Christ it is whom they owne or acknowledge in the flesh they reply that it is no other but Christ in their flesh Christ in them disowning and denying that there is the man Christ who is a man different from other men and who is the Mediator between God and man whom God raised from the dead who ascended into 2 Tim. 25. pag. 5. heaven and is now sitting at Gods right hand making intercession for his Church who shall come againe to judge the quick and the dead at the last day This Christ they deny and speak very contemptuously of him and of that body of flesh which he had on earth and hath now in heavenly glory A printed paper of theirs called the sword of the Lord drawn hath this blasphemous jeering expression your immagined God beyond the stars and your carnall Christ is utterly denyed and testified against by the light These men led by the lying spirit of Antichrist deny that Jesus is the Christ and they confesse 1 Ioh 2. 2â— 2 Iohn 7. not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh Thus both the Papal Antichrist and his confederated instruments and followers and the hereticall Antichrists with their associâ—tes and disciples have not abode in this doctrine of Christ that Chriâ—t is come in the flesh 2. It is also â— Doctrine of Christ that the holy Scriptures are the written word of God given by inspiration 2 Tim 3. 15. 16. Psal 119. 93. Rom. 1 16 and are sufficient to direct and inform in all things absolutely necessary unto salvation and that God by its precepts doth quicken his people and that the Gospell is the power of God unto salvation Christs doctrine doth magnifie the excellency of holy Scripture The Papal Antichrist Pope and Popelings deny that the holy Scriptures are sufficient for edification in things of salvation without traditions and some of them have reviled the holy Scriptures calling them a Dead letter and blasphemously the word of the Devill as Protestants whom they call hereticks alledged it and one of them said that the Church had vid. Tilen loc com 2. Sec. 35. been better provided for if there had never been any Scripture Some hereticall Antichrists Quakers and others in our dayes speaking from the spirit of Antichrist have vented the like venemous breath against the holy Scriptures saying that they are insufficient for guidance in things belonging unto salvation in comparison of the light within them and those Inspirations and Revelations which they imagine that they themselves have They do not acknowledge that the holy Scripture are the declaration of Gods minde but they call them the declaration of Saints conditions intimating thereby that they being not to us of this present generation but that they only concerned the Saints of former ages This conceite thwarts the holy Scriptures yea and some of these hereticall Antichrists have licked up the Popish slavering Rhetorick in calling the holy Scripture a dead letter and some of them have said that some Rom. 15. 4. paâ—t of the Scripture is the word of the Devill and serpents dust not considering that though these words which were originally uttered by the Devill are recorded by Gods Pen-men in the Scriptute yet being now recorded by these Pen-men of God who have related the true history of what the Devill spake these words are now the words of the God of Truth namely his true relating the Devills words Moreover some of these hereticall Antichrists have said that it was no great matter if all the Bibles in England were burned and that it had been better for one to whom one of them spake if he had never read the Bible It is evident by what is writ as it might be also if we would in other points parallel the great Antichrist and the petty Antichrists that they both have transgressed and have not abode in the doctrine of Christ Thirdly Both the Papall Antichrist and the hereticall Antichrists are deceivers The Papall Antichrist comes saith one Apostle with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth 2 Thes 2. 9. 10. that they might be saved The hereticall Antichrists or false teachers bring in privily said another Apostle damnable heresies denying the Lord that bought them and many shall 2. Pet. 2. 1. 2. 3. follow their pernitious wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be spoken evil of and with fained words they shall make merchandise of Christians Both these sorts of Antichrists are deceivers and do manifest themselves to be so for they do not hold the forme of sound words but do delight purposely and affectedly to use cloudy and obscure expressions thereby to confound the understandings of simple men from apprehending aright the truth yea and their pretendings to extraordinary holiness and strictness in their conversation and religion beyond truth is but a crafty deceite under a meer shew of religion It were an endlesse labour to recount all that cunning craftiness and those deluding fallacies and subtill wiles and cheating tricks for insnaring soules and all those depths of Satan which they have used for gaining and for retaining those Proselites which they have gained It is enough to know that the Papall Antichrist and the Hereticall Antichrists are deceivers because the holy Scripture hath branded them with that name Fourthly both the Papall Antichrist and the Hereticall Antichrists have not God nor Christ both these sorts of Antichrists do pharasaically and arrogantly appropriate only to themselves Rev. 2. 9. and their followers the name of the Church of holy ones yet both are in reallity no other then of the synagogue of Satan Their transgressing and renouncing through their Apostacy the doctrine of Christ is a sufficient evidence that they have not God and Christ in communion neither have they their favour in this world and without repentance they shall 2 Thes â— 11. 12. not have any communion with God and Christ in glory for God hath sent on them strong delusions that they should beleive a lie that they all might be damned who believe not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness Fiftly As they have not God nor Christ in Communion so believers are not to hold communion or any intimate conversation with any of them The Apostle injoynes Receive 2 Epist Iohn 10. him not into your house neither bid him God speede They are not to afford any intertainment or incouragement to any Antichrist what ever not entertainment I suppose least thereby such gaine occasion of seducing by Antichristian doctrine from the doctrine of Christ nor incouragement lest thereby they be pâ—rtakers of his evil deedes Thou hast now a full answer to thy question and therewith a true discovery from holy Scripture who is the Antichrist and who are the Antichrists of whom it speakes in briefe according to it He who is an Antichrist is one who transgresseth the Doctrine oâ— Christ
among them it seems dissented and separated from them who persisted in the true faith taught and learned These sowers of division sought by this meanes to make Bethel the House of God a Bether or mountaine of division Cant. 2. 17 2. They whom the Apostle spake of caused offences namely both to the right believers who were justly offended by these mens fomenting of divisions and separations and also unto professional believers whose bitter censurings judgings and despisings of one another whereby the weak and strong in faith were offended at one anothers actions was promoted by Rom. 14. 15 these who put stumbling blocks and occasions to fall in their brethrens way 3. They of whom the Apostle spake did pretend that they did serve the Lord Jesus Christ hoping thereby to gain credence with the people and so the more unsuspectedly to work on them to divide from one another in their affections and Congregations but the Apostle saith that those men served not the Lord Jesus Christ and he fervently prayed for the peoples exemption from such a dividing delusion saying The God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one towards Rom. 15. 5 6 another according to Christ Jesus that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 4. They of whom the Apostle speaks did intend in making divisions and offences to draw from the divided and offended Phil. 3. 19. Mark 7. 19 earthly things for cramming with delicates their belly which is the receptacle of all meats and for pampering their flesh and its other lusts all which receive from the belly much of their inflammation for the belly is a Kitchin cherishing and keeping warme the seeds of all manner of carnal lusts to which it seems these wicked seekers to pervert the believing Romanes Rom. 13. 14 were addicted and were resolved to serve their lusts in seeking to be from any sort or faction of people provided for their flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof 5. They of whom the Apostle speaks did deceive the hearts of the simple by good words and faire speeches They wrought on men who were unskilful and unwary easie to be led aside simple hearts on men who were of weak judgements and strong affections on these they wrought not by sound words convincing them by evidence of truth but by wooing words full of flatterings promising them much good and full of blessings or good wishings unto them if they will take that course which they propounded to them herein dealing with them as subtle thieves deal with simple travellers they tell them of a better pleasanter and farre nearer way to their journeys end then that is in which they are passing and they with many sugred pleasing words offer themselves to them to guide them therein but they lead them out of the common road to a place fitted for robbing of them or they serve them as Satan did Evah she by his fair flattering fawning and seemingly well-wishing language was deceived to her undoing Such were the men of whom the Apostle speaks Rom. 16. but neither I nor any other faithful Minister of the Gospel are in the paths and steps of these deceivers for 1. Their most pleasant and plausible words tended meerly to work among the people divisions and offences but our words both in comfortings and threatnings for both we use do all of them in their very tendency seek to breed and keep among our people an holy union in heart and affections and in all 2 Tim. 2. 15 Heb. 4. 12. holy conversation Our dividing as it is our duty the Word of God aright doth sometimes convincingly through Gods blessing divide sinners from their sins which are offences to God and good men and so prepares them to an amendment and to a removing of what offends but our dividing the Word aright doth not neither ought it tend to work between people and people a causelesse separation and division from one another either in their affections or in their Congregation for it chiefly aimes to teach all how they according to Gods will may with one minde and with one mouth glorifie God 2. They of whom the Apostle speaks did not serve Christ but their own belly They did not as good servants would seek to promote his glory his honour his Kingdome and his Word among his people they set not themselves to teach them the faith of Christ and love to Christ and love to one another nor to acquaint them with the peace of Christ nor to excite them to shew forth the vertues of Christ his humility his patience his meeknesse his wisdome and his other imitable excellencies in their lives and conversation but they served their own bellies they sought by causing divisions and offences among people to fish for themselves in these troubled waters to suck out thence no small advantage towards providing for their own ease security sensuality and satisfying of all their worldly and fleshly lusts Whereas I and other faithful Ministers are no Caterers for worldly and fleshly lusts as were these Deceivers We serve not our own bellies but the Lord Jesus Christ for we do not seek as these Deluders did to serve our own turns by fomenting divisions and offences among others we affect not invitations unto any mans dainties God hath given us a nature to be content with a little and grace to be content with much lesse then nature craveth The providing for our fraile bodies things lawful and necessary is not that serving of the belly which the Apostle condemneth neither is it unlawful unto us Ministers or to any other rank of men to 1 Tim. 5. 23 provide things necessarily serviceable for life and health yet the feeding our own and others bodies is not made by us our businesse but the feeding our own and others soules with the word which abides to everlasting life is the scope and end of our labours in our serving Jesus Christ on this work we attend and are wholly intent that Christ our Master may be glorified by our service The labours of the man of God such are we Ministers whom he hath called and imployed in his Ministry is for the mouth not for the belly for study Eccles 6. 7 of holy Scripture and finding out acceptable words and giving our selves unto daily attendance upon reading meditation and doctrine as that by our mouth and lips we may preach unto people and teach them the heavenly knowledge of Jesus Christ and thereby feed many and though while we live the appetite will not be filled with studying out more knowledge in the Mystery of Christ and with labouring for the good of people in communicating to them such knowledge yet as faithful servants to our Master Christ we do seek only the advancement of his glory and not our own advantages even by teaching his people how they may proceed in all the wayes of Christ from strength to
nineteen evil qualities he would have them turn away from such which words properly signifie be thou turned away from or turned against such 1. The Apostle would have godly Ministers such as Timothy was to be turned away from such to shew them no countenance no liking that they might see in their looks that their evill courses hath no roome no approbation in any of these good Ministers hearts and not only so but 2. The words import that they are to be turned against such both in manifesting that their conversation is opposite to the conversation of such evil ones to which purpose the Apostle directs Ministers in directing Timothy to a 2 Tim. 3. 10 11. known practical following of his doctrine manner of life purpose faith love long-suffering charity patience persecutions afflictions as also they are to be turned against such in having their communication opposite to that resistance of the truth and to that corruption in life which Seducers deceiving and being deceived manifested To which purpose the Apostle exhorts Ministers in exhorting Timothy 2 Tim. 3. 14 15 16 17 to continue in the things which they had learned and known as Timothy did out of the holy Scripture whereby they might be profitable in Doctrine in Reproofs in Corrections in Instruction in Righteousness and be perfectly furnished unto all good works I am such even a man professedly opposite to men of corrupt mindes who are reprobate concerning the faith and who resist the truth I am a man also whose life and conversation through Gods mercy unto me is not tainted with any of those nineteen odious corruptions which the Apostle mentions I am one who endeavours as Timothy is exhorted to do to war a good warfare holding faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. 18 19. 1 Tim. 4. 12 and to be an example of believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith and purity and I therefore tell thee both truly and plainly that I am not any such man from whom thou or any other hath any warrant or command from God to turn away Thy ninth Head of Demands is now fully answered CHAP. X. Thy tenth Head of Demands is as followeth ARt not thou one of them as Peter speaks of that with covetousness and fained words makes merchandise of the people and so art in Cains way and Balaams way answer I answer False teachers privily bringing in damnable heresies and denying the Lord were the men whom Peter speaks of who through covetousnesse and fained words makes merchandise of the people But these words of Peter do not speak of 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 3. any holy Apostle or other faithful Ministers who lived in Peters time neither do they speak of any faithful Minister of Christ who shall live in other times Peters words are not spoken of such who preach the doctrine of salvation but of them who teach damnable heresies or damning doctrines They are not spoken of any faithful Minister who publickly and openly dispenseth holy truth in all sincerity but they are spoken of false teachers who ptivily in the houses into which they creep or elsewhere instill into their hearers corrupting falshoods conveying these in their teaching with much cunning covert hypocrisie Peters woâ—ds are not spoken of such who earnestly contend for the faith which was once deliver'd to the Saints but they are spoken of those who diligently and slily seek to pervert that faith and to turn others from it Peters words are not spoken of those who with the heart believe unto righteousness and with the mouth make conâ—ession unto salvation and teach others also to acknowledge the Lord but they are spoken of such who deny the Lord and who seek by heresies to withdrâ—w people from beleeving and from confeâ—â—â—ng that holy Christian faith whereof the Lord himself is both the Author and the Finisher Peters words are not spoken of such Ministers who according to the duty of their calling do study and read 1 Tim. 4. 13 14 16. Eccles 12. 10 and meditate and pray and write and ponder and compare things revealed in the holy Scripture and who set in order the truths which are thence sought out whereby they may still teach the people knowledge But they are spoken of such who following cunning devises do compose fine words plaiting and artificially couching them so together that some sentences shall with elegancy breath out truth and falshood so as their own disciples sucks in falshood understanding them one way and others apprehend that good only was meant therein seeing they espy that good may be interpreted out of them both are abused by such teachers the one sort are led by them into strong delusions and the other sort are deceived in their hoping that they meant good who had so craftily mixt errour and truth that it was hard even for them who was very good to dissever them Lastly Peters words are not spoken of those who meerly coveting and longing to gain souls to God and to make them Christs Disciples do plainly let them know how miserable or how comfortable they shall be according as they shall reject or receive and embrace Christ the pearle of the Gospel and his precious truths But they are spoken of them who out of covetous desires to raise a greater worldly gain from those whom they intend to make their own Disciples do use fine plausible alluring words the better to conceale and cloak those errours and heresies which they vent which being entertained the souls of those who embrace them are sold to become slaves unto such corruptions that the Devil can lead them captive at his pleasure These false teachers are not unlike those false chapmen to whom the Apostle in the word Merchandise doth allude who through their insatiable desire of gaine do with fine flattering pleasing words set forth the high commendations of their wares beyond truth thereby thinking to vent their commodities the more speedily and so draw the larger sums of money from the buyers of them Such were the persons of whom Peter speaks who through covetousness with feigned words made merchandise of the people But I and other faithful Ministers of Christ who live in the reformed Church are none of these we as I have shewed in my answer to thy ninth demand have not exercised towards our people any covetousnesse neither are we covetous and we have not sought as my answer to thy eight demand hath sufficiently cleared by faire speeches and good words by fine and faire words either to flatter our people in any of their present corruptions or to fix in them any erratical and heretical abominations Peters words are no wayes justly appliable to me or any other faithful Minister of Jesus Christ but they must properly agree to the false teachers in our dayes who are of the papal and popular faction The Romish Church by her factors who are cunning Merchants traficks in all Lands and hath a streame of currant coine
in their course to content their flesh to fulfil its lusts of uncleanness or its impure lustings 2. He names also them who were Libertines in judgement ver 10. and practice men who despised government who had slight contemptuous thoughts and opinions concerning all civil Government and power who perswaded others to believe that Christians are freed from the yoke of Magistracy and from the bondage of having Rulers over them they were such who were not afraid to speak evil of Dignities they were revilers of those who did bear authority or were dignified The Apostle also plainly relates the evil conditions of these men 1. He saith they were presumptuous or men of impudent ver 10. daring spirits to undertake enterprises impious and perillous And 2. He saith that they were self-willed or such who were resolved and set on it that they would have their own will and way and as natural bruit-beasts contemnes things the use whereof they know not or which they apprehend to be contrary to their nature even so these kinde of men speak evil of ver 12. the things which they understand not or conceives to be things crossing their corrupt doctrines and wicked lives such speak evil of the holy Scriptures of most Articles of Religion of Magistracy of Ministry they speak evil of these sporting themselves with their own conceits or delusions and the Apostle ver 13. further 3. Tells us that they were men of lascivious wanton looks and were restless in sinfulnesse that they beguiled unstable souls that ver 14. their hearts were exercised with covetous practises that they were turned Apostates having forsaken the right way and that ver 15. they were gone astray And having spoken of them in this manner he compares them to waterlesse Wells and to unstable and unsetled clouds saying these are Wells without water Clouds are carried with a tempest ver 17. 1. He compares them to wells without water saying they are such wells As wells without water deludes the travellers expectation of finding relief and refreshment therein so these false teachers will at length deceive the hopes of their seduced followers who thinking to have from them soul-saving and soul-sanctifying instructions will in time finde that they are as empty Wells having nothing in them but the mud and filth of sin defiling and soul-damning doctrines and conceptions The Apostle in calling them Wells without water intimates plainly that their misled followers will have but empty and uncomfortable ver 18. performances of these alluring great swelling words or promises of liberty and happy peace which they tell them is to be had only in their way and which they give out concerning their way as that it is a nearer path to heaven then that which the holy Apostles and faithful Ministers teach of living by faith in the Sonne of God and of exercising Gal. 3. 20. 1 Tim. 4. 7 2 Pâ—t 2. 18 19 ones self unto godlinesse in the works of mortification and vivification But the Apostle saith while they promise them liberty they themselves are servants of corruption intimating that their followers will finde that there is no peace in impurity and no liberty to be got by following the way of those who living in errour and teaching errour do themselves continue servants in bondage to corruption 2. The Apostle compares them to clouds carried with a tempest these clouds are usually whirled this way and that in an unsteady positure with a conslict of windes which is a whirlewind 2 Pet. 2. 17 or tempest as the Apostle calls it so that they keep not to any settled point or site of the heavens but are somtimes in one and somtimes in another position and sometimes in none but inclining to any part whether the winds will hurry them such are Seducers they are empty clouds having no droppings in them of any sound doctrine to distill towards the benefit of the Church and towards the improving of it towards heaven but they are rather darkning clouds which seeks to obscure those divine lights of holy truths which are already revealed and conteined in the holy Scripture yea they are clouds ever and anon whirled or carried about with the tempest of divers and Heb. 13. 9. strange doctrines every new doctrine carrieth them into a new way and when they meet with several new doctrines they are whirled round and know not where to rest becoming I am 1. 8. thereby unstable in all their wayes Sometimes they are in one opinion and sometimes in another crosse conceit they are usually exercised with great conslicts from plausible and pleasing though polluting and destroying doctrines so as they are unresolved unto what they should hold resolutely trying several wayes till they be outed of all wayes and become seekers or rather loosers of themselves being herein like thin empty clouds tossed with several windes divers wayes which at last vapours into nothing The Apostle tells us that these kind of men are unlearned and unstable and that they wrest 2 Pet. 3. 16 the Scriptures unto their own destruction Thus it may be easily understood that not the setled Ministers of Christ who preach his truths and his Gospel but that false teachers and seducers who broach and belch out damnable doctrines are the men whom the Apostle calls Wells without water and Clouds carried with a Tempest think not that these will instill into thy soul any of the water of the Wells of salvation for they are empty Wells and whosoever trusts to them and runnes after them to get soul-saving comforts from them will at length finde themselves deluded in them even as the little ones were who the Prophet mentions who were sent to the pits and found no water and returned Ier. 14. 3. with their vessels empty and were ashamed and confounded and think not that it can be safe unto thy soul to follow those clouds carried with a tempest as the Apostle stiles them for whosoever will follow their pernicious wayes will prove as unstable as their giddy guides and will be still as children tossed to and fro and carried with every winde of doctrine by the Eph. 4. 14. slight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lay in wait to deceive and without repentance they will fall into the same condemnation of an horrible tempest with their Psal 11. 6. seducing Leaders even into the mist of darkness which is reserved for them for ever 2 Pet. 2. 17 Enough is said to thy eleventh Head of Demands CHAP. XII Thy twelfth Head of Demands is thus set down by thee ARt not thou one of the Novices spoken of in the Scripture seeing that thy Congregation is so out of order scoffing giving names railing and abusing as witches and such slandering expressions to honest people Are not these the mockers now that should come that the Apostle said should come that now we see hath raigned since and are not these the marks
of the false prophets mockers scoffers briars thorns thistles do not we see these fruits proceed from thee and shew that thou hast not profited the people at all Ier. 23. Doth not Christ say by their fruits ye shall know them Mat. 7. inwardly ravening do we not see the people could be but wilde mockers and scoffers if thou never spoke unto them and are not these thy fruits and doth not the Apostle say their fruits shall wither and shall not these fruits wither thinks thou 1. Thou asks Art not thou one of the Novices spoken of in the Scripture Answ The holy Scripture saith that a Bishop that is he 1 Tim. 3. v. 1. and 6 who is an Overseer to whom the charge is committed of giving warning unto and of guiding and instructing the flock of Christ in spirituals yea and he also who as antiquity manifests was Assâ—mbly Notes on the place an Overseer of the Pastors as well as of flocks the chief Presbyter or Minister who had on him a charge or superintendency of all the Churches A Bishop saith the holy Scripture is not to be a Novice that is one newly planted or inserted into the body of the Church which in Apostolical times was in them who were of age of discretion by their outward profession of Christianity whereunto they were converted or come from their former profession of Judaisme or Gentilisme I do truly affirme that I am none of these Novices As Paul Phil. 3. 5. pleaded for himself I am of the stock of Israel an Hebrew of the Hebrews so say I of my self I am of the stock of Christitns 2 Tim. 3. 15 a Christion of Christians and as Timothy from a childe so have I also known the holy Scripture and as a childe trained Prov. 22. 6 up in the way in which he should go departs not from it when he is old even so I having already stept into some degrees of age yet do still keep in that holy profession of the Ministry wherein I have been trained and tutored in my youth and I did not rashly and rawly hasten to be a Pastor for until I had seriously spent good time and study in the holy Seripture and divine things being nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine whereunto I had attained I did not take 1 Tim. 4. 6 upon me a Pastoral charge and therefore I am unjustly suspected by thee or any else to be one of those Novices which the Scripture speaks of But to prove me to be one of these Novices thou writes that my Congregation is out of order scoffing giving names railing and abusing as witches and such slandering expressions of honest people Answ 1. A Congregation being in some things out of order is no good proof that he who is over it in things spiritual 1 Tit. 5. is a Novice Titus was no Novice though at Creet where he was ovet the Church of God there was something not in order so they who are set over the flock or Congregation of the Lord to take care of the Church are not therefore in the Scripture-sense Novices because some things it may be are for present out of order which in time may by their care and contrivance be brought into good order 2. I say that such Congregations or holy Assemblies of Gods people are not out of order wherin all things are done 1 Cor. 14. 40 decently and in order decently in a seemly and sit manner and orderly without confusion when every thing and Ordinance is dispensed in its proper season time and place In such order I keep my Congregation in all their solemn meetings in regard whereof thou cannot justly charge it with confusion or disorder or with being out of order 3. Whereas thou writes that my Congregation is out of order scoffing giving names railing and abusing as witches and such slandering expressions unto honest people I answer thee that thou ought not to say that the whole Congregation is out of order or is to be blamed for the disorderly acts and personal faults of some apperteining to the Congregation of whose faults it hath no knowledge and which faults it wholly disallows when it comes to know them for neither I nor the Congregation of my people will justifie any belonging to it in their scoffing nicknaming railing and abusing any nor in their fastning on any slanderous expressions they have in the holy Assemblies been oft taught better and though perhaps some of thy way have by their imbittered language whereof the mouths and letters of your Sect are usually full provoked some of our Congregation to pay you in your own coine yet be it known unto thee that such never received any instruction from us to do so but were and are upon all occasions charged by us as the Apostle did the Thessalonians see that none render evil for evil unto any man but ever follow that which is good both 1 Thes 5. 15 among your selves and to all men 2. Thou asks Are not these rhe mockers now which should come that the Apostles said should come Answ One Apostle saith that in the last dayes shall come scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the 2 Pet. 3 3 4 promise of his coming Another Apostle saith remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jude 17 18 19. Jesus Christ how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time who should walk after their own ungodly lusts these be they who separate themselves sensual having not the spirit Therefore thou and others need not ask me who these scoffers were that should come for ye may easily satisfie your selves from the Apostles own words though men who are ordinary scoffers and mockers of other men are censured complained of condemned and threatned in many places of holy Scripture for their scornings and reproachings of others yet they were another kinde of mockers and scoffers whom the Apostle said should come They were mockers scoffers of the Word of God they were men contemptuously slighting its commands promises reproofs threats and Gods holy Messengers his Ministers who speak it to his people Peter particularly shews that these scoffingly ask where is the promise of his coming and that they reason against his coming and the day of Judgement as if they would never be And Jude tells us these are they that separate themselves that is appears by considering to what the Apostle in the 20 and 21. verses exhorts they separate from truth from the holy faith once delivered to the Saints by their taking up and adhering unto damnable doctrines and they separate from the holy love of right believing Christians by breaking off from communion with them in all those publick duties whereby they testifie and professe that they have a joint interest in the common salvation and have obtained like precious faith And both Peter and Jude tells us
asks Doth not Christ say by their fruits you shall know them Matth. 7. inwardly ravening Answ Our blessed Saviour doth say beware of false prophets Mat. 7. 15 16 20. which come unto you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly they are ravening wolves you shall know them by their fruits In which words our Saviour 1. Gives a Caution to beware of false prophets 2. He tells us what manner of men they are namely they are hypocritical in their insinuations they come in sheeps cloathing pretending sanctity and innocency but they are truly harmful they are destroyers in their intention and endeavour they are inwardly ravening wolves full of greedy cruel purposes to draw people from life to death by their erroneous and factious doctrines 3. He certifies us by what meanes they may be manifested to be such and that is by their fruits by their fruits you shall know them Our Lord alludes in that expression to the critical judgement which men passe upon trees from the good or evil fruit which is gathered from them every tree bringeth forth proper fruit in its kinde a good tree bringeth forth good fruit and an evil or corrupt tree evil fruit These false prophets or teachers of whom Christ speaks are for their kinde no other then wicked men they are evil in having many evil conditions they are like harmful thornes and wicked they are in that they have no good conditions being void of grace and goodnesse they are like thistles whose substance is vain light and chaffy and they are evil in being fruitful in evil wickednesse procceeds from the wicked they are 1 Sâ—m 24 13 like corrupt trees bearing the evil fruit of evil speech or false doctrines which corrupts good manners by which fruit of 1 Cor. 15. 33 their lips false prophets may be known to be properly or peculiarly false teachers though by reason of their coming in sheeps cloathing the fruits of their lives or their actions seems to be as innocent as are the lives or actions of the best Instructors and so they cannot theâ—eby sometimes be well discovered Now though Christ saith that false prophets may be known by their fruits which properly are their false doctrines yet seeing I have not at any time brought forth the fruit of any false doctrine but have alwayes taught for manner and matter what the holy Scripture allows and delivered onely doctrines consenting to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlinesse thou hast no reason to number me among the false prophets and teachers who may be known by their fruits of false doctrines Such fruits were at no time produced by me whereby thou or others might have thence any knowledge that I am a false Prophet or Teacher 6. Thou asks further Do we not see that people could be but wilde mockers and scoffers if thou never spake to them and are not these thy fruits Answ I have already told thee that peoples mocking and scoffing of honest people is a fruit of their own wicked hearts for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth Mat. 12. 34 speaketh but they are not my fruits for I my selfe am no mocker and scoffer none can plead my example to justifie thereby themselves in such evils for all my people know or may know that we have not behaved our selves disorderly among 2 Thes 3. 7. them The doctrines which I have taught them do naturally tend to bring them to Godlinesse and to have an holy demeanour towards God and man that impiety of mocking and scoffing which some have expressed slowes from the corrupt source of their own corrupted nature but not from my mouth I have ever endeavoured that it should be as Pro. 10. 11 a well of life uncessantly to send fourth on all good occasions the words of truth and soberness and to teach my people to 1 Pet. 3. 8 9 be pious courteous and affable not rendring evil for evil or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing And whereas thou sayest Do we not see that people would be but wild mockers and scoffers if thou should never speak unto them Thou seemes hereby to imâ—ort that my speakinâ— to them doth them no good and therefore it is in vaine for me to bestow among them any more labour To this I answer 1. If people were wilde mockers and scoffers before I came among them then these their faults are not as thou sayest my fruits for they brought them forth before my coming to them and now they have no cloak for their sinne seeing they have been better informed If people have discovered more their wildnesse mockings and scoffings I know none but they accuse them thereof since I have preached among them then they manifested before my settlement yet know that these are no fruits of my labours but they are the ouâ—burstings of the peoples own corrupt hearts they have took occasion from hearing better things taught to manifest exceeding great sinfulnesse in their rebelâ—ious walkings contrary to holy instructions Thus sin that is corruption Râ—m 7. 8 takes occasion by the commandment to work all manner of concupiscence that is actual sin manifesting unconformity to the holy truths which are taught The word preached by me did not implant these sinful qualities of wildnesse mocking and scoffing which thou saith they have discovered If it be as thou sayes then theit own evil hearts hath taken an occasion because these evils have been preached against to be more mad in wickednesse and to discover the sinful acts more freely and openly then they wont formerly These acts are not my fruits as thou pleases to phancy but the fruits or evil doings of their own evil hearts 2. I answer to that which thou seems to import by these words namely Though some reap no good by my labours yet othets do and if none should yet I am not to cease from speaking to an unreclaimed people I am still to declare unto them their sinnes and the means of their amendment The Apostle commands Ministers who are the Lords publick servants of his Church to be gentle unto all men apt to teach 2 Tim. 3. 24 25. patient in meeknesse instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth the hopes that God may give repentance to opposers is a ground and encouragement unto us to continue among a people for present unreformed our instant preachings unto them in season and out of season Yea God also 2 Tim. 4. 2 commanded his holy Prophet to speak his words unto his people whether they would heare or whether they would forbear Ezâ—k 2. 5 for they are most rebellious Ministers must do their duty and leave the issue and success to God If people will not amend having grace and good tendred them by their Ministers labours yet God will thereby justifie his proceedings and the wicked shall
be left inexcusable and our Ministerial labours continued among them shall however be acceptable to God for we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in 2 Cor. 2. 15 them that are saved and in them that perish and God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labour of love which we have shewed toward his name our work or reward is with Isa â—9 4. our God It is not therefore for us to cease from speaking to our people though they should continue to be wilde mockers and scoffers as thou stiles them 7. Thou asks Doth not the Apostle say their fruit shall wither and shall not their fruit wither thinks thou Answ The Apostle speaking of Seducers whom he calls men crept in unawares ungodly men who turn the grace of Jude v. 4. v. 10 God into lasciviousnesse and deny the onely Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ who speak evil of the things they know not and corrupt themselves in things which they know he v. 12 calls them clouds without water carried about with windes and also he calls them trees whose fruit withereth though themselves are trees without any fruit namely without any fruit of Gods Spirit which is in all goodnesse and righteousnesse and truth yet their own proper fruit withereth so saith Eph. 5. 9 the Apostle and so I do both think and say that their fruit shall wither The false doctrines which are properly the fruit which seducing teachers brings forth shall wither For 1. Their false doctrines have not in them any sappy taste of the seed of Gods Word which endureth for ever though they 1 Pet. 1. 25 pretend Scripture yet upon a thorough scrutiny and seâ—rching examination they will be found to have in them no inward juyce of any saving truths which the holy Scripture containes and for this reason it is that all the venemous and poysonous infusion which these false doctrines have had from the hearts and heads of those earthly minded men who devised them and countenanced them will not alwayes last but will wither as soon as their leaves and coverings fâ—lls off and they are laid open to the view of all to see that they are indeed no other then soure unsavoury unwholesome and pernicious fruit 2. The trees themselves I mean these seducing teachers are not by God planted in the House of God They who are by him planted in the orderly way of an upright faithful standing Ministry do flourish and bring forth fruit in old age to shew Psal 91 13 14 15. that the Lord is upright but seducers are no plants of the Lord. They are either sprigs springing up of their own accord among the trees of â—od undertaking the work to which they have no warrant being as the Apostle saith men crept in unawares or they are brought in by some Machivilian Politicians for their better bringing about some earthly designes and therefore God will root them out and blast the fruit which they beare that it shall not grow as it did at first nor be so desired as conteining according as many supposed falsely some hidden wisdome for it is said every plant which the heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up and they who creep into Maâ— 15. 13 houses and who resist the truth who are men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest unto all men 2 Tim. 3. v. 6 8 9. Thus thou may perceive that I both think and say as the Apostle doth that the fruits of false doctrines which are properly the fruits which seducers bring forth shall wither But know also that the holy doctrines and truths which I and other faithful Ministers do constantly deliver to our people are fruits of the Spirit of God gathered by us clearly from the holy Scriptures which is the written Word of God and they are by our preaching delivered to them and these fruits will never wither but will continue to be still gathered and communicated unto people even after we are dead and gone by a like holy order of faithful men as we are whom God in 2 Tim. 2. 2 the succeeding Generations will raise up to his Ministerial service who shall be able to teach others the things which we teach are the everlasting truths of God which perhaps may be supprest for a while by the prevailing of heresies schisms and persecutions but they will at last triumph over all those and continue conquering and to conquer the errours and corruptions of sinful mortals As for that mocking and scoffing of honest people with which thou dost charge the whole Congregation which is committed to my charge and doth say that is my fruit I again tell thee as I have told thee and proved it too that these doings are neither mine nor the fruits of the whole Congregation but they are the fruits only of such who are guilty thereof unto whom I hope God will in his due time give grace to repent of these their misdemeanours and then these evill fruits will be withered and be no more and these sinnes will be pardoned But if such continue in these and die not repenting of these and of their other sins then they shall in the day of rendring an account bear their own burden but the burden Gal. 6. 5. of their sinne will not be laid either on me or the Congregation who have been no wayes accessary to their transgression I suppose thou now hast a compleat Answer to thy twelfth Head of Demands CHAP. XIII Thy thirteenth Head of Demands is thus exprest WHere did the Apostle give Davids quakings prophecies reproaches fastings in meeter to sing to the world Answ In Davids Psalmes there is mention made of Davids fear and trembling to offend God and to provoke him to Psal 119. 120 judgements this thou calls Davids quakings whereas David did not cast his body as I heare some Quakers do into trembling fits and quaking shaking postures Moreover there is in Davids Psalmes a Record of Davids Prophecies and a Narrative of some reproaches which he suffered and of some fasting which he used Now in those very places where charge is given by the Apostles to be filled with the Spirit speaking to our selves in Eph. 5. 18 19 Psalmes Hymnes and spiritual Songs and to let the VVord dwell in us richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another in Psalmes and Hymns and spiritual Songs and if any Col. 3. 16. man be merry let him sing Psalmes The Apostles in all these places points us to the book of Psalmes for the New Testament I am 5. 13. doth speak of no other Psalmes in which Book the Psalmes which David Asaph and other holy men of God indited by assistance from the holy and unerring Spirit of God are conteined And the Apostles recommending these Psalms to be sung doth plainly intimate that they thought that these Psalmes did comprehend fit
that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turne away from him that speaketh from heaven and againe how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation In the midst of this sixteenth head of demands thou bids me answer thee and let the truth speak and come to the light and bring my deeds to it Answ I have fully answered thee and for thy sake to give thee satisfaction if thou art yet capable of any I have laid together the words of truth that thou and all who read them may understand what is spoken in them to the things demanded and if my deeds be examined by these words of truth which have been a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths it will plainly appear to all who are unprejudiced and who are judicious that I have done no unrighteous deed and thing in demanding to receive from thee that portion of my due maintenance which is in thy hand but from God the Lord both of thee and me to whom both must give an account for our doings assigned unto me for my labours Thy sixteenth head of Demand hath now its full Answer CHAP. XVII Thy seventeenth head of Demands is thus expressed WHat is the first principle of the pure Religion Is the steeple house the Church What Scripture hast thou for sprinkling Infants What Scripture hast thou for the word Sacrament Hast thou heard Gods voice immediately from heaven as Prophets and Apostles did or Christs voice Doest thou believe that a man shall come to that which is perfect while he is upon the earth and have the body of sin put off and be free from sinne Dost thou own that salvation that is wrought out with fear and trembling Dost thou own the same Revelation and Inspiration that the Prophets and Apostles had now in this age yea or nay Dost thou own the prophecying sonnes and daughters in this age and that the Lord will poure out his Spirit upon all flesh When Christ saith to his Disciples be ye not called Masters for ye have one Master and ye are all brethren Where dost thou read Mr. Paul Mr. Matthew Mr. Mark Mr. Luke Mr. John Mr. Peter Mr. James Mr. Timothy Mr. Titus that these transgressed the command of Christ is not he Antichrist that transgresseth and the deceiver and hath not God nor the Son and is not he to bid God speed Read Johns second Epistle and answer me Answer these queries in writing to the thing that is queried and do not say that they are foolish and non-sense but let me have an answer in writing Answer Here are eleven Questions proposed whereunto an answer shall be returned severally as they come in order 1. Quest what is the first principle of the pure Religion Answ The pure Religion is the doctrin according to Godlines containing such wholesome words which teach men the way of 1. Tim. 6. 3 2 Tim. 1. 3. 2. Pet. 4. 6. 2. Cor. 13. 4 Act. 24. 14. 1. Pet. 4. 2. 1. Pet. 4. 11. living to God and with God of serving God according to his own will The principles of this holy doctrin or pure Religion which are to be known are all those holy truths which are revealed from God and are plainly to be found in the Oracles or written words of God called the holy scriptures for there they are recorded Scripturall truthes are the principles or things in the pure Religion which are to be known and the holy scriptures are the principles or chief outward means by which men come to knowledge of those principles or truths which are in the pure religion and the first principle of this pure Religion which is to be known is this there is a God and he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him 11. Heb. 6. 2. Quest Is the steeple house the Church Answ In what sense the places of our holy Assemblys are truly called Churches will appeare by what I shall deliver at present touching the name of Church know then that A multitude of believers is called the Church namely the Rationall Church or the congregation of reasonable creatures conspiring together in the profession of the Common faith and in the practise of all things truly promoting the common salvation Thus the whole company and society of believers throughout the world agreeing in the Profession of Christ calling on his name submitting to his Ordinances holding communion in the same faith worship exercise of godlines and in things of everlasting salvation Act. 20. 28. 1 Tim. 3 15 Rom. 16. 61 is called in holy scripture the Church of God the Church of the living God the Church of Christ And thus also partiaular Societyes of believers visibly dwelling together within certaine convenient limits and bounds who prosesse publickely together the same doctrine of faith and love and submit to the Lord Jesus Christ and his ordinances and to partake in these holy institutions which he hath appointed and who do meete as the Lords people publickely to worship God and Christ I say these particular visible societyes of believers 1 Thes 1. 1 are also called the Church The Apostle writes to the Church of the Thessalonians in God the father and in Jesus Châ—ist a Church in God and in Jesus Christ is Persons who have felâ—owship together in the faith obedience and worship which God the father and his son Jesus Christ requires Again know also that the very places of Christian Assemblyes where Christians meete to perform solemne service to God and Christ and to injoy holy ordinances these also are in holy Scripture stiled the Church of God namely the Local Church thus the Apostle speaking of the assembly of the Corinthian 1 Cor. 11. 22 church and abuses therein saith have ye not houses to eate and to drink in or despise'ye the Church of God the opposition which he puts between theire own houses which were places proper for their own ordinary and Common businesses and the place where the Church was publickly assembled which was no mans house but a place for the common use of the Church in things only spiritual plainely shewes that the Apostle calls the place of Christians assembling for Christian purposes the Church of God And he confirmed it by saying afterwards when ye come together to eate tarry one for another and if any 1 Cor. 11. 33 34. man hunger let him eat at home so then the very place where the Church Rationall of Gods people publickly meet is by the Apostle called the Church of God his Locall Church not mens home but Gods house of publick worshiping him where Mark 11. 17 ever such a place be in any nation Though thou in derision calls the place of our holy Assemblys a steeple house yet it is our comfort that the Apostle calls it the Church of God and that God himself hath promised to come and meet us and blesse us in it as he will all his holy people in all
among the Captives who went with King Eze. 1. 1 2. Jeâ—oâ—akin into captivity Thus these wicked Priests regarded themselves and did not regard their flock Their not regarding the the feeding of the flock is expressed by the Prophet who plainly sets down their demeanour both towards the sound and toward the distempered part of the flock Their behaviour towards the sound part of the flock is thus related ye kill them that are fed Some by them who are fed understand such who were rich in temporals whose death was wrought in these times by the wicked Priests and false prophets instigating wicked Princes prone enough thereto to slay or kill them all these sharing in the goods took from those whom by unjust judgements and wicked force they had put to death It is certaine that the Princes of these times were covetously affected and therefore also bloodily minded Behold saith the Prophet the Princes Ezek. 22. 6. of Israel every one of them were in thee he speaks of Hierusalem to their power to shed blood And againe her Princes ver 27. in the midst thereof are Wolves ravening the prey to shed blood and to destroy souls that is to root out their persons and to get dishonâ—st gain and it is certain that the wicked Priests and Prophets did solicite these Princes to put to death some as men seditious rebellious and enemies to the publick welfare Ier. 26. 11. and 23. who opposed them they petitioned that Jeremiah should die and the Prophet Vrijah was at that time by the Kings command slaine by the sword and it is most certaine that the false prophets with whom the wicked Priests did in many things conspire had an hand both in the death and in taking also of the wealth of many slaine in those times The Prophet saith there is a conspiracy of her Prophets in the midst Eze. 22. 25 thereof like a roaring Lion ravening the prey they have devoured souls that is destroyed persons they have taken treasure and precious things they have made her many widows in the midst thereof and it is very probable that the wicked Priests called here shepherds were guilty in partaking with those ravenous murders seeing they are by the Prophet charged to have killed those of the flock who with wealth were thick or well furnished Others understand by them who were fed such of the flock who had been formerly well taught by the holy Priests gracious Levites and good Prophets and had thickned or thriven well by their Doctrine in the knowledge and understanding of Gods Law These were killed by these wicked shepherds who had no natural care of the good of the flock partly by their starving them in not affording them vision to keep Pro. 29. 18 them from perishing and partly by poysoning them with errours and lying falshoods which they frequently taught in those days in perverting the Word of the living God and violating Ier. 23. 26. Eze. 22. 26 his Law Now whether it be understood that these wicked shepherds had an hand in actual dispatching the well-fed of the flock from their temporal lives and livelihoods or that they only slew them in their spirituals by depriving their soules of its necessaries and by poysoning them with corrupt abominations it is plain that their demeanour was very wicked towards those of the flock who were sound Their carriage towards those of the flock which was distempered is related to be evil enough in general to them all very evil in many particulars to some of them for thus the Prophet writes The diseased have ye not strengthned neither have ye Ezek 34. 4 healed that which was sick neither have ye bound up that which was broken neither have ye brought againe that which was driven away neither have ye sought that which was lost but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them In these words the Prophet indites these wicked shepherds for not exercising those acts of their calling which the distresse of their flock called on them to performe as namely 1. Some of their flock was diseased or languishing thorough the afflictions and discouragements of these times by these their souls were made feeble and faint as sheep are fainted and weakned by the Suns scorching heat and yet these shepherds used towards them not one word of strengthning instruction and encouragements to uphold their spirits from sinking under sad discouragements but they rather added affliction to their affliction for in this Prophet God speaks thus unto some who taught in those Times With lies ye have Eze. 13. 22 made the heart of the righteous sad whom I have not made sad 2. Some of the flock was sick in and with sinne sinne had wounded and hurt them and yet these wicked shepherds spake not unto them any wholsome sound or healing words whereby they might have been thoroughly healed that which they spoke did heal the hurt of the people slightly speaking Ier. 6. 14. unto them peace peace when there was no peace yea what they spake did not help to cure but to encourage them rather in their continuance in sins for God in this Prophet speaks thus to false teachers ye strengthned the hands of the wicked Eze. 13. 22 that he should not returne from his wicked way by promising him life 3. Some of the flock was broken or loose joynted with distresse in spirit partly with mourning for their own sinnes and the abominations of others and partly with their own perplexed irresolutions what they should do whether they should flee to which the false prophets in their teaching Eze. 13. 20 sought to presse them and these wicked shepherds spake not one word of comfort tending to binde up their broken hearts and satisfie their disquieted spirits whereas the true Prophets Isa 40. 2. did it with consolations from God speaking to them comfortably even to the very heart assuring them that the humble and Eze. 9. 4 6. contrite had their sins pardoned and that in the general desolation their persons should be spared 4. Some of the flock was driven away partly by the force of Satans temptations from truth and holinesse into errours and sinnes and partly by wicked mens violent persecutions Ier. 26. 21 into other Nations we read that the Prophet Vrijah was out of fear forced to slie into Aegypt yet these wicked shepherds spoke not one word of conversion tending to bring the flock back to the acknowledgement of the truth and to the forsaking of their sinnes neither did they speak any one word for reducing home to dwell in peace and safefty any of those who were cast out of their homes and the land of their Nativity by their brethren for Gods Name sake Isa 66. 5. 5. Some of the flock was lost in sinnes by their own follies and the bad examples of the wicked Princes Prophets and Priests whom they followed and yet the wicked shepherds did not seek or use
the souls of people are preyed upon by beastly men and unclean spirits Enough is spoke to thy sixt Head of Demands CHAP. VII Thus thou writes in setting down thy seventh Head of Demands WOuld thou bear rule among the people if they should take away thy meanes wouldst thou divine if they should take away thy money wouldst thou keep the flock if they should take away the fleece Did not the Prophets cry against such and how can thou clear thy self from these steps if thou canst answer me by Scripture and Apostles practice Answ I have already answered the fourth demand and pâ—oved that I am clear from ruling by that means which Jeremiah cried against I have in answering thy fifth demand proved that I am free from the practice of such who divined for money and taught for hire against whom Micah complained I have already in answering thy sixth Demand proved that I am not taxable with that kind of seeking the fleece and making a prey on the people which Ezekiel blamed in wicked shepherds and therfore I shall not need here to prove that which is already done But to thy Demand what my actings towards the people would be in case they should withhold from me and deprive me of maintenance by tythes or money for tythes or tythe fleeces which I now have from them by the Law of God and of the Nation I will answer to the substance of thy Demand and then I will say something to thee who dost demand it 1. I say though honesty equity yea and piety too should be so far abandoned by men that they should universally deteine from Ministers their rightful dues and though iniquity of the time should so far prevaile as to obtaine the abrogation of those very Laws of this Nation which impowers Ministers to plead for and to recover their rights and though Ministers should be left without any remedy and redress from men yet I for my part am resolved to continue in my calling of preaching constantly the Gospel and of tendring the welfare of the flock committed to my charge during my health liberty and life for I know the woe is dreadful if I preach not the Gospel and the work however is comfortable though when we be 1 Cor. 9. 16. 1 Thes 2. 2. shamefully intreated we are bold in our God to speak unto the people the Gospel of God with much contention therefore my work in the Ministry God willing shall not cease though wicked men should seek to cause it cease as they hope by deteining my maintenance God who setteth us Ministers on his work will care and provide for us either by ordinary or extraordinary means till we have finished our course and therefore we have from him encouragement enough to continue at his work though Sacrilegists should make us temporally poor yet then we shall by our labours as now we do strive 2 Cor. 6. 10 to make many spiritually rich though they should bring us into a condition of having nothing yet then having the Lord to be our portion and pay-master we should possesse all things though we should be troubled on every side yet we shall not be distressed though we should be perplexed yet we shall not 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. be in despaire though we should be persecuted of men yet we shall not be forsaken of God for he will either suggest unto us the undertaking of some honest course for a livelihood which will least hinder our spiritual labouring in the Word and Doctrine or he will raise up unto us some gracious Obadiahs who will nourish us his servants or if all humane and worldly means of ordinary providence fail yet we know he is a God All-sufficient able to do for us abundantly above all that we ask or Eph. 3. 20. think We know he did extraordinarily relieve when ordinary means of living failed his own Prophet Eliah by ravens 1 Kin. 17. 6 14 15. and by miracle and he did satisfie his own people in the Wildeâ—ness by raining down for them the bread of Heaven and Ps 105. 40 we know that his kindnesse to us his servants is as ready to supply our wants in all our extremities seeing he hath bid us be content with such things as we have and withal promiseth Heb. 13. 5. saying I will never leave thee nor forsake thee We have this great encouragement from him and therefore our labour for him shall assuredly continue for we may boldly say The Lord Heb. 13. 6. is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me We Ministers have no reason to be discouraged by mens withdrawing our maintenance seeing the omnipotent God who gives us our present means doth ingage that for the future meanes shall not be lacking unto us with which whatever it be we shall be thankfully content and will continue in his service with all faithful diligence 2. To thee who demands whether I would discharge my Ministerial service if people should take away my Maintenance this I say the murmure which is among many in these times against mine and other faithful Ministers maintenance is doubtlesse a murmuring against God because he did not make us to be creatures to live without food and raiment and other temporal necessaries but made us men like your selves compassed with the same infirmities and needing like temporal supplies for back and belly and other necessaries as all other men do but the Loâ—d will one day answer such by himself and will let them know that his Ministerial servants whom they sought to discourage by disobeying their holy teachings by murmurings against their maintenance by defrauding them in any parts thereof and by unjust deteining the whole from them shall be comforted when themselves shall be tormented Behold saith God my servants shall sing for joy of heart but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart Isa 65 14 and shall howle for vexation of spirit Thou hast a sufficient answer to thy seventh Head of Demands CHAP. VIII Thy eight Head of Demands is this ARt not thou in the steps of them that the Apostle speaks of to the Romanes that with thy fair speeches and good words deceives the hearts of the simple which serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but thy own belly Rom. 16. 18. Answ It is very clear that causing divisions and offences Rom. 16. 17 contrary to the doctrine which the Romans learned was the path in which they walked of whom the Apostle speaks and the steps which they took were these 1. An hypocritical pretending that they served the Lord Jesus Christ ver 18. 2. A real intending to serve their own bellies by causing divisions and offences 3. An earnest contending with fair speeches and good words to deceive the hearts of the simple 1. They whom the Apostle speaks of in Rom. 16. caused divisions by venting doctrines contrary to that holy doctrine of faith which the Romanes had learned whereby the simple sort
Apostle John or Paul or any other holy Writer haâ—h recorded concerning Antichrist and Antichrists unto the faithfull Ministers of the Refoâ—med Churches for these Ministers doe teach the truths of God but not the traditions of men they teach the doctrins of Christ but not the doctrines of Devils nor the dotages and decretalls of any mortalls They also from the Apostolicalâ— writings do convincingly detect unto the world the grand Antichrist and the fry of many Antichrists both which abuse the world with their lying deceipts errors and heresyes I will say something concerning the Antichrist and Antichrists whom the Apostle describes and then I will punctually answer to thy demand Antichrist as the name signifyes is one who opposeth Christ the scripture intimates that he is such an one who covertly under the Vizard of professing Christ and his Doctrin opposeth him There is One who is more eminent then others in this 1 Joh. â— 18. 2 Theâ— 2. 3 4 Rev. 9. 11. Opposition he is called in scripture The Antichrist And the man of sin and the Son of perdition who opposeth and the King of Locusts or the cheife over such swarmes of seducers who also are inferiour Antichrists and pretend that they come in the name of Christ Jesus and do in all places seeke with subtilty to oppose and over throw the pure doctrines of Christ This great Antichrist hath his seate in Rome Papal Their are also a multitude of false teachers who were and are opposers of the Doctrines of Christ These bring in privily damnable heresiyes thereby seeking to oppose and destroy Christ Doctrines These are called by the Apostle Antichrists â— Joh. 2. 18 many Antichrists for they are many in number and many in factions and they vent many false notions many unsound poysoning doctrines thinking thereby to draw many Disciples after them and to be Masters of their faith or Sectmasters these Antichrists are creepers into houses to lead captive them who are silly especially sinful women and they mostly reside among their popular intertainers Both the Grand Romish Antichrist and these puny Roaming hereticall Antichrists are such as thou demands after namely who transgresseth and are deceivers and have not God noâ— Christ and are not to be bid God-speede I will in these severall particulars named by the Scriptures demonstrate it of them both First both the grand Antichrist and these Hereticall Antichrists are such who have transgressed it were easie to write volumes of the particular transgressions of them both Suffice it to know That the holy Scripture calls the papall Antichrist a man of sin that is a man transcendently vicious peerlesly infamous 2 Thes 2. 4 for all unrighteousness The very Popish Chronicles and Histories of the lives of Popes do testifie that many of them were both themselves men of sinne and that also they made others sinne The holy Scripture likewise reckons up a catalogue of such sins whereof Hereticall Antichrists either as they are distinguishable from Papists the followers of the grand Antichrist or as 2. Tim. 3 ver to the 10. 2. Tâ—m 4. 3. 4. they are considered as conspiring with them are commonly guilty The Scripture tells us that they are selfe lovers covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents sierce dispisers of those that are good traytors heady high-minded lovers of pleasure more then lovers of â—od having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof that also they are 2. Pet. 2. Jude 8. scoffers mockers walkers after their own lusts that they despise Dominion speake evill of Dignities that they tuâ—ne the grace of God into lasciviousness that they are separatists sensuall having not the spiriâ— they are thus as the Papall Antichrist al-also is transgressours and their endeavour is to corrupt others and make them also in like sort transgressors like themselves Secondly as the Papall Antichrist and the hereticall Antichrists 2. Epist Joh. v. 9. are such as transâ—resseth so they both do not abide in the Doctrine of Christ Whosoever shall compare the Doctrine of the councel of Trent touching faith and worship which Doctrin the Papall Antichrist maintaines and curseth all who disclaime it with what is extant in Paulâ— Epistles he must acknowledge that the Papall Antichrist is a great Apostate and the Head now of that great Apostacy from the faith and true worship of God which at this day is found among such who professe Christianity and whosoever compares the holy Scriptures aslertions touching the faith and true worship which God requires with the sundry principles and positions touching these which the heretical Antichrists of this age do contend for and defend damning all who are otherwise minded then they themselves are he must affirm that these heretical Antichrists have shaken hands with the Papall Antichrist and his confederates in Apostatizing from the faith which was once delivered to the Saints which was kept sound and incorrupt in the purer times of Christianity The severall heresies about the severall heads of the Christian saith which at seveâ—all times were preached by several Hereticks in the Apostles days and afterward were so many standing puddles of false Doctrine which much annoyed the Christian world for some space of time At length Popery prevailing in the Westerne part of the world it became as a corrupt Sea into which most of the filthy streames of former heresies therein did runne and was received and they with the additions of pestilent poysoning popish mixtures do slow out againe as oft as the Papall Antichrist and his instruments do thereby hope either to infest or to infect the Evangelicall or reformed Churches I will name only two Doctrines of Christ wherein the Papall Antichist and hereticall Antichrists have not abode 1. It is a Doctrine of Christ that Christs is come in the flesh The papall Antichrist and hereticall Antichrists do not in direct terms deny it for both use the name of Christ in their words and writings and some of them in words say so much yet because the Apostle calls them deceivers the word signifies such who professe the Cosening of others even while others 2. Epist John 2. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lookes on them and Antichrist who do not confesse that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh therefore it is certaine that though some of them professe it yet both do consequently deny it in some of their tenents The papall Antichrist and his adherents acknowledge in word that Christ is come in the flesh but while they maintaine that the bread and wine in the Lords supper is turned into the very body and blood corporall of Christ they thereby affirme that Christs body is made of bread and wine and so do implicirely deny that Christ is at such a time come to them in the flesh untill that very instant be come wherein the Priest utters the words of consecration Some hereticall Antichrists say that Christ is come in the flesh but when they are asked what