England by the Kings Prelates or parish-priests Parsons Rectors Curates and Clerks and was not that way and Baptism afore mentioned cryed up as the onely way and Baptism whilst the nationall Law favoured it or tolerated the parish-priests Parsons Rectors Curates and Clerks in and about the same viz. the aforesaid pretended way to the new-birth and Infants-Baptism And if you say it was true and not false why have you lest it or doth the Ordinances and ministry of Christ according to the Scriptures alter and change at every change of a nationall Government if not then whether are you the Ministers of Christs according to the spirit of truth and agreeable to the Scriptures or nationall Ministers onely like unto your fore-fathers yea or nay Query XXV And have you not engaged people by promise and vow to be perfect and free from sin upon which account were they not declared to be Christians and Member of Christ c. when you pretended to enter them into the Covenant of Baptism and make them children of God and inheritourâ— of the kingdome of Heaven c. by causing Suerties as Peoffies in trust c. in the Childs Infancy to promise and vow in the behalf of the Child That it should for sake the Devil and all his works the pompes and vanities of the wicked world and all the sinfull lusts of the flesh and carnall desires of the same and that they should neither follow them nor be led by them but that they should keep Gods holy will and Commandements all the days of their life and was not the Children by their own confession and promise bound to the same when they were formerly Catechised after they came as it was said to years of discretion and to forsake the Devil and all his works is not that to forsake the worker of iniquity aswell as to forsake all sin and unrighteousness whatsoever because all sin is the works of the Devill who is the chief worker of iniquity and for people to keep Gods holy will and Commaâ—dements all the days of their life Is not that to refuse to serve the Devill all the days of their life and not to commit sin or obey his commands any of the dayes of their life How comes it to pass then that now you labour to absolve peop1e from their former engagement caused by you and your fore-fathers to be made against the Devill and all his works Bâ— preaching and perswading them yea and the same people that you engaged to the contrary now and telling them they must now sinterme of life what is that but a Popish trick and to teach them viz. the people that you engaged against the Devill and all his works c. At the enarance into the Covenant of Baptism upon such a condition which now you labour to absolve and teach to break the condition of their Covenant of Baptism so called and to break the condition of the Covenant is not that to violate the Covenant and make it void c. if so whether are not you and the people that willingly doe see the false Prophets Ring-leaders of Sects since the apostacy and truce-breakers or Anti-Christians yea or nay Query XXVI And if you the parish-ministers c. say these things was in the dayes of the late Kings and Bishops and are past and not to be heeded now for the Government is changed and the Ministry being nationall and not Apostolicall or spirituall and according to the Scriptures but is alterable and changeth as the nationall Government changeth and therefore couclude that you are not now accounted the Ministers of Christ but publick preachers for a nationall maintenance c. if so I aske then if you have not the more to answer for and all such and were you not sworne to the Common prayer book and that order of worship that was in the time of the late Bishops if so how can you clear your selves in the sight of God who have builded people up in those things if the former be granted that are accounted by you to be of no use and cryed them up then as the Ordinances of God and way to the new birth and Covenant of Baptism c. concluding formerly that without such things people could not be saved Is it not time for people to look about them and to beware of the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ And whether can you truly plead antiquity and succession from the Apostles about your worship Churches and Ordinances or Ministry in manner and matter according to the Scriptures and the Apostolicall order and not lie before the Lord and in the sight of the Son And whether is your Ministry Ordination and Toleration without Alteration c. of any long standing at a certainty or but within these few years or under the number of twelve yea or nay Query XXVII Are you not offended that the Lord doth discover your deeds of darkness and bring people off from your deceits and Popish traditions c. to the true spiritual teachings and worship of God againe and to the Church of which Christ Jesus is head according to the Scriptures as was before the apostacy and would you not rather have the Saints whipt and scourged or sent to the house of correction c. and have the truth supprest if you could and the Church of God persecuted and scattered if you might have your wills rather than have unrighteousness and wickedness false Ministers and the false Ministry discovered reproved and denied that truth in its pure appearances may be â—alted yea or nay let that of God in you answer and flesh or deceit be kept silent and under the Cross POSTSCRIPT ANd let all honest people and true Christians who reads this minde to reade with a right understanding to the end that they may be rightly informed and see if they can yet know who are the false Prophets and if they search the old Laws and Records of the Nation may they not see the rise ground ordination and succession of them in the time of Apostacy to spring out of and from the root of Popery And may they not see the path that the Parish-Priests c. and the people formerly deceived by them have walked in viz. First to the Mass book and the like Popish Worship And from the Mass book they ascended to the Common prayer book and going backward they went from the Common prayer book to the Mass book againe and from the Mass book they ascended to the Common prayer book again and stood still in it for a time then the Common prayer book was left and the Directory took place and is not some thing else preparing instead thereof But now is the Lord teaching by his Spirit and seeking people to the true Spiritual worship againe Joh. 4.23 24. for ever praised be his name FINIS
thereby that they are none of his Ministers but also that Christ hath no true Disciples or Subjects Therefore they that deny the Spirit of Christ they must needs be false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ or the Devils Subjects note such and take it for granted they are the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ The true Gospel-Ministers and Saints in Christ Jesus before the Apostacy declared and affirmed that they had received the Spirit of God whereby they knew the things that were freely given them of God and by the same Spirit they knew that they were children of God and joynt heirs with Christ and could by divine right say it the Spirit of God also witnessing with their Spirit that it was true and thereby viz. by the Spirit which they had received of God or by the Spirit of his Son which he had sent into their hearts they could cry Abba Father Rom. 8.14 15 16. 1 Cor. 2.10 11 12. Gal 4 6. But since the Apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ declares and affirms that it is presumption or blasâ—hemy for any to affirme now that they have the Spirit of God and know thereby the things which are freely given them or God and to say that they are the children of God and joynt heirs with Christ and that they have the Spirit of God as an evidence bearing witness with their Spirit according to the Scriptures that it is so and that God hath sent the spirit of his Son into their hearts whereby they cry Abba Father and can so call him by divine right according to the Scriptures as the Saints in Christ Jesus formerly did This the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ calleth presumption delusion and blasphemy therefore note them and as Christ hath said Mat. 7.20 by their fruits ye shall know them The true Apostle and Minister of Christ before the Apostacy exhorted or counselled the people to walk in the spirit to the end that they might not fulfill the lusts of the flesh Gal. 5.16 Because they that live in the flesh cannot please God as the true Gospel Minister before the Apostacy hath said Rom. 8.8 and the fruits of the flesh are manifest saith he which are these See Gal. 5.19 20 21. and they which doe such things shall not inherit the kingdome of God as the true Gospel-Minister hath said and as may be read Gal. 5.19 c. 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Eph. 5.5 6. But since the Apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ they deny the Spirit of truth and labours to keep people from walking in the Spirit of God to the end that they may fulfill the lusts of the flesh and that they may live in the flesh and be kept but of the Spirit least they should please God and so for the upholding and strengthning Satans interest in people they are and labours to keep people in sin and to pleade for the same that they may live in the flesh and bring forth the works thereof to the end that they may be fitted for Satan and be kept out of the kingdome of God Therefore it is high time for people that hath any regard to the glory of God and of their souls good to look about them and not any longer follow the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ that hath had such a long reigne and are expert in the work of deceiving The true Gospel-Minister before the Apostacy counselled people he ministred unto not onely to walk in the Spirit that they might not fulfil the lusts of the flesh but also that through the spirit they might mortify the deeds of the body to the end that they might live unto God and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit and so glorify him But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ they labour to keep people from the Spirit least the deeds of the flesh should be mortified and therefore they labour to keep them out of the Spirit of truth least they should by it be led out of deceit and into the truth to live to the praise and glory of God as aforesaid also see Gal. 5.16 Rom. 8.13 14. Joh. 15.8 Gal. 5.22 23 24. For if they should walk in the Spirit and bring forth fruit unto God and dye to the world Satan would loose his hold and his interest in people would cease and come to an end Therefore that he may uphold a kingdome of sin and unrighteousness covered over with a pretence of godliness in people he sits the false Prophets and seducers to labour and Minister for him but as Christ hath said by their fruits ye shall know them a before mentioned Mat. 7. Concerning perfection according to the Scriptures THe onely true God when he appeared to Abraham the Father of the faithfull declared and said I am the Almighty God and in his doctrine or by way of command said unto Abraham Walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17.1 which doctrine Abraham received and also Christ Jesus our Lord in his doctrine or by way of command he said unto his Disciples and those that he taught who had grace and received the same be ye perfect as your heavenly father is perfect Mat. 5.48 And such as pressed after perfection the doctrine of the Father and the Son said by the Spirit of truth as many as are perfect be thus minded Phil. 3. to press others on to the same and before the apostacy whilst the holy Ghost had the ordering in the true Church and were of Counsell with the Ministers of Christ who preached the Gospell with the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven Acts 15.28 1 Pet. 1.12 they declared and said we preach wisdome amongst them that are perfect 1 Cor. 2.6 and they taught in all wisdome labouring to present every man perfect in Christ Col 1.27 28 29. for which end they said Christ Jesus when he ascended upon high gave gifts unto men that is to say for the perfecting of the Saints c. Eph. 4.10 11 12 13. who having grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Eph. 4.7 received the same But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ they deny the aforesaid doctrine of perfection and under a cover they are not ashamed to say and affirme that the doctrine of sinless perfection was first bred by the Devil secondly detested by Christ thirdly and never received or truly beleeved in by them that had any sparke of true grace when the said Doctrine of perfection as aforementioned was first bred or brought forth by the Almighty God secondly and owned approved of and preached by the Lord Jesus Christ thirdly and heartily received beleeved in pressed after attained unto and preached by them that had received the Spirit of grace and thereby were guided as aforesaid Then they that deny the said doctrine of perfection aforementioned and speak so falsly of it as aforesaid doe make it appear that they are
false Prophets and Ministers of sin or Subjects to Anti-Christ and no true Christians nor any true gifted men but as Christ hath said by their fruits they are or shall be known therefore beware of them and take heed of being devoured by the wolf which long hath layen hid in a sheeps cloathing but now comes to be seen where the day is dawning Concerning laying on of hands c. THe true Gospel Ministers before the apostacy declared and said that their sufficiency was of God who had made them able Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit and they excluded self and denyed the insufficiency and all the power of it 2 Cor. 3 4 5 6. But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ they deny an inward call by the Lord God and his Spirit to be sufficient to the work of the Ministry without an outward call of men not qualified thereunto by the holy Ghost and so they set up a sufficiency of self and prefers that before the power of the holy Ghost and they that doe so must needs be false Prophets and Ministers of sin or subjects to Anti-Christ and though under a pretence they would acknowledge the laying on of hands yet they would not own the office Counsell and authority of the holy Ghost in it but denyeth that the holy Ghost did either speak in the Primitive time before the apostacy to them that laid hands on or that they were qualified and impowered by the holy Ghost to the same when in such a case the Scripture is plaine for the proof of the thing against them who against the truth so affirme for it is said and in holy Scripture left upon record that there were in the Church that was at Antioch certaine Prophets and Teachers as namely Barnabas and Simeon and Lucius and Manaen and Saul and as they ministred to the Lord and fasted the holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them Acts. 13.1 2. here it is plaine that the holy Ghost spake to them that ministred and fasted as aforesaid and the holy Ghost also declared that he had called the said Barnabas and Saul for the work of the Ministry or as aforementioned and moreover the holy Ghost said by way of command to them he spake unto who laid on their hands separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them which was to the work of the Ministry and if they had not in obedience to the holy Ghost direction and Counsell or order separated the said Barnabas and Saul they had been opposite and disobedient to the holy Ghosts command and authority but they were obedient and truly subject thereunto and did what they were required by the holy Ghost and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they let them goe but they attributed the work of sending unto the holy Ghost and not to the power of man without the holy Ghost as the false Prophets doe now so they being sent forth by the holy Ghost departed unto Selucia and from thence they sayled to Cyprus Acts. 13.3 4. So it is clear that what they did in that thing it was what they were qualified and impowered by the holy Ghost to doe and they did it as a manifestation of their subjection unto the holy Ghosts order and authority who was of Counsell with them and did impower them to doe what he saw good and needfull to be done by them as subjects unto him Acts 13.1 2 3 4. Acts 1.8 Acts 15.28 and he also for bad them doing what he would not have done by them Acts 16.6 7 8 9 10. And so were of Counsell with them and a commander over them as well as a guide unto them and a remembrancer teacher and comforter of them according to the promise of Christ Iohn the 14.16 17 26. Ioh. 16.13 and they owned him and his authority when he was come Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.14 c. Acts 1.8 Acts 10.20 21. 1 Pet. 1.11 12. and they did not seek to exclude the office direction Counsell and authority of him that is to say of the holy Ghost as the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ doe and a long time have done who are now greatly offended at them that own the holy Ghost to be of Counsell with them and to teach command guide and comfort them according to the Scriptures Therefore take notice that they that seek to exclude the office and authority of the holy Ghost out of the Ministry and Churches to the end that they may set up themselves they are the false Prophets and Ministers of Satan or Subjects of Anti-Christ who are the great enemies to the kingdome and Ministery of Christ and are the Devils chief Agents and for the upholding of him and his interest in people therefore be warned and take heed of them for they have had a long reign and by their fruits ye shall know them according to Christs saying Mat. 7.15 16. c. And now as God is pleased to bring people to the annointing and teaching of the Spirit of truth to teach them and qualify them with the holy Ghost and thereby impower and send them to teach and require them to lay on hands it is good and ought to be done for what the holy Ghost sees good to be done and requireth any to be subject to him in the thing to act with and in the behalf of him it is necessary to be done and they ought to yeeld their obedience as a subjection unto him but if men take upon them by their own wills and inventions or humane learning to teach and lay on hands and be not fitted impowered and qualified by the holy Ghost to the same it is but selfish and the work is their own and not the Lords and therefore it works little or no true Reformation as experience of long and ever since the apostacy may or doth largely evidence and clearly demonstrate against them Oh that men would deny themselves and self-confidences and all self-refuges and interests thereof as in reference to the work of the Ministry and worship of God and also about the work of Reformation c. and let the Lord alone with his work and give up into his will to be led taught counselled and ordered by him then would they see the emptiness and insufficiency of self and their own nothingness as in reference to the work aforementioned and so see the Lord to be the author and well-spring of all good and happiness to mankinde and also sufficient to reforme teach order and establish people and nations in the truth and true spirituall worship and Ordinances both to the praise and glory of his grace and the joy and comfort of their souls and for the everlasting good and happiness of them so would stocking stoning and persecuting of men and wasting their estâ—tes or spoyling their goods about
righteous man falling seven times a day and there is the place of Scripture which makes most for that saying when it doth not say so but it seems Hopkins and Sternhold durst presume to put in their own words and say seven times a day to make meeter and the people ignorantly have grounded a confidence upon a lie and so have lied of the righteous man and also of the Scripture since the apostacy by reason of the false Prophets or Subjects of Anti-Christ Neither doth that Scripture say in plaine tearms that the just man sins in those seven times that he falls but the wicked sins because he falls into mischief and lays waite against the dwelling of the righteous and seeks to spoyl his resting place as aforesaid moreover it is said of the wicked that they sleep not unless they have done mischief and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall or suffer by them for they cat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence but the righteous is counselled to avoid the way of evill men Pro. 4.14 15 16 17. and are forbidden to enter into the path of the wicked and if the righteous man should sin seven times a day he would both enter into the path of the wicked and walk in the way of evill men But it is said that the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Pro. 4.18 but the way of the wicked is as darkness ver 19. Therefore it is to be observed that there is as much difference between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked as between light and darkness and that they that deny the light are ignorant of the way of the righteous and most acquainted with darkness the way of the wicked and I say there is a vaste difference between sinning seven times in the whole and sinning continually seven times a day if it was so that the just man did sin seven times in those seven falls yet the just man he may fall severall times and not sin in those falls for it is said of Job that he was a perfect and an upright man as any was upon the face of the earth at that time Job 1.8 and he held his integrity as the Lord said though Satan moved the Lord against him to have destroyed him without cause Iob 2.3 and he fell into many troubles or tryalls sufferings and exercises as just men oftentimes doe yet it is said that in all this Job did not sin with his lips Iob 2. 10. And Iames saith if any man offend not in word the same is a perfect man and able also to bridle the whole body And the just or righteous man may fall into troubles tryals and exercises for the tryall of their faith and patience and yet in those falls may be kept from sin for many are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord delivereth them out of them all the Lord upholdeth them that so fall and raiseth up all those that be bowed down Psal 145.14 for the Lord upholdeth them with his hand Psal 37.24 Concerning Prayer IN the true Church before the apostacy the true Gospel Minister said I will pray with the Spirit and I will pray with the understanding also 1 Cor. 14,15 But since the apostacy the false Prophets or Ministers of Anti-Christ and Subjects of sin they pray without the true Spirit guiding therein and without the understanding for though they say Our father which art in Heaven they are ready to account it blasphemy for any to say I am a child or Son of God and they also say in one of the Petitions in the Lords Prayer viz forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us here they pray to God to forgive them their trespasses committed against him as they forgive them that trespast against them when they doe not forgive such as they account to be trespassers against them but rather seeks to destroy them by imprisonment and sending to the house of correction and by abusing them with cruell persecution Doe such pray for any forgiveness of God who doe not forgive when they pray for their forgiveness as they forgive others and if any be moved of the Lord to goe and speak to a Priest or a company of people led astray by a spirit of errour to the end that they may returne and seek the Lord doe not the Priests account it a trespass against them and instead of passing it by with a forgiveness if it be by them accounted a trespass doe they not seek rather to punish to the uttermost if so doe they not pray without understanding when they pray to be forgiven as they forgive others when they never intend to doe as they say and doe they not also pray that God may be avenged on them as they seek to be avenged on the people of God that comes to speak unto them in pure obedience to the Lord which the Parish Priests accounts a trespass against them But if they were in the truth they need not to be afraid to be spoken unto by a servant of the Lord is it not deceit that needs to be guarded with a law to the end that none may speak unto them in obedience to the Lord likewise in the true Church before the apostacy it was an order amongst them that if any thing were revealed to them that sat by they might speak and the first hold his peace 1 Cor. 14.30 But since the apostacy the case is altered in the Parish Churches so called and none must speak their that sits by if the Lord command it under paine of imprisonment c. Is not that in errour to the true Churches order consider well of it and read 1 Cor. 14 30 31 32 33. And before the apostacy to pray by the true Spirit was much commended and amongst true beleevers in the true Church it was much practised and prayer could not well be made acceptable to God but by the Spirit or they knew not how to pray as they ought without the direction and assistance of the holy Spirit which made and now maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God But since the apostacy prayer by the Spirit hath been much denyed and the false Prophets and Subjects of Anti-Christ are ready to mock and jeer at them that preach and pray by and with the Spirit according to the Scriptures as the Saints formerly did Rom. 8.26 27.1 Cor. 2.4 5 6. Mat. 6.6 c. Eph. 6.18 19. But who are they that jeer at this now except the false Prophets and Subjects to Anti-Christ who like hypocrites pray standing in the Synagogues contrary to the true Christs command Mat. 6.5 that they may be seen and praised of men of like minds but as Christ hath said they have their reward and by their fruits they shall be known but Christ bids his to beware of such and
TRUTH EXALTED AND Deceit abased OR A discovery of the false Christs and false Prophets spoken of in the 7th and 24th Chapters of Matthew shewing also when they came and how they may be known to the end that all honest people may be aware of them for they have had a long reign but God is discovering them and bringing people off from them to the truth and true Gospel Ministry and worship which was before their coming aforementioned Also here is something concerning the practice and Doctrine of the true Gospel-Ministers according to the Scriptures and the Doctrine of the false Prophets compared therewith and wherein they differ as may be seen to them that read with a right understanding Likewise here is something concerning laying on of hands according to the Scriptures and concerning singing and the righteous mans falling As also Prayer and concerning free grace and concerning Faith according to the Scripture Likewise here is severall Queries about the rise of Tythes since the Apostacy or coming of the false Christs and false Prophets and concerning the foundation of the English Church though in the time of Popery called the Holy Church with severall alterations and changes therein very usefull to be taken into due consideration c. Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure having this Seal the Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2.19 LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black Spâ—â—â—â— Eagle â—eer the West end of Pauls 1658. TRVTH EXALTED AND Deceit abased c. Concerning false Christs and false Prophets c. WHereas there was something said by the Preist of which about false Prophets c. and it is a generall outcry in the world amongst Teachers and Professors concerning false Christs and false Prophets that Christ said should come and deceive many and the cry is that they are but now come and that these are the last times of which Christ said they should come and say they now they are come according to the Prophecy of Christ and saying in the Scriptures where he hath foretold of them and said they should come as in Matthew the twenty seventh and twenty fourth Chapters To which it is answered as hereafter followeth in reference to the saying and Prophecy of Christ that speaks and foretells of the coming of the false Christs and the false Prophets as aforesaid It is answered that such as say they are but come now â—hey speak ignorantly and without understanding and they are ignorant of the Scriptures and the comming of them and their long reigne that so affirme who say they are but now come be they Preists Parsons Rectors Doctors Elders and Teachers or Professors of what sort so ever for as Christ told of false Prophets Mat. 7.15 So he also said that by their fruits they should be known ver 16.20 of the same Chapter And then said Christ unto his Disciples beware of false Prophets which come to you in sheeps clothing but inwardly are ravening Wolves for by their fruits ye shall know them it is to be observed that Christ spakes this unto his Disciples whilst he were personally present with them and that he bad his Disciples then to beware of the said false Prophets and also gave them a rule or marke by which they might know them as aforesaid and in Mat. ver 11. Christ prophesied or foretold that many false Prophets should arise and not onely so but also they should deceive many and saith Christ in Mat. 24.24 there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets c. in so much that if it were possible they should deceived the very elect but it is not possible that the elect should be deceived by them yet Christ hath told his Disciples Mat. 24. that false Christs and false Prophets should arise and deceive many and that they would deliver up the Saints or Disciples and followers of the true christ to be afflicted and that they should kill them c. then should iniquity abound and that prophecy of Christ â—ath been fullfilled in a great abundant measure on the false Prophets part together with such as have been seduced by them and many of the Saints and servants of Christ have by the means of the false Prophets been imprisoned killed hated and delivered up to be persecuted scourged and afflicted such hard measure hath and doth the Saints and servants of Christ meeâ— with by reason of the false Prophets and them that they have deceived Therefore the false Prophets do and have appeared in a deavouring or wolvish nature though they have been like wolves hid in sheeps clothing and covered with a pretence of godlinesse yet formerly they have appeared and still doe appear in a devouring â—aâ—ure more like unto Dogs and Wolves to rend and tear tâ—â— Lambs and Sheep of Christ than good Shepheards to liâ—â—◠〈…〉 serve or guide and feed the Flock of God 1 Pet 5.1 2 3. but with force and cruelty have the false Prophets against them appeared and have neither strengthned the Diseased nor healed that which was sick neither have they bound up that which was broken nor brought again that which was driven away neither have they sought that which was lost but with force and with cruelty have they ruled like such that the Lord is against who eat the fat and cloth them with the wool but feed not the flock but rather seek to persecute and kill them Ezek. 34.3 4. whereby the aforesaid prophecy of Christ is in a great and abundant measure fulfilled And again saith Christ Iesus our Lord in Mar. 13.22 false Christs and false Prophets shall arise to seduce if it were possible the very elect but saith he take ye heed behold I have foretold you ver 23. who was it that he foretold was it not his Disciples that he foretold as aforesaid yea and moreover Christ Iesus our Lord and Saviour declared and foretold of the coming of false Christs and falls Prophets as aforementioned and said he then this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled or done as may be read Mar. 13.30 did Christ Iesus say to his Disciples whilst he was personally present with them that false Prophets and as aforesaid should come and did he whilst personally present with his Disciples bid them beware of them and did he also affirme that the generation then present should not pass away till those things spoken of in Mat. 24. and Mar. 13 should be done amongst which things spoken of was the false Prophets rise and coming how is it then that Priests and Professors are so ignorant of the Scriptures and cry they are but now come what will ye be lyars of Christ of the Scriptures and of the Doctrine of the holy Apostles are ye resolved to seek to out-face and withstand them all be not so impudent and wicked hath not Christ said as aforementioned that false Christs and false Prophets should arise and come by whose means many should be deceived And did not Christ
saith that though for a precence they make long prayers who devour widows houses and have the chief seats in the Synagogues c. yet not withstanding these faith Christ shall receive greater damnation as may be read Mar. 12.38 39 40. Concerning free-grace Grace is the gift of God Pro. 3.34 and what is more free than gift yet some say cursed be all they that say grace is free and let all the people say Amen I say let such be marked for they are the enemies of Christ and are false Prophets and eminent or great for the interest of Anti-Christ for the Lord God is a Sun and a shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with hold from them that walk uprightly Psa 84 11. And grace and truth came by Jesus Christ Joh. 1.14 and the true Christians beleeved through grace Acts 18.27 and it the grace had not been free through which they beleeved might they not have died in their sins and perished because they could not chime it as a debt and they could not morit it because whilst und belâ—evers what had they of an equall worth to give for it they could not purchase it by any act or thing of theirs Therefore is was and is a gift and being a gift it is free Rom. 5.17 18. And before the apostacy the true Gospe-Minister hath declared the grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldliness we should live righteously soberly and godly in this present evill world Titus 2.11.12 But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ They deny the freeness and sufficiency of the grace of God and so denyes the doctrine of the Spirit of grace to the end that they may set up self and live in sinfulness drunkenness and abundance of ungodiliness in despite to the Spirit of grace but great will be the punishment of such as doe despite to the spirit of grace and turne into wantonness as you may read Heb. 10.28,19 Iude 4. such are of the number of the false Prophets and Subjects to Anti-Christ Therefore beware of them for by their fruits they are known Concerning Faith The true Ministers of the Gospel before the apostacy they came not with the enticing words of mans wisdome but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power to the end that the true Christians faith might not stand in the wisdome of men but in the power of God 1 Cor. 2.4.5 and the true Gospel-Minister said to the true Christians by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God not of works least any man should boast Eph. 2.8 9. But since the apostacy the false Prophets and Ministers of Anti-Christ that deny the grace to be free and say it is not sufficient they deny the sufficiency of it and so denies saluation by grace through faith and sets up their own works or self actings to the end that they may act Anti-Christs part and boast of their own doings by the power of self who deny the power of God in which the Saints faith doth stand and turns cursers of them that own the true faith who say cursed are all they that say faith is without sin as many false Prophets in Scotland have done true faith is the gift of God and a fruit of the Spirit of God as the blessed Apostle hath said 1 Cor. 12.8.9 and Gal. 5.22 23. and God gives faith but be gives not sin Therefore the faith which Cod gives must needs be a faith without sin and what soever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14.22 but whatsoever is sin is not of faith nor any part or degree of the same true faith purifieth the heart Acts 15.9 but sin polluteth Mar. 7.21 22 23. true faith is pretious 2 Pet. 1.1 but so is not sin true faith in Christ is the Saints victory over the world 1 Ioh. 5. 4. therefore it is a faith without sin and Christ is the author of the true faith Heb. 12.2 but he is not the author of sin therefore that faith which he is the author of must needs be a faith without sin Then they that say faith is not without sin they must needs be false Prophets and Ministers of sin or subjects of Anti-Christ who doe no less than say the gift of God is not without sin and that Christ is the author of sin Oh horrid blasphemy and wicked delusion for if faith be not without sin as they say it is not then God in giving faith must give sin according to the false Prophets account which he doth not and if faith be not without sin as the false Prophets say it is not then Christ in being the author of faith might be the author of sin according to the false Prophets account therefore people now that you have such a cleer discovery of them and in regard that their fruits doe so plainly describe them if you yet follow them and be still seduced by them it is because you are in love with them and are willing to be led astray by them and if the blinds lead the blinde shall not both fall into the ditch as Christ hath said Mat. 15.14 now you are warned and I am cleared wherefore be separate and come out from among them and touch not the uncleane thing all you that regard the glory of God and you souls good that you may be hid in the day of the Lords wrath and be received into favour with him and numbred amongst his Sons and Daughters 2 Cor. 6.17 18. By a servant of the Lord Iesus Christ and a true lover of all that love the truth as it is in â—esus and Wisheth grace mercy and peace to all the Saints in Christ Iesus and much happiness and blessing to all the true Gospel-Ministers who are faithfull to the work of the Ministry of the true Christ that said the false Prophets should come Mat. 7. 24. Chap. and gave counsell to his to beware of them and I being called into the work of the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ am ingaged much in love to him and as a partaker with the rest of the true Gospel Ministers I am bound in love to write this testimony against the false Prophets and for the informing of all honest people to the end that they may be aware of them and so remain yours as you are the Lords faithfull servants Messengers and friends Written at Bridlenton Key in the beginning of the twelfth month in the year 1657 c R. F. A few Queries to the Parish-Priests Parsons and Rectors c. Query I. VVAS not the tenths of every Parish since the apostacy first granted to their Incumbents by the Pope of Rome yea or nay Query II. Whether was not the English Church in the time of apostacy since the coming of the false Christs and false Prophets long after the Birth of Christ founded in the