people saying this is the blood of the Testament which God hath enioyned vnto you That was a type of this Testament sealed and dedicated to all mākinde in Christs blood which sprinckleth both the Testament as a witnesse and seale of it and the people as redeemed and sealed vnto therefore this blood of the euerlasting couenant is called a witnessing Heb. 12.24 a speaking blood The blood of sprinckling which speaketh better things then the blood of Abel It witnesseth the Truth of all things declared in the new Testament and so speaketh reconcilliation grace peace life to the consciences of all them that receiue the same Testament and the loue of the Truth therein manifested in all things necessary to saluation See that ye refuse not him that speaketh vers 25. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not wee if wee turne away from him that speaketh from Heauen viz. by this blood and the representatiue signes thereof in his Sacraments therefore Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnesse in Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and theese three agree in one They all witnesse and seale the same thinge they agree in witnesse of one Truth one Testament Ioh. 14.26 chap. 16.13 The Spirit that is the holy Ghost that brought all things to the mindes of the Apostles that Christ had told them and that witnesseth the same Word and noe other vnto vs for he guided them into all Truth he was not to speake of himselfe but to take of Christs and shew vnto them nothing but that which Christ had * Ioh. 15.15 made knowne vnto them saue only that he should shew them things to come viz. touching the comming of the man of sinne his lying wonders him that letted Seducing Spirits that should forbid marriage and some meates the seauen seales the 7. Triumpets the 7. Vials the Dragon with tenne hornes the Beast his marke them that receiue it Babylons Ruin and the like Whereof our Lord speaketh when he saith I haue yet many things to say vnto you Ioh. 16.12 but ye can not beare them now theese can not be as the greate whore and her members most impudently affirme the traditions of the Church of Rome as inuocation of saints single life of Preists distinction of meates theire obserued fasts and feasts the Popes succession in Peters chaire as head of the Church priuate masses drawing Soules out of purgatorie c. For this is a bold diuination for thire owne proffit any other Hereticks may say as much for theire herefies if that would serue and to disproue them all our Sauiour speaking of things absolutely necessary to saluation saith All things that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Ioh. 15.15 theese the Spirit brought to theire mindes and in theire writings * Act. 20.27 1. Ioh. 1.3 chap. 2.27 Charac of a Christian p. 86.96.106.110 they manifested them to vs and to theese the Spirit beareth witnesse on earth And the water viz. in Baptisme it is a seale of that Couenant and Truth it exhibiteth and witnesseth the same things vissiblie and to the Soule in a sealing signe that the Testament doth And the blood this did Christs bloods shed on the Crosse and this doth the cup in the Sacrament for therefore Christ giueth to the signe the name and sealing virtue of the thinge signified saying This is my blood of the new Testament viz. that witnesseth and confirmeth the truth of it and of all that it offereth and teacheth to youre Soules This cup is the new Testament in my blood the Testament witnessed sealed confirmed and dedicated to you in my blood as the first Testament was in the blood of Calues of Goates c. and therefore Saint Iohn there addeth If wee receiue the witnesse of men 1. Ioh. 5.9 the witnesse of God is greater for this is the witnesse of God which he testifieth of his Sonne that is which he testifieth of the Word of the Truth which is his Sonne and which God witnessed and sealed vnto vs not only by voices from Heauen and myracles but also by the blood of his Sonne and now by his Spirit by the water of Baptisme and by the cup in the Lords Supper therefore it is saide Him hath God the Father sealed Ioh. 6.27 and therefore John Baptist saith of Christ Ioh. 3.33 He that receiued his testimonie hath set to his seale that God is true that is true in his Word and true in the sealing that he giues to it he iustifieth him in his sayings Rom. 3.4 He that beleeueth him not in euery thinge he hath saide but reiecteth the Testament the Truth in any point of faith and saluation he beleeueth not God but hath made him a liar vers 10. because he beleeueth not the record that God gaue of his Sonne He beleeueth not the witnesse of the Spirit of the water of the cup not the witnes which Christ bare vnto the Truth in his blood he refuseth him that speaketh by theese yea he reiecteth Christ the faithfull and true witnesse and the Seale or marke of God Reu. 1.5 euen the testimonie of Iesus * chap. 19.10 see Character of a Christian pag. 228. receiued by all them that are in a right and saueing manner of the true Church Wherein there is noe other Word receiued in matters of faith and saluation but Gods Testament Noe vaine brags of the spirit but by the Scriptures the * 1. Ioh. 4.1.6 Act. 17.11 1. Thes 5.21 Isa 8.20 Spirits are tried To the Law and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is noe light in them And consequently noe spirit of prophesie in them If a man be well skilled or mightie in the proofes power of the new Testament as Apollos was saide to be mightie in the Scriptures Act. 18.24 then he hath the spirit of prophesie otherwise not for that true member of the true church endued with such excellent knowledge that Iohn would haue worshipped him Reu. 12.9 chap. 19.10 saith I am of thy Brethren the Prophets of them that keepe the sayings of this booke Which expoundeth that I am of thy Brethren that haue the testimonie of Jesus he had nothing else but his Testament he came out from the Arke of his Testament out of that Temple wherein was noe other Word he was powerfull in that nor would he allow any doctrine which was not agreeable thereto to be of the Spirit therefore he saith for the testimonie of Iesus is the Spirit of prophesie noe other If therefore men bringe not that testimonie they vainly talke of the Spirit of prophesie as Papists for theire traditions Anabaptists for theire dreames and others for theire Heresies wherein they reiect the testimonie of Iesus doe despite to the Spirit of grace Wherefore the Apostle saith Heb.
in such danger seeing that if Princes be Hereticall and persecute the godly theire Ministers must follow them and afflict and punish them or loose theire places for when those that cleaue to Gods Word and contend for it are examined they must confesse the truth though it cost them theire liues as our Sauiour here did for when Pilate saide Art thou then a Kinge Iesus answered thou saiest that I am a Kinge af if he saide and I can not I must not dâ—nie it For To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth That is indeede to confirme the Truth and euery clause of it whereof this of his Kingdom and office is one with his blood to witnes and seale the truth of it with his blood for though he knew that to confesse this would cost him his life yet he considers that to this ende he was borne and for this cause he came in the world that he should beare witnesse to it with his blood 1. Tim. 6.13 and therefore Saint Paul saith that he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate Sealed as ye see with his blood Tolet. in Ioan. VXIII Vt veritatem Dei oftenderet regnum Dei manifestarer ac tyrannidem Diaboli dolos ejus detegeret to make his witnesse the more effectuall Seeing indeede he came into the world as Tolet saith that he might shew the truth of God and manifest the Kingdom of God and discouer the tiranie of the deuil and his deceits whereby he deceiueth men whether by his owne suggestions or by his Ministers the teachers and maintainers of idollatrie errours For to this purpose the Sonne viz. the Word the Truth of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the deuill He came to confound all theese in this that he came to beare witnesse vnto Gods Kingdom vnto Gods Truth whereby all theese are confounded and those also that liue as if they were borne to noe other ende and for noe other cause came into the world then to flatter daube and temporise with sinnes and errours or which is as bad frowardly to contest against the truth with sophisticated arguments praeuaricating shifts for that they might all be sure of it and repenting receiue and confesse the Truth in all things he heere inforceth the certaintie of it with a kinde of ingemination or reinforcing of his asseueration to the Soules of men as if they could neuer enough marke remember this point saying to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth O thou eternall and almightie Sonne of God Heb. 1.2 by whome he made the worlds thou heyre of all things the brightnes of thy Fathers glorie and the expresse Image of his person thou that thoughtest it noe roberie to be held equall with God surely it was for some greate ende that thou wast borne of a Woman for some greate cause that thou camest in the World Lord let vs know it let vs heare it ô thou Kinge of Saints that wee neither despise nor slight and neglect it thou tellest vs with a witnesse and a deere witnesse it was to thee for thou sealest it with thy most pretious blood shed in the greatest paines the greatest sufferings that euer any felt in this world to see if yet wee will receiue the truth and the loue thereof 2. Thess 2.10.11 that wee may be saued and not be giuen ouer to beleeue a lye for this cause was I borne and for this cause came I into the World that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Some man will say If it were to this ende that he came and thus sealed the truth what Christian is there that will not receiue the loue of the Truth that will not in all matters of faith and saluation heare his voice obey it and so receiue his testimonie I answer thou hearest him affirme it and reinforce it what then needes further witnes Luk. 19.10 for if thou say The Sonne of man came to seeke to saue that which was lost That is by shewing them Gods Truth and bearing witnesse to it and so loosing the prisnors bound and lost in the prison of sinne errour * Sedebas o homo in tenebrosis vmbra mortis per ignorantiam veritatis sedebas vinctus catenis delictorum Bernar. de ordine vitae Nos de Adam caeci nati sumus illo illuminate opus habemus Aug. in Ioan. trac 34. Act. 26.18 Mar. 10.46 Gal. 4.4 and ignorance Ioh. 12.48 He came a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not abide in darkenesse but should haue the light of life to make them children of the light God sent him for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. but that was to open theire eyes and to turne them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan vnto God that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes and inheritance amonge them which are sanctified through faith that is in him Not otherwise The Sonne of man came to minister and giue his life a ransom for many but that was to minister the Word and to witnesse that his death was a ransom for many to seale that truth in his blood God sent his Sonne made of a Woman to redeeme them that were vnder the Law and thereby Seruants obnoxious to sinne death that they might receiue the adoption of sonnes but that is by receiuing the Word the Truth who to as many as receiue him Ioh. 1.12 giueth power to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that beleene on his Name viz. on the Word by letting them * Chap. 8.32.34.36 Character of a Christian pag. 325. c. know the Truth that the truth might make them free and free indeede from sinne Satan errours snaring scruples c. There is noe true freedom but what the Truth giueth and it must needes be true if the Truth giue it As he there saith If the Sonne therefore shall make you free Ye shall be free indeede Thereby shewing himselfe to be the Truth as Augustine proueth on Ioh. 17.17 Sanctifie them in thy Truth thy Word is Truth August in 10. trac 108. To this Truth he bare witnesse and this Truth freeth beeing beleeued knowne and receiued with loue So was it with the Corinthians who beeing inriched in all knowledge Paul saith the testimonie of Christ was confirmed in them 1. Cor. 1.6 which that wee might so receiue and obey in all that it teacheth and euery part of it he bare witnesse to it with his blood Which therefore indeede is called the blood of the Testament sealed confirmed and dedicated in blood Heb. 9.18.19 Wherevpon neither was the first Testament dedicated without blood For when Moses had spoken euery precept he tooke the blood of Calues and sprinckled both the booke and the
make them Mediatours Gods Couenant alloweth †1. Tim. 3.2.12 Marriage to all they forbid it to Preists A man would thinke this were not to depart from the faith to forsake the foundation But though sinnes of infirmitie against the new Couenant are not a departing from it yet as for teaching or receiuing any new or contrarie doctrine and not * 1. Tim. 6.3 consenting to Christs in all things in this case it is with the new Couenant as it was with the Law Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27. Iam. 2.10 Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in it and whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all and must haue forer punishment Reu. 22.16.18 as one that tradeth vnderfoote the Sonne of God c. vt supra For the Angell and Christ by him assureth eternall plauges to him that shall adde to his Word or take away from the words of his booke Saint Paul saith of theese that giue beede to such as forbid marriage and some meats that they depart from the faith Much more if they doe it in other points also as the Papists doe who in many greate points of faith and saluation doe not continue in the Word but * 1. Tim. 6.3 teach other wise consent not to the wholsom words of our Lord Jesus Christ but are gainsayers with Core Iude 11. Gods Covenant witnesseth that he doth freely iustifie his by the blood of Christ and his free grace therein Rom. 5.9 Rom. 3.24.28 Gal. 2.16 and on our part by faith only without the workes of the Law for Saint Iames speakes of our iustification before men shew me thy faith by the workes Iam. 2.18 make it appeare to vs by thy workes that it is not a dead faith Rom. 4.2 but true liueing and saueing If Abraham were iustified by workes he hath wherein to reioyce but not afore God Yet they will haue a man to be iustified afore God not by his free grace and only by faith therein but by the workes of the Law Which is against the maine scoape of the Gospell and Truth of God touching saluation and so against the foundation as also in other points Heb. 7.27 chap. 9.26.28 chap. 10.12.14 The Couenant of God witnesseth that Christ was once offered after he had offered one Sacrifice for simes for euer he sate downe at the right hand of God By one offering he perfected for euer them that are sanctified The Papists will yet daily offer him by the hands of the Preist a propitiatorie sacrifice for the sinnes of the quick and dead to get remission by an idoll or false Christ of theire owne making Ioh. 8.32 see Charac of a Christian pag. 329. c. ad finem and so by a new price of redemption The Couenant of God witnesseth that the Truth maketh men free and free indeede from the seruitude and imputation of sinne that men can not otherwise haue true freedom but as if it did not the Papists will haue freedom by pardons merrits satisfactions masses c. Surely this is to forsake the true foundation of assurance for a false one of theire owne Yet some vnaduisedly say they hold the foundation which can not be maintained For Christ is the eternall Word and Truth reuealed and that Word is in himselfe most simple and indiuisible one foundation not to be diuided though wee can not come in any measure to know the same but as it is reuealed for our weake and finite vnderstanding as it were by parts and principles yet it is true in them all and in euery part he was and is eternally that Truth of God and other foundation can noe man laie theÌ„ that is laied which is Iesus Christ Now therefore whoseuer in points of faith and saluation forsake and oppose that foundation in any one principle and insteade thereof intrudeth another for men to build vpon he forsaketh and opposeth Christ the eternall foundation and thrusts in another for men to build vpon and they that in matters of faith and saluation receiue and build vpon the intruded foundation they forsake Christ the eternall foundation build vpon the other intruded but the Popish clergie in points of faith and saluation forsake and oppose that foundation in diuers principles and insteade thereof intrude others for men to build on therefore they forsake and oppose Christ the eternall foundation and thrust in another for men to build vpon and the Papists that in matters of faith and saluation receiue and build vpon the intruded foundation they also forsake Christ the eternall foundation and build vpon the intruded If an Executour or one that hath diuers legacies giuen him reiect a dead mans Testament in any one thinge to get the same by some other right and title or adde one thinge to it wee say he forsakes breakes and dissanuls the will or Testament and so the verrie foundation of all he hath by it much more if he doe it in many as the Papists doe by Christ who reiect his Testament in diuers maine points of faith and saluation to hold the legacies thereof by other doctrines and titles and adde to it theire owne traditions which they will haue receiued pari pietatis affectu ac reuerentia For faith S. Paul If it be a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed noe man dissanulleth or addeth vnto it Gal. 3.15 Much lesse to Gods Testament which is the Truth Christ spake and confirmed in his blood seeing indeede Christ himselfe is the Truth which he spake as * Aug. in 10. trac 41. Bâ—da Feria 5 poâ—t â—â—uocauâ—t Aug. in Ioan. trâ—c 115. cum Chrutus c. Ioh. 8. Angustine and Beda shew on the words I speake that which I haue seene with my Father and as the same Augustine on theese words doth well vnderstand when Christ beareth witnesse to the Truth truly he beareth witnesse to himselfe for surely it is his owne voice I am the Truth And he also saith in another place I am one that beareth witnesse of my selfe Which needeth noe further proofe here because in sundrie places aboue he is manifested to be the Word and that Word the Truth Now seeing he bare witnesse to that Truth to the Testament with his blood and this Testament beeing the doctrine taught by him and his Apostles and Euangelists and by them left in writing is called * Reu. 19.10 chap. 22.9 Character of a Christian pag. 228. the testimonie of Iesus receiued by all that are his as of one that is therefore called the faithfull and true witnesse Reuel 1.5 one that should be beleeued and obeied in all matters of faith and saluation therfore against all opposers and Hereticks who refuse his testimonie in any point he addeth Euerie one that is of the truth heareth my voice That is euerie one that is of me and so is a true Christian in beeing of the Truth
thy Name Ioh. 12.28 Then came here a voice from heauen saying I haâ—e glorifie bit and will glorifie it again He had glorified the word which is also the Fathers Name because it is his word when so greate myracles were denne by it and so many conueâ—ted thereby and so it was glorified againe after his death by the miâ—istrie of his Apostles and others to the healing of many and the conuersion of millions of people Lastly at his transfiguration on the mount Mat. 17.5 beholdâ— a voice out of the cloude which saide This is my beloued Sonne in whome I â—m well pleased heare ye him As if he saide for he is the promised woâ—d To his Apostles which heard him were witnesses of his resurrection he gaue commissioÌ„ to preach to all nations and so his myracles Heb. 2.3.4 life doctrine and resurrection were confirmed to â—s by them that heard him who also sealed the Truth of all with theire bloods God also bearing them witnes both with signes and wonders and with diuers myracles and gifts of the holy Ghost As the heaâ—ing of a man lame from his mothers wombe and many others manifested to his and theiâ—e aduersaries All which proued that Iesus was as he taught the word and that word the Sonne the Messiah which was to come and that he did not blaspheme when he câ—â—fest as much to the high Priest Mat. 26.69 For this yet doe they pâ—esently spit in his fâ—ce buffet hâ—m smite reuile him and leade him a â—ay to Pilate to be for this only thinge put to death this beeing all they could proue or he finde and that not that he made himselfe a temporall Kinge but spiritual for when he vâ—ged him with theese words Art thou the King of the Iewes what hast thou donne Iesus answered my Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were of this world c. and when Pilate gathering by theese words that he confest himselfe to be a King therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered thou sâ—iest that I am a Kinge As if he saide and I must not denie it for to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice This then beeing his plaine answer concerning his Kingdom and the true subjects thereof wee may consider in this confession theese things 1. A KingdoÌ„ acknowledged in theese words my Kingdom which are thrice repeated in the former of theese verses 2. That this Kingdom is not of this world as he saith my Kingdâ—â— is not of this world â— A proofe or reason thereof in theese words for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my subiects fight that I should not be deliâ—ered to the Iewes 4 A conclusion following from the premises in theese words but now is my Kingdom not from hence In the first there is the Kingdom of the Messiah and that claimed by out Sauiour who here calleth it his as he saith my Kingdom First then wee will endeauour to finde out of the old Testament what the Kingdom of the Messiah was to be whether spirituall or temporall and where the seate thereof should be And secondly whether this Kingdom properly belonge to Iesus the Sonne of Marie who claimes it while he confesseth himselfe to be the Christ and saith my Kingdom Where first ye know it is already manifested The Kingdom of the Messiah that the Mâ—ssiah was to be the Word and that therefore his Kingdom and gouernment must needes be spirituall ruling mens soules for God his Fatheâ— as was proued from tho second Psalme where indeed the Father also calleth him his Kinge that is one ruling for him saying I haue set my Kinge vpon my holy hill of Sion psa 2. Isa 40.10 where also while he saith my holy hill of Sion he sheweth it to be his Kingdom So of the Father it is saide His Arme that is his word shall rale for him It is his Kingdom for the Kingdom is the Lords and he is the Gouerno or of his people Therefore it is added vers 11. He shall feede hâ—s flocke like a Shepheard he shall gather the Lambes with his Arme to shew that Christ succeedes Dauid as a Shepheard of the people feeding theÌ„ with the spirituall foode of the word Fzech 34.23 chap. 37.21.24 and so ruleth in his throne spiritually He shoul be theire Shepheard â—zek 34.23 and Chap. 2â— 22.24 So Dauid saith The Lord saide vnto my Lord sit thou on my right hand that is rule thou for me vntil I make hâ—â—â— enemies thy footestoole psa 110.1 Thereby intimating that all enemâ—es of the word shall be either subiected to the word or confounded thereby Therefore it is added vers 2. The Lord shall seâ—de the Râ—d of thy strength viz. the Word out of Zionâ— to this word therefore he there speaketh saying Rule thou in the middest of thine eâ—emâ—es Isa 2. Mic. 4. aâ—cording to that of the Prophets Isaiah and Micah Thâ— Lâ—â—â— shall gâ—efoorâ—h of Sion anâ— the word of the Lord out of Hierâ—sâ—em Aâ—d he shall iudge â—monge the Nations He the word shall as the Father saith Miâ—e Arme thaâ— is my Word shal iudge the people From which places wee may see that this Kingdom was to begin to be preached in Sion and Ierusalem vnto it was the Kingdom and dominion first to comâ— Mica 4.8 and thence to goe Foorth into all the World haâ—eâ—ng noe other certaine seate then there wheresoeuer the Word should enlighten and rule the Soules of men Isa 42.6 therefore the Lord saith to him I will giue thee for a couenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to vpâ—n the blinde eyes c. Isa 55.3.4 And in another place I will make an euerlasting couenant with you euen the suâ—e Mercies of Dauid Behold I haue giuen hiâ— viz. the Word or couenant For a witnesse to the people a leader and a commaunder to the people Viz. a spirituall leader therefore he saith to him in the following words vers 5. Behoâ—d thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not and nations that knew not thee shall runne vnto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the holy one of Israel for he hath glorified thee this then is the gloâ—ie that he giâ—es the Messiah who is the Word that he should call nations to the knowledge and obedience of the Woâ—d therefore in this sense God saith to the Word in the second Psalme Psa 2.8.9 Ask of me and I will giue thee the heathen For thâ—ne inheritance and the vâ—termâ—st parts of the earth for thy posession the most remote nations shall come to the knowledge and obedience of thee or else as it is added Thou shalt bâ—eake them with a Rod of yron that is with thy owne power as he saith elsewhere with the Rod of thy
10.26 If wee sinne willingly after wee haue receiued the knowledge of the Truth there remaineth noe more sacrifice for sinnes but a certaine fearefull looking for of iudgment and fierie indignation c. If wee fall away and reiect the truth in any point of faith saluation wee haue noe benefit of that one Sacrifice for as it was a price of redemption so ye see it was and is a seale and witnesse of the Testament that conueis the benefit of it to them that receiue that Truth not to them that despise it for it rather sealeth to them the damnation assured Mark 16.16 Ioh. 3.18.20 He that despised Moses Law vers 28. died without mercie vnder two or three witnesses though he despised but one or two commaundements thereof for that made him guiltie of all Of how much sorer puishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden vnder foote the Sonne of God viz. the Word the * Charac of a Christian p. 34. new Testament not the letter but the spirit For the Lord is that spirit 2. Cor. 3.6.17 and hath counted the blood of Couenant wherewith he was sanctified that is sealed dedicated an vnholy thinge He that reiects his testimonie in any point and takes other he departs from the faith as those doe who take theires that forbid marriage meates and so he doth this verrie thinge he maketh the blood that speaketh an insufficient witnesse and so an vnholy thinge and doth despite vnto the Spirit of grace that also witnesseth the same like as all Hereticks and hinderers and slanderers of the Word doe though Christ came with his blood and bitter passion to beare witnesle to the Truth and to make him receiue the loue of it yet he receiueth it not Marke this ye Papists Pelagians and other Hereticks and neuer tell men of youre meditations of Christs wounds hopes in his blood and sufferings and in your receiuing it in the cup nor of your prayers to be clensed by that blood if in any thinge you obstinately reiect his testimonie and receiue not the Truth to which he bare witnesse with his blood because this is not to receiue but to tread vnder foote the Sonne of God count the blood of the Couenant wherewith he was sanctified sealed and confirmed to vs an vnholy thinge How theÌ„ would they haue benefit by it God hath chosen men to saluation and so to haue benefit by the blood by the Sacrament through sanctification of the spirit and beleefe of the Truth Such as receiue the loue of the Truth haue it 2. Thes 2. not others that will not The like may be saide of theire Baptisme I meane not generally because at least some of theire children dying before they come of age to receiue or reiect the loue of the Truth may yet haue benefit of theire Baptisme to life euerlasting but they themselues that oppose the Truth in any thinge or will not heare the voice of the Charmer charme he neuer so wisely and presist therein without repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth what benefit can they haue by theire Baptisme It is not that but theire beeing * Charat of a Christian pag. 81. c. and continuing in the Word that makes them such true Christians as shall be saued For Baptisme also is a seale of the Couenant by it God beareth witnesse to his Couenant and it is of greate force and virtue to him that receiues the loue true of the Truth sealed as the seale is to a couenant of this world and to him that receiues it and whatsoeuer it conueieth But if in any point men reiect and oppose the Truth and so tread vnder foote the Sonne of God they make the Water and the Blood thereby signified an insufficent witnesse and so an vnholy thinge they refuse him that by it speaketh and beareth witnesse to his Truth and what benefit then can they haue by it without receiuing his Truth to which it is a seale He that receiues the broade seale of a Kinge if either in part or in whole he reiect oppose or disclaime the deede to which it is annexed or the things therein conueied or will not hold them so as the writing bindeth whether it be in capite or other tenute but as he list himselfe or if he cut of a peece of the writing or tread it vnder foote what good doth the Seale doe him surely none he forsakes the substance and foundation of his assurance But so doe the Papists and other Hereticks by Gods Truth and couenant as in theese examples The Couenant of God witnesseth that He hath chesen vs in him before the world not that wee were but that wee should be holy He hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling Ephes 1.4.5.6 2. Tim. 1.9 Rom. 11.15 chap. 9.11.12 16. not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace giuen vs in Christ before the world There is a remnant acording to the election of grace and if by grace then it is no more of workes otherwise Grace is noe more grace c. Noe man can haue theese but he must thus hold them in Capite of God and that his eternall Truth and purpose but both Papists and Pelagians oppose this some more some lesse and will haue and hold this election calling and saluation from and according to foreseene faith and workes and so of and by them And is not this then to fall from God his eternall purpose and grace to themselues and theire owne workes From the fundamentall Truth and true foundation to a false one of theire owne The Couenant of God witnesseth of the elect that they are borne againe not of the will of man Ioh. 1. but of God of and by the Word Phil. 2. that God worketh in vs both to will and to doe The Pelagians and Papists will not hold this Sonneship and power to doe good soe wholly of God but of free will which at least must share with God in that power and honour Is not this to disclaime God in the foundation and the things it giueth Indeede they haue free will but it is to contend against the Word Iud. 11. and by gainsaying with Core to shew they are not of the Truth and soe to proue that they haue not this free will to good which they talke of Gods couenaÌ„t giues the cup to all Mat. 26.27 1. Cor. 11.26.27.28 saying drinke ye all of it and soe did the Corimhians eâ—ce this bread drinke this cup. The Papists yet take the cup from the laietie and so as it were what in them is both cut of a peece of the Coueant 1. Tim. 2.5 and breake of a part of the Seale yea forbid and denie it to Gods people Gods Couenant and Truth will haue them come vnto him and by Christ the * Heb. 1.4 one only Mediatour Papists will yet pray vnto Saints and