some such as it is For first for gaine or preferment they will obscure betray sell Christ the Truth yea fight against him with errours and arguments wrest the Word to theire eronious tenets that is in effect to proue him errour and his father a liar like mercenarie Souldiers that will fight of that side which giues them most pay and then they haue wisdom to get greate ones of theire side to hinder others from confuting them and to keepe the people from knowledge that so they also may fall the sooner to theire partie and by theese things to deale trecherously with God as also by peruerting the Articles to make if they could theire mother an adultresse and the present Church of England as adulterous in Religion as themselues to extenuate the heinousnes of Poperie to draw our Religion neerer to it and thereby to get the Romish Aduersaries freinds in Court and Vniuersities by seditious whisperings to alienate the heart of the Prince from his most Religious and Truth seeking Subiects to get Parliaments dissolued and so ouerthrow a cheife remedie vnder God to deuide a Kingdom at vnitie in it selfe to fire all soe they may but get theire Princes fauour to rule for theire owne times and by all theese things to throw Churches Kingdoms and States into destruction to prouoke God to powre out his plauges vpon vs If this be theire wisdom and discretion surely it is not sapere adsobrietatem Iam. 3.15.17 it comes not from aboue it is not pure peaceable but earthly sensuall and deuilish But they haue one point of wisdom more to shew if not by all theese yet at least by stopping theire owne eares and other mens also what they can against the voice of the charmer by disputing and fighting against the Truth that they are not of the Truth nor of his Kingdom but of a contrarie that they ranne gredily after the errour of Balaam for reward and will perish in the gainsaying of Core vnlesse they repent Iude 11. For Christ saith Toleâ— in Ioan. 18. Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Tolet. Therefore the Iewes beleeue not me not because I speake not true things but because they are not of the Truth It is a like saying Joh. 3. he that doth truth commeth to the light Rom. 2. 2. Thes 1.7.8 But to them that are contentious and doe not obey the Truth but obey vnrighteousnesse indignation and wrath Which indeede they will finde when Christ commeth taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospell who shall be punished with euerlasting destruction c. Reu. 14.9.10.11 vers 12. As is saide to those his enemies that would not that he should raigne ouer them and to them that receiue the marke of the Beast and worship him and his Image in receiuing and obeying for doctrines theire commandements and traditions as they would haue all doe or suffer for refusing theÌ„ a greate triall therefore it is there added Here is the patience of the Saints Character of a Chrâ—stian pag. 282. 292. Here are they that keepe the coÌ„mandemeÌ„ts of God the faith of Iesus They that are theires heare theÌ„ * but they that are Christs will in matters of faith saluatioÌ„ only heare him as he saith Euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice Augustine Aug. in Ioan. trac 115. gratiam commendauit c. He hath commended the grace whereby he calleth according to his purpose of the which purpose the Apostle speaketh All thingâ—s worke together for good to them who are called according to his purpose to wit according to the purpose of the caller not of the called He hath called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace without doubt noe merrits goeing before least grace should not be grace For if he bad saide Euerie one which heareth my voice is of the truth he should haue beene thought to haue beene named of the Truth because he obeieth the Truth He saith not this but thus Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice And hereby he is not therefore of the Truth because he heareth his voice but he therefore heareth because he is of the Truth that is because the Truth conferreth this gift on him which what other thinge is it then Christ giueing him the gift he beleeueth in Christ This he manifests against the proud and pestilent errour of the Pelagians which taketh from God the glorie of his free grace power in election calling conuersion c. And giues theese things to theire owne free will and Foreseene faith and works and by such disputes against the Truth proue that which they denie viz. that they themselues can not heare beleene obey the truth because it is not giuen them of God because they are not Christs as he saith Ioh. 10.26.27 Ye beleeue not because ye are not of my Sheepe My Sheepe heare my voice that is because they are of me chosen in me Ioh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods words ye therefore heare them not because ye are not of God That is indeede because ye are not of Gods elect and so of the Truth 1. Ioh. 2.19 and called according to his purpose They went out from vs because they were not of vs Act. 13.48 Act. 2.42 vers 47. for if they had beene of vs they would haue continued with vs c. As many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued Such continue stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine as is expressed there Such as should be saued Others that are not so of the Truth doe not only the elect and called as he saith Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Tolet in Ioan. 18. vide ó Pilate quos audis contra me qui ex veritute noÌ„ sunt Tolet. Behold ô Pilate whome thou hearest against me those that are not of the Truth So indeede of Papists Pelagians and other Hereticks Christ may complaine and say Behold ô ye Princes and people whome ye heare against me 2. Tim. 2.19 Ioh. 10. those that are not of the Truth The LORD knoweth them that are his Christ saith I know my sheepe that is who are giuen me who shall heare my voice and who not Act. 18.10 Yet true it is that meÌ„ commonly iudge of the tree by the fruite and so that those are not of God who heare not Gods words likewise of others because they doe heare his voice they are of the Truth 1. Ioh. 4.6 and this is good and if not opposed to the former noe way amisse He that knoweth God heareth vs he that is not of God heareth not vs hereby know wee the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of errour For Christ is knowne * Ioh. 10.14.27 Character of a Christian pag. 329. of his and when they know the Truth the Truth maketh them free free from
things which are held abonte them But righteousnesse and peace c. Soe may it be saide for other traditions and preceps of men the Kingdom of God is not the single life of Romish Preists theire obserued fasts and feasts inuocation of Saints the Popes succession in Peters chaiâ—e as head of the Church priuate masses drawing Soules out of purgatorie and the like which as themselues confesse are not commaunded in the Word but righteousnes peace and all such things as are taught in the Gospell Ministers must be faithfull Stewards and dispensers thereof by preaching and others that haue the gift by perswading exhorting writing and the like As euery man hath receiued the gift 1. Pet. 4.10 euen so should he minister the same vnto another as good steward of the manifold grace of God He that had one talent dit not so others did The Citizens in the parable that hated him and saide wee will not haue this man to raigne ouer vs were such as opposed the Woâ—d or any part or portion thereof deliuered in tâ—â—ents hâ—ting the light manifested by them which is to despise and reâ—ect him the Word that commeth to rule theire hearts to enlighten them and raigne there of whome therefore he saith Those mine eâ—emies that would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. All which proofes of Gods Kingdom duely considered doe manifest that the Pope and church of Rome doe grosely deceiue and are deceiued The Pope can not be Christs Vicar nor the Church of Rome his Kingdom who oppose the Word of grace reuealed in teaching for doctrines those precepts traditions of men aboue mentioued and diuers other strange doctrines of free will ignorance force of theire traditions merrits worshipping of Images with many the like not commaunded but forbidden and confuted in the Word and yet beaâ—e the World in hand that the Pope is Christs vicaâ—generall head of the church that the church of Rome is the true church of Chrâ—st and so that Rome is the seate of Christs Kingdom that Gods Kingdom is there when yet God by the Apostles saith 2. Ioh 9. 1. Tim. 6.3 He that abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the wholesome words euen to the words of our Lord Iesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlinesse he is proud knowing nothing the man of sinne and his ministers proud aboue all other hereticks and ye see Gods Kingdom is there only where though men so nâ—ime sinne of infirmitie yet as is requiâ—ed the Word of God is consented to receiued in all things not reiected in any thinge it teaches From all which wee may reason thus Christ is the Word reuealed in Scriptures and that Word aloâ—e must rule in all matters of faith and saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall not consent to that Word in all matters of faith and saluation but shall of his owne pretended authoritie set vp for doctrines any that are not taught in the Word or that are new or contrarie therevnto he is rebellious and an vsurping Autichrist and he that doth it in most points and so as none other doth he is the grand Antichrist But the Pope doth nâ—t consent to that Word in all matters of faith and saluation but of his owne pretended authority sets vp for Doctrines many others that are not taught in the Word and that are new and contrarie therevnto therefore he is rebellious and an vsurping Antichrist yea the grand Antichrist because he doth it in more points then euer any did and so as none euer did as in those perticulars aboue mentioned diuers others which wee shall haue occasion to pâ—oue in the sequell here it needes not because also many haue sufficiently donne it Now from this proposition and conclusion followes another They that doe not consent to the Word in all matters of faith and saluation but receiue for Doctrines those new and contrarie precepts of the Pope which he of his owne pretended authoriâ—ie sets vp they are conspiring rebels and giue him the Kingdom he power and the glory of commaunding and beeing obeyed in such things But the Papists doe not consent to the Word in all matters of faith and saluation but receiue for Doctrines those new and contrarie precepts of the Pope which he of his owne pretended authoriâ—â—e sets vp therefore they are conspiring Rebels and giue him the Kingdom the Power and the gloâ—â—e of commaundâ—ng and beeing obeyed in such things Both theese are so manifestly true that all that are of any reasonable vnderstanding must needes perceiue and confesse as much vnlesse because they haue not receiued the Loue of the Truth nor continued in the Word they can not know the Truth but are by God giuen ouer to beleeâ—e lies or because they teaching or receâ—â—ing for doctrines precepts of men the wisdom of theire wâ—se men iâ— hid and they in Gods iust iudgment are giuen ouer â—o such blindnes that they can not see things see euident that is to say Rom. 10.11 Psa 66.7 that they are rebellious and conspiring vsurpers a disobedient and gainesaying people * Psal 33.6 Heb. 1.3 Rom 1.16 1. Cor. 1.18 Heb. 1.3 2. Peâ— 3.7 see Character of a Christian pag. 47. For God ruleth by his power for euer that is by the Word which is his power whereby he hath made gouernned and vpheld all things and Christ is that Word the power of God and the wisdom of God 1. Cor. 1.24 therefore when he had saide he ruleth by his power for euer his eyes behold the nations who obey it and who not he addeth let not the rebellions exalt themselues viz. against it or aboue it in any point as psa 107.11 they rebelled against the words of God that is against the power by which he ruleth against Christ But in the Pope of Romes Kingdom the Word is not consented to â—n all things as is requâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 Tim. 6.3 But reiected and opposed he * IdeÌ„ pag. 249. 293. and they are rebellious and exalt themselues against the word in many greate maâ—ters of saith and saluation which it teacheth and so aboue all that is called God so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God as God shewing himselfe that he is God viz. most maister in theese things one whose Word is the supreame law must be beleeued and obeied which the Turke doth not he giues not foorth his words for lawes binding the conscience in matters of faith and saluation as the Pope doth and soe taketh the Kingdom the power and glorie from God and his Word to himselfe and his errours therefore Gods Kingdom is not in the Romish church the Pope is an vsurper and Papists that defend or follow his lawes and doctrines against the Word are rebellious conspirators giueing to the Pope Christs gouernment the Kingdom the power and the glorie choosing rather to be ruled by him
be delivered to the Iewes but now is my Kingdom not from hence Pilate therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered Thou sayeest that I am a King To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice THAT which S. Paul saith of all holy Scripture 2. Tim. 3.15 can not but be verified in this that it is giueÌ„ by inspiratioÌ„ of God and is proffitable for doctrine for reproefe for correction for instruction in righteousnes That the man of God may be perfect because in saying that Iesus Christ witnessed a GOOD confession before Pontius Pilate 1. Tim. 5.6.13 he must needes haue respect to this here prefixed for there is noe other mencioned by all the other Euangelist saue this that when Pilate asked him Art thou the Kinge of the Iewes he answered him Thou saist it Which is comprehended in this confession recorded by S. Iohn for theese words of our Sauiour Christ spokeÌ„ in the morning of his PassioÌ„ vnto Pilate sitting in the iugemeÌ„t hall are an answer to that questioÌ„ asked by Pilate in the forgoeing vers Ioh. 18.13 Art thou the King of the Iewes to which questioÌ„ Christ answers first by a question neither plainely affirming himselfe to be the King of the Iewes least beeing misâ—enderstood of the worldly Kingdom he should offer them some shew of cause of putting him to death because that Kingdom was accounted CÄ™sars nor yet denying the truth but rather confessing and implying himselfe to be a King saying Sayest thou this thing of thy selfe or did others tell it thee of me vers 34. As if he saide Doest thou thy selfe imagin it doest thou thinke it or haue others told it to thee that I am a King or haue made my selfe one that thou askest me this question either as thinking me to be King of the Iewes or seeking to haue wherewithall to condemne me doest thou aske this question of thy selfe to get matter out of my owne mouth against me as the high Preist did Vers 35. or did others tell it thee of mee At which manner of speaking Pilate somwhat offended answered Am I a Iew that is either in opinion and religion as some are who thinke thee to be the King of the Iewes Math. 27.17 and their expected King or Messiah as he saith who is called Christ and whom yee call King of the Iewes or in mallice as others are who beeing of a contrarie faith hate thee and seek thy life because thou art thought to be that King and better then themselues they therfore make it matter of accusation I though a Gentile and Cesars Deputie haue not sought out this thinge nor thee to finde matter against thee Ioh. 18.35 but thine owne natioÌ„ the cheifs Preists haue deliuered thee vnto me As if he saide The enuie is not mine but theires for he know that for enuie they had deliuered him Mat. 27.18 Yet to satiffie them in examining him he addeth What hast thou donne as if he saide to make thy selfe King of the Iewes and thereby an offendour against Cesar To which Iesus then answered more directly and plainely saying My Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were c. The causes of this Confession THE causes that both moued Pilate to examin him vpon this point and Christ to make this answer were the invectiue exclamations and accusatioÌ„s of his obstinate enemies the Iewes who saide Wee found this fellow peruerting the nation and forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar saying that he himselfe is Christ a King They here accuse him of three things 1. They say they found him peruerting the nation 2. Forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar 3. Saying that himselfe is Christ a King Or if you will they accuse him of perverting the nation which they would seeme to proue by theese two that he forbiddeth to giue tribute to Cesar and that he saith that himselfe is Christ a King That of the tribute was a most false accusation and only a charging of him with that which they would haue had him to say not with that which he did say for when they fauninglie applauded his integritie and the truth of his doctrine then they saide Tell vs therfore what thinkest thou Mat. 22 16. Is it lawfull to giue tribute vnto Cesar or not But he perceiuing theire wickednes saide Why tempt ye me ye hypocrits Ye that pretend that ye thinke me true and that I teach the way of God in truth that in respect of it I care not for any man nor regard the person of man so as for mans sake to bauke or wrest the truth of God A thing indeed as odious wicked and detestable as theire dissembling who doe not now speake lies in hypocrisie but truth in hypocrisie for what they saide of Christ was noe lie he was true taught the way fo God in truth and in respect thereof cared not for any man but was indeed Doctor resolutus and therein a perfect patterne for all his Elect to imitate as besides oâ—her times appeared now in his confession first before the high Preist and after before Pilate where he would speake the tâ—uth though he knew it would cost him his life and yet as they speake these words they are lies yea they are also lies spoken in hypocrisie because they doe not speake the truth that is in theire heart they doe not thinke as they speake but speake against their seared consciences which will needes be perswaded notwithstanding all good proefes of life myracles and doctrine that he is a deceiuer or if some of them were thereby conuicted in their consciences that he was true c. yet they enuie and hate him for these things there is noe loue noe desire to learne or be informed but rather to catch and ensnare and soe noe truth but trocherie in theese their speeches and euen in that respect they are Hipocrits and Liars conuicted for examples to vs and that by Christ himselfe who at the generall day will thus iudge of all that speake well to an ill ende He asketh to see the tribute money they shew him he asketh whose Image and superscription it is They say vnto him Cesars Mâ—t. 22. Then saith he vnto them giue vnto Cesar the things that are Cesars * Caesari nummos Deo vosipsos Aug. in Ioan Tract 40. and vnto God the things that are Gods This is not to forbid tribute to Cesar they could proue noe such thinge out of theese words Pilate hâ—mselfe that heard all they could suggest cleares him hereof while after examination he saith I finde noe fault in this man They therefore knowing they could not pâ—oue it directly goe about in thâ—s theire accusation to proue it indirectly and by consequence saying Wee found this fellow peruerting the nation and forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar saying
death of a high Preâ—st who shall be the verâ— Word of Gâ—d voide of all â—nne as well willing as vnwiâ—â—ing whose Father sâ—ould be God and this Word shall be the Fathers wâ—sâ—em by which all things â—n this world were created Now that Christ Iesus was this Word incarnate That Iesus was the word the true Messiah whâ—ch as Iohn saith reuealeth the Father our Saâ—â—our himselfe further proueth while when he had shewed himselâ—e to be the Word and therein the Sonne of God as aboue saide to those Iewes that counted this blasphemie he added Ioh. 10.36.37.38 If I dâ—e not the workes of my Father beleeue me not But if I doe though ye beleeue not me beleeue the workes that ye may know and beleeue that the Father is in me and I in him As if he saide the works proue it Theâ—efore in another place he saith I haue a greater wiâ—nesse then that of Iohn Ioh. 5 3â— for the works which the Father hath giuen me to finâ—sh the same works that I doe beare witnesse of me that the Father hath sent me and c. Now therefore let vs take a short view of some few of those works or witnesses to see how they proue it and so proceede to the rest of the confession before Pilate Luk. 11.13 When he had cast out a Deuil out of one that was dumbe some of them saide he casteth out Deuils through Beelzebub the cheife of the Deuils to which he answered But if I with the finger of God cast out Deuils noe doub but the Kingdom of God is come vpon you that is noâ— doubt but the Word is now incarnate which should come and rule for God for the Word is the finger Arms or power by which he made and gâ—â—erned all things Psa 66. Luk. 4.33 He ruleâ—h by his power for euer Theâ—efore the Messiah who was to beâ—hâ—s Power â—s come and worketh by â—t becauseâ— by that power cast out Deuils Therefore â—n the Sâ—nagouge the Deuil in one posessed criâ—d out what haue wee to doe wiâ—h thee thou Iesâ—s of Nazareth â—rt thou câ—me to destroy vs I know thee who thouâ—rt the holy one of God And Iesâ—s rebâ—ked him sâ—ying Hoâ—d thy peace and come out of him And when the Deuil hâ—d hrowen him in the midst he came out of him And they were all amazed and spake amonge themselues saying * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What a Word is thâ—â— Our Euangelâ—st will answer All things were mâ—de by him In him was life and the life was the light of men The life of the Word was here manifested in the sight of many while so greate a miracle was donne thereby and the liâ—e was the light of men to theiâ—e convertion whâ—le in amazement they say What a Word is this for with authority and power he commaundeth â—he vncleane spirits and thâ—y come out The Euang list will answer againe The wâ—rd was made flesh and wee behold his glorie the glorie as of the only bego tâ—n of the Father full of grâ—ce and truth vers 32. And so when he â—auâ—ht Thâ—y were astonâ—â—d at his dâ—ctrine for his word was with power There was life therein accoâ—ding aâ— Châ—â—st saiâ—e The words thâ—â— I speake they are Spiriâ— and they are life yea eternall life Ioh 12 5â— as Peter saiâ—h Thou hast the words of etâ—rn â—ll life and wee beleeue viz. and therefore wee bâ—leâ—ue and are sure thâ— uâ—râ— the Christ the Sonne of the liueing God Sâ—â—nt Mathew saith Mat. 8.17 Thâ—y brought to him many that were posessed with Deuils and he cast out the Spirits wiâ—h his Word and healed all that were sieck wiâ—h his Word that is with the power by which God the Father worketh Io◠〈◊〉 .5 At the poole of Bethesda there was a Man that had â—â—en lame eight and thirâ—ie yeares Iesus saiâ—h vnto him Rise take vp thy Bed and walke And immediately the man was made whole and walked This could be donne by noe other then the Word of God whereof the Psalmist saith when theire Fathers were in like distresse psa 107 20. He sent his Word and healed them Vpon this myracle there was greate dispute betweene our Sauiour and the Iewes Aug. in Ioan. Tract 19.20.21 c. whereâ—n he proued himselfe to be the Word of the Father as Saint Avgustin shâ—weth on that Gospel See also the Character of a Christian. pag 63. c. Iesâ—s with clay made of spiâ—te healed a man that was bâ—rne blinde Ioh. 9.6 Veâ—â— 3â— 3â— Which man beeing brought befoâ—e the Phariâ—es reasoned thuâ— Wee know that God heareth not sinners but if a man be a worshipper of God and doe his will him he heareth Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of the blinde If this man were not of God he could doe nothing This vnlearned man could not giue such diuine proofes but by Gods Spirit that thus makes the Pharises his aduersaries more inexcusable Lazarus had lien fower dayes in the graue And when Iesus was come with Martha Marie and diuers Iewes to the place where they had layed him at last Ioh. 11.30 He cried with a loude voice Lazarus come forth And he that was dead came forth Vers 43. What Word could dâ—â—e this or any worke so greate but the mightie Woâ—d of God which made the World If then Ieâ—us did it by his Word it is plaine that in him the Word was made flesh and they saw the glâ—rie thereof in this myracle the glorie as of the only begotten of God But that he did it is manifest for some of the Iewes that saw it went theire wayes to the Pharises and told them Vâ—rs 46.47 therevpon the Cheife Preists gathered a counsell and saide What doe wee for this man doth many miracles If wee let him thus alone Vers 53. all men â—ill beleeue on him And the Romans shall come and take away both our place and Nations From that day they tooke counsâ—ll to put him to death and did it But this polecie brought on them the iudgement it went abâ—ute to preuent and so must all such polecies needes doe which for worldlâ—e respects any way hinder Gods Kingdom Now then seeing Iesus did so greate workes by his Word it is plaine that he was the Word and that Word the Sonne that should come in the flesh and be the Mâ—ssiah Which thinge the Father himselfe openly witnessed by voices from Heaven first at his Baptisme when he came out of the water Mat. â—3 16 and loe a voice from Heauen saying Ioh. 1.33 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Iohn Baptist heard this and thâ—n saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a doue and therefore bare record that this is the Sonne of God Now noe man could except against Iohns testimonie he was so generally beleeued to be holy iust and a Propheâ— Agaâ—ne when Iesus praied Father gloriâ—ie
thy Name Ioh. 12.28 Then came here a voice from heauen saying I haâ—e glorifie bit and will glorifie it again He had glorified the word which is also the Fathers Name because it is his word when so greate myracles were denne by it and so many conueâ—ted thereby and so it was glorified againe after his death by the miâ—istrie of his Apostles and others to the healing of many and the conuersion of millions of people Lastly at his transfiguration on the mount Mat. 17.5 beholdâ— a voice out of the cloude which saide This is my beloued Sonne in whome I â—m well pleased heare ye him As if he saide for he is the promised woâ—d To his Apostles which heard him were witnesses of his resurrection he gaue commissioÌ„ to preach to all nations and so his myracles Heb. 2.3.4 life doctrine and resurrection were confirmed to â—s by them that heard him who also sealed the Truth of all with theire bloods God also bearing them witnes both with signes and wonders and with diuers myracles and gifts of the holy Ghost As the heaâ—ing of a man lame from his mothers wombe and many others manifested to his and theiâ—e aduersaries All which proued that Iesus was as he taught the word and that word the Sonne the Messiah which was to come and that he did not blaspheme when he câ—â—fest as much to the high Priest Mat. 26.69 For this yet doe they pâ—esently spit in his fâ—ce buffet hâ—m smite reuile him and leade him a â—ay to Pilate to be for this only thinge put to death this beeing all they could proue or he finde and that not that he made himselfe a temporall Kinge but spiritual for when he vâ—ged him with theese words Art thou the King of the Iewes what hast thou donne Iesus answered my Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were of this world c. and when Pilate gathering by theese words that he confest himselfe to be a King therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered thou sâ—iest that I am a Kinge As if he saide and I must not denie it for to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice This then beeing his plaine answer concerning his Kingdom and the true subjects thereof wee may consider in this confession theese things 1. A KingdoÌ„ acknowledged in theese words my Kingdom which are thrice repeated in the former of theese verses 2. That this Kingdom is not of this world as he saith my Kingdâ—â— is not of this world â— A proofe or reason thereof in theese words for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my subiects fight that I should not be deliâ—ered to the Iewes 4 A conclusion following from the premises in theese words but now is my Kingdom not from hence In the first there is the Kingdom of the Messiah and that claimed by out Sauiour who here calleth it his as he saith my Kingdom First then wee will endeauour to finde out of the old Testament what the Kingdom of the Messiah was to be whether spirituall or temporall and where the seate thereof should be And secondly whether this Kingdom properly belonge to Iesus the Sonne of Marie who claimes it while he confesseth himselfe to be the Christ and saith my Kingdom Where first ye know it is already manifested The Kingdom of the Messiah that the Mâ—ssiah was to be the Word and that therefore his Kingdom and gouernment must needes be spirituall ruling mens soules for God his Fatheâ— as was proued from tho second Psalme where indeed the Father also calleth him his Kinge that is one ruling for him saying I haue set my Kinge vpon my holy hill of Sion psa 2. Isa 40.10 where also while he saith my holy hill of Sion he sheweth it to be his Kingdom So of the Father it is saide His Arme that is his word shall rale for him It is his Kingdom for the Kingdom is the Lords and he is the Gouerno or of his people Therefore it is added vers 11. He shall feede hâ—s flocke like a Shepheard he shall gather the Lambes with his Arme to shew that Christ succeedes Dauid as a Shepheard of the people feeding theÌ„ with the spirituall foode of the word Fzech 34.23 chap. 37.21.24 and so ruleth in his throne spiritually He shoul be theire Shepheard â—zek 34.23 and Chap. 2â— 22.24 So Dauid saith The Lord saide vnto my Lord sit thou on my right hand that is rule thou for me vntil I make hâ—â—â— enemies thy footestoole psa 110.1 Thereby intimating that all enemâ—es of the word shall be either subiected to the word or confounded thereby Therefore it is added vers 2. The Lord shall seâ—de the Râ—d of thy strength viz. the Word out of Zionâ— to this word therefore he there speaketh saying Rule thou in the middest of thine eâ—emâ—es Isa 2. Mic. 4. aâ—cording to that of the Prophets Isaiah and Micah Thâ— Lâ—â—â— shall gâ—efoorâ—h of Sion anâ— the word of the Lord out of Hierâ—sâ—em Aâ—d he shall iudge â—monge the Nations He the word shall as the Father saith Miâ—e Arme thaâ— is my Word shal iudge the people From which places wee may see that this Kingdom was to begin to be preached in Sion and Ierusalem vnto it was the Kingdom and dominion first to comâ— Mica 4.8 and thence to goe Foorth into all the World haâ—eâ—ng noe other certaine seate then there wheresoeuer the Word should enlighten and rule the Soules of men Isa 42.6 therefore the Lord saith to him I will giue thee for a couenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to vpâ—n the blinde eyes c. Isa 55.3.4 And in another place I will make an euerlasting couenant with you euen the suâ—e Mercies of Dauid Behold I haue giuen hiâ— viz. the Word or couenant For a witnesse to the people a leader and a commaunder to the people Viz. a spirituall leader therefore he saith to him in the following words vers 5. Behoâ—d thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not and nations that knew not thee shall runne vnto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the holy one of Israel for he hath glorified thee this then is the gloâ—ie that he giâ—es the Messiah who is the Word that he should call nations to the knowledge and obedience of the Woâ—d therefore in this sense God saith to the Word in the second Psalme Psa 2.8.9 Ask of me and I will giue thee the heathen For thâ—ne inheritance and the vâ—termâ—st parts of the earth for thy posession the most remote nations shall come to the knowledge and obedience of thee or else as it is added Thou shalt bâ—eake them with a Rod of yron that is with thy owne power as he saith elsewhere with the Rod of thy
naturall power is the cause of Predestination and soe in effect of redemption of vocation iustification glorification all which theire grosse errours beeing also followed and mantained by the Arminians of our times as the * Pelagius rediuiuus Parallelismus With the second Parallel Parallel proueth doe take the Kingdom honour and power from the Word of God from grace which should raigne Rom. 5.21 and giue it to nature and the foreseene works thereof yea all the honour and power of election conuersion and saluation from God and his free grace and Power in Christ and giue it to nature and the works thereof Thus while they presume to make to God a minde word out of theire owne noe maruaile if they to theese errours adde others as presumptuous against the perseuerance of the Saints and certainty of saluation For how should they beleeue perseuerance that giue so much and euen perseuerance it selfe where it is to fraile nature Men that are called into the grace of Christ Gal. 1.6 Men that stand by grace Rom. 5.2 and that are * Rom. 6.14 Gal. 5.4 Reu. 9.1 Isai 14.13.14 not vnder the Law but vnder grace will easely beleeue that they that thus highly exalt nature are fallen from grace Euen as the Starre is saide to fall from heauen who would exalt his throne aboue the Starres and be like the most high that would be vniuersall Bishop vsurpe Christs place and take the Kingdom the power and the glorie from the Father and his Word and giue it to himselfe and his traditions and errours of free will merrits satisfactions c. And how then should they but fall away and doubt of the certainty of saluation who build vpon such rotten foundations of theire owne the Saints may be more certaine for theire perseuerance and assurance is built vpon a surer Word and not on such Pelagian and Popish dreames nouelties which indeed are doctrines of this World and Antichristian not the Word of that Kingdom which is not of this World Ioh. 8.44 but errours comming from the Father of lies doctrines of deuils and so meere Idols cleane contrarie ye see and opposit to the whole purpose and scoape of Gods truth and new couenant of grace reuealed in the Gospel as might be shewed more at large if many others had not alreadie donne it The Pelagians therefore and Demipelagians Papists Arminians and others of that stampe who thus bringe doctrines contrarie to the Word of grace Act. 13.8.10 as with Elimas the sorcerer they turne away Princes and Magistrates from the faith and are therein children of the deuill and enemies of all righteousnes peruerting the right waies of God soe doe they not lesse then set vp Idols other words to rule mens soules and to be reuerenced beleeued followed and consequently draw the iudgments of God on that Kingdom or nation whereinto they intrude theÌ„ and are therein noe better then seditious preachers in Christs Kingdom mouers of rebellion and apostacie against Christ if not traitors to those Princes also whome they perswade to receiue them to the extreme danger and hazard of theire Kingdoms as Bishop Carlton also proueth pag. 214. against the Appealer because God almightie that is euer iust must needes doe to them if they doe not repent and amend as he did to those Emperours and Kings that suffered theese and the like errours in Saint Augustines dayes when the Gothes and Vandals ouerran all and as before that he had donne to Salomon and others in like case 1. King 12.27.28 and namely to Ieroboam who when he and his councell in polecie to preserue his owne Kingdom brought in some new doctrine and worship set vp Idols stretched out his hand against the prophet Chap. 13.33.34 Chap. 16.2.3 made preists of the lowest of the people and ordained high places the text saith This thinge became sinne vnto the howse of Ieroboam euen to cut it off and to destroy it from of the face of the earth Soe was it with Baasha and others And seing the Apostle saith let noe maÌ„ deceiue you with vaine words for because of theese things commeth the wrath of God Ephes 5.6 so must it needes be in the Christian Church with them that maintaine or suffer errouâ—s for therfore Christs saith to the Church of Thyatira which suffered the woman Iezabel to teach and to seduce his sernants Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultry with her into greate tribulation except they repent of theire deedes And I will kill her children with death c. Thus therefore must it needes fall out with those Churches and states that suffer the Bomish superstition and lawes or other heresies to be taught in theire dominions much more if they maintaine them and soe coÌ„mit fornication with that whore or any other hereticall teachers And this as I saide haue those Emperors Kings and Princes found that haue either receiued whether in polecie or otherwise the errours of Heriticks or the Antichristian doctrine of Rome as for suffering of heresies was instanced in some Emperours and might be in many others Now for poperie it would be to longe to recite the examples of Gods iudgments that fell vpon those Emperours Kings and Princes or on theire issue and Kingdoms in Germanie England France Spaine and other parts who subiected themselues oâ— theire people and Kingdoms to the Popes Supremacie and to his superstitions lawes rites and errours or temporised with him in some of them therefore omitting the most obserue only theese few The Easterne Emperours Iudgments that fell on temporisors in religion Iustinian and after him Phocas in polecie the better to recouer and keepe Italie did the Popes much honour and greatly furthered theire supremacie who soone after by Gods iust iudgment in requitall setting themselues against the Emperours theire successors in the cause of Images made the greatest part of Italie reuolt from the Emperours obedience After this the Emperour Constantine 7. and his mother Irene to get the Popes fouour and thereby to recouer some parts of the western Empire or keepe those they had from reuolting summon a second councell at Nice and there with stronge hand they get the worshipping of Images established which temporising God soe cursed that within twelue yeares after God suffered the more full reuâ—lt and the Pope to crowne Charles the greate Emperour of the Wâ—st The Emperours of Greece had longe held warre with the Turkes at last leauing to trust in God and relying on humane polecie to get the Popes fauour and by his meanes the aide of Christian Princes the Emperour Iohn Paleologus brings the Easterne Bishops to reconcile in all differences the Greeke Church to the Latâ— Concil Floâ— anno 1439. and there in the councell of Florence he gets them besides other articles to agree that the soules of the faithfull that haue not yet satisfied for their sinnes goe to purgatorie that the Pope of Rome
rapins murders alterations The Popes of Rome themselues after they began to keepe the people in ignorance and to make the Word of God of none effect with theire traditions Anastatius in Vigilio haue noâ— beene free from theire outrages and insolercies as wee may see in the liues of Vâ—gâ—lius Leo the third * Zonar to 3. pag 79. Iohn the fourtenth Gregory the fift many others and indeede seeing they would not let them know the things â—hat belonged to theire peace how could it be otherwise Whereas here in England vnder the Gospell Gods Word makes the heaters luffer and be peaceable notwithstanding all those greiuances whereof the commons haue of late yeares complained soe much in Parliaments and now this last summer in theire remonstrance of diuers leuies and other things against theire priueleidges the lawes liberties and religion established of the increase of poperie the freinds that Papist Arminians haue had in court and the carriage of many things at home and abroade by the late Duke and his faction to the greate losâ—e and dishonour of this Kingdom and aduantage of the aduersaries yet blessed be God and to the honour of his Word preached it may be spoken noe man euer saw a sword drawen to remedie theese things but the commons and diuers of the Lords haue still sought redresse by humble petition and not as in time of poperie or as the Iesuits hoped and practised who loue to fish in troubled streames The Duke and others of his partie that for the most part defeated preuented the howse with whisperings and were soe greate freinds to Arminiaisme and poperie knew that the Gospell awed Protestants and kept them from armes reuenge and that they could not haue escaped with soe many iniuries donne to any other religion whatsoeuer soe vnkinde in the meane while were theese detractours to that religion by which cheifely vnder God they haue held theire liues honours without the least violence offered by such as groaned vnder theÌ„ And whereas of late there hath beene some vnrulines in Sallours and Souldiers If men consider that the remonstrance declareth the increase of poperie and Arminiaisme the fauour that those of theese religions haue found of courtiers as wel of Bishops as others that Schollars finde the latter the way to preferment that orthodoxe preachers though conformable in rites formerly commaunded are not preferred but rather molested opposed lectures bookes against theese aduersaries prohibited or hindred theÌ„ they will coÌ„fesse that this vnrulines of Saylours others comes rather from hence that the preaching of Gods Truth which restraineth all sorts of people is not so much countenanced now as formerlie but insteade thereof contrarie doctrines finde the fauour The true knowledge and worship of God beeing failed in the dayes of Salomon Rehoboam then the people began to waxe stoute to mutinie and reuolt The preaching manifestation and knowledge of Gods Word are the * Psal 2.3 cords and bands of Christ which hould restraine men so that theese things when they are countenanced preuent such mutinies and sauâ— Magistrates much labour in gouernment The knowledge of Christ who is our wisdom maketh †Soli qui ejus doctrina imbuti sunt prudentes dicendi sunt Bern. de ordi vit Psal 18. Psal 66.7 Psal 76.10.12 men wise They are easely ruled by a few whome God ruleth It is God that subdueth the people vnder me saith Dauid and it is hard to gouerne them by many and wise whom the Lord doth not gouerne restraine who ruleth by his power for euer euen the rebellious who restraineth wrath stilleth the raging of the Sea and the madnes of the people * Psal 127.1 Except the Lord build the howse they labour in vaine that are builders of it Except the Lord keepe the Citie the watchman waketh but in vaine For if they heare not Moses and the Prophets nor Christ and his Apostles neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Heb. 4. For the Word of God is mightie in operation c. †2. Co. 10.5 Rom. 1. Bringing into captinitie euery thought to the obedience of Christ and consequently to the higher powers to whom he hath commaunded euery Soule to be subiect as to the powers ordained of God And that in euery ordinance that doth not resist â—he Word or the manifestation thereof Act. 4.19 but if they doe then whether it be right to hearken vnto you more then vnto God iudge ye If any say that preaching and writing aboute Predestination Free will perseuerance and the like cause discord and trouble I answer there may be a time when men may be to buisie and curious in disputing and writing on such points that is when in them the Church is at rest in the Truth But if Pelagians haue peruerted the truth in those points and infected people with the poisen of theire doctrines then it is noe time to forbid preaching or writing against them 1. Because Pelagian Arminian Prelates may presse such decrees with all power to suppresse Orthodoxe labours in that kinde and sparing theire owne mens works at pleasure may preuaile thereby and this were not to worke a right peace and vnion 2. Because the Truth of God must be vindicated least as a worthy Bishop inferred Bishop Carlton Examinat of the appeale pag. 126. the infection should spread further the greah mysteries of our salvation should be shakeÌ„ by giueing libertie to theese beginings a more generall apostacie should follow that as much in other points as in theese 3. Luk. 19.41 And principally because Christ with teares sayde to Ierusalem of the mysteries he taught that they were the things that belonged to her peace wishes that she had therefore knowne and receiued theÌ„ because he knew they would worke peace and that when they were hid from her eyes sedition and ruin must needes follow and soe they did as ye may see in the Acts Iosephus and others Act. 21.29.30 Besides as the faithfull Bishop proueth they are the Appealers doctrines B. Carlton in Exam. p. 214. if not confuted that endanger the State though he say they are not apâ—ae natae to breede dangers like a desperate man that sets a howse on fire and sayes there is noe danger The ignorance of Gods Word and Truth therein contained soe deepely concer uing Gods glory is able not only to breede danger but to cause destructions of Curches and States The Prophet complaineth that the people of the Iewes were destroud and led into Captiuity for want of knowledge Then the want of knowledge of God and of the holy doctrines of Gods Word is a thinge aptanata to throuw States and Kingdoms into destruction And the true knowledge thereof is a thinge apta nata to keepe States and people from destruction To preuent such ruins and the cause of them apostacie from God he saith I desired the
knowledge of God But they like men haue transgressed the couenaÌ„t there they haue dealt trecherously against me Hos 6.6 hindring knowledge peruerting his truth which beeing knowne maketh men free from feruing sinne Ioh. 8.32 Character of a Christian pag. 329. c. If therefore any that frequent sermons haue beene seditious contentious hereticall or wicked let noe man say that the preaching of the Gospell is any more the cause of it then Christs preaching was of Iudas his treason or the preaching and conuincing proofes of the Apostles of the Simonie of Simon Magus the diuisions of the Corinthians the heresies of Himeneus Philetus Cernithus and Ebion the worldlines of Demas and insolencie of Diotrephes when indeede the due preaching of the Word and conuincing of Hereticks by it are as ye see by our Sauiours words to Ierusalem the best meanes to restraine and amend such disorders and to worke peace As therefore it was of old a meere trick and cauill of the Iewes to infer that preaching of the Gospell maketh hearers seditious or disobedient and fleeting soe is it in theese dayes in such as are the fauourers or flaterers of poperie or Arminiaisme and theire supporters Who though they know that Arminianisme is a meere stirrop to helpe men into the saddle of poperie that to suffer theese is to prouide the Romish Aduersaries freinds in Court and countrie to make diuisions in counsaile and action and soe to make some swaied by conscience giue them intelligence and aduantage in all treaties and warres that theese sects must needes fructifie and increase if by preaching writing disputing countenance authoritie they be not the sooner silenced yet they striue by deuises and calumnies to make Princes discountenance the preaching of the Word and confutation of Hereticks by it and rather in polecie to temporise with Popish Princes in some points of doctrine which they are pleased to stile indifferent and reconcileable or at least disputable arbitrarie and fit to procure peace and vnion with the more moderate Papists if not theire conuersion Neuer considering or at least not regarding 1. Cor 1.30 Vbinam qâ—â—â—â—o vera prudentia nisi in Christi doctrina Bernar vbi supra Reu. 2.14 that Papists doe not the like by vs that it rather makes them more obstinate and proud that Christ the Truth is wisdom vnto vs that therefore Christians must not in polecie admit communion with the least errour in faith much lesse with theese Pelagian Blasphemes that to call for some yealding and vnion in theese things is Balaams doctrine to cast a stumbling blocke before people to make them fall to spirituall fornication for this is to make way for mens falling to Arminianisme soe to poperie for the increase of theese Sects and theire partie and freinds and finally that all this is the direct way to prouoke the Lord who is a iealous God to visit theese sinnes wheresoeuer they be as he hath in all ages donne the like * Ephes 5.6 to the greate punishment of some Kingdoms and ruin of others as was instanced in sundrie examples and in a Word that such worldly pollecies can not be of God nor make for his Kingdom and seruice who against all theese and the like faith my Kingdom is not of this World If my Kingdom were of this world Christs proofe then would my Seruants fight that I should not be deliuered to he Iewes This is Christs proofe or reason as if he saide If my Kingdom were of this world and as the Iewes pretend deragatorie or praeiudiall to Caesars by the power thereof which power in Kingdoms of this World doth commonly consist of strength in subiects then would mine fight for theire King in hope of offices or honours at least of Wordly protection vnder him but behold they doe not fight for me as not expecting for theire seruice any such things but rather * Ioh. 16.33 affliction as I haue taught them therefore they haue all forsaken me and are fled from me the Shepheard is smitten and the sheepe are scattered there is not one man stands to me to defend me from the Iewes by sword or Word that I should not be deliuered to them This is somwhat a passionate speech proceeding from the greate discomfort of his Soule that not one stuck to him for though it be true that when one that was with him drew his sword and stroke a seruant of the high Preist and cut of his eare he healed him and checked the smiter yet the same as well as the rest forsooke him and fled or denied him and that could not choose but greiue him yea that they did not so much as stay with him to witnesse speake and contest for his innocencie and so fight the good fight of faith for him with the sword of the Spirit 1. Tim. 6.12 2. Tim. 2.1.3 like good Souldiers of Christ at least by confessing him in that day of his sorrow and bitter Passion when he was so extremely reuiled and slandered but on the contrary one denies him all forsake him this was a greate greife though he had donne noe violence Isa 53.9.10 neither was any deceite in his mouth yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him and put him to greife namely to this greife of beeing forsaken of all them to whome he had beene so loueing and gracious and for whom he was now ready to lay downe his life to free them from the bondage of sinne and Satan from the wrath of God and hell fire and to purchase heauen and euerlasting glory for them yet not one to fight for him nec gladiâ—s nec argumentis Lament 1.12 O consider this all ye that passe by if there were euer sorrow like this sorrow And can it choose but greiue him now thinke wee that of them that may so few Princes fight for him with theire swords lawes so few Schollars with the sword of the Spirit nay that some who professe themselues his Ministers fight for Pellagian errours against him Others to proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ which yet they confesse to be Babylon fallen Her Bishop taking on him to be vniuersell Bishop is saide to be a starre fallen from Heauen The Church of Rome can not be a true Church of Christ Reu. 9. that must needes be from the true Church and so therefore must the membres of that Church that approue or follow him therein in other his errours for though he be saide to sit in the Temple of God this proues not the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ but the contrarie For in a vision the Church of Christ is set out to Saint Iohn by the old Temple of the Iewes Reu. 11.1.2 Character of a Christian pag. 212. But in the measuring of it The court without which of old was the greater more vissible part of the Temple that into which the people came to
people saying this is the blood of the Testament which God hath enioyned vnto you That was a type of this Testament sealed and dedicated to all mākinde in Christs blood which sprinckleth both the Testament as a witnesse and seale of it and the people as redeemed and sealed vnto therefore this blood of the euerlasting couenant is called a witnessing Heb. 12.24 a speaking blood The blood of sprinckling which speaketh better things then the blood of Abel It witnesseth the Truth of all things declared in the new Testament and so speaketh reconcilliation grace peace life to the consciences of all them that receiue the same Testament and the loue of the Truth therein manifested in all things necessary to saluation See that ye refuse not him that speaketh vers 25. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not wee if wee turne away from him that speaketh from Heauen viz. by this blood and the representatiue signes thereof in his Sacraments therefore Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnesse in Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and theese three agree in one They all witnesse and seale the same thinge they agree in witnesse of one Truth one Testament Ioh. 14.26 chap. 16.13 The Spirit that is the holy Ghost that brought all things to the mindes of the Apostles that Christ had told them and that witnesseth the same Word and noe other vnto vs for he guided them into all Truth he was not to speake of himselfe but to take of Christs and shew vnto them nothing but that which Christ had * Ioh. 15.15 made knowne vnto them saue only that he should shew them things to come viz. touching the comming of the man of sinne his lying wonders him that letted Seducing Spirits that should forbid marriage and some meates the seauen seales the 7. Triumpets the 7. Vials the Dragon with tenne hornes the Beast his marke them that receiue it Babylons Ruin and the like Whereof our Lord speaketh when he saith I haue yet many things to say vnto you Ioh. 16.12 but ye can not beare them now theese can not be as the greate whore and her members most impudently affirme the traditions of the Church of Rome as inuocation of saints single life of Preists distinction of meates theire obserued fasts and feasts the Popes succession in Peters chaire as head of the Church priuate masses drawing Soules out of purgatorie c. For this is a bold diuination for thire owne proffit any other Hereticks may say as much for theire herefies if that would serue and to disproue them all our Sauiour speaking of things absolutely necessary to saluation saith All things that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Ioh. 15.15 theese the Spirit brought to theire mindes and in theire writings * Act. 20.27 1. Ioh. 1.3 chap. 2.27 Charac of a Christian p. 86.96.106.110 they manifested them to vs and to theese the Spirit beareth witnesse on earth And the water viz. in Baptisme it is a seale of that Couenant and Truth it exhibiteth and witnesseth the same things vissiblie and to the Soule in a sealing signe that the Testament doth And the blood this did Christs bloods shed on the Crosse and this doth the cup in the Sacrament for therefore Christ giueth to the signe the name and sealing virtue of the thinge signified saying This is my blood of the new Testament viz. that witnesseth and confirmeth the truth of it and of all that it offereth and teacheth to youre Soules This cup is the new Testament in my blood the Testament witnessed sealed confirmed and dedicated to you in my blood as the first Testament was in the blood of Calues of Goates c. and therefore Saint Iohn there addeth If wee receiue the witnesse of men 1. Ioh. 5.9 the witnesse of God is greater for this is the witnesse of God which he testifieth of his Sonne that is which he testifieth of the Word of the Truth which is his Sonne and which God witnessed and sealed vnto vs not only by voices from Heauen and myracles but also by the blood of his Sonne and now by his Spirit by the water of Baptisme and by the cup in the Lords Supper therefore it is saide Him hath God the Father sealed Ioh. 6.27 and therefore John Baptist saith of Christ Ioh. 3.33 He that receiued his testimonie hath set to his seale that God is true that is true in his Word and true in the sealing that he giues to it he iustifieth him in his sayings Rom. 3.4 He that beleeueth him not in euery thinge he hath saide but reiecteth the Testament the Truth in any point of faith and saluation he beleeueth not God but hath made him a liar vers 10. because he beleeueth not the record that God gaue of his Sonne He beleeueth not the witnesse of the Spirit of the water of the cup not the witnes which Christ bare vnto the Truth in his blood he refuseth him that speaketh by theese yea he reiecteth Christ the faithfull and true witnesse and the Seale or marke of God Reu. 1.5 euen the testimonie of Iesus * chap. 19.10 see Character of a Christian pag. 228. receiued by all them that are in a right and saueing manner of the true Church Wherein there is noe other Word receiued in matters of faith and saluation but Gods Testament Noe vaine brags of the spirit but by the Scriptures the * 1. Ioh. 4.1.6 Act. 17.11 1. Thes 5.21 Isa 8.20 Spirits are tried To the Law and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is noe light in them And consequently noe spirit of prophesie in them If a man be well skilled or mightie in the proofes power of the new Testament as Apollos was saide to be mightie in the Scriptures Act. 18.24 then he hath the spirit of prophesie otherwise not for that true member of the true church endued with such excellent knowledge that Iohn would haue worshipped him Reu. 12.9 chap. 19.10 saith I am of thy Brethren the Prophets of them that keepe the sayings of this booke Which expoundeth that I am of thy Brethren that haue the testimonie of Jesus he had nothing else but his Testament he came out from the Arke of his Testament out of that Temple wherein was noe other Word he was powerfull in that nor would he allow any doctrine which was not agreeable thereto to be of the Spirit therefore he saith for the testimonie of Iesus is the Spirit of prophesie noe other If therefore men bringe not that testimonie they vainly talke of the Spirit of prophesie as Papists for theire traditions Anabaptists for theire dreames and others for theire Heresies wherein they reiect the testimonie of Iesus doe despite to the Spirit of grace Wherefore the Apostle saith Heb.
make them Mediatours Gods Couenant alloweth †1. Tim. 3.2.12 Marriage to all they forbid it to Preists A man would thinke this were not to depart from the faith to forsake the foundation But though sinnes of infirmitie against the new Couenant are not a departing from it yet as for teaching or receiuing any new or contrarie doctrine and not * 1. Tim. 6.3 consenting to Christs in all things in this case it is with the new Couenant as it was with the Law Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27. Iam. 2.10 Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in it and whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all and must haue forer punishment Reu. 22.16.18 as one that tradeth vnderfoote the Sonne of God c. vt supra For the Angell and Christ by him assureth eternall plauges to him that shall adde to his Word or take away from the words of his booke Saint Paul saith of theese that giue beede to such as forbid marriage and some meats that they depart from the faith Much more if they doe it in other points also as the Papists doe who in many greate points of faith and saluation doe not continue in the Word but * 1. Tim. 6.3 teach other wise consent not to the wholsom words of our Lord Jesus Christ but are gainsayers with Core Iude 11. Gods Covenant witnesseth that he doth freely iustifie his by the blood of Christ and his free grace therein Rom. 5.9 Rom. 3.24.28 Gal. 2.16 and on our part by faith only without the workes of the Law for Saint Iames speakes of our iustification before men shew me thy faith by the workes Iam. 2.18 make it appeare to vs by thy workes that it is not a dead faith Rom. 4.2 but true liueing and saueing If Abraham were iustified by workes he hath wherein to reioyce but not afore God Yet they will haue a man to be iustified afore God not by his free grace and only by faith therein but by the workes of the Law Which is against the maine scoape of the Gospell and Truth of God touching saluation and so against the foundation as also in other points Heb. 7.27 chap. 9.26.28 chap. 10.12.14 The Couenant of God witnesseth that Christ was once offered after he had offered one Sacrifice for simes for euer he sate downe at the right hand of God By one offering he perfected for euer them that are sanctified The Papists will yet daily offer him by the hands of the Preist a propitiatorie sacrifice for the sinnes of the quick and dead to get remission by an idoll or false Christ of theire owne making Ioh. 8.32 see Charac of a Christian pag. 329. c. ad finem and so by a new price of redemption The Couenant of God witnesseth that the Truth maketh men free and free indeede from the seruitude and imputation of sinne that men can not otherwise haue true freedom but as if it did not the Papists will haue freedom by pardons merrits satisfactions masses c. Surely this is to forsake the true foundation of assurance for a false one of theire owne Yet some vnaduisedly say they hold the foundation which can not be maintained For Christ is the eternall Word and Truth reuealed and that Word is in himselfe most simple and indiuisible one foundation not to be diuided though wee can not come in any measure to know the same but as it is reuealed for our weake and finite vnderstanding as it were by parts and principles yet it is true in them all and in euery part he was and is eternally that Truth of God and other foundation can noe man laie theÌ„ that is laied which is Iesus Christ Now therefore whoseuer in points of faith and saluation forsake and oppose that foundation in any one principle and insteade thereof intrudeth another for men to build vpon he forsaketh and opposeth Christ the eternall foundation and thrusts in another for men to build vpon and they that in matters of faith and saluation receiue and build vpon the intruded foundation they forsake Christ the eternall foundation build vpon the other intruded but the Popish clergie in points of faith and saluation forsake and oppose that foundation in diuers principles and insteade thereof intrude others for men to build on therefore they forsake and oppose Christ the eternall foundation and thrust in another for men to build vpon and the Papists that in matters of faith and saluation receiue and build vpon the intruded foundation they also forsake Christ the eternall foundation and build vpon the intruded If an Executour or one that hath diuers legacies giuen him reiect a dead mans Testament in any one thinge to get the same by some other right and title or adde one thinge to it wee say he forsakes breakes and dissanuls the will or Testament and so the verrie foundation of all he hath by it much more if he doe it in many as the Papists doe by Christ who reiect his Testament in diuers maine points of faith and saluation to hold the legacies thereof by other doctrines and titles and adde to it theire owne traditions which they will haue receiued pari pietatis affectu ac reuerentia For faith S. Paul If it be a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed noe man dissanulleth or addeth vnto it Gal. 3.15 Much lesse to Gods Testament which is the Truth Christ spake and confirmed in his blood seeing indeede Christ himselfe is the Truth which he spake as * Aug. in 10. trac 41. Bâ—da Feria 5 poâ—t â—â—uocauâ—t Aug. in Ioan. trâ—c 115. cum Chrutus c. Ioh. 8. Angustine and Beda shew on the words I speake that which I haue seene with my Father and as the same Augustine on theese words doth well vnderstand when Christ beareth witnesse to the Truth truly he beareth witnesse to himselfe for surely it is his owne voice I am the Truth And he also saith in another place I am one that beareth witnesse of my selfe Which needeth noe further proofe here because in sundrie places aboue he is manifested to be the Word and that Word the Truth Now seeing he bare witnesse to that Truth to the Testament with his blood and this Testament beeing the doctrine taught by him and his Apostles and Euangelists and by them left in writing is called * Reu. 19.10 chap. 22.9 Character of a Christian pag. 228. the testimonie of Iesus receiued by all that are his as of one that is therefore called the faithfull and true witnesse Reuel 1.5 one that should be beleeued and obeied in all matters of faith and saluation therfore against all opposers and Hereticks who refuse his testimonie in any point he addeth Euerie one that is of the truth heareth my voice That is euerie one that is of me and so is a true Christian in beeing of the Truth
Those are not such who for a while receiue the Word with ioy as the stonie ground doth the seede Mat. 13. but when persecution ariseth because of the Word by by they are offended Some with the verrie manifestation of the Word that the poore haue the Gospell preached vnto them the Truth manifested to them chap. 11.5.6 he therefore who is the Word who is the Truth saith Blessed is he whosoeuer shall not be offended in me And in another place If ye continue in my Word Ioh. 31. then are ye my Disciples indeede that is Christians of me Character of a Christian pag. 199. c. that am Christ the Truth for so he addeth And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free * Act. 11.26 In Antioch the Disciples were first called Christians As a Disciple of Plato is called a Platonist of Arrius an Arrian and as the Disciples of Nicolas all that held his doctrine were by the holy Ghost called Nicolaitans Reu. 2.6.15 so the Disciples of Christ that in all things consent to his Word and continue therein are of him the Truth so called Christians One is youre Maister euen Christ. Wee must not be of Paul nor of Apollos nor of Cephas which is Peter much lesse of his supposed Successour or any other Heretick as those that will be called Latine or Romane Catholicks that is vniuersalls in theire relation to theire holding of him and his See after whome all the world wondreth and who is called the vniuersall Latine or Romane Bishop and so haue the name of the Beast and are more truly called Papists then Christians because they heare obey him more then Christ and against Christ Wee must not in matters of faith and saluation heare any mans voice Ephes 2.20 further then he commeth with the Truth of God to which Christ bare witnesse with his blood the Truth which is the foundation laide in the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and Prophets and in building or seeming to build therevpon the same must not be wrested 1. Cor. 3.10.11 but euery man must take heede how he buildeth therevpon for other foundation can noe man lay then that is layde which is Iesus Christ Noe other word Saint Paul will haue vs to be of none but of God chap. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ who of God is made vnto vs wisdom It is wisdom in a man to be of this wisdom of the Word of the Truth and so of God for it is Gods Truth Ye are Christs chap. 3.23 and Christ is Gods Therefore he saith here Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice He therefore that will not in all matters of faith and saluation be truly a Disciple of Truth but teaches new or contrarie doctrine he becomes a Maister of errour and they that receiue it and abide in it are his not Christs His Seruants ye are to whome ye obey Rom. 6.16 whether Christ or Antichrist the true Shepbeard or a Seducer though it be but in one or two points as the followers of Nicolas though they held all the rest sound they presently loose the name of Christians and are called Nicolaitans for one stronge hold held against such a Kinge is enough to make the Captaine that holds it and all his followers to loose the name of Subiects and to be rightly called Traitours men can not serue two Maisters not God and Mammon much lesse Christ and Antichrist the Truth and errour if he cleaue to errour he despiseth and hateth the Truth which is not the fault of one sort of Hereticks and euill doers Ioh. 3.20 but of all Euery one that euill doth hateth the light neither commeth to the light Theese things me thinks should fill the Papists and our new Maisters the Arminians with horrour For though Christ say As Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse vers 14. see Charac of a Christian pag. 205. Ioh. 5.24 so must the Sonne of man be lifted vp That WHOSOEVER beleeueth on him should not perish but haue eternall life and of a beleeuer in the present tense He that beareth my word and beleeueth on him that sent me HATH euerlasting life and shall NOT come into condemnation but IS passed from death to life And by his Apostles Rom. 8.30 Whome he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance Whosoeuer is borne of God chap. 11.29 1. Ioh. 3.9 sinneth not viz. the sinne vnto death for his seede remaineth in him and he can not sinne because he is borne of God To shew that a true beleeuer called and iustified may be certaine of his saluation and can not fall away totally and finally Yet our Arminian Pelagians and the Papists feare not to maintaine that persons truly iustified can not be certaine of theire saluation and that they may neuertheles fall away totally and finally wherein many follow them and therein follow new Maisters and like rebels maintaine stronge holds of errour against the knowledge of God and obedience of Christ the Truth But they say that to preach theese doctrines of certainty of saluation perseuerance as also of election conuersion of grace and not of workes not of free will if they were true doctrines which they will not graunt yet they who teach thē to the people teach desperate doctrines and open a gap to all licentiousnes carelesnes prophanenes neglect of holy life and shew a greate wāt of wisdom and discretion or to the like effect Here I might tell them that theire owne broaching and maintaining of errours in theese points haue caused more preaching writing to defende the Truth and to keepe people from theire errours and apostacie then otherwise had beene requisite But I answer they see not or will not see that this is in effect to charge Christ with want of wisdom and discretion who in the infancie of the Church did himselfe and by his Apostles teach all theese things by preaching and writing vnto the people that whatsoeuer his Word be it still ministreth grace to those hearers that are his Sheepe * Tit. 2.11.12 teaching them to denie vngodlines and worldly lusts it softeneth molefieth theire hearts as the Sunne softeneth waxe that * 2. pet 2.20 they escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Christ that those that are not Christs are as well hardened by other points as by theese euen as the sunne hardeneth clay and so it doth theese new Maisters and theire followers for the more the Truth is manifested the more they hate that light and Truth and would hinder the setting of it forth in Sermons and Bookes the more they despise Christ who is the Truth and rebell against him Is this theire wisdom and discretion I confesse they haue
presumpteous sinning they heare his voice they may not nor will not soe neglect hearing holy life as presuming vpon praedestination to say desperately Si Saluabor Saluabor there is noe danger of that because they not knowing the secret counsaile of God who are elected in Christ to be called iustified sanctified and glorified and who not looke to the meanes heare his Word pray and giue all dilligence to follow it in holines of life that soe themselues and others also may know the tree by the fruite which is to make theire calling and election sure to themselues but howsoeuer both the one and the other shew that they only are of Christ be they here or elswhere that heare his voice as he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice As wee haue many liueing in our Church and pertaking with it in some outward ceremonies and seruices who for diuers respects would haue some men thinke theÌ„ Protestants yet are in heart and faith Papists abborring those doctrines of our Church which dissent from Poperie soe may Christ haue some of his elect in the Church of Rome that by that litle light they get of the Scriptures perceiue the errours of that Church and abhorre them and there may be some such in the citie of Rome it selfe when it is ready to be destroied to whome he crieth come out of her my people but where euer they be you heare he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Which may serue to answer them that would proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ because he hath people in her when indeede the Inquisitors when they finde them proue them to be rather of our faith and soe of our Church and religion Yet doe I not excuse them that holding our faith and religion in theire hearts outwardly professe poperie Christ would haue it otherwise and therefore calls to them to come out of Babel to liue where they may with more safety confesse him the Truth which indeede is to haue Gods * Charac of a Christian pag. 245. 282. Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32.33 marke in the forhead For with the heart man beleeueth to righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father But whosoeuer shall denie me before men him will I also denie before my Father Which things should methinks fill all our Church Papists with horrour espeâ—ially some greate ones who would seeme to be true Protestants and for fashion sake come somtimes to Church and say ouer the prayers which some Papists thinke are not repugnant to theire Religion yea heare some mens sermons but it is that they may the better hold places and offices get the more trust in greate imploiments and counsels that soe pretending many matters for the good of our Religion they may the better vnder such colourable pretences practise and secretly carrie them to the furtherance of the Popish cause Theese are such as seeme to admire the outward rites and all the most gaudie vestments ceremonies because indeede they loue litle else in the Church would haue more of them and more neere to poperie euen such gay shewes as in Mr. Cosens set vp in the North. Yet some of the Clergie are soe fond as to crie out for litle or nothing else but the seruice the ceremonies outward habbits and Musick pretending that by pressing the vse of such things they shall the sooner draw Papists to come to Church but not to be there conuinced for points controuerted must not be preached to discouer errours they might adde that they shall thereby get some doubtfull freinds if not secret enemies and gaine as much by it as of old the Church of Rome did before the yeare 420. by imitating and vsing some rites of the heathen the sooner to winne them to embrace Christianily the issue whereof was this that God soe abhorred theire temporising that he suffered them in few yeares to be ouer flowen by a flood of Gothes Vandals and Alanes c. The Lord God deliuer vs from such an inundation of Papists I reade of some that were to be ouercome and conuerted by the sword that comes out of Christs mouth Reu. 19.21 But of none by shewes musick and ceremonies Yet I will not say that other reformed Churches that haue fewer Ceremonies gaine more conuerts but this I may say that they get such as are more sincere constant and faithfull to Church and State and further to all such Church Papists who it seeme for an aduantage get dispensations to be present at some of our Churches and Sermons that they are not Protestants vnlesse theire hearts hold the Protestant faith that if they thinke Poperie to be the true Religion why doe they not openly professe it espetially seeing they are not troubled in England for theire Religion but haue indeede to much libertie vse of it or if they doe not how can they hope in the day of iudgment to looke Christ in the face with comfort for he that is the Truth saith Mark 8.38 Whosoeuer shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him shall the Sonne of Man be ashamed when he commeth in the glorie of his Father If theese men were of the Truth they would not only be present at the preaching of it but also heare and obey it soe as truly to seeke the Kingdom of God yea and therewith all the promised and commaunded Ruin of Rome Antichrist and theire supporters which hinder Christs raigne and not the things which are contrarie For he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Thus then though there be many Religions in the world opposing one another some in one thinge some in another yet there is but one of them of the Truth namely that alone which in all matters of faith and saluation heareth his voice who is the Truth Lately in my hearing one iestingly asked a Popish newes-monger how it went with the Catholicke Cause He in some anger more pride answered ye haue many Religions but I hope that now ye shall haue but one It was asked him if he would be of that one he replied I that I will It was asked him what Religion that was he answered The booke of common praier and the Articles One answered him wee hold with the booke of common prayer with the Articles but not after the sense of the Arminians proued to be peruerted wrested and absurd by Doctor Carlton late Bishop of Chichester in a booke abouemencioned dedicated to the Kings Maiestie And indeede whether all things be in them in that perfection that should be or noe both the one and the other send vs to the Truth of God reuealed in scripture oblige vs to be of it The booke of common praier saith that wee assemble and meeke together to heare his
they require he in matters of faith and saluation keepe to the Scripture and so be of the Truth Those men therefore that slight or neglect the due preaching of Gods Word and the conuincing of Hereticks by it and insteade thereof so propose and extoll the booke of common praier and the Articles and constitutions of the Church of England that they seeme to haue litle or noe Religion besides A new sort of Scismaticks they are a new sort of Scismaticks some of which will yet be counted Pastors and Pillars far more against the booke of common praier and the Articles then any other for as much as others are against the ceremonies theese against the substance of Religion which they require others are against that forme of praier theese against the things principally praied for and enioined Psal 2. so against the Truth sealed in Christs blood which they also tread vnder foote count vnholy yea breake his bands and cast his cords from them by the geering scoffes they vse against preaching and conuincing Hereticks by Scriptures either in preaching or writing by hindring them and the slight esteeme they haue of them Yet like Hypocrits as if they would haue all as the cōpilers of the commō praier booke intended and as it should be 3. Sund. after East on Saint Iohns day in one Prayer they say God which shewest to all men that be in errour the light of thy Truth c. in another Wee beseech thee to cast thy bright beames of light vpon thy Church that it beeing lightened by the doctrine of thy holy Apostle Euangelist Iohn may attaine to thy euerlasting gifts on the day of Saint Paul That wee may follow fulfill thy holy doctrine which he hath taught of Saint Mathias Graunt that thy Church beeing alwaies preserued from false Apostles may be ordered and guided by faithfull true Pastors of Simon and Iude Graunt vs to be ioined in vnitie of spirit by theire doctrine of S. Andrew Graunt vnto vs all that wee beeing called by thy Holy Word may forthwith c. Also in an exhortation before the Communion they say If any of you be a blasphemer a hindrer and slanderer of his word c. come not to this holy table to the sureties of Children baptized to call vpon them to heare Sermons c. the Bishop at theire confirmation prayeth Let thy Holy Spirit be euer with them so leade them in the knowledge of thy Holie Word that in the ende c. Theese Prayers and sayings will rise in iudgment against many who extoll them vse them prefer them and yet minde nothing lesse them the things prayed for and desired in them but are rather against them and so against Christs Kingdom against his raigne who is the Word and who saith Luk. 19.27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. They therefore that scoffe geere at diligent preachers and hearers call them Puritans and despise them let them know Christs Disciples are commaunded to teach all Nations Mat. 28. to obserue all things whatsoeuer he commaunded them Ephes 4.14 that wee are not to be tossed to fro and carried aboute with euery winde of doctrine by the sleight of me but following the Truth in loue to grow vp into him in all things who is the Head that the Scriptures make wise vnto saluation c. that He that turneth away his eare from hearing the Law Pro. 28.9 euen his praier shall be abhomination If he will not heare nor be willing that others should heare God in all matters of faith saluation God will not heare him that Christ saith against such reuiling and selfe conceited Pharises Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice and by consequence that such as they who make noe more account of it can not well be saide to be of the Truth Theese two last clauses of Christs bearing witnesse to the Truth and this conclusion of hearing his voice which he maketh therevpon are a large feild which for breuitie I haue runne ouer only pointing at some of the good seede and some of the tares Mar. 4.26 Mat. 13.24 which enemies haue sowed while men stept that so those that haue authority may see what is amisse at home and seeke reformation Which God knowes I haue not attempted out of any forwardnes to be medling in matters of this kinde but only vpon sight and sense of the wronge donne to my Sauiour and his Kingdom to my Soueraigne Lord the Kinge and to the Church and Countrie wherein I was bred by the Doctrines and palliated practises of close walking Popelings Arminians and theire Supporters many of them beeing disguised vnder the name of conformable Protestants and Welwillers of the Church and State Which droue me in silent sorrow to meditate on theese passages of holy Scripture Then finding that of our Lord to be true Ioh. 15.5 1. Cor. 12 3. without me ye can doe nothing Noe man can say that Iesus is the Lord much lesse proue it but by the Holie Ghost and so that I could neuer haue drawne so much hony out of theese flowers vules God hath beene with me I thought I must carrie it to the hiue though I knew that in this case I was like to finde that true Obsequium amicos veritas odium parit yet I might not aduenture the euerlasting punishment of an vnproffitable seruant Mat. 25.24.30 by burying this one talent in a napkin seeing it appeared to be Christs whose Confession and Complaint is here exhibited with proofes and consequences so following from the same that there needes noe further witnesse noe inquirie of the vnworthy and instrumentall Exhibiter for the conuincing proofes are Christs the conuinced and Delinquents well knowne by other Complaints that haue beene oft made against them if not to the Kinge yet at least to the High Court of Parliament wherein greate things haue beene offered to be proued and if a free speaking and hearing be not there permitted then if any should vnder colour of seruing his Kinge and Countrie be as false to both and withall to Religion at least for some secret loue to Rome as euer that greate fauorite Duke Edrick was Edrick Duke of Mercia See Speedes Chron. who sold both to the Danes yet men that could discouer them fearing that they should not be thorowly heard but rather imprisoned and crushed would perhaps hold theire peace till it were to late to helpe Which hath made men say the Kinges eares are so guarded by whisperers by preuenting and praeuaricating expositors of complaints that truth may despaire of an effectuall hearing God Almightie giue vnto the Kings Maiestie a heart to heare see and reforme what is most amisse wheresoeuer and in whomesoeuer the fault be To conclude to be of Truth is to continue in the Word and in all matters of faith and saluation to cleaue to it professing and maintaining it in the whole and in euery part of it which is to haue Gods marke in the forehead as on the contrarie to receiue and maintaine the Popish lawes and doctrine is to haue the marke of the Beast for thus a Christian is not only distinguished from a Iew but also from a marked slaue of Antichrist as ye may see proued in that litle booke called The Character of a Christian pag. 206.282.296 Saint Paul saith well Brethren marke them which cause diuisions and offences Rom. 16.17.18 contrary to the doctrine which ye haue learned and auoide them For they that are such serue not the Lord Iesus Christ but theire owne belly by good words and faire speeches deceiue the hearts of the simple 2. Tim. 2.17.18 For theire word will eate as doth a gangrene who concerning the Truth haue erred And therefore when Arminians or other Hereticks and prophane persons commaund and teach one thinge and Christ another the Pope one thinge Christ another the Church of Rome calleth for all mens obedience to her and Christ to all to come out of Babell Reu. 18. Iesuits and Popish Preistes call to Princes and States to serue her and Christ to serue her as she hath serued them to fill her double Some follow Seducers but ye heare what the Sauiour of the World saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice FINIS Faults escaped in the printing Pag. 1. for Euangelist reade Euangelists p.2.l.2 for mislender reade misvnderstood l. 23 for cheifs cheife p.3.17 for fo reade of p.6.l.29 for reckened read reckoned p.15.l.18 for tho read the p.19.l.13 for deser at read desart a p.21.l.27 for abonte re aboute p.23.l.35 for rebellions re rebellious p.32.l.19 for thas re thus.l.23.re.seditious.p.33.l.8 for thousand reade a thousand thousand p. 34.l.13.for meant re meane l. 35.for tough read though p.36 in marg re vniuersum p. 37.in mar re persuadere p. 41.l.34.for reuelt reuolt p.47.l.2 for greah rea greate p. 52.l.11 for Christs re Christ l. 22.re.committing p.53.l.9 for ofter re offer l. 3 for fiue limen re fine linnen p.55.l.17 for here rea heare p.61.l.4 for grauted graunted l. 28.re Armin p. 86.l.1 for honeur re honour p.85.l.35.re.beleeue p.88.l.5.rea Christianity Besides some letters that did not print so well off in the first sixe sheetes as in the Proofes
10.26 If wee sinne willingly after wee haue receiued the knowledge of the Truth there remaineth noe more sacrifice for sinnes but a certaine fearefull looking for of iudgment and fierie indignation c. If wee fall away and reiect the truth in any point of faith saluation wee haue noe benefit of that one Sacrifice for as it was a price of redemption so ye see it was and is a seale and witnesse of the Testament that conueis the benefit of it to them that receiue that Truth not to them that despise it for it rather sealeth to them the damnation assured Mark 16.16 Ioh. 3.18.20 He that despised Moses Law vers 28. died without mercie vnder two or three witnesses though he despised but one or two commaundements thereof for that made him guiltie of all Of how much sorer puishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden vnder foote the Sonne of God viz. the Word the * Charac of a Christian p. 34. new Testament not the letter but the spirit For the Lord is that spirit 2. Cor. 3.6.17 and hath counted the blood of Couenant wherewith he was sanctified that is sealed dedicated an vnholy thinge He that reiects his testimonie in any point and takes other he departs from the faith as those doe who take theires that forbid marriage meates and so he doth this verrie thinge he maketh the blood that speaketh an insufficient witnesse and so an vnholy thinge and doth despite vnto the Spirit of grace that also witnesseth the same like as all Hereticks and hinderers and slanderers of the Word doe though Christ came with his blood and bitter passion to beare witnesle to the Truth and to make him receiue the loue of it yet he receiueth it not Marke this ye Papists Pelagians and other Hereticks and neuer tell men of youre meditations of Christs wounds hopes in his blood and sufferings and in your receiuing it in the cup nor of your prayers to be clensed by that blood if in any thinge you obstinately reiect his testimonie and receiue not the Truth to which he bare witnesse with his blood because this is not to receiue but to tread vnder foote the Sonne of God count the blood of the Couenant wherewith he was sanctified sealed and confirmed to vs an vnholy thinge How theÌ„ would they haue benefit by it God hath chosen men to saluation and so to haue benefit by the blood by the Sacrament through sanctification of the spirit and beleefe of the Truth Such as receiue the loue of the Truth haue it 2. Thes 2. not others that will not The like may be saide of theire Baptisme I meane not generally because at least some of theire children dying before they come of age to receiue or reiect the loue of the Truth may yet haue benefit of theire Baptisme to life euerlasting but they themselues that oppose the Truth in any thinge or will not heare the voice of the Charmer charme he neuer so wisely and presist therein without repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth what benefit can they haue by theire Baptisme It is not that but theire beeing * Charat of a Christian pag. 81. c. and continuing in the Word that makes them such true Christians as shall be saued For Baptisme also is a seale of the Couenant by it God beareth witnesse to his Couenant and it is of greate force and virtue to him that receiues the loue true of the Truth sealed as the seale is to a couenant of this world and to him that receiues it and whatsoeuer it conueieth But if in any point men reiect and oppose the Truth and so tread vnder foote the Sonne of God they make the Water and the Blood thereby signified an insufficent witnesse and so an vnholy thinge they refuse him that by it speaketh and beareth witnesse to his Truth and what benefit then can they haue by it without receiuing his Truth to which it is a seale He that receiues the broade seale of a Kinge if either in part or in whole he reiect oppose or disclaime the deede to which it is annexed or the things therein conueied or will not hold them so as the writing bindeth whether it be in capite or other tenute but as he list himselfe or if he cut of a peece of the writing or tread it vnder foote what good doth the Seale doe him surely none he forsakes the substance and foundation of his assurance But so doe the Papists and other Hereticks by Gods Truth and couenant as in theese examples The Couenant of God witnesseth that He hath chesen vs in him before the world not that wee were but that wee should be holy He hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling Ephes 1.4.5.6 2. Tim. 1.9 Rom. 11.15 chap. 9.11.12 16. not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace giuen vs in Christ before the world There is a remnant acording to the election of grace and if by grace then it is no more of workes otherwise Grace is noe more grace c. Noe man can haue theese but he must thus hold them in Capite of God and that his eternall Truth and purpose but both Papists and Pelagians oppose this some more some lesse and will haue and hold this election calling and saluation from and according to foreseene faith and workes and so of and by them And is not this then to fall from God his eternall purpose and grace to themselues and theire owne workes From the fundamentall Truth and true foundation to a false one of theire owne The Couenant of God witnesseth of the elect that they are borne againe not of the will of man Ioh. 1. but of God of and by the Word Phil. 2. that God worketh in vs both to will and to doe The Pelagians and Papists will not hold this Sonneship and power to doe good soe wholly of God but of free will which at least must share with God in that power and honour Is not this to disclaime God in the foundation and the things it giueth Indeede they haue free will but it is to contend against the Word Iud. 11. and by gainsaying with Core to shew they are not of the Truth and soe to proue that they haue not this free will to good which they talke of Gods couenaÌ„t giues the cup to all Mat. 26.27 1. Cor. 11.26.27.28 saying drinke ye all of it and soe did the Corimhians eâ—ce this bread drinke this cup. The Papists yet take the cup from the laietie and so as it were what in them is both cut of a peece of the Coueant 1. Tim. 2.5 and breake of a part of the Seale yea forbid and denie it to Gods people Gods Couenant and Truth will haue them come vnto him and by Christ the * Heb. 1.4 one only Mediatour Papists will yet pray vnto Saints and