Scriptures opened and sundry cases of conscience resolved, in plain and practical answers to several questions, upon the proverbs of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel / by that faithful servant of Jesus Christ, William Thomas ...

Q. Secondly, In what cases is confessi∣on required?

A. 1. When called to it by authority,

Mat. 10. 18. Joh. 1. 19, 20. especially, more solemnly put upon it, and pressed to it, Matt. 16. 63, 64. John 18. 37.

2. When it is seriously demanded by o∣thers and may make for their edification, by information and confirmation of the truth, 1 Pet. 3. 15.

3. When the cause of Religion, the Glory of God, the Salvation and Spiritu∣al good of others, calls us to it: As more particularly;

1. When Christ is to be acknowledg∣ed, and there are no others to do it, Job. 32. 11, 12. Luke 19. 40.

2. (As in this case of Daniel) when otherwise wicked men will be imbolden∣ed to blaspheme and cry down the cause and truth of God, because none dare appear for it. See Act 1. 8. with, Act. 4. 10. 18, 19, 29, 33.

3. When the weak will be offended and tempted by our silence and pusillani∣mity to apostacy, or to that dissimulation, Hypocrisy, and timidity, that is next to apostacy, Gal. 2. 14.

The Conclusion may be, the resoluti∣on and answering of some Questions and Objections.

1. Q. We read of no such appearing of Daniel in the third Chapter, where there was

such another decree as this; why so much now and nothing then?

A. We must not think that he yielded then that is and was so faithful and cou∣ragious now, and heretofore, Chap. 1. 8. but though he forbore toworship the Im∣age, yet the accusing of him was forborn there, (so as it is not here) and that, it's very like, because he was in so high fa∣vour with the King (of whom he had merited so much before (Chap. 2. 46.) that he was above their reach, and they might rather fear displeasure by opposing him than hope to make the King displea∣sed with him. It was enough that Dani∣els companions that were then singled out and accused, stood to it to the utmost; but here Daniel himself is brought upon the stage.

2. Q. But how comes it to pass that here, there is no news of any standing up besides Daniel, no not of Shadrach, Meschech and Abednego, that were men so eminent?

A. 1. Perhaps those three, (that were not in the Kings Gate, as Daniel was, but set over the affairs of the province of Baby∣lon, Chap. 2. 49.) might not be now at ••and, and in sight of the Authors of this d••sign and the great Actors in it; but ••••••ht be abroad in the Province, retain∣ing

their Place and Office in this Kings time, as Daniel did his eminency, Dan. 6. 3.

2. It's plain that Daniel was here the Person aimed at; It's enough that when they, in particular were produced and prosecuted, they were as forward to ad∣venture on the Furnace, as Daniel here was on the Den; (and burning their ex∣ecutioners.)

3. Their miraculous deliverance (Chap. 3. 22. 28.) was so famous and fresh in memory, that (though they were present, yet) it was not likely they should be pro∣secuted anew in a case of the like kind. Gods signal providences at one time, scare his enemies, and are his Childrens safeguard at another, Esther 6. 13. Act. 5. 11. 26. 39.

4. We do not read that either they, or any other of the Jews were so called to an open Confession as Daniel was, because there was not (at least we find not any such thing related) such open praying to God aforetime, used by, and observed in, other Jews as it is recorded here concern∣ing Daniel.

5. Here the case seems like that of Da∣vid and Goliah, 1 Sam. 17. 9. Mordecai and Haman; They two must try it out

in the name of all the rest, and so others might stand by, look on, and wait the issue of the single combate. In such Projects, yea and Laws, wherein some persons are principally aimed at, others (though they come within the compass of the Law) are less looked after. But had the business succeeded as the plotters intended, and Daniel been devoured, then others of his Religion, might have been like to have fared as he did; whereas (God appea∣ring so marvellously for the honour and safety of his Church and Champions) it re∣presented his people to all wise men, Esth. 6. 13. as a People that it was dangerous for the greatest persons to contend with in the Cause of God, that being to contend with God who will always get the better.

Obj. Faith sufficeth for Salvation. Act. 16. 30, 31. what need therefore of such confession?

A. 1. It's true that Faith alone is the Grace whereby we receive the Righte∣ousness of Christ for our being justified and saved, Rom. 3. 24, 25. Phil. 3. 9.

But then, Confession is required also upon another account, to wit, not as that whereby Salvation is procured, for that's the Righteousness of Christ, Rom. 5. 21. but as the duty we must perform and the

way we must walk in, for the enjoyment of that Salvation (and happy Confession at the last day, Matt. 10. 32.) which Christ purchaseth, Faith believeth, and the confessing Christian (onely, Mat. 10. 33.) enjoyeth.

2. There's no opposition between these two, believing to Righteousness and con∣fessing to Salvation; for Confession with the mouth, is a fruit of Believing with the heart; he that believeth, will speak, Psal. 116. 10. 2 Cor. 4. 13. (albeit there be many failings and faultrings, Psal. 116. 11.) Faith therefore sufficeth to Salvation, that is, such a Faith as includeth Confessi∣on, and detesteth denials, Mat. 26. 15. and falling away (Heb. 10. 38, 39.) And no other Faith.