specialâ— mercies and particular experienceâ— that the Lord hath done for a beleever when his soule was broughâ— into great adversity and when the Lord delivered him the Spirit oâ— God in the dayes of his mirth bringeth into his mind and causeth him with heart and lips to blesse thâ— Lord in the Congregation for his mercies received Thus Hannah that was barren â—he Lord made to keep house and â—o be the joyfull mother of a sonne â—ingeth her song of praise 1 Sam. 2. â— My heart rejoyceth in the Lord my â—orne is exalted in the Lord my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies because â— rejoyce in thy salvation Mary the mother of Jesus singeth her Magnificat My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour Luk. 1. 46 47. So when the Lord had made good unto old Zacharias what hee had foretold him concerning his sonne John Luk. 1. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20. being filled with the Spirit breaketh forth into his Eucharistia of praise Luk. 1. 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for hee hath visited and redeemed his people Yea and old aged Simeon singeth his Nunc dimittis Lord let thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seene thy salvation Nay King David upon his harâ— warbles out the speciall mercies and favours and deliverances Goâ— had done for his soule Psal 103 Blesse the Lord O my soule and 〈◊〉 within mee blesse his holy Name Blesâ— the Lord O my soule and forget 〈◊〉 all his benefits Who forgiveth all thiâ—â—â— iniquities who healeth all thy diseases Who redeemeth thy life from destruction who crowneth thee with lovinâ— kindnesses and tender mercies â— Nay the Psalmist exhorteth thâ— Traveller the sicke man and thâ— Mariner to praise God for theiâ— speciall mercies received Psal 107. Hence holy Paul saith I will praâ— with the spirit and I will pray witâ— understanding also I will sing witâ— the spirit and I will sing with underâ—standing also Else when thou shalâ— blesse with the spirit how shall he whicâ— occupieth the roome of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks â— Cor. 14. 15 16. So that to sing blesse and give thanks in the language of holy Scripture is all one Hence as spirituall Prayer is a Sacrifice Psal 141. 2. offered up unto God our Father in the name of Christ to comfort solace and cure a sad and grieved spirit so spirituall praise is a Sacrifice tendered to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ through Christ Heb. 13. 16. by a merry and rejoycing Spirit for the speciall mercies and blessings spirituall and temporall that the Lord hath bountifully bestowed on him According to that of the Apostle Iames Is any afflicted amongst yoâ— let him pray Is any merry amongst you let him sing James 5. 13. 3. Thirdly Sacrifice is a broâ—en and a contrite heart for his sins and his dayly failings he hath committed against a crucified Jesus when God powreth upon his people the Spirit of grace and supplication Zech. 12. 10. The more the Spirit of Christ openeth the eyes of their spirituall understanding to looke up by faith upon a Jesus who for their sinnes was peirced the more will their hearts bee pierced with godly sorrow for their sinnes which bringeth repentance to salvation never to be repented of 2 Cor. 7. 10 11. and to loath themselves in their owne eyes for all their spirituall and corporall abominations Ezek. 36. Hence beleeving David the King that sorrowed after a godly manner for all his iniquities said The sacrifices of God are a troubled spirit A broken and contrite heart for sinne oâ— God thou wilt not despise Psalm 51. 17. 4. Sacrifice is a free ready and cheerefull contribution to the poorâ— and needy members of Christ Hebr. 13. 16. To doe good and distribute forget not for with such a sacrifice God is well pleased Phil. 4. 18. 5. Sacrifice is an holy life which the Spirit of Christ formeth in us Rom. 12. 1. I beseech you brethren upon the mercifulnesse of God that yee present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God which is your reasonable service 1 Cor. 6. 20. Yee are bought with a price glorifie God therefore in body and spirits which are Gods Thirdly The Altar that sanctifieth the person and the Sacrifice and maketh them both acceptable unto God Is Jesus the Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. Yee also as lively stones that have received life from Jesus the living stone are built up a spirituall house and holy Priest-hood to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ To this Spirituall House or Church of the New Testament gathered according to the royall Commission of King Jesus Matth. 28. 18 19 20. as the Churches in Judea in Rome Corinth Galatia Ephesus c. were constituted The Promises were made First that God would bee a Father to all those that did obey his voice and come out from among the Jewes Heathens and Gentiles and separate from their false waies and superstitious worship and touch not the uncleane thing and he will receive you And yee shall be his Sonnes and Daughters saith the Lord the Almighty 2 Corinth 6. 17 18. Secondly for all the defects that these commit against his Spirituall worship they have this promise The bloud of Iesus Christ his Sonne clenseth them from all their sinnes 1 Iohn 1. 7. 1 Iohn 2. 1 2. Thirdly So many as have been bâ—ptized into the name of the Lord Jesus that is into the profession of Faith that the Apostles taught to wit that men should beleeve in a Crucified dead and risen Jesus whom God hath exalted to be Lord and Christ had the promise of receiving the gifts of the holy Spirit How prove you that to this Faith and Baptisme the gift of the holy Spirit was granted Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sinnes and yee shall receive the gâ—fts of the holy Spirit For the promise of giving the holy Spirit is to you and to your children as Joel the Prophet foretold I will powre out my spirit upon all flesh and your Sonnes and Daughters shall prophesie and your old men shall dreame Dreames and your young men shall see Vâ—sions and also upon the servants and upon the handmaides in those daies I will powre out my spirit Joel 2. â—8 â—9 And all that are a farre off even so many as the Lord our God shall call verse 29. and to the twelve in Asia â—he promise was made good Acts 19. 5 6 7. And when this Spirit is come he will guid thee into all truth for he shall not speake of himselfe but whatsoever he shall heare that shall â—ee speake and he will shew them things to come John 16. 13. Yea to be to the whole Church as a River that shall make glad the City of God Psal 46. 4. compared with John 7. 37. If any man thirst let him come
Christ I Iohn 2. 22. and will be partakers of their sinnes wee shall bee partakers of their plagues Revel 18. 4. And for our unbeliefe in persisting to persecute them that contend for the faith of Jesus the Christ Math. 16 16 17 18. The wrath of God abideth on them 1 Thess 2. 14 15 16. Fiftly There is no promise to any people that deny the Faith and Baptisme of Jesus the Christ that they waiting shall receive the gifts of the Spirit But rather that they shall be given up of God to strong delusions to beleeve a lye 2 Thess 2. 10. Because they received not the love of the truth that they might bee saved Verse 11. For this cause God shall give them up to strong delusions to beleeve a lye Verse 12. That all might bee damned that beleeve not the truth but have pleasure to continue in unrighteous practises 2 Thess 2 10 11 12. But there is a promise to all poore enquiring soules that in the time of their ignorance and unbeliefe have denyed Jesus the Christ their eternall King and Prophet aswell as Priest and now by the Spirit of God being convicted that they are lyars and Antichristian that deny the Father and the Son 1 Iohn 2. 22. And being pricked at the heart now trembling cry out Men and brethren what shall we doe The Spirit of Christ in the inspired Scripture saith Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus for the remission of sins and yee shall receive the gifts of the holy Spirit Acts 2. 38. We have an instance of twelve Disciples found at Ephesus baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and and Paul laid his hands on them and they spake with new tongues and Prophesied as Ioel the Prophet foretold Ioel 2. 28. I will powre out of my Spirit upon all flesh c. But were those Disciples Paul found at Ephesus that had beene baptized by Iohn the Paptist rebaptized by Paul In answering this objection I conceive First there was a vast difference betweene Faith and Baptisme Iohn preached before the suffering death and resurrection of Christ And the Faith and Baptisine Christ commanded his Disciples to preach after his Resurrection Luke 24. 46 47. Secondly Iohn the Baptist preached the Baptisme of repentance saying that they should beleeve on him that was to come after him Acts 19. 3 4. Whom Christ himselfe declareth to his Apostles being come in the flesh that he must goe up to Ierusalem fall into the hands of sinners bee killed and the third day rise againe but thâ— Disciples understood it not though it were declared to them and they were afraid to aske him Mark 9. 31 32. Much more John understood not that Christ should dye and rise againe from the dead First because it was not revealed to him though John sent two of his Disciples to demand of him Whether it were he that should come or shall we looke for another Christ answereth Goe tell John the blind see he deafe heare the dead are raised and the poore the Gospell is preached and lessed is he that is not offended in me Math. 11 2 3 4 5 6. Secondly Christ saith of John This was that Elias that was to come â—hat should prepare the way before him Mal. 3. 1. Thirdly Hee was the greatest Prophet borne amongst women for he saw him come in the flesh and said to two Disciples Behold that Lamb â—f God which taketh away the sinnes of he world John 1. 29. Yet hee that is he least member in the kingdom of heaven is greater then John because after the death and resurrection of Christ they could preach and declare that great mystâ—ry of godtinesse 1 Tim. 3. 16. that Iohn the Baptistnever knew But the Apostles after the resurrection of Christ he having opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures said unto them That it behoveth Christ to suffer and rise againe the third day that repentance and remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name amongst all Nations beginning at Ierusalem and yee are witnesses of these things Luke 24. 46 47 48. Again Iohn the Baptists baptisme was the Baptisme of water onely but had no promise of the holy Spirit annexed as himselfe confesseth Math. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water to repentance But he that commeth after mee is mightier then I he shall Baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire Secondly The holy Spirit waâ— not to bee given in his full measure untill Christ was glorified Iohn 7. 39 compared with Acts 2. 33. But to the Faith and Baptisme the Apostles preached after the death and resurrection and ascention of Christ into glory there was a promise of giving the gifts of the holy Spirit Acts 2. 38. Repent and bâ— Baptized every one of you in the namâ— of Iesus for the remission of sinnes and yee shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as the Prophet Ioel foretold Ioel 2. 28. and the twelve at Ephesus received Acts 19. 6. I affirme that the twelve at Eâ—hesus that had beene Baptized by Iohn or his Disciples Ministry were re-baptized by Paul or them that were with him in the time of his Ministery for these ensuing Reasons First In respect of the different dispensations The Faith and Baptisme that these twelve had received from Iohn or his Disciples Ministerie though it was a saving Faith all the dayes of Iohn and his Disciples Ministry yet it was not a saving Faith after the death and resurrection and ascention of Christ into glory in the time of Pauls Ministery For Iohn and his Disciples preached the Baptisme of Repentance saying that they should beleeve on him that was to come after him that was in Jesus Christ that was to bee crucified But Paul and Timetheus preached that Jesus indeed is come and crucified dead and risen through whom all that beleeve shall have remission of sinnes Acts 13. 38 39. 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Secondly Because this Faith that they had received from Iohn or his Disciples in the time of Pauls Ministery would not save them Because they denyed the Resurrection of Christ from the dead Looking onely for him to come and to be crucified and were ignorant that he was crucified dead and risen And then according to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit by the mouth of Paul 1 Cor. 15. 14. If Christ be not risen our Faith is vaine and our Preaching is vaine Thirdly If the Faith and Bapâ—isme of Iohn that declared that there was a Jesus to come to bee Crucified and the Faith and Baptimse of Paul that declareth that Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures and rose againe the third day according to the Scripture 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Be all one for substance as some of the Learned amongst us affirme then are wee found false witnesses of God because wee have testified of God that he hath raised up his Sonne Iesus
had accompanied with him from the time of Iohns Baptisme untill the time of Christs ascension into glory that had been baptized were they also Re-baptized after the death and resurrection of Christ The Answer is Nay Because they had the promise of the holy Spirit to be given them without any more baptizing with water Acts 1. 5. Iohn truly baptized with water but yee shall be baptized with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence And the Lord made good his word of promise they were filled with the holy Spirit when the dayes of Pentecost were fully come Acts 2. 2 3 4 5. Thus I have answered the Objections Because If two Disciples of Christ agree together in earth touching any thing that they shall ask they have promise it shall bee done for them of his Father in heaven Mat. 18. 19. But there is no promise to any people in faith and order but a people agreed Reas 1. Because two cannot walk together unlesse they be agreed Amos 3. 3. neither can the heart of two beleevers truly consent to pray together unlesse they bee agreed touching the things they will ask of the Father of glory Reas 2. Difference of opinion causeth difference of affection and is an occasion of many deare and precious soules to withdraw communion as is to be seen in Barnabas and Paul dissenting about the choyce of a companion the contention grew so hot that they separated the one from the other Acts 15. 37 38 39 40. Two or three Disciples of Christ gathered together in his name that is by his power authority and royall Commission where-soever whether in the mountaine or in the desert or in ship or in the dungeon there will Christ be in the midst of them to heare and grant their petitions or deliver them out of trouble as he did Peter out of the prison at the intercession of the Church Act. 12. To all such as walk in this Gospel faith and order the Lord Jesus hath promised a greater manifestation of his presence and Spirit Joh. 14. 26. And John in the Island of Pathmos â—ound it Revel 1. 9 10. Yea and to all them that love him and keep his commandements the Father and the Sonne hath promised to owne their poor hearts to be his Temple and Palace where hee will abide and dwell Joh. 14. 23. Lastly All such as are congregated in Gospel faith and order have a promise from King Jesus of Royall Protection in their greatest dangers Heb. 13. 5 6. So that with the Prophet Habacuck they can glory in Christ in their greatest extremities Hab. 3. 17 18. Though the vine doe not yeeld her fruit and the fatnesse of the olive faile and the herd perish from the stall yet will I joy in the Lord and rejoyce in the God of my salvation But is there any hope to see the Nation of England reformed according to the Primitive pattern founded upon the word of the eternall Truth Ephes 2. 20. Yea. First Because there was never a more exact Covenant taken in no Realme or Nation since the dayes of zealous Josiah 2 Chron. 34. 31. and Nehemiah Nehem. 10. 29. than is in these our dayes to see a through Reformation in England and Ireland according to the word of God and to extirpate Popery Prelacy Superstition Schisme Heâ—esie in Doctrine Worship and Discipline that the Lord should be one and his Name one in the â—hree Kingdomes So that we are â—ot to leave so much as an hoofe behind us of any Superstition or Romish relique or any humane Tradition in Gods worship to be â—etained though it have remained â—nder the venerable garbe of Anâ—iquity Universality and Unity â—he three great pillars of the Roman Hierarchy Secondly Because there are in â—he Synod some learned pious tenâ—er conscientious men that in the â—ayes of the cruell and ambitious Prelates like the Priest and Levites 〈◊〉 the dayes of idolatrous Jeroboâ—m that served the Devils and the Calves hee made 2 Chron. 11. 13 14 â—5 left all their maintenance and went and lived in a strange land to enjoy the liberties of a good conscience and worship the Lord Jesus according to the light they had received that are at this day truly sensible what a burden thâ— Penall Statutes have beene in ouâ— Land in former times to tendeâ— consciences that desire without any sinister ends to see a Reformation according to Gods word therefore will never consent tâ— have such a Penall Law enacted as the Prelates of England oncâ— obtained by fraud and policy in the dayes of Richard the Second to kill the English Subjects that would declare the whole truth oâ— God so farre as it was revealed to them and keep a good consciencâ— toward God and man which occasioned the death of some of thâ— Nobility Gentry and Ministery in the Nation with many other of inferiour rank Thirdly There are in the higâ—â— and honourable Court of Parliament some such conscientious tender-hearted men that in the Preâ—ates dayes left if not sold their â—ossessions to goe into a desolate â—ildernesse to worship the Lord â—esus in spirit and truth according â—o the light God revealed unto â—hem and many other were folâ—owing after that are truly sensiâ—le that it hath ever been a plot of the Bishops and Priests to labour â—o enthrall the English Nobility and Commons in Parliament to â—â—ake Lawes to kill and imprison â—he conscientious in the Land that â—oe desire to worship the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in spirit and â—ruth according to his revealed will in his owne word under the speâ—ious pretences of unity and uniformity in the worship of God as â—he Statutes of K. Henry 8. K. Edward 6. Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth â—eclare Fourthly It is obvious to every well-affected Subject in the English Nation that when our Brethren that noble ancient warlike Nation the Scots contended for a Reformation according to the light they haâ— received and casting off Rome proud Papall and Prelaticall Government with all their deviseâ— formes of Worship they must havâ— dyed the English Prelates had sâ— farre incensed his Majesty against them and raised large summes oâ— money toward the levying of aâ— Army to kill and destroy them had not the Lord by his specialâ— providence prevented it Fifthly When the Lord opened the eyes of our deare and thricâ— noble Patriots of our Countrey assembled in Parliament to make a solemne Protestation to opposâ— all Popery and Popish innovations and to extirpate Episcopacy root and branch as a Plant thâ— heavenly Father never planted Then evill counsell prevailed with the King to withdraw from his Parliament and under the pretence of a Guard to protect his Person to make warre against his Parliament that they should dye But our faithfull Nobles and true hearted Commons in England reply Shall our Ionathans dye who have in part freed our consciences from Roman Traditions and ancient corrupt Festivals and covenanted with us for a
and shew it unto you Joh. 16. 14. Nor will he so much dishonour the righteousnesse and grace of the Father of glory as first to pronounce and declare us justified in the sight of our owne righteousnesse In Mat. 7. from verse 16. to 20. The tree is knowne by his fruit True to others but not unto himselfe If a tree could know it selfe it would first come to know it selfe by seeing upon what root it grew before it came to see what fruit it did beare Joh. 15. 1 2 3 4 5. But this Doctrine is new it is not ancient nor gray-headed The Doctrines of the Covenant of free-grace are ever new because they are the Doctrines of the New-Covenant which can never waxe old should it once waxe old it would soone vanish away Heb. 8. from vers 8. to 13. though it be as ancient as Abraham yea as Adam for hee had his first comfort and assurance in an absolute promise of free-grace Gen. 3. 15. yet it hath ever seemed new in every age Augustines Doctrine of Conversion that is of grace and not of free-will Luthers Doctrine of Justification that is of faith not of works Calvins Doctrine of Predestination that is of grace not of faith and works fore-seen were all of them thought new Doctrines in their times and yet all of them the ancient truths of the everlasting Covenant of grace And surely for this Doctrine in hand Calvin is as clear as my hearts desire to God is wee all might be his words have been partly rehearfed before in the answer of some Objections and partly in my large Answer to your Reply Bellarmine taketh it to be the generall Doctrine of the Lutherans That Assurance of faith goeth before works and doth not follow after Institnt lib. 3. cap. 9. And Pareus in answer unto him saith That though there be an assurance that followeth good works yet the former assurance from the witnesse of the Spirit goeth before And seeing they that are the chief Reformers of the Protestant Assemblies doe generally make sanctification a fruit of faith and doe define faith to be A speciall assurance of mercy in Christ it must needs be out of controversie their judgement That a man receiveth his first assurance not from his sanctification which they make to be an effect flowing from it but from an higher principle even from the grace of the Father and the righteousnesse of the Sonne the Lord Jesus Christ and witnessed by the holy Spirit Bilney in the Book of Martyrs in his Epistle to B. Tuâ—stall relating the manner of his conversion proâ—ested That when hee had wearied himself in many superstitious works of fasting and Popish pennance hee received at last his first assurance from that place in Timothy 1 Tim. 1. 15. hee calleth it a most sweet word unto him This is a true saying and worthy of all men to be received Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the chiefe A word from an absolute promise set home unto him by the â—oly Spirit without respect of any sanctification formerly wrought or seene in him Alas how farre are they mistaken that thinke the contrary Doctrine hath beene sealed with the bloud of Martyrs Zancheus his judgement though he was a godly and an eminent learned man yet I would not have named him but that Mr. Perkins highly approved his discourse and translated it as a choyce piece into his owne Volume which maketh it obvious to every godly Reader that studieth Perkins learned Workes Page 429. the first testimony saith Zanchey and Porâ—ius for him by which God assureth us of our election is that inward testimony of the Spirit of which the Apostle Paul speaketh Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit witnesseth to our spirits that wee are the sonnes of God And afterward comming to give some direction how a man may know whether this testimony be true and proceedeth from the holy Spirit or no. Hee answereth Page 433. three waies First A man may know it first by the perswasion it selfe Secondly By the manner of its perswasion Thirdly By the effects For the first the holy Spirit doth not simply say it but doth perswade with us that we are the sonnes of God And no flesh can doe it againe By reasons drawne not from our worke or from any worthinesse in us but from the alone goodnesse of God the Father and the grace of Christ freely bestowed and in this manner the Devill will never perswade any man The perswasion of the holy Spirit is full of power for they which are perswaded that they are the sons of God cannot but must needs call him Father and in regard of love to him do hate sinne and on the contrary they have a sound hearty desire to do his Word and Will revealed For the second Answer to the imputation of Novelty Either saith John Cotton I am exceedingly deceived or it justly falleth upon the contrary Doctrine and they are much mistaken that think otherwise I never read it to my best remembrance in any Author olde oâ— new that ever a man received his first evidence of the faith of his Justification from his Sanctification unlesse it be one whom I met with within these two dayes Printed within these two yeares that maintaineth our first comfort of Justification from Sanctification But â—enerally all our English Orthodox Teachers doe oppose it Amongst the English Teachers one for ought I know did more â—dvance the Doctrine of Marks and â—ignes then Master Nicholas Byfield â—â—d yet he himselfe professeth that â—umane reason cannot beleeve such â—reat things from God from any â—â—ing that is in us But onely beâ—use we having the Word of God â—suring such happinesse unto such â— lay hold upon the promises conâ—ined in it So that it is that which â—eedeth Faith or as he calleth it â—e perswasion of our good estatesâ—et notwithstanding saith he the â—â—surance of Faith is much increased â—â—d confirmed by Signes the forâ—er part of which speech touchâ—â—g the first begettings of the assuâ—â—nce of Faith consenteth with me the latter concerning the increasing and confirming of the assuranceâ— argueth plainely his consent thuâ— farre also that he meant not that thâ— assurance of the Faith of Justification should spring from Sanctification But when he would have thâ— assurance of Faith to bee increaseâ— and confirmed by the light 〈◊〉 Signes I would not refuse it 〈◊〉 by the assurance of Faith hâ—â— meanes onely assurance of Knowledge or if he meaneth onely aâ—surance of Faith properly so caâ—led I would then put in this caâ—tion That then the Spirit of Goâ— himfelfe had need by his owne tâ—stimony to reveale our justificatâ—on unto us and Gods free grace 〈◊〉 accepting us in Christ or else it 〈◊〉 not Word nor Worke nor tâ—â— light of a renewed conscience thâ—â— can increase or confirme the assâ—rance of Faith of our Justificatioâ— But only the manifestation of Goâ— Free-grace in a Divine testimony â—atified by his owne
is for the Christ that Messiah which was to come but onely for the Carpenters sonne Matth. 13. 58. The reason was because none could understand that Mystery but they onely to whom the Father of heaven revealed it Matth. 11. 14. Hence when Jesus demanded of his Disciples Whom doe men say that I the Sonne of Man am Peter answereth thou art the Christ the Sonne of the living God Jesus answereth Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona for flesh and blood hatb not revealed this unto thee but my Father in heaven And thou art Peter and upon this Rock Jesus the Christ whom thou hast confessed I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. 16 17 18. Many for fear durst not in those dayes confesse Jesus to be the Christ Instance the Parents of the blind man Because the Jewes had agreed that if any did confesse that hee was the Christ He should be put out of the Synagogue John 9. 22. But so many as recived him viz. to be the Christ to them he gave power to be called the sons of God even to them that beleeve in his name which were borne not of bloud nor of the will of the flesh nor of thâ— will of man But of God John 1. 12 13 And as for that other Text of the holy Scripture that doth universally oppose it the heavenly Father gave me thus to interpret it 1 John 2. 22. Who is a lyar viz â—orne of the evill one who is a lyar and the father of lyes and abode not in the truth John 8. 14. But hee that denieth that JESUS whom hee confesseth dyed for his sinnes and rose againe the third day according to the Scriptures Is not the Christ viz. the annointed King and Prophet of his Church in all his outward administrations and institutions in admitting of Members into his spirituall Kingdome according to his royall Commission Matth. 28. 18 19. Mark 15. 15 16. though he acknowledge him to be his eternall Priest that ever liveth to make intercession to God for him Heb. 7. 25. He is that Antichrist viz. an enemy and adversary to Jesus the Christ that denieth the Father and the Sonne He that denieth the Sonnes Authority to bee the eternall King and his Commission to bee in force Matth. 28. 18 19 20. Mark 15. 15 16. and to be the eternall Prophet and his word to be the eternall rule for Doctrine and Gouernement aswall as his eternall Priest to reconcile him to God Denieth the Father that sanctified the Sonne and sent him into the World John 10. 36. and raised him from the dead and exalted him to bee Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. Hence it is my Honoured friend First that in all my writings I have studied to exalt Jesus the Christ it being the Primitive Faith once given to the Saints Math. 16. 16. Secondly to distinguish Jesus the Christ from all others named with the name of Jesus in Scripture Record as Joshua is called Jesus Hebr. 4. 8. c. others Thirdly because I find the Scriptures giving that Title to him in divers places John confesseth I am not the Christ John 1. 20. The Woman of Samaria said I know the Messiah commeth which is called the Christ John 4. 25. Apollos mightily convinced the Jewes shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ Acts 18. 28. Now that I received from the Lord I could not but make knowne to you You being one of the tender hearted Loyall Covenanters a Member of that High and Honourable Court under whose shade Conscientious Covenantours that contend for the faith of Jesus the Christ once given to the Saints find rest Know worthy Sir that the departure from the faith of Jesus the Christ is a cause of so many Schismes and Heresies maintained in the earth Disdaine not therefore to read a little Treatise called the Difference betweene the Christian and Antichristian Church Deliniated according to the Scripture Record though the truth therein contained like the Two witnesses Revel 11. 3. have long mourned in Sackcloth Yet if God give you an heart to receive it It will be a Jewell surpassing all earthly Treasure For if Iesus the Christ bee your Prophet to teach you his heavenly Father will Matth. 17. 5. Acts 3. 22. 23. He will then be your King to protect you Matth 28. 20. Your Priest to intercede for you Joh. 27. 20. Your Judge to acquit you Joh. 12. 48. and if the love of Christ draw you to keepe all his Commandements though in the world you meet with afâ—liction for his sake yet in Christ you shall find peace for the Father Son and Spirit will dwell in your heart and take it for the Sanctum Sanctorum where they will abide to cheer and refresh you Joh. 14. 23. And if you confesse him in this world before men He will confesse you before his Father and proclaime it to your eternall peace and comfort Euge bone serve Well done thou good and faithfull servant enter into your Masters joy Matth. 25. 21. Orpington in Kent the tenth Moneth the first day 1645. Yours who contendeth for the faith of Jesus the Christ FRANCIS CORNWELL To all loyall Covenanters contending for the Faith of JESUS the CHRIST once given to the Saints Mat. 16. 16 17. CVrteous Reader be not too censorious concerning him that is the Publisher of this little Treatise stiled The difference between the Christian and Antichristian Church as if hee condemned the Ages and Generations that are past as in a lost condition because he saith they have built their house upon wood and hay and stubble and not upon the sure rock Jesus the Christ Farre be it from him to judge so â—ashly of the Ages and Generations past or present concerning their finall estate for â—ee is commanded to judge no man before â—he time knowing that they stand and fall to their owne Master And wee shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ And then and there every one shall give an account for himselfe to God Rom. 14. 4 10 12. Knowing as it is recorded in the inspired Scriptures that If any man build upon this foundation Jesus the Christ gold silver precious stones wood hay stubble Every mans work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and thâ— fire shall try every mans worke If any mans worke abide which hee hath builâ— thereon hee shall receive a reward If any mans work shall be burnt hee shall suffer losse but himselfe shall be saved yet so as by fire 1 Cor. 3. 12 13 14 15. Secondly Know that the discovery of this truth was as the vision that is his for an appointed time and is become unto us as the words of a book that is sealed which men deliver to one that is learned saying Read this I pray thee And hâ— saith I cannot for it is sealed And thâ— book is delivered to him that is not
her husband should bee spoyled of any of his royall dignities either his Kingly or Propheticall as well as Priestly Offices Shee cannot with harlot Rome bee content with a divided Christ but with the true mother shee must joyn onely with them that will have a whole Christ or no Christ Christ her King and his Commission to bee eternall Mat. 28. 18 19 20. Christ her Prophet whose voyce shee must onely heare as the Father of glory hath given her in charge to doe Mat. 17. 5. Yea and the extent how farre in all things whatsoever hee shall say Act. 3. 22. Knowing the danger followeth her soule shall be cut off from his people Act. 3. 23. reckoned no sheep of his fold Joh. 10. no Spouse of her royall husband Ephes 5. 24. as well as her eternall Priest to make intercession for her Heb 7. 25. because shee knoweth Christ divided becometh no Christ to the divider And this according to the Vulgar Latine is solvere Jesum to dissolve Jesus to receive him onely in part and not in the whole which is the spirit of Antichrist c. Lastly The Christian Church Christs loyall Spouse knoweth that her royall husband is jealous of his glory and will not endure his Worship should be corrupted with the inventions of man therefore shee deserteth the communion of all such as have forsaken Christ the fountaine of living waters and dig to themselves cisternes broken cisternes that will hold no water Hence it is as possible for light and darknesse to agree in one subject and the Temple of God and Iâ—ols as the Church that hath Christ for her head and the Word to bee the rule of her Doctrine and Government And those Congregations that are governed partly by the Word of Christ and partly by their owne T. aditions should have communion together But have Gods Elect in Babylon any power of themselves to returne out of the Land of their spirituall Captivity under Antichrist Nay Untill God enlighten them that are darke and quicken them that are dead and cause them to returne by being obedient to a Gospel Ministery as formerly he brought in our fore-fathers which were Gentiles aswell as wee and strangers from the common-wealth of Israel and Aliants from the covenant of Promise having no hope and without God in the world by opening their blind eyes and turning them from darkenesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive the remission of their sinnes and an inheritance amongst them which are sanctified by Faith in Christ Jesus Acts 26. 18. Now as many as shall bee obedient to the voice of the Lord will be unequally yoaked no more with unbeleevers but wil become obedient unto the voice of the holy Spirit and come out from amongst them and be separate and touch no more any of the uncleane thing and then the Lord will make good his promise To be a Father unto you and yee shall be his Sonnes and Daughters Having therefore these Promises dearely beloved Let us clense our selves even so many poore Iaphets as God shall perswade to dwell in the Tents of Shem from all filthynesse both of the flesh and of the spirit perfecting holynesse in the feare of the Lord 2 Cor. 6. 14 17 18. Chap. 7 1. If all Churches come out of Babylon by degrees then you condemn all Churches that are not of your judgement We condemne no Churches that are built upon the tryed stone the precious Corner Stone the sure Foundation Esay 28. 16. Jesus the Christ Seeing other foundation can no man lay save that is layd Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. Whom Paul calleth the corner stone Ephes 2. 20. Peter the living stone 1 Pet. 2. 4. Yea the chiefe corner stone elect and precious 1 Pet. 2. 6. For there is salvation in none other Acts 4. 12. 2 And that holdeth the Gospell Faith namely that they beleeve in a crucified dead and risen Jesus through whom they obtaine remission of sinnes whom God hath exalted to be Lord and Christ viz. eternall King Priest and Prophet and head of the body of his Church Ephe. 1. 22 23. which must be preached among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Luke 24. 46 47 48. And constituted according to the Commission given to the Apostles Math. 28. 19 20. which is left as a rule for the gâ—thering of all Churches to the ends of the World seeing the Word of Christ is eternall The word of the Lord endureth for ever and this is the Word which by the Gospell is preacheâ— unto you 1 Pet. 1. 25. Yea and after their apostasie under the spirituall Babylonish captivity to reforme any errour crept into the Churches of the old and new Testament It was their holy custome to reduce all things to their first Institution Quod primum verum thâ—t which was first is true according to ertullians jâ—dgement For instance so 〈◊〉 David in the miscarriage of the Arke of God 1 Chro. 15. 2. 12. 13. And it was zealous Iosiahs rule whom the Spirit of God so commeâ—deth in Scripture that none was like before him for his Reformation 2 Chrâ— 34 31. The like example tooke Nehemiah after his returne from the Babylonish Captivity Neh. 10. 29. To observe all the Commandements of the Lord and the Statutes which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them to keepe So in reforming of the particular Churches of the New Testament whereof Jesus the Christ is head King and Prophet if ever they be rightly brought out of their Spirituall Babylonish captivity under Antichrist we must reforme all the Innovations as the Lord Jesus himselfe reformed the long-spread errour of Bygamie and Polygamy Non fuit sic ab initio From the beginning it was not so Matth. 19. 7 8. Yea and we must so follow Paul as he followed Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. in reforming the abuses crept into the Church of Corinth reducing all things to the first Institution With a what I râ—ceived from the Lord that I delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 23. We condemne none that are comming out of Babylon that make enquiry after truth as the daughters of Ierusalem did of the Spouse Cant. 5. 9. What is thy beloved more then another beloved oh thou fairest among women What is thy beloved more then others beloveds that thou dost so charge us And truâ—h being râ—vealed to them joyne with us in the practise of truth as the Daughters of Ierusalem did with the Spouse Cant. 6. 1. Whither is thy beloved gone oh thou fairest among women Whither is thy beloved turned aside that we may seeke him with thee The Spouse giveth them a gentle and a loving direction Cant. 6. 2. My beloved is gone into his garden to gather Spicâ—s to feed in the garden and to gather Lillies But wee onely condemâ—e those that deny Jesus the Christ though they owne him their eternall Priest that ever liveth to make intercession to God for them Hebr. 7.
for himselfe Acts 24. 14. That after the way that you call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers beleeving all things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets Verse 15. And have an hope toward God which you your selves also allow that there shall bee a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Verse 16. And herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwaies a Conscience void of offence toward God towardman But yet this I confesse unto you that I am lesse then the least of all the Messengers of Christ for I am not worthy to bee called a Messenger or Minister for I persecuted the Church of God that professed the Faith of Jesus the Christ that held foorth all his Royall Offices King Prophet Priest according to his outward administration in admitting of Members into his Spiritual Kingdome And sided with the Antichristian Prelates and Bishops that denyed that Jesus is the Christ whom the Spirit of God calleth Lyars and Antichristians That denyeth the Father and the Sonne 1 John 2. 22. For though I with the Antichristian Bishops and Priests did acknowledge Jesus the Christ our high Priest that ever liveth to reconcile us unto God yet wee have persecuted them that hold his Kingly and Propheticall Office to be eternall aswell as his Priesthood and the gathering of his Church according to his Royall Commission Matth. 28. 18 19 20. Hence it is that Christ divided becometh no Christ to the divider this according to the Vulgar Latine Solvere Jesum to dissolue Jesus that is to receive him onely in part and not in the whole which is the spirit of Antichrist Now when the Lord opened the eyes of my understanding and convicted me of all the abominations I had done in my spirituall Captivity under Antichrist especially that I had crucified Jesus the Christ in his Members being pricked in my heart I trembling cryed what shall I doe The Spirit and the Bride the Lambes wife said Repent and be Baptized in the name of Jesus c. Then I gladly received the Word was Baptized and was added to the Church Acts 2. 38 39 40 41 42. Yet by the grace of God now I am what I am And having from some Friends received this Learned Conference kept it by mee as a precious Diamond of great worth from which my soule through the great goodnesse of God did reape much spirituall comfort And did wait hoping that some learned and faithfull friends of his would long agoe have Printed a larger and an exacter Copy of it But finding none I that am lesse then the least of all Saints could not any longer conceale it but thought with my selfe I was bound in Conscience to publish it in this learned Age wherein there is so much enquiry after truth for the benefit of poore hungry empty selfe-denying Spirits rather then such a Learned Tract of heavenly light should alwaies lye in the dust as unseene and forgotten For this cause alone I have attempted Courteous Reader to present â—o thy view this Learned Treatise Not â—hat I have any relation to that Learâ—ed man nor any command from him â—o doe it But onely in love that this his Learned Disputation might not bee â—uried in silence Read it therefore Beloved in Christ not for his sake that publisheth it but for his sake that was â—he Author of it or rather for the God â—f Truths sake For whose cause the Learned Author contendeth for the Faith in these daies wherein the Gosâ—ell of Truth hath suffered so great Ecâ—lipses through the rage and tyranny of the Popish Antichristian Prelates and Priests Thine that earnestly desireth to exalt the Lord Jesus the Christ in all his royall Offices FRAN. CORNWELL A Conference that Mr. IOHN COTTON had with the Elders of the Congregations in New-England touching three Questions that are here discussed on 1. Touching gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in the soule before faith 2. Touching the gathering of our first evident assurance of our faith from sanctification 3. Touching the active power of faith and other spirituall gifts of grace in a Christian convâ—rsation The first Question WHether there be any gracious conditions or qualifications in the soule before faith of dependance unto which such promises are made Wee deny it for these reasons If there be any gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before faith of dependance then before wee receive union with Christ The reason is For by faith of dependance it is that wee first received union with Jesus Christ Joh. 1. 12. But there be no gracious conditions wrought in us before wee received union with Jesus Christ Therefore there bee no gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before faith of dependance Minor If wee cannot bring forth good fruit till wee be good trees nor become good trees untill wee be grafted or united unto Jesus Christ then there can be no gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before wee receive union with Christ But wee cannot bring forth good fruit till wee become good trees nor become trees of righteousnesse untill wee be grafted into Jesus Christ Therefore there bee no gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before we received union with Jesus Christ The Proposition is cleare of it selfe that wee cannot bring forth good fruit untill we be good trees Mat. 7. 18. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit Nor can we become the good trees of righteousnesse of the Lords plantation Isai 61. 3. untill wee be grafted into Christ Joh. 15. 4. As the branch cannot beare fruit of it selfe except it abide in the vine no more can yee except yee abide in me Verse 5. I am the vine yâ—â— are the branches hee that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can doe nothing A second proofe of the Minor If there be any gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before union with Christ then we may be in a state of grace and salvation before we be in Christ But that cannot be Acts 4. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given amongst men whereby wee may be saved If there be any gracious condition or qualification in us before faith then there may be something in us pleasing unto God before faith But there is nothing in us pleasing unto God before faith Heb. 11. 6. But without faith it is impossible for us to please him for hee that cometh to God must beleeve that hee is and that hee is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him But there must be some saving preparatives wrought in the soule to make way for faith and our union with Christ For wee must be cut off from the old Adam before wee can be grafted into the new Wee must be dead to the first husband before we can be married unâ—o another To works of creation
denyed That power which can disanull â—e greater must needs disanull the â—â—â—er if the death of Christ put an 〈◊〉 to the heavenly Fathers Cereâ—oniall Worship and in prayer and â—aise at or before the Ark or in â—e Temple then it will put an â—nd to all mans devised Worship unlesse you will advance the authority of man above God the Father Col. 2. 20 21 22 23. If Christ by his death hath freed us from the rudiments of the world the Mosaicall Ceremonies why living in the world are wee intangled with ordinances after the doctrine traditions and commandements oâ— men But they are set up for the glory of God Not I but Paul shall answer fom me They have a shew of wisdome iâ— will-worship but it is onely a shew there is no substance in it Wee harden the obstinate Papist in their superstition for they say and that truly Wee received moâ—â— of our formes of prayer and praiâ—â— from them Wee rob the Spirit of his glory who is given to Saints to form prayer and praise in them 1 Cor. 1â— 15 16. Rom 8. 26. Gal. 4. 6. Wee impose a burthen upon 〈◊〉 conscience to be practised which God hath left arbitrary to be used according to our necessities If we be afflicted then pray if wee have tasted how bountifull the Lord hath been to us in blessings then let us praise him Jam. 5. 13. If wee frequent devised formes of Worship in prayer or praise we shall lay a stumbling block before a weak brother and cause him to fall Woe be to them that follow the way of Balaam who taught Balack to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel Revel 2. 14. Jud. v. 11. Now offences must come but woe unto the men by whom they come It were better for me that a milstone were hanged about my neck and that I were cast into the sea then that I should offend one of these little ones Luk. 17. 1 2. If wee frequent devised formes of Worship in prayer or praise we shall offend our consciences even so many of us as are Saints enlightned to behold the beauty of his spirituall Worship performed or offered in his spirituall house the Congregation of the faithfull united Now if our consciences condemne us God is greater then our consciences and hee will condemne us also 1 Joh. 3. 19. for he knoweth all things Therefore I say to you who blame us for not frequenting devised forms of Worship in prayer and praises as Shadrach Meshach and Abednego did to King Nebuchadnezzar We are not carefull to answer you in this matter Our God whom wee serve is able to deliver us out of your hand But if he will not be it known to you we will not serve your gods nor worship our God in that devised way that men set up Dan. 3. 16 17 18. It one set form of spirituall Worship in prayer and praises had been needfull Christ would have left one But the Prophets Christ the Apostles never prayed nor praised God by any set forme of Worship invented by man but by the powerfull worke of the holy Spirit Rom. 8. 26. Gal. 4. 6. A set forme of Worship prescribed in prayer or praises cannot in prayer expresse the severall necessities of Gods people for the more grace they have the more they see their owne wants and the more sensible they are of their owne infirmities corruptions and sinnes Neither can it in praises expresse the manifold experiences that the Saints daily observe of Gods mercifull dealing with them Therefore a set Forme of prayer or praises to Gods Saints and faithfull ones principled with a spirit of prayer and praise it is altogether unusefull 1 Cor. 14. 15 16. Soli Deo honor gloria FINIS A DESCRIPTION OF THE Spirituall TEMPLE OR THE SPOUSE Prepared for the LAMBE The LORD JESUS Written by FRANCIS CORNWEL a Minister and Servant of Jesus the Christ for the benefit of poore distressed conscences in City and Countrey LONDON Printed by John Dawson 1646. TO THE HONOVRABLE and the true lover of all conscientious Covenantours that stand up for a through Reformation according to the word of our good God in England and Ireland CORNELIUS HOLLAND Esquire a Member of the House of Commons Assembled in Parliament SIR DAvid describeth the godly man by his pleasure and by his paines First the pleasure of the godly man in these words He delighteth in the Law of the Lord. Secondly the paines of the godly man And in that Law he meditateth day and night not only in the day appointed for man to labour in but in the night also appointed for man to rest the reason is because it is his meat and drinke to doe the will of his God Honoured Sir The Word of Christ being the Rule of Englands Reformation the good Lord that writeth his Lawes in his peoples hearts according to his new Covenant of Grace Heb. 8. 10. put it into my minde seriously to consider What Schisme was that I had covenanted against And searching the Scriptures I found it thus written 1. Tim. 6. 3. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse Vers 4. He is proud knowing nothing but doting about Questions and strife of words whereof commeth envy strife raylings evill surmisings Vers 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes and destitute of the truth supposing that gaine is godlinesse from such withdraw thy self Yea and after a further enquiry to understand aright the things that are controverted amongst us by the good providence of the Almighty I found two Texts of holy Scripture setting forth two sorts of men Diametrally opposing one another as light doth darkenesse truth doth falsehood the one thâ—s written 1 John 5. 1. Whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ is borne of God And the other thus 1 John 2. 22. Who is a lyar but he that denyeth that Jesus is not the Christ He is Antichrist that denyeth the Father and the Sonne And when I thought to understand the difference it was to hard for me untill I went into the Sanctuary of God where the Father of glory of his good pleasure revealed to me the most unworthyest of all his servants the truth of that which I conceive is the root of all our Controversies and gave me to understand the meaning of the Scriptures 1 John 5. 1. Whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ viz. the eternall King Prophet Priest of the Church of the new Testament ratified with his bloud whom the Father of glory hath exalted to bee Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. and head Ephes 2. 20 21 22 23. Is borne of God Seeing no man can say that is confest that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 3. Hence I find it written Joh. 1. 11. Jesus came to his owne but his owne received him not that
to me and drinke vers 38. Hee that beleeveth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters Vers 39. But this he spake of the Spirit that they that beleeve on him shall receive For the holy Spirit was not yet given because that Jesus waâ— not yet glorified But when Jesus was by the right hand of his Father exalted he received of the Father thâ— promise of the holy Spirit Heâ— hath shed forth this which you now seâ— and heare Acts 22. 33. Fourthly All things that arâ— lost and accursed to mankinde by the fall of the first Adam are restored and sanctified to the use oâ— the beleevers in and by the second Adam Jesus the Christ All thingâ— are yours Whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and yee are Christs and Christ is Gods 1 Cor 3. 21 22 23. Hence the unbeleeving wife is sanctified to the use of the beleever And shee being an unbeleever dwelling with the beleeving husband is sanctified to bring forth an holy Seed to the use of the beleever though the childe be borne in sinne and by nature the child of wrath as the most prophanest Pagans are Psal 51. 5. Ephes 2. 3. Void of understanding not able to distinguish betwixt good and evill Yet Titus 1. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure Nay the meat and drinke and the Creature which God hath created are sanctified to his use 1 Tim 4. 3 4 5. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused If it bee received with thankesgiving For it is sanctified by the Word and Prayer What Priviledge hath the unbeleeving party by dwelling and abiding with the beleever Great is the Priviledge if he or shee will abide for living under them where the holy Spirit breatheth and his lips drop as the honey combe the sweet precious treasure of the Gospell of grace What knowst thou oh thou beleeving husband whether God will not make thee instrumentall to save thy wife though an unbeleever Or what knowest thou oh thou beleeving wife whether God will not make thee instrumentall to save thy husband 1 Cor. 7. 16. And when hee is converted hee will blesse God for you as David did for Abigail in another case Blessed be the Lord for you and blessed be your good counsell for you have been an instrument to convert a soule from the errour of his way and save a soule from death and hide a multitude of transgressions Is it not a greater Priviledge for an Infant to be borne of a beleever then to be borne of a Jew a Turke or an Heathen yea For the Children borne of beleevers are brought up in holy instruction and education from their childe-hood as young Timothy was taught in the Scriptures from his youth by his mother Eunice seeing it is the charge the holy Spirit hath laid upon beleeving Parents Ephes 6. 4. Fathers provoke not your children to wrath But bring them up in the nurture and feare of the Lord. Whereas if their Parents were Jewes and Turkes and Heathens the Parents being without Christ being Aliants from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the covenant of Promise having no hope and without God in the world Ephes 2 12. Their children brought up with them follow after Superstitious vanities and ferve dumbe Idolls as their Teachers and Fathers led them â— Cor. 12. 1. Fiftly They are people live under precious promises And hee hath promised that the eye of his providence shall bee over them all their dayes for good He biddeth them not distract themselves with immoderate carking care For what they shall eate or what they shall drinke or yet for their bodies what they shall put on Reasons Christ giveth are two First Your heavenly Father knoweth yee have need of all these things Secondly But seeke yee first the Kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these things shall be added unto you Matth. 6. 33. Now the members of the Church of Christ gathered according to Christs Institution Matth. 28. 18 19 20. are the Children of the Kingdome and under the Promise that God as a Father will provide for them Therefore they are exhorted to bee carefull for nothing But in every thing by Prayer and Supplications with thankesgiving let their request be made knowne unto God Philip. 4. 6. Hence the Apostle exhorteth the Church of â—he Hebrewes Let your conversation bee without covetousnesse and bee content with such things as yee have For he hath said I will never faile thee nor forsake thee So that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper And I will not feare what man shall doe unto me Hebr. 13. 5 6. Sixtly They are under the promise of Audience whensoever they come to petition in the name of his Sonne Jesus the Christ for what they want be they few or many Matth. 18. 19. I say to you that if two of you beleevers baptized agree in earth as touching any thing that they shall aske It shall bee done for them of my Father in Heaven Vers 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name that is by his Power Authority and Royall Commission he hath promised his presence there am I in the midst of them to heare and returne them an answer to their request yea and to protect and preserve his Church gathered in every Age to the ends of the world Thus at the Prayer of the Church that was reproched for holding forth the Faith of Jesus the gift of the holy Spirit was given to speake the Word of God with boldnes Acts 4. 31. At the earnest suit and intercession the Church made unto God Peter the Apostle was released out of his Imprisonment and brought to the house where they were praying Acts 12. Seventhly Lastly there is no Society hath such Priviledges as this Spirituall Hoâ—se which is constituted according to the Magna Charta of the Gospel Matth. 28. 18 19 20. Marc. 16. 15 16. though while they are in the Woâ—ld they are for the Faith of Jesus the Christ killed all the day long either in their good names by râ—proch and â—lander or in their estates by the â—ighty Nimrods of these oppresâ—â—ng daies they are exposed to plunâ—er and spoiling which they are to â—ake patiently Hebr. 10. 32. or in â—heir Liberties to be imprisoned for â—ontending for the Faith of Jesus â—he Christ 1 John 5. 1. Once given â—nto the Saints or forbid to preach â—ny more in his name as the Apoâ—tle Peter was Acts 4 18. or to have â—heir lives taken violently fâ—om â—hem as James the Apostle was by â—he Tyrant Herod Acts 12. 2. 3. And accounted But as sheepe for the slaughter regarded no more by the Wolves in sheepes clothing then the bloudy Butcher regardeth the life of his sheepe yet the poorest member amongst them is rich
in faith and heire of the Kingdome which God hath promised to them that love him James 2. 5. Yea and the whole body of beleevers walking in that faith and order Christ hath prescribed with perseverance in the faith unto the ende shall be more then conquerours through him that loved them Rom. 8. 36. Yea next to the Paradise of glorie there is no Society like to this Spirituall Corporation of Saints where the Lord will dwell in the middest of them and give them light Hence was the beloved Apostles Utinam Oh that you had fellowship with us 1 John 1. 3. Why was it such a Priviledge Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Sonne Jesus Christ So that the Father Sonne and holy Spirit and Saints make up but one Society or Family where God will dwell to comfort and solace them the good Angels their guard to protect and save them as they did once the Prophet Elisha from the troop of the Aramites 2 King 6. 17. seeing they pitch their tents round about them that feare him Psal 34. 7. And are sent forth to be ministring Spirits to minister unto them that are heires of salvation Heb. 1. 14. And when they die they resigne their spirits to God that gave them as the Proto-Martyr Stephen did Lord Jesus receive my spirit Acts 7. 59. to remaine in the mansion prepared for the spirits of just men departed So that happy are the people that are in such a case yea blessed are those Churches that have the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for their God What is the Antichristian faith It is to deny that Jesus whom they confesse dyed to take away the sinnes of the world is the Christ How prove you that 1 Joh. 2. 22. Who is a liar viz. borne of the evill one who is a liar and the father of lies and abode not in the truth Joh. 8. 44. but hee that denyeth that Jesus is the Christ viz. the eternall King Prophet Priest of his Church bought with his owne bloud hee is Antichrist an enemy and an adversary to Jesus the Christ that denyeth the Father and the Sonne For he that denyeth the Sonnes authority to be the eternall King and Prophet of the Church of the New Testament to the end of the world according to the royall Commission hee received from the Father of glory when hee raised him from the dead Mat. 28. 18 19 20. compared with Mar. 16. 15 16. aswell as his eternall Priest that ever liveth to make intercession to God for him Heb. 7. 25. hee denyeth the Father that sanctified the Sonne and sent him into the world Joh. 10. 36. and raised him from the dead and exalted him to be Lord and Christ Act. 2. 36. Ephes 1. 20 21 22 23. What Congregations deny that Jesus is the Christ Even all such as build their house upon the hay and stubble of mans inventions and not upon the precious stone Jesus the Christ in whom onely salvation is found Act. 4. 12. Of which sort of builders are these The first sort are those that build their house upon the person of Peter and so successively upon the Pâ—pe These the Spirit of God discovereth to be foolish builders because there is no salvation in Peter nor Pope the Apostle Peter himselfe being the Judge to decide the controversie Acts 4. 11. Peter speaking of Jesus the Christ saith This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders which is become the head of the corner Ver. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given amongst men whereby wee must be saved The second sort are those that build their house upon the Office of Peter and so successively on the Officers So that if the Officers united into a body in Councell erre the whole Church that receiveth their faith from their Edicts and Decrees erre also Now that Councells may erre and have erred in things appertaining to God appeareth in the 21. Article of the Church of England by Law established as appeareth Adoration of Images was established in the second Generall Councell of Nice The Popish Clergy were advanced above all earthly Princes by the Councell of Lateran And Priests prohibited to marry which is honourable amongst all men Heb. 13. 4. by the said Councell The late Trident Councell erred in many things grosly as in exalting the traditions of men to be of equall authority with the word of God Trident. Sess 4. Decret Together with the invocation of creatuâ—es Or any other Councell that should decree that grace cometh by generation or Beleevers should beget beleevers or Christians beget Christians then the whole Church that build their faith upon such corrupt Councells may erre also The third sort are all those that build their house upon another mans faith and not basing or laying the foundation aright on the Gospel faith to wit to beleeve in a crucified dead and risen Jesus whom God hath exalted to be the Christ If they erre in the object of their faith Jesus the Christ though they owne him to be Jesus their eternall Priest to make intercession to God for them yet if they deny him their eternall King and Prophet in all his outward institutions in admitting of members into his spirituall Kingdome they build but on a sandy foundation and not on the sure rock Jesus the Christ These Congregations when the storme of Gods indâ—gnation bloweth upon them it will faile them because they were so foolish as to build upon the sand Mat. 7. 26. and not upon the immoveable rock Jesus the Christ seeing other foundations no man can lay save that is laid Jesus the Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. Paul calleth him The corner stone Ephes 2. 20. Peter The living stone 1 Pet. 2. 4. Yea The chiefe corner stone elect and precious hee that beleeveth on him shall not be confounded 1 Pet. 2 6. Vnto you that beleeve in Jesus the Christ hee iâ— precious 1 Pet. 2. 7. Now the true Spouse of Christ can have no communion with such as deny Jesus the Christ their onely Rock in whom salvation onely iâ— found Act. 4. 12. First Because shee is a loyalâ— Spouse that hath no head no husband no Lord no Law-giver in things appeâ—taining to the conscience but royall King Jesus noâ— will admit any other pretendeâ— Spouse to have fellowship with hâ—r that is partly governed by the worâ— of Christ and paâ—tly with the chaffâ— and straw of their owne traditions in Gods spirituall worship or in admitting of mâ—mbers into his spirituall house Knowing that in so doing shee should be found to be a Monster that hath two heads oâ— else like to that proud harlot Râ—me that hath a divided heart that goeth a whoring after two husbâ—nds Christ and Antichrist Secondly This loyall Spouse her love toward her husband the Lord Jesus the Christ is tender and compassionate love shee cannot endure to heare
the Christ 1 Johâ— 2 22. and crucifieth Christ in hiâ— members as the Church of the New Testament in the Apostolicall times was gathered out of thâ— Nationall Church of the Jewes that was of old once a true state untill they crucified Jesus the Christ in his humane nature whom God raised from the dead and exalted him to be Lord and Christ Act. 2. 36. iâ— God shall by his Gospel-Ministery wound and prick their hearts for their sinne of crucifying Christ in his members that confesse the faith â—f Jesus the Christ 1 Joh. 5. 1. as â—ee did once the Jewes that crucifiâ—d the Christ their Messias in his â—wne person Acts 2. 37. so that â—â—ey trembling cry out Men and â—â—ethren what shall we doe Must not the Reply bee that â—oyce that the holy Spirit spake by â—e mouth of Peter Repent and be â—aptized every one 〈◊〉 you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sinnes â—nd yee shall receive the gift of the hoâ— Spirit For the promise is to you and 〈◊〉 your children and to them that are â—farre off even so many as the Lord 〈◊〉 God shall call And with many other words hee said and must not â—ee doe so likewise seeing whatâ—oever things â—ere written afore-time were written for our learning Rom. 15. â— Save your selves from this untoâ—ard generation Seeing the same wrath is fallen on them as was on â—he Jewes for killing the Lord Jesus â—nd their owne Prophets 1 Thes 2. 14 15 16. seeing they crucifie Christ in his members that contend for the faith of Jesus the Chrisâ— as Paul did Act. 9. Now so many as shall gladly receive this word and be baptized shall be saved from wrath as Noah and his family were saved in the Ark from perishing by water seeing it is written by thâ— like figure Baptisme saveth 1 Pet. 3â— 20 21. The Reason is first Because thâ— time of our ignorance God hath winkeâ— at but now seeing light is come and truth is revealed the Lord Jesus commandeth us every where to reâ—pent c. Acts 2. 38. Else our conâ—demnation will be heavie Joh. 3 19 20. This is tâ—e condemnation lighâ— is come and men love darknesse morâ— then light because their deeds are evill c. Secondly Because we have with Paul and the Jaylor in the time oâ— our ignorance beaten and perseâ—cuted Jesus the Christ in his memâ—bers that contend for the faith 1 Joh. 5. 1. and wee though within our selves we ought to doe something contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth as Paul did in the time of his ignorance Act. 26. 9. If God shall by his good Spirit convince us of the evills that wee have done so as that we trembling cry Men and brethren what shall we doe Must not the reply be Repent c. Act. 2. 38. Else shall they not be disobedient to the voyce of the Spirit that speaketh seeing Paul and the Jaylor arose and were baptized Acts 9. 18. 16. 33. Thirdly Because there is no promises of salvation to be found in the Antichristian states that deny Jesus the Christ 1 Joh. 2. 22. The Reasons are First Because all the promise of God are made over to them onely that beleeve in Jesus the Christ 2 Cor 1. 20. Hee that beleeveth in the Sonne of God hath life and he that beleeveth not in the Sonne of God hath not life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3. 36. Secondly Till we did beleeve in Jesus Christ we were in respect of any visible calling without Christ being Aliants from the Common-wealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of Promise having no hope and without God in the world But once beleevers in Christ Yee who were sometime afarre off are made nigh by his bloud and through him have accesse by one Spirit unto the Father And are no more strangers and forraigners but fellow-citizens with the Saints and of Gods houshold c. Ephes 2. 12 13. 18 19 20 21 22. Thirdly Because they in denying the Sonnes authority to bee the King and Prophet of his Church in all his outward administrations in admitting members into his spirituall kingdome Math. 28. 19. 20. though they own him their Priest that ever liveth to make reconciliation to God for them Hebr. 7. 25. They deny the Father that sanctified the Sonne and sent him into the world and raised him from the dead and exalted him to be the Lord and Christ Act. 2. 36. Ephes 1. 20 21 22. Fourthly Because the Antichristian state deny the Sonne 1 Iohn 2. 22 23. Whom the Father of glory commandeth us to heare Math. 17. 5. Yea and the Apostle Peterciting the Testimony of Moses saith Truely Moses said to the Fathers The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet from the midst of your bretheren like unto me him shall yee heare in all things whatsoever he shall say and the danger followeth It shall come to passe that every soule which refuseth to heare the voice of that Prophet that soule shall be cut off from his people Acts 3 22 23. The Reasons are these First If Jesus the Christ bee not our Prophet to teach us hee will not be our King to protect us Math. 28. 10. Teach them saith Christ to observe all things that I command you And loe I am alwaies with you to the end of the world Secondly If Christ be no Prophet to teach us his heavenly Fathers revealed will he wil be no Priest to intercede for us Ioh. 17. 20. I pray not for these alone but for all them that shall beleeve in me through their word Now it is not their word that they speake but what they have received from Christ to speake Seeing it is written 2 Iohn 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God but he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Sonne Verse 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrin receive him not to house neither bid him God speed Verse 11. For hee that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evill deeds Thirdly If Christ bee no Prophet to teach us Hee will bee no Judge to acquit us Iohn 12. 48. Hee which rejecteth mee and rece iveth not my words hath one that judgeth him the words that I have spoken the same shall judge us in the last day And then like the wise Merchant let us cast up our accouut what it will profit us If by denying to heare the voice of our Prophet Jesus we gaine the world and in the meane season loose our precious soules Knowing the Sonne of man shortly will come to judge the world And then they which be ashamed of him and his words in this sinnefull and adulterous generation of them will the Sonne of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with all his holy Angels Marke 8. 38. Fourthly If we joyne with them that deny Jesus the