For if so in that sence God and Nature are both one and God and Nature compared therefore is called Natura naturans that Nature which giveth nature to all things so that one defining of Nature calleth it God and divine reason incerted and put into the world and every part thereof but if by the word Nature they meane a certaine power influence or instinct which without sence or understanding in it selfe hath an opperation in things senslesse inclining and moving them to a certaine end It must needs follow that the same nature influence or power hath that motion force or opperation from some superiour essence which hath understanding and is of infinite power and wisedome who createth moveth guideth and concerneth it In which sence it is defined of some to be principium motus quies the beginning of motion and rest and so numbred amongst such causes as work for an end From all which it may be concluded that nature must needs Nature Gods instrument be directed by the providence of God for nothing that is voyd of understanding and sence can tend to a certaine end except it be directed by some that knoweth the end As an Arrow cannot tend to a certaine marke except it be shot by some that knoweth the marke in which sence nature can be nothing else but the instrument Nature Gods order of God Againe nature may be termed Gods order and so things extraordinary are called unnaturall Forâ—une his unrevealed will and so we call things changeable that are besides reason and expectation What then is Nature but God! call him what thou wilt Nature Jupiter c. he hath as many names as officer it comes all to one passe That God it the fountaine of all the first giver and preserver from whom and of whom all things The universal world is nothing but God â—â—prest depend and that he is all 〈◊〉 all and in every place so that the universall world is nothing else but God exprest and therefore every man that hath reason or is reasonable may know out of the same reason that he that made him is God as the Psalmist confesseth Psal 100. It is he that made us and not me ourselves for as a man seeing a great fabrick or building will conclude that it did not make it selfe so we seeing the great fabrick of Heaven and Earth must needs conclude that it had one that framed and produced it in that beauty we see it have As the Psalmist also acknowledgeth Psal 19. 1. 2. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmâ—ment sheweth his handy worke One day telleth another and one night certifieth another c. SECT 2. Of the Appellations of God whereby he is made knowne unto the world THe name of a thing is that whereby it is made knowne unto others and severed and distinguished from other things In this latter respect God needeth no name because he is but one Of the Appellations of God neither can properly any name be given him because he is infinite and cannot be comprehended in a name Neither is a name given to God in respect of himselfe but to us that in some sort he might be made knowne unto us That there is a God Nature it selfe will teach us but what this God is we know not but as it pleaseth him to reveale unto us in his Word Now the name of God in Scripture is five wayes to be taken As 1. For God himselfe Joel 2. 32. Whosoever shall call upon the The names of God five waies taken name of God shall be saved 2. For the Word of God as in Joh. 17. 6. where our blessed Saviour saith I have manifested thy name c. 3. For the wisedome power mercy and other Attributes of God as in Mal. 1. 11. Great is my name that is my glory power and majesty 4. For the commandement of God Joh. 17. 8. I came in my Fatherâ— name 5. For that whereby God is called viz. Jebovah Exed 3. 15. where the Lord saith This is my name for ever Further touching the names which are given to God they The names of God of soure soâ—ts may be reduced to foure sorts viz. 1. The names whereby the divine Nature and Essence is expressed aâ— Eheje Jehovah which are only peculiar unto God 2. His name taken from his Attributes as his Wisedome Justice Mercy and such like which properties though in a most excellent manner they agree unto God yet are also communicated unto Creatures and so he is called Creator Lord Governour Preserver his opperations being three-fold as 1. In Creation 2. In Formation and 3. In Consummation 3. Some of his names include a Negation or absence of some imperfection incident to the Creatures and so he is called immortall immutable as also in regard of the vaine opinions and estimations of men as the Idols of the Gentiles were called gods 4. The name of God is given him by way of Similitude as Magistrates in respect of their Authority are called gods so also Prophets in regard of their divine knowledge Holy men for their sanctity and Angels for the excellency of their Creation and so are called gods Nun cupative by a kinde of Appellation as Moses is called Aarons God Exod. 4. 16. but the Lord is called God essentially The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob Exod. 3. 4. Besides these there are other names which belong particularly unto God as in Exod. 3. 4. where the Lord saith to Moses Eheje or I am that I am hath sent thee Which word according to the Expositers of the Hebrewes signifieth The peculier name of God all the differences of time both past present and to come as it is expounded Rom. 1. 8. 2. Others terme it a name of Of his name these unchangeablenesse for the creatures which have their dependencie of themselves cannot say Ero I shall be 3. It sheweth the perfection of God that hath his being of himselfe and not of any other 4. The goodnesse of God that giveth to all things their being as iâ— Rom. 11. 36. where the Apostle saith Of him through him and for him are all things therefore in that things are said to be they have it given them by the goodnesse of God 5. It declareth the infinitenesse of God that God is all in all as in 1 Cor. 15. 28. so that this is unto God to be to be all things as wisedome goodnesse righteousnesse c. 6. This name maketh a difference betwixt the true God and the false gods of the Heathen that had no being at all 7. This name sheweth both the power of God that nothing can hinder his everlasting being and his goodnesse in promising his continuall presence and assistance to his Church and this name of God was not unheard of amongst the wiser sort of the Heathen for it is said that this sentence was written upon the doores of the Egyptians Temples Ego sum omne
which the Gentiles used in vindication Papists use the Gentiles plea c. of their Idols but if Images were a means to instruct the rude and ignorant certainly God would have commanded it in the Old Testament which he did not but contrariwise strictly forbiddeth it And if they be for instruction they must have an Interpreter for they are dumbe of themselves and an Interpreter can better instruct without them Again the Scriptures Images and Idols teachers of lyes saith that Images are teachers of lyes Hab. 2. 18. and that Idols speak vanity Zaâ— 10. 2. If they serve then for Lay-mens Books they only teach them lies and vanities Again Images set up in Churches to be gazed upon doe draw the mindes of men from celestiall cogitations and therefore according to the Prophet Davids exhortation we ought to turn our eyes from beholding vanities especially in such a place all vain objects therefore ought to be removed from peoples sight and it is reported of the ancient The danger of Images and Idols in publick places Romans that they would suffer no Images in their Churches that the worship of God might be more pure the sight of them therefore in such publick places are very dangerous and that for these reasons viz. 1. In regard that mens hearts being naturally corrupted and prone to Idolatry by such objects are nourished to error and therefore when Hezekiah saw the brazen Serpent abused to Idolatry brake it 2 King 18. 4. and thereby took away the cause of stumbling 2. Those resemblances come so neare the nature of things living and so doth the more easily deceive Obj. The Image of Christ may be made as he was man Ans The Picture of Christ ought not to be made at all for in The Image of Christ a lying Image regard Christ is both God and Man therefore all such Images as are made of Christ must needs be lying Images in respect they cannot expresse his God-head SECT 4. Obj. THe Image of God may be made because God was sometimes seen in corporall shape Exod. 33. 22. Ans It followeth not because God by his authority could Moses could not see Gods effiges make a representation of himself that man therefore of his owne authority can doe it without Gods warrant 2. That Vision was shewed to Moses alone and in a secret place but their are set up in the publick view of all and in publick places 3. It was an Image passing and not continuing but theirs are permanent 4. That were of his back parts but they are bold to picture the glorious countenance of God which is most rediculous seeing the Apostle saith No man hath seen God at any time Joh. 1. 18. Obj. The Scriptures testifieth that God spake to Moses face to face Exod. 33. 11. Ans It is not possible in this life to see God with the eyes of the body for if so it must needs follow that God must be of a corporall and substantiall substance if he might be seen with carnall eyes for nothing by the eyes of flesh can be discerned but that which is visible finite and sircumscriptable but the Lord is infinite Ergo 2. God being of a spirituall nature cannot be seen by the God cannot be seen with corporall eyes eyes of the body for that which is of a spirituall nature doth not come under the sence of the body 3. It is said that God is Love 2 Epist joh ver 8. which sheweth his substance not a quallity as our love is so then as faith hope and love in us cannot be seen much lesse can God 4. The Image of God in man which is the inward renovation of the minde cannot be seen much lesse God himself whose Image we are 5. The minde of man is invisible much more that most pure and infinite minde 6. God is of a simple nature without any composition he hath no forme or figure but nothing is perceived of the sence but that which is of a mixt and compound nature that hath forme and fashion 7. The Divine Nature is infinite and not to be confined or limited and that which cannot be limited cannot be comprehended for that which containeth is greater then that which is contained and it is also Heterogenâ—ae naturae of another nature as the Fish is contained in the water and the Birds in the ayre but nothing is greater then God and he being perfectly good that which should confine him being of a divers kinde must be perfectly evill and so it would follow Deus vinci a malo that God should be overcome of evill 8. Whereas divers of the Saints have been said to see God after a divers sort if they had seen the substance of God then it would follow that God is of a divers nature and substance for he was diversly seen of Ezekiel and Isaias Ezek. 1. 26. Esai 6. 1. c. intimating thereby that God can no otherwise be seen of us then in Christ his Son who is the very graven forme of his person Heb. 1. 3. and if Christ would not grant any such carnall vision of God unto his Disciples who were convenant with him in the Flesh who can in this life expect it 9. Whereas the Prophet Esay saith I saw the Lord sitting upon a high throne and is also said to have been seen of others of the Saints we must not think that they saw Gods substance with their carnall eyes but as mens nature could apprehend him not as he is but as it pleased him to reveale himself unto them for no created understanding can come neere unto God the understanding may come neere the nature of another but it is impossible that the intellectuall part should comprehend God seeing he is infinite to be known but the power of the understanding or intelligence created is finite how then can that which is finite comprehend that which is infinite yea even the understanding of Christ that is as he was man did not comprehend God The Apostle saith he dwelleth in that light which none can attain unto 1 Tim. 6. 16. the reason is because no power can doe any thing in that which is higher then the object but God is higher then the object of our understanding Ergo Again a thing is said to be invisible two wayes 1. In regard of the defect in it selfe as darknesse and shadowed places 2. Because of the excellency thereof as the Sun is to our eye and so God is invisible SECT 5. Obj. IT is said Exod. 24. 9 10. that Moses and Aaron Nadab and Abihu and the seventy of the Elders of Israel saw the God of Israel c. as also Deut. 34. 10. where it is said concerning Moses that the Lord knew him face to face viz. as men may know one another by their countenance Ans They saw God not in his divine Essence and substance The glorified Saints shall not behold God in his essence which is invisible and incomprehensible
invocation of Saints that are departed for God sendeth not Abimeleck to Noah or any other departed to pray for him but to Abraham then living which duty may be mutually performed in charity whilst one knoweth anothers necessities but for the living to pray to or for the dead which knoweth not their wants being already certainly disposed of in an unchangeable estate as the living are not as also in that the Prophet telleth us that Abraham is dead and Isaac is ignorant of us Isa 63. 16. is such a conceit as hath no warrant from Scripture or any sound reason because they are not present to heare our prayers neither doe they know our hearts and we have one sufficient Advocate and Mediator Jesus Christ 1 Ioh. 3. 1. and therefore need we not the mediation of any other neither will they assume unto themselves any part of We ought to confesse our fins only to God 1 King 8. 47. Psal 19. 120. 33. 5 41. 44. Jer. 14. 20. Dâ—n 9. 15. Mat. 15. 18. 1 Ioh. 1. 9. Christs Office for as the perfume Exod. 30. 8. was alwayes before the Lord which doth signifie the prayers of the Saints so God only through Christ must be invocated which honour he will not give to any other for God must only be beleeved upon as our Saviour saith Ye beleeve in God beleeve also in me Joh. 14. 1. and the Apostle saith that men cannot call upon him on whom they have not beleeved Rom. 10. 14. and certainly they would not have us beleeve in Saints departed Obj. Absâ—lon could not be admitted to his fathers presence untill Joab had mediated for him and Bethshaba Solomons mother intreated for Adoniah so it is necessary to have Mediators unto God Ans 1. We have one sufficient Mediator Jesus Christ who is able sufficiently to reconcile us unto God 2. Though many mediators are used in Princes Courts because either they are ignorant of our affaires or their affections is estranged yet it is not so with God who knoweth all things besides the love of Christ to us exceedeth the love of all other inferiour Mediators which men can seeke unto 3. The example of Bethshaba is unfitly alledged for she obtained not her suite SECT 6. Obj. ELiphas saith to Job Job 5. 1. Call now if any will answer thee and to which of the Saints wilt thou turne thee 2. David exhorteth to praise the Lord in his Saints Psal 150. 1. 3. It is said in Ezekiel I sought for a man amongst them to make up the hedge c. but I found none Ans Eliphas in that place speaketh of the Saints and righteous living to see if Job could finde amongst any of them a patron to defend his cause 2. The place in the Psalmes is Praise God in his holinesse or in his sanctuary neither doth it follow that because God is praised in his Saints that therefore we are to pray to Saints as it followeth in the next words praise him in the firmament will they therefore have the firmament prayed unto 3. The place in Ezekiel is spoken of men living and not The Saintâ— to whom the Papists pray shall be their accusers of men dead the answer therefore which Jacob gave to Rachiel when she called to him for children saying Give me children c. Am I in Gods stead may fitly be applyed by the Saints departed to such prayers or desires made unto them And as our Saviour said to the Jewes There is one that accuseth you even Moses in whom ye trust so the Saints which these men so superstitiously worship will at the last day be their accusers CHAP. VI. Treateth of their Idolizing of the Pope c. with a confutation thereof HAving discussed their folly in worshipping of Idols and Images without life as also their adoration and invocation of Angels and Saints departed I shall now discover their folly in worshipping a living Idol viz. the Pope to whom they ascribe an infallibility as also the title of their Lord God the Pope SECT 2. Object IS not the Pope Peters successor and is not Christ said to speake these words to Peter viz. Thou art Peter and upon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against it and I will give thee the keyes of the kingdome of Heaven and whatsoever thou shalt binde on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven By all which expressions doubtlesse he gave unto Peter a speciall priviledge above all the other Apostles Ans That the Pope is Peters successor I grant but yet in Wherein the Pope is Peters Successor this one particular which was in denying his Lord and Master whose servant he pretends to be and as to the urging of them words mentioned to the particular person of Peter as that thereby he had a more speciall priviledge then the rest of the Apostles is to goe about to prove that our Saviour did contradict himself in his expressions used to the two ambitious Suitors James and John whom no other place would serve them then to sit on the Mat. â—0 20. right and left hand in his kingdome in these words It shall not be so amongst you in which words there is an absolute nullaty of any superiority amongst the Apostles or Disciples of Christ and that by a Statute not to be repealed being the determinate law of a just authority by a Cannon ordained and irrevocably fixed by the wisdome of God and confirmed by an example beyond all arguments even by an example fetched from his owne particular vers 28. where he saith that the Sonne of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister as also Luk. 22. 27. I am amongst you as he that serveth now seeing this humility was in Christ himself how much more ought it to have been amongst Iob. 15. 10. his Apostles and Disciples The servant must not be greater then his Lord Joh. 13. 16. neither he that is sent greater then he that sent him it is enough that the servant be as his Master Mat. 10. 25. 2. To stop these blasphemous and Antichristian mouthes I An equâ—ll power and commission were gâ—ven to all the Apostleâ— shall also prove that an equall power and commission in use of the keyes was likewise given to all the rest of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ as well as unto Peter and that by the words of our Saviour both before his Passion and also after his Resurrection before his Passion in these words Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall binde on earth c. and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Mat. 18. 18. as also after his resurrection as we have it Joh. 20. 23. Whosoever sins ye remit they are remitted and whosoever sins ye retaine they are retained in both which places of Scripture the words are directed to all the Disciples as also
13. neither hath he commanded it but forbidden it in his Law neither doth he worke with them that doth evill for all that God doth is good and so there is none good but God Mark 10. 19. neither doth the Lord approve sin being done Psal 84. Thou art a God that hatest wickednesse So then if God neither move to sin nor commend it being done nor yet assist the actors of it he can in no wise be said to be the author of sin 3. If God should cause sin then every man should sin of necessity and so his punishment should be unjust being forced to sin but God who cannot be deceived hath not brought upon any a necessity or willingnesse of sinning for it cannot be that by whom men rise from sin by him they should fall into sin God that is good cannot be said to be the cause of evill for then he should be contrary to himself Again if God should be any waies the Author of sin then it should be no sin for whatsoever God doth is good nay not to doe that which the Lord willeth is sinne Yet seeing 1. God is said in Scripture to harden the heart which betokeneth an action and likewise in other termes as God is said to give some over to vile affections as in Rom. 1. 26. and to send upon some strong delusions that they should not beleeve the truth 2 Thes 2. 11. and to make the heart fat the eares heavie and to shut the â—yes Isa 6. 10. all which phrases implyeth an action or opperation it is therefore requisite to shew what the hardnesse of heart is 2. By what meanes it is effected or procured and 3. In what respect God may be said to work in the action SECT 2. 1. IT may be described negatively by the unaptnesse of it to any The qualities and inseparable adjuncts of a hard heart Reader examine thy selfe by these ten Simptomes thing that is good being neither passive active or apprehensive of any good thing it is neither moved by prayers nor giveth way to threats it is unthankfull for benefits unfaithfull in Counsell unshame fac'd in evill things there is no activity at all to any good thing it remembreth nothing that is past but wrongs and injuries nor hath any fore-cast for the time to come unlesse it be to seeke revenge 2. It may be described by the inseparable companions thereof viz. the blindnesse of the mind for as ignorance blindeth the understanding so hardnesse of heart blindeth the will and affections as the Apostle saith speaking of the Gentiles Having their cogitations darkned through the ignorance that was in them because of the hardnesse of their hearts Eph. 4. 18. both which concurred in Pharaoh who shewed his blindnesse in saying he knew not Jehovah and his hardnesse of heart in adding neither will I let Israel goe Exod. 5. 3. The third property of the hardnesse of heart is thiâ— that it not only a great and grievous sin but also the punishment of sin 1. That it is a sin the Apostle sheweth Heb. 3. 12. where he saith Take heed brethren least therein at any time in you be an evill heart to depart from the living God And that it is a punishment of sin the Apostle testifieth also Rom. 1. 21. because saith he when they knew God they did not glorifie him as God And therefore it followeth ver 29. That God gave them over to their own hearts lusts Now the qualities and inseparable adjuncts of hardning the heart are these viz. 1. Blindnesse of judgement and understanding as Isa 6. 10. where the Lord saith Make the heart of this people fat c. lest Reader examine thy selfe by these Simptomes they should see with their eyes and heare with their eares and understand with their hearts and be converted and I should heale them 2. They are obstinate and wilfull and refuse to be admonished and instrâ—cted and say unto God Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes Job 1. 14. 3. They delight in doing of evill and make a sport of sin Prov. 2. 14. which rejoyce in doing of evill and delight in the frowardnesse of the wicked 4. They regard not to doe things honest in the sight of God but contrarily contemne and despise them that doe such things as Prov. 18. 3. When the wicked commeth then commeth contempt 5. They are incorrigible and past all hopes of amendment Prov. 1. 30. They would none of my counsell but despised all my corrections 6. They are not ashamed of most vile sins as Jer. 3. 3. Thou hast a Whâ—res forehead and wouldest not be ashamed 7. When the Lord smiteth them they feele iâ— not neither have they any feare of Gods judgements whom the Wise man compareth to those that sleep on the Mast of a Ship and as drunken men that are stricken and knoweth it not Prov. 23. 24. 25. 8. They are growne to such an evill custome of sinning that they can doe no other as the Prophet saith Can the Black-a-more change his hew or the Leopard his spots then may they yet also doe good that are accustomed to doe evill Jer. 13. 23. So that the sins of such seeme to be inexpiable as the same Prophet saith that the sins of Judah were written with a Pen of Iron and with the point of a Diamond Chap. 17. 1. 9. They wax worse and worse of whom it is said Rev. 22. 11. He that is filthy let him be filthy still and as they increase in sins so doe they treasure up wrath against the day of wrath and so treasure up Gods judgements against themselves Rom. 2. 5. 10. They are rejected and cast out of the presence of God and left to themselves such an one was Saul of whom it was said That the Spirit of the Lord departed from him and an evill spirit from the Lord vexed him 1 Sam. 16. 14. And thus have I shewed what the hardnesse of heart is SECT 3. 2. IN the next place I am to shew by what meanes it is effected How the hardnesse of the heart is effected and procured of which subject there are varieties of opinions I shal give you the most materiall of them Some are of opinion that the Lord hardneth the heart by way of manifestation instansing in Pharaoh where the Lord by his plagues and judgements declared how hard Pharaohs heart was But this cannot be the sence of it for so God might be said to commit any other sins when he doth manifest them and bring to lâ—ght and though the expression might serve upon that occasion yet it faileth in other places as Deut. 2. 30. where it is said that God hardened the heart of Sihon King of the Amorites and Joshua 23. where the Lord is said to harden the hearts of the Canâ—aâ—itâ—s and Rom. 9. 15. God hath mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will hâ— hardneth in these places it cannot be expounded that God hardned that is
declared their hearts to be hard Others expound it by way of permission because those that are hardned God depriveth of his grace and leaveth them to themselves as God is said to shut up all in unbelief and that he gave them 〈◊〉 spirit of slumber eyes that they could not see c Now these sayings say they are not to be taken as though God did these things but that he suffered them to be done As I wil harden the heart of Pharaoh that is suffer it to be hardned as that he gave them up to a reprobate sence is nothing else but that he permitted it as a Captaine leaving his Souldiers in the midst of a Battell may be said to deliver them up to his enemies hands But although this be most true that God suffereth such to continue in the hardnesse of their hearts yet this is not all for so the Lord suffereth all other sins to be done for there is nothing done in the world unlesse the omnipotent God will have it done either by suffering it to be done or doing it of himself againe if so The Lord goeth further in the act then by his permission the Lord might as wel be said to steale or the like because he suffereth such things to be done but the Lord doth not only concurre in the hardning of the heart by permission or suffering it to be hardned but according to his owne power and action not by the which immediately the hardnesse of the heart is made but whereby many things are done by the which a sinner by his own corruption doth conceive the hardnesse of the heart Now the induration of the heart is two waies to be taken or The Induration of the heart two wayes taken considered 1. As it is a sin 2. As it is a punishment of sin In the first of these God hath no part but for the other as he is a just Judge he inflicteth the hardnesse of the heart as a punishment as the Apostle sheweth Rom. 2. 28 For as the Gentiles regarded not to know God so God delivered them up to a reprobate minde And 2 Thes 2. 11. because they received not the love of the truth c. therfore God sent them strong delusions that they should beleeve lyes in which places the Apostle sheweth how the Lord punished them with blindnesse of heart because of their former sins as also Sam. 12. 11. Behold I will raise up evill upon thee out of thine owne house which was verified in Absolâ—m that rose up against his father as also in the act of Shimei in cursing David whom David saith The Lord bid curse him Now concerning this rebellion of Absolom and rayling of Shimei they are not to be ascribed to God as they were sins in Absolom and Shimei but as they were punishments of the sins of David they were sent of God SECT 4. Obj. IF God be the Author of the induration of the heart as it is a punishment of sin then he may as well be said to be the Author of other sins when as a man falleth into them as the punishments of his former sins Ans All such sins proceed from the hardnesse of the heart Popish objections answered that confirmeth and setleth a sinner in his wickednesse and therefore God cannot be said to be a cause of those sins for a man by continuing in sin hath his heart hardned by the just judgement of God and then out of the hardnesse of his owne heart he bringeth forth other sins of himselfe Obj. The hardnesse of the heart as it is a great and horrible sin so is it the punishment of former sins wherefore if God doe cause it to be a punishment he also causeth it as it is a sin Ans In this Argument there are ambiguous termes for in the first clause this note of similitude as is taken for the being of the thing the bardnesse of the heart as it is a sinne so it is the punishment of sin that it could not be the punishment of sin unlesse it were sin this we grant in the first part but the same word as signifieth also the manner of being Therefore if the first be taken in the same sense for one and the same manner of being we deny that the hardnesse of the heart in the same respect is both sin and the punishment of sin It is both in respect of the subject and being but not both in the same quality affection and manner of being Obj. All punishments of sin because they are just stand with the will of God now hardnesse of heart being a sin if it should stand with the Will of God then it would follow that sin should stand with the Will of God Ans If sin should no way stand with the Will of God then it should not be committed in the world for against his will can nothing be so that we must admit a distinction of Gods will which The will of God two-fold is twofold viz. his will of approbation and his will of providence by the first he willeth not sin but by the second he willeth it to be in the world because he knoweth how to dispose of sin even unto good Many things are done without Gods Wil nothing without his providence Providence is that whereby he disposeeth of things Will whereby he willeth or nilleth any thing and therefore it is good that evill should be done because thereby Gods power and goodnesse is seen in turning evill unto good If therefore God did not see how to turne evill unto a good end he would not suffer evill to be done in the world So then retaining the formes distinction stil hardnesse of heart as it is a sin God willeth it not but as it is a punishment of sin it standeth very wel with the Justice of God SECT 5. THere be also severall other opinions concerning the manner Other opinions touching Gods â—â—â—dâ—ing the heart how God hardneth the heart which being very profitable will not be amisse to be rehearsed As that God doth it by way of patience and long suffering because say they the Lord doth suspend his Judgements and doth not presently punish the wicked whereupon they abusing Gods patience As by way of patience and longsuffering and long suffering are hardned and this exposition they ground upon that place of Scripture Rom. 2. 4. Despisest thou the riches of his bountiousnesse patience and long suffering not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance but thou after thy hardnesse and heart that cannot repent heapest up against thy self wrath against the day of wrath Of which patient forbearance they make a figurative Locution Like say they as a Simile Master should say to his servant that abuseth his gentlenesse it is I that have made the thing because I did not punish thee Again As the Sun say they hardneth the Clay and mollifieth Why â—he Lord useth such great patience the Wax
whereupon death insueth is said to seeke his owne death and yet they desire to live but upon their unruly and disorderly behaviour death followeth So God is likewise said to harden the heart by the like figurative speech because the harding of the heart insueth upon the abuse of these things which God tendeth not to that end but they pervert them to their owne hurt and this opinion may also be safely received and acknowledged but yet there is somewhat more to be added SECT 8. BUt by the way to binde and harden though it signifie an Act Foure things are said to blinde or harden the heart proceeding from him that hardneth yet it is not alwaies so taken for we shal finde in Scripture that foure waies a thing is said to blinde and so consequently to harden viz. 1. Gifts are said to blinde the eyes as Deut. 16. 19. not that they being a dead thing can corrupt the judgement but mens corrupt hearts taking occasion is thereby inticed to corrupt or pervert Justice 2. The Devill is said to blinde the eyes of the wicked 2 Cor. 4. 4. Whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that beleeve not least the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them 3. The malice of a mans owne heart is said to blinde and harden as Pharaoh hardned his owne heart 4. God is said to blinde the eyes and harden the heart Esa 6. 10. Make the hearts of this people fat and make their eares heavie and shut their eyes lest they see with their eyes and heart with their eares and understand with their hearts and be converted and be healed 1. Gifts doth blinde occasionalliter by way of occasion 2. Mans heart blindeth meritoriâ— by way of desert or meritoriously because it deserveth to be further blinded and hardned 3. The Devil blindeth insitando by insisting and stirring up to sin and 4. God blindeth subtrahendo gratiam by withdrawing his grace and inflicting the punishment of induration upon them SECT 9. FUrther God is said to harden the heart in his divers leavings In what respects God is said to work in the action of the hardning the heartâ— and forsakings of them as First he suffereth them to follow their owne lusts and desires not giving them power or grace to restraine them as Rom. 1. 24. He gave them up to their owne hearts lusts 2. He giveth them abundance of ease and prosperity whereby they are intangled and therefore the Prophet prayeth Give me neither poverty nor riches Prov. 3. 8. 3. He denyeth them the benefit of wholsome correction and affliction whereby they should learne to know themselves as the Apostle saith The Lord doth receive no childe whom he doth not chastise and if we be not chastised then we are bastards and no Sons Heb. 12. 6. 8. 4. God forbiddeth his Servants to pray for such 1 Joh. 5. 16. and so they want the benefit of their prayers as Jeremiah is forbidden to pray for the people Jer. 14. 11. 5. God in his Justice depriveth them of such as should travell for their Soules and bring them unto God as the Apostle left the wilful and obstinate Jewes and shoke of the dust of their feet against them Act. 13. 51. 6. The Lord taketh from them the preaching and knowledge of his Word as the Lord threatned by his Prophet Amos to send upon them a famine but not of bread or water but of hearing the Word Amos 8. 11. 7. God suffereth them to be deceived by flatterers and unfaithful Counsellors as Rehoboam was by his young men 2 Chro. 10. 8. 8. The more strongly to delude them the Lord sometimes suffereth false Prophets to shew signes and wonders as the Apostle saith of the false Prophet Antichrist whose comming is by the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders 2 Thes 2. 9. 9. The Lord permitteth Satan to invade them and to work upon them all his pleasure as the evil spirit sent of the Lord upon Saul 1 Sam. 16. 14 And a lying spirit was in the mouth of Baals Prophets to deceive Ahab 1 King 22 2â— 10. God taketh from them all helps whereby they should be defended from the assaults of Satan as the Lord threatned to doe to his unfruitful Vineyard saying I will take away the hedge thereof and it shall be eaten up I will breake downe the wall thereof and it shall be trodden downe Isa 5. 4. Now the Lord doth not thus forsake until they have forsaken him as Isaiah sheweth Chap. 59. 2. your wickednesse have seperated betwixt you and your God SECT 10. Obj. GOd may be also said to harden the heart because he disposeeth thereof and directeth it to such an end as he himselfe propoundeth Ans 'T is true as God ordaineth the end so hath he also ordained the meanes to the end as Act. 2. 23. where Christ is said to be delivered by the determinate counsell and fore-knowledge of God yet was he betrayed and delivered by Judas whose act in some respects is said to be the Lords because he so disposed of it to affect and accomplish his glorious Counsel in redeeming his elect by the death of his Son But this cannot safely be affirmed that the Lord should be said to doe these things which he ordaineth and disposeth for God so disposed of that Spiritual Cumbat which the Apostle Paul found in his flesh that it tended further to Gods glory and the manifestation of his power as the Lord saith My grace is sufficient for thee my power is made perfect through weaknes yet God was not the worker of that temptation but the Apostle imputeth it unto Satan 2 Cor. 12. 7. Like as in the Creation God made light but made not darknesse but only Sin a defect of good as darknesse of light made a seperation betwixt the light and darknesse it being only a defect of light Gen. 1. 14. so the workes of darknesse God cannot be said to make only he disposeth and ordereth them SECT 11. AGaine some referre the worke of God which he sheweth in the hardning of the heart to that generall power which he giveth unto the Creature in whom all things live move and have their being as Act. 17. 28. for the hardning of the heart as it is an action or worke is of God but as it is evil it proceedeth from man Evill acts as they are acts are good and proceed from God the Author but this solution doth not take away the doubt for as God is the Creator and so the generall Good and evill moâ—ions of the heart worker he only giveth power to move the heart which moving being the generall action is divided into two parts for there are good motions of the heart and evil the one mollyfying the heart and the other hardning of it In the good motions God concurreth two wayes 1. As a How the Lord worketh in them motions generall mover by his
New for divers Saints had their proper possessions and goods as Tabitha Act. 8. that made Coates for the poore of Lidia Act. 16. who was also a seller of purple 6. It is lawfull for Christians to have their pâ—oper servants much more his proper goods for the peculiar possession of servants seemeth more to be against the liberty of Nature then of goods and lands but the distinction of Masters and Servants are not taken away but maintained and continued in the New Testament Ephe. 6. and in other places much more distinct possessions of things SECT 5. Obj. T is also appropriated unto them of this notion that they are of opinion that it is not lawfull to take an oath before a Magistrate aleadging the Text Mat. 5. 34. But I say unto you sweare not at all c. but that it is lawfull to take an oath amongst Christians is thus proved Ans If it had not been lawfull to sweare and if the thing were The lawfulnesse of an oath to which purpose many objections are answered evill in it selfe then the holy Servants of God would not have sworne at all as Abraham did to Abimelech Gen. 22. Jacob to Laban Gen. 31. 53. Jonathan to David and David to Jonathan 1 Sam. 20. 42. 2. God commandeth us to sweare by his name Deut. 6. 13. 10. 20. but God commandeth no evill to be done 3. The end of an Oath is to put an end to all strife and controverfie Heb. 16. 16. therefore it is to Gods glory and profitable to humane society that by Oathes such businesses should be ended Obj. Although it were permitted in the Old Testament to the Fathers to sweare yet it is forbidden in the New at Mat. 5. 34. I say unto you sweare not at all Ans Christ came not to dissolve the Law viz. the Morall Law which being perpetuall doth yet remaine in use 2. The Prophets speaking of the times of the Gospel and oâ— the state of the Church under Christ doth fore-tell that they should sweare by his name Isa 65. 16. He that sweareth on earth shall sweare by the true God 3. We have the example of Paul which often called God to witnesse as Rom. 1. 9. Cor. 1. 23. Rom. 9. 1. Phil. 1. 8. Gal. 1. 23. Obj. Our Saviour giveth a generall prohibition against swearing in that text of Mat. 5. 34. and the Apostle James saith Above all things my brethren sweare not at all but let your yea be yea and your nay nay c. Ans Our Saviour doth not generally forbid all kind of oathes but only rash and unadvised oathes which were used in their common talke so that there he only correcteth an abuse amongst the Jewes who were allowed to sweare by heaven and earth and such like as though such kinde of oathes nothing concerned God but our Saviour telleth them that even in such oathes the name of God is prophained and abused because there can no part of the world be named where the Lord hath not sent some prints of his glory Againe as touching the instance of our Saviours Mat. 5. 34. he meaneth such oathes as came of an evill minde for otherwise he himselfe used more then yea and nay in his speech saying Amen c. the Apostle Paul also oft-times called God to witnesse which should have been against his Masters rule if it had not been lawfull at all to have taken an oath and therefore in regard of the incredulity and deceitfulnesse of men the necessity of oathes were brought in therefore the Argument doth not follow that whatsoever is more c. commeth of evill for albeit that good Lawes are caused by evill manners it doth not therefore follow that they are evill Obj. It is not in mans power to performe what he sweareth to doe for things to come are not in his power therefore it was better to forbeare an oath then to fall into apparent danger of perjury Ans Though this were granted yet doth it not take away the use of all oathes but only such as are for the performing of Covenants and promises There is another kinde of oathes which is called Acirtorium which affirmeth the truth of something already done which oath if this objection were admitted were not to be taken away It satisfieth that he that taketh an oath to performe some covenant and promise have a full intent and purpose to doe it though it fall out otherwise afterward Obj. The oathes which are allowed in Scripture were publick such as were required of the Magistrate this giveth not liberty to private men Ans Jacob sware to Laban Joseph to Jacob Jonathan to David and David to Jonathan yet all these which tooke these oathes sware privately and as private men and so an oath serveth Severall objections answered touching the power of the Civill Magistrate for the evidence of the truth for the ending of strife and controversies in which there may be a lawfull and necessary use of oathes as well publickly as privately not upon every occasion but when the matter is urgent and the place so requireth SECT 6. Obj. ANother Tenent which is urged upon them is that they deny the lawfull power of the Mastistrate viz. that he hath power to put any to death or at least for a Christian to be a Civill Magistrate Ans The Apostle affirmeth the contrary Rom. 13. 4. where he saith That the power beareth not the Sword in vaine and that he is the Minister of God to shew revenge upon them that doe evil Obj. Our Saviour exhorteth us in his Sermond not to resist evill so that Christ restraineth the power of revenging evill given by Moses to the Magistrate Ans Although this power was first given to the Magistrate yet the Scribes and Pharisees corruptly applyed it to private revenge so that Christ in this place disanulleth not the Law of Moses but speaketh against their corrupt glosses of it Obj. We ought not to be subject unto Magestracy because Christ hath made us free Ans The internall liberty and freedome of the Spirit doth not take away externall subjection unto the Magistrate as the Apostle saith Art thou called being a servant care not for it 1 Cor. 7. 21. As one then may be a servant and retaine his Christian liberty so he may also be a subject We read also that Cornelius a Centurion and Sergius Paulus Pre-consul after their conversion was not charged to leave their calling SECT 7. ANother Tenent which is attributed unto them is That they Severall objections answered touching the lawfulnesse of Warre hold it not lawfull for a Christian to beare Armour or Weapons or wage Battell their reasons and objections being these viz. Obj Our Saviour exhorteth us not to resist evill but whosoever shall smite us on the cheeke to turne to him the other also Mat. 5. 39. Ans It is evident that Christ doth not here bring in a new Law but only freeth it from the corrupt glosses of the
was the custome of the Israelites to take off their shooes at the confirmation of such contracts as I have instanced in Boas who is said to take Ruth to wife before the Magistrates of the City by using these words viz. Ye are witnesses this day that I have taken Ruth the Moabite The custome of the Country to be observed in marriage it being a civil action the wife of Naomi to be my wife c So it being the custome of our Country to use a ring in the like act it ought not to be withstood by any so it be done in that manner as Boas did viz. before the Magistrate or in the presence of the Church or Congregation yea to use the same expressions which is also accustomed to be used by such parties viz. With this Ring I thee wed c. but that the Priest should claime it as a thing meerly peculiar to his office and that a certain stipent is absolutely due unto him for the Marriage or that the office is peculiarly proper unto their function is rediculous there being no president for it in the Word SECT 16. Obj. VVHat thinke you of the Purification or Churching of Women Ans Purification is a Jewish Ceremony and Of purification of women therefore ought to be abrogated the Judisme of it appeareth in that the Woman so to be purified must be covered with a Vaile which is a rag of Superstition Obj. What thinke you of the Vaile which Rebecca put on in the presence of Isaac Ans It was a modell of her modesty but what is that to the Vaile of the Church Obj. The Vaile is required by the Apostle in the Congregation 1 Cor. 11. 10. Ans That Vaile was imposed upon all women and not upon them alone which came to be Churched again the Judisme thereof appeareth in the offering imposed upon women as being pretended to be due to the Minister as Wages or Stipent which terme offering doth fully discover their Jewish heart and by the same rule they may demand a pair of Turtle Doves or two young Pidgions to boyl with a peice of Bacon for every male Childe that openeth the Matrix or Wombe of conception but that their other gratuity of and a good dinner they take to be better And truly these Ceremonies which these Popish Priests have These â—ovish â—â—râ—moâ—â—es declare what these Priests â—re used and yet desire to use doth fully discover them to be Priests of the Law and not of the Gospel witnesse their pomp in Apparell their coveting of Tythes or using of any Ceremonies which wil advantage them a penny witnesse their Surplisse or rather Surplusse-sees their Harth-penny and Garth-penny and for every Communicant two pence SECT 17. Obj. So that we agree in the substance it mattereth not though we differ in circumstances Ans I suppose you will not account him wise that will agree touching the meat and yet will quarrell for the bone Obj. Wherefore then is the quarrell begun in relation to the bone Ans Our Saviour condemneth such men as love darknesse Why ceremonies ought to be opposed râ—â—â—â—r then light viz. such as will rather maintaine an errour of tâ—â—â—â—een hundred yeares standing then a truth of sixteen hundred and odde yeares continuance and that because of some profit redounding to them by such meanes now in that the bone viz. matter of Ceremony ought not to make a difference amongst Christians let all of capacity judge who is most in fault seeing they are termed by them that desire them but as things indifferent which being so in their owne esteeme why should they not rather relinquish them then indeavour to uphold them by force of Armes especially when they appeare so repugnant to the will and appointment of Jesus Christ and all the reforming Churches of the times yea not only to retaine them for their owne use and service but also in a compulsive way to force such things upon those who know them to be rediculous and of no concernment in the Church of Christ yea let their owne Consciences judge whether in this they seeme to be what they pretend viz. such as hold them as things indifferent and not as necessary to Salvation when they yet endeavour with might and maine yea though with losse of lives and estates to uphold them Obj. Why may they not be vindicated as things indifferent by them that esteeme them so as confronted by such as doe not allow of them Ans Because we are not to reject light being offered and seeing the Lord is resolved to subdue Antichrist in every particular and would have us come utterly out of Babilon why should we desire to maintaine any thing that is contrary or repugnant to the will of Christ in his designe but being Christians rather endeavour to help on the work then any wayes to retard or oppose it As also seeing it is the thing which the Pope hath so long gaped after as a meanes to allure us to their pompeous and vaine-glorious worship adorning themselves with the gorgious Robes of Aaron and tearing in peeces the seamlesse Coat of Christ why should we adhere with them in the least particular but rather utterly renounce them and labour to suppresse them in our selves and others which the Lord give us hearts to accomplish The third part of Romes ruine by White-Hall c. Wherein is contained the Confutation of Presbitery c. HAving discovered the first and second degree of Popery I shall now enter upon the third in which encounter I shal charge them of the Presbiterian judgement who are so forward in condemning The Preface all but themselves for Schismaticks Hereticks and violaters of the Covenant and for the better progresse herein I shall present the chiefe heads of the Covenant touching Religion from which Magazine I hope to furnish my selfe with Armes and Ammunition not doubting to foyle them at and with their owne Weapons CHAP. I. Treateth of the Covenant c. SECT 1. THe heads of the Covenant in reference to Religion Two heads of the Covenant â—ouching Religion are these 1. That we shall sincerely really and constantly indeavour the reformation in Religion in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God c. 2. Without respect of Persons to endeavour the extirpation of Popery c. Superstition Heresie and Schismes c. and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine c. From which I inferre that who so doth not sincerely really The inference drawne from them and constantly endeavour these things above mentioned are guilty of the breach of Covenant But that the Presbiterians are guilty of all or most of these and so consequently violaters of the Covenant will appeare and that most evidently in these respects viz. 1. In the matter or subject which they compose their Church of 2. In the Pastors whom they make use of or set apart for Teachers of their Church 3. In the meanes they
them their Tythes or Church dues as they call them they matter not whether they have another penny to buy their Children bread or no certainly if their intents was to suppresse Prelacy that themselves might reigne in their stead they have not as yet failed in their designe 3. It is manifest that the Scribes and Pharisees was ignorant of the truth it selfe albeit it were amongst them as also instead of the true interpretation of the Scriptures being carnally minded they corrupted them by their false glosses adding many tradissions of their owne forging and in this respect they are one and the same with the Pharisees which to make appeare more at large wil be an occasion to treat upon the second branch concerning their manner of composing their Church SECT 5. BEfore you enter upon this particular first shew me wherein the Cavaliers are like unto them of the Sect of the Saduces Ans It is reported that the Saduces retained the name of The Cavaliers compared with â—he Saduces God mearly for feare least it might appeare that they should dissipate the policy which was singularly manifested by the bond of Religion yet notwithstanding they endeavoured to efface out of mens mindes and understandings the invocation and true feare of God and that men should revive no more after death neither that any other Judgement was to be expected wherein the just was to be discerned from the unjust the names CHAP. II. The second Chapter treateth of Separation c. SECT 1. Objection THe Apostle telleth us that it is impossible to separate from such a people as to goe out of the world 1 Cor. 5. 10. intimating that so long as the world subsisteth we cannot avoyd the company of such â—â—â—ple so that of necessity it must be tollerated Ans Is it not as possible now as it was in In what respects Beleevers ought to seperate from unbeleevers the Apostles time Again the Apostle 1 Cor. 5. doth fully cleare himselfe in what manner he would have the Church to be separate from such men ver 19. where he saith yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world c. meaning that we should not so shun their company as to have no commerce or dealings with them as in bargaines c. or not to use a civill carriage or behaviour towards them or that we should not admit of such persons to the publick ordinance of hearing the Word for by so doing they would ever be kept in blinde ignorance and never be converted to the faith therefore to eschew them in such things is as impossible as to goe out of the world in regard the world doth chiefly consist of such people to which the Church of Christ in all ages hath been as a little flock as also in that Christ commanded his Apostles to teach all Nations Matth. 28. 19. that is all the world that thereby they who are ordained to eternall life may be discerned and distinguished from the rest of unbeleevers by joyning themselves in a League and Covenant to be obedient to the rule and Government which Christ by his Apostles hath prescribed for them And this wil more fully appeare to be the intent and meaning of the Apostle by his expressions in the 11. ver of that Chapter where he saith If any one be called a Brother who is a fornicator or covetous or an extortioner with such an one no not to eate which eating there spoken of cannot possibly be meant of the corporall feeding of the body for if that were a sin to doe our Saviour could not be innocent but had offended by eating with Publicans and sinners Mat. 5. 24. 30. it must therefore of necessity be meant of the eating of the Sacrament of the Body and blood of Christ Now in that such an one that is called a Brother viz. one incorporated into the body of the Church being such an one is not to be admitted to that Sacrament how much lesse he that is without viz. he that is not admitted a member of that society or flock of Christ but is yet in the state and condition of a Publican and sinner or out of the payle of the Church Mat. 18. 17. SECT 2. Obj. CHrist commands us to love our enemies to blesse them that curse us to doe good to them that hate us and to pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us c. Ans Gods Actions are of two sorts generall and particular Gods actions are of two 〈◊〉 generall and particular generall in as much as he suffereth the Sun to shine and the raine to fall to the benefit of the wicked as the godly the other in particular towards the elect by sanctifying of them by his Spirit In like manner ought our actions to be expressed towards men A generall love we must shew to all men although Turks Jewes or Infidels in procuring their good and seeking to doe them no hurt in preserving them and theirs so farre as we be not prejudiced With whom we ought to hâ—ve familiarâ—â—â— and society by so doing Out of which generall fountaine of love floweth these courtesies as in bringing home his strayed Oxe and helping his over-laden Asse c. Deut. 22. 1 2 3 4. But friendship familiarity and society we must only have with the people of God or at least seeme to be such and this difference is further evidenced by the Apostle in these words Doe good to all but especially to the houshould of faith Gal. 6. 10. Obj. Wherein consisteth the conditions that is to be observed in Leagues and Covenants betwixt the godly and the wicked Ans In these three particulars 1. That we doe not promise Conditions to â—c observed in Leaâ—ues and Covenants to ayde and assist the wicked or binde our selves to mutuall help for therefore was Jehoshaphat blamed by the Prophet in these words Wouldest thou helpe the wicked and love them that hate the Lord 2 Chron. 19. 2. 2. Neither must we send to Infidels for helpe for that is to distrust the Lord if they offer their helpe upon good conditions it is lawfull for us to use it as sent of God but we must not seeke for it 3. Leagues which have been made with such in former times are not to be broken for the Gospel condemneth truce-breakers yea Leagues for removing hostility or intercourse of Merchants and continuance of peace may be made with Nations of a strange Religion yea the Apostle exhorteth that as much as in us lyeth to be at peace with all men But as touching friendship familiarity c. we ought to have as little as possible may be for he that toucheth pitch shall be desiled with it As also by the example of the people of God both before the Law under the Law and now under the Gospell SECT 3. 1. BEfore the Law as in Gen. 4. 26. where it is said that then There was ever a separation betwixt Beleevers and unbeleevers viz.
forced to doe a thing contrary to his will but it is evident that those men who had formerly reâ—used the invitation was not compelled contrary to their mindes therefore there was no compulsion used by them messengers Obj. It appeareth by them whom the King tooke view of that they had been compelled in regard that one of them wanted a Wâ—dding Garment Ans No such thing for we read that Annanias Saphira Simon How farre 〈◊〉 may deceive Magus c. were no otherwise compelled then the â—est of the Beleevers and yet by their Hipocrisie they had got admission as Members of the Church of Christ as wel as the truest Beleever and so continued until the Spirit of God found them out and discovered their Hipocrisie and albeit the field of the Church cannot be throughly weeded from its tares must we suffer it therefore to be so over-spread as that the Corne cannot be discerned from them because some Hipocrites wil surke in the bosome of the Church so long as it is Militant by meanes of their Pharisaicall glosse and varnish which they put upon their actions must we therefore suffer all manner of scandalous notorious Blasphemers to cumber that little flocke Obj. It is said that the Servants did as their Lord commanded them which was to compell and if they had not been so compelled why was the word used Ans I have told you that a compulsive power is then said to be used when such as are obstinate and refractory are forced and constrained to become obedient and willing but them who so declared themselves were not compelled And according to the Simile such kinde of people as the other needed no compulsion to come to a Feast however to such a Feast And if we take the King there spoken of to be meant of a temporall King speaking to his Servants or Ministers then must the Parable also ayme at a temporall power but if it be meant of the Spirituall King Christ speaking to his Ministers or Messengers it must needs be meant of a Spirituall power which doth not belong to the civill Magistrate but to the Spirituall power of the Word in the Ministry thereof CHAP. IIII. Treateth of Cavalier Priests c. SECT 1. TO prove that those Priests whom they so imploy are not fit instruments for such a Calling or Office The Ministers they imploy viz. the Cavalier Priests not fit for such a service I thus argue All such Persons as obstinately and peremptorily confront the directions and precepts of Christ and his Apostles ought not to be imployed as Ministers of Christ But the Presbiterian Synod hath and doth admit of such men as doe absolutely oppose Christ and his Apostles Ergo in such Elections and Missions they doe wilfully and peremptorily oppose Christ and his Apostles and so consequently declare themselves violaters of the Covenant they so much plead for SECT 2. THat they doe imploy such Instruments as I have named I The numerous fry of them which yet remaine in that service instance in that fry of Cavilian Priests which are tollerated by them yea I blush to thinke what a Gallemaufrey or Hodgepodge they make in their Church whereas three parts of their Ministry and a third part of the fourth consisteth of Cavalier Priests yea it is to be admired in the highest degree that such fellowes who are companions farre more fit for Devils then such as professe Christianity should be employed in so sacred a Function yea when it was notoriously knowne unto the Sinod what persecutors they have been and yet would be of such men as the Sinod did consist of were it in their powers their words and actions still expressing their deadly hate both to them and the Government they would establish and yet for those men whom they so hate not only to make use of them to fill up their Classicall Parishes whereby to make themselves potent Wherefore the Presbiterians imploy Cavalier Priests in the world in having such numbers of Parsons and Viccars under their Jurisdiction but also to procure augmentations to the livings of divers of them either to the end that they may be more willing to submit to their Government or else to requite the good service they have already done for the Nation Now let all true Christians judge what will be the event of What hope of good can be expected from them the Presbiterian Government in this Nation by admitting such Antichristian Priests to preach Christ and what likelihood there is that such Priests should make choyce of Round-headed Elders c. if there be any in his Parish and what hopes of peace and truth can be expected when so many villaines shall be permitted to doe mischiefe by sowing tares amongst the wheat SECT 3. Obj. VVEre not those Priests you speake of lawfully called to their function or office Ans I deny they were for they cannot be lawfully called to Cavalier Priests not lawfully called to their office that office or function except either by an immediate calling from God as the Prophets and Apostles were called or by God and Man as was Matthias and the foure Deacons viz. by the Spirit of God and the Church where they are to officiate but that these Priests afore-named have neither of these callings will appeare by these reasons 1. In that immediate callings are ceased and therefore cannot Two sorts of calling to the Ministry of the Gospel viz. immediate and mediate be expected Gifts and Miracles being acted by the Apostles c. rather for the glorifying of Christ first comming in the flesh then after as will appeare by these Scriptures Joh. 20. 29 30 31. Mat. 20. 1. 8. Mark 3. 15. Luke 9. 1. c. As also in that the Man-hood of Christ is to be contained in the Heavens till the restoring of all things Act. 3. 21. therefore they that expect men to be so called and so gifted as the Apostles were to rebuild the Spirituall Jerusalem or to extract the Church of Christ out of the world and Antichristianisme may as well expect Christ comming None called now as were the Apostles againe in person which cannot be for the reasons formerly alledged and therefore it is impossible for them or any other to be so called to the publick Ministry in the Church of Christ in these times 2. As these Priests have not this immediate calling from God so are they not rightly constituted to their office by the immediate calling of the Church of Christ viz. according to the example of the Apostles in their constituting of Ministers it being then effected by the generall consent of the Church as of the Apostles Elders and Brethren as hereafter I shall make appeare at large SECT 4. Qu. WHat manner of calling have they Ans No other then the false Prophets had What calling the Cavilear Priests have whom the Lord himselfe complaineth of for preaching in his name and he had not sent them Ezek. 11.
was preached albeit it were through envie therefore envious men may preach Christ Ans The Apostle spoke them words in that sence as in 1 Cor 11. 19. where he saith thit it is requisite that Heresie should be in regard thereby the truth may be made more manifest so in like manner by the preaching of these envious men they make such as preach Christ out of a good intent to be better esteemed and approved Likewise them that preach Christ meerly for lucre and ostentation doe adde a luster to such men as abhorre such things but otherwise it is not to be imagined that Heresies and envious preaching doe benefit the people of God in point of Salvation SECT 3. Obj. THe Apostle Paul telleth the Church of Corinth that he would bring his body in subjection c. least that he preaching to others should himselfe be a cast-away 1 Cor. 9. 2. 7. Ans The Apostle for his owne particular knew that he was no cast-away for beside the testimony of himselfe that he knew nothing by himselfe 1 Cor. 4. 4. as also that he kept a good Conscience in all things 2 Tim. 1. 3. Heb. 13. 8. he had also the faith to beleeve that whom God loveth he loveth to the end and that he will never leave or forsake his elect Job 13. 1. his meaning therefore must needs be that he would doe so least he should seeme to be such an one as aforesaid for I wil not deny but that such men by reading of good Books may attain to such a notionall degree of knowledge as that they may imitate the true Ministers of Christ as Janes and Jambres did Moses and as the Nâ—tionall Priests like â—o fanes of â—ambres false Prophets and Apostles did the true Prophets and Apostles As also in regard that Satan can transforme himselfe into an Angell of light but that such a Teacher can convert a Soule to God I utterly deny for if the Divine actions of a David a Prophet and a man after Gods owne heart were not acceptable unto God so long as he regarded sin in his heart how much lesse acceptable wil be the actions of a carnall man and if he cannot prevaile for himselfe how much lesse for another It must needs be then a rediculous tenent that such kinde of God must either coâ—apperate in the act of preaching or iâ— availeth not people can doe God service in the Ministry for if his prayers prevaile not with God with whom doe they prevaile And the Text saith that God will not heare such prayers but termeth them houlings Againe though Paul plant and Apollo water yet God must give a blessing of increase unto it 1 Cor. 3. 6. 7. or it profiteth nothing and if so then what blessing can be expected from God upon the actions of notorious and wicked persons who as the Prophet saith â—hath sold themselves to doe wickednesse as also being such Prophets whom the Lord hath not sent Againe though Paul preached to Lidia yet the Lord is said to open her heart to attend to the words which he spake Act. 16. 14. but it cannot be expected that the spirit of Discipline who loatheth such Vessels should Co-opperate with such Preachers as aforesaid though never so learned and without its assistance it is impossible that their preaching should convert a Soule from the errour of its wayes SECT 4. Obj. CHrist sent Judas forth to teach as the other Disciples Mat. 10. 5. and also gave him the like power as his other Apostles vers 8. why then might not Judas doe as much good as the other Ans Judas was a type of such Hipocrites as was to be in the Church unto the end of the world unto whom the Lord affordeth the like externall gifts as he doth the true Ministers of his Church as foâ—merly in healing all manner of Diseases casting out Devils and the like which he did to Judas Simon Magus and divers others which we read of in the Gospel who by the Lords permission did many excellent externall workes 〈◊〉 the benefit of the outward man as I have told you but no further for if Judas preached Christ doubtlesse it was for the same ends for which he betrayed him viz. for money Mat. 26 15. as doe his disciples the full bagg'd Priests of these times for otherwise for him who was a Sonne of perdition Joh. 17. 12. a Theif yea a Devil to apply Christ to the Soule of a Christian in that Spirituall sence by which the Saints are to apprehend him certainly cannot be the thought of any rationâ—ll man for if Satan should cast out Satan how should his kingdome stand so that for Judas to gaine Soules to God would have been a Miracle of Miracles 'T is true Satan can transforme himselfe into an Angell of light but it is only to deceive and so doe all his Judas-like disciples by kissing when they intend to betray Againe that sort of preaching the Apostles then used was rather externall then internall a preaching to the outward man then to the inward man a preaching to acquaint the world that the Kingdome of God was at hand Mat. 10. 7. that Christ was come in the flesh a preaching to Repentance and Baptisme as a â—â—ares by these Scriptures viz. Mat. 3. 2. as also Act. 2. 38. where the people aâ—king Peter what they should doe to be saved he willeth them to repent and be baptized c. As also Acts 2. 38. where the Jaylor asking the like question is required by Paul and Silas to beleeve on the Lord Jesus Christ With Act. 8. 12. 37. now if repentance or being baptized or to beleeve on the Lord Jesus Christ would procure eternall Salvation then shall Judas Simon Magus and divers others be saved for Judas repented Mat. 27. 3. c. and Simon Magus is both said to beleeve and to be baptized Act. 8. 13. The preaching then which they then practised without all controversie tended only to the exalting of Christ in the Flesh and not in the Spirit and from hence it was that the Apostle Paul used this expression viz. He that thinketh he knoweth any thing knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know Yea Christ himselfe told his Disciples that he had many things to say unto them which they were not able to beare so that if I should grant you that Judas did preach as the other Apostles at their first entrance into their Ministry yet would it come farre short of a Soule-saving service that being as it were a preaching of Christ by way of Dispute which was practised even by Christ himselfe after his resurrection with two of his Disciples going to Emmans Luk. 24. 17 c. as also by Peter Act. 2. 22. c. 3. 12. 4. 8. 5. 29. as also by Stephen Act. 8. 51 c. by Saul Act. 9. 20. 22. 29. by Peter Act. 10. 36 c. with severall other places of Scripture being a preaching only to gather the
be compared to the Moabites Ammonites c. as also such Priests as have their call from Antichrist ought to be discharged of their office by the Magistrate as then Neh. 7. 64. albeit they have accompanied us during our said Captivities the ancient Statute Law of Christ and his Apostles being now clearly discovered unto us and therefore we ought to baptize all such as are of the houshold of faith and desire to renew the Covenant which their predecessors in Christianity practised in the primative times and that who ere they be that shall refuse to be so initiated or incorporated into the Body or Church of Christ now militant that soule ought to be cut off from the Church of Christ as the other was from the congregation of Israel Againe it is evident that as the Israelites had offended in the Wildernesse by their omission of Circumcision so they were likewise moved by a secret constraint to be Baptized of John the Baptist in Iordan as in Matth. 3. yea many of the Pharisees and Saduces verse 7. 8. c. SECT 7. Obj. VVHere is any now so called to Baptize as John the Baptist and the Disciples or who must first Baptize him that beginneth to Baptize others Ans Who Baptized Iohn the Baptist or the Apostles or Disciples of Christ seeing that Christ himselfe baptized none Iohn 4. 2. Obj. They were immediatly called to that office by Christ himselfe but there is none so called in these dayes Ans 'T is very true there is not so and therefore the now The Church of Christ hath retained the purity of baptisme by succession Church of Christ hath it by succession from them Apostles and Disciples that were so immediatly called and gifted Obj. How can that be in regard of the generall Apostacy which hath hapned since by meanes of Antichrist and his adherents Ans Generall Rules admit of some exceptions againe that is but meerly your conceipt as it was sometimes of the Prophet Elisha who thought the Apostacy in his time to have been universall amongst the ten Tribes 1 King 19. 10. yet the Lord leteth There hath not been a totall apostacie him know that he judged amisse for saith he I have left me seven thousand in Israel all the knees which have not bowed unto Baall and every mouth which hath not kissed him ver 18. So in the Apostacy which hath hapned by meanes of Antichrist and his adherents though you imagine it to be generall yet hath it hapned but in part as that of the Jewes Rom. 11. 25. for otherwise Christ should have been deprived of his Church militant which he hath ever preserved in part since he had a Church as also in that he hath promised to be with it unto the end of the world Mat. 28. 20. therefore albeit the true Church hath been hid for one thousand two hundred and sixty yeares in its wildernesse condition yet we must not therefore conclude that she hath been so long dead or utterly lost God having ever preserved her under that despised notion of Annabaptists unto this present time SECT 8. Obj. CAn you say that the Church of Christ hath been ever preserved in England since the Apostacy under that nâ—tion Ans It is impossible I should but yet it doth not follow that therefore it hath not been preserved in any place for the true The Churches of Christ in England received their rise from other Churches Church was given to understand that there was many Apostates or Antichrists even in the Apostles time 1 Epist Iohn 2. 18. which doubtlesse had their increasings untill that Prophecy was fulfilled which is described unto us by the Apostle Paul 2 Thess Chap. 2. which Man of sinne when he had obtained his highest altitude was to be destroyed by the brightnesse of the comming of Christ as is there also expressed which the Apostles fore-seeing did admonish the Churches then extant to keepe close to the faith as also to demeane themselves according to their direction as in the three first verses of that Chapter with ver the 15. as also Chap. 3. 1. c. and therefore 't is likely that those Churches in England received their rise from them of Geneva and them from others and so by gradations even from them Churches planted by the Apostles themselves for otherwise how could such Churches remaine extant but by succession from the Apostles being so lively a representation of their Churches as if they had been planted by the Apostles themselves a Church most likely of any Church in the world to be the true Church of Iesus Christ SECT 9. VVItnesse the little noyse it hath made in the world 1 Kin. The Anabaptisticall church so called proved to be the true Church 19. 12. in comparison of the Church of Rome or the Prelaticall or Presbiterian Church as also how little it hath interposed the civill Magistrate witnesse the Churches in London under that notion to their immortall praise be it spoken who when invited by the Levelling Party to disturbe the present Parliament in point of their civill Office did manifest their utter dislike of such actions desiring only to live under them a peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty as by their Petition to the Parliament will fully appeare wherein also the now Parliament is acknowledged by them to be the supreame power of the Nation yea I am much mistaken if they were not the very first that did subscribe by Petition to the present government of the Nation for which with the reasons afore mentioned I conclude that that Church which you by way of reproach call Anabaptisticall is the true Church of Iesus Christ which hath been preserved from the power of the Dragon of Papacy and his Angels of Prelacy and Presbitery which was ready to devoure it so soone Rev. 12 5 6. as it was borne viz. in the Apostles times but it was caught up unto God and to his Throne and is now to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron this is the woman which fled into the Wildernesse of the world viz. amongst so many various opinions as hath been for these thousand two hundred and threescore yeares during which time she hath by providence been kept from their errors and preserved in her primative purity This being the time that her Michael and his Angels viz. the Pastors of that Church Michael the now Angel of the Church of Christ Rev. 12 7 8 9 is to make warre against the Dragon and his Angels and the old Serpent called the Devill and Satan as viz. the Pope and his Hierarchies of Papacy Prelacy and Presbitery and shall so prevaile as that there shall not be found any more place for him in his heaven or ministry which the Lord in mercy accomplish Now this Church being so preserved hath as much power to send out Labourers into Christs Harvest to teach and baptize for the rebuilding of the Church of Christ as any Church
above a Presbiter no Deacon above a Deacon And if â—o how will your Classicall Provinciall and Nationall Sâ—â—ods â—oâ—d together by which you doe assume a power beyond the power which the Apostles used in the Church binding and consining your fellow Presbiters to observe your Injunctions and Decrees as if you were rather Apostles then Presbiters admitting only such Creatures as are of your owne stamâ—e into the Ministry and to such must all the Parishes of the Kingdome subscribe and admit of whether they have either seene or heard of them before or no your approbation is sufficient if they have but received the Popish stampe of Orders by your Predecâ—ssors the Bishops they are well enough otherwise not how gifted soever they be SECT 12. AGaine in your answer to his late Majesty you say That no other Persons or Officers of the Church may challenge oâ— assume to themselves such power as did the Apostles in that respect alone viz. because the Apostles practised it except such power belong to them in common as well as to the Apostles by warrant of Scripture which that it doth your Sinod is yet to prove You there also confesse that our Saviour and his Apostles did not so leave the Church at liberty as that any substantials belonging to Church Government which were appointed by Christ and his Apostles may be altered at pleasure and then I am certaine that your Classicall Provinciall and Nationall Sinods will not agree with the other left by Christ and his Apostles and therefore I beseech the Honourable House of Parliament to looke rather to the originall of those your Powers then the succession of them And thus you have made an Episcopall rod to whip your owne britch Obj. That which is called ordination was by the Apostles and a power established in the Presbitery and not in the Church as mâ—â—re beleevers Ans I have proved and shall prove that the Brethren as well as the Presbitery had a joynt interest and concurrency in all power which belonged to the Church CHAP. VIII Of the Churches power to chuse their Officers SECT 1. Objection HOw prove you the election of Pastors and Elders by the Church or people Ans Even by the renowned Doctor Stewarts The Church hath power to chuâ—e its Pastors owne confession in his learned Dupley where he voluntarily and ingeniously confesseth and acknowledgeth albeit to the marring of his Market that no Minister or any other Church Officer ought to be thrust upon a people or Congregâ—tion no more then a Husband is to be forced upon a woman against her will and that however such a Pastor may goe to the Pulpit and preach amongst them yet unlesse they consent he is not their Minister Thus far the learned Doctor And if so with what impudence have you of the Sinod dispatched your owne tribe to officiate where you your selves please by vertue of an Apostolicall power which you proudly usurpe unto your selves condemning it in others when as it so clearly appeares and that by a Bird of your owne feather that every Church hath power to judge of the ability and sufficiency of their Pastor Obj. If the Dector had thought you would have made such use of his expressions he would have kept them in however it is but one Doctors opinion Are you able to prove from Scripture that the reall body at â—erusalem had such power given them by the Apostles and Elders Ans Yea I am able to prove that they had a voyce in chusing The reall Church chose Matthias to be an Apostle of Matthias to the Apostleship from Act. 1. 23. SECT 2. Obj. THat text doth not say that the people viz. every one of them gave their voyce for if so then Mary and the rest of the women voyced also which was contrary to Pauls command who saith that women are to keep silence in the Church and therefore certainly none did voyce but such as had power to voyce Ans Neither doth the text say that the women did transgresse Women mâ—y prophâ—sie if so gifted that precept given by Paul in speaking but as you mightâ—ly mistake the Apostle in other things so in this for in that place where the Apostle commandeth women to be silent in the Church it is only meant concerning preaching and propheying as doth clearly appeare 1 Cor. 14. 36. and not of other conference in the Church for if so Aquilla surely did offend in speaking in her owne house it being a receptacle for the Church Neither is it altogether forbidden in the sence of Prophecying if they be so gifted Obj. I pray you remember your selfe doâ— not goe about to contradict the Apostle as that he knew not what he said Ans That which I have said I am able to justifie by Scripture yea by the Apostle Paul himselfe if need require Obj. Hold me no longer in dispence but satisfie me how it may be and not to contradict the rule set downe by the Apostle Paul 1 Cor 14. 34. Ans I shall prove it by the Old and New Testament and first in the Old Testament I instance in Miriam Numb 12. 2. where Aaron and Miriam object against Moses in these words Hath not the Lord also spoken by us Such Prophetesses also were Deborah Hanna and Huldah and in the New Testament Hanah the daughter of Pannuel as also Philips foure daughters which were Prophetesses Act. 20. 9. SECT 3. Obj. BVt were these Prophetesses to teach publickly Ans These Prophetesses being extraordinarily stirred Gifâ—s of Prophesie aâ—e given to â—diâ—â—â— the Church up did also publickly Prophesie and not only privately in their families as may appear by these reasons viz. 1. Because the gift of Prophesie was given them to edifie the Church withall 1 Cor. 14. 3. they then having the gist did use it to the right end viz. publickly 2. It is confirmed by example in that passage I have named touching Miriam Numb 12. 2. Hath not the Lord spoken also by us 3. Deborah is said to judge Israel publickly being a Prophetesse Jud. 4. 4. she did therefore exercise her Propheticall gift publickly 4. The Apostle Paul himselfe dis-alloweth not of it 1 Cor. 11. 5. where speaking of women Prophecying saith not that it is unlawfull for women to Prophesie but that it is not decent for them to Prophesie with their heads uncovered by all which it appeares that some women in Pauls time being Prophetesses such as Philips foure daughters did Prophesie and that publickly Obj. The Apostle there doth not speake of the particular act of women but of the act of the Congregation which is said to pray or prophesie Ans It is apparent to the contrary by the use of the Word elsewhere viz. Ye may all prophesie one by one 1 Cor. 14. 31. for there the Apostle speaketh of the particular act of Prophecying Obj. Wherefore then doth the Apostle injoyne the women silence in the Church 1 Cor. 14. 31. Ans To reconcile these places