Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	faith_n	fruit_n	work_n	5,285	5	5.7758	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85173	A faithful discovery of a treacherous design of mystical Antichrist displaying Christs banners, but attempting to lay waste Scriptures, churches, Christ, faith, hope, &c. and establish paganism in England. Seasonably given in a letter to the faithful in and near to Beverley. Containing an examination of many doctrines of the people called Quakers in Yorkshire, together with a censure of their way, and several items concerning the designs of God, Satan, and men, in these things, recommended to the consideration of them who are in good earnest for Christ.	Pomroy, John.; Feake, Christopher, fl. 1645-1660.; Glisson, Paul.; Kellet, Joseph.	1653 (1653)	Wing F568; Thomason E699_13; ESTC R202092	45,783	67

Antichrist rather than of Christ 4. And signes being not for them that do believe but for them that believe not 1 Cor. 14. 22. 4. If the Saints have now as much need of those appointments as then nay more if we may say so then why should any seek to be loosed from their own Mercies We confess we have read and heard of seen and through Grace humbly despised the vain boastings of them who said they were perfect and were above hearing praying believing hoping speaking Great swelling words of vanity who have turned aside first from the holy Commandement and after that from the pretence of it which should awaken us to edifie one another on our most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost that we might not be led away with the Error of the wicked and so fall from our stedfastness It is most freely confessed that when things come to practise in this time which is neither dark nor day many doubts and questions do arise among many yet as some of us have tasted of the goodness of God in this way so we may not but acknowledge it and farther Pray until the day break and shadows flee away Turn O beloved and be as a roe or young hart on the Mountains of Divisions Surely the Doctrines of these Men which we oppose are levelled to subvert all Order Churches in whatsoever is done outwardly For they say its Babylon and all the worship and Teachers without are of the Beast and Anti-christ Judge us O Lord for why should Men in thy name rise up against thy Sonne and us for his sake 1. Rejecting thy care 2. Condemning thy Wisedom 3. And the Generation of the Just in all ages 4. To establish themselves and prepare a high-way to Paganism It is not a Pleasure to us Beloved in the Lord to open these painted Sepulcres but since we have begun we will proceed to shew yet more that you may see and wonder and beware They bid you Speak no more than you have experience of and than you live in VVE confesse it is and shall be to us for a Lamentation that the religion of very many consisteth in talking of God and Christ and Scriptures and Churches and is but a sound of words without knowledge and faith and so do rather darken than make manifest the Truth and because it is without obedience their conversations destroy their confessions And did these sayings aim at the reformation of this we should not dare to cross them but we have grounds from certain discourses personally had with some of this way to declare 1. That this is to silence you from ever mentioning the histories and prophecies of the Scripture Creation of the world Garden of Eden Adam Eve Flood Historie of the Church coming of Christ into the world the Day of Judgement Resurrection of the Body and such like which being Past or to come we can have no present experience of And some of us speaking of these Scripture Records have been blamed for speaking without experience 2. Or Secondly by this means all the Scriptures must be construed as Metaphorical in an Allegorie making the Creation an Allegorie and so the world without beginning Adam Eve the Serpent Paradise Cain Abel Seth Noah Ark Abraham Isaac Jacob Aegypt Wilderness Canaan Kings Prophets Records to be meer allegories Nay Christ his flesh and blood his life and death his Cross and Crown Scribes and Pharisees Jerusalem Herod Pilate Churches Elders Anti-christ called Babylon and Egypt c. and what not to be fulfilled in the Allegoricall construction of particular experiences But concerning Experience we are satisfied 1. That to speak without Experience in experimental affairs is to darken counsel as they do that speak onely from the hearing of the Ear Iob 38. 2. 2. But Faith is the Evidence of things not seen and a subsistence of things hoped for though its evidence be not of the nature of Sense Science Opinion or Experience being of things unseen by the sense not known from the search and rationall comprehension of Causes nor intertained from the Probable testimony of wise and holy Men nor tasted in the Presence thereof yet after a spiritual manner seen known and experienced by Faith in the Divine Testimony Wherefore having believed we also will speak of the sacred Records and gracious Prophecies which are delivered to us in the holy Scriptures of which and in which God hath caused us to trust giving us also the Earnest of the Spirit which as Josephs wagons to Iacob doth ascertain us of the Truth of the tidings And the gracious operations of the holy Spirit in our hearts from and by Scripture Truths gives us to believe the Histories and Prophecies interwoven to be also of Divine Authority 3. We do also judge the Word of Faith which is Divine Testimony to be more safe Certain and Constant ground to speak of and from than experience In this we are not for a dead Faith which is the fruit of freewill closing with the Word from the testimony of Man which leaves the mind wavering through carnal reasonings which cannot be satisfied But for a lovely Faith even the work of the Spirit with Power setling the mind on the Divine Testimony as such As for speaking no more than we live in if it intend not to stop the mouths of all those who dare not pretend to perfection and blamelessnesse but those who speak from Notion and yield not up their souls to the things which they deliver to others we testifie the same thing As for Allegories 1. We allow very many in the old Testament beside the Ceremonial Law which was a shadow of good things to come Persons Offices Places Actions Things which the Ecchoings of phrases wisely and warily observed give hints of and puts the beginning of every Allegorie into our hands as the Apostle took it in Gal. 4. from the 54. of Is 1. verse which yet must be wisely followed as Scripture Ecchos proceed to encourage yet not to impair the truth or use of the Letter and History Allegories being but accidentall thereto and a fruit of the incomprehensible wisdom of God that sets one thing to answer to another But in the New Testament although Jesus Christ spake many parables and used similitudes which he opened to his Disciples yet the Gospel Ministration properly so called not onely in the language thereof but in the Actions persons things thereof is in much plainnesse and not as Moses who had a veil upon his face but the Messias discovered himself by speaking plainly and without a Parable John 16. 29. his parables in his publique preaching being chiefly for judgement to the willfull Jews that seeing they might not see Matth. 13. 13. We gladly own Christ in us by his Spirit to crucify our flesh and raise us up in our hearts in this world and at his second comming our bodies in the resurrection to a new and spiritual life and

check chide and call home the wandrings of his people to make his grace exceeding glorious Thirdly Neverthelesse though we are tyed to all Means yet hath the Lord tyed himself to none so as that he may not in his Soveraignty withhold mercy untill his own time But if power alway go with light what shall we think of Paul who found the Law of his Members warring and leading him captive against his Will though he gave up himself to the Law of his inward man Rom. 7. 14. unto the end Surely the topstone of the whole frame of Spiritual graces and privileges is not laid untill the resurrection and second coming of Jesus Christ which is cleared in the Scriptures calling it our Adoption as it was written of Christ and of the day of his resurrection Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee also making our Life to be hidden untill then stating the life of a Christian now to be in Faith and hope which looks beyond death and charactering a true Saint by his waiting looking for and loving the appearing of Christ Heb. 10. 37 38. 1 Thess. 1. 10. Heb. 9. 28. Blessed are they who are the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus though all their life time they be found groaning under the burden of sin buffetings of Satan and are in heavinesse if need be through various Temptations which are to make them vile and little in their own eyes knowing what maketh them to differ And that Jesus might perfect his strength in their weaknesse and his Grace in their guiltinesse And might trie their faith which shall be found unto praise and glory at the appearing of Christ the hope of which is as an Anchor to their souls which Saves them from sinking under their pressures and perishing in their stormes Then shall they that now die not having received the Promises which are sure to all the seed receive them and the Crown of righteousnesse at that day who fight the good fight finish their course and keep the faith This putteth not the day of the Lord far from us as some charge us no more than did Abraham Isaac and Jacob who saw the Promises a farre off and because they apprehended themselves not likely to inherit them in this life on earth therefore they confessed themselves Pilgrims and strangers whose portion was not in this life Heb. 11. 16. Neverthelesse as we look for compleat victory over all and the last of enemies Death at the resurrection so we are to hasten to it 2 Pet. 3. 12. in all holy conversations and godlinesses if by any means we might attain unto the resurrection Phil. 3. 10 11. by being as like Christ as may be who in that he died he died unto sin and the world and in that he liveth he liveth unto God though for the changing our vile corruptible mortal natural bodies like unto his glorified body the Apostle looked not for it nor his Crown until the coming of Christ Phil. 3. 21. But that we may take the foxes and the little foxes that spoil our vines which began to have tender grapes let 's yet make search and see how for the driving on the great design of overthrowing the Gospel as administred by Man and weakning the Authority of the holy Scriptures they seek to perswade all Men that that light in them is the Gospel and the sure Word of Prophecy to which they would do well to take heed until the day dawn and the day-star arise in their hearts It may be the Accuser of the Brethren will say we are zealous in our own cause though our Consciences tell us we ought to be angry yet without sinne when we see the way of life stopped up from the children of men which we doubt not to demonstrate to the seeing eye in reference to the Gospel it self and its ministration First then to manifest that this assertion puts men quite beside the way of Salvation We pray you to consider that if it be not the voice of the Gospel but of the Law mans heart who hath no more light than the eternal Word enlightens him with as every one that cometh into the world then who so bids him seek righteousness peace and life in attendance and obedience thereto puts man beside the way of life Rom. 9. 32. Rom. 4. 5 14. Gal. 2. 16 21. But that it is the voice of the Law and not the Gospel hath been proved before by sundry couched Arguments as that Scripture and experience makes the moral Law the Counterpane of the Law ingraven in every mans Conscience Also that Man naturally establisheth his own self-righteousnesse which is of the Law Beside the book of Natural Conscience is the Creation and Providence which administer in themselves to the discursive faculty the knowledge of the Godhead as binding Man to glorifie God as God not as Father Saviour or Redeemer Should we here grant that he that walks up to the Law or light of Nature shall have the light of Grace or Gospel revealed to him although we never read nor knew the Gospel bestowed on any Person or People upon that account or the Spirit received by the works of the Law yet we do more than doubt whether ever there stood before the throne of Glory or shall any such who without Gospel-light and grace did obey the Law please God or rightly approach unto him for we know that faith in Jesus as dying for us and rising for our justification is the first stone in the spiritual building and the Fountain of Love Man loving God because he is first beloved of God without which mans specious works most upright worships are abhominations threapt on the Lord Wherefore the Lord builds not on the first Adams foundations or Covenant of works on which the higher man builds the more losse he suffers when he is brought to Christ but layes a Foundation in Sion even Christ in the Law of Faith or Covenant of Grace and thereupon builds all things new Secondly Moreover we add that if this Position take away the true and proper ministration of the Gospel it must needs shut up the Kingdom of God from Men For what are good tidings if they be not told But to the best of our understandings by this Assertion is the ministration of the Gospel taken away For we do not know that ever the gospel was published or promised to be made known without the ministration of man or without hearing But rather as Jesus Christ said I am with you in teaching to the end of the world so intended he teaching to be to the end also it was the Apostles care that the truth might be committed from one to another from age to age 2 Tim. 2 2. likewise the promise is Isa. 59. the last verse that the Word should not depart from the mouth of Jesus Christ and his seed and his seeds seed for ever and that the

reading hearing the Scriptures is mans duty faith and understanding is the gift of God yet ordinarily in this way Prov. 2. 4 5. But to conclude Concerning the real word of Prophecy which signifyed beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory which should follow that was in due time fullfilled in its kind the same Apostle saith 2 Pet. 1. 17 19. 1. It s more sure than a voice from the excellent gl ry at least to others and more argumentative 2. More to be attended than the words of one risen from the dead Luke 16. 31. 3. Nay our Lord Jesus himself said that if they believed not Moses Writings he did not expect they would believe his Words Iohn 5. 47. Moreover they affirm That this Light the same which they say is in every one that cometh into the world is the anointing from the Father that they need not teach one another HOw great a progresse O thou most holy will thine Enemy and the Truths make if this doctrine were imbraced 1. To break down the wall about the enclosed Garden the Church and make Common the choicest favours of the King of Saints who endeared himself of old to his people by the promise of his Spirit wherby we know that he dwelleth in us and we in him because he hath given us of his Spirit John 16. 7. 1 John 4 13. This is the Spirit which the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him Joh. 14. 17. This is the Spirit of Promise promised to believers wherby they are or shall be sealed unto the Day of Redemption of the Saints who are the Purchased Possession from the Power of the grave unto the Perfection of Liberty and Glory It being in the mean time the Earnest of our inheritance which is reserved in heaven for us Is not this the oil wherewith our Lord and Saviour was anointed above his fellowes who are his brethren partakers from his fullnesse Psal. 45. 7. John 1. 16. Ephes. 4. 7. 2. Moreover how daringly doth this attempt if it were possible to pull the seven stars Rev. 1. out of the hand of Christ and how easily doth this conclude against Apostleship Pastorship Doctorship Eldership c. admonitions exhortations reproofs and that with a high hand although God hath set them in his Church for the perfecting of the Saints and edifying of the Body and that untill every member be added to his Church and every member already in it be grown unto the fullnesse of the measure of the stature of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Let the wise judge whether this doctrine teach not one member to say to another I have no need of thee But if any rejoice in the Covenant of Promise we also will blesse the name of the Lord who hath established the New Covenant upon better promises than the old Covenant For to the people whom he taketh to himself he will give not only a Law without but in their hearts also and whereas in the dispensation Mosaicall there were many Brethren in that outward ministration who knew not God yet in the new Covenant there is not a Brother need say to his brother Know the Lord as if he was ignorant of the Lord though the least of all Saints Yet surely if this promise exclude all outward Teachers why should Christ give Teachers to his Saints and Peter stir up their minds their pure minds by way of remembrance and endeavour by his Epistle that after his decease they might have the Gospell in remembrance and John write to Believers of all ages in the Church that they abide in Christ notwithstanding that they had the anointing in them All which expresseth the unspeakable love of Christ and care toward his People knowing their weaknesses which favour man would reject to his own losse 3. But as if it were a small thing O you that fear the Lord thus courteously to rob and friendly to betray you this doctrine proceeds if the Authors understand it to cut off at once all instruction and reproof of Enemies and ungodly and states not a Brother but an Enemy and child of ignorance twice over to have no need that any man say unto him Know the Lord because it saith every man that commeth into the world is enlightned by the light which is the Anointing which as these Doctrinists say excludes all need of outward Teaching If any man say The Spirit convinceth the world of sin therefore every one in the world hath the workings of the spirit It is answered The holy anointing oil is not poured upon mans flesh nor the stranger but on the Tabernacle Altar c. Aaron and his sonnes which makes this Mercy peculiar to the Saints the holy Priesthood and not common or like the convincing operations of the Spirit which do not appropriate such a Person or consecrate him to the Lord Besides this Conviction doth not exclude the Teachings of man but rather implyes it For it convinceth of unbelief which is not the sinne of them that have not heard Romans 10. ver. 14. He will say then Have they not heard Is not the word nigh them yea in their hearts verse 8. Most true it is in the hearts of them that believe yea verily their sound is gone forth into all the earth even Theirs who were preachers of Glad tidings v. 14 15. who carried the report which was not believed of some v. 16. even the word of God v. 17. which being received by the Gentiles became a provocation of the Jewes to jealousie because it was first offered to them and they received it not v. 19. it pleased therefore the Lord of All to send forth tidings of Grace into all nations and his Spirit to convince the world contradistinguished to the Jewes Rom. 11. 15. of sinne because when they hear they believe not untill convinced that it is their sin not to believe in Christ or submit to him accept him as King Priest and Prophet when offered to them It might seem strange to you dearly beloved should we say that these discoursings on their part are but a blind to veil what is farther intended It may be their confessions will sometimes give you it that you and all men ought to believe in Christ in them and that they perish for not believing that Christ is manifested in their flesh and that you are saved by the dying rising c. of Christ or the light in you and not by any Christ without you To the evidencing of which in part be pleased to hear them using the word of the Scriptures saying The Kingdome of God is within you and this they say of and to all the children of this world TO which we answer 1. That the Kingdome of Heaven the Jewes expected to come as the Kingdomes of the Earth and Men but it came with no such pomp or shew wherefore the Pharisees were

this we own as the Power of his resurrection and fellowship of his sufferings but we detest that doctrine that destroyes the Atonement in his blood and the Truth of his humanity and his personall body besides his mysticall the Church so taking away the representation of God in the Mediatour the Man Christ which a believing eye fixeth on and leaves the Mind which is far from knowing God in any competent certainty out of Christ to seek about for God as individuum vagum or something he knows not what and at it last may becomes to this Notion God is in all and all in God blasphemously adding that he is no other than the world or what he is in the world clothing himself with changeable appearances and so the mind proceeds untill it be spoiled with vain and blasphemous Philosophy We conclude that it is a sign of a rotten heart and a roving head to be loathing plain Scripture and longing after curious speculations and witty allusions though in this we prejudice not the modest searchings of those whose hearts are it may be more than ordinarily prepared and senses exercised to discern into the veiled Truths of the Scriptures as Heb. 12. 13 14. compared with Heb. 7. c. Moreover they admonish that we wait in silence untill God open our Mouthes WE answer if that were the intent of this Admonition to shew to man his dependance on God and that he especially that waits on the Word and Prayer take his goades and nailes from the chief Shepheard and pray in the Holy Ghost we should not appear further in this matter than to own it But we cannot but conclude from our observing the managerie of this Assertion and their practise that they would not have any to read teach pray in their families or in the assemblies but when the Spirit of the Lord doth lead them by strong impulses and irresistible Motions to such actions And he that doth otherwise is by them accused of Pharisaical imitation or stealing the word of the Lord from them that spake it with power Which we cannot close with 1. Because it is the will of God that the Gift which is in us should be stirred up as fire which sometimes is covered with ashes hitherto are referred the exhortations to diligence and improvement of Talents 2 Cor. 8. 7. 1 Cor. 9. 25. Mat. 25. and many other places 2. It laies wast the experience of them who have in the midst of infirmities and indispositions acted in the Faith of their duty and Gods promise and have been made blessings to others in their speakings wherein also they have gathered warmth and enlargement before their work was over Afflicted imprisoned souls have most need to be exercised in Prayer Temptations will abound from Satan and the weaknesse of the Flesh to hinder the profitable soul-inlarging exercises of prayers reading exhortations in Publique and private if we break not thorow those hinderances to close with the revealed command leaning on the Promise of Grace 3. Unlesse we think as this Doctrine implies that the motions of the Spirit are the onely rule of Duty which if so must be attended and obeyed without respect to the Scripture command saying not saying or gain-saying in the Letter of it there being by this doctrine no obliging rule but the Law of the Spirit Now if it be more moderately affirmed that the Scripture as written in the heart or the inward-heart-dictates as written in the word are the rule yet it will follow that if there be not a conjunction of the word and Spirit moving with inlargement there 's no rule or obligation actually and so no transgression to forbear though daies weeks and months passe over the heads of them that pray not or preach not though necessity is layed upon them in respect of their work and service and the call of the need of others 1 Cor. 9. 16 17. compared Mat. 6. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 4. To the best of our understandings we judge the Assertors to be against any constant preacher or course of prayer so allowing every man or woman equall liberty in Assemblies to teach or pray and this they say is the true Ministry and all other by the will of Man notwithstanding 1 Tim. 2 12. It is indeed said you may all prophecy one by one but its said also Are all prophets we wish all the Lords people were Prophets The Assemblies of the Saints of old were constant and they had men who attended on the word and prayer who gave themselves to it prepared themselves waiting on God that they might act to the edifying of the Saints in love Act. 20. 7. Act. 6. 2. 4. 1 Tim. 4. 13 14 15 16. 5. This doth to our discernings tend to the establishing of the sayings of them who speak after their trembling sits with an extended voice as the Oracles of God and leaves us not the liberty of the Commended practise of the Bereans to trie the sayings of an Apostle by the Scripture The simple believeth every word Prov. 14. 15. But in this case we have learned that the spirits of the Prophets are subject to other Prophets for examination whether they accord with the Standing Vmpire of all questions the holy Scriptures But that they intend to magnify their writings and Epistles above or into an equality unto the holy Scriptures seems very probable in that they put their papers very diligently into one another hands but not so the Scriptures and do some of them say That it is alike for to take a sentence out of their letters and preach from it as to take a sentence out of Pauls Epistles We confesse we cannot find that ever man came to claim credit to the words that he spake but he was to give proof of it either by the mighty operations of the Spirit of God by him or by the Testimony of Truth given by them who did come with such works or else if he were a Prophet the event was to declare whether he were of God yet if the matter of his exhortation was to withdraw them from the known will of God Deut. 13. 2. though his signes and wonders should come to passe as the man of sinne shall abound with such 2 Thess. 2. yet hearken not to him for the Lord proveth you whether you will keep his commandements 6. The Experiences of many tempted souls may seasonably be heard in this matter who under the former pretences have waited untill their hearts grew so carnall that they had almost lost their savour had not the Lord shewed them that it was their part to give heed to their duty leaving the inlargements of soul to the incomes of the Spirit which graciously met them in the way of Gods commands As for the Accusations of Imitation and Stealing the the word of the Lord from others we shall say Take the mote out of thine own eye Who more notorious imitatours of Apostles and

Prophets without the Call or Gift of either who more steal the word from others then they who have received their notions from Scriptures Teachers and Leaders and phrases also and yet do acknowledge neither one nor other but as it were of themselves He that quotes the Scripture steales not the word He that imitates the Practises of Saints in foregoing ages going forth by the footsteps of the flock not desiring singular waies seeking Christ in his own standing appointments by the Shepheards Tents and holding fast the true sayings of the holy Scriptures erres not if he speak and contend for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints though it be not so delivered to him by immediate inspiration or confirmed with miracles as it was to them 2 Thess. 2. 14 15. Furthermore these who come unto you in the imitation and resemblance of Christ Prophets Apostles with their deemed Oracles and great wonders do shew themselves in the most composed garb of humility as the greatest friends to the crosse of Christ and the onely bearers of it disswading you From your own wisdome will righteousnesse Pride in apparell Diet c. giving and receiving honour of men and such like which is the crosse you must abide in and through it they say passe unto everlasting rest WE Wish heartily that all that wear the sheeps clothing were sheep indeed but there is one that judges Let us search and trie these Doctrins and let judgement of persons result freely First then we are fully satisfied that he who hath learned Arts and Sciences and hath read over Systems or Bodies of Divinity and Exercitations concerning it must come to Christ as a little child and be abased in all his Pride of Flesh in Gods presence For all these make not one wise unto salvation but what this man hath before Christ he is puffed up with it knowing nothing as he ought to know 1 Cor. 8. 1. Yet doth not this subvert Schools of learning but it sets learning in its place Surely it is clean to the clean-hearted as meat and drink and being rightly improved yields a larger tribute to Jesus Christ than the worlds external goods For want of which its easily observable how these pretenders to the Cross do often mistake in the English idiom or phrase of translation to wrest the sense We affirm also that he that 's wise to buy and sell and shift in shaking times to raise himself while most do fall must give up himself to Jesus Christ seeking first his kingdome and minding his will without consulting with flesh and blood though he be counted a fool for Christs sake Yet doth not this cross the will of Christ for him that hath wisdom in his Generation to buy and sel and provide liberally for himself and his if riches increase by the blessing of the Lord and not the covetous pursute of them that would be rich Still remembring that of him that hath more there is more required and that Man be faithfull with that that is anothers for he can carry nothing out of this world being rich in good works Also considering he that hath most hath most Temptations which is enough if wisely weighed to stop the greediness of Men after more than food convenient Secondly we are assured that who so comes to Christ must forsake his own will as guided by fleshly wisdome or deceitful lusts or expressing it self in opposing the will of Christ Nevertheless this superintendency of the holy Spirit over-awing the will of Man doth not abolish but regulate it For the people become willing in the day of his Power Neither doth it follow that such or such a Motion is therfore of God because it crosseth natures desires though if the clear will of God do so it must be readily obeyed Thirdly we are confident that whatever Man hath done or received before he knew Christ which he accounted gain and boasted of hoping for Gods favour therefore he will reckon his loss when Christ is revealed to him because he was held contented in those snares of Pride without Christ and he will no more desire to be found in his own righteousnesse which indeed are as filthy raggs unlesse when he is under Temptations Yet we also believe that the righteousnesse which is performed by faith or the Power of Christ in us is not to be rested in as that in which we are accepted Eph. 1. 6. Also that the Externals of Religion before rested in become not now abolished to the New-creature as Ceremonies which might be used or not used but the Externals of the Gospel are to be used with the Power of Godlinesse upon a new account transacted to the glory of Christ Fourthly touching Apparel We confess and may not deny that in the Church-relation and in presence of Christ we may not have respect to gay cloathing and a gold ring For then all eyes should be inward while soul affaires are transacted And we may not here know men after the flesh but as they are enriched with Faith and gifts of Grace and as they stand in the judgement of the Spirit Wherefore Apparel concerns the outward Man in the capacity of Man though it is as all other things to be ordered and directed by the grace of God And here we know not how to excuse this wanton nation that generally shews it self childish in nothing more than by respecting gay clothing which sometimes covers an infirm and deformed Body and Spirit too and in its self onely seems to shew a man that hath more thick clay than another But seest thou a man boasting in his Apparel be not troubled for it may be its all his Portion and rejoicing in this world We know the Scriptures that declare against the Pride and wantonness in apparel Is 3. 1 Pet. 3. 3. 1 Tim. 2. 9. and that which judges this wantonness in women condemns the like in men also yet we will consider and that a little more because this is so much insisted on by the Assertors what allowance is by God given to men though not for a cloak of Pride 1. Apparel was instituted to cover shame to defend from weather and grew into use for distinction of sexes and qualities of Persons but for the shape of garments its left to man to attire himself Prudentially and because he is a member of Societies Prudence directs to use the modest customes of the Country as in other and greater matters 2. As all creatures were given to man for his use so some for his conveniency delight and ornament as a Man else the bounty of God in the variety of creatures must be denied Man may serve himself of any Creature so that he be helped in his way and honour his God by it Thus in dayes of gladness the Scripture allows more than ordinary garments after the manner of men 3. Pride doth not lie in putting on of

scope of the place and other Scriptures of the like Argument 4. The Scripture was given for doctrine reproof correction instruction which is the foundation of a variety discourse from any Scripture Method is prudential and variable according to occasion Study or meditation is duty and blessed which should in a Teacher expresse it self as in a workman that needs not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth by explication giving each word its due and by application each their portion As for Learning it is but subservient to the understanding the Letter of the Scriptures gives a more distinct utterance helps to significant words and is an advantage that equalls them to their Adversaries armed with learning against the truth But some contend against learning because they know it not as for these people we suppose had they learning as their Leaders and Abbettors beyond the Seas and in England did so would they use it to the utmost against what they oppose There be many railing and impertinent applications of Scriptures made by them which every one may see into that hath not darknesse on his right eye and we shall not mention onely remembring it s not any person or circumstance so much that is aimed at as the Ministry it self or all outward Teachers in which Argument they discover more Envy Pride Passion than in any other But be assured if the Magistrates had not a material sword as the Ministers have not their language would light as heavy on their heads and more than so In all this we plead not for the ignorant ungodly persecuting men called Ministers but do sadly bewail that after all the Petitions from the Nation Declarations of the State and Proposalls from the wise hearted there is yet any thing hinders the doing of something to purpose to withdraw the Publick incouragement from the corrupt Ministry with whom God hath a controversie Concerning that they say God is now comming to redeem his People from all their Teachers and teach them himself● We do declare our apprehensions of such approaching desolation on many things which are in high esteem among men that should they be spoken would make many ears to tingle But God will provide for the houshold of faith and send them Pastors after his own heart untill the new Jerusalem come down from Heaven which these pretend to but know not But as God is about a great and strange work so is Satan who now comes with all deceivablenesse in the Mystery of Iniquity which answers line for line with the Mystery of Godlinesse in bringing in a false Christ and false Kingdome consisting in a Righteousnesse peace and joy all false witnesse the lying Prophets strange wonders strong delusions religious Prophanenesse found amongst us in England triumphing in the abolishing of Good and evil Heaven and Hell and the transcendent speculations concerning God incarnate in all things Apparitions voices trances of and to persons manifestly deluded and bewitched with the spirit of lies Touching their seeming Mortification we advertise you that who so diligently apply themselves to the Law as they rightly advise if righteousnesse were to be sought by the Law such may find by minding their light and standing on their watch a great measure not onely of Mastery over outward Actions but a nipping of the root of evill for a season And how farr Imagination may work when the mind is wholly subjected to it and composed to a contemplative sequestration from all outward objects is partly known to them who by nature or custome are addicted to Melancholy But how far the jealous God may give up over-credulous and unbelieving Minds to sink into these deeps of strange delusions must be left to him who is just yet unsearchable in his waies yet hath given us to know what should be in the last daies Now as there hath been a black and long Parenthesis or dark space in the daies of the Apostacy or back-fliding from Primitive Purity in doctrine and Discipline and according to the Scriptures we are admonished of a happy and peaceable state of all the children of Sion after the Destruction of Babylon the Lords own cannot but rejoice in the remembrance of the Dayes of the Son of man hoping the return of them which they desired to see so long but have not seen Now being in some forwardnesse through the Judgements of God begun in the Nations they are supposing the time is now come upon which the Deceiver takes his advantage saying Lo here and lo there and when he saw that bare forms would not satisfy the children of the Kingdome he addressed himself in a more glorious and taking way saying Now are the daies of the Son of man Now hath Christ sent forth his Disciples as of old the twelve Apostles and 70 disciples without Staff Scrip or money c. See here be miracles there be multitudes flocking in Here 's the great Power of the Holy Ghost there are men falling down and saying God is among you Here is the spirit poured on the hand-maides and there upon the children But we have learned that if an Angell from Heaven bring us another Gospel Christ or Spirit let him be accursed We consider that as evill Angells suggest evil so do Angells of light good motions now Satan transformed into an Angel of Light which is an Embleme of knowledge righteousnesse innocency peace meeknesse is suggesting and helping on good motions and fair compliances with rules of right to an ill end Wherefore 1. Go not after them nor follow them lest you put your selves from under Gods protection if they come to you it is safer 2. Hold fast to the Authority of the Scriptures 3. Exercise Faith much on Jesus Christ the Mediatour 4. Have and hold a form of sound words that cannot be condemned 2 Tim. 1. 13 Tit. 2. 8. A better form of words cannot be than the words of the Wisdome of the Spirit in the Scriptures 5. Take heed of judging ordinances as unnecessary or indifferent things yet let your souls wait on God in them else if you be beguiled of the Marrow you 'l be easily perswaded to throw away the Bone 6. Give diligence to more entire communion among your selves Two are better than one 7. Whatever is offered to you from Scripture do not only examine the truth of the Doctrine but also whether it be the true meaning of that Scripture 8. Discourse not with these People about circumstances but first enquire whether you agree in the main things the Scriptures Christ Faith Resurrection of the body c. 9. Remember that if your hearts be established with Faith and in the Love of God in Christ you shall not be as little children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine 10. Consider also the End of this Generation in Germany and in many places of England We shall conclude pointing you to some serious thoughts concerning the Doctrines and practises of these people which