A discourse concerning the Redeemer's dominion over the invisible world, and the entrance thereinto

'Tis manifest that as God did not create Man, at first, in that which he designed to be his final State, but as a Probationer, in a State of Trial, in order to a further State: So when he Apostatized and fell from God, he was graciously pleased to order for him a New Trial, and put him into the hands of his merciful Redeemer, who is entrusted with these Keys, and with the ⟨p. 67⟩Power of Life and Death over him, to be managed and exercised according to the terms plainly set down and declared in His Gospel. Wheresoever he is with sufficient evidence revealed and made known, Men immediately come under obligation to believe in him, to intrust and commit themselves into the same hands; to rely upon the truth of his Word, in every thing he reveals, as the ground of their submitting to his Authority in every thing he requires. What concerns their present practice, he hath plainly shown them, so much as it was requisite they should preapprehend of future Retributions, Rewards and Punishments he hath revealed also; not that they should have the knowledge hereof by immediate inspection, but by taking his word. That as ⟨p. 68⟩their first Transgression was founded in Infidelity; that they did not believe God, but a lying Spirit against him; their first step in their Recovery, and return to God, should be to believe him, and take his word about things th•y have themselves no immediate sight or knowledge of. This point was by no means to be quitted to the first Apostates. As if Gods saying to them, if you Transgress, you shall Die, or go into Hades, was no sufficient enforcement of the Precept, unless he had given them a distinct view of the States of felicity, or misery, which their Obedience, or Disobedience would lead them into. This had been to give away the whole cause to the revolted Rebels, and rather to confess error and oversight in the Divine Government, than impute ⟨p. 69⟩fault to the impugners of it!

'Tis manifest that as God did not create Man, at first, in that which he designed to be his final State, but as a Probationer, in a State of Trial, in order to a further State: So when he Apostatized and fell from God, he was graciously pleased to order for him a New Tryal, and put him into the hands of his merciful Redeemer, who is intrusted with these Keys, and with the