1. GOD ſo loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. Joh. 3.16. For God ſent him not into the World to condemn the World, but that the World through him might be ſaved. ver. 17. Here's the Fountaine, or rather Ocean from whence all good doth come: even from the Love of God, or from God who is love, yea an unfathomable Ocean of love: Therefore the beloved Diſciple who leaned on the boſom of our Lord, deſcribes him thus, God is Love: and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 Joh. 4.16. And this love is an extenſive love, reaching to all: therefore ſaith he, God ſo loved the World, he ſaith not, God ſo loved this or that Nation, or this or that ſort of men, but God ſo loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son. A • the Sun in the Firmament ſhine • upon all good and bad, and as th • raine falls upon all both juſt and unjuſt; ſo the love of God reaches t • all in ſending his Son. Therefor • the Angel that brought the glad tydings of the birth of Chriſt to th • Sheepherds, ſaid to them, Fea • not, for behold I bring you good tydings of great joy which ſhall be to a • People Luk. 2.10. And likewiſe tha • multitude of the Heavenly Hoſt which appeared ſuddenly with th • Angel praiſed God, ſaying, Glor • to God in the higheſt, and on Ear • peace, good will towards men, ver. 1 〈◊〉 towards men, or towards ma • kinde in the general, and not onl • towards this Sect or that Sect: o • this form or that form but toward • all men: namely that creatur • which was made in his own imag • to bear a repreſentation of him i • the Creation. To this creature 〈◊〉 the love of God thus ſignified fo • his reſtoration to that purity, Majeſty and dignity in which he was created, and to an eternal felicity in that ſtation, with God.

So then, This is the condemnation, that light is come into the World, and men love darkneſs rather then light becauſe their deeds are evill, Joh. 3.19. What light is this thats come into the World, that was not in the World before? Verely the light of the love of God; or of Salvation freely by grace, which hath a glory in it, that diſcovers and deſtroyes evill works: and therefore where men love their evil works, they love to cleave to the darkneſs in which they may enjoy their evil deeds, and continue therein. This is the condemnation, not becauſe they have done evil, but becauſe they chuſe to continue therein. For the love of God hath manifeſted it ſelf unto all in ſending his Son as a Sacrifice for all, a Lamb without blemiſh to take away the Sin of the World, Joh. 1. ver. 29.

2. As the Father hath manifeſted his love to man; ſo the Son likewiſe, who is the only begotten Son of God, the firſt born of every creature, and the expreſſe image of the Father, he hath ſhined forth in the glory of the ſame love: We beheld his glory (ſaith the Apoſtle, wherein? Even in this that he was) full of grace, and full of truth. Grace is free gift, bounty, good will and this is glorious, this we beheld in the Son of God, ſaith the Apoſtle What love like this? Or what favour like this? To lay down ones life for another. This our Lord hath done for us. 1 Tim. 2.6. He gave himſelf 〈◊〉 ranſome for all (ſaith the Apoſtle and this is to be a Teſtimony i • due time for ſo the words ſignify 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He offered up himſelf a Sacrifice for us according to the will of God, that h • might put away our ſin, by the Sacrifice of himſelf. Heb. 9.26. and tha • was the will of God, who layed o • him the iniquity of us all. And this h • willingly underwent for us: fo • when burnt offerings and Sacrifices of the Law for ſin could not purge the conſcience ſo as to make the commers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the conſcience, (and therefore God took no pleaſure in them,) then ſaid the Son, Loe I come to doe thy will O God, Heb. 10. That ſo a way might be made for reconciling our Hearts to God, by laying a ground for faith in us. He bare our ſins in his own body on the Tree. 1 Pet. 2.24. Here's the ground for faith; and a foundation layd for mans returning towards the Lord in Love: for we cannot love him till we be made ſenſible of his love to us, and underſtand that he loveth us. And when this underſtanding and beliefe ariſes in our Hearts, it drawes our Hearts to him in love again. We love him becauſe he firſt loved us, ſaith the beloved Diſciple. 1 Joh. 4.19. He loved us and waſhed us from our ſins in his own blood. Rev. 1.5. His love goes before our waſhing: He loved us and waſhed us. I ſaid unto the when thou waſt in thy blood live Ezek. 16.6.

He that hath his Heart opene • to believe this Teſtimony of th • Love of God in Chriſt Jeſus ou • Lord, he ſhall finde the incomes o • the Spirit of Chriſt in ſome meaſure; as they did who believe • theſe joyfull tydings at the foundin • forth of our Salvation by the bloo • of Chriſt, in the primitive time▪ when the Goſpel was firſt preached to them.

And this now is faith, even to receive the Teſtimony of the So • of God, concerning the love of God, and to believe in him for Salvation▪ Look unto me and be ye ſaved, all the ends of the Earth. Iſa. 45.22. As Moſes lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderneſs, ſo the Son of man was lifted up; that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life: For God ſo loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life, Joh. 3.14, 15, 16. The words are doubled to confirm the certainty thereof. And therefore ſeeing we have Salvation in him and by him, and by no other, he is called, The Lord our Righteouſneſs, Jer. 23.6. For he is made of God unto us, Wiſdome, and Righteouſneſs, and Sanctification, and redemption, that according as it is written, he that gloryeth, let him glory in the Lord, 1 Cor. 1.30, 31. Let him glory in the Lord, not in his own works, for all glorying therein is caſt out. Therefore ſhall men ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſneſs and ſtrength. Iſa. 45.24.

He that believeth this love of God in Chriſt, therewith receiveth Chriſt, and with him power to become a Son of God. Joh. 1.12. As many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. To believe on his name is to receive him, and to receive him is to believe on his name: So that by fai •• Chriſt is received. And by faith a • the Spirit of Chriſt is received, Gal. • 2, and 5. This only would I learn 〈◊〉 you: received ye the Spirit, by t • works of the Law or by the hearing 〈◊〉 faith, (that is of Salvation by fait • ver. 5. He therefore that ministre • to you the Spirit — doth he it the works of the Law or by the heari • of faith? The Scripture many tim • layes that down by way of queſtio • which is undenyable, as it do • here; as much as to ſay, I'ts by fai • that the Spirit is received: for he • by the hearing of faith, we mu • underſtand ſuch a hearing as is a r • ceiving or obeying the Goſpel: a •• in this the Spirit is received.

And ſo by faith alſo we receive r • miſſion of ſins. To him give all the Pr • phets witneſſe, that through his nam • whoſoever believeth in him ſhall recei •• remiſſion of ſinns. Act. 10.43. A •• this was the Doctrine that Peter w •• preaching to Cornelius and the that were with him when the Ho •• Ghoſt fell on all them that heard •• e word. ver. 44. Now where • hriſt and his Spirit is received, it •• rnes the Heart from ſin, and turns 〈◊〉 to righteouſneſs. And this tur • ing of the minde and Heart from • n to righteouſneſs is repentance. 〈◊〉 is not a little remorſe or ſorrow • or ſins paſt only, and yet conti • uing therein: but turning from • t toward righteouſneſs, that's re • entance. So all theſe things ac • ompany the miniſtery of the Goſ • el, or the true preaching of Chriſt, • nd receiving of him, it opens the • yes to ſee the love of God, and • is mercyfull kindneſs in Chriſt Je • us, and this turns them from dark • eſs to light, and ſo from the power of Satan unto God (this is true repen • ance) that ſo they may receive remiſſion of ſins, and inheritance among • hem which are ſanctifyed by faith in Chriſt Jeſus. Act. 26.18. The Spirit of Chriſt entring into the Heart by faith, or in believing, turns it or converts it from ſin to God, by renewing of it, and ſo waſhes 〈◊〉 from its filthines by the blood 〈◊〉 Chriſt, and Sanctifyes it. Therefore ſaid Chriſt, except I waſh the • thou haſt no part in mee. Here's th • waſhing and ſprinkling by th • blood; here's the being born agai • of Water and of the Spirit witho •• which one cannot enter into th • Kingdome of God: here's the wor • of regeneration, without whic • one cannot ſee the Kingdom 〈◊〉 God. Joh. 3. So now all things a •• become new and the Stream turne • The Stream of that mans Heart 〈◊〉 which was downward towards th • Earth, and towards evil, is no • turned upwards towards God, an • towards things that are good: Longing after a participation of Go • Heavenly nature, and Holyneſs▪ which it hath received a taſte 〈◊〉 and as a new born Babe he now deſires and longs after the ſince • Milk of the word, that he ma • grow thereby, and feel more an • more fellowſhip with the Heaven •• nature. Flouriſhes of wit, and eloquence which pleaſe the itching Ear, will not ſatisfy this hungring Babe, but the ſincere uncorrupted Milk of the word, which adds ſtrength and growth. Thus I ſay God lets in ſomething of himſelf and Heavenly nature by faith into the Hearts of the Sons of men, that they taſting of that Heavenly nature may preſſe after a further enjoyment thereof, and to be more and more filled therewith.

And thus faith is an inward work wrought by the power of God opening the Heart to receive the love of God, whereby a new work is wrought in the Heart, renewing it, or regenerating it again to God, and forming a new Creation in the Heart, which makes a man a new Creature. And there is a going on in this work from faith to faith, and ſo a following on in the regeneration. And this is the great available thing with the Lord, as the Apoſtle teſtifyed ſaying, neither circumciſion availeth any thing wit • the Lord, nor uncircumciſion but 〈◊〉 new creature, or new creation, Gal • 6.15. which he otherwiſe expreſſes thus, chap. 5.6. Neither circumciſion availeth any thing with th • Lord nor uncircumciſion, but fait • which worketh by love. No outwar • thing, no outward profeſſion, i • the available thing, but faith whic • worketh by love, and which renewes the creature, or makes 〈◊〉 man a new creature. This is tha • which the Lord accepts: becauſe now a man begins to live to God▪ and to be a Veſſel ſanctifyed for th • Maſters uſe. This work raiſes him up, and ſets him upon his feet, a • a man raiſed up from the dead▪ and now it is the delight of thi • new man to doe the will of God▪ and to be found in his work. An • now he begins to warr and ſigh • the good fight of faith, ſtriving againſt ſin, that he may keep hi • conſcience pure and clear befor • the Lord. For the myſtery of fait • is thereby preſerved. The myſtery of faith is held in a pure conſcience, 1 Tim. 3.9. Faithfulneſs to God preſerves and nouriſhes faith. That is, Faithfulneſs to what the conſcience knows to be the will of God, this preſerves peace and faith in God. But in caſe of being overcome by the Enemy, the Lord calls for repentance; that is, turning from the evil with all our Hearts, and turning again to him, and looking to his mercy and forgiveneſs, with a ſtedfaſt purpoſe to cleave to him in fear and trembling, conſidering our own weakneſs; and ſo waiting upon him for help to overcome: and in his due time he purges the conſcience again from the evil, and purifies it by the blood of ſprinkling, even by the blood of Chriſt: and thus our Lord Jeſus Chriſt waſhes us in his own blood by the Spirit, renewing his love in the Heart, and remitting the tranſgreſſion. And ſo faith is reſtored in a true Heart; though it hath been overtaked by the ſubtilty of the Enemy. For indeed the failings of the true Seed, or truely converted, are not from a life had in the evil, bu • rather from being ſurpriſed, and overtaken: therefore it cauſes grie • and anguiſh, and a crying unto the Lord for deliverance. Whereas he that hath a life in the Evil, he reſts in it. While the ſtrong man keeps the Houſe all things are at quiet: But when a ſtronger then he is come, he diſturbes that quietneſs in the evil; ther's no reſt there▪ For what fellowſhip can the true ſeed have with falſehood? What Communion can Chriſt the true Spirit have with the works of the evil Spirit in us? Therefore he caſts out the deceiver and his works. Therefore that Faith that is under the bleſſing muſt needs warr againſt the deceiver to caſt him out: otherwiſe it is not right. For Faith in Truth begets an honeſt and true Heart, which works againſt deceit and the deceiver. True Faith firſt begets an honeſt and true Heart, and then is therein retained, as in a fit Veſſel. And the departing from Truth and honeſty and uprightneſs makes Shipwrack of Faith.

To open this myſtery of Faith more plainly, whereby the Truth thereof may be known, and it may be diſcerned in ſome meaſure from all falſe appearances thereof, I ſhall come to ſome particulars, that we may know it by the Fruits of it, as Chriſt our Lord hath taught us to know Prophets, of what ſort they are. Yee ſhall know them by their Fruits.

Firſt, This Faith purifyes the Heart, Act. 15.9. That ſo that which flowes out of the Heart may be pure. Out of the Heart unſanctifyed proceeds evil thoughts, Murthers, Adulteries, Thefts, Blaſphemies (or ſpeaking evil of Holyneſs, and of Holy men, as well as of God) envy, malice, revenge, pride, ſcornfulneſs, ambition, coveteouſneſs and ſuch like, which keep a man from entring into the Kingdom of God. For ſuch ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God, Its the Apoſtles Teſtimony 1 Cor. 6.9. Eph. 5.5, 6. Therefore faith is like a Refiners fire to theſe things to conſume and burn them up, and to purifie the Heart from ſuch filth. Purifying their Hearts by faith, ſaith the Scripture. And this thing the Servants of the Lord witneſſed as to their own condition, as well as others. We our ſelves (ſaith the Apoſtle Tit. 3.3, 4, 5.) were ſometimes fooliſh, diſobedient, deceived, ſerving divers luſts and pleaſures, living in malice and envy, hatefull, and hating one another. This was their ſtate before the kindneſs and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared to them: but after that appeared to them (which is the very ground of Faith) then came the waſhing from theſe things, and Salvation. But after that the kindneſs and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of rightouſneſs which we have done, but according to his mercy he ſaved us, by the waſhing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghoſt (or Holy Spirit) which he ſhed on us abundantly through Jeſus Chriſt our Saviour. Here Faith is plainly implyed in this work: For the kindneſs and love of God appearing is received: (and thats Faith) and in this receiving of the love and kindneſs of God comes the waſhing of regeneration (without which waſhing we have no part in Chriſt, Joh. 13.8.) And ſo here comes the renewing of our Hearts by the Holy Spirit, which the Apoſtle calls, the renewing of the Holy Ghoſt, or Holy Spirit. That is, the renewing of our Hearts by him, who is let in by Faith, for its we that want renewing; not the Holy Spirit. So here the new Creature is begot by the Spirit, which is created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good works. Mark! In Chriſt Jeſus, that is in the miniſtration of the Goſpel, or of the kindneſs and love of God: whereof Chriſt Jeſus is the Miniſter, not in Moſes or in the miniſtery of the Law which conſiſts in works: But in Chriſt Jeſus, whoſe miniſtery is in Faith, in this is the Creation unto good works, that we ſhould live in them, and no longer to ſerve the evil and impure luſts of the Fleſh. For if we live after the Fleſh we ſhall dye, but if we through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body we ſhall live. Rom. 8.13.

Now the Heart thus waſhed and renewed, that which proceeds out of the Heart ſavours of cleannes, and purity. Out of the aboundance of the Heart, the mouth ſpeaks▪ and ſo better language is hereby learn't. Corrupt language comes under judgment, being felt inwardly to be contrary, or a burthen to th • Spirit of life now in meaſure received. And thus the Lord fulfills hi • promiſe to his People, in turning to them a pure language. The lea •• grain of Faith, though it be but a • a grain of Muſtardſeed inclines th • Heart thus after righteouſneſs, an • Holyneſs. And if through temptation the Heart be ſometimes overtaken with evil, yet it hath not reſt there, but it turnes again in purſuite of righteouſneſs, until it get Victory over the World and the luſts thereof: and in Faith is the victory. 1 Joh. 5.4. And here's the Heart that hungers and thirſts after righteouſneſs which it hath received a taſte of, by the Holy Spirit ſhed abroad upon it. And this is one inſeparable Fruit of true Faith, thus to work againſt ſin, and to thirſt after rightouſneſs, from the ſeed of Sanctification ſown in the Heart, which ſprings up to eternal life.

Second • y, Another inſeparable Fruit of true Faith is Love. Gal. 5.6. For in Chriſt Jeſus neither circumciſion availeth any thing, nor uncircumciſion, but Faith which worketh by love. Neither circumciſion nor uncircumciſion: no outward badge or character is now available with God, but Faith which worketh by love. No outward diſtinction, nor every Faith neither is available with God, but that Faith which works by love. Such a Faith as is of the true ſtamp, which hath the nature of Chriſt Jeſus in it, which is love. This is that Faith which pleaſes the Lord. And this therefore diſcovers all killing and deſtroying Faiths, all perſecuting and hurtfull Faiths, to be ungrounded and falſe Faiths They are not right: they bear not a reſemblance with the Faith of the Apoſtles and ancient believers. But ſuch a Faith is a Heterodox Anti-chriſtian Faith. Its not of a right birth: but ſpurious, begot by th • Law of works, or from the evil one and not from the kindneſs and love of God in Chriſt Jeſus. Its a kin to the faith of Devils: The Devils believe and tremble, but remain Murderers: So theſe that believe and remain Mutherers and perſecuters, ſtand as yet ingrafted into the murthering and perſecuting Spirit. The works of their Fathe • they doe who was a Murderer from the beginning. But he that come to the true Faith, he works according to the nature of that Spirit that begets his Faith, and that is to ſave life, to doe good and not to deſtroy, The deſtroying Faith is of Apollyon (that is a deſtroyer) but the ſaving Faith is of him that came to ſave mens lives, and not to deſtroy. That Faith that ſaves us, teaches us to ſave or preſerve others, not to ſeek their deſtruction. It matters not how zealous men be for their Faith, if it carry the deſtroying nature in it, its not right in the ſight of God: it ſprings but from works at beſt, not from grace, nor is it according to knowledge. The perſecuting Jews had a Zeal of God but not according to knowledge; and ſo may falſe Faiths have: and hereby they are diſcovered to the true ſeed, that they are not according to true knowledge. This is the ſecond Character of true Faith, it works by love.

Thirdly, It brings peace and conſolation. Rom. 5.1. Therefore being juſtifyed by Faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, the God of hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Rom. 15.13. It muſt needs follow that he that ſenſibly believes this love of God in Chriſt Jeſus to all men, and to him in particular: It muſt needs be I ſay that peace will ſpring up in his Heart thereby. And ſo here's the entrance into the Kingdom of God by Faith. The Kingdom of God is within; and it conſiſts in righteouſneſs and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. And into this Kingdom or Heavenly Canaan we enter by Faith. While unbelief and fears lye upon us and ſhut up our Spirits, we are ſhort yet of our poſſeſſion of the Kingdom. There are ſome to whom the Kingdom of Heaven belongs, who are not fully entred into the poſſeſſion of it, as an inheritance may belong to an Heir, before the time come that he poſſeſſeth it: ſuch are the poor in Spirit, who go mourning under the ſenſe of the body of ſin not yet ſhaken off, and who go hungring and thirſting after righteouſneſs, which they have not yet attained unto as their Souls deſire. Such I ſay, are under a bleſſing, and have right to the Kingdom of God, though as yet they go mourning. For Chriſt Jeſus our Lord applyes the right of the Kingdom to them. Bleſſed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. And bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted, Matt. 5.3, 4. Their mourning is while they are in travel: but when they have brought forth then there is rejoycing, when Faith hath overcome, then joy and gladneſs. And this is in ſome ſooner, in ſome later. In the primitive times of the Apoſtles, when the myſtery of the Goſpel or glad tydings was holden forth with open face, as I may ſay, and without a vail or myſt, many that received thoſe tydings by Faith were immediatly filled with peace and conſolation. How quickly was the Jaylor that came in trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas, crying out, Syr's what muſt I doe to be ſaved? How quickly I ſay was he raiſed up into peace and conſolation, after he had heard the joyfull tydings of Salvation by Chriſt Jeſus plainly preached to him in few words, and by Faith received it? Act. 16.31, 32, 33, 34. And they ſaid, Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, and thy Houſe. And they ſpake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his Houſe. And he took them the ſame hour of the night (it was not a work of many hours but the ſame hour) and waſhed their ſtripes and was Baptized, he and all his ſtraight way. And when he had brought them into his Houſe, he ſet meat before them, and rejoyced, believing in God with all his Houſe. See how love and joy accompanied his Faith, believing in God he rejoyced. Therefore the Goſpel is called, glad tyding of great joy. For who can believe that his ſins are done away in Chriſt Jeſus, and that freely by grace, (or in love,) the Lord accepteth him in Chriſt Jeſus, and not therein rejoyce. The Preaching of the Goſpel, is preaching peace by Jeſus Chriſt, Act. 10.26. Eph. 2.17. And therefore its call'd, the Goſpel of Peace. How beautifull are the feet of them that preach the Goſpel of peace, and bring glad tydings of good things, Rom. 10.15. The Eunuch to whom Philip preached Chriſt, and opened to him the way of Salvation by Chriſt, and he by Faith had received this love of God in Chriſt, the ſame day he was filled with joy, and after Philip was caught away from him, he went on his way rejoycing. Act. 8.39. So at Samari • , Philip having preached Chriſt unto them and working Miracles in his name, there was great joy in that City. Act. 8.8. So likewiſe that great multitude that was converted at Peters preaching the Goſpel to them, Act. 2. beſides thoſe eminent Fruits of love which ſprang up in them in an extraordinary manner, they alſo were filled with great joy and conſolation, which made them to eat their meat with gladneſs and ſinglenes of praiſing God.

This true Faith in Chriſt Jeſus brings peace and conſolation upon two principal accounts. Firſt, becauſe it receives the glad tydings of remiſſion or forgiveneſs of ſins by Jeſus Chriſt. The guilt of ſin, or conſcience of ſin binds a man under the fear of condemnation, and cauſes him to cry out in the bitterneſs of his Soul, what ſhall I doe? As it did theſe here in the 2d of the Acts when they were ſtruck with a ſenſe of their ſin, they cryed out, Men and Brethren what ſhall we doe? And ſo the Jaylor, what ſhall I doe to be ſaved? And this ſtate the Apoſtle Paul perſonates, Rom. 7.24. O wretched Man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death? Now what can be more joyfull at ſuch a time, and to ſuch a condition, then to be ſatisfyed that their ſins are forgiven them, and that Chriſt Jeſus the Lamb of God, that taketh away the Sin of the World, hath borne their ſin in his own body on the Tree: And ſo to have their conſcience ſprinkled by his blood from an evil conſcience, and to be made clean by that blood of ſprinkling. Here's cauſe indeed of rejoycing by Faith in him. For now the chaine of darkneſs is unlooſed, and the liberty of the Sons of God begins to appear, and he is tranſlated out of darkneſs into marvellous light. Even the light of life. 1 Pet. 2.9. And then ſecondly in this faith there is alſo a meaſure of the Spirit received, which is the comforter, and brings his Teſtimony with him, which is beyond all words for giving conſolation and peace. The Spirit witneſſing with our Spirits, that we are accepted into Sonſhip with God. And therefore the joy received in believing is called, the joy of the Holy Ghoſt, or Holy Spirit. 1 Theſſ. 1.6. And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, and joy of the Holy Ghoſt. That is, joy which the Holy Ghoſt or Holy Spirit miniſtred in their receiving the word. There's joy in Heaven over one ſinner that truely repents, and he alſo is made partaker of that joy. Thus the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace to that man that receives the Teſtimony of the love of God in Chriſt Jeſus: and alſo it begets the ſame in that man towards others. It begets love in him towards others, and joy in their returning to God, and makes him a man of Peace in the World.

Obj. It may be ſome may ſay how can this be, ſeeing Chriſt ſaid, I came not to ſend peace on Earth, but a Sword: And to ſet one man at variance againſt another?

Anſw. That is occaſionally, becauſe the Earthly Spirit, will be oppoſing and perſecuting the rightous ſeed: although the righteous ſeed be a ſeed of peace and quiet • eſs in it ſelf, and to others.

Obj. Again ſome may ſay, Chriſt • ells of mourning, ye ſhall mourn, • nd the World ſhall rejoyce, &c. How then doth this ſtand with that • y, which thou ſpeaks of?

Anſw. A Woman while ſhe is in • ravel hath ſorrow but when ſhe hath brought forth ſhe rejoyceth for joy that a man Childe is brought forth into the World: ſo it is here. And then again ſaith Chriſt Jeſus, In the World ye ſhall have tribulation, but in me ye ſhall have peace, Joh. 16.33.

Forthly, I come now to another Fruit or concomitant of this Faith, and that is this, it excludes boaſting: It cuts down vainglory. Where is boaſting then? It is excluded: By what Law? Of Works? Nay; but by the Law of Faith. Rom. 3.27. For what hath that man to glory in, in reſpect of himſelf, that ſees himſelf wholy a receiver at the hands of the Lord? When he rightly ſees himſelf juſtifyed freely by grace▪ and the ſuperaboundant mercy o • God; who hath revealed himſelf to him in Chriſt Jeſus: (That is, hath revealed his love to him in Chriſ • Jeſus; for God is love.) And hath let him ſee, that he is accepted freely in Chriſt Jeſus. He that hath the right ſence of this upon his Spirit, it draws his Heart into the admiration of the infinite love and mercy of God, in deep humility▪ And the more fully this is revealed to him or in him, the greater is his admiration ſtill of the glory of God in this his mercy, and the deeper is his humility, and lowlines of minde Minde but the writings of the Holy Apoſtles of Chriſt Jeſus, and you will finde it ſo, that ſtill they are harping upon this ſtring, ſounding forth the mercies of the Lord in Chriſt Jeſus, and his love in revealing his Son to them. Yea obſerve but that high ſtate of the Elders, ſpoken of in the Book of the Revelations, who were ſet upon ſeats round about the Throne, and cloathed in white Raiment, and Crowned. The ſubſtance of their ſong was this; Thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the Seals thereof. (Now mark why;) For thou was ſlain and haſt redeemed us to God, by thy Blood, out of every kinred, and Tongue, and People and Nation. (Mark!) Not a word of their own righteouſneſs, not a word of their works, how good ſoever they were, which doubtles were excellent, but yet not a word thereof, the riches of the mercy of God in Chriſt Jeſus puts all that out of ſight, and layes them low at his Footſtool, for they are ſaid to fall down before the Lamb, and ſing this Song. Now what are theſe Elders, but repreſentatives of all the Elect ſeed of God from all parts of the Earth? Seeing it is contained in their Song, that they were redeemed by his Blood out of every kinred, and Tongue, and People, and Nation. Now there be many more kinreds, and Tongues and Nations then four and twenty: but all repreſented by theſe four and twenty.

Well then you ſee their faith in Chriſt is not like the Faith of the Phariſees, in which they ſtand juſtifying themſelves in their own works, and exalting, themſelves thereby over poor Publicans. But all their admiration and glorying is in the mercy of God. And ſo we finde the Apoſtles ſounding forth the ſame things in their Epiſtles. Eph. 2.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us; even when we were dead in ſins, hath quickned us together with Chriſt (by grace ye are ſaved.) And hath raiſed us up together, and made us ſit together in Heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus: that in ages to come he might ſhew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindneſs towards us, through Chriſt Jeſus. For by grace ye are ſaved, through Faith, and that not of your ſelves it is the gift of God: Not of works, leſt any man ſhould boaſt. Thus all boaſting is excluded by true Faith. And as I have ſhewed before, the right Faith works by love: and that love is not of an exalting nature. But as the Apoſtle ſaith, it vaunteth not it ſelf, is not puffed up. 1 Cor. 13.4. Thus the true and right Faith ſhuts out boaſting, and cuts down vainglory, and makes humble. Therefore ſaith our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Verely I ſay unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little Children, ye ſhall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoſoever therefore ſhall humble himſelf as this little Childe, the ſame is greateſt in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matth. 18.3, 4.

Fifthly, To proceed, this true Faith is accompanyed with an Ʋnction, or an Anointing from the holy one. John writing to thoſe he calls little Children, whoſe ſins are forgiven for his names ſake, ſaith thus, But ye have an Ʋnction from the holy one, and ye know all things. 1 Joh. 2.20. All things, that is, that appertained to life and godlineſs. Why? For this Unction or Anointing taught them all things that appertained thereto, that ſo walking according to the teaching thereof, they might abide in Chriſt. Now this Unction is the Spirit, which gives a ſenſe and feeling of the will of God what he would have us to doe, and what he would have us to forbear▪ And we need not that any ma • ſhould teach us beyond the teaching • of that, to amuſe us with high notions and myſteries which the Unction gives us no openings of. An • ſo keeping to that, keept us wi • to ſobriety; minding to doe th • will of God which the Unction inclines our Hearts to, rather the • to fill the brain with knowledge 〈◊〉 things which add not to our comfort, and profiting and grouth i • Chriſt. Now that this Unction 〈◊〉 the Spirit appears by compearin • this Scripture with another. Tha • is, compare this 1 Joh. 2.20, 2 • with Ioh. 14.16, 17. Where it 〈◊〉 expreſſed by the name of the Spirit. I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of Truth, whom the World cannot receive, becauſe it ſeeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and ſhall be in you. This is that abideing Unction which abides with the Faithfull for ever. The Unction is a conſtant abiding thing, and ſo is the Spirit, abiding for ever. Thus the Lord fulfills his promiſe of old, Iſa. 44.3. and chap. 59.21. I will pour Water upon him that is thirſty: and floods upon the dry ground. (Thirſty and dry, theſe are ſuch as hunger and thirſt, and fit to receive the Heavenly rain) but he expreſſes • t more plainly in the following words; thus, I will pour my Spirit upon thy ſeed, and my bleſſing upon • hine Off-ſpring. Then in ch. 59.21. • he promiſes the conſtancy of this Spirit with the ſeed of Chriſt; in • heſe words. As for me this is my Covenant with them, ſaith the Lord. My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy Mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy Mouth, nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed, nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed, ſaith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever. So that this is a promiſe to all the Seed, and that for ever: which promiſe is fulfilled to all faithfull believers in Chriſt Jeſus. Therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, if any ma • have not the Spirit of Chriſt, he i • none of his. Rom. 8.9. And herein th • Son-ſhip is eſtabliſhed even in thi • Spirit, or abiding Unction, o • Anointing: As the Apoſtle witneſſeth. ver. 14. For as many as are le • by the Spirit of God, they are the Son • of God. Thus the Anointing wit • the Spirit, (typifyed by the precious Ointment that was poure • upon Aarons head, and ran dow • to the Skirts of his Garment,) thi • Anointing with the Spirit run • down from our High-Prieſt to th • loweſt of his Servants. He wa • anointed with the Oyl of gladneſs above his fellows, but we all of his fullneſs receive every one a meaſure of his Spirit: and ſo are hereby ſtated, by this Spirit of Adoption, into Sonſhip and Heir-ſhip with him. If Children, then Heirs, Heirs of God, and joynt-heirs with Chriſt, &c. Rom. 8.17. And this ſtate or Spiritual condition carryes its own evidence in it ſelf: for, the Spirit it ſelf, beareth witneſs with our Spirit, that we are the Children of God. ver. 16. And as this Spirit or Unction is a guide to the Children of light, leading them into all Truth; and as it is a witneſs to the Children of God, witneſſing with their Spirits, and adminiſtring comfort, and Heavenly food to the Soul: So alſo he adminiſters words and matter to Chriſts little ones, when they are called before Rulers and Magiſtrates for his names ſake. And Chriſt Jeſus our Lord taught his to depend hereupon, and not to perplex themſelves with thinking before hand what to ſay to them. Matt. 10.19, 20. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye ſhall ſpeak: for it ſhall be given you in that ſame hour, what ye ſhall ſpeak. For it is not ye that ſpeak, but the Spirit of your Father that ſpeaketh in you. Hence it is that ſometimes Women and unletter'd Perſons, have been enabled to confound great learned men, for the Lord by his Spirit gives a mouth and wiſdome which their Adverſaries ar • not able to gainſay nor to reſiſt.

This is that Spirit which begetteth earnings and longings in our Hearts after the Lord: and which helpeth our infirmities, when we know not how to utter our minds to the Lord: for then he maketh interceſſion for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered: and theſe groanings being according to the will of God, he hears them: for he knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit. Rom. 8.26, 27.

There be many Spirits gone forth into the World, which are not this Unction, but work contrary to it, and lead out from Chriſt into the World: therefore the Apoſtle bids us, try the Spirits, whether they are of God. 1 Joh. 4.2. Well but how ſhall we try them? He tells us how to know them in the next verſes following. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every Spirit that confeſſeth Jeſus Chriſt come in the Fleſh is of God. And every Spirit that confeſſeth not Jeſus Chriſt come in the Fleſh, is not of God. For ſo the words run more truely according to the Greek, then to render them thus; Every Spirit that confeſſeth that Jeſus Chriſt is come in the Fleſh, &c. For this confeſſion is ſuch a confeſſion as owns an intereſt in him, or profeſſes a relation to him, by Faith in him, and by love and obedience to him. The evil Spirits did verbally confeſſe him; Mar. 1.24. and ſo evil men may verbally confeſſe him: tho they neither truely believe in him, nor love, nor obey him. But this true confeſſion of him hath theſe things neceſſarily conjoyned therewith. 1. Faith. Iohn 3.18, 36. For that Spirit that wants that, is under condemnation and wrath: as this Scripture teſtifyes. 2. Love. 1 Cor. 16.24. If any man love not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 3. Obedience to him. And therefore ſaith John, he that ſaith I know him, and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar, and the Truth is not in him. So then every Spirit that confeſſes that Jeſus Chriſt that ſuffered for our ſins, i • Faith, and in Love and Obedience to him, that Spirit is of God. But otherwiſe evil Spirits may confeſſe him: and Children of the evil one may confeſſe him. Alſo the Apoſtle draweth this down to himſelf, and others who were in the pure and living faith, and innocent life in whom Chriſt appeared. ver. 6. o • the ſame Chapter. We are of God▪ he that knoweth God heareth us: 〈◊〉 that is not of God heareth not us: hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of error. So here you ſee he places the mark to know Spirits by upon their owning or not owning of Chriſt himſelf, come in Fleſh, and of him appearing in others: For they that know him not in his Children where he appears, but deny his appearance there, they are not of his Spirit themſelves. But then how ſhall we know his Children, from the Children of the Devil? The Apoſtle tells us, this is manifeſt by their works. 1 Joh. 3.10. He doth not ſay, its manifeſt by any particular forme, but by their works: In this the Children of God are manifeſt, and the Children of the Devil: Whoſoever doth not righteouſneſs is not of God, neither he that loveth not his Brother. So then let men pretend what they will, if their works be evil, they are not of God. So that by their works falſe Spirits and falſe Prophets are known: and by them they ſhall be judged at the laſt day. Though they ſhall ſay, we have Prophecyed in thy name, yet it ſhall be ſaid to them, Depart from me, I know you not ye workers of Iniquity. Now theſe muſt needs own his comming, that Prophecy in his name. And that they may doe, and yet not own hi • where he is come and appears i • Fleſh. And ſo they may confeſſe hi • comming; and yet not confeſſe himſelf where he is come. As the Iew owned Moſes and the Prophets wh • were come and gone: but yet perſecuted them that came in their Spirit: they owned and confeſſed Abraham, but owned not, nor confeſſed the true ſeed of Abraham ▪ and ſo were not of Abraham thoug • they confeſſed him. In like manne • many now confeſſe that Chriſt cam • in the Fleſh, but perſecute the • that come in his Spirit, that is perſecute him in them, for ſo he wil • charge it upon them. Becauſe what done to his little ones, is done upo • this account, that he is in them▪ who hath no fellowſhip with th • unfruitfull works of darkneſs in which they are who perſecute them. For if he were not in them who hath not fellowſhip with unfruitfull works of darkneſs, they would not hate them: but would love them. The World loves its own, and thoſe of its own Spirit. If you were of the World, the World would love his own, but becauſe ye are not of the World, but I have choſen you out of the World, therefore the World hateth you. Joh. 15.19.

A little further ſtill for the manifeſtation of this true Unction, or Anointing, to diſtinguiſh it from other Spirits; not only from evil Spirits, but even from ſome operations of the true Spirit. Conſider that this Holy Unction is an abiding thing keeping the Heart in the fear and love of God, making that the maine care of him in whom it is, to keep in obedience to the will of God, and ſo in fellowſhip with God: for thats the Kingdom into which we are tranſlated: and whatſoever interpoſeth between us, and that fellowſhip with God who i • love, that wounds and ſlayes: And we are then like one baniſhed hi • native Kingdom, and like an Exile until we be eſtabliſhed in it again and then there's reſt, and care and fear leſt we grief the Spirit again▪ And thus the promiſe to the true ſeed is fulfilled which ſaith, I wil • put my fear in their Hearts and they ſhall not depart from me. Jer. 32.40▪ Now other Spirits which give no • this fellowſhip in the love of God, may doe great things, whereby the perſon may be admired; but they doe not keep the heart low, watching to doe the will of God. Balaam had an eminent Prophecy given him, by the Spirit of the Lord, which alſo ſtrove with him to keep him back from the error of his wayes: but he had not this Holy abideing Unction. And ſo may others have the gift of Prophecy; and underſtand many myſteries, &c. and yet be deſtitute of this Anointing: as its plain from the Scriptures. Pſal. 68.18. Mat. 7.22. 1 Cor. 13. But I am ſparing of ſpeaking of theſe things, becauſe the ſame gifts may accompany the true Anointing: and theſe gifts are ſerviceable for the edifying of the Babes of Chriſt. Therefore let none think that I would undervalue ſuch precious gifts, or teach others to deſpiſe Prophecying: that is not my purpoſe, but only to give the right underſtanding of that which is eſſential to Chriſtianity and a Heavenly life, in which true believers walk with God. Who doe not alwayes bear the greateſt ſhow in their profeſſion, by ſuch gifts, nor bear forth themſelves the higheſt among their Brethren, but yet their lives are moſt innocent in the World. I have ſeen in ſeveral profeſſions of Religion, this humble ſeed, this plain hearted, this true hearted Jacob bowing under his rough Brother Eſau: and like a little ſhrub under tall Cedars, which flouriſh and ſpread forth themſelves over his head: for their inclination is to exalt themſelves, his care to keep out of vain-glory, and to walk humbly with his God. Thus in ſome meaſure the Children of light, who are the firſt Fruits unto God, are diſtinguiſhed from the Children of darkneſs, who are of the World, and therefore love the World, and the things that are of the World, namely, the luſts of the Fleſh, the luſt of the Eyes, and the pride of life. I doe not mean that hereby they are made ſo diſtinct one from another that they may certainly and fully be known in the World: but my endeavour is ſo to diſcover the eſſential life of Chriſtianity to themſelves, that they may not reſt in a formal and circumſtantial profeſſion of Chriſtianity, without the true life and power thereof, wherein true peace and fellowſhip with God is enjoyed and lived in; which indeed is the Kingdom of God. Which at firſt may be but like a grain of Muſtardſeed, but it is of a growing nature. Therefore many may for a time in an outward profeſſion outſhine thoſe that are entring yea and entred into the Kingdom: But theſe laſt will become firſt, and thoſe firſt will become laſt. For the ſeed of the free Woman, or new Covenant, born by promiſe, and begot by Faith, will become Heir, when the ſeed of the bond Woman borne after the Fleſh muſt be caſt forth.

Theſe things here written are no new things, but according to the current of the Doctrine of Chriſt and his Holy Apoſtles left upon Record. But it may be ſome Objections may be made againſt them, by ſome. For Truth doth uſually meete with Oppoſition.

Obj. Perhaps ſome will ſay, theſe things ſpeak of the Kingdom of God here in this life: but we look for the Kingdom of God after this life.

Anſw. True, the Kingdom of God is here ſpoken of, to be entred into, in this life: but not in oppoſition to the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven hereafter: but as an entrance into the everlaſting Kingdome which ſhall have no end. For the Kingdom of Heaven is begun here, and entred into by faith which works by love, and purifyes the Heart. And therefore when Chriſt Jeſus our Lord ſent forth his Diſciples to preach and to heal the ſick, he bid them preach, ſaying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand: And he told the Jews, that the Kingdom of God commeth not with outward obſervation, but that the Kingdom of God was within: And the Apoſtle tells us wherein it doth conſiſt, namely, in righteouſneſs and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For the Spirit, that comforter adminiſters that joy. And this is the earneſt of the everlaſting inheritance, and it is the beginning of his Kingdome; into which the Saints witneſſed an entrance formerly. Col. 1.13. — who hath delivered us from the power of darkneſs; and hath tranſlated us into the Kingdome of his dear Son. And the Apoſtle Peter tells us, how an entrance ſhall be miniſtred unto us abundantly into the everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. 2 Pet. 1. A place of Scripture worthy to be Printed in every ones Heart, ſeeing it teaches an abundant entrance into the Kingdom of God: In which things there written the Saints then living were found walking: and yet being of ſo great importance, the Apoſtles care was to put them ſtill in minde of them, that after his deceaſe they might alwayes have them in remembrance. I ſhall give you ſome of the words, and leave you to read the reſt in your Books. Peter writing to thoſe believers who had obtained like precious Faith with him and other Apoſtles, through the righteouſneſs of God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, (note, not through their own rightouſneſs, but through the righteouſneſs of God and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt) he exhorts them to give all diligence to add to this Faith, vertue; and to vertue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, Godlineſs; and to Godlineſs, Brotherly kindneſs; and to Brotherly kindneſs, love. For if theſe things be in you and abound, they make you, that ye ſhall not be barren (argues ſlothfull) nor unfruitfull to the knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. But he that lacketh theſe things is blinde, and cannot ſee far off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old ſins. Wherefore the rather, Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election ſure: for if ye doe theſe things, ye ſhall never fall, For ſo an entrance ſhall be miniſtred unto you abundantly into the everlaſting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. Now take notice, that it is not the knowing of theſe things, but the walking in them, that gives an abundant entrance into the Kingdom. If ye doe theſe things, ſaith the Apoſtle.

Obj. Doubtles, It is a happy thing to walk and live in theſe Admonitions of the Apoſtle, may ſome ſay; But who is there, that do ſo? We know but few, if any, that do ſo, then how few enter into the Kingdom, if ſo great and high things are to be lived in?

Anſw. For anſwer hereunto conſider theſe things following.

1. That there be various ſtations in Religion, and ſo ſome are nearer, and ſome further off from the Kingdom of God. Some are ſeeking it with their faces thitherward, as its ſaid of Sion: ſome are weeping and mourning, and hungring, and thirſting after Gods Righteouſneſs. Theſe if they hold on are under a bleſſing and promiſe to be anſwered and filled, and though they be poor in Spirit, yet theirs is the Kingdome, and in due time they ſhall poſſeſſe it, and enter into it. Some are near the Kingdom, as that young man was, who had keept the precepts of the Law from his youth, which Chriſt looked upon and loved, though he was not yet able to enter into the Kingdom, becauſe of his riches. Others are ſet down in the Kingdom, of righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in Chriſt Jeſus. As the Apoſtles, and many believers or Saints were in the primitive times. For which they magnifyed the Lord for his rich mercy towards them in raiſing them up, and making them ſit together in Heavenly places (or Heavenly things) in Chriſt Jeſus. Eph. 2.6.

2. Now conſider further, that theſe who in earneſt ſeek the Kingdom of God, or are already entred into it, doe not alwayes make the greateſt ſhew or appearance in the World. They are like that Mercant man that having found treaſure hid in a Field, goeth and hideth it, leſt he ſhould be robbed thereof, and for joy thereof he goeth and ſelleth all he hath and buyeth that Field. He boaſteth not of his treaſure, but carefully purchaſeth it. So it is with many that are ſeekers and poſſeſſors of the Kingdome of God; And therefore are not made ſo viſible in the World, though they live in the World. Nay many times the World looks upon them as fooles or conceited People, not ſeeing the Heavenly treaſure which they purſue, or poſſeſſe; but afterwards ſhall be made to ſee it to their amazement. Read Wiſdom of Solomon, chapter the 5th which ſheweth how the wicked ſhall wonder at the ſtrangeneſs of the Salvation of the righteous, beyond all that they looked for. Some may be without that in their Books, it being in the Apocrypha, therefore I ſhall here give you part of it, beginning at the laſt verſe of the 4th chap. to the 10th verſe of the 5th. where Solomon ſhews the different end of the righteous and wicked. And when they caſt up the accouts of their ſins, they ſhall come with fear: and their own iniquities ſhall convince them to their face. Then ſhall the rightous man ſtand in great boldneſs, before the face of ſuch as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labours. When they ſee it they ſhall be troubled with terrible fear, and ſhall be amazed, at the ſtrangeneſs of his Salvation, ſo far beyond all that they looked for. And they repenting, and groaning for anguiſh of Spirit, ſhall ſay within themſelves, this was he whom we had ſometimes in deriſion, and a proverbe of reproach. We fools accounted his life madneſs, and his end to be without Honour. How is he numbred among the Children of God, and his lot is among the Saints? Therefore have we erred from the way of Truth; and the light of righteouſneſs hath not ſhined unto us. We wearied our ſelves in the way of wickedneſs and deſtruction: yea we have gone thorow deſerts, when there lay no way, but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it. What hath pride profitted us? Or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us? All thoſe things are paſſed away like a ſhaddow, and as a Poſt that haſteth by. &c. Hence you may ſee how little they are taken notice of in the World who are Heirs of the Kingdom of God, and how little they are diſcerned to be what they are. And leſt you ſhould think that becauſe theſe words are quoted out of the Apocrypha, they have not weight in them, hear Paul ſpeaking to the ſame purpoſe. 1 Cor. 1.26. &c. For ye ſee your calling, Brethren, how that not many wiſe men after the Fleſh, not many mighty, not many Noble are called. But God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the World, to confound the wiſe: and God hath choſen the weak things of the World, to confound the things that are mighty, and baſe things of the World, and things which are deſpiſed, hath God choſen, yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no Fleſh ſhould glory in his preſence. Thus the Lord will confound the thoughts of men, and make that laſt which was firſt, and that firſt which was laſt: and that highly eſteemed which was deſpiſed and that deſpiſed which was highly eſteemed. And though the Heirs of his Kingdom be ſcarcely diſcerned in the World, yet will he finde out a numberleſs Number out of all Nations, Kinreds, People and Tongues: that ſhall inherit it: ſuch as the World takes little notice of, they being a People comming out of great tribulation, in which they have lived, in the World. Therefore let non ſay, Where ſhall we finde ſuch a People as live in the Kingdom of God: but let them deſire of the Lord that he would open their Eyes, to ſee them, whom he ownes, and admits into his Kingdom. Read Revel. the 7th. ver. 9. to the end. The Lord doth put the treaſures of his Kingdom into Earthen Veſſels which not being beautifull to the outward Eye, are therefore overlooked and not ſeen by the curious Eye. As it was ſaid of our Lord and Maſter, there is no beauty in him that we ſhould deſire him, the ſame alſo may be ſaid of his followers. But wiſdom is juſtifyed of her Children. Look upon the rough and withered or deadlike coat of the Vine, ſpecially in Winter, and one would think it good for little, except to be conſumed by the fire; So are the branches of the true Vine many times to the outward Eye, and therefore not regarded by the World as the ſtrong Oakes and Trees of the forreſt are, or as the loſty Cedars of Libanon which are ſeen a far off. The Lord had reſerved to himſelf 7 thouſand who had not worſhipped Baal, even in the great Apoſtacy of Iſrael in Ahabs time, whom Elijah the Prophet could not ſee. So in the great Apoſtacy of Profeſſed Chriſtianity, the Lord hath a numberleſs Number who are ſealed, who ſtand before the Throne, and before the Lamb, cloathed with white Robes, and Palmes in their hands, glorifying God, and • ſcribing all Salvation to our God which ſiteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb. As you read in that 7th of Revel. Thou that • anſt not ſee a People fit for the Kingdom of God, canſt thou ſee a People that work • ighteouſneſs? The Apoſtle tells us, that eve • yone that doth righteouſneſs is born of God. 1 • oh. 2.29. Doſt thou ſee any People dwelling 〈◊〉 a Spirit of love? The ſame Apoſtle tells • s, that every one that loveth is born of God, • Joh. 4.7. Another Apoſtle tells us, that 〈◊〉 every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteouſneſs is accepted of him. Act. 10.35. The Apoſtle doth not tell us that every one that can magnify themſelves in a form of Religion are accepted, but he that worketh righteouſneſs only. There is a Phariſaical Eye which can ſee none righteous but ſuch as are in their own form: But God ſeeth not as man ſeeth. There is alſo a prophane and hatefull Eye, which hates the appearance of righteouſneſs and holineſs, becauſe it is a chain to their looſe prophanes and wickedneſs, theſe alſo through the myſt of enmity and hatred cannot ſee the Servants of the living God, over whoſe conſciences he rules, and ſo hath a Kingdom there, and they in it, ſubmitting to his requirings as true Subjects. Therefore I ſay, though the Kingdom of God be a gloryous Kingdom, yet hath he many Subjects belonging to it, ſome in it, and ſome preſſing hard after it, ſome going mourning and full of heavyneſs not accounting themſelves worthy of it, but yet longing after it: and the glory of his Kingdom being inward the purblinde Worldly Eye ſee it not. For who of them would think that 〈◊〉 poor ſhatter'd creature, full of heavyneſs▪ and of a drooping Spirit, and it may be ſorely exerciſed with outward afflictions and wants, and hath no pleaſant carriage i • their Eye, that ſuch a one belongs to the Kingdom of God? And yet our Lord pronounces ſuch poor ones in Spirit to be bleſſed, and ſaith, their's is the Kingdom o • God.