17. Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth Eph. 1. v. 13. In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation in whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise 1 Pet. 2. v. 2. As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby 1 Thes 2. v. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received is not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe 2 Cor. 1. v. 18. But as God is true our word toward you was not yea and nay v. 19. For the Sonne of God Jesus Christ who was preached among you by us even by me and Sylvanus and Timotheus was not yea and nay but in him was yea v. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him amen unto the glory of God by us chap. 7. v. 14. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you I am not ashamed but as we spake all things to you in truth even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth 1 Pet. 1. v. 25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you 2 Cor. 5. v. 20. Now then we are ambassadours for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs steed be ye reconciled to God 1 Thes 2. v. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that beleeve Ephes 4. v. 11. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers 1 Cor. 2. v. 12. Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God v. 13. Which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdome teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth comparing spirituall things with spirituall v. 16. For who hath known the minde of the Lord that he may instruct him But we have the minde of Christ Acts 5. v. 20. Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life Rom. 6. v. 17. But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sinne but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrin which was delivered you chap. 16. v. 17. Now I beseech you brethren marke them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them 1 Cor. 4. v. 17. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus who is my beloved sonne and faithfull in the Lord who shall bring you into remembrance of my wayes which be in Christ as I teach every where in every Church 2 Ioh. v. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrin of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the doctrin of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son v. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrin receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Iude v. 3. Beloved when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation it was needfull for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints 2 Cor. 3. v. 5. Not that we are sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selves but our sufficiencie is of God v. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new Testament not of the letter but of the spirit for the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life chap. 4. v. 1. Therefore seeing we have this ministery as we have received mercy we faint not v. 2. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftinesse nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God chap. 6. v. 4. But in all things approving our selves as the ministers of God in much patience in afflictions in necessities in distresses v. 7. By the word of truth by the power of God by the armour of righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left chap. 7. v. 14. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you I am not ashamed but as we spake all things to you in truth even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth 11. Now for as much as the Ministers of particular Churches were in the Apostles times given by Christ a Ephes 4.11 Tit. 1.5 6 7. 1 Cor. 14.37 to preach the true and genuine VVord of the Gospell b Tit. 1.5.6 7 9. and cap. 2.7 8. 2 Tim. 2. v. 2. Ephes 4.12 13 14 15. by way of Embassage for Christ c 2 Cor. 1.19 and chap. 5.20 Tit. 1.5 6 7. and 1 Cor. 4. v. 1 2. 1 Thes 1.1 and chap. 2. v. 13. d 2 Tim. 4. v. 2. and cha 2. v. 2. Tit. 1. v. 9. It is evident that they also had an expresse Commission e 1 Cor. 1. v. 1. with chap. 2. v. 12 13 14 15 16. also 2 Tim. 1.13 14. and chap. 2. v. 2. Tit. 1.9 10 11. Acts 15.24 Rom. 6.17 and chap. 16. v. 17. 2 Ioh. v. 9 10. and were furnisht with gifts sufficient for the discharge thereof f 2 Cor. 1.1.19 with chap. 3. v. 5 6. Acts 14.22 23. and chap. 20. v. 17 18 20 21. c. 2 Tim. 2.2 Tit. 1.9 10 11. and consequently were able to performe it in a due manner g Acts 20.28 31 32. 2 Tim. 2.2 and did accordingly performe it as it shall by and by be related h 2 Cor. 1.19 with chap. 4. v. 1 2. and 1 Cor. 16.10 Acts 15.35 Apoc. 2.8 9 10 12 13.18 19. and chap. 3.7 8 9 10 11. Ephe. 4. v. 11. And he gave some Apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastours and teachers Tit. 1. v. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee v. 6. If any be blamelesse the husband of one wife having faithfull children not accused of riot or unruly v. 7. For a bishop must be blamelesse as the steward of God not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre 1 Cor. 14. v. 37. If any man think himselfe to be a prophet or spirituall let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandements of the Lord. Tit. 1. v.
the willfull or carelesse abuse of those gifts and since it is certain that Christ gave to the Ministers of particular Churches a power to preach such a word as was wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true and that all those who were godly and faithfull amongst them accordingly could and did perform their message but those who did not cannot be reckoned in the number of faithfull and godly Ministers of Christ let us omit those who negligently or purposely departed from the known truth and consequently from the first institution and gifts of Christ and consider them only who at that time conformed themselves to their first institution such as were the Apostles and their like as also the Ministers of particular Churches faithfully using their gifts in officiating for God both which were instituted and gifted by Christ and began and continued their commission with such doctrine as was wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true and therefore those that heard them might in a maner be said to hear God himself speaking by them insomuch that their doctrin was wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true and both the Ministers themselves and those that received them for Ministers preaching in the Name of God might be and wee infallibly assured of their doctrine as of the very Word of God 18. These things being premised touching the due and lawfull Word of the Gospel and the commission of Ministers speaking in the name of God and their abilitie to perform the same It seemeth necessary in a plain style to propose unto you certain questions as most grave cases of conscience to be examined seriously and without prejudice according to the Scripture in the fear of God who searcheth the hearts and reines that by the true and clear decision of them the light of the Gospel may more evidently appear To this end therefore it is first to be enquired whether God hath any where in the Scripture commanded or wellpleasingly permitted to the Ministers of his Church or others that the due and lawfull preaching of the Gospel which was at first instituted in the name of God with none but the promised word of Christ wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true of which both they that preached and they that heard it were infallibly assured as of the very Word of God I say that the due and lawfull preaching of the Gospel should afterwards be continued by them in the name of God with a word which was not wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true and of which both the continuers themselves and those that received them for continuers in the name of God cannot be infallibly assured as of the very word of God Likewise whether God hath commanded or welpleasingly permitted that any preaching of the Gospel should be begun and continued in his name by Ministers specially and duly sent given and called thereunto which should be performed by them or others with a word which was not wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true Now in a matter of so great consequence as is the quality and administration of the Gospel to be preached in the name of God it ought not to seem strange when the question is concerning it that some previous institution or some command or at least some welpleasing permission of God should be brought from Scripture according to which the Christian Church may behave her self for it cannot be that God hath built this most weighty Article of Christianitie and chief worship of the New Testament together with the reason thereof upon none of the things aforesaid 19. If to the aforesaid question it be answered that God hath somewhere in Scripture commanded or welpleasingly permitted that it should be begun and continued let the place or places be produced and we will throughly examine the matter 20. But if it be answered that God hath no where in Scripture commanded or welpleasingly permitted it Then both the Ministers and people of your Churches may be asked whether since there is no command or welpleasing permission of God touching this matter extant in Scripture it be lawfull for any one to continue the genuine preaching of the Gospel in the name of God with a word not wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true though it were begun and instituted with a word wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true Also whether it be lawfull for any one to begin continue institute and perform with a word not wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true any preaching of the Gospel in the name of God 21. If it be said that it is lawfull for some body let the place or places of the Scripture together with the reasons whereby it may be proved be produced and then we will accurately consider of the whole matter 22. But if it be answered that it is not lawfull for any man Then it is to be enquired whether they who without any command institution or welpleasing permission of God in Scripture continue the genuine preaching of the Gospel in the name of God with a word not wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true though it were begun instituted in the name of God with none but a word that was wholly intrinsically undoubtedly meerly true Also who first begin continue institute and perform any preaching of the Gospel in the name of God with a word not wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true whether I say they do thereby administer the worship of the preaching of the Gospel as God would have it administred in his name or only as it seemeth good to themselves and they please 23. If it be said that they do therby administer the worship of the preaching of the Gospel as God would have it administred in his name let them produce that will of God and the reasons thereof that we may waigh them 24. But if it be answered that they do thereby administer the worship of the preaching of the Gospel not as God would have it administred in his name but only as it seemeth good to themselves Then it is to be enquired whether they who administer the chief worship of the New Testament in the name of God from the beginning thereof and so forwards not as God would have it administred in his name but only as it seemeth good to themselves do not thereby incur the crime of wilworship Especially after they once know that God would have it otherwise done than they do it also after they are able to take that worship of theirs away 25. If it be said that such persons do not incur the crime of wilworship let the reasons be produced that we may consider of them 26. But if it be answered that such persons do by that worship of theirs commit the very crime of wilworship Then it is to be enquired whether God hath any where in Scripture commanded instituted or welpleasingly permitted any mission or calling to perform worship in his name which from the first originall thereof and so forwards is tainted with the crime
Cor. 16.10 1 Tim. 4.6 Titus 2 Cor. 8.23 and chap. 12.18 Epaphras Col. 1.7 Tychicus Col. 4.7 and their like 2 Cor. 8.23 but others though they might have continued in the meere purity of that word yet either through the neglect of their gifts or through the losse of a good conscience or by the abuse of their affections or of set purpose did depart from it such as they may be accounted who built wood hay and stubble upon the foundation 1 Cor. 3.10 11 12. who taught strange doctrine 1 Tim. 1.3 4. and were deceitfull workers 2 Cor. 11.13 and grievous wolves not sparing the flock and speaking perverse things to draw away the Disciples after them Acts 20.29 30. as ambitious and prating Diotrephes 3 John ver 9 10. Hymenaeus Alexander and Philetus 1 Tim. 1.19 20. 2 Tim. 2.16 17 18. and other false teachers of that age 1 John 2.18 19 26. Finally others though they continued in the meere purity of that word yet being indulgent to some particular affection did not procure the unanimous edification of the Church together with other Ministers such as they may be accounted of whom the Apostle speaketh Philip. 1.12 13. c. Philip. 1. v. 12. But I would ye should understand brethren that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel v. 13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace and in all other places v. 14. And many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speake the word without fear v. 15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envie and strife and some also of good will v. 16. The one preach Christ of contention not sincerely supposing to adde affliction to my bonds v. 17. But the other of love knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel v. 18. What then notwithstanding every way whether in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce yea and will rejoyce v. 19. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ 13. But since the people of that age had an infallible oyntment and knew the truth 1 John 2.20 27. were confirmed therein 1 Pet. 5.12 2 Pet. 1.12 were replenished and enriched with all necessary knowledge Rom. 15.14 1 Cor. 1.5 6 7 8. had mutuall faith with the Apostles alike precious and most holy Rom. 1.8 12. 2 Pet. 1.1 Jude ver 20. had learnt the doctrine of the Apostles and had beleeved it as it was preached by them and had received it Rom. 16.17 2 Thes 2.15 1 Cor. 15.11 Heb. 10.26 Acts 8.14 could retaine that doctrine as it had been delivered to them 1 Cor. 11. 2. Acts 2.42 did altogether abound in faith and utterance and knowledge and all diligence 2 Cor. 8.7 had the truth of the Gospell abiding with them Gal 2.5 had beene sealed with the holy Spirit upon the word of truth or Gospell of their Salvation Ephes 1.13 had the sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the truth 2 Thes 2.13 had the form of the Apostles doctrine Rom. 6.17 Jude v. 3. could try the Spirits whether they were of God 1 John 4.1 2 3. 2 John v. 9 10. Heb. 9.10 might be and was sound in the faith Titus 1.13 Apoc. 2 25. might continue in the faith grounded and setled and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which they had heard Col. 1.23 knew how they ought to walke and please God 1 Thes 4.1 2. and consequently knew that one only faith Heb. 11.6 Ephes 4.5 c. since I say the people of that age were endued with the aforesaid faculties they could easily observe what particular Ministers did depart from the purity of that Word and therefore though the Ministers of particular Churches by the neglect of their gifts or otherwise might depart from the truth yet were not the people using their gifts to the end aforesaid endangered thereby since they could easily detect it a 1 John 2 20 21 24 26 27 28. and 2 Ioh. v. 9 10. 1 Joh. 2. v. 20. But ye have an unction from the holy One and ye know all things v. 21. I have not written unto you because yee know not the truth but because ye know it and that no lie is of the truth v. 24 Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father v. 26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you v. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you But as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him v. 28. And now little children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 2 Iohn v. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son v. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed 14. Neverthelesse though some Ministers did revolt yet the integrity of the gift it selfe wherewith they were instituted and endued remained safe and sound with all other particular Ministers who kept the mysterie of the faith in a good conscience inasmuch as they both might and did duely performe that Embassage to which they were called and furnished by Christ for though the particular Ministers of that age might revolt and there were some amongst thē that did indeed revolt yet that doth no more derogate from the integrity of their institution which was with the word of the Gospell wholly intrisincally undoubtedly and meerly true then the fall of our first parents derogateth from the truth of their originall integrity wherein they were created by God for as their fall hindreth not but that they were created in a spotlesse condition and were able to have persisted in it so likewise though those particular Ministers might revolt and did revolt yet it cannot be denied that they were instituted with the word of the Gospell wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true and might accordingly have persisted in it 15. Besides as there were some amongst those particular Ministers that did indeed revolt so also were there others that did not revolt to wit those who by patient continuance in well doing proved themselves to be good trees by their good fruits such as many then were and in the first beginning of the Gospell all though afterwards some by degrees revolted so as the faithfull of that age were not wont to try the
spirits of those Ministers of the Gospell whom they had found by experience to be true and faithfull servants of God as it is evident from 1 John 4. 1. for it is not said there that they should not beleeve any but not every spirit and that not because of the true and faithfull Ministers of the Gospell who were already known and received but by reason of false Ministers and Prophets who had either revolted or intruded themselves into the Church for it was a different case when those lawfull Ministers were not as yet received for such by the people and known by experience as it is manifest both by our Saviours speech to the Jews John 7.14 15 16 17 18. and the example of the Beroeans Acts 17.10 11 12. for in that case the word of the lawfull Ministers of the Gospell was left to be examined by the people that doubted of it not as if any errour either were or were to be found by the people therein but that the doubting examiner after a due search might be infallibly assured that no errour either was or was to be found there which is so true that whether the examiner of that word said or beleeved that he had found an errour therein or affirmed that he had found no errour therein yet their word remaineth as before wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true 1 Cor. 14.37 38. but after they had found those Ministers to be true and lawfull that of the Apostle taketh place 1 Thes 2.13 For this cause also we Paul Sylvanus and Timotheus give thanks to God incessantly in that when ye received the word of God preached by us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is indeed the word of God which also effectually worketh in you that beleeve Wherefore as at this day none suspecteth godly Ministers who are known and received for such that they in their preaching wilfully depart from the known truth but is rather perswaded that their whole endeavour is to keepe close to it so likewise it is to be granted that the people of that age were fully perswaded of their Ministers who were known to be godly that they rightly imployed their gifts which Ministers since they might continue in the meer purity of that word and not depart from it must needs performe that which they desired and were able to do and consequently there was no reason that the faithfull of that age should have any sinister suspition of such Ministers untill by contrary proofs of evil life and doctrine they had rendred themselves unworthy to be accounted lawfull Ministers of God which if they did it could easily be discovered by the faithfull of that age as we have already shewn in the thirteenth Article 16. But though some particular Ministers in the time of the Apostles did indeed revolt from the word of the Gospell yet did they not presently forfeit their Ministery because as they might revolt so they might repent and returne againe into the right way a Apoc. 3.1 2 3 14 15 16 17 18 19 Col. 4.17 1 Tim. 1.3 4. and therefore there was hope that they would revert to the integrity of their first institution wherein Christ had given them a faculty to preach the Gospell by way of embassage for God which faculty they had both reduced into act in the beginning of their preaching and though they had afterwards revolted yet if they were not wanting to themselves might again renew it and therefore because according to the institution and will of Christ they had been furnished with a word that was wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true and had been specially and duly called by Apostles or Apostolick men to officiate for God likewise because they might persist in the originall truth of their institution or if they revolted return unto it again for this reason I say they did not presently forfeit the title and function of Ministers of the Gospel because there was hope that they would again return to those divine beginnings which would have had no place if either their doctrine had not at first been instituted by Christ that they by it might officiate for God or they had not gotten a faculty to preach a word wholly intrinsically undoubtedly and meerly true or they could not have persisted in that truth though they endeavoured it never so much or there had been no hope that they could attain to the truth of the first institution of the Ministers of Christ or in a word if they had never before really performed or were not as yet able to perform the things that were requisit to the first institution of Christ Ephes 4.11 c. for in these cases it necessarily followeth that they who had never stood in such or such a condition cannot be said to fall from it much lesse that they are able still to persist in it Apoc. 3. v. 1. And unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis Write These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead v. 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God v. 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt no know what hour I will come upon thee v. 14. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write These things saith the Amen the faithfull and true witness the beginning of the creation of God v. 15. I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot v. 16. So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth v. 17. Because thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked v. 18. I counsell thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and anoint thine eyes with eye salve that thou mayest see v. 19. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent Col. 4. v. 17. And say to Archippus Take heed to the ministery which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it 1 Tim. 1. v. 3. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine v. 4. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies which minister questions rather then edifying which is in faith so do 17. Wherefore since in the institution of Christ regard is to be had to the gifts wherewith particular Ministers were instituted by him and not to