions, Isa. 48. 10, 11. Gal. 6. 14. Psal. 94. 12. And so as oft, and as much as need is, eve­ry Sacrifice, even every Beleever shall be salted with Salt: all which serveth to p [...]ess Beleevers, to and recieve this salting what ever of the flesh it fret and consume, and what ever seen, or temporary again, we lose thereby or trouble undergo: Yea, so in ind [...]ing and feeling the smart, it causeth that we may tremble in our selves, that we may say that it is better, now and after, and find rest in the day of trouble, Heb. 3. 16▪ 17, 18. which receiving ou [...] Sa­viours Councel here foregiven▪ Suits well with that admonition given▪ Luk. 14. 25, 35. And as in the sence said every Beleever shall be salted with Salt so likewise in the other sence.

2. every spiritual Sacrifi [...]e that Beleevers offer to God by Christ or in his name, shall in their offerings be salted with Salt; For [...]ight un­derstanding this the Testimony must be our guide and attend to it, it will help us [...]ightly to [Page 25] understand, for in belief of the Testimony we are taught by it, that:

1. The Sacrifices here spoken of are spiritual Sacrifices though ou [...]wa [...]d, and able and visible things be used in offering many of them, yet the Sacrifices be spiritual Sacrifices such as are offered spiritually, and by (not bodily but) spiritual Preists in which is neither Male nor Female, (as in Church offices and Officers here:) but all one in Christ Jesus; And though Church chosen Officers may be also spiritual Preists and may also so offer, yet these Sacrifices are spiri­tual Sacrifices and are offered by such [...]s are, and as they are spiritual Preists, 1 Pet. 2. 4. 5▪ 9. Gall. 3. 27. 28. Coll. 3. 10▪ 11.

2. These Sacrifices are Sacrifices of Righteous­ness, that are to be offered to God: And so P [...]al. 4. 5. Produced by the righteous Sacrifice that is the Sacrifice of compleat righteousness, Iesus Christ in his own body offered to God: this bele [...]v­ed is the Producer, Psal. 50. 5, 14. And so it is offered to God by and through Christ, in the belief of his Name▪ who also pe [...]fumes and makes them acceptable, 1 Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 13. 15. and 7. [...]5. Revel. 8. 3, 4 (And Soul so) offered to God with righteousness▪ and righteously in r [...]dri [...]g to him the glory and praise due unto his Name, Psal. 29. 1▪ 2. and 15. 14, 23. 1 The [...] 5. 18. And affording to men [...]nd b [...]e [...]h [...]en [...]hat whi [...]h is due to them, Isa. 26. 8. and 16. 8. Mar. 11 24, 25: So.

3. That these spiritual Sacrifices that are ac­ceptable [Page 26] to God through Christ, first they are many, and so exprest also Psal. 5 [...]. 17▪

1. A broken Spirit, and contrite heart, a heart from the sight and belief of the mind▪ love and holiness of God, demonstrated in and through Christ, broken of its own wisdom, well thoughts, confidences and designs, ab [...]sed and made loath­some in and to it self, filled with grief and sor­row, for its contraryness to God▪ and sinning a­gainst so great, holy and gtatious a God, with indignation against ones self for such offences, even trembling at his Word▪ and falling low before them by it, to be at his dispose, and bear his cha­stisements, longing for his mercy, Psal. 51. 17. Isa. 57. 17. and 66. 2. Yea all Sacrifices are to be with such a heart, which is a Sacrifice also.

2. Hearty Pyayers to God, for the good things he hath promised, with Thanksgiving for his mer­cies, benefits and good things received▪ that he hath extended to us, and those also promised, Psal. 62. 8. and 65. 2, 4. and 50. 14▪ 15, 23. 1 Thes. 5. 17. 18.

3. To do good▪ that which is righteous and may be profitable and edifying to men, and make for truth and peace: And with this, to communicate of what God makes us st [...]ongly of, and furnisheth us with, in shewing mercy and relieving the poor and needy, specially them of the Houshold of Faith▪ Heb. 13. 16. Gall. 6. 10. Phill. 4. 8. 2 Cor 9. 9, 15.

4. In and with all the former, to hold forth [Page 27] the word of life in word and conversation among a wicked generation▪ and for edifying brethren, with desire in all things to glorifie God, and ap­prove our hearts to him▪ and be found honest and decent towards men, Phil. 2. 15, 16, 17. 1 Pet. 2, 9, 12. Ephes. 4. 29, 32. Heb. 13. 16, 18. Rom. 15. 16.

5. To aime at, endeavour and strive in all this, also to convince the unbeleevers, that we may gain them in to believe, and so to glorifie (not us but) God, that so we may present them singly to Christ, that he may present them to God, Acts 14. 15. 2 Cor. 4▪ 5. and 11. 2. Rom. 15. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 5, 9, 12. Num. 5. 20.

6. In and for doing all this, by the mercies of God, to present ou [...] bodies a living Sacrifice holy (as the Lords) and acceptable (through Christ) to be the Lords to be disposed, order­ed and so offered by him, to do, undergo and forgo, what ever h [...]s Mercy and Grace requir­eth. and leadeth to in services of him▪ which is but our reasonable service, facilating that more spiritual, Rom. 12. 1, 2, 3.

These and such like are the Sacrifices, for Be­leevers to offer to God by Christ, and of these it is said every Sacrifice, even every of these, and every particular offering, and every of these shall be salted with Salt. This affirmed by our Saviour: and it is needful and profitable for Be­leevers, who have sin yet remaining in their flesh, with its thoughts and lusts, and the World with its Documents, Customes, Allurements▪ [Page 28] and Terrors, and the Devil with his wises and suggestions: all ass [...]i [...]ing them to divert and cor­rupt them, and turn them out of the way yea so as if they cannot hinder them from it, yet they will defile them so as as there may.

1. Be in our con [...]i [...]ion, a mixture of worldly sorrow, of some murmuring, grudging and impatience for some loss deprivation and pain, yet pretended sorrow for sin, or otherwise some mixture of rest or confidence in their brokeness, as thereby counting themselves bet­ter then others and meeter to be answered, and some secret hankering after some thing for help­fulness in that which is reproved and to be turn­ed from, all which is cross to true brokeness and needeth to be purged out with Salt, 2 Cor. 7. 9. 10▪ Isa. 58. 53. Zach. 7. 5. Psal. 7 [...]. 34, 36. Iob 9. 27, 28.

2. In our prayers and thanksgiving [...] may be mixtures of carnal, at last humane wisdome griefs, desires, and confidence, and of desiring even good things to satisfie our lusts of pride own vain glory, ease, or coveteousness: Yea, of revenge▪ on Enemies, and of repaying and not forgiving such as have wronged us; And of striving for method and words, more then the single power­ing out our hearts unto God, besides murmur­ing at Gods silence and too much being lift up with enlargements, besides many wandring by-thoughts and end▪ and other defilements, many which defile our Prayers, and need Salt to purge them out, 1 Tim. 2. 8. Psal. 116. [Page 29] 13. 14, 15, and 66, 18. Isa. 48. 2, 3, Hos. 7. 14. Iam. 1. 6, 7. and 4, 2, 3.

3. In doing good and shewing mercy, may be many mixtures, of carnal reasonings and self respects, and defaming such as need helpfulness, and herein also much short coming, in, and grudging at that which of necessity is done and vain glory, &c. 2 Cor. 9. 5, 6, 7. needing salt to purge.

4. In holding forth the word of life, may be mixtures of fears, fainting and humoring men, &c. desire of applause to our selves, and thence presuming beyond the proportion of Faith given us, and intruding into things not seen in that testimony; conceiving by our parts and speak­ings to prove all, besides other by-words which need salt to purge them out. 1 Tim. 1. 8, 1 Thess. 2. 2, 4▪ 5. 2 Cor. 2. 17. Rom. 12▪ 3. Coll. 2. Gall. 6. 3.

5. In respect of aiming at the right effect and striving for it, there may be mixtures of enqui­ring, and looking at, and taking at, and take­ing content in being assisted, to speak good things, and scurvey hearers to like them and prize and love us, when yet the convincement of them, and drawing them in to prize, beleive in▪ and magnifie Christ, is not discerned to be ef­fected, nor so looked at as that without which, we can have no content but grief, Gall. 4. 17, 19. Thess. 3. 8.

6. In giving up our bodies to be the Lords, what resurvations and limitations if not as those, [Page 30] Luke 9. 59. 61. Iohn 6. 26. But alass defile­ments exceeds all said, the flesh anoying with so many sinful lusts, and warring against all the mo­tion of the spirit, and humane wisdome mix­ing it self to direct▪ and customes of many to deviate, and we so weak of our selves that there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not: Eccles. 7. 20. yea in such walk­ing in the light as we have fellowship with him, we need (as it is not without) his blood clean­sing us from all sin, 1 Iohn 1. 7, 8, 9, 10. So as this is a consolatory, as well as an admonitory saying, Every sacrifice shall be salted with salt: And it may move us to see to answer that in truth, which was typed in the command of old with all our offeri [...]gs to offer salt, and not let salt be lacking to our sacrifices, Levit. 2. 13. For as the blind, the lame, or sick, or any corrupt thing is evil and rejected, So that which hath an evil savour, will not be accepted of the Lord, Mall. 1. 8. 14. and 2. 13. And our high Priest will not fail to afford Salt, which may move us to receive, imbrace and retain this salt, in his wholsome re­proofs, so as we be framed and seasoned there­by; and as we are found wanting in such em­bracement of them, to count it good and accept his chastisments used to press them home, that they may take place and have their efficacies in us, whatever we undergoe or forgoe in enduring the same: knowing according to our Saviours saying Its better to endure that now, then the grea­ter torment hereafter: And farther, to press this [Page 31] on us, and move us to embrace this salting work, our Saviour gives another affirmative.

CHAP. IV.
The third Affirmation with caution or condition.

SAlt is good, but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will you season it, consider both, First the affirmation, salt is good, so Luke 14. 34, Salt is good: and for understanding this, consider,

1. What is meant by salt, and also,

2. That salt is good while it hath its saltness in its efficacies.

1. What is here meant by Salt, to under­stand this it matters not whether we take the term Salt as used Metaphorically, borrowed from, or alluding to Salt. That is good, having a firy, biting and fretring nature, both to purge out that corruption, filth, and unsavoriness in meats to be eaten, and also to make the same savory and relishable to the Pallate of the eater, so here to signify something in spirituals of like nature and efficacy, or whether we take the term Salt as Alluding to our tipes that were to use salt in all their sacrifices, and to signifie and set forth that which is to be found in the truth▪ or we may take the word both waies, for [Page 32] both come to one and the same sence; so that by salt is here meant, that which tends to, is fit for, and effications for purging out the corrup­tion, filth and unsavo [...]iness in us, and making relishable to us the food of life given us of God to eat, and also to purge out of our services that which makes them unsavo [...]y to God, and frame us to receive that in which they will be accepted of God: And so that primely here to be noted is, what is here meant by salt that is spiritual salt to be received, used and good in the use: and this may be set sorth in three things that are salt.

1. The efficacies o [...] teachings of the spirit in the testimony of Christ, in that he became and suffered, and hath dore for mankind, and what he now doth for and to them, and what he hath to be slow on them that receive it, and his mind that they should receive it in his wayes; this discovered and set home to the heart, is that which received and beleived will season the re­ceiver: For this certainly discovers in and through the Sufferings, Cross and Sacrifice of Christ.

1▪ The vileness and baseness of man in and of himself as from Adam, the immensness of his sinfulness, and woful grievousness of his desert, the vanity of all his own wrought righteousness, the weakness and inability of himself and all other creatures to help him, so to take down his pride and break him of his enterprize, Isay. 53. 3. 8. Rom. 5. 6▪ and 8. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 14.

[Page 33]2, The fulness fitness and excellencies, that is in Jesus Christ for our recovery, for escape from curse, and for peace in his blood, and ac­ceptance in his righteousness, & enlivning by his spirit, & also our nakedness, yea so as without him we can neither receive nor do any good, 2. Cor. 5. 19. 21. Ephes. 2. 13. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Isa. 42. 1. 8. and 61. 1, 4. Ioh 15. 1, 4▪ 8. and so like­wise it discovers.

3. The heighnous and grievousness of sin­ing against such grace made known, In neglect­ing so great salvation and refusing to turn at his re­proofs, and walk in his teachings: Ye knowing­ly to do contrary thereto, so casting such disesteem on his cost, &c. As is such a rewarding evil for good and being Adversary to him for his love, &c. Heb. 2. 3. and 10. 29. and 12. 25. 2 Sam. 12. 7, 9. and 2. 27, 29. 1 Kings 11. 9. Psal. 109. 4, 5, and so it discovers.

4. The infinite great Terror, Torment, and Just­ness & Equity of the second death, to be inflicted on all, and every of those, that willingly persist in retusing to turn at his reproof, & walk in his teach­ings, to recieve his love, to be saved by it in his waies, or having begun to recieve it, do willingly for any other thing depart and persist in that Apo­stacy, So crucifying him again to themselves, and make him of no effect to them for saving, Prov. 1. 24. 32. Ezek. 24. 13. Mat. 23. 37. Psal. 69. 21, 28. Heb. 6. 6. and 10. 30, 31. and 12. 25. 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8, 9. 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2, 20, 21. Jude [...]. Cal. [...]. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 11, 12▪ and yet farther.

[Page 34]5. As it discovers Gods Soveraignty, Wis­dome, Mercy, Righteousness and Goodness in ordering and government of the world, and e­very particular Creature therein, so it also therein discovers him what ever he be that faulteth his government and ordering any thing in what ever he doth, to be a hater of right and so not fit to ap­point or govern, but to be reproved Job. 34. 57, 7, 17, &c,

All which discoveries proceed from the Te­stimony, and so as the Testimony of [...] is a light and giveth light to the simple; and [...] a word of life and truth, bringing salva [...]ion, so all these discoveries and efficacies thereof are also as Salt to purge out of mortal men, that which hinders them from recieving his salvati­on tendred, and also makes the light, life and saving▪ desirable to be recieved, Prov. 27. 67. And the Salt of the Testimony being in the reproofs of Instruction that are the way of life, are as fire and have a fiery nature, Prov. 6, 23. Jer. 23. 29. And it hath its saltness and savoriness in the efficacies; in such as in believing the Testimony with the heart, recieve its salting and purging reproofs, Rom. 1. 16. 1 Thes. 2. 13. Ier. 31. 18, 19. Psal. 119. 103, 104. And yet though it be Salt and good and hath its saltness in it self, and is purging where it comes, yet those that do not in believing the Testimony recieve and imbrace these salting reproofs, so as to yield up to them, though he purge them, they are not purged; and so it hath not its saltness in them, but they recieve [Page 35] the grace tendred in the Gospel in vain, and be­come hardened and lose their own mercies, Ezek. 24. 13. Rom. 2. 45. 2 Cor. 6. 1, Jude 4. Prov. 1. 30. Jer. 3. 3. and 6. 15. And if such have any faith, it is in them but a form of faith, a dead faith, 2 Tim. 3. 5. Tit. 1. 16. Jam. 2. 20, 21, 26. Yet will this Salt it self in its fiery nature, have its effect on them in another day to the [...]r everlasting Torments. Joh. 12. 22. and 16. 8, 9. Rom. 2. 16. Isa. 30. 33. Mar. 9 44. 46. 42. Thus it appears the discoveries of reproofs, with their effects by the Testimony of Christ▪ are spiritual Salt, and here ment; And so also.

2. The Testimony of Christ believed, and in that believing these discoveries of reproofs be­lieved, and the efficacies of them recieved and reteined in the mind and heart, so as the Believ­er is framed and guided suitably to these effects, Those effects are Salt in the Believer, purging that filte in the Flesh, (as the blood of Christ purgeth the Conscience, Heb. 9. 14.) so framing and ef­ [...]ecting in him, to make savory to him the things of Christ.

1. A loathing of himself as from Adam, and so of that carnality and sinful lusts in him, Rom. 7. 14. And thence a dispising of himself and all his best things as of himself filthy▪ Ioh. 14. 4. with an inward grief and melting of heart, for his light estimate of Christ, and not answering but sining against his light, and so great salvation dis­covered, and helpfulness afforded, so as for this he counts himself the chief of siners, Ezra 9. 6. 10. 14. 1 Tim. 1. 15.

[Page 36]2. A discovery of ones great need, with an inward high prizing of, and hearty thankfulness for the deliverance wrought by Christ, and the grace in him, wrought by himself, having re­deemed us from the curse of the Law, and pro­cuted also forgivness of following sins, and spirit and grace to dispense, now calling us, and mediating for us, and so procu [...]ing extention of means, and grace to bring us into himself, such we needed, and yet were altogether unworthy, which same raiseth desires of enjoyment of him, Prov. 27. 7. Psal. 42. 1, 2, 3, 4▪ Phil. 3. 7, 8, 9. and from both th [...]se [...]ormer.

3. An inward abasement of ones self also, in respect of ones self, counting our own humane wildome, foolishness, thoughts vain, best deeds unclean, strength weakness and designs, decei [...] ­ [...]l and dangerous, and no true helpfulness, but in and from Christ, and in the enjoyment of him for all, Prov. 30. 2, 3. Psal. 73. 22. and 119. 13. Isa. 64. 6. [...] Cor. 3. 5. Psal. 121. 2 3. And so [...]n­ [...]lines to deny ones self, with all ungodly, worldy and sinful lusts: Yea, ones own wisdom, thoughts▪ confi­dence and designs for Christ sake, Tit. 2. 11, 1 [...]. Joh. 10. 2, 3. Mar. 27. 9.

4. It breed an awful fear of believing o [...] considing for life and favour, with God in any humane or seen thing, or any thing besides the testimony of Christ: But only from that dis­covered in the Testimony, to believe in God for what, in that he hath ascerted, and promised, and that also in abiding in, and not going out of [Page 37] his way, that so confidence may be sencere, Isa 8. 20. 1 Cor. 4. 6. 2 Sam. 7. 21, 28. Psal. 56. 4, 13. Iohn 7. 37. Psal. 37. 34. Matt. 43. 7.

5. An inward fear and d [...]ead of the name of the Lord so as the heart trembleth, at his word, Dent. 28. 58. Isa. 66. 2. 5. Yea even at his judgement threatned against Trangressours, Job 31. 7, 24. Rom. 8. 13. Heb. 3. 16. And at the minding of the Truth, Verity, Righteous­ness, Equity, and Terribleness of the second d [...]ath, affirmed to be executedon all that pe [...]sist in willing refusal of, and rebelling against the faith of Christ, or after some beginnings willingly persist in departure from that faith and his reproofs and services required, as discovered in the Gospel, Heb. 6. 6. and 10. 29, 30, 31. and 12. 25▪ 2. The [...]. 1. 7, 8, 9. Jade 1. 5, 14. Heb. 3. 16. Psal. 94. 12, &c. 2 Cor. 5. 10, 11.

And these Efficacies, Perswasions and awful fears produced in the heart, by the discoveries of the Testimony, are Salt in the Believer, and good and profitable to the Believer▪ for his more hearty recieving the Testimony with its conso­lations and teachings: and so for suitable walk­ing, Psal. 25. 9. Prov. 1. 7, 8, 9. and 9. 6, 9. Iam. 4. 6, 7. 1 Pet. 1. 6. But if any withdraw from the faith, God taketh no pleasure in him▪ and then his moisture dryes up, and he looseth the saltness and savoriness that was in him, Heb. 10. 38. Psal. 32. 4. And so with the former discoveries, these Efficacies are here meant by Salt.

[Page 38]3. The Believer himself that hath in believ­ing recieved the Testimony of Christ, and with it the reproofs thereof, so as he imbraces the Efficacies thereof, framing him rightly to be­lieve with the heart unto righteousness, and to confess with the mouth unto salvation, and so hold forth the Testimony of Christ unto others, so as in declaring that Grace, salting Efficacies are also declared by him, and such Believers as in respect of their having so recieved the word of life, as it worketh in them▪ so as they hold forth the word of life, to others they are called the light of the world, 1 Thes. 1. 8. Phil. 2. 16. Mar. 5. 14. So in respect of their having so recieved the reproofs and convincements of the Spirit, with the Testimony framing them to part with their own thoughts, and designs to believe in Christ, in whom they have life, so as they are moved and led, so to declare the Gospel to o­thers; that with the convincements thereof, they may draw them from their Vanities to be­lieve in Christ▪ whence they are called▪ the Salt of the Earth, Mar. 5. 13. And so as Christ testified of the world, that the works thereof are evil, John 7. 7. And he is said to be like Re­finers fire and Fullers Sope, Mat. 3. 2. And so himself saith, he came to send fire on the Earth▪ Luke 12. 19. that is to consume and burn up Idola­tries, Adulteries, fleshly Confidences, Desires, Designs and Wayes of pursuits, of such as mind [...]arthly things, and the things of the Flesh, and so dwell upon the face of the Earth, to separate [Page 39] them therefrom, that they might come into him, Rom. 8. 5, 6, 7, 8. 1 Thes. 1. 9. which fire who ever so quencheth, as he refuseth to be salted with it, so as he refuseth to be separate from Idols, earthy, filthy and vain Confidences, Desires, Designs and Wayes to imbrace Christ in his reproofs and teachings in this day of grace, It will kindle upon him in another day, and burn everlastingly on Soul and Body, so as cannot be quenched: (i [...] being the work of his Spirit in the ministration of the Gospel, to convince the World, Iob 16. 8, 9, 10. and will be effected first or last) Isa. 30. 33. 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8, 9. Mar. 9. 43. 49 And so the first coming of Jesus Christ, was to suffer and offer Sacrifice, and compleat Redemption and Salvation in himself, as the publick man for men, ard so to stay the enmity and make peace and atonement for men, even sinners that they might be saved, Isa. 53. 3, 7, 12. 2 Cor. 5. 14, 19, 21. Ephes 2. 13, 16. Iohn 3. 16, 17. 1 Ioh. 4 9, 10. 1 Tim. 1. 15. And so is the propitiation for the sins of the World, Joh. 2. 2. yet for saving them by that they may partake of the blessing, Gall. [...]. 13▪ 14. In speaking of his ministration and preaching this peace and salvation, which himself began, and continues it in the ministration of his Servants, till his coming again, Ephes. 2. 17. Heb. 2. 1. 4. He saith, I came not to send Peace on the Earth, but a Sword, he in his ministration and extention of Peace and Grace, cometh not to give the dwellers on the face of the Earth quiet and peace, [Page 40] in their sinful thoughts, desires, designs, courses and wayes, that because of his peace made for them, they should have such a liberty as to look for mercy and peace from him, and be sa­ved by him, though they walk after the imagina­tions of their own evil hearts, Deut. 29. 19, 20▪ 21. Gall. 5. 19, 20. 21. but a sword to cut off from them these evil thoughts, desires, designes and wayes, which all that refuse to depart from, will be enraged and oppose and fight against him and his, that go on in this ministra­tion, Matt. 10. 16. 22. 35, 38. And so he sen [...]s fire on the earth, that men yielding to be salted thereby may come into him, that came not to let sinners be such sinners still, but to save them though cheif of sinners, 1 Tim. 1. 15. Isa. 55. 7. and such as receive his words and begin to be saved by him, he yet while they are in mo [...]ta [...] bodies sits on them as resiners fire▪ Matt. 3. 3.

Even so beleivers in him, holding forth the word of life in the mids [...] of a crooked generati­on, are even so to hold it forth, that in ex [...]l [...]ing Christ the Saviour of the world, of sinners, the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, they do even thereby also, so discover, and wit­ness against the wisdome of the world, the Ido­latries, Adulteries, false confidences, evil de­signs and waies, as that which God hateth, and thus continuing in, cannot be eternally saved; but in hearing his voyce must turn at his re­proofs, and so (for otherwise they cannot) come into him, in which he will verely save them, [Page 41] Matt. 10. 16, 28, Acts 14. 15, and 17. 21, 25. Revel. 11. 10. Prov. 1. 22. 23. 31. Isay. 45. 22. And in respect of the [...] wit [...]e [...]ing against the evil of the world in shewing the way of escape, and greatness of the sin, and danger of negle­cting so great salvation: All beleivers are right­ly called, the sa [...]t of the earth, as also salt in re­spect of wholesome reproofs and admonitions of one another, Prov. 25. 12, Psal. 141. 45. Thes. 5. 14. Ind. 23. and i [...] beleivers are salt: But if this salt have lost its saltness, i [...] beleivers by of [...] q [...]n [...]hing the spirit in his reproofs, and salting efficacies, to have it in themselves, and accor­dingly shew it [...]o [...]th to others, come to lose their saltness in the savouring and seasoning efficacies of his reproofs in the testimony, they become unsavoury, and worse then other men, [...]n [...]ir to do good in Church or World, not fit for Land or Dunghil, Mar. 9. 5. Luk. 14. 35. (as is said of the fruitless vinetree Ezeck 15.) 2 Pet. 2. 21.

And so by all said, we may understand, what is here meant by salt, even the discovering re­proofs of the spirit in and with the testimony of Christ beleived, and the efficacies thereof in beleiving receive [...]s, and the beleiver himself so far as in imbraceing the testimony, he embra­ceth these reproving effects, and accordingly holdeth forth the testimony with such reproofs from in, and so calleth men to beleive, and yet as rubbing [...]lt on things meeting it, to make the salt enter and take place for salting, so as need is▪ afflictions and corrections, serve to press [Page 42] home those reproofs and sit for yeilding to their efficacies, and are ordinarily used in such salting reproofs when not redily received: And so much said for our understanding what is meant by salt here▪ concerning which.

2. The affirmation is, That Salt is good (that is, retaining its sal [...]n [...]s) which is likewise affir­med, Luk. 14. 34. As things are said to be good that are good for the ends to which used, so salt is good, not to be a sacrifice, but to salt or season sacrifices offered to God, Levit. 2. 13. Salt is good, not to be the food to seed on for pre­servation of life and strength, but to season the food eaten to that end, Ioh▪ 6. 6. so the discove­ring reproofs of the testimony received, and the efficacies thereof imbraced are good, Prov. 6. 23. and 25. 12. so afflictions to bow the heart, and press home these reproofs and efficacies and fit to imbrace and yeild up thereto are good, Psal. 119. 67. 68. 71. 72, 75. Lam. 31. Psal. 94▪ 12. So beleivers holding forth the word of life: so as their words be gracious, sea­soned with salt, so as to convince the unbelei­vers, the world, and minister grace to such as hearken to them is good, and a mercy to such where they are, P [...]o. 25. 12, and 27. 5. 6 and 28, 23. Ier. 23▪ and 17. Lam. 2. 14. So conformity to Christ, in suffering for his and the Gospels sake, bearing the reproach of the Gospel is good, Acts 9▪ 14. 15. Gall. 6. 14. Phill. 3. 10. Revel. 7. 14▪ 5. And the beleivers ministring them, and afflictions and the Cross of Christ in confor­mity [Page 43] to it is good, good not to such or for life, and acceptance or raise confidence from Christ, and him crucified, as now the Fountain of ful­ness at the Fathers right, hand is that: but good to salt and season us for feeding on that Food, and to salt and season our Offerings and Sacri­fices and Services, that we may more readily recieve the cleansing by his blood▪ and offer our Services only in his name and by him: And so this Salt is good and embraced and retained in our selves, will season us and all things to us, which minding the death and Sacrifice of Christ for us, we in minding the discoveries of his Grace, do mind and recieve also its discoveries of filth in us and our wayes, and recieve the same with its reproofs and efficacies: It will sea­son our understanding rightly to know Christ and his gratious mind discovered, Prov. 15. 32. and 1. 23. And sit and lead the heart to re [...]eve of the life of Christ dispensed in the Testimony, Prov. 6. 23. and 9. 6▪ 9. And frame the mind and will to deny it self, [...]nd submit to be at the dispose, and under the guidance of God, Iob 42. 6. 2 Sam. 15. 25, 26. and 16. 10, 11, 12. 1 Sam. 3▪ 18. Isa. 6. 9▪ 8. and 39. 8. And it seasons with fer­vour and zeal, for glorifying God, for charity to do to others good, and for readiness to bring forth the fruits of the spirit in the services of love, Phil. 1. 20, 28, 29, 30. 1 Thes. 1. 6, 7, 8. 2 Cor. 8. 2. And so this Salt recieved in the heart, and so seasoning.

1. Will frame us to abase, and lowe estimate [Page 44] of out selves as Adams Sons, unworthy the least favour, but worthy shame and curses of our sin­fulness, as odious and vile, our sinnings against such grace made known, as more hainous, our own wrought righteousness vain and polluted, our own wisdom, folly and strength, weakness: and so cause loathing of it, and g [...]o [...]ning under it as hath been shewn, Iob 40. 4, 5. and 42. 5▪ 6. And so breeds sence of our own need, and high prizing of the grace of God in Christ, as he in whom all fulness and true helpfulness is: and so edgeth and inclineth the heart and afflications with hungring and thirsting after that in Christ, Prov. 27. 6, 7. Isa. 4. 1, 2, 3, 4. Phil. 3. 7, 8, 9. And so cleareth the Eye, to see sin foul yet pardonable, and enclines for grace, so to deny ungodly and worldly lusts, that they may live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, &c. as hath been shown, Dent. 9. 7, 9. Ezra 9. 5, 8. And so likewise.

2. It seasons to recieve mercy and favours, both spiritual and temporal, with owning ones own unworthiness of the least: an acknow­ledgement of Gods great mercy and free love that with the blood of Christ purchased us, and so them for us; and for his sake freely in the same love giveth them to us, and so it preserv­eth from being puft up by any of them recieved, inclining to carefulness of the right use, with rend [...]ing all the praise to God, Gen. 32. 10. 1 Cor. 17. 16 17. 18. Luke 1. 4. 3. 1 Cor. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

[Page 45]3. It seasons our recieving afflictions, as alte­red by Christ from being curses and signs of ha­tred, to be Instruments of blessings, and Fruits of love in Fatherly corrections, to form us to the mind of Christ, who hath had experience of them, and knoweth how to pitty and help us, being filled with spirit and grace, to uphold us in them and do us good by them, Heb. 12. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. and 2. 18. Iam. 1. 2, 3, 12.

4. It seasons our be holding the reproach of Christ, and all sufferings undergone, for hold­ing forth the name of Christ, and doing righte­ousness, as g [...]eat Riches and special favour con­serred on us, in passing through sufferings, to conform us to him in sufferings and death, that we may be conformed to him in resurrection and glory, Acts 9. 15▪ 16. and 5. 41. Heb. 11. 25, 26, 27. Gall. 6. 14. Rom. 6. 4, 5. 2 Tim. 2. 11, 12. And it likewise seasons.

5. To behold unbelievers, foolish and diso­bedient ones, and to walk towards them, as objects of pitty and compassion: as glasses to see▪ and remembrances of us what we were and what in mercy God hath delivered us from: As motives to use mercy and pitty and compassi­on towards such, as God hath done to us: yea to love and do good to Enemies, as God hath done to us when we were Enemies; as tryals how far we are become like God in mercy▪ pa­tience, and overcoming Evil with Goodness, &c.

[Page 46]5. Discovering what Humility, Self denial, Mercy, Meekness, Patience, long Sufferings o­vercoming Evil with Goodness and what thank­fulness to God, and desire to be like him, his grace hath effected in us, 2 Cor. 5. 11, 14. Tit. 3. 3, 4. yea also,

6. It seasons to behold unseigned beleivers as fit objects to be delightfully loved, tendred, helped, received into fellowship, as being not onely purchased of God by the blood of Christ; but unto God by the vertue of it beleived: And so in beleiving partakers of his grace both savou­ring and savouring of his oyntments, Acts 20. 28. Revel. 5. 9. 10. Rom. 14. 7. 8. 9. And so sits for charity that covers the multitude of infirmi­ties as God dayly doth by us, that so we may keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, 1 Pet. 4. 2. Ephes. 4. 1. 2. 3.

7. It seasons to climate highly and use humbly confidently and reverently, all the ordinances of Christ, hearing, reading and meditation of his Word and declaration of it, Prayer, Thanksgi­ving, Baptisme, Supper and fellowship with brethren therein; knowing God is not be­nefited by any our use of them, nor we wor­thy to come into his presence; but our libery of such approach to him, in using any of his or­dinances, in which we may approach to the Throne of Grace in and by Christ: for blessing is a great favour and priveledge purchased for us by his blood, and through his mediation by ver­tue thereof, freely given unto us with helpful­ness [Page 47] by his spirit in the testimony, Heb. 10. 19. 26. and 4. 14. 15. 16. 17. and 7. 25. Ephes. 2. 17. 18. Rom. 8. 26.

And so having in us this salt, receiving and using the reproofs of the testimony, in embrace­ing them, with the efficacies thereof, both our receiving the testimony, and our approaching to God by Christ, and bringing forth the ser­vices of love for his sake will be accepted of him, Cant. 5. 1, 2. And our services profitable to men Rom. 14. 17, 18. And thus we may un­derstand the verity of the sentence, Salt is good, it is very good for its ends, and much profitable, if it retain its saltness; that is, if we so retain in o [...] h [...] is the truth in our perswasions, the ve­rity of this discovering reproof of the testimony, imbracing and yeilding to the effects thereof accordingly, demeaning our selves, and so hol­ding forth the testimony, that with it we hold forth the same discovering reproofs for such convincements, that as we are in holding forth the word of life, lights so by these reproofs with and by it we may be salted, And so salt is good, as in,

CHAP. V.
The Caution or Condition.

SEcondly, the caution or condition, But if the salt have lost his sal [...]ness, wherewith will you season it. Luke 14. 33. 35. wherewith shall it be seasoned, it is neither fit for the Land nor yet for the dunghil, but men cast it out (and this also a thing of so great concernment to be heeded that our Saviour calleth us saying) He that hath ears to hear, let him hear: so that it is a vain objection, to say salt cannot lose its saltness; especially that which proceeds from the testimony, and is called salt, where once re­ceived; having its saltness the saltness cannot be lost; which needs no other answer to shew the [...]alseness of it, but the very discourse and words of our Saviour here, Mar. 9. 43. 50. and Luke 14. 26. 35. and Matt. 5. 13. yea this ob­jection contradicteth plainly, and chargeth with vanity the Doctrine of our Saviour and his say­ings, which objection may be soon answered in shewing what salt is, Chap. 4. Salt as procee­ding from that by the spirit discovered in the testimony loseth not its saltness, but hath and will have its efficacy now, or hereafter as hath been shewn; but as in this day of Grace light­ning on the heart, and received by any in be­leiving, [Page 49] it may by resistance and departure from imbraceing the reproofs with its efficacies come to be lost by them: And in Scripture we find,

1. As Jesus Christ as witnessed of in the te­stimony, is light, life, the Fountaine of Life, sull of efficacies, the quickning spirit; and yet some that have been enlightned and enlivned by him, and tasted of his gratious efficacies, have after by turning aside to some other de­sires, delight, confidence, or service of some proud or fleshly lust, come to crucifie Christ again to themselves, and make him of no effect to themselves, though they cannot Crucifie Christ again in himself, he being alive for ever­more, and can dye no more, yet in respect of his living and saving efficacies, they crucifie him to themselves, and make him of no effect to themselves for saving, Heb. 6. 6. So as though the grace of God in Christ, and as flow­ing from him is not in vain, yet such as recive it not rightly, to be saved by it, their receiving is in vain in respect of saving to them, 2 Cor. 6.

2. Yea they may so pervert that which is right, and turn the grace of God (in the doctrine of it) into lasciviousness, Job. 33. 27. Deut. 29. 19. Jude 4. though it will one day have its effect on them to their just judgement and perdition, as hath been shewn; even so also Jesus Christ is as refiners fire and Fullers sope, and in his mi­nistration sends fire on the earth, by the spirits convincements in the demonstration of them, Matt. 3. 2. Luke 12. 49. as is foreshewn, which convincements are salt, that loseth not its salt­ness [Page 50] as it proceeds from him, but doth convince where it lights and is not rejected, and in every receiver, hath its saltness in its efficacies in some measure in them, and such as re [...]use now, it will have it in another day, to their shame and perdition: and those that begin to receive it, and are made base and vile in their own eyes, to loath and deny themselves, and prize and desire after Christ, there is of the saltness in them: But if after they look on, so as to long after some other things, as the Glory, Riches and pleasures of this world, or any imaginary excellencies, so as they refuse turning at his re­proofs, and so to lay aside their pride and vain desires and designs, they therein harden them­selves, and so lose the saltness that was in them, Ier. 2. 17. 22. and 34. 10. 11. 15. 16. 17. Hosea 13. 1. 2. 3. and 6. 4. Rom. 2. 4. 5. Prov. 28. 13. 14. And such may yet for a time retain that in which the saltness was, the profession of the Doctrine, though the saltness in them be lost. And so though in notion and profession they hold the truth, yet it is in unrightousness, Isai. 48. 1. Rom. 1. 18. And though they hold and profess the Faith in all the Fundamental Ar­ticles of the Doctrine of it, yet in and to them in respect of the living efficacies in them, It is but a dead faith, a carcass of faith without spirit. Jam. 2. 20. 26. professing to know God, and by works denying him, Tit. 1. 16. And in this respect of the testimonies, reproofs begun to be received, and therein having its saltness in the receiver, [Page 51] by such receivers after departed from (what ever any say to the contrary) the salt such have re­ceived, may come to lose its saltness in them.

2 In respect of those efficacies mentioned, Chap. 4. working in the believing Recievers, if such Recievers withdraw, from their imbrac­ing, retaining and yielding to such Efficacies as mentioned, Chap. 4. that so they may rightly recieve, cleanse and follow the teachings of grace, by the Spirit in the Testimony, but will follow their own thoughts, designs and wayes: Though they retain the notion and profession of the faith yet though the Salt they recieved will lose its saltness in them, and they become worse then before as is foreshown, Deut. 5. 24, 29. Ier. 2. 3, 4, 5, 41, 36. Psal. 78. 34. 35. 36. and 10. 6. 12. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 18. 22. And in this respect the Salt in them hath lost its saltness.

3. In respect of the Believer himself, as he is said to be the Salt of the Earth, when he hath thus as aforesaid, lost the saltness that was in himself in usefulness in his Demeanour, accord­ing to the reproofs of the Testimony, not yield­ing thereto according to the effects thereof, so as in his profession and holding forth the Testi­mony, he doth not, because having no saltness in himself, affirmed with the Testimony of the saltness in it, for convincing the World of the evil of it in their Ignorance, Unbelief, Idolatry, Pride, Coveteousness, Uncleanness, Prophaness, and evil designs and wayes, nor Believers of their strayings, but rather speaketh peace where [Page 52] God speaks it not then he that for his profession is called, Salt hath lost its saltness as is fully shewn, Chapter 4. 23. As for that which some object, that there is no need in holding forth the Gospel of Christ, to mention and press so many particular reproofs, for in holding forth the Testimony, they may with one breath, both convince men of their evils, and allure them in to believe in Christ, and love him and his: this is confest▪ in the right declaration of the Gospel by the Scripture, when the holy Spirit goeth out therein, he may do it in such a Proclamati­on of the Gospel, in times of some great opposi­tion of the Gospel, and so hath done sometimes. Act. 13. 47, 48. and 17. 8. 13. 1 Thess. 1. 9. 10. And so to a people fore prepared to receive. Act. 10. 34. 44. and 16. 9. 14. And sometimes by Afflictions foregoing: before Acts 16. 27. 31. 34. But this is not ordinary, nor for an ordinary mi­nistration; and yet there is intimate reproofs in it, also besides such the Pride, and corrupt dis­position naturally in men, that they need much pressing of Gospel reproofs of which are here spoken, and a holy and right usefulness of the Law also, as subservient to the Gospel, which re­proofs are as need is, with Gospel preaching to be prest, as did our Saviours forerunner Iohn Baptist, John 1. 29. with Matt. 3. 2. 7. 12. Luke 3. 4. 17. and our Saviour himself in his preaching Matt. 5. and 6. and 7. and many times besides, as here, and in Luke 4. and his follow­ors the Apostles in their preaching, Act. 2. 23. [Page 53] 34. 38. and 3. 3. 15. 19. and 4. 10. 11. and 5. 30. 31, 32. and 7. 51. 52, 53, and 13. 9. 10. 11. 40. 41. and 14. 15. and 17. 22. 25. 30. and 20. 21. And in their wrightings in all their Epistles, having set forth the Gospel, do most abundantly and largely press particular reproofs with war­nings and admonitions as every reader may see. And to object or reply in such manner, as to charge Christ and his servants with vanity, im­pressing so oft, and with so many words, that which needed not, but might have been let a­lone and done with one breath; and to justify, at least extenuate the sin of those teachers, that did not discover the peoples iniquity to turn a­way their captivity Lam. 2. 14. and even give way to such a preaching the Gospel, as leaves open the way for that abuse, Deut. 29. 19. Jude 4. is evil: But we knowing this whole discourse of our Saviour in this Chapter, and this affirmation here, and this very caution, to which he calls, every one that hath an ear to hear, know that it is both needful and of great concernment, and there­fore let us heed and view our Saviours caution.

1. If the Salt have lost the saltness, where­with you season it, wherewith will you season it, which intimates to us, that when men have refused to recieve wisdomes reproofs to be sea­soned and savoured this way, and find themselves at a loss, yet they would be saved some other way: and seeking and so are quiring wherewith, Mich. 6. 6, 7, 8. 9. And though not willing to undergo shame and selfdenyal, and mortifi­cation [Page 54] of the flesh, in receiving the reproofs of instruction, yet finding loss and deadness, they will undergo and suffer and do, to satisfy their own desires, any thing dictated by their own wisdome or fancy, or propounded by such as in their wisdome and fancy are wise to councel them: whence also they are apt to be deluded. Joh. 5. 43. and 14. 62. 1 Thess. 2. 10. 11. 12. (though in this all their thoughts are vain. 1 Cor. 3. 18. 19, 20. Ier. 2. 22. 23.) And hence springs all that fleshly and carnal inflicting punishments on the flesh, of touch not, tast not, handle not, whipping themselves, &c. and cost so: Images, worshipping and offering to them Pilgrimages, &c. Coll. 2. 21. 22. 23. Hos. 5. 13. 2 Cron. 28. 33. Yea some building Temples and numbring of Prayers, Hos. 8. 14, and 9. 16, 17, and 10. 1. 2. Isa. 1. 11, 15. some even looking for and ready to receive any deluding spirit. Ah fools! have you tasted the gratiousness of the Lord in receiv­ing the reproofs of instructions, and found his quickning and seasoning operations, and for o­ther things, quenched that spiritual fervour and destroyed your selves, and now think to find help in waies of your own or others devising, your thoughts are all vain, wherewith will you season, &c. you can by nothing do it, Gall. 3. 1. 3. Ier. 2. 12. 13. 17. 18. Hos. 13. 8. 9.

2. Wherewith shall it be seasoned, Luke 14. 34. wherewith shall it be salted, Matt. 5. 13. There is nothing, you or others for you, can devise or think on, not any doctrine, or instruction or any [Page 55] reproofs but the testimony of Christ, and the re­proofs thereof, nor any spirit, but the spirit of Christ coming in that testimony and with the re­proofs thereof, nor any other sacrifice, but that once offered by him, or spirit but that which in discovery of that sacrifice produceth your offe­ring spiritual sacrifices by him, nor any works but of his operation in the teachings of his grace, nor any self afflictions or sufferings, but his or­dered corrections, that will rightly press home his reproofs and instructions, not any other thing, not man, nor Angel, nor spirit, not any thing that can salt or season you, or season your heart to receive cleansing by his blood, and so saving yea or your heart and profession, so as you may be saved, and accepted and made edyifying to o­thers, without Christ you can do nothing, but wither till you come to be burned, John 15. 4. 5. 6. Heb. 10. 28. 29. 30. and 6. 6. Yea if you beg any other thing of him, or his helpfulness in any other way then he hath appointed, he will not vouchsafe it, 1 John 5. 14, and 3. 22. Prov. 21. 27. Yea though you retain the notion of truth, and the love thereof, and make profession thereof, and do not receive the love of the truth, in its decla­rations, reproofs and instructions to be saved by it, even by it, nothing else what ever you dream can save you, but you will be let to delusions to think to be saved by that, for which you shall be damned, 2 Thess. 2. 10, 11, 12. Oh hearken to this! If the salt have lost its saltness there is no­thing else to season it: But and if this Salt hath lost its saltness

[Page 56]3. It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghil, but men cast it out, Luke 18. 36. It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men; note this as spo­ken by Christ to his Disciples, that were belei­vers, and by himself called the salt of the earth, so that said is directly meant of them, and so of them as ment by salt; And so such beleivers of the Gospel, as in receiving the spiritual convince­ments in it (which are salt) have yielded to the efficacies in which the saltness seasoning their beleiving and profession, so as in professing truth rightly, they were salt also, as is foreshewn: If they lose their saltness (those efficacies mentio­ned chap. 4. 1. and 2.) in their beleiving and pro­fession, they are then fit for nothing, they can savorily neither receive correction, it is so grie­vous to them, nor the teachings of Grace, they are not savoury to them, Prov. 15. 10. Iob. 6. 6. Prov. 22. 7. nor are they profitable for ministra­tion to others, Matt. 5. 13. God accepts not their ministration, Psalm 50. 16, 17. and men despise such Apostate withered ones, they are not fit to minister in the Church, nor to the world, but to be cast out altogether unprofita­ble, yeatroden under foot of men, despised, as worse, now departed from them before they know the truth, and worse then them that never knew the truth, oh heavy condition when the salt hath lost its saltness.

4. Yet note our Saviour saith not, If the salt have yet effected and impressed his saltness, for [Page 57] that may be for a time in receiving, but weak in some; who yet retaining and attending to the word received, it will be further effected Iohn 8. 30. 36. And in affording it to others, it may be refused, and so not take such place in others, while yet the afforder is accepted, Isa. 49, 4. 2 Cor. 2. 14, 15, 16. Nor saith he, if the salt be abated in its saltness, so as the efficacies be so weakned, withered and d [...]yed in respect of their former liveliness; that in that respect they that were once dead as of and from Adam, ha­ving been enlivened once, are now again as dead, and so as trees twise dead, yet not pluckt up by the roots, the root of the matter is in them still, something waking in the heart though they be a sleep: these though in sad and heavy case, yet in hearkning to his voyce, receiving his cor­rection, and turning at his reproof, are recovera­ble, and so shall be recovered, and so salted and seasoned again, Luke 15. 16. 17, 32. Isa. 16. 17, 18. and 55. 7. 8. Ier. 3. 22. Iude 22. 23. But that he saith is, if the salt have lost his saltness, lost his savour, if the doct [...]ine of Christ Crucified, be of no effect in reprooving and seasoning them, if the reproofs of instruction have no force, if the efficacies thereof be wholly dryed up, so as it worketh not in them to any self denyal and a­basement of themselves, and p [...]ising and desires of Christ and his teachings, &c. so as they are carryed about of winds, Clouds without Rain, Trees without fruit, withered, twice dead and pluckt up by the roots &c. the salt hath lost its [Page 58] saltness, the blackness of darkness is reserved for them for ever, and they reserved for everlasting fire: Iude 12. 13. they are in a fearful case, Mat. 12. 43, 44, 45. 2 Pet. 2. 21, 22. Heb. 6. 6. and 10. 30.

And now by all foresaid Mar. 9. It appears, That a man by neglecting to have salt with its saltness in himself is in danger to fall into this woful state, which to warn us that we may avoid it, our Saviour both instructs us and sets the dan­ger before us from verse 42. 42. and so move us to endure the pain of salting here, that we may avoid it hereafter (which else we cannot) he assures us that every one shall be salted with fire, and to move us to perseverance in retaining this salt with its saltness, that we may feed on him, and acceptably serve him; he instructs us, That every sacrifice shall be salted with salt, ver. 49. And to encourage us, he assures us salt is good, and yet to warn us so to receive it, that we may receive and retain its saltness▪ he tells us, if the salt hath lost its saltness, it is good for no­thing: And from and with all this, presseth on us this councel, admonition, charge and com­mandment seriously, ver. 50. Have salt in your selves, and have peace one with another.

CHAP. VI.
Our Saviours Two-fold Exhortation.

1. HAve salt in your selves,

2. Have peace one with another.

1. Have salt in your selves. Hive, that is, re­ceive it, so as it may have its impression in you, Prov. 1. 30 and 10. 17. and 4. 16. Salt that is the reproofs and efficacies of the testimony in your understanding, affections, and exercise, Mat. 13. 9. 12 and 25. 29. in your selves, not only to see it and speake o [...] it to others, and press it on them, but in your selves, not only in your understanding and hearts, but thereby in your selves, your whole selves, for seasoning and use­fullness of the whole man; for though in beleiv­ing in Christ, we become the son; of God Yet that is yet, but by faith, Gall. 3. 26. and though the spirit of Christ do in beleif of the testimony▪ quicken Eph. 2. 4, 5. Coll. 2. 12. yet that quick­ning and renewing is of the spirit of the mind, Eph. 4. 23. Rom 12. 2. And so that he framed is the likeness of Christ, a new and inward man in the spirit, Eph. 4. 24, Coll. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 2. 16. And that beleivers receive therein, is yet but the first fruits of the spirit Rom. 1. 23. And though the spirit be made life for righteousness [Page 60] sake, the body is yet dead because of sin, Ro. 8. 10. And so while we are not wholly spiritual, but as natural, and naturally as of Adam and his sons, so mortal, carnal, and sold under sin, and what ever may pass and stir in, yet no good thing dwel­ling in our flesh, flesh and members, Rom. 7. 14. 24. Gall. 5. 17. and so for this foolish flesh, there is need of salt with its saltness, that our members on earth may be mortified, and given up as weapons of righteousness, unto righteousness, Pro. 26. 3. Coll. 3. 5. 6. Rom. 6. 16. 19. There­fore in obedience to our Saviours command, Let us have salt in our selves; that is, let us have it in our mind, perswasion and usefulness, as ha­bituated and dwelling in us, as the truth and righ­teousness of the spirit, reprooving discoveries in the testimonies of Christ and the efficacies of it, as mentioned Chapter 4. at 1. 2, 3. have them habituated and dwelling in us: And so have in us, even all of them, namely

1. That low and base estimate of our selves as Adams sons, of our Wisdome as Folly, our strength weakness, our best deeds as filthy rags, our sins vile, our selves wretched and miserable, which was discovered to us, and effected in us, in the appearance of the Grace of God in Christ Crucified for us, Isa. 53. 6. 2 Cor. 5. 14. Rom. 7. 14. 24. 25.

2. That more vile estimate and judging our selves base and vile, in respect of our willing sin­ning after we came to understanding, and had means used towards us, which was effected in us [Page 61] in and by the appearance of the infinite mercy, love and compassion of God in Christ to man­ward, in calling us thereby when we were such foolish and disobedient ones, overcoming evil with goodness, Tit. 3. 3, 4, 5.

3. That fa [...]ther low estimate of our selves, in respect of our short answering that grace, and great scantiness in likeness to him, and many un­kind usages and ill requitals of his love, being in this respect with the former▪ the chief of sinners, which the infinite riches and excellencies of his grace, dispensed, and continued to such unwor­thy and ill requiting ones, did in such appearance of it effect in us 1 Tim. 1. 15.

4. That contempt and low estimate of the fellowship, friendship, applause, honours, dig­nities, riches and pleasures of this world, and all the conceited righteousness and priviledges thereof, which was effected in us, in and by the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, as disco­vered in the whole of the testimony of him to us, Phil. 3. 3. 7, 8, 9.

5. That abhorring and hatred of Idolatry, Perjury, Blasphemy, Profaness, Murder, Adul­tery, lying, oppression, covetousness, drunkness, &c. which was effected in us in the appearance and dispensation and our receipt of the mercy of God, in forgiveness and righteousness and hope given us, Psal. 119. 110. 128.

6. That acknowledgement of our need, that poorness of spirit, with prizing of and hungring after Christ and his righteousness, which was by [Page 62] his grace effected in us, by and in our receiving of his grace and mercy in beleiving, Isa. 4. 2. Psal. 119. 123, 124. And herewith that loath­ing of our selves and love of him and his word and wayes, Psal. 119. 98, &c.

7. That perswasion of the terror of the Lord, and the terribleness of the second death, with trembling at his word and judgements, that was effected in us in our beholding and belief of the truth of his testimony, when he drew us in to beleive in him 2 Cor. 5. 10. 11. Psal. 119. 119, 120. Let us not content our selves to say we have had, but let us have all these habituated and dwelling in us in usefulness, as mentioned Chap.

4. And so have salt in our selves: And to move us hereto, the command of our deer and loving Saviour so earnestly prest, might be enough to prevail with us, it being that which is good and equal. And yet a word or two more may be ad­ded to warn us, as that

1. It is required in, and suitable to the teach­ings of the spirit in the testimony, who in dis­covery of the knowledge of Christ, the wisdome, love, mercy, riches of grace, righteousness and life in Christ, and the mind of God in him, to be desired, beheld and received, doth therein and thereby discover folly in us, and waies (as fore­shewn) with such strength of his, as in accep­ting, we might in that season turn at his reproof in disowning and so denying our own wisdome, thoughts, desires, designs and waies; which if then we do not, the spirit will not be poured [Page 63] forth to us, to make known his mind in his words and teach us, so as this is suitable to his teachings, and the way to understand and re­ceive the same, Prov. 1. 22, 23, 24. and 10. 17. and 12. 1. and 15. 31. 1 Cor. 3. 18.

2. The having this saltness in us, is verily needful and necessary for us, there being in us of that self wisdome, will, and sinful Iusts, procee­ding from the corrupt disposition in the flesh, which the spirit in the testimony discovers sinful, and to be denyed, which if not denyed, on his reproofs, we can neither receive his tendred knowledge, grace, teachings and life, nor walk after the spirit in his teachings, but certainly err [...] and go astray, Prov. 1. 29. 32, and 3. 7, 8. and 10. 17. Tit. 2. 11, 12. For,

1. The Pride and corrupt disposition in us, in the flesh, will [...]ise up in its Iusts even when we are hearing, reading or meditating of the spirits testimony, and his mind and sayings stirring with, conceits of our own ability to understand with readiness, to sancy an understanding, Io [...] 11. 12. And a thinking we know before, that known [...]ath its saving work in us, Gall. 6. 3. 1 Cor. 8. 23. Yea a presuming to be salting and seasoning the sayings of the testimony, which is to salt and season us, which not receiving, we count hard, dangerous and absurd, and so would be seasoning them, to make them easie and safe to our conceptions. Iohn 33. 27. and 21. 22. Prov. 3. 2. 6. Isa. 40. 13. 14. with other vain thoughts and Iusts many, which if at the reproofs [Page 64] of the testimony, we do not disown and deny, we certainly ert; and cannot rightly receive his grace savingly to our selves, nor be accepted of God, Psal. 2. 3. nor find knowledge, Pro. 15. 12. 31. 32. and 14. 6. and 12. 11. 1 Cor. 3. 18. 19.

2. This Pride and corrupt disposition stirreth and moveth, when God in the meanes is by and according to the testimony tendred to us, forgiveness, mercy, peace, instruction, consolati­on and spiritual gifts. And when we approach to God in hearing, prayer, praise, or fellowship with brethren. And when we are declaring the word to others, &c. to conceit of our own fur­niture, and ability to receive and do▪ to aspi­ring after more then seen in the testimony; to desires of applanse to ones self vain glory, sel [...] ­advancement, and prehemenency above others, and many wandrings and fleshly lusts besides, Rom. 7. 21. 23. 1 Cor. 4. 6. Gall. 1. 11. and 5. 17. 4. and 4. 2. 3. which if not denyed at the reproofs of the spirit in that testimony &c.

3. In that which pertains to ones self for con­versation and managing affairs in this life, this corrupt disposition in the flesh, raiseth motions of Pride, self exaltation and satisfying, and so to inordinate affections, with envy and wrath, and malice at all that crosseth the design, with other unclean lusts; which if not disowned and deny­ed at the spirits reproofs in the testimony, we cannot receive the spirits teachings in the testi­mony, nor walk therein, Gal. 5. 17. 19. 20. 26. Coll. 3. 3. 12.

[Page 65]4. In our demeanour towards and dealing with others, it raises also these former Iusts, and like wise vain glory, with motions to equivoca­tion, subtilty, fraud and injuriousness for self advantage, besides disdaining the poor, and en­vying the prosperity of others, &c. which if not disowned and denyed at the reproofs of the spirit in the testimony, we cannot walk after the teachings of the testimony, and so neither up­rightly with God, nor unblameably towards men Tit. 2. 11. 12. Iam. 3. 14. 15. 16.

5. In beholding the mercies and good things of this life and enjoying them, it moves to be attributed too much to our own wisdome, strength and industry, and to satiate our selves with them, and lift up our selves by them, and so in fulness and forgetfulness of God, besides the other Iusts, which if not disowned and de­nyed at the reproofs of the spirit in the testimo­ny, we cannot walk after the spirit in use of such mercies, Deut. 9. 5. 12. 17. and 32. 15. Heb. 1. 15. Ier. 9. 23. 24.

6. In beholding corrections and chastise­ments and feeling them, and seeing fore judge­ments on men, &c. it raiseth motions to mur­muring and impatience, and to use of unlawful means, or to confide in lawful means, and to overlook and count little the plauge on our own heart, and evil of our own wayes; And to be viewing the evils of other men, and judgeing them, and not ones self as the cause of fore judgements with many other ill thoughts be­side, [Page 66] which if not disowned and denyed at the spirits reproof in the testimony we cannot re­ceive correction and draw nigh to him, to trust in him and walk in the teachings of his testimo­ny Psal. 78. 18. and 106. 7. 13. 14. 15. 25. Hos. 5. 2. Amos 6 9. 2 Cor. 6. 28. 29. Ier. 2. 30. and 44. 10. 11. Zach. 3. 1. 2. But why do I run into particulars, which are endless for me, seeing alwaies in all our waies there is ever something of the flesh to be denyed, so as from the spirits reproofs in the testimony, we may so deny it as not to to walk after the flesh, which if we do not so deny, we cannot walk after the spirit Rom. 8. 8. 1. 8. 13. 14. Tit. 2. 11. 12. Ephes. 4. 22. 23. 24. Therefore it is needful and necessary for us alwaies to have salt in ourselves, and that in use­fulness also, that it may have its saltness in us, as said in the beginning of this Chapter, and some­what in ch [...]p. 4. at 1. and 2. and so make it im­press and have its saltness in [...]s, it is a great fa­vour from God when we are remiss in receiving it, to afflict and correct us, to make it take im­pression in us, as hath been foreshewn.

3. This having salt in our selves, in which it will have its saltness in us, when by the spirits re­proofs in the testimony we are in beleif of that discovered in Christ, humbled under them, and the corrections used to impress them, so as we imbrace them, and are bowed to turn at them, and framed by them, as shewn Chap. 4. it is very advantagious, beneficial and profitable to us: For,

[Page 67]1. God giveth grace to the humble, and teach­eth the meek in judgement, and in his way, and will in due time exalt them, Pro. 3. 34. Iam. 4. 6. 7. Psal. 25. 9. 1 Pet. 5. 6. Matt. 23. 12. Luke 14. 11. and 18. 14.

2. Christ will pour out of his spirit, and make known his words to such as receive to turn at his reproofs, and they shall get understanding and abide among the wise, Prov. 23. and 15. 31. 32. 33.

3. Such as so receive the words of instruction with its reproofs, as thereat to deny the lusts of the flesh [...]o as they walk not after the flesh, but yeild to walk after the spirit, they shall neither fulfil the lusts of the flesh nor be under law, but under grace. Gall. 5. 16. 18. Rom. 8. 1. 2. Sin is not imputed to them though in their flesh anoy­ing them, and so they are so far blameless.

4. Such as so receive his reproofs, as by his strength therein, they walk not after the flesh, they receive from him of that life in Christ, that enliveneth and strengthneth them to walk after the spirit, and the way of the Lord is strength to them, And their path will be as the light that shi­neth more and more to the perfect day. Rom. 8. 13. 14. Prov. 10. 29. and 4. 18. The Lord will look to and dwell with such, Isa. 66. 2. 5. and 57. 15.

So that though these reproofs of instruction received, nor our receipt of them, be not our foundation, nor our builder on it, nor our food nor our cloathing, nor our life, nor our strength, [Page 68] nor our spiritual services of love; yet they are the seasoners of us, to come to and receive all, and for performance of services, and in that re­spect the way to life, Prov. 6. 23. as hath been shewn; Therefore let us look to this, That we have salt in our selves: And

2. Have peace one with another, This a ne­cessary thing, To follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12. 14. If possibly as much as in us ly­eth to live peaceably with all men. Rom. 12. 18. though our speaking thereof be so ill taken by them, that they are in [...]aged and war against us, yet suffer that and be we for peace, and follow af­ter the things that make for peace, Psal. 126. 6. 7. That so we may give no just occasion of strife or offence to any, 1 Cor. 10. 32. 33. And especially see that we that beleive in Christ, and profess his name, and so are breathren, that we have peace among our selves, 1 Thess. 5. 13. and live in peace, 1 Cor. 13. 11. yea seek peace and ensue it, 1 Pet. 3. 11. and follow after things that make for peace, and wherewith one may edisie another, Rom. 14. 19. 2 Tim. 2. 22. That so we may keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4. 3. And so be silled and cloathed with charity, that will co­ver the multitude of infirmities, 1 Pet. 4. 8. That so we may be peacemakers, Matt. 5. 9. And so be at peace one with another, which will not be, unless we have salt in our selves: For

1. If unbeleiving and evil men, that are ha­ters of the power of Godliness, oppose, hate and [Page 69] persecute us, though the love of Christ to man­kind, and so to us, when we were enemies to him, in laying down his life for us, might and with the heart beleived, would move us to love and pity them, and seek their good by striving to over come their evil with goodness: yet if the reproofs of instruction proceeding from it be not so with heart received, as to make us low and vile in our own eyes, and abase us in remem­brance of our own vileness, wretchedness and en­mity against him, when he had this pity on us, and love toward us, and extended his mercy to­wards us, we shall not so beleive and embrace this pity, love and mercy of God in Christ, as to be moved and led thereby, to be like merci­ful to such, Matt. 5. 43. 44. Luke 6. 32. 36. 1 Pet. 2. 21. 24. Luke 18. 32. 35.

2. If men to whom means is used, and to whom we have done no injury, but walked just­ly and mercifully towards them, by yet foolish and disobedient and deceived, and live in plea­sures and sinful lusts and hateful and hating, &c. and so injuring and oppressing us, though the grace pity and love of God to us-ward when we were such, in his patience towards us, forbea­rance of us, and pity and love with and according to his mercy, calling and saving us, might and if heartily minded, would move us to like pati­ence, forbearance, love, pity and extension of mercy and kindness to them; yet if the proofs of instruction be not so received, as we thereby be made vile in our own eyes, and kept in an [Page 70] acknowledgeing remembrance that we were such, and so p [...]zing Gods patience and forbea­rance of us, and his pity, love and mercy in cal­ling and saving us when such, we shall not so beleive and mind this mercy of his, as to be fra­med to be like him in patience, forbearance and mercy towards such. Tit. 8. 2. 3. 4.

3. If any appear notable sinners and trans­gressors, such as mentioned 1 Tim. 1. 9. 10. though the great love of God to mankind in gift of his son to save sinners, even the chief of sin­ners: and he having dyed for all, and being the propiriation for the sins of the whole world might move us, and if heartily beleived and minded, would move us with love and compas­sion to hold forth the Gospel so to them, as not to give them peace and hope going on in those sins, but to admonish them to repent and beleive the Gospel, assuring them therein Christ will for­give and save them and renew them: So Christ himself preached the Gospel to such Mar. 1. 15. yet if the reproofs of instruction be not so recei­ved in our hearts, with its discovery of the resi­due of our sinfulness and unworthiness so as we judge our selves as the chief o [...] sinners, and retain in our heart the terror of the Lord against refu­sers and rebellious opposers, we shall not so rightly and heartily beleive as rightly with such bowels of compassion, fear, and confidence de­clare it to them, 2 Cor. 5. 11. 14. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 1. 4. So Paul preached the Gospel, Act. 17. 30. 31. and 14. 15, 16, 17. 1 Tim. 1. 9. 12, 15.

[Page 71]4. If we see a man living and conversing a­mong us, commit some known sin that is grie­vous to us, and we be moved and think our selves bound to reprove him for it: Though the cha­rity of God in his mercy extended in his re­prooving us for our offences, and forgiving and healing us, and our present need of mercy and forgiveness might and if heartily minded, would lead us in love [...]ightly to reproof; yet if we re­ceive not the reproofs of instruction, so as thereby to be abased in sight and remembrance of our own offences, transgressions and present annoyances with fleshly lusts, so freely forgiven us for Christs sake, that dyed for mankind, and so for him as well as for us, we will and shall be found wanting in love and pity; and so not be­ginning with our selves to pull the beam out of our own eye, we cannot see clearly to pluck the moat o [...]t our brothers eye, and so our reproof, will be unsavoury Levit. 19. 17, 18. Matt. 7. 1. 2. 3. Rom. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4.

5. If a brother through weakness or temp­tation be overtaken with a fault▪ though the charity of God, and his free and abundant mer­cy, patience and so giveness of us, if heartily be­leived, would in minding it, breed such charity in us as would cover the multitude of infirmi­ties, and lead to patience, forbearance and for­giveness, as Christ hath done to us, yet if the re­proofs of instruction be not so received, as that we be abased in respect of our own infirmities, offences, weaknesses, unworthiness and liable­ness [Page 72] to temptations, we shall not so mind the charity of God, his mercy and goodness in re­storing, as to restore such a one with the spirit of meekness, Coll. 3. 8, 12, 13. Gall. 6. 1, 2, 3.

6. If some breathren be yet weak in the faith, and discern not the whole of the testimony of Christ, though something o [...] it, nor what the li­berty given by Christ is, nor the difference be­tween the liberty for righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, to be steadfast in, and the liberty for meats, drinks, dayes, &c. to be taken or laid aside, as may serve for furtherance of the Gospel, and our special liberty, whence some differences of perswasions among those that be­leeve Jesus to be the Christ, and love him, and desire and endeavour according to their light to serve him; though the knowledge and beleif of the redemption wrought by Christ, and his purchase and right of Lordship, and his free dis­pensing of, and giving the knowledge of his grace, and his ready acceptance of such as by it come to him; and that he will not break the b [...]uised Reed, nor quench the smoaking flax, he being the upholder of all, &c. might and if be­leevingly minded, would preserve in us a love and tender care of the weakest, and so preserve from judging or dispising them, or willing doing that which may stumble and offend them; yet if the reproofs of instruction, be not so received, as to abase us in our selves in sight of our igno­rance of what we might have known, and of [Page 73] out short answering of what we do know and have received, and our unworthiness of that we have received, and that we have is freely given us, so as we have not acquired it, but received it of free gi [...]t, and are thereby the more oblieged to bear the insirmities of the weak, in which our short coming makes us more g [...]ieved for our follies, if not thus, we shall not be able so to mind his grace, as by it to be lead in love and pity, so to love tender and care for the weak that we may not offend, but edefy them, Rom. 14. 1, 12, 15, 19, 22, 23. and 15. 1, 2, 3. 1 Cor. 4. 5. 8. 14.

7. If any brethren be poor and distressed, and stand in need of mercy and releif to be extended to them for releif, though the love and mercy of God to us ward beleived, and how the Lord Christ became poor to make us [...]ich, and that all we have is his gift; and yet whatever we give for his sake, he accepts as given to himself: might and if beleivingly minded, would move us readily to extend mercy according to our a­bility: yet if their proofs of instructions, be not so received, as thereby we be made base and vile in our own eyes, as unworthy to be made his stewards of any thing, and for our abuse of that committed to our stewardship, he may justly deprive us of all, and how long it shall continue with us, and what evil may be on earth soon, and we deprived of power to do good, we know not; and refusing a present oppe [...]tunity, when ability given (as we have too often done) de­serves [Page 74] to be denyed and deprived of it when we would, nor can that we retain help us with­out his blessing, and we shall have iudgement merciless, that sheweth no mercy, &c, if we be not thus salted and seasoned we shall not so mind his mercy to us, as to be found merciful, as he is merciful, but if we shew any me [...]cy, it will be either out of necessity or constraint, or sparingly with scantness o [...] with grudging and murmering, or as if we gave of our own abso­lutely, and with desire to be seen of men, and have praise of men, and boasting and lifting up our selves▪ or upbraiding and defaming such as need it, 2 Cor. 8. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 9. 5. 6 7. 1 Pet. 4. 10. Matt. 26. 35. 45. Pro. 3. 27. 28. and 27. 1. Eccles. 11. 1. 2. 1 Iohn 3. 17. Iam. 2. 13.

8. If the sore judgements of God, be in the nation we live in, though the testimony of Gods displeasure thereby, and the sins that have pro­voked such a loving, merciful, patient and long suffering God to smite, and the misery of men, if according to his word minded, might move and cause our heart to tremble at his wo [...]d and judgements, and fill us with mourning for the sins that have provoked him and for the calami­ties and distresses of the people, and with pity and compassion toward the afflicted, and so to receive corrections, humbling our selves under his mighty hand, and drawing nigh to him in confessing and bewailing our sins, and praying earnestly for us, mercy in forgiveness and hea­ling, [Page 75] and so trusting in his mercy to turn from our evil wayes, and to walk in his way, and so give him no [...]est till he he al the nation; yet if the reproofs of instruction, be not so received, as thereby we see the corrupt disposition in our own natural heart; and our own having two much yielded to it, and so see the plague of oue own heart, our own sore; and how by neglect of so great salvation and unkind requitals of his love, and g [...]ievances of his spi [...]it, and confor­ming in many things to the fashions of the world, since light and mercy given us, and so a [...]e the chief of sinners, and deserve even the so arest judgements; i [...] not thus, we shall not be so affected in our own thoughts of Gods displea­sure testified nor in the sins of men that have pro­voked it, nor with the misery, as to be filled with godly sorrow, and child like and b [...]other­ly g [...]ief for the dishonour done to God, the b [...]eaches of his Law, our own and breathrens sins, and the sins of the nation, nor with com­passion and pity towards men, and such dread of Gods Judgements, as to be lead [...]ightly to re­ceive correction and draw near to God, in con­fessing our sins and the sins of others, and seek­ing his face for our selves and the nation, and so to turn from our evil designs and wayes, and trust in his mercy according to his word, but ra­ther be laying the greatest blame on others, as the greatest sinners, and cause of the judgements, And think it more needful for them to be af­flicted, and fast and to pray for removeals (then [Page 76] for our selves) and so they to turn from their e­vil wayes of which we not so guilty, 1 Kings 8. 37. 40. 2 Corn. 6. 28. 31. and 7. 14. Iam. 4. 7. 8. 9. 10. Lam. 3. 1. 2, 3. Hab. 3. 5. 16. 2 Sam. 24. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 12. 21.

But I will proceed no farther in particulars, seeing there is that in us for which we need the reproofs of instruction, in all our wayes, and without receiving them to be framed by them, we cannot have peace one with another, so that our Saviours saying, and order in giving this com­mandement, is needful, admonitory, and instru­ctive: and the one observed, fits to observe the other, which else will not be observed; there­fore let us have salt in our selves, and peace one with another▪ And therefore have I been so large in this, and plain, to instruct and move us, To have salt in our selves, Though, &c.

CHAP. VII
A clearing this discourse from some suppo­sed harshness.

I cannot be ignorant, that some conceive this harsh and not Gospel-like, for some have plainly vented so much, as to instance and answer,

* 1. Some think it is a putting beleivers under the Law, which will gender to bondage, Gail. 4. 21. 31.

[Page 77] Answ. There is great differences between being under the Law to the law, which gen­dreth to bondage and without law to God, which genders to filth and profaness, and being not without law to God, but under the Law to Christ, which is profitable for us, 1 Cor, 9. 21. and we being yet not wholly spiritual, but part­ly carnal, and though in spirit not made free from the power, dominion and charges of the law, and the spirit of life for righteousness sake, yet the body dead because of sin and to be kept in subjection, and no farther to be made free by us, then by the spirits operation made free in and for services spiritually performed, Rom. 7. 14. 25. 1 Cor. 9. 27. And the law is holy just and good, and there is good usefulness of it, if lawful­ly used 1 Tim. 1. 8. For it is good to discover our sins against it, and short coming of it, to slay us of all hopes in our selves of life, or in our own doings, and shew us our desert of curse and need of Christ, its end being for righteousness to drive to Christ, Gall. 2. 19. Rom. 10. 2. 3. 4. so as we may acknowledge the law good, holy and just, and confess our carnality and sin and desert of curse, it discovereth, and fly to Christ, that was once under the law, and dyed, and suffered the curse for sinners, and so redeemed us from the curse of the Law, and so beleiving in the blood of Christ, beleive in him for pardon, righ­teousness and life, in which the law of the spirit of life in Christ (not our reasonings) will make us free from the law of sin and death, and the [Page 78] spirit also will afford us that righteousness which the Law required and would not work in us, Rom. 7. 14. 25. and 8. 1. 2, 3, 4. and 3. 25. Gall. 3. 14. 2 Cor 5. 21. so as even these commands also are a good role for the exercise of Charity, 1 Tim. 1. 5. 6, 8, Rom. 13. 8. 9. 10. Ephes. 6. 1. 2, 3. Gall. 5. 13. 14. And such good use of the Law puts not beleivers under the Law, nor genders to bondage but is profitabl [...] for them; but o the reproofs of the law, which bo [...]ed un­der and not answe [...]ing the end in flying to Christ, which genders to bondage, I speak not of in this disco [...]e, but of the reproofs of instruction and turning thereat, which is the way to re [...]eive spirit and life, and so blessed freedome Pro. 1. 23. and 6. 23.

* 2. Some have thought this pressing wis­domes rep [...]oofs is not Gospel like, because the Gospel is good news and glad tidings of peace and salvation, an opening the door to life and immortality. A p [...]eaching forgiveness, peace and life; and all to be received in beleiving, and so cause of joy to all people, as indeed it is, Isa. 52. 7. Rom. 10. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Acts 13. 38. 39. Ioh. 3. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 36. Luke 2. 10. and this agrees well with all said in this dis­course: For,

Answ. The asserting the reproofs of instructi­on to be received, is Gospel language, not un­gospel like, nor at all eclipseth any thing said of the gospel in these like places, for glad tidings of salvation, pardon, peace, life, &c. implyes loss, [Page 79] danger, misery, sins and deserts of curse in those to whom such tidings come; and to be ac­knowledged and confessed by such as beleive and receive those tidings▪ Isa. 53. 67. and 3. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 12. 13, 14, 15. Tit. 3. 3. 4. And in­deed the affording and receiving such reproofs is very gospel-like every way: For,

2. Jesus Christ our Saviour, the object disco­vered to us in the Gospel, in his working re­de [...]ption and salvation in himself for us, he was fi [...]st aba [...]ed, and s [...]ffered, and made sin and dy­ed for us, and then [...]ose from the de [...]d, ascen­ded righ [...]eous, and offered himself a sacrifice for us, and received all fulness of spi [...]it to send forth, and [...]o in his ministration of gospel, he suffered and dyed; and so through sufferings entred his glory, leaving us an example; and as by his suf­fering and death he made peace for us, so by his re [...]u [...]rection it was compleated, that it might be communicable to us, for though he dyed to make peace, yet had he not [...]isen, we could not have been justified by his blood; and suitable to this, it is that we be abased in our selves, that by him we may be exalted, as hath been shewn.

2. Jesus Christ exalted, and filled with the spirit▪ the great Prophet in making known his Fathers name, and the redemption wrought and salvation procured in and by himself for men, and so having been crucified for us, and disco­vering of himself the pardon, peace, righteous­ness and life in him, he is therein set▪ forth, first for the raising again of many, and so both killing [Page 80] and making alive, Luke 23. 4. Deut. 32. 39. 1 Sam. 2. 6. 7. 8. and he sits upon unfeigned be­leivers, as resiners fire and a purifier: and so is in them by his word A spring of living waters, John 7. 38. and his spirit in the word, breaths on the flesh and withereth the flesh, and so quickens and enlivens the spirit, Isa. 40. 1. 8. Rom. 8. 10. suitable to which is that said in this Dis­course.

3 In his gratious call to behold and credit him in the demonstrations of his goodness, it is to be saved by him, and that is from goodness, it is to be saved by him, and that is from sin and evil, as well as to enjoy quickning and life by him, &c. Isa. 45. 22. And so from that salvation seen, first to turn at his reproofs, and then receive the pouring out his spirit, and making known his words, and so to repent, and beleive the gospel, Prov. 1. 23. Mar. 4. 15. And when so beleiving, yet still to be denying themselves and receiv­ing the reproofs of instruction, that they may be denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and so receive more abundance of life to live and walk in the spi­rit Pro. 6. 23. and 9. 8. 9. and 15. 5. 31. and 17. 10. and 29. 75. and 25. 12. Tit. 2. 11, 12. Gal. 5. 25. 26. so that receiving the reproofs of in­struction, is both gospel teaching, and gospel▪ like, and the way rightly to receive the Gos­pel.

* 3. Some are ready to think this is a hinde­rance to the beleiving, rejoycing in Christ, and so to his chearful walking in faith and love, and his drinking in spiritual consolations, and so [Page 81] makes his life sad, dumpish and unbeseeming▪ But the Gospel it self doth answer this, For

Answ. This hath before been proved false, Chap. 3. and 4. and it is directly contrary to the plain testimony of this spirit, that saith, the re­proofs of instruction, are the way to life, Prov. 6. 23. for right knowledge of Christ and spiritual things, The rod and reproof give wisdome, Prov. 29. 15. and the ear that heareth the reproof of life, and abideth among the wise and getteth under­standing, Pro. 15. 31. 32. And the humble shall see his gratiousness and be glad, Psal. 69▪ 32. [...]he poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, blessed▪ &c. Matt. 5. 3, 4, 5. For God giveth grace to the hum­ble, and in due season exalteth them, that humble themselves under his mighty hand, Iam. 4▪ 6. 1 Pet. 5. 5. 6. And makes darkness light before them, Isa. 42. 16. And so the eyes of the blind to see out of obseurity and darkness, Isa. 29. 18. Yea so satisfieth the afflicted soul, that their light shall rise in obscurity, and their darkness [...]e as the noon day, Isa. 58. 10. yea to purge their be­leif and confidence from mixtures, he brings them to receive the sentence of death in them­selves, that they may trust only in him that rai­seth the dead, and so fits them with consolations suitable to their afflications, 2 Cor. 1. 4▪ 9▪ 10. Sa as in patience possessing their souls▪ they rejoyce in afflictions, temptations and tribulations, Rom. 5. 2. 3. 4. Jams 1. 2, 3, 4. True it is their hea [...] knoweth its own bitterness such as are strangers thereto, intermeddle not with their joy. Prov. [Page 82] 14. 10. and to such they may well appear as un­known, while yet well known, as dying, while behold they live, as chastned and not killed, as sorrowful, while yet alwayes rejoycing, as poor; while yet making many rich, as having nothing, while possessing all things, 2 Cor. 6. 9. 10. Not did Pauls perswasion of the Terror of the Lord in minding the first branch of the testimony hin­der his rejoycing and hope in Christ, but salt o [...] season him for [...]ight considering and hoping 2. Cor. 5. 11. Nor did the darkness Micha sitting in respect of Gods ordering providence and dispen­sation according to the second branch of the testimony, hinder his rejoycing hope, but season him for right considing and waiting, Mich. 7. 7. 10. nor in looking to the third branch of the testimony, did Habakkuks belly trembling, lips quivering, rottenness entring into his bones, and trembling in himself at the voyce of Gods judge­ments, hinder his rejoycing in the Lord, and joying in the God of his saivation Hab. 3. 16. 18. Yea so they gloryed in not appearance only, but in heart, in deed, and truth▪ 2 Cor. 5. 11▪ 12. Yea when by reproofs and afflictions, thus broken off from all rejoycing in seen and momentary things, to look more purely to the unseen spiritual and e­te [...]nal things, then will the receiving the reproofs and corrections of wisdome and present afflicti­ons▪ work for us a far more exceeding waite of glo [...]y and therein the receiving of the inward man in the decaying of the outward man 2 Cor. 4. 16. 17. 18. So that this conceit that the pressing the [Page 83] salting reproofs and corrections of wisdome, hin­ders the beleivers rejoycing in Christ (that doth but season it) is altogether false, and contrary to the sayings in the testimony, and to the pro­fession of unfeigned beleivers, Psal. 23. 4.

* 4. But some are ready to say, I have not spoke and writ in this language heretofore, but more gospel-like, from which I seem to be de­clined, in so large pressing reproofs and correcti­ons to be received from it.

Answ. That is not right, to say I have not spoke and writ the same language, for I have both spoken and writ the same things, set forth in these reproofs and the efficacies thereof re­ceived, as all that read my first treatise, put forth especially the 24. Chapter, called by the Prin­ter, The Vniversality of Gods free grace to man­kind: and that other, Of the discovery of the pre­tious blood of Christ, specially the 11 Chap. and other books and manuscripts, which such as had read may see and know the falseness of this charge, only I have not been so large in pressing the receiving of such reproofs and corrections, with the danger of not receiving, which as it is no prejudice to that sayd here, so I may give some reason why I thus do it now, and did not so fully do it then.

1. Because I had not salt enough with its salt­ness in my self, to do it rightly, so as it might be suitable to the words given by inspiration of the Almighty▪ for doctrine reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness; First doctrine, next [Page 84] with that reproof, and then with both correction, and so instruction in righteousness: And had I yet more salt in my self, with its saltness, I should do it more profitably in this order, 2 Tim. 3. 16. which yet in my weakness I have assayed.

2. Because I conceived some not able to be are home pressing and plain reproofs and corrections to be received, with the terror of the Lord a­gainst refusers, (correction being grievous to him that is out of the way▪ Prov. 15. 19.) and so I was willing rather to forbear then to break in peices, but waite to see if God by grace would at any time humble and so fit them to receive reproof, 2 Tim. 2. 34. 25. 26.

3. Because many inclining towards, atten­ding and loving the gospel and doctrine thereof, who are yet weak and tender, and ready to be affrighted with a hard word, and such I am com­manded to pity and have compassion on, and deal with them with tenderness and the spirit of meekness, and so to speak as they may be able to bear it, as our Saviour did, Iude 22. Gall. 6. 1. Iohn 16. 12. And now the gospel hath been by many plainly displayed, but yet notwithstan­ding

4. Some there are stiff and wilful in some evil way or self design, or some open sins, or magni­fying some delusions who are to be rebuked o­penly, and sharply, and to be striven with, to save them with terror and fear, to pluck them as brands out of the fire, 1 Tim. 5. 20. Tit. 1. 13. Iude 23. And if we look at the Metaphor salt, [Page 85] we know it is not to be applyed alike to all meats to be eaten, neither for quantity, nor alike mea­sure of rubbing and a pressing it on, nor alike measure in all meats it is eaten with, but as need is, some more some less, and the same may I say for the discovering reproofs of the testimo­ny with its effects and corrections to make them take place, so that where more corruption and filth appears, to be purged out, there is need of more large and through pressing these reproofs and corrections to be received: And so if I see now more in my self, and others needing it, it is gospel-like for me to assay it.

Wherefore take it rightly and stumble not at it; if I discern the appearance of more corrupti­on in my self, and other beleivers and professors of the gospel then formerly, though I have been plain in this way: we have the doctrine of the gospel made known to us, and the reproofs of instruction therewith extended to us, he oft knocking at our hearts, and yet we while these reproofs have been gently prest on us, have not so received them as to turn at his reproofs; no nor yet when in love he hath corrected us, we have not received correction; no though to hide pride from us and break us of our enterprizes and designs; he hath been afflicting with divers sorts of lesser judgements, forerunners of his four sore sore judgements to bow our hearts, and cal­led us to humble our selves and seek his face, before the decree come forth, that we might be hid in the day of his anger, yet we have not [Page 86] so received his reproofs and corrections, as to turn thereat, and draw nigh to him and put our trust in him, yea when in some distresses we have cryed to him he hath given us peace, and we said we would no more transgress, yet we have turned again to folly: And though he hath smitten others with the pestilence further off to warn us, yet we took not warning, but have gone on still in our own wayes, till he (though with slow beginnings at the first) hath brought the pestilence among us. And if yet those very sins for which he hath both threatned and execu­ted the pestilence (and his other three sore judgements Ezech. 14. 21.) be found gone on in by us, need we not to be much salted and humbled under his reproofs and corrections? let us try and see

* 1. When Heathens and unbeleivers oppose the power of godliness in beleivers, and perse­cute them therefore, and will imbondage and not suffer them to walk sorth, therein to serve the Lord (like as the Egyptians did to Israel) the pestilence is threatned [...]or this and will be ex­ecuted if timely they repent not: But when God thus pleads the cause of his people with such he will distinguish between them and their pe [...]secutors and his people shall not be smitten with their persecutors Exod. 9. 15. and 11. 4. 7. But i [...] p [...]o [...]est Christians, beleiving and pro [...]essing the same Jesus to be the Christ, shall for the power of godliness oppose and persecute one another, and imbondage from going forth therein to serve [Page 87] the Lord Christ, because of some different per­swasions in the outward form, and persecute their b [...]ethren that will not magnifie, and be tyed up to that fo [...]m and outward order they prescribe this is more hainous and p [...]ovoking then the for­mer: And then no ma [...]vel though he smite with the pestilence of all sorts of us, for such things are so biting one another, this being worse then those evils mentioned, Rom. 14. and 1 Cor. 11. 28. 32. Gall. 5. 11. 1 Cor. 6. 6. 8. Isa. 6. 6. 5. and all proceeding from way giving to pride, Prov. 13. 10. And not discerning the Lords body, 1 Cor. 11. 18. 19. 29. 30. &c.

* 2. When beleivers are put up for their teachers, and their teachers not content with their office of ministration, and therein to serve the Lord Christ, to preach and magnifie him as the Lord, and to be themselves the beleivers ser­vants [...]or his sake, and as brethren with them, but will be as Lords over Gods heritage, usurp­ing dominion over the faith of beleivers, 2 Cor. 1. 24. and 4. 5. 1 Tim. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 5. 3. Iude 6. and so aspire to be in the place of the mediatour, the great P [...]ophet, and high P [...]iest of the house of God, typed out of old by Moses and Aaron, Deut. 18. 15. 19. Act. 3. 22. 23. Hebr. 7. and 5. 1. 10. and 3. 1. the sin typed out in the aspi [...]ing of Chorah the Levite Jud. 11. yea some teachers palliating this sin and teaching falesly, that such priests may bear [...]ule by their means, and the people loving to have it so, which calls for dread­ful glagues Ier. 5. 30. 31. And this not in one or [Page 88] two sorts of beleivers, but in any sort of them and their teachers, for we find the perstilence sent and destroyed many thousands of those that were our types for this sin, how much more when the truth it self is come, and we so transgress against it▪ Numb. 16. 9. 10. 11. 41. 49. And these writ for our examples; that we may fear sorer destru­ction if as they against the tipes, we so sin against the truth so clearly displayed, 1 Cor. 10. 6. 11. Heb. 23. and 12. 25.

* 3. When men refuse to be under that yoke of worldly power, Governors and Government, for the outward man which God hath put them under, and they by the covenant of God have submitted to, though he were a heathen Gover­nor, the powers that [...]e in being in chief autho­rity, being of God, and his ordinance that we should [...]ubmit, and not reject not resist such casting off and not submitting to bear this yoke, is a hainous sin against which God hath threat­ned, and on such executed the pestilence; how much more when governors are profest Christi­ans, To despise dominion, speak evil of dignities, &c. Ezek. 17. 7. 13. 14. 15. 21. with Ierm. 21. 6. 8. 9. and 32. 2. Rom. 13. 1. 2. 2 Pet. 2. 10. 11. 12. Iude 8. 9.

* 4. When profest christians and beleivers joyn with worshippers of Idols, and fall with t [...]m to commit spiritual and corporal whore­dome, and so to Idolatry, uncleanness &c, when such things committed by them, for such sins God hath smitten four and twenty thousand, [Page 89] yea three and twenty thousand of them in one day with the pestilence▪ Numb. 25. 3. 6. 9. And this set forth for our example, 1 Co [...]. 10.

* 5. When on the pinching smart and fea [...] of some great distress, Princes and people have made a promise and covenant according to Gods command, to grant Peace, Liberty and Free­dome to the poor and imbondaged neighbours, subjects and servants, and begun to do it and when some freedome from the affliction and fear, and some rest is obtained, then they return again to oppress, and imbondage these poor sub­jects, servants and neighbours; for such trans­gression, the Lord hath threatned and executed the pastilence, Ier. 37. 3. 11. with 34. 8. 11. 15. 16. 17. Neither will Prayer with fasting prevail till this be repented, Isa. 58. 3. 6.

* 6. When Rulers and people grow proud of, and glory and boast of, or confide in multitude of Warriers, Ammunition, &c. 2 Sam. 24. 2. 15. 1 Cron. 21. 3. 12, 14.

Now it appearing by Gods own word expresly, that every or any of these sins committed, de­serveth and may be punished with the pestilence; how much more when most or all of them are not only found in a nation, but so generally, that they may be called national sins, yea and also when amongst profest beleivers, hardly any to be found that are not guilty of one or two of these sins if not more, yea, when hereby also, even all those sins mentioned in the whole 22. chapter of Ezekiel is found in a nation, is not the pesti­lence [Page 90] rightly and justly executed on us, yea to convince us that no so [...]t may be li [...]ted up to justify themselves on some of all sorts of us, which to such as are oppose [...]s of the power of Godliness, may prove an occasion of hardning themselves, because they see some of those they oppose, smitten as well as some of themselves, which is the fruit of not receiving reproof and cause of being judicially hardned, which threa­tens still so [...]er judgements: And which is yet worst of all, though all this appear, and the pesti­lence still slaying, yet by all this our uncircum­cised hearts are not so humbled, as by his re­proofs so to receive correction as to lay a side our Pride, and be broke of our designs and wayes, and so drawn nigh to God, in seeking his face, and trusting in his mercy, which threatens not only pestilence but greater judgements, and de­solation, Levit. 26. 25. 32.

So that I hope this considered, that not only this plain discourse, but even by such as have in themselves more salt saltness then I. It will be accounted necessary to press the reproofs of in­struction to be received with its efficacies, so salt and its saltness to be in us, yea for our after war­ning, even when we are healed of this Pla [...]ge.

CHAP. VIII.
Conclusion.

TO conclude, I desire my self and others se­riously to consider our Saviours so serious admonition, and warning of danger so vehe­mently and often prest with councel given here, verse 42. to 48. and his affirmations, vers. 49 50. Every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt, salt is good▪ but if the salt have lost its saltness▪ wherewith will you season it; have salt in your selves, and have peace one with another.

And for some help in this consideration, con­sider what is said in this whole discourse about it, which though but plain and weak, yet may be some help it seriously per [...]sed; wherefore to close up altogether, I pray and beseech you with me, let us every one seriously attend to mind, and so receive,

1. The doctrine of Christ in what he became, suffered, and hath done for us, and what he there­by is become, and doth in Heaven for us, and from heaven to us, and what he will do at his coming again; mind this and beleive for truth every saying thereof, for this is the voyce of Christ whence all the Oracles: And it is the first [Page 90] thing propounded, and so in order as truth first to be beheld and received, in all our learning of him, as hath been hinted through the discourse.

2. In beholding and beleif of this, heed and beleive the discovering reproofs of it, of the filth in us, and the need we stand in of the salvation it discovers, and so of the hainousness of the sin of neglect, of disesteem and ill requital of so great salvation, and the equity justness and terrible­ness of the second death, for contemners of so great salvation, and so receive these reproofs, that our hear [...]s may be perswaded, and alwaies retain those perswasions as true. Of the odious­nesness of sin, and its abominableness to God. Of the wretchedness, mysery and vileness of man, as of himself and from Adam. Of the help­lesness in our selves to come in to receive this salvation. Of the heinousness of the sin of neg­lect, and ill requital of so great salvation. Of the equity and justness of the terribleness of the lake of fire, for such as rebel against so great grace, as is shewn Chap. 4.

3. In receiving these reproofs, effecting such perswasions, let them abide and have their effica­cy in us, retaining the same in our selves, so as we be thereby framed and continually kept in that frame. Of loathing our selves as of our selves and from Adam. Of sencibleness of our need of the salvation in Christ. Of a base estimate of our selves, of our own wisdome, strength, righteous­ness, deeds and designs, and of abhorrency of them. Of an awful fear and jealousie of our [Page 91] selves, least we should mix any thing with the grace and promise of Christ, in our beleiving and confidence for life, as foreshewn, 4 and 5. and 3. And,

4. In all and awful fear and dread of the great name of the Lord, so as our hearts may tremble at his word and judgements, and at the truth, righteousness, equity, and severity of the terror against rebellious contemners of his saving word, as shewn chap. 4. that so having the true testi­mony in these reproofs with their efficacies in us, we may be seasoned therewith, as shewn at large, Chap. 4. 11.

5. Let us receive all his fatherly corrections as in love to us, to sit us for receiving, and right usefulness of his reproofs with their efficacies, that we may gain by them, and take sufferings for his name as a favour, as foreshewn chap. 3▪ And so let us have salt in our selves as shewn at large, chap. 6.

And i [...] we thus heed and receive the reproof of wisdome, so as we be thus humbled and kept low in our selves, having salt in our selves, light will shine forth to us from the testimonies, and he will be a light to us when we sit in darkness: And so humbling our selves under his mighty hand, he will exalt us in due time, wherefore let every of us know, and confess his own sore, and so humble our selves, and looking up to his mer­cy, and so receive correction and draw nigh to God and trust in him, and so let us pray for his people, for our governors, for our selves and the [Page 94] nation, yea be afflicted, and mourn and weep for out sins, and provoking him to lay mise [...]y on us: and so draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to us and hear and heal us: But I will proceed no farther in this, comfort is to be extended to the afflicted, which I assayed in the antidote, but in this discourse to move to such a frame and path, as in which we may in beleiving receive all the promises, and our gracious God will comfort us: And so I desire we may alwaies have salt in our selves, with its saltness, seasoning us to re­ceive his consolations, and to walk in his teach­ings, and edify one another. And the God of mercy, and father of all consolations fill us, with consolations, and afford us helpfulness according to all our needs,

Amen.