Ministration of the Spirit we are to understand the whole Gospel-oeconomy or Ministration the Doctrine Worship Institutions thereof is evident 1. From its Antithesis unto the Ministration of the Letter or legal Mosaic observances call'd the Ministration of Death and Condemnation v. 6 7 9. which the Apostle tells us was done away now 't was that whole Ministration as made up of Institutions Ordinances peculiar to it that was done away 2. 'T was such a Ministration as the Apostles were Ministers of v. 6. i. e. which they Preach'd declared from Jesus Christ according to his charge to them Matth. 28.20 and were ministring to him and the Saints in 'T was not the Doctrine of the Gospel inward purity practick Godliness only that they declared as the mind of Christ but the Worship thereof institutions of his appointment thereunto appertaining No sooner were Persons converted to the Faith of Christ but they were gathered by the Apostles into a Church-state Acts 2.41 42 46. and 9.31 and 11.22 26. and 14.23 27. and 15.41 and 16.5 and 20.28 This is too evident to be denied 3. 'T was such a Ministration Wherein as in a Glass with open face compared to those vail'd dark sights they had in their Passover Sacrifices c. under the Mosaic Ministration they beheld the Glory of the Lord and were changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord v. 18. The first Primitive believers 't will not be denied attended upon the Lord in Gospel-Institutions 'T is evident they did so from the Scriptures but now quoted In their so doing they beheld the glory of the Lord had choice discoveries displayes of it grew up into a Conformity unto him in their conscientious waiting on him herein And whatever any say thousands of believers at this day that are found waiting upon the Lord in his own institutions such as the Church-Fellowship Breaking Bread Prayer c. meet with presence sights of Glory Divine Transformations renewals in the Spirit of their minds When any are found in institutions shaken in their minds touching them as the institutions of Christ that by virtue of His Soveraign Authority Command they ought to attend to 't is no wonder if they see not his Glory know nothing of his transforming power through them They come not in faith sanctify not his name in what they do therefore meet not with his blessing Quest The Question is upon what accounts this Ministration is called The Ministration of the Spirit Answ 'T is so called with respect 1. To it 's Super-eminent Super-excelling Glory For Excellency Glory far superiour unto any Ministration that went before it What compare is there betwixt Spirit and Letter that which hath life in it and that which hath none 2. To the Communication of the Spirit through it by it Gal. 3.2 Received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith 3. To its being given forth by Christ through the Holy Spirit Acts 1.2 The Lord Jesus being constituted by the Father Mediator of the New-Covenant Prince Ruler Priest Prophet to the Church was to reveal the whole of his mind and Will to them as such For his inablement whereunto the Father pours out of the Spirit without measure upon him through this Spirit he gave Commandments to his Apostles relating to Gospel-Worship with a charge to them to Communicate them to others Matth. 28. ult Which also they did 4. To that Glorious effusion of the Spirit in the day of Pentecost Act. 2. at the beginning or first Publick setting up of this Ministration 5. To evince that 't is the highest last Ministration of institutions or visible Ordinances that Saints are to expect that when it s taken down there shall be no more nor indeed will there be need of any what Ministration can be supposed to be higher than the Ministration of the Spirit What can supersede it Yea the Apostle fairly intimates that it shall so remain not to pass away as the Ministration of the ter or Law that went before it 2 Cor. 3.7 which was to be done away For if that which is done away was Glorious much more that which Remaineth is Glorious And 't is not to be passed by in silence that the Apostle makes part of the excelling Glory above that of the Law of the Gospel-Ministration to consist in the duration of it If that which is done away was glorious much more that which remaineth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that fixed abiding unalterable Ministration 6. The managery of all the Worship Ordinances appertaining to this Ministration is to be in the Spirit Without whom all that 's done is not will never be acceptable to God 7. The means of its support upholdment continuance progress is the same Spirit 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our warfare are not Carnal but Mighty through God Antichrist hath other wayes to support promote his filthy Worship senseless traditions ridiculous fopperies viz. the arm of flesh Horrid Bloody Plots Conspiracies to massacre destroy cut off such as stand in the way of his devices Prisons Gibbets Stakes Flames to consume devour such as refuse to drink of the Cup of his Fornications but Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio the Law of Christ knows no such wayes methods for its support increase 'T is the Spirit Power of God by which it is ever was maintained a neglect of whom and turning aside to the Power Wisdom of Man warring after the flesh was the bane of Christianity and the first spring off the Antichristian apostacy Three things necessarily follow from hence 1. That a slighting undervaluing withdrawing from Gospel-Institutions is a slighting of the most glorious Ministration that ever was set on foot in the World 2. 'T is a contempt undervaluing of the Holy Spirit of the Lord whose they are and from whom they did proceed Let persons pretensions be what they will it cannot be otherwise Gospel-Institutions are of through the Spirit to slight these is to cast contempt upon him from whom they are 3. That the Spirit is obliged to support maintain them against all oppositions He remains with his People for ever for that end John 16.13 Howbeit when the Spirit of Truth is come he shall guide you into all Truth v. 14. He shall Glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you And he hath actually done so hitherto keeping alive a blessed witness testimony to them for them in his called chosen witnesses more or less in every day Though sometimes this their testimony hath cost them dear viz. loss of Goods Enjoyments Friends Liberty Life it self yet they have Gloryed Triumph'd under all through this Spirit of Glory and of God that rested upon them and enabled them in this work The very truth is as the great controversie of Christ with the Nations of the European World hath been upon the account of their Spiritual fornications or false worship
forcible compelling persons into and violent keeping them in its communion and fellowship If you 'l not be one with them then Fines Imprisonment Bonds attend you Penal Laws and Statutes are Enacted for this end and by these are men brought into and kept in the Antichristian-church And were these weapons of its warfare taken away 't would soon become as a garden of Cucumbers or perish with its own weight The attempts of the Papacy to reduce persons into their Communion by Fire and Sword their labours to preserve the Uninity of their Church this way is known Is there any thing like it owned by or to be found amongst the present Churches Do they not with one mouth affirm that 't is a voluntary departure from the worlds way and a spontaneous giving up themselves to the Lord and one another to walk with him in a subjection to his institutions wherein the form of the Churches lies Herein is a most Evident difference betwixt Them and the Antichristian-Church They talk of no compulsions but those of the Spirit and Love that make a people Volunteers in the day of the Lord's Power Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio is their Motto as is known 3. The Foundation of the Antichristian-Church is not Jesus Christ but the Sons of men one or other of them their Laws Canons Decretals upon which it is built Is this the case of the present Churches Do they not all of them with full consent proclaim their abhorrency of such a Foundation Is not CHRIST in their account the alone Foundation of all the True Churches in the world and they practise accordingly Their debates touching this matter with the Papelins about Mat. 16.18 from whence these endeavour to prove Peter and consequentially as they 'd have it the Pope to be the Rock upon which the Church is built is known to all that look upon themselves concern'd in these matters 4. The Doctrine of the Anti-christian-Church is a Doctrine of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the doctrines of Daemons so the learned Mede renders it Some carry it thus doctrines which devils are the Authors of There 's a great deal of truth in that all the doctrines of the Anti-christian-church that are peculiarly hers are the doctrines of Devils But I rather think with that learned person that by doctrines of Daemons is meant those doctrines that have the Daemons for their Object Now these Daemons that were worshipped by the Pagans were 1. For their nature and degree supposed by the Gentiles an inferior and middle sort of divine powers between the soveraign and heavenly Gods and mortal Men. 2. For their Office to be as mediators and agents between these soveraign Gods and Men. 3. For their original either Angels or the Deified-souls of Worthy-men after death 4. For the way of Worshipping them to find and receive benefits from them 't was by Consecrated-Images and Pillars 5. Their very Reliques were adored and brought into Temples They that desire to see more touching this matter may at their leasure consult the famous Medes Apostasie of the latter times The Doctrines of Daemons then are the Doctrines of the Apostatick Roman-Antichristian-Synagogue touching the worshipping of Saints and Angels in imitation of the Pagan Daemon Worship But take the words in the largest Sense as comprehensive of all those Doctrines that are not of Christ have the devil for their Author Some whereof are mention'd by the Apostle afterwards v. 3. Forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats the Doctrines of Justification by Works or inherent Sanctification of Purgatory or a state of Purifying after this life any Principles Opinions contrary to sound Doctrine the form of wholesom words or the Doctrine which is according to Godliness which of the Churches can be justly charged with holding maintaining any such Principles 'T is true perhaps amongst some of them there may be found one or other that speak perverse things as there was of old in the Church of Corinth and some other Churches in the Apostolick times but are they countenanc't therein Can their corrupt Doctrines be charged as the Doctrines of the Churches What more evidently notoriously false can be suggested or fixed on 5. The Worship of the Antichristian-Church is a Worship of devils idols of gold silver wood stone the work of men's hands Rev. 9.20 'T is an idolatrous whorish adulterous superstitious Worship Rev. 17.1 2 4 5. whose whole substratum foundation is the Commandments of men Mat. 15.9 Traditions c. 'T is formal sapless lifeless It 's managery in the Spirit is not at all attended to His Assistance is contemned reviled blasphemed as that which is phantastick whimsical heretical schismatical for any to talk of or pretend to Is the Worship of the Churches such a Worship Who hath the forehead to aver it They witness against all such Worship and Worshipper's both in Word and Writing as is known Are studious to walk by Scripture-rule in their Worship both with respect to the matter and manner thereof 6. The nature characters properties of the Antichristian-Church are amply described by the Apostles of our Lord. They are such as receive not the love of the Truth that they might be saved upon whom God hath sent strong delusions that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. That give heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Daemons speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience sear'd with a hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. covetous boasters of themselves blasphemers disobedient to Parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truce-breakers false Accusers or make-bates incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. Such as Worship the Dragon gave power unto the Beast and Worship the Beast Rev. 13.4 5 8. Receiving his mark in their right hand or in their foreheads his Name or the number of his Name which whosoever did not might neither buy nor sell v. 16 17. The great Whore that sits upon many waters with whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been made drunk with the wine of her Fornication A Woman sitting upon a scarlet-colour'd Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns The Woman arrayed in Purple and scarlet colour and decked with Gold and precious Stone and Pearls having a golden cup in her hand full of Abominations and filthiness of her Fornication upon whose forhead is a Name written Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth The Woman drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the Bloud of the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.1 2 3 4 5 6.
understanding so far blinded as to think there 's any weight to be laid upon such Puerile Ludicrous arguments Object 3. But you have no Wise-master-builder which the Apostle saith he was 1 Cor. 3.10 therefore you have no true Churches Answ This Objection is the same with the first To it we will nevertheless speak a few words which will abundantly evince the emptyness of it 1. Paul asserts himself to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Chief-Bulder not with respect to Christ for so he was not but an under-work-man but with respect to others who afterwards built upon that Foundation CHRIST he had laid Nor doth he 2. Assert himself to be the Chief-builder with relation to all the Churches but with respect to that particular Church at Corinth Were all the rest of the Churches that had not this Master-Builder false Churches This will not be asserted Yet we hear of no Wise-master-builder with respect to any other of the Churches The word is only used here But 3. Paul as wise a Master-builder as he was was sure a Work-man under Christ who is the Builder of the House or Churches as hath been proved and he was indispensibly bound to walk by rule the rule of his Lord and Master Christ Jesus This he tells us he did 1 Cor. 11.23 Now 4. The Saints have this Rule and they have the Spirit of the Lord with them in them to open it and explain it to them For if they have him not and for this end to lead them into all truth they are not Saints Rom. 8.9 what hinders then but that Saints having the same Rule the Apostle walked by and the Spirit to instruct them in it they may conform to it and so constitute Churches of Christ If they have but so much Wisdom as to understand the rule constitutive of Churches and so much Conscience and honesty as to apply themselves to it and they are poor Saints that are devoid of the one or the other they cannot but do so The very truth is Paul none of the Apostles were Builders or Wise-master-builders but with respect to the Rule of Christ To have Built in their own Wisdom with a neglect thereof had been folly and madness So that any that attend to this Rule in Church-Work may be as well said to be Builders and if they lay the Foundation of a Church afterward built upon by others as truely said with respect to such a Church to be Wise-master-builders as Paul c. 'T would hardly be an effectual argument to a man under the sense of inconveniencies almost to starving to death by winds and stormes for want of an habitation to dwell in to tell him 't is true here are Materials for a House and here is a Rule to build it by which if you attend to you cannot build amiss but the Truth is the Wise-master-builder who acted by the same Rule in building all the strong and beautiful Houses in the Country is thousands of miles off and perhaps may not come hither again till you are dead and rotten in your grave therefore you had best not attempt the work till he come Nay stay will the poor man say I have the Rule that he walked by and I 'le up and be doing as well as I can and I hope the Lord will be with me Christ commands as hath been proved to build an House gives us rules to walk by in such a work but hath no where said he will send us such Wise-master-builders in every respect as Paul was nor told us the Work must cease till they come but the contrary Object 4. But you have not the gifts of the Primitive-Churches therefore you are no true Churches of Christ Answ 1. 'T is Grace not extraordinary Gifts that is the qualification of Church-members that constitute a Church When the Apostles speak of Church-members they decypher them as Sanctified ones partakers of the Grace of God Christ requires no other qualification of a Church-member than being born again of God John 3.3 5. which persons may be without those extraordinary Gifts Nay the truth is the Churches that have most excelled in these have not been the most comely or beautiful Churches For instance the Church at Corinth who perhaps in these Gifts excell'd other Churches but I am sure came short of some of them in Divine graces 2. 'T is most evident that the Primitive-Churches were constituted converted believers added to them without any immediate participation of these gifts Act. 2.40 41 42. We have an account of Three Thousand Soules added to the Church but not a tittle of their partaking of these extraordinary Gifts The Church at Antioch was a true Church of Christ before the Apostles any of them came to them or they had received the Holy Spirit i. e. were made partakers of the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit Act. 8.12 14 15 16 17. The like may be said of other Churches 3. The Apostle having discoursed at large of these Gifts 1 Cor. 12. at the close v. 31. tells them that he shews unto them a more excellent way or the most excellent way as the Greek reads it viz. the way of love of which he discourses at large chap. 13. And this not the Gifts mentioned is that which Christ makes the badge of his Disciples Joh. 13.35 Were there more of this there would not be so much talk of the nullity of Churches as there is amongst some at this day nor that undue withdrawment from them 4. These Gifts are so far from being essential to a Church that the Apostle tells us persons may have them all and yet not be fit matter for a Church for they that have them may nevertheless be nothing devoid of true grace 1 Cor. 13.1 2. Object 5. But the Churches have only the Form of things and deny the Power and from such we are commanded to turn away 2 Tim. 3.5 Answ 1. I must crave leave to say that the framers of this Objection are ascended not only to the height of censorious uncharitableness but invade the Throne of God himself and will become Judges of the secrets of hearts For who told them that they deny the Power did any of the Churches themselves Do any principles owned by them any practices found amongst them declare as much Let the individuals hereof Guilty plead for themselves I 'le not be their advocate Though I must add I know no such Churches and yet they are not a few I am acquainted with 2. It had been severe enough for the Objectors to have that They have the Form but not the Power therefore are not true Churches But this perhaps they thought would not have served their purpose Inasmuch as the Lord himself saith concerning the Church of Sardis Rev. 3.1 Thou hast a Name to live and art dead and of Laodicea v. 15. Thou art neither cold nor hot v. 17. Wretched Poor Miserable Blind Naked yet even these are owned by Christ for his Churches Rev. 3.1
Rome the members of it fell asleep in Jesus having served the Lord in their generation by the subtilty of Satan and the man of Sin upon that spot springs up a sort of Professors bearing the name of Christ calling themselves a Church that at last at least have nothing to be found upon them like unto what they pretend to be therefore there 's a period put to the Church-state to all Churches Christ's relation to them as the Builder Foundation Head Husband notwithstanding And why so I pray May not there be true Churches of Christ and he stand thus related to them and as their Builder c. support uphold preserve his Church-state amongst them though that and many other Churches prevaricate depart from him That he hath actually done so from the time of his first planting Churches to this day we shall if the Lord will in the ensuing discourse demonstrate In a word let it be proved against the present Churches That they have unchurch'd themselves by Idolatry bloody cruelty against the Saints as this pretended Church of Rome hath done or this objection must be acknowledged to be of no weight To shut up all we have to say upon this argument Christ is the Builder Foundation Head Lord Husband of particular Churches and so call'd with respect unto a special relation to them as such as hath been proved either then there must be such Churches or this relation is at an end And thus far touching the second argument CHAP. III. The continuation of Gospel-Churches further demonstrated The Scripture the sole Directory both with respect to Doctrine and Worship Whatsoever Christ hath instituted given in charge therein 't is the duty of Saints in every day to be found in the practice of Christ of old prophesied of as the great Prophet whom God would raise up to instruct his People whom they were bound to attend Deut. 18.18 19. explained Christ's instructions contain'd in the Scriptures No other way or means intimated by God the Father or Christ for the indoctrination of the Saints as to Doctrine or Worship besides the Scriptures Of Popish Traditions Visions The Personal appearance of the Virgin Mary of Christ to them These the Foundation of their festivals religious orders God sends us to the Scripture for Direction in Faith and Worship hath under each Ministration commanded his People to observe whatever he hath appointed therein without Addition or Substraction It 's sufficient to instruct and guide us 2 Pet. 1.19 Explained Objections Answer'd Of pretensions to Christ's personal appearance That there hath been no personal appearance of Christ on the Earth to any since his Ascension proved Of the appearance of Christ to Stephen Paul John That he convers'd not with them on Earth proved Demonstration III. THat the Scripture is our sole Directory both with respect to Doctrine and Worship that 't is the duty of the Saints in every generation to attend to the Laws Commandments Rules of our Lord laid down therein that none have power to supersede any Law Commandment of Christ hath hitherto been generally own'd as a truth amongst all the reformed Churches 'T is true some amongst the Papal-Synagogue have blasphemously asserted That the Pope that man of Sin and Son of Perdition hath authority to dispense with the commands of Christ and he and some Combinations of Men call'd Councils amongst them have actually so done in many cases But as was said amongst those that separate from that Synagogue of Satan none haâ—e as yet doctrinally declar'd the lawfulness thereof What is of that nature practically done by any of them is not to our present purpose to enquire This then might one would think be taken for granted whatever Christ hath instituted charged commanded upon his People in the New-Testament is the duty of the Saints in every day to be found in the practice of Yet insomuch as the most plain indisputable principles commonly received maxims are by one or other in this day questioned and opposed it may not perhaps be altogether useless briefly to discover the basis upon which this Principle is built I. Then 't was long before the exhibition of the Lord Jesus prophesied That God the Father would raise up a Prophet to his Church like unto Moses to whom it was their duty to attend in all things should be declared taught them by him under the most severe penalty was this charg'd upon them Deut. 18. 18 19. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their Brethren like unto thee and will put my word in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name I will require it of him The Seventy render it I will take vengance on him And the Hebrew Doctors so explain the words He that transgresseth against his words is guilty of death by the hand of God as it is written Deut. 18. I will require it of him Maimon in Jesud Hatorath C. 9. § 2. And the word require often signifies to require by punishment Gen. 9.5 42.22 the Apostle expounds this place of of Christ and this requiring to be destroying from amongst the people Act. 3.22 23. That this Prophet is Christ he tells us ver 26. Nor is this Prophesie interpreted by any of the antient or modern Rabbies except some very few but only of the Messiah Nor can it be interpreted of any other every particular being exactly fulfill'd in him A Prophet Mat. 21.11 This is Jesus the Prophet From among your Brethren Christ was raised up from amongst his Brethren and 't is particularly mention'd out of what Tribe amongst them he was taken Heb. 7.13 14. viz. of Judah and the Family he was of in that Tribe namely that of David is frequently mentioned Luk. 1.69 And will put my words in his Mouth Accordingly Christ said to God the Father Joh. 17.8 I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me He shall speak unto them all that I shall command him This Christ did Joh. 12. 49 50. I speak not of my self but the Father which sent me he gave me a commandment what I should say and what I should speak whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so I speak Joh. 15.15 All things that I have heard of my Father have I made known unto you Joh. 17.8 I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them So that evidently Christ is the Prophet here spoken of Two or three things are worthy our special remark 1. That Christ is a Prophet raised up sent by the Father 2. That the end of God in his Mission of Christ as a Prophet was to instruct the Sons of Men in the whole of his Will that he thought meet to manifest to them 3. That Christ actually made such a discovery of the Fathers will John 1.17 18. The Law was given
by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declar'd him Heb. 1.1 2. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son 4. That all Persons whatsoever are obliged bound under the severest penalties to attend to whatever was revealed by this Prophet This is also enforc'd by a voice from the excellent Glory Mat. 17.5 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him So then the Scriptures of the New-Testament are our Directory whatever Christ hath enjoyn'd therein all Saints are to have regard to For what he declared from the Father is therein contain'd and no where else But II. There 's not the least intimation given by God the Father or this great Prophet of the Church of any other way or means of instruction in his Worship or Service but only the Scriptures 'T is true the Popelings talk of Traditions as did do the Jews before them and much of their Worship many of their orders is bottom'd upon receives its Original from pretended Visions Revelations the personal Appearance of the Virgin Mary yea of Christ himself as they vainly pretend and perhaps Satan might appear to them as an Angel of Light and avouch himself to be the Lord Christ As touching the Carthusians 't is acknowledg'd that Hugo who joyn'd with Bruno in laying the Foundations of that Order had a vision of Gods Building an House with seven Stars conducting them to a place call'd La grand Chartreuse from whence the whole Order hath taken its name The Order of the Carmelites was from a Vision that Simon Stock had wherein the blessed Virgin appear'd with the Habit in her Hand which she would have them wear with a Promise that whoever dyed in that Habit should not perish by everlasting Flames Innocent the third hath a Vision of St. Francis and St. Dominic supporting the Lateran Church whence the Franciscan and Dominican Orders sprang As for the Jesuits their Grandsire Ignatius was full of Visions Sometimes Peter appear'd to him sometimes the Virgin Mary with a great deal of Glory and her Child in her lap whereby he was greatly strengthned and incouraged But above all the strangest Vision he had was a Vision of the Blessed Trinity plainly under a corporeal Representation which fill'd him so full of Joy that he could not hold weeping before all the People and was so strangly enlightned by it that he began to write a Book of the glory of the Blessed Trinity In one of his Exstasies he continued eight dayes in which it's probable saith Orlandinus he saw the frame and model of the Society of the Jesuits Christ appeared to him once and again sometimes he was lift up from the ground the room where he was being fill'd with a great Light In a Vision he saw God the Father commending himself and his Brethren to his Son Jesus bearing his Cross whom he very kindly received and with a smile said to Ignatius I will be favourable to you at Rome which greatly comforted him and his Companions And in the issue it fell out accordingly his order being confirm'd by P. Paul the third his Bull dated Octob. 3. 1540. As were their Orders so their Festivals were instituted upon the bottom of pretended Visions and Revelations The Festival of Corpus Christi was instituted by Vrban the fourth in honour of Transubstantiation by the Revelation of a famous Virgin call'd Juliana which had many raptures and so prophetick a Spirit as to discern the thoughts and intentions of her neighbours hearts she wrestled with Devils discoursed with the Apostles and wrought many Miracles Bullar Rom. Tom. 1 p. 147. Paul the Hermite was Canonized for a Saint upon the Authority of a Vision and Revelation The Feast of Michael the Arch-Angel upon a Revelation to the Bishop of Siponto and a few Drovers upon the Mountain Garganus To which many more might be added These are the wayes Satan hath used to establish his Kingdom by and to introduce his false superstitious idolatrous Orders and Worship destructive to the bodyes and souls of Men. But in Christ's Doctrine Gospel there is a deep silence touching any such matter He himself and his Apostles after him introduce nothing upon the account of such Revelations but appeal to the Scriptures and prove their Doctrine from thence Not the least intimation is there of any way or means of instruction in his Worship but only the Scriptures If there be let the place be produced and we are satisfied If there be not as most certain there is not to hearken attend to Visions Revelations is to say no more unsafe dangerous Nor can it be consistent with the Love of the Father to his Church had he intended any other way of Instruction not to give the least notice of it to them nor with his Wisdom to make that discovery of his mind and will in the Scriptures to give it forth as our Rule when upon this supposition 't is a most imperfect one But III. God sends us to the Scripture for direction in this matter Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word whatever their pretentions are of the morning or the breaking forth of a more glorious day it is because there is no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 morning in them They have not the Light of the Glorious morning they speak of Luke 16.29 They have Moses and the Prophets i. e. the writings of Moses and the Prophets let them hear them John 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye think to have eternal life and they are they which testify of me IV. Jehovah himself in and under each Ministration hath commanded his People to observe whatever he hath appointed in the Scripture without Addition or Substraction Deut. 4.2 Ye shall not add to the word which I command you neither shall you diminish ought from it that ye may keep the Commandments of the Lord your God which I command you Chap. 12.32 What thing soever I command you observe to do it thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it Josh 1.7 That thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law which Moses my Servant commanded thee turn not from it to the right hand or to the left Prov. 30.5 6. Every word of God is pure Add thou not unto his words lest he reprove thee and thou be found a Liar Rev. 22.18 19. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophesie of this Book If any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book And if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the Book