is for the Christ that Messiah which was to come but onely for the Carpenters sonne Matth. 13. 58. The reason was because none could understand that Mystery but they onely to whom the Father of heaven revealed it Matth. 11. 14. Hence when Jesus demanded of his Disciples Whom doe men say that I the Sonne of Man am Peter answereth thou art the Christ the Sonne of the living God Jesus answereth Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona for flesh and blood hatb not revealed this unto thee but my Father in heaven And thou art Peter and upon this Rock Jesus the Christ whom thou hast confessed I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. 16 17 18. Many for fear durst not in those dayes confesse Jesus to be the Christ Instance the Parents of the blind man Because the Jewes had agreed that if any did confesse that hee was the Christ He should be put out of the Synagogue John 9. 22. But so many as recived him viz. to be the Christ to them he gave power to be called the sons of God even to them that beleeve in his name which were borne not of bloud nor of the will of the flesh nor of thâ— will of man But of God John 1. 12 13 And as for that other Text of the holy Scripture that doth universally oppose it the heavenly Father gave me thus to interpret it 1 John 2. 22. Who is a lyar viz â—orne of the evill one who is a lyar and the father of lyes and abode not in the truth John 8. 14. But hee that denieth that JESUS whom hee confesseth dyed for his sinnes and rose againe the third day according to the Scriptures Is not the Christ viz. the annointed King and Prophet of his Church in all his outward administrations and institutions in admitting of Members into his spirituall Kingdome according to his royall Commission Matth. 28. 18 19. Mark 15. 15 16. though he acknowledge him to be his eternall Priest that ever liveth to make intercession to God for him Heb. 7. 25. He is that Antichrist viz. an enemy and adversary to Jesus the Christ that denieth the Father and the Sonne He that denieth the Sonnes Authority to bee the eternall King and his Commission to bee in force Matth. 28. 18 19 20. Mark 15. 15 16. and to be the eternall Prophet and his word to be the eternall rule for Doctrine and Gouernement aswall as his eternall Priest to reconcile him to God Denieth the Father that sanctified the Sonne and sent him into the World John 10. 36. and raised him from the dead and exalted him to bee Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. Hence it is my Honoured friend First that in all my writings I have studied to exalt Jesus the Christ it being the Primitive Faith once given to the Saints Math. 16. 16. Secondly to distinguish Jesus the Christ from all others named with the name of Jesus in Scripture Record as Joshua is called Jesus Hebr. 4. 8. c. others Thirdly because I find the Scriptures giving that Title to him in divers places John confesseth I am not the Christ John 1. 20. The Woman of Samaria said I know the Messiah commeth which is called the Christ John 4. 25. Apollos mightily convinced the Jewes shewing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ Acts 18. 28. Now that I received from the Lord I could not but make knowne to you You being one of the tender hearted Loyall Covenanters a Member of that High and Honourable Court under whose shade Conscientious Covenantours that contend for the faith of Jesus the Christ once given to the Saints find rest Know worthy Sir that the departure from the faith of Jesus the Christ is a cause of so many Schismes and Heresies maintained in the earth Disdaine not therefore to read a little Treatise called the Difference betweene the Christian and Antichristian Church Deliniated according to the Scripture Record though the truth therein contained like the Two witnesses Revel 11. 3. have long mourned in Sackcloth Yet if God give you an heart to receive it It will be a Jewell surpassing all earthly Treasure For if Iesus the Christ bee your Prophet to teach you his heavenly Father will Matth. 17. 5. Acts 3. 22. 23. He will then be your King to protect you Matth 28. 20. Your Priest to intercede for you Joh. 27. 20. Your Judge to acquit you Joh. 12. 48. and if the love of Christ draw you to keepe all his Commandements though in the world you meet with afâ—liction for his sake yet in Christ you shall find peace for the Father Son and Spirit will dwell in your heart and take it for the Sanctum Sanctorum where they will abide to cheer and refresh you Joh. 14. 23. And if you confesse him in this world before men He will confesse you before his Father and proclaime it to your eternall peace and comfort Euge bone serve Well done thou good and faithfull servant enter into your Masters joy Matth. 25. 21. Orpington in Kent the tenth Moneth the first day 1645. Yours who contendeth for the faith of Jesus the Christ FRANCIS CORNWELL To all loyall Covenanters contending for the Faith of JESUS the CHRIST once given to the Saints Mat. 16. 16 17. CVrteous Reader be not too censorious concerning him that is the Publisher of this little Treatise stiled The difference between the Christian and Antichristian Church as if hee condemned the Ages and Generations that are past as in a lost condition because he saith they have built their house upon wood and hay and stubble and not upon the sure rock Jesus the Christ Farre be it from him to judge so â—ashly of the Ages and Generations past or present concerning their finall estate for â—ee is commanded to judge no man before â—he time knowing that they stand and fall to their owne Master And wee shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ And then and there every one shall give an account for himselfe to God Rom. 14. 4 10 12. Knowing as it is recorded in the inspired Scriptures that If any man build upon this foundation Jesus the Christ gold silver precious stones wood hay stubble Every mans work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and thâ— fire shall try every mans worke If any mans worke abide which hee hath builâ— thereon hee shall receive a reward If any mans work shall be burnt hee shall suffer losse but himselfe shall be saved yet so as by fire 1 Cor. 3. 12 13 14 15. Secondly Know that the discovery of this truth was as the vision that is his for an appointed time and is become unto us as the words of a book that is sealed which men deliver to one that is learned saying Read this I pray thee And hâ— saith I cannot for it is sealed And thâ— book is delivered to him that is not
in faith and heire of the Kingdome which God hath promised to them that love him James 2. 5. Yea and the whole body of beleevers walking in that faith and order Christ hath prescribed with perseverance in the faith unto the ende shall be more then conquerours through him that loved them Rom. 8. 36. Yea next to the Paradise of glorie there is no Society like to this Spirituall Corporation of Saints where the Lord will dwell in the middest of them and give them light Hence was the beloved Apostles Utinam Oh that you had fellowship with us 1 John 1. 3. Why was it such a Priviledge Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Sonne Jesus Christ So that the Father Sonne and holy Spirit and Saints make up but one Society or Family where God will dwell to comfort and solace them the good Angels their guard to protect and save them as they did once the Prophet Elisha from the troop of the Aramites 2 King 6. 17. seeing they pitch their tents round about them that feare him Psal 34. 7. And are sent forth to be ministring Spirits to minister unto them that are heires of salvation Heb. 1. 14. And when they die they resigne their spirits to God that gave them as the Proto-Martyr Stephen did Lord Jesus receive my spirit Acts 7. 59. to remaine in the mansion prepared for the spirits of just men departed So that happy are the people that are in such a case yea blessed are those Churches that have the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for their God What is the Antichristian faith It is to deny that Jesus whom they confesse dyed to take away the sinnes of the world is the Christ How prove you that 1 Joh. 2. 22. Who is a liar viz. borne of the evill one who is a liar and the father of lies and abode not in the truth Joh. 8. 44. but hee that denyeth that Jesus is the Christ viz. the eternall King Prophet Priest of his Church bought with his owne bloud hee is Antichrist an enemy and an adversary to Jesus the Christ that denyeth the Father and the Sonne For he that denyeth the Sonnes authority to be the eternall King and Prophet of the Church of the New Testament to the end of the world according to the royall Commission hee received from the Father of glory when hee raised him from the dead Mat. 28. 18 19 20. compared with Mar. 16. 15 16. aswell as his eternall Priest that ever liveth to make intercession to God for him Heb. 7. 25. hee denyeth the Father that sanctified the Sonne and sent him into the world Joh. 10. 36. and raised him from the dead and exalted him to be Lord and Christ Act. 2. 36. Ephes 1. 20 21 22 23. What Congregations deny that Jesus is the Christ Even all such as build their house upon the hay and stubble of mans inventions and not upon the precious stone Jesus the Christ in whom onely salvation is found Act. 4. 12. Of which sort of builders are these The first sort are those that build their house upon the person of Peter and so successively upon the Pâ—pe These the Spirit of God discovereth to be foolish builders because there is no salvation in Peter nor Pope the Apostle Peter himselfe being the Judge to decide the controversie Acts 4. 11. Peter speaking of Jesus the Christ saith This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders which is become the head of the corner Ver. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given amongst men whereby wee must be saved The second sort are those that build their house upon the Office of Peter and so successively on the Officers So that if the Officers united into a body in Councell erre the whole Church that receiveth their faith from their Edicts and Decrees erre also Now that Councells may erre and have erred in things appertaining to God appeareth in the 21. Article of the Church of England by Law established as appeareth Adoration of Images was established in the second Generall Councell of Nice The Popish Clergy were advanced above all earthly Princes by the Councell of Lateran And Priests prohibited to marry which is honourable amongst all men Heb. 13. 4. by the said Councell The late Trident Councell erred in many things grosly as in exalting the traditions of men to be of equall authority with the word of God Trident. Sess 4. Decret Together with the invocation of creatuâ—es Or any other Councell that should decree that grace cometh by generation or Beleevers should beget beleevers or Christians beget Christians then the whole Church that build their faith upon such corrupt Councells may erre also The third sort are all those that build their house upon another mans faith and not basing or laying the foundation aright on the Gospel faith to wit to beleeve in a crucified dead and risen Jesus whom God hath exalted to be the Christ If they erre in the object of their faith Jesus the Christ though they owne him to be Jesus their eternall Priest to make intercession to God for them yet if they deny him their eternall King and Prophet in all his outward institutions in admitting of members into his spirituall Kingdome they build but on a sandy foundation and not on the sure rock Jesus the Christ These Congregations when the storme of Gods indâ—gnation bloweth upon them it will faile them because they were so foolish as to build upon the sand Mat. 7. 26. and not upon the immoveable rock Jesus the Christ seeing other foundations no man can lay save that is laid Jesus the Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. Paul calleth him The corner stone Ephes 2. 20. Peter The living stone 1 Pet. 2. 4. Yea The chiefe corner stone elect and precious hee that beleeveth on him shall not be confounded 1 Pet. 2 6. Vnto you that beleeve in Jesus the Christ hee iâ— precious 1 Pet. 2. 7. Now the true Spouse of Christ can have no communion with such as deny Jesus the Christ their onely Rock in whom salvation onely iâ— found Act. 4. 12. First Because shee is a loyalâ— Spouse that hath no head no husband no Lord no Law-giver in things appeâ—taining to the conscience but royall King Jesus noâ— will admit any other pretendeâ— Spouse to have fellowship with hâ—r that is partly governed by the worâ— of Christ and paâ—tly with the chaffâ— and straw of their owne traditions in Gods spirituall worship or in admitting of mâ—mbers into his spirituall house Knowing that in so doing shee should be found to be a Monster that hath two heads oâ— else like to that proud harlot Râ—me that hath a divided heart that goeth a whoring after two husbâ—nds Christ and Antichrist Secondly This loyall Spouse her love toward her husband the Lord Jesus the Christ is tender and compassionate love shee cannot endure to heare
denyed That power which can disanull â—e greater must needs disanull the â—â—â—er if the death of Christ put an 〈◊〉 to the heavenly Fathers Cereâ—oniall Worship and in prayer and â—aise at or before the Ark or in â—e Temple then it will put an â—nd to all mans devised Worship unlesse you will advance the authority of man above God the Father Col. 2. 20 21 22 23. If Christ by his death hath freed us from the rudiments of the world the Mosaicall Ceremonies why living in the world are wee intangled with ordinances after the doctrine traditions and commandements oâ— men But they are set up for the glory of God Not I but Paul shall answer fom me They have a shew of wisdome iâ— will-worship but it is onely a shew there is no substance in it Wee harden the obstinate Papist in their superstition for they say and that truly Wee received moâ—â— of our formes of prayer and praiâ—â— from them Wee rob the Spirit of his glory who is given to Saints to form prayer and praise in them 1 Cor. 1â— 15 16. Rom 8. 26. Gal. 4. 6. Wee impose a burthen upon 〈◊〉 conscience to be practised which God hath left arbitrary to be used according to our necessities If we be afflicted then pray if wee have tasted how bountifull the Lord hath been to us in blessings then let us praise him Jam. 5. 13. If wee frequent devised formes of Worship in prayer or praise we shall lay a stumbling block before a weak brother and cause him to fall Woe be to them that follow the way of Balaam who taught Balack to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel Revel 2. 14. Jud. v. 11. Now offences must come but woe unto the men by whom they come It were better for me that a milstone were hanged about my neck and that I were cast into the sea then that I should offend one of these little ones Luk. 17. 1 2. If wee frequent devised formes of Worship in prayer or praise we shall offend our consciences even so many of us as are Saints enlightned to behold the beauty of his spirituall Worship performed or offered in his spirituall house the Congregation of the faithfull united Now if our consciences condemne us God is greater then our consciences and hee will condemne us also 1 Joh. 3. 19. for he knoweth all things Therefore I say to you who blame us for not frequenting devised forms of Worship in prayer and praises as Shadrach Meshach and Abednego did to King Nebuchadnezzar We are not carefull to answer you in this matter Our God whom wee serve is able to deliver us out of your hand But if he will not be it known to you we will not serve your gods nor worship our God in that devised way that men set up Dan. 3. 16 17 18. It one set form of spirituall Worship in prayer and praises had been needfull Christ would have left one But the Prophets Christ the Apostles never prayed nor praised God by any set forme of Worship invented by man but by the powerfull worke of the holy Spirit Rom. 8. 26. Gal. 4. 6. A set forme of Worship prescribed in prayer or praises cannot in prayer expresse the severall necessities of Gods people for the more grace they have the more they see their owne wants and the more sensible they are of their owne infirmities corruptions and sinnes Neither can it in praises expresse the manifold experiences that the Saints daily observe of Gods mercifull dealing with them Therefore a set Forme of prayer or praises to Gods Saints and faithfull ones principled with a spirit of prayer and praise it is altogether unusefull 1 Cor. 14. 15 16. Soli Deo honor gloria FINIS A DESCRIPTION OF THE Spirituall TEMPLE OR THE SPOUSE Prepared for the LAMBE The LORD JESUS Written by FRANCIS CORNWEL a Minister and Servant of Jesus the Christ for the benefit of poore distressed conscences in City and Countrey LONDON Printed by John Dawson 1646. TO THE HONOVRABLE and the true lover of all conscientious Covenantours that stand up for a through Reformation according to the word of our good God in England and Ireland CORNELIUS HOLLAND Esquire a Member of the House of Commons Assembled in Parliament SIR DAvid describeth the godly man by his pleasure and by his paines First the pleasure of the godly man in these words He delighteth in the Law of the Lord. Secondly the paines of the godly man And in that Law he meditateth day and night not only in the day appointed for man to labour in but in the night also appointed for man to rest the reason is because it is his meat and drinke to doe the will of his God Honoured Sir The Word of Christ being the Rule of Englands Reformation the good Lord that writeth his Lawes in his peoples hearts according to his new Covenant of Grace Heb. 8. 10. put it into my minde seriously to consider What Schisme was that I had covenanted against And searching the Scriptures I found it thus written 1. Tim. 6. 3. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse Vers 4. He is proud knowing nothing but doting about Questions and strife of words whereof commeth envy strife raylings evill surmisings Vers 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes and destitute of the truth supposing that gaine is godlinesse from such withdraw thy self Yea and after a further enquiry to understand aright the things that are controverted amongst us by the good providence of the Almighty I found two Texts of holy Scripture setting forth two sorts of men Diametrally opposing one another as light doth darkenesse truth doth falsehood the one thâ—s written 1 John 5. 1. Whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ is borne of God And the other thus 1 John 2. 22. Who is a lyar but he that denyeth that Jesus is not the Christ He is Antichrist that denyeth the Father and the Sonne And when I thought to understand the difference it was to hard for me untill I went into the Sanctuary of God where the Father of glory of his good pleasure revealed to me the most unworthyest of all his servants the truth of that which I conceive is the root of all our Controversies and gave me to understand the meaning of the Scriptures 1 John 5. 1. Whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ viz. the eternall King Prophet Priest of the Church of the new Testament ratified with his bloud whom the Father of glory hath exalted to bee Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. and head Ephes 2. 20 21 22 23. Is borne of God Seeing no man can say that is confest that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 3. Hence I find it written Joh. 1. 11. Jesus came to his owne but his owne received him not that
learned saying Read this I pray thee Anâ— hee saith I am not learned Esay 29. 11 12 So that it is not in him that is learned noâ— in him that is unlearned to discover the mystery of iniquity by which Antichrisâ— hath filled the Temple so full of smoak that no man can see how to enter into it untiâ— God enlighten him which caused the Lord Jesus in the dayes of his flesh to break out into an Eucharistia of praise looking on his Disciples I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and learned and hast revealed them unto babes Even so O Father because it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 11. 25 26. That the whole glory in discovering of truth to any might be given unto God Thirdly Know gentle Reader who art a searcher after truth in these inquiring times that the Publisher wrote this Treatise to discover that the difference lieth not so much amongst us in point of Baptisme as it is about the Doctrine of the Faith of Jesus the Christ the Sonne of God which whosoever beleeveth and confesseth that Jesus the Christ is the Son of God it is lawfull to baptize him Act. 8. 36 37 38. And to which Faith of Jesus the Christ and Baptisme the promise of receiving the gifts of the holy Spirit is given Act. 2. 38 39. And though for publishing this mystery of Faith which hath been hidden for some Ages and Generations that are past hee suffer reproach and contempt from the hands and tongues of some yet if the will of God be so it is better hee suffer for well-doing then for evill Yet the love that hee beareth to the loyall Covenanters in the Nation constraineth him to doe it rather then his Country-men should ever remaine in blindnesse under the power of Antichrist Thine who is the unworthiest of all the servants of Christ who is content it should be said of his good name that is as a precious oyntment as Luther said of Moses his body Let it die and rot so God may be glorified and Jesus the Christ exalted in all his royall Offices FRAN. CORNWELL A DESCRIPTION Of the Spirituall TEMPLE THe Spirituall Temple of the New Testament the New Jerusalem which came downe from heaven the Bride prepared for the Lambe the Lord Jesus the Christ Revel 21. 2. may not be unfitly compared to the materiall Temple of Jerusalem in the letter whose foundation stone was of earth whose materials were hewen stones compacted into one edifice or Temâ—le the furniture thereof was an Altar a Sacrifice and a Priesthood who were made after the law of a carnall Commandement Heb. 7. 16. which was typicall and was not to continue for ever but onely to the time of Reformation and then the glory of it should vanish away In which materiall Temple none must come thither to worship but the circumcised Jewes and Proselytes for the uncircumcised and unclean were an abomination and must not enter in at the gates thereof Ezek. 44. 6 7. And for the defects the people of Israel and Judah committed in their worship so long as they continued in their integrity the high Priest went once every yeare into the Holy of Holiest and that not without bloud to offer up for himselfe and for the errours of the people Heb. 9. 7. Yea and great were the priviledges that belonged to the Jewish Church To them saith Paul pertained the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises Who are the fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9 4 5. But Christ being come an high Priest of good things to come by a greater and a more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not made of this building Heb. 9. 11. reareth up a spirituall structure or house 1. Whose Foundation was the living stone who hath life in himselfe Jesus the Christ 1 Cor. 3. 11. Seeing other foundation no man can lay save that is laid Jesus the Christ 1 Pet. 2. 4. For there is salvation in none other Acts 4. 12. 2. The spirituall Materialls are such as are borne of water and of the Spirit Joh. 3. 5. Who are they which are born of the Spirit Such men and women as through a Gospel Ministry are brought to beleeve and manifest by their confession that Jesus who was crucified dead and risen is the Christ is borne of God 1 Joh. 5. 1. For no man can say that is confesse that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Spirit and being born of water they are manifested to be lively stones that have received life from Jesus the Christ the living stone 1 Pet. 2. 4. and fit spirituall materialls to be set into the spirituall house 1 Pet. 2. 5. 3. What is the Forme of this spirituall house Union They which gladly received the word were baptized and were added unto the Church and so were compacted into one spirituall house whereof Jesus the Christ is Lord Heb. 3. 6. But Christ as a Sonne over his owne house whose house are we if wee hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firme unto the end And these continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship in breaking of bread and prayers c. Act 2. 41 42. The Furniture of this spirituall â—ouse of the new Testament whereâ—f Jesus the Christ is the King Priest â—nd Prophet is a Priesthood Saâ—rifice and an Altar but all spiriâ—â—all First The Priests whether they â—e Male or Female they are all â—ne in Christ Gal. 3. 28. Yea every â—ember of this spirituall house are â—ade Kings and Priests to God the Faâ—her Revel 1. 6. Yea and the whole Church united into a body is a choâ—â—n Generation a royall Priesthood an â—oly Nation a peculiar People that they â—â—ould shew forth the vertues of him that hath called them out of darknesse into â—is marvellous light Which in times â—ast were not a â—eople but are now the people of God 1 Pet. 2. 9 10. Secondly The Sacrifices that â—â—ese Priests offer are all spiriâ—uall 1. The first is Prayer which the â—pirit of Christ formeth in the heart â—f a beleever whereby hee layeth â—pen all his spirituall and temporall wants unto God his Father in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ through whom hee hath received a promise to bee heard and to have his request granted Joh. 16. 23 24. 2. Secondly Praise is a spirituall sacrifice offered up unto God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name Heb. 13. 15. Which is done by praising God in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs which the Spirit oâ— Christ formeth in us to sing and make melody in our hearts to thâ— Lord Ephes 5. 19. Col. 3. 16. What is a Psalme It is a rehearsall of those
Christ I Iohn 2. 22. and will be partakers of their sinnes wee shall bee partakers of their plagues Revel 18. 4. And for our unbeliefe in persisting to persecute them that contend for the faith of Jesus the Christ Math. 16 16 17 18. The wrath of God abideth on them 1 Thess 2. 14 15 16. Fiftly There is no promise to any people that deny the Faith and Baptisme of Jesus the Christ that they waiting shall receive the gifts of the Spirit But rather that they shall be given up of God to strong delusions to beleeve a lye 2 Thess 2. 10. Because they received not the love of the truth that they might bee saved Verse 11. For this cause God shall give them up to strong delusions to beleeve a lye Verse 12. That all might bee damned that beleeve not the truth but have pleasure to continue in unrighteous practises 2 Thess 2 10 11 12. But there is a promise to all poore enquiring soules that in the time of their ignorance and unbeliefe have denyed Jesus the Christ their eternall King and Prophet aswell as Priest and now by the Spirit of God being convicted that they are lyars and Antichristian that deny the Father and the Son 1 Iohn 2. 22. And being pricked at the heart now trembling cry out Men and brethren what shall we doe The Spirit of Christ in the inspired Scripture saith Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus for the remission of sins and yee shall receive the gifts of the holy Spirit Acts 2. 38. We have an instance of twelve Disciples found at Ephesus baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and and Paul laid his hands on them and they spake with new tongues and Prophesied as Ioel the Prophet foretold Ioel 2. 28. I will powre out of my Spirit upon all flesh c. But were those Disciples Paul found at Ephesus that had beene baptized by Iohn the Paptist rebaptized by Paul In answering this objection I conceive First there was a vast difference betweene Faith and Baptisme Iohn preached before the suffering death and resurrection of Christ And the Faith and Baptisine Christ commanded his Disciples to preach after his Resurrection Luke 24. 46 47. Secondly Iohn the Baptist preached the Baptisme of repentance saying that they should beleeve on him that was to come after him Acts 19. 3 4. Whom Christ himselfe declareth to his Apostles being come in the flesh that he must goe up to Ierusalem fall into the hands of sinners bee killed and the third day rise againe but thâ— Disciples understood it not though it were declared to them and they were afraid to aske him Mark 9. 31 32. Much more John understood not that Christ should dye and rise againe from the dead First because it was not revealed to him though John sent two of his Disciples to demand of him Whether it were he that should come or shall we looke for another Christ answereth Goe tell John the blind see he deafe heare the dead are raised and the poore the Gospell is preached and lessed is he that is not offended in me Math. 11 2 3 4 5 6. Secondly Christ saith of John This was that Elias that was to come â—hat should prepare the way before him Mal. 3. 1. Thirdly Hee was the greatest Prophet borne amongst women for he saw him come in the flesh and said to two Disciples Behold that Lamb â—f God which taketh away the sinnes of he world John 1. 29. Yet hee that is he least member in the kingdom of heaven is greater then John because after the death and resurrection of Christ they could preach and declare that great mystâ—ry of godtinesse 1 Tim. 3. 16. that Iohn the Baptistnever knew But the Apostles after the resurrection of Christ he having opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures said unto them That it behoveth Christ to suffer and rise againe the third day that repentance and remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name amongst all Nations beginning at Ierusalem and yee are witnesses of these things Luke 24. 46 47 48. Again Iohn the Baptists baptisme was the Baptisme of water onely but had no promise of the holy Spirit annexed as himselfe confesseth Math. 3. 11. I indeed baptize you with water to repentance But he that commeth after mee is mightier then I he shall Baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire Secondly The holy Spirit waâ— not to bee given in his full measure untill Christ was glorified Iohn 7. 39 compared with Acts 2. 33. But to the Faith and Baptisme the Apostles preached after the death and resurrection and ascention of Christ into glory there was a promise of giving the gifts of the holy Spirit Acts 2. 38. Repent and bâ— Baptized every one of you in the namâ— of Iesus for the remission of sinnes and yee shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as the Prophet Ioel foretold Ioel 2. 28. and the twelve at Ephesus received Acts 19. 6. I affirme that the twelve at Eâ—hesus that had beene Baptized by Iohn or his Disciples Ministry were re-baptized by Paul or them that were with him in the time of his Ministery for these ensuing Reasons First In respect of the different dispensations The Faith and Baptisme that these twelve had received from Iohn or his Disciples Ministerie though it was a saving Faith all the dayes of Iohn and his Disciples Ministry yet it was not a saving Faith after the death and resurrection and ascention of Christ into glory in the time of Pauls Ministery For Iohn and his Disciples preached the Baptisme of Repentance saying that they should beleeve on him that was to come after him that was in Jesus Christ that was to bee crucified But Paul and Timetheus preached that Jesus indeed is come and crucified dead and risen through whom all that beleeve shall have remission of sinnes Acts 13. 38 39. 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Secondly Because this Faith that they had received from Iohn or his Disciples in the time of Pauls Ministery would not save them Because they denyed the Resurrection of Christ from the dead Looking onely for him to come and to be crucified and were ignorant that he was crucified dead and risen And then according to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit by the mouth of Paul 1 Cor. 15. 14. If Christ be not risen our Faith is vaine and our Preaching is vaine Thirdly If the Faith and Bapâ—isme of Iohn that declared that there was a Jesus to come to bee Crucified and the Faith and Baptimse of Paul that declareth that Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures and rose againe the third day according to the Scripture 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Be all one for substance as some of the Learned amongst us affirme then are wee found false witnesses of God because wee have testified of God that he hath raised up his Sonne Iesus