faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also C. 4.2 Preach the word be instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke with all suffering and doctrine Acts 14.18,19,20 And they commanded them not to speake at all nor teach in the Name of Iesus but Peter and Iohn answered and said unto them whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more then unto God judge ye wee cannot but speake the things which we have seene and heard C. 5.27,28,29 The high Priest asked them saying Did not wee strictly command you that you should not teach in the Name of Iesus and behold you have filled Ierusalem with your Doctrine then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said wee ought to obey God rather then man Gal. 1.15,16,17,18,19 When it pleased God who separated mee from my mothers wombe and called me by his grace to reveal his Son in me that I mâ—ght preach him among the heathen immediately 5 I conferred not with flâ—sh and bloud neither went I up to Ierusalem to them whâ—ch were Apostles before me but I went into Arabia and returned againe unto Damascus then after three yeares I weâ—t up to Ierusalem to see Peter and I abode with him 15 dayes but other of the Apostles saw I none save Iames the Lords brother Act. 24.14,15,16 I confesse unto thee that after the way which they call heresie so worship â—…he God of my Fathers believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets And have hope towards God which they themselves also allow that there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust and herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a conscience voyd of offence towards God and towards men C. 26.22 Having obtained helpe of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying no other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come 1 Tim. 1.3 I besought thee still to abide at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest 6 charge some that they teach no other doctrine Heb. 12.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turne away from him which speaketh from heaven 2 Thes 1.6.8 It is a righteous thing with God to take vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel of our Lord â—esus Christ 1 Thes 5.12,13 We beseech you to knâ—w thâ—m which labour among you and are â—ver you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem of them very highly in love for their works sake Heb. 13.17 Obey them that have the rule â—ver you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give account that they may doe it with joy and not with griefe 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they that labour in the 〈◊〉 and Doctrine 1 Cor. 16.15.16 I beseech ye brethren ye know the house of Stephanus that it is the first fruits of Achaia and that they have addicted themselves unto the ministrie of the Saints that ye 7 suâ—mit your selves unto such and to every one that helpeth with us and laboureth 2 Thess 2.15 Brethren stand fast and hold the 8 tradition which ye have been taught by word or by our Epistle C. 3.6 Withdraw from every brother that walketh not after the traditions which he received of â—… Col. 4.3.9 Pray for us that God would open to us a dore of utterance to speake the mysteries of Christ Eph. 6.19 Pray for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make knowne the mystery of the Gospel 2 Thes 3.1.2 Pray for us that the word of the Lord may have a free course and be glorified even as it is with you and that wee may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men Gal. 2.11 When Peter was come to Antioch I 10 withstood him to the facâ— because he was to be blamed Col. 4.17 Say to Archippus take heed to the Ministery which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it Act. 11.2,3,4 18. When Peter came up to Jerusalem they that were of the circumcision contended with him saying then weâ—test in unto men uncircumcised and dâ—dâ—st eat with them but Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning and expounded it by order unto them and when the Apostles and Brethren heard these things they held their peace and glorified God c. C. 15.1.2.4 Certaine men which came downe from Judea taught the Brethren and said Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissention and dâ—sputâ—tion with them they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certaine other of them should goe up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders â—bout this question and when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the Church and of the Apostles and Elders and they declared all things that God had done with them C. 17 10,11,12 Paul and Silas comming into Berea went into the Synagogue of the Jâ—wes These were more noble then these in Thessalonica in that they searched the Scriptures dayly whether those things were so therefore many of â—hem beleeved Rev. 22. I know thy workes and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not be 〈◊〉 them that are evill and thâ—… hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not and hast found them lyers Observations upon CHAP. 1. 1 THe Gospel ought to be taught to all people throughout the world in their successive generations for the gathering together such as are elected to salvation and to serve as a witnesse against others that refuse it Joh. 1.8 c. 3.11 Act. 1.8 c 23.11 c. 5 3â— c. 26.16 Rev. 1.5.3.14 Therefore it concernes all States and People in their respective callings to consider whether the Gospel according to our Saviours Commission has beene and is still proffered and held forth unto all Nations whether every man according to his gift and station hath contributed his mite hereunto where the fault lyes in case of defect than which nothing surer and how it may be remedied 't is not enought to say we are willing and ready to teach all Infidell Nations that never heard of it to instruct and undeceive all Hereticks which have been taught amisse but we had need examine seriously how true that is which we avouch herein for unlesse we have endeavoured to hold the Gospel out unto them in such a manner as men of reason and understanding might or could give eare unto it and by Gods providence embrace it they will so far forth be excused like such as never heard it that we shall be condemned as those that never tendered it in such a rationall way as was likely according to the proceedings of man or the institution and will of
JOHN the BAPTIST Forerunner of CHRIST IESVS OR A necessity for LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE as the only meanes under Heaven to strengthen Children weake in faith to convince Hereticks mis-led in faith to discover the Gospel to All such as yet never heard thereof and establish Peace betweene all States and People throughout the World according unto which were both our Saviours Commission and the Apostles Practise for the propagation of it Peaceably As appeares most evidently By sundry Scriptures digested into Chapters with some Observations at the end of every one most humbly devoted to the use and benefit of all such as are zealously inquisitive after truth piously disposed to imbrace it and constantly resolved to practise it in their lives and conversations to the Honour of God the edifying of their Brethren and their Owne salvation unto eternity The Contents of the Chapters follow in the next leafe Gal. 4.28 29. Now we brethren as Isaac was are the children of promise But as then he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the Spirit even so it is now This is licenced but not permitted to be entred according to Order Persecution is displeasing both to God men 1 Thess 2.15.16 THe Jewes killed the Lord Jesus and their owne Prophets and have persecuted us and they please not God and are contrary to men forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved But But. Peaceable edifying one an other is acceptable to God and men Rom. 14.17.18 The Kingdome of God consisteth in Righteousnesse Peace and joy in the Holy Ghost for he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men let us therefore follow after the things which make for Peace and things wherewith we may edifie one an other Contents of the Chapters 1 Chap. CHrists Commission and the Disciples practise for propagating of the Gospel with the peoples duty and a charge for submitting unto such as were over them in the Lord. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christs order and the Disciples practise concerning the Ministers maintenance and relieving of the poore whereby the forcing of tythes or any thing instead thereof appeares to be contrary to the Gospell 3 Chap. CHrists instructions and the Apostles practise for tendering and holding forth the Gospell only in a peaceable way 4 Chap. CHrists instructions and the Apostles practise concerning Christian Liberty 5 Chap. CHrists and the Apostles testimonies concerning Gods free grace and mans naturall incapacity 6 Chap. CHrists and the Apostles testimonies concerning the certainty of the Elects salvation 7 Chap. CHrists owne testimony that his Kingdome was not of this world neither did â—e exercise Civill jurisdiction 8 Chap. CHrists commands against the Apostles lordlinesse and dominion with their submission therunto and practise 9 Chap. CHrists foretelling his Disciples that they should be persecuted his preparing of them with their obedience thereunto 10 Chap Christ and the Apostles testifie that the true Church and Saints must be persecuted in consequence whereof persecution must be a true mark of a false Church and enemies of God 11 Chap Christ and the Apostles testifie that there should arise heresies and false Christs together with their commission how they were to be proceeded against 12 Chap The Apostles warrant for examining of the Spirits and their doctrines and holding fast the truth 13 Chap Christs and the Apostles testimonies of Christians being weake in faith and how they ought to grow therein bearing with one anothers weaknesses infirmities 14 Chap Christs commands and the Apostles practise are both against persecution for conscience sake 15 Chap Certain testimonies which God through his divine providence directed to be uttereâ— by unbeleeving Jews and Gentiles in favour of the Apostles and the Gospel recorded by the Holy Ghost as a witnesse against all persecuting Christians 16 Chap Certaine acts of justice and favour which the unbeleeving Magistrates and Officers of the Gentiles did unto the Apostles recorded in the Gospell as a witnesse against the corruptions and cruelties of Christians 17 Chap Six woes denounced by our Saviour against the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites all which are applyable to them and all others abetters of persecution Our Saviours Commission concerning Vnbeleevers Mat. 28.19 GOe and teach all Nations baptising them in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Mark 6.11 Whosoever shall not receive you nor heare you when ye depart thence shake off the dust from under your feet for a testimony against them Christs and the Apostles instructions concerning Mis-beleevers Mat. 24.24.25 There shall arise false Christs and false Prophets behold I have told you before hand 2 Tim. 4.2.5 But watch thou in all things endure afflictions do the workeof an Evangelist make full proofe of thy ministry reprove rebuke with all long suffering and doctrine The Apostles instructions concerning Weak beleevers Rom. 14 1.3 Him that is weake in the faith receive but not to doubtfull disputations Let not him that eateth despise him that cateth not and let not him that eateth not judge him that â—ateth for God hath received him Gal. 6.1 If a man be evertaken in a fault ye which are spirituall restore such a one with the spirit of meekenesse And of these three sorts together viz. Unbeleevers Misbeleevers and Weak beleevers whereunto all people of the world may be reduced Paul sayth 1. Cor. 10.32 Give no offencâ— neither to the â—ewes nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God If it be possible as much as 〈◊〉 iâ— yâ—… live peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 TO THE CHRISTIAN READER AFter the death of Joseph though the Jewes the Church of God was contemptible for number in respect of the Egyptians whom they served as slaves to doe their drudgery there being nothing to be seen in them to provoke envie and revenge besides Gods giving them ability to endure so great afflictions those of Egypt notwithstanding murmured against them because they differed in Religion and still sought accusations multiplying their service and exasperating their bondage Exod. 1. In Mordeca's dayes likewise a Haman was sufficient to prevaile with Ahasuorus that the whole Church of God in that Kingdome men women and children should be persecuted to death because they served God in a manner differing from that Country Est 3.8.13 all manner of hardship and evill outreating was the lot of the Prophets our Saviour himselfe fared no better and all such as will live godly must suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3.12 Oh but some will say must seditious heretickes be suffered to preach teach new doctrines contrary to the established Lawes I beseech all such to consider a little whether Paul was not accused as a heretick Act. 24.14 as a seditious pestilent fellow a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes v. 5.6 and one that taught contrary to Law Act. 18.12.13 Did not Ahab tax Eliah as a troubler of Israel 1 King 18.17 Did not the Princes
till harvest Mat. 13.29.30 If we follow the Apostles steps as they did Christs 1 Cor. 11.1 in exhorting us to shew forth all long suffering 1. Tim. 1.16 and lastly if observing others who have the Apostles for an ensample Phil. 3.17 we reach forth unto those things which are before pressing towards the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ then will God protect us whilst we obey his Ordinances and reveale unto us even that truth which before we were ignorant of and wanted Phil. 3.13,14,15 I conceive it may appeare upon enquiâ—y that most of the points controverted betweene Protestants and such as are tearmed Puritans of all sorts will be granted by the Protestants to be of matters in themselves indifferent and that the decision and injunction only of the Church or State makes them necessary to be beleeved or observed as first a set form of Prayer the Crosse in Baptisme bowing at the name of Jesus a Surplesse a Parochiall or Diocesan Church with a hundred others concerning which the most deserving Protestants will generally acknowledge that Puritans may be saved without beleeving in them or rendring conformity thereunto if the Church of England did not impose it on them and require obedience from them The like may be said concerning most of the differences betwixt Protestants and Papists as the Papists denying marriage to the Clergy the cup in the Eucharist unto the Laity their vowes for poverty and single life neither of them necessary in themselves and all dispensable by the Pope nay the most learned and moderate Papists generally cannot only choose but grant through strength and evidence of reason that men may goe to Heaven and not trouble their thoughts with Purgatory that great Dianah and Craftsmistris which inveigles and nourishes them all up in idlenesse and ignorance but their very principles conclude it for since they hold it in their power to doe what good they will even to works of supererogation it followes undeniably from the same ground that they can work out their own salvation with much more ease then a Journyman doth his daily taske and may possibly have no need to pray to God for any thing in all their life time or stand in need of a Jesus to be their Saviour or Mediator much lesse of a phantasticall Purgatory to purifie them a little before they can get admittance into heaven and for their grand stumbling blocke of Transubstantiation what understanding and considerate Papist almost will deny but that a Christian may possibly be a worthy receiver who shall notwithstanding acknowledge before hand that he findes not evidence enough in those words Mat. 26.26 This is my body to convince him of Transubstantiation but in regard it is so farre controverted on either side determines neither in his owne thoughts but humbly submits himselfe to apply them implicitely in such a sense and meaning as our Saviour understood thereby when he uttered them to his Apostles so that both with Protestants and Papists it is the Churches and States determining and imposing them on others that makes many points necessary to salvation which of themselves were but indifferent And whereas it is objected that in matters indifferent Christian liberty giving us leave either to conforme or not conforme we are moved to conforme thereto because many would be offended in our non-conformity I answer that as there are many offended through non-conformity so on the other side many are scandalized by such conformity and since there is offence on either side it will not suffice to shuffle off the businesse by distinguishing that such conformity is cause only of an offence taken but non-conformity would justly give offence for besides that this distinction for the most part is applied contrarily to what it should it availes no whit towards a reconciliation But secondly I say such as are offended in this non-conformity hold the things of themselves indifferent unto which conformity is required and so may easily dispensing with what they apprehend to have no obligation to be reconciled but such as are offended at conformity hold the points in controversie how slightly soever esteemed by others abominable damnable in the sight of God and since the one cannot submit upon perill of imminent damnation Rom. 14.23 the other is bound to yeeld that we may all arive to a unity in Christ Eph 4 13. and according to Pauls rule that no man seeke his owne but every man anothers wealth to please all men in all things not seeking our owne profit but the profit of many that they may be saved 1 Cor. 10.24 33. But if you will say though such things were indifferent in themselves at first yet being once imposed either by Protestant or Popish Churches they doe afterwards become necessary as well through certaine oathes which the people may have taken to be conformable as also in being commanded in Scripture to obey the Powers I answer that a bad oath is better broke then kept and such an oath must needs be bad which not only abridges us our Christian Liberty but hindring us from ever comming to a unity in faith engages us still further to offend the weaker brethren by our conformity which might have beene forborne as no wayes necessary but absolutely in it selfe indifferent before the taking of such oaths and since God commands us not to offend our weake brother 1 Cor. 8.7 c. C. 10.23 c. and the respective States or Churches which are but men command conformity unto their Canons which puts us in a necessity of giving such offence unto our brethren I refer all good Christians to what the Apostles said in such a case viz. Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more then unto God judge ye Act. 4.19 And whereas it may be said that though we were not engaged by oath yet we ought to obey such Canons or injunctions in that we are required to be subject to the Powers Rom. 13.1 c. 1 Pet. 2.13 c. I answer that by subjection in those and all such other sexts it is only understood unto the Civill Powers and that the Civill Powers neither had then nor were intended to have afterwards in succeeding times any command over Christians in matters meerly of Religion for that would not only thwart the Scripture before alleadged Act. 4.19 but render it impossible for such a case to happen that the Magistrates command might be truly said to be the command of man only distinguished from that of God for it was the Magistrate the Rulers of the people and Elders of Israel Act. 4.8 that commanded Peter and John to teach no more in the Name of Jesus v. 18. when they answered they were rather to obey God then man v. 19. this was the Christian Liberty so much spoken of in the Gospel one only breach whereof to wit circumcision is able to make Christ Jesus of no effect unto us as Paul told
our spirits Rom. 8.16 save according to our owne eyes reason and understanding that he may be beholding to others to let him see and understand by proxie who though they were millions are no more infallible then the single sight reason and understanding of any particular man or woman It may be granted that the Apostles according to that of Paul 1 Con. 11.34 did settle many things of decencie and order in the Churches which are not registred Scriptures because they might be changed as occasion should require but we doe not finde any where that the Apostles themselves engaged Christians unto such decrees of deceneie or order otherwise then they themselves did voluntarily submit unto them remiuing such as were refractory to be punished by their Grand Master to whom they stand or fall Rom. 14.4 so much lesse will it follow from hence that Christian States Churches which have not the same infallible Spirit of the Apostles may establish such ceremonies and canons as they thinks requisitc requiring an absolute subjection and submission which was only due due unto the Apostles this is both beyond their bounds and contrary to the Christian Liberty of their brethren 3 If we desire to be found Christs hereafter we must live like his at present to him only must we give tribute no lesse then our whole soules will serve his owne and therefore in the least tittle we comply with the 〈◊〉 or his Image in any of his imps that would bring us into spirituall tyranny and bondage it is a sighe we have ease off our Master Christ Jesus and are no longer his friends but become outcasts enthralled to the Aegyptian Task-masters of this world and reserved to eternall bondage and torments in the world to come CHAP. V. Christs and the Apostles testimonies concerning Gods free Grace and mans naturall incapacity IOh. 6.44 No man can come unto me except the Father draw him V. 65. No man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father Matth. 16.17 Flesh and bloud hath not revealed this unto thee but my Father which is in heaven Joh. 15.5 Without me you can doe nothing Phil. 2.13 It is God that worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure 2 Cor. 3.5 We are not sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selves but our sufficiencie is of God 1 Cor. 3.6 Though Paul plant and Apollo water 't is God that gives the increase C. 2.5 Your faith should not stand in the wisdome of men but in demonstration of the Spirit C. 3.7 Neither is he that planteth or he that watereth any thing but God that giveth the increase C. 2.7,8,9,10 We speake the wisdome of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdome which none of the Princes of this world knew neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit Eph 2.2.4.5 In times past ye walked according to the Prince of the power of the aire but God hath quickned us together with Christ by grace you are saved Joh. 6.63 It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh prositeth nothing 1 Cor. 12.3 No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost Matth. 7.18 A good tree cannot bring forth evill fruit neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit 1 Cor. 2.14 The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnes unto him neither can be know them because they are spiritually discerned Rom. 8.7.8 The carnast minde is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God Joh. 3.27 A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven C. 14.17 The world cannot receive the Spirit of truth because it seeth him not neither knoweth him Observations upon CHAP. V. T Is said in Pauls Epistle to the Romans that we know not what to pray for as we ought Rom. 3.26 how much lesse doe we know how to beleeve as we ought and yet least of all are we able to beleeve as we would Oh! but some will say if you know not what or how to beleeve you must learne you shall be taught and so desirous are they to make a proselite of you that they will furnish you with a Cate chife which tells you all they say is according to the word of God that 't is Gods absolute will and pleasure you should beleeve it and that you must necessarily beleeve it upon perill of damnation yea answers a weake Christian that is wearied with their importunity tyred out of their vexations and made fearfull of longer imprisonment or death you say well but how shall I prevaile with my selfe to beleeve what you say Thus reply these instructers like Jobs miserable comforters Job 2.9 c. 16.2 yeeld obedience to what is taught you meditate on it often desire to beleeve it practise and live according to it and God in time will bring you to beleeve it But is this the way Then poore Popery why art thou spoken evill of like Paul who though he preacht Circumcision was persecuted as if he had taught the Jewes to walke after other customes then those which Moses learnt them Act. 21.21 Gal. 5.11 poore Popery surely this is thy beloved doctrine and very injurious are they who will not acknowledge the pedegree thereof from thee from Antichrist But how truly Canonicall it is both thou thy selfe and all the world may know by this short history A merry companion as the world calls him or smel-feast next to his fresh supply of newes had furnished himself with certaine strange but ingenious conceited satyricall and for the most part scurrilous prophane jests and stories in such abundance and variety that upon all occasion of common discourse which generally is idle and vaine he was still able to insert some one or other with such dexterity and applause that thereby he did ingratiate himselfe into all company and got many a good morsell gratis Now although these stories were meerly of his owne invention and nothing below the degree of supernaturall could prove them possible yet having related them so often and being many times of course constrained to assert the truth of them with change of oaths by degree forgetting they were the fancies of his own fond head-peece became at last to take them so far for verities as if he himselfe had seen them acted or had relation from such as were eye-witnesses Thus if you will take up upon trust the tenets of Poperty or any erroneous doctrine though at first with much reluctancie complying and conforming there unto without a preceding examination whether they be of God or no 1 Joh. 4.1 't is just with him through the delusions of Sathan and your owne corruptions to give you up that you may beleeve a lie as Paul
if any man will sue thee at the Law and take away thy coat let him have thy cloake also and whosoever shall compell thee to goe a mile goe with him twaine give to him that asketh of thee and from him that would borrow turne not away Matth. 5.39,40,41,42 Consider seriously deare Christians whether there be not more in this then we use to practise nay more then our corruptions will suffer us to acknowledge are we wronged in person estate good name or for Christs sake which is our conscience 't is no more than whereof our Saviour and his Saints have drunke both the first fruits and â—eriest dregs we must not swerve from their example by resisting or returâ—…g evill for evill 1 Thes 5.15 but blesse and pray for those that persecute us Rom. 12.14 a haâ—d lâ—sson it is no doubt and will be long a learning nay 〈◊〉 part I must freely acknowledge I apprehend no more of it then Paul 〈◊〉 of the Law Rom 7. to see mine owne sinfulnesse in the breach thereof meâ—…ing with few to teach me better in this particular â—…d therefore with the Publican in the Gospel do humbly beseech God to be mercifull unto me a sinner Luke 18.13 The unbeleeving Gentiles did use to reproach the Primitive Christians that their Religion was towardly and slavisâ— subjecting them to be injured by all others because they might not â—imâ—i repellere yet they good Christians gloried therein so much more because it brought them to a nearer resemblance with their Saviour who though he might have had legions of Angels to rescue him from the persecuting Jewes Mat 26,53 chose rather to suffer death ignoâ—…iously but innocently and what was the fruit thereof no lesse then the salvation of all the Elect whereunto they could not have attained unlesse our Saviour had beene crucified unjustly 't was his being a Lambe without spot or blemish 1 Pet. 1.19 his doing good which caused those enemies of truth to seeke his death in like manner must our sufferings be for righteousnesse sake if we suffer as evill doers where is our reward but iâ— we submit our selves and will with Paul expect to fill up that which is behinde of the afflictions of Christ in our flesh for his bodies sake which is the Church Col. 1.24 then must we shew our patience and valour in suffering not in perfecuting or resisting Had Christ suffered for his owne sinnes he could not have been our propitiation 1 Joh. 2.1,2 how much lesse thinke we can we glorifie our Saviour in suffering for our own offences Let Christians therefore blesse whilst others curse let them rather receive then offer injuries let them in stead of persecuting rejoyce as the Apostles did in being persecuted Acts 5,41 and know that they only which so doing endure unto the end are happy Mat. 24,13 Let them meditate on this that though Paul was accused of Heresie Act. 24.14 of Sedition v. 5.6 of Idolatry c. 17.18 and that he perswaded men to worship God contrary to the Law c. 18.12.13 and all this was true if Paul had been to be tried by the Jewish lawes or by the Romans according to the principles of persecuting Inquisitors and that either of them had had power from God to impose a Religion or Laws upon Pauls conscience But notwithstanding all these heavy accusations laid against him because hee knew it was only for preaching Christ Jesus he confidently affirmes of himselfe saying Neither against the law of the Jewes neither against the Temple nor yet against Caesar have I offended If I be an offender or have committed any thing worthy of death I refuse not to die Act. 25.8.11 as if he should say Though I preach Christ Iesus which to the Rulers and learned of the world seems foolishnes or that you take it to be Herefie Idolatry Sedition or contrary to your law I have commission for it from the Law of God the King of Kings what 's this unto your priviledges the politike jurisdiction or Pretogative of Caesar which reaches to the body only If I have disobeyed the Civill laws offended any one in word or deed or committed any thing worthy of death let me be judged accordingly CHAP. X. Christ and the Apostles testifie that the true Church and Saints must be persecuted in consequence whereof persecution must necessarily be a marke of a false Church and enemies of God GAl. 4.28.29 We brethron as Isaac was are the children of promise but as he that was borne after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the Spirit even so it is now 1 Joh. 3.10 He that loveth not the brethren is not of God Cain was of that wicked one and slew his brother and wherefore slew he him because his workes were evill and his brothers righteous Matth. 10.16 I send you as sheep in the midst of wâ—lves Joh. 5.15.16 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus which had made him whole and therefore did the Jews persecute him 1 Thes 2.15,16 The Jewes both killed the Lord Jesus and persecuted us and they please not God and are contrary to all men forbidding as to speake to the Gentiles that they might be saved Joh. 15.19 c. 17.14 If ye were of the world the world would love his owne but because you are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you C. 16.20 Ye shall weepe and lament but the world shall rejoyce 1 Joh. 3.13 Marvell not my brethren if the world hate you Marke 13.13 You shall be hated of all men for my names sake 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live godly must suffer persecution Luke 3.19.20 Herod for all the evils that he had done added yet this that hee shut up John in prison Act. 4.17.19 They straitly threatned Peter and John that they should speak no more in the Name of Jesus Act. 6.10,11 When they could not resist and gainsay the Spirit wherewith Stephen spake they stirred up the people suborned and set up false witnesses to accuse him C. 13.50 And the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women and the chiefe men of the City and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts C. 18.12,13 The Jewes madâ— insurrection with one accord against Paul and brought him to the judgement seat saying this fellow perswadeth men to worship God contrary to law C. 17.18 Paul seemeth to be a setter forth of strange Gods because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection C. 24.5,6 We have found this Paul a pe stilent fellow and a mover of sedition amongst all the Jewes throughout the world and a ringleader of the seâ—… of the Nazarenes and hath also gone about to prophane the Temple Observations upon CHAP. X. T Is very strange that Christians having been so studious in multiplying of signes and tokens to know the true Church by should yet reflect so little on persecution since it cannot be so visibly
into the prisons reply Paul thou liest thou art wilfully malicious and reprobately obstinate Oh! let them bring it home unto their owne hearts and consider whether many poore Brethren who never flew so high as Pauls extravagancies but only differ from them in some few opinions which yet like enough will agree together in Heaven may not be interpreted to continue in them meerly out of conscience and whether if Paul a vessell of election so fiercely persecuted the Saints of Iesus they themselves so much inferiour gifted in comparison of Paul may not have been subject to the same temptation 1 Cor. 10.13 and plunged into the selfe same errour Oh that God of his infinite goodnesse would be pleased to sanctifie the thought thereof and worke them to sobriety A man that wanteth judgement the more zealous he is the more hee resembleth one gone astray that hath lost himselfe in some by-paths who the longer or the faster that he goeth is still more out of his way and has the farther to returne againe and yet I dare not say that it is better to have no zeale then to be in some smaller measure zealous in a bad cause for he that hath no zeale at all can never have it in a good cause and perhaps it may be observed that such as have none are at best but luke-warme Laodiceans Which God will spue out of his mouth Rev. 3.16 and even the best Christians zeale at first does most commonly exceed their knowledge but what I chiefly aime at is that we be not rashly carried away by every breath of zeale without examining whence it springs and whereunto it tends This avoyding and withdrawing of our selves from such as walke inordinately and will not obey the word is the last meanes and utmost extent of power except miraculous which our Saviour left to his Apostles and they unto the Church successively for government of his people if any take it to be too remisse or milde doe not such make themselves wiser then God conceiving better of their owne fancies then his Ordinances t is no marvell if they both seeme and prove ineffectuall to such as have so little faith in them is not this to distaste Gods government because hee does not rule us with a rod of iron full wanton are we that thus grow sicke of His clemencie and gentlenesse importuning him farre more foolishly then did the Israelites that he would give them a King to reigne over them although that Samuel by Gods expresse command imparted to them how cruell and tyrannous a King would prove 1 Sam. 8. yet the Israelites might be thought thus engaged as overswayed with novelty and a vehement desire to be like other Nations as not having had the experience of a Regall power themselves v. 20. But we who have so long together and even so lately felt the Spirituall bondage of Episcopacie which yet we are not freed from neither are notwithstanding not much unlike to people suddenly waked out of a deep sleep by the hideous crying of fire fire whose eyes being dazled with the sight thereof and their understandings furprised with the near approach forth with cast themselves downe staires or out at window to their destruction which in appearance might have beene prevented had they been but throughly wakened and kept their wits about them in like manner we having beene so tyrannized over by the Bishops our consciences enthralled by their Canons and our persons hunted up and downe and baited by their Courts and Beagles in such an intolerable manner being quite tired out are apt to thinke a bart exchange will easâ—us and so without examining safficiently what it was which enabled the Bishops to torment us conceiving we have now gained a full opportunity are desirous in all haste to be enthralled againe to any body that will but for the present secure us from the first captivity Deare Countrymen and Brethren let not me though the meanest of you all be thought presumptuous if with some importunity I beg of you as you value the quiet and welfare of three Kingdomes hope that other Nations may be from thence enlightned with purer and clearer beames of the most pretious Gospel to consider only whether if Bishops had wanted a coercive power they could possibly have prevailed so farre against the Saints and saving truths of Jesus Christ whether the same sovereignty and power be not as effectuall I forbeare to say farre more to bring a people unto Popery Turcisme or any other Religion except the right and for such as must be whipt into the faith whether so many lashes more will not easily whip them out againe If this be so as surely it cannot be denied by men of reason why doe we not free our selves for ever in stead of seeking ease only for the present what meane we then to take this sword or staffe of Sovereignty from the hand of one Metropolitan usurper to put it into many are not Presbyters men as well as Bishops are they not all subject to the same passions and infirmities Act. 14.15 may not a power to punish and persecute others tempt them as well as Bishops to satisfie their owne lust and affections and being many become a Hydra a brotherhood of iniquity may not they possibly erre as well as Bishops and being many prove more confident and obstinate in imposing such errours upon subordinate Churches by force of their coercive jurisdiction t was miraculous for Aarons rod to bud but this which you put into the Presbyters hands will naturally of its own disposition sprout out so fast and furnish rods enough as in stead of the exchangers which defiled the Temple may quickly whip Gods best servants out of Country Corruptio optimi est pessima If a Presbytery grow tyrannicall as by nature mankinde is prone to evill they have more heads to manage it then Episcopacie and so may become more formidable more remedilesse If then God shall by any meanes restore us to such a condition wherein we may enjoy a liberty of conscience to serve God according to his owne Ordinances if we our selves desire so to doe let us not give or sell our selves into such slavery as that it may be in the arme and power of others to say you shall not serve God at all or in any other manner then we approve of proscribe but this coercive power which else will infalliby drive God from us or us from his service in matters meerly of Religion and then you shall quickly see men will not be so ambitous of Christs crowne of thornes nor presse with so much carnall violence unto his Kingdome and then being cleere of such temptations as the importunate suiters of this Diana come laden with we shall be better able to judge indifferently after what manner Christ would have his servants governed Have not our prayers petitions and preparations beene all for Reformation has God suffered some hundred thousands of men to be slaine and three