sitteth as God in the Temple of God carrying them to destruction Whereas to prove the Temple of God 2. Thes. 2. which he expoundeth the Church of Rome to be the true Church he alleaged Zach. 6. 12. 13. Eph. 2. 11. c. 2. Cor. 6. 16. Rev. 11. 19. I shewed how he misapplied the Scriptures he repeateth his former answers which I have formerly resuted And now he addeth But to put him from his shifts let him tel us plainly when Paul sayth The Temple of God hath not agreement with Idols 2. Cor. 6. 16. if yet there be idols set in the Temple of God as was in the time of Manasseh and Antiochus whether now it ceased to be the Temple of God or not The Scripture sheweth it is the Temple of God notwithstanding 2. King 21. 7. Ier. 50. 28. Ezek 8. 5. 10. 16. Dan. 11. 31. 38. Answ. I tell them plainly that that Temple of God which the prophets speak of had no agreement with idols though the wicked set up idols in it by force But the Church of Rome which these call the Temple of God hath agreement with idols if images of silver and gold wood and stone a wheaten god in the Masse and the man of syn which sitteth as God be idols For these idols the Church of Rome worshipeth and serveth most synfully but the Temple of God which the Prophets speake of never worshiped the Idols set up in it nor had accord with them But this is a shift of shifts and a notorious sophisme in mine opposite to reason from the materiall Temple of God then which onely suffered that abuse to the spirituall Temple the Church or people now which are voluntary agents worshipers of Idols By which false argumentation he might even as well conclude that if the Papists should turn flat Pagans of Antiochus religion and serve his idols and be of his faith yet they should continue the true Church and people of God notwithstanding because the Temple then continued Gods true Temple notwithstanding all that Antiochus did thereto The next point touching their baptisme I will anone treat of in particular For his objection of salvation now had in the Church of Rome c. it was his second main argument for that Church which I have before answered he after his manner repeateth againe and againe the same things so lengthening his work I referr the reader to that answer I gave before Other things whereby I convinced his doctrine to beat the path for all licentiousnes contrary to the plaine Scriptures which shew that he that committeth sin is of the Divil and we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not c. 1. Ioh. 3. 8. 5. 18. whereas if that he plead for be true men may be as prophane as Esau filthy in life as Sodom idolatrous and sinfull as the Aegyptians and Babylonians and yet if they wil call themselves Christians and be outwardly baptized c. they shal be justified as Gods true Church they and their seed in his covenant of grace c. which is to strengthen the hands of the wicked that he should not returne from his wickednes by promising him life Ezek 13. 22. These and other like things he passeth over without word of answer It is ynough for him to cry the Temple of God the Temple of God and to insist upon phrases which may diversly be understood Whereas the sound plea should be from the doctrines of faith and sanctification of life according by which the Apostles teach us to discern true Christians from false And who that seeketh after the truth would not rather insist upon these main grounds taught by our Saviour and his Apostles Verily I judge this pleading for Rome to be an exceeding great sin because it by consequence overthroweth both faith and holines seeing misbeleevers and most synfull idolaters as ever were on earth are justified to be Gods true Church notwithstanding and in his covenant of grace contrary to the whole Testament of Christ. It is to make a wide gate and broad way into heaven and will make men secure in all syn if they that serve the Man of syn himselfe worship his idols beleeve in his heresies and walk in his wicked works which hope to merit salvation by them in heaven may be sayd to be true Christians and in the state of grace Of the state of the Heathen WHereas I sayd J held it presumption for any to limit God by how smal meanes or measure of faith and knowledge he will save a man Who dares den but God had many elect among the heathens after he had separated Jsrael from them Yea God expresly sayd when he made Israel his peculiar people that yet all the earth was his Exod. 19 5. which are the words of the covenant generally Wherefore we leave Gods secret counsels to himself as he willeth us Deut. 29. 29. and doe consider onely the visible state of Churches by the rules of Gods law and promises To this mine opposite sayth What is it that he meaneth hereby Jf by the covenant he mean the covenant of grace for salvation whereof we treat and think that all people of the world in all ages and places of the earth are under it what differeth this from the opinion of the Anabaptists and Armintans touching general redemption Jf he speak not of the covenant of grace which is for salvation all may perceive he speakes not to the point in hand Answ. My meaning is plaine that God had his elect among the heathens as he bath in the Church of Rome and he could not but see what I intended By the covenant generally with all nations I mean the same that himself alleaged whileare from Keâ—kerman of the Church largely taken which he explaineth the company of all those which professe Christian religion or the name of Christ in what manner soever And thus sayth he are all heretikes schismatikes and Arians Papists Anabaptists and such like referred to the Christian Churches So if he understood himselfe he might understand me when I spake of the covenant generally For such large Churches as he describeth I hold all nations to be when God made his speciall covenant with Israel Noe was a Christian and had the covenant of grace in Christ to him and to his seed as absolutely as any Christian Church in the Apostles dayes though the mystery of the Gospel was not then so clearly revealed * as it was afterward by the Apostles But for the substance of the covenant namely Christ and faith in him with obedience it was given to Adam and his seed to Noe and his seed Heb. 13. 8. 11. 1. 2 3. 4. 7. c. And this covenant of grace in Christ confirmed by sacrifices as to us now by the sacraments Which sacrifices all nations kept the first thousand yeers after Noe which was till after Moses death as well as the large Christian
Catholik or universall church in the first proposition and the particular church of Rome in the second and so deny the argument why would he then himself obtrude upon us such a deceitfull reason The latter part of his speech I grant but it helpeth him nothing For the synagogue of Antichrist is none of Gods constitutions though every true Christian church is neyther hath he annexed promise of grace to his ordinances abused by the man of syn and his subjects in that malignant church but hath threatned the destruction of the deceivers and deceived 2 Thes. 2. 8. 10. 11. 12. 3. The third reason for the church of Rome consisteth of a division of the world into Christians Iewes Turks and Pagans and of a question if it be asked which of these is the Church of God at this day should we not answer the Christians and among the Christians comprise the churches aforesayd for the reasons before specified Answ. The first part of his answer I yeild unto that Christians now are Gods church The second I deny namely that Antichristians such as the Papists be other heretical and apostate churches are to be comprised in the number save in name onely for in deed and trueth they are not His reasons before specified I have particularly refuted so might here end But further to explaine the trueth I answer that after this general division we must make an other subdivision or els we may be deceived The subdivision is of Christians againe into true and false or into Christians and Antichristians which professe Christ in name deny him in deed And this I learne of the holy Ghost who in the Apostles times divided the Iewes into outward and inward Rom. 2. 28. 29. and counted these latter onely Iewes and such as sayd they were Iewes and were not but did lye he calleth them the Synagogue of Satan Revel 3. 9. Even so he prophesied of a Beast or kingdom which should have two hornes like the Lamb Christ and so be called Christians but should speak as the Dragon work wonders deceive men that dwell on the earth c Revel 13. 11. 13. 14. He also foretold of false teachers among Christians who privily should bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them c. 2 Pet. 2. 1. If thus we distinguish not between the true Christ and false Christs between true prophets and false prophets and so between true churches and false we may reteyn the name of Christ and Christian churches and be in deed nothing less And according to mine opposites manner of plea an other might reason thus Of synners in the world some are Angels and some are men If then the question be asked seing Christ came to save synners 1 Tim. 1. 15. which of these are redemed and saved by Christ are the church of God should we not answer men and among men also comprise all peoples upon earth Iewes Turks Pagans c. This is the mould of mine Opposers argument and as colourably as he pleadeth for Antichrists synagogue to be Christs Church so others doe plead for universal redemption of all peoples persons borne into the world from Ioh. 1. 9. Rom. 5. 18. and other like scriptures 4 The fourth reason is from baptisme a visible signe of Gods visible Church among Christians as circumcision was among the Iewes c. I answer the baptisme among Antichristians is in deed like their church Christs in name but not in deed and trueth As for that which he annexeth of our defending and reteyning that visible baptisme received in the church of Rome it foloweth after to be discussed when we come to treat of their baptisme In the mean while let it be observed that as Circumcision was a signe of the Church of old so was sacrificing both then and before Circumcision was instituted and all nations reteyning sacrifice then as well as Antichrist reteyneth baptisme the Lords supper now it wil also folow by like reason that all nations were then Gods churches which argumēt shal be prosecuted hereafter Againe as the foolish woman calleth passengers to her sweet stollen waters and pleasant bread of secresies Prov. 9. 13. 17. so this foolish woman the church of Antichrist by like stales allureth the simple unto her which are no sounder proof that she is Christs true spouse then the true mans purse in the theefs hand wil prove the theef to be a true and honest man 5 The 5 reason is from the defection of Iudah and Israel remayning stil Gods people notwithstanding therfore also the church of Rome in like manner Answ. Of the first part of this reason touching the state of the Israelites we are after to speak in particular but were it granted I deny the consequence it foloweth not the Antichristian synagogue is so also Inst. The consequence sayth he is prooved because these were types of the like state of the Christian churches recorded for our instruction 1 Cor. 10. 6. 11. with Rom. 154. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 17. 2 Pet. 2. 1. Jude v. 5. 11. Rev. 2. 14. 20. 11. 2. c. Answ. I grant that he sayth for the Christian churches but for the Antichristian it is true in part onely The synns of Iudah and Israel are found in Rome so are the synns of Sodome Aegypt Babylon and heathen Rome which by warrant from God were types also of this Antichristian Babylon Rev. 11. 8. and 17. 5. From which I may as truly conclude Sodome Aegypt and Babylon of old were so farr fallen frō God as they were not his churches or peoples and they were types of this church of Antichrist and the things written of them are for our instruction Rom. 15. 4. Iude v. 7. 2. Pet. 2. 5. 6. Therfore this Antichristian synagogue is not Christs true church Further I answer that the types which were in Israel prove not that the things typed are in the same degree of good or evil neyther more nor less as mine opposite would inferr that Antichristians are not now more deep in apostasie then were the Israelites For types and figures agree in some things but not in all Moses Aaron David and all other types of Christ were synners but it were wicked therupon to conclude that Christ himself was a synner Moreover Christs Preisthood was figured in Aaron his sōns yet did not that Levitical Preisthood fully type out his office but in part a more complete figure of him was in Melchisedek as th'Apostle sheweth in Heb. 5. and 7. chapters Accordingly it wil follow that Antichrist is answerable to Israels apostasie in part and yet a more complete figure of him is to be found in the Gentiles And as Christ excelleth in holynes all that were types of him so Antichrist exceedeth in wickednes all the types of him therfore hath many sorts of wicked men to resemble his impietie Rev. 11. 8. And that his consequence followeth not
their God and the Chaldee paraphrast as ancient as the Apostles age expoundeth the house of their idols they contradict not one another seing the same thing may be Gods in shew and the divils in deed and trueth for even Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. Obj. When the Apostle describeth the mysterie of Antichrists iniquitie would he teach the church that the place of his sitting is the Temple of God if he meant that it were in deed the synagogue of Satan and the temple of Antichrist For that Antichrist should sit in the temple of Antichrist and synagogue of Satan what mysterie is there in it All the world would easily perceive that these agreed very well and most fitly togither But for Antichrist to sit in Gods temple and Christs church this is in deed a mysterie Answ. The mysterie of iniquitie began in the true church but continued not therein alwayes for when it was discerned the church eyther cast it out or soon degenerated into a synagogue of Satan if it accepted Antichrist for God as the Church of Rome doth at this day Which I further manifest thus 1. The Apostle sayth As ye have heard that Antichrist shal come even now are there many Antichrists c. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Who is a lyer but he that denyeth that Jesus is the Christ he is Antichrist that denyeth the Father and the Son Whosoever denyeth the Son the same hath not the Father 1. Joh. 2. 18. 19. 22. 23. This scripture teacheth us first that all hereticks departing from the faith of Christ are generally Antichrists though they reteyn the name of Christians still as did the hereticks in th'Apostles time 2. That such are gone out from the church and are in deed none of it though they pretend to be the true church as all hereticks have doen. 3. That both teachers and people departed from the faith and church of Christ are comprehended under the name of Antichrists and not the Bishops onely 4. That whosoever is Antichrist especially the great Antichrist he denyeth the Son Christ and consequently God the Father Now let us apply these things to the Bishop and hierarchie of Rome whome mine opposite granteth to be the great Antichrist If the Pope and his hierarchie be Antichrist then are they none of the Apostolik church but gone out of the same but they are Antichrist by my opposites owne confession Therfore they are none of th'Apostolik church The Pope and his hierarchie are both in and of the church of Rome the heads teachers and principall members of it of the same faith religion and worship but they are not in or of the Apostolik christian church as before is proved therfore the church of Rome is not an apostolik Christian church If the church of Rome denyeth both the Father and the Son then is it Antichrist as the Apostle sayth and so no true Christian church But the church of Rome denyeth both the Father and the Son therfore it is no true Christian church If the Pope his hierarchie deny both the Father and the Son then the church of Rome also denyeth them for they beleeve as the Pope and hierarchie beleeveth have one and the same religion with their preists But the Pope and his hierarchie deny both the Father and the Son otherweise they are not the Antichrist as mine opposite sayth they are therefore the Church of Rome also denyeth both the Father and the Son Now seing it is thus how is it possible that it should cōtinue the true Church of Christ otherweise then by lying pretext and ostentation And this is the mysterie of inquitie if men could comprehend it that the Bishops and people of Rome being at first Christs true church departed by degrees from the faith worship of God til they came joyntly to beleeve lyes and to worship creatures idols and divils Rev. ◠30. and became a Beast or Antichristian kingdome yet with two hornes like the Lamb Christ Rev. 13. blaspheming Gods Tabernacle them that dwel in heaven that is the true church they pretend themselves to be the onely true church of Christ and that all other are hereticks they pretend succession even from th Apostles dayes without change of religion and so they sit in the temple of God or for the Temple as if they none but they were the Temple and church of God the Pope being the head of this sinfull corporation of this Beast or kingdome and exalting himself above God Christ whiles yet he calleth himself Christs vicar and the Servant of the servants of God and by strong delusion keepeth his people in beleef of lyes that togither with him they all might be damned who beleeve not the trueth but have pleasure in unrighteousnes as the Apostle sayth 2. Thes. 2. 12. Now where he objecteth what mysterie is there in it that Antichrist should sit in the temple of Antichrist I answer it is a great mysterie in that it is doen by him and his under the name and shew of Christianitie and as the Apostle sayth after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders and with all deceivablenes of unrighteousnes 2. Thes. 9. 10. And where he further sayth but for Antichrist to sit in Christs church this is in deed a mysterie I answer it is in deed a contrarietie and impossibilitie not a mysterie for no man can serve two masters Mat. 6. 24. of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage 2. Pet. 2. 19. to whom men yeild themselves servants to obey his servants they are to whom they obey Rom. 6. 16. Now the church of Rome yeilding unto and obeying Antichrist cannot be the servants of Christ if th' Apostles doctrine be true And after mine opposites manner of reasoning an other man might say seing Christianitie is the mystirie of godlines 1. Tim. 3. 16. as Antichristianitie is the mysterie of iniquitie 2. Thes. 2. 7. Christ must sit in the Temple of Satan as Antichrist sitteth in the temple of God for for Christ to sit in the Temple church of Christ what mysterie is there in it but for Christ to sit in Satans temple and Antichrists church this is in deed a mysterie Were not this think we good reasoning to put darknes for light and light for darknes Christ into Antichrists place and Antichrist into Christs for to finde out a mysterie But they that have their eyes opened to read the mysterie that is not onely in the Pope but on the forehead of the whore of Babylon his church will soon espie this fraud though others are bewitched with her painted face For as Satan can transforme himself into an Angel of light and his ministers
thereupon It was not Gods people in Babylon that killed those witnesses Rev. 11. but it was Babylon that killed those witnesses Gods people therin Because Gods people killed not those witnesses but the Beast in his catholik citie or church therfore thinks he that citie of the beast is not his church a fayre conclusion Obj. Note here that by the great citie is meant not onely the citie it self but the whole jurisdiction authority and dominion therof how farr soever extended Answ. It is a good note and worth the marking for the great citie being the church of Rome as before is proved it followeth that the extents of that church reach further then the materiall walls of Rome even to all nations that are of the Popes religion and therfore to bound it within the Lateran parish of Rome is to restreyn that which God sheweth to be more large It were a happy day if the Popes unruly power were limited within the Lateran parish and his jurisdiction reached no further But he must have a larger scope to range in yet a while and weak warriers are they against him that plead for his whorish church of Rome that it is the true church of Christ and under his covenant of grace It is the thing that the Pope would most gladly have proved and I am well assured Babylon wil not fall til it be otherweise battered Obj. Where yet observe further that the church of Rome being fallen into deep apostasie and having the man of syn sitting ther in as God who hath that citie for his throne the things that are spoken of this citie are also applied to the apostate estate of that church of Rome and the other churches that are under the jurisdiction of the prelacie of that Sea whersoever and of whatsoever people kinred tongue or nation they be c. But shall wee therfore conclude that by the Temple of God 2 Thes. 2. 4. may not be understood the church of God Answ. How glorious is the trueth that forceth those to yeild that fight against it His former reasons that by the Citie in Rev. â—1 8. the church was not meant he now frustrateth himself But still he cleaveth to his first plea The temple of God 1 Thes. 2. is the church of God I may answer hereto as God by Ieremy did to the Iewes Trust not in lying words saying The temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord are these Ier. 7. 4. Our dispute is in what sense Paul calleth it the Temple of God whether as the true temple builded by Solomon or as the false temple builded in Samaria by the Apostate Israelites which the Prophet calleth the house of their God Amos 2. 8. as the Apostle calleth this the Temple of God Now faine he would have this Romish temple of apostate Papists to be the true temple of God and that they notwithstanding their deep apostasie are Gods true church under his covenant which I deny and have before disproved and Paul in the very same place counteth them among those that perish for beleeving lyes which shal be damned for not beleeving the trueth 2 Thes. 2. 10. 11. 12. and Christ teacheth that being worshipers of the beast their names are not written in the book of lâ—fe Rev. 13. 8. 17. 8. but they shal be tormented in fyre and brimstone for ever Revel 14. 9. 10. 11. and that the whorish church Babylon the great the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth which is drunken with the blood of the Saincts and of the martyrs of Jesus shal be destroyed for ever Rev. 17. 5. 6. 18. 21. And who now that have not their right eye blinded wil not rather say it is the Samaritans Temple then Solomons though in pretence and colour the Temple of God And seing every true church now is a particular congregation in one place but the church of Rome is a new found catholik church spred over many nations under one head Bishop the Pope it can not possibly be Christs true church having neyther the constitution faith worship ministerie order or ordinances of Christ but of his enemie Antichrist Wheras I formerly wrote Neyther is that if they meane a particular church answerable to the Temple in Israel which was not for one synagogue but for the whole nation of the Iewes and for the Gentiles that came to the faith through the world To this he sayth How greatly forgets he himself and how presently seing but a line before he sayd the Temple figured not onely the catholik or universal church Ephe 2. 21. but also every particular church by proportion 1 Corint 3. 16. 17. And may we not then apply it to that wherof it was a figure c. Answ. No for mine opposite granteth that the Temple was primarily a figure Christ but so to apply it in this place 2 Thes. 2. himself thinketh not fit I deny not but some where it may and ought to be so applyed but considering that the Temple of God wherin Antichrist now sitteth is a catholik church spred over many nations as was prophesied Rev. 11. 8. 9. I think the applying of Pauls words in 2 Thes. 2. to a particular church is neyther fitting to the type nor to the prophesie nor to the accomplishment of it which we see at this day The priests in Israel figured Christ chiefly secondarily Christians Rev. 1. 6. But to apply those things which Paul speaketh of the Priests in Heb. 10. 11. 12. to us Christians were not onely unfitting but heretical Obj. The Candlesticks and Lamps were set in the Temple of God and the church of Rome was a golden Candlestick as well as the rest of the primitive churches and this man himself sayth definitely the true churches were many of them apostate when John wrote whom yet notwithstanding Christ acknowledgeth to be golden candlesticks In any of which of Antichrist had sit as in the church of Rome I suppose this man would not deny but his sitting then should have been in the Temple of God whether it were considered as a particular candlestick it self or a branch of the great general candlestick c. Answ. 1. If the Candlesticks were churches in the Temple the church then the Temple in such respect is the catholick church for one particular church is not in an other 2. I grant that the church of Rome was a golden candlestick in th'Apostles time and I think mine opposite would not deny but then also the Bishop of Rome was a starr in Christs right hand But now the Bishop is a starr fallen from heaven and acknowledged to be Antichrist why then may not the church be fallen with him as Paul forewarned Rom. 11. 22. and the candlestick removed from it as wel as from Ephesus Rev. 2. 5. except Rome have a privilege above all other cities because it crucified Christ. 3. I grant also that
Christ. Now wheras he gathereth from Ezek. 44. 22. that a divorced woman is called Gerusha that is Cast out or thrust forth which he expoundeth from her husbands house he might have seen better in the Law of Moses to which the Prophet there hath reference where the like commandement is given in Levit. 21. 14. which a litle before in vers 7. is explained by God himself Gerusha meishshah that is cast out or put away from her husband according to which Law and phrase Israel was divorced and cast out not onely from the Lords house and land but from the Lord himself Moreover he might have seen in Deut. 24. 1. the bill of divorce in the womans hand and her sending out of her husbands house to be distinct things one folowing upon an other Againe a woman may of her self goe out of her husbands house play the whore in an other mans house yet is she not therby divorced as for example Michal Davids wife was by her father Saul adulterously given to Phalti 1 Sam. 25. 44. so she was out of Davids house and had an other husband in whose house she remayned yet David that had not given her a divorce required her as his wife and she was taken by Abner from her second husband 2 Sam. 3. 14. 15. 16. Wherfore the bill of divorce or of cutting off is not from the house onely but disanulleth quite the covenant of mariage so as they cannot without a new mariage be reunited And the Lord as if he purposely would prevent all such vaine pleas for Israel useth in Ier. 3. 8. both the word put how away and the word divorce and this also in the forme plural thus and I gave unto her the bill of her divorces or of her cuttings-off as if he would teach us that whatsoever divorce or cutting off belonged to such an adulterous wife he had given unto her and so not from the land but from the Lord also she was divorced As yet further appeareth by Hos. 2. 2. plead with your Mother plead for she is not my wife neyther am I her husband but if he had onely put her out of the land he was her husband stil contrary to that which the Prophet teacheth And contrary to the Apostle who writing to the dispersed of Israel which had not obteyned mercie but now have obteyned mercie 1 Pet. 2. 10. hath reference to that Prophet who promised I wil have mercie on her that had not obteyned mercie and I wil say to them which were not my people Thou art my people and they shall say thou art my God Hos. 2. 23. His applying this divorce to excommunication is as strange Excommunicates he wil have to be as put out of the house and church but not out of the covenant Wheras excommunicates are by our Saviours doctrine as heathens and publicans Mat. 18. 17. and heathens are not in the covenant Againe by Pauls doctrine excommunication is the delivering to Satan 1 Cor. 5. 5. 1 Tim. 1. 20. what that meaneth we may learne by the contrary in Act. 26. 17. 18. I send thee to open their eyes and to turn them from darknes to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgivenes of synns c. Wher the power of the Gospel is shewed in turning men from Satan to God wherupon they repenting and beleeving receive forgivenes of synns so on the contrary when men syn and joyn obstinacie with it and wil not repent they are by the power of Christ delivered from God unto Satan againe that is are of the world where Satan is prince and in that estate deprived of the promise of the forgivenes of their synns til they turne againe unto the Lord. Where he sayth upon their repentance they may and ought to be received it is true so ought the Turks and heathens for God as he never made absolute covenant but conditional so he never gave absolute bill of divorce but conditionall for who so repenteth and beleeveth in Christ shal be saved And wheras he sayth if they had been put out of the covenant of the Lord they should be baptised againe it is marvel how he could not see himself herein to be a very Anabaptist or that which is worse For if a man be baptised in the true church as was Simon Magus and fall from the faith of Christ to become a Iew or a Turk or a paynim and for his obstinacle blasphemie be justly excommunicated this man he thinketh doth continue stil in the covenant of grace for he is but cast out of the church or house not out of the covenant Who ever heard such doctrine that the covenant of grace should be continued to most wicked synners excommunicated for turning to Iudaisme or Paganisme Much lesser syn it were to err with the Anabaptists and baptise againe then to hold such an heresie If he hold it not but would grant that such are out of the covenant then he sayth they should be baptised againe when they returne and so he that hath so busily set a snare to catch us in Anabaptistrie is fallen himself into it or into a worse Now to deliver our soules from both these extremities we are to observe the difference between the reveiled covenant made with every particular visible church and the unreveiled estate which is in Gods secret counsel touching all the members of the catholik church the company of those that are predestinated unto life for many are out of the covenant reveiled which yet are Gods elect As the Ephesians whiles they were heathens dead in synns were to all mens judgment without Christ without God in the world and strangers from the covenants of promise Eph. 2. 1. 12. who after they were called to repentance and faith were no more strangers and forreyners but fellow-citizens with the Saincts and of the houshold of God Ephes. 2. 13. 19. in which estate they were in Gods counsel before being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world Ephes. 1. 4. On the contrary many reprobates enter into the covenant of the church visible and as Simon Magus doe beleeve and are baptised Act. 8. 13. they beleeve for a while and in time of tentation fall away Luke 8. 13. Hereupon it cometh to pass that the church not knowing certainly who are elect and who not but judging every tree by the fruits that appeare receiveth into the covenant and baptiseth all that profess to repent and beleeve in Christ unfeynedly yet afterward seing them to break the covenat and forsake Christ and wil not be reclaymed casteth them out and delivereth them to Satan in which estate they cannot be sayd to continue in the covenant or in the state of salvatiō though the election of some of them standeth sure with God Who when he of his grace giveth them repentance they are restored againe to the church and then it appeareth that they fell for a time but are raysed againe of
God Bellarm. de Iustific l. 1. c. 8. Such a faith appeareth to have been in the Divils as it is written And Divils also came out of many crying out and saying Thou art Christ the son of God Luke 4. 41. But that God giveth some in that church a sounder faith and saveth them of the riches of his grace I never denyed or doubted of Object 2. Of this minde concerning them J have been a long time see Answ. to Mr. Jak p. 13. 47. c. Answ. But then and there this distinction was rightly put of some particular men considered a part from their constitution that is from their church estate now that church and all other Apostate churches professing Christs name are generally pleaded for to be in the state of grace having the one true baptisme c. which is to justifie the open wicked and count Christs enemies blessed Object 3. Some of them dye Martyrs in defense of the Christian faith acknowledging Iesus to be the Christ the son of God against Turks c. Answ. If it be in defense of the Christian faith it is well but if acknowledging Iesus to be the Christ they dye also in defense of the Antichristian faith professed by that church and for the idolatrie of the same which is hatefull to the very Turks then I say with th'Apostle they may give their body to be burned and it profit them nothing Neyther doubt I but some of the Iewes have dyed and will dye in defense of the God of Israel as they now profess him from Moses and the Prophets rather then yeeld to the heathens But the extraordinary mercie of God to some in Antichrists church justifieth no more the estate of that Synagogue of Satan then his like extraordinary mercie to some of the heathens of whom we shall speak anone wil justifie the heathens synagogues to be Gods true churches As for Martyrs our owne English acts and monuments and other doe shew that many have given their lives for this that the church of Rome is not the true church of Christ. Now by mine opposites plea they died not herein for the trueth but for errour what Martyrs them were they Obj. 4. Many Jndians Pagans Jewes are by them converted and brought to the profession of Christian religion among whom I doubt not but the Lord hath and saveth his even by that knowledge and faith of Christ which by their preaching among them they are brought unto c. Answ. That many of all nations are converted or perverted unto Antichristianitie by the Papists there is no doubt for experience sheweth it and so it is prophesied that by Babylons sorceries all nations should be deceived Reve. 18. 23. So the heathens of Babylon Cuth Hamath c. were converted by a Samaritan Priest and taught to feare the Lord the God of Israel that they feared the Lord and served their own Gods also they feared not the Lord neyther did they after their statutes or after their ordinances 2 King 17. 28. 29. 30. 33. 34. If that misceline rable were Gods true church so are these popish proselytes if they were not as I never heard any affirme they were neyther are these And what have our learned men of England answered to this old popish argument J deny sayth Dr. Fulk that ever the popish church converted any to the true faith Answer to a counterf Catholik art 1. Yea what say the Papists themselves of this point Hierom Benzo in Histor. Indiarum sayth that all the religion the Indians have is to make the signe of the cross to heare a Latine mass and to perform such like ceremonies Ioseph a Costa a Iesuite in his book De procuranda Judaorum salute telleth us that the Spanyards have baptised many against their wills He sayth they are like the Samaritans that worshiped God and idols both togither they make sayth he a feighned shew of Christianitie they serve not God in deed neyther beleeve they unto righteousnes And are not these converts now a goodly plea for mine opposite to alledge for proof of a true Christian church But he procedeth Yea and who can say but that whersoever the name of Christ is preached and called upon the Lord saveth some c. seing that Christ is the way the trueth and the life and whosoever beleeveth in him shall not perish Ioh. 3. 16. 17. c. Answ. Where Christ is truely preached and beleeved no Christian wil say but the Lord saveth some but where Christ is falsly preached and beleeved in after Antichrists idolatrous manner none can truly say that they are a true Christian Church As for Gods saving some by the doctrine there preached it is a thing not for us to dispute of we are commanded to leave secret things unto God and to hold us unto things revealed Deut. 29. 2â— God who brought light out of darknes can cause the trueth to shine into the harts of his elect by the corrupt preaching of the Papists and so I doubt not but he doeth yet is this no justification of the popish church any more then the true preaching of the gospel which is unto the reprobates the savour of death unto death is a condemnation of the Christian Church and true doctrine of the same Object 5. But Out of the Church there is no salvation which J suppose themselves wil not deny And that which is more the Lords constitutions cease not to be his holy ordinances though the people that injoy them should have no benefit therof to salvation Answ. Here we have suppositions in sted of proof His assertion I deny though he supposed the contrary for out of the true visible Church wherof we dispute there may be salvation Many that are not of any true Church yea are persecutors of it and excommunicates out of it may repent and beleeve in Christ even at their last houre and at their death and so be saved though they neyther have time place or means to be joyned to any true visible church on earth If he speak not of a particular visible church but of the Vniversal church which is invisible and comprehendeth all Gods elect he swerveth from the question and deceiveth by aequivocation for we treat of the visible church of Rome whether it be Christs true church or no. As for the Vniversal church which is all over the earth and from the beginning of the world to the end therof and conteyneth Gods elect onely out of it in deed there is no salvation But what is this to the purpose For so a man might reason thus In the church there are no reprobates there is no damnation for Christ giveth all his sheep eternal life and they shal never perish Ioh. 10. 28. But the Popish synagogue is by mine oposites plea the church even the true church of Christ. Therfore in it there are no reprobates there is no damnation Here I doubt not mine opposite would distinguish between the
sayd a litle before that the church of Rome is fallen into most sinfull and deep defection and apostasie and so is a notorious harlot and idolatrâ—ss Wherefore his distinction here between the apostasie the church of Rome making the one Antichrist the other Gods temple under his covenant of grace neyther accordeth with the scriptures nor with his own assertion Next this where he sayth that by the Temple of God in Israel was figured the church of God among Christians it is graunted But withall let it be noted that himself can not deney but the Temple and tabernacle in Israel was not the church and congregation of Gods people properly but a sacramental signe of Gods dwelling with them which I before confirmed by these scriptures Exod 25. 8. 2. Chron. 6. 2. Ezek. 37. 26. 27. Rev. 21. 3. Secondly he himself affirmeth that the temple at Ierusalem did primarily figure out Christ and secondarily the church both the catholik or universal and particular churches likeweise particular Christians and in several respects both their bodies and their soules and consciences Vpon which graunts of his it foloweth that there is no necessarie consequence of this his proposition Jf the Pope of Rome with his hierarchie be the man of syn spoken of in 2. Thes. 2. then is the church of Rome the Temple of God there spoken of for he understanding by the church the people as in 1. Cor. 3. 16. 17. 2. Cor. 6. 16. Eph. 2 21. and yet granting that the Temple in Israel was not the people all may see the weaknes and insufficiencie of this inference that because the Pope of Rome sitteth as God in the Temple of God therfore the people of the church of Rome are that Temple of God there spoken of consequently Gods true church For why now may we not as well if not much better say that by the Temple of God is understood the doctrine and profession of Christ the true Temple or as in my former †book I shewed thus As the Temple was an outward signe of Gods presence with his people and of his inward dwelling in their harts * by saith and by his spirit unto their salvation so Antichrists temple is an outward shew of his presence with that seduced people in whose harts †he dwelleth by Popish faith and by his spirit of errour carying them to damnation But as Antichrist shal not professedly deny the true God or Christ though in deed he falsly * sheweth himself that he is God so shal hâ— not professedly deny the Temple or church of God but falsly vaunt his adulterous synagogue to be the same Vnto this exposition mine opposite hath given no answer and it being according to the scriptures trueth of the thing in controversie I leave it to the prudent reader whether the outward shew and profession of Christ and Christian religion be not the first thing here intended of th'Apostle by the Temple of God And this is further confirmed by Rev. 11. 1. Where the Temple Altar and Worshipers are three distinct things and the people are the worshipers there spoken of neyther the Temple nor the Altar of which place we shal treat anone Then wheras he granteth that the Temple in Ierusalem did primarily figure out Christ how is it that he wholly neglecteth the primarie thing figured and insisteth upon the secondary the church or people of Rome Seing it is knowen how the Pope pretendeth him self to be Christs vicar and deputie on earth and to be the servant and worshiper of Christ in heaven and may we think that th'Apostle in warning them of the mysterie of iniquitie would not imply the chief point of the mysterie that Antichrist should in pretence sit for Christ and in his sted as his vicar generall on earth Thus to sit in the Temple or for the Temple of God may well be understood that Antichrist should sit for Christ a pretended friend but in deed an adverse foe Now for that which the Temple secondarily figured namely the church catholik and also particular and so mens consciences he wavereth in his application He sayth this terme the church of Rome is taken eyther particularly which he applieth to the Laterane church in Rome the Popes parish church or more generally for all other such Christian churches as are come under the Popes jurisdiction c. This later I hold to be most proper here for what needed there such warning to the Thessalonians other christian churches through the world if a Bishop of the Lateran parish a corner in Rome had exalted himself above God therin onely and had not usurped also a pretended Christian power over all And the complement of the prophesie is an evident exposition of it for who knoweth not that the Pope scorneth to be Bishop of the Lateran parish onely it is a jurisdiction over the catholik church throughout the earth which he chalengeth And now what proof bringeth mine opposite that the church of Rome as God constituted it is taken generally for other Christian churches under the Popes jurisdiction None at all neyther can he bring any jote of Gods word for the same Againe what proof maketh he that the catholik Romane church wherin the Pope sitteth is the true church of God None but this J suppose these men themselves being better advised wil not deny them to be the churches and Temple of God But he should have shewed if it had been possible for him that the Romane church is by divine institution the catholik or universal church which because I assure my self it can never be doen I conclude that this Romane catholik church is a fiction of the Popes braine and a meere idol like himself and is no otherweise the Temple of God then the Pope is Christs universal vicar namely in lying words and vaine ostentation And so the maine ground for the Temple of God wherin Antichrist sitteth to be the true church of Christ is overthrowne As for the Popes Laterane parish I both deny it to be Christs true church and that it onely is the Temple of God wherin Antichrist should sit His proof of the former is this Jf we understand it of a particular church as the Apostle wrote his epistle to the church of the Romans how shall we soundly deny it eyther to be the Temple of God or Antichrist to be set therin Thus have we suppositions and questions in sted of proofes To his demand I answer it is the Temple of God in pretence not in trueth even as the Pope is a bishop of Christ in pretence but in deed is Antichrist the man of syn as mine opposite granteth The church that was in Rome in Pauls time wil no more justifie the Popes synagogue there now then the Christian ministers which were then in that church Rom. 12. wil justifie the Antichristian prelates that there reigne at this day Secondly the Laterane parish at Rome is of the
example more fitly if a Iew had been forced by Antiochus violently to kyss or bow the knee to Iupiters image when he resisted and testified against it none could justly call him an idolater or one of Iupiters people But if an other Iew had revolted to Antiochus religion and beleeved in his Iupiter and honoured him with hart profession and action he now might justly be called the servant of Iupiter or one of his people as the Moabites are called the people of Chemosh Numb 21. 29. So the church of Rome now fallen from true Christianity and beleeving worshiping obeying Antichrist the Popes holynes are and may justly be called his church or else Antichrist hath no temple church or people in the world Object Observe here and throughout his treatise how still he calleth that the Temple church and bodie of Antichrist which Paul expressly and purposely calleth the Temple of God And so therin note stil his shâ—fâ—s and his errours c. Answ. Loe still an urging of the bare letter as doe the Papists This is my body to prove their transubstantiation that there is no bread left but Christs very body really and properly I have I trust without shifting or errour proved the present church of Rome to be Antichrists temple church and bodie if the Pope be Antichrist And seing his mysterie of iniquitie is contrary to Christs mysterie of godlynes and Christ hath a mystical temple which is his church and bodie Eph. 2. 21. 5. 23. I would gladly know what temple church and body Antichrist hath if the church of Rome be not the same Againe he speaketh too largely that J stil so call it throughout my treatise for I have other weise written though it liked him not thus Gods true temple and tabernacle is in mount Sion in heaven Rev. 14. 1. 17. where God sitteth on a throne Rev. 16. 17. 7. 15. and dwelleth among his people where is the Ark of his covenant Rev. 11. 19. and from thence lightnings voices thondrings earthquake and hâ—yle come forth against thâ— Antichristians his enemies and vials of his wrath powred out upon the throne of the beast Rev. 16. 1. 2. 10. and on men that have his mark On the contrary the Beast which is the kingdome of Antichrist ascendeth from beneath out of the bottomless pit Rev. 17. 8. and blasphemeth this heavenly tabernacle Rev. 13. 6. and sitteth in Babylon Rev. 16. 19. upon the Dragons throne Rev. 13. 2. and fighteth against the Lamb and against the saincts Rev. 19. 19. treading under foot the holy citie Rev. 11. 2. and casting downe the place of Christs sanctuarie Dan. 8. 11. When th' Apostle therfore telleth us that Antichrist sitteth as God in the Temple of God it is to be understood of their invading and destroying of Gods church and people as the heathens of old dealâ— with Jerusalem and dwellers therin Psal. 79. Dan. 8 11. 13. 11. 36. Ier. 22. 12. 13. Law 2. 7. 9. Secondly of their own vaine ostentation whiles they wil have it called the Christian catholik church and the Pope the head of the same Ezek. 28. 2. 6. Esa. 14. 13. 14. 2 Thes. 2. 9 10 Rev. 13. 11. 14. 17. 4. 2 Cor. 11. 13. 14. 15. Thus I grant that the Temple which Antichrist invadeth destroyeth is Gods true Temple but that wherin the Beast sitteth as God which he trimmeth upholdeth and boasteth of as he doeth the church of Rome at this day is the synagogue of Satan But he procedeth Object As for the ancient Doctor whom here he citeth let us hear himself speak His words are these That which is the Temple of any idolor Divil the Apostle would not call the Temple of God Wherupon some will have in this place not the Prince himself but after a manner his whole bodie thâ—â— is the multitude of men perteyning unto him togither with himself under the Prince understood to be Antichrist And more rightly also they think it to be sayd in Latine 〈◊〉 in the Greek that he sitteth not in the Temple of God but for the Temple of God which is the church As we say he sitteth for a friend that is as a friend Augustine de Civic Dâ—â— l. 20. c. 19. Where note how farr differing Augustine is from this man that citeth him c. Answ. There is not so great difference as mine opposite would pretend First I cited not Augustine for his own judgment but for others whom he speaketh of touching the translation of the Text in the Temple of God or for the Temple Secondly he setteth down Augustines words maymed both at head and foot For Augustine beginneth thus But in what temple of God he shal sit as God is uncertaine whether in that ruine of the Temple which was built by King Solomon or in the church For that which is the temple of any idol or divil the Apostle would not call the temple of God c. Now the ruine of Solomons temple cannot at this day be called Gods temple otherweise then because it was the Temple of God of old hath now no more holynes in deed trueth theÌ„ any other place in the world And thus I have granted that the church of Rome may be called the church of God in respect that there was a church there in Pauls time wheras now it hath no more true holynes then the synagogue of Satan So we see how for advantage mine opposite baulked Augustines first words In the end he breaketh off in the midst of a period for Augustine sayth sitteth for a friend that is as a friend or if any other thing is wont to be understood by this kind of speech So he defineth not certainly of this place but leaves it doubtfull and presently after confesseth his ignorance For what is this sayth Augustine For the mysterie of iniquitie doth already work onely he who now holdeth let him hold till he be taken out of the way J confess my self to be utterly ignorant what he meaneth Thus we need not strive about Augustines words here and I grant that the Apostle would not have called it the Temple of God unless eyther it were so in deed and trueth or had been so in times past or did pretend to be so still And I think all wil likewise grant that the holy Ghost would not have called the witches spirit at endor Samuel unless eyther it had been Samuel in deed as the Papists doe contend or some thing in pretence and shew like Samuel Neyther would the prophet have sayd to the King of Tyrus Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God a proselyte in the church of Israel unless eyther himself or some of his predecessors had been there in times past Neyther would Amos have called the Israelites idol temple the house of their God unless eyther it were so in deed or in pretense which phrase when the Greek translateth according to the letter the house of
can be transformed as the ministers of righteousnes 2 Cor. 11. 14. 15. is it such a marvel that he should transforme his temple and church into the Temple of God and church of Christ and yet as he is a Divil stil notwithstanding his transformation so his Temple coÌ„tinueth stil the Temple of the Divil and church of Antichrist how ever they are disguised with other names and habits And to help a litle to the discerning of both these opposite mysteries of pietie and impietie wee are to know that Christs Kingdome beginneth in the kingdome of Satan and is perfected in the Kingdome of God and Antichrists kingdome beginneth in the kingdome of God and is perfected in the kingdome of Satan For the god of this world having blinded the eyes of infidels who are dead in synns and walk according to the prince of the power of the aier Christ by his Ministers sent into the world and by his word of trueth the gospel causeth light to arise unto them openeth their eyes and turneth them from darknes to light and from the power of Satan vnto God that they may receive forgivenes of synns and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in him and thus God delivereth them from the power of darknes and translateth them into the kingdome of his beloved son Then cometh Satan by Antichrists which are his ministers privily crept into the church and by the word of lying which is Antichrists gospel he darkneth the mindes of them that have not received the love of the trueth and turneth them back againe from God and by damnable heresies privily brought in draweth them even to deny the Lord that bought them and so bring upon themselves swift destruction Then doe they goe out from the church blaspheme the way of trueth and togither with the Beast doe warr against Christ whom yet in name and pretense they would seem to honour and serve so accomplishing the mysterie of their iniquitie unto assured damnation if they turne not againe unto God This thing not being observed how Christ beginneth in the world and draweth men out of it into his church and Antichrist beginneth in the church draweth men out of it into the world againe as the Dragons taile draweth the starrs of heaven â—â—fteth them to the earth Rev. 12. 4. mine opposite thought it absurditie and contradiction in me for writing thus When th Apostle therfore telleth us that Antichrist sitteth as God in the Temple of God it is to be vnderstood first of their invading and destroying of Gods church and people as the heathens of old dealt with Jerusalem and dwellers therin secondly of their owne vayne ostentation whiles they will have it called the Christian catholik church and th Pope the head of the same Vpon this he thus inveigheth What have we here Doth himself now by the Temple of God vnderstand Gods church and people yea such as was answerable to Ierusalem and the dwellers therin of old why then hath he so eagerly oppugned us hereabout c. Answ. I oppugne the present church of Rome which Antichrist destroyeth not but buildeth and adorneth as an alluring harlot the Christian church which was in Rome of old that hath he invaded and destroyed long since for they then were Saints such as he hateth these now are worshipers of him and of idols Divils and are an habitation of Divils So there is as much difference between the church of Rome now and the church then as between the Bishop of Rome now the Bishops then they were Christs ministers this now is Antichrist as mine opposite himself confesseth And what cause hath he to insult as if he had got the victorie Let wise men judge But he proceedeth Obj. Where can he shew in the scriptures that sitting is put for invading or destroying c. Otherwhere stil he teatheth that by sitting is meant abiding continuing dwelling c. What if I cannot prove that sitting is put for invading or destroying if I prove my assertion by other words of the text shall it not suffice The words Eiston Naon into the Temple may imply by a figure his invading and the person that invadeth being an enemy a theef a wolf implyeth his destroying for our Saviour sayth The theef cometh not but for to steale and to kill and to destroy 1 Joh. 10. 10. The scripture often wanteth words easy to be understood so here Paul sayth of Antichrist that he having entred into the Temple of God sitteth as God And if they regard not my exposition they shall have his on whom they so much rely Mr. Iunius I mean who so explaineth it saying The testimonie of signe is this that Invading the temple of God he shal sit as God Jun. Animad vers in Bellarm. Controv. 3. l. 3. c. 14. not 18. But what if I confirme it by the word sitting which he thought so unlikely In Esai 14. 13. the Prophet upbraideth the king of Babylon thus Thou hast sayd in thine hart J wil ascend into heaven c. J wil sit also in the mount of the congregation in the sides of the North meaning mount Sion where Gods temple was But this is meant of Nebuchadnezars invading of Ierusalem to spoile the same as the historie sheweth 2 King 25. and in him Antichrists tyrannie against the church was lively figured As for sitting to mean continuing though it doth so often times yet not alwayes Christ sate upon the mount of Olives Mat. 24. 3. the disciples sate in the house Act. 2. 2. yet dwelt they not or continued long there And when the Babylonian invaded mount Sion to sit there he continued not there but having spoiled the citie burned the Temple and captived the people he returned into Babylon 2 King 25. so Antichrist spoiling Christian churches returneth to his whore of Babylon his proper habitation which he wickedly boasteth to be the Sion Temple and church of God Wheras mine opposite expounded the Temple of God to be the church and shewed not whether he meant a church particular or general and catholik I sayd for a particular church it wil not agree with the prophesies of Antichrist whose citie or church is so great as peoples kinreds tongues nations doe dwell in the streets therof Rev. 11. 8. 9. He gainsayeth me thus First Still he calls that Antichrists church which th' Apostle calleth the Temple of God Answ. It is his own interpretation that the Temple meaneth the church and that he that sitteth in it is Antichrist and sitting he wil have to be continuing and why may not I call that church wherin Antichrist sitteth continually as God Antichrists church yea though it were indeed Gods church as he supposeth Seing the citie wherin Christ did but dwell was called his owne citie Mat. 9. 1. And that which God sayth in my house and in my kingdom 1 Chron.
the true churches apostate in Rev. 2. 3. were still golden candlesticks though some of them rustie but I would have it likewise graunted me that there were other churches but copper candlesticks though they pretended to be golden namely such Antichristian haeretical synagogues as of whom it might be sayd They went out from us but they were not of us 1. Joh. 2. 18. 19. And if those petty Antichrists were no golden candlesticks much less can the great Antichrist with his synagogue be a golden candlestick for he farr exceedeth them in idolatrie heresie and impietie That Antichrist could sit in any true church then as he sitteth now in the church of Rome namely as God and so to be beleeved with his lyes worshiped and obeyed I utterly deny for that church that so doeth departeth from Christ the foundation and denyeth both the Father and the Son 1 Ioh. 2. 22. 23. and whether it be a particular church or a more general it skilleth not universalitie in worshiping the Beast causeth but universalitie of damnation Rev. 13. 16. 17. 14 9. 10. 11. Obj. Wheras he would be taught how that whorish company that worship the Beast and Dragon can be the true catholik church and spouse of Christ though that which J noted before be sufficient for the point in hand yet let him first remember how but a litle before he told us the catholik church of the now Romish religion as themselves describe it hath one part therof on earth an other under the earth a third part in heaven and now here he speaketh onely of such as are on earth and those also such as worship the Dragon and beast Rev. 13. 4. wheras the catholik church in deed conteyneth all churches people of God from the beginning of the world c. Answ. By this then it appeareth that the church of Rome lyeth apparantly when she calleth her self the catholik church and therfore is not the true church or Temple of God But I would be taught in deed how that whorish company here on earth which worship the Beast can be the true church eyther universall or particular Here first he asketh whither I think there was no other churches of Christians catholik or particular wherin Antichrist sate since th'apostasie of the man of syn but such as worshiped the Dragon and the beast And who then were the Tabernacle and those that dwelt in heaven whom the beast blasphemed and the saintes with whom he made warr 42. monethes Rev. 13. 5. 6. 7. and of what church they were c. Answ. He seemeth to use the word sit in two senses 1. for oppressing blaspheming killing the Saincts that resisted Antichrist and 2. for quiet governing and having in subjection the wicked that beleeve and obey him with such aequivocations his writings are too full Such churches or persons as resisted the beast and whom he blasphemed and killed they were of God and of them there is no question But the other sort given over of God to beleeve lyes and to worship the man of syn as God like as he sheweth him self that he is God they are not the true church of God catholik or particular and of such is the present church of Rome now iâ— question As for the Saincts that dwell in heaven whom Antichrist blasphemeth they are where he is noâ— in the true church out of which he is gone both he and his and therfore doth he persecute them The scripture by him citeâ— Rev. 13. 6. yieldeth a strong argument against his purpose thus The true Tabernacle church and heavenly people are blasphemed and warred against by Antichrist The church of Rome now is not blasphemed and warred against by Antichrist but blessed commended mainteyned Therfore the church of Rome now is not the true tabernacle church or heavenly people Obj. Jerusalem came to be a hâ—â—lâ—t old in adulteries and the Jewes to be a synfull nation laden with iniquitie c. sonns of the sorceress the seed of â—he adulterer and the whâ—re a rebellious people c transgressing after all the abominations of the heathens and polluting the house of the Lord c. yet they were stil notwithstanding the citie people and temple of the Lord. Esai 1. 3. 3. 12. with Ier. 50. 28. 51. 11 35. 36. 45. 50. 51. Answ. One findeth a dead and stinking carkess of a man and to prove it a living man he sayth Such an one was so and so diseased he had the burnâ—ng ague the palsie dropsie the gangrene the plague yet was he a living man therfore this is likewise Such is the mould of mine opposites argument For the Papists the worshipers of the Beast are sayd of God to be dead men Rev. 20. 4. â— not partakers of the first resurrection that is dead in syn not revived by Christ now to prove them alive examples of other persons and peoples of Israel are alleaged who because they were great synners but not dead in syn therfore these dead men under Antichrist must be living also He hath been answered that the Iewes whiles they continued Gods Church though greatly corrupted are not fit resemblances of Antichrists church which the holy Ghost calleth no where Iudea but Babylon Rev. 17. Wheras I sayd The very word Temple speaking of that wherin Antichrist sitteth as God leadeth us to understand Antichrists church to be but a counterfeit shewing this reason that the Temple in Israel was not the church or people properly but a sacramentall signe of Gods dwelling with his people 2 Chron. 6. 2. and of his inward dwelling in their harts by faith Eph. 3. 17. 2. 22. so Antichrists temple is an outward shew of his presence with that seduced people in whose harts he dwelleth by popish faith and by his spirit of error carying them to damnation c. Rev. 13. 4. 14. 16. 14. 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Thes. 2. 10. 11. He answereth Then when th'Apostle sayth to the church of Corinth ye are the Temple of God 1 Cor. 3 16. his meaning should be according to this glose ye are a counterfeit church And when Christ sayd Destroy this Temple Joh. â— 19. speaking of his bodie the word Temple should lead us to understand Christs body to be but a counterfeyt Would any man of good understanding and affection have made such inferences upon my words Doth not the very word God when it is spoken of Baal and of images made with mens hands lead us to understand them to be but counterfeyt gods or would any adversary if I had so spoken of Baal and the word God which is applied unto him by the Prophet 1 King 18. 27. have wrested my reason against the true God But sundry such abuses I beare and forbeare to reply unto because my opposite cannot now heare his reproof and to other men it would be fruitless Hetherto of th'Apostles phrase the Temple of God Now touching the Man of
Sion as whileere he sayd were in Babylon And for his figurative applying of the Temple here to the people or church it is amyss it should be applyed to God himself For so the Lord sayth by the Prophet though I have scattred them among the countries yet wil J be to them as a little Sanctuarie in the countries where they shal come Ezek. 11. 16. So the Lord not the people was the Sanctuarie or temple in Babylon 3. Stil they are acknowledged of God to be Sion his people c though in Babylon Answ. So I alwayes and stil acknowledge God to have his people in Babylon the church of Rome But it should be proved if it were possible that Babylon is Sion or the church of Rome to be the church of God 4. The Lord calleth them from thence by diverse prophets c. 5. Being so called they did not all come togither at once c. Answ. These things are true and so for the Lords calling of his people out of Babylon now But it is not yet concluded not ever wil be soundly that the Babylonians are Gods people except the elect which belong to mount Sion though-actually in Babylon Obj. There wil be of Gods people yet called from thence even then when this Babylon the citie of Rome shal be burnt with fyre and cast down never to rise any more Rev. 18. 4. 8. c. Answ. This conclusion is partly true and partly implieth error It is true that there shal be of Gods people called out of Babylon til she be utterly cast down But the errour implied is that he maketh Babylon the citie not the church of Rome and seemeth also to restreyn it to the citie properly and to the burning of the material citie and houses therof Wheras this Babylon is the great Whore who though her cheif â—ear is in Rome yet her ecclestaâ—â—ical jurisdiction reacheth over peoples and kinreds and tongues and nations And when the tenth part of that citie fell it is not meant of the tenth part of the houses in Rome but of people in that catholik church And when God calleth his people out of Babylon it is not meant out of Rome onely or Italic but Spaine also and all other places where Poperie reigneth Neyther is it meant in regard of civil politie as if the subjects in Italie Spaine and other lands might not remaine in those comon wealthes still but they are called out from the heresies idolatries and extravagant jurisdiction of the Romish church So the civil bondage of the Iewes in the old Babylon typed the spiritual bondage of Gods people in this new Babylon the church of Rome and out of it are men called not out of the civil state or material place For who will deny but Christian churches may dwel in Spaine Italie yea and Rome it self if the magistrates wil suffer them and yet not disobey this precept Come out of her my people It is a doctrine of grace and necessarie unto salvation to come out of the church estate of this Romish Babylon but to understand it of the CoÌ„mon wealths estate and to call men out of it were a doctrine of rebellion contrarie to Rom. 13. 1. 1. Pet. 2. 13. 14. Wheras I concluded Gods covenant of grace is not therefore with her at all for she is appointed to damnation 2 Thes. 2. 8. 12. Rev. 18. 8. 21. but the elect that obey Gods voice calling them out of her them hee will receive into covenant he will be a father unto them and they shal be his sonns daughters as he hath promised 2. Cor. 6. 17. 18. He replyeth As if they were not already under the covenant of God being his people or as if they could be the Lords people and yet not be under his covenant The Jewes knew better when they were in Babylon and therevpon prayed as in Esai 63. 17. 18. 19. 64. 7. 8. 9. Returne to the tribes of thine inheritance c we are thine c. O Lord thou art our father c. Answ. The people of God in Rome being his elect are under his covenant in regard of his electioÌ„ which was before the world began but until they be called come out they appear not unto men to be under the visible covenant of Gods church whereof Paul speaketh in the place alleaged 2 Cor. 6. That the godly Iewes in Babylon figured Gods elect I before shewed from Rom. 11. 4. 5. 7. and mine opposite gainsayeth it not That God calleth the elect his people even before they know or obey his voice was shewed him also heretofore when God sayd to Paul of heathenish Corinth J have much people in this citie Act. 18. 10. yet Paul knew not who they were till after they beleeved by his preaching So Christ sayd Other sheep J have which are not of this fold Ioh. 10. 16. speaking of the elect gentiles whiles yet they were not sheep actually before men but wild beasts of the wood His comparison from Esai 63. if it be referred to the Martyrs which the church of Rome hath imprisoned killed banished for the trueth is fit and I acknowledge them visibly under Gods covenant But referred to them that are one with the church of Rome in her faith and religion it is very unfitt For those people of God in Babylon were in civil bondage but in freedome of spirit and not servants to syn such were Daniel Ananias and other saints But these of the Romish church religion are in spiritual bondage to Antichrist and so partakers of his synns and in state of death by mans judgement till they obey their calling and come forth though God knoweth them before to be his people by election of grace By this which hath been sayd the wise may discerne what weight there is in Rev. 18. to prove Babylon the present church of Rome to be the church of God because out of her God calleth his people And let all men take notice of the mayn ground of his errour that he would have Babylon now to be the civil state or material citie when in deed it is the ecclesiastical or church For God calleth not peoples out of their civil states it is a doctrine of rebellion so to interpret it and contrary to Rom. 13 but from their synfull ecclesiastical estate All civil states though governed by Popish yea or heathenish magistrates are sanctified to Gods people Act. 25. 10. 11. Rom. 13. 1. 2. c. 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14. 17. they may lawfully continew under them have the use and benefit of them they are all of God and none of them from the bottomless pit or of the Divil as is the Beast the Empire of Antichrist Rev. 17. 8. from which God calleth all his people Of comparing the church of Rome with Israel MIne opposite laboured to strengthen his former reason froÌ„ Rev. 18. by saying And so Jsrael is often called the Lords people in the
answereth Not Rome but the Church and not this Church but that which then was neerer the Apostles times which cleaved to the truth and simplicitie of Christ. The disputer would deceive ex elenchi ignoratione Into the same fall acie doth mine opposite often run in his dispute against me and is therefore reproved by Mr. Iunius himselfe To the objection of Gods calling in the Church of Rome barely affirmed without proof I shewed from 2. Thes. 2. that the man of syn sitteth there calling all to worship him c. and from Rev. 18. 4. that God calleth out of her such as shal bee saved And from Rev. 9. that their Bishops the ordinary meanes of calling are fallen from heaven and have the key of the bottomless pit c. which Mr. Iunius himselfe hath applied to the popish hierarchie Mine opposite replieth that I had not what to answer but boldly deny that God is there calling as in his Church c. In sted of disproving hee falleth to his wonted questioning how then there can be salvation to any in that church c. Answ. It is a wearines to answer his often demands Salvation by sundry meanes cometh to Gods elect in all false churches and in the world How came Rahab to faith among the Canaanites Heb. 11. 31. Iam. 2. 25. and other Gods chosen among the heathens It is one thing for God to call by extraordinarie means another thing for him to call as in his church by his ordinary ministerie which is the thing that I deny in Rome and they prove it not there The distinction between the papacie and the church of Rome that is the pastors and the flock of that church is of no weight to prove the difference pretended unlesse they were of divers faiths and religions But when the priests teach lies idolatries and heresies and the people beleeve worship and obey them as they doe in Rome they both perish together as the scriptures witnes 2. Thess. 2. Rev. 14. 9. 10. 11. Touching the order or rank of Apostates to omit his trifling about his own translation of the word he sayth Mr. Junius speaks this not of the whole Church but onely of the papal hierarchie Be it so but what proof is brought for that he sayth It is knowen to all that have understanding of their estate that the church and people of Rome are apostate from the faith and service of Christ as are their priests and hierarchie What shall I need to bring proofes Mr. Iohnson himselfe here confesseth and prayeth all to take knowledge of it that the Church of Rome is fallen into most sinful and deep defection and Apostasie and so is a notorious harlot and idolatress If Mr. Iunius say otherweise and will have the Apostasie to be in the Hierarchie onely not in the church let them first agree between themselves before they trouble others with their contrary pleas Or let a third be umpier beeween them Mr. Cartwright who in his second Replie to D. Whitgift pag. 245. sayth J would gladly learn where the Lord hath willed us so to cast away the use of our iudgement that when men make open profession that they are members of the Pope which is Antichrist yet we must account of them as of members of Christ. Or how this is to iudge wisely Ioh. 7. 14. Wheras Mr. Iunius made the papacie or papal hierarchie to be an accident growing to the Church apoyson in the church a pestilence a dropsie a gangrene in the body I shewed these inconveniences upon their own grant If the hierarchie be no part of the body but an accident a poyson a gangrene c. what shal we think of al the actions of that hierarchy their ministration of sacramēts making of ministers whole church administration They cānot possibly be the actions of the body of the church neither of Christ c. And now what is become of their true baptisme and ordination of ministers And how doth God cal in that Church as before they reasoned c. Here mine opposite chargeth me with trifling and cavilling c. as if similitudes should hold in all things Answ. A similitude must hold in some things and in that for which it is alleaged else it is vaine to prove the hierarchie none of the Church this instance is brought the pestilence dropsie gangrene is none of the body but an accident To disprove this I shew that such accidents can doe no natural functions of the body but the hierarchie doe the naturall functions of the body of the church of Rome in teaching ministring the sacraments c. therefore they are not accidents but true members yea the chiefe of that Church Object The Apostate Jewes are compared to brass and iron Jer. 6. 28. Ezek. 22. 18. Shal we now conclude against Iudah to make a nullity of all the actions ministration and Churches estate Answ. It is a living body that doth actions and not mettall if a similie bee given of a living body and of a gangrene or scab that consumes the life of that body all in reason will see that the body doth actions the scab or gangrene doth none But in a similitude from metall there is no reason to speak of actions But thus the whole company is compared to a lump of metall the godly are as pure silver Psal. 66. 10. the wicked are as dross Psalm 119. 119. the fire of Gods word and tribulation trieth them 1. Pet. 1 6. 7. The Finer reserveth the pure metall but consumeth or casteth away the drosse thus God threatneth to doe with the Iewes Ezek. 22. 18. 22. Here to bring in actions of a living body is quite from the purpose but in the other similie not Here I would say of drosse can be no vessell for the Finer or of brass yron and reprobate silver the Lord maketh no choyce for vessels in his sanctuary Of like sort are his other wrested similitudes of trees corne seed c. all which must bee fitted to their proper natures But vvhat answer giveth he to the poynt it self First he breaketh out into his charitable termes saying Could any Anabaptist write more Anabaptistically then thus c. And after sundry reproches he replieth in Mr. Iunius name and to my question Can a scab or gangrene perform any action of a natural body or member hee giveth no answer but asketh againe Can a body that hath a scab or gangrene performe no actions of a natural body I answer yes it can And vvhat now will it help his cause For though the body can doe the naturall actions of it yet it is not possible for the scab or gangrene to doe them Either therefore the Pope and his hierarchie must be other then accidents gangrenes poyson dropsie c. in the church of Rome as in deed they are the chiefe members of that Whore or else they can performe no ecclesiasticall action As for his usuall refuge when all other faile the
and people so doth the Antichristian of Antichrist his ministers and people This Beast hath seven heads and ten hornes Rev. 17. 3. the ten hornes are sayd to be ten Kings v. â—2 as in Dan. 7. 24. the ten hornes out of that kingdom are ten kings these kings are none of the hierarchy wherefore the whole body of this beast conteineth more then the Pope and his hierarchy The Lamb against whom the Beast with his hornes fighteth Rev. 17. 14. Mr. Iunius expoundeth to be Christ and his Church why may not we by like reason expound the Beast to bee Antichrist and his Church Finally the Beast sayth Mr. Iunius * himselfe is the Romane Empire made long agoe of civill Ecclesiastical the chief head whereof hee maketh the Pope to beâ— And the Beast of Rome sayth he of a civil Empire is made an ecclesiastical Hierarchie The Whore he expoundeth to be the spiritual Babylon which is Rome so then by mine opposites plea neither did Mr. Iunius say neither ever entred into his thought that the ecclesiastical Roman Empire since the Pope was head of it or the hierarchy was ever married unto Christ. As for the Whore the Church which rideth this Beast he calleth it the False-Christian Church over which Antichrist ruleth and Antichrists Church which title mine opposite will not beare at my hand and that Antichristian Church which the Angel biddeth cast out and measure it not in Rev. 11. 12. Mr. Iunius explaineth thus As if he should say it belongeth nothing to thee to judge those which are without 1. Cor. 5. 12. which be innumerable look unto those of the houshold onely or unto the house of the living God Notwithstanding all this Mr. Iohnson would needs measure it for the true Church House and Temple of God so well doe Mr. Iunius and he accord together To a testimony which I alleaged out of D. Fulk concerning the miserable blindnesse of people in Popery of which mine opposite sayth he might have been better aduised hee to requiâ—e me as he thinketh alleageth a speech of Mr. Broughtons who sayth Millions of millions of Romes clients are saved Brought on Rev. 13. 18. p. 203. Answ. Would he be content that Mr. Broughton should decide our controversie touching the Church of Rome Thus then sayth that author in the same book The Popes clients are the taile of the great Dragon Thence from Rome was the Rebellion to arise Man of syn Apollyon c. to set up or depose states and to have a people of his own frame and to burne the true Temple of God The Popes power driveth the Church not to be seen for certaine hundreds of yeares The Pope wresteth al that is spoken of the true Church into protection for his synagogue of Satan Rome passeth al the enemies of the Church in cruelty and idolatry Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezar were never so hardened The prophane Caesars did not so strictly hinder all use of Religion Rome hath farr passed the old Babel in idolatry The Pope followeth al heathen superstition in name staffe apparel of Caesars and Temples setting but a face of Christianity upon them All their doctrine is such that their Temples Masse and dayly profession in al things is from the unclean spirit and their whole policie is a lye The Beast which is ascended out of Abyssos that is al his eorporations millions of millions alpapists goe from their Abyssos of black ignorance unto Abyssos Luk. 8. whither the Divils shal come in their time to be tormented for ever ever These sundry the like coÌ„mendations doth the author alleaged give of the church of Rome which mine opposite pleadeth for and taking hold of a phrase wresteth it for his purpose from the mans meaning who seemeth not to speak of the popish church but of the ancient Christian for these are there Mr. Broughtons words And for Julius the captaine who was so careful for S. Paul that for his sake the liâ—e of the prisoners were spared Act. 27. God would not record this but to save millions of millions of Romes clients for S. Paul but for the unthankeful to S. Paul and forgers that Peter was at Rome who never came neere it he stil reserved Pilats holiness that Popes selfe-murder should be the reward Was not here a testimony well alleaged So in other places of his book he quoteth Mr. Brightman and others whose writings directly cross that which he pleadeth for in many things as they that read the authors may see and anone I will set downe their sayings No marvell then if hee wrest my words as where next he sayth that that which the Apostle speaketh of the Man of sin and of them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth c. 2. Thess. 2. 9. J apply for exclusion from pardon and certain condemnation to the whole Church of Rome and so to all the members thereof and that for all ages that either have been are or shal be ever since the Man of syn was seated there Answ. I sayd no more but thus God if it were granted that he is the husband of this whore hath promised her no pardon but delivered her to Satan to be seduced deluded damned 2. Thes. 2. 9. 11. 12. I speak not here of those in Rome that have withstood her whoordoms which have been many nor of those to whom at last God hath given repentance unto life which I hope are moe nor of other his elect but of the whore in generall whose damnation is shewed in Rev. 17. and 18. yea th'Apostle speaketh more particularly That they all might be damned who beleeve not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness Behold how hee sayth they all which some evill minded man might urge against the Apostle as mine opposite doth against me But wise men know that the promises of life to the true Church pertain not to the reprobates that are in it so the threatnings of death to the false Church take not hold on Gods elect which are therein Object Jf this harlot the Church of Rome was never Christs spouse otherwise then all the world was by our first parents Adam and Noe how then hath she broken the covenant of wedlock if she never were in it how can she be called a whore in respect of Christ any more then the heathens that never knew God in Christ How can she be sayd to be in Apostasie c. Answ. Of the state of the Gentiles I have spoken before and proved them to have been all in the covenant of grace in Christ from Gen. 9. 9. c. But they generally fell from God to idolatry which is whoredom and apostasie and were in time rejected of God who renewed his covenant with one small nation of the Iewes and yet saved his elect among the Gentiles also So the Christian Churches planted by the Apostles soon fell from
is Christs true Church because it is the Temple of God 2. Thess. 2. D. Whitakers giveth sundry answers the two first are these 1. Jt may be called the church wherein Antichrist sitteth because it was the true church of Christ before not because now it is c. So Esaias sayth the faithful citie was become an harlot Esa. 1. 21. where he calleth Jerusalem the faithful citie because it had been faithful before so we say the Temple of God is the seat of Antichrist that is that which of old was the Temple of God 2. The Church of Rome taketh to it selfe the name title of the true Church and in the opinion of our adversartes it is the true Church 〈◊〉 was a monstrous thing of old 〈◊〉 deny this neither was it denyed but of a very few who straight way when they were knowen were killed notwithstanding it was not the true Church but the whore of Babylon c. These answeres when I gave mine opposite could by no meanes endure at my hand The same author sayth a litle before Now let us see whether the Bishop of Rome hath departed from Christ and from the faith so that the church of Rome now reteyneth not the form of the Apostles doctrine Surely that is evident by all the heads of doctrine which are in controversie between us and them That Church succeedeth the Apostles in deed but so as a den of theeves doe the house of God and as an harlot doth the faithful citie c. And after But the Pope sayth Billarmine honoreth one true God the Father Son and holy Ghost J answer hee honoureth him not but blasphemeth him He doth I confess as Atheists are wont to do which wil not openly deny God but in hart and workes they deny him so the Pope figneth and preclaimeth that he honoureth the trinity but in deed he carâ—h not for him For he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father of the holy Ghost but the Pope honoureth not the Son for he corrupteth his doctrine c. Againe touching that particular before handled whether by Babylon in Rev. 17. be meant the Citie or the Church of Rome Mr. Whitakers sayth Whereas the adversary affirmeth that it is not the Church of Rome whloâ—â— is called Babylon but the citie such as it was under the Emperours it is false For it is certain that Rome is by Iohn in the Revelation called Babylon because of that Church which should be at Rome For mention is made there of the false Prophet as also of the Whore which by her allurements should bewitch the whole world These things cannot be understood but of the Church and are necessarily to be referred unto Antichrist Mr. Brightman in his book of the Revelation expoundeth the Gentiles in Rev. 11. 2. to be the christiaÌ„s that are so in name only On Rev. 13. 8. he saith The holy Ghost doth cry openly that all they do wholly â—eopard and cast away their salvation that are subject to the Pope of Rome if so bee that they depart out of this life without repentance And again This Beast is worshipped of all Reprobates with whom while thou conspirest in thy worship who shal separate thee froÌ„ the state of reprobates He doth not therfore break off unity who departeth from the synagogue of Rome but he purchaseth unavoydable destruction to himselfe who cleaveth unto it without repentance These and the like things sayth Mr. Brightman one whose name mine opposite useth to grace his erroneous cause by Mr. Brovghtons testimony we have heard before Mr. Dudly Fenner in his Theologie writeth thus Antichrist is the head of the universal apostasie that should come 1. Ioh. 2. 18. Ioh. 4. 2. 2. Thess. 2. 4. 5. 6. Wherupon his church is by a Synechdoche called Antichrist 1. Ioh. 4. 3. 2. 18. as the true Church is called Christ 1. Cor. 12. 12. The Antichristian church compared to a Beast is the apostatical church but counterfeyting the vizar of the true which representeth the lively image of the Roman monarchie formerly doen away and of the goverment power amplitude seat therof amongst all peoples 2 Thes. 2. 4. 5. 6. 8. Revel 11. 7. 8. 13. 3. 11. 12. 18. Antichrist or the False prophet is the head of the Antichristian church the mediatour between it and the Dragon Rev. 16. 13. 13. 4. 11. 12. This Antichrist is an Opposer for to defend the foresayd departing away froÌ„ the truth of Christ 2 Thes. 2. 4. compared as touching the phrase with Dan. 8. 11. and an Exalter of himself first that he may lift up himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped that is against all powers and majesties both earthly heavenly 2. Thes. 2. 9. Dan. 8. 11. 36. Secondly that placing his seat in the church in name called Gods he may shew himself as God that is arrogate to himself the divine power and absolute dominion of Christ Esai 31. 1. 2. 2 Thes. 2. 4. Dan. 8. 25. Napier the Noble of Scotland expounding the Revelation sayth But as for the outward and visible face of the pretended church it must be rejected from God and no care measure nor account had by him therof because it must be given over to Antichristian and idolatrous people who shal subdue his holy church and spiritual Jerusalem and tread it under foot 1260. yeres Gods true church and spouse was chased away and remayned invisible and soliturie among certaine private persons predestinate elect of God But the rest of the people that lay dead in Antichristian errors arose not therfrom to imbrace the word of life ill c. But the rest J mean the whole outward visible church lay wholly as dead and corrupt with papistocal errours Of the Baptisme in the Church of Rome ALthough the former things against the Church of Rome be ynough to disprove her baptisme which is ordained of God onely for his Church and those in his covenant out of which Rome is gone yet because mine opposite urgeth some speciall reasons against mee for the same I will also briefly answer them About this poynt he hath nine reasons in his Christian plea pag. 27 ... 30. 1. The first which is against the repeating of Baptisme againe I grant him neither doe I hold it needfull or lawfull to repeate again the baptisme received in false churches 2. The second being for the same purpose I likewise grant As also that there is one baptisme as there was one circumcision which plea of his I would have noted because of his contrary reasoning afterward Likewise his example from Israel whose circumcision was not repeated I hold very fit But let the Reader observe how the Scriptures by him brought to prove it are 2. Chron. 30. chap. Ezr. 6. 19. 20. 21. of which the first was before the captivity the other after 3. The third that the covenant of grace is everlasting
see the Lord Mark 16. 16. Heb. 12. 14. Rom. 11. 20. 21. 22. 23. Though these conditions even in men are the worke of God in them Heb. 8. 10. 12. Whosoever is born of God overcommeth the world synneth not but keepeth himselfe and the wicked one toucheth him not 1. Ioh. 5. 4. 18. And they that teach otherweise destroy the Gospel and open a gap to all profanenesse and licentiousnesse Jf God sayth he break the covenant on his part when men break it on theirs then should there stil be a new entring into the covenant again between God and man and a new baptisme dayly received againe as the signe and seale thereof Answ. God alwayes breaketh not the covenant on his part when men break it on theirs but calleth them often back unto repentance Psa. 89. 31 34. Exo. 32. 33. chapters But to some that are hardned and wil not repent he breaketh his covenant visibly casting them out of his church cutting them off Rom. 11. 20. 22. giving them a bil of divorce Jer. 3. 8. removeth the candlestick Rev. 2. 5. Otherweise if a man comming from Iudaisme or paganisme to the Christian faith and Church doe againe revolt from Christ to Iudaisme or paganisme and for obstinacie in his sin is cut off by the power of Christ from his Church he must still be reputed in the covenant of God visibly on Gods part which is most untrue seeing God on his part hath cut them off and given them a bill of divorce If any such returne the covenant must be renewed Hos. 2. 7. 19. 20. 2. Cor. 6. 17. 18. yet the seale of the covenant once given is not to be repeated as a Christian revolted to paganisme and cut off from the Church is not when hee returneth baptised againe Because though he was visibly cut off even of God for his syn yet by his returne it appeareth that hee still belonged to his election of grace which was to man invisible whiles he continued cut off Yea though he received the seale after a false manner when it was not due unto him yet when hee turneth to the Lord it is not repeated As the Israelites which were circumcised after they were divorced from God Ier. 3. 8. had no new circumcision in the flesh when they turned unto God Ezr. 6. 21. 6. If such were the baptisme of the Church in Rome c. then should it be likewise in the East Churches and in all Churches of the world when they fall into sin breaking the covenant c. Answ. I deny the comparison For Rome is revolted from Christ to Antichrist and fallen from grace by the Apostles rule Gal. 5. 4. and is become dead in syn Rev. 20. and is not the true Church of Christ but a Man of syn and whore of Babylon 2. Thes. 2. Rev. 17. which things are before proved Such is not the state of all Churches that syn and break the convenant till for their hardnes and contempt of God they be also cut off as Rome is which when they bee then have they no true sacraments any longer among them 7. If there baptisme were indeed a lying signe and fiction then would it follow that there should be no salvation for any members of those Churches reteining the baptisme there received For the signe hath reference to the covenant and thing signified and so a lying signe must have respect to a lying covenant And by a lying covenant there is no salvation to any c. Answ. The covenant which the Church of Rome hath made with Antichrist is a lying covenant and hath lying signes to confirme it and God hath sent them strong delusion to beleeve a lye that they all might be damned who beleeve not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnes 2. Thes. 2. 11. 12. Therefore by the covenant and seales of that Antichristian synagogue wee cannot say that any one by the promise of God shall be saved But by the covenant of grace which God communicateth with his elect in that and other false churches many are saved but that is not the covenant of the church Of which poynt I have spoken before in answer to his 2. Argument for the church of Rome His reasons are the same againe and againe repeated Here further note how by his argument the popish Masse may bee justified thus If the Lords Supper or Masse in Rome be an idol a lying signe and fiction then is there no salvation for the members of that Church reteyning the Masse For a lying signe must have respect to a lying covenant and by a lying covenant there is no salvation to any But the church of Rome by mine opposites plea is in the covenant of salvation which is the true covenant therefore it also hath the true signe and seale of that covenant in their Masse or Babylonish Supper For our Lords Supper is the true signe and seale of the forgivenesse of synns and covenant of grace Mat. 26. 26. 28. Luk. 22. 19. 20. If hee yeeld not this then hee must say that they have two covenants the one of life and salvation sealed to them by baptisme the other of death and damnation sealed unto them by the Masse or Supper So they shall goe both to heaven and hell by their double covenant 8. Finally sayth he the baptisme of those Churches is from heaven and not of men and is derived unto us from the Apostles of Christ through the loynes of the church of Rome c. Therefore is no idollor lying signe but the true sacrament and ordinance of the Lord Math. 21. 21. 28. 18. 19. with Rom. 6. 3. 4. Heb. 7. 9. 10. 2. Chron. 30. ch Answ. I deny this his conclusion it being but a begging of the question which he shoud have proved It is not their baptisme which is from heaven they are fallen from heaven and become a Beast or kingdom Ecclesiasticall arisen out of the earth Rev. 13. 11. they are gone out from the Apostolike Church and become Antichrists 1. Joh. 2. 18. 19. Mine opposite himself hath granted that the Pope and his Hierarchie are Antichrist the Man of syn the Beast never maried to Christ. Again he sayth in this his Chr. plea p. 3. Jn baptisme the action is wholly enjoyned layd upon the baptiser and not upon the baptised The baptizers in Rome are the Priests which be a part of the beast and Man of syn on them the whole action lyeth as he sayth Now is this baptisme from heaven Did God ever bid Antichrist baptise The whole action then of popish baptisme lyeth upon them that are confessed by him to be Antichrist yet this baptisme he wil have to be from heaven 2. They were not in the loyns of the primitive Christian Church either by nature or by grace otherweise then all nations in Moses time were in the loynes of the primitive Church in Noes time 3. We have not our baptisme frō them but from God who hath delivered us from
the righteousness of saith and forgivenes of their sinns in that sinful estate Thus I shewed Gods words not mine own for oracles He asketh if we wil be wiser and more righteous then God himself who accounted them stil to be his people under his covenant and himselfe to be their God and upon this ground called them to repentance c. Answ. All this notwithstanding whiles they continued unrepent and unbeleeving and hardned their necks against the Lord their God c. their circumcisim by Pauls doctrine was made uncircumcision Rom. 2. 25. their sacrifices were an abomination to the Lord Prov. 15. 8. And hee might have seen in the Scriptures that though Israel were divorced from the Lord Ier. 3. 8. and not his people or wife nor he her husband Hos. 1. 9. 2. 2. yet they are in respect of their former state their continuall profession and the future mercie towards them called Gods people still even till Christs time Esai 11. 11. 16. Amos. 9. 14. That he should not urge a phrase as his manner is against the plain doctrines of the Scripture Obj. What wil they say to the circumcision of Judah in their apostasie c. was it also among them none of Gods ordinance but an idol c. Answ. It was Gods ordinance though abused by the unworthy receivers as before is shewed But he from a false church and Babylon flâ—eth to Sion the true Church corrupted which is his perpetuall fallacie If Iudah or any Church in the world had doen with the sacraments as Rome hath doen they had changed them into idols contrary to the 2. commandement But Iudah never did so with circumcision and the Passover he sheweth no word of God to prove it Obj. Have the gates of hell more prevailed against the Christian Church since Christs coming then they did or could against the Church of the Iewes before his coming in the flesh Mat. 16. 18. Answ. This old popish reason hath been often answered by many Writers against the Antichristians and is of no more force for Rome turned to Antichrist then for Ephesus Corinth and other churches turned to Mahomet For what priviledge besides a popish dreame had Rome above Ephesus Should it because it crucified Christ and is therefore cursed above all cities have prerogative above Ephesus wherin was a church in Pauls time which was the ground and pillar of truth 1. Tim. 1. 3. 3. 15. yet is that church long since cut off but Romes church must continue for her good service to Divils and idols Rev. 9. 20. and for worshiping the Beast Rev. 13. He might have seen in Rev. 12. that the woman the Church perisheth not though she be fled into the wildernesse from the presence of the Serpent and synagogue of Antichrist His other repetitions again and again are before answered Obj. The ordinances of God may in any churches become unprofitable to men by their own sinns circumcision may be made uncircumcision to such as break the Law c. Rom. 2. 25. 26. so baptisme now But shall we therefore say that they are not in such churches to such persons the Lords ordinances nor his true signes and sacraments but idols and lying signes c. Was the Lords table in the Church of Corinth a table of Divils or the Lords Supper an idoll or lying signe c. to such as eat it unworthily Was it not the Lords ordinance and true sacrament though sinfully abused by them c. Ans. The Lords ordinances abide alwayes the same and holy in themselves howsoever abused by Christians by Antichristians by Iewes Turks or Pagans to their perdition Neither is there a like degree of abuse in all neither doth every abuse make a thing an idoll but when the honour due to God alone is given to a creature then it is made an idoll and so I have proved is doen in the church of Rome to which proofs he answereth not I instanced the Lords Supper in Rome whereof they have made an abominable idoll worshiping a peece of bread as their maker Mine opposite will never mention or meddle with this but shunneth it as convinced in conscience And from Antichrists church runneth to the Christian Church in Corinth and asketh if the Lords table there were a table of Divils I answer No not then in Corinth but now in Rome they have made it by their idolatrous Masse a table of Divils and as Moses sayd of Israel they sacrificed to Divils not to God Deut. 32. 17. so say I of these Antichristians their sacrifice of the altar is a sacrifice to Divils not to God This he should have disproved if he could have doen it and not to leave the persons and things whereof wee dispute and run to others So the Lords baptisme they have turned into an idol ascribing the gift of grace which onely is Gods to water words and works of men that as the Gentiles turned the truth of God into a lye Rom. 1. these Gentiles also have turned the truth of God and of his sacraments into lyes And as the Lords incense and sacrifices were an abomination to him from the hands of wicked sinners Esai 1. 13. Prov. 15. 8. so the Lords sacraments are an abomination to him from the hands of Antichristians And as hee doth so ought all his people to esteeme of them and not to regard lying words of such as cry nothing but the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord the sacraments and ordinances of the Lord to deceive Gods people and to harden the synners in their wicked works Wheras I distinctly shewed the idolatry committed in Antichrists baptising of his subjects partly by perverting the holy signes as the Israelites did the brasen serpent â— King 1â— 4. partly by inventing signes of his owne as crosses exorcismes c. Mine opposite first †censureth the things I wrote to be notable shifts errours contradictions abuse of scriptures vain distinctions and odious assertions Such grace hath flowed from his tongue and pen. 1. Observe sayth he a needless distinction of idols nothing helping for the question in hand Answ. The distinction is true and needfull to discern the truth of the question against his clamorous reproches as if I called Gods ordinance in it self considered an idoll 2. Jf they mean sayth he that baptisme there had is an idol of both sorts they doe the more increase their errour Answ. I doe so meane yet is there no increase of errour I heare his bold words but no proof 3. They speak of crosses exorcismes c. whereas we speak of the baptisme it selfe Ans. So doe I but of popish baptisme mixed with Christs ordinances and Antichrists together All parts of a thing put together make the whole and it is deceitfull dealing to dazel mens eyes with the whores golden cup and to passe by the abominable ingredients the fornications that are in it when both are joyned together Rev. 17. 4. 4. They speak
sayth the use of gold and silver for idols is forbidden very wel and is not the use of water bread and wine for idols forbidden also The use of gold to make the images of Cherubims was commanded Exod. 25. 18. but if the Gentiles had made themselves golden Cherubims they had been idols and syn to them for God commanded them not So water bread and wine are commanded the Christian church in her sacraments but to the Antichristian church God commandeth not these til they repent turne to Christ then and not before may they use them for holy signes Psalm 50. 16. 17. Prov. 21. 27. 9. 13. 17. 18. In this his tenth errour or exception is also answered which is about the very same thing but that he delyteth in multiplication 11 Touching the relation which is the mayn thing in a sacrament that it should seale up unto them the forgivenes of synns and as they blasphemously say quite take away synns and conferr grace so it is a vaine idol and nothing But the Sacraments in their relation are not onely seals but signes also Gen. 17. 11. Rom. 4. 11. c. Now by their assertion the baptisme aforesayd sheweth nothing at all to the mind and so is a vaine idol and nothing and that which it sheweth to the eye is but as the gold and silver of the heathens idols which if it were true then in deed there should be nothing of Gods ordinance nothing of a true sacrament c. And can they then blame the Anabaptists c. Answ. That there is no true relation in the popish baptisme is sufficiently proved the persons being Antichristians out of the covenant and without promise in that estate That they have the true material things of washing with water in the name of the Father c I have alwayes granted though these materials are abused by them to idolatrie as the Iewes abused their sheep and bullocks to abominable sacrifices That of the gentiles silver and gold is true also touching the matter which is Gods good creature further comparison I made not though he corrupted my words Object Whether think they that the baptisme received in the truest Churches doe seal up to hypocrites the forgivenes of their synns If they think not whether they wil say that the baptisme of those churches hath not the relation which is the mayn thing in a Sacrament Jt is generally held that Simon Magus who was baptised by Philip was an hypocrite and that his baptisme did not seal up unto him the forgivenes of his synns wil they therfore say that the baptisme ministred by the Euangelists had not the relation c Besides that thus the relation of the sacramentes should depend wholly upon man and not upon the Lord or his ordinance at all Answ. To passe over his forme of writing how he asketh questions when he should prove or convince I answer his question is from the matter in hand and so is deceitfull We speak of the outward visible church of Christ and ordinances belonging therto also of the visible Antichristian church and ordinances there abused He leaveth this and runneth to hypocrites which men can not discerne and whom therfore we must leave unto God among other secrets Deut. 29. 29. To reason from the one of thâ—se to the other would bring all confusion for hypocrites are lawfully admitted into the Church as was Iudas Simon Magus and many other if upon this ground open Antichristians idolaters unbeleevers may be admitted also then the church and the world shal be one confused Babel To his question I answer baptisme in true Churches administred as th' Apostles and Euangelists did â—ealeth up to all the forgivenes of their synns unto the judgment of man and they should greatly syn and profane Gods ordinance to baptise any other Simon Magus when he was baptised it is testified that he beleeved Act. 8. 13. so by the ordinance of Christ he was to be baptised Mat. 28. 19. neyther knew they him to be an hypocrite when he was baptised til afterward Thus are we bound by the rule of love to beleeve that all rightly baptised in the Christian church have the seale of forgivenes of synns and are buryed with Christ by baptisme and that by one spirit we are all baptised into one body Rom. 6. 3. 4. 1 Cor. 12. 13. And so mine opposite beleeving the church of Rome to be Christs true church and to have his true baptisme was bound also to beleeve them all to be of one body and one spirit with himself til they manifest to him the contrary which seing they have not doen by all their idolatries heresies impieties it is not to be thought that ever people which wil call themselves Christians could doe it As for us we know the covenant of Christ is not with Antichrist or his whoreish church though therin God hath many elect but we know that his covenant is with the true Christian church and all the members of it although therin be many hypocrites and reprobates both which are manifested in time by their fruits We walk by the rules reveiled to us of God secret things are not for us to judge of until they be manifested Where he concludeth that thus the relation of the sacraments should depend wholly upon man and not upon the Lord at all it is a calumniation without all colour of proof The relation is by mutual consent the Lord offring his son Christ for salvation to all repentant beleeving synners we by grace having obteyned faith doe therby apprehend Christ for our saviour as in the word so in the sacraments His next demaund about our selves and our baptisme had in Rome is a thing againe and agayn answered without running into Anabaptistrie whither he would so sayn drive us 12. These men erre not a litle when they say that popish baptisme hath not the relation of a sacrament to them but is a vaine idol and nothing because they say of it that it quite taketh away synns Shall mens erroneous sayings and opinions make a nullity of Gods ordinances signes and seales Can not God be true though they be lyars c. Answ. Here is an other repetition of that which he forealleged in his 6. reason or errour which I there refuted Mens erroneous sayings opinions and doings doe disanull to themselves all Gods promises signes and seals which are onely conditionall if men repent beleeve and obey which grace God giveth to all that are Christs And if men beleeve not nor obey and so be damned their damnation impeacheth not Gods truth at all but confirmeth it for he hath sayd of such that they shal be damned Mar. 16. 16. Joh. 3. 36. Obj. Besides the relation in a sacrament there is also to be regarded the commandment of God who hath appointed it to be observed in the church As Christ who was without syn c yet in obedience to the Law was circumcised and baptised c. Therfore it