A BRIEFE ANSVVER To R. H. His Booke ENTITLED The True Guide c. Wherein are occasionally declared and proved by Scripture these particular things following First That the Baptisme of water is a distinct Baptisme from the Baptisme of the spirit Secondly That the Baptisme of Water doth not by Scripture expression signifie the Baptisme of the Spirit Thirdly What is signified by the Baptisme of Water Fourthly In whom the true Right of Church-power resides and how typified in the Law Fifthly The State of the Church and Ministry in Babylon typicall and mysticall Sixthly In what sense some things related in Scripture are not Scripture with divers other particulars occasionally spoken of By R. B. A well-wisher to the truth and R. H. Prov. 18.17 He that is first in his owne cause seemeth just but his neighbour commeth and searcheth him Prov. 30.12 13 14. There is a generation that are pure in their owne eyes and yet are not washed from their filthinesse Read Ezek. 43.7 8 9 10 11. LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert and are to be sold at his Shop at the West end of PAULâ— 1646. The Epistle to the Reader ALL men are naturally addicted to take up that Religion for the true Religion which they find to be received and allowed in that Nation wherein they are borne those that are borne in Turkey take up the Mahumetan Religion those that are borne in Rome the Popish Religion and yet neither of these the true Religion and Worship of God so that it plainly appeares that whole States have been deceived in matter of Religion and Worship and what State can be instanced that the Successors haue not in many particulars contradicted their Predecessors and both of them cannot be in the right for the Truth is but one us God is one the cause of this chiefly is because men rather take up Religion then are taken up of it men commonly take things upon trust untried doing as other of their Neighbours do even live in men in matters of Religion and Worship more than in God contrary to that Matth. 15.9 Col. 2.20 22. most men dreame of a worldly Sanctuary still in being whereas Gods house in the time of the Gospell is Spirituall The Apostacy from the Faith under Antichrist is a meere Riddle to thousands yea and thousands that are convinced of that Apostacy confine it to the Popish Church and plead a restitution from Luthers time but point blanke from Queene Elizabeths And yet we see much of that corrected of late and must it needs be there are no Truths left behind still undiscovered Prophecying in Sack-cloath God is not bound to restore all Truth at once nor to a multitude but even a few and they perhaps despised ones 1 Cor. 1.27 28. even like those Fisher-men which Christ chose It is well known the decay of Truth was graduall from the Apostles times as may be seene 2 Thes 2.3 7. and Rev. 8 and 9. Chapters And the restitution is likewise graduall as may appeare Revel 14. and 16. Chapters Where we may observe the Truths increase and Antichrists decrease by degrees contemporising so that the rise of the one is the decay of the other which being well considered may serve to convince many of a too common errour amongst us for most men yea even many Professours are resolved as by their practice may appeare to receive nothing for Truth but that which hath the stampe of a State Approbation Had such Professours lived in the Apostles times the Truth and such would have had little acquaintance for Christ saith plainly Luke 17.20 The Kingdome of God cometh not with observation And I suppose Christ will come with as little worldly state and pompe at the restoring of the Truth from under Antichrist as at the first publishing of it to the Gentile world Matth. 12.19 But because Christ hath none of this forme or beauty among men Esay 55.1 2 3. He is despised rejected and not esteemed the lesson of bearing the crosse Luke 14.26.27 is a hard lesson and yet true Disciples learne it I will only premise two cavets to the Christian Reader and so conclude The first is this take heed of rejecting true light under a pretence of reproached new light least in so doing thou reject Christ Secondly take heed of receiving older new light from any men whatsoever upon trust untryed by the Word and Spirit least that curse light upon thee Jer. 17.5 Thus saith the Lord cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme such are said to depart from the Lord in their hearts If any thing I have written in this ensuing Tract come in evidence of Truth receive it as those Samaritans John 4.42 because of Christs owne Word If any thing I have written appeare otherwise to thee upon tryall reject it and so will I through Gods grace any mans Sayings or Writings dissenting from the Word of Truth but let thee and I receive and reject in Love and the God of Peace and Love shall be with us and make us one in Truth also in his own time Phil. 3.15 Joh. 17.17 19 21. R. B. TO speake a word or two and so to let passe this Epistlers invectives and reproaches we being frequently used to beare them from the Pulpit can the easier beare them from the Presse and we having experience of his fallibility in judgement ever since the Bishops impositions conceive them to be more prejudiciall to themselves then to us they being evident discoveries of the bitternesse of his spirit against us that differ in judgement from him but being so void of Truth from Scripture to backe them we shall esteeme of them but as the Ignis fatuus of his own braine for he hath only three quoted Proofes from Scripture not to make good his reproaches but to prove two things namely that there must be Heresies and false Prophets both which we easily grant having had so long experience thereof for we find that Antichristian Spirit to have begun and continued ever since the Apostles times till this day and that with no small esteem in the world for honour and greatnesse amongst men they chiefly hunt after the Disciples of Christ were infected with it but durst not own it before Christ Mark 9.33 34. for he expresly forbids it Matth. 20.25 26 27. Luke 22.25 26 27. This lofty Spirit began in Diotrephes 3 John 9. and ever since this Episcopall generation have loved and endeavoured to have the preheminence these false Prophets are very covetous 2 Pet. 2.3 2 Cor. 11.20 The true servants of Christ were not so 2 Cor. 12.17 The false Prophet and the Antichristian Beast aspire and expire live and dye together 1 Joh. 4.1 3. Rev. 20.10 They came to some height even in the Apostles times for they raigned like Kings whereas the Apostles the true servants of God were in disgrace and reproach they were at peace while the true servants of God were persecuted 1 Cor. 4.8 9 10
place to his purpose save only in the generall to discover seducers from a True Guide but rather a false Christian from a true one and also is meant properly of a persecuting biting devouring Spirit Gal. 5.15 But if ye bite and devoure one another take heed ye be not consumed one of another Or in plaine tearmes a Legalist from a Spirituall man ver 18. but if ye are led by the Spirit ye are not under the Law a loving peaceable man from a van-glourious envious man ver 22.26 But had he been as well versed in the Scripture as in his old notes Saint John would have sufficiently furnished him with particulars for that purpose but that he thought it would make against him 1 John 4.2 3 4 5 6. Every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and every Spirit that confesseth not that Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that Spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come and even now already is it in the world and so ver 5. They are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them we are of God he that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error but it may be he hath not heard that place so expounded and had he tooke notice also of Esay 57.19 I create the fuit of the lips c. he should have there read of a fruit of the lips as well as of the fruits of conversation else where which sense John proceeds in to discover seducers in the place before quoted But R. H. not being acquainted with it thought a generall discovery might passe but he finds in Scripture that Seducers come in Sheeps cloathing they seem to be holy in their conversation therefore the fruit of the lips seeme to be the most proper distinguishing character to know them by for neither he nor I can tell when we see things done agreeable to the Word that it is a fruit of the Spirit for all that we can see is but a Morall thing therefore Paul when he speakes of the fruits of the flesh saith they are manifest Gal. 5.19 but he doth not say the fruits of the Spirit are manifest verse 22. for they are not so easily known to us only the judgement of charity which is so much wanting in him towards us should be in us all towards them whose actions are according to the Word In Page 4. in his foure last lines in applying his Answer to a generall Question there propounded he mentions Christs Answer to the Disciples about their commanding fire to come down from Heaven c. Christ doth indeed as he saith reject their answer and good reason for it though it was not as he saith altogether contrary to the Word written for they had Elias for their example to justifie their demand 2 King 1.10 and so they had some Scripture to ground their demand upon but the Disciples being yet somewhat like R. H. of a Legall Spirit thinking the old Legall administration should continue and it may be stood somewhat prejudiced to the New-light like him But Jesus Christ whose will was to have the glorious Gospell and new Covenant go forth with new even Gospell administrations like it selfe forbad them their demand with utter dislike of it although it will not satisfie many mens spirits to this day and told them that the Son of man cause not to destroy but to save mens lives It followes Page 5. Therefore saith he if any shall perswade you to separate from the people of God or Ordinances c. Marke how he still goes on in begging of questions if he had proved who were the people of God and which were the Ordinances of God then we should have been better able to justifie a separation from him as he from Rome or to have renounced such separation if unlawfull yet let him know there is a lawfull separation as well as unlawfull as may appeare Acts 19.9 When divers were hardened and beleeved not but spake evill of that way before the multitude he departed from them and separated the Disciples so 2 Cor. 6.17 Come out from among them and be ye separate c. Else why doth he refuse to worship God as the Papists do but because of their corrupt Doctrine and humane inventions It followes Likewise if any shall perswade you from the publike Ministry and from the Sacrament Marke still how he beggs questions but let him be plaine what Ministry and Sacraments he meanes and prove them to be Gods and done in Gods way and he shall receive an answer for from such as are Gods and administred in Gods way we say the same as he doth Againe he mentions praying and giving of thanks I am perswaded there no true Christian so Atheisticall but doth as faithfully and constantly acknowledge in these duties as R.H. Next followes his question Page 5. May I be led with every one that brings Scripture His answer is No for none are readier to bring Scripture then seducers true which may be the cause that R. H. brings Scriptures so oft and gives the true sense so seldome Next followes his notes or difference first those that are deceivers saith he will practice many things that they have no rule in Scripture for I answer it is very true and this we can make appeare to R. H. that he himselfe doth so for what warrant out of Scripture hath he for a Church of Christ made up of all the world as if a worldly Sanctuary were still Gods Ordinance as if a typicall State were stil in being what Scripture hath he for a worldly worship and worldly Ministery for such as the Church is such is the Ministery and worship of it 1 John 4.5 They are of the world therefore speake they of the world and the world heareth them Such practices deny Christ to be come in the flesh 1 John 4.3 for he would have all that are borne into the world Sons of God whether they be new borne or no whereas the Apostle saith plainly not by our naturall birth but by our new birth we become the Sons of God Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the Sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus But marke his first proofe for his instance is 1 King 13. where the young Prophet following the advice of the old Prophet contrary to the command of God was slaine I suppose he here discovers notable ignorance for the Prophet there doth not go on his message by a Word ordinary and written but by an immediate Word from God and should have been taken off not by a mediate word and pretended as was that of the old Prophet nor by Scripture but by the same immediate Word that set him on worke Even as Abraham had the same immediate Word to stay his hand from killing Isaac that commanded him to
to trye any thing for feare there should be evill in it would he not have us try appearances of evill whether they are so or no Would he have us take all upon trust that comes from them Truly I do not read that Paul made 1 Thes 1.21 Try all things and keep that which is good the Objection and ver 22. Abstaine from all appearance of evill the answer to the Objection that is R. H. his addition to the Scripture to darken the sense of it But the Apostles mind is as I conceive to teach us ver 21. to take nothing upon trust untried and being tried and found good to keep it and being found to be evill to avoid it wholly in all its degrees even to the very appearance of evill The second Objection is this But they teach many sweet Truths He answers therein lies the more danger Truly I conceive the danger lies not in teaching sweet Truths much lesse in teaching many sweet Truths but the danger lies in this when men make not use of that duty and Christian Liberty they have from the Word of Truth to try all things they heare wheresoever or by whomsoever whether they are Truths or not Which duty and Liberty is so much infringed by him in this his answer as may appeare in the amplification of his answer Page 9. by a fabulous similitude as if he meant to drive men wholly from triall The next Objection Page 9. which being large I referre to his Booke where he saith That we say the way to have their eyes opened is to forsake their Antichristian Ministers Answ This we deny and say quite contrary the way to forsake Antichristian Ministers is to have mens eyes first opened by Jesus Christ and whereas he saith in the words following that his opposites would have them come and joyne with them in their meetings This is his slander who is so jealous of all mens waies but his owne that he is unwilling to make a found triall either of other mens waies or his owne but takes things at the first hand to disgrace others and boulster his owne and so his positions being still begged and not proved he builds without a foundation The similitude he alludes to of Eves eating the forbidden fruit will not serve his turne for that was proved infallibly to be forbidden fruit but he takes for granted and hath not yet proved the waies he so reproaches to be forbidden fruit therefore his answer is of no force but must needs remaine the conceit of his own braine and mis-applied It followes Page 10. where he brings in the Pharisees accusing Christs Disciples of ignorance John 7.49 yet boasting themselves of their owne light Answ I have declared a little before who are most sicke of the Pharisees disease and truely this mentioned here by him is another Symptome of their infection for they were better versed in the Lawes and Traditions of their Fathers than in the Lawes of Christ and so accused Christs Disciples of ignorance so that I grant it to be as he saith of the Pharisees and it is a very Epidemicall disease amongst all of that kindred but now to the triall of his application to see if it doth not touch himselfe most Did he when he writ and composed his calumniating Book thinke with himselfe that he knew nothing If so I wonder how he durst venture to put it forth so to publish his ignorance to the world Also if he were free from all boasting of his knowledge what was it that made him to dignifie his Booke with such a high title as The True Guide this I commit to any reasonable mans consideration whether he thought he know nothing and was freed from boasting according to his quoted place 1 Cor. 8.2 When he wrote and published his Book with so high a Title and according to his other quoted place 2 Cor. 10.18 He that commendeth himselfe is not approved but he whom the Lord commendeth But Saint Paul answers him fully 1 Cor. 2.8 with Acts 9.5 They that know Christ will not persecute and crucifie Christ in himselfe nor in his members The next Objection he seems to answer is Page 10. Object but I cannot answer their arguments they are so deep must not I then be faine to yeeld unto them He answers by no meanes c. See how resolute this man is the deepest arguments cannot move him but marke his proofe Mat. 24.26 A third time abused for this absence of Christ here spoken of is a like absence from all men upon earth and so from R. H. as well as from others whether it be understood of his personall absence or of the absence of him in the externall and powerfull administrations of his Kingdom in both these senses the Scripture speakes of his absence For that of his person see Acts. 1.11 This fame Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him goe into heaven For that of the administrations of his Kingdome in the gifts of the Spirit see Mat. 16.28 Marke 9.1 There be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they have seene the Son of man comming in his Kingdome which absence was supplied and enjoyed in the gifts of the Spirit as I have declared before at large as also how this enjoyment was againe lost under Antichrist Now he must of necessity understand that absence of Christ in one of these two senses for it cannot be understood of an inward and spirituall absence for that enjoyment that slowes from union is perpetuall Rom. 8.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you So 1 Joh. 3.9 Whosoever is borne of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him c. These things being premised it followes clearly that we are forbidden to goe after R. H. into the desert to seeke Christ or after others into the secret Chambers he being alike absent from all untill that in Mat. 24.27 28. be fulfilled For as the lightning commeth out of the East and shineth into the West so shall the comming of the Son of man be c. These things I thought good to adde to that spoken of before to make the matter more plaine It followes he saith The Spirit of God bids remember how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent Rev. 3.3 Very good counsell to him and us and it is very well backed with two other proofes 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the forme of sound words Gal. 1.8 9. Thogh we or an Angell from heaven preach any other Gospell to you then this let him be accursed Where we finde that no Assemblies or Churches in the world must be our rule but only the true patterne of wholsome words here R. H. seemes as if he would keepe to the patterne and
made Hereticks But if it be so that he himselfe useth to make all Scriptures speake what he would have them speake let him not conclude others do so because he doth so but let him remember his owne lesson and learne it Page 11. he saith there They that profit by the Word are more humble and low in their owne eyes and thinke every Christs 〈…〉 then themselves Phil. 2.3 and that at here know more of God then they do as Elihu Job 32.6 Who saith I am young and ye are old wherefore I was affraid and durst not shew you mine 〈◊〉 But seeing R. H. hath first spoken and published his opinion and that in a rigid and censorious way I am induced to take Elihu's further counsell verse 9.10 where he saith Great men are not 〈◊〉 wise neither do the aged understand judgement therefore I said hearken to me I will also shew you my opinion And so may I to R.H. though he be somewhat more aged then I declare my opinion for possibly R.H. may erre he is not a man infallible he may pervert the Scriptures as well as another man and so be liable to tryall unlesse it be lawfull for him to Stigmatize others without controule A little further in Page 12. he saith Some of them have denyed the truth of some Scriptures Answ This one expression the truth of some Scriptures plainly declares who he meanes as shall by and by appeare and verily had he been charitable and not malicious he would not have mentioned this about the Scriptures it being openly among all our opposites at that meeting where the difference about some Scriptures arose agreed upon as all can witnesse that were then present and this it was it was about Jobs three friends that came to visit him and I then spake to this effect that though the speech of Jobs three friends was in the Scripture and was a true relation of it and so in that sense is Scripture ye it is not positively the truth and mind of God as it came from them in relation to God Job and so in this latter sense it is not the Scripture Word or Truth of God my reasons are not only because Job disclaimes their speeches but even God himselfe Job 42.7 8. Saying ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right Now if it be not right it is falshood and so none of Gods Truth but only in the sense afore said that is to say a true relation Object But you are not the pâ—â—â—â—â— meant in the True Guide Answ Truly I wonder how he dares in the least to deny it the things being so plainly spoken which for the greatest part have passed betwixt us in this place from Page 11. the foure last lines and almost halfe way in Page 12. but especially this about denying the truth of some Scriptures I heare indeed a rumour of some men in the world that deny the Scriptures but they deny all alike and not some only and so cannot be the parties here intended for those intended here deny but some only Besides I sent him word by a friend of his that if we were none of them he aimed at in his Booke if he would but cleare us by declaring who they were it might give satisfaction to us but we have no answer to this day therefore it is plaine to me and others that all his faire glosses and guilded shewes to the contrary were but figg leaves to delude us that he might render us odious unobserved and this his cunning evasion is but a new tricke of the old Serpent to deceive us by faire words and foule deeds but let him read that place Rev 9.7 8 and consider it well those Locusts there spoken of are said to have faces as the faces of men reasonable and modest in their words and outward appearance but they had teeth like Lyons to bite withall And I am perswaded that the new persecution of the Saints that is to come by the old formall Professours shall be most bitter for who were greater enemies and persecutors of Christ and his Disciples then those formall Professors the Pharisees who were the strictest in the Jewish Religion Acts 26.4 5. even as those who were formerly called Puritans in the Protestant Religion Yet I speake not this of all that are our opposites in judgement for I put a wide difference betwixt those whom God hath endewed with the Spirit of brotherly love and concord and those who remaine still bewitched with the Antichristian spirit of persecution But it may be R. H. will say you plead for Christian Liberty and will not suffer us to enjoy ours Answ If R. H. say his Christian liberty consists in persecuting his brethren who are as deare to Christ as himselfe I utterly deny such Christian liberty both in judgement and practice and desire him to cleare and prove that to be lawfull which he hath done already namely to publish the grievances and differences among the Saints to the world contrary to that of David 2 Sam. 1.20 except he thinke that God as little regards the credit of his people as he or lesse now then in the time of the Law Certaine it is that God will have a time to vindicate his peoples reproach Zeph. 3.19 Behold saith the Lord at that time I will undee all that afflict thee c. And I will get them praise and fame in every Land where they have been put to shame and ver 10. I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turne backe your captivity c. Truly Gods people are yet in their Spirituall captivity reproached not only from the world but even of them who thinke themselves no small Christians And because R.H. cites Doctor Sibbs on the Canticles I also desire him and others to read his notes upon those words Cant. 5.7 Page 298. who in those times he lived in was not altogether unsensible of the reproaches Gods people found then even as we find now abundantly as if that Prophesie in Cant. 5.7 were now fulfilling I will deliver it in his own words at large It should teach us saith he not to thinke the worse of any for the differences of the times the watchmen that is the Ministers as he interprets it here take away the vaile of the Church and her forwardnesse is disgraced by them And is it not so now are not our waies accounted mad zeale whimseys and doth not R.H. call it new light dealing with us as those did with Saint Paul Acts 17.19 20. May we know what this new Doctrine whereof thou speakest is for thou bringest certaine strange things to our eares Doctor Sibbs saith further Take heed therefore we entertaine not rash conceits of others upon the entertainment they find abroad in the world or even among those that have a standing in the Church for so we shall condemne Christ himselfe saith he how was he judged of the Priests Scribes
in Babylon of old there was confusion of tongues Gen. 11.4 7 9. and from that confusion Babell tooke its name verse 9. so in this spirituall Babylon the Church of God came into confusion loosing that Apostolicall and first order of the Gospell yea and take notice that that gift of tongues was one of those gifts Acts 2. that in spirituall Babylon was againe confounded yet some enjoyment of God was even there to the Saints though not according to the former way But even as Israell of old was extraordinarily nourished in their captivity in heathen Babylon Zach. 4.11 12 13 14. so in mysticall Babylon as hereafter shall appeare Then I said unto him what are these two Olive Trees upon the right side of the Candlesticke and upon the left side thereof and what are those two Olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oyle out of themselves and he said these are the two annoynted ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth There is mention made but of one Candlesticke because their Church was Nationall they were extraordinarily preserved for the pipes emptied the golden oyle out of themselves they could not be provided for in the ordinary way as that place before quoted proves and may further appeare by the reinvesting againe of the Priests after their Captivity Ezra 6.20 For the Priests and Levites were purified together all of them were pure compared with Zach. 3. all along that Chapter for what needed a restoring where was no losse Moreover after some degree of restoring some difference about the Priests Office could not be decided till a Priest arose with Urim and Thummim infallibly to determine it Ezra 2.62 63. Nehem. 7.64 65. The Tirshatha said unto them that they should not eate of the most holy things till there stood up a Priest with Urim and Thummim Even so I say in this mysticall Babylon the two Candlesticks called two because the estate under the Gospell is Congregationall were likewise extraordinarily nourished Rev. 11.3 4. I will give power to my two witnesses and they shall Prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore daies in sacke-cloath These are the two Olive Trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the God of the earth Yet also some communion among themselves there was it may be somewhat like that Mal. 3.16 For else how could the enemies find them out to persecute them yet a perpetuall visibility of a Church in that estate all the Reformed Divines are contrary to as Mr Saltmarsh declares in his Divine Right of Presbytery Pag. 2. And it is lesse probable that they should have a visible Ministry than a visible Church the Scriptures being so plaine against that of the Ministry but rather for that of the Church and it is well known a Church may subsist at least for some time without Officers though not so well which induces me to thinke that those Divines before spoken of do understand that visibility of Church they speake of chiefly of a visibility by true Officers and Ordinances and my reason is because I find two Candlesticks Rev. 11.3 4. and no stars but earthly ones all the time of Antichrists raigne Prophecying although it was in Sacke-cloath Some light they had as I said before whereby they lived by faith according to that Hab. 2.4 The just shall live by faith c. And witnessed to the truth against Antichrist Now the visibility of the Church taken in this latter sense I conceive to be neither in the desart nor in the secret chamber that is the most retired assemblings of the Saints for in neither of these is Christ enjoyed but when the Lord Jesus shall repaire these losses it shall be like that lightening from East to West which shall be obvious to all his people and put an end to these Ordinance Controversies It followes In the same Page he quotes Rom. 16.17 Marke them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which you have learned and avoid them This is very good counsell indeed when it is rightly understood but the Papists bring this place against the Protestants and the Protestants against the Papists the Bishops bring it against the Non-conformists and they against them and R. H. he brings it against his opposites and they against him But the question is how shall we know when it is rightly brought I answer when the Church of God is restored againe from under Antichrist to that Primitive purity and first patterne of Truth and he that maketh use of this Scripture is in a Church way answering that patterne and is infallibly assured of it then he may infallibly make use of this place and declare who they are that make divisions and this sense the latter part of the words include for he adds Marke them that cause divisions contrary to the Doctrine that ye have learned that is of the Apostles and not any other Doctrine whatsoever 2 Tim. 2.2 The things which thou hast heard of me commit to faithfull men that they may be able to teach others Now if R. H. meanes them that cause divisions from the first patterne of Truth we agree with him that such are diligently to be marked But he doth not declare and prove from what Church it is meant that this division is to be understood of whether Nationall or Congregationall Primitive or since the Apostacy under Antichrist and so he contends to no purpose It followes Acts 7.37 and Marke 3.28 All sins and blasphemies shall be forgiven to the Sons of men but he that sins against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven This is good counsell because it comes from Christ but who are the subjects this principally lookes upon we shall see anon For most plaine it is that it was directed to the Scribes and Pharisees that adulterous generation Mat. 12.39 that could dance after no Musicke but their owne pipes Mat. 11.16 17. that could learne no truths but such as were brought to them in their owne way who being affraid that Jesus Christ was come to overthrow their Church Constitutions and Traditions and all their false waies made Christ as odious as they could to all the Jewes by their invectives as R. H. endeavours to do us to the world declaring that he was a glutton a drunkard a friend of wicked men Mat. 11.19 yea a conjurer which occasioned this speech of our Saviour which he quotes Now these men being so bewitched to their humane inventions and Constitutions would say any thing against Christ to make their owne cause seem good Now whether we or our opposites oppose Christ most in matter of humane Constitutions and Inventions in Gods Worship we leave to all Christians to judge and so consequently whom that speech of our Saviour most concernes Next follow two Objections Page 8. The first is this 1 Thes 5.21 Try all things and keep that which is good But if the Reader marke his answer he shall find that he scarce gives leave
and Pharisees in his time and this hath been the lot of the Church in all ages the true members thereof were called Hereticke and Schismaticks and is it not a matter of great zeale at this day for many Ministers to raise at Gods people and call them Antinomians Anabaptists Separatists c. and such reproachfull tearmes to render them odious Therefore saith Doctor Sibbs further It is the poysinfull pride of mans heart when it cannot raise it selfe by its man worth it will endeavour to raise it selfe by the ruine of others credit through lying slanders The Devill was first a slanderer and lyer and then a murtherer he cannot murther except he slander first even as those that kill a Dogge make the world beleeve that he was mad first so they alwaies take away the credit of the faithfull in the world and then persecute them and so those watchmen that should encourage the godly they smite and wound them To conclude were it not for the just vindication of the Truth of our selves and others I would never have put Pen to Paper but he hath compelled me as Paul was in a like case by the Corinthians to his just vindication 2 Cor. 12.11 saith he I am become a foole in glorying ye have compelled me for I ought to have been commended of you And so St. Paul was faine to goe contrary to Solomon counsell Pro. 27.2 and praise himselfe to vindicate both the Truth and himselfe A little further in Pag. 22. he saith They much desire and pray for 〈◊〉 Answ I beleeve his desires and prayers are rather that we should returne to them and their waies then to Christ but certaine it is if he do pray for us either his praying for us will make him cease persecuting of us or his persecuting will make him cease praying for us He saith We further object and bring many Scriptures to perswade people to stand fast in the Truth they have been taught but they have not been taught the Truth but have been taught a false and blind way by your Ministers He answers It is a very false and scandalous imputation cast upon the faithfull Ministers of Jesus Christ for have they not taught us Jesus Christ that we are freely justified and saved by him alone I answer here first R. H. labours to vindicate his faithfull Ministers about their Doctrine It is very well I say if they do teach free Justification and Salvation by Christ alone I can remember the time since it was a rare thing to heare free-grace preached especially in the practicall part of Divinity I my selfe have heard delivered in London not long since at a Fast that true repentance and humiliation was able to remove Gods judgements which if it be so I marvell to what purpose Christ serves for and one even of R. H. his intimate companions is not very well instructed in that point for I have heard him say divers times not long since that the more good workes he did the greater glory he should have at last in Heaven so laying the height of his glory on the foundation of his good workes building this Babell on Nehe. 13.14 so that he may thank his good workes at least for the height of his glory But I would desire them to shew me what measure of glory is given freely without any respect to workes and what glory is intailed to workes But suppose it be granted they teach Jesus Christ more purely than formerly yet I have observed that the men that were as he Goats in the Doctrine of Gods free grace and love were as odious at the first as ever Martin Luther was in his time yea and still are too many that remaine of R. H. his mind for he doth what he can to disgrace the teachers of it still by his Calumniations as may plainly appeare in his Booke Pag. 9. and they can hardly forbeare bringing in Moses Law of workes in Moses way of administration whereas we are only under the Law to Christ 1 Cor. 9.21 If it were not so why do they so raile against Gods people under the name of Antinomians He saith We object and say your Ministers are Antichristian for they were called by an Antichristian power there fore it is not lawfull to heare them He answers that must be proved first which you say c. I answer had R. H. been indeed but a True Guide he would have been punctuall in proving this point especially it being the chiefe point in difference betwixt us and the maine thing he aimes at in his Book as I said in the beginning but certaine it is the man was at a stand here and was faine to be of a good beliefe and take things upon trust and would have others do so too but observe the way he takes to prove the point and to answer the objection he goes foure wayes and all wrong for he brings not one proofe of Scripture positively to prove his Ministers lawfull But First He puts us upon negative proofes Secondly He compares them with other teachers Thirdly By two fabulous similitudes of a Cooke and a Clarke Fourthly By answering three questions So that here is not one rule from Scripture to prove it and so he makes himselfe a seducer in his first answer to the last question Page 5. of his Booke Wherefore I answer To the first of his foure things I have in a sense answered already by declaring the necessity of a mans proving his practice positively by Scripture which holds forth a rule for all lawfull practice and not to require negative proofes from others for that is not Gods way To the second thing where he compares them with other Teachers I suppose he meanes Teachers by vertue of Office and so we have none of any higher calling then R. H. when he himselfe teaches but if he will rightly compare his Ministers to find whether they are Ministers of Christ or of Antichrist let him go to Scripture-patterne for all inward and outward qualifications for Christs Ministers or Pastors according to that Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they walke not according to this rule it is because there is no light in them For what the Prophet saith of speaking I may say of practice and 1 John 2.24 Let that therefore abide in you to be practised certainly which ye have heard from the beginning if that abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning ye shall continue in the Son and in the Father now this is a way without exception To his third thing verily one similitude hath as much authority as another therefore consider that as it is not lawfull for any person without commission and authority from the King to use and apply the Kings Seale to convey any assurance in worldly matters even so it is not lawfull for any man having no calling or commission from Christ to take upon him the administration of such Ordinances of Christ that never were