TO THE not therein the advantage of any one ancient or modern author tobeat out the paths of truth before me, I have confined myself to express testimonies of scripture, with such expositions of thorn as sufficiently evidence their own truth, though also they want not such a sufliage from others as may give them thereputation of some authority. The like may ho said of what succeeds in the next place concerning his work under the New Testament preparatory for the new creation, in the communication of all sorts of gifts, ordinary and extraordinary, all kind of skill and ability in things spiritual, natural, moral, artificial and political, with the instances where- by those operations of his are confirmed. All these things, many wherefore are handledbyothers separate- ly and apart, are here proposed in their order with re- spect unto their proper end and design. For what concerns his work on the head of the new creation, or the human nature in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, I have been careful to keep severely unto the bounds of sobriety, and not to indulge unto any curious or unwarrantable speculations. I have therefore therein not only diligently attended unto the doctrine of the scripture, our only infallible rule and guide, but also expressly considered what was taught and believed in the ancient church in this matter, from which I knowthat I have not departed. More I shall not add as to the first difficulty where- with an endeavour of this kind is attended, arising from the nature of the subject treated of. Theother concern- ing the contemptthat is cast by manyon all these things, most yet be further spoken unto. In all the dispensations of God towards his people under the Old Testament, there was nothing of good communicated unto them, nothing of worth or excel- lency wrought in them or by them, but it is expressly assigned unto the Holy Spirit as the author and cause óf it. But yet of all the promises given unto them con- cerning a better and more glorious state of the church to be afterwards introduced, next unto that of the com- ing of the Son of God in the flesh, those are the most eminent which concern an enlargement and more full communicationofthe Spirit, beyond what they were or could in their imperfect state be made partakers of: According we find in the New Testament, that whatever concerns the conversionof the elect, the edificationof the church, the sanctification and consolation of believers; b REABEItS. V the performance of thoseduties of obedience which we owe unto God, with our conduct in all the ways there- of, is ingeneral and particular instances so appropriat- ed untohim, as that it is withal declared, that nothing of it in any kindcan be enjoyed or performed without hisespecial operation, aid and assistance, So careful was God fully to instruct and to secure the faith ofthe church . in this matter, according as he knew its eternal concern- mentsto lie therein. Yet notwithstanding all the evidence given hereunto, the church of God in most ages hath , been exercised with oppositions, either to his person or his work, or the manner of it, contrary unto .what is promised and declared concerning them in the word of truth; nor doth it yet cease so to be. Yea, though the contradictions ofsome in former ages have been fierce and clamorous, yet all that bath fallen out of that kind, hash. been exceeding short ofwhat is come to pass in the days wherein we live. For not to mention the Socinians, who have gathered into one head, or rather ulcerous imposthume, all the virulent oppositions made unto his deity or grace by the Photinutps, Macedonians, and Pelagians'of old; there are others who professing no enmity unto his divine person, yea, admitting andown- ing the doctrine of the church concerning it, are yet ready on all occasions to despise and reproach that whole work for which be was promised under the Old Testament, and which is expressly assigned unto him in the New. Hence is it grown amongst many a mat- ter of reproach and scorn for any one to make mention of his grace, or to profess an interest in that work of his as his, without which no man shall see God, if the scripture be a faithful testimony. And some have taken pains to prove, that sundry things which are expressly assigned unto him in the gospel as effects of his power . and grace, are only filthy enthusiasms, or at least weak imaginations of distempered minds. Neither is there any end of calumnious imputations on them by whom his work is avowed, and his grace professed, Yea, the deportment of many herein is such, as that if it were not known how effectual the efforts of profaneness are upon the corrupted minds of men, it would rather seem ridiculous, and be despised, than todeserve any serious notice. For let any avow or plead for.the known work ofthe Spirit of God, and it is immediately apprehended a sufficient ground to charge them with leaving the rule ofthe word to attend unto revelationsand inspirations,
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