or Apostles but Pastors and Teachers are to abide Therefore Messengers also for the Lord ascended up on high and gave gifts to men some to be Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers one gift or office is to continue as long as the other that is plain if you note the Scripture and that is till Christ cometh as hath been shewed before Again if you note the Scriptures you may see that there were more Apostles then the twelve for there was Paul and Barnabas which were set apart by the Church of Antioch and Titus and others that were Messengers of the Churches and the glory of Christ 2 Cor. 8.23 If they were made Messengers only to carry the contribution of the Church how can they be said to be the glory of Christ Let the wise judge they were great Preachers of the Gospel with Paul and Titus was left at Crete to redress the things that remain and to ordain Elders Titus 1.5 Therefore they were not set apart to carry contribution only though they did it upon occasion as Paul did but for the work of the Ministry and Epaphroditus was a Companion in labour and fellow Souldier with Paul and the Messenger of the Church of the Philippians Phil. 2.25 and the Church of Ephesus tryed some which said they were Apostles and found them liars Revel 2.2 Therefore there were many Apostles besides the twelve Again there is very much need if not as much as ever of Messengers to preach the Gospel and to make out truth to the Nations in these last times yea the Gospel is to be preached to every kindred tongue and people in these last times for a witness unto all Nations and then shall the end be Matth. 24.14 Rev. 14.6 Therefore Messengers ought to be continued till Christ come mistake not for I do not mean extraordinary Apostles as the twelve and Paul and Barnabas but such as to perswade men to what is written so to believe and obey the Gospel The way to chuse and set apart Messengers Elders and Deacons it is by electing them out of their own company I mean the Church is to chuse them by a free consent as in part hath been shewed before and by fasting and prayer and laying on of hands on them they are so to be set apart to their several offices Acts 1.23 26. Chap. 6.5 6. Chap. 14.23 where the word Election is left out in the new translation but it is in the old and cannot be denied to be in the Greek the Elders or Pastors work is to feed the Flock of Christ and to take care of the Church and of every Member thereof looking up the Sheep if they go astray labouring in the work of the Ministry giving in meat in due season Matth. 24.45 being unto them that believe an ensample in word in conversation in love in spirit in zeal in faith and in pureness 1 Tim. 4.12 Acts 20.28 Matth. 18.12 Not as though they were Lords over Gods heritage feeding the Flock not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind 1 Pet. 5.2 3. let them be very diligent and faithful men in their places for cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently The Deacons office is to look to the poor and to serve them with all necessaries the Church giving them sufficient to do it Acts 6. for qualifications of all the Officers see the 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1. The maintenance that the Ministers of the Gospel ought to have is to be freely given them Matth. 10.8 Gal. 6.6 that is all things necessary that they may be enabled to do the work of the Lord and they also ought to endeavour to the uttermost to make the Gospel without charge 1 Cor. 9.18 Acts 20.34 35. Their Maintenance ought not to be by Tythes nor no forced Maintenance First Because the way of Christ is a way of love no duty is available but that which is done in love 1 Cor. 13. Gal. 5.6 Secondly The Priesthood being changed therefore of necessity the Law Hebr. 7.4.10.13 Thirdly The Levites had no lot nor inheritance in the Land of Canaan Deut. 14.27 and their work and labour of body was great about the Sacrifices and taught the people also 2 Chron. 35 11 12 13 14. And therefore the Lord gave them Tythes yet they were to give to the fatherless and stranger and widdow a part of their Tithes Therefore the Ministers of the Gospel being not Levites neither have the Christians a Canaan to divide by lot for they are not twelve Tribes springing from one man neither are the Ministers of the Gospel the hundred part of the Nations neither hath the Lord Jesus given them Tithes Therefore they that take Tithes wrong their own souls in doing that which is unlawful Fourthly They that take Tithes or force it to be paid destroy or make void the Law of Christ which is a Law of love for forced service cannot be in love therefore the Ministers of the Gospel have received a gift to preach and freely received freely give Matth. 10.8 Rom. 12.6 Ephes 4.8 11. And Christians truly knowing their duties will freely give unto them of their goods Gal. 6.6 or set before them that they need Luke 10.7 Fifthly They that take Tithes bring in the service of the Law which is done away 2 Cor. 3.11 and the Levitical Priesthood which is changed Heb. 5.6 12. and so deny Christ come in the flesh and forced maintenance bringeth in compelled service which is abhorred by God and good men therefore Tithes nor any forc'd Maintenance is not the Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel neither let any man say that the Magistrate hath power to force men to pay Tithes from that of Christ Matth. 17.27 and from that of Paul that we are to pay custome to whom custome belongs I say that in all civill things we ought so to do and rather then to offend to pay upon a civil account though it be not due as Christ did but when it is required upon a spiritual account as Tythes or any forced maintenance for Ministers we may and ought to refuse to pay and the Magistrate sins against God if he force men to pay it for the Magistrate as a Magistrate hath not nor never had power to judge in spiritual cases Luke 22.25 26. for that is by the Lord given to the Church Mat. 18.17 18. and he as a Member of the Church hath power to judge as every Member hath and no more but more of this in another place Also take notice of that Ordinance of Christ of washing the Saints feet it is commanded by Christ and a blessing promised to them that do it Exod. 13.14 15 16 17. and therefore it ought to be done and it setteth out Christs humility and puts us in mind of the same so declaring that the wayes of Christ are self-denying wayes and this is a self-denying thing and therefore serveth to humble the creature and
THE WHOLE FAITH OF MAN Being the Gospel declared in plainness as it is in JESUS and the way thereof of old confirmed by divers Signs Wonders Miracles and Gifts of the holy Ghost In thirty six Heads setting out Mans way work from the day of his Conversion to the day of his Dissolution and what therein is both to be believed and practised The Second Edition much Enlarged By WILL. JEFFERY who hath for years been a poor Labourer in Christs Vineyard So likewise ye when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10 London Printed by G. Dawson for Francis Smith in Flying-Horse Court in Fleet-street near Chancery lane end and Stephen Dagnal of Alisbury 1659. TO The Christian READER Loving Reader THis work presented to thy view read I pray with diligence and care imploying thy whole understanding to observe what 〈◊〉 written herein whether it be according to the Scriptures of truth and finding it so lay it up in thy heart and bring it forth in Conversation and in Worship and that thou mayest so do mark well the Scriptures that are brought for the proof of that which is said and for the right understanding of the Scriptures note these five things First who it is that speaketh Secondly the ground or cause of the Word spoken Thirdly what is spoken Fourthly the time when Fifthly to whom it speaketh And labour to understand Prophecies whether they be fulfilled or no and mistake not so as to think that Parables or Comparisons in Scripture prove nothing for they do excellently prove things if rightly understood for the Parable of the unjust Iudge and the Widdow Luk. 18. v. 1. proveth that men ought alwayes to pray and not to faint and that in Rev. 16.15 which saith that Christ will come as a thiefe proveth that Christ will come suddenly and that day of the Lord shall come upon ungodly men unawares yea as a snare shall it take them 2 Thes 5.23 but it doth not prove that Christ will come unrighteously as a thief for that connot be So Parables and Comparisons in the Scriptures prove excellently the things for which they are brought but beware of using them beyond their line and also note that a Commandment or Precept only gives ground to duty for where no Law is there is no transgression mistake not for the manner of the performance of the duty is not alwayes in all things laid down in the Commandment so the primitive examples of the People of God for the manner of the performance of duty is very safe and where there is no example of the People of God in the Scriptures for the manner as aforesaid take heed that the duty be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 James 5.14 But stand in awe in the fear of God and beware that you add not to the Commandment nor diminish therefrom in the performance of duty for he that shall presume to speak a word in the name of the Lord which he hath not commanded him shall die Deut. 18.20 Pro. 30.6 Revel 22.18 19. Mind also that according to the Law and the Prophets and New Testament are to hear Christ in all things yea to give more heed to Christ then Israel was to Moses Heb. 2.1 2. Chap. 12.25 and to labour to understand what the first Testament is and who were the children hereof and what is the new Testament and who are the children thereof and let no man that believeth and is added to the Church according to the Scripture content himself in a child like state but labour with all diligence to come to mans stature being strong in Christ 1 Epistle of John 2.13 14. For in these last dayes will come in all deceiveableness of unrighteousness and so many will fall away the age groweth ripe many run to and fro and knowledge is increased therefore labour to understand the Mysteries of the Scripture walk up purely in all that thou knowest for they shall be revealed and fulfilled in these latter dayes yea whosoever thou art observe more what is declared it being truth then the manner of the declaring it be not offended at the plainness or poverty of the man that speaketh he speaking as the Oracles of God For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise I have studied brevity for many reasons therefore heed well what is spoken and so have thy heart open for truth but closed up against all errour and try all spirits by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament For if they speak not According to the Law and Testamony it is because there is no light in them Isai 8.20 And so read this Book with a single eye for it very highly concerns thy eternal life for for this end was it written that men might know the good old way of the Gospel and walk therein and so find rest for their souls and that God might have all the Glory and this is the sincere desire of him that is ready to serve thee with all his might in he strength of the Lord in the work of his Generation William Ieffery A TABLE OF The principal Matters spoken to or handled in this Book 1. THe Gospel what it is Page 1 2. That the Gospel is to be preached to all Men. Page 2 3. That Christ dyed for all Men. Page 4 4. That God through Christs death in the ministration of the Gospel sets all men in a way to come to the knowledge of the truth and be eternally saved Page 6 5. How Men in all ages were set in that way Page 9 6. What Adams sin brought upon all the sans of Men. Page 13 7. How Christ redeemed all Men from the first death and all the guilt or punishment of Adams sin Page 18 8. That all Infants dying in Infancie shall be saved Page 17 9. The great cause of condemnation and what it is Page 21 10. How Men are given up to blinded eyes and hardned hearts and wherefore Page 30 11. How Gods Decree takes hold of Men to condemnation Page 27 12. Gods Decree concerning Election to salvation Page 32 13. Why none but Beleevers are chosen to salvation and yet foreseen faith not the cause Page 33 14. The first Testament what it is in the strictest sence and what it is in the largest and who were the children thereof and how is it cast out and its children and the difference between the Law of Faith and the Law of Works and a word of the abolishing of the seventh day Sabbath Page 35 15. What the second Testament in the strictest fence and what in the largest and who are the children thereof and who the Ministers thereof and the vast disproportion between the first Testament and the Second Page 42 16. What Repentance is and what Faith is and the nature thereof Page 52 17. That Bilievers onely are the
People Nation and language should tremble and fear before their God and that his Kingdome shall never have an end Dan. 3.29.6.26 Moreover the Lord bringing his people out of the captivity of Babylon stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia to make Proclamation in all the Kingdomes of the earth that he was to build him the only true God a house at Jerusalem Ezek. 1.1 2. Besides all such kinds of preaching there was among them a continual Ministry of the holy Prophets whose words saith Paul went unto the ends of the world Rom. 10.18 by which means some of every Nation under heaven were proselyted devoutly worshiping the true God Acts 2.5.9 10 11. And as God was present with the house of Israel in power and might as aforesaid so also in giving great and wonderful wisdome so that the Queen of the South came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdome of Solomon Mat. 12.42 yea and all the Kings of the earth sought his presence to hear the wisdome that God had put in his heart 2 Chro. 9.23 By this cloud of witnesses 't is manifest that the Gospel was made known to all people in all Generations down to the Apostles in whose Generation Christ commanded the Gospel to be preached to every creature and saith the Apostle it was preached to every creature under Heaven Col. 1.23 And so it is evident that God set all men at all times in a way by the Gospel that they might come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved Object Though it be true that the Gospel was preached among the Nations yet we cannot judge that they all had or that all people now have a sufficiency of means whereby to believe Answ That all men had and have a sufficiency of means so as to beleeve and be saved is evident and to you will appear if you keep well in your minds the agreement of Gods Attributes so as that they may sweetly meet and kiss each other in all that you beleeve for you know the Scriptures holds forth That God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance yea and sweareth by himself that he desires not the death of the wicked but rather that he turn c. 2 Pet. 3.19 Ezek. 33.11 Now all the means of Repentance and Faith and the grace to keep men from perishing is from God as you also confess for him therefore to with-hold the means of Salvation from the poor creatures whereby 't is altogether impossible for them ever to miss eternally perishing yet nevertheless to say that he is long-suffering and not willing that Any should perish yea and to swear that he desires not the death of the wicked affectionately saying to them Turn yee turn yee for why will yee dye Whenas himself with-holds the means without which they cannot return and live I say for God thus to say and swear is altogether incredible being that which calls in question the Attributes of the Almighty and indeed is proper only to an unjust deceitful man and not to God so then 't is plain that as God desireth the Salvation of men and sweareth that he wills not their condemnation so he affordeth a sufficiency of means in order thereunto Secondly That there is a sufficiency of means for all appears because Christ charges persons not coming to him so as to beleeve in him upon the obstinacy of their wills and not upon the want of means as appeareth by these Scriptures Joh. 5.40 Yee will not come unto me that ye might have life Mat. 23.37 Oh Jerusalem How oft would I have gathered thy Children but ye would not Joh. 4.48 Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not beleeve Thirdly It appears also to be so because those who are said to perish shall be lest without excuse or claok for their sin Rom. 1.20 Joh. 15.22 Which cannot be in case they alwayes wanted means or ability to beleeve for of all cloaks or excuses that possibly can be what is a greater or safer excuse then an impossibility to do the thing required Yea surely it will be a fair plea before the Just and Righteous God but God will judge all men according to their works therefore no such excuse or piea Fourthly The Scriptures saith that Christ marvelled at the unbelief of some as hath been shewed and also pronounceth condemnation to the unbeleever because he beleeveth not c. Which may clearly prove to them that honour God in all his Attributes that he allowes a sufficiency of means to every man to do the thing which he requireth unless it may be safe to conceive that Christ the wisdome of God did marvel at known impossibilites and also that he will plunge men into hell for ever for not doing that which himself only worketh in the creature as you conceive but God forbid such horrible blindness Fifthly Christ commands men to beleeve in the Light while they have the Light that they may be the children of Light Joh. 12.36 Now for a man to be exhorted to beleeve in the Light that he may be a child of the Light and he in such darkness as was the Egyptians and as unable to help himself out of it as they were would be a most unwise vain and deceitful Exhortation unwise and vain it being known he could never beleeve deceitful in pretending that he might be the Child of Light it being altogether unpossible wherefore still I conclude that Christs words are pure and unfained and so men every way made able through grace to beleeve and do the things which they are exhored unto Christ the Lord whom we serve being no hard Master Sixtly while men are treating about what means God doth allow in order to the doing his will himself comes in and pleads What could I have done More that I have not done And yet will any man dare to say that he had done Nothing in order to their Salvation as he had not if he never made them able to beleeve Oh do not say so for in so doing you will grievously sin against God who allowed such a sufficiency of means as that in his wisdome he looked for that to be done which he commanded What did he look for that which could not be and also enter into judgment with them laying them wast and giving them up to blinded eyes and hardned hearts Isa 5.4 6 7. Isa 6.10 as a recompence unto them Rom. 11.9 From all which I conclude that Jesus Christ tasted death for every man and that All men Every Where may repent as they are commanded by him who is no hard Master and that All men might beleeve as in plain words is written Joh. 1.7 Moreover as 't is conceived that the one part of mankind have not a sufficiency of means to beleeve and so perish so also the other part of mankind have an irresistible means making them to beleeve and so they are saved The latter
of which is as inconsistent to truth as the former as lively appeareth from Christs words Mat. 19.23 24. saying That it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of an Needle then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of Heaven For all cannot but know that if God be the alone Agent in and about mans conversion and his ordinary way be to work irresistibly therein all I say cannot but know that it is Alike easie for him to convert a rich man as a poor man And besides if Gods ordinary way to convert men be to work irresistibly how he could appeal to Israel who according to your sence knew that this was his way saying what could I have done More which I have not done Whenas he had not wrought so much as in his ordinary way upon them I judge no man can give a reasonable account to this Therefore in brief I conclude in opposition to all those that imagine Gods ordinary way to convert men is unresistible with Stephen saying Ye do alwayes resist the holy Spirit as your fathers did so do ye Act. 7.51 and with the words of the Lord I drew them with the cords of a man with bonds of love yet they refused to return Hosea 11.4 5. Object But this which you have said seems to cross the way of Gods Election and reprobation from the beginning whose way is to hate some men before they have done either good or evil as is plainly held forth in that of Esau and so impossible for them ever to beleeve and be saved For he hath mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth Answ For the better understanding of this Point well consider the principal thing which Paul treats of in that Chapter Rom. 9. which is that the fleshly seed of Abraham are not the children of promise or the Elect of God ver 7 8. wherefore saith the Apostle though Esau was the child of Abraham according to the flesh and that upon Isaacs side too yet God hated him therefore you Jewes that stand so much upon your brith priviledges as being the seed of Abraham after the flesh by this of Esau you may know that it will not prove you to be the Elect of God but you may be hated as Esau was he being as truly a child of Abraham as you but for his wickedness whether considered as a Person or as a Nation God rejected him I say for his wickedness as appeareth Obad. 9.10 For thy violence O Esau against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee and thou shalt be cut off for ever Mal. 1.3 4. Amos 1.11 Heb. 12.16 17. Esaus wickedness therefore whether considered a person or a Nation I say with the holy Prophets was the cause why God hated him whose wickedness God that foreknoweth all things foreknew in Rebecca's time and thereupon said to her Esau or Edom the elder shall serve the younger which saying Paul being acquainted with spake these words to wit That the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to Election might stand not of works but of him that calleth it was said unto her as aforesaid Rom. 9. shewing thereby that God was so mindful that his puâ—pose according to Election might stand which the Jewes so mightily opposed that he signified so long ago as Rebecca's time before the children were born or had done either good or evil that Esau the elder foreseen to be wicked should serve Jacob the younger for his violence against him as saith the Lord Obadiah 9.10 And therefore this Election by grace as if the Apostle should say which I contend for being as ancient as the Fathers spoken of by God himself to Rebecca you may in no wise reject for I preach no new thing But alas how is it that men so stumble at these words spoken by Paul in this ninth Chapter to the Romans as if God hated Esau before he was born without respect unto his foreseen wickedness as the cause thereof I say how is it that you so conceive and thus imagine vain things for doth it in the least follow that God so hated him because 't is said if that might be granted he hated him before he was born or had done any evil surely no unless it could be found that God hated him also before he had done evil without respect to foreseen evil in which is the main Controversie and not so much whether God hated Esau before he was born or had done evil yea or nay but rather what was the cause for which he was hated to which this Text in the Romans doth not at all speak only speaks of the time to wit before the Children were borne c. But as touching the cause wherein is our great Controversy I tell you again the text speaks not wherefore it remaineth that you diligently mind other Scriptures which speaks as to the cause thereof which plainly tels you that Esau's violence c was the cause Obad. 9.10 Now although this be spoken of him after he had personally transgressed yet I question not but that you with me will acknowledge that all his transgressions was known to God in Rebecba's time as also before which if so Why may it not be thus for what is said in this place to the Romans namely that God foreseeing Esau or Edoms wickedness in Rebecca's time said upon that account the elder shall serve the younger yea verily 't is plain that God did speak to her upon the account of foreknowledge for faith he Two Nations are in thy wombe Gen. 25.23 which all cannot but know was no otherwise but as God foresaw two Nations proceeding from the two Children which only was in Rebecca's womb and so also God calleth things that are not as if they were Rom. 4.17 Further to what you say touching God having mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth I freely grant it but the Controversie is whom God hath mercy on and that is beleeving men and whom it is God hardneth and that is disobedient unbeleeving men though they be Abrahams seed that is after the flesh And this I believe was Gods righteous dealings in all ages that is to say God first manifested his tender loving kindness to them with much long patience and gentleness waiting upon them in the use of means bidding them to open their mouths wide he would fill it but those that will not hearken but reject his counsell So God gives them up to their own hearts lusts Psal 81.10 11 12. So that which should have been for their welfare is become their trap Psal 69.22 God blinds their eyes layes stumbling blocks before them gives them up to hardness of heart and Reprobates them for ever as a recompence to them for their wilful rebellion the Only cause thereof as preacheth this vein of Scriptures Pro. 1.24 25 26 27 28 29 30. Jerem. 6.16 17 21. 2 Chron.
me c. From these words Compared with ver 2. some conclude that Infants may beleeve Answ First note That them that are newly come to the faith or be weak in the faith are called little children Gal. 4.19.1 John 2.12 yet are men and women Again Christians ought to be humble and without malice is little children 1 Cor. 14.20 And this is that which Christ teacheth when his disciples strove who should be greatest in the kingdome of heaven as appeareth Math. 18.1 Compared with Luke 9.46 And therefore he taketh a little child and sheweth them except they be converted from their ambitious thoughts and become humble as little children they shall not enter therein ver 2 3. Also he sheweth that he that humbleth himself as a little child is great in the kingdome of heaven and whosoever shall receive such a little Child in my name receiveth me John 13.20 that is such a one as humbleth himself as a little child and whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which beleeve in Christ that is such a one as is humble and becomes as a little child it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea and this is said ver 4 5 6. and is the sence of the place Now for any man to understand the place so as that that little child which Christ set in the midst or any other did or do believe they are much mistaken for such an exposition of the place would cross many plain places of Scripture for Infants are not capable of hearing and faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.17 neither do they know good nor evil nor their right hand from their left as hath been shewed before neither doth the Scripture speak to Infants Deut. 11.2 though it speak of them neither can they work and that faith is dead that worketh not James 2.17 26. Now if any question how Infants dying in infancy can be saved because they beleeve not I say that if you look back to what is said as touching Adams sin you may see that all Infants dying in Infancy shall be saved for the son shall not die for the Iniquity of the Father Ezek. 18. and the guilt of Adams sin shall be taken off from all at the Resurrection But to return there is no Commandment in all the Scriptures which are the word of God for the Baptisme of Infants and where there is no Law there is no transgression Rom. 4.15 therefore he that refuseth to baptize Infants breaks no Law Therefore no man can justly charge him with sin for a commandment gives ground to duty and examples are teaching to shew us how duties should be done also note that there is no example for infants Baptisme in all the Scripture and yet they are able to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 for the Apostles and servants of the Lord did Baptise such only as did profess faith and did gladly receive the word of the Gospel search and see as the Bereans did Acts. 17.11 Object But some say That there is no Command nor Example for Women receiving the Lords Supper yet they are to receive it so may Infants be Baptized though no Command nor Example for it Answ In this objection it is granted that there is no command nor example for Infants Baptisme also note that beleeving baptised women are disciples and are members of the Church of Christ and so are commanded to break bread Act. 1.14 15. Chap. 8.12 Phil. 4.13 Act. 20.7 1 Cor. 11.24 25 28. compare the 1 of Act. 14. with the 2 of Acts. 41 42. you may see that women did receive the Lords Supper But if any should say That Infants are Disciples and therefore are to be baptized I answer That Christ faith that whosoever beareth not his cross and followeth not after him cannot be his disciple Luke 14.27 but Infants cannot do so therefore they cannot be his disciples I shall say no more to this Principle of the Doctrine of Christ at this place because many have wrote very largely upon it and there is no true consequence to be gathered from all the Scriptures for Infants Baptisme for it is against Scripture and crosseth the way of the New Testament for it brings into the Church a fleshly seed instead of a Spiritual and so makes void the command of God as hath been shewed before But seeing it is so that penitent beleeving men and women are only to be Baptized let all the Churches in the fear of God take heed that they Baptize no other but such as are truly penitent beleeving men and women that so all the members of the Church of Christ may be new creatures living stones taught of God built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Cheif corner stone that all the building may be fitly framed together growing unto an holy Temple in the Lord 1 Pet. 2.5 Ephes 2.20 21. 2 Cor. 5.17 There is also the Baptisme of the Spirit which is a powerful falling down of the spirit so as to be filled with it enabling men to do some great work as in Act. 1.5 compared with Chap. 2.1 2 3 4. But this Baptisme of the Spirit is called so comparatively as Christ is called a door John 10.7 but there is but one Baptisme really and that is in water Eph. 4.5 The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ is Prayer with Laying on of hands for the gift of the spirit so as to abide with us and to lead us into all truth and bring all things seasonably to remembrance and comfort us in all afflictions John 14.26 Ch. 16.13 note it is the gift of the spirit that is to be prayed for not gifts but the spirit as a gift Luke 11.13 Act. 2.38 and so gifts follow as it pleaseth the holy one of Israel and so they that practice Laying on of hands with prayer shew that they do look upon Christ as the only Prophet to teach them by his spirit according to his word Act. 3.22 23. Now this of Laying on of Hands was practised upon all Beleevers Baptized for the Church of Samaria were under it Act. 8.12 15 17. And the Church of Ephesus were under it Chap. 19.6 and the Church of the Hebrewes also Heb. 6.2 therefore all the Churches for they all walked in one way and order Ephes 4.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 4.17 Object But there is no Command for Laying on of Hands therefore it ought not to be Answ There is a Command from Christ for it for the Author to the Hebrewes saith it is a Principle of the Teaching or Doctrine of Christ and so commanded by Christ Heb. 6.2 Object But this Laying on of Hands spoken off Heb. 6. is not that Laying on of Hands which followeth Beleevers Baptisme or it is doubtful whether it be that or no Answ First understand that there was but three sorts of Laying on of Hands
shall not be mentioned so as to condemnation but shall be blotted out at that good day that day of refreshing Act. 3.19 So that through Christ which is the substance of the Scape-goat the Saints sins shall be seperated from them and so they shall be presented before the father without spot or wriukle or any such thing holy and without blame Eph. 5.27 and so Paul saith to the Saints at Rome That every one of us shall give account of himself to God Rom. 14.12 and so the discovery of their good and bad works they being brought to judgment will exceedingly set out the love goodness mercy and compassion of the Lord God in forgiving the debt or payment for Christs sake his faithfulness justice and righteousness in making good his promise in rewarding them according to their works for he will not forget their work and labour of love This Doctrine doth teach the children of God to walk very circumspectly redeeming the time applying their hearts to wisdome cleansing themselves from all filthyness of flesh and spirit prefecting holyness in the fear of God and to abound in love one towards another and towards all men adding to faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness Charity or love For that faith which worketh by love is availeable to Justification Gal. 5.6 and the duties done in love only will avail in the day of judgment 1 Cor. 13. Therefore let us have respect to all the Commandements of the Lord for in keeping of them in love there is great reward yea let us cloath our selves with righteousness as with a garment reaching after that which is before following hard towards the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus giving up themselves to watch and pray that so they may stand compleat in all the will of God So then they that die in the Lord or are found in him at his coming shall receive eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord for the gift of God is eternal life Rom. 6.23 and also eternal death will be the portion of them that obey not the Gospel Mat. 26.46 2 Thes 1.8 9. yea they that are not found written in the book of life shall be cast into the lake of fire Rev. 20.15 and this is the eternal judgment for it is unrevokable and this shall be when Christ cometh in his own person and not before that very person that was peirced with a spear yea that very person that dyed and rose again from the dead the third day which the Apostles did see and handle yea he was seen of five hundred brethren at once and many if not all did see him aseend into Heaven Act. 1.11 Zach. 12.10 Luk 24.39 40. Jo. 20.27 and so the Apostle Paul possitively asserts from the word of the Lord that the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout and with a voyce of the Archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first yea if you read from the 13 verse of that Chapter to the end you will see that the same Jesus that died and rose again from the dead shall descend from Heaven and all the Saints shall be raised and they that be alive at his coming shall be changed and shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the ayre and so shall be ever with the Lord and so shall be made perfect altogether Heb. 11.40 Object But it is said by some that it is not the person that shall be judged and cast into torments or hell but sin or the lust of the flesh and the tempter which is Satan and therefore they bring that in Revel 20. Death and hell is cast into the lake of fire not men say they but sin Answ It is unjust men as they do consist of soul body and spirit that shall be judged and cast into the lake of fire and there shall be tormented for ever and ever for their sin 1. Because soul body and spirit may be blamed at the coming of Christ 1 Thes 5.23 and they that are then blamed and set at the left hand of Christ as goats are cursed and delivered over to everlasting torments Math. 25.41 45 46. 2. Because the fearful and unbeleeving and whoremongers and Idolaters and murtherers sorcerers and all that loveth or maketh a lie shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21.8 and Ch. 22.15 it is not the sin or the lie but the sinner and the liar so it is the man that lusteth and so committeth sin and repenteth not he shall be punished for ever for that is the second death and so death is cast into the lake of fire for the second death or everlasting punishment for sin is to be in the lake of fire Rev. 20.14 And for hell the grave and hell in the Scripture is taken for all one as it appeareth ver 13. So the earth shall be in the lake of fire or a great part of it when God causeth the elements to run together again 2 Pet. 3.10 and the Divel which is the tempter shall be cast into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet or man of sin shall be in torments for evermore Revel 14.11 and 20.10 These Principles or foundations Peices or Pillars upon which wisdome builds her house Prov. 9.1 are the Doctrine or commandement of Christ and are laid down upon Jesus Christ the cheife Corner stone Ephes 2.20 Heb. 6.2 And there is no man or woman that can be judged or lookt upon as a Christian in order according to the Scriptures nor to be received into communion with the Church except he beleeve and practise this Doctrine mistake me not there may be some that walk up to their light and neglect not to know more that may be precious in the sight of God but we are to look to the order of the new Testament and to walk accordingly doing all things decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 Therefore no man ought to be received into communion in a Church state but those that do own and practise all the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ as aforesaid And that this ought to be so first consider that all that began to be Christians owned all this beginning Doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 and therefore they are called the first Principles of the Word of God and milk for Babes Heb. 5.12 13. or the word of the beginning of Christ and so the beginning of a Christian man and the three thousand which gladly received the word were baptised Act. 2.41 42. that is dipped in water and continued in the Apostles Doctrine which is the Doctrine of Christ Secondly As they under the Law of Sacrifices were to walk up in all the Law which did hold out Christ to come in the flesh doing all the commandements
perfection And the Epistles and commandements in the Scriptures were for that age and for the people that lived in the Apostles dayes for the Epistles were written to several Churches we being not those Churches they do not concern us Ans The Author to the Hebrewes exhorts them to their duty and so all believers to go on to perfection in the way of Christ taking up the similitude of a building to make it out and as in the building of an house there are Foundation or Principle peices laid down and according to the rule of these Foundations or principle Peices the builders of a Temporall house go up as farre as the Principles guid them and then the house is come to perfection or finished so even so in this spirituall house when we at the first have laid down these Principles we are to go up to perfection according to the rule of the Foundation Peices in the Doctrine of Christ Jesus Christ being the cheife Corner Stone on which the building fitly framed together groweth up unto an holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2.21 And when we are come as high as these Principles lead us we are come to perfection for when we injoy the Resurrection and the eternal Judgement we are then come to perfection and as in a temporal house none can finish it so as to make it perfect if they do not build according to the rule of the Principles or Foundation Peices laid down so also in the spiritual house if we go not up according to the rule of the Foundations how can we go up to perfection And also in a temporal house if they leave out any of the Foundation Peices they cannot build up to perfection then how can any in the spiritual building go up to perfection if they leave out any of the Principles for if they do the house will be in danger to fall Again in a temporal building when they have laid down the foundation of the house if they build not upon them but lye still there can be no perfection and so it is in the spiritual house also and that was that which the Author to the Hebrewes blames them for their neglect in not going forward in the building of the spiritual house Heb. 5.12 neither would he have them to lay the Foundations again but to go forward to perfection as they teach them for to do for no other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid which is Jesus Christ and whosoever heares his word and doth the same builds upon on him the rock of ages Mat. 7.24 Chap. 16.18 Psal 62.2 1 Cor. 10.4 And also the Scriptures were written for this end to teach all men their duties in all ages till Christ come and yet many times the words thereof spoken to the People in present being yet concerns all as that which the Lord saies to Eve that she should bring forth in sorrow Gen. 3.16 the word is spoken to her only yet all women bring forth in sorrow Secondly Christ speakes to his disciples which were then present with him at that time that when the signes did appeare which he had declared concerning his coming they should lift up their heads for their redemption draweth neer Luke 21.28 Now these words though spoken to the present Disciples are for the comfort of them especially that live a little before the coming of Christ therefore the Scriptures are for to teach us upon whom the ends of the world are come yea even them that live when the last signes of Christs coming appear 1 Cor. 10.11 Thirdly Because the Lord Jesus exhorts the saints of Thyatira to hold fast that burden that he laid upon them untill he come Rev. 2.24 25. And so Peter wrote his second Epistle for to warn the saints to give diligent heed to the words of the Prophets and the commandements of the Lord Jesus delivered by the Apostle for saith be in the last dayes there shall come scoffers walking after their own lusts saying where is the promise of his coming and he wrote this when his departing was at hand 2 Pet. 3.2 3. Chap. 1.14 And Jude bids the saints contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints Jude 3. and John saith that he that remaineth in him ought even so to walk as he hath walked 1 John 2.6 So it is evident that whosoever is in Chirst ought to walk after him according to his word in all ages and that he wrote no new Commandement and that the old Commandement is the word which they have heard from the beginning vers 7. So that it is evident that in the Scriptures are all the commandements of God for all the children of men to walk up in till Christ come in person who is the bright morning star Rev. 22.16 for there is no other Gospel then that which hath been preached Gal. 1.8 9. So Jesus Christ yesterday to day and the same for ever therefore be not carryed about with divers and strange Doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace Heb. 13.8 9. so I say with Paul who wrote to Timothy a little before his death that the Sciptures are able to make a man wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus for all Scripture is given by inspiration spiration of God and is prositable for doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good workes 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. Object But there is no walking up in these Ordinances because we cannot see any so sent of God to preach work miracles as the Apostles did so there is no Adminstrator of Ordinances for we do no see the signs following spoken of Mark 16. Answ That the Lord Jesus doth give all power to those that do believe that he is the Christ the Son of the living God and have through grace willing hearts to obey him to preach and to administer all Ordinances Mat. 16. John 20.21 22. Yea they are the Church that do believe he is the King to rule them and the Priest to make intercession by his bloud speaking better things then that of Abell and the alone Prophet to teach them they hearing him in all things Mat. 17.5 so as to have fellowship in breaking of bread and prayer Acts 3.22 23. I say and witness with the Scriptures that they which believe with all their hearts that Jesus is the Christ and have willing hearts to obey as aforesaid may preach and administer all Ordinances orderly and so become a Church although they do not work Miracles Secondly The Testament is bound up and the law sealed among Disciples Isa 8.16 therefore the Ordinances also they that continue in the word of Christ are his Disciples indeed and they are the friends of Christ that do whatsoever he commands them John 1.14 31. Chap. 15.14 Now if they have not power to do his commands they
cannot continue in his word and so no Disciples nor friends and so being not found in the old way no rest for their soules but the Lord God would have all men obey him and have respect to all his Commandments and the Lord Jesus is the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 Therefore he gives them that do believe power to walk up in all his Ordinances Thirdly They that do repent believe are ready to do all that the Lord commands by his Son who speaks in these last times to all men and so hearing the voice of Christ are his sheep Act 10.33 John 10. from the 4. to the 17. so have Christ which is the substance in whom all the promises are yea and amen 2 Cor. 1.20 therefore the adminstration of Ordinances and all is theirs 1 Cor. 3.22 as aforesaid Fourthly John the dipper did no miracle yet all that he spake was true John 10 41. and therefore the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves being not baptised of him so it is plain that it was a very great evil in any to refuse his Baptisme though he wrought no miracle so even so they that preach the truth according to the word are not to be rejected but received though they work no miracle for the Scriptures speaking to us is as much if not more as if a voyce from heaven spoke to us as it appears if you mind what Peter saith 2 Pet. 1.18 19. which sheweth that they heard a voyce from heaven declaring Jesus to be the Son of God and yet that we have a more sure word of the Prophets to the which we shall do well if we take heed yea we are to mind and keep the commandments of the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour even unto the last dayes when there shall be mockers which will walk after their lusts and say where is the promise of his coming and so forth Chap 3.2 3 4. From all which it is clear and plain that the Prophets and Apostles speaking in the Scriptures the commandments of the Lord are to be abeyed as if a voyce from heaven spoke to us and if we do not we sin very greivously though their be no miracles for the Apostles writing the commandments of the Lord it gives us sufficient authority for to administer Ordinances as aforesaid Fifthly Moses Law being written they that returned from the captivity of Babylon walked up in it though there was no miracle Ezra 2.63 Chap. 3.4 Neh. 8.14 No not any Preist that stood up with Vrim and Thummim neither had they extraordinary Prophets for they had not Haggai nor Zechariah when they began to build the Temple as it appeareth in the 4 of Ezra compared with the 5. ver 1 2. and Hag. 1.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Zech. 1.1 So then the law written by Moses gave full authority he being but a servant Muth more Thrists Law being written he being a Son and heire of all things we being heirs with him as we walk up after the new Covenant the everlasting Gospel Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.30 Rev. 14.6 Sixtly Beleevers in Christ holding out the Doctrine of Christ have all power to preach and to administer Ordinances yea they only are sent of Christ for John saith 2 Epistle 9.10 That he that bringeth not the Doctrine of Christ ought not be received into the house as a teacher sent of God and that he that abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God and so he directech the elect Lady and her Children how they shall know who are sent of God and they were such as did bring the Doctrine of Christ and that they which did not or do not bring the Doctrine of Christ are not sent of God so then it is not miracles alone that doth prove men to be sent of God but the Doctrine they bring proves it it is not miracles proves it for Antichrist shall work miracles 2 Thes 2.9 Rev. 13.13 14. Chap. 16.14 So then it followeth that they which bring the Doctrine of Christ are sent by Christ so as to preach and to administer the Ordinances of Christ whether they work Miracles or no they preaching the truth their Doctrine is to be received for the Samaritans beleeved when the woman of Samaria declared Christ to them Jo. 4.39 and Jesus upbraided his Disciples for their unbeleif when they beleeved not them that declared him risen from the dead Mark 16.14 And Paul rejoyceth that Christ was preached though out of envy Phil. 1.15 18. And the Scriptures are written that men might beleeve Jo. 20.31 So men beleeving as it is written they speak 2 Cor. 4.13 For no man lighteth a candle and putteth it under a bushel but on a candlestick so turning men to righteousness they shall shine as the starrs for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 If any should say the Scriptures are not the word of the Lord J say that I need not to bring arguments to prove it to be the word of the Lord for the Prophesies that foretel things to come therein God will bring to pass so as men may be convinced of the truth of it So having shewed you the matter of a Church and what a Church or congregation of Christ is as namely such as walk up in the Doctrine or Commandments of Christ in singleness of heart in fellowship in breaking of bread in prayers Act. 2.41 42. And that none ought to have communion in breaking of Bread but such as own every Principle in the Doctrine of Christ Now the next Ordinance of Christ is Breaking of Bread Now the manner of Breaking Bread is first to take Bread and to bless it in the name of the Lord and then to break it and also the Wine in the next place and bless it also and then the Congregation are to divide it among them eating and drinking of it moderately as a Supper at even or about the even having communion together discerning the Lords body for the time we are not to bind it down to an hour but it is to answer as unto a supper 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25 26. Secondly We are to bless the Wine before we eat the Bread in my understanding because the Bread being blessed distinct apart from the Cup before we eate up the Bread sets out Christs Body broken and his Blood shed before our eyes in the sign but if we eat up the Bread before we bless the Cup then we eat up the Body of Christ in the sign before we have the Cup or Blood in the sign for it is not the Cup of the new Testament untill it is blessed for it is sanctified by the word of God and set apart by Prayer yea if we eat up the Bread before we blesse the Cup we divide Christ in our feeding upon the Bread before we have the Cup therefore we ought to blesse the Bread and break it and then blesse the Cup and then
to beget familiarity and love one with another it being done decently and in order Also as James saith Is any among you afflicted let him pray is any merry let him sing is any sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray for him and anoint him with oyl in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up and if he have committed sin it shall be forgiven him Acknowledge your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed for the prayer of a righteous man availeth much if it be fervent James 5.13 14 15 16 17 18. Mar. 6.13 You may see there is faith required in the actors in this Ordinance and agreement and then the Lord will make good his promise for he is faithful and cannot deny himself Also Prayer with Fasting is a duty for the whole Church Isa 58. Luk. 5.33 35. Act. 14.23 especially for every Saint in private entering into the Closet or some secret place that he be not seen of men Mat. 6.5 6 16 17 18. Let every child of God be often in this duty 2 Cor. 6.5 he will profit very much thereby they that neglect this duty will not stand or very hardly stand in these last times the Lord put all his people upon this duty that we may be able through grace to stand before the Son of Man Luk. 21.36 Also the way to deal with Members of the Church if they sin against God is as followeth First if it be a private trespass he that trespasseth is to be told of it as in Mat. 18.15 And if he repent he is to be forgiven Luk. 17.3 for we ought to be like our heavenly Father and if he hear not he that is trespassed against is to call 〈◊〉 with him one or two more as in Mat. 〈◊〉 16. But if he hear not then tell it to the Church and if he hear the Church she is also to forgive him 2 Cor. 2.7 but if he refuse to hear the Church let him be unto the Church as a Heathen man and a Publican Also note he that sinneth privately is speedily to be brought to the Church the next Church meeting after he hath sinned if possible First because we are not to suffer sin upon our brother but plainly to rebuke him Levit. 19.17 Secondly because he may not pray that doth not confess his sin and be reconciled to his Brother for if he bring his gift to the Altar Christ and remember that his brother hath ought against him let him not offer it but first be reconciled to his Brother Math. 5.23 24. Heb. 13.10 Further I say he must be brought to the Church the next meeting for else the Church will have communion with him that lieth in his sin and he will be in fault that brings him not orderly to the Church Also they that sin openly are to be rebuked before all that others also may fear 1 Tim. 5.20 And so Paul blamed Peter before all men Gal. 2.11 14. And he that is admonished by the Church and doth not hear the Church is to be delivered to Satan and so to withdraw from him yea not to have so much company as to eat common food and so the Apostle exhorts and commandeth the Corinthians to deliver the Fornicator that had his Fathers wife And if any man that is called a Brother be a Fornicator or Covetous or Idolater or Railer or a Drunkard or an Extortioner with such a one eat not 1 Cor. 5.3 10 11. And so he commands the Thessalonians in the name of the Lord Jesus to withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly and not after the instructions which they received of him and if any man obey not their sayings that they should note him by letter and have no Company with him that he may be ashamed yet count him not as an enemy but admonish him as a Brother 2 Thes 3.6 14 15. So it is plain that they that sin and will not hear the Church when they are brought before them so as to confesse their sin and turn from it yea to make restitution if they be able if they hear not the Church is to deliver to Satan or to withdraw from him or them and then to admonish him two or three times solemnly and in the fear of God not counting him as an enemy but admonishing him as a brother with all long suffering and if he then neglect to hear the Church she is to reject him and to let him be as a Heathen man and a Publican and a man being so rejected or so cut off I do not see how he can repent yea I am very much perswaded that he will never repent I say the Church must admonish two or three times before she do reject or cut off because she ought to be like her heavenly father merciful as he is meriful and long suffering Again he that is an Heretick ought to have the first and second admonition before he is rejected therefore all other ought to have two or three admonitions before any are rejected or cut off Titus 3.10 Also I say that the man that is under dealing being three times wisely and seriously admonished by the Church and rejected I do not see how he can repent First because whatsoever the Church binds on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever they loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven now a man being once alive through believing and then through sin become as a heathen and a Publican or as a dead man and so bound how can he live again except a man twice dead may live again Jude 12. Secondly No man cutteth a naturall member from a natural body except it be rotten and so endanger the whole body even so also in the spirituall body the Church is to cut off them that will endanger the whole body so as to carry them to hell Mat. 18.8 9. So a member of a natural body being cut off cannot be set on again so when a Church hath rejected or cut off a member how can it be received in again Thirdly If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha had in execration yea excommunicate to death 1 Cor. 16.22 or as some translation reads it that the meaning of the word may be this let him be accurssed even to the coming of the Lord that is to say to his deaths day even for ever now he that loves not the Lord is he that keepeth not his commandments or his sayings John 14.15 23. and he that sinneth and will not hear the Church being so often admonished as the Lord hath appointed in his word doth not keep the saying of Christ and so loves not the Lord therefore is to be rejected or excommunicated unto death till the Lord come so according to that in Prov. 29.1 he that being often reproved hardneth his neck
shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy Also mind well that the power to judge differences and to deale with Members lyeth in the Body the Church not in the Officers destinct a part from the Church This will plainly appear First because the Lord commands Mat. 18.17 That the offender and his offence be brought to the Church that they may judge it now the company of Elders are not the Church 1 Cor. 1.2 Therefore they have not the power apart from the Church Secondly the Apostle writing to the Church of the Corinthians commands them when they are gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver the Fornicatour that had his fathers wife to Satan 1 Cor. 5. to the 6. Mark he doth not command the Elders to do it but the Congregation being gathered together to do it therefore the power lieth not in the Elders alone but in the Congregation Thirdly The Lord Christ saith that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and their great ones exercise authority upon them but it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you shall be your servant and whosoever will be cheife of you shall be servant of all Mark 10.42 43 44. And therefore the Elders who are the cheife servants are not to exercise Lordship over their Brethen therefore not to rule without the Body the Church for if they should rule without the Body it would be like that evill that Solomon spake of Eccl. 10.7 Servants upon horses and Princes walking as servants upon the earth and so indeed it hath been and is where the Pope and Lord Bishops and Presbytery hath the power they make the members of their National Generational way slaves to serve with great burdens and many of them are very ignorant But although it be so that the power lieth in every particular Body the Church to govern according to the word of Christ yet understand that with consent the Elders and Messengers are to rule in love and are to be obeyed by every particular member they exhorting and commanding duty and declaring the sence of the Church according to the word of Christ Heb. 13.7 17. and also the Body the Church may command the Elders or Pastours and Messengers to look to their Ministry which they have received in the Lord that they fulfil it Col. 4.17 And also note it is good and safe for a particular Church in things of high concernment to call for or desire help from sister Churches and so Messengers who are to take care of all Churches in an especial manner are to go in such cases Act. 15. Quest Hath not the Magistrates power in the Church to set apart her Officers and to punish Offenders as he seeth good yea with death if he please Answ No for Christ hath not said any where that he should so do now if Christ have not said it nor it be not in the Law and Testament as it is not it may not be Isa 8.20 Heb. 1.5 Nay for the Magistrate to set apart Officers in the Church crosseth the Law of Christ which is that the Church by a free choise should set them apart as it hath been shewed before Again Magistrates may not punish offenders as in point of conscience for Christ commands the contrary Mat. 13.30 38. For there he saith that the children of the kingdome and the children of the wicked one shall both grow together in the field of the world till the end yea the Jewes that blaspeme against Christ are to be suffered for they are beloved of God for their fathers sake though they be enemies to the Gospel Rom. 11.28 and when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in all Israel shall be saved as it is written ver 25 26. So then the Jewes be to have liberty that is plain therefore all ought to have liberty of conscience that 's as plain So then the Magistrate hath not any power in the Church more then any other member but the power lieth in the whole Church to cast out offenders as hath been shewed but in all civil affaires as all sins against the second Table yea in all things that be civil that helongs to the Common-wealth the Magistrate is supreme and the whole Church is to obey him and honour him as the supreme in every civil thing for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 14 15. paying custome to whom custome belongeth and tribute as he or they hath and doth appoint Mat. 22.21 Rom. 13. from ver 1. to 10. Yea let them not dispute who is Cheif Magistrate no not by any means by warr but rather submit to the cheif Magistrate in being in every Nation So then from all this that hath been said it doth appear and that very clearly yea most excellently from the Scriptures of truth that God is a God of love and mercy and is long suffering and the riches of his goodness and bounty doth abound most freely and graciously towards all men and would have none perish but would have all come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved and that the way of Christ is a way of love in that he laid down his life for all men yea though they were and are enemies he tenders the word of the Gospel even glad tydings of peace beseeching by himself and by his servants though they do abuse them to be reconciled to God O how meek and lowly in heart was the Lord Jesus how doth his love and goodness appear in that he being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with him made himself of no reputation and took upon him the forme of a servant and was made in the likeness of man and being found in the fashion of a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross And so the Lord of life and Glory by whom all things were created beseecheth the creature to be reconciled to God and so to obey him in love and walk up in the way of the Gospel which is a way of love for the love of God being spread abroad in the heart men having from the God of love received gifts the love of Christ constraineth to preach the Gospel and to feed the flock of Christ and to seek up them that go astray and the Saints in love minister and communicate unto them what they want and so Ministers are chosen in love and their Doctrin is heard in love and received in love and the poor relieved in love and them that sin are dealt with in love and their meetings of the Church and feasts are in love and their Communion in Breaking of Bread is in love so al duty is to be done without murmurings and disputings in love so Faith in Christ is available working by love so the children of God receive the kingdome as a reward in
There the Apostle sheweth that he would not have us ignorant of this Mystery least we should be wise in our own conceits that blindnesse in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall be saved as it is written Fourthly These Scriptures in the 11 of Isa 11. to the end and chap. 59.20 21. chap. 66.8 9 10. and Jer. 31. and Ezek. 37. and the Covenant in this place spoken of doth belong to the house of Israel and the house of Judah and that will plainly appear if you note well those Scriptures mentioned for Paul sheweth us in the 11. of the Romans All Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion the Delieverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob for this is my Covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins So the Apostle speaking of the 59 of Isai the .20 applying it only to the house of Israel and that the Covenant of the Lord is to them so as to take away their sins yea it is plain that he speaks of the house of Israel after the flesh because he saith as concerning the Gospel they are Enemies for your sakes but as touching the Election they are beloved for the fathers sake so you may see as concerning the Gospel they are Enemies but as touching the Election they are beloved for the Fathers sakes that is for Abraham Isaac and Jacob sakes for the Lords Covenant is with them and so they are chosen yea he speaks of them which should come of them which then were concluded in unbelief ver 32. which was the Jewes therefore he speaks not of the Converted Gentiles but of the house of Israel according to the flesh for the gifts and callings of God are without repentance vers 33. So I say the Lord God hath determined to call Israel and of this he will never repent Again this doth further appear that God will call again Israel after the flesh and teach them according to the new Covenant so they shall know him and worship him in spirit and in truth for Zechariah saith Thus saith the Lord of Hosts it shall yet come to pass that there shall come people and the Inhabitants of many Cityes and the Inhabitants of one City shall go to another saying let us go speedly to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of Hosts I will go also Yea many People and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord Thus saith the Lord of Hosts in those dayes it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all Languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the the skirt of him that is a Jew saying we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Zech. 8.20 21 22 23. And Micah faith in the last days it shall come to pass that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it And many Nations shall come and say come and let us go up to the mountaine of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his paths for the Law shall go forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Chap. 4.1 2. But now men say that these Scriptures were fulfilled when Judah retured from Babylon for the Jewes after their return from Babylon never enjoyed such things unto this day search and see and these Scriptures say that they shall be fulfilled in the last dayes and the Scriptures do not call them the last dayes that were before Christ came in the flesh therefore not fulfilled but before the house of Israel shall be called so as to believe the Gospel as it hath been shewed the Gospel of the king dome must be preached in all the world for a witness unto all Nations Mat. 24.14 according to Revel 14.6 And I saw another Angel flie in the middest of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every Nation and kindred and tongue and people And this must be a little before and in the time of the fall of the Whore of Babylon and the rising of the man of sin the Antichrist as appeareth in vers the 8 9. And to this agreeth Mark 13.10 The Gospel must first be preached among all Nations compared with Mat. 24.14 and then the end shall be So the Gospel a little before the end shall be preached in the pure way thereof to all Nations so the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in But it doth and will so come to pass that now in this last of the last dayes the Gospel that is and shall be preached in the pure way thereof and the Whore of Babylon falling that the spirit of Antichrist doth and will more and more appear and the Antichrist the Man of Sin will come forth whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders 2. Thes 2. for the Antichrist or Man of Sin is not the Whore of Babylon and for the right understanding of this truth mark well these seven Particulars 1. First Who is this great Whore of Babylon and where her chief seat hath been and is 2. Secondly Her fall and the means how and by whom 3. Thirdly What is the spirit of Antichrist and who hath that spirit 4. Fourthly That the Antichrist will be a single person 5. Fifthly The manner of his rising and when 6. Sixthly Some of the great things he will doe 7. Lastly His fall when and by whom Of these things in order But first I freely confess That many honest men fearing God in those latter times have been mistaken in saying that the Romish Whore of Babylon is the Antichrist that the Scripture speaks of but men may see in this latter part of the last time with a diligent and serious search of the Scriptures through grace that the great Whore of Babylon is not the Antichrist And it being so that God having shewed it me through the Scriptures I being not accounted of in the world knowing that God doth great things by them that are not esteemed among men that no flesh should glory c. And considering that this which I do in this work may be seasonable and for much profit to the People of God and for the praise and glory of God I shall shew in brief that the Whore is not the Antichrist And for the clearing up of this truth First you may see who this great Whore of Babylon is by noting her chief seat where it is and that is at Rome for John saith Rev. 17. That the great Whore of Babylon which sitteth upon many Waters is that City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth
he that is left in Sion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Sion shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of Judgment and by the spirit of burning Isai 4.2 3 4. Then shall health be restored unto Israel and their wounds healed saith the Lord because they called thee an out-cast saying this is Sion whom no man seeketh after Thus saith the Lord behold I will bring again the captivity of Jacobs tents and have mercy on his dwelling place and the City shall be builded upon her own heap and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voyce of them that make merry and I will multiply them and they shall not be few I will also glorifie them and they shall not be small Jer. 30.17 18 19. Again at this time will the Lord make them one Nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel and one King shall be a King to them all and they shall be no more two Nations neither shall they be devided into two kingdoms any more at all Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their Idols nor with their detestable things nor with any of their transgressions but I will save them out of all their dwelling places wherein they have sinned and will cleanse them so shall they be my people and I will be their God Ezekiel 37.22 23. Again Wait yea upon me saith the Lord untill the day that I rise up to gather the Nations that I may Assemble the kingdoms to pour upon them mine Indignation even all my fierce anger for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousie For then will I turn to the people a pure Language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent At this time I will bring you again even in this time that I gather you for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turn back your captivity before your eyes saith the Lord Zeph. 3.8 9 10. Again Look upon Zion the City of our solemnities thine eye shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the cords be broken And the Inhabitants shall not say I am sick the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven there iniquity Isa 33.20 24. Again Hear the word of the Lord O ye Nations and declare it in the Isles afare of and say he that scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a sheepheard doth his stock For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger then he Therefore they shall come and sing in the hight of Zion and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord for Wheat and for Wine and for Oyle and for the young of the flock and of the heard and their souls shall be as a watered Garden and they shall not sorrow any more at all Jer. 31.10 11 12. Yea in that day shall that song be sung by the house of Israel that is in the 12. of Isai Yea they shall cry out and shout for joy for great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of them verse the 6. Zeph. 3.15 They shall not see evil any more then that in the 35. of Isai shall be made good and that in Isai 60. and many other places which speak very clearly to these things search and see for Paul would not have us Ignorant of this mystery Rom. 11.25 Moreover be not mistaken though it be so that the fulness of the Gentiles under this dispensation shall come in before Christ come in person and many shall be given up to blindness and be destroyed at his appearing as it hath been shewed before yet them that are left of the Nations shall fall in with the people of Israel and say Come let us go up to the mountains of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his pathes For out of Sion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Isai 2.2 3. Micah 4.1 2 3. Yea many people and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord Thus saith the Lord of hosts in those dayes it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew saying we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Zach. 8.22 23. yea Zach. saith that when the Lord cometh and all the Saints with him even then the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one and then it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the Nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of hosts and to keep the feast of Tabernacles Chap. 14.9 14. and this as I understand was signified under the Law when the males came up to Jerusalem to keep there feast so the Nations shall come up from one new Moon to another and from year to year to worship before the Lord Isai 66.23 for then the Gentiles shall be Converted to the house of Israel Isai 60.5 For the house of Israel that are brought back and are called when Christ come shall then be chief among the Nations according to this Scripture Isai 19.24 25. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria even a blessing in the midst of the land whom the Lord of Host shall bless saying blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands Israel mine Inheritance so in that day the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11.9 So in that day when Christ raigns gloriously on the earth there will be first all them that dyed in the faith are found in the faith at his coming made immortal and shall raign with Christ over the whole earth Dan. 7.27 injoying perfection in knowledge and purity 1 Cor. 13.10 11 12. Ephes 5.27 and be made free from all manner of imperfections yea as David saith They shall be abundantly satisfied with the Fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasures Psal 36.8 So they shall be compleatly happy injoying fulness of joy for ever and ever Secondly the house of Israel that is called when Christ appeareth as hath been shewed shall be under them and governed and judged by them Obad. 21. Mat. 19.28 Luke 22.28 29 30.
Thirdly The nations that know the Lord shall be inferiour to the house of Israel serving them in that day Isa 60.12 14. Fourthly That there will be some of the nations in that day that will not come to worship the King the Lord of hosts and upon them shall come great judgments Zach. 14.17 18. Jer. 31.30 Isa 65.20 So there will be in the kingdome of Christ at least some of the time that he raigns on the earth before he delivers up the Kingdome to the father four sorts of people but the Saints that come with Christ shall raign most gloriously over them all So then things being so le ts look back to what hath been said concerning Christ coming to raign namely that the Saints must be in a troubled persecuted afflicted estate until Christ comes and the neerer his coming the more persecution and tribulations Luke 18.7 8. This serves to inform the fifth Monarchy men that the Saints shall not have dominion of the earth neither shall the fifth Monarchy be until Christ comes for the fourth Monarchy or Beast in his Heads and horns raigns until Christ comes and presecutes the Saints Dan. 7.25 26. as hath been shewed Secondly if there will be warr and rumors of warrs and overturning of powers until Christ comes that should teach the Saints not to deceive themselves so as to conclude they shall enjoy long rest and peace here on earth before Christ comes and so to seek great things for themselves I say with the Prophet Jer. Seek them not for that the Lord hath built he will break down and that which he hath planted will he pluck up Chap. 45.4 5. For the nations must drink Jeremies cup them that are wicked to the sword saith the Lord Chap. 25. from the 15. to the 34. Thirdly This should teach us to buy the truth and not to sell it and so to seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness in the first place and to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure redeeming the time that we be not found among those foolish Virgins that let their lamps go out but of those wise that stand with their Loyns girded about with truth and their lights burning as men that wait for their Lord when he shall return to the wedding Mat. 25. Luke 12.35 36 37. Furthermore take notice of some signes that go before Christs coming First observe that the Gospel being preached as it is now and shall be more fully hereafter and many falling away from the truth and the spirit of Antichrist appearing this is a sign of Christs coming 2 Thes 2.3.1 John 2.18 Secondly If we see and hear of warrs and rumors of warrs and false Prophets and false Christs appearing and many run to and fro and knowledge increase and the great Whore of Babylon fallen these things coming to pass are evident signs that the time of Christs coming is neer Mat. 24.5 11. Dan. 12.4 Rev. 14.6 7 8. Thirdly When we shall see false Prophets and false Christs saying loe hear is Christ or loe there working miracles and the Antichrist or man of sin arising or appearing then may we certainly conclude the coming of Christ to be at hand yea if we see the Whore of Babylon fallen and the man of sin arising we may certainly conclude that before that generation shall go down to dust the Lord will appear Mat. 24.23 24.2 Thes 2.9 Rev. 14.9 Luk. 21.32 Fourthly When there shall be famins and pestalence and earth-quakes in divers places and the Jewes return into their own land and the Antichrist or man of sin plant his tabernacle in the holy mount Dan. 11.45 Mat. 24.7 Fifthly When the Man of Sin and the false Prophet shall set up an Image and give the mark of the beast and cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men Rev. 13.13 14 15 16. and the sixth vial poured out and that false ministry of the beast go forth and gather the nations to the battel of the great day according to Chap. 16.12 13 14. Joel 3.9 10 11. and the Sun and Moon darkned and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity the Sea and waves roaring in an extraordinary manner Isa 13.10 Ioel 3.15 Luke 21.25 26 When these changes begin to come to pass especially the four last then let us lift up our heads with joy for our redemption draweth nigh verse 28. And when the last appeareth know that the Kingdome of God is neer even at the very doors Mat. 24 33. Now from all these things let every one be perswaded to walk up in all the commandments and Ordinances of the Lord improving all grace so as to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear yea let all the children of God work out their salvation with fear and trembling O let us give heed to the word of the Prophets as a light that shineth in a dark place until the day of Christ dawn and the day Star arise in our hearts that is until Christ who is the bright morning Star he by his spirit we giving heed to the word of the Prophet will cause us to understand the secrets of the Lord yea the signs of his coming as men that walk in the night know the day is neer when they see the day Star arising so the Lord will give us the morning Star that we may know in an excellent measure the time of his coming 2 Pet. â— 19 Rev. 22 16. Chap. 2 28 Psal 25 14. But let no man be deceived so as to account of the coming or receiving of the spirit in the most excellent manner to be the coming of Christ for the Corinths came behind in no gifts yet waited for the coming of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor 1.7 And the Apostle John sheweth that there are but three sorts of Christians the little ones young men and old men in Christ and old ought to wait and did wait for the coming of Christ 1 Iohn 2 28 Chap. 3 2. and then they and we shall be like him Phil. 3 31 O let all these things be laid to heart and let all the children of God receive council of the Lord Jesus so as to watch and pray alwayes that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before him acceptably Luke 21.36 FINIS