Mount Ebal levell'd: or redemption from the curse. Wherein are discovered, 1. The wofull condition of sinners under the curse of the law. 2. The nature of the curse, what it is, with the symptomes of it, in its properties, and effects. 3. That wonderful dispensation of Christs becoming a curse for us. 4. The grace of redemption, wherein it stands, in opposition to some gross errors of the times, which darken the truth of it. 5. The excellent benefits, priviledges, comforts, and engagements to duty, which flow from it. By Elkanah Wales, M.A. preacher of the Gospel at Pudsey in York-shire.

Sect. 3. Other three marks of interest in Redemption.

4. SEparation from the world, from the earth, from men. They are not of the world, even as their Redeemer is not of the world, Joh. 17.14. St. Paul doth solemnly profess, that the world was crucified to him, and he to the world by the Cross of Jesus Christ, Gal. 6.14. Those hundred forty four thousand which stood on Mount Sion with the Lamb, are redeemed from the earth, and from among men, Rev. 14.3, 4. They are par∣takers of the Divine nature, and so escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, 2 Pet. 1.4. They are more excellent than their neighbours, Prov. 12.26. Their designes desires, delights, aimes, are higher than the earth, they aspire above it. On the contrary, those that abide in their sin, have their por∣tion

in this life, Psal. 17.14. And its one bad property of the enemies of the Cross of Christ, that they minde earthly things, Phil. 3.19. What saith thy heart to this? Art thou carried up above the world? Doth the earth and the things of it, seem mean and base, and vile in thine eyes? Art thou in the frame and carriage of thy soul above the common pitch and scantling of the sons of men? So that thou thinkest not, willest not, affectest not as they do, but goest in an higher orbe? thy conversation is more in heaven, than in earth, Phil. 3.20. This is a sweet evidence of a redeemed soul. But art thou a friend to the world? Is it thy Darling? Do the profits, plea∣sures, contentments of it allure, and prevaile with thee to fall down and worship them, and to devote thy self to their service? Is the earth thine element? Do the things of this life take up thy thoughts, thy cares, thy imploy∣ments, so that thou art even drowned in them, and thou hast not an heart that can savour things of a better life? Dost thou walk as a man? Are thy words, actions, aimes like thy neighbours? Are they no bet∣ter, nor higher than other mens? Why, then it seems, thou art still in thine old bond∣age.

5. Walking in, and after the Spirit. The walk of the natural man, who is the Devills bond-slave is in, and after the flesh. The cor∣rupt wisdome of the old man, which is en∣mity to God, Rom. 8.7. is his light, and the will thereof, is the very life of his soul. He

hath neither light, nor life within him, avail∣able to salvation; the instinct and dictatings of his fallen nature, carry him on in his whole course. But when the grace of Re∣demption is brought home to the soul, and the Son hath set him free, then the Spirit of the Son (who of a slave hath made him a Son) doth animate, act, lead, and guide him all along in the residue of his conversation, according to that remarkable promise, Ezek. 36.27. and the Apostles grave Aphorisme, Rom. 8.14 The flesh abiding in him, will be still lusting against the Spirit, and drawing him out of his way; but his frame, bent, de∣sire, and constant endeavour, is to be at the direction and appointment of the Spirit in all his wayes: He looks upon the flesh as a very bad guide, and not to be trusted, there∣fore if at any time he be misled by it, when he perceives it, he turns away from it, with sorrow for his folly. It is the Spirit of God, which he chuseth for his guide; unto it speak∣ing in the word he repairs continually for counsel, and resignes himself up to follow it in all things. This is the signal evidence, which the Apostle gives of those that are freed from condemation by Jesus Christ, and he makes it out upon this ground, Because the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, hath freed them from the law of sin and death, Rom. 8.1, 2, 3. When the Angel of the Lord had rowsed up Peter in the prison, and caused the chaines to fall off from his hands, he gave him a command to follow him; Peter

being now set at liberty, goes after him from one place to another, Act. 12.7, 8. &c. Even so, when the Spirit of God hath loosed a sinner from his bonds, by setling upon him the be∣nefit of Redemption, he is then fit, and rea∣dy to walk after the same Spirit from one stage of duty to another. As in Ezekiels Vi∣sion, the Spirit, that was in living creatures, acted the wheels to go when they went, and to stand when they stood, Ezek. 1.19, 20, 21. So the members of Christ, are carried on by the breathings of his Spirit dwelling in them, in all their wayes. But take notice, that it is not a private spirit, but the Spirit of God speaking in the word, not a spirit opposed to the Scriptures, but the Spirit speaking in the Scriptures, which is the Guide, whom the Redeemed follow. The word of God re∣vealed in them, is the breathing and voice of the Spirit; the same spirit presents the way of God prescribed in the word, to the eyes of the minde, and then bows the heart to the obedience of it, so that the Soul saith, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth, 1 Sam. 3.9. Christs sheep hear his voice, by his Spirit speaking to the Churches, and they follow him, Joh. 10 27. Rev. 2.7. Consider this, Chri∣stian, where lyes thy walk? which way goes the genius, savour, minding of thy soul? Hast thou given up thy self to the guidance of the Spirit speaking in the word? when it perswades thee to godliness, humility, love, peace, &c. Doth thy soul imbrace its per∣swasions, and art thou free to obey them? Its well. But doth thy pallate relish the things

of the flesh? Dost thou walk more willingly after it? Are thy wisdome, reason, sense, e••∣amples of others thy counsellors? When thy carnal heart eggs thee on to some un∣godly practise, hatred, malice, brow-beating of thy neighbour, revenge, contentions, selfishness, and tenaciousness, in case thou art called to help forward a good work, it is a shrewd sign, that thou art a stranger to this grace, if thou followest its counsel.

6 Purity of heart and life, at least an un∣fained desire, study, endeavour after holiness in the whole frame of his soul and course of his conversation. By our Apostacy from God, we have implunged our selves into the ditch, and are become (every mothers childe of us at one clap) filthy and stinking, being slaves of Satan that unclean Spirit, who la∣bours to make us more and more black, that we may be as foul as himself. But when the Lord is pleased to draw any poor sinners out of this horrible pit, by applying them to the grace of Redemption, he will not suffer them to lye any longer in their blood, and filth, but he washeth away their filth, and cleanseth their blood by the unspotted sacrifice of his Son, and by the Spirit of judgement, and of burning, Heb. 9.14. Isa. 4.3, 4. If an Israelite having taken any women captives in the war, did espy one whom he had a minde to make his wife, she must first be prepared by shaving her head, and paring her nailes, and putting off the rayment of her captivity, and the like usages; upon these termes, and not other∣wife,

shee might enjoy the priviledge of be∣ing his wife, Deut. 21.10. &c. That Hester a poor captive-maid may be capable of ad∣vancement to the Royal estate of a Queen (wife to one of the greatest Monarchs in the world) she must first be purified with the oyle of myrrhe and sweet odours, for the space of fix months, and then she is preferred to that honour, Hest. 2.12.-16, 17. Even so when the Lord Jesus hath brought back the capti∣vity of poor sinners that they may be married to him in heavenly glory, they must first be purified in their consciences from the guilt, and in their hearts from the reigning pollu∣tion of sin, and they must still proceed to cleanse themselves, from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, that they may be presented to him holy, and without blame, Eph. 5.27. This was one of Christs great designes in giving himself for us, that he might redeem us, and purifie us to be a peculiar people unto him∣self, Tit. 2.14. and he will not be bafled in any of his designes. The Lord will not own thee for a redeemed soul, if thou lyest still in thy filthiness and art a stranger to this spiritual purity. What sayest thou to this? how stands thy heart affected? is true holiness beautiful in thine eyes? dost thou desire and hunger after it? dost thou study, and stretch out continually towards it? art thou still com∣plaining of the remnants of impurity, and canst thou not be satisfied without a greater measure of purity both of heart and life? This is a good sign that thou hast an interest

in Christ's Ransome. But dost thou distaste puritie? canst thou jeer it, and scoffe it, and slight it, as needless? is it burthensome to thee? and likest thou rather to abide in the old sent, and to lie in the dung of thy corrupt estate and wayes, than to rise up, and to follow after holiness? Surely thou art still in the bond of Iniquitie.

Notes

• 1 Ioh. 5.4.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Iam. 4.4.
• Simul pu∣trefact••. Psal. 14.3.
• See Heb. 10.••2 Hearts sprinkled, and bodies washed.
• 2 Cor. 7.1.
• The walk of the Re∣deemed is in the high∣way of ho∣liness. Isa. 35.8, 9.