And they appointed two c. and they prayed and said Lord who knowest the hearts of all men shew whether of these two thou hast chosen c. And they gave forth their lots and the lot fell upon Matthias and he was numbred with the eleven Acts 1. 15 21 22 23 24 25 26. Then the Twelve called the multitude c. and said c. Brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report c. whom we may appoint over this business c. and the saying pleased the multitude and they chose Stephen c. Acts 6. 2 3 5 6. And when they had ordained them Elders by suffrage in every Church and had prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord Acts 14. 22 23. For this cause left I thee in Crete c. and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed Titus 1. 5. Of laying on of hands upon the several occasions and to the several ends in Scripture mentioned Bring forth him who hath cursed c. let all who heard him lay their hands on his head Levit. 24. 14. Thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites Numb 8. 9 10. Moses set Joshua before the congregation and he laid his hands upon him and c. Numb 17. 18 19 22 23. Joshua c. was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him Deut. 34. 9. They chose Stephen c. whom they set before the Apostles and when they had prayed they laid their hands upon them Acts 6. 5 6. Peter and John prayed and laid their hands on disciples and they received the holy Ghost Acts 8. 17. The Prophets and teachers at Antioch by the command of the holy Ghost to separate Paul and Barnabas c. did pray and fast and lay their hands upon them Acts 13. 1 2 3. Paul finding disciples c. and when Paul had laid his hands on them the holy Ghost c. Acts 19. 1 6. Paul prayed and laid hands on Publius his father and healed him being sick Acts 28. 8. Neglect not the gift c. given thee c. with laying on of the hands of the Presbytery 1 Tim. 4. 14. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sins 1 Tim. 5. 22. Stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands 2 Tim. 1. 6. Not laying again the foundation of repentance c. of laying on of hands Heb. 6. 1 2. Of the several Ordinances of Christ to be observed in and by the Churches of Christ and elswhere The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof because they have transgressed the laws changed the ordinances c. Isa. 24. 5. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers c. and they continuing daily with one accord in the temple Acts 2. 41 42 46. And now I praise you brethren that you c. keep the Ordinances as they were delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 2. First Prayers These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women c. Acts 1. 14. And they continued c. and in prayers Acts 2. 42. See Praising at large Chap. 16. Secondly Reading teaching and preaching of the word of God Prophesying Thou shalt set a King over thee c. he shall write him a copy of this law in a book c. he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord Deut. 17. 15 18 19 20. 2 Kings 22. 11. When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall chuse thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing gather the people together men and women and children and thy stranger that is within thy gates that they may hear and that they may learn and fear the Lord your God and observe to do all the words of this law and their children who have not known may hear and learn to fear the Lord c. Deut. 31. 11 12 13. Joshua read all the words of the law the blessings and curses according unto all which is written in the book of the law there was not a word of all which Moses commanded which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel with the women and the little ones and the strangers who were conversant among them Joshua 8. 34 35. Jehoshaphat sent to his Princes to Benhail c. to teach in the cities of Judah and with them Elishama c. Priests and they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people 2 Chron. 17. 7 8 9. And Ezra the Priest brought the law before the Congregation c. and he read therein c. from the morning until the mid-day c. Allo Joshua and Bani c. and the Levites caused the people to understand the law and the people stood in their place so they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading Nehem. 8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. ch 13. 1. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children c. that they might set their hope in God c. Psal. 78. 5 6 7. Blessed is the man who heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors for whoso findeth me findeth life Prov. 8. 34 35. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who bringeth good tydings who publisheth peace c. and publisheth salvation c Isa. 52. 7. Nahum 1. 15. The Prophet who hath a dream let him tell a dream and he who hath my word let him speak my word faithfully what is the chaff to the wheat saith the Lord Jer. 23. 28 29. They shall wander from sea to sea c. to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it Amos 8. 12. Go ye therefore and teach all nations c. teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Matth. 28. 19 20. Whosoever shall not receive you nor hear you when ye depart thence shake off the dust from under your feet for a testimony against them Mark 6. 11. Luke 10. 16. Jesus c. as his custom was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath-day and stood up to read and there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaias and when he had opened the book he found the place where it was written The spirit of the Lord is upon me c. and he closed the book and gave it again to the minister and sate down c. and he began to say unto them This day is this
c come out from among them and touch no unclean thing c. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16 17 18. When Paul had written to the Galatians about some who troubled them and would pervert the Gospel of Christ c. had preached the circumcision c. he said to them Ye did run well who did hinder you that that ye should not obey the truth this perswasion cometh not from him who calleth you a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump I have confidence in you through the Lord that you will be none otherwise minded but he who troubleth you shall bear his judgment whosoever he be c. I would they were even cut off who trouble you for brethren ye have been called to liberty Gal. 1. 6 7 8. Gal. 5. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. If any man be overtaken in a fault ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Gal. 6. 1. Have no fellwoship with unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them for it is a shame even to speak of such things c. Ephes. 5. 11 12. Now we exhort or beseech you brethren warn them who are unruly 1 Thess. 5. 14. Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus that ye withdraw your selves from every brother who walketh disorderly and not after the traditions which he received of us for your selves know how ye ought to follow us c. If any man obey not our word by this Epistle note or signifie that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed yet count him not as an enemy but admonish him as a brother 2 Thess. 3. 6 7 14 15. Holding faith and a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that they learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a father and the younger men as brethren the elder women as mothers the younger as sisters with all purity c. Against an Elder receive not an accusation but before or under two or three witnesses them who sin rebuke before all that others also may fear 1 Tim. 5. 1 2 19 20. Men of corrupt minds c. from such withdraw thy self 1 Tim. 6. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 5. A man who is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject knowing that he who is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself Tit. 3. 10 11. Follow peace with all men and holiness c. looking diligently lest any man fail or fall from the grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau who for one morsel c. Heb. 12. 14 15 16. I know thy works c. and how thou canst not bear them who are evil and thou hast tryed them who say they are Apostles and are not and thou hast found them lyars c. The Church in Pergamus c. I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them who hold the doctrine of Balaam c. So also hast thou them who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate c. The Church of Thyatira c. I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel who calleth her self a prophetess to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols c. All the Churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the heart c. Revel 2. 2 14 15 20 23. See Rebuke and Reproof Chap. 17. CHAP. XXVIII Of Hypocrites and Hypocrisie The spirits and practises of such who are very formal and earnest in the external part of worship and profession and in a shew for God yet high in their opposition of Christ the truth of the Gospel and power of Godliness in others THE hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth for the father seeketh such to worship him God is a spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth John 4. 23 24. They are not all Israel who are of Israel neither because they are the seed of Abraham are all children c. Rom. 9. 6 7. Abel offered unto God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain Cain was therefore angry and slew his brother Gen. 4. 3 4 5 6 7 8. Heb. 11. 4. Absolom pretended to justice and to pay a vow which he had vowed to the Lord in Hebron but he purposed to steal away the hearts of the people and to rebel against the king and advance himself into the throne 2 Sam. 15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Ahaziah the king when rebuked by Elijah for departing from God and sending to an idol gives order to his soldiers to fetch Elijah and though one company and another were consumed with fire yet he sent again 2 Kings 1. 3 4 8 9 10 11 12 13. Jehu met Jehonadab and said unto him Is thine heart right as my heart c and he said Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord c. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam c. 2 Kings 10. 15 16 25 26 27 29 31. What is the hope of the hypocrite c will he delight himself in the Almighty will he always call upon God Job 27. 8 10. The hypocrites in heart c. they cry not when he bindeth them Job 36. 13. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak Psal. 12. 2. When he slew them then they sought him early and they returned and enquired early after God and they remembred that God was their rock and the high God their redeemer nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth and they lyed unto him with their tongue for their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his covenant Psal. 78 34 35 36 37. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes Prov. 12. 15. There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet is not washed from their filthiness Prov. 30. 12. This people draw near to me with their mouth and with their lips they honour me but have removed their heart far from me and their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men Isa. 29. 13. chap. 48. 1 2. Shew my people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins yet they seek me daly and delight to know my ways as a nation who did righteousness and forsook not the ordinances of their God they ask of me the ordinances of justice they take delight in approaching to God Wherefore
which was spoken unto you by God saying I am c. Matt. 22. 31 32. All ye shall be offended c. For it is written I will smite the shepherd and the flock shall be scattered abroad c. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray c. But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be c. But all this was done that the scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled Matt. 26. 31 53 54 56. Jesus said do ye not therefore err because ye know not the scriptures c. Mark 12. 24. They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them c. If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Luk. 16. 29 31. When Jesus taught his Disciples he said O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken c. And beginning at Moses c. He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself c. All things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning me then opened he their understandings that they might understand the scriptures and he said unto them Thus it is written and thus it behoveth Christ to suffer c. Luk. 24. 25 27 44 45 46. Ye have not his word abiding in you for whom he hath sent ye believe not Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me c. Had ye believed Moses ye would have believed me for he wrote of me But if ye believe not his writings how shall ye believe my words John 5. 38 39 46 47. Christ said it is written in the Prophets And they shall be all taught of God every one therefore who hath heard and learned of the father c. Joh. 6. 45. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them c. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also who shall believe on me through their word Joh. 17. 8 20. These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life John 20. 31. When the Apostles preached they proved their doctrine by the scriptures but this is that which was spoken by the Prophet c. And David c. Act. 2. ch 3. ch 4. ch 5. ch 7. ch 17. 2 3. Is it reason we should leave the word of God and serve tables c. Act. 6. 2 4 7. ch 13. 7. Samaria had received the word of God yet had not received the holy Ghost The Eunuch reading the scripture had Phillip sent to him to convert him by it Act. 8. 14 15 16 29 30 31 32 c. Call for Simon who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved Act. 11. 13 14. ch 10. 33. Sergius Paulus desired to hear the word of God c. The whole city came together to hear the word of God c. Act. 13. 7 44 45 46. Those were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so Act. 17. 11. Apollos c. Mighty in the scriptures c. Mightily convinced the Jews and that publickly shewed by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ Act. 18. 24 25 28. Paul said I wist not brethren that he was the High-priest For it is written thou shall not speak evil of the Ruler c. Act. 23. 5. After the way they call heresie so worship I c. believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets Acts 24. 14. Saying saith Paul none other things than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come Act. 26. 22. There came many to Paul c. To whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God perswading them concerning Jesus both out of the law of Moses and out of the Prophets from morning c. Act. 28. 23. Which he had promised c. by his Prophets in the holy scriptures c. The Gospel of Christ For it is the power of God to salvation c. Rom. 1. 2 16. What advantage c Much Because that unto them were committed the Oracles of God By the law is the knowledg of sin Rom. 3. 2 20. Ye have obeyed that form of doctrine whereinto ye were delivered Rom. 6. 17. I had not known sin but by the law c. Unless the law had said thou c. Rom. 7. 7. For the scripture saith whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed c. So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God Rom. 10. 11 17. It is written the reproaches c. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we thorow patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 3 4. The mistery which was kept secret since the world began but now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the Prophets c. made known c. Rom. 16. 25 26. Ephes. 5. 13. The preaching of the cross is to them who perish foolishness c. For it is written I will destroy the wisdom of the wise c. 1 Cor. 1. 18 19. Which things we speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things c. 1 Cor. 2. 13. When the Apostle had mentioned may things Israel did c. He saith now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10. 11. Ye keep the ordinances or traditions as I delivered them unto you 1 Cor. 11. 2. I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached c. By which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory c. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ dyed for our sins according to the scriptures That he was buried that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 1 2 3 4. God who commandeth the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus 2 Cor. 4. 6. chap. 3. 18. There are some who would pervert the Gospel c. But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed as we have said before so say I now again If any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed Gal. 1. 7 8 9. Having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace c. And take c. The sword of the spirit which is the word of God Ephes. 6. 15 17. Those
fast in the Lord 1 Thes. 3. 5 7 8 9 10. Brethren pray for us 1 Thes. 5. 25. We behaved not our selves disorderly among you neither did we eat any mans bread for nought but wrought with labour and travel night and day that we might not be chargeable to any of you not because we have not power but to make our selves an ensample unto you to follow us c. 2 Thes. 3. 7 8 9 10. Resuse profane and old wives fables and exercise thy self unto godliness These things command and teach c. be thou an example of the believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity c. give attendance to reading to exhortation to doctrine neglect not the gift which is in thee c. meditate upon these things give thy self wholly unto them that thy profiting may appear to all or in all things take heed to thy self and to the doctrine c. 1 Tim. 4. 7 11 12 13 14 15 16. Stir up the gift of God which is in thee c. hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love c. 2 Tim. 1. 6 13. The things thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also thou therefore endure hardness as a good souldier of Christ Jesus no man who warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a souldier c. I endure all things for the elects sake c. study to shew thy self a work-man that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing c. foolish and unlearned questions avoid knowing that they do gender strifes But the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient or forbearing in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them repentance c. c. 2 Tim. 2. 2 3 4 10 15 16 23 24 25. Preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine c. but watch thou in all things endure afflictions do the work of an Evangelist make full proof of or fulfil thy ministry 2 Tim. 4. 2 5. There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers c. whose mouths must be stopped c. wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men c. Titus 1. 10 11 13 14. Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine in all things shew thy self a pattern of good works in doctrine uncorruptness gravity sincerity sound speech which cannot be condemned that he who is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of you Titus 2. 1 7 8. Avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and strivings about the law for they are unprofitable and vain Titus 3. 9. If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God c. that God c. 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things though ye know them and be established in the present truth yea and I think it meet as long as I am in this present tabernacle to stir you up by puting you in remembrance knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle c. moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance for we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lords c. 2 Pet. 1. 12 13 14 15 16. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you c. 1 Joh. 1. 3. I rejoyce greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth 2 Joh. ver 4. 3 Joh. ver 3 4. See more of the officers of Churches Chap. 27. CHAP. XXVII Of the Church of Christ under the several notions thereof and the things belonging to the same in the general and also as considered in the several Congregations and particular Churches thereof The several acceptations of the Church mentioned in Scripture 1st General or Universal UPon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not c. Matt. 16. 18. Christ is the head of the church and he is the saviour of the body c. Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it c. that he might present it to himself a glorious church Ephes. 5. 23 25 27. To the general assembly and church of the first born who are enrolled in heaven Heb. 12. 23. 2dly Universal Visible The Lord added to the church dayly such as should be saved Act. 2. 47. That now c. might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God c. unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages c. Ephes. 3. 10 21. I Paul c. rejoyce in my sufferings c. for his bodyes sake which is the church Col. 1. 24. 3dly Particular visible Churches of believers who are joyned together as one body and usually meet together in one place for the participation of the same Ordinances and exercising Duties as a Church and one to another as members thereof Can two walk together except they be agreed Amos 3. 3. They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication c. the number of the names together were about a hundred and twenty Act. 1. 13 14 15. And the same day there was added about three thousand souls and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayer c. and all who believed were together c. and they continuing dayly with one accord in the temple c. Act. 2. 41 42 44 46. Then had the Churches rest thorowout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria Act. 9. 31. Then tidings c. came unto the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem and they sent forth Barnabas c. At Antioch they assembled themselves a whole year with or in the Church and taught much people Act. 11. 22 26. And when they had ordained them Elders in every Church c. they went to Antioch c. when they had there gathered the Church together c. Act. 14. 23 27. Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem they were received of the Church and of the Apostles and Elders c. then pleased it the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send c. being assembled with one accord they gathered the multitude together delivered the Epistle c. Paul went c. confirming the Churches Act. 15. 2 3 4 22 25 30 41. ch 21. 17 18. When he had landed at Cesaria and gon up and saluted the Church c. Act. 18. 22. Paul sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church Act.
Silas chief men among the brethren Acts 15. 22. Phebe our sister who is a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea Rom. 16. 1. Because of false brethren unawares brought in who came in privily to spy c. Gal. 4. 2. Epaphroditus my brother c. but your messenger c. I send him therefore the more carefully that when ye see him again ye may rejoyce c he was nigh unto death c. Phil. 2. 25 26 27 28. Onesimus c. who is one of you c. Epaphras who is one of you c. salute you Col. 4. 9 12. Our friends salute thee greet the friends by name 3 John ver 14. Of Letters commendatory or the Churches receiving of such who were recommended them from others by word or Letter Barnabas took Paul and brought him to the Apostles and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord c. and he was with them c. Acts 9. 26 27 28. When Apollos was disposed to pass into Achaia the brethren wrote exhorting the Disciples to receive him who when he was come helps them much Acts 18. 27. I commend unto you Phebe our sister c. that ye receive her in the Lord c. Rom. 16. 1 2. If Timotheus come see that he may be with you without fear for he worketh c. 1 Cor. 16. 10 11. Need we as some Epistles of commendation to you or of commendation from you 2 Cor. 3. 1 2 3. He remembreth the obedience of you all how with fear c. ye received him 2 Cor. 7. 14 15. Whether any do enquire of Titus he is my partner c. or our brethren they are the messengers of the Churches wherefore shew ye to them c. 2 Cor. 8. 22 23 24. Marcus c. touching whom ye received commandment if he come unto you receive him Col. 4. 10. The brethren c. whom if thou bring forward c. we therefore ought to receive such c. I wrote to the Church but Diotrephes c. received us not c. and forbiddeth them who would c. 3 John 3. 6 8 9 10. Of the Order of the Churches in their Assemblies and Meeting what they did there as their Duty and how they should order it in their constant Worship Christ said The Scribes and Pharisees c. love the chief seats in the Synagogues c. but he who is greatest among you shall be your servant c. Matth. 23. 6 11 12 17. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication c. Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples c. about one hundred and twenty c. Acts 1. 13 14 15. They were all with one accord in one place c. and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers c. And all who believed were together c. and they continued daily with one accord in the temple c. Acts 2. 1 42 44 46. The Apostles being let go they went to their own company c. and they lift up their voyce with one accord and said Lord c. Acts 4. 23 24 c. The Church c. and they were all with one accord in Solomons porch Acts 5. 11 12. Barnabas and Saul a whole year assembled themselves with the Church and taught much people Acts 11. 25 26. Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him c. many were met together praying Acts 12. 5 12. When ye come together into one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper c. wherefore my brethren when ye come together to eat tarry c. 1 Cor. 11. 20 33. If therefore the whole Church be come together into one place c. If all prophesie c. How is it then brethren When ye come together every one hath a Psalm hath a Doctrine c. let all things be done unto edifying c. for God is not the author of confusion but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14. 23 24 25 26 31 33. I am with you in the spirit joying and beholding your order Col. 2. 5. Comfort your selves together and edifie one another even as also ye do 1 Thess. 5. 11. Let us consider one another to provoke one another to love and good works not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another Heb. 10. 24 25. My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons for if there come into your assembly or Synagogue a man with a gold ring in goodly apparel and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment and ye have respect unto him who weareth the gay cloathing and say unto him sit thou here in a good place and say unto the poor stand thou there or sit here under my footstool are you not then partial c hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom c If ye fulfil the royal law c. thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self ye do well but if ye respect persons ye commit sin James 2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Of the gifts which the members of Churches received Of Prayer Prophecying Psalms Tongues c. and how they did use them in the Church-assemblies and elswhere for the edification and good one of another and of others the order how they should be used directed such gifts to be desired for this end Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp and there ran a young man and told Moses and Joshua c. said My Lord Moses forbid them and Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake would God that all the Lords people were Prophets and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them Numb 11. 26 27 28 29. Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the Congregation and spread forth his hand toward heaven and said Lord God of Israel c. 1 Kings 8. 22 23 c. Jehoshaphat stood in the Congregation c. in the house of the Lord c. and said O Lord God of our fathers art not thou God in heaven c 2 Chron. 20. 4 5. 6 7 c. Then they who feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned c. They shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts Malachi 3. 16 17. John said Master We saw one casting out devils in thy name and he followed not us and we forbad him but Jesus said Forbid him not for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me for he who is not against us is on our part Mark 9. 38 39 40. The Jews used to have such speak in their Synagogue who were not either Priests or other officers as appears in these instances Luke 4. 16
c. Among the chief rulers also many believed on him but because of the pharisees they did not confess him lest they should be put out of the Synagogue for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God John 12. 5 6 10 11 19 42 43. The time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God good service c. These things they will do c. because they have not known the father John 16. 2 3. Pilate sought to release Jesus but the Jews cryed out saying If thou let this man go thou art not Cesars friend whosoever maketh himself a King speaketh against Cesar c. Pilate said Shall I crucifie your king the chief priests answered We have no king but Cesar John 19. 12 15. As the Apostles spake unto the people the priests and the Captain of the temple and the Sadduces came upon them being grieved that they taught the people c. and they laid hands on them c. said By what power or by what name do ye this c They said What shall we do with these men for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all c. and we cannot deny it but that it spread no further among the people let us straitly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name and they called them and commanded them not to speak at all c. Acts 4. 1 2 3 14 15 16 17 18. Ananias and Saphira brought part of the price and would have deceived the holy Ghost c. multitudes were added to the Lord then the high priests c. were filled with indignation and laid theirhands on them and put them in the common prison c. they doubted whither these things would grow c. said to the Apostles Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this mans blood upon us c. When the Apostles had said That God had exalted that Jesus whom they slew they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them Acts 5. 1 2 3 14 15 16 17 18 24 28 30 31 33. chap. 7. 54 55. When they could not resist the spirit and wisdom by which Stephen spake then they suborned men who said We have heard c. and they stirred up the people c. and they came upon him and caught him c. And they set up false witnesses Acts 6. 10 11 12 13. Simon when he saw the Apostles through laying on of hands conferred the holy Ghost he offered them money for the like power c. was in the gall of bitterness Acts 8. 18 19 23. The next Sabbath-day came almost the whole City together to hear the word of God but when the Jews saw the multitude they were filled with envy and spake against the things which were spoken by Paul contradicting and blaspheming c. but the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women and the chief men of the City and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them c. Acts 13. 44 45 49 50. The unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and made their minds evilly affected against the brethren c. perswaded the people to stone them Acts 14. 2 19. When Paul had preached and many believed the Jews who believed not moved with envy took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort and gathered a company and set all the City in an uproar c. they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the City crying These have turned the world upside down c. these do all contrary to the decrees of Cesar saying That there is another King one Jesus the Jews came also to Berea and stirred up the people Acts 17. 2 3 4 5 6 7 13. The Jews made an insurrection with one accord against Paul and brought him to the judgment-seat saying This fellow perswaded men to worship God contrary to the law Acts 18. 12 13. Paul said I was zealous towards God as ye all are at this day and I persecuted this way unto the death c. Acts 22. 3 4 5 6. Certain Jews bound themselves under a curse to kill Paul c. the chief Priests and Elders agree to help it forward Acts 23. 12 13 14. chap. 25. 2 3. They get an Orator to accuse Paul thus We found this man a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarens who also hath gone about to profane the temple c. When Paul reasoned of righteousness c. Felix trembled and answered Go thy way for this time when I have a convenient time I will call for thee c. Acts 24. 1 2 5 6 15. Paul said I verily thought with my self that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus c. which thing I also did c. exceeding mad Acts 26. 9 10 11. The Jews told Paul that concerning this sect it was every where spoken against Acts 28. 21. Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the law and makest thy boast of God and knowest his will c. and art confident that thou thy self art a guide to the blind c. Thou therefore who teachest another teachest thou not thy self Thou who preachest a man shall not steal dost thou steal c He is not a Jew who is one outwardly neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh c. Rom. 2. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 28. Israel who followed after the law of rigteousness hath not attained to the law of righteousness wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the law for they stumble at that stumbling-stone Rom. 9. 31 32. They have a zeal of God but not according to knowledg for they being ignorant of Gods righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God Rom. 10. 1 2 3. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh they constrain you to be circumcised only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ for neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh Galat. 6. 12 13. The Jews who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have persecuted us or chased us out they please not God and are contrary unto all men forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved to fill up their sins alway 1 Thess. 2. 14 15 16. Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof c. These also resist the truth c. 2 Tim. 3. 5 8. They profess they know God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work reprobate or void of judgment Titus 1. 16. They went out from us but
the devil about the body of Moses durst not bring against him a railing accusation but said The Lord rebuke thee Jude verse 9. The devil shall cast some of you into prison c. Thou dwellest where Satans seat is Rev. 2. 10 13. Them of the Synagogue of Satan c. Rev. 3. 9. There was war in heaven Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon c. and the great Dragon was cast out that old serpent called the Devil and Satan who deceiveth the whole world he was cast out into the earth and his Angels c. with him c. The accuser of the brethren is cast down who accused them before our God day and night c. Wo unto the inhabiters of the earth c. for the devil is come down unto you having c. Rev. 12. 7 8 9 10 11 12. Satan laid hold on bound cast into the pit and sealed up from deceiving c. let loose again Rev. 20. 2dly The instruments of Satan Seducers Deceivers c. Saints Duty The Prophets prophesie lyes in my name I sent them not neither have I commanded them neither spake unto them they prophesie unto you a false vision and divination and a thing of nought and the deceit of their heart Jer. 14. 14 15. Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly they are ravening wolves ye shall know them by their fruits c. Matth. 7. 15 16. Take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in my name and say I am Christ and shall deceive many c. many false prophets shall arise and deceive many c. Then if any shall say unto you Lo here is Christ or there is Christ believe it not for there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect Behold I have told you before wherefore if they shall say unto you behold He is in the desert c. go not forth c. for as the lightning cometh out of the east c. so shall also the coming of the Son of man c. Matth. 24. 4 5 11 23 24 25 26 27. Ye receive me not if another shall come in his own name him ye will receive John 5. 43. Elymas c. seeking to turn away the Deputy from the faith c. Paul c. said O full of subtilty and all mischief thou child of the Devil thou enemy of all righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord c Acts 13. 7 8 9 10 11. After my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse ' things to draw away disciples after them therefore watch Acts 20. 28 29 30 31. Mark them who cause divisions c. contrary to the doctrine c. and avoid them for they who are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16. 17 18. There must be also heresies among you that they who are approved might be made c. 1 Cor. 11. 19. How say some among you That there is no resurrection from the dead 1 Cor. 15. 12. Them who desire occasion c. for such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ c. Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed into the ministers of righteousness whose ends shall be according to their works c. Ye suffer fools gladly c. Ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage if a man devour if a man take if a man exalt himself c. smite you on the face 2 Cor. 11. 12 13 14 15 19 20. There be some who trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you let him be accursed as we have before so say I now again If any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be accursed Gal. 1. 7 8 9. False brethren who came in privily to spy out our liberty c. that they might bring us into bondage to whom we gave place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the Gospel may continue with you but of these who seem to be c. Gal. 2. 3 4 5 6. They zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that you might affect them Gal. 4. 17. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh they constrain you to be circumcised only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ for neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh Gal. 6. 12 13. Be no more children tossed c. with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive Ephes. 4. 14. This I say lest any should beguile you with inticing words c. Beware lest any one spoil you through philosophy and vain deceits after the traditions of men after the rudiments of this world and not after Christ c. Let no man judg you in meat c or for eating c. intruding into those things which he hath not seen c. and not holding the head c. Why are ye subject to ordinances c touch not c. Col. 2. 4 8 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23. Let no man deceive you by any means c. that man of sin c. who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God c. then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them who perish because they received not the love of the truth c. for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned c. 2 Thess. 2. 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 12. Charge some that they teach no other doctrine neither give heed to Jewish fables c. some have swerved having turned aside to vain janglings desiring to be teachers of the law understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm 1 Tim. 1. 3 4 6 7 8. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lyes in hypocrisie having their
consciences feared with a hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats c. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. If any man teach otherwise c. he is proud knowing nothing but doting or sick about questions and strifes of words whereof cometh envy c. perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth supposing that gain is godliness from such withdraw thy self Some c. have erred 1 Tim. 6. 1 2 3 4 5 20 21. Strive not about words to no profit to the subverting of the hearers c. shun profane and vain babling for they will increase to more ungodliness and their word will eat as doth a canker or gangrene of whom is Hymeneus c. who concerning the truth have erred saying That the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure c. 2 Tim. 2. 14 16 17 18 19. Perillous times shall come for men shall be lovers of their own selves covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those who are good traitours heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away for of this sort are they who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts ever learning and never come to the knowledg of the truth Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobate or of no judgment concerning the faith c. but evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived but continue thou in the things c. 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 14. The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap up to themselves teachers having itching ears and they shall turn away their ears from truth and shall be turned unto fables but watch thou c. 2 Tim. 4. 3 4 5. A Bishop must be blameless c. holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught or in teaching that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gainsayers for there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers specially they of the circumcision whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucres sake c. Rebuke them sharply c. not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth c. They profess that they know God but in works they deny him being c. Titus 1. 7 9 10 11 13 14 16. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart c. Heb. 13. 9. But there were false prophets also among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord who bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you whose judgment now of a long time lingreth not c. chiefly them who walk after the flesh c. and despise government or dominions presumptuous self-willed they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities c. these as natural bruit beasts c. speak evil of the things they understand not c. sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you having eyes full of adultery who cannot cease from sin beguiling unstable souls an heart which is exercised with covetous practises c. who have forsaken the right way and are gone astray c. These are wells without water clouds which are carried with a tempest to whom the midst of darkness is reserved for ever for when they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lusts of the flesh c. those who were clean escaped from them who live in error while they promise them c. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 3 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19. There shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying Where is the promise of his coming for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning c. Some things are hard to be understood which they who are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own destruction ye therefore beloved seeing ye know before beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3. 3 4 15 16 17. Little children it is the last time and as ye have heard Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time they went out from us but they were not of us c. Who is a lyar but he who denieth that Jesus is the Christ he is Antichrist who denieth the father and the Son c. These things have I written unto you concerning them who deceive you 1 John 2. 18 19 22 26. Believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world hereby know ye the spirit of God every spirit who confesseth Jesus Christ to have been come in the flesh is of God and every spirit who confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already it is in the world c. they are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them c. He who is of God heareth us he who is not of God heareth not us hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error c. 1 John 4. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist look to your selves that we lose not those things which we have wrought c. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God c. If there come any to you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God-speed for he who bids him God-speed is partaker of his evil deeds 2 John verse 7. 8 9 10 11. Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints for there are certain men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ