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FORMA SACRA,

OR, A *

S AC RE D P L A T F O R M

•of

NA JURAL and revealed RELIGION?

E X H I B I T^I N G,

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A Scriptual and Rational Account

V

of thefe three Important Heads*

Of Crea’ion and that both in its eternal Caufes and Springs in the Deity ; and in the wonder- fui Divine Procedure in the 8 x Day’s Work 2dly. Ot the whole complex eternal Plan of Divine Predeftination, comprehending the great Events relative to Angles and Men.

Sdy. Of the wife Divine Procedure in accomplifh- ing each Part of this whole eternal Plan.

By the PIOUS and LEA R N E ;J>

Thomas Blackwell,

- * ' • r ' a m ' * .t r*s ' ' t : *' <■. j ^ i*' ■ V

To WHICH IS NOW ADDED,

An INTRODUCTION,

Pointing out, the Expediency, Propriety and Utili¬ ty of Re-printing faid Book in this our Day, when pure and undefiled Religion appears to. be fo much on the decline among Profefiors ofail Denominations i-r this flourifhing American World.

By Simon Williams, A. M*

Minifler of the Gofpel in W indham in N.Hamplhire.

BOSTON:

Printed by William M’Alpine, for the Rey* Mr. Williams, of tVindbawi* M,DCC,LXXIV.

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To the Subscribers,

HAVE TASTED TflAT THE

LORD IS GRACIOUS,

This FOLLOWING NEW EDITION OF fo The Pious and Learned

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Thomas Blackwell’s

Book on genuine revealed Religion,

is humbly infcribed by

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a Servant of the

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LORD Jesus Christ.

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An

INTRODUCTION,

humbly addreffed to the

SUBSCRIBERS

of the following new Edition of

Mr. Blackwells

BOOK On

genuine revealed Religion,

AS the following excellent treasure of ## — ## the precious friuhs of God, revealed | W | in the facrtd fcriptures, for the reco- very of fallen man, and by the pious, author digefted and compofed, into a brief, clear and comprehei.five view, only to be perufed by thofe who have tailed that the Lord is gracious ; I would not be fo much inclined as t now and myfelf to be to enlarge this book, by the. addition of any thing, that can drop from my pen. 1 ne readinefs which I obferved in many to pro- mrte the re printing of the bock, on reading the propofais, induce me to think, many of you (land

’L, c c °fn! arSum5nt, or add re Is from me to «»ufe the moft tranquil hours, and moft 'feafonable

cppcrtanities

IV

The DEDICATION,

opportunities, carefully to perufe the fame. Be- llde* it is obfervable, by feveral very refpe&ab e names in the fubfcription lift, that the book will tall into the hands of fome, who have the advantage ot a learned and liberal education, fitting them to read, not only Mr. Blackwell's treatife, but alfo, the many elaborate performances of the ex¬ cellent of the earth, who in all ages of the chrif- t^an u'Era, by the gracious providence of almighty God, have been raifed up, from time to time, as defenders of the faith deliver’d to the faints. Did I pretend by this Introduction, to inftruCl perfons cf this clafs, it would be difeovering an arrogance, which it becomes me at all times to avoid.

But5 when I confider, that this treatife rriiy fall into the hands of many, who at firft view, cannot difeover its excellencies ; I muft beg leave to drop a few thoughts, refpeCting the expediency, proprie¬ ty and utility of introducing this author into the habitations of the American world.

That there is a very glorious work of God, often foretold in feripture, which in the progrefs and iffue of it, {hall renew the world of mankind, is a truth that will not be denied by any acquainted with the bible, which is the only rule to direCt us in our faith and pra&ice. Every attempt then of man, that has a tendency to difplay the excellency of the facre-d feripture, and to fet in a clear view this truth, in its connection with the wonderful works of the Supreme Being, from the beginning to the end of time, will not only meet with the candid reception of all, who are not tinChired with the infernal pafllon of enry ; but will be favoured with the protection of that blebs d B eing, who ba- nifhed Lucifer and all his adherents from the bright regions of glory, and plunged them into the hor¬ rid abyfs of their own darknefs.

The world, it muft be acknowledged is full ©f books, and m^je are daily coming from the

prefs*

The DEDICATION,

▼

prefs, which is a good argument to prove the ex¬ pediency of giving my author a place smong the innumerable many ; cfpecially, if my candid reader will ferioufly cor.fider the fxgns of the times, and remember that we are now living in the latter days.

in thefe days the apoRle Peter informs the church in general of a few things, which it beho- veth profeffing chriRiars (of every denomination in America) mcft ferioufly to confiders„

He informs us of great defe&ion among the churches of Chrift ; great deadnefs and formality among real faints ; feme profeffors Raining the glory of the Redeemer by corrupt doctrines ; falfa teachers, who privily bring in damnable herefies* denying the Lord that bought them ; fcofFers walking after their own lulls, and making a mock, of folid piety.

If chriftians then, in this prfent day, live in the* midft of fuch deplorable defection, it cannot be im¬ proper to prefent my reader with a book, fo well calculated, to difplay the precious doctrine of fa- ving grace, which is in this day almoft buried by a rapid Rood and inundation of pernicious errors* producing alfo, an infeaious moral condudL which the more pious and judicious of every denominati¬ on are ready to bear teflimony a gain ft, as being de- flruaive of that haimony and union that fhoufd fubfift both in church and Rate.

God, w ho is infinitely wife in council; hath ap¬ pointed all tilings both in church and Rate, from the begining to the end ; but thefe appointment! are not to be accomplifhed without means, anc when we nfktf on methods which he ha th taker in i he paR periods of hk church, to remove her bur- dens, rcRore her freedom, to fcatter her darknefi and renew her light ; to deRroy the inventions of men, and to difplay his own glory ; we muR ac- nowledge, that his -ways are not man's ways, nor h»s thoughts man's thoughts.

As I have confined m> feif toa very narrow corapafi

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Vi

The DEDICATION.

in this introduction* I (hall fay no more rffpeft- sng the expediency and properiety of re-printing this book, but haden to point out the uti-ity there¬ of, to the various clafEs of readers, high or low, rich or poor, who live in this prefent day, concious of the immortality of their fouls and a future (lute.

But before I do this, l befeech. my reader to re- a little, (and it is but a liule, the mod wife among men can know,) wherein the Sovereign Ra- ler of the umverfe differs from the fons of men ; And as I now addrefs myfeif to the mod penetra¬ ting and fagacious of my readers, (in th’s particu¬ lar indance,) that I may not intrude my own thoughts, I fhall record here, fome v ry firiking fentiments, of a celebrated writer, which, if calmly confidered, will not fail equally! to folemdize aa pleafe the learned and judicious.

“ God that fitteth in the highed heavens, holds

the reins of all kingdoms ; he ba*:h all hearts €i in his hands ; fometimes he retrains the paflxons, ** fornetimes again, he le^s them loofe at full rage, *€ and by that he dirs uo all mankind* Is he p'eafed €t to make conquerors ? He caufes a dread to march “ before them, and at the fame time infpires them <c and their followers with an uncommon boidneT, €< and heroic fortitude. Is he pleafe d to mike new *c legiflators, he fends them his fpirit ot wifdom ** and forefight, he caufes them to prevent the e- <c vils which threaten the cotnraou wealth, and fo *c lay the foundations of public tranquility.

** He knows that human wifdom is always fhort €( in fome places ; he enlightens it, he opens the “ eyes of the underftanding ; at other times a- “ bandons them to their own ignorance ; He blends €t the judgment, he precipitates it, and confounds t( it with itfelf ; human wifdom is perplexed and C( embarraffed with its own fuhtilties, and its own *( precautions are fo many faares to it.

** God by thefe means exercifes his fearful judg-

meets according to the rules of his judicc, which

° “ are

The DEDICATION. vii

%t are always infallible. It is God alone that pre- “ pares eff <5L in the mo ft diftant caufes, and who *£ ftrikss thofe fatal blows that reach fo far. When «< he is pleafed to let go the latter, to overturn “ empires, every thing is weak and irregular in their councils. A people formerly fagacious 4‘ may flagger and totter, and be as it were befotted, becaufe the Lord hath fhed a fpirit of diz- “ z;nei~s and Corfu fi on upon them. But that men 4< may not herein be deceived, God re-unites when “ he feeth good, the draggling fenfes, and he that irfulted over the blindnefs of others, falls him* ft f into more Egyptian darkrefs, and oftentimes “ without any thing elfe to confound his fenfes and c undepftanding, than his too long profperittes. Tlius it i^that God reigneth over all pcop’c. I come now to point cut the utility of the fol¬ lowing treatife, to the profeffors of our holy reli¬ gion in this and the neighbouring provinces.

It cannot be d'enyed by" any perfon, who is ac¬ quainted with the hiftory of this new American world, that God, who rules over all kingdoms and nations, hath remarkably dlfplayed hitherto his great power and wifdom on this vaft continent, by the various emigrations of the foils and daughters of men. from thofe places, where the reformation of his church, that was once funk in anti-chriftian darkntfs b pan to receive the firfi fruirs of that meridian glory, which in the bock of God, is fo often proinifed (hall come to pafs in fuch a con- fpicuous manner, as to fill the whole earth with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover tat leas. Nor cm it be denied, that in the early days of this tranfplantauon, this New-England territory hath been favoured with much precious feed from the old country. Heroes come from a- far, who were c otbed with the fpirit of true pa~ tiiotifm ; feme fagaeioufly and with the fpirit of council regulating the body politic, and others

■building

viii The DEDICATION.

building up the walls of Zion, by propagating the pure and undefined principles of chriftiarity. The annals of New-England are pregnant with tefti- monies of this kind, which clearly point out, that the Ipirit of civil policie, with which flie has fo evi¬ dently been endowed, fom her firft rife to her pre- ient growing maturity, hath been gracioufly given to her from Heaven, that her funs may learn, that this growing empire is nectfTUriiy connect d with the hiftory of the people of God ; and that the great myftery, which the holy fpir-it revealed to St. John , is a myftery in which America is, and in a fpecial manner New England ought now, and it is probable will be much concerned

How many chriftian heroes are now lyi ig in her dult ? The fpirits of thefe juft men are Waiting for thefe future times, which God hath promi fed, when he will deliver his church from th fe doubts and difficulties, that in this day puffer* the minds of many ; which together with tht contentions and divifton that fubfift in N e w - En ql a n n, among pro- feftors of one common chriftianity. ate fume of the chief obftacles in the way of i ke fpread of pure and nndefiled religion among us.

The following platform is a con o’ ft' plan of thefe genuine truths, which wei e firft propagated in the infant ftate of the Ne w Engl and cnurches breath¬ ing the fame fpiiit of thofe pious witndfes who were when alive cioathed in fackclcth for the tes¬ timony of Jefus ; and until there be, a refun edit on of this fpirit in the fuccecding preache is uf t! e e- verlafting gofpei, more univerfally than it now ap¬ pears ; 1 fear the growing glory of this new em¬ pire in all its political grandeur ; (which may the L,ord of heaven and earth long continue ) 1 fear 1 fay, this glory will get a ftop, until the clergy of all denominations, and their focieties over which they are ordained, come to be more unanimous m the fundamentals of our. gofpei falvation.

When

Tht DEDICATION. lx

When I confider the facred fun&ion to which a grach us God has btei plealcd to call me, and that it is my office not only to deliver hh mdlages to the particular flock committed to my care, but al- fo to thrjw in my mite for promoting the fpread of pure religion among the churches of our Lord Jefas Chrift, in thefe parts ; I hope I am not out of the path of duty, when fnow attempt to point out forne of the fpecial benefits which may be receiv¬ ed by the following flmrt ucatife, coming into the hand of fo many profeffing chriilians.

This book may be ufefui, if carefully perufed, not only to thofe who have neither leifure to read, nor perhaps ability to buy the works of the learned in large; volumes ; but even to thofe who have both ; for it appears, that the very form of it hath been planed by the learned and judicious author for per¬ sons of the rnofl liberal education, who haye gone through the whole circle of fcience, and by that meant whetted their in«elle<51ual powers to reafon and meditate on the deepeft points of natural and revealed religion $ at the fame time the arguments are placed in fo clear a point of light, as to adapt them to common capacities In this point of view, I am in hopes it will give a check to the grow¬ ing contagion of deifm among the polifiicd and li¬ berally educated youth of this rifing generation.

There are no doubt, many in this prefent age, that are pcifoned with the infection of derfm, only for want of a proper antidote, which can’t be rea¬ dily obtained without reading large volumes. Now in this author, (m the very begining of bis book, which treats rf the eternal caufes and fprings of creation in the Deity,) they will find that the fuundeft philofophy, which the human mind by the light of nature is capable of receiving, can be only as a handmaid, uffiering into the mind the know edge of the pure revelation of the eter¬ nal fon of God, who for t & men, and our faivation came down from heaven. Here

The

DEDICATION.

Here they will find, that natural religion, fepa- ra.fd from what God has been pleafed to reveal at fundry times, ard in divers manners by his pro¬ phets, and laft cf all by his own fon and his holy apoflles, here [ fay they will find, that natu- ra! rebgion thttsfeparated will ftand them in no Itead for iolid happinefs, either in time or eternity • but on the contrary yon have in this book the Cjearelt dt&ates of reafon, concurring with the ferip- ture account, to (hew, that without faith in. ard nn-on to the holy Jcfus, the deift’sfoul, with ail his acquired knowledge, is ftripped naked, deprived of the image of God, and forever miferable, except renewed by his holy fpirit.

1 has is not the only advantage that may be re¬ ceived from the perufal of my author.

1 hete are fome writers of a liberal education in the p relent day, as well as in days pift, who have made a great noife agsinft our Lord’s fat?sfa&k>n in the name and room of finners. Thefe poifo- ncus and frbtde cfTays are fcattesed from the prefs, and put into the hands of many not fortified with fkiii or ability to unravel the fophiftry. This book then will be very ufeful to counteract this poifon ; for though my judicious author does not lead his reader into the intanglcd maz.s cf dry and knotty controvert ; yet he fweetly and Ikillfully lays be¬ fore you the great truth, (hewing you in what man- iu r it. is oppoltd by Socrnus and his followers.

Our author s excellency will appear-to the figa- cicas i c.tder, when he perufes the ninth chapter ; for there he has fele&ed a f:w cf the mod foiid arguments that hitherto have been made ufe of, by former writers in clearing up .this important pi'int of dodlrine, ard fe?s them in fo plain a light, that the unprejudiced can no longer doubc that there is any thing unreafonable or unjuft ill Adam being appointed the moral .head and reprefentative of all liis pofterity.

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The DEDICATION. xt

I would now draw to a conclusion, was it not that I fee how this book is calculated to be of more cx-erfive ufe than what I have already mentioned.

Give me leave then only to afk a cpieftion, tbs folution of which, I fhall let reft in the breaft of my reader.

Are there not many in thefe provinces, as well as other parts of the chriftian world, who would be afhamed, if they were ferioufly afkcd, to own thecnfe! ves the followers of James Ari?iini#s% and at the fame time, imbibe his doctrines only oecaufe they have not yet feen them in a true point of light ^

This bock then deftroys that foul-rumir g error alfo, and convinces all of unprejudiced reafon, that there is no power naturally in any man previous to regeneration, upon, the higheft moral iualion, to enable him to perform the leaft holy action as it refpe<5f > nis falvation in the fight of God.

Thus have I performed my promife to the fub- {bribers of this new edition of genuine religion*

Sedion

£11

The

DEDICATION.

Se&ion II.

T^° .'dmWant!ng ,n an«c«flary part of my f„f J’ , 1 bf n°c preparing our author for the prefs, had not refned the important applications o erne pious and judicious perfons who have told me, they prefer the book as a legacy in their hands to leave to their children at their death ; being ‘ their efteero, more excellent than the fleeting trealure of fdver and indeed it is truly more pre¬ cious tftan apples of gold in pitfures of frvtr ; for

' °af iaren> ar*d others of the tiling generation carefu] y pe fe th fame, they wi„ fhii b“°k“

nly fee the faith of all pious parents truly de¬ feated ; but muft aifo be rationally convinced,

at without this faith it is impoffible as moral agents o p ea c God, It may then not be improper in the winding up this introdutfion, to conclude all l lhaii no.^faJ» by a fhort acidrefs to the youth of my parifii, in conjunaioti with all others of the iame age, into whofe hands God in his providenc* will be plea fed to fend this volume*

Beloved Youth,

As certain as mankind Is fuperlor to the brute- creation, fo certain we (hall find after death a fu¬ ture exigence, and in that fiate be the fubjetfs of* righteous retribution ; for thus faith the divine oracie. It is appointed for all men once to die , and ' after death the judgment , and again, The Lord Jtfus Jhall he revealed from heaven with his migh- ty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God , and that obey not the gojpel of cur Lord Jefus Chrijl, who /hall be punifhed with ever lajling dejlrutticn from the prefence of the Lord and from the glory of bis power , when he' (hall corn e to be glorified in his faints, and to be admired in all them that believe.

. Come then gentle reader, male or female, who hitherto have had but little time toconfiderhow fear¬ fully

fbc DEDICATION. t\i }

fully* and wonderfully you are made; come and contemplate with me for a few moments, concern¬ ing your myllerious compound of body and foul, oi matter and fpifit.

In this view I am to fnew you what perhaps you hate never yet ferioufU thought of : 1 am to (hew you, that your compofition as a human being was formed not merely for time, but principally for e- ternity ; not only to glorify your creator as a mo- ral agent on this earth, which is only his Footftoo! j but alfo to difplay his divine perfe'&ions in heaven* which is the throne of his majefty.

That you may be pcriuaded of this important truth, in which you yoUrlelves are particularly con^ cerned, confider a little, as a rational being, what you are made capab*e to difcover of the works of creation ; fay not that you haVe no learning, and that you are unable to follow me in this meditati¬ on ; if you can read your mother- tongue you are capable to comprehend thefe plain truths, which I wou'-d now lay before you for yotir betteF informa¬ tion !

You can obferve, no doubt, that the viflhle things of God in the creation are various, and that you yourfeives are a part of the fame. You can obferve, that fome of thefe things are wholly void of all knowledge, as the elements, the earth, air, water and fire, and every thing without life that is com¬ pounded ot them ; to thefe you may add, the in¬ numerable tribes of the vegetable kingdom, all which, by a certain natural pronenefs, are carried to thofe things which fuit their ftate, without any* antecedent fenfe or knowledge of that which is fuita- ble to them. Let us now call this a natural appetite. By this power (tones, and whatever have weight fink downwards, and liedit things afeend upwards. By this appetite alfo, piaats araw their moifiure from the earth.

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D I C A T I O N.

You can obferve a!ib, there are other things en¬ dowed witn knowledge, and thofe will appear to

yC^n0I’/iUt,lerC0Dildfrati0n> t0 be of rhle« kinds, ^ The firft clafs, we (hall take notice of, are thofe

thtnos which are endowed only with fenfe, whofe efface it is to be wholly engaged about grofs and material boaies, in fuch a manner, as (hews them creatures unable to make much ufe cf compatifon or hmiitude, fo as to fee that order and connec¬ tion, which are in the things themfelves ; hence it is, that the office of thofe creatures is confined within very narrow limits ; to this rank of beings you muft acknowledge all beafb (lo belong, all whicn are endowed with propenfities known and dminguiuied by thofe names, of animal appetite ; for this appetite is that power wheroby the living creature i urfues or avoids that which is explored and difeovered by fenfeb

There are other beings which are fo furnilhed with the excellency and purity of inteiieft, or rati¬ onal underitanding, as to nave nothing corporeal or cf material compofilion in their nature ; which kind of beings, the facred feriptures teach us to call by the name of angers ; thefe incorporeal and in- tebigent spirits, arc endowed with a certain fimple appetite, which is properly called their will.

The thi.d kit d of beings are ihcle which are furniflied by the bountiful Lord and creator cf the material and intelhaual fyftems, with the gifts both of fenfe ar.d undemanding; Now this is that taint cf beings to which you belong ; you are a pai t of mankind, a member of human fociety, pla¬ ced in the moral world to cdt as a perfon fupericr to the brute creation, agreeable to thefe moral pew- trs with which beyond theirs you arc endowed. As a being then of this luperior make, you can per¬ ceive, not only by animal fenle, that which is the grofs compcfition of material bodies ; but alfo, by }l»e excellency of your reafon and fupeiior under-

ftandiDg

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The DEDICATION. if

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(landing, or in other words, by the gift of your in¬ tellectual genius, you are furnifhed with powers to rake notice of that order and fitnefs, which refult from corporeal cbjeCts in their various relations and dependences one on another. Befide, by the pow¬ er of this genius^ which you have, and which the brutes have not, you are made capable to penetrate into things altogether void of matter, and no way falling under, or fubjeCt to the cognizance of fenfe.

See now the difference there is between your na¬ ture and the inferior creatures. You fee you have a capacity to purfue thofe things of which brute animals are wholly incapable ; and let me tell you, that if you carefully attend to your own feelings, you will find yourfelf to be a little world, an affu- al partaker of all thofe things, wh:ch are included in the vafl fyfttm of the ere at d univeffc ; for as among all the creatures of God, whether animate or inanimate, we can difcover only three appetites, a natural, a fenfitive and rational, fo in yourfelf, you may find all thefe propenfiticS ; for by your natural appetite, which includes hunger and thirfi, you find yourfelf a partaker of that which is com¬ mon to the vegetable creation. By your animal appetite, which engages you to purfue the grati¬ fications of fenfe, you find yourfelf a partaker of the fame nature with the brutes of the field, and by your rational appetite you find, you are a par¬ taker of the nature cf thofe fpirits who are the fub- jefts cf God’s moral world. Your capacity then is vaftly fuperior to that of the brute kind ; for the knowledge of grofs material bodies is only granted to their ienfes, of which the animal appetite is the foie companion ; hence it is, that the brutes, who have only this as their highefl excellency, employ all their care in purfuing the advantages and bene¬ fits which refult from the gratifications cf their a* nimal nature. But you are better furnifhed ; fat* you have in your immortal nature a rational apps-

titf

Svi Tit DEDICATION.

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tite to the companion of your reafonable mind., and is known by the denomination of that remarkable term called the will of man ; whofe office it. is to follow right reafon wherever it leads, and conftant- ly to obey her invariable dichtes. Bat now, my dear youth, I muft dire# you to compare yoUc own experience with the word of him who *aid, Except a man be born again he cannot Jee the king¬ dom of God ; for originally this wi 1, under the condud of a divine light beftowed on the human nnderftanding was endowed with a fbperior tafte* a talk of which the brute creation have not the Jeaft feeling, a talk \vhich is now viciated and loft by the dreadful fall ; a tafte which can never be recovered but by regeneration. I have wrote this addrefs purely to prepare you to read my author's tenth chapter, where you will be convinced, that no vital aft can rife higher than the n a lire and power of the princ pie from which ir proceedeth, and coniequemiy man in his fallen ftate, unrege¬ nerate man can Only produce ads bearing propor¬ tion to the vegetative, animal and merely rational life.

As my author hath not touched this fubjed, as it refpeds the diftindion of appetites, I hope you will find this part of my introdiidion to be proper and ufeful ; alfo remember then the dignity of your nature when compared to the brute creation, for though in your fallen ftate, your foul being def- titute of regeneration, is deprived of true fpiritual tafte ; yet this will or rational appetite, of which cur intelied or undcrftanding is the infeparabk companion, are powers belonging to that part of our compcfuion which is a fpiritual iubftance in¬ corporal and immortal.

]f you alk me what this fpiritual fubftance is. I only defire you to obferve what you feel within you ; is there not fomethir g in you, which thinksl rejletts and deliberates \ fomething which deter-

• mines

The DEDICATION;

xvii

fntne */, which doubts which confents and dentes ; fomething that ivili's, demurs , refolves , chufes and rejetts ; fomething that receives various fenfations from outward objedts, and produces voluntary mo¬ tions in feveral parts of your body. Know then that thefe powers of thinking, wiljingand perceiv¬ ing are not in the matter which compofe your body ; for mere matter can never produce thought. If then thefe powers are not in the mat¬ ter of your bcdv, they mufi arife from fomething which is void of matter, now this fomething is your immortal foul or fpirit.

I appeal once more to your feelings ; have you not a natural defire for immortality ? You (ay yes. This defire then fuppofes a natural capacity in the fubj edl, wherein that defire refides ; and therefore, fince your foul defires immortality it is capable of it, and alfo mull perceive that it is fo.

Have you never perceived in yourfelfa conf:i- oufnefs of guilt, and an uneafy concern at the prof- pe<5t of things to come ? You fay yes. No w whence can this concern arife, if your foul fees not an im¬ mortality beyond this life.

Be convinced then and perfuaded, that their is a vaft difference between your foul and the foil s of bru tes. The bru tes are no moral agents ; have no concioufnefs T guilt ; have no proipeft of futu¬ rity, and are who iy confined to the traniitory things of time and fenf%

Now, may God, who commanded the light to fhine out of darknefs, fhine more and more into our hearts, to give us the continual light of the kno w¬ ledge of his glory in the face of Jefus Chrift.

A

M E N.

ADVERTISEMENT.

CCORDING to my promife in my

printed propofals , I have made dili¬ gent enquiry after my author's life and writings ; at prefent can only inform you, that 1 have received a letter from a gen¬ tleman of veracity and extenfive knowledge in the literary world, which informs me, that the reverend, pious and learned Mr. Thomas Blackwell, was predecefor to the Reverend DoSlor Witherspoon,. who is now preftdent of the college in the Jerfeys, and, was before he was called to America, a minifler of the go [pel in Peafly North-Britian, where Mr. Blackwell was much ejleemed.

© vfr XXX & x>&< $ $ XXX $ XXX XXX g*

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% XXX$X»:: g$XXX ® xxx $®$ xxxgxxx <g?

A

LIST

O F

Subicribers Names.

Deacon yames Morri fan's Lift, of

Windham .

CAPT. John Cochran 3 Capt. Jofeph Ciyd Mr. Robert Denfmore Mr. John Cochran, Junr.

Mr. Jfaac Cochran

Deacon John Morrow 4

Mr. William Thom, fenrfc

Mr. Robert Park

Deacon Samuel Morrifon 5

Deacon Gain Armour 2

Lieut. John Denfmore, 2

Mr. Robert Spear

Mr. Nathniel Gorrel

Mr. John Smith

Mr. Andrew Armour

Mr. Adam Templeton, 2.

ii Lift o/* SUBSCRIBER S.

Mr. John Cochran, Derry .

Mr. Robert Smith

Mr. James Wafon, Notingham , WelH

Mr. Nathan Webfter

Mr. William Thom, Janr^

Mr. William Smith

Mr. Solomon Smith

Mr. Life Night

Mr. Mofes Eaton

Mr. Parice Gage

Mr- Alexander Simpfon

Mifs Jennet Wilfon

Mr, Benjamin Nefmith

Mr, Jrf ph Smith

Mr. Joliah Blodget

Mr. Thomas Underwood

Mr, Jofeph Blodget, junr. z

Mr, Joel Partichurft

Mr. Afa Thompfon

Mr. Ebenezar Kindel

Mr. Robert Dunn

Mr. Samuel Morrifon, Derry

Capt. William Smith, P eterborough

Mr. Robert Hunter, Valsnton 4

Do<5t. Ifaac Thom

Mr. William Dickey

Deacon John Tuft 2

Mr. Hugh Cambel

Mr. Alexander Richey

Mr. Andrew Park

Mr. Zachariah Woodbury, Sale?n 2 Books

Mr, Tames Woodbury, Salem

Mr. j ames Jamifoa

Mr. Alexander Park

Mr. John Giles, Salem

Mr. John Moreland 2 Books

Mr, William Moreland.

Lift 0/ SUBSCRIBERS, iii

Mr. Robert HemphiU’s Lift of Windham, 69

Books.

Deacon Samuel .Cambel

Mr. Samuel Wilfon

Mr. Robert Hemphill

Mr. Samuel Clarke

Mr. Nathaniel Hemphill jun.

Deacon John Armdrong 7 Books Mr John Arm (Iron g junr.

Mrs. Mary Alexander, Derry Mr. David Gregg junr,

Mr. J ames Gault Mr. Samuel M’Keen, Amherfl Lieut. James Gilmore Mr. David M’Keen, Derry Mr. Robert Wallace, Derry Mifs. Jenny Wiley Mrs. Sarah Moor

The Lift of James Betton, Efq ; 6 Books. Deacon Samuel Anderfon 2 Books Mr. John Caldwe’l James Becton, Efq ; 2 Books Mr. James Hopkins.

Deacon Carnbei’s Lift, 6 Books,

Mr. Henry Cambel fenr.

Mr. Daniel Dugias Mr William Cambel Mr. John Cambei Mr. William Moor Mrs. E izabeth Ames.

Mr. Adam Williams’s Lift, 42 Bocks, Mrs. Mary Williams .

Mr. Adam Williams, Student in Phyjic

Mr. George Williams Farmer

Mifs Catherine Williams

Mifs Ann Williams

Mr. Gilbert Tennent Williams

Mr Simon Finley Williams

B i Mifs

Mifs. Polly Williams Mr John Floyd Williams Mifs Elizabeth Williams

Deacon Abraham Page, Nottingham . Weft. Mr. William Denfnore

Mrs. Leah Waugh

Mifs. Mary Waugh

Revd. George Gilmore

Mr. John Wilfon

Mrs. Ann Hopkins, Valenton

Mr. William Lowney

Mrs. Beckey Moffet

Mifs. Lizy Collins

Mr. Thomas M’Lauglin 2 Books

Mrs Margaret Gilmore, Widow

Mr. Samuel M’.idams

Deacon Nathaniel Hemphill

Mr. Hugh Brown

Mr. Hugh Grimes, fenr.

Mr. Hugh Grimes, junr.

Mr. William Gregg, fenr.

Mr. William Gregg junr.

Deacon John Keil Mr. John M’Coy Mr. Alexander M'Coy Mr. Jeffery Dunachooe Deacon David Gregg Mr. Hugh Clyde Mr. John Davidfon Mr. George Davidfon Mr. David Davidfon Mr. William Symmes Mr. Alexander Wilfon Mr, Thomas Dunlap.

Londonderry Lifts.

Capf. Mofes Barnet’s Lift, 6 Backs. Revd. William Davidfon Deacon Mofes Barnet

Mr, James Vaj.ce

Mr.

Lift <?/ SUBSCRIBERS, v

Mr. Samuel Thomfon Mr. Henry Parkman, A. M*

Mr. Mathew Dickey . ,

Mr. Jimes M’Gregore, fenior, Ms Lift, 4 00

Mr. JoiYph Gregg

Mr. James M’G regore, fenr.

Mr Jofrph Scoby

Mr. R ibeit Adams . .

Mr. James M’Gregore, junr. Merchant, his Lilt,

6 Books. .

Mr. David Anderfon

Deacon Robert Morrifon

Mr. James Miltimore

Mr. James M’Gregore, Merchant

Revd. David M’Gregore, 2 Books

Deaqon Samuel Filberts Lift, 5 Books.

Mr. Henry Cambel, junr.

D e2con James Fifher Mr. Robert Dickey Mr. William Anderfon Mr. Robert Wallace

Deacon John Aiken’s Lift, 10 Books,

Mr. John Pinkerton, junr. Merchant

Mr. ifaac Brewfter

Mr. Thomas Craige

Deacon John Aiken

Mr. James Aiken

Mr. John Duncan, Terfius

Mr. Robert M’Callum

Mr. Nathaniel Aiken

Mr. Abraham Duncan

Mr. George Duncan

Mr. James Ewins

Mr, John Ewins, Student,

Mr. James M’Muiphy

Mr. Robert Fulton and his Sons Lift. 5 Books. Mr. Robert Fulton Mr. John Fulton

Mr, Robert Fulton, junr, B 4 Mr^ *

VI

Lift of SUBSCRIBERS

Mr. James Fu!ton, Student Mr. Alexander Millar Mr, John White, Merchant in Haverhill i* James Duncan, Merchant in Haverhill Mrs White, the Spoufe of Mr . John White, 5 rs Duncan, the Spouje of Mr* James Duncan

•iu ^cv<^* Mr. Syms, Andover he Revd. John Strickland Mr. George Burroughs, Derry

Nennbury- P ort Lifts.

Mr. David Hemphill’s Lift, 63 Books. Kevd. Jonathan Perfons Mr. Buckley Emerfon Mr. Mofes Nowel Mr. James Jewet Mr. Nehemiah Halkel Mr. David Pearfon Mr* Jicob Bondman Mr. Enoch Tapia Mr. John Tapin Mr. Parker Noyes Mr Jofeph Mol ton Mr. Jofeph Hufe Mr, William Parker Mr. Thomas Thcmpfon Mr. Mofes Bradftreet Mr. Abel Greenleaf Mr. Jofeph Stan wood beacon Ralph Crofs, fenr„

Mr. Caleb Halkel Mr. Nathan Wheeler Mr. Edward Harris Mr. Greenleaf Clarke Mr, Jofeoh Greenough Mr. William Price Mr. Simon Greenleaf Mr. Eliphalet Merrill Mr. Beni a man Bernard

Mr.

Lift of SUBSCRIBERS.

Vli

Mr. T'mothy Toppan Mr. G deon Wood well Mr. Jofeph Adams Mr. William Gerrifli Mr John Stlckney, Qjizrtus Mr, Mofes Hoit Mr. Stephen Chafe Mrs Ann Nichols Mr. David Hemphill Mr. Renjaman Greenleaf Mr. Richard Smith Revd. Nnhan Noyes Mr Abel Brown Mr. William Ingalls.

Mr. Ifcael Lunt Mr. Thomas Norwood Mr. Stephen Crofs Mr. Benjaman Knight Mr. Nathaniel Knap Mr. Timothv Topan Foard Mr. Mcfes F razier Mr Willi m C-ffin Little Mr. Nathaniel Knap, janr, Mr. Abner Greenleaf Mr. Jonathan Pearfon Mr. Thomas Patten

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

M-.

Mr

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

Amos Knight Jofiah Tucimb Jofeph Pearfon, junr. Arnos How aid Z bedy Hunt E„muad Bordet

S •• • on n e 1 h i o o d y Berj 'man Moody Jon a han Knight Enr ch Pike

E d r Jerimiah

Pearson’s

Daniel F ar n n am , E i cj v

Lid

Mr.'

v'lii Lift of SUBSCRIBERS.

Capt. Edmurd Sawyer Rev. Ed ward Bafs Mifs Hannah Parfons Mr. Samuel Bay^ey Mr. Ifaac Green Pearfoa Mr. Jonathan Call - Mr. Caleb Tappan Mr. Samuel Noyes Mr* Charles Cock Mr. Mofcs Pike Mr. Jofeph Johnfon Mr. John EolJir (by Mr. Jacob Rolfe Mr. William Knap Mrs. Jane Combs Mr. Henry Sleeper Capt. Henry Titcomb Mr. Jofeph Moulton, junr.

Mr. Robert Bayley

Mr. Stephen Sewell, A. M. an Elder Mr; J of - ph Pierce, 2 Books .Mrs. Hannah Noyes Mr. John Little Mr. Daniel PJ ummer Mr. William Bartlet Mr. Jofeph Nichols Mrs. Martha Hodgkinr, Widow Mrs Sufanna Treadwell Mr,’ Jcob HaJi Mr. Paul Lunt Mrs. Riche Moody, Widow Mr. Moles Peirce Mrs Hannah Johnfon jEider Mr. Jeremiah pierfon 2 Mr. Jonathan Whitmore Mr Jacob Noyes Mr. James Murray, Belfafl Revd. Chriftopher Marlh

Mr.

Lift of SU BSCRIBERS. ix

Mr. Enoch Titcomb, junr.

Mr. William Teel 2

Elder Jofcph Chafe Newbyy. Ne-wton.

The Lift of Capt. Wil uiam Stark of Dunbarton

Capt William Stark

Mr. James Clement

Mr. William Steifon

Mr. Hugh Jamifon

Mr Jam's M’CaHy

Mr. Robert M'C lly

Mr. John Jamifon

Mr. John Stenfon

Mr. Samuel Stewart

Mr. J amts Gany

Mr Jofeph Hard way

Mr David Hogg

Mr. Thomas Mills.

DocLr George Wood’s 17 Books.

Rtvd John Wilfon

Mr. George Wood, M. D. avd Surgeon Mr Nathaniel Webfter, A.. M.

Dc<5tor John Ordway D eacon Mathew Forfaith Mr. Enoch Colbie Samuel Fmerfon, Ffq Deacon Wi liam TulforU Mr. Jfaac Re; ington, Haver hilt Mr. Jacob Ayer, ditto Capt. Hczekiah Hutchins, Hamjtead Mr. Phineas Carlton Capt. Robert Wiifou Capt. Samuel Robie Mr. Wiliam White Capt. Henry M or Mrs. Mary Wilfon, Widow The Lift of Mr. Alexander. Mulligan of

id/ i it o n .

Mr. Mofcs S eel

Mr.

\

l

k Lift 0/ SUBSCRIBERS.

Mr. William Steel Mr. Alpheus Goodwin Mr. Alexander Mulligan Mils Mary Collins Derry Mr. Robert Mack Mr. Jofcph Smith Mr. Ebenezar Perry Mr. John Duncan Mr. Ab ner Stiles Mr. Uriah Smith Mr. Will iam Brown Mr. John Stephens Mr; John PreUon Mr. Francis Blood Mr, Oliver Hafd Mr. Peter Plaid Mr. Abraham Butterfield Benjamin Whiting;, Efq Mr. Samuel Cunningham.

ELe Lift of Capt. William Smith of Peter-

borough , 21 Books.

Revd. Stephen Farar, N, Ipfnuich

Mr. Jofeph Baker

Mr. Hugh Wilful

Mr. Thomas Morrifon

Mr. John Smith

Mr William M’Nee, fenr.

Mr. William M’Nee, junr.

Mr. William Moor, 3 Books.

Mr. Samuel Mitchel Mr. Daniel Mtck Mr. David Steel Mr. John Richie Mr. Charles White Mr James Temp(eton Mr. Robert Moirifon Mr, John Faggart Mr. Henry Fergufon

Mr.

■Lift of SUBSCRIBERS, xi

Mr. John Stewart Mr, Thomas Stewart

The Lift cf Mr. James MKeen of Amherjt «

106 Books.

Revd. Daniel Wilkins Revd. Daniel Emsrfon Hollis, John Shepherd, junr. Efq. Mr. Thomas Wakefiel'd Mr. Benjamin Taylor Capt Robert Reed Mofes Nichols, Efq.

Capt. Andrew Bradford Mr. John Wilkins, A. M* Lieut. Ehtnezar Lyon.

Lieut. Amos Fifk Lieut. Nathan Kendal Lieut. Ifrael Towns Lieut. Reuben Mufley Deacon James Cochran Mr. Daniel Cambel Mr. Nathan Clevis Mr. Solomon Kiteredge Mr. James M’Keen Mr. Stephen Paybody Mr, Samuel Taylor Mr. John Mills Mr. Timothy Smith Mr, Thomas Burns Mr. Ebenczar We lien Mr. John Sec combs Mr. George Burns Mr. William Small Mr. Benjamin Clarke Mr. Ebenezar Ellen wood Mr. John Harwood Mr. John Everdon Mr. Eliflia Felton Mr. William M’Keen

10 Books

a

Ti

J

I .

m'

i 1

i {.

B:

xn Lilt of SUBSCRIBERS

Mr. John Stewart Mr. Ifaac Holt Mr. William Bradford Mr. Bray Wilkins Mr. William Bradford Mr. James Hapins Mr. John Setlown Mr. Samuel Farley Mr. James Sedlown Mr. Richard Gold Mr John Burns, iunr Mr. Peter Robinfon ’

Mr. Samuel Standly Mr. Samuel M’Keea, \mr Mr. Hugh M’Keen J Mr. Ephraim Hildrith Mr. Jacob Curtis Mr. Samuel Wilkins Mr. Jofeph Farnum Mr. John Twifs, junr.

Mr. James Brown

Mr. William Abbot

Mr. Jonathan Burton

Mr. Philip Putnam

Mr. Jonathan Marten

Mr. Nathan Billard

Mr. Nathan Abbot

Mr. Abjah Abbot

Mr. Samuel Low j ^ j

Mr. Jeremiah Abbot

Mr. Ifaac Fry

Mr. Alexander Kelfo

Lieut. Nathan Baldwin

Mr. Rollenfon Genwood

Mr. Nehemiah Butler, Pelham

Mr. John Marlhel

Mr. Robert Dorrough, few.

Mr. Benjamin £)%vis

Mr*

Lift ^/SUBSCRIBERS, xiil

Mr. Hrzekiah Lovejoy Mr. William Patterfou Mr. Daniel Tayl or Mr. Ephraim Pajbody Mr. J >ieph Snow Mr. John Burton, junr.

Lieut. Jofeph Butterfield Mr. Fraocies Putnam

Mr. Jacob Abbot ,

Mr. Nathan Blanchard Mr. John Brown Mr. Thomas Witfon Mr. Jefie Chrifty Mr; Jofeph Harrach Mr. Nathan Fuller Mr. Robert Hagg Mr. John M’ Laugh lan Mr. John Cochran Mr. Nathaniel Cochran Mr. William Moor Mr. James Caldwell Mr Jonathan Smith Mr. Jofeph Thomas Mr. Archibald M’MuHtit Mr. Benjamin Janes Lieut Nahum Baldwin Mr. Samuel D ad ge Mr. Samu 1 Spaldwin

A

Mr. Benj amin Kidder Do&or Jofeph Barnes Mr. Robert Dor rough, juatv Mr. Ol iver Char:toa Mr. Alien Moor Mr. Samuel Stearns

The Lift of the Revd. Mr. John Houston. Revd. John Houfton Eider James Little Eider Will lam Moor

Mr,

-f ''&2?L ; :

■

—

xiv Lift of SUBSCRIBERS.

Mr. James Cald well Mr. Gawen Riddle Mr, John Bell Mr. Matthew M’DufF Mr. John Aiken Mr. Adam Dickey Mr. William While Mr. Jacob M ’Quack Mr. James Moor Mr. John M’LaughTen Lieur. John Moor Mr. James Wallace Mr. John M ’Kinney Mr. Robert Alexander Mr. Robert Kermdv Mr. Samuel Kennedy Mr. Samuel Gordon.

The Lift of Timothy Ladd, Efq ; of Atkinton. Revd. Stephen Paybody Timothy Ladd* Efq.

Capt. Thomas Noyes Lieut. John Webber Mr. Jonathan Webber Mr. Samuel Webber Lieut. Benjamin Hale Mr. Jefle Page Mr. John Knight Mr. Abel Merrei Mr. William Bayley Mr. Daniel Page

Mr. Jonathan Page, jnnr. Atkinion

Mr. Samuel Clement, Salem

Do&or Moody Mcrfs

Mr. RJchard Criafey

Mr. John Currier

Mr. Edward Ordway.

Idft of SUBSCRIBER S, xv

The Revd. Mr. Mood’s Lift* of New-Bofton* Mr. Ninian Clarke Deacon Thomas Clarke Mr. William M’Neal, junr.

Mr. David And er fen Mr. William Dickey Mrs. Sarah Alexander, iVidov*

Mr. Thomas Matthews Mr. Jrliah Warren Mr. Ehplialet Dufton

JL

Deacon James M’Ferfon Deacon John Smith Mr. Amos Page Mr. Ebenezer Bayley Mr. Peter Page D eacon Mitchel Whitier Deacon Amos Bradley, Drac'nt Lieut. William Page, Methuen Mr. William Appleton, Chejier Mr*. Ruth Page, Jltktnton Mr. Nehemiah Hadley’s

ham -Weft.

Mr. Eleazer Cummins Mr. Jeremiah Blcdgct Mr. Timothy Smith Mr. Jofliua Chafe Mr. Robert Betties Mr. Seth Hadley Mr. Nehemiah Hadley.

Mr. John Allen’s Lift, of New Mr. Rapha Halt Mr. Solomon Cole Mr. Nathaniel Dow Mr. John Allen Mr. Oliver Kembal Mr. Henry Little Mr. Philip Rowel Mr. Henry Sanders

Mr*

Lift, of Nutting.

C

xvi Lift of SUBSCRIBERS.

Mr. Dudley Ladd Mr. Nathaniel Hafclton Mr. Thomas Runnels Mr. Philip Clement

The Lift of Mr. Nathaniel Watts of At-

kinton .

Mr. Bradley Richards Mr. Jofeph Emeifon Mr. jofeph Hill Ordway, Salem Mrs. Sarah Clement, Salem Mr. Jofeph Little Mr. Thomas Whitaker Mr. Benjamin Emery . Mr. Obadiah Eaftman, Salem Mr. Jofeph K mhall jua’r. Ham Read Enoch Hall, Efq.

Mr. Nathaniel Watts

Mr. Samuel Swan, Charlejlown , 24 Bookfi.

The Lift cf Lieut. Jonathan Wheeler.

of New* Salem

Revd. Phineas Adams, Weft Pariih in Raver bill,

Mr. Stephen Wheeler

Lieut. Jonathan Wheeler

Mr. Nathaniel Woodman

Mr. John Smith

Mr. Richard Kemball

Mr. Evan Jones

Mr. John Eilenwood

Mr* Jeremiah Baily

Mr.^ Jofhua Emery

Mr. Benjamin Rollins

Mr. Henry Mofs

Mr. Oliver Emerfon

Mr. Andrew Woodbury

Mr. John Johnfton

Mr. John Stewart.

The Lift of Mr. Ba rnabas Gibson of Pelham, Mrs. Abigal Seals, Andover

Mr.

Lift <?/ SUBSCRIBERS. xvii

Mr. Levi Daken, Nottingham Mr. Samuel French, ditto Mr. George Burns jun’r. ditto Lieut. Reuben Mulfey, Amber t Debtor John MufTey, Pelham Mr. William Burns, Nottir gham Mrs. Martha Burns ditto Mr. Mofes Johnfon, ditto Mr. Andrew Bettys, ditto Mr. Andrew Seevoy, ditto Deacon James Wilfoo, Pelham Mr. William Eliot, Dracut Mr. Daniel Gage, Pelham Mr. Nathaniel Gage, ditto Mr. Caleb Butler, ditto Mr. David Durrent, Nottingham Mr. Ebenezer Barker, Pelham Mr. James Gibfon, ditto Deacon Barnabas Gibfon

The Rcvd. Alexander. M’Lean’s Lid tf Brif*

tol .

Rtvd. Ahxander M’Lean Alexander Nichols Efq.

Mr. Amos Goudy Mr. A run ah Wilfon Mr. Benjamin Palmer Mr. Cornelous Roads z Mr. David Drowne,

Mr. Eiilha Cla*k

Mr. Francis Young

Mr. George C ark

Mrs. Huldali Lincoln

Mr James Drummond

Mr. Jacob Duckindorf

Mr. James Hilton 2

Capt James Cargil, New Cajlle

Mr. Jacob Caron jun’r.

Mr. J tmes Yount?

Mr?, Jean You/ g

C 2 . Mr-

Lift of SUBSCRIBERS.

Mr. Jofeph Boyd, Merbant Mr. Jofeph Eaton Mr. Jofhua Soul Mr* Jofeph Burns 2 Mr. Ifaac Lincoln Mr. Henry Hunter fen’r0 Mr. Henry Hunter jua’r.

Mrs. Rachel Palmer Mrs Robert M’Millan Mr. Samuel Clark Mr. Thomas Johnflon Mr. William M’Cfentock, Merchant Mr. William M’Glathry Mr. William B urns 2 r. William M’Lean 2 r. William Sproui r. William Boyd Mr. William Martlne 2 r. John Catland Edward Young

• Lemuel Doe, Ncw-Market^ IV, Hampjhire * . Jofeph Clark, Bnftol . Jeffs Reed, Preacher of the Gofpel,

Revd. Thomas More, P ownalborougb ,

Mr. Thomas Storie "|

Capt. James Huifton |

Mr. Robert Huifton Mr. Thomas Marline 2 Mr Jofeph Starling 2 j

Capt. Hugh M’Lean 6

!► Brijlol

I

To the Right Honourable

LORDS cf Council and Session,

Sir HUGH DALRYMPLE

LORD PRESIDENT,

And the other LORDS Ordinary and Extraordinary.

My Lords,

HE following treatife being to difcourfe the rational World, upm the great fubjeCt of true revealed religion ; and being defigned to ihew that men of rh ? greareft f. n ft aT d reafon may up¬ on the mod folid grounds profefs, and avouch the fame, as the religion of all others in the world, moil conformant unto, the divine nature, perfons and perfections and moft a crafted unto the rational, mo¬ ral, and immortal nature and quality of the Lu- r an foul ; I fav, cor fl eering thefe things, I could rot bur pr fectly fee how j aft a claim the moil honourable and judicious fociety cf the fenators of the college of Jultice, had unto the dedication there¬ of.

Av.c certainly confidcring the all -wife God to be fh author of i/vealed religion, as what the undenia- Ju e eft r'ra cIct s of the divinity of the holy feriptures dij’h evidently confirm ■* and withal confidering how .Leaf on ably and powerfully, the very firft intimation of tin Did religion jn the garden did relieve and re-

C 3 flare

.

The DEDICATION.

ftore, guilty, trembling, and confounded man • it rriuft infallibly be feme-tiling elfe than true and fo- lid reafon that will ever let up, and argue again!! fo glorious a contrivance of infinite wifdom ; or decry and contemn l'o gracious a remedy propofid by infinire love ;

More efpeciallv feeing none of mankind c?.n rea¬ sonably claim, either, a more knowing aneeftor, to judge in religion, nor can naturally pretend unto a fafer (late and condition, than what were to be found with our fir ft parents ; who yet m©ft cordi¬ ally embraced revealed religion, and thereupon im¬ mediately had the great ftorm in their conference turned into a calm.

And therefore, beyond all controverfy, it mud be the great wifdom and intereft of all feofible ra¬ tional men, cordially to embrace the principles, and obey the precepts of this religion ; immediate¬ ly revealed by the deity from heaven : More efpe- cially feeing it mad be granted : that if God, had not thus determined true and faving religion im¬ mediately from himfelf ; the certain way unto the great falvation, had never been known in this low¬ er world : All which is evident to a demon ft' rati¬ on from the multiplicit) of opinions about reiigi- gion, among the innumerable prof. fling f<Ch ; who yet at the fame time do ail equally pretend unto true and folid reafon.

However after all, it being ftill to be acknow¬ ledged, that true and genuine reafon, in its prin¬ ciples and dictates is a moll noble perfection ; ap,d that no doCtrine really contradictory unto the fame, can ever be expeCted to be cordial l v embraced, by the rational, human foul ; therefore leaving the more general abftraCt reafonings Sn favours of re¬ vealed religion ; the following diic u~fes are de- figned, particularly to confider, the feveral grand fundamental truths and doCtrines contained there¬

in

• which arc fo much, quarrelled by great pre¬ tenders

The DEDICATION. Hi

tenders to reafon in this our day s That fo by making a fcriptual, rational account of the Am:, our glorious and holy religion, may (by the divine bie fling) come to b? more and more in reputation among ft ail ranks of perfons, but efpecially amongft fuch whofe great quality, parts and influence, ren¬ der them capable of making our Lord, and revealed religion, more and more glorious in the world : To have fmcerel y and zealoufly accompliftied which will certainly be thewifh of the greateft of fouls, amongft the children of men in the folemn day of accounts.

To all which I lhall only fubjoin, that wnen I ccnfidered, the great defender of the faith, whom an all- wife God lo wonderfully referved, for fuch a time as this, to raife up upon the throne of Great- Britian ; together with the wife and fteady coun¬ sels and determinations of our greateft judicatures, in favour of the truths, and great interefts, of the reformed religion : And finally when I call to mind the aufpicious appearances of providence in this our day ; in giving rife (under the roval fa¬ vour and countenance of our moft gracious Qmeen) unto fccieties for the propagation of chriftian know* ledge ; confiding of members whofe faithfulnefs, prudence and honour promife great things that way : I Gy, upon a1! the.fe ; 1 could not but fee very great encouragement for appearing in this fmall tfiay towards the advancement of fo good and great d'figns

That a gracious God may remarkably return all the good fervices done by your lordftiips in fa¬ vours of this national church ; and may greatly reward, your countenancing any efiay of this kind {hall be the ferious prayer of.

; H

J

T:‘

>'•

;>

MY LORDS,

Your Lordfhips

Moft faithful, mod obedient

And much obliged Servant

THO. BLACKWELL.

C 4

The Preface to the Reader.

T^bTthe f ton°f Mt"re Pr°d*!m,‘nK D'ity tamr in the matter of LT-' '' and fnk dic*

on be denied but that ,1-7” • Tt c'lnnot thereup-

“ci-iiu, nut that the religion which in „

cipies, preempts and promilesl mnff adi ,f7 the glory of the Deity, and the 0f /he rafi-a>

i jtioii #•** *• /i , o ins r^fion?i(

Ij?«us niii ft. ce-rtamlv nf ail ^»-k i *

”id7g,f/°r . p

And therefore cohfidering how much n„n t t revealed chrijlian religion dclarcth the ' 7” mifdom of God, in recoiling j7i£ a d m "

g °n c» ™ - wi.«,rPs:

g«v.ng himfelf, his fon, his fp.ri , ,:JC, 7° ’ ’ ,n even unto finful rebellious man fnd withal 17 ftdenng how greatly it demonflraterh the / 7°"* £wr of God in railing a dead eietft world un» fp.ntua! life ; commencing light out of darineft love out of enmity and life onf of death : t

ly, as no rehgmn can pretend to advance the Hory of the divine perfetfmus m »tl fo thereupon n0J can have fuch a juft claim io be accounted th. real

cextrivance of the Deity, as what our revealed re¬ ligion hath. c

. Again, rf we fhall refl a upon revealed reli- g.on, as declaring the lather's loving and decree- trig ; the Sons obeying in 0ur nature, dying and

7e;,Tf ’ ‘he H°}> Ghojl's applying the Son's purchased redemption, according to the e'ern4l counfels of the father ; behold how much the 7 nous xconom? of the adorable trinity in their or-

cter

The PREFACE*

v

der of fubftance 2nd operation, is alfo mod accu¬ rately confulted in this fcheme of the chriftian re¬ ligion, fo that to fuppofe any other author nnto this religion, than the Deity, is certainly to fpeak contrary to reafon.

And 2s to what concerneth its agreeablenefs unto the rational powers and faculties of the human foul ; and its eonfu'ting man \ greatejl and heft inle*tjh ; let us confide r fir ft the great reaf^nabienefs of the terms, upon which this religion ofFereth fal vation : Seeing it only rcquireih our c >rdiai choofing and embracing the Lord Jefus Chrift as the Lord our portion : our right eoufnejs and lawgiver : fs it, I fay, poftibie upon thefe, that poor guilty corrupt man can in reafon, fo ranch as once open his ml tub to declaim again ft fucli excellent aod table terrr^i ?

It is M*ue. religion finds man altogether dead in t re lip iff. s and fins, and abfolutely impotent co any fpiritual go^d ; but ascertain it is on the other hand,, that revealed religion decUreth to mm that God kn ows his impotency, and that he never ex pells from one of Adam's race, his turning himfelf John 6. 4'i. and thereupon mo ft gracioufly dir eels man to acknowledge his inability to lift up ins voice for a day of almighty power, and fo to continue waiting in tbe.ufe of appointed means, till it pieafe the Holy G-tjofi to intuit fpintnal fL ; upon which the man is ei*ibled lor twang t*am, repexuance and new obedience.

1. know that fome men upon den gi to oveffuro the whole of revealed religion, in.ve c n rived to teii us, that the hijlory of the J all of the lint Adam%

• as opening a door fo*" the redemption wrought by the fecond, is ail, but mere jbam , and allegory witho ut any r< a!i"y therein.

But I am confident, that before any fenfiole, ju¬ dicious perf on will in the lea ft biafphemoufly enter- tarn any thought that way, they will fir it exp df that the rational wo; id fhould hear fome real in -

con/ijlejicy

m

1*1

fr f

m m I

?

I

' •;<? •• * * -

: r^jTgl-,

- -

w, p ii e

face.

TJlZn^t eeKiradi*"» to bt in the faid con- m • f°hd- rea,Jon ; which is impoffible. For, A.Vi as ,t.not,n Satan’s power being an intelligent ^‘Z'r ,mprr;ve t tejtgadou,, beautiful and m-

rof-d Vyr'r^L Se:hnS the “mptation once pro¬ pel. d lea did he no! ait a molt wife part in thus

crouching down and incorporating himfelf wi h an rinjeatoufed creature ? Again, was not the temp¬ tation ot vafltnereafe of knowledge and of beerm-

g like God, greatly adjufted to the intelligent rational hum a n foul ? Yea was it not the temnta- lon which had prevailed with the fallen angels themfe.Vfs As aifo was it not managed with the greater, jubiilty ? Satan giving the dreaded threat* ning a moll cunning turn, in ;ffi"ming that God was n'ore afraid of their eating that extraordinary irtnt, than what they had ground to be themfdvej. &° that upon the whole 1 make bold to fay, that confidermg wan. was (in the depth ofwifdom) left to the fi.vdom of nts own~wiiJ, there is not a more rational oi accountable paflage in the whole of di¬ vine hiftory, than what that of the fall of mutable snd faiiable man is : Ail which I hope in the en- fui^g treatife will be made mod evident ; which difficulty I have the rather touched at in the pre¬ face, bscaufeonceremove the fall man. ike whole of revealed religion at the fame time is d fcarded along wi.h it.

But after all. knowing that it is not any general affections of the reafonablenefs of revealed religion, without a particular conff deration and clearance of tliofe do&rines principally quarrelled by pretend- ers to reajon in our day that will give fathL&ion ; therefore, that. the reader without further, may have accsfs to penile the following difcourGs, I cor elude all, heartily praying that an all-wife God the author of knowledge and resfom may be gra- cioufly plcafed, to make the profc fling world more

truly

The PREFACE

vi

truly acd folidly rational, by illuminating and fruc¬ tifying the hitman mind : And then no doubt tea - Jon will cordially acknowledge an infallibility in all the divine diftatesand moll myfterious dodrines of revealed religion.

3

chapter

E' AV7 °nhe wrld' A*g*l* «nd

i . thef‘rj}&rc‘rt article of the chrifttun creed , Lj mg foundation for religion. Tie eternal cauf- C, W.pmgs of creation in the Deity, confine, - f I. God by re of on if hit

/ r 5’ T TndfI,Cy’ felf-A.fficUECy,/** him. .

fia,Znhe i,v,’1e Sl"rJ P'rJefUy /-cure again fit aj-poffibie rtfieatotit or events font the creation.

-H-y . There rang found in the Cod-head, „ trial- tv of per fens, with a diftinQ order of fa" ft fiance

%a,k,n& Wav, f°r a order of operation'-.

\ °c>euP?n mere are found a glorious creator, a gracious redeemer, and an almighty executor : <ojt.it o y ,he creation is fully provided for, both at to Its- original glorious hate, and it, ft!; fee ’tent- Japfed condition, 3 dly. All tbeglort ms‘, diving communicable and incommunicable perf air>*>< f I* '*«> voice for creation ] as >77

s,'£ J° much unto the advancing their declarative glory. The high, claims of the Duty, fuch as be¬ ing the mod High, the Lord < t holts, the fi il ■and the laft, plead aifo for the fame The won¬ derful divine procedure of the fix days word con - Jiuered. ^ Divine w.Jdom require.’/;, thi -e fioouH jtrji be fame intelligent famous vvitneiF s prep sc ed for praifing and Jtnging at the laying the founds- tier, and corner- ft ones : Ana that a high habi¬ tation adjtsfied unto the glorious creator, uni thofe twit, ’.effing /pi, it j Jktuld be Hr ft created, s^cordtngly, the third heavens , and the angels

•UJc-re

■ ** -

A Scriptural-Rational Account 9

were created the firjj day. A particular deferip • tion of the ar gels, and of the third heavens in their created glcry. A threefold propofal of the di¬ vine u'ifdorn for regulating the creation , As lit. That the world to be formed* jhnild he adjujieJ unto its feveral inhabitants , higher and hnxnr% and their different qualities. 2. 'Teat f owe fig* W vifible characters of the divine creating per- ftttions Jhouldfie engraven , upon the more remark¬ able parts thereof 3. That its compfftion, fhould bear proportion , unto the manifold victi- fitudes, and changes it muft undergo , before the new heavens and the new earth appear . The di¬ vine procedure in each of the fix days work con - fidered by it f elf

HAVING lately made an cfFay in the book in- titled, RATIO SACRA to declare the r.afon- ablenefscf the doftrines of revealed religion 5 togeth¬ er with the imrcafjflablenefsof all the oppofi e here- fies and errors : I cannot but fee, that it may conli derably conduce towards the advancing andaecomp lifhing of that neceffary defign ; todefeend from the more general abftraftreafonings, upon fuch a fib}. ft, unto a more particular and dole opening up of the fe¬ veral puts of the complex divine plan of revealed religion : And that both as refpefting angels and men; in their creation, and as the obj .fts of the di- vine predestination ; together with the gradual and wife execution of the divine eternal decrees, by tns ereftion of a covenant of works : Five permidi >a of the fail of man, the incarnation of the fon of God, and the fulfilment of a covenant cl grace, through him. That fo tracing the whole com- plex procedure of divine providence, towards an¬ gels and urn, from time unto eternity ; we may fee the great wifdom and accauntablenefs thereof : Which, cannot lie longer hud. orovidin'g we fei tpul- lv confiier, 1 fi. The eternal caulks and iprings f

th

—

r*e% r

it

to of the World's Creation , by GOD.

the faid procedure, as arifing from the diviae per- fons, and perfections in the Deity : And idly, com¬ pare the fame with the high, glorious defi ms and ends prcpofed by the forefaid procedure, ini-elation to God, angels and men. And more efp?cially, 3 My, If we compare both thefe with the moft wife and prcper means, fet on work for accompdfhing the fore la id ends : From all which, fach a a ion- ous cor junction of divine fovereignty, wiftfora power and goodnefs, fhail appear, as folid leafon* fpeaking impartially, cannot longer rtfufe the fore - fa id pan, to be a compofition molt worthy even of the infinitely wife God himfelf.

ft is true indeed, while men only allow a fijper- ficial thought oY two, upon this or the other oart by it ft If, of this glorious plan ; without con frier - ing its connexion or proportion, as a part of the whole : Or, without pondering its caufes, fprings ardends; they are moll ready, to fall into the grdTcft mi Hakes, and harlheil thoughts of feverai de&rines in revealed religion. J till as it is with a man who entering fome curious artift’s fhop^ and feting feverai pieces of the fineft workmanihip only blocked ; or lying up and down, irregularly ft mi¬ tered, without any order or proportion amongft them ; he no ways valueth or commendeth the ftme, Exadly fo, a great many perfons, looking only fuperficially upon this and the other part of revealed religion* without any ftrious cor. fidt ration of the whole ; they inftantly thereupon, with the b • ft fpirited unbelieving fpies ( wh^ fcarce well viewed the borders of the promiied land, but locked only upon the wailed cities and the giants therein) pre- fent!y take up an evil report ; affirming, that re¬ vealed religion is a mod unaccountable^ contradic¬ tious and impoffiSle fyfiem.

Whereas cordidcring, that the glorious Deity, muft nec'ffiuily b: acknowledged, to be the moft

excdhiu

A Scriptural-Rational Account it

excellent being : The divine mind, tnuft infallibly in all its a&ings be moil excellent in counfcl, and glorious in working : And thereupon muft certain¬ ly have the mcft excellent principles, ends and means ^ of any other agent in the world. So tint were but once the gl< rious comp1 ex eternal plan of the divine decrees, relative to angels and men, fal y accomplifhed : The intelligent, angelical and hu¬ man mind.. Iball undoubtedly, enj ay, fa much of rational £aii:fa£tion, with the whole procedure, as (hail oblige them, to fpcnd an eternity, in pry¬ ing and admiring the high and glorious principles ; the noble and excellent ends ; the proper and pow¬ erful means appertaining unto the fune,

Notwithflanding all which, fo it is at this day* that the world is filled with innumerable book; ; the principal fc?’pe of which, is nothing elfe, than to fill the minds of men with manifold dhiiculties, and blafphemous reafonings, againd the eternal decrees, of the divine mind, and the temporal wife procedure of the divine providence, in corr fp >nd- ance thereunto, Monftrous boldnefs ! I'he dark finite human mind ventm ing to judge and condemn* the actings of a Deity, infinite in w.fion,

. The grand caufe, «f all which is, that true rea-. fon being greatly broke in degenerate men ; and the diabolical feeds of pride and enmity, having come in the room <f that ori ginal meGcnefi of fpi- lit and perf. cl love unto God, which at tiri, adorn¬ ed the rational foul : Man now, c^n neuher hear of a fovereign Deity, abf ;>luceiy enacting difiinguiih- ing decrees, according to thecounfelofhts own will ; nor on the other hand, can he fubmit, unto the humbling contrivance rf falvation by a mediator ; N or can he yield himfc f up, unto the £u pec mi 'oral quickning and fan&ifying operations of the Hoi y Ghoft. 5o that plainly, there is no part, e-f reveal- . ed religion ; whether its founding decrees, by God n.. ' the

1<2 Of the World's Creation hy GOD.

l?ltfFatj'er’ or 'he’ glorious redemption wrought

h" t! h°- V°r-the SPacio™ operations pS d

h a e h )ly fpim ; but what are all, m Jdfop'Z b'e un..o corrupt man : And being once d.U- j.e«.o,e, they mud v.cxt be unacceptable : And be-

X% UnarP!a!,h 5 herce» is t!,£ true caufe why y nt x: !f termed, irrational unaccounta- D ; • i or proud men, will not bear the rrfl-aion

oi unrea ouablentA • ThU r-UJ n u *

on ~rMi a I • ■ i n bound, snuft be up-

on reveal, d r. h, IOn and not upon him,

J'tr£Tm'e,rth>lt acco,dinS ^J«aice, this fr'/rrl^ ^ ’ °f ““reafonablenefs, an, return

tv rvv- ' U “d,sU?on thc head oi ignorant, and guil-

{■vhC? \ -U< C lie Upoa our ?lorio«s religion

,Kn ?^.’i il^hed declaration of infinite wifdom, c Wtjr d c^r was» or lhall be witnef* unto) [ lay

to prevent this groundlefi end mod uniuft refl.c-

u^n ; U ere is humbly offered in this treatife a 3 J ipturg I -rational account, of the whole complex p^u of revealed rcfgion : As contained in the de¬ crees, rd the divine mind, from all eternity ; and is gradually performed, by thc divine providence in time ? And as finally and fully accomplished in tne great ar d lad day.

nec°: diag|y to begin with creat!on, as being the

k £r.eat artlc^“ of the chri iian creed ; I tliall for the iatisfidlion of reafon v/ith divine revelation a- ^Gllt ^ doctrine of God’s creation of the world, nrd, d’fcotufe that great performance of the all- wife and almighty God, in rearing up fuch a glo- rmus univerfe, with angels and men therein, and that out of mere, and abfolute nothing.

In order to which, I fhall humbly offer thefe two general heads to confideration. Firft, a rati¬ onal accc. unt, founded upon feripture, of the eter¬ nal caulks and fp rings of creation in the Deity, Secondly, a rational account of the divine proce¬ dure in the wonderful fix days work ; as declared.' by Mofes in his Litfory of the creation. As

mm

of the World’s Creation , by GOD. 13

As to what concerneth the firft, in order to the fetting it in feme light, the fallowing plan is hum¬ bly offered, as equally agreeable to divine revela¬ tion and reafon.

The all-wife God, to proclaim his etrrnity, in¬ dependency, feli-fufficiency, and perfect bleffednefs in, and from the contemplation and enjojment of himfeif, fpent an entire eternity all alone, before e- ver he gave being to any creature : Yea even tothofe rn >rning ftars, the jojfu-l witneffes of his laying the foundation and corner (tones of the earth. And hence Mofes finds in the beginning, to wit, of time,, no pre-exiftent being, fave God. Gen. i. 1.

In this incomp rehenjible , eternal view and enjoy - merit, which God had of himfeif, in all his tffen- tial, glorious perfections : Let us under the con¬ duct of divine light, confider, that firft, God (by fpending an eternity thus all alone) found he had now ftifficiently fecured the glory cf the divine feif- ftfHciency and independency : So that any rational, intelligent being (capable of reflection) in the world to be created, mud needs acknowledge thefe per¬ fections to be with him. Accordingly we find God, improving this, in his reafoning with Job , Where •waft thou , when / laid the foundation oj the earth ? declare, if thou haji } under (landing. Chap, xxxviii. 2dly. Let us again confider, that God alfo (In the forefaid view) found by the infinitenefs of all his pci fections, that he was capable of no addition or diminution, unto, or from his tffential glory : Hence iuftly arifeth that challenge, Who hath prevented met that 1 Jhculd repay him ? Whatfoever is under the whole heaven , is mine , Job . xli. 11. Upon thefe tis evident, gdly, He could not but perfectly forefee, that his wr,rk of creation, behoved necdfarily, to be actcnoivledged, as a mod free, fpontaneous iffue from the divine goodnefs, communicating being, with a great many other perfections, unto mere Bothing. D The

14 A Scriptural-Rational Account ,

The infinite underftacding, finding thus the ef- fentiai glory of the Deity fecured againft all pof- fibie events from the creation, we (according to our finite gradual manner cf conception) have ground, next to conceive God, in the forefaid eter¬ nal view, proceeding to Jay foundation, for his de¬ clarative glory. In order to which,

Let us firft confider, God as finding in the glo¬ rious God-Head, a trinity of perfonj, with a dif- tindt order of fubflance, making way for a diftii.dt order of operation : Whereby he finds, in the di¬ vine dTence, a glorious creator, a gracious redeem¬ er, and an almighty executor of the will of both : And thereupon finds the creation fully pro, vided for, both ais to its firft original, glorious ftate, and alfo its fubfequent, lapfed and decayed con¬ dition. Accordingly we find, the diftindt, divine perfors, before the foundation cf the world, hav¬ ing both its forefaid conditions, under their con- fideration, I mean both its firft glodous conftituti- on, and alfo its fubfequent redemption and ref- taoration. Pro . viii. 22, 23, 27, 31. vetfes.

Again fecondly> Let us confider Gcd as finding in his dfential fullnefs and glory, fo many divine perfections, of infinite a vifdov:, power > goodnefs. ho - iinefs , juflice and truth ^in the pure divine tffence aUJimply one) but to our finite conception, feem- ingiy various and many ; becaufe of their diverfe objedts and different effedts. By which he found to be with himfelf, fo many almighty, irrefiftible, proper principles, every way adj ufted tor the woiks

of creation and providence. - * I'nvill work, and

*who Jball let it ? If a . xliii. 13.

Upon all which difeoveries, who can but fup- pofe l The divine wifdom propofing it as highly reafonable, that fo many glorious, divine peifons and perfections, all capable of making glorious ma* nifeftations in works of creation and providence ; and thereupon capable of a great return cf decla¬ rative.

of the World's Creation , by GOD . 15

native praife and glory ; fliould be all fet on work* That fo God, over and above, the perfect fatisfac- tion and bleffcdnefs, arifing from his eternal, eflen- tial excellencies, might alfo have inconceivable de¬ light, in thofe performances, without h.mfeif; wherein he might fee, as it were, himfelf, over a- gain in the image and fplendor of his own perfec¬ tions. And that creation was thus the propofal of divine wifdcm, is evident from its b^ing termed, the wtjdom of God, in the abftraft, I Cor. i 21. For after that, in the wifdom of God , the world by wifdom kne*w not God , it p leafed God , by the fool - ijbnefs of preacking% to fave them that believe . And that God himfelf, his plea fare and glory was the great rule and ultimate end in view, is no Itfs plainly afTcrted, Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himfelf Rev . iv. 11. Thou art wor¬ thy, 0 Lord , to receive glory and honour , and pow¬ er ; for thou haft created all things , and for thy pleafur e they are , and were created .

Againft t his propofal of the divine wifdpm ; what priliblc objection could be formed \ Efpecialy if we confider, that along with the propofal, the fame prcj tiffing attribute, offereth a perfed idea, (fpeak- ing alter our finite model) of the whole creation, in ail i s parts, with the whole complex condurfl: of provide! ce towards it, in time and eternity. And thus known unto God were all his works from the beginning , Afts xv. 18. Which idea being found to be perfe&ly adjufted to ail the defigns of God, both as creator, and redeemer ; the remaining at¬ tribute.?, (as influenced by the Holy Ghoft) could not but all cry out, fo let it be. As firft, The di¬ vine gbodnefs ; that moving fpring, I have been long a fealed fountain, allow me now to break o- pen. And next, the divine power, that executing principle, I’ll command a glorious univerfe out of nothing, and preferve it after creation. The di-

^ 2. vine

1 6 A Scriptural-Rational Account ,

vipc holinefs, that adorning excellency ; I’ll con¬ trive a ra >ft perfeCf law, for the moral, intelligent part of the creation. Juflice, that guardian per¬ fection, I’ll annex a folemn fai Ction of promifes and threatnings unto it The divine truth, that con- fi mug attribute, I’ll impartially perform, without refpeCt of peifons, upon angels and men, both parts Qi the forefaid fanCtion i And thus, rwe tbs invifi - ble th ings of God , that have lain hid through eter¬ nity, fhj.il be now at length glorioufly manifefted, Rom. i. 20. For the invifthle things of him' from tne creation of the nvorLf are clearly feen , being underfiood by tne things that are made , even his e-

ternal power and G od H ead 5 Jo that they are with* cut excufe .

Allow next tne incommunicable perfections to join in their voice, and require, that by the froite- nefs, temporal duration, and mutability of the whole creation 5 the immenfity, eternity and im¬ mutability of the Deity, may by the fhade (of fi>ch a dark-ground colour) fhine forth, with the great¬ er brightnefs and glory. Thus by the heavens and the earth, waxing old like a garment, the muta¬ bility of angels and men, while God remaineth for¬ ever the fame, the great glory redoundeth to the Deity, Pfal . cii. 2?, 26, 27. They /ball perifh (to wit, the whole creation, liable to decay) but thou art the famey and thy years Jhall have no end ; Is the great and peculiar glory of the everlafling Gcd.

Laftly, How fhould the high divine claims, of the Lord’s being, God all- fufficient, omnipotent , omniprefent , omnifeient : Together with the glo¬ rious epithets of being the anlient of days , the, Lord of Hofls, the Firfl and the Lajl : How fhould evfr thefe, without a created world, have fhined forth, as the great prerogatives of God alone? Hence that high, but nioftjuft challenge, given by the

Deity,

of the World's Creation , by GOD. 17

Deity, Ifa. xl. 18. To whom 1 hen will ye liken God ? Is founded upon an elegant and majeftic previous description of the works of creation from the 1 2 verj'-e.

Thus now, the firft head is cleared, to wit, a ra¬ tional account of the eternal Springs of creation in the Deity : Let reafon then, more and more be¬ lieve* the creation , to be the work of a Deity, who is infinite in underftanding, and to have proceeded from him. upon the rrmft Solid accountable grounds and reafons which pofiibly could be.

Having now feen the eternal Springs of creation giving rife, in the order of nature, to the creating decree. Let us next trace this pregnant refo've to its bringing forth, and fo difeourfe the fi cond ge¬ neral head propofed, to wit, a rational account of the divine procedure in the fix days w irk.

The decreed moment, being come for eternity, its giving way, to the parenthefis of rime; (for fi me few thoufands of years to a finite world, haftening to its end) appeareth the almighty God, to become maker of heaven and earth. He who from eternity, had found infinite place, and glory, in, and from himfelf ; Let us now, behold and admire him con- defcending to create a limited wodd to dwell in with Men : And humbling himfe fi to behold the fiiadowy, finite reflex of his own infinite perfe&ions !

Confider him now as all alone, in this great and fluperdous undertaking : No councilor, no inftru- mentai caufe, no performer : For as yet, no fi cond being. Let us behold this God ftepping forth to build a world, without the lead fliadow of previous matter to work upon ! Not one ftnoe for the foun¬ dation. much iefs lor the fuperftrur aj . Heh xi. The thi gs that are feen , were not uade of things which do appear : PI inly, there were as vet no nauire nor place to contain it. God was a 1, and Sio tiling befides him.

D 3

• Upon

i8 A Scriptural-Rational Account, 1

Upon this, the divine power, to proclaim itfeif irrnite, c died out of nothing the wonderful mafs of matter, virtually c^pible, of all the different forms, which afterwards it received ; as contain¬ ing a radical humour for the material principle * £ Jife and being, unto the approaching variety of creatures. Gen% i. i. What inconceivable power mull this be, commanding the matter of a world out of nothing ? Surely infia’te ; knowing no boundary, fave the will that fetieth it on work : It being evident, that the power which cm coa¬ vert mere nothing into re d being, can have no li¬ mit, fave the pleafure of the almighty agent.

This perfor mance of creating power, was cer¬ tainly moft glorious ; and that whether we co i- fider, either firft, its inftantaneoufnefs : Done in a moment : In the firft moment of time, which was its beginning. Almighty God ! The creating one fand would have nonp'ufs’d the whole ar,gel c power through eternity. Or 2 dly* if we coo fide % the fovereign majefbc manner of creation : G d J poke out the world : So that a divine Jehi (Let it be) did all : And behold ! As he fp ake, he was obeyed ; as if the world had been alre ady made, and had only wanted the divine perm ill >a to p- pear. Admirable performance ! Fur what fi ite mind can poffibly aright conceive the divint will, in the infinitenefs of its power the fovereign v of its procedure, or in the irr fill blenefs f its effica¬ cy ? Efpecially if we further r d ct on tiie w(.nde - ful compofition arid mixture, which behoved o oe in the fir fl mafs of matter ; confidering that the fubflance of tile innumerable different kinds of crea¬ tures in the vifible world was contained therein : There were thi different elements, wi.h their nu¬ merous offspring from the glorious fun, to cue glow-worm. Hence this mafs of matter. Chap i. 1. Is cxprdly (previous to their fenmatio ») tern*-

of the World's Creation , hy GOD. 19

c<3 the heavens and the earth, as containing the material fubftarce of both ; which at firft were probably blended together: The thinner, finer and purer parts her g for the heavens, which were to be as mo'tm glafs, Job, xxxvii, 18. The thick¬ er and grcffir for the earth, or terraqueous globe ; to concenter here b low : And accordingly by the after divtfion, vari( us difpriinon, &nd formation cf this mafs, the cfmplex wonderful univerfe came at length to be perfi died, Gen ii. $. 1.

Divine wifdrm, feeing matter now created, but wi thal without form, a confufed chaos, void and dark, acknowledging its new being, by the rude- nefs of fuper ficies ; propofeth firft, that this rude, inform mafs and block of the world (tho* a moft glorious proof and monument cf infinite power.) yet, that it was unworthy of an infinitely wife agent, and God of ord r, to permit it to continue fuch. And therefore proprfed next, that it Ihould be formed ; But withal that »n the difpofal and for¬ mation thereof, a fpetial refp- 61 firnuld be had un¬ to the following plan to wit ; fir ft, that the world to be fi rmed lh u d in its ftn cture be adjufted un¬ to its feveral inhabitants ; God , angels and men . The heaven , even the heavens are the Lord's, but the earth hath he given to the children of men 9 Pfal. cxv. 16.

More particularly, that G^d fhou Id begin with himfelf. and prov'de a moft high and holy place, adjufted to the great glory of his immediate pre- fence, the full difplays of the divine excellencies. 2dly> That fomc fignal, v Able charr-<fters of the di¬ vine pftfedtions, ihould be engraven upon the more remarkable parts of the creation ; that fo, God’s numc might become cx-elient in all the earth, Pjal. viii. I. gi/y, That its compofidon (hould bear proportion unto the great and manifold vic'tf- fxtudes and changes it mu ft undergo, before the

D 4 new

20 A Senptural-Rational Account

new heavens ard the new eartfl cmie to be eftablifh-

ij’7: m' 3- ***b. That the formation of the-

untverfe being now at hand, and being a perform¬ ance10" glorious. defervirg great praife ; that therefore there ought to be firft c-eated, fome in¬ telligent living wttneffes, capable of finging, and

prai irg, at the laying the foundation, and corner itones of the earth.

According to this fourfold prrpnfal of divine wtfdom, which God prfffftd in t'h. beginning 0f Jus way, before his works of old, Prov. viii. 23. (meaning our Lord, as projeaing according to the condua of ir finite wildom) let us remaik, the divine procedure in the following fttps, as,

FirJ} * of all, we have folid ground, from the creators own teftimony, to believe that the third heavens, with their glorious inhabitants, the hob ssngels, were firft created and put in order. Hence wfcfind the Lord (to convince Job, that he was but an earth-worm, and but of yefterday, ard that confe- <luently, his knowledge and experience, could be 110 party, for the infinite t’nderftanding ■) chal¬ lenging him, where he was, when the foundations or the earth w*ere laid, and the morning ftais fang together, Job. xxxviii. 4> But the feriptures being written for men, and not fir angels; and aifo, that the great glory rf that high and’ holy place, may have the more of a glorious furprize and fattsfadlion in it, unto the militant chriflian ; there¬ fore mod wifely, the Holy Glioft, hath not ir fill¬ ed fo particularly on it, as on the other more vi- fib'C part, of the creation : And therefore as I ihall not determine whether the faid third heavens were comprized in the forefaid Chaos, or d' ft 'ret from it, by its being immediately created in its per-

fedtion ; fo neither, Ihall i enlarge in deferibinsr die fame : s

Mot that it wants matter for defeription ; confix

det ing

' -

fif the World's Creation , by GOD. 2*

derivg how we are told, that It is a great city , and its name the holy J erufa!e?n , xxi. io. Its

walls being of precious fiones ; Its gates of twelve p avis i and twelve ange!s attending the fame,

12. Its hreets being pure gold, as it were, trans¬ parent glafs, <v. 21. The higheft and moll glo¬ rious metapoors in nature ; all pointing out the grgatnefs of its created glory. But even in this re fpt <51, heaven being to continue a feerct *o the bodily eye, ti’l the morning of the refnrreCHon ; It is therefore but a faint glance by reafoning, that we can have, till the vail be rent, even of the crea¬ ted glory of this mo ft holy place.

However, to look into it a little, let us corfider it as the palace of the great king, where the throne of God, and of the Lamb is erc&ed, fur- rounded, with the innumerable hofts of angels and arch- angels : As the habitation, defigned for the immediate divine prefence, and the glorious dif- pfays of the divine perfections ; a^d as the city of which God owns himre!f to be maker and bui der, Heb xi. io Importing clearly, that in its glory, it beareth proportion to the contrivance of infinite uifdom, the performance of infinite power, and unto the good- will pf infinite love. But above all, i s being part of the purchafe of the blood of the fon of God. its gl ory rand certainly, confiierab’y proclaim the divine eftimate of that blood ; and confirquently be great.

Jf we again dt fire f^me more vifible proofs of its created g-ory, let us call to mind the ref e filing and raviftiing light and glory, at the transfigura¬ tion, caufi >g the difc pies define to fix their terus even up<>n the wild mount, and never to come down : \nd yet all this, was but a o ailing faint glimofe (of what is above) overfhadovving them, JVlatth. xvii i. to verfe 6. JTis alfo remarkable tQ this purpofe, the account we havs of th£ paved

work

22 A Scriptural-Rational Account

xx v t'et upon mount Sinai, ExoJ .

w f ,hV f™ theG^dof l/.ael, and

there was under bis fee,, as it *were. a paved work

cf a fjpbtrej.are, and as it ns, ere, the body cf hea- vemn hu cieornefs Intimating the irconceivab'e mated light and glory, which will attmd the moie immediate communications of the divine pre- l.nce and five in heaven. r

Brii fly, the g'orious firmament, be'pancled with fun, moon and ftars, is but the under and courfer fide t f the pavement of that higher houfe. H- nee So, omen fpeaking of it, calls it the heaven of h. ea- tens l Kings ■ .x. 27. Meaning, the rtarry and aerial; their being but like the dull and dark earth, in compar.fon of it : Accordingly, John attefts, the fun and moon would be of no ufe there,

Rev xxt 29. In fine, confidering ’tis the habita¬ tion, wherein God and the Lamb, eleflangdsand men, ate to fpend eternity, its glory muft be cer-

'aV /.cxc' eding Sreat> that fo it may be forever lacisrv'ne.

? his heaven oh heavens, being made, not to enn- tatn the divine omr iprefer ce, or the ub:quity, which fi! eth every where equally, hell and hei- ven ; and far elfe to circumfcribe the divine irn- mei fity, which not only exceedeth all compafs of one created world, but is ready to fill a thoufand more, wtre they created ; And after all, continue ft-II as unlimited, as by this one : It is evident, that heaven was n ver tn de to contain or cucum- feribe the boundlcfs Deity ; but on’y as a proper feme, for the more immtdiare and glorious mani- f; flat ions of the d.vine excellencies. In order to which, wifdom fi w it necdlhry to plant in it, as in h, b. t an ts. fome nob e, and highly intelligent ra¬ tio! al beings ; and ihe’e were the glorious angels.

Th> fe angels were a!] at once created, to proclaim » how quickly God could have repJenifhsd the low

of the World's Creation, by GOD. 23

*

er vorld alfo, bad he pleafed And being the firit born rfthe creation, it was highly reafonable, they fhou'd in their nature and perfedbons, above all others, referable their creator : Accordingly, th. y were made fubftances, purely fpixitua , cllen- tiaby immaterial, and by decree, immortal : And b ing to hand in the prefence t f the thrice holy Gcd? they muft be perfedly holy. Again, their exercife being hallelujahs to God, for all his per- fusions, in their glorious operations ; according¬ ly their knowledge of God and his works muft b® great, Again, being to be the armies of the Lord cfhofts they muft be marfhalled in order, by a ft bordination of power amorgft them : Hence fome of them, Dan x, 13. are chief princes, as ^it were, the firft and principal mimfters of ftate, nt to be employed upon extraordinary and eminent occaii- ons, Jude 9. v . And further, being at times to rm the greateft of fervices, fucb as, fometirnes in a night, to kill all Egypt9 s firft-born, or Sen- acherib\ numberlcfs hoft ; Their power above ail that is cheated, muft referable the almighty arm, Pfal ciii ?o. Again, being to overfee, and m- fii umentally to over- rule the great events amongft men below, Ezek . 1. S> They muft have

the a c vantage of their reftdence on high ; efpeci- al!y b i g at times afterwards to engage with wi(k,d pi inc palities aid powers in high places (hph. vi. 12.) fome of their own rebellious race. Asa!fo being frequently *0 converfe with faint* OIl ear h they muft be capable at times of human ih pes, Gen. xviii. 2. But withal, thefe occafi- 0 >- a l varments muft be loofe, like the air or cloud, of wf - ch they are made, that fo the g,reat fw,ft- r>rfs ( f them motion, (having their court at fuch a di hanc< ) may not be marred.

^.rd i.afilyy being defigned, as co-eternal com¬ panions of the redeemed, to ftand before the throne

of

24 A Scriptural-Rational Account

fiH^dwith hi^hadm^ 5 therrefore they mud be er, in his psrfon a' /nerf” °f the g,orions redeem-

wbuk ,4, tiy%^:zu2. 1 Pet' '

at V: is:: zz7^8:^ “?■ comf°rt h™

our him at his fecond coming'8 A^d ^

mud be indutd with great^nnt ^ they

deemed, that fo they m,v r‘ i* L -° ^ T

on, take care of their DrI^ the,r C0Dve,fi*

at their diff, Union ;(t r C°nrVey ti’e,r fouls at ’ 1 • at t^eir refurrc<5hon, and

tinn JTn u C S^ori°us fenterice in its execu-

t ' tile U^,0!e» this lower word litt’e

I T Kre ™ni,0?d ^ecret obliging ffryic

powers'^f h dai0nate’ Wife and !»lg^y angelic’ powers (in fubordinanon to Chrifll the fi bereft

in the fields * a Ei!^a at Dothan, the Shepherds the Adds, and Peter m the prifon, cou'd all

fu jorn a great AMEN upon this fubjeft And

^rs withnth 6ard °f the g’orious third hea- v^rs, with their more g'crious inhabitants •

er world* T H defcend from the higher to the low-

creation!' TJl'Z ** ** P*"« of *•

The firft thought that occurreth, is, that great myftenous account given by A Jo/e t of the fpUids moving upon the face of the Waters, cL T ,.

tet i°TS^ by "u a!m'ghty, fecrec, incom- eZth S T"’ ^ great procreator merach-

afrfha^ in ;;;b!eneavers’ ea,th and <■<*. ^ °f

h L ?heir- u< g'vmg a quickning prolific

wlTreh Td Vlrt!f "nt0 the rnafs of matter, upon ^vitich he moved. * *

The glorJnw power, the unfearchable wifdam, du,rfMh W, ' fluning in the whole proce- tolcA lhe hxdays work; who dare undertake ,, nr !f ' Only what we cannot comprehend, let praiie and admire*

the World's Creation , hy GOD. 25

Now it was that light, the firfl-born of the ina¬ nimate formed creation, was commanded to fhine out of darknefs : The God of light, about to rear up a glorious univerfe, mmT not be hid nor work ' in obfeurity. What this light was, whether foms elementary fire or bright cloud, or rather fume {hilling illuminating glorious body ? Ready to tranfmit and fpread itfelf through the air, where¬ by light was fet up, betwixt the higher and low¬ er world, who exc pt feme of the morning ftars, that lang together, can poflibly declare ? Hut cer¬ tain it is, as it was a performance worthy of him who is light inaccejflble , fo it was a new fecond proof oF infinite power, to caufe light thus to fhine even out of darknefs itfelf : Two„of the greatefl contraries in nature. Hence the apoftle comes over it (2 Cor . iv. 6 ) As containing in it, a folid proof and fe¬ rret prophecy of a fuffleient power in God, for a* performance, yet more glorious ; even the faving illumination of the corrupt mind, where fpirituai darknefs coofolidated with ftrong enmity, (lands inveterate. Several reafons pleaded for this glori¬ ous natural illumination of the lower world : Man ty a bodily eye was to contemplate the great works of God, that fo he might praife him 1 The fon of God in the fullrsefs of time, was to be incarnate* and to tabernacle with men below, and theref jre it was highly fuitable, that gloomy darknefs upon, the face of the deep, fhould give way to glorious light, and retire as to its centre, where the good will of him, that dwelt in the bufli, was never to dwell, Matth. viii. 12.

Light being fprung up, and like him from whom, it came, offering to extend itfelf every where, the wife creator prepared it, an expanded firmament* and the extenfive Air, with their feveral (lories, /Jmoi 9 6. making way for its flying influence. Upon which let us here admire the almighty arm*

ilretching

A ' • ; .

lk «■

13. r-' i •

| 'If I

26

A Scriptural-Rational Account ,

firetcb.ng out the vaft and untneafurable heavens, th h.ghea part of the vifible world, and th« u hont any regard unto, or dependence upon a Wdatton, five the fame word of power, that e- T?d llutp. Gen. 1. 6. Incomprehensible God ! fou this expanfion of the firmament and air, the waters as yet over-running the furf; ce of the earth were drained : The clouds carrying a great

part of them above, and fettling them there, as great and rich fountains, at God’s difpofal : While the remaining part below, by the imfillibie word ol power, are commanded to ihrink in their proud reads, into their proper channels : And thus tire dry land appeared, inviting inhabitants, as having got the proud ocean, now furrounded with the fund, as a fwadling band ; and as being now enriched with lakes and rivers, befide.s the'‘great unknown depths contain’d in its bowels bflow,

1 hefe great parts of the creation already made, mull be owued bX a11 to be exceeding glorious ;

tT hom’ c!S ab°.Ve> and the earth aQd fea below • u.t ttid fomethmg more worthy of God, as the

Jiving God (in whom the fountain of life is) was yet wanting ; And therefore, life, (that divine Jpark) the moving fpring of the (as yet) inanimate and dull creation (lo often and accurately imitat¬ ed by art, but never yet in all the world realized) mult next appear. Birt withal that the perform-

Sl C|t i™']/ be excetdinS glorious, its production mult be flow and gradual. And for this end, a threefold kind of life muff be created : Fi ll the vegetative for adorning the face of the earth, and for noun flung the fei fitive (the more excellent) yet deriving its original from the fame material parent the earth. But left by vegetatives, grow¬ ing up out of the earth, their root fhould be call¬ ed their maker, therefore next an animal life, not

growing

Of the World's Creation, by GOD. 27

J

growing 011% bit moving upon the earthy muff b; produced. But ftill both thefe, being ^b.olute y in their nature jremote from the perfections ot their glorious maker, and the grand defigo of cre¬ ation : Therefore an intelligent rational life, muft next receive being ; at once to deciate and referable the intelligent moral perfiChons of tne Deity, and to fpeak by way of praif: for the Oihcr two, with all tne remaining hient part of the crc* a lion.

Accordingly to prepare the earth, now fepara^e from the waters, as a convenient habitation f >r man, God the fountain of all power and v rtuc, to proclaim himfelf at once, the God of nature ; and at the fame time an almighty agent, quite a- bove it, and abfolutcly independent of all its ru ts, he, before ever the earth knew’ the hufbandmaa, or any feed from his hand, or was in the lead, wet with the dew of heaven, or warmed with the influ¬ ence of the fun ; b tlT d it with a fruChfyiug vir¬ tue, whereby it inftantly brought forth ; all kinds of fruitful trees, plants and herbs, and thrf:, not gradually fpringing up, but all at once, in their greatefl perfection ; fuitable to the almighty plan¬ ter The trees being enriched ar*d adorned with their manifold ripe fruits ; the p'ant* and herbs, pleafantly blown in their various flowers, caufiug a b.autiful proportion on the furface of the earth b.iow, to correspond wich that of the firmament a- bove ; about to be, befpangled, with the fui* moon and ftars. Briefly, what a plsafant Eden and fummer- houfe, fhou d paradife have been to man for fome time ? Till he fhouid have exchanged it with heaven ; had not the curfed deforming wind of (in bio wa upon it.

The fuperftru&ure of the inanimate world being now far advanced, and about to be pofldled by the animate living creation ; Wifdom found it proper,

that

t8 A Scriptural-Rational Account,

that firft it (hon'd b; further illuminated and a- orned : As aif> this lower world never being fi.

f. \ defigned for man’s heaven and eternal ha- Ixtimon, but as a paffiog wildernefs unto the pro- miled land, therefore it was alfo found fuitable that the night (hould have its turn with the dav* and winter be exchanged with fummer t And a’

g, ,n- tnt inferior coarfer and duller creatures, on on earth (which in the firft feparation and difpo- ixtton of the general mafs, concentered here below) tnefe being to depend in a natural courfe, upon the ti fiuence of the more refined fpirituous and acftive part, elevated above ; therefore to accomp¬ lish ad the forefud ends, the ali-wife creator fet '? tne firmament, the fun and moon, with a ’elo- noas train of ftars, to be numbered only by him taar made them, together with Mazzaroth and virlturus, Orion and Pleiades ; all influencing the lower world, with its inhabitants ; (But efpeciallv tn us vegetative, fenfitive and mineral parts) more tnan the moll wife and fearching naturalifts have yet found out. Job xxxviii. 3I, 32, 33. ‘ Ca„fi tnou hind the facet influences eft Pleiades , or Icofe ins bands of Orion ? Lanft thou bring forth JVJ a z * Zaroth in his feaf on, or canft thou guide Ar&urus 'with hu Jons ? Know eft thou the ordinances of hea¬ ven-? Canft thou fet the dominion thereof in the Earth ? But withal, on the other hand, that man fituated fo pleafantly on earth, and under fuch a hxed c jurfe of benign influences from the heavens, may be kept from idolizing nature, and calling h God ; therefore in deep wifdom, another and quite. contrary kind of treafures, to wit, of fire, lightning” and thunder, are alio prepared on high, to go out at the divine command, and deftroy the moil pro mifiug iruits of the earth, break the talJeft cedars and caufe proud man to tremble, if he fha!< rebel’ Canft thou thunder with a voice like God? Job xl. 9*

The

29

&f Man's Creation > by GOD .

The high firmament, or ftarry heavens being thus perfected and furi ilhed withinflaencive powers, proportion required that the exteniive aerial hea¬ vens, the wide and empty earth, the vaft and deep Ocean, with the fmaller Jakes and rivers, lhouid all, alCobe repleniffced, left the divine fullnefs and all-fufiicier.ey fhould be fufpe&ed.

Accordingly the air, as the region moft proper for a flying motion, is filled with all manner of winged fowls, from the eagle to the wren, and from the wren to tlie midge ; d ifering as much, in their defigns as in their kinds. Some of them filent, to tell ; who? taught others to fing : Others of them with their voice wonderfully praifing their maker : Some of them chattering upon the ground, calling upon others to afeend the bufh ; thefe a- gain by a greater and more regular elevation cf voice, influencing others to mount the taller trees, with their pleafant notes ; by which the more per- fe<ft muficians amongft them, are cheared up, to foar on h gh, and pierce the very clouds with their melodious voices ; as if nature hereby defigned the teaching man, all the feveral parts, in the grada- tion or gamut of mufick : Briefly, they fing fwectly, at once praifing their ixuker above, and admonifli- ing man below.

Seme of them as the eagle, Job xxxix. 27. ex¬ celling in ftrength and greatnef's of fpirit, looking down from the higheft rocks, with pride and con¬ tempt, upon the birds of the valley. Others, re¬ markable for the regularity, fwiftnefs and extent of their fl'ght, as the hawk. Some of them won¬ der ul in the great variety and beauty of their fea¬ thers, like the peacock : Others of them admirable for their humane-like pafiions, fuch as the extraor¬ dinary affvftion of the pelican towards the nourifh- ir;g of her young ; The great faithfulnefs and iy mpathy of the dove ; the fagacity of the parrot ;

E ths

3° si Scriptural-Rational Account ,

the laborioufnefs of the bte. As upon the contra* ry, others for their hardnefs and ftupidity, like the oltrich, whom her maker hath deprived of wif- dom, fo that all her labour is in Vain. Finally , all ot them /joining together, cry, behold the wondcr- *. Per fed ions ot our maker : And hence God him tel f, tnfifteth on this fubjed with Job, nonpluf- iing and filcr.cing him, by fo many queries found¬ ed thereon, Job xxx'x 13 to i3. verfe.

As for the waters wonderful offspring upon the divine command, who can dec’are ? If dhcourkd horn the great whales (thofe living IfLnds) to the imall mrnnoes ; what an ocean of wonders would e found ? In number like the waves that cover

1 efn* i/1! t^£^r ^10a-s at times, marching like marlhabed armies ; in the variety cf their fhape ;

proclaiming an infinite mould with their contriver : In the well fet rows of their filver feales, varioufly checkered with fpots of different colours, challeng¬ ing even the winged creation in point of beauty : And laftly, in the due proportion and fuuation of their mis, teaching the mariner at once to ballad and fail aright, . But above all, let us hear the di¬ vine interview with Job , upon the great Leviathan • the mon (irons kind of whales. Says God ; his heart is as firsn as a ft one } yea , a piece of the ne¬ ther milfione ; when be raifelh up hi mf el ft the migh¬ ty are afraid ; he ejleemeth iron as fir aw, and brafis as rotten wood ; he maketh the deep to boil like a pot ; he maketh a path to Jhine afiter him ; one would think the deep to be hoary ; he beholdeth all high things , he is a king over all the children of pride, job. x’i. 24 to 34 What a wondeiful and al¬ mighty God, mud his maker be 1 Who afer a!f this terrible and unmangeable (Irength and pride, could make him a fife cabbin and pailbge boat unto a perilling Jotiah , Chap i. \y. and ii. 10. verfe.

bPhs air and waten being thus replcrifhcd, the

earth

of the World's Creation , by GOD. 3 r

earth rnan’s defigned habitation, (who was to fiir- Vey, and make return for all) mutt not be left emp¬ ty. While the birds foar and ling fwce tly in the air above him, the mute filh fwim and play in the murmuring and gliding ftreams below him ; he mud as the great farmer, have his flocks about

him.

Accordingly the earth, is pleat «ntly furmfhed ; a new and wonderful living prodiuft appeareth up** on it. Some of them for profit, others for plea- fure. Some cf them with the tamer cattle, muff be at hand for food and raiment, adorning the paftures, and caufiog.the vallies to eccho. Others * cf them, as the lyon, mud be the ftrength and pride cf the wood ; roaring his fellow creatures into a trembling filence : Some of them v/ith the wild afs and dromedary mud traverfe and fnnff up the ufeiefs wind of the wildernefs, ranging the unmea* furable mountains, defpifmg the multitude of the city, and cry of the driver. Others of them with, the horfe, difdaining the found of the trumpet and rattling of the fpear Some of them with the dra¬ gon, terrible for power, fubtilty and rage, ipark- jing fire with his eyes, pcifbncus in his breath, fel- dom fleeping ; and when about to kill, feeding upon all the poifonous herbs, he ptfiibly can gather ; as alfo wonderfully fitted for tat prey, by three rows of great teeth, having his venom in his tongue and gall ; all rendering him a molt iively emblem o£ the infernal dragon , Rev . xx. 2. And this fo much the more, as he is filled with enmity againfl the elephant, as larger, and the eagle, as mount- ing higher than himfelf. Others of them with Be~ hernoth, (the elephant) requiring not only the wil¬ lows of the brook, but the (hade of a wood, to co¬ yer him ; drinking up a river at once, and threat- ning to draw up Jordan into his mouth, moving his trunk like a cedar : On earth, the chief of the

E 2 ways

32 A Scriptural-Rational Account ,

way* Of God; only he that made him, can make

his fword approach him, Job iv. ,r. ,0 2, Surely wifdom {Eccle/. ix. ,«) is bl-ter than hrength ; otherwtfe little man, had never fo lord- ea it over fuch. fellow creatures.

CHAPTER ir.

Jlfter the World is thus finijhed, there remains Rill a great blank in architecture, till man, bearing the glorious Creator's image and divine motto be fet uf, as it were , over the gate. A fixfold de- Jlgn in the human creation . i. To proclaim the moral perfections of the Deity . 2clly. As a co¬ venanting party capable of tranfaCiing with God ; as prince and fubjeCi , by reafon of the great abi¬ lities, and original perfection of the human na¬ ture. gcliy. As the great high pried and praif- ing mouth of the Jflent creation . ^thiy. As the

Lord or majefic head of the inferior living crea¬ tures. 5thly. The angels muf have an equal ; a fecond order of nature , like unto their own : For God only muji he alone, and without a fecond. 6\h\y. The grand tho ' latent defign of man's cre¬ ation, ( as the ijfue of providence hath now con¬ firmed J was the paving the way , for the great mydery cf God manifeded in the fUfli. Man being created , muft not be left alone : Being in him f elf , and in his pofierity , the objedt of fo many great, divine , eternal counfels , He is rnojl con¬ veniently and honourably fstuate in paradife , both for fpiritual converfe with the Creator , re - ligious contemplations , and natural enjoyments » The premijes being confidered , the whole propo- fals of divine wijdom for regulating the creation , are found to be perJeCily obferved.

Thus

of Mari’s Creation , by GOD . 33

THUS now we have feen the lower world, fur- nithed in all its horses and apartments : But #b-no!d ! Still, there remains a great defe# and blank in archite&ure : The glorious Creator’s arms together with the divine motto, are not yet fet up over the gate. Plainly, the glorious Crea¬ tor, as yet hath no ion in it, Luke i:i* 38, After his own image to poff.fs it as his heir, rule in it, as his vicegerent, converfe with him, as his inti- mate ; nor as the great high pricft to worfhip him : By proclaiming (with Melehizeder.k) over the head of the fi'ent creation, that great motto, the mo ft high God , pofefor 4>f heaven and earth , Gen . Xiv. jo. Briefly, it wat found, till man fliould be crea¬ ted, neither God, nor angels, can converfe on earth.

'Upon this, the council of th t great three in one is called, and it being found, at the two orders of nature already created, the one, being purely fpi- riiual, to wit. the angels ; the other a grofs mais of matter, remaining Hill material, under all its different and mofl refr ed forms, were no ways ad- jufted to one another : Paradsfe, yea, the tree of life itfeif being no food for angels, whofe life, is to hand in the pre fence, and behold the face of God.

Therefore as a confummate proof of the great ability of the creating perfctfioos, a glorious re¬ conciling compound of both natures fpiritual and material is contrived, and this contrivance is man ; in his foul bringing heaven down to earth, and in his body bringing earth up to heaven, . Let us a little firvey this compendious mafler-plece of the

creation.

Six great defigns (all iffning in the glory of God, as the ultimate end) feem to have been. in the Crea¬ tor’s eye, in making man,

Firft that the glorious moral p:rfedtions of the Dfcity* * not Yet d^P!aYed' might be proclaimed.

The divine wifdom; power and goodncfs had in-

E 3 deed

l!

ft,/ 1 '

Hr*

34 ^ Scriptural-Rational Account,

d*cd already been made illuflrious. ard had pro* claimed the Deity, the Lord God almighty ; but sis yet nothing in t He lower world, had pm claimed him glorious in holim fs ; And therefore uhe pat¬ tern propp'd at rain’i creation, was (Gen. i. 26 ) after our own image. Accordingly, Ada7n origi¬ nally was perkCt y holy ; holy in bis nature, in h:s frame, and in his walk, without failure in prin¬ ciple, motive or end. Thus God attelh he was Upright, Ecclef. vii 29 Briefly, as God was a ipirit, knowing and contemp:ating himlelf, in his client ial per Larons, and 5 heir feveral glorious r - perations ; and thereupon loving himfHf, and de- Jighting in his own fuliDcfs ; As God knew no rule, fave his own will, nor no ultimate end, fave his own glory : Accordingly man in his foul, w^s a fpirit perfectly thus exercfld (fo far as the fi ire faculties and powers would extend) con temp a ting God in his glorious perfections. loving him with all the foul, and the creatures principally for his fake ; yea, even himfe f, becaufe be fir ft and prin¬ cipally loved God ; and withal knowing no rule nor end, fave the will and glory of God. In fine, Jldajn ( Luke iii 38 J The ion of God, was per¬ fectly in his own Hkenefs ; all over du ine, fo far as the terrene condition would all own

Secondly , Man was defigned as a covenanting party to tranfaCt with God, as prince and fubjeCt. uAnd therefore as he was created reafonabie, endu¬ ed with moral perfections, fo alfo with a natural ability to perform perfeCBy both the impre fil'd and revealed will of God : His mind had a fullnefs of light, underftanding p?rfcCt!y the whole of truth (proper for the firft covenant flate and c^nditi n :) Without the Jeaft mixture of error. His practical underftanding and confidence, had a clear power¬ ful imprdlion of r<*aJ and prefent duty, without the kaft hcfitatioa or doubt. His will a full bend¬ ed

ef Man's Creation , by GOD . 35

fd inclination towards all good, without the lead biafs. His affc&ions perfectly regular in their mo¬ tions without the lead of an extream : His me¬ mory, an infallible regifter, for God and da y, without any allay oc wcaknefs ; furely man hath deftroy’d himftlf, Hof xiii. 9 For confidering the great perfection of grace allowed upon him in his original condition ^which, had oe actually im¬ proved) he had certainly been, fufficient party, e- ven for the grand enemy. A dehberate peremp¬ tory. get thee behind me had fecured all . Briefly , a fallen angel, could never have forced perfeCt man ; yea nor fo much ns deceived him, had he but a&- cd like himfeif. But what (hall be laid ? unfearch- able wifdom 1 Creation love muft give way to redeeming j and the fir ft A dam to the iecond , and the temporary covenant of works, unto the everlafting covenant of gnc ; as being by far more glorious to God, aod honourable to the me¬ diator ; and therefore, man i i his beft eftate, muft be mutable i As indeed the moft noble and cxc l- lcnt created being, of necefficy muft be ; as not bz- « ing felf- fufficient nor independent, but in its na¬ ture and operations depending upon another.

Thirdly , Man was defigned as the great high prieft, and praifing mouth of the fiient creation. An infinitely wife God, muft not create fuch a world in vain. Accordingly, nature was laid open unto man 5 he faw it in the greatnefs of i s parts requiring almighty power ; and in its wonderful compofitioo, to have certainly been the produCt of infinite wifdom Again confidering its creation ; vs neceffary and coftly prefervation ; and all this, without the lea ft hope of any addition, to the di¬ vine effsntial glory ; he cou d not thereupon fhun the clear difcovery, of the world’s being the un¬ doubted offspring of the greateft goodnefs. Brief¬ ly, there feemeth to be little ground left for dif-

E 4 put$

k

*3 A Scriptural- Rational Account \

fed^ nf lu1131 3-S ^iam ev'^enced a perftft krow-

adiuftoH fthC tn.lmJ!,s’ hf 'mpofing proper names, adjufted to their feveral kinds Gen ii. 19 2q

, whole natural powers and operation* were eqaal-

Jy intricate and curious, if no more, with other

f S ,°f, tbe creation) fo he could alfo have nam-

ea and defined the whole material world For if

at fucil a diftance, and under the great difadvantages, of a weak mind, in refpedt of A-

am s ; and of decayed and deformed narure could Wntc. fo accurately, from the tail cedar to the creeping hy hop upon the waif what could perfect man have done, efpecialiy when the original glory of nature, was a glafs to itfelf ?

All which difeoveries, together with the fuller manifeftations he had of all thofe perfections in iiunfelf, where the whole of created excellencies Wcie made to concenter ; (man being brought as near the Deity ; the creature to the creator, as the finite clay on earth could well allow,} I fay ail thefe affe&ing confederations confpiring together, could not fail of producing perfect praife and blef- fing unto the glorious fountain and author of fuch great perfections and privileges : More efpecialiy when imprtffd on a foul naturally all love to God ; and whom God had fo greatly obliged by making him heir of ad ? Brief!} , it was now that d clara- tive g ory in earneft, began to be displayed, aud the return was f> perf & and acceptable that the immediate enfuing feventh diy, mud be let a-parc and intirely fpent in receiving it In fine, the time was not yet come, wherein the Lord repent¬ ed him that lie had made man.

Fourthly , This lower world man’s hab:tation, being rcplenifhed with an innumerable variety of living, but unreafonable creatures ; which by their different natures and tempers, feemingiy threatned to deftroy one another, and by their £reat ftrength

rather

I

of Man’s Creation , by GOD. 37

rather like to prove hurtful, than ufeful to man ;

and therefore requiring an obediential im or (na¬ tion, not only amongft themfelves.-but under fome awful head, who as Lord might have dominion over them : Accordingly man was created, who by the ftatelinef, of his perfon, majefty of his coun¬ tenance, and awfulnefs of an articulate voice ; meeting with an iroprelfed obediential ti.ftinft, m. the living creatures, he thereupon became 'he great fovereign on earth ; was crowne wit o- nour and glory, having all things put un er is feet, Pful viii {,6. And never met with rebel¬ lion, till he firft himfelf rebelled : Which monftroiu ingratitude provoking the author o is aut o rity, the chain of fubo, dination, was mott jultly and quickly broken, and all prefently turned into the greafeft confufion.

Fifthly , The angels, as yet the on’y intelligent created beings mud r»ot have the temptation of thinking that both worlds, higher and lower were made tor them ; but more efpecially of thinking, that Cod could not create a fecond order of na¬ tures tike unto tfteirs. God only mu it be without a fecond Who may once compare himjelf -with him ? (Itai. xi v . 6 7 is a challenge only proper to oe made by the Deity. And hence,, hac t e fun in tne firmament been, as intelligent, as giort- ous ; i s more than probable, he had not been a- lore’ For if Gabriel b; av archangel, there muft be a Michael alio, that can claim tne fame too, am Cod. and there it n nc elfe. Ifai. xlv. 22. is an alfcrtion and dial <5t altogether above the crea¬ ture Therefore in the depth of wildqm, maD here below, as fellow to (he angels above, was created : In due time equally capable of glorifying and en- jo.in g God ; tho* for a time, till ttjie glorious my fiery of G< d incarnate, be revealed and accom- pliftied. he muft be made, and continue a little low¬ er than the angels, Fjal. viii. S* Sixthly,

- - - -

3 8 A Scriptur aWRat'onal Account ,

Sixthly, The

man's

'<y, l he grand (though latent) defign of

a CIeat:o‘'1 ('i we (peak of the defigned divine improvement of his fallen (fate) was the opening a

fh fl nr g?at myftery nt God manifefted in _ , : °:r‘le‘; unt° a Clearer, fuller and high-

r difp.ay of the divine perfe<3ions, than what pof- iih y creation can produce : That fo a double re- ^nn of declarative glory, might redound nn*o od ; finf as the almighty Creator of a world ou o not img, and next as the wonderful redeena- cr, giving life ard perfefl blelf.-dnefs. a ftcond time

ffrTf absolutely buried in fpiritua! death, and fealed up therein, b the ftrongeft bars

of grcfs ignorance, rooted unbelief, carnal reafon, and inveterate enmity. Son of ma„ cun theje dead bones live ? Ezek. xxxvii. g

That this was the grain d defign of all, is evident rem t e other five, their giving way fo quickly, to this fixth, and laft. So that in the holy, wifi, permtffive condua of divine providence, Adam'* iin *r;d Jall‘ (fo far as is recorded) allowed God but one fabbath of contemplation and complacency in upright man, and in the creation, as in its origi- yjal rc dhtude and glory : By which all the forefaid hve defigns, were in a great meaiure difappointed an Joft ; yet lo as fecretly by a wheel within a 'woeel, (Ezek' i. lb ) Carrying on the Deity’s plea lure, Briefly, all rhe p?rfons of the adorable trinity, corifulted and fpole at maa^ creation / ^jen' *• 26 ) (while a limp I e let hey ferved the turn (fail the other creatures) and therefore, he 301 11 £1 not only in his foul with the angels bear the image of the moral perf &lons of the Deity, in re- of knowledge, righteonfnefs and holinefs ; but further, by being partaker of fleih and blood, mufi aifo refemble, and make way for the glorious Immanuel, Ifai. vii. 14 Accordingly we are told, Hd>, £1. 14. Y hat for a f muck tben> as t he children%

.» ' * y.

of Man's Creation , by GOD. 39

are partakers of pfh and b’ocf he alfo himfelf, took part of the fame. And fi.ialiy, as the lfliie of the father’s creation, and fon’s redemption, man muft be asrain renewed and perfeftly iandt fied, by a deep imprefs of the g’f's and graces of the ho y ghoft : And thee, that frO: and great refolve, at man’s creation of making man after the image of God (Gen i . 26.) ihali in fpite of intervening oppofi ion, be fully performed, and thereby the great lad end of all ; even, the praifeofthe glory of the divine grace Oi ali be accompbfted, Ef>.b.

i. 3,4»^}6. T ,

Man, being now created and perfect ; the Lord

to elevate his thoughts and defires, and to prrfcnt him with fome emblem (though faint) of heaven ; allows him a paradife ; a fpeciat and glorious a- partmrnt on earth, every way adjuded to man as the lord of the lower world For, as here was ail, the animal life could poflibly defire or enjoy, with¬ out the lead allay of corruption or imperfection ; fo alfo, there was here for the immortal foul, a prefenc ali-fufficient fmiling God ; allowing rrau communion with himfelf. And again as an aflu- rance and per fever a nee in happinefs, wnile in holi- nefs ; and as a powerfull motive towards the fame, here was the tree of life : And as the great caveat againft temptation, here was alfo the tree of know¬ ledge: of good and evil $ at once to imprefs man, with the poflibility of his fall ; and alfo the cer¬ tainty of the mifery which would enfue thereupon : And further both thefe fymbolical trees, were plant¬ ed in the midft of the garden, Gen, ii. 9.. That fo man might frequently have them in view, and by beholding the one, might be fecured again ft eat¬ ing of the other : For, who, in the very fight of life, could be fuppofed to fwailow down bitter and poifoaous death ? Thus was man fimate and fe- rured in paradife : And what could God have done

<31

4.0

m

A Scrip tar a l- Rational Account,

fuffiriii S|ory of divine independency felf-

rr*** kmA, ,7; “

m'- .;, : ,1'"'"' ■" •» » a,,*,!, or

- , yta to arch-angels them.felves : M at xxv

41. ho TanabljneJs nor fhadow of turning . is

^ S(T'Ve °f th\DtUy- fn fine, fa’len theSi,rv,f nm.r m"ft Froc!;;irn- and iet off cfcarfoe hV r ^ ,ndePe"den*. infallible and nn- othe r! fall n °d : ,Alld lp any of them ftand, while

decree l/V ftt,e0Tngmilrely to.an extr** fic

f ives and nor 2l’)ai,clPower*withoutthem- I. es, and not imt° any mtrinfic, immutable per-

f!<a on °* ‘he,r natures : / am that j am _ ^

a name only for God, Exod. iii. , 4.

Th^cxcellert Wli'!e' maD '** 3S yet> aI1 aIone- fifrl- V 1 Dat,,re* « >et extended no

he ThhJ °‘U • This mu ft not

r i r. /Pacious «n.verfe is too large, for one jingle inhabitant. Neither muft the high and nu¬ merous angels defpife little man, as f.titary upon the tootfiool Btfides, Gcd mult have accen t"

v*r dr sn ia*/0Vr re,g" ?”d wife S'overrlor " of the -/>• ’ ° .'f°<er ot ills creatnrts, ai d alj"«their

"a. >T1S : 2nd Anerefore muft have fticcetding gene¬ ra, ions of men to come, in v htch, the eternal counfels (aejufted to time) confiding of fo many va.mus puces, may g-adually be acccmplilh-d. Moreover, the redeemer alfo, muft l ave a muiti- tud ■ about the thione, which no man can number : Lpon ail wh.cn, it was ncceC.ry, that man lhould ?°L t>ut above all, the old ferp.cn t r;i p-.

J( g agaicd a fovtreign and juA Deny, muft have r'ccfls, to try his maiice, iuLtility and power upon the woman and in her, for a little (feemingb) to triumph over both man, and his maker : That fo in t it revci U- of tins cot q left, to the eternal glory the d vine wifdom, the very fame party (from VA0 in *alan P^rntfed himftif fo much) might by

her<

of Man's Creation , by GOD . 41

her prcm’fed feed in due time, not only Vuife the heel, but even the very head of that grand enemy,

Gen. iii. 1$. 4

But withal, that man who was nr [I ma^e, may

fli j 1 keep his birth-right, given him in the ord-r of creation, therefore the woman mu if be of th« mm, and not the man of the woman, that lo he may be the head of the whole race of mankind. And finally* that next to onr lave to God and our- fdves, the love of hufband and wife, might be m dt fi cere, fuperlative and conftant, therefore me muu be hone of his hone, and fiefh of bis fief b ; a fcond felf. Accordingly, the rib is taxen out, formed aiid brought back to man, fupplying the great defect of the want of a help meet for him. * v/hic.i coiua not be found amongft all the previous creation, Gen. ii, 20, 21, 22. Having, thus dilcourfe^.

creation,

Let us now look back to the freer al propofalt of divine wifdom, for the regulating the procedure thereof, mentioned at the beginning of the preced¬ ing chapter, and remark how accurately they have been all obfervtd.

Behold ! How, firft, folemn wltnefles were creat¬ ed, and next how well the higher and lower worlds are adjufted, to their d fierent inhabitants. Bc~ hold aifo, how every where the Ugible chara&erg. of the divine perfect. cm s are imprdlsd. Ang ^ and men proclaiming the divine k.iowiedge, rign* teoufoefs aDd holinefs. The world’s fulaefs, the Deity’s albfufficieacy. The boundkfs extent of the heavens, his Immenfity ; the fix d rocks, his immutability ; the great bills, his (frength ; tne equal and fleady courfe of nature, his faithfumefs ^ the urdverfal influence of the fun, his omnipreience ; the voice of thunder, his terrible majsfty ; and the long duration of time, his everlaflingnt fs.

Again, a? wifdom propokd j fo, how ex icily*

is

4 2 ^ Scriptural-Rational Account ,

5s the world in its compofition, adjufted to the various v.c.fiitudes and changes, it was to under* go in time ? Hence it is made up cfiuch contrary elements, and thefe fo dlfpofed and fiiuated, thit when man’s (in caufed the creator to repent hi* making him, then the heavens hath windows a- bove, and the earth great depths below, to be bro¬ ken up, for drowning a finful world. There are alfo nngazines of (ire and brimftone above, as t here are Etnas, below, prepared for unnatural St,dom. The air with its hurricanes , can depopulate whole l funds at once; thieatning, as it were, to fhake the great ocean cut of its place. Yea even, the pillars f t the fixed earth are at times fet on trembling as if the foundation Jiad given way. Ia fine, a\\ js fo difpofed; that when the fabrick of this vifible world, hath hood and ferved its decreed time, as the f'cene, for the (everal appointed generations of mert ; Then the heavens jhall pajs away with a great ncife , and the elements 7iielt with fervent heat, and the earth with the works thereof jhall he burnt up, 2 Peter iii. 10. And a’l this, to make way for a new heavens and new earth . Rev. xxi. I. Which dial! bear fall proportion , to the great glory and lading duration of the higher boufe* with the church therein made perfect ; that fo both worlds, being of a piece, all over divine goodnefs,

{ Satan and fin being now funk into the lowed hell) God in his creating, redeeming and rdloring perhftions, may be loved, adored and admired through eternity. Surely, juft ground to cry out. In w jdom baft thou made them aft, PfaL civ. 2 4!

CHAPTER

of Man’s Creation , by COD. 43

CHAPTER nr.

Several Important Inferences from the doClrins of creaticn, As i. To mock at the falfhood and folly of the old philofophtcal notions and fid ions ; of the matter of the world's being from eternity j And its owing its formation unto a fortuit >ur concourje of atoms. 2diy. On the other hand, to behold and admire the inconce'tvale fninefs of the Deity, from whom fuch a world hath fprung 1 More efpec tally conf dering that the fountain re - maineth fill the fame. The dlential divine ful- nefs, who can declare ? The influential, enrich- - ing the whole univerfe is wonderful . Upon the corf deration of both , the rational foul muf of necefity cry out : incomprehenfible God l 3d!/, God being the world's and man's creator ; he muf certainly be man's fupream and chief good : Seeing the creature can never he fuppofed to en¬ joy capacities, above the perfections and powers of its maker : The vanity and inefficiency of all temporary enjoyments and accompu/hments ; fe- cular or moral, for being a fatisfying portion* to the fpiy iiual enlarged dejires of the immortal foul. this in pai t icular demonf rated by ration¬ al evn.ence, in le.ation unto honours ^ r:ches and pleafures of all kinds : As alfowith refpeCi un¬ to the more noble and agreeable enduvt ents , of natural, moral and political knowledge and learning : All which may be without the facing experimental knowledge of Crod the cliiei 'toqcI, Appealers and pretenders to reafoa, expfulated wit n from the premifes ; either to become more fine ere and cordial in their choice of God in Chrift, for their fouls portion ; otherwife no more to pretend to judge and all rationally in

religion „

44 Several Important Inferences,

religion. The gracious, con He fa ending anJ ra -

Utn** method P^pofed in revealed religion, for

Hi ^ aJa'J[ngeUrnalir.terejl, in this

aii-iLniuicnt glorious Deity,

Hr11! trU,hstCOn,a5.n‘d the two preceding

. - ch lPle‘ s> beinS ^ric A/ confkL-red, reaf>n

ei* Ta°r ng7 r?tUle tbe foll«S inferences, l r i lJ|’f!ra°C th( Mi,tt»abls old phi- loiophxal fictions; of the mat.er of rhe world! its

being from eternit), and of the world’s owning - P CotnP°ii,-Ij:n unto a fortuitous con'courfe of atoms :

cTr» d.ec,,ir:d ,n tl,e Aft" chapter of R IT] J SALRJm the reafonsngs agvnft athelfm, reafon can never reft m inanimate .natter, as the great fi.lf caufe of fuch a glorious univerfe ; but mud a.cend to fotne living, intelligent ail wife and al¬ mighty , fficient caufe. which as pre-cx (lent to all. hath in time given being, both to the matter, ai d form of tne wor d And as to the alledeed for- tunous cor.courfe of atoms, it is Orange, tnat fince *a. time, luch a concourfe never in the ieaft an- peart d : no, not lb much as to rear up the moll infignificant fhepliera’s cottage in the wildernefs Witnout human contrivance and concurrence, flow tnen, can reaion ever confemt to this ? For

p o can & uPon t:ie VJft number and variety of created beings all fo proportionally united to-

gether, wuh the different offices of the feveral parts

the dependence and fubilrviency ,f one of them

to another ; the continuing harmonious courfe cb-

ferved bv nature from feafon to feafon ! 1 fay

who poflioly cm be an eye witnefs to thefe things

and allow himielf to b: fo far wheedled out of

his fenfes, as to believe that a confuted motion •

lice to that cf the dull (in a whirlwind) could ever

have produced fuch a wonderful fa brick, as the

wend i$ ?

The

from the Do Brine of Creation. 4 "j

The fpring of fach ridiculous opinions is obvi¬ ous. The authors of them, on the one hand, por¬ ing upon the greatnefs, excellency and wonderful- nefs of the works of creation ; and on the other, being dark and confufed in their notions, of the true God, in his creating psrfe&ions, and withal, being either without the advantage of Mofes’s ac¬ curate hiftory of this myfterious performance ; or eife impreflfd and abufed with mean thoughts 6f, and prejudices againft all fcripmre hiftory : They could not after all reflection,- fail upon any author or firft caufe, whom with confidence they could give out as the creator of .fuch a world ; as find¬ ing none bearing any proportion thereunto. And therefore as an apology for their ignorance, (like a fearful fifh confufmg the water) they were obliged to contrive this general and dark refponfe, of a fortuitous concourfe, or inexplicable chance, tofolve or rather filence all the nun p luffing queries', which, might arife from fuch a great and intricate fubjedt. Thus Pbaroab, who knows not God, (Exod. v. 2, and vii. 11.) mutt betake himfelf unto the magi¬ cians : And as he from grofs ignorance, did mif- take the author of providence, fo they from ths f me caufe, the author of creation.

In fiiort, he that now, after loch clear divine re¬ velation, making the whole hiftory of the creation fo evident, and fo confident with reafon, will al- dow himfell to doubt or difpti e, the true and liv-*

ng almighty God, his being the alone creator, ought not only to be rep ued (in fo far) void of reafon, till he advance fome foiid argument for his opinion ; which is impofllble : But further juftly deferveth to be degraded of the honourable name of a chriftian, as denying the firft and great fundamental article oi the chriftian world’s creed* And this deferveth io much the more regard, that it U the nit ural impret&on & faith of this article, let

F home

4 6 Several Important Inferences]

home upon the confcience, which (when fanaifi. ed) very much sdvanceth the moral dependence and religion, which is amongft men in the world.

nd hence ( EccleJ. xii. i.J The believing re¬ membrance of our creator is enjoyn’d in our youth, as one great founding principle of all religion* In hne, if once a man, with that old pagan, come to ay, ( Exod . v. z.) Who is the Lord ? He will next very foonnativeiy fubjoin—that I fhould obey him.

Secondly y As another evident and folid inference from this doctrine of creation, let us behold with the gteateft love, praife and admiration, the in¬ conceivable fu-nefs of the God-head, from whence fuch a world, with all its fulnefs hath fprung : The uaiverfe with its all ; being not only origil nally from him, but infinitely in him ; fo that af¬ ter, he ihould create a thoufand worlds (were it the divine pleafure) the whole influential fulnefs, contained in them all, would not bear the propor¬ tion of one drop, unto the great ocean of his efien- tial fulnefs. For, the fmaileft drop, doth really leffen the ocean, whereas upon the feventh day, the divine effential fulnefs, was really and indivi¬ dually the fame, it was before the firft. The rea¬ son is obvious, becaufe creation, is not a commu¬ nication of the divine eflence ; but an emanation of the virtue of the Deity. God by an almighty, irrefiftable a<5t of his will, calling things that are not, as though they were ; he himfelf ftill remain¬ ing unchangeably the fame. Briefly, it is evident, that the power which produceth a world out of nothing, can never diminifli the effential perfections of the infinite agent.

Reader, who pcflibly can allow, but a few feri- ous thoughts upon God’s rearing up this great univerfe out of mere nothing ; and upholding it without pillar or foundation ; and as influencing and over-ruling ail events in it, from the greateft

to

from the Doctrine of Creation 47

to the mod minute, thefe five thoufand years and upwards : And in all this, abfolutely independent of all, and yet all dependent upon him ; yea, and all this without the lead variablenefs or (hadow of turning : I fay who is it can ferioufly reflect on thefe great performances, and not cry out, with Zophary Canfi thou by Jear citing , find out God , Job xi. 7

If V story ( Luke v. 8. Upon a fight of one fingle a Ct of the divine power, in the great draught of filhes, cryed out, Lordt depart from me ; what behoved thou, to have done, hadft thou been an eye witnefs, to this great agent, in the fix day£ work ; while God palfed by, proclaiming the glo¬ ry of the creating perfections $ Wouldft thou not have been obliged with Mofes> to have gone into the cleft of the rock, left feme ray of fuch infinite glory, had confumcd thee ; and as fearing left: creating power had annihilated thee, or its awful majefty overwhelmed thee ?

In fum, he is the incomprehenfible God, paft all finding out, Job xi. 7. For, having no infinite mind (fave his own) able to fearch out the almigh¬ ty unto perfection. He is under a glorious necef- fity of forming iroperfiCt ideas of himftlf even to the mod comprthenfive of intelligent beings : And therefore the molt perfect Contemplation, which the wifeft of angels or men, can have of him, bear- eth only proportion to their finite underftanding, but not to the real divine effence, as it is in its in* finite perfections. And hence, when God behoideth the molt glorious angels, even in their cleared and higheft conceptions of him, he really humbleth himfelf, in beholding the fame, Pfaf cxiii. 6* Their molt perft Ct views, being far below the di¬ vine fulnefs and glory. In fine, God only com- prehendeih h:mfe!f.

As a ciear proof of this, how doth the finite

^ 2 mind

48 Several Important Inferences, \

mind mftantly confound and fliake, as foon as it

egmncth to dare to enquire into the reafons of the l^eity’s eternity, independency, felf-fuffi fiency, u- mty in « {fence, and trinity of perfons : Behold how the ftrongeft mind inftantly fails and becom- eth darknefs Reafon, indeed, in viewing the creation, cannot reft fatisfied, till it afcend, and center upon an eternal independent being, as the fir ft can fe : But when it further prefumeth to enquire into the particular manner: afking, how any being can be eternal, independent, felf- Efficient ; & how three perfons really diftimft, can fubfift in one individual effence ; then juftly its finite weak eye, dazzleth & confoundeth, as looking upon an ob- je6l in perfedion and glory, infinitely above it. ffain Titan would be wife% Job, xi. 12. In fine therefore, let us remember afpi ring, flaking Adam , and he afraid : And with the deeps ft humility and higheft adoration, feal up our thoughts of the Dei¬ ty, with juft exclamation of old - What

is his namey or his Jon's name , if thou canfl tell t Prov xxx 4.

Reader, whoever thou be, I cannot accountably conclude this inference without demanding of thee, is this God, thy God ? If fo, thou art infallibly happy : Or art thou not yet reconciled ; thou art infallibly miferable. Reafon cannot longer deny, but his favour mull be heaven, and his wrath muft be hell : And mud alfo firmly affent to that great truth, that whom he blcffeth, (hall be bleft- cd ; and whom he curfeth, (hall be curfed, Num. xxiii. 8, 9. Canft thou, O earth worm, who was but yefterday nothing, canft thou be party for this great God ? I tell thee in his name, if once his wrath be but kindled a tittle > blejfed are all they , that have put their truft in him , P fal ii. 12 O therefore, ferioufly and impartially confider, if thou baft km a tranfcsndaiu glory in him, darkning all

temporal

jrm the DcBrlne of Creation. 49

temporal portions? hath thy foul in earned Lid to him only, be my God i refer the terms to thyfelf? Or hath thy love to him, and refptcl to his.gl >ry, made thee to loath thyfelf, and mourn for the contra- rity of thy nafure and life, to his holy nature and law ? Haft thou cordially defied him for his fon the Lord Jefus Chrift, de firing nothing more than to feel the powerful execution, of the great three¬ fold mediatory cilices upon th) foul ? And to con¬ firm all, haft thou an exercifing concern, upon thy fpirit to obey, plcafe and honour this God, in the whole of thy converfaticn ? If thus matters ft<md whh thee infallibly he is thy God, and with him, grace and glory, and every good thing ( Pfal . Ixxxiv. 11 ) iha*l become thine.

But to pafs from the incompreheniible eflential fulnefs ; let us next take a view of the ftrearns of the influential ; which are flied abroad through the creation. Great is the world’s fulnefs ; and that, whether we corfider the kind influences of the heavens ; the rich and yearly harvefts of the earth ; the great and various product of the fea and rivers t The numberlefs fowls of the air ; the fl oks cf a thoufand hills ; the nourilhing lower plants ; the taller cedars and ftrorg oaks : the jucy dive and shearing vine : the irnbelliflicd mountains of gold and fiiver ; the rich coafts of pearl ; the befpangled rocks of precious ftones : 1 fay, who pc ffibly can furvey all thefe, and not fay amen to Gen. xvii i. 1 am God all fi fficient ; and to Hag. ii. 8, the Jilver is mine and the gold is mine, faith the Lord of hofts. All which be¬ ing confidercd,

* Surely they that Jeek the Lord , can want no good thing, Pfal . xxxiv. io. for, feeing the earth, and all this its great fulnefs, is the Lord’s, both in point cf creation, pofTAIion and difpofal, Pfal . sxiv. i. It is not pcfllble for reafon, to fuppofe,

E 3 tjiat

5° Several Important Inferences

that the frequent low condition of the godly, can arifb from any other canfe, but the divine wifdom and love, confulting their real good It being now evident that it can neither be lack of treafure, nor want of good-wdl, God having not fpared his own fon, even unto death for them. Rom. viii. 32.

From all which, it neceflhrily follows, that the true and mod folid way, in all the world, for fe- curing fuch a portion of temporal blefEogs, as |is really beft for us (inh lite wifdom U?ing judge) mud be, to fetk ; firft, this ali-fufficieut God to be our God ; for in having him, and a fpecia! covenant antereft in him ; we fecure all ; beciufe having once given himfelf, he cm begrudge nothing. This is the true import, of that comprehenhve and wife precept, Matth . vi. 33. Firjl, Jeek the kingdom of God, and the rigkteoufnefs thereof, and all thefe things y hall he added unto you. Few. I know, be¬ lieve the latter claufe, but reafon itfelf cannot re- fufe it ; for to fuppofe, God would give himfelf* and yet withhold fome reai good, is blafphemouOy to make the Deity to efteem fornethiag more than liimfelf. But if reafon want fatisfnfticm, about the difcouraging, ordinary mean condition of many of the people of God ; pleafe only conftder, that a. principal part of min’s corruption, con his in ^ carnal bias, loving the creature, more than God : .And therefore, as a moll wife and proper antidote againft this infiauating and enfuariag evil ; great things in this life, muft not be the ordinary allow¬ ance, even of the favourites of heaven, Prov. xxx.

9 Briefly, a little true holinefs, conforming us to God, being a greater good, than great temporal liappinefs : The advancing of the former, muii ar¬ gue the greateft love. It is good for vie , that I have been a flitted, that I might learn thyjlatutcs, Pfal . cxix. 71- Is a truth, to which, true and fclii reafon mud and will affent \ whatever carnal

reafon

jrom the TOoBrine of Creation, 51

reafon, corrupted by the fenfual appetite, murmui againft it. In fine, the conclafion of all is, let us mike fure the fountain, and the firearm will infal¬ libly and natively follow, Pjal . xxiii. 1. But to proceed in the application,

Let us come to thelaftand principal inference, in which we are alfo fo deeply concerned : And that is, ferioufly to cbnfider. That feeing God is the great firft caufe and fountain-being that then cert ainly, he muft be the fupream and chief good To clear which, Jet us confider, that firfi he mull be fuch in himfelf, feeing all the excellencies and perfections to be found in the whole creation, from the hgheft archangel, to the fmalleft atom, arc altogether from him, as the fountain. The angels, that excel in knowledge, holinefs, power, and glory, are his : So alfo Adam in all the wonder¬ ful perfections of his foul and body, in the Rate of innocence, was the workmanfiiip of his hands. Solomon' s great excellencies of unparalleled wifdom, dominion, treafures and grandeur, were all, the confequents, of his wife and acceptable prayer to this God. 1 Kings, iii. 1©, ii, 12 The glorious fountain of light and virtue in the fun above; The feminal powers of the earth beiow ; all thtfe have his fingers framed. But this is not all, for as all thefe were originally from him, fo they are infinite¬ ly in him. He could (were his glory concerned) multiply worlds, like the ftars of heaven : This one; coft him only, a divine Let it be, and when he fpoke ; a thoufand as-eafiiy as one, would have appeared, had the divine will, bar once fo decreed. So that this great actual world* with all its fulnefs, is very nothing, and.lefs than nothing, in compa¬ nion with the infinite creating fulnefs and virtue in the Deity, If at. xl. 17.

But, to bring, this inference cl offer home : As God is fuch in himfelf, fo by his being man’s crea-

G 4 tor

5 2 Several Important Inferences, ,

parficulariy demcnflrated his being

tTat Lcef^r I"1’ Tf°n C3nfi0t but delude®

nature i? Gnd -IS the 3 °Ce avuhor* of the human nature, m all its powers and Capacities ; It is

thereupon unprffibie, that man fhou'd be can;, b e

2.«J°T"ft8 “°£", °r §reater hli ihdnefs, than ^ ^ccfnlj be in him shat fo created

and compoied him : for as the eft; ft can never excel . the caufe, fo the creature in its powers and capacities to erjoy, caa never tranfcend the powers and fulceh of the creator to bellow ; other, wife the efFed muft have greater p-rfedtions than

aLZ ■: ThtCh,'S !rapcffible ; for from whence ihould it have them, but from the caufe, nPoa

which it is abfolutely dependent, and at firlUe-

ceived it s being All which being corfidered,

I cannot, but befeech the reader, foJidly to be-

tTs ^ J,,mt,V0'.Ce .of fcriPture and tea ion, to wit, rhat God only, is m very deed, the Fountain of

Itmng •maters, and that all other portions, are but broken cijterm, which can hold no water. Jer ii 13. Abraham's Ail fufficient God in Chnft is thf. only compleat match for the human nature which ts to be immortal in ioul and body both lirougn eternity. Briefly it is only he who can eloath thee, withaperfcdl righteouh els, fully par- don th, fins, give folid peace to thy confchn«, yer- fed!y reftore his image on thy foU| ; and who can conquer all thme enemies, comfort thee at de-th give thy body a glorious refurredfion, ihv pcrfon a folemn acquittance before the tribunal ; and who . can crown ail with an eternity of immediate wfion cftf„ 'Vl.c? fulnels and glory, together with a , perfedt fruition of the divine love in Chrift pro- ducmg inconceivable fatisfatfion to the mird, and joy unfpeakable to the will, Pfal. xvi. , , And therefore let reafon now, if it can, produce a por¬ tion among ft the whole creation, that may once

pretend.

. * ’ «•»& >

MH

from the DcElrine of Creation,

pretend, to perform ore of al! thefe, for finfuf, miferabie man ; and if fo, much Ids can it make comparifon with ti^is All-fufficienr, infinite God.

As for the whole of temporal blt-fli tgs, contained in riches, honor and pleasures, as in their high? ft and bdt improvement, the? can only amount to convenient journey bread in the wildernefs ; fo in their nature, they are grofs and perifliing ; no ways adjofted to the wants, defires, capacities, of a fpiritual immortal foul ; which by the fill was robbed of the divine favor, image, and fellowfhip ; and can never reft in any portion, but fuch as will reftore thefe again unto it. Befidcs, if God do but touch the day a little difordering it’s natural powers ; how quickly doth the greateft worldling, and happieft fenfaalift, loath what they adnrred and idolized before l Pfal. cvii. 17, 18. It is true, with the. dog, they may return to the vomit, but this is only owing to the blindfolding and bewitch¬ ing nature of fin, which makes mm a fool, even after he hath been beat in the mortar, with a ptf- til, Pro. xxvii. 22.

To conclude, mm ! thou muft die ; a moft reafonable aad necdfary proof of thejoftice and holinefs of the Deity, Man being at fir ft, railed out of the duft, to glorify God, by perfect love and obedience, how juft and equal is it, that man turn¬ ing rebellious, fhould return to the duft again. So die thou muft. For, if fin, when but imputed, obliged the fon of God, to undergo death, how much more fhalla curfed mafs of inherent corrup¬ tion, and great perfbnal gdlual guilt, bring thee an earth worm dowm to the dull. Accordingly ail the preceding generations, and different ranks and qualities of men in them, fince Adam , where are they now ? The Antediluvian patriarchs with their 800, 900 years, promifmg (as it were) to write the epitaph of the world, are now gone, as if they

never

5 4 Several Important Infer encesy

°r ? if lhey had di€d from the r\ \ Grtat Caefar: , where are they * Are

?°t thcir. faces hid in the duff, and their imperial barans lying now under their heads ? And doth not a nttie duft now cover and conquer conquering Alexander ? Birtfiy, Dives equally with Lazarus , niuit obey this inevitable fummons, unlefs thou canft hiew fome perfonal difeharge from heaven of this war, hcclef vni 8 For even thofe for whom Chrift cied, muft die, as a handing memorandum of the divine indignation againft fin.

Upon the whole therefore, let us realize, that certain Great Ciimadierick in which the laft of our numbered days ihali infallibly come ; in which we mull (lep out of time, and enter in upon eternity ; appearing before that great God, who (when but intimating the law) made Mount £>mta make and tremble ; and thereupon let us reafon fericully a little with our fouls how in that day, the greatell riches can be no price for the foul s redemption ; feting reafon can never believe, that gold or diver, the dujt of the footfioot, can be of any value unto the Deitv, upon the throne. Beudes^ God being infinite, fin neceffarily muii be an infinite effence ; and on the other hand, being euentially and perfectly j lift, requiring a fatisfa i5tion, bearing full proportion to the offence, it’s impoff- fibie, any finite performance or price, can ever purchafe reconciliation. (Pfal. xlix. 78.) let net then the rich man truj} in his riches , Jer, ix. 23*

Again, as to honour and grandeur. God being the moft high, independent of all, and in the re- verer ce of none ; and withal being perfectly juft • there will, mere can be no reiptsft of perfons with Iiiin : And therefore undoubtedly he wiii impartially leader to every man according to his works, 2

' Car,

from the Dofirine of Creation. 55

/- ,, He is the God, that dethron’d

great* Nebuchadnezzar , claffiug him with the beafts ff the field, till he fpoke out of the dm untoh. , and own’d his kingdom to be over all, Dan. rv.

5„ ~4 Briefly, God having made of one blood,

Vrn xvii 26) all nations and ranks of men • t muft of neo (flty be feme thing fupernatural. above anv difference of blood, or ancentnefs of charters, that will diflingniflr perf.ns m that great and 'impartial day ; when the bar before the ^gre.l white throne will infallibly level an mankind, Rtv. xx u, 12. And I fan a great white throne and him that fat on It, from whoje face f ar.d the heaven fled away, and there was ’ffdn0 place for them. And I faw the dead, fmall an. great f und betere God , and the book, were opened. And another book was opened , which t, the book of life ■ and the dead were judged out of thoje thing which where written in the hooks, according to their works. Again, it we (hall proceed.

To confider, fenfual pleafures of all kinds, it ts certain, that decaying and dying nature, catling all the Vet fes intirely to flag, can rchlh no fweet- nefs or foiisfaction in them ; The fi ver-cord being orce broken, nature is unhinged. _ The wine may indeed continue to move itff.f aright in the g.afs, a d oive it’s colour. Pro xxii. 21- But themelau- choly eve, flaring in upon eternity, and the tremb¬ ling hand can now take no fall •faftron, nor make anv improvement. The infpiring notes of vo ce and vial, may be in themfeives as pleafant as ever. But now the very noife of the grals- hopper, a-d weight of the thin linen is become a burden .And as for the nicift and moft lavoury preparations, they are now loathed, yea the very mentioning of them in hazard to overwhelm the flckilh .pints. In fine, as to all pleafures that can be named, dy¬ ing man intirely beccm.th Solomon s prolelyte

XL cities •

56 Sever al Important Inferences ,

t£Ll\l VaKity °f *" " vanity. And

tft.it, ore ahow me to addttft lovers of plealures

tnore thea lovers of God, Can reafon it&f pS fioty approve of your Choice? ftre they not, only

fr r' fe‘ifon’ vih!k y«* immortal ? Pray there- lc fe. b. not fo unequally yoked. And feriouflr pon er again and again, that grave ard weighty ironical expoftulation, Ecclef xi 9. Wherein God

ll;fs of this choice • Rejoice 0 young man in thy ycu.n, and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy

yth %trt nr lk in thet’wa{s °r thy heart>«»d in

!f{gff cftht”e ‘yes t hut kno-w thou . that for a / theje things God swill bring thee unto judgment. Q

in th aCt°r^lder where.'wi!1 aiJ temP°ral portions be, in tha f reran ^morning, wherein heaven and earth

are to be in a flame ? (2 Pet. iii, 10 ) and the whole f men s thoughts intireJy upon the inquiry, what to a r, fiver him, who is to fit a sfufream judge upon t/ie great throne ? 6 *

But perhaps reader, thy genius hath rot led thee fo much to thofc idols of riches, honor and plea- iures : but thy foul being little more refined and elevated, literature and the pleafure of knowledge arjfing therefrom, hath been more thy fludy. And l j’} m'd^ te:^ ^ee, that however, thou haft in 10 doing, adted mere fuitably unto the intelligent rational conftitution of the human foul, and in fo far been happier, than the former, in their greftir enjoyments, yet in a dying hour, fuppofe thou 1/101)1 d-fthe found to excel in all natural, moral and political knowledge, the human uudtrftarding is capable of ; yet if this thy knowhdge hath not been of that faving efficacious kind, as t clua ly and powerfully to determine thy will, to chcofe God m Chrift for thy chief portion and happinefs, and caufing'tJne habitually to love him above all, and from love to keep his commandments ; 1 can allure

thee.

from the Dotfrine of Creation . 57

thee, in the Lord’s name, all thy knowledge, will only be found to have b^en the precious hone in the head of the toad, which never altereth it’s poifon- ous nature ; And therefore ftiil (notwithftanding cf thy great knowledge) thou fhalt be alto¬ gether unfit for enjoying a holy God, in that holy city, where nothing that defileth can tnter, Rev, xxi. 27.

Yea more, all the advantage thou (halt have by all thy great natural and acquired accomplifh- ments, (hall only be. to be reckoned, the fervant, who knew his Lord’s Will, and yet did it not, and therefore liable to double ftripes, Luke xii. 47* Briefly, upon a death bed, thy being the wifeft naturalift, having univerfal na*ure in it’s greateft phenomena unveil’d unto thee ; Thy being, the great? ft ftatefman in the age, perfe&iy acquainted with the whole of politicks, lawful and unlawful, in the grand rules and principles thereof, together with the wife variation to be obfervsd in their ap¬ plication, according to the different nature and circumftances of the principal defign Yea more, fuppofe thee, the only great divine, in the whole church, fpeaking with the tongues of men and angels, fpeculativeiy underftanding all myfteries, and all knowledge, in the book of God (? Cor . xiii, I. 2.) Yet if fupernatural regenerating grace, hath not fo illuminated thy mind, as to difeover God in Chrift, to be the chief and great, good, engaging thy foul, thereupon cordially to make him thy beloved ; and fince that choice, if the fame grace bath not conftrain’d thee to offer thy all unto him, and to aim to glorify him with thy all ; thou art but a founding brafs and tinkling cymbal; in (hort a meer paffi/e tool (however poiifhed and ufeful in thy itation) over ruled and ufed, as a fervant, to divine providence in thy generation, deferving no reward from God, for thy felfifU

love

58 Several Important Inferences

love ai:d fervice : Thou having never from fine era

mve fought his glory in any one aflion of thy life 2

But upon the contrary, feif hath been thy God, in

tne whole 4 yea even, in the feemingly religious

part of thy cor verfation. Believe it then, the

great ar.d wife God, will be infallibly glorified,

?<5hvely by, or paffiveJy upon all the children of men, rrov. xvi. 4,

The conciufion cf all this reafoning. is, the pecia oveofG'tdthe father; the only fpiing of

r Vrt or •f£d\ffs ;.the 5?lorious image of our Lord Je us nft, the lugheft perfection cf chr natures he conrmumcn and feilowftip cf the holy ghoft the fweeteft enjoyment ; together with an eternity o a thtfe, in the everiafting kingdom, can only make up a futtable and compleat portion, for ra- tmnal immo.ta! man. As upon the contrary, if thefe be wanting in the critical hour of time’s ex¬ change with eternity ; in that cafe, thy foul can know good ; but upon the other hand, only be filled with defpair and trembling, upon the cer¬ tain profpeft cf eternal banilhment, from the glory and joy of the divine prefence : And thereupon be- gin and fick under the fearful imprefs of the divine ho line is, judice, power and wrath, as fet home by an awakened evil ccnfcience, condemning thee; be- caufe of thy dilhonouriDg God and his law ; de- fpifing Chnft and his gofpel ; and thy quenching thefpint in his motions; and in fum, for thy making, felf, thy God and laft end.

Allow me therefore in the bowels of a gracious God to befcech all that have read the prtmiffes fcTiobliy to ponder the fame ; and refled how deeply you are concerned therein. It is not a mat- ter of u:d fferency, to live without a faviog intereft in Thu GO J ; far lefs to die fo ; But above all to have him, fit down as fupream judge, in the great cay, and to have his jultice and hoiineis ir flaming

his

from the DoSirine of Creation. 59

Ms power, and bis power and jcaloufy kindling his wrath: who I fay in that day, will undertake to deferibe the power of the fame, or to unfold the mifery of its objefl ? Pfal. xc n O therefore, thinking foul, lift up thy voice, and blefs this long-fufFering God, that he is yet thus importuning thee ; thou mighteft juftiy have been long ere this time, in the place, where the divine patience and grace hath no being, and yet God at the fame time, equally bleffed and glorious, with what he is now. He wants not thee, but thou him. Be deeply there¬ fore afhymed of this monftrous neglsit oi the divins goodnefs.

And to encourage thee, to be ferious in this great concern, confider how condefcending God is towards thy coming by a fure and faving intereft in him. Only from the foul fay to God in Chrift, IV horn have I in heaven but thee \ Or in the earth •whom I dsjire bejides thee , Pfal. Ixxiii, 25* Or it thy love be not fo lively and evident, as what thou wouldft hav$ it, then from the heart cry, draw me% fong. 1. 4. And if ftiH to thy grief, a cold back¬ ward heart remain, then with ail the ferioufnefs, thou can’ft attain to, lift up thy voice with Ephraimy Jer . xxxi 18 and cry, Turn thou me, 0 Lord , and l (hall be turned. In fhorc, with the •wife merchant , Mat. xiii. 43 4 4* folemnly and ferioufly, Go to God in Chrijt , allowing fome few hours for eternity, and hr It declare, that now thou haft found out the pearl of' great price , and art perfuaded in thy foul, that in himfelf, and in him only, man’s true and dompleat happinefs lies ; and that befides him, all other portions are very vanity; feeing it is only in Chrift, thou can’ft find wif- dom, righteoufnefs, falsification and redemption. And next thereupon be afhamed and mount before him, for thy former bdndnefs, forget- fulnefs, mean thoughts and contempt of fuch " : an

6o Several Important Inferences,

iTfllv with7 fS!on'°rUS a,nd aI,*ftfficient God. And Jafdy without any further delay, cry out for a dav

«o,di,,Tf£ow“' rTn,?< ‘hy',m’- tr‘ ■» -toil

?,f. ” lodr;im io

if e \fh till 7 h‘e muck’ and fror!t loVS t0 livi

ill mirth g °ry ’ vt™ ™hich, I chear fully refsr aUTy 0,herffc?ms to the ahfolute dijpofal of pro-

vtu'-hce- i is the true gofpel way of felliW ali 10 pu, chafe the “B*

ih'“ **•■* >h»” h>»

i yit.f to the Lord, in a covenant, which thy God Vp makf_.everlafting. I hve them that / 7

truth. Thou lult hearkened, inclined the ear, and

771 Znt° <71 ard therefo,e God hath Purely

r everiahmg covenant with thee, even the fare mercies of. David, I fa. iv. a.

r°W y°u. aPp'*a,ers to reafon : God the father, fon and holy ghoft, being man’s creator,

°r<f.aU CF °rhi? behlS> P^ons and en!

\l ti,aa;77 rr'f°n onSer re<«le to cry out, that ;; f al L r£bgion, as confiding in a fuperla- t *e h,ve to God ; a cordial embracing of his fon

en term-1- rCdefn,!I5g pfficSS’ an sffe<*onate tender , n’CS t^e motions and dilates of his holy

mxfiicaWf i C lefe eJldenced by an univerfal J* • , ' , cd!;£<a unto h:s commandments: mull

r fo'lV bC **' accountable converfation and

S' f way of bvlnS* the human nature is

mere ml r Perfuaded then> either to become fic, r , J "i'S1.0"5’ ,n y®nr principles and prac-

td’then fr takr ltP°nl11, lf you bs juftly account- • d> tl-e peifons furtheft from true and folid reafon

n.ts genuine pnncipJes and precepts, of all o.hers

m the world \ea it is certain, that all mankind

f day Wl11 fubfenbe, That the fear of Cod it the

**">*">* of Wijdun, fro. ix. io. In fine.

That

from the DoCirine of Creation. 6i

That moment, a foul beginneth liocerely to lovi and fear God, theD, and no; till rhen, true wifdom commencith He only is the fool, that faith in h:s heart, There is no God. and who thereupon corrupteth his Way, Pfal . xiv. i, 2.

CHAPTER IV.

rj

Having feen God as the glorious creator of both worlds y let us proceed to admire him as the all¬ wife governor of fo great an univerfe. The * wonderful prefervation , of the vt sterial world briefly confederedy together with the harmonious concurrence of fecond casifes therein. God the frfl caufey rnoveth and abfolutely ov^r-ru/eth all . The far more remarkable and wonderful conduit of divine providence , towards angels and men, falls next under confederation. To find out whichy the eternal , divine decrees , relative to bothy muji be confedered . Thefe decrees as to what they are' in the deity , explained . Their eternal fipring giving rife unto themt in the order of nature dife courjei . In this inquiry 9 two things are found , I. That even thoje divine perfections, which were manifefeed by creation, may yet furthery b* more glorioufiy difplayedy by. the procedure of providence. 2d y, That feme divine perfections Jtill r e mained^ as yet , latent and obfeure ; even alter the whole works of creation were fin i feed. Accordingly the divine fcvereignity, juftice and mercy y plead for a fpecial confederation in the fore fat ecrees . The divine fovereignty def¬

er tb el. . It ts undeniable unto the deity. God's great jealoufy over the glory of this high p:rfec- tton. Its procedure in relation to angels and men 1 As 1. Its aft mg with repfelt to the difpo-

% /A

$2 The decrees of the divine predefi nation,

fal of the whole temporal interejls and concern - ments of both. 2d])*’. The falfe fcheme of divine predefination ; as offered by carnal reafon ; in relation to the eternal fate and condition of angels and men is confidered. Several falfe and groundlefs prejudices , againf the doClrine of di¬ vine predefination , difcourfed and anfwered s Such as 1. The alledging of the deity's being ab* folutely mercy, without jufice : And 2 dly , That whatever of jufice be with the Deity , that yet mercy, is fo ejfential unto the divine nature , that there can be no divine decree of reprobation ;

WE have now heard of the creation of the higher and lower worlds, the one poffuLd by angels, and the other by men ; and therein have feen the deity, as the almighty crestor ; Let us next proceed to confider and admire him as the all-wife governor of both worlds. Infinite wifdom, power and goodnefs, muft not center in meer creation.

Leaving then, the ftarry and serial heavens with their influencive powers, unto the conduct of the fettled ordinances thereof ; known only to him that made them ; Job . xxxviii, 33, <bc . And the more grofs and fixed parts of the creation here be¬ low, to be preferved eafily in being by the fame word of power, which called them at firft out of nothing : and committing the various vegetables and minerals, unto the celeftial powers in their dif¬ ferent motions and fituations ; in conjunction with the terreftrial ; as influencing the different fealons of the year, with their various products, Jer. xxxiii. 25, Referring alfo the fea to ftruggle in vain with its fwaddling band the fand, and to come and go at the pleafure of the mighty and variable wind ; But withal regularly to obey, the myfterious egrefs and regrefs of the great fountains and

depths

Mojl Scriptural, and Rational. 6?

depths below, Jgb, xxxviii. io, n. An&laftlyl leaving the animal creatures, unto the government of their various natural inftindh, fo deeply impref- fed in their curious (though comparatively coarfe) imaginations ; referring, 1 fay, the conduct of all theft grofTer parts of the creation uno the fettled natures and powers of their ftverai proper ftcond cnufes, upon which they im nediately depend : But ftill in a necefTkrv fubordination unto an ab- folute over* ruling influence from the fir ft caufe ; yea and thit in txhe moft minute of their motions ; even to the falling of a fpirrow to the ground, JVlattb. io. 29. Or of a dog’s moving his tongue ( Exod xi 27 ) again ft Ifrasl in their coming (tho, at night) out of Egypt . Thus by him all things canjift . that is, are preferved and difpoftd, CoL i. 17 411 then, that remains, is, next to take

under confideration, the more remarkable conda& of divine providence, towards angels and men.

To find out which, the eternal decrees concern- ing both muft be confultcd. In conceiving of which aright, we muft remember theft two, firj}9 That all things depending upon the divine will, iti their being, a id operations; the divine mind, muft certainly know and order what he willeth ; ao-ain 2diy, That as the divine attributes, (as they are in God) are all one ; The deity being abfolutcly free of all compofition : So alfo the whole divine decrees, relative to ang:;s and men, and all future events, as feated in the eternal mind and will, are with¬ out all multiplic ty of thoughts and purpofes, and free of all fucceffion, as to time. Ic being only fi me angels and men ; not an infinite God, who muft think and refoive on the end, and then on the means, and fo by re if on Ing infer and determine one thing from, and in confequence upon another. Hence Goi b y Etipbaz juftly challenged Job xv. q. it the fecret of the Lord was with him ? To • G 2 \ric

ijflii t"

64 The decrees of the divine pr'edeflination^

wit, the infinite, incomprehenfible way of under¬ standing and counfel, which is with the deity It was aiio this knowledge, that was loo high for Davie, \ ( Pfal . cxxxix 6.) to comprehend.

therefore, however the divine decrees, to our finite minds, be innumerable, according to the multiplicity of their objects : Yet as in G>d, they are not fo : Being only, one eternal intuitive corn - prehenfve view in the infinite mind , of what crea¬ tures , and what performances or events relative to them in time and eternity , would be for the glory of the adorable trinity , and for the pra'tfe of the gr^at perfections of the divine nature ; and accord - *ngb the eternal divine will , fovereignly and immutably decreeing and appointing the fame . *1 hus at once known unto God were all his works from the beginning, Adis xv. 18. And {All) things are wrought after the counfel of his own will, Eph . i. 11. This one comprehenfive, and to us incomprehenfible divine ad and decree, being pregnant with the whole creation and all the events relative thereto :We of neceffity, by reafon of the finite, dark, II rw and gradual way of human acquifition of certain knowledge, muft divide and fubdivide the feveral divine purpofes, refpeding angels and men, contained therein.

in order to which, the eternal fprings in the deity, giving rife in the order of nature, unto the forefaid decrees, muft be a little confiicred. In rcfl:ding on which,

The firft thought which (under the condud of divine light) cfFereth itfelf on this head, muft cer¬ tainly be : That infinite wifdom beiog confulted in the beginning of the whole of God’s way, Prov. viii. 22. Whether as to creation or providence ; the faid wifdom undoubtedly propofsd, that as the glory of the deity was juftly made the ultimate end

Mojl Jcripiural, and rational. 65

of creation, P rev xvi. 4. So now it was a'fo hi^h- jv re: fonable (the agent being the fame, and abaut to do yet more wonderoufly) that his declarative glory,, fhould be yet more highly advanced, by the -*wc?ks of providence This being all the return a deity already infinite in glory and bhfTednefs, was capable of Tr finite wifdom muft make progrcfs . The frcond eternity (I mean a parte poj ?) mud be more glorious than the firft, other wife the great in ervening works of creation and providence arc

loft,

How to accomplifh this y two means natively offered themfelves ; firft, that fome divine excel¬ lencies not as yet declared in the deity, by the works of> creation* nor glorioufly difplayed, fhould be ’>,ow in the works of providence, towards angels and men. particularly conftdered and exalted, icily. That all the perfc&ions already d Hoovered, in the works of creation, but withal capable of a further manife Ration, fhould be difplayed by fome higher end more glorious operations: That fo in due time, the g! or ion's ciimaxor gradation of the divine praife may be accompiifhed, and perfected. The feventh day for praifing the glorious creator, mud give, way to the firft for praifing the more glorious and wonderful redeemer, Ijai, ix 6. And the fong of the morning fiars at the firft creation, muft be turn¬ ed into a mufirg and deep porirg upon the fat- more glorious 21 d furpri zing incarnation and death of the fon ol God, in order to man's redemption, fob xxxviii. 7* Compared with j. Pet. i. 12. And in fine, at the long run, the Lord's dav itfidf muft give plac° unto the everlafling fabbath. for figging the pefedt hallelujahs due unto the fulnefs and completion of the divine love im Chrift, Rev * v. 9, 10.

Thefe two propofals, evidently promift d fomuch towards the gTry cf the deity, (the juft and ulti-

G $ mate

66 Ike decreescj the divine f redefinition.

“aTces^th/r*? ' ,h? d"T PUrp°feS ard Perfor'

S! in “ ‘S Ckar> they COuid not but be ac Accordingly upon this, it being found, that how

7^'JZ-T W°rk’ h*d 8,’orio«flj roanifefted the ! 7;fd°m' P°wer aDd goodntfs, yet there re- mamed feme other perftdhons in the deity equally glorious and dear unto him, not as yet difp?aye/

redr •P^ra,,CnS.; fuch as> theTdy,nt fove:

^'fhl7’ Jf'C; and TerCy : And that therefore m the works cf providence, the glory of thofe at-

with’ all hhM ^ ?z’f'cularl 7 consulted And

oer for b f DRra5-am f°Cnd> that the obj'«’ P">' FZnZ r Pfrftlf ,0ns to upon, mult firft be jmedigent ; to acknowledge a f vereign : Ai d

ifw’- Tl/^f n ^0 b€C?me Ptibjf died unto a juft • ft fahb,e> & capable of needing

naercy . Angels and men were accordingly fixed

wpon, as the only proper objefts of the glorious

o/Sfch°f|t!0fe k‘V!-ne Perfeitions. In difcouifing oi winch, Jet us begin with, *

The divine fovereignty, that great pearl in the

menyand°thn 5 ?’hfreby as cicator of angels and en, and the aJone author of their aJJ - he hath

efthem, and the tr all in time and eternity, Sal- ever -way he Jeeth m oft for his glory.

lor, God being in himfelf, the firft and the alone eternal independent being, who only could be

?iA unm'h^ caufc i Poyereignty muft be, efTen- £1, unt0 hlm- upon the fuppofnion of proper cb-

firlf !! rrfC th'f?me UP011- Fou he who is

firft, as the alone dhcent caufe of all, cannot but

Bave an mdifputable right to be the laft, in point of end ; even to difpofe all things for his own glory.

Again, as to the adtual exercTeof this fovereign- , how evident is it l according to the model cf

hunian

l!y

■ lAojl fcriptural, dnd rational. 67

human ?. Dprehet.fi on of things divine ; that upon Gcd’s finilhing the higher and lower worlds, and planting angels and men in them ; t ^ at : upon t ie verv firft view, which God had of both, that he could not inftantly and juftly fee hunlelf, the mo high, having an unqueftionablr claim and tit e to be the fovereign difpofer and goverror of both worlds. And more efpeciaJly of an geU and men, as having coil the deity moil contrivance «*u. Pfr formance, as being capable above a 1 the creation befides, of returning him the greateft glory. Moreover the deity, being infinite in hohnefs and righteoufnefs, and fo not capable of wronging the creature, by any degree or adt of his providence : As a'lfo being infinite in wifidom, and io not capa¬ ble of any miftake, as to proper means in difp* fing and over-ruling his creatures for their juft ends . I fay confideiirg, all tbefe things, what pcffible objection can rtmain-againfi God s acting, as great fovereign of angels and men ? Briefly, coulct he once have laid to both •? You are yet jr: cer no¬ thing ; come forth and declare your being, if ye Ard fhall an abfolute pc wer o; uie them*

can

as he pleafeth, for his glory, be refilled him.

And as to man, had any perfon flood by and feen the piece of rude c'ay in the creator’s hard, of which he made him; and had hern aiked by God, may I not mo ft juftly and rtaionably, make this a veil'd for the glory of which of my attributes I pieafe : Could any with the le3ft preienct ouca- fon, have denied that right and power unto Gcd ? Briefly, both the light and lav/ of nature, confirm- eth, that as creation is God’s giving being to a creature that was nothing ; fo fundamentally, it devoieth back the creature to the abfolute difpoiai of the creator. The author of cur being, muft certainly have an undeniable right to determine the fpccial end thereof, and particularly which of the

G 4 creators

6 The decrees of t he divl ne predejli nation

creators excellencies, we find u!timate*v cl., , Fir« gi„ S

command thy prcfcrvatiou therein • „r flV V

re^foT thaehr(lb0,V0-blarpheme G’,d’ give

“"t H, a„ „L,

m.wf -n°vn-e thcn wonder that God infideth f0 much in his word on this j„ft and hiBh ch4 of

hLf at r^“ *71 vtTtJ \ friquent!y a^tinp kings-L orU T°P f ^ of

ngs Lord of lords r 77w. v. 16. DoinA>r. cording to (his wiil) in the army of heaven^and

Jm0ftfvth-'hha^tantV0farhee:,rth- A!5d that’none doeft tho, % n ’ °r (jUrtly) fay Unt0 h™. What

gSiZ ST??-” 3* Aud tfl« H' '' ««r

«//, God blejfed for ever, Rom. ix. v. Let none

JftS rrtr-at th;S ; f:,r fl"ft il is the foundation ot all the divine decrees, and providemia! rn r- tmnsm the world; fo that uPon i;s fa)li P

falJs. idly, It is the grand formal reafm in the deity, calling for, and influencing adoration, re! verence and obedience among angels and men • I* being Gods creating all things to be difp fed and

governed ar his pleafure, that cauieth him "to he procla-med worthy, to receive glory, ho mnr a ,ri power. Rev. iv n. And hence alfo the fum f ■worlhip taught us by our Lord in that great di¬ rectory for prayer, ilTueth principally in a cordial and prad'cal acknowledgment of the divine fove- reignty. Hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come, thy nviL be done on earth as it is in heaven , Mat*

V1. 9* IO- that any denying this dotfrine, d> cvidendy rejift that excellent prayer, in it’s moil lubltantial part.

In fum, it is the deity’s great charter, proving him accountable to none, and holding- all accounta¬ ble to him : So that there is no perfection more worthy cf the deity, and in which his glory is

mqfe

Mcjl Jcripturdl , and rational. 69

tdo^c concerned . And therefore it <s, that any attacks made upon this claim are fo deeply re¬ fen ted and figmlly punifhed by him Behold, uhat extraordinary difplays of this high attribute, did he make upon Nebuchadnezzar, not only de¬ grading his political, but confounding hb rational life, and clafling him with the beafts of the field, till out of the dull, he proclaimed him. The rn (J} high, whofe kingdom was over ail, Dan. iv, 3, And when Corah , Dathan and Mtram , quar¬ relled the divine fovercignty, in diibngudhing and anointing Mofes and Aaron , above ail others in the congregation of Jfrael ' Behold the inter¬ vening earth, betwixt heaven and hell, muff, amazingly, in the twirkiing of an eye, give way for tbefe rebels being funk and hid, in the lowelk pit, our of the fight of this great fovereign God, Numb xvi 31, 32,

Having then by the premlfles, now feen, this h ph perfection of fovereignty to be undeniable to the deity let us next corfider its glorious ^Clings ,?nd procedure over angels and men, and that fird with refpcCl to time, and idly, with refpeCt unto eternity.

As for v hat concerned* the.temporal difpofel 8c errdition of angels, it not tending much to ouc prelent icope, f fhall not infift upon it, efpecially Peeing, the eUClion of feme of them, the fin and fall of others ; together with their different eternal hates arifing therefrom, will more natively fall in to be difeourfed, upon the head of the a&ual ex* cu- tion. of the decrees of Bvereignty relative to them: A luf je 6t in it's own ph.ee, moll demorftratrvt at the p.tfent dcCtsine, and wThich jiifBy might prove filencicg, to the proud ignt b*e clay, anti po Iherds < f the earth.

Again, as for the a&tngs of fevereigrty, towards man with rcfpeCi to time ; his temporal interefts

and

7° ^he decrees of the divine predestination,

and concernments ; ttm'ghr be here largely infifte,! upon ; how God by virtue of this sitribute as man’s fovere.gn, hath right ; firft t0 number’his days, the moment of his birth, and of his death • And idly, to appoint the different places of his habitation : And 3 dly, to make a great difference among men, as to their natural and acquired ac- compliftiments. As 4 thly a!fo, to order and dif- pole their lot and condition in time, with refpedf to all the different ingredients and changeable cir- cumftances thereof.

And that the foreknowledge and finger of God muff be thus concerned in men, and their temnorni all, is evident from the neetffity cf a confiant aAual divine providential influence, and corcur- reuce ; without which, _ no man, whethsr in his natural, rational or religious capacity, could fc one minute fufcfift or adl ; It being in God we live move and have our being, Aa. xvii. sg. At d feeing he performeth and accompiifheth all in time he muff needs certainly have firft chalked all out from etern'ty, as being a God of order, and not of corfufion, and who wcrketh all things, according to the (previous) council of his own -will, Ebh i , 11. 1

And therefore as a preface unto foverejVnty’s greater aaings with refped unto our eternal* inte- refts, let us take a ihort view of its procedurewith men, even in their temporal concernments. And, We fhall find the divine fovereignty afting- and appearing mo ft evidently, this way: And" that whether we confidcr, the great difference among men, as to duration of life, place of habitation, na¬ tural aDd acquired endowments, or their different worldy circumftances and conditions. There is a To in it a depth of wifdom, did we but fee howex- acily all the forefaid four are adjufted in every per¬ son, to the feveral fervices God dcfigcs from them,

in

Mo ft fcriptural and rational. 71

ir* thrir generations ; for however it be too great a thought f r any finite mind, perfectly to compre- hr : d ; Yet cer ain it is, that at once, the divine f vereignty ir financed by infinite wifdom wrote d - w in the ccraprehenfive eternal decree, firft, the ex & number of men, that (houid ever be, from A- da** to the iafr of his polkrity, And 2 dly Ciaffed them into fo many genera’ ions. 3 dly. Divided tliofe generations into different nations, kingdoms a? d governments 4 ihly In all thofe d‘fferent fo- cieties, wifely provided the n&csffary d fferent gifts and accompJilhmeiUs, for fupporting and manag¬ ing th< fame • other wife, th,b world could not from age to age h*ve fubfifted, in a moral and po- H leal ienfe ; but lhouid have become a chaos and feer-e, of idf-de ftroying confufion. $thy Decreed the fiver al great political changes and alterations, upon which, as lo many hinges, the more fubor- dinate ihould turn ; overturning the greateft of monarchies, and rneft efiablifbed empires and king¬ doms, to make way for fubfc queot decrees ; as the books of Daniel and the Revelation make evident, and the progrefs of time hath now fufficisntly con¬ firmed, 6thy. In all thefe &eps, keeping an efpe- cial eye upon the being and well-being of his church, both Jcwi/h and Chrijlian , in her progrefs through all generations La fitly, In the whole of thk con-