superstitions and inventions in the room of them Christs Ordinances may and do still remain Christs Ordinances for matter and substance though in wrong hands and abused As the great Seale of the Kingdome is still the right and true Seale though in the hands of an usurping Lord Keeper and imployed to wrongfull ends Obj. But the Pope had another Key given him and other Officers as Locusts Revel. 9. Answ. Let it be so that another Key was given to the Pope viz. when he claimed to be an Universal Bishop Christs Vicar and the Head of the Church under him and so usurped an illimitted power in businesses secular and spiritual and that he had with all other Officers called Locusts viz. Monks Friars Priests Abbats Cardinals and the whole Popish Clergy yet with all subtilty he did retain the Key of Christs Discipline in Ordination Excommunication Suspension c. and made use of it to promote his own Kingdom yea and had for substance some of the Officers ordained by Christ such as were Preachers and Administrers of holy things in particular Congregations though under other names as Parsons and Vicars and not without some corruption in their admission and administration Notwithstanding as amongst all the corruptions under Popery Baptism for the substance remained true and right in as much as such as were baptized were baptized In the Name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost according to the form by Christ appointed Neither have any taught or affirmed That Baptism under Popery was or is null and to be repealed So for the substance a true and right Ministry might be and was there found viz. such a one as by which men were called and set aside to preach the Word and minister the holy things of God Object There was no other face of Officials among Papists but of these Locusts in Luthers time who himself was a Monk Answ. There was among Papists in and before Luthers time Officials as you stile them which are not to be reckoned among these Locusts but such as the holy Ghost in the Apocalyps doth honour and account of as true and worthy Ministers of Christ though what outward calling they had was from Popish Bishops and Presbyters and themselves were Monks and Friars or of some such Popish order It cannot be denied that many of those which during the Apostasie for twelve hundred and sixty years did stand up by Writing and Preaching to witnesse Truth against Popery were Bishops Priests Monks or Friars as in our England Bishop Grosted John Wickliff a Priest in other Countreys Taulerus a Preacher John Hus and Jerom of Prague Priests Savaralona a Monk and one Sylvester a Friar with many other the like All which notwithstanding that their Ordination was according to the times from Popish Bishops and their order superstitious yet the holy Ghost doth reckon of them as Christs faithfull Witnesses and so his true and lawfull Ministers and not any of those Locusts which came out of the smoke of the bottomlesse pit So Chap 1â— 6 8 9. there are three Angels which in course follow one another preaching the Gospel and declaiming against Babylon and the Beast Who are these now Not proper Angels coming from heaven but rather according to the currant of Interpreters a series and rank of Ministers which were raised up by the Lord by their preaching to make way for the ruine of the Pope and restoring the Church such as by some learned men are named in particular viz. Ockam John of Gaunt Dantes our John Wickliff John Hus Jerom of Prague Luther men that lived in the Church of Rome had their external calling from that Church were of some of their Popish orders and yet are acknowledged to be Angels as well as those of the seven Churches of Asia that is true Ministers of Christ raised sent and authorized by him It doth not then derogate from the truth of an official Ministry if he be a sound Preacher of the Gospel that a man hath been ordained thereunto by a Bishop Popish not only in regard of the Office but in Doctrine also But this acknowledgment of such for Angels doth approve such Ordination good for substance though in some things it be corrupt and defective as before I said of baptizing It is then a frivolous cavil and which by this sentence of the holy Ghost is put to silence that men make against our English Ministers as Antichristian because ordained by Bishops when such so ordained are called Angels and their Ordination is conferted on them by Bishops which were sound in the profession of the Gospel Presbyters and Preachers of the Gospel and in the worke did joyne other Presbyters with them Object But the visible Church it self failed which is the foundation of these Officials and latter Ordinances and so these must needs fail Answ. This is somewhat indeed Nay so much as will carry the cause if it be made good It is not true as is before shewed That the visible Church is the foundation of these Officials or latter Ordinances but Christs Institution and promise but the visible Church is invested with a power and right to use them and that onely and not any other civil or heretical Society and for the Churches good and service they were by Christ appointed So that if there were in those times of the Apostasie no visible Church it may be granted that they failed since there was no Church which had power to use them or for whose service they were to be used But me thinks for you to say That the visible Church hath failed is much one as if you should affirm That the pillars of the earth were broken down and overthrown For the visible Church standeth on as firm a foundation as they that is Gods Ordinance Power and Faithfulness Concerning which point by a visible Church may be meant a company of Christians with their seed joyned together in one place and setled in a right and compleat order for the worship of God and exercise of all Gods Ordinances Now that there hath been such a visible Church all along the Apostasie in any one place or in many places successively cannot I think easily be shewed nor is it needfull for this matter to be proved Next by a visible Church may be meant a company of persons professing the true Religion abstaining from false worship and worshipping God in a pure way though for the most dispersed in sundry places and meetings for Gods worship but in small companies Such a Church of God certainly hath been and shall be perpetual Such a Church of God there was in Israel under their great Apostasie viz. A company that did not bow the knee to Baal 1 King 18. 19. and did in solemn times meet for the main parts of Gods worship as hearing of his Word and Prayer 2 Kings 4. 23. though not for Sacrifice which ordinarily was onely to be offered at the Temple Such a one was there under the Babylonish Captivity
in which state the Jews could not assemble as in their own Land to the Temple to perform all Gods service but as they were scattered into several Cities and Towns could onely where they were make open profession of their Religion and in smaller companies meet together for the Word and prayer and such main parts of Gods worship And such a one also hath continued under the Popish defection To speak to which Point somewhat more largely I affirm First That there never was nor ever will be an utter failing of Christs visible Church It is prophesied of Christ That he shall sit upon the Throne of David and his Kingdom to order and stablish it with judgement and iustice from henceforth even for ever Isa. 9. And what is this Throne and Kingdome of David but Christs visible Church in which Christ is to sit and reign visibly as David did in his Kingdom and that for ever It is written Dan. 2. 44 That the God of heaven should set up a Kingdom which should never be destroyed And what can this be meant of but of Gods visible Church set up in the view of the world as those earthly Kingdoms were which it should break and destroy but it self stand for ever But if this Church have at any time wholly failed it hath not stood nor doth stand for ever but hath been destroyed 3. Christ is set up by God his Father with power and a command given him To rule in the midst of his enemies Psal. 110. 2. which how should he do if his enemies should so farre prevail as to abolish his visible Church in which he is to reign Besides these are Relatives and depend one upon another a King and Kingdom an Head and Body Husband and Spouse And what is Christs Kingdom Body Spouse here in the world as we have afore-said but his visible Church So that it failing Christ should cease to be a King Head or Husband in the view of men or be a King without a Kingdome a Head without a Body an Husband without a Wife or as it were a forlorn Widower Lastly Christ is the same yesterday to day and so for ever Heb. 13. 8. As therefore of old he hath had a visible Church so ought he to have in these latter times now and for ever If at any time he were or be without it he is not the same but undergoeth a notable alteration in respect of this estate and relation It will not salve the matter to say That his invisible Church never failed and so that his Kingdom Headship c. did and doth ever continue for they are visible things whereby the relation between him and his Church are deciphered and so in all reason point out the visible state of the Church 2. The Church invisible as so is unknown and wholly unseen to men and Christs invisible Rule and Government over them cannot by men be discerned And what honour were this then to Christ in the world to rule only invisibly of which men can take no knowledge 3. Wheresoever Christ hath an invisible Church there will a visible Church appear for where true faith is it will not be hid but manifest it self to the world by open profession and so those that are members of the invisible Church will become visible to the world Secondly I affirm That Christs visible Church never wholly failed under Antichrists Apostacy It was sometimes lesse for the Territories it occupied then at some other time sometime more hid and lesse conspicuous for its shew unto the world but it was ever extant and so extant that it appeared unto men both in particular members and in companies belonging thereto by their profession of the true faith witnessing against errours worshipping God and suffering for the Gospel though not so acknowledged by the Antichristian rabble 1. There were two Witnesses of Christ all the time of Antichrists Reign Revel 11. 3. and what were they but a company of Preachers and Professors which all that time successively witnessed for Christs truth against Popery whose profession as it was open and manifest so did it declare to the world that Christ had a company which professed his truth and that they did belong thereunto 2. There were Saints so manifesting themselves by life and profession so discovered by the Beast and Whore by their opposition which they made to their wayes against which the Beast made warre and overcame them Revel. 13. 7. And with whose bloud the Whore was drunken Revel. 17. 6. Yet so that all Christs Saints were not destroyed but some being slain others arose in their rooms or continued other where so still to uphold the profession of the Gospel Now where visible Saints are as we do see here were under Antichrist that professe true religion and worship there is a visible Church 3. There was by S. John during the Apostasie seen on Mount Sion with the Lamb a hundred fourty four thousand Revel 14. 1. whose description is such as sheweth that Christ in them during that time had a visible Church For 1. They had their fathers i. e. Gods name written in their fore heads vers. 1. that is they made open profession of his true Religion 2. They did exercise themselves in singing before the Throne the Elders and the Beasts vers. 3. And what is that but that they worshipped God together in holy Assemblies 3. They were not desiled with women ver. 4. but were virgins that is they kept themselves from being polluted with the spirituall whoredom I mean the Idolatry of the times And now tell me Are not such companies as openly professe true Religion worship God in holy meetings and preserve themselves from common Idolatry visible Churches what else can you make of them Surely they are neither Synagogues of Satan nor confusions of Babylon Lastly There was a Temple during the time of the Apostasie in which also there was a company that did worship Revel. 11. 1. And what was this but the true Church of Christ and the same visible For it was measured Now measurement is of things visible not invisible Again while the Apostasie lasted Saint John saw a Temple in which Angels were conversant and with them no doubt other worshippers Revel 14. 15 17 18. Yea he saw this Temple opened Chap. 15. 5. in heaven before the seven last plagues were fulfilled It seems that for the greatest part of the Apostasie this Temple was somewhat secret and hidden yet not so but that it was visible also in some that worshipped in it and some open Professors of the Gospel But withall it became more open and manifestly visible upon the Reformation which was made by those worthy and godly Ministers whom God raised some hundred years ago and so hath been ever since more visible and conspicuous so far is it from being utterly lost and extinct Object But all this while onely asealed elect number remained Rev. 7. 3 c. 9. 4. Answ. If you mean that there
were none that made any visible profession of true Religion but those sealed ones you say that beside the book and without proof For those sealed ones were as you truly say elect and saved ones Now in all ages many more have made profession of Religion then the elect of God Many are called few are chosen Matth. 20. 16. And so here it is clear that during the time especially at the beginning of the defection as in Jerusalem Ezek. 9. Besides the godly mourners which were marked in the fore-head there were sundry that made profession of the Jewish Religion and were visible Members though not living Members of the Church So during this Apostasie beside these sealed ones there were many that did professe the Christian Religion aright for the substance and helpe to make up a visible Church Secondly If there were none else yet that doth not prove that the visible Church did utterly fail For even out of that number visible Churches in sundry places and several Ages in which successively they lived might well be and were constituted as which were a company sealed in the fore-head and making open profession of Christ and his Gospel in the Places where and in the Ages when they lived Two things are about them to be taken notice of 1. That they were a sealed number which doth import thus much That in that great defection in which the greatest part of men perished eternally by wondering after and worshipping the Beast Yet there was a chosen number that were saved that is these sealed ones and none but they though there were many besides them which made visible profession of the Gospel 2. That they were sealed in the fore-head which shews that while the whole earth almost did worship the Beast yet there was a great number in those times that did not defile themselves with that Idolatry but did openly maintain and professe the true faith of Christ and worship of God among which was found a visible Church For a Conclusion you adde That these latter Ordinances have a being in the Scripture and in the minde and desire of the faithfull and that you carry them along with you as the Israelites did of old the vessels of the Lord but that you dare not officiate with them as being in the Territories of Babylon untill you be past Euphrates Answ. What Ordinances are instituted and commanded in Scripture as you say they are for how else have they a being there but by institution and command Gods people are bound to practise them in all times and places unlesse by some external violence of persecution or so they be letted They must observe all things which Christ hath commanded Matth. 28. 20. It will not then serve your turn that you carry them along with you in your minde and desire unlesse you officiate with them as you phrase it Nor will the example of the Israelites help here who used not the vessels of the Lord for any holy service while they were in the way to Sion Of which the reason is very plain for their use was confined to a certain place viz. The Temple at Jerusalem and might not elsewhere be used But so are not any Gospel-Ordinances with which God may now be worshipped in any place John 4. 21 23. And if you purpose to forbear the use of them untill you be past Euphrates I would gladly learn from you what this Euphrates is How farre from it or near to it we be As Irenaeus above said of Prophecies not fulfilled That they are dark and so doubtfull Riddles unto men so about this as not accomplished in your own judgement I finde Interpreters so to vary that I know not where to fix my foot Presume not too much of your own insight into such mystical Prophecies above other godly and learned men but whatsoever your conceit be of it count it but as a conjecture and be content with us in sobriety and humility to wait untill the Lord shall accomplish it and by a clear event reveal to us the meaning of it And thus having said somewhat to most of your new conceits I should here have ended but that there cometh to minde an argument of some weight with the particulars of it much making against your new way which I desire to profer to your consideration It is thus What Way or opinion is contrary to any of the ten Commandments any Petition of the Lords-Prayer any commanded Duty and to the furtherance of mens salvation cannot be of Christ but may justly be deemed Antichristian Such is this of yours which denies the setting up of visible Churches in right order official Ministry and calling thereunto and the exercise of Discipline and therefore it cannot be of God but a spirit of Antichrist is in it To make good the Minor of which onely the doubt can be It is First Contrary to the second Commandment As the negative of that Commandment doth forbid unto men all false and devised means of Gods worship so the affirmative according to the received rule of interpreting the Commandments doth command to us the use of all means of worship appointed by the Lord Now the Lord hath appointed for that purpose two sorts of means the one more principall as directly tending to the exercise and nourishing of Faith Hope and Love viz. Preaching the Word administration of Sacraments publick Prayer The other lesse principall as conducing to the right use of the former and tending to Gods worship as their proper end such are Church-societies official-Ministry and a due Calling to it exercise of Discipline which that Commandment doth enjoyn as well as the former and which cannot be wittingly and commonly omitted without breach of it Secondly It is against the fourth Commandment which as it commandeth the sanctifying of the Sabbath so according to the right interpreting of the Commandments doth it withall prescribe and enjoyn the use of all means that are profitable to the better sanctifying of it And who can deny who is not wilfully wedded to his self-conceit that gathering and ordering Churches in distinct societies and an official Ministery rightly called doth much avail hereunto and that the Lords-day is much better sanctified in such Societies and such a Ministry then in confused Assemblies that are without order and without any orderly Ministry Now the ten Commandments are moral perpetual and binde alwayes Secondly It is against the two first Petitions of the Lords Prayer wherein we are taught to pray That Gods name may be hallowed Secondly That his Kingdom may come Now what we ought to pray for it is our duty to pursue the promoting of it by all Gods means for to pray for this or that and not to apply our selves to the use of all good means to obtain or promote it is to dally with God and to mock him Now the setting up of visible Churches of an orderly Ministery and Discipline doe serve very much to the sanctifying of Gods name and promoting
view of all the Israelites so those Books of Scripture though I exclude none which are plainest and most obvious to the understanding of all Christians are specially to be accounted as our pillar of cloud and fire to direct us how and where in all ages we should follow the Lamb Thirdly It is strange to me that you should affirm That the foundation of the Beast doth consist in an usurped power of Church-Discipline footed on mans will without Gods call It is true that what Discipline is exercised only on mans will without Gods call is bestial as you term it and Antichristian As 1. That which for the thing it self was wholly invented by Antichrist not being once mentioned in the Gospel such was amongst others the Popes interdicting of whole Realms for having any service of God used in them upon their offending against his commands and Ordinances 2. And if for the matter it self it were Christs Discipline yet it was managed not by the hands of Christs Officers but of Antichrist and against Christs faithfull servants such was Excommunication exercised by the Pope papal Bishops Commissaries and the like Notwithstanding Discipline nor the usurped power of it cannot be the foundation of the Beast There are three things in Christian and so in Antichristian Religion Doctrine Worship and Discipline and these so answer one another that look what place any one of them hath in the one the same it hath in the other Religion Now none ever did or can affirm Discipline to be the foundation of Christian Religion it is but as the roof or at best but as the wals of it and serves to beautifie or to guard and preserve it It is sound Doctrine in the principles of faith that is the foundation of Christian Religion 1 Cor 3. 11. So it is the false Doctrine of the Roman Church that is the foundation of the Beast and Antichristian Religion And this the Apostle S. John doth teach 1 Joh 4. 23. Every one that confesseth Christ to be come in the flesh is of God but every one that denieth Christ to be come in the flesh is not of God this is the spirit of Antichrist It is in effect as much as if he had said Sound Doctrine concerning Christ his Nature Person and Offices is the main ground and mark of Christian Religion and false doctrine touching these things the principal note and ground of Antichristian Religion Besides the Popes extravagant exercise of Discipline in excommunicating suspending c. not onely single persons but whole Nations and disposing all Church-dignities c. was founded on that false Doctrine which was first laid That the Pope was an Vniversal Bishop Vicar of Christ and the visible Head of the Church Doctrine then is the foundation of the Beast and not the usurped power of Church-Discipline Lastly None can comply with the Beast in the foundation of his estate without losse of his salvation as who doth lie and relie on some other besides the onely foundation of salvation which is Jesus Christ and worshippeth the Beast in acknowledging him for the Vicar of Christ in the Church and supreme Head under him and submits to his Decrees and new Articles of faith But many may and have too much complied with the Beast in the exercise of Discipline viz. Excommunication Suspension Ordination c managing it in a Popish manner whom yet we have just cause to acknowledge and should deal most uncharitably not to acknowledge for the main to have been godly Christians and out of doubt saved Such as were those Diocesan Bishops in Queen Maries dayes Ridley Latimer Hooper c. and Grindal Jewel and others in Queen Elizabeths Reign Fourthly It is a new conceit not heard of before among Interpreters of the Apocalyps and which I cannot imbrace That in these our times we are called onely to separating from Babylon and rewarding her so that upon separating from her if Gods people go further as to set up reformed Churches and gather themselves into Church-order it is in your opinion against or at least without Gods command But First This is a course flat contrary to that which the Lord hath followed and prescribed to his people in former times whose separation from Idolaters and prophane Nations was still accompanied with a present setting up of a Church-society for Gods service and mutual edification No sooner did God call Abraham out of his idolatrous Countrey but he set up a visible Church in his Family teaching him to call on God and set up alturs for his Worship Gen. 12. 8 and furnishing him with some power of Discipline Genes 17. 14. and 18. 19. So when the Lord brought the Israelites out of Aegypt he brought them not out to wander up and down as a confused multitude but within short time formed them into a Church and within a year or thereabouts gave them the Law furnished them with a Tabernacle Sacrifices Ministry and Ordinances of all sorts This did the Jews also upon their return out of Babylon take to be their duty in a Church-way to set up Gods worship in building the Temple providing Sacrifices restoring the Ministery and ordering means for them And when the Jews slacked their hand this way upon a pretence that the due time to build the house of God was not yet come much like as you now say it is not yet time to set up visible Churches or Church-Discipline they were reproved for the slacknesse and vain pretence by the Prophet Haggai Hag. 1. 3 5. And did not the Apostles the like also at the first preaching of the Gospel so call men from Paganism and Judaism as those that did separate from them and imbrace the Gospel were with all convenient speed gathered and formed into Christian Churches to exercise Gods Worship and Discipline among themselves And what sound reason can be given why the separation Gods people are called to Revel. 18. 4. should not be thus presently followed with joyning together in visible Churches to serve God aright and enjoy all his Ordinances but that they must remain a separated people without any Church-order among themselves untill all the vials be poured out that is none knows how long Secondly This is against a common rule for interpretation of Scripture Among which rules this is an approved one That what Scripture doth command the avoiding any thing as evil the same doth virtually command the pursuing of the contrary good Hence commonly those two commands go together Flee evil and follow good Psal. 34. 14. Isa. 16. 17. Rom. 12. 9. and in many other places The reason whereof is plain because as the perfection of a good tree is not in wanting bad fruit but in bearing good so the true goodnesse of a Christian is not in forbearing evil but in doing good This then is certain that the voice from Heaven which cals Gods people to depart from Babylon as idolatrous and to keep themselves from her sins doth virtually call upon them
his Kingdom for they are Gods Ordinances in appointing which his soveraign Power Wisdom and Goodnesse are set forth Secondly Particularly in and by a visible Church his Worship is upheld among men his Religion is professed and the Doctrine of the Gospel published It is therefore called The Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. In and by an orderly Ministery the due honour and authority of that calling is maintained Gods holy things are ministred with the more assurance of Gods acceptation and hope of his blessing of them By Discipline scandals are prevented or healed and licentious living much restrained To deny therefore these things as unseasonable and so now unlawfull is to hinder the sanctifying of Gods Name and advancing of his Kingdome Thirdly It is against the Commandment of Christ concerning scandals which all Christians are bound to doe their endeavour to prevent or take away and for which Discipline by Christ is ordained the speciall Remedy which since you oppose what doe you but set your selfe against this command of Christ and open a Gate for sinnefull Liberty in erroneous Doctrine and loosenesse of Conversation Lastly It is prejudicial to mans Salvation which no rational man can or will deny must needs be better furthered in a setled Society of Saints under a constant Ministery and due exercise of Discipline then where none of these are But either an utter rejection of them or confusion in them And thus you have my Notions touching your new Revelations for which I have made you long to wait If you impute it to my dulnesse or sluggishnesse I will not deny it I am I confesse a man but of a dull apprehension and slow motion But I can more truely ascribe it to my late domestick troubles and sicknesse which I did slowly recover and to my want of time who have but by-times for such studies my greatest time being taken up with my School And to my pains which I have been fain to take in writing out more then one copy Now for conclusion I will onely adde a saying which Saint Augustine used unto one with whom he had debated some controversie by writing Vbiparitâ—r haesitas nobiscum quaeras nobiscum ubi pariter certus es nobiscum pergas nobiscum ubi tuum errorem cognoveris redeas ad nos ubi nostrum revoces nos Where you are in some doubt with us enquire with us where you are alike certain with us go on with us where you shall perceive your errour return to us where ours recall us And thus hoping that you will not take that with the left hand of mis-interpretation which I reach unto you with the right of good affection I rest Your truly loving and much well-wishing Friend in the Lord John Elmestone A Postscript WHat place of the Apocalyps I have before but touched upon I think meet again to propound for further consideration It is Chap. 15. 23. there John saw a sea of glasse mingled with fire and multitudes standing by it which had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his Mark and over the number of his Name having Harps of God and singing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb Now I desire to know who these can be but the reformed Ministers and people that at the first Reformation for John saw them before the Vials began to be poured out renounced the Pope and Popery and set up the pure Worship of God and sound Doctrine of the Gospel meant by the sea of Glasse there mentioned If this be so as surely it is I ask 1. How those reformed Churches then or ours in these times which are more reformed or their Ministery can be affirmed to be bestial and Antichristian when the holy Ghost doth testifie for them that they had gotten the victory over the Beast his Image Mark and the very number of his Name 2. Whether it be not a slander partly coming from ignorance partly from malice to brand the Ordination of our Ministers though by Bishops much more when done by preaching Presbyters as now is in use with fasting and prayer as a mark of the Beast when it is so plainly said that all they i. e. Ministers as well as people had got the victory over the mark of the Beast in expresse terms 3. Whether the reformed Churches which got such a victory over all these yea even the number of the Beast his Name have not cast off their Babylonish Garments For what remains of that Garment where the Beast his Image Mark and Number of his Name are cashiered 4. Whether it be not a perverse practice to reject singing of Psalms in Church-meetings for Gods service whenas that company which was with the Lamb on Mount Sion Revel. 14. 3. and this by the sea of Glasse Verse 3. are praised for giving this Worship to the Lord Lastly There are some passages in your Letter seem to have slipped from you at unwares as That Teaching and Baptisme was everlasting That Prayer was alwayes That you are in a return from Babylon and yet are within the Territories of Babylon a speech which I cannot handsomly reconcile being meant of a spiritual departure from her Vive vale siquid novisti rectius istis Candidus imperti sinon his utere mecum Live and farewell if any thing you know Righter then these friendly do them bestow On me I pray if not then lo with me Make use of these which to you offer'd be A Postscript Reader I Would have thee know that M. Henden hath sent me an Answer unto this my last here printed large enough in words if as solid in Truth to the which I have begun some Reply and the Lord affording me strength and life mean to go thorow with it But in this businesse it much increaseth my labour that he hath sent to me a Copy in many places so closely written so often interlined and much blotted that in such places mine eyes thorow age being dim I cannot make out his full sense and meaning I moved himtherefore by Letter either for a fairer Copie on to print it as sometimes I was told was his intent To this request made a moneth since I can have no sair answer but what uncertain report brings me that I must content my self with that Copy as being not like to have any other from him This then is one main cause of my publishing these forâ—er passages between us that I may provoke M. Henden in like sort to publish his last writing that the Christian world may the better know the whole mystery of his new way and I may have a more plain Copy to inform my self and ground to proceed on in my intended Answer This is all and so I commend all to their impartial scanning by the word of truth J. E. FINIS The Printer to the Reader COurteom Reader Thou art desired to take notice that there are lately come out partly concerning the same subject viz. 1 A learned and full Answer to a Treatise entituled The Vanity of childish Baptism wherein the several Arguments brought to overthrow the lawfulnesse of Infants-Baptism together with the Answers to those Arguments maintaining its lawfulnesse are duly examined as also the Question concerning the necessity of dipping in Baptism is fully discussed By W. Cook Minister of the Word of God at Wroxal in Warwickshire 2. Vindiciae Redemptienis in the fanning and sifting of Sam. Oats his Exposition upon Mat. 13. 44. with a faithfull search after our Lords meaning in his two Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl endeavoured in several Sermons upon Mat. 13. 44 45. by John Stalham Pastor of the Church at Terling in Essex 3. The summe of a conference at Terling in Essex held between three Ministers John Stalham John Newton Enoch Gray of Terling of Little Baddo of Wickam Opponents pleading for Infant-Baptism and two Cata-Baptists Timotheus Bat Physician Thomas Lamb Sope-boiler of London Respondents denying Infants-Baptism John Geree's Sifters Sieve broken or a Reply to D. Boughers sisting my Case of conscience touching the Kings Coronation oath Two Books of his in Defence of Infants-Baptism in answer to M. Tombs Objections c. 4â— M. Nehemiah Rogers a learned and reverend Divine now of New England discovering the cause of Gods continuing his wrath against this Nation All to be sold at the Crane in Pauls Church-yard See John Hollands Paper of the Ranters * Pardon the simile the man is unlike Ovid Meta. 3. * This in Mr Henden was quoted Isa. 66. for 56. which errour I not finding out said nothing in this writing to that place