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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A77642	Scripture-redemption freed from men's restrictions: being an answer to a book lately published by Mr. William Troughton (who stiles himself a minister of the gospel at Onlep in Leicester-shire) intituled, scripture-redemption restrained and limited: as also the substance of several conferences and disputes had in England, Wales, and Scotland, with Mr. Heath, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Powel, Mr. Sam. Rutherford, and Mr. James Wood, two rectors of the university of S. Andrews, and many others, about the death of our most dear redeemer, and the controversies which are the constant concomitants of it. Together with a brief reply to Mr. Troughton's rayling accusations in his introduction. By J. Brown, sometimes of Orial Coll. in Oxford, afterwards a priest of the Church of England, and vicar of Tenbury in Worcester-shire; but now through mercy a preacher of the faith which once he destroyed.	Browne, James, 1616-1685.	1653 (1653)	Wing B5022B; ESTC R230501	118,497	139

next that the comfort of doubting and convincing of obdurate spirits I would intreat the Reader to survey this Work twice before he censure once to try what is here laid down by the Word of God and hold fast what is good for that blessing thou findest in it let Jehovah have the glory which I again assure thee is the earnest desire of him who is A servant of Jesus Christ and his Saints in him and of all his fellow-creatures as he may in the Lord J. B. The Answer TO Mr. Troughton's Introduction WHat the wonder-working Jehovah hath spoken of old by his Servants the Prophets is in these our daies fulfilled He doth his work his strange work and bringeth to pass his act his strange act The wisdome of the wise-men doth perish and the undering of the prudent is hid It is a marvellous work and a wonder to see how they who teach the precepts of the Lord by the precepts of men are taken in their owne craftiness and have their wisdome taken from them or turn'd into foolishness To behold how they that darken counsel by words without knowledge who speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him are snared in their Philosophy and vain deceits in their Sophisticated Syllogismes and Arguments which they produce against the truth of the eternal God whilst they seem to take part with it A strange and eminent manifestation of the hand of God against such was lately in a most evident manner seen against one Mr. William Troughton a Minister of the Gospel as he stiles himself at Onlep in Leicester-shire who hath put forth a small treatise intituled SCRIPTVRE-REDEMPTION RESTRAINED and LIMITED I confess when I first cast mine eye upon this title I was amazed with admiration that any should so forget themselves as to restrain and limit the redemption that the Scripture holds forth that any should set bounds unto or imprison such a soul-satisfying soul-sanctifying soul-saving doctrine as is Scripture-Redemption O you that call your selves the Ministers of the Gospel Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened are these his doings Did the Spirit of the Lord ever say that Christ dyed not for all or that he dyed but for some is there any Scripture from the beginning of Genesis to the end of the Revelation that speaks thus yet if we should grant that Christ laid downe his life onely for a few and bought onely his Saints I say if this were Scripture-Redemption as it is not Mr. Troughton hath restrained and limited it Scripture-Redemption be it what it will is by him confin'd and restrain'd insomuch that I could scarcely be perswaded in my spirit but that it was rather the error of the Press then of his pen or at least that it was rather a slip of his pen then the error of his minde but when I considered in the reading of his book with what virulency of spirit he opposed such as suffer Scripture-Redemption to have its due liberty and how vigorously he bends his hand and head at least to make good his purpose even turning aside the texts of Scripture which say plainly Christ dyed for all for every man c. to make way for his dark consequences and logical conclusions I ceased to wonder at the presupmtuous folly which therein palpably appeared and admired the just and signal severity of God against such as in this illustrious Sun-shine of Gospel-light oppose his waies accuse his Saints and bring up an evil report upon that good will of God which he hath by Men and Angels manifested in all ages towards mankinde I have seen in darker daies that men have usher'd in their fond conceits and Saint-reviling Pamphlets with glorious names and soul-blinding inscriptions but God so took away his wisdome that he could not give his book a Title that might in the least palliate the perversness of his opinion The times of ignorance God winked at but if after full and fair warning by the bright appearance of eternal truth men will not beware he will leave them to themselves to foam out their owne shame and as that of Jannes and Jambres so shall their folly be made manifest to all men Oh where was the wisdome of that poor creature who restrained and limited Scripture-Redemption The desire of my soul is that he may see the error of his way and repent of his daring presumption As the name of his Book savours of ignorance so his Introduction to it is filled with malice as the judicious Reader may perceive by those black calumnies and aspersions cast upon my self and others As far as they relate to me I do willingly bear them and freely forgive my Lord and Master suffered more for my sake but for that they intrench upon the truth of God and reflect upon some pretious Saints I shall endeavour the removal of them yet freely acknowledging that truth which he upbraids us with and shewing where he misreports us and misrepresents our words to the world In the first place he accuseth us for accounting the dipping or sprinkling of Infants an Antichristian Idol It 's true and we have good reason so to judge when men have set it up as a part of Gods worship without a command from Jesus Christ who would certainly have spoken something of it if it had been of God For he was faithful as a Son Heb. 3. 6. and kept not back any of his Fathers counsel from the sons of men But whereas he sayes we exclude all Infants from the Covenant of grace it s utterly false for it s by the grace of God in Christ that they live and we know that to little Infants belongs the Kingdome of Heaven And that they who become not as little children cannot enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Matthew 18. 30. But that they are members of the visible Church we deny and so doth Master Troughton too in the third page of his Epistle to the Reader where he hath these very words Visible title to and interest in the Covenant of grace consisting in a serious profession of the Christian faith accompanied with a sutable conversation is that which constitutes a member of the Visible Church of Christ If any spiritual soul ever look on Mr. Troughtons book I desire they would take notice of this passage and see how he condemnes us for that which he himself allowes and ownes and indeed 't is the purest position of truth drawn up by himselfe which I have seen in all his book But that being true as indeed it is how can infants be visible Church-members what profession of the Faith of Christ can they make and what good or evil can they do so that you see Mr. Troughton contradicts himself which is a usual thing as you shall perceive in the prosecution of this work But fearing lest he should retract his acknowledgment of the truth to which he is sometimes very a verse through the darkness that is in him when he

heareth say come and he that is a thirst come and whosoever will let him come and take of the water of life freely Rev. 22. 27. And if any shall say that the people who are here called upon are such as thirst after Christ and his righteousness I Answer that it is a gross mistake though by most lookt upon as clear truth for had they thirsted after Christ who is the true bread and his righteousness which filleth and satisfieth the souls of such as seek him they had never been so reproved Isa 55. 2. Why will ye spend your money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not But do not we see dayly some thirst after blood and revenge some after honour some the praise of men others through luxuriant pleasure melt even as to water the very sinews of their strength and some for gain gold and profit adventure estate fame health and life yea body and soul that they may compass their end yet riches profit not in the day of wrath Prov. 11. 4. Who then is excluded from the call of God and to whom hath not his light shined To come to some instances when Adam and all mankinde being yet in him was fallen from God it pleased Jehovah to call him to preach the Gospel that is declare his goodness to him all his posterity being yet in his loines for I thinke every fober man will acknowledge that we were as much in Adam when he was restored as when he fell and were as much partakers of his mercies from God as we were of his sin consider the words of David Psal 90. 3. Thou turnest man to destruction again thou sayest Come againe ye children of men And from that very day wherein the Lord was graciously pleas'd to seek out and call back all mankind lost and fled from him in one to this hour he hath called and cryed out aloud in manifestations of love one way or other to every man and woman See his gracious call to Cain Gen. 4. 7. If thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted By Henoch Noah and others his glory and righteousness was revealed and preached to the old world In the Ark there was neither man nor woman but was experimentally acquainted with the love and will of God and that Cain Cham or any others declined the way and truth of God was not because the Lord called them not or left himself without witness towards them but because they came not neither received that testimony of his love which he gave to them And if any shall say that many Nations had not or have not any discovery of the minde of God the Apostle evinceth the contrary and proveth that the obedience of the Heathens or Gentiles did declare the law of God written in their hearts Rom. 2. 15. And the word of truth tells us of Abraham amongst the Caldeans Melchizedek amongst the Jebusites Lot amongst the Sodomites Joseph and Moses amongst the Egyptians Jethro amongst the Ethiopians Job Elihu and others amongst the children the East There was Rahab Ruth Vriah Ittai amongst the Cananites Moabites Hittites and Philistims besides the constant appearances of the grace goodness or love of God which called and should have led them to repentance How evident it is that the Queen of Sheba Nebuchadnezzar Darius Artaxerxes the Ninevites yea all Nations had the word and will of the Lord made known to them by the servants and Prophets of the Lord they that read the Scriptures of the old Testament will quickly perceive When there seemed to be through their rejecting the light an almost universal deluge of darkeness or ignorance over the inhabited parts of the earth the Lord lifted up his Church of the Jews to such an eminent height upon the Pillars of truth and gave them the glory and the Oracles in such an illustrious manner that all Nations had notice of it and some out of every Nation under heaven Proselyted themselves unto it as you may gather out of Act. 2. 5. to 10. Afterward our blessed Saviour sent his Apostles and they by his Order the disciples to Preach the Gospel in all the world that so the goodness of God to and in every Creature might be more fully made known and have not men heard surely the sound is gone out into all the earth and the mercy of the Lord which is over all his works who is good to all hath been declared before the faces of all men and women And God hath so called to every one either by the law in the heart the light of the Lord by Moses the prophets and Christ all demonstrating his rich love that though all have not been led to a change yet they all shall be left without excuse in the great day In a word what Nation was there to whom he sent not his Messengers what man or woman is there to whom he hath not shew'd and offered favour in whom he hath not shin'd with ●●ght and with whom he hath not strived with his Spirit even in such a fulness or sufficiency as to performance of those works to which they were appointed as faith repentance c. as for example when the wild Indians defile their neighbours wives or daughters or steal any thing c. there 's a light set up by the Lord in their hearts which perswades them of the evil of their wayes as you see by their endeavors to conceal their sins and what I beseech you hinders them from believing that light or dictate of the Spirit and from turning to that which the means is sufficient to effect only they reject the light follow their lust and are rul'd by the divel Obj. But will some say doth God invite all men and offer grace to all men really and in good earnest I answer He doth though there be that affirme the contrary and say that God doth not really and in good earnest or without hypocrisie offer grace to all But this is one of those hard speeches which men have ungodly spoken against God and for which he will one day call them to account as the Apostle Jude intimates to us vers 15. Object But he holds not forth his grace alike to all nor hath he given power alike to all to come to him that is to conform to his will revealed Ans This though it be a frequent yet it 's a frivolous Objection I only say this to it First that all men have not the same measure of discretion understanding or capacity nor the will of God revealed in the same manner and cleerness Yet Secondly Every one hath some portion or talent at least some favour is shewed to the wicked they that slew the Kings servants were invited to the wedding and that really Mat. 22 6 c. neither indeed doth Jehovah expect the same proportion of acting from every one in the world he doth not require every man to act as a General but to what ever he

for them and they not obeying him but Antichrist are condemn'd in that they gave the honor due to him to his enemy none I think will doubt but these men ought to have worshipped God but what good would that have done them if Christ had never died for them judge ye but if any do say that God did appoint them to serve and worship the Beast I refer to Acts 17. 26 27. and leave them to the Lord who will take a strict account one day of all such sayings Ans 2. That the words may be read whose names are not written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain as M. Troughton● sayes is utterly false and a great corruption of Scripture yet that Christ is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world is clear from this text which is that which M. Tro. and others study by all subtilty to evade Lastly he that sinneth against God shall have his name blotted out of the book of Life Exod. 33. 32. with Rev. 22. 19. But God loves some with a speciall love Christ loved the Church and gave ●imself for it It is by none that speak the truth in love denied and it 's that which I have in this whole Treatise endeavour'd to clear up that there is a universall and speciall manifestation of love from the Lord the Lord is good to all and he so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son but his delight is 〈◊〉 them that fear him Psal 147. 11. Pro. 21. 20. and as for M. Tro. saying that husbands love their wives with a speciall love it 's true but we ought asso to love our enemies and every creature with the love of good will desirous still to do them any good we can so though Christ delights only in his Church that is such as obey him yet he died for his enemies and when the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world we were all enemies alike neither is any one man better then another as he is a man but as grace is manifested and received neither is it the act of receiving which makes some men better then others but the grace which appeareth to them from the Lord from whom every good gift comes and to whom all the glory is due But is it not said that God did hate Esau and loved Jacob before they had done either good or evill Search the Scriptures diligently and see if there be any such text the Apostle never said any such thing Rom. 9. for that which was said was not concerning two children as some have falsly suggested but two Nations as you may see Gen. 25. 23. compared with Rom. 9. 12. and afterwards v. 13. he shews that God hated Esan as it is written Mal. 1. 2. 3. I have hated Esau and laid his mountains and heritage wast for the Dragons of the Wilderness certainly this was not before he was born for he had no mountains nor heritage to be laid wast again it 's very considerable that the person of Esau was never subservient to Jacob but Jacob bow'd down to him and call'd him his Lord Gen. 33. and by this it will be clear that this text speaks not of infants but men and not of single persons personally considered but of a Nation of evill doers especially if you impartially consider what is written by Obadiah in the 10 11 12 13 14. verses of his Prophecy where the Edomites are called Esau and the Jews Jacob. Secondly I answer that they who are spirituall and impartiall will e're long discern that these things are an Allegory which the Apostle Paul brings in to illustrate what he had before asserted viz. that it is not the pleasure purpose of God that men shall be justified by the Law but by grace not by works but by him that calleth and though the Jews judge it an unequal thing yet God having chosen this to be the way of justification his choise or election shall stand and this you may easily and evidently see if you will seriously weigh what follows Ro. 9. 30. 31. as the Apostles collection and the result of all which he had spoken in the precedent part of the chapter what shall we say then c. That the Gentiles which followed not after righteousnesse have attain'd to righteousnesse even the righteousnesse which is of faith But Israel which followed after the Law of righteousnesse have not attained to the Law of righteousnesse wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the Law for they stumbled at the stumbling stone so in all the writings of the New Testament the righteousness of faith though not so antient is prefer'd before the righteousness of the Law and thus the elder serves the younger righteousness by the Law as a servant or handmaid doth and must follow the righteousness of faith or the Gospell for we are to perswade men first to repent believe and be baptiz'd which things the Law mention'd not and then to live righteously soberly chastly and lovingly as becomes such as professe the righteousness of Christ in the Gospell so shewing their faith by their works as it behoveth such as are wise unto salvation Ja. 2. 18. and 3. 13. Moses was faithfull as a servant but Christ in all thi●gs hath the preheminence as a son Ismael and Esau were elder then Isaac and Jacob and Pharaoh and the Egyptians more mighty and puissant then Moses and the Israelites out the Lord pull'd down the mighty and exalted the meek the Law of works bare date before the faith of the Gospell but God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith heirs of the Kingdome Ja. 2. 5. and this is Gods purpose according to election which shall stand for ever in Isaac shall thy seed be called and that this which I have here hinted as the scope of the Apostle and the mind of the Holy Ghost will be more apparent if you look into Gal. 4. from 21. to 31. where the Apostle speaking of two sons one by Hagar the other by Sarah affirms v. 24. these things are an Allegory for these saith he are the two Covenants c. thence look back to Rom. 9. 7 8 9. where he speaks of the two sons and shews who are the true seed even believers as Abraham was they that are of the promise then to shew that the Apostle intends the very same thing by the ensuing discourse concerning Esau and Jacob he goes on thus and not only this as if he had said not this of Ismael and Isaac shew that the believers are blessed with faithfull Abraham and counted for the seed but the two sons of Rebecca as in an Allegory demonstrate the same and if any shall yet say but how is it said Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated I answer take but these two as Ismael and Isaac for the two Covenants and then you

him out when by the word or teachings of God which are his drawings he comes to him 6. To reprove obstinate proud Rebells who deny the Lord that bought and dare sin against such grace and kindnesse as is seen by the Fathers giving his Son for them 7. This serves to leave all men without excuse they cannot say that God hath not commended his love to them seeing he hath written it in legible Characters of his Sons bloud 8. Here is consolation for the Saints who through the knowledge of such love have been drawn to obey God they know whom and in whom they have believed and are as sure that Christ died for them as if he had told them with his own mouth in that they believe the Scriptures affirming that he ransomed all 9. This may serve to them as an antidote against sin and errors in that Christ died for their sins according to the Scriptures 10. It may serve to incite us to love every creature with the love of good will or pity at least when we remember that Christ died for them as well as for us oh if this doctrine were fully known it would so increase love and quench hatred discord and debate peace justice and mercy would florish and wars oppression and cruelty would be banished some beams of this universall love of God beginning to shine forth upon the hearts of our Commanders Rulers Judges c. have inclin'd them to more clemency righteousnesse and pity then some former time● have afforded and as it is more manifested we shall doubtlesse see more of God who is love and lov'd us when enemies appearings 'T is true a man that truly fears God cannot delight in an ungodly person neither can our heavenly Father yet he doth them good and the Saints desire the conversion of their enemies and will do good unto all according to their ability and their fellow creatures capacity and though they hate the vices of men yet they love their persons so as that they will exhort intreat and admonish them to come in to the Lord that bought them and not seek the ruine of their bodies states reputations and souls as I fear too many who deny the death of Christ for all would if it were in their power and could wish that there were something in force like that Popish Statute de Haereticis comburendis as appears by their continuall appeals to the civill yea and military powers their complaints and petitions against such as hold the truth in love by all means labouring to perswade the Magistrates to unsheath their swords to cut off banish or silence by might of men those who are full of might by the Spirit of the Lord to declare against their corrupt principles and practise they have a zeal but not according to knowledge for did they know what love the Father hath shewed those whom they maligne and what sweet communion they have with God and that God lov'd those whom they hate so as to give his Son to die for them they would never suffer that cursed root that beareth gall and wormwood to spring up in their hearts but would endeavour to instruct them with meeknesse or contend against them at least with the sword of the spirit But this they do not but by all meanes seek their impoverishment and ruine and will not speak to them though they bring the same doctrine which Christ and his Apostles taught they shun disputing with them under pretext that they are Heretiques and reject them not knowing that that advise is proper to those that are members together of the Church of Christ and not those that are of different Churches for what authority hath any Church to cast out or reject one that is not immembred with them but the truth is these men are afraid of the light and have no love to such as are of Pauls opinion that Christ died for all and therefore they incense authority gnash their teeth against them But we know that Christ died for them and desire that they also may know it and by that goodnesse be led to repent of all their evills and in particular of their envy and consultations against the Saints of the most high who believe as the Scripture saith and will not receive the corrupt glosses which men put on them or the sad and dark conclusions and consequences which they draw from them In a word if Christ died for all this may serve to keep the poor sin-sick sinner from despair and the proud transgressor from presumption to reprove such as give the Scripture yea the Spirit of God the lye who in so many place● hath clearly evidenced it yet they deny what is there written and would have us rather adhere to their expositions which are all darker then the text Again if God hath of his free mercy in Christ appointed and ordain'd all men to serve him and furnished them with every thing necessary for so doing so that all Nations may know and believe him through that light which lighteth every man which cometh into the world according to that manifestation of it which shines forth to them as undoubtedly he hath then this serves to reprove such as say God did appoint some men as men to be disobedient that is to serve sin and Satan 2. Such as teach that God hath not enabled all his creatures to do what he requires of them but that he exacts more of his creatures then he hath given ability to perform and so make God is an austere man as the wicked servant did yea as bad as Pharoah 3. This may serve fully to convince every sober spi●i● of the reall truth of those sayings thy destruction is of thy self a●d that the damned bring upon themselves swift destruction 4. It serves to clear the pure justice of God and leave all without excuse when they hear that God through his Sons blood hath made all Nations of the earth to seek him and in order thereto hath done what could be done for his Vineyard 5. This may serve to stir up poor creatures to be thankfull and admire the riches of grace and speak good of the name of the Lord so mercifull and bountifull and to incite them to arise and be doing 1 Chron. 22. 16. and God will be with them some to hear search read inquire that they may know and believe the Lord and them that come to know and apply his love to repent and be baptized to separate from the world and such again to continue in the grace of God in the fellowship and doctrine of the Apostles in breaking of bread and prayers in praising of God in holinesse of life watching against sin and for the coming of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ 't is true all are not capable of the same exhortation for to exhort a wicked man that never yet believ'd the Gospel to pray and break bread with the Saints wait for the day of Christ is preposterous

but to exhort such to hear to seek or inquire after God hear read and search the Scriptures that so they may come to know believe and repent is suteable to the direction of the Spirit through the whole book of God who hath enabled men and women come to years of discretion so as to discern betweene good and evil thus to do To call them to baptism and so make them members of a visible Church who never heard of God is ridiculous and M. Tro. himself in his Epistle to the Reader confesseth it under his own hand That visible title to and interest in the Covenant of Grace consisting in a s●rious profession of the Christian faith accompanied with a suteable conversation is that which constitutes a member of the visible Church of Christ whence two things are considerable 1. That infants are not whilest infants visible Members of the Church of Christ in that they make no profession of the Christian Faith neither is their conversation suteable to the holy precepts of the most high for they speak and act as children neither doth God require that it should be so for he speaks not to children 2. This discovers the folly of Baby-sprinklers who require more of poor creatures then they are able to perform which shews that their Ministery in this as in other things is not of God who never exacts that of any which he of his own free mercy and goodnesse hath not given them ability to bring to passe yea they are contrary to God and palpably contradict themselves After this short digression a sixth use that may be made of this doctrine is this that seeing God hath appointed set apart or chosen all men to serve him and enabled them so to do this should teach Ministers to take heed that they add not to neither diminish from the precepts which God hath given to mankind by laying more or lesse upon persons then they are able to perform which is a usuall thing for they say of infants that they must be baptized and be Church-Members though they have done neither good nor evil nay know not their right hand from their less and tell men that are 20. 40. 50. years of age that they cannot believe nor repent nay that they must not be baptized c. Lastly this may serve for a triall and examination to every man whether he hath done all that good which God enabled him to do and avoided that evill which he by the light manife-fested from God might have shunned that so he may through a certain knowledge of his actings in these things be comforted in his obedience through Christ the strength and arm of the Lord or repent of his non-performance of that which through that light or power he might have performed And now let the judicious Reader judge whether these things being very profitable do not freely flow from that doctrine which men call heresie Thirdly seeing some departed from the faith Hymeneus and Alexander put away faith and a good conscience all they in Asia turned away from Paul others deny the Lord that bought them and some tread under foot the Son of God and count the bloud of the Covenant wherewith they were sanctified an unholy thing and doing despight to the Spirit of Grace and seeing the Holy Ghost sayes it is impossible to renew them again by repentance who fall away after they are inlightened and are partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come therefore we admonish the Saints in the language of the Lord nay the Lord warns them by us to beware and take heed lest they fall and le●t there be in any of the brethren an evill heart of unbelief to depart from the living God and to beware lest any man deceive them and lest any of them fall from the grace of God as some did Gal. 5. 4. to beware of false Prophets and take heed lest they fall away from their own sted●astnesse c. which precious words of the eternall God were of no use if the Saints were not in danger even in their best estate here below We exhort them to watch and pray and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and to beg of God that he would hold up their go●ngs in his paths that their footsteps may not slide and to keep them from falling and turning back from him and knit their hearts to him pray one for another to him that is able to build them up that he would preserve them blamelesse in body soul and Spirit to the coming of Jesus Christ all which and thousand such like Petitions were frivolous if there were no danger and all those ●recepts and promises he that endureth be th●u faithfull he that overcometh 'T is true we do not exhort any to beware but such as walk in that way as those Saints of old did to whom those words we use were written and spoken that were improper and one means it hath been to deceive the poor ●ouls in this Island and make them think they were all Saints according to the Scripture account when they were exhorted not to fall away from their present s●ate whereas it had been happy for many thousand if they had fallen from it so they had fallen down and worshipped God according to his Word We do not exhort the Parish-Ministers of Great Britain much leste those poor bl●nd creatures who follow them idolize them and are led by an implicite faith to hold fast their profession for it 's very bad and Antichristian or to continue in the way where they are for it is not good nor to take heed that they depart not from the way of God for they are not in it or from the living God for they are not with him But we bese●ch them to repent and turn to God that so they may be baptized and added to the Church and enjoy the precious priviledges that pertain to such as worship G●d in spirit and truth i. e. according to his word which is spirit and truth well knowing that men may as well ●e destroyed for resisting the power of God and putting from them the Word of God and eternall life as for deserting the way of righteousnesse add turning from the holy Commandement delivered unto them and therefore they have no just cause to be angry against us as they are for the searcher of hearts is witnesse that we de●ire earnestly their conversion and salvation and therefore for my part I shall in love tell them this that if they shall still oppose Christ and call his way heresie take part with the Pope and Prelates in their Nationall Churches Baby-sprinkling forced maintenance c. none of which are according to the testimony of Jesus within few years they will be driven to darknesse but as many of them as imbrace the Gospell and walk in the way of righteousnesse which men call heresie whether they have

according to their demands for to expound them by their corrupt glosses and the● also great would be the company of the publishers of the Gospell for the love of God would so fill their hearts as with new wine that they could not but declare what God hath done for their souls and this would make false teachers fill'd with the wisdome of this world fret when the mysteries of the love of God should be revealed to and by Babes in the Gospell 3. Self is much an enemy to it for most men yea all those many thousands which now own this truth of Christs dying for all do well know that not only Satan and false Teachers did secretly and openly incite them against it but their own heart corrupt through custome in fin did rise against it and that for this reason If they should acknowledge that Christ died for all and that God through him hath appointed and enabled them to do his will then they should have no liberty or leisure to linger and loiter in fin but they must appear in love to Jesus Christ to be doing his work which he calls them to there must be no sleeping nor slumbring nor folding their hands to sleep but up and be doing and as in the bodily so in this spirituall labour the creature deluded by Satan cannot endure to do his duty which the Gospell calls for and this self I mean self-love self-will self-interests and ends c. till it be subdued by the appearing and receiving the light from the Lord cannot endure to hear that there is any possibility of falling from the favour of God for this would be a mighty check to their pleasure profit and delight they have in sin fain would self even the fleshly mind root out all such thoughts that it may feed it self with lusts and take its ful swindge in sin without controule And whatever specious pretences men may cover their conceits with and cry out against this Doctrine as uncomfortable c. yet the Serpents head lies hid beneath them who prompts them to decry it that so he may keep them from that godly feare and trembling with which they ought to work our their owne salvation I know we must serve God without fear of displeasing men by obeying him and without fear of his deceiving of us of any thing he ha●● promised yet continually fearing to offend him who loved us and fearing lest we should come short of what is promised through our own unbelief The Apostle Paul was as eminent a Saint as most yet he kept his body in subjection lest by any means when he had preached to others he himself should be a east-away In a word if this Doctrine should be faithfully published it would wonderfully draw out mens soules after Christ drive out the power of sin carry forth mens Spirits to propagate the Gospell hurle down the Kingdome of Satan and Antichrist by the mighty increase of knowledge faith and love advance holinesse sobriety and righteousnesse stir up men to diligence godly fear and watchfullnesse at least leave men without any encouragement to live in sin one moment take away all those Cob-web cloaks with which men palliate their impieties remove all excuses and even force men to confesse their destruction is of themselves and therefore is it oppos'd by Satan selfe and false teachers who would all suffer losse by the fire of Gods Word if their deceits and doctrines come to be discovered by the glorious light of these truths which men call heresie and erroneous opinions I am not unacquainted with the tossings and torments of mind which they are subject to that hold the doctrines contrary to these in the foregoing treatise insisted on their dejections of spirit and dubiousnesse of heart one while even drownes them in black despair another while their foundationlesse faith and groundlesse confidence through the exceeding subtilty of Satan makes them to dare to adventure upon a sin upon this score that if they are elected they cannot hereby fall finally and if they are not it will not be any impairing of their irrecoverable hopelesse condition I know Satan will provoke men to fret exceedingly against these things with the highest risings and liftings up of spirit But it being my owne experience in former times and of hundreds who have communicated theirs with mine since the daies of their conversion I cannot neither will I conceal the counsells and cunning of so great an enemy but speak truth to his yea to my own shame neither am I ignorant of the strong consolation in obedience the strength against temptations the heedfull diligence care and watchfullnesse against sin which they are possest with who knowingly and cordially hold and lay to heart that Christ died for all for thereby they are so sure that he died for them that it 's a hard matter for the devill and world to drive his love out of their hearts and draw them into disobedience but they that hold the contrary call the truth of many and so at length of all the Scriptures into question as the Shropshire Ministers confesse pag● 1. of their namelesse paper And I am confident that as the Lord hath so he will blesse this Doctrine with those that professe it and practise that holinesse righteousnesse and sobriety which that grace of God which ●ringeth salvation to all men teacheth and by his owne Spirit not the word and arme of flesh will signally appeare to the overturning of that great mountain of false doctrine that hath kept poore creatures from beholding the face of the Son of righteousnesse in the truth of the Gospell and that they who say Christ did not die for all so giving the lye to the Spirit of God and that God did absolutely appoint the greatest part of men to be disobedient not giving them ability to do what he requires and yet will damne them for not doing it that God commands men to do that which he will work in them by an irresistable power and to make as though God contradicts himselfe that the Lord that bought false Teachers was not Christ c. shall be convinced or covered with the cloak of confusion For my part if any maligne me for the pu●●ishing of this plaine downe-right discourse I desire the Lord to forgive them and turne their hearts and yet graciously wait to manifest to them that prec●ous ●r●th which they oppose that by it they may be comfo●ted and established in their minds encouraged to take up the Crosse of Jesus and follow him in all Gospell-obedience I desire no lesse for the greatest of my Adversaries then that they may come out of Babilon the false Church and worship one God in spirit and truth amongst such as keep the commands of Jesus as he hath given them out to us by his Spirit in the word of truth that so we may walk in the light of the Lord whilest we are here and being accounted worthy to escape all those things which shall come upon this Generation may hereafter sit downe with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the everlasting Kingdome of God our Saviour Amen FINIS * Master Trough p. 1. Isa 28. 21. Isa 29. 14. Job 38. 2 13 7. * Cap. Ever Sam. Oates Benj. Morley Mr. Prior Wil. Kendal Re. F●ilding c. Mr. Troug in his Introduct pag. 1. M. James Wood. M. James Wood. M. James Wood. M. James Wood. M. Powel M. Wood others M. Powel Ma. Butler of Col Berye's Regim Mr. Rutherford Mr. Prideaux Mr. Rutherford M. Prideaux Mr. Rutherford Mr. Resbury M. Wood. Mr. Tro. Mr. Wood. Mr. J. T. Mr. Wood Mr. J. T. Mr. Wood M. Grant M. Tro. M. Wood. M. Wood. M. Tro. M. Tro. M. Wood. M. Tro. M. Wood. M. Tro. and M. Jam. Wood. M. Tro. and M. Ia. Wood. M. Tro. and M. Ia. Wood. M. Syd Simpson A. M. M. Tro. M. Tro. M. Wood. M. Batty c. The Shropshire Ministers M. John Symson Simil. Mr. Deiamain Mr. Powel Simil. M. Trough Argument M. Trough Simil. M. Trough Conclusion M. Resb●ry M. Owen M. Rutherford M. Staltham Doct. 1. Doct. 2. Doct. 3.

perceives it will make to his disadvantage and stick to that grand error that Infants are visible Church-members I shall onely add this 1. That they who were such in the Apostles daies gladly received the word and were baptized Act. 2. 41. 2. That to every Church-member every ordinance of Christ doth belong as breaking of Bread Act. 2. 42. preaching of the word Col. 3. 16. reproof Mat. 18. 15 16 17. judging of points of difference among brethren 1 Cor. 6. 4. c. I wonder why Mr. Troughton doth not preach to them break bread with them reprove them and set them to judge at least in the things of this life which are the smallest matters For we would gladly know who dares add to diminish from or alter the practice of Jesus Christ and his Apostles in the constituting of the Church of God or hinder any of his members of their priviledge Secondly He saith but he saith falsly that we hold none to be Saints Disciples or Believers but such as are grown persons and rebaptiz'd Here he misrepresents our expressions For first we are not so silly as to lay down such negative propositions we say indeed that as in the dayes of Christ they that did repent and believe the Gospel were baptiz'd and added to the Church so we are sure they who thus walk now are visible Saints Church-members and Disciples in that they follow the precepts and practice of Christ and his Apostles we account them sheep of Christ or Christians who continue in the word of Christ and keep the Ordinances as they were delivered to the Churches by the Son of God when they may so enjoy them and that they who neglect and despise them when they so may be had and practise Baby-sprinkling are disobedient to Christ and followers of the Pope In a word they which faithfully follow that light which God layes before them are the beloved of his soul and pretious in his sight As for his tearm rebaptize we neither know nor do we practice any such thing neither can he prove his accusation against us except he can prove that the sprinkling of Babes in the face with a little water be the Ordinance of Baptisme appointed for us by the Lord Jesus in his word of truth and then we shall owne it and Mr. Troughton also in it Thirdly He accuseth us for baptizing believers into this Faith that Christ died for all c. To which I answer If the Scriptures say Christ dyed for all I hope Mr. Troughton hath no just cause to finde fault with us for believing it except he can prove it to be a crime to believe as the Scripture saith which kinde of beleiving Christ hath made a pretious promise to Joh. 7. 38 39. And whereas he taxeth us for not joyning with others which he calls in derision Anabaptists I wish Mr. Troughton not to speak evil of what he knows not Mr. Jessey Mr. Kiffin Mr. Patience so far as they practice Gospel-Ordinances do as closely follow Jesus Christ as Mr. Troughton and others in their Baby-sprinkling do Antichrist In a word we are to joyn with the Lord Jesus the head of the body not with men nor follow them further then they follow Christ Fourthly He accuseth us saying that we owne such as Christs Disciples who are baptiz'd into our opinion be they never so ignorant and vain c. This is a meer scandal for first we baptize none but such as in some good measure know their miserable state by sin the love of God by a Saviour c. And as for such as walk in a vain conversation they are cast off if they refuse to hear the Church And whereas he saies we unchurch all that differ from us though never so spiritual heavenly experienced Christians I say first as before that they that walk up to the light which God allows them are his Congregation 2. That they who have the word of God and follow Christ and his Apostles in Gospel-obedience are the Church of Christ his Disciples and experienced Christians according to the Scripture computation see Joh. 8. 31. To the fifth Accusation where he saith we refuse to hear the ablest and most approved Ministers of the Gospel except it be to cavil against them I answer It is not so for those that are approved Ministers of the Gospel I mean such as yeeld obedience to to Jesus Christ in his commands and follow him in life and doctrine we freely hear But we do not judge them who reject the counsel of God and teach otherwise then Christ and his Apostles taught able and approved Ministers of the Gospel though they talk long and loud yea though they could speak with the tongue of Angels As for Tithe-takers Baby-sprinklers and Parish-Ministers their practice declareth them to be at least in some things Popish Levitical Priests acting contrary to the precepts and practice of Jesus Christ and so Antichristian By the word cavil I judge he means reason out of the Scriptures and in this we desire to do as we would be done by for we never deliver any Doctrine publickly but we are willing publickly to give an account of what we declare to them And for the serviceableness of those whom Mr. Troughton counts able Ministers to the state I shall at present be silent onely adding that most of us whom Mr. Troughton traduceth in the margin of his book have adventured our lives in the service of the Commonwealth and shall again when thereunto called Sixthly He accuseth us as overthrowers of Magistracy and for accounting the Parish-Priests Antichristian persecutors when they call for the civil power to punish such as would publickly dispute their Doctrine and Ministery he calls it the keeping of order and peace in the Congregation whilst they are about the worship of God and to prevent cumbustions c. I answer This is a meer fiction they are sure the Magistrates most faithful friends who desire them to wait on that office which God hath called them to and they are enemies to the civil powers who call to them to do that which is not appertaining to their duty Now we desire the Magistrate as a Magistrate to exercise his power in its proper place as for example if any had been at Odeby or are elsewhere stickers or breakers of the peace by any means God hath ordained the powers that are for the punishment of such evil doers But if any do desire to reason out of the Scriptures about the worship of the most high God they that call to the Magistrate to punish such or by the civil Sword to stop their mouths are Antichristian persecutors yea Tyrants over the consciences of their fellow creatures and those Magistrates who shall at the request of such Tyrants exercise their Authority against such as seek to finde out the truth by disputing with the false Ministery if they take not heed betimes will be overthrown by the might of the Lord as they have been before