righteous in the sight of men For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against ALL Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men c. Because that which may be known of God IS manifest IN them for God hath SHEWED it unto them For the Invisible things OF HIM from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and GODHEAD so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE Rom. 1. 18 19 20. Mark the WRATH of God is against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of men for one and the same cause namely because that which may be known of God is manifest IN THEM here the holy just merciful God shews that he is not PARTIAL Reader it is certain that the Spirit of Truth which doth Convince the World of Sin and leaves those without Excuse justly to be punished who do not believe Repent and Forsake their Sins and turn to God the same IS sufficient to GIVE Faith unto ALL men and Women But God said Israel would have none of ME. And Christ said to the Jews Ye will NOT come to ME that ye might have Life And Christ in pity and tender compassion WEPT over the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and said I would have gathered thy Children together as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings but ye would NOT. He did NOT say Ye could not for he KNEW that it was possible that they might have come unto him while the day of their Visitation lasted but after that time was ended they could not he said O that thou hadst known or experienced and enjoyed in this thy day the things which belong to thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes Now your House is left unto you Desolate Now those that would not and will not have God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Grace and Truth which God hath given to lead out of the Sin of Unbelief c. these WILL NOT have Faith For they in their stubborn corrupt Self-will refuse God and Christ the Author of it and the holy Spirit which is given to lead into the true Faith which purifieth the Heart the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience as saith the holy Apostle Those who are so hardened by the Devil that great hardener of Hearts that they will not have God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Grace and Truth nor Faith this their refusing of God and Christ the Spirit Faith c. is NOT according to the WILL and mind of God nor Christ nor the Spirit of Truth but according to the cursed Will and Mind of the old Deceiver who led Adam and Eve to Sin against God and against their own Souls and according to their own cursed will and mind which he the old Deceiver and Destroyer hath begotten in them against God Christ the Spirit of Truth c. And such hardened ONES Perish whose Destruction is of themselves and the Lord God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth is clear which hath Convinced them of their Sin and Reproved them for the same in secret and hath waited and long striven to lead them out of the same into Faith INTO love and pure obedience to the pure holy God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Christ pronounced Wo against the Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for OMITTING Faith see Matth. 23. 23. Note Reader here he pronounceth Wo against them because they had not Faith or were not in the true Faith here the just God shews that he did not with-hold the true and real means and cause of Faith from them but they in their corrupt wicked WILL did resist the working of the same till God ceased to strive with them for their Salvation So their being without Faith and perishing for want of it was of themselves and the Lord God and Christ and the Spirit of Truth was and is clear of them and all such It would be blasphemous to say that it was God's will that they should have no Faith though he cryed Wo against them because they omitted it and condemned them for not being found in it But it is no very strange thing that all men have not Faith seeing many in former Ages and divers in this have made SHIPWRACK of the true Faith which they ONCE HAD The Apostle Paul charged Timothy to Hold FAITH and a GOOD CONSCIENCE which some having put AWAY concerning Faith have made Shipwrack 1 Tim. 1. 18 19. Moreover Paul said to Timothy The Spirit speaks expresly that in the latter Times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie having their Conscience seared with a hot iron forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats c. 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Moreover Paul told Timothy that Hymaeneus and Philetus had erred c. who had overthrown the Faith of some see 1 Tim. 2. 18. Again Paul said to Timothy Hold fast the form of sound Words which thou hast heard of me in FAITH and Love this thou knowest that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me 2 Tim. 1. 13. 15. Again O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy TRUST avoiding prophane and vain Bablings and oppositions of Science falsly so called which some professing have enred concerning the Faith 1 Tim. 6. 20 21. Reader thus it doth plainly appear that those who once had the true Faith did depart from it and fell into Apostacy and so made Shipwrack of that Faith which the Spirit of Truth had begotten in them and such became as Trees twice Dead plucked up by the Roots c. and as wandring Stars or wandring restless Spirits for whom is reserved the mist of Darkness forever as it s written in the holy Scriptures the Hearts and Consciences of such were grown very hard benumed and greatly insensible eyen answering in a Spiritual sense that saying viz. Having their Consciences seared with a hot Iron such are forward and bold to commit Sin with pleasure and greediness and to make a mock at true Tenderness holy Fear and true Watchfulness and at the godly Sorrow and unfeigned Repentance of those whose Hearts God hath broken by his Righteous Judgments through the effectual operation of the Word of FAITH which is to be known nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth which Word is as a Hammer to break the hard Heart and as an Ax or Sword to cut down the Lust and Wickedness thereof and as a Fire to burn up the same and as a strong Wind to drive away the Ashes thereof Wo wo to the Ranters and Atheists who have sold themselves to work Wickedness with greediness who make a Mock at God at his Works in Judgment and in Mercy unto the Children of men who sport themselves in their Devilish prophane Conversations wo to them it had been better for them that they had not been Born And wo to all Apostates who are departed from the true
in his own Spirit and Power feed the Flock of God and Christ Secondly That they did and do take the over-sight of the Flock not by Constraint but willingly God makes them willing by his heavenly power they are NOT made willing by Gold or Silver Corn or Cattel or any earthly thing neither do they AFFECT Titles of Eldership in Pride or Vain Glory but the False Teachers and Elders are made willing to Preach for Gold and Slver Corn and Cattel and Earthly things how such affect Titles Earthly things more then the true Elders WORK is known to God and it is discerned by many in this Morning of his heavenly Day which is dawned in this our Age glory to the Lord God for the same Such who feed with the Fat and cloath with the Wooll and make a PREY upon the People are in Balaams Way and Error who covet the Wages of Unrighteousness yea many in Cains way in Envy Persecuting about these things some even to Death and for these things they strive one against another the strife is who shall have the fattest Benefice The TRUE Elders and Ministers did not nor do not take the oversight of the flock of God for FILTHY LUCRE but of a ready mind which God begetteth in them by his good Spirit FILTHY Lucre is Earthly gain ILL GOTTEN Christ Jesus commanded his Disciples whom he made Elders to watch over his Church saying Freely ye have received freely give Those who esteem themselves Christs Ministers yet take the over-sight of their Flocks and watch over them and teach them for Gold Silver Corn Hay c. this their Gain is ungodly it is Ill gotten because in the getting of it they break Christs Command whose Servants they pretend to be and in so doing they greatly dishonour him Yet still the Ministers of Christ have power to eat such as is set before them freely but not to force or compel by Persecution those who did or do receive Spiritual things from them the Spirit of God makes such willing there is no use for outward Force and Persecution in this concern so then to be sure they had not power by outward Force to compel those who did not believe nor receive their Testimony or to pay them for preaching though the true Apostles and Elders had power to eat c. and where they did sow Spiritual things to reap Carnal yet they laboured with their own hands that they might make the Gospel without charge so far were they from desiring or receiving any outward thing for preaching from Unbelievers that they laboured with their own hands that they might not be chargeable to the Believers No the Ministers and Elders who were and are made by Christ were and are men of nobbler Spirits then to do so The true Elders and Ministers were not nor are not Lords over God's Heritage but were and are good Ensamples and true Servants to the Flock And their Exhortation was and is to walk as they had and have them for Ensamples Glory to the Lord for the same The faithful Elder and Apostle Paul by the holy Ghost exhorted Timothy saying Be thou an Example of the Believers in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith in Purity Neglect not the Gift that is in thee c. take heed unto thy self and unto the Doctrine continue in them for in so doing thou shalt save both thy self and them that hear thee see 1 Tim. 4. 12. to the end Again Chap. 5. 22. Lay Hand suddenly on NO man neither be partaker of other mens Sins KEEP thy self PURE c. They are blessed who follow the blessed Example of the Lord Jesus Christ and his holy Apostles and the Elders made by him who abide in his Doctrine and in the Faith which he is the Author and Finisher of and in the love which reacheth to all People both Friends and Enemies which Love thinketh no Evil neither doth any Wrong or Evil which Love is stronger than Death it is not puffed up it doth not behave it self unseemly This Love is the fulfilling of the holy Law of God as saith the holy Apostle All who keep therein are PLEASANT to the Lord and honoured by him with a truly tendred Heart and lowly mind and with the pure Patience in and through all Tribulation Trials and Affliction which cometh upon them for Christ's sake in which they possess their Souls in peace and quietness being kept by the mighty Power of God through the precious Faith and Love which is shed abroad in them BY and in Christ Jesus He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked see 1 John 2. 6. Concerning Original Sin IN page 10. J. B. takes upon him to say something concerning Original Sin he saith to his Neighbour I understand by you that its contrary to the Doctrine you teach c. Answ The Original or first cause of Sin is the Devil who abode not in the Truth as Christ said The Apostle saith He that committeth Sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose was the Son of God made manifest that he might Destroy the Works of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. Jesus said Whosoever committeth sin is the Servant of sin Joh. 8. 34. J. B. saith to his Neighbour in the aforesaid page You told me you questioned not at all but all those Infants that dyed without actual Sin were received into Heaven having nothing to be laid to their Condemnation Answ J. B's Neighbour hath spoken very Soberly and Charitably and Scripturally and Soundly in this matter though J. B. doth ignorantly Cavil against him for it the Dark Rebellious Apostized Jews were like unto this J. B. they said The Fathers have eaten sowr Grapes and the Childrens Teeth are s t on edge c. These Dark sayings displeased the Lord and he Rebuked them for them by the Mouth of his Servant Ezekiel saying The Soul that sinneth it shall dye the Son shall not bear the Iniquity of the Father neither shall the Father bear the Iniquity of the Son see Ezek. 18. 2 20. read the Chapter through Moreover the Lord said by the Mouth of the Prophet Jeremiah They shall say no more the Fathers have eat a sowr Grape and the Childrens Teeth are set on edge but every one shall dye for his own Iniquity every man that eateth the sowr Grape his Teeth shall be set on edge Jer. 31. 29 30. Thus it plainly appears that little Infants who never acted or committed Sin must not be cast into Hell for their Fathers Sins but dying without actual Sin must inherit the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus called a little Child unto him and set it in the midst of them and said Verily I say unto you except ye be converted and become as little Children ye shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. 18. 2 3. Mark 10. 15. Luke 18. 17. Jesus said Suffer little Children and forbid them
Wife and so he was after God had sanctified him through his Righteous Judgments and Mercy he prayed to God to Wash him and he said I shall be whiter than Snow make me to hear joy and gladness that the Bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Create in me a new Heart O God and renew a right Spirit within me take not thy holy Spirit from me Psal 51. 7 to the 15th J. B. in pag. 26. thou chargest the Apostles That they all at one clap forsook or denyed Christ To prove this thy Charge thou bringest Mark 14. 50. 66. which doth not prove thy Charge against them ALL Peter did deny him but when the Cock crew he turned about and Wept bitterly Here was timely and unfeigned Repentance he did not say he must continue denying his Master all his Dayes but he soon became a valiant follower of Christ and a sufferer with him and for him Mark saith the others fled but doth not say they all at once denyed their Master but it appears by their leaving of him at that time that they did not so boldly confess him before his Enemies as afterwards they did But let J. B. consider that this weakness which appeared in them was before the Holy Ghost was come upon them in that FULNESS which after the Death and Resurrection of their Master they received The Holy Ghost was NOT yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified John 7. 39. But after theywere endewed with Power from on high they confessed him with great boldness suffered with him for him Boldly J. B. here thou makest Ungodly shifts to plead for Sin term of Life which plea of thine is to uphold the Devil's Kingdom which stands in Sin and thy plea is against the Kingdom of Christ which doth stand in Holiness and Righteousness God will reward thee according to thy Deeds if thou do not come to unseigned Repentance but it is thy Repentance and Salvation that we desire In the aforesaid page J. B. quotes David's words who said in Psalms 14. 1. 53. 1 3. There is none that doth good c. Which Paul repeats in Rom. 3. 11 12. to the 20. where he doth plainly open the Words of David thus Now saith he we know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every Mouth may be stopped and all the WORLD may become guilty before God The same Apostle saith Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to every one that believes Rom. 10. 4. The same Apostle said to the Saints Sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. 14. The same Apostle saith Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the Body of Sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve Sin Rom. 6. 6. And he saith How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein Rom. 6. 2. And the same Apostle saith to the Galatians If ye be led by the Spirit ye are not under the Law Gal. 5. 18. None are true Christians but those who are led by the Spirit of Christ as the Apostle saith If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his And as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God saith the holy man of God and such are not under the Law being come out of the Transgression upon which or because of which the Law was added Besides in the 14. 53. Psalms and in Rom. 3. David and Paul shew that God had a People in those Dayes which he distinguished from those workers of Iniquity he said Have the workers of Iniquity no Knowledge who eat up my People as they eat Bread and call not upon the Lord and he said The Wicked were in great fear for God is in the Congregations of the Righteous Mark God had a Righteous Congregation then though they might be few in Number Psalms 14. 4 5. 53. 4. J. B. quotes Jer. 17. 9. The Heart is desperately wicked who can know it The Prophet doth answer the Question in the Name of the Lord saying I the Lord search the Heart I try Reins to give unto every man according to his wayes and according to the Fruit of his doings God hath promised by the Mouth of his holy Prophet that he will take away the Stony Heart out of the Flesh and that he will give a Heart of Flesh that People may walk in his Statutes Ezek. 11. 19. And the Spirit of Truth which doth lead the Saints into all Truth the same doth Convince the World of Sin of Righteousness and Judgment and whatsoever is reproved and condemned by God in Men and Women the same is made known to be Evil by the spiritual Light of Christ Jesus Every one that doth Evil hates the Light and will not bring his Deeds to it But he that doth Truth bringeth his Deeds to the Light that they may be made manifest that they are wrought in God as saith the Apostle J. B. God saith Wo unto the Rebellious Children who take counsel but not of me that cover with a covering but not of my Spirit that they may add Sin unto Sin Isa 30. 1. Thou hast given large Proof in this thy Pamphlet that thou art not covered with the Spirit of God for if thou wert thou wouldst not thus wickedly wrest the holy Scriptures to cover thy self in thy Sins neither wouldst thou rake up the weakness and failings of such amongst God's People who at sometimes did Evil but Repented and forsook their Evils and were forgiven by the Lord as in the cases of David and Peter God made Man perfect and the Devil hath brought man into Imperfection by leading him into Sin and Rebellion against God So thy Plea for Sin and Imperfection term of Life is a plea for the Devil and his Kingdom whose Kingdom stands in Sin and thou art in this thy plea against Christ Jesus and his Kingdom which stands in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the holy Ghost So be ashamed of thy Ungodly Work and Repent Concerning God's dwelling in his People In page 23. J. B. saith If there be that in us which if obeyed leads to Heaven then sure we bear a part in our Justification our selves which giveth the Apostle to the Ephesians the Lye who tells us we are saved by Grace through Faith c. Answ God who cannot Lye hath promised that he will walk and dwell in his People and teach them himself And the Apostle said to the Saints There is one God over all through all and in you all Mark God was in them all and the Apostle said I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and he said to some who questioned whether Christ did speak in him or no Try your selves know you not that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates And the Apostle John