Christians handled saw heard and felt of the Word of life in theâ—… and they had fellowship with the Father and with the Son but now thousands of thousands of Christians are without the sence and feeling and knowledge of the Word of life in them and walks in darkness and in ignorance and hath no fellowship with the Father nor with the Son Behold behold ye Christians how ye are fallen and how great is your fall a mourning and lamentation may be taken up for you the garment of righteousness is rent from you and the beauty of the Son of God appears not upon you 〈◊〉 alas what doth it advantage you to have the name of Christians seeing you are thus wofully degenerate from that love unity and life in the fellowship of God which was among the Apostles who were the first Christians and from whom ye derived the name but are without the life as hereby iâ—… manifest to all the world Again herein doth the Apostacy of Christians appear in respect of holiness and purity of life for the Christians were of a holy life and conversation the Apostle said 1 Thes. 47. God hath not called them unto uncleanness but unto holiness and as you may read Tit 2. The aged men were to be sober grave temperate sound in the faith in charity in patience and the aged women likewise their behaviour was to be as became holiness and the young women were to be discreet and Chaste and young men were to be sober minded and servants were to be obedient to their Masters and to shew good fidelity for saith the Apostle unto the Christians The grace of God had appeared teaching them to live soberly righteously and godly in this present 〈◊〉 for that end was Christ given that he might redeem them from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Now here in short is a description of the true Christian life and conversation which was exhorted to and no doubt but practiced by the Christians in the dayes when Christ was manifest amongst them but from this practice are the Christians degenerated for how are the aged men and women now given to covetousness and earthly-mindedness and are piâ—…vish and perverse and immoderate and in the works that are evil shewing that they are not in the Apostles doctrine and not in the Christian life but to it are become dead bringing forth fruits contrary to the fruits that the aged men and women brought forth in the beginning of Christianity shewing they are not of a holy life and conversation as the Christians were and ought to be and also how are the young men and the young women degenerated from the true Christian life and now are given to wantonness and pleasures of the world and the lusts which are evil following vanity and pride and vain glory and Masters and servants being corrupt in their places serving themselves one of another and making a prey one upon another and thus all sorts of Christians are fallen from the Christian life and holy conversation and sheweth that they own not the grace of God which hath appeared to all men to be their teacher 〈◊〉 the true Christians once did for it is manifest that the Christians now so called hath not denied all ungodliness and worldly lusts neither doth live soberly righteously and godly in this present world as the Christians did but on the contrary how are ye Christians fallen from the pure and holy life abounding in wickedness and in all ungodliness how doth pride abound among Christians how doth lying swearing drunkenness and whoredom and all the works of the flesh abound dissimulation back-biting envy wrath and all that ever câ—…n be called evil is abounding amongst ye Christians so called this shews that your Apostacy is great from that life conversation which the Apostles and Churches of Christians were in who had denied all ungodlinâ—…s and worldly lusts but generally ye live in all ungodlinâ—…h and worldly lusts judge ye of this back sliding into which you are fallen they were taught to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world but ye live unrighteously and ungodly and out of the fear of God and the grace of God is not your teacher as it was theirs also you may read how much the Apostles exhorted the Christians to a holy life and conversation the Apostle said 1 Cor. 3. 17. The Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are speaking to the Christians and he said Eph. 1. 4. They were chosen in Christ that they should be holy and without blame before him in love and Col. 1. 22. they that had been sometimes enemies to God in their minds were reconciled to present them holy and unblameable in his sight And 1 Pet. 1. 15. the Apostle exhorted the Christians to be holy in all manner of conversation and Phil. 3. 20. the Christians witnessed that their conversations were in heaven Now herein doth the fall of Christians appear in respect of their life and conversation and walking for the Christians in the Apostles dayes were of a holy life and exhorted all thereunto but the Christians now Teachers and people are degenerate in their conversation and lives in all unrighteousness as I have said and the conversation of Christians now being compared with what the Christians conversation was then it is altogether contrary and sheweth that though you have the name of Christians ye are not followers of Christ nor led by his Spirit but by the Spirit of Antichrist Oh how wofully are you fallen you Christians from the life of Christ having a name to live but are dead the Lord God is coming against you to break you to pieces for you have poluted his name in that you profess to be his people in words but in works doth deny him Oh remember remember from whence you are fallen and return least the anger of God consume you from off the earth for your conversations greatly dishonour the true God oh what gluttony and drunkenness is amongst Christians what pride and vain glory what cruelty envy and murder one against another what whoredoms and fornication what cozening what cheating how doth all wickedness abound amongst you in your lives and 〈◊〉 let the Lord be witness and your own consciences be witnesses against you for your abominations they that were true Christians who followed Christ lived not in but were redeemed from such transgressions but you live in them and acts them wherefore be ye witnesses against your selves that ye are fallen and digressed from the true Christian estate Again herein will you Christians appear to be degenerated from true Christianity in respect of your Ministery for the Ministers of Christ in the 〈◊〉 of Christianity they were made Ministers by the gift of the Holy Spirit which was given to them for they were commanded to wait at Ierusalem for the promise of the Father and they were not to go forth till they had received power from God by the gift of his holy spirit and
guiding them therein but in such a manner as they set unto themselves or as the custom of the Country instructs therein and knows not the 〈◊〉 of the Spirit of the Father in them nor knows â—…ot the praying in the Holy Ghost and as for the preaching of Christians it is not now practised as the Christians of old practised it nor by the same Spirit now they study for what they speak and gathers out of the Scriptures some having it written in a book what they will preach to the people and this is not to preach as the spirit gives them utterance neither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the teaching or moving of the Spirit of God but by humane Art and humane 〈◊〉 knowing before hand 〈◊〉 and how much to speak so much as they have collected in their thoughts from such a verse and how long to preach til a glass be run knows what to have for preaching aâ—…d this and such like is the manner of the preaching now 〈◊〉 Christians which hath no savour in it of Gods Spiriâ—… oâ—… of the teachings or leadings of Gods Spirit in it but altogether contrary to wit this practise savours of idolatry and of vain traditions and superstitions And in short this practice of preaching amongst the Christians now is not in the same manner neither by the same spirit nor for the same end as the preaching of the Christians was in the dayes of the Apostles which sheweth that the Christians now are Apostatized and greatly degenerated from what the Christians were then For again the Christian Ministers now doth not go as they were moved of the Lord up and down from countrey to countrey to convert people to God as the Christian Ministers did then but inquires for places of great maintenance where there is great store of Tithes and set wages and if they can there they settle themselves and preaches in manner as I have said and this practice savours nothing of the teachings of the spirit of God nor of the movings of that spirit whereby the Christian Ministers of old were guided which sheweth that the Christiam Ministers now are in the Apostacy and in the degeneration from God and from what the Christian Ministers were then And as concerning the practice of singing now amongst Christians it is not in the spirit nor with a good understanding but in a vain form and tradition and not in the spirit of the Lord for now the Christians many of them in a form sings the conditions of others as Davids prayers and praises and troubles and afflictions when as themselves are in a condition quite contrary to what David was and so singeth that which unto themselves is false as being out of that condition of which they sing and this is not singing with the spirit neither is it to sing spiritual songs and others of Christians have another manner of singing 〈◊〉 which singing of Christians now hath no â—…avour of the teachings of Gods spirit in it neither is it according 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 â—…e spirit as the singing of the Christians once 〈◊〉 A woful Apostacy is fallen among you ye Christians through the world and you are fallen you are fallen from the life of Christ and from the true practice of Christianity 〈◊〉 the first Christians were in then their praying was in the spirit and in the Holy Ghost but now without the spirit in forms and traditions their preaching then was as the spirit led them and as it gave them utterance but now by humane learning and policy aâ—… such a place for so much a yâ—…ar an hour by a 〈◊〉 what they have gathered by 〈◊〉 upon 〈◊〉 mâ—…ns wolks 〈◊〉 the singing of Christians was in the spirit and their whole worship was spiritual in the spirit and in the truth but the singing of Christians now and all their worship is in vain traditions exercised without the leadings and movings of the spirit of God then the worship of Christians was one and by one spirit now it is divers and in division in many contrary spirits Alas oh ye Christians consider how 〈◊〉 is your fall and how woful your degeneration in respect of your worship fallen greatly from the teaching of the Spirit of God in your praying in your preaching and in your singing to follow humane learning and worldly policy and vain traditions the customs of the Country and your own imaginations in your praying preaching and singing as I have proved unto you Oh consider how great is your Apostacy from the true life of true Christianity greatly do you erre from the pure way wherein the true Christians walked and being truly paralel'd with them and measured with the spirit of true judgement you are sound not equall to them in any measure but rather contrary altogether shewing you are guided by another spirit then once the Christians were that you follow another teacher then once they did your practices doth make it manifest which are contrary and not according to what the practice of the Christians once were is not my judgement just upon you have you not lost that and are departed from it which gave the name of Christian and so hath the name without the thing a profession of Christianity but no true title therein but having lost that which gave the true title to the name so 〈◊〉 this is your state and this is your condition generally ye Christians through the world a name you have of Christianity but to the true life therof in every particular are you dead And now all ye Christians upon earth behold behold how you are fallen and degenerated in all these things and many more which might be named fallen I say from the true Christian life and practice wherein the Christians once were shewing fully to all the world that the spirit of Christ doth not now guide ye Christians but another spirit which brings forth through you other works and fruits and of another nature then what the Christians once brought forth and being compared with them you are no whit equal in the very way and means whereby you are made Christians you differ from them and in all your practices and in life and conversation you are contrary to them and in respect of your worship and Ministry in every part thereof are you altogether contrary unto what the Christians once were yea in your very apparel you shew a degeneration from the true life and practice in Christianity for the Apostle exhorted the Christians to adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefac'dness and sobriety not with broidred hair or gold or pearls or costly array 1 Tim. 2. 9. And the Christians were there exhorted that their adorning should not be the outward plaiting of the hair or of wearing of gold or putting on of apparel But now amongst ye Christians is a practice found quite contrary what vanity and excess is in your apparel striving to excel one another in pride and vain glory in your gold and silver and costly
The true STATE OF CHRISTIANITY Truly DISCRIBED And also DISCOVERED unto all PEOPLE What it was in its beginning and purity And what it now is in its Apostacy and Degeneration And hereby by true testimony is declared to the whole World how wherin in divers particulars the Christians through all the World so called now are fallen and gone backward and revolted from what the true Christians once were And this sheweth unto all the World the woful state and condition wherein them that are called Christians now standeth being departed and revolted from the spirit of Christ and from its teachings And this is given forth that all people may understand concerning the times and the changing of times and concerning what hath been what now is and what suddenly cometh to pass in the earth Written by a friend to the Creation A servant of the Lord Edward Burrough Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 1658. A Table of the Contents whereby all may come 〈◊〉 understand what the subject is and the particulars which in this volumn is declared FIrst Concerning the name of Christian and how and when the people of God were first so called and also of the increase thereof through World Secondly Concerning the decrease and degeneration of the Christians and how and when the Apostacy came upon them which hath overshadowed them for many Ages Thirdly Concerning Wherein and in what particulars they are fallen and degenerated from the life and practice of true Christianity First In respect of being made Christians and receiving the name herein they differ and are not agreeable to what the Christians once were And Secondly In respect of the operation of the spirit of Christ Thirdly In respect of unity and fellowship Fourthly In respect of holinesse and purity of life and conversation Fifthly In respect of the Ministry 1. In its Call 2. In its practises 3. In its Maintenance Sixthly In respect of worship and of that in many particulars is shewed the degeneration of Christianity Seventhly The present state of Christians so called truly measured and compared with the state of the Jews in their rebellion and found altogether equal and agreeable in many things Eighthly A true Testimony against all that abomination and Idolatrous Worship now practised amongst the Christians so called with many other things c. To all people upon Earth that are called Christians this is a faithful and true Testimony concerning you BEhold and hearken give ear and listen diligently all ye people through the whole world that are called Christians all you I say that goes under that name and that bears that name and are named Christians from one end of the earth to the other through all Nations and Countrys whether you are scattered upon the face of the whole earth behold and take notice what the Word of the Lord is unto you and what the testimony of Christ is towards you all for the line of true judgement is laid upon you and the measuring Rod is put forth to reach over you and the servant of the Lord hath viewed your state and condition and what you were in your beginning and increase and what you now are in your decrease and woful Apostacy into which you are fallen and degenerated from the life of Christianity Oh let your ears be open to instruction and regard well what I through the Lord do say unto you even all you and every particular of you under heaven that makes a profession of Christ in words and are known through the world by that name of Christians hearken I say and consider and remember from whence and into what you are fallen and return and repent the Lord hath with you a controversie and he will plead with you because of your back-slidings and revoltings for you are gone away backward and you are turned aside from the life of Christ and from his Spirit and are now without that which was the reason and true ground of your name Christian and you have lost the true character of the name and now hath onely the name without the life and power thereof and are dead to Christ and his life and hath a name to live but are dead and having lost that which gave you a true title to the name of Christian you deserve noâ—… that name nor to be called by the name of Christ because you are departed from his Spirit and this is to be declared to you in the Name of the Lord that you may take a view of your own estate to the end that you may be awakened to return from whence you are degenerated The Lord had a people in all generations unto whom he was a God and they feared him and served him and worshipped him and his name was pretious amongst them who were his chosen people and with whom he dwelt and his power and presence was amongst his people that did walk with him under what name soever they went in the world but the first time that ever the people of the Lord were called Christians or was known by that name from other people it was at Antioch in the time of the Apostles who were followers of Christ as you may read Acts 11. 26. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch and before that time the people of the Lord were never called Christians and this name was given to them by the Heathen because they were for Christ and of his part and did follow him and preach him to be followed and in all things exalted his name and did and suffered all things for the Name of Christ therefore were they named Christians and that name was true unto them for they had upon them the express image and character of Christ and followed his Spirit and preached him unto all people for life and salvation and that all people might come to Christ and become followers of him and therefore they were rightly named Christians to be known by that name from all other people upon earth who were not followers of Christ who could not rightly be called Christians because they were not of his part and from thenceforth unto this day all people whatsoever that believed in Christ and became followers of him and that professed him were called Christians from that original and foundation of the name which then was laid also you may read Acts 26. 28. v. And Aâ—…rippa said unto Paul almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian here again Paul followed Christ and preached him and was on his part altogether and highly extolled his name therefore King Agrippa called him Christian and was almost perswaded to be a Christian to wit a man for Christ to take part with him and to be on his side and the name interpreted this is the signification and all that hath this character doth truly deserve the name of Christians for they are anointed people and this was the beginning of the Christian name and before that time as I
have said were the people of God never called Christians in any generation and ever since that time through all ages all that professed Christ and believed in him throughout the whole world were called by the name of Christians and the Name and Religion of Christians were honourable and greatly beloved of God for that people were the peculiar people a chosen generation as you may read 1 Pet. 2. 19. and whilst the life of Christ was manifest and the Spirit of Christ did lead them and teach them in all their wayes and practices of Religion and whilst I say they retained the power and life of that of which they had the name the power and presence of the Lord was amongst them and above all the people of the earth were they blessed and more then all people upon the earth besides had they the countenance of God shining amongst them and upon them and pure unity with God and one with another had they in his life whereby they were made a terror and a fear to all nations while they stood in the councel of God and were Christians in life and power and practice as well as in name and the Lord greatly increased them in number for as you may read through the Acts of the Apostles through all the world many believed in Christ and became followers of him and received the knowledge of him and became anointed people and received the name of Christians sometimes thousands at one Sermon were converted to the faith of Christ and became subject to his spirit and had his mark upon them and all such were called Christians and the Apostles went through many Nations and of the Iews and Greeks and of the Heathen and all other people some of each were converted from that way in which they had walked to follow Christ and they became Christians and here was the increase of Christianity and through many 〈◊〉 of the world they planted Churches and assemblies of Christians and as I said while they stood in the councel 〈◊〉 the Name and Religion was of him greatly beloved But now the Christians are Apostatized and degenerated from the spirit of Christ and from that which gave theâ—… the true Name of Christian and the name is retained onely and the life and power lost and now many have a name to live but are dead and that is departed from which gave the true interest and title in the name Hear this all ye Christians that life light and power of God which was amonâ—… the Apostles and Christians once you are departed from and have lost the sence and knowledge of and hath the naâ—…e and not the thing which was the reason and ground of the name wherefore all ye through the world that are called Christians look back to your original look unto the Apostleâ—… who were the first that were called Christians from whoâ—… you had the name and see how you are degenerated and 〈◊〉 len from the life that they were in and though you retain the name of Christians yet you are not followers of Christ noâ—… taught by his Spirit and none in the dayes of the Apostleâ—… were truly counted or called Christians but who followed the Spirit of Christ and were first converted to him and changed by his power from sin to righteousness and fromâ—… death to life and such as were so were truly called Christians But now all such as are called by that name and 〈◊〉 not followers of the Spirit of Christ nor converted to hiâ—… neither changed by his power from death to life and 〈◊〉 sin to righteousness such are in the degeneration from 〈◊〉 life of Christianity and hath a name without the life 〈◊〉 power thereof And now it remains to be shewed how and when the degeneration came upon the Christians and wherâ—…in they are apostatized and degenerated from that life and spirit and practice which was amongst the Apostles thâ—…t were first called Christians The Spirit of the Lord spoke through the Apostles and foretold of a falling away from the truth and from the true Christian life and Paul said Acts 20 29 30. said he Grievous â—…olves shall arise and enter in who would not spare the flock 〈◊〉 from among themselves should men arise speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them and he also said 1 Tim. 4. 1. That some should depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits and he also said that it should come to pass that people should become wicked departing from the truth having the form of godliness but denying the power thereof and such were led away with divers lusts and men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the faith and the Apostle â—…eter also foretold that there should false teachers arise among the Christians who should bring in damnable heresies and many Christians should follow their pernicious wayes by reason of which the way of truth should be evil spoken of And the Apostle Iohn 〈◊〉 that many false Prophets were gone out then and many Antichrists were then come in among the Christians now all these doth shew and declare of a degeneration and falling away of Christians from the life of Christianity and we see these Propheâ—…ies fulfilled and flocks of Christians are devoured from the life of Christ by devouring wolves which hath entred among them who hath led them into pernicious wayes and into damnable heresies whereby the name of Christianity is become reproachful among the Heathens that never were called Christians and many thousands are departed from the true faith from that faith which did purifie the hearts of the Saints and many of the Christians have given heed to seducing spirits and hath the form of godliness but denyes the power thereof and they are led of divers lusts and are become men of corrupt minds and are reprobate and without the true faith and the Apostles prophesied of the degeneration which we see fulfilled in these our dayes and even while some of the Apostles were yet living they saw the Christians Apostatizing and falling away and the Spirit of the Lord spoke through Iohn Rev. 2. 3. to the Christian Churches in Asia who were already departing from the Christian life some of them was departed already from their first work and some of them were given to the doctrine of Bâ—…laam and to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing the Lord did hate and others of them were seduced by Jezabel and taught to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto Idols and others oâ—… them had a name to live but were dead and others of them were neither hot nor cold and the Lord said he would 〈◊〉 them out of his mouth Now here the Christians were falling away you may see and as before it had increased so now the true Christian life began to decrease and the glory thereof became darkned through all Asia And also Rev. 13. 11. 1. 16. Iohn saw one beast arise out of the Sea and another out of the earth
which set up a Kingdom over the whole world and caused all people upon earth to worship the beast the beast hath been great in his power and he hath ruled over the world in great dominion and all that would not worship him he hath had power to kill and hath killed them so that the true Christian life and Religion as the Apostles received it and practised it hath been extinguished for many generations and people hath had the form of godlinesse but denied the power and lived under the name and profession of Christianity but hath been without the life and this is to be considered of and diligently searched into by all you that go under the name of Christians through all the world for unto you onely I direct my words And now it remains to be shewed what the state of Christians are at this day and wherein particularly they are Apostatized and degenerated from the true life and practize of the postles who were the fâ—…rst Christians for wherin the Christians now are contrary and not agreeable to the Apostles in Faith in practice in Worship in Ministry and in the enterance into Christianity and in any other thing whatsoever I say wherein they are contrary and not agreeable to the true Christians of old to wit the Apostles therein are they degenerated and fallen from the true life of Christianity and this shall be the Rule of judgement to try all you that are called Christians upon the face of the earth wherefore awake and come forth to judgement for the measuring rod is laid upon you all whereby you shall be truly measured and compared with them that were the first Christians upon earth and the Heathens shall see your nakedness and your shame and hiss at you when they behold how wofully you are fallen from that 〈◊〉 in the purity thereof of which you do professe the words 〈◊〉 shall not they rise up in judgement against you who never had the name of Christians who are not fallen nor degressed from what they have profest in any measure comparable to you who now retaineth onely the name of Christian 〈◊〉 are departed from the life of Christ First concerning the entrance into Christianity and the way and means whereby people are now made Christians 〈◊〉 receives that name In this will your fall and degeneration appear For the Apostles and first Christians upon Earth before they were Christians or were called so they were first converted and changed and translated from death to life as you 〈◊〉 read 1 Iohn 3. 14. and Col. 1. 13. and they first received Christ and became followers of him and received his spirit to teach them and to guide them For the Apostle said If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. to wit no Christians and the Apostle said as many as were the sons of God were led by the spirit of God and also it was promised by Christ to all that were his the Comforter should come the spirit of truth and he should lead them into all truth which promise all that were Christians did receive and they were led into all truth by the teachings of the spirit of Christ which dwelt in them for all that were sons God sent the spirit of his Son into their hearts which spirit sanctified them through the obedience thereof Now these were Christians and were truly so called For they had the mark of Christ and his Image upon them and he dwelt in their hearts by Faith Ephes. 3. 17. These I say were truly called Christians and none but such at that day of their Original were called Christians or had Fellowship in the Christian life nor were any looked upon by the Apostles to be Christians but by them that were such But look back all ye Christians upon earth and see your â—…all and wherein you are contrary and not agreeable to the true Christians in their first and pure estate I say look back to your Original and see how you are Apostatized from them in your entrance into your profession of Christianity foâ—… though you have the name of Christians yet you were noâ—… made so nor received that name by being first converted and changed and translated from death to life and 〈◊〉 being the children of disobedience to be the children of God through the work and operation of the spirit of God in you for hereof are thousands and ten thousands of Christians now wholly ignorant and altogether without the feeling of the spirit of God to change them to convert them and to translate them but are accounted Christians bâ—… tradition or natural education and because of being sprinkled with a little water upon the face being Infantâ—… or by a bare confession and profession of the name of Christ in words and professing of a bare belief in the Scriptures by this way and means were you made and received you the name of Christians without any real change from darkness to light and from Satan to God as I have said Now here appeares to be a woful degeneration in the very entrance of the thing and this is not agreeable but rather contrary unto that way of Christianity wherein the Christians in their beginning were so made and called for then none were Christians or so called but who through the preaching of the Gospel were first converted changed and renewed as I have â—…aid but now in these nations all are called Christians that are sprinkled upon their faces with water by a teacher when they are infants or that doth but professe Christ in words though they are not guided particulerly by his spirit neither hath received Christ to dwell in them and to be King over them and here again appeares a woâ—…ul Apostacy for none in the beginning of Christianity in the world were made Christians or so called but who received Christ and in whom he dwelt and was in them as you may read 2 Cor. 13. 5. and who were followers of him and had his spirit in them the comforter to teach them and to lead them into all truth but now thousands upon thousands who hath the name of Christians have not received Christ to dwell in 〈◊〉 nor to rule them neither is he manifest in them by his spirit to teach them and they are not led into all truth but lives in 〈◊〉 and unrighteousness and are not followers of Christ 〈◊〉 followes their own hearts desires and their own hearts lusts and are condemned in their own consciences and hath not received the comforter the holy Spirit to be their guide and leader out of all unrighteousness and here appears a woful degeneration and that you Christians through all the world are revolted and gone backward from Christianity as it was in its Original a lamentation may be taken up because of this woful fall into which you Christians are fallen consider of your own state and return and repent Again the Christians were begotten of God and born
array spending the creation of God to satisfie their lustâ—…ul minds shewing another spirit then was amongst the Christians of old whose words and name ye profess but are degenerated from the life in things of greater and less moment Alas alas Oh wo is me for you how is my spirit 〈◊〉 oppressed in the remembrance of your woful fall what shall â—… say unto you but this you are revolted and gone away backward from the way of life and you have altogether forgotten God and are degenerated from Christ the living Vine the anger of the Lord is now greatly kindled 〈◊〉 you to consume you and to confound you because you are revolted and turned aside from the pure and perfect way of God which once was manifest amongst Christians and your back sliding and Apostacy is truly compared to that of the Iews who did retain the name of the people of God 〈◊〉 they were turned aside from his commandements even 〈◊〉 you do retain the name of Christians though you are departed from Christ for the Iews had seen and known much of the power and presence and hand of the Lord in many 〈◊〉 victories and deliverances and the Lord had chosen them above any other people at that day to place his name 〈◊〉 them and amongst them and yet after all that they forgot 〈◊〉 wondrous works and rebelled against him and became 〈◊〉 and hard-hearted people much more then any other besides them and they would not be instructed nor reclaimed by the voice of the Prophets but smote them and slew them and when Christ their Saviour came they would not receive him nor walk in his wayes but crucified him saying they would not have that man to reign over them And to this in every particular are the Christians now found equal and agreeing with back-sliding Israel for much of the hand and power of the Lord was the Christians made partakers of and the Lord wrought great deliverances for them when they were few in number and under heavie yokes and bondage through persecution and cruel dealing 〈◊〉 then the Lord was with them and increased them greatlie in number and gave them victorie in a great measure over all their enemies but now are they revolted even as the Iews and have forgotten God and greatly rebelled aâ—… him and have turned his love to their lusts abusing his loving kindness and are become a 〈◊〉 and a hard-hearted people as ever were the Iews and now you will not be instructed nor reclaimed from the error of your wayes but abounds in all manner of unrighteousness and will not 〈◊〉 to the voice of the Lord nor return to him but are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 people and will not return unto him from whom you are fallen but hates the light which Christ hath lightened you withal neither will have Christ to raign over you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the life as the Iews did And as the sacrifices and oblations the Sabboth-keeping of the Iews and all the works of righteousness were abomination to the Lord after they were departed from him even their very practice of those things which God had once commanded them to perform became a burden to the Lord and 〈◊〉 soul could not away with them even their new Moons and Sabboths his soul hated Isa. 1. and all their sacrifices were as if they cut off a dogs neck and their oblations as if they offered swines blood and their burning incense as if they blessed an Idol Isa. 66. I say the very practice of the Iews after they were revolted and become disobedient children in those very things which God had commanded them to do and practice and which once the Lord accepted the doing of by his people yet after they were turned aside from the leading of his spirit the practice of the very same works were hateful in the sight of the Lord when they performed works of righteousness to him and yet their hearts went after their covetousness and then their practicing of that which God had once commanded to be done their doing of it was Idolatry and was a burden to the Lords soul and their righteousness and all their practices therein were as filthy rags even loathsom in his presence when their fear towards him was taught by the precepts of men and they had lost that pure fear which once was taught them of God but they were gone from his fear which should have kept their hearts clean and their hearts were defiled and polluted and therefore not any of their performances to him could be accepted but were altogether become an abomination And even thus is it at this day as concerning the sacrifices and performances of Christians being as I have said and made manifest departed from the Lord and from the spirit of Christ all their prayings and preachings and singings their Baptisms and breakings of bread and even all that which you perform as unto God as the worship of him is not accepted but abomination unto him and his soul is â—…thened with all these things you not being led with the spirit of Christ and even your practicing of these things which the Saints and Christians once practised and were accepted of the Lord in so doing while they were led by the spirit of Christ I say the very practice of those things now by the Christians being degenerated is become idolatry and abomination to the Lord and this I declare in the fear and presence of the Lord even all your praying and preachings and profession all your Sabboth keeping and set dayes of humiliation and even all your practices of Religion which you do and perform is idolatry and a burden to the Lords soul in the state that now you stand not being led with the spirit of Christ but being from it departed and your works not brought forth by it but by another spirit And now saith the Lord unto you Christians who are degenerated from the spirit of Christ to what purpose is your preaching praying and singing they are a vexation and a burden to the righteous soul and the Lord hath no delight therein away with it away with it your profession practices stinks in the nostrils of the Lord all your Baptisms your Sacraments which ye perform in a vain tradition and not by the Spirit of the Lord they are hateful in his sight away with them away with them they shall crumble to the dust and immediate desolation in one day the Lord will break them down and never build them up again your preaching by a glass for so much a Sermon or so much a year what you have gathered out of books and studied for from other mens words down with it down with it it is an abomination to the Lord and your Ministrie which is made and sent forth at Schools and by natural learning through the attainment of such Arts and Sciences and being approved of such and such men and sent forth to such and such a Parish to have so much money by the year
be fuel for this fire of his anger he will pluck it up and not plant it again because it is degenerated Gâ—…e car all ye Christians to the Testimony which is concerning you you are fallen you are fallen and being compared to what the Christians were you are no whit equal but aâ—… diverted in all your practices from that spirit which led the Apostles and Christian Churches and your works shew another spirit then the spirit of Jesus Wherefore great iâ—… your fall and to be lamented and though you have the name of Christians yet you want the life THE END AN OBJECTION BUt whereas it may be objected by some and said seeing the state of Christianity is thus discovered what it was iâ—… its beginning and purity and what it now is in its degeneration and seeing the present state of Christians is thus condemned what do I believe concerning the state of Christianity to come what shall succeed this present degeneration And may it be expected that ever Christianity shall be restored to that state of purity as it was in its beginning And whether may people expect to come into the same life again and to know the same power and worship and unity which was amongst the Apostles and first Christians Churches And whether do I judge that ever the Ministry can be again received by the gift of the holy spirit onely without natural learning and languages And whether the same spirit is to be waited for and received And whether the same anointing can be known in this age or any age to come as it was in and among the Apostles and Christians before the Apostacy and degeneration ANSWER To all this I answer and do say that the present state of Christianity is woful and to be condemned of the Lord as being degenerated from his life power and spirit whereby all hearts are darkened and all minds estranged from the Covenant of life and peace and from the sence and feeling of the life of God and now in all the wayes and worships and practices of Christians they are fallen and degenerated from that life in which the Christians once were and the beast hath raigned over all for many ages and because of his power and greatness and dominion who hath been able to make war with him he hath killed the Saints and hath subjected all Nations under his power and every Nation hath received the mark of the beast and born his Image for generations and all flesh hath sâ—…ggered and hath been made drunk with the â—…up of fornication that hath been iâ—… the hand of the whore who hath set upon this beast who hath caused both small and great to worship him and all that would not he hath had power to kill them and this Government hath ruled over the whole Christendom and the worship practised hath been but the worship of the beast while people have been erred from the spirit of Christ and not guided by it onely and people hath been compelled to worship by Laws of men they have been compelled to sprinkle their Infants and they have been compelled to go to Steeple houses and compelled to keep a Sabboth and compelled to hire Priests and to pay them wages against their wills and all this compelling by an outward power hath not been the worship of God but savoured altogether of the worship of the beast for you may read Rev. 13. 12 15 16 17. how the beast caused all both small and great to worship him and all that would not worship him by his power he hath had power to kill them and all compelling and causing to worship by an outward power is the worship of the beast for Christ nor his Apostles never caused any to worship God by an outward power for while Christianity kept its purity and authority they begot people to God and to worship him by the word of God and by the power of the spirit and they did not bring any into their Sect nor to worship with them by an outward Law and authority for that is in the Government of the beast it was he that first caused both small and great to conform to his worship and it is his power that upholds it and maintains it unto this day But now the seed of God is arising which is able to make war with the Beast and his kingdome and his worship shall be thrown down to the ground and all this causing and compelling to worship causing to keep a day and causing to hire Teachers to maintain them and this causing to go to Steeple-houses and to maintain them and all this causing to pay tythes it shall all fall to the ground and be beat down by the 〈◊〉 of God which is a rising and it shall be no more found among true Christians nor the Beast shall not be worshipped 〈◊〉 his authority any more of force for the day of the Lord hath now appeared and the light is sprung forth which hath made all things manifest and now the difference is known between the worship of the beast and the worship of the true God And concerning the state of Christianity to come this I â—…new believe a glorious restauration thereof shall appear throughout the whole christendom christianity shall again be restored to its former purity and Christians shall and may receive the same spirit from which the Christians hath been degenerated and the same life the same power and the same worship and Unity shall be revived amongst Christians in the restoration even the same that was in the beginning before the Apostacy and the glory of God shall again appeare among his people and they shall again worship him in spirit and in truth onely as they did before the Apostacy and all this traditionall worship and false imitations which hath been set up since the Apostles dayes shall be overthrown and confounded the Lord is risen and will dash down and overthrow all this idolatry now practised amongst Christians And a great shaking and counfounding shall suddenly come among Christians for the Lord will break down that which hath been builded because it is polluted and he will pluck â—…p that which hath been planted because it is defiled and a mighty work will the Lord work in the Earth the kingdoms of this world will he change into the kingdoms of Christ and Christ shall reigne in and among his people and his spirit shall be the teacher and leader of his people and all false â—…chers will the Lord confound and consume all these hirelings who go for gifts and rewards and all this manner of preaching and teaching which are come up since the Apostles dayes all this preaching which they study for and by a 〈◊〉 and for so much money a year all this shall be tumbled down into the pit Gods vengeance shall come upon it all and the annoynting shall be received and it shall dwell in people as it did in the Apostles and the people shall need no other
when that was come they should be witnesses and Ministers of Christ Acts 1. 48 and as they were waiting with one accord in one place the Holy Ghost fell among them and filled them and then they began to speak as the spirit gave them utterance and they went up and down and testified to the World of what they had heard and seen Acts 2. 4. now this was the call of Christian Ministers and this was the authority by which they went forth into the World to wit the spirit of God poured upon them and by authority of this onely they went up and down the World and declared what they had handled seen and tasted of the Word of of life 1 Iohn 〈◊〉 and as every man had received the gift so they might minister the same one to another 1 Pet. 4. 10. and this was the practise of the Christian Ministers in the beginning of Christianity concerning their call to the Ministâ—…ry But how is the Christians here dâ—…generated from what the Apostles were in for by another way then this are your Ministers made not by the gift of the holy Ghost received from God neither do the Christians now wait for such a thing to go forth by authority and power thereof but they are made Ministers by natural learning and education at School having authority by man and are â—…pproved of man and not of God and a man knows who of his children he will make Ministers when they are Infants and thereupon puâ—…s him to Schools to learn Arts and knowledge of earthly things 〈◊〉 so long time till he have gained so much knowledge and craft to be approved of such and such men and as is 〈◊〉 knowledge and opportunity serves withal having a greaâ—… place provided where there is great store of maintenance such a man becomes a Minister and a Preacher to others having never received nor thought to receive the giâ—…t of the Holy Ghost neither having heard seâ—…n tasted nor handled any thing of the Word of life from Gâ—…d in his own particular neither hath he received the gift of Christ to be made a Minister by this sheweth greatly your degenâ—…ration from the true Christian spirit none then Ministers among Christianâ—… but them who had received the gift by the Holy Ghost and power from on high but now Ministers are made and approved and sent forth amongst Christians because of natural learning and education without receiving the gift 〈◊〉 the holy Spirit and the Ministers of Christ then spoke 〈◊〉 the spirit gave them utterance but now Ministers studies foâ—… what they speak and reads old Authors to gather forth matteâ—… to preach to the people then the Christian Ministers heard and tasted and handled of the Word of life in themselves but now the Ministers hath their knowledge from bookâ—… and what they have heard and read without them Oh how great is your Apostacy ye Christians and in respect of your Ministry how greatly are you degenerated from the Ministry which the Christians once had be hold consider this all ye Christians upon earth your Ministry is proved not to agree but rather to be contrary to that Ministry which was amongst Christians in the purity of Christianity as hereby is manifest and you are fallen from the Ministry made by the gift of the holy Ghost to a ministry made by natural learning consider all ye Christians how great is this fall Again in respect of the maintenance of your Ministry your degeneration doth appear for the Ministers of Christ amongst Christians as they were called by the spirit so they were maintained in the work of their Ministry by the free gift of the people who received their Ministry and they were to give freely and minister freely as they had received freely 〈◊〉 10. 8. 2 Cor. 11 7. The Apostle preached the Gospel of God 〈◊〉 and would not make it chargeable to any 1 Cor. 9. 18. and the Ministers of Christ among Christians at that day went through the world and preached freely the things that they had received from God and they sought no mans money nor gâ—…d nor apparel Acts 20. 33. and saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 12 14. I seek not yours but you and that was their end altogether to bring people to God by their Ministry onely Christ did allow Luke 9. 4. Into whatsoever house they entred that was worthy they might there abide eating and drinking such things as were set before them and it was the Apostles practice sometimes to reap carnal things where they had sown spiritual things and it was a small matter that they did so yet by a free gift they desired to reap it and not by force and violence did they ever obtain any thing But concerning this great is the degeneration of Christians in this generation for now the Ministers amongst you Christians are maintained by an outward power through compelling maintenance of Tithes and other set wages from the people even from them that doth not receive their Ministry and they do not preach freely but makes their preaching chargeable to whole nations and the maintaining of Christian Ministers is become a burthen to whole nations and great oppressions upon the poor and now the Ministers seeks mens mony and gold and it doth not appear that they only seek a people to God but on the contrary they seek peoples mony to themselves and it doth not saâ—… the Ministers now to eat drink such things that is set before them in a house that is worthy but they must have so much a year and so much a sermon and so much from every particular man of his parish be they worthy or unworthy to the value of 100. or 200 l. by the year whereby poor people are greatly oppressed and they will reap carnal things by force and violence from them to whom they sow no spiritual things for they are suing at Law and putting in prison and distraining peoples goods by force and cruelty to maintain them and their familes in pride and idleness which things the Christian Ministers formerly in the dayes of the Apostles never did but were often under great sufferings in 〈◊〉 often and in cold and nakedness often Labouring with their hands 2. Cor. 11. 27. Wherefore ye Christians behold how you are fallen and how your Ministry is degenerated both in its call in its maintenance being diverted 〈◊〉 contrary to what the Christian Ministry was once behold I say how you are fallen and your Ministry quite subverted from what the Ministry was in the dayes of the Apostles then the maintenance of Ministers was by a free gift from them that received their Ministry and they would not make their Ministry chargeable to any but now the maintenance of Ministers is by force and cruelty and great oppression of many people and their preaching is chargeable to many Nations then they sought no man gold nor mony nor sought â—…ot riches from the people
but onely sought the people to God but now mens mâ—…ney and riches are sought and taken â—…rom them by violence without regard of seeÌ„king people or bringing people to God then to eat and drink in a house that was worthy such thingâ—… as were set before them and to reap carnal things as meat and drink and necessaries by a free gift from them that received their Ministry thiâ—… was a sufficient maintenance for the Christian Ministers but now so many hundred pounds by the year to maintain themselves and their families in pride and idleness and to reap it by compulsion and injustice from poor people in this manner are the Christian Ministers now maintained which iâ—… maniâ—…est to be quite contrary to the practice of Christian Ministers in the Apostles dayes Behold your fall ye Christians and how you are degenerated the Lord is come to try you and to search you yâ—…u are weighed and are found too light you are measured and are found wanting what the Christians were once in their purity you are noâ—… in many things but the contrary which sheweth that you have the name of Christians 〈◊〉 â—…y tradition but are without the life and being paralelâ—…'d with the Christians who truly followed Christ you are no whit equal to them in any thing but wholly contrary in all things shewing you follow another spirit then they who were followers of the spirit of Christ so 〈◊〉 to the whole world that you are degenerate out of Christ the true Vine and are branches in a degenerate stock which brings frâ—…it forth through you which honours not God but grieves his pure spirit and be ye witnesses against your selves that you are fallen and degenerate from that life and practice which was amongst the Apostles and Christians Again as concerning your worship which is now practiced amongst you Christians through the world herein also will your Apostacy greatly appear for the worship of the Christians was one and guided by one spirit and was in the spirit and in the truth saith Christ Iohn 4 concerning the worship of Christians God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth and saith the Apostle We are the circumcision that worship God in spirit and rejoyces in Christ Iesus and hath no confidence in the flesh Phil. 3. 3. And these were Christians and also Rom 6 7. They worshipped God not in the oldness of the Letter but in the newness of the Spirit and the spirit guided them in all thingâ—… and was their teacher in all their worship for the Spirit taught them to pray and they prayed in the spirit and they knew not 〈◊〉 they should pray for as they ought but the spirit made intercâ—…ssion for them Rom. 8. 26. and the Christians were exhorted to pray in the Holy Ghost Jud 20. and the preaching of Christians it was in the spirit and by the teachings of the Spirit for they preached as the spirit gave them utterance Acts 2. And Philip was led by the spirit and the Spirit of the Lord moved Philip to go and preach to the Eunuch Acts 8. And the Apostles went up and down as they were moved and led by the Spirit and preached and prayed in what place and at what time and season as the spirit moved them and gave them utterance sometime in the fields and sometime in houses this was the practice of the Christians in their preaching and praying and also the Apostle said I will pray with the spirit and with understanding and I will sing with the spirit and with understanding and he exhorted the Christians to 〈◊〉 in psalms and spiritual songs singing to the Lord and making melody in their hearts to him Eph. 5. 19. Nâ—…w this is the â—…mony concerning what the worship of Christians was its manifest that it was in the spirit and by the teachingâ—… of 〈◊〉 spirit their preaching praying and singing were in the 〈◊〉 taught and exercised therein by the spirit which they had received from God But now the worship of Christians at this day is not agreeable to this but being laid to the line of judgement is proproved contrary for first the Christians now are divided in their worship and hath many forms of worship some worshipping after one manner and others after another so that amongst the Christians there are divers forms of worshipping and they are striving and contending about their worship every one praising their own form and striving one against anothers form of worship and this sheweth that the Christians now are not guided nor exercised by the own spirit of God in their worship and this shews that the Christians now are degenerated from the true worship of God in spirit which once the Christians worship stood in for then the worship of Christians was one and in one spirit but now the worship of Christians are many and divers and divided one from another and they are not in unity in their worship but in striâ—…e and division and herein you are Apostatized from the 〈◊〉 of Christianity and its manifest that the worship of Christians now is not in the spirit and in the truth but in vain traditions learned in natural knowledge by people that are noâ—… converted unto God and any part of the worship which is now practised amongst Christians whether amongst Papists of any â—…ort or amongst Protestants of any sort I say every part of the worship now practised amongst Christians through the world may be taught unto and learned of and exercised in by a man that knows not God neither is in the truth nor converted to the truth neither hath the Spirit of God guiding nor leading of him and I say that which may be done or practised by a man that is not in the spirit nor in the truth nor is yet converted to the knowledge of God nor is not in any measure guided by the Spirit of God is noâ—… the worship of the true God which is in the spirit and truth but as I have said any part of the worship now practised amongst Christians may be done and practised by a man that is 〈◊〉 of the spirit and out of the truth and unconverted to the knowledge of God and therefore the worship now practised amongst Christians is not the true worship of the true God which is in the spirit and in the truth and which cannot be practised without it Many more things might be said as to prove the worship of Christians nâ—…w as practised by them is not the true worship of the true God but this is true which I have said that which is practised without the spirit of God is not the true worship of God which must be in the spirit and cannot be practised without it but such is the worship of Christians for the Christians now generally prayeth some after one form and some after another in their own wills and times and knoweth not the movings of the spirit of the Father thereunto nor