Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	apostle_n	church_n	err_v	1,649	5	9.6490	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A87514	The whole faith of man: being the Gospel declared in plainness, as it is in Jesus, and the way thereof of old confirmed by divers signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the holy ghost. In thirty six heads, setting out mans way & work, from the day of his conversion to the day of his dissolution, and what therein is both to be believed and practised. / By Will. Jeffery, who hath for years been a poor labourer in Christs vineyard.	Jeffery, William, 1616-1693.	1659 (1659)	Wing J524; Thomason E1804_1; ESTC R209929	87,834	192

eat and drink of it eying Christ as his Body being broken and his Bloud being shed for our sins also take notice that the order of words doth not prove that the Bread must be eaten before the Cup is blessed for Paul speaks of the Cup first 1 Cor. 10.16 and Mark saith that when Christ had blessed the cup he gave it to them and they all drank of it before he noteth that Christ declared what it signified chap. 14.23 24. But it doth not follow in reason that they did drink all of it before he gave them to understand what the Wine being set apart signified so it doth not follow though Christ did blesse the Bread and gave it to his Disciples and bid them eat that they did eat before he blest the Cup but rather the Bread being blessed be blessed the Cup also that they might eat of that Breád and drink of that Cup discerning the Lords Body broken and his Bloud shed for remission of sins 1 Cor. 11.26 28. Moreover it ought to be a Supper with moderation because it is said to be a Supper and a Feast 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Ch. 11.20 and there is nothing in all the Scripture that is said to be a Supper if there be any eating at all that is lesse then an eating to satisfaction with moderation Secondly There is perfect satisfaction in Jesus the Saviour therefore to eat to refreshment is the more lively and full Object But it was not a Supper when Christ set it apart for it was eaten after the Passover Answ The Lord took them off from eating the Passover before they had done for the Scripture saith As they were eating he took bread and brake it and so the Paschal Lamb and the Bread and Wine together made their Supper for the two signes the Paschal Lamb and the Bread and Wine one holding out Christ to be slain the other Christ as slain meet Christ the substance being there but when Christ was slain the Passover was abolished no more to be kept the Ordinance of Bread and Wine which is called the Lords Supper only remaineth and is to be a Supper as aforesaid for so it holdeth out the substance Jesus excellently but let every man eat so much of this Bread and drink of this Cup as it may be most helpful unto him to discern the Lords Body broken and his Bloud shed for his sins and the benefits that come and shall come thereby but let every man take heed in the fear of God that they do not eat and drink too much as the Corinthians did better it would be for to eat and drink too little Also mind That there is only Bread and Wine to be eaten at the Lords Supper and no feast of other food for that which Christ and his Disciples did eat before the Bread and Wine was the Passover Lamb as the Scripture saith Mat. 26.18 19. Mar. 14.12 16. Lu. 22.13 15. and Paul maketh mention only of Bread and Wine in the 10. and 11. of the 1 Cor. and for the love feast that some talk of to be kept before they eat the Bread and drink the Wine there is no such thing written in the Scripture but there is a feast of charity spoken of Jude 12. which is that feast that Christ commands to call the poor the maimed the lame the blind let him that is able do this singular thing for Christ saith he shall be blessed for the poor cannot recompence him but he shall be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just Also mind well That it is Bread and Wine after it is blessed not changed into the Body and Bloud of Christ as the Papists hold though it be said after it is blessed This is my Body which was broken for you and my Bloud which was shed for remission of sins it is so said because in a figure or shaddow it holdeth forth Christs Body broken and his Bloud shed for remission of sins and so the Passover Lamb did hold out the Lords passing over the first-born of Israel yet is called the Lords Passover it putting them in mind of the same Exod. 12.21 27. and also the Apostle saith it is Bread and Wine after it is blessed 1 Cor. 11.27 28. therefore not the reall Body and Blood of Christ So let a man examine himself whether he discern the Lords Body offered up as a Sacrifice for sin to make an Attonement for him and that he be in love and peace with all men so that in believing he may eat his Flesh and drink his Bloud so as that there may be a communion in one body Christ being the Head and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. Moreover for the better being of the Congregations of Christ the Lord Christ hath appointed and given Overseers and gifted men and they are first Apostles or Messengers and Prophets and Evangelists and Pastors and Teachers for the Lord Jesus did ascend on high and gave gifts unto men for the gathering together of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edification of the body of Christ till we all meet together in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man and unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.8 9 10 11 12 13. 1 Cor. 12.28 And for the word Apostle it being Englished is Messenger for so the word holdeth forth and so it may be translated and is so 2 Cor. 8.23 they are to be chosen by the Congregation out of the Congregation for so was Matthias chosen Acts 1.23 24 25 26. And the Spirit commanded the Church of Antioch with the Prophets to separate Saul and Barnabas and send them forth Acts 13.1 2 3. And that was the will and way of God for after that in Chap. 14.4 14. they are both called Apostles and not before and so the Church are to choose Messengers still for the gathering the Church and establishing of the same so that they are to go forth to preach the Gospel that all may know God in Christ and own the truth as it is in Jesus Also it appeareth that Messengers or Apostles are to be in the Church till Christ comes from that in Rev. 18.20 and Ephes 4.10 11 12 13. That in Rev. the 18. sheweth that there shall be Apostles to rejoyce at the overthrow of Babylon or the Whore and that will be a little before the coming of Christ and that in Eph. 4. sheweth that they are for the gathering together of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edification of the Body of Christ till we all meet together in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man and untill the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ Until the coming of Christ in person Therefore Messengers are to be till Christ come Again If Pastors and Teachers are to abide in the Church then Messengers

or Apostles but Pastors and Teachers are to abide Therefore Messengers also for the Lord ascended up on high and gave gifts to men some to be Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers one gift or office is to continue as long as the other that is plain if you note the Scripture and that is till Christ cometh as hath been shewed before Again if you note the Scriptures you may see that there were more Apostles then the twelve for there was Paul and Barnabas which were set apart by the Church of Antioch and Titus and others that were Messengers of the Churches and the glory of Christ 2 Cor. 8.23 If they were made Messengers only to carry the contribution of the Church how can they be said to be the glory of Christ Let the wise judge they were great Preachers of the Gospel with Paul and Titus was left at Crete to redress the things that remain and to ordain Elders Titus 1.5 Therefore they were not set apart to carry contribution only though they did it upon occasion as Paul did but for the work of the Ministry and Epaphroditus was a Companion in labour and fellow Souldier with Paul and the Messenger of the Church of the Philippians Phil. 2.25 and the Church of Ephesus tryed some which said they were Apostles and found them liars Revel 2.2 Therefore there were many Apostles besides the twelve Again there is very much need if not as much as ever of Messengers to preach the Gospel and to make out truth to the Nations in these last times yea the Gospel is to be preached to every kindred tongue and people in these last times for a witness unto all Nations and then shall the end be Matth. 24.14 Rev. 14.6 Therefore Messengers ought to be continued till Christ come mistake not for I do not mean extraordinary Apostles as the twelve and Paul and Barnabas but such as to perswade men to what is written so to believe and obey the Gospel The way to chuse and set apart Messengers Elders and Deacons it is by electing them out of their own company I mean the Church is to chuse them by a free consent as in part hath been shewed before and by fasting and prayer and laying on of hands on them they are so to be set apart to their several offices Acts 1.23 26. Chap. 6.5 6. Chap. 14.23 where the word Election is left out in the new translation but it is in the old and cannot be denied to be in the Greek the Elders or Pastors work is to feed the Flock of Christ and to take care of the Church and of every Member thereof looking up the Sheep if they go astray labouring in the work of the Ministry giving in meat in due season Matth. 24.45 being unto them that believe an ensample in word in conversation in love in spirit in zeal in faith and in pureness 1 Tim. 4.12 Acts 20.28 Matth. 18.12 Not as though they were Lords over Gods heritage feeding the Flock not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind 1 Pet. 5.2 3. let them be very diligent and faithful men in their places for cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negligently The Deacons office is to look to the poor and to serve them with all necessaries the Church giving them sufficient to do it Acts 6. for qualifications of all the Officers see the 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1. The maintenance that the Ministers of the Gospel ought to have is to be freely given them Matth. 10.8 Gal. 6.6 that is all things necessary that they may be enabled to do the work of the Lord and they also ought to endeavour to the uttermost to make the Gospel without charge 1 Cor. 9.18 Acts 20.34 35. Their Maintenance ought not to be by Tythes nor no forced Maintenance First Because the way of Christ is a way of love no duty is available but that which is done in love 1 Cor. 13. Gal. 5.6 Secondly The Priesthood being changed therefore of necessity the Law Hebr. 7.4.10.13 Thirdly The Levites had no lot nor inheritance in the Land of Canaan Deut. 14.27 and their work and labour of body was great about the Sacrifices and taught the people also 2 Chron. 35 11 12 13 14. And therefore the Lord gave them Tythes yet they were to give to the fatherless and stranger and widdow a part of their Tithes Therefore the Ministers of the Gospel being not Levites neither have the Christians a Canaan to divide by lot for they are not twelve Tribes springing from one man neither are the Ministers of the Gospel the hundred part of the Nations neither hath the Lord Jesus given them Tithes Therefore they that take Tithes wrong their own souls in doing that which is unlawful Fourthly They that take Tithes or force it to be paid destroy or make void the Law of Christ which is a Law of love for forced service cannot be in love therefore the Ministers of the Gospel have received a gift to preach and freely received freely give Matth. 10.8 Rom. 12.6 Ephes 4.8 11. And Christians truly knowing their duties will freely give unto them of their goods Gal. 6.6 or set before them that they need Luke 10.7 Fifthly They that take Tithes bring in the service of the Law which is done away 2 Cor. 3.11 and the Levitical Priesthood which is changed Heb. 5.6 12. and so deny Christ come in the flesh and forced maintenance bringeth in compelled service which is abhorred by God and good men therefore Tithes nor any forc'd Maintenance is not the Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel neither let any man say that the Magistrate hath power to force men to pay Tithes from that of Christ Matth. 17.27 and from that of Paul that we are to pay custome to whom custome belongs I say that in all civill things we ought so to do and rather then to offend to pay upon a civil account though it be not due as Christ did but when it is required upon a spiritual account as Tythes or any forced maintenance for Ministers we may and ought to refuse to pay and the Magistrate sins against God if he force men to pay it for the Magistrate as a Magistrate hath not nor never had power to judge in spiritual cases Luke 22.25 26. for that is by the Lord given to the Church Mat. 18.17 18. and he as a Member of the Church hath power to judge as every Member hath and no more but more of this in another place Also take notice of that Ordinance of Christ of washing the Saints feet it is commanded by Christ and a blessing promised to them that do it Exod. 13.14 15 16 17. and therefore it ought to be done and it setteth out Christs humility and puts us in mind of the same so declaring that the wayes of Christ are self-denying wayes and this is a self-denying thing and therefore serveth to humble the creature and

People Nation and language should tremble and fear before their God and that his Kingdome shall never have an end Dan. 3.29.6.26 Moreover the Lord bringing his people out of the captivity of Babylon stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia to make Proclamation in all the Kingdomes of the earth that he was to build him the only true God a house at Jerusalem Ezek. 1.1 2. Besides all such kinds of preaching there was among them a continual Ministry of the holy Prophets whose words saith Paul went unto the ends of the world Rom. 10.18 by which means some of every Nation under heaven were proselyted devoutly worshiping the true God Acts 2.5.9 10 11. And as God was present with the house of Israel in power and might as aforesaid so also in giving great and wonderful wisdome so that the Queen of the South came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdome of Solomon Mat. 12.42 yea and all the Kings of the earth sought his presence to hear the wisdome that God had put in his heart 2 Chro. 9.23 By this cloud of witnesses 't is manifest that the Gospel was made known to all people in all Generations down to the Apostles in whose Generation Christ commanded the Gospel to be preached to every creature and saith the Apostle it was preached to every creature under Heaven Col. 1.23 And so it is evident that God set all men at all times in a way by the Gospel that they might come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved Object Though it be true that the Gospel was preached among the Nations yet we cannot judge that they all had or that all people now have a sufficiency of means whereby to believe Answ That all men had and have a sufficiency of means so as to beleeve and be saved is evident and to you will appear if you keep well in your minds the agreement of Gods Attributes so as that they may sweetly meet and kiss each other in all that you beleeve for you know the Scriptures holds forth That God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance yea and sweareth by himself that he desires not the death of the wicked but rather that he turn c. 2 Pet. 3.19 Ezek. 33.11 Now all the means of Repentance and Faith and the grace to keep men from perishing is from God as you also confess for him therefore to with-hold the means of Salvation from the poor creatures whereby 't is altogether impossible for them ever to miss eternally perishing yet nevertheless to say that he is long-suffering and not willing that Any should perish yea and to swear that he desires not the death of the wicked affectionately saying to them Turn yee turn yee for why will yee dye Whenas himself with-holds the means without which they cannot return and live I say for God thus to say and swear is altogether incredible being that which calls in question the Attributes of the Almighty and indeed is proper only to an unjust deceitful man and not to God so then 't is plain that as God desireth the Salvation of men and sweareth that he wills not their condemnation so he affordeth a sufficiency of means in order thereunto Secondly That there is a sufficiency of means for all appears because Christ charges persons not coming to him so as to beleeve in him upon the obstinacy of their wills and not upon the want of means as appeareth by these Scriptures Joh. 5.40 Yee will not come unto me that ye might have life Mat. 23.37 Oh Jerusalem How oft would I have gathered thy Children but ye would not Joh. 4.48 Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not beleeve Thirdly It appears also to be so because those who are said to perish shall be lest without excuse or claok for their sin Rom. 1.20 Joh. 15.22 Which cannot be in case they alwayes wanted means or ability to beleeve for of all cloaks or excuses that possibly can be what is a greater or safer excuse then an impossibility to do the thing required Yea surely it will be a fair plea before the Just and Righteous God but God will judge all men according to their works therefore no such excuse or piea Fourthly The Scriptures saith that Christ marvelled at the unbelief of some as hath been shewed and also pronounceth condemnation to the unbeleever because he beleeveth not c. Which may clearly prove to them that honour God in all his Attributes that he allowes a sufficiency of means to every man to do the thing which he requireth unless it may be safe to conceive that Christ the wisdome of God did marvel at known impossibilites and also that he will plunge men into hell for ever for not doing that which himself only worketh in the creature as you conceive but God forbid such horrible blindness Fifthly Christ commands men to beleeve in the Light while they have the Light that they may be the children of Light Joh. 12.36 Now for a man to be exhorted to beleeve in the Light that he may be a child of the Light and he in such darkness as was the Egyptians and as unable to help himself out of it as they were would be a most unwise vain and deceitful Exhortation unwise and vain it being known he could never beleeve deceitful in pretending that he might be the Child of Light it being altogether unpossible wherefore still I conclude that Christs words are pure and unfained and so men every way made able through grace to beleeve and do the things which they are exhored unto Christ the Lord whom we serve being no hard Master Sixtly while men are treating about what means God doth allow in order to the doing his will himself comes in and pleads What could I have done More that I have not done And yet will any man dare to say that he had done Nothing in order to their Salvation as he had not if he never made them able to beleeve Oh do not say so for in so doing you will grievously sin against God who allowed such a sufficiency of means as that in his wisdome he looked for that to be done which he commanded What did he look for that which could not be and also enter into judgment with them laying them wast and giving them up to blinded eyes and hardned hearts Isa 5.4 6 7. Isa 6.10 as a recompence unto them Rom. 11.9 From all which I conclude that Jesus Christ tasted death for every man and that All men Every Where may repent as they are commanded by him who is no hard Master and that All men might beleeve as in plain words is written Joh. 1.7 Moreover as 't is conceived that the one part of mankind have not a sufficiency of means to beleeve and so perish so also the other part of mankind have an irresistible means making them to beleeve and so they are saved The latter

36.15 16. Zech. 7.11 12 13. Mat. 13.13 Rom. 1.19 20 21 26. 2 Thes 2.11 12. These things I lay before you because the question is wherefore God hardens mens hearts and not whether he doth harden mens hearts yea or nay For I do and alwayes did grant that and the cause thereof is as aforesaid namely the creatures nelgecting and putting from them so great salvation as is freely tendered in Jesus when as they ought to receive it with love thereunto For This Cause saith the Apostle God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleive a lye that so they might be damned Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved 2 Thes 2.10 11. according to which all Nations are in the hand of God as clay in the hand of the Potter and so at what instant soever God speaketh unto a people shewing them through the Gospel that his pleasure is to build and plant them and so make them vessels for honour if that people do evill in his sight that they obey not his voice of good-will towards them and so Marr themselves 1 Sam. 6.6 in the hand of God he then repenteth of the good wherewith he said he would benefit them Ier. 18.4 9 10. so he gives them up to hardness of heart so they become vessels for dishonour when as others of the same lump turning from the evil of their wayes God maketh them vessels for honour and so of the same lump one vessell for honour and another for dishonour But if not withstanding you shall yet turn the body of these Scriptures otherways then behold its face namely That God did before time hate the greatest part of the world without respect unto foreseen wickedness as the caus therof and that in time he gives them up to hardness of heart without grace at any time wherby to be saved and at the day of Judgement will cast them into everlasting Torments because of their wickedness and hardness of heart and yet declare in his Word which you say is a word of truth that he is good to all and that his tender mercies are over all his works that he is slow to anger and of great mercy Psa 145.8 9. Patient long-suffering c. Exod. 34.6 7. Not willing that Any should perish 2 Pet. 3.9 swearing by himself that he desireth not the death of the wicked Ezek. 33.11 but would have all men saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 24. Forty years long grieving for the iniquity of his people Heb. 3.17 Bemoaning their undone estate Psal 81.13 yea even weeping for them Luke 19.41 saying What could I have done more for your good that I have not done Isa 5.4 when as he knew according to your Tenent that himself had shut them up from all possibilities of believing unto Salvation and that by his own unresistible Decree and purpose of Reprobation Judge ye friends in this cause and judge righteous judgement and with fear and trembling weigh these things To return a little to the objection again sider further that though Thave proved that Esau's wickedness and so the wickedness of all wicked men was and is the cause for which the Decree of Reprobation took hold of them yet mistake not for I do not say that 't was foreseen wickedness in them that was the moving cause in God to Make the Decree of Reprobation but rather the unutterable purity and unwordable holiness dwelling in himself which possibly could not admit of any wicked creature in his presence This I say moved him to Make the Decree that all wickedness might be excluded from happiness in his presence So having spoken of Esau and how he and all other wicked men are reprobated to Condemnation it remains that I now speak of Jacob and how he and all other righteous men are elected to Salvation First therefore I beleeve that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to die for the world whenas there was nothing in the world that did or could move him thereunto Secondly the world being gone all out of the way and coming short of Gods glory God did purpose a gracious purpose of Election in Christ namely to chuse or set apart beleeving men for glory Psal 4.3 Eph. 1.4 2 Thes 2.13 And so Jacob with all other beleeving men being found in Christ Gods gracious purpose and decree of Election takes hold of them being such as are Elected from the foundation of the world to eternal Salvation but by this take notice I do not say that God foreseeing faith in Jacob or in any other was thereby moved to Make that decree of Election as if the works of righteousness which we have done first moved him so graciously to purpose and decree for the good of beleeving men I say not so but rather the meer love and compassion dwelling in God himself moved him to purpose and Elect beleevers in Christ to Salvation agreeable to the Apostles words Ephes 1.5 Having predestinated us c. according to the good pleasure of his will ver 9. purposed in himself and of himself Rom. 9.11 nothing of worth in man first or last moving him thereunto and so our Salvation is of God that sheweth mercy upon them that beleeve And whereas this purpose reacheth in the beleever in Christ only 't is not because God saw such a worth or moving excellency in the creatures beleeving but that he might in shewing mercy unto men not destroy his attributes as of honour and justice which would have been blemished had he chosen the unbeleeving sinful man for himself having before cast man out of his presence for sin so though the beleever only hath interest in Gods purpose of Election yet the cause of his happiness is the tender love and compassions of God dwelling originally in himself Where then is bosting It is excluded by what law by the law of Faith for as much as Christ who is the object of faith is the meer gift of God who also hath from of old decreed from the meer grace dwelling in himself and not from foreseen faith in the creature to Elect and chuse men unto Salvation through not for the belief of the truth 2 Thes 2.13 whose belief also cometh by hearing the Gospel of Christ which is to be preached to every creature for the obedience of faith Rom. 16.26 So then all being of him and through him not unto us not unto us in the least but to the Lord alone be glory for ever The next thing which I purpose is somewhat touching the two Covenants because I find that some stumble for want of a right understanding the old and other some for want of a right understanding of the new Covenant wherefore for the good of each this I declare head it well I pray you You I mean that stumble about the Covenants for have you not read that Abraham had two Sons the one by a Bond-maid the

love given by the God of love so all the way of Christ is a way of love his word is the Doctrine of love So let all the Saints conclude with the Spouse his mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 And so this way of love which is the good old way of the Gospel was of old at first confirmed by signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will Heb. 2.4 Therefore let every man in the fear of God walk therein and they shall find rest for their Souls Jer. 6.16 Yea let every member of the Church of Christ put on the whole Armour of God having their loynes girt about with truth and their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace and praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance Eph. 5.13 14.15 16 17 18. O that every one would lay it to heart and with fear and trembling work out their Salvation for in these last dayes will be perrilous times 2 Tim. 3.1 and many that have tasted of the good word of God and been enlightned so as to beleeve the truth will fall away from grace yea from the true faith so as that eternal death will be their portion yea some have fallen from the faith therefore it is no new thing First the warnings in Scripture proves this exhorting men to take heed that they do not fall away from the grace of God Heb. 12.15 and these warnings and exhortations are given to such as have received the truth so as to believe as it appeareth Heb. 2.1 1 Cor 10. from 6. to 12. Heb. 3.12 reads it thus Take heed Brethren least at any time there be in any of you an evil heart and unfaithful to depart away from the living God Heb. 4.1 2 Pet. 1.5 Chap. 3.1 2 3. Jude 3. Rev. 3.2 3. All these are warnings given in Scripture and very many more might be brought which exhort men to take heed that they do not depart from the truth which would be in vain 2 Cor. 6.1 if men could not fall away therefore they may 1 Thes 3.5 Secondly Threatnings if any do fall away prove this Rev. 2.21 22 23. Hebr. 10.26 reads it thus If we sin willingly after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sin and chap. 6.4 5 6. is very full to this purpose 2 Pet. 2.20 21. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn fom the holy commandment delivered unto them Rev. 3.3 Ezek. 18.26 you may read also which plainly proves this point Thirdly This appears by examples in Scriptrue of some that did fall away from the truth yea from the true faith as Judas Matth. 26.25 Acts 1.17 18. and Demas 2 Tim. 4.10 and Balaam who spake excellent things by the help of the Spirit of God as the other Prophets of the Lord Numb 24. Jude 11 12. and some making shipwrack of faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 and Hymeneus and Phyletus who concerning the truth have erred saying the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.17 18. Fourthly The Scripture speaking prophetically faith expresly That in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith 1 Tim. 4.1 and 2 Tim 4.3 4. and 2 Thes 2.10 2 Pet. 2.1 Jud. 14 15 16. All these Scriptures do foretell of some yea many in the latter times shall fall away so as to depart from the faith and give heed to Doctrines of Devils and shall privily bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and many more places might be brought for this purpose Fifthly The Metaphors and Proverbs in Scripture proves this also as Prov. 26.11 Mat. 5.13 Mark 9.49 50. and Mat. 12.43 44. and 2 Pet. 2.20 21. that in Peter sheweth that they which have been freed of their vomit and have been washed yet turned as a Dog to it again as a Dog to the vomit again and the Sow to the wallowing in the mire Sixthly if this were not so no man could sin against the Spirit nor none could be Reprobates for the sin against the Spirit is a sin of knowledge and against the conscience they do that which they are convinced they ought not to do as it appeareth Mark 3.22 to 31. compared with John 7.20 28. And also no man can be a Reprobate except he have known the truth or sinned willingly against that he knoweth as it appears Rom. 1.28 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Tim. 3.8 Object But it is but a seeming faith they fall from as the Scripture saith Luk. 8.18 That shall be taken from him which he seemeth to have Answ That if it be but a seeming faith then they do well in falling from it but Paul saith to Timothy 1 Tim. 1.19 That some did make Shipwrack of Faith and a good conscience and he exhorteth Timothy to abide in that faith which others have made Shipwrack of And for that in Luke 8. the sence of it is that they that do enjoy the light or talent that is given them so as to hear the truth and seem to make a good use of it but do it not I say God will take away that Talent or light because he seemes to improve it but doth it not that this is so it will appear if you compare Luk. 8.16 17 18. with Mat. 13.12 and Chap. 25. from vers 24. to 30. Object But Paul saith that he is perswaded That neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor things present nor things to come nor any things could separate him from the love of God also he demands Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for God Justifieth Rom. 8. Answ Paul as he is a believer is parswaded that nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ and so are all true believers perswaded but if they depart from the faith nay if they do not go on adding to their faith vertue and knowledge c. as it is 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. they lose that perswasion as Paul acknowledgeth that he himself might become a cast-away if he kept not his body under subjection 1 Cor. 9.29 It is true none can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for God doth and will justifie but there is no man or woman Elected but in and through beleeving 2 Thes 2.13 as it hath been shewed and will appear if you mind the Scriptures for the Apostle tells the Ephesians that they were Elected yet the Lord Jesus saith to them Rev. 25. that if they do not