love given by the God of love so all the way of Christ is a way of love his word is the Doctrine of love So let all the Saints conclude with the Spouse his mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely Cant. 5.16 And so this way of love which is the good old way of the Gospel was of old at first confirmed by signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost according to his own will Heb. 2.4 Therefore let every man in the fear of God walk therein and they shall find rest for their Souls Jer. 6.16 Yea let every member of the Church of Christ put on the whole Armour of God having their loynes girt about with truth and their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace and praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance Eph. 5.13 14.15 16 17 18. O that every one would lay it to heart and with fear and trembling work out their Salvation for in these last dayes will be perrilous times 2 Tim. 3.1 and many that have tasted of the good word of God and been enlightned so as to beleeve the truth will fall away from grace yea from the true faith so as that eternal death will be their portion yea some have fallen from the faith therefore it is no new thing First the warnings in Scripture proves this exhorting men to take heed that they do not fall away from the grace of God Heb. 12.15 and these warnings and exhortations are given to such as have received the truth so as to believe as it appeareth Heb. 2.1 1 Cor 10. from 6. to 12. Heb. 3.12 reads it thus Take heed Brethren least at any time there be in any of you an evil heart and unfaithful to depart away from the living God Heb. 4.1 2 Pet. 1.5 Chap. 3.1 2 3. Jude 3. Rev. 3.2 3. All these are warnings given in Scripture and very many more might be brought which exhort men to take heed that they do not depart from the truth which would be in vain 2 Cor. 6.1 if men could not fall away therefore they may 1 Thes 3.5 Secondly Threatnings if any do fall away prove this Rev. 2.21 22 23. Hebr. 10.26 reads it thus If we sin willingly after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sin and chap. 6.4 5 6. is very full to this purpose 2 Pet. 2.20 21. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn fom the holy commandment delivered unto them Rev. 3.3 Ezek. 18.26 you may read also which plainly proves this point Thirdly This appears by examples in Scriptrue of some that did fall away from the truth yea from the true faith as Judas Matth. 26.25 Acts 1.17 18. and Demas 2 Tim. 4.10 and Balaam who spake excellent things by the help of the Spirit of God as the other Prophets of the Lord Numb 24. Jude 11 12. and some making shipwrack of faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 and Hymeneus and Phyletus who concerning the truth have erred saying the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.17 18. Fourthly The Scripture speaking prophetically faith expresly That in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith 1 Tim. 4.1 and 2 Tim 4.3 4. and 2 Thes 2.10 2 Pet. 2.1 Jud. 14 15 16. All these Scriptures do foretell of some yea many in the latter times shall fall away so as to depart from the faith and give heed to Doctrines of Devils and shall privily bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and many more places might be brought for this purpose Fifthly The Metaphors and Proverbs in Scripture proves this also as Prov. 26.11 Mat. 5.13 Mark 9.49 50. and Mat. 12.43 44. and 2 Pet. 2.20 21. that in Peter sheweth that they which have been freed of their vomit and have been washed yet turned as a Dog to it again as a Dog to the vomit again and the Sow to the wallowing in the mire Sixthly if this were not so no man could sin against the Spirit nor none could be Reprobates for the sin against the Spirit is a sin of knowledge and against the conscience they do that which they are convinced they ought not to do as it appeareth Mark 3.22 to 31. compared with John 7.20 28. And also no man can be a Reprobate except he have known the truth or sinned willingly against that he knoweth as it appears Rom. 1.28 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Tim. 3.8 Object But it is but a seeming faith they fall from as the Scripture saith Luk. 8.18 That shall be taken from him which he seemeth to have Answ That if it be but a seeming faith then they do well in falling from it but Paul saith to Timothy 1 Tim. 1.19 That some did make Shipwrack of Faith and a good conscience and he exhorteth Timothy to abide in that faith which others have made Shipwrack of And for that in Luke 8. the sence of it is that they that do enjoy the light or talent that is given them so as to hear the truth and seem to make a good use of it but do it not I say God will take away that Talent or light because he seemes to improve it but doth it not that this is so it will appear if you compare Luk. 8.16 17 18. with Mat. 13.12 and Chap. 25. from vers 24. to 30. Object But Paul saith that he is perswaded That neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor things present nor things to come nor any things could separate him from the love of God also he demands Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for God Justifieth Rom. 8. Answ Paul as he is a believer is parswaded that nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ and so are all true believers perswaded but if they depart from the faith nay if they do not go on adding to their faith vertue and knowledge c. as it is 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. they lose that perswasion as Paul acknowledgeth that he himself might become a cast-away if he kept not his body under subjection 1 Cor. 9.29 It is true none can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect for God doth and will justifie but there is no man or woman Elected but in and through beleeving 2 Thes 2.13 as it hath been shewed and will appear if you mind the Scriptures for the Apostle tells the Ephesians that they were Elected yet the Lord Jesus saith to them Rev. 25. that if they do not
There the Apostle sheweth that he would not have us ignorant of this Mystery least we should be wise in our own conceits that blindnesse in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall be saved as it is written Fourthly These Scriptures in the 11 of Isa 11. to the end and chap. 59.20 21. chap. 66.8 9 10. and Jer. 31. and Ezek. 37. and the Covenant in this place spoken of doth belong to the house of Israel and the house of Judah and that will plainly appear if you note well those Scriptures mentioned for Paul sheweth us in the 11. of the Romans All Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion the Delieverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob for this is my Covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins So the Apostle speaking of the 59 of Isai the .20 applying it only to the house of Israel and that the Covenant of the Lord is to them so as to take away their sins yea it is plain that he speaks of the house of Israel after the flesh because he saith as concerning the Gospel they are Enemies for your sakes but as touching the Election they are beloved for the fathers sake so you may see as concerning the Gospel they are Enemies but as touching the Election they are beloved for the Fathers sakes that is for Abraham Isaac and Jacob sakes for the Lords Covenant is with them and so they are chosen yea he speaks of them which should come of them which then were concluded in unbelief ver 32. which was the Jewes therefore he speaks not of the Converted Gentiles but of the house of Israel according to the flesh for the gifts and callings of God are without repentance vers 33. So I say the Lord God hath determined to call Israel and of this he will never repent Again this doth further appear that God will call again Israel after the flesh and teach them according to the new Covenant so they shall know him and worship him in spirit and in truth for Zechariah saith Thus saith the Lord of Hosts it shall yet come to pass that there shall come people and the Inhabitants of many Cityes and the Inhabitants of one City shall go to another saying let us go speedly to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of Hosts I will go also Yea many People and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord Thus saith the Lord of Hosts in those dayes it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all Languages of the Nations even shall take hold of the the skirt of him that is a Jew saying we will go with you for we have heard that God is with you Zech. 8.20 21 22 23. And Micah faith in the last days it shall come to pass that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it And many Nations shall come and say come and let us go up to the mountaine of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his paths for the Law shall go forth of Sion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem Chap. 4.1 2. But now men say that these Scriptures were fulfilled when Judah retured from Babylon for the Jewes after their return from Babylon never enjoyed such things unto this day search and see and these Scriptures say that they shall be fulfilled in the last dayes and the Scriptures do not call them the last dayes that were before Christ came in the flesh therefore not fulfilled but before the house of Israel shall be called so as to believe the Gospel as it hath been shewed the Gospel of the king dome must be preached in all the world for a witness unto all Nations Mat. 24.14 according to Revel 14.6 And I saw another Angel flie in the middest of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every Nation and kindred and tongue and people And this must be a little before and in the time of the fall of the Whore of Babylon and the rising of the man of sin the Antichrist as appeareth in vers the 8 9. And to this agreeth Mark 13.10 The Gospel must first be preached among all Nations compared with Mat. 24.14 and then the end shall be So the Gospel a little before the end shall be preached in the pure way thereof to all Nations so the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in But it doth and will so come to pass that now in this last of the last dayes the Gospel that is and shall be preached in the pure way thereof and the Whore of Babylon falling that the spirit of Antichrist doth and will more and more appear and the Antichrist the Man of Sin will come forth whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders 2. Thes 2. for the Antichrist or Man of Sin is not the Whore of Babylon and for the right understanding of this truth mark well these seven Particulars 1. First Who is this great Whore of Babylon and where her chief seat hath been and is 2. Secondly Her fall and the means how and by whom 3. Thirdly What is the spirit of Antichrist and who hath that spirit 4. Fourthly That the Antichrist will be a single person 5. Fifthly The manner of his rising and when 6. Sixthly Some of the great things he will doe 7. Lastly His fall when and by whom Of these things in order But first I freely confess That many honest men fearing God in those latter times have been mistaken in saying that the Romish Whore of Babylon is the Antichrist that the Scripture speaks of but men may see in this latter part of the last time with a diligent and serious search of the Scriptures through grace that the great Whore of Babylon is not the Antichrist And it being so that God having shewed it me through the Scriptures I being not accounted of in the world knowing that God doth great things by them that are not esteemed among men that no flesh should glory c. And considering that this which I do in this work may be seasonable and for much profit to the People of God and for the praise and glory of God I shall shew in brief that the Whore is not the Antichrist And for the clearing up of this truth First you may see who this great Whore of Babylon is by noting her chief seat where it is and that is at Rome for John saith Rev. 17. That the great Whore of Babylon which sitteth upon many Waters is that City which reigneth over the Kings of the earth
of blasphemy which had seven heads and ten hornes Rev. 17.3 Now note that five of them heads or kings were fallen when John wrote the Revelation and the sixt was then in being vers 9 10. Now this Woman the Harlot was to sit upon the sixt head and hath so done a long time and so the beast that had seven Heads carrieth her beareth her up forthe Magistrates have supported her all along understand also that the fixt Head of the Beast hath reigned ever since the writing of the Revelation but now is partly strong and partly broken that the sixt Head is not fallen is plain if you note well for the seventh Head when he cometh he must continue a short space now that head of the Roman Monarthy which is in being hath continued long even from before the birth of Christ for Rome was governed by Emperours before the birth of Christ Lnke 2.1 and the imperial power standeth yet though it be translated into Germany therefore the Imperial Head cannot be the seventh Head because that hath continued long and that the seventh Head continueth but a short space note Rev. 17.10 Five are fallen and one is and another is not yet come and when he cometh he must continue a short space Also mark well that the power of the Pope and his Clergy cannot be the seventh Head for they have continued long Secondly the Whore cannot be any of the Heads of the Beast because she sits upon and is carried by the Beast that hath seven Heads and ten Horns so she causeth the Beast to serve her and maketh the Beasts and the Kings of the earth slaves to her to do her will so then the sixt Head of the Roman power is not fallen though it be in part and the seventh Head is now arising which will take away the sixth and doth will and must give some liberty to preach the Gospel and to administer the Ordinances in the old way thereof and so the Lord God will bring things to pass for not one jot or tittle of his word shall fail and so in the rising and reign of the seventh Head and the ten Hornes the Angel shall flie in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth and to every Nation and kindred and tongue and people saying with a loud voyce fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come and worship him that made heaven and earth the Sea and the fountaines of waters Rev. 14.6 7. So the Gospel and the way thereof being preached the Nations will be enlightned and so God will put it into the hearts of the ten Hornes or Kings to hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire Rev. 17.12 16. So through the preaching of the Gospel in the pure way thereof the great Whore of Babylon falleth and so the hour of her judgment is come and to this agreeth that in Rev. 14.6 7 8. which sheweth that after the Gospel is preached to the Nations then shall follow another Angel saying it is fallen it is fallen Babylon the great City for she made all Nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication ver 8. Much more might be spoken to this but let this suffice as touching what the Whore is and her fall the manner how and by whome In the next place note diligently what the spirit of Antichrist is and who have that spirit now John in his first Epistle Chap. 4. And ver 3. doth declare what the spirit of Antichrist is namely every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that he should come and even now already is in the world Also understand that John did not intend the heathen that never did beleeve nor the unbelieving Jewes which never did acknowledge Christ come in the flesh but those have the spirit of Antichrist that went out from the Church of Christ Chap. 2.18 19. John sheweth them that it is the last time and as you have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time They went out From us c. So that the spirit of Antichrist is that spirit that is found in them that have been enlightned and have known the truth and go out from the Church of Christ and in a mystery deny Christ come in the flesh and so Paul speaketh of the Antichrist or Man of Sin 2 Thes 2.7 saith The Mystery of iniquity doth already work c. and Peter speaking to the Saints saith in his 2 Epistle 2.1 there shall be false teachers among you who Privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that Bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction So the spirit of Antichrist denyes Christ come in the flesh secretly and they that have this spirit say Christ is come in their flesh and so say the light within them is Chuist when at the best it is but the light of nature and in many the spirit of errour their light being become darkness being delivered up to strong delusion to believe lyes thinking they have Christ in them when it is a spirit of errour and so pervert the sence of the Scriptures declaring the Annointing and the Annointed to be all one teaching up the spirit of Christ apart from the Body of Christ to be the Christ or rather the spirit of error in them to be the Christ come in their flesh so in a very deceivable secret way deny Christcome in the flesh in saying he is the Christ that is within them which is an evil spirit so applying the Scriptures that speak of the spirit of Christ dwelling in men to be that evil spirit in them so declaring that spirit of errour in them apart from the body or flesh of Christ to be the Christ so deny Christ come in the flesh but note well what the Scriptures of truth saith they declare that Jesus Christ was slain Act. 2.22 23. Chap. 3.15 Chap. 4.10 in Chap. 5.30 Peter who was full of the holy Ghost saith the God of our fathers hath Raised up Jesus whom ye flew and hanged on a tree Paul saith to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15.3 4. First of all I delivered unto you that which I received how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was Bursed that he Arose the third day according to the Scriptures So it is plain that the spirit apart from the body or flesh of Christ is not the Christ therefore again note what Paul saith 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God one meditatour between God man which is the Man Christ Jesus and Heb. 10.10 sheweth that the Hebrewes were sanctified by the offering of the body of
THE WHOLE FAITH OF MAN Being the Gospel declared in plainness as it is in JESUS and the way thereof of old confirmed by divers Signs Wonders Miracles and Gifts of the holy Ghost In thirty six Heads setting out Mans way work from the day of his Conversion to the day of his Dissolution and what therein is both to be believed and practised The Second Edition much Enlarged By WILL. JEFFERY who hath for years been a poor Labourer in Christs Vineyard So likewise ye when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17.10 London Printed by G. Dawson for Francis Smith in Flying-Horse Court in Fleet-street near Chancery lane end and Stephen Dagnal of Alisbury 1659. TO The Christian READER Loving Reader THis work presented to thy view read I pray with diligence and care imploying thy whole understanding to observe what 〈◊〉 written herein whether it be according to the Scriptures of truth and finding it so lay it up in thy heart and bring it forth in Conversation and in Worship and that thou mayest so do mark well the Scriptures that are brought for the proof of that which is said and for the right understanding of the Scriptures note these five things First who it is that speaketh Secondly the ground or cause of the Word spoken Thirdly what is spoken Fourthly the time when Fifthly to whom it speaketh And labour to understand Prophecies whether they be fulfilled or no and mistake not so as to think that Parables or Comparisons in Scripture prove nothing for they do excellently prove things if rightly understood for the Parable of the unjust Iudge and the Widdow Luk. 18. v. 1. proveth that men ought alwayes to pray and not to faint and that in Rev. 16.15 which saith that Christ will come as a thiefe proveth that Christ will come suddenly and that day of the Lord shall come upon ungodly men unawares yea as a snare shall it take them 2 Thes 5.23 but it doth not prove that Christ will come unrighteously as a thief for that connot be So Parables and Comparisons in the Scriptures prove excellently the things for which they are brought but beware of using them beyond their line and also note that a Commandment or Precept only gives ground to duty for where no Law is there is no transgression mistake not for the manner of the performance of the duty is not alwayes in all things laid down in the Commandment so the primitive examples of the People of God for the manner of the performance of duty is very safe and where there is no example of the People of God in the Scriptures for the manner as aforesaid take heed that the duty be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 James 5.14 But stand in awe in the fear of God and beware that you add not to the Commandment nor diminish therefrom in the performance of duty for he that shall presume to speak a word in the name of the Lord which he hath not commanded him shall die Deut. 18.20 Pro. 30.6 Revel 22.18 19. Mind also that according to the Law and the Prophets and New Testament are to hear Christ in all things yea to give more heed to Christ then Israel was to Moses Heb. 2.1 2. Chap. 12.25 and to labour to understand what the first Testament is and who were the children hereof and what is the new Testament and who are the children thereof and let no man that believeth and is added to the Church according to the Scripture content himself in a child like state but labour with all diligence to come to mans stature being strong in Christ 1 Epistle of John 2.13 14. For in these last dayes will come in all deceiveableness of unrighteousness and so many will fall away the age groweth ripe many run to and fro and knowledge is increased therefore labour to understand the Mysteries of the Scripture walk up purely in all that thou knowest for they shall be revealed and fulfilled in these latter dayes yea whosoever thou art observe more what is declared it being truth then the manner of the declaring it be not offended at the plainness or poverty of the man that speaketh he speaking as the Oracles of God For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise I have studied brevity for many reasons therefore heed well what is spoken and so have thy heart open for truth but closed up against all errour and try all spirits by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament For if they speak not According to the Law and Testamony it is because there is no light in them Isai 8.20 And so read this Book with a single eye for it very highly concerns thy eternal life for for this end was it written that men might know the good old way of the Gospel and walk therein and so find rest for their souls and that God might have all the Glory and this is the sincere desire of him that is ready to serve thee with all his might in he strength of the Lord in the work of his Generation William Ieffery A TABLE OF The principal Matters spoken to or handled in this Book 1. THe Gospel what it is Page 1 2. That the Gospel is to be preached to all Men. Page 2 3. That Christ dyed for all Men. Page 4 4. That God through Christs death in the ministration of the Gospel sets all men in a way to come to the knowledge of the truth and be eternally saved Page 6 5. How Men in all ages were set in that way Page 9 6. What Adams sin brought upon all the sans of Men. Page 13 7. How Christ redeemed all Men from the first death and all the guilt or punishment of Adams sin Page 18 8. That all Infants dying in Infancie shall be saved Page 17 9. The great cause of condemnation and what it is Page 21 10. How Men are given up to blinded eyes and hardned hearts and wherefore Page 30 11. How Gods Decree takes hold of Men to condemnation Page 27 12. Gods Decree concerning Election to salvation Page 32 13. Why none but Beleevers are chosen to salvation and yet foreseen faith not the cause Page 33 14. The first Testament what it is in the strictest sence and what it is in the largest and who were the children thereof and how is it cast out and its children and the difference between the Law of Faith and the Law of Works and a word of the abolishing of the seventh day Sabbath Page 35 15. What the second Testament in the strictest fence and what in the largest and who are the children thereof and who the Ministers thereof and the vast disproportion between the first Testament and the Second Page 42 16. What Repentance is and what Faith is and the nature thereof Page 52 17. That Bilievers onely are the
Head being in part taken away and the seventh Head arising he giving some liberty of conscience the Gospel is preached and truth appears and many receive the knowledg of it and obey it and many fall away from it and so the spirit of Antichrist ariseth and so the seventh Head of the Roman Beast shall take away the sixth Head and shall continue a short space Rev. 17.10 and so the ten Horns also shall arise in one hour with the beast that was and is not even he is the Eighth and is of the Seventh vers 11 12. and so is the little Horn that Daniel speaks of Dan. 7.11 24 25. and the last power or Beast the Antichrist the Man of Sin and so the seventh Head and ten Horns or Kings giving liberty the servants of God sends forth the truth as it is in Jesus ministring in the Gospel glad tidings of the Kingdome to the Nations men come to know the truth and so are enlightened with it and so many may come to shine as Stars and yet fall away as the Antichrist or man of sin himself will be some notable man shining as a Star for a time yet afterward falling from the truth according to that in Rev. 8.10 11. The third Angel sounded and there fell a great Star from Heaven burning as it were a lamp and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters and the name of the Star is called Wormwood and the third part of the waters became Worm-wood and many men dyed of the waters because they were made bitter So the man of Sin falls from the truth or true Church as a great Star from Heaven burning like a Lamp through Satans transforming himself as into an Angel of light and so falls upon the rivers and fountains of waters so that he maketh them bitter so the sweet promises of the Gospel and the way of Christ in which men shall be made partakers of the waters of life and so made glad in the City of God are so made bitter like Wormwood changing the taste of them so that many men die of those waters according to that of Jude 12. Twice dead plucked up by the roots and thus he causeth men to fall so that the third part of the Sun is smitten and the third part of the Moon and the third part of the Stars so as the third part of them is darkned and the day shone not for a third part of it nor the night likewise Rev. 8.12 The Sun is hear compared to the Church because the Church or Saints through Christ are said to be the light of the world Mat. 5.14 and so Jacob who is called Israel according to Josephs dream is compared to the Sun Gen. 37.9 10. The Moon I take to be the world or the Whore the false Church which hath her light from the true Church as the Moon hath her light from the Sun the Stars are the eminent teachers in the Churches Rev. 1.20 and this in the eight chapter before spoken of is an allegory because the waters are said to become Wormwood and yet men drink of them which cannot be if they were made Wormwood therefore it is Allegorical that the word of the Gospel in the ministration of the Prophets is compared to water look Ezek. 34.18 19. Isa 55.1 Rev. 22.17 So then a many of the Church will fall from the faith and the Stars the Elders or chief teachers also and many of the World or false Church that shall be enlightened and will not obey shall be darkned and so shall lose that light they have and so shall be given up to gross darkness and so after a great falling away from the truth So the man of Sin the Antichrist is revealed and getteth the power and rule by flatteries after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness and So opposeth exalteth himself above all that is called God or is worshiped so that He as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God Dan. 11.21 2 Thes 2.3 4 9 10. And so I come to the sixth Particular which is Some of the great things that the man of Sin willdo with his false Prophet Which in the first place take what Daniel saith of him setting him out by a little Horne Chap. 7.8 11 24 25. he saith That he shall subdue three Kings and he shall speak Great words against the most high and shall wear out the Saints of the most high and think to change times and lawés and they shall be given into his hand untill a time and times and the deviding of times And so he shall reign in full power three years and a half for time is taken for one year times for two years and half a time for half a year as in Dan. 4.25 some translation reads for seven times seven years and so the woman Cloathed with the Sun that flies from him into the wilderness and is there three years and a half Rev. 12.1 14. so he shall presecute the Saints of the most high ver 11 17. and the false prophet causeh the first beast whose deadly wound was healed to be worshipped and he doth great wonders so that he maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he shall have power to do in the sight of the beast saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword did live had power to give life or breath to the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed and he causeth all both small and great rich and poor free and bond to give a mark in their right hands or in their foreheads and that no man might buy or sell save he that had the marke or the name of the beast or the number of his name Rev. 13.11 to 18. So the Beast that hath a wound with a sword that is the seventh Head is slain to death yet he having another which is of the seventh and is the eighth and so liveth and so it is the Beast that was and is not and yet is and so the false Prophet shall by miracles cause the world to worship the Beast the man of sin the Antichrist as God sitting in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God 2 Thes 2.4 and cause as many as will not worship the beast or his image to be killed and so the fallen Star before mentioned which is the Beast the Antichrist ascendeth out of the bottomless pit the key of the bottomless pit being given him he openeth the bottomless pit and then ariseth a smoak out of the pit as the smoak
made clean when shall it once be Jeremy 13.27 How shall I give thee up Ephraim How shall I deliver thee Israel As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye for why will ye die oh House of Israel Ezek. 33.11 And now O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah Judge I pray you betwixt me and my Vinyard what could have been done more to my Vinyard that I have not done in it Jsa 5.3.4 But when he looked that it should bring forth Grapes it brought forth wild Grapes As also Israel in the wilderness Wherefore he was greived with that generation and at length sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest because of Vnbelief Heb. 3.10 11 19. Now that the Father the Son and the holy Spirit in the Prophets should utter such deep desires and large professions for the welfare of a People with weeping and great lamentations upon their neglect of that which should have been for their welfare Psal 69.22 Also confirming his desires by the immutable Oath of himself and yet notwithstanding know them even from the first altogether uncapable of happiness and well-being and that for want of that grace which himself is the only giver of That God I say whose Attributes of love and mercy are met together with truth and righteousness and kisseth each other Psal 85.10 should thus declare himself is altogether incredible for if he sent not his Son to die for them there is no other Name given under heaven whereby they might be saved Act. 4.11 12. The sence of these things being much upon my heart leads me forth yet further to question with you viz. How the wise God the Father could grieve forty years long for a Peoples unbelief if there was no Salvation for them to believe in And how Christ the Son of God could marvel at the Peoples Unbelief if he tasted not death for them whereby they might believe Mar. 6.6 And how the holy Spirit the gift of God could strive with men for their good if Christ in whom is all good was not intended for them The Father the Son and the Spirit according to the Scriptures of truth in all ages plainly declareth That he would have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Tim. 2.4 in order to which he exercised much long-patience sending his servants calling upon them and beseeching them to be reconciled unto himself 2 Cor. 5.20 And so God preparing all things ready for them and using a sufficiency of means whereby they might come and receive it according to the Parable that is to say might believe and eternally be saved Joh. 1.7 Jo. 3.17.2 Thes 2.10 they not coming they not beleeving the God of love in wisdome greiveth for them and upon good grounds sweareth in wrath they shall not enter into his rest Mark well A man 's not doing impossibilities or not beleeving on that which is not is no sober mans wonder cause of grief or ground of wrath Wherefore all these things being considered together with the many more Scriptures that speak to this purpose as also many Scriptures bearing plain Testimony that Christ died for all 1 Tim. 2.6 Heb. 2.9.2 Cor. 5.15.1 Joh. 2.2 Rom 3.22 And not so much as one Scripture that saith he died but for some therefore with wise and holy Peter I conclude that the Lord God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 2 Pet. 3.9 and be saved through Christ the Saviour who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time Therefore let all men fear how they testifie against it Object If Christ died for all how is it then that all are not saved Answ Bear with me I pray you if I speak somewhat large to this Question for I know that there is something in the understanding of those that ask this question as the ground thereof which is a great hindrance to the understanding of this glorious truth of Gods love unto all men namely that Adams sin brought him and all his posterity into a state of eternal condemnation in Hell which whosoever beleiveth cannot easily understand how Christ should die for all men say they if he died for all to free them from eternal punishment in hell and Christ dye not in vain then say they How can it be but that all must be saved First consider your mistake touching Adams sin for 't is plain that his sin brought but the first death and the companions thereof as fear shame sickness eating bread in the sweat of the face c. together with the ground cursed for his sake and not eternal torments in Hell which saith the Scripture is the second death Rev. 20.14 First because the second death or eternal torment in Hell was neither threatned to come upon him before his fall Gen. 2.17 neither is it in the least signifyed in the sentence against him after his fall Gen. 3.17.18.19 but rather this Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return this death therefore being only spoken of which is the first death let no man presume above what is written Secondly observe the sence of the Apostle Paul touching this Particular who saith That by one man to wit Adam sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 Now in that he saith that the death which came by Adam passed upon all it followes with much plainness that he understood it to be only the first death that entred into the world by Adams sin because the second death or eternal torment in Hell had not passed upon all and so he could not mean the second death for he right well knew yea and all men do know it had not passed upon Abraham Isaac and Jacob with many others that might be mentioned no nor never shall In vain will it be for any to go about to evade the force of this text by conceiving that it is the desert of eternal death which passed upon all forasmuch as the Apostle in much plainness saith That death passed upon all men not only deserved death but death it self passed also upon them as their desert Thirdly remember and well consider that it is granted on all hands that Adams sin from the beginning did and now doth bring men down to the dust or first death and also well consider that it is as generally beleived that the second death or Hell torments is an eternal fence of misery both upon the soul and body or an eternal horrible dying and never being dead both which being considered you may easily see that if God did intend Hell torment to be the portion of Adams sin either you must imagine that God did purpose and decree and so accordingly declare to Adam that if he sinned he should
Nor if all the humane arts in the world did not teach the knowledge of God it followeth that all humane Arts cannot inable a man to preach or declare the Gospel the unsearchable riches that is in Christ and so Paul though learned ignorantly persecutes the Church of Christ but by grace given him he was made able to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ Eph. 3.7 8. Again Jesus rejoyced in Spirit and gives thanks to his Father that he had hid the things of the Gospel or new Covenant from the wise and prudent or learned and revealed them to Babes Luke 10.21 And Paul saith The things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 And the Prophet Isaiah saith That the vision of all is become as a book that is sealed So that the learned and unlearned cannot read it Isa 29.11 12. From all which it plaineth appeareth that all Ministers of the new Covenant are made able for the work of the Ministery through the spirit grace and gift of God for the spiritual man judgeth all things even the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 15. And so God hath not chosen the mighty men or things of the world which are highly esteemed among men but chuseth the poor foolish weak base despised things things that are not to bring to nought things that are That no flesh should glory in his presence 1 Cor. 1.27 28. Luk. 16.15 So then mark well and see the vast disproportion between the Old Covenant and the New the Old was of works do and live long so they doing it Justification would have been of dept Rom. 4.4 but the New is Believe and live eternally So Justification is by faith that it might be by grace Rom. 4.16 The Old Covenant is litteral and killeth because all have broken it but the new Covenant is spiritual and giveth life in Christ through beleeving 2 Cor. 3.6 the Old was written in Tables of Stone the New writeth the law of God in the heart the sons and daughters of the Old Covenant were Abrahams seed after the flesh the sons and daughters of the new Covenant are the seed of Abraham after the spirit new borne new creatures God according to the Old Covenant did know and chuse the family of Abraham after the flesh above all the families of the earth Amos 3.1 2. Psal 147.19 20. but now according to the new Covenant he knoweth no man after the flesh 2 Cor. 5 16. but every man of any Nation that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him Act. 10.35 whether he be Jew or Gentile The children of the old Covenant being after the flesh by generation there was need to teach them to know the Lord but the Children of the new Covenant need not to be taught to know the Lord for they all know the Lord from the least to the greatest of them as it hath been shewed The old Covenant or law though just holy and good yet weak through the flesh having no strength to Justifie the Children thereof God finding fault with them because they had broken the Covenant there was a place found for the new Covenant established upon better promises so through Jesus the High Priest and Mediatour of it the Children thereof are Justified see Rom. 8.2 3 4. Heb. 8.6 7 8. The Sacrifices of the old covenant were carnal fleshly the bloud of Buls and Goats and so could not make the comers thereunto perfect so there was a Remembrance of sin every year but the sacrifice of the new Covenant is the Lord from Heaven the man Christ his Blood being the blood of the new Covenant being shed for remission of sins Math. 26.28 and so perfects for ever them that are sanctified which are the children of the new Covenant so that their sin is remembred no more as it hath been shewed before Heb. 10.12 14. the High Priest of the old Covenant was after the order of Aaron by generation after a fleshly line and so many were made Priests because they were not suffered to continue by the reason of death but Jesus the High Priest of the new Covenant is after the order of Melchizedec comes not to it by a fleshly line after the order of Aaron as the Preists of the Law did as touching his Office of the Preist-hood he is without father or mother without kindred and hath neither beginning of dayes nor end of life but remaineth a Prieft for ever after the order of Melchizedec So he is able also perfectly to save them that come to God by him as the children of the new Covenant do seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb. 7.3 6 11 13 14 16 21 24 25. The Children of the old Covenant had blessings and promises after this manner That the Lord would set them on high above all the Nations of the earth blessed in the city and in the field blessed in the fruit of the body flocks of sheep and heards of cattel and deliverance from their enemies and long life in the land of Canaan withall the riches thereof Deut. 28. The blessings of the new Covenant are after this manner deliverence from the evil of temptation 1 Cor. 10.13 Led into all truth so as they experience that comfort peace and joy that their names are written in the book of life witnessed by the holy spirit all things working together for good no condemnation for they walk not after the flesh but after the spirit the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come even eternal life so as to reign in glory So then all may see that they that go about to be justified by the Law Written upon tables of stone or the Law of sacrifices are fallen from grace for if righteousness be by the Law then Christ died in vain Gal. 2.21 and 5.4 But Christ died not in vain but God is just and the Justifier of him only that beleeveth in Jesus having that faith that worketh by love Rom. 3.26 for such only are the sons and daughters of the New Covenant Also hence it clearly appeareth how the Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon the great the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth she became so by bringing in a generational fleshly seed where Abrahams seed after the flesh is cast out so she goes a whoring in bringing in a false carnal seed instead of a true spiritual seed she bringeth in children into her Church by baptizing them as she calleth it and so the matter of her Church is meerly carnal and her ministry by humane learning and not by gifts given from Christ and yet talks of spiritual matter confounding the Old Covenant with the New and making the commandments of God of none effect by her many inventions and so national Churches that sprinkle their infants bring in a false fleshly seed and are her daughters and so she is truly said to be Mystery Babylon or Confusion the mother
me c. From these words Compared with ver 2. some conclude that Infants may beleeve Answ First note That them that are newly come to the faith or be weak in the faith are called little children Gal. 4.19.1 John 2.12 yet are men and women Again Christians ought to be humble and without malice is little children 1 Cor. 14.20 And this is that which Christ teacheth when his disciples strove who should be greatest in the kingdome of heaven as appeareth Math. 18.1 Compared with Luke 9.46 And therefore he taketh a little child and sheweth them except they be converted from their ambitious thoughts and become humble as little children they shall not enter therein ver 2 3. Also he sheweth that he that humbleth himself as a little child is great in the kingdome of heaven and whosoever shall receive such a little Child in my name receiveth me John 13.20 that is such a one as humbleth himself as a little child and whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which beleeve in Christ that is such a one as is humble and becomes as a little child it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea and this is said ver 4 5 6. and is the sence of the place Now for any man to understand the place so as that that little child which Christ set in the midst or any other did or do believe they are much mistaken for such an exposition of the place would cross many plain places of Scripture for Infants are not capable of hearing and faith comes by hearing Rom. 10.17 neither do they know good nor evil nor their right hand from their left as hath been shewed before neither doth the Scripture speak to Infants Deut. 11.2 though it speak of them neither can they work and that faith is dead that worketh not James 2.17 26. Now if any question how Infants dying in infancy can be saved because they beleeve not I say that if you look back to what is said as touching Adams sin you may see that all Infants dying in Infancy shall be saved for the son shall not die for the Iniquity of the Father Ezek. 18. and the guilt of Adams sin shall be taken off from all at the Resurrection But to return there is no Commandment in all the Scriptures which are the word of God for the Baptisme of Infants and where there is no Law there is no transgression Rom. 4.15 therefore he that refuseth to baptize Infants breaks no Law Therefore no man can justly charge him with sin for a commandment gives ground to duty and examples are teaching to shew us how duties should be done also note that there is no example for infants Baptisme in all the Scripture and yet they are able to make us wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 for the Apostles and servants of the Lord did Baptise such only as did profess faith and did gladly receive the word of the Gospel search and see as the Bereans did Acts. 17.11 Object But some say That there is no Command nor Example for Women receiving the Lords Supper yet they are to receive it so may Infants be Baptized though no Command nor Example for it Answ In this objection it is granted that there is no command nor example for Infants Baptisme also note that beleeving baptised women are disciples and are members of the Church of Christ and so are commanded to break bread Act. 1.14 15. Chap. 8.12 Phil. 4.13 Act. 20.7 1 Cor. 11.24 25 28. compare the 1 of Act. 14. with the 2 of Acts. 41 42. you may see that women did receive the Lords Supper But if any should say That Infants are Disciples and therefore are to be baptized I answer That Christ faith that whosoever beareth not his cross and followeth not after him cannot be his disciple Luke 14.27 but Infants cannot do so therefore they cannot be his disciples I shall say no more to this Principle of the Doctrine of Christ at this place because many have wrote very largely upon it and there is no true consequence to be gathered from all the Scriptures for Infants Baptisme for it is against Scripture and crosseth the way of the New Testament for it brings into the Church a fleshly seed instead of a Spiritual and so makes void the command of God as hath been shewed before But seeing it is so that penitent beleeving men and women are only to be Baptized let all the Churches in the fear of God take heed that they Baptize no other but such as are truly penitent beleeving men and women that so all the members of the Church of Christ may be new creatures living stones taught of God built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Cheif corner stone that all the building may be fitly framed together growing unto an holy Temple in the Lord 1 Pet. 2.5 Ephes 2.20 21. 2 Cor. 5.17 There is also the Baptisme of the Spirit which is a powerful falling down of the spirit so as to be filled with it enabling men to do some great work as in Act. 1.5 compared with Chap. 2.1 2 3 4. But this Baptisme of the Spirit is called so comparatively as Christ is called a door John 10.7 but there is but one Baptisme really and that is in water Eph. 4.5 The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ is Prayer with Laying on of hands for the gift of the spirit so as to abide with us and to lead us into all truth and bring all things seasonably to remembrance and comfort us in all afflictions John 14.26 Ch. 16.13 note it is the gift of the spirit that is to be prayed for not gifts but the spirit as a gift Luke 11.13 Act. 2.38 and so gifts follow as it pleaseth the holy one of Israel and so they that practice Laying on of hands with prayer shew that they do look upon Christ as the only Prophet to teach them by his spirit according to his word Act. 3.22 23. Now this of Laying on of Hands was practised upon all Beleevers Baptized for the Church of Samaria were under it Act. 8.12 15 17. And the Church of Ephesus were under it Chap. 19.6 and the Church of the Hebrewes also Heb. 6.2 therefore all the Churches for they all walked in one way and order Ephes 4.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 4.17 Object But there is no Command for Laying on of Hands therefore it ought not to be Answ There is a Command from Christ for it for the Author to the Hebrewes saith it is a Principle of the Teaching or Doctrine of Christ and so commanded by Christ Heb. 6.2 Object But this Laying on of Hands spoken off Heb. 6. is not that Laying on of Hands which followeth Beleevers Baptisme or it is doubtful whether it be that or no Answ First understand that there was but three sorts of Laying on of Hands
eat and drink of it eying Christ as his Body being broken and his Bloud being shed for our sins also take notice that the order of words doth not prove that the Bread must be eaten before the Cup is blessed for Paul speaks of the Cup first 1 Cor. 10.16 and Mark saith that when Christ had blessed the cup he gave it to them and they all drank of it before he noteth that Christ declared what it signified chap. 14.23 24. But it doth not follow in reason that they did drink all of it before he gave them to understand what the Wine being set apart signified so it doth not follow though Christ did blesse the Bread and gave it to his Disciples and bid them eat that they did eat before he blest the Cup but rather the Bread being blessed be blessed the Cup also that they might eat of that Breád and drink of that Cup discerning the Lords Body broken and his Bloud shed for remission of sins 1 Cor. 11.26 28. Moreover it ought to be a Supper with moderation because it is said to be a Supper and a Feast 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Ch. 11.20 and there is nothing in all the Scripture that is said to be a Supper if there be any eating at all that is lesse then an eating to satisfaction with moderation Secondly There is perfect satisfaction in Jesus the Saviour therefore to eat to refreshment is the more lively and full Object But it was not a Supper when Christ set it apart for it was eaten after the Passover Answ The Lord took them off from eating the Passover before they had done for the Scripture saith As they were eating he took bread and brake it and so the Paschal Lamb and the Bread and Wine together made their Supper for the two signes the Paschal Lamb and the Bread and Wine one holding out Christ to be slain the other Christ as slain meet Christ the substance being there but when Christ was slain the Passover was abolished no more to be kept the Ordinance of Bread and Wine which is called the Lords Supper only remaineth and is to be a Supper as aforesaid for so it holdeth out the substance Jesus excellently but let every man eat so much of this Bread and drink of this Cup as it may be most helpful unto him to discern the Lords Body broken and his Bloud shed for his sins and the benefits that come and shall come thereby but let every man take heed in the fear of God that they do not eat and drink too much as the Corinthians did better it would be for to eat and drink too little Also mind That there is only Bread and Wine to be eaten at the Lords Supper and no feast of other food for that which Christ and his Disciples did eat before the Bread and Wine was the Passover Lamb as the Scripture saith Mat. 26.18 19. Mar. 14.12 16. Lu. 22.13 15. and Paul maketh mention only of Bread and Wine in the 10. and 11. of the 1 Cor. and for the love feast that some talk of to be kept before they eat the Bread and drink the Wine there is no such thing written in the Scripture but there is a feast of charity spoken of Jude 12. which is that feast that Christ commands to call the poor the maimed the lame the blind let him that is able do this singular thing for Christ saith he shall be blessed for the poor cannot recompence him but he shall be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just Also mind well That it is Bread and Wine after it is blessed not changed into the Body and Bloud of Christ as the Papists hold though it be said after it is blessed This is my Body which was broken for you and my Bloud which was shed for remission of sins it is so said because in a figure or shaddow it holdeth forth Christs Body broken and his Bloud shed for remission of sins and so the Passover Lamb did hold out the Lords passing over the first-born of Israel yet is called the Lords Passover it putting them in mind of the same Exod. 12.21 27. and also the Apostle saith it is Bread and Wine after it is blessed 1 Cor. 11.27 28. therefore not the reall Body and Blood of Christ So let a man examine himself whether he discern the Lords Body offered up as a Sacrifice for sin to make an Attonement for him and that he be in love and peace with all men so that in believing he may eat his Flesh and drink his Bloud so as that there may be a communion in one body Christ being the Head and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. Moreover for the better being of the Congregations of Christ the Lord Christ hath appointed and given Overseers and gifted men and they are first Apostles or Messengers and Prophets and Evangelists and Pastors and Teachers for the Lord Jesus did ascend on high and gave gifts unto men for the gathering together of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edification of the body of Christ till we all meet together in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man and unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4.8 9 10 11 12 13. 1 Cor. 12.28 And for the word Apostle it being Englished is Messenger for so the word holdeth forth and so it may be translated and is so 2 Cor. 8.23 they are to be chosen by the Congregation out of the Congregation for so was Matthias chosen Acts 1.23 24 25 26. And the Spirit commanded the Church of Antioch with the Prophets to separate Saul and Barnabas and send them forth Acts 13.1 2 3. And that was the will and way of God for after that in Chap. 14.4 14. they are both called Apostles and not before and so the Church are to choose Messengers still for the gathering the Church and establishing of the same so that they are to go forth to preach the Gospel that all may know God in Christ and own the truth as it is in Jesus Also it appeareth that Messengers or Apostles are to be in the Church till Christ comes from that in Rev. 18.20 and Ephes 4.10 11 12 13. That in Rev. the 18. sheweth that there shall be Apostles to rejoyce at the overthrow of Babylon or the Whore and that will be a little before the coming of Christ and that in Eph. 4. sheweth that they are for the gathering together of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edification of the Body of Christ till we all meet together in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man and untill the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ Until the coming of Christ in person Therefore Messengers are to be till Christ come Again If Pastors and Teachers are to abide in the Church then Messengers
spoken of is faln the whole world is at rest and is quiet they sing for joy yea the Furr-trees rejoyce at thee and the Cedars of Lebanon saying since thou art laid down no feller is come up against us vers 7.8 Now the world did not enjoy such a rest as is there spoken of so as that no Feller came up against the People of God no more for since the time of Nebuchadnezzar and that Monarchies fall there hath come up many fellers or destroyers of the Jewes and the believing Gentiles as is clear that Antiochus and the Romans against the Jewes and the Whore of Babylon against the Christians and again the Apostle in 2 Thes 2. takes up the same words in substance and applies them to the man of sin which is the Antichrist therefore that in Isa cannot be fulfilled in Nebuchadnezzar for this compare Isa 14.13 14. with 2 Thes 2 4. though he might be a type of Antichrist Secondly it appears that the Antichrist will be but one man though many have his spirit and so many Antichrists because it will sute best with his way of delusion for he will pretend he is the very Christ and will cause fire to come down from Heaven on earth in the sight of men Rev. 13.13 and so he will endeavour to imitate Christ in all things for as the Lord Christ shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that Obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ so the Antichrist will make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men he will endeavour to make all the Scriptures that speak of Christs coming and of his raign to meet upon him So his coming will be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved 2 Thes 2.9 10. So as there is the Man Christ Jesus the Son of the living God which came in his Fathers name Mat. 16.16 John 5.4 3. without sin 1 Pet. 2.22 So there will be the Man of Sin the Antichrist which will come in his own name and profess to be the Christ but will be directly an enemy against Christ and his People And so I come to the fifth thing which is the manner of Antichrists rising and by what means for the clearing up of this First consider that the Gospel and the way thereof is to be purely preached and the Ordinances rightly administred and so the Angel is to fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and People Rev. 14.6 And so the Gospel being preached to the Nations and the Ordinances Administred in the good old way according to the Scriptures men come to be enlightened as many are in these nations where the Kingly power is fallen that did support the Whore and would not give liberty of conscience so I say as the Gospel comes to be ministred in the old way thereof men come to be enlightned the power of the Whore falleth and men slighting and rejecting the truth and also many of them that do receive and obey the truth fall and depart from the faith and so receiving not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God doth and will send them strong delusions that they should believe a lye 2 Thes 2.10 11. And so are given up to the Spirit of Antichrist and so the Apostle Paul sheweth that the day of Christs coming shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition 2 Thes 1.7 8. Chap. 2.3 and so the Spirit speaking expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrine of Devils speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience seared with an hot Iron forbidding to marry c. as in 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. And the Apostle Peter writing to the Saints in his second Epistle Chap. 2.1 2. sheweth that there shall be false teachers among you who shall privily bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernitious wicked wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of and Chap. 3.3 4. he saith that there should be scoffers walking after their own lusts saying where is the promise of his coming c. and so men transgressing and abiding not in the Doctrine of Christ fall from the faith of the Gospel and so the spirit of God departs from them and an evil spirit is sent unto them which is the spirit of Antichrist so out from them that thus fall away and go out from the Church 1 John 2.19 and so seperate themselves sensual having not the spirit as Jude hath it vers 19. and also from them that have been enlightened and have neglected to walk up in truth and so reject the counsel of God as the Lawyers and Pharisees did Luke 7.30 so I say from them that so fall away and neglect to hear and obey the Gospel from them ariseth the Antichrist or man of sin Again the sixth Head of the Roman Monarchie which is the imperial or Kingly power hath alwayes and doth by the guidance of the Pope and the National Ministry which rides upon the Beast as hath been shewed persecute men for their Consciences and so hath let and hindered the Gospel from being preached and the Ordinances from being rightly administred and so the light of truth was exceedingly kept back and but few received it and them that did receive it she persecuted some she put to death others she banished or caused to fly into strange Countries and into howling wildernesses others imprisoned and fined and so she cometh to be drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and so the Gospel could not be declared in the pure way thereof to every Nation kindred tongue and people Rev. 14.6 And so also if any did arise that had the spirit of Antichrist she took him off also and so she pluck'd up much wheat and tares also contrary to that of Mat. 13.29 30. Let both grow together until Harvest c. So the sixt Head of the Roman Monarchy being rid upon guided by the Whore did let the Gospel from being preached and the Antichrist from rising and so I think that the fixth Head did hinder the coming in of the man of Sin in the Apostles dayes for the Emperours being heathens then persecuted the Saints and so that sixth Head supporting and carrying the Whore also so as that it did let and will let until it be taken out of the way 2 Thes 2.6 7. but now the sixth
Thirdly The nations that know the Lord shall be inferiour to the house of Israel serving them in that day Isa 60.12 14. Fourthly That there will be some of the nations in that day that will not come to worship the King the Lord of hosts and upon them shall come great judgments Zach. 14.17 18. Jer. 31.30 Isa 65.20 So there will be in the kingdome of Christ at least some of the time that he raigns on the earth before he delivers up the Kingdome to the father four sorts of people but the Saints that come with Christ shall raign most gloriously over them all So then things being so le ts look back to what hath been said concerning Christ coming to raign namely that the Saints must be in a troubled persecuted afflicted estate until Christ comes and the neerer his coming the more persecution and tribulations Luke 18.7 8. This serves to inform the fifth Monarchy men that the Saints shall not have dominion of the earth neither shall the fifth Monarchy be until Christ comes for the fourth Monarchy or Beast in his Heads and horns raigns until Christ comes and presecutes the Saints Dan. 7.25 26. as hath been shewed Secondly if there will be warr and rumors of warrs and overturning of powers until Christ comes that should teach the Saints not to deceive themselves so as to conclude they shall enjoy long rest and peace here on earth before Christ comes and so to seek great things for themselves I say with the Prophet Jer. Seek them not for that the Lord hath built he will break down and that which he hath planted will he pluck up Chap. 45.4 5. For the nations must drink Jeremies cup them that are wicked to the sword saith the Lord Chap. 25. from the 15. to the 34. Thirdly This should teach us to buy the truth and not to sell it and so to seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness in the first place and to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure redeeming the time that we be not found among those foolish Virgins that let their lamps go out but of those wise that stand with their Loyns girded about with truth and their lights burning as men that wait for their Lord when he shall return to the wedding Mat. 25. Luke 12.35 36 37. Furthermore take notice of some signes that go before Christs coming First observe that the Gospel being preached as it is now and shall be more fully hereafter and many falling away from the truth and the spirit of Antichrist appearing this is a sign of Christs coming 2 Thes 2.3.1 John 2.18 Secondly If we see and hear of warrs and rumors of warrs and false Prophets and false Christs appearing and many run to and fro and knowledge increase and the great Whore of Babylon fallen these things coming to pass are evident signs that the time of Christs coming is neer Mat. 24.5 11. Dan. 12.4 Rev. 14.6 7 8. Thirdly When we shall see false Prophets and false Christs saying loe hear is Christ or loe there working miracles and the Antichrist or man of sin arising or appearing then may we certainly conclude the coming of Christ to be at hand yea if we see the Whore of Babylon fallen and the man of sin arising we may certainly conclude that before that generation shall go down to dust the Lord will appear Mat. 24.23 24.2 Thes 2.9 Rev. 14.9 Luk. 21.32 Fourthly When there shall be famins and pestalence and earth-quakes in divers places and the Jewes return into their own land and the Antichrist or man of sin plant his tabernacle in the holy mount Dan. 11.45 Mat. 24.7 Fifthly When the Man of Sin and the false Prophet shall set up an Image and give the mark of the beast and cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men Rev. 13.13 14 15 16. and the sixth vial poured out and that false ministry of the beast go forth and gather the nations to the battel of the great day according to Chap. 16.12 13 14. Joel 3.9 10 11. and the Sun and Moon darkned and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity the Sea and waves roaring in an extraordinary manner Isa 13.10 Ioel 3.15 Luke 21.25 26 When these changes begin to come to pass especially the four last then let us lift up our heads with joy for our redemption draweth nigh verse 28. And when the last appeareth know that the Kingdome of God is neer even at the very doors Mat. 24 33. Now from all these things let every one be perswaded to walk up in all the commandments and Ordinances of the Lord improving all grace so as to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear yea let all the children of God work out their salvation with fear and trembling O let us give heed to the word of the Prophets as a light that shineth in a dark place until the day of Christ dawn and the day Star arise in our hearts that is until Christ who is the bright morning Star he by his spirit we giving heed to the word of the Prophet will cause us to understand the secrets of the Lord yea the signs of his coming as men that walk in the night know the day is neer when they see the day Star arising so the Lord will give us the morning Star that we may know in an excellent measure the time of his coming 2 Pet. â— 19 Rev. 22 16. Chap. 2 28 Psal 25 14. But let no man be deceived so as to account of the coming or receiving of the spirit in the most excellent manner to be the coming of Christ for the Corinths came behind in no gifts yet waited for the coming of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor 1.7 And the Apostle John sheweth that there are but three sorts of Christians the little ones young men and old men in Christ and old ought to wait and did wait for the coming of Christ 1 Iohn 2 28 Chap. 3 2. and then they and we shall be like him Phil. 3 31 O let all these things be laid to heart and let all the children of God receive council of the Lord Jesus so as to watch and pray alwayes that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before him acceptably Luke 21.36 FINIS