for a time return to the dust and afterwards be raised up again from the dust and so cast into Hell torments which is the second death which imagination is very strange and besides it presupposeth a Resurrection without Christ or else you must imagine that God intended in his saying to Adam Thou shalt die that his soul should go into hell torment the second death and his body to the dust the first death which Dagon-like Image shamefully falls before the Ark of truth First because it renders the coming of Christ the greatest of Gods gifts to man-kind who come not to condemne the world but that the world through him might be saved Iohn 3.17 I say it renders the coming of Christ to be the only cause of a horrible Judgement without the least mixture of mercy upon the bodies of those men whose souls were cast into hell for Adams sin that is to say Christ by his coming raises their bodies from the grave where they were without the fence of any misery and casts them without any cause into everlasting torments Secondly the imagination falls upon the account of Pauls words Rom. 5.12 shewing that that death which came by that one man Adams sin passed upon all wherefore it cannot be meant an eternal death upon the souls of men for that passed not upon the souls of the holy Fathers as aforesaid And thus you may see that neither of these imaginations can stand either according to Scripture or Reason and therefore the truth only remains before you as clearly proved by these considerations namely That Adams sin brought but the first death as hath been shewed and that mens loving darkness rather then the light is the cause of a second death and this may not be rejected because Christ himself saith This is the condemnation Iohn 3.19 Fourthly that Adams sin brought but the first death as aforesaid also appeareth from the Apostles words 1 Cor. 15.21 22. wherein is plainly held forth that Christ will bring all men to a resurrection from that death which comes upon all men by the first Adams sin wherefore it cannot possibly be the second death which he speaks of as brought by Adam for then it supposes all men brought to a resurrection from the second death or Hell torment and so preaches general salvation which is folly to conceive so then with the Prophet I conclude that the Son shall not die eternally for the iniquity of the Father But the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him that is to say upon him alone and not his child so as to bring it to eternal life And the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him that is upon him alone and not his child so as to bring it to eternall death Ezek. 18.20 Well then by this time 't is necessary to mind again our Question namely That if Christ died for all men How is it that all are not saved First by what hath been said you may see in what state man was in by his first Transgression even out of Gods favour and in a state of misery condemned to the first death But God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to taste death for every man Heb. 2.9 Rom. 5.18 and so destroyes him that hath the power of death that is the devil And thus there is purchased by Christ a resurrection for all men from the first death with the gift of God which is eternal life and hence it is that children dying in Infancy cannot be condemned at the last day for of such is the kingdome of God Mat. 19.14 But now men having a being here through Christ come to rebell against God and going out of the way so as there is none righteous no not one Rom. 3.12 they become the children of wrath but such is the love of God that he followes the creature with mercy commanding the Gospel to be preached to every creature which Gospel men not believing the wrath of God abideth on them John 3.36 the light of eternal life and remission of sins in Jesus is held forth but men loves darkness rather then light the prize of glory is put into their hands but they like fooles have no heart to it and so whereas the Objector asketh how it is that all are not saved if Christ dyed for all the answer is in Christs words This is thecondemnation John 3.19 that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather then light because their deeds are evill Thus I judge that the seeming show of the objection vanisheth and that the truth remaineth in its power and plainness namely That Christ died for all men and so setteth all men in a way in which they may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved The truth of which will appear if you shall take a view of the Scriptures speaking of the Generations from the beginning as first in the very day that Adam fell Christ was promised by God saying The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head and it is said of Abell That by faith he offered a more excellent sacrifice then Cain Heb. 11.4 Shewing plainly that Abell was enlightened touching the promised seed to wit Christ the true Sacrifice in whom he believing his sacrifice became more acceptable then that of Cain also it is said of Enoch that by faith he was translated that he should not see death and before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God and not only so but himself being enlightned touching Christ we find that he Prophesieth also of the coming of Christ with his faints to Judgement Jude 14. And so he was a preacher of the Gospel to others in his and following Generations In like manner we find Noah declared to be a preacher of Righteousness and by Faith preparedan Ark whereby he Condemned the World and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith 1 Pet. 3.18 19 20. 2 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 11.7 All which shewes that Noah was such an eminent light in his Generation that the whole world then in being was so taught and instructed by him he being a Preacher of Righteousness as that they being disobedient thereunto are said thereby to be condemned Also we find very cleerly that the Gospel was Preached to Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed Gal. 3.8 And afterwards unto his seed the children of Israel in the wilderness as appeareth Heb. 4.2 Among which people God shewed such mighty and wonderful power in saving and delivering them and destroying their enemies as that thereby he declared to all the World that he was Israels God and approved of their Faith and Worship as to instance some of many The Angel smote of the Campe of the Assyrians an hundred four score and five thousand 2 King 19.35 Also God delivering Shadrach Meshach and Abednigo from the fiery Furnace as also Daniel being delivered from the Lions den decrees were made that Every
made clean when shall it once be Jeremy 13.27 How shall I give thee up Ephraim How shall I deliver thee Israel As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye for why will ye die oh House of Israel Ezek. 33.11 And now O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah Judge I pray you betwixt me and my Vinyard what could have been done more to my Vinyard that I have not done in it Jsa 5.3.4 But when he looked that it should bring forth Grapes it brought forth wild Grapes As also Israel in the wilderness Wherefore he was greived with that generation and at length sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest because of Vnbelief Heb. 3.10 11 19. Now that the Father the Son and the holy Spirit in the Prophets should utter such deep desires and large professions for the welfare of a People with weeping and great lamentations upon their neglect of that which should have been for their welfare Psal 69.22 Also confirming his desires by the immutable Oath of himself and yet notwithstanding know them even from the first altogether uncapable of happiness and well-being and that for want of that grace which himself is the only giver of That God I say whose Attributes of love and mercy are met together with truth and righteousness and kisseth each other Psal 85.10 should thus declare himself is altogether incredible for if he sent not his Son to die for them there is no other Name given under heaven whereby they might be saved Act. 4.11 12. The sence of these things being much upon my heart leads me forth yet further to question with you viz. How the wise God the Father could grieve forty years long for a Peoples unbelief if there was no Salvation for them to believe in And how Christ the Son of God could marvel at the Peoples Unbelief if he tasted not death for them whereby they might believe Mar. 6.6 And how the holy Spirit the gift of God could strive with men for their good if Christ in whom is all good was not intended for them The Father the Son and the Spirit according to the Scriptures of truth in all ages plainly declareth That he would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 in order to which he exercised much long-patience sending his servants calling upon them and beseeching them to be reconciled unto himself 2 Cor. 5.20 And so God preparing all things ready for them and using a sufficiency of means whereby they might come and receive it according to the Parable that is to say might believe and eternally be saved Joh. 1.7 Jo. 3.17.2 Thes 2.10 they not coming they not beleeving the God of love in wisdome greiveth for them and upon good grounds sweareth in wrath they shall not enter into his rest Mark well A man 's not doing impossibilities or not beleeving on that which is not is no sober mans wonder cause of grief or ground of wrath Wherefore all these things being considered together with the many more Scriptures that speak to this purpose as also many Scriptures bearing plain Testimony that Christ died for all 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9.2 Cor. 5.15.1 Joh. 2.2 Rom 3.22 And not so much as one Scripture that saith he died but for some therefore with wise and holy Peter I conclude that the Lord God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 and be saved through Christ the Saviour who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time Therefore let all men fear how they testifie against it Object If Christ died for all how is it then that all are not saved Answ Bear with me I pray you if I speak somewhat large to this Question for I know that there is something in the understanding of those that ask this question as the ground thereof which is a great hindrance to the understanding of this glorious truth of Gods love unto all men namely that Adams sin brought him and all his posterity into a state of eternal condemnation in Hell which whosoever beleiveth cannot easily understand how Christ should die for all men say they if he died for all to free them from eternal punishment in hell and Christ dye not in vain then say they How can it be but that all must be saved First consider your mistake touching Adams sin for 't is plain that his sin brought but the first death and the companions thereof as fear shame sickness eating bread in the sweat of the face c. together with the ground cursed for his sake and not eternal torments in Hell which saith the Scripture is the second death Rev. 20.14 First because the second death or eternal torment in Hell was neither threatned to come upon him before his fall Gen. 2.17 neither is it in the least signifyed in the sentence against him after his fall Gen. 3.17.18.19 but rather this Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return this death therefore being only spoken of which is the first death let no man presume above what is written Secondly observe the sence of the Apostle Paul touching this Particular who saith That by one man to wit Adam sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 Now in that he saith that the death which came by Adam passed upon all it followes with much plainness that he understood it to be only the first death that entred into the world by Adams sin because the second death or eternal torment in Hell had not passed upon all and so he could not mean the second death for he right well knew yea and all men do know it had not passed upon Abraham Isaac and Jacob with many others that might be mentioned no nor never shall In vain will it be for any to go about to evade the force of this text by conceiving that it is the desert of eternal death which passed upon all forasmuch as the Apostle in much plainness saith That death passed upon all men not only deserved death but death it self passed also upon them as their desert Thirdly remember and well consider that it is granted on all hands that Adams sin from the beginning did and now doth bring men down to the dust or first death and also well consider that it is as generally beleived that the second death or Hell torments is an eternal fence of misery both upon the soul and body or an eternal horrible dying and never being dead both which being considered you may easily see that if God did intend Hell torment to be the portion of Adams sin either you must imagine that God did purpose and decree and so accordingly declare to Adam that if he sinned he should
THE WHOLE FAITH OF MAN Being the Gospel declared in plainness as it is in JESUS and the way thereof of old confirmed by divers Signs Wonders Miracles and Gifts of the holy Ghost In thirty six Heads setting out Mans way work from the day of his Conversion to the day of his Dissolution and what therein is both to be believed and practised The Second Edition much Enlarged By WILL. JEFFERY who hath for years been a poor Labourer in Christs Vineyard So likewise ye when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10 London Printed by G. Dawson for Francis Smith in Flying-Horse Court in Fleet-street near Chancery lane end and Stephen Dagnal of Alisbury 1659. TO The Christian READER Loving Reader THis work presented to thy view read I pray with diligence and care imploying thy whole understanding to observe what 〈◊〉 written herein whether it be according to the Scriptures of truth and finding it so lay it up in thy heart and bring it forth in Conversation and in Worship and that thou mayest so do mark well the Scriptures that are brought for the proof of that which is said and for the right understanding of the Scriptures note these five things First who it is that speaketh Secondly the ground or cause of the Word spoken Thirdly what is spoken Fourthly the time when Fifthly to whom it speaketh And labour to understand Prophecies whether they be fulfilled or no and mistake not so as to think that Parables or Comparisons in Scripture prove nothing for they do excellently prove things if rightly understood for the Parable of the unjust Iudge and the Widdow Luk. 18. v. 1. proveth that men ought alwayes to pray and not to faint and that in Rev. 16.15 which saith that Christ will come as a thiefe proveth that Christ will come suddenly and that day of the Lord shall come upon ungodly men unawares yea as a snare shall it take them 2 Thes 5.23 but it doth not prove that Christ will come unrighteously as a thief for that connot be So Parables and Comparisons in the Scriptures prove excellently the things for which they are brought but beware of using them beyond their line and also note that a Commandment or Precept only gives ground to duty for where no Law is there is no transgression mistake not for the manner of the performance of the duty is not alwayes in all things laid down in the Commandment so the primitive examples of the People of God for the manner of the performance of duty is very safe and where there is no example of the People of God in the Scriptures for the manner as aforesaid take heed that the duty be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 James 5.14 But stand in awe in the fear of God and beware that you add not to the Commandment nor diminish therefrom in the performance of duty for he that shall presume to speak a word in the name of the Lord which he hath not commanded him shall die Deut. 18.20 Pro. 30.6 Revel 22.18 19. Mind also that according to the Law and the Prophets and New Testament are to hear Christ in all things yea to give more heed to Christ then Israel was to Moses Heb. 2.1 2. Chap. 12.25 and to labour to understand what the first Testament is and who were the children hereof and what is the new Testament and who are the children thereof and let no man that believeth and is added to the Church according to the Scripture content himself in a child like state but labour with all diligence to come to mans stature being strong in Christ 1 Epistle of John 2.13 14. For in these last dayes will come in all deceiveableness of unrighteousness and so many will fall away the age groweth ripe many run to and fro and knowledge is increased therefore labour to understand the Mysteries of the Scripture walk up purely in all that thou knowest for they shall be revealed and fulfilled in these latter dayes yea whosoever thou art observe more what is declared it being truth then the manner of the declaring it be not offended at the plainness or poverty of the man that speaketh he speaking as the Oracles of God For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise I have studied brevity for many reasons therefore heed well what is spoken and so have thy heart open for truth but closed up against all errour and try all spirits by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament For if they speak not According to the Law and Testamony it is because there is no light in them Isai 8.20 And so read this Book with a single eye for it very highly concerns thy eternal life for for this end was it written that men might know the good old way of the Gospel and walk therein and so find rest for their souls and that God might have all the Glory and this is the sincere desire of him that is ready to serve thee with all his might in he strength of the Lord in the work of his Generation William Ieffery A TABLE OF The principal Matters spoken to or handled in this Book 1. THe Gospel what it is Page 1 2. That the Gospel is to be preached to all Men. Page 2 3. That Christ dyed for all Men. Page 4 4. That God through Christs death in the ministration of the Gospel sets all men in a way to come to the knowledge of the truth and be eternally saved Page 6 5. How Men in all ages were set in that way Page 9 6. What Adams sin brought upon all the sans of Men. Page 13 7. How Christ redeemed all Men from the first death and all the guilt or punishment of Adams sin Page 18 8. That all Infants dying in Infancie shall be saved Page 17 9. The great cause of condemnation and what it is Page 21 10. How Men are given up to blinded eyes and hardned hearts and wherefore Page 30 11. How Gods Decree takes hold of Men to condemnation Page 27 12. Gods Decree concerning Election to salvation Page 32 13. Why none but Beleevers are chosen to salvation and yet foreseen faith not the cause Page 33 14. The first Testament what it is in the strictest sence and what it is in the largest and who were the children thereof and how is it cast out and its children and the difference between the Law of Faith and the Law of Works and a word of the abolishing of the seventh day Sabbath Page 35 15. What the second Testament in the strictest fence and what in the largest and who are the children thereof and who the Ministers thereof and the vast disproportion between the first Testament and the Second Page 42 16. What Repentance is and what Faith is and the nature thereof Page 52 17. That Bilievers onely are the
of which is as inconsistent to truth as the former as lively appeareth from Christs words Mat. 19.23 24. saying That it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of an Needle then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of Heaven For all cannot but know that if God be the alone Agent in and about mans conversion and his ordinary way be to work irresistibly therein all I say cannot but know that it is Alike easie for him to convert a rich man as a poor man And besides if Gods ordinary way to convert men be to work irresistibly how he could appeal to Israel who according to your sence knew that this was his way saying what could I have done More which I have not done Whenas he had not wrought so much as in his ordinary way upon them I judge no man can give a reasonable account to this Therefore in brief I conclude in opposition to all those that imagine Gods ordinary way to convert men is unresistible with Stephen saying Ye do alwayes resist the holy Spirit as your fathers did so do ye Act. 7.51 and with the words of the Lord I drew them with the cords of a man with bonds of love yet they refused to return Hosea 11.4 5. Object But this which you have said seems to cross the way of Gods Election and reprobation from the beginning whose way is to hate some men before they have done either good or evil as is plainly held forth in that of Esau and so impossible for them ever to beleeve and be saved For he hath mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth Answ For the better understanding of this Point well consider the principal thing which Paul treats of in that Chapter Rom. 9. which is that the fleshly seed of Abraham are not the children of promise or the Elect of God ver 7 8. wherefore saith the Apostle though Esau was the child of Abraham according to the flesh and that upon Isaacs side too yet God hated him therefore you Jewes that stand so much upon your brith priviledges as being the seed of Abraham after the flesh by this of Esau you may know that it will not prove you to be the Elect of God but you may be hated as Esau was he being as truly a child of Abraham as you but for his wickedness whether considered as a Person or as a Nation God rejected him I say for his wickedness as appeareth Obad. 9.10 For thy violence O Esau against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee and thou shalt be cut off for ever Mal. 1.3 4. Amos 1.11 Heb. 12.16 17. Esaus wickedness therefore whether considered a person or a Nation I say with the holy Prophets was the cause why God hated him whose wickedness God that foreknoweth all things foreknew in Rebecca's time and thereupon said to her Esau or Edom the elder shall serve the younger which saying Paul being acquainted with spake these words to wit That the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to Election might stand not of works but of him that calleth it was said unto her as aforesaid Rom. 9. shewing thereby that God was so mindful that his puâ—pose according to Election might stand which the Jewes so mightily opposed that he signified so long ago as Rebecca's time before the children were born or had done either good or evil that Esau the elder foreseen to be wicked should serve Jacob the younger for his violence against him as saith the Lord Obadiah 9.10 And therefore this Election by grace as if the Apostle should say which I contend for being as ancient as the Fathers spoken of by God himself to Rebecca you may in no wise reject for I preach no new thing But alas how is it that men so stumble at these words spoken by Paul in this ninth Chapter to the Romans as if God hated Esau before he was born without respect unto his foreseen wickedness as the cause thereof I say how is it that you so conceive and thus imagine vain things for doth it in the least follow that God so hated him because 't is said if that might be granted he hated him before he was born or had done any evil surely no unless it could be found that God hated him also before he had done evil without respect to foreseen evil in which is the main Controversie and not so much whether God hated Esau before he was born or had done evil yea or nay but rather what was the cause for which he was hated to which this Text in the Romans doth not at all speak only speaks of the time to wit before the Children were borne c. But as touching the cause wherein is our great Controversy I tell you again the text speaks not wherefore it remaineth that you diligently mind other Scriptures which speaks as to the cause thereof which plainly tels you that Esau's violence c was the cause Obad. 9.10 Now although this be spoken of him after he had personally transgressed yet I question not but that you with me will acknowledge that all his transgressions was known to God in Rebecba's time as also before which if so Why may it not be thus for what is said in this place to the Romans namely that God foreseeing Esau or Edoms wickedness in Rebecca's time said upon that account the elder shall serve the younger yea verily 't is plain that God did speak to her upon the account of foreknowledge for faith he Two Nations are in thy wombe Gen. 25.23 which all cannot but know was no otherwise but as God foresaw two Nations proceeding from the two Children which only was in Rebecca's womb and so also God calleth things that are not as if they were Rom. 4.17 Further to what you say touching God having mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardeneth I freely grant it but the Controversie is whom God hath mercy on and that is beleeving men and whom it is God hardneth and that is disobedient unbeleeving men though they be Abrahams seed that is after the flesh And this I believe was Gods righteous dealings in all ages that is to say God first manifested his tender loving kindness to them with much long patience and gentleness waiting upon them in the use of means bidding them to open their mouths wide he would fill it but those that will not hearken but reject his counsell So God gives them up to their own hearts lusts Psal 81.10 11 12. So that which should have been for their welfare is become their trap Psal 69.22 God blinds their eyes layes stumbling blocks before them gives them up to hardness of heart and Reprobates them for ever as a recompence to them for their wilful rebellion the Only cause thereof as preacheth this vein of Scriptures Pro. 1.24 25 26 27 28 29 30. Jerem. 6.16 17 21. 2 Chron.
cannot continue in his word and so no Disciples nor friends and so being not found in the old way no rest for their soules but the Lord God would have all men obey him and have respect to all his Commandments and the Lord Jesus is the Author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 Therefore he gives them that do believe power to walk up in all his Ordinances Thirdly They that do repent believe are ready to do all that the Lord commands by his Son who speaks in these last times to all men and so hearing the voice of Christ are his sheep Act 10.33 John 10. from the 4. to the 17. so have Christ which is the substance in whom all the promises are yea and amen 2 Cor. 1.20 therefore the adminstration of Ordinances and all is theirs 1 Cor. 3.22 as aforesaid Fourthly John the dipper did no miracle yet all that he spake was true John 10 41. and therefore the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves being not baptised of him so it is plain that it was a very great evil in any to refuse his Baptisme though he wrought no miracle so even so they that preach the truth according to the word are not to be rejected but received though they work no miracle for the Scriptures speaking to us is as much if not more as if a voyce from heaven spoke to us as it appears if you mind what Peter saith 2 Pet. 1.18 19. which sheweth that they heard a voyce from heaven declaring Jesus to be the Son of God and yet that we have a more sure word of the Prophets to the which we shall do well if we take heed yea we are to mind and keep the commandments of the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour even unto the last dayes when there shall be mockers which will walk after their lusts and say where is the promise of his coming and so forth Chap 3.2 3 4. From all which it is clear and plain that the Prophets and Apostles speaking in the Scriptures the commandments of the Lord are to be abeyed as if a voyce from heaven spoke to us and if we do not we sin very greivously though their be no miracles for the Apostles writing the commandments of the Lord it gives us sufficient authority for to administer Ordinances as aforesaid Fifthly Moses Law being written they that returned from the captivity of Babylon walked up in it though there was no miracle Ezra 2.63 Chap. 3.4 Neh. 8.14 No not any Preist that stood up with Vrim and Thummim neither had they extraordinary Prophets for they had not Haggai nor Zechariah when they began to build the Temple as it appeareth in the 4 of Ezra compared with the 5. ver 1 2. and Hag. 1.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Zech. 1.1 So then the law written by Moses gave full authority he being but a servant Muth more Thrists Law being written he being a Son and heire of all things we being heirs with him as we walk up after the new Covenant the everlasting Gospel Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.30 Rev. 14.6 Sixtly Beleevers in Christ holding out the Doctrine of Christ have all power to preach and to administer Ordinances yea they only are sent of Christ for John saith 2 Epistle 9.10 That he that bringeth not the Doctrine of Christ ought not be received into the house as a teacher sent of God and that he that abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God and so he directech the elect Lady and her Children how they shall know who are sent of God and they were such as did bring the Doctrine of Christ and that they which did not or do not bring the Doctrine of Christ are not sent of God so then it is not miracles alone that doth prove men to be sent of God but the Doctrine they bring proves it it is not miracles proves it for Antichrist shall work miracles 2 Thes 2.9 Rev. 13.13 14. Chap. 16.14 So then it followeth that they which bring the Doctrine of Christ are sent by Christ so as to preach and to administer the Ordinances of Christ whether they work Miracles or no they preaching the truth their Doctrine is to be received for the Samaritans beleeved when the woman of Samaria declared Christ to them Jo. 4.39 and Jesus upbraided his Disciples for their unbeleif when they beleeved not them that declared him risen from the dead Mark 16.14 And Paul rejoyceth that Christ was preached though out of envy Phil. 1.15 18. And the Scriptures are written that men might beleeve Jo. 20.31 So men beleeving as it is written they speak 2 Cor. 4.13 For no man lighteth a candle and putteth it under a bushel but on a candlestick so turning men to righteousness they shall shine as the starrs for ever and ever Dan. 12.3 If any should say the Scriptures are not the word of the Lord J say that I need not to bring arguments to prove it to be the word of the Lord for the Prophesies that foretel things to come therein God will bring to pass so as men may be convinced of the truth of it So having shewed you the matter of a Church and what a Church or congregation of Christ is as namely such as walk up in the Doctrine or Commandments of Christ in singleness of heart in fellowship in breaking of bread in prayers Act. 2.41 42. And that none ought to have communion in breaking of Bread but such as own every Principle in the Doctrine of Christ Now the next Ordinance of Christ is Breaking of Bread Now the manner of Breaking Bread is first to take Bread and to bless it in the name of the Lord and then to break it and also the Wine in the next place and bless it also and then the Congregation are to divide it among them eating and drinking of it moderately as a Supper at even or about the even having communion together discerning the Lords body for the time we are not to bind it down to an hour but it is to answer as unto a supper 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25 26. Secondly We are to bless the Wine before we eat the Bread in my understanding because the Bread being blessed distinct apart from the Cup before we eate up the Bread sets out Christs Body broken and his Blood shed before our eyes in the sign but if we eat up the Bread before we bless the Cup then we eat up the Body of Christ in the sign before we have the Cup or Blood in the sign for it is not the Cup of the new Testament untill it is blessed for it is sanctified by the word of God and set apart by Prayer yea if we eat up the Bread before we blesse the Cup we divide Christ in our feeding upon the Bread before we have the Cup therefore we ought to blesse the Bread and break it and then blesse the Cup and then
shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy Also mind well that the power to judge differences and to deale with Members lyeth in the Body the Church not in the Officers destinct a part from the Church This will plainly appear First because the Lord commands Mat. 18.17 That the offender and his offence be brought to the Church that they may judge it now the company of Elders are not the Church 1 Cor. 1.2 Therefore they have not the power apart from the Church Secondly the Apostle writing to the Church of the Corinthians commands them when they are gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver the Fornicatour that had his fathers wife to Satan 1 Cor. 5. to the 6. Mark he doth not command the Elders to do it but the Congregation being gathered together to do it therefore the power lieth not in the Elders alone but in the Congregation Thirdly The Lord Christ saith that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and their great ones exercise authority upon them but it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you shall be your servant and whosoever will be cheife of you shall be servant of all Mark 10.42 43 44. And therefore the Elders who are the cheife servants are not to exercise Lordship over their Brethen therefore not to rule without the Body the Church for if they should rule without the Body it would be like that evill that Solomon spake of Eccl. 10.7 Servants upon horses and Princes walking as servants upon the earth and so indeed it hath been and is where the Pope and Lord Bishops and Presbytery hath the power they make the members of their National Generational way slaves to serve with great burdens and many of them are very ignorant But although it be so that the power lieth in every particular Body the Church to govern according to the word of Christ yet understand that with consent the Elders and Messengers are to rule in love and are to be obeyed by every particular member they exhorting and commanding duty and declaring the sence of the Church according to the word of Christ Heb. 13.7 17. and also the Body the Church may command the Elders or Pastours and Messengers to look to their Ministry which they have received in the Lord that they fulfil it Col. 4.17 And also note it is good and safe for a particular Church in things of high concernment to call for or desire help from sister Churches and so Messengers who are to take care of all Churches in an especial manner are to go in such cases Act. 15. Quest Hath not the Magistrates power in the Church to set apart her Officers and to punish Offenders as he seeth good yea with death if he please Answ No for Christ hath not said any where that he should so do now if Christ have not said it nor it be not in the Law and Testament as it is not it may not be Isa 8.20 Heb. 1.5 Nay for the Magistrate to set apart Officers in the Church crosseth the Law of Christ which is that the Church by a free choise should set them apart as it hath been shewed before Again Magistrates may not punish offenders as in point of conscience for Christ commands the contrary Mat. 13.30 38. For there he saith that the children of the kingdome and the children of the wicked one shall both grow together in the field of the world till the end yea the Jewes that blaspeme against Christ are to be suffered for they are beloved of God for their fathers sake though they be enemies to the Gospel Rom. 11.28 and when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in all Israel shall be saved as it is written ver 25 26. So then the Jewes be to have liberty that is plain therefore all ought to have liberty of conscience that 's as plain So then the Magistrate hath not any power in the Church more then any other member but the power lieth in the whole Church to cast out offenders as hath been shewed but in all civil affaires as all sins against the second Table yea in all things that be civil that helongs to the Common-wealth the Magistrate is supreme and the whole Church is to obey him and honour him as the supreme in every civil thing for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 14 15. paying custome to whom custome belongeth and tribute as he or they hath and doth appoint Mat. 22.21 Rom. 13. from ver 1. to 10. Yea let them not dispute who is Cheif Magistrate no not by any means by warr but rather submit to the cheif Magistrate in being in every Nation So then from all this that hath been said it doth appear and that very clearly yea most excellently from the Scriptures of truth that God is a God of love and mercy and is long suffering and the riches of his goodness and bounty doth abound most freely and graciously towards all men and would have none perish but would have all come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved and that the way of Christ is a way of love in that he laid down his life for all men yea though they were and are enemies he tenders the word of the Gospel even glad tydings of peace beseeching by himself and by his servants though they do abuse them to be reconciled to God O how meek and lowly in heart was the Lord Jesus how doth his love and goodness appear in that he being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with him made himself of no reputation and took upon him the forme of a servant and was made in the likeness of man and being found in the fashion of a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross And so the Lord of life and Glory by whom all things were created beseecheth the creature to be reconciled to God and so to obey him in love and walk up in the way of the Gospel which is a way of love for the love of God being spread abroad in the heart men having from the God of love received gifts the love of Christ constraineth to preach the Gospel and to feed the flock of Christ and to seek up them that go astray and the Saints in love minister and communicate unto them what they want and so Ministers are chosen in love and their Doctrin is heard in love and received in love and the poor relieved in love and them that sin are dealt with in love and their meetings of the Church and feasts are in love and their Communion in Breaking of Bread is in love so al duty is to be done without murmurings and disputings in love so Faith in Christ is available working by love so the children of God receive the kingdome as a reward in
love given by the God of love so all the way of Christ is a way of love his word is the Doctrine of love So let all the Saints conclude with the Spouse his mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 And so this way of love which is the good old way of the Gospel was of old at first confirmed by signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will Heb. 2.4 Therefore let every man in the fear of God walk therein and they shall find rest for their Souls Jer. 6.16 Yea let every member of the Church of Christ put on the whole Armour of God having their loynes girt about with truth and their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace and praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance Eph. 5.13 14.15 16 17 18. O that every one would lay it to heart and with fear and trembling work out their Salvation for in these last dayes will be perrilous times 2 Tim. 3.1 and many that have tasted of the good word of God and been enlightned so as to beleeve the truth will fall away from grace yea from the true faith so as that eternal death will be their portion yea some have fallen from the faith therefore it is no new thing First the warnings in Scripture proves this exhorting men to take heed that they do not fall away from the grace of God Heb. 12.15 and these warnings and exhortations are given to such as have received the truth so as to believe as it appeareth Heb. 2.1 1 Cor 10. from 6. to 12. Heb. 3.12 reads it thus Take heed Brethren least at any time there be in any of you an evil heart and unfaithful to depart away from the living God Heb. 4.1 2 Pet. 1.5 Chap. 3.1 2 3. Jude 3. Rev. 3.2 3. All these are warnings given in Scripture and very many more might be brought which exhort men to take heed that they do not depart from the truth which would be in vain 2 Cor. 6.1 if men could not fall away therefore they may 1 Thes 3.5 Secondly Threatnings if any do fall away prove this Rev. 2.21 22 23. Hebr. 10.26 reads it thus If we sin willingly after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sin and chap. 6.4 5 6. is very full to this purpose 2 Pet. 2.20 21. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn fom the holy commandment delivered unto them Rev. 3.3 Ezek. 18.26 you may read also which plainly proves this point Thirdly This appears by examples in Scriptrue of some that did fall away from the truth yea from the true faith as Judas Matth. 26.25 Acts 1.17 18. and Demas 2 Tim. 4.10 and Balaam who spake excellent things by the help of the Spirit of God as the other Prophets of the Lord Numb 24. Jude 11 12. and some making shipwrack of faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 and Hymeneus and Phyletus who concerning the truth have erred saying the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.17 18. Fourthly The Scripture speaking prophetically faith expresly That in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith 1 Tim. 4.1 and 2 Tim 4.3 4. and 2 Thes 2.10 2 Pet. 2.1 Jud. 14 15 16. All these Scriptures do foretell of some yea many in the latter times shall fall away so as to depart from the faith and give heed to Doctrines of Devils and shall privily bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and many more places might be brought for this purpose Fifthly The Metaphors and Proverbs in Scripture proves this also as Prov. 26.11 Mat. 5.13 Mark 9.49 50. and Mat. 12.43 44. and 2 Pet. 2.20 21. that in Peter sheweth that they which have been freed of their vomit and have been washed yet turned as a Dog to it again as a Dog to the vomit again and the Sow to the wallowing in the mire Sixthly if this were not so no man could sin against the Spirit nor none could be Reprobates for the sin against the Spirit is a sin of knowledge and against the conscience they do that which they are convinced they ought not to do as it appeareth Mark 3.22 to 31. compared with John 7.20 28. And also no man can be a Reprobate except he have known the truth or sinned willingly against that he knoweth as it appears Rom. 1.28 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Tim. 3.8 Object But it is but a seeming faith they fall from as the Scripture saith Luk. 8.18 That shall be taken from him which he seemeth to have Answ That if it be but a seeming faith then they do well in falling from it but Paul saith to Timothy 1 Tim. 1.19 That some did make Shipwrack of Faith and a good conscience and he exhorteth Timothy to abide in that faith which others have made Shipwrack of And for that in Luke 8. the sence of it is that they that do enjoy the light or talent that is given them so as to hear the truth and seem to make a good use of it but do it not I say God will take away that Talent or light because he seemes to improve it but doth it not that this is so it will appear if you compare Luk. 8.16 17 18. with Mat. 13.12 and Chap. 25. from vers 24. to 30. Object But Paul saith that he is perswaded That neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor things present nor things to come nor any things could separate him from the love of God also he demands Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for God Justifieth Rom. 8. Answ Paul as he is a believer is parswaded that nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ and so are all true believers perswaded but if they depart from the faith nay if they do not go on adding to their faith vertue and knowledge c. as it is 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. they lose that perswasion as Paul acknowledgeth that he himself might become a cast-away if he kept not his body under subjection 1 Cor. 9.29 It is true none can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for God doth and will justifie but there is no man or woman Elected but in and through beleeving 2 Thes 2.13 as it hath been shewed and will appear if you mind the Scriptures for the Apostle tells the Ephesians that they were Elected yet the Lord Jesus saith to them Rev. 25. that if they do not
There the Apostle sheweth that he would not have us ignorant of this Mystery least we should be wise in our own conceits that blindnesse in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall be saved as it is written Fourthly These Scriptures in the 11 of Isa 11. to the end and chap. 59.20 21. chap. 66.8 9 10. and Jer. 31. and Ezek. 37. and the Covenant in this place spoken of doth belong to the house of Israel and the house of Judah and that will plainly appear if you note well those Scriptures mentioned for Paul sheweth us in the 11. of the Romans All Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion the Delieverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob for this is my Covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins So the Apostle speaking of the 59 of Isai the .20 applying it only to the house of Israel and that the Covenant of the Lord is to them so as to take away their sins yea it is plain that he speaks of the house of Israel after the flesh because he saith as concerning the Gospel they are Enemies for your sakes but as touching the Election they are beloved for the fathers sake so you may see as concerning the Gospel they are Enemies but as touching the Election they are beloved for the Fathers sakes that is for Abraham Isaac and Jacob sakes for the Lords Covenant is with them and so they are chosen yea he speaks of them which should come of them which then were concluded in unbelief ver 32. which was the Jewes therefore he speaks not of the Converted Gentiles but of the house of Israel according to the flesh for the gifts and callings of God are without repentance vers 33. So I say the Lord God hath determined to call Israel and of this he will never repent Again this doth further appear that God will call again Israel after the flesh and teach them according to the new Covenant so they shall know him and worship him in spirit and in truth for Zechariah saith Thus saith the Lord of Hosts it shall yet come to pass that there shall come people and the Inhabitants of many Cityes and the Inhabitants of one City shall go to another saying let us go speedly to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of Hosts I will go also Yea many People and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord Thus saith the Lord of Hosts in those dayes it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all Languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the the skirt of him that is a Jew saying we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Zech. 8.20 21 22 23. And Micah faith in the last days it shall come to pass that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it And many Nations shall come and say come and let us go up to the mountaine of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his paths for the Law shall go forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Chap. 4.1 2. But now men say that these Scriptures were fulfilled when Judah retured from Babylon for the Jewes after their return from Babylon never enjoyed such things unto this day search and see and these Scriptures say that they shall be fulfilled in the last dayes and the Scriptures do not call them the last dayes that were before Christ came in the flesh therefore not fulfilled but before the house of Israel shall be called so as to believe the Gospel as it hath been shewed the Gospel of the king dome must be preached in all the world for a witness unto all Nations Mat. 24.14 according to Revel 14.6 And I saw another Angel flie in the middest of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every Nation and kindred and tongue and people And this must be a little before and in the time of the fall of the Whore of Babylon and the rising of the man of sin the Antichrist as appeareth in vers the 8 9. And to this agreeth Mark 13.10 The Gospel must first be preached among all Nations compared with Mat. 24.14 and then the end shall be So the Gospel a little before the end shall be preached in the pure way thereof to all Nations so the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in But it doth and will so come to pass that now in this last of the last dayes the Gospel that is and shall be preached in the pure way thereof and the Whore of Babylon falling that the spirit of Antichrist doth and will more and more appear and the Antichrist the Man of Sin will come forth whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders 2. Thes 2. for the Antichrist or Man of Sin is not the Whore of Babylon and for the right understanding of this truth mark well these seven Particulars 1. First Who is this great Whore of Babylon and where her chief seat hath been and is 2. Secondly Her fall and the means how and by whom 3. Thirdly What is the spirit of Antichrist and who hath that spirit 4. Fourthly That the Antichrist will be a single person 5. Fifthly The manner of his rising and when 6. Sixthly Some of the great things he will doe 7. Lastly His fall when and by whom Of these things in order But first I freely confess That many honest men fearing God in those latter times have been mistaken in saying that the Romish Whore of Babylon is the Antichrist that the Scripture speaks of but men may see in this latter part of the last time with a diligent and serious search of the Scriptures through grace that the great Whore of Babylon is not the Antichrist And it being so that God having shewed it me through the Scriptures I being not accounted of in the world knowing that God doth great things by them that are not esteemed among men that no flesh should glory c. And considering that this which I do in this work may be seasonable and for much profit to the People of God and for the praise and glory of God I shall shew in brief that the Whore is not the Antichrist And for the clearing up of this truth First you may see who this great Whore of Babylon is by noting her chief seat where it is and that is at Rome for John saith Rev. 17. That the great Whore of Babylon which sitteth upon many Waters is that City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth