Moses so doe these also resist the Truth This is the manner of their working for accomplishing their businesse in which two things are observeable Viz. 1. That they resist the Truth That is the Gospel and the Truth of CHRIST in the Gospel yet rightly to understand this businesse wee must distinguish as the Apostle doth betweene the time in which the Apostle wrote and while they and their Labourers watched over the Churches while Anti-Christ could get no seat nor Authority so much as in the outward Court thereof In which time were yet some perrills by these Seducers more secretly creeping in v. 6. 2 Thes 2.7,8 1 Joh. 2.18,19 And the times of which the Apostle prophesyeth v. 1. chap. 4.3 In which through the Gentiles comming into the outward Court Antichrist should get a seat and Authority therein Rev. 11.1.2 2 Thes 2.4 And so the Seducers come more openly and boldly 2 Thess 2.10,11 being also more evill growing worse and worse 1 Tim. 3.13 and so the times more perrillous Vers 1. Chap. 4.3 In the Apostles times they did not denie the extent of the Ransome nor Justification freely by the grace of God in Christ by faith only to be received as the Pharisaicall Did but onely the so freely preaching the Gospel to All men before or having fellowship with them and they not yet undered to the observances of the Mosaicall Law And also denying Sanctification of Body and soul preservation in Grace Conformity to Christ Justification of uprightnesse to God and so growth to perfection to be had by Faith in Dependence on God in Christ for effecting it without being undered to the workes of the Law for that businesse 1 Thess 2.1 6. Gal. 2.9.20 and 3.1,2,3,4,5 2 Cor. 11.3,4,15 And in denying both these they denyed the Truth even the Gospell and Christ in the Gospel and so the power of godlinesse But in the more perrilous times prophecyed of They will proceed further many denying both these parts of truth which they confessed some denying Justification before God to be onely by grace received by Faith Affirming it to be by mans own workes together with Faith 1 Tim. 6.6,7 2 Tim. 4.3,4 Others denying the entent of the Ransome According to the plaine Affirmations of the Gospel And thereby shutting the doore of Repentance against most men and so teaching them to denie the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2.1,2 And both sort denying that Portion of the Spirit given with supernaturall light motion and power to teach and witnesse the things of Christ and worke his minde in the Beleevers which hee giveth since his comming in the Flesh 2 Pet. 1.19 3.17,18 1 Joh. 3.24 4.1,6 Jude 19. 2. That they resist the truth as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses First In their pride and high-mindednesse as the Magicians thought by Enchantment to doe as much as Moses by the Power of GOD so they presume by their fleshly Wisedome Knowledge to set forth the meaning of the Gospel and the wayes of God as much and as well as those that are through the word of Grace enlightened and taught of God and have the word of Grace and experiments of his goodnesse in their heart Joh. 11.12 Col. 2.18 Revel 9.1,2 Being ready to reply against the Teachers of the Truth as Zedekiah the sonne of Chenaanah 1 King 22.24 Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speake unto thee Secondly By their subtilty and craft in use of their fleshly witt and skill As the Magicians when Moses used only the Word of the Lord and held forth his Rod They used sorceries and enchantments So when the Servants of God use nothing but Scripture and Scripture Interpretations and hold forth the Word of Life in and according to the plaine sayings of the Gospel These Seducers make use of humane and fleshly Wisedome and use the entising words of mans Wisedome 1 Cor. 2.1,4 And not allowing the Gospel to be delivered vnderstood and beleeved as it is in the still and plaine sayings thereof And ashamed with plaine and open face few so brazen-faced to denie and contradict the same To helpe all and colour their opposition and deceive their hearers They frame out of it here a Precept and there a Precept one unto another To teach and enjoyne and then adde here a line and there a line one upon another to comfort Isai 28.12,13 And having in their heart no Gospel that is full true and certaine to Preach plainly and positively as true before men beleeve That for the goodnesse and truth of it men might beleeve 1 Cor. 9.26 Nor liking it that others should have such a Gospel and so preach it They are full of subtill Questions and surmizes of absurdities if the plaine sayings of the Cospel be understood in their own expressions and therefore devise them another meaning with their faire glosses Mat. 22,23.28 1 Tim. 1.6 2 Tim. 2.14.16 And thirdly with this their pride and cunning they counterfeit by their Teachings the doing of the same things that the servants of the Truth in their Ministration doe as convincing men of sinne making them to loath earthy pleasures bringing them to much fasting Prayer Zeal and many duties Rom. 10.3 1 Tim. 1.7 And so beguile and deceive many And lastly they get into and have Authority in great Mens and Princes Courts and by all seek to hinder People from acknowledging the power of God in the Gospel Act. 13.8 even as the Magicians did with Pharach and the Egyptians whence also these Seducers are compared too and called in the Scriptures Inchanters and Witches Isa 8.18,19,20 and those that are seduced by them are said to be bewitched Gal. 3.1 6. Men of corrupt mindes reprobate or of no Judgement concerning the Faith Here is the true and plaine Carracter of these Seducers however they cloak themselves in which two things are observable 1. They are of corrupt minds and that both in the conception and inclination thereof First In the conception of their minds They are corrupt in that I. They think that their Humane and Artificiall Knowledge Wisedome and Prudence in the livingnesse thereof is an help and handmaid meet to be Sanctified to help to finde out the Spirituall Knowledge of the Deep things of GOD that are in CHRIST to bestow on his Chosen contrary to the Testimony of the Holy Ghost That saith They are onely discerned by the enlightning and Revelation of the Spirit and that that other Wisedome and Knowledge shall be confounded and brought to naught before they can be rightly used for exâ—…ssion Matt. 11.25 16,17 21.16 1 Cor. 1.19,20,27 and 2. â— 9,14 II. They thinke the only necessary way for them to Prosper in their Ministration is to be Alive and have great esteeme in the hearts of such as heare them for great Learning Knowledge and Skill contrary to the Judgement and experiment of those taught of GOD who have Abased themselves in that respect and affirmed that when Death
God had done so much for them And yet they were drawne away by vanity vers 13. How weake is thine heart saith the Lord seeing thou dost all these things The worke of an Imperious and Whorish woman yet were they both Male and Female And so when the mighty are taken away and babes and children rule the people Isai 19.16 Jer. 30,37 51.30 Isa 3.3,4 It is called Women ruling over you Vers 12. And so on the other side 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch yee stand fast in the Faith quit you like men be strong was spoken to all the Beleeving Corinthians Male and Female as heere for sillynesse and weaknesse in being turned from substance by others holding forth shaddows both Male and Female are called Women 2. They are laden with sinnes which cannot be understood of going on in divers open and known froms for that would not have stood with the forme of godlynesse in these Seducers who would scarce vovchsafe an open corverse with such especially in their Religious Discourse Nay they will fault others for such conversing with them Mat. 9.10,14 Joh. 7.48.49 But they are laden and oppressed and burthened with the risings and motions and Accusations of sinnes that by the strength they have from the Law Domineere in the Conscience That they are fearfull not able to look up beleevingly and take quiet in Christ 1 Cor. 15.56 Rom. 6.14 Though they have been lovingly envited thereto Matt. 11.28 And they have heard of the great love of God in the gift of his Sonne The salvation and Peace that he hath made and the life that is in him And that in beleeving they shall Receive Remission of sinnes and Eternall Life and been helped to beleeve and like this report yet to beleeve in him and quiet their hearts in him They dare not They cannot oh the secret thoughts of Worldlinesse uncleannesse wrath discontent yea Pride and Atheisme with some motions and Temptations thereunto Oh the hardnesse and Impenitence of heart The deadnesse too and wandrings in Prayer hearing the Word c. And till they be more humbled and purged and better quallifyed and enlarged They Dare not They cannot They will not beleeve in Christ And though in the Gospel it be testified to them That if they did so honour him in the word of grace or report of the Gospel They have heard and in some measure beleeved as to beleive and quiet their hearts in him and accept Christ for Remission of sinnes Righteousnesse Holinesse and life They should not only receive Remission of sinnes by the Spirits application of his blood but also purging and operations of Spirit that would humble renew sanctifie and confirme them to Christ Isa 28.12,16 30.15,16,18 Joh. 7.37,38,39 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Tit. 3.4,5 And that till they first beleeve in Him These things will never be rightly wrought in them Joh. 15.4,5 Yet they say They must have them first before they can beleeve And though in attention to the word of grace They have met with some sweet tastes and hints of ease and Refreshing encouraging to beleeve and divers examples of others as much laden as themselves in beleeving helped yet may they be complained of How long will it be ere they beleeve Numb 14.11 This their unbelief their great sinne that holds them under all their other sinnes is yet least complained of but the former is their burthen whence they are ever and anon in heavy Doubts and feares And these are apt for the Seducers with their forme of godlynesse and Precepts and law of works to work upon promising them great Freedome that waye and in meane season That their troubled condition is better then theirs that are so confident and that the Doubting faith is the best faith And so these so laden with sinne are most easily captived by them 3. Lead away with divers Lusts This is that which made them so weake and gives such an Advantage to the Seducers to captive them and that through which they are led away They have divers lusts They have a lust or desire that God would approve and speake Peace They would have Eternall Life though they doe not wholly submit to the way Mat. 19.16,27 Joh. 5.40 They also desire to be approved of such as have taught the Gospel to them And they desire to be approved of these Seducers because of their forme of godlinesse and zeal and pretence of strictnesse in duties whereby they fault all that are not as they Thus loving the praise of men and seeking Approbation from them and not singly that which comes from God alone This diversity of their Lusts stops them from beleeving in Christ And turnes them aside from those that speake only in his Name And apts them for Seducers that speak of themselves and so they are led away Joh. 5.4,44 7.46,53 12.42,43 4. They are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth They are ever Learning oft hearing and questioning about the truth of the Gospel that sets forth Christ But they receive not the love of the Truth They accept it not that Christ in the Gospel offereth them That in letting goe other delights wayes and confidences casting themselves on him in beleeving they shall finde in him and receive through him pardon justification renewing sanctification c. which not Accepting they are in stead of beleeving still questioning and asking both of one and another of the Children of the Free-woman and of the Children of the Bond-woman And so abiding under the Accusation of sinne by the Law or if some ease yet lusting after Approbation on both sides They so entangle themselves That they are at no time able to come to the knowledge of the Truth and so fits themselves for delusions 2 Thess 2.10 1 Joh. 2.19,20,27,28 That in Jesus Christ there is a Redemption wrought and Life obtained and that onely through the freenesse of his grace in beleeving in Him Remission of sinnes and Justification is received and he righteousnesse to the Beleever some of them in some measure understand and rejoyce for Gal. 3.1.5 4.15 But that he is Sanctification to the Beleevers and hath taken on himself by Spirit to worke Salvation in them To purge renew sanctify and perfect all that concerneth them 1 Thess 5.24 Isai 26.12 Psal 138.8 And that in beleeving on him so as through the beliefe of his grace in the former They are united to him in Dependence on him for the latter They shall receive it and hee will effect it in due season Rom. 4.24,25 and 5.1,11 This full forme of CHRIST is not in them They are no whit experimented in this Knowledge nor so perswaded of the truth whence they are ready to receive the Doctrine of the Seducers to attaine this Sanctification by Workes and observances of the law of Workes Gal. 4.19 5.1,5,8 1.9 2 Cor. 11.15 And these weake unsetled ones are they with whom the Seducers prevaile 5. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood
wrought in them life wrought in others Prov. 30.2,3 2 Cor. 4,5,12 III. They are not of one mind some more grosse as the Saduces and some more refined as the Pharisees in their conception of the way Secondly In the inclination of their mindes not to exilt Christ onely but themselves as Lords and Rabbyes liking it best that the People should rest on their Judgements for points of Faith and interpretation of Scripture and not to presume to know beyond contrary to the Vpright that were not content till they knew as themselves knew and had their evidence from God that they might not depend on them and would have them still be trying by Scripture and wait for that Knowledge and rejoyced when they had it 2 Cor. 4.5 Joh. 3.29,30 2 Pet. 1.18,19,20 besides the glary honour wealth and great places they Desire and seek for themselves Gal. 4.17 From which corrupt Mindes proceed their corrupt reasoning and Practice First Their corrupt reasoning and Arguments can it be that so many great Learned and Godly Devines Ministers and Professors Annas and Cayaphas The high Priests The Priests and Elders The Scribes and Pharisees that sit in Moses Chayre and all their Disciples whom the great Church so long Reverenced should be ignorant of the Truth and erre and that a Carpenter the Sonne of a Carpenter and a few Fishers a Publican a Tent-maker men that are Gallileans whom scarce any follow but the common Illiterate People that know not the Law should kâ—…w the mind of God and be in the Truth Joh. 7.47,52 As the Antichristian Brood reason Is it likely so many Godly Fathers Divines Bishops Counsells The great Church for so many Hundreth yeares should erre and a few despised upstarts should be in the Truth Secondly Their corrupt practise of worshipping Angels Messengers Adoring these great learned Officers as if they could not erre and so to be Depended on for all knowledge and certainty of the word of Truth not presuming to know but what they have declared nor looking for further light then in their sayings And so calling them the Church Thereby as their Fathers the Pharisees of old shaddowed Christ with two heads by having two High Priests making Christ two Bodies or Churches one Spirituall another Secular one of the Clergy another of the Laity one of Publike Officers and Members Another of private members without Office that the one may depend on the other and neither hold the head and both neglect the True Body Col. 2.18,20 Contrary to 1 Cor. 12. Chap. like that 1 Cor. 1.12 2. They are Reprobate and of no judgement concerning the Faith concerning Letters Tongues Etimology of words Philosophy Logick diversity of Bookes Histories Genealogies Morallities To move subtill Questions To answer knotty Questions To Dipute about Law c. They may be of great skill 1 Cor. 1.19,20 1 Tim. 1,2 But concerning the Faith in that they are of no judgement whether we respect the Doctrine and object of Faith or the Spirit Grace and opperation of Faith For How all men should be reconciled to God in Christ and yet most men in themselves and their own hearts enemies to Christ and so to God still 2 Cor. 5.19,20 How Christ should have paid the price for and bought all men into his dispose and yet justly Judge many of them to eternall Death Rom. 14.8,12 How enough should be done for All men by Christ that they might be saved and yet many not infallible atternarly saved Joh. 3.17,19 How man being dead in sinnes c. And having no Power or freedome of will to choose life and yet so much done by Christ to make his Will free That the fault of his not being â—…lly saved should be found in his owne will and not in the Will of God and Christ Joh. 3.17,19 1.9 Prov. 1.23,26 Ezek. 18.23.32 33.11 How there should be such a Will in God To have all men saved and then brought to acknowledge the truth And that Christ should Accomplish this his will and condemne any to Eternall Death 1 Tim. 2.4,5,6 2 Pet. 2.1 How God should Order all things in his Counsells and work all things according to the Counsell of his owne Will and yet not so necessitate any to destruction But that their destruction is of themselves They loose their owne souls and bring upon themselves Destruction Ephes 1.11 Hos 13.9 Mat. 16.26 2 Pet. 2.1,2 They cannot rightly conceive or declare Againe in the distinction the Spirit in the Scripture maketh between the Salvation Iesus Christ wrought in his owne body with God for men 1 Pet. 2.24 And the salvation which in Application of the former hee by his Spirit worketh in men to God Revel 5.9 2 Cor. 5.18 The Salvation he came down from heaven was abased to work that he might bring us to God Joh. 16.28 Heb. 10.1,10 1 Pet. 3.18 And the Salvation he ascended to heaven was glorifyed to Worke in making sonnes and bringing them to God Psal 68.18.20 Act. â—5 31.32 Between the divers ends of Christ in laying down his Life 1. To be a Ransome and Propitiation for sinnes Heb. 9.22 Rom. 3.24,25 2. To seale and confirme the New Testament of Precious Promises Heb. 9.15,16,17 3. To be an example to us of Sufferings 1 Pet. 2.23 And the different extent of these ends 1 Joh. 2.1,2,3 And between the mission of Christ To be the Saviour of the World in Dying and giving himselfâ— a Ransome for All. 1 Joh. 4.14 Joh. 1.29 and 3.17 and his Mission to Preach the Gospel and confirme it with Miracles which was to the Iewes and for the Circumcision Matt. 15.24 Rom. 18.8,9 Between his giving Himself to die and offer Sacrifice and his giving himself to Advocate and apply the vertue of his Sacrifice 1 Tim. 2.6 1 Joh. 2.1,2 Ephe. 5.25,26,27 Between his Purchasing of his Father by blood-shedding Rom. 14.9 2 Pet. â— 1 And the Purchasing from among men by his spirituall Application of his blood that was shed Rev. 5.9 Act. 20.28 Between that which is full compleat and true in Christ for All men That they may beleeve and in beleeving receive it Rom. 3.23,25 and 5.18 1 Joh. 5.10,11,12 And these high and peculiar Priviledges in Christ further to dispense to such as through grace are enabled to Beleeve Joh. 1.12,13 and 7.36.39 Yea between the extent and scope of the generall Affirmations of the Gospel as Propositions for Faith in the Third Person Joh. â— 19 â— Tim. 2.6 and Applicative Affirmations in First or Second Person Rom. 8 3â— Gal. 2.20 In all or most of these Distinctions they are ignorant and confound them in one as of like large extent whence issues their setting the Scriptures at vaviance to be reconciled by their prooflesse Glosses And their corrupt opinion that all Christ dyed for must of necessity be eternally saved and their false conjectures and Reports of those that beleeve CHRIST gave himself a Ransome for All Men as that they hold men by nature to have
Free-Will or that Men may live as they list c. And as they are thus void of Judgement about the Doctrine and object of Faith so also about the Spirit grace and opperation of Faith How by the very evidence of the Spirit in the appearance of Grace manifested in the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ and fulnesse in him A man should be overcome to beleeve and therein receive remission of sinnes Peace with God and hope without encouragement from any works frames or quallifications of his own or use of humane reasonings or thoughts to help to faith Tit. 3.4,5,7 Ephes 2.8 Rom. 4.25 5.1 2 Joh. 3.5 How through the Spirit in this very beleeving a man should be brought to depend on Christ for subduing lusts and Satan for Sanctification preservation in grace The precious Promises and eternall life without his owne humane reasonings workings and self application of Promises Rom. 5.11 1 Joh. 2.24,25 Zach. 4.6,7 Gal. 5.5 1 Thess 5.24 How in this confident Beleeving the Spirit writes the Law of grace in the heart and by Discoverie of glorious Grace in Christ Takes off from earthy Excellencies Melts Humbles Renewes and Conformes to the likenesse of Christ and fills with spirituall motions and fruits leading into all Truth and unto all Services of Charity without a mans own helpfulnesse of him by workings after the Law of workes and yet with no contrariety to it Phil. 3.3,9 2 Cor. 3.3.18 Gal. 5.16.18,22,23 and 6.8 Joh. 16.13,14 Rom. 8.2.14 How by abiding in this Faith love shall work out all righteousnesse that law requireth in a free bringing it forth and the Beleever grow in Sanctification and fruitfulnesse without being undered to the Law of Workes to bring it forth Yet having Commandements as Servants to Order the exercise of Charity Rom. 13.10 2 Cor. 5.14 Gal. 5.13,18 Joh. 15.1.10 Of these things they are ignorant and of no Judgement whence they make use of Arguments and Reasons from frames and quallifications to make up Faith 2 Cor. 10.7.12.18 And turne aside to be Teachers and imposers of the Law for Sanctification 1 Tim. 1.5.6,7 That nothing be said of those higher and more mysterious Communications of Spirit through Faith in which the Beleever is brought to see within the Vaile To receive the heavenly Oracles To see unexpressible beauty and receive unutterable entercourses of Love c. 1 Cor. 2.9 Phil. 3.20 Cant. 1,2 c. The very uttering of the experiments whereof These Seducers are such Strangers to them that they count them follyes call them Sattannicall Delusions and Enthusiasmes and Distempered Frenzies Joh. 7.20 Act. 26.24 1 Cor. 2.14 And thus are they marked out To be of corrupt mindes and of no Judgement concerning the Faith 7. But they shall proceed no further Here is their period or full stop The extent of their Worke Both in what they shall doe and with whom they shall prevaile to seduce and leade them captive 1. The utmost of their Worke is but to trouble and convince of sinne To presse to Duties and helpe to such hopes as are still under question and in the Issue gender to bondage and Captive to the Judgement of the Seducers This is the utmost of their worke That they may be still admiring and relying on them also Gal. 4.17.22,31 5.8,12 Rom. 7.9 Phil. 3.1,2,7 But receipt of Spirit and freedome in Christ and experiment of fellowship with Christ is not received in their Ministration Gal. 3.1,5 5.1,3 2. The utmost of their prevailing is onely with those that are yet unstable in the Faith and lusting after approbation of men whence as those that are stable and stedfast are likened to men and called men 1 Cor. 16.13 So these unstable Ones that are turned aside are compared to Women and called Women And so the Apostle Intimates the Gallatians turning aside to be for want of the forme of CHRIST in them Gal. 4.19 And preferre faith they are such as are unlearned not taught of God as Isai 34.13,17 And Unstable in the Faith That pervert the Scriptures to their Destruction And such they are that fall from the Doctrine In which their stedfastnesse is and might be attained and are so carryed away with the errour of the wicked 2 Pet. 3.16,17,18 With none but such shall they prevaile They shall proceed no further 8. But their folly shall be manifest to all men as theirs also was Here is the last Issue of their businesse And that is when they still attempt as the Magicians Did to proceed to doe the same things that God by his servants doth Their folly appears 1. In their Attempting so to preach Gospel as to bring their seduced and Imbondaged from their bondage and into the Kingdome and Liberty of CHRIST There they fall short and turne aside to vaine Janglings Fables Genealogyes and strive about Words saying and affirming that they understand not and are in many things ever and anon unsaying againe 1 Tim. 1.6 4,7 6.4,5,20 2 Tim. 2.14,15 Wherein their folly becomes manifest 2. In their deasings with those who experimentally know and are established in the Faith they both faile of their purpose and their folly appeares to them and may by them be made manifest to others and in due season shall be manifest to All Men. 1. Joh. 2.18,28 Isai 60.14 And thus as this place may be found opened by and agreeing with other places of Scripture are these Seducers discovered that they may be knowne Yet I know There is one exposition of the Word Houses here by which some would turne all aside Namely That by HOUSES are meant PRIVATE-HOUSES or mens Divelling Houses built of Timber and Clay Lime and stone c. Though I suppose they conceive these to have theire Denomination from the house houshold or Family Inhabiting in them else what meaneth that 1 Cor. 1.11 Them of the House of Cloe. And againe Though such Houses as they speake of have been are and may be Preached in yet consider I. What Divinity is in this Interpretation when the Apostle is treating of the House of GOD and the Doctrine and behaviour therein and of the evills of Seducers in the same to understand houses so grosly 1 Tim. 3.15 2 Tim. 2.3 II. What Christianity is in this Interpretation To lay down a sense so to condemne some as they therein condemne Christ Jesus and his Apostles and Disciples who as they Preached the Gospel in the Temple and Synagogue so they did Preach in mens houses also and from house to house Mat 9.10.17 12.46.48 Act. 5.42 20.20 Yea in their own houses Ioh. 1.39.43 Yea even hired houses III. Let this Interpretation be granted yet there is neither Wisedome nor Truth in their Application of it For first Reason would tell a man That these Seducers so carefull of their honour and safety would not commit Buglary in breaking into mens houses nor as Theeves creep in at the windows nor as silly ones come in secretly by the inletting of false
servants nor yet without the Invitation and Admittance of the Governours of those Houses And then they are false witnesse bearers which in such a sense say They creep in And Secondly The truth is The Apostle saith Houses Addeth neither mens Houses nor private Houses and what are they that adde or take away from the words of Scripture as the Divell did in his Allegation thereof Deut. 4. Matt. 4.6 And is not the publick place where People meet to Worship God called a house also Joh. 2.16 And are not such as have not not the Word of Grace in their hearts and so want Authority from heaven and secretly get outward Authority and come into these Houses without the foreknowledge and desire of those that maintaine the same and meet therein to be their Teachers Creepers into Houses And can they that have the Word of Grace in their hearts occasionally Declaring it not presuming to be Teachers in these Houses without a lawfull outward Gall Act. 13.15 Nor in private Houses without the Admittance of the Governours of those houses Act. 10.33 Be said to creep into Houses let either right Reason or Religion judge this and how contrary it is to 1 Pet. 2.2,3,4,5,9 And as for this Grosse Interpretation for a mis-application to condemne the use of Spirituall gifts in Beleevers fellowship in the Gospel in Declaration of the same and praying together in mens houses Is it not contrary to the Spirit of Christ 1 Cor. 12.7 The Practise of Christ and his Apostles The end of Christ his Assention and giving of Spirit Ephes 4.7,12 and the growth of the body vers 16. Doth it not sad the hearts of Beleevers and strengthen the hands of unbeleevers Ezek. 33.3,22 Who receiveth it doth not the World 1 Joh. 4.5 Doth it not occasion some that sit in the gate to speake and doe that they should not against Beleevers and the Drunkards to make songs and the Hypocrites to make Jeasts of them and the Abjects to rave against them Psal 69.7,12 and 35.15,16 And while they would by this meanes engrosse all to themselves and exalt themselves as the onely Teachers Is not that verifyed in their teaching that is Prophecyed Ezek. 34.1,6 And are not their common Approvers those Prophecyed of 2 Tim. 4.3,4 And let but this corrupt Interpretation and mis-application be rejected And then this sense of the Word Houses may be added in the second place to that at first mentioned and stands well for receiving all that is said about this businesse Let the Scripture be viewed and so the place considered And then let any that will not wilfully blind themselves consider and give Answer as in their owne Conscience and Judgement they conceive And say 1. Who or of what Number are these Seducers to be reckoned and of what sort will you count the Seducers whether of those That 1. Love their owne selves such as are their Freinds of their owne sect and opinion Matt. 5.43,44 Or that 1. Love all men till they become of the Serpentine seed though enemies to them yet pittying them and seeking their good 2 Cor. 5.13,15 2. Mind and count earthy Riches Honours and Preferments 1 Tim. 6,5 Phil. 3.19,20 Rom. 8.5,6 2. Mind and seeke the things that are above spirituall and heavenly Col. 3.1,2 3. Are Boasters of their Sect and of their Knowledge parts places holinesse and Authority 1 Cor. 11.18 Jer. 9.23 Isai 65.15 3. Are Abasers of themselves in respect of all such humane things Prov. 30.2,3 Act. 3.12 1 Tim. 1.13,15 4. Are proud conceiting themselves better wiser and holyer then others standing upon their parts and places Ioh. 7.48,49 Luk. 18.11 4. Are humble conceiving themselves no better then others standing on no strength but the free-Grace Spirit and Power of God Rom. 3.9 2. and 1.3,5 5. Are Blasphemers of the Free-Grace and Doctrine and plain sayings of Christ in the Gospel and those that beleeve and hold forth the same Joh. 14.24 Mat. 27.63 Act. 26.24 and 28.22 5. Are magnifyers of the grace and Gospel of Christ and the truth of his sayings and blessers even of them that Persecute them 1 Cor. 15.14 2 Cor. 13.8 Rom. 12.14 6. Neglect naturall duty to Parents under pretence of Religious Acts. Mat. 15.4,5,6 6. Are carefull by all well-doing to gain in even their unbeleeving Parents Rom. 9.1 1 Cor. 9.22 1 Tim. 6.1 1 Pet. 3.1 7. Are unthankfull to GOD for his Love to mankind and those that bring the tidings thereof among men and for those that receive the same Joh. 10.32 7.48,49 Psal 2.2,3 7. Are thankfull for the Gospel declaring this love to mankind and for those that so preach it And for those that doe receive it Rom. 1.16 6.17 Col. 1.4,5 8. Are unholy or profane Despising their birth-right in the Gospel and living to themselves Heb. 12.16 8. Are holy in high estimate of the Gospel and their birth-right therein and living to Christ and to God in Christ in the service of his grace and Gospel 2 Cor. 5.15 Phil. 1.20,21 9. Are without naturall Affection not tendring men of their owne flesh and blood forbidding the Preaching of the Gospel to them that they might be saved Act. 17.24,27 1 Thes 2.15,16 9. Are compassionate towards all men of the same flesh and blood declaring the Gospel to them that they might be saved Heb. 2.14 2 Cor. 5.13,14 Tit. 3.2,3,4,5 10. Are Truce-breakers Departing from their Promises and practises of Peace and withdrawing others from their Concord in the Gospel Rom. 16.17,18 10. Are Makers of Peace in seeking that men might have Peace with God and with those that call on him with a pure heart and Peaceable towards all men Mat. 5.9 2 Tim. 2.22 Heb. 12.14 11. Are false accusers of the Doctrines Sayings and lives of such as Preach the Gospel plainly Rom. 3.5,8 Act. 6.13,14 11. Are no Accusers nor forgers or receivers of false Accusation only sober discerners juagers of that which on proof appears and by the Gospel is judged Mat. 7.16 1 Tim. 5.12 That are 12. Incontinent in inordinate desires after satisfying some lusts of the flesh Mat. 23.6,7 Or that are 12. Subdued in having such Affections and lusts of the flesh crucified and to accept Denialls Gal. 5.24 2 Cor. 6.8 13. Feirce and full of bitternesse and wrath in their oppositions of the truth and the publishers thereof Act. 7. 9.1 13. Patient and suffering Reproaches and afflictions entreating when defamed 2 Cor. 6.4.8 14. Dispisers of those that are good if not of their faction and jumpe with him in every opinion and practise Ioh. 7.49 9,16 14. Lovers and esteemers of the good or goodnesse in any Though different in some things both in opinion and Practise Rom. 14.1,9 15. Traytors that under pretense of submission and love seek to ensnare and betray those they pretend to love and honour Matt. 22.15,18 15. Plainly Declare their minde though they suffer and seek the good and not the overthrow and ruine of every or any one 2 Cor. 4.2 and 13.6 2 Thess 5.15 16. Heady proceeding according to will without cause or respect to right reasoning or duty 2 Thes 2.3 Matt. 27.23 16. Advised not proceeding but with good ground and warrant and with respect to right reason and duty 1 Sam. 17.29 Gal. 2.11 Tit. 1.13 17. High minded seeking great things and great respect for themselves in truding into the things they have not seen Mat. 23.6 Col. 2.18 17. Not seeking or advancing themselves but Christ Iesus the Lord nor presuming above the proportion of Faith given them 2 Cor. 4.5 Rom. 12.3 18. Lovers of Pleasures their owne Peace fulnesse ease and freedom from the sufferings of Christ more then they love God and his truth Phil. 3.18,19 Gal. 6.12 18. Indurers of hardship and patient Sufferers for Christ his Truth and People Gal. 6.14 2 Cor. 6.4,8 19. Contenters of themselves with a forme of godlinesse without yea denying the Power of it 2 Cor. 11.15 Gal. 6.13 19. Regarders of no forme of Godlinesse but what issues through faith in Christ from the Word and Spirit of grace in the heart 2 Cor. 3.1,3 18. Rom. 8.2 9,11.14 Now whether the Seducers in respect of outward and Ecclesiasticall Authority get in more secretly as they were faine to doe in in the Apostles dayes or more openly as they doe in the dayes the Apostle Prophesied of 2 Tim. 3.6.1 and 4.3 To teach in private or Publick Houses if any be doubtfull of which of these two sorts they are let him reade 2 Tim. 3.2,6 2. Againe who are they that creep into houses Publike or Private Those That are 1. Beleeve not the plaine sayings of Gospel and are not spiritually enlightened and taught of God and so have no mission from heaven Col. 2.18 Ioh. 17.9,18,20 Or 1. That have the word of grace in their heart Spiritually taught and so having Faith and Charity speake according to the proportion of Faith and so with mission from heaven Rom. 12.3 1 Pet. 4.10,11 1 Cor. 2.13 2 Cor. 5.19 2. Hide the Gospel and deliver their minds in subtill Questions and entising words of mans wisdome 2. That Deliver the Gospel in plaine words and according to the plaine sayings of Christ with evidence of Spirit 1 Cor. 2.1,6 2 Cor. 4.1,2 3. Or who doth the work of these Seducers Those that entangle with bondage or those that endeavour to bring to liberty in Christ And so it may be Demanded according to what is fore-mentioned in this wrighting by which all that know Beleeve the Scripture may give Answer so both truly discerne and say who these Seducers bee which may also 1. Warne all that beleeve and professe the Gospel to beware of these Seducers and of being spotted with their spots and of Inward and intimate fellowship with them or receiving their Peachings but the more abundantly to Preach the Gospel and contend for the faith 1 Tim. 6.3,5 2 Tim. 3.5 4.2,3,4 Jude 1,2,3,4 2. Stirre up all not to rest till they be established in the Faith That so they may be out of the Danger of being overcome by these Seducers Gal. 4.17 2 Pet. 1.10,19 3. Comfort us all that are establish in CHRIST These Seducers shall not carry away the least established babe 1 Pet. 1.3,5 and 2.2,9 with Matth. 16.16.18 Now the LORD establish us in CHRIST and Vnite and make us fruitfull in Him To whom be Glory for ever AMEN FINIS