servants nor yet without the Invitation and Admittance of the Governours of those Houses And then they are false witnesse bearers which in such a sense say They creep in And Secondly The truth is The Apostle saith Houses Addeth neither mens Houses nor private Houses and what are they that adde or take away from the words of Scripture as the Divell did in his Allegation thereof Deut. 4. Matt. 4.6 And is not the publick place where People meet to Worship God called a house also Joh. 2.16 And are not such as have not not the Word of Grace in their hearts and so want Authority from heaven and secretly get outward Authority and come into these Houses without the foreknowledge and desire of those that maintaine the same and meet therein to be their Teachers Creepers into Houses And can they that have the Word of Grace in their hearts occasionally Declaring it not presuming to be Teachers in these Houses without a lawfull outward Gall Act. 13.15 Nor in private Houses without the Admittance of the Governours of those houses Act. 10.33 Be said to creep into Houses let either right Reason or Religion judge this and how contrary it is to 1 Pet. 2.2,3,4,5,9 And as for this Grosse Interpretation for a mis-application to condemne the use of Spirituall gifts in Beleevers fellowship in the Gospel in Declaration of the same and praying together in mens houses Is it not contrary to the Spirit of Christ 1 Cor. 12.7 The Practise of Christ and his Apostles The end of Christ his Assention and giving of Spirit Ephes 4.7,12 and the growth of the body vers 16. Doth it not sad the hearts of Beleevers and strengthen the hands of unbeleevers Ezek. 33.3,22 Who receiveth it doth not the World 1 Joh. 4.5 Doth it not occasion some that sit in the gate to speake and doe that they should not against Beleevers and the Drunkards to make songs and the Hypocrites to make Jeasts of them and the Abjects to rave against them Psal 69.7,12 and 35.15,16 And while they would by this meanes engrosse all to themselves and exalt themselves as the onely Teachers Is not that verifyed in their teaching that is Prophecyed Ezek. 34.1,6 And are not their common Approvers those Prophecyed of 2 Tim. 4.3,4 And let but this corrupt Interpretation and mis-application be rejected And then this sense of the Word Houses may be added in the second place to that at first mentioned and stands well for receiving all that is said about this businesse Let the Scripture be viewed and so the place considered And then let any that will not wilfully blind themselves consider and give Answer as in their owne Conscience and Judgement they conceive And say 1. Who or of what Number are these Seducers to be reckoned and of what sort will you count the Seducers whether of those That 1. Love their owne selves such as are their Freinds of their owne sect and opinion Matt. 5.43,44 Or that 1. Love all men till they become of the Serpentine seed though enemies to them yet pittying them and seeking their good 2 Cor. 5.13,15 2. Mind and count earthy Riches Honours and Preferments 1 Tim. 6,5 Phil. 3.19,20 Rom. 8.5,6 2. Mind and seeke the things that are above spirituall and heavenly Col. 3.1,2 3. Are Boasters of their Sect and of their Knowledge parts places holinesse and Authority 1 Cor. 11.18 Jer. 9.23 Isai 65.15 3. Are Abasers of themselves in respect of all such humane things Prov. 30.2,3 Act. 3.12 1 Tim. 1.13,15 4. Are proud conceiting themselves better wiser and holyer then others standing upon their parts and places Ioh. 7.48,49 Luk. 18.11 4. Are humble conceiving themselves no better then others standing on no strength but the free-Grace Spirit and Power of God Rom. 3.9 2. and 1.3,5 5. Are Blasphemers of the Free-Grace and Doctrine and plain sayings of Christ in the Gospel and those that beleeve and hold forth the same Joh. 14.24 Mat. 27.63 Act. 26.24 and 28.22 5. Are magnifyers of the grace and Gospel of Christ and the truth of his sayings and blessers even of them that Persecute them 1 Cor. 15.14 2 Cor. 13.8 Rom. 12.14 6. Neglect naturall duty to Parents under pretence of Religious Acts. Mat. 15.4,5,6 6. Are carefull by all well-doing to gain in even their unbeleeving Parents Rom. 9.1 1 Cor. 9.22 1 Tim. 6.1 1 Pet. 3.1 7. Are unthankfull to GOD for his Love to mankind and those that bring the tidings thereof among men and for those that receive the same Joh. 10.32 7.48,49 Psal 2.2,3 7. Are thankfull for the Gospel declaring this love to mankind and for those that so preach it And for those that doe receive it Rom. 1.16 6.17 Col. 1.4,5 8. Are unholy or profane Despising their birth-right in the Gospel and living to themselves Heb. 12.16 8. Are holy in high estimate of the Gospel and their birth-right therein and living to Christ and to God in Christ in the service of his grace and Gospel 2 Cor. 5.15 Phil. 1.20,21 9. Are without naturall Affection not tendring men of their owne flesh and blood forbidding the Preaching of the Gospel to them that they might be saved Act. 17.24,27 1 Thes 2.15,16 9. Are compassionate towards all men of the same flesh and blood declaring the Gospel to them that they might be saved Heb. 2.14 2 Cor. 5.13,14 Tit. 3.2,3,4,5 10. Are Truce-breakers Departing from their Promises and practises of Peace and withdrawing others from their Concord in the Gospel Rom. 16.17,18 10. Are Makers of Peace in seeking that men might have Peace with God and with those that call on him with a pure heart and Peaceable towards all men Mat. 5.9 2 Tim. 2.22 Heb. 12.14 11. Are false accusers of the Doctrines Sayings and lives of such as Preach the Gospel plainly Rom. 3.5,8 Act. 6.13,14 11. Are no Accusers nor forgers or receivers of false Accusation only sober discerners juagers of that which on proof appears and by the Gospel is judged Mat. 7.16 1 Tim. 5.12 That are 12. Incontinent in inordinate desires after satisfying some lusts of the flesh Mat. 23.6,7 Or that are 12. Subdued in having such Affections and lusts of the flesh crucified and to accept Denialls Gal. 5.24 2 Cor. 6.8 13. Feirce and full of bitternesse and wrath in their oppositions of the truth and the publishers thereof Act. 7. 9.1 13. Patient and suffering Reproaches and afflictions entreating when defamed 2 Cor. 6.4.8 14. Dispisers of those that are good if not of their faction and jumpe with him in every opinion and practise Ioh. 7.49 9,16 14. Lovers and esteemers of the good or goodnesse in any Though different in some things both in opinion and Practise Rom. 14.1,9 15. Traytors that under pretense of submission and love seek to ensnare and betray those they pretend to love and honour Matt. 22.15,18 15. Plainly Declare their minde though they suffer and seek the good and not the overthrow and ruine of every or any one 2 Cor. 4.2 and 13.6 2 Thess 5.15 16. Heady proceeding according to will without cause or respect to right reasoning or duty 2 Thes 2.3 Matt. 27.23 16. Advised not proceeding but with good ground and warrant and with respect to right reason and duty 1 Sam. 17.29 Gal. 2.11 Tit. 1.13 17. High minded seeking great things and great respect for themselves in truding into the things they have not seen Mat. 23.6 Col. 2.18 17. Not seeking or advancing themselves but Christ Iesus the Lord nor presuming above the proportion of Faith given them 2 Cor. 4.5 Rom. 12.3 18. Lovers of Pleasures their owne Peace fulnesse ease and freedom from the sufferings of Christ more then they love God and his truth Phil. 3.18,19 Gal. 6.12 18. Indurers of hardship and patient Sufferers for Christ his Truth and People Gal. 6.14 2 Cor. 6.4,8 19. Contenters of themselves with a forme of godlinesse without yea denying the Power of it 2 Cor. 11.15 Gal. 6.13 19. Regarders of no forme of Godlinesse but what issues through faith in Christ from the Word and Spirit of grace in the heart 2 Cor. 3.1,3 18. Rom. 8.2 9,11.14 Now whether the Seducers in respect of outward and Ecclesiasticall Authority get in more secretly as they were faine to doe in in the Apostles dayes or more openly as they doe in the dayes the Apostle Prophesied of 2 Tim. 3.6.1 and 4.3 To teach in private or Publick Houses if any be doubtfull of which of these two sorts they are let him reade 2 Tim. 3.2,6 2. Againe who are they that creep into houses Publike or Private Those That are 1. Beleeve not the plaine sayings of Gospel and are not spiritually enlightened and taught of God and so have no mission from heaven Col. 2.18 Ioh. 17.9,18,20 Or 1. That have the word of grace in their heart Spiritually taught and so having Faith and Charity speake according to the proportion of Faith and so with mission from heaven Rom. 12.3 1 Pet. 4.10,11 1 Cor. 2.13 2 Cor. 5.19 2. Hide the Gospel and deliver their minds in subtill Questions and entising words of mans wisdome 2. That Deliver the Gospel in plaine words and according to the plaine sayings of Christ with evidence of Spirit 1 Cor. 2.1,6 2 Cor. 4.1,2 3. Or who doth the work of these Seducers Those that entangle with bondage or those that endeavour to bring to liberty in Christ And so it may be Demanded according to what is fore-mentioned in this wrighting by which all that know Beleeve the Scripture may give Answer so both truly discerne and say who these Seducers bee which may also 1. Warne all that beleeve and professe the Gospel to beware of these Seducers and of being spotted with their spots and of Inward and intimate fellowship with them or receiving their Peachings but the more abundantly to Preach the Gospel and contend for the faith 1 Tim. 6.3,5 2 Tim. 3.5 4.2,3,4 Jude 1,2,3,4 2. Stirre up all not to rest till they be established in the Faith That so they may be out of the Danger of being overcome by these Seducers Gal. 4.17 2 Pet. 1.10,19 3. Comfort us all that are establish in CHRIST These Seducers shall not carry away the least established babe 1 Pet. 1.3,5 and 2.2,9 with Matth. 16.16.18 Now the LORD establish us in CHRIST and Vnite and make us fruitfull in Him To whom be Glory for ever AMEN FINIS
A DISCOVERY OF SEDVCERS THAT CREEP INTO HOUSES Written by THO. MOORE Matth. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets that come to you in sheepes clothing but inwardly they are Ravening Wolves Printed in the Year 1646. THE EPISTLE Dear Christian and much esteemed Friend IT being the Will and Commandement of God concerning all Beleevers in respect of one another even all Beleevers where God affords them fellowship in the Gospel Phil. 1.5 To edifie themselves or one another in their must holy * Doth not the very Text of Scripture affirme all this Faith c. Jude 20,21 1 Thess 5.11 And this by Teaching Col. 3.16 Exhorting Heb. 3.13 Warning Comforting 1. Thess 5.11.14 Provoking c. Hebr. 10.24 And concerning unbeleevers That they hold forth the Word of life to them Phil. 2.15,16 And Jesus Christ having Ascended to his Fathers Right hand to give gifts * Saith not the Scripture all this Psal 68.18,20 to perfect his Saints for the work of the Ministery Eph. 4.12 And so given to every one of them some portion of his Spirit to Minister with Ephe. 4.7 1 Cor. 12.5.11 And avouched such whom Hee hath united to himself and endued with his Spirit To be spirituall * Is not this more plaine and full in the Scripture Priests The Priests of the Lord And that they shall build and repaire and men shall call them the Ministers of our God 1. Pet. 2.3,4,5 Isa 61.3,4,5,6 And the Holy Spirit Affirmed to be given to every Beleever To profit withall 1 Cor. 12.4,7 And that to this end That the Church of Beleevers or Body of Christ may be knit together and * Is not all this evident in the Scripture grow by that which every joynt supplyeth Eph. 4.15,16 And the Grace to Charity put in them moving that way 1 Cor. 5.11,14 Act. 26.29 And the word of Grace put in them having that in it that appertaines to all and makes them indebted to all 2. Cor. 5.19,20 Rom. 1.14,16 And the mercy shewne them a Patterne to be held forth for others incouragement 1 Tim. 1.15,16 For which causes They are also called Stewards in whom faithfulnesse is required 1 Pet. 4.10 1 Cor. 4.2 And the bounds of their ministration set forth Every man as he hath received the gift so Minister the some one to another If any man speake let him speak as the * Is not this also the language and Testimony of the Scripture Eccles 12.10 Oracles of God If any man minister let him doe it as of the Ability which God giveth 1 Pet. 4.10,11 According as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith Rom. 12.3 And this though they suffer for it 1 Pet. 4.12,13 with Act. 4.19,20 And the Doctrine also appointed them Even that which is written The Words and sayings of Christ in the Gospell Pro. 32,20,21 2 Joh. 9.10 Col. 3.16 1 Thes 4.18 In all which respects The whole Church on Earth is the light of the World Mat. 5.14 to hold forth the word of Life Phil. 3.16 Their Authority is from * Sure the Scripture shewes all this Heaven from God and Christ his Sonne and the holy Ghost by whom Christ hath put the word of Grace in their hearts 2 Cor. 5.18,19,20 6.1 1 Cor. 12. Jesus Christ having sent these into the World to minister the Gospel and prayed for them and sanctified them to that end Joh. 17.9.18,21 And borne witnesse of them by making knewne the Saviour of his knowledge And for all he ther to said many have writ as much Mr. Calvin lib. 4. of his Inst cap. 1 5.3 Vâ—…sin on Commun of Saints c. through them 2 Cor. 14. By which the Lord hath stamped his Authority for them in declare the Gospel as he gives occasion and â—ppartunity to them and by grace leades them Isa 61.3,6 Mr. Perkins on the Creed about our union with Christ and each other Mr. Bolton in his generall Directions for comfortable walking with God pag. 87 89. 25. 8. Joseph Bertham on Society of Saints p. 3. 4. 18. to 23. Doctor Scâ—ater 1 Thess 5.11 Bishop Jewell on the same Rich. Rogers 7. Treaties Tract 4. fol. 394 397. 398. Byfield on Coll. 1.4 3.16 4.2 Cooper Daily Sacrifice pag. 431. 432. Nicholaus bound Psal 119.13 Tindal Mat. 5.16 Erasmus Luk. 8.16 Wilson Dixionary pag 57. on 1 Pec. 2.17 and pag. 151. on 1 Thess 5.11 pages 280. 591. 858. 860. 612. Others might be named such as will may search and see this is no Novelty And this is that which gives and confirmes Authority to preach the Gospel Rom. 12.3 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4.12,16 â—…t for an Office outward for oversight of * See in all this Docter Fulk in Ans to the Rhemists on Rom. 10.15 To say nothing of Mr. Robison and Mr. Ainsworth because they were Separatists The Scripture sheweth all this to be no Novelty but Antient Truth Brethren and leading them in order and Attention to Ministration in such an Office The Lord hath set some for helps in Government 1 Cor. 12.28 for which bee hath appointed the Election of the Church And approbation of such in the Church as are fitted thereto without which Call to assume such an office is not according to God But with it To enter such an Office for any so fitted as formerly Is Landable But this outward Gall gives them neither the ability nor the authority to Preach the Gospel for that they had before else they erred that choose and called them 1 Tim. 3.2 Much lesse doth it Authorize them to stop the mouthes of them that teach right things but it outhoriceth them to a more peculiar watch and to attendance to Preaching to such And to lead to Minister in such and such an approved Order with such authority as may be seen 1 Tim. 3.4,5 2 Tim. â—… Tit. 1. And this full for the furtherance even of there brethrens usefulnesse in gifts 1 Tim. 4.12 2 Tim. 2.3 And this being so plain in the Scripture and so suitable too and set forth in the Gospel of Christ 〈…〉 How any such as professe themselves before others in the knowledge of the Gospel and saith in Christ should be so ignorant hereof As that with pretence of Câ—nscience of an outward Call though such as on the turning the winde they can renounce also To quench the Spirit in Beleevers and prohibit their obedience to the Commandements of God and the grace and Spirit of Christ And as many as doe not obey them rather then yea against God To call them Seducers and Creepers into Houses But Satan that taught that Man of sinne to put the Name of Bishops upon Tyrannicall worldly Lords and Governours and to put the name of Church upon such an order and Assemblies of Court and Convocations as were worldly and yet neither Church nor Common Wealth and to put the name of Godlinesse and Religious Devotion upon Idolatry and Superstition and the Name of CHRIST upon