Truth vindicated against all heresies shewing how the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent is distinguished : the woman cloathed with the sun discoverd, she having the moon under her feet : the Old and New Testament made to agree and God's justice and mercy magnified.

V. Concerning Election. (Book 5)

ELection doth not always secure the Elect from fal∣ling off; but by God's electing some, it was there∣by to accomplish the Counsel of the Will of God, as to what he had before determined: And therefore ac∣cordingly he gave to one five Talents, to the other two, and to the other but one, but every Man had given him ac∣cording to his ability, Matth. 25.15. And each having given them according to their ability, that they might according to their day be capable to stand: But them that was of the Remnant of Israel, of whom the Dis∣ciples were, they did not only stand by their Election, but by a Promise from the Lord, That none should •…•…ck them out of his Hand, John 10.28,29. But ••ikewise both the Disciples and first Churches received 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Holy Ghost to be in them, whereby they were •…•…ed to God by one Spirit, and so beame a Light to the World; and thereby the Prayer of Christ was fulfilled, in that the World through them might believe that God had sent him, John 17.21. Which accordingly •…•…llowed, for the Nations embraced the Faith, and so •…•…came the Seed of Abraham. But the Elect were to Withstand all the Fury of the Adversaries, and there∣fore had the more Talents given them; for on them was shed forth the Holy Ghost abundantly, Tit. 3.6. But if they did grieve the Holy Spirit of God, whereby they were Sealed to the Day of Redemption, Eph. 4.30. For if they sinned wilfully after they had received the knowledge of the Truth, there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sin, but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment, and fiery Indig∣nation, Heb. 10.26, 27. (But all that have a true Heart separate from an evil Conscience, may draw nigh to God in full assurance of Faith, that they shall find acceptance through the Blood of the Lord Jesus, and

they in a more special manner who were fore∣chosen to it, vers. 22.) Now these having the greater Light, if they fell away, fell under the greater Con∣demnation. And that some of the Elect did fall away, that was not secured by a Promise from Christ, is cer∣tain by what St. John saith, That if they had been of them, they would have continued with them, 1 John 2.19. Therefore they were not of that Remnant, but it is clear they were of the Elect, because the Elect then were known by their Speaking with Tongues, and by the Gifts that were given them, by which God made them to differ; for had they not received those Gifts, it would have been known they had been none of the Elect before they went out from them; but by their going out from them, they knew that they were not of them to whom the Promise was made: Which were the Remnant; and as St. Peter saith, It is better not to know the Way of Righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the Holy Commandment, 2 Pet. 2.18,21. And also of others it is said, they made Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience, 1 Tim. 1.19. For tho' the elect were fore-chosen without their willing or run∣ning, yet when they were brought into the knowledge of the Truth, they were to make their Calling and Election sure by improving their Talents; for there was a part for them to do, before they could receive their Eternal Inheritance, unless they were immediate∣ly removed by Death; And therefore saved by Faith, and good Works, James 2.24. So we see, none stood securely, only by their Election; but the generality of the first Churches standing, the major part in Scripture is reckoned for the whole. And the Servant to whom the one Talent was given, was the world, and the Teachers of the World; which after the Gospel was received and established, the Word was then the Ta∣lent, which had they according to their ability impro∣ved,

they had thereby been capable to stand, God ha∣ving promised to all, whilst they kept to the way, his assistance. But the evil Servant, the Man of Sin got Ground, who were the Teachers in the Romish Church, which hid the Talent of the Word, and would not improve it themselves, nor suffer the Truth to be known among the People, among whom it might have been improved, according to the similitude the Lord put forth concerning the Money-Changers, Mat. 25.15,27. And likewise them that will oppose and smother the Truth, will not be counted guiltless, when the Lord Christ shall come. And it is the He-Goats that have eaten the good Pastures, and trodden down the residue, and fouled the deep Waters, Ezek. 34.17,18. By the false Interpretations that have been put upon the Word, so as the Flock of Christ eat that which they have trodden, and drank that which they have fouled with their Feet, vers. 19. For which when the Lord comes, his severe Judgments will fall on them, and then will the Lord feed his Sheep himself; so as then his Sheep shall be no more a Prey, as in the 22, 23, 24. Verses; For this is spoken of the particu∣lar time, in which the Lord vvill come to Judge and Reign. And Man in this time was trusted with the Word for his Posterity, as Adam was trusted with E∣ternal Life for his Posterity. Therefore the Lord alike laid his Commands, that Adam should not eat of the Tree, nor we add or diminish either to or from his Word, Deut. 4.2. Rev. 22.18. The which Word we are to hold fast till the Lord comes, Rev. 2.25. Heb. 2.2,3. But these forementioned. Teachers that hid the Word, would not so much as suffer or permit any Woman to look into it. But when Man acts contra∣ry to God, God acts contrary to Man. The Lord awaken all the Ministers that truly fear his Name of all parties, that by their acknowledging and owning

the whole Truth, they thereby may clear them∣selves from the Blood of all Men, Act. 20.26,27. as they may not be reckoned with the Goats, And that by them Millions of Souls may be brought out of their mistaken Notions; and that they themselves for so doing, may shine as the Stars; but them that will take advantage of the People's Ignorance, that thereby they may keep them in Mistakes and Darkness, it will be a wofull day to them.