17. Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth Eph. 1. v. 13. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise 1 Pet. 2. v. 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby 1 Thes 2. v. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received is not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe 2 Cor. 1. v. 18. But as God is true our word toward you was not yea and nay v. 19. For the Sonne of God Jesus Christ who was preached among you by us even by me and Sylvanus and Timotheus was not yea and nay but in him was yea v. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him amen unto the glory of God by us chap. 7. v. 14. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you I am not ashamed but as we spake all things to you in truth even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth 1 Pet. 1. v. 25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you 2 Cor. 5. v. 20. Now then we are ambassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs steed be ye reconciled to God 1 Thes 2. v. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that beleeve Ephes 4. v. 11. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers 1 Cor. 2. v. 12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God v. 13. Which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdome teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth comparing spirituall things with spirituall v. 16. For who hath known the minde of the Lord that he may instruct him But we have the minde of Christ Acts 5. v. 20. Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life Rom. 6. v. 17. But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sinne but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrin which was delivered you chap. 16. v. 17. Now I beseech you brethren marke them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them 1 Cor. 4. v. 17. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus who is my beloved sonne and faithfull in the Lord who shall bring you into remembrance of my wayes which be in Christ as I teach every where in every Church 2 Ioh. v. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrin of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the doctrin of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son v. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrin receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Iude v. 3. Beloved when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation it was needfull for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints 2 Cor. 3. v. 5. Not that we are sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selves but our sufficiencie is of God v. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new Testament not of the letter but of the spirit for the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life chap. 4. v. 1. Therefore seeing we have this ministery as we have received mercy we faint not v. 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftinesse nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God chap. 6. v. 4. But in all things approving our selves as the ministers of God in much patience in afflictions in necessities in distresses v. 7. By the word of truth by the power of God by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left chap. 7. v. 14. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you I am not ashamed but as we spake all things to you in truth even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth 11. Now for as much as the Ministers of particular Churches were in the Apostles times given by Christ a Ephes 4.11 Tit. 1.5 6 7. 1 Cor. 14.37 to preach the true and genuine VVord of the Gospell b Tit. 1.5.6 7 9. and cap. 2.7 8. 2 Tim. 2. v. 2. Ephes 4.12 13 14 15. by way of Embassage for Christ c 2 Cor. 1.19 and chap. 5.20 Tit. 1.5 6 7. and 1 Cor. 4. v. 1 2. 1 Thes 1.1 and chap. 2. v. 13. d 2 Tim. 4. v. 2. and cha 2. v. 2. Tit. 1. v. 9. It is evident that they also had an expresse Commission e 1 Cor. 1. v. 1. with chap. 2. v. 12 13 14 15 16. also 2 Tim. 1.13 14. and chap. 2. v. 2. Tit. 1.9 10 11. Acts 15.24 Rom. 6.17 and chap. 16. v. 17. 2 Ioh. v. 9 10. and were furnisht with gifts sufficient for the discharge thereof f 2 Cor. 1.1.19 with chap. 3. v. 5 6. Acts 14.22 23. and chap. 20. v. 17 18 20 21. c. 2 Tim. 2.2 Tit. 1.9 10 11. and consequently were able to performe it in a due manner g Acts 20.28 31 32. 2 Tim. 2.2 and did accordingly performe it as it shall by and by be related h 2 Cor. 1.19 with chap. 4. v. 1 2. and 1 Cor. 16.10 Acts 15.35 Apoc. 2.8 9 10 12 13.18 19. and chap. 3.7 8 9 10 11. Ephe. 4. v. 11. And he gave some Apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastours and teachers Tit. 1. v. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee v. 6. If any be blamelesse the husband of one wife having faithfull children not accused of riot or unruly v. 7. For a bishop must be blamelesse as the steward of God not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre 1 Cor. 14. v. 37. If any man think himselfe to be a prophet or spirituall let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandements of the Lord. Tit. 1. v.
5. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordaine elders in every city as I had appointed thee v. 6. If any be blamelesse the husband of one wife having faithfull children not accused of riot or unruly v. 7. For a bishop must be blamelesse as the steward of God not self willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre chap. 2. v. 7. In all things shewing thy selfe a patterne of good workes in doctrine shewing uncorruptnesse gravity sincerity v. 8. Sound speech that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evill thing to say of you 2. Tim. 2. v. 2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also Ephes 4. v. 12. For the perfecting of the saints for the worke of the ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ v. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Sonne of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ v. 14. That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every winde of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lie in waite to deceive v. 15. But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ 2 Cor. 1. v. 1. Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timothy our brother unto the Church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints which are in all Achaia v. 19. For the Sonne of God Jesus Christ who was preached among you by us even by me and Sylvanus and Timotheus was not yea and nay but in him was yea Chap. 5. v. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God Tit. 1. v. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordaine elders in every city as I had appointed thee v. 6. If any be blamelesse the husband of one wife having faithfull children not accused of riot or unruly v. 7. For a bishop must be blamelesse as the steward of God not self willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker nor given to filthy lucre 1 Cor. 4. v. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God v. 2. Moreover it is reâ—quired in Stewards that a man be found faithfull 1 Thes 1. v. 1. Paul and Sylvanus and Timotheus unto the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ chap. 2. v. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe 2 Tim. 4. v. 2. Preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine chap. 2. v. 2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also Tit. 1. v. 9. Holding fast the faithfull word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers 1 Cor. 1. v. 1. Paul called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God and Sosthenes our brother chap. 2. v. 12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God v. 13. Which things also we speake not in the words which mans wisdome teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spirituall things with spirituall v. 14. But the naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned v. 15. But he that is spirituall judgeth all things yet he himselfe is judged of no man v. 16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him But we have the minde of Christ 2 Tim. 1. v. 13. Hold fast the forme of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus v. 14. That good thing which was committed unto thee keepe by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us chap. 2. v. 2. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also Tit. 1. v. 9. Holding fast the faithfull word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers v. 10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers especially they of the circumcision v. 11. Whose mouthes must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucres sake Acts 15. v. 24. Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words subverting your soules saying Ye must be circumcised and keepe the law to whom we gave no such commandement Rom. 6. v. 17. But God be thanked that yee were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you chap. 16. v. 17. Now I beseech you brethren marke them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them 2 John v. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Sonne v. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your houses neither bid him God speed 2 Cor. 1. v. 1. Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timothy our brother unto the Church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints which are in all Achaia v. 19. For the Sonne of God Jesus Christ who was preached among you by us even by me and Sylvanus and Timotheus was not yea and nay but in him was yea chap. 3. v. 5. Not that we are sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God v. 6. Who also hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit for the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life Acts
Cor. 16.10 1 Tim. 4.6 Titus 2 Cor. 8.23 and chap. 12.18 Epaphras Col. 1.7 Tychicus Col. 4.7 and their like 2 Cor. 8.23 but others though they might have continued in the meere purity of that word yet either through the neglect of their gifts or through the losse of a good conscience or by the abuse of their affections or of set purpose did depart from it such as they may be accounted who built wood hay and stubble upon the foundation 1 Cor. 3.10 11 12. who taught strange doctrine 1 Tim. 1.3 4. and were deceitfull workers 2 Cor. 11.13 and grievous wolves not sparing the flock and speaking perverse things to draw away the Disciples after them Acts 20.29 30. as ambitious and prating Diotrephes 3 John ver 9 10. Hymenaeus Alexander and Philetus 1 Tim. 1.19 20. 2 Tim. 2.16 17 18. and other false teachers of that age 1 John 2.18 19 26. Finally others though they continued in the meere purity of that word yet being indulgent to some particular affection did not procure the unanimous edification of the Church together with other Ministers such as they may be accounted of whom the Apostle speaketh Philip. 1.12 13. c. Philip. 1. v. 12. But I would ye should understand brethren that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel v. 13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places v. 14. And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speake the word without fear v. 15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envie and strife and some also of good will v. 16. The one preach Christ of contention not sincerely supposing to adde affliction to my bonds v. 17. But the other of love knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel v. 18. What then notwithstanding every way whether in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce yea and will rejoyce v. 19. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ 13. But since the people of that age had an infallible oyntment and knew the truth 1 John 2.20 27. were confirmed therein 1 Pet. 5.12 2 Pet. 1.12 were replenished and enriched with all necessary knowledge Rom. 15.14 1 Cor. 1.5 6 7 8. had mutuall faith with the Apostles alike precious and most holy Rom. 1.8 12. 2 Pet. 1.1 Jude ver 20. had learnt the doctrine of the Apostles and had beleeved it as it was preached by them and had received it Rom. 16.17 2 Thes 2.15 1 Cor. 15.11 Heb. 10.26 Acts 8.14 could retaine that doctrine as it had been delivered to them 1 Cor. 11. 2. Acts 2.42 did altogether abound in faith and utterance and knowledge and all diligence 2 Cor. 8.7 had the truth of the Gospell abiding with them Gal 2.5 had beene sealed with the holy Spirit upon the word of truth or Gospell of their Salvation Ephes 1.13 had the sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the truth 2 Thes 2.13 had the form of the Apostles doctrine Rom. 6.17 Jude v. 3. could try the Spirits whether they were of God 1 John 4.1 2 3. 2 John v. 9 10. Heb. 9.10 might be and was sound in the faith Titus 1.13 Apoc. 2 25. might continue in the faith grounded and setled and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which they had heard Col. 1.23 knew how they ought to walke and please God 1 Thes 4.1 2. and consequently knew that one only faith Heb. 11.6 Ephes 4.5 c. since I say the people of that age were endued with the aforesaid faculties they could easily observe what particular Ministers did depart from the purity of that Word and therefore though the Ministers of particular Churches by the neglect of their gifts or otherwise might depart from the truth yet were not the people using their gifts to the end aforesaid endangered thereby since they could easily detect it a 1 John 2 20 21 24 26 27 28. and 2 Ioh. v. 9 10. 1 Joh. 2. v. 20. But ye have an unction from the holy One and ye know all things v. 21. I have not written unto you because yee know not the truth but because ye know it and that no lie is of the truth v. 24 Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father v. 26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you v. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him v. 28. And now little children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 2 Iohn v. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son v. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed 14. Neverthelesse though some Ministers did revolt yet the integrity of the gift it selfe wherewith they were instituted and endued remained safe and sound with all other particular Ministers who kept the mysterie of the faith in a good conscience inasmuch as they both might and did duely performe that Embassage to which they were called and furnished by Christ for though the particular Ministers of that age might revolt and there were some amongst thē that did indeed revolt yet that doth no more derogate from the integrity of their institution which was with the word of the Gospell wholly intrisincally undoubtedly and meerly true then the fall of our first parents derogateth from the truth of their originall integrity wherein they were created by God for as their fall hindreth not but that they were created in a spotlesse condition and were able to have persisted in it so likewise though those particular Ministers might revolt and did revolt yet it cannot be denied that they were instituted with the word of the Gospell wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true and might accordingly have persisted in it 15. Besides as there were some amongst those particular Ministers that did indeed revolt so also were there others that did not revolt to wit those who by patient continuance in well doing proved themselves to be good trees by their good fruits such as many then were and in the first beginning of the Gospell all though afterwards some by degrees revolted so as the faithfull of that age were not wont to try the
mutuall forbearance And I make no doubt if this course were once taken but God would meete us going on in his way and confirme his truth by some cleare and infallible demonstration that so all contentions about Religion might at length receive a quiet and happy Catastrophe TO THE LAW AND TO The TESTIMONIE Article 1. IN the first place we are to hold that God hath built the Christian Church on no other foundation but Iesus Christ who by the price of his bloud hath purchased her to himself for a peculiar possession as being her Lord Husband and Lawgiver and therefore that all right and authority of lawfull and due Ecclesiastick Administration ought to be derived from Him alone and consequently that the meanes and manner of that Administration neither can nor ought to be any other then such as argue Christ to be their Author so that if in the right authority meanes or manner of the Administration both heretofore and at this day used there occurre any thing of which it is certain that it was never instituted commanded or well-pleasingly permitted by Christ or at least whereof it may justly be doubted that very thing neither can nor ought to be made use of to the lawfull and due administration of the Church 2. Wherefore since the promise of Christ whereby he hath engaged himself to the Church behaving her self faithfully in the Covenant of God that he will be present with her to the end of the world graciously and effectually to conferre and continue the things aforesaid consisteth herein that his Spirit and Word never depart from that Church It is to be considered by all and singular Assemblies of Christians who acknowledge the Scripture of the Old and New Testament for the only Rule of faith and manners especially such as are under persecution whether that promised Spirit and Word of Christ be present with their Churches lest by the absence of both they appear to have broken the Covenant and to be without due and lawfull Ecclesiastick Administration and consequently so far forth without Christ 3. As Christ is sole and singular in that he admitteth no other person or persons to share with himself in the speciall worke for which he was given to the Church by the Father so is the Word of Christ sole and single because it admitteth no other word or words to share with it self in the aforesaid speciall work for which it was given to the Church by God 4. It is agreed upon amongst all Assemblies that acknowledge none but the Scripture of the Old and New Testament for the only Rule of faith and manners that that promised VVord of Christ was therefore amongst other things pertaining to that work given to the Church by God that it might be a wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true outward meanes whereby in an ordinary way she might attain to salvation 5. For if that VVord were not such a meanes the belief of all things built upon it must needs stagger neither could any man thence challenge to himself that undoubted certainty of faith and consequently no true certainty of faith but only opinion should possesse the minds of all Christians which God forbid 6. Since therefore the ordinary outward means given to the Church by God for the attainment of faith and salvation is that sole and single promised Word of Christ wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true whose native character it is to be free from all even the least error and to be meer truth It is to be considered whether God and Christ to this end would have the cheife worship of the New Testament to wit the due and lawfull preaching of the Gospel which is to be performed in the Name of God by Ministers specially and duly called thereunto as the chief part of Ecclesiastick Administration begun and set on foot by that promised Word only or not 7. Certainly if you consider the first preaching of the Gospell performed by John the Baptist by our Lord himselfe and his Apostles you cannot deny that God would have it at the first begun with that promised Word only being as it hath been said wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true 8. VVherefore the first lawfull preaching of the Gospell was performed by word of mouth and that such as was sincere sound unblamable abiding for ever and of which it might be truly and undoubtedly said Thy Word is Truth 9. In like manner you cannot deny that the aforesaid Beginners and Preachers of the Gospel being specially and duly called thereunto preached that Word in the name of God or in the stead and by the authority of God so that being Embassadors for God they sustained his person and consequently to hear them was as much as to hear God himself speaking by them so that their word was wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true and both they that preached it and they that received them for Ministers preaching in the name of God were infallibly assured of the truth of that word as of the very VVord of God 10. Now as there is but one Gospel a Gal. 1. ver 6 7. so there is but one true and genuine word of the Gospel b ver 8 9. which is and is called the truth c Ioh. 17. v. 14.17 the word of truth d Eph. 1. ver 13. the sincere rationall milke e 1 Pet. 2. v. 2. not the word of men but as it is indeed the word of God f 1 Thes 2. v. 13. which was not yea and nay but yea g 2 Cor. 1. v. 18 19 20. with chap. 7.14 also the word of God that abideth for ever i 1 Pet. 1. v. 25. that is the promised word of Christ wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true to declare which they that were sent as Embassadors for Christ had an expresse Commission and were furnisht with sufficient gifts for the due performance of their Embassie as cannot be denied vid. l 2 Cor. 5. v. 20. 1 Thes 2. v. 13. m Eph. 4. v. 11. n 1 Cor. 2. v. 12 13 16. Acts 5.20 Rom. 6.17 and chap. 16. v. 17. 1 Cor. 4. v. 17. 2 Ioh. v. 9 10. Iude v. 3. o 2 Cor. 3. v. 5 6. and chap. 4. v. 1 2. and chap. 6. v. 4 7. and chap. 7. v. 14. Gal. 1. v. 6. I marvell that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel v. 7. Which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ v. 8. But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed v. 9. As we said before so say I now again If any man preach any other gospel unto you then that ye have received let him be accursed Ioh. 17. v. 14. I have given them thy word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world v.