Gods ordinance, the saints priviledge.: Discovered and proved in two treatises. The first, the saints interest by Christ in all the priviledges of grace: wherein their right to the use of baptisme, and the Lords supper, even now during the reign of Antichrist, is cleared; and the objections of those that oppose the same, are answered. The second, the peculiar interest of the elect in Christ, and his saving grace: wherein it is proved that Christ hath not presented to his fathers justice a satisfaction for the sinnes of all men; but onely for the sinnes of those that doe, or shall believe in him; which are his elect onely: and the objections of those that maintaine the contrary, are also answered. / Both written by John Spilsberie. And the last transcribed, and somewhat enlarged, by Benjamin Coxe. Licensed, entred, and printed according to order.

❧ TO THE READER.

IƲdicious and unpartiall Reader, (for such a one I desire thee to be) as I wish unto thee the blessednesse, so I commend unto thee the wisdome of the man finding that treasure in Mat. 13.44. And because that Parable is by some applyed against us, give me leave here to mind thee of the true meaning of it. The kingdom of hea∣ven is like to a treasure hid in a field, &c. This speech is either thus to be interpreted; Jesus Christ (who is to us both heavenly King and kingdome) is like to a treasure bid in a field, &c. Or rather thus, to the same effect; It comes to passe concerning the kingdom of heaven, as when a man findeth a treasure bid in a field, &c. So in verf. 24. The kingdome of heaven is likened to a man which sowed, &c. Yet in verf. 37. it is said, He that soweth the good seed, is the Son of man. Whereas some affirme that the Elect are this treasure, and the man finding this treasure, in Christ; this grosse absurditie necessarily followes; viz. that we were a treasure, and so to be looked upon, not onely before Christ redeemed us, but also before be any way found us. To say nothing of this, that it is not agreeable to Scripture-phrase, to say that Christ sold all that be had to buy the world: but to say that be suffered death, that he might purchase his Church with his owne bloud, Acts 20.28. Whereas Christ saith in Mat. 13.38. The field is the world: he doth not mean that by the field we must understand the world in every place of Scripture, or in every Parable, or in this Parable; but one∣ly in that Parable which Christ there expounds. The treasure hid in the field is Christ, and that treasure of grace which is in him. The field in which this treasure is bid, may be the Word and Ordinances. There Christ is as it were bid: for although it be given to the Elect to see him there, yet the world there sees him not. The man finding this treasure, is an Elect person now brought to see Christ with the eye of faith. His hiding this trea∣sure signifies his high esteeming of it, and his care not to be deprived of it. His selling all that be hath, and buying this field, shewes his looking upon all things as losse in comparison of Christ; and his being content to part with all things that be may enjoy Christ in his Word and Ordinances; and his desire and care so to enjoy him, whatsoever losse or affliction he must un∣dergoe for the same. Wee have now earnestly laboured in the use of that strength that God hath given us, to shew unto thee, if thou believest in Christ, that this treasure is thine, and that thou oughtest to take notice of thy right thereunto through Gods gift, and to enjoy the same as peculiar to thee and the rest of the faithfull, and not common to the world.

I am informed that some offence is likely to be taken at the word adver∣saries, used in the second Treatise. If any offence be there given in the use of that word, I onely must beare the blame of it. Therefore permit me to ex∣presse bow I understood it, of whom I meant it, and what induced me to the use of it. 1. By adversaries I understood onely opposers, and namely, opposers of our doctrine. 2. I intended not this title to all that do not fully close with us in judgement; but to those that so oppose us, as that they deny us to preach any Gospel, to bold forth any true faith, or to administer any true Baptisme; who have openly called us The gates of bell, their common enemie, &c. 3. This their dealing with u did move me to give them that title; and I conceived, I had just cause so to doe. But now I confesse, the case stands with me concerning the use of this terme, and concerning any sharpnesse that I can now discerne in any passage of mine in this Treatise, as it stood with David when he had cut off Sauls skirt. But touching the doctrine maintained in this Treatise, I am so farre from recalling any part of it, that I count my selfe bound, if the Lord shall call me to it, to seale it with my bloud. And I have cause to blesse God for this opportunitie which be hath given me, thus to assist in the publick asserting and clearing of this truth. And so much the rather, because I have sometimes not been so cleare in the sight of it, as through the goodnesse of God, I now am. Yet even then I held and maintained, that the Lord Christ giving him∣selfe to suffer death, intended (according to his Fathers will from all eternitie) by his death effectually to procure the eternall salva∣tion of all the Elect, and onely of them. This I grounded upon these principles. 1. The eternitie and immutabilitie of Gods counsaile. 2. Gods speciall love to the Elect, and their being saved through the same. 3. The wisdome and power of Christ, intending what be effecteth, and effecting what be intended.

In the transcribing and enlarging of this Treatise, I was much strait∣ned in time; but I found the Lord more then ordinarily strengthening me: Whereupon I am the more confirmed, that he meanes to make this Treatise a meane of good unto his, when they shall diligently peruse it. Neither doe I question his following of the first Treatise also with his effectuall blessing. So commending this whole Booke to thy serious perusall, and thee to the grace of the Almighty; I rest

Thine, as thou art Christs, BENJAMIN COXE.