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A25343 Ancient truth revived, or, A True state of the antient, suffering Church of Christ, commonly (but falsly) called Brownists, living in London, and other places of this nation wherein I. Is shewed (in the preface) the state of the gospel-church, from the time of Christ's ascension, to the end of the world, gathered out of the book of Revelations, II. The confession of our faith, grounded on the doctrine of the apostles and prophets, III. By vvhom the gospel vvas first preached in this island, IV. Our practice in the worship of God, according to the practice of the primitive church, with an explanation of every ordinance, and vvho have right to administer the same, V. The first day of the week proved to be the gospel-sabbath. 1677 (1677) Wing A3076; ESTC R40283 61,216 57

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the Athenians kept the first Day from Evening to Evening as the Jews kept their Sabbath the Chaldeans begin the time at Sun-rising the Aegyptians at Noon but most People in these Western parts of the World keep the first Day from Midnight to Midnight which most agreeth with the time of Christ's Resurrection who lying in the Grave the whole Seventh-day Sabbath rose most likely so soon as the seventh Day ended because then the first Day began with the Sun-rising for it riseth to us after twelve a clock So Christ the Sun of Righteousness is said to be risen very early in the Morning while it was yet dark John 20.1 So then the Seventh-day Sabbath was past Mat. 16.1 at the rising of the Sun Acts 2. For it may be said the Sun is risen after twelve a clock as we call it Morning at one a clock about which time our Gospel-Sabbath takes its beginning and endeth about the same time as Paul upon an extraordinary occasion continued his Preaching with the Performing of the rest of Christ's Ordinances till twelve a Clock of the First Day of the Week at Night Acts 20.7 And as the time being changed to the first Day with the Holiness thereof even so by the virtue of the fourth Commandment are we also forbidden all manner of Work on the first Day as was forbidden on the seventh Day of old As saith the Prophet If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a Delight the holy of the Lord honourable not doing thy one pleasures nor speaking thy own words Isa 58.13 Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord ver 14. But it is much to be feared that Gospel Professors are not acquainted with this Scripture when on the first Day of the Week they can work in their Trade apart some all day some carry home Work sell Wares write Letters of worldly Business ride Journies make Bargains and cast up their Books of Accompts take Voyage to Sea Let all such know that because Sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the Sons of Men is fully set in them to do evil Eccles 8 11. God will punish the Breakers of this Time for Gospel-Worship as he did the Breakers of the Seventh-day Sabbath under the Law Moreover If the Lord made it a special Reason that Israel of old should keep the Seventh day Sabbath upon their Deliverance out of Aegypt on which Day it may be supposed they came out Deut. 5.15 Sure our Spiritual Deliverance from the Spiritual Bondage of Sin and Satan of which Bondage Aegypt was a Figure is therefore a more weightier reason why we should keep the Day of our Deliverance even the first Day of the Week the Day wherein the Redemption of all the Elect was accomplished by Christ's Resurrection from the dead And again if Israel were enjoyned to keep the Seventh-day upon their Deliverance how much more are all Christians bound upon the same Ground and Reasons to keep the Day of our Deliverance And again If the bringing of Israel out of Aegypt was such a Work as God for the memorial thereof made both the Day and Month the Beginning and first Month of the Year which was not so before Exod. 12.2 and the Deliverance as afore but a Figure of our Spiritual How much more then is that Day to be accounted of and kept holy above all Days in the Year in which we were delivered from our Spiritual Bondage by the Resurrection of Christ who suffered on that day that Sin was first committed in Paradise and also after he had suffered for Sin lay in the Grave the Seventh day Sabbath the chief time that the Sacrifice for Sin was consumed on the Altar And thus when the holy Scriptures which consist of Prophecies Histories Parables Mysteries Statutes Judgments and the like are rightly as saith the Apostle divided we may not be ashamed as some whom he blamed that desired to be Teachers of the Law understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath for the Gospel-Sabbath mingling the Law and Gospel together either in our Justification before God and likewise in practice by keeping the Letter of the Law in the Seventh-day Sabbath as the only Time for Gospel-Worship so making the Lord Jesus in his Church inferior to Moses And lastly Having given this brief observation of the state of the Church of Christ from his Ascension to the end of the World with the Confession of Faith in which the Primitive Churches were established and the heavenly Order they performed all the Ordinances of Christ with the Ministry Maintenance and Time Let the Reader wisely observe that in this last Age of the World we are told that after the last glorious Reformation under the seventh Angel as is described in the Preface Satan will be loosed out of his Restraint or Prison again and because he knows he hath but a short time will gather together his Armies comprehended under the name of Gog and Magog Rev. 20. whose names signify covered or to cover to wit but not with my Spirit saith the Lord Isa 30.1 but with his Angelick Doctrines as if they came from Heaven So will he use his uttermost sleights to deceive as Christ saith if it were possible the very Elect by his false Apostles and Prophets with their vain titles and gilded shews of Church and Ministry So that the Harlot or false Church called a Beast is said to have Horns like the Lamb Christ Rev. 13.11 yea she is said to be arrayed with Purple and Scarlet gilded with Gold precious Stones and Pearls Rev. 17.4 as if she were the Queen and Spouse of Christ Psal 45.9 13. Ezek. 16.10 13. Cant. 7.5 She hath Peace-offerings and Vows Prov. 7.14 as if she were the very Church of God Psal 66.13 Bread and Water to refresh her Children Prov. 9.16 17. and her number great and many Jer. 5.7 yet but a well-favoured Harlot Nah. 3.4 who by her alluring tongue whereby she lieth in wait to deceive Eph. 4.14 Rom 16.18 hath cast down many wounded yea many strong men have been slain by her for her house is the way to Hell going down to the Chambers of Death Prov. 7.26 27. Therefore what special care ought every one to have that tender their souls eternal happiness to examine what estate they are in and whether the Congregation they are members of be the true Church of God seeing in these last days Christ telleth us that many false Christs and false Prophets shall arise and deceive many Now if in Nature we were warned of these dangers and harms to the Body what strong watch would we set at our gates both night and day to prevent it how much more being warned by these Lines of the dangers of these last and perilous days wherein so many unstable souls are beguiled that never try by God's Word what they hear but if it suit with the natural sense it is yeelded to for a Truth when as the natural man cannot judg in matters of Faith seing he perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God and so upon this false ground is the whole Gospel of Christ perverted and made a secondary Law of works that if men believe as the general part of the Church believes it is true belief and if they go to hear a Sermon and sometimes break Bread it is all the service God requires of them in the Church or Congregation Let us intreat such not thus to deceive themselves or any longer be led away by Deceivers to think if they imitate a part of God's service or without Faith in what they do they are in a good condition Let such know the contrary for Cain as well as Abel offered sacrifice yet were not both accepted Gen. 4. Israel in their Apostacy erected a Temple an Altar and Ministry 1 King 12.28 And did not the two women plead both considently for the living Child 1 King 3.16 and whose could it be but hers that loved it most Even so who is the true Church of Christ but they that love him most and who are those Churches that love Christ most but they that keep all his Commandments as it is written He that hath my Commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me Joh. 14.21 But how shall such Churches be said to love Christ that shut out of his Church or Kingdom his true Ministry and also the performance of several of his Ordinances For proof thereof we refer the conscienable Reader that will judg without partiality comparing the practice of the Church in this day and their faith to the primitive practice that we the poor despised Christians falsly called Brownists have here set down as our Belief and Practice desiring the Lord in his mercy to bless these our Labours to this Generation even the elect among them that they seeing their Lords pleasure may flee to him whom they love in his true Church as Doves to their windows Isae 60.8 Now to him that is able to keep us from falling even the only wise God and our Lord Jesus Christ be all Glory Honour and Praise rendred now and for evermore Amen FINIS
for their souls and if the flock be poor then their Ministers with all cheerfulness to labour f with their hands to help to supply their own wants and as a good Shepherd willing to lay down his life for the Flock by the example of the great Shepherd the Lord Jesus a Acts 14.23 Acts 6.3 5 6. Rev. 1.20 and 2 3 chap. Numb 8.9 10. b Tit. 1.5 c 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13.17 d 2 Tim. 2.4 1 Tim. 4.15 e Prov. 27.23 Acts 20.28 1 Cor. 19.14 Gal. 6.6 f Acts 20.34 1 Cor. 4.12 1 Thes 2.9 2 Thes 3.8 XVI Christ hath given a power to his Churh not onely to elect and ordain Ministers to serve therein but if they be found to teach evil Doctrine or make default in administration or an evil conversation first being in meekness and love admonished if they will not hear by due order to depose them from the Ministry and if they persist obstinate and remain impenitent to cut them off from the Body by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ in the time of Government by Excommunication and likewise if any other member be found guilty of sin and remain obstinate b after due admonition like as aforesaid to be cast out of the Church that the Camp of the Lord be not defiled where the Lord dwelleth a Mat. 18.17 1 Tim. 5.19 20 21. Rom. 16.17 Ezek. 44.12 13. b 1 Cor. 5.4 Numb 5.2 3. Mat. 18.17 Psal 101.8 XVII As Christ hath for the keeping of his Church in holy orderly Communion placed some Men by Office in the Church who by their Office are to govern oversee visit a watch So likewise for the better keeping thereof in all parts and places by all the Members he hath not only commanded the Officers to watch but laid it as a duty upon them all to watch b one over another And whilst the Ministers and People thus remain together in this holy Order and Christian Communion each one in their places as Members c of the Body endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace doing the will of God so shall they walk in their callings e in the obedience of the faith f once given to the Saints to the g glory of God Christ's presence h promised to them to bless i and defend k them against all fraud and force of their enemies so as the l gates of Hell shall not prevail against them a Esay 62.6 Acts 20.31 Luke 12.37 b Mark 13.37 1 Cor. 16.13 1 Thes 5.6 c 1 Cor. 12.14 21. d Eph. 4.3 e 1 Cor. 7.34 f Acts 6.7 Rom. 4.12 Jude 3. g 1 Cor. 10.31 h Mat. 18.20 i Exod. 20.24 k Psal 5.11 Isa 4.5 Psal 89.18 l Mat. 16.18 XVIII And finally When and where in any Church this holy Order and diligent Watch is or was neglected a or violated Errors and Heresies crept in and the holy orderly performance of Christ's Ordinances turned into a Babel of c Confusion as before to the Reader is observed Whereby the Man of sin did d corrupt all faith and erect a e strange Ministry and Administration in the Church which began by degrees that at length a new sorged Ministry Worship and Government was set up that the whole World wondred f after the Beast yea the Nations Kingdoms and Inhabitants of the Earth were made drunk g with the wine of the Whores fornication and all people at length enforced h to receive the Beast's Mark and worship his Image and so brought into Babylonish Bondage a 2 Cor. 18.19 b Rev. 2.20 c 1 Cor. 14.33 d Rev. 19.24 Jud. v. 10. Mal. 2.8 Hos 9.9 e Rev. 9.3 f Rev. 17.8 g Rev. 17.2 h Rev. 13.16 XIX Therefore all that expect salvation or to be saved by the Lord Jesus hear the call of God saying Come out of Babylon a my people Such is the state in one degree or other of all that worship the Lord and not in his own order by his own Ordinances and being come forth by the call of the Lord unto the true Profession of Christ besides the instructing and well guiding of their families b they are to joyn c themselves to the Church of Christ that walketh in holy order or if otherwise to joyn together in a Christian Communion b and orderly Covenant the form of Christs spiritual e building and by a free confession of faith and obedience to Christ so to unite themselves into particular and visible Congregations wherein as members of one Body Christ the only Head f are they according to the measure of Grace g received to edifie h one another and build i up one another in their most holy faith till the Lord fitteth some among them to be elected and chosen for Overseers k and Guides among them and herein to abide l with God till persecution or death m or other such just cause part them unto which work if we forsake not so assembling while two remain together they have the promise of his Presence that he will never leave them nor forsake o them and in the end their reward shall be sure even p Life everlasting a Rev. 18.4 b Gen. 18.19 Eph. 6.4 c Jer. 50.5 Acts 2.47 d Mat. 18.20 e 1 Pet. 2.5 f Col. 1.18 g 1 Pet. 4.10 11. h 1 Cor. 14.12 i Jud. 20. k 1 Tim. 3.1 l Psal 27.4 m Rom. 8.35 John 6.68 n Eccles 4.9 10 11 12. Mat. 18.20 o Heb. 13.5 6. p Rev. 3.11 John 10.28 XX. Moreover all Christians are bound to fear God a and honour the King whose Magistratical Office is to support the good and punish b the evil in the breach of the second Table of God's Law and as they are the Lords Lieutenants here on Earth so an excellent c Majesty is given unto them who ought to be nursing-Fathers d to the Church of God in defending them from all persecution e and injuries while they peaceably practise Christ's Ordinances in his Worship and to abolish all Reliques of f Idolatry imposed by the Man of sin or his Favourites upon the Church of Christ or any member of the same for which cause all Christians that dwell in their Dominions ought to pay them Tribute g and to pray b for them and to use their uttermost endeavour to prevent all injuries intended against them and though by the protection of the Magistrate it makes the Church enjoy more peace and outward comfort in the service of God yet no whit at all more lawful to walk in the Ways and Ordinances of Christ Jesus which he hath commanded his Church to keep without spot and unrebukable until his appearing in the end of the World a 1 Pet. 2.17 b Rom. 13.1 2 3 4. c Dan. 4.36 and 5.18 19. d Isa 49.23 e Rev. 12.16 Psal 32.6 f Rev. 17.16 17. 2 Kings 23 5 2 Chro. 19.3 4. Rev. 13.15 16. g Mat. 22.19 21. Rom. 13.7 h 1 Tim. 2.1 2. i Esther 6.2 3. k Acts 4.19 1 Tim. 6.13 14. XXI And lastly If God with-hold the Magistrates
appointed in his Testament to be performed namely 1. Prayer 2. Singing of Psalms 3. The Pastor by office reading some part of the holy Scriptures giving the sense of the same with what else by doctrine as the time may permit the Teacher shall deliver and by the wisdom given him applying the same to the Consciences of the Hearers 4. The Men Members exercise their Gifts in Prophesying according to the ability given them of God by two or three at the most 5. The Deacons receiving the Contribution given by the Church for the Minister and the Poor 6. The ruling Elder governing the Affairs of the Church with the Pastor and Teacher in the time of Government 7. Water-Baptism if any were received in Members in the time of Government to be by the Pastor or Teacher administred on them 8. The performance of the Lords Supper after which by the example of Christ all the Church joyntly to sing a Psalm concluding the whole with Prayer All which Ordinances and Offices we find in the Testament of Christ and practised in the Churches wherein the Apostle Paul rejoyced to behold their Faith and the holy a Order they performed them in So that where the holy Doctrines of Christ in his Church are purely taught and all his Ordinances in order performed there is Christ beheld in his beauty and his Spouse at his right-hand in Gold of Ophir who for her incomparable beauty whilst she holdeth fast the Faith once given to the Saints according to the Covenant of Grace made with Abraham and his Infants the Faith of Gods Elect and walketh after Christ the Captain of her salvation in the heavenly Warfare of his glorious Gospel she looketh forth as the b Morning fair as the Moon clear as the Sun and terrible as an Army with Banners beautiful for c scituation the Joy of the whole Earth is this Mount Sion the City of the great King the Lords d House his e Temple and f Mountain of God a chosen g Generation a holy Nation a peculiar People the b Vineyard of the Lord his i Garden inclosed a Spring shut up the sealed Fountain and Orchard of Pomegranates abounding with the sweeet fruits of his Graces his k Heritage and l Kingdom his Spouse his m Queen his n Body Unto this Church belougeth all the o Promises in the Gospel made in Christ who is made unto her p Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption unto whom the Lord is a q Wall of fire his r Presence promised her his s Protection and even Life for evermore As these Scriptures shew to all them that will search the same a Col. 2.5 b Cant. 6.10 c Psal 48.1 2. d Heb. 3.6 e 2 Cor. 6.16 f Mica 4.1 Zach. 8.3 g 1 Pet. 2.9 h Isa 5.1 and 27.2 i Cant. 4.12 Isa 51.3 k Isa 19.25 l Col. 1.13 m Psal 45.9 n 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 1.23 o Gal. 4.28 1 Cor. 1.20 2 Pet. 1.4 Rom. 9.4 p 1 Cor. 1.30 q Zach. 2.5 Heb. 12.29 r Isa chap. 60. Ezek. chap. 47. Mat. 18.20 s Ezek. 48.35 Mat. 28.20 Esay chap. 62. Let us now with John in the Spirit ascend to the heights of the Mountains of Israel to behold the true Church of God the Bride the Lambs wife as she is held forth in the Scripture of the Prophets now following her Head and Husband in the performance of all his holy Ordinances in that holy Order Christ hath given her under the Gospel in his last Will and Testament how that all the glory of the Church of God in all Ages is applied to her in all the Promises of Life for her unmovable stability and eternal comfort in the 21th 22th chapters of the Revelations while she aboundeth in the work of the Lord. Therefore let us take a view how glorious this Church appeareth beautified with all God's Ordinances I. Prayer is a a sanctifying Ordinance ordained of the Lord given to his Church as a powerful means to prevail with the Lord for all things we stand in need of offered up by the mediation of Christ Jesus and also serveth to distinguish between every Ordinance as by the example of Christ in the Supper who prayed between the receiving the Bread and Wine And also Moses when the Camp removed sanctified the action by b Prayer and so likewise when it rested Unto which agreeth the Exhortation of the Apostle to the Churches d that by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving let your request be made known to God a 1 Tim. 4.4 Eph. 6.18 19. Act. 6.4 2.42 Zech. 8.21 22. Job 42.8 2 Chron. 6.24 1 Thess 5.17 Rev. 5.8 8.24 b Mat. 26.26 27. Numb 6.23 to 27. c Numb 10.35 36. d Phil. 4.6 with Mat. 6.5 to 15. II. Prayer being performed the Church together do sing with harmony of Voices some part of the Psalms in the holy Scriptures forasmuch as God created no a Faculty in vain but to be used to praise and glorifie the Name of the Lord in his Church where prayer and praises b wait for him for his Mercies and wonderful works of c Deliverance of his Church from the rage of d Pharaoh the Dragon making them to pass through the Sea as on dry e Ground who for their deliverance then sang his f praise So likewise ought the Saints now having received like precious Faith with them 2 Pet. 1.1 2 Cor. 4.13 in these Gospel-days stand on the Sea of g Glass having the Harps of God or like h Melody of joy in the Spirit to see in the Churches Deliverance of old how we were in them delivered by the seed Christ in the loins of the Church then preserved ought now to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb having gotten the victory over the Romish Beast and his Image of whom Pharaob was a i Figure and hereupon was that Psalm with others penn'd by the Spirit of God for the Saints now to sing as our deliverance which the Church of Israel did sing as their deliverance in the Churches deliverance of old many hundred years before they were born and could say by the same Spirit of Faith in Christ to come as we enjoy now he is come of that seed then preserved there did we k rejoyce in him to wit in God for our deliverance in them then delivered as saith the Prophet Except the Lord had left us a very small l Remnant we should have been as Sodom and Gomorrha But some will object that Singing of old was used with Instruments of Musick We answer so was Prayer with offering up of Incense therefore as Incense is ceased yet Prayer remaineth so by like reason though Musick is ceased yet Singing of Psalms remains as an Ordinance of God to his Church else Christ at the first institution of his last m Supper a Gospel-Ordinance would not with his Disciples have performed singing as a Pattern for all his Churches to follow his steps neither would the Apostles have instructed the Churches to employ themselves in
the Ordinance of n Singing but as it was an Ordinance given to the Church and never repeal'd but to be practised by them as a means whereby the Word of Christ may dwell in them richly in all Wisdom singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord. a Psal 103.1 b Psal 65.1 c Psal 105 106 107. Psal 77.15 to 20. Exod. 14.19 d Psal 74.13 14. Exek 29.3 Esay 51.9 10 11. e Exod. 14.21 22. f Exod. 15.1 to 21. g Rev. 15.2 3. h Isa 51.3 1 Chron. 16.29 Eph. 5.19 i Rev. 12.3 Ezek. 32.2 k Psal 66.6 l Isa 1.9 m Mat. 26.26 n Col. 3.16 Eph. 5.19 III. After the Ordinance of Singing the Pastor a readeth some part of the Scripture when he hath b sanctified this Ordinance by Prayer he giveth the sense and meaning of the same bringing one Scripture to e expound another d comparing spiritual things with spiritual as it is written to the e Law to the f Testimony if they speak not according to it there is no true g Light in them for no Scripture is of any h private Interpretation but by the Scripture of the Prophets is shewed what is i Gospel that so the Church may with the k Bereans search the Scripture for the proof of the same seeing our Faith in all things must be built upon the l foundation or doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets Christ Jesus himself being the chief Corner-stone and not as some say on the Light within but as the Apostle witnessed both to small and great none other things concerning Christ and our Faith in him than what the m Prophets and Moses did say should come that so the Church may be edified in the fear n of the Lord according to these Scriptures a 1 Tim. 4.13 Neh. 8.8 Acts 13.15 b Phil. 4.16 c 2 Pet. 1.20 d 1 Cor. 2.13 e Isa 8.20 Luk. 16.29 31. f 1 Cor. 2.1 John 5.46 Deut. 18.18 Luk. 13.36 37. 2 Thes 1.10 Rev. 19.10 and 15.5 g Jer. 8.9 h 2 Pet. 1.20 i Rom. 16.25 26. Gal. 3.8 Rom. 15.16 Isa 52.7 and 53 chap. k Acts 17.11 l Eph. 2.20 m Acts 26.22 n Acts 11.31 IV. After the Ordinance of Reading is performed with what the Pastor by Doctrine laid as the food or bread a of Life before the Flock the Teacher according to the b Wisdom given him taketh some place of Scripture after he hath opened the same raiseth Doctrine from it and applieth it to the c consciences of the hearers that the Church may discern d Sin and e Righteousness working upon the f Will and Affections that a g reasonable Creature not without faith may be given up unto God and their Bodies as a living h sacrifice in his service so i growing in Grace and in all spiritual k understanding as l Plants in the Lords Vineyard and bringing forth the m fruits of his own Grace every good work to the praise and glory of the Lord Jesus a John 6.48 Mat. 4.4 Deut. 8.3 b 1 Cor. 128. 1 Tim 2.17 Luk. 4.18 21 22. 2 Tim. 3.16 c 2 Cor. 4.2 5.11 d Rom. 7.7 e Rom. 10.4 Phil. 3.9 Mat. 5.20 f Phil. 2.13 1 Cor. 3.7 Luk. 17.5 g 1 Thes 3.2 h Rom. 12.1 Mark 9.49 Psal 51.17 i 2 Pet 3.18 Psal 92.12 k Col. 1.9 2 Tim. 2.7 l Isa 5.7 m Cant. 4.16 Col. 1.10 Phil. 1.11 n 1 Cor. 10.31 Eph. 1.13 V. Now followeth the Ordinance of Prophecy being sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer by that Member which beginneth that Exercise who invocateth the Lord for a blessing thereon that so the Gifts and Graces the Lord bestoweth on his Church may not be a hid in the Earth or b covered under a Bushel but manifested as was prophesied The righteous shall flourish like the Palm-Tree he shall grow as the Cedar in Lebanon to shew forth the praises of the Lord in his c Temple observing time and order speaking to his glory For this cause therefore hath God ordained this Ordinance that Members not yet in office may exercise their Gifts as it is written Ye that are zealous of spiritual Gifts seek that ye may excell to the d edifying of the Church by which holy order of training up Youth or young Men in the Church by exercising their Gifts after two years time were some found fit in the Church of God at Ephesus to be chosen by the Church to the office of Bishop or Pastor and other offices when as they had no office before for two years time And thus when Gods way is taken for the fitting of Men in Gods own time and order for the work of the Ministry they need not as many do take a contrary way to make Ministers of the Gospel by human art in the knowledge onely of the Tongues as though the Gifts and Graces of God could be as f Simon Magus thought bought or purchased with Money neither is it obtained by any natural Art or human Industry for great is the difference beeween the attaining of the knowledge of the Tongues and the knowledge of the Mysteries of Faith as is evident for the Jews were as learned Men as any in the g World in the knowledge of those Languages the Scriptures were first spoken and wrote in yet they knew not the h voices of the Prophets when read every Sabbath concerning Christ in the Promises contained in the Prophets Writings but when he was preached unto them out of the Writings of the Prophets that Christ must dye for our sins according to the i Scriptures it was unto the Jews a k stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness Also the Cardinals and Jesuits at Rome want not the knowledg of the Tongues yet how ignorant are they of the Mysteries of Faith in Gods Word and holy Order of Worship under the Gospel see Henry Ainsworths Arrow against Idolatry So that tongues are no essential mark of a true Minister as some men imagine for God sometimes called unlearned men to the Work of the Ministry as l Peter and Andrew and Amos a m Herdsman to be a Prophet as well as he doth Men that are learned in the Tongues so that Learning is but natural though an excellent Ornament in Nature And when God is pleased to call Men of such parts in Nature being sanctified by the gracious work of his Spirit to his Ministry it may bring much glory to God in its place but not that it makes Men fit for Ministers Now that which makes a Man a true Minister of Christ is First being a n Member of the true Church of Christ and by that Church called or o elected when duly tried and found p fit both for Gifts Grace and Qualifications then in the time of the Ordinance of Government in the Church by the meetest Members the Church thinks fit is ordained by the consent of the Church and this is Christ's spiritual School that traineth up Men for the Work of this Ministry in the exercising of the Graces the Lord bestoweth on them for