and servants of God ought not to declare the Nationall-Church of England viz. the Nation pretending to be a Church to be indeed no Church of Christ but a Daughter of Babylon And is it not their duty to discover her abominations in such Language in speaking of Babylon either the Mother or her Daughter as the Spirit of God makes use of and commends to us in the holy Scriptures Doth not that command to Gods people to reward her as shee hath rewarded them extend to a full reward both in words and deeds And if through flatteries of men slavish feare or foolish pitty Gods Archers his Ministers withhold to shoote such arrowes against Babylon in preaching or printing as God hath put into their Quiver for that purpose may they not be justly rebuked for it 9. Whether a bare forsaking of the Nationall Church and a verball declaring against it be a sufficient witnesse-bearing for Christ against Antichrist in the matter of Worship or whether besides all this are not Gods people called by a bold profession and visible practise of the ordinances of Christ according to the Gospel pattern to hold forth a true Baptisme Church-worship and so by a contrary practise to beare their testimony in the strength of Gods Spirit and truth against that false way And in so doing though the worke of Zions building may appeare now in its beginning as nothing in comparison of that glorious patterne in the Apostles dayes is there not ground to beleive God will vouchsafe his presence and helpe to his people in the work according to his good word Haggai 2. 1 2 3 And when the Saints come out of Babylon ought they not then to call upon one another to flow to Zion and there to declare the worke of the Lord Jer. 1.6.9 10. And if this be the season for the former duty why not for the latter and having with and amongst them the Word and Spirit according to that stable Covenant to beleivers in all generations Isa 9.21 Neh. 2.18 What hinders but they should rise and build 10. Whether many zealous Ministers and people in the Parish-way by reason of their ignorance of the times and seasons and the great worke of God at this day to bring his people out of Mysticall Babylon may they not be in danger of fighting against God and kicking against the pricks as did many devout Jewes who were zealous of the old legall Worship not knowing or considering that the time of reformation from Jewish rudiments Heb 9.10 was come And doe not many now as they then little consider Gods call to his people to reforme thorowly from all Antichristian pollutions and to touch no uncleane thing in this day of the Lords controversie for Sion And may wee not see as then so now the things which God winked at in times of ignorance hee will not winke at but witnesse against in times of light And is there not a very great security upon many professors Can yee not discerne the signes of the times Mat. 16.3 and darknesse upon their right eye that notwithstanding all the signes of the times and all the late wonderfull workes of God they are not awakened to discerne and doe the speciall duties which God by his strange dispensations calls them to And is it not apparent that many who should instruct others in the duty of the day It is the duty of the wise Steward to give the Children of God the portion of Doctrine sutable to the season Luk. 12 42. doe discourage them from enquiring into such things telling them of the danger of mistakes and the great difficultie of finding out truth referring them in many things to the footesteps of the flock in times of Popish darknesse But is it not high time for Gods people to goe a step beyond such Watch-men enquiring after Christ in the further discovery of truth And seeing God hath chosen the weake and foolish things of the world to confound the wise ought not even such to search into the booke of revelation seeking God by faithfull fervent prayer for his promised Spirit to lead them into all truth remembring the words of David Thou through thy precepts hast made me wiser then mine enemies I have more understanding then all my teachers Psal 119.98 99. 11. Whether the Parish-Ministry in their standing and acting as such are not found taking part with Babylon and warring against the true visible Churches of Christ and all others who withdraw from and witnesse against the Common polluted way of worship And if so whether those who are enlightened may warrantably upon the account of the gifts and godlinesse of such Teachers follow after them so as to have fellowship with them in their broad Church-way And is it not to make Idolls of them and preferre them before Christ and set them above him if they choose rather to follow after such Ministers in that way which hath no word of God for it then to follow Christ in that despised way of worship which hath the sure word of Scripture for its warrant Mark how Satan makes use of Eminent instruments sometimes to promote his wicked Designes If Peter that eminent Preacher might be and was so farre captivated by the Tempter as to oppose by rebuking Jesus Christ himselfe when he spake of his suffering death Mat 16 21 22 23. And againe denied him shamefully when he came to suffer with cursing and oathes saying he never knew the man And after all this at another time the same Peter who was so famous an instrument in Gods hand for converting so many soules even he becomes a misleader in a way of dissimulation Gal 2.11 12 13 14. so that Barnabas an eminent Minister of Christ If some who see such dissembling tell them that dissemble that they are to be blamed they do but as Paul did who told Peter of his fault Gal. 2.14 and divers others were carried away with his dissimulation If so it were with Peter is there not ground enough for the good people in that way to feare that their Ministers even the choicest of them may be fallen into temptation to be prejudic't against the worke of a thorow-reformation seeing their preferments livings and honours seeme to be struck at and so being offended labour to draw in others to be one with them in their offence and opposition against the Saints in their present warfare for Christ against Antichrist 12. Whether the greater number of people in the Parish-Assemblyes are not in danger of eternall Damnation through their high presumption that they are in Christ and in a good estate And whether have not Englands Church-Ministry much to answer for who have begotten and cherished this confidence in them by declaring them in their old Catechisme To be regenerate in their Baptisme made Members of Christ and inheritors of the kingdome of Heaven If this be true and no lye they have taught them who thus exalted them unto heaven
2 Cor. 7.1 Isai 34 last 3 Mal. 2 3. Isai 33.15 The bright beams of that light which is now rising on the Saints will discover the least motes of evil remaining in them and that fire which is in Sion wil leave no stubble remaining These things duly considered this objection is no just exception against the reformation aforesaid Object 11. Some affirm with no small confidence that their hearts are dead to things below they take no pride or pleasure in their costly apparel though it be made and put on after the newest fashion therefore they may and can without scruple wear such things Ans First If your hearts are dead indeed to them the offence that is given to many tender hearts by such adornings were there no other ground may the more easily prevail with you to part with them Secondly Some who have thought thus of themselves upon a sleight search upon further and more strict inquiry have not found their hearts free from the infection of pride in apparel which where it is in most Professors may be discerned by others at least by themselves upon a close search in these two things First Their clayming or at least expecting some more than ordinary respect suitable to their habit yea and if they come into the assemblies of Saints they look to be preferred to the best places and that it should be said or done to them according to that word in Jam. 2.2 If there come into your assemblies a man with a gold ring and goodly apparel and there come in also a poor man in vile rayment you have respect to him that weareth the gay cloathing and say to him Sir sit thou here in a good place (t) Is there not some such partiality to bee seen in the assemblies of Saints at this day c. Secondly Their strange carriage to their poor brethren How do such blush are ashamed to walk the streets with their poor brethren in mean rayment (u) Is not this denial of Christ in his poor members like that of Peter when he said in the high Priests hall I know not the man Do they not shun their company in open places of concourse and sometimes seem to dis-own them Are they not ashamed to call them or be called by them brethren v And why are they thus ashamed to own Christ in his poor members It stands not with their honor to be seen with them or at least to be familiar with them (w) Yet is not Christ ashamed to call them brethren Heb. 2.11 This becomes not those of their rank that wear such costly rich cloathing And if these things be so beware lest your hearts deceive you in this matter but let that be taken away which is such a snare and a stumbling-block to Saints Obj ct 12. Now may some say we find our selves upon the consideration of the whole matter so far informed that we know where to begin we are convinced of some of our adornings that they are vain foolish and offensive unbecoming Saints but wee know not where to end or what bounds to set to this reformation Moreover we fear that hot contentions may arise among Saints about this matter Ans In following our light Phil. 3. we ought not to be of doubtful mind but in this as in other things whereto wee have attained wee ought to walk waiting for further light in the improvement of the measure received In reforming Religion from Popery and Prelacy c. who could at first set or who can yet set the bounds to that reformation begun so as to declare in every particular whereto it will grow so as to say hitherto shall it proceed and no farther or who could or can yet resolve all the doubts and questions that have risen concerning that matter nor was that or any other reformation that I could yet hear of brought forth without some contention (x) What birth is there that comes without travel but if upon such accounts any persons whatsoever should notwithstanding their being convinced of the need there was of a reformation have withstood the work or refused to enter upon it they might bee justly judged for their opposition or neglect It being Gods ordinary way when hee sets his people upon a work at first after conviction to give them a measure of light accompanied with zeal and confidence serving for an entrance and after that to come in with an increase of light for the carrying on the work begun thus leading his people as by step and step These things are plain and the application may easily bee made to the matter in hand As for the contention that may arise Is it not the ordinary lot of the work of Reformation and every part or peece thereof to passe thorow such fire that both it and those who stand for it may bee tryed And such as hate to bee reformed though they take Law and Gospel in their mouth may bee discovered But let men take heed to themselves that they contend not against any part of Gods work (y) Psa 50 16 2 Cor. 3 18 wee can doe nothing against the truth but for the truth this becomes Saints thus to say and do Matt. 3 15. or that they bee not found Newters when God cals to side with him in any part of righteousnesse considering the words of our blessed Lord Hee that is not with mee is against mee and hee that gathereth not with mee scattereth abroad Mat. 12.30 As for removing any other obstruction that may lye in the way to hinder this Reformation I referre the Godly Reader to a diligent perusall of the ground laid down with the answers given to the several objections before mentioned Query Here it may bee questioned by some who are or may bee satisfied touching the Reformation contended for viz. Whether being convinc'd that Saints ought not to put on such superfluous trimmings as are before spoken against Shall wee straightway take off such things if now wee have them on What good way come to us or others by so doing Answ Can you being convinc'd in the thing keep them on with comfort Considering First That in continuing them on by example which is a thing many look at in such matters you uphold the evill and promote it in others who are incouraged by beholding your vain adorning to procure and put on the like Secondly You can not well use tongue or pen to oppose such superfluous Ornaments on others seeing they remain on your own Apparel Will not every man bee ready to say Pluck out first the beam which is in your own eye Thirdly You may never live to wear out the cloathes you put on so that if you should think then to reform when you have done with them and not before you may never live to have the honour to do God that service to bear your testimony against that evill Remember the wise mans words Eccesiast 9.10 Whatsoever thine hand findeth to
4.3 the substance of the Legall shaddowes is come in the flesh See Quae the third And whether the pretended reformed Church of England retaining the old Romish Church-state and confused mixtures maintaining the same things in substance with them be not to be esteemed as a painted Jezebel 16. Whether the Mystery of iniquity which wrought in Pauls time were not the same which now workes in the Church of Rome and her Daughter-Churches Did it not then worke mainely to bring the Saints back under the bondage of Moses his killing doctrine and his rudiments and shaddowes And whether the Apostle as a faithfull Witnesse and Watchman did not bend his doctrines and discourses in his Epistles especially to the Romans Corinthians and Galatians against this way of confounding the grace of God with mans works in justification and confounding Moses his old Lawes with Christs New Testament Ordinances The same mystery being at worke now not onely in Rome but in this Nationall Church Is it not the duty of Gods faithfull Ministers and Watchmen to warre against it by preaching and discourse with the sharp sword of Christs Word warning Gods people to beware of being seduced with this iniquity which being discovered in many things more grosse putts on a new dresse and works most mysteriously so that the workmen say who seeth us Isa 29.15 The mystery of 〈◊〉 is now 〈◊〉 with a 〈…〉 17. Whether the Mystery of iniquity that now workes be not founded upon the will of man confederate with Satan And is it not promoted and upheld by humane and Serpentine wisdome with worldly power and pollicy opposing and counter-working the Gospel-graces of God and Spirit of Christ exalting the creature above the Creator And whether the Abettors and promoters of this Mystery may not be discovered and discerned in our dayes by their prizing men much more for their naturall and acquired parts and abilities then for the anointing looking more at a mans learning and prudence then at the teachings of the Spirit minding excellency of speech more then the power of godlinesse seeking more after their owne honour from men then to bring honour and glory to God 18. If so then May wee not well expect that God who hath laid by so many instruments whose designe is to exalt his owne grace his Son and Spirit will choose and use most unlikely instruments in mens account as the weake and foolish in respect of worldly wisdome even the younger brethren even as David amongst the sons of Jesse spiriting them through faith and prayer to bring to passe those things which by humane power and pollicy could not be effected Whether then are not many and some good men like to be deceived who looke as did Samuel on Eliah on some wise expert prudent men to be the onely prime instruments for Gods great and strange worke 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28. which will not be done by power or might but by the Spirit of God Zach 4.6 19. Whether the faith and prayers of Gods people were not once as the Chariot-wheeles to the great worke of God in this Nation but now of late since our enemies have been subdued have not many good men slacked their hands to those duties and by looking and leaning to mans wisdome power and pollicy turned aside to crooked wayes and so have lost the footsteps of the Lord in his worke And whether can they come to a cleere sight of them againe except they humble themselves and returne to a diligent exercise of faith and prayer And if they will not be otherwise provoked thereunto may it not be just for God to reduce them unto sore straites that so they may learne to seeke him early Hos 5.15 20. Whether the continuance of divers godly men in Babylon and pertaking with her be not one great occasion of stumbling many weake Christians with some other enquirers after truth And ought not such then in the feare of God to consider and examine their standing and to lay to heart how great service they doe to Antichrist and disservice to Christ and his cause And doth not the deceiver suck no small advantage from godly men serving his designe which puts a faire face thereon though they doe it ignorantly or inconsiderately May we not observe that since godlinesse is in some request Satan puts on such a dresse as may most take with the godly to seduce them And if these should flee out of Babylon would shee not soone appeare to all good men to be what shee is and the judgements of God would they not come suddainly upon her as did the fire and brimstone upon Sodome the day that Lot came out Whether that which hinders many from comming out be not a slavish feare of man and the flattery and friendship of this world Whether such onely will not be found fit to follow the Lambe even whither soever he goeth who first sit downe and count the cost and so build the Tower of their profession upon Gods grace alone as held out in his Covenant trusting him with all their concernments If they onely are said to overcome who loved not their lives unto the death as Revel 12. What becomes of all the other professors Remember the hand of God against the rebellious Scots at Dunbar the fearefull and unbeleeving c If Gods servants shall abide there notwithstanding all the warnings they have had and all Gods patience towards them may he not justly slay them with the wicked though he save their soules at the last 21. Whether the Antichristian Ministry in the Nations which derive their Church-state from Rome are not found committing fornication with the Kings of the earth No Bishop No King And whether this fornication be not by interweaving their interests for the upholding one another thus by flatteries and by force bringing the people and keeping them in bondage to their wills enslaving their bodyes and insnaring their soules 22. Whether seeing the greatest judgements belong to Babylon may not God in justice to aggravate their sins who receive not the love of truth lend them so much light as that many of them shall be found willfull Apostates after all their other persecutions at length persecuting the Spirit of Christ so bringing upon themselves swift destruction Are not many found persecuting that light which they once profest Is not that word made good in them They shall goe and fall backward and be broken and snared and taken and if it be so is it not high time to bid them take heede lest they sin willfully after they have received the knowledge of the truth 23. Whether by that sure rule of justice that all the blood from Abel should come upon the persecuting generation in Christs time Math. 23.34 35. And that in the Revel 18.24 that in Babylon was found the blood of all the Saints shed from the foundation of the earth Doth there not lye a heavy load of blood-guilt upon the Antichristian faction
do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor wisdome nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goest If therefore you have light leading you to bear your testimony in word and practice against such superfluities Walk in the light whilst you have the light Joh. 12.36 Fourthly Although the putting off such things seems to present no present outward advantage to any man yet inasmuch as it puts a man into the better capacity to help forward a generall Reformation among Gods people and seeing the great good which may bee expected to come thereby will to the great satisfaction of publick-spirited Christians soon countervail the parting with those things which are no gain but rather losse to them that wear them therefore let them bee parted with and no longer retained by Saints The Conclusion That it is expedient there should bee some Reformation among Saints in their Apparel in respect of some extravagancies and vain superfluities most or all good men acknowledge As for the way that is presented to the Saints in this Discourse I deny not but it may bee liable to exceptions in some cases and so are many or most generall Rules in the Scriptures of (z) That great Command and for doing no manner of work on the Sabbath did admit of exceptions in some cases as appears Matth. 12. the beginning of the chapter 2 Pet 2.12 Truth If they who are friends to this work dislike this essay or rough draught let them bring forth their polished Endeavours on this Subject In the mean time this I say to all that fear the Lord who upon the reading hereof shall remain dis-satisfyed in this matter Take heed that yee speak not evill of the things yee know not or have not considered but seriously weigh as in the sight of God and in his holy fear the things laid down in this Discourse not forgetting or neglecting to seek the Lord herein remembring the words of wisdom Prov. 28.5 They that seek the Lord understand all things I shall shut up all with the words of Gamaliel to the Jews If this counsell or work bee of men Acts 5. it will come to nought but if it bee of God yee cannot overthrow it lest happily yee bee found to fight against God QVERIES for the People called QVAKERS FIRST WHether are you willing that the depth of your perswasion or opinion touching Jesus Christ his being now contained in the Heavens the raising of our dead bodys after natural death the Tryal of Spirits and Doctrins according to the Scriptures should be clearly and openly known and published Secondly Whether do you not by many of your sayings which admit of a double construction craftily hide your perswasion in many things from the sight of some honest people who take you to hold the same truth with beleevers in general concerning Christ the Scriptures and the resurrection of the dead Do you not endeavour to make them beleeve you hold otherwise in some things than you do And is not this dissimulation at the bests or lying after the manner of Annanias and Saphira Act. 5.8 Thirdly Whether your selves even all of you bee not men and women of sinfull failings and imperfections as act those Godly people you cry down Doth not the light within shew you this If not 1 Joh. 1.8 tell us who are the persons among you without their failings or imperfections And how came they so to bee Fourthly Do you in 〈…〉 of the Congregations of Beleevers as well look after those things which are Commendable as those things which are Condemnable in their practices Do you not overlook the example of Christ in this who in his message to the Church of Ephesus writes in praise of the good things in them Rev. 2.2 and particularly that they hated the Doctrin of the * Are not some Churches now to be commended for hating evill doctrins 〈◊〉 Though withall hee reproves them for leaving their first love and Sardâ—s Church being reproved some few names are excepted Do not you on the contrary cry them down in general without any mercy Fifthly Whether your declaring against instrumental teaching yet going about divers of you informing and instructing your selves and others who are free to hear you doth not discover a grosse contradiction between your profest principles and practice and plainly shew that you would have them hear none but you and whether this be right to set them against instrumental teaching to bring them to hear your declaring as some of you call your speaking altering only the name Sixthly Whether instrumental teaching bee unsuitable to the new Covenant If so Why did Christ being ascended appoint Pastors and Teachers in the Church to continue untill wee all come into the Unity of the Faith c. thus ordaining Ministers for the work while work remains for the ministery Did Christ burden his Saints with needlesse appointments Seventhly Whether the Scriptures you bring to oppose Gospell Ordinances do not serve only to make void Circumcision with other Ordinances of Moses Law and to witnesse against walking after the tradition of men with the carnall formall practice or idolizing of true Gospell Ordinances All you say making not at all against a spiritual practice of Church-Ordinances as breaking bread and exhorting one another c. wherein the Saints have the footsteps of the flock in the primitive times going before them and the appointment of Christ for the continuance of these till his coming which must bee understood of his personal coming the second time he being come in the Spirit with great glory when hee gave those Commands 1 Cor. 11.25 26. Revel 2.25 Heb. 10.25 Eightly Whether it is not better to wait on God in his good old ways recorded in his word expecting his work to be gradually carried on as the growth of a building or of a plant or child so running with patience the spiritual race set before us or as the manner of some is to forsake the principles of faith whereof the Saints have had so great experience in hope to start up suddenly from a low stature into perfection by imbracing a new doctrine Ninthly Whether Jesus Christ hath not prayed for those who beleeve through the word of the Apostles according to John 17.20 And if so Whether they are not in a good and safe way who beleeve accordingly And whether it be not better to credit their testimony so fully confirmed by the Lord and acknowledged by the Saints for many generations than to forgoe that to imbrace Heb. 2.3 and follow the sayings of some of your company Tenthly What is that faith which the Spirit speaks expresly Some shall depart from in the latter dayes giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils 1 Tim. 4.1 Eleventhly Whether that doctrine which in sum is no more but LOOK TO THE LIGHT WITHIN with a curse upon disobedience and a blessing upon obedience thereunto be that glorious Gospel preached by Christ and