it is to wait upon the Lord in silence who never yet was put to silence in themselves by the Lord and you may read Ezek. 3 where the Prophet sate down amoâ—g the people of the Captivity and they were astonished seven days and at the end of seven days and not before the word of the Lord came to the Prophet so that you see it was the practise of the servants of the Lord oftentimes to sit and wait upon the Lord in silence though people wonder at such meetings now and we do not read that there was alwayes speaking among the Saints in the churches when they were met together but Acts 2. we read that the church was met together in a place and the Holy Ghost fell upon them and then they began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance then it seems they had not spoken before though they had met together in a house and then they spoke the wonderful things of God and some that heard mocked and others said they were full of new Wine even as the people of the World do at this day when any of the people of the Lord are moved to speak as the spirit gives utterance so that sometime to sit in silence being met together to wait upon the Lord as many of the servants of the Lord do in this Nation is a practise of Religion and not contrary but according to the Scriptures for many of the servants and assemblies of the Lords people practised the same thing in ages past as the servants of the Lord do at this day so this practise is to be upholden and maintained because it is proved to be according to the Scriptures for the same thing was practised heretofore and we read Acts 20.7 that the church met in the night for Paul continued his sermon till midnight And as for their practise in speaking either man or woman as the spirit gives utterance this is according to the Scriptures though it be much wondred at and cryed against by the wise men and people of this age for we read Act. 2. that they spoke in their meeting as the spirit gave them utterance without studying before-hand what to say the Lord promised that sons and daughters should prophesie in Act. 21.9 we read of one that had four daughters that did prophesie divers other places in Scripture doth shew that women * laboured in the Gospel which doth prove that a woman speaking declaring the things of God is not contrary but according to the Scriptures and that any who are moved of the Lord may declare the things of God man or woman and the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 4.10 As every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one to another so that this practise in Religion is proved to be according to the Scriptures And as concerning their call to the Ministry some are called from their ordinary callings as from the Plough or from handicraft work or tradings or such like this is according to the Scriptures also for we read Matt. 4.18 19. where the disciples were called from their Nets and some were called from the receit of custom and we read Amos 7. that he was a Herdsman a gatherer of Sycamore fruit * Elisha was called from the Plough and some others were called from keeping of sheep So that their call to the Ministry and practise in the Ministry is according to the Scriptures for the servants of the Lord in former ages were called to the Ministry after the same manner so in that they do agree to the Scripture both in Ministry and ministring and so may own protection herein by the Protectors oath And as concerning their going up and down through the Countries and from City to City and from one Town to another and from one Nation to another this is according to the Scriptures though some seek occasion thereby against them and unjustly takes them as for Vagabonds and executes their envy upon them yet it was the Apostles practise as you may read in the Book of Acts where the Apostles travelled from Countrey to Countrey and from one City to another and though some of the servants of the Lord are moved now to speak and dispute in the Markets and reprove sin in the gates and in the streets and in the high-ways and threatning Gods judgements against the wicked all these things are according to the Scripture and their practise herein is justified by the Scriptures for we read Acts 17.17 that Paul disputed in the Synagogues with the Iews and with the devout persons and in the Market dayly with them that met with him and we read Jer. 7. that he was commanded to stand in the Gate of the Lords House and to speak to all that passed into it And Jer. 26. we read that he was commanded to stand in the Court of the Lords House without doors and to speak to all the Cities of Judah And we read in the Booke of Jonah how he was commanded to go through the streets and to reprove sin and to threaten Gods judgements against the wicked and these practises were strange in that generation as they are at this day unto the World who are not acquainted with the ways of God but all people may see though the servants of the Lord do practise these things now as they are moved their practise herein is according to the Scriptures for the servants of the Lord in former ages acted the same things so that in this practise the servants of the Lord ought not to be persecuted but protected and maintained in it and that by the Protectors oath because it is proved to be according to the Scriptures which he is sworn to maintain And as concerning their crying against such and declaring against them by word and writing that preach for hire and divines for money and seeks for their gain from their quarter and such who goes for gifts and rewards and hath sums of money by the year for preaching and though they deny such that acts those things to be Ministers of Christ this practise also is according to the Scriptures for we read Mich. 3. that he declared against such as preached for hire and divined for money and such were no Ministers of Christ And we read Isa. 56. that he declared against them that sought for their gain from their quarter which were greedy covetous men such as is many of the Teachers of England Again we read Matt. 23. where Christ declared against such did not own such to be any of his Ministers who were called of men Master who stood praying in the Synagogue and had the chief places in the Assemblies And we read in 2 Pet. 2. and in many other places where the Apostles declared against such and denyed such to be Ministers of Christ that preached for filthy lucre and took gifts and rewards for preaching and by feigned words made merchandize of souls who were
THE TRUE CHRISTIAN RELIGION AGAIN DISCOVERED After the long and dark Night of Apostacy which hath overshadowed the whole World for many ages and the profession and practise thereof witnessed unto by the Scriptures And here all may see who it is of all these Sects and divers forms of Religion in these Nations that are agreeable to the Scriptures in what they professe and practise and who it is that are not according thereunto for the line of true judgement is stretched upon all profession and a true search into and tryal thereof is made and hereby it is manifest who it is and what sort of people that may justly claim the benefit of the Protectors Oath to be protected thereby in their practises of Religion who hath bound himself to maintain and uphold that Christian Religion which is according to the Scriptures c. This is written for the good of this Commonwealth and the information of all people in it By a friend to all people especially them that feares God and loves righteousness LONDON Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 1658. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN RELIGION Again discovered c. FOrasmuch as Oliver Cromwell called Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland chief Ruler according to man hath bound himself by an oath and sworn that he will uphold and maintain the true reformed Protestan◠Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Old and new Testament of the Scriptures which oath he is bound to perform before the Lord and unto all men Now it remains to be tried and proved what the Christian Religion is and who it is in these Nations that are of the true reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Scriptures seeing there are abundance of Sects and diversities of judgements and many Assemblies and gatherings of people who are divers in their wayes in their practices and in their form of Religion in these Nations which doth all profess the Scriptures and that their form of Religion is accorco the Scriptures but this cannot be but it will be manifest otherwise for the Scriptures which were given forth by the one spirit of God bears not witness of many true Ways or unto many true Religions but unto one truth and unto one true Religion and is the Declaration of one way of life and salvation by one Jesus Christ and there is no other Name under heaven given for salvation and they that believe in him and receive him they it is onely that are of the true Religion who are guided by his spirit and changed thereby from death to life and such hath unity with the Father and with the Son and one with another and are not of this world but heirs of the Kindom of God and these may own and claim a title to be defended and preserved in their exercise and practice of Religion Therefore come all sorts of people and let us try and prove who it is that is of the true Religion and who it is that he is bound to maintain and uphold by his oath Come I say all Sects and sorts of people and appear to trial Dare you join issue with me in this matter to try your profession and practise of Religion whether it be according to the Scriptures in the purity thereof yea or nay for the Lord hath put it into my heart to lay you all to the line of true judgement and to prove you whether you must be upholden and maintained in your Religion yea or nay Come claim your priviledge if your profession and practice in Religion be according to the Scriptures then you may own your right and the benefit of the Protectors oath but if your profession and practice in Religion be otherwise and not according to the Scriptures then you must stand back and defend your selves if you can for the Protector is not bound to maintain and uphold you in your practice of Religion And with this argument I shall try you all whatsoever is professed and practised for Religion for which there is neither command nor president in Scripture is not according to the Scripture let this fall where it may this is truth and therefore all people come to trial and receive your judgement by this rule· And first the true Religion is a walking with God in purity and holiness a performing of good to him and not doing any evil a belief in Christ and receiving of him and a living in him and through the operation of his spirit to be changed into his image and the body of sin and death put off and a living to God in all things and not a living to this vain World in any thing but in all things to be guided by the spirit of Christ This in short is a description of the true Religion and they that are of this Religion shall be saved in the day of the Lord and in equity and righteousness should be protected according to the Oath before-mentioned or else the oath is not performed in justice but rather broken through transgression And first of all as concerning that profession practice in Religion which is most general in these Nations I mean such as sprinkle Infants and are sprinkled being Infants professing it to be the Baptism into the faith of Christ and that it is a seal of the new Covenant and of remission of sins and that thereby people are made capable of union with Christ and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sign of regeneration c. This is practised and professed by many for Religion but this practice and doctrine is not according to the Scripture being it was never commanded nor any example for it in Scripture therefore all ye through all these Nations that are made Christians and ownes your title in Christianity and a right to fellowship with Christ and that ye are joyned to the Church and become members of Christ because you were sprinkled when you were Infants and all ye that teach this for doctrine and practice it for Religion you are not of the true Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Scriptures This I do affirm therefore stand you by for what you practise and professe there is neither command nor president in Scripture if you could shew any you are now called and a necessity is put upon you to make use of your knowledge if you would be protected in this Commonwealth in your practise of RELIGION likewise you sing and give to sing Davids Psalmes in rime and meeter professing it is to the glory and honor of God ye practice this as an Ordinance of God as a part of his Worship and as a part of your Religion but this practice and profession also is manifest not to be according to Scriptures because it was never commanded neither is there any president for this practice in the Scriptures in Gospel-times Therefore in this part of your Religion you cannot
and the Apostles and the same things are now come to pass and we do not strange at it for it is the chief Priests of England that doth most seek the persecution and causes the people of God to be persecuted by their complaining and petitioning to the Magistrates so that in all these things not onely what is practised and preached for Doctrine but also in what is suffered is perfectly according to the Scriptures and all people that are not blind may see that this Religion is in all things agreeable with the Scriptures both in what they do and in what they suffer so that this is given forth for the good information of the Protector and all Magistrates that they may hear the tryal of all things and may not falsly conjecture or suppose and thereupon give judgement without any true knowledge let them search the Scripture and try I hope the worst of men hath so much conscience that they will stand in awe of the breach of their own oaths and that they will perform unto the Lord and unto all men what they have firmly and not compell'd sworn to do and thus it may be hoped the woful persecution wil cease which is lamentable to be declared how the people of the Lord have sufferd in many things even them whose Religion is proved to be according to the Scriptures who practice nothing for Religion neither holds forth any thing for Doctrine but that which is perfectly agreeable to the Scriptures as all people hereby may understand which Religion the Protector hath sworn to maintain and uphold then who shall presume to persecute the people whose practise in Religion is proved to be the very same which his oath extends to maintain Surely no men will be so impudent or shew such rebellion to Government as to endeavour to break down and destroy that people whose Religion is proved to be justly that which he is by oath bound to maintain some heretofore before this Oath was taken might plead ignorance and say they knew not the mind of the Protector but now his mind is fully discovered and he doth not onely allow but also hath solemnly sworne to maintain and uphold that Christian Religion which is according to Scriptures and it is proved what people it is whose Religion is so and I say again That same people mentioned doth practice nothing neither holds forth any thing for Doctrine but it is either commanded or there is president for it in Scripture or agreeable thereto and therefore that same people is of the true Christian Religion which the Lord Protector hath bound himselfe to maintain by oath in the face of the whole Nations so that none of the Magistrates now can plead ignorance for as he is sworn to uphold the people of God in their Religion so are they bound to be true to him and the Government and to fulfil the good Laws and his oaths and enterprises so that I say again it may be hoped for the time to come for protection and to be maintained and no longer persecuted and destroyed in their persons and estates as formerly they have been if men regard their own oaths or there be any truth or sincerity in the heart of man and I say By this very oath mentioned might the people of God own and claim protection and defence in their way and practise of Religion which is so plainly proved to be according to the Scriptures though none of them desired such an oath for their protection or sought after it yet being voluntarily instituted and taken why may not they own the extent of it which reacheth to them more then to any besides as is clearly described and not for their own sakes altogether do they own the benefit of it but that he which hath taken it may be clear in the sight of the Lord in performing of his oath for his felicity and the increase and continuance of good Government they desire as much as their own protection and they would not have any man so wicked or the cause of perpetual infamy to be given to this Nation so much as that any thing should be destroyed or broken down which is sworn to be upheld and maintained in the Nation lest the Heathen Rulers rise in condemnation against the doers thereof These with many other arguments which might be produced presseth many to endeavour the fulfilling of the said oath for his own sake who hath taken it And that first of all by that oath the people of God may own protection in this Commonwealth because their Religion is according to the Scriptures c. Secondly That some people might also own protection in this Commonwealth in that the most of them if not all have been true and faithful subjects of this Commonwealth and hazarded lives and estates for the establishing of such a Government wherein the people of God might have full liberty for the exercise of their pure conscience Again they may own protection in this Commonwealth as being at this day a harmless and innocent people not being offensive to any mans person or estate or in any other thing except to sin and wickedness and the workers thereof and I say again That they do not desire any thing but the welfare and the encrease and the establishment of this present Government wherein it is according to God And this is written for the information of all sorts of people that they may know unto what sort of people the Protectors oath extends to uphold and maintain and as concerning all those whose practise in Religion and Doctrines are not according to Scripture but contrary to it as is manifest and so not to be maintained and upholdâ—n in their profession and practice of Religion by the Protectors oath yet it is not desired that such should be destroyed or overthrown or bound or imprisoned or any cruelty done to them though their practice be not according to Scriptures but it s desired that such may live in peace in the Commonwealth enjoying their Religion to themselves without any molestation from any ouâ—ward Law or outward power for many would not that any should be compelled to or from any exercises in Religion by an outward Law but let them defend themselves in their Religion from those who may be moved of the Lord to reprove them or declare against them or covince them so that many would have Religion to defend it self and that the Magistrates with their Laws may preserve the peace in the Commonwealth and mens persons and Estates and not their opinions and judgements and we would they may not limit or stint tender consciences for many may be of a tender conscience in those things wherein their consciences are not truly informed and such should not bee condemned to death but to bâ— won by sound doctrine and instructed by those who are called of God and so this is written that the whole Nation may understand the minde of the Lords servants in all