in the legall dispensation when he was a little child and bound about with a linnen Ephod and so not have been admitted to minister to the Lord or in his behalf in that ministration because a child or not 23. years of age might he not either by such a Law have been bound from the work of the ministry though the Lord had called him to it and by his word both established and fitted him for it according to the Scripture 1. Sam. 2.18.19.1 Sam. 31.19 20 21. or else by that Law have suffered and been by men condemned or not approved because not called to the ministry according to their Law if so was not such a Law viz. 13. of Eliz. 12. as the parish-priests preachers and Ministers were called ordained and tolerated by or according unto their ministry a Law directly contrary to the Scriptures and in opposition to God and his word or way of calling to the ministry as aforesaid yea or nay Query XVI And might not Christ Jesus himself by such a Law have been bound and not admitted to have done his Fathers will at twelve years of age when at such an age he waxed strong in spirit being filled with wisdome and the grace of God was upon him so that he was fit to dispute and did at twelve years of age doe his Fathers business as may be read Luke 2.40 41 42. to the 50. But if it had been of late years when the Common prayer book and that way of calling to the work of the Ministry according to the Statute of the 13. of Eliz. 12. were in force if not yet might not Christ himself if he had then been personally present in England have by that Law been disallowed of and not admitted to the work of the Lord at twelve years of age nor afterward no more then by the Jews and chief priests he was who questioned his authority and said have any of the rulers or Pharisees beleeved on him if so was not that Law directly opposite to the Scriptures and contrary to the way of God as aforesaid and if he had pleaded his inward spirituall call and said his Father had sent him would not the rulers and chief priests in England have opposed and said â—n inward call without an outward according to the Law of man before mentioned would not have been sufficient yea or nay Query VII And if none might have been admitted to Minister in the behalf of the Lord but such as subscribed to the Articles agreed of in the Convocation holden at London in the year 1562. and also such as did assent to the same and read their subscription to the said Articles with a Declaration of their unfeigned assent thereunto in the parish Church where they were to serve in the time of Common prayer at or soon after their Induction being 23. years of age and before their admission brought the Bishop of the Diocess from men known to him a testimoniall of their professing the doctrine expressed in the said Articles that they might receive a testimoniall under his Seal authentick and be tolerated c according to the 13. of Eliz. 12. which was the Parish-Priests way of ordination and toleration it seems till of late that there was no Bishops to give them orders or a testimoniall under their seal authentick c. might not by the same rule or Law all the Ministers of God as true Prophets and Apostles that was sent by the Lord God and his Spirit according to the Scriptures have been disallowed of and neither admitted nor tolerated because they had not the Common prayer book nor the Articles that was but agreed of in the Convocation holden at London as they were agreed of in the time of apostacy therefore they could not subscribe to them nor read any Declaration of their unfeigned assent thereunto in the Parish Church because they had no such Parish Church nor Popish stuffe among the true Gospel-Ministers before the apostacy spoken of in the Scriptures and if the Lord should have sent any by his Spirit according to the order of the true Prophets and Apostles might they not have been disallowed of and not admitted into the work of the Ministry in England c. if they could not submit to that Popish stuffe and inventions of the false Christs and false Prophets or errour of the parish priestâ—â— c. that came in since the apostacy and must not such as the Lord sends now and hereafter by his Spirit and according to his word be disallowed and denyed by the parish-priests c. if they can not submit to their other inventions or former Popish traditions yea or nay Query XVIII Was it not declared in the Statute of the 13. of Eliz 12. that none should be admitted to administer the Sacraments when the Common prayer book and that Service was in force untill he were 24. years of age and was not the Sacraments and Sacramentalls formerly whilst the Mass book was in force commonly called the Mass see the Statute of the 2. 3. of Ed. 6. Chap. 1. And if the Sacraments and Sacramentals were called the Mass whilst the Mass-book was in force was they not the same in the time of the Common prayer book and are they not the same that they were seeing the Scripture speaks nothing of either Sacraments or Mass yea or nay Query XIX Did not the Pope after the apostacy when he caused Tithes Oblations Obventions c. to be paid to the Parish-Priests Parsons and Rectors c. cause the same to be paid to them and such like onely as were of the Popish order and preached up his interest and observed the Mass book and that service and worship onely which was then set up and by him allowed of yea or nay Query XX. If so then whether ought not those Tithes Oblations Obventions c. to have ceased and returned back to the people againe when he and that worship and service was denyed for which they were payed or is the worship and service in the ground of Superstition and Popery made void where and by whom Tithes Oblations Obventions c. are received which the Pope at first since the apostacy created or caused to be paid yea or nay Query XXI Did King Henry the 8. when he denyed the Pope to be head of the Church of England called the holy Church then deny the Tithes and make them void which the Pope had created or caused before to be paid and did he put down Tithes to cause them to returne to the people againe whose right they were before the Pope caused the people to pay to them to his Priests Parsons and Rectors c. or did not King Henry and his Parliament when the Pope was denyed to be head of the Church confer and state the Popes former Creation or gift as Tithes Oblations Obventions c. upon the Prelates or the Kings Parish-Priests Parsons and Rectors c. and were they not then to observe to
saith that though for a precence they make long prayers who devour widows houses and have the chief seats in the Synagogues c. yet not withstanding these faith Christ shall receive greater damnation as may be read Mar. 12.38 39 40. Concerning free-grace Grace is the gift of God Pro. 3.34 and what is more free than gift yet some say cursed be all they that say grace is free and let all the people say Amen I say let such be marked for they are the enemies of Christ and are false Prophets and eminent or great for the interest of Anti-Christ for the Lord God is a Sun and a shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly Psa 84 11. And grace and truth came by Jesus Christ Joh. 1.14 and the true Christians beleeved through grace Acts 18.27 and it the grace had not been free through which they beleeved might they not have died in their sins and perished because they could not chime it as a debt and they could not morit it because whilst und belâ—evers what had they of an equall worth to give for it they could not purchase it by any act or thing of theirs Therefore is was and is a gift and being a gift it is free Rom. 5.17 18. And before the apostacy the true Gospe-Minister hath declared the grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldliness we should live righteously soberly and godly in this present evill world Titus 2.11.12 But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ They deny the freeness and sufficiency of the grace of God and so denyes the doctrine of the Spirit of grace to the end that they may set up self and live in sinfulness drunkenness and abundance of ungodiliness in despite to the Spirit of grace but great will be the punishment of such as doe despite to the spirit of grace and turne into wantonness as you may read Heb. 10.28,19 Iude 4. such are of the number of the false Prophets and Subjects to Anti-Christ Therefore beware of them for by their fruits they are known Concerning Faith The true Ministers of the Gospel before the apostacy they came not with the enticing words of mans wisdome but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power to the end that the true Christians faith might not stand in the wisdome of men but in the power of God 1 Cor. 2.4.5 and the true Gospel-Minister said to the true Christians by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works least any man should boast Eph. 2.8 9. But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ that deny the grace to be free and say it is not sufficient they deny the sufficiency of it and so denies saluation by grace through faith and sets up their own works or self actings to the end that they may act Anti-Christs part and boast of their own doings by the power of self who deny the power of God in which the Saints faith doth stand and turns cursers of them that own the true faith who say cursed are all they that say faith is without sin as many false Prophets in Scotland have done true faith is the gift of God and a fruit of the Spirit of God as the blessed Apostle hath said 1 Cor. 12.8.9 and Gal. 5.22 23. and God gives faith but be gives not sin Therefore the faith which Cod gives must needs be a faith without sin and what soever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14.22 but whatsoever is sin is not of faith nor any part or degree of the same true faith purifieth the heart Acts 15.9 but sin polluteth Mar. 7.21 22 23. true faith is pretious 2 Pet. 1.1 but so is not sin true faith in Christ is the Saints victory over the world 1 Ioh. 5. 4. therefore it is a faith without sin and Christ is the author of the true faith Heb. 12.2 but he is not the author of sin therefore that faith which he is the author of must needs be a faith without sin Then they that say faith is not without sin they must needs be false Prophets and Ministers of sin or subjects of Anti-Christ who doe no less than say the gift of God is not without sin and that Christ is the author of sin Oh horrid blasphemy and wicked delusion for if faith be not without sin as they say it is not then God in giving faith must give sin according to the false Prophets account which he doth not and if faith be not without sin as the false Prophets say it is not then Christ in being the author of faith might be the author of sin according to the false Prophets account therefore people now that you have such a cleer discovery of them and in regard that their fruits doe so plainly describe them if you yet follow them and be still seduced by them it is because you are in love with them and are willing to be led astray by them and if the blinds lead the blinde shall not both fall into the ditch as Christ hath said Mat. 15.14 now you are warned and I am cleared wherefore be separate and come out from among them and touch not the uncleane thing all you that regard the glory of God and you souls good that you may be hid in the day of the Lords wrath and be received into favour with him and numbred amongst his Sons and Daughters 2 Cor. 6.17 18. By a servant of the Lord Iesus Christ and a true lover of all that love the truth as it is in â—esus and Wisheth grace mercy and peace to all the Saints in Christ Iesus and much happiness and blessing to all the true Gospel-Ministers who are faithfull to the work of the Ministry of the true Christ that said the false Prophets should come Mat. 7. 24. Chap. and gave counsell to his to beware of them and I being called into the work of the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ am ingaged much in love to him and as a partaker with the rest of the true Gospel Ministers I am bound in love to write this testimony against the false Prophets and for the informing of all honest people to the end that they may be aware of them and so remain yours as you are the Lords faithfull servants Messengers and friends Written at Bridlenton Key in the beginning of the twelfth month in the year 1657 c R. F. A few Queries to the Parish-Priests Parsons and Rectors c. Query I. VVAS not the tenths of every Parish since the apostacy first granted to their Incumbents by the Pope of Rome yea or nay Query II. Whether was not the English Church in the time of apostacy since the coming of the false Christs and false Prophets long after the Birth of Christ founded in the
when Queen Eliz. had set up the Common prayer book and that uniforme worship which is now denyed was not the parish-priests c. to be made or called to the Ministry by the act of Parliament made the thirteenth of Eliz. Chap. 12. yea or nay Query XII Was not the parish-priests Ministers or preachers by vertue of the said Statute of the thirteenth of Eliz. 12. who held or hold their places and Benefices c. by vertue thereof to subscribe to the Articles agreed of in the Convocation holden at London in the year 1562. And did they not receive Orders c. under the seal authentick of the Arch-Bishop And were they not to read the same assent and subscription to the said Articles with a Declaration of their unfeigned assent thereunto in the parish Church so called where they were to serve as a priest Farson Minister Curate or Clerke c. In the time of Common prayer or open service at or soon after their Induction being the age of 23. years or upon refusall of the same aforementioned were they not to be ipso facto viz. deprived of their spirituall promotions as if they were then naturally dead and their dispensations to be void yea or nay Query XIII And was not that the Back door or outward way of calling by which the Parish Priests Parsons Ministers Curates or Clerks c. entered into the parochiall ministration and not by Christ the true door Ioh. 10. and right way by which his Ministers doe enter into the true Gospel-dispensation and administration according to the Scriptures and is not the said back-door shut against the parish Ministers or that way of calling made void in Law for is it not enacted and declared by the Stat. of the 13. of Eliz. 12. viz. that all Institutions Inductions Admissions Licences and Tolerations c. about the office of the Ministry c. contrary thereunto viz. the Statute aforesaid shall be meerly void in Law as if they never were and is that Law repealed that saith so was there none accounted true Ministers all that time if so but what were called according to it if not was not the Ministry a false Ministry all that time seeing that way and order of calling is denyed and was not many or most of the parish-priests and publick Preachers c. that serves now who were called in the time of the late Bâ—shops called by it and olerated according to the said Statute and if that was a false Ministry and a false way of calling to the work of the Ministry and more Popish than postolicall when was there any true Gospel-Ministers in Englan since the apostacy and coming of the false Christs and false Prophets amongst them of the parochiall order and that ministration c. hath there been none truly ordained and called till of late within these few years since they left the old way of calling by a testimony under the seal authentick of the Arch-Bishop and as aforesaid or was not that way as much cried up for the right way in its time whilst the Law favoured it as any other way was or is the way and calling of Ministers to the Gospel-Ministry according to the Scriptures so alterable as to change as the outward government changeth yea or nay Query XIV Is it not declared and enacted or at least was it not so by the Statute of the 13. of Eliz. 12. that none shall or should be made Minister or admitted to preach till he was 23. years of age nor administer the Sacraments so called untill he was 24. years of age nor unless he bring or brought to the Bishop of that Diocess from men known to the Bishop c. a testimoniall both of his behaviour c. and of his professing the doctrine expressed in the said Articles agreed of in the Convocation holden at London in the year 1562. And moreover that none should be admitted to the order of a Deacon or Minister c. unless he did or should first subscribe to the said Articles c. and was not every parish Minister c. to read his assent and subscription to the said Articles with a Declaration of his unfeigned assent thereunto in the parish Church so called where he was to serve and was he not bound to read it in the time of Common Prayer or open service at or soon after his Induction or else upon refusall to be ipso facto as aforesaid and his dispensation made void c. And if that were judged by the Priests Clergy-men c. to be the onely right way of ordaining Ministers and legall calling of them according to the Institution of the Apostolicall order recorded in the holy Scripture and to be the standing rule or onely way of ordination for ever after to the work of the Ministry and none else and if the Priests Preachers or parish Ministers did subscribe to the Articles agreed of and upon such an account declared their unfeigned assent thereunto and did read their Declaration of that assent and subscription thereunto c. openly in the time of Common prayer and as aforesaid How soon are they changed and overturned in that and have they not shewed that their assent and subscription was feigned and so hypocriticall and not reall And if that were the right way of ordaining Ministers and the onely legall way of calling them according to the Scriptures and Christs Institution c. why was it forsaken and made void for any self-end c. And if that were not the onely right way of Ordination and calling of Ministers to the work of the Ministry then whether were not all they that were so ordained and called falsly and untruly called and not according to the Scriptures if so were they not the greater deceivers and doe they not make it appear that there hath been no true Gospel-Ministers in the parochial ministration nor no right way of ordaining and calling to the work of that Ministry till of late according to their account c. seeing the parish-ministers have left that their old way of ordination and calling have they not been constrained to beg to the Parliament c. or at least have they not been beholden to them or to some in outward authority appointed for the Nationall Government to finde them out a way of ordaining calling or approving of Ministers and if they had not found them out one or done something for them about the same had not the parish-ministers been clearly rooted and run off from their foundation about calling ordination and toleration yea or nay Query XV. And if none might have been admitted to minister in the behalf of the Lord till they had been 23. years of age but by a Nationall Law have been bound from the same viz. the ministry untill such a time or else have suffered by the Law for so doing might not Samuel a true Prophet the servant of the Lord by such a Law have been bound from being a Minister
England by the Kings Prelates or parish-priests Parsons Rectors Curates and Clerks and was not that way and Baptism afore mentioned cryed up as the onely way and Baptism whilst the nationall Law favoured it or tolerated the parish-priests Parsons Rectors Curates and Clerks in and about the same viz. the aforesaid pretended way to the new-birth and Infants-Baptism And if you say it was true and not false why have you lest it or doth the Ordinances and ministry of Christ according to the Scriptures alter and change at every change of a nationall Government if not then whether are you the Ministers of Christs according to the spirit of truth and agreeable to the Scriptures or nationall Ministers onely like unto your fore-fathers yea or nay Query XXV And have you not engaged people by promise and vow to be perfect and free from sin upon which account were they not declared to be Christians and Member of Christ c. when you pretended to enter them into the Covenant of Baptism and make them children of God and inheritourâ— of the kingdome of Heaven c. by causing Suerties as Peoffies in trust c. in the Childs Infancy to promise and vow in the behalf of the Child That it should for sake the Devil and all his works the pompes and vanities of the wicked world and all the sinfull lusts of the flesh and carnall desires of the same and that they should neither follow them nor be led by them but that they should keep Gods holy will and Commandements all the days of their life and was not the Children by their own confession and promise bound to the same when they were formerly Catechised after they came as it was said to years of discretion and to forsake the Devil and all his works is not that to forsake the worker of iniquity aswell as to forsake all sin and unrighteousness whatsoever because all sin is the works of the Devill who is the chief worker of iniquity and for people to keep Gods holy will and Commaâ—dements all the days of their life Is not that to refuse to serve the Devill all the days of their life and not to commit sin or obey his commands any of the dayes of their life How comes it to pass then that now you labour to absolve peop1e from their former engagement caused by you and your fore-fathers to be made against the Devill and all his works Bâ— preaching and perswading them yea and the same people that you engaged to the contrary now and telling them they must now sinterme of life what is that but a Popish trick and to teach them viz. the people that you engaged against the Devill and all his works c. At the enarance into the Covenant of Baptism upon such a condition which now you labour to absolve and teach to break the condition of their Covenant of Baptism so called and to break the condition of the Covenant is not that to violate the Covenant and make it void c. if so whether are not you and the people that willingly doe see the false Prophets Ring-leaders of Sects since the apostacy and truce-breakers or Anti-Christians yea or nay Query XXVI And if you the parish-ministers c. say these things was in the dayes of the late Kings and Bishops and are past and not to be heeded now for the Government is changed and the Ministry being nationall and not Apostolicall or spirituall and according to the Scriptures but is alterable and changeth as the nationall Government changeth and therefore couclude that you are not now accounted the Ministers of Christ but publick preachers for a nationall maintenance c. if so I aske then if you have not the more to answer for and all such and were you not sworne to the Common prayer book and that order of worship that was in the time of the late Bishops if so how can you clear your selves in the sight of God who have builded people up in those things if the former be granted that are accounted by you to be of no use and cryed them up then as the Ordinances of God and way to the new birth and Covenant of Baptism c. concluding formerly that without such things people could not be saved Is it not time for people to look about them and to beware of the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ And whether can you truly plead antiquity and succession from the Apostles about your worship Churches and Ordinances or Ministry in manner and matter according to the Scriptures and the Apostolicall order and not lie before the Lord and in the sight of the Son And whether is your Ministry Ordination and Toleration without Alteration c. of any long standing at a certainty or but within these few years or under the number of twelve yea or nay Query XXVII Are you not offended that the Lord doth discover your deeds of darkness and bring people off from your deceits and Popish traditions c. to the true spiritual teachings and worship of God againe and to the Church of which Christ Jesus is head according to the Scriptures as was before the apostacy and would you not rather have the Saints whipt and scourged or sent to the house of correction c. and have the truth supprest if you could and the Church of God persecuted and scattered if you might have your wills rather than have unrighteousness and wickedness false Ministers and the false Ministry discovered reproved and denied that truth in its pure appearances may be â—alted yea or nay let that of God in you answer and flesh or deceit be kept silent and under the Cross POSTSCRIPT ANd let all honest people and true Christians who reads this minde to reade with a right understanding to the end that they may be rightly informed and see if they can yet know who are the false Prophets and if they search the old Laws and Records of the Nation may they not see the rise ground ordination and succession of them in the time of Apostacy to spring out of and from the root of Popery And may they not see the path that the Parish-Priests c. and the people formerly deceived by them have walked in viz. First to the Mass book and the like Popish Worship And from the Mass book they ascended to the Common prayer book and going backward they went from the Common prayer book to the Mass book againe and from the Mass book they ascended to the Common prayer book again and stood still in it for a time then the Common prayer book was left and the Directory took place and is not some thing else preparing instead thereof But now is the Lord teaching by his Spirit and seeking people to the true Spiritual worship againe Joh. 4.23 24. for ever praised be his name FINIS