19. Answ 1. I know no power that was ever put forth in Laying on of hands more then there was in Preaching Act. 10.44 45. How dare he then imitate them in Preaching and want the power 2. I know no power any man hath to Preach Authoritatively Tit. 2.15 but the same person hath by the same Commission power to carry on all Ordinances that ever Christ commanded Paul and Apollo are equall in power 1 Cor. 3.5 6 7.8 Here Paul is the planter and Apollo the waterer In Act. 8. Philip is the planter and Peter with John the waterers Now by the Gent s arguing from Act. 8. Apollo beares the bell away from Paul in point of power But the Spirit of God saith they are equall One Ananias had power to Baptize Ananias had power to impose hands 3. Thrre were certain Conjurers cudgel'd by the Devill Act. 19. for calling on the name of Jesus whom they abhorred And a sort of Sorcerers whose serpents Moses's serpent devoured But were ever any Gospell Ministers in the least reproved for administring any of Christ Ordinances Why those Vagabond exorcists knew not believed not Jesus how then should they call on him * Rom. 10.14 1 Joh. 2.3 4. but we know him and obey him as we are able And hereby we know that we know him if we keep his Commandements He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar and the truth is not in him He will never charge us with sin for observing all things whatsoever he commanded his Apostles He never commanded his Apostles to teach his Churches that it was necessary to have such ministers as must either do miracles or else they must not administer all Ordinances to the end of the world But he layes down plain directions how Ministers must be qualifyed 1 Tim. 3. T it 1. not one syllable of miracles or tongues And yet they are bound to teach the same things 2 Tim. 2.2 that Paul and Timothy did amongst which I am sure Laying on of hands was one To conclude lest the Gents. bustle about imitation of Christ and his Apostles in carrying on Gospell Ordinances without power to confirme them ten thousand times over with new miracles I say lest this noise and dust should weaken the hands and blear the eyes of Christs enquiring ones so as to have a slight esteem of Christs commands since all Gospell Ordinances and Ministers have equall authority Let it be remembred that those Divine writings and Ordinances which our deceased husband left as Legacies for the tryall of our love to our first love in remembrance of his sad sufferings till his second coming were all confirmed once unto us by signes and wonders And being thus ratified under hand and seal by him whose Kingdomes Lawes are lesse mutable then the Laws of Medes and Persians it is not for us to question them but testifie our love Joh. 14.15 15.14 and friendship by observing them even all of them Remember the pattern of heavenly things I mean those Mosaicall administrations Heb. 10.1 which were a shadow and no more of what we now enjoy But whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our Learning And therefore at the giving and writing of the Law mighty signs and wonders were wrought in the sight of Israel and Egypt So at the giving and writing of the Gospel signs and wonders from heaven confirm'd it in the sight both of Christians and Heathens But at the Jews return from Babylon not one miracle wrought and yet the people observe all their ordinances yea some that were discontinued hundreds of years Neh. 8.16 17. We are now returning out of Babylon praised be God let us embrace all our ordinances with thankfulnesse without expecting new miracles to confirm them It 's true all our Ordinances have been discontinued many hundreds of years during the time of Popish Apostasie or else in an Antichristian garb have they been administred to false subjects Yet even in the darkest times of the Beasts rage did the Lord preserve himself a remnant that held fast his truth in some corners perhaps by fifties in a Cave for the woman had a being though in a wildernesse sackcloth condition Revel 12. all that 1260. years being nourished there with her own proper food the sincere milk of the Word the Scriptures of the old and new testaments which are none other then those two witnesses appointed of God to seed her * Joh. 5.39 Jer. 15.16 And at her approach into the open light and cheerfull day of liberty which shine most gloriously under this happy Government we now enjoy being by degrees freed from that imposing persecuting Babylonish thraldome she searcheth those divine records her own peculiar treasure and portion and like those Nehem. 8.14 what she findes written in that law she obeyes step by step as God discovers truth without expecting new miracles to confirm it and at length hath found out and laid this fourth Principle in its proper place Yet some have branded this pretious Ordinance in Print as A new Administration But really I stand amazed that their consciences did not give their pen a check since 't is so evident that Peter and John and Paul and Ananias and thousands more were found in this practise sixteen hundred years ago and did most faithfully teach the same doctrine as one of the six foundation Principles of Christian Religion as the proper food or milke for babes yong beginners in Christianity to whom the Epistle to the Hebrewes is chiefly written nay only written For although it is clear that those Hebrew or Judean Churches had officers setled amongst them whom they are exhorted to remember as those that had the rule over them c. Heb. 13.7 and to obey them and submit to them vers 17. Yet was not this Epistle written to those Officers or Rulers or Ministers or Angels like the 7. Epistles to the Asian Churches Rev. 2 3. but only to the members of those Churches as is most evident by the close of that Epistle where this exhortation or injunction is laid upon those babes Heb. 13.24 Salute all them that have the rule over you Had this been wisely considered the adversaries of this fourth Principle would not so much have betrayed their weaknesse and discovered their nakednesse as with such confidence to assert that the Doctrine of hands Heb. 6. belongs only to the Ministery The wiseman cryes out Eccl. 10.16 Woe to thee O Land when thy King is a child I may much more sadly apply it to Churches if our adversaries speak truth that the fourth Principle belongeth to Ministers Woe to thee O Church when thy Elders or Bishops are babes Yea such babes as are unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse Heb. 5.13 And yet it 's as clear as the Sun that this Principle among the rest is to be used by such babes as are unskilfull in the word of righteousnesse Wherefore let our adversaries
the Lord and confirmed to his Apostles and by them faithfully taught us Mind it Christian 't is for thy life thou canst not escape if thou let it slip after warning if thou receive not the truth with love God will send thee strong delusions to believe a lie Ah! how have I seen the Lords professed people carried away captive that have slighted this Ordinance Hurryed by Satan to blaspheme other glorious truths drowned in the world and the love of it 1 Joh. 2.15 given up to horrible lying bitternesse emulation envy strife sedition making schisms rents divisions what not O thou believer that professest Christ mind this word of Christ these four first verses of the Epistle to the Hebrews Remember that this fourth principle was first spoken by the Lord himself and is plainly called The word of the * Heb. 6.1 beginning of Christ and was confirmed by signs and wonders and miracles 2. Miracles are given for conviction of Heathens Act. 8.6 16.27 29 30. But alas this avails not at all if love manifested by obedience to all Christs commands be wanting 1 Cor. 13.2 A person may have this gift and perish The third gift of this nature is extraordinary Prophesie or foretelling of events such as may wonderfully possesse a Balaam a Saul a Caiaphas a Witch this may confirme truths and convince sinners but the Prophet be damn'd 't is an excellent gift in a gratious heart but short of ordinary Prophesie The fourth extraordinary gift that is according to Court custome not the chief is kinds of tongues not new tongues for that is a speciall gift peculiar to true believers a reall sign of an effectuall work of grace for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Rev. 14.1 wherefore those 144000. Redeemed Virgins are presented with a new song in their mouth which none else could learn Act. 17.19 When once Paul becomes a Convert he Preacheth a new Doctrine he was before a Blasphemer but now he hath learned a new lesson He is not a believer that hath not learned a new language * Ephes 5.4 These miraculous tongues are never called new tongues but strange tongues and other tongues to convince a strange people to preach to other Nations as was needfull then but now cannot well be employed since Popish inquisitions and Turkish slavery hath shut the Gospell out of their territories Act. 13.46 Neither have Christs Ministers any warrant to attempt the publishing of Gospell truths in other Nations who are known to be dogs swine and persecutors Mat. 7.6 10.23 And therefore Satan and not Gods Spirit hath engaged some foolish deluded souls called Quakers to passe the Seas in expectation probably of some miraculous ability to publish their poison against Christs Ordinances but have only performed the work of Barbarians and so returned But certainly should Christ call into forain parts he would enable his servants to help sick souls abroad as well as to heal sick bodies at home Alas our native Countrey hath need enough of more labourers Wherefore saith the Apostle tongues are for a sign Not to them that believe 1 Cor. 14.21 but to them that believe not This gift therefore belongs not to thee thou dear Disciple of Christ It is our mercy that the Ordinance I now contend for came once under hand and seal from heaven our Masters hand and this sign of tongues confirming it Since therefore this fourth Foundation Principle of thy Religion is thus by this miraculous gift ratified and thy pretious soul converted thouart not to expect such needlesse unsutable gifts as these which Gods word tels thee are not convenient for thee But fince the Spirit of truth hath more excellent treasure then tongues or the interpretation of tongues take thou the counsell of the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.31 Covet earnestly the best gifts and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way there are some gifts more excellent then others and there are graces more excellent then any other gifts the best gifts will be fewel to thy choice graces and set thy heavenly heart all on a holy flame Wherefore covet earnestly the best gifts for this end And fince 't is evident that the golden gifts of Christ * Zech. 4.12 passe through golden pipes or Ordinances into the bowl of the Candiestick that is the Church put thy affectionate mouth to these pretious pipes that contain such pretious gifts and draw with the buckets of joy out of the wels of salvation It is undeniable that this fourth foundation Doctrine of Christ is one of those pipes or channels through which these eternall streames do run and doubtlesse did not poor creatures drownd in delusions conclude these streams were dryed up they would not neglect this pipe this ordinance of hands as they do But so they think and so they speak for say they the power or gifts of the Spirit are ceased and therefore the ordinance is of no use Well when I shall clearly demonstrate that the best gifts are to this day continued as I have already proved that no gift is ceased that is needfull for believers And when it shall appear that these best gifts have been conveyed through impofition of hands Then surely both the Ordinance and gifts will be earnestly desired and affectionately embraced by gratious souls These best gifts which being continued 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10. Saints should covet are 1. Wisdome 2. Knowledge 3. Faith 4. Prophesie 5. Discerning of Spirits It must be granted without controversie that these are the best gifts of the Spirit and that they are continued in power and efficacy to this generation And first of Wisdome Prov. 4.7 Job 28.18 2 Sam. 14.20 which the eternall Spirit that gives it hath recorded as the principall thing and therefore it is here in the Catalogue of gifts deservedly set in the first place The price thereof is above Rubies it 's a defence better then strength it transformes the person so that he appears as an Angell of God Marvellous encomiums of deserved praise are given by the Spirit to this most excellent gift far surpassing all those other gifts before mentioned as Healing Tongues Miracles c. which the devotion of a Didymus doth so much dote upon making so great a noise in the world so that all 's lost with such a professor because tongues are ceased and miracles do not appear to satisfie his sense Ah poor shallow creatures shadowes of Saints that thus cry out as undone for the want of what they may perish with Scarce one word of wisdome to be heard nay the very Ordinance which is most particularly designed for the conveyance of Spirituall gifts must be cut off though it be a foundation Principle because they see not the prints of the nails and spear The power is gone we want Apostles the Fourth Principle is void Gifts do not now appear the power is gone This is the great cry of these times to cry
that is different administrations from the same Lord. 1 Cor. 12.5 But that saith which so runs as through Baptisme Supper Hands and other Ordinances I do not judge that foundation Principle Heb. 6. but a faith of assurance Ephes 1.13 or the sealing of the Spirit which hath been communicated to some upon their purpose to obey Christ in this Ordinance to others whiles they have been under the administration of hands to a third sort immediately after to divers at a greater distance yea I have seen such a presence and with an eye which the naturall man never enjoyed beheld so great a Majesty in the administration of this fourth Principle as hath constrained me to admire the mighty operation of the Spirit and to conclude that wonders are not totally ceased Let babes in Christ covet earnestly this great gift Gal. 2.20 Ephes 3.8 Hab. 3.17 18. 1 Sam. 30.6 Mat. 21.22 Josh 10.12 13. 1 Joh. 5.4 Isa 45.11 and be found in all the means and wayes of obtaining it for 't is a Christ-exalting gift a self-abasing gift a soul-satisfying gift a heart-encouraging gift a mercy-obtaining gift a wonder-working gift a world-conquering gift a God-commanding gift Now certainly if I have spoken truth concerning this pretious gift of Faith then it is not true which some have so confidently asserted namely that the powerfull operations of the Spirit are ceased But I know what they mean viz. the visible print of the nails and spear so that it appears to me they believe little further then they see and therefore slight this Doctrine of Laying on of hands Which I think few will deny to be a notable means for the conveyance of the fourth continued spirituall gift which is Prophesie All spirituall gifts are beautifull in their place but this rather to be desired for the edification of others as the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 14.1 I do not judge a person compleatly in Gods way how eminent soever he be gifted untill he have received this Ordinance of hands I look upon the Church as neglecting her duty when omitting it or employing persons in the Administration of Ordinances without it and hiding her talents when she doth not separate such persons by it as are fit for the Lords harvest And I esteem any man that sets to the Ministery without it if he may and doth not receive it as running without his errand Let none here mistake me as though I did confound the fourth Principle with Ordination I know the one is an initiating Ordinance proper for babes 2 Tim. 1 6. such as Timothy received at the hands of Paul by which often this gift of Prophesie is communicated which when it mounts to such a flame that the soul is constrained with the Prophet Jer. 20.9 to cry out I was weary with forbearing and I could not stay Then I judge it the Churches duty to set upon this separating administration with sasting and prayer according to pattern Act. 13.2 3. As the Eldership or Presbyterie did to Timothy 1 Tim. 4.14 Persons thus designed to the work are sent out by the Holy Spirit Act. 13.4 therefore prize it The last standing or continued gift here mentioned is Discerning of Spirits which raiseth the soul to a notable degree of spirituality * 1 Cor. 2.14 No wonder then that the Apostle urgeth the necessity of the Six Principles as being the dishes in and by which this spirituall gift is brought by degrees to the believing soul which when he heartily feeds of it is of that strengthning nature as transforming the Disciple from a babe to a strong man Heb. 5. ult 'T is no small mercy to be able to try the spirits whether they be of God and to know Christs voice from a stranger 1 Joh. 4.1 Joh. 10. Mat. 7.15 16. a wolf from a sheep Since therefore the use and end of Laying on of hands is for attaining the Spirit of Christ by degrees And that I have so fully proved that the choicest gifts of the Spirit are as largely that I say not more liberally handed to believers now as ever and that these heavenly gifts are so clearly communicated through this Ordinance of hands Let my counsell be acceptable to thee if ever thou desirest thy friends society get thee to his place of abode that is Can. 1.8 forth by the foot steps of the flock and feed thy kids besides the shepheards tents There he makes his flock to rest at noon There he will give thee his loves not every where but in wayes of his own appointment His flock have left thee fair prints of their footsteps both in Doctrine and practise A goodly flock hath the Shepherd of Israel whose faith follow and lean not to thine own understanding Say not the Lords hands is shortned or his power ceased thou seest his richest gifts are continued to thee and many more then I have mentioned as the spirit of grace and supplication Zech. 13.10 the gift of suffering Phil. 1.29 of courage and boldnesse Act. 4.10 13. and sundry others Be not wanting to thy self in slighting this or any Ordinance through which Christ is pleased to convey his gift Jonah 2.8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy If there be any breathings in thy soul after these spirituall treasures which will stand thee in stead when the trumpet sounds get thee to the Merchants now if thou drive off thy bargain till then the door will be shut Possibly thou mayest think this Ordinance of hands not worth half my writing or thy reading I am sure my pains is the greater and I do not think it too much to clear up an Ordinance whereby Christ hath sweetly refreshed my soul I know it hath long lien sullied amongst the Romish pots Psal 68.13 Isa 60.8 But God can give it the wings of a dove to thy bosome to engage thy dove-like soul to flie though in clouds to thy windowes What if thou shouldest look upon this Ordinance with a contemptible eye Joh. 9.6 7. and esteem it no better then clay and spittle yet use it because 't is the Doctrine or word of Christ possibly it may clear thy sight Thou hast many pretious Lambs of Christ in view that have led thee the way through this administration as Peter John Paul Ananias and thousands more who continued stedfastly in this and all the rest of the Apostles Doctrine And remember that thou art commanded to observe and do all things whatsoever Christ commanded his Disciples in those dayes so shalt thou be sure of the presence of Christ whose favour soever thou losest So shalt thou approve thy self a new-born-babe a new Creature a friend of Christ And as many as walke according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God I must now return to the Gent. my Antagonist to wipe off those Absurdities which he saith must of necessity follow this practise First We lay no unfaithfulnesse