Anti-Christ 2 Thess 2.4,12 Colouring all this with confession of some part of Truth The more reddily to deceive and cast the aspercions of Hereticks and Seducers on true Beleevers even this deceitfull Serpent when he can no longer prevail in this way can then more secretly winde in himself into some under pretence of zealous Renouncing all these usurped Titles and Courts and grosse Superstitions Pressing on in the same pride To the same power and Lordlinesse in a more godly way Joh. 3.9,10 And so still cast the same aspertions on all that stoop not to acknowledge such Excellency and Authority in them as not to passe their limits * The name Bishops or Elders with their Office The Assemblies of Christians The Councells of Elders and Brethren and every godly Person of or among them are good and to be reverenced and no whit touched here Nor are Independants here countenanced God onely is Independant and in respect of Christ and submission among men I know none unlesse it be the Pope and such as hee and the Counsell of Trent and such as they As for true Churches whether wanting a Presbytry as those of Corinth or having a Congregationall Presbytry as those of Philippi or both that an Overseer over divers of them as in Ephesus and Creet I reverence them all but Satan to put any these names on wrong Persons is usuall Rev. 2.9 3.9 1 Cor. 11.3 c. So that wee still need to pray that prayer Tell me where thou feedest c. Cant. 1.7 And to observe that direction Matt. 7.15,16 Yee shall know them by their fruits c. Their Doctrine and the favor and end of their Doctrine 1 Cor. 12.1,12 And to keep that charge Beleeve not every Spirit but Try the Spirits c. 1 Joh. 4.1,2,6 And for that end To the Law To the Testimony c. Isa 8.19,20 Knowing that none can prove an Heresy by nor vent it in a plaine saying of Scripture but they must adde or diminish werest and Gloss to make a seeming Proof And wee having that help herein Joh. 10.4 1 Joh. 2.20,27,28 Let not mens easting an ill name on the Truth or any part thereof or on the Servants of it * This hath been an antient trick of the Devill and his servants Joh. 8.48 Act. 28.22 Nor their putting the name of Truth upon errour sway us But search the Scripture And this Scripture which hath been so often abused in your hearing some consideration whereof I have presented to you Try all things and keep that which is good And the Lord seasonably doscover who are Seducers and lead us into all Truth And Hee ever fill you with blessing according to the Prayer of his poor unworthy one and Yours in all Service of Love in CHRIST THO. MOORE A DISCOVERY OF SEDVCERS THAT CREEP INTO HOUSES A brief View of 2 Tim. 3.5,9 THe Apostle having forewarned that perillous Times would come and shewne a reason why they would be so perrillous Doth here discover one of the chiefest Perills that would ensue and that is of the Seducement of some from the faith and Love of Christ and Union and Fellowship with Beleevers And herein hee discovereth and setteth forth the Seducers By Shewing 1. Of what sort they are and to whom they belong Of this sort are they Which 2. Their way of Attempting their Businesse They Creep into Houses 3. Their worke which they doe they imbondage And lead Captive 4. In with whom their work prevailes Silly women laden with sinnes lead away with divers Lusts ever larning and never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth 5. The manner of their working to Accomplish their businesse Now as James and Jambres withstood Moses So doe these also resist the Truth 6. The true Charracter of the Seducers Uncloaked Men of corrupt mindes Reprobate or of no judgement concerning the Faith 7. The extent of their work both in what and in whom They doe but trouble imbondage and captive they bring none to liberty and sound Peace and rest in Christ They lead captive none but such unstable ones They shall proceed no Further. 8. The Issue of their businesse when they come to Attempt delivery from bondage and Tender freedome in Christ And when they deale with established beleevers Their folly shall be made manifest to all men as theirs also was 1. Of this sort are they Compare Mat. 23.14,25 with 2 Pet. 2.1 Joh. 5.7,8,9 and it confirms the same That is Such as are branded with divers of the former evills Covered over with a forme of Godlinesse a show of Love and Zeal and Devetion accompanied with much Praying Fasting Preaching Strict in outward Observation of Sabbath's and severe prosecution of circumstantiall things Rom. 10.2 Matt. 23.14.27 Luk. 18.11 But have not the Word of Reconciliation in their heart and the Spirit of grace therein writing the Epistle of Christ in their heart and so leading them in a Christ-like minde To move others to be reconciled to Christ as the Servants of Christ have Joh. 15.4,7 Rom. 8.2,14 2 Cor. 3.3,18 and 8.14,19 Of these they seem to bee with these they sometime are from among these they come but of them they are not 1 Joh. 2.19 But of the former sort to whom they belong and with whom they are and ought to be numbred Which 2. Creep into Houses This is their way they subtilly and secretly and by degrees creep or wind themselves into houses Two things are here to be rightly Understood First What is here meant by houses and Secondly what is meant or intimated in this Word Creep into First by houses is here meant Churches or Societyes of such as doe beleeve and make Profession of the Gospel For the Apostle was before directing Timothy about the Doctrine suitable to be in and to build up the House of God Chap. 2.1,20,26 Warning him of some that had departed from the Faith and overthrowne the Faith of some Chap 3.18 and of some to be recovered Vers 25 26. And here fore-warning of such-like Perills He to admonish Timothy minds him of his owne example Chap. 3.10,11 in Doctrine and life Now then of what houses are here meant is easie to discerne So Wisedome hath built her house Prov. 9.1 And whose house wee are Heb. 3.3.6 A spirituall house 1 Pet. 2.5 Now as this great house is one and called the Church of Christ 1 Cor. 12.28 So the particular Congregations societyes or Famillies are called Churches and here houses Gal. 1.2 Secondly By this word Creep is meant and intimated three things about their incomming to be Teachers in such Societies or Houses 1. Their want of Authority and comming in at the doore They have not the word of Grace put into their hearts by the Spirit of Christ and so have not been in the Heavenly Call chosen out of the Condition and fellowship of the world into union and fellowship with Christ and his Chosen ones and so have not the Spirit
wrought in them life wrought in others Prov. 30.2,3 2 Cor. 4,5,12 III. They are not of one mind some more grosse as the Saduces and some more refined as the Pharisees in their conception of the way Secondly In the inclination of their mindes not to exilt Christ onely but themselves as Lords and Rabbyes liking it best that the People should rest on their Judgements for points of Faith and interpretation of Scripture and not to presume to know beyond contrary to the Vpright that were not content till they knew as themselves knew and had their evidence from God that they might not depend on them and would have them still be trying by Scripture and wait for that Knowledge and rejoyced when they had it 2 Cor. 4.5 Joh. 3.29,30 2 Pet. 1.18,19,20 besides the glary honour wealth and great places they Desire and seek for themselves Gal. 4.17 From which corrupt Mindes proceed their corrupt reasoning and Practice First Their corrupt reasoning and Arguments can it be that so many great Learned and Godly Devines Ministers and Professors Annas and Cayaphas The high Priests The Priests and Elders The Scribes and Pharisees that sit in Moses Chayre and all their Disciples whom the great Church so long Reverenced should be ignorant of the Truth and erre and that a Carpenter the Sonne of a Carpenter and a few Fishers a Publican a Tent-maker men that are Gallileans whom scarce any follow but the common Illiterate People that know not the Law should kâ—…w the mind of God and be in the Truth Joh. 7.47,52 As the Antichristian Brood reason Is it likely so many Godly Fathers Divines Bishops Counsells The great Church for so many Hundreth yeares should erre and a few despised upstarts should be in the Truth Secondly Their corrupt practise of worshipping Angels Messengers Adoring these great learned Officers as if they could not erre and so to be Depended on for all knowledge and certainty of the word of Truth not presuming to know but what they have declared nor looking for further light then in their sayings And so calling them the Church Thereby as their Fathers the Pharisees of old shaddowed Christ with two heads by having two High Priests making Christ two Bodies or Churches one Spirituall another Secular one of the Clergy another of the Laity one of Publike Officers and Members Another of private members without Office that the one may depend on the other and neither hold the head and both neglect the True Body Col. 2.18,20 Contrary to 1 Cor. 12. Chap. like that 1 Cor. 1.12 2. They are Reprobate and of no judgement concerning the Faith concerning Letters Tongues Etimology of words Philosophy Logick diversity of Bookes Histories Genealogies Morallities To move subtill Questions To answer knotty Questions To Dipute about Law c. They may be of great skill 1 Cor. 1.19,20 1 Tim. 1,2 But concerning the Faith in that they are of no judgement whether we respect the Doctrine and object of Faith or the Spirit Grace and opperation of Faith For How all men should be reconciled to God in Christ and yet most men in themselves and their own hearts enemies to Christ and so to God still 2 Cor. 5.19,20 How Christ should have paid the price for and bought all men into his dispose and yet justly Judge many of them to eternall Death Rom. 14.8,12 How enough should be done for All men by Christ that they might be saved and yet many not infallible atternarly saved Joh. 3.17,19 How man being dead in sinnes c. And having no Power or freedome of will to choose life and yet so much done by Christ to make his Will free That the fault of his not being â—…lly saved should be found in his owne will and not in the Will of God and Christ Joh. 3.17,19 1.9 Prov. 1.23,26 Ezek. 18.23.32 33.11 How there should be such a Will in God To have all men saved and then brought to acknowledge the truth And that Christ should Accomplish this his will and condemne any to Eternall Death 1 Tim. 2.4,5,6 2 Pet. 2.1 How God should Order all things in his Counsells and work all things according to the Counsell of his owne Will and yet not so necessitate any to destruction But that their destruction is of themselves They loose their owne souls and bring upon themselves Destruction Ephes 1.11 Hos 13.9 Mat. 16.26 2 Pet. 2.1,2 They cannot rightly conceive or declare Againe in the distinction the Spirit in the Scripture maketh between the Salvation Iesus Christ wrought in his owne body with God for men 1 Pet. 2.24 And the salvation which in Application of the former hee by his Spirit worketh in men to God Revel 5.9 2 Cor. 5.18 The Salvation he came down from heaven was abased to work that he might bring us to God Joh. 16.28 Heb. 10.1,10 1 Pet. 3.18 And the Salvation he ascended to heaven was glorifyed to Worke in making sonnes and bringing them to God Psal 68.18.20 Act. â—5 31.32 Between the divers ends of Christ in laying down his Life 1. To be a Ransome and Propitiation for sinnes Heb. 9.22 Rom. 3.24,25 2. To seale and confirme the New Testament of Precious Promises Heb. 9.15,16,17 3. To be an example to us of Sufferings 1 Pet. 2.23 And the different extent of these ends 1 Joh. 2.1,2,3 And between the mission of Christ To be the Saviour of the World in Dying and giving himselfâ— a Ransome for All. 1 Joh. 4.14 Joh. 1.29 and 3.17 and his Mission to Preach the Gospel and confirme it with Miracles which was to the Iewes and for the Circumcision Matt. 15.24 Rom. 18.8,9 Between his giving Himself to die and offer Sacrifice and his giving himself to Advocate and apply the vertue of his Sacrifice 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Joh. 2.1,2 Ephe. 5.25,26,27 Between his Purchasing of his Father by blood-shedding Rom. 14.9 2 Pet. â— 1 And the Purchasing from among men by his spirituall Application of his blood that was shed Rev. 5.9 Act. 20.28 Between that which is full compleat and true in Christ for All men That they may beleeve and in beleeving receive it Rom. 3.23,25 and 5.18 1 Joh. 5.10,11,12 And these high and peculiar Priviledges in Christ further to dispense to such as through grace are enabled to Beleeve Joh. 1.12,13 and 7.36.39 Yea between the extent and scope of the generall Affirmations of the Gospel as Propositions for Faith in the Third Person Joh. â— 19 â— Tim. 2.6 and Applicative Affirmations in First or Second Person Rom. 8 3â— Gal. 2.20 In all or most of these Distinctions they are ignorant and confound them in one as of like large extent whence issues their setting the Scriptures at vaviance to be reconciled by their prooflesse Glosses And their corrupt opinion that all Christ dyed for must of necessity be eternally saved and their false conjectures and Reports of those that beleeve CHRIST gave himself a Ransome for All Men as that they hold men by nature to have
Free-Will or that Men may live as they list c. And as they are thus void of Judgement about the Doctrine and object of Faith so also about the Spirit grace and opperation of Faith How by the very evidence of the Spirit in the appearance of Grace manifested in the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ and fulnesse in him A man should be overcome to beleeve and therein receive remission of sinnes Peace with God and hope without encouragement from any works frames or quallifications of his own or use of humane reasonings or thoughts to help to faith Tit. 3.4,5,7 Ephes 2.8 Rom. 4.25 5.1 2 Joh. 3.5 How through the Spirit in this very beleeving a man should be brought to depend on Christ for subduing lusts and Satan for Sanctification preservation in grace The precious Promises and eternall life without his owne humane reasonings workings and self application of Promises Rom. 5.11 1 Joh. 2.24,25 Zach. 4.6,7 Gal. 5.5 1 Thess 5.24 How in this confident Beleeving the Spirit writes the Law of grace in the heart and by Discoverie of glorious Grace in Christ Takes off from earthy Excellencies Melts Humbles Renewes and Conformes to the likenesse of Christ and fills with spirituall motions and fruits leading into all Truth and unto all Services of Charity without a mans own helpfulnesse of him by workings after the Law of workes and yet with no contrariety to it Phil. 3.3,9 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Gal. 5.16.18,22,23 and 6.8 Joh. 16.13,14 Rom. 8.2.14 How by abiding in this Faith love shall work out all righteousnesse that law requireth in a free bringing it forth and the Beleever grow in Sanctification and fruitfulnesse without being undered to the Law of Workes to bring it forth Yet having Commandements as Servants to Order the exercise of Charity Rom. 13.10 2 Cor. 5.14 Gal. 5.13,18 Joh. 15.1.10 Of these things they are ignorant and of no Judgement whence they make use of Arguments and Reasons from frames and quallifications to make up Faith 2 Cor. 10.7.12.18 And turne aside to be Teachers and imposers of the Law for Sanctification 1 Tim. 1.5.6,7 That nothing be said of those higher and more mysterious Communications of Spirit through Faith in which the Beleever is brought to see within the Vaile To receive the heavenly Oracles To see unexpressible beauty and receive unutterable entercourses of Love c. 1 Cor. 2.9 Phil. 3.20 Cant. 1,2 c. The very uttering of the experiments whereof These Seducers are such Strangers to them that they count them follyes call them Sattannicall Delusions and Enthusiasmes and Distempered Frenzies Joh. 7.20 Act. 26.24 1 Cor. 2.14 And thus are they marked out To be of corrupt mindes and of no Judgement concerning the Faith 7. But they shall proceed no further Here is their period or full stop The extent of their Worke Both in what they shall doe and with whom they shall prevaile to seduce and leade them captive 1. The utmost of their Worke is but to trouble and convince of sinne To presse to Duties and helpe to such hopes as are still under question and in the Issue gender to bondage and Captive to the Judgement of the Seducers This is the utmost of their worke That they may be still admiring and relying on them also Gal. 4.17.22,31 5.8,12 Rom. 7.9 Phil. 3.1,2,7 But receipt of Spirit and freedome in Christ and experiment of fellowship with Christ is not received in their Ministration Gal. 3.1,5 5.1,3 2. The utmost of their prevailing is onely with those that are yet unstable in the Faith and lusting after approbation of men whence as those that are stable and stedfast are likened to men and called men 1 Cor. 16.13 So these unstable Ones that are turned aside are compared to Women and called Women And so the Apostle Intimates the Gallatians turning aside to be for want of the forme of CHRIST in them Gal. 4.19 And preferre faith they are such as are unlearned not taught of God as Isai 34.13,17 And Unstable in the Faith That pervert the Scriptures to their Destruction And such they are that fall from the Doctrine In which their stedfastnesse is and might be attained and are so carryed away with the errour of the wicked 2 Pet. 3.16,17,18 With none but such shall they prevaile They shall proceed no further 8. But their folly shall be manifest to all men as theirs also was Here is the last Issue of their businesse And that is when they still attempt as the Magicians Did to proceed to doe the same things that God by his servants doth Their folly appears 1. In their Attempting so to preach Gospel as to bring their seduced and Imbondaged from their bondage and into the Kingdome and Liberty of CHRIST There they fall short and turne aside to vaine Janglings Fables Genealogyes and strive about Words saying and affirming that they understand not and are in many things ever and anon unsaying againe 1 Tim. 1.6 4,7 6.4,5,20 2 Tim. 2.14,15 Wherein their folly becomes manifest 2. In their deasings with those who experimentally know and are established in the Faith they both faile of their purpose and their folly appeares to them and may by them be made manifest to others and in due season shall be manifest to All Men. 1. Joh. 2.18,28 Isai 60.14 And thus as this place may be found opened by and agreeing with other places of Scripture are these Seducers discovered that they may be knowne Yet I know There is one exposition of the Word Houses here by which some would turne all aside Namely That by HOUSES are meant PRIVATE-HOUSES or mens Divelling Houses built of Timber and Clay Lime and stone c. Though I suppose they conceive these to have theire Denomination from the house houshold or Family Inhabiting in them else what meaneth that 1 Cor. 1.11 Them of the House of Cloe. And againe Though such Houses as they speake of have been are and may be Preached in yet consider I. What Divinity is in this Interpretation when the Apostle is treating of the House of GOD and the Doctrine and behaviour therein and of the evills of Seducers in the same to understand houses so grosly 1 Tim. 3.15 2 Tim. 2.3 II. What Christianity is in this Interpretation To lay down a sense so to condemne some as they therein condemne Christ Jesus and his Apostles and Disciples who as they Preached the Gospel in the Temple and Synagogue so they did Preach in mens houses also and from house to house Mat 9.10.17 12.46.48 Act. 5.42 20.20 Yea in their own houses Ioh. 1.39.43 Yea even hired houses III. Let this Interpretation be granted yet there is neither Wisedome nor Truth in their Application of it For first Reason would tell a man That these Seducers so carefull of their honour and safety would not commit Buglary in breaking into mens houses nor as Theeves creep in at the windows nor as silly ones come in secretly by the inletting of false
A DISCOVERY OF SEDVCERS THAT CREEP INTO HOUSES Written by THO. MOORE Matth. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets that come to you in sheepes clothing but inwardly they are Ravening Wolves Printed in the Year 1646. THE EPISTLE Dear Christian and much esteemed Friend IT being the Will and Commandement of God concerning all Beleevers in respect of one another even all Beleevers where God affords them fellowship in the Gospel Phil. 1.5 To edifie themselves or one another in their must holy * Doth not the very Text of Scripture affirme all this Faith c. Jude 20,21 1 Thess 5.11 And this by Teaching Col. 3.16 Exhorting Heb. 3.13 Warning Comforting 1. Thess 5.11.14 Provoking c. Hebr. 10.24 And concerning unbeleevers That they hold forth the Word of life to them Phil. 2.15,16 And Jesus Christ having Ascended to his Fathers Right hand to give gifts * Saith not the Scripture all this Psal 68.18,20 to perfect his Saints for the work of the Ministery Eph. 4.12 And so given to every one of them some portion of his Spirit to Minister with Ephe. 4.7 1 Cor. 12.5.11 And avouched such whom Hee hath united to himself and endued with his Spirit To be spirituall * Is not this more plaine and full in the Scripture Priests The Priests of the Lord And that they shall build and repaire and men shall call them the Ministers of our God 1. Pet. 2.3,4,5 Isa 61.3,4,5,6 And the Holy Spirit Affirmed to be given to every Beleever To profit withall 1 Cor. 12.4,7 And that to this end That the Church of Beleevers or Body of Christ may be knit together and * Is not all this evident in the Scripture grow by that which every joynt supplyeth Eph. 4.15,16 And the Grace to Charity put in them moving that way 1 Cor. 5.11,14 Act. 26.29 And the word of Grace put in them having that in it that appertaines to all and makes them indebted to all 2. Cor. 5.19,20 Rom. 1.14,16 And the mercy shewne them a Patterne to be held forth for others incouragement 1 Tim. 1.15,16 For which causes They are also called Stewards in whom faithfulnesse is required 1 Pet. 4.10 1 Cor. 4.2 And the bounds of their ministration set forth Every man as he hath received the gift so Minister the some one to another If any man speake let him speak as the * Is not this also the language and Testimony of the Scripture Eccles 12.10 Oracles of God If any man minister let him doe it as of the Ability which God giveth 1 Pet. 4.10,11 According as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith Rom. 12.3 And this though they suffer for it 1 Pet. 4.12,13 with Act. 4.19,20 And the Doctrine also appointed them Even that which is written The Words and sayings of Christ in the Gospell Pro. 32,20,21 2 Joh. 9.10 Col. 3.16 1 Thes 4.18 In all which respects The whole Church on Earth is the light of the World Mat. 5.14 to hold forth the word of Life Phil. 3.16 Their Authority is from * Sure the Scripture shewes all this Heaven from God and Christ his Sonne and the holy Ghost by whom Christ hath put the word of Grace in their hearts 2 Cor. 5.18,19,20 6.1 1 Cor. 12. Jesus Christ having sent these into the World to minister the Gospel and prayed for them and sanctified them to that end Joh. 17.9.18,21 And borne witnesse of them by making knewne the Saviour of his knowledge And for all he ther to said many have writ as much Mr. Calvin lib. 4. of his Inst cap. 1 5.3 Vâ—…sin on Commun of Saints c. through them 2 Cor. 14. By which the Lord hath stamped his Authority for them in declare the Gospel as he gives occasion and â—ppartunity to them and by grace leades them Isa 61.3,6 Mr. Perkins on the Creed about our union with Christ and each other Mr. Bolton in his generall Directions for comfortable walking with God pag. 87 89. 25. 8. Joseph Bertham on Society of Saints p. 3. 4. 18. to 23. Doctor Scâ—ater 1 Thess 5.11 Bishop Jewell on the same Rich. Rogers 7. Treaties Tract 4. fol. 394 397. 398. Byfield on Coll. 1.4 3.16 4.2 Cooper Daily Sacrifice pag. 431. 432. Nicholaus bound Psal 119.13 Tindal Mat. 5.16 Erasmus Luk. 8.16 Wilson Dixionary pag 57. on 1 Pec. 2.17 and pag. 151. on 1 Thess 5.11 pages 280. 591. 858. 860. 612. Others might be named such as will may search and see this is no Novelty And this is that which gives and confirmes Authority to preach the Gospel Rom. 12.3 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4.12,16 â—…t for an Office outward for oversight of * See in all this Docter Fulk in Ans to the Rhemists on Rom. 10.15 To say nothing of Mr. Robison and Mr. Ainsworth because they were Separatists The Scripture sheweth all this to be no Novelty but Antient Truth Brethren and leading them in order and Attention to Ministration in such an Office The Lord hath set some for helps in Government 1 Cor. 12.28 for which bee hath appointed the Election of the Church And approbation of such in the Church as are fitted thereto without which Call to assume such an office is not according to God But with it To enter such an Office for any so fitted as formerly Is Landable But this outward Gall gives them neither the ability nor the authority to Preach the Gospel for that they had before else they erred that choose and called them 1 Tim. 3.2 Much lesse doth it Authorize them to stop the mouthes of them that teach right things but it outhoriceth them to a more peculiar watch and to attendance to Preaching to such And to lead to Minister in such and such an approved Order with such authority as may be seen 1 Tim. 3.4,5 2 Tim. â—… Tit. 1. And this full for the furtherance even of there brethrens usefulnesse in gifts 1 Tim. 4.12 2 Tim. 2.3 And this being so plain in the Scripture and so suitable too and set forth in the Gospel of Christ 〈…〉 How any such as professe themselves before others in the knowledge of the Gospel and saith in Christ should be so ignorant hereof As that with pretence of Câ—nscience of an outward Call though such as on the turning the winde they can renounce also To quench the Spirit in Beleevers and prohibit their obedience to the Commandements of God and the grace and Spirit of Christ And as many as doe not obey them rather then yea against God To call them Seducers and Creepers into Houses But Satan that taught that Man of sinne to put the Name of Bishops upon Tyrannicall worldly Lords and Governours and to put the name of Church upon such an order and Assemblies of Court and Convocations as were worldly and yet neither Church nor Common Wealth and to put the name of Godlinesse and Religious Devotion upon Idolatry and Superstition and the Name of CHRIST upon
of Christ to move and lead them forth in that Christ-like mind and Charity as all his servants whom hee sendeth have 2 Cor. 3.2,3,18 4.6 5.14.18,19,20 1 Joh. 1.1,2,3 As the will Appointment of the Father Heb. 10.1,10 is that Door by which JESUS CHRIST himself entered for Jesus Christ himself is the DOOR of the Fathers Will and Appointment by which all Acceptable entrance in to God or the house of God is Joh. 10.2.7.9 14.6 And this spirituall making knowne of the Father and Christ so as thereby to draw out of the World and bring into Christ and then giving in the word into the heart enabling with the heart to beleeve unto Righteousnesse and with the mouth to make confession unto salvation in CHRIST his opening of or putting in any by the Doore Joh. 17.38,8 Rom. 3.10 To such he hath given Commission to declare the Gospel and for such Hee hath prayed for their Sanctification Preservation and prosperous blessing in their Ministration of the Gospel and he hath given his Commission and prayed for such blessing in Ministration for none but such as these none that yet remaine in the Condition of and fellowship with the world Joh. 17.9,14,18,20,21,23 And therefore such as are not thus fitted warranted and led by Christ that they may say as Paul 2 Cor. 5.14,18,18,19,20 They have no commission from Christ nor doe they come into the house by the Door But run without his sending and clime up or creepe in some other way Though they be called Prophets Jerem. 23.14,21 Joh. 10.1 2. By creeping is also meant their subtilty in hiding their Doctrine and mindes with cloakes of guile till they be received And that is two wayes I. In hiding their grand opinion of slighting the Foundation and Corner-Stone The Vision of all and preferring some other Doctrine before it Isai 28.12.14,16 29,10,11,12 Psal 118.22 Act. 4.11,12 2 Cor. 2.17 and 4.2 II. In hiding their Intention and Issue that will follow on the receipt or their Teachings which is to unsettle and pervert them from the simplicity that is in Christ 2 Cor. 11.3,4 To bring them in some Bondage under the Law of works Gal. 1.6 4.21 To take off their Affections from spirituall Teachings and sincere Preachers of the Gospel and to gaine their Choice Affections to themselves and so to subdue them to their own Judgements that they might be Lords of their faith Gal. 4.17 All which till they be received they colour over and hide with good words and fayre speeches Rom. 16.17,18 Pretences of Zeal Love and Devotion Col. 2.18 2 Cor. 11.15 Promises of great Attainments and liberty 2 Pet. 2.19 2 Cor. 11.3 Pretences of Spirit and wresting words of Scripture and counterfeiting as if the sinceere Preachers of the Gospel said as they doe and had so written 2 Thes 2.2 And through this subtilty they winde and creep into houses or Societies of Beleevers III. By creeping is here meant and intimated also some neglect and over-sight in the Beleevers especially the Multitude of them who if they had dilligently heeded the foundation the savour and Teachings of that Unction they received from Christ and kept full estimate thereof They might have seen the Darknnesse and unlikenesse of the Teachings of these creepers thereto and so how there was no need thereof to them 1. Joh. 2.19,20,27 Gal. 3.1,2 Cor. 11.4 Gal. 2.4 Jude 4. And so had they consulted with Christ and resorted to their overseers while the Church of Beleevers had the Power of Choyse and the Choyse was of men taught of God The Church then as the woman cloathed with the Sunne c. Rev. 12.1 Such might have been kept out though in such time when the outward Court is left to the Gentiles and the man of fin gets his seat therein and gives forth his Lawes Then are the houses so weakned That these Seducers come in openly enough and the Witnesses Prophesie in Sackcloth And so the perill greater Rev. 11.2,3 And the Apostle doth not Prophecy That in a full and outward sense in those times they shall Creep but saith That of that sort there were in his owne time that did then creep For surely else they had not been then admitted in the outward Assemblies of Beleevers to be Teachers as in the evill times foretold they may Though into the more speciall fellowships of Beleeuers They are fain't still to use their Creeping 3. And lead Captive This is their businesse and the worke they doe and the effect of their Teachings After they are received and begin to be entertained and esteemed which they laboured for and then they begin to discover something plainly their opinion and intention They then Lead Captive they withdraw from simple and unfained Faith and Confidence in Christ and rejoycing in him only 2 Cor. 11.3 Phil. 3.2,3 They pervert and Trouble the minds of those that were inclined to the right way Gal. 3.3,5 4.21 5.1,4,8 6.12 Prov. 9.15,16 And so entangle them with bondage under the law of Workes then they under them to their owne judgements exalting themselves as knowing high things and perswading their Disciples that in submission to them they shall attaine perfection in holinesse and great Liberty Gal. 4.17 2 Cor. 11.15 Gal. 3.1,5 2 Pet. 2.19 And so they lead them Captive This is their work and their businesse and the effect of their Teaching 4. Silly Women laden with sinnes lead away with divers Lusts over learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth Here the Apostle sets forth with whom these Seducers prevaile and who and what they are that are seduced by them and he sets them forth by divers Charracters meeting together on them Viz. If they are filly women so called not so much in respect of the sex as if all or only females as in respect of their weaknesse in not standing against the force of Assaults and suffering themselves to be overcome by such seemings and shaddowes to part with that wherein they had seen and tasted substance whether Male or Female All is one in reproof of their weaknesse they are called women For however in Nature and in Humane and Morall respects there is male and female and which grace destroyeth not but ordereth Ephe. 5. 6. Yet in receipt and enjoyment of the grace of God by union in Christ There is no difference between Male and Female Col. 3.10,11 So the like may be said in respect of folly weaknesse and losse by departing from Christ to another Doctrine Gal. 5.4 And so these seduced ones both Male and Female are called women because of their fillynesse Women not so able ordinarily to see and know the worth of a rare and rich Pearle and Jewell as men Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisedome and hee hath no heart Prov. 17.16 Besides the over-readinesse to beleeve every word without tryall Prov. 14.15 and herein their weakness as Ezek. 16. When
God had done so much for them And yet they were drawne away by vanity vers 13. How weake is thine heart saith the Lord seeing thou dost all these things The worke of an Imperious and Whorish woman yet were they both Male and Female And so when the mighty are taken away and babes and children rule the people Isai 19.16 Jer. 30,37 51.30 Isa 3.3,4 It is called Women ruling over you Vers 12. And so on the other side 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch yee stand fast in the Faith quit you like men be strong was spoken to all the Beleeving Corinthians Male and Female as heere for sillynesse and weaknesse in being turned from substance by others holding forth shaddows both Male and Female are called Women 2. They are laden with sinnes which cannot be understood of going on in divers open and known froms for that would not have stood with the forme of godlynesse in these Seducers who would scarce vovchsafe an open corverse with such especially in their Religious Discourse Nay they will fault others for such conversing with them Mat. 9.10,14 Joh. 7.48.49 But they are laden and oppressed and burthened with the risings and motions and Accusations of sinnes that by the strength they have from the Law Domineere in the Conscience That they are fearfull not able to look up beleevingly and take quiet in Christ 1 Cor. 15.56 Rom. 6.14 Though they have been lovingly envited thereto Matt. 11.28 And they have heard of the great love of God in the gift of his Sonne The salvation and Peace that he hath made and the life that is in him And that in beleeving they shall Receive Remission of sinnes and Eternall Life and been helped to beleeve and like this report yet to beleeve in him and quiet their hearts in him They dare not They cannot oh the secret thoughts of Worldlinesse uncleannesse wrath discontent yea Pride and Atheisme with some motions and Temptations thereunto Oh the hardnesse and Impenitence of heart The deadnesse too and wandrings in Prayer hearing the Word c. And till they be more humbled and purged and better quallifyed and enlarged They Dare not They cannot They will not beleeve in Christ And though in the Gospel it be testified to them That if they did so honour him in the word of grace or report of the Gospel They have heard and in some measure beleeved as to beleive and quiet their hearts in him and accept Christ for Remission of sinnes Righteousnesse Holinesse and life They should not only receive Remission of sinnes by the Spirits application of his blood but also purging and operations of Spirit that would humble renew sanctifie and confirme them to Christ Isa 28.12,16 30.15,16,18 Joh. 7.37,38,39 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Tit. 3.4,5 And that till they first beleeve in Him These things will never be rightly wrought in them Joh. 15.4,5 Yet they say They must have them first before they can beleeve And though in attention to the word of grace They have met with some sweet tastes and hints of ease and Refreshing encouraging to beleeve and divers examples of others as much laden as themselves in beleeving helped yet may they be complained of How long will it be ere they beleeve Numb 14.11 This their unbelief their great sinne that holds them under all their other sinnes is yet least complained of but the former is their burthen whence they are ever and anon in heavy Doubts and feares And these are apt for the Seducers with their forme of godlynesse and Precepts and law of works to work upon promising them great Freedome that waye and in meane season That their troubled condition is better then theirs that are so confident and that the Doubting faith is the best faith And so these so laden with sinne are most easily captived by them 3. Lead away with divers Lusts This is that which made them so weake and gives such an Advantage to the Seducers to captive them and that through which they are led away They have divers lusts They have a lust or desire that God would approve and speake Peace They would have Eternall Life though they doe not wholly submit to the way Mat. 19.16,27 Joh. 5.40 They also desire to be approved of such as have taught the Gospel to them And they desire to be approved of these Seducers because of their forme of godlinesse and zeal and pretence of strictnesse in duties whereby they fault all that are not as they Thus loving the praise of men and seeking Approbation from them and not singly that which comes from God alone This diversity of their Lusts stops them from beleeving in Christ And turnes them aside from those that speake only in his Name And apts them for Seducers that speak of themselves and so they are led away Joh. 5.4,44 7.46,53 12.42,43 4. They are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth They are ever Learning oft hearing and questioning about the truth of the Gospel that sets forth Christ But they receive not the love of the Truth They accept it not that Christ in the Gospel offereth them That in letting goe other delights wayes and confidences casting themselves on him in beleeving they shall finde in him and receive through him pardon justification renewing sanctification c. which not Accepting they are in stead of beleeving still questioning and asking both of one and another of the Children of the Free-woman and of the Children of the Bond-woman And so abiding under the Accusation of sinne by the Law or if some ease yet lusting after Approbation on both sides They so entangle themselves That they are at no time able to come to the knowledge of the Truth and so fits themselves for delusions 2 Thess 2.10 1 Joh. 2.19,20,27,28 That in Jesus Christ there is a Redemption wrought and Life obtained and that onely through the freenesse of his grace in beleeving in Him Remission of sinnes and Justification is received and he righteousnesse to the Beleever some of them in some measure understand and rejoyce for Gal. 3.1.5 4.15 But that he is Sanctification to the Beleevers and hath taken on himself by Spirit to worke Salvation in them To purge renew sanctify and perfect all that concerneth them 1 Thess 5.24 Isai 26.12 Psal 138.8 And that in beleeving on him so as through the beliefe of his grace in the former They are united to him in Dependence on him for the latter They shall receive it and hee will effect it in due season Rom. 4.24,25 and 5.1,11 This full forme of CHRIST is not in them They are no whit experimented in this Knowledge nor so perswaded of the truth whence they are ready to receive the Doctrine of the Seducers to attaine this Sanctification by Workes and observances of the law of Workes Gal. 4.19 5.1,5,8 1.9 2 Cor. 11.15 And these weake unsetled ones are they with whom the Seducers prevaile 5. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood