SEEKERS SVPPLYED OR Three and forty Non-Church Queries by Scripture answered Penned and publish't for the vindication of Christs Commands and edification and confirmation of his people By Thomas Killcop Servant to Christ Iesus the King of Kings CANT 2.14.15 O my Dove that art in the Clefts of the rock in the secret places of the staires let me see thy countenance let me heare thy voice for thy voice is sweet and thy countenance is comely Take for us the Foxes the little Foxes which spoile the Vines for our Vines have tender grapes IUDE 3. Beloved it is needfull to write unto you and to exhort you to contend and that earnestly too for that faith that was once delivered to the Saints LONDON Printed by Tho. Paine for George Whittington and are to be sold at his Shop at the Blew Anchor in Corn-hill neer the Royall Exchange 1646. To the Christian Reader AS Israel departing out of Babell to repaire Zion were hindred so now spirituall Israel departing spiritually from spirituall Babell to repaire and build up spirituall Zion are also hindred by such as are called Non-Worshippers and as they built and held weapons too so must we spiritually Of these are three sorts some deny worship only some believers also and some deny Scripture too The first sort are most consciencious but the last are truest to their principles for such gifts as they say must accompany Administrators and confirm administrations Are rather by Scripture speech to accompany believing and to confirme the word to be the word Aâ— Mat. 16.17.20 Heb. 2.4 Mar. 1.27 Iohn 12.37 Therefore that Non-Worshipper that is not also a Non-Believer yea that doth not by Scripture deny Scripture is not true to his principles And if the first sort which I have to deale with dare own Scripture to be Scripture and themselves Believers though they want gifts much more hold might they be to practice this received word and declare their faith by obedience though they want the same gifts These I take to be the Foxes specified Can. 2 15. there is first the speech of Christ to his people and therein Exhortations and provocations to worship verse 14. And then their reply to him declaring their grievances in that the Vines are injured and their small fruit hindred by little Foxes These vines are believers fruit is obedience Iohn 15.8 and these Foxes are such as what in them lies hinders the Saints fruitfullnesse as I conceive They petition and so doe I not to man but God that Christ not the Woolfe would take them and bind them with the cords of love and pierce them not in the flesh with a sword of steele but in the heart with the sword of the spirit For the weapons of our Warfare are not carnall but spirituall and mighty through God to cast downe c. Acts 2.37 Heb. 4.12 2 Cor. 10.4 Their way is to study suttle queries which pussles and puts at a stand the weake but consciencious people For t is easie to propound what is hard to answer they are suttle and I simple they in parts strong and I weake But I have the word on my side which they have not and truth feares no cullers and I faint not knowing that God makes babes to praise him Mat. 21.16 they quote Scriptures so do I Let the Reader weigh theirs and mine and see whose are sutable to what they are brought for and whose not I have covited brevity therefore read deliberately weigh carefully practice conscionably Farewell Thine in Christs cause Thomas Killcop SEEKERS SVPPLYED Or 43. Non-Church queries breifly and plainly answered by Scripture Quere 1 WHether the visible congregated Churches of Christ did or ever should suffer defection under Antichrist from these and other Scriptures Jer. 10.20 Dan. 8.13 and 9.25 and 11.31 and 12.7.11 Hos 3.4 5. Amos 5.13 and 8.12.11 Mich. 3.6 7. Luk. 17.22.23 Joh. 9.4 1 Thes 2.3 1 Tim 3.5 Rev. 11. and 12.6 and 15.8 Que. 2 Whether the defection should be totall or in part only Answer Though some of these Scriptures concerne the Jewes only some Christs personall presents some the day of glory hardly any seemingly for the thing in hand Yet I grant a defection hath been in part yea wholy but this defection is vicious not vertuous and though it hath been it should not be As Luk. 19.13 Rev. 2.25 1 Tim. 6.14 2 Pet. 1.19 And a recoverie from this defection either in whole or in part is vertuous not vicious Cant. 1.7 8. Iude 3. Rev. 2.5 Object God may justly for the abuse of Gifts Ordinances or Administrations take them away and still with-hold them Answ From those that abused them he may but for their abuse to with-hold them from their successors is to set childrens teeth an edge for fathers eating sower grapes Ezek. 18.2 3 4. Que. 3 Whether there hath been a restauration since that defection Que. 4 When and how far this restauration hath been Ans That a Restauration hath been in part even in England both in doctrine and practice thousands can experimentally testifie Which restauration will be more and more Cant. 2.12.13.15 Dan. 12.4.9.10 In the meane while we ought to walke by our rule so far as we have attained Phil. 3 16. Que. 5 Whether there be any pattern of a true Church under the Gospel that ever was gathered without Baptisme Ans No for the 3000. Acts 2.41 were added by baptisme which could not be if the Church they were added to were not also baptized and baptisme is the entrance into Christ in respect of order Gal. 3.27 Iohn 3.5 Rom. 6.1 2. Que. 6 Whether any people how godly so ever may gather and baptize themselves and others unlesse they have a Commission from Heaven as Iohn the Apostles and Ananias had either imediatly or mediatly by the visible gifts of the Holy Spirit As Iohn 16.33 and 17.18 Math. 28. Acts. 9.10 Ans This querie declares much ignorance in the querer For first never had Iohn the Apostles Ananias nor any other a Commission to baptize themselves Secondly Visible gifts is not Scripture language but very improper because though the baptisme of the Spirit was sometime visibly seen like a Dove or like firie tongues Math. 3.16 Acts 2.3 Yet it was not alwaies seen For the Iewes knew not that the Gentiles had it tell they heard them speake with tongues and magnifie God Acts 10.46 And never was any other gift visible no not once though their effects were visible as healing the sick raising the dead c. A knowing man can distinguish betwixt a thing it selfe and the effects it produceth Thirdly These gifts improperly called visible are not Commissions from Heaven nor so called Fourthly they fit not for administrator-ship For Iohn had a commission from Heaven and was a lawfull Administrator Mat. 21.25 Iohn 1.33 though he had not these gifts Iohn 10.41 And Christs Disciples were lawfull Administrators Ioh. 3.22 and 4.1 2.3 When they had not Apostle ship nor power to worke
miracles nor the baptisme of the spirit for this Administrator-ship was before Iohns imprisonment Iohn 3.34 or Christ returne to Galilee Iohn 4.3 But after these things many of the twelve came to Christ Mark 1.14.16.19 and 2.14 and after this Christ chose the twelve from other Disciples and after this choice he called them Apostles and then gave them power to heale sicknesses cast out Devills c. Mark 3.13.14.15 Mat. 10.2 And their baptisme with the spirit was not till after Christs assension Acts 1.4.5 and 2. chap. Whether Iohns baptisme and ministrie were not to end when Que. 7 Christs were fully come Iohn 3.30 Act. 13.25 No verily for first those places speake no such thing 2. Ans Iohn began Christs Gospel prepared his way made his pathes straight Mark 1.1 2 3 4. Whether any were baptized in the name of the Lord Iesus or of Que. 8 Christ before the assension or with Iohns baptisme after the assension Yea verily for these differ not Ans being both the baptisme of water Acts 1.5 and 10.47.48 and both the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sins Mar. 1.4 Acts 2.39 Whether there be not a baptisme for the giving and receiving of Que. 9 the holy spirit distinct from that of Iohn or Christ seeing Philip it seemes could not administer that of the holy spirit though he did administer the other Act. 8.12.15.16.17 The baptisme of water and the baptisme of the holy spirit Ans are doubtlesse two distinct baptismes Act. 1.5 Whether the baptisme in the Apostles Commission Mat. 28. Mar. Que. 10 16. were the baptisme of John so called Mat. 3.7 and 21.25 Act. 1.22 and 18.25 and 19.3 or the baptisme of Christ or in the name of the Lord Iesus so called Act. 2.38 and 8.16 and 10.48 and 19.5 or the baptisme with or in the name of the holy spirit so called Math. 3.11 and 28.19 Mark 1.8 Luk. 3.16 or all these baptismes together I have proved the two first not to differ querie 8. secondly Ans the baptisme of or with the holy spirit is not called a baptisme in the name of the holy spirit this is a meer deluding falshood of purpose to pervert Mat. 28.19 which place speakes not of the baptisme of the spirit but of the baptisme of water For it is the disciplising baptisme and that is that with water Ioh 4.1.2 compared with Ioh. 3.22.23 Secondly it is that baptisme to which is annex t the promise of the spirit Mat. 28.20 Mark 16.17 and that is that with water Mat. 3.11 Mark 1.8 Act. 2.38 Obicte Where is that baptisme said to be in the name of the father son and spirit Ans The baptisme with water is the baptisme in the name of the Lord Iesus but the baptisme of the spirit is not Act. 8.15.16 and 10.47.48 and he as man is his fathers deputie doing and speaking his fathers will Heb. 1.1.2 Ioh. 7.29 Therefore what is done in his name or in obedience to him is in the name of or in obedience to the Trenity or God-head Luk. 10.16 Que. 11 Whether the baptisme of Christ be to be administred with water Ans Yea Act. 8.38 and 10.47.48 Que. 12 Whether the baptisme of the spirit be administred with water Ans No Act. 1.5 Que. 13 Whether the baptisme of Iohn or the baptisme of Christ in the ministration with water be to be administred with these words in the name of the father Ans Christ did not bid say I baptize thee in the name c. He bid doe it in the name c. Que. 14 Whether all that were visibly baptized in the name of the Lord Iesus received or were they visibly baptized with the holy spirit Ans All baptized Beleevers had more or lesse sooner or later that baptisme of the spirit which you call visible Act. 2.38 39. Quere 15 Whether ever any particular Churches of Christ officers officer or People as by vertue of particular Church priveledges did or had power to administer either all or any of the aforesaid baptisme Ans Any Church that had abilitie had also authority to administer either baptisme but some wanted abillitie to administer that of the spirit so much as on themselves Act. 8.16 17 19. Que. 16 Whether Elders Bishops Pastors or Deacons had any more power by vertue of these titles of office to administer in matters of worship then any other in the Church had or might have though they were no officers Ans Disciples as Disciples have power from Christ to administer Iohn 4.1 2. Mat. 25.16 18 19. Acts 9.10 yet may a Church I conceive make use most usually of her ablest Members Acts 13.1 with Acts 15.22.35 Que. 17 Whether the Officers afore said were not only civell Ans No Christ is a soule Bishop or Shepheard 1 Pet. 2.25 And these are his Deputies 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. Also the flock and food is spirituall therefore Pastors also Que. 18 Whether the visible presence of Christ or any other of his visible ministries or ministrations of worship were to continue any longer time then the visible power and presence of the holy spirit by gifts which was before told should accompany them and was fulfild according to these and other Scriptures Mat. 3.11 Mark 16.17 18 20. Iohn 1.33 and 7.39 and 14.26 and 16 13. Act. 1.25 and 2.38.43 and 8.16.17 and 11.15.16 and 19.5 6. Heb. 2.3.4 Ans This querie declares horrible sottishnesse in the querer For first the spirit was not in this sort present till Christs visible presence was gone Iohn 16.7 Secondly not one of these Scriptures doe fore tell that these gifts should accompanie ministries and ministrations of worship Thirdly not one of them affirmes such a thing to be fulfild Fourthly some of them declare the word to be confirmed by them As Mar. 16.20 Heb. 2. But that being confirmed and people receiving that for Gods word they are to submit to it without seeing miracles for such as now give nor heed to but neglect it cannot escap Because Christ and others at first preach it and God even then bore witnesse to it or to them preaching it with miracles and other gifts of the spirit as he at that time pleased Heb. 2.1 2 3 4. These gifts were to confirm doctrin while it was new Mar. 1.27 Thus with Moses and the Prophets so also with Christ But now Gods last spokes-man hath already uttered and confirmed his last message Mar. 21.36.37 Heb. 1.1 and 2.3.4 therefore Gods use and end for miracles or gifts termed visible is null For whosoever teacheth otherwise now then what is already taught is to be accurst Gal. 1. Que. 19 Whether the visible gifts of the holy spirit were not the life power c. of the visible ministries and ministrations of the Gospel as much at least as the holy anointing oyle and the bodie of Christ was the life of those under the law Ans To compare oyle with Christs body I account it blasphemie Secondly these gifts termed visible are
15 16. 29.15.16.17 18. Rev. 14.9 10 11. c. read and tremble Ans Your speech is at randome not having as yet proved our time place matter or forme of worship to be of Antichrist or not from Christ I can prove the neglecters much more the opposers of Gods way of worship to be resisters of his counsell and that against themselves and liable to be plagued Luke 7.30 Math. 12.30 Rev 4.7 12. read and trimble Que. 41 Whether it doth not highly concerne every one that feares the Lord to be infallibly assured of the warrantablenesse of their practice and power in matters of visible worship least the Lord account them takers of his name in vaine will worshippers and Antichristians and so guilty of and liable to that sin and vengeance Ex. 26.5 Deu. 4.2 and 12.32 Pro. 30.6 Rev. 21.10 Ans This is a truth and good counsell but not well applyed for first not true but false worshippers are herein tardie Rev. 14.7.9 Secondly fearers of the Lord are also worshippers of the Lord and non-worshippers are non-fearers Psal 2.11 Psal 5.7 Rev. 1â— 7 and many more places Que. 42 Whether Exod. 25.9.40 and 10.33 Levit. 10. 1 8. Numb 16.7 Psal 138.2 Ezek. 15.6 and 43.8.9.11.12 and many other places Especially Psal 138.2 I will worship toward thy temple and praise thy name for thy loving kindnesse and truth for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy names Doth it not eminently declare the exceeding transcendencie of Gods worship above all other his name workes and ordinances whatsoever And consequently that all the murders rapes oppressions plunderings blasphemies or whatever grievious sins have been or shall be committed are little or nothing in comparison of this great blasphemie to wit abuse of this great and glorious name of God by false and will worship Ans Therefore you might even trimble thus to murder rape and plunder this glorious name of God to wit his worship for not false and will worship but true worship you raile against the consideration of the excellencie of this name wrought a contrary effect in David who therefore worshipt toward his holy temple Psal 138.2 Here O heavens and witnesse O earth at the great day of Christ against this horrible and desperate plundering of this glorious name Que. 43 Whether it may not be gathered from Scripture that there should be c. a time for beleevers c to be silent c. and that there should be night to visible worship c. and they should wait on the Lord for a restauration and reformation c. Eccles 3.7 Cant. 1.13 and 3.1 and 5.2 Esay 5.30 and 13.9 10. and 26.20 and 28.26 and 60.2 Ier. 13.16 and 14.22 Dan. 12.12 Hos 3.4 5. Ioel 2.2 10. Amos 5.13 and 8.9 10.11 Mich. 3.6.7 and 7.7 8.14.15 Hab. 2.3 Zeph. 1.4.15 and 3.8.9 Zach. 12.14.17 Math. 24 29. Mar. 15.43 Luke 2.25 Ioh. 9.4 1 Cor. 1.7 8. Rev. 8.1 Ans Indeed these words silence night weight are often in these Scriptures but not once to purpose but each Scripture is horribly abused First Solomons all things are all accidents that befall us his time of silence Eccle. 3.7 is an accidentall silence as by death c. and not an allowed time to be silent God-ward As Eccles 12.13 and if the righteous through feare be altogether thus silent As Amos 5.11.13 t is vice not vertue to be shund nor followed as Esay 62.6 7. Mal. 3.15 16 17. And Christ will not owne such hereafter thus own not him novv Mark 8.38 Iohns halfe houre silence Rev. 8.1 sets forth Gods forbearing to plague the ungodly while the Saints acceptably worship as verse 2 3 4 5. of this silence in other words see further Rev. 7.2 3. 2 Pet 3.9 10. This night Cant. 1.13 3.1 and 5.2 is the whole time before Christs second comming and that time is day time Rom. 13.12 Heb. 10.25 2 Thes 2.1 2 3. bed is worship true worship is Christs or Gods bed false worship is a Whorish bed and idolatrie is whoredome God-vvard or Christ ward Esay 57.7 8. There we learne from Cant. 1.13 c. That night time is bed time that is the time before Christs comming is the only time of worship See further Luk. 19 13. 1 Cor. 11 26. 1 Tim. 6.13.14 2 Pet. â— 19 Kevel 2.25 This night then is not night too but night for worship and this bed is not a want but a joyfull enjoyment of Ordinances Cant. 1.16 17. And this Waiting so often specified is sometime a waiting for succour from God as Esay 25.9 and 26.8 Mich. 7.7 8. Zepa 3.8 sometime for Israels consolation Luk 2.5 Gods Kingdome Mark 15.43 the resurrection or Christs comming Dan. 12.12 13. 1 Cor. 1.7 8. sometime for raine Ier. 14.22 Hâ—bacuk for a vision 2.3 the Iewes waited on Zachoriah for the word of God Zach. 11.11.17 Christs Disciples by command waited for the promise of the father to wit the baptisme of the spirit Act. 1.4 but not one of these Scriptures speakes of a waiting for worship but this last place hath greatest shew and is the speciall place which all seekers or waiters in generall cleave too from that therfore note First they waited not for ordinances restaurations nor reformations of worship but for the spirits baptisme Acts 1.4 5. Secondly for this they waited in a way of worship or in the use of Ordinances as first baptisme Acts 1.5 compared with Marke 1.8 Secondly prayer Acts 1.14 Thirdly preaching verse 16.17.18.19.20 Fourthly exhortation v. 21.22 Fiftly ordination v. 23. Sixtly casting of lots v. 29. and all before this baptisme Hence note first that waiting for worship or use of ordinances is Scripture-lesse and so groundlesse secondly waiting unbaptized with water for the baptisme of the holy spirit is also groundlesse yet horrible presumption Acts 2.38 for though the baptisme of the spirit preceeded the other only one time Acts 10.47 yet the promise ran not so neither were any ever taught so to expect it but contrariwise Acts 2.38 Mar. 1.8 Luke 3.16 Iohn 1.33 I also find in these Scripture some words not minded in the querie of them a word or two by darknesse is meant sometime sorrovv as Esay 5.30 Ier. 13.16 with ver 14. Zeph. 1.14.15 sometime ignorance Esay 60.2 Mich. 3.6.7 sometime litterall darkenesse Esay 13.10 Ioel 2.10 explained in Math. 24.29 that famine Amos 8. is not now if the writings of the Prophets and Apostles be Gods word and though the Iewes were and are Kinglesse Hos 3 4.5 beleevers are not nor shall be Luke 1.32.33 Beleevers make not hast Esay 28 1â— that is they hasten not to abtain by right or wrong but expect the accomplishment of their lawfull desires in a lawfull way but they doe hasten to keep Gods commands Psal â—9 60 Acts. 2 41 ought so to do Acts â—â— 16 Thus briefly I have discovered how horribly these Scriptures are abused and how groundlesse now worship is if thou art hereby benifitted praise God and practice thy light FINIS
not the life and power of Gospel ministrations for they lived and acted without them as I minded in querie the 6. how Iohn and Christ Disciple administred in a Gospel way when they had not such gifts That John was a Gospeller see further Mat. 11.10.12 Marke 1.12.4 Luke 16.16 Que. 20 Whether the death of the Visible bodie of Christ was not the death of the visible ministries and ministrations of the Law Ans Yea and well it may being the substantiall Antitype of those Types and shadowes Col. 2.17 Heb. 9.9 10 11. 10 1 2. Que. 21 Whether the death of the visible power of Christ by the ceasing of the visible gifts of the holy spirit was not the death of the visible ministries and ministrations of the Gospel Ans The ceasing of gifts cannot kill Gospell ministries or ministrations of Worship first because they never had life by them as querie 6. and 18. Secondly neither were Gospel administrations shadowes of these gifts as the ministeries of the Law were of Christs death Que. 22 Whether it be possible for any man to be a true visible Preacher or Minister of worship in any other kind according to Rom. 12.6.7 2 Cor. 12.3 7. Ephes 4.7 2 Tim. 4.14 15. 1 Pet. 4.10.11 unlesse he hath received or been visiblie baptized with the holy spirit that if way be manifest to sence that it is imediatly or mediatly after a supernaturall way from God Ans T is doubtlesse possible for such to be visible Preachers and Ministers of worship that have neither gift of miracle nor the spirits baptisme as is proved in quetie 6. Que. 23 Whether if any can or at least will pretend to administer in a Gospell way visibly who are dead to it for want of visible life by gifts why may not every one that can and will pretend it Ans I have oft proved that the want of gifts make not men dead to administrations Secondly though beleeving men in the ways of God may administer yet first unbeleevers may not Psal 50.16.17 Secondly Non-participaters though beleevers may not when Christs wayes are afoot for Christ himselfe would not preach the Gospel but first be baptized to fulfill righteousnesse even a righteous order Mat. 3.15 and 4.23 And Paul though appointed to witnesse Christ to the Gentiles must first be baptized Acts 22.15 16. Thirdly beleeving women though baptized may not in the Church by administring usurp authority 1 Cor. 14.34 1. Tim. 2. Que. 24 Whether any beleever now living in the world can truly say he is visibly baptized with the holy spirit according to Acts 8 15 16.17 and 10 44.45 and 19.2 and many other places Ans First I have proved this baptisme not to be alwayes visible from Acts 10.45.46 Secondly everie baptized beleever since Christ assention is or shall be little or much baptized with the holy spirit or else God keeps not promise Acts 2.17 18.38.39 Iohn 7.38.39 Beleevers without this are without their earnest and likewise unsealed Ephes 1.13.14 which I doubt the Querer is Que. 25 Whether any beleever now living in the world can shew what this particular gift or gifts are and after what manner or forme particular gifts are to be administred as the gift of knowledge wisedome faith miracles prophesie disearning of spirits tongues interpretation of tongues c. 1 Cor. 12.8.9 What the baptisme of the spirit the Birth-right of every called one is I purpose God assisting to declare fully from Acts 19. In a booke which I shall intitle A two fold baptisme in the meane while see the substance of it in Acts 2.18 in these words On my servants and handmaids will I poure my spirit and they shall prophesie Ans God will poure his spirit on them that is the gift and they shall prophesie that is the effect they shall be filled with the holy spirit as a fountaine is filled with water that is the gift and the fulnesse within shall bubble forth that is the effect as Iohn 7.38 39. Acts 2.4 The appearance of fierie tongues is an overplus in the gift and the speaking with tongues is an overplus in the effect Que. 26 Whether any that hath a visibile gits or gifts of the spirit must not of necessity know that he hath so Ans T is likely he should yet I conceive it may possibly be otherwise For Sampson thought the spirit abode with him when it was gon Iudg. 16.20 Que. 27 Whether any that hath a visible gift or gifts of the spirit must not of necessity administer infallibly when he administers by them Ans Yea doubtlesse 1 Cor. 12.3 Qu. 28 Whether any one that hath a visible gift or gifts of the spirit administring sometime by them and sometime beside them must not of necessitie know when he administers infallibly by them and when beside them As well at least as any Officer in commission or any Souldier of or in any Armie or any Officer or member of a civill state can tell when he administers or acts according to his commission institution biâ—th priveledges c. and when it is not Ans We have our Commissions institutions c. not from gifts but from the written word 1 Cor. 14.37 Gal. 1 8 9 2 Pet. 1.17.18.19 Secondly there is a possibillity for people thus gifted to be mistaken in this kind For the Corinthians which came short in no gift 1 Cor. 1.5 6.7 Supposed the spirit taught them to let women teach in the Church 1 Cor. 14.35 36 37 38. and the Galatians had these gifts and yet that was errour which they tooke for truth and they fell backward when they thought they went forward Gal. 3.2 3.5 and yet all the Saints gifted or not gifted are in some things infallible Iohn 21.24 and 1 Iohn 5 18 19 20. Que. 29 Whether any that hath a visible gift or gifts of the spirit must not of necessitie know when he administers each severall gift Ans No we may possibly thinke we administer the gift of wisedome when envie is in us or the gift of knowledge when pride hath possest us or uncharitablenesse but are deceived Iam. 3.13.14 15. 1 Cor. 8.1 2 3. Que. 30 Whether it be not necessary that the visible gifts of the holy spirit should continue in the Church as long as there is a Church to distinguish between christian and antichristian spirits As in civill affaires officers and members of a civill state should have visible commissions institutions birth-priveledges c. to distinguish them from false intruders Ans First any man indude with reason will deny those gifts which you call visible to be Commissions and institutions Secondly civill Commissions and institutions are written so are ours as before minded Thirdly to distinguish between Antichristian and Christian spirits was not Christs end for gifts as querie 18. Fourthly Antichristians shall by miracles deceive all except the Elect. Mat. 24.24 Rev. 13.13 14 15. Que. 31 Whether the visible Church want not members when any of the gifts are wanting
in it according to 1 Cor. 12. Ans That chapter speakes only of the Church generall whereof the church at Corinth was a body or members in particular A part of the whole as verse 27. So that this Church wants not members if ever these gifts were though particulars have them not and whoever now hath intrest in the Church generall hath intrest in them gifts Ioh. 20.30 31. Que. 32 Whether visible gifts and consequently visible ministries and ministrations of worship were not to cease all at one time seeing they came all from one spring 1 Cor. 12 4.5 8 9 11 13. and 13.8.13 Ans These administrations 1 Cor. 12.4.5 are Christs administrations of gifts not our administration of worship a great mistake I confesse that when these gifts cease our Lord ceaseth to administer them and these administrations of gifts spring not from a command as our administrations of worship doe Ioh. 15.14 Que. 33 Whether the food of the Church after visible gifts should not be imediatly from God without any visible meanes As the Saints witnesses c. according to Ier. 31.33.34 Ezek. 34.11 12 13 14.15 Revel 12.6.14 Ans First your Scripture Rev. 12.6 saith they shall feed her Secondly your other Scriptures ate not fulfilled in this life for now we know but in part and see as in a glasse darkly 1 Cor. 13. But when Christ againe appeares then and not tell then we shall see him as he is even face to face and know as we are known 1 Cor. 13. 1 Iohn 3.2 3. and tell then we are to make use of word and ordinances 2 Pet. 1.19 1 Cor. 11.26 Rev. 2. Que. 34 Whether there be in the Scripture any cleere proofe for the time rule for manner and discriptinn of the power for restoring the Church from the defection from faith order c. as there was under that defection of the law 2 Chron 36.22.23 Ans That place discribes no rule for manner nor power fot restoring but only the time when but our Gospel rule gives a commanding power to restore its faith or order Iude 3 Rev. 2.4 5. As of old their written commands and institutions gave power and their restaurations were squared thereby Ezra 3.2.4 10. Nehe. 8.14 15.16 so now Que. 35 Whether it be not cleere from Ezra 1.12 and 6.14 Zach. 4.6 and many other places that Ezra and the rest went not about to reforme tell they had a particular command from God with power and particular promises of protection and successe and strengthned with most sweet and gracious promises Ans First to expect imediate Revelations from Heaven to Prophets and from them to people now is to deny Christ as come in the flesh Former Prophets typifying ours and he is the Antytipe of them Acts 3.22.23 Heb. 1.1 Secondly these Prophets gave them not their 1. commission But the worke by opposition ceasing their prophecying did only reincourage them As is cleere Ezra 4 24. and 5 1.2 Hag. 1.2.3 Que. 36 Whether 1 Cor. 12.1 As concerning spirituall gifts brethren I would not have you ignorant c. Doth it not lay an absolute necessity upon every one that will administer in a Gospel way to be really possest with such gifts as also rightly to understand them Ans Want of gifts hinders not administring in a Gospel way as querie 6. Ioh. 3 22.23 Mar. 1.1.2.3.4 Yet I grant that none is to administer beyond his abillitie Rom. 12.3.6 He that hath but one tallent is not to use five nor yet to hide his one because he hath not five But every one is to administer as he hath received 1 Pet 4 10.11 Or he shall be bound and cast into utter darkenesse Mat. 25.30 Que. 37 Whether it be not player like childish apish improper and Anti-christian for any to pretend to administer visibly in the name of the father son and spirit that wants power to give the holy spirit c. or at least that hath not visibly Gospel life himselfe by it for matter of faith order c. Ans Here is horrible impiety discovered first reckoning Christs service apishnesse Secondly accounting people ungifted to be lifelesse touching either faith or order First Iohn and Christs disciples querie 6 and Philip as you grant querie 9 administred the baptisme of Christ when they could not conveigh the spiâ—it Secondly the Samaritanes had visible life touching faith and order For they beleeved and were baptâ—zed Acts 8 12. or received the word of God vers 14 and the Ephesians had visible life touching faith and order For Paul though a stranger found them to be beleeving disciples Act. 19 1.2 when both the Samaritanes and Ephesians wanted as yet your least degree to wit the baptisme of the spirit as Acts 8.16 and 19. 2 6. Which you falsly call vissible life c. Que. 38 Whether ministring visibly in the name of God or Christ in a bare forme without the visible anointing baptisme presence c of the holy spirit by and with gifts to administer without the power and authoritie of Iesus Christ be not plain deceiving cozning a false vision a divination of their own hearts a thing of naught false dreames lyes lightnesse c. Ier. 14.14 and 23.21.25 26 27 32. Mat. 24. Yet all in the name of Christ c. and from running before sending and climbing up some other way then God and Christ hath ordained Incurring to himselfe that heavie vengeance Numb 18.7 Deut. 18.20 Ier. 13.14 Revel 20.10 Ans To affirme as you doe that such administrations that are in the name of God or Christ are without the authoritie of Christ if not accompanied with gifts must needs be deceiving cozning a false vision c. and from running before sending c. Because as often minded Iohn and others that wanted these gifts did administer by authoritie from God or Christ Iohn 1.33 Math 21. Que. 39 Whether administring visibly or rather seeming to administer in a Gospel way without a true visible power commission by gifts c Or to partake of such ministries or ministrations be not to set up an Idoll yea Idolatrie in the highest degree as farr above Ieroboams calvos as Gospel is above the law Christ above Moses and spirituall Babell with her plagues Rev. 18.21 above literall Babell with hers Ier. 51 63.6â— Ans Then had Iohn and others a commission to set up Idolatrie in the highest degree they wanting these gifts as aforesaid Secondly if these gifts be visible power and commission then Iohn and others that had not these gifts had no visible commission at all opposite to Iohn 1.33 Que. 40 Whether to partake of such ministries and ministrations either in respect of time place matter or forme of worship or whatever comes under institution of Antichrist as everie institution doth that is not from Christ be not to receive the mark of the Beast number of his name and to worship the beast and his image and so to be liable to those dreadfull plagues Ier 14.13 14