the riches of God Illuminated in the Spirit with the heauenly truth the true light of the perfect being elected to a Minister of the gracious word which is now in the last time raised vp by God according to his promises in the most holy Seruice of God vnder the Obedience of his Loue. The blasphemies of whose writings are so grosse as these wretches are very strait to whom they affirme that this euerlasting Gospell is H. Ns. the Light which God hath manifested in these last dayes yet apparantly it is it and no other For they speake plainely to whom they dare trust as they know wee well know and disperse his Bookes to those in whom they haue some hopes requiring most solemne protestations that they shall not let any see them who they know to be aduerse * For often they write keepe secrets from vnbeleeuers So that it is plaine this light which they much boast of and haue tolde many of vs of is this Gospell of H. N. which is so farre from light being compared with the holy Scriptures that it is damnable darknes from which we trust our God will alwayes keepe vs. But they tell vs much of it is in the Booke of Common prayer in the Booke of Homilies and in the booke of ordering of Bishops Priests and Deacons wherein all may see these hypocrites still would shelter themselues vnder Authority though it be a manifestation to all of their owne hypocrisie and of the horrible defamation of the Common prayer Booke for as wee said before they respect the Common prayer booke and the rest no more then they respect the Popish Masse-booke nor the Turkish Alchoran to wit in respect of the Magistrates commaund being farre from thinking in their hearts that any of them containeth the worship of God which they affirme to be onely inward and not in any outward obseruation whatsoeuer wherein they are most notable dissemblers in making men beleeue they respect that which they doe not And what a defamation is it vnto the Common prayer Booke and the rest that they affirme much of this new Light to be contained therein Is any such thing contained in any of these Bookes as that men euer had or can haue One Nature Being Life order and Spirit with God That God is all that Man is and that man is all that God is That Christ is the Perfection in the louely being whereunto H. N. and his fellow Elders doe attaine That Regeneration or the true Baptisme is the captiuating of men into H. Ns loue and her seruice That the Resurrection of the dead is the rising to H. Ns Doctrine That the Eternall iudgement is in this Day of the Loue of H. N and the life euerlasting the liuing in the Doctrine of H. N. after which there is no life more to bee waited for That any Idoll may haue all reuerence performed to it with the body that a man being tempted to any sinne if vpon crying helpe come not hee is free from the transgressing though he commit the fact That in this Citty or Communialty there is no more euill nor euill suspition nor yet sight of euill in them For within the same one doth neither see nor thinke any thing but all good c. That this Family should make manifest their whole heart with all their counsels mindes willes and thoughts together with all their doings 1. Exhor cap. 13. sect 12. dealings and exercises naked and bare before the Eldest in the Family of Loue and not couer nor hide any thing be it what it is before him also all whereunto their inclination kinde and nature draweth them vnto and all wherewith they become tempted or assaulted in their hearts And in their louely society Spirit land Cap. 37. sect 3. they doe not vow or binde themselues in the matrimony of men nor yet suffer themselues to be bound therein but are like the Angels of Heauen And there is no man that claymeth any thing to bee his owne as to possesse the same to his owne priuate vse for no man and that out of euery ones good disposition can desire any thing to bee his owne or yet to make any thing proper to himselfe from another But also whatsoeuer is there is free and is left free in his vpright forme There is also no man denyed to vse any thing in freedome of all that is profitable and needfull for him for they stand all in equity as one in the Loue c. Oh who would haue thought that so many abhominations had lurked in this wicked Family though alas these bee not all that are knowne and how many moe are vnknowne Pro. of H.N. Cap. 22. sect 16. and keepe secrets from vnbeleeuers men may imagine by H. Ns teaching his fellow Elders not to reueale their secrets no not to their owne young ones This is H. Ns. light brought into the world in these latter times but wee hope none of this new light or rather darknes will be sheltred in the Cōmon prayer Booke It will not patronage any of these fearefull blasphemies and therefore the hypocriticall boldnes of these Familists will haue little thankes for this their affirmation but before they come to this Light obserue what they must doe Looke who so will know these thinges must depart from all the wisdome of the Learned from the steps of the graue Fathers and from the religious walkings of all the Deuout persons euen all the knowledge men haue must away by little and little from euery one that shall be saued M. P. burning light cap. 7. sect 23 but before a Wise man can let slip all there must rise many agonies anguishes striuings and Earthquakes c. For before the Truth shall appeare the Destroyer must come and make all waste All light of Truth must bee put out before they can come to these thinges Oh fearefull wickednes Tenthly yee are voyde of the Christian Faith Answ OF the Faith of H. Ns. Christ we confesse our selues vtterly voide and doe blesse our God for the same but wee hauing manifested our Faith in the true Christ none will iudge vs to be voyde thereof but Atheisticall Familists Eleauenthly yee seperate from the holy Catholike Church Answ FIrst let it be obserued what these Familists iudge of all that beleeue not the Loue. Thus they write All such as beleeue not the Loue nor are Baptised into the name of the Father it is not meete to account such vnbeleeuers and vnbaptised ones for Christians at whose hands wee should looke for any word of truth let them esteeme themselues as holy as they will they are a false Christianity and deuillish Synagogue or Schoole now this being their censure of all but themselues If they meane the holy Catholike Church to be the Family of Loue as indeed H. N. saith then we must beare this accusation For as wee neuer were of it so we purpose to be deuided from it for euer If they meane any
Hee did no sinne neither was guile found in his mouth hee was that iust one Cap. 3.18 who appeared to take away our sinnes and in him is no sinne That he suffered for the sinnes of others although what is said be proofe sufficient yet if any thing might bee accounted plaine with these wofull men manifold testimonies might be added Esa 53.5.6 you see Christ appeared to take away our sinnes hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes are wee healed Vers 12 and the Lord laide vpon him the iniquity of vs all hee powred out his soule vnto the Death hee bare the sinnes of many and payed for the trespassers hee dyed for the vngodly Rom. 5.6.8.9.10 for Sinners his Blood iustifies others his Death reconciled vs when wee were his enemies hee was giuen to Death for vs for our Sinnes Rom. 8.32 2 Cor. 5.15 Gal. 3.13 4.5 1. Pet. 2.21.24 hee dyed for all that were Dead Christ redeemed vs from the Curse of the Law by his suffering euen the cursed Death of the Crosse that he might Redeeme them that were vnder the Law who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his Body on the Tree 1. Pet. 3.18 4.1 1. Tim. 2.6 1. Ioh. 2.2 c. Christ the Iust suffered for the vniust and he hath suffered for vs in the Flesh hee gaue himselfe a Ransome for all men and hee is the reconciliation for the Sinnes of the whole world Secondly it is manifest that none can haue saluation but by Faith in those Sufferings of that man CHRIST IESVS Mar. 16.16 Hee that beleeneth and is Baptized shall be faued as many as receiues him to them Ioh. 1.12 hee gaue power to bee the sonnes of God euen as many as beleeue in his Name Ioh. 3.16 And whosoeuer Beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue euerlasting Life hee that beleeueth not is Condemned already Vers 18 Be it knowne vnto you men and Brethren that through this man is Preached vnto you forgiuenes of Sinnes and from all thinges from the which yee could not be iustified by the Law of Moses Act. 13.38.39 by him euery one that Beleeueth is iustified The righteousnes of God is manifest vnto all and vpon all that Beleeue Rom. 3.22 And Abraham the Father of the Faithfull he beleeued and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnes Rom. 4.24 And to vs also shall it bee imputed for Iustice which beleeue and the Iust shall liue by Faith Gal. 3.11 And wee are the sonnes of God by Faith in Christ Iesus Vers 26 What shall we need to alledge more testimonies who will not wonder that any mortall man professing the Scriptures should dare to set his face against God in these his euident testimonies when God saith The iust shall liue by Faith in his Sonne Christ Iesus who dare say this is a fable to seeke Iustice in another then in our selues and that by the Law men may bee justified before God as after it shall appeare they doe From all which testimonies we confidently affirme that neuer any Sinner was saued but by Faith in Christ either beleeuing him to come by the Promise of God to pay the ransome for mans sinne Or that he is come to performe the same For they that were saued before his Comming did beleeue in him according to the promise of the Father but after he is come all must beleeue as himselfe saith That I am hee Ioh. 8 24. or else they shall dye in their sinnes All which is so euident that it may be maruailed at that the Deuill should so besot men with blindnes as that they should contradict so euident a Truth and the rather because in wordes they acknowledge the Scriptures and in their Writings plentifully quote them but indeed it is certaine it is but to blinde the eyes of the simple For as the Master saith Therefore it is assuredly all false and lyes H.N. Dialog cap. 16. sect 16. seducing and deceitfull what the vngodded or vnilluminate men out of the Imagination of their knowledge and out of the learnednes of the Scriptures bring forth institute Preach or teach They Preach indeed the Letter but not the worde of the liuing God Let them esteeme themselues as holy as they will they are all a false Christianity and a deuillish Synagogue or Schoole So say his Disciples That wee out of the Family of Loue vnderstand not one word in all the vniuersall Bible and that wee are in the way of infernall darknesse So that pretend what they will they reiect all Scripture further then may stand with H. N. and his fellow Elders in the Family of Loue. For thus further they write They ought to beware that that they distrust not the Eldest in the Family of Loue H. N. in 1. exhor cap. 13 Diuis 11. fol. 31. nor suspect any manner of euill or vnwisedome by him nor yet in any wise perswade themselues that the Exercises documents or Instructions which are taught or set forth before them by the Father of the Family of Loue or oldest Elder are too sleight too childish or too vnwise for them to follow after or to obay but with perfect hearts humbly and singly minded as good willing Children to receiue the same instructions proceeding out of the wisedome and Councell of the Eldest and to stand euen so submitted till they come vnto the manly oldnesse in the Loue. Againe he saith The Scripturely learned man hath no knowledge of Gods matters In the Prophesie cap. 8. hee cannot vnderstand any tittle much lesse interpret or expound the same to others it is giuen onely to the Family of Loue to vnderstand the secrets thereof Againe thus My Children and you Family of Loue giue eare to mee your Father liue according to my Doctrine Jn his 1. exhort cap. 11. sect 1.2 that it may goe well with you take heed to my Doctrine and what I doe set forth and teach that it may bee a Seale of life and a witnes of truth in your hearts for it is your Life And againe thus Let your selues now in all your being nature minde and disposition Crying voyce cap. 3. sect 11 become renued through the loue in her seruice and giue all your vnderstanding captiue vnder the obedience of the Loue. And so teacheth his Children to say O my Father in the Loue 1. Exhor cap. 13. sect 2. I submit my selfe and all my vnderstanding vnder the wisedome of thy Doctrine Let all iudge if these wretches abolish not the Scriptures to set vp their owne deuillish inuentions what shew of the Scriptures soeuer they make But they obiect against this strict Faith in this man Christ and his sufferings Rō 2.14.15 For when the Gentiles which haue not the Law doe by Nature the thinges contained in the Law hauing not the Law are a Law
the Holy Ghost his Deputy The Kinges of the Nations Raigne ouer them but you shall not bee so c. Lu◠22. Christ when he ascended left not Peter with them to direct them into all Truth but promised to send the Holy Ghost vnto them for that end These are his Highnes wordes But the Familists answer vs That Gods worship consisteth not at all in any outward obseruation the which saying of theirs if we ouerthrow a great part of their tottering profession will fall for they cannot deny but we must worship the Lord our God and him onely must wee serue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adoro is not onely taken for to Pray vnto or to beseech but also to Honour with bowing of the Body and the Scripture expresseth the same First Math. 14.10 saith If thou wilt fall downe and worship me Luke saith of the same Luk. 4.10 If thou wilt fall downe before me Math. 8.2 And loe there came a Leper and worshipped Marke saith of the same Mark 1.40 And there came a Leper beseeching him and kneeling down vnto him Luk. 5.12 Luke of the same And hee fell on his face and besought Math. 9.18 It is onely said There came a certaine Ruler and worshipped him Marke explaines it saying Mark 5.22 Hee fell downe at his feete and besought him instantly The same saith Luke Luk. 8.41 not speaking of any other worship Againe it is said Math. 15.25 of the Cannanite shee came and worshipped him saying Lord helpe me Mark 7.25 Marke calles this worship And she fell at his feete Further Marke saith The man possessed when he saw Iesus ranne and worshipped him Mark 5.6 Luke calleth this worship onely this Luk. 8.28 And hee cryed out and fell downe before him Also those wicked Soldiers are said to worship our Sauiour when bowing their knees before him Mar. 15.19 they mocked him By all which and much more that might be alledged it may most euidently appeare that the wisedome of God that knoweth best how to speake and to teach vs accounteth bowing of the Body kneeling or falling downe to be worship Further it is said And there were certaine Greekes that came to Ierusalem to worship Ioh. 12.20 at the Feast Act. 8.27 And the Euunuch is said to come out of Ethiopia to worship And Paul doth say he came to Ierusalem to worship All which teacheth Act. 2◠11 that the performance of those serulces and Sacrifices that with their Bodies were to be performed are counted Gods worship and not only a Spirituall reuerence or adoration which they might haue performed not haue come to Ierusalem This may suffice to proue that any bodily reuerence in matters of God and bodily seruices or Sacrifices are called Gods worship and therefore vtterly forbidden in any Spirituall seruice but onely in the true seruice of the true God Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serue This therefore is to giue vnto God thinges which are Gods euen subjection with our soules and with our bodies to those parts of his Spirituall worship which he hath commanded in these last dayes by his Sonne Esa 2 8. This is his Honour which he will not giue to another This the seruants of God knew so well that they would not giue it to others to the greatest Potentates of the Earth notwithstanding all their commands and threats And this through the power of God wee will maintaine vnto the Death and approue our selues to God and all good men to bee neither Rebels to Caesar nor deserue iust taxation but commendation herein of all but hypocriticall and Atheisticall Familists And for what is Caesars wee vprightly acknowledge that all ciuill authority of Magistracy is the blessed Ordinance of God That all ciuill reuerence Honor ought to be giuen to it That Tribute and all other duties are to be payed vnto it Rom. 13. c. That all ciuill commands of it ought to be obeyed And that of Conscience to God whose ministers they are euen from the King to the most meanest Constable And that they may so execute their iust offices that they may notwithstanding walke with Iesus Christ be members of his Church and be faued That they haue a Sword giuen them of God to take vengeance on them that doe euill and are ordained of God for the wealth of all wel-doers And this is all that can be Caesars or that wee dare giue vnto any mortall man whatsoeuer So that hauing now shewed what is Gods what is Caesars we confidently affirme that the body may not be seuered from the foule or heart in our obedience to both as these hypocrits the Familists doe suggest In our obedience to man in all Ciuill things that which we doe we must doe of Conscience and not for wrath onely Rom. 13.5 And Seruants and so Subiects be obedient to your Masters according to the Flesh in all thinges not with eye seruice us men pleasers but in singlenes of heart fearing God and whatsoeuer yee doe Col. 3.22.23 Ephe. 6.5.6 doe it heartily as to the Lord and not to men Also with singlenes of your hearts as vnto Christ All which teacheth That all our seruice to euery Superiour must be with the heart and of Conscience and not with our Bodies onely and for our obedience to God with our Bodies aswell as our Spirits in all Spirituall or Diuine seruice and that they may not be seuered therein is proued We are bought both soule and Body with a deare price 1. Cor. 6.20 and therefore are commanded to glorifie God with both For our bodyes are the Temples of the Holy Ghost and they are not our owne Vers 19 And the bodyes of Christians are the members of Christ Vers 15 and these members of Christ our bodies must not be coupled to any Harlot whether materiall or Spirituall And wee are commaunded to giue vp our Bodyes a liuing sacrifice Rom. 12.1 wholy and acceptable which is our reasonable seruice of God This is plaine to him that will vnderstand And the Familists teaching the contrary it shall plainely appeare they are not onely most notable hypocrites but also Rebellious against the power of Magistracy Magistrates that take vpon them to Commaund in matters of Gods worship they doe not onely require bodily falling downe but also Reuerence with the soule of heart Dan 3. Did not Nabuchadnezzar require falling downe and worshipping And doe not the Magistrates in Popery and elsewhere where constraint to worship is doe they not require Diuine adoration to their diuine Seruice as they call it let all their Orders for their constrained and stinted seruice be looked into and this cannot be denyed And this being the Ordinance of the Magistrate if it be rebellion not to submit with the body in such diuine worship as they require because they commaund it as the Familists affirme then they are rebellious because they submit not
the 7th day in the Paradice of God wherein God rested from all his workes and is the Perfection the which also is very true c. And in the same Chap. thus Oh that they yet now awaked and tooke heede in the worde of the seruice of Loue vnto this Gracious time The word of the seruice of Loue is the Christ and gaue eare vnto the same that they might vnderstand their safe making and so then bee rightly and according to the truth brought into the true being that is vnto Christ And againe speaking in praise of the Romish Priests thus Therefore they were ioyned with others in the seruice of the Holyworde Euang Reg. Cap. 3. sect 14. because they let passe the child-hood or the youngnes of the holy vnderstanding and grew vp according to the requiring of the seruice of Loue The perfectiō of the oldest Father is H. N's Christ vnto the manly agednesse of Christ that is vnto the true being of the oldest and holyest Father And againe thus Hereunto serue the Parish Priests as to such procurators or helpers forward of the Communalties Euang. Chap. 14. sect 16. for to beare a good care ouer them and to witnes and teach them dayly the holy vnderstanding of Christ the oldest Father Also thus First exhort of H.N. cap. 12. sect 22.34 If yee will not that the wrath of God come or fall vpon you so deale faithfully before God and his holynesse and walke with your Spirit in the louely and vertuous being fasten your mindes thereto and build your righteousnes thereon for that is an eternall fast standing foundation whereon all Gods Prophets and holy ones haue builded and is Christ himselfe So that H. N's Christ is plainly by his owne testimony The perfection in the Louely being whereunto his Elders doe attaine and not the man Christ Concerning whome he thus writeth Oh alas how great Contention and vnprofitable Disputations hath there beene Euan. cap. 18 sect 17. concerning the Conception of Iesus Christ in the wombe of Mary and touching his Birth but if they all which contended hereabout had knowne the power of God and that also the mystery of the minde and workes of God had beene giuen them to vnderstand so should they thē verily not haue contended thereabout For his Successor writeth thus Where it is come to passe that all riches of the Spirit is gone cleane away The salutation of M. P. called the last trumpt sect 12. c. there the minde is become a poore widdow and the same widdow bringeth forth a Mayden to light which will conceiue the holy thing comming of the holy Ghost for then the power of the highest shall ouershadow the same Virgin and she shall thereby conceiue God with vs euen the deliuerer from all thraldome and bondage We might alledge much more of their intricate and tedious stuffo but it is wearisome According to which damnable Doctrine his now followers affirme That men may bee saued by the workes of the Law without knowledge or Faith in the blood of the man Christ Iesus yea they holde it a meere fable and speake of it with great contempt that we looke for justification with God in and through another that we looke for justification without vs that we speake of imputatiue righteousnes that wee holde justification by beleeuing for in truth they doe not hold that Christs Death bloodshed hath purchased any man but that he was an example to vs and such like for they holde that those Gentiles Rom. 2. kept the Law which say they was the Christ within them and those by this Christ namely by keeping the Law were justified Which detestable blasphemies of H.N. and his followers of making Christ to be a power and perfection in man which is his justification might rather be wondred at then confuted were it not that the Deuill in his instruments transformeth himselfe into an Angell of light to deceiue the hearts of the simple for whose cause we haue endeauored to say something What Iesus Christ is for whome hee hath endured all his sufferings without Faith in whome no soule can haue saluation THat Iesus signifieth a Sauiour Math. 1 2◠and Christ annoynted so that he is the annoynted Sauiour to saue his people from their sinnes is sufficiently knowne euery where in the Scripture And although hee be God ouer all Blessed for euer yet also is he true man ordayned before the foundation of the world promised to Adam when he had sinned and to Abraham and the Fathers The Prophets also declare the certainty hereof A Virgin shall Conceiue and beare a Sonne Esa 7.14 and shee shall call his name God with vs. Vnto vs a Childe is borne vnto vs a Sonne is giuen Esa 9.6 hee shall call his name Wonderfull Counsellor the mighty God c. And a Woman shall compasse a man Ier. 31.22 And in the fulnesse of time God sent his Son made of a Woman c. This Sonne of God thus made Flesh dwelt dmong vs being sent of the Father to declare and doe his will in which estate being like to vs in all thinges Sinne excepted he suffered not onely the cursed Death of the Crosse Reuel 19.15 but also trode the winepresse of the wrath of God the agony of which was so great that he not onely sweat drops of Blood but also cryed Mat. 27.46 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me and if it be possible let this Cup passe from me This being the true Iesus Christ that came by Water Blood 1. Ioh. 5.6 witnessed by the Spirit of truth thus ordayned promised Prophesied of and performed And now if it bee proued that what he did hee did it in Obedience to his Father yet for the benefit of others that without the knowledge of and Faith in him no soule euer was or can be saued we say if these thinges be plainely proued that cursed fiction of the Christ of H. N. and his followers will appeare to be most abhominable Therefore first will wee proue that Christs sufferings were for others That hee dyed for sinne is manifest That himselfe had no sinne is as manifest therefore of necessity he must dye for the sinnes of others That he dyed for sinne is proued Yet the Lord would breake him and make him subject to infirmities when hee shall make his soule an Offering for sinne c. Esa 53.10 Heb. 9.10 c. 1. Pet. 3.18 All the sinne Offerings were types of his sufferings for Sinne and he once suffered for sinnes That hee had no sinne himselfe is proued Though he had done no wickednes neither was any deceit in his mouth Esa 53.9 2. Cor. 5.21 For hee hath made him to be Sinne for vs that knewe no sinne c. But was in all thinges tempted in like sort Heb. 4.15 yet without Sinne 1. Pet. 1.19 and 2.22 He was that Lambe of God vndefiled and without spot
walking vprightly as farre as they see when indeed their walking is so farre from vprightnes that when God calls and cryes vnto them and stretches out his hand vnto them all the day long by that measure of means which he affoordeth them Rom. 10.21 they still gaine-say him and are rebellious against him But their obiection is That all they that are ignorant and either by wordes or workes deny Christ and worship Idols and see no further but thinke they doe well they shall be excused to which ignorant conceit wee must say something Ignorance shall not excuse any that liue in Idolatry and doe not obey the Sonne of God THough it be sufficient that the Lord hath pronounced these Iudgements against such as beleeue not in and obey not his Sonne but are Idolaters without exception of ignorant or not ignorant yet that the truth of the Lord may shine herein as the light at noone day wee haue endeauored to take away this their obiection also that in particular words That ignorance is sinne it appeareth by those ceremoniall sacrifices of attonement which were offered for it Leuit. 4.13 c. 22.27 5.2.5.15.17 Heb. 9.7 and the wages of all sinne is Death Also the Lord saith Harden not your hearts as in Meribah and Massah where your Fathers tempted me c. though they had seene my worke forty yeares haue I contended with this generation and said they are a people that erre in their heart for they haue not knowne my wayes therefore I sware in my wrath Psal 95.8 c. Hosea 4.6 surely they shall not enter into my rest And my people are destroyed for lacke of knowledge And our Sauiour teacheth That if the ignorant lead the ignorant Mar. 15.14 both shall fall into the ditch And hee that knew not his masters will Luk. 12.48 and yet did thinges worthy of stripes hee shall be beaten And they that kill Christs Disciples Ioh. 16.1 shall thinke they doe God seruice because they neither knew God nor Christ which to know is Eternall life Ioh. 17.3 Peter through his ignorance aduised Christ not to suffer for which he had a most sharp reproofe Get thee behind me Sathan Mat. 16.23 thou vnderstandest not the thinges of God Againe I know Brethren yee did it through ignorance Repent Act. 3.17 that your sinnes may bee put away The Gentiles that regarded not to know God by his wonderfull workes the Heauens and Earth Psal 19. which preach and teach day and night to euery speach and language and giueth euery reasonable soule vnder Heauen a measure of knowledge because they regarded not to know God Rom. 1.28 God deliuered them vp to a reprobate mind And the Iewes had the zeale of God yet not according to knowledge for they being ignorant of the righteousnes of God Rom. 10.2 they found it not And Christ Iesus shall render vengeance in flaming fire vnto them that doe not know God and obey not the Gospell 2. Thes 1.8.9 And those that through the signes and lying wonders of the man of Sinne are deceiued 2. Thes 2.10 c. they shall perish and bee damned because they receiued not the loue of the Truth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnes What store of testimonies are in this thing If men doe euill though of ignorance for the same shall not enter into Gods rest but be destroyed fall into the pit be beaten be deliuered vp to a reprobate minde haue flaming Fire rendred vpon them and be damned all which the mouth of the Lord hath spoken If any notwithstanding all this will yet say Ignorance shall excuse any 1. Cor. 14.38 wee will answer with th'Apostle If any bee ignorant let them be ignorant and taste the reward thereof The cause of Ignorance is hardnes of hart and vnbeliefe and not the want of means as is plaine If our Gospell be hid that is if any be ignorant of it it is hid to them that perish 2. Cor. 4.3 c. in whome the God of this world hath blinded their mindes that is of the vnbeleeuers c. And they being strangers from the life of God Ephes 4.18 through the Ignorance that is in them because of the hardnes of their hearts So that vnbeliefe and hardnes of heart is the cause of Ignorance and ignorance maketh men strangers from the life of God Paul did it ignorantly through vnbeliefe 1. Tim. 1 13 All haue or might haue meanes enough had they vsed that well which they had And whereas they affirme it to be iniustice in God to condemne all the Nations of the earth that haue beene or are ignorant of Christ Wee answer though it be plaine that Christ is manifest by a measure of meanes to euery reasonable Creature vnder Heauen Col. 1.6.23 For haue they not heard Rom. 10.18 yet in this th'Apostle affirmeth Gods iustice appeareth that such as had but the inuisiblenes of God declared in the Creation of the Heauens and the Earth Rom. 1.19 c. which teach knowledge Day and Night whose voyce is heard in euery Language vnder Heauen they regarded not to know God by the same Psal 1.1 c God deliuered vp to a reprobate minde If any yet demaund why the Cannibals know no more the Apostle answeres Because they regarded not to know God by that they had Hath not God promised that if any seeke they shall finde Math. 7.7 What made the Wise men of the East to finde the Babe Christ but their diligent seeking Math. 2.1 Men finde not because they seeke not Iam. 4.2 wee need not goe amongst the greatest Pagans we shall find too many who know not God nor Christ in our owne Nation now the same cause they haue no knowledge that is the cause why the Cānibals haue no knowledge namely because they seeke not The Iewes had meanes enough yet were they ignorant of the way of God and God was found of those that in comparison sought not after him Rō 10.20 That none need be ignorant read these Scriptures Deut. 30.11 Rom. 10.6 c. 18.20 Math. 7.7 Iam. 4.2.3 Some also obiect Act. 17.30 In the time of that ignorance God regarded not c. From hence they conceiue that God regarded not to punish Ignorance but let the place be considered and it doth effectually conuince that conceit Th' Apostle Paul cōming to Athens and beholding the blinde Deuotion of the Athenians and reprouing them for the same enformeth them of the true God whome saith he you ignorantly worship him shew I vnto you and hauing shewed them what that God was and what he was not how he would be worshipped and how he would not concludeth with these words In the time of that Ignorance God regarded not but now he admonisheth all men euery where to repent c. In the time of Ignorance God had no regard of your blinde Deuotion but now in
impiety for any of that said members to seek edificatiō of false Prophets in that it giueth that Honor and Matie that belongeth to Christ in his Church to the Deuill* by whose power that false Prophet teacheth and the Lord commanded his people of olde that they being seperated from other people to be the Lords should beware least they be taken in a snare after them Deu. 12.30 c. and least thou aske after their Gods saying how did these nations serue their Gods c. So that Gods people may not go heare which is to enquire of any false Prophet least they be taken in a snare by submitting to that God or that manner which that false Prophet teacheth 8. As the word of God is holy as other Ordinances among the Saints for it sanctifieth Church and all * Ioh. 17.17 Ephe. 5.26 1. Tim. 4.5 so the word of God is more prophaned among and by the wicked then other Ordinances because they take it to warrant their prophane practices and if the Saints of God may not joyne with them in soule or body in any of their prophane courses as before hath bene proued much lesse in soules or bodies may they joyne with them in vsing the word which is most of all prophaned by them Luk. 10.16 Ioh. 13.20 Ioh. 8.44 Rom. 6.16 9. As they that heare Christs Prophets heare Christ and they that dispise them dispiseth him euen so they that heare false Prophets which are the Deuils heare the Deuill and they that dispise them dispise the Deuill Therefore let all that hate the Deuill and would flye from him so doe vnto his Ministers 10. It is the grieuous sinne of any false Prophet to meddle with the word of God and his punishment is fearefull it is no lesse sinne Ezek. 13.9 and 14.10 and shall haue no lesse punishment in any that shal goe to aske or enquire of him for God Vers 7.10 the punishment shall be both alike For it is apparant Gods people may not goe to aske or enquire for God of any false Prophet which they doe that goe to heare with silence else hypocrites that they are what doe they there 11. False Prophets are strangers from God and we are commanded not to heare strangers but to flye from them and it is the commendations of the Saints Reuel 2.2 to examine false Apostles and to finde them lyars the Lords anger is against his people Ezek. 44.8 when they suffer Strangers to take the charge of his Holy things especially of handling the Word which halloweth all the rest and God demaundeth of his Sonnes Pro. 5.20 why they should embrace the bosome of a stranger And what doest thou in the way of Aegipt or what makest thou in the way of Ashur as before 12. Gods people must not goe to the dead to enquire * Deu. 18.11 1. Sam. 28.7 c. Esa 8.19 which false Prophets are * Ephes 1.2 Esa 29.9 c. yea God hath couered them with the Spirit of slumber they are blinde make such blind as heare them and their vision is as the wordes of a Booke sealed vp c. And shall any seruant of God goe to them to aske of God seeing their estates is such and that such thinges are an abhomination to the Lord Deu. 18.12 which will cause him to cast vs out of his sight 13. A false Prophet medling with the Holy word of God poluteth it Hag. 2.13.14 and the Lord will stretch out his hand to cut them off euen all false Priests and Prophets that worship sweare by the Lord Zeph. 1.4.5 and that sweare by Malcham and cōmaundeth his people to cast away all pollutions Esa 30.22 as a filthy cloath and to say get thee hence which doing this controuersie will be ended 14. It is as high iniquity for a false Prophet to meddle with the holy things of God which appertaineth not to him but only to the Saints as it was for Corah and his wicked Company Num. 16. c. to meddle with those thinges of God which appertained not to them but to Aron and his Sonnes and the Lord will no lesse punish false Prophets for their iniquity therein then he did Corah and his Company and as he cōmanded all to depart from the Tents of those wicked men and to touch nothing of theirs least they perish in all their sinnes euen so hath he commanded all to flye from Strangers and false Prophets and not to heare them as at large before hath bene proued least partaking in their sinnes Reuel 18.4 they partake in their plagues And whereas vsually hearing the Scribes and Pharises is alledged for justifying of hearing false Prophets which is formerly taken away yet thus much we heere adde Moses seat was the Chayre of Iudgement Moses was Iudge not Priest and the Pharises were some of them of such Tribes as might not be Priests although some Scribes were Priests sometimes Nehemia 8. And some Priests now are Magistrates which shewes that although Magistrates who of God haue the Chayre of iudgement be corrupt and walke not as they teach yet the people of God must hearken vnto the Law deliuered by them and doe as they say but not as they doe and serueth nothing to proue the hearing of false Prophets For these Scribes Pharises are said to teach truth but not to doe accordingly but false Prophets teach falshood therefore are called false Prophets with plainely sheweth these were no false Prophets Math. 23. for false Prophets may not be heard as is before largely proued And for Phil. 1.15 Some preach Christ through enuy supposing to adde affliction to Pauls bands which was the Apostles ioy that he was counted worthy to suffer for Christ as Mat. 5.12 Act. 5.41 not that he ioyed in the enuious preaching of Christ that was miquity which hee ioyed not in 1. Cor. 13.6 If any obiect that false Prophets preach many excellent truthes therefore may be heard we answer If they were Prophets of Israell speaking sweet words in the name of the Lord and teaching also in some thinges the vision of their owne hearts and not out of the Lords mouth the Lord affirmeth they bring no profit to his people and therfore cōmandeth them not to heare them Nay they bring hurt for they bring themselues and all that aske of them for the Lord to confusion as before is proued Further we say and it is found most true that the more truthes they bring they deceiue the more and inthrall their hearers vnder their bondage For the lesse truthes that false Prophets haue the lesse they deceiue as all may see are most rejected of those that haue any Religion euen so should the cunningest false Prophet be if they should teach falshood only These are their stollen waters Pro. 9.17 7.21 c. and hid bread that allureth the passers by to runne after them and herein is the
mysterie so cloaked that few perceiue it Why should it be strange to any Godly man 2. Cor. 11.14 that seeing the Deuill transformeth himselfe into an Angell of Light and that so doe his ministers and perceiuing that by falshood onely he cannot continue his hellish courses of deceiuings that he should suffer many or diuers truthes to passe that vnder them he might colour all his falshood neuer false Prophet of whom we read of in the Scriptures but they had some truths mixed with their falshoods to make them more passable but let Gods people be wise to try them that say make such great shew that they are Prophets and are not but doe lye and let them declare vnto them that their end shall be according to their worke Vers 15. And whosoeuer will not receiue the loue of the truth by those meanes that God hath appointed but will goe to enquire for God and his Truth at the mouth of false Prophets because of some truth they teach It is iust with the Lord 2. Thes 2.51.12 to giue such vp to strong delusions that they may beleeue their lyes and be damned And again none can heare or receiue any truth from them but therein they heare and receiue the Deuill by whose power they teach as before is proued Besides they must also swallow vp all their falshood and be silent when they heare the Lord Iesus in his holy Truthes blasphemed Thus it is apparant neither hearing nor any other Spirituall action may be performed with the Body in which the heart and affections is not present contrary to this execrable and hypocriticall Doctrine of the Familists Hauing now clearely refelled all the obiections of the hatefull courses of these Baalamites and Nicholaitans of prostrating the body at any Worship although it be the Gentiles that sacrifice to Deuils not to God or any other that although in words they professe God yet in workes they deny him We may now proceed to other of their taxations of vs. Fourthly yee submit not to Christs ministery namely those which liue and teach according to Gods word and the Booke of Cōmon prayer IN answering of which First let it be obserued who they account Christs Ministers concerning which thus they speake To bee called of God is to be raised vp to the worke of the Ministery replenished with guifts necessary thereunto and to goe out vnder that outward forme which God in that age wherein hee liueth hath ordamed viz. That outward forme which the Magistrate appointeth in Turkie Rome or elsewhere So that with these Elimasses they are called of God to the worke of the Ministery that haue ability to Preach and goe out vnder the outward forme of Turkie Rome c. Which to submit vnto or haue fellowship with in any of their Spirituall seruices so much as in hearing them to receiue any Spirituall good from them or any other lying Prophets that runne and God sends them not is vtterly forbidden as plentifully hath beene proued But the Ministery of Christ which is appointed in his perfect Testament to wit the Ministery of Pastors and Deacons Phil. 1.1 1. Tim. 3. c. we doe submit vnto with all reuerence in all things according to the word of God And for their mentioning the Booke of Common Prayer this is but to colour their hypocrisre that they might haue respect with authority for they might aswell haue mentioned the Romish Masse-booke or the Turkish Alchoran as it For they affirme that all Religions are lawfull if Authority commaund them Seruant of M.P. in his natural wise man 2. Booke sect 14. In these wordes Euen so because of Gods peace yee shall submit your selues vnto all manner of Religion set vp by Lawes wherein there is a pretence of Godlinesse for all sortes of people cannot attaine vnto the true God seruice at the first Therefore yee shall not onely obey all Religions not dispising the Turkes because of their vnbeliefe but also yee shall submit your selues vnto all Lawes and Authority of the Prince from time to time like obedient peaceable people Considering we are not appointed of God as Law-makers and wee must be no Law-breakers but Lawkeepers for if we breake the Law and dye therefore are we not guilty of our owne Blood yes verily Againe thus There are many vanityes vsed in the world The same in 2. Reformation sect 10. and it is both needfull and necessary for vs sometimes to vse our selues after their manner to liue in peace with them c. Fiftly yee deny the Distinct degrees of Christs Ministery Answ YEe lyers are of your Father the Deuill wee acknowledge the distinct degrees of Christs Ministery as before but we deny the degrees of the Ministery of Mahomet and the Anti-christ Rome-and all other that are not heard of in Christs Testament Sixtly some of you take in hand Ministeriall workes whereas not any one of you is called of God thereunto Answ VVHat it is to be called of God with these Familists we haue formerly shewed to wit to be raised vp to be guifted and to haue that outward forme of calling which the Magistrates in Turkie or else where ordaineth Wee acknowledge that whosoeuer doth take in hand any Ministeriall worke and is not raised vp of God thereunto and replenished with necessary guiftes to the same they doe most fearefully transgresse Our Consciences are cleare herein that none can iustly taxe vs but for going out vnder that outward forme the Familists speake of we doe detest it as the Deuill whose reuelation it is vnto H. N. and his cursed followers The true Ministers of the Gospell are not Ministers of men nor by men but by Iesus Christ Gal. 1.1 neither by his immediate voyce from Heauen or by that way which he hath ordained in his Testament * 1. Tim. 3. Tit. 1. and other outward formes for any Minister of Christ know we none Seauenthly some of you take in hand to Prophesie whereas yee are all without the testimony of Iesus Answ THat wee are all without the testimony of H. Ns Iesus or Sauiour which is the estate of perfection in the louely being or vpright righteousnes as he calleth his Doctrine vnto which onely his illuminate Elders doe attaine which he calleth Iesus Christ as before is proued we freely acknowledge and doe much loath and detest that deuillish fiction but the testimony of the true Iesus Christ God ouer all and true man like vs in all thinges excepting sinne we blesse his Name we haue and purpose to holde fast vnto the Death of which besides what heere we haue said we are ready to render a reason to any that shall require it Eightly yee are totally ignorant of the 6. Principles Heb. 6. Answ VVEE freely confesse if H. Ns. knowledge of the 6. Principles Heb. 6. be true we are totally ignorant of them Therefore we will in short set downe from their owne mouthes and Pens what they vnderstand of diuers
peruert Heb. 6. and other holy Scriptures to their owne destruction Hauing now discouered some of H. Ns. principles The summe of the true Faith wee will in short set downe our Faith concerning these 6. Principles Heb. 6. First of Repentance from dead workes we doe beleeue that euery transgression of any Law of God is sinne 1. Ioh. 3.4 Rom. 6.23 and the wages of euery sinne is Death and so a dead worke That no man by reason of weake Flesh can keepe the Law Rom. 8.3 and therefore by transgression becommeth dead in Sinne Ephe. 2.1.3 and so by weake Nature the Childe of wrath For the Law causeth wrath Rom. 4.15 for where no Law is there is no transgression but the power of Gods word contained in the holy Scriptures 1. Cor. 15.34 Ephes 5.14 and not the Reuelations or Dreames of H.N. nor any others awaking man and setting his sinnes in order before him and the fearefull terror of Gods wrath against him Act. 2.37 16.30 Act. 2.38 3.19 causeth man to be pricked in his heart and to cry out what shall wee doe to be saued To which God answereth Repent of thy sinnes confesse them sorrow for them and reforme them But man seeing by the same holy Scripture that this his repentance or any other thing that he can doe cannot appease Gods wrath nor satisfie his Iustice for his sinne he is inuited hereupon to flye vnto Gods Grace by the Redemptiō purchased through the blood of his Sonne who is God ouer all and tooke our Nature vpon him and became Man Dyed for vs and is risen againe in his Body ascended into Heauen sitting at the right hand of his Father making intercession for his seruants euen for all that obey him Heb. 5.9 through whom alone wee haue Redemption euen the forgiuenes of our sinnes 2. Thus by Faith in the Blood of Christ is this Sinner sprinckled in his heart from an euill Conscience Heb. 10.22 and must also be washed in his Body with pure water 3. This is the Baptisme that saueth not onely the washing away the filth of the Flesh but in that a good Conscience maketh request vnto God 1. Pet. 3.21 by the Resurrection of Iesus Christ Yet not onely the good Conscience is Baptisme but also washing with materiall water into the Name of the Father c. For to enter into the Kingdome of Heauen which is the estate of Grace or true Christianity in this life called the Kingdome of Heauen Ioh. 3.5 Ephes 4.5 Wee must haue Water and Spirit Christ hath coupled them together as his one Baptisme and let no man seperate them 4. By laying on of handes wee conceiue is meant the whole ministery of the Church which consisteth of those Offices mentioned in Christs Testament All which are to be entred into by laying on of hands as these Scriptures teach * Act. 6.6 13.3 For other laying on of hands by which extraordinary guiftes were communicated vnto men wee vnderstand they were myracles giuen of God in the primitiue Church for the confirmation of the Apostles authority who taught thinges that neuer before were taught Heb. 2.5 which that they might be credited they did such thinges as neuer men did And if any Familist can doe Myracles as did th Apostles thē might they haue had some colour to write and bring into the world new Gospels as they are not ashamed to doe 5. Concerning the Resurrection from the Dead We beleeue that our soules shall be seperated from our bodies by naturall Death That the Body returnes to earth whence it came and the Spirit to God that gaue it Eccles 12.7 1. Cor. 15. vntill the day that Iesus Christ shall come againe to Iudge quicke and dead Then shall our Bodies rise againe euen these bodies Ioh. 19.25 c. and with these eyes shall wee see our Redeemer Lastly we doe beleeue and looke for to our great reioycing the blessed appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ to that Eternall iudgement wherein hee shall Iudge both quicke and dead according to their works done in this Flesh 2 Cor. 5.10 whether they be good or euill Reuel 20.12 to an Eternall being to wit Them that by continuance in wel-doing seeke glory and Immortality Rō 2.7 c. 1. Thes 4.17 Rom. 2.8 they shall come to Eternall Life where they shall bee euer with the Lord. But those that are contentious and disobey the Truth and obeyes vnrighteousnes haue done euill and haue not repented thereof They shall come forth to the resurrection of condemnation Ioh. 5.29 indignation and wrath shall bee vpon them burning in the Lake for euermore with the Deuill and his Angels Mat. 25.41 Now let all Iudge whether wee be totally ignorant of the 6. Principles Heb. 6. as these accusers doe suggest or rather that themselues are not only ignorant of them for if they were their sinne were the lesse but they deny them and that after their enlightning The 9. transgression they accuse vs of is Ninthly you will not bee reformed by the Light which God hath manifested in these latter times and whereof much is in the Booke of Common Prayer and in the Homilies and in the Booke of Ordering of Bishops Priests and Deacons Answ VVEE hauing asked some of them what Light this is that in these latter times God hath manifested for we conceiue God neuer spake nor euer will after his speaking by his Sonne in these last dayes who by himselfe and his Apostles hath deliuered all the Counsell of God sealing it vp with these sentences If wee or an Angell from Heauen teach any otherwise then we haue Preached Gal. 1.8 9. let him bee accursed And if any adde to what they haue done Reuel 22.18.19 God will adde the plagues written by them or if any take away any of those their wordes God will take away their names out of the Booke of Life we say we hauing asked them concerning these thinges they haue answered vs God hath spoken to the world at three seuerall times First by Moses and the Fathers 2. By Christ and the Apostles And thirdly by an euerlasting Gospell in these last dayes alledging Reuel 14. Which what Gospell should it bee but the Gospell of the Kingdome which H. N. hath published to the world in which many of his poysoned Doctrines is broached concerning which hee hath giuen himselfe a stately stile farre exceeding the Apostles in all their writings full of blasphemies which is this H. N. through the Grace and mercy of God Euang. Peg. Cap. 1. and through the holy Spirit of the loue of Iesu Christ raised vp by the highest God from the Death according to the prouidence of God and his Promises annoynted with the Holy Ghost in the olde age of the holy vnderstanding of Iesu Christ Godded with God in the Spirit of his loue made heyre with Christ in the heauenly goods of
other Assembly how are they confounded to call that the holy Catholike Church in one place which in another place they call a false Christianity and a deuillish Synagogue or Schoole can the Deuils Synagogue be a holy Church But if the Family or any other bee a deuillish Synagogue Gods people are commaunded to seperate from them in all Spirituall fellowship Seperate your selues from this froward generation Act. 2.40 haue no fellowship with the vnfruitfull works of darknes Ephe. 5.11 1. Cor. 10.20 I would not yee should haue fellowship with Deuils in the Sacrifices of the Gentiles What fellowship hath Christ with the Deuill the Beleeeuer with the vnbeleeuer the Temple of God with Idols Therefore seperate your selues saith the Lord touch no vncleane thing and I will receiue you 2. Cor. 6.14 c. and bee a God and Father vnto you and yee shall be my Sonnes and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty Thus is seperation lawfull till they haue proued that to be the Church of Christ which they say we seperate from which we trust they shall neuer haue cause to accuse vs of Twelthly there is not any one of you that is a new Creature Answ VVHat H. Ns new Creature is all may perceiue where hee saith Crying voyce Cap. vil sect 11. For to become washed in the Loue with her pure water is the vpright washing and the true font of the Regeneration or new Birth And the second Birth out of the Holy Ghost is in the Oldnesse of time whē the dayes of the patience of Christ in the obedience of the holy and Gracious word Exhort 1. Cap. 7. sect 29.31 and her seruice of Loue are fulfilled that then the holy Ghost becōmeth powred forth through Iesus Christ ouer them all that haue followed Christ in the Death of his Crosse obediently and haue kept his Doctrine namely H. Ns with the word of his patience euen vnto the end which is euery where taught in his tedious and intricate writings the estate of Perfection in the loue or Doctrine of this deceiuer For he saith The second Birth which is not minded according to the Flesh but according to the Spirit of the heauenly Truth obtaineth the victory beareth rule with God and bringeth forth the Name of Israell or Christ it selfe as before hath beene related vpon another occasion This their Godded estate is their second birth or new Creature which we doe much abhorre and therfore no maruaile if they say of vs that not any one of vs are new creatures But such new creatures as the sacred Scriptures speaketh of that we imbrace and follow after that being sometimes foolish disobedient deceiued seruing diuers lusts and pleasures liuing in malice and enuy hatefull and hating one another but after that the kindnesse and loue of God our Sauiour towards man appeared Tit. 3.3.4.5 not by the workes of righteousnes which wee had done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of Regeneration and renuing of the holy Ghost c. Hereby in a measure are wee new Creatures Rom. 6.13 not now giuing our members seruants of sinne nor taking pleasure in any vnrighteousnes as before wee did but endeauoring henceforth to giue our members seruants of righteousnes in Holines 2. Cor. 7.1 c. and to cleanse our selues of all filthinesse of Flesh and Spirit and to growe vp vnto perfect holinesse in the feare of God For our helpes herein hauing not onely the power of the Spirit of God in our hearts but also all those blessed rules in Christs Testament for the guidance of vs in the way of life in which estate of Regeneration some are Babes 1. Ioh. 2.12 c. some are Young-men and some may bee called Fathers in respect of a measure of perfection whereunto they may attaine onely through Christs perfection without whose perfection all mens perfection is imperfection through him all his Are able to doe all thinges Phil. 4.13 Ioh. 15.5 ◠without him they can doe nothing The weakest of his members are perfect with God through him the strongest are not perfect without him For onely through him the Father is well pleased and he is our Iustification 1. Cor. 1.30 and all in all vnto vs. But that any man can attaine vnto such an estate in this life as it is not possible for him to transgresse any Law of God by any meanes in thought word or deed wee leaue that deuillish Dreame with H. N. and his bewitched followers who account this the second Birth or new Creature The Apostles of Christ confessed the contrary Iam. 3.2 1. Ioh. 1.8 To these 12. supposed euils which in writing they haue taxed vs with we will adde a 13th which we had frō their mouthes and it is this 13. You obserue not the Commaundement giuen to the Woman and her seede Reuel 12. of flying into the Wildernes from the presence of the Serpent Answ THeir meaning is that wee are too open in our profession through the which we endure much misery for so they haue said vnto vs they would haue vs dissemble like themselues and saue our selues from troubles For M. P. who calleth himselfe that mighty Prince of the Hebrewes in his vertue of the Crosse corrected Thus he writeth It is written Cap. 3. sect 1 saying When they persecute you in this Citty flye into another that is whilest wee are yet weake not well able to beare the crosse we may doe as Peter did with mouth deny Christ but not in heart And much more of this stuffe he proceedeth in but in diuers places of the margent he writeth Hide secrets from the vnbeleeuers To whom wee may say as Christ said to Peter when hee disswaded him from Suffering Get thee behinde me Sathan thou art an offence vnto me Math. 16. thou vnderstandest not the thinges that are of God c. Are not Gods seruants the salt of the earth and the light of the world shall the light be put vnder a Bushell Math. 5.13 and not set on a Candlesticke Christ commands that what he said in Darknes that his should speake it in the Light and what they heard in the eare that they should Preach on the houses and not feare them that would kill the Body Math. 10. c. and after that could doe no more For he that is ashamed of Christ and his words Mark 8.38 amongst this Adulterous and sinfull generation of him shall the Sonne of man be ashamed when he commeth in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angels For as with the heart man beleeueth vnto righteousnes so with the mouth he must confesse to saluation Rom. 10.10 If we suffer with Christ we shall raigne with Christ and if we deny him he will deny vs 2. Tim. 2.12 This the true Christ teacheth whom wee confesse and endeauour to serue But H. N. and the Families Christ teacheth them to saue themselues and rather
to beare it That hee might winne the weake Thus as a skilfull workman he became all things to all men that by all meanes he might saue some teaching all men the Gospell by those means which themselues acknowledged with he knew was the fittest way to conuince them conuert them And not to make them beleeue that he worshipped their dumb Idols by performing all outward reuerence to them as these Children of the Deuill and enemies of all righteousnes that seeke to peruert the straight wayes of the Lord would perswade for that had beene to haue strengthened them in their wicked Idolatry that they could not haue returned from it But first they bring for proofe of the Iewes Paul Circumcising of Timothy Act. 16.3 21.26 and purifying of himselfe and others with him to please the Iewes Therefore say they may we doe so to all to which we answer God who had giuen to his owne people his own Ordinances which were to bring them to Christ and when Christ was come many beleeued on him yet were zealous of the Law in that it was of Gods owne appointment the Almighty Law-giuer in mercy respecting the weaknes of the beleeuing Iewes directed his seruant the Apostle to obserue some of those Lawes Circumcision and purifying for the present till they could be brought to see the end of them yet taught the beleeuing Gentiles Act. 21.25 that they should obserue no such thing For if they should be Circumcised they were abolished from Christ and fallen from Grace Gal. 5.3 c and wished that all those deceiuers that would perswade the beleeuing Gentiles to any such course should be cut off and beare their condemnation yea when Peter and Barnabas by their example prouoked the Gentiles to doe like the Iewes Gal. 2.11 c. Paul sharpely reproued them to their face for their dissimulation affirming it was not the right way to the Gospell All which being confidered what doth this make for the Familisticall Gentiles to performe all outward obseruations in the worship of the Gentiles Turkes c. whose sacrifice is the worship of Deuils and is forbidden of God as before Secondly They bring Naamans bowing in the house of Rimmō 1. Kin. 5. And the Prophet bidding him goe in peace and therefore may they bow before any Idoll Let the place be well cōsidered It is a generall Maxime That no exposition of any one doubtfull Scripture or collection from it may be taken which ouerthroweth many Commandements and examples that are out of doubt which being granted of this hatefull Family this their conceit will vanish That this their collection is against expresse Commandments examples is proued First Exo. 20.5 Thou shalt not bow downe c. It was not lawfull to bow downe to Baall and the Lord reserued those 7. thousand to himselfe because they had not done it The 3. Children would not bow downe and were of God commended blessed for the same And in this of Naaman it could not be lawfull in him in that hee asked mercy at Gods hands twice for it which if it had beene good he needed not haue done So that it is most plaine it was vnlawfull to bow downe before the Idoll Rimmon and therefore will not warrant these hypocrites in their courses but it being shewed that this is not the meaning of the place that the man of God pronounced Peace vnto him in falling downe in the house of Rimmon for that they had beene both against command example Naamans repentance we say it being proued that this is not the meaning let vs now find out what it is Two thinges may be obserued that Naaman required one was That 2. Mules loade of Israels earth might bee giuen him to Sacrifice vpon to the God of Israell The other that God would be mercifull to him in bowing downe in the house of Rimmon for his King to leane vpon and worship The first of these was ignorant Idolatry for the Tabernacle or Temple was the place of Sacrificing to the God of Israell and not elsewhere * Leuit. 17. c. Deut. 12.5 c. The second was no lesse if he meant to go on in bowing in the house of Rimmon and prayed God to be mercifull to him herein And farre be it from the man of God to blesse him with salutation of Peace in either of these which he knew to be expresly against the Commandement of God but goe in peace trouble not thy selfe with these thinges which will hinder thy peace but being now cleansed of thy leprosie sinne not against the Lord which healeth thine infirmity and his peace be with thee Or it may be Naaman meant to testifie against that Idoll when hee came vnto it and prayed the Lord to be mercifull to him and strengthen him in that point for he professeth he will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor doe sacrifice vnto any other God but to the Lord In which case the Prophet might iustly bid the peace of God be with him These are not contrary to the Scriptures but agreeable and therefore may be accepted But the other is most contrary as before hath beene shewed and therefore to be abhorred Thirdly they say To seperate from any that sinne not against the Holy Ghost is against Charity 1. Cor. 13. Loue suffereth long In answer to which the Lord saith It is not loue Leuit. 19.17 to suffer any sinne to rest vpon men but expresse hatred and therefore Gods people are commanded to rebuke men for their sinne Mat. 18.15 c. if they will not repent if they be of the Church to auoyde them if they be not of the Church of Christ but vnbeleeuers 2. Cor. 6.14 c. to seperate from them touch none of their vncleannes as before is proued and shal hereafter when this point is more particulerly handled And this is loue to make thē ashamed that they may come to repentance Fourthly They say Christ commands his Disciples to heare the Scribes Pharises Math. 23. and performe ceremoniall worship with them Goe shew thy selfe to the Priest Math. 8. Answ What then because Christ Commands the Leper to goe shew himselfe to the Priest and offer the Offering appointed by Moses for his cleansing which was Gods own appointmēt therfore hence doth it follow that we may outwardly obserue such parts of worship as the Gentiles who sacrifice to Deuils appoint Christ commandeth th' one but expresly forbiddeth th' other as before hath been largely proued As for hearing the Scribes Pharises c. All may see that these Familists rather then they will want matter they will say that which maketh against themselues Christ teacheth that after their workes doe not but these Iannes and Iambres bring this Scripture to proue that they may doe outwardly according to the wicked workes of the Gentiles which is their offering to Deuils Though our Sauiour heere expresly bid his people not doe according to
the workes of the Iewes his owne people if when he came they had not cast him off The most that this place proueth is that if Gods people teach truthes but practice it not the truth they teach must be followed not their practices but if they will not repent of their euill practices they must be cast out for being Gods people * Math. 18.15 c. 1. Cor. 5. c. 2. I hes 3.14 and serueth nothing to proue that Gods people may practice according to the wicked workes of the Idolaters but the contrary but of this exposition more hereafter But feeing this Scripture is alledged heere by the Familists for proofe of that which many that are not so farre gone as they will abhorre yet thus farre take it vp as that they may heare Idolaters in their Religious exercises which is a dependancy of the former we thinke it very necessary to speake something of that forasmuch as many haue beene ouerthrowne by that vpon these rockes of Familisme for indeed in part it is the former For it is this a hearing of Idolaters to receiue some Spirituall benefit by them else why doe they heare and yet in their hearts doe not joyne in any Spirituall fellowship with them but iudge them to be Idolaters their estate with God to be most fearefull In a measure it is hypocrisie as the former and vtterly vnlawfull by the Scriptures That it is not lawfull to heare lying Idolatrous Prophets except to reproue them and contend against them is thus proued 1. THe Lord expresly forbiddeth it Deut. 13.3 Thou shalt not hearken vnto the wordes of that Prophet c. Thus saith the Lord of Hoasts Iere. 23.16 heare not the words of the Prophets that prophesie vnto you and teach you vnity they speake the vision of their owne heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord. For if any goe to such Prophets to aske for God Ezek. 14.10 the Lord will punish them with the Prophets punishment Which is to bee cut off from Gods people Cap. 13.9 not to be written among the righteous and not to enter into the Land of Israell for euer Ioh. 10.5 Christs sheepe will flye from a stranger for they know not his voyce and they are often commaunded to beware of false Prophets which come in Sheepes cloathing Math. 7.15 1. Ioh. 4.5.6 the world heareth them but they that are of God heareth vs saith the Apostle Lying Prophets are for the wicked Micah 2.11 Gods people must not receine them if they come vnto them to teach them 2. Ioh. 20.11 much lesse may they goe seeke to be taught of them Let them returne to thee returne nel thou to them Iere. 15.19 2. As Preaching or teaching the word of God and hearing of the same among the Saints is a part of true worship * 1. Cor. 11.5 Math. 15.9 so is preaching and hearing among the wicked a part of false worship and so their Communion From which the Saintes are to seperate and haue no fellowship with their vnfruitfull workes of darkenes Ephes 5.11 but reproue them And so the wicked themselues account Preaching and hearing a part of their worship Psal 16.4 and 15.4 26.4.5 which the Saints may not offer but euen contemne such vile persons and actions and hate their assemblies and not company with them 3. As God commaunded that the Prophet that should presume to speake a word in his name Deu. 18.20 that he commanded him not to speake was to dye That is the Israelites the people of God were to slay his Body Deut. 13.5 and so to take euill away forth of the midst of them So are Gods people now cōmaunded that euen among themselues they must marke diligentlys them that teach contrary Doctrine and auoyde them Rō 16.17 and from such to seperate themselues 1. Tim. 6.5 yea if they were Angels from Heauen teaching falshood to let them be accursed Gal. 1.8.9 Gal. 5.10 and beare their condemnation whosoeuer they bee which being practised towards false Prophets within the Church or without the Saints are no more to heare them but to declare their estate of Death as vnder Moses bodily so vnder Christ spiritually 4. The Saints are to declare vnto the wicked That God saith what hast thou to doe to declare mine Ordinances that thou shouldest take my Couenant in thy mouth Psal 50.16 c. seeing thou hatest to be reformed and hast cast my wordes behind thee and because I held my tongue therefore thou thoughtest I was like thee but I will reproue thee c. This is written for the Saints instruction Rom. 15.4 that herein they may imitate their heauenly Father Math. 5.48 For whosoeuer heareth in Gods matters and is silent he doth establish that which is done Num. 30.14.15 And hee that wincketh at iniquity when he seeith it Leuit. 20.4.5 the Lord will set his face against that man 5. Our Lord Christ Ioh. 8.44 would not suffer the Deuill the Father of all lying Prophets to confesse him Mark 1.25 yea by his power he made the euill Spirit in the man Act. 19.15 reproue those wicked men for medling with the name of Iesus 1 Ioh. 2.6 And we must walke as hee hath walked that when we heare the Deuill in the wicked false Prophets meddle with the name of Christ or his holy word or Ordinances we must sharpely rebuke them and asmuch as in vs is not suffer them 6. The end of the Saints hearing any false Prophet meddle with the word of God must either be for edification or else to rebuke them as before else what doe they there If to rebuke them it is lawfull as before is proued If to receiue Spirituall food from them they may not for there is food sufficient in Gods house the Saints may not goe to Aegipt to seeke food of any Aegiptian Esa 30.1 Woe vnto the rebellious Children saith the Lord that take counsell but not of mee they walk forth to goe down into Aegipt Esa 31.1 And woe vnto them that goe downe to Aegipt for helpe For the Lord will say to his people Iere. 5.7 how shall I spare thee for this though I fed thee to the full yet they cōmitted Adultery and assembled themselues in Harlots houses yea he doth further say What hast thou to doe in the way of Aegipt to drinke the water of Nilus Iere 2.18 or what makest thou in the way of Ashur to drinke the water of the Riuer And therefore this Prophet of the Lord when he had none to company with in Gods matters Iere. 15.17 he would not sit in the assembly of mockers but sate alone 7. Christ hauing giuen sufficient meanes in his Church for the edificatiō of euery member * Ephe. 4.16 Col. 2.9 1. Cor. 1.7 1. Cor. 3.21 2. Chro. 11.15 therin it is high