of Christ will do When he is convinced of the Suitableness and absolute Necessity of this Righteousness to him and that nothing short of an Interest in it will satisfie his Conscience Also When he is convinced of his great Evil in leaning so long on his own Righteousness and the proneness of his Heart to do so still And Lastly When he is convinced of an evil Heart of Unbelief The Spirit convinceth of no Sin but Vnbelief Sure Mr. Jerry was under a great Mistake For it was this I inferred from John 16. 7 8 9 10. 11. That the first Sin the Spirit savingly convinceth a Man of is his own evil Heart of Unbelief and his Evil in trusting to his own Righteousness But see how strangely it is wrested What will not Envy and Prejudice put a Man upon For any to look to their Sanctification was an hindrance to their closing with Christ 'T is true in a good sence they have no Holiness afore they close with Christ and what should they look for that to bring with them they cannot possibly have afore they come ANIMADVERSIONS The Reader may easily perceive that the tendency of all these Charges under this general Head is to support Two Principles I. That there must be antecedent Works as Conditions of Justification Or at least II. There must be antecedent Works to fit and prepare us for Christ The First Principle I cannot fall in with for these ensuing Reasons Reas 1. God Justifies us freely as well as he Chose us freely and Christ died for us freely God chose the Elect and Christ died for them without any regard had to foreseen Conditions Rom. 9. 11. with 13. 15. Rom. 5. 6 8. So he also Justifies Rom. 9. 16. So Rom. 3. 24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Reas 2. The Word of the Lord says That God Justifies the Elect not as Saints nor as reformed Sinners but as ungodly Sinners Rom. 4. 5. But believeth on him that justifies the ungodly Therefore he does not Justifie upon precedent Conditions Reas 3. To make the Works of the Law to be the Conditions of our Justification is to seek to be Justified by the Deeds of the Law I which the Word of the Lord expressly condemns Rom. 3. 20 28. Gal. 2. 11. 3. 11. Reas 4. If the Sinner may be allowed to have the Works of the Law as Conditions of his Justification then he has ground of boasting in himself But the Law of Faith that receives Justification freely as a free Gift Rom. 5. 16. excludes all manner of boasting from the Creature Rom. 3. 27. Where is Boasting then It is excluded By what Law Of Works Nay but by the Law of Faith Reas 5. The perfect Law or Promise of an infinitely Holy Righteous God must needs require Perfect Conditions Therefore Imperfect Obedience cannot be the Conditions of Justification Reas 6. Whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin and all Works done before Faith put on the Nature of Sin and that that is sinful cannot be the Conditions of Justification Reas 7. They that are performing Conditions in a State of Nature are under a Curse Gal. 3. 10. For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse And how can that that is under a Curse be the Cndition of Justification Reas 8. This Doctrine of Antecedent Conditions of Justification as it is contrary to the Word of God so it is contrary to the Doctrine of the first Protestant Reformers and also expressly contrary to the Tenth Eleventh Twelfth and Thirteenth Articles of the Church of England which most of the Dissenting Ministers in the Kingdom have subscrib'd to Neither can I be for the Second Principle Viz. That there must be antecedent Qualifications at least to fit us and prepare us for Christ Before I give my Reasons I shall first tell what the Question is not And then what it is 1. The Question is not Whether an Elect Soul may not often be under the Convictions of the Law before Grace cometh For that we all agree in 2. Or Whether God doth most commonly lay hold of a Sinner by his Grace when he is under strong Convictions of Sin by the Law For this I readily assent to 3. Or Whether since Actual Justification as it is an Act of God terminated in the Conscience is an Actual Discharge there for the sake of Imputed Righteousness that it is necessary there be the same moment an Actual Conviction or Arraignment by the Law in the Conscience which is called a Sight of Sin to make the Soul see its need of the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus But the Question is Whether legal Convictions do prepare and fit the Soul to receive Christ i. e. By enabling the Soul the more or making the Soul the more willing to receive Grace antecedent to the State of Grace And this I do deny All the aforesaid Arguments against Conditions of Justification are edg'd against such antecedent Qualifications also However I shall add a few more Arguments Arg. 1. The Word of the Lord says That God walks by the same rule in Calling as he did in Election and the Eternal Compact 2 Tim. 1. 9. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Whence it is convincingly evident That as he hath chosen the Elect and promised them all Grace in Christ their Common-Head before the Foundation of the World without any regard had to their fore-seen Qualifications not according to their Works So he also saveth them with an holy Calling in time without the least regard had to their then previous Works For it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Rom. 9. 16. See further Eph. 2. 8. Arg. 2. The Spirit is as free in Application as the Father in Election and the Son in the Work of Redemption and therefore the Spirit in Conversion regards not antecedent Qualifications Arg. 3. 'T is in Christ Jesus we are God's Workmanship created to good works Eph. 2. 10. Therefore there is no power for Good Works antecedent to our actual Union with Christ Arg. 4. The first Work of God Souls are put upon is Believing Joh. 6. 28 29. And we are pressed in Scripture to other good Works after Believing Tit. 3. 8. Therefore there can be no previous Qualifications preparatory of Faith Arg. 5. Faith it self is receiving a free Gift as freely given Rom. 4. 16. Eph. 2. 8. Therefore ex Naturâ rei excludes all manner of such antecedent Qualifications Arg. 6. The Promise was by Faith that it might be sure to all the Seed Rom. 4. 16. Even to the Gentile Seed who had no manner of Qualifications to bring For the Scripture saith expressly they had not so much Qualifications as to follow after righteousness
the Sword that goeth out of my Lord's Mouth will finish the Work in his own time and then shall be fulfilled many Scriptures on them that go on in their Scorning 3. They say I said They that die doubting and Fearing are Damned And they charge me with Barbarity Ans I never was so barbarous as the Writers would make me but I had and have Bowels for poordoubting dejected Souls as many can Witness neither did I say these words alone but this I said They that live and die Doubting and never believe on the Lord Jesus are Damned s And so saith the Scripture Without are the Fearful and Unbelieving and he that Believeth not shall be Damned 4. They say I said Christ tore himself Ans When I broke the Bread according to Christ's Institution tho they Revile on that account also I did in setting forth the love of Christ in laying down his own Life for us say thus Christ gave himself but presently added That tho there was a Sovereign Act of Christ in laying down his own Life according to that Scripture John 10. 15. 17 18. yet it was the wicked hands of the Jews that Murthered him 5. When we find our Hearts most wicked then to Believe in Christ is Pure Faith Ans I remember not that I said so but if I had I know not what cause any have to be Offended unless it be those that think to make themselves good before they Believe David would trust in God when the Iniquity of his Heels compassed him about And whether should a poor filthy Sinner go but to the Blood of Christ for Cleansing but I find the Accusers would be acting like Naaman the Syrian that thought the Waters of his own Country better than the Waters of Jordan But Paul saith this is a faithful Saying and worthy of all acceptation That Christ Jesus came into the World to save Sinners of whom I am chief 1 Tim 1 15. And if Christ Jesus came to save the chiefest of Sinners then certainly when I see my self the chief of Sinners and yet Believe in Christ this must be pure Faith that looketh through all to Christ and I am sure was there more of this Faith there would be more Holiness in Heart and Life 6. That there is no use of the Law This they say I said at Oundle but when I said it or on what account I know not neither do the Accusers tell me But this I do declare as my Judgment of the Law First That it is Holy Just and Good Secondly That those that Believe not are under the Condemnation of it Thirdly That it is a Rule of Life to Believers But yet this I must say it cannot give Life to dead Souls and therefore not of use on that account Gal. 3. 21. Again there cannot be Righteousness attained by it on which account a Sinner may be Justified Gal. 2. 21. For if Righteousness came by the Law then Christ is dead in vain 7. That the 42 of Isaiah 19 ver is meant of Christ That Christ was Blind and Deaf and did not know what he should suffer when he came into the World Ans I did say That that place spake of Christ and I judge still that it doth but I did not say That he was Blind and Deaf and did not know what he should suffer when he came into this World And pray Reader consider that Verse and the 20. 27. with the first Verse Behold my Servant And in this 19 Verse the Lord's Servant Again he is said to be Perfect And again there is difference between the 18 Verse and the 19. The 18 Verse speaketh of the People of Israel that were Deaf and Blind and calleth upon them in the Plural Number saying Hear ye Deaf and look ye Blind But this 19 Verse speaketh in the Singular Number My Servant and he that is Perfect Again it is said Seeing many things but thou observest not opening the Ears but he heareth not Now how can this be meant of wilfully Blind Israel or their Priests for tho it be granted they were Deaf and Blind themselves yet they could not open the Ears of others therefore I take the Words to be meant of Christ that tho he did foresee all his Sufferings that he was to pass through yet he did not so observe them as to hinder him in his carrying on our Redemption tho he did hear the contradiction of Sinners against himself yet he suffered patiently for them according to the 38 Psalm 12 13 14 ver They all seek after my Life c. But I as a deaf Man hear'd not and I was as a dumb Man that opened not his Mouth thus I was as a Man that heareth not and in whose mouth are no Reproofs Compare this with Acts 8. 32. and 1 Pet. 2. 2. 8. That we are Adopted from Eternity Ans I did Preach our being Predestinated unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ according to the Good pleasure of his Will And if any will contend against it let them know they contend against that plain Scripture Eph. 1. 5. For my part I am well satisfied that there are a number Chosen in Christ their Head and fore-appointed by the Father to this Relation of Son-ship in Jesus Christ and because they are Sons he sendeth forth the Spirit of his Son crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. And pray let it be considered it is one thing for us to be took into favour by the Father in Christ our Head and another thing for us to have this kindness of God manifested and help given to us to receive it Gal. 4. 5. that we might receive the Adoption of Sons 9. That People must not rest on Promises and think to renew their Comfort by them Ans I did not say these words separate from others and if prejudiced People will run away with half Sentences and be offended I cannot help it I have been as wary as I could notwithstanding the Unchristian Reflections that the Accusers cast upon me This I have said That People must not rest on Promises separate from Christ for tho God hath given to us exceeding great and precious Promises yet those Promises are Yea and Amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1. 20. So I have said They must not renew their comfort by the promise separate from Christ and that fullness of Grace in him that the Promise speaks of I do say the Word is as it were the Breasts but the Sincere Milk of the Breast is Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 2. As new born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word What this Milk of the Word is you may see Verse 6. wherefore it is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a chief Corne-stone Elect Precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded Therefore you must renew your Comforts in Christ by the Promise And whereas they say Head the 25. Doth not this make void the Promise I say no for it bringeth you to the Promise in it's right Place but I will return the 〈◊〉 Doth not their way in Arguing for Comfort by the Promise separate from Christ make Christ of none Effect But if any ask who argueth so I Answer many that I have known which hath been the cause of our thus Preaching there are many that have great Notions of the Word and take their Comfort from their Notions which notwithstanding reject Christ and count it Presumption to Believe and it plainly appeareth by their wicked Carriages and ungodly Reasonings and hard Speeches against the Saints I say it appeareth that they have not Faith neither know what it is to Believe notwithstanding all their Notions Thus the Pharisees they took Comfort from the Promise made to Abraham and they boasted they were his Seed and thought to have Eternal Life in the Scriptures But Christ telleth them That they would not come to him that they might have Life And here I intreat all that are high in their Notions to look to it that their Faith in Christ be according to their Notions concerning him And here also I beseech poor drooping doubting Souls to learn to take hold of Christ in the Promise and rest on him that speaketh yea and renew your Comforts in him learn what that meaneth Matt. 11. 28. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you Rest Lastly They speak of many such Doctrins that I have delivered but when I know what they are I shall Answer them as the Lord shall help me But I hope those that are concerned in writing the Pamphlet will learn more Wisdom in their next and as in this they concealed their Names as being ashamed to be known like Thieves that Disguise themselves when they have a mind to Rob their near Neighbours so in their next they conceal their Wickedness lest that they thought to do to others be done to themselves by the Lord 's leaving them to fall under Reproaches and Shame according to that Word Isa 41. 11. Behold all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded they shall be as nothing and they that strive with thee shall Perish Read the next Verse But I shall leave the Pamphlet with the Writers and Abetters of it and earnestly desire the Reader to Pray for and endeavour to understand the Truth and comply with it tho Men and Devils strive against it and I earnestly desire thee wherein thou thinkest I am out thou wilt Pray for me and take the first opportunity to deal with me according to the rule of Christ Matt. 18. 15. that if I am out I may be informed or if I be not out thy Thoughts may be governed because wrong informed I shall add no more because I would not make our Answers too Bulky but earnestly desire the Prayers of the Godly for me under all my Reproaches for Christ who do and shall Pray for thee and my Enemies FINIS
testified against such notorious Forgeries some whereof were pretended to be delivered publickly others in private discourse accordingly therefore I shall divide them The first were alledged to be spoke more publickly 21. To preach Marks of Sanctification is a Doctrine of an old Covenant strain Answ If they had added legal Marks I would have stood by it and so I believe I expressed it But saving Faith has its saving Effects inseparably attending it which I often preach all Scriptures quoted to that purpose are expressive of the inseparable Effects of saving Faith 22. Sanctification is no Evidence of our Justification Answ I have often expressed it that some may mistake a legal Holiness for an evangelical one i. e. They are apt to conclude as I once my self was that when they have such a Catalogue of meer legal Qualifications to boast of then they think they may believe which I apprehend to be a seeking to be justified by the works of the Law But as for excluding Faith and its Effects from being Evidences I never did nor is it my judgment 23. Disciples grieve Christ when they mourn for Sin Answ But the truth of the matter is this I was thus glossing on that passage John 14. 1. Let not your heart be troubled That Christ seemed to be concerned that his Disciples were so grieved at the news of his departure And see good Reader how Malice has perverted it There needs no proof of so plain a matter therefore their ridiculous Confutation fights against a Man of Straw of their own setting up 24. God is the ultimate Object of a strong justifying Faith and Jesus of Nazareth the mediate Object of a weak Faith Answ I never used to separate the Godhead from the humane Nature What then I laboured to make out was this That weak Believers have not so full and distinct a view of the blessed Object of Faith as they that are more clear and strong in Faith This I think is so undeniable that it needs no further Proof than the stating of it thus 25. Christ and Believers are One in Intercession Answ That which was expressed in Prayer was this We are One with him viz. united to him who is our Intercessor This I think will appear afalse Doctrin to none but such as deny a Believer's Union to Christ 26. Believers dishonour Christ by relying on Promises Answ I then spake to this effect 'T is possible some may rely on the Letter of the Promise and not regard Christ in the Promise and they that do so do disrespect and dishonour Christ. Which Truth if these Libellers dare deny they are not fit to be talked with Thus far concerning the Charges of a publick Nature in Cambridge Now follows the Testimony of the Hearers concerning them WE whose Names are here under-written being present when Mr. Davis preached that Sermon in Cambridge when those erronious Doctrines were pretended to be delivered and hearing instantly of the misconstruction of his words through Ignorance and Malice did then while it was fresh in our memories bear our Testimonies against such notorious Falshoods and now testify the whole was false as charged and the matters true as stated in these Papers Jo. Craske James Toolidge Jo. Burges Thomas Greene James Speckman Andrew Craske Stephen Taylor George Godfrey Edward Rogers Joseph Juit William Bentchy Nicholas Spillman Henry Ellis Nathaniel Tench The three following false Charges were words wrested in private discourse which they put upon the Rack to make them confess what they please 27. To believe our Sins are pardoned is justifying Faith Answ To this purpose I have preached often To believe on Jesus for the pardon of Sin is justifying Faith And it was further added to this purpose That saving Faith doth accept of and rely on the pardong Grace that Christ hath already purchased Luke 14. 17. For all things are now ready The Apostle declareth that the first thing he preached to the Corinthians as the foundation of their Faith was That Christ diedfor their Sins according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3. And this they had been commanded to believe I never said that nothing was true Faith but what amounted to that degree of positive unwavering and sensible believing that our Sins are pardoned But this is certain that God giveth to many of his Children great persuasion of the pardon of their Sins and who dare deny that to be justifying Faith I do grant that Formalists and wicked persons may have a false presumption of the pardon of their Sin but this doth not impeach the Faith of God's Elect at all I only contend for that Faith that is of the operation of the Holy Ghost which purifies the heart lip and life I think it hath not been so well done of our latter Divines to depart from that definition of Faith given always by our first Reformers who as they lead the Van so no doubt they had most of the Spirit of Christ I judge it a safe way to form a definition of Faith from the holy Scriptures of Truth rather than from the dark low Experiences of weak Believers This may be explained as low as is consistent with Truth for the comforting of doubting Souls See the Apostles definition of Faith Hebr. 11. 1. with many other places and this Faith the Scripture presses us to Hebr. 3. 6. 10 22 35 c. and this was the Apostles Faith Gal. 2. 20. 28. Faith is nothing but a Persuasion that my Sins are pardoned Answ This hath been answered already and so I pass it by 29. Believers may not take Comfort in the actings of their Graces Answ This I do not remember but believe it to be an untruth For no doubt persons have peace and joy in believing and that is the acting of grace The exercise of Faith and other graces as flowing from it is very comfortable But this I have opposed and others contend for that inherent qualifications without Faith can be the actings of grace or bring any true comfort to the Soul WE whose Names are under written being then present at the discourse between Mr Hunt and Mr. Davis in Cambridge did hear Mr. Hunt with great prejudice wrest Mr. Davis ' s Words and ' Sentences and did then oppose and contradict him in so doing And we do protest the Particulars are true as Mr. Davis stateth them and false as the Informers do Jo. Craske Thomas Greene James Coolidge Henry Ellis The following Charges are miscellaneous being chiefly Sentences dropt in private discourse miserably rackt and tortured by the Libeller and not so affixed to places 30 Charge Whatever is supernatural is saving Grace Answ That that was said was this All saving Grace is supernatural And the Bedford Gentleman was then contradicted when he wrested it 31. Zeal is to be preferred before Judgment Answ This also was a wresting of words in private discourse and the occasion was this One in discourse with me at Kimbolton who it seems was highly conceited
Subversion of the Hearers Whether you do not rather gratify their sinful Lusts both by your Discourses and Pamphlet and form them up to Pride Malice Strife and Contention than to heavenly-mindedness spiritual conversation and an holy walk How should they follow your Faith when you are the greatest Opposers of the grace of Faith in the Nation And how dangerous it is for them to consider the end of your conversation which is Self and Sin and not Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13. 7 8. 3. Consider seriously Whether you have not exposed Religion as well by your former actings as by this Libel to the contempt and scorn of the common People Was it not the highest wickedness in you so to order the disposal of many of them as that they were put into the hands of Alehouse-keepers to vend away very cheap or give them gratis to their tipling Company to create them Sport upon their Ale-benches and so render our holy Profession to be the Mockery and Song of the Drunkards and also dispose of them to the poor harvest Folks to read under Hedges You have not only stumbled them from hearing of me but your selves also and every one that beareth the Name of a dissenting Minister You have not only made me odious but Religion our Profession and the dissenting Interest in general Their hatred and ignorance will neither know or make any difference 4. Search into your own hearts and consider by what Principles you have been carried forth in all your former opposition as well as this Libel Lee your Consciences answer truly in the presence of the awful Searcher of hearts as they are always open and naked before his eyes with whom you and I have to do And have they not been Self-gain Self preheminence Ambition Pride Malice and Revenge Is not your Cry like the old Cry of Demetrius and his Followers That your Craft is in danger to be spoilt and your Gain like to be lost Let the Apostle James if you are ashamed answer for your Consciences and for all Jam. 4. 1. From whence cometh wars and fightings amongst you come they not hence from your lusts that war in your members ver 2. Ye lust and have not ye kill and desire to have but cannot obtain ye fight and war yet ye have not because ye ask not ver 3. Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts ver 5. Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy ver 6. But he giveth more grace wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud but giveth grace unto the humble 5. Consider seriously what spirit you have acted in all along Was it in the Spirit of Christ or your own spirits Nay was it not in the very worse dregs of your own spirits Weigh this well Whether you have managed your selves in opposition to supposed Errors according to those Commands of the Lord 2 Tim. 2. 3. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid knowing that they gender strife ver 24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men apt to teach patient ver 25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventrire will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth Ah! Have not you rather carried it quite contrary even in your manifest fruits of the flesh such as variance emulations wrath strife envyings back-bitings whisperings swellings tumults c 2 Cor. 12. 10. Had your Cause been never so good yet your way of managing it has been enough to ruine it 6. Was it the honour and glory of Christ that you proposed at the end of such Actions or rather the advancement of some cursed Idols of Self Any unprejudic'd Man that reads your Libel can soon determine the Question Can you think this to be a likely way even in a spirit of bitterness and persecution to reclaim us from those Errors and Heresies that you assert we are fallen into Why did not you in prudence and good manners give way to the wiser learneder and graver heads at London to make the first tryal of their Skill And why must you with your printed Mint of Slander impertinently iuterrupt them and rudely anticipate their Essays and by a malevolent conjunction of so bad a Libel with their Ketterin Visitation cast such an Odium upon them and their Proceedings as cannot in haste be wiped away 7. Consider Whether it be not the greatest Uncharitableness to judge that the great Numbers converted by this erroneous Preaching as you call it are all under Delusions What is Conversion if this be not that those who were so grosly ignorant are so enlightned as to understand and speak so judiciously clearly and experimentally of the person and undertakings of the Lord Jesus and Justification by him alone of the beauty and excellency they saw by Faith in him his suitableness to their wants and the absolute necessity they have of him and his righteousness through a deep sight of their sin and misery and a supernatural discovery of him Is it not evident also that those who were formerly very wicked and profligate in their Lives and Conversations are now become religious serious and circumspect Yea those that are afflicted when they are themselves do adore the Doctrine of our Lord and Saviour and are most awful of God in Christ These many of them live in your Neighborhoods and no doubt many of them by their holy Lives and zealous Profession leave a Testimony in your Consciences for the work of God wrought upon their Souls If you approve not of their Conversion how came some of you to admit several of them into your Churches It seems their Conversion is good enough if they offer themselves to you Can you be then so censorious to judge them all acted by a Satanical Spirit and not converted If many of them are true Converts how dare you blast that Doctrine that God hath blest to reach them with the dreadful name of execrable Heresie It is an old and a true Maxim That the God of Truth never puts his Seal to a Lye We can say in great humility and self-abasing giving the sole honour to the excellency of the power that is of God that those despised Truths such poor Worms as we have deliver'd in the Name of the Lord and have been received amongst us have been sealed and attested to with Fire from Heaven I mean the Spirit of the Lord. 8. Consider this how grosly you abuse us to say we are against the Law of God No we constantly affirm The Law is good if a Man use it lawfully Nor are we against the preaching of it as it ought to be preached We always preach the Law of God demands of Sinners complete and infinite satisfaction and they that will satisfie the penalty of the Law in their own persons must go to Hell to do it
of the first primitive Church were of one heart one mind one accord but it was chiefly after the pouring down of the Spirit Acts 2. 36. 4. 24. 5. 12. To sum up all For extraordinary Actions there must be an extraordinary Spirit and a poor ordinary selfish Spirit will not suffice for great Designs and great Services for Christ Had not Joshua Zerubbabel Nehemiah Ezra been Men extraordinarily spirited they durst never have attempted their building work see Hagg. 2. 4 5. That that made me then conclude that this Union was untimely was this because I did not see the Spirit of God in a plentiful effusion thereof lead the way thereunto 2 dly My second Reason was this I observed that the greatest Numbers that were to make up this Union were such as 1. Had forsook the Cause and Banner of Christ in a day of Adversity and since have wiped their mouths clean and justified themselves and yet will be accounted great Dissenters still 2. Such as had been for a long season Strangers to the Order of the Gospel 3. Such as had not been only Strangers to it but had contested against it and persecured their Brethren for keeping close thereto And observing these to be the most forward and zealous in promoting of it implied to me no good design Not but that I grant People may repent and change their minds But then that Repentance if it be sincere they themselves being Judges is attended with a hearty loathing a free confession of and a forsaking of their former ignorance and evil ways That Rule of God's Word is a stated Rule to me in this Case it being a Prophecy of what ought to be in Church-matters in Gospel-days Ezek. 43. 10. the Prophet is directed to shew them the house in the deformity they brought it to for their humiliation The words run thus Thou son of man shew the house of Israel that they may be ashamed of their iniquities Ver. 11. And if they be ashamed of all they have done shew them the form of the house and the fashion thereof c. And ver 10. Let them measure the pattern thereof c. Whence observe none such can build aright for God unless they be ashamed of their former ignorance disorder and evil opposing spirit Now I was diligently hearkning and enquiring whether these Gentlemen now so forward for the Union had First Ever publickly or as much as privately acknowledged their former ignorance disorders and opposition and confessed they saw now more light in the order of God's house than ever before Secondly Whether the Ancients of them had acknowledged their evil in their former and latter opposition to and persecuting and reproaching of the faithful Followers of Jesus Christ that kept close to the order of the Gospel under the odious name of Sectarians Their ignorance opposition and persecution were too too publick to the dishonor of the Name of Christ the stumbling of the World and the grief of the Godly And I did expect if their Confession and Acknowledgment were true it would be full as broad and wide as their Crime Thirdly I was observing Whether as a sign of true Repentance they would pull down their old tottering humane Fabricks measure anew with the golden Reed of the Sanctuary and leave out the Rubbish and build anew according to the pattern in the Mount That would have testified they had indeed been in earnest and sincere in their Repentance But instead of this I never heard of as much as a private Acknowledgment therefore I could not but justly suspect that their Judgments were the same as ever and tho' they did in words give us almost all yet then I judged their designs were deepest and that they were to be treated with the extreamest Caution I confess we might have learn'd more Wit if not from the Bible yet from a Heathen Poet who bringeth in one speaking of the Grecians thus Aut ulla putatis Dona carere dolis Danaum Sic notus Ulysses In English thus Suspect that Grecian Gifts designs do own Strange that Ulysses is no better known For my own part I was ready to say of them when I saw their Concefsions as is further said there of the Greeks Timeo Danaos dona ferentes Which may be thus Englished I dread the Grecians and their cunning Shifts Than most of all when that they bring their Gifts It is certain Ahab intended no good to Jehoshaphat when he enter'd into so strict a league with him his whole design appeared to be no other than to engage him in that fatal War at Ramoth Gilead It was observed of the French of old what they lost by plain fighting with the English they always gained with an Overplus by their subtil Treaties But I pass on to my 3 d Reason 3 dly I could not but upon good grounds entertain Suspitions that all Confederacies with Men that continue to lag behind in a work of Reformation was unwarrantable and of a dangerous consequence That Command to Jeremiah sounded still in mine ears Go not thou to them but let them come unto thee Jer. 15. 19. I had observed that all impure mixtures in the work of the Lord were forbidden Deut. 22. 11. all linsey wolsey Garments under the Law were so So also Deut. 22. 10. was plowing with an Ox and an Ass together The Israelites experienced the bad effects of this when they took many of the mixed multitude with them out of Egypt As these retarded the work of the Lord so they derived such guilt on the whole Congregation that the Carcasles of most of them fell in the Wilderness The Builders in Zerubbabel's and Nehemiah's days were more wise and prudent they refused the offers of those false Brethren to build with them who said Let us build with thee for we seek your God as ye do and we do sacrifice unto him Ezra 4. 2. And it is well they put them off for otherwise their building work had never gone on I also observed that the Pillar of Fire and Cloud went always before the foremost Rank I confess I could not but fear such Unions was like wheeling the Front into the Rear and that is always losing ground then they that were in the Front lost the benefit of the conducting Pillar A word is enough to the wise 4 thly I had observed that most of the Gentlemen of the Union through darkness of mind were such as were no great Friends to the purity of the Gospel I therefore had my Jealousies lest this Union was formed on purpose whilst they secretly undermined both Faith and Order and tame us with the celebrated name of Union and Friendship with a gag in our mouths into a quiet Supiness whilst they went boldly on to pervert the Faith as well as Gospel-order and as I feared so it hapned But blessed be the Lord that hath awakened some of his Servants to contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints 5 thly I
to the whole revealed Mind and Will of God in his Word and upon his own Authority but as it is a saving Grace it is a work of the Spirit whereby a Sinner doth see and behold Christ in all his Excellencies and is persuaded and enabled to look to him to go forth from Sin and Self to lay hold of Christ and to rest and relie on Christ and his Righteousness for Acceptance with God and Eternal Salvation XVI Of Effectual Calling Effectual Calling is the powerful Voice of the Son of God by his Spirit accompanying his Word whereby a Sinner is enabled to accept of Christ upon his own Terms according to the Promise of the Gospel therefore it relates to Faith XVII Of Assurance Assurance is not a bare conjectural and probable Persuasion but the infallible certainty of Faith founded upon the Testimony of the Spirit of Adoption witnessing with our Spirits that we are the Children of God altho many Believers have not attained to this Assurance yet it is the Duty of all to seek after it and those that have attained to it may have it divers ways shaken and diminish'd through Sin and Temptations XVIII Of Perseverance The Perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own Free Will or inherent Grace already received but upon the Immutability of the Love of God in the Decree of Election the Efsicay and Merit of the Intercession of Christ The Nature of the Covenant of Grace and the abiding of the Spirit of God Altho true Believers cannot fall finally and totally yet they may fall into grievous Sins and may continue in them for a while whereby they grieve the Spirit lessen their Comforts wound their Consciences scandalise others and do come under the Rebuke of God's fatherly Corrections for their Recovery and Amendment XIX Of Adoption Adoption is an act of the free Grace of God in and for his only Son Jesus Christ whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his Children have his Name put upon them the Spirit of his Son given unto them are under his fatherly Care and Correction admitted to all the Liberties and Privileges of the Sons of God made Heirs of all the Promises and Fellow-heirs with Christ in Glory XX. Of Sanctification Sanctification is the Work of God's Grace whereby they whom God has before the Foundation of the World chosen to be Holy are in time through the powerful Operation of the Spirit applying the Death and Resurrection of Christ unto them renew'd in their whole Man after the Image of God having the Seeds of Repentance and of all other saving Graces put into their Hearts and those Graces so stirred up increased and strengthned as that they more and more dye unto Sin and rise up unto Newness of Life in the lively Actings and Exercises of Faith XXI Of Repentance True Gospel Repentance is a saving Grace wrought by the Spirit of God whereby we are enabled thorough believing on the Lord Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation to turn from Sin unto God XXII Preparatory Works Works done before Faith however good in themselves yet are vain fruitless sinful and not pleasing to God and therefore can't make us any ways meet for the receiving of Grace XXIII Of Good Works Good Works are then only Good when they are the Fruits of Faith and they ought to be carefully maintain'd by Believers not that they may thereby be justified or continued in a justified State but that they may glorifie God and answer the Ends of their Redemption by Jesus Christ XXIV Of the Moral Law The Moral Law holds the Elect during their Unregeneracy under its condemning Force 'till they believe and is unto all Believers a Rule for Obedience which they are enabled to conform unto by the Power of God's Grace XXV Of the State of Believers after Death and their Resurrection The Souls of Believers immediately after Death are made perfect in Holiness are received up to Heaven and behold the Face of God in Light and Glory Their Bodies in the mean time resting in the Grave till the Resurrection are then Re-united to their Souls in Perfect Blessedness and full Enjoyment of God forever XXVI Of the Last Iudgment God has appointed a Day wherein he will Judge the Quick and the Dead in Righteousness by Jesus Christ to whom all Power and Judgment is given of the Father for the Glorifying his Divine Mercy in the Salvation of the Elect and of his Divine Justice in the Eternal Damnation of the Wicked and Disobedient FINIS An Answer to some part of that Pamphlet Called A Plain and Just Account of a Plague being at Rothwell c. Wherein it will be manifest that they that gave the Account gave a very unjust Account in some Matters as in others they Charge as Errors the great Truths of the Gospel of our Lord. By Rob Betson Pastor of the Church of Christ in Wellingborough OH that my Head was a Fountain of Tears that I could Weep Day and Night for a Generation of Men professing love to Christ and Souls and yet their Mouths are full of Revilings and their Pens dipt in Gall as the first Page testifieth and several other places in the Book wherein they act like that Orator Tertullus in Acts 24. 5. We have found this Man a pestilent fellow and a mover of Sedition among all the Jews throughout the World and a Ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarens c. Thus he accused and the Jews assented saying That these things were so vers 9. And thus do the Writers of this Pamphlet accuse God's Servant Mr. Davis with many others which I question not but they are dear to our Lord Jesus But yet the People are ready to say all is true that can be spoken yea this I observe these Men will believe the Reports of the worst of Men against him when they will not believe their nearest Friends that speak for him tho what they speak they have seriously weigh'd which sheweth them to be of their minds Jeremy complaineth of Chap. 20. 10. Report say they and we will Report it But I believe the Lord in his own time will vindicate the Faith and Order of that Gospel which is now opposed by a Generation of Men that have not the Power of Godliness However I earnestly intreat all that fear the Lord to cease Reviling and take Paul's Counsel Ephesians 4. 31 32. Let all Bitterness and Wrath and Anger and Clamor and evil speaking be put away and be ye kind one to another And if you yet be in doubt take Gamaliel's Counsel Acts 5. 38 39. For we are very willing that whatever there is that is not of God should fall and we are also sure that whatever is of God you cannot overturn it therefore pray have a Care you be not found fighters against God And pray weigh very seriously what Mr. Davis hath written in answer to what is charged against him for I do trust that in