Scripture when Moses had set before the Jews divers of Mount Sinai's Statutes he intermingles this Caution Lev. 18. 5. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments which if a man do he shall live in them I am the Lord. I suppose few think Life eternal is meant here and I suppose not Life temporal only for it was not present death to break any of these Statutes only some of them therefore a spiritual Life must be also included The same is quoted and to the same purpose Nehem. 9. 29. so also Ezek. 20. 11. And no less does the Apostle opposing the Life of Faith now to that Life they had from Mount Sinai's Covenant insinuate that then it was He that doth these things shall live in them but now the just shall live by faith Gal. 3. 11 12. Rom. 10. 5 c. 3 dly It plainly follows that so long as they obeyed and sacrificed so long they were quiet in their Consciences 4 thly I do not deny but they had Faith upon God in the Promise but in most of them it was weak dark and uncertain so as little Peace of Conscience could accrue only from thence 5 thly This is verified in the Experiences of many Christians especially them that walk legally who have too much a tang of that Covenant still in their spirits If the Question was asked them Whether they have their Peace of Conscience always from Faith in exercise on the Person and Righteousness of Christ or from their Vows Resolutions and Obedience with other marks they set up to themselves which are meerly legal I am certain if they speak the truth they must answer the latter for this I have experienced my self many years 6 thly Suppose it at the worst where is the dangerous Error of it now a days since we are not under that but another Dispensation And this Assertion only comes in to illustrate and magnify the Glory of this New Testament Dispensation Then I added in Discourse that Isaiah did not understand his own Prophesies as well as the Apostle Paul which I cannot but judge to be very true tho' my words were then wrested and trumpeted abroad according to the usual manner Let this also suffice as an Answer to the 11 th Charge in their order 17. Sinners must come to Christ and be united to him in all their sin and filth That the Gospel invites Sinners as Sinners to come to Christ and not as Saints nor as little and reformed Sinners is evident from the whole current of the Gospel's invitation Consider Isa 55. 1. 43. 22. to 26. Isa 65. 1. compared with Rom. 10. 20. Rev. 22. 17. All sorts are invited to come heavy-laden Sinners Mat. 11. 28. The like invitation Luke 14. the maimed the halt and the blind were to be brought in ver 21. and the high-way Sinners compelled to come in ver 23. I would fain know where and when People must leave their Sins before they come to Christ 'T is true instantly upon their closing with Christ they are no longer under the dominion of sin for they are under grace Rom. 6. 14. Therefore all the Scriptures quoted for the Confutation of this are not to the purpose not one of them proving that Sin can be mortified in a state of Nature before a Soul comes to Christ But this Objection shews its Teeth and discovers who the Objectors are and what their design is viz. To maintain a power in Man's will to believe repent and turn himself antecedent to Christ's coming to the Soul by his Spirit 18. 'T is great comfort to us when we were weak in the Faith that Christ is strongly believing in Heaven for us Answ The Writer that came at the latter end took this false also For these Assertions were then laid down 1. That Christ believed and exercised other Graces of the Spirit whilst on Earth as appears from the Word of the Lord proved by Dr. Goodwyn in his Triumph of Faith 2. That thus his fulfilling of all was for the Elect as their Mediator and that the holy Graces of the Spirit he exercised as Man came within the compass of imputed Righteousness This is undeniably proved in the aforementioned place 3. That his meritorious Righteousness in all its parts tho' compleated on Earth is now in Heaven where the person of Christ is who presents it to the Father on Believers behalf and he presents Believers in it And how Prejudice hath wrested this is evident from the Pamphlet But I add No doubt tho' the Lord Jesus has all power committed to him for bringing his Sons and Daughters to Glory yet he trusts his Father for bringing them also which redounds to our benefit This Assertion is grounded on his Intercession to his Father John 17. 11. And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me c. 19. God the Father and God the Son are at strife who shall love Man best Answ I remember well it was thus exprest There seemed to be an holy Contention between God the Father and the Son who should love the Elect best grounded upon those words John 10. 17 with other Scriptures compared They were Dr. Goodwyn's own words or very like them And I know not why we may not use holy strains of Rhetorick to set forth that unfathomable and ineffable Love of the Father and the Son in the Election and Redemption of Sinners without being an offence to any Ears but those that are stuft with Prejudice As for that Expression said to be used as the language of Christ to the Father I will throw up my work of Redemption if you will not give me these I remember nothing of it nor believe any thing of it to be true 20. Persons may sincerely desire Christ to be their Prophet Priest and King and yet be Hypocrites still Answ This is a notorious Falshood whoever it is that affirms it No Man of Reason not blinded by Malice can think me so void of common Sense as to express my self thus WE the Members of the Church of Christ at Wellingborough having formerly attended Mr. David ' s Preaching do upon the best Recollection of what we heard testify and declare He has been much wronged and that his Preaching amongst us has been to advance Grace and Holiness and the Doctrine that is according to Godliness Robert Berson Thomas Barker William Hensman Maximilian Grindon John Fox William Smith Thomas Tutel Samuel Tecar William Hall William Marshall Francis Mee Samuel Conquest Thomas Falknor Thomas Wells William Martin The following false Stories came from Cambridge which I have already answer'd to the London Ministers I shall prove how I am abused therein by divers substantial persons And I have here this advantage that the mistaken Objectors were speedy in these Charges whilst matters were fresh in the memories of the Hearers so that they then
the Fear of God he hath answered what he intended to answer I shall therefore leave his Answers and give some Answer to another part of the Pamphlet where they seem to leave him and begin to rail on others as you have their Words in Page 16. where they say You may now sake a taste of the Doctrins of some of his Journey Men the Shoemakers Joyners Taylors Diers c. which he hath sent forth to Preach as an Apostolical Tribe for like Number Preheminence and what not Thus far their own Words Now let the Reader judge 1. Whether what is spoken be not in a malicious disdainful way and whether it be not like that Matth. 13. 55. Is not this the Carpenters Son And Mark 6. 3. Is not this the Carpenter I do believe they will find it so when what they boast it shall be brought down and the Lord alone exalted it may be by mean Instruments as he was at first by Fisher-men though the Learned of the Age could not then bear it But sure Christians should not follow the Pharisees steps 2. Consider whether there is not a Blasphemer's Reflection upon the Twelve Apostles of our Lord in comparing our Number to that Number seeing they have no reason for it there not being such a number of us only some Wicked Persons were pleased to say There was Davis and his Twelve Apostles but must Professors follow their steps I think that Word of Christ should stop them Rev. 2. 9. I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not 3. Consider whether they be not guilty of Lying in saying that he sent them out as an Apostolical Tribe But I shall now answer what followeth concerning my self who they name by Name though with many wicked false Reflections which might have been better to have been spared than vented by those that pretend Christianity unless they think their Tongues are their own and there is no Lord over them But I bless the Lord who inableth me to rejoice that I am counted worthy to suffer for his Name sake for upon diligent Search I know no reason those Men have thus to revile me for as for my manner of Life the Lord hath not yet left me to be blamed for which I bless his holy Name and desire still to be kept and whereas they call me Ape I never yet was left to follow any Man in things wherein I did not conceive they followed Christ but Whereas they say Mr. Davis set me up a Pastor to some conceited People in Wellingborough I answer First It is false for Mr. Davis did not set me up a Pastor for we Inchurched together according to the Rule of the Gospel and being Inchurched I was set apart with Fasting and Prayer in the Church according to the Primitive Pattern and Mr. Davis Mr. Bear and Mr. Greenwood all Elders of other Churches and several Members of other Churches were by as Witnesses and not Actors the manner of our acting I shall readily relate more fully to any that desire it if it might stop the false Accusations of Unreasonable Men so that by this you may see it is a false Accusation 2. It is a reproachful Reflection for I do believe they that be of us fear God and will one day stand at the Right-hand of Christ and then it will be dismal to be found one that did revile them Now followeth what they said was my Doctrins and my Answers to them 1. That I said God's Word doth not tell us how we must believe and they refer to Head 25. where you may see their Revilings where they say that I said If a Revelation of the Spirit will not satisfie you we cannot satisfie you I Answer 1. To the former part when I first heard it I did declare that I did look upon the holy Scriptures to be the only Rule of Faith and Practice and so I do still and I offer'd them to meet any Man to Discourse with him that would say that ever I did affirm the contrary and Mr. Alen that was at Northampton sent to them to meet me but they would not but disagreed among themselves and are now broken by their Wickedness But I am troubled to hear that they should falsly Charge me their Conversations gave great Ground to suspect that the Word of God is not a Rule to them 2. That if a Revelation of the Spirit do not satisfie we cannot I do say That Faith is a Revelation of Christ by the Spirit to the Soul and a Persuasion by the same Spirit to leave Sin and Self and trust in Christ so revealed And by this Revelation and Persuasion of the Spirit the Soul is satisfied and not by any human Testimony without it Math. 11. 25. Rom. 8. 16. 3. Doctrin they say I said God commended that which Simeon and Levi did notwithstanding Jacob cursed them and that I should make as if God commended by Judith's Mouth what he cursed by Jacob's c. Answer 1. I never did say that God Commended Simeon and Levi's Actions who in their Rage did what they did in breaking in upon the City only I plead this by way of Allusion their taking their Sister out of the House of Sechem and not dealing with her as with an Harlot from which I pressed the Church of Christ in Cambridge-shire to use the Means Christ hath appointed in his Gospel Matth. 18. 15 16 17. for the recovery of those that had offended Mr. Holcraft and Harris were then present with the Church and Mr. Holcraft on that day with the Churches consent called me to Minister the Word among them in order to my being called to be Pastor to a part of them and sure if there had been such things delivered they would have discerned them and not so far as they did have signified their Approbation But truly with Grief I write if the Person that drew this Conclusion from my words is so filled with Anger that it appeareth on more accounts than one he careth not what he saith The Lord forgive him 2. I never did make use of Judith's Name nor Actions neither did it ever come into my mind so that I am called villanous for that which I never was guilty of but the Lord humble them for their Evil Speaking Then they ask the Question what I would gather from it and say that my next words tell Therefore my Friends buckle on your Swords and fetch your Brethren back from Idolatry to which they add many wicked scornful Speeches Ans I never did advise to this way of fetching back Brethren for it is against my Judgment to use it in matters of Religion indeed I did put them upon Reforming and I earnestly wish all in England would Reform for I am sure there is need of it and I am willing to go with them tho I go under many Reproaches for it is Reformation my Soul breatheth after but I need no Carnal Weapons but am well satisfied
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
Rom. 9. 30 nor as much as to seek and ask after it Rom. 10. 20. But Isaias is very bold and saith I was found of them that sought me not I was made manifest to them that asked not after me Whilst the Jews were rejected with all their Qualifications Rom. 9. 31 32 chap. 10. 31. Therefore this Consideration destroys all such antecedent Qualifications Arg. 7. The holy Scriptures of Truth declare That Christ must first come to the Soul before the Soul can move to Christ For the Soul is dead in Sin before the first moment of Spiritual Life and the first moment of spiritual Life is when Christ actually uniteth himself to the Soul And how can they that are dead prepare themselves for Life before Life comes Arg. 8. The Word of God says That the Law cannot give Life For if there had been a Law given which could have given Life to the Apostate Race of Adam verily Righteousness should have been by the Law And if the Works of the Law cannot give Life they cannot prepare for Christ Arg. 9. The Gospel invites Sinners as Sinners and not as qualified Sinners to come to Christ If the Heavy-laden be called Mat. 11. the Lame Blind Hault and Maim'd are invited also Luke 14. 21. Mat. 22. So also the Highway-Sinners are compell'd to come in as they are Mat. 22. Luke 14. 28. Arg. 10. Lastly This Doctrine of previous Qualification contradicts not only the Doctrine of the Bible and of the first Reformers but also the Twelfth ond Thirteenth Article of the Church of England If any would be further satisfied in this Point let them consult Mr. Bridge of Evangelical Repentance And a Book lately Printed styl'd The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification which is a very solid and substantial Piece And now I shall proceed to the remaining Charges Faith is a Perswasion that our Sins are Pardoned I am almost perswaded Mr. Chandler never heard it But my Judgement is Faith is a Perswasion of the Pardon of Sin and Acquitment by the Lord Jesus Why should the word be offensive since it is Scriptural 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it self comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to perswade In that Prophetick Description of New Testament-Faith it is God shall persuade Japhet c. Abraham's Faith is defined by the same word Rom. 4. 21. The Apostle expresses his own Faith and the Faith of the Elect in the same words Rom. 8. 38. Gal. 5. 8. 2 Tim. 1. 12. To believe a Man's Sins are Pardon'd is Justifying Faith Answ 1. Their racking of Sentences I mind not But this I do affirm That Justifying Faith is to Believe on Christ for the Pardon of Sin which he has purchased and not a blind Consent of the Will to I know not what 2. That every Act of True Faith hath particular Application in it My Act of Faith relateth not to Sin in general but my Sin 3. Faith looks to Christ for what he hath already done for a Pardon already purchasad and an Acquitment already obtained Mat. 22. 4. Luk. 14. 17. 4. The least degree of True Faith hath some Assurance in it tho' not so much as extinguisheth nor yet so much as keepeth under but always so much as doth oppose and disapprove of unbelieving Doubts and Fears 5. Stronger Faith carries stronger Assurance with it The more clearly and strongly I rely on the Righteousness and Strength that are in Christ for me the more firmly I can conclude I am made Righteous in his Righteousness The Argument is Mr. Pemble's against Bellarmine which Mr. B in vain attempts to overthrow 6. Lastly The Spirit often-times cometh in a sealing Promise with irresistible Light assuring the Conscience of a Believer that his Sins are Pardoned and he is Justified so that during this time of Sealing all Doubts Fears and Questionings are silenc'd though when this is past they may revive again And who dare exclude this from relating to Justifying Faith Let 's have a care of contradicting and blaspheming the Operations of the Holy Ghost and offending against the Generation of the Just who have more or less met with such Promises Some will put you upon trying your State by such Marks of Sincerity Love to the Brethren Universal Obedience and Love to God and Christ But this way he denied and said Men make Idols of them and worship'd Stones and Stocks And such as put them on such ways of Tryal are like Baal ' s Priests It is to no purpose for me to fight with their wrested words I shall only therefore deliver my Judgment plainly as to Marks and Signs 1. I judge there is no Holiness or gracious Qualifications preceding Faith 2. To set up these as the Marks and Signs of our being Justified is 1. The greatest Cheat put upon the Soul in the World 2. It is the greatest Affront put upon the Spirit and Blood of Christ For thereby they thrust these that are Nothing into the Room and Throne of the Mediator and Comforter and they that do so are guilty of Spiritual and Mental Idolatry as if they worshiped Stocks and Stones As to that of Baal's Priests I remember nothing of But let the Coiners of this New Gospel that preach such Doctrines look to it lest they justly deserve the Name Some will tell you You must examine your selves whether you be in the Faith or no But I say Look for no Marks and Signs but a risen Jesus seek for no other I affirm That Faith is a great Evidence yea and Self-Evidence too Heb. 11. 1. The great Evidence of Faith is the once Crucified but now Risen Jesus It is Jesus that died is risen again and is set down at the Right-Hand of the Father and ever liveth to intercede They that look off of him to look within seek for a living Christ in a dead Frame I never was against Self-Examination performed in the Light of Faith acting directly toward the Object At Willingham he preached That Christians must not try themselves by Marks and Signs of Grace This is as if a Person should shut the Doors and Windows of his House to let in more Light And produced Mat. 12. 38 39. to reprove this way of Heart-Examination which he said lay with Awe upon his Spirit and he could not but mention it viz. An evil and adulterous Generation seeketh after a Sign And added O Generation of Professors I may say of Preachers that seek after a Sign c. 1. This is further my Judgment That the Scriptural Marks and Signs which are the inseparable Effects and Concomitants of Faith are one way or other some Evidence of our Justification 2. That they do also as Dr. Goodwin phraseth it eek out encourage and strengthen our Faith in a certain way and measure 3. That Souls are more prone to look to them than to Christ and his Grace the Object of Faith and that is very dangerous Spiritual Sense and Enjoyments though given us is something within us But Faith
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
testified against such notorious Forgeries some whereof were pretended to be delivered publickly others in private discourse accordingly therefore I shall divide them The first were alledged to be spoke more publickly 21. To preach Marks of Sanctification is a Doctrine of an old Covenant strain Answ If they had added legal Marks I would have stood by it and so I believe I expressed it But saving Faith has its saving Effects inseparably attending it which I often preach all Scriptures quoted to that purpose are expressive of the inseparable Effects of saving Faith 22. Sanctification is no Evidence of our Justification Answ I have often expressed it that some may mistake a legal Holiness for an evangelical one i. e. They are apt to conclude as I once my self was that when they have such a Catalogue of meer legal Qualifications to boast of then they think they may believe which I apprehend to be a seeking to be justified by the works of the Law But as for excluding Faith and its Effects from being Evidences I never did nor is it my judgment 23. Disciples grieve Christ when they mourn for Sin Answ But the truth of the matter is this I was thus glossing on that passage John 14. 1. Let not your heart be troubled That Christ seemed to be concerned that his Disciples were so grieved at the news of his departure And see good Reader how Malice has perverted it There needs no proof of so plain a matter therefore their ridiculous Confutation fights against a Man of Straw of their own setting up 24. God is the ultimate Object of a strong justifying Faith and Jesus of Nazareth the mediate Object of a weak Faith Answ I never used to separate the Godhead from the humane Nature What then I laboured to make out was this That weak Believers have not so full and distinct a view of the blessed Object of Faith as they that are more clear and strong in Faith This I think is so undeniable that it needs no further Proof than the stating of it thus 25. Christ and Believers are One in Intercession Answ That which was expressed in Prayer was this We are One with him viz. united to him who is our Intercessor This I think will appear afalse Doctrin to none but such as deny a Believer's Union to Christ 26. Believers dishonour Christ by relying on Promises Answ I then spake to this effect 'T is possible some may rely on the Letter of the Promise and not regard Christ in the Promise and they that do so do disrespect and dishonour Christ. Which Truth if these Libellers dare deny they are not fit to be talked with Thus far concerning the Charges of a publick Nature in Cambridge Now follows the Testimony of the Hearers concerning them WE whose Names are here under-written being present when Mr. Davis preached that Sermon in Cambridge when those erronious Doctrines were pretended to be delivered and hearing instantly of the misconstruction of his words through Ignorance and Malice did then while it was fresh in our memories bear our Testimonies against such notorious Falshoods and now testify the whole was false as charged and the matters true as stated in these Papers Jo. Craske James Toolidge Jo. Burges Thomas Greene James Speckman Andrew Craske Stephen Taylor George Godfrey Edward Rogers Joseph Juit William Bentchy Nicholas Spillman Henry Ellis Nathaniel Tench The three following false Charges were words wrested in private discourse which they put upon the Rack to make them confess what they please 27. To believe our Sins are pardoned is justifying Faith Answ To this purpose I have preached often To believe on Jesus for the pardon of Sin is justifying Faith And it was further added to this purpose That saving Faith doth accept of and rely on the pardong Grace that Christ hath already purchased Luke 14. 17. For all things are now ready The Apostle declareth that the first thing he preached to the Corinthians as the foundation of their Faith was That Christ diedfor their Sins according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3. And this they had been commanded to believe I never said that nothing was true Faith but what amounted to that degree of positive unwavering and sensible believing that our Sins are pardoned But this is certain that God giveth to many of his Children great persuasion of the pardon of their Sins and who dare deny that to be justifying Faith I do grant that Formalists and wicked persons may have a false presumption of the pardon of their Sin but this doth not impeach the Faith of God's Elect at all I only contend for that Faith that is of the operation of the Holy Ghost which purifies the heart lip and life I think it hath not been so well done of our latter Divines to depart from that definition of Faith given always by our first Reformers who as they lead the Van so no doubt they had most of the Spirit of Christ I judge it a safe way to form a definition of Faith from the holy Scriptures of Truth rather than from the dark low Experiences of weak Believers This may be explained as low as is consistent with Truth for the comforting of doubting Souls See the Apostles definition of Faith Hebr. 11. 1. with many other places and this Faith the Scripture presses us to Hebr. 3. 6. 10 22 35 c. and this was the Apostles Faith Gal. 2. 20. 28. Faith is nothing but a Persuasion that my Sins are pardoned Answ This hath been answered already and so I pass it by 29. Believers may not take Comfort in the actings of their Graces Answ This I do not remember but believe it to be an untruth For no doubt persons have peace and joy in believing and that is the acting of grace The exercise of Faith and other graces as flowing from it is very comfortable But this I have opposed and others contend for that inherent qualifications without Faith can be the actings of grace or bring any true comfort to the Soul WE whose Names are under written being then present at the discourse between Mr Hunt and Mr. Davis in Cambridge did hear Mr. Hunt with great prejudice wrest Mr. Davis ' s Words and ' Sentences and did then oppose and contradict him in so doing And we do protest the Particulars are true as Mr. Davis stateth them and false as the Informers do Jo. Craske Thomas Greene James Coolidge Henry Ellis The following Charges are miscellaneous being chiefly Sentences dropt in private discourse miserably rackt and tortured by the Libeller and not so affixed to places 30 Charge Whatever is supernatural is saving Grace Answ That that was said was this All saving Grace is supernatural And the Bedford Gentleman was then contradicted when he wrested it 31. Zeal is to be preferred before Judgment Answ This also was a wresting of words in private discourse and the occasion was this One in discourse with me at Kimbolton who it seems was highly conceited
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
thereunto what was false I denied what was true I acknowledged giving my reasons for my judgment and practice To which Letter I have not received an answer to this day The beginning of the last Summer I went again to London and being set upon afresh by Friends I gave them another Visit still being under some jealous apprehensions lest these Visits of mine should give too much advantage to the form'd design I must confess they treated me very civilly and were pleased to ask me divers questions which I answered as my memory served In the close of this Conference Mr. Williams spake publickly That he had many things against me in matters of Faith but he had not his Witnesses ready to prove them I was amazed at such a bold Accusation and considering the language and spirit he delivered himself in I could not but plainly declare against such Judicial Proceedings yet being willing if I could to rescue them from such evil Credulity in receiving such false Reports concerning a work and Church of Christ I frankly offer'd him that if he would produce his Witnesses against their next Meeting I would be there ready to confront them This he concluded impossible Upon this I made a second offer in the simplicity of my heart being only desirous to free them from the vexation of libellous Letters and false Stories that when he would be pleased to gather his Evidence to London I should make another Journy there for the sake of their quietness and repose and thus we then parted I heard no more from them till some months after returning from a great Journy that I undertook for the service of Christ I was alarm'd all the way as I came home with an intended Visitation to be shortly at Katterin by some Ministers deputed from the Assembly at London It was almost beyond imagination what insulting Joy and Triumph the little Adversaries of the Truth exprest thereat in every quarter They could have notice thereof a long time before the day by circular Letters which likewise enjoined them to bring in all that had any thing to say against me Whence I do observe there was no fair dealing designed me They had their matters of Accusation and Witnesses ready but I must know nothing of all this tho' it was earnestly requested of Mr. Williams at a Meeting at London by a Brother that was with me there Had they never been so authorized yet this had been unjust in them No Court pretending to Justice doth ever deny so righteous a Request The King's Courts always grant a Copy or else read the Indictment before the indicted Party is required to plead All sorts of Episcopal Courts grant a Copy of their Libel to the Party accused with the Names of the Evidences that they may know how to make their Defence before they give in their Answer yet this little piece of Justice must not be done to me But to go on When I came home I found a Letter subscribed by one Mr Godman stiling himself Moderator pro tempore The Contents whereof were to this purpose That since I had passed a Promise to meet them and their Evidences at London when they should give me notice thereof they to spare me that pains had sent some of their Company to examine them nearer home But here I shall pause a little to bestow some Animadversions thereupon 1. There are none that have been acquainted with their Proceedings towards me will ever judge that it was to spare my pains that Reverend Mr. Williams came down to Ketterin but rather to expose me to the Country therefore they might have spared that needless piece of Compliment 2. I never promised to meet them at Ketterin nor any other place of the Country nor were there the same Reasons to move me thereunto In my promise to meet at London I designed privacy but I knew any such Meeting in the Country would expose us to publick observation and a tumultuous noise 3. My design in meeting at London was to give the whole Assembly satisfaction that the Stories they had often received were not worth their crediting And I had cause to question whether two or three would give them a true account of the matter especially one if not two of them being declared Enemies But their Letter goeth on thus That therefore they would desire me to give them the Meeting at Ketterin on such a day To the same Purport there came a Note without a Name delivered by Mr. King's own hand in the way of an Apparitor to meet them at a certain Ale-house at Ketterin on the appointed day But pray why at Ketterin and not at Rothwel Must this Town be pitched upon because both the World and Professors there were most malignant and disaffected to us But their Letter proceedeth Lastly They desired that I should bring none with me that might cause Publick Observation And yet they had summoned in People from eight or nine Counties and their Friends had greatly nois'd it up and down the Country and yet observe I must be debarred from bringing those with me that might witness for me Let sober and impartial Men judge whether this was fair dealing This Letter with all speed I communicated to the Church in their Assembly the Church alarm'd with these Proceedings appointed their Elders and other Brethren as Messengers to enquire into this matter and to know by what Authority and for what Ends these Ministers came down and summoned me their Pastor before them They also requested the assistance of Reverend Mr. Hayworth who was then providentially cast amongst us with the assistance of Reverend Mr. Suunders and others The day being come we met and consulted the Lord first by Prayer and then with one another and upon the whole of our Debate concluded thus That it was not expedient I should appear before them for these following Reasons 1. That my Appearance would be owning the Authority of the Vnited Brethren which was none 2. The Authority of their Deputies which was less if possible than nothing 3. The owning of and submitting to all the Irregularities they had committed contrary to the Word of God and the Principles of the Congregational Churches And first It was the primitive Practice if matters of Debate and Scandal arose many Churches to send Messengers to that Church to compose that matter if it could be by way of Advice Thus Acts 17. when matter of Debate and Scandal arose in the Church at Antioch they sent Messengers to the Church at Jerusalem for Advice ver 2 3. compared together So again the Church at Jerusalem sent Messengers back with Advice ver 22. Then it pleased the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen men of their own company c. The Letters containing the substance of Advice was subscribed by the Brethren i. e. the Church as well as the Apostles and Elders Ver. 23. The Apostles Elders and Brethren send greeting to the Brethren which are of
any Witnesses ready nor could I till I knew what and who would evidence against me so that I had no publick way left me but this of Printing which I chose rather prudentially to have Recourse unto My 3d Reason and a very weighty one for not appearing was because I understood there was a great enraged Assembly gathered together that waited to make a Riot therefore I durst not go to affront and disturb the Government under which I enjoyed such Peace and Tranquility I had fresh in my memory how many Citizens suffered about the Guild-Hall Riots Besides I was advised by a Magistrate to this course It is more than probable if I had appeared there then it would have been of dangerous Consequence Yet when I understood the Rabble was gone away I went to them and having entred my Protest against their Proceedings left them Had they given a candid Answer to the Proposals made to them by the Messengers of the Church they might have received a speedier Answer It was proposed to them Whether they came as a Presbyterian-Classis or as Messengers of Churches or as Friends or lastly as avowed Opposers As a Classis we should have slighted them as we did as Messengers of Churches they confess they did not come If they had come as Friends they would never have come after that manner If they had been above-board and said they came as Opposers we should have defended the Truth against them to their teeth as the Lord should have enabled us provided it had not been in a tumultuous Assembly One little Gentleman there present would have proceeded to have past Judgment upon us there presently but I would have him seriously consider the judgment the Scripture passes upon his Actions in the late Tryals John 10. 12 13. Tho' they declared at Kettering they would conceal their matters till they came to the United Brethren at London yet two of them in their return home not only exposed us in Preaching but one especially at Hitchin published Heads of the Accusations even to my Friends A third being my former Acquaintance carried it like a just Man I am sorry he was one of them however I overlook it in him and for his Christian Carriage and Justice render him my publick Thanks Some weeks after this Transaction I received from London a Copy of what was deposed against me at Kettering in matters of Faith and Practice I shall expose it to the World verbatim because I know there is a great noise about it as most conceive more dreadful of it than it is together with the Witnesses Names that they may have the publick Honor they aspire to The Laws of Language and of the Land allow me to call them Informers who witness against a Man in matters of Religion but the Reverence I bear towards some of them forbids me that Term. Then I shall print-my Answer digested together with their Accusations into some general Heads Under every general Head I shall make bold to make some Reflections to evince what Truth of the Gospel is struck at annexing thereunto a short Defence thereof and it is as followeth A True Copy of what was deposed at Ketterin at their Visitation THat the Elect were actually justified from Eternity and are as much belov'd of God whilst in Rebellion against him as after Conversion and that God is reconciled to all that he will be reconciled unto Attested by Mr. Bland Mr. Ley and Mr. Chandler who wrote it from his own mouth and offered to produce Testimonies under the hands of Mrs. Seaton Mr. Acock and Mr. Nickolls We are justified ever since Christ's death Mr. Bland 't was also said that Mr. Hunt would confirm the same We asked Mr. Davis's Friends whether Mr. Davis did preach that we are actually justified before Faith And they owned that they could not deny it and one said they hoped they should own it to the death The Law doth not prepare for Conversion the Spirit of God doth not make use of the Law in order to Conversion Attested by Mr. Chandler Mr. Tomlins of Ampthil and Mr. Holledge of Kimbolton Mr. D. objected in his Sermon But the Law is said to convert To this he answer'd That it is the Law of the Gospel which is this I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy Mr. Chandler The Law cannot convert because the works of the Law are under a curse to the Soul Witnessed by Mr. Chandler who engaged to produce the Testimony of Mr. Acock of Caysoe The Law gives an impious sight of Sin Mr. Moor and Mr. Holledge Witnesses All that the Law doth is to drive Persons further from Christ and make some go away and hang themselves Mr. Ley. Mr. D. preached Believe not others who prophesie Lyes in the Name of the Lord who ever wears a rough Garment to deceive and tell you of John Baptist's preparing the way and preaching his Roughness his Repentance his preparatory Works and you must bring these Qualifications they prophesie Lyes in the Name of the Lord Persons Misery is their Qualification Mr. King who took it in writing from his own mouth Such as preach up preparatory Works are legal Preachers hinder Peoples comfort and keep them under bondage we should begin with high confidence in Christ and hold it fast unto the end Mr. King Here is the Redeemer Ay saith the Soul but I must be humbled more and pray more I say you may repent and be damned for this is slighting the Gospel Do you know how much you would have before you come to Christ Mr. Negus Sinners must come to Christ immediately and be united to him in all their Sins and Filth Mr. Carlile Some hold there must be preparatory Works which is a stumbling block Mr. Ainscomb The Spirit convinceth of no Sin but Unbelief Mr. Terrey the Minister Faith is a Persuasion that our Sins are pardoned Mr. Chandler Mr. Bland A Person may sincerely desire after Holiness and yet be nothing nay they may desire Christ to reign over them and yet not be savingly convinced When then are you savingly convinced You are savingly convinced when you can believe Christ died for you Mr. Robert Page At Willingham he preached That Christians must not try themselves by marks and signs of Grace this is as if a person should shut the doors and windows of his house to let in more light and produced Matth. 12. 38 39. to reprove this way of Heart-examination which he said lay with awe upon his spirit and he could not but mention it viz. An evil and adulterous Generation seek after a sign Adding Oh Generation of Professors I may say of Preachers that seek after a sign Mr. Marshall Mr. Gunton Some will tell you you must examin your selves whether you be in the Faith or no But I say look for no marks but a risen Jesus seek no other Mr. Negus Some will put you upon trying your state by such marks as Sincerity Universal Obedience Love to the
like the Merchant's Ship fetcheth its Goods from far even from Jesus at the Right-Hand of the Father We are apter to tabernacle within than to go out of Self for a Supply continually which is swimming against Wind and Tide going contrary to Sence and Humane Wisdom it is that that Flesh and Blood knoweth not Lastly Since Marks and Signs shine only in the Light of Faith and Faith shineth not but when it looketh directly to its Object the Grace that is in Christ Jesus then so to Examine our Faith when we cease to Act Faith is as if One should put out a Candle to see whether it burneth or not or to shut close the Doors and Windows to see whether the Room be light This I have preached at Willingham or to this effect though the Witnesses have made a woful Blunder about it Sanctification is no Evidence of Justification Faith and its Effects have a great share in Gospel-Holiness and sure they are Signs of Justification But such Holiness as they plead for is no Holiness and therefore no Evidence of Justification Animadversions on the foregoing Head IT is Remarkable Accusations under this Head tend to support these Two following Principles 1. That Divine Illumination is not of the Essence of Saving-Faith 2. To over-turn the Faith of Assurance or to set up one that 's not known in the Scripture and that can be of no use to Believers But I shall prove that Divine Illumination is of the Essence of saving-Saving-Faith For 1st None can believe on what they know not None can see a need of Christ nor fly unto him but they whose Eyes have been opened by the Spirit to see the Beauty Excellency and Necessity of Christ Jesus Therefore Faith is not a blind Consent to the Will only 2dly As the Spirit does work in this Faith he is called the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of him that is Christ Eph. 1. 17. His Office is to open and enlighten the Eyes of the Understanding ver 18. As also to take the things of Christ and shew unto the Soul Joh. 16. 14. And to make known unto Believers the Mystery of his Will Eph. 1. 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purchased to himself 3dly Faith it self is called a Revelation of Christ in the Soul Gal. 1. 15 16. But when it pleased God to separate me from my mother's womb and called me by his Grace ver 16. To reveal his Son in me is also called the Assurance of Understanding Col. 2. 2. That their hearts may be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ I might add more Reasons but I judge these sufficient But observe I do not make Faith to be only a Divine Natural Illumination or Understanding but also an Act of the Will divinely perswaded accepting of and leaning on Christ As to the Second thing I must confess the new coin'd Faith of Assurance I do not understand to wie That it is when a Christian can find such and such Marks in himself and these in sincerity then he may be assured of his Salvation and this without any mention made of looking to Christ or leaning on him in the very Act of Assurance But I find no Foot steps of such a Faith in the Scripture These are my Arguments against it Arg. 1. The Object of Saving-Faith is Christ once Crucified now at the Father's Right-Hand But this sort of Faith of Assurance sets up a Christ within a Quaker's Christ as the Object of Faith Arg. 2. If it be granted that this Faith of Assurance takes its Grounds and Denomination from as Reflect Act of Faith yet a Reflect Act of Faith is but a Repercussion upon the Conscience of that Light that shines in a direct Act of Faith so that there can be no true Marks and Signs without Faith in that moment exercis'd He that doth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought of God Joh. 3. 21. So then they that bid People try their Faith by looking within and not bidding them at that time look to Christ and that first put them in my Judgment upon an impossible Test Arg. 3. As there can be no real Marks and Signs without Faith exercis'd upon the Object so to put People upon examining the Sincerity of their supposed Marks and Signs is yet to make the Matter ten times more difficult and perplexing to the Soul Gospel-Sincerity I find in Scripture to be this viz. To mix nothing with Christ and his Righteousness in our Justification 〈◊〉 and to have right Principles Means Aims and Ends in carrying of Sanctification 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. comp together Arg. 4. They that would examine their Faith whether it be sincere by Marks and Signs without Faith in the Exercise must have a Second Mark to know the First a Third to prove the Second and a Fourth to prove the Third and so ad infinitum Hence it is that poor Souls are quite be wilder'd to bring the Matter to a determinate issue so that despairing of making their Calling and Election sure they content themselves with lazy faint and languid Hopes which have no good bottom or else what is worst of all they embrace a Cloud instead of this Assurance I shall humbly offer my Judgment of Faith of Assurance as I find it in Scripture 1. I do not deny but that when we sensibly feel our inward Grace shining in the Light of Faith we may from thence together with the Evidence of Faith inferr the Certainty of our Believing as when we sensibly perceive our Love to Christ flowing from our Faith in him we may thence conclude we have the Faith of God's Elect and so of other Graces But perhaps this is but seldom the frame of a Believer's Spirit and yet he ought when he walks in the dark to hold fast his Confidence Therefore there must needs be that that is true Assurance though not so high and so sensible as this And 1st I find in Scripture it is a strong and constant reliance upon the Ability and Faithfulness of Christ as to the Grace promised This you have instanced in Abraham's Faith Rom. 4. 20 21. He stagger'd not at the promises of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory to God And in ver 21. And was fully perswaded that what he had promised he was also able to perform So also instanced in the Faith of Sarah Heb. 11. 11. Through faith also Sarah her self received strength to conceive seed and was delivered of a child when she was past age because she judged him faithful that had promised So therefore in both these Instances you may see that this their Assurance was grounded upon the Ability and Faithfulness of the Promiser It is
an Advocate with the Father for us always even when we sin and pleading his Propitiatory Sacrifice unchangably on our behalf 1 John 1. 2. Compared with Heb. 7. 24. Tho' we vary and change in our Frames and in the Exercise of Grace yet it is well for us he never changeth nor the Righteousness of his Son He is God and changeth not therefore c. Mal. 3. 6. There must be no more Conscience of sin in Believers Such is the Nature of their Sacrifice that it ought to be so this Expression also is Scriptural Heb. 10. 2. they that cavil at me herein cavil at the words of the Holy Ghost pray let them undertake to answer him for it You would mourn You would weep Christ hath mourned Christ hath wept and you have nothing to do but accept his Grace the Righteousness by which you and I must be justified is Christ's fulfilling Adam's Covenant and Mount Sinai's Covenant and the Covenant of Grace I do not remember verbatim what hath been expressed so long since malice it self must have a better memory than I to do it but I will plainly relate my Judgment in the matter 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ is according to the Scriptures the End or Consummation of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth Rom. 10. 14. And he did as it became him to fulfill all Righteousness as their Representative 2ly This offered Righteousness must be most freely accepted as a free Gift Rom. 5. 16. We must bring no Money nor Price in our hands to purchase it Isa 55. 1. 3ly Sinners are prone to mourn and weep by way of satisfaction to Justice but what ever in that nature was Penal and Satisfactory to Justice Christ dath done and suffered Isa 53. 3 4. Heb. 5. 7. When you are discouraged with Unbelief in Duty if you can believe that Jesus is there strongly believing in Heaven for you this raiseth your Faith If you see Christ loveth for you this draweth forth your love First observe this differently Phrased in the Libell so that it seems Mr. King took the same sentence from my mouth divers ways backward and forward even as his fancy pleased to chime it The same observations I have made concerning divers of these Accusations compared with them in the Libell 2. This I affirm that this Report was heard of early by us so that I and others that heard me did recollect what I delivered and we found upon such Recollection that my words were wrested and misconstrued but that I expressed my self to this Effect 1mo That Christ as our Representative fulfilled all Righteousness as is aforementioned That Christ believed and believed as our Representative Dr. Goodwin undeniably proves in his Triumph of Faith 2ly That the Graces of the Spirit he perfectly exercised as man cometh within the Compass of our Imputed Righteousness that all the Righteousness he fulfilld on Earth he carried with him to Heaven when he entred once for all not without Blood where he eternally presenteth them to the Father as the matter of our Justification and they are the Pleas he useth in his Intercession the Faith and Love and other Graces he exercised when on Earth are now in Heaven where he is 3ly Believers may take Comfort by veiwing through Faith not only their Persons but Performances covered in his Righteousness and see all their Guilt done away in his Blood see their Imperfect Obedience cover'd with his perfect Obedience This is the Summ of what was delivered and this I will stand by To fear Sin is the way to increase it The Position I laid down was this That Unbelieving Fears of Sin distrusting the Power of Christ to keep us is an inlett into sin 1 Job 4. 18. He that feareth is not made perfect in Love so divers other places which I need not insist upon now Animadversions on the foregoing Head I Cannot but judge that the Particular Accusations under the foregoing Head do infer a pernicious design against the imputed Righteousness of the Son of God viz. 1. That this Righteousness taketh not in the Active as well as the Passive Obedience of Christ which is a Principle which hath been lately minted in Opposition to the Current of Orthodox Writers to the various Confessions of Faith of the Protestants since the Reformation and to the Word of God which hath been already proved in part Therefore I shall only add this following Argument 1. The Law of God must be either satisfied or defeated in its intents and to defeat the intent of such a Holy Righteous Just Law is Antinomianism with a Witness which puteth a great Affront upon the Law-giver 2ly The Primary intent of God's Law is perfect Obedience and without perfect Obedience the Law of God cannot be satisfied 3ly Unless the Law can be satisfied there is no man living can be justified according to the Tenour of it and unless a sinner is justified he cannot be saved 4ly There is no sinner can plead satisfaction made unto it in his own proper Person therefore he must plead the satisfaction given by his Surety and Representative in his stead who fully satisfied as well the demands of it as the Penalty therefore through Faith we establish the Law Rom. 3. 31. and give it the highest Honour by offering to the Law-giver the perfect and God-like Obedience of his Son thereunto 2dly This last Head seemeth to have a bad intent to eclipse God's Act of Imputation by which this Righteousness is so made over to us for our highest Benefit and Advantages as if we our selves had wrought it out All this resulteth to Believers by virtue of Union to the Person of Christ and accepting the Union of Three Persons in One God and of Two Natures in One Person This Union is most unexpressibly great bating those Two fore-mentioned Unions we may speak as high of it and conceive as high of it as possible By virtue of the First Union God the Second Person is Equal with the Father and so the Third Co-equal with the Two former By virtue of the Second Union the Man Christ Jesus becometh the Redeemer the Mediator the Saviour Head over all Prince of Life Lord of Glory But it is Blasphemy to attribute any of this to any Believer by Virtue of a Third Union it is Blasphemy to say We are Godded with God Christed with Christ or that we become Saviours and Redeemers c. Yet however this 3d. Union conferreth great Titles and Privileges upon Believers according to the Scriptures As nothing can be spoken too high of the Righteousness of Christ so the Holy Scriptures of Truth do speak very magnificently of those that are cloathed with it They are said to be made Kings and Priests to God and the Father Rev. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 6. A Holy Priesthood ver 9. A Chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood an Holy Nation a Peculiar People As to Christ they are called Members of his Body Ephes 5. 30. 1
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
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 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