pretend never so much ability or eminency or experience to teach others I dare boldly assert that untill such time as God shall draw out their hearts to use this milk of the fourth Principle they are but unskilfull in a Foundation Doctrine of the word of righteousnesse And truly that 's exceeding sad if we consider Tit. 1.9 Well then to weaklings in the faith to young Disciples hath Christ designed this A B C. Doctrine of six principles to be laid as their first foundation upon himself Ephes 2.20 which is so far from being A new Administration as our Antagonists term this fourth Principle by way of derision that what we contend for is one of the words of the beginning of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 6.1 one of those first things which Jesus began to do and teach which are not set down particularly by the Evangelists for if they should be written every one it 's supposed the world could not contain them Joh. 21.25 this is one of those Commandements which Christ gave to his Apostles after his resurrection one of those things that he spake to them concerning the Kingdome of God Act. 1.1 2 3. for as Christ was forty dayes instructing Moses in Sinai how to govern his house under the Law so he was forty dayes instructing his Apostles in Sion how to order his house under the Gospell not writing his Lawes then with inke and paper or in tables of stone but acccorto the tenour of the new Covenant he did engrave them in their minds Heb. 8.10 and write them in their hearts with this full assurance upon the word of a King Joh. 14.26 that his holy Spirit should bring all things to their remembrance whatsoever he had said unto them so that he hath been exactly faithfull in all his house Heb. 3. As truly therefore as Christ gave them Commandements Act. 1.2 so truly are those things which the Apostles taught Act. 2.40 41 42. and 8.17 and left in writing Heb. 5.12 6.1 2. so truly I say are these things the very Commandements of the Lord 1 Cor. 14.37 which at first began to be spoken by the Lord Heb. 2.3 So that the vanity of that taunt that Laying on of hands is A new Administration doth too much betray an ignorant that I say not an envious frame of spirit And as this foundation Principle was laid in Sion by those wise master-builders in the beginning of the Kingdom of Christ which is to be practised and observed equally with its fellow principles Faith Repentance Baptisme c. to the end of the world So was it religiously performed with the rest in the purest Churches for some hundreds of years after the Apostles as is fully and faithfully proved from the purest streams of Antiquity by those eminent shining lights in the Church of God to whom this present generation is so exceedingly obliged for their indefatigable labours in vindication of this and many other pretious truths of Christ namely Mr. John Tombs in his Anti-paedobaptism Second Part. 23. Sect. and Mr. Christopher Blackwood in his Soul-searching Catechism pag. 58. to whom I refer you Only one testimony I shall set down out of Eusebius lib. 6. cap. 42. Novatus saith he being very like to die was baptized in the bed where he lay if it may be termed a baptisme which he received for he obtained not after his recovery that which he should have done according to the Canon of the Church to wit confirmation by the hands of the Bishop In so much then as he obtained not that how came he by the Holy Ghost In which passage I observe First That in those dayes namely in the third Century it was not the custome to baptize Infants but Professors that lasie practice of Infant sprinkling being after wars fomented and advanced by the man of sin Secondly I observe That it could not be termed or judged a lawfull baptism which was Administred in bed for how was that a buriall Nay both the Clergy and Laity opposed his admission into the Ministery because they judged that bed-baptisme unlawfull pag. 118. Thirdly I observe That the Church had received the fourth Principle as one of their Canons Lawes or Rules Fourthly That he is recorded as a disobedient person to all posterity for neglecting and omitting that duty of Laying on of hands And lastly That it was so long received as an eternall truth that the holy Ghost was communicated in his gifts by Laying on of hands So that I hope God will cause shame to work unfeigned sorrow in such as have so rashly termed Laying on of hands A new administration My counsell and advice to all that truly fear the Lord and desire a greater measure of his Blessed Spirit in the gracious gifts and flourishing fruits thereof is speedily to hasten to the use of all means that the redeemer of our souls hath designed for his dear Disciples his babes his lambs which he folds in his bosome and hath enjoyned all his under-shepheards faithfully to feed as ever they would manifest their loves to him their Saviour Wherefore I as the unworthyest of them all would gladly serve thee thou espoused soul that hast devoted thy Virgin affections to the divine embraces of the King of Saints I beseech thee as Christs Ambassadour I humbly intreat thee open the mouth of thy enquiring thirsty soul that as a new-born-babe thou mayst receive this growing thriving food in the rich encreases of Gods holy Spirit 't is sincere milk fitted for thy constitution O tast and see how gratious the Lord is thou dost not yet know how he will communicate himself to thee through this Ordinance thou canst never experience the virtue and goodnesse of food till thou receive it I do not so earnestly invite thee to the meanest things of Christs house those inferiour gifts which Reprobates may have and Simon Magus would have purchased with money and which carnall Christians so much cry out for the power the visible miraculous power the tongues the signs the wonders c. Alas poor soul these will not feed thee the wisest Stewards that ever Christ employed 1 Cor. 14.22 tell thee thou panting spirit they are not for thee Why thou art a believer I prethee what good would tongues or miracles do thee would they satisfie thy gaping thirsty soul did not that excellent Apostle earnestly disswade Disciples from their vain affection of these externall gifts What if I should come with tongues to you saith he 1 Cor. 14.6 would that profit you I should not be understood ver 7.8 and if you did enjoy your desire of tongues ye should but speak to the aire and be a Barbarian vers 9 11. Ah brethren saith he after long labouring to blunt the edge of their fond desire of tongues above other gifts vers 20. Be not children in understanding as if he should say thy desires are childish in making such a noise about this lesser gift which will neither
able to say The seal of mine Apostleship are ye in the Lord 1 Cor. 9.2 2 Cor. 3.2 Ye are our Epistle written in our hearts seen and read of all men Yet these signes will never satisfie a doubting Didymus no not all the attestation of all the Apostles except he shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put his finger into the print of the nails Joh. 20.25 and thrust his hand into his side he will not believe Such a faithlesse generation hath this age brought forth except they see the very same miracles as were wrought by Peter and Paul upon mens bodies they will not believe there are any Apostles now in being except they see the same gifts of tongues or some visible operation upon laying on of hands they will not believe there 's any such Ordinance now in force Although the same unbelieving professors will not reject preaching upon that account that were too open a discovery of a half Christian though the same signs did but now do not accompany that Ordinance Thus Herod may do many things and hear John gladly but foolish Virgins cannot be thorough spirited something will be found wanting in the day of Christ when it will be too late to go to buy what now they slight And then they shall experimentally finde the truth of St. James his Doctrine Jam. 2.10 Whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point one principle he is guilty of all Remember that after Trumpets Act. 13.41 come Vials Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish for I work a work in your dayes a work which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you But as for the gracious heart who puts forth his faith into obedience upon the account of a naked institution because he finds that Laying on of hands is the Doctrine or word of that Christ whom he loves and in whom he lives because it is one of his Foundation Principles because it is sincere milk for new born babes because the Master builders declare that such babes have need of such Principles because these were the Apostles teachings in and writings to the Churches because the eternall Spirit binds true Disciples to embrace the Apostles writings and teachings as none other then the commands of Christ Hence the faithfull soul mounted on the wings of love without attendance upon miraculous or visible operations divinely ecchoing to the language of his beloved cries Lo I come to do thy will O God yea thy law is within my heart I am weary with forbearing and I can no longer stay And thus putting resolution into action he frequently meets with such holy transportations and true spirituall refreshings far exceeding any miraculous visible operation that he breaths forth this or the like heavenly Rapture as being translated and transformed into the same image from glory to glory Cant. 6.10 by the Spirit of the Lord Or ever I was aware my soul made me like the Chariots of Amminadib These are no fancies we speak that we know and testifie that we have seen And thus the believing babe meets with that benediction which Christ entailed upon his obedience Joh. 20.29 Because thou hast seen thou hast believed blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed These are the proper objects of Christs prayer Joh. 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word He doth not say through their miracles but through their word because it is a surer rule of direction then any miracle yea then any revelation vision or extraordinary voice from heaven whatsoever 2 Pet. 1.16 17 18 19. The Apostles voice is the tryall of spirits 1 Joh. 4.7 We are of God he that knoweth God heareth us hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the spirit of errour For further illustration of the end of this Ordinance of Laying on of hands namely A fuller attainment and greater measure of spirituall gifts Let it be observed that the gifts of the Spirit are of two sorts The first Externall and visibly miraculous and the se have two speciall uses 1. To confirm the word and ordinances 2. To convince unbelievers The second sort are more intrinsecall soul-satisfying and glorious for the sealing establishing and nourishing of Christ babes Those externall gifts which are of such excellent use Mark 6.7 13 and are accompanied with choice consolation to believers yet may a Judas Demas or any other reprobate be largely stored with them Mat. 7.22 and go to hell afterwards Those gifts are 1. Healing 2. Miracles 3. Extraordinary Prophesie 4. Divers kinds of tongues 5. Interpretation of tongues 1 Cor. 12.9 10. 1. For healing Although it be a gift continued in the Churches and is the proper work of Elders Jam. 5.14 15. and we enjoy it to this day and have sometimes seen and heard of wonderfull effects yet it cannot be constantly expected no not from the hands of Apostles If Paul could have healed his faithfull fellow-labourer Phil. 2.25 27 30. I am confident he would 2. If any are by this means healed Christ hath performed his promise If all were under the influence of this gift at all times mortality should cease no man would ever dye that might so easily injoy life 3. This gift is rather for confirming * Mark 16.20 the word and Ordinances and for the conviction of Heathens then for the recovery of Christians Act. 28.8 And thereupon Paul leaves the Heathen Parent of Publius at Miletum well But the Christian Trophimus he left at Miletum sick 2 Tim. 4.20 4. A reprobate may enjoy this gift and perish Luk. 9.6 Therefore this is no such desirable gift for beleevers to look for in Laying on of hands Secondly Miracles of what kind soever are 1. To confirme the word and Ordinances Heb. 2.4 Whereupon such Ordinances as God confirmed by Miracles are firmly to be retained and observed and not at any time to be let slip Heb. 2.1 Now it is most clear that Laying on of hands upon Disciples was confirmed by miracles so that this Ordinance amongst others must be carefully observed with earnest heed * Heb. 2.1 opened lest at at any time we should let it slip Observe poor soul thou that standest in awe of thy God must not let it slip at any time therefore hold it fast at this time 1. Because it is a super-angelicall ordinance and therefore to remain stedfast and unmoveable Heb. 2.2 Vers 2. 2. Because the slighting of this and other Gospel mercies will unavoidably bring the greatest miseries v. 3. Vers 3. no possibility of escape if every transgression and disobedience to Moses law * Heb. 10.28 29. every transgression were so severely punished how shall we escape Impossible to escape 3. Thou must take heed to this Fourth Principle as well as other duties earnest heed Because it was at first spoken by
down a foundation Doctrine of Christ But let the true babes of Christ know to their comfort that the pwoer is not gone so long as this gift this best gift of the Spirit remains which is better then they all Wherefore get wisdome thou believing obedient soul Prov. 4.7 and with all thy getting get understanding forsake her not and she shall preserve thee love her and she shall keep thee exalt her and she shall promove thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her He that thus counsels thee hath richly experienced the truth of what he assures thee he asked wisdome and God gave him a large heart and was so well pleased with his choice 2 Chron. 1.10 11 12. and desire that he added to his request the greatest wealth honour and royalty that ever was given to mortall man This pretious gift shall conduct the true Christian to the Bridegrooms Chamber yea into his Masters joy Matth. 25. Dan. 12.3 where he shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament for he made wisdome his choice and used all means all the appointments of Christ to attain it and did not finde those pipes empty which others slighted and neglected but through those channels his vessell was filled wherefore he now lifts up his head with confidence Heb. 5.9 and Christ is become what he promised even the authour of eternall salvation to his obedient soul While those who lived in the profession of some it may be many truths are found with empty vessels void of this excellent gift of wisdome as refusing the channell through which it passeth so that now Psal 45. Mat. 25.10 11 12. when all too late they would run to buy the Bridegroom enters his royall chamber the Bride with the wise Virgins attend him and the door is shut eternally shut Lord Lord open to us is all too late Because I have called and ye refused O read and tremble Prov. 1.24 c. Hos 14. ult Who is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and he shall know them for the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walke in them but the transgressors shall fall therein By this time possibly some gratious soul will confesse that the best and most excellent gifts of the Spirit are not ceased But this powerfull yea most powerfull operation is continued in this principall gift of Wisdome and seeing the necessity of it may possibly cry out O help me to wisdome or else I die Which way is my beloved gone in what path doth this most excellent gift of wisdome passe Why thou poor enquiring soul it is the Prince of gifts thou enquirest after he is free and I dare not confine him to any particular passage he hath many walkes but I can point thee out which way he hath gone namely in yonder path which is one of his principall walks termed Laying on of hands 't is a path of his own preparing and indeed a foundation Doctrine of his own lips His servant Joshua found him in this very path and therein obtained this precious gift of wisdome which for the excellency of it beares his own name Deut. 34.9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdome for Moses had laid his hands upon him Was this transcendent gift of the Spirit conveyed through the Laying on of Moses hands Luk. 7.28 Why the least Gospell Minister is greater then Moses Object But Joshua was an Officer Answ He was a great Captain indeed and did conquer Canaan but there is not a Disciple of Christ but is a greater Captain even a King and a Priest and conquereth the world yea is more then a Conquerer through Christ Whatsoever priviledges the chiefest in Moses house enjoyed even the least member of Christs Kingdome is invested with that is to enter into the Sanctum Sanctorum or most holy place with boldnesse Heb. 10.19 which was the peculiar priviledge of their high Priests So that this way even through impositions of hands hath the blessed Spirit communicated wisdome his most excellent gift In the time of the Gospell we finde the great Apostle of the Gentiles rich in this gift A wise Master builder And St. Peter greatly admires this gift of Wisdome in him 2 Pet. 3.15 Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the Wisdome given unto him Quest But when was this Wisdome given unto him Answ At the same time when the Holy Ghost first filled him that is when the first Messenger was sent for this as the chief end from the Lord Jesus to him Brother Saul said Ananias the Lord Jesus hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost Act. 9.17 and accordingly the eyes of his mind as well as of his body were so enlightned with this choice gift of wisdome that he was able to preach Christ so that all which heard him were amazed he being so able presently to prove that he which bestowed this gift upon him is the very Christ So that here we have the precise time when this wisdome was given him Quest But how or by what means was this gift communicated Answ By that especiall Ordinance through which other gifts of the same Spirit were conveyed by Peter and John and Paul himself afterwards that is by imposition of hands Act. 9.17 And Ananias went his way and entered into the house and putting his hands on him said c. So that here in two lively examples the way and means of communicating this principall gift is discovered to thy inquiring soul I shall add no more at present concerning this gift which I would be found in at the sound of the great trumpet but to counsell thee in the words of my Redeemer in another case Go and do thou likewise Luk. 10.31 The second best gift which is also continued to and must be more and more encreased in the Saints as we may see this day is Knowledge Dan. 12.4 As this is honoured in the next place to Wisdome so are they both lock'd up together for the newborn babe in the richest Cabinet that heaven hath even in the heart of the Lords Christ and our Jesus Col. 2.3 in whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdome and knowledge This is one of those choice acquirements for the building up of the Saints which whosoever wants is blind 2 Pet. 1.5 8. and in a perishing condition My people are destroyed for want of knowledge is the great Gods patheticall expression Hos 4.6 Take heed therefore thou dost not reject it nor the means by and through which it is attained for as it is treasured up in the same magazin or storehouse so it runs in the same channel with wisdome that is communicated through the same Ordinance Then shall we know Hos 6.3 Hab. 2.14 if we follow on to know the Lord. Faith is the third continued gift running through severall channels
THE FOURTH PRINCIPLE OF Christian Religion OR The FOVNDATION DOCTRINE OF Laying on of Hands Asserted and Vindicated by way of Answer to such Arguments as by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hobson have been presented against this Gospel Ordinance Affectionately tendred to such enquiring souls as are desirous throughly to forsake Babylon notion and humane tradition and by universall obedience to follow the Lamb in all his righteous appointments By THO. TILLAM a Minister of Jesus Christ PSAL. 102.13 14. Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion for the time to favour her yea the set time is come For thy servants take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof LONDON Printed by E. C. for Henry Eversden and are to be sold by William Hucheson of Durham M.DC.LV. To all the espoused Virgins of the Prince of Peace whether Persons or Churches with such pretious panting Spirits as are breathing after his Divine embraces Heirs of Glory WHatsoever be your outward state yet since the distinguishing love of God hath enriched you with grace I dare confidently as his Ambassadour salute you with peace even that peace which the world can neither give nor take away the peace of God that passeth all understanding such peace as unbelieving disobedient ones never tasted neither can enjoy For however the Prince of darknesse transforming himself into an Angell of light doth now more then ever by strong delusions Captivate thousands in his airy region where fancied spirituall enjoyments possesse them with vehement desires to their conceited Paradise Yet alas Isa 44.20 True peace is a meer stranger they feed upon ashes deceived hearts have turned them aside that they cannot deliver their souls nor say Is there not a lie in my right hand While they boast of perfection light infallibility the enemy hath stoln their hearts from Evangelicall obedience I would in a word warn your pretious souls ye who desire to obey from the heart that forme of Doctrine which was delivered you beware of the great deceit of these dayes Rom. 6.17 wherewith Satan deceiveth multitudes to a sleighting that wholesome form of sound words and in the mean time leads them by the noses into the most pitifull formes that ever were invented as putting off the hat bowing the knee saying Sir Master Lord thou and such like And such as differ from them about these gnats shall presently discern the serpents sting full of deadly poyson denouncing Wrath Woe Damnation all the plagues of God But for the precious ordinances of Christ as Baptisme Church fellowship Love-feasts washing of feet breaking of bread singing of Psalmes Imposition of hands Church officers Sabbath Lords day Anointing with oil Holy kisse Christian salutes Censures and such like their very souls abhor them and their presumptuous tongues dare curse the pretious saints that use them But ye beloved building up your selves on your most holy faith Jude v. 10 21. praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ in all the wayes he hath appointed Be not found in the fire of foolish Virgins when the Bridegroom comes but labour to stand compleat in all the will of God lacking nothing To this end I here present you with a pretious Ordinance of Christ opposed by many professors and particularly by a Northern Gent. a Preacher whose arguments I do professe should never have received answer by me had not some boasted that because they were not therefore they could not be answered Whereupon at the earnest desires of some choise spirits I did engage with purpose to confine my self to a narrow compasse such as might be easily copied but the enlargements of that holy Spirit who is variously communicated through this Ordinance of Hands hath put me upon the necessity of making it more publick with which purpose I did acquaint my Antagonist that if he pleased he might alter any thing of forme in his arguments but after severall weeks expectation I heard of his absence far from home so that my occasions and present opportunities of the Presse have engaged me to publish the Gent. Arguments as they were first presented with my answer thereunto And now the God of truth accompany his own Precept with his own presence for the confirmation of those obedient souls who have greatly honoured Christ by early submission For the information of those pretious Spirits who are weeping and seeking the way to Sion with their faces thitherwards And for the mitigation of that bitter persecuting harsh imposing imperious spirit that so greatly rageth in many professors against the practice of this duty O that darknesse might be dispel'd and the true light shine in professors spirits lips and lives Let all that fear Christ beware of resting in that light so much cryed up by deluded souls The light in the naturall man will never save him no nor so much as shew him what he ought to do as a Christian No wonder then that those who so cry up that light live in such grosse disobedience to Gospell Ordinances But if natures highest attainers will know what they ought to do Act. 10.6 if they would be told words whereby they may be saved Act. 11.14 they must not be sent to the light within as deceivers say but they must send for a Gospell minister to tell them words But those that cry up the light in the Conscience are enemies to those words of Scripture Alas pitifull dark soules they know no light but that which lighteth every man that cometh into the world Joh. 1.5 but thy pretious soul thou Spouse of Christ canst witnesse the Gospell light that lightneth every man that cometh out of the world Joh. 15.19 by religious separation not by a voluntary Popish humiliation The former is a true light but naturall the latter light is truly evangelicall And this light is communicated through the Word and Ordinances and particularly through this holy Ordinance of Laying on of hands Psal 119.130 * Act. 9.17 to which light I leave thy enquiring soul to illuminate thy understanding in the knowledge of this Ordinance that through obedience to it thou mayest have more light to conduct thee into everlasting life through Christ thy King for whose sake I am thy servant Tho. Tillam This Question it seems was propounded to the Gent. WHether the laying on of hands upon all Believers be a standing Ordinance to continue in the Church of Christ and to be practised now by the Ministers of Christ yea or no. To which he returned these lines Your Quere doth not at all relate to the use of Laying on of hands for the designing of fit subjects to Offices according to these Scriptures Act. 6.16 13.3 1 Tim. 4.14 5.22 Nor to your laying hands upon the sick according to these Scriptures Jam. 5.14 Act. 28.8 Therefore in my answer I shall minde neither of them but singly your Quere as ye lay it down which is Whether
the Lord and confirmed to his Apostles and by them faithfully taught us Mind it Christian 't is for thy life thou canst not escape if thou let it slip after warning if thou receive not the truth with love God will send thee strong delusions to believe a lie Ah! how have I seen the Lords professed people carried away captive that have slighted this Ordinance Hurryed by Satan to blaspheme other glorious truths drowned in the world and the love of it 1 Joh. 2.15 given up to horrible lying bitternesse emulation envy strife sedition making schisms rents divisions what not O thou believer that professest Christ mind this word of Christ these four first verses of the Epistle to the Hebrews Remember that this fourth principle was first spoken by the Lord himself and is plainly called The word of the * Heb. 6.1 beginning of Christ and was confirmed by signs and wonders and miracles 2. Miracles are given for conviction of Heathens Act. 8.6 16.27 29 30. But alas this avails not at all if love manifested by obedience to all Christs commands be wanting 1 Cor. 13.2 A person may have this gift and perish The third gift of this nature is extraordinary Prophesie or foretelling of events such as may wonderfully possesse a Balaam a Saul a Caiaphas a Witch this may confirme truths and convince sinners but the Prophet be damn'd 't is an excellent gift in a gratious heart but short of ordinary Prophesie The fourth extraordinary gift that is according to Court custome not the chief is kinds of tongues not new tongues for that is a speciall gift peculiar to true believers a reall sign of an effectuall work of grace for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Rev. 14.1 wherefore those 144000. Redeemed Virgins are presented with a new song in their mouth which none else could learn Act. 17.19 When once Paul becomes a Convert he Preacheth a new Doctrine he was before a Blasphemer but now he hath learned a new lesson He is not a believer that hath not learned a new language * Ephes 5.4 These miraculous tongues are never called new tongues but strange tongues and other tongues to convince a strange people to preach to other Nations as was needfull then but now cannot well be employed since Popish inquisitions and Turkish slavery hath shut the Gospell out of their territories Act. 13.46 Neither have Christs Ministers any warrant to attempt the publishing of Gospell truths in other Nations who are known to be dogs swine and persecutors Mat. 7.6 10.23 And therefore Satan and not Gods Spirit hath engaged some foolish deluded souls called Quakers to passe the Seas in expectation probably of some miraculous ability to publish their poison against Christs Ordinances but have only performed the work of Barbarians and so returned But certainly should Christ call into forain parts he would enable his servants to help sick souls abroad as well as to heal sick bodies at home Alas our native Countrey hath need enough of more labourers Wherefore saith the Apostle tongues are for a sign Not to them that believe 1 Cor. 14.21 but to them that believe not This gift therefore belongs not to thee thou dear Disciple of Christ It is our mercy that the Ordinance I now contend for came once under hand and seal from heaven our Masters hand and this sign of tongues confirming it Since therefore this fourth Foundation Principle of thy Religion is thus by this miraculous gift ratified and thy pretious soul converted thouart not to expect such needlesse unsutable gifts as these which Gods word tels thee are not convenient for thee But fince the Spirit of truth hath more excellent treasure then tongues or the interpretation of tongues take thou the counsell of the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.31 Covet earnestly the best gifts and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way there are some gifts more excellent then others and there are graces more excellent then any other gifts the best gifts will be fewel to thy choice graces and set thy heavenly heart all on a holy flame Wherefore covet earnestly the best gifts for this end And fince 't is evident that the golden gifts of Christ * Zech. 4.12 passe through golden pipes or Ordinances into the bowl of the Candiestick that is the Church put thy affectionate mouth to these pretious pipes that contain such pretious gifts and draw with the buckets of joy out of the wels of salvation It is undeniable that this fourth foundation Doctrine of Christ is one of those pipes or channels through which these eternall streames do run and doubtlesse did not poor creatures drownd in delusions conclude these streams were dryed up they would not neglect this pipe this ordinance of hands as they do But so they think and so they speak for say they the power or gifts of the Spirit are ceased and therefore the ordinance is of no use Well when I shall clearly demonstrate that the best gifts are to this day continued as I have already proved that no gift is ceased that is needfull for believers And when it shall appear that these best gifts have been conveyed through impofition of hands Then surely both the Ordinance and gifts will be earnestly desired and affectionately embraced by gratious souls These best gifts which being continued 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10. Saints should covet are 1. Wisdome 2. Knowledge 3. Faith 4. Prophesie 5. Discerning of Spirits It must be granted without controversie that these are the best gifts of the Spirit and that they are continued in power and efficacy to this generation And first of Wisdome Prov. 4.7 Job 28.18 2 Sam. 14.20 which the eternall Spirit that gives it hath recorded as the principall thing and therefore it is here in the Catalogue of gifts deservedly set in the first place The price thereof is above Rubies it 's a defence better then strength it transformes the person so that he appears as an Angell of God Marvellous encomiums of deserved praise are given by the Spirit to this most excellent gift far surpassing all those other gifts before mentioned as Healing Tongues Miracles c. which the devotion of a Didymus doth so much dote upon making so great a noise in the world so that all 's lost with such a professor because tongues are ceased and miracles do not appear to satisfie his sense Ah poor shallow creatures shadowes of Saints that thus cry out as undone for the want of what they may perish with Scarce one word of wisdome to be heard nay the very Ordinance which is most particularly designed for the conveyance of Spirituall gifts must be cut off though it be a foundation Principle because they see not the prints of the nails and spear The power is gone we want Apostles the Fourth Principle is void Gifts do not now appear the power is gone This is the great cry of these times to cry
that is different administrations from the same Lord. 1 Cor. 12.5 But that saith which so runs as through Baptisme Supper Hands and other Ordinances I do not judge that foundation Principle Heb. 6. but a faith of assurance Ephes 1.13 or the sealing of the Spirit which hath been communicated to some upon their purpose to obey Christ in this Ordinance to others whiles they have been under the administration of hands to a third sort immediately after to divers at a greater distance yea I have seen such a presence and with an eye which the naturall man never enjoyed beheld so great a Majesty in the administration of this fourth Principle as hath constrained me to admire the mighty operation of the Spirit and to conclude that wonders are not totally ceased Let babes in Christ covet earnestly this great gift Gal. 2.20 Ephes 3.8 Hab. 3.17 18. 1 Sam. 30.6 Mat. 21.22 Josh 10.12 13. 1 Joh. 5.4 Isa 45.11 and be found in all the means and wayes of obtaining it for 't is a Christ-exalting gift a self-abasing gift a soul-satisfying gift a heart-encouraging gift a mercy-obtaining gift a wonder-working gift a world-conquering gift a God-commanding gift Now certainly if I have spoken truth concerning this pretious gift of Faith then it is not true which some have so confidently asserted namely that the powerfull operations of the Spirit are ceased But I know what they mean viz. the visible print of the nails and spear so that it appears to me they believe little further then they see and therefore slight this Doctrine of Laying on of hands Which I think few will deny to be a notable means for the conveyance of the fourth continued spirituall gift which is Prophesie All spirituall gifts are beautifull in their place but this rather to be desired for the edification of others as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 14.1 I do not judge a person compleatly in Gods way how eminent soever he be gifted untill he have received this Ordinance of hands I look upon the Church as neglecting her duty when omitting it or employing persons in the Administration of Ordinances without it and hiding her talents when she doth not separate such persons by it as are fit for the Lords harvest And I esteem any man that sets to the Ministery without it if he may and doth not receive it as running without his errand Let none here mistake me as though I did confound the fourth Principle with Ordination I know the one is an initiating Ordinance proper for babes 2 Tim. 1 6. such as Timothy received at the hands of Paul by which often this gift of Prophesie is communicated which when it mounts to such a flame that the soul is constrained with the Prophet Jer. 20.9 to cry out I was weary with forbearing and I could not stay Then I judge it the Churches duty to set upon this separating administration with sasting and prayer according to pattern Act. 13.2 3. As the Eldership or Presbyterie did to Timothy 1 Tim. 4.14 Persons thus designed to the work are sent out by the Holy Spirit Act. 13.4 therefore prize it The last standing or continued gift here mentioned is Discerning of Spirits which raiseth the soul to a notable degree of spirituality * 1 Cor. 2.14 No wonder then that the Apostle urgeth the necessity of the Six Principles as being the dishes in and by which this spirituall gift is brought by degrees to the believing soul which when he heartily feeds of it is of that strengthning nature as transforming the Disciple from a babe to a strong man Heb. 5. ult 'T is no small mercy to be able to try the spirits whether they be of God and to know Christs voice from a stranger 1 Joh. 4.1 Joh. 10. Mat. 7.15 16. a wolf from a sheep Since therefore the use and end of Laying on of hands is for attaining the Spirit of Christ by degrees And that I have so fully proved that the choicest gifts of the Spirit are as largely that I say not more liberally handed to believers now as ever and that these heavenly gifts are so clearly communicated through this Ordinance of hands Let my counsell be acceptable to thee if ever thou desirest thy friends society get thee to his place of abode that is Can. 1.8 forth by the foot steps of the flock and feed thy kids besides the shepheards tents There he makes his flock to rest at noon There he will give thee his loves not every where but in wayes of his own appointment His flock have left thee fair prints of their footsteps both in Doctrine and practise A goodly flock hath the Shepherd of Israel whose faith follow and lean not to thine own understanding Say not the Lords hands is shortned or his power ceased thou seest his richest gifts are continued to thee and many more then I have mentioned as the spirit of grace and supplication Zech. 13.10 the gift of suffering Phil. 1.29 of courage and boldnesse Act. 4.10 13. and sundry others Be not wanting to thy self in slighting this or any Ordinance through which Christ is pleased to convey his gift Jonah 2.8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy If there be any breathings in thy soul after these spirituall treasures which will stand thee in stead when the trumpet sounds get thee to the Merchants now if thou drive off thy bargain till then the door will be shut Possibly thou mayest think this Ordinance of hands not worth half my writing or thy reading I am sure my pains is the greater and I do not think it too much to clear up an Ordinance whereby Christ hath sweetly refreshed my soul I know it hath long lien sullied amongst the Romish pots Psal 68.13 Isa 60.8 But God can give it the wings of a dove to thy bosome to engage thy dove-like soul to flie though in clouds to thy windowes What if thou shouldest look upon this Ordinance with a contemptible eye Joh. 9.6 7. and esteem it no better then clay and spittle yet use it because 't is the Doctrine or word of Christ possibly it may clear thy sight Thou hast many pretious Lambs of Christ in view that have led thee the way through this administration as Peter John Paul Ananias and thousands more who continued stedfastly in this and all the rest of the Apostles Doctrine And remember that thou art commanded to observe and do all things whatsoever Christ commanded his Disciples in those dayes so shalt thou be sure of the presence of Christ whose favour soever thou losest So shalt thou approve thy self a new-born-babe a new Creature a friend of Christ And as many as walke according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God I must now return to the Gent. my Antagonist to wipe off those Absurdities which he saith must of necessity follow this practise First We lay no unfaithfulnesse
upon Christ nor advance Moses above him since Christ hath not left us to doubtfull suppositions as the Gent. speaks for the institution of this practise of Laying on of hands is substantially proved from the mouth of Christ Secondly Neither do we lay a lie upon Paul who hath declared this Principle as a part of the counsell of God and so to be practised by Christs Ministers 2 Tim. 2.2 Thirdly We have both commands and promises and therefore can act in faith in this Ordinance as is already fully proved Fourthly We have given substantiall grounds of our hope in this point to the stopping the mouths of gainsayers let suppositions go to the supposers As for the Gentlemans two Apostolicall acts which he saith we crosse if there were any thing worth noting it would fall fall upon himself for I suppose he is but an imitator of the Act in Preaching but cannot carry on the end insomuch as he wants the power they had if it be a want 2. They were as much amazed at the power of the Spirit in Peters Preaching Act. 10.44 45. and more then Simon Magus was Neither can the Gent. imitate Peters Preaching any more then I can their imposing hands he hath neither received like power neither is he able to carry on the like end as he phraseth it nor do any thing in Preaching but what men as men may do And whatever of this nature he brings forth is equally applicable to his own practise of Preaching Really the Gent. writes more like a Notionist Quaker or Seeker then a setled Christian I wish he were throughly weaned from those wandrings for why doth he raise such a dust about waiting for the power and receiving the power of being imitators of the act but cannot carry on the end Let all that fear the great God and tremble at his glorious word and have any love to his Ordinances consider whither this Gent. would lead them He saith The Apostles had power before to Preach and Baptize with water yet before they did this Lay on hands the must wait for power and that an eminent glorious power at Jerusalem and he quotes Luk. 24.49 Answ Here are big words and smooth words to deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16.17 18. But I do utterly deny them to be the words of truth For why doth he how durst he quote Luk. 24.49 and yet so confidently assert they had power to preach before Let him and those dear friends he writes to if they be not willing to be deluded look two verses backward viz. Luk. 24.47 and they shall see that the Apostles had no power to preach upon the account of their full and great commission untill this power came For thus speaks the Lord Jesus And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name Luk. 24.47 48 49. among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem And behold I send the promise of my Father upon you but tarry ye in the City of Jerusalem untill ye be endued with power from on high Now friends in the name of Christ consider whether the Gent hath declared truth in saying they had power to Preach and Baptize before upon the account of their last Commission for that only he relates to in quoting Luk. 24.49 their former Preaching and Baptisme being at that time utterly void as you may clearly see by comparing these Scriptures Mat. 10.5 6. with Mat. 28.18 19 20. and Luk. 22.35 36. and Act. 19 4. Their former work was to preach The Kingdome of God is at hand But now Mat. 5.7 The Kingdome of God is come with power Mark 9.1 Luk. 24.49 and such as was their Preaching such was their Baptisme But here I must challenge the Gent. to make good his word that they did ever preach one Sermon or ever Baptize one person before this power came or else he hath but deluded you in making you believe that there is need of a greater power for administring the Ordinance of Laying on of hands then there needs for Preaching and Baptisme for that is his full scope and design in which I appeal to any ingenuous soul Nay I appeal to himselfe Secondly He would perswade persons but then they must be very ignorant that the Miraculous visible power is the essence of the Ordinance Whereas I have abundantly proved that the command of Christ gives essence to the Ordinance and that the communicating of the Spirits gifts is the full end of the Ordinance to obedient souls for Christs honour And I have also proved That the Spirit hath communicated better gifts and more glorious power through this Ordinance then ever were or can be visible to a naturall eye 1 Cor. 2.9 ad finem and that the same gifts still remain for which by all means we should endevour Thus I hope 't is evident that the same power is requisite for Preaching Baptism and other Gospell Ordinances as for Laying on of hands and that the very same power hath accompanied Preaching as hath attended the fourth Principle and as often hath it appeared in the one as in the other Wherefore consider in the name of the Lord what a design is here laid to rase the foundation of all Ordinances and level them with the dust And indeed what presumption is it for the Gent. to Preach Baptize break-bread c. and yet want the essence of these Ordinances if it were true as he holds forth that the visible miraculous power of the Spirit were the essence of Ordinances But to the Gent. fifth absurdity which he saith is injurious to Jesus Christ who brings forth an act to shew his power and yet we having not the power do imitate the act turning acts of power into bare imitation and so are injurious to Christs intention Answ 1. All the acts which Christ brings forth are acts of power since all power in heaven and earth is put into his hand we professe he cannot act unlike himself therefore we are slandered in being charged as injurious to Christ 2. The great power Christ intends in all the acts he brings forth is to convert souls these acts are those greater works which Christ promised his Saints should performe Joh. 14.12 and these are the mighty signes of true Apostles 1 Cor. 9.1 2. 2 Cor. 3.2 3. Whosoever therefore is inabled to perform these greater works is so far from being injurious to Christ that he fully answers Christs intention for herein Christs greatest power is put forth and shines most gloriously and they that are instrumentall thus in bearing up his name and power in the world shall at last shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament Dan. 12. 1 Pet. 5.5 and receive at his hands a Crown of glory that fadeth not away 3. I have already fully proved that those externall visible gifts of the Spirit which Carnall Christians and distrustfull Didymusses do so strangely dote upon are not the greatest acts of Christs power those prints of the nailes
and spear are but Christs condescensions to weak Christians Those tongues which were given once and but once that we know of in the laying on of hands and in Preaching although the Gent. do ever so highly magnifie them amongst professors and believers so as to rase the foundation of a foundation principle because he sees not that sign of tongues doth but feed his hearers with food that is not for them If we dare but give credit to that wise master builder he will clearly shew us what an unwise steward is this Gent. Mat. 24.45 Luk. 12.42 what an unfaithfull servant not dividing the word of truth aright not giving them their portion of meat in due season 2 Tim. 2.15 But indeed setting them a gaping for such food as Christ intends not for them Tongues being for a sign 1 Cor. 14.22 Not to them that believe but to them that believe not And while they are thus busily enquiring after the visible power the signs the miracles like that impertinent question Act. 1.6 they are robbed of that proper powerful food that Christ hath fitted for his table guests and conveyed through laying on of hands that true Manna which whosoever feeds upon shall never die I mean those best gifts which true Christians ought earnestly to covet and use all means to procure as Wisdome Knowledge Faith Prophesie Prayer and the rest wherein the mighty Almighty power of Christ is put forth and which sundry believing soules have felt and found in this Administration of hands some eminently and speedily others more obscurely and by insensible degrees The blessed Spirit dividing to every man severally as he will that is What he will how he will 1 Cor. 12.11 and when he will Lastly I must declare that the Gent. and others making so much noise about the visible Power the miraculous Power the externall glorious Power c. do but hereby proclaime their own unbelief The Apostle plainly telling us that tongues are for a sign not to believers but to unbelievers as above Secondly As for that reproof in Isa 1.12 I have already spoke to it and the God of heaven make it a warning to him that he may cease to reproach the wayes ordinances and servants of Christ And as for Gods demand how we know Heb. 6.2 is meant to lay hands on all Disciples though the Gent. sayes we can but answer we think so and how sad that would be I answer We can confidently tell him for God will make no such idle demands that we know so we know the fourth Principle belongs to all Disciples 1. Because it is one of the first Doctrines or Words of Christ 2. Because it 's one of the foundation Principles for Christians 3. Because it 's plainly called milk for babes Indefinitely 4. Because the Ministers of Christ taught and practised it to all his 5. Because Christs babes have need of it God himself hath spoken it and therefore will never question us for observing the Apostles writings and teachings 1 Cor. 11.37 which his holy Spirit hath testifyed are his own commands Thirdly the Gent. would have us consider How unlike this practise is to the primitive Churches and to Philip Act. 8.12 13. who wrought miracles more then we can do and Baptized with water but left the Laying on of hands to the Apostles Act. 8.14 Answ 1. We have diligently considered and through grace found our selves in the very steps of the primitive Churches whereof some are particularized as the Church of Samaria the Church of Ephesus the Churches of Judea or the Hebrewes who were taught and continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine they being carefull to settle the same order in all Churches Especially in foundation Principles upon which all the Saints are built Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forainers Ephes 2.19 20. but fellow-citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner-stone 2. It 's too bold to say that Philip left Laying on of hands to the Apostles when it was the speciall work of God to employ Philip suddainly in the mighty service of converting that noble Aethiopian whom Historians record to be so famous in converting his whole Nation But secondly What a deal of stir here is to set up the poor weak instrument as though there were any power or virtue in one Ministers hands more then another or in one Ordinance then another Why this is nothing but the old Pope and Prelate masking in a new habit Let the eternall Spirit determine what difference there is between Peter and Philip I shall offer no violence to the text only change names a little 1 Cor. 3.5 6 7 8. Who then is Peter and who is Philip but Ministers by whom ye believed even as the Lord gave to every man Philip planted Peter and John watered but God gave the increase So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the increase Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one And one would think this should satisfie an honest humble heart in this matter But thirdly Philip was an Evangelist in the very same rank with Timothy and it cannot be denyed but laying on of hands was the work of an Evangelist 1 Tim. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man Fourthly Act. 9.17 Doubtlesse Philip had as much authority as Ananias for it is confidently asserted by some that Ananias was but a bare Disciple though 't is a wild assertion but let that passe at present Well certain it is Ananias who had power to Baptize had equall power to lay hands upon Paul upon a twofold account 1. For the cure of his body 2. For the filling of him with the holy Ghost The very end and use of this fourth Foundation Principle Paul was at present but a new-born-babe learning and observing or practising his Principles I hope none will presume to say that this main end of Ananias imposing hands that Paul might be filled with the Holy Spirit was any ordination to office unlesse they will be wise above what is written Paul was not then Baptized and not likely to receive ordination before his Foundation Principles were laid Besides Certain it is that his solemne Ordination by imposition of hands was long after namely Act. 13. But Lastly Philip being an Evangelist was not inferiour to the setled elders or Presbytery * 1 Tim. 4.14 and they had authority to impose hands If any shall object That was in Ordination I shall only answer this That strong meat for men is not inferior to milk for babes But enough hath been said to prove Christs Ministers equall in power The Gents. last Consideration warneth his dear friends of the danger of turning Acts of Power into bare imitation and want the power quoting Act. 19.13 14 15 16. Exod. 7. to 13. 8.16 17 18
edifie thy self nor others vers 14 17. No no thou little one thou suckling Luk. 10.21 to whom the good pleasure of thy Father is to reveal the mysteries of his Kingdome which he conceals from the wise and prudent I stand as one of wisdomes maidens to give thee an earnest invitation yea to compell thee to come Prov. 9.3 Luk. 14.23 and sup with the Lord upon a daintier dish then tongues or any such externall things Upon that hidden manna the bread that cometh down from Heaven Joh. 6.50 Cant. 1.3 4. 2.4 which whosoever eats of shall never die I would lead thee and all thy virgin companions by the savor of his good oyntments into the inner chambers of the King yea into his banqueting house where thou shalt be presented with his choisest gifts Wisdome Knowledge Faith c. The Wisdome of God in a Mystery not an external sound Col. 2.3 Ephes 3.17 18 19 20. to satisfie a carnall heart but all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge such as will warm thy inside and by degrees so root thee and ground thee in love that at length thou shalt be filled with all the fulnesse of God Col. 2.2 Vnto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ Come then Rev. 22.17 let heaven and earth ring together The Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say Come and let him that is athirst Come and whosoeverwill let him take of the water of life freely Who so is simple let him turn in bither Pov. 9.4 5. as for him that wanteth understanding she saith unto him Come eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled Ah thou beloved believer here 's a feast for a King such a King as thou art and thou shalt be a welcome guest the more thou shalt eat Cant. 5.1 the better welcome Eat O friends drink abundantly O beloved I have acquainted thee in what dishes this supper is served through what pipes these best gifts are conveyed Act. 10.44 2.38 9.17 namely through the word Preached through Baptism through Laying on of hands and other Ordinances Thy obedience will dispell the clouds of thy Ignorance If any man will do his will he shall know of the dectrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self Joh. 7.17 Rom. 2.13 For not the hearers but the doers of the Law are justified Therefore look upon them as the enemies of thy soul that tell thee thou must learn the fourth Principle but not practise it Thy dear Redeemer learns thee another lesson If ye know these things Joh. 13.17 happy are ye if ye do them Do them therefore and wait upon God for what he pleaseth to give and when The sucking babe is not alwayes sensible of its grouth in drawing the breasts Possibly God may give thee an Eunuch's portion speedily possibly by insensible degrees The Christian Hebrews had been in the use of this milk this fourth Principle and in the other five a considerable time Heb. 5.12 13. before they had any eminent gift wherefore let not any pretious soul in this practise either say God is a hard master or question his own condition if gifts do not presently or eminently flow as they desire O Augustine he is come he is come warmed the Martyr within when the flames were most scorching without Possibly God reserves his gifts till thou hast most need of them Some sooner some later If any shall say the Hebrews were not in the practise of this Doctrine of Laying on of hands because they were not eminent in gifts I must tell such persons that they flatly contradict the Scriptures which tessifie Act. 2.42 Heb. 5.12.13 That they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine yea that they had been taught it and did use it And to say That they were taught Baptisme and did practise it and were taught Laying on of hands but did not practise it is such a sign of a shallow capacity as deserves no answer but silence and pity Wherefore I invite thee again thou troubled tempted soul whom the enemy keeps back with scruples it is thy Lord cals for thee Behold I have prepared my dinner Mat. 22.4 my oxen and my fatlings are killed and all things are ready come unto the marriage Take heed thou tender Lamb of making light of these invitations beware of delaies they are very dangerous as thou tenderest the good of thy soul look not upon thy livings or livelihood but especially thy relations Luk 14.18 19 20. Ch. 9.59 61. Ch. 14.27 no not so much as bury thy dead or take leave of them that are at home He that loveth father and mother more then me is not worthy of me And whosoever doth not bear his crosse and come after me cannot be my disciple How many poor souls have I known some at the very door of Baptisme and while they have delayed slumbred and loitered the enemy came and sowed tares Mat. 13.25 by some deluded Quaker or otherwise slighting Christs Ordinances I am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not Joh. 5.43 if another come in his own name crying up his light within in the secret chambers Mat. 24.26 him ye will receive Some have been ready to fall upon their knees for convenience sake to have hands laid upon them and though God hath had mercy upon any that have afterwards obeyed yet others have been left to strong delusions to believe 2 Thess 2.11 write and practise lies If any man draw back Heb. 10.38 my soul shall have no pleasure in him And others who have slighted the fellowship of the Saints neglecting Christ invitation I have seen death surprise them in their disobedience Luk. 14.24 For I say unto you that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my Supper And is not that sad thou poor enquiring soul But in the last place If God have drawn out thy heart by the smell of Christs garments I say Christs garments those outward things which proud ones passe by and deluded souls disdain Which yet the Spirit sayes Psal 45.8 Come out of the Ivory Palaces casting forth the fragrant odours and cordiall perfumes of myrrhe Aloes and Cassia If these have made glad thy gracious heart whiles thy Queen-like virgin-virgin-soul hath adorned her self with the choice embroyderies of thy beloved not contenting thy self wich a fancied light in thy conscience but approving thy self the Kings daughter indeed Vers 13. legitimately descended all glorious within and thy clothing of wrought gold That is if thou have yeelded thine obedience to those principles and other Ordinances * Zech. 4.12 through which the golden gifts and graces of his Spirit flow Let no man deceive thee with vain words giving thee leave to learn but not to practise
thy Principles The Lord make my counsell acceptable to thee which is To live in the perpetuall exercise or practise of all thy Principles Yet mistake not I would not have thee set them up for Idols Judg. 17.13 and live upon them to say Now I know that the Lord will doe me good seeing I have got a Levite to my Priest Take heed of so practising any of thy Principles Now I have done enough once to believe a Magus may do so or repent Act. 8.13 Judas did it or be baptized so was Ananias and Sapphira In this respect Phil. 3.13 14. thou must forget what is behind and presse forward In this respect Heb. 6.1 thou must leave thy Principles and go on to perfection But how must thou leave thy Principles What never to look at them any more No such matter Mat. 19.5 But as thou must leave thy father and mother and cleave to thy wife so thou must leave thy Principles Whosoever shall teach thee in a marryed state to be disobedient to or utterly to leave and forsake thy Parents I shall bequeath to him the Legacie fit for a blind Pharisee Mat. 15.6 And the like portion to him that shall counsell thee to learn thy Six Principles but not to practise them or at any time to leave them so As for the first Principle which is Repentance Why thou poor soul as oft as thou callest for thy dayly bread so often thou must practise thy Repentance For thou dost dayly contract new flaines therefore thou must dayly go to that sountain * Zech. 13.1 Rev. 7.14 to wash thy robes and make them white in the bloud of the Lamb. Crying Father which art in heaven forgive my trespasses as I forgive others that is manifest forgivenesse seal my pardon satisfie my soul that all my sins are imputed unto Christ and his righte-ousnesse to me And can thy soul live a day without this satisfaction without this assurance The Lord would have thee aske to purpose not barely pardon but assurance that thou art pardoned Aske and ye may receive Joh. 16.24 that your joy may be full And thus thou must not leave but practise Repentance Secondly for Faith If ever thou didst receive it embrace it Rom. 1.5 and yeeld obedience to it be carefull constantly to live in the exercise of it Why thou no longer livest then thou believest Vers 17. therefore go thy wayes on from faith to faith in the mounting steps of Abrahams faith as one of the houshold of faith Rom. 4.12 Gal. 6.10 Take heed of Hymeneus sin * 1 Tim. 1.19 and let Pauls exercise be thine Act. 24.16 O beware of men that will yeeld thou shouldest learn it but not practise it As for Baptisme If ever thou was buried with Christ in it Rom. 6.4 one buriall will serve the turn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that is once baptized or washed needeth not save to wash his feet * Joh. 13.10 compared with 2 King 5.10 14. Heb. 10.22 and yet there is dayly need of Mortification Col. 3.5 this thou must be practising all the dayes of thy Pilgrimage thou dost never learn it till thou practise it There 's dayly need of a holy walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6.4 Wherefore thou Baptized Believer whatever men say be thou dayly in the practise of this Principle A chast Virgin often resisted Satans temptation with this weapon Christiana sum I am a Christian As oft as the enemy makes his appoaches against thee tell him thou art espoused to Christ and hast not in thy childish infant state when perhaps thou wast asleep made a bold manly profession of thy subjection to him in this Ordinance What should I fear if truth speak truth Mark 16.16 I did I do believe I was Baptized I shall be saved And for this fourth Principle Be sure thou practise it as ever thou desirest a larger measure of the Spirit for the communicating of which it is appropriated If God do immediatly confer his gifts in or soon after the administration be carefull to improve them to his glory put them not under a bed of ease or a bushell of gain If he deal with thee as with those Hebrew babes keep thee long in thy childhood without some eminent manly gift yet practise this Principle in the exercises of patience waiting for a return to those prayers that did accompany this Ordinance and indeed is an essentiall part of it without which neither this nor any thing else is or can be sanctifyed Luk. 11.13 and upon which pretious promises are entail'd Breaking bread is no ordinance of Christ 1 Cor. 12.11 without prayer and praise Remember the Spirits method who is a free Agent Dividing to every man severally as he will what how and when he pleaseth Some seed in some sort of ground will spring up speedily Though I do not say that is either the best seed or the best soil see Mat. 13.5 And such is the gift of tongnes to such as greedily gape after it and pettishly cast away the ordinance of hands if they may not have it That or nothing will please their palate But the Spirit hath another sort of seeds which may not so suddainly appear but possibly lie all winter under the clods and yet the ground very good and the seed lying so long in it makes it better and although it make not such speed in springing yet it is carefully kept Luk. 8.15 and brings forth fruit with patience At the first practise of this Principle the seed is sown Isa 45.19 and in a sutable season it will spring and appear Be patient therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord Jam. 5.7 Behold the Husbandman waiteth for the pretious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it untill be receive the early and latter rain We are at a great losse for want of waiting for returns of duties Having therefore yeelded obedience to this Ordinance let no man perswade thee thou longing soul to cast off the exercises of a patient waiting for a return but take up thy resolution with the Prophet Psal 85.8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace unto his people and to his Saints but let them not turn again to folly If God have but bestowed so much wisdome upon thine obedience as to wait with faith and patience for fuller manifestations of himself then I am sure thou hast not found this ordinance empty The fifth Principle If thou be truly spirituall must be thy dayly practise It is a duty incumbent upon thee and beares a date as antient as thy visible profession and reall subjection to Christs commands Rom. 6.4 For in thy buriall with thy Redeemer in the Baptismall sountain 2 Cor. 5.17 Heb. 10.20 thou didst begin thy case in the similitude of his resurrection with an engagement so to run by the rules of the new creature in that new and living way all the dayes of thy life Thou wast a miserable polluted creature Ephes 2.1 before he met with thee dead in trespasses and fins but he hath breathed upon thee by his quickning Spirit and therefore in the power of the same Spirit dayly thou must practise the resurrection Rom. 3.11 If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the death dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Wherefore stop thy ears to any other Spirit that would dull the edge of thy devotion in the practise of the resurrection Live at present in the power of it and make use of all means with the Apostle Phil. 3.11 If by any means I might attain unto the refurrection of the dead Thy God will be found in the use of his own means Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above And Lastly Let the eternall judgment be thy exercise continually Thou hast no other way in this world to avoid the horrour and terrour of it and this way whatever men talke to keep thee in idlenesse thou mayest escape it 1 Cor. 11.31 For if we would judge curselves we should not be judged Cheer up thy drooping spirit take courage and resolution and be as lively as possible in the practise and exercise of all thy Principles The more lively the more like Christ whose meat and drink was to do the will of his father and the more like Christ the more boldnesse thou shalt have in the day of judgement * 1 Joh. 4.17 Wherefore labour diligently to be found in all the will of thy God Let no man spoil thee of any truth but especially of one of thy Foundation principles What though this milk be never so mean 't is the more like a crucified Christ I confesse Laying on of hands is but a simple service Rom. 6.17 no more is its companion Baptisme but t is one of the first words of thy dear Redeemer a part of that form of Doctrine which he delivered and hath owned Act. 8. 19. and by signs and wonders confirmed which he would not so fignally have ratified had it not been a part of his owne service Let not mens conceits of the cessation of this holy Ordinance deprive thy pretious soul of those choice gifts which stream through it which thy panting spirit if thou be truly thirsty soul cannot but find as much need of as thy fellow saints sixteen hundred years since The promise runs as strenuously to this age and the Saints in it though we be those afar off as it did to them that were nigh * Act. 2.39 For he that made promise remains faithfull and what ever men dare affirme to the contrary yet he hath said that It is easier for heaven and earth to passe Luk. 16.17 then one tittle of the Law to fail THE END