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Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord's controversy, &c. for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel; O my people, what have I done unto thee, and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me: for I have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, &c. There are yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, &c. the rich men thereof are full of violence, &c. therefore also will I make thee sick, &c.-Micah vi. 2-4.10-13. Amos ii. 4, &c.

Several woes pronounced against persons for divers sins.-Hab. ii. 6. 9. 12. 15. 19. Micah ii. 1, &c.

I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel, &c. all those who leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit, &c. I will punish the men that are settled on their lees, and say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil, &c. and I will bring distress upon men, &c. because they have sinned, &c. He shall make a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. Zeph. i. 8, 9. 12. 17, 18.

Is this a time for you to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste? &c. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house; therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit, and I called for a drought upon the land. Hag. i. 4. 9—11.

Cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and

sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing.-Mal. i. 14.

I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless; that turn aside the stranger, &c. Ye are gone away from mine ordinances, &c. ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, &c. your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord; yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? ye have said, It is in vain to serve God, &c.-Mal. iii. 5. 7. 9. 13, 14.

Behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.-Mal. iv. 1.

Christ pronounceth a woe against Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, for not repenting.-Matt. xi. 21—24. xii. 41, 42.

Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets : fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes, and some of them ye shall kill and crucify, and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city; that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, &c. whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together? &c. and ye would

not: behold, your house is left unto you desolate.-Matt. xxiii. 31-38. Ananias and Sapphira, for their lying to the Holy Ghost, and Herod, for pride, slain.-Acts v. 5. 10. xii. 21-23. xiii. 10, 11.

Because when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, &c. wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves; who changed the truth of God into a lie, &c. for this cause God gave them up unto vile affections, &c. God gave them over to a reprobate mind.-Rom. i. 21, &c.

Thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God.-Rom. ii. 3.

We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth, against them which commit such things, &c. who will render to every man according to his deeds.Rom. ii. 2-6. Gal. vi. 7, 8. Eph. v. 5, 6. Col. iii. 5, 6. Heb. xiii. 4.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep, &c.-1 Cor. xi. 30, 31.

The apostle reckons up some of the sins and punishments of Israel; and concludes, Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.-1 Cor. x. 5—11.

Now the works of the flesh, &c. adultery, &c. they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.-Gal. v. 19-21. 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. Eph. v. 5.

If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.-Heb. x. 26, 27.

If any shall worship the beast, &c. the same shall drink of the wine

of the wrath of God, &c.-Rev. xiv. 9, 10.

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still, &c. Behold I come quickly, &c.-Rev. xxii. 11.

The great judgments denounced against Babylon, for her great sins and persecutions.-Rev. xviii.

See more on the Duty of Obedience in this Chapter.

SECT. XV. To own and profess the true God and our Lord Jesus Christ boldly before Men; and to wait for Christ's second coming.

I.

To own and confess the true God and our Lord Jesus Christ before Men.

I KNOW my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.-Job xix. 25.

I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed, &c. I am a companion of all them that fear thee.-Ps. cxix. 46. 63. xvi. 2, 3.

None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth.-Isa. lix. 4.

Our God whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king: but if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods.-Dan. iii. 17, 18.

When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God.-Dan. vi. 10.

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven: but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

-Matt. x. 32, 33. Luke xii. 8, 9.

A damsel came unto Peter, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest, &c. And again he denied with an oath, saying, I do not know the man, &c. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man.-Matt. xxvi. 69, 70. 72. 74.

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.-Mark viii. 38.

The parents of the blind man durst not confess Christ, but answered, He is of age, ask him. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, that he should be put out of the synagogue; therefore said his parents, He is of age, ask him, &c. But the son confessed him. -John ix. 19-23. 30, &c.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.-John xii. 42, 43.

Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.-Acts ii. 36. The God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom ye delivered up, &c. but ye denied the Holy One and Just, &c. and killed the Prince of life, &c.—Acts iii. 13-15.

Be it known unto you all, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, &c. even by him doth this man stand before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought by you builders, &c. We cannot but speak, &c.-Acts iv. 10,

11. 20.

Did not we straitly command you, that you should not teach in this name? &c. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought

to obey God rather than men: the God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom ye slew, &c. Him hath God exalted with his right hand, &c.— Acts v. 28-31.

Be it known to you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.-Acts xiii. 38.

This I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers.Acts xxiv. 14.

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the name of the Lord Jesus, &c. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.-Rom. x. 9, 10.

As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew (or shew ye) the Lord's death till he come.1 Cor. xi. 26.

And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.-Phil. i. 14.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, &c. that at the name of Jesus, &c. and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Phil. ii. 9—11.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, &c. I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed.2 Tim. i. 8. 12.

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.-2 Tim. ii. 12.

They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him: being abominable, and disobedient, &c.— Titus i. 16.

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.-Heb. xiii. 13.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.-1 John iv. 15.

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest: where Satan's seat is, and

CHAP. XIV.]

THE DUTY OF BELIEVERS.

thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith.-Rev. ii. 13. See more of Perseverance, in this Chapter.

II. To wait for Christ's Second

Coming.

WATCH ye therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come, &c. Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of man cometh.-Matt. xxiv. 42. 44. xxv. 13. Rev. xvi. 15.

The wise and foolish virgins slumbered and slept, while the bridegroom tarried.-Matt. xxv. 5.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye your selves like unto men that wait for the Lord, &c. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching, &c. Luke xii. 35--38. 40.

Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth-Luke xviii. 8.

Take heed your hearts be not overcharged, &c. and so that day come upon you unawares.-Luke xxi. 34.

I will come again and receive you unto myself.-John xiv. 3.

So that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.-1 Cor. i. 7.

For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, &c. Phil. iii. 20, 21.

When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.—Col. iii. 4.

Ye turned to God, &c. and to wait for his Son from heaven.-1 Thess. i. 9, 10.

To you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.-2 Thess. i. 7.

The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.-2 Thess. iii. 5.

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A crown of righteousness, which

the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day, &c. and unto them also that love his appearing.2 Tim. iv. 8.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.Titus ii. 13.

Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation.-Heb. ix. 28.

Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry, &c.Heb. x. 36, 37.

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto Behold, the coming of the Lord. the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit: be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth near.-James v. 7, 8.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind; be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.-1 Pet. i. 13.

There shall come in the last days scoffers, &c. saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were, &c. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, &c. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, &c. What manner of persons ought ye to be? &c. Looking for, and hasting unto the day of God, &c.-2 Pet. iii. 3, 4.

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Behold, I come as a thief: blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, &c.— Rev. xvi. 15.

Surely I come quickly: Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.-Rev. xxii. 7. 12. 20.

SECT. XVI. To walk with God heartily, uprightly, sincerely, and to follow him fully and zealously: the Reasons thereof.

ENOCH walked with God.-Gen. v. 22. 24.

Noah was a just man and perfect (or upright) in his generations: Noah walked with God, &c. according unto all that the Lord had commanded him, so did he, &c.-Gen. vi. 9. 22.

The Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, &c. so Abram departed as the Lord had spoken unto him.-Gen. xii. 1. 4.

The Lord appeared unto Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God, walk before me, and be thou perfect (or upright).-Gen. xvii. 1.

Abimelech said, In the integrity of my heart, &c. have I done this, &c. And God said, &c. I know, &c.-Gen. xx. 4-7.

God said unto Abraham, Take now thy son, &c. and offer him, &c. And Abraham rose up early in the morning to set about it, &c.-Gen. xxii. 1, &c.

The Lord said to Moses, Go, I will be with thy mouth, &c. and he said, O my Lord, send I pray thee by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses.-Exod. iv. 11-14. Jer. i. 6, 7.

Bring me an offering of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart. -Exod. xxv. 1.

My servant Moses, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth.-Numb. xii. 7, 8. Heb. iii. 2. 5.

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I

bring into the land.-Numb. xiv. 24. xxxii. 12. Josh. xiv. 8. 14.

Take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget, &c. lest they depart from thine heart, &c. thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.-Deut. iv. 9. 29.

The Lord said, They have well said all that they have spoken: O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, &c.-Deut. v. 28, 29.

What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but, &c. to serve the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul?-Deut. x. 12. 1 Sam. xii. 20.

Thou shalt be perfect (or upright, or sincere) with the Lord thy God.→ Deut. xviii. 13.

The Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.-Deut. xxvi. 16.

Cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day.-Josh. xxiii. 8.

Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth.— Josh. xxiv. 14. 1 Sam. xii. 24.

Because Israel did not destroy all the inhabitants of the land, according to command, God said, I will not drive them out from before you, but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.-Judges ii. 2, 3.

Jephthah, concerning his vow, said, I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back, &c.— Judges xi. 31. 35. 39. Ps. cxvi. 14. 18.

The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him all actions are weighed.1 Sam. ii. 3.

God had said to Saul, Go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, &c. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, &c. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul

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