made clean when shall it once be Jeremy 13.27 How shall I give thee up Ephraim How shall I deliver thee Israel As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye for why will ye die oh House of Israel Ezek. 33.11 And now O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah Judge I pray you betwixt me and my Vinyard what could have been done more to my Vinyard that I have not done in it Jsa 5.3.4 But when he looked that it should bring forth Grapes it brought forth wild Grapes As also Israel in the wilderness Wherefore he was greived with that generation and at length sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest because of Vnbelief Heb. 3.10 11 19. Now that the Father the Son and the holy Spirit in the Prophets should utter such deep desires and large professions for the welfare of a People with weeping and great lamentations upon their neglect of that which should have been for their welfare Psal 69.22 Also confirming his desires by the immutable Oath of himself and yet notwithstanding know them even from the first altogether uncapable of happiness and well-being and that for want of that grace which himself is the only giver of That God I say whose Attributes of love and mercy are met together with truth and righteousness and kisseth each other Psal 85.10 should thus declare himself is altogether incredible for if he sent not his Son to die for them there is no other Name given under heaven whereby they might be saved Act. 4.11 12. The sence of these things being much upon my heart leads me forth yet further to question with you viz. How the wise God the Father could grieve forty years long for a Peoples unbelief if there was no Salvation for them to believe in And how Christ the Son of God could marvel at the Peoples Unbelief if he tasted not death for them whereby they might believe Mar. 6.6 And how the holy Spirit the gift of God could strive with men for their good if Christ in whom is all good was not intended for them The Father the Son and the Spirit according to the Scriptures of truth in all ages plainly declareth That he would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 in order to which he exercised much long-patience sending his servants calling upon them and beseeching them to be reconciled unto himself 2 Cor. 5.20 And so God preparing all things ready for them and using a sufficiency of means whereby they might come and receive it according to the Parable that is to say might believe and eternally be saved Joh. 1.7 Jo. 3.17.2 Thes 2.10 they not coming they not beleeving the God of love in wisdome greiveth for them and upon good grounds sweareth in wrath they shall not enter into his rest Mark well A man 's not doing impossibilities or not beleeving on that which is not is no sober mans wonder cause of grief or ground of wrath Wherefore all these things being considered together with the many more Scriptures that speak to this purpose as also many Scriptures bearing plain Testimony that Christ died for all 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9.2 Cor. 5.15.1 Joh. 2.2 Rom 3.22 And not so much as one Scripture that saith he died but for some therefore with wise and holy Peter I conclude that the Lord God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 and be saved through Christ the Saviour who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time Therefore let all men fear how they testifie against it Object If Christ died for all how is it then that all are not saved Answ Bear with me I pray you if I speak somewhat large to this Question for I know that there is something in the understanding of those that ask this question as the ground thereof which is a great hindrance to the understanding of this glorious truth of Gods love unto all men namely that Adams sin brought him and all his posterity into a state of eternal condemnation in Hell which whosoever beleiveth cannot easily understand how Christ should die for all men say they if he died for all to free them from eternal punishment in hell and Christ dye not in vain then say they How can it be but that all must be saved First consider your mistake touching Adams sin for 't is plain that his sin brought but the first death and the companions thereof as fear shame sickness eating bread in the sweat of the face c. together with the ground cursed for his sake and not eternal torments in Hell which saith the Scripture is the second death Rev. 20.14 First because the second death or eternal torment in Hell was neither threatned to come upon him before his fall Gen. 2.17 neither is it in the least signifyed in the sentence against him after his fall Gen. 3.17.18.19 but rather this Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return this death therefore being only spoken of which is the first death let no man presume above what is written Secondly observe the sence of the Apostle Paul touching this Particular who saith That by one man to wit Adam sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 Now in that he saith that the death which came by Adam passed upon all it followes with much plainness that he understood it to be only the first death that entred into the world by Adams sin because the second death or eternal torment in Hell had not passed upon all and so he could not mean the second death for he right well knew yea and all men do know it had not passed upon Abraham Isaac and Jacob with many others that might be mentioned no nor never shall In vain will it be for any to go about to evade the force of this text by conceiving that it is the desert of eternal death which passed upon all forasmuch as the Apostle in much plainness saith That death passed upon all men not only deserved death but death it self passed also upon them as their desert Thirdly remember and well consider that it is granted on all hands that Adams sin from the beginning did and now doth bring men down to the dust or first death and also well consider that it is as generally beleived that the second death or Hell torments is an eternal fence of misery both upon the soul and body or an eternal horrible dying and never being dead both which being considered you may easily see that if God did intend Hell torment to be the portion of Adams sin either you must imagine that God did purpose and decree and so accordingly declare to Adam that if he sinned he should
me c. From these words Compared with ver 2. some conclude that Infants may beleeve Answ First note That them that are newly come to the faith or be weak in the faith are called little children Gal. 4.19.1 John 2.12 yet are men and women Again Christians ought to be humble and without malice is little children 1 Cor. 14.20 And this is that which Christ teacheth when his disciples strove who should be greatest in the kingdome of heaven as appeareth Math. 18.1 Compared with Luke 9.46 And therefore he taketh a little child and sheweth them except they be converted from their ambitious thoughts and become humble as little children they shall not enter therein ver 2 3. Also he sheweth that he that humbleth himself as a little child is great in the kingdome of heaven and whosoever shall receive such a little Child in my name receiveth me John 13.20 that is such a one as humbleth himself as a little child and whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which beleeve in Christ that is such a one as is humble and becomes as a little child it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea and this is said ver 4 5 6. and is the sence of the place Now for any man to understand the place so as that that little child which Christ set in the midst or any other did or do believe they are much mistaken for such an exposition of the place would cross many plain places of Scripture for Infants are not capable of hearing and faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.17 neither do they know good nor evil nor their right hand from their left as hath been shewed before neither doth the Scripture speak to Infants Deut. 11.2 though it speak of them neither can they work and that faith is dead that worketh not James 2.17 26. Now if any question how Infants dying in infancy can be saved because they beleeve not I say that if you look back to what is said as touching Adams sin you may see that all Infants dying in Infancy shall be saved for the son shall not die for the Iniquity of the Father Ezek. 18. and the guilt of Adams sin shall be taken off from all at the Resurrection But to return there is no Commandment in all the Scriptures which are the word of God for the Baptisme of Infants and where there is no Law there is no transgression Rom. 4.15 therefore he that refuseth to baptize Infants breaks no Law Therefore no man can justly charge him with sin for a commandment gives ground to duty and examples are teaching to shew us how duties should be done also note that there is no example for infants Baptisme in all the Scripture and yet they are able to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 for the Apostles and servants of the Lord did Baptise such only as did profess faith and did gladly receive the word of the Gospel search and see as the Bereans did Acts. 17.11 Object But some say That there is no Command nor Example for Women receiving the Lords Supper yet they are to receive it so may Infants be Baptized though no Command nor Example for it Answ In this objection it is granted that there is no command nor example for Infants Baptisme also note that beleeving baptised women are disciples and are members of the Church of Christ and so are commanded to break bread Act. 1.14 15. Chap. 8.12 Phil. 4.13 Act. 20.7 1 Cor. 11.24 25 28. compare the 1 of Act. 14. with the 2 of Acts. 41 42. you may see that women did receive the Lords Supper But if any should say That Infants are Disciples and therefore are to be baptized I answer That Christ faith that whosoever beareth not his cross and followeth not after him cannot be his disciple Luke 14.27 but Infants cannot do so therefore they cannot be his disciples I shall say no more to this Principle of the Doctrine of Christ at this place because many have wrote very largely upon it and there is no true consequence to be gathered from all the Scriptures for Infants Baptisme for it is against Scripture and crosseth the way of the New Testament for it brings into the Church a fleshly seed instead of a Spiritual and so makes void the command of God as hath been shewed before But seeing it is so that penitent beleeving men and women are only to be Baptized let all the Churches in the fear of God take heed that they Baptize no other but such as are truly penitent beleeving men and women that so all the members of the Church of Christ may be new creatures living stones taught of God built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Cheif corner stone that all the building may be fitly framed together growing unto an holy Temple in the Lord 1 Pet. 2.5 Ephes 2.20 21. 2 Cor. 5.17 There is also the Baptisme of the Spirit which is a powerful falling down of the spirit so as to be filled with it enabling men to do some great work as in Act. 1.5 compared with Chap. 2.1 2 3 4. But this Baptisme of the Spirit is called so comparatively as Christ is called a door John 10.7 but there is but one Baptisme really and that is in water Eph. 4.5 The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ is Prayer with Laying on of hands for the gift of the spirit so as to abide with us and to lead us into all truth and bring all things seasonably to remembrance and comfort us in all afflictions John 14.26 Ch. 16.13 note it is the gift of the spirit that is to be prayed for not gifts but the spirit as a gift Luke 11.13 Act. 2.38 and so gifts follow as it pleaseth the holy one of Israel and so they that practice Laying on of hands with prayer shew that they do look upon Christ as the only Prophet to teach them by his spirit according to his word Act. 3.22 23. Now this of Laying on of Hands was practised upon all Beleevers Baptized for the Church of Samaria were under it Act. 8.12 15 17. And the Church of Ephesus were under it Chap. 19.6 and the Church of the Hebrewes also Heb. 6.2 therefore all the Churches for they all walked in one way and order Ephes 4.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 4.17 Object But there is no Command for Laying on of Hands therefore it ought not to be Answ There is a Command from Christ for it for the Author to the Hebrewes saith it is a Principle of the Teaching or Doctrine of Christ and so commanded by Christ Heb. 6.2 Object But this Laying on of Hands spoken off Heb. 6. is not that Laying on of Hands which followeth Beleevers Baptisme or it is doubtful whether it be that or no Answ First understand that there was but three sorts of Laying on of Hands
Nor if all the humane arts in the world did not teach the knowledge of God it followeth that all humane Arts cannot inable a man to preach or declare the Gospel the unsearchable riches that is in Christ and so Paul though learned ignorantly persecutes the Church of Christ but by grace given him he was made able to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ Eph. 3.7 8. Again Jesus rejoyced in Spirit and gives thanks to his Father that he had hid the things of the Gospel or new Covenant from the wise and prudent or learned and revealed them to Babes Luke 10.21 And Paul saith The things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 And the Prophet Isaiah saith That the vision of all is become as a book that is sealed So that the learned and unlearned cannot read it Isa 29.11 12. From all which it plaineth appeareth that all Ministers of the new Covenant are made able for the work of the Ministery through the spirit grace and gift of God for the spiritual man judgeth all things even the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 15. And so God hath not chosen the mighty men or things of the world which are highly esteemed among men but chuseth the poor foolish weak base despised things things that are not to bring to nought things that are That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1.27 28. Luk. 16.15 So then mark well and see the vast disproportion between the Old Covenant and the New the Old was of works do and live long so they doing it Justification would have been of dept Rom. 4.4 but the New is Believe and live eternally So Justification is by faith that it might be by grace Rom. 4.16 The Old Covenant is litteral and killeth because all have broken it but the new Covenant is spiritual and giveth life in Christ through beleeving 2 Cor. 3.6 the Old was written in Tables of Stone the New writeth the law of God in the heart the sons and daughters of the Old Covenant were Abrahams seed after the flesh the sons and daughters of the new Covenant are the seed of Abraham after the spirit new borne new creatures God according to the Old Covenant did know and chuse the family of Abraham after the flesh above all the families of the earth Amos 3.1 2. Psal 147.19 20. but now according to the new Covenant he knoweth no man after the flesh 2 Cor. 5 16. but every man of any Nation that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Act. 10.35 whether he be Jew or Gentile The children of the old Covenant being after the flesh by generation there was need to teach them to know the Lord but the Children of the new Covenant need not to be taught to know the Lord for they all know the Lord from the least to the greatest of them as it hath been shewed The old Covenant or law though just holy and good yet weak through the flesh having no strength to Justifie the Children thereof God finding fault with them because they had broken the Covenant there was a place found for the new Covenant established upon better promises so through Jesus the High Priest and Mediatour of it the Children thereof are Justified see Rom. 8.2 3 4. Heb. 8.6 7 8. The Sacrifices of the old covenant were carnal fleshly the bloud of Buls and Goats and so could not make the comers thereunto perfect so there was a Remembrance of sin every year but the sacrifice of the new Covenant is the Lord from Heaven the man Christ his Blood being the blood of the new Covenant being shed for remission of sins Math. 26.28 and so perfects for ever them that are sanctified which are the children of the new Covenant so that their sin is remembred no more as it hath been shewed before Heb. 10.12 14. the High Priest of the old Covenant was after the order of Aaron by generation after a fleshly line and so many were made Priests because they were not suffered to continue by the reason of death but Jesus the High Priest of the new Covenant is after the order of Melchizedec comes not to it by a fleshly line after the order of Aaron as the Preists of the Law did as touching his Office of the Preist-hood he is without father or mother without kindred and hath neither beginning of dayes nor end of life but remaineth a Prieft for ever after the order of Melchizedec So he is able also perfectly to save them that come to God by him as the children of the new Covenant do seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.3 6 11 13 14 16 21 24 25. The Children of the old Covenant had blessings and promises after this manner That the Lord would set them on high above all the Nations of the earth blessed in the city and in the field blessed in the fruit of the body flocks of sheep and heards of cattel and deliverance from their enemies and long life in the land of Canaan withall the riches thereof Deut. 28. The blessings of the new Covenant are after this manner deliverence from the evil of temptation 1 Cor. 10.13 Led into all truth so as they experience that comfort peace and joy that their names are written in the book of life witnessed by the holy spirit all things working together for good no condemnation for they walk not after the flesh but after the spirit the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come even eternal life so as to reign in glory So then all may see that they that go about to be justified by the Law Written upon tables of stone or the Law of sacrifices are fallen from grace for if righteousness be by the Law then Christ died in vain Gal. 2.21 and 5.4 But Christ died not in vain but God is just and the Justifier of him only that beleeveth in Jesus having that faith that worketh by love Rom. 3.26 for such only are the sons and daughters of the New Covenant Also hence it clearly appeareth how the Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon the great the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth she became so by bringing in a generational fleshly seed where Abrahams seed after the flesh is cast out so she goes a whoring in bringing in a false carnal seed instead of a true spiritual seed she bringeth in children into her Church by baptizing them as she calleth it and so the matter of her Church is meerly carnal and her ministry by humane learning and not by gifts given from Christ and yet talks of spiritual matter confounding the Old Covenant with the New and making the commandments of God of none effect by her many inventions and so national Churches that sprinkle their infants bring in a false fleshly seed and are her daughters and so she is truly said to be Mystery Babylon or Confusion the mother
Rev. 17.16 But the Antichrist is taken alive when the Lord cometh and punished with everlasting deflruction from the presence of the Lord in a lake of fire 2. Thes 1.9 and Rev. 19.20 And so to draw to a conclusion I do desire all men to take heed to the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles for they are able to make men wise unto Salvation and if men speak not according to the Law and Testament it is because they have no light in them Isa 8.20 O give heed to the most sure word of the Prophets as unto a light shining in a dark place until the day of Christ dawn and the day Star arise in your hearts noting diligently all things that are spoken of that must come to pass for when the signs concerning Christs coming are come to pass the day of Christs personal appearing will dawn Secondly is there such a spirit of delusion among men wherein is a mystery of iniquity Then let all take heed that they seek the Lord while he may be found and to kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish in the way O do not neglect to read and search the Scriptures and walk up in that you do know be not deceived God will not be mocked what a man soweth that he shall reap for he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting Gal. 6.7 8. Thirdly is it so that God doth and will give up men to a Spirit of delusion that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness Then he exhorted from hence to forsake all unrighteous wayes in conversation and all whorish inventions of men in point of Worship for if Moses Law be abolished which was given to him by the Lord let no man think that he shall be excused if he worship according to mens inventions Fourthly let all the Saints consider and lay to heart what hath been spoken and search the Scriptures that they may be informed what is to come to pass and so according to Christs exhortation in Luke 21.36 Watch ye therefore and pray alwayes that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the son of man Moreover when the Lord thus overthrows Antichrist and his Armies and the Kings of the earth as it hath been shewed before and more plentiously appeareth in Scripture When the whirle wind of the Lord goeth forth with fury a cutting whirle-wind it shall remain with pain upon the head of the wicked the fearce anger of the Lord shall not return until he have performed the intents of his heart At the same time saith the Lord will I be the God of all the families of Israel and they shall be my people For God hath loved them with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness he will draw them Jer. 30.23 24. Chap. 31.1 2 3. And it shall come to pass in that day that the great Trumpet shall be blown and they shall come that are ready to perish in the land of Assyria and the out-casts in the land of Egypt and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jernsalem Is 27.13 So when the Enemies shall come in like a flood great enemies being gathered by the beast the Antichrist according to Rev. 16.13 14. being mâ—â— according to Joel 3.9 10 11 12 13 14. the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him then even then the redeemer shall come to Sion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob saith the Lord Isa 59.19 20. compared with Rom. 11 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Then at that day the Lord himself which was dead and arose again and is alive for evermore Rev. 1.18 shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the voyce of the Archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thes 4.14 15 16. compared with Isa 27.13 and so as Zach. saith The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee and his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives which is before Jerusalem Chap. 14.4 5. then the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Hosts and Lord of Lords and King of Kings shall raign personally upon the earth in mount Sion and in Jerusalem and before his antients the house of Israel gloriously Isa 24.23 Rev. 17.14 Chap. 19.13 14 15 16. And for the further proof and clearing up of this truth That the Lord Christ shall raign personally on the earth more then a thousand years and all the Saints with him from Adam to his coming which dyed in the faith and are found in the faith at his coming are to raign with him upon earth First consider and mark well what the Scripture saith in the letter of it for the proof of the same the Prophet Jer. saith Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a righteous branch and a King shall raign and prosper and execute Judgment and justice in the earth In his dayes Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name the Lord our Righteousness Chap. 23.5 6. Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Psal 2.8 In his dayes shall the righteous flowrish and abundance of peace shall be so long as the Moon endureth He shall have dominion also from Sea to Sea and from the river unto the end of the earth Yea all Kings shall fall down before him all nations shall serve him Pfal 72.7 8 9 10 11. verse 17. His name shall endure for ever his name shall be continued as long as the Sun and men shall be blessed in him All nations shall call him blessed and the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one Zach. 14.9 Dan. 7.27 And the Kingdome and dominion and the greatness of the Kingdome under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome and all nations or dominions shall serve and obey him and Rev. 5.9 10. saith Thou hast made us unto our God Kings Priests we shall raign on the earth Chap. 11.15 And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great voyces in heaven saying the Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall raign for ever and ever Rev. 20. sheweth at large That the Saints shall raign with Christ a thousand years which cannot be understood but to be on the earth So then the letter of the Scripture speaks much that the Lord Christ shall descend from heaven 1 Thes 4.16 Acts. 1.11 and his feet shall stand upon mount
Subjects of Baptisme not Infants Page 54 18. That Prayer and Laying on of Hands upon all Believers after Baptisme is a Prinsiple of the Doctrine of Christ Page 60 19. The Resurrection of the Bodies of just and unjust proved and the Christ that died and rose again and ascended into heaven shall come again in person Page 64 20. What the eternal judgment is and when it is Page 70 21. What the Church of Christ is and who are to be received into the Church of Christ and who not and the bounds of Communion and that we are to give more heed to Christ then Israel was to Moses Page 75 22. That there are Preachers Administrators of Ordinances in this our age and shall be untill Christ comes and who they be Page 86 23. The manner and right receiving of the Lords Supper that Saints ought to practice it untill Christ come Page 91 24. What Officers belongs to the Church of Christ and how they are to be chosen and what there Work is Page 95 25. The Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel what it is and that it is not by Tythes Page 99 26. Some things spoken concerning the Washing the Saints feet also that of Anointing with Oyl in the name of the Lord and Prayer with Fasting Page 102 27. The way to deal with them that sin against God and one another and to cast them out of the Church Page 103 28. That the power lieth in the Church to judge Offenders Page 108 29. That Magistrates are to be obeyed in all civil things and are supreame but they have no more power in the Church then Members Page 109 30. That all the way of the Gospel is a way of love and free grace Page 112 31. That men may fall from grace and that the grace of perseverance is of God and salvation eternal life is the meer gift of God Page 113 32. That the whole House of Israel after the flesh shall be called to believe and be a glorious people and the time when Page 120 33. What the Whore of Babylon is and who are her Daughters and that the Antichrist or Man of Sin is not the Whore of Babylon shewed in seven particulars Page 126 34. That Christ shall Raign Personally on the earth most gloriously Page 161 35. That untill Christ come to Raign the Saints shall be in a troubled persecuted Estate and that there shall be warr unto that day and a word to the Fift Monarchy Men. Page 164 36. Some of the Signs of Christs coming Page 174 Reader THou wilt find only some literal Faults which were not worth the while to make an Errata of therefore thou art desired in a friendly way to correct such Trivials with thy Pen. THE GOSPEL Declared in plainness as it is in JESUS And the way thereof of Old confirmed by divers Signs Wonders Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit IN the first place mind what the word Gospel is or doth hold forth unto us and you shall find that it signifieth good or glad-tydings as appeareth Isai 52.7 compared with Rom. 10.15 Luke 2.10 11. Now what is contained in this good-tydings is this according to the Scriptures that God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their Trespasses unto them 2 Cor. 5.19 and that Christ dyed for our sins and was buried and rose again the Third day 1 Cor. 15.1 2 3 4. and that in Christ Jesus there is Remission of sins Luke 24.47 or forgiveness of sins Acts 13.38 and everlasting Life 46. this is the Gospel And this Gospel is to be preached to every Creature by the Commandement of the Lord Mark 16.15 that is to say to every Man and Woman that have ears to hear so as to understand not to Infants for the Lord speaks not unto though of them Deut. 11.2 for they know neither good or evill Deut. 1.39 which is agreeable to the testimony of the Angel of the Almighty which brought good-tydings of great joy unto all people Luke 2.10 Furthermore this Gospel was preached unto all yea unto them that received it not and that in all Ages Gen. 3.15 1 Pet. 3.19 20. 2 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 4.2 3 17. Acts 2.5 Coll. 1.23 for Paul saith it was necessary that the Word of God should be Preached unto them that rejected it yet there was no less in that word than everlasting life which they put from them Acts 13.46 in much envy contradicting and blaspheming and raising persecution against the Apostles so that at length they shook off the dust of their feet against them ver 51. And you know that Christ saith It shall be more toller able for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement then for such a people So then the Gospel was preached to them that never received it as well as to them that did receive it therefore unto all Again the Parables and comparisons in the Scriptures proves that this good Tydings of eternall life as 't is in Jesus is to be preached unto all as it appeareth Mat. 13. in the parable of the sower for there you may see it is declared unto all sorts of men as the seed is sown in all sorts of ground likewise in Mat. 22. the â—arable bids all even them also that would not nor did not come the bad as well as the good for to come to the marraige Also the comparison of the brazen Serpent sheweth as that was lifted up for all that all that were stung might look on it andlive Num. 21.8 9. So is the Son of man the Lord Jesus lifted up for all that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3.14 15. Again this is the condemnation of the world namely the not receiving the light that is in Jesus held forth in the Gospel John 12.46 John 3.19 And how shall they receive it so as to beleive it without a preacher Rom. 10.14 Therefore it is to be preached unto all Again Christ will judge all men according to the Gospel Rom. 2.16 Acts 17.31 and he that heareth and beleiveth according to the Gospel shall be saved and he that will not believe shall be damned as John witnesseth that they that refuse to hear the word so as to receive it shall be condemned at the last day by that word which they heard and rejected John 12.47.48 wherefore Christ judging all men at the last day by the word of the Gospel and that according to righteousness it followeth plainly that the Gospel must be preached unto all men Well then seeing the Gospel is to be preached unto all or this good tydings of peace which is as hath been shewed that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and offereth everlasting life unto all in and through the death of his Son it will follow that Christ died for all men so as to seek to serve all men Luke 19.10 Mat. 18.11 yea to set
all men and women in the way so as by his death they might have eternal life I say it will follow clearly that Christ dyed for all men for else the Gospel will be the tender of a lie which is blasphemy to affirme It will I say be the tender of a lie because in the Gospel there is offered to all as hath been shewed remission of sins and everlasting life through a crucified Christ but if Christ died but for some men and this glad-tyding of peace in the Gospel be held forth for all men as it is then to some of these all it will be the tender of a lie but that cannot be therefore I conclude that Christ died for all men This further will appear if you observe well how that all men every where are commanded to repent and beleive the Gospel Mark 1.15 Act. 17.30 and that is witnessed in the Gospel to all men both beleevers and Unbeleevers that there is eternal life in Christ and that they who receive it not make God a lier 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. Again consider that God doth bid all earnestly and doth not mock any untill first they reject him Prov. 1.25 27. nor doth he deal as hypocrites to bid men to his supper having before decreed in himself that they shall never taste thereof but I say unfaignedly and altogether truly doth the Lord bid and invite all persons to come to the marriage supper and saith he for All Things are ready now if Christ died not for all how could he invite all even them that never came saying all things are ready when as to them that came not which are the greatest part of men to them I say the only thing was not ready that is to say a Christ crucified for their sins and so whereas Christ saith that all things are ready this opinion which I contend against declares that there is nothing ready for I am sure that without a crucified Christ there is no salvation for the sons of men and moveover to conceive that Christ died but for some men notwithstanding his so often calls and loving invitations to all men whatsoever to come unto him that they might be saved Joh. 1.7 whether in the city or in the lanes or about the hedges to conceive this I say is to liken the Lord Jesus unto the vilest of men who as David saith Psal 55.21 have in their mouths words smoother then butter but war in the heart words softer then oyle yet were as drawn swords Moreover the Scriptures holds forth plainly that unbelief in the son of God is a great sin yea the cause of eternal condemnation John 3.18 Joh. 8.24 Now if the son of God died not for the unbeliever who is saith Christ condemned already because he believeth not on him then the unbeliever is condemned for not believing a lie but this cannot possibly be the judgment of the righteous God who condemns men for not receiving and beleeving the truth that they might be saved 2. Thes 2.10 11 12. Therefore again I conclude that Christ died for all men Moreover we find Paul that eminent light of the world in great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart yea and wishing himself accursed from Christ for his brethren the Jewes that were shut up in unbelief Rom. 9.2.3.32 33. Rom. 11.7 8 9 10. To whom also he acknowledgeth did belong the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the law and the service of God and the promises now 't is most plain that the Apostle doth by acknowledging these so many and excellent priviledges pertaining to the Jewes declare and clearly preach up that there was a time when they might have been happy had they with others sought after the righteousness of God by faith but alas alas they obtained it not wherefore because Christ died not for them saith many but saith the holy Apostle because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the law ver 31.32 And this is charged upon them as their great folly which indeed had been none at all had they not as well as others been put into a capacity through the grace of a crurified Christ to have beleeved and so eternally saved which thing most asuredly Paul understood touching them and therfore he abode in great heaviness for them yea and wished himself accursed from Christ for them knowing and beleeving that God had sent his son Jesus to bless them yea so far mark I pray as to turn every one of them from their iniquites Act. 3.26 and indeed to conceive the Apostle to be of a contrary belief that is to say that Christ died not for his Brethren that were shut up in unblief such a conception I say doth render the wise and eminent Apostle Paul to be simple and foolish both by his great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart for that which could not possibly be obtained to wit the salvation of his Brethren the Jewes and also by his wishing himself accursed from Christ for them that could not possibly ever be blest but God forbid that any sober minded man should hold any opinion that should thus render the wisdome of the wise of no effect but however if men will thus foolishly presume wisdome is justified of her children who clearly understands that Christ died for all men whereupon when they come to understand that men will not come unto him that hath died for them that they might have life Joh. 5.40 they understandingly with holy Paul greive and are of a mournful heart for them like the Lord himself Luke 19.41 42. Moreover Peter the Apostle of the Lord full of the Spirit declareth That the Lord bought such as bring in damnable Heresies and so bring upon themselves swift destruction even damnation that slumbereth not 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3. So then by this also it clearly appears that Christ died for or bought all men since no man questions his dying for such as shall be saved Furthermore there is before you a cloud of witnesses eminently advancing the truth of this Particular speaking after this manner Oh Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which were sent unto thee How often would I have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings and ye would not Mat. 23.37 And when he beheld their City so great was his love towards them that he wept over it Saying if thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes Luke 19.41 42. Oh that my people had hearkned unto me and Israel had walked in my wayes so should their time have endured for ever Psal 81.13.15 Oh that their were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandements alwayes that it might be well with them and their Children for ever Deut. 5129. Oh Jerusalem wilt thou not be
of which is as inconsistent to truth as the former as lively appeareth from Christs words Mat. 19.23 24. saying That it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of an Needle then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of Heaven For all cannot but know that if God be the alone Agent in and about mans conversion and his ordinary way be to work irresistibly therein all I say cannot but know that it is Alike easie for him to convert a rich man as a poor man And besides if Gods ordinary way to convert men be to work irresistibly how he could appeal to Israel who according to your sence knew that this was his way saying what could I have done More which I have not done Whenas he had not wrought so much as in his ordinary way upon them I judge no man can give a reasonable account to this Therefore in brief I conclude in opposition to all those that imagine Gods ordinary way to convert men is unresistible with Stephen saying Ye do alwayes resist the holy Spirit as your fathers did so do ye Act. 7.51 and with the words of the Lord I drew them with the cords of a man with bonds of love yet they refused to return Hosea 11.4 5. Object But this which you have said seems to cross the way of Gods Election and reprobation from the beginning whose way is to hate some men before they have done either good or evil as is plainly held forth in that of Esau and so impossible for them ever to beleeve and be saved For he hath mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth Answ For the better understanding of this Point well consider the principal thing which Paul treats of in that Chapter Rom. 9. which is that the fleshly seed of Abraham are not the children of promise or the Elect of God ver 7 8. wherefore saith the Apostle though Esau was the child of Abraham according to the flesh and that upon Isaacs side too yet God hated him therefore you Jewes that stand so much upon your brith priviledges as being the seed of Abraham after the flesh by this of Esau you may know that it will not prove you to be the Elect of God but you may be hated as Esau was he being as truly a child of Abraham as you but for his wickedness whether considered as a Person or as a Nation God rejected him I say for his wickedness as appeareth Obad. 9.10 For thy violence O Esau against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee and thou shalt be cut off for ever Mal. 1.3 4. Amos 1.11 Heb. 12.16 17. Esaus wickedness therefore whether considered a person or a Nation I say with the holy Prophets was the cause why God hated him whose wickedness God that foreknoweth all things foreknew in Rebecca's time and thereupon said to her Esau or Edom the elder shall serve the younger which saying Paul being acquainted with spake these words to wit That the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to Election might stand not of works but of him that calleth it was said unto her as aforesaid Rom. 9. shewing thereby that God was so mindful that his puâ—pose according to Election might stand which the Jewes so mightily opposed that he signified so long ago as Rebecca's time before the children were born or had done either good or evil that Esau the elder foreseen to be wicked should serve Jacob the younger for his violence against him as saith the Lord Obadiah 9.10 And therefore this Election by grace as if the Apostle should say which I contend for being as ancient as the Fathers spoken of by God himself to Rebecca you may in no wise reject for I preach no new thing But alas how is it that men so stumble at these words spoken by Paul in this ninth Chapter to the Romans as if God hated Esau before he was born without respect unto his foreseen wickedness as the cause thereof I say how is it that you so conceive and thus imagine vain things for doth it in the least follow that God so hated him because 't is said if that might be granted he hated him before he was born or had done any evil surely no unless it could be found that God hated him also before he had done evil without respect to foreseen evil in which is the main Controversie and not so much whether God hated Esau before he was born or had done evil yea or nay but rather what was the cause for which he was hated to which this Text in the Romans doth not at all speak only speaks of the time to wit before the Children were borne c. But as touching the cause wherein is our great Controversy I tell you again the text speaks not wherefore it remaineth that you diligently mind other Scriptures which speaks as to the cause thereof which plainly tels you that Esau's violence c was the cause Obad. 9.10 Now although this be spoken of him after he had personally transgressed yet I question not but that you with me will acknowledge that all his transgressions was known to God in Rebecba's time as also before which if so Why may it not be thus for what is said in this place to the Romans namely that God foreseeing Esau or Edoms wickedness in Rebecca's time said upon that account the elder shall serve the younger yea verily 't is plain that God did speak to her upon the account of foreknowledge for faith he Two Nations are in thy wombe Gen. 25.23 which all cannot but know was no otherwise but as God foresaw two Nations proceeding from the two Children which only was in Rebecca's womb and so also God calleth things that are not as if they were Rom. 4.17 Further to what you say touching God having mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth I freely grant it but the Controversie is whom God hath mercy on and that is beleeving men and whom it is God hardneth and that is disobedient unbeleeving men though they be Abrahams seed that is after the flesh And this I believe was Gods righteous dealings in all ages that is to say God first manifested his tender loving kindness to them with much long patience and gentleness waiting upon them in the use of means bidding them to open their mouths wide he would fill it but those that will not hearken but reject his counsell So God gives them up to their own hearts lusts Psal 81.10 11 12. So that which should have been for their welfare is become their trap Psal 69.22 God blinds their eyes layes stumbling blocks before them gives them up to hardness of heart and Reprobates them for ever as a recompence to them for their wilful rebellion the Only cause thereof as preacheth this vein of Scriptures Pro. 1.24 25 26 27 28 29 30. Jerem. 6.16 17 21. 2 Chron.
seed of Abraham are cast out and so not admitted as members of the new Testament or Church of Christ meerly as such upon which account John the Baptist put back the Pharisees from his Baptisme as not fit members for the Church of Christ upon their plea of having Abraham to their Father Mat. 3.9 how lame weak frothy carnall and confused a thing is it to receive little children into the Church by Baptisme upon the plea that they are the seed of Believers What! all the fleshly seed of Abraham the father of the faithful cast out and yet labour to receive in the fleshly seed of Abrahams children be ashamed hereof O ye Priests for the Lord will not hold them guiltless that makes void his Commandements by their own traditions But more to this elsewhere Mat. 15.6 Now to return The sum of all is as the Apostle saith the Bond-woman and her son that is to say the first Covenant and its children is cast out ever since the death and resurrection of Christ so henceforth know we no man after the flesh 2 Cor. 5.16 because the son of the Bond-woman Ishmael after the flesh shall not be heir with Isaac the son of the free-woman that is to say with the children of the New Covenant or new Testament wherefore it remaineth in the next place to consider what the new Covenant is and who are the children thereof since they only are heirs according to promise The New Covenant or New Testament is in the strictest sence that which is written in the 31 of Jer. 33 34. vers and Heb. 8.10 11 12. And in the largest sence the Gospel the glad-tydings way and ordinances thereof as 't is written in the books of the new Testament whereof Paul was a Minister 2 Cor. 3.6 Mat. 26.28 Heb. 9.16 17 18. Now the Children of the New Covenant are penitent believing obedient men and women such as are born again not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God John 1.13 New creatures and these are the children of Abraham after the spirit and heirs according to promise John 8.39 Gal. 4.29 2 Cor. 5.17 And with them considered such God makes or enters into Covenant giving them his spirit and so puts his Laws in their minds and writes them in their hearts and so he is a God unto them and they only are his people Heb. 8.10 And so they need not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying know the Lord for all shall know him from the least to the greatest of them verse 11. But mistake not though all the children of the New Covenant need not to teach one another so as to know the Lord yet they ought to build up one another in the knowledge of the Lord Jude 20. having received gifts from the Lord they are to teach one another to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord exhorting one another and so much the more as they see the day of Christ approaching so by using of their gifts they come to be established and go on to perfection Heb. 5.12 14. and 10.25 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4.8 11 12. Moreover the Lord will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will he remember no more so that they may have free accesse to him through Christ he being sacrificed for them so that there is no need of a sacrifice as there was under the old Testament for then there was a continual sacrificing and so a remembrance of sin every year and so the comers thereunto could not be made perfect for it was not possible that the blood of Buls and Goats should take away sins Heb. 10.1 2 3 4. But Christ being come by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified so he takes away the first Covenant that he might establish the Second that the children of the second Covenant might stand before God and die not having a new and living way which he hath consecrated or made through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all and so they come before the Lord with boldness yea enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus and having an High Preist over the house of God draw neer with a true heart in full assurance of faith having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their body washed in pure water Heb 10.9 10 19 20 21 22. So then the children of the New Covenant have free accesse to God worshipping of him in spirit and in truth acceptably without any sacrifice as after the Law or old Administration that being abolished and done away 2 Cor. 3.11 13. so sin is not remembred and so they shall be eternally saved if they hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering to the end but if they sin wilfully there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins but a Certaine fearfull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries he that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be thought worthy who hath troden under foot the son of God and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despight unto the Spirit of grace verse 23 26 27 28. Furthermore the Ministers of the new Testament are not by a fleshly line as the Preists of the old Testament were the sons of Aaron born by Generation Exod. 29.9 Numb 16.40 But they are made Ministers of the new Covenant meerly by gifts given from God as appeareth Eph. 4 8 11. where the Apostle sheweth that the Lord Jesus ascended up on high and gave gifts to men he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the gathering together of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the edification of the body of Christ till we all meet together in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the son of God unto a perfect man and unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ vers 12 13. So then it is cleer from hence that all the Ministers or Preachers of the new Testament are to preach or teach by gifts given from God for they have gifts given for the work of the Ministry and that in all ages till Christ comes for all the saints cannot meet together in the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man not untill Christ his coming therefore the whole work of the Ministry is to be performed by men gifted of God in all ages and not by men of a fleshly generation line or by any humane learned Arts for that is contrary to the new Covenant for all her children are taught of the Lord. And this will further appear because as the Apostle sheweth the world by wisdome knew not God 1 Cor. 1.21
practised by the Apostles and they are these Laying on of Hands to recover the Sick and upon Officers and upon persons Baptized Now it cannot be the Laying on Hands upon the Sick for men might be sick and recovered through Laying on of Hands and sick again and so recovered again and again and so some men might be under this Laying on of Hands many times but this in Heb. the 6. must not be practised above once for it is said Not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works of Faith towards God of the Doctrine of Baptismes and Laying on of Hands Furthermore it cannot be that Laying on of Hands on Officers for it is said that they that had laid this Laying on of Hauds spoken off Heb. 6. had need to be taught the first Principles of the Word of God but Officers could not be so ignorant therefore it was not upon Officers Moreover the same that are exhorted to go on to perfection had laid this Laying on of Hands as you may see if you read diligently the 1 and 2 verses Now all are exhorted to go on to perfection therefore all the Church of the Hebrewes were under this Laying on of Hands so then it cannot be that upon the Sick nor that upon Officers for men may go on to perfection and never be under that Laying on of Hands for the Sick nor yet that upon Officers Therefore this Laying on of Hands spoken of Heb. 6. is that only which followeth Baptisme and to this agreeth the order of words vers 2. neither can it be thought on good grounds that the holy spirit should rank any other Laying on of hands with these Principles which are the beginning of a Christian man so then it followeth that Prayer with Laying on of Hands upon every Baptized person is a Principle of the Doctrine or beginning word of Christ as hath been shewed before Object But the end of Laying on of hands was that the spirit might be given so as that some extraordinary gifts might follow as there did Acts 19. but we see none now therefore not to be practised Ans By the same reason we may refuse Baptisme for the Apostles promises the gift of the spirit to every penitent believing baptized person Acts 2.38 39. which then did fall down miraculously but we see it not so now Therefore no Baptisme Again Mark saith that these signes shall follow them that believe the Gospel in the name of the Lord Jesus they should cast out devils shall speak with new tongues c. Mark 16.16 17 18. But we see no man do any such thing now Therefore by the same ground you may say no man believeth and then no salvation Again the Apostle saith God hath set in the Church miracle-workers 1 Cor. 12.28 By the same rule no miracles no Church but mistake not the Gospel the Ordinances thereof and the whole way thereof was at the first confirmed by signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost Heb. 2.4 and all Believers are to walk up according to the Gospel and all the Ordinances and the whole way thereof untill Christ come 2 Tim. 2.2 2 Pet. 3.2 Rev. 2.25 To conclude this point the Spirit of the Lord is promised so as to be given to all penitent belieeving baptized persons Acts 2.38 Gal. 3.14 and the way and order of the Gospel is to seek it by Prayer and Laying on of Hands Acts 8.15 17. Chap. 19.6 2 Tim. 1.6 The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ is the Resurriction of the dead which is this to believe that Christs very body that was crucified did rise from the dead the third day according to the Scriptures John 20. and that our bodies shall also rise again from the grave when Christ cometh in person again according to that in 1 Thes 4.16 17. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive and remains shall be caught up together with them in the cloud to meet the Lord in the aire and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Now it is very plain that the very body of Christ which was crucified and buried did rise again he and not a spirit like that body did appear First Because he commandeth his Disciples to handle him and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as I have and so he shewed them his hands and his feet Luke 24 39.40 and so he shewed Thomas the place of the nailes bidding him put his hand into his side all making it appeare that it was the very body that was nailed to the Crosse and peirced with a spear that did rise again Secondly Because he did eat and drink with his Disciples after he arose from the dead Acts 10.40 41. and was shewed openly several times not only to the eleven Apostles but to five hundred brethren at once 1 Cor. 15.6 So then seeing Christs body is risen from the dead so shall all mens bodies the just and unjust also shall be raised from the grave at the last day Acts 24.25 First I say that the bodies of the righteous shall rise from the grave according to that in the 26 of Isa 19. Thy dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise awake and sing yee that dwell in the dust for thy dew is as the dew of hearbs and the earth shall cast out the dead yea if the righteous in Christ have hope in this life only they were of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 Because of persecution and temptation and trialls according to John 16.33 Christ tells the righteous that in him they shall have peace but in the world they shall have tribulation Therefore they shall rise again to receive a reward Heb. 11.26 or else it were better for them to eat and drink for to morrow they shall die yea it cannot stand with the righteousness of God that his should suffer affliction and persecution alwaies here on their bodies for the testifying of truth and their bodies never to rise to be freed from misery Secondly because the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 15. It is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body and so he saith That corruptible must put on incorruption so I reason That is it the same body that died that shall be raised only it shall be changed into a spiritual body for there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body as the Apostle sheweth but it is that Same that is natural that shall be made spiritual at the Resurrection Therefore note what the Apostle saith I pray and that is this It is sown a natural body It is raised a spiritual body so it is that every seed according to the comparison that the Apostle makes of the seed hath his own body and so the comparison of the seed doth
as the Lord commanded them in order so were accounted righteous and in order according to the Law Exod. 12.48 Lev. 16. Deut. 6.25 1 Chron. 15.12 13. So even so all they that and will prove themselves visible Christians in order since the Resurrection of Christ must walk up in the Doctrine or beginning word of Christ and in all his Ordinances which declare Christ come in the flesh John 1.31 Rom. 6.3 4. 1 Cor. 11.2 Act. 2.41 42. Chap. 3.23 2 Thes 2.15 Thirdly We are to give more heed to the word of Christ so as to keep his Statutes walking in order according to them Heb. 2.1 2 3. 1 Tim. 1.3 Chap. 6.3 4. then the children of Israel were to the Law yet Moses was like to be slaine because he had not circumcised his son Exod. 4.24 25. and Vzza was slaine for touching the Arke 1 Chr. 13.9 10. because they carried it not in due order Ch. 15.12 13. and the Lord sharply reproveth the Jewes for receiving into his house uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh Ezek. 44.7 9. So then it is plain that no uncircumcised person was to be received into communion under the Law nor none of the house of Israel could stand before God with acceptance but they that walked up according to the Law and we are to give more diligent heed to Christ then they unto Moses therefore the Church of Christ ought to receive none into communion but such as beleeve and practise all the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ professing from the heart obedience to that forme of Doctrine Rom. 6.17 and they only are to abide in communion that walk up in all the Commandements of the Lord orderly Fourthly the Church of the Tessalonians is commanded in the name of the Lord Jesus to withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the instructions received of the Apostles 2 Thes 3.6 Now if they were to be cast out of the Church that walk not after the instructions of the Apostles it followeth that they are not to be received into the Church that never came up to the beginning of a Christian man so as to own all the Principles of the Doctrine or beginning word of Christ for that were to build again the things we have destroyed and so to make our selves transgressors Gal. 2.18 Object But there are some in the Nations which holds Infants Baptisme and submit not to the order of the Doctrine of Christ yet are precious in the sight of God and have communion with him therefore may have communion with the Church Answ I grant that some in of the Nation may fear God and have acceptance with him yet it doth not follow that they may be in communion with the Church for the Woman of Samaria had acceptance with God yet had not communion with the Jewes neither did Christ account her to be a child of the old Covenant Mat. 15.26 27 28. and Cornelius prayers heard and yet not received into communion with the Jewes nor with the Church of Christ untill he was Baptised Act. 10.6 47. and under the old Testament it was not enough to profess the circumcision of the heart but they must be circumcised in the flesh also or no communion as it is shewed before and you may see Exod. 4.24 25 26. Ezek. 44.7 Gen 17.14 So even so none but such as profess faith in Christ and are baptised into Christ and so put on Christ so made Disciples according to the Doctrine of Christ John 4 1 2. 1 Cor. 12.13 Gal. 3.27 are to be received into the Church of Christ Further for the proof of this note what the Apostle saith Rom. 16.17 Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine that ye have learned and avoid them And the Apostles serperated the Disciples from all others Act. 19.9 Note also 1 Tim. 6.1 3. Chap. 3.4 5. And we are commanded to seperate and to touch no unclean thing 2 Cor. 6.7 now to bring into the Church believers seed in infancy by baptising them is to know them after the flesh and so to touch an unclean thing and so they that do it are transgressours yea very much crosse the plain way of the new Covenant in changing the Ordinance of Christ to a false Subject 2 Cor. 5.16 17. John 6.45 Isa 24.5 So then it is plain from the old and new Testament that to professe holiness in conversation is not enough so as to admit men into the Church of Christ but there must be also obedience in order to the form of the Doctrine or beginning word of Christ so worshiping God in spirit and in truth according to the new Covenant Rom. 6.17 John 4.24 so they are to be received into the Church of Christ and no otherwise therefore let every man mark well and behold with his eyes and hear with his ears what is said unto him concerning all the Ordinances of the house of the Lord and all the lawes thereof and mark well the entering in of the house with every going forth of the sanctuary Ezek. 44.5 Furthermore mind also that though the Apostles did bear with the Churches in severall things of the Law of Moses because they were once commanded of God and they being conscientious to them not being truly enlightened yet they did not receive into the Church nor bear with them that did not obey Christ in his Ordinances so as to walk up after the new Covenant as it hath been shewed and this further appeareth in many places of Scripture take some for many Phil. 3.17 2 Thes 2.15 Gal. 1.8 9 1 John 2.4 5 6. 2 Pet. 3.2 Object But some men may say I contend more for Baptisme then for other Commandements of Christ Ans To which I say the Lord knowes I do not but I do with a good conscience contend for those Ordinances that men have made void by their tradition of which Baptisme is one for there is one Baptisme Eph. 4.5 which is Believers only for sprinkling of Infants or Baptizing them is not the Ordinance of Christ nor is no more accepted with God then offering a lamb or any thing under the Law that had a blemish Exod. 12.5 Lev. 22.20 25. But for Believers Baptisme it was as much honoured as any Ordinance for Jesus himself being about thirty years of age was Baptized the spirit of God descending like a dove lighting upon him There came a voice from heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3.16 17. Luke 3.23 Father Son and Spirit in a singular sence met at Baptisme and so Christ was in a most excellent way vissibly declared to be the Son of God and so every Believer in a singular sence at his Baptism is visibly declared to be the Child of God Object But some men have said that we are not to practice this Doctrine because the Author to the Hebrewes sayes not laying again these principles but be led forward to
love given by the God of love so all the way of Christ is a way of love his word is the Doctrine of love So let all the Saints conclude with the Spouse his mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 And so this way of love which is the good old way of the Gospel was of old at first confirmed by signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will Heb. 2.4 Therefore let every man in the fear of God walk therein and they shall find rest for their Souls Jer. 6.16 Yea let every member of the Church of Christ put on the whole Armour of God having their loynes girt about with truth and their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace and praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance Eph. 5.13 14.15 16 17 18. O that every one would lay it to heart and with fear and trembling work out their Salvation for in these last dayes will be perrilous times 2 Tim. 3.1 and many that have tasted of the good word of God and been enlightned so as to beleeve the truth will fall away from grace yea from the true faith so as that eternal death will be their portion yea some have fallen from the faith therefore it is no new thing First the warnings in Scripture proves this exhorting men to take heed that they do not fall away from the grace of God Heb. 12.15 and these warnings and exhortations are given to such as have received the truth so as to believe as it appeareth Heb. 2.1 1 Cor 10. from 6. to 12. Heb. 3.12 reads it thus Take heed Brethren least at any time there be in any of you an evil heart and unfaithful to depart away from the living God Heb. 4.1 2 Pet. 1.5 Chap. 3.1 2 3. Jude 3. Rev. 3.2 3. All these are warnings given in Scripture and very many more might be brought which exhort men to take heed that they do not depart from the truth which would be in vain 2 Cor. 6.1 if men could not fall away therefore they may 1 Thes 3.5 Secondly Threatnings if any do fall away prove this Rev. 2.21 22 23. Hebr. 10.26 reads it thus If we sin willingly after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sin and chap. 6.4 5 6. is very full to this purpose 2 Pet. 2.20 21. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn fom the holy commandment delivered unto them Rev. 3.3 Ezek. 18.26 you may read also which plainly proves this point Thirdly This appears by examples in Scriptrue of some that did fall away from the truth yea from the true faith as Judas Matth. 26.25 Acts 1.17 18. and Demas 2 Tim. 4.10 and Balaam who spake excellent things by the help of the Spirit of God as the other Prophets of the Lord Numb 24. Jude 11 12. and some making shipwrack of faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 and Hymeneus and Phyletus who concerning the truth have erred saying the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.17 18. Fourthly The Scripture speaking prophetically faith expresly That in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith 1 Tim. 4.1 and 2 Tim 4.3 4. and 2 Thes 2.10 2 Pet. 2.1 Jud. 14 15 16. All these Scriptures do foretell of some yea many in the latter times shall fall away so as to depart from the faith and give heed to Doctrines of Devils and shall privily bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and many more places might be brought for this purpose Fifthly The Metaphors and Proverbs in Scripture proves this also as Prov. 26.11 Mat. 5.13 Mark 9.49 50. and Mat. 12.43 44. and 2 Pet. 2.20 21. that in Peter sheweth that they which have been freed of their vomit and have been washed yet turned as a Dog to it again as a Dog to the vomit again and the Sow to the wallowing in the mire Sixthly if this were not so no man could sin against the Spirit nor none could be Reprobates for the sin against the Spirit is a sin of knowledge and against the conscience they do that which they are convinced they ought not to do as it appeareth Mark 3.22 to 31. compared with John 7.20 28. And also no man can be a Reprobate except he have known the truth or sinned willingly against that he knoweth as it appears Rom. 1.28 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Tim. 3.8 Object But it is but a seeming faith they fall from as the Scripture saith Luk. 8.18 That shall be taken from him which he seemeth to have Answ That if it be but a seeming faith then they do well in falling from it but Paul saith to Timothy 1 Tim. 1.19 That some did make Shipwrack of Faith and a good conscience and he exhorteth Timothy to abide in that faith which others have made Shipwrack of And for that in Luke 8. the sence of it is that they that do enjoy the light or talent that is given them so as to hear the truth and seem to make a good use of it but do it not I say God will take away that Talent or light because he seemes to improve it but doth it not that this is so it will appear if you compare Luk. 8.16 17 18. with Mat. 13.12 and Chap. 25. from vers 24. to 30. Object But Paul saith that he is perswaded That neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor things present nor things to come nor any things could separate him from the love of God also he demands Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for God Justifieth Rom. 8. Answ Paul as he is a believer is parswaded that nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ and so are all true believers perswaded but if they depart from the faith nay if they do not go on adding to their faith vertue and knowledge c. as it is 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. they lose that perswasion as Paul acknowledgeth that he himself might become a cast-away if he kept not his body under subjection 1 Cor. 9.29 It is true none can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for God doth and will justifie but there is no man or woman Elected but in and through beleeving 2 Thes 2.13 as it hath been shewed and will appear if you mind the Scriptures for the Apostle tells the Ephesians that they were Elected yet the Lord Jesus saith to them Rev. 25. that if they do not
There the Apostle sheweth that he would not have us ignorant of this Mystery least we should be wise in our own conceits that blindnesse in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall be saved as it is written Fourthly These Scriptures in the 11 of Isa 11. to the end and chap. 59.20 21. chap. 66.8 9 10. and Jer. 31. and Ezek. 37. and the Covenant in this place spoken of doth belong to the house of Israel and the house of Judah and that will plainly appear if you note well those Scriptures mentioned for Paul sheweth us in the 11. of the Romans All Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion the Delieverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob for this is my Covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins So the Apostle speaking of the 59 of Isai the .20 applying it only to the house of Israel and that the Covenant of the Lord is to them so as to take away their sins yea it is plain that he speaks of the house of Israel after the flesh because he saith as concerning the Gospel they are Enemies for your sakes but as touching the Election they are beloved for the fathers sake so you may see as concerning the Gospel they are Enemies but as touching the Election they are beloved for the Fathers sakes that is for Abraham Isaac and Jacob sakes for the Lords Covenant is with them and so they are chosen yea he speaks of them which should come of them which then were concluded in unbelief ver 32. which was the Jewes therefore he speaks not of the Converted Gentiles but of the house of Israel according to the flesh for the gifts and callings of God are without repentance vers 33. So I say the Lord God hath determined to call Israel and of this he will never repent Again this doth further appear that God will call again Israel after the flesh and teach them according to the new Covenant so they shall know him and worship him in spirit and in truth for Zechariah saith Thus saith the Lord of Hosts it shall yet come to pass that there shall come people and the Inhabitants of many Cityes and the Inhabitants of one City shall go to another saying let us go speedly to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of Hosts I will go also Yea many People and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord Thus saith the Lord of Hosts in those dayes it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all Languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the the skirt of him that is a Jew saying we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Zech. 8.20 21 22 23. And Micah faith in the last days it shall come to pass that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it And many Nations shall come and say come and let us go up to the mountaine of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his paths for the Law shall go forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Chap. 4.1 2. But now men say that these Scriptures were fulfilled when Judah retured from Babylon for the Jewes after their return from Babylon never enjoyed such things unto this day search and see and these Scriptures say that they shall be fulfilled in the last dayes and the Scriptures do not call them the last dayes that were before Christ came in the flesh therefore not fulfilled but before the house of Israel shall be called so as to believe the Gospel as it hath been shewed the Gospel of the king dome must be preached in all the world for a witness unto all Nations Mat. 24.14 according to Revel 14.6 And I saw another Angel flie in the middest of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every Nation and kindred and tongue and people And this must be a little before and in the time of the fall of the Whore of Babylon and the rising of the man of sin the Antichrist as appeareth in vers the 8 9. And to this agreeth Mark 13.10 The Gospel must first be preached among all Nations compared with Mat. 24.14 and then the end shall be So the Gospel a little before the end shall be preached in the pure way thereof to all Nations so the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in But it doth and will so come to pass that now in this last of the last dayes the Gospel that is and shall be preached in the pure way thereof and the Whore of Babylon falling that the spirit of Antichrist doth and will more and more appear and the Antichrist the Man of Sin will come forth whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders 2. Thes 2. for the Antichrist or Man of Sin is not the Whore of Babylon and for the right understanding of this truth mark well these seven Particulars 1. First Who is this great Whore of Babylon and where her chief seat hath been and is 2. Secondly Her fall and the means how and by whom 3. Thirdly What is the spirit of Antichrist and who hath that spirit 4. Fourthly That the Antichrist will be a single person 5. Fifthly The manner of his rising and when 6. Sixthly Some of the great things he will doe 7. Lastly His fall when and by whom Of these things in order But first I freely confess That many honest men fearing God in those latter times have been mistaken in saying that the Romish Whore of Babylon is the Antichrist that the Scripture speaks of but men may see in this latter part of the last time with a diligent and serious search of the Scriptures through grace that the great Whore of Babylon is not the Antichrist And it being so that God having shewed it me through the Scriptures I being not accounted of in the world knowing that God doth great things by them that are not esteemed among men that no flesh should glory c. And considering that this which I do in this work may be seasonable and for much profit to the People of God and for the praise and glory of God I shall shew in brief that the Whore is not the Antichrist And for the clearing up of this truth First you may see who this great Whore of Babylon is by noting her chief seat where it is and that is at Rome for John saith Rev. 17. That the great Whore of Babylon which sitteth upon many Waters is that City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth
of blasphemy which had seven heads and ten hornes Rev. 17.3 Now note that five of them heads or kings were fallen when John wrote the Revelation and the sixt was then in being vers 9 10. Now this Woman the Harlot was to sit upon the sixt head and hath so done a long time and so the beast that had seven Heads carrieth her beareth her up forthe Magistrates have supported her all along understand also that the fixt Head of the Beast hath reigned ever since the writing of the Revelation but now is partly strong and partly broken that the sixt Head is not fallen is plain if you note well for the seventh Head when he cometh he must continue a short space now that head of the Roman Monarthy which is in being hath continued long even from before the birth of Christ for Rome was governed by Emperours before the birth of Christ Lnke 2.1 and the imperial power standeth yet though it be translated into Germany therefore the Imperial Head cannot be the seventh Head because that hath continued long and that the seventh Head continueth but a short space note Rev. 17.10 Five are fallen and one is and another is not yet come and when he cometh he must continue a short space Also mark well that the power of the Pope and his Clergy cannot be the seventh Head for they have continued long Secondly the Whore cannot be any of the Heads of the Beast because she sits upon and is carried by the Beast that hath seven Heads and ten Horns so she causeth the Beast to serve her and maketh the Beasts and the Kings of the earth slaves to her to do her will so then the sixt Head of the Roman power is not fallen though it be in part and the seventh Head is now arising which will take away the sixth and doth will and must give some liberty to preach the Gospel and to administer the Ordinances in the old way thereof and so the Lord God will bring things to pass for not one jot or tittle of his word shall fail and so in the rising and reign of the seventh Head and the ten Hornes the Angel shall flie in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth and to every Nation and kindred and tongue and people saying with a loud voyce fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come and worship him that made heaven and earth the Sea and the fountaines of waters Rev. 14.6 7. So the Gospel and the way thereof being preached the Nations will be enlightned and so God will put it into the hearts of the ten Hornes or Kings to hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire Rev. 17.12 16. So through the preaching of the Gospel in the pure way thereof the great Whore of Babylon falleth and so the hour of her judgment is come and to this agreeth that in Rev. 14.6 7 8. which sheweth that after the Gospel is preached to the Nations then shall follow another Angel saying it is fallen it is fallen Babylon the great City for she made all Nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication ver 8. Much more might be spoken to this but let this suffice as touching what the Whore is and her fall the manner how and by whome In the next place note diligently what the spirit of Antichrist is and who have that spirit now John in his first Epistle Chap. 4. And ver 3. doth declare what the spirit of Antichrist is namely every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that he should come and even now already is in the world Also understand that John did not intend the heathen that never did beleeve nor the unbelieving Jewes which never did acknowledge Christ come in the flesh but those have the spirit of Antichrist that went out from the Church of Christ Chap. 2.18 19. John sheweth them that it is the last time and as you have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time They went out From us c. So that the spirit of Antichrist is that spirit that is found in them that have been enlightned and have known the truth and go out from the Church of Christ and in a mystery deny Christ come in the flesh and so Paul speaketh of the Antichrist or Man of Sin 2 Thes 2.7 saith The Mystery of iniquity doth already work c. and Peter speaking to the Saints saith in his 2 Epistle 2.1 there shall be false teachers among you who Privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that Bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction So the spirit of Antichrist denyes Christ come in the flesh secretly and they that have this spirit say Christ is come in their flesh and so say the light within them is Chuist when at the best it is but the light of nature and in many the spirit of errour their light being become darkness being delivered up to strong delusion to believe lyes thinking they have Christ in them when it is a spirit of errour and so pervert the sence of the Scriptures declaring the Annointing and the Annointed to be all one teaching up the spirit of Christ apart from the Body of Christ to be the Christ or rather the spirit of error in them to be the Christ come in their flesh so in a very deceivable secret way deny Christcome in the flesh in saying he is the Christ that is within them which is an evil spirit so applying the Scriptures that speak of the spirit of Christ dwelling in men to be that evil spirit in them so declaring that spirit of errour in them apart from the body or flesh of Christ to be the Christ so deny Christ come in the flesh but note well what the Scriptures of truth saith they declare that Jesus Christ was slain Act. 2.22 23. Chap. 3.15 Chap. 4.10 in Chap. 5.30 Peter who was full of the holy Ghost saith the God of our fathers hath Raised up Jesus whom ye flew and hanged on a tree Paul saith to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15.3 4. First of all I delivered unto you that which I received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was Bursed that he Arose the third day according to the Scriptures So it is plain that the spirit apart from the body or flesh of Christ is not the Christ therefore again note what Paul saith 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God one meditatour between God man which is the Man Christ Jesus and Heb. 10.10 sheweth that the Hebrewes were sanctified by the offering of the body of
spoken of is faln the whole world is at rest and is quiet they sing for joy yea the Furr-trees rejoyce at thee and the Cedars of Lebanon saying since thou art laid down no feller is come up against us vers 7.8 Now the world did not enjoy such a rest as is there spoken of so as that no Feller came up against the People of God no more for since the time of Nebuchadnezzar and that Monarchies fall there hath come up many fellers or destroyers of the Jewes and the believing Gentiles as is clear that Antiochus and the Romans against the Jewes and the Whore of Babylon against the Christians and again the Apostle in 2 Thes 2. takes up the same words in substance and applies them to the man of sin which is the Antichrist therefore that in Isa cannot be fulfilled in Nebuchadnezzar for this compare Isa 14.13 14. with 2 Thes 2 4. though he might be a type of Antichrist Secondly it appears that the Antichrist will be but one man though many have his spirit and so many Antichrists because it will sute best with his way of delusion for he will pretend he is the very Christ and will cause fire to come down from Heaven on earth in the sight of men Rev. 13.13 and so he will endeavour to imitate Christ in all things for as the Lord Christ shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that Obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ so the Antichrist will make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men he will endeavour to make all the Scriptures that speak of Christs coming and of his raign to meet upon him So his coming will be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved 2 Thes 2.9 10. So as there is the Man Christ Jesus the Son of the living God which came in his Fathers name Mat. 16.16 John 5.4 3. without sin 1 Pet. 2.22 So there will be the Man of Sin the Antichrist which will come in his own name and profess to be the Christ but will be directly an enemy against Christ and his People And so I come to the fifth thing which is the manner of Antichrists rising and by what means for the clearing up of this First consider that the Gospel and the way thereof is to be purely preached and the Ordinances rightly administred and so the Angel is to fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and People Rev. 14.6 And so the Gospel being preached to the Nations and the Ordinances Administred in the good old way according to the Scriptures men come to be enlightened as many are in these nations where the Kingly power is fallen that did support the Whore and would not give liberty of conscience so I say as the Gospel comes to be ministred in the old way thereof men come to be enlightned the power of the Whore falleth and men slighting and rejecting the truth and also many of them that do receive and obey the truth fall and depart from the faith and so receiving not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God doth and will send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye 2 Thes 2.10 11. And so are given up to the Spirit of Antichrist and so the Apostle Paul sheweth that the day of Christs coming shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition 2 Thes 1.7 8. Chap. 2.3 and so the Spirit speaking expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrine of Devils speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience seared with an hot Iron forbidding to marry c. as in 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. And the Apostle Peter writing to the Saints in his second Epistle Chap. 2.1 2. sheweth that there shall be false teachers among you who shall privily bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernitious wicked wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of and Chap. 3.3 4. he saith that there should be scoffers walking after their own lusts saying where is the promise of his coming c. and so men transgressing and abiding not in the Doctrine of Christ fall from the faith of the Gospel and so the spirit of God departs from them and an evil spirit is sent unto them which is the spirit of Antichrist so out from them that thus fall away and go out from the Church 1 John 2.19 and so seperate themselves sensual having not the spirit as Jude hath it vers 19. and also from them that have been enlightened and have neglected to walk up in truth and so reject the counsel of God as the Lawyers and Pharisees did Luke 7.30 so I say from them that so fall away and neglect to hear and obey the Gospel from them ariseth the Antichrist or man of sin Again the sixth Head of the Roman Monarchie which is the imperial or Kingly power hath alwayes and doth by the guidance of the Pope and the National Ministry which rides upon the Beast as hath been shewed persecute men for their Consciences and so hath let and hindered the Gospel from being preached and the Ordinances from being rightly administred and so the light of truth was exceedingly kept back and but few received it and them that did receive it she persecuted some she put to death others she banished or caused to fly into strange Countries and into howling wildernesses others imprisoned and fined and so she cometh to be drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and so the Gospel could not be declared in the pure way thereof to every Nation kindred tongue and people Rev. 14.6 And so also if any did arise that had the spirit of Antichrist she took him off also and so she pluck'd up much wheat and tares also contrary to that of Mat. 13.29 30. Let both grow together until Harvest c. So the sixt Head of the Roman Monarchy being rid upon guided by the Whore did let the Gospel from being preached and the Antichrist from rising and so I think that the fixth Head did hinder the coming in of the man of Sin in the Apostles dayes for the Emperours being heathens then persecuted the Saints and so that sixth Head supporting and carrying the Whore also so as that it did let and will let until it be taken out of the way 2 Thes 2.6 7. but now the sixth
he that is left in Sion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Sion shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of Judgment and by the spirit of burning Isai 4.2 3 4. Then shall health be restored unto Israel and their wounds healed saith the Lord because they called thee an out-cast saying this is Sion whom no man seeketh after Thus saith the Lord behold I will bring again the captivity of Jacobs tents and have mercy on his dwelling place and the City shall be builded upon her own heap and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voyce of them that make merry and I will multiply them and they shall not be few I will also glorifie them and they shall not be small Jer. 30.17 18 19. Again at this time will the Lord make them one Nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel and one King shall be a King to them all and they shall be no more two Nations neither shall they be devided into two kingdoms any more at all Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their Idols nor with their detestable things nor with any of their transgressions but I will save them out of all their dwelling places wherein they have sinned and will cleanse them so shall they be my people and I will be their God Ezekiel 37.22 23. Again Wait yea upon me saith the Lord untill the day that I rise up to gather the Nations that I may Assemble the kingdoms to pour upon them mine Indignation even all my fierce anger for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousie For then will I turn to the people a pure Language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent At this time I will bring you again even in this time that I gather you for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth when I turn back your captivity before your eyes saith the Lord Zeph. 3.8 9 10. Again Look upon Zion the City of our solemnities thine eye shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken down not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the cords be broken And the Inhabitants shall not say I am sick the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven there iniquity Isa 33.20 24. Again Hear the word of the Lord O ye Nations and declare it in the Isles afare of and say he that scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a sheepheard doth his stock For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger then he Therefore they shall come and sing in the hight of Zion and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord for Wheat and for Wine and for Oyle and for the young of the flock and of the heard and their souls shall be as a watered Garden and they shall not sorrow any more at all Jer. 31.10 11 12. Yea in that day shall that song be sung by the house of Israel that is in the 12. of Isai Yea they shall cry out and shout for joy for great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of them verse the 6. Zeph. 3.15 They shall not see evil any more then that in the 35. of Isai shall be made good and that in Isai 60. and many other places which speak very clearly to these things search and see for Paul would not have us Ignorant of this mystery Rom. 11.25 Moreover be not mistaken though it be so that the fulness of the Gentiles under this dispensation shall come in before Christ come in person and many shall be given up to blindness and be destroyed at his appearing as it hath been shewed before yet them that are left of the Nations shall fall in with the people of Israel and say Come let us go up to the mountains of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his pathes For out of Sion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Isai 2.2 3. Micah 4.1 2 3. Yea many people and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord Thus saith the Lord of hosts in those dayes it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew saying we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Zach. 8.22 23. yea Zach. saith that when the Lord cometh and all the Saints with him even then the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one and then it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the Nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of hosts and to keep the feast of Tabernacles Chap. 14.9 14. and this as I understand was signified under the Law when the males came up to Jerusalem to keep there feast so the Nations shall come up from one new Moon to another and from year to year to worship before the Lord Isai 66.23 for then the Gentiles shall be Converted to the house of Israel Isai 60.5 For the house of Israel that are brought back and are called when Christ come shall then be chief among the Nations according to this Scripture Isai 19.24 25. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria even a blessing in the midst of the land whom the Lord of Host shall bless saying blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of my hands Israel mine Inheritance so in that day the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11.9 So in that day when Christ raigns gloriously on the earth there will be first all them that dyed in the faith are found in the faith at his coming made immortal and shall raign with Christ over the whole earth Dan. 7.27 injoying perfection in knowledge and purity 1 Cor. 13.10 11 12. Ephes 5.27 and be made free from all manner of imperfections yea as David saith They shall be abundantly satisfied with the Fatness of thy house and thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasures Psal 36.8 So they shall be compleatly happy injoying fulness of joy for ever and ever Secondly the house of Israel that is called when Christ appeareth as hath been shewed shall be under them and governed and judged by them Obad. 21. Mat. 19.28 Luke 22.28 29 30.