is for the Christ that Messiah which was to come but onely for the Carpenters sonne Matth. 13. 58. The reason was because none could understand that Mystery but they onely to whom the Father of heaven revealed it Matth. 11. 14. Hence when Jesus demanded of his Disciples Whom doe men say that I the Sonne of Man am Peter answereth thou art the Christ the Sonne of the living God Jesus answereth Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona for flesh and blood hatb not revealed this unto thee but my Father in heaven And thou art Peter and upon this Rock Jesus the Christ whom thou hast confessed I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. 16 17 18. Many for fear durst not in those dayes confesse Jesus to be the Christ Instance the Parents of the blind man Because the Jewes had agreed that if any did confesse that hee was the Christ He should be put out of the Synagogue John 9. 22. But so many as recived him viz. to be the Christ to them he gave power to be called the sons of God even to them that beleeve in his name which were borne not of bloud nor of the will of the flesh nor of thâ— will of man But of God John 1. 12 13 And as for that other Text of the holy Scripture that doth universally oppose it the heavenly Father gave me thus to interpret it 1 John 2. 22. Who is a lyar viz â—orne of the evill one who is a lyar and the father of lyes and abode not in the truth John 8. 14. But hee that denieth that JESUS whom hee confesseth dyed for his sinnes and rose againe the third day according to the Scriptures Is not the Christ viz. the annointed King and Prophet of his Church in all his outward administrations and institutions in admitting of Members into his spirituall Kingdome according to his royall Commission Matth. 28. 18 19. Mark 15. 15 16. though he acknowledge him to be his eternall Priest that ever liveth to make intercession to God for him Heb. 7. 25. He is that Antichrist viz. an enemy and adversary to Jesus the Christ that denieth the Father and the Sonne He that denieth the Sonnes Authority to bee the eternall King and his Commission to bee in force Matth. 28. 18 19 20. Mark 15. 15 16. and to be the eternall Prophet and his word to be the eternall rule for Doctrine and Gouernement aswall as his eternall Priest to reconcile him to God Denieth the Father that sanctified the Sonne and sent him into the World John 10. 36. and raised him from the dead and exalted him to bee Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. Hence it is my Honoured friend First that in all my writings I have studied to exalt Jesus the Christ it being the Primitive Faith once given to the Saints Math. 16. 16. Secondly to distinguish Jesus the Christ from all others named with the name of Jesus in Scripture Record as Joshua is called Jesus Hebr. 4. 8. c. others Thirdly because I find the Scriptures giving that Title to him in divers places John confesseth I am not the Christ John 1. 20. The Woman of Samaria said I know the Messiah commeth which is called the Christ John 4. 25. Apollos mightily convinced the Jewes shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ Acts 18. 28. Now that I received from the Lord I could not but make knowne to you You being one of the tender hearted Loyall Covenanters a Member of that High and Honourable Court under whose shade Conscientious Covenantours that contend for the faith of Jesus the Christ once given to the Saints find rest Know worthy Sir that the departure from the faith of Jesus the Christ is a cause of so many Schismes and Heresies maintained in the earth Disdaine not therefore to read a little Treatise called the Difference betweene the Christian and Antichristian Church Deliniated according to the Scripture Record though the truth therein contained like the Two witnesses Revel 11. 3. have long mourned in Sackcloth Yet if God give you an heart to receive it It will be a Jewell surpassing all earthly Treasure For if Iesus the Christ bee your Prophet to teach you his heavenly Father will Matth. 17. 5. Acts 3. 22. 23. He will then be your King to protect you Matth 28. 20. Your Priest to intercede for you Joh. 27. 20. Your Judge to acquit you Joh. 12. 48. and if the love of Christ draw you to keepe all his Commandements though in the world you meet with afâ—liction for his sake yet in Christ you shall find peace for the Father Son and Spirit will dwell in your heart and take it for the Sanctum Sanctorum where they will abide to cheer and refresh you Joh. 14. 23. And if you confesse him in this world before men He will confesse you before his Father and proclaime it to your eternall peace and comfort Euge bone serve Well done thou good and faithfull servant enter into your Masters joy Matth. 25. 21. Orpington in Kent the tenth Moneth the first day 1645. Yours who contendeth for the faith of Jesus the Christ FRANCIS CORNWELL To all loyall Covenanters contending for the Faith of JESUS the CHRIST once given to the Saints Mat. 16. 16 17. CVrteous Reader be not too censorious concerning him that is the Publisher of this little Treatise stiled The difference between the Christian and Antichristian Church as if hee condemned the Ages and Generations that are past as in a lost condition because he saith they have built their house upon wood and hay and stubble and not upon the sure rock Jesus the Christ Farre be it from him to judge so â—ashly of the Ages and Generations past or present concerning their finall estate for â—ee is commanded to judge no man before â—he time knowing that they stand and fall to their owne Master And wee shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ And then and there every one shall give an account for himselfe to God Rom. 14. 4 10 12. Knowing as it is recorded in the inspired Scriptures that If any man build upon this foundation Jesus the Christ gold silver precious stones wood hay stubble Every mans work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and thâ— fire shall try every mans worke If any mans worke abide which hee hath builâ— thereon hee shall receive a reward If any mans work shall be burnt hee shall suffer losse but himselfe shall be saved yet so as by fire 1 Cor. 3. 12 13 14 15. Secondly Know that the discovery of this truth was as the vision that is his for an appointed time and is become unto us as the words of a book that is sealed which men deliver to one that is learned saying Read this I pray thee And hâ— saith I cannot for it is sealed And thâ— book is delivered to him that is not
A CONFERENCE M r. John Cotton HELD AT BOSTON With the ELDERS of NEW-ENGLAND 1. Concerning gracious conditions in the soule before faith 2. Evidencing Justification by Sanctification 3. Touching the active power of Faith Twelve Reasons against stinted forms of prayer and praise Together with The Difference between the CHRISTIAN and Antichristian Church Written by FRANCIS CORNWELL a Minister of Jesus the Christ London Printed by J. Dawson and are to be sold Fr. Eglesfield at the Signe of the Mary-gold in Pauls Church-yard 1646. TO THE HONOVRABLE AND True-hearted lover of his Countrey Sir HENRY VANE Junior Knight sometimes Governour of New-England Treasurer of the Navie Royall and a Member of the House of COMMONS Sir THe Churches of the Saints and the World may not bee unfitly compared to the Pearle and the Pebble though both of one naturall substance earth yet the one of rare price whose beauty is the sun-beames inclosed the other wanting it is cast away as refuse What maketh the Saint more excellent then his neighbour seeing both are borne of flesh both subject to the same corruptions sicknesse death but this The Saints excellency is nothing else but the Image of Jesus Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse shining in him For as the moone and starres derive their light from the sunne so all the wisdome righteousnesse holinesse a Saint hath hee deriveth from Christ Hence David the King doth so prize their fellowship All my delight is in thy Saints thine excellent ones that are in the earth and them that excell in vertue Yea it is a sure note of a Citizen of Sion that hee honours them that feare the Lord Whereas worldly men without grace are rendred in his eyes as vile Hence the Spouse acknowledgeth that all her excellency cometh from plantation Let my Beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruit Yea Christ declareth to Nicodemus that a beleevers holinesse cometh from regeneration that in Christ hee may onely glory How doth the Lord discover this his excellency to a beleever by his calling till that time hee lieth amongst the refuse of the world as foolish disobedient deceived serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envie hatefull and hating one another But then the kindnesse and love of God to man appeared by delivering him out of the kingdome of darknesse and translating him into the kingdome of his deare Sonne By which it is manifest that hee is one of the Chosen generation the royal priesthood the holy nation the peculiar people whom hee hath called out of darknesse into his marvellous light But when doth the Lord discover the truth of his calling to his conscience Then when hee giveth him precious faith for that onely distinguisheth him form the world that lieth in sinne Gal. 3. 22. The Scripture concludeth father mother sonne daughter nay the infant that is borne of the most holiest parents all under sinne that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might bee given to them that beleeve So that in that same houre the Lord giveth him faith hee giveth him an evidence in himselfe that hee loved him in Christ before he was borne before hee had done good or evill that hee hath justified him from all those things hee could not be justified by the Law that hee hath purged his conscience from all dead works that his person is accepted his sinne discharged and he hath a right to the purchased inheritance amongst them which are sanctified Thus the love of Christ revealed to dye for him to take away his iniquity and reconcile him to God the Spirit given to take away his heart of stone giveth him an heart of flesh to cause to walke in his flatutes yea and draweth his heart to yeeld obedience to every commandement of Jesus the Christ The truth of this grace given Right Worshipfull you can give a true testimoniall for you were once in your naturall condition as well as others till it pleased God who separated you from the womb to call you by his grace to reveale his Sonne in you you consulted not with flesh and bloud but left your native soyle in the persecuting times of the Prelates chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God according to the light they had received then to remaine in England and enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Yet there the Lord exalted your Worship to bee the Governour And in that dawning light coming forth out of mysticall Babylon the Lord discovered much spirituall knowledge of the riches of his free-grace in Jesus Christ amongst you you being freed from the yoke of the Task-Masters heere the Bishops that kept you in bondage you had liberty there to debate those Questions which the naming onely of them heere would have rendred a man odious But Satan that envieth the peace of the Saints stirred up a spirit of contention amongst you especially when these Queries came to be debated 1 Whether there are any gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in the soule before faith 2 Whether any man can gather his evidence of the assurance of his Justification from his Sanctification 3 Whether there bee an active power of Faith and other gifts of grace in a Christian conversation The one side would not beleeve themselves justified no farther then they could see themselves worke making their Markes Signes and Qualifications the causes of their Justification The other side laid the Evidence of their Justification onely by Faith in the free Promise for there are foure things that makes remission of sinnes perpetuall to a beleever First The cause of Remission the sacrificed Body of Christ on the Crosse or accursed Tree Heb. 10. 4. By one offering hee hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Secondly The ground is a free promise tendred to us from God as to Adam The Seed of the Woman shall breke the Serpents head Gen. 3. 15. John 3. 16. 1 John 4. 10. Thirdly The meane is Faith apprehending it Phil. 3. 9. Fourthly The Spirit of Christ sealing of it Ephes 1. 13. This truth revealed for the comfort of poore drooping Saints found great opposition But the good Lord stirred up your gracious spirit to countenance and defend them in the midst of strong opposition and though you were sleighted and set light by at the ende of your Government as not worthy to be an assistant with many other Instruments more yet the good Lord stood by you and strengthned you and delivered you from the hands of your opposers perserved you from the dangers of the Sea and though at your returne to your Native Soyle you lived like Joseph a while in a despised condition yet the Lord raised you up to sit amongst Princes So that though you were willing to lose life friends preferment for Christ found you not then life peace joy in the Lord Jesus which was better to you then all worldly
for himselfe Acts 24. 14. That after the way that you call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers beleeving all things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets Verse 15. And have an hope toward God which you your selves also allow that there shall bee a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Verse 16. And herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwaies a Conscience void of offence toward God towardman But yet this I confesse unto you that I am lesse then the least of all the Messengers of Christ for I am not worthy to bee called a Messenger or Minister for I persecuted the Church of God that professed the Faith of Jesus the Christ that held foorth all his Royall Offices King Prophet Priest according to his outward administration in admitting of Members into his Spiritual Kingdome And sided with the Antichristian Prelates and Bishops that denyed that Jesus is the Christ whom the Spirit of God calleth Lyars and Antichristians That denyeth the Father and the Sonne 1 John 2. 22. For though I with the Antichristian Bishops and Priests did acknowledge Jesus the Christ our high Priest that ever liveth to reconcile us unto God yet wee have persecuted them that hold his Kingly and Propheticall Office to be eternall aswell as his Priesthood and the gathering of his Church according to his Royall Commission Matth. 28. 18 19 20. Hence it is that Christ divided becometh no Christ to the divider this according to the Vulgar Latine Solvere Jesum to dissolue Jesus that is to receive him onely in part and not in the whole which is the spirit of Antichrist Now when the Lord opened the eyes of my understanding and convicted me of all the abominations I had done in my spirituall Captivity under Antichrist especially that I had crucified Jesus the Christ in his Members being pricked in my heart I trembling cryed what shall I doe The Spirit and the Bride the Lambes wife said Repent and be Baptized in the name of Jesus c. Then I gladly received the Word was Baptized and was added to the Church Acts 2. 38 39 40 41 42. Yet by the grace of God now I am what I am And having from some Friends received this Learned Conference kept it by mee as a precious Diamond of great worth from which my soule through the great goodnesse of God did reape much spirituall comfort And did wait hoping that some learned and faithfull friends of his would long agoe have Printed a larger and an exacter Copy of it But finding none I that am lesse then the least of all Saints could not any longer conceale it but thought with my selfe I was bound in Conscience to publish it in this learned Age wherein there is so much enquiry after truth for the benefit of poore hungry empty selfe-denying Spirits rather then such a Learned Tract of heavenly light should alwaies lye in the dust as unseene and forgotten For this cause alone I have attempted Courteous Reader to present â—o thy view this Learned Treatise Not â—hat I have any relation to that Learâ—ed man nor any command from him â—o doe it But onely in love that this his Learned Disputation might not bee â—uried in silence Read it therefore Beloved in Christ not for his sake that publisheth it but for his sake that was â—he Author of it or rather for the God â—f Truths sake For whose cause the Learned Author contendeth for the Faith in these daies wherein the Gosâ—ell of Truth hath suffered so great Ecâ—lipses through the rage and tyranny of the Popish Antichristian Prelates and Priests Thine that earnestly desireth to exalt the Lord Jesus the Christ in all his royall Offices FRAN. CORNWELL A Conference that Mr. IOHN COTTON had with the Elders of the Congregations in New-England touching three Questions that are here discussed on 1. Touching gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in the soule before faith 2. Touching the gathering of our first evident assurance of our faith from sanctification 3. Touching the active power of faith and other spirituall gifts of grace in a Christian convâ—rsation The first Question WHether there be any gracious conditions or qualifications in the soule before faith of dependance unto which such promises are made Wee deny it for these reasons If there be any gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before faith of dependance then before wee receive union with Christ The reason is For by faith of dependance it is that wee first received union with Jesus Christ Joh. 1. 12. But there be no gracious conditions wrought in us before wee received union with Jesus Christ Therefore there bee no gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before faith of dependance Minor If wee cannot bring forth good fruit till wee be good trees nor become good trees untill wee be grafted or united unto Jesus Christ then there can be no gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before wee receive union with Christ But wee cannot bring forth good fruit till wee become good trees nor become trees of righteousnesse untill wee be grafted into Jesus Christ Therefore there bee no gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before we received union with Jesus Christ The Proposition is cleare of it selfe that wee cannot bring forth good fruit untill we be good trees Mat. 7. 18. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit Nor can we become the good trees of righteousnesse of the Lords plantation Isai 61. 3. untill wee be grafted into Christ Joh. 15. 4. As the branch cannot beare fruit of it selfe except it abide in the vine no more can yee except yee abide in me Verse 5. I am the vine yâ—â— are the branches hee that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can doe nothing A second proofe of the Minor If there be any gracious conditions or qualifications wrought in us before union with Christ then we may be in a state of grace and salvation before we be in Christ But that cannot be Acts 4. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given amongst men whereby wee may be saved If there be any gracious condition or qualification in us before faith then there may be something in us pleasing unto God before faith But there is nothing in us pleasing unto God before faith Heb. 11. 6. But without faith it is impossible for us to please him for hee that cometh to God must beleeve that hee is and that hee is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him But there must be some saving preparatives wrought in the soule to make way for faith and our union with Christ For wee must be cut off from the old Adam before wee can be grafted into the new Wee must be dead to the first husband before we can be married unâ—o another To works of creation
Faith hath put forth any act as we were all guilty of Adams sinne before we were active to reach forth any consent unto it Faith may be said to bee passive in our justification because it doth not lay hold on Christ to fetch Justification from him till Christ have first laid hold on us and imputed his righteousnesse to us and declared it unto us by his Spirit in a free promise of Grace And then Faith becommeth active actually to receive Christs righteousnesse and actually to beleeve on it either by way of dependance or assurance For the truth is seengi wee are not justified neither as it is a gift in us nor as it is an acting and working from us but in regard of his object the righteousnesse of Christ whch it receiveth Therefore which way soever Faith may receive Christ first or last by the same way we may be justified by it Now Faith of it selfe even the habit of Faith is an emptying grace and so is as an empty vessell fit to receive Christ and his righteousnes And both the act of Faith whether of dependance on Christ or of our assrance in Christ carrieth us out of our selves unto him and so maketh us fit to receive Christ and his righteousnesse Thus I have explained what I meane by a passive Faith Let me shew you that neither the Word nor the naming of it is an untruth from our best learned men of eminent worth for parts and abilities Calvine in his Institutions Lib. 3. cap. 3. Sect. 5. Quoad Justificationem Ursinus in his Catechisme Quest 60 Sect. 5. Potius Deum primum Chemierius de fide lib. 13. Chap. 6. Verissimum esse duo Doctor Amesius in Medullam Theologiae lib. 1. Cap. 26. Recepti Christi Paul Banes on the Ephesians 2. Vivificant He quicken us since he acknowledge a passive receiving of Christ he must acknowledge a passive Faith for there is no receiving of Christ but by Faith In a Booke of choice English Sermons that goeth under the name of Doctor Sybbs and our Brother Hooker and master Davenport there one stiled the Witnesse of Salvation on Rom. 8. 15. 16. where in Page 135. are these words In Justification Faith is a sufferer onely But in Sanctification it worketh and purgeth the whole man As for our Learned men that doe generally make Faith an instrumentall cause of their Justificaâ—ion I confesse it is true But I doe not understand them as Chenerius doth in the like case to meane no other kinde of causa then Cause sine qua non or Causa removens or prohibens For Faith keepeth the Soule empty of confidence in it selfe and maketh a way for the receiving of the righteousnesse of Christ Even as the poore Widdowes empty vessells made a way for the receiving the oye out of the Cruse whereas the fulnesse of the Vessell caused the stay The good Lord empty us more and more of our selves that wee may be filled with him Out of whose fulnesse wee receive grace for grace John 1. 16. Gloria sit soli Deo Twelve Reasons laid down against prescribed and stinted Formes of Prayers or Prayses BEcause it is against Gods glory in stinting unto him such a daily measure of Service consisting of Prayer or Praise and so hindering the spirituall petitions and phrases that otherwise would be if Gods good gifts were used It is against the dignity of Christ which hath qualified his Saints with a proportionable measure of the gifts of the Spirit for Prayer or Praise 1 Cor. 14. 15 16. in making their gifts needlesse and uselesse when they can serve themselves with Books and Formes without them It quencheth the gifts of the holy Spirit because it hath no spirituall imployment for Prayer nor Praise in his spirituall house 1 Pet. 2. 5. God is so jealous of his glory that hee cannot endure his worship should be corrupted with the least mixture of man Nadab and Abihu for offering with strange fire which God commanded them not were destroyed with fire from the Lord Levit. 10. 1 2. Vzzah for touching the Ark contrary to the order of the God of Israel was smitten dead and Israel had a breach made amongst them 1 Chron. 13. 9 10 11. compared with 1 Chron. 15. 12 13. Jeroboam devised worship at Dan and Bethel though hee pretended by it to worship the true God and advance the worship of Jehovah yet hee worshipped nothing but the Devils and Calves that hee made 2 Chron. 11. 15. And it became a sinne to Jeroboam and his house to destroy it root and branch and all the Kings that countenanced and upheld it 1 Kin. 13. 34. 2 Kin. 17. 21 22 23. But such as feared the Lord amongst them both Levites and Priests left their Cities and possession and of the people such as set their heart to seeke the Lord God of Israel came to Jerusalem So Jeroboams Kingdome weakned but Rehoboam that gave liberty of conscience to worship the true God strengthened 2 Chron. 11. 16 17. Now was God so jealous of his glory under the Law that hee that â—inned against that worship which God by Moses prescribed hee died without mercy how much severer punishment are they worthy of that sinne against the Sonnes authority seeing hee is Lord of the spiriâ—uall house whose house are wee Heb. â— 6. And the heavenly Father commandeth us to heare him Mat. 17. 5. and that in all things or our soules must perish Acts 3. 22 23 Now if we worship God in prayer or praise or any other way by any innovation or invention of man let us heare what our Prophet Jesus saith In vaine yee worship me teaching fâ—â— Doctrines the Commandements of meâ— Esay 29. 13 14. Mar. 7 6 7 8. Anâ— however it may seeme glorious 〈◊〉 our eyes yet God hath set thâ—â— stigma on it That it is a vaiâ—â— worship I cannot worship God in a stinteâ— forme of worship in prayer aâ—â— praise and the like lest I make 〈◊〉 selfe guilty of the bloud of Christ Christ by his death hath free me from the whole Ceremoniaâ— Law so that if I consent to reaâ— againe what Christ by his deaâ— hath abolished I crucifie Chrisâ— make my selfe gailty of his blouâ— and as much as in me lieth expâ—â— him out of the Nation Now the Ceremoniall Law hâ— his constitution in Israel either froâ— Moses or from God Not from 〈◊〉 for hee was a servant in his â—ouse and hee did nothing in the Tabernacle nor about it but what God shewed him Exod. 25. 4. Acts â— 44. But the Ceremoniall Law 〈◊〉 his originall law from God Now if the death of Christ were â—f that power to put an end to the â—hole Ceremoniall prescribed â—orship so that whosoever should â—are it again should crucifie Christ â—nd make us guilty of his bloud c. â—hen that death of Christ is of â—â—rce to put an end to mans Cerenoniall Worship But the first is true Ergo the â—â—ter The Consequence is
denyed That power which can disanull â—e greater must needs disanull the â—â—â—er if the death of Christ put an 〈◊〉 to the heavenly Fathers Cereâ—oniall Worship and in prayer and â—aise at or before the Ark or in â—e Temple then it will put an â—nd to all mans devised Worship unlesse you will advance the authority of man above God the Father Col. 2. 20 21 22 23. If Christ by his death hath freed us from the rudiments of the world the Mosaicall Ceremonies why living in the world are wee intangled with ordinances after the doctrine traditions and commandements oâ— men But they are set up for the glory of God Not I but Paul shall answer fom me They have a shew of wisdome iâ— will-worship but it is onely a shew there is no substance in it Wee harden the obstinate Papist in their superstition for they say and that truly Wee received moâ—â— of our formes of prayer and praiâ—â— from them Wee rob the Spirit of his glory who is given to Saints to form prayer and praise in them 1 Cor. 1â— 15 16. Rom 8. 26. Gal. 4. 6. Wee impose a burthen upon 〈◊〉 conscience to be practised which God hath left arbitrary to be used according to our necessities If we be afflicted then pray if wee have tasted how bountifull the Lord hath been to us in blessings then let us praise him Jam. 5. 13. If wee frequent devised formes of Worship in prayer or praise we shall lay a stumbling block before a weak brother and cause him to fall Woe be to them that follow the way of Balaam who taught Balack to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel Revel 2. 14. Jud. v. 11. Now offences must come but woe unto the men by whom they come It were better for me that a milstone were hanged about my neck and that I were cast into the sea then that I should offend one of these little ones Luk. 17. 1 2. If wee frequent devised formes of Worship in prayer or praise we shall offend our consciences even so many of us as are Saints enlightned to behold the beauty of his spirituall Worship performed or offered in his spirituall house the Congregation of the faithfull united Now if our consciences condemne us God is greater then our consciences and hee will condemne us also 1 Joh. 3. 19. for he knoweth all things Therefore I say to you who blame us for not frequenting devised forms of Worship in prayer and praises as Shadrach Meshach and Abednego did to King Nebuchadnezzar We are not carefull to answer you in this matter Our God whom wee serve is able to deliver us out of your hand But if he will not be it known to you we will not serve your gods nor worship our God in that devised way that men set up Dan. 3. 16 17 18. It one set form of spirituall Worship in prayer and praises had been needfull Christ would have left one But the Prophets Christ the Apostles never prayed nor praised God by any set forme of Worship invented by man but by the powerfull worke of the holy Spirit Rom. 8. 26. Gal. 4. 6. A set forme of Worship prescribed in prayer or praises cannot in prayer expresse the severall necessities of Gods people for the more grace they have the more they see their owne wants and the more sensible they are of their owne infirmities corruptions and sinnes Neither can it in praises expresse the manifold experiences that the Saints daily observe of Gods mercifull dealing with them Therefore a set Forme of prayer or praises to Gods Saints and faithfull ones principled with a spirit of prayer and praise it is altogether unusefull 1 Cor. 14. 15 16. Soli Deo honor gloria FINIS A DESCRIPTION OF THE Spirituall TEMPLE OR THE SPOUSE Prepared for the LAMBE The LORD JESUS Written by FRANCIS CORNWEL a Minister and Servant of Jesus the Christ for the benefit of poore distressed conscences in City and Countrey LONDON Printed by John Dawson 1646. TO THE HONOVRABLE and the true lover of all conscientious Covenantours that stand up for a through Reformation according to the word of our good God in England and Ireland CORNELIUS HOLLAND Esquire a Member of the House of Commons Assembled in Parliament SIR DAvid describeth the godly man by his pleasure and by his paines First the pleasure of the godly man in these words He delighteth in the Law of the Lord. Secondly the paines of the godly man And in that Law he meditateth day and night not only in the day appointed for man to labour in but in the night also appointed for man to rest the reason is because it is his meat and drinke to doe the will of his God Honoured Sir The Word of Christ being the Rule of Englands Reformation the good Lord that writeth his Lawes in his peoples hearts according to his new Covenant of Grace Heb. 8. 10. put it into my minde seriously to consider What Schisme was that I had covenanted against And searching the Scriptures I found it thus written 1. Tim. 6. 3. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse Vers 4. He is proud knowing nothing but doting about Questions and strife of words whereof commeth envy strife raylings evill surmisings Vers 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes and destitute of the truth supposing that gaine is godlinesse from such withdraw thy self Yea and after a further enquiry to understand aright the things that are controverted amongst us by the good providence of the Almighty I found two Texts of holy Scripture setting forth two sorts of men Diametrally opposing one another as light doth darkenesse truth doth falsehood the one thâ—s written 1 John 5. 1. Whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ is borne of God And the other thus 1 John 2. 22. Who is a lyar but he that denyeth that Jesus is not the Christ He is Antichrist that denyeth the Father and the Sonne And when I thought to understand the difference it was to hard for me untill I went into the Sanctuary of God where the Father of glory of his good pleasure revealed to me the most unworthyest of all his servants the truth of that which I conceive is the root of all our Controversies and gave me to understand the meaning of the Scriptures 1 John 5. 1. Whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ viz. the eternall King Prophet Priest of the Church of the new Testament ratified with his bloud whom the Father of glory hath exalted to bee Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. and head Ephes 2. 20 21 22 23. Is borne of God Seeing no man can say that is confest that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 3. Hence I find it written Joh. 1. 11. Jesus came to his owne but his owne received him not that
learned saying Read this I pray thee Anâ— hee saith I am not learned Esay 29. 11 12 So that it is not in him that is learned noâ— in him that is unlearned to discover the mystery of iniquity by which Antichrisâ— hath filled the Temple so full of smoak that no man can see how to enter into it untiâ— God enlighten him which caused the Lord Jesus in the dayes of his flesh to break out into an Eucharistia of praise looking on his Disciples I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and learned and hast revealed them unto babes Even so O Father because it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11. 25 26. That the whole glory in discovering of truth to any might be given unto God Thirdly Know gentle Reader who art a searcher after truth in these inquiring times that the Publisher wrote this Treatise to discover that the difference lieth not so much amongst us in point of Baptisme as it is about the Doctrine of the Faith of Jesus the Christ the Sonne of God which whosoever beleeveth and confesseth that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God it is lawfull to baptize him Act. 8. 36 37 38. And to which Faith of Jesus the Christ and Baptisme the promise of receiving the gifts of the holy Spirit is given Act. 2. 38 39. And though for publishing this mystery of Faith which hath been hidden for some Ages and Generations that are past hee suffer reproach and contempt from the hands and tongues of some yet if the will of God be so it is better hee suffer for well-doing then for evill Yet the love that hee beareth to the loyall Covenanters in the Nation constraineth him to doe it rather then his Country-men should ever remaine in blindnesse under the power of Antichrist Thine who is the unworthiest of all the servants of Christ who is content it should be said of his good name that is as a precious oyntment as Luther said of Moses his body Let it die and rot so God may be glorified and Jesus the Christ exalted in all his royall Offices FRAN. CORNWELL A DESCRIPTION Of the Spirituall TEMPLE THe Spirituall Temple of the New Testament the New Jerusalem which came downe from heaven the Bride prepared for the Lambe the Lord Jesus the Christ Revel 21. 2. may not be unfitly compared to the materiall Temple of Jerusalem in the letter whose foundation stone was of earth whose materials were hewen stones compacted into one edifice or Temâ—le the furniture thereof was an Altar a Sacrifice and a Priesthood who were made after the law of a carnall Commandement Heb. 7. 16. which was typicall and was not to continue for ever but onely to the time of Reformation and then the glory of it should vanish away In which materiall Temple none must come thither to worship but the circumcised Jewes and Proselytes for the uncircumcised and unclean were an abomination and must not enter in at the gates thereof Ezek. 44. 6 7. And for the defects the people of Israel and Judah committed in their worship so long as they continued in their integrity the high Priest went once every yeare into the Holy of Holiest and that not without bloud to offer up for himselfe and for the errours of the people Heb. 9. 7. Yea and great were the priviledges that belonged to the Jewish Church To them saith Paul pertained the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises Who are the fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9 4 5. But Christ being come an high Priest of good things to come by a greater and a more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not made of this building Heb. 9. 11. reareth up a spirituall structure or house 1. Whose Foundation was the living stone who hath life in himselfe Jesus the Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. Seeing other foundation no man can lay save that is laid Jesus the Christ 1 Pet. 2. 4. For there is salvation in none other Acts 4. 12. 2. The spirituall Materialls are such as are borne of water and of the Spirit Joh. 3. 5. Who are they which are born of the Spirit Such men and women as through a Gospel Ministry are brought to beleeve and manifest by their confession that Jesus who was crucified dead and risen is the Christ is borne of God 1 Joh. 5. 1. For no man can say that is confesse that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Spirit and being born of water they are manifested to be lively stones that have received life from Jesus the Christ the living stone 1 Pet. 2. 4. and fit spirituall materialls to be set into the spirituall house 1 Pet. 2. 5. 3. What is the Forme of this spirituall house Union They which gladly received the word were baptized and were added unto the Church and so were compacted into one spirituall house whereof Jesus the Christ is Lord Heb. 3. 6. But Christ as a Sonne over his owne house whose house are we if wee hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firme unto the end And these continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship in breaking of bread and prayers c. Act 2. 41 42. The Furniture of this spirituall â—ouse of the new Testament whereâ—f Jesus the Christ is the King Priest â—nd Prophet is a Priesthood Saâ—rifice and an Altar but all spiriâ—â—all First The Priests whether they â—e Male or Female they are all â—ne in Christ Gal. 3. 28. Yea every â—ember of this spirituall house are â—ade Kings and Priests to God the Faâ—her Revel 1. 6. Yea and the whole Church united into a body is a choâ—â—n Generation a royall Priesthood an â—oly Nation a peculiar People that they â—â—ould shew forth the vertues of him that hath called them out of darknesse into â—is marvellous light Which in times â—ast were not a â—eople but are now the people of God 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. Secondly The Sacrifices that â—â—ese Priests offer are all spiriâ—uall 1. The first is Prayer which the â—pirit of Christ formeth in the heart â—f a beleever whereby hee layeth â—pen all his spirituall and temporall wants unto God his Father in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ through whom hee hath received a promise to bee heard and to have his request granted Joh. 16. 23 24. 2. Secondly Praise is a spirituall sacrifice offered up unto God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name Heb. 13. 15. Which is done by praising God in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs which the Spirit oâ— Christ formeth in us to sing and make melody in our hearts to thâ— Lord Ephes 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. What is a Psalme It is a rehearsall of those
had accompanied with him from the time of Iohns Baptisme untill the time of Christs ascension into glory that had been baptized were they also Re-baptized after the death and resurrection of Christ The Answer is Nay Because they had the promise of the holy Spirit to be given them without any more baptizing with water Acts 1. 5. Iohn truly baptized with water but yee shall be baptized with the holy Spirit not many dayes hence And the Lord made good his word of promise they were filled with the holy Spirit when the dayes of Pentecost were fully come Acts 2. 2 3 4 5. Thus I have answered the Objections Because If two Disciples of Christ agree together in earth touching any thing that they shall ask they have promise it shall bee done for them of his Father in heaven Mat. 18. 19. But there is no promise to any people in faith and order but a people agreed Reas 1. Because two cannot walk together unlesse they be agreed Amos 3. 3. neither can the heart of two beleevers truly consent to pray together unlesse they bee agreed touching the things they will ask of the Father of glory Reas 2. Difference of opinion causeth difference of affection and is an occasion of many deare and precious soules to withdraw communion as is to be seen in Barnabas and Paul dissenting about the choyce of a companion the contention grew so hot that they separated the one from the other Acts 15. 37 38 39 40. Two or three Disciples of Christ gathered together in his name that is by his power authority and royall Commission where-soever whether in the mountaine or in the desert or in ship or in the dungeon there will Christ be in the midst of them to heare and grant their petitions or deliver them out of trouble as he did Peter out of the prison at the intercession of the Church Act. 12. To all such as walk in this Gospel faith and order the Lord Jesus hath promised a greater manifestation of his presence and Spirit Joh. 14. 26. And John in the Island of Pathmos â—ound it Revel 1. 9 10. Yea and to all them that love him and keep his commandements the Father and the Sonne hath promised to owne their poor hearts to be his Temple and Palace where hee will abide and dwell Joh. 14. 23. Lastly All such as are congregated in Gospel faith and order have a promise from King Jesus of Royall Protection in their greatest dangers Heb. 13. 5 6. So that with the Prophet Habacuck they can glory in Christ in their greatest extremities Hab. 3. 17 18. Though the vine doe not yeeld her fruit and the fatnesse of the olive faile and the herd perish from the stall yet will I joy in the Lord and rejoyce in the God of my salvation But is there any hope to see the Nation of England reformed according to the Primitive pattern founded upon the word of the eternall Truth Ephes 2. 20. Yea. First Because there was never a more exact Covenant taken in no Realme or Nation since the dayes of zealous Josiah 2 Chron. 34. 31. and Nehemiah Nehem. 10. 29. than is in these our dayes to see a through Reformation in England and Ireland according to the word of God and to extirpate Popery Prelacy Superstition Schisme Heâ—esie in Doctrine Worship and Discipline that the Lord should be one and his Name one in the â—hree Kingdomes So that we are â—ot to leave so much as an hoofe behind us of any Superstition or Romish relique or any humane Tradition in Gods worship to be â—etained though it have remained â—nder the venerable garbe of Anâ—iquity Universality and Unity â—he three great pillars of the Roman Hierarchy Secondly Because there are in â—he Synod some learned pious tenâ—er conscientious men that in the â—ayes of the cruell and ambitious Prelates like the Priest and Levites 〈◊〉 the dayes of idolatrous Jeroboâ—m that served the Devils and the Calves hee made 2 Chron. 11. 13 14 â—5 left all their maintenance and went and lived in a strange land to enjoy the liberties of a good conscience and worship the Lord Jesus according to the light they had received that are at this day truly sensible what a burden thâ— Penall Statutes have beene in ouâ— Land in former times to tendeâ— consciences that desire without any sinister ends to see a Reformation according to Gods word therefore will never consent tâ— have such a Penall Law enacted as the Prelates of England oncâ— obtained by fraud and policy in the dayes of Richard the Second to kill the English Subjects that would declare the whole truth oâ— God so farre as it was revealed to them and keep a good consciencâ— toward God and man which occasioned the death of some of thâ— Nobility Gentry and Ministery in the Nation with many other of inferiour rank Thirdly There are in the higâ—â— and honourable Court of Parliament some such conscientious tender-hearted men that in the Preâ—ates dayes left if not sold their â—ossessions to goe into a desolate â—ildernesse to worship the Lord â—esus in spirit and truth according â—o the light God revealed unto â—hem and many other were folâ—owing after that are truly sensiâ—le that it hath ever been a plot of the Bishops and Priests to labour â—o enthrall the English Nobility and Commons in Parliament to â—â—ake Lawes to kill and imprison â—he conscientious in the Land that â—oe desire to worship the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in spirit and â—ruth according to his revealed will in his owne word under the speâ—ious pretences of unity and uniformity in the worship of God as â—he Statutes of K. Henry 8. K. Edward 6. Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth â—eclare Fourthly It is obvious to every well-affected Subject in the English Nation that when our Brethren that noble ancient warlike Nation the Scots contended for a Reformation according to the light they haâ— received and casting off Rome proud Papall and Prelaticall Government with all their deviseâ— formes of Worship they must havâ— dyed the English Prelates had sâ— farre incensed his Majesty against them and raised large summes oâ— money toward the levying of aâ— Army to kill and destroy them had not the Lord by his specialâ— providence prevented it Fifthly When the Lord opened the eyes of our deare and thricâ— noble Patriots of our Countrey assembled in Parliament to make a solemne Protestation to opposâ— all Popery and Popish innovations and to extirpate Episcopacy root and branch as a Plant thâ— heavenly Father never planted Then evill counsell prevailed with the King to withdraw from his Parliament and under the pretence of a Guard to protect his Person to make warre against his Parliament that they should dye But our faithfull Nobles and true hearted Commons in England reply Shall our Ionathans dye who have in part freed our consciences from Roman Traditions and ancient corrupt Festivals and covenanted with us for a