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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85173	A faithful discovery of a treacherous design of mystical Antichrist displaying Christs banners, but attempting to lay waste Scriptures, churches, Christ, faith, hope, &c. and establish paganism in England. Seasonably given in a letter to the faithful in and near to Beverley. Containing an examination of many doctrines of the people called Quakers in Yorkshire, together with a censure of their way, and several items concerning the designs of God, Satan, and men, in these things, recommended to the consideration of them who are in good earnest for Christ.	Pomroy, John.; Feake, Christopher, fl. 1645-1660.; Glisson, Paul.; Kellet, Joseph.	1653 (1653)	Wing F568; Thomason E699_13; ESTC R202092	45,783	67

Antichrist rather than of Christ 4. And signes being not for them that do believe but for them that believe not 1 Cor. 14. 22. 4. If the Saints have now as much need of those appointments as then nay more if we may say so then why should any seek to be loosed from their own Mercies We confess we have read and heard of seen and through Grace humbly despised the vain boastings of them who said they were perfect and were above hearing praying believing hoping speaking Great swelling words of vanity who have turned aside first from the holy Commandement and after that from the pretence of it which should awaken us to edifie one another on our most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost that we might not be led away with the Error of the wicked and so fall from our stedfastness It is most freely confessed that when things come to practise in this time which is neither dark nor day many doubts and questions do arise among many yet as some of us have tasted of the goodness of God in this way so we may not but acknowledge it and farther Pray until the day break and shadows flee away Turn O beloved and be as a roe or young hart on the Mountains of Divisions Surely the Doctrines of these Men which we oppose are levelled to subvert all Order Churches in whatsoever is done outwardly For they say its Babylon and all the worship and Teachers without are of the Beast and Anti-christ Judge us O Lord for why should Men in thy name rise up against thy Sonne and us for his sake 1. Rejecting thy care 2. Condemning thy Wisedom 3. And the Generation of the Just in all ages 4. To establish themselves and prepare a high-way to Paganism It is not a Pleasure to us Beloved in the Lord to open these painted Sepulcres but since we have begun we will proceed to shew yet more that you may see and wonder and beware They bid you Speak no more than you have experience of and than you live in VVE confesse it is and shall be to us for a Lamentation that the religion of very many consisteth in talking of God and Christ and Scriptures and Churches and is but a sound of words without knowledge and faith and so do rather darken than make manifest the Truth and because it is without obedience their conversations destroy their confessions And did these sayings aim at the reformation of this we should not dare to cross them but we have grounds from certain discourses personally had with some of this way to declare 1. That this is to silence you from ever mentioning the histories and prophecies of the Scripture Creation of the world Garden of Eden Adam Eve Flood Historie of the Church coming of Christ into the world the Day of Judgement Resurrection of the Body and such like which being Past or to come we can have no present experience of And some of us speaking of these Scripture Records have been blamed for speaking without experience 2. Or Secondly by this means all the Scriptures must be construed as Metaphorical in an Allegorie making the Creation an Allegorie and so the world without beginning Adam Eve the Serpent Paradise Cain Abel Seth Noah Ark Abraham Isaac Jacob Aegypt Wilderness Canaan Kings Prophets Records to be meer allegories Nay Christ his flesh and blood his life and death his Cross and Crown Scribes and Pharisees Jerusalem Herod Pilate Churches Elders Anti-christ called Babylon and Egypt c. and what not to be fulfilled in the Allegoricall construction of particular experiences But concerning Experience we are satisfied 1. That to speak without Experience in experimental affairs is to darken counsel as they do that speak onely from the hearing of the Ear Iob 38. 2. 2. But Faith is the Evidence of things not seen and a subsistence of things hoped for though its evidence be not of the nature of Sense Science Opinion or Experience being of things unseen by the sense not known from the search and rationall comprehension of Causes nor intertained from the Probable testimony of wise and holy Men nor tasted in the Presence thereof yet after a spiritual manner seen known and experienced by Faith in the Divine Testimony Wherefore having believed we also will speak of the sacred Records and gracious Prophecies which are delivered to us in the holy Scriptures of which and in which God hath caused us to trust giving us also the Earnest of the Spirit which as Josephs wagons to Iacob doth ascertain us of the Truth of the tidings And the gracious operations of the holy Spirit in our hearts from and by Scripture Truths gives us to believe the Histories and Prophecies interwoven to be also of Divine Authority 3. We do also judge the Word of Faith which is Divine Testimony to be more safe Certain and Constant ground to speak of and from than experience In this we are not for a dead Faith which is the fruit of freewill closing with the Word from the testimony of Man which leaves the mind wavering through carnal reasonings which cannot be satisfied But for a lovely Faith even the work of the Spirit with Power setling the mind on the Divine Testimony as such As for speaking no more than we live in if it intend not to stop the mouths of all those who dare not pretend to perfection and blamelessnesse but those who speak from Notion and yield not up their souls to the things which they deliver to others we testifie the same thing As for Allegories 1. We allow very many in the old Testament beside the Ceremonial Law which was a shadow of good things to come Persons Offices Places Actions Things which the Ecchoings of phrases wisely and warily observed give hints of and puts the beginning of every Allegorie into our hands as the Apostle took it in Gal. 4. from the 54. of Is 1. verse which yet must be wisely followed as Scripture Ecchos proceed to encourage yet not to impair the truth or use of the Letter and History Allegories being but accidentall thereto and a fruit of the incomprehensible wisdom of God that sets one thing to answer to another But in the New Testament although Jesus Christ spake many parables and used similitudes which he opened to his Disciples yet the Gospel Ministration properly so called not onely in the language thereof but in the Actions persons things thereof is in much plainnesse and not as Moses who had a veil upon his face but the Messias discovered himself by speaking plainly and without a Parable John 16. 29. his parables in his publique preaching being chiefly for judgement to the willfull Jews that seeing they might not see Matth. 13. 13. We gladly own Christ in us by his Spirit to crucify our flesh and raise us up in our hearts in this world and at his second comming our bodies in the resurrection to a new and spiritual life and

false witness r. all false witness p. 46. l. 4. for proof this r. l proof of this To our dear and Christian Friends in and near to Beverly who are of doubtful mind in this hour of Temptation enquiring after the way of God more perfectly which some say is found among the Separated people called Quakers Truth and Peace be multiplyed GOD who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse having given us of his meer grace to know something of the mystery of Godlinesse and the mystery of Iniquity which now worketh hath mov'd our compassions toward the scattered Lambs of the Flock of God round about us and ingaged us to overlook our weaknesses and in this time of sinfull silence to cast in our Testimony to the Truth of the Gospel while some privily bring in damnable heresies denying the Lord who bought them We cannot wonder though we cannot but grieve that many simple-hearted should listen to the voice of Strangers who come in the Semblance of Christ remembring that we our selves have been tempted and some of our feet had almost slipped Now therefore by our faith hope and rejoicing in Christ Jesus and from our observations and experiences of Satans devices we testify to you that the Deceiver of the Nations hath found out a way wherein one may retire from the Faith and not be called a Back-slider but a Christian of Higher growth His designs are deep and desperate but in subserviency thereto he doth through the sufferance of God make use of some otherwise wel-meaning yet over-hasty of belief as stales and Coies to bring the simple into his Nets while he in others lyes in wait to deceive We shall not mention those doctrines of devills which some imbrace and the basphemous notions of religious Atheism though those are but higher degrees of that light or rather darknesse which we shall advertize you of in these papers but we shall examine certain doctrines and exhortations which are contained in sundry papers which are scattered in the Country and asserted by some who go about deceiving and being deceived We do confesse that there are many words of Truth and some of precious concernment that come from some of them and sundry things which have an aim as it were and guesse at the state of the Church when the New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven But what design the Deceiver hath to forestall those blessed Expectations or bring an odium on them and by those cloking truths to out off many corrupt notions will be manifested in our discourse Surely could we see a simple tendency in those warnings rebukes exhortations which they abound with to awaken this perverse Generation to look after Jesus Christ and direct their steps into the way of righteousnes and true peace we should rejoice that there were so many touched at heart and brought to the Lord though they walk not with us nevertheless we shall not forbear to own what words of truth we shall find though we think it meet especially intending brevity not to insist upon those doctrines wherein they differ not from us for the word of the Lord came not out from them neither came it onely to them but where they seem to us to be mingled with deceits those whatsoever in what moderation the truth allows we shall make to pass under the same For what is the chaff to the wheat saith the Lord Now dearly beloved we beseech you to observe how by a kind of Majestie of seeming Oracle they do as by authority sit down in the chair of Judgement and as the onely skillfull to direct the paths of the children of men they give their advice saying Forsaking all your Teachers without Mind the light which is in you which they say is Christ and is Pure and That it discovers every evill which ariseth in the heart and that Power accompanies that light in them that yield up themselves to it to subdue all the evil it discovers they also say this light is the sure word of prophecy and The Anointing from the holy one so that they that have it as they say all men have need not that any man teach them but as thatVnction teacheth them which is truth and no ly O how is their wine mingled with water untill it lose its vertue its colour though it keep the name of Gospell It must alwaies be remembred that they intend that light which enlighteneth every man that comes into the world wherefore this exhortation is by them directed to all them expressely who are the children of this world Now let him that heareth when they say Mind the light in you and observe not any outward Teachers or teachings consider 1. Whether this maketh not the Scriptures of the Testament of God unnecessary which through the abounding Mercy of the Father of Lights are Superadded revelations of his mind and love which are no where found but there 2. Whether this Admonition brings not down the glorious mysteries of the Scriptures to the Censure of the Spirit of light in Man yea in every man and so natural men although the Scriptures say they grope after God as men at midnight or without sight 3. Whether this intends not to disoblige you from every rule or duty which is not yet in your mind leaving you to be guided by Conscience whether rightly or wrongly informed there being no appeal left from the apprehensions of our uncertain minds to any standing certain rule without contrary to Isa. 8. 20. 4. Whether this establish not Heathenish Philosophy which seeks the repair of Natural light without Scripture principles as equall with the Scriptures which some in this way elsewhere who are scholars have avouched although Paul rejected it Col. 2. 7. 8. We write thus from a Godly jealousie lest as the Serpent beguiled Eve first weakning the Authority of the word afterward denying the Truth of it so he should deal with some of you 5. Consider whether this take not away the advantage of having the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 2. which was committed to the Jews to transmit unto the Generations to come that the Gentiles might be acquainted with and built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles 6. We leave it further to the spirituall to judge how farr this reflects disparagement on Jesus who owned expounded and commanded to search the Scriptures answered Satan and Men out of them 7. Also how it reproacheth the End of Gifts Ephes. 4. 12. for the perfecting of the Saints who are far beyond naturall men and the order of the Churches 8. And the ordinary standing way of God for the Conversion of sinners by the Preachers or Publishers of the Gospell Rom. 10. 14 15. For if every one that commeth into the World hath light in him sufficient to salvation and that they ought to mind that light onely what lesse can follow than what hath been propounded But you are not ignorant Brethren and Beloved that there are sundry

things to be attended as Gods will and mind in Commands Prophecies Promises c. which are not known by any light of nature of which sort is the whole doctrine of Faith and Hope or the Gospel Which never entred into the heart of Man in the highest attainments of Nature to conceive neither can the natural man receive them neither can the prudence of man in the flesh be subject to or in amity with them but opposeth the hearing of Faith untill Gods outstretched Arm work faith accounting it Foolishnesse we being until Faith alienated and Enemies to God in our Minds reconciled onely by or in the body of the flesh of the man Christ Jesus who is God blessed for ever There is indeed a Law from Mount Sinai which is a repetition of that Law which was once written in mans heart which cannot but own what it could not so fully dictate If then that light in man was not sufficient to its proper end namely to direct and judg in matters of Morall Righteousnesse but it was necessary that the Law should enter on Mount Sinai as an exact rule that offences which before were not manifest might abound in the eyes of the Sinner how much lesse could that Law which brings the knowledge of sin and the curse justify and glorify Wherefore the Gospel or Law from Mount Sion the Law of Faith leads us in a Newway by the Mediatour who came to do what the Law on Mount Sinai or in mans heart could not do Rom. 8. 3. Hence is it that man naturally runs to Mount Sinai for righteousness and life in his personal obedience which these men put you upon and man so easily closeth with contrary to the Gospel which is not first known by seeing within but hearing tidings without Isa. 53. 1. Rom. 10. 14. Luke 24. 47. As for the nations that never heard or do not hear the Gospel and Scriptures we will not enter into Gods Secrets but this we are bold to say 1. That the knowledge or Faith of Christ justifyes and there is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Act. 4. 12. 2. But we conceive not how Christ is preached out but by them who bring the word of God whose feet are beautiful Rom. 10. 14. 17. It is true that as the Sun described Psal. 19. doth from East to West proceed to enlighten the world so hath the Sun of righteousnesse whose Tabernacle is in the Heaven of the Church enlightned the Eastern Countryes which this Sun hath left in the dark though he now shines amongst us Thus is the word nigh us Christ in his Gospel comming to our doors and not leaving us to travel to Jerusalem as of old to hear the word of the Lord which yet is nigh to us though he be in heaven and we on earth by Faith ver. 8. 9. Ephes. 3. 17. 3. But yet if it should be evinced to us that the Gospell was preached in every creature yet it proveth not that it is so preached in every individual man woman and child as the Ministry of Paul in the same verse shall be needlesse or that it was so before the Incarnation of Christ when as this mystery was hidden from Ages and Generations v. 26. and was manifested by preaching as we read Tit. 1. 3. Compare this also with the sixt verse of the said 1 Col. As for this nation in which we live 1. It cannot be denyed but that in England the most have in their minds the history of the Scripture though they had not known it but for outward teaching 2. We know also that the Scripture-light which they have attained is not minded by them as the word of Christ which shall judge them which it were well they were more told of and did believe 3. We acknowledge that every unregenerate Man hath more power than he doth improve to obey light 4 It may not be rejected by us as unlikely That God by his Spirit which works by way of Remembrance may bring to mind words of gospel-Gospel-truth which a man hath read or heard without understanding or affection and thereby quicken and turn men without any actual reading or hearing Yet in such a case 1. It is the Spirit brings to God by Faith in Christ 2. And it is by Scripture light even the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets which once was read or heard else he could not know it 3. It is not Gods ordinary way who usually for divers ends which might be mentioned for the conversion of sinners makes use of his people and servants according to the standing appointments of the Kingdome of Christ Whereby you may see the aim of these Doctrines as mannaged by them is to hinder the Gospel pervert the faith and destroy at once all the good which ever was done or is like to be through the grace of God by a Godly Ministry Nay how this Tenet fighteth with their own practises who leave not men to the light in them but by words and papers industriously suggest to them their apprehensions And though they often quote the Scriptures Yet 1. it is but partially And 2. not as the ground of their Faith But 3. chiefly as a staff to beat others with or to shoot with them in their own bow But blessed is that people whose ears hear that Gospell which Peter preached Acts 10. even of Christ dying at Ierusalem for sinners and rising again for justification of all them who shall believe c. yea rather blessed are they who receive it in word and power also 1 Thes. 1. 5. and that not as the word of man though ministred by man but as it is indeed the word of God cha. 2. 13. And blessed are they to whom God sends his Servants as Paul to speak to them and watch over them for if by any meanes Satan can he will hinder the people of such a benefit as ver. 18. For they are to be esteemed highly 1. In love 2. For their works sake 3. Because they are overseers of them in the Lord 4. And do admonish them 1 Thes. 5. 12 13. 5. And it is but ingenuity to acknowledge such who addict themselves to the Ministry of the Saints by whom also their spirits are refreshed 1 Cor. 16. 28. But we shall proceed to enquire into that doctrine which saith The light in you which also enlighteneth every man that commeth into the world is Christ WHat then is become of the Person of the Mediatour the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 7. 24. Mind how they do secretly withdraw you from eying his death resurrection intercession c. for us without us while they make that at best but a shadow of what is done in us So making the first and second Adam not to be two men but two things in every man Dear Friends doth nor the Scripture speak to Saints not every man when it saith Christ in you

reading hearing the Scriptures is mans duty faith and understanding is the gift of God yet ordinarily in this way Prov. 2. 4 5. But to conclude Concerning the real word of Prophecy which signifyed beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glory which should follow that was in due time fullfilled in its kind the same Apostle saith 2 Pet. 1. 17 19. 1. It s more sure than a voice from the excellent gl ry at least to others and more argumentative 2. More to be attended than the words of one risen from the dead Luke 16. 31. 3. Nay our Lord Jesus himself said that if they believed not Moses Writings he did not expect they would believe his Words Iohn 5. 47. Moreover they affirm That this Light the same which they say is in every one that cometh into the world is the anointing from the Father that they need not teach one another HOw great a progresse O thou most holy will thine Enemy and the Truths make if this doctrine were imbraced 1. To break down the wall about the enclosed Garden the Church and make Common the choicest favours of the King of Saints who endeared himself of old to his people by the promise of his Spirit wherby we know that he dwelleth in us and we in him because he hath given us of his Spirit John 16. 7. 1 John 4 13. This is the Spirit which the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him Joh. 14. 17. This is the Spirit of Promise promised to believers wherby they are or shall be sealed unto the Day of Redemption of the Saints who are the Purchased Possession from the Power of the grave unto the Perfection of Liberty and Glory It being in the mean time the Earnest of our inheritance which is reserved in heaven for us Is not this the oil wherewith our Lord and Saviour was anointed above his fellowes who are his brethren partakers from his fullnesse Psal. 45. 7. John 1. 16. Ephes. 4. 7. 2. Moreover how daringly doth this attempt if it were possible to pull the seven stars Rev. 1. out of the hand of Christ and how easily doth this conclude against Apostleship Pastorship Doctorship Eldership c. admonitions exhortations reproofs and that with a high hand although God hath set them in his Church for the perfecting of the Saints and edifying of the Body and that untill every member be added to his Church and every member already in it be grown unto the fullnesse of the measure of the stature of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Let the wise judge whether this doctrine teach not one member to say to another I have no need of thee But if any rejoice in the Covenant of Promise we also will blesse the name of the Lord who hath established the New Covenant upon better promises than the old Covenant For to the people whom he taketh to himself he will give not only a Law without but in their hearts also and whereas in the dispensation Mosaicall there were many Brethren in that outward ministration who knew not God yet in the new Covenant there is not a Brother need say to his brother Know the Lord as if he was ignorant of the Lord though the least of all Saints Yet surely if this promise exclude all outward Teachers why should Christ give Teachers to his Saints and Peter stir up their minds their pure minds by way of remembrance and endeavour by his Epistle that after his decease they might have the Gospell in remembrance and John write to Believers of all ages in the Church that they abide in Christ notwithstanding that they had the anointing in them All which expresseth the unspeakable love of Christ and care toward his People knowing their weaknesses which favour man would reject to his own losse 3. But as if it were a small thing O you that fear the Lord thus courteously to rob and friendly to betray you this doctrine proceeds if the Authors understand it to cut off at once all instruction and reproof of Enemies and ungodly and states not a Brother but an Enemy and child of ignorance twice over to have no need that any man say unto him Know the Lord because it saith every man that commeth into the world is enlightned by the light which is the Anointing which as these Doctrinists say excludes all need of outward Teaching If any man say The Spirit convinceth the world of sin therefore every one in the world hath the workings of the spirit It is answered The holy anointing oil is not poured upon mans flesh nor the stranger but on the Tabernacle Altar c. Aaron and his sonnes which makes this Mercy peculiar to the Saints the holy Priesthood and not common or like the convincing operations of the Spirit which do not appropriate such a Person or consecrate him to the Lord Besides this Conviction doth not exclude the Teachings of man but rather implyes it For it convinceth of unbelief which is not the sinne of them that have not heard Romans 10. ver. 14. He will say then Have they not heard Is not the word nigh them yea in their hearts verse 8. Most true it is in the hearts of them that believe yea verily their sound is gone forth into all the earth even Theirs who were preachers of Glad tidings v. 14 15. who carried the report which was not believed of some v. 16. even the word of God v. 17. which being received by the Gentiles became a provocation of the Jewes to jealousie because it was first offered to them and they received it not v. 19. it pleased therefore the Lord of All to send forth tidings of Grace into all nations and his Spirit to convince the world contradistinguished to the Jewes Rom. 11. 15. of sinne because when they hear they believe not untill convinced that it is their sin not to believe in Christ or submit to him accept him as King Priest and Prophet when offered to them It might seem strange to you dearly beloved should we say that these discoursings on their part are but a blind to veil what is farther intended It may be their confessions will sometimes give you it that you and all men ought to believe in Christ in them and that they perish for not believing that Christ is manifested in their flesh and that you are saved by the dying rising c. of Christ or the light in you and not by any Christ without you To the evidencing of which in part be pleased to hear them using the word of the Scriptures saying The Kingdome of God is within you and this they say of and to all the children of this world TO which we answer 1. That the Kingdome of Heaven the Jewes expected to come as the Kingdomes of the Earth and Men but it came with no such pomp or shew wherefore the Pharisees were

not aware or observed not that it was ever since the daies of John the Baptist and that it was {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in them or among them and they knew not 2. Most true it is that where-ever the Kingdome of God comes with power and efficacy it sits down in the heart and doth subdue the thoughts wills affections and actions of Men to the Scepter of Christ But it comes near to many in the Gospel or outward message of peace though they know not the time of their visitation and again is taken away from a nation when the Gospel is taken away 3. We do indeed firmly hold against all the sonnes of formality that it is not talking of God but walking with God not the form of Godlinesse without the power that sets one further than the outward Court and that God is not worshipped in Truth if he be not worshipped in Spirit Also we hold that all the visible order and regiment of the Church as suited to the present Condition in the body is not of the substance of the Kingdom that cannot be shaken but shall cease at the second coming of Christ 4. Yet during the imperfect state of the Church as we mentioned before and the Love-conveyances from one member to another for the increase of the body there cannot be any thing trans-acted but in some form And for the standing forms of Gospel-appointments as Church-order Sacraments c. we judge them added to as appendixes of the Kingdome and they are unalterable by the wisdom or will of Man untill the appearing of Christ Their end is to testifie our blessed subjection of Jesus Christ as Banners and flags hung out to the view of the world to make known the People that own Christ crucified Also they are chanels of Spritual Grace Scripture and experience witnessing and may not be neglected under pretence of avoiding formality or present indisposednesse or dullness which many times is removed by a conscientious attendance upon these exercises Wherefore we conclude that to set up the form without the Power or the Power to jusle out the form of Godliness are both errors and is beside the Rules and practise of those Times which abounded in glorious gifts and wonderfull Grace who yet were most observant of and exactly conversant in Church order Pastors Teachers Elders c. Baptism with water the Lords Supper in the Elements Bread and Wine receiving in and casting out of visible societies by the Power of Christ binding on earth and loosing offenders when penitent continuing in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and publique Prayers and prophecyings as 1 Tim. 2. 1 12. 3. chap. 1. 8. 4. ch. 14. 5. chap. 1. 7. 9. 17. 19. 22. compared with 3. chap. 16. v. But it sufficeth not to our Adversaries to have left things in General but they also affirm that Presbyterians Independents Anabaptists and such differing forms are all in the Kingdom of Babylon and in the confusions of it TOuching which 1. It is our earnest desire that such so differing would not rigidly dwell upon their conceivments in Externals to make a breach in the Body of Christ which is but one by rejecting all though godly that are not in their way of Discipline Faith in Christ and Love to all Saints are joined together Eph. 1. 17. Col. 1. 4. 2. Yet we do abhominate those unjust aspersions of Babel-confusions cast on these effects of an inquisitive mind desiring to know the mind of the Lord which thou O vain man reproachest though thy conscience would tell thee if thou hadst not silenced it that there are many godly persons in those mentioned wayes who rest not in the form but in obedience to God as they understand exercise themselves therein having also the Power of Godliness 3. But it is observable they meddle not with Popery and Episcopacy c. for indeed these principles make all externals indifferent unlesse that they are more violent against Presbyterians Independents Anabaptists because they stand more in their light neither may Familism speak ill of its native Country and old friends We mean the Romish Antichrist Some indeed say that Pastors Teachers Elders Churches and such administrations ended with the Apostles age and that it is not for us to seek them but a more spiritual way 1. BUt its manifest Apostles were but to plant such as Apollos Timothy Titus c. came to water 1 Cor. 3. 16. Thus doth one enter into anothers labours one layeth the foundation and another buildeth thereupon v. 10. wherefore Paul according to the wisdome given to him ordered that in every Church or City where the Church was there should be Elders whose Place and work it was some to Rule well and some to labour in the Word and Doctrine Act. 14. 27. Tit. 1. 5 7 8 9 10. 2. Also we read of Teachers Ministers Churches Overseers Deacons where the Apostle of the Gentiles was not Col. 1. 7. 2 chap. 1. likewise the Angels of the seven Churches in Asia 2. and 3. of Rev. long settled And the Church in the wildernesse during the Apostacy from Primitive Peace and Purity hath witnesses that feed her 1260. Prophetical dayes or years Rev. 12. 6. 14. 3. But it is above controversie If our Lord hath given gifts to men they must imploy those Talents though they are not so eminent as in the Primitive times being according to the measure of the Gift of Christ and his Grace Eph. 4. 7. Rom. 12. 3 4 5 6. Now that the qualifications of an Overseer Elder Deacon may be found in these our daies is manifest if we consider the 1 Tim. 3. 2. c. Tit. 1. 6. as not conteining any extraordinary Grace That we must not expect them to be sent forth as the Apostles immediatly is manifest for though they are to have an open door in their own hearts Yet they are set down as such 1 That may desire the work 1 Tim. 3. 1. 2. Are called to it by the Saints and Eldership trying and approving them 1 Tim. 4. 14. 5. chap. 22. Titus 1. 5. And 3 such as are instructed for the further fitting them for their work 1 Tim. 4 6. 13 14 15. 2 Tim. 2. 2. likewise such 4 as being qualified in some measure yet through modesty or fear or other respects may be unwilling to feed the flock of God though called thereunto 1 Pet. 5. 1 2. reserving still the honour to the chief shepheard v. 4 and that this is a rule to be continued in the Church is evident 1 Tim. 3. 15. ch. 6. 14. So then though they have not these extraordinary endowments or miraculous operations it s nothing material for the Church and the doctrine needeth it not as at the beginning 2. Also that Timothy Titus and the Angels of the Churches and Elders after the Apostles never did miracles that we read of 3. Miracles also being in the last times signes of

check chide and call home the wandrings of his people to make his grace exceeding glorious Thirdly Neverthelesse though we are tyed to all Means yet hath the Lord tyed himself to none so as that he may not in his Soveraignty withhold mercy untill his own time But if power alway go with light what shall we think of Paul who found the Law of his Members warring and leading him captive against his Will though he gave up himself to the Law of his inward man Rom. 7. 14. unto the end Surely the topstone of the whole frame of Spiritual graces and privileges is not laid untill the resurrection and second coming of Jesus Christ which is cleared in the Scriptures calling it our Adoption as it was written of Christ and of the day of his resurrection Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee also making our Life to be hidden untill then stating the life of a Christian now to be in Faith and hope which looks beyond death and charactering a true Saint by his waiting looking for and loving the appearing of Christ Heb. 10. 37 38. 1 Thess. 1. 10. Heb. 9. 28. Blessed are they who are the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus though all their life time they be found groaning under the burden of sin buffetings of Satan and are in heavinesse if need be through various Temptations which are to make them vile and little in their own eyes knowing what maketh them to differ And that Jesus might perfect his strength in their weaknesse and his Grace in their guiltinesse And might trie their faith which shall be found unto praise and glory at the appearing of Christ the hope of which is as an Anchor to their souls which Saves them from sinking under their pressures and perishing in their stormes Then shall they that now die not having received the Promises which are sure to all the seed receive them and the Crown of righteousnesse at that day who fight the good fight finish their course and keep the faith This putteth not the day of the Lord far from us as some charge us no more than did Abraham Isaac and Jacob who saw the Promises a farre off and because they apprehended themselves not likely to inherit them in this life on earth therefore they confessed themselves Pilgrims and strangers whose portion was not in this life Heb. 11. 16. Neverthelesse as we look for compleat victory over all and the last of enemies Death at the resurrection so we are to hasten to it 2 Pet. 3. 12. in all holy conversations and godlinesses if by any means we might attain unto the resurrection Phil. 3. 10 11. by being as like Christ as may be who in that he died he died unto sin and the world and in that he liveth he liveth unto God though for the changing our vile corruptible mortal natural bodies like unto his glorified body the Apostle looked not for it nor his Crown until the coming of Christ Phil. 3. 21. But that we may take the foxes and the little foxes that spoil our vines which began to have tender grapes let 's yet make search and see how for the driving on the great design of overthrowing the Gospel as administred by Man and weakning the Authority of the holy Scriptures they seek to perswade all Men that that light in them is the Gospel and the sure Word of Prophecy to which they would do well to take heed until the day dawn and the day-star arise in their hearts It may be the Accuser of the Brethren will say we are zealous in our own cause though our Consciences tell us we ought to be angry yet without sinne when we see the way of life stopped up from the children of men which we doubt not to demonstrate to the seeing eye in reference to the Gospel it self and its ministration First then to manifest that this assertion puts men quite beside the way of Salvation We pray you to consider that if it be not the voice of the Gospel but of the Law mans heart who hath no more light than the eternal Word enlightens him with as every one that cometh into the world then who so bids him seek righteousness peace and life in attendance and obedience thereto puts man beside the way of life Rom. 9. 32. Rom. 4. 5 14. Gal. 2. 16 21. But that it is the voice of the Law and not the Gospel hath been proved before by sundry couched Arguments as that Scripture and experience makes the moral Law the Counterpane of the Law ingraven in every mans Conscience Also that Man naturally establisheth his own self-righteousnesse which is of the Law Beside the book of Natural Conscience is the Creation and Providence which administer in themselves to the discursive faculty the knowledge of the Godhead as binding Man to glorifie God as God not as Father Saviour or Redeemer Should we here grant that he that walks up to the Law or light of Nature shall have the light of Grace or Gospel revealed to him although we never read nor knew the Gospel bestowed on any Person or People upon that account or the Spirit received by the works of the Law yet we do more than doubt whether ever there stood before the throne of Glory or shall any such who without Gospel-light and grace did obey the Law please God or rightly approach unto him for we know that faith in Jesus as dying for us and rising for our justification is the first stone in the spiritual building and the Fountain of Love Man loving God because he is first beloved of God without which mans specious works most upright worships are abhominations threapt on the Lord Wherefore the Lord builds not on the first Adams foundations or Covenant of works on which the higher man builds the more losse he suffers when he is brought to Christ but layes a Foundation in Sion even Christ in the Law of Faith or Covenant of Grace and thereupon builds all things new Secondly Moreover we add that if this Position take away the true and proper ministration of the Gospel it must needs shut up the Kingdom of God from Men For what are good tidings if they be not told But to the best of our understandings by this Assertion is the ministration of the Gospel taken away For we do not know that ever the gospel was published or promised to be made known without the ministration of man or without hearing But rather as Jesus Christ said I am with you in teaching to the end of the world so intended he teaching to be to the end also it was the Apostles care that the truth might be committed from one to another from age to age 2 Tim. 2 2. likewise the promise is Isa. 59. the last verse that the Word should not depart from the mouth of Jesus Christ and his seed and his seeds seed for ever and that the

Spirit should accompany the word in the mouth of the seeds seed or successive Saints from age to age We confesse that though reading the Scriptures or Scripture Truths in books may be a means of Faith through the Holy Ghost working therewith yet this may be fitly comprehended under hearing of the Apostles and Prophets by their writings by which they being dead yet speak and doth still confesse the Gospel administred by Man and not by any other Creatures or by secret communication of light to the mind by God immediately which these Assertors affirm and we shall have further occasion to examine We contend not herein for any particular sort of Men or them who do most readily call themselves the Ministers of the word of God though we shall alway acknowledge the Order and Offices of the Church of God but our chief contention is for the Gospel as administred by Man whether in word or writing as not knowing how any should believe unlesse they hear the Testimony of the Apostles John 17. 20. or their Word For truly we should bear more easily the laying aside of Man or his Ministration though none may adventure to do it but Christ who hath declared his mind as we have observed and shall if these that advance themselves above him who is the true Christ did not aim to beguile you of the Scriptures themselves even while you are looking on and think not so Wherefore while they say this Light or Gospel is within you they proceed to say it is the sure word of Prophecy Is then a Prophetick light in all men or what doth it prophecy of life and righteousnesse for sinners in a Mediator or of Death because of disobedience or if this be the light that shines in a dark place what is the day-star and the Sun of righteousnesse if this be Christ as was before affirmed by them But as the legs of the lame are not equal no more are these parables but that we may shew their distance from the truth rather than from themselves we beseech you to consider that by this means Either first The Scriptures are laid aside not onely as not useful but as not true Scripture to you nor truth to you if they be not particularly dictated in your hearts after the same manner as to them that wrote them Thus they call it a dead letter which word was applied to the Law whereas though the ink and paper be dead yet the Truth or meaning of those words is called the Power of God and hath a Majesty Authority and Grace above the words of man stamped upon it and is said to convert comfort quicken and make wise the soul which is done no otherwise than by the conjunction of the Word with the Power of God Psalm 119. 50. 105. Surely the Scriptures were written for our learning and are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith in Christ and may be used for Doctrine Reproof Correction and Instruction in righteousnesse that the Man of God or a man who from God or for God is to attend upon the work of the Ministry * may be perfect throughly furnished to every good work As for the expected dictating the Scriptures by the Spirit to us as to the writers it is groundless but we shall touch on that afterward Secondly But if the evidence of Truth constrain them to return to the word of the Scriptures as binding in it self and useful yet by their Doctrine the Scriptures are turned into Allegories and so their frothie conceipts and catches of wit are established as the sure Word of Prophecy Thus doth the deceiver suck the Eggs and lay them in the nest again and while they allow the Scripture a nominal authority yet it must not be heard but as their conceivings put a sense upon it and in short thus is the Scripture judged but is not admitted to judge spirits and apprehensions but if they speak it must be an oracle and as the Pure testimony of Jesus or the light in them which must be credited but not disputed of this more in the sequel This calls to mind a sentence in one of Luthers Letters verily saith he God must incessantly be implored with fear humility and earnest supplication that we may have his assistance and protection otherwise truly it may soon come to pass that the Devil will present before our eyes such a Phantasm that we should swear it were the true Holy Ghost it self as not only those antient Heretiques but in our time also examples which have been and still are great and dreadful do forewarn This he wrote concerning this Generation that we contend against which began to his Time Some dare not quite lay aside the Scriptures neither turn it into Allegories yet do not look in them to learn because they think it is to build up themselves in Carnal knowledge which darkens the workings of the Spirit and again because they judge that none can open its seals but the Lamb and therefore they 'l not meddle at least not to search for understanding therein until the Spirit in them open it to them But let us consider 1. Jesus Christ spake many things to his disciples which they understood not at that time untill after his resurrection and the fulfilling of them which doubtlesse he would not have done if his wisdome had not judged it meet to treasure up knowledge in their memories for hereafter though they had not the present understanding of them or present benefit by them 2. Our blessed Saviour calleth them fooles and slow of heart because they did not believe All that the Prophets have spoken which taxeth them for negligence non attendance and willful ignorance of the Scriptures though the seals were not opened to them and beginning at Moses he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself v. 27. which was a teaching of knowledge from the letter of the word and he opened their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures which they had surely as they ought read before Likewise it is observable that the Lord seeing the Eunuch Acts 8. 32 c. reading a Scripture in a conscientious way for he was a worshipper of God v. 27. though he understood it not v. 30. sent unto him Philip to open that Scripture and from that to preach unto him Jesus so will God do with others in the like condition 3. Instruction of children in the Scriptures 2 Tim. 3. 14 15. was commended as a way blessed of God In this way seeds are sown which spring up it may be by way of remembrance long after for conversion or further increase in knowledge which they sooner make when they have the spirit if they keep in memory what they read or heard in the time of their ignorance Most true we find it it s not having but eating the Book doth us good and the word doth not profit us without faith neverthelesse searching