his bone and so to imply a distinction between the flesh and bone that the Church is and the flesh and bone that it is of As was between Evabs flesh and bone and the fleshand bones of Adam out of which she was made flesh and bone for to her that phrase is applyed Gen. 2. 23. 3. Whereas they put this consequent upon us that we by denying their addition to the Scriptures make it as if Christ had two bodies of flesh and bones one of which the saints are not Members see if this follow not clearly from their addition For whereas the Apostle says we are of his flesh and of his bones and so implies but one body of flesh and bones out of which the Church is now these to that body of flesh and bones which is Christs make a second which is the Church while they say the Church is flesh and bone too flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone even as Adams body of flesh and bone out of which Eve was made and Eves that was made out of it were two bodies of flesh and bone 4. Do they not bely the Apostle too when they say he saith as much as they were flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone in his saying no man ever hated his own flesh but loveth it and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church for we are Members of his body of his flesh and of his bones Is it not clear that the former part speaks of men loving their own naturall bodies called their flesh but the latter part speaks of Christ cherishing his Church but calls not the Church his flesh and bone but Members of his body of that is out of his flesh and of that is out of his bone implying that the Church is sprung and framed to him to be his Church out of his flesh and bone that is from his incarnation suffering and the things done in and by his being made flesh had not he had a body prepared for him even a body of flesh and bones in which he did the Fathers will he could have had no Church we are the fruit of the travaile of his soul Isa 53. 10. We noted that this opinion of the Quakers denying that body viz. That body personall that body that had flesh and bones and in which Christ suffered to be glorified doth at once turn up by the roots all the faith of Christs appearing in the Heavens for us c. To this they Object again our confusion and falshood because we said before of the Quakers that the same body that suffered was glorified at Gods right hand in Heaven and now charge them with denying that body to be glorified Rep. Mind here reader their subtilty how they hide themselves in aequivocations when we say they deny that body to be glorified it is clear that we speak of his body personall the body of his flesh and doth it not plainly appear that they deny that to be glorified when they deny any body of Christ remaining but his Church But now when they said the same body that suffered was glorified we told you before they meant but his Church and so that body they that confess to suffer and to be glorified is not the same that we say they deny to be glorified and to that purpose both in a letter we had from them and in their book they tell us of the seed Christ suffering somewhere and in some and reigning or glorified in others were there ever such juglers and Jesuites as these we deal against that are full of lies and confusion and wind about into many shapes and aequivocations to deceive the simple but cannot be ashamed of them they are so hardened They plainly shew their corrupt and wicked judgements about the coming of the Lord from Heaven 1 Thes 4. 15. While they say W. and F. we blindly put it afar off and that that coming of Christ the saints who were then alive namely when the Apostles wrote remained unto it Rep. So then by that the Lord himself descended from Heaven with a shout and with the voice of the Archangell and with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ were raised before Paul and the believing Thessalonians dyed and so they did not sleep as to their bodies but were suddenly changed and taken up to meet the Lord in the ayre and to be ever with him then that 's false that Hystories relate of Pauls being beheaded at Rome and in vain do men look for Christs coming to raise the dead for that 's past and gone before the Apostles age was past The resurrection of the just is over then for that was to be at Christs coming and why should any preach now and believe in Christ now when there is nothing of hope now to be looked for Are not these sufficiently grosse and wicked in their judgement that dare take away the hope of Christs glorious appearance and the being for ever with Christ to be by any man now expected But it's strange Christ should come the elements melt with servent heate the trumpet sound the dead in Christ be raised and no man hear or speak or write of it in any age except in haereticorum cubiculis as Tertullian speaks or as I may rather say in the fancies of Hereticks but alas Reader these men turn all these things into fables perverting the whole Scripture to their corrupt sense by dead in Christ meaning but the spiritually dead in some fancied death sleeping in him and the trumpet and shout and resurrection all Allegoricall and so they thereby deny and undermine both the coming of Christ the resurrection and the judgement spoken of in the Scriptures Tohelp thee against them whereas they urge we that are alive and remain to the coming of the Lord as if they that then lived should certainly live and abide till his coming know that the Apostle writ of it as a thing that is hidden as to the day and time of it and writes of the Church as of our body in all ages and so by we that live and remain means but those of us that shall be found living that is of the company of believers with whom they numbred themselves because then living possibly not knowing but they might have lived to his coming But it no more implies that the believers of that age should live and remain till the coming of Christ then that they who lived in Davids age or when the Psalms were penned lived in Moses age many hundreds of years before him and rejoyced in the Lord when Israel went over the sea because it 's said Psal 66. 6. They went through the flood on foot there did we rejoyce in him or that the people in Hoseas time were born and lived in Jacobs time because in Hos 12. 4. Speaking of Jacobs wrestling with God in Bethell he saies he found him in Bethel and there he spake with us This one passage of theirs were there
himself handle me and see that is I my self For the Word was made flesh and therefore even that flesh or body could not be holden of Death Luke 24. 39. John 1. 14. with Acts 22. 24. 31. c. Or 2. A man may have other things or persons as relations to him by marriage Covenant or by Blood So a man is said to have his wife and the woman her husband 1 Cor. 7. 12. 13. likewise instructed to have one another according to such covenant and relation ver 2. So persons are said to have children or nephews as relation in the flesh though neither is the husband the wife nor the wife the husband nor is the child the father or the father the child c. But these are distinct relations and distinctly related to and so had by each other as well as distinct persons In some answerable sence it may be said Jesus Christ hath his Body the Church as his spouse and children and they have him as their Head Husband Father and Lord in that Covenant and Relation that is in the unity of the Spirit as appears by those comparisons and instructions from them Ephes 5. 23. 32. with Chap. 4. 4. 6. c. And yet Christ is not the Church but the Head and Husband of it and so neither is he who is the head of his body the Church A body in such a sence of himself alone without his members that are so Mystically and Spiritually I say not in such a sence as they joyned to him as their head are said to be his Body Whence as he in his own personal body now glorified is the head of a body in the last sence namely of his body the Church in such a sence and in such consideration of him they are said to be his fulnesse who yet receives nothing from them but filleth all in all But he as the head of the body and so that his body in the last sence is made up and compleated of them by what they receive from him and are made in him Ephes 1 22. 23. And so neither are they any of them or all of them together the Christ the head of the Body or Husband of the Church But his Body Church or Spouse as joyned to him Spiritually and by Faith and members thereof in particular 1 Cor. 12. 12. 13. 27. Eph. 5. 23. 25. 32. The having each other in this sence is not such as confounds the distinction of persons or relations or makes the one the other 3. One may also truly be said to have things or persons which yet he hath not in such relation nor are so related to him and that either in a propriety or interest in them by right of purchase gift or otherwise or in possession And so according to these divers sences in which these words are used we might answer to this first question whether Christ hath two bodies In some sences yea and in others nay But for the help of others we answer more fully thus 1. If by bodies be understood personal bodies and also by having them be meant as in the last mentioned sence in which one may be said to have things or persons as we are left at liberty to take any sence in which the words are used whether they so propounded it out of weaknesse or wickednesse we will not determine then thus we answer Christ hath an innumerable multitude of bodies as well as souls even the bodies and spirits of all men are his and of right in his dispose For 1. He hath interest in them by creation for all things were made by him and for him John 1. 3. Col. 1. 16 17. and by redemption for he gave himself a ransom for all and hath bought them all even them that deny him he hath redeemed them from the curse of the Law to be under his Government dispose and judgement and by means thereof 2. He hath the dispose and dominion of them committed to him for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son and hath given him authority to execute judgement also because he is the Son of man All things are delivered unto him of his Father even the Heathen for his inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for his possession And therefore also 3. He shall inherit all Nations yea all shall be raised and judged by him at the last day for to this end Christ both dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord of both dead living whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords 1 Tim. 2. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 1 Gal. 3. 13. with Rom. 5 18 Col. 1. 20. John 12. 31 32. and 5. 22. 27 28. Math. 11. 27. Psal 2 6 7 8. Rom. 14. 7 8 9. c. who can number the bodies he hath in this sence on the Earth surely even these deceivers that privily deny the Lord that bought them and those deceived by them are all his and shall be judged by him even by the man Christ Jesus by whom God hath ordained to judge the World in Righteouenesse whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Job 12. 16. John 5. 22. 29. Acts 17. 31. And as for the bodies of those that with the heart believe on him they are his in a more peculiar manner even members of him as is before shewed But 2. If by Bodies be understood personal Bodies and by having be meant as in the first mentioned sence his having them as of the essence or being of himself Then our answer to the question is nay There are not divers personal bodies of Christ not two that may each properly and peculiarly be called the Body of Christ but there is one which is more then these men believe and that which they privily endeavour to deny in these queries and he hath it and continueth in it for ever And it is the same and no other that was prepared for him in the womb of the Virgin in which he appeared once in the last ages of the World to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself And in this his own Body himself bore our sins on the Tree and being raised from the dead the third day is now passed into the Heavens and there received by the Father till the times of the restitution of all things and because this man continueth for ever therefore he hath an unchangeable priesthood is now appearing in the presence of God in the Heaven it self for us the man Christ Jesus the Mediator between God and man and great high Priest over the House of God even Jesus the Son of God passed into the Heavens for us For if he were on Earth he were not such a Priest as becomes us to have 1 Tim. 2. 5. 6. Heb. 7. 23. 26. and 8. 1. 3 4 and 9 24 and 10. 5. 12. Again 3. If Bodies be understood in the 2d sence of the word body mentioned
would rise and cannot he wants power he would do the will of the Father but cannot it seems till the power reach to him and so he may say too as Paul said To will is present with me but how to perform what I would I find not If the power be the Christ then how was Christ there where he lies burthened with corruption in man and making his grave with the wicked before he was begotten for the power is not begotten in all that Christ is in as a suffering seed and so he suffers before he be begotten and he by whom all things were made is in some men and yet his power not begotten which when it reaches to the seed it rises in it by degrees surely as men in whom he is give way to him 5. Yea here we may see the reigning of their Christ too and of his Saints with him in that they say in some he suffers and in others he reigns and is known to be Prince of Peace Is Christ divided then or doth some part of him in some suffer and other part reign in others it seems he hath neither done dying nor been at any time without his Reigning and his to Reign with him so that here we have the Mystery of their Religion 6. Nay what is this seeds rising but the Redemption of the body with them for as for the Redemption of any Natural body of man from the Natural death on them or judgement on them after that death they plainly deny it onely they talk of a seed shall rise and what is that but this seed that they say Christ takes after the flesh 7. Note here also how this their imagined Christ differs from our Christ the true Christ witnessed to and Preached in the Scriptures for their Rock is not as our Rock their Christ as our Christ themselves being Judges Deut. 32. 31. with their Book pag 10 our Rock is God in Christ and so our Lord Jesus Christ between whom and their Christ consider these differences 1. Our Christ is that Holy and Innocent man that was born of the Virgin Mary and lived in his personal body upon the Earth in the dayes of Augustus and Tiberius Cesars amongst the Jews And who in that body of his was crucified or nayled on a Tree died and was buried and rose again the third day and appeared in the same body to his Disciples after which he in that his body left the World ascending up from the Earth into the highest Heavens where he is Glorified with Gods own Self the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily He being God over all blessed for ever This is he whom these perverters deny and jears at as having the form and body of a Man and set up another thing in his stead that hath neither personal head hands nor feet flesh or bones proper to himself but an imaginary seed within every man desiring to follow after God and be free from sin which they call the Light the Christ the Power of God c. 2. Our Christ in a personal body of his own distinst from and out of our bodies bare our sins to and on the Tree or Crosse and so in that body died for our sins and in the same body rose for our justification that we believing in him might be justified by his Blood and accepted in his Righteousnesse and from thence have sin die in us and we dying to sin might live to Righteousnesse These plead for a Christ without any body of man distinct from others or out of them but a certain seed with an imaginary flesh and blood dying and beating sin in every man and rising where the Power reaches to it in men having no other body but what is in some men dying yea in every man in its time and in some men rising but not in all 3. Our Christ in his said body did once and but once in the last Ages of the World little more then one thousand six hundred years since suffer and die and rise again and can now therein die no more death hath no more dominion over him but he is alive for evermore in that body Glorified in the Heavens which these perverters deny But their Christ is alwayes suffering and so dying in some men and rising in others and reigning in some and so hath been alwayes dying and rising in mâ—n from the beginning of the World and so will be to the end their words plainly enough import as much 4. Our Christ by that his death once suffered and in his Resurrection in that his body that body once in sacrifice offered up to God hath overcome Death and the Devil slain the enmity and taken out of the way all that was contrary to us redeemed us from the curse of the Law obtained eternal Redemption for us and received the immeasurable fulness of the Spirit in the man and for men and is become Wisdom Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption being by virtue of all his foresaid sufferings and sacrifice the propitiation for the sins of the whole World of man kind the Mediator of God and men that all that believe in him may by Faith be reckoned after him and receive of the virtues hereof a first fruits of the Spirit making their Spirits liâ—e for Righteousnesse sake and giving them the hope of the fulness in Soul and Body at his coming again to be enjoyed by them for which they wait of all which these Perverters make nothing as James Naylor writ to a certain Gentleman by way of reproach Thou lookest to be saved by a man that dyed 1600. years ago this is that they scoff at giving out in their words that the death they mean of is not the death of a man in a Mortal body which was Natural and must have dyed they say though sin had never been But the death they mean is the death of the Seed or Christ that is alwayes dying and rising sometime in one and sometime in another which death and resurrection they extol and account the other but a shadow and figure of 5. Our Christ being in his glorified Bodie in the Heavens the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily by his spirit draws in many to believe in him of whom he in his Personal body is the Head and they the Members are one spiritual body or Corporation But these Perverters denying that their Christ hath any Personal body made but one Body in and of all and that the Seed sure for the Natural Bodies of themselves and others they say must die and never rise again and therefore sure they are in their account no part of Christs Body that must live ever and sure that Seed is no Personal Body but a conceited spirit that is within them with a conceited flesh and blood in them to This is the fulnesse of God they say whereof they are every one of them in this Seed the Members such an Idol was scarce ever in any Generation
namely for societies or congregations of distinct persons united and gathered tother under one head or Governour And his having them be understood in the second sence of having mentioned namely by donation and Covenant as his Church or Spouses Then to the question we further answer That in such a sence he hath one body and no more forasmuch as he the Head and Husband to whom being joyned Spiritually and by Faith they are of his Mystical body is but one that body can be no more but one for to them all there is but one Head Husband and Lord They are all built upon one foundation even Jesus Christ himself he being the chief corner Stone in whom the building fitly framed together groweth into an Holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2. 18. 22. So though there be many members and also many particular societies of believers upon Earth yet they all make but one body or general Assembly and Church of the first-born Yea all believers now living upon the Earth and all dead as to the flesh even all the dead in Christ that sleep in Jesus whose spirits are made perfect are but one body of Christ in that sence of the word body as Eph. 4. 4. with 1 Cor. 12. 12 13. with Ephes 2. 18. 22. Heb. 12. 22. 25. And this his body may be said to be partly in Heaven partly on Earth for there in Heaven with him are the spirits of Just men made perfect Unto whom also those unfeigned believers living upon the Earth are come by Faith which is the evidence of things not seen the confidence of things hoped for and so Spiritually and by Faith have their conversation in Heaven from whence also they look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change their vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his Glorious body So then the body of Christ is but one in any one sence of the word body though as the word body is used in divers sences he hath a body which is peculiarly called his Body or the body of Christ in two sences As the head of some believing women is spoken of in a threefold sence 1 Cor. 11. her personall head her husband and Christ yet in proper and strict speaking she hath but one head because her head is but one in any one sence of the word head but one personal head but one husband but one Christ yet her head in each of these sences is distinct yea every member of the Body of Christ the Church hath a personal head of their naturall body distinct from Christ the mystical head of them all So hath Christ a personal body and members called the body of his Flesh his now Glorious Body Col. 1. 22. Phil. 3. 21. Distinct from his body the Church Col. 1. 24. else he could be no meet or proper head for such a body or Congregation where every member hath a particular personal body and members distinct But take body in any one sence of the word Body and there is not two but one Body of Christ as before is shewed nor indeed are any of his Body the Church but such as are by Faith united and joyned unto that one Lord in that his one personal body now Glorified with the Father as their Head Lord and Husband Nor are the head and members divided but their union is spiritual and by Faith not sensual The head is the fore-runner and in that his own personal body in which he bore our sins and is the head of his body the Church He is already entred into Heaven whether the members in their particular bodies are not in a like sence entered but by Faith and hope do enter and so have their conversation in Heaven from whence they look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change their vile body that it may be fashioned into the likensse of his Glorious Body for here they walk by Faith and not by sight And while they are at home in the clay Tabernacle flesh or natural body they are absent from the Lord in a like sence as at home in the body they are not otherwise present with him now but in Spirit and by Faith Heb. 4. 3. 10. 14. and 6. 19 20. 2 Cor. 5. 6 7. Heb. 10. 37 38. Phil 3. 20 21. Col. 3. 1. 4. Such therefore are not of the true Church or body of Christ but of Antichrist as are vainly puft up with their sensual minde not holding the Head c. Col. 2. 18 19. And that these men are such appeares in their seeking to insinuate by this query and the rest that to believe and acknowledge that the man Christ Jesus continues even in that body of his flesh now Glorified with the Father as the Head of the Church in a personal being distinct from his body the Church and from every member thereof is to make Christ to have two Bodies one in Heaven and another on Earth and therefore they endeavour privily to make a nullity of his personal body the body of his flesh or to deny his still having it and possessing now in it that Glory which he had with the Father before the World was and so hold not the head forasmuch as he is not otherwise the Head of his Body the Church But as now he is in that personal body Glorified and because this man continues ever in that Name and Glory of his Father which through sufferings in the same Body he hath obtained for us that by him our Faith and Hope might be in God We have been the larger in this first Answer as well to help the weak in understanding things that differ or are distinct that so they may discern and approve things that are excellent as also to shew the corruptnesse of their way in confounding things clearly distinct and distinguished in the Scripture and seeking by such confusion to work their ends in deceiving the simple which also may further appeare in their following Queries and the more easily by the help of what hath been said in answer to this W. and F. Quest 2. Whether the Body of Christ which is the fulnesse of God whereof the Saints are members is a Body of Flesh and Bones in the Heavens yea or nay Answ This Question also is foolish and unlearned for besides that it privily pursues the same designe of denying the remaining of the being of the personal Body of our Lord Jesus Christ and that in the same way with the former by confounding things clearly distinct c. as aforesaid It also takes that for granted as the ground of it which is not granted by us in those expressions it being no where so expressed in the Scripture of the body of Christ in either sence Namely That the body of Christ is the fulnesse of God Of him in his own personal body in which he is the Head of his body the Church the Scriptures saith in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead
in the flesh or natural Body in its mortal state are absent from the Lord as is shewed in the Answer to their first Queries nor are they meet so to enter for flesh and blood man in his present mortal and unchanged state cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth corruption inherit incorruption and they are yet dead though Christ be in them and the spirit made alive in a first fruits because of Righteousnesse yet the body is dead because of sin and so even they that have the first fruits of the spirit are yet waiting for the adoption that is the Redemption of the Body for their life is yet hid with Christ in God when Christ who is their life shall appear then shall they also appear with him in glory having their vile bodies fashioned into the likenesse of his Glorious Body 2 Cor. 3. 6 7 8. Phil. 1. 23 24 and 3. 21. Rom. 8. 10. 23. with Col. 3. 1. 3 4. 1 Cor. 15. 50. 53. W. F. 3. Querie Whether did the body of flesh and bones wherein Christ suffered descend from Heaven into the lower parts of the earth yea or nay seeing no man hath ascended up to Heaven but the Son of man which came down from Heaven and it is the same that descended into the lower parts of the earth that ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things Ephes 4. 9 10. Psal 68. 18. Answ In this Querie is first an intimate acknowledgement though it may seem in a deriding way of Christs suffering in a Body of flesh and bones But the intention of this Querie with the following is to deny and reproach the acknowledgement of the Resurrection of Christ and his ascention into Heaven in that very body in which he suffered dyed and was buried in the denyal of which his personal Cross of sufferings is made of none effect The Apostles Preaching rendred vain and false and faith in him of no effect yea the general Resurrection of the dead is also herein denyed 1 Cor. 15. 13. 19. c. And to this purpose there is an Argument contained in this Querie by which they would inforce the denial of the foresaid acknowledgement of the Resurrection and Ascention of Jesus the Lord in that body of his flesh in which he suffered viz. That that body in which he suffered in the flesh did not descend from Heaven into the lower parts of the earth and therefore neither is that ascended up to Heaven seeing no man hath ascended up to Heaven but he that came down from Heaven c. So that here is more then a Querie even an Argument from their intimate and implyed denial of the descension of that body to inforce the denial of his ascention the corruption and foolishnesse of which we shall shew in our answer to the Querie to which we say 1. The Scriptures they mention give this plain answer That he even the Son of man came down from Heaven and descended into the lower parts of the earth which we believing do therefore confess as the Scripture hath said for although that his personal Body in which he was made man and became the son of man was actually prepared for him or the preparation of it was made in the earth according to that prophetical speaking of it long before in which by a word in the time past first another expression in the time to come following it is signified to be then vertually but not actually done the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth a woman shall compass a man Jer. 31. 22. for he was made flesh of a woman John 1. 14. Rom. 1. 3. Gal. 4 4 and therein curiously framed in the lower parts of the earth Psal 139 15. And so as to the matter of his Body as of the Seed of David it was not before materially existent in Heaven otherwise then in the Counsel of God decreeing and fore ordaining it and power effecting it and word made flesh in it yet the Son of man is truly said to come down from Heaven to have come forth from the Father Because that Eternal Word the only begotten Son of God that was made flesh in that one body prepared for him and is now become the Son of man He came down from Heaven for the Word was in being before he was made flesh he was in the beginning with God John 1. 1 2. And that word not only took or entered into flesh but was made flesh verse 14. So as the Word that was in the beginning and the flesh which in due time he was made and so is not now in making is one person one Son who is both the Son of God and the Son of man yea the two natures that of God and that of man though distinct and not confounded are united in one person so as what is said of either nature may though not in respect of the nature yet in respect of person be said of both As for instance In respect of the nature of man and as man and as pertaining to the flesh which he was made he dyed 1 Pet 2. 24. and 3. 18. and 4. 1. not is dying or suffering in that personal Body of his Rev. 1. 18. yet in respect of the person and because of the union of the two natures in one person his sufferings or blood is truly called Gods own Blood Acts 20. 28. and so it s said God laid down his life for us 1 John 3. 16. so in this businesse the Son of man came down from Heaven in as much as he that person that is the Son of man the Eternal Word and onely begotten Son of God that was made flesh he descended and came forth from the Father and came down from Heaven Yea also when he was on earth in his Body and not as then in that respect ascended yet then when he as God the Son of God the word that was made flesh in Heaven with the Father yea likewise in the vertue and preciousnesse of his being the Son of man and what he had undertaken to do in that Body on the Earth John 3. 13. with chap. 6. 62. and 20. 17. had these men known and believed that very Jesus of Nazareth of the Seed of David Abraham c. after the Flesh to be indeed the Lord from Heaven God blessed for ever and yet also true and very man both in one person and so Emmanuel God with us or in our nature for us they would not have made this querie 2. But for further answer we add That the Scriptures alleadged by them give no ground for their Querie whither that body did descend from Heaven because they spake not in such phrase or manner of speech as might be limitted to one of the natures onely for he saith not simply it or the same thing that descended as they would insinuate but he or that person that descended he is the same that ascended up and the person that descended
crucified nailed to the Cross and pierced with a Spear as himself then did expresly demonstrate to Thomas see vers 27. This revealed we believe to be true because spoken by the Truth of God that cannot lie But where or how he came in further then revealed in his Testimony already given we desire not to be wise in knowing or carnal in seeking sensually to immagine for secret things belong to the Lord our God but things revealed unto us c. Deut. 29. 29. To the last we say None of us have said as is related nor matters it what hath been said concerning some of our way that 's not the onely falshood that hath been forged concerning us by some of their way They might have heard such imaginations and inquisitions reproved by us as too sensual in seeking to bring down the great things in the Revelation of the Mysterie of God manifested in the flesh to the sensual mind or comprehension and favouring of pride and vanity of mind in desiring to be wise above what is written and so we still look upon them and therefore own no such thing But believing the Scriptures and the great power of God and that the Body of the Lord Jesus risen from the dead is Glorified with the Fathers own self we know he could come in where how he pleased whether there was any such way for him or no and needed no passage to be opened or made or for him Yea further also we are assured that even the Children of the first Resurrection when they shall attain to that Resurrection of the dead and have their bodies that now are vile fashioned into the likeness of his Glorious Body they in those very bodies bâ—ing Spiritual Immortal Powerful Incorruptible shall be equal to the Angels who cannot be hindred from passage by any corruptible things as Doors Walls or the like but can make their own passage through any such obstacles more easily then mortal bodies through the air And why should it be thought a thing incredible that the Creator of all things should make mans nature partaker of such Glory It is so onely to the sensual and carnally minded who do therefore err not knowing or believing the Scripture and the great Power of God And that these are such appears by this manner of questioning Do they not secretly imply in this question that such a thing could not be done according to the proper and natural sence and import of the words unless some mortal man can tell where or how And do they not therein signifie that they count the plain sence and cleare import of the Evangelists words to be a lye And that either Christ had not a Body having flesh and bones after his Resurrection as himself said or if he had he could not come into the house and be in the midst of them the doors being shut and so by rendering the expressions of the Holy Ghost such as can have no truth in them in their litteral sence and plain import but are rather a cunningly devised fable they would insinuate a necessity of seeking the truth in some fancied moral or Allegorical interpretations of theirs Besides they intimate pride and high thoughts of themselves for sure they would have us think they are so wise above what is written that they can answer their own Querie what lesse can be thought in their thus propounding it to us But till they have answered the Questions put to Job chap. 38. we will not believe them for we know neither they nor any other mortal man can by searching find out the Almighty to perfection Job 11. 7 8. nor yet find out the Work of God from the beginning to the end Eccles 3. 11. no not the Works of God done under the Sun Ecles 8. 17. He is no true believer on God that will believe no more of his Works then he can tell how where and in what manner they were done and he is foolish and proud that conceives himself able to demonstrate to reason every such thing in every Work of God Quest 11. Whether the same Christ who in the dayes of his flesh suffered persecution whose body was subject to hunger and affliction be not made a quickening spirit 1 Cor. 15. 49. and yet his flesh and blood is so nigh to every true believer that his flesh is his meat indeed and his blood is his drink indeed c Answ This Question also may be divided into two parts 1. Whether the same Christ who in the dayes of his flesh suffered c. be not made a quickening spirit 2. The following part is in the form of a proposal yet is signified to be part of their question by the interrogatory point it is thus And yet his flesh and blood is so nigh to every true believer that his flesh is his meat indeed c To the first part VVhether the same Christ c. be not made a quickening Spirit We answer Yea he is or rather to use the expression of the Scripture he was so made for he is not now making or to be made so And further we say We truly believe and propofess without hidden things of dishonesty That it is the same Christ who in the dayes of his flesh suffered c. Now that was the word made flesh and so Christ of the fruit of Davids Loyns after the flesh who had both Spirit and Body and if he were without either now he could not be the Christ much lesse the same Christ yea the Scripture quoted by them 1 Cor. 15. 45. saith That as it was the first man Adam that was made a living Soul so it is the second Adam that was made a quickening Spirit And therefore as the first Adams being made a living Soul hindred not his having a natural body yea it was the man that was made so so neither doth the second Adams being made a quickening Spirit hinder his having a Spiritual and Glorious Body that yet hath flesh and bones yea it s the man Christ Jesus the second Adam Christ of the fruit of Davids loyns after the flesh that was made both Lord and Christ and so a quickening Spirit It is the same Jesus that suffered so in the same body in which he once not onely suffered but suffered for our sins and bore them on the Tree the just for the unjust c. which also is more then they include in their acknowledgement of his Sufferings it is this Jesus who was both dead and buried whom God hath raised up and made both Lord and Christ They would seem to grant that the same Christ who in the dayes of his flesh suffered c. is made a quickening spirit yet privily deny it while they confesse not Jesus to be the same and very Christ that was so made which they do not while they acknowledge him not to be so made in the same body of his flesh in which he once so suffered For the Name Jesus alwayes
signifies Christ as come in the flesh and so takes in that body of his flesh upon the taking whereof that Name was given him as is before noted yea he whom God hath raised from the dead and made both Lord and Christ and so a quickening spirit is said to be Christ of the Seed of David after the flesh Rom. 1. 3 4 with Acts 2. 30. 36. the same that dyed and was buried 1 Cor. 15 3. 4 45. The last Adam as also before is hinted in not confessing which they privily deny what they pretend to grant and their seeming grant is like John VVhiteheads concerning the Resurrection of Christ who at our meeting with him at Gedney pretended to believe that the same Christ that took flesh in a body prepared for him of the Seed of Abraham and David and in that body served and suffered for at a time that the same Christ was raised and glorified with the Fathers own self And yet then would by no means acknowledge though oft intreated and urged to speak plainly to the Question that he was raised and did live again and continue for ever in the same body in which he so served and suffered or that the same body that then once in the last ages suffered and was hung on the Tree was raised again from the dead and is now alive for evermore yea at last he deneyed that the same dead bodies of men that dye in Adam shall be raised and made alive again from the dead that even the same that sleep in the dust of the earth shall come forth of their Graves by Christ and so consequently that Christ is raised for if the dead rise not then is not Christ raised for Jesus Christ was dead and buried as before we have shewed So then their immagination or meaning in this equivocal grant appears to be this That the same Christ that had a body distinct from all other in which in the dayes of his flesh he suffered is now raised ascended and gone out of that body of his flesh into some imaginary spiritual being which in that body of his flesh he could not be made yet that in that his spiritual being he is in the bodies or bodies and souls of divers persons working doing or suffering the same things in them which were typically or as a Pattern suffered and done in that body of his flesh and so they neither confess him already come in the flesh or as having finished that his coming in the flesh or first appearing to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself and so the works the Father gave him to do on the earth in that his once suffering for sin nor do they confesse yea they deny Jesus to be the very Christ who is made a quickening spirit and therefore we have laid down our answer plainly and distinctly that it s not onely the same that had a body and therein once suffered but also that it s he in the same body of his flesh in which he once suffered for sins even the same Jesus whom they crucified slew and hung on a Tree that God hath made the Lord and Christ and so a quickening spirit and have explained and confirmed our answer in the expressions of the Scripture quoted by them that its the last Adam c. of which they take no notice for that fully shews the fulnesse and ungodlinesse of their immagination which therefore we again desire the Reader to mind viz. that that Scripture 1 Cor. 15. 45. speaks of two Adams the first Adam the last Adam so then they were both men and had each the personal body of a man when those things there spoken of were verified in them yea so expresly called vers 47. the first man the second man It was the first man Adam that was made a living Soul and so it is the last Adam the second man that was made a quickening spirit The Lord formed the body of the first Adam of the dust of the earth and then breathed into his nostrils the breath of life Gen. 2. 7. and man became a living Soul the breath of Life did not annihilate the body formed of the dust but enlive and quicken it by possessing it and defusing it self in and through all the parts and members of it so that that breath of Life and the body of the man united the man became a Living Soul it is not said it or the breath of life became so but the man upon Gods breathing in that breath of life he even the first man Adam became a living Soul And had he abode in that uprightnesse and innocency in which he was made he might have lived for ever but as there was then none dead for him to quicken so neither was he fitted for such a work so that when he this first man Adam not keeping his first estate but seeking out inventions sinned and fell from God under the Sentence of and into a state of death and Separation from God and so death passed upon all men and they are all partakers of flesh and blood forasmuch as all have sinned in that offence of one they must all have been shut out and perished for ever in that losse and misery if God had not found out and prepared a second man Adam and made him a quickening Spirit for as by man came death so by man also the abolishing of and resurrection from the dead such was mans condition by reason of sin entered and overspreading the nature and death already passed on him in the Sentence of God that without another man a second Adam in whom Gods Truth might be fulfilled and his Justice satisfied in the punishment of sin death of the sinner and through whose Sufferings by his overcoming death the Righteousnesse of God might appear and shine forth therein we could not have been quickened or made alive Therefore for the recovery of fallen man that he might not be utterly expelled or shut out in the first death and banishment but such Redemption wrought and obtained for him that through the Redeemer he might be saved and that they might be all in due time made alive or raised from the first death to appear before the judgement Seat of their Redeemer therefore God found out and prepared a second Adam and made him a quickening spirit Now this second Adam was even his onely begotten Son the Word that was in the beginning with God and so before the first Adam and he by whom and for whom the first Adam and all things were made that were made the proper Lord and Heir of all things for he onely was able and meet to undertake such a work and to have help laid upon him for us but he was made flesh of a woman and so made man the second Adam in the fulnesse of time once in the end of the World and that by a wonderful work of new Creation by the Grace Gift and Appointment of the Father and by the Operation
his precious blood sufferings and death Yea therein was he and so his past and finished sufferings actually and fully made and mightily declared to be such bread of Life For if he had not rose and revived or lived again in the same body in which he bore our sins to offer himself to God in Heaven it self and there to appear in his presence for us his flesh could have profited us nothing but now its profitable to all things If he had been still and often suffering for sins or could die or shed blood any more then had there been no such vertue in that which he hath already done if therein he had not finished the works of abasement and blood-shedding the Father gave him to do on the Earth and thereby obtained the Resurrection and Glory of Eternal Redemption and Life in himself for us we had been yet in our sins and the Preaching of his Crosse and Faith therein had been vain which is not in blood now shedding but shed the sufferings and Death finished and past as to the acting or actuall bearing or sustaining them but God hath raised him from the dead and given him Glory because he so humbled himself c. That by him our Faith and hope might be in God and so the vertue or preciousnesse of his blood the love testified in it the peace made and Redemption obtained by it remaines ever with the Father for us treasured up in him even in that his now Glorious body in which he once suffered for our sins that in his name it may be Spiritually shed forth upon us which precious vertues and fruits of his blood may be also called his blood in a like sence as the water fetcht out of the well of Bethlehem with the jeopardy of their lives that fetcht it is called the blood of those men 2 Sam. 23. 15 16 17. And as that which is bought with a mans money may be called his money yea his having obtained by shedding his blood the Spirit of life in the man more excellent in degree then the breath of Life first breathed into Adam with all power Authority and fitnesse to send forth thereof to men and having also confirmed the Precious promises of it in his blood This his fulnesse and fitnesse to dispence is Wine mingled and so that Spirit powered forth in and with the Preaching of his Crosse opening and making known his words is drink indeed John 6. 27. to the end with Prov. 9. Jer. 15. 16. Psal 119. 103. And may be called his blood as being the precious fruit of it but still that which Originally and properly beares that Name and from whence such precious fruits of it may be also so called is as before that blood blood-shedding or Death of his Crosse and that being the Root and foundation of all these precious fruits is the drink indeed the bottom matter of all Spiritual quickenings and retreshings because by means of it Christ is raised and Glorified in the man for men and made such a quickning Spirit as hath been shewed before therefore we shall add no more to it here 3. This is brought to us that it may be Spiritually fed on by us not in the material or sencible being of that flesh and blood in us or sencibly nigh to us nor in a dayly coming in the flesh and so suffering for sin and offering himself often either within us or without before us that we might be eye witnesses of these things as those that lived in the dayes of his flesh or being manifested in the flesh were For then must he often have suffered from the foundation of the World but now once in the end of the World hath he appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself he once suffered and died for sin and can die no more either in his own Person or for sin and for the putting away sin in any other person But that which he hath already done and compleated in himself by means thereof is brought to us by the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit in the Gospel and other witnesses of his goodnesse and Name given us in which he that was dead is witnessed by means thereof to be alive for ever more and appearing in the presence of God for us Therefore it s said that he gave himself a Ransom once for all not that he should offer himself often or any more but to be testified in due time in what he hath already done and is become thereby or that he should now be a Testimonie thereof to men and of the Grace and Glory of the Father therein 1 Tim. 2. 6. So that now for the making us partakers of the blessed benefit and fruit of what he hath done and is become for us he is not doing the same things over again once finished on the Earth But first executing the office of an Apostle Messenger or Preacher of the peace that ho hath made thereby therein shewing his sulnesse and fitness for us by means thereof and commending the Grace of God through it and then also executing the Office of a great high Priest appearing in the presence of God for us that we may not fail of his Grace through our manifold weaknesse follies But still that his appearing there as a Priest and Advocate and so as the propitiation for our sins is by vertue of and with that one offering of his one body perfected through sufferings once for all whence we are exhorted to consider the Apostle and high Priest of our profession Christ Jesus who was faithfull to him that appointed him even in the finishing those works of which he is an Apostle to us and by which he is an high Priest for us and that laid down as the ground of our confidence of his goodness and faithfulness in what remains Heb. 3. And so as we have before hinted the Scripture saith not as these men that the flesh and blood of Christ is nigh them but the word of Faith which declares it and its vertues and efficacies with the Father in shewing himself in that body in which he so suffered by means thereof to be risen from the dead made both Lord and Christ and appearing in the presence of God for us that Preaching of the Cross is made nigh to men in the Proaching of it vouchsafed they being in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit with power revealing the object and opening the eyes and strengthening the heart that they might believe and confess that God hath raised Christ from the dead and so that Christ might dwell in their hearts by Faith of him in what he hath done and is become for them yea it is the Power of God to Salvation to them that believe though foolishness to them that perish from it Rom. 10. 6. 10. 1 Cor. 1. 18. c. 12. Query And if the blood of Christ that was shed be the drink indeed and the purger of the conscience where
preciousness thereof for our help which is shewed in the discovery of him as now raised from the dead in the same body in which he Suffered those things and standing by means of that his death the prOpitiation for our sins and our advocate with the Father c. as before in which all True Believers have the ground of their peace rejoycing and hope and so in Christ Jesus all other rejoycings are fleshly and after the sensual mind whence the Apostle determined not to know any thing among believers but Jesus Christ and him crucified not crucifying or often Suffering from the foundation of the world yea God forbid that we should rejoyce in any thing save in the Cross of Christ by whom the world is crucified to us and we to the world for the Preaching of that is to them that perish foolishness but to us that are saved the Power of God 1 Cor. 1. 18. 24. and 2. 2. Heb. 9. 25 26. and Gal. 6. 14. 2 That such things as are done and past as to the actual accomplishment of them long before Men had their particular beings in the world yet may be spiritually fed on by those Men and so eaten and drunk in a like sence as in which the flesh and blood of Christ is said to be eaten and drunk though not remaining in a present or sencible being to them or otherwise then in the virtue and fruit of then this might be shewed in other things mentioned in the Scripture as Types and patterns of this as the Lords passing over the houses of the Children of Israel in Aegypt when he smote the Aegyptians was to be remembred and rejoyced in throughout their Generations and therefore that day to be kept for a memorial a feast to the Lord by an ordinance for ever Exod. 12. 12 14 27. So we also are instructed to keep the feast of rejoycing in Christ in thankful commemmoration of what he hath done for saith the Text Christ our Passover is sacrificed not sacrificing or daily and often offering himself but this he did once that is the ground of our rejoycing in him evermore he is sacrificed for us 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. Again Gods dividing the Sea by his strength and breaking the heads of the Dragons in the waters and so the broken heads of Leviathan even Pharaoh and his host as broken and destroyed in the Red Sea was given for meat to the people inhabiting in the Wildernesse Psal 74. 13 14. though yet Pharaoh and his host was not in a present sensible being near that people all the time they were meat for them nor yet their drowning or destruction actually done in their sight or before them all along but once finished and therefore so worthy to be remembred and such matter of feeding and rejoycing to them in after ages Psal 81. 5. 10. and 78. and 105. and 106. but it is so clear in this which is the Truth and fulnesse of all those Types and Patterns namely the flesh of Christ and the blood of Christ and so evident in what is already said of it that more need not be said to shew and prove that that flesh of Christ even the words being made flesh in the similitude of sinful flesh and so his whole abasement and sufferings in the flesh the dayes of which are past Heb. 5. 7. 1 Pet. 3. 18. and so his blood his sufferings even to blood to death in the flesh which as to the actual accomplishment and sustaining of it is now past and finished yea therefore because his sufferings and death is so finished that he is in the virtue and bye means thereof raised and glorified in the same body for us as is before shewed so that he can die no more therefore is his flesh meat indeed and his blood drink indeed the Lords Death worthy for ever to be remembred and rejoyced in himself in the Infinite Grace of it and everlasting Virtue and Fruit of it that Bread of God the Bread of Life c. As aforesaid But for a little further demonstration how such a thing may be and is that even his personal Sufferings and Abasement in the flesh and so the Lords death may be eaten and drunk now so long after the actual accomplishment and sustaining of it is past as also that it might be so before its manifestation or coming forth into actual and sensible being for he did not often Suffer for sin from the Foundation of the world but once in the end of the world as Heb. 9. 26. 1 Pet. 3. 18. For some further demonstration of this we say We shall here add a word or two to shew what the eating his flesh and drinking his blood is or how and in what manner it may be eaten and drunk and so how the Blood of Christ purgeth the Conscience The eating and drinking here is not naturally or bodily with the mouth but mentally with the Mind Spirit or inner man and that not in or by a sensual immagination or apprehension of seeing feeling or proving the works Sufferings or things that are the bottom matter of feeding and rejoycing to the heart as acted in them or in the present time before them but it is by faith as Ephes 3. 16 17. yea the eating and drinking is an act and exercise of faith as opposed to sight or sence we walk saies the Apostle and so the Just shall live Rom. 1. 17. Heb. 10. 38 by faith not by sight and so the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself note that he saith not is giving or giveth but gave himself for me the love that was manifested in that unspeakable gift and perfect offering of himself already prepared and perfected and so those works already finished on the earth through which that love is still manifested and commended are mentioned as the bottom ground of his faith and so matter of his feeding so that though the Apostles had seen the Lord yet they did not now live by that sight but by faith as opposed to sight yea blessed are those that have not so seen and yet believed saith our Saviour And the Apostle Peter saith That even those that were partakers of like precious faith with them yet had not so seen him as they had done but did believe and rejoyce in him though now they see him not John 20. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 8. and it is in such believing on him as the Scripture hath said that himself and him crucified and so his flesh and his blood is eaten and drunk as may be seen in John 6. 35. with chap. 7. 37 38 39. A man believing in and with the heart the record that God hath given of Christ that is receiving withal acceptation loving and closing with it according to the understanding given him as a good and faithful saying letting it dwell in him and so having his heart exercised in it and by
it to consider him and stay on his Name as therein set forth seeking Satisfaction Rest Righteousnesse and Strength in him in such believing mindfulnesse and dependance on him and so believing on him as the Scripture hath said he is therein said to Eat him and Drink him or the Bread and Drink he giveth because therein the heart and mind is so stayed in him Isa 26. 5 and exercised with delight and well-pleasednesse about him and the things of him as to a tasting how Gracious the Lord is and proving the sweetness fitness and excellency of him in and according to the knowledge of him so Jeremy saith Thy words were found and I did eat them Jer. 15. 16. and because also in such spiritual eating a man certainly comes to taste prove and meet with such peace refreshing joy strength and blessedness in the first fruits of the Spirit as answers to the instruction and ground therein set before him as also follows in that of Jeremy thy word was to me the joy and the rejoycing of mine heart as David also professeth How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter than Honey to my mouth Psal 119. 103 for the Word of God works effectually in them that believe and receive it as such 1 Thes 2. 13. unto them therefore that believe Christ is precious for so Christ comes to dwell in their heart in or by the Faith of him in what he hath done and is become for us and in the hope set before us in him yea he himself as so known believed by them is in their hearts by faith the hope of Glory the ground of it in what he hath done and the thing hoped for in what is further to be revealed and done by him Now faith is the evidence of things not seen as well as the confidence of things hoped for by it our fathers saw and rejoyced in the promises of the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow when both were yet afar off to come Heb. 11. with 1 Pet. 1. 10 11 12. And we have much more advantage to behold and rejoyce in him the works being finished which the Father gave him to do upon the earth and now the word of faith manifested the Preaching fully made known with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven yea therefore because the works are now actually finished as vertually they were from the foundation of the world because God hath raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification therefore being Justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also having now received the atonement as already made by his blood we have access by faith into this Grace in which we stand and rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God and not onely so but we glory in tribulations also proving a blessed fruit of them because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us in this Preaching of the Cross that when we were yet without strength in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly c. see Rom. 4. 22. 24 25. with chap. 5. 1. 11. And so the eating his flesh and drinking his blood as we are now instructed to it since the works were finished in the Person of Christ which the Father gave him to do on the earth is signified to be in a believing mindfulnesse and remembrance of the Lords death as already actually finished and past and so of him in what he hath therein and thereby compleated in himself for us therein considering him in the infinite and abiding vertue and preciousnesse of that blood or death of his Cross as mightily declared in his being raised and glorified in that body by means thereof and as brought to us in the preaching of that his Cross with the evidence and demonstration of the spirit and power and so in seeking rest righteousness strength and rejoycing in him in and by such believing in him So likewise the Blood of Christ purgeth the Conscience through Faith in that his Blood Blood shed or death and not by shedding blood again or by doing or causing to be done or 〈◊〉 the â—ame oâ— like things in their persons that were done and suffered in his person for sin for to him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins while through his Name the heart is stayed on him in a believing mindfulness and remembrance of him in what he hath done and so closing with and considering him in what he is thereby become for Sinners he further powers out his spirit opening and making known his words and so sprinkling upon the heart his Blood viz. the discoveries and openings of his blood shedding or death the infinite vertue and pretiousness of it with the Father The Grace manifested in and through it and so makes the Truth even the Preaching of the Cross powerful in their so knowing it to make them free from the Law and from the Dominion of sin by it John 8 32. 1 Cor. 1. 18. Acts 20. 32. and 10. 43. with Heb. 9 14. and this the Apostle confirms by his experiment Rom 8. 2 3. for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus which is no other but the Glorious Gospel with the Light and Power of Gods Spirit in it Rom. 1. 16 17. 2 Cor. 3. that sayes he hath made me free from the Law of sin and death and then speaking to the reason of that efficacy and the means by which it did it he shews that it was not by accomplishing those or like works in him as was finished in the Person of Christ in his being delivered for our offences and raised for our justification but in and by the opening and spiritual sprinkling on his Soul that Bloodshedding or Death and Sufferings of Christ for the Remission of sins and that in and through the Preaching of it shewing the pretiousness pertinency and fulness of that to the purpose for saith he What the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit minding the things of the spirit who takes off the things of Christ that he hath suffered done and shewing them glorifies him as the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth compare it with Rom. 5. 1. 11. and chap. 1â—3 John 16. 8. 10. 13 14 15. and so the Lords death his once suffering in the flesh for sins the just for the unjust which as to the actual accomplishment or sustaining of it is over and past but for ever accepted and had in everlasting remembrance with the Father and in the Fountain of
so with us as we have the Power viz. In bodily presence the Heavens do receive him till the times of restitution of all things and from thence he is in the name of the Father vertually and Spiritually among men as before is shewed And whosoever denyeth this Jesus to be the very Christ is of Antichrist and what do they lesse that confesse him not or do not Preach or lift up the Son of man as already come in the flesh and having finished the works in his own body the Father gave him to do on the Earth and so as being by means thereof glorified in that very body in the highest Heavens with the Father compare 1 John 2. 22. with Chap. 4. 3. and John 3. 14. 16. 1 Tim 3. 16. Heb. 3. 26. But put the Name of Christ upon something that in their immagination is daily coming in the flesh and so appearing and suffering in the flesh for the putting away of sin often from the foundation of the World and is not now in a real personal Glorious body in the Heaven of heavens above the Earth but in the immaginary heaven in them on the Earth and call that their Idol the good Seed the Light and that Jesus that is the Christ as is the scope of this and the former Queries But our Jesus that is the very Christ of God who not often but once in the end of the World hath appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself is now not on Earth but in Heaven with the Father in his spotlesse and Glorious body appearing in the presence of God for us the great Apostle and high Priest of our profession he is therefore and from thence in the Name of the Father sending forth his Spirit in his Testimony to us and therein Spiritually and powerfully present with us preserving us from their delusions and strengthening us in believing that very Jesus to be the Son of God to overcome their assaults and still to wait for that his coming again which is truly and properly called his second coming which we are sure they have never seen nor is it yet come nor hath been to any what ever any vainly imagine and boast of For 2. Of this next and second coming of Christ it is affirmed by the Spirit of Truth 1. That it shall be in the same body in which he suffered and rose from the dead the third day and shewed himself to his Disciples alive after his passion even the same Jesus which while they beheld was taken up from them into Heaven Acts 1. 9. 10. and 3. 31. 15. 20 21. Mat. 26. 64. 2. His so coming shall be not a coming up in any man but a coming down from Heaven the Heaven above as opposed to the Earth beneath whence t is said he shall descend or come down which in respect of Glorious state or dignity he never shall as before is shewed 1 Thes 4. 16. 2 Thes 1. 7. Phil. 3. 20. 3. In this his coming all that sleep in Jesus with all of that body then surviving shall first see him but not one of them before another for in his very descending from Heaven before he appear upon the Earth by the sound of his voice in a moment in the twinkling of an eye the dead in Christ shall be raised and the survivers of that body shall then be changed and all of them suddenly caught up together to meet the Lord in the Ayre 1 Cor 15. 51 52. 1 Thes 4. 14 15 16 17. 4. This his coming then will be visible as the lightning that shines from the East and cometh even to the West Mat 24. 27. Luke 17. 24. So as every eye shall see him even those that shall wail before him Rev. 1. 7. Mat. 24. 30. and 26. 64. Mark 13. 26. and 14. 62. 5. This his visible coming shall be unto the Earth not with some but with all his Saints with him they being raised and changed as aforesaid and he shall then fully deliver the oppressed and slay all the wicked even every one that doth not presently submit to serve him and his People Zach. 14. 1. 5. 2 Pet. 3. 5 6 7. Psal 75. 10. and 149. 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9 10. 6. Then not onely all his Saints that come with him shall have Immortal bodies being as and equal to the Angels Luke 20 36. But also he will then restore all things even the other part of the Creation distinct from man that were made subject to vanity delivering it from the bondage of Corruption renewing the face of it for he shall make new Heavens and new Earth and all things new Acts 3. 20 21. Isa 6. and 65. 17. 2 Pet. 3. 10. 13. Rev. 21. 1. 5. Rom. 8. 19. 23. And then shall he take to him his great Power and Reign sitting on the Throne of David in Power and great Glory and set those that have been his suffering Saints on Thrones and they shall Reign with him on the Earth and judge the World until the finall and Eternal Judgement seize upon all the ungodly at the last and general Resurrection Isa 9. 7. Rev. 11. 15. 18 Luke 1. 31. 32 33 with Mat. 25. 31. c. Dan. 7. 13. 14. 18. 27. 1 Cor. 6. 2. Rev. 5. 10. and â—â— 4. 6 c. More might be but enough is said to shew that his second coming so called in Scripture his glorious appearing never yet hath been to any nor now is and though it be the day of the desire and longing of all unfeigned believers yet none of them shall see or injoy it otherwise then by Faith in the hope of it and powerful efficacies of that hope retained until they shall all see it together Luke 17. 22. 24. 37. 2 Tim. 4. â— Heb. 11. 40. 2 Thes 2. 1. with Chap. 1. 7. Yea they are all looking and waiting for it all the time of this present World while also they are waiting for the Redemption of the Body Tit. 2. 12 13. Heb. 9. 28. Rom. 8. 19. 25. Phil. 3. 20. 21. And if any say they have it or have seen it otherwise then by Faith as aforesaid and so lo here is Christ or there such are false christs and false prophets and we on such grounds as forementioned or warned not to believe or go after them Luke 17. 23 24. Mat. 24 23 24. As likewise if they say with Himmeneus the Resurrection is past already 2 Tim. 2. 18. Nor shall such scoffs or scoffers as 2 Pet. 3. 4. or as these appear in this question make us ashamed to professe We yet look and waite for this his second appearing and coming knowing that whatever reproach or denyal of it such make he that shall come will come and will not tarry longer then the appointed time which also hastens in his times God shall send and shew him c. Acts 3. 20. 1 Tim. 6. 14 15. Heb. 10. 37. 16. Query What are those seeds that must
the spirit detained in prison in the first Death this is that unquenchable fire ever burning and that can never be quenched no not to them that are cast into it the raised bodies of men being in that equal to the evil angels they can never more cease to be or be ever free from sencible Suffering nor will the Worm in their Spirits ever cease tormenting This is that lake of fire into which the first Death and Hell shall be cast when they have delivered up all the dead that was in them and so shall be destroyed and swallowed up in this that shall remain and burn on all the ungodly for ever see for this and who they are and when they shall be cast into it Rev. 20. 11. 15. and 21. 8. Mat. 25. 41. 46 with Mark 9. 43 48. so that out of this after men are in it here is no deliverance in any sence but none are in this until they be brought forth of their graves and delivered up by Death and Hell as forementioned except those that at his appearing shall be taken and cast alive into that lake of fire without being detained any time in prison as the rest are Rev. 19 20. with chap. 20. 10. Now had these men understood the Scripture and so these things as there distinguished and set forth they would not have counted it at all absurd that souls in Hell bodies in dust and spirits in prison should come forth again to receive their final judgement yea had they in the least believed God to be true in his sayings they would not have dared so plainly to have contradicted and blasphemed them though they could not have understood them seeing the Holy Ghost speaketh expresly of the Final and Eternal Judgement when all the dead that have died in their sins from the beginning of the World to the latter end of it shall at once be raised and brought forth to that judgement and there and to that faith Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them But they have clearly shewed themselves to be of that sort that deny the Resurrection of the dead and the Eternal Judgement of all men witnessed in the Scripture as yet to come and to be passed and executed upon them by that man Christ Jesus whom God hath ordained to judge the world in Righteousnes whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Question 19. Whether the receiving Bread and Wine to shew the Lords death be to continue an Ordinance in the Church till the end of the World yea or nay Answ This and the three following questions aptly follow the former to a further discovery of their Antichristian Spirit For As Jesus Christ having ascended on high and received gifts in the man hath given gifts unto men and therein set in the Church First Apostles that were chosen witnesses of his personal body in which he the Word was made flesh and humbled himself unto the death of the Cross as now raised from the dead and received up into glory having finished the works the Father gave him to do in that body on the earth that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all Nations and so as wise Master builders layers of the foundation Doctrinally As likewise he hath given and appointed to be still in continual exercise a gift and office inferior to the Apostles for instructing in and opening out of the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles the foundation as already laid by them in the word of the beginning of Christ and for directing to and building on that foundation in witnessing him as already come in the flesh and having finished the works as aforesaid and so for Doctrinal shewing forth the Lords death and the pretiousnesse thereof with the Father for us and in his Name to us and to manifest the goodnesse and righteousnesse of God therein Luke 24. 44. 48. John 17. 18. 20. c. 1 John 1. 1. 5 Rom. 1. 1. 5 and 16. 25 26. 1 Cor. 3. 10. 11. Secondarily Prophets or the gift and office of prophesie to shew distinctly out of the Scriptures and from the foundation as already laid the things to come even the Resurrection of the dead and Eternal Judgement and so the grace and glory to be brought to us at the glorious appearing of Christ from Heaven for encouragement to look to him and for the edification and comfort of those that wait for him which gift office was primely given to the Apostles and is also included in that inferior gift office forementioned as given to believers since and the choise to be desired by them whence that is called prophesying 1 Cor. 14 1. 3 and 12. 28. which also is called Ephes 4 11. prophecying and evangelizing John 15. 26 27 and 16 13 14 Titus 2. 11. 13 14 15. Thirdly Teachers or the gift of teaching for applying instructing and directing to the usefulness of both namely of that which he hath already done and is become for us in himself the ground of all the Redemption already wrought and obtained by his Blood and the infinite and abiding efficacy of it in what he is now doing and of that Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time as the end of all from both together to teach Transgressors the way that sinners may be converted to him and to lead Believers into all truth teaching them that denying ungodlinesse and worldly lust they should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world looking for that blessed hope and the Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 13 12 13. 1 Pet. 1. 10. 14. c. John 16. 8. 14. So on the other hand Anti-christ that was to come in these last dayes and is already come he hath his contrary gifts and work yet coming in the name of Christ and as Apostles and Prophets and Teachers of Christ but in a directly opposite and contrary strain though subtilly and with hidden things of dishonesty for such are false Apostles deceitful Workers c. They to prepare and make way for their false Apostolizing in which they lift up something else in the name and place of Christ in respect of what he hath already done and is become in himself for us and for their false prophecying in which they magnifie something else in the name and place of him in respect of what he will do in his second and glorious appearing and for their false Teaching in which they direct to another Light and Teacher and teach otherwise not consenting to sound words even the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine according to goodlinesse to this purpose we say they seek with design in the first place to cast him down from his excellency in his person and works and to render his Ordinances contemptible and that they may effectually pull down the house with both their hands as
into him and knit together in the Unity of the Spirit who yet also in their Preaching the Gospel to all as they have opportunity are to instruct and invite others that hear or listen to their word to come into his house and rejoyce with his People even in observance of his Ordinances with them and this for one Mat. 28. 19 20. Rom. 15. 9 10 11. Prov. 9. 1. 5. Mat. 22. 1. 10. V. That the way of this solemn publick and professed remembrance and acknowledgement of the Lords death appointed to be used in his Church or the thing to be done therein is that in their assemblies together Believers do take the Bread blesse it in his Name break it and with instruction about his sufferings all of them take and eat of it in Remembrance of him and in like manner the Wine so drinking in Remembrance of him for as oft as they eat this Bread and drink this cup they do so and therein professedly commemorate and shew forth the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 1. 23. 26. and 10. 6. For otherwise he that knoweth and believingly mindeth the Lords Death doth both and eating and drinking and in all mercies and chastisements and in all his approaches to God remember the Lords death as that by which all good was procured for him and all things are sanctified to him and therefore in all his demeanour is worthy to be acknowledged by him though seducers would draw him from it which with the former considerations renders Ordinances for stirring up by putting in remembrance the more needfull VI. That this remembrance and shewing forth the Lords death is to be till he come is expresse in the Scripture their Query seems to alude to even till that his second coming of which we have spoken before for his first appearing was actually past and finished for of that and the infinite and abiding virtue and Grace of it this was appointed to be a commemoration And for his Spiritual comings he had already sent and powered forth the Holy Ghost according to his promise after his ascension and these had received of that Spirit yea so as they were inriched in knowledge utterance Spiritual gifts coming behind in none even as the Testimony of Christ was confirmed in them yet waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1. 5. 7. That coming here spoken of 1 Cor. 11. 26. which is still to be waited for by all believers even all the time of this present World and that in the use and observance of his Ordinances each in their several times here as Tit. 2. 12. 13. And that that his second coming and the end of the World that now is and so the beginning of the World to come of which Abraham and all the faithful are Heires Rom. 4. 13. c. Shall be together at the same time is evident in Act. 3. 19 20 21. and Heb. 2. 5 8. with 2. Pet. 3. to the end Yea further also it is cleare and expresse in the promise annexed to the Commandment given by our Saviour after his Resurrection to his Apostles and therein in a secondary sence to them that after believe through their word John 17. 18. 20. That believers in and with the Preaching of the Gospel to the Nations after baptising them in his name are to teach them according to their capacity to observe whatsoever Christ commanded his Disciples to observe and do after his Resurrection whereof this Ordinance is one and this to the end of the World so much we say is clear in the promise annexed to that Commission Mat. 28. 20. And so I am with you alway that is not onely to strengthen them to keep this charge but also to make them successfull and fruitful therein in their Preaching this Gospel and keeping his Ordinances and Teaching others to observe them with them even unto the end of the World Yea and they also kept and observed this charge unto the end of the World not onely in that they kept it in their personal exercise throughout their Generation to the finishing their course even untill their disease and departure out of their mortal bodies 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. 2 Pet. 1. 13. But also in this that they have made known and given for the Preaching of Jesus Christ according to the Revelation of the Mistery and have therein delivered the traditions or Ordinances and things delivered over from the Lord to them even as they received them of him unto all Nations or Generations of men in this World not onely then in being but then to come for the obedience of Faith and that all the Gentiles might hear Rom. 5. 5. and 16. 25 26. 2 Tim. 4. 17. with 1 Cor. 11. 2. 23. 27. and 14. 36 37. And have also committed and delivered the charge of this Ministry unto faithfull men with instruction and charge to them to deliver and commit the same to other faithful men that so it may be remembered kept after their decease even unto the end of the World 1 Tim. 1. 18. and 5. 21 22. 2. Tim. 4. 1. 6. with Chap. 2. 2. 2 Pet. 1. 12. 15. with Chap. 2. 1. 2. and 3. 1. 3. And so Timothy is vehemently charged to keep this Commandment without spot unrebukable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ which in his times he shall shew as Acts 3. 19 20 21. 1 Tim 6. 14 15. Likewise also even such as are called to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming are still exhorted in their several ages even untill that his coming when all his Saints shall be gathered together unto him to hold fast the Traditions which they have been taught by the Apostles Doctrine 2 Thes 2. 14 15. with ver 1. 2. Heb. 3. 1. 7. and 4. 11. 14. and 10. 19. 25. And so to do this in remembrance of him till he come for till then they need such helps for now in this time of their imperfect state till they shall all come together to the full stature here they see through a glasse but when he comes they shall no more need such helps but see face to face even as now they are seen and know as they are known 1 Cor. 13. 12. 1 John 3. 2. Yea until he come those of them that live on the Earth are mortal as well as still incumbred with a law of sin in the members warring against the Law of the mind and so the body dead because of sin and the rest of them departed the body is wholly dead and turns to dust yet sleeping in the Lord and so our body or Cougregation in some sence vile but at his coming our bodies shall be raised and made immortal and every particular and so our whole body or Congregation together made like his Glorious Body who is our head and appearing with him in Glory Col. 2. 3 4. 1 John 3. â— 1 Cor. 15. 48. 53. Rom. 8. 10 11. 1
they render the knowledge of him as Preached by the Apostles and witnessed in the Ordinances as delivered by them fleshly and carnal and so to be let go for the other Surely Antichrist doth not onely figure forth but reveale himself in them by these Queries as may be seen in the light 21. Query And how must the life of Christ be shown forth And when If people must receive Bread and Wine as a continuing Ordinance in this life alwayes to shew forth the death of Christ Answ In the right shewing forth the Lords death the life of Christ is also acknowledged and shew'n forth For therein we shew not forth a dead Christ or Death simply but the Lords death that is as is shewed before the death of him who by means of that his death being raised from the dead in the Glory of the Father and made both Lord and Christ in that body in which he died and was buried is alive for evermore And so that death by which Peace was made and Redemption and life obtained in and by him for us That with him it might be given to us and in receiving him be received by us as he is received that is now by Faith And in the first fruits of those Spirituall blessings we are now blest within him and the hope of the fulnesse with the Redemption of the body at his second coming and so it is that death the excellency and preciousnesse of which is shewed in the testification of the glory God hath given him in his Resurrection and exaltation as the fruit of it that our faith and hope might be in God And so that of which and the preciousnesse thereof he now liveth to be an Apostle to us as likewise by vertue of which he appeares in the presence of God an High Priestâ— for us and therefore also is able to save to the utmost them that come to God by him And so in the right shewing forth the Lords death all this is acknowledged and shewed forth as that in which his death is commended as therefore infinitely worthy to be remembred and the Grace and Glory of God therein displayed And so in being Spiritually baptised into his death into the understanding and acknowledgement of it as declared in the Gospel Therein a man is also risen with him through faith of the operation of God and comes to prove the power of his Resurrection in such fellowship of his sufferings quickening to new and lively hope and affections by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead Col. 2. 1â— Phil. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 1. 3. c. And is made a powerful Saviour of Christ to others either of life unto Life or of death unto Death For the Preaching or shewing forth the Crosse of Christ in which the whole Gospel of Christ the Wisdom of God the Power of God is preached that is to them that perish foolishnesse but to us that are saved it is the Power of God Whence the Apostled said God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the Crosse of Christ by whom the World is crucified to me and I to the World yea he determined not to know any thing in his Preaching among believers but Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 1. 18. 23 24. â— 2 with Gal 6. 14. And he had then the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2. 16. and was therein rejoycing in and shewing forth the Life of Christ Gal. 2. 19 20. holding forth not a Ministration of death but of Spirit and Life 2 Cor. 3. 1 John 1. But this must needs be an offence and stumbling block to them who deny the abiding virtue and effecatious preciousnesse for others of that death once finished in that his own body and believe not his being raised and continuing for ever in the same body in which he died But set up an Idol in the name and place of him that is often dying rising and offering it self and in divers bodies For they cannot shew forth the death and life of their Immaginary Christ in one and the same demonstration because when he rises or is risen in them its another and not the same body that died which rises or is risen 22. Query What is your ground for sprinkling the Children of them you count Believers Have you ever a command from God or evident example for it if you have shew it Answ This Question is laid as a snare for such as differ from us in the Ordinance of Baptising with water in the Name of Christ as to the persons that may be baptized and the manner of baptising And yet agree with us in the acknowledgement of the Lords body and of the infinite Grace and abiding Vertue of his first appearing therein and the hope of his second and of the Resurrection of the dead and Eternal Judgment at his appearing to his Kingdom that so by seeming to take their part against us in this about baptisme they may catch them in their net For why else do they not as well question our grounds for the continuance of this Ordinance of Baptising with water in his Name as they have done that of the Lords Supper seeing it is notoriously known they make no more account of the one then of the other We shall therefore here say the lesse to this Hypocritical question But if any desire to understand the grounds of our practice in that they may see them at large shewed by the Scriptures in Treatises made publick the one by Joh. Horn called Considerations of Infant Baptism The other by Tho. Moor senior called A brief discourse about Baptism And if any that own the great things of the Doctrine of Christ but different from us in such lighter things will propound their distractions or reasons against our practice in answer to what is made publick or they have ours in manuscript which yet they have not done or otherwise we shall be ready to answer them though we think it not expedient here to speak to those things in which they differ from us who yet own the same Lord Jesus with us and waite for his Glorious appearance from Heaven And though differing from us in the manner or outward form of an Ordinance c. Yet do it to the same Lord whom we will neither judge nor dispise nor reckon them amongst or joyn them with such Enemies of the Crosse of Christ as prvily deny the Lord that bought them and dispise both his sayings and Ordinances 2. Why demand they a command from God or evident example for what we do in this seeing they contemn both in the former and in scorn reject the Ordinance it self as unprofitable We might answer this demand as our Saviour answers a like Question Mat. 21. 23 24 25. When they demanded of our Saviour by what Authority he did those things He answered and said unto them I also will aske you one thing which if ye tell me I likewise will tell you by what
authority I do these things The Baptism of John whence was it from Heaven or of men So might we here say when they tell us whether baptising with water either by sprinkling or dipping in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth be an Ordinance from Heaven to be still observed by believers and by them to be administred on any then we will likewise tell them the ground of our practice in this But the Reader may be satisfied that they make void the commandments of Christ in this as well as in the former by their traditions both by their principles and practice For first in their principles they deny that Jesus to be the very Christ in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwells bodily and so in whom the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is and then why should any be baptized into his Name And Secondly in their practice they wholly lay aside and reject that observance as well as the other as unprofitable and vain Therefore we reject their question And yet for further help to the Reader add this word or two about Baptism in which we hope few of our forementioned dissenting brethren will much differ from us waving in this place those things in which they differ for such reasons as is fore expressed 1. That the command to disciple the Nations baptising them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost was to be observed by the Apostles and by them that believe through their word unto the end of the World See what is said in answer to their â—9 Question from the consideration of the promise annexed to the Commission Mat. 28. 20. And lo I am with you alway namely in the observance of this command unto the end of the World 2. That that baptising in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is in baptising in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ even of that Jesus of Nazareth whom God hath raised from the dead and made both Lord and Christ campare Mat. 28. 19. with Acts 2. 22. 38. and 8. 16. and 10. 48. For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily and in his Name as so manifested is the great Name of God come forth and declared 3. That in that baptising repentance and remission of sins is Preached and witnessed as in his name for them and through it unto them as appears by comparing Mat. 28. 19. with Luke 24. 47 48. and Acts 13. verse 37 38 46 47. Like as John was sent baptising with water that Christ should be made manifest to Israel as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the World John 1. 29. 31. And not to make them or something in them manifest to themselves or to Christ So the Apostles were sent baptising the Nations of the Gentiles also that they might therein witnesse as true to small and great even every Creature of mankind that Christ had now suffered and was risen from the dead and become in the man Gods Light to the Gentiles and his Salvation to the ends of the Earth so that there is Repentance and Remission of sins in him for them and through his Name to them compare with the forementioned Scriptures Acts 26. 22 23. Mark 16. 15. Whence the Apostle Peter exhorting to repent and be baptized every one of them gives this reason for the promise is to you and to your children c. He saith not the promise is in you nor had they yet by Faith received it But it was in Christ raised from the dead and through him by the Gospel to them as Rom. 3. 21 22. with Acts 13. 32 33. 37 38. 46 47. and Eph 3. 6. â— Which was the thing they were willing to witnesse and set their seal too in baptising them in that name Acts 2. 38 39. 4. That baptising with water in that name is included in that baptising given in commission And though as a lesser or lighter thing comparativly yet to go with the Preaching of the Gospel as an outward seal or witnesse of the Truth of God therein to every Creature of mankind small and great This appears by our Saviours use of the word baptising in that commandment given to his servants a word which when used to expresse a work in the Ministration of the Servants alwayes includes that with water in his Name though sometimes it takes in more and a more weighty thing in their service also And likewise by the Apostles understanding it as included in their Commission which it is evident they did see the Book of the Acts though but as a lighter matter to be used in subserviencie to the more weighty see for both â— Cor. 1. 14. 17. 23. Query Whether do you own such Preachers as take Tythes or Preach for hire or for gifts and rewards yea or nay Answ Here are three Questions in one and of divers natures which is a falacious way of querying To the first we say we own Melchizedeck who received Tythes of Abraham and blessed him that had the promise Heb. 7. 2. 6. We own also the good Priests under the Law that were of the sons of Levi and had a commandment to take Tythes of the People according to the Law Heb. 7. 5. such of them whose lips preserved knowledge We likewise own such Preachers now as having the Doctrine of Christ with fitnesse to Preach it do hold fast that faithfull word and Preach not themselves but Jesus even that Jesus of Nazareth whom God hath raised from the dead the Lord and themselves servants for Jesus sake Such as Preach repentance and remission of sins in his Name who is the Propitiation for the sins of the whole World the Fountain of Grace and Truth that of his fulnesse men might receive and so do wait for and in shewing those things of him that is the ground of it instruct others to look for that blessed hope and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ And to flee from the wrath to come in the Resurrection of the dead and Eternal Judgement by that man by whom he hath ordained to judge the World in Righteousnesse whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead And so with that Doctrine of Christ and in the Preaching of it do Administer their instructions and reproofs to such as are Ignorant and out of the way and for conviction of the gain-sayers and their exhortations to all with consolations admonitions to believers to the edifying and teaching them that denying ungodlinesse and worldly lusts they should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present World c. Such Preachers we own whether they take Tythes or no. And further we say the Labourer is worthy of his hire Luke 10. 7. And thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn 1 Cor. 9. 9.
c. They may if they see it convenient according to the instructions and liberty given them by him take such things as God by his providence orders to them and sets before them Be it the Tenth or what part it will that is appointed them by the Fathers of the Countrey of that which is at their dispose or that is otherwise produced to them by the Gospel But all that take Tythes we own not no more then we do all that refuse them we make not their taking or leaving them our rule for knowing or owning Preachers but leave that gross way of judgeing to such as being Reprobate concerning the Faith have no better rule to walk by To the other two parts of this Question we say 1. We distinguish between taking Hire Gifts or Rewards and Preaching for them and so being hirelings 2. Such as Preach for Hire or for Gifts and rewards and so for filthy Lucre in their so doing we own not but are instructed to flee that vile lust and to warn others of it 1 Pet. 5. 2. Yet it is not our parts to judge the hearts of men yea though therebe some failings but rejoyce if Christ be Preached and not to account any to be hirelings until it appear by their fleeing when the Wolfe comes to devour the sheep of their faith and hope of the Gospel and so of their fallowship in the Word and Ordinances thereof he that then neglecteth and fleeth from the sheep as not caring for them but leaving them to the Thief and Wolfe he flyeth because he is an hireling and by his flight may be judged so to be John 10. 10 11 13. 3. Yet some that do or may receive hire and gifts we own as being no hirelings but moved and carried forth by the love of Christ constraining them to Preach the Gospel and perswade men to be reconciled to God as the Apostle 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. 18 19. and 6. 1. â—â— who yet receive hire or took wages 2 Cor. 11. 8. and gifts Phil. 4. 14 15 16 17 18. as Elisha did 2 Kings 4 42. and Jeremiah Chap. â—0 5. But 4. Such as bring another Doctrine then that which the Apostles have Preached and delivered we own not no though they Preach it freely as it may seem the false Apostles boasted they did 2 Cor. 11 12 13. Yea the Wolf comes without hireing desiring or sending for to the sheep and barks against hirelings too seeking to scare them away yet is no better friend to the sheep but a far more dangerous and hurtful Enemy for he cometh not but to scatter catch rob and destroy John 10. Yea further if such persons coming to such a contrary end and with another message should not onely scorn 〈◊〉 but also give rewards to hire others to come in to them However Ignorant and Worldly minded men may admire such yet in the account of God and those taught of him it agravates their sin and shame Ezek. 16. 31. 33 34. 5. It s given us as a Character of false Apostles and deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ to boast of and commend themselves to others by their Preaching freely and great labours and sufferings and to seek occasions where they can right or wrong for report say they and we will report it Jer. 20. 10. against the true Ministers of Christ to reproach and vilifie them by their taking wages or gifts see 2 Cor. 11. 8. 13. c. 24. Query What is the Soul of man which the Word of God is to save and what is the difference between the Soul and the Spirit seeing the Word of God divides them asunder Answ This hath two Questions distinct the first is what is the Soul of man which the Word of God is to save To which we say It s the Soul of man that God hath made Isa 57. 16. And that by sin was defiled corrupted and lost for the Son of man came to save that which was lost But happily they think to intimate something in this to strengthen their denial of the Resurrection and Redemption of the dead body as to say that because the Soul onely is mentioned as to be saved by the Word of God Jam. 1. 21. and 5. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 9. Therefore the dead body is not to be saved or Redeemed from death after the natural and bodily death We therefore further say 1. That the Soul of man is understood in Scripture in a twofold sence 1 Sometimes for the Spirit Soul or inward man distinct from the body or outward man which at death departs out of the body and returns to God that gave it to be appointed to its proper place and still retains a sensible being either in prison or at liberty even till the Resurrection of the body when they shall be for ever reunited Gen. 35. 18. Luke 12. 20. Eccles 12. 7. 3. John 2. And this is that in which the saving work of Christ begins and especially hath its efficacy now while yet the body is mortal and decaying though it also works in and through the mortal body to the devoting it to Christ and strengthening it to service and suffering and preserving blamelesse 2. By the Soul or Souls of men is frequently meant the whole person Soul and body Gen. 12. 5. and 14. 21. and 46. 18. 22. 26 27. Deut. 10. 22. Acts 7. 14. 1 Pet 3 20. Revel 18. 13. with Ezek. 27. 13. And so in the Creation of man it is said the Lord God formed man of the dust of the Earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life and man became a living Soul And these are the Souls even the whole persons of men for every of whom Jesus Christ by the Grace of God tasted death and gave himself a ransome that through him they might be saved yea when the Soul and Body are spoken of distinctly they are both mentioned as bought with one price that God might be Glorified in both 1 Cor. 6. 20. And so that both even the whole man might be Sanctified and preserved in Christ and so blamlesse even to the coming of the Lord 1 Thes 5. 23. And as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive and appear before the Judgement seat of Christ to receive the things done in the body as before is shewed at large 2. By the Word whose Name is also called the Word of God is sometimes meant that Word that was in the beginning with God which Word is God one God with the Father Eternal Spirit though distinct in respect of manner of being in the Godhead the same that in the fulnesse of time was made flesh and in that body of his flesh is now raised from the dead and Glorified with the Fathers own self and made both Lord and Christ John 1. 1. 2. 14. 1 John 1. 1. 2. and 5. 7. And sometimes by the Word of God which also was called the Word of Christ of