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
accuse Jeremiah to King Zedechia for having weakned his men of warre moving that he might therefore be put to death Jer. 38.4 Was not Daniel accused as disregarding the Kings decree because he pray'd three times a day Dan. 6.5.13 Did they not call our Saviour deâ—eiver conjurer blasphemer Matth. 27.63 and 10.25 and 12.24 Joh. 12.36 Was not Paul termed an Idolater because he preached Jesus and the resurrection Act 17.18 Was not the profession of Christianity of the Gospel held a sect and every where spoken against Act. 28.22 whilest our Saviour himselfe was disallowed and judged of men 1 Pet. 2.4 Did not both the learned wise devout and honour able generally condemne Him and his Apostles Luke 9.22 Marke 8 31. Did they not raise tumults and commotions against Paul and Baâ—nabas Act. 13.50 and 18.12.13 Did they not seeke and set up false witnesses Act. 6.10.11.13 Were not Peter and John forbad to teach Act. 4.17.19 Joh. 12.42 Was not Paul silenced Act. 18.6 Were they not required to depart the Country as our Saviour was by the Gargazenes Matth. 8.24 or banished as Paul Barnabas and John Act. 13.50 Rev. 1.9 Were not such as confessed Christ or received the brethren thrust out of the Synagogues Joh. 9.22 and 3. Joh. 10. Were they not imprisoned Act. 5.18 and 12.4 and 16.23.24 Were they not beaten and scourged Act. 16.22.23 and 22.25 2 Cor. 11.23.24 And lastly Were they not put to death as evill doers Act. 7.58 and 12.2 Heb. 11.37 In contemplation whereof 't is no false doctrine nor presumption to tell thee Deare Christian whoever thou beest that if the current of the Gospel tell truth Gods people must be persecuted therefore no persecuters Joh. 15.19 and 16.20 Mark 13.13 2 Tim. 3 12. and that whatever molestation or disturbance thou givest to any one for differing from thee in opinion be it more or lesse although him whom thou thus persecutest be in thy apprehesion as great a heretick as ever breathed yet it is possible that even such a one in Gods reckoning may bee as glorious a Saint as Stephen unto whose death Paul implies himselfe to have consented consider with thy selfe in the feare and love of God whether it be safe for thee to continue persecuting upon this hazard which can neither be avoided nor excused Innumerable are the absurdities and ridiculous are the extravagancies which the Spirit of persecution the exercising dominion over the consciences of others leads men into we may have seene the proofe thereof not long since amongst our selves The first and loudest cry of our Reformers was against a Common-Prayer-Booke Printed Homelies and customary or curtal'd Pulpit prayers all of them as Antichristian and abominable but against Bishops as yet more abominable not only for approving but enjoyning them would any thinke then that these very Reformers even before they can be certaine how farre their endeavours shall bee approved throughout the Kingdome much lesse confirmed should have the resolution to goe about or make shew of an intention to erect a greater Idoll of the selfe same Fabricke their owne imagination and yet upon indifferent and due enquiry it may be found so for whereas they have heretofore so much exclamed against Episcopacie for stinting of the Spirit in some part or particulars only of Gods worship they now thinking themselves sufficiently qualified being to take upon them to establish a Dagon on his throne in stinting the whole worship of the Great God of Heaven in manacling the consciences of his Saints their brethren and not suffering them to pay their very tythings or perform the least parcell of their duty unto the only Creator of the world save in such manner as they allow of and impose upon them Stand amazed oh Heaven and Earth judge but in mercy good God between this generation and their brethren not suffering the blessed first fâ—nits of thine owne handy reformation to be blasted through this obstinate selfe-conceitednesse and preposterous zeale of theirs If the Commandement for rooting out Idolaters and under that notion all such as differ from us in Religion in opinion be morall be universall then doth it belong to Papists Lutherans Calvinists Brownists Anabaptists all alike no one of them may pretend to have better title to it then the other if any besides themselves be judge with what reason and justice then have Protestants exclamed so loud against the Popish Inquisition the Churches of New England against the Nationall Church of Old England and the Puritans so tearmed heretofore against the High Commission Court if a Presbyteric when it hath got the Militia or Civill Magistrate at a becke may doe the like Tell me Good Reader what difference dost thou make betwixt being persecuted by an Episcopall or Presbyteriall Clergie whether hadst thou rather enjoy the Liberty of Conscience in some measure under a Popish French King than be persecuted by any Protestant government or discipline whatsoever nay deale freely with me 't is no time to mince it or dissemble hadst thou not rather the Great Turke should rule over thee than either shall I take thy silence for consent but what are thy reasons for it shall I guesse at some of them is it not because thou lookest upon the Presbyterians with tendernesse of affection as thy fellow-sufferers heretofore and even at present as thy brethren thy misled unhappy brethren to whom thou art forc'd to take up Jacobs words saying Gen. 49.5.6 Instruments of cruelty are in their habitations Oh my soule come not thou into their secrets unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united for in their anger they imprison plunder and with protracted torments and vexations cause to dye daily not a lustfull Shichem but all that differ from them in opinion how deare soever in Gods account Christ himselfe if he were on earth could not escape them did he but set footing within the dominions of an omnipotent classicall Presbyterie grosse miscarriages of such I know thou lookest upon with extremest griefe of soule as such to whom once thou so willingly gavest the right hand of fellowship Secondly I observe thou hast spared neither purse nor person for the publique cause but been amongst the forwardest to joyne with those who now are building the Presbyteriall Throne which even before hand too publickly though not so politickly threatens thy banishment thy ruine the thought hereof no doubt perplexes theâ— not a little whilest thou considerest how thou hast spent thy estate turmoyl'd thy person and distill'd away thy braine out of hopes to enjoy that freedome which not only the most flourishing and yet more Christian-like States of the united Provinces but a Popish French King or an unbeleeving Turk would not only grant thee gratis but be beholding that he might have the honour of ruling over thee in Civill matters only Oh how will such disciplinâ— and government prove a Divell a Legion of temptations to weaker Christians how apt will they be in imitation of Jobs wretched
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
told the Thessalonians 2 Thess 2.11 But these are none of those teachers which Christ gave for building up his mysticall body Eph. 4 11.12 They tell us 't is the Spirit that teacheth us to pray which in our hearts cryeth Abba Father Gal. 4.6 and together with our spirits maketh intercession for us Rom. 8.26 They tell us that of our selves we are not able so much as to have a good thought such sufficiencie is of God 2 Cor. 2.5 Faith is the gift of God thereby we are saved through grace Rom. 9.16 so that such as teach men to take up a Religion without trying of it that men if they themselves will may beleeve this or that opinion which is taught them of their superiours or prescribed by the State censuring all such for reprobates or obstinate that say they cannot this is no other then the absolute ground-worke and corner stone whereon the Papists soly build and without which they could not possibly have so long upheld their selfe-loved doctrine of merit and supererogation But since man by nature is a childe of wrath inclined to fulfill the desires of the flesh Eph. 2.3 and meerly of his owne strength incapable of discerning the things of the Spirit have we not just cause and grounds from reason besides these cleer Scriptures to thinke that prayers unto the Father of lights and Christian-like instructions of such as are Spirituall would prove more powerfull to reclaime a sinner out of his naturall estate or reduce hereticks unto the truth then the bloudy hands of cruell executioners the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets 1 Cor. 14.2 and as nothing but a diamond will cut a diamond so nothing but that which is spirituall can prevaile upon the spirit we see that Paul tells the Corinthians their faith must not be governed nor stand in the wisdome of men 1 Cor. 2.5 much lesse in their dominion and power which may be void of wisdom CHAP. VI. Christs and the Apostles testimony concerning the certainty of the Elects salvation IOh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me and him that commeth unto me I will in no wise cast out C. 17.12 Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost save the sonne of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled Matth. 18.14 It is the will of your Father which is in heaven that not one of these little ones should perish Matth. 24.24 If it were possible they should deceive the very elect Joh. 3.16 Whosoever beleeveth in Christ Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life 2. Cor. 4,8.9 We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed yet not in dispaire persocuted but not for saken cast downe but not destroyed Act. 5.39 If this worke be of God you cannot over throw it C. 11.17 Forasmuch as God gave them the like gifts as he did unto us who beleeved on the Lord Jesus Christ what was I that I could withstand God C. 23.9 If a Spirit or an Angel hath spoken unto Paul let us not fight against God 2. Cor. 13.8 We cannot doe any thing against the truth but for the truth 2. Tim. 2.19 The foundation of God standeth sure having this scale the Lord knoweth who are his Rev. 7.17 The Lambe shall lead them unto the living fountaines of waters and shall wipe away all teares from their eyes Joh. 10.28 I give unto my sheepe eternall life and they shall not perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand 1. Joh. 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had beene of us they Would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not of us Observations upon CHAP. VI. IF Gods Elect could totally and finally fall from grace and possibly milcarry eternally then were it like wise possible that none at all might have beene saved and consequently that Christs intention of mans salvation might have beene quite frustrated and his death in vaine but since neither of these are true why are we so fondly jealous and preposteriously carefull lest the people of God should bee misled and carried away with every wind of doctrine That rather then not suppresse each opinion which is but supposed erroneous wee will run the hazard of silencing the most saving truths of putting to deaths Gods dearest Saints and resisting his blessed Spirit reducing our selves into such a posture and condition that if wee be in ignorance wee must necessarily continue so â— and if we be in errour wee must bee incapable of ever comming out of it I confesse it is as true on the other side that such whose names are not from eternity recorded in the booke of life what ever meanes bee used shall notwithstanding live and die unregenerate and if it be therefore objected that we may be the lesse pensive about using of the meanes I answer That God hath fully declared his will and pleasure to save his people onely in the use of meanes and to reject such only as do neglect them secondly we find it sayd in the Parable how that servant which knows his masters will and doeth it not shall be beaten with many stripes and bee that knoweth not his will and doth ought worthy of stripes shall yet have fewer stripes because he knew not his masters will much being required from him that received much Luke 12.47.48 Since then God will have the meanes used and that by every one according to his owne light and knowledge that he may be fully perswaded in his owne conscience Rom. 14.5 since we have not beene of Gods cabinet counsell c. 11.34 and no man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit which is within him 1. Cor. 2 11. Since we cannot be competent Judges of anothers conscience nor privy to his gifts further then hee himselfe acquaints us and lastly though sects and heresies should multiply never so much since if that one saving truth can but get liberty to shew it selfe it will at last infallibly vanquish that many headed monster of errours without so much as hazarding the weakest Christian in Gods act of foresight and providence from eternity wee cannot abridge other men the freedome of their owne conscience without a most palpable infringing of Gods greatest commandements without crossing the whole course of the Gospel without a notorious character of greatest folly without the highest injury to Christianity and through the consequence of our unsound principles become accessory to the finall losse of all those soules that perish for want of truly saving knowledge CHAP. VII Christs owne testimony that His Kingdome was not of this world neither did he exercise Civill jurisdiction IOh. 6.15 When Jesus perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a King he departed into the mountaine himselfe alone Luke 22.49,50,51 When they which were about Jesus saw what would follow they
distinguished by any other marke or character if we will but keep close to the Scriptures Therein finde we expressely how the Head of the Church Christ Iesus was persecuted from the manger his cradle unto the crosse and is it possible for the Head to suffer thus and the members of the Body be at ease or that a persecuting Body can belong to a persecuted Head The chiefest and hardest lesson which our Saviour taught his Disciples it appeares so by the paines and time he spent therein was to prepare them for suffering persecution because that if this bitter morsell did but downe with them all the rest would prove manna milke and hony Not to be large in quotation of other Scriptures I will only say that if we turne over the whole Bible we shall finde nothing therein so cleare and frequent as persecution to be the portion of Gods people But in regard this spirit of persecuting in some degree more or lesse is almost as defusive as originall sinne it selfe though every body pretends to persecute or punish men as evill doets only and most evident it is that malefactors ought and do many times suffer according to their evill deeds yet still it is no lesse apparent that Gods Church and people are only to be found amongst the sufferers and persecuted and if all sufferers we make two parts only separating from the rest all such as suffer for conscience sake since none are so impudent to a affirme they kill rob steale commit a dultery or any other heynous offence against the Civill lawes in reverence and honour to God Almighty we shall then finde his people amongst the sufferers for conscience sake and now as is usuall in Sea-faring the nearer they draw unto a land or channell to meet with greatest difficulties so doe we want a larger measure of Gods discerning Spirit to carry us farther on which may He please to grant for his Sonne Christ Jesus sake that we may yet at last discover who they were that first persecuted him in person and in his chosen ones ever since The persecuted then for conscience sake may yet be distinguished into those that are persecuted only or else into such who both persecute others and are yet persecuted themselves but is it not strange that any man should be so plunged in ignorance and passionately transported as to make a conscience of doing that which himselfe confesses to be evill in others I never yet met with any who after hee had bethought himselfe would say in plaine tearmes that men ought to be persecuted meerly for conscience sake and yet how few are there amongst all such as professe Christianity but are seduced to practise it through sophisticall distinctions and corrupted though specious principles of a Nationall Church and uniformity taken upon trust but such will say we persecute hereticks only and others persecute us because we beleeve and live according to the truth Oh fond objecters I how long will you be in love with your owne fondnesse so much distastefull to every body but your selfe where finde you a warrant that any one may persecute for conscience sake or what reason can you alledge within the capacity of man if any body may be judge beside your selves why that opinion for which you your self are persecuted should be more like the truth then that which you so persecute but to cleere the point yet further by Gods assistance having made it appeare as you have seene how the Church of God must needs be found amongst such as are persecuted for conscience sake whereof there are but two sorts the one of them being both persecuters and persecuted in different respects it followes by undeniable argument That such others as are only persecuted and totally disalow all persecuting for matters of Religion as the greatest stumbling blocke to the propagation of the Gospel must necessarily be the true Church and Body of Christ none else having a capacity without Gods infinite mercy and dispensation of being ever hewen out and squared as members sutable to such a Head Contrariorum eadem est ratio Since the true Church must needs be persecuted that must needs be a false Church which persecutes the true one so though this false Church be persecuted likewise yet in regard it cannot be both true false that persecuted Church must needs be the only true onewhich doth not persecute others But that the argument may be compleat and full as in the mouth of two witnesses unto this evidence of reason let me adde a Scripture proofe viz. We brethren true Christians as Isaak was are the children of promise but as he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was borne after the Spirit even so is it now Gal. 4.28,29 yet since it is better if the will of God be so that we suffer for well doing then for evill doing 1 Pet. 3 17. however these Ismalites are powerfull prosperous prevaile against us and have the world at will for present yet let us comfort our selves that God hath chosen the despised poore rich in faith and heires of the Kingdome though mighty men oppresse and draw them before the judgement seat Jam 2.5.6 whilst we close up this Chapter of persecution with Pauls words which will prove both their finall doome and ours to wit Neverthelesse what saith the Scripture cast out the Bondwoman for the son of the Bondwoman shall not be heire with the son of the Freewoman So then we are not children of the Bondwoman but of the Free Gal. 4.30,31 CHAP. XI Christ and the Apostles testifie that there should arise Heresies and false Christs together with their commission how they were to be proceeded against MAtth. 24.24 There shall arise â— false Christs and false Prophets Eph. 4.11,12,13 Christ gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the worke of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Tit. 1.9.11 A Bishop must hold fast the faithfull word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole families Act. 20 28,29,30,31 Take heed unto your selves and to the flock for I know that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flocke also of your owne selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them therefore watch 2 Tim. 3.13 Evill men and deceivers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 2 Pet. 2.1.2 There shall be false Teachers amongst you who privily shall bring in damuable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swist damnation and many shall follow their perâ—itioâ—s wayes by reason of
to make still forwards what ever obstacles we meet withall and God who requires of us only according to what we have 2 Cor. 8.12 will not faile to give us what we want or he expects to finde If we doe not for the present apprehend how we should be so transcendently mercifull as is required if we doe not so cleerly see what will make for it yet by examining our selves we may easily find what will make against it though we doe not know what meanes to attaine to such perfection we may quickly see many wayes which will hinder it and so avoid them with full assurance that it can least of all subsist with persecuting maligning and evill entreating one an other who are forced to differ from us meerly for cause of conscience CHAP. XVII Six woes denounced by our Saviour against the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites all which are appliable to them and all others as abetters of persecution MAtth. 23.13 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for yee shut up the Kingdome of Heaven against men for ye will neither goe in your selves neither suffer ye them that would enter to goe in Observations upon CHAP. XVII THus doe all they who take upon them to give rule to others in their devotions not suffering them to serve God in any other manner than themselves are pleased to prescribe unto them they thinke nothing well done but what their fancie leads them to practise and allow of which so far transports them that at last it brings them to sinne against their owne consciences as we may observe in Act. 4.16.17 When the Jews though they knew and acknowledged there was a great miracle done yet they endeavoured what they could that it might spread no further among the people and according to the custome of such polititians Joh. 9. they set themselves to examining upon intergatories reiterated the better to entrap him who having beene blinde from his birth was now restored to his sight and finding that Jesus had done the worke and that the patient was won unto the saith they beginne to revile the man and vilifie our Saviour saying We know that God spake to Moses but for this fellow Jesus we know not from whence he is the man replied It is a marvellous thing that you should not know whence he is that hath opened my eyes who was borne blinde the like whereof was never done before since the world began They thereupon slye at him more fiercely and proceeding according to their carnal principles say Thou wast altogether born in sins and dost thou teach us out being better at domineering by virtue of their humane ordinances than debating and convincing in demonstration of the Spirit they cast him out of the Synagogue Thus and worse must all men fare who will speake truth and endeavour to keep a good conscience towards God and man so long as a coercive power shall be suffered to usurpe the Throne of Christ and give dominion unto any one or more in what manner soever over the faith of their other brethren for whose Christian Liberty Christ suffered but once for all alike Heb. 9.28 c. 10.14 I know 't is often objected and much stood upon what a monstrous sight this many headed Hydra of opinions would seem but would it bee any worse then that sield whereof we touched chap. 14 in which our Saviour expressely ordered the tares should be permitted to grow together with the good corne untill the harvest and is it any otherwise than we see yearly experience of in the course of Nature doth not every spring cover the whole earth with weeds which as they came up of themselves so for the most part doe they fade and wither quite away so must it necessarily be in times of Reformation if you desire and give liberty to have the truth discovered you can no more hinder errours from springing up and that amongst good people too than you can possibly keep the weeds from growing or pull them up being growne without destroying the wheat it selfe or being at greater charges in pulling of them up than the good cornâ— is worth experience doth evidence the one to husbandmen and our Saviour in the Parable of Matth. 13. doth far above all demonstration confirme the other yet this advantage Truth hath of errour above good corne in respect of weeds that Truth being once growne up to its fulnesse and perfection hath an infallible and miracuious power in Gods good time to beat downe all strong holds of heresies and errours which of themselves doe not moulder away before hand Matth. 23.15 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye compasse sea and land to make one proselite and when he is made ye make him twofold more the childe of hel then your selves Observation THus doe all such who force men contrary to their conscience to conforme unto another religion or opinion which they themselves through ignorance may sinde mercy in 1 Tim. 1.13 When others complying doubtingly must needs be damned Rom. 14.22,23 I confesse that many doe acknowledge it unlawfull to invade forreigne Nations compelling them to receive the Gospel by force of Armes in that Paul saith What have I to doe to judge them which are without Them which are without God judgeth 1 Cor. 5.12,13 but such as have entred into Church Covenant and fellowship they thinke are subject to them and may be censured upon all occasions even unto Excommunication and then if they persist to instruct others though willing to learne in the same opinions which they finde themselves no lesse bound in conscience to doe then Peter who being converted was commanded to strengthen his brethren Luke 22.32 or the same Peter and John who being forbid by the Elders were afterwards required by an Angel to goe and speake boldly in the Temple Act. 5.20.28 the Civill Magistrate may proceed against them to the taking away their lives I answer That no man can reasonably be supposed so farre to enslave himselfe both soule and body when he enters into fellowship or covenant with any congregation as that he intended at same time to consent that if ever afterwards any point of Discipline or Doctrine should oe moved which he found himselfe in conscience not able to yeeld unto that in such case he would be willingly banished imprisoned fined or put to death Secondly Though he had entred into such a vow and convenant it being altogether unlawfuâ—… and contrary both to the Law of Nature and of the God of Nature that a man should implicitely oblige himselfe to conformity and beliefe of what it may be never any man in the Congregation not perhaps in the whole World for hundreds of years past had ever thought on and whether it were true or false for the congregation must be judge thereof and they may possibly all erre and he be only in the truth I say such a vow and covenant was then altogether unlawfull to be made and now better broke then