A Heavenly Conference for Sions SAINTS To enlighten themselves and teach their Children Together With the SAINTS Beliefe By Iohn Turner a prisoner of Jesus Christ in Gardiners Lane Westminster Mal. 3. 16. 17. Then spake they that feared the Lord every one to his neighbour and the Lord hearkned and heard it and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name And they shall be to me saith the Lord of hosts in that day that I shall doe this for a flocke and I will spare them as a man spareth his owne sonne that serveth him Deut. 6. 6. 7. And these words which I command thee this day shal be in thine heart And thou shalt rehearse them continually unto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou tariest in thine house and as thou walkest by the way and when thou liest downe and when thou risest up Luk. 2. 46 47. And it came to passe three dayes after that they found him in the Temple sitting in the midst of the doctors both hearing them and asking them questions And all that heard him were astonied at his understanding and answers Printed in the yeare 1645. Psal. 16. 3. Most excellent SAINTS of SION OVr onely Lord hath taught that Light is come into the world and men loved darkenesse rather then light because Joh. 3. 19. their deeds were evill whereby the Book of God hath beene sealed with seven seales that Rev. 5. 1 〈◊〉 9. none could looke into the truth thereof which hath caused people to leave the foundation of true faith the written word and beleeve as the Church and Priests beleeve But the lyon of the tribe of Judah of the root of David hath opened the same to the terrour of his enemies and comfortable refreshing of his beloved Saints And because they could not prevaile to hide all Rev. 6. 14. truth they rouled up as a scroule Christs kingdome of power and Church-Government denying Luk. 9. 1â— him to raigne over them which hath caused Christs word to be contemned as insufficient for prudency in performing Divine Ordinances and 2 Tim 3 16 17. thereby have caused the people to follow that government which the Priests doe appoynt them changing the manner of worship as gallants change 2 Pet. 5. 15. Prov. 24 21. their fashions ever now and then in a new shape And lest their evill should be espied they have caused 4 Angels to hold the 4 winds of Christs Rev. 7. 1. Church power government that they should not blow upon the Earth Sea or any Trees by which Locusts doe rise out of the smoake of the bottomlesse Rev. 9. 3. 17. pit and with the fire smoake and brimstone which hath proceeded out of their mouthes they have darkened the third part of the Sun-light of Rev. 8. 12 9 18. the Gospel the third part of the inferior moon-light of the Law and the third part of the truth of Christs ministry and thereby caused the powers of the Earth to reele to and fro like a Drunkard and Esay 24. 20. Rev. 6. 16. 17. quake and say alas alas we know not what to do hide us from the presence of the Lamb for his wrath in his regall power and Church-Government is come and we cannot stand for he will condemâ—e without respect of persons all evilâ— Government and Governours Worship and Worshippers and then you shall be so borne up on every side with earthen props that men shall not dare speake against this Beast neither teach Jesus Rev. 13. Christ to be the Saviour of the world what gifts soever God induâ— them with without a license from these evill angels or Patentees of the Gospel But the good Angel notwithstanding these hath sealed the Servants of God in the fore lead Rev. 7 2. 3. authorizing them to teach all his truths among all his people in all earthly dominions by vertue Only Marke 16. 15. of his power and requires them so to doe upon paine of his displeasure by whose authority I here Act 4. 19 imploy my meane talent without their license knowing that it is better to obey God them man and to set forth the whole truth of God revealed unto me that I may be guiltlesse of the bloud of Act. 20 26 27 all men And having obtained this honour of the Lord once againe to be a prisoner for maintaining his truth this being the seventh time of my imprisonment and fifteenth yeare no cause having ever being shewed cannot chuse but speak by writing I being set of the Lord apart thereunto and taken Act 4 20. 2 Thess 1. 8. off from all other imployments that ignorance whereof God will be revenged in flames of fire may be expelled Faith stedfastnesse and true worship embraced these evill angels by the word of Christs mouth prevented in their mischievous Rev. 9. 6. Exod. 10. 19. Rev. 18. 21. hiding the truth and the Locusts that with their heads and tailes make men weary of their lives by the West-wind of Gods favour blowne into the Sea appoynted for their destruction Beloved it is for the unfolding of Gods truth and thy good that I have penned the same following the example of the Lamb who discovered the Pharisees iniquitie and unfolded the truth by Luke 2 46 47. questioning with them and answering them againe whose practice is my president And though the Pen-man were not a Prophet as many call Prophets neither the sonne of a Prophet yet I Amos. 7. 14. pray thee in the feare of God read it carefully try it diligenly judge unpartially and embrace it lovingly and refuse not what thou seest appeare to bee truths herein but yeeld conscionably to practice the same and teach it unto thy children faithfully with all diligence remembring that God for the good of his will bring 〈◊〉 Cor. 4 6. 1 Cor. 1 27 28 29. light out of darkenesse making foolish things confound wise and weake strong and hath chosen base things and things that are not to bring to nought things that are lest men should rejoyce in their Aâ—ery humane learning as in these Rev. 16. 17. dayes too much they doe I humbly beseech you in the feare of God Jam 21. Heb. 1â— 6. Heb. 10. 37. 38. have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in respect of persons neither feare persecution for well doing looke not backe preferring worldly friends before Christs truth God will be a better Marke 10. 19. friend unto thee then all thou canst lose for his sake giving thee â—n hundred fold recompence in this life and in the world to come life everlasting AMEN The Table of the Contents of this Booke MAns estate before his fall Page 1. Mans estate in his fall with the ten commandements 4. Mans estate since his fall and how wee shall know the Scriptures to be Gods word 16. What every one ought
from delighting in the things of this world to delight in heavenly things Q What is Mortification A. h Ro. 8. 14 Pet. 4. 1 3 3 4. Col. 3. 〈◊〉 6. A suppressing of all evill actions which we have formerly practised Q. What is the patience the Lord requires A. i Ro. 2. 7. 1 Pet. 2. 2 3. 17. Lu 1. 〈◊〉 Rom. 15. 30. 33. Mat. 5 30 31. A quiet and meek endeavouring for well doing Q. What is Iustification A. A having our actions which wee performe warrantable to be acceptable Q. By what must our actions be warranted acceptable A. By the inward conscience and outward 1 Ioh. 3 20. Heb. 11. 6. Ioâ— 14. 23. Iam. 1. 22 23. Rom. 2. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 19. word Q. What is Conscience A. A created faculty of the soul thoughts witnessing truth on Gods part by accusing or excusing one another without partiality Q. When are our actions warranted by the conscience and word 3 Iohn 3. 5. Rom. 14. 23. Col 2. 21 22 23. A. When both approve the practice Q. When is one truely constant A. When hee stodfastly practises not fearing persecution all that he doth to the end 1 Cor. 15. 58. Col 〈◊〉 8. Iames 1. 6 7. without any wavering Q. When is one truly comforted A. When hee apprehends Gods favour in Acts 7. 56 5. 41. 1 Cor. 15. 19. Christ and the reward shall be given unto him Q. What is it to be directed truly A. To bee led by Gods Spirit not going of Matth 16. 21. Iohn 16. 13. our selves Q. When is one led by Gods Spirit A. When he walketh in the wayes of Gods 1 Iohn 5. 78. Psal 119. 10â— 19. 7. 11. Word Q What benefit have the Lords children more then Satans servants in the things of this life A. They have them in Gods favour to preserve Deut. 28. 〈◊〉 16. Tit. 〈◊〉 Prov. 21. 4. 16 4. them to happinesse and the ohter in his justice to keep them till the judgement Q. Are all that degenerated in Adam restored in Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 3. 8 Act. 15 8. Mat 34 13. Iohn 3. 3â— A. None are restored but the faithfull with their seed Q. What is faith in Iesus Christ A. The Foundation of our hope and Evidence Hebr. 11. 1. of the heavenly Inheritaâ—ce which we shal enjoy Q. What is the object of Faith A. The love and mercy of God Math. 9. 18 21. Acts 2. 38. Q. What is the love of God unto us A. All goodnes in this life and eternall glory in the life to come Rom. 8. â—8 Hebr. 12. 6. Q. Vpon what Object doth Faith worke A. Upon the satisfaction which Christ hath Math. 9. 18. 22 23. Acts 2. 38. made for our eternall happinesse Q. What are the motives that stir up Faith A. The promises of Almighty God Heb. 11. 9 10 11 13. Gen. 17 4 8. 27. 〈◊〉 Cor 8. 10. 〈◊〉 Acts. 19. 21. 2 Tim. 3. 10. 1 Thes 5. 12 13. Phil. 2. 30. Q. Wha are the effects that flow from faith A. Confidence of Gods love internall holy purposes and externall godly practises Q. What are the internall purposes that flow from faith A. Resolving in our hearts to obey whatsoever God requires Rom. 6. 17. 8 6. 2 Cor. 8. 10 11 12. Mat. 22. 37. 39 Luke 10 27. Mat. 4. 10. Rev. 22. 18 19. Deut. 5 32. Q. What are the externall purposes of faith A. Good workes spirituall and temporall Q. What are good externall spirituall workes A. Worshipping of God in matter and manner according to his direction Q. What are good workes temporall A. Helping our Brethren and others in obedience Isay 58. 7. â—â—ek 18. 7. â—â—m 2. 17 18 21. Mat 25. 35 36. Ephes 2. 8. to Christs Commandements Q. How come men to have saving faith A. It is the free gift of God Q. What causes God to give him faith Rom. 9. 15. 18. A. His free mercy in Christ Q. At what time doth the Lord give his mercy A. Before we are borne Mal. 1. 2. Ro. 9 11 12 13. Ephes 1. 4. Q. How know you God gives mercy before we are borne A. By his Word and the manifestation of it Ephes 1. 4. 10 11. in time Q. By what meanes doth God manifest unto us his mercy A. By his Word and Spirit Extraordinary and Ordinary Jer. 1. 5 6. Acts 2. 37. Q. What is the extraordinary meanes that God useth to call by A. Calling us in our misery or rudenes by himselfe Acts 9. 3 4 5 6. 1 Sam. 3. 4. Iob 33 14. 15. in a Field alone of a Vision in the night Q. What is the ordinary meanes whereby God useth to manifest unto us that we have faith A. a Luk. 15. 16. 24. Afflictions b 2 King 22. 10. 19. Reading c Lu. 14 13 14 15. Iohn 4. 27 29. Conference d Act. â—0 2 3. 4 Prayer e Acts 2. 37. and 4. 4. Preaching f Iob 33. 14 15 16 17. Gen. 24. 63. Meditation Q. Is not Conversion tyed onely to the Office of the Ministery A. g Act. 11 19 20 21. 17. 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 14 24 25 29 30. Iam 2â— 1 Pet. 2. 2. No it is not at all tyed to the Office of the Ministery but to the Word and Spirit As Corne hath not its growth from the Seeds-man but from it selfe and the ground So Conversion hath not its from the Ministery but from the Word and Spirit Q. Have those any right to the things of this life which are not of Christs eternall Redemption A. To all created things they have Gen. 3. 14. Deut. 2. 4 5. Because God hath given the things of this life unto them As a Traytor hath right to the portion allowed him till the Execution Q. Doth not mans fall deprive him of the things of this life A. Mans fall deprives him of all the things Gen 2. 17. 〈◊〉 Tim. 4. 10. of this life But for Christ sake God gives them all men againe for a time Q. Have the wicked any benefit by Christs Redemption Matth. 5. 45. Deut. 3. 4 5 〈◊〉 l. 37. 7 8. 79. 〈◊〉 3. Mat. 5. 45. â—â—ov 9 7 8. A. Yes in all externall things of this life for God will not yet now take them from them Q. Have the Elect no priviledge by Christ in the externall things of this life more then the Reprobate A. Yes the Elect have them in Gods favour Deuâ— 28 Tit. 1. 5. to preserve them to happinesse and the Reprobate in his wrath to reserve them till the slaughter Q. Doth God heare the prayers of men not in Christ A. God heares and grants wicked men their 1 Kings â—2 27â—â—9 Mat. 5. 45. â—onah 3 5. 10 requests in the things of this life many times for their further judgement Q. How know you that there is a God that 1 Cor.
2. â—1 â—â—a 19. 1 2 3 4. created man and all other things A. By the Spirit of God and the Heavens Firmament and orderly course every day and night they make Rom. 1. 30 10. 18. Q. What doth God require of his Redeemed in his word Deut. 5. 30. Exod. 20 3. Mat. 4. 10. A. That they shall serve him only Q. Doth the Lordrequire that wilfull wicked men should serve him in his divine worship Psal 50. 16. Jude 12. â—6 Psal â—8 4. 5 Mark 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 12. A. No they ought not to meddle with Christs divine worship Q. When is one a wilfull wicked man that professeth Christ A. When he will take away or adde to any Mat. 24. 9. Mark 13 9. 14 Rev. 13. 10 22. 18. 19. thing in Gods worship imprison or put to death for not worshipping God as hee would have them For Christs servants must let wicked men alone Mat. 13. 29. 30 2 Tim 2 24 35. 3 â—et 1. 2â— Deut. 32. 46. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. quietly Q. Which is the law of Christs divine word A. The holy Scriptures which are called the Old and New Testament Q. How know you the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be Gods word A. Because Gods glory is therein wholy Iohn 7. 18. Maâ—h 23. 1â— Luk. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—ames 4 6 3. 6. â—â—d 19. Mattâ— 6. 13. 1 Pâ—t 3. 〈◊〉 11 maintayned mans pride wholy suppressed corrupt nature utterly gainsayed evill forbidden and vertue required Q. How know you our translated Scripture which is called the Bible to be the true word of God A. 1. a 1 Cor. 2. 〈◊〉 1â— â—3 14 15. Ioh. 16. 13. Inwardly by the Spirit of God 2. Outwardly by the power which the word â—ctâ— 2. 37. 4 〈◊〉 4. 2 Cor. 7. 〈◊〉 11. hath in converting men and governing them being converted 3. By the agreement of the Word it being Cor. 14. 32 3. 2 Peter 1. 1. written so many yeates asunder and by so many severall prophets and no one place contradicting another being rightly understood For where one place seemingly contradicts Mie 25. 2â— Math. 2. 5 6. â—salm 22. 18. Math. 27. 35. Zach. 9. 9. Math. 21 5 6. Mar. 15. 15. 19 â—ay 5. 6 c. 〈◊〉 Dan. 11. 31. Mâ—r. 13. 14. Math. 24. 5. 〈◊〉 Tâ—m 4. 3 4. Tim. 4. 3. Rev. 18. 13. Ezek 13. 19. â—ohn 16. 1 2. Mat. 23. 34. Rev. 18. 8. 21. 1 Cor. 15. 21 22. 1 Thes 4. 16 17. Math. 25. 23. 34. 〈◊〉 Math. 12. 33. Gal. 5 22. 〈◊〉 Psal 19 7 8 9 〈◊〉 Tim. 3. 16 17. Tit. 1 2. Mar. 7. 37. Gâ—n 1. 31. another it is not rightly understood 4. By the Prophesies thereof which are three fold past present and to come 1. a Promises past which are fulfilled 2. b Promises present wee behold with these eyes taking away Gods Ordinances and placing mens inventions in the roome thereof forbidding sound doctrine and Gods people to speake his truth without their licence marriages meats selling soules for money and persecuting the truth 3. c Prophesies to come that shall be fulfilled destruction of those Soule-Merchants forbidders to speake Gods truth resurrection of the body Christs comming to judgement and eternall glory Q. How know you that yuo have the spirit of God A. d By the fruite of good workes which it brings forth in my conversation Q. How know you that the word of God is sufficient A. e Because a perfect God cannot leave an imperfect word Q. How can the word be sufficient seeing many bookes spoken by the Prophets are now â—anting A. The Lord hath reserved so many as are Ioh. 20. 30 31. 21. 25. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. sufficient to teach all things needfull to salvation and worship Q. How must our eternall God be worshipped A. As he hath required in that his word only Deut. 5. 3â— 1 Cor. 11. 1 3. Deut. 18. 20. without adding or detracting in matter or order Q. What order must Christs Church and children keep in the performance of his Ordinances A. That order onely which in his word he hath required 1 Cor. 14. 40. Col. 〈◊〉 5. 1 Cor. 11. 1 〈◊〉 Heb. 8 5. 3 Cor. 1. 13. Q. How if any breake the order in worship that God hath prefixed in his word A. He will destroy them if they repent not 2 Chron. â—6 16 â—0 Levit. 10. 1. Act. 6. 14. Col. 2. â—2 Rev. 2. 16. 5. Hâ—b 2. 1 2 3. As a King will destroy all those that will take money contrary to the order he appoynts Q. What is the service that God in his written word requires of his children A. It is temporall and spirituall Q. What is the temporall obedience the Lord Mat. 22. 37. 38 39 Mar. 12. 31 requires A. To obey Parents Kings and Majestrates Gal. 5. 14. Iam. 2. 8 9. Rom. 13. 1. Tit. 2. 2 1 Pâ—t 4. 11. in earthly things pay that wee owe be mercifull to all sober in our carriage doing as wee would be done unto for conscience sake Q. May wee not obey the temporall authority of Parents Kings and Magistrates in Gods divine worship A. No we may not for Kings and Parent 2 Coâ— 7 â—3 16. 12. Gal. 1. 10 Dan. 3. 16 17 18. Psal 105. 14 15. 149 8 9. 2. 10 11 12. 2 Cor. 10. 4 c. are subject in divine things and ought not to use temporall authority about matters of worship Q. What is the divine worship the Lord requires of his children A. a Mat. 6. 6. Dan. 6. 10. It is Personall b Deut. 4. 9 10 Ios 24. 15. Domesticall c Mar. 9. 38 39. Acts 18. 24 25 26 27. Congregative d Acts 2. 1 Cor. 1. 11. Deut. 6. 7. 11. 19. and Stative or in the Church Q. What is the personall worship the Lord requires of his children Matth. 6. 6 14 23. Rev. 1. 9. 19. A. That one conscionably serve him when he is alone Q. What are the duties which one alone is to performe unto the Lord A. a Acts 8. 28. Reading b Luke 1. 29. meditation on Gods Word c Matth. 11. 33. Prayer d Psal 35. 13. Iohn 5. 39. 3 King 22. 10 11. 19. Neh. 13. 12 13. Mat. 22. 31 32 33 21 16. Fasting Q. VVhat benefit is there by reading of Gods word A. We are informed what we should do and either confirmed or confounded in what we have done that it is good or evill Q. What benefit is there by meditation on Psal 119. 92. Matt. 1â—0 Luke 1. 2â— 30 2. 35. 12. 17. 18. Ex. 32. 10 11 14 30 31 32. Iâ—m 5. 14 15. Act. 4. 31 33. Ionah â—1 2. Gods word A. Keeping the knowledge and comfort wee have and gaining more Q. VVhat benefit by fervent faithful prayer A. Preventing deserved punishments and procuring