his Apostles holding forth good news to all people Or whether it bee not a reviving of the old doctrine of Justification by works wherein the mystery of iniquity worketh to darken the grace of God in justifying the ungodly without works freely and to make void the sufferings of Christ Rom. 3.24 and the 4. Chap. 5. Gal. 3.1 Twelfthly Whether the light that is in every man doth reveal Jesus Christ as crucified for sin and risen again If so How came it to pass that so many strict men among the Philosophers Acts 23.1 Act. 26.9 1 Tim. 1.13 and Paul himself walking according to his conscience before conversion were ignorant of him 13 Whether you have not among you many who presume to be Masters or Masterly teachers contrary to that word of Christ Matth. 23.10 in the true intent of it Do they not usurp authority over the judgement and conscience of their followers requiring them to beleeve and obey what they say without asking their meaning and examining their sayings by the Scriptures whereas Christ expounded his sayings as occasion was offered and need required to his Disciples and the Bereans are commended for searching the Scriptures daily whether the things spoken by the Apostle were so Matth. 13.18 19.36 37 c. 14 Whether it bee not high presumption and spiritual pride for some among you to break Christs commands and teach men so and to judge as many do the secrets of mens hearts and rashly without knowledge of mens conversations to affirm that they have not the Spirit If the Spirit of God witness with their spirits as I doubt not but it doth with divers of them you so judge that they have the Spirit of God and the work of regeneration witnessing thereunto may they not by your bold judgement to the contrary know how to judge of you 15 Whether do you not esteem the sayings of some among you of equal authority with the sayings of God in Scripture and as readily or more to be beleeved and obeyed without any inquiry whether they agree with Scripture or no even although they plainly contradict the written word Is it not an usual thing with many of you to travel up and down to and fro far and neer to the wearying of your flesh and neglecting your relations in obedience to such voyces or sayings not warranted by Scripture but contrary thereunto yet in many things of this kind wherein some of you seem to glory the Papists themselves out-strip you only they are more modest than to go naked And who hath required these things of any of you 16 Whether Satan that old deceiver who often changes his shapes being discovered in many of his old devices may not now be expected to come in his best dress as an Angel of light and being discovered in his old Antichristian forms and in rude ranting now to come with power and seeming purity shewing signs and wonders to seduce from the plain simplicity of the Gospel of Christ according to those descriptions of his coming and working 2 Thess 2.8 9. Mark 13.22 2 Cor. 11.3.14 And if so ought not all men to take heed how they beleeve every spirit or powerful motion to bee of God as also how they hear 1 Joh. 4.1 and follow every Prophet that comes in sheeps cloathing and pretends to come with light And are not those in the way to be easily seduced who are so taken with the fair covering and outside carriage of persons as to imbrace their principles without a serious spiritual Scripture-trial of them Whereas we are commanded If any man bring not this doctrine receive him not 2 Epist Joh. 10. And Solomon saith The simple beleeveth every word but the prudent man looks well to his goings Prov. 14.15 FINIS Reader By reason of the Authors absence at the entrance of this Book into the Presse and notwithstanding all the care taken afterwards many faults have escaped some of the chief of which are here noted the rest thou art desired to correct with thy own pen. Errata IN the Epistle to those in Babylon blot out And for p. 1. l. 20. for also r. so p. 2. l. 9. blot out yeâ— p. 4. l. 5. blot out ought p. 5. l. 10. r. Jer. 51. l. 13. r. Is 59. p. 7. l. 4. leave out from many promises to Beleevers l. 9. r. since l. 16. leave out that p. 10. l. 10. for graces r. grace p. 20. l. 24. for light r. like In the Margent of page the 11. read Religious Scots
Babylon as also in those endeavours for reformation in apparell wherein opposition is made against one not the least of her evills That which is added in those Quaeries to the Quakers serves for the discovery of Satan transforming himselfe into an Angel of light It is no new thing for scornfull men to set light by plain testimonies against their abominations and lay a snare for him that reprooveth in the gate f Isay 29.20 21. making a man an offender for a word if such shall count mee vile for this work I shall not thinke it strange If the Lord shall make it appeare that the least of the poore of his flock receive light and reape benefit hereby and give the glory to him I shall rejoyce therein Although my service to Christ in this or any thing I can doe be but small I am comforted in beleeving that there shall a time come and that it s not farre off when God shall reward his servants not onely the great but the small g Rev. 11.18 The high esteeme I have of the prayers of the Saints together with a deepe sence of my need of fresh supplyes of grace put mee upon this humble suit to you who are the seede of Jacob that after your supplications to the Lord for all Saints hee may obtaine a speciall remembrance who is unworthy to be accounted The least of those who follow the Lambe J. P. A word of Exhortation To the people of God in Babylon Deare Friends I Beseech you in the bowells of Christ consider that like as it was a singular act of Gods grace to warne Lott to come out of Sodom when fire and brimstone was ready to come downe upon that Citty so is it now no lesse but rather a more eminent act of his rich grace to warne and wooe you to come out of Babylon lovingly engaging you thereunto even as though he did beseech you by and for all the interest he hath in you saying Come out of her my people Rev. 18.4 The mercy to you may appeare farre greater the judgement of God upon Sodom being more tolerable then the grievous torments and spirituall plagues belonging to Babylon whose sins reach unto Heaven Rev. 18.5 and her judgement is lifted up unto the skies Jerem. 51.9 Herein is his great goodnesse to you that he hath not onely given you timely notice before the Decree bring forth but in this also that he hath condescended to afford many helpes in his Word for the discovery of Mysticall Babylon which with so much serpentine wisdome transformes her selfe with such faire pretences that shee is least suspected to be what shee is by most who dwell with her That little light which the Lord hath lent me concerning this Mystery I here impart it to you as your right considering my selfe as in the body of Gods people one with you though not so in respect of a visible orderly Church-state and worship wherein the name of God is greatly concerned Beware of that which is a common evill among the people in the broad way whom you joyne hand withall to speake evill of the things they understand not * Pet. 2.12 Yee are bought with a price be not yee in such bondage to men as not to try their way opinions and sayings by the Spirit and the word of God whereby David was made to understand more then all his teachers and more then the ancients Psal 119.99 100. Why should it be thought unlikely that God should reveale unto babes and sucklings that which he hides from the wise and prudent Oh read and weigh these Scriptures Mat. 11.25 1 Cor. 1.27 28. Psal 8.2 Isa 29.14 15. My bowells being troubled and my soule in travell for your deliverance I have as a learner by way of Quaerie presented divers weighty things backt with Scriptures to your consideration whereof the meditation hath been sweete to me the Lord make the reading so to you And whereas God doth and will by men as instruments call to his people to come out of Babylon before her utter destruction which is not farre off As the day which hath already dawned comes on upon us wee may expect cleerer light and better helpes In the meane time accept of use and improve such as you have and the Lord command his blessing that his name may have glory So prayes The Lords unprofitable servant J. P. Arrowes against Babylon OR Certaine Quaeries serving to a cleere Discovery of the Mystery of Iniquity 1 Quae WHether Israells going into Aegypt their bondage there and their deliverance were not all typicall to set forth the state of the Church and people of God under the New Testament And whether this hath not been by the tongues and pens of all parties of the godly in England who have publickly contended for Reformation in Religion of late yeares generally confessed and asserted 2. Whether the Church of Rome and principally the head of that body her Ecclesiasticall powers the Pope with his Cardinalls Arch-Bishops Bishops c. be not that Mysticall Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots described in Rev 17. who is said to be the Whore sitting upon many waters commiting fornication with the Kings of the Earth c. Having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations c. drunken with the blood of Saints and Martyrs of Jesus And whether those Characters with others there layd downe by the blessed Spirit of God for our information That the church of Rome is no true Church of Christ have not divers Martyrs sealed it with their blood Reade Acts and Mon. doe also fitly agree and may be applyed to any Church or State whatsoever as to the Church of Rome And if the Church of Rome be Mysticall Babylon then whether is shee any more worthy to be accounted Syon or a true visible Church of God then was Babylon of old her proper type 3. Whether the Church of England the Nation considered as a Church with the Parochiall Congregations as Churches be not a Daughter of that Babylon the Mother of Harlots and their Ministry in point of Ordination the off-spring of the Pope Have they at any time even to this day either by word in any solemne Declaration or by practise in gathering a Church out of the Nation as out of the world disclaimed that Church-state which in its grossest corruption was avowed and maintained by the Popish Ministry and people of this Land in Queene Maries dayes Is it not apparent that some new peices onely have been put to that old garment that old Church state yea whilst first the same and since the like people without any visible Marks of Conversion with their Romish Baptisme and Ordination of Ministry are still retained And whether the aforesaid Characters in the second Quaery describing the Mother of Harlots the Church of Rome and her Ministry doe not in like manner in their measure appeare upon her Daughter the Nationall Church of England and her Ministry
ARROWES AGAINST BABYLON OR Certaine Quaeries serving to a cleere Discovery of the Mystery of Iniquity Whereunto are added Endeavours for Reformation in Saints apparrell With some Quaeries for the people called Quakers By JOHN PENDARVES a well wisher to Sion Put your selves in array against Babylon round about shoote at her spare no arrowes c. Jerem. 50.14 v. Flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soule be not cut off in her iniquity for this is the time of the Lords vengeance hee will render unto her recompence Jere. 51.6 v. And I heard another voyce from heaven saying Come out of her my people that yet pertake not of her sins and that yee receive not of her plagues Rev. 18.41 v. O Daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us Psal 137.8 v. LONDON Printed by M. S. for Livewell Chapman at the Crowne in Popes-head-Alley 1656. The Epistle Dedicatory To the precious Sonnes of Sion who minde the work of their generation and to all the faithfull and beloved Servants of God small and great THe fall of Babylon being decreed in Heaven and declared on Earth and the time said to be neare at hand a This is one of the things of which John saith They must shortly come to passe Rev 1.1.8 so many hundred yeares agoe as have past since the revelation was given to John b Much neerer now Why should it be thought beside the work of this day to seek her down-fall and to cry aloud unto Gods people to come out of her Hath not God and man of late yeares appeared against her oppressing powers spirituall and civill in these Nations Her maine Pillars the Archbishops Bishops c. with their grand supporter where are they Did not the sure word of Prophecy against Babylon take hold of them since those Pillars have been removed hath not that unhappy building been as a falling house out of which many thousands of Gods people have hasted forth the Lord going before them by many wonderfull signall providences opening a wide doore unto them If the remnant of old who preferr'd Jerusalem above their cheife joy which holds forth a true Character of Sions lovers were so bold in her behalfe to tell the daughter of Babylon to her face Thou art to be destroyed calling them happy who should be the Instruments to reward her cruelties to Gods people Psal 137. If they speak thus whilst yet remaining captives let it not seeme strange if we who are in so great a measure delivered doe in the same spirit of faith declare openly the approaching fall of the daughter of mysticall Babylon which that wee may not shoote at rovers I have in the ensuing Quaeries laboured to discover the mother and her daughter the mark at which those arrows are shott The mother being more notorious for her bloody persecutions and filthy abominations may soone be discovered her daughter having putt on a new dresse appeares fresh coloured and well-liking and hath her lovers amongst great if not good men They who drinke of her wine and eate of her dainties praise her beauty as shee is now reformed Shee hath it seemes painted her face with more art and better successe then Jezebell or else some have had lesse zeale then Jehu who having no great power on his side yet commanded that painted Jezebel to be thrown downe With this Jezebel the daughter of Babylon men formerly of great note for zeale and piety preferring peace before purity c The wisdome that is from above preferres purity before peace Jam 3.17 Its first pure then peaceable the wisdome from beneath is quite contrary opposing truth under a pretence of peace in that true wisdome they who have acted of old and of late are accounted troublers of Israel become confederate to oppose a thorow reformation who seeme well content with the old garment some new peices put to it which as our Saviour saith makes the rent worse they cannot beare to have the axe laid at the roote How doe many in our dayes like Herod heare good men gladly till their lusts and wills be crost their hearts cleave to some worldly interest which being as the right eye they will not part with Such can take Law and Covenant in their mouth pray and preach well with much excellency of speech but their spirits may be discerned by this one thing They like not to reform or to be reformed with a thorow reformation which is the onely right reformation according to the word of God to which our solemn Covenant binds us as also with subordination thereunto to the example of the best reformed Churches which are such undoubtedly as stand at greatest distance from Antichristian pollutions Is the Religion of this Nation so reformed if not why doe they not presse forward Nay doe not many sit downe and take up their rest as if they had attained and as if the worke were perfected Hath mysticall Babylon been rased to the foundation thereof If not ought not that remnant of Gods people who retaine their first zeale against Babylon to proceed to pray against her as the remnant of the faithfull of old against the Children of Edom d Is it not the duty of Gods elect to cry day and night for vengeance upon Babylon see Luk. 18.1.7 and 8 verses Psal 137.7 Remember O Lord the Children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem who said rase it rase it even to the foundation thereof Let us take heede of concluding such prayers though put up by godly men of like passions with us to be the fruite of their passions and peevishnesse If here were need of further Apology for this work and for the Saints zealous praying and declaring against Babylon in a right spirit sufficient might be offered not onely to justifie the practise but also to invite thereunto from this one consideration that the glory of God and the comfort of his people are so highly concerned in her fall as the Scriptures largely shew Oh what joyfull Hallelujahs shall be sung by the Saints when they shall see the judgements of God on the great Whore which corrupted the Earth Rev. 19.1 2. c. If men of great light see not how this matter concernes the glory of God Is it not because they study to promote their owne interest more then his have they no better insight into the things that make for their owne glory It is the joy of my heart in the midst of many causes of griefe that God will forme yea he is forming a people for himselfe which shall shew forth his praise e And the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord Psal 102.18 Esay 43.21 The naked single designe of the people of this new Creation shall be that the Lord the Lord alone may be exalted which if the Author know his heart is the one thing aymed at in spending those Arrowes upon
and servants of God ought not to declare the Nationall-Church of England viz. the Nation pretending to be a Church to be indeed no Church of Christ but a Daughter of Babylon And is it not their duty to discover her abominations in such Language in speaking of Babylon either the Mother or her Daughter as the Spirit of God makes use of and commends to us in the holy Scriptures Doth not that command to Gods people to reward her as shee hath rewarded them extend to a full reward both in words and deeds And if through flatteries of men slavish feare or foolish pitty Gods Archers his Ministers withhold to shoote such arrowes against Babylon in preaching or printing as God hath put into their Quiver for that purpose may they not be justly rebuked for it 9. Whether a bare forsaking of the Nationall Church and a verball declaring against it be a sufficient witnesse-bearing for Christ against Antichrist in the matter of Worship or whether besides all this are not Gods people called by a bold profession and visible practise of the ordinances of Christ according to the Gospel pattern to hold forth a true Baptisme Church-worship and so by a contrary practise to beare their testimony in the strength of Gods Spirit and truth against that false way And in so doing though the worke of Zions building may appeare now in its beginning as nothing in comparison of that glorious patterne in the Apostles dayes is there not ground to beleive God will vouchsafe his presence and helpe to his people in the work according to his good word Haggai 2. 1 2 3 And when the Saints come out of Babylon ought they not then to call upon one another to flow to Zion and there to declare the worke of the Lord Jer. 1.6.9 10. And if this be the season for the former duty why not for the latter and having with and amongst them the Word and Spirit according to that stable Covenant to beleivers in all generations Isa 9.21 Neh. 2.18 What hinders but they should rise and build 10. Whether many zealous Ministers and people in the Parish-way by reason of their ignorance of the times and seasons and the great worke of God at this day to bring his people out of Mysticall Babylon may they not be in danger of fighting against God and kicking against the pricks as did many devout Jewes who were zealous of the old legall Worship not knowing or considering that the time of reformation from Jewish rudiments Heb 9.10 was come And doe not many now as they then little consider Gods call to his people to reforme thorowly from all Antichristian pollutions and to touch no uncleane thing in this day of the Lords controversie for Sion And may wee not see as then so now the things which God winked at in times of ignorance hee will not winke at but witnesse against in times of light And is there not a very great security upon many professors Can yee not discerne the signes of the times Mat. 16.3 and darknesse upon their right eye that notwithstanding all the signes of the times and all the late wonderfull workes of God they are not awakened to discerne and doe the speciall duties which God by his strange dispensations calls them to And is it not apparent that many who should instruct others in the duty of the day It is the duty of the wise Steward to give the Children of God the portion of Doctrine sutable to the season Luk. 12 42. doe discourage them from enquiring into such things telling them of the danger of mistakes and the great difficultie of finding out truth referring them in many things to the footesteps of the flock in times of Popish darknesse But is it not high time for Gods people to goe a step beyond such Watch-men enquiring after Christ in the further discovery of truth And seeing God hath chosen the weake and foolish things of the world to confound the wise ought not even such to search into the booke of revelation seeking God by faithfull fervent prayer for his promised Spirit to lead them into all truth remembring the words of David Thou through thy precepts hast made me wiser then mine enemies I have more understanding then all my teachers Psal 119.98 99. 11. Whether the Parish-Ministry in their standing and acting as such are not found taking part with Babylon and warring against the true visible Churches of Christ and all others who withdraw from and witnesse against the Common polluted way of worship And if so whether those who are enlightened may warrantably upon the account of the gifts and godlinesse of such Teachers follow after them so as to have fellowship with them in their broad Church-way And is it not to make Idolls of them and preferre them before Christ and set them above him if they choose rather to follow after such Ministers in that way which hath no word of God for it then to follow Christ in that despised way of worship which hath the sure word of Scripture for its warrant Mark how Satan makes use of Eminent instruments sometimes to promote his wicked Designes If Peter that eminent Preacher might be and was so farre captivated by the Tempter as to oppose by rebuking Jesus Christ himselfe when he spake of his suffering death Mat 16 21 22 23. And againe denied him shamefully when he came to suffer with cursing and oathes saying he never knew the man And after all this at another time the same Peter who was so famous an instrument in Gods hand for converting so many soules even he becomes a misleader in a way of dissimulation Gal 2.11 12 13 14. so that Barnabas an eminent Minister of Christ If some who see such dissembling tell them that dissemble that they are to be blamed they do but as Paul did who told Peter of his fault Gal. 2.14 and divers others were carried away with his dissimulation If so it were with Peter is there not ground enough for the good people in that way to feare that their Ministers even the choicest of them may be fallen into temptation to be prejudic't against the worke of a thorow-reformation seeing their preferments livings and honours seeme to be struck at and so being offended labour to draw in others to be one with them in their offence and opposition against the Saints in their present warfare for Christ against Antichrist 12. Whether the greater number of people in the Parish-Assemblyes are not in danger of eternall Damnation through their high presumption that they are in Christ and in a good estate And whether have not Englands Church-Ministry much to answer for who have begotten and cherished this confidence in them by declaring them in their old Catechisme To be regenerate in their Baptisme made Members of Christ and inheritors of the kingdome of Heaven If this be true and no lye they have taught them who thus exalted them unto heaven
do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor wisdome nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goest If therefore you have light leading you to bear your testimony in word and practice against such superfluities Walk in the light whilst you have the light Joh. 12.36 Fourthly Although the putting off such things seems to present no present outward advantage to any man yet inasmuch as it puts a man into the better capacity to help forward a generall Reformation among Gods people and seeing the great good which may bee expected to come thereby will to the great satisfaction of publick-spirited Christians soon countervail the parting with those things which are no gain but rather losse to them that wear them therefore let them bee parted with and no longer retained by Saints The Conclusion That it is expedient there should bee some Reformation among Saints in their Apparel in respect of some extravagancies and vain superfluities most or all good men acknowledge As for the way that is presented to the Saints in this Discourse I deny not but it may bee liable to exceptions in some cases and so are many or most generall Rules in the Scriptures of (z) That great Command and for doing no manner of work on the Sabbath did admit of exceptions in some cases as appears Matth. 12. the beginning of the chapter 2 Pet 2.12 Truth If they who are friends to this work dislike this essay or rough draught let them bring forth their polished Endeavours on this Subject In the mean time this I say to all that fear the Lord who upon the reading hereof shall remain dis-satisfyed in this matter Take heed that yee speak not evill of the things yee know not or have not considered but seriously weigh as in the sight of God and in his holy fear the things laid down in this Discourse not forgetting or neglecting to seek the Lord herein remembring the words of wisdom Prov. 28.5 They that seek the Lord understand all things I shall shut up all with the words of Gamaliel to the Jews If this counsell or work bee of men Acts 5. it will come to nought but if it bee of God yee cannot overthrow it lest happily yee bee found to fight against God QVERIES for the People called QVAKERS FIRST WHether are you willing that the depth of your perswasion or opinion touching Jesus Christ his being now contained in the Heavens the raising of our dead bodys after natural death the Tryal of Spirits and Doctrins according to the Scriptures should be clearly and openly known and published Secondly Whether do you not by many of your sayings which admit of a double construction craftily hide your perswasion in many things from the sight of some honest people who take you to hold the same truth with beleevers in general concerning Christ the Scriptures and the resurrection of the dead Do you not endeavour to make them beleeve you hold otherwise in some things than you do And is not this dissimulation at the bests or lying after the manner of Annanias and Saphira Act. 5.8 Thirdly Whether your selves even all of you bee not men and women of sinfull failings and imperfections as act those Godly people you cry down Doth not the light within shew you this If not 1 Joh. 1.8 tell us who are the persons among you without their failings or imperfections And how came they so to bee Fourthly Do you in 〈…〉 of the Congregations of Beleevers as well look after those things which are Commendable as those things which are Condemnable in their practices Do you not overlook the example of Christ in this who in his message to the Church of Ephesus writes in praise of the good things in them Rev. 2.2 and particularly that they hated the Doctrin of the * Are not some Churches now to be commended for hating evill doctrins 〈◊〉 Though withall hee reproves them for leaving their first love and Sardâ—s Church being reproved some few names are excepted Do not you on the contrary cry them down in general without any mercy Fifthly Whether your declaring against instrumental teaching yet going about divers of you informing and instructing your selves and others who are free to hear you doth not discover a grosse contradiction between your profest principles and practice and plainly shew that you would have them hear none but you and whether this be right to set them against instrumental teaching to bring them to hear your declaring as some of you call your speaking altering only the name Sixthly Whether instrumental teaching bee unsuitable to the new Covenant If so Why did Christ being ascended appoint Pastors and Teachers in the Church to continue untill wee all come into the Unity of the Faith c. thus ordaining Ministers for the work while work remains for the ministery Did Christ burden his Saints with needlesse appointments Seventhly Whether the Scriptures you bring to oppose Gospell Ordinances do not serve only to make void Circumcision with other Ordinances of Moses Law and to witnesse against walking after the tradition of men with the carnall formall practice or idolizing of true Gospell Ordinances All you say making not at all against a spiritual practice of Church-Ordinances as breaking bread and exhorting one another c. wherein the Saints have the footsteps of the flock in the primitive times going before them and the appointment of Christ for the continuance of these till his coming which must bee understood of his personal coming the second time he being come in the Spirit with great glory when hee gave those Commands 1 Cor. 11.25 26. Revel 2.25 Heb. 10.25 Eightly Whether it is not better to wait on God in his good old ways recorded in his word expecting his work to be gradually carried on as the growth of a building or of a plant or child so running with patience the spiritual race set before us or as the manner of some is to forsake the principles of faith whereof the Saints have had so great experience in hope to start up suddenly from a low stature into perfection by imbracing a new doctrine Ninthly Whether Jesus Christ hath not prayed for those who beleeve through the word of the Apostles according to John 17.20 And if so Whether they are not in a good and safe way who beleeve accordingly And whether it be not better to credit their testimony so fully confirmed by the Lord and acknowledged by the Saints for many generations than to forgoe that to imbrace Heb. 2.3 and follow the sayings of some of your company Tenthly What is that faith which the Spirit speaks expresly Some shall depart from in the latter dayes giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils 1 Tim. 4.1 Eleventhly Whether that doctrine which in sum is no more but LOOK TO THE LIGHT WITHIN with a curse upon disobedience and a blessing upon obedience thereunto be that glorious Gospel preached by Christ and