in their acknowledgment Many after this came unto us who before flew from us with such desires as those in Act. 2. Men and Brethren what shall we do and did willingly take shame to themselves in the open Assemblies by confessing some of them with many tears how they had given offence to the Lord and his People by departing from the Truth and being led by a Spirit of Error their alienation from their brethren in their affections and their crooked and perverse walking in contempt of Authority slighting the Churches and despising the Counsel of their godly Teachers Now they would freely discover the slights the Adversaries had used to undermine them by and steal away their Eyes from the Truth and their Brethren which before whilst their Eyes were seal'd they could not see And the fruit of this was great Praise to the Lord who had thus wonderfully wrought matters about Gladness in all our Hearts and Faces and Expressions of our renewed Affections by receiving them again into our Bosoms and from that time untill now have walked according to their renewed Covenants humbly and lovingly amongst us holding forth Truth and Peace with Power But for the rest which notwithstanding all these means of Conviction from Heaven and Earth and the Example of their seduced Brethrens return yet stood obdurate yea more hardned us we had cause to fear than before we convented those of them that were Members before the Churches and yet laboured once and again to convince them not only of their Errors but also of sundry exorbitant Practices which they had fallen into as manifest Pride contempt of Authority neglecting to hear the Church and lying c. but after no means prevailed we were driven with sad hearts to give them up to Satan Yet not simply for their Opinions for which I find we have been slanderously traduced but the chiefest cause of their Censure was their Miscarriages as have been said persisted in with great obstinacy The persons cast out of the Churches were about nine or ten as far as I can remember who for a space continued very hard and impenitent but afterward some of them were received into fellowship again upon their Repentance These persons cast out and the rest of the Ring-leaders that had received sentence of Banishment with many others infected by them that were neither censured in Court nor in Churches went all together out of our Iurisdiction and Precinct into an Island called Read-Island sirnamed by some the Island of Errors and there they live to this day most of them but in great strife and contention in the civil Estate and otherwise hatching and multiplying new Opinions and cannot agree but are miserably divided into sundry Sects and Factions But Mistress Hutchison being weary of the Island or rather the Island weary of her departed from thence with all her Family her Daughter and her Children to live under the Dutch near a place called by Sea-men and in the Map Hell-Gate And now I am come to the last Act of her Tragedy a most heavy stroak upon her self and hers as I received it very lately from a godly Hand in New-England There the Indians set upon them and slew her and all her family her Daughter and her Daughters Husband and all their Children save one that escaped her own Husband being dead before a dreadful Blow Some write that the Indians did burn her to death with fire her House and all the rest named that belonged to her but I am not able to affirm by what kind of death they slew her but slain it seems she is according to all Reports I never heard that the Indians in those parts did ever before this commit the like Outrage upon any one family or families and therefore Gods hand is the more apparently seen herein to pick out this woful woman to make her and those belonging to her an unheard-of heavy Example of their Cruelty above others Thus the Lord heard our Groans to Heaven and freed us from this great and sore Affliction which first was small like Elias's Cloud but after spread the Heavens and hath through great Mercy given the Churches rest from this disturbance ever since that we know none that lifts up his head to disturb our sweet Peace in any of the Churches of Christ among us blessed for ever be his Name I bow my knees to the God of Truth and Peace to grant these Churches as full a riddance from the same or like Opinions which do destroy his Truth and disturb their Peace A POSTSCRIPT I think it fit to add a comfortable Passage of News from those parts written to me very lately by a faithful hand which as it affected mine own Heart so it may do many others viz. That two Sagamores or Indian Princes with all their Men Women and Children have voluntarily submitted themselves to the Will and Law of our God with expressed desires to be taught the same and have for that end put themselves under our Government and Protection even in the same manner as any of the English are which morning-peep of Mercy to them saith he is a great means to awaken the Spirit of Prayer and Faith for them in all the Churches T. Welde A Catalogue of such Erroneous Opinions as were found to have been brought into New-England and spread under hand there as they were condemned by an Assembly of the Churches at New-Town Aug. 30. 1637. The Errors 1. IN the Conversion of a sinner which is saving and gracious the Faculties of the Soul and Workings thereof in things pertaining to God are destroyed and made to cease The Confutation 1. This is contrary to the Scripture which speaketh of the Faculties of the Soul as the Understanding and the Will not as destroyed in Conversion but as changed Luke 24 45. Christ is said to have opened their Understandings Ioh. 21. 18. Peter is said to be led whither he would not therefore he had a Will Again to destroy the Faculties of the Soul is to destroy the Immortality of the Soul Error 2. Instead of them the Holy Ghost doth come and take place and doth all the works of those natures as the faculties of the human nature of Christ do Confutation 2. This is contrary to Scripture which speaketh of God as sanctifying our Souls and Spirits 1 Thess. 5. 23. purging our Consciences Heb. 9. 14. refreshing our Memories Ioh. 14. 26. Error 3. That the love which is said to remain when Faith and Hope cease is the Holy Ghost Confutation 3. This is contrary to the Scriptures which put an express difference between the Holy Ghost and Love 2 Cor. 6. 6. And if our love were the Holy Ghost we cannot be said to love God at all or if we did it was because we were personally united to the Holy Ghost Error 4 5. That those that be in Christ are not under the Law and commands of the word as the rule of Life Alias that the Will of God in
where the Holy Ghost saith That by unfeigned and hearty love we may have assurance and yet neither there nor any where else would have us trust to our Sanctification so vers 7. He that doth righteousness is righteous as he is righteous Secondly If poverty of spirit which emptieth us of all confidence in our selves may evidence a Man's Iustification without trusting to it then may Sanctification without trusting to it but the former is true therefore also the latter Thirdly If it be an ordinance of God to evidence our Iustification by our Sanctification then we may do this without trusting to it but that is apparent from 2 Pet. 1. 10. Ergo. Error 68. Faith justifies an Unbeliever that is that Faith that is in Christ justifieth me that have no Faith in my self Confutation 68. This is contrary to Hab. 2. 4. For if the Just shall live by his Faith then that Faith that justifies is not in Christ. So Iohn 3. ult He that believeth not the wrath of God abideth on him It is not another's Faith will save me Error 69. Though a Man can prove a gracious work in himself and Christ to be the Author of it if thereby he will prove Christ to be his this is but a sandy foundation Confutation 69. This is contrary to these Scriptures Iohn 14. 21. and 28. He that keepeth my Commandments is he that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will shew my self unto him 1 John 3. 14. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethren And 1 John 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life therefore he that can prove that he hath spiritual life may assure himself that he hath Christ. Error 70. Frequency or Length of Holy Duties or trouble of Conscience for neglect thereof are all signs of one under a Covenant of Works Confutation 70. This is contrary to these Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 58. Be abundant always in the work of the Lord If the Faithful in Christ Jesus be commanded to abound always in the work of the Lord that is Holy Duties then frequency in Holy Duties is no sign of one under a Covenant of Works but the former is true therefore also the latter as also 1 Thess. 4. 17 18. Psal. 55. 17. Evening and morning and noon will I pray and make a noise and he will hear me and elsewhere Seven times a day do I praise thee Psalm 119. 146. Psal. 1. 2. So also contrary is the third branch to these Scriptures 2 Cor. 7. 8. 11. the Corinthians were troubled in Conscience and sorrowed that they had neglected the holy duties of Church-Censure towards the incestuous person and Esa. 64. 7. and 8. Cant. 5. 2. Rom. 7. 19. I do not the good I would which he lamenteth and complaineth of Error 71. The immediate revelation of my good estate without any respect to the Scriptures is as clear to me as the voice of God from heaven to Paul Confutation 71. This is contrary to Iohn 14. 26. He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance c. Whence we reason thus If the Spirit reveal nothing without concurrence of the Word then this revelation of the Spirit without respect to the Word is not clear nor to be trusted but the Spirit doth reveal nothing but with respect to the Word for Iohn 14. 26. If the office of the Spirit be to Teach and to bring to remembrance the things that Christ hath Taught us Esay 8. 20. Whatever Spirit speaks not according to this Word there is no light there Error 72. It is a Fundamental and Soul-damning Error to make Sanctification an evidence of Justification Confutation 72. This is contrary to these Scriptures Rom. 8. 1. They that walk after the Spirit are freed from condemnation and are in Christ and so Justified So 1 Iohn 3. 10. in this are the children of God known c. Error 73. Christ's work of Grace can no more distinguish between an Hypocrite and a Saint then the Rain that falls from Heaven between the Just and the Unjust Confutation 73. This proposition being general includes all gracious Works and being so taken is contradicted in the Parable of the Sower Mat. 13. 20 21 22. where the good ground is distinguished from the stony by this that it brings forth fruit with patience so Hebr. 6. 9. there is something better in the Saints than those common gifts which are found in Hypocrites Error 74. All verbal Covenants or Covenants expressed in words as Church Covenants Vows c. are Covenants of Works and such as strike Men off from Christ. Confutation 74 First This is contrary to Scripture Esay 44. 5. One shall say I am the Lord 's and another shall call himself by the name of the God of Iacob Rom. 10. 10. With the mouth confession is made to salvation Secondly Contrary to Reason for then the Covenant of Grace is made a Covenant of Works by the Writing Reading and Preaching of the same for they are verbal expressions of the Covenant on God's part as Church-Covenants verbally express our closing herewith Error 75. The Spirit giveth such full and clear evidence of my good estate that I have no need to be tried by the fruits of Sanctification this were to light a Candle to the Sun Confutation 75. This opinion taken in this sense that after the Spirit hath testified a Man's good estate the person need not to be tried by the fruit of sanctification is contrary to the scope of the whole first Epistle of Saint Iohn where variety of arguments are propounded to all Believers in common 1 Iohn 5. 13. to distinguish the persons of Believers from Unbelievers the water is annexed to the Spirit and blood 1 Iohn 5. 8. Error 76. The Devil and Nature may be cause of a gracious Work Confutation 76. The words are unsavoury and the position unsound for taking gracious according to the language of the Scripture gracious words Luke 4. 22. Let your speech be gracious gracious words are such as issue from the saving Grace of Christ's Spirit in-dwelling in the Soul which neither the Devil nor Nature is able to produce for Christ professeth John 15. 3 4. Without me ye can do nothing nothing truly gracious John 3. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh And Rom. 7. 18. In my flesh dwells no good truly spiritual and gracious Gen. 6. 5. Every imagination of the thoughts of a Man's heart is evil and that continually Besides the Devil is that evil and wicked one onely wickedness an adversary to God's grace and glory that which is contrary to corrupt nature and the hellish nature of Satan and above the power of both they cannot be the causes of gracious works Error 77. Sanctification is so far from evidencing a good estate that it darkens it rather and a Man may more clearly see Christ when he seeth no
given life c. 7. I may know I am Christ's not because I do crucisie the lusts of the flesh but because I do not crucifie them but believe in Christ that crucifieth my lusts for me Answ. 1. The phrase is contrary to the Scripture language Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts 2. It savours of the flesh for these three things may seem to be expressed in it 1. If Scripture makes not opposite but subordinate Rom. 8. 13. I through the Spirit crucifie the flesh 2. That if I do not crucifie my lusts then there is an open and free way of looking to Christ contrary to the Scripture Mat. 5. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God both in boldness of Faith here and fruition hereafter 2 Tim. 2. 19. Let every one that names the Lord Iesus depart from iniquity 3. That believing in Christ may ease me from endeavouring to crucifie my lusts in my own person which is so gross that it needs no more confutation than to name it 4. The safe sense that may be possibly intended in such a speech is this If I crucifie the flesh in my own strength it is no safe Evidence of my being in Christ but if renouncing my self I crucifie the flesh in the strength of Christ applying his death by Faith it is a safe evidence of my being in Christ but this sense conveighed in these words is to conveigh wholesome doctrine in an unwholsome Channel and a darkening and losing the truth in an unsavoury expression 8. Peter more leaned to a Covenant of works than Paul Paul's Doctrine was more for free-grace than Peters Answ. To oppose these persons and the doctrine of these two Apostles of Christ who were guided by one and the same Spirit in Preaching and penning thereof 2 Pet. 1. 21. Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God in such a point as the Covenant of works and grace is little less than Blasphemy 9. If Christ be my Sanctification what need I look to any thing in myself to evidence my Iustification Answ. This position is therefore unsound because it holds forth Christ to be my Sanctification so as that I need not look to any inherent holiness in my self whereas Christ is therefore said to be our Sanctification because he works Sanctification in us and we daily ought to grow up in him by receiving new supply and increase of grace from his fulness according to 2 Pet. 3. 18. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ. The Proceedings of the General Court holden at New-Town in the Massachusets in New-England Octob. 2. 1637. Against Mr. Wheelwright and other Erroneous and Seditious Persons for their Disturbances of the Publick Peace ALthough the Assembly of the Churches had confuted and condemned most of those New Opinions which were sprung up amongst us and Mr. Cotton had in publick view consented with the rest yet the Leaders in those Erroneous ways would not give in but stood still to maintain their New Light which they had boasted of and that the difference was still as wide as before viz. as great as between Heaven and Hell Mr. Wheelwright also continued his Preaching after his former manner and Mistriss Hutchison her wonted Meetings and Exercises and much offence was still given by her and others in going out of the Ordinary Assemblies when Mr. Wil. began any exercise and some of the Messengers of the Church of Boston had contemptuously withdrawn themselves from the General Assembly with professed dislike of their proceedings and many Evidences brake forth of their discontented and turbulent spirits it was conceived by the Magistrates and others of the Countrey that the means which had been used proving uneffectual the case was now desperate and the last remedy was to be applied and that without farther delay lest it should be attempted too late when fitter opportunity might be offered for their advantage as they had boasted and did certainly expect upon the return of some of their chief supporters who by a special providence were now absent from them And for this end the General Court being assembled in the ordinary course it was determined to begin with these Troublers of our Peace and to suppress them by the Civil Authority whereunto there was a fair occasion offered upon a Seditious Writing which had been delivered into the Court in March when Mr. Wheel was convict of Sedition c. under the hands of more than Threescore of them and Intituled A Remonstrance or Petition the Contents whereof were as followeth We whose Names are under-written have diligently observed this honoured Courts proceedings against our dear and reverend Brother in Christ Mr. Wheel now under censure of the Court for the Truth of Christ we do humbly beseech this Honourable Court to accept this Remonstrance and Petition of ours in all due submission tendred to your Worships For first whereas our beloved Brother Mr. Wheel is censured for contempt by the greater part of this honoured Court we desire your Worships to consider the sincere intention of our Brother to promote your end in the day of Fast for whereas we do perceive your principal intention the day of fast looked chiefly at the publick Peace of the Churches our Reverend Brother did to his best strength and as the Lord assisted him labour to promote your end and therefore endeavoured to draw us nearer unto Christ the head of our union that so we might be established in Peace which we conceive to be the true way sanctified of God to obtain your end and therefore deserves no such censure as we conceive Secondly Whereas our dear Brother is censured of Sedition we beseech your Worships to consider that either the person condemned must be culpable of some Seditious Fact or his Doctrin must be Seditious or must breed Sedition in the hearts of his hearers or else we know not upon what grounds he should be Censured Now to the first we have not heard any that have witnessed against our Brother for any Seditious Fact Secondly neither was the Doctrine it self being no other but the very expressions of the Holy Ghost himself and therefore cannot justly be branded with Sedition Thirdly if you look at the effects of his Doctrine upon the hearers it hath not stirred up Sedition in us not so much as by accident we have not drawn the Sword as sometimes Peter did rashly neither have we rescued our innocent Brother as sometimes the Israelites did Ionathan and yet they did not Seditiously The Covenant of Free grace held forth by our Brother hath taught us rather to become humble Suppliants to your Worships and if we should not prevail we would rather with patience give our cheeks to the smiters Since therefore the Teacher the Doctrine and the Hearers be most free from Sedition as we
instructed might teach him Court See how your argument stanâ—… Priscilla with her husband took Apollo home to instruct him privately therefore Mistriss Hutchison without her Husband might teach sixty or eighty Hutch I call them not but if they come to me I may instruct them Court Yet you shew us not a rule Hutch I have given you two places of Scripture Court But neither of them will suit yâ—…ur practice Hutch Must I shew my Name written therein Court You must shew that which must be equivalent seeing your Ministery is publick you would have them receive your instruction as coming from such an Ordinance Hutch They must not take it as it comes from me but as it comes from the Lord Jesus Christ and if I took upon me a publick Ministery I should break a rule but not in exercising a gift of Prophesie and I would see a rule to turn away them that come to me Court It is your exercise which draws them and by occasion thereof many Families are neglected and much time lost and a great damage comes to the Common-wealth thereby which we that are betrusted with as the Fathers of the Common-wealth are not to suffer Divers other Speeches passed to and fro about this matter the issue was that not being able to bring any rule to justifie this her disordered course she said she walked by the rule of the Apostle Gal. which she called the rule of the New Creature but what rule that was she would not or she could not tell neither would she consent to lay down her Meetings except Authority did put them down and then she might be subject to Authority Then the Court laid to her charge the reproach she had cast upon the Ministers and Ministry in this Country saying That none of them did Preach the Covenant of Free Grace but Mr. Cotton and that they have not the Seal of the Spirit and so were not able Ministers of the New Testament She denied the words but they were affirmed by divers of the Ministers being desired by the Court to be present for that end The matter was thus It being reported abroad That Mistriss Hutchison did flight them and their Ministery in their common talk as if they did Preach nothing but a Covenant of Works because they pressed much for faith and love c. without holding forth such an immediate witness of the Spirit as she pretended they advised with Master Cotton about it and a Meeting was appointed at his House and she being sent for and demanded the reason why she had used such Speeches at first she would not acknowledge them but being told that they could prove them by witnesses and perswaded to deal freely and truly therein She said That the fear of Man was a Snare and therefore she was glad she had this opportunity to open her Mind and thereupon she told them that there was a wide difference betwixt Master Cotton ' s Ministery and theirs and that they could not hold forth a Covenant of Free Grace because they had not the Seal of the Spirit and that they were not able Ministers of the New Testament It was near night so the Court brake up and she was injoyned to appear again the next Morning When she appeared the next day she objected that the Ministers had spoken in their own cause and that they ought not to be Informers and Witnesses both and required that they might be Sworn to what they had spoken To which the Court answered That if it were needful an Oath should be given them but because the whole Court in a manner Man by Man did declare themselves to be fully satisfied of the truth of their testimonies they being 6 or 7 Men of long approved Godliness and Sincerity in their course and for that it was also generally observed that those of her party did look at their Ministery for the most part as a way of the Covenant of Works and one had been punished about half a year before for reporting the like of them The Court did pause a while at it whereupon she said That she had Mr. Wilson ' s Notes of that Conference which were otherwise than they had related the Court wiâ—…led her to shew them but her Answer was She had left them at home whereupon Mr. Wilson with the leave of the Court said That if she brought forth his Notes they should find written at the foot of them That he had not written down all that was spoken but being ofen interrupted he had omitted divers passages then she appealed to Mr. Cotton who being called and desired to declare what he remembred of her Speeches said That he remembred onely that which took impression on him for he was much grieved that she should make such comparison between him and his Brethren but yet he took her meaning to be onely of a gradual difference when she said that they did not hold forth a Covenant of Free Grace as he did for she likened them to Christ's Disciples and their Ministery before his Ascension and before the Holy Ghost was come down upon them and when she was asked by some of them Why they could not Preach a Covenant of Free-grace She made Answer Because they had not the Seal of the Spirit Upon this the Court wished her to consider that Mr. Cotton did in a manner agree with the testimony of the rest of the Elders and as he remembred onely so much as at present took most impression on him so the rest of the Elders had reason to remember some other passages which he might not hear or not so much observe as they whom it so nearly and properly concerned All this would not satisfie Mistriss Hutchison but she still called to have them Sworn whereupon the Court being weary of the clamour and that all mouths might be stopped required three of the Ministers to take an Oath and thereupon they confirmed their former testimony Upon this she began to speak her mind and to tell of the manner of God's dealing with her and how he revealed himself to her and made her know what she had to do The Governour perceiving whereabout she went interrupted her and would have kept her to the matter in hand but seeing her very unwilling to be taken off he permitted her to proceed Her Speech was to this effect Mistriss Hutchison When I was in Old England I was much troubled at the Constitution of the Churches there so far as I was ready to have joyned to the Separation whereupon I set apart a day for humiliation by my self to seâ—…k direction from God and then did God discover unto me the unfaithfulness of the Churches and the danger of them and that none of those Ministers could Preach the Lord Jesus aright for he had brought to my mind that in 1 Iohn 4. 3. Every spirit that confesseth not that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is the Spirit of Antichrist I marvelled what this should mean for I
A SHORT STORY Of the Rise Reign and Ruin of the Antinomians Familists and Libertines That Infected the CHURCHES Of New-England And how they were Confuted by The Assembly of Ministers there As also of the Magistrates proceedings in Court against them Together with God's strange Remarkable Judgements from Heaven upon some of the Chief Fomenters of these Opinions And the Lamentable Death of Mrs. Hutchison Very fit for these Times here being the same Errors amongst us and Acted by the same Spirit Published at the Instant Request of Sundry by one that was an Eye and Ear-witness of the carriage of Matters there Ephes. 4. 14. Be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the slight of Men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive Beware lest ye being led away with the error of the Wicked re fall from your own stedfastness 2 Pet. 3. 17. London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercer's Chappel 1692 To the Reader I Meeting with this Book newly come forth of the Press and being earnestly pressed by divers to perfect it by laying down the Order and Sense of this Story which in the Book is omitted Though for mine own part I was more slow unto it not as if I think it contains any thing but Truth but because the Names of some parties that acted in our Troubles that have since that time I hope repented and so God having pardoned their Sins in Heaven I should have been loth to have revived them on Earth But considering that their Names are already in Print without any act of mine and that the necessity of the times call for it and it 's requisite that Gods great Works should be made known I therefore in a strait of time not having had many hours have drawn up this following Preface and prefixed hereunto with some Additions to the Conclusion of the Book I commend thy self and this to the Blessing of God T. W. The PREFACE AFter we had escaped the cruel hands of persecuting Prelates and the dangers at Sea and had pretty well out-grown our Wilderness Troubles in our first Plantings in New-England And when our Common-wealth began to be founded and our Churches sweetly setled in Peace God abounding to us in more happy enjoyments then we could have expected Lest we should now grow secure our wise God who seldom suffers his own in this their wearisome Pilgrimage to be long without trouble sent a new Storm after us which proved the forest trial that ever befel us since we left our Native Soil Which was this that some going thither from hence full fraught with many unsound and loose Opinions after a time began to open their Packs and freely vent their Wares to any that would be their Customers Multitudes of Men and Women Church-members and others having tasted of their Commodities were eager after them and were streight infected before they were aware and some being tainted conveyed the Infection to others and thus that Plague first began amongst us that had not the wisdom and faithfulness of him that watcheth over his Vineyard night and day by the beams of his Light and Grace cleared and purged the Air certainly we had not been able to have breathed there comfortably much longer Our discourse of them shall tend to shew 1. What these Opinions were 2. How they spread so fast and prevailed so suddenly 3. How they did rage and reign when they had once gotten head 4. How they fell and were ruined when they were at highest The Opinions some of them were such as these I say some of them to give but a tast for afterwards you shall see a litter of Fourscore and eleven of their brats hung up against the Sun besides many new ones of Mistriss Hutchinsons all which they hatched and dandled As 1. That the Law and the Preaching of it is of no use at all to drive a Man to Christ. 2. That a Man is united to Christ and justified without faith yea from eternity 3. That Faith is not a receiving of Christ but a Man's discerning that he hath received him already 4. That a Man is united to Christ onely by the work of the Spirit upon him without any act of his 5. That a Man is never effectually Christ's till he hath assurance 6. This assurance is onely from the witness of the Spirit 7. This witness of the Spirit is meerly immediate without any respect to the word or any concurrence with it 8. When a Man hath once this witness he never doubts more 9. To question my assurance though I fall into Murther or Adultery proves that I never had true assurance 10. Sanctification can be no evidence of a Mans good Estate 11. No comfort can he had from any conditional Promise 12. Poverty in Spirit to which Christ pronounceth blessedness Mat. 5. 3. is onely this to see I have no grace at all 13. To see I have no grace in me will give me comfort but to take comfort from sight of grace is legal 14. An hypocrite may have Adam's graces that he had in Innocency 15. The graces of Saints and Hypocrites differ not 16. All graces are in Christ as in the Subject and none in us so that Christ believes Christ loves c. 17. Christ is the New Creature 18. God loves a Man never the better for any holiness in him and nevertheless be he never so unholy 19. Sin in a Child of God must never trouble him 20. Trouble in Conscience for sins of Commission or for neglect of duties shews a Man to be under a Covenant of VVorks 21. All Covenants to God expressed in works are legal works 22. A Christian is not bound to the Law as a rule of his conversation 23. A Christian is not bound to Pray except the Spirit moves him 24. A Minister that hath not this new light is not able to edifie others that have it 25. The whole letter of the Scripture is a Covenant of works 26. No Christian must be prest to duties of holiness 27. No Christian must be exhorted to faith love and prayer c. except we know he hath the Spirit 28. A Man may have all graces and yet want Christ. 29. All a Believer's activity is onely to act sin Now these most of them being so gross one would wonder how they should spread so fast and suddenly amongst a people so religious and well taught For declaring of this be pleased to attend two things 1. The nature of the Opinions themselves which open such a fair and easie way to Heaven that men may pass without difficulty For if a man need not be troubled by the Law before Faith but may step to Christ so easily and then if his faith be no going out of himself to take Christ but only a discerning that Christ is his own already and is only an act of the Spirit upon
the Graces of Hypocrites and Believers in the kinds of them Confutation 16. If this be true then Hypocrites are wise humble merciful pure c. and so shall see God Mat. 5. 8. but they are called fools Mat. 7. 26. Mat. 25. 1 2 3. neither shall they see God Mat. 24. 51. Mat. 13. 20 21 22 23. Heb. 6. 7 8 9. the difference of the grounds argueth the difference in the kinds of Graces Error 17. True poverty of spirit doth kill and take away the sight of Grace Confutation 17. This is contrary to Mark 9. 24. Lord I believe help my unbelief if this were so then poverty of spirit should binder Thankfulness and so one Grace should hinder another and the Graces of the Spirit should hinder the work of the Spirit and cross the end why he is given to us 1 Cor. 2. 12. Error 18. The Spirit doth work in Hypocrites by Gifts and Graces but in Gods Children immediately Confutation 18. This is contrary to Nehem. 5. 15. So did I because of the fear of the Lord Heb. 11. 17. Noah moved with fear prepared an Ark. Error 19. That all Graces even in the truly regenerate are mortal and fading Confutation 19. This is contrary to Ioh. 4. 14. they are Graces which flow from a Fountain which springeth up to Eternal Life and therefore not fading Ier. 31. 39 40. Error 20. That to call into question whether God be my dear Father after or upon the commission of some hainous sins as Murther Incest c. doth prove a man to be in the Covenant of works Confutation 20. It being supposed that the doubting here spoken of is not that of final despair or the like but only that the Position denieth a possibility of all doubting to a man under a Covenant of Grace this is contrary to Scripture which speaketh of God's people under a Covenant of Grace in these or other Cases exercised with sweet Doubtings and Questions David was a justifi'd man for his sins were pardoned 2 Sam. 12. 12 13. yet his Bones waxed old through his roaring all the day long and the heaviness of Gods hand was upon him night and day and the turning of his moisture into the drought of Summer Psal. 32. 3 4. and Gods breaking his Bones by with-holding from him the joy of his Salvation Psal 51 8. shew that he was exercised with sweet Doubts and Questions at least as this Position speaketh of and the like may be gathered out of Psal. 77. 3 4. where the holy Man Asaph mentioneth himself being troubled when he remembred God and that he was so troubled he could not speak nor sleep and expostulateth with God Will the Lord cast off for ever And will he be favourable no more And ver 6 7 8 9. These shew that he had at least sweet doubts as the Position mentioneth and yet he was not thereby proved to be under a Covenant of works for he doth afterward confess this to be his infirmity vers 10. and receiveth the Comfort of former Experiences in former days and his songs in the nights and of Gods former works vers 5 6. 10 11 12. and he resumeth his claim of his right in God by vertue of his Covenant verse 13. Error 21. To be justified by Faith is to be justified by Works Confutation 21. If Faith in this position be considered not simply as a work but in relation to its Object this is contrary to the Scripture that so appropriateth Justification to Faith as it denieth it to Works setting Faith and Works in opposition one against another in the point of Justification as Rom. 3. 27. Where is boasting then It is excluded By what Law By the Law of works No but by the Law of Faith and ver 28. We conclude that a man is justified by Faith without the works of the Law and chap. 4. 16. Therefore it is by Faith that it may be by grace compared with vers 4. To him that worketh is the Reward reckoned not of grace but of debt Error 22. None are to be exhorted to believe but such whom we know to be the Elect of God or to have his Spirit in them effectually Confutation 22. This is contrary to the Scriptures which maketh the Commission which Christ gave his Disciples in these words Go Preach the Gospel to every Creature he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16. 15 16. where the latter words imply an Exhortation to believe and the former words direct that this should not only be spoken to men known to be Elected or only to men effectually called but to every creature The Scripture also telleth us that the Apostles in all places called upon men to repent and believe the Gospel which they might not have done had this position been true Error 23. We must not pray for gifts and graces but only for Christ. Confutation 23. This is contrary to Scripture which teacheth us to pray for Wisdom Iam. 1. 5. and for every grace bestowed by vertue of the new Covenant Ezek. 36. 37. as acknowledging every good gift and every perfect giving is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights The whole 119. Psalm besides innumerable Texts of Scripture doth abundantly confute this by shewing that the servants of God have been taught by the spirit of God to pray for every gift and grace needful for them and not only for Christ. Error 24. He that hath the Seal of the Spirit may certainly judge of any person whether he be Elected or no. Confutation 24. This is contrary to Deut. 29 29. Secret things belong to God and such is Election of men not yet called Error 25. A man may have all graces and poverty of spirit and yet want Christ. Confutation 25. This is contrary to Mat. 5. 3. Blessed are the poor in spirit but without Christ none can be blessed Ephes. 4. 22 24. he that hath Rightoousness and true Holiness hath learned the truth as it is in Jesus and therefore hath Christ. Error 26. The Faith that justifieth us is in Christ and never had any actual Being out of Christ. Confutation 26. This is contrary to Scripture Luke 17. 5. Lord increase our Faith Ergo Faith was in them 2 Tim. 1. 6. Faith is said to dwell in such and such persons therefore Faith was in them Isa. 64. 7. No man stirs up himself to lay hold upon thee Error 27. It is incompatible to the Covenant of Grace to joyn Faith thereunto Confutation 27. This is contrary to Mark 16. 16. Preach the Gospel He that believeth shall be saved Rom 4. 3. Abraham believed and it was accounted to him for Righteousness and Abraham is a pattern to all under the Covenant of Grace Rom. 4. 24. Error 28. To affirm there must be Faith on mans part to receive the Covenant is to undermine Christ. Confutation 28. First Faith is requir'd on mans part to receive the Covenant of Grace according to these Scriptures Ioh. 1. 12. To
as many as received him even to them that believed on his Name Mark 16. 16. He that believeth shall be saved Secondly to affirm there must be Faith on mans part to receive Christ is not to undermine Christ but to exalt him according to these Scriptures Ioh. 3. 33. He that believeth hath put to his Seal that God is True and so honours Gods Truth which cannot undermine Christ Rom. 4. 20. But was strong in the Faith giving Glory to God c. Error 29. An Hypocrite may have these two witnesses 1 Ioh. 5. 5. that is to say the Water and Blood Confutation 29. No Hypocrite can have these two witnesses Water and Blood that is true Justification and Sanctification for then he should be saved according to these Scriptures Rom. 8. 30. 2 Thes. 2. 13. Acts 26 18. Error 30. If any thing may be concluded from the Water and Blood it is rather Damnation than Salvation Confutation 30. This is contrary to the Scripture last mentioned Error 31. Such as see any Grace of God in themselves before they have the assurance of Gods Love sealed to them are not to be received Members of Churches Confutation 31. This is contrary to Acts 8. 37 38. where the Eunuch saw his Faith only and yet was presently baptized and therefore by the same ground might be admitted Error 32. After the revelation of the Spirit neither Devil nor Sin can make the Soul to doubt Confutation 32. This position savours of Error else Asaph had not the revelation of the Spirit seeing he doubted Psal. 73. 13. whether he had not cleansed his heart in vain and that God had forgotten to be gracious then also Faith should be perfect which was never found no not in our Father Abraham Error 33. To act by vertue of or in obedience to a command is legal Confutation 33. So is it also Evangelical the Mystery of the Gospel is said to be revealed for the obedience of Faith Rom. 16. 25. Also the Lord Jesus is said to be the author of Salvation to all that obey him Heb. 5. 9. If we love Christ we are to keep his Commandments Joh. 14. 29. Error 34. We are not to Pray against all sin because the old Man is in us and must be And why should we Pray against that which cannot be avoided Confutation 34. This is contrary to 1 Thess. 5. 23. 1 Cor. 13. 7. Error 35. The efficacy of Christ's death is to kill all activity of Graces in his Members that he might act all in all Confutation 35. This is contrary to Rom. 6. 4. Our old man is crucified witâ—… him that the body of sin might be destroyed that we should not serve sin contrary also to Heb. 4. 14. That he might through death destroy him c. and 1 Ioh. 3. 8. Whence we infer that if Christ came to destroy the body of sin to destroy the Devil to dissolve the Works of the Devil then not to kill his own graces which are the works of his own Spirit Error 36. All the activity of a Believer is to act to sin Confutation 36. Contrary to Rom. 7. 15. as also to Gal. 5. 17. The Spirit lusteth against the Flesh. Error 37. We are compleatly united to Christ before or without any Faith wrought in us by the Spirit Confutation 37. The term united being understood of that spiritual relation of men unto Christ whereby they come to have life and right to all other blessings in Christ 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life And the term compleatly implying a presence of all those bands and ligaments and means as are required in the Word or are any ways necessary to the making up of the union we now conceive this assertion to be erroneous contrary to Scripture that either expresly mentioneth Faith when it speaketh of this union Ephes. 3. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith Gal. 2. 20. Christ liveth in me by Faith or ever implyeth it in those phrases that do express union as coming to Christ Iohn 6. 35. and eating and drinking Christ vers 47. compared with v. 54. having the Son 1 Iohn 5. 12. and receiving Christ Iohn 1. 12. and Marriage unto Christ Ephes. 5. 32. if there be no dwelling of Christ in us no coming to him no receiving him no eating nor drinking him no being married to him before and without Faith but the former is true therefore also the latter Error 38. There can be no true closing with Christ in a promise that hath a qualification or condition expressed Confutation 38. This opinion we conceive erroneous contrary to Esay 55 1 2. Ho! every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters Mat. 11. 28. Come to me all ye that are weary and heavy laden John 7. 37. If any man thirst let him come to me and drink Revel 22. 17. Let him that is athirst come Mark 1. 15. Repent and believe the Gospel if the word indefinitely be sanctified for the begetting of Faith if the Gospel it self be laid down in a conditional promise if the Apostles and Prophets and Christ himself have laid hold upon such Promisea to help to Union and closing with himself then there may be a true closing with Christ in a Promise that hath a qualification or condition expressed Error 39. The due search and knowledge of the holy Scripture is not a safe and sure way of searching and finding Christ. Confutation 39. This is contrary to express words of Scripture Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for they testifie of me Act. 10 43. To him give all the Prophets witness Rom. 3. 21. The righteousness of God witnessed by the Law and the Prophets Esay 8. 20. To the Law and to the Testimony Act. 17. 11. The Bereans were more noble in that they searched the Scriptures daily If the Prophets give witness to Christ if his righteousness be witnessed by Law and Prophets and that they be noble that daily search the Scriptures and that Christ so far alloweth their Testimony of him that the Scripture saith there is no light but in and according to them then the due searching and knowledge of Scriptures is a safe way to search Christ but the former is true and therefore also the latter Error 40. There is a testimony of the Spirit and voice unto the Soul meerly immediate without any respect unto or concurrence with the Word Confutation 40. This immediate revelation without concurrence with the word doth not onely countenance but confirm that opinion of Enthusiasme justly refused by all the Churches as being contrary to the perfection of the Scriptures and perfection of God's wisdom therein That which is not revealed in the Scripture which is objectum adaequatum fidei is not to be believed but that there is any such revelation without concurrence with the Word is no where revealed in the Scripture Ergo. 1 Cor. 4. 16. Presume not above that which is written Again if there be any immediate
Revelation without concurrence of the Word then it cannot be tried by the Word but we are bid to try the Spirits To the Law and Testimony Esa. 8. 20. To try all things 1 Thes. 5. 21. So the Bereans Acts 17. 11. and the Rule of Trial is the Word Ioh. 5. 39. Error 41. There be distinct seasons of the workings of the several persons so the Soul may be said to be so long under the Fathers and not the Sons and so long under the Sons Work and not the Spirits Confutation 41. This expression is not according to the pattern of wholsome words which teacheth a joint-concurrence of all the persons working in every work that is wrought so that we cannot say the Father works so long and the Son works not because the same work at the same time is common to them both and to all the Three Persons as the Father draws Ioh. 6. 44. so the Son sends his Spirit to convince and thereby draws Ioh. 16. 7 8. Error 42. There is no assurance true or right unless it be without fear and doubting Confutation 42. This is contrary to Scripture the Penman of Psal. 77. had true assurance v. 6. And yet he had doubts and fears of God's eternal mercy ver 7 8 9. The best Faith is imperfect and admits infirmity v. 10. 1 Cor. 13. 10 11 12. Where there is flesh that doth fight against every Grace and act thereof and is contrary to it there can be no Grace perfect Ergo doubting may stand with assurance Gal. 5. 17. Error 43. The Spirit acts most in the Saints when they endeavour least Confutation 43. Reserving the special seasons of God's preventing Grace to his own pleasure In the ordinary constant course of his dispensation the more we endeavour the more assistance and help we find from him Prov. 2. 3 4 5. He that seeks and digs for wisdom as for treasure shall find it Hos. 6. 3. 2 Chron. 15. 2. The Lord is with you while you are with him If by endeavour be meant the use of lawful means and ordinances commanded by God to seek and find him in then is it contrary to Mat. 7. 7. Ask seek knock c. Error 44. No created work can be a manifest sign of God's love Confutation 44. If created works flowing from union with Christ be included it is against Iohn's Epistles and many Scriptures which make keeping the Commandments love to the Brethren c. evidences of a good estate so consequently of God's love Error 45. Nothing but Christ is an evidence of my good estate Confutation 45. If here Christ manifesting himself in works of holiness be excluded and nothing but Christ nakedly revealing himself to Faith be made an evidence it is against the former Scriptures Error 46. It is no sin in a Believer not to see his Grace except he be wilfully blind Confutation 46. This is contrary to the Scripture which makes every transgression of the Law sin though wilfulness be not annexed and this crosseth the work of the Spirit which sheweth us the things that are given us of God 1 Cor. 2. 12. and crosseth also that command 2 Cor. 13. 5. Prove your Faith and therefore we ought to see it Error 47. The seal of the Spirit is limited onely to the immediate witness of the Spirit and doth never witness to any work of Grace or to any conclusion by a Syllogism Confutation 47. This is contrary to Rom. 8. 16. to that which our Spirit bears witness to that the Spirit of God bears witness for they bear a joint witness as the words will have it but our spirits bear witness to a work of grace namely that Believers are the children of God Ergo. Error 48. That conditional Promises are legal Confutation 48. Contrary to Ioh. 3. 16. Mat. 5. 3 c. Error 49. We are not bound to keep a constant course of Prayer in our Families or privately unless the Spirit stir us up thereunto Confutation 49. This is contrary to Ephes. 6. 18. 1 Thess. 5. 17. Error 50. It is poverty of spirit when we have grace yet to see we have no grace in our selves Confutation 50. The weak Believer Mark 9. 24. was poor in spirit yet saw his own Faith weak though it were Peter when he was brought to poverty of spirit by the bitter experience of his pride he saw the true love he had unto Christ and appealed to him therein Iohn 21. 15. Paul was less than the least of all Saints in his own eyes therefore poor in spirit yet saw the grace of God by which he was that he was and did what he did and was truly nothing in his own eyes when he had spoken of the best things he had received and done Ephes. 3. 18. If it be poverty of the spirit to see no grace in our selves then should poverty of spirit cross the office of the Spirit which is to reveal unto us and make us to see what God gives us 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12. then it should make us sin or cross the will of God which is that we should not be ignorant of the gracious workings of Christ in us from the power of his Death and Resurrection Rom. 6. 3. Know ye not c. then would it destroy a great duty of Christian thankfulness in and for all the good things which God vouchsafeth us 1 Thess. 5. 18. Error 51. The Soul need not to go out to Christ for fresh supply but it is acted by the spirit inhabiting Confutation 51. Though we have the spirit acting and inhabiting us this hinders not but I may and need go out to Christ for fresh supply of grace John 1. 16. Of whose fulness we have all received and grace for grace 2 Cor. 12. 8. Paul sought thrice to Christ for fresh supply Heb. 12. 2. Look unto Christ the Author and Finisher of our Faith We must look up to the Hills from whence cometh our help Ephes. 4. 16. By whom all the Body receiveth increase and to the edifying of it self Error 52. It is legal to say we act in the strength of Christ. Confutation 52. This is contrary to the Scriptures the Gospel bids us be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Ephes. 6. 10. and be strong in the grace that is in Christ Iesus 2 Tim. 2. 1. and Paul saith I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me Phil. 4. 13. and that was not legal strength Error 53. No Minister can teach one that is anointed by the Spirit of Christ more than he knows already unless it be in some circumstances Confutation 53. This is also contrary to Scripture 2 Cor. 1. It is God that establisheth us with you c. Ephes. 1. 13. and 4. 12 14. The Corinthians and Ephesians were anointed and sealed and yet were taught more of Paul in his Epistles than onely in some circumstances Error 54. No Minister can be an instrument to convey more of Christ unto
they were also dis-franchised likewise Rich. Gridly an honest poor Man but very apt to meddle in publick affairs beyond his calling or skill which indeed was the fault of them all and of many others in the Countrey mean condition and weak parts having nothing to say but that he could find no fault c. was dis-franchised Mrs. Hutchison ALL these except Mr. Wheelwright were but young branches sprung out of an old root the Court had now to do with the Head of all this Faction Dux faemina facti a Woman had been the breeder and nourisher of all these distempers one Mistriss Hutchison the Wife of Mr. William Hutchison of Boston a very honest and peaceable Man of good estate and the daughter of Mr. Marvary sometimes a Preacher in Lincolnshire after of London a Woman of a haughty and fierce carriage of a nimble wit and active spirit and a very voluble tongue more bold than a Man though in understanding and judgment inferiour to many Women This Woman had learned her skill in England and had discovered some of her Opinions in the Ship as she came over which had caused some jealousie of her which gave occasion of some delay of her admission when she first desired fellowship with the Church of Boston but she cunningly dissembled and coloured her opinions as she soon got over that Block and was admitted into the Church then she began to go to work and being a Woman very helpful in the times of Child-birth and other occasions of â—…dily infirmities and well furnished with means for those purposes she easily insinuated her self into the affections of many and the rather because she was much inquisitive of them about their Spiritual Estates and in discovering to them the danger they were in by trusting to common Gifts and Graces without any such witness of the Spirit as the Scriptures holds out for a full evidence whereby many were convinced that they had gone on in a Covenant of Works and were much humbled thereby and brought to inquire more after the Lord Jesus Christ without whom all their gifts and graces all their contributions c. would prove but legal and would vanish all this was well and suited with the publick Ministery which went along in the same way and all the faithful imbraced it and blessed God for the good success that appeared from this discovery But when she had thus prepared the way by such wholsome truths then she begins to set forth her own stuff and taught that no Sanctification was any evidence of a good estate except their justification were first cleared up to them by the immediate witness of the Spirit and that to see any work of grace either faith or repentance c. before this immediate witness was a Covenant of works whereupon many good souls that had been of long approved godliness were brought to renounce all the Work of Grace in them and to wait for this immediate revelation then sprung up also that Opinion of the in-dwelling of the Person of the Holy Ghost and of Union with Christ and Justification before Faith and a denying of any gifts or graces or inherent qualifications and that Christ was all did all and that the Soul remained always as a dead Oâ—…gan and other of those gross errours which were condemned in the late Assembly and whereof divers had been quashed by the publick Ministry but the main and bottom of all which tended to quench all endeavour and to bring to a dependance upon an immediate witness of the Spirit without sight of any gift or grace this stuck fast and prevailed so as it began to be opposed and she being questioned by some who marvelled that such Opinions should spread so fast she made Answer That where-ever she came they must and they should spread And indeed it was a wonder upon what a sudden the whole Church of Boston some few excepted were become her New-Converts and infected with her Opinions and many also out of the Church and of other Churches also yea many prophane persons became of her Opinion for it was a very easie and acceptable way to Heaven to see nothing to have nothing but wait for Christ to do all so that after she had thus prevailed and had drawn some of eminent place and parts to her party whereof some profited so well as in a few Months they out-went their Teacher then she kept Open-House for all comers and set up Two Lecture-days in the Week when they usually met at her house Threescore or Fourscore persons the Pretence was to Repeat Sermons but when that was done she would Comment upon the Doctrines and Interpret all passages at her pleasure and Expound dark places of Scripture so as whatsoever the Letter held forth for this was one of her Tenents That the whole Scripture in the Letter of it held forth nothing but a Covenant of Works she would be sure to make it serve her turn for the confirming of her main Principles whereof this was another That the darker our Sanctification is the clearer is our Iustification And indeed most of her New Tenents tended to slothfulness and quench all endeavour in the Creature And now was there no speech so much in use as of vilifying Sancâ—…ification and all for advancing Christ and Free-grace and the whole Pedegree of the Covenant of Works was set forth with all its Complements beginning at Cain If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted Then it is explained and ratified at Mount Sinai and delivered in the Two Tables and after sprinkled with the Blood of Christ Exod. 24. and so carryed on in the Letter of the Scripture till it be compleat as the Covenant of Grace by the Spirit seals Forgiveness of Sins one of the venters whereon Christ begets Children c. and in the end Wherefore is all this adoe but that having a more cleanly way to lay all that opposed her being near all the Elders and most of the faithful Christians in this Countrey under a Covenant of Works she might with the more credit disclose and advance her Master-piece of immediate revelaâ—…ons under the fair pretence of the Covenant of Free-Grace wherein she had not failed of her aim to the utter subversion both of Churches and Civil state if the most wise and merciful providence of the Lord had not prevented it by keeping so many of the Magistrates and Elders free from the infection for upon the countenance which it took from some eminent persons her opinions began to hold up their heads in Church Assemblies and in the Court of Justice so as it was held a matter of offence to speak any thing against them in either Assembly thence sprang all that trouble to the Pastour of Boston for his free and faithful Speech in the Court though required and approved thence took Mr. Wheelwright courage to inveigh in his Sermon against Men in a Covenant of Work as he placed them and to proclaim them all enemies to
knew that neither Protestants nor Papists did deny that Christ was come in the flesh And are the Turks then the onely Antichrists Now I had none to open the Scripture to me but the Lord he must be the Prophet then he brought to my mind another Scripture He that denies the Testament denies the death of the Testator from whence the Lord did let me see that every one that did not Preach the New-Covenant denies the death of the Testator then it was revealed to me that the Ministers of England were these Antichrists but I knew not how to bear this I did in my heart rise up against it then I begged of the Lord that this Atheism might not be in my heart after I had begged this light a twelve moneth together at last he let me see how I did oppose Christ Jesus and he revealed to me that place in Esa. 46. 12 13. and from thence shewed me the Atheism of my own heart and how I did turn in upon a Covenant of Works and did oppose Christ Jesus from which time the Lord did discover to me all sorts of Ministers and how they taught and to know what voice I heard which was the voice of Moses which of Iohn Baptist and which of Christ the voice of my beloved from the voice of strangers and thenceforth I was the more careful whom I heard for after our Teacher Mr. Cotton and my brother Wheelwright were put down there was none in England that I durst hear Then it pleased God to reveal himself to me in that of Esa. 30. 20. Though the Lord give thee the bread of adversity c. yet thine eyes shall see thy Teachers after this the Lord carrying Mr. Cotton to New-England at which I was much troubled it was revealed to me that I must go thither also and that there I should be persâ—…cuted and suffer much trouble I will give you another Scripture Jer. 46. Fear not Iacob my servant for I am with thee I will make a full end of all the Nations c. Then the Lord did reveal himself to me sitting upon a Throne of Justice and all the World appearing before him and though I must come to New England yet I must not fear nor be dismaied The Lord brought another Scripture to me Esa. 89. The Lord spake this to me with a strong hand and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this People c. I will give you one place more which the Lord brought to me by immediate Revelations and that doth concern you all it is in Dan. 6. When the Presidents and Princes could find nothing against him because he was faithful they sought matter against him concerning the Law of his God to cast him into the Lions den so it was revealed to me that they should plot against me but the Lord bid me not to fear for he that delivered Daniel and the Three Children his hand was not shortened And see this Scripture fulfilled this day in mine eyes therefore take heed what ye go about to do unto me for you have no power over my body neither can you do me any harm for I am in the hands of the Eternal Jehovah my Saviour I am at his appointment the bounds of my habitation are cast in Heaven no farther do I esteem of any mortal Man than creatures in his hand I fear none but the great Jehovah which hath foretold me of these things and I do verily believe that he will deliver me out of your hands therefore take heed how you proceed against me for I know that for this you go about to do to me God will ruin you and your Posterity and this whole State When she had thus vented her Mind the Court demanded of her how she expected to be delivered whether by Miracle as Daniel was to which she Answered Yes by Miracle as Dainiel was Being farther demanded How she did know that it was God that did reveal these things to her and not Satan She Answered How did Abraham know that it was the Voice of God when he commanded him to Sacrifice his Son Mr. Cotton being present and desired by the Court to deliver his Judgment about Mistriss Hutchison her Revelations answered There be two sorts of Revelations some are without and besides Scripture those I look at as Satanical and tending to much danger other are such as the Apostle speaks of Ephes. 1. where he prayeth for a spirit of Revelation to be given them those are never dispensed but according to the word of God though the word Revelation be uncouth yet in Scripture-sense I think it not lawful so to express it and whenever it comes it comes with the Ministery of the Word Being again desired to express himself particularly concerning her Revelations he demanded of her by the leave of the Court Whether by a Miracle she doth mean a Work beyond the power of Nature or onely above common Providence for if as you say you expect deliverance from this Court beyond the power of Nature then I should suspect such a Revelation to be false To this she answered You know when it comes God doth not describe the way Mr. Cotton asked her again Whether when she said she should be delivered she meant a deliverance from the Sentence of the Court or from the Calamity of it She answered yea from the Calamity of it Mistriss Hutchison having thus freely and fully discovered her self the Court and all the rest of the Assembly except those of her own Party did observe a special Providence of God that while she went about to cover such offences as were laid to her Charge by putting matters upon proof and then quarrelling with the Evidence her own Mouth should deliver her into the power of the Court as Guilty of that which all suspected her for but were not furnished with proof sufficient to proceed against her for here she hath manifested that her Opinions and Practice have been the cause of all our Disturbances and that she walked by such a rule as cannot stand with the Peace of any State for such Bottomless Revelations as either came without any word or without the sense of the Word which was framed to Humane capacity if they be allowed in one thing must be admitted a rule in all things for they being above Reason and Scripture they are not subject to control Again she hath given a Reason why she hath so much slighted the Faithful Ministers of Christ here Why It was Revealed to her long since in England that all the Pack of them were Antichristians so as she durst hear none of them after Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wheelwright were once gone for they could not Preach Christ and the New-Covenant as she affirms Why but they did Preach somewhat and if they could not hold forth Christ in a Covenant of Free-grace then must they needs hold him forth in a Covenant of works then are they not able Ministers of the New