TO deny divine Revelation or to hold the Truths it contains loosely is death. Sensible of your imminent Danger from a Deluge of Infidel­ity and false Christianity I address you. But it can only come of God to teach you and me the things which belong to our peace before they are hid from our eyes. What I now write is designed as a preli­minary to other Letters upon the clear light of di­vine revelation contrasted with the darkness of a boasted age of reason. The expression an age of reason is plausible and captivating. The word rea­son is often abused and prostituted to the vilest pur­poses. Men boast of reason, and every one is fond of being thought to be under its influence. In all o­pinions a man entertains, in all actions which he does, he is ready to be persuaded himself and to per­suade others, that he is under the guidance of reason; In all contentions between individuals or bodies of men both opposite parties alledge that they are influ­enced by reason. The same is true of nations at war, and what is called reason in one camp passes for its opposite in the other. The opposite opinions of men in religion are all professedly grounded in reason on both sides. In most of the practices of men however base, and even in the late barbarities in France, the actors no doubt alledged that they were governed by reason. Indeed the word reason, hath been a specious cover for the vilest opinions and [Page 8]practices. The boasted reason which men plead for, when examined, turns out to be the inclination of their hearts, or rather their lusts. We may see the spring and fountain head of this boasted reason in the serpent's reasoning to turn Eve aside from the sim­ple voice of revelation, and her own reasoning cor­responding to his, which closes Gen. 3, 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat. Three reasons are in her view which enclose three lusts; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, which taking the place of a regard to God's voice, brought ruin. Awful it is to depart in the least from the voice of God, and give ear to our own lust, under the name of reason.

The Apostle declares the weapons of their warfare to be mighty through God for casting down logis­mous reasonings and every high thing which exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. Reasonings are to be reckoned among the high things which thus stand exalted against the knowledge of him. The word rendered casting down signifies utterly de­molishing, and in knowing the true God they are ut­terly demolished.

But to proceed; it will one day appear, that men are as unreasonable (so to speak) in their reasonings against the truth of God's word as they would be in reasoning against the truth of the sun's shining, though in the latter there is not that guilt.

Should any one chuse to argue that there was no Sun in the heavens, we should be better employed in enjoying its influence, than in controverting with him. Should he chuse to argue that there is no God, we should be better employed, in attending to the plain evidence of conscience, testifying that ev­ery breath we draw, every beat of the pulse, every motion even of a finger, and every thought of the mind, proclaims a God, in whom we live, move and [Page 9]have our being; while every thing above, and around us declares his glory.—So if any one chuses to reason against the light of the glorious gospel; we should be better employed in attending to the clearness of that light, and to the Apostles, commending themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God, than in pursuing them, into their labyrinth of reasonings; knowing that if the gospel be hid it is hid to them who are lost, and that the God of this world blinds the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel should shine unto them.

The holy scriptures carry in themselves evidence that God is the speaker, and the truth of this is en­forced upon illiterate men who have not access to profane history; and who are incapable of entering into argumentation. Indeed the scriptures are nev­er believed in truth, but upon the bare testimony of God himself, speaking in them, aside from pro­phane history, and men's reasonings to prove them true. The Record, or the witness of the three in hea­ven, 1. John 5.7, 8, 9, is plainly the witness of the one God in three persons, distinct from the witness of men. And it is there said to be greater than the witness of men; and thus it proved among the first believers in its great effects, and thus it will prove among all whose faith is unfeigned, or who have ob­tained like precious faith with them, through the righteousness of God and their saviour.

While we turn aside from the common tract of reasoning, the idea to be kept in full view, is, that the scriptures are the witness of God himself, carry­ing in themselves evidence that they are his truth. This is the only conviction of their truth, that is to any purpose. As to any belief men may have, on account of the professed belief of the country they live in, or the belief of their forefathers, or men whom they esteem for religion; as it rests on the tes­timony of men, it is as different as darkness from light from a belief grounded upon the record of God, and may be easily shaken, by the plausible reason­ings [Page 10]or the sneers of an infidel. Indeed the step from such faith to infidelity is short and easy.

The same shift from one to the other, which hath taken place in France, may easily take place in any other nation now professing christianity, when their worldly interests favours it, and it suits the policy of the nation.

Among ourselves we see those who have received their christianity by tradition, and not upon the testi­mony of God, holding it by a very slender handle. They speak of the scriptures as doubtful, dark and inconsistent with each other. Indeed they are tho't scarce able to support any point of doctrine or prac­tice, without the aid of some able voucher, and men find little more use for them, than to furnish a jest, or shew their abilities in argument, and eloquence upon detached passages, or advance their interest by shaping what they profess to hold from them so as to suit the general taste where they live. More confi­dence is placed in the writings of Seneca, or some other wise pagan, by many who call themselves christians, than in the holy scriptures. And those who would be esteemed guardians of the word of God (which spurns at such a thought) appear to be only guardi­ans of their own interests. The christian world, so called, whose confidence is in the testimony of men and not the record of God, seeing their teachers so divided in opinion, and belief, as well as others, either rest satisfied in utter uncertainty, or anxiously grope like men in the dark, not knowing which way to look for truth.—But leaving them I would just say that where the scripture is believed upon the testimony of God, it comes not in word only, but in power, and mighty indeed are its effects, which must be manifest to any one who reads with but small attention, the lives of those who were under its influence in the be­ginning, which may be seen in the Acts of the Apos­tles and elsewhere.

THE holy scriptures present themselves, not as the word of man, but the word of God. They bear the stamp of divine truth, which accords with every man's conscience, but is pointed like a sword against every man's natural biass, and therefore cannot be the devide of man. Wherever they have had effect they have borne down the reasonings and lusts of men.

There hath been an universal struggle of mankind against the scriptures, or the truth of God. The history of all ages, the history of all nations, even of the Jews the peculiar people shews it. Their con­duct in the wilderness, and in Canaan, and the united conduct of Jews and Gentiles towards Jesus Christ, and the profession of his name shews it. It is mani­fest not only in persecutions on account of it, but in corrupting and perverting it. A corruption of the truth is as really a struggle against it as a direct oppo­sition to it; even as an attempt to take Jesus by force and make him a King, was opposition to his King­dom, as well as an attempt to root it out of the world. The corruption of the word of God in France in past ages was as really an opposition to the scriptures as their late rejection of them.

Nations who are now holding the scripture cor­rupted cannot boast of being less opposed to the Word of God, than France who has openly rejected it. All the nations who are now holding the scrip­tures in subserviency to their own lusts, maintain a struggle against them as well as France. The oppo­sition of the world to the truth which appeared in the days of the Apostles hath not failed of being kept up to this day, either in rejecting the scriptures or cor­rupting them. The world hath uniformly main­tained its opposition to the word of God in one way or other.

The way in which the scriptures have gained ground has been by the mere dint of evidence, bear­ing [Page 12]down men's reasonings and inclinations; and this compelled the first publishers themselves to re­ceive the same truth they published to others, for to them as well as others, it was like a sharp piercing two edged sword.

The Apostle says, 2 Pet. 1, 16, We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses of his majesty, &c. It cannot be conceived possible that Peter and others should invent and publish a Fable, which was firstly contrary to every natural inclination of their own hearts, and secondly would destroy every thing which they held dear; their interest, reputation, and comfort in life; and lastly would lead them into severest suf­ferings from the wrath of the world kindled against them, and bring life into the utmost danger, yea should perish in it unto the death. They must in such case act contrary to every principle that can be in man, and it might as soon be expected to see the stones falling upwards.

Nothing short of a firm belief of the things they testified, could influence them to suffer the loss of all things, and not count life itself dear; and this be­lief was firmly grounded upon the divine testimony, set before them in the most convincing manner. The apostle says, we were eye witness of his majesty. John says, 1st Epistle 1, 1.2, That which we have heard, seen and handled of the word of life, that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, &c. And God shewed his concurrence with their testimo­ny by the miracles he wrought by them. And not only the Apostles but a multitude of others, sealed the same testimony with their blood, in hope of life eternal through that truth; so far were they too, from the least apprehensions of its being a cunningly devised fable.

The Testimony of the Apostles, and the Prophets also, center in one point, the resurrection of Jesus, after his being delivered for our offences; from [Page 13]whence alone arises hope to man. This fact estab­lished the whole; and every part, both of the old tes­tament and the new, however wounderful, or unac­countable it may seem, is established with it; and all seeming difficulties must vanish before it like mists before the Sun. Many have scoffed at the miracu­lous things reported, such as the account of Jonah, Samson, &c. but instead of being thought incredible to one who knows the scriptures and the power of God, they appear wonderful displays of the power of that God with whom nothing is impossible. They have taken upon them too to say that many things ascribed to God in the scripture were unworthy of him, and have supposed themselves competent judges what was becoming their Maker. Swelled with self importance they do not conceive the distance be­tween God and them, is far greater than between themselves and a worm. A child or an ideot, dicta­ting a wise general or politician is not to be heeded. The disparity between the wisest man, and his Maker is far greater; and it is the highest presumption to determine what is fit and becoming him, whose ways are as far above ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth.

While the twelve authorised witnesses of the re­surrection of Jesus, declared God's testimony con­cerning his Son, and men saw what an effect it had on them, and beheld the miracles which God wro't by them, they were led to say that God was with them of a truth; and this testimony is not merely their's, but God's: and they considered God himself speaking by their mouth. Thus it is said of some of them, 1 Thess. 2, 13, that when they received the word of God which they heard from the Apostles they received it not as the word of man but as it is in truth the word of God. In like manner when this testimony of God which was first communicated by the voice of the Apostles, was afterwards commu­nicated by their writings, in this way too, the word [Page 14]was received not as the word of man but as it is in truth the word of God. The same is true of all the sacred writings. The holy scriptures then present themselves not as the word of man but as the word of God. They point out God to be their author, without a train of reasoning, as the works of creation point out God to be their creator. He is read in one, as he is in the other.—They draw a black portrait of this lower world as under the curse, shew that every man by nature is a child of wrath, that every mouth must be stopped, and that the whole world is become guilty before God, and that no flesh can be justified in his sight in any way but through him who was made a curse in their stead, and thereby redeemed them from the curse. They give a portrait of the character of Jesus Christ. They present to us his features, his likeness. He is called the Word of God and there is that in them which bears his resemblance as the impression does that of the seal which makes it. As the world stood affect­ed to him so they are affected to the word of God. Of himself he says, the world hateth me because I testify of its works that they are evil. The scriptures fully maintain the same testimony, and incur the same hatred. The professed liking of many is no more than that of the Jews to Jesus, when they would fain make him a temporal King; which very thing proceeded from a disrelish of his real character. Men's hatred of the real truth in the scriptures hath been abundantly manifest in perverting and putting a false meaning to the words, as well as an open re­jection of them. It is natural to all men, though fallen, to stand for what they think are their rights before their Maker, and to stand opposed to what appears to invade them; and as the word of God like a sharp two-edged sword gives a fatal stab to them, and to every hope of man aside from the death and resurrection of Jesus, leaving nothing but a fearful looking for of fiery indignation; it is impossible that the world should receive it, otherwise than corrupted [Page 15]and perverted from its native simplicity. It appears impossible in the nature of things that any man or number of men should invent a plan of Religion like this, so opposite to the biass of their own hearts; and the hearts of all others, with a view to its spread­ing in the world, without either worldly weapons or allurements; and utterly impossible it should spread if it could be supposed to be divised. Could we make the supposition that there were no scriptures in the world at this time. We cannot conceive it pos­sible that they being fabulous should thus spread, nor indeed that they should be invented. So it has al­ways been the case as human nature is the same in all ages i. e. opposed to them as they also testify.

The fact is obvious to all that they actually have spread over the world, testifying men's guilt, and on­ly hope, in spite of the opposition of the world; and it cannot possibly be accounted for in any way but this, that they are in truth the word of God; that Jesus Christ the son of God, who gave his life a ransom was raised from the dead; and that ocular demonstration of this led the apostles at the risque of life to pub­lish Salvation through him alone, in opposition to the world of Jews and Gentiles combined against it.

This testimony confirmed by miracles and sealed with their own blood forced attention in mankind, contrary to their desire, and made its way against vi­olent opposition of heart, and was mighty through God to the pulling down their strong holds.—This Testimony was carried far and wide, and when men in various parts of the world, saw the boldness of these witnesses, and that their life was embarked in their testimony, and beheld their miracles, and fi­nally saw their blood shed, in full hope of eternal life through the Lord Jesus, they were awed about that which they stood opposed to, they had great reason­ings among them; they wished to appear upon friendly terms with that which exceedingly troubled them. They used their arts with professors to en­gage [Page 16]them to lower down the force of the divine tes­timony so to speak, to parley and to league with them. This had its effect on multitudes who had grown weary of the cross themselves. This coalition spread so far that in the days of Constantine the great, the minds of his subjects were so much in favour of christianity thus modified, that it appeared consis­tent with sound policy to establish it, in room of pa­ganism as the religion of the Roman empire called the whole world. But before it was established, it ceased to be what it was at first. It became another Gospel or the gospel of Christ perverted. Here was a wide gate and a broad way opened, under the christian name, which they supposed led to life, and that many were going in thereat. From that day the world has adopted the name of christianity, in some form or other. The name has been retained, but the thing was lost or wrapt in darkness. The continuance of the scriptures is hence easily accoun­ted for. From this time being construed to men's liking, they have been forced to become a tool of state, and an instrument of gain to priests, who some­times locked them up from the common people, or when they let them out compelled men to take their interpretations of scripture, for the scripture itself. The word of God in their hands foretold, and testi­fied against the corruption which they were bare­facedly guilty of, as may be seen 2 Thes. 2 chap. 1. Tim. 4, 1.4. 2 Tim. 3 chap. 2 Pet. 2d and 3d chapters, the Epistle of Jude, and the book of Revelations.

Thus because they knew him not, nor the voices of the apostles, they fulfilled them; as the Jews long before had fulfilled the voices of the prophets respect­ing Jesus. Acts 13, 27. The conduct of nations called christian, in every age since, in conformity to those mentioned, has been a standing fulfilment of the prophecies above, and an evidence of the truth of the divine testimony.

To return, it appears impossible to conceive of the [Page 17]scriptures having so great a spread in any other way▪ So that the mind is as it were reined up to the time when the testimony was first published, and led to at­tend to that forcible evidence which had so mighty an effect on many, and occasioned a general awe a­mong men, which led them to corrupt and establish christianity.

At this present time God is still upholding the same testimony by the writings of the prophets and apostles, though men would fain drown his voice by the noisy clamour of lo here and lo there, and by at­tempts to palm that upon them for his truth, which he has never spoken. His voice is still testifying to the world that its works are evil, and that there is no hope for any man aside from Christ Jesus. Its awful representation of the character of mankind or men, of which a summary is given in the three first chapters of the Romans, is confirmed by the history it gives of their conduct from age to age; witness the ac­count of the Antideluvians, Babel-builders, Sodo­mites, Egyptians, Assyrians, &c. It is confirmed in the account it gives of the Jews from age to age in the wilderness, in Canaan, before and after the cap­tivity, when the Messiah came and was among them, and after his crucifixion till the destruction of their city and temple and utter dispersion.

The Scripture does not stop like the histories of men with informing of events which have taken place, but proceeds to give a history of the future down to the end of time. It brings to view a constant war against the truth carried on by the old serpent, the devil or satan, deceiving and conducting all nations in the conflict, who are made drunk with the wine of the wrath of the fornication of the great whore, who pretending to be the spouse of Jesus commits fornication with the Kings of the earth who dress her out in rich apparel. Strikingly this has been verified in the wealth and honours both clergy and churches have obtained by a close connexion with civil rulers.

[Page 18] But to return, such is the divine testimony of mankind and such the corresponding history. And there is no room for any to stand forth and say we are better than they; no in no wise, for there is none righteous no not one. In the view of all nations, ages, and of our own characters, the heart of a man must die within him, were it not for one character which knew no sin, but was made sin for his people that they might be made the righteousness of God in him. The scriptures then in all ages and at this pre­sent time, bespeak themselves to be the word of the most high God. The Book proclaims itself divine. It is said John 8.47. He that is of God heareth God's words, which implies that God is heard in dis­tinction from any man. And again 1 John 4.8. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us, he that is not of God heareth not us. The Apostles were appointed his ambassadors that by their mouth men might hear the words of God, and the words spo­ken or written by them are God's words.

In confirmation of the divine truth of the scriptures I might mention the fulfilment of their prophecy in the destruction of Jerusalem, and various other king­doms. The Jews remaining a distinct people among all nations to this day, is a standing evidence of their truth. Another standing evidence is the great whore committing fornication with the kings of the earth which hath lived thus deliciously for ages; though it is true she is now declining fast with a con­sumption. And this too confirms their testimony; and particularly what hath happened in France of late appears a fulfilment of what is said Rev. 17, 16, of hating the whore and making her desolate and na­ked. The prophecy of Peter 2 Epist. 2. 1, 2. ap­pears also fulfilled, where shewing that false teachers should rise under the christian profession followed by multitudes, says by reason of them the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. The People of France in­censed at the pernicious ways of the priests take oc­casion [Page 19]hence to vilify the scriptures the way of truth. Although this is more or less true in every country yet there it appears in a striking manner. And au­thors take occasion to vilify the scriptures in connex­ion with the clergy, as if there had been some affinity between them, and the shame of their practices be­longed to the scriptures. Yea they open their mouths in the most daring blasphemies against God's Word, and against Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of his Glory, and the express Image of his person. These things instead of weakening, confirm the faith of God's people, as they thereby see the prophecies ful­filled.

THE separation of the children of Israel from all other nations, in conformity to the scriptures, and their continuing distinct from them, for a series of ages, in the observance of laws, which it is the bias of man's heart to break away from; laws which made them a laughing flock to all other people, and their holding that testimony sacred which condemned their own conduct entirely, and left them without hope aside from mere mercy through the promised Mesiah, these are a strong evidence of the truth of the revelation which they held to. Here was a whole nation kept together in this manner against their na­tural inclinations, a whole nation professing a firm belief of a revelation from God, a whole nation wit­nesses of miracles, a whole nation to judge whether there were any tricks▪ or impositions, and that not merely for a day or a year, but for a succession of a­ges, a nation too that often shewed their inclination to turn away from God, and to be conformed to other nations, but contrary to their bias were brought [Page 20]back by threatnings and judgements.—In their course for ages they were led contrary to their na­tural bias by the direction of the Lord, as the two milch cows mentioned 1 Sam. 6.10, &c. on whom there had come no yoke, went straight away from their calves tied up at home, drawing the ark of God in a new cart, lowing as they went. As the hand of God was manifest, in leading the cows a­gainst their bias, so it was manifest in leading Israel, both in the wilderness, and in Canaan; and one is an emblem of the other.

Israel was under the guidance of the lively Oracles of God, though it is true that they often rebelled.

The oracles to which pagans resorted for informa­tion, probably took their rise from what was observ­ed among the Jews. But the children of Israel had recourse to an Oracle indeed, and had information from the most high God. When an oracle gives information, that voice alone, in distinction from all others, is the object of attention. When God re­vealed any thing to Israel, every word that he utter­ed, claimed their utmost attention. The Scriptures, the lively oracles of God, claim the sole attention, and are jealous of any voice being attended to aside from them. There is no attention due to any man whatever, any further than his voice echoes (as I may say) the voice of the Oracle.

When Pharaoh applied for the interpretation of his dream, Joseph answers, it is not in me, God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. And while the answer comes from his own mouth, he says again, God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. Gen. 41.16, 28. So Daniel saith, 2 c. 30 v. on a like occasion, but as for me this secret is not re­vealed to me, for any wisdom that I have more than any living; but he asserts that there is a God in hea­ven, who revealeth secrets.—None of the pro­phets, or Apostles, make any more account of their own voices, when declaring what God spake by them. [Page 21]Paul says, 2 Cor. 4.7, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. An earthen vessel con­taining gold and silver is overlooked, the treasure gains the whole attention. Again he thanks God 1 Thess. 2, 13, that when they received the word of God by his mouth, they did not receive it as his own word, but as it was indeed the word of God. And he informs, 1 Cor. 1, 1-6, that when he came to them declaring the Testimony of God, he came not with excellency of speech, wisdom, enticing words, but was with them in weakness and fear, and much trembling, and it was that their belief should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. He would be himself as it were thrown aside, as a wretch­ed guilty sinner, that the testimony of God, of which he was the bearer, might have all its weight. He also tells the Galatians, to hold him accursed if he should preach any other Gospel to them, than what God had already declared by his mouth. He al­so asserts the same even respecting an angel from heaven. The scriptures in the plainest and most express manner hold forth the idea, that God is the speaker in them. Dives in torments, is reminded that if his brethren to whom he wished to give war­ning, did not hear Moses and the prophets, they would not be persuaded by his rising from the dead to warn them of the horrors of that torment, which he felt, and to which he supposed them advancing. This implies that God's voice by Moses and the pro­phets, was the only means of repentance. A multi­tude of passages expressly mention God as the speaker in the scriptures, it may suffice to quote a few only. The apostle quoting a passage from the Psalms ex­pressly ascribes the words to God Heb. 3, 7, Where­fore as the Holy Ghost faith to day if ye will hear his voice, &c. The prophet Isaiah pointing forward to the gospel day, says, chap. 52, 6, Therefore my people shall know my name; therefore they shall [Page 22]know in that day that I am he that doth speak, be­hold it is I. Language cannot more clearly express both that God is the speaker, and that he is also known to be so by his people. But I would more particu­larly notice Heb. 1.1, 2. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake to the fathers by the prophets hath in these last days spoken to us by his son. Here God is held forth as the speaker in the whole revelation which the Jews ever had by means of the prophets. God hath spoken at what time he saw fit. He himself hath chosen the manner of speaking, whether by a voice himself or by a messen­ger; whether an Angel or a man; whether by voice or writing. He is above all controul in this matter. And we find even earthly princes claim a right of ad­dressing their subjects, in the way they themselves chuse.

It hath pleased God most high, that his revela­tion to his people in the several ages of the world, should be chiefly by writing, and that they should look to the law and testimony and reject every voice that spake not according to that word. The greatest stress is laid upon what was written. The Lord re­pels each of the temptations of Satan in the wilder­ness, saying it is written thus, &c. Mat. 4 chap. Again he says, Luke 24, 44, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, &c. And Mat. 26, 44, But how then shall the scriptures or wri­tings be fulfilled, that thus it must be.

Whatever God hath spoken by voice or writing hath been attended with evidence that he was the speaker. When Moses had a message to Pharoah he gave evidence that God sent him. Exod. 7, 9.10. And so it was too in his messages to Israel. The fame may be said as to all the prophets and all the apostles.

In the beginning it seems that divine Revelation was preserved not by writing, but in the memory of the faithful, which being comprized in few words, [Page 23]might be more easily retained; and the great length of man's age facilitated the preservation of it in this way. A revelation of the only hope of man was made to our first parents immediately after the fall, in the faith of which the saints lived. It is not neces­sary we should know all the evidence attending its being handed down to posterity: I would only make one remark here, viz. that the lives of the faithful, and the lives and opposition of the seed of the serpent both, were at this time and in all ages a confirmation of the divine testimony, and an evidence of in truth.—We read not of any writing till Moses. Then whatever he wrote under inspitation, respecting what had passed before, or took place in his own time, became a standing revelation for the Church in all ages. Additions were made to the revelation afterwards before their eyes, which when written, en­larged the book called the scriptures. Time after time additions were made, till the whole of the old testament was completed, which was probably about the time of Ezra.

These Revelations were made to God's chosen peo­ple and the oracles of God in writing were put in their custody; and they were taught to regard them alone as the pure voice of God. A departure from this idea of them gave rise to the Talmud, a roll of traditions, by which they made the scriptures of no effect; as Jesus charged them with doing and teach­ing for doctrines the commandments of men. The Apostle Peter points to this, 2. Epis. 2, 1 and shews that the same thing should take place under the Gospel, which prediction has since come to pass.

Through the course of revelation the grand point was from time to time more clearly revealed, till the fulness of the time was come, and God sent forth his Son made of a woman. The whole law was a school master to lead unto Christ, the end of the law for righteousness.

The appearance of the Son of God, was like the [Page 24]rising of the sun. We was ushered in by his forerun­ner John, by the ministry of Angels, and by many wonderful things which took place at his birth. His life, doctrine, miracles, death and resurrection, were a clear revelation to them who saw and heard; and when committed to writing by the Apostles, became a standing revelation to his Chruch. And what was further communicated to the Apostles, to whom God bare witness by signs, and miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, was a continuation of the revelation, and when written were to be a completion, of the reve­lation which began in the days of Jesus. The Apos­tles did not barely profess to be God's ambassadors as some do at this day, but proved they were so by their miracles. They had their credentials to shew it with the broad seal of heaven affixed to them. And what these chosen witnesses testified, finished the whole of God's revelation to man, which closes with an awful threatening to any man that shall add to, or take from the words of God, Rev. 22.18, 19.

The divine Record is then closed, and as to any new revelations, dreams and visions, we may cry a­vaunt! It becomes with full purpose to turn a deaf ear to the noisy multitude, crying lo here and lo there, knowing that God is as really speaking, as if he were on earth, and that it is at our peril to have any other resort. To take our idea of the scripture doctrine one from another, is no more than receiving the wit­ness of man, but we are assured, that he who believ­eth not God, hath made him a liar, because he be­lieveth not the record which God gave of his son, 1. John 5.10, the Apostle says, let God be true and every man a liar; and again it is said, cursed be the man who trusteth in man, and blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord.

The Holy Ghost by the apostle gives a solemn caution, Heb. 12.25. See that you refuse not him who speaketh; for if they escaped not who refused him, who spake on earth, much more shall not we if [Page 25]we turn away from him who speaketh from heaven. Fearful will be the consequence of attending to the words of man, instead of the words of God.

I will conclude this letter with a passage of Scrip­ture, Heb. 10.28, 31. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the spirit of Grace. For we know him that hath said Vengeance belongeth unto me, &c. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

THE invisible things of God from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and God­head. Conscience agrees with this testimony of the Apostle. But while the works of creation enforce the thought that there is an eternal God, they give not the least information, how sinful man shall obtain his favour. It is not in the power of human reason to point this out. The reasonings of the world in all ages, have not afforded the least spark of light in this matter. Their opposition to each other pro­claims their blindness. The whole world is in total darkness in this matter, and from the light of divine revelation. It is not uncommon for those at the greatest remove from light, to think themselves most enlightened. Every age is ready to boast of their light in Religion. Many have imagined, that men's light in religion has kept pace with their improve­ment in the Arts and Sciences; and that those ages [Page 26]wherein these have flourished most, have had most knowledge in religion. But there is no period of human History which has had any light at all in Re­ligion, aside from Revelation. I will mention an age which other ages have agreed to esteem an en­lightened age of the world. It was the Age when the Lord Jesus, and his Apostles, were on earth. Then the Greeks were in high renown for wisdom; then the Roman Empire having subdued the world, was in all its splendor, the Jews at the same time boasted of high improvements in religion.

I will now introduce what the Holy Ghost says of it. See Isaiah 60, 4. speaking of the time when the redeemer should come to Zion, he says: For be­hold the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but the Lord shall arise upon thee and his glory shall be seen upon thee and Gen­tiles shall come to thy light, &c. See again Luke 1.78, 79. The day spring from on high hath visi­ed us, to give light to them who sit in dark­ness and the Shadow of Death, Acts. 26.17.18. Delivering thee from the people and the nations to whom now I send thee to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the pow­er of Satan to God, that they may receive forgive­ness of sins, &c. We may connect with it Is. 42, 6, 7. I the Lord have called thee, &c. and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the Peo­ple, a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house, &c.—These may suffice to point out the horrors of that darkness which then overspread the world, amidst all their boasted light. It is pointed out as under the dominion of the prince of darkness, as in the situa­tion of prisoners in a dark dungeon, and the expres­sion sitting in the shadow of death is enough to make one shudder.

To pass by other periods we may just notice that [Page 27]the present age is supposed to be very enlightened, and perhaps men never boasted more of their im­provements and light in religion. But let the end­less diversity of sentiments, with that professed cha­rity for men of almost any sentiment, and doubtless in every point of doctrine, speak for itself, what light there is in the present age. I would only say that the present time is doubtless inclosed within that pe­riod mentioned, Rev. 8, 13. Wo, wo, wo, to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three Angels, which are yet to sound. Indeed the whole of that history of the future, the book of revelations, points out the earth as covered with darkness and full of the habitations of cruelty. It is true the scriptures are among men, but they cover that light from them­selves, wresting the scriptures to their own destruction. They love darkness rather than light. The Light shineth in darkness, but the darkness comprehendeth it not.—The pleasing words with which men have amused each other, are like siren songs to lull to sleep, and fortify their minds against fear of that wrath which they may see pursuing man down to the grave, and may well lead to tremble with fearful apprehensions of what follows after death. Did men see their real situation with regard to their maker, black despair must cover the earth, aside from the knowledge of him, who says of himself, I am the light of the world. The holy scriptures which testify of him, diffuse light abroad, and contain glad tidings of great joy to all sorts of people. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound, and who while they have the light, believe in the light, that they may be children of light.

THE voice of God in the scriptures, is the foun­tain head of all information in religion. If our eyes be turned off from them, to any reasonings of our own, or reasonings of others, they meet nothing but darkness. While God calls for the sole attention, he points out the danger of its being turned off any where else. He says beware of men, and take heed that no man deceive you. The caution is very par­ticular, that there be no man in whose favour you are strongly prepossessed, who should be suffered to insinuate a thought different from what God has re­vealed. Obedience to this command implies a most firm and unshaken reliance on the voice of God alone—As the word of God is the only light, so that alone binds the conscience. So that the conscience of every man living is set at the most entire liberty, from every other man in the world, and is subjected alone to that God with whom he has to do. Those who in truth hold divine revelation carry this Motto, Let God be true and every man a liar. They contend for the truth of God at all risques though it should lead to hold their most darling friends li­ars. This truth is called the faith once delivered to the saints, for which Christians are exhorted ear­nestly to contend Jude 2. It was once delivered while revelation was compleating, and when that was finished, there is no more delivering of it, but the word the delivered is to run through all the Earth as the witness or record of God. It is said I John, 5.7, &c. That there are three which bare re­cord in heaven, which three are one, and this wit­ness of God is said to be greater than the witness of men, and 10th verse, He that believeth not God hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record which God gave of his son. Here is pointed out strongly that God's testimony is more forceable, and carries higher evidence than man's; and that [Page 29]those who do not believe upon his testimony, give God the lie. It is only in holding things revealed true upon God's testimony, that men hold God true; in holding them false, they hold God a liar. All knowledge approved of in Scripture comes from God. It is said, John 6.45, It is written in the prophets they shall all be taught of God, every man therefore that hath heard and learned of the father cometh un­to me. So it is said of the holy ghost, he shall bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. It is by revelation that the father teaches, and it is only truth of revelation which the holy Ghost brings to remembrance.

We have the language of the new covenant, Heb. 8.10, 11. I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and brother saying, know the Lord, for all shall know me, &c. Here divine rev­elation written in the mind by God himself is pointed out as the only teaching, instead of man's teaching.

The Lord in opposition to the Pharisees in the 23 d. Mat. 8, 9 verses says, But be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your master even Christ, and all ye are brethren. And call no man father on earth, for one is your father which is in heaven. The Disciples casting their eyes upon the world of Jews and Gen­tiles, saw men at that time as we may see them now, teaching and taught one of another, in religion (aside from God's teaching) and placing dependence on one another, as a child upon a father or master. But the Lord will not suffer it to be so among them. There was not a man on earth, whom they were to look up to as a father and master, either to teach or govern in religion. While God alone was to be viewed as a father, and him­self as a master, they were to think of each other merely as brethren. And no man could be considered even as a christian brother, only as he appeared subject to the same father and maker alone. It is added nei­ther be ye called masters, &c. 10th v. How far [Page 30]they should be from exercising authority over one another we read, Mark 10, 42, 44. After speaking of the great ones among the Gentiles exercising au­thority upon them, he says, so shall it not be among you. Whosoever of you will be chiefest shall be the servant of all.

The voice of God in the beginning called out dis­ciples, and subjected them to him as a father, and to Christ as a master, and the discovery of this subjection in each other, brought them together as brethren, subject to one father and led them to the mutual of­fices of brotherly love. Thus Churches were raised up, and kept together who are called Christ's sheep, and heard his voice, and followed him. Nor are we allowed to think of Christ's disciples or churches be­ing made in any other way.

But pretended disciples are influenced by the voice of man instead of God's voice. Though they may profess some regard for God's word, yet they take their understanding of Scripture from men, and not from God alone, and the word of God is made of none effect through their tradition. Worldly church­es are brought together by human persuasion and el­oquence, by the fashion of the country where they live, by worldly allurements, and in some cases by human authority and worldly force; and by the same means are they kept together. And it is far from their thought that churches can be formed, and held together by the power of the divine word, aside from human aid. Yet that must hold true spoken, Zech. 4, 6. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. And we are not allowed to speak of any spirit but what speaks in the scriptures. For the Lord says of the Holy Ghost he shall not speak of himself—he shall take of mine and shew it unto you—and whatsoever he hears that shall he speak—and the things which Jesus speaks he brings to remembrance. His agency appears to be entirely in and about the scriptures. The words of [Page 31]revelation then they are spirit and they are life agree­able to John 6.6, 3.—The effect of God's teaching in revelation at first was to make the disciples of one heart and one soul. The effect of man's teaching appears, in the diversity of opinions at this day, and in the language being divided, and confounded, as in the building of Babel. The mischiefs which have followed man's usurping the place of God in teach­ing and exercising authority, are manifest every where, not merely in the mother of Harlots but in her numerous train of prostitute daughters. Human teaching has led mankind to associate together in va­rious sects, holding doctrines and ways of their own. Each of their sects hath looked for heads, leaders and teachers, in religion, as in the common arts or professions in life; and have trained up youths to a more thorough knowledge of their plan of religion, that they may become teachers, and leaders to in­struct others, and defend their faith whatever that faith happens to be. And here is supposed to be the fountain head of information; and here it is judged proper to resort for instruction, as we resort to men trained up to any art or science, to get informa­tion about it. It is true this is not the only refort for instruction, for it is common for every man to teach his neighbour and in his turn to be taught by him. In general there is no dependance on any thing else but human teaching in religion, for though some individuals professedly resort to the scriptures, yet it appears that they will have no weight with them against the peremptory assertion of a darling teach­er, in whom the highest confidence is placed.

It is not denied that human teaching has in the concerns of this world contributed greatly to the stock of knowledge. This is manifest in the mecha­nical arts, in navigation, commerce, husbandry, &c. So exercising human authority has had a salutary ef­fect in the societies of this world, securing life and property and promoting order. But in the concerns [Page 32]of that life beyond the grave, they both have had an opposire effect.

In the early days of christianity, it was agreeable to the natural bias of man's heart, (even as it is now) to thirst for some teaching beside God's, and differ­ent from his, and so they heaped to themselves teach­ers, having itching ears who turned them from 'the truth to fables. In like manner they were impatient of being under the entire controul of God in his word, and were desirous that man should share the authority with him, and their consciences became subjected to human authority. They allowed their bishops the authority of a father and they were each called Papa, or Pope, in express opposition to those words call no man father on earth. Though the name was confined afterwards to the Bishop of Rome as the general father, yet all the rest were still ac­counted as having the authority of subordinate fa­thers.

The Protestants as the name denotes, have pro­tested against some of the enormities of the Church of Rome; still in general they are fond that man's teaching, should take the place of God's teaching by his word, and man's rule and authority, should take the place of his entire sway. Indeed their not allow­ing him to speak in his word so that he can be well un­derstood by men of ordinary capacity, at once robs him of his prerogative of teaching & ruling both, for no one can either teach or rule if his words are unintelligible.

Men slattered themselves no doubt when they were departing from the authority of God, in his word that they were aiding his cause and advancing his kingdom. A grand kingdom has been built up it is true under the christian name as is manifest in the Church of Rome, and other national establish­ments. Grand temples have been erected, pom­pous services introduced, which in splendor might vie with the ancient pagan temples and services, in whose place they came. These have drawn admira­tion [Page 33]on earth, but none from him who fled; when they would once have taken him by force, and made him a king. When the Supreme God [...] the height of his sanctuary, and from heaven beholds the earth, it is not to take pleasure in the pompous parade of these temples, but it is to hear the groaning of the prisoner and to loose those who are appointed to death, to declare his name in Zion, &c. Psalm 102.19, 20. His eye is turned from these; and his ears are open to a poor wretch though in a dungeon; who durst not list up his eyes, but smites upon his breast crying, God be merciful to me a sinner. And where two or three such are gathered together in his name; there he is in the midst of them.

ONE confirmation of the divine truth of the holy Scriptures, is, that incontestible facts forcibly set forth the same testimony with the Scriptures, in many in­stances while men practically deny both. I shall on­ly instance the testimony of both scripture and fact; as to the wisdom of this world in matters of religion, which mankind are bent to make high account of, against their joint evidence of its vanity. See. 1 Cor. 1.19, 22. It is written I will destroy the wis­dom of the wise, and bring to nothing the under­standing of the prudent. Where is the wife? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the fool­ishness of preaching, to save them who believe, ver. 27. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. 3 chap. 19, 20. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it is written [Page 34]he taketh the wise in their own craftiness; and again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain, 182. If any man among you seemeth to be wise, let him become a fool that he may be wise. The words need no comment. We cannot conceive of language more forceably pouring contempt upon all that wisdom so highly esteemed among men.

This testimony of the Holy Ghost concerning the wisdom of this world, was strikingly illustrated by facts, in the Apostle's day; and it is not less so in the present day. The more a person is informed of the several religious opinions that have been, or are now in the world, the more full will be his evidence of this truth. The vast variety of sects and plans of religion in the world, which are opposite to each o­ther, have been the product of man's wisdom; for in the first place they originated from wise men, who invented and set them afoot, for if each sect was tra­ced to its beginning, it would appear that its foun­der was a wise man of more than ordinary capacity. Secondly, wise men have been selected, as teachers, champions, and defenders of them from age to age; and though there may be a difference as to their wisdom, yet the stress of their defence has been upon men that were the most wise. Thirdly, they have mostly been under the patronage of civil rulers, who are allowed in general to be of the wifest of the peo­ple; and these have exerted their power, in connect­ion with the religious teachers, to build up the reli­gion that is in fashion, among their subjects, what­ever it may be. In this way, most, if not all the sects in religion, have been reared up and supported, con­fronting each other. Thus human wisdom appears in the whole affair, and as it were stands proclaiming its own folly, inconsistency, and contradiction.

Should one apply to the wisest man in France, or China, or any other country, for information about religion; each of them might appear to answer wife­ly; but no one aside from revelation could produce [Page 35]more than a mere conjecture, couched in wisdom of words, and probably their answers would be all con­tradictory.

Human wisdom by cooking the scriptures for men's palates, hath not only raised up a multitude of sects, called christian, but also hath led them mutually to esteem each other for wisdom, and piety; while hol­ding doctrines and practices opposite to each other. They care not what reputation the truth of God has, and it will be suffered to fall in the street, provided they extract to themselves a name for wisdom and piety, with an easy living. Here indignation might rise, but God says vengeance is mine! We may be sure that truth will prevail, and all its purposes will be fulfilled. To some it will be the favour of life unto life, and to others, of death unto death. Hap­py they who are made partakers of its afflictions ac­cording to the power of God, who calls them with an holy calling, according to his own purpose and grace, given them in Christ Jesus, before the world began.

WE may now turn our attention to the scriptures as the only safe guide in religion, and altogether suf­ficient for the grand purpose of man's salvation. Simon Peter upon a particular occasion says, Lord to whom shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life. The words of Jesus in the scriptures are the words of eternal life. How they are so appears Acts 11.14. Who shall tell the words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. It is said, the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Eccles. 7.11. It is express­ly declared to be life eternal to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, John 17. [Page 36]This knowledge is conveyed only through the scrip­tures. Jesus also prays, sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth. We are told, Psalm 12. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace, purified seven times. The Psalm­ist's 19th Psalm, after pointing to the heavens as de­claring the glory of God, and setting before us his handy work, &c. in the 7th verse, and on, shews the far superiour light of revelation as perfect; con­verting the soul, making wise the simple, enlighten­ing the eyes, rejoicing the heart, &c. and then speaks of it as more to be desired than fine gold, and sweet­er than the honey-comb. Upon a certain woman's crying out, blessed is the womb that bare thee, &c. Jesus replies, yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it, Luke 11.28. He rather fixes the blessedness here, than upon even being the parent of the son of God. The first of his parables, that of the sower which is recorded by three evangelists and closes with this cry, he that hath ears to hear let him hear, points out that as the harvest origi­nates from the seed cast into the ground so his own harvest which was to be gathered in at last, would all originate from that seed the word of God. So that whatever is great, good, or desirable in his king­dom rises from that seed the word of God. He how­ever shews that where it is not understood, is catch­ed away by Satan, or is choaked with cares, the seed is made of none effect. It is said Jam. 1.18, of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, &c and 2.12. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, &c. and receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls. It is well known that a graft inserted in a thorn bush will bear fruit parta­king of its own nature, and not that of the thorn: So the word of God engrafted, bears fruit as it is said, Coloss. 1.6. That the word of the truth of the Gospel bringeth forth fruit. They are said to be begotten by it, and it is expressly said to be able to [Page 37]save the soul.—The Apostle Peter speaks of the saints as being born again of incorruptible seed by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever. He then speaks of all flesh as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass, but the word of the Lord endureth forever, and this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you while all flesh turns to corruption, and all their glory withers, the word of the Gospel is held forth for dying man to confide in, as everliving, and able to give him life, though he finds his flesh and his heart are failing. How excel­lent this word!

The Apostle says of Timothy, that from a child, he had known the holy scriptures which are able to make wise to salvation, and then adds, all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3.15, 17. At parting with the elders at Ephesus he says, Acts 20.32. And now brethren I com­mend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inhe­ritance among all them who are sanctified, &c. We may notice three expressions quoted above, James says it is able to save the soul. The passage from Timothy says, it is able to make wise to salvation, this last quoted says, it is able to build up and give the inheritance, &c. They are full to one purpose. And the Apostle commends his brethren only to God and this word as all-sufficient. There had been no safety in commending to any man, however eminent, or to his own strength, or any thing under the sun but the word of God's grace.

It is said, Deut. 8.3. And he humbled thee, &c. that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that pro­ceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, doth man live. Jesus in reply to the tempter quotes these [Page 38]words, Mat. 4.4. The end of Israel's severe trials, was to bring to this point of knowledge, that God's word was their life, and as man's natural life must fail without sustenance, so his life beyond the grave must fail but for the word of God. Agreeably we read the just or justified shall live by faith or through the truth believed. The grandeur of the subject seems to forbid descending to any particular notice of the length men have run in vilifying this word, which one would think scarcely possible had he not daily evidence set before him.

One text more may be noticed, Is. 55.10, 11, 12. For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither again but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be which goeth out of my mouth, it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Here we are reminded whose mouth it proceeds from to inspire with awe: it is cloathed with the authority of him who speaks. A­gain it is like the rain, which fails not to clothe the earth with verdure, and furnish sustenance for man and beast, ministering life and vigour. All the ver­dure, life, and vigour of Christ's kingdom arises from the word of his mouth. And this word doth not re­turn to him void, like a messenger unable to perform his errand; but fully accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent forth. It effects all that God design­ed that it should on the earth.

The word from the same mouth at first said, let their be light, and failed not of producing it. It said also, let the earth bring forth grass, and herb, yielding seed and the fruit tree yielding fruit, whose seed is in itself, after his kind, and its force continues in vegetation from year to year; as also the source of that word be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, continues renewing the face of the earth, though [Page 39]one generation passeth away, after another. So his word in the scriptures hath had, and still will have its full effect, in gathering in all his chosen people, that not one be lost. And though an apostle may be bound, yet the word of God is not bound. Yea those things which appear like checking its progress, often turn out to the furtherance of it. It hath its free course, and makes its way through gates of brass, and bars of iron. Without human aid it will triumph over all the force of men and the powers of hell.

Its effects are not splendid in this world, in the eyes of those who like the Jews, are thinking of a temporal kingdom for the Messiah. The king­dom formed by it, cometh not with observation. A bruised reed and the smoking flax are fit emblems of it. But hereafter it will appear conformable to him, who though once crucified in weakness shall appear in his glory as the only potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Paint must be our conception of the splendor of his kingdom at that day, when those whom he calls his sheep, who hear his voice, and follow him, in sufferings; are all ga­thered together in one general assembly, to share in his glory, and shall appear as one grand royal family, crowned with glory and honor and immortality. Then the issue of hearing God's voice in the scrip­tures will be strikingly manifest, while this world is smoaking in ruins.

SUNDRY striking passages of Scripture upon the energy of God's word were omitted in my last, which I will mention in this, and finish with some remarks upon the resistance the truth has met with in the world.—It is said, Jer. 23.29. Is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord? and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Heb. 4.12. For the word of God is quick (or living) and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is said of numbers who received it that they were pricked in their heart. While it gives a deadly stab, it conveys a salutary balsam. While it demolishes the hopes of man, it presents a grand reason of hope through the blood of Jesus.—Its force as the grand weapon of the Apostle is expressed, 2 Cor. 10.4. For the wea­pons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God; to the pulling down strong holds, casting down reasonings and every high thing which exal­teth itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.—This brings to mind the idea of a strong fortress demolished by powerful artillery. Mighty were the effects of God's word in the Apostle's days. It came not in word only but in power and in the holy ghost, and in much assurance. It wrought effec­tually in them. They turned from idols to God, to serve the living God and wait for his son from hea­ven, 1 Thess. 1.9, 10. The course of the whole could of witnesses mentioned Heb. 11th chap. and the course of their followers under the new testament was opposite to the course of this world and to the bias of their own hearts. They were influenced by the word of God and something supernatural appears in their course all one way, as if a stream should turn about and run towards its source.

[Page 41] The two witnesses which prophecy 1260 days, cloathed in sackcloth, called the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the whole earth appear to be the old and new testament, and it is said if any man hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies, and they have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy to turn water to blood and to smite the earth with plagues as often as they will, as God's word of old did by Moses, see Rev. 11.3, 7. The fulfilment of their prophecy particularly un­der the seven trumpets and seven vials is smiting the earth with plagues, and in the just judgment of God falls on those who received not the love of the truth. Their shutting heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy appears to point to the same thing mentioned Rev. 7.1, under the similitude of holding the four winds of the earth, the consequence of which is dearth and destruction. As to fire proceeding out of their mouth and devouring their enemies, it leads us to think of the last effect of the scriptures up­on those who abuse them, and reminds of what Jesus says, John 12.18. He that rejecteth me and re­ceiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last day. Here we see the power of the supreme judge as it were attributed to the word of God in the last awful decision. Then their threatnings will burst forth like fire which had been long concealed, vom­ited from their mouth, and it will appear that heaven and earth shall sooner pass away than one jot or tittle of them shall fail.—The conclusion of the whole book of revelation points out the curses of the man that shall dare to add to or take from the words of God, Rev. 22.18, 19.

It is said, Psalm 138.2. Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. The voice of the Lord is indeed powerful and full of majesty. His word called up the heavens and earth into existence, [Page 42]Heb. 11.3. And the heavens and earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire, 2 Pet. 3.7. And the hour is coming when all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and come forth to the resurrection of life, or resur­rection of damnation. John 5.28, 29.—God's voice in the scriptures is from the same mouth, and deems it no usurpation to be counted equal with that voice which raises the dead.

The state of mankind as to believing this holy word, is not unlike that of the Jews, who under clear evidence came round Jesus saying, how long dost thou make us to doubt, if thou be the Christ tell us plainly.

However light the scripture is accounted among men, yet Jesus Christ is said to tremble at this word. For thus speaks he whose throne is the heaven, If. 66.2. To this man will I look to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. This passage must be understood to refer to Jesus Christ in whom alone God is well pleased. And as to those who tremble at the same word in conformity to him it is said, 5th verse, Hear the word of the Lord ye that tremble at his word, your brethren who hated you and cast you out for my names sake said, let the Lord be glorified, but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed. Jesus declares, Mark 8.38, that whoever is ashamed of his words, of him he will be ashamed when he comes in his glory. The Saints in every age, afraid of their own lusts under the specious shew of reason, have thought themselves bound to believe what they are told by God, and to do as they are bidden by him, wiithout adding or diminishing, avoiding vain reasonings. They have been from age to age in the midst of an adulterous generation, who under a boast of reason have always resisted the truth. And no doubt but that a boast of reason hath run through [Page 43]the whole resistance it hath met with from infidels and corrupters of the truth, whether we think of Pharaoh, Korah and company, the Israelites proposing a cap­tain to lead back to Egypt, or opposed to the report of the spies, or the whole resistance in the wilderness and Canaan, by men of their own body or nations round them. No doubt but that the Jews boasted of rea­son in all their perverse cavils against Jesus, under the light of striking miracles, and in putting him to death. The same is true as to men's conduct to­wards the Apostles. The same is true as to the church of Rome professing to hold the word of God sacred, and yet making it of no effect through their traditions (as the Jews had done before) in whom was found the blood of many who were slain for the word of God. So at this day while multitudes pro­fess to hold the scriptures to be the word of God, they openly deny its plainest truths, even that Jesus Christ is the son of God—that there is salvation in no other—and that he who believeth not shall be damned, contrary to plain assertions of the holy Ghost. The boasted light of reason has been the dictates of their own lusts, and not the light of their conscience. As to such unhappy men, the Apostle says, 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them who are lost. In whom the God of this world hath blind­ed the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. They stumble at the stumbling stone laid in Zion. They stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they are ap­pointed 1 Pet. 2.8. The fearful lengths men have gone, are a fulfilment of several prophecies, particularly 2 Thess. 2 chap. which foretels the rise of false christi­anity under the energy of Satan, and that for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in un­righteousness, see 2.11, 12 v. Here is also mention [Page 44]that this man of sin should be destroyed by the brightness of his coming. And from prophetic com­putation it appears, that the time of the second visit of Jesus is not far distant, when we are assured it shall be as it was in the days of Noah and in the days of Lot. It becomes those who have an ear to hear him saying, behold I come as a thief, and to bear in mind that exhortation, Heb. 2.1, 5. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest at any time we let them slip. For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast, and every trans­gression received a just recompence of reward. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them who heard him; God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost ac­cording to his own will.