Lev. 20. but that the Israel and people of God who are Nazarites or separated unto him from all the people of the World ought to touch no uncleanness and not onely to separate from Religious Idolatry All Gods people are separated unto himself but even to separate from and abhor that Moral Idolatry Covetousness and to hold no Spiritual Society with that man being calld a Saint or Brother who covets this Worlds goods which thing is not to be once named among the Saints Ephes 5. But fifthly I ask What is this to all the Nations of the World who as Nations are all parts of the World and lie faith Iohn in wickedness in Idolatries and Superstitions rolling and changing as Waves of the Sea in restless Lusts and Passions of all sorts c. Did not God wink at the Nations Act. 17. and is he not still pleased to wink at those numberless Nations of the World unto whom the sound of a Saviour reacheth not The State of all the numberless numbers of the Sons of men without Christ in the world How wonderful are the Dominions of the Grand Seigniour the Turkish Emperour and the mighty Empire of the Persians the great Mogul the Chinois the Tartars and the many millions of millions of the Sons and Daughters of Men who in all Ages and Nations pass on in outward Peace Prosperity and Glory amongst some of whom God may call some to fear him and love the Lord Iesus But for any of these whole Nations to be become Christians A National Church a fiction and not found in Christs Testament that is to be anointed with Christs Spirits I ask Whether such a thing be found in Christs Testament or be in experience true of the Body of this or any other Nation Sixthly Whatever be the pretence and mist which Satan casteth I ask with a famous observer once Lord Chancellour of England Whether all Violence in Religion be not for some sinister cause and Interest Jehu pretends and boasts Come see my zeal for the God of Israel c. He acted gloriously Magistrates act zealously for an Interest with wonderful Activity Impartiality and seeming Piety And yet I will visit the blood of Jehu saith the Lord Hos 1. for he took not heed with all his Heart c. For having got the Throne of Jeroboam to maintain that Throne and Crown he goes on in the sins of Jeroboam and kept up still the worship of the Calves which Jeroboam had set up What a wonderful noyse an sound have those three Greek names Idolatry Heresie Blasphemy The World scar'd by strange names made in the world to the scaring and affrightment of poor people in both Popish and Protestant Countries But let the Zeal of the most Zealous outcries be examined in plain English and let the Zealous even such as make profession of the most reformed National Ministeries in the most Reformed Churches I say lot the most Zealous impartially Examine and it shall be found that the Bottome and Root of the matter is a plain Merchandizing with the word of God and as it was in Rome and is Omnia Roma cum precis c a very Sale of Law and Gospel Moses and Christ Heaven and Hell God himself and the Soules of men I truely honour the many excellent Persons Ministers pretend zealously but for an Interest and the excellent Abilities both humane and Divine of many that have profest and do the Nations Ministery or Service I confess there is a due of Temporals to such as Minister Spirituals but withall I ask What is it but a Trade and Living but a Merchandising for gain when men profess they cannot without so much or so much preach Christ Jesus Surely the Apostacia hath been most wonderful and dreadful The maintenance of Christs true Ministers None can say but that the Lord Jesus did send out such Preachers of his Truth as did trust him and Lacked nothing who did as freely give as freely they had received who did labour spiritually and upon defect of supplies through the poverty or coldness of the Saints did labour with their own hands and other course for his Messengers in most infinite wisdom took he none nor will his true Ministers and Prophets desire he should and whatever other Prudential Images and Inventions are set up will he disclaim and judge when he appears in flaming fire c. What should be so free in the world What more free and yet what more bought and sold then light as divine and heavenly light and yet what is so frequently and so dearly sold as that Light I speak as to the external preaching of many holy Truths I shall desire to be corrected if Ierre in the Piety or Charity of the Question and ask If any man can possibly by rules of Christ Jesus profess a Ministenance to him and his Yea although he have so much Civility as not to make a Bargain for so much or so much yet if there be an implicite Expectation or Dependance upon such a Service or Ministery for a Salary maintenance c. I ask Whatever the Person Mercenary light his Gifts Experiences Light be whether is Calling and Standing be not as truely Mercenary and Unchristian as his that stands at the Corners of the Streets in dark Nights with ready lights and linkes offering to go with any call presuming on a pay and therefor his word is to every likely passenger Will you have a light Sir Lastly I ask Whether as the Lord Jesus speaks of false Prophets we any not discern false Doctrines Bloody fruits of a pretended holy Root Tenents and Opinions by the horrible fruits which this bitter Root hath brought forth to the slaughter of so many thousands and ten thousand times then thousand of mankinde Religiously and Zealously as it pretended hunting one another as wild Beasts Monsters Idolaters Hereticks Blasphemers c. Yea And which may cause a Soul truly in love with Christ Iesus to tremble this above all other hath been that bloody Knife that hath so many thousand and then thousand times stab'd the Lord Iesus to the Heart in the bloody hunting of so many his Servants and Followers as the greatest Hereticks Blasphemers c. both in this and other Nations The sum of the fifteenth Question Whether the Examiner hath not set himself to confute Paul Quest 15 saying it is not easie to finde that the Heathen should not make a Graven Image nor any marvel that they should by the forme of some Creature represent him c. Whereas Paul proves that the Eternal power and Godhead are so manifest that they are without excuse who knowing God do not glorifie him as God c. but change the glory of God into an Image c. First Andsw I ask Whether the Proposer of these Questions expresseth not very little of that Christian Moderation The Examiner unchristianly dealt with and Equity and Equanimity of
thoughts of the Heart Secondly I ask If this poor Nation of England and Scotland c. have not heard the voice of the God of heaven out of the whirlwind as in Iob declaring himself in thundring language and dialects of Blood Distractions and Destructions about this National League and Covenant The wonderful Character of Gods jealousie upon the Scorish National Covenant Were ever two Nations so solemnly and with such seeming glorious Holiness united to make this Island an holy Land and to purge out as out of an holy Land and Aire as Canan was all Idolatry Schisme and Hereticks And were there ever more evident Characters of the Iealousie and displeasure of the most High written upon such Covenants such Conjunctions Or was there ever almost such a miraculous Decision of the controversie between the Covenanters themselves about the Interpretations of it And hath not the most holy and invisible God made bare his holy Arme and written it in National letters of blood that he that runs may read it That this National Covenanting and National Churching and National compelling and National conforming as to the Soules and Consciences of men and as to the worship of the God of heaven is but Levitical and Ceremonial but Mosaical and Iewish but Unchristian and destructive to the New Testament of Christ to the freedome of the soul and conscience to the gratious free breathings of the most holy Spirit of God perswading and spiritually compelling the Spirits and Souls of men to knit the onely true Lovers Knot and Covenant that Death and Hell and all the powers of Earth and Hell Men and Devils shall never be able to untie Thirdly It was no guilt of Hypocrisie in Asa to compel that whole Nation which according to those figurative times and old Covenant were miraculously brought and kept in Covenant with God The Hypocrisie of Nationall Covenants upon which the Examiner doth not fix the least charge of Hypocrisie but now he may and all men may ask why other whole Nations and all Natitions should be forced like Cattel by thousands and ten thousands Cities Nations c. to a Religion and Covenant and Worship which their Forefathers knew not which their Souls owne not and their Consciences secretly disclaim as false c. Doth not this as Isaiah tels us fill a Nation with Hypocrisie And hath not this Doctrine filled this Nation if ever any with wonderful Hipocrisies as the Civil Sword and power of compulsion hath fallen by Gods most holy providence into the hands of Pagan or Popish or Protestant or Presbyterian or Independent if perse cuting Consciences I ask further Is there not a two fold Hypocrisie First A tu of old Hypocrisie amongst Pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which is more hidden and secret such as Achitophels with David and Fudas with Christ Iesus Thieves and Traytors in the Bosome c. Yet outwardly true faithful holy Cordial c. Secondly That which is more open evident and plausible such as that of the ten Tribes pro fessing the name of the God of Israel and yet with-all the Worship of the Calves and Ieroboams Feasts and Priests and other his Inventions and moreover living without the life of the true God of Israel In the late Wars some that professed to side with the Parliament voted in the House sat in Committees yea fought for the Parliament Lawes and Liherties c. yet lay they like Traitours in the Bosome as after was discovered Others fought for the Parliament Lawes and Liberties and yet joyn'd openly with the King fought under his Colours and pretended onely the name of that to wit holiness and the Love of God which they hated more then Sin and Hell and Damning Or as in our Streets dayly we finde two sorts of Beggers one speaks such wants Antichristian hypocrisie illstrated so predicates Christ Iesus so prayes for you that many are taken moved to real pity and compassion and yet deceived A second sort profess the Trade of Begging they keep open those Sores which they will not have heal'd they steal or get Children to beg with they abhor to labour and make a Trade of Hypocrisie T is true that they crie up the name of Christ Iesus too and pray for you but if you put not into their mouth how soon fall they from blessing to cursing c. Of this second sort The pretended Christian Nations found Antichristian are not the Christian Nations so call'd made up and constituted whether East or West Greek or Latine the Popish or Protestant Churches who like the ten Tribes and many of them like the strange Nations brought in after the Captivity by Salmanasser 2 King 17. They feared the God of Israel and served him and their owne Gods too and the Spirit of God concludes of them that they served their owne Gods and served not the true God at all Is not this apparently the state of thousands and ten thousands and millions of named Christians professing Christ in Word Tit. 1. but in works denying of him overspread with the Abominations of Religious and moral Idolatries spiritual and corporal Murthers Whoredomes Oppressions Drunkenness c. either as the great Whore probably the Whore of Rome actually drunk with the blood of the Saints and Prophets of Iesus or else thirsting after the day of their bloody fils c. Fourthly Religious Ravishments and horrid Abominations I ask Whether as to force the Consciences of the Unwilling is a Soul Rape so to force the Ignorant prophane and unregenerate Nations into a pretended holy fellowship and Communion with God be not ten thousand fold more unholy and unrighteous then to force into the Beds of any Men of Honour ugly and deformed strangers yea enemies yea and impudent Whores and Strumpets Would the Proposer stile their commands holy just good did the matter concerne but his owne Bed as who can but know the matter in question so neerly concernes the Lord being communion which Cant. 1. is no other then the mystical and spiritual Bed of the Lord Iesus Did ever God or Man command to do well The methods of Friendship with God and men before a ceasing from Evil Doth God or man ever strike up Covenants of Love Leagues of Amisy yea or admit a treaty before Repentance and Satisfaction for former Injuries before the Removeall of Force the laying down of Armes and the acknowledging the Power and State of such with whom they treat If these be waies of civility rightecusness order prudence what commands shall they be call'd what holiness and goodness shall be found in them which carry written like the Whores forehead Rev. 18. Mysteries Babylon Hypocrisies Dissimulations c. Therefore lastly I ask how much infinitely sweeter are Gods Methods delighting onely in a willing people how sweet are the paths of the Lamb of God Christ Jesus whose true Messengers are Maidens Pro. 9. who with Virgin-Chastity and Modesty invite poor sinners to the heavenly Feast
The Examiner defended IN A Fair and Sober ANSWER TO The Two and twenty QUESTIONS which lately examined the Author of Zeal Examined In this ANSWER are not unseasonably touched Christ's interest in this and all Nations Christ's interest and the Commonweals as to the present affairs The true nature of all Civil States The nature of all Civil Magistracie and of the Civil Sword The Title of Christian Magistrate National Churches and Covenants The world of Religions and Consciences thorowout the world The permission due to Conscience in meerly Spirituals all the world over Idolatry and the kindes of at The Spiritual and Civil Sword and the effects of them in Spirituals The Forms of Worship The causes of destruction to Nations The Violence to the Souls of men and of Interest the cause of it The dangerous consequence of such Violences experimented in so many Nations The difference of the Land of Canaan and the Kings thereof from all Lands and Kings besides Christ Jesus himself and his followers ever accounted and punished as the greatest Hereticks Blasphemers c. The crying guilt of Soul-Rapes and National hypocrisie in Worship The light of Nature in Spirituals The acts of Asa Artaxerxes c. The Fast of Nineveh The Conscientious differences of the most Conscientious in the world about God's Worship The justice and prudence of State-provision against all â—ncivilities both of Popish and Protestant Ranters LONDON Printed by James Cottrel 1652. To the Reader Pious Reader TWo honorable Gentlemen as is said have so far lately honoured Christ Jesus and their honorable stations The occasion of this Discourse and them selves as to try by the Sword of God's Spirit the Word of God whether the World and the Civil States and Nations thereof may permit Idolaters Hereticks c. The first of these Two Worthies published his Zeal Examined The second attempts upon the former with Two and twenty Questions under this Title The Examiner Examined It was desired that the Examiner of Zeal might have examined these Questions also But finding an indisposition of health upon his person and multiplicity of Publike affairs engaging his hours and minutes I have been humbly bold to look up to heaven and to beg the finger of God's most holy and gracious Spirit for the dissolving and untying of them It was a truely-gallant and heavenly speech of the Author of these Questions An heavenly speech whosoever he be in his Epistle or Preface I profess my self a lover of Truth wheresoever I finde it though in an heap of Errours for I know well that it is the high-way to be given up to strong delusions not to receive the love of the Truth yea an universal love of all truth But I had almost said not onely What Saint what Angel but What man will not say Vincat Veritas We know who said Amicus Plato c. magis Amica Veritas Such counsel is like our common counsel of Physick to others but not so pleasing and practical in our own distempers And Oh how many are the Skreens the Veils the Hoods the Vizards the Curtains the Hangings the Cloâ—ks the Clouds and Colours by which the lustre and shining of that which we call Truth is hidden and eclipsed from us For instance 1. Truth suspected for a Novelty This cannot be Truth it is a Novelty What will this babler say said the famous Academians of Athens he feemeth to be a setter forth of new Gods though all the old were false and indeed but new and therefore false because not the Alpha and Omega Quod antiquissimum optimum the First and the Last Thus cry the Papists against the Protestants and the Protestants against each other New Doctrines New Men New Lights New Christs New Gods c. There is no room in the Inne for Christ Jeus his Mother 2. Commonly Truth is outwardly poor ovely among the beasts in the stable in the Manger A poor Carpenters son whence hath be such learning How should such base and unlikely Medicines as Clay and Spittle pâ—n men 〈◊〉 How should the dry and lowe tree be fruitful How poor Fisher-men Tent-makers Mechanicks know and preach Christ Jesits c. He takes away our Hogs say the Gadarenes and therefore beseech him to depart from us 3. Truth is costly By this Trade saith Demetrius and his Crafts men we have our living c. our Popedoms Bishopricks Benefices If we believe this Doctrine the Romanes will come and take away our place and nation c. How can you believe saith Christ Jesus who receive honour from one another 4. Truth is in disgrace and not that honor which comes from God alone How many had been convinced and perswaded that Christ Jesus was the Son of God but that they loved the praise of men more then the praise of God Howsoever sometimes it hath pleasad God to take off the Rod and Plough of the wicked 5. Truth is persecuted from the back of the righteous yet the general Rule is That All that will live godly in Christ Jesus must be hunted The great Lord General Christ Jesus carried his Cross and Gallows and professath it impossible for any to follow him without a denying of himself and taking up his Cross or Gallows also Thus are we saith David and Paul as sheep for the shambles all the day long Thus must those blessed Petitioners under the Altar wait until the rest of their fellow-brethren and servants were slain also Hence though Christ's followers have ever found the sweetest enjoyments of God and Christ and the holy Spirit in sufferings yet how harsh is this Alarm to flesh and blood which therefore rather seeks a thousand shifts to swear to subscribe to conform upon the point to deny Jesus Christ c. Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth 6. Truth is prejudiced Can Micaiah ever speak good to me who never yet spake good to me And Hast thou found me O mine enemy said A had to two Prophets This Stone the builders have abready refused c. This may be Jebovah 's miraculous work to chuse the stones cast by c. but flesh and blood cannot got over this mountain Do any of the Rulers believe in him Do the learned Scribes 7. Truth is followed with sew wise great learned the Reverend Clergie the King the Queen the Parliament the Counced the University the Convocation the Assembly the Synod Oh how thick is this Choud that the eyes of the wisest cannot pierce it for it is God 's designe that few wise and piencing eyes are chosen to see Christ Jesus and his despised Truths and Mysteries How many whom Christ invites send Christ this answer 8. Truth findes few at leasure I have not such time to search the Scriptures as the Bereans had So many are my distractions so neoessary are my occasions about my Farm about my Oxen about my Merchandise about my Marriage Go thy way
princes of all nations and of this have not been the Gods of the Nations Kings Queens c. the Gods of people and Reliegions their pictures in which themselves are worshipped whom they have wershipped in and by the several Images and Representations of their mindes and wills which they have set up as ways of Worship and Religion to the Nations Thus Ieroboam pretends the Name of the God of Israel but upon the point Ieroboam was their God and robb'd the true God of his honour by the golen calves which Ieroboam had set up Thus Nebuchadnezzar pretends honour to his golden Image but himself was really the Deity which all Nations worshipped through the golden Image which he had set up Fifthly I ask Whether God people that is such as fear God in every nation Act. 10. be not the true and proper and only Antitype of that typical Nation the Jewes in that typical land of Canaan according to 1 Pet. 2. You are a chosen Generation as Abraham and his off-spring in the Type were a Kingly Priesthood and holy Nation c. A National Church is Judaism And therefore I aske Whether to modellize a Body or Church of Christ with Natural and National bounds and circuits after the pattern of the typical Land of Canaan be not to dwell in the old Levitical shadowes in the A.B.C. and Horn-book of Judaism and in the denial of Christ Iesus to be yet come To this end I ask Whether some Presbyterians in forraign parts come not neerer to the truth of the first Christian worship who admit not one of ten or twenty to be of their Churches And the Independents yet neerer who admit onely such in their Societies in whom they hopefully see the Spirit of Regeneration and Holiness sixthly I ask Whether there hath not been in all Ages of the world and are at this day many great and mighty Nations of the World some of some hundreds yea of some thousands of years continuance and flourishing in which the Doctrine of Grace Flourishing States of the World in which Christ Iesus is not heard of c. and the Doctrine of Godliness hath not been I am sure not nationally advanced And notwithstanding that Godliness hath promises belonging to this life as well as to the life approaching and the God of heaven is pleased to imprint a Character and Crown of his favour and love upon some Persons and Actions when his name is greatly engaged as in Queen Elizabeth her daies against the Spaniard and in our late Wars both against EnglisH Scotch and Irish yet whether it be not generally and ordinarily true that all that will live godly in Christ Iesus must be persecuted or hunted and the more Godly the more persecuted and according to the mystery of the fifth Seal the Souls under the Altar must rest but until the rest of their fellow-servants are slain c. Is it not upon the matter a Turkish argument The peate and prosperity of Gods people in this world is spiritual c. We have conquered so many Nations Kingdoms c. Therefore Mahomes is above Christ And also is it nota Popish plea All Nations have bowed down to our Church who sits as a Queen therefore it is the onely true c. God hath given the Western Mines of Gold and Silver to the Catholicks not to the Protestants and to the Spaniards before the English who had the first offer therefore c. Since then that National and typical holiness with all the annexed outward peace and prosperity promised upon condition is vanished and the Lord Iesus by his Birth in a stable and his Death on a Gallowes hath taught all his followers to despise this Worlds Goods and this Worlds Evils how should his Saints study the difference between the Tenour of the Old and New Covenant the Iewish and the Christian Canaan and at last finde out that peace and prosperity they speak of in those spiritual pleasures Beauties Honors Riches Ioyes which are even in this present life un speakable and full of Glory Eightly Since the Throne is upholden by Mercy Mercy to the persecuted the upholder of States Prov. 20. and both the holy scriptures and Histories tell us how many Thrones of Kings and States that seemed to have been placed among the stars are tumbled downe c. I aske if it be not at last the wisdome of this State to tremble at the shipwracks and downfull of our Predecessors and to learne not onely the song of judgement and Zeal as we judge for the doctrine of grace and godliness but the song of mercy also to such whose Consciences whether out of a slavish or child like awe of God are it my be Antipodes to ours To say nothing of all former examples are not two most wonderful before our eyes and feeâ— First shat was it that within the memory of man hath so wonderfully almost miraculously raised and advanced from the low valleys that poor fisher-town of Amsterdam now one of the gallantest of the Lady Cities of the world I say What was it but Mercy Mercy which that poor Fisher-town shewed to distressed and persecuted consciences who fled from Enchuysin and other persecuting parts thither Secondly The rise of this State and Commonweal What was it as before that pluckt up the roots and foundations of so many Thrones of late among our selves and lift up and exalted our present State and States-men but mercy to the long-oppressed souls of men amongst whom Christ Jesus who will not suffer a cup of water given to his to pass unpaid for hath been favoured and relieved Break off thy sins by righteousness and thine iniquitiess by shewing mercy to the poor if it may be a lengthing to thy tranquility For Are not false Worships as to God and Tyranny as to men the two Generals under whose bloody colours the most Sins and Plagues in all the Nations of the World Hollands greatest sin as to Engand have ever marched I question not but Ambition and Pride Covetuousness and Greedtness Ingratitude and Unthanfulness Excess and Drunkenness now lodge in the new-rais'd Towers of the aforesaid Fisher-Towne But 't is that Sin of Sodom the not strengthning the hand of the poor the Poor oppressed in England oppressed both in their spiritual and temporal liberties and their late notorious strengthning the hand of Oppressours the King and his Cavaliers that sin I say if any will staine the pride of all their rising Glory But are there not the cries of the oppressed ascending to the heavens against us also to say nothing of the many other particulars of Soul Violence and Oppression which some have reckoned up yet still in England I ask if ever such cries went up to Heaven in the late Kings Reigne or his Fathers The oppression of Tythes now greater in England then formerly I hope before their downfal or all the long tyranny of Elizabeth's Bishops from
Spirit which a Follower of Christ Jesus pretends to in setting the words which bear a better sence yea and the Heart of the Examiner upon the Rack by infinuating little less then that he hath set himself to contradict and fight against God himself and his most holy Spirit in Paul his Servant and Penman Whereas a more sober and Dove-like Christian Eye will read no more but a faithful and Christian plea for moderate and Christian thoughts to all the Nations and Generations of the World who although by the hightned power of Reason they may possibly attaine to as above hath been discoursed by the light of Nature many Convictions and Confessions of a Godhead The Natural estute of all and the very best of mankind Yet is it not so facile and easie for them having so many thousand clogs and chaines of barbarous Ignorance and Education and Lusts hanging on them to soare so high with the wings of meer Natural corrupted Reason as to to finde the true God and the true Way of glorifying God acceptably in Christ Iesus Yea I ask Whether this is possible to be attained unto as abovesaid But rather that this place of Paul Rom. 1. implies that the wisest and most industrious of the Sons of Men will be found guilty of gross Negligence and undervaluing of God and of being inslaved by many corrupt Lusts Examples Customes Fear of men Tradition of Fathers and of not improving that Power of Reason and understanding in themselves so far and so high as they ought and might also do Secondly I ask If it be easie for the Nations of the World to escape and miss these Rocks of Idolatry All the Nations of the World wandring in Idolatry and superstition Superstition Will-worship c. how comes it to pass that all the Generations of mankinde from the first Creation and Fall of Man to this day the Phoenicians the Chaldeans the Egyptians the Persians the Grecians the Romans and the many millions of millions of wise and understanding men not onely the Pagans but the Turks the Iewes the Papists and carnal Protestant should so stupendiously and constantly wander from the glorifying of God as God but by invented Images and Representations of Superstition Will-worship darken his Glory c. Thirdly If it be so easie to escape Idolatry Superstition Will-worship c. How is it that the holy Spirit record how easily how wonderfully Gods owne people and choicest Servants hardly kept from Superstition and Will-worship c. and fearfully Gods owne people Aaron the Leader and all Israel with him slipt into the Idolatry of the Golden Calf yea and afterwards the whole ten Tribes of twelve Gods owne people apostate to the Calves againe of Jeroboam How is it that not onely the Godly Kings of Iudah neglected the demolishing of the high places and the reforming of what was notoriously Superstitious and that not onely Solomon built houses for the gods of his Wives but even David and thirty thousand of Israel with him brings up the Arke of God the signe of Gods presence with wonderfull Solemnities shootings and rejoycings until they met with Perez-Uzzah the Breach of Uzzah the signal of Gods displeasure How is it that not onely many shall seek to enter and shall not be able Christ Iesus not easily found of not onely pretenders but Cordial Intenders and Israel obtained not that which they sought for as it is written Rom. 2. But even the tender Love and Dove and undefiled of Christ Iesus Cant. 5. rising up to open to her Beloved she findes him agrieved at her unkindness and gone she sought him but she found him not she called him but he gave no answer Fourthly The divisions of Reuben yea even of Iudah How is it that not onely God sendeth Antichristians strong Delusions which so hold their Understanding Conscience Iudgement and Affections that they really belive Lyes notorious and great Lyes but even at this Day among our selves the Consciences of Gods children and people in whom the blessed fear and love of God hath shined how are they I say divided each from other not onely Ephraim against Manasseh and Manasseh against Ephraim and both against Iudah but even Iudah against Iudah Insomuch that Gods people at this day have not onely occasioned that reproachfull terme of Sectaries because of their separation from the National Churches gathering themselves into separate Congregations but even from their Sects and Divisions among themselves And I ask whether this shall not be and must continue until the blessed time of one Heart and one Spirit and one Lip which God will vouchsafe to all his people Fifthly Since every Way Manner or Form of Worship of Church of Ministery of Prayer of Baptisme c. that onely excepted which the Lord Iesus appointed is an Invention an Image a molten or carved Image And consequently Gods people full of Images how much more the Nations the many strange waies and kindes and formes of Protestant Churches National Provincial Diocesan Parochial Presbyterian Independent Separated Half-separated Baptized one way a second a third way as to their various Formes and Constitutions are but Images and Pictures and none but one of them if any of them be yet according to the first pattern And since Gods own people have had a great share and hand in such framings c. both in England Scotland France Low-Countries c. I ask If it be not much more easie for the poor Nations of the World who sit in darkness as of old to erect Images of Gold and Silver Wood Stone c. and of late Waies and Manners of Worship though more subtle and mysterious yet as real Images as those of the grossest Composition Lastly I ask If there be not a deep and heaven-designe Gods designe to suffer the Nations and his own people to wander and feel the want of his holy Spirit in the use of all means of the most holy and onely wise God thus to suffer the world and his people also to divide and scatter and dissipate themselves Thus to cause the holy Scriptures amongst both Papists and Protestants the pretended Rule of Life and Light unto all their waies and Consciences to be so Pen'd so Written so translated that as it was said of Iesus Christ he was given for a stumbling Block and Rock of offence as well as for a Rock and Foundation to his people So may it not also be said of the holy Scripture and the texts and writings thereof from whence so many and so wonderfully different perswasions and Consciences are risen In particular I ask If it have not been wonderfully easie from the seeming light of Nature and Scripture too to slide into the many wandrings and Labyrinths of consciences now extant which though but Threds and Strawes yet do hold the conscience as with Chaines of Adamant until the holy and blessed Spirit of God discover and dissolve c. If there be any
that yet beloved people And so consequently Whether all those bloody Persecutors Papists and Protestants who have used to draw this shaft out of this Quiver of Scripture whereby to pierce the tender heart of Christ Jesus yea and all that give a power to the Civil Magistrate in Spirituals from this Scripture Have not most ignorantly profaned this Prophecie and that to usurpation over the Temple of God the Consciences of Gods own people and to bloody violence against their Bodies although under a cloak of providing wholesome food for their children and prohibiting poyson c. Secondly I ask Whether there be not two sorts of Nurses literal and mystical Fathers Mothers Nurses distinguished and again of mystical two sorts Civil and Spiritual as also Whether there be not the same distinction of Fathers and Mothers who are distinct from Nurses c. And whether these Kings and Queens in Isa 40. yea and suppose all other lawful Magistrates must needs be understood to be spiritual Nurses such as Paul who was no King c. professeth himself to be being a Messenger of Christ Jesus to the Thessalonians and spiritual fathers and mothers such as he profess'd he was to the Corinthians and Galatians Or Whether here is not prophesied and promised to this People or rather whether is there not here prophesied and promised to these Saints whether literal or spiritual Iews that Kings and Queens shall put off their Lion-like and Lion ss-like nature towards Gods people and shall be as the Poets used to write good Kings ought to be shepherds of the people c. If this be not the true meaning I aske why is it said Wonderful honour that Kings and Queens shall yeeld to the Sain's verse 23 That these Kings and Queens shall bow down to these Iewes with their Face toward the Earth and like the dust of their feet which posture and practice seems not to imply a disrobing themselves of their civil Dignities and Authorities for that is it by which they shew such kindness to the Saints but rather their high esteem unto these Saints in heavenly and soul matters and that in spiritual respects they are so far from challenging to be Fathers and Iudges of what is wholesome food and poyson that they bow downe and kisse the feet of Christ Iesus in his Saints far more superiour in spirituals then themselves Thirdly Kings and Queens and all Magistrates essentially Civil and as a Master of a Ship c. I aske whether the Office of Kings and Queens c. be not in the ship of all Commonweals in the world meerly and essentially Civil just as the Office of a Captain or Master of a Ship at Sea who ought of all his Passengers to be honoured and respected paid and rewarded for his service But as to the Consciences of the Passengers whether Jews Turks Persians Pagans Papists Protestants c. whom he transports from Port to Port upon a civil account of payment and recompence I ask whether he go not beyond the Sphere of his Activity if he act by any authoritative restraining them from their own Worship or constraining them to his And whether he have any more to do but a shewing kindness and countenance according to the quality and temper of his owne Beliefe and Conscience Fourthly I ask Idolatrous and Popish Magistrates as lawful as c. Whether all Magistrates in the world of what quality and conscience soever be not as true and lawful Magistrates as he that is most truly Godly and Christian like as Idolatrous and Pagan Fathers Husbands Masters are as truly such in their Relations c Whether doth not the holy Testament of Christ Iesus acknowledge this the Lord Iesus both by his word and practice commanding obedience honour maintenance for their Civil relations and work sake Fifthly Whether Kings and Queens The People of each Nation the fountain of the Government of it and other Princes receive not all their Power and Anthority from the several and respective Peoples who call them and impower them to their several and respective Services Accordingly Whether it have not been declared by the Parliament that the fountain and original of all Authority and Rule is the People consenting and agreeing in their several Combinations by themselves or their Deputies for their better subsistence in Peace c. Power of judging in Spirituals detected to be but usurpation in Kings and Queens c. And consequently Whether have the Nations and People of the world in their meer natural and national capacities any one jot of Spiritual and Divine power with which to betrust their Magistrates and Officers And if upon due weighing in the Balance of the Sanctuary it be found that they have not Is not this chalenging of Spiritual power to judge and determine what is soul-food and soul-peyson I mean in a coercive way binding all souls and the very souls of them that sent them and who neither did nor could commit such Power unto them Is not this I say a soul-rape and tyranny and a meer policy of Satan deceiving too often honest and zealous mindes but most commonly acting the subtil Ieroboams and Nebuchadnezzars of the world to erect their State-Calves and Images c. Sixthly Admit some Kings Queens thus to have been impower'd by God in some juncture of time either for the Jews sake Few Magistrates in the world savingly know Christ Jesus or any of his people upon some especial and extraordinary account yet I ask What is this to all Kings and Queens and Magistrates in the world that it should be their charge duty and calling imposed upon them from Heaven when the counsel of God is revealed that as his flock is a little flock and that he appointed spiritual Pastors and Shepherds for the feeding of them so his holy purpose was to call few wise few noble few mighty to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus Seventhly If the counsel of Christ Jesus had been otherwise and that he had committed as is pleaded the judging of soul-food and poyson to the Kings and Queens Christ Jesus rarely sends godly Kings Queens c. c. since he wanted not power for all power in heaven and earth was his nor love and faithfulness for he laid down his life and poured out his heare-blood for his I ask Why in the first three hundred yeers under the Romane Emperours nor in the second and third three hundred under Emperours and Popes nor ever since he hath not been pleased to furnish the world with such Shepherds but rather permitted Wolves and Lions c. notwithstanding that he is pleased sometimes after long and sharp persecutions to stir up some blessed instruments as Rocks and Trees Fathers Mothers Nurses to refresh and shade and comfort and countenance his servants Eighthly When it hath pleased him graciously to call and change by his Word and Spirit any of the Wise and Noble and Mighty of the
world I ask Whether their Regeneration and New-birth hath made any addition to their Civil Magistracie and Authority and more especially as Popish and Protestant Rabbins have taught us that now the Christian Magistrate he must judge in spiritual matters more then all the Magistrates in the world beside who though say they they have equal Authority and Duty yet they ought to suspend acting in Spirituals saith M. Cotton until they be rightly informed that is upon the point until they be of his Church and Conscience And if so A Magistrate is not more or less a Magistrate by being a Christian or Antichristian that by this professing Christianity they receive this addition of Magisterial power in Spirituals I ask if it do not clearly follow that according to that most dangerous and seditious doctrine of some Papists and Protestants such Magistrates who change their judgements and way of Worship must lose their Headship in Spirituals and consequently be found unfit at last to govern in Civils also And will not this doctrine extend to all other Civil Officers both at Land and Sea yea even to all Fathers Husbands Masters and so at last confound all Relations and tear up by the roots all Civility and all Order and the world out of the world Ninthly As to the matter of fact do not all Histories and all experience demonstrate that most of all those Kings and Queens and Princes and Magistrates Popish and Protestant that have pretended to this power of judging of saving food and poyson All Magisttrates pretending power in spirimals have ever forced down poyson in ssead of food have grosly mistaken the poyson of Satans invertions Superstitions Will-worships c. for that wholesome and heavenly food pretended and with bloody hands have forced this poyson down the throat of thousands and millions or else forced and fired them out of the world with barbarous persecutions if any have been enlightned by Christ Iesus to discern this poyson and to refuse it Hath not Christ Jesus in these last times declared it that neither Constantine nor the good Emperors before the Popes rose nor Protestant Kings Queens and Magistrates departing from the Pope unto this day but have been still mistaken most grosly either in Doctrine or Discipline and that in great quantities sometimes of dangerous poyson for saving and wholesome food What man From Constantine to the last Presbyterian Magistrate but may furnish himself with instances even down to the very Presbyterian Magistracy And whoever shall next pretend to judge between this poyson and food and put forth a restraining or a Constraining Sword accordingly How is it possible but they must alsO dash upon those Rocks whereon the very Tyde of such a practice doth necessarily inforce so many gallant Sbips miscarriage Therefore lastly since that typical land of Canaan is abolished the Partition-wall broken down and in every nation not Whole nations he that feareth God and worketh rirghteousness is accepted with him Acts 10. since Magistracy is a meerly Civil Ordinance and the forms and sword thereof derived from the People and all Magistrates in the world so derived are lawful and none can receive any addition to the power of Magistracie by his spirituality or Christianity I ask Whether this doctrine of Kings and Queens judging of soul-food and poyson for all their subjects The doctrine of Kings queent being nursing fathers the Firebrand of the world c. hath not been e pecially in Popish and Protestant Nations the Fire-brand that hath kindled so many devouring flames of War c. Yea was not this the very Doctrine that cost the late King Charles his Crown and life who being flattered and bewitched into this dream of a Nursing father The Ax that cut off the last King's head and a judge of wholesome food and poyson for his people he forced poyson for food upon the Scotch nation and upon that occasion was perswaded to maintain his stewards and cooks the Bishops by commencing and prosecuting those fatal Wars which by a naked hand from heaven justly pluckt up root and branch both Ceremonles Bishops and King together The sum of the second Question Whether the magistrate be not bound to advance the doctrine of Grace Quest 2. and 3. which doth advance the peace and prosperity of a Nation Of which nature is the third Question viz. Whether a Magistrate be not bound to advance that Godliness which giveth all good and happiness to a nation I answer and ask as before Whether Answ since Civil Magistracie is meerly civil and the power thereof derived from the People the fountain of it it will not appear that the Magistrate can no more judge authoritatively what is the doctrine of Grace what is the doctrine of Godliness no more I say then the people of each Nation in its national and natural capacity can be the primitive and original Iudges thereof and may therefore rightly delegate such a Spiritual power unto their Officers or Magistrates Secondly I ask Whether the proposer of these Questions intendeth not by the Magistrates advancing the doctrine of Grace and the doctrine of Godliness these two things 1. A National profession of the doctrine of Grace and the doctrine of Godliness 2. The advancing of such doctrines by the power of the civil Sword And if so as the scope of all the Questions seem to imply then Thirdly Whether there be any such thing to be found in the last Will and Testament of Christ Iesus as a National Church that is whether as the Land of Canaan was a Land holy unto God so any Nation as a Nation may lawfully pretend to be the Spouse and Wife and Body of Christ Jesus according to his own holy Order and Appointment Or rather Fourthly The world and Eng and in a national respect lies in wickedness Whether since the world lieth in wickedness dead in sins and trespasses c. since every Nation in the world is a part of it since such as fear God in a nation are distinguished from the Nation Act. 10 I ask Whether this Nation as a part of the World lieth not in the same estate of wickedness also more or less and the body of the people estranged from the life of grace and godliness notwithstanding that this body be sometimes clothed with the name of Christianity under sometimes a Popish and sometimes a Protestant fashion as it pleaseth God to permit the Sword to pretend to and advance its way of doctrine of grace and godliness And whether beside the common nature of mankind Four greatchanges of the Religion of this nation in abous 12 yeers space in Hen. 8. Edw. 6. Qu Mary and Qu. Elizabeth the wonderfull changes of Religion in other Nations and in none more then in this and that in the same individual persons in a few yeers do not make this undeniably evident and demonstrate For illustration I ask shether the Kings and Queens Parliaments and
such whose either consciences or necessities cannot permit them to practice that notorious Iudaism of Tythes The Nonconformers it 's true were sued and cast and paid but they were never so torn with the three-tooth'd Hook of Elies SOns the Treble da mages and oppressions I as therefore shat Grace what Godliness that is that teacheth us after all our our former sins and judgements and deliverances and vows to stop our Eares from the oppressed their Cries their Teares their Consciences and to imagine that our Commonweal our parliament our Counsel our Commonweal our parliament our Counsel our Army our Navy must prosper in our most knowne oppressings of Him whose is all power in Heaven and Earth the Son of God Christ Iesus The sum of the fourth Question Whether the Magistrate Quest 4 he not bound to love God and to advance his Glory true worship and service and the good of his people with all his might I ask Whether as before the Magistrate being the Civil officer of the People hath any Might Answ Authority or Power but what the People commit unto him And Whether any People will or can betrust such a Power to the civil magistrate to compel their Souls and consciences unto his Secondly Spiritual weapons and carnal compared Whether the Spirit of God speak not expresly that the Weapons of Christians are not Sword and Might but the Spirit and whether his Spiritual Weapons 2 Cor. 10. be not sufficiently and abundantly able and mighty to bring down every strong hold and every high thing and every imagination and thought to the obedience of Iesus Christ And Whether ever any carnal might ever did or can effect ought in Christianity but the storming of the Nations into an Antichristian Hypocrisie and Compliance Thirdly The woful effect of carnal weapons in Spirituals Whether this Principle of the Magistrates putting forth his carnal might in spirituals hath not constantly occasioned the Magistrate according to the mistakes of his owne conscience to promote Superstition and Idolatry And also hath rendred the strongest sword to be the measure and standard of all Religion in the World and the Magistrates thereof the Nimrods and mighty Hunters before the Lord Fourthly I ask Where Christ Iesus the onely Law-giver to Christians hath appointed in his holy Testament Christ Jesus not forgetful to furnish his kingdom with spiritual weapons the civil swrod the judge and defender of his Religion and Worship And why he hath not furnished his civil Magistrates of Iustice in the World with such hearts and spirits but contrarily hath call'd few of them to the profession of his Name And whether he hath not ever furnished and doth and will his spiritual Ministers and Messengers with spiritual might and power sufficiently and abundantly efficacious for the propagating of his holy Name and Truth and for the confounding of Antichrist and all Antichristians by the breath of his Mouth that two edged Sword of his Spirit Fifthly Whether Christianity did ever so flourish The sirst and last times of Constantine considered as when the people of God in the first 300 yers after Christ had no might but that of Christs spiritual weapons Ans when it pleased God to raise up Constantine to give some rest to his people from persecution whether Christianity did most flourish in the first time of Constantine when he with his Colleageue Licinius published the edict of Freedome of Religion to hissubjects or in his after-times when he compell'd all the World to Christianity but as is confest by many occasioned the World to put on the bare and empty name of Chrislian c. Lastly I ask Whether this Principle of the Magistrates employing the carnal sword or Might in spirituals The Carnal sword an Spirituats the occasion of so much bloodshed in former and in our late Wars have not in all Histories and Experience been the Firebrand which hath kindled such devouring flames of War about Religion in all both Popish and Protestant Countries And Whether it did not kindle our late Wars and occasion all the dreadfull Calamities between the Bishops and the Presbyters which proved fatal to the both And whether all these Experiences are not the voice of God out of the whirlwind to waken all the Magistrates of the World to keep within the Civil sphere of Civil Jurisdiction and Deminion The sum of the fifth Question Whether the people be not bound to pray for Magistrates Quest 5 that under them we may live a peaceable and quiet life in all Godliness and Honesty and whether the Magistrate is not bound to do that for which the People pray c. 1. I ask Answ Whether as some have urged these words godliness and honesty be rightly translated but rather upon a mistake in the Translation weakly made the ground for the Magistrates being the heeper of godliness in the first and honesty in the second Table 2. I ask The puring and pre-eminence the first Christian times To whom this direction of praying for Magistrates was given Whether they were not the first and purest Saints and those times the most glorious wherein the Saints enjoyed two such helps as no Christians ever since did First the presence of the holy Apostles or messengers of Christ Jesus amongst them Secondly the wonderful effusion of the holy Sourit of God in those rare and miraculous gifts and operations 1 Cor. 12. Now to imagine that those first Saints should pray for the Civil sword to defend I speak not of their persons but their godliness and suppress ungodliness c. doth it not imply this twofold strange and most unchristian Paradox First Two strange Paraderes that those Saints must imagine those Civil Magistrates to have a clearer sight in discerning and an higher Authority in judging of Godliness and Christianity then themselves and the Apostles of Christ Jesus who are call'd expresly the Ministerial Foundations of the Churches Fphes 2. Secondly That they being thus call'd of God and indued with the Spirit of God so savingly so miraculously yet should not be able to live in Godliness and the pure profession of Christ Jesus without the help of a carnal sword to preserve them pure establish and reform them c. Thirdly I ask therefore Whether the scope of the holy Exhortation be not this The scope of 1 Tim. 2. pray for Magistrates That those first Believers and all Believers in the Ages following should be much in prayer with God and not onely for themselves but for all men and especially for Magistrates the Chiefe of men 1. That such as were Gods Elect amongst them might be called 2. For the peace of the Nation and Cities wherein they lived and so consequently that God would gratiously guide the hearts of the Helms-men the Magistrates that the ships of the several states wherein the Saints as Passengers were imbarqued might Sail in peace and safety that in the peace thereof they might have peace according to the
the World Will they not be meer Skeletons Shadowes and Carkases without those living Demonstrations and miraculous appearances of God from first to last with that wonderful and typical People Shall we still take the Lord Iesus by force to make him a temporal King and a temporal Iudge Christ Jesus not a temporal King when he peremptorily refuseth and proclaimes that his Kingdome is not of this World c. Will not this be as Iob there saith to deny the God that is above or as the Word seems to cary it the God descending who hath ascended but first descended God in Flesh and dwelt in Flesh of the Lord Iesus Bodily and established a spiritual Kingdom in the Consciences and Worships and Conversations of Men c. And however the Devil despairing to destroy the appearance of God in Flesh either in the Person of Christs humane body or in his mystical Body his Saints by three hundred years persecution hath taken the advantage by the shining of Peace and Favour to the Saints by Constantine to turn the very World it self Christian designing under the Masks and Flag of the Christian name to conceal his Serpentine malice to pure and true Christianity and to effect that by the Roman Popes the Foxes which he could never do by the Roman Lyons the Emperours Yet I ask Shall Gods people still inhabit Babilon or confusion and darkly confound all the most holy Gods people commanded to disobey the civil power in Sptrituals most wise distinct appearances of God together and not rather listen to the holy Spirit of God in that absolute prohibition Col. 2 Let no man judge you in meats and drinks c. that is upon any Spiritual account and Consideration albeit in Civil affaires we ought to be judged and submit to every Ordinance or Creation of man for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2. Thirdly Two kinder of Idolatry I ask as before Whether the Gospel-light hath not discovered unto us more clearly at least then ever the Old Testament did at twofold Idolatry First Religious which is in a word the fearing or Worshipping of false Deities or Gods or Godheads which all the Nations all the World over live in Secondly Moral Idolatry which is Idolatry in the Hearts and Lives of all mankinde according to that of Paul to the Ephesians and Covetousness which is Idolatry c. According to this Distinction how are all the Nations of the World even that which is called Christian also or'e-spread with these Idolatries Yea and in lamentably too great a measure how are Gods owne people reported at least in the moral sence to be Idolatrous c. For If Coveting of Gold and Silver House and Lands The over-spreaing of Idolatry in England and all Nations be Idolatry and consequently all covetous actions such as raking lying stealing c. are acts of Idolatry in a Gospel-sense Then consequently the goings out of the heart in other Sins Pride Self-love Ambition Whoredom are Idolatry also and all the Acts attending such motions and desires Acts of Idolatry also in all the Inhabitants of the World and then especially and more eminently or rather odiously in such as profess the name of Christ Iesus Oh what an object of the Iealousie of the most High is this Idolatrous Ball of the Earth and even that part above all others which pretends the name of the Son of God and which yet above all others cries out against Idolaters c. Fourthly As to the Light of Nature discovering Idolatry I ask First If there be not a wonderful mistake a fallacie and snare in the term of expression Light of Nature 'T is true The Nature of Gods Children is Light Gods people in a glorious state of Light Ephes 5. Ye are light in the Lord and Phil. 2. They shin as Lights God is a Sun and shield unto them Christ Jesus is a Sun of Righteousness shining on them The holy Scripture is a Light and Lanterne to them The words of the Prophets as a Light shining in a dark place until the Day-star Christ Iesus arise spiritually in their hearts They have glorious promises that the Light of the Moon shall be as the Light of the Sun and the Light of the Sun seven times brighter They expect that time when they shall need no more Candle nor Sun but the Lord God and the Lamb will be their Light and knowing that Light is sown for the Righteous they expect and shall assuredly reap the Harvest of Light to all Eternity But what is this to corrupt Nature Light of Nature in spiritual things but darkness to dark Nature You were not onely in darkness and children of the night but darkness it self Ephes 5. And if that which we call Light in men be Darkness as the Lord Iesus speaks how great is that Darkness But if it be said that Iob and Paul say that the Light of Nature discovers Idolatry I ask Whether Iob say so expresly or by any consequence which may not rather be counterbalanced another way Or if Iob should say so whether upon an equal dispensation when in those times corporal Judgements and in Gospel-times spiritual Judgements are proper as in this very Rom. 1. is abundantly testified It is true as Solomon saith The Spirit of a man is the Candle of the Lord searching all the inward parts of the Belly It is an Excuser and an Accuser a Secretary a Sergeant an Adversary a Iudge an Executioner within the bosome of all mankinde But yet I ask What knowledg of God corrupt Nature may attain unto how far this Spirit of Man this Candle of Jehovah hath searched and doth or possibly may search into all the inward parts of the Belly or Hearts of man as touching this great mystery of true of false Deities and their respective Worships And I ask Where lies the Harmonie between these two Scriptures this of Rom. 2. When they knew God they glorified him not as God and that of 1 Cor. 1. The World by Wisdome knew not God And I ask If natural wisdome that Candle or Light remaining in man be not twofold Natural light twofold First That which is Common to all mankinde in general to the people the lowest the vulgar Secondly That which is more Noble and High The highest attainments of the highest sons of nature in spirituals in degrees refined and elevated by finer Animal Spirits by Education by Study by Observation by Experience And I ask Whether these highest Lights and greatest Candles can attaine by their utmost Activity to a true and saving and Gospel-knowledge even of God himselfe And therefore whether the place of Rom. 1. They knew God can amount unto more even in the Princes of natural knowledge Plato Seneca Aristotle c. but unto a confession of a Deity a Godhead above us in us about us an Invisible mighty power Creating Ruling Ordering all things as also a Conviction of Blessedness in the favour
the company of her Husband Yet who can be so impious against God and so unchristian and blasphemous against Christ Jesus as to question but that the most Civil and the severest Judge upon due Examination of the whole matter might rationally and judicionally have pronounced to have found no violence of Civility no wrong to the Bodies or Goods of any the proper object and cause of all Civil Officers but contrarily a most holy and glorious appearance of the living God and gloriously free from such Impurities with which even the Religion of whole Nations are defiled But The Extreme madness of the Religious zeal of men seldome but in extreams oh the madness of the Children of Men said I yea the precious Children of the very God of Heaven Into what furious Extremes do we leap and run into without the Light and Lanterne of the holy Spirit and Word of God not withstanding our great pretences of such pure Natures light For how fiery would we be to condemn such a Birth as spurious the Parents and the child unclean Bring her forth and burn her as Judah said of Thamar until we owne the Child in Religion ours the Mother 's ours c. And therefore againe how ready to sheath our swords in the bowels of the poor Iew or Gentile which cannot see with our Eyes and spectacles and believe this Child to be the Christ the true Messiah I profess my self unsatisfied as to the Baptisme and Dipping now used I abhor the debauchedness of those poor deluded high Attainers The Incivilities of the Ranters the Mad Folks as Master Pennington well calls them the Ranters And I praise God for the height and prudence of the State to prevent and punish the Practices and Doctrines of such Abominations c. But are there but one sort of Religious Mad Folks Ranters c. What is it but Ranting Reuters and Ranting more sores them one to call Fire from Heaven as the gratious Disciples of Christ Iesus did and may do because as they think men practice Incivilities against the light of Nature refusing to entertain the Son of God Christ Jesus What is it but Ranting to forbid the very casting out of Devils as done by Conjuration Heresie Blasphemy c. because these Exorcists these Castters out they follow not us our Way our Church our Faith our Worship c. Yea what is it but Rantisme May Consciences differing about the blood of Christ to sling stones at the Conscience of any perswaded to finde out the Blood of Christ in the way of dipping into Water or at the Conscience of the poor Iew accounting of that blood as false and Counterfeit or of the Papist perswaded that the Iewes are wanderers but that there 's need of Maries Milk to her Sons blood or at the Consciences of the Turkes the Persians the Pagans the millions of millions of millions of poor deluded Consciences whose oppositions the meek Lamb of God commandeth gently to be born and his Servants patiently to wait if yet it might please the God of Heaven to give Repentance and a Rescue from the snares and chaines of Satan and Destruction Yea If ever there was Ranting in this World what is it but the mad flinging about of Firebrands Arrows and Death which Solomon speaks of to fling all the World topsi-turvy and to Fire the Nations with uncivil and irreligious Heats Tumults Plundrings Ravishings Slaughters about the Hereticks the Blasphemers the Diablo's c. And therefore lastly I ask the Proposer The New Testament in case the Old were not of these Questions Whether in case it had pleased the Lord to conceal the Old Testament from us or that of the New bound up alone as it is frequently should fall into the hands of some people in the World I ask I say Whether therein Christ Iesus hath not left his Followers full and compleat and absolute Directions in all Cases I ask then in what part of his Testament hath he given the least Direction for the Civil Sword to be drawn in his Quarrel Christ Jesus no Author of civil force against the highest of his opposites and Blasphemers for the Body of any man to be afflicted for his sake and therefore in this case proclaims to his zealous Followers who in this case did not know of what Spirits they were that he came not to destroy mens Bodies no not for the highest Opposition made against him no not that of calling him Beelzebub and charging him with Sorcery and casting out of Devils by the Devil himself Yet I ask Whether in the very Old Testament it self such Persons such Nations aw were wholly Idolaters where punished even by David himself as the Moabites the Ammonites c. when they were subdued under him although in the Land of Canaan the onely Church in Covenant with God there were just Lawes in force against such sins and practices I therefore conclude with this Question Whe notwithstanding the Proposers plea of the qurity of the Gospel discovering Idolatry more clearly whether the Gospel and Covenant it self Christ Jesus have not expresly lockt up the hands of all that call his Lord and Master saying Let the Tares alone until the Harvest The sum of the fourteenth Question Whether Quest 14 since Idolatry brings plagues upon the people the Magistrate ought not to deliver the people from those plagues by removing Idolatry I ask First Answ since Idolatry is twofold as before Religious and Moral And making the Belly a God or Gold a God is as real Idolatry as the making of the sun a God and the honouring and loving and serving them before the true God is as real Idolatry as the worshipping of the sun or a Golden Image As also since Christ Iesus commands his people to separate from a Covetous person professing to be a brother in Christ Iesus 1 Cor. 5 With what face then before the flaming Eyes of Christ Iesus can we cry out so much against Idolatry in Worshipping and raise such Sormes and Tempests in the World about Idolatry c. When the whole World and each Nation and our Selves lie in the second kind of Idolatry of many sorts The World lies in Idolatry and this Nation and People Worshipping according to the several Lusts of the Eye the Flesh and the Pride of Life several sorts of Creatures before the Creator God blessed for evermore This kinde of Idolatry especially in Gods people and especially after so much light and experience from God the Lord abhors as much having commanded it not to be named among the Saints yea and in some respect above the grossest Idolatry of all the World beside What Antichristian Blindness and Madness is it therefore to cry out like the Spaniards and Portugals The greater Idolaters cry out against the less against the poor Indians Idolatry when besides their owne Images and Superstitions they were notorious worshippers of and bowed down to the Indians Gold
and Banquet And because three are not onely Rivers of pleasures at the right hand of God but Rivers of Fire and Brimstone for the obstinate they knowing these Terrours of God perswade and pull and compel poor sinners as Brands from the everlasting Burnings c. The sum of the twentieth Question Whether those portions of Scripture Quest 20 that contain principles necessary to Salvation deserve to be call'd and despised by the name of Forms and whether the Examiner think fit upon the title of formes to despise the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Iesus Heb. 6. 2. Whether if the Examiner were ready to starve or sick neer Death he would refuse Bread or Physick because they came in Formes 1. I ask Answ Whether the Proposer of these Questions have fairly collected from any words of the Examiner in the quoted ninth Section that the Examiner doth call any Principle necessary to Salvation or despise them under the name of Formes or doth despise those Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Heb. 6. under the title of Formes or whether he do simply or without all due consideration contend against the Title or the substance of a Forme For can it be supposed Of outward Forms of worship that the Examiner should plead so much for the Light of the holy Scripture and the holy Spirit of God and yet to want that light of Reason as not to know that form a dat esse and although there are very intricate Disputes de formie internis externis and whence the forms of creatures are produced to imagine that any thing in the world should have a being much less the best and perfectest spiritual and heavenly things and be formless or that there should be so much visible Acknowledgements service or Worship of God left in the world as of the Word and Prayer which the Examiner is known to approve and practise without some form and order without which it must prove a Chaos a Babel and confusion Besides Several sorts of Forms pretending all to be Christs are not these his very words excepted against Do yet make so much of outward Forms as to force men to bow down to them In which doth there not fairly seem to be couched this double Assertion First That there are many sorts of outward forms Forms of Confessions Forms of Prayers Formes of Churches Formes of Discipline Formes of Worship c. Secondly That every Sect and Sort are wofully apt to force one another to bow down unto their owne most excellent waies and manners of which they severally and respectively are so and so perswaded And is not this most wofully and lamentably true in all Nations in all Religions in all Sects of all sorts now extant among our selves and upon all the Face of the whole Earth Secondly I ask Of doctrâ—â—â— necessary 〈◊〉 â—â—â—vation If the Proposer walk not upon a most dangerous Bridge whiles he disputes of Principles necessary to Salvation And indeed whether both Papist and Protestant are not both in the woods while they force whole Nations to believe many Doctrines necessary to Salvation and yet wind up all in one viz. to believe as the Church believes For if they prove but obedient Sons to the doctrine of their Mother the Church although they wholly want the Life and Spirit of God their pretended Father yet how have such Children been ten thousand times more accepted then such who cannot see nor live but by their owne Eyes and Faith and desire to taste to examine and try all things and to hold fast that onely which they are perswaded comes from God Againe Fundamentals of Religon notwithstanding several numbers of Fundamentals which others both Papists and Protestants are pleased to assert Yet I ask what we think of the short word of the Lord Iesus Mark 16. 16. He that Believeth and is Baptized shall be saved yea whether upon the point the first of these two be not absolutely necessary because he pincheth onely upon not Believing as Damnable He that believeth not shall be damned And howsoever some grant that as to the visible profession of the Christian Religion It is dangerâ—â—â— to say with how little faith God will save a distinct knowledge of Christ Jesus is necessary Yet we know what is extant abroad of a possibility of Salvation without an express and distinct knowledge of the name of Christ according to that of Heb. 1. He that comes to God must believe that God is and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him And I ask Whether although it be a duty to work out Salvation with fear and trembling and to grow in the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Iesus yet is it not very presumptuous and dangerous to set a Neplus infra a stint and bound of so much Knowledge and so much grace of Christ as to the degrees of it without which there is no Salvation I ask Two of the Principles Heb. 6. of great controversie once more from that Heb. 6. VVhether although I question not but that both the Proposer and Examiner believe four of these Principles viz. Repentance Faith the Resurrection and Iudgement yet whether the Proposer be able to dissolve the doubts of thousands as to those other two the Doctrine of Baptismes and the Laying on of hands concerning which the more Conscientious and tender the People of God are about the true worship of God and Christ Jesus the more they finde their loss about the holy waies and means of it Thirdly I ask What have been most of all the Forms and Prescripts of Doctrine and worship since the great Apostacie and falling away but meer Formes and Pictures without the power and life of Godliness In which respect may I not say in the Language of Iames As the Body without the Spirit and Faith without works is dead So what have been the several National Models Platforms Frames and Forms The meer Formalities of State-Forms of worship of the Ecclesiastical Governments which the Fathers have built and the Children have broke either in the East or Western Churches even to the last and Youngest and Fairest of the Pictures but Pictures drawn to the Life and yet but liveless Pictures and Proforma I most humbly and thankfully acknowledge the Heavenly discoveries of many Truths of Iesus wrapt up confusedly even in Babylon it selfe and the people of the God of heaven with them from whence he hath and will gloriously redeem them both I acknowledge the several blessed degrees Gods light and Gods people wrapt up in the National Reformations and increasings of Light wrapt up in several Clouds of Reformations so call'd in our owne and other Nations I am far from imagining that people should hold nothing do nothing c. for I unfeignedly desire as the Scripture speaks in a Scripture-sence that all men might be saved That every Man were a Noble Man an ingenious Berean Examining by the Scriptures