dependeth wholly upon our Obedience as the condition to which it is promised and therefore it puts us into a condition or State of Life Imperfect and subject to Change as Obedience it self is that we are not perfectly justified till Obedience be perfected 7. That by their Obedience Believers serve God and are fitted for Heaven and their Afflictions are Paternal Corrections to quicken them and to purge them but not inflicted as effects of the Curse 7. That Believers by their Obedience obtain continue and perfect their Right to Heaven and that their Afflictions are Fruits of the Curse of the Law Christ having purchased only that it should not Damn us but left it to the Father to Punish us for Sins in this Life as he shall think fit 8. We are made partakers of Christ's Righteousness and the Benefits thereof by Faith and that Faith is a trusting in the Promise of Life for the sake of Christ's Righteousness 8. That Faith in its whole Latitude is believing and obeying the Gospel that by this we are made partakers of the Benefits of Christ he having only purchased this Grant or Law that they which Obey him shall be Saved not that his Obedience should Save them 9. That Justification is the acceptance of a Sinner with God as Righteous through the Righteousness of Christ imputed to him whereby he hath a full right to Eternal Life 9. Justification is nothing else but the Pardon of Sin i. e. the not exacting the punishment of Sin due by the Law of Works and an acceptance of Man so far and so long as he performeth the Conditions of sincere Obedience These I unfeignedly Assent and Consent to These I Declare and protest against Rich. Davis Richard Davis BEhold the present controversie rightly Stated and tho many of the present Adversaries seem to approve of the Old Protestant Scheme and to be shie of the other yet let their Principles Doctrins and Expressions be persued close and you will catch them in the Neonomian Scheme and many of those they call Anti-Nomian flow genuinely from the Old Protestant Scheme I shall add no more but heartily Pray that the Spirit of Truth would guide us into all Truth as it is in Jesus Amen And that the World may know what my Judgment is in Matters of Faith I do heartily declare my Assent unto and Approbation of these following Articles I. Of the Scripture THE Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God and the only Rule of Faith and Life II. Of God There is but one only the living and true God who is a Spirit Infinite Eternal and unchangeable in his Being Wisdom Power Holiness Goodness and Truth There are three Persons in the God-head the Father eternally begetting the Son eternally begotten of the Father and the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son the same in Essence equal in all the incommunicable and communicable Attributes of the Divine Nature III. Of God's Decree The Decrees of God are his Eternal Purpose according to the Council of his Will whereby for his own Glory he hath fore-ordain'd whatsoever comes to pass which Decrees he executes in the Works of Creation and Providence IV. Of Creation The work of Creation is God's making all things of nothing by the word of his Power in the space of six Days and all very good and after other Creatures he Created Man Male and Female after his own Image in Knowledge Righteousness Holiness with Dominion over the Creatures V. Of Providence God's Works of Providence are his most Holy Wise and Powerful Preserving and Governing all his Creatures and all their Actions VI. The Covenant of Works When God Created Man he entred into a Covenant of Life with him as the common Head and Representative of all Mankind upon condition of perfect Obedience forbidding him to Eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil upon pain of Death which Covenant our first Parents being left to the freedom of their own Will broke and so fell from the Estate wherein they were Created by sinning against God and all Mankind descending from Adam by ordinary Generation sinn edwith him and Fell with him in his first Transgression VII Of Sin by the Fall The Sinfulness of every Man descending from Adam by an ordinary Generation consists in the Guilt of Adam's first Sin the want of Original Righteousness and the Corruption of his whole Nature which is commonly call'd Original Sin together with all Actual Sins whereby he is opposite to all Good and bent to all Evil and liable to God's Wrath the Curse of the Law Death and all Miseries Spiritual Temporal and Eternal The remainders of this Original sinful Nature acts even in the Saints when their State is changed through Grace VIII Of Christ Christ Jesus the Eternal Son of God became Man being conceived in the Womb of the Virgin Mary by the Holy-Ghost and thereby taking our Nature upon him continueth to be God and Man in two distinct Natures and one Person for ever IX Our Lord Jesus Christ both in his humbled and exalted state executeth the Office of a Prophet of a Priest and of a King to his Church X. Of the Prophetical Office of Christ Christ executes the Office of a Prophet in the times both of the Old and New Testament in revealing by his Word and Spirit the whole Mind and Will of God for Man's Salvation XI Of the Priesthood of Christ Christ executeth the Office of a Priest in once offering up himself a Sacrifice without Spot to God to be a Reconciliation for the Sins of all them that shall be Saved and in making continual Intercession for them at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High XII Of the Kingly Office of Christ Christ as our Redeemer executeth the Office of a King in calling out of the World a People to himself in Ruling and Defending them and in restraining and conquering all his and their Enemies XIII Of the Covenant of Grace The Covenant of Grace was made with Christ as the second Adam and in him with all the Elect as his Seed and was made manifest by freely providing and offering to Sinners a Mediator and Life and Salvation through him XIV Of Iustification Those whom God effectually Calleth he also freely Justifieth not by infusing Righteousness into them but by pardoning their Sins and by accounting and accepting their Persons as Righteous not for any thing wrought in them or done by them but for Christ's sake alone not by imputing Faith it self nor any other Evangelical Obedience unto them as their Righteousness but by imputing the Obedience and Satisfaction of Christ unto them They receiving and resting on him and his Righteousness by Faith which Faith they have not of themselves it is the Gift of God And this Faith is not a dead Faith but worketh by Love and is accompanied with all other saving Graces XV. Of Faith Faith in the General is a giving credit
Reports are groundless and false In witness whereof we subscribe our Names John Tooley Deputy of the Ward of Queenhithe Charles Milson Common-Councel-Man of the Ward of Queenhithe Nathaniel Mason John Hughes Thomas Piggot Richard Haley Samuel Richards Christo Merriweather William Brice James Steward Samuel Ratcliff Francis Clare There came at the same time a Letter from Mr. Thomas Cooper then Common-Councel-Man of the same Ward who was born in the Town of Rowel and is now a Citizen of great Note in London and it is as followeth Mr. Ralph Mun Mr. Robert Tebbat Mr. Jonathan Wells Mr. Mansel or any of the Town of Rothwel to whose hand this cometh THis may certify That I have been intimately acquainted this 10 or 12 years last past with Mr. Richard Davis who has-lived so long and longer in our Neighbourhood near Queenhithe in London And I am very confident he hath lived a very sober and religious life and I never heard Man or Woman blame him or speak an ill word of him in my life He hath to my knowledge been very industrious in his way and demeaned himself so well that I believe that there are none tho' Enemies to Goodness but will say the same I write If any say otherwise than I write it is malicious and false Wishing you and all my Country-men health and happiness I subscribe this the 4th of January 1689. Thomas Cooper Besides these two my Neighbours I lived amongst at London so long have sent another Letter Testimonial lately in these words THese are to certify all whom it may concern that we whose Names are here-under subscribed the Deputy Common-Councel-Men and other principal Inhabitants of the Ward of Queenhithe in the City of London do know that Mr. Richard Davis for the space of 10 or 12 years or thereabouts had his Residence in the said Ward and during all the time of his Residence there was very diligent and industrious in the teaching and instructing of Youth and was very successful therein By which means togethor with his sober well-ordered and exemplary Life and Conversation he gained a very great respect and love from the Inhabitants of the said Ward Given under our Hands this 17th day of September 1692. John Tooley Deputy John Truelock Richard Wilkinson George Fish Henry Ambrose Peter Hagar Charles Milson Common-Councel-Men Thomas Cooper Thomas Piggot Francis Clare Samuel Richards James Steward William Richalds Thomas Parsons The Recommendatory Letter of the Church of Christ at London to the Church of Christ at Rowell To the Church of Christ at Rowel in Northamptonshire We the Pastors Elders and Brethren of that Church whereof Mr. Richard Davis hath been for several Years to this present Instant a Member send Greeting SInce it hath pleased Almighty God to stir up and incline our beloved Brother Richard Davis to become a Labourer in Christ's Vineyard and give him as we hope an inward Call to the Work which for his more orderly entrance into the Ministry is seconded with an outward Call from your selves to sit down among you as your Pastor We much rejoice in the good hand of God towards him and you that he is so well satisfy'd in his Work and hath found so good Acceptance with you The Lord prosper his Labours among you for your further Edification and for the bringing in of such unconverted Ones as are ordained to eternal life We do by these Presents according to his and your desire transmit unto you that particular watch and care of this our beloved Brother which was a Duty incumbent on us towards him whilst he walked with us So recommending him to your holy Fellowship as a Brother in the Lord whose orderly Walking and exemplary Conversation among us have been as becometh the Gospel Thus wishing both to him and you much of the Spirit of God in all your holy Administrations We take leave and rest Your loving Brethren in the Fellowship of the Gospel Thomas Coles Pastor John Skinner Thomas Rapier Richard Sadler Thomas Singleton Henry Casewell James Lapley John Player Thomas Dunn Elders Mat. Rapier Samuel Clark Christopher Gould By vertue of which I was admitted Member of the Church at Rowel Febr. 3. 1689. was chosen into the Pastoral Office Febr. 20. and accepted thereof March 7. I was set apart thereunto by Fasting and Prayer So that hence People may see how they have been imposed upon by those Reports contrary hereunto raised at Bedford and Wellemborough But our Pamphleteers are resolved it seems to leave no means unattempted to overthrow me therefore having done what they could to stir up the Country they make the last Essay upon the Members of the Church and try if they can by bitter Raillery against them terrify them to be Instruments of their Revenge upon me and our gifted Brethren Hence it is they conclude with an Expostulation and Advice to the People at Rowel for it seems they will not vouchsafe to call them the Church at Rowel I confess there indeed they should have begun if they had any thing to charge me with as to Errors in Faith or wickedness in Practice And I can assure them that if yet they come to the Church and not only give in their Names but personally appear to prosecute their Charge if they have any Truth and Honesty on their sides and can make it out by good Proof I question not but it will be attended to But as yet the Church of Rowel knows not whom to thank for their Advice nor how to come at them to consult with them further about prosecuting their directions And now you Libellers and all your Abettors it is now come to my turn to expostulate with you suffer me therefore in a spirit of meekness to propose unto you these following serious Considerations 1. Is it not lamentable that you stumble the Neighborhoods where you live with your vain and frothy Lives and Conversations Is it not think you a great stumbling to your ignorant Neighbours that you discover so much fulsom Froth in your Discourses such delight both within and without doors in Gaming Pleasures Chambering Wantonness unwarrantable Recreation and Provisions made for the flesh to fulfil the lusts and pleasures thereof Rom. 13. 14. studying how to be witty in your Jests and Reproofs whereas you are expresly forbid Ephes 5. 4. such foolish jesting which is not convenient And you are exhorted Ephes 4. 29. That your speech should be always seasoned with salt administring grace to the hearers Is it not a shame that you declare your selves to be so much every one for his own gain from his quarter and do not witness that Self-denial that becomes your Places and Functions And why do not you declare plainly you seek not the Fleece but the welfare of the Flock 2. Consider whether your whole Discourse for almost these three years being lavished out in Raillery Reproaches Lyes and Slanders and that in most places where you come tends to the Edification or the
Wings as their great Patron and Defender we shall ask their Advice when we think it meet Advice must be free given when asked and not imposed Imposed Advice is an act of Authority One of which said Christ Murthered himself Here is no particular Evidence and it is a down-right Falshood after a great Noise about it In the Notes of his Sermon produced it was thus Christ as High-Priest had in charge given him to kill the Sacrifice and by virtue of Office he killed the Sacrifice and himself was the Sacrifice Down with Works down with Law This was father'd upon Mr. Bere who is none of us but hath been an approved Preacher above this 30 Years who saith he did say so in point of Justification and he will stand by it and so he may for the Word of God doth stand by him in it Another Christ went about his work Blindfold from that place of Scripture Who so blind as my Servant Which another Interpreted thus Christ is blind so as to see no Sin in his People To this charge there is no particular Evidence and the Person Charged is not Named and we know nothing of it Therefore I need do no more but step over it Another thus When People are under Convictions they will go to the Minister and he will exhort them to Read and Pray and Repent but these are the black marks of Hell This last spoken by Mr. Rowlett I enquired of him and he saith he remembers no such thing However this I will maintain they that put awakened Souls upon Working before Believing Act beside the Commission given forth by Jesus Christ Accusation 9. Mr. Davis pretended to Visions for Preaching a Funeral Sermon at Oundle he told the People c. That I pretended to Visions is very false But what if I had said I had seen Visions How should they know it was but Pretence Mr. Clark in his Examples giveth divers Modern Instances of several Godly Persons that saw Visions and why might not I as well as they Tho I do not say I have seen any but the Matter at Oundle was plainly thus I hearing when I was from Home on Thursday from Mrs. Clark's Son that his Mother was not expected to Live that Night I came home that Night and found some of my Acquaintance were Dead nigher home whereupon that Night after Mid-night I was sunk into serious Meditations of the Glory of Heaven and upon that part of their Glory that they were not only Blest there with perfect Holiness but also with Eternal constant Beatifical Visions of the imputed Righteousness they were cloathed with Amongst other Meditations I thought I saw by Faith how bright then the Spirits of Just ones Above shone in that Righteousness and amongst them those Friends lately Dead as I heard And her I concluded Dead from a strong Impulse I confess which I suppose might arise from the Account her Son gave me of her in the day-time and knowing her to be a very good Woman I did by Faith conclude and see she made one in the bright Company above whereupon that Scripture was Suggested into my Mind with great pleasantness Esa 57. 2. That Text I would have Preached upon for her Funeral Sermon if another had not been appointed me However I ventured a little at the close to insist upon this Subject and gave some of the substance of the precedent Story as my Reason for it wherein I think I might use these words That it was imprest upon my mind she was Dead and that by Faith I saw her in Glory which the mistaken Witnesses that know little of Faith took to be other Visions It appeared by the Sequel that she was then Dead and if Dead then in Glory as I thought What need the Learned Assembly make such a Pother and ado about this I would fain hear their weighty Reasons why the Servants of God now may not see Visions as formerly Doth not Zuinglius write of himself that when he was urged by the Cavelling Priests to produce a Parallel place of Scripture to prove that This is my Body was a Sacramental saying was after much perplexity of Mind directed in a Dream to that portion of Scripture Exod. 12. 11. latter part which the Scoffing Papists made as much a Maye-game of then as the vain and jovial Professors do of this Accusation 10. That he Anoints the Sick with Oil is confessed both by himself and Friends c. That we Anoint the Sick with Oil we do confess and continue still to think it is a Duty from God's Word The Story of the Deceased Person I grant with some variation of Circumstances is true She did not then in the Administration of the Ordinance as I hear profess any great confidence of Faith but only testified her willingness to be obedient to the Command of the Lord Jesus neither did I hear that any of her Relations did I think I might say in Preaching or Praying and that not amiss That God upon the finishing of the work of any of his Children given them to do will have them home to their Father's House and will deny all Means and his Blessing to all his own Appointments which must needs be true else his Children would never Die But what needs all this insolent Triumphing Is this becoming Christians I am perswaded it will be but short When the Apostles were endowed with extraordinary power for Miracles yet there was a Case came before them that even they through the power of Unbelief could prevail nothing in If Modesty did not forbid me I could Ballance this one with twenty or thirty astonishing Instances however I submit to the Rebuke which has cost me many thoughts of Heart and hath brought me to these Considerations 1. Whether God in the Sick or in the Administrators requires only a meer Faith of Relyance or Expectance leaving the Issue to his Blessed Will Or 2. Whether he doth not require in both a positive Faith that it shall be so without the least doubting or wavering and that none dare presume to engage in it before they have arriv'd to such a Faith I hesitate and wait for the Counsels of the Almighty before I proceed further Also my Judgment in this Ordinance I shall when I have time draw up Accusation 11. He Re-baptized one formerly Baptized by Mr. Browning namely the Brother of one Mr. Chambers As to this it 's true there was a Brother of that Name Baptised according to our Practice but it was never enquired whether he was Baptised by Mr. Browning or any Body else We whose Judgments are for this Practice neither Preach it Press it nor Impose it but walk according to our Light which we think we have a liberty to do What then hath the Assembly at London to do with our private Practice As to my particular Perswasion concerning Baptism I shall take another time to lay it down The chief managers of the Evidence at Kettering as I understand
to the whole revealed Mind and Will of God in his Word and upon his own Authority but as it is a saving Grace it is a work of the Spirit whereby a Sinner doth see and behold Christ in all his Excellencies and is persuaded and enabled to look to him to go forth from Sin and Self to lay hold of Christ and to rest and relie on Christ and his Righteousness for Acceptance with God and Eternal Salvation XVI Of Effectual Calling Effectual Calling is the powerful Voice of the Son of God by his Spirit accompanying his Word whereby a Sinner is enabled to accept of Christ upon his own Terms according to the Promise of the Gospel therefore it relates to Faith XVII Of Assurance Assurance is not a bare conjectural and probable Persuasion but the infallible certainty of Faith founded upon the Testimony of the Spirit of Adoption witnessing with our Spirits that we are the Children of God altho many Believers have not attained to this Assurance yet it is the Duty of all to seek after it and those that have attained to it may have it divers ways shaken and diminish'd through Sin and Temptations XVIII Of Perseverance The Perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own Free Will or inherent Grace already received but upon the Immutability of the Love of God in the Decree of Election the Efsicay and Merit of the Intercession of Christ The Nature of the Covenant of Grace and the abiding of the Spirit of God Altho true Believers cannot fall finally and totally yet they may fall into grievous Sins and may continue in them for a while whereby they grieve the Spirit lessen their Comforts wound their Consciences scandalise others and do come under the Rebuke of God's fatherly Corrections for their Recovery and Amendment XIX Of Adoption Adoption is an act of the free Grace of God in and for his only Son Jesus Christ whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his Children have his Name put upon them the Spirit of his Son given unto them are under his fatherly Care and Correction admitted to all the Liberties and Privileges of the Sons of God made Heirs of all the Promises and Fellow-heirs with Christ in Glory XX. Of Sanctification Sanctification is the Work of God's Grace whereby they whom God has before the Foundation of the World chosen to be Holy are in time through the powerful Operation of the Spirit applying the Death and Resurrection of Christ unto them renew'd in their whole Man after the Image of God having the Seeds of Repentance and of all other saving Graces put into their Hearts and those Graces so stirred up increased and strengthned as that they more and more dye unto Sin and rise up unto Newness of Life in the lively Actings and Exercises of Faith XXI Of Repentance True Gospel Repentance is a saving Grace wrought by the Spirit of God whereby we are enabled thorough believing on the Lord Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation to turn from Sin unto God XXII Preparatory Works Works done before Faith however good in themselves yet are vain fruitless sinful and not pleasing to God and therefore can't make us any ways meet for the receiving of Grace XXIII Of Good Works Good Works are then only Good when they are the Fruits of Faith and they ought to be carefully maintain'd by Believers not that they may thereby be justified or continued in a justified State but that they may glorifie God and answer the Ends of their Redemption by Jesus Christ XXIV Of the Moral Law The Moral Law holds the Elect during their Unregeneracy under its condemning Force 'till they believe and is unto all Believers a Rule for Obedience which they are enabled to conform unto by the Power of God's Grace XXV Of the State of Believers after Death and their Resurrection The Souls of Believers immediately after Death are made perfect in Holiness are received up to Heaven and behold the Face of God in Light and Glory Their Bodies in the mean time resting in the Grave till the Resurrection are then Re-united to their Souls in Perfect Blessedness and full Enjoyment of God forever XXVI Of the Last Iudgment God has appointed a Day wherein he will Judge the Quick and the Dead in Righteousness by Jesus Christ to whom all Power and Judgment is given of the Father for the Glorifying his Divine Mercy in the Salvation of the Elect and of his Divine Justice in the Eternal Damnation of the Wicked and Disobedient FINIS An Answer to some part of that Pamphlet Called A Plain and Just Account of a Plague being at Rothwell c. Wherein it will be manifest that they that gave the Account gave a very unjust Account in some Matters as in others they Charge as Errors the great Truths of the Gospel of our Lord. By Rob Betson Pastor of the Church of Christ in Wellingborough OH that my Head was a Fountain of Tears that I could Weep Day and Night for a Generation of Men professing love to Christ and Souls and yet their Mouths are full of Revilings and their Pens dipt in Gall as the first Page testifieth and several other places in the Book wherein they act like that Orator Tertullus in Acts 24. 5. We have found this Man a pestilent fellow and a mover of Sedition among all the Jews throughout the World and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens c. Thus he accused and the Jews assented saying That these things were so vers 9. And thus do the Writers of this Pamphlet accuse God's Servant Mr. Davis with many others which I question not but they are dear to our Lord Jesus But yet the People are ready to say all is true that can be spoken yea this I observe these Men will believe the Reports of the worst of Men against him when they will not believe their nearest Friends that speak for him tho what they speak they have seriously weigh'd which sheweth them to be of their minds Jeremy complaineth of Chap. 20. 10. Report say they and we will Report it But I believe the Lord in his own time will vindicate the Faith and Order of that Gospel which is now opposed by a Generation of Men that have not the Power of Godliness However I earnestly intreat all that fear the Lord to cease Reviling and take Paul's Counsel Ephesians 4. 31 32. Let all Bitterness and Wrath and Anger and Clamor and evil speaking be put away and be ye kind one to another And if you yet be in doubt take Gamaliel's Counsel Acts 5. 38 39. For we are very willing that whatever there is that is not of God should fall and we are also sure that whatever is of God you cannot overturn it therefore pray have a Care you be not found fighters against God And pray weigh very seriously what Mr. Davis hath written in answer to what is charged against him for I do trust that in
only think so Answ The Adversaries themselves make nothing of this and it needeth no Answer Our Lord there speaketh to the Pharisees who themselves judged the Scriptures to shew the way to eternal life but yet they did not see he was the Person the Scriptures testified of No doubt People may set up a bare knowledge of the Letter of the Scripture in the room of the Mediator as it was the Case of the Pharisees 8. Make me as one of thy hired Servants Luke 15. 9. Lo here is his unbelief when God would have him be a Son he would be a Servant Answ Questionless 't is Unbelief not to accept of what is offered and what we are commanded to receive That is the only true modesty that glorieth not in the Flesh but in Christ and his Righteousness And that 's Gospel-humility where the Soul is emptied of itself most receiving from the fulness of Christ There may be a legal humility and unbelieving modesty What think ye of their modesty mentioned Acts 13. 46. whom the Apostles Paul and Barnabas charge with high wickedness for judging themselves unworthy of eternal life 9. There shall go forth such from Rowell as shall sound the Gospel over these three Kingdoms Answ I cannot tell whether ever it was said so by any yet I can say it is my hopes the Lord Jesus e're long will send forth out of other Churches of Christ as well as that at Rothwell such as shall be made very instrumental for the conversion of Souls WE the Members of the Church of Christ over whom Mr. R. Davis is Pastor and his constant Hearers having seriously considered the aforesaid Principles laid to his Charge do declare and testify they are utterly false and that the current of his Doctrine has been as he himself has laid it down And further the design of his preaching amongst us has been to offer pardoning Grace through the blood of Christ freely to Sinners to press them to accept thereof on the pain of damnation To press us to Holiness from the principle of saving Faith To advance the Person and Offices of the Lord Jesus likewise the Person Offices Graces and Gifts of the Spirit And lastly to advance electing Grace reigning through the Righteousness of Christ Jesus We also attest that all those evil Practices laid to his Charge and especially the ridiculous-Falshoods about Admissions are abominable Vntruths Where unto we have subscribed our Names at the general Church-meeting it being a solemn Day of Fasting and Prayer Robert Tebatt John Taylor Jonathan Wells John Arnall William Watts Edward Coales Francis Cave Thomas Chambers Robert Hills John Mansfield Thomas Servell Thomas Rowlatt Nathaniel Chamber Samuel Lades John Bridges Thomas Kilingworth William Whittwell James Taylor Richard Tebatt Christopher Brett Jacob Harle Joseph Person Thomas Ladson James Bodymore Richard Gaurn John Wood Stephen Smith Jonathan Palmore Robert Hoeman John Tebatt Robert King Thomas Whittwell Thomas Hall Samuel Knight John Wills William King William Arch Thomas Paine Thomas Remington Samuel Rogers These following were pretended to be delivered about Kimbolton 10. There are five times wherein Christ intercedes c. Answ However the two Ministers represented it that which was said was this That there are five times of Christ's especial Intercession Not that his Intercession is changeable in itself but in respect of us as to the effects thereof As for Instance Christ intercedes for his Elect before called yet then only it takes effect when they are effectually called So again for his Children under Backslidings yet then made effectual when they are recovered And as for the time of greater sinning it was thus alledged That then he intercedes that their Faith may not totally fail It was illustrated by the Example of Peter Satan's design in his Tryal was not only to cause him to deny his Master but also to take occasion from thence to urge him to cast away all his hopes But says our Lord I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not I never held nor preached That his Intercession was Oral that was the Construction Prejudice put upon it This is my Judgment That he presents his Satisfaction to his Father in a way consistent with his glorify'd state The preverting the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and making it to signify a Comforter in 1 John 2. 1. is indeed according to the Grotian Divinity I judge the Libellers would do well to consider that Christ there is represented as transacting above with his Father and not with us It is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Advocate with the Father And whether that be good Sense to render it thus That he transacts as a Comforter towards his Father I leave it to the Judgment of judicious and indifferent Persons E're I part with this I must fix a Falshood upon the Libellers who affirm That two Ministers discoursed me about it at that time whereas it was Mr. Chandler then only spoke to me and it was about the Sense of that Scripture Mat. 10. 32 33. 11. Justification by Faith is only a manifestation of it in our Conscience Answ That I said Only a manifestation of it in our Consciences is false like all the rest But that justifying Faith in the infused Principle thereof is a divine supernatural Manifestation or Revelation to the Conscience is undeniably grounded upon the holy Scripture of Truth Thus saith the Lord Hebr. 11. 1. Faith is the evidence or demonstration of things not seen but yet the demonstration of the Spirit and of power 1 Cor. 2. 4. Christ as working this Faith is said to manifest himself John 14 21 22. The Spirit as the efficient thereof is said to testify of Jesus John 15. 26. To take of the things of Christ and shew them to the Soul John 16. 14. God the Father also as the great Author of Faith is asserted to reveal his Son in the Soul Gal. 1. 16. And he that believeth hath the witness or manifestation in himself 1 John 5. 10. with divers other Scriptures Whence 't is evident That Faith is a Divine Manifestation in the Principle thereof and the Act flowing from it is the Soul's acceptance of manifested Grace and Principle and Act are of the essence of saving Faith Therefore it follows First They that contend for their word Illumination in opposition to Scriptural terms plainly prefer their own Phrases before the Words which the wisdom of the Holy Ghost teacheth Secondly But more especially they that exclude Divine-Illumination or Manifestation from the Essence of saving Faith either set up 1. An implicit Popish Blindfold Faith or 2 dly Set up Faith to act without a Principle which is monstrous and absurd or 3 dly Since in this Divine Principle of living Light Christ comes into the Soul by his Spirit and therein supernatural Power is communicated to the Soul to act as a living Soul in Christ they consequently set up a power in Man's Soul to believe antecedent to Christ's coming to
was informed it was resolved upon by those Gentlemen upon their entering into the Union not to quit an hairs breadth of their Principles and Practices but only they consented Articles should be drawn in such a lax and loose Phrase that both Parties might fix their particular Sence upon it and shroud their different Sentiments under the universality of expressions If this Information be true it was just such an abominable piece of Jesuitical Equivocation as must needs highly provoke the displeasure of the Almighty and render them odious to Men If they thought thereby only to amuse a certain Generation of Men that have out-done them for many Years past in Politicks their Prudence hath been strangely overseen For they might easily perceive those quick-sighted Politicians could quickly see through their Fig-leaf-coverings and that their Nakedness would but the more appear to them If the Stratagems of Generals and the private Intreagues of States-men do but once take wind it tends rather to their Overthrow than Victory and Establishment 6. And lastly I dreaded the design of this Union on the part of many lest it should not be only a means framed for to jump into Benefices and consequently into Power over their Brethren when a favourable juncture of time should pave them the way but also a device of Satan to stop all the dawnings of new Light about Faith and Order For it is well known we are not arrived to perfection therein Nor shall not till the latter day glory is consummated And it is also as undeniably evident that that glory must come in by degrees and perhaps the first steps thereof must be advanced among a few despicable People And it hath always been observed the first dawnings thereof have been opposed by the majority of them that made a profession The grain of Mustard seed in its first growth in Christs and the Apostles days was attempted to be quasht by the learned Sanhedrim The Learning Power and Policy of the Church of Rome were engaged against poor Luther and the first Reformers The united parts wisdom and learning of the National Church were engaged to oppose Puritanism in its first rise And since the Learning Abilities Power Interest Reputation Holiness and Profession of the Puritan and Presbyterian Party have been employed to crush the Congregational Order in its first appearance From whence I observe 1. That the dawning of every step of Reformation began first among a few 2. That those few have been generally the most despicable that the power and wisdom of God might therein appear the more 3. That those few in their Testimony of Jesus were opposed by the majority of the same Profession And were always forced to swim against wind and tide of united numbers and confederacies armed with fleshly Powel Wisdom Policy Reputation and a Popular Vogue Read and weigh well the 2 d Psalm to this purpose It was the consideration of these things aw'd me with the most dreadful fears and jealousies especially being not a stranger to the complection of times of professors and of the greatest number of the united brethren lest this union should prove a great mountain in the way of our Zerubbabel attempting to overwhelm the day of small things and I had grounds enough for my fears For I observed Professors lavishing their spirits forth into carnal joys and security and proposing to themselves great and carnal advantages I observed that the Leaders of the People were like the Sons of Zebedee for the right and left hand in the kingdom in a carnal sense They could not conceal the pleasant prospect they had of rich benefices and mastery as if the Kingdom of God and Glory of Christ consisted only in Meats Drinks and outward Accommodations The ultimate designs of some must be by a Grandee in a jovial laxness of Spirit discovered who when he thought himself perhaps sure of his company dropt their grand arcanum in words to this effect That tho they gave the Independents good words now yet when time served they must truckle under So that having considered these things it is not much to be wondered at if I was so shy to comply with the Union For which piece of stubbornness I was made a public example the other day at Kerterin I do not hereby in the least reflect upon my honoured brethren that coalesced with them in this union Probably their Charity were more extensive than mine in judging others were in earnest and I confess it is safest erring on Charity 's hand Or probably they might think that by frequent friendly debates with them about subject matters relating to the order of Gods house that might arise pro re nath an occasion would be given of affording them further light which charitable intention of theirs I should have the rather approved of had this been done without the formality of Articles and a certain airy pomp that attended that transaction But to the matter in hand Has not time proved it a tympanous affair Have they reformed one hair's breadth in their discipline admissions watch care admonitions and censures or in their understanding and preaching the truth as it is in Jesus Have not they rather gone ten degrees backward and some others many steps back with them But to add no more These are my reasons why I dissented from the Union I thought I saw disorders in the foundation thereof and feared the continued progress thereof would under the wings of a favourable juncture lick itself into the ensnaring form of a Lordly Classis This made me cautious to advise with them in any matter lest that should be improved to further such designs Yet notwithstanding all this I shall give the Reader some account how I came to have any thing to do with them I understood that they had received divers reports concerning me and there were some of them I had a deep respect for and I was willing they should be disabused and all of them delivered from this great sin of sinful credulity if possible Being also over-perswaded by the importunity of some Friends that I dearly loved I went the last Spring was twelve month to visit them at their meetings and there waited from 3 till past 4 under great indisposition of body resolving to defend whatever they should object against our Faith and practice according to my light therefore I acquainted a grave Elder with mine intention desiring him to propose it to them if he thought good But he judging it not seasonable and they being employed about other business there was nothing done at that time I cannot but remark by the way how it was reported by some of them I did not tarry there six minutes tho I continued amongst them from three till almost five I went to the Country and heard not from them till many months afterwards And then I received a Letter inquiring of me whether several things specified therein as to saith and practice were true or no. In my answer
of Christ will do When he is convinced of the Suitableness and absolute Necessity of this Righteousness to him and that nothing short of an Interest in it will satisfie his Conscience Also When he is convinced of his great Evil in leaning so long on his own Righteousness and the proneness of his Heart to do so still And Lastly When he is convinced of an evil Heart of Unbelief The Spirit convinceth of no Sin but Vnbelief Sure Mr. Jerry was under a great Mistake For it was this I inferred from John 16. 7 8 9 10. 11. That the first Sin the Spirit savingly convinceth a Man of is his own evil Heart of Unbelief and his Evil in trusting to his own Righteousness But see how strangely it is wrested What will not Envy and Prejudice put a Man upon For any to look to their Sanctification was an hindrance to their closing with Christ 'T is true in a good sence they have no Holiness afore they close with Christ and what should they look for that to bring with them they cannot possibly have afore they come ANIMADVERSIONS The Reader may easily perceive that the tendency of all these Charges under this general Head is to support Two Principles I. That there must be antecedent Works as Conditions of Justification Or at least II. There must be antecedent Works to fit and prepare us for Christ The First Principle I cannot fall in with for these ensuing Reasons Reas 1. God Justifies us freely as well as he Chose us freely and Christ died for us freely God chose the Elect and Christ died for them without any regard had to foreseen Conditions Rom. 9. 11. with 13. 15. Rom. 5. 6 8. So he also Justifies Rom. 9. 16. So Rom. 3. 24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Reas 2. The Word of the Lord says That God Justifies the Elect not as Saints nor as reformed Sinners but as ungodly Sinners Rom. 4. 5. But believeth on him that justifies the ungodly Therefore he does not Justifie upon precedent Conditions Reas 3. To make the Works of the Law to be the Conditions of our Justification is to seek to be Justified by the Deeds of the Law I which the Word of the Lord expressly condemns Rom. 3. 20 28. Gal. 2. 11. 3. 11. Reas 4. If the Sinner may be allowed to have the Works of the Law as Conditions of his Justification then he has ground of boasting in himself But the Law of Faith that receives Justification freely as a free Gift Rom. 5. 16. excludes all manner of boasting from the Creature Rom. 3. 27. Where is Boasting then It is excluded By what Law Of Works Nay but by the Law of Faith Reas 5. The perfect Law or Promise of an infinitely Holy Righteous God must needs require Perfect Conditions Therefore Imperfect Obedience cannot be the Conditions of Justification Reas 6. Whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin and all Works done before Faith put on the Nature of Sin and that that is sinful cannot be the Conditions of Justification Reas 7. They that are performing Conditions in a State of Nature are under a Curse Gal. 3. 10. For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse And how can that that is under a Curse be the Cndition of Justification Reas 8. This Doctrine of Antecedent Conditions of Justification as it is contrary to the Word of God so it is contrary to the Doctrine of the first Protestant Reformers and also expressly contrary to the Tenth Eleventh Twelfth and Thirteenth Articles of the Church of England which most of the Dissenting Ministers in the Kingdom have subscrib'd to Neither can I be for the Second Principle Viz. That there must be antecedent Qualifications at least to fit us and prepare us for Christ Before I give my Reasons I shall first tell what the Question is not And then what it is 1. The Question is not Whether an Elect Soul may not often be under the Convictions of the Law before Grace cometh For that we all agree in 2. Or Whether God doth most commonly lay hold of a Sinner by his Grace when he is under strong Convictions of Sin by the Law For this I readily assent to 3. Or Whether since Actual Justification as it is an Act of God terminated in the Conscience is an Actual Discharge there for the sake of Imputed Righteousness that it is necessary there be the same moment an Actual Conviction or Arraignment by the Law in the Conscience which is called a Sight of Sin to make the Soul see its need of the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus But the Question is Whether legal Convictions do prepare and fit the Soul to receive Christ i. e. By enabling the Soul the more or making the Soul the more willing to receive Grace antecedent to the State of Grace And this I do deny All the aforesaid Arguments against Conditions of Justification are edg'd against such antecedent Qualifications also However I shall add a few more Arguments Arg. 1. The Word of the Lord says That God walks by the same rule in Calling as he did in Election and the Eternal Compact 2 Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Whence it is convincingly evident That as he hath chosen the Elect and promised them all Grace in Christ their Common-Head before the Foundation of the World without any regard had to their fore-seen Qualifications not according to their Works So he also saveth them with an holy Calling in time without the least regard had to their then previous Works For it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom. 9. 16. See further Eph. 2. 8. Arg. 2. The Spirit is as free in Application as the Father in Election and the Son in the Work of Redemption and therefore the Spirit in Conversion regards not antecedent Qualifications Arg. 3. 'T is in Christ Jesus we are God's Workmanship created to good works Eph. 2. 10. Therefore there is no power for Good Works antecedent to our actual Union with Christ Arg. 4. The first Work of God Souls are put upon is Believing Joh. 6. 28 29. And we are pressed in Scripture to other good Works after Believing Tit. 3. 8. Therefore there can be no previous Qualifications preparatory of Faith Arg. 5. Faith it self is receiving a free Gift as freely given Rom. 4. 16. Eph. 2. 8. Therefore ex Naturâ rei excludes all manner of such antecedent Qualifications Arg. 6. The Promise was by Faith that it might be sure to all the Seed Rom. 4. 16. Even to the Gentile Seed who had no manner of Qualifications to bring For the Scripture saith expressly they had not so much Qualifications as to follow after righteousness
the Sword that goeth out of my Lord's Mouth will finish the Work in his own time and then shall be fulfilled many Scriptures on them that go on in their Scorning 3. They say I said They that die doubting and Fearing are Damned And they charge me with Barbarity Ans I never was so barbarous as the Writers would make me but I had and have Bowels for poordoubting dejected Souls as many can Witness neither did I say these words alone but this I said They that live and die Doubting and never believe on the Lord Jesus are Damned s And so saith the Scripture Without are the Fearful and Unbelieving and he that Believeth not shall be Damned 4. They say I said Christ tore himself Ans When I broke the Bread according to Christ's Institution tho they Revile on that account also I did in setting forth the love of Christ in laying down his own Life for us say thus Christ gave himself but presently added That tho there was a Sovereign Act of Christ in laying down his own Life according to that Scripture John 10. 15. 17 18. yet it was the wicked hands of the Jews that Murthered him 5. When we find our Hearts most wicked then to Believe in Christ is Pure Faith Ans I remember not that I said so but if I had I know not what cause any have to be Offended unless it be those that think to make themselves good before they Believe David would trust in God when the Iniquity of his Heels compassed him about And whether should a poor filthy Sinner go but to the Blood of Christ for Cleansing but I find the Accusers would be acting like Naaman the Syrian that thought the Waters of his own Country better than the Waters of Jordan But Paul saith this is a faithful Saying and worthy of all acceptation That Christ Jesus came into the World to save Sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim 1 15. And if Christ Jesus came to save the chiefest of Sinners then certainly when I see my self the chief of Sinners and yet Believe in Christ this must be pure Faith that looketh through all to Christ and I am sure was there more of this Faith there would be more Holiness in Heart and Life 6. That there is no use of the Law This they say I said at Oundle but when I said it or on what account I know not neither do the Accusers tell me But this I do declare as my Judgment of the Law First That it is Holy Just and Good Secondly That those that Believe not are under the Condemnation of it Thirdly That it is a Rule of Life to Believers But yet this I must say it cannot give Life to dead Souls and therefore not of use on that account Gal. 3. 21. Again there cannot be Righteousness attained by it on which account a Sinner may be Justified Gal. 2. 21. For if Righteousness came by the Law then Christ is dead in vain 7. That the 42 of Isaiah 19 ver is meant of Christ That Christ was Blind and Deaf and did not know what he should suffer when he came into the World Ans I did say That that place spake of Christ and I judge still that it doth but I did not say That he was Blind and Deaf and did not know what he should suffer when he came into this World And pray Reader consider that Verse and the 20. 27. with the first Verse Behold my Servant And in this 19 Verse the Lord's Servant Again he is said to be Perfect And again there is difference between the 18 Verse and the 19. The 18 Verse speaketh of the People of Israel that were Deaf and Blind and calleth upon them in the Plural Number saying Hear ye Deaf and look ye Blind But this 19 Verse speaketh in the Singular Number My Servant and he that is Perfect Again it is said Seeing many things but thou observest not opening the Ears but he heareth not Now how can this be meant of wilfully Blind Israel or their Priests for tho it be granted they were Deaf and Blind themselves yet they could not open the Ears of others therefore I take the Words to be meant of Christ that tho he did foresee all his Sufferings that he was to pass through yet he did not so observe them as to hinder him in his carrying on our Redemption tho he did hear the contradiction of Sinners against himself yet he suffered patiently for them according to the 38 Psalm 12 13 14 ver They all seek after my Life c. But I as a deaf Man hear'd not and I was as a dumb Man that opened not his Mouth thus I was as a Man that heareth not and in whose mouth are no Reproofs Compare this with Acts 8. 32. and 1 Pet. 2. 2. 8. That we are Adopted from Eternity Ans I did Preach our being Predestinated unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ according to the Good pleasure of his Will And if any will contend against it let them know they contend against that plain Scripture Eph. 1. 5. For my part I am well satisfied that there are a number Chosen in Christ their Head and fore-appointed by the Father to this Relation of Son-ship in Jesus Christ and because they are Sons he sendeth forth the Spirit of his Son crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. And pray let it be considered it is one thing for us to be took into favour by the Father in Christ our Head and another thing for us to have this kindness of God manifested and help given to us to receive it Gal. 4. 5. that we might receive the Adoption of Sons 9. That People must not rest on Promises and think to renew their Comfort by them Ans I did not say these words separate from others and if prejudiced People will run away with half Sentences and be offended I cannot help it I have been as wary as I could notwithstanding the Unchristian Reflections that the Accusers cast upon me This I have said That People must not rest on Promises separate from Christ for tho God hath given to us exceeding great and precious Promises yet those Promises are Yea and Amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1. 20. So I have said They must not renew their comfort by the promise separate from Christ and that fullness of Grace in him that the Promise speaks of I do say the Word is as it were the Breasts but the Sincere Milk of the Breast is Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 2. As new born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word What this Milk of the Word is you may see Verse 6. wherefore it is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a chief Corne-stone Elect Precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded Therefore you must renew your Comforts in Christ by the Promise And whereas they say Head the 25. Doth not this make void the Promise I say no for it bringeth you to the Promise in it's right Place but I will return the 〈◊〉 Doth not their way in Arguing for Comfort by the Promise separate from Christ make Christ of none Effect But if any ask who argueth so I Answer many that I have known which hath been the cause of our thus Preaching there are many that have great Notions of the Word and take their Comfort from their Notions which notwithstanding reject Christ and count it Presumption to Believe and it plainly appeareth by their wicked Carriages and ungodly Reasonings and hard Speeches against the Saints I say it appeareth that they have not Faith neither know what it is to Believe notwithstanding all their Notions Thus the Pharisees they took Comfort from the Promise made to Abraham and they boasted they were his Seed and thought to have Eternal Life in the Scriptures But Christ telleth them That they would not come to him that they might have Life And here I intreat all that are high in their Notions to look to it that their Faith in Christ be according to their Notions concerning him And here also I beseech poor drooping doubting Souls to learn to take hold of Christ in the Promise and rest on him that speaketh yea and renew your Comforts in him learn what that meaneth Matt. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you Rest Lastly They speak of many such Doctrins that I have delivered but when I know what they are I shall Answer them as the Lord shall help me But I hope those that are concerned in writing the Pamphlet will learn more Wisdom in their next and as in this they concealed their Names as being ashamed to be known like Thieves that Disguise themselves when they have a mind to Rob their near Neighbours so in their next they conceal their Wickedness lest that they thought to do to others be done to themselves by the Lord 's leaving them to fall under Reproaches and Shame according to that Word Isa 41. 11. Behold all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded they shall be as nothing and they that strive with thee shall Perish Read the next Verse But I shall leave the Pamphlet with the Writers and Abetters of it and earnestly desire the Reader to Pray for and endeavour to understand the Truth and comply with it tho Men and Devils strive against it and I earnestly desire thee wherein thou thinkest I am out thou wilt Pray for me and take the first opportunity to deal with me according to the rule of Christ Matt. 18. 15. that if I am out I may be informed or if I be not out thy Thoughts may be governed because wrong informed I shall add no more because I would not make our Answers too Bulky but earnestly desire the Prayers of the Godly for me under all my Reproaches for Christ who do and shall Pray for thee and my Enemies FINIS