I should deal by a man that had often ventured his life to save mine and to requite his love I should adventure my life unjustly and without cause to take away his The life of a friend ought to be very dear unto me but the truth of God more dearer The Word of God is the life and glory of the Lord Jesus the cause of life in every Christian is the life that is in Jesus Christ because I live saith our Saviour ye shall live also then how grievous and lamentable a thing is it for a man that knows this life to crucifie and make a mock of it the secret thoughts and intents of all hearts are discerned and made manifest by the Word of God Matth. 12.25 Saint Paul saith that the whole Scripture is given by the inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.16 this is expounded by St. Peter 2 Pet. 1.20 21. where he saith that no prophecie of Scripture is of any private interpretation that is it is not the writings of men consider them as men the Prophets and Apostles that writ the Scriptures did not write down their own private meditations for the prophecie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit that is they spake by the inspiration of God by a Spirit that was infallible and could not lie Tit. 1.2 But some may say that though they were infallible in writing yet they were no more then you are for you say that you are infallible also Answ First so far as I cleave close to this truth and do not derogate in the least so far I am infallible Object But how do you know when you write such and such truths that you do not in the least measure adde to nor diminish from the Word of God Ans When I write from such as need no interpretation I am then infallible And that there are such Scriptures I prove 3 Job 16.17.27.31 Hebr. 2.14 1 Joh. 4.1 2 3 4. 1 Pet. 2.20 21 22. so on This is a truth that I write and an infallible one that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh it is Christ that is dead yea or rather that is risen again who fitteth at the right hand of God and maketh request for us Rom. 8. Another is that there is but one God but one eternity and not two Isa 64.4 Again that every man shall be raised up with his own body 1 Cor. 15.38 Matth. 25.32 to receive a reward according to his works Revel 22. That perfection of spirit and body cannot be obtained in this life Rom. 7. 1 Cor. 13.15 2 Tim. 4.7 8. with many others of the like nature Now when I write this and say that I am infallible it is not my word nor another particular infallable truth besides the Scripture but I write the same truth which was written by the inspiration of God I know that I write infallibly because I write the infallible truth and I know the infallible truth by the light of that Word that I write from both in the letter and in the Spirit I know there are many nice curious questions abroad which are not worth the answering because they do not tend to edifying for if a man as St. Paul saith 1 Tim. 1. would give heed to them they would be endlesse and to no purpose but to stir men up to contention and vain jangling Sixthly there is no book whatsoever that is so full of truth and so free from errour and contradiction within it self as this Word of God is although the eye of sence and reason cannot see it Joh. 17.17 1 Cor. 2.13 All the writings of men are subordinate to this and all the truth that is in all creatures did flow from this and is a dependance upon this Now I prove this by these arguments that that is a divine truth cannot contradict itself for then God would be divided and light would be at enmity with it self but the Scripture was written by a divine Spirit and so must needs be a spirituall truth and therefore free from all opposition and errour within it self Secondly that that by one Almighty power causeth all to be holy and spirituall that in it self must needs be so for it is impossible but that the stream should be according to the fountain and every effect according to its originall But the Word of God when it changeth the heart causeth all the parts of it so far as it works to be holy and spirituall therefore in it self it can be no other then according to its workings The Word of God is the originall cause and fountain of all holinesse Joh. 15.3 Ephes 1.13 Col. 1.5 Jam. 1.18 all that infinite holinesse and purity which are in and flow from men and Angels are but as so many streams flowing from this fountain A seventh reason to prove the truth and sufficiency of the Scriptures is this because no word hath inabled poore simple illiterate men to understand the minde of God and to suffer reproaches and persecutions in the defence thereof as this Word of God hath Ephes 6.17 Joh. 17.33 2 Cor. 6.7 He'r 11. whole Chapter The letter onely cannot do it the letter is no help to the Spirit for the Spirit is the same truth that is revealed in the letter and was before it and now is no more then it was for the letter doth not adde to the Spirit but is onely a relation which is absolutely usefull to man and without which nothing can be But the Word in the Spirit is the same truth which will remain when the letter shall be abolished Many times when men could not enjoy the Bible they have been enabled by the powerfull injoyment of the Word in the spirit to suffer in the defence of the Word Last of all they that do deny the Word yet notwithstanding do make the Scriptures to be the ground of all their Sermons and writings now if their Sermons and writings have any truth in them and they draw that truth from the Word then the word must be a truth also for it is as impossible for them to draw a truth from the Word if the Word were not the truth as it is for any man to draw a reall substance from that which is but a meer shadow The mad mans divinity is called the mystery of the History yet he will not acknowledge that to be a truth all his writing will sufficiently prove that there is little of the Word of God to be seen in it being nothing else but a compounded confusion of Logick Philosophy and Astrology altogether which in truth is no better then Familisticall Atheisme and although they father these confused heresies upon the Word yet the Word of God doth remain intirely pure in it self without mixture and so will continue for ever CHAP. VI. Proving the Coming Death Resurrection Ascension and Intersession of our Lord Jesus which is absolutely denyed by all the principall
and present with every creature I prove it thus whatsoever it bee that hath any thing of God in it in that and with that God is present but every creature hath something of God in it therefore God must needs bee in and present with all creatures Fourthly every creature is present with and comprehended in the glory of God Gods glory is his infinitenesse if there bee any thing without God or that in this respect is not in God then God cannot bee infinite Act. 17.28 In him wee live move and have our beeing there is not any thing of God observe I pray you in any creature without God unlesse wee will have more Gods then one Fifthly all things are God in his works and severall appearances every work and creature is an appearance and discovery of God for God hath therefore made all creatures that hee might discover himselfe to them and not to discover himselfe to himselfe so then every appearance discovery manifestation or work of God is God the way that I shall take to make good this according to the Word is this every appearance or work of God is God in that appearance the devill is a creature an appearance of God therefore in that notion and respect he is God yea but how there lies the mystery not in every respect for in some respects it is as great a falsehood as in any respect a truth as he is a creature or work of God good in his creation the manifestation of and being ordained for this condition for Gods power as his servant to doe all things Job 1.12 Chap. 40.19 Chron. 2.18.21 Prov. 16.1 according to his eternall counsell for to bring about his end so he is an appearance of God and God is in that appearance now consider that Gods end Gen. 3.4 Rom. 9.22 23. and the devills are not one but two and in this hee is a devill an abominable lyer and the Prince of darknesse yet all this is not absolutely against his will yet God cannot justly according to truth be made to be the authour of sin 1 Cor. 14.33 neither doth hee work it into the devill or into the hearts of men it is horrible blasphemy to speak it the devill is the first founder and father thereof Joh. 8.44 1 Joh. 3.8 Chap. 4.3 The fall of men and Angels was ordained from Eternity and if they had not been ordained for destruction they should never have been destroyed Prov. 16. God hath created all things for himself and the wicked for the day of evill Jude 4. Therefore hee hath mercy on whom hee will and whom hee will hee hardneth At the potter hath power over the clay to make a vessell either for honour or dishonour so hath God power over all creatures to save or condemne according to the good pleasure of his will for the manifestation of his power and justice through his infinite patience and long sufferance upon them which are vessels of wrath and to make his mercy known on them which hee hath prepared unto glory Rom. 9. All things shall bee according to the will of God for nothing can ever bee that is quite contrary to his will consider of Gods will under these two notions First a Secret secondly a revealed will now the revealed will cannot bee against the secret for then the Kingdome of God or God in his will would bee divided which thing can never stand whatsoever God is in his Word the same hee is in himselfe for God doth not discover himselfe to bee one thing in his word and yet is not the same in deed and in truth then the Scriptures were worth nothing being but a meere shadow and a confused History indeed and when a Christian should come to injoy God according to his Word and Promises according to his Oath Seales and evidences of his Spirit he should finde no God at all all Ordinances were then meate for babes for fooles and men voide of understanding O then cleave to the Scripture for if that be not truth then is there no truth at all nor God neither I doe not say that all or every Word that is written there is truth there is some that is not thorow the faults of translators yet God hath bin pleased not to suffer it to be violated or changed in the being of it but hath kept it in their hands from such an extingushing corruption suppose it were possible so to juggell with a wise man as to perswade him that he were an Emperour and he were not yet it were impossible that he should never come into his Right minde againe to know the contrary or some of his generation after him if men should come and tell us that such a booke were the Word and power of God unto Salvation and we should not see the same comming along in it and with it it is not possible that so many wise men should be deceived in the receiving of it but should in one age or another by some meanes or other heare of the contrary Every appearance of God is God not God in his essence but God in his appearance all the beames of the Sunne is the Sunne no man can say it is any thing else and it is a truth that cannot be denyed but how the beame is not the Sunne in its essence but in its appearance for the essentiall body of light is in Heaven The greatest falshood and lye in the World may be a truth in its first Denomination but in the way or manner of proving confirming and inlarging it it may be made to be a lye some men withhold the truth of God in unrighteousnesse if men could but hold to the first principle which is the ground of all Religions and not forsake that in one Respect which they acknowledge in another a Papist would then be a Protestant a Familist would then not be Heriticall but heavenly and so there would be but one Religion in the world Every thing both in Heaven and Earth is one Infinite universall appearance of God and every particular Creature is a particular appearance the Divell is God in one of his greatest appearances namely of his great power Job 41.24.25 a Worme is God also but in a lesser appearance yet God in himselfe is neither lesse nor more buâ—â—â— his discovery God is in every Creature but not Infinitely every particular Creature hath God in it but not the God-head or essence for if God who is Infinite were Infinitely in any one Creature or in all Creatures then he could be no where else and that Creature must needes be equall with God or if his Essence were in all Creatures he would then be limited so you may see the falshood of that Doctrine that the life of the least Creature is Incomprehensible comprehending and containing all things if the essence were in one appearance then all the light and glory of the Sunne would be comprehended in the breadth of your hand Objection But some will say
in grace nor nature that will or can uphold this for all Rivers that are swallowed up by the fulnesse of the Sea were before they were thus gathered one element together with it But all creatures are not of one and the same nature or divine spirituall substance together with God therefore it s impossible that ever all creatures should thus be gathered up in too and by being thus gathered should become one fulnesse with God If this were true then as some affirm every thing were the word of God and so the knowledge of every thing and of any thing whatsoever were the onely knowledge of the Word of God St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 2. that no man knoweth the things of a man but the spirit that is within him so no man knows the things of God but the Spirit of God It is impossible for that light that is belowe God to know that light which is God No man can know the light of the Sun by the light of a candle the light of Reason is but Moon or candle light it is too dark weak and waterish to discover the light of the Sun by it nothing belowe God can discover any thing of God but all creatures in all respects consider them as creatures are belowe God considering of God in reference to himself therefore all creatures cannot discover God nor thus be made one with him Again whatsoever is infinite to that nothing can be added but God was the same fulnes before the creature was that he is now the creature is therefore no creature nor all creatures can not be so gathered up in to God as to be made one fulnesse with God who is not nor cannot be no other now now all creatures are then he was eternally before any creature had a being Secondly if a carnall spirit could understand the minde of God in the Word then could it no longer continue to be a Christians center that that flows from Christ to that Christ must be a center But all Christianity flows from Christ therefore it must needs be centered in him Now if the written Word could be known in the letter and in the spirit by one who hath not the spirit then darknesse would be turned into light and light into darknesse the Word of God would then be not heavenly but earthly But as nothing can change the being of God into that which is not God Rom. 1. though many seek to do it So nothing can change the Word of truth into that that is not truth that is into a lie this the power of men and devils shall never accomplish If the Word of truth in the letter and in the spirit could be discerned by a lie then consider what a great losse all the people of God would then have and that for these Reasons First the Word of God is the foundation that a Christian hath or ever shall have to all eternity 1 Pet. 2.7 1 Cor. 3.11 Christ is a Christians foundation in these foure respects First the foundation of our election this the letter declares and as that declares it so we know it and are able to prove it Ephes 1.4 5 6. A Christian was chosen and beloved of God in Jesus Christ from eternity Christ is the Word Joh. 1. the Word bears up all things Hebr. 1. A Christians election is born up and kept from being abolished by the glorious person of our Lord and Saviour Secondly Jesus Christ is the foundation of our Redemption too 1 Pet. 2. Joh. 10.9.18 He was the Lambe slain from the foundation of the world and he is that person also consider of him in his Godhead that ordained and set apart himself to be a sacrifice and an atonement for the world Thirdly Christ is the foundation of a Christians conversion also Ephes 3.17 1 Cor. 8.6 Lastly Christ is the foundation of a Christians everlasting glory Rom. 8.34 Joh. 17. Perswade me if you can whosoever you are that would race and blot out the Gospel of Christ both in the letter and spirit that I have no other Father Redeemer Governor and Creator then that spirit which is within thee which thou didst receive in the wombe and then I shall beleeve this that you have said concerning the Scripture therefore to consider you as you in truth are the more you speak against the Word of God the more cause I have to beleeve it for the devil will never speak well of Christ unlesse it be for some devillish end or other Gal. 5.17 Thirdly no man ever would write such a word that is so much against him and altogether contrary to him as the two testimonies of our Lord Jesus are for then man would make a law against himself which is against all Law and Reason Who is the man that will accuse himself and betray himself to death through his own accusation man instead of making spirituall Laws is the onely breaker of them Rom. 2.13 and 3.10 11. Doth not our daily practises continually declare the truth of this unto us But some will object that I do all this while prove the Word to be true from it self which is a contrary thing and gives no satisfaction at all To this I answer That I do thus I acknowledge and that for this Reason Because I have no other way to prove the truth that it is true but by the truth No man can know the Sun that is the Sun but by the light thereof Secondly the testimonie of the Word is of it self a sufficient testimony for it self 1 Joh. 5. There are three that bear record in heaven the Father Word and Spirit and these three are one they are one God one Spirit one Truth and one Testimony The Lord saith that there is no other God besides me Isa 45.6 Now by the same rule men may say how shall we know thee to be the true God we have no witnesse or testimony but thy own I answer The record and testimony which God bears of himself is true and sufficient because he doth not onely say that he is God and so leave men there but he acts according to his Word sending forth an Almighty power causing men to acknowledge him to be in truth that he is and causing all creatures to discover and reveal his power and Godhead to the world A man may say that he is God as many do but they cannot prove what they say for their saying that they are so doth not cause them to be so unlesse they could come forth with an infinite Almighty power to act as God doth Thirdly Whatsoever is besides the Word in comparison of the Word is not a truth but a lie and then what is it besides the truth that can come in really to iustifie and bear record to the truth the testimony of the truth is a sufficient witnesse for it self because there is no other truth besides it The Word in the Spirit bears witnesse to the truth of the Word in the letter and
the truth of the letter bears witnesse to it self in the spirit the letter in it self is dead but the Spirit of that truth which is in the letter quickneth and giveth life The bare letter is but a History or a Relation yet it is a true relation For the Apostle saith that no lie is of the truth there is no lie in the truth consider it either in the letter or in the spirit We know that there are many lies cast upon the truth by him who is the father of lies but consider of truth in it self and no lie can be any part thereof for the Word doth imply this it could not be thus denominated if its nature were not according to its name The term light signifies the nature of light so the Name of God signifies the nature of God so the word truth signifies the nature of it the name of truth is truth and so is the nature of it too Now consider that nothing is so contrary to the inward nature and internall disposition of man as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of God is contrary to all the principles of follie that are in the hearts of men Psal 14.1 2 3. The fool hath said in his heart there is no God this was a secret spirituall wickednesse that lay lurking in his heart he was a cunning fool he thought in his heart as the Familists do that that he would not often confesse with his tongue and although he loved this Atheisticall religion well yet he was not very willing to suffer for it The conclusion that I shall draw from this first verse is this that the wisest man in the world is a meer fool untill he be a Saint untill he leaves the wisdom of the world and those politick logicall doctrines which that wisdom teacheth and be filled with the wisdom of God So St. Paul saith 1 Cor. 2.13 that the doctrines and words of mans wisdom makes the crosse of Christ of no effect Chap. 1.17 The word of God the doctrine of a crucified Jesus is meer foolishnesse to them it is too holy too plain and simple for them to deal with if they should teach the truth as it is in Jesus and not mix their own words and corrupt imaginations therewith if they would declare the whole truth and keep back no part of Gods counsell what then why then their perfection must fall down to the ground Therefore you see how contrary the Word of God is to all the principles of mens hearts and contrary to all their practises too What will not what doth not many men do who are taken to be great Preachers of Christ I say what will they not do to exalt Babel to prefer their own bellies and outward estates before the Word of God they take it up in their Sermons in the sight of the people but lay it aside in their lives and conversations Fourthly no man could ever parallel any other book or writing to this Word of God but in all ages for all sorts of persons it hath been in one respect or other the foundation of all Writings Councils and Disputations whatsoever is or hath been under heaven concerning Religion there is but one truth as there is but one God which in the power and spirit of it is God Joh. 1.1 Chap. 5.32 Fifthly the Scripture is written for this end that it may be an occasion of offence and a stone of stumbling both to the Jews and Grecians and by this means their eternal destruction and to others a savour of life to eternall life 1 Cor. 1.23 24 25. 2 Cor. 2.15 16. Isa 8.14 Joh. 3.14 There is no writing that ever hath been besides this that hath been accompanied with such life and power by which it hath raised up and cast down saved and destroyed as this Word of God hath No word hath been such a discovery of the minde of the invisible immortall God unto men as this Word of God hath Joh. 1.18 Again what writing hath discovered the nature and condition that all men by nature are in unto men in such a manner as the Word of God hath Rom. 7.7 which proves that it was written by that Spirit that knows all hearts and all things 1 Cor. 2.10 11 12. Reason it self tels us that it is impossible for any power to change the carnall stony lofty spirit of man but that power that is above all things and can do all things See Matth. 12.17 18 19 20. Christ by doing that which the Scriptures do declare to us did open that sealed book which none would undertake but the Lambe slain from the beginning of the world Revel 5.3 4 5 6. Isa 42.1 The Apostle saith that the Word of God is lively and mightie in operation sharper then any two edged sword and entreth through even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Hebr. 4.12 Some do object and ask what is here meant by this clause soul and spirit being that they are both taken for one and the same in Scripture Luke 1.46 47. Mary saith My soul magnifieth the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour To this I answer There are two interpretations upon this Scripture the first is that the soul of a man is not the spirit of him but it is his body in which his spirit is and from which it is divided And to prove this there are these Scriptures David speaking of Christ saith that his heart did rejoyce and his flesh did rest in hope because thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave Now how can this be say they that the soul of Christ should be left there where it never was if it be not the body it implyes that it was there and if so then it must needs be mortall Act. 2.26 27. Psal 16.9 10. Gen. 3.20 A second interpretation is that by soul is meant the heart and spirit of a carnall man and by spirit is meant one that is regenerate To which they bring this Scripture 1 Thes 5.23 Now take it which way you will this must be granted that the Bible is the Word of God because these arguments are drawn from it and if there be any truth in either or both of them then is the Scripture that declares them a truth also The Word of God is powerfull in two respects first it is powerfull in it self and so it is the fulnesse or God Secondly it is powerfull in all its operations in respect of it self it is infinite the operations and workings of it is mightie as it is in the creature look upon the hearts and lives of those that have been ungodly and abominable see what a change there is all this doth declare the truth of the Word O what a fin it is for you that have been such and have been changed by the Word so to fall away from God as to deny his Word Just as if
spirits then there are two distinct actours two different works all which cannot be the act of God The third Doctrine described and confuted is this that nothing shall remain but the god-head their meaning is that this world shall bee eternall in its generation this present succession of ages and generations shall never end for God is all things and all things are God Bright Starr Theologia now if it be a Truth that there are more spirits then one then this is true that they shall all come to judgement they shall appeare before God to receive an everlasting portion either of life or death joy or torment glory or shame Mat. 24.1 Cor 15. 2 Pet 3. Revel 22. 1 Thes 4 13 14 15 16 17. 2 Thes 1. even according as they are ordained according as they have walked The fourth and last generall is this that perfection is in this life their meaning is that there is no perfection at all Divinity dissected Bright Starr Pag. 77.78 lin 13. pag. 79. l. 13 Theologia pag. 25. pag. 74. pag. 87. l. 12. pag. 37. for they define perfection to be God himself now if the devill be then hee is a creature if he be a creature then all creatures cannot obtain perfection here for the devill was charged with folly ever since the beginning and delivered unto chaines of darknesse to bee kept unto damnation Iude. 2 Pet. 2. Iob. 4. Again If the Scripture be a truth then all men shall not be saved and those that shall yet in this life they have but a part of that which they shall injoy hereafter 1 Cor. 13. 1 Thess 4 13 14 15 16. Now I leave the rest for you to consider of CHAP. XV. An Exhortation to all Christians I Have a word or two to speak and that is to a publick Preacher to a private Christian You that are famous for preaching of Jesus Christ deliver not your mindes in such a way of mysterious obscurity so as that not ten in a hundred can understand your meanings whether you be for Christ or Antichrist 1 Cor. 14 19. Secondly Condiscend and stoop down without thinking it to be a disparagement to you to the poorest weakest capacity Rom. 14.7 Chap. 1 14. Take heed of preaching your selves and your own words to the people 2 Cor. 4.5 Gal. 1.10 Thirdly for the confirmation and comfort of the members of Christ by your preaching of Christ for the confounding of the hopes of Antichrist clear your selves from those Antichristian Familisticall Reproaches and aspersions that are cast upon you and upon that truth that you deliver 1 Cor. 13.1 2. to all Christians that are not so publique in your trying and examining of all Religions Doctrines Spirits and opinions whatsoever be sure to hold fast a particular crucified Jesus 1 Thess 5.21 Revel 3.11 Secondly doe not beleeve nor put confidence in any spirit or doctrine what ever it be before thou seest the spirit of the Lord Jesus bearing witnesse to the truth of that in thy own spirit 1 Joh. 4 1. Rom. 8. for Sathan Antichrist and his false ministers and Apostles are now very thick to be seen in the forme and shape of true Ministers and good Angels 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. Thirdly looke well to your communion delight not nor be be not taken up two much with those who do preach and glory in that which is not within the measure or compasse of their strength and understandings boasting of things which they never saw 2 Cor. 11.12.13 Col. 2.18 vainely puft up with deepe secrets Divine mysteries unknowne paradoxes Col. 2.18 Delivering most of their matter unlesse it be now and then a gob to feede their owne bellies and the weake Rom. 16.18 Last of all labour to be much in love if thou hast any love in thee now t is time to manifest it this is the greatest and highest excellency of all there is no grace nor glory above this neither in God nor men 1 Cor. 13. this is that that shall abide with thee for ever this is that that makes thy spirit to be so like unto God this is that that makes thy face to shine in glory what is all without this knowledge doth puffe up and make men loftie loose and vaine in their conversations therefore love wheresoever thou seest the Image of Christ in the least measure without partiallity without Hypocricie James 2. Doe not Respect exalt and cry up any mans faith and knowledge with a respect to his person because he is Rich hath a gold Ring and is in good apparell and bravely housed and is in favour with the best and Richest sort of Gentry these are common actions amongst many but consider of the life of our deare Saviour Christ whilst he was in the flesh I know it is hard to doe this but Remember the promise to him that over commeth will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I over came and sit with my Father in his throne Revel 3. CHAP. XVI A Petition presented to the Familists with a further confutation of their Erroneous Doctrines O Bewitched deceiving Antichrist I have some Requests to present unto thee and they are these first you that are perfect men you that can yeeld obedience so as to be made and called and so become Divine and God if ever you would helpe and deliver a poore miserable damned Creature Bright Star That whatsoever God did or thought from eternity is discovered and made knowne to man pag. 183. it is impossible that this should be true unlesse man were infinite Rom. 11.33.34.35 Job 26.14 Chap. 11.7.8.9.12 Isa 40.13.14.15 1 Cor. 2.16 hee that hath the minde of Christ is not whilst hee is in this world perfect in knowledge neither doth he know all things in such an Infinit manner as God doth 1 Cor. 13.12 Chap 15.52.53 according to your notion out of misery and darkenesse one that hath had God and all but now have sold him and all to the Devill and doth still remaine in an estate of Emnity and Rebellion against God if your Religion be a truth then grant these petitions that I put up to you and I will come into your Congregation and before ten thousand people deny all that I have written and willingly submit to you the Requests are these First That you would but bring me into that place where I may injoy but one houres communion with the spirit of that godly Priest which made that booke that is so highly commended by you but is dead as you say above two hundred yeares agoe that I may be Informed convinced and converted by him if man be God as both you and he doe say Then is this possible and easie for you to accomplish God is al wayes in communion with himself and knows all things in himselfe for all things are God and are in God neither is it possible that he should ever cease from his beeing one and the same for ever Secondly In all respects
THE DESCRIPTION AND CONFVTATION OF MYSTICALL ANTICHRIST the FAMILISTS OR An Information drawn up and published for the Confirmation and comfort of the Faithfull against many Antichristian Familisticall Doctrines which are frequently Preached and Printed in England particularly in those dangerous Books called Theologia Germanica the Bright Star Divinity and Philosophy dissected Written by Benjamin Bourne 2 THES 2.7 8 9. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now withholdeth shall let untill he be taken out of the way and then shall that wicked man be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth and shall abolish him with the brightnesse of his comming even him whose comming is after the effectuall working of Satan with all power signes and lying wonders Published according to Order LONDON Printed by Matthew Symons for B. B. and are to be sold at the Signe of the Angel in Cornehill 1646. To all the Elect of God Inhabiting within the borders of England particularly to them that have now a being in London grace mercy and peace be multiplied from God the Father through our Lord JESVS CHRIST BEloved in the Lord I have dedicated this Booke not to any one City or place but to all places in this Land whatsoever where any of Gods people are inhabiting and this I have done for these reasons First because I have many that are neare and deare to me dwelling in many parts of this Kingdome Secondly because the matter is generall and doth concerne all those in generall that have any relation to the Lord Jesus Thirdly because Antichrist is a large beast yet is like to be larger having many of his broode sitting under his wing in all parts of the world deceiving and being deceived by reason of those delusions which God hath for his owne glory sent unto them 2 Thes 2.11 I have many weighty considerable scriptures grounds from thence to doe what I have undertaken Fiâ—st God hath bestowed all upon me and revealed all to me for a 1 Cor. 12.7 Chap. 13.1 Rom. 12.10 11. 1 Thes 2.8 this one maine end that I might be an Instrument of helpe and comfort to my brethren before Israel can come to have a quiet possession of Canaan Deut. Judg. Many Nations of enemies must be subdued and never was there more opposition in Sions way then there is now the devill hath a mighty Kingdome Antichrist a mighty Nation besides many other enemies that we must encounter with and therefore there is good reason that we should helpe and assist one another Suppose a man with many friends be travelling of a journey and at a distance from them be opposed by an enemy will not the rest be ready to manifest their love and courage in assisting him have they not a sufficient call thereunto now the Saints are a travelling together towards heaven they doe meete with many enemies that doe lye in waite to deceive Ephes 4.14 If ever any had a call to bring in their assistance to Sion if ever any had a fit time and opportunity to doe good surely now they have O therefore let us arise as one man as one body as one Army to wrastle with this enemy the devill is already come with his millions the world with her thousands Antichrist with his ten thousands I thinke it's time to rise to helpe and strengthen the body of Sion against these soul-destroying doctrines these spirituall plots and conspiracies those who aime not at a single person but at the whole state of the Church to rob them if it were possible of salvation and comfort Mat. 24.24 by cunning sophistries seeming Angelicall doctrines such as can deliver their mindes so that every expression shall be a mystery a strange paradox unheard of maximes wordes that are neither according to the scriptures nor according to the termes of Schooles or those words which in our owne language are commonly spoken amongst us they are just like to the devill transforming himselfe into Angels likenesse and would have all men to looke upon him according to that appearance although in truth he in all shapes and forms cannot cease from being a devill therefore if we have any love in our hearts towards God towards all men now is the time to manifest and expresse it against such hell borne new found doctrines such as are like to some sorts of sea monsters that are so seldome seene that the sight or appearance of them becomes a wonder to all that shall behold them the devill works cunningly by these doctors by reason of their fewnesse and scarcenesse starting up once in an age this sect was in the Apostles time and it is of such a nature that no man can be of it especially teachers and ring-leaders of them but such as are full of knowledge men that have amongst the Saints and in Churches been famous for preaching of Christ these prime Agents for Antichrist Here is their sheepes cloathing to be seene their voluntary humility their excellent knowledge their high and eloquent wisedome b See Theologia pag. 2. l. 1. that they can summe up all Religions all creatures all spirits and all things whatsoever in one and one in all The second ground is this that I may by that which the Lord hath bestowed upon me be an Instrument of glory to his Name not by increasing but by c 1 Cor. 12.7 manifesting and revealing to men what he hath discovered to me Lastly that I might stoppe the mouth of Antichrist who saith that none are able to stand before them or answer them in writing disputing or reasoning d Rom. 7.18 of my selfe I can doe nothing but e Gal. 2.20 through Christ I can doe all things which is one cause why their matter doth take such deepe effect in the harts of many yet in no more then God hath ordained either to a present or eternall fall I have presented this present to thee whosoever thou art that hast any communion with God in our Lord Jesus by Election Redemption Creation and Conversion I pray you accept of it as one mite cast into the whole treasury Thy Friend in the Spirit BENIAMINE BOURNI To the Reader I Shall in the Treatise following as plainely as I am able lay open to the view of all men not at the second hand but by experience having often heard them both preach and dispute what that is which commonly goes by the name of Familisme what I shall say concerning it or them that uphold it is not out of malice to them or any person whatsoever neither shall I speake at randome charging them with that which they hold not but what I shall say I shall speake positively and certainely Had I not enough to say I should never set pen to paper or were it a low slight inferiour heresie I should not in this publicke way in the least measure have to doe with it all the favour that I crave at thy hands is
this Take these three directions or rules in reading first a 〈…〉 Philips expression to the Euauch of Ethiopia read but labour according to thy ability to understand what thou readest the second rule is this b 〈…〉 Try and examine every word that I have written and judge to the utmost but c 〈…〉 be sure to judge and trie all things in the spirit the last is this Make triall of all things and judge according to thy d 〈…〉 understanding but doe it in love reade not nor esteeme not of this that I have presented to thy view in respect to its novelty New things doe much delight the phantasies of this age we are too apt to looke upon the things of God with such an eye as we doe upon the things of men love new fashions we should not love things in reference to their newnesse but to their goodnesse My desire is to spend and be spent in discovering truth and falshood for Sions sake and for their sakes whose returne out of Egypt is much longed for many of them being such formerly as were to be beloved and delighted in Now supposing that this Booke may come into many of your hands whose spirits are wrapt up in darknesse by delusion you that thinke that there is no other God Christ heaven life or religion then that that you dispute for give me leave in my discourse to the Reader to direct a word or two to you and they are these first consider that formerly none have been more forward to exalt and acknowledge the Lord Jesus then you have been I meane a crucified Jesus by preaching disputing praying and suffering but now t is otherwise Give me leave to speake according to men Were you not once as reall for Christ as you are now for Antichrist yea I will be one witnesse what close communion had you with God and how many times have you to the refreshing of many drooping spirits made a large acknowledgement of the manifestations of Gods love and favour to you in Jesus Christ how is it that the Lord Jesus is become such a stranger to you and you such strangers to him whom you have formerly so dearely loved and embraced how often have you in your pleadings for Christ disputed against Antichrist and prophesied that such a one must needs be wherof now you your selves are members can you deny this I pray you in love consider if you be elected without laughing at Christ in the face to scorne But one word or two that from him I have to say to you and that is this How dearely and exceedingly doth Christ love you even now whilst you are a denying his truth and blaspheming his name Are you able to expresse or declare it he is unchangeable Againe consider how much he bath done for you from all eternity by e 〈…〉 .17 â—1 doing of which he will abide with you and in you to all eternity and will worke all delusions corruptions temptations Apostatisings and weaknesses for your everlasting joy and welfare Goe on and continue in your mischievous way of iniquity and darknesse but no further nor longer then what is according to Gods eternall purposes and determinations THE DESCRIPTION And Confutation of mysticall ANTICHRIST the Familists Who in a mystery as God fitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God CHAP. I. What Christ is unto and in the heart of a Christian. ONe of the greatest troubles that ever befell many of Gods people I appeal to their severall experiences is those fiery darts which the Devil by Antichrist doth continually cast at them and it must needs be a trouble yea a wounding trouble to those that have ever in truth tasted of the goodnesse of God in our Lord Jesus and that for these Reasons First because the trials are fiery Take a flash of fire and cast it suddenly in a mans face in a dark night and it will cause a sudden astonishment to ceaze upon him these Antichristian darts in private meditations are many times cast in the face of a Saint which doth prove worse then a sudden flash of fire in the night causing him to be taken with a deeper amazement in such a manner that he scarce knows either where he is or what he is First he knows not where he is whether in heaven or hell in the light or in darknes Suppose a man were to go a journey for his life in such a way wherein he never was before and in his way lies many crosse wayes so that he knows not which to turn to he must needs be but in a poore condition except he have a person with him to direct him that knows all wayes and a principle in him to understand a direction A Christians way is very difficult and troublesome especially in such a case as this when his desire is to injoy most sweet and constant communion with God which he esteems and values above his life but for the in oyment and continuance of this he knows not which way to take too or persevere in seeing many wayes before him he must needs hang down his head like a bulrush untill he meet with the Spirit of the Lord Jesus that knows all wayes without him and within him also and is both able and willing to give him knowledge and understanding which way to take to when he is at such a stand or in such an amazement as this is although he was never with his dear Saviour so far in his way before Now for thy consolation consider three things First Christ is a Christians guide a Christians comfort a Christians companion First Christ who is a Christians way is a Christians guide also Joh. 14. 18. Chap. 17. 20. Thou canst not have a better guide then Jesus Christ is he knows all mysteries and secrets all the close chelled wayes of Antichrist with all the multitudes and numberlesse numbers of them although they lie never so secretly in the bowels of darknes yet they are all naked and open before him Joh. 21.17 Rom. 9.5 Joh. 1.50 Matth. 12.25 And this must needs be so for these Reasons First Jesus Christ was before all things Joh. 8.58 〈…〉 .17 â—1 Secondly Jesus Christ is above all things Col. 2.9 Joh. 3. 31. Lastly Jesus Christ is the principall Governor and manager of all things 1 Cor. 15.52 Psal 110.1 Hebr. 1.3 Joh. 21.22 If thou hast Christ to be thy guide thou mayest without fear encounter with the whole world David could do more with a sling and a stone then the whole Army of Israel could because God was his guide and did guide the stone also that went out of his hand Though many Antichristian Goliahs come against thee boasting of their strength taking it disdainfully that such a one as thou art should offer to come against them supposing to make but a shrimp of thee and thy imaginary God and Saviour as they call it yet assure thy self thou shalt as certainly
confutation I desire to inform you of which are as so many spears thrust thorow the heart of Christ and a Christian the heart of Christ is the Spirit the heart of a Christian is Christ who is this Spirit The method that I shall use is this First I shall set down the errours laying them open and naked to thy view Secondly lay down the truth by which I desire to proceed against them T is true that one of them includes and contains them all and whatsoever else they can devise to write or say Yet for distinction understanding and profit I shall divide this one great mystery into many distinct severall mysterious Doctrines CHAP. II. Antichrist described and confuted in his first Errour which is that there is but one Spirit or life in all things both in heaven and earth and that is absolutely and essentially God and something concerning the coming of Christ in the flâ—sh I Shall lay open this Errour to you thus there is but one Spirit in the world that is there is but one spirit or life internall fire heat or motion in all things whatsoever without exception in God in good Angels as we call them in devils as we term them in all creatures and in all the sons and daughters of men The confutation I do not know any thing to the contrary but that there is and may be seemingly or for want of knowledge some difference amongst them but this I say that he that holds not closely and firmly to this one ground and principle cannot be an absolute able direct but must needs be a neutrall Familist The truth that I shall lay down is this that this expression thesis or doctrine is an erroneous Antichristian blasphemy whatsoever is erroneous is Antichristian whatsoever is Antichristian in this sence concerning the essence or being of God is blasphemy T is treason for any man but the King to say that he is the King t is treason rebellion and blasphemy against God for any man to say that that which is created and finite is the Infinite and Essentiall Godhead I shall prove that to be an undeniable truth which I have to say to you concerning this first Errour both by Scripture and Reasons making it clearly manifest that there are more spirits in the world then one and that the life and being of man and all creatures is not the life and being of God 1 Joh. 4.1 Dearly beloved beleeve not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God for many false prophets are gone out into the world Let us solidly and lovingly search out this mystery and see what this spirituall and divine truth will afford us you may plainly see that these words are an exhortation a conclusion and a. Reason all which he delivers with these two loving foregoing expressions Dearly beleved the exhortation lies in these words Beleeve not every spirit but try the spirits whether they be of God the Reason lies in these words For many false prophets are gone out into the world The conclusion is this that there are more spirits in the world then one And it lies in these words spirits and prophets speaking in the plurall number Then there is another implyed and that is this that every spirit is not of God ver 2. and 3. It is impossible that one spirit should act in such a way of opposition or contrariality as these two spirits do which the Apostle gives a description of The good Spirit which is of God is known by this action which is a reall confession and acknowledgement of the coming of Christ in the flesh The other spirit is known by another contrary work viz. to deny this Christ in his coming The last thing that I shall observe from these Scriptures is this What manner of Christ is this that the Apostle here speaks of is it a particular body a perfect man which God created and assumed in the wombe of that Virgin that was for this end ordained and set apart by God from eternity I mean that Virgin which was espoused or affianced to Joseph whose name was Mary or is it a universall Christ as Antichrist cals him that is the flesh and blood of the whole world to which this Scripture with many others is applyed 1 Tim. 3. last Without controversie great is the mystery of godlinesse viz God manifested in the flesh that is God manifest in the flesh of all men which flesh outward form body or orgine See the Bright Starr That it is chiefly remarkable to find Christ in his passion in us that he be considered and beheld as crucified in us pag. 205. li. 4 11. That if we deal with the passion of Christ in himself it must be imaginary but if we look upon it as it is in our selves it is not then to be imagined but beheld just such as we feel in our selver really p 211. l. 17.18 was created by one life good or God which is eternall and this good God or life eternall in creating this man did assume it and by assuming or uniting it to himself Godhead or essence doth make out a discovery and manifestation of himself to himself in and by all creatures whatsoever The first I acknowledge to be the truth and of Christ the second I prove to be false and of Antichrist one Scripture hath dependance upon another like a golden chain break one link and you break all deny one truth and you deny all Compare one spirituall truth with another and that is the onely way by the Spirit to finde out the spirituality of all truth These Scriptures that I am now treating or speaking of are sufficient witnesses to justifie or bear me out in all these inferences or conclusions that I have drawn from them But besides these I shall produce many others to confirm this truth which is so plain that the devil and Antichrist in all their appearances cannot deny I mean in such a manner so as to take away the essence and being of it out of the world I mean a new creation the heart of a true beleever The other Scriptures are these Luke 27.28 so onward to the 55. I pray you read this History in love to the Lord Jesus without any selfish by-respect either to your selves or to any person in this world if any will deny a particular crucified Jesus he must race and blot out all these with many other Scriptures concerning this Isa 7.14 Dan. 7.14.27 Micha 4.7 Isa 30.18 the 41.8 the 54.5 Jer. 31.3.20 Gen. 17.19 Psal 132.11 Luke 1. last Matth. 28.5 6. Joh. 20.19.25.29 1 Cor. 15.3 4 5 6 7 8. Isa 53.5 1 Pet. 2.24 Act. p. 4. Matth. 8.17 Jona 2.1 Matth. 11. from the first to the 6. Isa 61.1 Matth. 3.3 the whole Chapter Isa 40.3 The Lord is pleased to lay this truth upon a sure foundation in all which he doth confirm his word and promise and also discovereth his love and glory for the comfort and
in all places The presence and Spirit of God is where his essence is not I shall speak in particular too and illustrate some things that I said before observe this all places cannot comprehend the essentiall nature of being of God God is in heaven and in all creatures that are in heaven every particular Saint and Angell shall be so full of the glory of God as that now no heart is able to conceive of yet every particular Saint and Angell shall receive for themselves a particular Crowne of glory 1 Cor. 2.9 2 Tim. 4.8 yet there shall not bee two but one Infinite essentiall glory that shall give so many severall crownes of glory to so many sever all persons as shall be in heaven Rev. 22.5 Gal. 3.20 yet all these glorious numberlesse beings in Heaven cannot comprehend the essentiall glory of God God will be in heaven and in hell and in all places and creatures that shall have beeing yet all places and all creatures too cannot comprehend the Infinitenesse of the Almighty So then this is a truth that the presence and Spirit of God is and for ever shall be where the essence of God is not nor cannot be I suppose I have given sufficient instances in my first Answer to the first Query the greatnesse and goodnesse of God is so in all creatures as that in respect of all creatures it is Infinite yet God is greater in power and being in himself essentially above what he is in greatnesse presence power and being in all creatures and thus much for the fifth Attribute the presence of God I now come to the sixth the providence of God Psal 103.19 Jam. 1.17 Amos 3.6 Jane 5.17 1 King 17.1 Chap. 18.45 1 Cor. 2.9 Isa 64.3 4. A question will arise and that is this whether the providence of God have any hand in the redemption and convertion of a Christian yea or no to which I Answer That us God by his power doth beare up and preserve all things so by his providence hee rules and orders all things First God by his Providence doth rule all things in the creation but then secondly the Redemption and conversion of a Christian is an act of Gods providence it is not onely one creature but all creatures are ruled by the Providence of God it is not only one thing but all things doe come to passe by Gods Providence the eternall power and God head is made manifest by its Providence in ruling and ordering all creatures and all things too Last of all the Redemption and conversion of a Christian is such a work as that all the Attributes of God have a great hand in the accomplishing thereof if I may speak after the manner of men then consider first there is a Providence that is externall secondly a Providence that is internall yet this distinction makes not this Attribute the Providence of God to bee two but one that Providence which I say is externall is that that rules those things which are externall and visible the things of this world as they are carryed on in the course of nature in the compasse of the creation and in this respect the Providence of God becomes visible by the workings and appearances of it in those things which are visible the invisible perfections of God consider them in reference to the creation are made visible to the creature by the creation Rom. 1.19 20. the Providence of God is the element that every creature doth subsist in and every creature under this notion is a dependance upon the Providence of God Psal 104. Mat. 10.29 30 31. Act. 27.34 Secondly the Providence internall is that which rules and orders all things in the new creation things that are internall spirituall and invisible this is the same Attribute but not the same act nor in the same appearance the actings and internall appearances of Gods Providence in the new creation makes all things one with it self I doe not say that the spirituall divine workings of Gods Providence in this invisible internall world doth make all things to be one essentiall Attribute with it self for then a man by conversion might approach so neer to the obedience of Christ as to be made and called and so become divine and God essentially but every thing is made one with Providence by the sublime outgoings of Providence in respect of union and conformity but no creature can be made to be the Providence essentially The providence of God consider it not as it is in any forme or creature only but in the Abstract in it selfe and it is Absolutely and essentially God The Seventh Attribute is the Immutability of God Iames 1.17 Mal. 3.6 Psa 102.26.27 From hence observe that the cause of our present and eternall union with God is the Immutabilitie or unchangeablenesse of God this is our present and will be our Eternall glory in Heaven that those whom God loves once he loves for ever The immutabilitie of God by which he is one and the same from Eternity to Eternity although he make changes and alterations in all creatures is absolutely and essentially God the uttermost and highest glory of Gods Immutability stretcht out upon the highest pinne was never made manifest in one nor in all creatures both in Heaven and Earth The Eighth Attribute is Gods faithfulnesse and truth Rom. 3.4 Tit. 1.2 Heb. 6.18 Numb 23.19 That which I have to say is this God is faithfull because he is Immutable God is faithfull because he is God he cannot but performe what he hath promised he cannot deny himselfe nor that word of Truth which is gone out of his mouth nothing shall be ever able to Alter or change his minde from doing that which he hath ordained from Eternity Rom. 8. Last 2 Tim. 2.13 it is Impossible that God and his truth should sease to be or from being what it hath beene Eternally first the truth and faithfulnesse of God is the salvation and glory of this world the truth of God is his unlimited power by which men are freed from the bondage of corruption to serve the true and living God Joh. 8.32 Luk. 1.74 1 Thess 1.9 This is that which is one and cannot be two it cannot be divided or seperated from God Secondly All the truth that is in all Saints in all Angels is no other but this one truth which is God Thirdly the life and glory of the Lord Jesus together with the life and glory of all things both in Heaven and Earth I meane all things that have the truth of life and glory in them is the truth and faithfulnesse of God this is that that hath exalted both Angels and men this is that that all the Saints and Angels in Heaven and Earth do depend upon if it were possible for God to lye or deny himselfe Heaven it selfe with all those persons and glories which are there subsisting in glory thorow the truth and faithfulnesse of God would then seace to be yea and all things
for a man to mock at the servants of Christ when they write dispute and contend for that Faith that was once given and cannot be given again the Word saith that it is impossible that such a man should be renewed again by repentance seeing they crucifie again to themselves the Son of God and make a mock of him Heb. 6.4 56. 2 Pet. 2.20 Matth. 12 45. Esa 58.2 3. O Antichrist what dost thou say to this art thou able to come forth and confirme thy Doctrine by signes and lying wonders canst thou by thy turning of Divinity into Phylosophy and Phylosophy into Divinity and so make up one great mystery of Iniquity draw away the third part of the Starres of Heaven the third part of Professours after thee well this may be thy number increaseth apace but those that are elected shall never fall we doe look for what we already see for trying apostatating and back-sliding times but bee of good comfort whosoever thou art that haste but as much Faith in and love to a particular crucified Jesus as a grain of Mustard-seed which is the least of all seeds thou shalt never fall off for ever from thy communion with God in the Lord Jesus Rom. 8 38. nothing shall be ever able to make a separation betwixt thee and thy God But some may object and say to what end doe I thus labour to discover the spirit of the Devill and of Man and the sin against the holy Spirit wherein doth this describe and discover that mysticall mischievous Antichrist whose Doctrines you undertake to overthrow by the Word of God Answer By discovering and describing the devill I prove and beare record to many truths and by proving and bearing witnesse to the truth that it is the truth I condemne many Doctrines as being false untrue and not of God but such as would if it were possible blot out the true knowledge and remembrance of the true God from the midst amongst us there be these generall Doctrines and particular hereticall parts which are discovered to be no other then the imaginations and lies of blasphemous lying spirits the Familisticall Doctrines in generall which are described and confuted by the discovery or description of the Devill are these First It weakens and annihilates this Doctrine viz That there is but one spirit in the world and that is essentially God if the Devill have a beeing as the Scriptures declare he hath than there are two spirits in the world and if there be two spirits then of necessity one of them cannot be absolutely and essentially God unlesse we will acknowledge two Gods now if there be such a beeing or spirit which is absolutely evill and so a Devill absolutely and really then this Doctrine is false which acknowledges but one spirit Again If there be no devill as they in all their writings often affirme there is not then is there no God neither and this I prove by these Arguments First Hee that willingly denies God in one respect he denies him in all but this Doctrine doth deny God to be in this respect under this one maine consideration Therefore it denies God under all considerations I shall explicate this Argument thus he that denies the Workes of God he denies God himself but this spirit will not acknowledge a devill who is one of Gods Works in reference to the Creation it will not acknowledge that ever there was such a beeing or spirit such a work or creature as he is whom we call by such a name therefore in denying him who is one of the works of God yea the chiefest of his wayes as Job saith they deny God himself Secondly Every work or creature that was or ever shall bee created is an appearance of God my Argument is this hee that denies any of Gods works he denies the appearances and discoveries of God himself but this Doctrine doth deny God in respect of his creatures which are so many discoveries of him therefore it denies God himself he that denies any one beam of the Sun and will not acknowledge it to bee the light thereof he denies the Sun it self for as sure as the Sun is so sure is it that all its beames are its own proper light and there cannot bee any division made unlesse men will say that it is not in Heaven Thirdly Hee that denies all the works of God by him God is not acknowledged but this Doctrine doth deny all Gods Workes therefore it denies God himself all creatures doe declare this Truth that God is now if all creatures which doe discover this that God is are not then God is not if that which in truth discovers God to bee is not then God who is really discovered to bee by these creatures which he hath created is not He that will not acknowledge that to bee a creature which in truth is a creature he denies all creatures and holds that nothing is but God and his will Bright Star Theologia he that denies Belzebub to bee who is the prince of Devills he denies all the devills that are in hell and hell it self now if there be no evill Angels then are there good ones for these Angels which are now evill were once good and if the Scriptures which speaks concerning this be not a truth then is no thing a truth that it speaks of and then this damnable Paradox stands firme viz. that there is nothing in the creature which is not the Creator nothing in the Creator that is not God Fourthly He that denies him that is begotten Bright Star denies him also that doth beget but this Doctrine doth deny Christ to be who is begotten of God Psal 2. Heb. 1. Joh. 1. Esa 42. Act. 2. 1 Joh. 4. Therefore it denies God himself I prove it thus the devill tempted our first Parents and they obeyed and so were condemned and upon this Christ was promised Gen. 3. Rom. 5. Now if the devill was not how could hee tempt if the devill never tempted then man never sinned if man never sinned then Christ was not promised if Christ was not promised then he never appeared if Christ never appeared then he never dyed was not raised nor never ascended if all this be true then you that have any knowledge of Christ any relation to Christ any fellowshop with him in the spirit 1 Joh. 1. Phil. 2.1 Judge for I appeale to you all of all different opinions whatsoever I say judge whether this doth acknowledge any God but what is in the creature and so no God at all and this is the first generall Doctrine and some particular parts together with it which is described and confuted by a description of the devill and the Spirit of man the second generall that is described and confuted by a description of the devill the spirit of man and the sin against the Holy Spirit is this that all the abominations of men and devills are the act of the Spirit of God now if there bee two
cannot be changed into a lye but men with-hold it and mixe their own minde and reason with it so that whereas it was truth in the first it s now false in the last for a man to say that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh and to speake it to an Antichristian Familisticall end that he may by degrees allure and deceive and so by speaking one truth put of a hundred heresies now judge what truth this can be just as the Devill did to Christ Matt. 4. Who did seeme to ground all upon a principle of truth but to this end that hee might overthrow him in the worke of Redemption Againe you say that he that is it and knoweth it meaning God cannot speake it but if any desire to know it let him expect untill he be the thing now do but observe the contradictions that I draw forth from your owne principles if the spirit of man be God according to your many affirmations then what sense or Reason is there in this expression should God expect to be that which he is from Eternity but I le go another way to worke with you You seem to hold forth thus much by this expression first That there is a condition wherein man is and may be in which he is not God Secondly Hee not being God in this estate but having a desire to know God hee must expect untill he himself be that God that hee desires to know now it is manifested plainly that you say one thing now and another anon and doe not well know what to say for it being a confused Religion that you plead for I know no other way that you can have to plead for it but in a way of confusion It is impossible for you and altogether against all reason both humane and divine to goe about to maintaine order by that that is confused and out of order if you will but hearken to reason I have by the light thereof sufficiently proved and discovered the falshood and impossibility of maintaining that opinion that you plead for to be a truth and of God is it not impossible for any man though never so great and mighty in carnall wisdome and Phylosophicall understanding to maintain a truth by a meer lye to hold up a divine substance by a meer shadow Again If man be not God as in truth he is not not in these respects that we have spoken of then shall hee never bee God for it cannot stand with the nature of any thing in God to be and yet not to bee thou doest to the understanding of the weakest capacity plainly in all thy conclusions deny the very beeing of God for I reason much with you under the consideration of Atheisme if there be any God at all which you will not deny then is it not possible that ever he should bee such a being as you describe him to be you acknowledge nothing perfectly neither God man nor devill but with a compounded mixture of all together deny Scripture both with heart and tongue and yet seemingly for feare to allure for profit fashion and custome draw all things from the Word and would make that a cloak for all your heresie corruption and outward filthinesse and because the trueth of God can never be turned into a lye God in his infinite and glorious being overcome by the devillish oppositions powers and blasphemies of the devill and antichrist who would faine drive all to this to cause men to wonder at them follow them and acknowledge no other God Christ and Scripture than themselves and those words that doe proceed out of their mouthes Now because the truth doth vindicate it selfe from all such devillish interpretations by inabling the Saints of the most high God to goe forth in the power of the spirit and to put to silence These seeming Angelicall subtle beasts that would by their inchantments draw the whole world a wandering after them therefore they blaspheme These are such as speak evill of those things which they know not they would that all men should know that none knows God but they and under this notion of their knowledge of God they cease not continually to breathe our evills and blasphemies against him whom in truth they never saw and whatsoever they know by nature as beasts which are without such a light of Reason now in all those things which formerly they have known by the light of grace and all things that they now know by the light of Reason in all these for want of a true and powerfull principle of grace to overcome and master their own proud self-conceited imaginations of God and of all things I say that in all this they are most abominably corrupted and defiled confused and so confounded that their own words will and are already come in as sufficient witnesses to judge and condemne them Jude 10.12 13. Then is the love of a Christian made manifest when he doth feast his brethren with all those sweet and glorious things that he hath received from God but these men are clouds in such feasts of charity who with one high elevated word or expression of God will according to their power turn all joy into sorrow and all light into such a mysticall darknesse that though it be so yet knowing men shall be so deceived that they shall take it to be the highest light and glory of all these are they that feast with you without all feare feeding themselves for when wee aske them why they are so merry and joviall they will answer that none have such a right to all things as they have and whatsoever they doe they doe it without feare either to God or men there being no account to be given to God they themselves being God for one while they say that the spirit and life of all men are God at another time they will say that if any desire to know God let him expect and so indeed hee may expect long enough before he be what they themselves say they are These men doe preach and pray feast laugh and talk without feare of hell sin death or damnation for there is nothing that shall remain to eternity but the God-head that is in all creatures they doe feed themselves in two respects First They feed their bellies Secondly they feed their fancies too and they have many mens persons in admiration because of these two advantages Againe In pag. 52. line 6. Hee saith That perfect God and perfect man are one how can this bed why thus Man cannot be perfect unlesse he be God and God is not perfect without man so that perfect God and perfect man are one perfect God what sense is there in all this and what other conclusion can be drawn from these words for saith he when man doth yeeld and give place to God that then God himself there is man and doe and leave undone whatsoever hee will Wherein observe that God cannot be man untill man give place to God
Doest thou not blaspheme this Monster I have already strangeled therefore I le speake no further to it The Conclusion NOw you cannot chuse but love and imbrace me for what I have spoken and though I speake never so much against you yea though I should kill you a thousand times if it were possible yet you would wish all good to befall me Germanica pag. 80. and that for these Reasons First adeified man knowes nothing but to love Secondly all things are the Act of God be not angry with God Thirdly if your words were true I am God as well as you Thus much for a Description of Familisme other wayes called mysticall Ant christ The Postscript Dearly Beloved I Am ingaged to adde this at the conclusion of all because of the brevity and shortnesse in my Epistle I intreat you not to except against the universality of my Dedication it concernes you all as I said before to you I speak whose defire is to imbrace a particular crucified Jesus I doe not present this to any other because it concernes not any other but you you are all ingaged in this quarrell as well as I am you are bound to the Lord Jesus who is your Saviour and my Saviour your God and my God in a bond of Faith and love to lay out all your strength and ability for the exaltation of his name against all those who are enemies to his truth and contemners of his glory I speak to all that are in union with Christ high and low great and small from the richest Pallace to the poorest Cottage I have a Question or two to ask you an Information or two to declare to you and a Request or two which I desire to present unto you most humbly craving these of you not for my own sake but for your Saviours sake The first question is this Is not the glorious person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ very deare and precious to you in all your private and publick meditations I remember what the Prophet David said Lord who have I in heaven but thee or on earth that I desire in comparison of thee as if hee had said although there are Gods many and Lords many yet to mee there is but one God in heaven nor in earth neither there is no person in heaven that is so deare to mee as thou art no beeing is so glorious as thy beeing is no spirit in heaven hath done or is able to doe that for my soule which thou hast done thou hast loved me with an everlasting eternall love Lord who have I in heaven but thee Psal 103.1.2 Thou hast loved me with such an unexpressible infinite love such an exceeding love as never eye hath seen eare heard nor none of all thy Saints that either have been before mee or shall bee after mee can conceive of 1 Cor. 2.9 Lord who have I in heaven but thee There is no other God besides thee I know this to bee a truth which I speak of thee Psal 73.28 and 83. last Thy love is so exceeding high that Angels doe admire at the glory thereof Ephes 3.18 Lord what is man that thou art mindefull of him or the sonne of man that dost visit him Who have I in heaven but thee thou hast done much for mee thou art my portion and inheritance I have no other portion in heaven besides thee thou hast no reason or cause on my part to doe any thing for me my righteousnesse extendeth not to thee it cannot adde to thy glory it cannot increase thy blessednesse Thou haste forgiven mee all my iniquity thou hast not left one unpardoned thou hast blotted out all my sin as a thick cloud that it shall never be remembred nor laid to my charge Psal 32.2 3. and the 103.1 Lord who have I in heaven but thee Or on earth that I desire in comparison of thee thou hast made mee to bee one of thine annointed ones thou hast conferred an earthly Crown of glory upon mee and committed a Kingdome to my charge all the delights and glories of this world are round about me I am incompast in the midst thereof yet who have I in earth that I doe so highly prize and value in comparison of thee Are not all the glories of this world as a heap of drosse in comparison of thee is my life and kingdom so glorious in my eye as thou art shall not my honour glory and outward greatnesse praise thee Psal 108.1 My second question is this are not the members of Christ dear to you above all things in this world next unto Jesus Christ are you not willing to assist them upon all occasions are you not willing in all your pompe and glory to own a poore Lazarus if Christ bee in him for your Brother are you not willing for their sakes to doe much to suffer and undergoe much by contending for that Faith which was once given and cannot be given again My last question is this is any thing more contrary to the inward temper and inclination of your spirits then those Doctrines which doe not acknowledge Jesus Christ are not these great enemies to you and doe they not make great breaches in your spirits is it any joy and pleasure to you to heare many able knowing persons scoffe and make a mock of Christ and him crucified doe you not continually put up supplications to God for these poore faln apostatized spirits who once made Christ their chiefest joy and would have been very contrary to them that should have said but that of Christ which they themselves speak now My Information is concerning my particular judgement and those that I plead against and it is this I present this to all you that feare God whether Presbyterians or Independents you that are for the Baptisme of Infants or for the Baptisme of Beleevers to you all doe I present this my information concerning those that I write against is this whilest wee are striving and contending about different opinions many of which are things of indifferency whilst wee about these are a striving and contending the common and grand enemy of our peace takes an advantage at these contentions and vain janglings and so makes this time which is a time of disagreement and discord amongst the Saints to bee his opportunity to step in and rob you all of all the sweet and pretious things of God which are most sweet and dear unto you just as if two loving deare Brethren should for a small matter fall out with one another and in the mean time a common Theife an enemy to them both comes and cuts their throates My Petition and humble request to you all is this I pray you for Jesus Christs sake to except of this pooremite that I have cast into your treasury and to cover all infirmities with love I hope I have spoken to the experiences of many of you if this be a truth that I have writen then you know who is the Authour