Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	faith_n	ground_n	pillar_n	2,365	5	9.9071	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A84133	The Anabaptists ground-work for reformation: or, New planting of churches, that no man, woman, nor child, may be baptized, but such as have justifying faith, and doe make profession thereof, before, to the baptizer, found false, with all things depending thereon. As being contrary to the Scriptures, and to the examples of Christ and his Apostles, ... Proved by severall arguments. Whereunto one T.L. a principall baptizer, (and apostle in their account) hath given his answers. Unto which answers, replies are also made by I.E. and some arguments annexed, proving, that the children of all such beleevers as were baptized, and so received into the Church, might be baptized, and received also. With a brief declaration what the true reformation is, and shal be, farre above these Anabaptists, and all such carnall builders conceits. And who the two witnesses of God are, by whom chiefly it is to be performed. Imprimatut [sic]. Iames Cranford,	Etherington, John, fl. 1641-1645.; Lamb, Thomas, d. 1686.	1644 (1644)	Wing E3381; Thomason E50_2; ESTC R23515	28,610	37

through the name of Christ a gift of the Spirit of God sufficient to make him a fit subject for Baptisme then he did his being in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquitie through the spirit of Satan sometime after All one as if T. L. should say and argue to prove that Judas his t●eason against Christ so wickedly acted by him when the Divell was entred into him so long after he had through the word of Christ and gift of the holy Ghost beleeved and was baptized made him as fit a subject for baptisme as the faith that he had when he was baptized in the esteeme of Luke and the rest of the Evangelists that writ of him which were very blasphemous to speake or once to goe about to argue to such purpose And whereas T. L. in his third place saith By this reasoning it will follow that a person which in case were in the Church should be excommunicated out of it by the rule should be received into the Church by baptisme which were contradictious In this T. L. saith true in respect to his owne reasoning for if Simon Magus his being in the gall of bitternesse c. made him as fit a subject for baptisme as the faith he had when he was baptized then he was now well fitted by T. L. his arguing to be baptized again and it is very probable if one may judge upon probabilities which is T. L. his rule that he hath baptized some such persons himselfe again and again And let me ask T. L. if it be not contradictious for a Baptizer though as great an Apostolicke one as himselfe to judge all that he baptizeth to have justifying faith and to be a Church of regenerate Saints and yet be but a Church of hypocrites for any certaintie of judgement he hath to the contrary The fifth Argument If Christ and his Apostles knew that there were and would be in the Church such beleeving Disciples baptized according to the rule of Christ as would be like the stony and thorny ground as well as good ground hypocrites and such as would offend the little ones that beleeved in Christ and despise him hold heresies c. and that it must needs be so that they which are approved may be known Then did not Christ nor his Apostles judge and account all that were and would be in the Church to be of the little ones that beleeved in Christ of the approved ones But Christ and his Apostles knew that there were and would be such in the Church as well as of the little ones the approved ones as it is evident by Matth. 13.21 22. Ioh. 6.64 65. Acts 5.1 2. Acts 8.13 Acts 20.29 30. Matth. 18.6 7. 1 Cor. 11.18 19. and sundry other places Therefore they did not so account and judge of all The Answer of T. L. I answer this argument confounds things that are to be distinguished First we must distinguish between the judgement and account of Christ which was above the rule given to the Apostles to judge by and the Apostles judgement according to the same rule Secondly we must distinguish between being and what possibly they might be and the Apostles judgement in relation to both Thirdly we are to distinguish between the whole joyntly and the parts severally and the Apostles judgement in relation to either Lastly we are to distinguish of the persons in respect of the time of their comming for baptisme and the time of their continuance in the Church These things thus premised the answer is easie First that Christ knowing things infallibly did not account of all that were admitted into the Church by baptisme to be true beleevers and approved and yet no rule to baptize any other but such as were so judged when they were admitted by them that admitted them and none of the places alledged doe prove the contrary The Apostles indeed might judge that those whom they conceived to have justifying faith according to probabilitie might possibly be destitute of it according to certainty And that although there were contentions and some great faults in the Church in the generall so concluded by the Apostles yet not determined who were the particulars alwayes that caused the same might leave the search of that to the Congregation who were to censure them accordingly And also having found the particulars they being in the Church the event of private and brotherly admonition and reprehension must be tried before they be excommunicated Whereas if they were not of the Church they must manifest repentance for every evill known before they be received to baptisme Matth. 3.6 Act. 2.38 The Reply of I. E. First where T. L. saith the Argument confounds things that are to be distinguished he speaks not truly it confounds nothing only it proves sufficiently that Christ and his Apostles did know and so may we by their testimonies and our owne experience that there alwayes were and would be in the Church baptized according to rule such as the places quoted doe describe and that the Church in the outward state thereof generally considered was never nor is otherwise to be judged of There will be false brethren false teachers hypocrites such as hold heresies stony ground thorny ground covetous persons lovers of this present world proud boasters lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God carnall corrupt persons whose belly is their God minding earthly things having eys full of adultery contentious c. And also of Gods elect some yet remaining like some of the former of them unregenerate and some regenerate sanctified ones justified by faith in Iesus Christ whom the holy Ghost calleth good ground trees of righteousnesse the children of wisedome the children of God the called of God in Iesus Christ beloved of God Saints by calling sanctified in Iesus Christ the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of truth the body and spouse of Christ living stones built on Iesus Christ the chief corner stone a spirituall house a Kingly Priesthood which doe offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Iesus Christ and of whom Christ saith And upon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it c. For although the other evill sorts are altogether with these in the outward state of the Church partaking with them in common things yet these onely properly and truly spiritually and inwardly considered are the Church of the living God his Temple and Tabernacle And to this Church doe all the most speciall peculiar priviledges and treasures graces gifts and promises belong And when the Apostles wrote their Epistles to the severall distinct Churches as that of Rome Corinth and the rest they directed them chiefly to these who were beloved of God called to be Saints sanctified in Christ Iesus as appeareth plainly Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 Eph. 1.1 Phil. 1.1 Col. 1.2 1 Thess 1.1.4 1 Pet. 1.2 Although they did not sever them by name nor by person from the

nor could they so judge of all whom they baptized neither did they require such a profession from them as T. L. would have it Thirdly whereas T. L. saith that although Christ did not take it for granted nor so judge yet the Apostles did which to prove he quotes Phil. 1.7 the words are these Even as it is meet for me to think of you all Whereby T. L. would make Paul like unto himselfe to put no difference between judging upon knowledge and confidence and thinking well upon some kind of hope or probabilitie Wherein he greatly wrongs the Apostle For the Apostle he directing his Epistle especially to the Saints as his usuall manner was to all other Churches so unto the Saints in Philippi of whose fruit hee had had good experience judgeth confidently of many thinks well of all that he writes to and sayes of others clean contrary For many walke of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping that they are enemies to the crosse of Christ wh●se end is destruction c. Phil. 3.18 So that this place serves nothing at all to prove as T. L. would have it that the Apostles took that for granted to be which was not and judged contrary to Christs judgement The fourth Argument Which is to prove That such a beleife as those disciples had that fell away mentioned Matth. 13.21.22 Ioh. 16.64.65 Acts 5.1.2 Acts 8.17 is sufficient for outward baptisme To this preface of the Argument T. L. first answers saying To which I answer that it is sufficient in respect of the Minister who cannot but conclude them to have justifying faith by their profession till they manifest the contrary but not sufficient in respect of the subject requiring Baptisme The Reply of I. E. to this In this answer T. L. speaks again as though Christs Ministers were bound by the word of the Lord and their own consciences to conclude the glad receiving of the Word such a beleef as men may have fall from and so perish to be justifying faith and the people so to conclude of it in themselves and professe So upon their profession being a lie the Minister is to conclude a lie for a truth and so baptize them Whereas if the people had been so ignorant and bold as to conclude their glad receiving the word or beleefe which they might have and yet fall away and perish to be true justifying Faith professe as much yet the true Ministers of Christ especially the Apostles they understood better and knew justifying Faith to be a more excellent thing and therefore would have reproved their ignorance and boldnes and informed them truly what justifying Faith was and the necessity of it according as Christ and his Apostles did afterward very often and that with many exhortations and teares as the Scriptures witnesse knowing that their gladly receiving the word that common beliefe and outward baptisme was not sufficient to salvation T. L. quotes for the ground of his opinion doctrine Luk 14.33 which how it serves for his turn you may see The Argument it selfe That which the holy Ghost hath by the Evangelist Luke written down and affirmed of Simon Magus he knew to be true and wee are bound to beleeve it But the holy Ghost hath by the Evangelist Luke written down and affirmed that Simon Magus also as the other of Samaria beleeved and was baptized Therefore such a beliefe as Simon Magus had was and is sufficient for outward baptisme according to the Rule The answer of T. L. I answer true in respect of Philip who when he baptized him did not know but that hee had justifying faith but in respect of Simon himselfe not so Secondly I answer that as Luke affirmes of his Faith so he affirmes of his being in the gall of bitternesse and in the bond of iniquitie As the state of being in the gall of bitternesse and in the bond of iniquity doth not present a person a fit subject for baptisme in Lukes esteem no more doth such a Faith as doth not distinguish a person from such a one The former I suppose you will grant Ergo Luke doth not esteeme such a beliefe sufficient for baptisme according to the rule in respect of the subject baptized Thirdly by this reasoning it will follow that a person which in case were in the Church should be excommunicated out of the Church by the rule should be received into the Church by baptisme which is contradictious The Reply of I. E. Here again T. L. grants such a beliefe as Simon Magus had sufficient for outward Baptisme in respect of Philip who when he baptized him did not know but that he had justifying faith but in respect of Simon himselfe not so Where he maketh ignorance which he falsly chargeth Philip with to excuse him but not Simon Magus though he were far more ignorant than he And yet T. L. in his ignorance for I will not say he doth it with knowledge chargeth Philip with two severall great sinnes making him guiltie of them both in that he saith Philip did not know but that Simon Magus had justifying faith when he baptized him For if Philip was to have knowne and did not know that Simon had justifying faith and yet judged and concluded that he had it which is T. Ls. doctrine for the rule Then did Philip sinne in so judging and concluding not doing it of faith because whatsoever is not of faith is sinne as Paul saith Rom. 14. But Philip did not know that Simon had justifying faith yet he baptized him Therefore T. L. chargeth Philip with two great sinnes at least first in judging and concluding Simon to have that which he had not and secondly in his baptizing him upon the same also not of faith For if to eate and not of faith that is to say not of a full perswasion in the heart be sinne as Paul saith Rom. 14.23 then much more to judge and conclude in so great a matter as justifying faith to be in a man when it is not and to baptize him also and not of faith is sinne But it is otherwise then T.L. teacheth Philip did know assuredly and judge and conclude rightly of Simon Magus that he did beleeve as the other of Samaria beleeved So as that according to the rule and example of Christ he might be baptized and was And whereas secondly T.L. invents a kind of Argument against the Evangelist Luke from the Apostle Peters words to Simon Magus written down by Luke Thou art in the gall of bitternes c. saying As the state of being in the gall of bitternes and bond of iniquitie doth not present a person a fit subject for Baptisme in Luks esteem no more doth such a faith as doth not distinguish a person from such a one and hereupon wickedly but cunningly concludes that Luke did no more esteeme the faith that Simon Magus had by the preaching of Philip and his seeing the miracles that he did

baptisme and afterward they that attained to true repentance and remission of their sinnes through faith in his name and shewing forth the fruit thereof were approved And therfore Christ said unto some that beleeved on him in that common kind of beleeving If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed and yee shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free Joh. 8.32 33. And again Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit If a man abide not in me he is cast forth c. Ioh. 15. By all which it is manifest that such a beleeving on Christ as the former which onely maketh a man a Disciple fit for outward baptisme such a graffing into the vine availeth nothing if he attaine not to true repentance in his own heart and to the faith that worketh by love that bringeth forth good fruit from his heart he cannot be approved in the sight of God nor of his Church God will cut him off as a branch and withered Therfore I say it is no marvelling greatly at T. L. that he knoweth not how to judge righteous iudgement he being as well as many thousands more are destitute of those speciall peculiar graces and gifts of the Spirit whereby to know it and so iudge according to the Rule of Christ Matth. 7. Ye shall know them by their fruit And now I put a question to T.L. which is this That if without all contradiction the lesser is blessed of the greater as the Apostle saith Heb. 7.7 And that the Elders that were ordained in the Apostles time were ordained by the approbation and laying on of hands of the Apostles and Elders who were in those heavenly respects greater then they on whom they laid their hands Then where and who that greater is that did so ordain him I mean T. L. that placed him in the Chaire and gave him power to make Disciples baptize plant Churches and taught him so to iudge as he speaks If he cannot shew that greater like some of those before mentioned nor a greater then they that did so ordain him place him and give him authoritie and power to doe al those things If he cannot doe this I say then is he not so neere like the Apostle Peter as he professeth himselfe to be but sheweth himselfe to be a very bold presumptuous person in taking so much upon him and his sinne in this is greater then his opinion of ignorance concerning the Rule before spoken of of which with this I advise him to repent and so farewell Severall Arguments proving by necessary Consequence from the Scriptures that the little children of all such beleevers of the Gospel as may rightly according to the rule of Christ be received into the outward state of the Church by outward baptisme may also be baptized and received The first Argument IF it was a lawfull and requisite thing once in the time of the Law of Moses by the same Law for little children to be received into the outward state of the Church and so be distinguished from the heathen and uncircumcised people and that Christ hath been and is as faithfull in and over all his own House as Moses was in his and as gracious to little children as he Then it is a lawfull and requisite thing now in the time of the Gospel for little children to be received into the outward state of the Church and so be distinguished from the heathen and unbaptized But it was a lawfull and requisite thing then and Christ is as faithfull in his House and as gracious to little children as Moses Therefore it is a lawfull and requisite thing now in the time of the Gospel The second Argument If the last thing that could and did distinguish little children in the time of the Law from the heathen and uncircumcised was the circumcision in the flesh and that they were to have it And that the least thing that little children can have now in the time of the Gospel to distinguish them from the heathen and unbaptized is outward baptisme Then they are to have it as well as they were to have the other But the least thing that was then to distinguish little children from the heathen and uncircumcised was the circumcision in the flesh and the least thing that can now distinguish a little child from the heathen and unbaptized is outward baptisme Therefore as they were then to have that so they are now to have this The third Argument If the children of the Gentiles that became Proselytes in the time of the Law being circumcised and received into the Church of the Jewes were and might lawfully be circumcised and received also with their parents and so from generation to generation all one with the Iewes Then may now still lawfully the children of us Gentiles who having beleeved the Gospel and being baptized and received into the Church of Christians be baptized and received also and so from generation to generation But it was so then in the time of the Law with the Gentile Proselytes and their children Therefore it may lawfully be so now in the time of the Gospel with us Gentile Christians and our children The fourth Argument If outward baptisme doth as well as outward circumcision did set forth and signify the circumcision of Christ made without hands the circumcision of the heart in the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the same circumcision of Christ and that little children were to receive that signe the outward circumcision Then little children are to have this signe outward baptisme it being the signe of the same circumcision of the heart made without hands But outward baptisme doth as well as outward circumcision did set forth and signifie the circumcision of Christ that of the heart made without hands in the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the same circumcision of Christ as the Apostle Paul doth plainly declare Coloss 2.11 12 13. where hee giveth unto the circumcision of the heart which he calleth the circumcision of Christ the name Baptisme as it formerly had the name of Circumcision making baptisme and circumcision both one in respect of the thing signified Therefore as little children were to have that signe so they are to have this The circumcision of the heart being the token of the covenant which God made with Abraham and his seed of which seed all the faithfull Gentiles are part as Paul declareth Rom. 4.11 12 13 14 15 16 c. The fifth Argument If Christ did receive little children when they brought them unto him and take them in his armes and blesse them and that this was a greater thing then outward baptisme and he esteemed them meet for the same because the kingdome of heaven is of such as

action they perform concerning the same For if it be a matter of so great consequence as without which there can bee no true reformation from the Antichristian Church to become a true Church of Christ as you perswade the people Then there is as great a necessity of a rule by word or example for the same as there is for any thing Therfore consider hereof and see what answer ye can give Christ gave a rule unto his Disciples for prayer and commanded saying When ye pray say Our Father which art in heaven c. I ask the reason why you doe not when you pray perform it according to the words seeing they are so plainly written down and yet charge the other so as ye do upon the people without either word or example Again Christ performed a work in washing his Disciples feet and commanded them that they should so wash one anothers feet as he had given them example What is the reason ye take not this work in hand to practise it seeing the commandement and every circumstance and action that Christ performed is so plainly written down Joh. 13.4 5 6 and so to verse 17. Is it because it makes not so wel for your planting new Churches as the other by your rejecting the outward baptisme little children had received and your baptizing onely men and women of years who must first professe that faith ye speak of doth Or is it because ye are utterly ignorant what the work truly is and therefore leave it quite lest ye should not rightly follow Christ therein but rather the Pope and his Church who have taken it up in a corrupt and superstitious way Then by the same reason yee might as well have left the other also and not have medled with it For let me ask you Doe you know what true circumcision is and so what true baptisme is If ye think ye do then see if ye can declare the true meaning of th●se Scriptures Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.15 16. 1 Pet. 3.21 Col. 2.11 12. Gal. 3.27 Rom. 2.29 Acts 2.38 Acts 19.5 and tell us if there be not as great a necessity of the circumcision and baptisme in these places spoken of as there is of the new birth John 3.3.5 and that whosoever is so circumcised or baptized hath put on Christ is regenerate and shall be saved and that it is not the cutting off the foreskin nor the doing away the filth of the flesh with outward washing or dipping the body in water as they of Rome concluded from those Scriptures in their Councell at Trent making the same washing or dipping of necessity to salvation But that it is the circumcision of the heart in the spirit the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ the baptisme wherein they are buried with Christ and also are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead as Paul saith Col. 2.11 12. Even the answer of a good conscience by the resurrection of Jesus Christ as Peter saith 1. Pet. 3.21 And then the places being so understood it is clearly true That whosoever beleeveth and is baptized shal be saved as Christ and Peter and Paul have declared which cannot be so concluded upon outward washing or dipping These and all other such like gatherers of people together builders and planters which come so neere their strain in framing and setling Church●s to themselves in their independent way under the pretence of casting off all the abominations of Antichrist and practising according to the state of the Churches of the Apostles times let them and all other who in other kinds seem to endevour a reformation take heed and feare lest while they promise and assume great things to themselves they misse the very thing and goe clean beside the way of the true reformation which God will have to be in this last age For whosoever hath not in his heart the first principles of true repentance and that faith in Christ which justifieth that repentant broken-hearted sinner from his sins and the Comforter the Spirit of truth which leadeth into all truth cannot understand those great mysteri●s of God which he hath foretold in Scripture shall now in this last age be fulfilled And let no man take it in scorn therfore that I thus speak unto him it is mine owne case I must also take heed and feare And let us know howsoever though we all should faile in our understandings and go awry from the intent of the Scriptures in these great matters yet neverthelesse the work of Reformation shall goe on and every thing that the Scriptures have foretold shall come to passe Neither is the work of Reformation now to begin Christ foretelling of the abomination of desolation and the great tribulation of Antichrist that should come into the world saith And except those dayes should be shortned there should no flesh be saved but for the elect sake they shall be shortned Matth. 24.22 This Scripture is and hath been already in the fulfilling at least these hundred yeares past The Lord with the spirit of his mouth hath been consuming that man of sin all this while according as the Apostle Paul foretold 2 Thess 2.8 The two witnesses of God whom that Beast which was to come out of the deep should kill when they had finished their testimony that is when the whole counsell of God which he would have manifested to the world for the convincing of the ungodly and saving his elect should be by his holy Apostles and Evangelists testified and written down and they translated to their place of rest leaving the witnesses the two Testaments of God perfected and prophesying in their life and strength Then the Beast being risen up and placed in the Dragons Throne makes warre against them overcomes them and kils them Which killing was performed partly by his putting out and taking away the true intent and meaning of their word and testimony which is their light and life and giving false and lying interpretations of the same to the people and suppressing those that testified and walked in the light and truth of them And partly by keeping the letter of their word from the people that so their testimony might not be read understood and laid up in their hearts where they ought to be buried These two witnesses who have lien thus slain so long in the streets of that spirituall Sodom unburied are in their resurrection the spirit of life from God is entred into them and they are standing on their feet and walking again as was foretold Rev. 11. And so he whose name is called The Word of God who hath on his head many crownes and in his mouth a sharp sword he is come forth on his white horse and his heavenly armies following him on white horses clothed in white and fine clean linnen who are the called of God his chosen and faithfull

of the earth with their armies gather themselves together against him and his Armies and doe what they can the Beast shall not recover out of his consumption he must be taken and with him the false prophet his Clergy that wrought miracles before him and both be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone And those Kings of the earth and the rest of his armies be slain with the sword of him that sits on the white horse which comes out of his mouth c. as the Lord hath spoken Rev. 19. For who art thou O thou great Mountain Babel before him Thou also shalt become a plain like all thy predecessors and Monarchs before thee The man whose name is the Branch he hath laid the foundation of the house of God and he shall finish it even to the full perfection And now as hitherto the Lord by his word of truth the golden oyle of his two Olive trees with which through his holy Spirit he hath lighted his golden Candlestick in her seven Lamps so that she can and hath of late held forth the same again in some measure to the world whereby the abominations of Antichrist and his Church hath been in part discovered from day to day to this presennt And as their glory decayeth so accordingly shall the face of her the Lords true Church by degrees be seen more and more to shine in her true spirituall light and beautie untill she come neerest like unto the primitive state that she in this last corrupt age of the world can come to which upon the full end and desolation of the Beast and his Church will be Then many things which now remaine even to some of Gods chosen servants hid and obscure though foretold in Scripture shall bee knowne and understood Then shall shee the true Church indeed come clean forth of that wildernesse of her secret resting place where shee had been fed so long and be farre more visible then now shee is She will not be divided into so many Sects as now are of those that falsly take on them her name having so many severall independent Leaders as there are independent Sects and as many Sects as every one that will rise to draw Disciples after him can by speaking perverse things unto them make Nay she shall be as she alwayes hath been in such respects and is undivided though disperst holding faith and truth without confusion or division yet not without some persecution and affliction which as the Lord fore-told her must bee a part of her portion in this world And although she may and shall in respect of her severall places of abode be distinguished by the names of the places yet shall she not be divided nor any one part independent from the other nor from the whole no more then the parts members of one body are nor one part say or think of another I have no need of thee no more then the members of one body may Neither shall they bee free from all kind of dependancie on the Magistracie or State where they are But as they being in place of authoritie are in duty bound to have speciall care of the glory worship and service of God and to see that he be not dishonored by Idolatry superstition or any blasphemous erronious Antichristian doctrines nor any kind of abominations or grosse wickednesses lest they by allowing or permitting the same upon knowledge be found guilty of their sinne and perish with them And also to see that the Church as well as the State be ordered and so setled in a forme of goverment according to the word of God and so protected and defended by them that all the people may peaceably be taught in the wayes of truth and salvation So the Church and Children of God are bound to submit and bee obedient And although they are free and independent from men in all spirituall things concerning God and their owne Consciences not having in such respects any supreme Head Ruler or Teacher over them but Christ their Lord nor may So call any man on earth Lord because one is their Lord nor any man Doctor because one is their Doctor even He the Lord himselfe who hath appointed no one in his stead during the time of his personall absence so to bee over his Church but his holy Spirit onely the Spirit of truth the Comforter which he hath sent and is with his Church to the worlds end to rule and governe it to teach and guide her and all her children in the wayes of truth as being the great moderator of all his spirituall matters yet are they not therefore free from all dependencie on the Magistracie or State But if they shall falle in their duties before mentioned and doe and command things contrary as hath been hitherto most commonly in all Kingdomes and States in the world Then are the Children free and not bound to obey but rather to suffer unto death they are to give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods as Christ hath commanded This Church if ever it come so neere the primitive state as is hoped upon good ground it will shee will be so eminent in every part where she shall be so severed and distinguisht that if one brother trespasse against another and will not bee reconciled it may bee knowne where to goe and tell it to the Church according to the Rule of Christ Matth. 18. which Church if the trespasser shall refuse to heare hee is then to be unto his brother in account as a Heathen and a Publican For of this Church and her children it was that Christ spake when he said Verily I say unto you Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven vers 18. And therefore hee saith againe If two of you shall agree on earth he saith not any two in the outward state of the Church But Two of you meaning of his truly faithfull ones as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven For where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them For although there are and will be many within the outward state and pale of the Church that are not truly faithfull that are not of her in respect of her inward spirituall state of true Repentance justifying Faith power of the Spirit Wisedome from above Christ speakes not here unto them nor of them they though they bee never so great in place and power externall and wisedome naturall have nothing to doe with these excellent treasures They have no part with the Spouse herselfe therein it is to her and her children alone that Christ hath promised given and will give those speciall peculiar graces and those keyes of the Kingdome of heaven that whatsoever they shall bind on earth shall be

bound in heaven and whatsoever they shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven as he also declared Matth. 16. vers 18 19. Neither is the Prince or Magistrate having the same grace exempted from these priviledges because he is in place of authoritie but rather the more to be honoured that way This Church I say shall now daily in respect of her light of Faith and Truth and other graces and gifts of the Spirit increase and by the word of Gods two Testaments and power of his Spirit wherewith hee hath and will replenish her shall not onely convince the Antichristian people and wicked perishing World of sinne of righteousnesse and of judgement but also and more especially by the same Word of Truth and power of his Spirit bring forth and accomplish all her owne children even the full number of Gods elect the generation of his first-borne which within the very time of this present last age will bee fully perfected as the Prophet Daniel declareth Dan. 12.12.13 according to the words of Christ Matth. 24.29 Rev. 11.14 For as the true estate of the primitive Church of Christ lasted but a short time before the Dragon raised his great persecution against her and her Child the first fruits wherewith shee was then in travell to bee delivered by which meanes shee was inforced to flie into the Wildernesse and so the great light of her bright shining graces shee being then clothed with the Sunne and having the Moon under her feet and on her head a Crowne of twelve Starres which made her so visible like a Citie set upon a Hill that cannot bee hid and as a Candle in a Candlestick which giveth light to all that are in the house was elipsed and hidden in obscuritie in comparison of her first estate as you may read and perceive Rev. 12. So now after the desolation of Antichrist which is now neere at hand the time will bee as short wherein her light shall in a measure so shine againe and shee shall travell to bring forth her last fruits unto God and to the Lamb before the Dragon the Devill Satan who in respect of his former practices as Revel 12. and before hee hath been so long time bound shall bee loosed again out of his prison and goe unto the Kings of the earth and of the whole World to deceive the Nations that are in the foure quarters of the Earth even Gog and Magog and gather them together and bring them downe in number like the sand of the Sea and compasse the Camp of the Saints about and the beloved Citie and so for a little season greatly trouble her even till fire shall come down from God out of heaven and devoure them as it is written Rev. 16.14 Rev. 20.7.8.9 according to Ezek. 38.39 chapters And then the Lord JESUS CHRIST will come in his glory and all his holy Angels with him and then he shall sit in the throne of his glory and all the dead both good and bad shall bee raised and with the living bee brought before him and hee will separate the Sheep from the Goats the Books shall bee opened and they shall bee judged every man according to his workes as it is written Matth. 25.31 31 32 33 34 c. John 5.28 29. Revel 20.11 12 13 c. And so the judgement being passed and the corrupt state of this world dissolved there shall bee new heavens and a new earth and the holy Citie new Jerusalem the Bride the Lambs wife shall bee manifested from heaven in her perfect glory with all her children according as it is often in Scripture foretold of her Esay 49.14 15 c. Esay 60. Esay 65. Esay 66. Rev. 21. and 22. The whole house of Israel all Gods elect and chosen people of all Nations and times shall now bee perfectly and fully delivered from all their captivities and troubles sorrowes teares graves dust and shall sorrow and weep no more as the Lord hath promised Rev. 21.4 and sundry other places And hee their Lord and King Christ Jesus shall reigne over them in Mount Sion for ever and ever world without end as it is also written Esay 9.7 Ezek. 37.34 35. Dan. 2.44 Dan. 7.14 Mich. 4.7 Luke 1.33 Rev. 11.15 REV. 22. 12 13 14 15. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his workes shall be I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end the first and the last Blessed are they that doe his commandements that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the Citie For without are Dogs and Sorcerers and Whoremongers and Murderers and Idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie FINIS Page 2. line the last save two Acts 5.1 2 3 Acts 19.14 15 c. Page 6. line 7. Joh. 6.64 65. This is licensed and entred according to Order