right and inheritance challengeng them the field and setting vp a flagge of defiance against the Citie of truth and the God of Israell Behold here comes one the least of ten thousand that doth accept the challenge seeing others doe hold their peace and although hee know not how to beare armes in the field as the manner is yet he promiseth in the name of the God of Iacob with a sling and a stone to bring their champion on his knees for all his stout words that his army who trusted in him may be glad to take their flight and you enioy your Citie in peace And thus most noble Citizens farewell Your faithfull friend till death I. H. To M. IOHN SMITH and to the Companie with him at Amsterdam in Holland AH Master Smith I would for your owne sake you had not written with such affirmation Many things which you haue also made so publike the which you can neuer call home againe although you your selfe doe finde them false whereby also you haue made your selfe more vnable and vnwilling to reuoke them though they be proued so Much better therfore had it bene for you to haue left that Paper vnstained by your hand that should paint forth an vntruth and neuer haue set Pen to write but to the vnchangeable truth of God of which you neuer neede repent and whereof the Church of Christ is the piller Considering also how great a danger euery one doth fall into that is found to adde or diminish from or to the intent and purpose of the word of God I would therefore you had beene better aduised before you had published your bookes You thought your selfe as fully satisfied when you were of another minde You know or at the lest there be that know them that haue three foure nay fiue times changed their Religion that thought themselues as fully satisfied euery time as you thnike your selfe now what they are now some of them I wil not say And if euery man should publish bookes so often as they change their mind how many Religions then should spring from one man and he perhaps be author of so many sects what heapes of bookes are there at this day of seuerall opinions Make therfore no more matter for the fire there is straw and stubble enough already Speake truth for the day of burning is at hand And whatsoeuer you do looke to the maine leaue not the foundation as some haue done Hold fast the beginnings least you neuer come to the endes And I pray God deliuer you from the Curse of Sinai and her sonnes Hagars children And bring you all vnto the blessings of mount Sion and into the rest and freedome of her children euen Saraes sonnes and daughters Your friend I. H. ¶ The Contents of that which followeth 1 A Description of the heauenly Ierusalem with her priuiledges and of her stability and of her Commons and intercommoners 2 A veiw or search of Master Smiths Church with a discouery of the vnsoundnesse and Ruinousnes thereof 3 An examination of a principall answere of his wherevpon many of his other reasons doe depend against the Baptisme of Children and the confutation thereof with sufficient reasons and proofe for the lawfulnes of Baptizing them and that the Baptizing of Children cannot be the marke of the Beast 4 Of the Commonalty and Commons of Christians in generall and wherein specially they are to be distinguished and how the Commoners ought to carry themselues toward the little speciall ones and how the speciall do and ought to walke towards the Commoners 5 Of Christian libertie and of the lawfulnes of the Authority of Magistrates and how all subiects are bound to obey 6 Of Faith and Repentance 7 A Reprehension of Master Smith for his bold Challenge 8 An exhortation to him and his company 9 A short description of the contentions of these times 10 Of Sions Restauration the fall of her greatest enemy and of her euerlasting glory To Master IOHN SMITH and to the Companie with him at Amsterdam in Holland ANd least I runne into your fault and fall into the same daunger with you as of my selfe I haue no strength to stand more then you By the grace and assistance of my God I will take heede and though I haue not the skill of the learned Disputers of this world yet I hope the Spirit of Trueth will so direct me that I shall rather say I know not then set downe and affirme that for trueth which shall be found a lie This therefore I say and write not respecting what you haue said nor regarding your many Arguments to the contrarie That the Church which the Lord doth build consisteth of liuing stones 1. Peter 2. Mat. 16.18 And the gates of Hell shall not preuaile against that Church or any one of the stones thereof Reuel 20.6 but it shall stand and preuaile against Hell and the snares of the second death so that not one shall perish that is of this holy Temple For this Church of Christ and euery stone thereof 1. Pet. 2.4 7. is framed and fashioned from aboue he himselfe is the foundation and chiefe corner stone And all the stones of this building are his brethren reborne and made a new not in shew but in very trueth not for a time but for euer not one of them shall euer fall off They are all of them euerlasting as is their foundation whereon they rest and whose strength doeth stay them vp Matt. 16.19 Great priuiledges hath this Church aboue all other for to it hee hath giuen the keyes of the Kingdome of heauen to open and shut to binde and loose And where two or three of this vniuersall Church of Christ Matt. 18.18 20. consisting of stones of life are gathered together in his Name hee hath promised and will not faile to be in the midst of them And whatsoeuer they binde in earth is bound in heauen and whatsoeuer they loose on earth is loosed in heauen And where two of them shall agree in earth vpon any thing whatsoeuer yee shall desire it shall bee giuen you saith he of my Father which is in heauen This Church is one Ephe. 4.5 6. the Faith is one the Baptisme is also one and the same in euery stone thereof not on the skinne but in the heart Their Rocke is Christ that their one Lord he is the Prince of their Faith and Hope and his Father is their one God and Father alone who is aboue all and through all and in them all praised for euer Gal. 4.26 And this is Ierusalem from aboue which Saint Paul saith is the mother of vs all and is free And this and all of them are those little ones whom the Lord said whosoeuer shall offend It were better that a Milstone were hanged about his necke Matt. 18.6 and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea so precious in his sight are they all And whosoeuer shall giue but a cup
Father who is aboue all and through all and in them all And these are entred into the kingdome of heauen Rom. 14.17 which is not meate and drinke and apparrell but righteousnesse and peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Now let vs speake a little of the liberty and freedome of this kingdome This kingdome is free not in bondage but at liberty wheresoeuer she liueth in any kingdome or common-wealth and if the Magistracie thereof say eate they eate or drinke they drinke or put on they put on obserue and keepe touch or tast or handle or pay they obey If they forbid they also heare and forbeare both in these and all other things of the like nature And so are they obedient to all manner ordinances of man for the Lords sake against whose commandement else they should sinne Luk. 20.25 who saith Rom. 13.7 Giue vnto Caesar those things that are Caesars And there is no kingdome or state whatsoeuer where Christians are not in bondage if it bee a bondage to some of these And if there were which is vnpossible then were it left to their choise to take or leaue with moderation as please them as it is also vnder a gouernment where many things of the same nature are so left neither commanded nor forbidden And herein consisteth their liberty in that it toucheth not their conscience For whether they eate or eate not they sinne not for God requireth neither the one nor the other wherfore if we giue these things to Caesar we do wrong neither to God nor yet to our consciences but rather if we giue not being required as the Lord himselfe said in the like case Mat. 17.27 Pay it to them least wee offend And as Caesar must haue and be obeyed in whatsoeuer belongs to him so wee must giue vnto God whatsoeuer he requires and obey him in whatsoeuer he commands Now the greatest difficulty lieth in this to distinguish betweene the things of God and the things of Caesar that knowing them asunder we may the better know how wherein to obey both God and Caesar And herein by the grace of my God I will not say any thing for any respect in and of the world whatsoeuer but Gods truth and his Church seeing that I know it shal come to the tryal of such a touchstone which cannot erre Who will waigh it try it and condemne it if it be found corrupt or too light And although it be a common fault in men to respect the present and generall affection and the approbation of the most and greatest sway they as they will Yet insomuch as I know that God is in all times and seeth in al places be they neuer so secret and also that he hath eyes abroad that can see though many be blind and lyes goe as current as truth with many and seeing I know not onely this time but a better time shall try it I will therefore bee aduised and take heede what I say for assuredly there is no lye made by the cunningst inuenter of lyes whatsoeuer but shall once eyther sooner or later suffer death at the hands of truth And there is no stubble or straw whatsoeuer but shall bee consumed with the flame thereof Now let vs see first what are the things of God which doth belong to him And then we shall the easier see what are Caesars thinges that belong to him Iohn 4.23.34 The things of God are truth and spirit John 17.17 his truth is his word his worde is his law his law is of two sorts and therefore is called two Testaments Ioh. 4.23.24 17.17 The Testament and law of death and the Reuelation and Couenant of life All the Scriptures are true but all that is written therein is not the word of God For sometimes the holy Ghost sets downe the sinnes and practises of euill men Ier. 28. And sometimes he describeth vnto vs the lying wordes of the false prophets which when wee read we must not take it for the word of God but that it is true we must beleeue for they which wrote it could not erre therein and therefore truth it is but not the truth The word of God then and the truth we meane Is that which came from heauen whether that iust and holy law of commaundements which is called the minister of death because we could not fulfill it and therfore it could not giue vs life but the iust sentēce of death or that perfect law and testament of life Psal 19.7 which conuerteth soules I meane the Gospell which is in a more speciall and peculiar maner called the word of God then the law is or can be as where it saith Faith commeth by hearing Rom. 10.17 2. Pet. 1.19 and hearing by the worde of God And againe we haue a most sure worde of the Prophets vnto the which ye doe well that yee giue heed c. And in diuers other places both in the new and old Testament whereby nothing is meant by any meanes but the promise and word of life And therefore he saith Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy word thy word is the truth Now in these two Testaments is declared whatsoeuer God requireth eyther due to himselfe from vs whether it be faith or obedience And also our duetie to our neighbours of all sorts high and low good and bad and all the holy Prophesies Reuelations which came frō aboue and sacrifices and shadows whatsoeuer which 〈◊〉 scriptures do set forth vnto vs do tend to one or other of these two and both and all doe tend eyther to shew forth the riches of God in his bounty and mercy and the condition of those that turne obey his Gospell and loue his law or his seuerity and iustice in the condition of those that disobey both lawe and Gospell That the end of all might bee the glory of God and of our Lord Iesus Christ Now the speciall things of God that doe belong peculiarly to him alone are they that we must speake of His peculiar things are these first as from him we are gone astray and by his holy law pronounced dead so to him alone we must returne to seeke life for he alone can giue it vs In him alone we must beleeue and put our confidence to him alone wee must pray and hee onely must be our God and chiefe delight Him onely we must feare as God him only we must loue as God him onely wee must acknowledge for our Sauiour and Redeemer his commandements must be obeyed onely aboue all and hee onely worshipped with our whole spirits For he alone must haue our hearts and this is spirit ioyned with truth John 4.21 Neither this mountaine nor that doth hee require nor yet forbid what he commaundeth not Cesar may forbid what he forbiddeth not Cesar may command God requireth euery place alike Cesar may commaund a place for the publike so he doe forbid none in priuate God requireth
a true Israelite So likewise in this new time there is the Baptisme of the skinne and the Baptisme of the heart but the Baptisme of the heart is the onely chiefe baptisme 1. Cor. 12.13 and they that are so baptised are the onely true Christians and Israel of God and is but one and the same for euer In comparison whereof that which is but outward on the skinne is none at all And tell mee Master Smith are not these thinges true indeede dare you to resist and gain-say them do you not know that which is of God shall stand Act. 5.38.39 and that which is of men shall fall and come to nought Take heede therefore least ye be found a fighter against God But you may say to me thou art a sinfull wretch and if I write against thee I write but against a wretched one It is true indeede and therefore vnworthy I am to write or speake of these holy things And as for me spare me not for my sinnes but yet let the truth goe free for the Lords sake whose it is and for his childrens sake to whom it may come and for your owne sake least you die Obiection But some will say perhaps Master Smith is too wise I trow to fight with or to yeelde to such a foole that hath not one maior or minor but all minimes too too little for his great capacity Alacke Master Smith regards it not he scarse looked on it it is so meane he will not file his hands to answer such a clownish discourse that hath not one artificiall argument in it and so void of learning that it hath not so much as method but plaine like the plough Alacke Master Smiths bringing vp hath not beene so Swineheard and Shepheard like He is a Scholler of no small reading and well seene and experienced in Arts. If hee thought his answere to Master Clifton would be the lesse esteemed for that hee is helde a weake man but that his allegations and reasons are the best plea of the greatest Rabbies themselues Thinke not that he will weaken his cause to answere thee If it were any of the Rabbies of England or any other harlot whatsoeuer you should see then what he would say to it for although Master Smith doe publish answeres to Master Clifton one of the separation on Master Iohnsons side chalenging them especially to the combat yet he proclaimeth saying Be it knowne to all the separation that wee account them in respect of their constitution to be as very an harlot as either her mother England or her grandmother Rome out of whose loines she came Answere As her Mother England whose sonne is Master Smith if one might aske where was hee borne and where had he his education and bringing vp In England yea in England Is this a kind sonne to vse his mother thus not onely to runne away from her like his followe brethren against whom also he doth protest but to raile against her so Is this your Logick sir was this your bringing vp hath Art caused you so much to forget Nature If not grace yet mee thinkes the light of nature should haue taught you better If you had beene borne in America or in Rome it selfe very nature might haue perswaded you that some might bee there that had rather die then worship diuels or bowe to Baal Much more in England though you be runne out for feare tell mee whether can any man runne in all the world to mend himselfe at this day And although your mother England hath too many disobedient and froward children yet if you had beene a Naturall sonne you would haue stayed at home and if you had receiued a greater light then the rest of your brethren Loue would haue forced you to haue laide downe your life for them rather then they should haue beene vntaught therein considering also what great hope is to bee conceiued of England aboue any one Nation in the world and not to leaue them in the darke and cry out a harlot a harlot no Church visible nor Christian to be seene no faith but the faith of diuels no Baptisme but the marke of the beaste no Church to bee seene in the world but I Iohn Smith and my Company Is this your shamelesse voice Dare you be so bold to set vp a flag of defiance against the City of God Be it knowne vnto you that the least Citizen thereof is able to meete both you and all your company in the field and through the strength of the Lord thereof without either bow or shield euen by the word of his mouth put you all to flight And for all your great bragges and flagges Bee it knowne vnto you and vnto all the world this day That his holy Citie is in England euen Ierusalem that is from aboue and although she hath many yea and too many entercommoners yet she hath free Denisons who pertake of her priuiledges whose feete walke in our streetes though the world regard it not and if ye will not beleeue me wipe but your eyes with Sackecloth and come and see and if you will doe neither answere in the field and although heere bee neither Art nor learning and therefore you know not how to frame your pen to stoope so low Remember where once you were from whence you came know that reason brought forth Art and therefore was before Let Art then beeing the daughter although shee be so high looke downe a little to her mother and let both and all and euery creature bend and yeeld vnto the word of the Lord which shall endure for euer And although it be none of the Rabbies but one of the vnlearned babies yet meete him seeing hee doth accept the challenge but looke well to your forehead for all your Artificiall Armes and skill to vse them for little Dauid beeing a keeper of sheepe though he knew not how to stir himselfe in such like armor yet comming in the name of the God of Israel from the sheepe with his sling and a stone stroake Goliah so deadly that hee fell downe and with his owne sword cut of his head wherefore looke vnto it it is dangerous striuing with trueth for although Kings be strong and Wine is strong and Women are stronger then either of both who beare Kings and the planters of Vines and all Masters of Artes and sciences whatsoeuer yet truth is stronger then all and all must bend and bow and yeeld to her least they die at the point thereof And though it come out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings yet it is stronger then Goliah withall his forces Not that I despise learning but reuerence it and doe acknowledge my selfe to be vnworthy thereof but only this It must not be so proud to thinke that trueth should learne of it or to thinke that reason must not rule it and if Art should thinke for it is like Nature very blind that truth and reason could ouershoot it selfe yet were
of cold water to any one of the lest of these Marke 9.41 in my Name saith the Lord shall not leese his reward but shall haue eternall life As it is written Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world For I was an hungrie and you gaue me meate I was a thirst and you gaue me drinke c. Yee did it to these saith he if but to the least of these my brethren yee did it to me Mat. 25.34 35 36. And againe Whosoeuer receiueth one of the least of these little ones in my Name saith the Lord receiueth me and with me him that sent me O happie man therefore that can perceiue and doe these things But hee that despiseth you despiseth me and him that sent me And this is it which Iohn meaneth He that saith he is in that light 1. John 2.9 and hateth his brother is in darkenes vntill this time But he which loueth his brother abideth in that light and there is none occasion of euill in him And againe Hereby we know that we are translated from death to life because we loue the brethren 1. Iohn 3.16 meaning the Lords brethren the little Sheepe to whom he will say Come yee blessed inherit the Kingdome for euer These loue their enemies Matt. 5.44 If they hunger they feede them if they thirst they giue them drinke if they curse they blesse if they persecute they pray and weepe for them And these are the light of the world Matt. 5.14 15. the Candle on a Candlesticke the Citie set vpon a Hill whereof Dauid spake when he said Glorious things are spoken of thee Psal 87.3 thou Citie of God and this if one will he may visibly see for a Citie set vpon a hil cannot bee inuisible And to this alone is power giuen to binde and loose Ioh. 20.23 to remit and to retaine sinnes euen to these I meane are these Keyes giuen whom God approueth and will approue for euer Indeede many are called but these are they that are chosen these loue one another and thereby doe they know each other to bee borne of God and to be loued of God and that they doe loue God I say for that they loue those that are borne of God 1. Iohn 2.5 As it is written Hereby we know that yee are in him And this is the kingdome which the Lord saith Iohn 3.3 No man can see but he that is borne againe And this is that house of Leui 1. Peter 29. Hebrew 12.23 that royall Priesthood spoken of the peculiar people the congregation of the first borne who are all written in heauen The chosen generation and people set at libertie If you will receiue it Mat. 18.4 Reuel 3.12 these are they that haue the preheminence these are all the Priests of God and serue in his Temple for euer These he hath made pillars in his house and shall goe no more out these are blessed and holy and haue al their parts in the first resurrection and shall not be hurt in the second death These are they that are risen with Christ Reuel 20.6 Reuel 2.11 and seeke those things which are aboue who are dead to sinne and crucified to this world these are they that haue ouercome the world and haue receiued the white stone and the new name of the Lord. And this is the little flocke to whom he saith Luke 12.32 Be of good cheere for it is your fathers pleasure to giue you a kingdome And this alone is that Citie of God Reuel 3.11 which onely is named the new Ierusalem and these are the Citizens and of these the scripture meanes which saith Where two or three be gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And behold I am with you saith he vnto the end of the world But perhaps you will say if this bee the Church of Christ which you haue here described Obiection to whome the Keyes of the Kingdome of heauen and all those titles and priuiledges doe onely belong then was there neuer such a Church in the world in one fellowship congregated and constituted by baptisme pertaking together in the Lords supper and all other exercises of Religion consisting onely of such vnmoueable stones as you speake of For with the Lord himselfe and with his eleuen Apostles one was who did prooue a diuell And many also were with Christ before and were Baptised which fell away and afterwards with his Apostles also which fell away and were offended It is true indeed but what saith it Answere Ioh. 2.19 If they had bin of vs they would haue continued with vs but of that Church they neuer were that hath the preheminence and vnto whom those excellent titles and treasures of God doth belong for although they did partake with them in receiuing the word and beleeuing the truth thereof and of the elementish Baptisme and the signes of the Lords bodie and blood and all other such like common things yet were they neuer baptised in heart returned and became as little children neither yet did euer eat his flesh and drinke his blood Mat 18.3 truly and indeed by faith for want wherof they could neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen nor yet had euer life in them as it is written And therefore of that Church and kingdome they neuer were Iohn 6.53 nor yet did euer partake with them in their peculiar things nor neuer came into their courts of rest nor Citie of peace But to the returned little ones doe all those great things belong those excellent priuiledges euen to them that eate his flesh Iohn 6.54 and drinke his blood who haue all of them eternall life abiding in them whom the Lord Iesus will raise vp at the last day as he himselfe saith But how then did that Church iudge of them Question you will say while they were with them did they not beleeue that they were returned and did they not accompt of them as they did of those that were returned and borne againe that had eaten Christs flesh and drunke his blood vnto eternall life seeing they were baptised with them and did eate the same bread and drinke the same wine with them also did they not iustifie them and approue of them as of the rest That Church did neuer so approue of them Answere they were neuer so blind and desperatly bold as your Master Smith to iustifie and approoue of those whom God doth condemne they are not so rash as you and your Church to affirme they know not what They are better aduised and better taught then so That Church kingdome which we speake of was neuer so deceiued in her entercōmoners to account and approue them as borne againe because they did partake with her children in all these common things But she and her children iudged alwayes the truth of them and neuer were deceiued
concerning them They receiued the word with ioy and gladnesse Mat. 13.20 Acts 2.41 Luke 9 62. They tooke the Plough by the hand indeed The foule spirit was gone the Sowe was washt the blade sprung vp These things the Church did see and know was true in them and so farre it did approoue of them did yeeld vnto them the common things and were of one accord therein together The Church stones of life looked for fruit from them but fruit they neuer saw They hoped the best till they saw the worst They knew not the tree but by the fruit and that not till it had brought forth either good or bad But by their fruit they do know them as it is written Doe men gather Grapes of Thornes or Figges of Thistles can a good tree bring foorth bad fruit or a bad tree good fruit no not possible A good tree cannot bring foorth euill fruit Mat. 7.16.17.18.19.20 neither can a bad tree bring foorth good fruit euery tree that bringeth not foorth good fruit is hewen downe and cast into the fire The Scripture doth neuer any where teach or speake like your Master Smith That euill trees may be knowen to be good trees by bearing of good fruit and yet be cut downe and cast into hell fire for bearing of euill fruit for you say that a tree which shall be hewen downe one that may fall away doth bring forth as good fruit as the good tree or good ground doth and that there can no difference be discerned by their fruits between them contrary to the Scripture which saith to the children of the kingdome Mat. 12.33 Yee shall know them by their fruits Meaning the good trees by the good fruit which they bring foorth from the trees that bring not foorth good fruit and from the euill trees which bring foorth euill fruite And as they knowe certainely the good tree by his good fruit and the euill tree by his euill fruit so they doe also know that those trees which growe in the Lords field Luke 13.6.7.8 standing as branches in the vine Iohn 15.2 and bring not foorth good fruit are accursed like the figge tree Mat. 21.19 Mat. 3.10 must be hewen downe with the euill trees and cast into euerlasting fire But perhaps you will say Obiection these trees cannot be so distinguish't and knowne till the end for the Lord saith Mat. 24.13 He that endureth to the end shall be saued And the righteous man may fall from his righteousnesse as testifieth the Prophet and die Eze. 18.24.26.27 And the vnrighteous man turne from his vnrighteousnesse and liue So that there can be no such certainty as you speake of vntill the end Heere I would first know of you Answere what ende you thinke the Lord doth meane whether the end of the world or the end of their life in the flesh If you mean the end of the world then Moses Elias the Prophets and Apostles might yet perish for to that ende they are not yet come But they are and shall bee saued therefore that end it cannot be what then the ende of their life in the flesh that end is it which you intend I dare say Then indeed there is no certainty in this world to be had till the houre of death then is the Doctrine of your fellowes the Dutch Anabaptists true who affirme that the most righteous man lustified and borne againe from aboue may fal away and perish at any time euen till his last howre then should mans saluation depend vpon his last gaspe Then no man can reioyce that his name is written in the Booke life till he be dead or else they may haue their names blotted out againe after they be written therein as indeede they doe affirme But man may be certainely assured of reconciliation with God Rom. 1.38.30 and that his name is written in the booke of life and sealed there by an indelible couenant before the moment or houre or day of his death therefore that end it cannot be But stay Obiection may not the righteous man fall from his righteousnes then Such righteous men as I told you of before Answere may fall from their righteousnesse Euill Trees and euill ground which neuer brought foorth good fruit As from some the foules of the Aire catch away the seed that is sowne in their harts and they fall away Mat. 13.19.20.21.22 some by persecution are offended some the cares of this world doe choake And so the righteous man doth fall from his righteousnesse The washed sow is turned to wallow in the mire againe 2. Pe. 20.2 The dogge to his vomit againe He that tooke the Plough by the hand hath looked behind him and is made vnmeete for the kingdome of heauen for euer The vncleane spirit that was cast out Mat. 12.45 is returned with seauen worse then himselfe and re-entereth the house swept and the ende of this man is worse then his beginning It had beene better for him that he had neuerknowne the way of truth his condition was better before hee tooke the Plough in hand then it is now in this end of his wherein he hath giuen it ouer turned backe entertained his euill companion againe with seauen more worse then he Question But what is then the end which whosoeuer endureth vnto and doth attaine shall be saued The end therefore is the fruit as reaping is the end of Ploughing Answere And as wee looke for fruite after wee haue sowne our Corne in the earth So doth the Lord looke for fruit of the seede he hath sowne in vs. Such fruite as whosoeuer bringeth forth shall neuer be hewen downe and giuen to the burning fire But is like the tree planted by the riuer side Psal 1.3 which bringeth forth his fruit in due season whose leafe shall not fade And this is the plantation of God and these are his trees and the branches of his owne Vine Christ Iesues and euery branch that berareth fruit in him hee purgeth like a good husbandman Ioh. 15.1.2 that it may bring forth more fruit And if you aske what fruit that is I tolde you before yet if you will haue it againe It is Loue euen that new commaundement the perfection which the Lord commaundeth Mat. 5.48 saying Be ye perfect as your heauenly Father is perfect It is the first resurrection which whosoeuer attaineth is blessed holy for euer They that attaine to this end are blessed in their life Deut. 28.3.45.6 Mat. 9.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11 and blessed at their houre of death and blessed at the end of the world and blessed for euermore These righteous men neuer fall from their righteousnes their names are neuer rased out of die booke of life Mat. 18.14 but vnrighteous men may turne to their righteousnes And therfore these righteous men encourage all exhorte all hope all things endure all things forbeare and are gentle vnto all 1.
Cor. 13.4.5.6.7.8 And waite with patience laboring to see it by any means they will bring forth fruit euen the fruit of the good tree The good fruitwhich when they see they do reioice imbrace them knowing thereby that they are borne of God their owne father as Children of that holy Church Ierusalem their mother purged and purchased through his eternall Testament in the bloud of that one Lord the Lambe 1. John 3.14 to be an holy habitation to himselfe for euer And here is no loue lost betweene these brethren such loue betweene them as neuer was betweene earthly brethren As the stocke they came of in their new generation doth excell in glory inriches in power 1. Iohn 5.1 in wisedome in bounty in mercy and loue all Fathers and Mothers in nature be they neuer so high in place of this world euen that they can giue Kingdomes and thousand thousands of Gold and Treasure to their Children and possesse them of all the pleasures that the world can afford and with all the signes of loue that nature can expresse I say as the great God of Heauen doth excell the greatest that euer was on earth And as his loue is infinite beyond theirs and his abilitie also to performe the same So doe the gifts the signes and seales of his loue excell theirs And as his children doe come of a more noble stocke then theirs and are more honourablie descended euery way So doe they excell in loue ten thousand degrees for ehey loue for other and greater respects And as loue was the beginning and cause of this happinesse 1. Iohn 4.19 euen the loue of the eternall God as the Scriptures witnesse So loue is the end of their conuersation Heb. 13.8 in and through Iesus Christ yesterday to day and the same for euer This is that name so secretly written vpon them that no man can Reade or know it but they alone which haue it Reuel 3.12 and vpon them onely is his Name written New Ierusalem as it is written Him that ouercommeth will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God And he shall goe no more out And I will write vpon him the name of my God and the name of the Citie of my God euen the newe Ierusalem which commeth downe from heauen from my God And my new name And this is the ende which whosoeuer endureth vnto is faithfull to the death and shall receiue the Crowne of life Many false Prophets shall arise and deceiue many Mat. 24.11.12.13 and because iniquitie shall abound the loue of many shall bee cold but he that endureth to the end euen this true and perfect loue the contrarie to iniquitie and to loue that is cold he shall be saued And this is the Baptisme of the holy Ghost and fire Matth. 3.11 euen the fire of Gods loue the coals wherof are fiery coales and a burning flame which much water cannot quench neither the flouds drowne But it breaketh foorth and returneth such a loue to his God and Father â—an 8.7 and to his Lord and redeemer as no man knoweth but he that hath it And such a loue to his fathers Children those little ones his and his Lords brethren as they neuer know nor shall know who are neuer borne againe Yea he returneth loue to al men euen to his enemies Prou. 21.22 Rom. 12.20 21. Psal 15.2 4. If he hunger or thirst he feedes and giues them drink and so heapes coales of this fire vpon his head Hee speaketh the truth from his hart and with his tongue vseth no deceit Hee esteemeth not himselfe but is vile in his owne eyes Hee enuieth not 1 Cor. 13.4 5 6. The Sunne goes not downe vpon his anger Hee reioyceth not in iniquitie but alwayes in the trueth and in doing good to others Loue seeketh not her owne And are not these fruits which may distinguish betweene the good tree and the bad These fruites those righteous men neuer brought foorth which fell away Heb. 3.14 Their blade was neuer like this fruit Their beginnings were neuer like these endings Those first were neuer like these last Matth. 22.14 which are the first euen the first borne For many are called but fewe chosen And this is Ierusalem that poore little sweete holy Citie Reuel 11 2. which hath bene troden vnder feete of those heathen Gentile Courtiers and outside Christians not worth the measuring these many hundred yeres And this is the Hill which once stood vp aboue the Hils whose light did shine from East to West Rom. 1.8 euen to the worlds end To it the Nations flocke to heare and see the things that were of her so famous throgh the world To whom shee cried saying Come whosoeuer will and take of the water of life freely Reuel 22.17 whereat many reioyced beleeued and were Baptised Of which some were made pet takers of her peculiar things And were not onely beleeuers of the trueth and Baptised with the Baptisme which thereunto belonged but were Baptised in heart broken and dissolued into a thousand teares And beleeued in him who also Baptised them with the holy Ghost and fire The other hard and vnbaptised in heart refusing that graceso freely offered them Iudging the common Faith and Baptisme which they had receiued sufficient to serue their turne Supposing that one Talent safely kept would stand them enough insteede when the day of account should come despised the little ones that were borne and Baptised from aboue Acts 20.29 And thus began the mysterie of iniquitie to worke and grew vp in time aboue the Hill of God and like Wolues spared not his flocke tooke possession indeede of the outward Court gathered strength got a head And trode downe that liberall free Citie the true mother and nurse to the Lords lambes and babes This head of theirs is that great Antichrist Reuel 13.1 that beast which rose out of the sea with seuen heads and ten hornes who hath reigned now twelue hundreth and three yeeres and yet still reigneth and shall till seuen and fiftie moe be come And then his dayes his times Reuel 11.3 moneths and yeeres shall be accomplisht euen one thousand two hundred and sixtie and his Crownes puld from his head his Citie burnt with fire and vpon that woman which saith I sit being a Queene am no widow and shall see no mourning shall come shame and confusion howling and crying and vtter desolation euen she which now calleth her selfe by the name of the true mother and like an harlot challengeth the husband of the true spouse to bee hers Mat. 23.35 And these are the ofspring of Caine the race and line of those Pharasies at whose hands the Lord said should be required the blood of all the Prophets from righteous Abell to Zacharias yea these are all one house with them And so are all the assemblies and congregations in the world be they neuer so cleane without doing
They were strict in all small common things but the weightie matters they left vndone mercy and iudgement they ought to haue looked into 1. â—win 11.31 Mat. 5.7 which proueth men blessed as it is written If you would iudge your selues you should not be iudged And blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtaine mercy But you say Obiection A man may be borne againe to you though he be not borne againe to God for we iudge as farre as we see by his fruits If we iudge him worthy of baptisme he is then borne againe to me you say I pray you is there one new birth to you Answere and another to God will ye haue a man borne againe and againe will ye haue two regenerations one to you and another to God one essentiall another in shew Ioh. 3.3 The Lord saith Except a man be borne againe meaning once of water and the holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Not twice once to you and once to God But you iudge as far you see you say but why iudge you farther then you see tell me that For you say without exception that all those whom you haue rebaptised are reborne of repentance and of the holy Ghost Mat. 3.11 according to the meaning of the Scriptures And yet you say that some of these may fall away and perish for euer Is it possible that a man may bee borne of God and perish for euer It is as possible the word of God should perish which saith blessed and holy are they that haue their parts in the first resurrection for they shall not be hurt of the second death Reu. 20.6 I beleeue that some of those whom you affirme borne againe shall perish for you affirme you know not what If ye were guided by God and his trueth which is his word you would not affirme any man to be borne of God except ye were sure of it verily nor yet deny any to be borne of God except ye were as sure they are not But you boldly affirme some to be borne againe which are not and as boldly denie many that are in that you iustifie your selues and exclude all others from beeing to you borne againe Wisedome if you had harkened vnto her Pro. 2.4.5.6.7.8.9 would haue taught you to haue iudged better For she giueth great vnderstanding to her children both sound and sure They doe not iustifie that which shee condemneth nor condemne that which shee iustifieth Neither dare her children condemne though shee condemne except she reueale it vnto them nor yet iustifie though she iustifie except shee declare it vnto them But if she reueale it then they dare speake Joh. 20.23 Mat. 18.18 and what they say is done what they bind is bound and what they loose is loosed But this error of yours doth arise from this false ground which you haue laid namely that no one may be baptised that is not first a new creature reborne of the spirit and sealed therewith vpon which ground also do almost all your other errors depend but I think it is sufficiently proued already that baptisme hath beene administred by Christ and his Apostles to many Disciples who were not born again yet because I will make it more plaine I will set downe some more examples for that purpose It is written Act. 20.41 As many as gladly receiued the word were baptised It is written againe the thornie ground receiued the word with ioy therefore the thornie ground was baptised It is euident also that the stonie ground was baptised Mat. 13. All these were or might be baptised and the high-way-side also for they both receiued the word in their hart And who is not glad of that which he receiueth in his heart And it is cleere as day but that men will be so wilfully blind that people were baptised presently as soone as they did beleeue and receiue the word to be a truth without any further testimonie of other fruits as appeareth by the Iayler Act. 16.33 who was presently baptised with all that did belong vnto him And who is so blind so much as to thinke that they were all instantly borne againe but he that neuer knew what it is to be borne againe I dare boldly say here are ten thousand in England that doe beleeue more Acts. 8.13 then the most of the Iaylers houshold did beleeue And what did Simon Magus beleeue more then the Gospell to bee truth and many thousand moe that were baptised by the Apostles themselues Actes 2. But if you did vnderstand one thing which was done by the Apostles you should easily bee deliuered of this error And that is this There was a second supplie made by the Apostles after the first preaching of the Gospel and baptising them whereby they were refined and purified such of them as in whom the first seed of the word tooke deepe root as appeareth by Peter and the Church of Samaria who were baptised of the holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands of the Apostle after they had beleeued and were baptised by Philip. Actes 8.17 Others also that came to the Apostles who had beleeued and beene baptised were afterwards baptised of the holy Ghost in the name of Iesus Actes 19.5 6. And this is it which the Scripture intendeth which saith Mark 16.16 whosoeuer beleeueth and is baptised shall be saued meaning by baptisme there the baptisme of repentance and of the holy Ghost As if the Lord had saide whosoeuer beleeueth the truth of the Gospel and is regenerate shall be saued Baptisme cannot be vnderstood in that place of earthly water for then Simon Magus must needes be saued for he beleeued and was Baptised with that water And also another time there came Certaine Disciples to the Lord asking him who shouldbe the greatest in the Kingdome of heauen The Lord answered them to this effect Doe you come to aske me who is the greatest in the kingdome of heauen Matth. 18. and your selues are not so much as entred into it yet Meaning by the kingdome of heauen that little spirituall house whose vessels are all of gold and siluer where is ioy in the holy Ghost and great rest and peace not that great house which is before described for in that house they were already The Lord takes a little child and sets in the middest of them I tell you saith he though you doe beleeue the truth of my word and are baptised and be my Disciples yet except you become conuerted and reborne as this little child you shall not so much as enter into that kingdome of heauen wherein I bestow my secrets and greatest treasure Whereby it is euident as also by the other examples and many moe that might be shewed to this purpose that many did beleeue and were baptised before they were returned and became as little children contrary to your false ground Master Smith whereon dependeth the whole frame of
ought to learne to be baptised in heart be mercifull to all and bountifull as God is bountifull who giueth his sunne to shine vnto the good and the bad and the raine of his worde to fall vpon the iust and vniust To teach you and me and all of vs what we should doe The spirit saith Reuel 22.17 whosoeuer wil let him come Take you heed adde not to nor diminish from his word giue to all that come whatsoeuer you haue power to giue Christ gaue a greater thing to little children laying his owne handes vpon them seeing their parents came so willingly requested him them parents can now looke for at the hands of baptisme when they come bringing their children and request it Imbrace little children therefore and though you cannot giue them the greater giue them the lesser Did the Lord compare his little returned ones to a little child and dare you compare that child to a stone and a stocke a tree a mad man and a foole and say it is as lawfull to baptise the one as the other If you had liued in the Apostles daies had bin one of them you wold haue bin glad if the Iewes or heathen had come to you with willing minds to haue their children baptised to this end that they might loose the name of a Iew or heathen and be called a Christian But now it is so stale it stinckes with you Master Smith you are so bewitcht with this opinion that baptisme with water doth giue an entrance into the speciall kingdome of Heauen Mat. 18. which the Lord speaketh of when he saith Except ye returne and become as little children yee shal not enter into the kingdome of heauen that you runne into a hundred errors Iohn 3.5 Whereas regeneration onely is the entrance into that kingdome of heauen where into none come but such as shall bee saued And whereas baptisme of water giues but an entrance into the common Kingdome of heauen Mat. 13.47 compared to a net which catcheth fish of all sorts good and bad Mat. 5.45 and the bad haue as much grace conferred vnto them by that baptisme as the good Mat. 7.22 as they haue of his Sunne and raine for the bad are oftentimes more ful of knowledge by the light and can discourse more redily vpon the word of God then the good Paul may plant and Apollo may water but it is God by the Spirit of regeneration 1. Cor. 3.6 that giues the increase Are you Master Smith and your company the children of wisedome and discerne ye not neither do ye iustifie these things Are you a teacher in Israell and know not what it is to be borne againe Are ye those wise and prudent men of vnderstanding from whom these things are hidden that are reuealed vnto babes Is it not giuen to you to know the secrets of the kingdome of heauen what hath God forgot himselfe Mat. 11.25 Mat. 13.11 are you that Ierusalem from aboue and are these things hidden from you doth he not giue to his little ones great things Is hee not the same to day that hee was yesterday and shall he not be the same to morrow againe Yea hee is the same for euer and beholde I am with you saith he vnto the worlds end Mat. 28.20 John 14.16 Mat. 5.18 though Heauen and earth doe passe away yet his word shall not passe away vnfulfilled Beleeue ye not this I know ye beleeue it And I hope better of you though I so speake for God hath enlarged my heart and opened my mouth vnto you which putteth me in great hope that you are of that remnant which shall be saued But yet a little further for I haue somewhat more to say vnto you which is hard to be vttered because I say ye are dull of hearing and because it would take vp much time to set downe all wherein you misse and also it being a course wherin I take no pleasure I wil rather set downe what is the truth then tell of your falshood that by the grace of God beleeuing the one we may escape the other Now if you will know what difference there is yet more betweene the true Spouse and Church of Christ which he doth build himselfe against which the gates of hell shal not preuaile nor yet the second death to whom he hath giuen the keyes of the kingdome of heauen and those her entercommoners I will tell you First let vs consider how things were in the Apostles dayes on earth for then I am sure truth was in place and practise both and I wil not labour to make it agree with these weake times but much rather labour and desire that we which liue in these corrupt times might agree with and become like it I say whosoeuer then gladly receiued the word as it is written were baptised Heb. 3.1 and were called of the Apostles generally by the names of holy brethren partakers of the heauenly vocation c. Insomuch as they were made partakers of the holy Ghost and consented to that heauenly calling Heb. 6.4.5 6 Heb. 10,29 being enlightened tasting of that heauenly gift were called holy in regard of these good beginnings which was wrought in them whereby their olde life was reformed And therefore the Lord compareth them that receiue the seed of his word some to the high way side some to stonie ground and some to thornie ground some to good ground which brought forth fruite Insomuch as they were sanctified and purged of some vncleannesse of spirit wherefore they are said by the Lord to be swept and garnished and by Peter said to be washed and to the Hebrewes sanctified and all this is wrought in them by the ministration of the good word of God which they had tasted of and by the operation of the holy Ghost whereof they were made partakers whereby also some of them wrought miracles and some cast out diuels Now these things are all cōmon Except the good fruite as well to those vncircumcised in heart the vnregenerate As to the circumcised in heart the little ones borne againe And although these things be effected by the Ministerie of the word and of the holy Ghost and do tend to his kingdome for the Lord doth nothing against his owne kingdome any more then Sathan doth worke against his kingdome yet it is not regeneration Mat. 1◠26. Ioh. 3,5 the birth of water and the holy Ghost spoken of nor yet the first resurrection And though this sowing of the word of the Lord and these effects of the spirit do tend to the kingdom yet is it not sowen in the high wayes nor in the stonie ground nor in the thornie ground to the end it should bring forth fruit like the good ground Thirty sixty and a hundred fold And although these foure sorts of ground are Communicants in these commons together and little difference can be discerned betweene them by these first
Angels stand alwaies beholding my Fathers face who is in heauen Nay Ver. 3 except ye returne saith the Lord to those Disciples who would so faine know who should be the greatest and become as little children ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen But whosoeuer is become humble as a little childe Ver. 4 they are the greatest in the kingdome of heauen they are the chiefest and they haue the preheminence aboue all other in Gods treasures After this the Lord speaketh to the little ones Ver. 15 and saith If thy brother trespasse against thee thou shalt tell him his fault c. But before I proceed in the words of our Lord which followeth About the meaning whereof there is so great difference and strife at this day which hath caused great diuision and enuie And because it being a matter of great moment and very necessary at this day to be known wee will labour the more diligently by Gods assistance to dissolue the doubts and to bring the truth to light that by this meanes the wandring thoughts of those fled and disperst abroad might be reclaimed and brought home And our contentious spirits at home also better informed that we may haue a more spirituall peacefull and heauenly proceeding encrease frō good beginnings to most happy ends the which I make no doubt of if they will but vouchsafe to learne at the hands of trueth To this end 1. Ioh. 16.17.18 verse of the last Chapter we will first see what S. Iohn meaneth and then come to our Lords words If any man see his brother sinne a sinne that is not vnto death let him aske and he shall giue him life for them that sinne not vnto death There is a sinne vnto death I say not that ye should pray for it All vnrighteousnesse is sinne but there is a sinne not vnto death We know that whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that wicked one toucheth him not As if hee should say Verse 16 If any man that is borne of God see any one of these brethren that are not yet borne againe sinne against the light or those that walke in the light so it be not in that depth as that it reacheth vnto death let him that is born of God knowing it aske of God and he will giue him life for them that sin not to death There is a sin vnto death that some of those that are vnborne of God doe commit not to bee prayed for that is a sinne so malitiously committed and with knowledge against the light and with so bitter and enuious a spirit against those also that walke in it that he could withall his heart Psal 59.5 1. Iohn 3.12 serue him as Caine did his brother because his owne workes are euill and his brothers good And this sinne is not to be prayed for and may bee discerned by them which are borne of God from the other or else how could they tell for whome they ought to pray and for whome not All vnrighteousnes is sinne and all sinne is included vnder the name of vnrighteousnesse some of which 1. Iohn 1.8 all those that are borne of God are guilty of dayly and shall be so long as they liue 2. Cor. 5.1.2 in this earthly Tabernacle for which they sigh and mourne longing for this deliuerance But there is a sinne not vnto death which none of these that are borne of God do commit as he affirmeth in the next words We know faith he whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not that is sinneth not neither that sinne vnto death nor yet the sinne not vnto death before mentioned but he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that wicked one toucheth him not that is through the spirit of Christ 2. Cor. 1.22 that sealeth that holy seede the word of faith to his heart whereby hee ouer commeth the world and that wicked spirit can take no place in him Now let vs returne to the wordes and mind of our Sauiour now that we perceiue the meaning of his seruant Iohn being all one and the same case and see what our Lord doth meane proceeding where wee left Moreouer if thy brother trespas against thee thou shalt tell him his fault betweene thee and him alone c. The Lord hauing from the beginning of the second verse of this Chapter to the end of the foureteenth verse of the same applyed his speeches Mat. 18. altogether to those vnregenerate Disciples and brethren giuing them to vnderstand how necessary it is that they should conuert and that to the conuerted little ones the great things doe belong and to receiue one of them in his name is to receiue him charging them with great threatnings to take heed that they offend not one of those little ones shewing them how vnrecouerable a sinne it is he pronounceth a woe vpon the committers thereof And that as a man cast into the sea verse 7 with a mil-stone about his necke cannot possibly returne againe so and more vnpossible it is for any one to returne that falles into this gulfe And telling them also what great priuiledges they had how their Messengers haue accesse into the presence of his father and beholde his face in heauen and how that his wil is that not one of these little ones should perish I say the Lord hauing aduised and charged the vnreturned ones thus verse 15 1. Iohn 2.10 doth now turne his speech vnto the little ones borne of God in whome is no occasion of euill as Saint Iohn saith shewing them how they ought to walke toward those vnreturned bretheren If thy brother trespas against thee c. Here we must consider before we proceed any further what trespasses these are and to this ende let vs looke backe to that which hath beene said from Saint Iohns words As there is a sinne vnto death 1. Iohn 5.16 not to be prayed for nor yet to be admonisht of being knowne for that man which they know they may not pray for they doe as well know it is in vaine to admonish So there is a finne not vnto death verse 17 which when they see any of the vnreturned brethren commit eyther against the light or against any of them for the light and Gospells sake that may be both prayed for and they admonisht of by them as it is written blesse them that curse you pray for them Leuit. 6.28 which persecute you as for him that sinneth wittingly and willingly against the light and the obeyers therof for the light and Gospels sake after he hath knowne the truth of the same Heb. 10.26 there doth remaine no more sacrifice of sinne c. Of whome one saith Psal 59.5 praying against the wicked Bee not mercifull to them that transgresse maliciously So to him that sinneth or trespasseth vnwittingly though willingly against the light and them that walke in it as many often
truth for it is sharper then any two edged sword Take heede therefore and marke well the thinges that are heere written vnto you and search the Scriptures whether they be so or no for they are GODS witnesses and they tell the truth what euer man saies and I pray you take heede you mistake not the Lord for his word is a mistery especially these things which are called the secrets of the kingdome of heauen And beware that you affirme not any thing which he hath not said nor meant nor gain-say or diminish any thing from his intent and howsoeuer ye haue failed therein already yet considering as I perswade my selfe you are not of those louers and makers of lies for I hope farre better things of you M. Smith Reu. 22.15 and therefore that we may vnderstand the Lord and see his secrets euen the secrets of his kingdome Let vs intreate him with broken and humble hearts for the spirit of trueth that holy annointing which is true and not lying that as it doth teach vs euen so we may abide in him and so let vs write and speake Let vs annoint our eyes with eye salue that we may see euen with the water of a dissolued broken heart and we shall see better things then forme and fashion That we may discerne betweene those that haue but the forme of godlinesse and them that haue the power thereof That wee may see and know those little ones whom to receiue is to receiue the Lord and to loue them whom to loue is to loue the Lord and to loue the Lord is life for euermore And this is that loue without the which all knowledge and all faith doth but make vs as sounding brasse and tinckling Cimballs For by this loue 1. Cor. 13.1 2 3. we shall know that we are translated from death to life and by this loue we shal approue our selues to the little ones to haue that one peculiar faith with them the assurance of the loue of God vnto vs in Christ Iesus and of our reconciliation with God through him And this is the faith which one speaketh of in a certaine place to one that would haue beene esteemed Iam. 2.18.19.20 and no doubt esteeming of himselfe too as if he had that speciall peculiar faith which only the Lords redeemed haue Shew me saith he thy faith by thy works and I will shew thee my faith by my workes Thou hast faith I graunt thee and dost beleeue but what that there is one God well yea and one Lord Iesus Christ also and one holy spirit and one faith and one baptisme yea and one Church purchased and sanctified by the bloud of the Lord Iesus Christ And dost thou beleeue all these things indeed thou dost well but I tell thee the diuell doth beleeue it also and doth tremble for one may haue faith though not that speciall faith nor yet the fruites that follow the same One may by faith cast out diuels and that in the name of Christ Iesus Mat. 7.22.23 and do many great wonders and yet a worker of iniquity What then Obiection doth not man liue by his faith alone doth works make his faith aliue Answere Man doth liue by his faith alone Heb. 10.38 Haba 2.4 yea the iust man and his faith doth make his works aliue as the branches of a Tree receiue their sappe and life from the roote But you will say Obiection what faith is this you meane are there many kindes of faith and the Scripture saith one faith one baptisme and so Answere The Scriptures meane one faith to life Ioh. 3.15 and one baptisme to life as it saith Whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not be confounded and that whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue eternall life And againe whosoeuer beleeueth and is baptised Mar. 16.16 shall be saued What then will you say is there a faith and baptisme which men may haue perish Yea for Iudas beleeued and was baptised Act. 8.13 Simon Magus beleeued and was baptised and many thousand more which yet shall be found the workers of iniquity Obiection You will say then what faith is that that you meane may it be distinguisht from the other It may But first Answer I will tell you what I take the word faith to meane as it is wrought in men in generall respecting God It is an vndoubted perswasion wrought in the heart by the force and power of the holy Ghost in the reuelation of the worde of God of the truth of all or some or any of the things thereby reuealed for faith is the ground of thinges hoped for Heb. 11.1 and also the euidence of the thinges not seene By faith men vnderstand that there is onely one God that the world was created by his word By faith men beleeue that whatsoeuer hath beene said or done in the world by God his seruants his Prophets and Apostles are all true and were done by the power of God yea by faith men haue and doe worke wonders themselues As all these things may be vnderstoode and done by faith and yet such beleeuers and workers for all their faithfulnesse may goe to hell So there is a mysterie reuealed that whosoeuer doth beleeue shall not perish but shall haue eternall life Esa 61.1.2.3 that is to say a word of great grace and mercy giuen out a couenant of life and peace of pardon and deliuerance made to the poore and broken in heart Mat. 11.5.28 Mat. 15.24 the weary and heauie loaden the lost sheepe the hungry and thirsty the contrite and broken spirited euen to him that doth repent And none can beleeue this word and promise of life and pardon assuredly to pertain vnto themselues but these alone And of this seeker alone is God found to him doth he looke for his sonnes sake the Mediator of his couenant Mat. 5.3 and doth write him blessed and doth assure him pardon and reconciliation by his promised spirit whereby he is sealed and hath set to his seale that God is true and is fully assured that God is true and is fully assured that God loueth him in Christ Iesus and that his name is written in the booke of life And this is faith also which doth beleeue this thing and this is the thing that doth distinguish betweene it and the other and this faith if you wil that I shall define in few wordes It is a full and certaine perswasion wrought in the poore and broken heart by the comforter of peace and reconciliation with God in and through Christ Iesus his Lord and this is the faith which worketh by loue and this is that peculiar faith spoken of before and is but one was euer the same Nowe concerning that one Baptisme a little more As in the olde time there was Circumcision of the skinne and Circumcision of the heart but the Circumcision of the heart was the onely chiefe Circumcision which whosoeuer had was onely