the case be considered from what all men professing Christ do acknowledge namely 1. That there was a true and pure Church in the time of the Apostles and a good while after so long as it abode in the Apostolical Rule Way 2. That there was to be a falling away from that Rule and Way of true Christianity and that to be universally and damnably as the Scriptures declare fully and clearly 3. That this falling away into the estate of damnation took beginning even in the Apostles times as to some persons which afterward became a general Apostasie from the Faith under which Apostasie the Christian World so called was to abide 1260 yeares 4. All Christians holding and believing all the former things and the Protestant Divines holding the latter do withall declare and maintain that for about 1100. years before the Reformation the Christian World was generally in the Antichristian Apostasie hence then it must needs follow that there still remains after the Reformation began by Luther about 160. years of Antichrists Reign which must of necessity comprehend all the time since unto this day Thus far the truth of the case is born out by all that profess belief in the Scripture Prophesies especially by all Protestant Divines and Churches Secondly Be it considered from what is further acknowledged namely That the true Christian Apostolical Primitive Church was and is called the pure Church for that it abode in the truth and sincerity of the Gospel in its naked purenesse and spiritual clearnesse living and walking in the new nature c. But in the after-times and so to this day the Church framed it self into an Artificial Garb and Structure both in Doctrine and in Worship Ordinances and Discipline wherein it boasts it self of its Liberty and Power so to add and change as to become quite another to what it had been alledging That then it was in its Infancy naked bare unpollish'd stintâ—sh c. But now is become adult of perfect maturity beauteous adorned splendid and in far more complete accomplishments Hence it must needs follow That if the Church Primitive were truely Christs and represented by the Woman clothed with the Sun the nakednesse and clarity of Truth Rev. 12. Then the other must be that of Antichrist and represented by the gorgeous Whore arrayed with earthly Pomp and Gallantry Lyes and Vanity Rev. 17. 18. Which if as Babylon the Mother of Horlots is signified the Romish Church then all other Churches bred out of her as all ours are are no other then her Daughter-Harlots If it be objected That all the Artifices Additions and Changes brought into the Church are but Circumstantial tending to order and decency and so alter not the Nature and Essence of the Church I answer it is quite otherwise those Artifices have utterly mixed Christianity even as much as Adams fall ruined all mankind the case is even the same as may and will be manifested in season it being the utmost height of that despoyling of all and destroying of all Religion which is spoken of Jude 4. and in many other places of Scripture Thirdly Be it considered what is yet further acknowledged that the Scripture fore-speaking of the most accursed Estate of people in the last times beyond all others before as no times to have been under such horrid Apostasie and Cursednesse as those and that all confess that these are those times do also declare that this condition should be universal and in that estate mens hearts to be so shut up blinded and hardened as no working upon them should win them out of it being given over to so strong delusion to believe a lye to their utter damnation such a delusion as to rest in a form of godliness and utterly to deny and turn away its Poâ—er such a besottednesse in a carnal self-pleasing Religion as to lye drunk in it and abundance of the like dreadful expressions and fore-speakings of the state of the last times And withall that there should be no release and deliverance out of this woful estate until the brightness of Christ dissolve and break those chains of darknesse save onely from some palpable enormities towards the end of the Reign of Antichrist which brightnesse of Christ having not yet appeared needs it must be that Antichrist still abideth in life power and all his essentials even where much of his outward parts have been consumed among the reformed These things and many more discovered at large in Gallicinium may well startle and affright us For surely were there such Churches and so many precious people yea and National Churches as we dream of these things could not be nor ever have been uttered by the Word of truth Fourthly Be it considered from the clear and unquestionable evidence of the case it self which all men must acknowledge and cannot possibly clude when it be set before them And herein 1. Consider wherein consists the true nature and essential proprieties of the true Church as it stood and abode in the Apostolical and Primitive times was it not in the new Man the Lord Jesus Christ in spirit and power formed in their hearts according to his proper Nature and Office which Nature is Love and his Office is to bruise the Serpents head that is the Lusts which are the Kingdom and Power of the Devil in man and so to restore man unto that estate in the Image of God wherein he was first created that so living and walking in love the good works flowing from thene to be the fruits unto eternal life so being in the life of God and acting God's part and work in the world to be ever wel-pleasing and acceptable to God himself so becoming a Temple and Kingdom of God and of Heaven Is not this to be truly a Christian and this course and conversation the way of the Church and the conversation in heaven And did not the Primitive Church thus live thus walk Was not herein their Church-Way Church-Rule and all that denominated them truly Christian See at their firâ—t conversion Act. 2. 4. how Christ and Christianity manifested it self purely in their out-flowing self-denying Love so in all their Life Conversation Exercise whole Demeanure among the Heathen Was not the essential Character of their Religion and Grace meerly Love whence flowed all Virtue Goodness Holiness c So as it became the all-sufficient Note and Character whereby to be known to be the Disciples of Christ as himself declared Joh. 13.34 But now bring we our Church and all Churches now and of long time called Christian and see if any such character note and evidence can be found So as indeed it is utterly unknown shut up in a Mysterie making good that of the Apostle Eph. 3.19 The love of Christ passeth knowledge Sure it is and Gallicinium will make it evident that both we and all other Churches so called are far from the true Church of Christ even the pure Church of old as Hell
the great Day When that light of true Wisdom shall appear whereby the true Judgement of all things shall be manifested which now are shut up in the mystery Thus we see the proofe of this from its inward Root 2. It is more evidently proved from the outward manifestation thereof in constant experience 1. As to the general the wisdom of man standing always in its whole bent to seek after happiness and leaving no wayes untried no stone unrolled to find and obtain it see the event and fruits of all even nothing but to make themselves and the world more and more miserable If thou beest wise sayes Solomon thou shalt be wise for thy self but see the cursed conviction of mans wisdom in that setting the heart wholly unto self it reacheth unto and attaineth nothing but trouble turmoyle vexation sorrow woes crosses and miseries what not Hence justly is the wisdom of the world called foolishness with God and that God knoweth the thoughts of men that they are vain yea vanity it self 2. As to the special and particular Instance the reformation of Religion be it considered that men are and have been sufficiently conscious and convinced at all times since they departed from the wisdom of God in Christ that Religion was ever out of its due course and that something or other was amiss and necessary to be amended and withall that from time to time they set themselves with their utmost endeavour in all study labour and diligence what might be to amend reform and set all right And yet what hath been done what hath been the issue of all their strenuous endeavours both singly by themselves Fathers Doctors Grandees c. by all their Writing Preaching Disciplines and also jointly in Councils Synods Consistories and the like but to turn all into more and more confusion by stating their Decrees Doctrines Disciscipline and all in such wise as exposed them to endless questions Disputes and Controversies Yea what did all tend to but to the setting up of Antichrist and all his delusions and working unto damnation which as the Scripture foretold should come so they did and all by mens acting in their own wisdom despising the wisdom of God Sure it is that in Christ and his way there is that Light which whosoever walketh in cannot stumble much less fall as himself expresseth And as clear it is That all the Errors Deceptions and Evils whatsoever that came into the Church were from those that went out from them that walkked in the Light and Wisdom of Christ into their own as the Scripture declareth Most certain it is that in love is all light and there need no teaching no fear of error or evil as might abundantly be shewed and in Lusts lye all Error and Wickednesse whatsoever In a word seeing all the ablest and wisest of men bending themselves to reformation could never do it or make any thing better since they fell to act in their own wisdom but on the contrary rendred all stil worse and worse therefore it cannot be hoped in the least that ever it can be compassed in that or the like way Experience have proved this to be true every age to this present day whereof most clear evidence is seen in these late yeares wherein all parties took what Liberty they pleased and see what striving and endeavors they used how many wayes have been tryed how many Religions Sects and specious things have been stept into and all prove no better then the former but rather stil worse in the acknowledgement of all And now at present see whereto the wisdom of men driveth how they can see nothing good but what is provision for their Lusts and likings A price is put into their hands to get Wisdom but they have not an heart unto it Liberty and Encouragement is given to move according to Conscience But see by the continual Addresses and Petitions daily coming from alll parts that their Wisdome is set upon no higher pitch then with the Dogge to return again unto his Vomit and like the foolish Israelites that cryed out for the Leeks and Onyons of Aegypt when God gave them Bread from Heaven Thus I conceive this PROPOSAL also stands cleare If more be required I have enough to say for the fuller convinceing of all 3. PROPOSAL That yet there is a way and that of old laid down by Christ to render all Congregations Parishes and Societies of People Churches of Christ and all as formerly Churches of Saints in a blessed condition both here and hereafter TO make this to stand clear and good I shall resolve the whole into these three branches 1. That such was the estate and condition of the true Church of old which is called the Primitive and Apostolical 2. That a clear full and all-sufficient way for it was laid down by Christ 3. That it is an easie and ready thing to bring all Congregations Parishes and People into the same estate and condition again and much more easie for us to compasse it now then in those times of old 1. For the former of these I have given some light into it already in the first Proposal and it stands ful and cleare in the Gospel All happinesse and blessednesse whatsoever that is high heavenly and alone the true blessedness consists in these three things as being the perfect Image of God 1. Clearnesse and fulnesss of Truth to live in the light thereof so as to know all things and to be guided and walk in the truth infallibly so as not possibly to be deceived and led into Error This is truly Angelical and the true life of God and in God 2. Integrity of righteousness and holiness so as no place to be for sin and transgression To live in perfect obedience to the Wil and Command of God in all things and never to have so much as an heart and will to offend God or any thing but to do all the honour and good that they may both to God and man And this is as Heavenly and Angelical perfection as the other 3. Perfection of Blessedness so to live and abide in full fruition of all joy and contentment standing free and ful in an exemption from all that is evil and in the enjoyment of all that is good fully satisfactorily so as the heart to desire no more but to abide ever in an aboundant overflowing If in these be not the perfect blessedness let all men judge Now most sure it is that in a most sweet and abundant enjoyment of all these did the Church of old live while it abode truly Christs Church and degenerated not to be Antichristian The former is cleare by many Warrants of Scripture Surely Christ failed them not of his promise to give them his spirit which should guide them into all Truth which St. John testified that every true Christian and Member of the Church had being that Unction whereby they knew all things and that so as that they needed no other Teaching
whatsoever is the Essence and Life of Christianity which it is not possible for the world to have so long as it is scoffed at jeered and hissed out of the World And can we be the Church of-Christ then Yes when he hath Churches in Hell For where is our state and abiding but in Hell Seeing we lye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Hell Dominion of our Lusts under which we worry toyle serve and are imbondag'd as much as if Christ never had been Surely Christs Church is called to a condition above and beyond all and not to walk as others in the will of the Flesh These and abundance more are cleare and ful in Gallicinium and if required I shal by Gods assistance clear the case yet further therefore at present I say no more I easily see that the Objection and cavil against this and the slighting of all that I have said and the evasion from all wil be upon mens own devised distinction between the visible and invisible Church whereby they cozen themselves and all others into eternal perdition but the taking away of that is easie to be observed from what is already said which I leave to be paused upon I desire to be briefe onely this first Proposal being the main and giving light into all the rest I have been the larger upon it I shal be briefer in the other I conceive now the Proposal is made clear and good onely this is to be added That whereas I have shewed that all Churches so called are in the state of damnation Antichristianly so all others are in the same accursed estate Diabolically This is the difference The World in the geneal lyeth and weltereth in the poyson of the old Serpent Lusts and Sin and consequently under the curse in the Wrath of God thus it is such diabolically And the Christian part thereof in special is deluded and driven thereinto by the Spirit of Antichrist in the pretence and profession of Christianity carrying their Christ Religion Grace and all into the Wil and Wisdom of the Flesh after they have by their avowing themselves to Christ declared their defiance against all professing to be his faithful Soldiers in the Christian Warfare And this is the most damnable and accursed condition of all other as the Word of Truth declareth Tremble then and be astonished O accursed World especially what is called Christian and if ever it were the charge of Christians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling now more then ever need we look about us with astonishment horror and affrightment For most assuredly all the World and every person therein that ever were and now are both may and shal attain salvation and not one be damned as wel as we yea and we the last of all if such a thing a might be unlesse from this wilful and headlong captivity under Antichrist we break forth with violence into the Kingdome and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ 2. PROPOSAL That it is not possible that all the wit and wisdom of men in the way that they endeavour Reformation in can make the Estate of the Church better but rather still worse FOR the clearing of this it is requisite that I shew what that wisdom is which all endeavouring Reformation walk in the light of and so doing not possibly able to compass it The onely discovery of this is from the Oracles of God where amongst many other instances for this purpose I shall name but one for brevity sake which is Rom. 13.14 Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no Provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Where we may see a notable distinction between the true Wisdom of God and the false and onely seeming Wisdom of men It is clear that Christ is called the wisdom of God and in that respect as he sayes elsewhere that the true Wisdom is revealed unto Babes who are thence called the Children of Wisdom And this Wisdom springs from the root of self-denial and is unknown to the World but so clear and open to the truly Regenerate as thereby and therein they are said to know all things and need no other teachings It were too long a business at present to open the fulness of this Mystery so as to be seen and apprehended by this darkned World It stands clear and ful in Gallicinium whereto I refer it Opposite hereunto is inferred in that fore cited place that wisdom of men as consisting in making provision for the flesh to fulsil the lusts thereof and truly in the dark shutting up in that Kingdom of the Devil is the state of all the wisdom of men Hence in the highest exaltation of men in their own wisdom are they compared in Scripture to the Beasts that perish void of all true understanding perceiving and savouring onely the provision for their Lusts as Beasts and Devils and most sure it is that the highest Wisdom of man can ascend no higher then to what is earthly and hellish and is wholly confined within that sphear as is at large declared in Gallicinium and till that come forth let the serious consider it well and they will find it so Having given some light for the clearing of this I come next to prove and make good this second Proposal and that shall be from these undeniable Arguments 1. From that which is the inward Root of all that blindness and error that is in the wisdom of man whence Error is acknowledged to be of its essence and propriety in nature hence it is said Humanum est errare as if to erre and to be truly man in statu quo were termini convertibiles This arises partly from the nature and estate of mans wisdom whereinto it is falne in that man is faln into part Beast part Devil The wisdome in both is called properly in Scripture Subtilty as of the old Serpent wherein the Devils far exceed both Beasts and Men and yet are they said to be shut up in darkness and holden under Chains of darkness whereas the Heavenly Spirits abiding in the meek subject on to the will of God are called Angels of Light VVhat then is this wisdom which man lives in but darkness Sure it is they were not meer fools and idiots as the world account such but the wise of the world of whom the Apostle said Ye were sometime darkness Again partly this arises from the curse of God and his damning Sentence upon the wisdom of men in that he hath shut up the true wisdom from the wise and prudent of the world and declared all the wisdom of the wise to be foolishness It being his just and dreadful sentence upon the hellish pride of man in turning from the meek subjection unto his heavenly wisdom into that of the flesh prefouring the Hell-darkness into which the Devil hath brought man beyond the Heavenly Light and accordingly like the Devils to be reserved and kept under those chains of darkness unto the judgement of
but as that Annointing taught them The second is as clear in that all the true Members of Christ and his Church are said to be born again and being so born to be in that condition as never to sin 〈◊〉 in possibility to sin And the third is as clear from the Testimonies of the abundant joy rejoicing contentment satisfaction and flowing measure of all true heavenly good wherein the Saints and Church of Christ continually lived and poured forth These things are plentifully evident in the Word of the Gospel See then if the first branch hereof be not fully made good 2. For the second branch namely That a clear full and all-sussicient way for it was laid down by Christ is as evident also in the Gospel where we find 1. That this way is meerly and alone Love that Love which the world knows not as the Gospel affirmeth wherein is all the Light unto all Truth so as to need no other Teaching It is a vain Antichristian boasting out of pride and arrogance which blindeth the heart to advance the Learned and Learning into the place and Office of guiding in case of Religion Were this Love known and the power of it set in the heart it were Light and guidance enough into all things infallibly as may easily be shewed convincingly unto the hardest heart Again in Love is all Holiness Righteousness Goodness and not possibly any sin All sin is from the absence of this Love as may clearly be evidenced as in the Lusts is all the blinding of the heart so also is all the sin and wickedness in man And lastly in Love is all happiness for therein is all contentment satisfaction and joy and no joy comfort and contentment comparable thereunto as on thâ— contrary all sorrow vexation and wo is stated in Lust 2. That this Love is the whole way of Christ 1. It is the whole sum of his Doctrine wherein is the fulfilling of the Law no other Precept or Doctrine did Christ hold forth but Love 2. It was the course of all his Life whereby hefulfilled and perfected the â—aw it being not possible to be truely kept til he in that love did it whence all his life was a going about doing good as the Scripture witnesseth 3. It is truly himself in spirit and power whereinto the regenerate are born and by which they perform such true obedience to the Law as they neither sin nor can sin 3. That in this Love thus brought into the world and into man's nature all the truly converted received Christ and his Gospel and therein also preached Christ and inwrought him into others whereby they became Churches of Saints This was the work of the Ministry and the work of the Church and Elders and all the ruling and governing which the Gospel speaks of namely to act in Love and thereby beget many Sons and Daughters unto God by strengthening one another enlightening the ignorant supporting cherishing the weak and needy and reclaiming the obstinate and unruly rendring all the Church pious to God loving ust and all good doing to others loyal to their Princes and Rulers no such people ever as they living in the world whence Christ said that the least in this Gospel-Love is greater then the greatest that lived in the most exactnesse of Legal Obedience 3. For the third Branch namely That it is an easie and ready thing to bring all Congregations Parishes and People into the same Estate and Condition again even to be Churches of Saints yea and much more easie for us to compass it now then in those times of old How easily this is made good be it considered 1. That the same means thereunto still remains with us No one of Christs Ordinances and means of Grace is lost and perished what Christ planted is stil in being in the Church though planted again by man in a false ground all being plucked up out of Christ the love and planted in Antichrist in mans carnal lusts but yet stil they remain it is but to remove the Plants again and all is done 2. That there is the same way to effect all as formerly For stil there remain such Societies Congregations and Parishes of people meeting and professing Christ in the exercise of the Ordinances of Christ unto Salvation as are in nearest resemblance to the Churches of old that were called Churches of Saints Herein is every where a Ministry and People easie to be ordered in the way of being Elders and Youngers to accomplish all the blessed effects to make pure Churthes of Saints Would but Ministers themselves learn and know Christ and accordingly preach him to others And then the Elders or better Proficients in Grace that have gotten truly into the knowledge of Christ do their part to inwork also Christ into others and so back the work of the Ministry Were but Christ so in the hearts of some in every Parish as they could say with St. Paul The love of Christ constrein us all the work unto Saintship must necessarily follow 3. That there is the same power to effect all by spiritnal efficacy of Christ in and with his own Ordinance as well as ever was of old is clear both by Scripture where we have Christs promise to be with his unto the end of the World and also by our own acknowledgement all of us resting upon that Power of Christ to carry us unto Salvation through the use of the means and therefore questionless it is as efficacious for all other spiritual and heavenly purposes and effects towards others Lastly that it is more easie for us now to compass it then it was of old is clear for that we are backed into all things by a Christian Magistracy and Authority which then was wanting yea might and main opposing Clearly is seen abundance of advantage unto us more then was unto them only that may be said of us which is in the Proverbs Wherefore is there a price put into the hand of a fool to get wisdom seeing he hath not an heart unto it Too true it is Christ is wholly unknown It may be said both of Princes and people what was said of Elies sons They are sont of Belial they know not the Lord nor his Son Jesus Christ But be sure the time is at hand when if not we yet a wiser generation shall have an heart to get wisdom by the price put into their hand Christ shall rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron namely in and by the power of the true Heavenly self-denying Love the Fountain of all goodness in the hearts of all even as now the Devil and Antichrist do in and by the all-commanding power of the Hell-reigning Lusts in the hearts of every one unto all exorbitances and excess in sinfulness and wo. All these things are abundantly set forth and cleared in Gallicinium and much more also The Lord prosper both this and that also to his own heavenly glory 4. PROPOSAL That to bring