,digital ,library1 ,google and the ,university of ,michigan ,library47 ,,an ,,apology ,,for ,,the ,true ,christian ,divinity1 ,,being ,,an ,,explanation and ,,vindication ,,of ,,the ,,principles and ,,doctrines ,of the ,,people called ,,quakers4 ,written in ,,latin and ,,english ,by ,,robert ,,barclay1 ,and since translated into ,,high ,,dutch1 ,,low ,,dutch1 ,,french1 and ,,spanish1 for the ,information of ,strangers4 ,the ,,eighth ,,edition in ,,english4 ,,birmingham2 ,printed by ,,john ,,baskerville1 and sold by the ,booksellers of ,,london and ,,westminster4 ,m ,,dcc ,,lxv4 ,,table ,,of ,,contents ,,introduction ,to ,charles ,,ii ,king of ,great ,britain4 ,r4 ,b4 ,unto the ,friendly ,reader wisheth ,salvation4 ,,theses ,,theologic4 ,to the ,clergy4 i4 ,,proposition ,i4 #a ,concerning the true ,,foundation ,,of ,,knowledge4 ,,proposition ,,ii4 #d ,of ,,immediate ,,revelation4 ,,proposition ,,iii4 #dh ,concerning the ,,scriptures4 ,,proposition ,,iv4 #gc ,concerning the ,condition of ,,man in the ,,fall4 ,,propositions ,v4 ,,vi4 #hf ,concerning the ,,universal ,,redemption by ,,christ4 ,concerning the ,,saving and ,,spiritual ,,light1 wherewith every ,man is enlightened4 ,,proposition ,,vii4 #afd ,concerning ,,justification4 ,,proposition ,,viii4 #bjd ,concerning ,,perfection4 ,,proposition ,,ix4 #bbd ,concerning ,,perseverance1 and the ,possibility of ,,falling from ,,grace4 ,,proposition ,x4 #bca ,concerning the ,,ministry4 ,,proposition ,,xi4 #bif ,concerning ,,worship4 ,,proposition ,,xii4 #cee ,concerning ,,baptism4 ,,proposition ,,xiii4 #chh ,concerning the ,,communion1 or ,,participation of the ,,body and ,,blood of ,,christ4 ,,proposition ,,xiv4 #dbe ,concerning the ,,power of the ,,civil ,,magistrate in ,matters ,purely ,,religious1 and pertaining to the ,,conscience4 ,,proposition ,,xv4 #ddi ,concerning ,,salutations and ,,recreations c4 ,,the ,,conclusion4 #ejb ,,index ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book4 ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things4 ,,errata4 ,,transcriber',s ,,note4 ,,to ,,charles ,,ii4 ,,king ,,of ,,great ,,britain1 ,and the ,dominions thereunto belonging3 ,,robert ,,barclay1 ,a ,servant of ,,jesus ,,christ1 called of ,,god to the ,dispensation of the ,gospel now again revealed1 and1 after a long and dark ,night of ,apostasy1 commanded to be preached to all ,,nations1 wisheth ,health and ,salvation4 ,as the ,condition of ,kings and ,princes puts ,them in a ,station more obvious to the ,view and ,observation of the ,world than that of other ,men1 of whom1 as ,cicero observes1 neither any ,word or ,action can be obscure2 so are those ,kings1 during whose ,appearance upon the ,stage of this ,world it pleaseth the ,,great ,,king of ,kings singularly to make known unto ,men the wonderful ,steps of ,his unsearchable ,providence1 more signally observed1 and their ,lives and ,actions more diligently remarked1 and enquired into by ,posterity2 especially if those ,things be such as not only relate to the outward ,transactions of this ,world1 but also are signalized by the ,manifestation or ,revelation of the ,knowledge of ,god in ,matters spiritual and religious4 ,these are the ,things that rendered the ,lives of ,cyrus1 ,augustus ,csar1 and ,constantine the ,great1 in former ,times1 and of ,charles the ,fifth1 and some other modern ,princes in these last ,ages1 so considerable4 ,but among all the ,transactions which it hath pleased ,god to permit1 for the ,glory of ,his ,power1 and the ,manifestation of ,his ,wisdom and ,providence1 no ,age furnisheth us with ,things so strange and marvellous1 whether with ,respect to ,matters civil or religious1 as these that have fallen out within the ,compass of ,thy ,time2 who1 though ,thou be not yet arrived at the ,fiftieth ,year of thy ,age1 hast yet been a ,witness of stranger ,things than many ,ages before produced4 ,so that whether we respect those various ,troubles wherein ,thou foundest ,thyself engaged while scarce got out of ,thy ,infancy2 the many different ,afflictions1 wherewith ,men of ,thy ,circumstances are often unacquainted2 the strange and unparalleled ,fortune that befel ,thy ,father2 ,thy own narrow ,escape1 and ,banishment following thereupon1 with the great ,improbability of ,thy ever returning1 at least without very much ,pains and tedious ,combatings2 or finally1 the ,incapacity ,thou wert under to accomplish such a ,design2 considering the ,strength of those that had possessed themselves of ,thy ,throne1 and the ,terror they had inflicted upon foreign ,states2 and yet that1 after all this1 ,thou shouldest be restored without ,stroke of ,sword1 the ,help or ,assistance of foreign ,states1 or the ,contrivance and ,work of human ,policy2 all these do sufficiently declare that it is the ,lord's ,doing1 which1 as it is marvellous in our ,eyes1 so it will justly be a ,matter of ,wonder and ,astonishment to ,generations to come2 and may sufficiently serve1 if rightly observed1 to confute and confound that ,atheism wherewith this ,age doth so much abound4 ,as the ,vindication of the ,liberty of ,conscience 7which ,thy ,father1 by giving ,way to the importunate ,clamours of the ,clergy1 the ,answering and ,fulfilling of whose unrighteous ,wills has often proved hurtful and pernicious to ,princes1 sought in some ,part to restrain7 was a great ,occasion of those ,troubles and ,revolutions2 so the ,pretence of ,conscience was that which carried it on1 and brought it to that ,pitch it came to4 ,and though no ,doubt some that were engaged in that ,work designed good ,things1 at least in the ,beginning1 albeit always wrong in the ,manner they took to accomplish it1 viz4 by carnal ,weapons2 yet so soon as they had tasted the ,sweets of the ,possessions of them they had turned out1 they quickly began to do those ,things themselves for which they had accused others4 ,for their ,hands were found full of ,oppression1 and they hated the ,reproof of ,instruction1 which is the ,way of ,life2 and they evilly intreated the ,messengers of the ,lord1 and caused his ,prophets to be beaten and imprisoned1 and persecuted his ,people1 whom he had called and gathered out from among them1 whom he had made to beat their ,swords into ,plow-shares1 and their ,spears into ,pruning-hooks1 and not to learn carnal ,war any more3 ,but he raised them up1 and armed them with spiritual ,weapons1 even with his own ,spirit and ,power1 whereby they testified in the ,streets and ,high-ways1 and publick ,markets and ,synagogues1 against the ,pride1 ,vanity1 ,lusts1 and ,hypocrisy of that ,generation1 who were righteous in their own ,eyes2 though often cruelly intreated therefore3 ,and they faithfully prophesied and foretold them of their judgment and ,downfal1 which came upon them2 as by several ,warnings and ,epistles1 delivered to ,oliver and ,richard ,cromwell1 the ,parliament1 and other then ,powers1 yet upon ,record1 doth appear4 ,and after it pleased ,god to restore ,thee1 what ,oppressions1 what ,banishments1 and evil ,intreatings they have met with1 by ,men pretending ,thy ,authority1 and cloaking their ,mischief with ,thy ,name1 is known to most ,men in this ,island2 especially in ,england1 where there is scarce a ,prison that hath not been filled with them1 nor a ,judge before whom they have not been haled2 though they could never yet be found guilty of any ,thing that might deserve that ,usage4 ,therefore the ,sense of their ,innocency did no ,doubt greatly contribute to move thee1 three ,years ago1 to cause some ,hundreds of them to be set at ,liberty3 ,for indeed their ,sufferings are singular1 and obviously distinguishable from all the rest of such as live under ,thee in these two ,respects4 ,first1 ,in that among all the ,plots contrived by others against ,thee1 since ,thy ,return into ,britain1 there was never any1 owned of that ,people1 found or known to be guilty1 7though many of them have been taken and imprisoned upon such ,kind of ,jealousies7 but were always found innocent and harmless1 as became the ,followers of ,christ not coveting after1 nor contending for the ,kingdoms of this ,world1 but subject to every ,ordinance of ,man1 for ,conscience ,sake4 ,secondly1 ,in that in the hottest ,times of ,persecution1 and the most violent ,prosecution of those ,laws made against ,meetings1 being clothed with ,innocency1 they have boldly stood to their ,testimony for ,god1 without creeping into ,holes or ,corners1 or once hiding themselves1 as all other ,dissenters have done2 but daily met1 according to their ,custom1 in the publick ,places appointed for that ,end2 so that none of ,thy ,officers can say of them1 ,that they have surprized them in a ,corner1 overtaken them in a private ,conventicle1 or catched them lurking in their secret ,chambers2 nor needed they to send out ,spies to get them1 whom they were sure daily to find in their open ,assemblies1 testifying for ,god and ,his ,truth4 ,by which those who have an ,eye to see1 may observe their ,christian ,patience and ,courage1 ,constancy and ,suffering joined in one1 more than in any other ,people that differ from them1 or oppose them4 ,and yet1 in the midst of those ,troubles1 ,thou canst bear ,witness1 that as on the one ,part1 they never sought to detract from ,thee1 or to render ,thee and ,thy ,government odious to the ,people1 by nameless and scandalous ,pamphlets and ,libels2 so on the other ,hand they have not spared to admonish1 exhort1 and reprove ,thee2 and have faithfully discharged their ,consciences towards ,thee1 without flattering ,words1 as ever the true ,prophets in ancient ,times used to do to those ,kings and ,princes1 under whose ,power ,violence and ,oppression was acted4 ,and although it is evident by ,experience to be most agreeable both to divine ,truth1 and human ,policy1 to allow every one to serve ,god according to their ,consciences2 nevertheless those other ,sects1 who for the most ,part durst not peep out in the ,times of ,persecution1 while these innocent ,people stood bold and faithful1 do now combine in a joint ,confederacy1 notwithstanding all the ,former ,janglings and ,contentions among themselves1 to render us odious2 seeking unjustly to wrest our ,doctrine and ,words1 as if they were both inconsistent with ,christianity and civil ,society2 so that to effectuate this their ,work of ,malice against us1 they have not been ashamed to take the ,help1 and commend the ,labours1 of some invidious ,socinians against us4 ,so do ,herod and ,pontius ,pilate agree to crucify ,christ4 ,but our ,practice1 known to ,thee by good ,experience to be more consistent with ,christianity and civil ,society1 and the ,peace and ,welfare of this ,island1 than that of those who thus accuse us1 doth sufficiently guard us against this ,calumny2 and we may indeed appeal to the ,testimony of ,thy ,conscience1 as a ,witness for us in the ,face of the ,nations4 ,these ,things moved me to present the ,world with a brief1 but true ,account of this ,people's ,principles1 in some short ,theological ,propositions2 which1 according to the ,will of ,god1 proving successful1 beyond my ,expectation1 to the ,satisfaction of several1 and to the exciting in many a ,desire of being farther informed concerning us1 as being every where evil spoken of2 and likewise meeting with publick ,opposition by some1 as such will always do1 so long as the ,devil rules in the ,children of ,disobedience2 ,i was thereby farther engaged1 in the ,liberty of the ,lord1 to present to the ,world this ,apology of the ,truth held by those ,people3 ,which1 because of ,thy ,interest in them1 and theirs in ,thee1 as having first appeared1 and mostly increased1 in these ,nations under ,thy ,rule1 ,i make bold to present unto ,thee4 ,thou knowest1 and hast experienced their ,faithfulness towards their ,god1 their ,patience in ,suffering1 their ,peaceableness towards the ,king1 their ,honesty1 ,plainness and ,integrity in their faithful ,warnings and ,testimonies to ,thee2 and if ,thou wilt allow ,thyself so much ,time as to read this1 ,thou mayest find how consonant their ,principles are both to ,scripture1 ,truth1 and right ,reason4 ,the ,simplicity of their ,behaviour1 the ,generality of their ,condition1 as being poor ,men and illiterate2 the ,manner of their ,procedure1 being without the ,wisdom and ,policy of this ,world1 hath made many conclude them ,fools and ,mad-men1 and neglect them1 as not being capable of ,reason4 ,but though it be to them as their ,crown1 thus to be esteemed of the ,wise1 the ,great1 and ,learned of this ,world1 and tho' they rejoice to be accounted ,fools for ,christ's ,sake2 yet of late some1 even such who in the ,world's ,account are esteemed both ,wise and ,learned1 begin to judge otherwise of them1 and find1 that they hold forth ,things very agreeable both to ,scripture1 ,reason1 and true ,learning4 ,as it is inconsistent with the ,truth ,i bear1 so it is far from me to use this ,epistle as an ,engine to flatter ,thee1 the usual ,design of such ,works2 and therefore ,i can neither ,dedicate it to ,thee1 nor crave ,thy ,patronage1 as if thereby ,i might have more ,confidence to present it to the ,world1 or be more hopeful of its ,success4 ,to ,god alone ,i owe what ,i have1 and that more immediately in ,matters spiritual2 and therefore to ,him alone1 and to the ,service of ,his ,truth1 ,i dedicate whatever ,work ,he brings forth in me2 to whom only the ,praise and ,honour appertain1 whose ,truth needs not the ,patronage of worldly ,princes2 ,his ,arm and ,power being that alone by which it is propagated1 established and confirmed4 ,but ,i found it upon my ,spirit to take ,occasion to present this ,book unto ,thee2 that as ,thou hast been often warned by several of that ,people1 who are ,inhabitants of ,england2 so ,thou may'st not want a seasonable ,advertisement from a ,member of ,thy ancient ,kingdom of ,scotland2 and that ,thou may'st know1 which ,i hope ,thou wilt have no ,reason to be troubled at1 that ,god is raising up and increasing that ,people in this ,nation4 ,and the ,nations shall also hereby know1 that the ,truth we profess is not a ,work of ,darkness1 nor propagated by ,stealth2 and that we are not ashamed of the ,gospel of ,christ1 because we know it to be the ,power of ,god unto ,salvation2 and that we are no ,ways so inconsistent with ,government1 nor such ,disturbers of the ,peace1 as our ,enemies1 by traducing us1 have sought to make the ,world believe we are3 ,for which to ,thee ,i dare appeal1 as a ,witness of our ,peaceableness and ,christian ,patience4 ,generations to come shall not more admire that singular ,step of ,divine ,providence1 in ,restoring ,thee to ,thy ,throne1 without outward ,bloodshed1 than they shall admire the ,increase and ,progress of this ,truth1 without all outward ,help1 and against so great ,opposition2 which shall be none of the least ,things rendering ,thy ,memory remarkable4 ,god hath done great ,things for ,thee2 ,he hath sufficiently shewn ,thee1 that it is by ,him ,princes rule1 and that ,he can pull down and set up at ,his ,pleasure4 ,he hath often faithfully warned ,thee by ,his ,servants1 since ,he restored ,thee to ,thy ,royal ,dignity1 that ,thy ,heart might not wax wanton against ,him1 to forget ,his ,mercies and ,providences towards ,thee2 whereby ,he might permit ,thee to be soothed up1 and lulled asleep in ,thy ,sins1 by the ,flattering of ,court-parasites1 who1 by their ,fawning1 are the ,ruin of many ,princes4 ,there is no ,king in the ,world1 who can so experimentally testify of ,god's ,providence and ,goodness2 neither is there any1 who rules so many free ,people1 so many true ,christians3 ,which ,thing renders ,thy ,government more ,honourable1 ,thyself more ,considerable1 than the ,accession of many ,nations1 filled with slavish and superstitious ,souls4 ,thou hast tasted of ,prosperity and ,adversity2 ,thou knowest what it is to be banished ,thy native ,country1 to be over-ruled1 as well as to rule1 and sit upon the ,throne2 and being oppressed1 ,thou hast ,reason to know how hateful the ,oppressor is both to ,god and ,man3 ,if after all these ,warnings and ,advertisements1 ,thou dost not turn unto the ,lord with all ,thy ,heart1 but forget ,him1 who remembered ,thee in ,thy ,distress1 and give up ,thyself to follow ,lust and ,vanity2 surely great will be ,thy ,condemnation4 ,against which ,snare1 as well as the ,temptation of those1 that may or do feed ,thee1 and prompt ,thee to ,evil1 the most excellent and prevalent ,remedy will be1 to apply ,thyself to that ,light of ,christ1 which shineth in ,thy ,conscience1 which neither can1 nor will flatter ,thee1 nor suffer ,thee to be at ,ease in ,thy ,sins2 but doth and will deal plainly and faithfully with ,thee1 as those that are ,followers thereof have also done4 ,,god ,almighty1 who hath so signally hitherto visited ,thee with ,his ,love1 so touch and reach ,thy ,heart1 ere the ,day of ,thy ,visitation be expired1 that ,thou mayest effectually ,turn to ,him1 so as to improve ,thy ,place and ,station for ,his ,name4 ,so wisheth1 so prayeth1 ,thy ,faithful ,friend and ,subject1 ,,robert ,,barclay4 ,from ,ury1 in my native ,country of ,scotland1 the #beth of the ,month called ,november1 in the ,year ,,mdclxxv4 ,r4 ,b4 ,r4 ,b4 ,unto the ,friendly ,reader wisheth ,salvation4 ,forasmuch as that1 which above all ,things ,i propose to myself1 is to declare and defend the ,truth2 for the ,service whereof ,i have given up and devoted myself1 and all that is mine2 therefore there is nothing which for its ,sake 7by the ,help and ,assistance of ,god7 ,i may not attempt4 ,and in this ,confidence1 ,i did sometime ago publish certain ,propositions of ,divinity1 comprehending briefly the chief ,principles and ,doctrines of ,truth2 which appearing not unprofitable to some1 and being beyond my ,expectation well received by many1 though also opposed by some envious ,ones1 did so far prevail1 as in some ,part to remove that false and monstrous ,opinion1 which lying ,fame1 and the ,malice of our ,adversaries1 had implanted in the ,minds of some1 concerning us and our ,doctrines4 ,in this ,respect it seemed to me not fit to spare my ,pains and ,labour2 and therefore1 being actuated by the same ,divine ,spirit1 and the like ,intention of propagating the ,truth1 by which ,i published the ,propositions themselves1 ,i judged it meet to explain them somewhat more largely at this ,time1 and defend them by certain ,arguments4 ,perhaps my ,method of ,writing may seem not only different1 but even contrary1 to that which is commonly used by the ,men called ,divines1 with which ,i am not concerned3 ,inasmuch as ,i confess myself to be not only no ,imitator and ,admirer of the ,school-men1 but an ,opposer and ,despiser of them as such1 by whose ,labour ,i judge the ,christian ,religion to be so far from being bettered1 that it is rather destroyed4 ,neither have ,i sought to accommodate this my ,work to itching ,ears1 who desire rather to comprehend in their ,heads the sublime ,notions of ,truth1 than to embrace it in their ,hearts3 ,for what ,i have written comes more from my ,heart than from my ,head2 what ,i have heard with the ,ears of my ,soul1 and seen with my inward ,eyes1 and my ,hands have handled of the ,word of ,life1 and what hath been inwardly manifested to me of the ,things of ,god1 that do ,i declare2 not so much regarding the ,eloquence and ,excellency of ,speech1 as desiring to demonstrate the ,efficacy and ,operation of ,truth2 and if ,i err sometimes in the former1 it is no great ,matter2 for ,i act not here the ,grammarian1 or the ,orator1 but the ,christian2 and therefore in this ,i have followed the certain ,rule of the ,divine ,light1 and of the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,and to make an ,end2 ,what ,i have written1 is written not to feed the ,wisdom and ,knowledge1 or rather vain ,pride of this ,world1 but to starve and oppose it1 as the little ,preface prefixed to the ,propositions doth shew2 which1 with the ,title of them1 is as followeth4 ,,theses ,,theologic4 ,,to ,,the ,,clergy1 ,,of ,,what ,,sort ,,soever1 ,unto whose ,hands these may come2 ,,but ,,more ,,particularly ,to the ,,doctors1 ,,professors1 and ,,students of ,divinity1 in the ,universities and ,schools of ,great ,britain1 whether ,prelatical1 ,presbyterian1 or any other2 ,,robert ,,barclay1 ,a ,servant of the ,,lord ,,god1 and one of those who in ,derision are called ,,quakers1 wisheth unfeigned ,repentance1 unto the ,acknowledgment of the ,truth4 ,,friends1 ,unto ,you these following ,propositions are offered2 in which1 they being read and considered in the ,fear of the ,lord1 you may perceive that simple1 naked ,truth1 which ,man by his ,wisdom hath rendered so obscure and mysterious1 that the ,world is even burthened with the great and voluminous ,tractates which are made about it1 and by their vain ,jangling and ,commentaries1 by which it is rendered a ,hundred-fold more dark and intricate than of itself it is3 ,which great ,learning 7so accounted of7 to wit1 your ,school-divinity 7which taketh up almost a ,man's whole ,life-time to learn7 brings not a ,whit nearer to ,god1 neither makes any ,man less wicked1 or more righteous than he was4 ,therefore hath ,god laid aside the ,wise and ,learned1 and the ,disputers of this ,world2 and hath chosen a few despicable and unlearned ,instruments 7as to ,letter-learning7 as he did ,fishermen of old1 to publish his pure and naked ,truth1 and to free it of those ,mists and ,fogs wherewith the ,clergy hath clouded it1 that the ,people might admire and maintain them4 ,and among several others1 whom ,god hath chosen to make known these ,things 7seeing ,i also have received1 in ,measure1 ,grace to be a ,dispenser of the same ,gospel7 it seemed good unto me1 according to my ,duty1 to offer unto you these ,propositions2 which though short1 yet are weighty1 comprehending much1 and declaring what the true ,ground of ,knowledge is1 even of that ,knowledge which leads to ,life ,eternal2 which is here witnessed of1 and the ,testimony thereof left unto the ,light of ,christ in all your ,consciences4 ,farewel4 ,r4 ,b4 ,the ,first ,proposition4 ,concerning the true ,,foundation of ,,knowledge4 ,seeing the ,height of all ,happiness is placed in the true ,knowledge of ,god 7#a,this is ,life eternal1 to know thee the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ whom thou hast sent7 the true and right understanding of this ,foundation and ,ground of ,knowledge is that which is most necessary to be known and believed in the first ,place4 #a ,john #ag4 #c4 ,the ,second ,proposition4 ,concerning ,,immediate ,,revelation4 ,seeing #bno ,man knoweth the ,father but the ,son1 and he to whom the ,son revealeth him2 and seeing the ,revelation of the ,son is in and by the ,spirit2 therefore the ,testimony of the ,spirit is that alone by which the true ,knowledge of ,god hath been1 is1 and can be only revealed2 who as1 by the moving of his own ,spirit1 he converted the ,chaos of this ,world into that wonderful ,order wherein it was in the ,beginning1 and created ,man a living ,soul1 to rule and govern it1 so by the ,revelation of the same ,spirit he hath manifested himself all along unto the ,sons of ,men1 both ,patriarchs1 ,prophets and ,apostles2 which ,revelations of ,god by the ,spirit1 whether by outward ,voices and ,appearances1 ,dreams1 or inward objective ,manifestations in the ,heart1 were of old the formal ,object of their ,faith1 and remain yet so to be2 since the ,object of the ,saints' ,faith is the same in all ,ages1 though set forth under divers ,administrations4 ,moreover1 these divine inward ,revelations1 which we make absolutely necessary for the building up of true ,faith1 neither do nor can ever contradict the outward ,testimony of the ,scriptures1 or right and sound ,reason4 ,yet from hence it will not follow1 that these divine ,revelations are to be subjected to the ,examination1 either of the outward ,testimony of the ,scriptures1 or of the natural ,reason of ,man1 as to a more noble or certain ,rule or ,touchstone3 ,for this divine ,revelation1 and inward ,illumination1 is that which is evident and clear of itself2 forcing1 by its own ,evidence and ,clearness1 the well-disposed ,understanding to assent1 irresistibly moving the same thereunto2 even as the common ,principles of natural ,truths move and incline the ,mind to a natural ,assent3 ,as1 ,that the ,whole is greater than its ,part2 ,that two contradictory ,sayings cannot be both true1 nor both false3 ,which is also manifest1 according to our ,adversaries ,principle1 who 7supposing the ,possibility of inward divine ,revelations7 will nevertheless confess with us1 that neither ,scripture nor sound ,reason will contradict it3 ,and yet it will not follow1 according to them1 that the ,scripture1 or sound ,reason1 should be subjected to the ,examination of the divine ,revelations in the ,heart4 #b ,mat4 #aa4 #bg4 ,the ,third ,proposition4 ,concerning the ,,scriptures4 ,from these ,revelations of the ,spirit of ,god to the ,saints1 have proceeded the ,scriptures of ,truth1 which contain1 #a4 ,a faithful historical ,account of the ,actings of ,god's ,people in divers ,ages1 with many singular and remarkable ,providences attending them4 #b4 ,a prophetical ,account of several ,things1 whereof some are already past1 and some yet to come4 #c4 ,a full and ample ,account of all the chief ,principles of the ,doctrine of ,christ1 held forth in divers precious ,declarations1 ,exhortations and ,sentences1 which1 by the moving of ,god's ,spirit1 were at several ,times1 and upon sundry ,occasions1 spoken and written unto some ,churches and their ,pastors3 ,nevertheless1 because they are only a ,declaration of the ,fountain1 and not the ,fountain itself1 therefore they are not to be esteemed the principal ,ground of all ,truth and ,knowledge1 nor yet the adequate primary ,rule of ,faith and ,manners4 ,nevertheless1 as that which giveth a true and faithful ,testimony of the first ,foundation1 they are and may be esteemed a secondary ,rule1 subordinate to the ,spirit1 from which they have all their ,excellency and ,certainty2 for as by the inward ,testimony of the ,spirit we do alone truly know them2 so they testify1 that #cthe ,spirit is that ,guide by which the ,saints are led into all ,truth3 ,therefore1 according to the ,scriptures1 the ,spirit is the first and principal ,leader4 ,and seeing we do therefore receive and believe the ,scriptures1 because they proceeded from the ,spirit2 therefore also the ,spirit is more originally and principally the ,rule1 according to that received ,maxim in the ,schools1 ,propter quod unumquodque est tale1 illud ipsum est magis tale4 ,englished thus3 ,that for which a ,thing is such1 that ,thing itself is more such4 #c ,john #af4 #ac42 ,rom4 #h4 #ad4 ,the ,fourth ,proposition4 ,concerning the ,condition of ,,man in the ,,fall4 #d;,all ,adam's ,posterity 7or ,mankind7 both ,jews and ,gentiles1 as to the first ,adam or earthly ,man is fallen1 degenerated1 and dead1 deprived of the ,sensation or ,feeling of this inward ,testimony or ,seed of ,god1 and is subject unto the ,power1 ,nature1 and ,seed of the ,serpent1 which he sows in ,men's ,hearts1 while they abide in this natural and corrupted ,state2 from whence it comes1 that not their ,words and ,deeds only1 but all their ,imaginations are evil perpetually in the ,sight of ,god1 as proceeding from this depraved and wicked ,seed4 ,man therefore1 as he is in this ,state1 can know nothing aright2 yea1 his ,thoughts and ,conceptions concerning ,god and ,things spiritual1 until he be disjoined from this evil ,seed1 and united to the ,divine ,light1 are unprofitable both to himself and others3 ,hence are rejected the ,socinian and ,pelagian ,errors1 in exalting a natural ,light2 as also of the ,papists1 and most ,protestants1 who affirm1 ,that ,man1 without the true ,grace of ,god1 may be a true ,minister of the ,gospel4 ,nevertheless1 this ,seed is not imputed to ,infants1 until by ,transgression they actually join themselves therewith2 #e;for they are by ,nature the ,children of ,wrath1 who walk according to the ,power of the ,prince of the ,air4 #d ,rom4 #e4 #ab4 #ae4 #e ,eph4 #b4 #a4 ,the ,fifth and ,sixth ,propositions4 ,concerning the ,universal ,redemption by ,christ1 and also the ,saving and ,spiritual ,light1 wherewith every ,man is enlightened4 ,the ,fifth ,proposition4 #f;,god1 out of his infinite ,love1 who delighteth not in the ,death of a ,sinner1 but that all should live and be saved1 hath so loved the ,world1 that he hath given his only ,son a ,light1 that whosoever believeth in him should be saved2 who enlighteneth every ,man that cometh into the ,world1 and maketh manifest all ,things that are reproveable1 and teacheth all ,temperance1 ,righteousness1 and ,godliness3 ,and this ,light enlighteneth the ,hearts of all in a ,day1#g in order to ,salvation1 if not resisted3 ,nor is it less universal than the ,seed of ,sin2 being the ,purchase of his ,death1 who tasted ,death for every ,man2 for #h;as in ,adam all die1 even so in ,christ shall all be made alive4 #f ,ezek4 #ah4 #bc42 ,isa4 #di4 #f42 ,john #c4 #af4 #a4 #i42 ,tit4 #b4 #aa42 ,eph4 #e4 #ac42 ,heb4 #b4 #i4 #g ,pro ,tempore1 for a ,time4 #h #a ,cor4 #ae4 #bb4 ,the ,sixth ,proposition4 ,according to which ,principle 7or ,hypothesis7 all the ,objections against the ,universality of ,christ's ,death are easily solved2 neither is it needful to recur to the ,ministry of ,angels1 and those other miraculous ,means1 which1 they say1 ,god makes use of1 to manifest the ,doctrine and ,history of ,christ's ,passion1 unto such who 7living in those ,places of the ,world where the outward ,preaching of the ,gospel is unknown7 have well improved the first and common ,grace2 for hence it well follows1 that as some of the old ,philosophers might have been saved1 so also may now some 7who by ,providence are cast into those remote ,parts of the ,world1 where the ,knowledge of the ,history is wanting7 be made ,partakers of the ,divine ,mystery1 if they receive and resist not that ,grace1 #i;a ,manifestation whereof is given to every ,man to profit withal4 ,this certain ,doctrine then being received 7to wit7 that there is an ,evangelical and ,saving ,light and ,grace in all1 the ,universality of the ,love and ,mercy of ,god towards ,mankind 7both in the ,death of his beloved ,son1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and in the ,manifestation of the ,light in the ,heart7 is established and confirmed against all the ,objections of such as deny it4 ,therefore #aj;,christ hath tasted ,death for every ,man2 not only for all ,kinds of ,men1 as some vainly talk1 but for every one1 of all ,kinds2 the ,benefit of whose ,offering is not only extended to such1 who have the distinct outward ,knowledge of his ,death and ,sufferings1 as the same is declared in the ,scriptures1 but even unto those who are necessarily excluded from the ,benefit of this ,knowledge by some inevitable ,accident2 which ,knowledge we willingly confess to be very profitable and comfortable1 but not absolutely needful unto such1 from whom ,god himself hath with-held it2 yet they may be made ,partakers of the ,mystery of his ,death 7though ignorant of the ,history7 if they suffer his ,seed and ,light 7enlightening their ,hearts7 to take ,place 7in which ,light1 ,communion with the ,father and ,son is enjoyed7 so as of wicked ,men to become holy1 and ,lovers of that ,power1 by whose inward and secret ,touches they feel themselves turned from the ,evil to the ,good1 and learn to do to others as they would be done by2 in which ,christ himself affirms all to be included4 ,as they then have falsely and erroneously taught1 who have denied ,christ to have died for all ,men2 so neither have they sufficiently taught the ,truth1 who affirming him to have died for all1 have added the absolute ,necessity of the outward ,knowledge thereof1 in order to the obtaining its saving ,effect2 among whom the ,remonstrants of ,holland have been chiefly wanting1 and many other ,assertors of ,universal ,redemption1 in that they have not placed the ,extent of this ,salvation in that ,divine and ,evangelical ,principle of ,light and ,life1 wherewith ,christ hath enlightened every ,man that comes into the ,world1 which is excellently and evidently held forth in these ,scriptures1 ,gen4 vi4 #c4 ,deut4 xxx4 #ad4 ,john i4 #g1 #h1 #i4 ,rom4 x4 #h4 ,tit4 ii4 #aa4 #i #a ,cor4 #ab4 #g4 #aj ,heb4 #b4 #i4 ,the ,seventh ,proposition4 ,concerning ,,justification4 ,as many as resist not this ,light1 but receive the same1 in them is produced an holy1 pure1 and spiritual ,birth1 bringing forth ,holiness1 ,righteousness1 ,purity1 and all these other blessed ,fruits which are acceptable to ,god2 by which ,holy ,birth 7to wit1 ,jesus ,christ formed within us1 and ,working his ,works in us7 as we are sanctified1 so are we justified in the ,sight of ,god1 according to the ,apostle's ,words1 #aa;,but ye are washed1 but ye are sanctified1 but ye are justified1 in the ,name of the ,lord ,jesus1 and by the ,spirit of our ,god4 ,therefore it is not by our ,works wrought in our ,will1 nor yet by good ,works1 considered as of themselves1 but by ,christ1 who is both the ,gift and the ,giver1 and the ,cause producing the ,effects in us2 who1 as he hath reconciled us while we were ,enemies1 doth also in his ,wisdom save us1 and justify us after this ,manner1 as saith the same ,apostle elsewhere1 #ab;,according to his ,mercy he saved us1 by the washing of ,regeneration1 and the renewing of the ,holy ,ghost4 #aa #a ,cor4 #f4 #aa4 #ab ,tit4 #c4 #e4 ,the ,eighth ,proposition4 ,concerning ,,perfection4 #ac;,in whom this holy and pure ,birth is fully brought forth1 the ,body of ,death and ,sin comes to be crucified and removed1 and their ,hearts united and subjected unto the ,truth1 so as not to obey any ,suggestion or ,temptation of the ,evil ,one1 but to be free from actual sinning1 and transgressing of the ,law of ,god1 and in that ,respect perfect4 ,yet doth this ,perfection still admit of a ,growth2 and there remaineth a ,possibility of sinning1 where the ,mind doth not most diligently and watchfully attend unto the ,lord4 #ac ,rom4 #f4 #ad42 ,id4 #h4 #ac42 ,id4 #f4 #b4 #ah42 #a ,john #c4 #f4 ,the ,ninth ,proposition4 ,concerning ,,perseverance1 and the ,possibility of ,,falling from ,,grace4 ,although this ,gift1 and inward ,grace of ,god1 be sufficient to work out ,salvation1 yet in those in whom it is resisted it both may and doth become their ,condemnation4 ,moreover1 in whom it hath wrought in ,part1 to purify and sanctify them1 in order to their further ,perfection1 by ,disobedience such may fall from it1 and turn it to ,wantonness1 making ,shipwreck of ,faith2 and #ad;after having tasted of the ,heavenly ,gift1 and been made ,partakers of the ,holy ,ghost1 again fall away4 ,yet such an ,increase and ,stability in the ,truth may in this ,life be attained1 from which there cannot be a total ,apostasy4 #ad #a ,tim4 #a4 #f42 ,heb4 #f4 #d1 #e1 #f4 ,the ,tenth ,proposition4 ,concerning the ,,ministry4 ,as by this ,gift1 or ,light of ,god1 all true ,knowledge in ,things ,spiritual is received and revealed2 so by the same1 as it is manifested and received in the ,heart1 by the ,strength and ,power thereof1 every true ,minister of the ,gospel is ordained1 prepared and supplied in the ,work of the ,ministry3 ,and by the leading1 moving1 and drawing hereof1 ought every ,evangelist and ,christian ,pastor to be led and ordered in his ,labour and ,work of the ,gospel1 both as to the ,place where1 as to the ,persons to whom1 and as to the ,times when he is to minister4 ,moreover1 those who have this ,authority may and ought to preach the ,gospel1 though without human ,commission or ,literature2 as on the other ,hand1 those who want the ,authority of this ,divine ,gift1 however learned or authorized by the ,commissions of ,men and ,churches1 are to be esteemed but as ,deceivers1 and not true ,ministers of the ,gospel4 ,also1 who have received this holy and unspotted ,gift1 #ae;as they have freely received1 so are they freely to give1 without ,hire or ,bargaining1 far less to use it as a ,trade to get ,money by it3 ,yet if ,god hath called any from their ,employments1 or ,trades1 by which they acquire their ,livelihood1 it may be lawful for such 7according to the ,liberty which they feel given them in the ,lord7 to receive such ,temporals 7to wit1 what may be needful to them for ,meat and ,clothing7 as are freely given them by those to whom they have communicated ,spirituals4 #ae ,mat4 #aj4 #h4 ,the ,eleventh ,proposition4 ,concerning ,,worship4 ,all true and acceptable ,worship to ,god is offered in the inward and immediate moving and drawing of his own ,spirit1 which is neither limited to ,places1 ,times1 or ,persons2 for though we be to worship him always1 in that we are to fear before him1 yet as to the outward ,signification thereof in ,prayers1 ,praises1 or ,preachings1 we ought not to do it where and when we will1 but where and when we are moved thereunto by the secret ,inspirations of his ,spirit in our ,hearts1 which ,god heareth and accepteth of1 and is never wanting to move us thereunto1 when ,need is1 of which he himself is the alone proper ,judge4 #af;,all other ,worship then1 both ,praises1 ,prayers and ,preachings1 which ,man sets about in his own ,will1 and at his own ,appointment1 which he can both begin and end at his ,pleasure1 do or leave undone as himself sees meet1 whether they be a prescribed ,form1 as a ,liturgy1 or ,prayers conceived extemporarily1 by the natural ,strength and ,faculty of the ,mind1 they are all but ,superstitions1 ,will-worship1 and abominable ,idolatry in the ,sight of ,god2 which are to be denied1 rejected1 and separated from1 in this ,day of his spiritual ,arising3 #ag;,however it might have pleased him 7who winked at the ,times of ,ignorance1 with ,respect to the ,simplicity and ,integrity of some1 and of his own innocent ,seed1 which lay as it were buried in the ,hearts of ,men1 under the ,mass of ,superstition7 to blow upon the dead and dry ,bones1 and to raise some ,breathings1 and answer them1 and that until the ,day should more clearly dawn and break forth4 #af ,ezek4 #ac41 ,mat4 #aj4 #bj41 ,acts #b4 #d4 #ah4 #e4 #ag ,john #c4 #f4 #d4 #ba41 ,jude #ai41 ,acts #ag4 #bc4 ,the ,twelfth ,proposition4 ,concerning ,,baptism4 ,as there is #ahone ,lord and one ,faith1 so there is one ,baptism2 which is not the putting away the ,filth of the ,flesh1 but the ,answer of a good ,conscience before ,god1 by the ,resurrection of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and this ,baptism is a pure and spiritual ,thing1 to wit1 the ,baptism of the ,spirit and ,fire1 by which we are buried with him1 that being washed and purged from our ,sins1 we may walk in ,newness of ,life2 #aiof which the ,baptism of ,john was a ,figure1 which was commanded for a ,time1 and not to continue for ever4 ,as to the ,baptism of ,infants1 it is a mere human ,tradition1 for which neither ,precept nor ,practice is to be found in all the ,scripture4 #ah ,eph4 #d4 #e42 #a ,pet4 #c4 #ba42 ,rom4 #f4 #d42 ,gal4 #c4 #bg42 ,col4 #b4 #ab42 ,john #c4 #cj4 #ai #a ,cor4 #a4 #ag4 ,the ,thirteenth ,proposition4 ,concerning the ,,communion1 or ,,participation of the ,,body and ,,blood of ,,christ4 ,the #bj;,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ is inward and spiritual1 which is the ,participation of his ,flesh and ,blood1 by which the inward ,man is #ba;daily nourished in the ,hearts of those in whom ,christ dwells2 of which ,things the breaking of ,bread by ,christ with his ,disciples was a ,figure1 which they even used in the ,church for a ,time1 who had received the ,substance1 for the ,cause of the ,weak2 even as #bb;abstaining from ,things strangled1 and from ,blood2 the #bcwashing one another's ,feet1 and the #bd;anointing of the ,sick with ,oil2 all which are commanded with no less ,authority and ,solemnity than the ,former2 yet seeing they are but the ,shadows of better ,things1 they cease in such as have obtained the ,substance4 #bj #a ,cor4 #aj4 #af1 #ag4 #ba ,john #f4 #cb1 #cc1 #ce42 #a ,cor4 #e4 #h4 #bb ,acts #ae4 #bj4 #bc ,john #ac4 #ad4 #bd ,james #e4 #ad4 ,the ,fourteenth ,proposition4 ,concerning the ,,power of the ,,civil ,,magistrate in ,matters purely ,,religious1 and pertaining to the ,,conscience4 ,since ,god hath assumed to himself the ,power and ,dominion of the ,conscience1 who alone can rightly instruct and govern it therefore #be;it is not lawful for any whatsoever1 by ,virtue of any ,authority or ,principality they bear in the ,government of this ,world1 to force the ,consciences of others2 and therefore all ,killing1 ,banishing1 ,fining1 ,imprisoning1 and other such ,things1 which ,men are afflicted with1 for the alone ,exercise of their ,conscience1 or ,difference in ,worship or ,opinion1 proceedeth from the ,spirit of ,cain1 the ,murderer1 and is contrary to the ,truth2 provided always1 that no ,man1 under the ,pretence of ,conscience1 prejudice his ,neighbour in his ,life or ,estate2 or do any ,thing destructive to1 or inconsistent with ,human ,society2 in which ,case the ,law is for the ,transgressor1 and ,justice to be administered upon all1 without ,respect of ,persons4 #be ,luke #i4 #ee1 #ef42 ,mat4 #g4 #ab4 #bi42 ,tit4 #c4 #aj4 ,the ,fifteenth ,proposition4 ,concerning ,,salutations and ,,recreations1 c4 #bf,seeing the chief ,end of all ,religion is to redeem ,man from the ,spirit and vain ,conversation of this ,world1 and to lead into inward ,communion with ,god1 before whom1 if we fear always1 we are accounted happy2 therefore all the vain ,customs and ,habits thereof1 both in ,word and ,deed1 are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this ,fear2 such as the taking off the ,hat to a ,man1 the ,bowings and ,cringings of the ,body1 and such other ,salutations of that ,kind1 with all the foolish and superstitious ,formalities attending them2 all which ,man has invented in his degenerate ,state1 to feed his ,pride in the vain ,pomp and ,glory of this ,world2 as also the unprofitable ,plays1 frivolous ,recreations1 ,sportings and ,gamings1 which are invented to pass away the precious ,time1 and divert the ,mind from the ,witness of ,god in the ,heart1 and from the living ,sense of his ,fear1 and from that evangelical ,spirit wherewith ,christians ought to be leavened1 and which leads into ,sobriety1 ,gravity1 and ,godly ,fear2 in which1 as we abide1 the ,blessing of the ,lord is felt to attend us in those ,actions in which we are necessarily engaged1 in order to the taking ,care for the ,sustenance of the outward ,man4 #bf ,eph4 #e4 #aa42 #a ,pet4 #a4 #ad42 ,john #e4 #dd42 ,jer4 #aj4 #c42 ,acts #aj4 #bf42 ,mat4 #ae4 #ac42 ,col4 #b4 #h4 ,,an ,,apology ,,for ,,the ,true ,christian ,divinity4 ,,proposition ,i4 ,concerning the true ,,foundation of ,,knowledge4 ,seeing the ,height of all ,happiness is placed in the true ,knowledge of ,god1 #bg7,this is ,life ,eternal1 to know thee the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ whom thou hast sent7 the true and right understanding of this ,foundation and ,ground of ,knowledge is that which is most necessary to be known and believed in the first ,place4 #bg ,john #ag4 #c4 ,he that desireth to acquire any ,art or ,science1 seeketh first those ,means by which that ,art or ,science is obtained3 ,if we ought to do so in ,things ,natural and ,earthly1 how much more then in ,spiritual8 ,in this ,affair then should our ,inquiry be the more diligent1 because he that ,errs in the ,entrance1 is not so easily brought back again into the ,right ,way2 he that misseth his ,road from the ,beginning of his ,journey1 and is deceived in his first ,marks1 at his first setting forth1 the greater his ,mistake is1 the more difficult will be his ,entrance into the ,right ,way4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,way to the true ,knowledge of ,god4 ,thus when a ,man first proposeth to himself the ,knowledge of ,god1 from a ,sense of his own ,unworthiness1 and from the great ,weariness of his ,mind1 occasioned by the secret ,checks of his ,conscience1 and the tender yet real ,glances of ,god's ,light upon his ,heart2 the earnest ,desires he has to be redeemed from his present ,trouble1 and the fervent ,breathings he has to be eased of his disordered ,passions and ,lusts1 and to find ,quietness and ,peace in the certain ,knowledge of ,god1 and in the ,assurance of his ,love and ,good-will towards him1 make his ,heart tender1 and ready to receive any ,impression2 and so 7not having then a distinct ,discerning7 through ,forwardness embraceth any ,thing that brings present ,ease4 ,if either through the ,reverence he bears to certain ,persons1 or from the secret ,inclination to what doth comply with his natural ,disposition1 he fall upon any ,principles or ,means by which he apprehends he may come to know ,god1 and so doth center himself1 it will be hard to remove him thence again1 how wrong soever they may be3 ,for the first ,anguish being over1 he becomes more hardy2 and the ,enemy being near1 creates a false ,peace1 and a certain ,confidence1 which is strengthened by the ,mind's ,unwillingness to enter again into new ,doubtfulness1 or the former ,anxiety of a ,search4 ,sidenote3 ,jewish ,doctors and ,pharisees resist ,christ4 ,this is sufficiently verified in the ,example of the ,pharisees and ,jewish ,doctors1 who most of all resisted ,christ1 disdaining to be esteemed ,ignorant2 for this vain ,opinion they had of their ,knowledge1 hindered them from the true ,knowledge2 and the mean ,people1 who were not so much pre-occupied with former ,principles1 nor conceited of their own ,knowledge1 did easily believe4 ,wherefore the ,pharisees upbraid them1 saying1 #bh;,have any of the ,rulers or ,pharisees believed on him8 ,but this ,people1 which know not the ,law1 are accursed4 ,this is also abundantly proved by the ,experience of all such1 as being secretly touched with the ,call of ,god's ,grace unto them1 do apply themselves to false ,teachers1 where the ,remedy proves worse than the ,disease2 because instead of knowing ,god1 or the ,things relating to their ,salvation aright1 they drink in wrong ,opinions of him2 from which it is harder to be disintangled1 than while the ,soul remains a ,blank1 or ,tabula rasa4 ,for they that conceit themselves ,wise1 are worse to deal with than they that are sensible of their ,ignorance4 ,nor hath it been less the ,device of the ,devil1 the great ,enemy of ,mankind1 to persuade ,men into wrong ,notions of ,god1 than to keep them altogether from acknowledging him2 the latter taking with few1 because odious2 but the other having been the constant ,ruin of the ,world3 ,for there hath scarce been a ,nation found1 but hath had some ,notions or other of ,religion2 so that not from their denying any ,deity1 but from their ,mistakes and ,misapprehensions of it1 hath proceeded all the ,idolatry and ,superstition of the ,world2 yea1 hence even ,atheism itself hath proceeded3 ,for these many and various ,opinions of ,god and ,religion1 being so much mixed with the ,guessings and uncertain ,judgments of ,men1 have begotten in many the ,opinion1 ,that there is no ,god at all4 ,this1 and much more that might be said1 may shew how dangerous it is to miss in this first ,step3 ,all that come not in by the right ,door1 are accounted as ,thieves and ,robbers4 #bh ,john #g4 #dh1 #di4 ,sidenote3 ,epictetus4 ,again1 ,how needful and desirable that ,knowledge is1 which brings ,life ,eternal1 ,epictetus sheweth1 saying excellently well1 ,cap4 #ch4 ,greek3 isthi hoti to ,kyritaton3 1 c4 ,know that the main ,foundation of ,piety is this1 ,to have ,greek3 orthas hypolpseis3 1 right ,opinions and ,apprehensions of ,god4 ,this therefore ,i judged necessary1 as a first ,principle1 in the first ,place1 to affirm2 and ,i suppose will not need much farther ,explanation or ,defence1 as being generally acknowledged by all 7and in these ,things that are without ,controversy ,i love to be brief7 as that which will easily commend itself to every ,man's ,reason and ,conscience2 and therefore ,i shall proceed to the next ,proposition2 which1 though it be nothing less certain1 yet by the ,malice of ,satan1 and ,ignorance of many1 comes far more under ,debate4 ,,proposition ,,ii4 ,of ,,immediate ,,revelation4 #bi,seeing no ,man knoweth the ,father but the ,son1 and he to whom the ,son revealeth him2 and seeing the ,revelation of the ,son is in and by the ,spirit2 therefore the ,testimony of the ,spirit is that alone by which the true ,knowledge of ,god hath been1 is1 and can be only revealed3 ,who as1 by the ,moving of his own ,spirit1 he disposed the ,chaos of this ,world into that wonderful ,order in which it was in the ,beginning1 and created ,man a ,living ,soul1 to ,rule and ,govern it2 so by the ,revelation of the same ,spirit he hath manifested himself all along unto the ,sons of ,men1 both ,patriarchs1 ,prophets and ,apostles3 ,which ,revelations of ,god by the ,spirit1 whether by outward ,voices and ,appearances1 ,dreams1 or inward objective ,manifestations in the ,heart1 were of old the formal ,object of their ,faith1 and remain yet so to be2 since the ,object of the ,saints' ,faith is the same in all ,ages1 tho' held forth under divers ,administrations4 ,moreover1 these ,divine ,inward ,revelations1 which we make absolutely necessary for the building up of true ,faith1 neither do1 nor can ever1 contradict the outward ,testimony of the ,scriptures1 or right and sound ,reason2 yet from hence it will not follow1 that these ,divine ,revelations are to be subjected to the ,test1 either of the outward ,testimony of the ,scriptures1 or of the ,natural ,reason of ,man1 as to a more noble or certain ,rule and ,touchstone2 for this ,divine ,revelation1 and ,inward ,illumination1 is that which is evident and clear of itself2 forcing1 by its own ,evidence and ,clearness1 the well-disposed ,understanding to assent1 irresistibly moving the same thereunto1 even as the common ,principles of natural ,truths do move and incline the ,mind to a natural ,assent3 ,as1 ,that the ,whole is greater than its ,part2 ,that two ,contradictories can neither be both true1 nor both false4 #bi ,mat4 #aa4 #bg4 4 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,revelation by ,apostate ,christians rejected4 ,it is very probable1 that many carnal and natural ,christians will oppose this ,proposition2 who1 being wholly unacquainted with the ,movings and ,actings of ,god's ,spirit upon their ,hearts1 judge the same nothing necessary2 and some are apt to flout at it as ridiculous3 ,yea1 to that ,height are the ,generality of ,christians apostatized and degenerated1 that though there be not any ,thing more plainly ,asserted1 more seriously ,recommended1 or more certainly ,attested to1 in all the ,writings of the holy ,scriptures2 yet nothing is less minded1 and more rejected1 by all ,sorts of ,christians1 than ,immediate and ,divine ,revelation2 insomuch1 that once to lay ,claim to it1 is ,matter of ,reproach4 ,whereas of old1 none were ever judged ,christians1 but such as had the ,spirit of ,christ1 ,rom4 viii4 #i4 ,but now many do boldly call themselves ,christians1 who make no ,difficulty of confessing they are without it1 and laugh at such as say they have it4 ,of old they were accounted the ,sons of ,god1 who were led by the ,spirit of ,god1 ibid4 verse #ad4 ,but now many aver themselves ,sons of ,god1 who know nothing of this ,leader2 and he that affirms himself so led1 is1 by the pretended ,orthodox of this ,age1 presently proclaimed an ,heretick4 ,the ,reason hereof is very manifest1 viz4 ,because many in these ,days1 under the ,name of ,christians1 do experimentally find1 that they are not actuated1 nor led1 by ,god's ,spirit2 yea1 many great ,doctors1 ,divines1 ,teachers and ,bishops of ,christianity1 7commonly so called7 have wholly shut their ,ears from hearing1 and their ,eyes from seeing1 this ,inward ,guide1 and so are become ,strangers unto it2 whence they are1 by their own ,experience1 brought to this ,strait1 either to confess that they are as yet ignorant of ,god1 and have only the ,shadow of ,knowledge1 and not the true ,knowledge of him1 or that this ,knowledge is acquired without ,immediate ,revelation4 ,sidenote3 ,knowledge ,spiritual and ,literal distinguished4 ,for the better understanding then of this ,proposition1 we do distinguish betwixt the certain ,knowledge of ,god1 and the uncertain2 betwixt the spiritual ,knowledge1 and the literal2 the saving ,heart-,knowledge1 and soaring1 airy ,head-,knowledge4 ,the last1 we confess1 may be divers ,ways obtained2 but the first1 by no other ,way than the inward immediate ,manifestation and ,revelation of ,god's ,spirit1 shining in and upon the ,heart1 inlightning and opening the ,understanding4 4 ,,ii4 ,having then proposed to myself1 in these ,propositions1 to affirm those ,things which relate to the true and effectual ,knowledge1 which brings ,life ,eternal with it2 therefore ,i have truly affirmed1 that this ,knowledge is no otherways attained1 and that none have any true ,ground to believe they have attained it1 who have it not by this ,revelation of ,god's ,spirit4 ,the ,certainty of which ,truth is such1 that it hath been acknowledged by some of the most refined and famous of all ,sorts of ,professors of ,christianity in all ,ages2 who being truly upright-hearted1 and earnest ,seekers of the ,lord1 7however stated under the ,disadvantages and epidemical ,errors of their several ,sects or ,ages7 the true ,seed in them hath been answered by ,god's ,love1 who hath had ,regard to the ,good1 and hath had of his ,elect ,ones among all1 who finding a ,distaste and ,disgust in all other outward ,means1 even in the very ,principles and ,precepts more particularly relative to their own ,forms and ,societies1 have at last concluded1 with ,one ,voice1 ,that there was no true ,knowledge of ,god1 but that which is revealed inwardly by his own ,spirit4 ,whereof take these following ,testimonies of the ,ancients4 ,sidenote3 ,aug4 #a4 #cj8;,it is the ,inward ,master 7saith ,augustine7 that ,teacheth1 it is ,christ that ,teacheth1 it is ,inspiration that ,teacheth3 ,where this ,inspiration and ,unction is wanting1 it is in vain that ,words from without are beaten in40 ,and thereafter3 8,for he that created us1 and redeemed us1 and called us1 by ,faith1 and dwelleth in us by his ,spirit1 unless he speaketh unto us ,inwardly1 it is needless for us to cry out40 #cj ,aug4 ex ,tract4 ,ep4 ,joh4 #c4 ,sidenote3 ,clem4 ,alex4 #b4 #ca8,there is a ,difference 7saith ,clemens ,alexandrinus7 betwixt that which any one saith of the ,truth1 and that which the ,truth itself1 interpreting itself1 saith4 ,a ,conjecture of ,truth differeth from the ,truth itself2 a ,similitude of a ,thing differeth from the ,thing itself2 it is one ,thing that is acquired by ,exercise and ,discipline2 and another ,thing1 which by ,power and ,faith40 ,lastly1 the same ,clemens saith1 #cb8,truth is neither hard to be arrived at1 nor is it impossible to apprehend it2 for it is most ,nigh unto us1 even in our ,houses1 as the most wise ,moses hath insinuated40 #ca ,clem4 ,alex4 ,i4 #a4 ,strom4 #cb ,pdag4 ,sidenote3 ,tertullian4 #c4 #cc8;,how is it 7saith ,tertullian7 that since the ,devil always worketh1 and stirreth up the ,mind to ,iniquity1 that the ,work of ,god should either cease1 or desist to act8 ,since for this ,end the ,lord did send the ,comforter1 that because human ,weakness could not at once bear all ,things1 ,knowledge might be by little and little directed1 formed1 and brought to ,perfection1 by the ,holy ,spirit1 that ,vicar of the ,lord4 ,i have many ,things yet 7saith he7 to speak unto you1 but ye cannot as yet bear them2 but when that ,spirit of ,truth shall come1 he shall lead you into all ,truth1 and shall teach you these ,things that are to come4 ,but of this his ,work we have spoken above4 ,what is then the ,administration of the ,comforter1 but that ,discipline be directed1 and the ,scriptures revealed80 c4 #cc ,tertullianus ,lib4 de veland4 ,virginibus1 cap4 #a4 ,sidenote3 ,jerome #d4 #cd8,the ,law 7saith ,jerome7 is ,spiritual1 and there is need of a ,revelation to understand it40 ,and in his ,epistle #aej4 to ,hedibia1 ,quest4 #aa4 he saith1 8,the whole ,epistle to the ,romans needs an ,interpretation2 it being involved in so great ,obscurities1 that for the understanding thereof we need the ,help of the ,holy ,spirit1 who through the ,apostle dictated it40 #cd ,jerome ,ep4 ,paulin4 #ajc4 ,sidenote3 ,athanasius4 #e4 #ce8,so great ,things 7saith ,athanasius7 doth our ,saviour daily3 ,he draws unto ,piety1 persuades unto ,virtue1 teaches ,immortality1 excites to the ,desire of ,heavenly ,things1 reveals the ,knowledge of the ,father1 inspires ,power against ,death1 and shews himself unto every one40 #ce ,athanasius de ,incarn4 ,verbi ,dei4 ,sidenote3 ,gregory #f4 #cf;,gregory the ,great1 upon these ,words ,he shall teach you all ,things saith1 8,that unless the same ,spirit is present in the ,heart of the ,hearer1 in vain is the ,discourse of the ,doctor4 ,let no ,man then ascribe unto the ,man that teacheth1 what he understands from the ,mouth of him that speaketh2 for unless he that teacheth be within1 the ,tongue of the ,doctor1 that is without1 laboureth in vain40 #cf ,greg4 ,mag4 ,hom4 #cj4 upon the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,cyrillus ,alexandrinus #g4 #cg;,cyrillus ,alexandrinus plainly affirmeth1 8,that ,men know that ,jesus is the ,lord by the ,holy ,ghost1 no otherwise than they who taste ,honey know that it is sweet1 even by its proper ,quality40 #cg ,cyril4 ,alex4 in ,thesauro1 lib4 #ac4 c4 #c4 ,sidenote3 ,bernard4 #h4 #ch8,therefore 7saith ,bernard7 we daily exhort you1 ,brethren1 that ye walk the ,ways of the ,heart1 and that your ,souls be always in your ,hands1 that ye may hear what the ,lord saith in you40 ,and again1 upon these ,words of the ,apostle ,let him that glorieth1 glory in the ,lord 8,with which ,threefold ,vice 7saith he7 all ,sorts of ,religious ,men are less or more dangerously affected1 because they do not so diligently attend1 with the ,ears of the ,heart1 to what the ,spirit of ,truth 7which flatters none7 inwardly speaks40 #ch ,bernard in ,psal4 #hd4 ,this was the very ,basis1 and main ,foundation1 upon which the ,primitive ,reformers built4 ,sidenote3 ,luther4 #ci,luther1 in his ,book to the ,nobility of ,germany1 saith1 8,this is certain1 ,that no ,man can make himself a ,teacher of the holy ,scriptures1 but the ,holy ,spirit alone40 ,and upon the ,magnificat he saith1 8,no ,man can rightly know ,god1 or understand the ,word of ,god1 unless he immediately receive it from the ,holy ,spirit2 neither can any one receive it from the ,holy ,spirit1 except he find it by ,experience in himself2 and in this ,experience the ,holy ,ghost teacheth1 as in his proper ,school2 out of which ,school nothing is taught but mere ,talk40 #ci ,luther4 ,tom4 #e4 p4 #gf4 ,sidenote3 ,phil4 ,melancthon ,philip ,melancthon1 in his ,annotations upon ,john vi4 8,those who hear only an outward and bodily ,voice1 hear the ,creature2 but ,god is a ,spirit1 and is neither discerned1 nor known1 nor heard1 but by the ,spirit2 ,sidenote3 ,by the ,spirit alone ,god is known4 and therefore to hear the ,voice of ,god1 to see ,god1 is to know and hear the ,spirit4 ,by the ,spirit alone ,god is known and perceived40 ,which also the more ,serious to this ,day do acknowledge1 even all such who satisfy themselves not with the ,superficies of ,religion1 and use it not as a ,cover or ,art4 ,yea1 all those who apply themselves effectually to ,christianity1 and are not satisfied until they have found its effectual ,work upon their ,hearts1 redeeming them from ,sin1 do feel that no ,knowledge effectually prevails to the producing of this1 but that which proceeds from the warm ,influence of ,god's ,spirit upon the ,heart1 and from the comfortable ,shining of his ,light upon their ,understanding4 ,sidenote3 ,dr4 ,smith of ,cambridge1 concerning ,book-,divinity4 ,and therefore to this ,purpose a modern ,author1 viz4 ,dr4 ,smith of ,cambridge1 in his ,select ,discourses1 saith well2 8,to seek our ,divinity merely in ,books and ,writings1 is to seek the ,living among the ,dead4 ,we do but in vain many ,times seek ,god in these1 where his ,truth is too often not so much ,enshrined as ,entombed4 ,intra te qure ,deum1 ,seek ,god within thine own ,soul3 ,he is best discerned ,greek3 noera epaph3 7as ,plotinus phrased it7 by an ,intellectual ,touch of him4 ,we must see with our ,eyes1 and hear with our ,ears1 and our ,hands must handle the ,word of ,life 7to express it in ,st4 ,john's ,words7 ,greek3 hoti ts psychs aisthsis3 1 c4 ,the ,soul itself hath its ,sense1 as well as the ,body4 ,and therefore1 ,david1 when he would teach us to know what the ,divine ,goodness is1 calls not for ,speculation1 but ,sensation3 ,taste1 and see how good the ,lord is4 ,that is not the best and truest ,knowledge of ,god1 which is wrought out by the ,labour and ,sweat of the ,brain1 but that which is kindled within us1 by an heavenly ,warmth in our ,hearts4 ,and again3 ,there is a ,knowing of the ,truth1 as it is in ,jesus1 as it is in a ,christ-like ,nature2 as it is in that sweet1 mild1 humble1 and loving ,spirit of ,jesus1 which spreads itself1 like a ,morning ,sun1 upon the ,souls of good ,men1 full of ,light and ,life4 ,it profits little to know ,christ himself after the ,flesh2 but he gives his ,spirit to good ,men1 that searcheth the deep things of ,god4 ,and again3 ,it is but a thin airy ,knowledge1 that is got by mere ,speculation1 which is ushered in by ,syllogisms and ,demonstrations2 but that which springs forth from true ,goodness1 is ,greek3 theioteron ti pass hypodeixes3 7as ,origen speaketh7 ,it brings such a ,divine ,light into the ,soul1 as is more clear and convincing than any ,demonstration40 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,apostasy and a false ,knowledge introduced4 ,that this certain and undoubted ,method of the true ,knowledge of ,god hath been brought out of use1 hath been none of the least ,devices of the ,devil1 to secure ,mankind to his ,kingdom4 ,for after the ,light and ,glory of the ,christian ,religion had prevailed over a great ,part of the ,world1 and dispelled the thick ,mists of the ,heathenish ,doctrine of the ,plurality of ,gods1 he that knew there was no ,probability of deluding the ,world any longer that ,way1 did then puff ,man up with a false ,knowledge of the true ,god2 setting him on work to seek ,god the wrong ,way1 and persuading him to be content with such a ,knowledge as was of his own acquiring1 and not of ,god's teaching4 ,and this ,device hath proved the more successful1 because accommodated to the natural and corrupt ,spirit and ,temper of ,man1 who above all ,things affects to exalt himself2 in which ,exaltation1 as ,god is greatly dishonoured1 so therein the ,devil hath his ,end2 who is not anxious how much ,god is acknowledged in ,words1 provided himself be but always served2 he matters not how great and high ,speculations the ,natural ,man entertains of ,god1 so long as he serves his own ,lusts and ,passions1 and is obedient to his evil ,suggestions and ,temptations4 ,sidenote3 ,christianity is become an ,art1 acquired by human ,science and ,industry4 ,thus ,christianity is become as it were an ,art1 acquired by human ,science and ,industry2 like any other ,art or ,science2 and ,men have not only assumed the ,name of ,christians1 but even have procured themselves to be esteemed as ,masters of ,christianity1 by certain ,artificial ,tricks1 though altogether ,strangers to the ,spirit and ,life of ,jesus4 ,but if we make a right ,definition of a ,christian1 according to the ,scripture1 ,that he is one who hath the ,spirit and is led by it1 how many ,christians1 yea1 and of these great ,masters and ,doctors of ,christianity1 so accounted1 shall we justly divest of that ,noble ,title8 ,sidenote3 ,by ,revelation is the true ,knowledge of ,god4 ,if those therefore who have all the other ,means of ,knowledge1 and are sufficiently ,learned therein1 whether it be the ,letter of the ,scripture1 the ,traditions of ,churches1 or the ,works of ,creation and ,providence1 whence they are able to deduce strong and undeniable ,arguments 7which may be true in themselves7 are not yet to be esteemed ,christians1 according to the certain and infallible ,definition above-mentioned2 and if the inward and immediate ,revelation of ,god's ,spirit in the ,heart1 in such as have been altogether ignorant of some1 and but very little skilled in others1 of these ,means of attaining ,knowledge1 hath brought them to ,salvation2 then it will necessarily and evidently follow1 that ,inward and ,immediate ,revelation is the only sure and certain ,way to attain the true and saving ,knowledge of ,god4 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore the last4 ,now as this ,argument doth very strongly conclude for this ,way of ,knowledge1 and against such as deny it2 so in this ,respect it is the more to be regarded1 as the ,propositions1 from which it is deduced1 are so clear1 that our very ,adversaries cannot deny them4 ,for as to the first1 it is acknowledged1 that many ,learned ,men may be1 and have been1 damned4 ,and as to the second1 who will deny but many illiterate ,men may be1 and are1 saved8 ,sidenote3 ,abel1 ,seth1 ,noah1 c4 instanced4 ,nor dare any affirm1 that none come to the ,knowledge of ,god and ,salvation by the inward ,revelation of the ,spirit1 without these other outward ,means2 unless they be also so bold as to exclude ,abel1 ,seth1 ,noah1 ,abraham1 ,job1 and all the holy ,patriarchs from true ,knowledge and ,salvation4 4 ,,iv4 ,i would however not be understood as if hereby ,i excluded those other ,means of ,knowledge from any ,use or ,service to ,man2 it is far from me so to judge1 as concerning the ,scriptures1 in the next ,proposition1 will more plainly appear4 ,the ,question is not1 what may be profitable or helpful1 but what is absolutely necessary4 ,many ,things may contribute to further a ,work1 which yet are not the main ,thing that makes the ,work go on4 ,the ,sum then of what is said amounts to this1 ,that where the true ,inward ,knowledge of ,god is1 through the ,revelation of his ,spirit1 there is all2 neither is there an absolute ,necessity of any other4 ,but where the best1 highest1 and most profound ,knowledge is1 without this there is nothing1 as to the obtaining the great ,end of ,salvation4 ,this ,truth is very effectually confirmed by the first ,part of the ,proposition itself1 which in few ,words comprehendeth divers unquestionable ,arguments1 which ,i shall in brief subsume4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,first1 ,that there is no ,knowledge of the ,father but by the ,son4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,secondly1 ,that there is no ,knowledge of the ,son1 but by the ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,thirdly1 ,that by the ,spirit ,god hath always revealed himself to his ,children4 ,sidenote3 ,,iv4 ,fourthly1 ,that these ,revelations were the formal ,object of the ,saints' ,faith4 ,sidenote3 ,v4 ,and ,lastly1 ,that the same continueth to be the ,object of the ,saints' ,faith to this ,day4 ,of each of these ,i shall speak a little particularly1 and then proceed to the latter ,part4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,assert4 ,i4 ,proved4 ,as to the first1 viz4 ,that there is no ,knowledge of the ,father but by the ,son1 it will easily be proved1 being founded upon the plain ,words of ,scripture1 and is therefore a fit ,medium from whence to deduce the rest of our ,assertions4 ,for the infinite and most wise ,god1 who is the ,foundation1 ,root and ,spring of all ,operation1 hath wrought all ,things by his ,eternal ,word and ,son4 #dj,this is that ,,word that was in the ,beginning with ,god1 and was ,god1 by whom all ,things were made1 and without whom was not any ,thing made that was made1 #da,this is that ,jesus ,christ1 by whom ,god created all ,things1 by whom1 and for whom1 all ,things were created1 that are in ,heaven and in ,earth1 visible and invisible1 whether they be ,thrones1 or ,dominions1 or ,principalities1 or ,powers1 ,col4 i4 #af4 ,who therefore is called1 ,the first-born of every ,creature1 ,col4 i4 #ae4 ,as then that infinite and incomprehensible ,fountain of ,life and ,motion operateth in the ,creatures by his own ,eternal ,word and ,power2 so no ,creature has ,access again unto him but in and by the ,son1 according to his own express ,words1 ,no ,man knoweth the ,father1 but the ,son1 and he to whom the ,son will reveal him1 ,mat4 xi4 #bg4 ,luke x4 #bb4 ,and again1 he himself saith1 ,i am the ,way1 the ,truth1 and the ,life3 ,no ,man cometh unto the ,father but by me1 ,john xiv4 #f4 #dj ,john #a4 #a1 #b1 #c4 #da ,eph4 #c4 #i4 ,hence he is fitly called1 ,the ,mediator betwixt ,god and ,man3 ,for having been with ,god from all ,eternity1 being himself ,god1 and also in ,time partaking of the ,nature of ,man2 through him is the ,goodness and ,love of ,god conveyed to ,mankind1 and by him again ,man receiveth and partaketh of these ,mercies4 ,hence is easily deduced the ,proof of this first ,assertion1 thus3 ,if no ,man knoweth the ,father but the ,son1 and he to whom the ,son will reveal him2 then there is no ,knowledge of the ,father but by the ,son4 ,but no ,man knoweth the ,father but the ,son4 ,therefore1 there is no ,knowledge of the ,father but by the ,son4 ,the first ,part of the ,antecedent are the plain ,words of ,scripture3 ,the ,consequence thereof is undeniable2 except one would say1 that he hath the ,knowledge of the ,father1 while yet he knows him not2 which were an absurd ,repugnance4 ,again1 if the ,son be the ,way1 the ,truth1 and the ,life1 and that no ,man cometh unto the ,father but by him2 then there is no ,knowledge of the ,father but by the ,son4 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore the last4 ,the ,antecedent are the very ,scripture ,words3 ,the ,consequence is very evident3 ,for how can any know a ,thing1 who useth not the ,way1 without which it is not knowable8 ,but it is already proved1 that there is no other ,way but by the ,son2 so that whoso uses not that ,way1 cannot know him1 neither come unto him4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,assert4 ,,ii4 ,proved4 ,having then laid down this first ,principle1 ,i come to the second1 viz4 ,that there is no ,knowledge of the ,son but by the ,spirit2 or1 ,that the ,revelation of the ,son of ,god is by the ,spirit4 ,where it is to be noted1 that ,i always speak of the saving1 certain and necessary ,knowledge of ,god2 which that it cannot be acquired otherways than by the ,spirit1 doth also appear from many clear ,scriptures4 ,for ,jesus ,christ1 in and by whom the ,father is revealed1 doth also reveal himself to his ,disciples and ,friends in and by his ,spirit3 ,as his ,manifestation was outward1 when he testified and witnessed for the ,truth in this ,world1 and approved himself faithful throughout2 so being now withdrawn1 as to the outward ,man1 he doth teach and instruct ,mankind inwardly1 by his own ,spirit2 ,he standeth at the ,door and knocketh1 and whoso heareth his ,voice and openeth1 he comes in to such1 ,rev4 iii4 #bj4 ,of this ,revelation of ,christ in him1 ,paul speaketh1 ,gal4 i4 #af4 in which he placeth the ,excellency of his ,ministry1 and the ,certainty of his ,calling4 ,and the ,promise of ,christ to his ,disciples1 ,lo1 ,i am with you to the ,end of the ,world1 confirmeth the same ,thing2 for this is an ,inward and ,spiritual ,presence1 as all acknowledge3 ,but what relates hereto will again occur4 ,sidenote3 ,proof ,i4 ,i shall deduce the ,proof of this ,proposition from two manifest ,places of ,scripture3 ,the first is1 #a ,cor4 i4 #aa1 #ab4 ,what ,man knoweth the ,things of a ,man1 save the ,spirit of a ,man which is in him8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,things of ,god are known by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,even so the ,things of ,god knoweth no ,man1 but the ,spirit of ,god4 ,now we have received not the ,spirit of the ,world1 but the ,spirit which is of ,god1 that we might know the ,things which are freely given us of ,god4 ,the ,apostle in the ,verses before1 speaking of the wonderful ,things which are prepared for the ,saints1 after he hath declared1 that the ,natural ,man cannot reach them1 adds1 that ,they are revealed by the ,spirit of ,god1 ,ver4 #i1 #aj4 giving this ,reason1 ,for the ,spirit searcheth all things1 even the deep ,things of ,god4 ,and then he bringeth in the ,comparison1 in the ,verses above-mentioned1 very apt1 and answerable to our ,purpose and ,doctrine1 that as the ,things of a ,man are only known by the ,spirit of ,man2 so the ,things of ,god are only known by the ,spirit of ,god3 ,that is1 that as nothing below the ,spirit of ,man 7as the ,spirit of ,brutes1 or any other ,creatures7 can properly reach unto1 or comprehend the ,things of a ,man1 as being of a nobler and higher ,nature2 so neither can the ,spirit of ,man1 or the ,natural ,man1 as the ,apostle in the #adth ,verse subsumes1 receive nor discern the ,things of ,god1 or the ,things that are ,spiritual1 as being also of an higher ,nature2 which the ,apostle himself gives for the ,reason1 saying1 ,neither can he know them1 because they are ,spiritually discerned4 ,so that the ,apostle's ,words1 being reduced to an ,argument1 do very well prove the ,matter under ,debate1 thus3 ,if that which appertaineth properly to ,man1 cannot be discerned by any lower or baser ,principle than the ,spirit of ,man2 then cannot those ,things1 that properly relate unto ,god and ,christ1 be known or discerned by any lower or baser ,thing than the ,spirit of ,god and ,christ4 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore also the second4 ,the whole ,strength of the ,argument is contained in the ,apostle's ,words before-mentioned2 which therefore being granted1 ,i shall proceed to deduce a second ,argument1 thus3 ,that which is ,spiritual can only be known and discerned by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,but the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 and the true and saving ,knowledge of him1 is ,spiritual3 ,therefore the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 and the true and saving ,knowledge of him1 can only be known and discerned by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,proof ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,no ,man can call ,jesus ,lord1 c4 ,the other ,scripture is also a ,saying of the same ,apostle1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #c4 ,no ,man can say that ,jesus is the ,lord1 but by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,this ,scripture1 which is full of ,truth1 and answereth full well to the enlightened ,understanding of the spiritual and real ,christian1 may perhaps prove very strange to the carnal and pretended ,follower of ,christ1 by whom perhaps it hath not been so diligently remarked4 ,sidenote3 ,spiritual ,truths are ,lies spoken by ,carnal ,men4 ,here the ,apostle doth so much require the ,holy ,spirit1 in the ,things that relate to a ,christian1 that he positively avers1 we cannot so much as affirm ,jesus to be the ,lord without it2 which insinuates no less1 than that the ,spiritual ,truths of the ,gospel are as ,lies in the ,mouths of carnal and unspiritual ,men2 for tho' in themselves they be true1 yet are they not true as to them1 because not known1 nor uttered forth1 in and by that ,principle and ,spirit that ought to direct the ,mind1 and actuate it2 in such ,things they are no better than the counterfeit ,representations of ,things in a ,comedy2 neither can it be more truly and properly called a real and true ,knowledge of ,god and ,christ1 than the ,actions of ,alexander the ,great1 ,julius ,csar1 c4 if now transacted upon a ,stage1 might be called truly and really their ,doings1 or the ,persons representing them might be said truly and really to have conquered ,asia1 overcome ,pompey1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,like the ,pratling of a ,parrot4 ,this ,knowledge then of ,christ1 which is not by the ,revelation of his own ,spirit in the ,heart1 is no more properly the ,knowledge of ,christ1 than the ,pratling of a ,parrot1 which has been taught a few ,words1 may be said to be the ,voice of a ,man2 for as that1 or some other ,bird1 may be taught to sound or utter forth a rational ,sentence1 as it hath learned it by the outward ,ear1 and not from any living ,principle of ,reason actuating it2 so just such is that ,knowledge of the ,things of ,god1 which the natural and carnal ,man hath gathered from the ,words or ,writings of ,spiritual ,men2 which are not true to him1 because conceived in the natural ,spirit1 and so brought forth by the wrong ,organ1 and not proceeding from the ,spiritual ,principle2 no more than the ,words of a ,man1 acquired by ,art1 and brought forth by the ,mouth of a ,bird1 not proceeding from a ,rational ,principle1 are true1 with respect to the ,bird which utters them4 ,wherefore from this ,scripture ,i shall further add this ,argument3 ,if no ,man can say ,jesus is the ,lord1 but by the ,holy ,ghost2 then no ,man can know ,jesus to be the ,lord1 but by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore the second4 ,from this ,argument there may be another deduced1 concluding in the very ,terms of this ,assertion3 ,thus1 ,if no ,man can know ,jesus to be the ,lord1 but by the ,holy ,ghost2 then can there be no certain ,knowledge or ,revelation of him1 but by the ,spirit4 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore the second4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,assert4 ,,iii4 ,proved4 ,the third ,thing affirmed is1 ,that by the ,spirit ,god always revealed himself to his ,children4 ,for making the ,truth of this ,assertion appear1 it will be but needful to consider ,god's manifesting himself towards1 and in relation to his ,creatures1 from the ,beginning1 which resolves itself always herein4 ,the first ,step of all is ascribed hereunto by ,moses1 ,gen4 i4 #b4 ,and the ,spirit of ,god moved upon the ,face of the ,waters4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,revelation is by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,i think it will not be denied1 that ,god's ,converse with ,man1 all along from ,adam to ,moses1 was by the ,immediate ,manifestation of his ,spirit3 ,and afterwards1 through the whole ,tract of the ,law1 he spake to his ,children no otherways2 which1 as it naturally followeth from the ,principles above proved1 so it cannot be denied1 by such as acknowledge the ,scriptures of ,truth to have been written by the ,inspiration of the ,holy ,ghost3 ,for these ,writings1 from ,moses to ,malachi1 do declare1 that during all that ,time1 ,god revealed himself to his ,children by his ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if any will ,object1 ,that after the ,dispensation of the ,law1 ,god's ,method of ,speaking was altered2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,sanctum ,sanctorum4 ,i answer3 ,first1 ,that ,god spake always immediately to the ,jews1 in that he spake always immediately to the ,high-,priest from betwixt the ,cherubims2 who1 when he entered into the ,holy of ,holies1 returning1 did relate to the whole ,people the ,voice and ,will of ,god1 there immediately ,revealed4 ,so that this immediate ,speaking never ceased in any ,age4 ,sidenote3 ,none shut out from this ,immediate ,fellowship4 ,secondly1 ,from this immediate ,fellowship were none shut out1 who earnestly sought after1 and waited for it2 in that many1 besides the ,high-,priest1 who were not so much as of the ,kindred of ,levi1 nor of the ,prophets1 did receive it and speak from it2 as it is written1 ,numb4 xi4 #be4 where the ,spirit is said to have rested upon the ,seventy ,elders2 which ,spirit also reached unto two that were not in the ,tabernacle1 but in the ,camp2 whom when some would have forbidden1 ,moses would not1 but rejoiced1 wishing that all the ,lord's ,people were ,prophets1 and that he would put his ,spirit upon them1 ,ver4 #bi4 ,this is also confirmed1 ,neh4 ix4 ,where the ,elders of the ,people1 after their ,return from ,captivity1 when they began to sanctify themselves by ,fasting and ,prayer1 numbering up the many ,mercies of ,god towards their ,fathers1 say1 ,ver4 #bj4 ,thou gavest also thy good ,spirit to instruct them2 and ,ver4 #cj4 ,yet many ,years didst thou forbear1 and testify against them by thy ,spirit in thy ,prophets4 ,many are the ,sayings of ,spiritual ,david to this ,purpose1 as ,psalm li4 #aa1 #ab4 ,take not thy holy ,spirit from me2 uphold me with thy free ,spirit4 ,psal4 cxxxix4 #g4 ,whither shall ,i go from thy ,spirit8 ,hereunto doth the ,prophet ,isaiah ascribe the ,credit of his ,testimony1 saying1 ,chap4 xlviii4 #af4 ,and now the ,lord ,god and his ,spirit hath sent me4 ,and that ,god revealed himself to his ,children under the ,new ,testament1 to wit1 to the ,apostles1 ,evangelists1 and ,primitive ,disciples1 is confessed by all4 ,how far now this yet continueth1 and is to be expected1 comes hereafter to be spoken to4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,assert4 ,,iv4 ,the fourth thing affirmed is1 ,that these ,revelations were the ,object of the ,saints' ,faith of old4 ,sidenote3 ,proved4 ,this will easily appear by the ,definition of ,faith1 and considering what its ,object is3 ,for which we shall not dive into the curious and various ,notions of the ,school-men1 but stay in the plain and positive ,words of the ,apostle ,paul1 who1 ,heb4 xi4 describes it two ,ways4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,faith is8 ,faith 7saith he7 is the ,substance of ,things hoped for1 and the ,evidence of ,things not seen3 ,which1 as the ,apostle illustrateth it in the same ,chapter by many ,examples1 is no other but a firm and certain ,belief of the ,mind1 whereby it resteth1 and in a ,sense possesseth the ,substance of some ,things hoped for1 through its ,confidence in the ,promise of ,god3 ,and thus the ,soul hath a most firm ,evidence1 by its ,faith1 of ,things not yet seen nor come to pass4 ,the ,object of this ,faith1 is the ,promise1 ,word1 or ,testimony of ,god1 speaking in the ,mind4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,object of ,faith1 ,deus ,loquens4 ,hence it hath been generally affirmed1 ,that the ,object of ,faith is ,deus ,loquens1 c4 that is1 ,god ,speaking1 c4 ,which is also manifest from all those ,examples1 deduced by the ,apostle throughout that whole ,chapter1 whose ,faith was founded neither upon any outward ,testimony1 nor upon the ,voice or ,writing of ,man1 but upon the ,revelation of ,god's ,will1 manifest unto them1 and in them2 as in the ,example of ,noah1 ,ver4 #g1 thus1 ,by ,faith ,noah being warned of ,god1 of ,things not seen as yet1 moved with ,fear1 prepared an ,ark to the saving of his ,house2 by the which he condemned the ,world1 and became ,heir of the ,righteousness which is by ,faith4 ,sidenote3 ,noah's ,faith4 ,what was here the ,object of ,noah's ,faith1 but ,god speaking unto him8 ,he had not the ,writings nor ,prophesyings of any going before1 nor yet the ,concurrence of any ,church or ,people1 to strengthen him2 and yet his ,faith in the ,word1 by which he contradicted the whole ,world1 saved him and his ,house4 ,sidenote3 ,abraham's ,faith4 ,of which also ,abraham is set forth as a singular ,example1 being therefore called the ,father of the ,faithful1 who is said against ,hope to have believed in ,hope2 in that he not only willingly forsook his ,father's ,country1 not knowing whither he went2 in that he believed concerning the coming of ,isaac1 though contrary to natural ,probability2 but above all1 in that he refused not to offer him up1 not doubting but ,god was able to raise him from the ,dead2 of whom it is said1 ,that in ,isaac shall thy ,seed be called4 ,and last of all1 ,in that he rested in the ,promise1 that his ,seed should possess the ,land1 wherein he himself was but a ,pilgrim1 and which to them was not to be fulfilled while divers ,ages after4 ,the ,object of ,abraham's ,faith in all this1 was no other but inward and immediate ,revelation1 or ,god signifying his ,will unto him inwardly and immediately by his ,spirit4 ,but because1 in this ,part of the ,proposition1 we made also ,mention of external ,voices1 ,appearances1 and ,dreams in the ,alternative1 ,i think also fit to speak hereof what in that respect may be objected2 to wit1 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,that those who found their ,faith now upon ,immediate and ,objective ,revelation1 ought to have also outward ,voices or ,visions1 ,dreams or ,appearances for it4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,ministry of ,angels speaking in the ,appearance of ,men to the ,saints of old4 ,it is not denied1 but ,god made use of the ,ministry of ,angels1 who1 in the ,appearance of ,men1 spake outwardly to the ,saints of old1 and that he did also reveal some ,things to them in ,dreams and ,visions2 none of which we will affirm to be ceased1 so as to limit the ,power and ,liberty of ,god1 in manifesting himself towards his ,children4 ,but while we are considering the ,object of ,faith1 we must not stick to that which is but ,circumstantially and ,accidentally so1 but to that which is ,universally and ,substantially so4 ,next again1 ,we must distinguish betwixt that which in itself is subject to ,doubt and ,delusion1 and therefore is received for and because of another2 and that which is not subject to any ,doubt1 but is received simply for and because of itself1 as being ,prima ,veritas1 the very ,first and ,original ,truth4 ,let us then consider how1 or how far1 these outward ,voices1 ,appearances and ,dreams1 were the ,object of the ,saints' ,faith3 ,was it because they were simply ,voices1 ,appearances or ,dreams8 ,sidenote3 ,revelations by ,dreams and ,visions4 ,nay certainly2 for they were not ignorant that the ,devil might form a ,sound of ,words1 convey it to the outward ,ear1 and deceive the outward ,senses1 by making ,things to appear that are not4 ,yea1 do we not see by daily ,experience1 that the jugglers and ,mountebanks can do as much as all that1 by their ,legerdemain8 ,god forbid then1 that the ,saints' ,faith should be founded upon so fallacious a ,foundation1 as ,man's outward and fallible ,senses4 ,what made them then give ,credit to these ,visions8 ,certainly nothing else1 but the secret ,testimony of ,god's ,spirit in their ,hearts1 assuring them that the ,voices1 ,dreams and ,visions1 were of and from ,god4 ,abraham believed the ,angels2 but who told him that these ,men were ,angels8 ,we must not think his ,faith then was built upon his outward ,senses2 but proceeded from the secret ,persuasion of ,god's ,spirit in his ,heart4 ,this then must needs be acknowledged to be originally and principally the ,object of the ,saints' ,faith2 without which there is no true and certain ,faith1 and by which many ,times ,faith is begotten and strengthened1 without any of these outward or visible ,helps2 as we may observe in many ,passages of the ,holy ,scripture1 where it is only mentioned1 ,and ,god said1 c4 ,and the ,word of the ,lord came unto such and such1 saying1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if any one should pertinaciously affirm1 ,that this did import an outward audible ,voice to the ,carnal ,ear2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i would gladly know1 what other ,argument such an one could bring for this his ,affirmation1 saving his own simple ,conjecture4 ,it is said indeed1 ,the ,spirit witnesseth with our ,spirit2 but not to our outward ,ears1 ,rom4 viii4 #af4 ,and seeing the ,spirit of ,god is within us1 and not without us only1 it speaks to our spiritual1 and not to our bodily ,ear4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,spirit speaks to the ,spiritual ,ear1 not to the ,outward4 ,therefore ,i see no ,reason1 where it is so often said in ,scripture1 ,the ,spirit said1 moved1 hindered1 called such or such a one1 to do or forbear such or such a ,thing1 that any have to conclude that this was not an ,inward ,voice to the ,ear of the ,soul1 rather than an ,outward ,voice to the ,bodily ,ear4 ,if any be otherwise minded1 let them1 if they can1 produce their ,arguments1 and we may further consider of them4 ,from all therefore which is above declared1 ,i shall deduce an ,argument1 to conclude the ,proof of this ,assertion1 thus3 ,that which any one firmly believes1 as the ,ground and ,foundation of his ,hope in ,god1 and ,life ,eternal1 is the formal ,object of his ,faith4 ,but the inward and immediate ,revelation of ,god's ,spirit1 speaking in and unto the ,saints1 was by them believed1 as the ,ground and ,foundation of their ,hope in ,god1 and ,life ,eternal4 ,therefore these inward and immediate ,revelations were the formal ,object of their ,faith4 4 ,,ix4 ,sidenote3 ,assert4 ,v4 ,proved4 ,that which now cometh under ,debate1 is1 what we asserted in the last ,place1 to wit1 ,that the same continueth to be the ,object of the ,saints' ,faith unto this ,day4 ,many will agree to what we have said before1 who differ from us herein4 ,there is nevertheless a very firm ,argument confirming the ,truth of this ,assertion1 included in the ,proposition itself1 to wit1 ,that the ,object of the ,saints' ,faith is the same in all ,ages1 though held forth under divers ,administrations4 ,which ,i shall reduce to an ,argument1 and prove1 thus3 ,first1 ,where the ,faith is one1 the ,object of the ,faith is one4 ,but the ,faith is one3 ,therefore1 c4 ,that the ,faith is one1 is the express ,words of the ,apostle1 ,eph4 iv4 #e4 who placeth the one ,faith with the one ,god2 importing no less than1 that to affirm two ,faiths1 is as absurd as to affirm two ,gods4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,faith of the ,saints of old the same with ours4 ,moreover1 if the ,faith of the ,ancients were not one and the same with ours1 i4 e4 agreeing in ,substance therewith1 and receiving the same ,definition1 it had been impertinent for the ,apostle1 ,heb4 xi4 to have illustrated the ,definition of our ,faith1 by the ,examples of that of the ,ancients1 or to go about to move us by the ,example of ,abraham1 if ,abraham's ,faith were different in ,nature from ours4 ,nor doth any ,difference arise hence1 because they believed in ,christ1 with respect to his ,appearance outwardly as future2 and we1 as already appeared3 ,for neither did they then so believe in him to come1 as not to feel him present with them1 and witness him near2 seeing the ,apostle saith1 ,they all drank of that spiritual ,rock which followed them1 which ,rock was ,christ4 ,nor do we so believe concerning his ,appearance past1 as not also to feel and know him present with us1 and to feed upon him2 except ,christ 7saith the ,apostle7 be in you1 ye are ,reprobates2 so that both our ,faith is one1 terminating in one and the same ,thing4 ,and as to the other ,part or ,consequence of the ,antecedent2 to wit1 ,that the ,object is one1 where the ,faith is one2 the ,apostle also proveth it in the fore-cited ,chapter1 where he makes all the ,worthies of old ,examples to us4 ,now wherein are they imitable1 but because they believed in ,god8 ,and what was the ,object of their ,faith1 but inward and immediate ,revelation1 as we have before proved8 ,their ,example can be no-ways applicable to us1 except we believe in ,god as they did2 that is1 by the same ,object4 ,the ,apostle clears this yet further by his own ,example1 ,gal4 i4 #af4 where he saith1 ,so soon as ,christ was revealed in him1 he consulted not with ,flesh and ,blood1 but forthwith believed and obeyed4 ,the same ,apostle1 ,heb4 xiii4 #g1 #h4 where he exhorteth the ,hebrews to follow the ,faith of the ,elders1 adds this ,reason1 ,considering the ,end of their ,conversation1 ,jesus ,christ1 the same ,to-day1 ,yesterday1 and for ever3 ,hereby notably insinuating1 that in the ,object there is no ,alteration4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if any now object the ,diversity of ,administration2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,that altereth not at all the ,object3 ,for the same ,apostle mentioning this ,diversity three ,times1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #d1 #e1 #f4 centereth always in the same ,object2 the same ,spirit1 the same ,lord1 the same ,god4 ,but further2 ,if the ,object of ,faith were not one and the same1 both to us and to them1 then it would follow that we were to know ,god some other ,way than by the ,spirit4 ,but this were absurd3 ,therefore1 c4 ,lastly1 ,this is most firmly proved from a common and received ,maxim of the ,school-men1 to wit1 ,omnis actus specificatur ab objecto1 ,every ,act is specified from its ,object3 for which if it be true1 as they acknowledge2 7though for the ,sake of many1 ,i shall not recur to this ,argument1 as being too ,nice and ,scholastick2 neither lay ,i much ,stress upon those ,kind of ,things1 as being that which commends not the ,simplicity of the ,gospel7 it would follow1 that ,if the ,object were different1 then the ,faith would be different also4 ,such as deny this ,proposition now-a-days1 use here a ,distinction2 granting that ,god is to be known by his ,spirit2 but again denying that it is ,immediate or ,inward1 but in and by the ,scriptures1 in which the ,mind of the ,spirit 7as they say7 being fully and amply ,expressed1 we are thereby to know ,god1 and be led in all ,things4 ,as to the ,negative of this ,assertion1 ,that the ,scriptures are not sufficient1 neither were ever appointed to be the adequate and only ,rule1 nor yet can guide or direct a ,christian in all those ,things that are needful for him to know1 we shall leave that to the next ,proposition to be examined4 ,sidenote3 ,christians are now to be led by the ,spirit1 in the same ,manner as the ,saints of ,old4 ,what is proper in this ,place to be proved1 is1 ,that ,christians now are to be led inwardly and immediately by the ,spirit of ,god1 even in the same ,manner 7though it befal not many to be led in the same ,measure7 as the ,saints were of old4 4 ,x4 ,i shall prove this by divers ,arguments1 and first from the ,promise of ,christ in these ,words1 ,john xiv4 #af4 ,and ,i will pray the ,father1 and he will give you another ,comforter1 that he may abide with you for ever4 ,ver4 #ag4 ,even the ,spirit of ,truth1 whom the ,world cannot receive1 because it seeth him not1 neither knoweth him2 but ye know him1 for he dwelleth with you1 and shall be in you4 ,again1 ,ver4 #bf4 ,but the ,comforter1 which is the ,holy ,ghost1 whom the ,father will send in my ,name1 he shall teach you all ,things1 and bring all ,things to your ,remembrance2 and xvi4 #ac4 ,but when the ,spirit of ,truth shall come1 he shall lead you into all ,truth3 ,for he shall not speak of himself2 but whatsoever he shall hear1 he shall speak1 and shall declare unto you ,things to come4 ,we have here first1 who this is1 and that is divers ,ways expressed1 to wit1 ,the ,comforter1 the ,spirit of ,truth1 the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,sent of the ,father in the ,name of ,christ4 ,and hereby is sufficiently proved the ,sottishness of those ,socinians1 and other carnal ,christians1 who neither know nor acknowledge any ,internal ,spirit or ,power but that which is merely ,natural1 by which they sufficiently declare themselves to be of the ,world1 who cannot receive the ,spirit1 because they neither see him nor know him4 ,secondly1 ,where this ,spirit is to be1 ,he dwelleth with you1 and shall be in you4 ,and ,thirdly1 ,what his ,work is1 ,he shall teach you all ,things1 and bring all ,things to your ,remembrance1 and guide you into all ,truth1 ,greek3 hodgsei hymas eis pasan tn altheian3 4 ,sidenote3 ,query ,i4 ,who is this ,comforter8 ,as to the ,first1 ,most do acknowledge that there is nothing else understood than what the plain ,words signify3 which is also evident by many other ,places of ,scripture1 that will hereafter occur2 neither do ,i see how such as affirm otherways can avoid ,blasphemy3 ,for1 if the ,comforter1 the ,holy ,ghost1 and ,spirit of ,truth1 be all one with the ,scriptures1 then it will follow that the ,scriptures are ,god1 seeing it is true that the ,holy ,ghost is ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,nonsensical ,consequences from the ,socinians ,belief of the ,scriptures being the ,spirit4 ,if these ,men's ,reasoning might take ,place1 wherever the ,spirit is mentioned in relation to the ,saints1 thereby might be truly and properly understood the ,scriptures3 which1 what a nonsensical ,monster it would make of the ,christian ,religion1 will easily appear to all ,men4 ,as where it is said1 ,a ,manifestation of the ,spirit is given to every ,man to profit withal2 it might be rendered thus1 ,a ,manifestation of the ,scriptures is given to every ,man to profit withal2 what notable ,sense this would make1 and what a curious ,interpretation2 let us consider by the ,sequel of the same ,chapter1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #i1 #aj1 #aa4 ,to another the ,gifts of ,healing1 by the same ,spirit2 to another1 the working of ,miracles1 c4 ,but all these worketh that one and the self-same ,spirit1 dividing to every ,man severally as he will4 ,what would now these great ,masters of ,reason1 the ,socinians1 judge1 if we should place the ,scriptures here instead of the ,spirit8 ,would it answer their ,reason1 which is the great ,guide of their ,faith8 ,would it be good and sound ,reason in their ,logical ,schools1 to affirm that the ,scripture divideth severally1 as it will1 and giveth to some the ,gift of ,healing1 to others the working of ,miracles8 ,if then this ,spirit1 a ,manifestation whereof is given to every ,man to profit withal1 be no other than that ,spirit of ,truth1 before-mentioned1 which guideth into all ,truth2 this ,spirit of ,truth cannot be the ,scripture4 ,i could infer an ,hundred more ,absurdities of this ,kind1 upon this sottish ,opinion2 but what is said may suffice4 ,for even some of themselves1 being at ,times forgetful1 or ashamed of their own ,doctrine1 do acknowledge1 that the ,spirit of ,god is another ,thing1 and distinct from the ,scriptures1 to ,guide and ,influence the ,saints4 ,sidenote3 ,query ,,ii4 ,where is his ,place8 ,secondly1 ,that this ,spirit is inward1 in my ,opinion1 needs no ,interpretation1 or ,commentary1 ,he dwelleth with you1 and shall be in you4 ,this ,indwelling of the ,spirit in the ,saints1 as it is a ,thing most needful to be known and believed2 so is it as positively asserted in the ,scripture1 as any ,thing else can be4 ,if so be that the ,spirit of ,god dwell in you1 saith the ,apostle to the ,romans1 ,chap4 viii4 #i4 ,and again1 ,know ye not that your ,body is the ,temple of the ,holy ,ghost1 #a ,cor4 vi4 #ai4 ,and that the ,spirit of ,god dwelleth in you8 #a ,cor4 iii4 #af4 ,without this the ,apostle reckoneth no ,man a ,christian4 ,if any ,man 7saith he7 have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 he is none of his4 ,these ,words immediately follow these above-mentioned1 out of the ,epistle to the ,romans1 ,but ye are not in the ,flesh1 but in the ,spirit1 if so be the ,spirit of ,god dwell in you4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,spirit within1 the main ,token of a ,christian4 ,the ,context of which sheweth1 that the ,apostle reckoneth it the main ,token of a ,christian1 both positively and negatively3 ,for in the former ,verses1 he sheweth how the carnal ,mind is ,enmity against ,god1 and that such as are in the ,flesh1 cannot please him4 ,where subsuming1 he adds concerning the ,romans1 that they are not in the ,flesh1 if the ,spirit of ,god dwell in them4 ,what is this but to affirm1 that they1 in whom the ,spirit dwells1 are no longer in the ,flesh1 nor of those who please not ,god1 but are become ,christians indeed8 ,again1 in the next ,verse he concludes negatively1 that ,if any ,man have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 he is none of his2 that is1 he is no ,christian4 ,he then that acknowledges himself ,ignorant1 and a ,stranger to the ,inward ,in-being of the ,spirit of ,christ in his ,heart1 doth thereby acknowledge himself to be yet in the ,carnal ,mind1 which is ,enmity to ,god2 to be yet in the ,flesh1 where ,god cannot be pleased2 and in short1 whatever he may otherways know or believe of ,christ1 or however much skilled1 or acquainted with the ,letter of the ,holy ,scripture1 not yet to be1 notwithstanding all that1 attained to the least ,degree of a ,christian2 yea1 not once to have embraced the ,christian ,religion4 ,for take but away the ,spirit1 and ,christianity remains no more ,christianity1 than the dead ,carcase of a ,man1 when the ,soul and ,spirit is departed1 remains a ,man2 which the living can no more abide1 but do bury out of their ,sight as a noisome and useless ,thing1 however acceptable it hath been1 when actuated and moved by the ,soul4 ,lastly1 ,whatsoever is ,excellent1 whatsoever is ,noble1 whatsoever is ,worthy1 whatsoever is ,desirable in the ,christian ,faith1 is ascribed to this ,spirit2 without which it could no more subsist1 than the outward ,world without the ,sun4 ,hereunto have all true ,christians1 in all ,ages1 attributed their ,strength and ,life4 ,it is by this ,spirit1 that they avouch themselves to have been converted to ,god1 to have been redeemed from the ,world1 to have been strengthened in their ,weakness1 comforted in their ,afflictions1 confirmed in their ,temptations1 imboldened in their ,sufferings1 and triumphed in the ,midst of all their ,persecutions4 ,sidenote3 ,the great and notable ,acts that have been and are performed by the ,spirit in all ,ages4 ,yea1 ,the ,writings of all true ,christians are full of the great and notable ,things1 which they all affirm themselves to have done1 by the ,power1 and ,virtue1 and ,efficacy of this ,spirit of ,god working in them4 ,it is the ,spirit that quickeneth1 ,john vi4 #fc4 ,it was the ,spirit that gave them ,utterance1 ,acts ii4 #d4 ,it was the ,spirit by which ,stephen spake1 ,that the ,jews were not able to resist1 ,acts vi4 #aj4 ,it is such as walk after the ,spirit1 that receive no ,condemnation1 ,rom4 viii4 #a4 ,it is the ,law of the ,spirit that makes free1 ,ver4 #b4 ,it is by the ,spirit of ,god dwelling in us1 that we are redeemed from the ,flesh1 and from the ,carnal ,mind1 ,ver4 #i4 ,it is the ,spirit of ,christ dwelling in us1 that quickeneth our mortal ,bodies1 ,ver4 #aa4 ,it is through this ,spirit1 that the ,deeds of the ,body are mortified1 and ,life obtained1 ,ver4 #ac4 ,it is by this ,spirit1 that we are adopted1 and cry ,,abba ,father1 ,ver #ae4 ,it is this ,spirit1 that beareth ,witness with our ,spirit1 that we are the ,children of ,god1 ,ver4 #af4 ,it is this ,spirit1 that helpeth our ,infirmities1 and maketh ,intercession for us1 with ,groanings which cannot be uttered1 ,ver4 #bf4 ,it is by this ,spirit1 that the glorious ,things which ,god hath laid up for us1 which neither outward ,ear hath heard1 nor outward ,eye hath seen1 nor the ,heart of ,man conceived by all his ,reasonings1 are revealed unto us1 #a ,cor4 ii4 #i1 #aj4 ,it is by this ,spirit1 that both ,wisdom1 and ,knowledge1 and ,faith1 and ,miracles1 and ,tongues1 and ,prophecies1 are obtained1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #h1 #i1 #aj4 ,it is by this ,spirit1 that we are all ,baptized into one ,body1 ,ver4 #ac4 ,in short1 what ,thing relating to the ,salvation of the ,soul1 and to the ,life of a ,christian1 is rightly performed1 or effectually obtained1 without it8 ,and what shall ,i say more8 ,for the ,time would fail me1 to tell of all those ,things1 which the ,holy ,men of ,old have declared1 and the ,saints of this ,day do themselves enjoy1 by the ,virtue and ,power of this ,spirit dwelling in them4 ,truly my ,paper could not contain the many ,testimonies1 whereby this ,truth is confirmed2 wherefore1 besides what is above-mentioned out of the ,fathers1 whom all pretend to ,reverence1 and those of ,luther and ,melancthon1 shall deduce yet one observable ,testimony out of ,calvin1 because not a few of the ,followers of his ,doctrine do refuse and deride 7and that1 as it is to be feared1 because of their own ,non-experience thereof7 this ,way of the ,spirit's ,in-dwelling1 as uncertain and dangerous2 that so1 if neither the ,testimony of the ,scripture1 nor the ,sayings of others1 nor right ,reason can move them1 they may at least be reproved by the ,words of their own ,master1 who saith in the third ,book of his ,institutions1 ,cap4 #b4 on this wise3 ,sidenote3 ,calvin of the ,necessity of the ,spirit's ,indwelling in us4 8,but they alledge1 it is a bold ,presumption for any to pretend to an undoubted ,knowledge of ,god's ,will2 which 7saith he7 ,i should grant unto them1 if we should ascribe so much to ourselves1 as to subject the ,incomprehensible ,counsel of ,god to the ,rashness of our ,understandings4 ,but while we simply say1 with ,paul1 that we have received not the ,spirit of this ,world1 but the ,spirit which is of ,god2 by whose ,teaching we know those ,things that are given us of ,god1 what can they prate against it1 without reproaching the ,spirit of ,god8 ,for if it be an horrible ,sacrilege to accuse any ,revelation coming from him1 either of a ,lie1 of ,uncertainty or ,ambiguity1 in asserting its ,certainty1 wherein do we offend8 ,but they cry out1 ,that it is not without great ,temerity1 that we dare so boast of the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,who would believe that the ,sottishness of these ,men were so great1 who would be esteemed the ,masters of the ,world1 that they should so fail in the first ,principles of ,religion8 ,verily ,i could not believe it1 if their own ,writings did not testify so much4 ,paul accounts those the ,sons of ,god1 who are actuated by the ,spirit of ,god2 but these will have the ,children of ,god actuated by their own ,spirits1 without the ,spirit of ,god4 ,he will have us call ,god ,father1 the ,spirit dictating that ,term unto us1 which only can witness to our ,spirits1 that we are the ,sons of ,god4 ,these1 though they cease not to call upon ,god1 do nevertheless dismiss the ,spirit1 by whose guiding he is rightly to be called upon4 ,he denies them to be the ,sons of ,god1 or the ,servants of ,christ1 who are not led by his ,spirit2 but these feign a ,christianity that needs not the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,he takes away the ,hope of a blessed ,resurrection1 unless we feel the ,spirit residing in us2 but these feign a ,hope without any such a ,feeling2 but perhaps they will answer1 that they deny not but that it is necessary to have it1 only of ,modesty and ,humility we ought to deny and not acknowledge it4 ,what means he then1 when he commands the ,corinthians to ,try themselves1 if they be in the ,faith2 to ,examine themselves1 whether they have ,christ1 whom whosoever acknowledges not dwelling in him1 is a ,reprobate8 ,by the ,spirit which he hath given us1 saith ,john1 we know that he abideth in us4 ,and what do we then else but call in question ,christ's ,promise1 while we would be esteemed the ,servants of ,god1 without his ,spirit1 which he declared he would pour out upon all his8 ,seeing these ,things are the first ,grounds of ,piety1 it is miserable ,blindness to accuse ,christians of ,pride1 because they dare glory of the ,presence of the ,spirit2 without which glorying1 ,christianity itself could not be4 ,sidenote3 ,without the ,spirit's ,presence ,christianity must cease4 ,but by their ,example they declare1 how truly ,christ spake1 saying1 ,that his ,spirit was unknown to the ,world1 and that those only acknowledge it1 with whom it remains40 ,thus far ,calvin4 ,if therefore it be so1 ,why should any be so foolish as to deny1 or so unwise as not to seek after this ,spirit1 which ,christ hath promised shall dwell in his ,children8 ,they then that do suppose the ,indwelling and ,leading of his ,spirit to be ceased1 must also suppose ,christianity to be ceased1 which cannot subsist without it4 ,sidenote3 ,query ,,iii4 ,what is the ,work of the ,spirit8 ,thirdly1 ,what the ,work of this ,spirit is1 is partly before shewn1 which ,christ compriseth in two or three ,things1 #db;,he will guide you into all ,truth2 ,he will teach you all ,things1 and bring all ,things to your ,remembrance4 ,since ,christ hath provided for us so good an ,instructor1 why need we then lean so much to those ,traditions and ,commandments of ,men1 wherewith so many ,christians have burthened themselves8 ,why need we set up our own carnal and corrupt ,reason for a ,guide to us1 in ,matters spiritual1 as some will needs do8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,spirit the ,guide4 ,may it not be complained of all such1 as the ,lord did of old1 concerning ,israel1 by the ,prophets1 ,jer4 ii4 #ac4 ,for my ,people have committed two ,evils1 they have forsaken me1 the ,fountain of ,living ,waters2 and hewed them out ,cisterns1 broken ,cisterns1 that can hold no ,water8 ,have not many forsaken1 do not many deride and reject1 this ,inward and ,immediate ,guide1 this ,spirit1 that leads into all ,truth2 and cast up to themselves other ,ways1 broken ,ways indeed1 which have not all this ,while brought them out of the ,flesh1 nor out of the ,world1 nor from under the ,dominion of their own ,lusts and sinful ,affections2 whereby ,truth1 which is only rightly learned by this ,spirit1 is so much a ,stranger in the ,earth8 #db ,john #af4 #ac4 and #ad4 #bf4 ,sidenote3 ,a perpetual ,ordinance to ,god's ,church and ,people4 ,from all then that hath been mentioned concerning this ,promise1 and these ,words of ,christ1 it will follow1 ,that ,christians are always to be led inwardly and immediately by the ,spirit of ,god dwelling in them2 and that the same is a standing and perpetual ,ordinance1 as well to the ,church in general in all ,ages1 as to every ,individual ,member in particular2 as appears from this ,argument3 ,the ,promises of ,christ to his ,children are ,yea and ,amen1 and cannot fail1 but must of ,necessity be fulfilled4 ,but ,christ hath promised1 ,that the ,comforter1 the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,spirit of ,truth1 shall abide with his ,children for ever1 shall dwell with them1 shall be in them1 shall lead them into all ,truth1 shall teach them all ,things1 and bring all ,things to their ,remembrance3 ,therefore1 ,the ,comforter1 the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,spirit of ,truth1 his abiding with his ,children1 c4 is ,yea and ,amen1 c4 ,again3 ,no ,man is redeemed from the ,carnal ,mind1 which is at ,enmity with ,god1 which is not subject to the ,law of ,god1 neither can be2 no ,man is yet in the ,spirit1 but in the ,flesh1 and cannot please ,god2 except he in whom the ,spirit of ,god dwells4 ,but every true ,christian is in measure redeemed from the ,carnal ,mind1 is gathered out of the ,enmity1 and can be subject to the ,law of ,god2 is out of the ,flesh1 and in the ,spirit1 the ,spirit of ,god dwelling in him3 ,therefore every true ,christian hath the ,spirit of ,god dwelling in him4 ,again3 ,whosoever hath not the ,spirit of ,christ1 is none of his2 that is1 no ,child1 no ,friend1 no ,disciple of ,christ4 ,but every true ,christian is a ,child1 a ,friend1 a ,disciple of ,christ3 ,therefore every true ,christian hath the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,moreover3 ,whosoever is the ,temple of the ,holy ,ghost1 in him the ,spirit of ,god dwelleth and abideth4 ,but every true ,christian is the ,temple of the ,holy ,ghost3 ,therefore in every true ,christian the ,spirit of ,god dwelleth and abideth4 ,but to conclude3 ,he in whom the ,spirit of ,god dwelleth1 it is not in him a lazy1 dumb1 useless ,thing2 but it moveth1 actuateth1 governeth1 instructeth1 and teacheth him all ,things1 whatsoever are needful for him to know2 yea1 bringeth all ,things to his ,remembrance4 ,but the ,spirit of ,god dwelleth in every true ,christian3 ,therefore the ,spirit of ,god leadeth1 instructeth1 and teacheth every true ,christian whatsoever is needful for him to know4 4 ,,xi4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but there are some that will confess1 ,that the ,spirit doth now lead and influence the ,saints1 but that he doth it only ,subjectively1 or in a blind ,manner1 by enlightening their ,understandings1 to understand and believe the ,truth delivered in the ,scriptures2 but not at all by presenting those ,truths to the ,mind1 by ,way of ,object1 and this they call1 ,medium incognitum ,assentiendi1 as that of whose working a ,man is not sensible4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,this ,opinion1 though somewhat more tolerable than the former1 is nevertheless not altogether according to ,truth1 neither doth it reach the ,fulness of it4 ,sidenote3 ,arg #a4 #a4 ,because there be many ,truths1 which1 as they are applicable to ,particulars and ,individuals1 and most needful to be known by them1 are in no-wise to be found in the ,scripture1 as in the following ,proposition shall be shewn4 ,besides1 the ,arguments already adduced do prove1 that the ,spirit doth not only ,subjectively help us to discern ,truths elsewhere delivered1 but also ,objectively present those ,truths to our ,minds4 ,for that which teacheth me all ,things1 and is given me for that ,end1 without doubt presents those ,things to my ,mind which it teacheth me4 ,it is not said1 ,it shall teach you how to understand those ,things that are written2 but1 ,it shall teach you all ,things4 ,again1 that which brings all ,things to my ,remembrance1 must needs present them by ,way of ,object2 else it were improper to say1 ,it brought them to my ,remembrance2 but only1 that it helpeth to remember the ,objects brought from elsewhere4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #b4 ,my second ,argument shall be drawn from the ,nature of the ,new ,covenant2 by which1 and those that follow1 ,i shall prove that we are led by the ,spirit1 both ,immediately and ,objectively4 ,the ,nature of the ,new ,covenant is expressed in divers ,places3 ,and ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,first1 ,isa4 lix4 #ba4 ,as for me1 this is my ,covenant with them1 saith the ,lord1 ,my ,spirit that is upon thee1 and my ,words which ,i have put into thy ,mouth1 shall not depart out of thy ,mouth1 nor out of the ,mouth of thy ,seed1 nor out of the ,mouth of thy ,seed's ,seed1 saith the ,lord1 from henceforth and for ever4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,leadings of the ,spirit4 ,by the latter ,part of this is sufficiently expressed the ,perpetuity and ,continuance of this ,promise1 ,it shall not depart1 saith the ,lord1 from henceforth and for ever4 ,in the former ,part is the ,promise itself1 which is the ,spirit of ,god being upon them1 and the ,words of ,god being put into their ,mouths4 ,sidenote3 #a4 ,immediately4 ,first1 ,this was ,immediate1 for there is no ,mention made of any ,medium2 he saith not1 ,i shall by the ,means of such and such ,writings or ,books1 convey such and such ,words into your ,mouths2 but ,my ,words1 ,i1 even ,i1 saith the ,lord1 have put into your ,mouths4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,objectively4 ,secondly1 ,this must be ,objectively2 for the ,words put into the ,mouth are the ,object presented by him4 ,he saith not1 ,the ,words which ye shall see written1 my ,spirit shall only enlighten your ,understandings to assent unto2 but positively1 ,my ,words1 which ,i have put into thy ,mouth1 c4 ,from whence ,i ,argue thus3 ,upon whomsoever the ,spirit remaineth always1 and putteth ,words into his ,mouth1 him doth the ,spirit teach ,immediately1 ,objectively1 and ,continually4 ,but the ,spirit is always upon the ,seed of the ,righteous1 and putteth ,words into their ,mouths1 neither departeth from them3 ,therefore the ,spirit teacheth the ,righteous ,immediately1 ,objectively1 and ,continually4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,secondly1 ,the ,nature of the ,new ,covenant is yet more amply expressed1 ,jer4 xxxi4 #cc4 which is again repeated and re-asserted1 by the ,apostle1 ,heb4 viii4 #aj1 #aa4 in these ,words1 ,for this is the ,covenant that ,i will make with the ,house of ,israel1 after those ,days1 saith the ,lord1 ,i will put my ,laws into their ,minds1 and write them in their ,hearts1 and ,i will be to them a ,god1 and they shall be to me a ,people4 ,and they shall not teach every ,man his ,neighbour1 and every ,man his ,brother1 saying1 ,know the ,lord2 for they shall all know me from the least to the greatest4 ,the ,object here is ,god's ,law placed in the ,heart1 and written in the ,mind2 from whence they become ,god's ,people1 and are brought truly to know him4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,difference between the ,outward and ,inward ,law4 ,in this then is the ,law distinguished from the ,gospel2 the ,law before was outward1 written in ,tables of ,stone2 but now is inward1 written in the ,heart3 ,of old the ,people depended upon their ,priests for the ,knowledge of ,god1 but now they have all a certain and sensible ,knowledge of ,him2 concerning which ,augustine speaketh well1 in his ,book ,de ,litera ,spiritu2 from whom ,aquinas first of all seems to have taken ,occasion to move this ,question1 ,whether the ,new ,law be a written ,law1 or an ,implanted ,law2 ,lex scripta1 vel ,lex indita8 ,which he thus resolves1 ,affirming1 ,that the ,new ,law1 or ,gospel1 is not properly a ,law written1 as the ,old was1 but ,lex indita1 an ,implanted ,law2 and that the old ,law was written without1 but the new ,law is written within1 on the ,table of the ,heart4 ,how much then are they deceived1 who1 instead of making the ,gospel preferable to the ,law1 have made the ,condition of such as are under the ,gospel far worse8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,gospel ,dispensation more glorious than that of the ,law4 ,for no ,doubt it is a far better1 and more desirable ,thing1 to converse with ,god ,immediately1 than only ,mediately1 as being an higher and more glorious ,dispensation3 ,and yet these ,men acknowledge1 that many under the ,law had ,immediate ,converse with ,god1 whereas they now cry it is ceased4 ,again1 ,under the ,law1 there was the ,holy of ,holies1 into which the ,high ,priest did enter1 and received the ,word of the ,lord immediately from betwixt the ,cherubims1 so that the ,people could then certainly know the ,mind of the ,lord2 but now1 according to these ,men's ,judgment1 we are in a far worse ,condition1 having nothing but the outward ,letter of the ,scripture to guess and divine from2 concerning the ,sense or ,meaning of one ,verse of which scarce two can be found to agree4 ,but ,jesus ,christ hath promised us better ,things1 tho' many are so unwise as not to believe him1 even to guide us by his own unerring ,spirit1 and hath rent and removed the ,veil1 whereby not only one1 and that once a ,year1 may enter2 but all of us1 at all ,times1 have ,access unto him1 as often as we draw near unto him with pure ,hearts3 ,he reveals his ,will to us by his ,spirit1 and writes his ,laws in our ,hearts4 ,these ,things then being thus premised2 ,i argue1 ,where the ,law of ,god is put into the ,mind1 and written in the ,heart1 there the ,object of ,faith1 and ,revelation of the ,knowledge of ,god1 is inward1 immediate1 and objective4 ,but the ,law of ,god is put into the ,mind1 and written in the ,heart of every ,true ,christian1 under the new ,covenant3 ,therefore the ,object of ,faith1 and ,revelation of the ,knowledge of ,god to every ,true ,christian1 is inward1 immediate1 and objective4 ,the ,assumption is the express ,words of ,scripture3 ,the ,proposition then must needs be true1 except that which is put into the ,mind1 and written in the ,heart1 were either not inward1 not immediate1 or not objective1 which is most absurd4 4 ,,xii4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #c4 ,the ,anointing recommended1 as1 ,the third ,argument is from these ,words of ,john1 #a ,john ii4 ,ver4 #bg4 ,but the ,anointing1 which ye have received of him1 abideth in you1 and ye need not that any ,man teach you3 ,but the same ,anointing teacheth you of all ,things1 and is ,truth1 and is no ,lie2 and even as it hath taught you1 ye shall abide in him4 ,sidenote3 #a4 ,common4 ,first1 ,this could not be any special1 peculiar1 or extraordinary ,privilege1 but that which is common to all the ,saints1 it being a general ,epistle1 directed to all them of that ,age4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,certain4 ,secondly1 ,the ,apostle proposeth this ,anointing in them1 as a more certain ,touch-stone for them to discern and try ,seducers by1 even than his own ,writings2 for having in the former ,verse said1 that he had written some ,things to them concerning such as seduced them1 he begins the next ,verse1 ,but the ,anointing1 c4 and ye need not that any ,man teach you1 c4 which infers1 that having said to them what can be said1 he refers them for all to the inward ,anointing1 which teacheth all ,things1 as the most firm1 constant1 and certain ,bulwark1 against all ,seducers4 ,sidenote3 #c4 ,lasting4 ,and ,lastly1 ,that it is a lasting and continuing ,thing2 the ,anointing which abideth4 ,if it had not been to abide in them1 it could not have taught them all ,things1 neither guarded them against all ,hazard4 ,from which ,i argue thus1 ,he that hath an ,anointing abiding in him1 which teacheth him all ,things1 so that he needs no ,man to teach him1 hath an inward and immediate ,teacher1 and hath some ,things inwardly and immediately ,revealed unto him4 ,but the ,saints have such an ,anointing3 ,therefore1 c4 ,i could prove this ,doctrine from many more ,places of ,scripture1 which for ,brevity's ,sake ,i omit2 and now come to the second ,part of the ,proposition1 where the ,objections usually formed against it are answered4 4 ,,xiii4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,the most usual is1 ,that these ,revelations are uncertain4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but this bespeaketh much ,ignorance in the ,opposers2 for we distinguish between the ,thesis and the ,hypothesis2 that is1 between the ,proposition and ,supposition4 ,for it is one ,thing to affirm1 that the true and undoubted ,revelation of ,god's ,spirit is certain and infallible2 and another ,thing to affirm1 that this or that particular ,person1 or ,people1 is led infallibly by this ,revelation1 in what they speak or write1 because they affirm themselves to be so led1 by the inward and immediate ,revelation of the ,spirit4 ,the first is only asserted by us2 the latter may be called in question4 ,the ,question is not1 ,who are1 or are not so led8 ,but1 ,whether all ought not1 or may not be so led8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,certainty of the ,spirit's ,guidance proved4 ,seeing then we have already proved1 that ,christ hath promised his ,spirit to lead his ,children1 and that every one of them both ought and may be led by it2 if any depart from this certain ,guide in ,deeds1 and yet in ,words pretend to be led by it1 into ,things that are not good1 it will not from thence follow1 that the true ,guidance of the ,spirit is uncertain1 or ought not to be followed2 no more than it will follow1 that the ,sun sheweth not ,light1 because a ,blind ,man1 or one who wilfully hurts his ,eyes1 falls into a ,ditch at ,noon-day for want of ,light2 or that no ,words are spoken1 because a ,deaf ,man hears them not2 or that a ,garden full of fragrant ,flowers has no sweet ,smell1 because he that has lost his ,smelling doth not ,smell it4 ,the ,fault then is in the ,organ1 and not in the ,object4 ,all these ,mistakes therefore are to be ascribed to the ,weakness or ,wickedness of ,men1 and not to that ,holy ,spirit4 ,such as bend themselves most against this certain and infallible ,testimony of the ,spirit1 use commonly to alledge the ,example of the old ,gnosticks1 and the late ,monstrous and ,mischievous ,actings of the ,anabaptists of ,munster2 all which toucheth us nothing at all1 neither weakens a ,whit our most true ,doctrine4 ,wherefore1 as a most sure ,bulwark against such ,kind of ,assaults1 was subjoined that other ,part of our ,proposition1 thus2 ,moreover these ,divine and ,inward ,revelations1 which we establish1 as absolutely necessary for the founding of the ,true ,faith1 as they do not1 so neither can they at any ,time contradict the ,scriptures ,testimony1 or sound ,reason4 ,sidenote3 ,by ,experience4 ,besides the intrinsick and undoubted ,truth of this ,assertion1 we can boldly affirm it1 from our certain and blessed ,experience4 ,for this ,spirit never deceived us1 never acted nor moved us to any ,thing that was amiss2 but is clear and manifest in its ,revelations1 which are evidently discerned by us1 as we wait in that pure and undefiled ,light of ,god1 that proper and fit ,organ1 in which they are received4 ,therefore if any reason after this ,manner1 ,that because some ,wicked1 ,ungodly1 ,devilish ,men1 have committed wicked ,actions1 and have yet more wickedly asserted1 that they were led into these ,things by the ,spirit of ,god3 ,therefore1 ,no ,man ought to lean to the ,spirit of ,god1 or seek to be led by it2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,absurdity of the ,consequence4 ,i utterly deny the ,consequence of this ,proposition2 which1 were it to be received as true1 then would all ,faith in ,god1 and ,hope of ,salvation1 become uncertain1 and the ,christian ,religion be turned into mere ,scepticism4 ,for after the same ,manner ,i might reason thus3 ,because ,eve was deceived by the ,lying of the ,serpent3 ,therefore she ought not to have trusted to the ,promise of ,god4 ,because the old ,world was deluded by ,evil ,spirits3 ,therefore ought neither ,noah1 nor ,abraham1 nor ,moses1 to have trusted the ,spirit of the ,lord4 ,because a lying ,spirit spake through the ,four ,hundred ,prophets1 that persuaded ,ahab to go up and fight at ,ramoth ,gilead3 ,therefore the ,testimony of the true ,spirit in ,micaiah was uncertain1 and dangerous to be followed4 ,because there were seducing ,spirits crept into the ,church of old3 ,therefore it was not good1 or it is uncertain1 to follow the ,anointing1 which taught all ,things1 and is ,truth1 and is no ,lie4 ,who dare say1 that this is a necessary ,consequence8 ,moreover1 not only the ,faith of the ,saints1 and ,church of ,god of old1 is hereby rendered uncertain1 but also the ,faith of all ,sorts of ,christians now is liable to the like ,hazard1 even of those who seek a ,foundation for their ,faith elsewhere than from the ,spirit4 ,for ,i shall prove by an inevitable ,argument1 ab ,incommodo1 i4 e4 from the ,inconveniency of it1 that if the ,spirit be not to be followed upon that ,account1 and that ,men may not depend upon it1 as their ,guide1 because some1 while pretending thereunto1 commit great ,evils2 that then1 neither ,tradition1 nor the ,scriptures1 nor ,reason1 which the ,papists1 ,protestants and ,socinians1 do respectively make the ,rule of their ,faith1 are any ,whit more certain4 ,sidenote3 #a4 ,instances of ,tradition4 ,the ,romanists reckon it an ,error to celebrate ,easter any other ,ways than that ,church doth4 ,this can only be decided by ,tradition4 ,and yet the ,greek ,church1 which equally layeth ,claim to ,tradition with herself1 doth it otherwise4 #dc,yea1 so little effectual is ,tradition to decide the ,case1 that ,polycarpus1 the ,disciple of ,john1 and ,anicetus1 the ,bishop of ,rome1 who immediately succeeded them1 according to whole ,example both ,sides concluded the ,question ought to be decided1 could not agree4 ,here of ,necessity one of them must ,err1 and that following ,tradition4 ,would the ,papists now judge we dealt fairly by them1 if we should thence aver1 that ,tradition is not to be regarded8 ,besides1 in a ,matter of far greater ,importance1 the same ,difficulty will occur1 to wit1 in the ,primacy of the ,bishop of ,rome2 for many do affirm1 and that by ,tradition1 ,that in the first ,six ,hundred ,years the ,roman ,prelates never assumed the ,title of ,universal ,shepherd1 nor were acknowledged as such4 ,and as that which altogether overturneth this ,presidency1 there are that alledge1 and that from ,tradition also1 ,that ,peter never saw ,rome2 and that therefore the ,bishop of ,rome cannot be his ,successor4 ,would ye ,romanists think this sound ,reasoning1 to say as you do8 #dc ,euseb4 ,hist4 ,eccles4 ,lib4 #e4 c4 #bf4 ,many have been deceived1 and erred grievously1 in trusting to ,tradition3 ,therefore we ought to reject all ,traditions1 yea1 even those by which we affirm the contrary1 and1 as we think1 prove the ,truth4 ,lastly1 ,in the#dd ,council of ,florence1 the chief ,doctors of the ,romish and ,greek ,churches did debate whole ,sessions long1 concerning the ,interpretation of one ,sentence of the ,council of ,ephesus1 and of ,epiphanius1 and ,basilius1 neither could they ever agree about it4 #dd ,conc4 ,flor4 ,sess4 #e4 decreto quodam ,conc4 ,eph4 ,act4 #f4 ,sess4 #aa4 #ab4 ,concil4 ,flor4 ,sess4 #ah1 #bj4 ,conc4 ,flor4 ,sess4 #ba4 ,p4 #dhj4 ,seq4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,of ,scripture4 ,secondly1 ,as to the ,scripture1 the same ,difficulty occurreth3 ,the ,lutherans affirm they believe ,consubstantiation by the ,scripture2 which the ,calvinists deny1 as that which1 they say1 according to the same ,scripture1 is a gross ,error4 ,the ,calvinists again affirm absolute ,predestination1 which the ,arminians deny1 affirming the contrary2 wherein both affirm themselves to be ruled by the ,scripture and ,reason in the ,matter4 ,should ,i argue thus then to the ,calvinists8 ,here the ,lutherans and ,arminians grossly err1 by following the ,scripture3 ,therefore the ,scripture is not a good nor certain ,rule2 and contrario4 ,would either of them accept of this ,reasoning as good and sound8 ,what shall ,i say of the ,episcopalians1 ,presbyterians1 ,independents1 and ,anabaptists of ,great ,britain1 who are continually buffeting one another with the ,scripture8 ,to whom the same ,argument might be alledged1 though they do all unanimously acknowledge it to be the ,rule4 ,sidenote3 #c4 ,of ,reason4 ,and ,thirdly1 ,as to ,reason1 ,i shall not need to say much2 for whence come all the ,controversies1 ,contentions and ,debates in the ,world1 but because every ,man thinks he follows right ,reason8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,debates hence arising betwixt the old and late ,philosophers4 ,hence of old1 came the ,jangles between the ,stoicks1 ,platonists1 ,peripateticks1 ,pythagoreans1 and ,cynicks1 as of late betwixt the ,aristotelians1 ,cartesians1 and other ,naturalists3 ,can it be thence inferred1 or will the ,socinians1 those great ,reasoners1 allow us to conclude1 because many1 and those very wise ,men1 have erred1 by following1 as they supposed1 their ,reason1 and that with what ,diligence1 ,care and ,industry they could1 to find out the ,truth1 that therefore no ,man ought to make use of it at all1 nor be positive in what he knows certainly to be ,rational8 ,and thus far as to ,opinions2 the same ,uncertainty is no less incident unto those other ,principles4 4 ,,xiv4 ,sidenote3 ,anabaptists for their wild ,practices1 and ,protestants and ,papists for their ,wars and ,bloodshed1 each pretending ,scripture for it4 ,but if we come to ,practices1 though ,i confess ,i do with my whole ,heart abhor and detest those wild ,practices1 which are written concerning the ,anabaptists of ,munster2 ,i am bold to say1 as bad1 if not worse ,things1 have been committed by those that lean to ,tradition1 ,scripture1 and ,reason3 ,wherein also they have averred themselves to have been authorized by these ,rules4 ,i need but mention all the ,tumults1 ,seditions1 and horrible ,bloodshed1 wherewith ,europe hath been afflicted these divers ,ages2 in which ,papists against ,papists1 ,calvinists against ,calvinists1 ,lutherans against ,lutherans1 and ,papists1 assisted by ,protestants1 against other ,protestants assisted by ,papists1 have miserably ,shed one another's ,blood1 ,hiring and ,forcing ,men to kill each other1 who were ,ignorant of the ,quarrel1 and ,strangers one to another3 ,all1 mean while1 pretending ,reason for so doing1 and pleading the ,lawfulness of it from ,scripture4 ,sidenote3 ,tradition1 ,scripture1 and ,reason1 made a ,cover for ,persecution and ,murder4 ,for what have the ,papists pretended for their many ,massacres1 acted as well in ,france as elsewhere1 but ,tradition1 ,scripture1 and ,reason8 ,did they not say1 ,that ,reason persuaded them1 ,tradition allowed them1 and ,scripture commanded them1 to ,persecute1 ,destroy1 and ,burn ,hereticks1 such as denied this plain ,scripture1 ,hoc est ,corpus meum1 ,this is my ,body8 ,and are not the ,protestants assenting to this ,bloodshed1 who assert the same ,thing1 and encourage them1 by ,burning and ,banishing1 while their ,brethren are so treated for the same ,cause8 ,are not the ,islands of ,great ,britain and ,ireland1 yea1 and all the ,christian ,world1 a lively ,example hereof1 which were divers ,years together as a ,theatre of ,blood2 where many lost their ,lives1 and ,numbers of ,families were utterly destroyed and ruined8 ,for all which no other ,cause was principally given1 than the ,precepts of the ,scripture4 ,if we then compare these ,actings with those of ,munster1 we shall not find great ,difference2 for both affirmed and pretended they were called1 and that it was lawful to ,kill1 ,burn1 and ,destroy the ,wicked4 ,we must ,kill all the ,wicked1 said those ,anabaptists1 that we1 that are the ,saints1 may possess the ,earth4 ,we must ,burn obstinate ,hereticks1 say the ,papists1 that the ,holy ,church of ,rome may be purged of rotten ,members1 and may live in ,peace4 ,we must cut off ,seducing ,separatists1 say the ,prelatical ,protestants1 who trouble the ,peace of the ,church1 and refuse the ,divine ,hierarchy1 and ,religious ,ceremonies thereof4 ,we must ,kill1 say the ,calvinistick ,presbyterians1 the ,prophane ,malignants1 who accuse the ,holy ,consistorial and ,presbyterian ,government1 and seek to defend the ,popish and ,prelatick ,hierarchy2 as also those other ,sectaries that trouble the ,peace of our ,church4 ,what ,difference ,i pray thee1 ,impartial ,reader1 seest thou betwixt these8 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,the ,anabaptists went without1 and against the ,authority of the ,magistrate2 so did not the other2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i might easily ,refute it1 by alledging the mutual ,testimonies of these ,sects against one another4 ,sidenote3 ,examples of ,popish ,cruelties4 ,the ,behaviour of the ,papists towards ,henry the third and fourth of ,france2 their ,designs upon ,james the sixth in the ,gunpowder ,treason2 as also their ,principle of the ,pope's ,power to depose ,kings1 for the ,cause of ,heresy1 and to absolve their ,subjects from their ,oath1 and give them to others1 proves it against them4 ,sidenote3 ,protestants ,violences and ,persecutions in ,scotland1 ,england1 and ,holland4 ,and as to the ,protestants1 how much their ,actions differ from those other above-mentioned1 may be seen by the many ,conspiracies and ,tumults which they have been active in1 both in ,scotland and ,england1 and which they have acted within these ,hundred ,years1 in divers ,towns and ,provinces of the ,netherlands4 ,have they not oftentimes sought1 not only from the ,popish ,magistrates1 but even from those that had begun to ,reform1 or that had given them some ,liberty of ,exercising their ,religion1 that they might only be permitted1 without ,trouble or ,hindrance1 to ,exercise their ,religion1 promising they would not hinder or molest the ,papists in the ,exercise of theirs8 ,and yet did they not on the contrary1 so soon as they had ,power1 trouble and abuse those ,fellow-,citizens1 and turn them out of the ,city1 and1 which is worse1 even such1 who together with them had forsaken the ,popish ,religion8 ,did they not these ,things in many ,places against the ,mind of the ,magistrates8 ,have they not publickly1 with contumelious ,speeches1 assaulted their ,magistrates1 from whom they had but just before sought and obtained the free ,exercise of their ,religion8 ,representing them1 so soon as they opposed themselves to their ,hierarchy1 as if they regarded neither ,god nor ,religion8 ,have they not by violent ,hands possessed themselves of the ,popish ,churches1 so called1 or by ,force1 against the ,magistrates ,mind1 taken them away8 ,have they not turned out of their ,office and ,authority whole ,councils of ,magistrates1 under ,pretence that they were addicted to ,popery8 ,which ,popish ,magistrates nevertheless they did but a little before acknowledge to be ,ordained by ,god2 affirming themselves obliged to yield them ,obedience and ,subjection1 not only for ,fear1 but for ,conscience ,sake2 to whom moreover the very ,preachers and ,overseers of the ,reformed ,church had willingly sworn ,fidelity2 and yet afterwards have they not said1 ,that the ,people are bound to force a wicked ,prince to the ,observation of ,god's ,word8 ,there are many other ,instances of this ,kind to be found in their ,histories1 not to mention many worse ,things1 which we know to have been acted in our ,time1 and which for ,brevity's ,sake ,i pass by4 ,sidenote3 ,lutheran ,seditions against the ,reformed ,teachers1 and ,assault upon the ,marquis of ,brandenburg1 c4 in ,germany4 ,i might say much of the ,lutherans1 whose tumultuous ,actions against their ,magistrates1 not professing the ,lutheran ,profession1 are testified of by several ,historians worthy of ,credit4 ,among others1 ,i shall propose only one ,example to the ,reader's ,consideration1 which fell out at ,berlin1 in the ,year #afae1 8,where the seditious ,multitude of the ,lutheran ,citizens1 being stirred up by the daily ,clamours of their ,preachers1 did not only with ,violence break into the ,houses of the reformed ,teachers1 overturn their ,libraries1 and spoil their ,furniture2 but also with reproachful ,words1 yea1 and with ,stones1 assaulted the ,marquis of ,brandenburg1 the ,elector's ,brother1 while he sought by smooth ,words to quiet the ,fury of the ,multitude2 they killed ten of his ,guard1 scarcely sparing himself1 who at last by ,flight escaped out of their ,hands40 ,all which sufficiently declares1 that the ,concurrence of the ,magistrate doth not alter their ,principles1 but only their ,method of ,procedure4 ,so that for my own ,part1 ,i see no ,difference betwixt the ,actings of those of ,munster1 and these others1 7whereof the one pretended to be led by the ,spirit1 the other by ,tradition1 ,scripture1 and ,reason7 save this1 that the former were rash1 heady1 and foolish1 in their ,proceedings1 and therefore were the sooner brought to nothing1 and so into ,contempt and ,derision3 ,but the other1 being more politick and wise in their ,generation1 held it out longer1 and so have authorized their ,wickedness more1 with the seeming ,authority of ,law and ,reason4 ,but both their ,actings being equally ,evil1 the ,difference appears to me to be only like that which is between a simple silly ,thief1 that is easily catched1 and hanged without any more ado2 and a ,company of resolute bold ,robbers1 who being better guarded1 though their ,offence be nothing less1 yet by ,violence do1 to shun the ,danger1 force their ,masters to give them good ,terms4 ,from all which then it evidently follows1 that they argue very ill1 who despise and reject any ,principle1 because ,men pretending to be led by it do evil2 in case it be not the natural and consequential ,tendency of that ,principle to lead unto those ,things that are evil4 ,again1 ,it doth follow from what is above asserted1 that if the ,spirit be to be rejected upon this ,account1 all those other ,principles ought on the same ,account to be rejected4 ,and for my ,part1 as ,i have never a ,whit the lower ,esteem of the blessed ,testimony of the ,holy ,scriptures2 nor do the less respect any solid ,tradition1 that is answerable and according to ,truth2 neither at all despise ,reason1 that noble and excellent ,faculty of the ,mind1 because wicked ,men have abused the ,name of them1 to cover their ,wickedness1 and deceive the ,simple2 ,sidenote3 ,let none reject the ,certainty of the unerring ,spirit of ,god because of false ,pretenders to it4 so would ,i not have any reject or doubt the ,certainty of that ,unerring ,spirit1 which ,god hath given his ,children1 as that which can alone guide them into all ,truth1 because some have falsely pretended to it4 4 ,,xv4 ,and because the ,spirit of ,god is the ,fountain of all ,truth and sound ,reason1 therefore we have well said1 ,that it cannot contradict either the ,testimony of the ,scripture1 or right ,reason3 8,yet 7as the ,proposition itself concludeth1 to the last ,part of which ,i now come7 it will not from thence follow1 that these ,divine ,revelations are to be subjected to the ,examination either by the outward ,testimony of ,scripture1 or of the human or natural ,reason of ,man1 as to a more noble and certain ,rule or ,touch-stone2 for the ,divine ,revelation1 and ,inward ,illumination1 is that which is evident by itself1 forcing the well-disposed ,understanding1 and irresistibly moving it to assent1 by its own ,evidence and ,clearness2 even as the common ,principles of natural ,truths do bend the ,mind to a natural ,assent40 ,he that denies this ,part of the ,proposition1 must needs affirm1 that the ,spirit of ,god neither can nor ever hath manifested itself to ,man1 without the ,scripture1 or a distinct ,discussion of ,reason2 or that the ,efficacy of this ,supernatural ,principle1 working upon the ,souls of ,men1 is less evident than ,natural ,principles in their common ,operations2 both which are false4 ,for1 ,first1 ,through all the ,scriptures we may observe1 ,that the ,manifestation and ,revelation of ,god by his ,spirit to the ,patriarchs1 ,prophets1 and ,apostles1 was ,immediate and ,objective1 as is above proved2 which they did not examine by any other ,principle1 but their own ,evidence and ,clearness4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,self-,evidence of the ,spirit4 ,secondly1 ,to say that the ,spirit of ,god has less ,evidence upon the ,mind of ,man than ,natural ,principles have1 is to have too mean and too low ,thoughts of it4 ,how comes ,david to invite us1 to taste and see that ,god is good1 if this cannot be felt and tasted8 ,this were enough to overturn the ,faith and ,assurance of all the ,saints1 both now and of old4 ,how came ,paul to be persuaded1 that nothing could separate him from the ,love of ,god1 but by that ,evidence and ,clearness which the ,spirit of ,god gave him8 ,the ,apostle ,john1 who knew well wherein the ,certainty of ,faith consisted1 judged it no ways absurd1 without further ,argument1 to ascribe his ,knowledge and ,assurance1 and that of all the ,saints1 hereunto in these ,words1 ,hereby know we1 that we dwell in him1 and he in us1 because he hath given us of his ,spirit1 #a ,john iv4 #ac4 ,and again1 ,ver4 #f4 ,it is the ,spirit that beareth ,witness1 because the ,spirit is ,truth4 ,observe the ,reason brought by him1 ,because the ,spirit is ,truth2 of whose ,certainty and ,infallibility ,i have heretofore spoken4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,spirit contradicts not the ,scripture1 nor right ,reason4 ,we then trust to and confide in this ,spirit1 because we know1 and certainly believe1 that it can only lead us aright1 and never mislead us2 and from this certain ,confidence it is that we affirm1 ,that no ,revelation coming from it can ever contradict the ,scripture's ,testimony1 nor right ,reason3 ,not as making this a more certain ,rule to ourselves1 but as condescending to such1 who not discerning the ,revelations of the ,spirit1 as they proceed purely from ,god1 will try them by these ,mediums4 ,yet those that have their ,spiritual ,senses1 and can savour the ,things of the ,spirit1 as it were in prima ,instantia1 i4 e4 at the first ,blush1 can discern them without1 or before they apply them either to ,scripture or ,reason3 ,sidenote3 ,natural ,demonstrations from ,astronomy and ,geometry4 ,just as a good ,astronomer can calculate an ,eclipse infallibly1 by which he can conclude 7if the ,order of ,nature continue1 and some strange and unnatural ,revolution intervene not7 there will be an ,eclipse of the ,sun or ,moon such a ,day1 and such an ,hour2 yet can he not persuade an ignorant ,rustick of this1 until he visibly see it4 ,so also a ,mathematician can infallibly know1 by the ,rules of ,art1 that the three ,angles of a right ,triangle are equal to two right ,angles2 yea1 can know them more certainly than any ,man by ,measure4 ,and some ,geometrical ,demonstrations are by all acknowledged to be infallible1 which can be scarcely discerned or proved by the ,senses2 yet if a ,geometer be at the ,pains to certify some ignorant ,man concerning the ,certainty of his ,art1 by condescending to measure it1 and make it obvious to his ,senses1 it will not thence follow1 that that ,measuring is so certain as the ,demonstration itself2 or that the ,demonstration would be uncertain without it4 4 ,,xvi4 ,but to make an ,end1 ,i shall add one ,argument to prove1 ,that this ,inward1 ,immediate1 ,objective ,revelation1 which we have pleaded for all along1 is the only1 sure1 certain1 and unmoveable ,foundation of all ,christian ,faith2 which ,argument1 when well considered1 ,i hope will have ,weight with all ,sorts of ,christians1 and it is this3 ,sidenote3 ,immediate ,revelation the ,immoveable ,foundation of all ,christian ,faith4 ,that which all ,professors of ,christianity1 of what ,kind soever1 are forced ultimately to recur unto1 when pressed to the last2 ,that for and because of which all other ,foundations are recommended1 and accounted worthy to be ,believed1 and without which they are granted to be of no ,weight at all1 must needs be the only most true1 certain1 and unmoveable ,foundation of all ,christian ,faith4 ,but ,inward1 ,immediate1 ,objective ,revelation by the ,spirit1 is that which all ,professors of ,christianity1 of what ,kind soever1 are forced ultimately to recur unto1 c4 ,therefore1 c4 ,the ,proposition is so evident1 that it will not be denied3 ,the ,assumption shall be proved by ,parts4 ,sidenote3 ,papists ,foundation1 their ,church and ,tradition1 ,why8 ,and ,first1 ,as to the ,papists1 they place their ,foundation in the ,judgment of the ,church and ,tradition4 ,if we press them to say1 ,why they believe as the ,church doth8 ,their answer is1 ,because the ,church is always led by the infallible ,spirit4 ,so here the ,leading of the ,spirit is the utmost ,foundation4 ,again1 if we ask them1 ,why we ought to trust ,tradition8 ,they answer1 ,because these ,traditions were delivered us by the ,doctors and ,fathers of the ,church2 which ,doctors and ,fathers1 by the ,revelation of the ,holy ,ghost1 commanded the ,church to observe them4 ,here again all ends in the ,revelation of the ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,protestants and ,socinians make the ,scriptures their ,ground and ,foundation1 ,why8 ,and for the ,protestants and ,socinians1 both which acknowledge the ,scriptures to be the ,foundation and ,rule of their ,faith2 the one as subjectively influenced by the ,spirit of ,god to use them2 the other1 as managing them with and by their own ,reason2 ask both1 or either of them1 ,why they trust in the ,scriptures1 and take them to be their ,rule8 ,their ,answer is1 ,because we have in them the ,mind of ,god delivered unto us by those to whom these ,things were inwardly1 immediately1 and objectively ,revealed by the ,spirit of ,god2 and not because this or that ,man wrote them1 but because the ,spirit of ,god dictated them4 ,sidenote3 ,christians by ,name1 and not by ,nature1 hold ,revelation ceased1 contrary to ,scripture4 ,it is strange then that ,men should render that so uncertain and dangerous to follow1 upon which alone the certain ,ground and ,foundation of their own ,faith is built2 or that they should shut themselves out from that ,holy ,fellowship with ,god1 which only is enjoyed in the ,spirit1 in which we are commanded both to ,walk and ,live4 ,if any who read these ,things find themselves moved1 by the ,strength of these ,scripture-,arguments1 to assent1 and believe such ,revelations necessary2 and yet find themselves ,strangers to them1 which1 as ,i observed in the ,beginning1 is the ,cause that this is so much gainsaid and contradicted1 let them know1 that it is not because it is ceased to become the ,privilege of every true ,christian that they do not feel it1 but rather because they are not so much ,christians by ,nature as by ,name2 and let such know1 that the secret ,light which shines in the ,heart1 and reproves ,unrighteousness1 is the small ,beginning of the ,revelation of ,god's ,spirit1 which was first sent into the ,world to reprove it of ,sin1 ,john xvi4 #h4 ,and as by forsaking ,iniquity1 thou comest to be acquainted with that ,heavenly ,voice in thy ,heart1 thou shalt feel1 as the ,old ,man1 or the ,natural ,man1 that savoureth not the ,things of ,god's ,kingdom1 is put off1 with his evil and corrupt ,affections and ,lusts2 ,i say1 thou shalt feel the ,new ,man1 or the ,spiritual ,birth and ,babe raised1 which hath its ,spiritual ,senses1 and can see1 feel1 taste1 handle1 and smell the ,things of the ,spirit2 but till then the ,knowledge of ,things ,spiritual is but as an ,historical ,faith4 ,sidenote3 ,who wants his ,sight sees not the ,light4 ,but as the ,description of the ,light of the ,sun1 or of curious ,colours to a blind ,man1 who1 though of the largest ,capacity1 cannot so well understand it by the most acute and lively ,description1 as a ,child can by seeing them2 so neither can the ,natural ,man1 of the largest ,capacity1 by the best ,words1 even ,scripture-words1 so well understand the ,mysteries of ,god's ,kingdom1 as the least and weakest ,child who tasteth them1 by having them ,revealed inwardly and objectively by the ,spirit4 ,wait then for this in the small ,revelation of that pure ,light1 which first reveals ,things more known2 and as thou becomest fitted for it1 thou shalt receive more and more1 and by a ,living ,experience easily refute their ,ignorance1 who ask1 ,how dost thou know that thou art actuated by the ,spirit of ,god8 ,which will appear to thee a ,question no less ridiculous1 than to ask one whose ,eyes are open1 ,how he knows the ,sun shines at ,noon-day8 ,and though this be the surest and most certain ,way to answer all ,objections2 yet by what is above written it may appear1 that the ,mouths of all such ,opposers as deny this ,doctrine may be shut1 by unquestionable and unanswerable ,reasons4 ,,proposition ,,iii4 ,concerning the ,,scriptures4 ,from these ,revelations of the ,spirit of ,god to the ,saints have proceeded the ,scriptures of ,truth1 which contain1 ,i4 ,a faithful ,historical ,account of the ,actings of ,god's ,people in divers ,ages2 with many singular and remarkable ,providences attending them4 ,,ii4 ,a ,prophetical ,account of several ,things1 whereof some are already past1 and some yet to come4 ,,iii4 ,a full and ample ,account of all the chief ,principles of the ,doctrine of ,christ1 held forth in divers precious ,declarations1 ,exhortations1 and ,sentences1 which1 by the moving of ,god's ,spirit1 were at several ,times1 and upon sundry ,occasions1 spoken and written unto some ,churches and their ,pastors4 ,nevertheless1 because they are only a ,declaration of the ,fountain1 and not the ,fountain itself1 therefore they are not to be esteemed the principal ,ground of all ,truth and ,knowledge1 nor yet the ,adequate ,primary ,rule of ,faith and ,manners4 ,yet because they give a true and faithful ,testimony of the first ,foundation1 they are and may be esteemed a ,secondary ,rule1 subordinate to the ,spirit1 from which they have all their ,excellency and ,certainty3 ,for1 as by the inward ,testimony of the ,spirit we do alone truly know them1 so they testify1 ,that the ,spirit is that ,guide by which the ,saints are led into all ,truth2 therefore1 according to the ,scriptures1 the ,spirit is the ,first and ,principal ,leader4#de ,seeing then that we do therefore receive and believe the ,scriptures because they proceeded from the ,spirit1 so the very same ,reason is the ,spirit more ,originally and ,principally the ,rule1 according to the received ,maxim in the ,schools1 ,propter quod unumquodque est tale1 illud ipsum est magis tale3 ,that for which a ,thing is such1 that ,thing itself is more such4 #de ,john #af4 #ac4 ,rom4 #h4 #ad4 4 ,i4 ,the former ,part of this ,proposition1 though it needs no ,apology for itself1 yet it is a good ,apology for us1 and will help to sweep away that1 among many other ,calumnies1 wherewith we are often loaded1 as if we were ,vilifiers and ,deniers of the ,scriptures2 for in that which we affirm of them1 it doth appear at what high ,rate we value them1 accounting them1 without all ,deceit or ,equivocation1 the most excellent ,writings in the ,world2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,holy ,scriptures the most excellent ,writings in the ,world4 to which not only no other ,writings are to be preferred1 but even in divers ,respects not comparable thereto4 ,for as we freely acknowledge that their ,authority doth not depend upon the ,approbation or ,canons of any ,church or ,assembly2 so neither can we subject them to the fallen1 corrupt1 and defiled ,reason of ,man3 ,and therein as we do freely agree with the ,protestants against the ,error of the ,romanists1 so on the other ,hand1 we cannot go the ,length of such ,protestants as make their ,authority to depend upon any ,virtue or ,power that is in the ,writings themselves2 but we desire to ascribe all to that ,spirit from which they proceeded4 ,we confess indeed there wants not a ,majesty in the ,style1 a ,coherence in the ,parts1 a good ,scope in the ,whole2 but seeing these ,things are not discerned by the natural1 but only by the spiritual ,man1 it is the ,spirit of ,god that must give us that ,belief of the ,scriptures which may satisfy our ,consciences2 therefore some of the ,chief among ,protestants1 both in their particular ,writings and publick ,confessions1 are forced to acknowledge this4 ,sidenote3 ,calvin's ,testimony that the ,scripture certainly is from the ,spirit4 ,hence ,calvin1 though he saith he is able to prove that1 if there be a ,god in ,heaven1 these ,writings have proceeded from him1 yet he concludes another ,knowledge to be necessary4 ,instit4 ,lib4 #a4 ,cap4 #g4 ,sect4 #d4 8,but if 7saith he7 we respect the ,consciences1 that they be not daily molested with ,doubts1 and hesitate not at every ,scruple1 it is requisite that this ,persuasion which we speak of be taken higher than human ,reason1 ,judgment1 or ,conjecture2 to wit1 from the secret ,testimony of the ,spirit40 ,and again1 8,to those who ask1 that we prove unto them1 by ,reason1 that ,moses and the ,prophets were inspired of ,god to speak1 ,i answer1 ,that the ,testimony of the ,holy ,spirit is more excellent than all ,reason40 ,and again1 8,let this remain a firm ,truth1 that he only whom the ,holy ,spirit hath persuaded1 can repose himself on the ,scripture with a true ,certainty40 ,and lastly1 8,this then is a judgment which cannot be begotten but by an ,heavenly ,revelation1 c40 ,sidenote3 ,the ,confession of the ,french ,churches4 ,the same is also affirmed in the first publick ,confession of the ,french ,churches1 published in the ,year #aeei4 ,art4 #d4 8,we know these ,books to be canonical1 and the most certain ,rule of our ,faith1 not so much by the common ,accord and ,consent of the ,church1 as by the ,testimony and inward ,persuasion of the ,holy ,spirit40 ,sidenote3 ,churches of ,holland assert the same4 ,thus also in the #eth ,article of the ,confession of ,faith1 of the ,churches of ,holland1 confirmed by the ,synod of ,dort4 8,we receive these ,books only for holy and canonical1--not so much because the ,church receives and approves them1 as because the ,spirit of ,god doth witness in our ,hearts that they are of ,god40 ,sidenote3 ,westminster ,confession the same4 ,and lastly1 ,the ,divines1 so called1 at ,westminster1 who began to be afraid of1 and guard against the ,testimony of the ,spirit1 because they perceived a ,dispensation beyond that which they were under beginning to dawn1 and to eclipse them2 yet could they not get by this1 though they have laid it down neither so clearly1 distinctly1 nor honestly as they that went before4 ,it is in these ,words1 ,chap4 #a4 ,sect4 #e4 8,nevertheless our full ,persuasion and ,assurance of the ,infallible ,truth thereof1 is from the inward ,work of the ,holy ,spirit1 bearing witness by and with the ,word in our ,hearts40 ,by all which it appeareth how necessary it is to seek the ,certainty of the ,scriptures from the ,spirit1 and no where else4 ,the infinite ,janglings and endless ,contests of those that seek their ,authority elsewhere1 do witness to the ,truth hereof4 ,sidenote3 ,apocrypha4 #df;,for the ,ancients themselves1 even of the first ,centuries1 were not agreed among themselves concerning them2 while some of them rejected ,books which we approve1 and others of them approved those which some of us reject4 ,it is not unknown to such as are in the least acquainted with ,antiquity1 what great ,contests are concerning the ,second ,epistle of ,peter1 that of ,james1 the ,second and ,third of ,john1 and the ,revelations1 which many1 even very ancient1 deny to have been written by the beloved ,disciple and ,brother of ,james1 but by another of that ,name4 ,what should then become of ,christians1 if they had not received that ,spirit1 and those spiritual ,senses1 by which they know how to discern the ,true from the ,false8 ,it is the ,privilege of ,christ's ,sheep indeed that they hear his ,voice1 and refuse that of a ,stranger2 which ,privilege being taken away1 we are left a ,prey to all ,manner of ,wolves4 #df ,conc4 ,laod4 ,can4 #eh4 in ,cod4 ,ec4 #afc4 ,conc4 ,laod4 held in the ,year #cfd4 excluded from the ,canon ,eccl4 the ,wisdom of ,solomon1 ,judith1 ,tobias1 the ,maccabees1 which the ,council of ,carthage held in the ,year #cii4 received4 4 ,,ii4 ,though then we do acknowledge the ,scriptures to be very heavenly and divine ,writings1 the ,use of them to be very comfortable and necessary to the ,church of ,christ1 and that we also admire and give ,praise to the ,lord1 for his wonderful ,providence in preserving these ,writings so pure and uncorrupted as we have them1 through so long a ,night of ,apostasy1 to be a ,testimony of his ,truth against the ,wickedness and ,abominations even of those whom he made instrumental in preserving them1 so that they have kept them to be a ,witness against themselves2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,scriptures are not the principal ,ground of ,truth4 yet we may not call them the principal ,fountain of all ,truth and ,knowledge1 nor yet the first adequate ,rule of ,faith and ,manners2 because the principal ,fountain of ,truth must be the ,truth itself2 i4 e4 that whole ,certainty and ,authority depends not upon another4 ,when we doubt of the ,streams of any ,river or ,flood1 we recur to the ,fountain itself2 and having found it1 there we desist1 we can go no farther1 because there it springs out of the ,bowels of the ,earth1 which are inscrutable4 ,even so the ,writings and ,sayings of all ,men we must bring to the ,word of ,god1 ,i mean the ,eternal ,word1 and if they agree hereunto1 we stand there4 ,for this ,word always proceedeth1 and doth eternally proceed from ,god1 in and by which the unsearchable ,wisdom of ,god1 and unsearchable ,counsel and ,will conceived in the ,heart of ,god1 is revealed unto us4 ,that then the ,scripture is not the principal ,ground of ,faith and ,knowledge1 as it appears by what is above spoken1 so it is proved in the latter ,part of the ,proposition2 which being reduced to an ,argument1 runs thus3 ,that whereof the ,certainty and ,authority depends upon another1 and which is received as ,truth because of its proceeding from another1 is not to be accounted the principal ,ground and ,origin of all ,truth and ,knowledge3 ,but the ,scriptures ,authority and ,certainty depend upon the ,spirit by which they were dictated2 and the ,reason why they were received as ,truth is1 because they proceeded from the ,spirit3 ,therefore they are not the principal ,ground of ,truth4 ,to confirm this ,argument1 ,i added the ,school ,maxim1 ,propter quod unumquodque est tale1 illud ipsum magis est tale4 ,which ,maxim1 though ,i confess it doth not hold universally in all ,things1 yet in this it doth and will very well hold1 as by applying it1 as we have above intimated1 will appear4 ,sidenote3 ,neither are they the primary ,rule of ,faith and ,manners4 ,the same ,argument will hold as to the other ,branch of the ,proposition1 ,that it is not the primary adequate ,rule of ,faith and ,manners2 thus3 ,that which is not the ,rule of my ,faith in believing the ,scriptures themselves1 is not the primary adequate ,rule of ,faith and ,manners3 ,sidenote3 ,that the ,spirit is the ,rule4 ,but the ,scripture is not1 nor can it be the ,rule of that ,faith by which ,i believe them1 c4 ,therefore1 c4 ,but as to this ,part1 we shall produce divers ,arguments hereafter4 ,as to what is affirmed1 that the ,spirit1 and not the ,scriptures1 is the ,rule1 it is largely handled in the former ,proposition2 the ,sum whereof ,i shall subsume in one ,argument1 thus1 ,if by the ,spirit we can only come to the true ,knowledge of ,god2 if by the ,spirit we are to be led into all ,truth1 and so be taught of all ,things2 then the ,spirit1 and not the ,scriptures1 is the ,foundation and ,ground of all ,truth and ,knowledge1 and the primary ,rule of ,faith and ,manners3 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore also the last4 ,next1 the very ,nature of the ,gospel itself declareth that the ,scriptures cannot be the only and chief ,rule of ,christians1 else there should be no ,difference betwixt the ,law and the ,gospel2 as from the ,nature of the ,new ,covenant1 by divers ,scriptures1 described in the former ,proposition1 is proved4 ,sidenote3 ,wherein the ,law and ,gospel differ4 ,but besides these which are before mentioned1 herein doth the ,law and the ,gospel differ1 in that the ,law1 being outwardly written1 brings under ,condemnation1 but hath not ,life in it to save2 whereas the ,gospel1 as it declares and makes manifest the ,evil1 so1 being an inward powerful ,thing1 it gives ,power also to obey1 and deliver from the ,evil4 ,hence it is called ,greek3 ,evangelian3 1 which is glad ,tidings4 ,the ,law or ,letter1 which is without us1 ,kills2 but the ,gospel1 which is the inward spiritual ,law1 gives ,life2 for it consists not so much in ,words as in ,virtue4 ,wherefore such as come to know it1 and be acquainted with it1 come to feel greater ,power over their ,iniquities than all outward ,laws or ,rules can give them4 ,hence the ,apostle concludes1 ,rom4 vi4 #ad4 ,sin shall not have ,dominion over you3 for ye are not under the ,law1 but under ,grace4 ,this ,grace then that is inward1 and not an outward ,law1 is to be the ,rule of ,christians4 ,hereunto the ,apostle commends the ,elders of the ,church1 saying1 ,acts xx4 #cb4 ,and now1 ,brethren1 ,i commend you to ,god1 and to the ,word of his ,grace1 which is able to build you up1 and to give you an ,inheritance among all them which are sanctified4 ,he doth not commend them here to outward ,laws or ,writings1 but to the ,word of ,grace1 which is inward2 even the spiritual ,law1 which makes free1 as he elsewhere affirms1 ,rom4 viii4 #b4 ,the ,law of the ,spirit of ,life in ,christ ,jesus1 hath made me free from the ,law of ,sin and ,death4 ,this spiritual ,law is that which the ,apostle declares he preached and directed ,people unto1 which was not outward1 as by ,rom4 x4 #h4 is manifest2 where distinguishing it from the ,law1 he saith1 ,the ,word is nigh thee1 in thy ,heart1 and in thy ,mouth2 and this is the ,word of ,faith which we preach4 ,from what is above said1 ,i argue thus3 ,the principal ,rule of ,christians under the ,gospel is not an outward ,letter1 nor ,law outwardly written and delivered1 but an inward spiritual ,law1 engraven in the ,heart1 the ,law of the ,spirit of ,life1 the ,word that is nigh in the ,heart and in the ,mouth4 ,but the ,letter of the ,scripture is outward1 of itself a dead ,thing1 a mere ,declaration of good ,things1 but not the ,things themselves3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,scripture not the ,rule4 ,therefore it is not1 nor can be1 the chief or principal ,rule of ,christians4 4 ,,iii4 ,thirdly1 ,that which is given to ,christians for a ,rule and ,guide1 must needs be so full1 that it may clearly and distinctly guide and order them in all ,things and ,occurrences that may fall out4 ,but in that there are numberless ,things1 with regard to their ,circumstances1 which particular ,christians may be concerned in1 for which there can be no particular ,rule had in the ,scriptures3 ,therefore the ,scriptures cannot be a ,rule to them4 ,i shall give an ,instance in two or three ,particulars to prove this ,proposition4 ,it is not to be doubted but some ,men are particularly called to some particular ,services2 their being not found in which1 though the ,act be no general positive ,duty1 yet in so far as it may be required of them1 is a great ,sin to omit2 forasmuch as ,god is zealous of his ,glory1 and every ,act of ,disobedience to his ,will manifested1 is enough not only to hinder one greatly from that ,comfort and inward ,peace which otherwise he might have1 but also bringeth ,condemnation4 ,as for ,instance1 ,some are called to the ,ministry of the ,word3 ,paul saith1 ,there was a ,necessity upon him to preach the ,gospel1 wo unto me1 if ,i preach not4 ,if it be necessary that there be now ,ministers of the ,church1 as well as then1 then there is the same ,necessity upon some1 more than upon others1 to occupy this ,place2 which ,necessity1 as it may be incumbent upon particular ,persons1 the ,scripture neither doth nor can declare4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,that the ,qualifications of a ,minister are found in the ,scripture1 and by applying these ,qualifications to myself1 ,i may know whether ,i be fit for such a ,place or not3 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,the ,qualifications of a ,bishop1 or ,minister1 as they are mentioned both in the ,epistle to ,timothy and ,titus1 are such as may be found in a private ,christian2 yea1 which ought in some ,measure to be in every true ,christian3 ,so that this giveth a ,man no ,certainty4 ,every ,capacity to an ,office giveth me not a sufficient ,call to it4 ,next again1 ,by what ,rule shall ,i judge if ,i be so qualified8 ,how do ,i know that ,i am sober1 meek1 holy1 harmless8 ,is it not the ,testimony of the ,spirit in my ,conscience that must assure me hereof8 ,and suppose that ,i was qualified and called1 yet what ,scripture-rule shall inform me1 ,whether it be my ,duty to preach in this or that ,place1 in ,france or ,england1 ,holland or ,germany8 ,whether ,i shall take up my ,time in confirming the ,faithful1 reclaiming ,hereticks1 or converting ,infidels1 as also in writing ,epistles to this or that ,church8 ,the general ,rules of the ,scripture1 viz4 ,to be diligent in my ,duty1 to do all to the ,glory of ,god1 and for the ,good of his ,church1 can give me no ,light in this ,thing4 ,seeing two different ,things may both have a ,respect to that ,way1 yet may ,i commit a great ,error and ,offence in doing the one1 when ,i am called to the other4 ,if ,paul1 when his ,face was turned by the ,lord toward ,jerusalem1 had gone back to ,achaia1 or ,macedonia1 he might have supposed he could have done ,god more acceptable ,service in preaching and confirming the ,churches1 than in being shut up in ,prison in ,judea2 but would ,god have been pleased herewith8 ,nay certainly4 ,obedience is better than ,sacrifice2 and it is not our doing that which is good simply that pleaseth ,god1 but that ,good which he willeth us to do4 ,every ,member hath its particular ,place in the ,body1 as the ,apostle sheweth1 #a ,cor4 xii4 ,if then1 ,i being the ,foot1 should offer to exercise the ,office of the ,hand2 or being the ,hand1 that of the ,tongue2 my ,service would be troublesome1 and not acceptable2 and instead of helping the ,body1 ,i should make a ,schism in it4 ,sidenote3 ,that which is good for one to do1 may be sinful to another4 ,so that that which is good for another to do1 may be sinful to me3 ,for as ,masters will have their ,servants to obey them1 according to their good ,pleasure1 and not only in blindly doing that which may seem to them to tend to their ,master's ,profit1 whereby it may chance 7the ,master having ,business both in the ,field and in the ,house7 that the ,servant that knows not his ,master's ,will may go to the ,field1 when it is the ,mind of the ,master he should stay and do the ,business of the ,house1 would not this ,servant then deserve a ,reproof1 for not answering his ,master's ,mind8 ,and what ,master is so sottish and careless1 as1 having many ,servants1 to leave them in such ,disorder as not to assign each his particular ,station1 and not only the general ,terms of doing that which is profitable8 which would leave them in various ,doubts1 and certainly end in ,confusion4 ,shall we then dare to ascribe unto ,christ1 in the ordering of his ,church and ,servants1 that which in ,man might justly be accounted ,disorder and ,confusion8 ,sidenote3 ,diversities of ,gifts4 ,the ,apostle sheweth this ,distinction well1 ,rom4 xii4 #f1 #g1 #h4 ,having then ,gifts differing according to the ,grace that is given to us2 whether ,prophecy1 let us prophesy according to the ,proportion of ,faith2 or ,ministry1 let us wait on our ,ministring2 or he that teacheth1 on ,teaching2 or he that exhorteth1 on ,exhortation4 ,now what ,scripture-rule sheweth me that ,i ought to exhort1 rather than prophesy8 or to minister1 rather than teach8 ,surely none at all4 ,many more ,difficulties of this ,kind occur in the ,life of a ,christian4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,faith and ,salvation can the ,scripture assure thee8 ,moreover1 that which of all ,things is most needful for him to know1 to wit1 whether he really be in the ,faith1 and an ,heir of ,salvation1 or not1 the ,scripture can give him no ,certainty in1 neither can it be a ,rule to him4 ,that this ,knowledge is exceeding desirable and comfortable all do unanimously acknowledge2 besides that it is especially commanded1 #b ,cor4 xiii4 #e4 ,examine yourselves whether ye be in the ,faith1 prove yourselves2 know ye not your own selves1 how that ,jesus ,christ is in you1 except ye be ,reprobates8 ,and #b ,pet4 i4 #aj4 ,wherefore the rather1 ,brethren1 give all ,diligence to make your ,calling and ,election sure4 ,now ,i say1 ,what ,scripture-rule can assure me that ,i have true ,faith8 ,that my ,calling and ,election is sure8 ,if it be said1 ,by comparing the ,scripture-marks of true ,faith with mine3 ,i demand1 ,wherewith shall ,i make this ,observation8 ,what shall ascertain me that ,i am not mistaken8 ,it cannot be the ,scripture3 ,that is the ,matter under ,debate4 ,if it be said1 ,my own ,heart3 ,how unfit a ,judge is it in its own ,case8 ,and how like to be partial1 especially if it be yet unrenewed8 ,doth not the ,scripture say1 that it is deceitful above all ,things8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,heart of ,man deceitful4 ,i find the ,promises1 ,i find the ,threatenings in the ,scripture2 but who telleth me that the one belongs to me more than the other8 ,the ,scripture gives me a mere ,declaration of these ,things1 but makes no ,application2 so that the ,assumption must be of my own making1 thus2 as for ,example3 ,i find this ,proposition in ,scripture2 ,he that believes1 shall be saved3 ,thence ,i draw the ,assumption4 ,but ,i1 ,robert1 believe3 ,therefore1 ,i shall be saved4 ,the ,minor is of my own making1 not expressed in the ,scripture2 and so a human ,conclusion1 not a divine ,position2 so that my ,faith and ,assurance here is not built upon a ,scripture ,proposition1 but upon an human ,principle2 which1 unless ,i be sure of elsewhere1 the ,scripture gives me no ,certainty in the ,matter4 ,again1 ,if ,i should pursue the ,argument further1 and seek a new ,medium out of the ,scripture1 the same ,difficulty would occur3 ,thus1 ,he that hath the true and certain ,marks of true ,faith1 hath true ,faith3 ,but ,i have those ,marks3 ,therefore ,i have true ,faith4 ,for the ,assumption is still here of my own making1 and is not found in the ,scriptures2 and by ,consequence the ,conclusion can be no better1 since it still followeth the weaker ,proposition4 ,sidenote3 ,the inward ,testimony of the ,spirit the ,seal of ,scripture-,promises4 ,this is indeed so pungent1 that the best of ,protestants1 who plead for this ,assurance1 ascribe it to the inward ,testimony of the ,spirit1 as ,calvin1 in that large ,citation1 quoted in the ,former ,proposition4 ,so that1 not to seek farther into the ,writings of the primitive ,protestants1 which are full of such ,expressions1 even the ,westminster ,confession of ,faith affirmeth1 ,chap4 #ah4 ,sect4 #ab4 8,this ,certainty is not a bare ,conjecture and probable ,persuasion1 grounded upon fallible ,hope1 but an infallible ,assurance of ,faith1 founded upon the ,divine ,truth of the ,promise of ,salvation2 the inward ,evidences of these ,graces1 unto which these ,promises are made2 the ,testimony of the ,spirit of ,adoption1 witnessing to our ,spirits that we are the ,children of ,god2 which ,spirit is the ,earnest of our ,inheritance1 whereby we are sealed to the ,day of ,redemption40 ,moreover1 the ,scripture itself1 wherein we are so earnestly pressed to seek after this ,assurance1 doth not at all affirm itself a ,rule sufficient to give it1 but wholly ascribeth it to the ,spirit1 as ,rom4 viii4 #af4 ,the ,spirit itself beareth ,witness with our ,spirit1 that we are the ,children of ,god4 #a ,john iv4 #ac4 ,hereby know we that we dwell in him1 and he in us1 because he hath given us of his ,spirit2 and ,chap4 v4 #f4 ,and it is the ,spirit that beareth ,witness1 because the ,spirit is ,truth4 4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,that the ,scriptures are not the chief ,rule4 ,lastly1 ,that cannot be the only1 principal1 nor chief ,rule1 which doth not universally reach every ,individual that needeth it to produce the necessary ,effect2 and from the ,use of which1 either by some innocent and sinless ,defect1 or natural1 yet harmless and blameless ,imperfection1 many who are within the ,compass of the visible ,church1 and may1 without ,absurdity1 yea1 with great ,probability1 be accounted of the ,elect1 are necessarily excluded1 and that either wholly1 or at least from the immediate ,use thereof4 ,sidenote3 #a4 ,deaf ,people ,children1 and ,idiots instanced4 ,but it so falls out frequently concerning the ,scriptures1 in the ,case of deaf ,people1 ,children1 and ,idiots1 who can by no ,means have the ,benefit of the ,scriptures4 ,shall we then affirm1 that they are without any ,rule to ,god-ward1 or that they are all damned8 ,as such an ,opinion is in itself very absurd1 and inconsistent both with the ,justice and ,mercy of ,god1 so ,i know no sound ,reason can be alledged for it4 ,now if we may suppose any such to be under the ,new ,covenant ,dispensation1 as ,i know none will deny but that we may suppose it without any ,absurdity1 we cannot suppose them without some ,rule and ,means of ,knowledge2 seeing it is expresly affirmed1 ,they shall all be taught of ,god1 ,john vi4 #de4 ,and they shall all know me from the least to the greatest1 ,heb4 viii4 #aa4 ,but ,secondly1 ,though we were rid of this ,difficulty1 how many illiterate and yet good ,men are there in the ,church of ,god1 who cannot read a ,letter in their own ,mother ,tongue8 ,which ,imperfection1 though it be inconvenient1 ,i cannot tell whether we may safely affirm it to be sinful4 ,these can have no immediate ,knowledge of the ,rule of their ,faith2 so their ,faith must needs depend upon the ,credit of other ,men's ,reading or ,relating it unto them2 where either the altering1 adding1 or omitting of a little ,word may be a ,foundation in the poor ,hearer of a very dangerous ,mistake1 whereby he may either continue in some ,iniquity ignorantly1 or believe a ,lie confidently4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,papists conceal the ,second ,commandment from the ,people4 ,as for ,example1 ,the ,papists in all their ,catechisms1 and publick ,exercises of ,examinations towards the ,people1 have boldly cut away the ,second ,command1 because it seems so expresly to strike against their ,adoration and ,use of ,images2 whereas many of these ,people1 in whom by this ,omission this false ,opinion is fostered1 are under a simple ,impossibility1 or at least a very great ,difficulty1 to be outwardly informed of this ,abuse4 ,but further2 suppose all could read the ,scriptures in their own ,language2 where is there one of a ,thousand that hath that thorough ,knowledge of the ,original ,languages1 in which they are written1 so as in that ,respect immediately to receive the ,benefit of them8 ,sidenote3 #c4 ,the ,uncertainty of the ,interpreters of the ,scripture1 and their ,adulterating it4 ,must not all these here depend upon the ,honesty and ,faithfulness of the ,interpreter8 ,which how uncertain it is for a ,man to build his ,faith upon1 the many ,corrections1 ,amendments1 and various ,essays1 which even among ,protestants have been used 7whereof the latter have constantly blamed and corrected the former1 as ,guilty of ,defects and ,errors7 doth sufficiently declare4 ,and that even the last ,translators in the vulgar ,languages need to be corrected 7as ,i could prove at large1 were it proper in this ,place7 learned ,men do confess4 ,but last of all1 there is no less ,difficulty occurs even to those skilled in the ,original ,languages1 who cannot so immediately receive the ,mind of the ,authors in these ,writings1 as that their ,faith doth not at least obliquely depend upon the ,honesty and ,credit of the ,transcribers1 since the ,original ,copies are granted by all not to be now extant4 ,sidenote3 ,jerome ,epist4 #bh4 ad ,lucin4 p4 #bdg4 ,of which ,transcribers ,jerome in his ,time complained1 saying1 ,that they wrote not what they found1 but what they understood4 ,sidenote3 ,epiph4 in ,anachor4 ,tom4 ,oper4 ,and ,epiphanius saith1 ,that in the good and correct ,copies of ,luke it was written1 that ,christ ,wept1 and that ,irenus doth cite it2 but that the ,catholicks blotted it out1 fearing lest ,hereticks should have abused it4 ,other ,fathers also declare1 ,that whole ,verses were taken out of ,mark1 because of the ,manichees4 ,sidenote3 ,the various ,readings of the ,hebrew ,character1 c4 ,but further1 the various ,readings of the ,hebrew ,character by ,reason of the ,points1 which some plead for1 as coval with the first ,writings1 which others1 with no less ,probability1 alledge to be a later ,invention2 the ,disagreement of divers ,citations of ,christ and the ,apostles with those ,passages in the ,old ,testament they appeal to2 the great ,controversy among the ,fathers1 whereof some highly approve the ,greek ,septuagint1 decrying and rendering very doubtful the ,hebrew ,copy1 as in many ,places vitiated1 and altered by the ,jews2 other some1 and particularly ,jerome1 exalting the ,certainty of the ,hebrew1 and rejecting1 yea1 even deriding the ,history of the ,septuagint1 which the ,primitive ,church chiefly made use of2 and some ,fathers that lived ,centuries before him1 affirmed to be a most certain ,thing2 and the many various ,readings in divers ,copies of the ,greek1 and the great ,altercations among the ,fathers of the first three ,centuries1 who had greater ,opportunity to be better informed than we can now lay claim to1 concerning the ,books to be admitted or rejected1 as is above observed2 ,i say1 all these and much more which might be alledged1 puts the ,minds even of the ,learned into infinite ,doubts1 ,scruples1 and inextricable ,difficulties3 ,whence we may very safely conclude1 that ,jesus ,christ1 who promised to be always with his ,children1 to lead them into all ,truth1 to guard them against the ,devices of the ,enemy1 and to establish their ,faith upon an unmoveable ,rock1 left them not to be principally ruled by that1 which was subject in itself to many ,uncertainties3 ,and therefore he gave them his ,spirit as their principal ,guide1 which neither ,moths nor ,time can wear out1 nor ,transcribers nor ,translators corrupt2 which none are so young1 none so illiterate1 none in so remote a ,place but they may come to be reached1 and rightly informed by it4 ,through and by the ,clearness which that ,spirit gives us1 it is that we are only best rid of those ,difficulties that occur to us concerning the ,scriptures4 ,the real and undoubted ,experience whereof ,i myself have been a ,witness of1 with great ,admiration of the ,love of ,god to his ,children in these latter ,days3 ,sidenote3 ,wrong ,translations of ,scripture discerned in the ,spirit by the ,unlearned in ,letters4 ,for ,i have known some of my ,friends who profess the same ,faith with me1 faithful ,servants of the ,most ,high ,god1 and full of ,divine ,knowledge of his ,truth1 as it was immediately and inwardly revealed to them by the ,spirit1 from a true and living ,experience1 who not only were ignorant of the ,greek and ,hebrew1 but even some of them could not read their own vulgar ,language1 who being pressed by their ,adversaries with some ,citations out of the ,english ,translation1 and finding them to disagree with the ,manifestation of ,truth in their own ,hearts1 have boldly affirmed the ,spirit of ,god never said so1 and that it was certainly wrong2 for they did not believe that any of the holy ,prophets or ,apostles had ever written so2 which when ,i on this ,account seriously examined1 ,i really found to be ,errors and ,corruptions of the ,translators2 who 7as in most ,translations7 do not so much give us the genuine ,signification of the ,words1 as strain them to express that which comes nearest to that ,opinion and ,notion they have of ,truth4 ,and this seemed to me to suit very well with that ,saying of ,augustine1 ,epist4 #ai4 ad ,hier4 ,tom4 ii4 ,fol4 #ad4 after he has said1 8,that he gives only that ,honour to those ,books which are called ,canonical1 as to believe that the ,authors thereof did in ,writing not err10 he adds1 8,and if ,i shall meet with any ,thing in these ,writings that seemeth repugnant to ,truth1 ,i shall not doubt to say1 that either the ,volume is faulty or erroneous2 that the ,expounder hath not reached what was said2 or that ,i have in no wise understood it40 ,so that he supposes that in the ,transcription and ,translation there may be ,errors4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be then asked me1 ,whether ,i think hereby to render the ,scriptures altogether uncertain1 or useless8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,not at all4 ,the ,proposition itself declares how much ,i esteem them2 and provided that to the ,spirit from which they came be but granted that ,place the ,scriptures themselves give it1 ,i do freely concede to the ,scriptures the second ,place1 even whatsoever they say of themselves2 which the ,apostle ,paul chiefly mentions in two ,places1 ,rom4 xv4 #d4 ,whatsoever ,things were written aforetime1 were written for our ,learning1 that we through ,patience and ,comfort of the ,scriptures might have ,hope4 #b ,tim4 iii4 #ae1 #af1 #ag4 ,the ,holy ,scriptures are able to make wise unto ,salvation1 through ,faith which is in ,jesus ,christ4 ,all ,scripture given by ,inspiration of ,god1 is profitable for ,correction1 for ,instruction in ,righteousness1 that the ,man of ,god may be perfect1 throughly furnished unto every good ,work4 ,for though ,god doth principally and chiefly lead us by his ,spirit1 yet he sometimes conveys his ,comfort and ,consolation to us through his ,children1 whom he raises up and inspires to speak or write a ,word in ,season1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,saints mutual ,comfort is the same ,spirit in all4 whereby the ,saints are made ,instruments in the ,hand of the ,lord to strengthen and encourage one another1 which doth also tend to perfect and make them wise unto ,salvation2 and such as are led by the ,spirit cannot neglect1 but do naturally love1 and are wonderfully cherished by1 that which proceedeth from the same ,spirit in another2 because such mutual ,emanations of the heavenly ,life tend to quicken the ,mind1 when at any ,time it is overtaken with ,heaviness4 ,peter himself declares this to have been the ,end of his ,writing1 #b ,pet4 i4 #ab1 #ac4 ,wherefore ,i will not be negligent to put you always in ,remembrance of these ,things1 though ye know them1 and be established in the present ,truth2 yea1 ,i think it meet1 as long as ,i am in this ,tabernacle1 to stir you up1 by putting you in ,remembrance4 ,god is ,teacher of his ,people himself2 and there is nothing more express1 than that such as are under the ,new ,covenant1 need no ,man to teach them3 ,yet it was a ,fruit of ,christ's ,ascension to send ,teachers and ,pastors for perfecting of the ,saints4 ,so that the same ,work is ascribed to the ,scriptures as to ,teachers2 the one to make the ,man of ,god perfect1 the other for the ,perfection of the ,saints4 ,as then ,teachers are not to go before the teaching of ,god himself under the ,new ,covenant1 but to follow after it2 neither are they to rob us of that great ,privilege which ,christ hath purchased unto us by his ,blood2 so neither is the ,scripture to go before the teaching of the ,spirit1 or to rob us of it4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,god hath seen meet that herein we should1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,scriptures a ,looking-,glass4 as in a ,looking-,glass1 see the ,conditions and ,experiences of the ,saints of old2 that finding our ,experience answer to theirs1 we might thereby be the more confirmed and comforted1 and our ,hope of obtaining the same ,end strengthened2 that observing the ,providences attending them1 seeing the ,snares they were liable to1 and beholding their ,deliverances1 we may thereby be made wise unto ,salvation1 and seasonably reproved and instructed in ,righteousness4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,scriptures ,work and ,service4 ,this is the great ,work of the ,scriptures1 and their ,service to us1 that we may witness them fulfilled in us1 and so discern the ,stamp of ,god's ,spirit and ,ways upon them1 by the inward ,acquaintance we have with the same ,spirit and ,work in our ,hearts4 ,the ,prophecies of the ,scriptures are also very comfortable and profitable unto us1 as the same ,spirit enlightens us to observe them fulfilled1 and to be fulfilled2 for in all this it is to be observed1 that it is only the ,spiritual ,man that can make a right ,use of them3 ,they are able to make the ,man of ,god perfect 7so it is not the ,natural ,man7 and whatsoever was written aforetime1 was written for our ,comfort1 our that are the ,believers1 our that are the ,saints2 concerning such the ,apostle speaks3 ,for as for the others1 the ,apostle ,peter plainly declares1 that the ,unstable and ,unlearned wrest them to their own ,destruction3 ,these were they that were unlearned in the ,divine and ,heavenly ,learning of the ,spirit1 not in ,human and ,school ,literature2 in which we may safely presume that ,peter himself1 being a ,fisherman1 had no ,skill2 for it may with great ,probability1 yea ,certainty1 be affirmed1 ,sidenote3 ,logick4 that he had no ,knowledge of ,aristotle's ,logick1 which both ,papists and ,protestants now1#dg degenerating from the ,simplicity of ,truth1 make the ,handmaid of ,divinity1 as they call it1 and a necessary ,introduction to their carnal1 natural1 and human ,ministry4 ,by the infinite obscure ,labours of which ,kind of ,men1 intermixing their ,heathenish ,stuff1 the ,scripture is rendered at this ,day of so little ,service to the simple ,people3 ,whereof if ,jerome complained in his ,time1 now twelve ,hundred ,years ago1 ,jerome ,epist4 #acd4 ad ,cypr4 ,tom4 #c4 saying1 ,it is wont to befal the most ,part of learned ,men1 that it is harder to understand their ,expositions1 than the ,things which they go about to expound3 what may we say now1 considering those great ,heaps of ,commentaries since1 in ,ages yet far more corrupted8 #dg #afge4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,scriptures a ,secondary ,rule4 ,in this ,respect above-mentioned then we have shewn what ,service and ,use the ,holy ,scriptures1 as managed in and by the ,spirit1 are of to the ,church of ,god2 wherefore we do account them a ,secondary ,rule4 ,moreover1 because they are commonly acknowledged by all to have been written by the ,dictates of the ,holy ,spirit1 and that the ,errors which may be supposed by the ,injury of ,times to have slipt in1 are not such but that there is a sufficient clear ,testimony left to all the ,essentials of the ,christian ,faith2 we do look upon them as the only fit outward judge of ,controversies among ,christians2 and that whatsoever ,doctrine is contrary unto their ,testimony1 may therefore justly be rejected as false4 ,and for our ,parts1 we are very willing that all our ,doctrines and ,practices be tried by them2 which we never refused1 nor ever shall1 in all ,controversies with our ,adversaries1 as the judge and ,test4 ,we shall also be very willing to admit it as a positive certain ,maxim1 ,that whatsoever any do1 pretending to the ,spirit1 which is contrary to the ,scriptures1 be accounted and reckoned a ,delusion of the ,devil4 ,for as we never lay claim to the ,spirit's ,leadings1 that we may cover ourselves in any ,thing that is evil2 so we know1 that as every ,evil contradicts the ,scriptures1 so it doth also the ,spirit in the first ,place1 from which the ,scriptures came1 and whose ,motions can never contradict one another1 though they may appear sometimes to be contradictory to the blind ,eye of the natural ,man1 as ,paul and ,james seem to contradict one another4 ,thus far we have shewn both what we believe1 and what we believe not1 concerning the ,holy ,scriptures1 hoping we have given them their due ,place4 ,but since they that will needs have them to be the only1 certain1 and principal ,rule1 want not some ,shew of ,arguments1 even from the ,scripture itself 7though it no where calls itself so7 by which they labour to prove their ,doctrine2 ,i shall briefly lay them down by ,way of ,objections1 and answer them1 before ,i make an ,end of this ,matter4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,their first ,objection is usually drawn from ,isaiah viii4 #bj4 ,to the ,law and to the ,testimony2 if they speak not according to this ,word1 it is because there is no ,light in them4 ,now this ,law1 ,testimony1 and ,word1 they plead to be the ,scriptures4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,to which ,i answer2 ,that that is to beg the ,thing in ,question1 and remains yet unproved4 ,nor do ,i know for what ,reason we may not safely affirm this ,law and ,word to be ,inward3 ,but suppose it was ,outward1 it proves not the ,case at all for them1 neither makes it against us2 for it may be confessed1 without any ,prejudice to our ,cause1 that the outward ,law was more particularly to the ,jews a ,rule1 and more principally than to us2 seeing their ,law was outward and literal1 but ours1 under the ,new ,covenant 7as hath been already said7 is expresly affirmed to be ,inward and ,spiritual2 so that this ,scripture is so far from making against us1 that it makes for us4 ,sidenote3 ,to try all ,things1 by what8 ,for if the ,jews were directed to try all ,things by their ,law1 which was without them1 written in ,tables of ,stone2 then if we will have this ,advice of the ,prophet to reach us1 we must make it hold parallel to that ,dispensation of the ,gospel which we are under3 ,so that we are to try all ,things1 in the first ,place1 by that ,word of ,faith which is preached unto us1 which the ,apostle saith is in the ,heart2 and by that ,law which ,god hath given us1 which the ,apostle saith also expresly is written and placed in the ,mind4 ,lastly1 ,if we look to this ,place according to the ,greek ,interpretation of the ,septuagint1 our ,adversaries shall have nothing from thence to carp2 yea1 it will favour us much2 for there it is said1 that the ,law is given us for an ,help2 which very well agrees with what is above asserted4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,their second ,objection is from ,john v4 #ci4 ,search the ,scriptures1 c4 ,here1 say they1 we are commanded1 by ,christ himself1 to search the ,scriptures4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,i answer1 ,first1 ,that the ,scriptures ought to be searched1 we do not at all deny2 but are very willing to be tried by them1 as hath been above declared3 ,but the ,question is1 ,whether they be the ,only and ,principal ,rule8 ,which this is so far from proving1 that it proveth the contrary2 ,sidenote3 ,search the ,scripture1 c4 for ,christ checks them here for too high an ,esteem of the ,scriptures1 and neglecting of him that was to be preferred before them1 and to whom they bore ,witness1 as the following ,words declare2 ,for in them ye think ye have eternal ,life1 and they are they which testify of me3 and ye will not come unto me1 that ye might have ,life4 ,this shews1 that while they thought they had ,eternal ,life in the ,scriptures1 they neglected to come unto ,christ to have ,life1 of which the ,scriptures bore witness4 ,this answers well to our ,purpose1 since our ,adversaries now do also exalt the ,scriptures1 and think to have ,life in them2 which is no more than to look upon them as the only principal ,rule and ,way to ,life1 and yet refuse to come unto the ,spirit of which they testify1 even the inward spiritual ,law1 which could give them ,life3 ,so that the ,cause of this ,people's ,ignorance and ,unbelief was not their ,want of ,respect to the ,scriptures1 which though they knew1 and had an high ,esteem of1 yet ,christ testifies in the former ,verses1 that they had neither seen the ,father1 nor heard his ,voice at any ,time2 neither had his ,word abiding in them2 which had they then had1 then they had believed in the ,son4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,moreover1 that ,place may be taken in the ,indicative ,mood1 ,ye search the ,scriptures2 which ,interpretation the ,greek ,word will bear1 and so ,pasor translateth it3 ,which by the ,reproof following1 seemeth also to be the more genuine ,interpretation1 as ,cyrillus long ago hath observed4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,their third ,objection is from these ,words1 ,acts xvii4 #aa4 ,these were more noble than those in ,thessalonica1 in that they received the ,word with all ,readiness of ,mind1 and searched the ,scriptures daily1 whether those ,things were so4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,here1 say they1 the ,bereans are commended for searching the ,scriptures1 and making them the ,rule4 ,i answer2 ,that the ,scriptures either are the principal or only ,rule1 will not at all follow from this2 neither will their searching the ,scriptures1 or being commended for it1 infer any such ,thing3 ,for we recommend and approve the ,use of them in that ,respect as much as any2 yet will it not follow1 that we affirm them to be the principal and only ,rule4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,it is to be observed that these were the ,jews of ,berea1 to whom these ,scriptures1 which were the ,law and the ,prophets1 were more particularly a ,rule2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,bereans searching the ,scriptures1 makes them not the only ,rule to try ,doctrines4 and the ,thing under ,examination was1 whether the ,birth1 ,life1 ,works1 and ,sufferings of ,christ1 did answer to the ,prophecies concerning him2 so that it was most proper for them1 being ,jews1 to examine the ,apostle's ,doctrine by the ,scriptures2 seeing he pleaded it to be a fulfilling of them4 ,it is said nevertheless1 in the first ,place1 ,that they received the ,word with ,chearfulness2 and in the second ,place1 ,they searched the ,scriptures3 ,not that they searched the ,scriptures1 and then received the ,word2 for then could they not have prevailed to convert them1 had they not first minded the ,word abiding in them1 which opened their ,understandings2 no more than the ,scribes and ,pharisees1 who 7as in the former ,objection we observed7 searched the ,scriptures1 and exalted them1 and yet remained in their ,unbelief1 because they had not the ,word abiding in them4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #c4 ,but ,lastly1 ,if this ,commendation of the ,jewish ,bereans might infer that the ,scriptures were the only and principal ,rule to try the ,apostle's ,doctrine by1 what should have become of the ,gentiles8 ,how should they ever have come to have received the ,faith of ,christ1 who neither knew the ,scriptures1 nor believed them8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,athenians instanced4 ,we see in the ,end of the same ,chapter1 how the ,apostle1 preaching to the ,athenians1 took another ,method1 and directed them to somewhat of ,god within themselves1 that they might feel after him4 ,he did not go about to proselyte them to the ,jewish ,religion1 and to the ,belief of the ,law and the ,prophets1 and from thence to prove the coming of ,christ2 nay1 he took a nearer ,way4 ,now certainly the principal and only ,rule is not different2 one to the ,jews1 and another to the ,gentiles2 but is ,universal1 reaching both3 ,though secondary and subordinate ,rules and ,means may be various1 and diversly suited1 according as the ,people they are used to are stated and circumstanced3 ,even so we see that the ,apostle to the ,athenians used a ,testimony of one of their own ,poets1 which he judged would have ,credit with them2 and no doubt such ,testimonies1 whose ,authors they esteemed1 had more ,weight with them than all the ,sayings of ,moses and the ,prophets1 whom they neither knew nor would have cared for4 ,now because the ,apostle used the ,testimony of a ,poet to the ,athenians1 will it therefore follow1 he made that the principal or only ,rule to try his ,doctrine by8 ,so neither will it follow1 that though he made use of the ,scriptures to the ,jews1 as being a ,principle already believed by them1 to try his ,doctrine1 that from thence the ,scriptures may be accounted the principal or only ,rule4 4 ,,ix4 ,the last1 and that which at first ,view seems to be the greatest ,objection1 is this3 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #d4 ,if the ,scripture be not the adequate1 principal1 and only ,rule1 then it would follow that the ,scripture is not complete1 nor the ,canon filled2 that if ,men be now immediately led and ruled by the ,spirit1 they may add new ,scriptures of equal ,authority with the ,old2 whereas every one that adds is cursed3 ,yea1 what ,assurance have we1 but at this ,rate every one may bring in a new ,gospel according to his ,fancy8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,the dangerous ,consequences insinuated in this ,objection were fully answered in the latter ,part of the last ,proposition1 in what was said a little before1 offering freely to disclaim all pretended ,revelations contrary to the ,scriptures4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,but if it be urged1 ,that it is not enough to deny these ,consequences1 if they naturally follow from your ,doctrine of ,immediate ,revelation1 and denying the ,scripture to be the only ,rule3 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,i answer2 ,we have proved both these ,doctrines to be true and necessary1 according to the ,scriptures themselves2 and therefore to fasten evil ,consequences upon them1 which we make appear do not follow1 is not to accuse us1 but ,christ and his ,apostles1 who preached them4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,but ,secondly1 ,we have shut the ,door upon all such ,doctrine in this very ,position2 affirming1 ,that the ,scriptures give a full and ample ,testimony to all the principal ,doctrines of the ,christian ,faith4 ,for we do firmly believe that there is no other ,gospel or ,doctrine to be preached1 but that which was delivered by the ,apostles2 and do freely subscribe to that ,saying1 #dh,let him that preacheth any other ,gospel1 than that which hath been already preached by the ,apostles1 and according to the ,scriptures1 be accursed4 #dh ,gal4 i4 #h4 ,sidenote3 ,a new ,revelation is not a new ,gospel4 ,so we distinguish betwixt a ,revelation of a new ,gospel1 and new ,doctrines1 and a new ,revelation of the good old ,gospel and ,doctrines2 the last we plead for1 but the first we utterly deny4 ,for we firmly believe1 ,that no other ,foundation can any ,man lay1 than that which is laid already4 ,but that this ,revelation is necessary we have already proved2 and this ,distinction doth sufficiently guard us against the ,hazard insinuated in the ,objection4 ,sidenote3 ,books ,canonical4 ,as to the ,scriptures being a filled ,canon1 ,i see no ,necessity of believing it4 ,and if these ,men1 that believe the ,scriptures to be the only ,rule1 will be consistent with their own ,doctrine1 they must needs be of my ,judgment2 seeing it is simply impossible to prove the ,canon by the ,scriptures4 ,for it cannot be found in any ,book of the ,scriptures1 that these ,books1 and just these1 and no other1 are ,canonical1 as all are forced to acknowledge2 how can they then evite this ,argument8 ,that which cannot be proved by ,scripture is no necessary ,article of ,faith4 ,but the ,canon of the ,scripture2 to wit1 that there are so many ,books precisely1 neither more nor less1 cannot be proved by ,scripture3 ,therefore1 it is no necessary ,article of ,faith4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,if they should allege2 ,that the admitting of any other ,books to be now written by the same ,spirit might infer the ,admission of new ,doctrines3 ,i deny that ,consequence2 for the ,principal or ,fundamental ,doctrines of the ,christian ,religion are contained in the tenth ,part of the ,scripture2 but it will not follow thence that the ,rest are impertinent1 or useless4 ,sidenote3 ,books lost4 ,if it should please ,god to bring to us any of those ,books1 which by the ,injury of ,time are lost1 which are mentioned in the ,scripture2 as1 ,the ,prophecy of ,enoch1 the ,book of ,nathan1 c4 or1 the ,third ,epistle of ,paul to the ,corinthians2 ,i see no ,reason why we ought not to receive them1 and place them with the ,rest4 ,that which displeaseth me is1 that ,men should first affirm that the ,scripture is the only and principal ,rule1 and yet make that a great ,article of ,faith into which the ,scripture can give us no ,light4 ,as for ,instance3 ,how shall a ,protestant prove by ,scripture1 to such as deny the ,epistle of ,james to be authentick1 that it ought to be received8 ,first1 ,if he would say1 ,because it contradicts not the ,rest1 7besides that there is no ,mention of it in any of the ,rest7 perhaps these ,men think it doth contradict ,paul in ,relation to ,faith and ,works4 ,but1 if that should be granted1 it would as well follow1 that every ,writer that contradicts not the ,scripture1 should be put into the ,canon2 and by this ,means these ,men fall into a greater ,absurdity than they fix upon us3 ,for thus they would equal every one the ,writings of their own ,sect with the ,scriptures2 for ,i suppose they judge their own ,confession of ,faith doth not contradict the ,scriptures3 ,will it therefore follow that it should be bound up with the ,bible8 ,and yet it seems impossible1 according to their ,principles1 to bring any better ,argument to prove the ,epistle of ,james to be ,authentick4 ,sidenote3 ,whether the ,epistle of ,james be authentick1 and how to know it8 ,there is then this unavoidable ,necessity to say1 ,we know it by the same ,spirit from which it was written2 or otherwise to step back to ,rome1 and say1 ,we know by ,tradition that the ,church hath declared it to be ,canonical2 and the ,church is ,infallible4 ,let them find a ,mean1 if they can4 ,so that out of this ,objection we shall draw an unanswerable ,argument ad ,hominem1 to our ,purpose4 ,that which cannot assure me concerning an ,article of ,faith necessary to be believed1 is not the primary1 adequate1 only ,rule of ,faith1 c4 ,therefore1 c4 ,i prove the ,assumption thus3 ,that which cannot assure me concerning the ,canon of the ,scripture1 to wit1 that such ,books are only to be admitted1 and the ,apocrypha excluded1 cannot assure me of this3 ,therefore1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,and ,lastly1 ,as to these ,words1 ,rev4 xxii4 #ah4 ,that if any ,man shall add unto these ,things1 ,god shall add unto him the ,plagues that are written in this ,book2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i desire they will shew me how it relates to any ,thing else than to that particular ,prophecy4 ,it saith not1 ,now the ,canon of the ,scripture is filled up1 no ,man is to write more from the ,spirit2 yea1 do not all confess that there have been ,prophecies and true ,prophets since8 ,the ,papists deny it not4 ,and do not the ,protestants affirm1 that ,john ,hus prophesied of the ,reformation8 ,was he therefore cursed8 ,or did he therein ,evil8 ,i could give many other ,examples1 confessed by themselves4 ,sidenote3 ,what it means to add to the ,scriptures4 ,but1 moreover1 the same was in ,effect commanded long before1 ,prov4 xxx4 #f4 ,add thou not unto his ,words1 lest he reprove thee1 and thou be found a ,liar3 ,yet how many ,books of the ,prophets were written after8 ,and the same was said by ,moses1 ,deut4 iv4 #b4 ,ye shall not add unto the ,word which ,i command you2 neither shall ye diminish aught from it4 ,so that1 though we should extend that of the ,revelation beyond the particular ,prophecy of that ,book1 it cannot be understood but of a new ,gospel1 or new ,doctrines1 or of restraining ,man's ,spirit1 that he mix not his ,human ,words with the ,divine2 and not of a new ,revelation of the ,old1 as we have said before4 ,,proposition ,,iv4 ,concerning the ,condition of ,,man in the ,,fall4 ,all ,adam's ,posterity1 or ,mankind1 both ,jews and ,gentiles1 as to the first ,adam1 or ,earthly ,man1 is fallen1 degenerated1 and dead2 deprived of the ,sensation or ,feeling of this ,inward ,testimony or ,seed of ,god2 #di;and is subject unto the ,power1 ,nature1 and ,seed of the ,serpent1 which he soweth in ,men's ,hearts1 while they abide in this natural and corrupted ,estate3 ,from whence it comes1 that not only their ,words and ,deeds1 but all their ,imaginations1 are ,evil perpetually in the ,sight of ,god1 as proceeding from this depraved and wicked ,seed4 ,man therefore1 as he is in this ,state1 can know ,nothing aright2 yea1 his ,thoughts and ,conceptions concerning ,god and ,things ,spiritual1 until he be disjoined from this ,evil ,seed1 and united to the ,divine ,light1 are unprofitable both to himself and others4 ,hence are rejected the ,socinian and ,pelagian ,errors1 in exalting a ,natural ,light2 as also of the ,papists1 and most ,protestants1 who affirm1 ,that ,man1 without the true ,grace of ,god1 may be a true ,minister of the ,gospel4 ,nevertheless1 this ,seed is not imputed to ,infants1 until by ,transgression they actually join themselves therewith2 #ej;for they are by ,nature the ,children of ,wrath1 who walk according to the ,power of the ,prince of the ,air1 the ,spirit that now worketh in the ,children of ,disobedience1 having their ,conversation in the ,lusts of the ,flesh1 fulfilling the ,desires of the ,flesh1 and of the ,mind4 #di ,rom4 #e4 #ab1 #ae4 #ej ,ephes4 #b4 4 ,i4 ,hitherto we have discoursed how the ,true ,knowledge of ,god is attained and preserved2 also of what ,use and ,service the ,holy ,scripture is to the ,saints4 ,we come now to examine the ,state and ,condition of ,man as he stands in the ,fall2 what his ,capacity and ,power is2 and how far he is able1 as of himself1 to advance in ,relation to the ,things of ,god4 ,of this we touched a little in the ,beginning of the second ,proposition2 but the full1 right1 and thorough ,understanding of it is of great ,use and ,service2 because from the ,ignorance and ,altercations that have been about it1 there have arisen great and dangerous ,errors1 both on the one ,hand and on the other4 ,while some do so far exalt the ,light of ,nature1 or the ,faculty of the ,natural ,man1 as capable of himself1 by ,virtue of the inward ,will1 ,faculty1 ,light and ,power1 that pertains to his ,nature1 to follow that which is good1 and make real ,progress towards ,heaven4 ,and of these are the ,pelagians1 and ,semi-,pelagians of ,old2 and of late the ,socinians1 and divers others among the ,papists4 ,others again will needs run into another ,extreme1 ,sidenote3 ,augustine's ,zeal against ,pelagius4 7to whom ,augustine1 among the ,ancients1 first made ,way in his declining ,age1 through the ,heat of his ,zeal against ,pelagius7 not only confessing ,man uncapable of himself to do ,good1 and prone to ,evil2 but that in his very ,mother's ,womb1 and before he commits any actual ,transgression1 he is contaminate with a real ,guilt1 whereby he deserves eternal ,death3 ,in which ,respect they are not afraid to affirm1 ,that many poor ,infants are ,eternally ,damned1 and for ever endure the ,torments of ,hell4 ,therefore the ,god of ,truth1 having now again revealed his ,truth 7that good and even ,way7 by his own ,spirit1 hath taught us to avoid both these ,extremes4 ,that then which our ,proposition leads to treat of is1 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,first1 ,what the ,condition of ,man is in the ,fall2 and how far uncapable to meddle in the ,things of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,and ,secondly1 ,that ,god doth not impute this ,evil to ,infants1 until they actually join with it3 ,that so1 by ,establishing the ,truth1 we may overturn the ,errors on both ,parts4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,and1 as for that ,third ,thing included in the ,proposition itself concerning these ,teachers which want the ,grace of ,god1 we shall refer that to the tenth ,proposition1 where the ,matter is more particularly handled4 4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,part ,i4 ,adam's ,fall4 ,as to the first1 not to dive into the many curious ,notions which many have concerning the ,condition of ,adam before the ,fall1 all agree in this1 ,that thereby he came to a very great ,loss1 not only in the ,things which related to the outward ,man1 but in ,regard to that true ,fellowship and ,communion he had with ,god4 ,this ,loss was signified unto him in the ,command1 ,for in the ,day thou eatest thereof1 thou shalt surely die1 ,gen4 ii4 #ag4 ,this ,death could not be an outward ,death1 or the ,dissolution of the outward ,man2 for as to that1 he did not die yet many ,hundred ,years after2 so that it must needs respect his spiritual ,life and ,communion with ,god4 ,the ,consequence of this ,fall1 besides that which relates to the ,fruits of the ,earth1 is also expressed1 ,gen4 iii4 #bd4 ,so he drove out the ,man1 and he placed at the ,east of the ,garden of ,eden ,cherubims1 and a flaming ,sword1 which turned every ,way1 to keep the ,way of the ,tree of ,life4 ,now whatsoever literal ,signification this may have1 we may safely ascribe to this ,paradise a mystical ,signification1 and truly account it that spiritual ,communion and ,fellowship1 which the ,saints obtain with ,god by ,jesus ,christ2 to whom only these ,cherubims give ,way1 and unto as many as enter by him1 who calls himself the ,door4 ,sidenote3 ,guilt not ascribed to ,adam's ,posterity4 ,so that1 though we do not ascribe any ,whit of ,adam's ,guilt to ,men1 until they make it theirs by the like ,acts of ,disobedience2 yet we cannot suppose that ,men1 who are come of ,adam naturally1 can have any good ,thing in their ,nature1 as belonging to it2 which he1 from whom they derive their ,nature1 had not himself to communicate unto them4 ,if then we may affirm1 that ,adam did not retain in his ,nature 7as belonging thereunto7 any ,will or ,light capable to give him ,knowledge in spiritual ,things1 then neither can his ,posterity3 ,for whatsoever real ,good any ,man doth1 it proceedeth not from his ,nature1 as he is ,man1 or the ,son of ,adam2 but from the ,seed of ,god in him1 as a new ,visitation of ,life1 in order to bring him out of this natural ,condition3 ,so that1 though it be in him1 yet it is not of him2 and this the ,lord himself witnessed1 ,gen4 vi4 #e4 where it is said1 he saw that every ,imagination of the ,thoughts of his ,heart was only evil continually3 ,which ,words as they are very positive1 so are they very comprehensive4 ,sidenote3 ,every ,imagination of the natural ,man is evil4 ,observe the ,emphasis of them2 ,first1 ,there is every ,imagination of the ,thoughts of his ,heart2 so that this admits of no ,exception of any ,imagination of the ,thoughts of his ,heart4 ,secondly1 ,is only evil continually2 it is neither in some ,part evil continually1 nor yet only evil at some ,times2 but both only evil1 and always and continually evil2 which certainly excludes any ,good1 as a proper ,effect of ,man's ,heart1 naturally3 ,for that which is only evil1 and that always1 cannot of its own ,nature produce any good ,thing4 ,the ,lord expressed this again a little after1 ,chap4 viii4 #ba4 ,the ,imagination of ,man's ,heart is evil from his ,youth4 ,thus inferring how natural and proper it is unto him2 from which ,i thus argue3 ,if the ,thoughts of ,man's ,heart be not only evil1 but always evil2 then are they1 as they simply proceed from his ,heart1 neither good in ,part1 nor at any ,time3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore the ,last4 ,again1 ,if ,man's ,thoughts be always and only evil1 then are they altogether useless and ineffectual to him in the ,things of ,god3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore the ,last4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,heart of ,man deceitful4 ,secondly1 ,this appears clearly from that ,saying of the ,prophet ,jeremiah1 ,chap4 xvii4 #i4 ,the ,heart is deceitful above all ,things1 and desperately wicked4 ,for who can with any ,colour of ,reason imagine1 that that which is so hath any ,power of itself1 or is in any wise fit1 to lead a ,man to ,righteousness1 whereunto it is of its own ,nature directly opposite8 ,this is as contrary to ,reason1 as it is impossible in ,nature1 that a ,stone of its own ,nature and proper ,motion1 should fly upwards3 ,for as a ,stone of its own ,nature inclineth and is prone to move downwards towards the ,center1 so the ,heart of ,man is naturally prone and inclined to ,evil1 some to one1 and some to another4 ,from this then ,i also thus argue3 ,that which is deceitful above all ,things1 and desperately wicked1 is not fit1 neither can it lead a ,man aright in ,things that are good and honest4 ,but the ,heart of ,man is such3 ,therefore1 c4 #ea;,but the ,apostle ,paul describeth the ,condition of ,men in the ,fall at large1 taking it out of the ,psalmist4 ,there is none righteous1 no not one2 ,there is none that understandeth1 there is none that seeketh after ,god4 ,they are all gone out of the ,way1 they are altogether become unprofitable2 there is none that doth good1 no not one4 ,sidenote3 ,man's ,estate in the ,fall4,their ,throat is an open ,sepulchre1 with their ,tongues they have used ,deceit1 the ,poison of ,asps is under their ,lips3 ,whose ,mouths are full of ,cursing and ,bitterness4 ,their ,feet are swift to shed ,blood2 ,destruction and ,misery are in their ,ways3 ,and the ,way of ,peace have they not known4 ,there is no ,fear of ,god before their ,eyes4 ,what more positive can be spoken8 ,he seemeth to be particularly careful to avoid that any ,good should be ascribed to the natural ,man2 he shews how he is polluted in all his ,ways2 he shews how he is void of ,righteousness1 of ,understanding1 of the ,knowledge of ,god2 how he is out of the ,way1 and in short unprofitable2 than which nothing can be more fully said to confirm our ,judgment3 ,for if this be the ,condition of the natural ,man1 or of the ,man as he stands in the ,fall1 he is unfit to make one right ,step to ,heaven4 #ea ,rom4 #c4 #aj4 ,psal4 #ad4 #c4 #ec4 #b1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,that is not spoken of the ,condition of ,man in general2 but only of some ,particulars1 or at the least that it comprehends not all2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,the ,text sheweth the clear ,contrary in the foregoing ,verses1 where the ,apostle takes in himself1 as he stood in his natural ,condition4 ,what then8 ,are we better than they8 ,no1 in no wise2 for we have before proved both ,jews and ,gentiles1 that they are all under ,sin1 as it is written3 ,and so he goes on2 by which it is manifest that he speaks of ,mankind in general4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if they object that which the same ,apostle saith in the foregoing ,chapter1 ,ver4 #ad4 to wit1 ,that the ,gentiles do by ,nature the ,things contained in the ,law1 and so consequently do by ,nature that which is good and acceptable in the ,sight of ,god2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,i answer2 ,this ,nature must not1 neither can be understood of ,man's own ,nature1 which is corrupt and fallen2 but of the ,spiritual ,nature1 which proceedeth from the ,seed of ,god in ,man1 as it receiveth a new ,visitation of ,god's ,love1 and is quickened by it3 ,which clearly appears by the following ,words1 where he saith1 ,sidenote3 ,by what ,nature the ,gentiles did do the ,things of the ,law4 ,these not having a ,law1 7i4 e4 outwardly7 are a ,law unto themselves2 which shews the ,work of the ,law written in their ,hearts4 ,these ,acts of theirs then are an ,effect of the ,law written in their ,hearts2 but the ,scripture declareth1 that the ,writing of the ,law in the ,heart is a ,part1 yea1 and a great ,part too1 of the ,new ,covenant ,dispensation1 and so no ,consequence nor ,part of ,man's ,nature4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,if this ,nature here spoken of could be understood of ,man's own ,nature1 which he hath as he is a ,man1 then would the ,apostle unavoidably contradict himself2 since he elsewhere positively declares1 ,sidenote3 ,the natural ,man discerneth not1 c4 ,that the natural ,man discerneth not the ,things of ,god1 nor can4 ,now ,i hope the ,law of ,god is among the ,things of ,god1 especially as it is written in the ,heart4 ,the ,apostle1 in the viith ,chap4 of the same ,epistle1 saith1 ,ver4 #ab4 that the ,law is1 ,holy1 ,just1 and ,good2 and ,ver4 #ad4 the ,law is ,spiritual1 but he is ,carnal4 ,now in what ,respect is he ,carnal1 but as he stands in the ,fall unregenerate8 ,now what ,inconsistency would here be1 to say1 ,that he is ,carnal1 and yet not so of his own ,nature1 seeing it is from his ,nature that he is so denominated8 ,we see the ,apostle contra-distinguisheth the ,law as ,spiritual1 from ,man's ,nature as ,carnal and ,sinful4 ,wherefore1 as ,christ saith1 #eb,there can no ,grapes be expected from ,thorns1 nor ,figs of ,thistles2 so neither can the fulfilling of the ,law1 which is ,spiritual1 ,holy1 and ,just1 be expected from that ,nature which is ,corrupt1 ,fallen1 and ,unregenerate4 ,whence we conclude1 with good ,reason1 that the ,nature here spoken of1 by which the ,gentiles are said to have done the ,things contained in the ,law1 is not the common ,nature of ,men2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,gentiles ,spiritual ,nature in doing the ,law4 but that ,spiritual ,nature that ariseth from the ,works of the righteous and ,spiritual ,law that is written in the ,heart4 ,i confess they of the other ,extreme1 when they are pressed with this ,testimony by the ,socinians and ,pelagians1 as well as by us when we use this ,scripture1 to shew them how some of the ,heathens1 by the ,light of ,christ in their ,heart1 came to be saved1 are very far to seek2 giving this ,answer1 ,that there were some ,reliques of the heavenly ,image left in ,adam1 by which the ,heathens could do some good ,things4 ,which1 as it is in itself without ,proof1 so it contradicts their own ,assertions elsewhere1 and gives away their ,cause4 ,for if these ,reliques were of ,force to enable them to fulfil the righteous ,law of ,god1 it takes away the ,necessity of ,christ's coming2 or at least leaves them a ,way to be saved without him2 unless they will say 7which is worst of all7 ,that though they really fulfilled the righteous ,law of ,god1 yet ,god damned them1 because of the ,want of that particular ,knowledge1 while he himself with-held all ,means of their coming to him from them2 but of this hereafter4 #eb ,mat4 #g4 #af4 4 ,,iii4 ,i might also here use another ,argument from these ,words of the ,apostle1 #a ,cor4 ii4 where he so positively excludes the natural ,man from an ,understanding in the ,things of ,god2 but because ,i have spoken of that ,scripture in the ,beginning of the second ,proposition1 ,i will here avoid to repeat what is there mentioned1 referring thereunto3 ,sidenote3 ,socinians exalting the ,light of the natural ,man4 ,yet because the ,socinians and others1 who exalt the ,light of the natural ,man1 or a natural ,light in ,man1 do object against this ,scripture1 ,i shall remove it before ,i proceed4#ec #ec ,antequam progrediar4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,they say1 ,the ,greek ,word ,greek3 psychikos3 ought to be translated animal1 and not natural2 else1 say they1 it would have been ,greek3 physikos3 4 ,from which they seek to infer1 that it is only the ,animal ,man1 and not the ,rational1 that is excluded here from discerning the ,things of ,god4 ,which ,shift1 without disputing about the ,word1 is easily refuted2 neither is it any wise consistent with the ,scope of the ,place4 ,for ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,animal ,life is the same with ,natural4 ,first1 ,the ,animal ,life is no other than that which ,man hath in common with other living ,creatures2 for as he is a mere ,man1 he differs no otherwise from ,beasts than by the ,rational ,property4 ,now the ,apostle deduceth his ,argument in the foregoing ,verses from this ,simile2 ,that as the ,things of a ,man cannot be known but by the ,spirit of a ,man1 so the ,things of ,god no ,man knoweth but by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,but ,i hope these ,men will confess unto me1 that the ,things of a ,man are not known by the ,animal ,spirit only1 i4 e4 by that which he hath in common with the ,beasts1 but by the ,rational2 so that it must be the ,rational that is here understood4 ,again1 the ,assumption shews clearly that the ,apostle had no such ,intent as these ,men's ,gloss would make him have1 viz4 ,so the ,things of ,god knoweth no ,man1 but the ,spirit of ,god4 ,according to their ,judgment he should have said1 ,the ,things of ,god knoweth no ,man by his ,animal ,spirit1 but by his ,rational ,spirit3 ,for to say1 ,the ,spirit of ,god1 here spoken of1 is no other than the ,rational ,spirit of ,man1 would border upon ,blasphemy1 since they are so often contra-distinguished4 ,again1 going on1 he saith not that they are ,rationally1 but ,spiritually discerned4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,the ,apostle throughout this ,chapter shews how the ,wisdom of ,man is unfit to judge of the ,things of ,god1 and ignorant of them4 ,now ,i ask these ,men1 whether a ,man be called a ,wise ,man from his ,animal ,property1 or from his ,rational8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,rational ,man in the ,natural ,state excluded from discerning the ,things of ,god4 ,if from his ,rational1 then it is not only the ,animal1 but also the ,rational1 as he is yet in the ,natural ,state1 which the ,apostle excludes here1 and whom he contra-distinguisheth from the ,spiritual1 ,ver4 #ae4 ,but the ,spiritual ,man judgeth all ,things4 ,this cannot be said of any ,man merely because ,rational1 or as he is a ,man1 seeing the ,men of the greatest ,reason1 if we may so esteem ,men1 whom the ,scripture calls ,wise1 as were the ,greeks of ,old1 not only may be1 but often are ,enemies to the ,kingdom of ,god2 while both the ,preaching of ,christ is said to be ,foolishness with the ,wise ,men of the ,world1 and the ,wisdom of the ,world is said to be ,foolishness with ,god4 ,now whether it be any ways probable that either these ,wise ,men that are said to account the ,gospel ,foolishness1 are only so called with respect to their ,animal ,property1 and not their ,rational2 or that the ,wisdom that is ,foolishness with ,god is not meant of the ,rational1 but only the ,animal ,property1 any ,rational ,man1 laying aside ,interest1 may easily judge4 4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,infants1 no ,sin imputed to them4 ,i come now to the other ,part1 to wit1 ,that this evil and corrupt ,seed is not imputed to ,infants1 until they actually join with it4 ,for this there is a ,reason given in the ,end of the ,proposition itself1 drawn from ,ephes4 ii4 ,for these are by ,nature ,children of ,wrath1 who walk according to the ,prince of the ,power of the ,air1 the ,spirit that now worketh in the ,children of ,disobedience4 ,here the ,apostle gives their evil walking1 and not any ,thing that is not reduced to act1 as a ,reason of their being ,children of ,wrath4 ,and this is suitable to the whole ,strain of the ,gospel1 where no ,man is ever threatened or judged for what ,iniquity he hath not actually wrought3 ,such indeed as continue in ,iniquity1 and so do allow the ,sins of their ,fathers1 ,god will visit the ,iniquity of the ,fathers upon the ,children4 ,is it not strange then that ,men should entertain an ,opinion so absurd in itself1 and so cruel and contrary to the ,nature as well of ,god's ,mercy as ,justice1 concerning which the ,scripture is altogether silent8 ,but it is manifest that ,man hath invented this ,opinion out of ,self-love1 and from that bitter ,root from which all ,errors spring2 ,sidenote3 ,the absolute ,decree of ,election springs from ,self-love4 for the most ,part of ,protestants that hold this1 having1 as they fancy1 the ,absolute ,decree of ,election to secure them and their ,children1 so as they cannot miss of ,salvation1 they make no ,difficulty to send all others1 both ,old and ,young1 to ,hell4 ,for whereas ,self-love1 which is always apt to believe that which it desires1 possesseth them with an ,hope that their ,part is secure1 they are not solicitous how they leave their ,neighbours1 which are the far greater ,part of ,mankind1 in these inextricable ,difficulties4 ,the ,papists again use this ,opinion as an ,art to augment the ,esteem of their ,church1 and ,reverence of its ,sacraments1 seeing they pretend it is washed away by ,baptism2 only in this they appear to be a little more merciful1 in that they send not these unbaptized ,infants to ,hell1 but to a certain ,limbus1 concerning which the ,scriptures are as silent as of the other4 ,this then is not only not authorized in the ,scriptures1 but contrary to the express ,tenor of them4 ,the ,apostle saith plainly1 ,rom4 iv4 #ae4 ,where no ,law is1 there is no ,transgression4 ,and again1 v4 #ac4 ,but ,sin is not imputed1 where there is no ,law4 ,sidenote3 ,to ,infants there is no ,law so no ,transgression4 ,than which ,testimonies there is nothing more positive2 since to ,infants there is no ,law1 seeing as such they are utterly uncapable of it2 the ,law cannot reach any but such as have in some ,measure less or more the ,exercise of their ,understanding1 which ,infants have not4 ,so that from thence ,i thus argue3 ,sin is imputed to none1 where there is no ,law4 ,but to ,infants there is no ,law3 ,therefore ,sin is not imputed to them4 ,the ,proposition is the ,apostle's own ,words2 the ,assumption is thus proved3 ,those who are under a ,physical ,impossibility of either hearing1 knowing1 or understanding any ,law1 where the ,impossibility is not brought upon them by any ,act of their own1 but is according to the very ,order of ,nature appointed by ,god2 to such there is no ,law4 ,but ,infants are under this ,physical ,impossibility3 ,therefore1 c4 ,secondly1 ,what can be more positive than that of ,ezek4 xviii4 #bj4 ,the ,soul that sinneth1 it shall die3 ,the ,son shall not bear the ,father's ,iniquity8 ,for the ,prophet here first sheweth what is the ,cause of ,man's ,eternal ,death1 which he saith is his ,sinning2 and then1 as if he purposed expresly to shut out such an ,opinion1 he assures us1 ,the ,son shall not bear the ,father's ,iniquity4 ,from which ,i thus argue3 ,sidenote3 ,infants bear not ,adam's ,transgression4 ,if the ,son bear not the ,iniquity of his ,father1 or of his immediate ,parents1 far less shall he bear the ,iniquity of ,adam4 ,but the ,son shall not bear the ,iniquity of his ,father3 ,therefore1 c4 4 ,v4 ,having thus far shewn how absurd this ,opinion is1 ,i shall briefly examine the ,reasons its ,authors bring for it4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,first1 ,they say1 ,adam was a publick ,person1 and therefore all ,men sinned in him1 as being in his ,loins4 ,and for this they allege that of ,rom4 v4 #ab4 ,wherefore as by one ,man ,sin entered into the ,world1 and ,death by ,sin2 and so ,death passed upon all ,men1 for that all have sinned1 c4 ,these last ,words1 say they1 may be translated1 ,in whom all have sinned4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,to this ,i answer3 ,that ,adam is a publick ,person is not denied2 and that through him there is a ,seed of ,sin propagated to all ,men1 which in its own ,nature is sinful1 and inclines ,men to ,iniquity2 yet it will not follow from thence1 that ,infants1 who join not with this ,seed1 are guilty4 ,as for these ,words in the ,romans1 the ,reason of the ,guilt there alleged is1 ,for that all have sinned4 ,now no ,man is said to sin1 unless he actually sin in his own ,person2 for the ,greek ,words ,greek3 eph' 3 may very well relate to ,greek3 thanatos3 1 which is the nearest ,antecedent2 so that they hold forth1 how that ,adam1 by his ,sin1 gave an ,entrance to ,sin in the ,world2 ,and so ,death entered by ,sin1 ,greek3 eph' 3 i4 e4 upon which viz4 ,occasion or1 in which viz4 ,death all others have sinned2 that is1 actually in their own ,persons2 to wit1 all that were capable of sinning3 ,of which ,number that ,infants could not be1 the ,apostle clearly shews by the following ,verse1 ,sin is not imputed1 where there is no ,law3 ,and since1 as is above proved1 there is no ,law to ,infants1 they cannot be here included4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,their ,second ,objection is from ,psalm li4 #e4 ,behold ,i was shapen in ,iniquity1 and in ,sin did my ,mother conceive me4 ,hence1 they say1 it appears that ,infants from their ,conception are guilty4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4,how they infer this ,consequence1 for my ,part ,i see not4 ,the ,iniquity and ,sin here appears to be far more ascribable to the ,parents than to the ,child4 ,sidenote3 ,conceived in ,sin answered4 ,it is said indeed1 ,in ,sin did my ,mother conceive me2 not my ,mother did conceive me a ,sinner4 ,besides that1 so interpreted1 contradicts expresly the ,scripture before-mentioned in making ,children guilty of the ,sins of their immediate ,parents1 7for of ,adam there is not here any ,mention7 contrary to the plain ,words1 ,the ,son shall not bear the ,father's ,iniquity4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,they object1 ,that the ,wages of ,sin is ,death2 and that seeing ,children are subject to ,diseases and ,death1 therefore they must be guilty of ,sin4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,that these ,things are a ,consequence of the ,fall1 and of ,adam's ,sin1 is confessed2 but that that infers necessarily a ,guilt in all others that are subject to them is denied4 ,sidenote3 ,death the ,wages of ,sin answered4 ,for though the ,whole outward ,creation suffered a ,decay by ,adam's ,fall1 which groans under ,vanity2 according to which it is said in ,job1 ,that the ,heavens are not clean in the ,sight of ,god2 yet will it not from thence follow1 that the ,herbs1 ,earth1 and ,trees are ,sinners4 ,next1 ,death1 though a ,consequent of the ,fall1 incident to ,man's earthly ,nature1 is not the ,wages of ,sin in the ,saints1 but rather a ,sleep1 by which they pass from ,death to ,life2 which is so far from being troublesome and painful to them1 as all real ,punishments for ,sin are1 that the ,apostle counts it ,gain3 ,to me1 saith he1 to die is ,gain1 ,philip4 i4 #ba4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #d4 ,some are so foolish as to make an ,objection farther1 saying1 ,that if ,adam's ,sin be not imputed to those who actually have not sinned1 then it would follow that all ,infants are saved4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but we are willing that this supposed ,absurdity should be the ,consequence of our ,doctrine1 rather than that which it seems our ,adversaries reckon not absurd1 though the undoubted and unavoidable ,consequence of theirs1 viz4 ,that many ,infants eternally perish1 not for any ,sin of their own1 but only for ,adam's ,iniquity2 where we are willing to let the ,controversy stop1 commending both to the illuminated ,understanding of the ,christian ,reader4 ,this ,error of our ,adversaries is both denied and refuted by ,zuinglius1 that eminent ,founder of the ,protestant ,churches of ,switzerland1 in his ,book ,de ,baptismo1 for which he is anathematized by the ,council of ,trent1 in the ,fifth ,session4 ,we shall only add this ,information3 ,that we confess then that a ,seed of ,sin is transmitted to all ,men from ,adam1 although imputed to none1 until by sinning they actually join with it2 in which ,seed he gave ,occasion to all to sin1 and it is the ,origin of all evil ,actions and ,thoughts in ,men's ,hearts1 ,greek3 eph' 3 to wit1 ,greek3 thanat3 1 as it is in ,rom4 v4 i4 e4 ,in which ,death all have sinned4 ,for this ,seed of ,sin is frequently called ,death in the ,scripture1 and the ,body of ,death2 seeing indeed it is a ,death to the ,life of ,righteousness and ,holiness3 ,therefore its ,seed and its ,product is called the ,old ,man1 the ,old ,adam1 in which all ,sin is2 for which cause we use this ,name to express this ,sin1 and not that of ,original ,sin2 ,sidenote3 ,original ,sin no ,scripture ,phrase4 of which ,phrase the ,scripture makes no ,mention1 and under which invented and unscriptural ,barbarism this ,notion of ,imputed ,sin to ,infants took ,place among ,christians4 ,,propositions ,v4 ,,vi4 ,concerning the ,,universal ,,redemption by ,,christ1 and also the ,,saving and ,,spiritual ,,light1 wherewith every ,man is enlightened4 ,,proposition ,v4 #ed;,god1 out of his ,infinite ,love1 who delighteth not in the ,death of a ,sinner1 but that all should live and be saved1 hath so loved the ,world1 that he hath given his only ,son a ,,light1 that whosoever believeth in him shall be saved1 ,john iii4 #af4 ,who enlighteneth ,,every ,man that cometh into the ,world1 ,john i4 #i4 ,and maketh manifest all ,things that are reproveable1 ,ephes4 v4 #ac4 ,and teacheth all ,temperance1 ,righteousness1 and ,godliness2 and this ,light enlighteneth the ,hearts of all1 for a ,time1 in order to ,salvation2 and this is it which reproves the ,sin of all ,individuals1 and would work out the ,salvation of all1 if not resisted4 ,nor is it less ,universal than the ,seed of ,sin1 being the ,purchase of his ,death1 who tasted ,death for every ,man4 ,for as in ,adam all die1 even so in ,christ all shall be made alive1 #a ,cor4 xv4 #bb4 #ed ,ezek4 #ah4 #cb4 #cc4 #aa4 ,,proposition ,,vi4 ,according to which ,principle1 or ,hypothesis1 all the ,objections against the ,universality of ,christ's ,death are easily solved2 neither is it needful to recur to the ,ministry of ,angels1 and those other ,miraculous ,means which they say ,god useth to manifest the ,doctrine and ,history of ,christ's ,passion unto such1 who1 living in ,parts of the ,world where the outward ,preaching of the ,gospel is unknown1 have well improved the first and common ,grace4 ,for as hence it well follows1 that some of the ,old ,philosophers might have been saved1 so also may some1 who by ,providence are cast into those remote ,parts of the ,world where the ,knowledge of the ,history is wanting1 be made ,partakers of the ,divine ,mystery1 if they receive1 and resist not that ,grace1 #ee;,a ,manifestation whereof is given to every ,man to profit withal4 ,this most certain ,doctrine being then received1 that there is an ,evangelical and ,saving ,light and ,grace in all1 the ,universality of the ,love and ,mercy of ,god towards ,mankind1 both in the ,death of his ,beloved ,son1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and in the ,manifestation of the ,light in the ,heart1 is established and confirmed1 against all the ,objections of such as deny it4 ,therefore #ef;,christ hath tasted ,death for every ,man2 not only for all ,kinds of ,men1 as some vainly talk1 but for every ,man of all ,kinds3 ,the ,benefit of whose ,offering is not only extended to such who have the distinct outward ,knowledge of his ,death and ,sufferings1 as the same is declared in the ,scriptures1 but even unto those who are necessarily excluded from the ,benefit of this ,knowledge by some inevitable ,accident2 which ,knowledge we willingly confess to be very ,profitable and ,comfortable1 but not absolutely ,needful unto such from whom ,god himself hath with-held it2 yet they may be made ,partakers of the ,mystery of his ,death1 though ignorant of the ,history1 if they suffer his ,seed and ,light1 enlightening their ,hearts1 to take ,place2 in which ,light ,communion with the ,father and the ,son is enjoyed2 so as of wicked ,men to become holy1 and ,lovers of that ,power1 by whose inward and secret ,touches they feel themselves turned from the ,evil to the ,good1 and learn to do to others as they would be done by1 in which ,christ himself affirms all to be included4 ,as ,they have then falsely and erroneously ,taught1 who have denied ,christ to have died for all ,men2 so neither have ,they sufficiently taught the ,truth1 who affirming him to have died for all1 have added the absolute ,necessity of the outward ,knowledge thereof1 in order to obtain its saving ,effect4 ,among whom the ,remonstrants of ,holland have been chiefly wanting1 and many other ,assertors of ,universal ,redemption1 in that they have not placed the ,extent of this ,salvation in that ,divine and ,evangelical ,principle of ,light and ,life wherewith ,christ hath enlightened every ,man that cometh into the ,world2 which is excellently and evidently held forth in these ,scriptures1 ,gen4 vi4 #c4 ,deut4 xxx4 #ad4 ,john i4 #g1 #h1 #i1 #af4 ,rom4 x4 #h4 ,titus ii4 #aa4 #ee #a ,cor4 #ab4 #g4 #ef ,heb4 #b4 #i4 ,sidenote3 ,absolute ,reprobation1 that horrible and blasphemous ,doctrine1 described4 ,hitherto we have considered ,man's fallen1 lost1 corrupted1 and degenerated ,condition4 ,now it is fit to enquire1 ,how and by what ,means he may come to be freed out of this miserable and depraved ,condition1 which in these two ,propositions is declared and demonstrated2 which ,i thought meet to place together because of their ,affinity1 the one being as it were an ,explanation of the other4 ,as for that ,doctrine which these ,propositions chiefly strike at1 to wit1 absolute ,reprobation1 according to which some are not afraid to assert1 8,that ,god1 by an ,eternal and ,immutable ,decree1 hath ,predestinated to ,eternal ,damnation the far greater ,part of ,mankind1 not considered as made1 much less as fallen1 without any ,respect to their ,disobedience or ,sin1 but only for the demonstrating of the ,glory of his ,justice2 and that for the bringing this about1 he hath appointed these miserable ,souls necessarily to walk in their wicked ,ways1 that so his ,justice may lay hold on them3 ,and that ,god doth therefore not only suffer them to be liable to this ,misery in many ,parts of the ,world1 by with-holding from them the ,preaching of the ,gospel and the ,knowledge of ,christ1 but even in those ,places where the ,gospel is preached1 and ,salvation by ,christ is offered2 whom though he publickly invite them1 yet he justly condemns for ,disobedience1 albeit he hath with-held from them all ,grace by which they could have laid hold of the ,gospel1 viz4 ,because he hath1 by a secret ,will unknown to all ,men1 ordained and decreed 7without any ,respect had to their ,obedience or ,sin7 that they shall not obey1 and that the ,offer of the ,gospel shall never prove effectual for their ,salvation1 but only serve to aggravate and occasion their greater ,condemnation40 ,i say1 as to this horrible and blasphemous ,doctrine1 our ,cause is common with many others1 who have both wisely and learnedly1 according to ,scripture1 ,reason1 and ,antiquity1 refuted it4 ,seeing then that so much is said already and so well against this ,doctrine1 that little can be superadded1 except what hath been said already1 ,i shall be short in this ,respect2 yet1 because it lies so in ,opposition to my ,way1 ,i cannot let it altogether pass4 4 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,this ,doctrine a ,novelty4 ,first1 ,we may safely call this ,doctrine a ,novelty1 seeing in the first four hundred ,years after ,christ there is no ,mention made of it3 ,for as it is contrary to the ,scriptures ,testimony1 and to the ,tenor of the ,gospel1 so all the ancient ,writers1 ,teachers1 and ,doctors of the ,church pass it over with a profound ,silence4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,rise of it4 ,the first ,foundations of it were laid in the later ,writings of ,augustine1 who1 in his ,heat against ,pelagius1 let fall some ,expressions which some have unhappily gleaned up1 to the establishing of this ,error2 thereby contradicting the ,truth1 and sufficiently gainsaying many others1 and many more and frequent ,expressions of the same ,augustine4 ,afterwards was this ,doctrine fomented by ,dominicus a ,friar1 and the ,monks of his ,order2 and at last unhappily taken up by ,john ,calvin 7otherwise a ,man in divers ,respects to be commended7 to the great staining of his ,reputation1 and ,defamation both of the ,protestant and ,christian ,religion2 which though it received the ,decrees of the ,synod of ,dort for its ,confirmation1 hath since lost ,ground1 and begins to be exploded by most ,men of ,learning and ,piety in all ,protestant ,churches4 ,however1 we should not oppugn it for the ,silence of the ,ancients1 ,paucity of its ,assertors1 or for the ,learnedness of its ,opposers1 if we did observe it to have any real ,bottom in the ,writings or ,sayings of ,christ and the ,apostles1 and that it were not highly injurious to ,god himself1 to ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator and ,redeemer1 and to the ,power1 ,virtue1 ,nobility1 and ,excellency if his blessed ,gospel1 and lastly unto all ,mankind4 4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,highly injurious to ,god1 in making him the ,author of ,sin4 ,first1 ,it is highly injurious to ,god1 because it makes him the ,author of ,sin1 which of all ,things is most contrary to his ,nature4 ,i confess the ,assertors of this ,principle deny this ,consequence2 but that is but a mere ,illusion1 seeing it so naturally follows from this ,doctrine1 and is equally ridiculous1 as if a ,man should pertinaciously deny that one and two make three4 ,for if ,god has decreed that the reprobated ,ones shall perish1 without all ,respect to their evil ,deeds1 but only of his own ,pleasure1 and if he hath also decreed long before they were in ,being1 or in a ,capacity to do ,good or ,evil1 that they should walk in those wicked ,ways1 by which1 as by a secondary ,means1 they are led to that ,end1 who1 ,i pray1 is the first ,author and ,cause thereof but ,god1 who so willed and decreed8 ,this is as natural a ,consequence as can be3 ,and therefore1 although many of the ,preachers of this ,doctrine have sought out various1 strange1 strained and intricate ,distinctions to defend their ,opinion1 and avoid this horrid ,consequence2 yet some1 and that of the most eminent of them1 have been so plain in the ,matter1 as they have put it beyond all ,doubt2 of which ,i shall instance a few among many ,passages4 #eg;,i say1 ,that by the ,ordination and ,will of ,god ,adam fell4 ,god would have ,man to fall4 ,man is blinded by the ,will and ,commandment of ,god4 ,we refer the ,causes of hardening us to ,god4 ,the highest or remote ,cause of hardening is the ,will of ,god4 ,it followeth that the hidden ,counsel of ,god is the ,cause of hardening4 ,these are ,calvin's ,expressions4 #eh;,god 7saith ,beza7 hath predestinated not only unto ,damnation1 but also unto the ,causes of it1 whomsoever he saw meet4 #ei,the ,decree of ,god cannot be excluded from the ,causes of ,corruption4 #fj;,it is certain 7saith ,zanchius7 that ,god is the first ,cause of ,obduration4 ,reprobates are held so fast under ,god's ,almighty ,decree1 that they cannot but sin and perish4 #fa;,it is the ,opinion 7saith ,parus7 of our ,doctors1 ,that ,god did inevitably decree the ,temptation and ,fall of ,man4 ,the ,creature sinneth indeed necessarily1 by the most just ,judgment of ,god4 ,our ,men do most rightly affirm1 ,that the ,fall of ,man was necessary and inevitable1 by ,accident1 because of ,god's ,decree4 #fb;,god 7saith ,martyr7 doth incline and force the ,wills of wicked ,men into great ,sins4 #fc;,god 7saith ,zuinglius7 moveth the ,robber to kill4 ,he killeth1 ,god forcing him thereunto4 ,but thou wilt say1 ,he is forced to sin2 ,i permit truly that he is forced4 #fd,reprobate ,persons 7saith ,piscator7 are absolutely ordained to this twofold ,end2 to undergo everlasting ,punishment1 and necessarily to sin1 and therefore to sin1 that they may be justly punished4 #eg ,calvin in cap4 #c4 ,gen4 ,id4 #a4 ,inst4 c4 #ah1 ,s4 #a4 ,id4 lib4 de ,prd4 ,idem lib4 de ,provid4 ,id4 ,inst4 c4 #bc4 ,s4 #a4 #eh ,beza lib4 de ,prd4 #ei ,id4 de ,prd4 ad ,art4 #a4 #fj ,zanch4 de ,exccat4 q4 #e4 ,id4 lib4 #e4 de ,nat4 ,dei cap4 #b4 de ,prd4 #fa ,parus lib4 #c4 de ,amis4 grati c4 #b4 ibid4 c4 #a4 #fb ,martyr in ,rom4 #fc ,zuing4 lib4 de ,prov4 c4 #e4 #fd ,resp4 ad ,vorst4 part4 #a4 p4 #abj4 ,if these ,sayings do not plainly and evidently import1 that ,god is the ,author of ,sin1 we must not then seek these ,men's ,opinions from their ,words1 but some ,way else4 ,it seems as if they had assumed to themselves that monstrous and twofold ,will they feigned of ,god2 one by which they declare their ,minds openly1 and another more secret and hidden1 which is quite contrary to the other4 ,nor doth it at all help them to say1 ,that ,man sins willingly1 since that ,willingness1 ,proclivity1 and ,propensity to ,evil is1 according to their ,judgment1 so necessarily imposed upon him1 that he cannot but be willing1 because ,god hath willed and decreed him to be so4 ,which shift is just as if ,i should take a ,child uncapable to resist me1 and throw it down from a great ,precipice2 the ,weight of the ,child's ,body indeed makes it go readily down1 and the ,violence of the ,fall upon some ,rock or ,stone beats out its ,brains and kills it4 ,now then1 ,i pray1 though the ,body of the ,child goes willingly down 7for ,i suppose it as to its ,mind uncapable of any ,will7 and the ,weight of its ,body1 and not any immediate ,stroke of my ,hand1 who perhaps am at a great ,distance1 makes it die1 whether is the ,child or ,i the proper ,cause of its ,death8 ,let any ,man of ,reason judge1 if ,god's ,part be1 with them1 as great1 yea1 more immediate1 in the ,sins of ,men1 as by the ,testimonies above brought doth appear1 whether doth not this make him not only the ,author of ,sin1 but more unjust than the unjustest of ,men8 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,it makes ,god delight in the ,death of a ,sinner4 ,secondly1 ,this ,doctrine is injurious to ,god1 because it makes him delight in the ,death of ,sinners2 yea1 and to will many to die in their ,sins1 contrary to these ,scriptures1 ,ezek4 xxxiii4 #aa4 #a ,tim4 ii4 #c4 #b ,pet4 iii4 #i4 ,for if he hath created ,men only for this very ,end1 that he might shew forth his ,justice and ,power in them1 as these ,men affirm1 and for effecting thereof hath not only with-held from them the ,means of doing ,good1 but also predestinated the ,evil1 that they might fall into it2 and that he inclines and forces them into great ,sins2 certainly he must necessarily delight in their ,death1 and will them to ,die2 seeing against his own ,will he neither doth1 nor can do any ,thing4 4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 #c4 ,it renders ,christ's ,mediation ,ineffectual4 ,thirdly1 ,it is highly injurious to ,christ our ,mediator1 and to the ,efficacy and ,excellency of his ,gospel2 for it renders his ,mediation ineffectual1 as if he had not by his ,sufferings throughly broken down the middle ,wall1 nor yet removed the ,wrath of ,god1 or purchased the ,love of ,god towards all ,mankind1 if it was afore-decreed that it should be of no ,service to the far greater ,part of ,mankind4 ,it is to no ,purpose to allege1 that the ,death of ,christ was of ,efficacy enough to have saved all ,mankind1 if in effect its ,virtue be not so far extended as to put all ,mankind into a ,capacity of ,salvation4 ,sidenote3 #d4 ,it makes the ,gospel a ,mock4 ,fourthly1 ,it makes the ,preaching of the ,gospel a mere ,mock and ,illusion1 if many of these1 to whom it is preached1 be by any irrevocable ,decree excluded from being benefited by it2 it wholly makes useless the ,preaching of ,faith and ,repentance1 and the whole ,tenor of the ,gospel-promises and ,threatenings1 as being all relative to a former ,decree and ,means before appointed to such2 which1 because they cannot fail1 ,man needs do nothing but wait for that irresistible ,juncture1 which will come1 though it be but at the last ,hour of his ,life1 if he be in the ,decree of ,election2 and be his ,diligence and ,waiting what it can1 he shall never attain it1 if he belong to the ,decree of ,reprobation4 ,sidenote3 #e4 ,it makes the ,coming of ,christ an ,act of ,wrath4 ,fifthly1 ,it makes the ,coming of ,christ1 and his ,propitiatory ,sacrifice1 which the ,scripture affirms to have been the ,fruit of ,god's ,love to the ,world1 and transacted for the ,sins and ,salvation of all ,men1 to have been rather a ,testimony of ,god's ,wrath to the ,world1 and one of the greatest ,judgments1 and severest ,acts of ,god's ,indignation towards ,mankind1 it being only ordained to save a very few1 and for the hardening1 and augmenting the ,condemnation of the far greater ,number of ,men1 because they believe not truly in it2 the ,cause of which ,unbelief again1 as the ,divines so called above assert1 is the hidden ,counsel of ,god3 ,certainly the ,coming of ,christ was never to them a ,testimony of ,god's ,love1 but rather of his implacable ,wrath3 ,and if the ,world may be taken for the far greater ,number of such as live in it1 ,god never loved the ,world1 according to this ,doctrine1 but rather hated it greatly1 in sending his ,son to be crucified in it4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 #f4 ,it renders ,mankind in a worse ,condition than the ,devils-- ,sixthly1 ,this ,doctrine is highly injurious to ,mankind2 for it renders them in a far worse ,condition than the ,devils in ,hell4 ,for these were sometime in a ,capacity to have stood1 and do suffer only for their own ,guilt2 whereas many ,millions of ,men are for ever tormented1 according to them1 for ,adam's ,sin1 which they neither knew of1 nor ever were accessary to2 it renders them worse than the ,beasts of the ,field1 of whom the ,master requires no more than they are able to perform2 and if they be killed1 ,death to them is the ,end of ,sorrow2 whereas ,man is for ever tormented for not doing that which he never was able to do4 ,sidenote3--,than the ,israelites under ,pharaoh4 ,it puts him into a far worse ,condition than ,pharaoh put the ,israelites2 for though he with-held ,straw from them1 yet by much ,labour and ,pains they could have gotten it3 ,but from ,men they make ,god to with-hold all ,means of ,salvation1 so that they can by no ,means attain it2 ,sidenote3 ,tantalus's ,condition4 yea1 they place ,mankind in that ,condition which the ,poets feign of ,tantalus1 who1 oppressed with ,thirst1 stands in ,water up to the ,chin1 yet can by no ,means reach it with his ,tongue2 and being tormented with ,hunger1 hath ,fruits hanging at his very ,lips1 yet so as he can never lay hold on them with his ,teeth2 and these ,things are so near him1 not to nourish him1 but to torment him4 ,so do these ,men3 ,they make the outward ,creation of the ,works of ,providence1 the ,smiting of ,conscience1 sufficient to convince the ,heathens of ,sin1 and so to condemn and judge them3 ,but not at all to help them to ,salvation4 ,they make the ,preaching of the ,gospel1 the ,offer of ,salvation by ,christ1 the ,use of the ,sacraments1 of ,prayer1 and good ,works1 sufficient to condemn those they account ,reprobates within the ,church1 serving only to inform them1 to beget a seeming ,faith and vain ,hope2 yet because of a secret ,impotency1 which they had from their ,infancy1 all these are wholly ineffectual to bring them the least ,step towards ,salvation2 and do only contribute to render their ,condemnation the greater1 and their ,torments the more violent and intolerable4 ,having thus briefly removed this false ,doctrine which stood in my ,way1 because they that are desirous may see it both learnedly and piously refuted by many others1 ,i come to the ,matter of our ,proposition1 which is1 ,that ,god out of his infinite ,love1 who delighteth not in the ,death of a ,sinner1 but that all should live and be saved1 hath sent his only begotten ,son into the ,world1 that whosoever believeth in him might be saved2 which also is again affirmed in the sixth ,proposition1 in these ,words1 ,sidenote3 ,christ tasted ,death for every ,man4,christ then tasted ,death for every ,man1 of all ,kinds4 ,such is the ,evidence of this ,truth1 delivered almost wholly in the express ,words of ,scripture1 that it will not need much ,probation4 ,also1 because our ,assertion herein is common with many others1 who have both earnestly and soundly1 according to the ,scripture1 pleaded for this universal ,redemption1 ,i shall be the more brief in it1 that ,i may come to that which may seem more singularly and peculiarly ours4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,christ's ,redemption universal1 contrary to the ,doctrine of ,absolute ,reprobation4 ,this ,doctrine of universal ,redemption1 or ,christ's dying for all ,men1 is of itself so evident from the ,scripture-,testimony1 that there is scarce found any other ,article of the ,christian ,faith so frequently1 so plainly1 and so positively asserted4 ,it is that which maketh the preaching of ,christ to be truly termed the ,gospel1 or an ,annunciation of glad ,tidings to all4 ,thus the ,angel declared the ,birth and ,coming of ,christ to the ,shepherds to be1 ,luke ii4 #aj4 ,behold1 ,i bring you good ,tidings of great ,joy1 which shall be to all ,people3 ,he saith not1 to a few4 ,now if this coming of ,christ had not brought a ,possibility of ,salvation to all1 it should rather have been accounted bad ,tidings of great ,sorrow to most ,people2 neither should the ,angel have had ,reason to have sung1 ,peace on ,earth1 and good ,will towards ,men1 if the greatest ,part of ,mankind had been necessarily shut out from receiving any ,benefit by it4 ,how should ,christ have sent out his ,servants to preach the ,gospel to every ,creature1 ,mark xvi4 #ae4 7a very comprehensive ,commission7 that is1 to every ,son and ,daughter of ,mankind1 without all ,exception8 ,he commands them to preach ,salvation to all1 ,repentance and ,remission of ,sins to all2 warning every one1 and exhorting every one1 as ,paul did1 ,col4 i4 #bh4 ,now how could they have preached the ,gospel to every ,man1 as became the ,ministers of ,jesus ,christ1 in much ,assurance1 if ,salvation by that ,gospel had not been possible to all8 ,what6 if some of those had asked them1 or should now ask any of these ,doctors1 who deny the ,universality of ,christ's ,death1 and yet preach it to all promiscuously1 ,hath ,christ died for me8 ,how can they1 with ,confidence1 give a certain ,answer to this ,question8 ,if they give a conditional ,answer1 as their ,principle obligeth them to do1 and say1 ,if thou repent1 ,christ hath died for thee2 doth not the same ,question still recur8 ,hath ,christ died for me1 so as to make ,repentance possible to me8 ,to this they can answer nothing1 unless they run in a ,circle2 whereas the ,feet of those that bring the glad ,tidings of the ,gospel of ,peace are said to be beautiful1 for that they preach the common ,salvation1 ,repentance unto all2 offering a ,door of ,mercy and ,hope to all1 through ,jesus ,christ1 who gave himself a ,ransom for all4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,gospel is preached to every ,man4 ,the ,gospel invites all3 ,and certainly1 by the ,gospel ,christ intended not to deceive and delude the greater ,part of ,mankind1 when he invites1 and crieth1 saying2 ,come unto me1 all ye that are weary and heavy laden1 and ,i will give you ,rest4 ,if all then ought to seek after him1 and to look for ,salvation by him1 he must needs have made ,salvation possible to all2 for who is bound to seek after that which is impossible8 ,certainly it were a mocking of ,men to bid them do so4 ,and such as deny1 that by the ,death of ,christ ,salvation is made possible to all ,men1 do most blasphemously make ,god mock the ,world1 in giving his ,servants a ,commission to preach the ,gospel of ,salvation unto all1 while he hath before decreed that it shall not be possible for them to receive it4 ,would not this make the ,lord to send forth his ,servants with a ,lie in their ,mouth1 7which were blasphemous to think7 commanding them to bid all and every one believe that ,christ died for them1 and had purchased ,life and ,salvation8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,absurdity of that ,doctrine of ,absolute ,reprobation4 whereas it is no such ,thing1 according to the fore-mentioned ,doctrine4 ,but seeing ,christ1 after he arose and perfected the ,work of our ,redemption1 gave a ,commission to preach ,repentance1 ,remission of ,sins1 and ,salvation to all1 it is manifest that he died for all4 ,for ,he that hath commissionated his ,servants thus to preach1 is a ,god of ,truth1 and no ,mocker of poor ,mankind2 neither doth he require of any ,man that which is simply impossible for him to do3 ,for that no ,man is bound to do that which is impossible1 is a ,principle of ,truth engraven in every ,man's ,mind4 ,and seeing he is both a righteous and merciful ,god1 it cannot at all stand1 either with his ,justice or ,mercy1 to bid such ,men repent or believe1 to whom it is impossible4 4 ,,vii4 ,moreover1 if we regard the ,testimony of the ,scripture in this ,matter1 where there is not one ,scripture1 that ,i know of1 which affirmeth1 ,christ not to die for all1 there are divers that positively and expresly assert1 ,he did2 ,sidenote3 ,to pray for all2 for ,christ died for all-- as #a ,tim4 ii4 #a1 #c1 #d1 #f4 ,i exhort therefore1 that first of all1 ,supplications1 ,prayers1 ,intercessions1 and giving of ,thanks1 be made for all ,men1 c4 ,for this is good and acceptable in the ,sight of ,god our ,saviour1 who will have all ,men to be saved1 and to come to the ,knowledge of the ,truth2 who gave himself a ,ransom for all1 to be testified in due ,time4 ,except we will have the ,apostle here to assert quite another ,thing than he intended1 there can be nothing more plain to confirm what we have asserted4 ,and this ,scripture doth well answer to that ,manner of arguing which we have hitherto used3 ,for1 first1 the ,apostle here recommends them to pray for all ,men2 and to obviate such an ,objection1 as if he had said with our ,adversaries1 ,christ prayed not for the ,world1 neither willeth he us to pray for all2 because he willeth not that all should be saved1 but hath ordained many to be damned1 that he might shew forth his ,justice in them2 he obviates1 ,i say1 such an ,objection1 telling them1 that it is good and acceptable in the ,sight of ,god1 who will have all ,men to be saved4 ,sidenote3--,and will have all ,men to be saved4 ,i desire to know what can be more expresly affirmed8 or can any two ,propositions be stated in ,terms more contradictory than these two8 ,god willeth some not to be saved2 and ,god willeth all ,men to be saved1 or ,god will have no ,man perish4 ,if we believe the last1 as the ,apostle hath affirmed1 the first must be destroyed2 seeing of contradictory ,propositions1 the one being admitted1 the other is destroyed4 ,whence1 to conclude1 he gives us a ,reason of his ,willingness that all ,men should be saved1 in these ,words1 ,who gave himself a ,ransom for all2 as if he would have said1 ,since ,christ died for all1 since he gave himself a ,ransom for all1 therefore he will have all ,men to be saved4 ,this ,christ himself gives as a ,reason of ,god's ,love to the ,world1 in these ,words3 ,john iii4 #af4 ,god so loved the ,world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting ,life2 compared with #a ,john iv4 #i4 ,this whosoever is an indefinite ,term1 from which no ,man is excluded4 ,from all which then ,i thus argue3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #a4 ,for whomsoever it is lawful to pray1 to them ,salvation is possible3 ,but it is lawful to pray for every individual ,man in the whole ,world3 ,therefore ,salvation is possible unto them4 ,i prove the ,major ,proposition thus2 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #b4 ,no ,man is bound to pray for that which is impossible to be attained3 ,but every ,man is bound and commanded to pray for all ,men3 ,therefore it is not impossible to be obtained4 ,i prove also this ,proposition further1 thus2 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #c4 ,no ,man is bound to pray1 but in ,faith3 ,but he that prayeth for that1 which he judges simply impossible to be obtained1 cannot pray in ,faith3 ,therefore1 c4 ,again1 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #d4 ,that which ,god willeth is not impossible3 ,but ,god willeth all ,men to be saved3 ,therefore it is not impossible4 ,and ,lastly2 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #e4 ,those for whom our ,saviour gave himself a ,ransom1 to such ,salvation is possible3 ,but our ,saviour gave himself a ,ransom for all3 ,therefore ,salvation is possible4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,this is very positively affirmed1 ,heb4 ii4 #i4 in these ,words1 ,but we see ,jesus1 who was made a little lower than the ,angels1 for the suffering of ,death1 crowned with ,glory and ,honour1 that he by the ,grace of ,god might taste ,death for every ,man4 ,he that will but open his ,eyes1 may see this ,truth here asserted3 ,if he tasted ,death for every ,man1 then certainly there is no ,man for whom he did not taste ,death2 then there is no ,man who may not be made a ,sharer of the ,benefit of it3 ,for he came not to condemn the ,world1 but that the ,world through him might be saved1 ,john iii4 #ag4 ,he came not to judge the ,world1 but to save the ,world1 ,john xii4 #dg4 ,sidenote3 ,our ,adversaries false ,doctrine of a great ,part of ,mankind being pre-ordained for ,damnation1 refuted4 ,whereas1 according to the ,doctrine of our ,adversaries1 he rather came to condemn the ,world1 and judge it2 and not that it might be saved by him1 or to save it4 ,for if he never came to bring ,salvation to the greater ,part of ,mankind1 but that his ,coming1 though it could never do them good1 yet shall augment their ,condemnation1 from thence it necessarily follows1 that he came not of ,intention to save1 but to judge and condemn the greater ,part of the ,world1 contrary to his own express ,testimony2 and as the ,apostle ,paul1 in the ,words above cited1 doth assert affirmatively1 ,that ,god willeth the ,salvation of all1 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 so doth the ,apostle ,peter assert negatively1 ,that he willeth not the perishing of any1 #b ,pet4 iii4 #i4 ,the ,lord is not slack concerning his ,promise1 as some ,men count ,slackness1 but is long-suffering to us-ward1 not willing that any should perish1 but that all should come to ,repentance4 ,and this is correspondent to that of the ,prophet ,ezekiel1 xxxiii4 #aa4 ,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord1 ,i have no ,pleasure in the ,death of the ,wicked1 but that the ,wicked turn from his ,way and live4 ,if it be safe to believe ,god1 and trust in him1 we must not think that he intends to cheat us by all these ,expressions through his ,servants1 but that he was in good earnest4 ,and that this ,will and ,desire of his hath not taken effect1 the ,blame is on our ,parts1 as shall be after spoken of2 which could not be1 if we never were in any ,capacity of ,salvation1 or that ,christ had never died for us1 but left us under an ,impossibility of ,salvation4 ,what mean all those earnest ,invitations1 all those serious ,expostulations1 all those regretting ,contemplations1 wherewith the ,holy ,scriptures are full8 ,as1 ,why will you die1 ,o ,house of ,israel6 ,why will ye not come unto me1 that ye might have ,life8 ,i have waited to be gracious unto you3 ,i have sought to gather you3 ,i have knocked at the ,door of your ,hearts3 ,is not your ,destruction of yourselves8 ,i have called all the ,day long4 ,if ,men who are so invited be under no ,capacity of being saved1 if ,salvation be impossible unto them1 shall we suppose ,god in this to be no other but like the ,author of a ,romance1 or ,master of a ,comedy1 who amuses and raises the various ,affections and ,passions of his ,spectators by divers and strange ,accidents2 sometimes leading them into ,hope1 and sometimes into ,despair2 all those ,actions1 in effect1 being but a mere ,illusion1 while he hath appointed what the ,conclusion of all shall be8 ,sidenote3 ,proof #c4 ,thirdly1 ,this ,doctrine is abundantly confirmed by that of the ,apostle1 #a ,john ii4 #a1 #b4 ,and if any ,man sin1 we have an ,advocate with the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ the ,righteous4 ,and he is the ,propitiation for our ,sins2 and not for ours only1 but also for the ,sins of the whole ,world4 ,sidenote3 ,adversaries comment on the ,words the whole ,world4 ,the ,way which our ,adversaries take to evite this ,testimony1 is most foolish and ridiculous3 ,the ,world here1 say they1 is the ,world of ,believers3 ,for this ,commentary we have nothing but their own ,assertion1 and so while it manifestly destroys the ,text1 may be justly rejected4 ,for1 ,first1 let them shew me1 if they can1 in all the ,scripture1 where the whole ,world is taken for ,believers only2 ,i shall shew them where it is many ,times taken for the quite ,contrary2 as1 ,the ,world knows me not3 ,the ,world receives me not1 ,i am not of this ,world3 ,besides all these ,scriptures1 ,psalm xvii4 #ad4 ,isai4 xiii4 #aa4 ,mat4 xviii4 #g4 ,john vii4 #g4 and viii4 #bf4 and xii4 #ai4 and xiv4 #ag4 and xv4 #ah1 #ai4 and xvii4 #ad4 and xviii4 #bj4 #a ,cor4 i4 #ba4 and ii4 #ab4 and vi4 #b4 ,gal4 vi4 #ad4 ,james i4 #bg4 #b ,pet4 ii4 #bj4 #a ,john ii4 #ae4 and iii4 #a4 and iv4 #d1 #e1 and many more4 ,secondly1 ,the ,apostle in this very ,place contra-distinguished the ,world from the ,saints thus2 ,and not for ours only1 but for the ,sins of the whole ,world3 ,what means the ,apostle by ,ours here8 ,is not that the ,sins of ,believers8 ,was not he one of those ,believers8 ,and was not this an universal ,epistle1 written to all the ,saints that then were8 ,so that according to these ,men's ,comment1 there should be a very unnecessary and foolish ,redundancy in the ,apostle's ,words2 as if he had said1 ,he is a ,propitiation not only for the ,sins of all ,believers1 but for the ,sins of all ,believers3 ,is not this to make the ,apostle's ,words void of good ,sense8 ,let them shew us wherever there is such a ,manner of speaking in all the ,scripture1 where any of the ,penmen first name the ,believers in ,concreto with themselves1 and then contra-distinguish them from some other whole ,world of ,believers8 ,that whole ,world if it be of ,believers1 must not be the ,world we live in4 ,but we need no better ,interpreter for the ,apostle than himself1 who uses the very same ,expression and ,phrase in the same ,epistle1 ,ch4 v4 #ai4 saying1 ,we know that we are of ,god1 and the whole ,world lieth in ,wickedness4 ,there cannot be found in all the ,scripture two ,places which run more parallel2 seeing in both the same ,apostle1 in the same ,epistle to the same ,persons1 contra-distinguisheth himself1 and the ,saints to whom he writes1 from the whole ,world2 which1 according to these ,men's ,commentary1 ought to be understood of ,believers3 ,as if ,john had said1 ,we know particular ,believers are of ,god2 but the whole ,world of ,believers lieth in ,wickedness4 ,what absurd wresting of ,scripture were this8 ,and yet it may be as well pleaded for as the other2 for they differ not at all4 ,seeing then that the ,apostle ,john tells us plainly1 ,that ,christ not only died for him1 and for the ,saints and ,members of the ,church of ,god1 to whom he wrote1 but for the whole ,world1 let us then hold it for a certain and undoubted ,truth1 notwithstanding the ,cavils of such as oppose4 ,this might also be proved from many more ,scripture-,testimonies1 if it were at this ,season needful4 ,all the ,fathers1 so called1 and ,doctors of the ,church1 for the first four ,centuries1 preached this ,doctrine2 according to which they boldly held forth the ,gospel of ,christ1 and ,efficacy of his ,death2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,heathens invited to ,salvation2 none predestinated to ,damnation4 inviting and intreating the ,heathens to come and be ,partakers of the ,benefits of it1 shewing them how there was a ,door open for them all to be saved through ,jesus ,christ2 not telling them that ,god had predestinated any of them to ,damnation1 or had made ,salvation impossible to them1 by with-holding ,power and ,grace1 necessary to believe1 from them4 ,but of many of their ,sayings1 which might be alleged1 ,i shall only instance a few4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #d4 ,the ,testimonies of the ,doctors and ,fathers of the first ,church1 that ,christ died for all4 ,augustine on the xcvth ,psalm saith1 8,the ,blood of ,christ is of so great ,worth1 that it is of no less ,value than the whole ,world40 ,prosper ad ,gall4 c4 #i4 8,the ,redeemer of the ,world gave his ,blood for the ,world1 and the ,world would not be ,redeemed1 because the ,darkness did not receive the ,light4 ,he that saith1 the ,saviour was not crucified for the ,redemption of the whole ,world1 looks not to the ,virtue of the ,sacrament1 but to the ,part of ,infidels2 since the ,blood of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ is the ,price of the whole ,world2 from which ,redemption they are ,strangers1 who either delighting in their ,captivity would not be ,redeemed1 or after they were ,redeemed returned to the same ,servitude40 ,the same ,prosper1 in his ,answer to ,vincentius's first ,objection3 8,seeing therefore because of one common ,nature and ,cause in ,truth1 undertaken by our ,lord1 all are rightly said to be ,redeemed1 and nevertheless all are not brought out of ,captivity2 the ,property of ,redemption without doubt belongeth to those from whom the ,prince of this ,world is shut out1 and now are not ,vessels of the ,devil1 but ,members of ,christ2 whole ,death was so bestowed upon ,mankind1 that it belonged to the ,redemption of such who were not to be regenerated4 ,but so1 that that which was done by the ,example of one for all1 might1 by a singular ,mystery1 be celebrated in every one4 ,for the ,cup of ,immortality1 which is made up of our ,infirmity and the ,divine ,power1 hath indeed that in it which may ,profit all2 but if it be not drank1 it doth not heal40 ,the ,author de ,vocat4 ,gentium1 ,lib4 #aa4 ,cap4 #f4 8,there is no ,cause to doubt but that our ,lord ,jesus ,christ died for ,sinners and wicked ,men4 ,and if there can be any found1 who may be said not to be of this ,number1 ,christ hath not died for all2 he made himself a ,redeemer for the whole ,world40 ,chrysostom on ,john i4 8,if he enlightens every ,man coming into the ,world1 how comes it that so many ,men remain without ,light8 ,for all do not so much as acknowledge ,christ4 ,how then doth he enlighten every ,man8 ,he illuminates indeed so far as in him is2 but if any of their own accord1 closing the ,eyes of their ,mind1 will not direct their ,eyes unto the ,beams of this ,light1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,cause they remain in ,darkness4 the ,cause that they remain in ,darkness is not from the ,nature of the ,light1 but through their own ,malignity1 who willingly have rendered themselves unworthy of so great a ,gift4 ,but why believed they not8 ,because they would not3 ,christ did his ,part40 ,the ,arelatensian ,synod1 held about the ,year #dij1 8,pronounced him accursed1 who should say that ,christ hath not died for all1 or that he would not have all ,men to be saved40 ,ambr4 on ,psalm cxviii4 ,serm4 #h4 8,the mystical ,sun of ,righteousness is arisen to all2 he came to all2 he suffered for all2 and rose again for all3 ,and therefore he suffered1 that he might take away the ,sin of the ,world4 ,but if any one believe not in ,christ1 he robs himself of this general ,benefit1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,sun-,beams shut out1 heat not4 even as if one by closing the ,windows should hold out the ,sun-,beams4 ,the ,sun is not therefore not arisen to all1 because such an one hath so robbed himself of its ,heat3 ,but the ,sun keeps its ,prerogative2 it is such an one's ,imprudence that he shuts himself out from the common ,benefit of the ,light40 ,the same ,man1 in his #aath ,book of ,cain and ,abel1 ,cap4 #ac4 saith1 8,therefore he brought unto all the ,means of ,health1 that whosoever should perish1 may ascribe to himself the ,causes of his ,death1 who would not be cured when he had the ,remedy by which he might have escaped40 4 ,,ix4 ,seeing then that this ,doctrine of the ,universality of ,christ's ,death is so certain and agreeable to the ,scripture-,testimony1 and to the ,sense of the purest ,antiquity1 it may be wondered how so many1 some whereof have been esteemed not only ,learned1 but also ,pious1 have been capable to fall into so gross and strange an ,error4 ,but the ,cause of this doth evidently appear1 in that the ,way and ,method by which the ,virtue and ,efficacy of his ,death is communicated to all ,men1 hath not been rightly understood1 or indeed hath been erroneously taught4 ,sidenote3 ,pelagian ,errors4 ,the ,pelagians1 ascribing all to ,man's ,will and ,nature1 denied ,man to have any ,seed of ,sin conveyed to him from ,adam4 ,and the ,semi-,pelagians1 making ,grace as a ,gift following upon ,man's ,merit1 or right improving of his ,nature1 according to the known ,principle1 ,facienti quod in se est1 ,deus non denegat gratiam4 ,sidenote3 ,extremes fallen into by some1 making ,god the ,author of ,sin4 ,this gave ,augustine1 ,prosper1 and some others ,occasion1 labouring1 in ,opposition to these ,opinions1 to magnify the ,grace of ,god1 and paint out the ,corruptions of ,man's ,nature 7as the ,proverb is of those that seek to make straight a crooked ,stick7 to incline to the other ,extreme4 ,so also the ,reformers1 ,luther and others1 finding among other ,errors the strange ,expressions used by some of the ,popish ,scholasticks concerning ,free-,will1 and how much the ,tendency of their ,principles is to exalt ,man's ,nature and lessen ,god's ,grace1 having all those ,sayings of ,augustine and others for a ,pattern1 through the like ,mistake run upon the same ,extreme3 ,though afterwards the ,lutherans1 seeing how far ,calvin and his ,followers drove this ,matter1 7who1 as a ,man of subtle and profound judgment1 foreseeing where it would land1 resolved above-board to assert that ,god had decreed the ,means as well as the ,end1 and therefore had ordained ,men to sin1 and excites them thereto1 which he labours earnestly to defend7 and that there was no avoiding the making of ,god the ,author of ,sin1 thereby received ,occasion to discern the ,falsity of this ,doctrine1 and disclaimed it1 as appears by the latter ,writings of ,melancthon1 and the ,mompelgartensian ,conference1 #fewhere ,lucas ,osiander1 one of the ,collocutors1 terms it ,impious2 calls it a making ,god the ,author of ,sin1 and an horrid and horrible ,blasphemy4 ,yet because none of those who have asserted this universal ,redemption since the ,reformation have given a clear1 distinct1 and satisfactory ,testimony how it is communicated to all1 and so have fallen short of fully declaring the ,perfection of the ,gospel ,dispensation1 others have been thereby the more strengthened in their ,errors2 which ,i shall illustrate by one singular ,example4 #fe ,epit4 ,hist4 ,eccl4 ,luc ,osiand4 ,cent4 #af4 l4 #d4 ,cap4 #cb4 ,the ,arminians1 and other ,assertors of universal ,grace1 use this as a chief ,argument4 ,that which every ,man is bound to believe1 is true3 ,but every ,man is bound to believe that ,christ died for him3 ,therefore1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,remonstrants ,opinion strengthens the precise ,decree of ,reprobation4 ,of this ,argument the other ,party deny the ,assumption1 saying2 ,that they who never heard of ,christ1 are not obliged to believe in him2 and seeing the ,remonstrants 7as they are commonly called7 do generally themselves acknowledge1 that without the outward ,knowledge of ,christ there is no ,salvation1 that gives the other ,party yet a stronger ,argument for their precise ,decree of ,reprobation4 ,for1 say they1 seeing we all see really1 and in effect1 that ,god hath with-held from many ,generations1 and yet from ,nations1 that ,knowledge which is absolutely needful to ,salvation1 and so hath rendered it simply impossible unto them2 ,why may he not as well with-hold the ,grace necessary to make a saving ,application of that ,knowledge1 where it is preached8 ,for there is no ,ground to say1 ,that this were ,injustice in ,god1 or ,partiality1 more than his leaving those others in utter ,ignorance2 the one being but a with-holding ,grace to apprehend the ,object of ,faith1 the other a withdrawing the ,object itself4 ,for answer to this1 they are forced to draw a ,conclusion from their former ,hypothesis of ,christ's dying for all1 and ,god's ,mercy and ,justice1 saying1 ,that if these ,heathens1 who live in those remote ,places1 where the outward ,knowledge of ,christ is not1 did improve that common ,knowledge they have1 to whom the outward ,creation is for an ,object of ,faith1 by which they may gather that there is a ,god1 then the ,lord would by some ,providence1 either send an ,angel to tell them of ,christ1 or convey the ,scriptures to them1 or bring them some ,way an ,opportunity to meet with such as might inform them4 ,which1 as it gives always too much to the ,power and ,strength of ,man's ,will and ,nature1 and favours a little of ,socinianism and ,pelagianism1 or at least of ,semi-,pelagianism1 so1 since it is only built upon probable ,conjectures1 neither hath it ,evidence enough to convince any strongly tainted with the other ,doctrine2 nor yet doth it make the ,equity and wonderful ,harmony of ,god's ,mercy and ,justice towards ,,all so manifest to the ,understanding4 ,so that ,i have often observed1 that these ,assertors of ,universal ,grace did far more pithily and strongly overturn the false ,doctrine of their ,adversaries1 than they did establish and confirm the ,truth and ,certainty of their own4 ,sidenote3 ,none1 by an irrevocable ,decree1 excluded from ,salvation4 ,and though they have ,proof sufficient from the ,holy ,scriptures to confirm the ,universality of ,christ's ,death1 and that none are precisely1 by any irrevocable ,decree1 excluded from ,salvation1 yet ,i find when they are pressed in the ,respects above-mentioned1 to shew how ,god hath so far equally extended the ,capacity to partake of the ,benefit of ,christ's ,death unto all1 as to communicate unto them a sufficient ,way of so doing1 they are somewhat in a ,strait1 and are put more to give us their ,conjectures from the ,certainty of the former pre-supposed ,truth1 to wit1 that because ,christ hath certainly died for all1 and ,god hath not rendered ,salvation impossible to any1 therefore there must be some ,way or other by which they may be saved2 which must be by improving some common ,grace1 or by gathering from the ,works of ,creation and ,providence1 than by really demonstrating1 by convincing and spiritual ,arguments1 what that ,way is4 4 ,x4 ,it falls out then1 that as ,darkness1 and the great ,apostasy1 came not upon the ,christian ,world all at once1 but by several ,degrees1 one ,thing making way for another2 until that thick and gross ,veil came to be overspread1 wherewith the ,nations were so blindly covered1 from the seventh and eighth1 until the sixteenth ,century2 even as the ,darkness of the ,night comes not upon the outward ,creation at once1 but by ,degrees1 according as the ,sun declines in each ,horizon2 so neither did that full and clear ,light and ,knowledge of the glorious ,dispensation of the ,gospel of ,christ appear all at once2 the ,work of the first ,witnesses being more to testify against and discover the ,abuses of the ,apostasy1 than to establish the ,truth in ,purity4 ,he that comes to build a new ,city1 must first remove the old ,rubbish1 before he can see to lay a new ,foundation2 and he that comes to an ,house greatly polluted and full of ,dirt1 will first sweep away and remove the ,filth1 before he put up his own good and new ,furniture4 ,the dawning of the ,day dispels the ,darkness1 and makes us see the ,things that are most conspicuous3 ,but the distinct discovering and discerning of ,things1 so as to make a certain and perfect ,observation1 is reserved for the arising of the ,sun1 and its shining in full ,brightness4 ,and we can1 from a certain ,experience1 boldly affirm1 that the not waiting for this1 but building among1 yea1 and with1 the ,old ,popish ,rubbish1 and setting up before a full ,purgation1 hath been to most ,protestants the ,foundation of many a ,mistake1 and an ,occasion of unspeakable ,hurt4 ,sidenote3 ,the more full ,discovery of the ,gospel reserved to this our ,age4 ,therefore the ,lord ,god1 who as he seeth meet doth communicate and make known to ,man the more full1 evident1 and perfect ,knowledge of his everlasting ,truth1 hath been pleased to reserve the more full ,discovery of this ,glorious and ,evangelical ,dispensation to this our ,age2 albeit divers ,testimonies have thereunto been borne by some noted ,men in several ,ages1 as shall hereafter appear4 ,and for the greater ,augmentation of the ,glory of his ,grace1 that no ,man might have whereof to boast1 he hath raised up a few despicable and illiterate ,men1 and for the most ,part ,mechanicks1 to be the ,dispensers of it2 by which ,gospel all the ,scruples1 ,doubts1 ,hesitations and ,objections above-mentioned are easily and evidently answered1 and the ,justice as well as ,mercy of ,god1 according to their divine and heavenly ,harmony1 are exhibited1 established1 and confirmed4 ,according to which certain ,light and ,gospel1 as the ,knowledge thereof has been manifested to us by the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ in us1 fortified by our own sensible ,experience1 and sealed by the ,testimony of the ,spirit in our ,hearts1 we can confidently affirm1 and clearly evince1 according to the ,testimony of the ,holy ,scriptures1 the following ,points3 4 ,,xi4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,i4 ,first1 ,that ,god1 who out of his infinite ,love sent his ,son1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 into the ,world1 ,sidenote3 ,a day of ,visitation to all4 who tasted ,death for every ,man1 hath given to every ,man1 whether ,jew or ,gentile1 ,turk or ,scythian1 ,indian or ,barbarian1 of whatsoever ,nation1 ,country1 or ,place1 a certain ,day or ,time of ,visitation2 during which ,day or ,time it is possible for them to be saved1 and to partake of the ,fruit of ,christ's ,death4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,measure of ,light in all4 ,secondly1 ,that for this ,end ,god hath communicated and given unto every ,man a ,measure of the ,light of his own ,son1 a ,measure of ,grace1 or a ,measure of the ,spirit1 which the ,scripture expresses by several ,names1 as sometimes of the ,seed of the ,kingdom1 ,mat4 xiii4 #ah1 #ai4 the ,light that makes all ,things manifest1 ,ephes4 v4 #ac4 the ,word of ,god1 ,rom4 x4 #ag4 or ,manifestation of the ,spirit given to profit withal1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #g4 ,a ,talent1 ,mat4 xxv4 #ae4 ,a little ,leaven1 ,mat4 xiii4 #cc4 the ,gospel preached in every ,creature1 ,col4 i4 #bc4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,,iii4 ,thirdly1 ,that ,god1 in and by this ,light and ,seed1 invites1 calls1 exhorts1 and strives with every ,man1 in order to save him2 ,sidenote3 ,god's ,salvation wrought by the ,light in all4 which1 as it is received and not resisted1 works the ,salvation of all1 even of those who are ignorant of the ,death and ,sufferings of ,christ1 and of ,adam's ,fall1 both by bringing them to a ,sense of their own ,misery1 and to be ,sharers in the ,sufferings of ,christ inwardly1 and by making them ,partakers of his ,resurrection1 in becoming ,holy1 ,pure1 and ,righteous1 and recovered out of their ,sins4 ,by which also are saved they that have the ,knowledge of ,christ outwardly1 in that it opens their ,understanding rightly to use and apply the ,things delivered in the ,scriptures1 and to receive the saving ,use of them3 ,but that this may be resisted and rejected in both1 in which then ,god is said to be resisted and pressed down1 and ,christ to be again crucified1 and put to open ,shame in and among ,men4 ,and to those who thus resist and refuse him1 he becomes their ,condemnation4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #a4 ,first then1 ,according to this ,doctrine the ,mercy of ,god is excellently well exhibited1 in that none are necessarily shut out from ,salvation2 and his ,justice is demonstrated1 in that he condemns none but such to whom he really made offer of ,salvation1 affording them the ,means sufficient thereunto4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,this ,doctrine1 if well weighed1 will be found to be the ,foundation of ,christianity1 ,salvation1 and ,assurance4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,it agrees and answers with the whole ,tenor of the ,gospel ,promises and ,threats1 and with the ,nature of the ,ministry of ,christ2 according to which1 the ,gospel1 ,salvation1 and ,repentance are commanded to be preached to every ,creature1 without ,respect of ,nations1 ,kindred1 ,families or ,tongues4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,it magnifies and commends the ,merits and ,death of ,christ1 in that it not only accounts them sufficient to save all1 but declares them to be brought so nigh unto all1 as thereby to be put into the nearest ,capacity of ,salvation4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #e4 ,fifthly1 ,it exalts above all the ,grace of ,god1 to which it attributeth all ,good1 even the least and smallest ,actions that are so2 ascribing thereunto not only the first ,beginnings and ,motions of ,good1 but also the whole ,conversion and ,salvation of the ,soul4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #f4 ,sixthly1 ,it contradicts1 overturns1 and enervates the false ,doctrine of the ,pelagians1 ,semi-,pelagians1 ,socinians1 and others1 who exalt the ,light of ,nature1 the ,liberty of ,man's ,will1 in that it wholly excludes the natural ,man from having any ,place or ,portion in his own ,salvation1 by any acting1 moving1 or working of his own1 until he be first quickened1 raised up1 and actuated by ,god's ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #g4 ,seventhly1 ,as it makes the whole ,salvation of ,man solely and alone to depend upon ,god1 so it makes his ,condemnation wholly and in every ,respect to be of himself1 in that he refused and resisted somewhat that from ,god wrestled and strove in his ,heart1 and forces him to acknowledge ,god's just judgment in rejecting and forsaking of him4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #h4 ,eighthly1 ,it takes away all ,ground of ,despair1 in that it gives every one ,cause of ,hope and certain ,assurance that they may be saved2 neither doth feed any in ,security1 in that none are certain how soon their ,day may expire3 ,and therefore it is a constant ,incitement and ,provocation1 and lively ,encouragement to every ,man1 to forsake ,evil1 and close with that which is ,good4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #i4 ,ninthly1 ,it wonderfully commends as well the ,certainty of the ,christian ,religion among ,infidels1 as it manifests its own ,verity to all1 in that it is confirmed and established by the ,experience of all ,men2 seeing there was never yet a ,man found in any ,place of the ,earth1 however barbarous and wild1 but hath acknowledged that at some ,time or other1 less or more1 he hath found somewhat in his ,heart reproving him for some ,things evil which he hath done1 threatening a certain ,horror if he continued in them1 as also promising and communicating a certain ,peace and ,sweetness1 as he has given ,way to it1 and not resisted it4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #aj4 ,tenthly1 ,it wonderfully sheweth the excellent ,wisdom of ,god1 by which he hath made the ,means of ,salvation so universal and comprehensive1 that it is not needful to recur to those miraculous and strange ,ways2 seeing1 according to this most true ,doctrine1 the ,gospel reacheth all1 of whatsoever ,condition1 ,age1 or ,nation4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #aa4 ,eleventhly1 ,it is really and effectively1 though not in so many ,words1 yet by ,deeds1 established and confirmed by all the ,preachers1 ,promulgators1 and ,doctors of the ,christian ,religion that ever were1 or now are1 even by those that otherways in their ,judgment oppose this ,doctrine1 in that they all1 whatever they have been or are1 or whatsoever ,people1 ,place1 or ,country they come to1 do preach to the ,people1 and to every ,individual among them1 that they may be saved2 intreating and desiring them to believe in ,christ1 who hath died for them4 ,so that what they deny in the general1 they acknowledge of every ,particular2 there being no ,man to whom they do not preach in order to ,salvation1 telling him ,jesus ,christ calls and wills him to believe and be saved2 and that if he refuse1 he shall therefore be condemned1 and that his ,condemnation is of himself4 ,such is the ,evidence and ,virtue of ,truth1 that it constrains its ,adversaries1 even against their ,wills1 to plead for it4 ,sidenote3 ,conseq4 #ab4 ,lastly1 ,according to this ,doctrine the former ,argument used by the ,arminians1 and evited by the ,calvinists1 concerning every ,man's being bound to believe that ,christ died for him1 is1 by altering the ,assumption1 rendered invincible2 thus1 ,that which every ,man is bound to believe1 is true3 ,but every man is bound to believe that ,god is merciful unto him3 ,therefore1 c4 ,this ,assumption no ,man can deny1 seeing his ,mercies are said to be over all his ,works4 ,and herein the ,scripture every ,way declares the ,mercy of ,god to be1 in that he invites and calls ,sinners to ,repentance1 and hath opened a ,way of ,salvation for them3 ,so that though those ,men be not bound to believe the ,history of ,christ's ,death and ,passion who never came to know of it1 yet they are bound to believe that ,god will be merciful to them1 if they follow his ,ways1 and that he is merciful unto them1 in that he reproves them for ,evil1 and encourages them to ,good4 ,sidenote3 ,our ,adversaries unmerciful ,assertion of ,god4 ,neither ought any ,man to believe that ,god is unmerciful to him1 or that he hath from the ,beginning1 ordained him to come into the ,world that he might be left to his own evil ,inclinations1 and so do wickedly as a ,means appointed by ,god to bring him to eternal ,damnation2 which1 were it true1 as our ,adversaries affirm it to be of many ,thousands1 ,i see no ,reason why a ,man might not believe2 for certainly a ,man may believe the ,truth4 ,as it manifestly appears from the ,thing itself1 that these good and excellent ,consequences follow from the ,belief of this ,doctrine1 so from the ,proof of them it will yet more evidently appear2 to which before ,i come1 it is requisite to speak somewhat concerning the ,state of the ,controversy1 which will bring great ,light to the ,matter3 ,for from the not right understanding of a ,matter under ,debate1 sometimes both ,arguments on the one ,hand1 and ,objections on the other1 are brought1 which do no ,way hit the ,case2 and hereby also our ,sense and ,judgment therein will be more fully understood and opened4 4 ,,xii4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #a4 ,sidenote3 ,the stating of the ,question4 ,first then1 by this ,day and ,time of ,visitation1 which we say ,god gives unto all1 during which they may be saved1 we do not understand the whole ,time of every ,man's ,life2 though to some it may be extended even to the very ,hour of ,death1 as we see in the ,example of the ,thief converted upon the ,cross3 ,but such a ,season at least as sufficiently exonerateth ,god of every ,man's ,condemnation1 which to some may be sooner1 and to others later1 according as the ,lord in his ,wisdom sees meet4 ,sidenote3 ,that many may out-live the ,day of ,god's ,visitation4 ,so that many ,men may out-live this ,day1 after which there may be no ,possibility of ,salvation to them1 and ,god justly suffers them to be hardened1 as a just ,punishment of their ,unbelief1 and even raises them up as ,instruments of ,wrath1 and makes them a ,scourge one against another4 ,whence to ,men in this ,condition may be fitly applied those ,scriptures which are abused to prove that ,god incites ,men necessarily to sin3 ,this is notably expressed by the ,apostle1 ,rom4 i4 from ,ver4 #ag4 to the ,end1 but especially ,ver4 #bh4 ,and even as they did not like to retain ,god in their ,knowledge1 ,god gave them up to a ,reprobate ,mind1 to do those ,things which are not convenient4 ,that many may out-live this ,day of ,god's gracious ,visitation unto them1 is shewn by the ,example of ,esau1 ,heb4 xii4 #af1 #ag4 who sold his ,birthright ,so he had it once1 and was capable to have kept it2 but afterwards when he would have inherited the ,blessing1 he was rejected4 ,this appears also by ,christ's weeping over ,jerusalem1 ,luke xix4 #db4 saying1 ,if thou hadst known in this thy ,day the ,things that belong unto thy ,peace2 but now they are hid from thine ,eyes4 ,which plainly imports a ,time when they might have known them1 which now was removed from them1 though they were yet alive2 but of this more shall be said hereafter4 4 ,,xiii4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,by this ,seed1 ,grace1 and ,word of ,god1 and ,light wherewith1 we say1 every one is enlightened1 and hath a ,measure of it1 which strives with him in order to save him1 and which may1 by the ,stubbornness and ,wickedness of ,man's ,will1 be quenched1 bruised1 wounded1 pressed down1 slain and crucified1 we understand not the proper ,essence and ,nature of ,god precisely taken1 which is not divisible into ,parts and ,measures1 as being a most pure1 simple ,being1 void of all ,composition or ,division1 and therefore can neither be resisted1 hurt1 wounded1 crucified1 or slain by all the ,efforts and ,strength of ,men2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light what it is1 and its ,properties described4 but we understand a spiritual1 heavenly1 and invisible ,principle1 in which ,god1 as ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1 dwells2 a ,measure of which divine and glorious ,life is in all ,men1 as a ,seed1 #ffwhich of its own ,nature draws1 invites1 and inclines to ,god2 and this some call ,vehiculum ,dei1 or the spiritual ,body of ,christ1 the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 which came down from ,heaven1 of which all the ,saints do feed1 and are thereby nourished unto eternal ,life4 ,and as every unrighteous ,action is witnessed against and reproved by this ,light and ,seed1 so by such ,actions it is hurt1 wounded1 and slain1 and flees from them even as the ,flesh of ,man flees from that which is of a contrary ,nature to it4 ,now because it is never separated from ,god nor ,christ1 #fg;but wherever it is1 ,god and ,christ are as wrapped up therein1 therefore and in that ,respect as it is resisted1 ,god is said to be resisted2 and where it is borne down1 ,god is said to be pressed as a ,cart under ,sheaves1 and ,christ is said to be slain and crucified4 ,and on the contrary1 as this ,seed is received in the ,heart1 and suffered to bring forth its natural and proper ,effect1 ,christ comes to be formed and raised1 of which the ,scripture makes so much ,mention1 calling it the new ,man1 ,christ within1 the ,hope of ,glory4 ,this is that ,christ within1 which we are heard so much to speak and declare of1 every where preaching him up1 and exhorting ,people to believe in the ,light1 and obey it1 that they may come to know ,christ in them1 to deliver them from all ,sin4 #ff ,cant4 #c4 #i4 #fg #a ,tim4 vi4 #af4 ,but by this1 as we do not at all intend to equal ourselves to that ,holy ,man the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 in whom all the ,fulness of the ,godhead dwelt bodily1 ,sidenote3 ,that the ,fulness of the ,godhead dwells in ,christ bodily1 c4 so neither do we destroy the ,reality of his present ,existence1 as some have falsely calumniated us4 ,for though we affirm that ,christ dwells in us1 yet not immediately1 but mediately as he is in that ,seed which is in us2 whereas he1 to wit1 the ,eternal ,word1 which was with ,god1 and was ,god1 dwelt immediately in that ,holy ,man4 ,he then is as the ,head1 and we as the ,members2 he the ,vine1 and we the ,branches4 ,now as the ,soul of ,man dwells otherwise and in a far more immediate ,manner in the ,head and in the ,heart than in the ,hands or ,legs1 and as the ,sap1 ,virtue1 and ,life of the ,vine lodgeth far otherwise in the ,stock and ,root than in the ,branches1 so ,god dwelleth otherwise in the ,man ,jesus than in us4 ,we also freely reject the ,heresy of ,apollinarius1 who denied him to have any ,soul1 but said the ,body was only actuated by the ,godhead4 ,as also the ,error of ,eutyches1 who made the ,manhood to be wholly swallowed up of the ,godhead4 ,wherefore1 as we believe he was a true and real ,man1 so we also believe that he continues so to be glorified in the ,heavens in ,soul and ,body1 by whom ,god shall judge the ,world1 in the great and general ,day of ,judgment4 4 ,,xiv4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #c4 ,sidenote3 ,that the ,light is a ,spiritual ,substance1 which may be felt in the ,soul and apprehended4 ,thirdly1 ,we understand not this ,seed1 ,light1 or ,grace to be an ,accident1 as most ,men ignorantly do1 but a real spiritual ,substance1 which the ,soul of ,man is capable to feel and apprehend1 from which that real1 spiritual1 inward ,birth in ,believers arises1 called the ,new ,creature1 the ,new ,man in the ,heart4 ,this seems strange to ,carnal-minded ,men1 because they are not acquainted with it2 but we know it1 and are sensible of it1 by a true and certain ,experience4 ,though it be hard for ,man in his natural ,wisdom to comprehend it until he come to feel it in himself1 and if he should1 holding it in the mere ,notion it would avail him little1 yet we are able to make it appear to be true1 and that our ,faith concerning it is not without a solid ,ground3 ,for it is in and by this inward and substantial ,seed in our ,hearts as it comes to receive ,nourishment1 and to have a ,birth or ,geniture in us1 that we come to have those spiritual ,senses raised by which we are made capable of tasting1 smelling1 seeing1 and handling the ,things of ,god3 ,for a ,man cannot reach unto those ,things by his natural ,spirit and ,senses1 as is above declared4 ,next1 ,we know it to be a ,substance1 because it subsists in the ,hearts of wicked ,men1 even while they are in their ,wickedness1 as shall be hereafter proved more at large4 ,now no ,accident can be in a ,subject without it give the ,subject its own ,denomination2 as where ,whiteness is in a ,subject1 there the ,subject is called ,white4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,degrees of its ,operation in the ,soul of ,man4 ,so we distinguish betwixt ,holiness1 as it is an ,accident1 which denominates ,man so1 as the ,seed receives a ,place in him1 and betwixt the holy substantial ,seed1 which many ,times lies in ,man's ,heart as a naked ,grain in the stony ,ground4 ,so also as we may distinguish betwixt ,health and ,medicine2 ,health cannot be in a ,body without the ,body be called ,healthful1 because ,health is an ,accident2 but ,medicine may be in a ,body that is most unhealthful1 for that it is a ,substance4 ,and as when a ,medicine begins to work1 the ,body may in some ,respect be called ,healthful1 and in some ,respect ,unhealthful1 so we acknowledge as this divine ,medicine receives ,place in ,man's ,heart1 it may denominate him in some ,part ,holy and ,good1 though there remain yet a corrupted unmortified ,part1 or some ,part of the evil ,humours unpurged out2 for where two contrary ,accidents are in one ,subject1 as ,health and ,sickness in a ,body1 the ,subject receives its ,denomination from the ,accident which prevails most4 ,so many ,men are called ,saints1 good and holy ,men1 and that truly1 when this holy ,seed hath wrought in them in a good ,measure1 and hath somewhat leavened them into its ,nature1 though they may be yet liable to many ,infirmities and ,weaknesses1 yea1 and to some ,iniquities2 for as the ,seed of ,sin and ,ground of ,corruption1 yea1 and the ,capacity of yielding thereunto1 and sometimes actually falling1 doth not denominate a good and holy ,man impious2 so neither doth the ,seed of ,righteousness in evil ,men1 and the ,possibility of their becoming one with it1 denominate them good or holy4 4 ,,xv4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,we do not hereby intend any ways to lessen or derogate from the ,atonement and ,sacrifice of ,jesus ,christ2 but on the contrary do magnify and exalt it4 ,for as we believe all those ,things to have been certainly transacted which are recorded in the ,holy ,scriptures concerning the ,birth1 ,life1 ,miracles1 ,sufferings1 ,resurrection and ,ascension of ,christ2 so we do also believe that it is the ,duty of every one to believe it to whom it pleases ,god to reveal the same1 and to bring to them the ,knowledge of it2 yea1 we believe it were damnable ,unbelief not to believe it1 when so declared2 but to resist that holy ,seed1 which as minded would lead and incline every one to believe it as it is offered unto them1 though it revealeth not in every one the outward and explicit ,knowledge of it1 nevertheless it always assenteth to it1 ubi declaratur1 where it is declared4 ,nevertheless as we firmly believe it was necessary that ,christ should come1 that by his ,death and ,sufferings he might offer up himself a ,sacrifice to ,god for our ,sins1 who his own self bare our ,sins in his own ,body on the ,tree2 so we believe that the ,remission of ,sins which any partake of1 is only in and by ,virtue of that most satisfactory ,sacrifice1 and no otherwise4 ,sidenote3 ,that ,remission of ,sins is only and alone by ,christ4 ,for it is by the ,obedience of that ,one that the ,free-gift is come upon all to ,justification4 ,for we affirm1 that as all ,men partake of the ,fruit of ,adam's ,fall1 in that by ,reason of that evil ,seed1 which through him is communicated unto them1 they are prone and inclined unto ,evil1 though ,thousands of ,thousands be ignorant of ,adam's ,fall1 neither ever knew of the ,eating of the ,forbidden ,fruit2 so also many may come to feel the ,influence of this ,holy and ,divine ,seed and ,light1 and be turned from ,evil to ,good by it1 though they knew nothing of ,christ's coming in the ,flesh1 through whose ,obedience and ,sufferings it is purchased unto them4 ,and as we affirm it is absolutely needful that those do believe the ,history of ,christ's outward ,appearance1 whom it pleased ,god to bring to the ,knowledge of it2 so we do freely confess1 that even that outward ,knowledge is very comfortable to such as are subject to and led by the inward ,seed and ,light4 ,for not only doth the ,sense of ,christ's ,love and ,sufferings tend to humble them1 but they are thereby also strengthened in their ,faith1 and encouraged to follow that excellent ,pattern which he hath left us1 who suffered for us1 as saith the ,apostle ,peter1 #a ,pet4 ii4 #ba3 ,leaving us an ,example that we should follow his ,steps3 ,and many ,times we are greatly edified and refreshed with the gracious ,sayings which proceed out of his ,mouth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,history is profitable with the ,mystery4 ,the ,history then is profitable and comfortable with the ,mystery1 and never without it2 but the ,mystery is and may be profitable without the explicit and outward ,knowledge of the ,history4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #e4 ,how ,christ is in all ,men4 ,but ,fifthly1 ,this brings us to another ,question1 to wit1 ,whether ,christ be in all ,men or no8 ,which sometimes hath been asked us1 and ,arguments brought against it2 because indeed it is to be found in some of our ,writings that ,christ is in all ,men2 and we often are heard1 in our publick ,meetings and ,declarations1 to desire every ,man to know and be acquainted with ,christ in them1 telling them that ,christ is in them2 it is fit therefore1 for removing of all ,mistakes1 to say something in this ,place concerning this ,matter4 ,we have said before1 how that a divine1 spiritual1 and supernatural ,light is in all ,men2 how that that divine supernatural ,light or ,seed is ,vehiculum ,dei2 how that ,god and ,christ dwelleth in it1 and is never separated from it2 also how that1 as it is received and closed with in the ,heart1 ,christ comes to be formed and brought forth3 ,but we are far from ever having said1 ,that ,christ is thus formed in all ,men1 or in the ,wicked3 ,for that is a great ,attainment1 which the ,apostle travailed that it might be brought forth in the ,galatians4 ,neither is ,christ in all ,men by ,way of ,union1 or indeed1 to speak strictly1 by ,way of ,inhabitation2 because this ,inhabitation1 as it is generally taken1 imports ,union1 or the ,manner of ,christ's being in the ,saints3 ,as it is written1 ,i will dwell in them1 and walk in them1 #b ,cor4 vi4 #af4 ,but in regard1 ,christ is in all ,men as in a ,seed1 yea1 and that he never is nor can be separate from that holy pure ,seed and ,light which is in all ,men2 therefore may it be said in a larger ,sense1 that he is in all1 even as we observed before4 ,the ,scripture saith1 ,amos ii4 #ac4 ,god is pressed down as a ,cart under ,sheaves1 and ,christ crucified in the ,ungodly2 though to speak properly and strictly1 neither can ,god be pressed down1 nor ,christ1 as ,god1 be crucified4 ,in this ,respect then1 as he is in the ,seed which is in all ,men1 we have said ,christ is in all ,men1 and have preached and directed all ,men to ,christ in them1 ,sidenote3 ,christ crucified in ,man by ,iniquities4 who lies crucified in them by their ,sins and ,iniquities1 that they may look upon him whom they have pierced1 and repent3 ,whereby he that now lies as it were slain and buried in them1 may come to be raised1 and have ,dominion in their ,hearts over all4 ,and thus also the ,apostle ,paul preached to the ,corinthians and ,galatians1 #a ,cor4 ii4 #b4 ,christ crucified in them1 ,greek3 en hymin3 1 as the ,greek hath it4 ,this ,jesus ,christ was that which the ,apostle desired to know in them1 and make known unto them1 that they might come to be sensible how they had thus been crucifying ,christ1 that so they might repent and be saved4 ,and forasmuch as ,christ is called that ,light that enlightens every ,man1 the ,light of the ,world1 therefore the ,light is taken for ,christ1 who truly is the ,fountain of ,light1 and hath his ,habitation in it for ever4 ,thus the ,light of ,christ is sometimes called ,christ1 i4 e4 that in which ,christ is1 and from which he is never separated4 4 ,,xvi4 ,sixthly1 ,it will manifestly appear by what is above said1 that we understand not this ,divine ,principle to be any ,part of ,man's ,nature1 nor yet to be any ,reliques of any ,good which ,adam lost by his ,fall1 in that we make it a distinct separate ,thing from ,man's ,soul1 and all the ,faculties of it3 ,yet such is the ,malice of our ,adversaries1 that they cease not sometimes to calumniate us1 as if we preached up a natural ,light1 or the ,light of ,man's natural ,conscience4 ,next there are those that lean to the ,doctrine of ,socinus and ,pelagius1 who persuade themselves through ,mistake1 and out of no ill ,design to injure us1 as if this which we preach up were some natural ,power and ,faculty of the ,soul1 and that we only differ in the wording of it1 and not in the ,thing itself2 whereas there can be no greater ,difference than is betwixt us in that ,matter3 ,for we certainly know that this ,light of which we speak is not only distinct1 but of a different ,nature from the ,soul of ,man1 and its ,faculties4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,faculties of ,man's ,reason4 ,indeed that ,man1 as he is a rational ,creature1 hath ,reason as a natural ,faculty of his ,soul1 by which he can discern ,things that are ,rational1 we deny not2 for this is a ,property natural and essential to him1 by which he can know and learn many ,arts and ,sciences1 beyond what any other ,animal can do by the mere animal ,principle4 ,neither do we deny but by this rational ,principle ,man may apprehend in his ,brain1 and in the ,notion1 a ,knowledge of ,god and spiritual ,things2 yet that not being the right ,organ1 as in the second ,proposition hath more at length been signified1 it cannot profit him towards ,salvation1 but rather hindereth2 and indeed the great ,cause of the ,apostasy hath been1 that ,man hath sought to fathom the ,things of ,god in and by this natural and rational ,principle1 and to build up a ,religion in it1 neglecting and overlooking this ,principle and ,seed of ,god in the ,heart2 ,sidenote3 ,anti-,christ in the ,temple of ,god4 so that herein1 in the most universal and catholick ,sense1 hath ,anti-,christ in every ,man set up himself1 and sitteth in the ,temple of ,god as ,god1 and above every ,thing that is called ,god4 ,for ,men being the ,temple of the ,holy ,ghost1 as saith the ,apostle1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #af4 when the rational ,principle sets up itself there above the ,seed of ,god1 to reign and rule as a ,prince in spiritual ,things1 while the ,holy ,seed is wounded and bruised1 there is ,anti-,christ in every ,man1 or somewhat exalted above and against ,christ4 ,nevertheless we do not hereby affirm as if ,man had received his ,reason to no ,purpose1 or to be of no ,service unto him1 in no wise2 we look upon ,reason as fit to order and rule ,man in ,things natural4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,divine ,light and natural ,reason distinguished4 ,for as ,god gave two great ,lights to rule the outward ,world1 the ,sun and ,moon1 the greater ,light to rule the ,day1 and the lesser ,light to rule the ,night2 so hath he given ,man the ,light of his ,son1 a ,spiritual ,divine ,light1 to rule him in ,things ,spiritual1 and the ,light of ,reason to rule him in ,things ,natural4 ,and even as the ,moon borrows her ,light from the ,sun1 so ought ,men1 if they would be rightly and comfortably ordered in natural ,things1 to have their ,reason enlightened by this divine and pure ,light4 ,which enlightened ,reason1 in those that obey and follow this true ,light1 we confess may be useful to ,man even in ,spiritual ,things1 as it is still subservient and subject to the other2 even as the animal ,life in ,man1 regulated and ordered by his ,reason1 helps him in going about ,things that are rational4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light distinguished from ,man's natural ,conscience4 ,we do further rightly distinguish this from ,man's natural ,conscience2 for ,conscience being that in ,man which ariseth from the natural ,faculties of ,man's ,soul1 may be defiled and corrupted4 ,it is said expresly of the ,impure1 ,tit4 i4 #ae4 ,that even their ,mind and ,conscience is defiled2 but this ,light can never be corrupted nor defiled2 neither did it ever consent to ,evil or ,wickedness in any3 ,for it is said expresly1 that it makes all ,things manifest that are reproveable1 ,ephes4 v4 #ac4 and so is a faithful ,witness for ,god against every ,unrighteousness in ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,conscience defined4 ,now ,conscience1 to define it truly1 comes from ,conscire1 and is that ,knowledge which ariseth in ,man's ,heart1 from what agreeth1 contradicteth1 or is contrary to any ,thing believed by him1 whereby he becomes conscious to himself that he transgresseth by doing that which he is persuaded he ought not to do4 ,so that the ,mind being once blinded or defiled with a wrong ,belief1 there ariseth a ,conscience from that ,belief1 which troubles him when he goes against it4 ,sidenote3 ,example of a ,turk4 ,as for ,example3 ,a ,turk who hath possessed himself with a false ,belief that it is unlawful for him to drink ,wine1 if he do it1 his ,conscience smites him for it2 but though he keep many ,concubines1 his ,conscience troubles him not1 because his ,judgment is already defiled with a false ,opinion that it is lawful for him to do the one1 and unlawful to do the other4 ,whereas if the ,light of ,christ in him were minded1 it would reprove him1 not only for committing ,fornication1 but also1 as he became obedient thereunto1 inform him that ,mahomet was an ,impostor2 as well as ,socrates was informed by it1 in his ,day1 of the ,falsity of the ,heathens ,gods4 ,sidenote3 ,example of a ,papist4 ,so if a ,papist eat ,flesh in ,lent1 or be not diligent enough in ,adoration of ,saints and ,images1 or if he should contemn ,images1 his ,conscience would smite him for it1 because his ,judgment is already blinded with a false ,belief concerning these ,things3 ,whereas the ,light of ,christ never consented to any of those ,abominations4 ,thus then ,man's natural ,conscience is sufficiently distinguished from it2 for ,conscience followeth the ,judgment1 doth not inform it2 but this ,light1 as it is received1 removes the ,blindness of the ,judgment1 opens the ,understanding1 and rectifies both the ,judgment and ,conscience4 ,so we confess also1 that ,conscience is an excellent ,thing1 where it is rightly informed and enlightened3 ,wherefore some of us have fitly compared it to the ,lanthorn1 and the ,light of ,christ to a ,candle3 ,sidenote3 ,the natural ,conscience compared to a ,lanthorn1 and the ,light of ,christ is a ,candle4 ,a ,lanthorn is useful1 when a clear ,candle burns and shines in it2 but otherwise of no ,use4 ,to the ,light of ,christ then in the ,conscience1 and not to ,man's natural ,conscience1 it is that we continually commend ,men2 this1 not that1 is it which we preach up1 and direct ,people to1 as to a most certain ,guide unto ,life eternal4 ,lastly1 ,this ,light1 ,seed1 c4 appears to be no ,power or natural ,faculty of ,man's ,mind2 because a ,man that is in his ,health can1 when he pleases1 stir up1 move1 and exercise the ,faculties of his ,soul2 he is absolute ,master of them2 and except there be some natural ,cause or ,impediment in the ,way1 he can use them at his ,pleasure3 ,but this ,light and ,seed of ,god in ,man he cannot move and stir up when he pleaseth2 but it moves1 blows1 and strives with ,man1 as the ,lord seeth meet4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,waiting upon the ,movings of the ,light and ,grace4 ,for though there be a ,possibility of ,salvation to every ,man during the ,day of his ,visitation1 yet cannot a ,man1 at any ,time when he pleaseth1 or hath some ,sense of his ,misery1 stir up that ,light and ,grace1 so as to procure to himself ,tenderness of ,heart2 but he must wait for it3 ,which comes upon all at certain ,times and ,seasons1 wherein it works powerfully upon the ,soul1 mightily tenders it1 and breaks it2 at which ,time1 if ,man resist it not1 but closes with it1 he comes to know ,salvation by it4 ,even as the ,lake of ,bethesda did not cure all those that washed in it1 but such only as washed first after the ,angel had moved upon the ,waters2 so ,god moves in ,love to ,mankind1 in this ,seed in his ,heart1 at some singular ,times1 setting his ,sins in ,order before him1 and seriously inviting him to ,repentance1 offering to him ,remission of ,sins and ,salvation2 which if ,man accept of1 he may be saved4 ,now there is no ,man alive1 and ,i am confident there shall be none to whom this ,paper shall come1 who1 if they will deal faithfully and honestly with their own ,hearts1 will not be forced to acknowledge that they have been sensible of this in some ,measure1 less or more2 which is a ,thing that ,man cannot bring upon himself with all his ,pains and ,industry4 ,this then1 ,o ,man and ,woman6 is the ,day of ,god's gracious ,visitation to thy ,soul1 which if thou resist not1 thou shalt be happy for ever4 ,this is the ,day of the ,lord1 which1 as ,christ saith1 #fh;is like the ,lightning1 which shineth from the ,east unto the ,west2 and the #fi,wind or ,spirit1 which blows upon the ,heart1 and no ,man knows whither it goes1 nor whence it comes4 #fh ,mat4 #bd4 #bg4 #fi ,john #c4 #h4 4 ,,xvii4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #g4 ,and lastly1 ,this leads me to speak concerning the ,manner of this ,seed or ,light's ,operation in the ,hearts of all ,men1 which will shew yet more manifestly how widely we differ from all those that exalt a natural ,power or ,light in ,man2 and how our ,principle leads above all others to attribute our whole ,salvation to the mere ,power1 ,spirit1 and ,grace of ,god4 ,to them then that ask us after this ,manner1 ,how do ye offer from the ,pelagians and ,arminians8 ,for if two ,men have equal sufficient ,light and ,grace1 and the one be saved by it1 and the other not2 is it not because the one improves it1 the other not8 ,is not then the ,will of ,man the ,cause of the one's ,salvation beyond the other8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light's ,operations in ,order to ,salvation4 ,i say1 to such we thus answer3 ,that as the ,grace and ,light in all is sufficient to save all1 and of its own ,nature would save all2 so it strives and wrestles with all in order to save them2 he that resists its ,striving1 is the ,cause of his own ,condemnation2 he that resists it not1 it becomes his ,salvation3 ,so that in him that is saved1 the working is of the ,grace1 and not of the ,man2 and it is a ,passiveness rather than an ,act2 though afterwards1 as ,man is wrought upon1 there is a ,will raised in him1 by which he comes to be a ,co-worker with the ,grace3 ,for according to that of ,augustine1 ,he that made us without us1 will not save us without us4 ,so that the first ,step is not by ,man's working1 but by his not contrary working4 ,and we believe1 that at these singular ,seasons of every ,man's ,visitation above-mentioned1 as ,man is wholly unable of himself to work with the ,grace1 neither can he move one ,step out of the natural ,condition1 until the ,grace lay hold upon him2 so it is possible for him to be passive1 and not to resist it1 as it is possible for him to resist it4 ,so we say1 the ,grace of ,god works in and upon ,man's ,nature2 which1 though of itself wholly corrupted and defiled1 and prone to ,evil1 yet is capable to be wrought upon by the ,grace of ,god2 even as ,iron1 though an hard and cold ,metal of itself1 may be warmed and softened by the ,heat of the ,fire1 and ,wax melted by the ,sun4 ,and as ,iron or ,wax1 when removed from the ,fire or ,sun1 returneth to its former ,condition of ,coldness and ,hardness2 so ,man's ,heart1 as it resists or retires from the ,grace of ,god1 returns to its former ,condition again4 ,i have often had the ,manner of ,god's working1 in order to ,salvation towards all ,men1 illustrated to my ,mind by one or two clear ,examples1 which ,i shall here add for the ,information of others4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,example of a ,diseased ,man and the ,physician4 ,the first is1 ,of a ,man heavily diseased2 to whom ,i compare ,man in his fallen and natural ,condition4 ,i suppose ,god1 who is the great ,physician1 not only to give this ,man ,physick1 after he hath used all the ,industry he can for his own ,health1 by any ,skill or ,knowledge of his own2 as those that say1 ,if a ,man improve his ,reason or natural ,faculties1 ,god will superadd ,grace2 or1 as others say1 ,that he cometh and maketh ,offer of a ,remedy to this ,man outwardly1 leaving it to the ,liberty of ,man's ,will either to receive it or reject it4 ,but ,he1 even the ,lord1 this great ,physician1 cometh1 and poureth the ,remedy into his ,mouth1 and as it were layeth him in his ,bed2 so that if the sick ,man be but passive1 it will necessarily work the ,effect3 ,but if he be stubborn and untoward1 and will needs rise up and go forth into the ,cold1 or eat such ,fruits as are hurtful to him1 while the ,medicine should operate2 then1 though of its ,nature it tendeth to cure him1 yet it will prove destructive to him1 because of those ,obstructions which it meeteth with4 ,now as the ,man that should thus undo himself would certainly be the ,cause of his own ,death2 so who will say1 that1 if cured1 he owes not his ,health wholly to the ,physician1 and not to any ,deed of his own2 seeing his ,part was not any ,action1 but a ,passiveness8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,example of ,men lying stupified in a dark ,pit1 and their ,deliverer4 ,the second ,example is1 ,of divers ,men lying in a dark ,pit together1 where all their ,senses are so stupified1 that they are scarce sensible of their own ,misery4 ,to this ,i compare ,man in his natural1 corrupt1 fallen ,condition4 ,i suppose not that any of these ,men1 wrestling to deliver themselves1 do thereby stir up or engage one able to deliver them to give them his ,help1 saying within himself1 ,i see one of these ,men willing to be delivered1 and doing what in him lies1 therefore he deserves to be assisted2 as say the ,socinians1 ,pelagians1 and ,semi-,pelagians4 ,neither do ,i suppose that this ,deliverer comes to the ,top of the ,pit1 and puts down a ,ladder1 desiring them that will to come up2 and so puts them upon using their own ,strength and ,will to come up2 as do the ,jesuits and ,arminians3 ,yet1 as they say1 such are not delivered without the ,grace2 seeing the ,grace is that ,ladder by which they were delivered4 ,but ,i suppose that the ,deliverer comes at certain ,times1 and fully discovers and informs them of the great ,misery and ,hazard they are in1 if they continue in that noisome and pestiferous ,place2 yea1 forces them to a certain ,sense of their ,misery 7for the wickedest ,men at ,times are made sensible of their ,misery by ,god's ,visitation7 and not only so1 but lays ,hold upon them1 and gives them a ,pull1 in order to lift them out of their ,misery2 which if they resist not will save them2 only they may resist it4 ,this being applied as the former1 doth the same ,way illustrate the ,matter4 ,neither is the ,grace of ,god frustrated1 though the ,effect of it be divers1 according to its ,object1 being the ,ministration of ,mercy and ,love in those that reject it not1 but receive it1 ,john i4 #ab4 but the ,ministration of ,wrath and ,condemnation in those that do reject it1 ,john iii4 #ai4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,simile of the ,sun's melting and hardening ,power4 even as the ,sun1 by one ,act or ,operation1 melteth and softeneth the ,wax1 and hardeneth the ,clay4 ,the ,nature of the ,sun is to cherish the ,creation1 and therefore the ,living are refreshed by it1 and the ,flowers send forth a good ,savour1 as it shines upon them1 and the ,fruits of the ,trees are ripened2 yet cast forth a dead ,carcase1 a ,thing without ,life1 and the same ,reflection of the ,sun will cause it to stink1 and putrify it2 yet is not the ,sun said thereby to be frustrated of its proper ,effect4 ,so every ,man during the ,day of his ,visitation is shined upon by the ,sun of ,righteousness1 and capable of being influenced by it1 so as to send forth good ,fruit1 and a good ,savour1 and to be melted by it2 but when he hath sinned out his ,day1 then the same ,sun hardeneth him1 as it doth the ,clay1 and makes his ,wickedness more to appear and putrify1 and send forth an evil ,savour4 4 ,,xviii4 ,sidenote3 ,all have ,grace sufficient for ,salvation given them of ,god4 ,lastly1 ,as we truly affirm that ,god willeth no ,man to perish1 and therefore hath given to all ,grace sufficient for ,salvation2 so we do not deny1 but that in a special ,manner he worketh in some1 in whom ,grace so prevaileth1 that they necessarily obtain ,salvation2 neither doth ,god suffer them to resist4 ,for it were absurd to say1 that ,god had not far otherwise extended himself towards the ,virgin ,mary and the ,apostle ,paul1 than towards many others3 ,neither can we affirm1 that ,god equally loved the beloved ,disciple ,john and ,judas the ,traitor2 yet so far1 nevertheless1 as none wanted such a ,measure of ,grace by which they might have been saved1 all are justly inexcusable4 ,and also ,god working in those to whom this ,prevalency of ,grace is given1 doth so hide himself1 to shut out all ,security and ,presumption1 that such may be humbled1 and the free ,grace of ,god magnified1 and all reputed to be of the free ,gift2 and nothing from the ,strength of ,self4 ,those also who perish1 when they remember those ,times of ,god's ,visitation towards them1 wherein he wrestled with them by his ,light and ,spirit1 are forced to confess1 that there was a ,time wherein the ,door of ,mercy was open unto them1 and that they are justly condemned1 because they rejected their own ,salvation4 ,thus both the ,mercy and ,justice of ,god are established1 and the ,will and ,strength of ,man are brought down and rejected2 his ,condemnation is made to be of himself1 and his ,salvation only to depend upon ,god4 ,also1 by these ,positions1 two great ,objections1 which often are brought against this ,doctrine1 are well solved4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,the first is deduced from those ,places of ,scripture1 wherein ,god seems precisely to have decreed and predestinated some to ,salvation2 and for that ,end1 to have ordained certain ,means1 which fall not out to others2 as in the ,calling of ,abraham1 ,david1 and others1 and in the ,conversion of ,paul2 for these being numbered among such to whom this ,prevalency is given1 the ,objection is easily loosed4 ,sidenote3 ,predestination to ,salvation1 and ,pre-ordination to ,destruction1 answered4 ,the second is drawn from those ,places1 wherein ,god seems to have ordained some wicked ,persons to ,destruction2 and therefore to have obdured their ,hearts to force them unto great ,sins1 and to have raised them up1 that he might shew in them his ,power1 who1 if they be numbered amongst those ,men whose ,day of ,visitation is passed over1 that ,objection is also solved2 as will more evidently appear to any ,one that will make a particular ,application of those ,things1 which ,i at this ,time1 for ,brevity's ,sake1 thought meet to pass over4 4 ,,xix4 ,having thus clearly and evidently stated the ,question1 and opened our ,mind and ,judgment in this ,matter1 as divers ,objections are hereby prevented1 so will it make our ,proof both the easier and the shorter4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,proved4 ,the first ,thing to be proved is1 ,that ,god hath given to every ,man a ,day or ,time of ,visitation1 wherein it is possible for him to be saved4 ,if we can prove that there is a ,day and ,time given1 in which those might have been saved that actually perish1 the ,matter is done3 ,for none deny but those that are saved have a ,day of ,visitation4 ,sidenote3 ,proof ,i4 ,this then appears by the ,regrets and ,complaints which the ,spirit of ,god throughout the whole ,scriptures makes1 even to those that did perish2 ,sidenote3 ,those that perish1 had a ,day of ,mercy offered them4 sharply reproving them1 for that they did not accept of1 nor close with ,god's ,visitation and ,offer of ,mercy to them4 ,thus the ,lord expresses himself then first of all to ,cain1 ,gen4 iv4 #f1 #g4 ,sidenote3 ,instances4 #a4 ,cain4 ,and the ,lord said unto ,cain1 ,why art thou wroth8 ,and why is thy ,countenance fallen8 ,if thou dost well1 shalt thou not be accepted8 ,if thou dost not well1 ,sin lieth at the ,door4 ,this was said to ,cain before he slew his ,brother ,abel1 when the evil ,seed began to tempt him1 and work in his ,heart2 we see how ,god gave ,warning to ,cain in ,season1 and in the ,day of his ,visitation towards him1 ,acceptance and ,remission if he did well3 ,for this ,interrogation1 ,shalt thou not be accepted8 imports an ,affirmative1 ,thou shalt be accepted1 if thou dost well4 ,so that if we may trust ,god ,almighty1 the ,fountain of all ,truth and ,equity1 it was possible in a ,day1 even for ,cain to be accepted4 ,neither could ,god have proposed the doing of ,good as a ,condition1 if he had not given ,cain sufficient ,strength1 whereby he was capable to do ,good4 ,this the ,lord himself also shews1 even that he gave a ,day of ,visitation to the ,old ,world1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,old ,world4 ,gen4 vi4 #c4 ,and the ,lord said1 ,my ,spirit shall not always strive in ,man2 for so it ought to be translated4 ,this manifestly implies1 that his ,spirit did strive with ,man1 and doth strive with him for a ,season1 which ,season expiring1 ,god ceaseth to strive with him1 in order to save him3 ,for the ,spirit of ,god cannot be said to strive with ,man after the ,day of his ,visitation is expired2 seeing it naturally1 and without any ,resistance1 works its ,effect then1 to wit1 continually to judge and condemn him4 ,from this ,day of ,visitation1 that ,god hath given to every ,one1 is it1 that he is said to wait to be gracious1 ,isa4 xxx4 #ah4 ,sidenote3 ,god is ,long-suffering1 and long waiting to be gracious unto all4-- ,and to be ,long-suffering1 ,exod4 xxxiv4 #f4 ,numb4 xiv4 #ah4 ,psal4 lxxxvi4 #ae4 ,jer4 xv4 #ae4 ,here the ,prophet ,jeremy1 in his ,prayer1 lays hold upon the ,long-suffering of ,god2 and in his expostulating with ,god1 he shuts out the ,objection of our ,adversaries in the #ahth ,verse2 ,why is my ,pain perpetual1 and my ,wound incurable1 which refuseth to be healed8 ,wilt thou altogether be unto me as a ,liar1 and as ,waters that fail8 ,whereas1 according to our ,adversaries ,opinion1 the ,pain of the most ,part of ,men is perpetual1 and their ,wound altogether incurable2 yea1 the ,offer of the ,gospel1 and of ,salvation unto them1 is as a ,lie1 and as ,waters that fail1 being never intended to be of any ,effect unto them4 ,the ,apostle ,peter says expresly1 that this ,long-suffering of ,god waited in the ,days of ,noah for those of the ,old ,world1 #a ,pet4 iii4 #bj4 which1 being compared with that of ,gen4 vi4 #c4 before-mentioned1 doth sufficiently hold forth our ,proposition4 ,and that none may object that this ,long-suffering or ,striving of the ,lord was not in order to save them1 the same ,apostle saith expresly1 #b ,pet4 iii4 #ae4 ,sidenote3 ,in order to save them4 ,that the ,long-suffering of ,god is to be accounted ,salvation2 and with this ,long-suffering1 a little before in the #ith ,verse1 he couples1 ,that ,god is not willing that any should perish4 ,where1 taking him to be his own ,interpreter 7as he is most fit7 he holdeth forth1 ,that those to whom the ,lord is ,long-suffering1 7which he declareth he was to the ,wicked of the ,old ,world1 and is now to all1 not willing that any should perish7 they are to account this ,long-suffering of ,god to them ,salvation4 ,now1 how or in what respect can they account it ,salvation1 if there be not so much as a ,possibility of ,salvation conveyed to them therein8 ,for it were not ,salvation to them1 if they could not be saved by it4 ,in this ,matter ,peter further refers to the ,writings of ,paul1 holding forth this to have been the universal ,doctrine4 ,where it is observable what he adds upon this ,occasion1 ,sidenote3 ,some ,things in ,paul's ,epistles hard to be understood4 how there are some ,things in ,paul's ,epistles hard to be understood1 which the ,unstable and ,unlearned wrest to their own ,destruction2 insinuating plainly this of those ,expressions in ,paul's ,epistles1 as ,rom4 ix4 c4 which some1 unlearned in spiritual ,things1 did make to contradict the ,truth of ,god's ,long-suffering towards all1 in which he willeth not any of them should perish1 and in which they all may be saved4 ,would to ,god many had taken more ,heed than they have done to this ,advertisement6 ,that ,place of the ,apostle ,paul1 which ,peter seems here most particularly to hint at1 doth much contribute also to clear the ,matter1 ,rom4 ii4 #d4 ,despisest thou the ,riches of his ,goodness1 and ,forbearance1 and ,long-suffering1 not knowing that the ,goodness of ,god leadeth thee to ,repentance8 ,paul speaketh here to the ,unregenerate1 and to the ,wicked1 who 7in the following ,verse he saith7 ,treasure up ,wrath unto the ,day of ,wrath2 and to such he commends the ,riches of the ,forbearance and ,long-suffering of ,god2 shewing that the ,tendency of ,god's ,goodness leadeth to ,repentance4 ,how could it necessarily tend to lead them to ,repentance1 how could it be called ,riches or ,goodness to them1 if there were not a ,time wherein they might repent by it1 and come to be ,sharers of the ,riches exhibited in it8 ,from all which ,i thus argue4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,sidenote3 ,god's ,spirit strives in the ,wicked4 ,if ,god plead with the ,wicked1 from the ,possibility of their being accepted2 if ,god's ,spirit strive in them for a ,season1 in order to save them1 who afterwards perish2 if he wait to be gracious unto them2 if he be ,long-suffering towards them2 and if this ,long-suffering be ,salvation to them while it endureth1 during which ,time ,god willeth them not to perish1 but exhibiteth to them the ,riches of his ,goodness and ,forbearance to lead them to ,repentance2 then there is a ,day of ,visitation wherein such might have been1 or some such now may be saved1 who have perished2 and may perish1 if they repent not3 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore also the last4 4 ,,xx4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,secondly1 ,this appeareth from the ,prophet ,isaiah v4 #d4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,vineyard planted brought forth wild ,grapes4 ,what could ,i have done more to my ,vineyard8 ,for in ,ver4 #b4 he saith2 ,he had fenced it1 and gathered out the ,stones thereof1 and planted it with the choicest ,vine3 ,and yet 7saith he7 when ,i looked it should have brought forth ,grapes1 it brought forth wild ,grapes4 ,wherefore he calleth the ,inhabitants of ,jerusalem1 and ,men of ,judah1 to judge betwixt him and his ,vineyard1 saying2 ,what could ,i have done more to my ,vineyard1 than ,i have done in it8 and yet 7as is said7 it brought forth wild ,grapes3 ,which was applied to many in ,israel1 who refused ,god's ,mercy4 ,the same ,example is used by ,christ1 ,matth4 xxi4 #cc4 ,mark xii4 #a4 ,luke xx4 #i4 where ,jesus shews1 how to some a ,vineyard was planted1 and all ,things given necessary for them1 to get them ,fruit to pay or restore to their ,master2 and how the ,master many ,times waited to be merciful to them1 in sending ,servants after ,servants1 and passing by many ,offences1 before he determined to destroy and cast them out4 ,first then1 this cannot be understood of the ,saints1 or of such as repent and are saved2 for it is said expresly1 ,he will destroy them4 ,neither would the ,parable any ways have answered the ,end for which it is alleged1 if these ,men had not been in a ,capacity to have done ,good2 yea1 such was their ,capacity1 that ,christ saith in the ,prophet1 ,what could have ,i done more8 ,so that it is more than manifest1 that by this ,parable1 repeated in three sundry ,evangelists1 ,christ holds forth his ,long-suffering towards ,men1 and their ,wickedness1 to whom ,means of ,salvation being afforded1 do nevertheless resist1 to their own ,condemnation4 ,to these also are parallel these ,scriptures1 ,prov4 i4 #bd1 #be1 #bf4 ,jer4 xviii4 #i1 #aj4 ,matth4 xviii4 #cb1 #cc1 #cd4 ,acts xiii4 #df4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #c4 ,lastly1 ,that there is a ,day of ,visitation given to the ,wicked1 wherein they might have been saved1 and which being expired1 they are shut out from ,salvation1 ,sidenote3 ,christ's ,lamentation over ,jerusalem4 appears evidently by ,christ's ,lamentation over ,jerusalem1 expressed in three sundry ,places1 ,matth4 xxiii4 #cg4 ,luke xiii4 #cd4 and xix4 #da1 #db4 ,and when he was come near1 he beheld the ,city1 and wept over it1 saying2 ,if thou hadst known1 even thou1 at least in this thy ,day1 the ,things that belong to thy ,peace2 but now they are hid from thine ,eyes6 ,than which nothing can be said more evident to prove our ,doctrine4 ,for1 ,first1 he insinuates that there was a ,day wherein the ,inhabitants of ,jerusalem might have known those ,things that belonged to their ,peace4 ,secondly1 ,that during that ,day he was willing to have gathered them1 even as an ,hen gathereth her ,chickens4 ,a familiar ,example1 yet very significative in this ,case2 which shews that the ,offer of ,salvation made unto them was not in vain on his ,part1 but as really1 and with as great ,chearfulness and ,willingness1 as an ,hen gathereth her ,chickens4 ,such as is the ,love and ,care of the ,hen toward her ,brood1 such is the ,care of ,christ to gather lost ,men and ,women1 to redeem them out of their corrupt and degenerate ,state4 ,thirdly1 ,that because they refused1 the ,things belonging to their ,peace were hid from their ,eyes4 ,why were they hid8 ,because ye would not suffer me to gather you2 ye would not see those ,things that were good for you1 in the ,season of ,god's ,love towards you2 and therefore now1 that ,day being expired1 ye cannot see them3 ,and1 for a farther judgment1 ,god suffers you to be hardened in ,unbelief4 ,sidenote3 ,god hardens1 when4 ,so it is1 after real ,offers of ,mercy and ,salvation rejected1 that ,men's ,hearts are hardened1 and not before4 ,thus that ,saying is verified1 ,to him that hath1 shall be given2 and from him that hath not1 shall be taken away even that which he hath4 ,this may seem a ,riddle1 yet it is according to this ,doctrine easily solved4 ,he hath not1 because he hath lost the ,season of using it1 and so to him it is now as nothing2 for ,christ uses this ,expression1 ,matth4 xxv4 #bf4 ,sidenote3 ,the one ,talent was sufficient4 upon the ,occasion of the taking the one ,talent from the slothful ,servant1 and giving it to him that was diligent2 which ,talent was no ways insufficient of itself1 but of the same ,nature with those given to the others2 and therefore the ,lord had ,reason to exact the ,profit of it proportionably1 as well as from the rest3 ,so1 ,i say1 it is after the rejecting of the ,day of ,visitation1 that the ,judgment of ,obduration is inflicted upon ,men and ,women1 as ,christ pronounceth it upon the ,jews out of ,isa4 vi4 #i4 which all the four ,evangelists make ,mention of1 ,matth4 xiii4 #ad4 ,mark iv4 #ab4 ,luke viii4 #aj4 ,john xii4 #dj4 and last of all the ,apostle ,paul1 after he had made ,offer of the ,gospel of ,salvation to the ,jews at ,rome1 pronounceth the same1 ,acts xxviii4 #bf4 after that some believed not2 ,well spake the ,holy ,ghost1 by ,isaiah the ,prophet1 unto our ,fathers1 saying1 ,go unto this ,people1 and say1 ,hearing ye shall hear1 and shall not understand2 and seeing ye shall see1 and shall not perceive4 ,for the ,heart of this ,people is waxed gross1 and their ,ears are dull of hearing1 and their ,eyes have they closed2 lest they should see with their ,eyes1 and hear with their ,ears1 and understand with their ,hearts1 and should be converted1 and ,i should heal them4 ,so it appears1 that ,god would have them to see1 but they closed their ,eyes2 and therefore they are justly hardened4 ,sidenote3 ,cyril4 ,alex4 ,of this ,matter ,cyrillus ,alexandrinus upon ,john1 ,lib4 #f4 ,cap4 #ba4 speaks well1 answering to this ,objection4 ,but some may say1 ,if ,christ be come into the ,world1 that those that see may be blinded1 their ,blindness is not imputed unto them2 but it rather seems that ,christ is the ,cause of their ,blindness1 who saith1 ,he is come into the ,world1 that those that see may be blinded4 ,but1 saith he1 they speak not rationally1 who object these ,things unto ,god1 and are not afraid to call him the ,author of ,evil4 ,for1 as the sensible ,sun is carried upon our ,horizon1 that it may communicate the ,gift of its ,clearness unto all1 and make its ,light shine upon all2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,cause of ,man's remaining in ,darkness1 the closing of his ,eyes4 yet if any one close his ,eye-lids1 or willingly turn himself from the ,sun1 refusing the ,benefit of its ,light1 he wants its ,illumination1 and remains in ,darkness1 not through the ,defect of the ,sun1 but through his own ,fault4 ,so that the true ,sun1 who came to enlighten those that sat in ,darkness1 and in the ,region of the ,shadow of ,death1 visited the ,earth for this ,cause1 that he might communicate unto all the ,gift of ,knowledge and ,grace1 and illuminate the inward ,eyes of all by a spiritual ,splendor3 ,but many reject the ,gift of this heavenly ,light freely given to them1 and have closed the ,eyes of their ,minds1 lest so excellent an ,illumination or ,irradiation of the eternal ,light should shine unto them4 ,it is not then through ,defect of the true ,sun that they are blinded1 but only through their own ,iniquity and ,hardness2 for1 as the wise ,man saith1 ,wisdom ii4 ,their ,wickedness hath blinded them4 ,from all which ,i thus argue3 ,sidenote3 ,the obstinate ,jews had a ,day4 ,if there was a ,day wherein the obstinate ,jews might have known the ,things that belonged to their ,peace1 which1 because they rejected it1 was hid from their ,eyes2 if there was a ,time wherein ,christ would have gathered them1 who1 because they refused1 could not be gathered2 then such as might have been saved do actually perish1 that slighted the ,day of ,god's ,visitation towards them1 wherein they might have been converted and saved4 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore also the last4 4 ,,xxi4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,proved4 ,secondly1 ,that which comes in the second ,place to be proved is1 ,that whereby ,god offers to work this ,salvation during the ,day of every ,man's ,visitation2 and that is1 ,that he hath given to every ,man a ,measure of saving1 sufficient1 and supernatural ,light and ,grace4 ,this ,i shall do1 by ,god's ,assistance1 by some plain and clear ,testimonies of the ,scripture4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,first1 ,from that of ,john i4 #i4 ,that was the true ,light1 which lighteth every ,man that cometh into the ,world4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light enlightening every ,man1 c4-- ,this ,place doth so clearly favour us1 that by some it is called the ,quakers ,text2 for it doth evidently demonstrate our ,assertion2 so that it scarce needs either ,consequence or ,deduction1 seeing itself is a ,consequence of two ,propositions asserted in the former ,verses1 from which it followeth as a ,conclusion in the very ,terms of our ,faith4 ,the first of these ,propositions is1 ,the ,life that is in him is the ,light of ,men3 ,the second1 ,the ,light shineth in the ,darkness2 ,and from these two he infers1 and ,he is the true ,light1 which lighteth every ,man that cometh into the ,world4 ,sidenote3 ,obs4 #a4 ,from whence ,i do in short observe1 ,that this divine ,apostle calls ,christ the ,light of ,men1 and giveth us this as one of the chief ,properties1 at least considerably and especially to be observed by us2 seeing hereby1 as he is the ,light1 and as we walk with him in that ,light which he communicates to us1 we come to have ,fellowship and ,communion with him2 as the same ,apostle saith elsewhere1 #a ,john i4 #g4 ,secondly1 ,that this ,light shineth in ,darkness1 though the ,darkness comprehend it not4 ,sidenote3--,not to a certain ,number of ,men1 but every ,man4 ,thirdly1 ,that this true ,light enlighteneth every ,man that cometh into the ,world4 ,where the ,apostle1 being directed by ,god's ,spirit1 hath carefully avoided their ,captiousness1 that would have restricted this to any certain ,number3 ,where every one is1 there is none excluded4 ,next1 should they be so obstinate1 as sometimes they are1 as to say that this every ,man is only every one of the ,elect2 these ,words following1 every ,man that cometh into the ,world1 would obviate that ,objection4 ,so that it is plain there comes no ,man into the ,world1 whom ,christ hath not enlightened in some ,measure1 and in whose dark ,heart this ,light doth not shine2 though the ,darkness comprehend it not1 yet it shineth there2 and the ,nature thereof is to dispel the ,darkness where ,men shut not their ,eyes upon it4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light dispelling ,darkness begets ,faith4 ,now for what ,end this ,light is given1 is expressed1 ,ver4 #g4 where ,john is said to come for a ,witness1 to bear ,witness to the ,light1 that all ,men through it might believe2 to wit1 through the ,light1 ,greek3 di autou3 1 which doth very well agree with ,greek3 phtos3 1 as being the nearest ,antecedent1 though most ,translators have 7to make it suit with their own ,doctrine7 made it relate to ,john1 as if all ,men were to believe through ,john4 ,for which1 as there is nothing directly in the ,text1 so it is contrary to the very ,strain of the ,context4 ,for1 seeing ,christ hath lighted every ,man with this ,light1 ,is it not that they may come to believe through it8 ,all could not believe through ,john1 because all ,men could not know of ,john's ,testimony2 whereas every ,man being lighted by this1 may come therethrough to believe4 ,john shined not in ,darkness2 but this ,light shineth in the ,darkness1 that having dispelled the ,darkness1 it may produce and beget ,faith4 ,and1 ,lastly1 ,we must believe through that1 and become ,believers through that1 by walking in which1 ,fellowship with ,god is known and enjoyed2 but1 as hath been above-observed1 it is by walking in this ,light that we have this ,communion and ,fellowship2 not by walking in ,john1 which were ,nonsense4 ,so that this ,relative ,greek3 di autou3 1 must needs be referred to the ,light1 whereof ,john bears ,witness1 that through that ,light1 wherewith ,christ hath lighted every ,man1 all ,men might come to believe4 ,seeing then this ,light is the ,light of ,jesus ,christ1 and the ,light through which ,men come to believe1 ,i think it needs not to be doubted1 but that it is a supernatural1 saving1 and sufficient ,light4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light is supernatural1 saving1 and sufficient4 ,if it were not supernatural1 it could not be properly called the ,light of ,jesus2 for though all ,things be his1 and of him1 and from him2 yet those ,things which are common and peculiar to our ,nature1 as being a ,part of it1 we are not said in so special a ,manner to have from ,christ4 ,moreover1 the ,evangelist is holding out to us here the ,office of ,christ as ,mediator1 and the ,benefits which from him as such do redound unto us4 ,sidenote3 ,obser4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,it cannot be any of the natural ,gifts or ,faculties of our ,soul1 whereby we are said here to be enlightened1 because this ,light is said to shine in the ,darkness1 and cannot be comprehended by it4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,darkness is ,man's natural ,state and ,condition4 ,now this ,darkness is no other but ,man's natural ,condition and ,state2 in which natural ,state he can easily comprehend1 and doth comprehend1 those ,things that are peculiar and common to him as such4 ,that ,man in his natural ,condition is called ,darkness1 see ,eph4 v4 #h4 ,for ye were sometimes ,darkness1 but now are ye ,light in the ,lord4 ,and in other ,places1 as ,acts xxvi4 #ah4 ,col4 i4 #c4 #a ,thess4 v4 #e4 where the ,condition of ,man in his natural ,state1 is termed ,darkness3 ,therefore1 ,i say1 this ,light cannot be any natural ,property or ,faculty of ,man's ,soul1 but a supernatural ,gift and ,grace of ,christ4 ,sidenote3 ,obser4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,it is sufficient and saving4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #a4 ,that which is given1 ,that all ,men through it may believe1 must needs be saving and sufficient3 ,that1 by walking in which1 ,fellowship with the ,saints and the ,blood of ,christ1 ,which cleanseth from all ,sin1 is possessed1 must be sufficient3 ,but such is the ,,light1 #a ,john i4 #g4 ,therefore1 c4 ,moreover2 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #b4 ,that which we are commanded to believe in1 ,that we may become the ,children of the ,light1 must be a supernatural1 sufficient and saving ,principle3 ,but we are commanded to believe in this ,light3 ,therefore1 c4 ,the ,proposition cannot be denied4 ,the ,assumption is ,christ's own ,words1 ,john xii4 #cf4 ,while ye have the ,light1 believe in the ,light1 that ye may be the ,children of the ,light4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,to this they object1 ,that by ,light here is understood ,christ's outward ,person1 in whom he would have them believe4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,that they ought to have believed in ,christ1 that is1 that he was the ,,messiah that was to come1 is not denied2 ,sidenote3 ,whether ,christ's outward ,person was the ,light8 but how they evince that ,christ intended that here1 ,i see not3 ,nay1 the ,place itself shews the ,contrary1 by these ,words1 ,while ye have the ,light2 and by the ,verse going before1 ,walk while ye have the ,light1 lest ,darkness come upon you3 ,which ,words import1 ,that when that ,light in which they were to believe was removed1 then they should lose the ,capacity or ,season of believing4 ,now this could not be understood of ,christ's ,person1 else the ,jews might have believed in him2 and many did savingly believe in him1 as all ,christians do at this ,day1 when the ,person1 to wit1 his bodily ,presence1 or outward ,man1 is far removed from them4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light of ,christ is not ,christ's outward ,man or ,person4 ,so that this ,light in which they were commanded to believe must be that inward spiritual ,light that shines in their ,hearts for a ,season1 even during the ,day of ,man's ,visitation2 which1 while it continueth to call1 invite1 and exhort1 ,men are said to have it1 and may believe in it2 but when ,men refuse to believe in it1 and reject it1 then it ceaseth to be a ,light to shew them the ,way2 but leaves the ,sense of their ,unfaithfulness as a ,sting in their ,conscience1 which is a ,terror and ,darkness unto them1 and upon them1 in which they cannot know where to go1 neither can work any ,ways profitably in order to their ,salvation4 ,and therefore to such rebellious ,ones the ,day of the ,lord is said to be ,darkness1 and not ,light1 ,amos v4 #ah4 ,from whence it appears1 that though many receive not the ,light1 as many comprehend it not1 nevertheless this saving ,light shines in all1 that it may save them4 ,sidenote3 ,cyrillus ,alexandrinus upon ,john ,lib4 #a4 ,chap4 ,,ii4 ,concerning which also ,cyrillus ,alexandrinus saith well1 and defends our ,principle3 8,with great ,diligence and ,watchfulness10 saith he1 8doth the ,apostle ,john endeavour to anticipate and prevent the vain ,thoughts of ,men3 ,for there is here a wonderful ,method of sublime ,things1 and overturning of ,objections4 ,he had just now called the ,son the true ,light1 by whom he affirmed1 ,that every ,man coming into the ,world was enlightened2 yea1 that he was in the ,world1 and the ,world was made by him4 ,one may then object1 ,if the ,word of ,god be the ,light1 and if this ,light enlighten the ,hearts of ,men1 and suggest unto ,men ,piety and the ,understanding of ,things2 if he was always in the ,world1 and was the ,creator or ,builder of the ,world1 why was he so long unknown unto the ,world8 ,it seems rather to follow because he was unknown to the ,world1 therefore the ,world was not enlightened by him1 nor he totally ,light4 ,lest any should so object1 he divinely infers and the ,world knew him not4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,sun enlightens3 ,but ,man through ,negligence buries ,illumination4 ,let not the ,world10 saith he1 8accuse the ,word of ,god1 and his eternal ,light1 but its own ,weakness2 for the ,sun enlightens1 but the ,creature rejects the ,grace that is given unto it1 and abuseth the ,sharpness of ,understanding granted it1 by which it might have naturally known ,god2 and1 as a ,prodigal1 hath turned its ,sight to the ,creatures1 neglecting to go forward1 and through ,laziness and ,negligence buried the ,illumination1 and despised this ,grace4 ,which that the ,disciple of ,paul might not do1 he was commanded to watch2 therefore it is to be imputed to their ,wickedness1 who are illuminated1 and not unto the ,light4 ,for as albeit the ,sun riseth upon all1 yet he that is blind receiveth no ,benefit thereby2 none thence can justly accuse the ,brightness of the ,sun1 but will ascribe the ,cause of not seeing to the ,blindness3 ,so ,i judge it is to be understood of the only begotten ,son of ,god2 for he is the true ,light1 and sendeth forth his ,brightness upon all2 but the ,god of this ,world1 as ,paul saith1 hath blinded the ,minds of those that believe not1 #b ,cor4 iv4 #d4 that the ,light of the ,gospel shine not unto them4 ,we say then1 that ,darkness is come upon ,men1 not because they are altogether deprived of ,light1 for ,nature retaineth still the ,strength of ,understanding divinely given it1 but because ,man is dulled by an evil ,habit1 and become worse1 and hath made the ,measure of ,grace1 in some respect1 to languish4 ,when therefore the ,like befalls ,man1 the ,psalmist justly prays1 crying1 ,open mine ,eyes1 that ,i may behold the wonderful ,things of thy ,law4 ,for the ,law was given that this ,light might be kindled in us1 the ,blearedness of the ,eyes of our ,minds being wiped away1 and the ,blindness being removed which detained us in our former ,ignorance4 ,by these ,words then1 the ,world is accused as ungrateful and unsensible1 not knowing its ,author1 nor bringing forth the good ,fruit of the ,illumination2 that it may now seem to be said truly of all1 which was of old said by the ,prophet of the ,jews1 ,i expected that it should have brought forth ,grapes1 but it brought forth wild ,grapes4 ,for the good ,fruit of the ,illumination was the ,knowledge of the ,only ,begotten1 as a ,cluster hanging from a fruitful ,branch1 c40 ,from which it appears ,cyrillus believed1 ,that a saving ,illumination was given unto all4 ,sidenote3 ,grace no natural ,gift4 ,for as to what he speaks of ,nature1 he understands it not of the common ,nature of ,man by itself1 but of that ,nature which hath the ,strength of ,understanding divinely given it3 ,for he understands this universal ,illumination to be of the same ,kind with that ,grace of which ,paul makes ,mention to ,timothy1 saying1 ,neglect not the ,grace that is in thee4 ,now it is not to be believed1 that ,cyrillus was so ignorant as to judge that ,grace to have been some natural ,gift4 4 ,,xxii4 ,sidenote3 ,proof ,,ii4 ,that this saving ,light and ,seed1 or a ,measure of it1 is given to all1 ,christ tells us expresly in the ,parable of the ,sower1 ,mat4 xiii4 from ,ver4 #ah4 ,mark iv4 and ,luke viii4 #aa4 he saith1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,seed of the ,kingdom is sown in several ,sorts of ,ground1 without ,distinction4 ,that this ,seed1 sown in those several ,sorts of ,ground is the ,word of the ,kingdom1 which the ,apostle calls the ,word of ,faith1 ,rom4 x4 #h4 ,james i4 #ba4;,greek3 ho ,logos emphytos3 1 the implanted ingrafted ,word1 which is able to save the ,soul2 the ,words themselves declare that it is that which is saving in the ,nature of it1 for in the good ,ground it fructified abundantly4 ,let us then observe1 ,that this ,seed of the ,kingdom1 this saving1 supernatural1 and sufficient ,word1 was really sown in the stony1 thorny ,ground1 and by the ,way-side1 where it did not profit1 but became useless as to these ,grounds3 ,it was1 ,i say1 the same ,seed that was sown in the good ,ground4 ,it is then the ,fear of ,persecution and ,deceitfulness of ,riches1 as ,christ himself interpreteth the ,parable1 which hindereth this ,seed to grow in the ,hearts of many3 ,not but that in its own ,nature it is sufficient1 being the same with that which groweth up and prospereth in the ,hearts of those who receive it4 ,so that1 though all are not saved by it1 yet there is a ,seed of ,salvation planted and sown in the ,hearts of all by ,god1 which would grow up and redeem the ,soul1 if it were not choked and hindered4 ,concerning this ,parable1 ,victor ,antiochenus1 on ,mark iv4 as he is cited by ,vossius1 in his ,pelagian ,history1 ,book #g4 saith1 8,that our ,lord ,christ hath liberally sown the divine ,seed of the ,word1 and proposed it to all1 without ,respect of ,persons2 and as he that soweth distinguisheth not betwixt ,ground and ,ground1 but simply calleth in the ,seed without ,distinction1 so our ,saviour hath offered the ,food of the divine ,word so far as was his ,part1 although he was not ignorant what would become of many4 ,lastly1 ,he so behaved himself1 as he might justly say1 ,what should ,i have done that ,i have not done80 ,and to this answered the ,parable of the ,talents1 ,mat4 xxv4 he that had two ,talents was accepted1 as well as he that had five1 because he used them to his ,master's ,profit3 ,and he that had one might have done so2 his ,talent was of the same ,nature of the rest2 it was as capable to have proportionably brought forth its ,interest as the rest4 ,and so though there be not a like ,proportion of ,grace given to all1 to some five ,talents1 to some two ,talents1 and to some but one ,talent2 yet there is given to all that which is sufficient1 and no more is required than according to that which is given3 ,for unto whomsoever much is given1 from him shall much be required1 ,luke xii4 #dh4 ,he that had the two ,talents was accepted for giving four1 nothing less than he that gave the ten3 ,so should he also that gave the one1 if he had given two2 and no doubt one was capable to have produced two1 as well as five to have produced ten1 or two four4 4 ,,xxiii4 ,sidenote3 ,pro4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light is the ,gospel1 the ,power of ,god1 preached in every ,creature under ,heaven4 ,thirdly1 ,this saving spiritual ,light is the ,gospel1 which the ,apostle saith expresly1 is preached in every ,creature under ,heaven2 even that very ,gospel whereof ,paul was made a ,minister1 ,col4 i4 #bc4 ,for the ,gospel is not a mere ,declaration of good ,things1 being the ,power of ,god unto ,salvation to all those that believe1 ,rom4 i4 #af4 ,though the outward ,declaration of the ,gospel be taken sometimes for the ,gospel2 yet it is but figuratively1 and by a ,metonymy4 ,for to speak properly1 the ,gospel is this inward ,power and ,life which preacheth glad ,tidings in the ,hearts of all ,men1 offering ,salvation unto them1 and seeking to redeem them from their ,iniquities1 and therefore it is said to be preached in every ,creature under ,heaven3 ,whereas there are many ,thousands of ,men and ,women1 to whom the outward ,gospel was never preached4 ,therefore1 the ,apostle ,paul1 ,romans i4 where he saith1 ,the ,gospel is the ,power of ,god unto ,salvation1 adds1 ,that therein is revealed the ,righteousness of ,god from ,faith to ,faith2 and also the ,wrath of ,god against such as hold the ,truth of ,god in ,unrighteousness3 ,for this ,reason1 saith he1 ,because that which may be known of ,god is manifest in them2 for ,god hath shewed it unto them4 ,now that which may be known of ,god1 is known by the ,gospel1 which was manifest in them4 ,for those of whom the ,apostle speaks1 had no outward ,gospel preached unto them2 so that it was by the inward ,manifestation of the ,knowledge of ,god in them1 which is indeed the ,gospel preached in ,men1 ,that the ,righteousness of ,god is revealed from ,faith to ,faith2 that is1 it reveals to the ,soul that which is just1 good1 and righteous2 and that as the ,soul receiveth it1 and believes1 ,righteousness comes more and more to be revealed from one ,degree of ,faith to another4 ,for though1 as the following ,verse saith1 the outward ,creation declares the ,power of ,god2 yet that which may be known of him is manifest within3 ,by which inward ,manifestation1 we are made capable to see and discern the eternal ,power and ,godhead in the outward ,creation2 so1 were it not for this inward ,principle1 we could no more understand the invisible ,things of ,god by the outward visible ,creation1 than a blind ,man can see and discern the ,variety of ,shapes and ,colours1 or judge of the ,beauty of the outward ,creation4 ,therefore he saith1 ,first1 ,that which may be known of ,god is manifest in them1 and in and by that they may read and understand the ,power and ,godhead in those ,things that are outward and visible4 ,and though any might pretend that the outward ,creation doth of itself1 without any supernatural or saving ,principle in the ,heart1 even declare to the natural ,man that there is a ,god2 yet what would such a ,knowledge avail1 if it did not also communicate to me what the ,will of ,god is1 and how ,i shall do that which is acceptable to him8 ,sidenote3 ,the outward ,creation may beget a ,persuasion in ,man of an eternal ,power or ,virtue4 ,for the outward ,creation1 though it may beget a ,persuasion that there is some eternal ,power or ,virtue by which the ,world hath had its ,beginning2 yet it doth not tell me1 nor doth it inform me of that which is just1 holy1 and righteous2 how ,i shall be delivered from my ,temptations and evil ,affections1 and come unto ,righteousness2 that must be from some inward ,manifestation in my ,heart4 ,whereas those ,gentiles1 of whom the ,apostle speaks1 knew by that inward ,law1 and ,manifestation of the ,knowledge of ,god in them to distinguish betwixt ,good and ,evil1 as in the next ,chapter appears1 of which we shall speak hereafter4 ,the ,prophet ,micah1 speaking of ,man indefinitely1 or in general1 declares this1 ,mic4 vi4 #h4 ,he hath shewed thee1 ,o ,man1 what is good4 ,and what doth the ,lord require of thee1 but to do justly1 and to love ,mercy1 and to walk humbly with thy ,god8 ,he doth not say ,god requires1 till he hath first assured that he hath shewed unto them4 ,now1 because this is shewed unto all ,men1 and manifest in them1 therefore1 saith the ,apostle1 is the ,wrath of ,god revealed against them1 for that they hold the ,truth in ,unrighteousness2 that is1 the ,measure of ,truth1 the ,light1 the ,seed1 the ,grace in them3 ,for that they hide the ,talent in the ,earth2 that is1 in the earthly and unrighteous ,part in their ,hearts1 and suffer it not to bring forth ,fruit1 but to be choked with the sensual ,cares of this ,life1 the ,fear of ,reproach1 and the ,deceitfulness of ,riches1 as by the ,parables above-mentioned doth appear4 ,but the ,apostle ,paul opens and illustrates this ,matter yet more1 ,rom4 x4 where he declares1 ,that the ,word which he preached 7now the ,word which he preached1 and the ,gospel which he preached1 and whereof he was a ,minister1 is one and the same7 is not far off1 but nigh in the ,heart and in the ,mouth2 which done1 he frameth as it were the ,objection of our ,adversaries in the #adth and #aeth ,verses1 ,how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard8 ,and how shall they hear without a ,preacher8 ,this he answers in the #ahth ,verse1 saying1 ,but1 ,i say1 have they not heard8 ,yes verily1 their ,sound went into all the ,earth1 and their ,words unto the ,ends of the ,world2 ,sidenote3 ,the divine ,preacher 7the ,word nigh7 hath founded in the ,ears and ,hearts of all ,men4 insinuating1 that this divine ,preacher had founded in the ,ears and ,hearts of all ,men3 ,for of the outward ,apostles that ,saying was not true1 neither then1 nor many hundred ,years after2 yea1 for aught we know1 there may be yet great and spacious ,nations and ,kingdoms that never have heard of ,christ nor his ,apostles as outwardly4 ,this inward and powerful ,word of ,god is yet more fully described in the ,epistle to the ,hebrews1 ,chap4 iv4 #ab1 #ac4 ,for the ,word of ,god is quick and powerful1 and sharper than any two-edged ,sword1 piercing even to the dividing asunder of ,soul and ,spirit1 and of the ,joints and ,marrow1 and is a ,discerner of the ,thoughts and ,intents of the ,heart4 ,the ,virtues of this spiritual ,word are here enumerated3 ,it is quick1 because it searches and tries the ,hearts of all2 no ,man's ,heart is exempt from it3 ,for the ,apostle gives this ,reason of its being so1 in the following ,verse1 ,sidenote3 ,before whom all ,things are manifest4 ,but all ,things are naked and opened unto the ,eyes of him with whom we have to do3 ,and there is not any ,creature that is not manifest in his ,sight4 ,though this ultimately and mediately be referred to ,god1 yet nearly and immediately it relates to the ,word or ,light1 which1 as hath been before proved1 is in the ,hearts of all1 else it had been improper to have brought it in here4 ,sidenote3 ,and every ,thought and ,intent of the ,heart4 ,the ,apostle shews how every ,intent and ,thought of the ,heart is discerned by the ,word of ,god1 because all ,things are naked before ,god2 which imports nothing else but it is in and by this ,word whereby ,god sees and discerns ,man's ,thoughts2 and so it must needs be in all ,men1 because the ,apostle saith1 ,there is no ,creature that is not manifest in his ,sight4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,faithful ,witness4 ,this then is that faithful ,witness and ,messenger of ,god that bears ,witness for ,god1 and for his ,righteousness in the ,hearts of all ,men3 ,for he hath not left ,man without a ,witness1 ,acts xiv4 #ag4 and he is said to be given for a ,witness to the ,people1 ,isa4 lv4 #d4 ,and as this ,word beareth ,witness for ,god1 so it is not placed in ,men only to condemn them3 ,for as he is given for a ,witness1 so saith the ,prophet1 ,he is given for a ,leader and ,commander4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,leader and ,commander4 ,the ,light is given1 that all through it may believe1 ,john i4 #g4 ,for ,faith cometh by ,hearing1 and ,hearing by the ,word of ,god1 which is placed in ,man's ,heart1 both to be a ,witness for ,god1 and to be a ,means to bring ,man to ,god through ,faith and ,repentance3 ,it is therefore powerful1 that it may divide betwixt the ,soul and the ,spirit3 ,sidenote3 ,a two-edged ,sword4 ,it is like a ,two-edged ,sword1 that it may cut off ,iniquity from him1 and separate betwixt the ,precious and the ,vile2 ,sidenote3 ,a ,fire and a ,hammer4 and because ,man's ,heart is cold and hard like ,iron naturally1 therefore hath ,god placed this ,word in him1 which is said to be like a ,fire1 and like a ,hammer1 ,jer4 xxiii4 #bi4 that like as by the ,heat of the ,fire the ,iron1 of its own ,nature cold1 is warmed and softened1 and by the ,strength of the ,hammer is framed according to the ,mind of the ,worker2 so the cold and hard ,heart of ,man is by the ,virtue and ,powerfulness of this ,word of ,god near and in the ,heart1 as it resists not1 warmed and softened1 and receiveth an heavenly and clestial ,impression and ,image4 ,the most ,part of the ,fathers have spoken at large touching this ,word1 ,seed1 ,light1 and saving ,voice1 calling all unto ,salvation1 and able to save4 ,sidenote3 ,clem4 ,alex4 ,clemens ,alexandrinus saith1 ,lib4 #b4 ,stromat4 8,the divine ,word hath cried1 calling all1 knowing well those that will not obey2 and yet1 because it is in our ,power either to obey or not to obey1 that none may have a ,pretext of ,ignorance1 it hath made a righteous ,call1 and requireth but that which is according to the ,ability and ,strength of every one40 ,the self-same1 in his ,warning to the ,gentiles2 8,for as10 saith he1 8that ,heavenly ,ambassador of the ,lord1 ,the ,grace of ,god1 that brings ,salvation1 hath appeared unto all1 c4 ,this is1 the new ,song1 ,coming and ,manifestation of the ,word1 which now shows itself in us1 which was in the ,beginning1 and was first of all40 ,and again1 8,hear therefore1 ye that are afar off2 hear1 ye who are near2 the ,word is hid from none1 the ,light is common to all1 and shineth to all4 ,there is no ,darkness in the ,word2 let us hasten to ,salvation1 to the new ,birth1 that we being many1 may be gathered into the one alone ,love40 ,sidenote3 ,the gathering unto the one and alone ,love4 ,ibid4 he saith1 8,that there is infused into all1 but principally into those that are trained up in ,doctrine1 a certain divine ,influence1 ,greek3 tis achorrhoia theia3 40 ,and again1 he speaks concerning the 8innate ,witness1 worthy of ,belief1 which of itself doth plainly chuse that which is most honest40 ,and again he saith1 8,that it is not impossible to come unto the ,truth1 and lay ,hold of it1 seeing it is most near to us1 in our own ,houses1 as the most wise ,moses declareth1 living in three ,parts of us1 viz4 in our ,hands1 in our ,mouths1 and in our ,hearts4 ,this10 saith he1 8is a most true ,badge of the ,truth1 which is also fulfilled in three ,things1 namely1 in ,counsel1 in ,action1 in ,speaking40 ,and again he saith also unto the unbelieving ,nations1 8,receive ,christ1 receive ,light1 receive ,sight1 to the ,end thou mayest rightly know both ,god and ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,the enlightening ,word4 ,the ,word that hath enlightened us is more pleasant than ,gold1 and the ,stone of great ,value40 ,and again1 he saith1 8,let us receive the ,light1 that we may receive ,god2 let us receive the ,light1 that we may be the ,scholars of the ,lord40 ,and again he saith to those ,infidel ,nations1 8,the heavenly ,spirit helpeth thee2 resist and flee ,pleasure40 ,again1 ,lib4 #e4 ,strom4 he saith1 8,god forbid that ,man be not a ,partaker of divine ,acquaintance1 ,greek3 theias ennoias3 1 who in ,genesis is said to be a ,partaker of ,inspiration40 ,and ,pd4 ,lib4 #a4 ,cap4 #c4 8,there is10 saith he1 8some lovely and some desirable ,thing in ,man1 which is called the ,in-breathing of ,god1 ,greek3 emphysma ,theou3 40 ,the same ,man1 ,lib4 #aj4 ,strom4 directeth ,men unto the ,light and ,water in themselves1 who have the ,eye of the ,soul darkened or dimmed through evil ,education and ,learning3 ,let them enter in unto their own domestic ,light1 or unto the ,light which is in their own ,house1 ,greek3 pros to oikeion phs badizet3 1 unto the ,truth1 which manifests accurately and clearly these ,things that have been written4 ,sidenote3 ,j4 ,martyr4 ,justin ,martyr1 in his first ,apology1 saith1 8,that the ,word which was and is1 is in all2 even that very same ,word which1 through the ,prophets1 foretold ,things to come40 ,sidenote3 ,auth4 de ,voc4 ,gent4 ,the ,writer of the ,calling of the ,gentiles saith1 ,lib4 #a4 ,cap4 #b4 8,we believe according to the same 7viz4 ,scripture7 and most religiously confess1 that ,god was never wanting in ,care to the ,generality of ,men2 who1 although he did lead1 by particular ,lessons1 a ,people gathered to himself unto ,godliness1 yet he withdrew from no ,nation of ,men the ,gifts of his own ,goodness1 that they might be convinced that they had received the ,words of the ,prophets1 and legal ,commands in ,services and ,testimonies of the first ,principles40 ,cap4 #g4 he saith1 8,that he believes that the ,help of ,grace hath been wholly withdrawn from no ,man40 ,lib4 #b4 ,cap4 #a4 8,because1 albeit ,salvation is far from ,sinners1 yet there is nothing void of the ,presence and ,virtue of his ,salvation40 ,cap4 #b4 8,but seeing none of that ,people over whom was set both the ,doctrines1 were justified but through ,grace by the ,spirit of ,faith1 who can question but that they1 who of whatsoever ,nation1 in whatsoever ,times1 could please ,god1 were ordered by the ,spirit of the ,grace of ,god1 which1 although in fore ,time it was more sparing and hid1 yet denied itself to no ,ages1 being in ,virtue one1 in ,quantity different1 in ,counsel unchangeable1 in ,operation multifarious40 4 ,,xxiv4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,proved4 ,the third ,proposition which ought to be proved1 is1 ,that it is by this ,light1 ,seed1 or ,grace1 that ,god works the ,salvation of all ,men2 and many come to partake of the ,benefit of ,christ's ,death1 and ,salvation purchased by him4 ,sidenote3 ,god's ,salvation wrought by the ,light in all4 ,by the inward and effectual ,operations of which1 as many ,heathens have come to be ,partakers of the ,promises who were not of the ,seed of ,abraham after the ,flesh1 so may some now1 to whom ,god hath rendered the ,knowledge of the ,history impossible1 come to be saved by ,christ4 ,having already proved that ,christ hath died for all1 that there is a ,day of ,visitation given to all1 during which ,salvation is possible to them1 and that ,god hath actually given a ,measure of saving ,grace and ,light unto all1 preached the ,gospel to and in them1 and placed the ,word of ,faith in their ,hearts2 the ,matter of this ,proposition may seem to be proved4 ,yet shall ,i a little1 for the farther ,satisfaction of all who desire to know the ,truth1 and hold it as it is in ,jesus1 prove this from two or three clear ,scripture ,testimonies1 and remove the most common as well as the more strong ,objections usually brought against it4 ,sidenote3 #a ,part4 ,our ,theme then hath two ,parts2 ,first1 ,that those that have the ,gospel and ,christ outwardly preached unto them1 are not saved but by the ,working of the ,grace and ,light in their ,hearts4 ,sidenote3 #b ,part4 ,secondly1 ,that by the ,working and ,operation of this1 many have been1 and some may be saved1 to whom the ,gospel hath never been outwardly preached1 and who are utterly ignorant of the outward ,history of ,christ4 ,sidenote3 #a ,part4 ,proved4 ,as to the first1 though it be granted by most1 yet because it is more in ,words than ,deeds 7the more full discussing of which will occur in the next ,proposition concerning ,justification7 ,i shall prove it in few ,words4 ,and first from the ,words of ,christ to ,nicodemus1 ,john iii4 #c4 ,verily1 verily ,i say unto thee1 except a ,man be born again1 he cannot see the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,new ,birth 7or ,regeneration7 cometh not by the outward ,knowledge of ,christ4 ,now this ,birth cometh not by the outward ,preaching of the ,gospel1 or ,knowledge of ,christ1 or historical ,faith in him2 seeing many have that1 and firmly believe it1 who are never thus renewed4 ,the ,apostle ,paul also goes so far1 while he commends the ,necessity and ,excellency of this new ,creation1 as in a certain ,respect to lay aside the outward ,knowledge of ,christ1 or the ,knowledge of him after the ,flesh1 in these ,words1 #b ,cor4 v4 #af1 #ag4 ,wherefore henceforth know we no ,man after the ,flesh2 yea1 though we have known ,christ after the ,flesh1 yet now henceforth know we him no more4 ,therefore if any ,man be in ,christ1 he is a new ,creature1 old ,things are passed away1 behold all ,things are become new4 ,whence it manifestly appears1 that he makes the ,knowledge of ,christ after the ,flesh but as it were the ,rudiments which young ,children learn1 which after they are become better ,scholars1 are of less ,use to them2 because they have and possess the very ,substance of those first ,precepts in their ,minds4 ,as all ,comparisons halt in some ,part1 so shall ,i not affirm this to hold in every ,respect2 yet so far will this hold1 that as those that go no farther than the ,rudiments are never to be accounted learned1 and as they grow beyond these ,things1 so they have less ,use of them1 even so such as go no farther than the outward ,knowledge of ,christ shall never inherit the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,but such as come to know this new ,birth1 to be in ,christ indeed1 to be a new ,creature1 to have ,old ,things passed away1 and all ,things become new1 may safely say with the ,apostle1 ,though we have known ,christ after the ,flesh1 yet now henceforth know we him no more4 ,sidenote3 ,but by the ,work of ,light and ,grace in the ,heart4 ,now this new ,creature proceeds from the ,work of this ,light and ,grace in the ,heart3 ,it is that ,word which we speak of1 that is sharp and piercing1 that implanted ,word1 able to save the ,soul1 by which this ,birth is begotten2 and therefore ,christ has purchased unto us this holy ,seed1 that thereby this ,birth might be brought forth in us1 which is therefore also called the ,manifestation of the ,spirit1 given to every one to profit withal2 for it is written1 that by one ,spirit we are all baptized into one ,body4 ,and the ,apostle ,peter also ascribeth this ,birth to the ,seed and ,word of ,god1 which we have so much declared of1 saying1 #a ,pet4 i4 #bc4 ,being born again1 not of corruptible ,seed1 but of incorruptible1 by the ,word of ,god1 which liveth and abideth for ever4 ,though then this ,seed be small in its ,appearance1 so that ,christ compares it to a ,grain of ,mustard-seed1 which is the least of all ,seeds1 ,matth4 xiii4 #ca1 #cb4 and that it be hid in the earthly ,part of ,man's ,heart2 yet therein is ,life and ,salvation towards the ,sons of ,men wrapped up1 which comes to be revealed as they give ,way to it4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,kingdom of ,god is in the ,seed1 in the ,hearts of all ,men4 ,and in this ,seed in the ,hearts of all ,men is the ,kingdom of ,god1 as in ,capacity to be produced1 or rather exhibited1 according as it receives ,depth1 is nourished1 and not choked3 ,hence ,christ saith1 that ,the ,kingdom of ,god was in the very ,pharisees1 ,luke xvii4 #bj1 #ba4 who did oppose and resist him1 and were justly accounted as ,serpents1 and a ,generation of ,vipers4 ,now the ,kingdom of ,god could be no otherwise in them than in a ,seed1 even as the ,thirty-fold and the ,hundred-fold is wrapt up in a small ,seed1 lying in a barren ,ground1 which springs not forth because it wants ,nourishment3 ,and as the whole ,body of a great ,tree is wrapped up potentially in the ,seed of the ,tree1 and so is brought forth in due ,season2 and as the ,capacity of a ,man or ,woman is not only in a ,child1 but even in the very ,embryo1 even so the ,kingdom of ,jesus ,christ1 yea1 ,jesus ,christ himself1 ,christ within1 who is the ,hope of ,glory1 and becometh ,wisdom1 ,righteousness1 ,sanctification and ,redemption1 is in every ,man's and ,woman's ,heart1 in that little incorruptible ,seed1 ready to be brought forth1 as it is cherished and received in the ,love of it4 ,for there can be no ,men worse than those rebellious and unbelieving ,pharisees were2 and yet this ,kingdom was thus within them1 and they were directed to look for it there3 ,so it is neither lo here1 nor lo there1 in this or the other ,observation1 that this is known1 but as this ,seed of ,god in the ,heart is minded and entertained4 ,and certainly hence it is1 even because this ,light1 ,seed1 and ,grace that appears in the ,heart of ,man is so little regarded1 and so much overlooked1 that so few know ,christ brought forth in them4 ,sidenote3 ,calvinists1 ,papists1 ,arminians and ,socinians ,errors denying the ,light to be saving4 ,the one ,sort1 to wit1 the ,calvinists1 they look upon ,grace as an irresistible ,power1 and therefore neglect and despise this eternal ,seed of the ,kingdom in their ,hearts1 as a low1 insufficient1 useless ,thing as to their ,salvation4 ,on the other ,hand1 the ,papists1 ,arminians1 and ,socinians1 they go about to set up their natural ,power and ,will with one ,consent1 denying that this little ,seed1 this small ,appearance of the ,light1 is that supernatural saving ,grace of ,god given to every ,man to save him4 ,and so upon them is verified that ,saying of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,this is the ,condemnation of the ,world1 that ,light is come into the ,world1 but ,men love ,darkness rather than ,light2 the ,reason is added1 ,because their ,deeds are evil4 ,all confess they feel this2 but they will not have it to be of that ,virtue4 ,some will have it to be ,reason2 some a natural ,conscience2 some1 certain ,reliques of ,god's ,image1 that remained in ,adam4 ,so that ,christ1 as he met with ,opposition from all ,kinds of ,professors in his outward ,appearance1 doth now also in his inward4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,meanness of ,christ's ,appearance in the ,flesh4 ,it was the ,meanness of his outward ,man that made many despise him1 saying1 ,is not this the ,son of the ,carpenter8 ,are not his ,brethren and ,sisters among us8 ,is not this a ,galilean8 ,and came there ever a ,prophet out of ,galilee8 ,and such-like ,reasonings4 ,for they expected an outward ,deliverer1 who as a ,prince should deliver them with great ,ease from their ,enemies1 and not such a ,,messiah as should be crucified shamefully1 and as it were lead them into many ,sorrows1 ,troubles1 and ,afflictions4 ,so the ,meanness of this ,appearance makes the crafty ,jesuits1 the pretended rational ,socinians1 and the learned ,arminians1 overlook it2 desiring rather something that they might exercise their ,subtilty1 ,reason1 and ,learning about1 and use the ,liberty of their own ,wills4 ,and the secure ,calvinists1 they would have a ,christ to save them without any ,trouble2 to destroy all their ,enemies for them without them1 and nothing or little within1 and in the mean ,while to be at ,ease to live in their ,sins secure4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,nature of the ,light4 ,whence1 when all is well examined1 the ,cause is plain2 it is ,because their ,deeds are ,evil1 that with one ,consent they reject this ,light3 ,for it checks the wisest of them all1 and the learnedest of them all2 in ,secret it reproves them2 neither can all their ,logick silence it1 nor can the securest among them stop its ,voice from crying1 and reproving them within1 for all their ,confidence in the outward ,knowledge of ,christ1 or of what he hath suffered outwardly for them4 ,for1 as hath been often said1 ,in a ,day it strives with all1 wrestles with all2 and it is the unmortified ,nature1 the first ,nature1 the old ,adam1 yet alive in the wisest1 in the learnedest1 in the most zealous for the outward ,knowledge of ,christ1 that denies this1 that despises it1 that shuts it out1 to their own ,condemnation4 ,they come all under this ,description1 ,every one that doeth evil hateth the ,light1 neither cometh to the ,light1 lest his ,deeds should be reproved1 ,john iii4 #bj4 ,so that it may be said1 now1 and we can say from a true and certain ,experience1 as it was of old1 ,psalm cxviii4 #bb4 ,mat4 xxi4 #db4 ,mark xii4 #aj4 ,luke xx4 #ag4 ,acts iv4 #aa4 ,the ,stone which the ,builders of all ,kinds have rejected1 the same is become unto us the ,head of the ,corner4 ,glory to ,god for ever6 who hath chosen us as ,first-fruits to himself in this ,day1 wherein he is arisen to plead with the ,nations2 and therefore hath sent us forth to preach this everlasting ,gospel unto all1 ,christ nigh to all1 the ,light in all1 the ,seed sown in the ,hearts of all1 that ,men may come and apply their ,minds to it4 ,and we rejoice that we have been made to lay down our ,wisdom and ,learning 7such of us as have had some of it7 and our carnal ,reasoning1 to learn of ,jesus2 and sit down at the ,feet of ,jesus in our ,hearts1 and hear him1 who there makes all ,things manifest1 and reproves all ,things by his ,light1 ,ephes4 v4 #ac4 ,for many are wise and learned in the ,notion1 in the ,letter of the ,scripture1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,wise and ,learned in the ,notion1 ,crucifiers of ,christ4 as the ,pharisees were1 and can speak much of ,christ1 and plead strongly against ,infidels1 ,turks1 and ,jews1 and it may be also against some ,heresies1 who1 in the mean ,time1 are crucifying ,christ in the small ,appearance of his ,seed in their ,hearts4 ,oh6 better were it to be stripped and naked of all1 to account it as ,dross and ,dung1 and become a ,fool for ,christ's ,sake1 thus knowing him to teach thee in thy ,heart1 so as thou mayest witness him raised there1 feel the ,virtue of his ,cross there1 and say with the ,apostle1 ,i glory in nothing1 save in the ,cross of ,christ1 whereby ,i am crucified to the ,world1 and the ,world unto me4 ,this is better than to write thousands of ,commentaries1 and to preach many ,sermons4 ,and it is thus to preach ,christ1 and direct ,people to his pure ,light in the ,heart1 that ,god hath raised us up1 and for which the wise ,men of this ,world account us ,fools2 ,sidenote3 ,none are saved by the ,knowledge of the ,history1 but by the ,operation of the ,light of ,christ in the ,mystery4 because by the ,operation of this ,cross of ,christ in our ,hearts1 we have denied our own ,wisdom and ,wills in many ,things1 and have forsaken the vain ,worships1 ,fashions1 and ,customs of this ,world4 ,for these divers ,centuries the ,world hath been full of a dry1 fruitless1 and barren ,knowledge of ,christ1 feeding upon the ,husk1 and neglecting the ,kernel2 following after the ,shadow1 but ,strangers to the ,substance4 ,hence the ,devil matters not how much of that ,knowledge abounds1 provided he can but possess the ,heart1 and rule in the ,will1 crucify the ,appearance of ,christ there1 and so keep the ,seed of the ,kingdom from taking ,root4 ,sidenote3 ,contentions about outward ,observations and ,lo here's4 ,for he has led them abroad1 lo here1 and lo there1 and has made them wrestle in a false ,zeal so much one against another1 contending for this outward ,observation1 and for the other outward ,observation1 seeking ,,christ in this and the other external ,thing1 as in ,bread and ,wine2 contending one with another how he is there1 while some will have him to be present therein this ,way1 and some the other ,way2 and some in ,scriptures1 in ,books1 in ,societies1 and ,pilgrimages1 and ,merits4 ,but some1 confiding in an external barren ,faith1 think all is well1 if they do but firmly believe that he died for their ,sins past1 present1 and to come2 while in the mean ,time ,christ lies crucified and slain1 and is daily resisted and gainsayed in his ,appearance in their ,hearts4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,call of ,god to blinded ,christendom4 ,thus1 from a ,sense of this ,blindness and ,ignorance that is come over ,christendom1 it is that we are led and moved of the ,lord so constantly and frequently to call all1 invite all1 intreat all1 to turn to the ,light in them1 to mind the ,light in them1 to believe in ,christ1 as he is in them3 ,and that in the ,name1 ,power1 and ,authority of the ,lord1 not in ,school-arguments and ,distinctions 7for which many of the wise ,men of this ,world account us ,fools and ,mad-men7 we do charge and command them to lay aside their ,wisdom1 to come down out of that proud1 airy1 ,brain-knowledge1 and to stop that ,mouth1 how eloquent soever to the worldly ,ear it may appear1 and to be silent1 and sit down as in the ,dust1 and to mind the ,light of ,christ in their own ,consciences2 which1 if minded1 they would find as a sharp two-edged ,sword in their ,hearts1 and as a ,fire and a ,hammer1 that would knock against and burn up all that carnal1 gathered1 natural ,stuff1 and make the stoutest of them all tremble1 and become ,quakers indeed3 ,which those that come not to feel now1 and kiss not the ,son while the ,day lasteth1 but harden their ,hearts1 will feel to be a certain ,truth when it is too late4 ,to conclude1 as saith the ,apostle1 ,all ought to examine themselves1 whether they be in the ,faith indeed2 and try their ownselves3 ,for except ,jesus ,christ be in them1 they are certainly ,reprobates1 #b ,cor4 xiii4 #e4 4 ,,xxv4 ,sidenote3 #b ,part4 ,sidenote3 ,proved4 ,sidenote3 ,that many by the ,light may be saved1 that have not the outward ,knowledge of ,christ4 ,secondly1 ,that which remains now to be proved1 is1 ,that by the ,operation of this ,light and ,seed1 some have been1 and may yet be saved1 to whom the ,gospel is not outwardly preached1 nor the ,history of ,christ outwardly known4 ,to make this the easier1 we have already shewn how that ,christ hath died for all ,men2 and consequently these are enlightened by ,christ1 and have a ,measure of saving ,light and ,grace2 yea1 that the ,gospel1 though not in any outward ,dispensation1 is preached to them1 and in them3 ,so that thereby they are stated in a ,possibility of ,salvation4 ,from which ,i may thus argue3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,to whom the ,gospel1 the ,power of ,god unto ,salvation1 is manifest1 they may be saved1 whatever outward ,knowledge they want3 ,but this ,gospel is preached in every ,creature2 in which is certainly comprehended many that have not the outward ,knowledge3 ,therefore of those many may be saved4 ,but to those ,arguments1 by which it hath been proved1 ,that all ,men have a ,measure of saving ,grace1 ,i shall add one1 and that very observable1 not yet mentioned1 viz4 that excellent ,saying of the ,apostle ,paul to ,titus1 ,chap4 ii4 ,ver4 #aa4 ,the ,grace of ,god1 that brings ,salvation1 hath appeared to all ,men2 teaching us1 ,that denying ,ungodliness and worldly ,lusts1 we should live soberly1 righteously1 and godly1 in this present ,world3 ,than which there can be nothing more clear1 it comprehending both the ,parts of the ,controversy4 ,first1 ,it testifies that it is no natural ,principle or ,light1 but saith plainly1 ,it brings ,salvation4 ,secondly1 ,it says not1 that it hath appeared to a few1 but unto all ,men4 ,sidenote3 ,the saving ,grace of ,god teacheth the whole ,duty of ,man4 ,the ,fruit of it declares also how efficacious it is1 seeing it comprehends the whole ,duty of ,man3 ,it both teacheth us1 first1 to forsake ,evil1 to deny ,ungodliness and worldly ,lusts2 and then it teacheth us our whole ,duty4 ,first1 to live ,soberly2 that comprehends ,temperance1 ,chastity1 ,meekness1 and those ,things that relate unto a ,man's self4 ,secondly1 ,righteously2 that comprehends ,equity1 ,justice1 and ,honesty1 and those ,things which relate to our ,neighbours4 ,and lastly1 ,godly2 which comprehends ,piety1 ,faithfulness1 and ,devotion1 which are the ,duties relating to ,god4 ,so then there is nothing required of ,man1 or is needful to ,man1 which this ,grace teacheth not4 ,yet ,i have heard a public ,preacher 7one of those that are accounted zealous ,men7 to evade the ,strength of this ,text1 deny this ,grace to be saving1 and say1 ,it was only intended of common ,favours and ,graces1 such as is the ,heat of the ,fire1 and outward ,light of the ,sun4 ,such is the ,darkness and ,ignorance of those that oppose the ,truth2 whereas the ,text saith expresly1 that it is saving4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,absurdities of our ,adversaries ,comment upon the ,word ,all1 denying ,grace to be saving4 ,tit4 #b4 #aa4 ,others1 that cannot deny but it is saving1 alledge1 ,this ,all comprehends not every ,individual1 but only all ,kinds3 ,but is a bare ,negation sufficient to overturn the ,strength of a positive ,assertion8 ,if the ,scriptures may be so abused1 what so absurd1 as may not be pleaded for from them8 ,or what so manifest1 as may not be denied8 ,but we have no ,reason to be staggered by their denying1 so long as our ,faith is found in express ,terms of ,scripture2 they may as well seek to persuade us1 that we do not intend that which we affirm 7though we know the ,contrary7 as make us believe1 that when the ,apostle speaks forth our ,doctrine in plain ,words1 yet he intends theirs1 which is quite the ,contrary4 ,and indeed1 can there be any ,thing more absurd1 than to say1 where the ,word is plainly ,all ,few is only intended8 ,for they will not have ,all taken here for the greater ,number4 ,indeed1 as the ,case may be sometimes1 by a ,figure ,all may be taken1 of two ,numbers1 for the greater ,number2 but let them shew us1 if they can1 either in ,scripture1 or profane or ecclesiastical ,writings1 that any ,man that wrote ,sense did ever use the ,word ,all to express1 of two ,numbers1 the lesser4 ,whereas they affirm1 that the far lesser ,number have received saving ,grace2 and yet will they have the ,apostle1 by ,all to have signified so4 ,though this might suffice1 yet1 to put it further beyond all ,question1 ,i shall instance another ,saying of the same ,apostle1 that we may use him as his own ,commentator1 ,rom4 v4 #ah4 ,therefore as by the ,offence of ,one1 ,judgment come upon all ,men to ,condemnation1 even so by the ,righteousness of ,one1 the ,free-gift came upon all ,men unto ,justification of ,life4 ,here no ,man of ,reason1 except he will be obstinately ignorant1 will deny1 but this similitive ,particle ,as makes the ,all which goes before1 and comes after1 to be of one and the same ,extent2 or else let them shew one ,example1 either in ,scripture1 or elsewhere1 among ,men that speak proper ,language1 where it is otherwise4 ,we must then either affirm that this ,loss1 which leads to ,condemnation1 hath not come upon all2 or say1 that this free ,gift is come upon all by ,christ4 ,whence ,i thus argue3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,if all ,men have received a ,loss from ,adam1 which leads to ,condemnation2 then all ,men have received a ,gift from ,christ1 which leads to ,justification3 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore also the last4 ,sidenote3 ,even the ,heathens may be saved by the ,light4 ,from all which it naturally follows1 that all ,men1 even the ,heathens1 may be saved3 ,for ,christ was given as a ,light to enlighten the ,gentiles1 ,isa4 xlix4 #f4 ,now1 to say that though they might have been saved1 yet none were1 is to judge too uncharitably4 ,i see not what ,reason can be alleged for it2 yea1 though it were granted1 which never can be1 that none of the ,heathens were saved2 it will not from thence follow1 ,that they could not have been saved2 or that none now in their ,condition can be saved4 ,for1 ,a non esse ad non posse non datur sequela1 i4 e4 ,that ,consequence is false1 that concludes a ,thing cannot be1 because it is not4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 ,but if it be objected1 which is the great ,objection1 ,that there is no ,name under ,heaven1 by which ,salvation is known1 but by the ,name ,,jesus3 ,therefore they 7not knowing this7 cannot be saved4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,though they know it not outwardly1 yet if they know it inwardly1 by feeling the ,virtues and ,power of it1 the ,name ,,jesus indeed1 which signifies a ,saviour1 to free them from ,sin and ,iniquity in their ,hearts1 they are saved by it3 ,sidenote3 ,the literal ,knowledge of ,christ is not saving2 but the real experimental4 ,i confess there is no other ,name to be saved by3 ,but ,salvation lieth not in the literal1 but in the experimental ,knowledge2 albeit those that have the literal ,knowledge are not saved by it1 without this real experimental ,knowledge3 ,yet those that have the real ,knowledge may be saved without the external2 as by the ,arguments hereafter brought will more appear4 ,for if the outward distinct ,knowledge of him1 by whose ,means ,i receive ,benefit1 were necessary for me before ,i could reap any ,fruit of it2 then1 by the ,rule of ,contraries1 it would follow1 that ,i could receive no ,hurt1 without ,i had also the distinct ,knowledge of him that occasioned it2 whereas ,experience proves the ,contrary4 ,how many are injured by ,adam's ,fall1 that know nothing of there ever being such a ,man in the ,world1 or of his eating the forbidden ,fruit8 ,why may they not then be saved by the ,gift and ,grace of ,christ in them1 making them righteous and holy1 though they know not distinctly how that was purchased unto them by the ,death and ,sufferings of ,jesus that was crucified at ,jerusalem2 especially seeing ,god hath made that ,knowledge simply impossible to them8 ,as many ,men are killed by ,poison infused into their ,meat1 though they neither know what the ,poison was1 nor who infused it2 so also on the other ,hand1 how many are cured of their ,diseases by good ,remedies1 who know not how the ,medicine is prepared1 what the ,ingredients are1 nor oftentimes who made it8 ,the like may also hold in spiritual ,things1 as we shall hereafter prove4 4 ,,xxvi4 ,sidenote3 ,the outward ,knowledge not essential to ,salvation3 ,instance in ,infants and deaf ,persons4 ,first1 ,if there were such an absolute ,necessity for this outward ,knowledge1 that it were even of the ,essentials of ,salvation1 then none could be saved without it2 whereas our ,adversaries deny not1 but readily confess1 that many ,infants and deaf ,persons are saved without it3 ,so that here they break that general ,rule1 and make ,salvation possible without it4 ,neither can they allege1 that it is because such are free from ,sin2 seeing they also affirm1 that all ,infants1 because of ,adam's ,sin1 deserve eternal ,condemnation1 as being really guilty in the ,sight of ,god2 and of deaf ,people1 it is not to be doubted1 and ,experience shews us1 that they are subject to many common ,iniquities1 as well as other ,men4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,if it be said1 ,that these ,children are the ,children of believing ,parents3 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,what then8 ,they will not say that they transmit ,grace to their ,children4 ,do they not affirm1 ,that the ,children of believing ,parents are guilty of original ,sin1 and deserve ,death as well as others8 ,how prove they that that makes up the ,loss of all explicit ,knowledge8 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,if they say1 ,deaf ,people may be made sensible of the ,gospel by ,signs3 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,all the ,signs cannot give them any explicit ,knowledge of the ,history of the ,death1 ,sufferings1 and ,resurrection of ,christ4 ,for what ,signs can inform a deaf ,man1 ,that the ,son of ,god took on him ,man's ,nature1 was born of a ,virgin1 and suffered under ,pontius ,pilate8 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,and if they should further allege1 ,that they are within the ,bosom of the visible ,church1 and ,partakers of the ,sacraments3 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,all that gives no ,certainty of ,salvation2 for1 as the ,protestants confess1 they confer not ,grace ex opere operato4 ,and will they not acknowledge1 that many are in the ,bosom of the ,church1 who are visibly no ,members of it8 ,but if this ,charity be extended towards such who are where the ,gospel is preached1 so that they may be judged capable of ,salvation1 because they are under a simple ,impossibility of distinctly knowing the ,means of ,salvation2 what ,reason can be alleged why the like ,charity may not be had to such1 as though they can hear1 yet are under a simple ,impossibility of hearing1 because it is not spoken unto them8 ,sidenote3 ,a ,chinese or ,indian excusable for not knowing the ,history of the ,death of ,christ1 c4 ,is not a ,man in ,china1 or in ,india1 as much to be excused for not knowing a ,thing which he never heard of1 as a deaf ,man here1 who cannot hear8 ,for as the deaf ,man is not to be blamed1 because ,god hath been pleased to suffer him to lie under this ,infirmity2 so is the ,chinese or the ,indian as excusable1 because ,god hath with-held from him the ,opportunity of hearing4 ,he that cannot hear a ,thing1 as being necessarily absent1 and he that cannot hear it1 as being naturally deaf1 are to be placed in the same ,category4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,this manifestly appears by that ,saying of ,peter1 ,acts x4 #cd4 ,of a ,truth ,i perceive that ,god is no ,respecter of ,persons2 but in every ,nation1 he that feareth him1 and worketh ,righteousness1 is accepted of him4 ,peter was before liable to that ,mistake that the rest of the ,jews were in2 judging that all were unclean1 except themselves1 and that no ,man could be saved1 except they were proselyted to their ,religion1 and circumcised4 ,but ,god shewed ,peter otherwise in a ,vision1 and taught him to call nothing common or unclean2 ,sidenote3 ,god regarded the ,prayers of ,cornelius1 a ,stranger to the ,law4 and therefore1 seeing that ,god regarded the ,prayers of ,cornelius1 who was a ,stranger to the ,law1 and to ,jesus ,christ as to the outward1 yet ,peter saw that ,god had accepted him2 and he is said to fear ,god before he had this outward ,knowledge3 ,therefore ,peter concludes that every one in every ,nation1 without respect of ,persons1 that feareth ,god and worketh ,righteousness1 is accepted of him4 ,so he makes the ,fear of ,god and the working of ,righteousness1 and not an outward historical ,knowledge1 the ,qualification3 ,they then that have this1 wherever they be1 they are saved4 ,now we have already proved1 that to every ,man that ,grace is given1 whereby he may live godlily and righteously2 and we see1 that by this ,grace ,cornelius did so1 and was accepted1 and his ,prayers came up for a ,memorial before ,god before he had this outward ,knowledge4 ,sidenote3 ,from what ,scripture did ,job learn his excellent ,knowledge8 ,also1 ,was not ,job a perfect and upright ,man1 that feared ,god1 and eschewed ,evil8 ,who taught ,job this8 ,how knew ,job ,adam's ,fall8 ,and from what ,scripture learned he that excellent ,knowledge he had1 and that ,faith1 by which he knew his ,redeemer lived8 7,for many make him as old as ,moses74 ,was not this by an inward ,grace in the ,heart8 ,was it not that inward ,grace that taught ,job to eschew ,evil1 and to fear ,god8 ,and was it not by the ,workings thereof that he became a just and upright ,man8 ,how doth he reprove the ,wickedness of ,men1 ,chap4 xxiv8 ,and after he hath numbered up their ,wickedness1 doth he not condemn them1 ,ver4 #ac4 for rebelling against this ,light1 for not knowing the ,way thereof1 nor abiding in the ,paths thereof8 ,it appears then ,job believed that ,men had a ,light1 and that because they rebelled against it1 therefore they knew not its ,ways1 and abode not in its ,paths2 even as the ,pharisees1 who had the ,scriptures1 are said to err1 not knowing the ,scriptures4 ,sidenote3 ,job's ,friends2 their excellent ,sayings4 ,and also ,job's ,friends1 though in some ,things wrong2 yet who taught them all those excellent ,sayings and ,knowledge which they had8 ,did not ,god give it them1 in order to save them8 or was it merely to condemn them8 ,who taught ,elihu1 ,that the ,inspiration of the ,almighty giveth ,understanding2 that the ,spirit of ,god made him1 and the ,breath of the ,almighty gave him ,life8 ,and did not the ,lord accept a ,sacrifice for them8 ,and who dare say that they are damned8 ,but further1 the ,apostle puts this ,controversy out of ,doubt2 for1 if we may believe his plain ,assertions1 he tells us1 ,rom4 ii4 ,that the ,heathens did the ,things contained in the ,law4 ,from whence ,i thus argue2 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,in every ,nation he that feareth ,god1 and worketh ,righteousness1 is accepted3 ,but many of the ,heathens feared ,god1 and wrought ,righteousness3 ,therefore they were accepted4 ,the ,minor is proved from the ,example of ,cornelius3 ,but ,i shall further prove it thus2 ,he that doth the ,things contained in the ,law1 feareth ,god1 and worketh ,righteousness3 ,but the ,heathens did the ,things contained in the ,law3 ,therefore they feared ,god1 and wrought ,righteousness4 ,can there be any ,thing more clear8 ,for if to do the ,things contained in the ,law1 be not to fear ,god1 and work ,righteousness1 then what can be said to do so1 seeing the ,apostle calls the ,law ,spiritual1 ,holy1 ,just1 and ,good8 ,but this appears manifestly by another ,medium1 taken out of the same ,chapter1 ,ver4 #ac4 ,so that nothing can be more clear3 ,the ,words are1 ,the ,doers of the ,law shall be justified4 ,from which ,i thus argue1 without adding any ,word of my own2 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,the ,doers of the ,law shall be justified3 ,but the ,gentiles do the ,things contained in the ,law3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,gentiles justified doing the ,law4 ,all that know but a ,conclusion1 do easily see what follows from these express ,words of the ,apostle4 ,and indeed1 he through that whole ,chapter labours1 as if he were contending now with our ,adversaries1 to confirm this ,doctrine1 ,ver4 #i1 #aj1 #aa4 ,tribulation and ,anguish upon every ,soul of ,man that doth ,evil1 to the ,jew first1 and also to the ,gentile3 ,for there is no ,respect of ,persons with ,god4 ,where the ,apostle clearly homologates1 or confesses to the ,sentence of ,peter before-mentioned2 and shews that ,jew and ,gentile1 or as he himself explains in the following ,verses1 both they that have an outward ,law and they that have none1 when they do ,good shall be justified4 ,and to put us out of all ,doubt1 in the very following ,verses he tells1 ,that the ,doers of the ,law are justified2 and that the ,gentiles did the ,law4 ,so that except we think he spake not what he intended1 we may safely conclude1 that such ,gentiles were justified1 and did partake of that ,honour1 ,glory1 and ,peace1 which comes upon every one that doth ,good2 even the ,gentiles1 that are without the ,law1 when they work ,good2 seeing with ,god there is no ,respect of ,persons4 ,so as we see1 that it is not the having the outward ,knowledge that doth save1 without the inward2 so neither doth the ,want of it1 to such to whom ,god hath made it impossible1 who have the inward1 bring ,condemnation4 ,and many that have wanted the ,outward1 have had a ,knowledge of this inwardly1 by ,virtue of that inward ,grace and ,light given to every ,man1 working in them1 by which they forsook ,iniquity1 and became just and holy1 as is above proved2 ,sidenote3 ,many wanting the ,history1 were sensible of the ,loss by ,adam1 and ,salvation come by ,christ in themselves4 who1 though they knew not the ,history of ,adam's ,fall1 yet were sensible in themselves of the ,loss that came by it1 feeling their ,inclinations to sin1 and the ,body of ,sin in them3 ,and though they knew not the ,coming of ,christ1 yet were sensible of that inward ,power and ,salvation which came by him1 even before as well as since his ,appearance in the ,flesh4 ,for ,i question whether these ,men can prove1 that all the ,patriarchs and ,fathers before ,moses had a distinct ,knowledge either of the one or the other1 or that they knew the ,history of the ,tree of ,knowledge of ,good and ,evil1 and of ,adam's eating the forbidden ,fruit2 far less that ,christ should be born of a ,virgin1 should be crucified1 and treated in the ,manner he was4 ,for it is justly to be believed1 that what ,moses wrote of ,adam1 and of the first ,times1 was not by ,tradition1 but by ,revelation2 ,sidenote3 ,how little the ,jews knew ,christ1 mistaking the ,prophets4 yea1 we see that not only after the ,writing of ,moses1 but even of ,david and all the ,prophets1 who prophesied so much of ,christ1 how little the ,jews1 that were expecting and wishing for the ,messiah1 could thereby discern him when he came1 that they crucified him as a ,blasphemer1 not as a ,messiah1 by mistaking the ,prophecies concerning him2 for ,peter saith expresly1 ,acts iii4 #ag4 to the ,jews1 ,that both they and their ,rulers did it through ,ignorance4 ,and ,paul saith1 #a ,cor4 ii4 #h4 ,that had they known it1 they would not have crucified the ,lord of ,glory4 ,yea1 ,mary herself1 to whom the ,angel had spoken1 and who had laid up all the miraculous ,things accompanying his ,birth in her ,heart1 she did not understand how1 when he disputed with the ,doctors in the ,temple1 that he was about his ,father's ,business4 ,and the ,apostles that had believed him1 conversed daily with him1 and saw his ,miracles1 could not understand1 neither believe those ,things which related to his ,death1 ,sufferings1 and ,resurrection1 but were in a certain ,respect stumbled at them4 4 ,,xxvii4 ,so we see how that it is the inward ,work1 and not the outward ,history and ,scripture1 that gives the true ,knowledge2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,heathens were sensible of the ,loss received by ,adam4 and by this inward ,light many of the ,heathen ,philosophers were sensible of the ,loss received by ,adam1 though they knew not the outward ,history3 ,hence ,plato asserted1 ,that ,man's ,soul was fallen into a dark ,cave1 where it only conversed with ,shadows4 ,pythagoras saith1 ,man wandereth in this ,world as a ,stranger1 banished from the ,presence of ,god4 ,and ,plotinus compareth ,man's ,soul1 fallen from ,god1 to a ,cinder1 or dead ,coal1 out of which the ,fire is extinguished4 ,sidenote3 ,heathen-,philosophers ,divine ,knowledge4 ,plato4 ,pythag4 ,plotin4 ,some of them said1 ,that the ,wings of the ,soul were clipped or fallen off1 so that it could not flee unto ,god4 ,all which1 and many more such ,expressions1 that might be gathered out of their ,writings1 shew1 that they were not without a ,sense of this ,loss4 ,also they had a ,knowledge and ,discovery of ,jesus ,christ inwardly1 as a ,remedy in them1 to deliver them from that evil ,seed1 and the evil ,inclinations of their own ,hearts1 though not under that particular ,denomination4 ,some called him an ,holy ,spirit1 as ,seneca1 ,epist4 #da4 who said1 ,there is an holy ,spirit in us1 that treateth us as we treat him4 ,sidenote3 ,cicero calls it an ,innate ,light4 ,lactan4 ,in ,sect4 ,cicero calleth it an innate ,light1 in his ,book ,de ,republica1 cited by ,lactantius1 #f ,instit4 where he calls this ,right ,reason1 given unto all1 constant and eternal1 calling unto ,duty by commanding1 and deterring from ,deceit by forbidding4 ,adding1 ,that it cannot be abrogated1 neither can any be freed from it1 neither by ,senate or ,people2 that it is one1 eternal1 and the same always to all ,nations2 so that there is not one at ,rome1 and another at ,athens3 ,whoso obeys it not1 must flee from himself1 and in this is greatly tormented1 although he should escape all other ,punishments4 ,plotinus also calls him ,light1 saying1 ,that as the ,sun cannot be known but by its own ,light1 so ,god cannot be known but with his own ,light3 ,and as the ,eye cannot see the ,sun but by receiving its ,image1 so ,man cannot know ,god but by receiving his ,image2 and that it behoveth ,man to come to ,purity of ,heart before he could know ,god2 calling him also ,wisdom1 a name frequently given him in ,scripture2 see ,prov4 i4 #bj4 to the ,end2 and ,prov4 viii4 #i1 #cd4 where ,wisdom is said to cry1 intreat1 and invite all to come unto her1 and learn of her3 ,and what is this ,wisdom but ,christ8 ,hence such as came among the ,heathen1 to forsake ,evil and cleave to ,righteousness1 were called ,philosophers1 that is1 ,lovers of ,wisdom4 ,sidenote3 ,philosophers whence so called8 ,they knew this ,wisdom was nigh unto them1 and that ,the best ,knowledge of ,god1 and divine ,mysteries1 was by the ,inspiration of the ,wisdom of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,phocylides4 ,phocylides affirmed1 ,that the ,word of the ,wisdom of ,god was best4 ,his ,words in the ,greek are1 ,greek3 ,ts de ,theopneustou sophias logos estin aristos3 4 ,and much more of this ,kind might be instanced1 by which it appears they knew ,christ2 and by his working in them1 were brought from ,unrighteousness to ,righteousness1 and to love that ,power by which they felt themselves redeemed2 so that1 as saith the ,apostle1 ,they shew the ,work of the ,law written in their ,hearts1 and did the ,things contained in the ,law2 and therefore1 as all ,doers of the ,law are1 were no ,doubt justified1 and saved thus by the ,power of ,christ in them4 ,and as this was the ,judgment of the ,apostle1 so was it of the primitive ,christians4 ,sidenote3 ,socrates a ,christian1 c4 ,hence ,justin ,martyr stuck not to call ,socrates a ,christian1 saying1 ,that all such as lived according to the divine ,word in them1 which was in all ,men1 were ,christians1 such as ,socrates and ,heraclitus1 and others among the ,greeks1 c4 ,that such as live with the ,word1 are ,christians without ,fear or ,anxiety4 ,sidenote3 ,clem4 ,alex4 ,clemens ,alexandrinus saith1 ,apol4 #b4 ,strom4 ,lib4 #a4 ,that this ,wisdom or ,philosophy was necessary to the ,gentiles1 and was their ,school-master to lead them unto ,christ1 by which of old the ,greeks were justified4 ,sidenote3 ,augustin4 de ,civ4 ,dei4 ,nor do ,i think1 saith ,augustine1 in his ,book of the ,city of ,god1 ,lib4 #ah4 ,cap4 #dg4 that the ,jews dare affirm that none belonged unto ,god but the ,israelites4 ,sidenote3 ,lud4 ,vives4 ,upon which ,place ,ludovicus ,vives saith1 ,that thus the ,gentiles1 not having a ,law1 were a ,law unto themselves2 and the ,light of so living is the ,gift of ,god1 and proceeds from the ,son2 of whom it is written1 that he enlighteneth every ,man that cometh into the ,world4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,platonists saw the ,word in the ,beginning2 which was ,light4 ,augustine also testifies in his ,confessions1 ,lib4 #a4 ,cap4 #i4 ,that he had read in the ,writings of the ,platonists1 though not in the very same ,words1 yet that which by many and multiplied ,reasons did persuade1 that in the ,beginning was the ,word1 and the ,word was with ,god2 this was in the ,beginning with ,god1 by which all ,things were made1 and without which nothing was made that was made3 ,in him was ,life1 and the ,life was the ,light of ,men3 ,and the ,light shined in the ,darkness1 and the ,darkness did not comprehend it4 ,and albeit the ,soul gives ,testimony concerning the ,light1 yet it is not the ,light1 but the ,word of ,god2 for ,,god is the true ,,light1 which enlighteneth every ,man that cometh into the ,world2 and so repeats to ,ver4 #ad4 of ,john i4 adding1 ,these ,things have ,i there read4 ,sidenote3 ,hai ,eben ,yokdan4 ,yea1 there is a ,book translated out of the ,arabick1 which gives an ,account of one ,hai ,eben ,yokdan2 who living in an ,island alone1 without ,converse of ,man1 attained to such a profound ,knowledge of ,god1 as to have immediate ,converse with him1 and to affirm1 ,that the best and most certain ,knowledge of ,god is not that which is attained by ,premises premised1 and ,conclusions deduced2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,supreme ,intellect enjoyed by the ,mind of ,men4 but that which is enjoyed by ,conjunction of the ,mind of ,man with the ,supreme ,intellect1 after the ,mind is purified from its ,corruptions1 and is separated from all bodily ,images1 and is gathered into a profound ,stillness4 4 ,,xxviii4 ,seeing then it is by this inward ,gift1 ,grace1 and ,light1 that both those that have the ,gospel preached unto them1 come to have ,jesus brought forth in them1 and to have the saving and sanctified ,use of all outward ,helps and ,advantages2 and also by this same ,light that all may come to be saved2 and that ,god calls1 invites1 and strives with all1 in a ,day1 and saveth many1 to whom he hath not seen meet to convey this outward ,knowledge2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,day of the ,lord proclaimed4 therefore we1 having the ,experience of the inward and powerful ,work of this ,light in our ,hearts1 even ,jesus revealed in us1 cannot cease to proclaim the ,day of the ,lord that is arisen in it1 crying out with the ,woman of ,samaria2 ,come and see one that hath told me all that ever ,i have done2 ,is not this the ,christ8 ,that others may come and feel the same in themselves1 and may know1 that that little small ,thing that reproves them in their ,hearts1 however they have despised and neglected it1 is nothing less than the ,gospel preached in them2 ,christ1 the ,wisdom and ,power of ,god1 being in and by that ,seed seeking to save their ,souls4 ,of this ,light therefore ,augustine speaks in his ,confessions1 ,lib4 #aa4 ,cap4 #i4 ,in this ,beginning1 ,o ,god6 thou madest the ,heavens and the ,earth1 in thy ,word1 in thy ,son1 in thy ,virtue1 in thy ,wisdom1 wonderfully saying1 and wonderfully doing4 ,who shall comprehend it8 ,who shall declare it8 ,sidenote3 ,augustine trembled at the ,in-shinings of the ,light unto him1 and why8 ,what is that which shineth in unto me1 and smites my ,heart without ,hurt1 at which ,i both tremble1 and am inflamed8 ,i tremble1 in so far as ,i am unlike unto it2 and ,i am inflamed in so far as ,i am like unto it3 ,it is ,wisdom1 ,wisdom which shineth in unto me1 and dispelleth my ,cloud1 which had again covered me1 after ,i was departed from it1 with ,darkness and the ,heap of my ,punishments4 ,and again he saith1 ,lib4 #aj4 ,cap4 #bg4 ,it is too late that ,i have loved thee1 ,o thou ,beautifulness1 so ancient and so new6 ,late have ,i loved thee1 and behold thou wast within1 and ,i was without1 and there was seeking thee6 ,thou didst call1 thou didst cry1 thou didst break my ,deafness1 thou glancedst1 thou didst shine1 thou chasedst away my ,darkness4 ,sidenote3 ,buchanan testifying to the ,light4 ,of this also our ,countryman ,george ,buchanan speaketh thus in his ,book ,de ,jure regni apud ,scotos3 ,truly ,i understand no other ,thing at present than that ,light which is divinely infused into our ,souls3 ,for when ,god formed ,man1 he not only gave him ,eyes to his ,body1 by which he might shun those ,things that are hurtful to him1 and follow those ,things that are profitable2 but also hath set before his ,mind as it were a certain ,light1 by which he may discern ,things that are vile from ,things that are honest4 ,some call this ,power ,nature1 others the ,law of ,nature2 ,i truly judge it to be divine1 and am persuaded that ,nature and ,wisdom never say different ,things4 ,moreover ,god hath given us a ,compend of the ,law1 which in few ,words comprehends the ,whole2 to wit1 that we should love him from our ,hearts1 and our ,neighbours as ourselves4 ,and of this ,law all the ,books of the holy ,scriptures1 which pertain to the forming of ,manners1 contain no other but an ,explication4 ,sidenote3 ,jew and ,gentile1 ,scythian and ,barbarian1 ,partakers of the ,salvation of ,christ4 ,this is that universal evangelical ,principle1 in and by which this ,salvation of ,christ is exhibited to all ,men1 both ,jew and ,gentile1 ,scythian and ,barbarian1 of whatsoever ,country or ,kindred he be3 ,and therefore ,god hath raised up unto himself1 in this our ,age1 faithful ,witnesses and ,evangelists to preach again his everlasting ,gospel1 and to direct all1 as well the high ,professors1 who boast of the ,law and the ,scriptures1 and the outward ,knowledge of ,christ1 as the ,infidels and ,heathens that know not him that ,way1 that they may all come to mind the ,light in them1 and know ,christ in them1 the just one1 ,greek3 ton ,dichaion3 1 whom they have so long killed1 and made merry over1 and he hath not resisted1 ,james v4 #f4 and give up their ,sins1 ,iniquities1 false ,faith1 ,professions1 and outside ,righteousness1 to be crucified by the ,power of his ,cross in them1 so as they may know ,christ within to be the ,hope of ,glory1 and may come to walk in his ,light and be saved1 who is that true ,light that enlighteneth every ,man that cometh into the ,world4 ,,proposition ,,vii4 ,concerning ,,justification4 ,as many as resist not this ,light1 but receive the same1 it becomes in them an holy1 pure1 and spiritual ,birth1 bringing forth ,holiness1 ,righteousness1 ,purity1 and all those other blessed ,fruits which are acceptable to ,god3 ,by which holy ,birth1 to wit1 ,jesus ,christ formed within us1 and working his ,works in us1 as we are sanctified1 so are we justified in the ,sight of ,god1 according to the ,apostle's ,words2 ,but ye are washed1 but ye are sanctified1 but ye are justified in the ,name of the ,lord ,jesus1 and by the ,spirit of our ,god1 #a ,cor4 vi4 #aa4 ,therefore it is not by our ,works wrought in our ,will1 nor yet by good ,works considered as of themselves2 but by ,christ1 who is both the ,gift and the ,giver1 and the ,cause producing the ,effects in us2 who1 as he hath reconciled us while we were ,enemies1 doth also in his ,wisdom save us and justify us after this ,manner1 as saith the same ,apostle elsewhere2 ,according to his ,mercy he saved us1 by the ,washing of ,regeneration1 and the ,renewing of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,tit4 iii4 #e4 4 ,i4 ,the ,doctrine of ,justification comes well in ,order after the discussing of the ,extent of ,christ's ,death1 and of the ,grace thereby communicated1 some of the sharpest ,contests concerning this having from thence their ,rise4 ,many are the ,disputes among those called ,christians concerning this ,point2 and indeed1 if all were truly minding that which justifieth1 there would be less ,noise about the ,notions of ,justification4 ,i shall briefly review this ,controversy as it stands among others1 and as ,i have often seriously observed it2 then in short state the ,controversy as to us1 and open our ,sense and ,judgment of it2 and lastly prove it1 if the ,lord will1 by some ,scripture ,testimonies1 and the certain ,experience of all that ever were truly justified4 4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,observat4 ,the ,method of ,justification taken by the ,church of ,rome4 ,that this ,doctrine of ,justification1 hath been and is greatly vitiated in the ,church of ,rome1 is not by us questioned2 though our ,adversaries1 who for want of better ,arguments do often make ,lies their ,refuge1 have not spared in this ,respect to stigmatize us with ,popery1 but how untruly will hereafter appear4 ,for to speak little of their ,meritum ex condigno1 which was no ,doubt a very common ,doctrine of the ,romish ,church1 especially before ,luther1 though most of their modern ,writers1 especially in their ,controversies with ,protestants1 do partly deny it1 partly qualify it1 and seem to state the ,matter only as if they were ,propagators and ,pleaders for good ,works by the others denied2 yet if we look to the ,effects of this ,doctrine among them1 as they appear in the ,generality of their ,church ,members1 not in ,things disapproved1 but highly approved and commended by their ,father the ,pope and all his ,clients1 as the most beneficial ,casualty of all his ,revenue1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,pope's ,doctrine of ,merits1 the most beneficial of all his ,revenue4 we shall find that ,luther did not without great ,ground oppose himself to them in this ,matter3 ,and if he had not run himself into another ,extreme1 of which hereafter1 his ,work would have stood the better4 ,for in this1 as in most other ,things1 he is more to be commended for what he pulled down of ,babylon1 than for what he built of his own4 ,whatever then the ,papists may pretend1 or even some good ,men among them may have thought1 ,experience sheweth1 and it is more than manifest by the universal and approved ,practice of their ,people1 that they place not their ,justification so much in ,works that are truly and morally good1 and in the being truly renewed and sanctified in the ,mind1 as in such ,things as are either nor ,good nor ,evil1 or may truly be called ,evil1 and can no otherwise be reckoned ,good than because the ,pope pleases to call them so4 ,sidenote3 ,papists ,justification depends upon the ,pope's ,bulls4 ,so that if the ,matter be well sifted1 it will be found1 that the greatest ,part of their ,justification depends upon the ,authority of his ,bulls1 and not upon the ,power1 ,virtue1 and ,grace of ,christ revealed in the ,heart1 and renewing of it1 as will appear4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,their ,sacraments4 ,first1 ,from their ,principle concerning their ,sacraments1 which they say confer ,grace ex opere operato4 ,so that if a ,man partake but of them1 he thereby obtains ,remission of ,sin1 though he remains as he was2 the ,virtue of the ,sacraments making up the ,want that is in the ,man4 ,so that this ,act of ,submission and ,faith to the ,laws of the ,church1 and not any real inward ,change1 is that which justifieth him4 ,as for ,example2 ,sidenote3 ,papists ,penance4 if a ,man make use of the ,sacrament1 as they call it1 of ,penance1 so as to tell over his ,sins to a ,priest1 though he have not true ,contrition1 which the ,lord hath made absolutely necessary for penitent ,sinners1 but only ,attrition1 a ,figment of their own1 that is1 if he be sorry he hath sinned1 not out of any ,love to ,god1 or his ,law which he hath transgressed1 but for fear of ,punishment1 yet doth the ,virtue of the ,sacrament1 as they affirm1 procure to him ,remission of ,sins2 so that being absolved by the ,priest1 he stands accepted and justified in the ,sight of ,god4 ,this ,man's ,justification then proceedeth not from his being truly penitent1 and in any ,measure inwardly changed and renewed by the working of ,god's ,grace in his ,heart1 but merely from the ,virtue of the ,sacrament1 and ,authority of the ,priest1 who hath pronounced him absolved2 so that his ,justification is from somewhat without him1 and not within him4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,papist ,indulgences4 ,secondly1 ,this will yet more appear in the ,matter of ,indulgences1 where ,remission of all ,sins1 not only past but for ,years to come1 is annexed to the visiting such and such ,churches and ,reliques1 saying such and such ,prayers2 so that the ,person that so doth is presently cleared from the ,guilt of his ,sin1 and justified and accepted in the ,sight of ,god4 ,as for ,example3 ,he that in the great ,jubilee will go to ,rome1 and present himself before the ,gate of ,peter and ,paul1 and there receive the ,pope's ,blessing2 or he that will go a ,pilgrimage to ,james's ,sepulchre in ,spain1 or to ,mary of ,loreto1 is upon the ,performance of those ,things promised ,forgiveness of ,sins4 ,now if we ask them the ,reason how such ,things as are not morally good in themselves come to have ,virtue8 ,they have no other ,answer but because of the ,church and ,pope's ,authority1 who being the great ,treasurer of the ,magazine of ,christ's ,merits1 lets them out upon such and such ,conditions4 ,sidenote3 ,papists ,mass1 what it is8 ,thus also the ,invention of saying ,mass is made a chief ,instrument of ,justification2 for in it they pretend to offer ,christ daily to the ,father a propitiatory ,sacrifice for the ,sins of the ,living and ,dead3 ,so that a ,man for ,money can procure ,christ thus to be offered for him when he pleases2 by which ,offering he is said to obtain ,remission of ,sins1 and to stand justified in the ,sight of ,god4 ,from all which1 and much more of this ,nature which might be mentioned1 it doth appear1 that the ,papists place their ,justification1 not so much in any ,work of ,holiness really brought forth in them1 and real forsaking of ,iniquity1 as in the mere ,performance of some ,ceremonies1 and a blind ,belief which their ,teachers have begotten in them1 that the ,church and the ,pope having the absolute ,dispensation of the ,merits of ,christ1 have ,power to make these ,merits effectual for the ,remission of ,sins1 and ,justification of such as will perform those ,ceremonies4 ,this is the true and real ,method of ,justification taken by the ,generality of the ,church of ,rome1 and highly commended by their publick ,preachers1 especially the ,monks1 in their ,sermons to the ,people1 of which ,i myself have been an ,ear and an ,eye-witness2 however some of their modern ,writers have laboured to qualify it in their ,controversies4 ,sidenote3 ,luther and the ,protestants opposing the ,pope's ,doctrine of ,works1 fell into the other ,extreme1 of no good ,works necessary to ,justification4 ,this ,doctrine ,luther and the ,protestants then had good ,reason to deny and oppose2 though many of them ran into another ,extreme1 so as to deny good ,works to be necessary to ,justification1 and to preach up not only ,remission of ,sins1 but ,justification by ,faith alone1 without all ,works1 however good4 ,so that ,men do not obtain their ,justification according as they are inwardly sanctified and renewed1 but are justified merely by believing that ,christ died for them2 and so some may be perfectly justified1 though they be lying in gross ,wickedness2 as appears by the ,example of ,david1 who they say was fully and perfectly justified while he was lying in the gross ,sins of ,murder and ,adultery4 ,as then the ,protestants have sufficient ,ground to quarrel and confute the ,papists concerning those many ,abuses in the ,matter of ,justification1 shewing how the ,doctrine of ,christ is thereby vitiated and overturned1 and the ,word at ,god made void by many and useless ,traditions1 the ,law of ,god neglected1 while foolish and needless ,ceremonies are prized and followed1 through a false ,opinion of being justified by the ,performance of them2 and the ,merits and ,sufferings of ,christ1 which is the only ,sacrifice appointed of ,god for ,remission of ,sins1 derogated from1 by the setting up of a daily ,sacrifice never appointed by ,god1 and chiefly devised out of ,covetousness to get ,money by2 ,sidenote3 ,papists ,device to get ,money4 so the ,protestants on the other ,hand1 by not rightly establishing and holding forth the ,doctrine of ,justification according as it is delivered in the holy ,scriptures1 have opened a ,door for the ,papists to accuse them1 as if they were ,neglecters of good ,works1 ,enemies to ,mortification and ,holiness1 such as esteem themselves justified while lying in great ,sins3 ,by which ,kind of ,accusations1 for which too great ,ground hath been given out of the ,writings of some rigid ,protestants1 the ,reformation hath been greatly defamed and hindered1 and the ,souls of many insnared4 ,whereas1 whoever will narrowly look into the ,matter1 may observe these ,debates to be more in ,specie than in ,genere1 seeing both do upon the ,matter land in one2 and like two ,men in a ,circle1 who though they go sundry ,ways1 yet meet at last2 in the same ,center4 ,sidenote3 ,papists ,belief of ,justification meets in the same ,center with the-- ,for the ,papists say1 ,they obtain ,remission of ,sins1 and are justified by the ,merits of ,christ1 as the same are applied unto them in the ,use of the ,sacraments of the ,church1 and are dispensed in the ,performance of such and such ,ceremonies1 ,pilgrimages1 ,prayers1 and ,performances1 though there be not any inward renewing of the ,mind1 nor knowing of ,christ inwardly formed2 yet they are remitted and made righteous ex opere operato1 because of the ,power and ,authority accompanying the ,sacraments and the ,dispensers of them4 ,sidenote3--,protestants ,belief4 ,so saith the ,westminster ,confession of ,faith4 ,chap4 #aa4 ,sect4 #a4 ,the ,protestants say1 ,that they obtain ,remission of ,sins1 and stand justified in the ,sight of ,god by ,virtue of the ,merits and ,sufferings of ,christ1 not by infusing ,righteousness into them1 but by pardoning their ,sins1 and by accounting and accepting their ,persons as righteous1 they resting on him and his ,righteousness by ,faith2 which ,faith1 the ,act of believing1 is not imputed unto them for ,righteousness4 ,so the ,justification of neither here is placed in any inward ,renewing of the ,mind1 or by ,virtue of any spiritual ,birth1 or ,formation of ,christ in them2 but only by a bare ,application of the ,death and ,sufferings of ,christ outwardly performed for them3 ,whereof the one lays hold on a ,faith resting upon them1 and hoping to be justified by them alone2 the other by the saying of some outward ,prayers and ,ceremonies1 which they judge makes the ,death of ,christ effectual unto them4 ,i except here1 being unwilling to wrong any1 what ,things have been said as to the ,necessity of inward ,holiness1 either by some modern ,papists1 or some modern ,protestants1 who1 in so far as they have laboured after a ,midst betwixt these two ,extremes1 have come near to the ,truth1 as by some ,citations out of them hereafter to be mentioned will appear3 ,though this ,doctrine hath not since the ,apostasy1 so far as ever ,i could observe1 been so distinctly and evidently held forth according to the ,scripture's ,testimony1 as it hath pleased ,god to reveal it and preach it forth in this ,day1 by the ,witnesses of his ,truth whom he hath raised to that ,end2 which ,doctrine1 though it be briefly held forth and comprehended in the ,thesis itself1 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,controversy4 yet ,i shall a little more fully explain1 and shew the ,state of the ,controversy as it stands betwixt us and those that now oppose us4 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,expl4 #a4 ,first then1 as by the ,explanation of the former ,thesis appears1 we renounce all natural ,power and ,ability in ourselves1 in order to bring us out of our lost and fallen ,condition and first ,nature2 and confess1 that as of ourselves we are able to do nothing that is good1 so neither can we procure ,remission of ,sins or ,justification by any ,act of our own1 so as to merit it1 or draw it as a ,debt from ,god due unto us2 ,sidenote3 ,justification springs of and from the ,love of ,god4 but we acknowledge all to be of and from his ,love1 which is the original and fundamental ,cause of our ,acceptance4 ,sidenote3 ,expl4 #b4 ,sidenote3 ,christ giving himself a ,sacrifice for us4 ,secondly1 ,god manifested this ,love towards us1 in the sending of his beloved ,son the ,lord ,jesus ,christ into the ,world1 who gave himself for us an ,offering and a ,sacrifice to ,god1 for a sweet-smelling ,savour2 and having made ,peace through the ,blood of his ,cross1 that he might reconcile us unto himself1 and by the ,eternal ,spirit offered himself without ,spot unto ,god1 and suffered for our ,sins1 the ,just for the ,unjust1 that he might bring us unto ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,expl4 #c4 ,thirdly then1 ,forasmuch as all ,men who have come to ,man's ,estate 7the ,man ,jesus only excepted7 have sinned1 therefore all have ,need of this ,saviour1 to remove the ,wrath of ,god from them due to their ,offences2 in this ,respect he is truly said to have borne the ,iniquities of us all in his ,body on the ,tree1 and therefore is the only ,mediator1 having qualified the ,wrath of ,god towards us2 so that our former ,sins stand not in our ,way1 being by ,virtue of his most satisfactory ,sacrifice removed and pardoned4 ,sidenote3 ,to ,remission of ,sins4 ,neither do we think that ,remission of ,sins is to be expected1 sought1 or obtained any other ,way1 or by any ,works or ,sacrifice whatsoever2 though1 as has been said formerly1 they may come to partake of this ,remission that are ignorant of the ,history4 ,sidenote3 ,the only ,mediator betwixt ,god and ,man4 ,so then ,christ by his ,death and ,sufferings hath reconciled us to ,god1 even while we are ,enemies2 that is1 he offers ,reconciliation unto us2 we are put into a ,capacity of being reconciled2 ,god is willing to forgive us our ,iniquities1 and to accept us1 as is well expressed by the ,apostle1 #b ,cor4 v4 #ai4 ,god was in ,christ1 reconciling the ,world unto himself1 not imputing their ,trespasses unto them1 and hath put in us the ,word of ,reconciliation4 ,and therefore the ,apostle1 in the next ,verses1 intreats them in ,christ's ,stead to be reconciled to ,god2 intimating that the ,wrath of ,god being removed by the ,obedience of ,christ ,jesus1 he is willing to be reconciled unto them1 and ready to remit the ,sins that are past1 if they repent4 ,sidenote3 ,a twofold ,redemption4 ,we consider then our ,redemption in a twofold ,respect or ,state1 both which in their own ,nature are perfect1 though in their ,application to us the one is not1 nor can be1 without ,respect to the other4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,the ,redemption of ,christ without us4 ,the ,first is the ,redemption performed and accomplished by ,christ for us in his crucified ,body without us3 ,the other is the ,redemption wrought by ,christ in us1 which no less properly is called and accounted a ,redemption than the former4 ,the first then is that whereby a ,man1 as he stands in the ,fall1 is put into a ,capacity of ,salvation1 and hath conveyed unto him a ,measure of that ,power1 ,virtue1 ,spirit1 ,life1 and ,grace that was in ,christ ,jesus1 which1 as the free ,gift of ,god1 is able to counter-balance1 overcome1 and root out the evil ,seed1 wherewith we are naturally1 as in the ,fall1 leavened4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,the ,redemption wrought by ,christ in us4 ,the ,second is that whereby we witness and know this pure and perfect ,redemption in ourselves1 purifying1 cleansing1 and redeeming us from the ,power of ,corruption1 and bringing us into ,unity1 ,favour1 and ,friendship with ,god4 ,by the first of these two1 we that were lost in ,adam1 plunged into the bitter and corrupt ,seed1 unable of ourselves to do any good ,thing1 but naturally joined and united to ,evil1 forward and propense to all ,iniquity1 ,servants and ,slaves to the ,power and ,spirit of ,darkness1 are1 notwithstanding all this1 so far reconciled to ,god by the ,death of his ,son1 while ,enemies1 that we are put into a ,capacity of ,salvation1 having the glad ,tidings of the ,gospel of ,peace offered unto us1 and ,god is reconciled unto us in ,christ1 calls and invites us to himself1 in which ,respect we understand these ,scriptures2 #gj;,he slew the ,enmity in himself4 ,he loved us first2 seeing us in our ,blood1 he said unto us1 ,live2 he who did not sin his own self1 bare our ,sins in his own ,body on the ,tree2 and he died for our ,sin1 the ,just for the ,unjust4 #gj ,eph4 #b4 #ae4 #a ,john #d4 #aj4 ,ezek4 #af4 #f4 #a ,pet4 #b4 #bb1 #bd4 #c4 #ah4 ,by the ,second1 we witness this ,capacity brought into ,act1 whereby receiving and not resisting the ,purchase of his ,death1 to wit1 the ,light1 ,spirit1 and ,grace of ,christ revealed in us1 we witness and possess a real1 true1 and inward ,redemption from the ,power and ,prevalency of ,sin1 and so come to be truly and really redeemed1 justified1 and made righteous1 and to a sensible ,union and ,friendship with ,god4#ga ,thus he died for us1 that he might redeem us from all ,iniquity2 and thus we know him and the ,power of his ,resurrection1 and the ,fellowship of his ,sufferings1 being made conformable to his ,death4 ,this last follows the first in ,order1 and is a ,consequence of it1 proceeding from it1 as an ,effect from its ,cause3 ,so as none could have enjoyed the last1 without the first had been1 such being the ,will of ,god2 so also can none now partake of the first1 but as he witnesseth the last4 ,wherefore as to us1 they are both ,causes of our ,justification2 the first the procuring ,efficient1 the other the formal ,cause4 #ga ,tit4 #b4 #ad4 ,phil4 #c4 #aj4 ,sidenote3 ,expl4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,we understand not by this ,justification by ,christ barely the good ,works even wrought by the ,spirit of ,christ2 for they1 as ,protestants truly affirm1 are rather an ,effect of ,justification than the ,cause of it2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,formation of ,christ in us begets good ,works4 but we understand the ,formation of ,christ in us1 ,christ born and brought forth in us1 from which good ,works as naturally proceed as ,fruit from a fruitful ,tree4 ,it is this inward ,birth in us1 bringing forth ,righteousness and ,holiness in us1 that doth justify us2 which having removed and done away the contrary ,nature and ,spirit that did bear ,rule and bring ,condemnation1 now is in ,dominion over all in our ,hearts4 ,those then that come to know ,christ thus formed in them1 do enjoy him wholly and undivided1 who is the ,,lord our ,,righteousness1 ,jer4 xxiii4 #f4 ,this is to be clothed with ,christ1 and to have put him on1 whom ,god therefore truly accounteth righteous and just4 ,this is so far from being the ,doctrine of ,papists1 that as the ,generality of them do not understand it1 so the ,learned among them oppose it1 and dispute against it1 and particularly ,bellarmine4 ,thus then1 as ,i may say1 the formal ,cause of ,justification is not the ,works1 to speak properly1 they being but an ,effect of it2 but this inward ,birth1 this ,jesus brought forth in the ,heart1 who is the well-beloved1 whom the ,father cannot but accept1 and all those who thus are sprinkled with the ,blood of ,jesus1 and washed with it4 ,by this also comes that ,communication of the ,goods of ,christ unto us1 by which we come to be made ,partakers of the divine ,nature1 as faith ,peter1 #b ,pet4 i4 #d4 and are made one with him1 as the ,branches with the ,vine1 and have a ,title and ,right to what he hath done and suffered for us2 ,sidenote3 ,christ's ,obedience1 ,righteousness1 ,death and ,sufferings are ours4 so that his ,obedience becomes ours1 his ,righteousness ours1 his ,death and ,sufferings ours4 ,and by this ,nearness we come to have a ,sense of his ,sufferings1 and to suffer with his ,seed1 that yet lies pressed and crucified in the ,hearts of the ,ungodly1 and so travail with it1 and for its ,redemption1 and for the ,repentance of those ,souls that in it are crucifying as yet the ,lord of ,glory4 ,even as the ,apostle ,paul1 who by his ,sufferings is said to fill up that which is behind of the ,afflictions of ,christ for his ,body1 which is the ,church4 ,though this be a ,mystery sealed up from all the wise ,men that are yet ignorant of this ,seed in themselves1 and oppose it1 nevertheless some ,protestants speak of this justification by ,christ inwardly put on1 as shall hereafter be recited in its ,place4 ,sidenote3 ,expl4 #e4 ,lastly1 ,though we place ,remission of ,sins in the ,righteousness and ,obedience of ,christ performed by him in the ,flesh1 as to what pertains to the remote procuring ,cause1 and that we hold ourselves formally justified by ,christ ,jesus formed and brought forth in us1 yet can we not1 as some ,protestants have unwarily done1 exclude ,works from ,justification4 ,sidenote3 ,good ,works are not excluded ,justification4 ,for though properly we be not justified for them1 yet are we justified in them2 and they are necessary1 even as ,causa sine qu non1 i4 e4 the ,cause1 without which none are justified4 ,for the denying of this1 as it is contrary to the ,scripture's ,testimony1 so it hath brought a great ,scandal to the ,protestant ,religion1 opened the ,mouths of ,papists1 and made many too secure1 while they have believed to be justified without good ,works4 ,moreover1 though it be not so safe to say they are meritorious1 yet seeing they are rewarded1 many of those called the ,fathers have not spared to use the ,word ,merit which some of us have perhaps also done in a qualified ,sense1 but no-ways to infer the ,popish ,abuses above-mentioned4 ,and lastly1 if we had that ,notion of good ,works which most ,protestants have1 we could freely agree to make them not only not necessary1 but reject them as hurtful1 viz4 ,that the best ,works even of the ,saints are defiled and polluted4 ,for though we judge so of the best ,works performed by ,man1 endeavouring a ,conformity to the outward ,law by his own ,strength1 and in his own ,will1 yet we believe that such ,works as naturally proceed from this spiritual ,birth and ,formation of ,christ in us are pure and holy1 even as the ,root from which they come2 and therefore ,god accepts them1 justifies us in them1 and rewards us for them of his own free ,grace4 ,the ,state of the ,controversy being thus laid down1 these following ,positions do from hence arise in the next ,place to be proved4 4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,posit4 #a4 ,first1 ,that the ,obedience1 ,sufferings1 and ,death of ,christ is that by which the ,soul obtains ,remission of ,sins1 and is the procuring ,cause of that ,grace1 by whose inward ,workings ,christ comes to be formed inwardly1 and the ,soul to be made conformable unto him1 and so just and justified4 ,and that therefore1 in respect of this ,capacity and ,offer of ,grace1 ,god is said to be reconciled2 not as if he were actually reconciled1 or did actually justify1 or account any just1 so long as they remain in their ,sins really impure and unjust4 ,sidenote3 ,posit4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,that it is by this inward ,birth of ,christ in ,man that ,man is made just1 and therefore so accounted by ,god3 ,wherefore1 to be plain1 we are thereby1 and not till that be brought forth in us1 formally1 if we must use that ,word1 justified in the ,sight of ,god2 because ,justification is both more properly and frequently in ,scripture taken in its proper ,signification for making one just1 and not reputing one merely such1 and is all one with ,sanctification4 ,sidenote3 ,posit4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,that since good ,works as naturally follow from this ,birth as ,heat from ,fire1 therefore are they of absolute ,necessity to ,justification1 as ,causa sine qu non1 ,sidenote3 ,good ,works are ,causa sine qu non--of ,justification4 i4 e4 though not as the ,cause for which1 yet as that in which we are1 and without which we cannot be justified4 ,and though they be not meritorious1 and draw no ,debt upon ,god1 yet he cannot but accept and reward them3 ,for it is contrary to his ,nature to deny his own1 since they may be perfect in their ,kind1 as proceeding from a pure holy ,birth and ,root4 ,wherefore their ,judgment is false and against the ,truth that say1 ,that the holiest ,works of the ,saints are defiled and sinful in the ,sight of ,god3 ,for these good ,works are not the ,works of the ,law1 excluded by the ,apostle from ,justification4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,posit4 #a4 ,as to the first1 ,i prove it from ,rom4 iii4 #be4 ,whom ,god hath set forth to be a ,propitiation through ,faith in his ,blood1 to declare his ,righteousness for the ,remission of ,sins that are past1 through the ,forbearance of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,proof ,i4 ,the ,efficacy of ,christ's ,death to redeem ,man out of ,evil4 ,here the ,apostle holds forth the ,extent and ,efficacy of ,christ's ,death1 shewing that thereby1 and by ,faith therein1 ,remission of ,sins that are past is obtained1 as being that wherein the ,forbearance of ,god is exercised towards ,mankind4 ,so that though ,men for the ,sins they daily commit deserve eternal ,death1 and that the ,wrath of ,god should lay hold upon them2 yet1 by ,virtue of that most satisfactory ,sacrifice of ,christ ,jesus1 the ,grace and ,seed of ,god moves in ,love towards them1 during the ,day of their ,visitation2 yet not so as not to strike against the ,evil1 for that must be burnt up and destroyed1 but to redeem ,man out of the ,evil4 ,sidenote3 ,proof ,,ii4 ,secondly1 ,if ,god were perfectly reconciled with ,men1 and did esteem them just while they are actually unjust1 and do continue in their ,sins1 then should ,god have no ,controversy with them#gb2 how comes he then so often to complain1 and to expostulate so much throughout the whole ,scripture with such as our ,adversaries confess to be justified1 telling them1 ,that their ,sins separate betwixt him and them8 ,isa4 lix4 #b4 ,for where there is a perfect and full ,reconciliation1 there is no ,separation4 ,yea1 from this ,doctrine it necessarily follows1 either that such for whom ,christ died1 and whom he hath reconciled1 never sin1 or that when they do so1 they are still reconciled1 and their ,sins make not the least ,separation from ,god2 yea1 that they are justified in their ,sins4 ,from whence also would follow this abominable ,consequence1 that the good ,works and greatest ,sins of such are alike in the ,sight of ,god1 seeing neither the one serves to justify them1 nor the other to break their ,reconciliation1 which occasions great ,security1 and opens a ,door to every lewd ,practice4 #gb ,i do not only speak concerning ,men before ,conversion1 who afterwards are converted1 whom yet some of our ,antagonists1 called ,antinomians1 do aver were justified from the ,beginning2 but also touching those who according to the common ,opinion of ,protestants have been converted2 whom albeit they confess they persist always in some ,misdeeds1 and sometimes in heinous ,sins1 as is manifest in ,david's ,adultery and ,murder1 yet they assert to be perfectly and wholly justified4 ,sidenote3 ,proof ,,iii4 ,thirdly1 ,this would make void the whole practical ,doctrine of the ,gospel1 and make ,faith itself needless4 ,for if ,faith and ,repentance1 and the other ,conditions called for throughout the ,gospel1 be a ,qualification upon our ,part necessary to be performed1 then1 before this be performed by us1 we are either fully reconciled to ,god1 or but in a ,capacity of being reconciled to ,god1 he being ready to reconcile and justify us as these ,conditions are performed2 which latter1 if granted1 is according to the ,truth we profess4 ,and if we are already perfectly reconciled and justified before these ,conditions are performed 7which ,conditions are of that ,nature that they cannot be performed at one ,time1 but are to be done all one's ,life-time7 then can they not be said to be absolutely needful2 which is contrary to the very express ,testimony of ,scripture1 which is acknowledged by all ,christians3 #gc;,for without ,faith it is impossible to please ,god4 ,they that believe not are condemned already1 because they believe not in the only begotten ,son of ,god4 ,except ye repent1 ye cannot be saved3 ,for if ye live after the ,flesh1 ye shall die4 ,and of those that were converted2 #gd;,i will remove your ,candlestick from you1 unless ye repent4 ,should ,i mention all the ,scriptures that positively and evidently prove this1 ,i might transcribe much of all the doctrinal ,part of the ,bible4 ,for since ,christ said1 ,it is finished1 and did finish his ,work sixteen hundred ,years ago and upwards2 ,sidenote3 ,a ,door of ,mercy opened by ,christ1 upon ,repentance4 if he so fully perfected ,redemption then1 and did actually reconcile every one that is to be saved1 not simply opening a ,door of ,mercy for them1 offering the ,sacrifice of his ,body1 by which they may obtain ,remission of their ,sins when they repent1 and communicating unto them a ,measure of his ,grace1 by which they may see their ,sins1 and be able to repent2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,antinomians ,opinion of ,reconciliation and ,justification4 but really making them to be reputed as just1 either before they believe1 as say the ,antinomians1 or after they have assented to the ,truth of the ,history of ,christ1 or are sprinkled with the ,baptism of ,water1 while nevertheless they are actually unjust1 so that no ,part of their ,redemption is to be wrought by him now1 as to their ,reconciliation and ,justification2 then the whole doctrinal ,part of the ,bible is useless1 and of no ,profit3 in vain were the ,apostles sent forth to preach ,repentance and ,remission of ,sins2 and in vain do all the ,preachers bestow their ,labour1 spend their ,breath1 and give forth ,writings2 yea1 much more in vain do the ,people spend their ,money which they give them for ,preaching2 seeing it is all but ,actum agere1 but a vain and ineffectual ,essay1 to do that which is already perfectly done without them4 #gc ,heb4 #aa4 #f4 ,john #c4 #ah4 ,luke #ac4 #c4 ,rom4 #h4 #ac4 #gd ,apoc4 #b4 #e4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #d4 ,but lastly1 ,to pass by their human ,labours1 as not worth the ,disputing whether they be needful or not1 since 7as we shall hereafter shew7 themselves confess the best of them is sinful2 this also makes void the present ,intercession of ,christ for ,men4 ,sidenote3 ,christ's daily making ,intercession for us4 ,what will become of that great ,article of ,faith1 by which we affirm1 ,that he sits at the right ,hand of ,god1 daily making ,intercession for us2 and for which ,end the ,spirit itself maketh ,intercession for us with ,groanings which cannot be uttered8 ,for ,christ maketh not ,intercession for those that are not in a ,possibility of ,salvation2 that is absurd4 ,our ,adversaries will not admit that he prayed for the ,world at all2 and to pray for those that are already reconciled1 and perfectly justified1 is to no ,purpose3 ,to pray for ,remission of ,sins is yet more needless1 if all be remitted1 past1 present1 and to come4 ,indeed there is not any solid solving of this1 but by acknowledging according to the ,truth1 ,that ,christ by his ,death removed the ,wrath of ,god1 so far as to obtain ,remission of ,sins for as many as receive that ,grace and ,light that he communicates unto them1 and hath purchased for them by his ,blood2 which1 as they believe in1 they come to know ,remission of ,sins past1 and ,power to save them from ,sin1 and to wipe it away1 so often as they may fall into it by ,unwatchfulness or ,weakness1 if1 applying themselves to this ,grace1 they truly repent2 for to as many as receive him1 he gives ,power to become the ,sons of ,god3 ,so none are ,sons1 none are justified1 none reconciled1 until they thus receive him in that little ,seed in their ,hearts3 ,and ,life eternal is offered to those1 who by patient ,continuance in ,well-doing1 seek for ,glory1 ,honour1 and ,immortality3 ,for if the righteous ,man depart from his ,righteousness1 his ,righteousness shall be remembered no more4 ,and therefore on the other ,part1 none are longer ,sons of ,god1 and justified1 than they patiently continue in ,righteousness and ,well-doing4 ,and therefore ,christ lives always making ,intercession1 during the ,day of every ,man's ,visitation1 that they may be converted2 ,and when ,men are in some ,measure converted1 he makes ,intercession that they may continue and go on1 and not faint1 nor go back again4 ,much more might be said to confirm this ,truth2 but ,i go on to take ,notice of the common ,objections against it1 which are the ,arguments made use of to propagate the ,errors contrary to it4 4 ,,vi4 ,the first and chief is drawn from that ,saying of the ,apostle before-mentioned1 #b ,cor4 v4 #ah1 #ai4 ,god hath reconciled us to himself by ,jesus ,christ3 ,god was in ,christ reconciling the ,world unto himself1 not imputing their ,trespasses unto them4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,from hence they seek to infer1 ,that ,christ fully perfected the ,work of ,reconciliation while he was on ,earth4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,if by ,reconciliation be understood the removing of ,wrath1 and the ,purchase of that ,grace by which we may come to be reconciled1 we agree to it2 but that that ,place speaks no more1 appears from the ,place itself3 ,for when the ,apostle speaks in the perfect ,time1 saying1 ,he hath reconciled us1 he speaks of himself and the ,saints2 who having received the ,grace of ,god purchased by ,christ1 were through ,faith in him actually reconciled4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,difference between ,reconciled to ,christ1 and ,reconciling4 ,but as to the ,world1 he saith reconciling not reconciled2 which ,reconciling1 though it denotes a ,time somewhat past1 yet it is by the imperfect ,time1 denoting that the ,thing begun was not perfected4 ,for this ,work ,christ began towards all in the ,days of his ,flesh1 yea1 and long before2 for ,he was the ,mediator from the ,beginning1 and the ,lamb slain from the ,foundation of the ,world3 ,but in his ,flesh1 after he had perfectly fulfilled the ,law1 and the ,righteousness thereof1 had rent the ,veil1 and made ,way for the more clear and universal ,revelation of the ,gospel to all1 both ,jew and ,gentile2 he gave up himself a most satisfactory ,sacrifice for ,sin2 which becomes effectual to as many as receive him in his inward ,appearance1 in his ,light in the ,heart4 ,again1 this very ,place sheweth that no other ,reconciliation is intended1 but the ,opening of a ,door of ,mercy upon ,god's ,part1 and a ,removing of ,wrath for ,sins that are past2 so as ,men2 notwithstanding their ,sins1 are stated in a ,capacity of ,salvation3 ,for the ,apostle1 in the following ,verse1 saith1 ,now then we are ,ambassadors for ,christ1 as though ,god did beseech you by us2 we pray you in ,christ's ,stead be ye reconciled to ,god4 ,for if their ,reconciliation had already been perfectly accomplished1 what need any ,intreating then to be reconciled8 ,ambassadors are not sent after a ,peace already perfected1 and ,reconciliation made1 to intreat for a ,reconciliation2 for that implies a manifest ,contradiction4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,they object1 ,ver4 #bast of the same ,chapter1 ,for he hath made him to be ,sin for us1 who knew no ,sin1 that we might be made the ,righteousness of ,god in him4 ,from whence they argue1 ,that as our ,sin is imputed to ,christ1 who had no ,sin2 so ,christ's ,righteousness is imputed to us1 without our being righteous4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but this ,interpretation is easily rejected2 for though ,christ bare our ,sins1 and suffered for us1 and was among ,men accounted a ,sinner1 and numbered among ,transgressors2 yet that ,god reputed him a ,sinner1 is no where proved4 ,for it is said1 #ge;,he was found before him holy1 harmless1 and undefiled1 neither was there found any ,guile in his ,mouth4 ,that we deserved these ,things1 and much more for our ,sins1 which he endured in ,obedience to the ,father2 and according to his ,counsel1 is true2 but that ever reputed him a ,sinner1 is denied3 ,sidenote3 ,men's imputed ,righteousness solidly ,refuted4 ,neither did he ever die1 that we should be reputed righteous1 though no more really such than he was a ,sinner1 as hereafter appears4 ,for indeed1 if this ,argument hold1 it might be stretched to that ,length1 as to become very pleasing to wicked ,men that love to abide in their ,sins3 ,for if we be made righteous1 as ,christ was made a ,sinner1 merely by ,imputation2 then as there was no ,sin1 not in the least in ,christ1 so it would follow1 that there needed no more ,righteousness1 no more ,holiness1 no more inward ,sanctification in us1 than there was ,sin in him4 ,so then1 by his being made ,sin for us must be understood his ,suffering for our ,sins1 that we might be made ,partakers of the ,grace purchased by him2 by the ,workings whereof we are made the ,righteousness of ,god in him4 ,for that the ,apostle understood here a being made really righteous1 and not merely a being reputed such1 appears by what follows1 seeing in ,ver4 #ad1 #ae1 #af4 of the following ,chapter1 he argues largely against any supposed ,agreement of ,light and ,darkness1 ,righteousness and ,unrighteousness2 which must needs be admitted1 if ,men are to be reckoned ingrafted in ,christ1 and real ,members of him1 merely by an imputative ,righteousness1 wholly without them1 while they themselves are actually unrighteous4 ,and indeed it may be thought strange1 how some ,men have made this so fundamental an ,article of their ,faith1 which is so contrary to the whole ,strain of the ,gospel3 ,a ,thing which ,christ in none of all his ,sermons and gracious ,speeches ever willed any to rely upon2 always recommending to us ,works1 as instrumental in our justification4 ,and the more it is to be admired at1 because that ,sentence or ,term 7so frequently in their ,mouths1 and so often pressed by them1 as the very ,basis of their ,hope and ,confidence7 to wit1 ,sidenote3 ,christ's imputed ,righteousness not found in all the ,bible4 ,the imputed ,righteousness of ,christ1 is not to be found in all the ,bible1 at least as to my ,observation4 ,thus have ,i passed through the first ,part1 and that the more briefly1 because many1 who assert this ,justification by bare ,imputation1 do nevertheless confess1 that even the ,elect are not justified until they be converted2 that is1 not until this imputative ,justification be applied to them by the ,spirit4 #ge ,heb4 #g4 #bf4 #a ,pet4 #b4 #bb4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,posit4 #b4 ,by ,christ formed within we are justified4 ,i come then to the second ,thing proposed by me1 which is2 ,that it is by this inward ,birth1 or ,christ formed within1 that we are 7so to speak7 formally justified in the ,sight of ,god4 ,i suppose ,i have said enough already to demonstrate how much we ascribe to the ,death and ,sufferings of ,christ1 as that whereby ,satisfaction is made to the ,justice of ,god1 ,remission of ,sins obtained1 and this ,grace and ,seed purchased1 by and from which this ,birth proceeds4 ,the ,thing now to be proved is1 ,that by ,christ ,jesus formed in us1 we are justified1 or made just4 ,let it be marked1 ,i use ,justification in this ,sense upon this ,occasion4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,first then1 ,i prove this by that of the ,apostle ,paul1 #a ,cor4 vi4 #aa4 ,sidenote3 ,justified1 i4 e4 being made ,just really1 not by ,imputation4 ,and such were some of you2 but ye are washed1 but ye are sanctified1 but ye are justified in the ,name of the ,lord ,jesus1 and by the ,spirit of our ,god4 ,first1 ,this justified here understood1 must needs be a being really made just1 and not a being merely imputed such2 else sanctified and washed might be reputed a being esteemed so1 and not a being really so2 and then it quite overturns the whole ,intent of the ,context4 ,for the ,apostle shewing them in the preceding ,verses1 how the ,unrighteous cannot inherit the ,kingdom of ,god1 and descending to the several ,species of ,wickedness1 subsumes1 ,that they were sometimes such1 but now are not any more such4 ,wherefore1 as they are now washed and sanctified1 so are they justified3 ,for if this ,justification were not real1 then it might be alleged that the ,corinthians had not forsaken these ,evils2 but1 though they still continued in them1 were notwithstanding justified3 ,which as in itself it is most absurd1 so it very clearly overturneth the very ,import and ,intent of the ,place2 as if the ,corinthians turning ,christians had not wrought any real ,change in them1 but had only been a ,belief of some barren ,notions1 which had wrought no ,alteration in their ,affections1 ,will1 or ,manner of ,life4 ,for my own ,part1 ,i neither see any ,thing1 nor could ever yet hear or read any ,thing1 that with any ,colour of ,reason did evince ,justified in this ,place to be understood any other ways than in its own proper and genuine ,interpretation of being made just4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,derivation of the ,word ,justify considered1 c4 ,and for the more clear understanding hereof1 let it be considered1 that this ,word justify is derived either from the ,substantive ,justice1 or the ,adjective just3 ,both which ,words import the ,substantive1 that true and real ,virtue in the ,soul1 as it is in itself2 to wit1 it signifies really1 and not suppositively1 that excellent ,quality expressed and understood among ,men by the ,word ,justice2 and the ,adjective just as applied1 signifies a ,man or ,woman who is just1 that is1 in whom this ,quality of ,justice is stated3 ,for it would not only be great ,impropriety1 but also manifest ,falsity1 to call a ,man just2 merely by ,supposition2 especially if he were really unjust4 ,now this ,word justify formed from ,justice1 or just1 doth beyond all ,question signify a making just2 it being nothing else but a ,composition of the ,verb ,facio1 and the ,adjective justus1 which is nothing else than thus1 justifico1 i4 e4 justum facio1 ,i make just1 and justified of justus and fio1 as justus fio1 ,i become just1 and justificatus1 i4 e4 justus factus1 ,i am made just4 ,thus also is it with ,verbs of this ,kind1 as1 sanctifico1 from sanctus1 holy1 and facio2 honorifico1 from honor and facio2 sacrifico1 from sacer and facio3 ,all which are still understood of the ,subject really and truly endued with that ,virtue and ,quality from which the ,verb is derived4 ,sidenote3 ,justified none are while they actually remain unjust4 ,therefore1 as none are said to be sanctified that are really unholy1 while they are such2 so neither can any be truly said to be justified1 while they actually remain unjust4 ,only this ,verb justify hath1 in a metaphorical and figurative ,sense1 been otherwise taken1 to wit1 in a ,law ,sense2 as when a ,man really guilty of a ,crime is freed from the ,punishment of his ,sin1 he is said to be justified2 that is1 put in the ,place as if he were just4 ,for this ,use of the ,word hath proceeded from that true ,supposition1 ,that none ought to be acquitted1 but the ,innocent4 ,hence also that ,manner of speaking1 ,i will justify such a ,man1 or ,i will justify this or that1 is used from the ,supposition that the ,person and ,thing is really justifiable3 ,and where there is an ,error and ,abuse in the ,matter1 so far there is also in the ,expression4 ,sidenote3 ,parus de ,just4 ,cont4 ,bell4 ,l4 #b4 ,c4 #g4 ,p4 #dfi4 ,this is so manifest and apparent1 that ,parus1 a chief ,protestant1 and a ,calvinist also in his ,opinion1 acknowledges this2 8,we never at any ,time said10 saith he1 8nor thought1 that the ,righteousness of ,christ was imputed to us1 that by him we should be named formally just1 and not be so1 as we have divers ,times already shewed2 for that would no less soundly fight with right ,reason1 than if a guilty ,man absolved in ,judgment should say1 ,that he himself was formally just by the ,clemency of the judge granting him his ,life40 ,now is it not strange1 that ,men should be so facile in a ,matter of so great ,concernment1 as to build the ,stress of their ,acceptance with ,god upon a mere borrowed and metaphorical ,signification1 to the excluding1 or at least esteeming that not necessary1 without which the ,scripture saith expresly1 ,no ,man shall ever see ,god8 ,sidenote3 ,holiness required2 therefore good ,works are4 ,for if ,holiness be requisite and necessary1 of which this is said1 then must good ,works also2 unless our ,adversaries can shew us an holy ,man without good ,works4 ,but1 moreover1 justified in this figurative ,sense is used for approved2 and indeed for the most ,part1 if not always in ,scripture1 when the ,word justify is used1 it is taken in the worst ,part2 that is1 that as the ,use of the ,word that way is an ,usurpation1 so it is spoken of such as usurp the ,thing to themselves1 while it properly doth not belong unto them2 as will appear to those that will be at the ,pains to examine these ,places4 ,exod4 xxiii4 #g4 ,job ix4 #bj4 xxvii4 #e4 ,prov4 xvii4 #ae4 ,isa4 v4 #bc4 ,jer4 iii4 #aa4 ,ezek4 xvi4 #ea1 #eb4 ,luke x4 #bi4 xvi4 #ae4 which are all spoken of ,men justifying the ,wicked1 or of wicked ,men justifying themselves2 that is1 approving themselves in their ,wickedness4 ,if it be at any ,time in this ,signification taken in good ,part1 it is very seldom1 and that so obvious and plain by the ,context1 as leaves no ,scruple4 ,but the ,question is not so much of the ,use of the ,word1 where it is passingly or occasionally used1 as where the very ,doctrine of ,justification is handled4 ,where indeed to mistake it1 viz4 in its proper ,place1 so as to content ourselves with an imaginary ,justification1 while ,god requires a real1 is of most dangerous ,consequence4 ,for the ,disquisition of which let it be considered1 that in all these ,places to the ,romans1 ,corinthians1 ,galatians1 and elsewhere1 where the ,apostle handles this ,theme1 the ,word may be taken in its own proper ,signification without any ,absurdity4 ,as1 where it is often asserted in the above-mentioned ,epistles to the ,romans and ,galatians1 ,sidenote3 ,justified1 in its proper ,signification4 ,that a ,man cannot be justified by the ,law of ,moses1 nor by the ,works of the ,law2 there is no ,absurdity nor ,danger in understanding it according to its own proper ,signification1 to wit1 that a ,man cannot be made just by the ,law of ,moses2 seeing this so well agrees with that ,saying of the same ,apostle1 ,that the ,law makes nothing perfect4 ,and also where it is said1 ,we are justified by ,faith1 it may be very well understood of being made just2 seeing it is also said1 ,that ,faith purifies the ,heart2 and no ,doubt the pure in ,heart are just2 and the ,just live by ,faith4 ,again1 where it is said1 ,we are justified by ,grace1 we are justified by ,christ1 we are justified by the ,spirit2 it is no ways absurd to understand it of being made just1 seeing by his ,spirit and ,grace he doth make ,men just4 ,but to understand it universally the other ,way1 merely for ,acceptance and ,imputation1 would infer great ,absurdities1 as may be proved at large2 but because ,i judged it would be acknowledged1 ,i forbear at present for ,brevity's ,sake4 ,but further1 in the most weighty ,places where this ,word justify is used in ,scripture1 with an immediate ,relation to the ,doctrine of ,justification1 ,sidenote3 ,justification signifies a making just4 our ,adversaries must needs acknowledge it to be understood of making just1 and not barely in the legal ,acceptation3 ,as ,first1 in that of #a ,cor4 vi4 #aa4 ,but ye are washed1 but ye are sanctified1 but ye are justified1 as ,i before have proved2 which also many ,protestants are forced to acknowledge4 ,sidenote3 ,thysius ,disp4 de ,just4 ,thes4 #c4 8,neither diffide we10 saith ,thysius1 8because of the most great and strict ,connexion1 that ,justification doth sometimes seem also to comprehend ,sanctification as a ,consequence1 as in ,rom4 viii4 #cj4 ,tit4 iii4 #g4 #a ,cor4 vi4 #aa4 ,and such sometimes were ye1 but ye are washed1 c40 ,zanchius1 having spoken concerning this ,sense of ,justification1 adds1 saying1 ,sidenote3 ,zanchius in ,c4 ,p4 #b4 ad ,eph4 ,v4 #d4 ,loc4 de ,just4 8,there is another ,signification of the ,word1 viz4 for a ,man from unjust to be made just1 even as sanctified signifies from unholy to be made holy3 ,in which ,signification the ,apostle said1 in the ,place above-cited1 ,and such were some of you1 c4 that is1 of unclean ye are made holy1 and of unjust ye are made just by the ,holy ,spirit1 for ,christ's ,sake1 in whom ye have believed4 ,of this ,signification is that1 ,rev4 xxii4 #aa4 ,let him that is just1 be just still2 that is1 really from just become more just1 even as from unjust he became just4 ,and according to this ,signification the ,fathers1 and especially ,augustine1 have interpreted this ,word40 ,sidenote3 ,h4 ,bulling4 ,thus far he4 ,h4 ,bullinger1 on the same ,place1 #a ,cor4 vi4 speaketh thus2 8,by divers ,words10 saith he1 8the ,apostle signifies the same ,thing1 when he saith1 ,ye are washed1 ye are sanctified1 ye are justified40 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,secondly1 ,in that excellent ,saying of the ,apostle1 so much observed1 ,rom4 viii4 #cj4 ,whom he called1 them he also justified1 and whom he justified1 them he also glorified3 ,this is commonly called the ,golden ,chain1 as being acknowledged to comprehend the ,method and ,order of ,salvation4 ,and therefore1 if ,justified were not understood here in its proper ,signification of being made just1 ,sanctification would be excluded out of this ,chain4 ,and truly it is very worthy of ,observation1 that the ,apostle1 in this succinct and compendious ,account1 makes the ,word ,justified to comprehend all betwixt ,calling and ,glorifying2 ,sidenote3 ,righteousness1 the only ,medium by which from our ,calling we pass to ,glorification4 thereby clearly insinuating1 that the being really ,righteous1 is that only ,medium by which from our ,calling we pass to ,glorification4 ,almost all do acknowledge the ,word to be so taken in this ,place2 and not only so1 but most of those who oppose are forced to acknowledge1 that as this is the most proper1 so the most common ,signification of it3 ,thus divers famous ,protestants acknowledge4 ,sidenote3 ,d4 ,cham4 ,tom4 #c4 de ,sanct4 ,l4 #aj4 ,p4 #a4 8,we are not10 saith ,d4 ,chamierus1 8such impertinent ,esteemers of ,words1 as to be ignorant1 nor yet such importunate ,sophists1 as to deny that the ,words ,justification and ,sanctification do infer one another2 yea1 we know that the ,saints are chiefly for this ,reason so called1 because that in ,christ they have received ,remission of ,sins3 ,and we read in the ,revelations1 ,let him that is just1 be just still2 which cannot be understood1 except of the ,fruit of inherent ,righteousness4 ,nor do we deny1 but perhaps in other ,places they may be promiscuously taken1 especially by the ,fathers40 ,sidenote3 ,beza in ,c4 #c4 ad ,tit4 ,ver4 #g4 8,i take10 saith ,beza1 8the ,name of ,justification largely1 so as it comprehends whatsoever we acquire from ,christ1 as well by ,imputation1 as by the ,efficacy of the ,spirit in sanctifying us4 ,so likewise is the ,word ,justification taken1 ,rom4 viii4 #cj40 ,sidenote3 ,melanct4 in ,apol4 ,conf4 ,aug4 ,melancthon saith1 8,that to be justified by ,faith1 signifies in ,scripture not only to be pronounced just1 but also of unrighteous to be made righteous40 ,also some chief ,protestants1 though not so clearly1 yet in ,part1 hinted at our ,doctrine1 whereby we ascribe unto the ,death of ,christ ,remission of ,sins1 and the ,work of ,justification unto the ,grace of the ,spirit acquired by his ,death4 ,sidenote3 ,borus1 in ,gen4 ,c4 #ae4 ,credidit ,abraham4 ,deo1 ,p4 #afa4 ,martinus ,borus1 explaining that ,place of the ,apostle1 ,rom4 iv4 #be4 ,who was given for our ,sins1 and rose again for our ,justification1 saith3 8,there are two ,things beheld in ,christ1 which are necessary to our ,justification2 the one is his ,death1 the other is his arising from the ,dead4 ,by his ,death1 the ,sins of this ,world behoved to be expiated3 ,by his ,rising from the ,dead1 it pleased the same ,goodness of ,god to give the ,holy ,spirit1 whereby both the ,gospel is believed1 and the ,righteousness1 lost by the ,fault of the first ,adam1 is restored40 ,and afterwards he saith2 8,the ,apostle expresseth both ,parts in these ,words1 ,who was given for our ,sins1 c4 in his ,death is beheld the ,satisfaction for ,sin2 in his ,resurrection1 the ,gift of the ,holy ,spirit1 by which our ,justification is perfected40 ,sidenote3 ,idem ,lib4 #c4 ,reg4 ,cap4 #i4 ,v4 #d4 ,p4 #fha4 ,and again1 the same ,man saith elsewhere2 8,both these ,kinds of ,righteousness are therefore contained in ,justification1 neither can the one be separate from the other4 ,so that in the ,definition of ,justification1 the ,merit of the ,blood of ,christ is included1 both with the ,remission of ,sins1 and with the ,gift of the ,holy ,spirit of ,justification and ,regeneration40 ,sidenote3 ,bucerus1 in ,rom4 #d4 ad ,ver4 #af4 ,martinus ,bucerus saith2 8,seeing by one ,sin of ,adam the ,world was lost1 the ,grace of ,christ hath not only abolished that one ,sin1 and ,death which came by it2 but hath together taken away those infinite ,sins1 and also led into full ,justification as many as are of ,christ2 so that ,god now not only remits unto them ,adam's ,sin1 and their own1 but also gives them therewith the ,spirit of a solid and perfect ,righteousness1 which renders us conform unto the ,image of the ,first-begotten40 ,sidenote3 ,righteousness1 a ,conformity to the ,image of the ,first-begotten4 ,and upon these ,words by ,jesus ,christ he saith2 8,we always judge that the whole ,benefit of ,christ tends to this1 that we might be strong through the ,gift of ,righteousness1 being rightly and orderly adorned with all ,virtue1 that is1 restored to the ,image of ,god40 ,sidenote3 ,w4 ,forbes in ,consider4 ,modest4 de ,just4 ,lib4 #b4 ,sect4 #h4 ,and lastly1 ,william ,forbes our ,countryman1 ,bishop of ,edinburgh1 saith2 8,whensoever the ,scripture makes ,mention of the ,justification before ,god1 as speaketh ,paul1 and from him 7besides others7 ,augustine1 it appears that the ,word justify necessarily signifies not only to pronounce just in a ,law ,sense1 but also really and inherently to make just2 because that ,god doth justify a wicked ,man otherwise than earthly ,judges4 ,sidenote3 ,how ,god justifies the ,wicked4 ,for he1 when he justifies a wicked or unjust ,man1 doth indeed pronounce him as these also do2 but by pronouncing him just1 because his ,judgment is according to ,truth1 he also makes him really of unjust to become just40 ,and again1 the same ,man1 upon the same ,occasion1 answering the more rigid ,protestants1 who say1 ,that ,god first justifies1 and then makes just2 he adds3 8,but let them have a ,care1 lest by too great and empty ,subtilty1 unknown both to the ,scriptures and the ,fathers1 they lessen and diminish the ,weight and ,dignity of so great and divine a ,benefit1 so much celebrated in the ,scripture1 to wit1 ,justification of the ,wicked4 ,for if to the formal ,reason of ,justification of the ,ungodly doth not at all belong his ,justification 7so to speak7 i4 e4 his being made righteous1 then in the ,justification of a ,sinner1 although he be justified1 yet the ,stain of ,sin is not taken away1 but remains the same in his ,soul as before ,justification3 ,and so1 notwithstanding the ,benefit of ,justification1 he remains as before1 unjust and a ,sinner2 and nothing is taken away1 but the ,guilt and ,obligation to ,pain1 and the ,offence and ,enmity of ,god through ,non-imputation4 ,but both the ,scriptures and ,fathers do affirm1 ,that in the ,justification of a ,sinner1 their ,sins are not only remitted1 forgiven1 covered1 not imputed1 but also taken away1 blotted out1 cleansed1 washed1 purged1 and very far removed from us1 as appears from many ,places of the holy ,scriptures40 ,the same ,forbes shews us at length1 in the following ,chapter1 ,that this was the confessed ,judgment of the ,fathers1 out of the ,writings of those who hold the contrary ,opinion2 some whereof1 out of him1 ,i shall note4 ,sidenote3 ,calv4 ,inst4 ,l4 #c4 ,c4 #aa4 ,sect4 #ae4 ,as1 first1 ,calvin saith1 8,that the ,judgment of ,augustine1 or at least his ,manner of speaking1 is not throughout to be received2 who although he took from ,man all ,praise of ,righteousness1 and ascribed all to the ,grace of ,god1 yet he refers ,grace to ,sanctification1 by which we are regenerate through the ,spirit unto ,newness of ,life40 ,sidenote3 ,chemnit4 in ,exam4 ,conc4 ,trid4 de ,just4 ,p4 #abi4 ,chemnitius saith1 8,that they do not deny1 but that the ,fathers take the ,word justify for renewing1 by which ,works of ,righteousness are wrought in us by the ,spirit40 ,and ,p4 #acj4 8,i am not ignorant1 that the ,fathers indeed often use the ,word justify in this ,signification1 to wit1 of making just40 ,sidenote3 ,zanchius in ,c4 #b4 ad ,ep4 ,ver4 #d4 ,loc4 de ,just4 ,thes4 #ac4 ,zanchius saith1 8,that the ,fathers1 and chiefly ,augustine1 interpret the ,word justify according to this ,signification1 to wit1 of making just2 so that1 according to them1 to be justified was no other than of unjust to be made just1 through the ,grace of ,god for ,christ40 ,he mentioneth more1 but this may suffice to our ,purpose4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,asser4 ,i4 ,having thus sufficiently proved1 that by ,justification is to be understood as really being made righteous3 ,i do boldly affirm1 and that not only from a notional ,knowledge1 but from a real1 inward experimental ,feeling of the ,thing1 ,sidenote3 ,christ revealed and formed in the ,soul of a ,man1 is the formal ,cause of ,man's ,justification4 ,that the immediate1 nearest1 or formal ,cause 7if we must in ,condescension to some use this ,word7 of a ,man's ,justification in the ,sight of ,god1 is1 the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ in the ,soul1 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 changing1 altering1 and renewing the ,mind1 by whom 7even the ,author of this inward ,work7 thus formed and revealed1 we are truly justified and accepted in the ,sight of ,god4 ,for it is as we are thus covered and clothed with him1 in whom the ,father is always well pleased1 that we may draw near to ,god1 and stand with ,confidence before his ,throne1 being purged by the ,blood of ,jesus inwardly poured into our ,souls1 and clothed with his ,life and ,righteousness therein revealed4 ,and this is that ,order and ,method of ,salvation held forth by the ,apostle in that divine ,saying1 ,rom4 v4 #aj4 ,for if when we were ,enemies1 we were reconciled to ,god by the ,death of his ,son2 much more1 being reconciled1 we shall be saved by his ,life4 ,for the ,apostle first holding forth the ,reconciliation wrought by the ,death of ,christ1 wherein ,god is near to receive and redeem ,man1 holds forth his ,salvation and ,justification to be by the ,life of ,jesus4 ,now1 that this ,life is an inward1 spiritual ,thing revealed in the ,soul1 whereby it is renewed and brought forth out of ,death1 where it naturally has been by the ,fall1 and so quickened and made alive unto ,god1 the same ,apostle shews1 ,ephes4 ii4 #e4 ,even when we were dead in ,sins and ,trespasses1 he hath quickened us together in ,christ 7by whose ,grace ye are saved7 and hath raised us up together4 ,now this none will deny to be the inward ,work of ,renovation1 and therefore the ,apostle gives that ,reason of their being saved by ,grace2 which is the inward ,virtue and ,power of ,christ in the ,soul3 ,but of this ,place more hereafter4 ,of the ,revelation of this inward ,life the ,apostle also speaketh1 #b ,cor4 iv4 #aj4 ,that the ,life also of ,jesus might be made manifest in our ,bodies2 and ,ver4 #aa4 ,that the ,life also of ,jesus might be made manifest in our mortal ,flesh4 ,now this inward ,life of ,jesus is that whereby1 as is before observed1 he said1 ,we are saved4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,secondly1 ,that it is by this ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 and the new ,creation in us1 that we are justified1 doth evidently appear from that excellent ,saying of the ,apostle included in the ,proposition itself1 ,tit4 iii4 #e4 ,according to his ,mercy he hath saved us1 by the ,washing of ,regeneration1 and ,renewing of the ,holy ,ghost1 c4 ,now that whereby we are saved1 that we are also no ,doubt justified by2 which ,words are in this ,respect synonymous4 ,sidenote3 ,the immediate ,cause of ,justification is the inward ,work of ,regeneration4 ,here the ,apostle clearly ascribes the immediate ,cause of ,justification to this inward ,work of ,regeneration1 which is ,jesus ,christ revealed in the ,soul1 as being that which formally states us in a ,capacity of being reconciled with ,god2 the ,washing or ,regeneration being that inward ,power and ,virtue1 whereby the ,soul is cleansed1 and clothed with the ,righteousness of ,christ1 so as to be made fit to appear before ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #c4 ,thirdly1 ,this ,doctrine is manifest from #b ,cor4 xiii4 #e4 ,examine your own selves1 whether ye be in the ,faith2 prove your own selves3 ,know ye not your own selves1 how that ,jesus ,christ is in you1 except ye be ,reprobates8 ,first1 ,it appears here how earnest the ,apostle was that they should know ,christ in them2 so that he presses this ,exhortation upon them1 and inculcates it three ,times4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,cause of ,reprobation is ,christ not known by inward ,revelation4 ,secondly1 ,he makes the ,cause of ,reprobation1 or ,not-justification1 the ,want of ,christ thus revealed and known in the ,soul3 ,whereby it necessarily follows1 by the ,rule of ,contraries1 where the ,parity is alike 7as in this ,case it is evident7 that1 where ,christ is inwardly known1 there the ,persons subjected to him are approved and justified4 ,for there can be nothing more plain than this1 ,that if we must know ,christ in us1 except we be ,reprobates1 or unjustified ,persons2 if we know him in us1 we are not ,reprobates1 and consequently justified ones4 ,like unto this is that other ,saying of the same ,apostle1 ,gal4 iv4 #ai4 ,my little ,children1 of whom ,i travail in ,birth again1 until ,christ be formed in you2 and therefore the ,apostle terms this1 ,christ within1 the ,hope of ,glory1 ,col4 i4 #bg1 #bh4 ,now that which is the ,hope of ,glory1 can be no other than that which we immediately and most nearly rely upon for our ,justification1 and that whereby we are really and truly made just4 ,and as we do not hereby deny1 but the original and fundamental ,cause of our ,justification is the ,love of ,god manifested in the ,appearance of ,jesus ,christ in the ,flesh1 ,sidenote3 ,christ by his ,death and ,sufferings has opened a ,way for our ,reconciliation4 who by his ,life1 ,death1 ,sufferings1 and ,obedience1 made a ,way for our ,reconciliation1 and became a ,sacrifice for the ,remission of ,sins that are past1 and purchased unto us this ,seed and ,grace1 from which this ,birth arises1 and in which ,jesus ,christ is inwardly received1 formed1 and brought forth in us1 in his own pure and holy ,image of ,righteousness1 by which our ,souls live unto ,god1 and are clothed with him1 and have put him on1 even as the ,scripture speaks1 ,ephes4 iv4 #bc1 #bd4 ,gal4 iii4 #bg4 we stand justified and saved in and by him1 and by his ,spirit and ,grace1 ,rom4 iii4 #bd4 #a ,cor4 vi4 #aa4 ,tit4 iii4 #g4 ,so again1 reciprocally1 we are hereby made ,partakers of the ,fulness of his ,merits1 and his cleansing ,blood is near1 to wash away every ,sin and ,infirmity1 and to heal all our ,backslidings1 as often as we turn towards him by unfeigned ,repentance1 and become renewed by his ,spirit4 ,those then that find him thus raised1 and ruling in them1 have a true ,ground of ,hope to believe that they are justified by his ,blood4 ,but let not any deceive themselves1 so as to foster themselves in a vain ,hope and ,confidence1 that by the ,death and ,sufferings of ,christ they are justified1 so long as ,sin lies at their ,door1 ,gen4 iv4 #g4 ,iniquity prevails1 and they remain yet unrenewed and unregenerate2 lest it be said unto them1 ,i know you not4 ,let that ,saying of ,christ be remembered1 ,not every one that saith ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter1 but he that doth the ,will of my ,father1 ,matt4 vii4 #ba4 ,to which let these excellent ,sayings of the beloved ,disciple be added2 ,little ,children1 let no ,man deceive you2 he that doth ,righteousness is righteous1 even as he is righteous4 ,he that committeth ,sin is of the ,devil2 because if our ,heart condemn us1 ,god is greater than our ,heart1 and knoweth all ,things1 #a ,john iii4 #g4 #bj4 ,many famous ,protestants bear ,witness to this inward ,justification by ,christ inwardly revealed and formed in ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,borus in ,gen4 ,p4 #afb4 ,as ,m4 ,borus3 8,in the ,imputation10 saith he1 8wherein ,christ is ascribed and imputed to ,believers for ,righteousness1 the ,merit of his ,blood1 and the ,holy ,ghost given unto us by ,virtue of his ,merits1 are equally included4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,testimonies of famous ,protestants of inward ,justification4 ,and so it shall be confessed1 ,that ,christ is our ,righteousness1 as well from his ,merit1 ,satisfaction1 and ,remission of ,sins obtained by him1 as from the ,gifts of the ,spirit of ,righteousness4 ,and if we do this1 we shall consider the whole ,christ proposed to us for our ,salvation1 and not any single ,part of him40 ,the same ,man1 ,p4 #afi4 8,in our justification then ,christ is considered1 who breathes and lives in us1 to wit1 by his ,spirit put on by us2 concerning which putting on the ,apostle saith1 ,ye have put on ,christ40 ,and again1 ,p4 #aga4 8,we endeavour to treat in ,justification1 not of ,part of ,christ1 but him wholly1 in so far as he is our ,righteousness every ,way40 ,and a little after3 8,as then blessed ,paul1 in our ,justification1 when he saith1 ,whom he justified1 them he glorified1 comprehends all ,things which pertain to our being reconciled to ,god the ,father1 and our ,renewing1 which fits us for attaining unto ,glory1 such as ,faith1 ,righteousness1 ,christ1 and the ,gift of ,righteousness exhibited by him1 whereby we are regenerated1 to the fulfilling of the ,justification which the ,law requires2 so we also will have all ,things comprehended in this ,cause1 which are contained in the ,recovery of ,righteousness and ,innocency40 ,and ,p4 #aha4 8,the ,form10 saith he1 8of our ,justification is the divine ,righteousness itself1 by which we are formed just and good4 ,this is ,jesus ,christ1 who is esteemed our ,righteousness1 partly from the ,forgiveness of ,sins1 and partly from the ,renewing and the ,restoring of that ,integrity1 which was lost by the ,fault of the first ,adam3 ,so that this new and heavenly ,adam being put on by us1 of which the ,apostle saith1 ,ye have put on ,christ1 ye have put him on1 ,i say1 as the ,form1 so the ,righteousness1 ,wisdom1 and ,life of ,god40 ,sidenote3 ,inuncunas4 ,so also affirmeth ,claudius ,albertus ,inuncanus1 see his ,orat4 ,apodict4 ,lausani ,excus4 #aehg4 ,orat4 #b4 ,p4 #hf1 #hg4 ,sidenote3 ,zuinglius4 ,zuinglius also1 in his ,epistle to the ,princes of ,germany1 as cited by ,himelius1 ,c4 #g4 ,p4 #fj4 saith1 8,that the ,sanctification of the ,spirit is true ,justification1 which alone suffices to justify40 ,sidenote3 ,estius4 ,estius upon #a ,cor4 vi4 #aa4 saith1 8,lest ,christian ,righteousness should be thought to consist in the ,washing alone1 that is1 in the ,remission of ,sins1 he addeth the other ,degree or ,part1 but ye are sanctified that is1 ye have attained to ,purity1 so that ye are now truly holy before ,god4 ,lastly1 ,expressing the ,sum of the ,benefit received in one ,word1 which includes both the ,parts1 ,but ye are justified 7the ,apostle adds7 in the ,name of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that is1 by his ,merits1 and in the ,spirit of our ,god1 that is1 the ,holy ,spirit proceeding from ,god1 and communicated to us by ,christ40 ,sidenote3 ,r4 ,baxter4 ,and lastly1 ,richard ,baxter1 a famous ,english ,preacher1 in his ,book called ,aphorisms of ,justification1 ,p4 #hj4 saith1 8,that some ignorant ,wretches gnash their ,teeth at this ,doctrine1 as if it were flat ,popery1 not understanding the ,nature of the ,righteousness of the new ,covenant2 which is all out of ,christ in ourselves1 though wrought by the ,power of the ,spirit of ,christ in us40 4 ,,ix4 ,sidenote3 ,posit4 #c4 ,the third ,thing proposed to be considered is1 concerning the ,necessity of good ,works to ,justification4 ,i suppose there is enough said before to clear us from any ,imputation of being ,popish in this ,matter4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if it be queried1 ,whether we have not said1 or will not affirm1 that a ,man is justified by ,works8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,i hope none need1 neither ought to take ,offence1 if in this ,matter we use the plain ,language of the holy ,scripture1 which faith expresly in answer hereunto1 ,james ii4 #bd4 ,sidenote3 ,that ,works are necessary to ,justification4 ,ye see then how that by ,works a ,man is justified1 and not by ,faith only4 ,i shall not offer to prove the ,truth of this ,saying1 since what is said in this ,chapter by the ,apostle is sufficient to convince any ,man that will read and believe it2 ,i shall only from this derive this one ,argument4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,if no ,man can be justified without ,faith1 and no ,faith be living1 nor yet available to ,justification without ,works1 then ,works are necessary to ,justification3 ,but the first is true3 ,therefore also the last4 ,for this ,truth is so apparent and evident in the ,scriptures1 that for the ,proof of it we might transcribe most of the ,precepts of the ,gospel4 ,i shall instance a few1 which of themselves do so clearly assert the ,thing in ,question1 that they need no ,commentary1 nor farther ,demonstration4 ,and then ,i shall answer the ,objections made against this1 which indeed are the ,arguments used for the contrary ,opinion1 ,heb4 xii4 #ad4 ,without ,holiness no ,man shall see ,god4 ,matt4 vii4 #ba4 ,sidenote3 ,not the ,sayers1 but the ,doers are blessed4 ,not every one that saith unto me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 but he that doeth the ,will of my ,father which is in ,heaven4 ,john xiii4 #g4 ,if ye know these ,things1 happy are ye if ye do them4 #a ,cor4 vii4 #ai4 ,circumcision is nothing1 and ,uncircumcision is nothing1 but the ,keeping of the ,commandments of ,god4 ,rev4 xxii4 #ad4 ,blessed are they that do his ,commandments1 that they may have ,right to the ,tree of ,life1 and may enter in through the ,gates into the ,city3 ,and many more that might be instanced4 ,from all which ,i thus argue3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,if those only can enter into the ,kingdom that do the ,will of the ,father2 if those be accounted only the wise ,builders and happy that do the ,sayings of ,christ2 if no ,observations avail1 but only the ,keeping of the ,commandments2 and if they be blessed that do the ,commandments1 and thereby have ,right to the ,tree of ,life1 and ,entrance through the ,gates into the ,city2 then ,works are absolutely necessary to ,salvation and ,justification3 ,but the first is true3 ,and therefore also the last4 ,the ,consequence of the ,antecedent is so clear and evident1 that ,i think no ,man of sound ,reason will call for a ,proof of it4 4 ,x4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,but they object1 ,that ,works are not necessary to ,justification3 ,first1 because of that ,saying of ,christ1 ,luke xvii4 #aj4 ,sidenote3 ,unprofitable ,servants4 ,when ye shall have done all these ,things that are commanded you1 say1 ,we are unprofitable ,servants4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,answer2 ,as to ,god we are indeed unprofitable1 for he needeth nothing1 ,sidenote3 ,god needeth nothing4 neither can we add any ,thing unto him3 ,but as to ourselves1 we are not unprofitable2 else it might be said1 that it is not profitable for a ,man to keep ,god's ,commandments2 which is most absurd1 and would contradict ,christ's ,doctrine throughout4 ,doth not ,christ1 ,matt4 v4 through all those ,beatitudes1 pronounce ,men blessed for their ,purity1 for their ,meekness1 for their ,peaceableness1 c8 ,and is not then that for which ,christ pronounceth ,men blessed1 profitable unto them8 ,moreover1 ,matt4 xxv4 #ba1 #bc4 ,sidenote3 ,those that had improved their ,talents1 were called good and faithful ,servants4 ,doth not ,christ pronounce the ,men good and faithful ,servants that improved their ,talents8 ,was not their doing of that then profitable unto them8 ,and ,ver4 #cj4 it is said of him that hid his ,talent1 and did not improve it1 ,cast ye the unprofitable ,servant into utter ,darkness4 ,if then not improving of the ,talent made the ,man unprofitable1 and he was therefore cast into utter ,darkness1 it will follow by the ,rule of ,contraries1 so far at least that the ,improving made the other profitable2 seeing1 if our ,adversaries will allow us to believe ,christ's ,words1 this is made a ,reason1 and so at least a ,cause instrumental of their ,acceptance2 ,well done1 good and faithful ,servant1 thou hast been faithful over a few ,things1 ,i will make thee ,ruler over many ,things2 enter thou into the ,joy of thy ,lord4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,they object those ,sayings of the ,apostle1 where he excludes the ,deeds of the ,law from ,justification2 as first1 ,rom4 iii4 #bj4 ,because by the ,deeds of the ,law there shall be no ,flesh justified in his ,sight4 ,and ,ver4 #bh4 ,therefore we conclude1 that a ,man is justified by ,faith1 without the ,deeds of the ,law4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a44 ,answ4 ,we have shewn already what ,place we give to ,works1 even to the best of ,works1 in ,justification2 and how we ascribe its immediate and formal ,cause to the ,worker brought forth in us1 but not to the ,works4 ,but in answer to this ,objection1 ,i say1 there is a great ,difference betwixt the ,works of the ,law1 and those of ,grace1 or of the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,works of the ,gospel or ,grace distinguished from those of the ,law4 ,the first are excluded1 the second not1 but are necessary4 ,the first are those which are performed in ,man's own ,will1 and by his ,strength1 in a ,conformity to the outward ,law and ,letter2 and therefore are ,man's own imperfect ,works1 or ,works of the ,law1 which makes nothing perfect3 ,and to this belong all the ,ceremonies1 ,purifications1 ,washings1 and ,traditions of the ,jews4 ,the second are the ,works of the ,spirit of ,grace in the ,heart1 wrought in ,conformity to the inward and spiritual ,law2 which ,works are not wrought in ,man's ,will1 nor by his ,power and ,ability1 but in and by the ,power and ,spirit of ,christ in us1 and therefore are pure and perfect in their ,kind 7as shall hereafter be proved7 and may be called ,christ's ,works1 for that he is the immediate ,author and ,worker of them3 ,such ,works we affirm absolutely necessary to ,justification1 so that a ,man cannot be justified without them2 and all ,faith without them is dead and useless1 as the ,apostle ,james saith4 ,now1 that such a ,distinction is to be admitted1 and that the ,works excluded by the ,apostle in the ,matter of ,justification are of the first ,kind1 will appear1 if we consider the ,occasion of the ,apostle's mentioning this1 as well here1 as throughout his ,epistle to the ,galatians1 where he speaks of this ,matter and to this ,purpose at large3 ,which was this1 ,that whereas many of the ,gentiles that were not of the ,race or ,seed of ,abraham1 as concerning the ,flesh1 were come to be converted to the ,christian ,faith1 and to believe in him1 some of those1 that were of the ,jewish ,proselytes1 thought to subject the faithful and believing ,gentiles to the legal ,ceremonies and ,observations1 as necessary to their ,justification3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,occasion of the ,apostle's speaking of the ,works of the ,law1 which are excluded4 ,this gave the ,apostle ,paul ,occasion at length1 in his ,epistle to the ,romans1 ,galatians1 and elsewhere1 to shew the ,use and ,tendency of the ,law1 and of its ,works1 and to contra-distinguish them from the ,faith of ,christ1 and the ,righteousness thereof2 shewing how the former was ceased and become ineffectual1 the other remaining1 and yet necessary4 ,and that the ,works excluded by the ,apostle are of this ,kind of ,works of the ,law1 appears by the whole ,strain of his ,epistle to the ,galatians1 ,chap4 i1 ii1 iii1 and iv4 ,for after1 in ,chap4 iv4 he upbraideth them for their ,returning unto the ,observation of ,days and ,times1 and that1 in the ,beginning of ,chap4 v4 he sheweth them their ,folly1 and the evil ,consequence of adhering to the ,ceremonies of ,circumcision1 then he adds1 ,ver4 #f4 ,for in ,christ ,jesus neither ,circumcision nor ,uncircumcision availeth1 but ,faith1 which worketh by ,love2 and thus he concludes again1 ,chap4 vi4 ,ver4 #ae4 ,for in ,christ ,jesus neither ,circumcision availeth1 nor ,uncircumcision1 but a new ,creature4 ,from which ,places appeareth that ,distinction of ,works before-mentioned1 whereof the one is excluded1 the other necessary to ,justification4 ,for the ,apostle sheweth here1 that ,circumcision 7which ,word is often used to comprehend the whole ,ceremonies and legal ,performances of the ,jews7 is not necessary1 nor doth avail4 ,here then are the ,works which are excluded1 by which no ,man is justified2 but ,faith1 which worketh by ,love1 but the new ,creature1 this is that which availeth1 which is absolutely necessary3 ,for ,faith1 that worketh by ,love1 cannot be without ,works2 for1 as it is said in the same #eth ,chapter1 ,ver4 #bb4 ,love is a ,work of the ,spirit2 also the new ,creature1 if it avail and be necessary1 cannot be without ,works2 seeing it is natural for it to bring forth ,works of ,righteousness4 ,again1 that the ,apostle no ,ways intends to exclude such good ,works appears1 in that in the same ,epistle he exhorts the ,galatians to them1 and holds forth the ,usefulness and ,necessity of them1 and that very plainly1 ,chap4 vi4 ,ver4 #g1 #h1 #i4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,usefulness and ,necessity of good ,works4 ,be not deceived1 saith he1 ,god is not mocked2 for whatsoever a ,man soweth1 that shall he also reap3 ,for he that soweth to the ,flesh1 shall of the ,flesh reap ,corruption2 but he that soweth to the ,spirit1 shall of the ,spirit reap ,life everlasting4 ,and let us not be weary of ,well-doing1 for in due ,season we shall reap1 if we faint not3 ,doth it not hereby appear1 how necessary the ,apostle would have the ,galatians know that he esteemed good ,works to be8 ,to wit1 not the outward ,ceremonies and ,traditions of the ,law1 but the ,fruits of the ,spirit1 mentioned a little before2 by which ,spirit he would have them to be led1 and walk in those good ,works3 ,as also1 how much he ascribed to these good ,works1 by which he affirms ,life everlasting is reaped4 ,now1 that cannot be useless to ,man's ,justification1 which capacitates him to reap so rich an ,harvest4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,but ,lastly2 ,for a full ,answer to this ,objection1 and for the establishing of this ,doctrine of good ,works1 ,i shall instance another ,saying of the same ,apostle ,paul1 which our ,adversaries also in the ,blindness of their ,minds make use of against us2 to wit1 ,tit4 iii4 #e4 ,sidenote3 ,justified not by our legal ,performances1 but the ,fruit of the ,spirit4 ,not by ,works of ,righteousness which we have done1 but according to his ,mercy he saved us1 by the ,washing of ,regeneration1 and ,renewing of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,it is generally granted by all1 that saved is here all one as if it had been said justified4 ,now there are two ,kinds of ,works here mentioned3 ,one by which we are not saved1 that is1 not justified2 and another by which we are saved1 or justified4 ,the first1 the ,works of ,righteousness which we have wrought1 that is1 which we in our first fallen ,nature1 by our own ,strength1 have wrought1 our own legal ,performances1 and therefore may truly and properly be called ours1 whatever specious ,appearances they may have4 ,and that it must needs and ought to be so understood1 doth appear from the other ,part1 ,by the ,washing of ,regeneration1 and ,renewing of the ,holy ,ghost2 seeing ,regeneration is a ,work1 comprehensive of many good ,works1 even of all those which are called the ,fruits of the ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 ,now in ,case it should be objected1 ,that these may also be called ours1 because wrought in us1 and also by us many ,times as ,instruments2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,it is far otherwise than the former3 ,for in the first we are yet alive in our own natural ,state1 unrenewed1 working of ourselves1 seeking to save ourselves1 by imitating and endeavouring a ,conformity to the outward ,letter of the ,law2 and so wrestling and striving in the ,carnal ,mind1 that is ,enmity to ,god1 and in the cursed ,will not yet subdued4 ,but in this second we are crucified with ,christ1 we are become dead with him1 have partaken of the ,fellowship of his ,sufferings1 are made conformable to his ,death2 and our first ,man1 our old ,man with all his ,deeds1 as well the openly ,wicked as the seemingly ,righteous1 our legal ,endeavours and foolish ,wrestlings1 are all buried and nailed to the ,cross of ,christ2 ,sidenote3 ,not ,we1 but ,christ in us is the ,worker of ,righteousness4 and so it is no more we1 but ,christ alive in us1 the ,worker in us4 ,so that though it be we in a ,sense1 yet it is according to that of the ,apostle to the same ,galatians1 ,chap4 ii4 ,ver4 #bj4 ,i am crucified1 yet nevertheless ,i live1 yet not ,i1 but ,christ liveth in me3 ,not ,i1 but the ,grace of ,christ in me4 ,these ,works are especially to be ascribed to the ,spirit of ,christ1 and the ,grace of ,god in us1 as being immediately thereby acted and led in them1 and enabled to perform them4 ,and this ,manner of ,speech is not strained1 but familiar to the ,apostles1 as appears1 ,gal4 ii4 #h4 ,for he that wrought effectually in ,peter to the ,apostleship of the ,circumcision1 the same was mighty in me1 c4 ,phil4 ii4 #ac4 ,for it is ,god which worketh in you1 both to will and to do1 c4 ,so that it appears by this ,place1 that since the ,washing of ,regeneration is necessary to ,justification1 and that ,regeneration comprehends ,works1 ,works are necessary2 and that these ,works of the ,law that are excluded1 are different from these that are necessary and admitted4 4 ,,xi4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,they object ,that no ,works1 yea1 not the ,works of ,christ in us1 can have ,place in ,justification1 because nothing that is impure can be useful in it2 and all the ,works wrought in us are impure4 ,for this they allege that ,saying of the ,prophet ,isaiah1 lxiv4 #f4 ,all our ,righteousnesses are as filthy ,rags2 adding this ,reason1 ,that seeing we are impure1 so must our ,works be2 which though good in themselves1 yet as performed by us1 they receive a ,tincture of ,impurity1 even as clean ,water passing through an unclean ,pipe is defiled4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,that no impure ,works are useful to ,justification1 is confessed2 but that all the ,works wrought in the ,saints are such1 is denied4 ,and for ,answer to this1 the former ,distinction will serve4 ,we confess1 that the first ,sort of ,works above-mentioned are impure2 but not the second3 ,because the first are wrought in the unrenewed ,state1 but not the other4 ,and as for that of ,isaiah1 it must relate to the first ,kind2 ,sidenote3 ,what ,sort of ,righteousness is as filthy ,rags4 for though he saith1 ,all our ,righteousnesses are as filthy ,rags1 yet that will not comprehend the ,righteousness of ,christ in us1 but only that which we work of and by ourselves4 ,for should we so conclude1 then it would follow1 that we should throw away all ,holiness and ,righteousness2 since that which is as filthy ,rags1 and as a menstruous ,garment1 ought to be thrown away2 yea1 it would follow1 that all the ,fruits of the ,spirit1 mentioned1 ,gal4 iv4 were as filthy ,rags2 ,whereas on the ,contrary1 some of the ,works of the ,saints are said to have a sweet ,savour in the ,nostrils of the ,lord2 are said to be an ,ornament of great ,price in the ,sight of ,god2 are said to prevail with him1 and to be acceptable to him2 which filthy ,rags and a menstruous ,garment cannot be4 ,yea1 many famous ,protestants have acknowledged1 that this ,place is not therefore so to be understood4 ,sidenote3 ,calvin and others their ,sense concerning ,isa4 #fd4 #f4 of our ,righteousness4 ,calvin upon this ,place saith1 8,that it is used to be cited by some1 that they may prove there is so little ,merit in our ,works1 that they are before ,god filthy and defiled3 ,but this seems to me to be different from the ,prophet's ,mind10 saith he1 8seeing he speaks not here of all ,mankind40 ,sidenote3 ,musculus4 ,musculus upon this ,place saith1 8,that it was usual for this ,people to presume much of their legal ,righteousness1 as if thereby they were made clean2 nevertheless they had no more ,cleanness than the unclean ,garment of a ,man4 ,others expound this ,place concerning all the ,righteousness of our ,flesh2 that ,opinion indeed is true2 yet ,i think that the ,prophet did rather accommodate these ,sayings to the ,impurity of the ,people in legal ,terms40 ,sidenote3 7,bertius7 ,epistol prfix dissert4 ann4 ,the ,author 7commonly supposed ,bertius7 speaking concerning the true ,sense of the #gth ,chapter of the ,epistle to the ,romans1 hath a ,digression touching this of ,isaiah1 saying2 8,this ,place is commonly corrupted by a pernicious ,wresting2 for it is still alleged1 as if the ,meaning thereof inferred the most excellent ,works of the best ,christians1 c40 ,sidenote3 ,ja4 ,coret ,apol4 ,impress4 ,paris1 ,ann4 #aeig ,page #gh4 ,james ,coret1 a ,french ,minister in the ,church of ,basil1 in his ,apology concerning ,justification against ,alescales1 saith2 8,nevertheless concerning the ,counsel of certain good ,men1 ,i must admonish the ,reader1 that it never came into our ,minds to abuse that ,saying of ,isa4 lxiv4 #f4 against good ,works1 in which it is said1 that all our ,righteousnesses are as filthy ,rags1 as if he would have that which is good in our good ,works1 and proceedeth from the ,holy ,spirit1 to be esteemed as a filthy and unclean ,thing40 4 ,,xii4 ,as to the other ,part1 ,that seeing the best of ,men are still impure and imperfect1 therefore their ,works must be so2 it is to beg the ,question1 and depends upon a ,proposition denied2 and which is to be discussed at farther ,length in the next ,proposition4 ,but though we should suppose a ,man not thoroughly perfect in all ,respects1 yet will not that hinder1 but good and perfect ,works in their ,kind may be brought forth in him by the ,spirit of ,christ3 ,neither doth the ,example of ,water going through an unclean ,pipe hit the ,matter2 because though ,water may be capable to be tinctured with ,uncleanness1 yet the ,spirit of ,god cannot1 whom we assert to be the immediate ,author of those ,works that avail in ,justification3 ,and therefore ,jesus ,christ's ,works in his ,children are pure and perfect1 and he worketh in and through that pure ,thing of his own forming and creating in them4 ,moreover1 if this did hold1 according to our ,adversaries ,supposition1 ,that no ,man ever was or can be perfect1 it would follow1 that the very ,miracles and ,works of the ,apostles1 which ,christ wrought in them1 and they wrought in and by the ,power1 ,spirit and ,grace of ,christ1 were also impure and imperfect2 ,sidenote3 ,were the ,miracles and ,works of the ,apostles1 wrought by the ,power of ,christ in them1 impure and imperfect8 such as their converting of the ,nations to the ,christian ,faith2 their gathering of the ,churches1 their writing of the ,holy ,scriptures2 yea1 and their offering up and sacrificing of their ,lives for the ,testimony of ,jesus4 ,what may our ,adversaries think of this ,argument1 whereby it will follow1 that the ,holy ,scriptures1 whose ,perfection and ,excellency they seem so much to magnify1 are proved to be impure and imperfect1 because they came through impure and imperfect ,vessels8 ,it appears by the ,confessions of ,protestants1 that the ,fathers did frequently attribute unto ,works of this ,kind that instrumental ,work1 which we have spoken of in ,justification1 albeit some ignorant ,persons cry out it is ,popery1 and also divers1 and that famous ,protestants1 do of themselves confess it4 ,sidenote3 ,a4 ,polan4 ,our ,doctrine of ,justification and ,works1 is not ,popery4 ,amandus ,polanus1 in his ,symphonia ,catholica1 ,cap4 #bg4 de ,remissione ,peccatorum1 ,p4 #fea4 places this ,thesis as the common ,opinion of ,protestants1 most agreeable to the ,doctrine of the ,fathers3 8,we obtain the ,remission of ,sins by ,repentance1 ,confession1 ,prayers1 and ,tears1 proceeding from ,faith1 but do not merit1 to speak properly2 and therefore we obtain ,remission of ,sins1 not by the ,merit of our ,repentance and ,prayers1 but by the ,mercy and ,goodness of ,god40 ,sidenote3 ,gentiletus ,ex ,impress4 ,gen4 #aeaf4 ,innocentius ,gentiletus1 a ,lawyer of great ,fame among ,protestants1 in his ,examen of the ,council of ,trent1 ,p4 #ff1 #fg4 of ,justification1 having before spoken of ,faith and ,works1 adds these ,words3 8,but seeing the one cannot be without the other1 we call them both conjunctly instrumental ,causes40 ,sidenote3 ,zanchius4 ,zanchius1 in his fifth ,book1 ,de ,natur ,dei1 saith2 8,we do not simply deny1 that good ,works are the ,cause of ,salvation1 to wit1 the instrumental1 rather than the efficient ,cause1 which they call sine qu non40 ,and afterwards1 8,good ,works are the instrumental ,cause of the ,possession of ,life eternal2 for by these1 as by a ,means and a lawful ,way1 ,god leads unto the ,possession of ,life eternal40 ,sidenote3 ,g4 ,ames4 in ,medulla ,s4 ,theologi1 ,l4 #b4 ,c4 #a4 ,thes4 #cj4 ,g4 ,amesius saith1 8,that our ,obedience1 albeit it be not the principal and meritorious ,cause of ,life eternal1 is nevertheless a ,cause in some ,respect1 administering1 helping1 and advancing towards the ,possession of the ,life40 ,sidenote3 ,r4 ,baxter4 ,also ,richard ,baxter1 in his ,book above-cited1 ,page #aee4 saith1 8,that we are justified by ,works in the same ,kind of ,causality as by ,faith1 to wit1 as being both ,causes sine qu non1 or ,conditions of the ,new ,covenant on our ,part requisite to ,justification40 ,and ,p4 #aie4 he saith1 8,it is needless to teach any ,scholar1 who hath read the ,writings of ,papists1 how this ,doctrine differs from them40 ,sidenote3 ,of the ,merit and ,reward of ,works4 ,but lastly1 ,because it is fit here to say something of the ,merit and ,reward of ,works1 ,i shall add something in this ,place of our ,sense and ,belief concerning that ,matter4 ,we are far from thinking or believing1 that ,man merits any ,thing by his ,works from ,god1 all being of ,free ,grace2 and therefore do we1 and always have denied that ,popish ,notion of ,meritum ex condigno4 ,nevertheless we cannot deny1 but that ,god1 out of his ,infinite ,goodness wherewith he hath loved ,mankind1 after he communicates to him his holy ,grace and ,spirit1 doth1 according to his own ,will1 recompence and reward the good ,works of his ,children2 ,sidenote3 ,,god rewards the good ,works of his ,children4 and therefore this ,merit of ,congruity or ,reward1 in so far as the ,scripture is plain and positive for it1 we may not deny2 neither wholly reject the ,word1 in so far as the ,scripture makes use of it4 ,for the same ,greek ,greek3 axion3 1 which signifies ,merit is also in those ,places where the ,translators express it ,worth1 or worthy1 as ,mat4 iii4 #h4 #a ,thess4 ii4 #ab4 #b ,thess4 i4 #e4 #aa4 ,concerning which ,r4 ,baxter saith1 in the ,book above-cited1 ,p4 #h4 8,but in a larger ,sense1 as ,promise is an ,obligation1 and the ,thing promised is said to be ,debt1 so the ,performers of the ,conditions are called ,worthy1 and that which they perform ,merit2 although properly all be of ,grace1 and not of ,debt40 ,also those1 who are called the ,fathers of the ,church1 frequently used this ,word of ,merit1 whose ,sayings concerning this ,matter ,i think not needful to insert1 because it is not doubted1 but evident1 that many ,protestants are not averse from this ,word1 in the ,sense that we use it4 ,the ,apology for the ,augustan ,confession1 ,art4 #bj4 hath these ,words2 8,we agree that ,works are truly meritorious1 not of ,remission of ,sins1 or ,justification2 but they are meritorious of other ,rewards corporal and spiritual1 which are indeed as well in this ,life1 as after this ,life40 ,and further1 8,seeing ,works are a certain fulfilling of the ,law1 they are rightly said to be meritorious2 it is rightly said1 that a ,reward is due to them40 ,sidenote3 ,conference of ,oldenburgh4 ,in the ,acts of the ,conference of ,oldenburgh1 the electoral ,divines1 ,p4 #aaj4 #bfe4 say1 8,in this ,sense our ,churches also are not averse from the ,word ,merit used by the ,fathers2 neither therefore do they defend the ,popish ,doctrine of ,merit40 ,sidenote3 ,g4 ,vossius of the ,word ,merit4 ,g4 ,vossius1 in his ,theological ,thesis concerning the ,merits of good ,works1 saith2 8,we have not adventured to condemn the ,word ,merit wholly1 as being that which both many of the ,ancients use1 and also the reformed ,churches have used in their ,confessions4 ,now that ,god judgeth and accepteth ,men according to their ,works1 is beyond ,doubt to those that seriously will read and consider these ,scriptures40 ,matt44 xvi4 #bg4 ,rom44 ii4 #f4 #g4 #aj4 #b ,cor4 v4 #aj4 ,james i4 #be4 ,heb4 x4 #ce4 #a ,pet4 i4 #ag4 ,rev4 xxii4 #ab4 4 ,,xiii4 ,and to conclude this ,proposition1 let none be so bold as to mock ,god1 supposing themselves justified and accepted in the ,sight of ,god1 by ,virtue of ,christ's ,death and ,sufferings1 while they remain unsanctified and unjustified in their own ,hearts1 ,sidenote3 ,job #h4 #ac4 and polluted in their ,sins1 lest their ,hope prove that of the ,hypocrite1 which perisheth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,hope of the ,hypocrite shall perish1 but ,grace is to the ,humble4 ,neither let any foolishly imagine1 that they can by their own ,works1 or by the ,performance of any ,ceremonies or ,traditions1 or by the ,giving of ,gold or ,money1 or by afflicting their ,bodies in ,will-worship and voluntary ,humility1 or foolishly striving to conform their ,way to the outward ,letter of the ,law1 flatter themselves that they merit before ,god1 or draw a ,debt upon him1 or that any ,man or ,men have ,power to make such ,kind of ,things effectual to their ,justification1 lest they be found foolish ,boasters1 and ,strangers to ,christ and his ,righteousness indeed4 ,but blessed for ever are they1 that having truly had a ,sense of their own ,unworthiness and ,sinfulness1 and having seen all their own ,endeavours and ,performances fruitless and vain1 and beheld their own ,emptiness1 and the ,vanity of their vain ,hopes1 ,faith and ,confidence1 while they remained inwardly struck1 pursued1 and condemned by ,god's holy ,witness in their ,hearts1 and so having applied themselves thereto1 and suffered his ,grace to work in them1 are become changed and renewed in the ,spirit of their ,minds1 passed from ,death to ,life1 and know ,jesus arisen in them1 working both the ,will and the ,deed2 and so having put on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 in ,effect are clothed with him1 and partake of his ,righteousness and ,nature2 such can draw near to the ,lord with ,boldness1 and know their ,acceptance in and by him2 in whom1 and in as many as are found in him1 the ,father is well pleased4 ,,proposition ,,viii4 ,concerning ,,perfection4 ,in whom this pure and holy ,birth is fully brought forth1 the ,body of ,death and ,sin comes to be crucified and removed1 and their ,hearts united and subjected to the ,truth2 so as not to obey any ,suggestions or ,temptations of the ,evil ,one1 but to be free from actual sinning and transgressing of the ,law of ,god1 and in that ,respect perfect3 ,yet doth this ,perfection still admit of a ,growth2 and there remaineth always in some ,part a ,possibility of sinning1 where the ,mind doth not most diligently and watchfully attend unto the ,lord4 4 ,i4 ,since we have placed ,justification in the ,revelation of ,jesus ,christ formed and brought forth in the ,heart1 there working his ,works of ,righteousness1 and bringing forth the ,fruits of the ,spirit1 the ,question is1 ,how far he may prevail in us while we are in this ,life1 or we over our ,souls ,enemies1 in and by his ,strength8 ,those that plead for ,justification wholly without them1 merely by imputative ,righteousness1 denying the ,necessity of being clothed with real and inward ,righteousness1 do consequently affirm1 ,sidenote3 ,these are the ,words of the ,westminster larger ,catechism4 8,that it is impossible for a ,man1 even the best of ,men1 to be free of ,sin in this ,life1 which1 they say1 no ,man ever was2 but on the contrary1 that none can1 neither of himself1 nor by any ,grace received in this ,life 7,o wicked ,saying against the ,power of ,god's ,grace7 keep the ,commandments of ,god perfectly2 but that every ,man doth break the ,commandments in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed30 ,whence they also affirm1 as was a little before observed1 8,that the very best ,actions of the ,saints1 their ,prayers1 their ,worships1 are impure and polluted40 ,sidenote3 ,whether it is possible to keep the ,commandments of ,god8 ,we on the contrary1 though we freely acknowledge this of the natural fallen ,man1 in his first ,state1 whatever his ,profession or ,pretence may be1 so long as he is unconverted and unregenerate1 yet we do believe1 that to those in whom ,christ comes to be formed1 and the new ,man brought forth1 ,sidenote3 ,part ,i4 and born of the incorruptible ,seed 7as that ,birth1 and ,man in ,union therewith1 naturally doth the ,will of ,god7 it is possible so far to keep to it1 as not to be found daily ,transgressors of the ,law of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,controversy stated4 ,and for the more clear ,stating of the ,controversy1 let it be considered3 4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,notional ,knowledge4 ,first1 ,that we place not this ,possibility in ,man's own ,will and ,capacity1 as he is a ,man1 the ,son of fallen ,adam1 or as he is in his natural ,state1 however wise or knowing1 or however much endued with a notional and literal ,knowledge of ,christ1 thereby endeavouring a ,conformity to the ,letter of the ,law1 as it is outward4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,the new ,birth4 ,secondly1 ,that we attribute it wholly to ,man1 as he is born again1 renewed in his ,mind1 raised by ,christ1 knowing ,christ alive1 reigning and ruling in him1 and guiding and leading him by his ,spirit1 and revealing in him the ,law of the ,spirit of ,life2 which not only manifests and reproves ,sin1 but also gives ,power to come out of it4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,growth in ,perfection4 ,thirdly1 ,that by this we understand not such a ,perfection as may not daily admit of a ,growth1 and consequently mean not as if we were to be as pure1 holy1 and perfect as ,god in his divine ,attributes of ,wisdom1 ,knowledge1 and ,purity2 but only a ,perfection proportionable and answerable to ,man's ,measure1 whereby we are kept from transgressing the ,law of ,god1 and enabled to answer what he requires of us2 ,sidenote3 ,he that improved his ,two ,talents was nothing less acceptable than he with the five4 even as he that improved his two ,talents so as to make four of them1 perfected his ,work1 and was so accepted of his ,lord as to be called a good and faithful ,servant1 nothing less than he that made his five ten4 ,even as a little ,gold is perfect ,gold in its ,kind1 as well as a great ,mass1 and a ,child hath a perfect ,body as well as a ,man1 though it daily grow more and more4 ,thus ,christ is said1 ,luke ii4 #eb4 to have increased in ,wisdom and ,stature1 and in ,favour with ,god and ,man2 though before that ,time he had never sinned1 and was no ,doubt perfect1 in a true and proper ,sense4 ,sidenote3 ,,iv4 ,wiles of the ,enemy4 ,fourthly1 ,though a ,man may witness this for a ,season1 and therefore all ought to press after it2 yet we do not affirm but those that have attained it in a ,measure may1 by the ,wiles and ,temptations of the ,enemy1 fall into ,iniquity1 and lose it sometimes1 if they be not watchful1 and do not diligently attend to that of ,god in the ,heart4 ,and we doubt not but many good and holy ,men1 who have arrived to everlasting ,life1 have had divers ,ebbings and ,flowings of this ,kind2 ,sidenote3 ,every ,sin weakens a ,man in his spiritual ,condition1 but doth not destroy him altogether4 for though every ,sin weakens a ,man in his spiritual ,condition1 yet it doth not so as to destroy him altogether1 or render him uncapable of rising again4 ,sidenote3 ,v4 ,righteousness became natural4 ,lastly1 ,though ,i affirm1 that after a ,man hath arrived at such a ,state1 in which he may be able not to sin1 yet he may sin3 ,nevertheless1 ,i will not affirm that a ,state is not attainable in this ,life1 in which to do ,righteousness may be so natural to the regenerate ,soul1 that in the ,stability of that ,condition he cannot sin4 ,others may speak more certainly of this ,state1 if they have arrived at it4 ,with respect to myself1 ,i speak modestly1 because ,i ingenuously confess that ,i have not yet attained it2 but ,i cannot deny that there is such a ,state1 as it seems to be so clearly asserted by the ,apostle1 #a ,john iii4 #i4 ,he that is born of ,god sinneth not1 neither can he1 because the ,seed of ,god remaineth in him4 ,sidenote3 ,part ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,sect4 #a4 ,the ,controversy being thus stated1 which will serve to obviate ,objections1 ,i shall proceed1 ,first1 to shew the ,absurdity of that ,doctrine that pleads for ,sin for ,term of ,life1 even in the ,saints4 ,sidenote3 ,sect4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,to prove this ,doctrine of ,perfection from many pregnant ,testimonies of the ,holy ,scripture4 ,sidenote3 ,sect4 #c4 ,and1 ,lastly1 ,to answer the ,arguments and ,objections of our ,opposers4 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,sect4 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,the ,doctrine of ,pleading for ,sin for ,term of ,life absurd4 ,first then1 ,this ,doctrine1 viz4 ,that the ,saints nor can nor ever will be free of sinning in this ,life1 is inconsistent with the ,wisdom of ,god1 and with his glorious ,power and ,majesty1 who is of purer ,eyes than to behold ,iniquity#gf2 who having purposed in himself to gather to him that should worship him1 and be ,witnesses for him on ,earth1 a chosen ,people1 doth also no ,doubt sanctify and purify them4 ,for ,god hath no ,delight in ,iniquity1 but abhors ,transgression2 and though he regard ,man in ,transgression so far as to pity him1 and afford him ,means to come out of it2 yet he loves him not1 neither delights in him1 as he is joined thereunto4 ,wherefore if ,man must be always joined to ,sin1 then ,god would always be at a ,distance with him2 as it is written1 ,isa4 lix4 #b4 ,your ,iniquities have separated between you and your ,god1 and your ,sins have hid his ,face from you2 whereas on the contrary1 the ,saints are said to partake1 even while here1 of the divine ,nature1 #a ,pet4 i4 #d4 and to be one ,spirit with the ,lord1 #a ,cor4 vi4 #ag4 ,now no unclean ,thing can be so4 ,it is expresly written1 ,that there is no ,communion betwixt ,light and ,darkness1 #b ,cor4 vi4 #ad4 ,but ,god is ,light1 and every ,sin is ,darkness in a ,measure3 ,sidenote3 ,hath ,god's ,wisdom been wanting to prepare a ,means to serve and worship him perfectly8 ,what greater ,stain then can there be than this upon ,god's ,wisdom1 as if he had been wanting to prepare a ,means whereby his ,children might perfectly serve and worship him1 or had not provided a ,way whereby they might serve him in any ,thing1 but that they must withal still serve the ,devil no less1 yea1 more than himself8 ,for he that sinneth is the ,servant of ,sin1 ,rom4 vi4 #af4 and every ,sin is an ,act of ,service and ,obedience to the ,devil4 ,so then if the ,saints sin daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed1 yea1 if the very ,service they offer to ,god be ,sin1 surely they serve the ,devil more than they do ,god3 ,for besides that they give the ,devil many intire ,services1 without ,mixture of the least ,grain to ,god1 they give ,god not the least ,service in which the ,devil hath not a large ,share3 ,and if their ,prayers and all their spiritual ,performances be sinful1 the ,devil is as much served by them in these as ,god1 and in most of them much more1 since they confess that many of them are performed without the ,leadings and ,influence of ,god's ,spirit4 ,now who would not account him a foolish ,master among ,men1 who being able to do it1 and also desirous it might be so1 yet would not provide a ,way whereby his ,children and ,servants might serve him more intirely than his avowed ,enemy1 or would not guard against their serving of him1 but be so imprudent and unadvised in his ,contrivance1 that whatever ,way his ,servants and ,children served him1 they should no less1 yea1 often much more1 serve his ,enemy8 ,what may we then think of that ,doctrine that would infer this ,folly upon the ,omnipotent and ,only ,wise ,god8 #gf ,hab4 #a4 #ac4 4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,its ,inconsistency with the ,justice of ,god4 ,secondly1 ,it is inconsistent with the ,justice of ,god4 ,for since he requires ,purity from his ,children1 and commands them to abstain from every ,iniquity1 so frequently and precisely as shall hereafter appear1 and since his ,wrath is revealed against all ,ungodliness and ,unrighteousness of ,men1 it must needs follow1 that he hath capacitated ,man to answer his ,will1 or else that he requires more than he has given ,power to perform2 which is to declare him openly unjust1 and with the slothful ,servant to be an hard ,master4 ,we have elsewhere spoken of the ,injustice these ,men ascribe to ,god1 in making him to damn the ,wicked1 to whom they allege he never afforded any ,means of being good2 but this is yet an ,aggravation more irrational and inconsistent1 to say1 ,that ,god will not afford to those1 whom he hath chosen to be his own 7whom they confess he loveth7 the ,means to please him4 ,what can follow then from so strange a ,doctrine8 ,this ,imperfection in the ,saints either proceeds from ,god or from themselves3 ,if it proceeds from them1 it must be because they are short in improving or making use of the ,power given them1 whereby they are capable to obey2 and so it is a ,thing possible to them1 as indeed it is by the ,help of that ,power3 ,but this our ,adversaries deny3 ,they are then not to be blamed for their ,imperfection and continuing in ,sin1 since it is not possible for them to do otherwise4 ,if it be not of themselves1 it must be of ,god1 who hath not seen meet to allow them ,grace in that ,degree to produce that ,effect3 ,and what is this but to attribute to ,god the ,height of ,injustice1 to make him require his ,children to forsake ,sin1 and yet not to afford them sufficient ,means for so doing8 ,sidenote3 ,who will give their ,children a ,stone instead of ,bread8 ,surely this makes ,god more unrighteous than wicked ,men1 who if 7as ,christ saith7 their ,children require ,bread of them1 will not give them a ,stone2 or instead of a ,fish1 a ,serpent4 ,but these ,men confess we ought to seek of ,god ,power to redeem us from ,sin1 and yet believe they are never to receive such a ,power2 such ,prayers then cannot be in ,faith1 but are all vain4 ,is not this to make ,god as unjust to his ,children as ,pharaoh was to the ,israelites1 in requiring ,brick and not giving them ,straw8 ,but blessed be ,god1 he deals not so with those that truly trust in him1 and wait upon him1 as these ,men vainly imagine2 for such faithful ,ones find of a ,truth that his ,grace is sufficient for them1 and know how by his ,power and ,spirit to overcome the evil ,one4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #c4 ,the great and principal ,end of ,christ's ,coming and ,appearance was for the ,removing of ,sin1 and to redeem us from all ,iniquity4 ,thirdly1 ,this evil ,doctrine is highly injurious to ,jesus ,christ1 and greatly derogates from the ,power and ,virtue of his ,sacrifice1 and renders his ,coming and ,ministry1 as to the great ,end of it1 ineffectual4 ,for ,christ1 as for other ,ends1 so principally he appeared for the ,removing of ,sin1 for the gathering a righteous ,generation1 that might serve the ,lord in ,purity of ,mind1 and walk before him in ,fear1 and to bring in everlasting ,righteousness1 and that evangelical ,perfection which the ,law could not do4 ,hence he is said1 ,tit4 ii4 #ad4 to have given himself for us1 that he might redeem us from all ,iniquity1 and purify unto himself a peculiar ,people1 zealous of good ,works4 ,this is certainly spoken of the ,saints while upon ,earth2 but1 contrary thereunto1 these ,men affirm1 ,that we are never redeemed from all ,iniquity1 and so make ,christ's giving of himself for us void and ineffectual1 and give the ,apostle ,paul the ,lie plainly1 by denying that ,christ purifieth to himself a peculiar ,people1 zealous of good ,works4 ,how are they zealous of good ,works1 who are ever committing evil ones8 ,how are they a purified ,people1 that are still in ,impurity1 as they are that daily ,sin1 unless ,sin be accounted no ,impurity8 ,moreover it is said expresly1 #a ,john iii4 #e4 #h4 ,that for this ,purpose the ,son of ,god was manifested1 that he might destroy the ,works of the ,devil2 and ye know that he was manifested to take away our ,sins4 ,but these ,men make this ,purpose of none ,effect2 for they will not have the ,son of ,god to destroy the ,works of the ,devil in his ,children in this ,world1 neither will they at all believe that he was manifest to take away our ,sins1 seeing they plead a ,necessity of always living in them4 ,and lest any should wrest this ,place of the ,apostle1 as if it were spoken only of taking away the ,guilt of ,sin1 as if it related not to this ,life1 the ,apostle1 as if of ,purpose to obviate such an ,objection1 adds in the following ,verses1 ,whosoever abideth in him1 sinneth not1 c4 ,i hope then they sin not daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed4 ,let no ,man deceive you2 he that doth ,righteousness1 is righteous1 even as he is righteous2 he that committeth ,sin1 is of the ,devil2 but he that sinneth daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed1 committeth ,sin2 how comes such an one then to be the ,child of ,god8 ,and if ,christ was manifest to take away ,sin1 how strangely do they overturn the ,doctrine of ,christ who deny that it is ever taken away here8 ,and how injurious are they to the ,efficacy and ,power of ,christ's ,appearance8 ,came not ,christ to gather a ,people out of ,sin into ,righteousness2 from the ,kingdom of ,satan into the ,kingdom of the dear ,son of ,god8 ,and are not they that are thus gathered by him his ,servants1 his ,children1 his ,brethren1 his ,friends8 who as he was1 so are they to be in this ,world1 holy1 pure1 and undefiled4 ,and doth not ,christ still watch over them1 stand by them1 pray for them1 and preserve them by his ,power and ,spirit1 walk in them1 and dwell among them2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,devil dwells among the ,reprobates4 even as the ,devil1 on the other ,hand1 doth among the reprobate ones8 ,how comes it then that the ,servants of ,christ are less his ,servants than the ,devil's are his8 ,or is ,christ unwilling to have his ,servants throughly pure8 ,which were gross ,blasphemy to assert1 contrary to many ,scriptures4 ,or is he not able by his ,power to preserve and enable his ,children to serve him8 ,which were no less blasphemous to affirm of him1 concerning whom the ,scriptures declare1 ,that he has overcome ,sin1 ,death1 ,hell1 and the ,grave1 and triumphed over them openly1 and that all ,power in ,heaven and ,earth is given to him4 ,but certainly if the ,saints sin daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed1 as these ,men assert1 they serve the ,devil daily1 and are subject to his ,power2 and so he prevails more than ,christ doth1 and holds the ,servants of ,christ in ,bondage1 whether ,christ will or not4 ,but how greatly then doth it contradict the ,end of ,christ's ,coming8 as it is expressed by the ,apostle1 ,ephes4 v4 #be1 #bf1 #bg4 ,even as ,christ also loved the ,church1 and gave himself for it1 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the ,washing of ,water by the ,word3 ,that he might present it to himself a glorious ,church1 not having ,spot or ,wrinkle1 or any such ,thing1 but that it should be holy1 and without ,blemish4 ,now if ,christ hath really thus answered the ,thing he came for1 then the ,members of this ,church are not always sinning in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed1 or there is no ,difference betwixt being sanctified and unsanctified1 clean and unclean1 holy and unholy1 being daily blemished with ,sin1 and being without ,blemish4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #d4 ,sidenote3 ,pastors1 ,teachers1 and ,scriptures are given for perfecting of the ,saints4 ,fourthly1 ,this ,doctrine renders the ,work of the ,ministry1 the ,preaching of the ,word1 the ,writing of the ,scripture1 and the ,prayers of holy ,men1 altogether useless and ineffectual4 ,as to the first1 ,ephes4 iv4 #aa4 ,pastors and ,teachers are said to be given for the ,perfection of the ,saints1 c4 until we all come in the ,unity of the ,faith1 and of the ,knowledge of the ,son of ,god1 unto a perfect ,man1 unto a ,measure of the ,stature of the ,fulness of ,christ4 ,now if there be a ,necessity of sinning daily1 and in all ,things1 then there can be no ,perfection2 for such as do so cannot be esteemed perfect4 ,and if for effectuating this ,perfection in the ,saints the ,ministry be appointed and disposed of ,god1 do not such as deny the ,possibility hereof render the ,ministry useless and of no ,profit8 ,seeing there can be no other true ,use assigned1 but to lead ,people out of ,sin into ,righteousness4 ,if so be these ,ministers assure us that we need never expect to be delivered from it1 do not they render their own ,work needless8 ,what needs ,preaching against ,sin1 for the reproving of which all ,preaching is1 if it can never be forsaken8 ,our ,adversaries are ,exalters of the ,scriptures in ,words1 much crying up their ,usefulness and ,perfection3 ,now the ,apostle tells us1 #b ,tim4 iii4 #ag4 ,that the ,scriptures are for making the ,man of ,god perfect2 and if this be denied to be attainable in this ,life1 then the ,scriptures are of no ,profit2 for in the other ,life we shall not have use for them4 ,it renders the ,prayers of the ,saints altogether useless1 seeing themselves do confess they ought to pray daily that ,god would deliver them from ,evil1 and free them from ,sin1 by the ,help of his ,spirit and ,grace1 while in this ,world4 ,but though we might suppose this ,absurdity to follow1 that their ,prayers are without ,faith1 yet were not that so much1 if it did not infer the like upon the holy ,apostles1 who prayed earnestly for this ,end1 and therefore no ,doubt believed it attainable1 ,col4 iv4 #ab4 ,labouring fervently for you in ,prayers1 that ye may stand perfect1 c4 #a ,thess4 iii4 #ac4 and v4 #bc1 c4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #e4 ,sidenote3 ,darkness and ,light1 ,sin and ,righteousness1 inconsistent together4 ,but ,fifthly1 ,this ,doctrine is contrary to common ,reason and ,sense4 ,for the two opposite ,principles1 whereof the one rules in the ,children of ,darkness1 the other in the ,children of ,light1 are ,sin and ,righteousness2 and as they are respectively leavened and actuated by them1 so they are accounted either as reprobated or justified1 seeing it is #gg;,abomination in the ,sight of ,god1 either to justify the ,wicked1 or condemn the ,just4 ,now to say that ,men cannot be so leavened by the one as to be delivered from the other1 is in plain ,words to affirm1 that ,sin and ,righteousness are consistent2 and that a ,man may be truly termed righteous1 though he be daily sinning in every ,thing he doth2 and then what ,difference betwixt ,good and ,evil8 ,is not this to fall into that great ,abomination of putting ,light for ,darkness8 and calling ,good ,evil1 and ,evil ,good8 ,since they say the very best ,actions of ,god's ,children are defiled and polluted1 and that those that sin daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed are good ,men and ,women1 the ,saints and holy ,servants of the holy pure ,god4 ,can there be any ,thing more repugnant than this to common ,reason8 ,since the ,subject is still denominated from that ,accident that doth most influence it2 as a ,wall is called ,white when there is much ,whiteness1 and ,black when there is much ,blackness1 and such like2 but when there is more ,unrighteousness in a ,man than ,righteousness1 that ,man ought rather to be denominated unrighteous than righteous4 ,sidenote3 ,if all daily sin1 where is the righteous ,man then spoken of in ,scripture8 ,then surely if every ,man sin daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed1 and that in his ,sins there is no ,righteousness at all1 and that all his righteous ,actions are polluted and mixed with ,sin1 then there is in every ,man more ,unrighteousness than ,righteousness2 and so no ,man ought to be called righteous1 no ,man can be said to be sanctified or washed4 ,where are then the ,children of ,god8 ,where are the purified ,ones8 ,where are they who were sometimes unholy1 but now holy2 that sometimes were ,darkness1 but now are ,light in the ,lord8 ,there can none such be found then at this ,rate1 except that ,unrighteousness be esteemed so3 ,and is not this to fall into that ,abomination above-mentioned of justifying the ,ungodly8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,blasphemy of the ,ranters or ,libertines4 ,this certainly lands in that horrid ,blasphemy of the ,ranters1 that affirm there is no ,difference betwixt ,good and ,evil1 and that all is one in the ,sight of ,god4 ,i could shew many more gross ,absurdities1 evil ,consequences1 and manifest ,contradictions implied in this sinful ,doctrine2 but this may suffice at present1 by which also in a good ,measure the ,proof of the ,truth we affirm is advanced4 ,yet nevertheless1 for the further evidencing of it1 ,i shall proceed to the second ,thing proposed by me1 to wit1 to prove this from several ,testimonies of the ,holy ,scriptures4 #gg ,prov4 #ag4 #ae4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,sect4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,and ,first1 ,i prove it from the peremptory positive ,command of ,christ and the ,apostles1 seeing this is a ,maxim engraven in every ,man's ,heart naturally1 ,that no ,man is bound to do that which is impossible3 ,since then ,christ and his ,apostles have commanded us to keep all the ,commandments1 and to be perfect in this ,respect1 it is possible for us so to do4 ,sidenote3 ,be ye perfect1 c4 ,keep my ,commandments4 ,now that this is thus commanded without any ,commentary or ,consequence1 is evidently apparent from these plain ,testimonies1 ,matt4 v4 #dh1 and vii4 #ba4 ,john xiii4 #ag4 #a ,cor4 vii4 #ai4 #b ,cor4 xiii4 #aa4 #a ,john ii4 #c1 #d1 #e1 #f4 and iii4 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1 #f1 #g1 #h1 #i1 #aj4 ,these ,scriptures intimate a positive ,command for it2 they declare the absolute ,necessity of it2 and therefore1 as if they had purposely been written to answer the ,objections of our ,opposers1 they shew the ,folly of those that will esteem themselves ,children or ,friends of ,god1 while they do otherwise4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,possibility of it4 ,secondly1 ,it is possible1 because we receive the ,gospel and ,law thereof for that ,effect2 and it is expresly promised to us1 as we are under ,grace1 as appears by these ,scriptures1 ,rom4 iv4 #ad4 ,sin shall not have ,dominion over you2 for ye are not under the ,law1 but under ,grace3 ,and ,rom4 viii4 #c4 ,for what the ,law could not do1 in that it was weak through the ,flesh1 ,god sending his own ,son1 c4 that the ,righteousness of the ,law might be fulfilled in us1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,difference of the ,law and ,gospel4 ,for if this were not a ,condition both requisite1 necessary1 and attainable under the ,gospel1 there were no ,difference betwixt the ,bringing in of a better ,hope1 and the ,law which made nothing perfect2 neither betwixt those which are under the ,gospel1 or who under the ,law enjoyed and walked in the ,life of the ,gospel and mere ,legalists4 ,whereas the ,apostle1 throughout the whole ,sixth to the ,romans1 argues not only the ,possibility but the ,necessity of being free from ,sin1 from their being under the ,gospel1 and under ,grace1 and not under the ,law2 and therefore states himself and those to whom he wrote in that ,condition in these ,verses1 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1 #f1 #g4 and therefore in the #aa1 #ab1 #ac1 #af1 #ag1 #ah ,verses1 he argues both the ,possibility and ,necessity of this ,freedom from ,sin almost in the same ,manner we did a little before2 and in the #bb;d he declares them in ,measure to have attained this ,condition in these ,words1 ,but now being made free from ,sin1 and become ,servants to ,god1 ye have your ,fruit unto ,holiness1 and the ,end everlasting ,life4 ,sidenote3 ,perfection and ,freedom from ,sin attained and made possible by the ,gospel4 ,and as this ,perfection or ,freedom from ,sin is attained and made possible where the ,gospel and inward ,law of the ,spirit is received and known1 so the ,ignorance hereof has been and is an ,occasion of opposing this ,truth4 ,for ,man not minding the ,light or ,law within his ,heart1 which not only discovers ,sin1 but leads out of it1 and so being a ,stranger to the new ,life and ,birth that is born of ,god1 which naturally does his ,will1 and cannot of its own ,nature transgress the ,commandments of ,god1 doth1 ,i say1 in his natural ,state look at the ,commandments as they are without him in the ,letter2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,letter kills1 and maketh not alive4 and finding himself reproved and convicted1 is by the ,letter killed1 but not made alive4 ,so ,man1 finding himself wounded1 and not applying himself inwardly to that which can heal1 labours in his own ,will after a ,conformity to the ,law as it is without him1 which he can never obtain1 but finds the more he wrestles1 the more he falleth short4 ,so this is the ,jew still in ,effect1 with his carnal ,commandment1 with the ,law without1 in the first ,covenant ,state1 which makes not the ,comers thereunto perfect1 as pertaining to the ,conscience1 ,heb4 ix4 #i4 though they may have here a ,notion of ,christianity1 and an external ,faith in ,christ4 ,this has made them strain and wrest the ,scriptures for an imputative ,righteousness wholly without them1 to cover their ,impurities2 and this hath made them imagine an ,acceptance with ,god possible1 though they suppose it impossible ever to obey ,christ's ,commands4 ,but alas6 ,o deceived ,souls6 that will not avail in the ,day wherein ,god will judge every ,man according to his ,work1 whether good or bad4 ,it will not save thee to say1 it was necessary for thee to sin daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed2 for such as do so have certainly obeyed ,unrighteousness3 ,and what is provided for such but ,tribulation and ,anguish1 ,indignation and ,wrath2 even as ,glory1 ,honour1 and ,peace1 ,immortality and eternal ,life to such as have done ,good1 and patiently continued in ,well-doing4 ,so then1 if thou desirest to know this ,perfection and ,freedom from ,sin possible for thee1 turn thy ,mind to the ,light and spiritual ,law of ,christ in the ,heart1 and suffer the ,reproofs thereof2 bear the ,judgment and ,indignation of ,god upon the unrighteous ,part in thee as therein is revealed1 which ,christ hath made tolerable for thee1 and so suffer ,judgment in thee to be brought forth into ,victory1 and thus come to partake of the ,fellowship of ,christ's ,sufferings1 and be made conformable unto his ,death1 ,sidenote3 ,how we partake of ,christ's ,sufferings1 and are made conformable unto his ,death4 that thou mayest feel thyself crucified with him to the ,world by the ,power of his ,cross in thee2 so that that ,life that sometimes was alive in thee to this ,world1 and the ,love and ,lusts thereof1 may die1 and a new ,life be raised1 by which thou mayest live henceforward to ,god1 and not to or for thyself2 and with the ,apostle thou mayest say1 ,gal4 ii4 #bj4 ,it is no more ,i1 but ,christ alive in me2 and then thou wilt be a ,christian indeed1 and not in ,name only1 as too many are2 then thou wilt know what it is to have put off the old ,man with his ,deeds1 who indeed sins daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed2 and to have put on the new ,man1 that it renewed in ,holiness1 after the ,image of him that hath created him1 ,ephes4 iv4 #bd4 and thou wilt witness thyself to be #gh;,god's ,workmanship1 created in ,christ ,jesus unto good ,works1 and so not to sin always4 ,and to this new ,man ,christ's ,yoke is easy1 and his ,burden is light2 though it be heavy to the old ,adam2 yea1 the ,commandments of ,god are not unto this ,man grievous2 for it is his ,meat and ,drink to be found fulfilling the ,will of ,god4 #gh ,matt4 xi4 #cj4 #a ,john v4 #c4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #c4 ,sidenote3 ,many have attained ,perfection4 ,lastly1 ,this ,perfection or ,freedom from ,sin is possible1 because many have attained it1 according to the express ,testimony of the ,scripture2 some before the ,law1 and some under the ,law1 through witnessing and partaking of the ,benefit and ,effect of the ,gospel1 and much more many under the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,enoch walked with ,god1 and was perfect4 ,as first1 ,it is written of ,enoch1 ,gen4 v4 #bb1 #bd4 that he walked with ,god1 which no ,man while sinning can2 nor doth the ,scripture record any ,failing of his4 ,it is said of ,noah1 ,gen4 vi4 #i4 and of ,job i4 #h4 and of ,zacharias and ,elizabeth1 ,luke i4 #f4 that they were perfect2 but under the ,gospel1 besides that of the ,romans above-mentioned1 see what the ,apostle saith of many ,saints in general1 ,ephes4 ii4 #d1 #e1 #f4 ,but ,god1 who is rich in ,mercy1 for his great ,love wherewith he hath loved us1 even when we were dead in ,sins1 hath quickened us together with ,christ1 by ,grace ye are saved2 and hath raised us up together1 and made us sit together in heavenly ,places in ,christ ,jesus c4 ,i judge while they were sitting in these heavenly ,places1 they could not be daily sinning in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed2 neither were all their ,works which they did there as filthy ,rags1 or as a menstruous ,garment4 ,see what is further said to the ,hebrews1 xii4 #bb1 #bc4 ,spirits of just ,men made perfect4 ,and to conclude1 let that of the ,revelations1 xiv4 #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e4 be considered1 where though their being found without ,fault be spoken in the present ,time1 yet it is not without ,respect to their ,innocency while upon ,earth2 and their being redeemed from among ,men1 and no ,guile found in their ,mouth1 is expresly mentioned in the ,time past4 ,sidenote3 ,sect ,,iii4 ,but ,i shall proceed now1 in the ,third ,place1 to answer the ,objections1 which indeed are the ,arguments of our ,opposers4 4 ,,ix4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,i shall begin with their chief and great ,argument1 which is the ,words of the ,apostle1 #a ,john i4 #h4 ,if we say that we have no ,sin1 we deceive ourselves1 and the ,truth is not in us4 ,this they think invincible4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,but is it not strange to see ,men so blinded with ,partiality8 ,how many ,scriptures tenfold more plain do they reject1 and yet stick so tenaciously to this1 that can receive so many ,answers8 ,as ,first1 ,if we say we have no ,sin1 c4 will not import the ,apostle himself to be included4 ,sidenote3 ,if we say we have no ,sin1 c4 objected4 ,sometimes the ,scripture useth this ,manner of ,expression when the ,person speaking cannot be included2 which ,manner of ,speech the ,grammarians call ,metaschematismus4 ,thus ,james iii4 #i1 #aj4 speaking of the ,tongue1 saith1 ,therewith bless we ,god1 and therewith curse we ,men2 adding1 ,these ,things ought not so to be4 ,who from this will conclude that the ,apostle was one of those ,cursers8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,but ,secondly1 ,this ,objection hitteth not the ,matter2 he saith not1 ,we sin daily in ,thought1 ,word1 and ,deed2 far less that the very good ,works which ,god works in us by his ,spirit are ,sin3 ,yea1 the very next ,verse clearly shews1 that upon ,confession and ,repentance we are not only forgiven1 but also cleansed2 ,he is faithful to forgive us our ,sins1 and to cleanse us from all ,unrighteousness4 ,here is both a ,forgiveness and ,removing of the ,guilt1 and a ,cleansing or ,removing of the ,filth2 for to make ,forgiveness and ,cleansing to belong both to the ,removing of the ,guilt1 as there is no ,reason for it from the ,text1 so it were a most violent forcing of the ,words1 and would imply a needless ,tautology4 ,the ,apostle having shewn how that not the ,guilt only1 but even the ,filth also of ,sin is removed1 subsumes his ,words in the ,time past in the #ajth ,verse1 ,if we say we have not sinned1 we make him a ,liar4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,as ,augustine well observed1 in his ,exposition upon the ,epistle to the ,galatians1 ,it is one ,thing not to sin1 and another ,thing not to have ,sin4 ,sidenote3 ,it is one ,thing1 not to sin1 and another ,thing not to have ,sin4 ,the ,apostle's ,words are not1 ,if we say we sin not1 or commit not ,sin daily1 but if we say we have no ,sin3 ,and betwixt these two there is a manifest ,difference2 for in respect all have sinned1 as we freely acknowledge1 all may be said in a ,sense to have ,sin4 ,again1 ,sin may be taken for the ,seed of ,sin1 which may be in those that are redeemed from actual ,sinning2 but as to the ,temptations and ,provocations proceeding from it being resisted by the ,servants of ,god1 and not yielded to1 they are the ,devil's ,sin that tempteth1 not the ,man's that is preserved4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,this being considered1 as also how positive and plain once and again the same ,apostle is in that very ,epistle1 as in divers ,places above cited1 is it equal or rational to strain this one ,place1 presently after so qualified and subsumed in the ,time past1 to contradict not only other positive ,expressions of his1 but the whole ,tendency of his ,epistle1 and of the rest of the holy ,commands and ,precepts of the ,scripture8 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,their second ,objection is from two ,places of ,scripture1 much of one ,signification3 ,the one is1 #a ,kings viii4 #df4 ,for there is no ,man that sinneth not4 ,the other is1 ,eccles4 vii4 #bj4 ,for there is not a just ,man upon ,earth1 that doeth ,good1 and sinneth not4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,first1 ,these affirm nothing of a daily and continual ,sinning1 so as never to be redeemed from it2 but only that all have sinned1 or that there is none that doth not sin1 though not always1 so as never to cease to sin2 and in this lies the ,question4 ,yea1 in that ,place of the ,kings he speaks within two ,verses of the returning of such with all their ,souls and ,hearts2 which implies a ,possibility of leaving off ,sin4 ,sidenote3 ,diversity of ,seasons and ,dispensations respected4 ,secondly1 ,there is a ,respect to be had to the ,seasons and ,dispensations2 for if it should be granted that in ,solomon's ,time there were none that sinned not1 it will not follow that there are none such now1 or that it is a ,thing not now attainable by the ,grace of ,god under the ,gospel3 ,for ,a non esse ad non posse non valet sequela4 ,and ,lastly1 ,this whole ,objection hangs upon a false ,interpretation2 for the ,hebrew ,word ,hebrew3 ycht'3 may be read in the ,potential ,mood1 thus1 ,there is no ,man who may not sin1 as well as in the ,indicative3 ,so both the old ,latin1 ,junius and ,tremellius1 and ,vatablus have it2 and the same ,word is so used1 ,psalm cxix4 #aa4 ,i have hid thy ,word in my ,heart1 ,hebrew3 lt'z l' 'cht' lk3 that is to say1 ,that ,i may not sin against thee1 in the ,potential ,mood1 and not in the ,indicative2 which being more answerable to the universal ,scope of the ,scriptures1 the ,testimony of the ,truth1 and the ,sense almost of all ,interpreters1 doubtless ought to be so understood1 and the other ,interpretation rejected as spurious4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,they object some ,expressions of the ,apostle ,paul1 ,rom4 viii4 #ai4 ,for the ,good that ,i would1 ,i do not2 but the ,evil which ,i would not1 that ,i do4 ,and ,ver4 #bd4 ,o wretched ,man that ,i am6 who shall deliver me from the ,body of this ,death8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,this ,place infers nothing1 unless it were apparent that the ,apostle here were speaking of his own ,condition1 and not rather in the ,person of others1 or what he himself had sometimes borne2 which is frequent in ,scripture1 as in the ,case of cursing1 in ,james before mentioned4 ,but there is nothing in the ,text that doth clearly signify the ,apostle to be speaking of himself1 or of a ,condition he was then under1 or was always to be under2 yea1 on the ,contrary1 in the former ,chapter1 as afore is at large shewn1 he declares1 they were dead to ,sin2 demanding how such should yet live any longer therein8 ,sidenote3 ,paul personates the ,wretched ,man1 to shew them the ,redeemer4 ,secondly1 ,it appears that the ,apostle personated one not yet come to a spiritual ,condition1 in that he saith1 ,ver4 #ad4 ,but ,i am carnal1 sold under ,sin4 ,now is it to be imagined1 that the ,apostle ,paul1 as to his own proper ,condition1 when he wrote that ,epistle1 was a carnal ,man1 who in ,chap4 i4 testifies of himself1 ,that he was separated to be an ,apostle1 capable to impart to the ,romans spiritual ,gifts2 and ,chap4 viii4 ,ver4 #b4 ,that the ,law of the ,spirit of ,life in ,christ ,jesus had made him free from the ,law of ,sin and ,death8 ,so then he was not carnal4 ,and seeing there are spiritual ,men in this ,life1 as our ,adversaries will not deny1 and is intimated through the whole viiith ,chapter to the ,romans1 it will not be denied but the ,apostle was one of them3 ,so then as his calling himself carnal in ,chap4 vii4 cannot be understood of his own proper ,state1 neither can the rest of what he speaks there of that ,kind be so understood3 ,yea after1 ,ver4 #bd4 where he makes that ,exclamation1 he adds in the next ,verse1 ,i thank ,god1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord2 signifying that by him he witnessed ,deliverance2 and so goeth on1 shewing how he had obtained it in the next ,chapter1 viz4 viii4 ,ver4 #ce4 ,who shall separate us from the ,love of ,christ8 ,and ,ver4 #cg4 ,but in all these ,things we are more than ,conquerors3 ,and in the last ,verse1 ,nothing shall be able to separate us1 c4 ,but wherever there is a continuing in ,sin1 there is a ,separation in some ,degree1 seeing every ,sin is contrary to ,god1 and ,greek3 anomia3 1 i4 e4 a ,transgression of the ,law1 #a ,john iii4 #d4 ,sidenote3 ,whom ,sin has conquered1 he is no ,conqueror4 and whoever committeth the least ,sin1 is overcome of it1 and so in that ,respect is not a ,conqueror1 but conquered4 ,this ,condition then1 which the ,apostle plainly testified he with some others had obtained1 could not consist with continual remaining and abiding in ,sin4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,they object the ,faults and ,sins of several eminent ,saints1 as ,noah1 ,david1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,that doth not at all prove the ,case3 ,for the ,question is not1 ,whether good ,men may not fall into ,sin1 which is not denied2 but whether it be not possible for them not to sin8 ,sidenote3 ,can they that sin1 be never freed from ,sin4 ,it will not follow because these ,men sinned1 that therefore they were never free of ,sin1 but always sinned3 ,for at this ,rate of arguing1 it might be urged1 according to this ,rule 7,contrariorum par ratio1 i4 e4 ,the ,reason of ,contraries is alike7 that if1 because a good ,man hath sinned once or twice1 he can never be free from ,sin1 but must always be daily and continually a ,sinner all his ,life long2 then by the ,rule of ,contraries1 if a wicked ,man have done ,good once or twice1 he can never be free from ,righteousness1 but must always be a righteous ,man all his ,life-time3 ,which as it is most absurd in itself1 so it is contrary to the plain ,testimony of the ,scripture1 ,ezek4 xxxiii4 #ab4 to #ah4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 ,lastly1 ,they object1 ,that if ,perfection or ,freedom from ,sin be attainable1 this will render ,mortification of ,sin useless1 and make the ,blood of ,christ of no ,service to us1 neither need we any more pray for ,forgiveness of ,sins4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,i had almost omitted this ,objection1 because of the manifest ,absurdity of it3 ,for can ,mortification of ,sin be useless1 where the ,end of it is obtained8 ,seeing there is no attaining of this ,perfection but by ,mortification4 ,sidenote3 ,who fights and not in ,hopes to overcome his ,foe8 ,doth the ,hope and ,belief of overcoming render the ,fight unnecessary8 ,let rational ,men judge which hath most ,sense in it1 to say as our ,adversaries do1 ,it is necessary that we fight and wrestle1 but we must never think of overcoming1 we must resolve still to be overcome2 or to say1 ,let us fight1 because we may overcome8 ,whether do such as believe they may be cleansed by it1 or those that believe they can never be cleansed by it1 render the ,blood of ,christ most effectual8 ,if two ,men were both grievously diseased1 and applied themselves to a ,physician for ,remedy1 which of those do most commend the ,physician and his ,cure1 he that believeth he may be cured by him1 and as he feels himself cured1 confesseth that he is so1 and so can say this is a skilful ,physician1 this is a good ,medicine1 behold ,i am made whole by it2 or he that never is cured1 nor ever believes that he can so long as he lives8 ,sidenote3 ,praying for ,forgiveness of ,sins4 ,as for praying for ,forgiveness1 we deny it not2 for that all have sinned1 and therefore all need to pray that their ,sins past may be blotted out1 and that they may be daily preserved from sinning4 ,and if hoping or believing to be made free from ,sin hinders praying for ,forgiveness of ,sin1 it would follow by the same ,inference that ,men ought not to forsake ,murder1 ,adultery1 or any of these gross ,evils1 seeing the more ,men are sinful1 the more plentiful ,occasion there would be of asking ,forgiveness of ,sin1 and the more ,work for ,mortification4 ,but the ,apostle had sufficiently refuted such sin-pleasing ,cavils in these ,words1 ,rom4 vi4 #a1 #b4 ,shall we continue in ,sin that ,grace may abound8 ,god forbid4 ,but ,lastly1 ,it may be easily answered1 by a ,retortion to those that press this from the ,words of the ,lord's ,prayer1 forgive us our ,debts1 that this militates no less against perfect ,justification than against perfect ,sanctification3 ,for if all the ,saints1 the least as well as the greatest1 be perfectly justified in that very ,hour wherein they are converted1 as our ,adversaries will have it1 then they have ,remission of ,sins long before they die4 ,may it not then be said to them1 ,what ,need have ye to pray for ,remission of ,sin1 who are already justified1 whose ,sins are long ago forgiven1 both past and to come8 4 ,x4 ,sidenote3 ,testimonies of the ,fathers1 concerning ,perfection1 or ,freedom from ,sin4 ,but this may suffice3 ,concerning this ,possibility ,jerome speaks clearly enough1 ,lib4 #c4 adver4 ,pelagium1 8,this we also say1 that a ,man may not sin1 if he will1 for a ,time and ,place1 according to his bodily ,weakness1 so long as his ,mind is intent1 so long as the ,cords of the ,cithara relax not by any ,vice20 ,sidenote3 ,jerome4 and again in the same ,book1 8,which is that that ,i said1 that it is put in our ,power 7to wit1 being helped by the ,grace of ,god7 either to sin or not to sin40 ,for this was the ,error of ,pelagius1 which we indeed reject and abhor1 and which the ,fathers deservedly withstood1 8,that ,man by his natural ,strength1 without the ,help of ,god's ,grace1 could attain to that ,state so as not to sin40 ,sidenote3 ,augustine4 ,and ,augustine himself1 a great ,opposer of the ,pelagian ,heresy1 did not deny this ,possibility as attainable by the ,help of ,god's ,grace1 as in his ,book de ,spiritu ,liter1 ,cap4 #b4 and his ,book de ,natur ,grati against ,pelagius1 ,cap4 #db1 #ej1 #fj1 and #fc4 de ,gestis ,concilii ,palstini1 ,cap4 #g4 #b4 and de ,peccato ,originali1 ,lib4 #b4 ,cap4 #b4 ,sidenote3 ,gelasius4 ,gelasius also1 in his ,disputation against ,pelagius1 saith1 8,but if any affirm that this may be given to some ,saints in this ,life1 not by the ,power of ,man's ,strength1 but by the ,grace of ,god1 he doth well to think so confidently1 and hope it faithfully2 for by this ,gift of ,god all ,things are possible40 ,sidenote3 ,that by the ,gift of ,god all ,things are possible4 ,that this was the common ,opinion of the ,fathers1 appears from the ,words of the ,aszansic ,council1 ,canon the last1 8,we believe also this according to the ,catholick ,faith1 that all who are baptized through ,grace by ,baptism received1 and ,christ helping them1 and co-working1 may and ought to do whatsoever belongs to ,salvation1 if they will faithfully labour40 4 ,,xi4 ,sidenote3 ,conclusion4 ,blessed then are they that believe in him1 who is both able and willing to deliver as many as come to him through true ,repentance from all ,sin1 and do not resolve1 as these ,men do1 to be the ,devil's ,servants all their ,life-time1 but daily go on forsaking ,sidenote3 ,phil4 #c4 #ad4 ,press forward to the ,mark1 for the ,prize1 and ,overcoming4 ,unrighteousness1 and forgetting those ,things that are behind1 press forward toward the ,mark1 for the ,prize of the high ,calling of ,god in ,christ ,jesus2 such shall not find their ,faith and ,confidence to be in vain1 but in due ,time shall be made ,conquerors through him in whom they have believed2 and so overcoming1 shall be established as ,pillars in the ,house of ,god1 so as they shall go no more out1 ,rev4 iii4 #ab4 ,,proposition ,,ix4 ,concerning ,,perseverance1 and the ,possibility of ,,falling from ,,grace4 ,although this ,gift and inward ,grace of ,god be sufficient to work out ,salvation1 yet in those in whom it is resisted it both may and doth become their ,condemnation4 ,moreover they in whose ,hearts it hath wrought in ,part to purify and sanctify them in order to their further ,perfection1 may1 by ,disobedience1 fall from it1 turn it to ,wantonness1 ,jude #d4 make ,shipwreck of ,faith1 #a ,tim4 i4 #ai4 and after having tasted the heavenly ,gift1 and been made ,partakers of the ,holy ,ghost1 again fall away1 ,heb4 vi4 #d1 #e1 #f4 yet such an ,increase and ,stability in the ,truth may in this ,life be attained1 from which there can be no total ,apostasy4 4 ,i4 ,the first ,sentence of this ,proposition hath already been treated of in the fifth and sixth ,propositions1 where it hath been shewn that that ,light which is given for ,life and ,salvation becomes the ,condemnation of those that refuse it1 and therefore is already proved in those ,places1 where ,i did demonstrate the ,possibility of ,man's resisting the ,grace and ,spirit of ,god2 and indeed it is so apparent in the ,scriptures1 that it cannot be denied by such as will but seriously consider these ,testimonies1 ,prov4 i4 #bd1 #be1 #bf4 ,john iii4 #ah1 #ai4 #b ,thess4 ii4 #aa1 #ab4 ,acts vii4 #ea4 xiii4 #df4 ,rom4 i4 #ah4 ,as for the other ,part of it1 that they in whom this ,grace may have wrought in a good ,measure in order to purify and sanctify them1 tending to their further ,perfection1 may afterwards1 through ,disobedience1 fall away1 c4 ,the ,testimonies of the ,scripture included in the ,proposition itself are sufficient to prove it to ,men of unbiassed ,judgment2 but because as to this ,part our ,cause is common with many other ,protestants1 ,i shall be the more brief in it3 ,for it is not my ,design to do that which is done already1 neither do ,i covet to appear knowing by writing much2 but simply purpose to present to the ,world a faithful ,account of our ,principles1 and briefly to let them understand what we have to say for ourselves4 4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,a ,falling from ,grace by ,disobedience evinced4 ,from these ,scriptures then included in the ,proposition1 not to mention many more which might be urged1 ,i argue thus3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #a4 ,if ,men may turn the ,grace of ,god into ,wantonness1 then they must once have had it3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore also the ,second4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #b4 ,if ,men may make ,shipwreck of ,faith1 they must once have had it2 ,neither could they ever have had true ,faith without the ,grace of ,god3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore also the ,last4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #c4 ,if ,men may have tasted of the heavenly ,gift1 and been made ,partakers of the ,holy ,spirit1 and afterwards fall away1 they must needs have known in ,measure the ,operation of ,god's saving ,grace and ,spirit1 without which no ,man could taste the heavenly ,gift1 nor yet partake of the ,holy ,spirit3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore also the ,last4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,the ,doctrine of ,election and ,reprobation is inconsistent with ,preaching1 and daily ,exhortation4 ,secondly1 ,seeing the contrary ,doctrine is built upon this false ,hypothesis1 ,that ,grace is not given for ,salvation to any1 but to a certain elect ,number1 which cannot lose it1 and that all the rest of ,mankind1 by an absolute ,decree1 are debarred from ,grace and ,salvation2 that being destroyed1 this falls to the ,ground4 ,now as that ,doctrine of theirs is wholly inconsistent with the daily ,practice of those that preach it1 in that they exhort ,people to believe and be saved1 while in the mean ,time1 if they belong to the ,decree of ,reprobation1 it is simply impossible for them so to do2 and if to the ,decree of ,election1 it is needless1 seeing it is as impossible to them to miss of it1 as hath been before demonstrated4 ,so also in this ,matter of ,perseverance1 their ,practice and ,principle are no less inconsistent and contradictory4 ,for while they daily exhort ,people to be faithful to the ,end1 shewing them if they continue not1 they shall be cut off1 and fall short of the ,reward2 which is very true1 but no less inconsistent with that ,doctrine that affirms there is no ,hazard1 because no ,possibility of departing from the least ,measure of true ,grace2 which if true1 it is to no ,purpose to beseech them to stand1 to whom ,god hath made it impossible to fall4 ,i shall not longer insist upon the ,probation of this1 seeing what is said may suffice to answer my ,design2 and that the ,thing is also abundantly proved by many of the same ,judgment4 ,that this was the ,doctrine of the primitive ,protestants thence appears1 that the ,augustine ,confession condemns it as an ,error of the ,anabaptists1 to say1 ,that they who once are justified1 cannot lose the ,holy ,spirit4 ,many such like ,sayings are to be found in the common ,places of ,philip ,melancthon4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,opinion of the ,fathers concerning falling from ,grace4 ,vossius1 in his ,pelagian ,history1 ,lib4 #f4 testifies1 ,that this was the common ,opinion of the ,fathers4 ,in the ,confirmation of the twelfth ,thesis1 ,page #ehg4 he hath these ,words3 8,that this which we have said was the common ,sentiment of ,antiquity1 those at present can only deny1 who otherwise perhaps are ,men not unlearned1 but nevertheless in ,antiquity altogether ,strangers1 c40 ,these ,things thus observed1 ,i come to the ,objections of our ,opposers4 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,first1 ,they allege1 ,that those ,places mentioned of making ,shipwreck of ,faith1 are only to be understood of seeming ,faith1 and not of a real true ,faith4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,a good and evil ,conscience4 ,this ,objection is very weak1 and apparently contrary to the ,text1 #a ,tim4 i4 #ai4 where the ,apostle addeth to ,faith a good ,conscience1 by way of ,complaint2 whereas if their ,faith had been only seeming and hypocritical1 the ,men had been better without it than with it2 neither had they been worthy of ,blame for losing that which in itself was ,evil4 ,but the ,apostle expresly adds and of a good ,conscience1 which shews it was real2 neither can it be supposed that ,men could truly attain a good ,conscience without the ,operation of ,god's saving ,grace2 far less that a good ,conscience doth consist with a seeming false and hypocritical ,faith4 ,again1 these ,places of the ,apostle being spoken by way of ,regret1 clearly import that these ,attainments they had fallen from were good and real1 not false and deceitful1 else he would not have regretted their falling from them2 and so he saith positively1 ,they tasted of the heavenly ,gift1 and were made ,partakers of the ,holy ,ghost1 c4 not that they seemed to be so1 which sheweth this ,objection is very frivolous4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,they allege1 ,phil4 i4 #f4 ,being confident of this very ,thing1 that he which hath begun a good ,work in you will perform it until the ,day of ,jesus ,christ1 c4 and #a ,pet4 i4 #e4 ,who are kept by the ,power of ,god through ,faith unto ,salvation4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,these ,scriptures1 as they do not affirm any ,thing positively contrary to us1 so they cannot be understood otherwise than as the ,condition is performed upon our ,part1 ,sidenote3 ,salvation is proposed upon certain ,conditions by us to be performed4 seeing ,salvation is no otherways proposed there but upon certain necessary ,conditions to be performed by us1 as hath been above proved1 and as our ,adversaries also acknowledge1 as ,rom4 viii4 #ac4 ,for if ye live after the ,flesh1 ye shall die2 but if ye through the ,spirit do mortify the ,deeds of the ,body1 ye shall live4 ,and ,heb4 iii4 #ad4 ,we are made ,partakers of ,christ1 if we hold the ,beginning of our ,confidence stedfast unto the ,end4 ,for if these ,places of the ,scripture upon which they build their ,objections were to be admitted without these ,conditions1 it would manifestly overturn the whole ,tenor of their ,exhortations throughout all their ,writings4 ,some other ,objections there are of the same ,nature1 which are solved by the same ,answers1 which also1 because largely treated of by others1 ,i omit1 to come to that ,testimony of the ,truth which is more especially ours in this ,matter1 and is contained in the latter ,part of the ,proposition in these ,words3 ,yet such an ,increase and ,stability in the ,truth may in this ,life be attained1 from which there cannot be a total ,apostasy4 4 ,,iv4 ,as in the ,explanation of the fifth and sixth ,proposition ,i observed1 that some that had denied the ,errors of others concerning ,reprobation1 and affirmed the ,universality of ,christ's ,death1 did notwithstanding fall short in sufficiently holding forth the ,truth1 and so gave the contrary ,party ,occasion by their ,defects to be strengthened in their ,errors1 so it may be said in this ,case4 ,sidenote3 ,the two ,extremes some run into1 by asserting a final ,falling or not ,falling from ,grace impossible4 ,as upon the one ,hand they err who affirm1 ,that the least ,degree of true and saving ,grace cannot be fallen from1 so do they err upon the other ,hand that deny any such ,stability to be attained from which there cannot be a total and final ,apostasy4 ,and betwixt these two extremes lieth the ,truth apparent in the ,scriptures1 which ,god hath revealed unto us by the ,testimony of his ,spirit1 and which also we are made sensible of by our own ,experience4 ,and even as in the former ,controversy was observed1 so also in this1 the ,defence of ,truth will readily appear to such as seriously weigh the ,matter2 for the ,arguments upon both ,hands1 rightly applied1 will as to this hold good2 and the ,objections1 which are strong as they are respectively urged against the two opposite false ,opinions1 are here easily solved1 by the ,establishing of this ,truth4 ,for all the ,arguments which these allege that affirm1 ,there can be no falling away1 may well be received upon the one ,part1 as of those who have attained to this ,stability and ,establishment1 and their ,objections solved by this ,confession2 so upon the other ,hand1 the ,arguments alleged from ,scripture ,testimonies by those that affirm the ,possibility of falling away may well be received of such as are not come to this ,establishment1 though having attained a ,measure of true ,grace4 ,thus then the contrary ,batterings of ,our ,adversaries1 who miss the ,truth1 do concur the more strongly to establish it1 while they are destroying each other4 ,but lest this may not seem to suffice to satisfy such as judge it always possible for the best of ,men before they die to fall away1 ,i shall add1 for the ,proof of it1 some brief ,considerations from some few ,testimonies of the ,scripture4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,watchfulness and ,diligence is of indispensible ,necessity to all4 ,and ,first1 ,i freely acknowledge that it is good for all to be humble1 and in this ,respect not over confident1 so as to lean to this1 to foster themselves in ,iniquity1 or lie down in ,security1 as if they had attained this ,condition1 seeing ,watchfulness and ,diligence is of indispensible ,necessity to all mortal ,men1 so long as they breathe in this ,world2 for ,god will have this to be the constant ,practice of a ,christian1 that thereby he may be the more fit to serve him1 and better armed against all the ,temptations of the ,enemy4 ,for since the ,wages of ,sin is ,death1 there is no ,man1 while he sinneth1 and is subject thereunto1 but may lawfully suppose himself capable of perishing4 ,hence the ,apostle ,paul himself saith1 #a ,cor4 ix4 #bg4 ,but ,i keep under my ,body1 and bring it into ,subjection1 lest that by any ,means1 when ,i have preached to others1 ,i myself should be a ,cast-away4 ,here the ,apostle supposes it possible for him to be a ,cast-away2 and yet it may be judged he was far more advanced in the inward ,work of ,regeneration1 when he wrote that ,epistle1 than many who now-a-days too presumptuously suppose they cannot fall away1 because they feel themselves to have attained some small ,degree of true ,grace4 ,but the ,apostle makes ,use of this ,supposition or ,possibility of his being a ,cast-away1 as ,i before observed1 as an ,inducement to them to be watchful2 ,i keep under my ,body1 lest1 c4 ,nevertheless the same ,apostle1 at another ,time1 in the ,sense and ,feeling of ,god's holy ,power1 and in the ,dominion thereof1 finding himself a ,conqueror therethrough over ,sin and his ,soul's ,enemies1 maketh no ,difficulty to affirm1 ,rom4 viii4 #ch4 ,for ,i am persuaded that neither ,death nor ,life1 c4 which clearly sheweth that he had attained a ,condition from which he knew he could not fall away4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,condition attainable in this ,life1 from which there is no ,falling away4 ,but ,secondly1 ,it appears such a ,condition is attainable1 because we are exhorted to it2 and1 as hath been proved before1 the ,scripture never proposeth to us ,things impossible4 ,such an ,exhortation we have from the ,apostle1 #b ,pet4 i4 #aj4 ,wherefore the rather1 ,brethren1 give ,diligence to make your ,calling and ,election sure4 ,and though there be a ,condition here proposed1 yet since we have already proved that it is possible to fulfil this ,condition1 then also the ,promise annexed thereunto may be attained4 ,and since1 where ,assurance is wanting1 there is still a ,place left for ,doubtings and ,despairs1 if we should affirm it never attainable1 then should there never be a ,place known by the ,saints in this ,world1 wherein they might be free of ,doubting and ,despair2 which as it is most absurd in itself1 so it is contrary to the manifest ,experience of ,thousands4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,a certain ,assurance and ,establishment given of ,god to many of his ,saints and ,children4 ,thirdly1 ,god hath given to many of his ,saints and ,children1 and is ready to give unto all1 a full and certain ,assurance that they are his1 and that no ,power shall be able to pluck them out of his ,hand4 ,but this ,assurance would be no ,assurance1 if those who are so assured were not established and confirmed beyond all ,doubt and ,hesitation3 ,if so1 then surely there is no ,possibility for such to miss of that which ,god hath assured them of4 ,and that there is such ,assurance attainable in this ,life1 the ,scripture abundantly declareth1 both in general and as to particular ,persons4 ,as first1 ,rev4 iii4 #ab4 ,him that overcometh will ,i make a ,pillar in the ,temple of my ,god1 and he shall go no more out1 c4 which containeth a general ,promise unto all4 ,hence the ,apostle speaks of some that are sealed1 #b ,cor4 i4 #bb4 ,who hath also sealed us1 and given the ,earnest of the ,spirit in our ,hearts3 ,wherefore the ,spirit so sealing is called the ,earnest or ,pledge of our ,inheritance1 ,ephes4 i4 #ac4 ,in whom ye were sealed by the ,holy ,spirit of ,promise4 ,and therefore the ,apostle ,paul1 not only in that of the ,romans above noted1 declareth himself to have attained that ,condition1 but #b ,tim4 iv4 #g4 he affirmeth in these ,words1 ,i have fought a good ,fight1 c4 which also many good ,men have and do witness4 ,and therefore as there can be nothing more evident than that which the manifest ,experience of this ,time sheweth1 and therein is found agreeable to the ,experience of former ,times1 so we see there have been both of old and of late that have turned the ,grace of ,god into ,wantonness1 and have fallen from their ,faith and ,integrity2 thence we may safely conclude such a ,falling away possible4 ,we also see that some of old and of late have attained a certain ,assurance1 some ,time before they departed1 that they should inherit eternal ,life1 and have accordingly died in that good ,hope1 of and concerning whom the ,spirit of ,god testified that they are saved4 ,wherefore we all see such a ,state is attainable in this ,life1 from which there is not a ,falling away3 ,for seeing the ,spirit of ,god did so testify1 it was not possible that they should perish1 concerning whom he who cannot lie thus bare ,witness4 ,,proposition ,x4 ,concerning the ,,ministry4 ,as by the ,light or ,gift of ,god all true ,knowledge in ,things spiritual is received and revealed1 so by the same1 as it is manifested and received in the ,heart1 by the ,strength and ,power thereof1 every true ,minister of the ,gospel is ordained1 prepared1 and supplied in the ,work of the ,ministry2 and by the ,leading1 ,moving1 and ,drawing hereof ought every ,evangelist and ,christian ,pastor to be led and ordered in his ,labour and ,work of the ,gospel1 both as to the ,place where1 as to the ,persons to whom1 and as to the ,time wherein he is to minister4 ,moreover they who have this ,authority may and ought to preach the ,gospel1 though without human ,commission or ,literature2 as on the other ,hand1 they who want the ,authority of this divine ,gift1 however learned1 or authorized by the ,commission of ,men and ,churches1 are to be esteemed but as ,deceivers1 and not true ,ministers of the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,gospel to be preached freely4 ,mat4 #aj4 #h4 ,also they who have received this holy and unspotted ,gift1 as they have freely received it1 so are they freely to give it1 without ,hire or ,bargaining1 far less to use it as a ,trade to get ,money by3 ,yet ,god hath called any one from their ,employment or ,trades1 by which they acquire their ,livelihood1 it may be lawful for such1 according to the ,liberty which they feel given them in the ,lord1 to receive such ,temporals 7to wit1 what may be needful for them for ,meat and ,clothing7 as are given them freely and cordially by those to whom they have communicated ,spirituals4 4 ,i4 ,hitherto ,i have treated of those ,things which relate to the ,christian ,faith and ,christians1 as they stand each in his private and particular ,condition1 and how and by what ,means every ,man may be a ,christian indeed1 and so abide4 ,now ,i come in order to speak of those ,things that relate to ,christians1 as they are stated in a joint ,fellowship and ,communion1 and come under a visible and outward ,society1 which ,society is called the ,church of ,god1 and in ,scripture compared to a ,body1 and therefore named the ,body of ,christ4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,church of ,god is the spiritual ,body of ,christ4 ,as then in the natural ,body there be divers ,members1 all concurring to the common ,end of preserving and confirming the whole ,body1 so in this spiritual and mystical ,body there are also divers ,members1 according to the different ,measures of ,grace and of the ,spirit diversly administered unto each ,member2 and from this ,diversity ariseth that ,distinction of ,persons in the visible ,society of ,christians1 as of ,apostles1 ,pastors1 ,evangelists1 ,ministers1 c4 ,that which in this ,proposition is proposed1 is1 ,what makes or constitutes any a ,minister of the ,church1 what his ,qualifications ought to be1 and how he ought to behave himself8 ,but because it may seem somewhat preposterous to speak of the distinct ,offices of the ,church until something be said of the ,church in general1 though nothing positively be said of it in the ,proposition2 yet1 as here implied1 ,i shall briefly premise something thereof1 and then proceed to the particular ,members of it4 4 ,,ii4 ,it is not in the least my ,design to meddle with those tedious and many ,controversies wherewith the ,papists and ,protestants do tear one another concerning this ,thing2 but only according to the ,truth manifested to me1 and revealed in me by the ,testimony of the ,spirit1 according to that ,proportion of ,wisdom given me1 briefly to hold forth as a necessary ,introduction both to this ,matter of the ,ministry and of ,worship1 which followeth those ,things which ,i1 together with my ,brethren1 do believe concerning the ,church4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,etymology of the ,word ,greek3 ekklsia3 7the ,church7 and ,signification of it4 ,the ,church then1 according to the grammatical ,signification of the ,word1 as it is used in the holy ,scripture1 signifies an ,assembly or ,gathering of many into one ,place2 for the ,substantive ,greek3 ekklsia3 comes from the ,word ,greek3 ekkale3 ,i call out of1 and originally from ,greek3 kale3 ,i call2 and indeed1 as this is the grammatical ,sense of the ,word1 so also it is the real and proper ,signification of the ,thing1 the ,church being no other ,thing but the ,society1 ,gathering1 or ,company of such as ,god hath called out of the ,world1 and worldly ,spirit1 to walk in his ,,light and ,,life4 ,the ,church then so defined is to be considered as it comprehends all that are thus called and gathered truly by ,god1 both such as are yet in this inferior ,world1 and such as having already laid down the earthly ,tabernacle1 are passed into their heavenly ,mansions1 which together do make up the one ,catholick ,church1 concerning which there is so much ,controversy4 ,sidenote3 ,no ,salvation without the ,church4 ,out of which ,church we freely acknowledge there can be no ,salvation2 because under this ,church and its ,denomination are comprehended all1 and as many1 of whatsoever ,nation1 ,kindred1 ,tongue1 or ,people they be1 though outwardly ,strangers1 and remote from those who profess ,christ and ,christianity in ,words1 and have the ,benefit of the ,scriptures1 as become obedient to the holy ,light and ,testimony of ,god in their ,hearts1 so as to become sanctified by it1 and cleansed from the ,evils of their ,ways4 ,sidenote3 ,what the ,church is4 ,for this is the ,universal or ,catholick ,spirit1 by which many are called from all the four ,corners of the ,earth1 and shall sit down with ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob3 ,by this the secret ,life and ,virtue of ,jesus is conveyed into many that are afar off1 even as by the ,blood that runs into the ,veins and ,arteries of the natural ,body the ,life is conveyed from the ,head and ,heart unto the extreme ,parts4 ,sidenote3 ,turks and ,jews may become ,members of this ,church4 ,there may be ,members therefore of this ,catholick ,church both among ,heathens1 ,turks1 ,jews1 and all the several ,sorts of ,christians1 ,men and ,women of ,integrity and ,simplicity of ,heart1 who though blinded in some ,things in their ,understanding1 and perhaps burdened with the ,superstitions and ,formality of the several ,sects in which they are ingrossed1 yet being upright in their ,hearts before the ,lord1 chiefly aiming and labouring to be delivered from ,iniquity1 and loving to follow ,righteousness1 are by the secret ,touches of this holy ,light in their ,souls enlivened and quickened1 thereby secretly united to ,god1 and therethrough become true ,members of this ,catholick ,church4 ,now the ,church in this ,respect hath been in ,being in all ,generations2 for ,god never wanted some such ,witnesses for him1 though many ,times slighted1 and not much observed by this ,world2 and therefore this ,church1 though still in ,being1 hath been oftentimes as it were invisible1 in that it hath not come under the ,observations of the ,men of this ,world1 being1 as saith the ,scripture1 ,jer4 iii4 #ad4 ,one of a ,city1 and two of a ,family4 ,and yet though the ,church thus considered may be as it were hid from wicked ,men1 as not then gathered into a visible ,fellowship1 yea1 and not observed even by some that are ,members of it1 yet may there notwithstanding many belong to it2 as when ,elias complained he was left alone1 #a ,kings xix4 #ah4 ,god answered unto him1 ,i have reserved to myself seven thousand ,men1 who have not bowed their ,knees to the ,image of ,baal2 whence the ,apostle argues1 ,rom4 xi4 the ,being of a ,remnant in his ,day4 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,definition of the ,church of ,god1 as gathered into a visible ,fellowship4 ,secondly1 ,the ,church is to be considered as it signifies a certain ,number of ,persons gathered by ,god's ,spirit1 and by the ,testimony of some of his ,servants raised up for that ,end1 unto the ,belief of the true ,principles and ,doctrines of the ,christian ,faith1 who through their ,hearts being united by the same ,love1 and their ,understandings informed in the same ,truths1 gather1 meet1 and assemble together to wait upon ,god1 to worship him1 and to bear a joint ,testimony for the ,truth against ,error1 suffering for the same1 and so becoming through this ,fellowship as one ,family and ,houshold in certain ,respects1 do each of them watch over1 teach1 instruct1 and care for one another1 according to their several ,measures and ,attainments3 ,such were the ,churches of the primitive ,times gathered by the ,apostles2 whereof we have divers mentioned in the holy ,scriptures4 ,and as to the ,visibility of the ,church in this ,respect1 there hath been a great ,interruption since the ,apostles ,days1 by ,reason of the ,apostasy1 as will hereafter appear4 4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,how to become a ,member of that ,church4 ,to be a ,member then of the ,catholick ,church1 there is ,need of the ,inward ,calling of ,god by his ,light in the ,heart1 and a being leavened into the ,nature and ,spirit of it1 so as to forsake ,unrighteousness1 and be turned to ,righteousness1 and in the ,inwardness of the ,mind to be cut out of the wild ,olive ,tree of our own first fallen ,nature1 and ingrafted into ,christ by his ,word and ,spirit in the ,heart4 ,and this may be done in those who are ,strangers to the ,history1 7,god not having pleased to make them ,partakers thereof7 as in the fifth and sixth ,propositions hath already been proved4 ,sidenote3 ,the outward ,profession of the ,members of the true ,church4 ,to be a ,member of a particular ,church of ,christ1 as this inward ,work is indispensibly necessary1 so is also the outward ,profession of1 and ,belief in1 ,jesus ,christ1 and those holy ,truths delivered by his ,spirit in the ,scriptures2 seeing the ,testimony of the ,spirit recorded in the ,scriptures1 doth answer the ,testimony of the same ,spirit in the ,heart1 even as ,face answereth ,face in a ,glass4 ,hence it follows1 that the inward ,work of ,holiness1 and forsaking ,iniquity1 is necessary in every ,respect to the being a ,member in the ,church of ,christ2 and that the outward ,profession is necessary to be a ,member of a particular gathered ,church1 but not to the being a ,member of the ,catholick ,church2 yet it is absolutely necessary1 where ,god affords the ,opportunity of knowing it3 ,and the outward ,testimony is to be believed1 where it is presented and revealed2 the ,sum whereof hath upon other ,occasions been already proved4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,members of the ,antichristian ,church in the ,apostasy1 their empty ,profession4 ,but contrary hereunto1 the ,devil1 that worketh and hath wrought in the ,mystery of ,iniquity1 hath taught his ,followers to affirm1 ,that no ,man1 however holy1 is a ,member of the ,church of ,christ without the outward ,profession2 and unless he be initiated thereinto by some outward ,ceremonies4 ,and again1 ,that ,men who have this outward ,profession1 though inwardly unholy1 may be ,members of the true ,church of ,christ1 yea1 and ought to be so esteemed4 ,this is plainly to put ,light for ,darkness1 and ,darkness for ,light2 as if ,god had a greater ,regard to ,words than ,actions1 and were more pleased with vain ,professions than with real ,holiness3 ,but these ,things ,i have sufficiently refuted heretofore4 ,only from hence let it be observed1 that upon this false and rotten ,foundation ,antichrist hath built his ,babylonish ,structure1 and the ,antichristian ,church in the ,apostasy hath hereby reared herself up to that ,height and ,grandeur she hath attained2 so as to exalt herself above all that is called ,god1 and sit in the ,temple of ,god as ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,decay of the ,church4 ,for the particular ,churches of ,christ1 gathered in the ,apostles ,days1 soon after beginning to decay as to the inward ,life1 came to be overgrown with several ,errors1 and the ,hearts of the ,professors of ,christianity to be leavened with the old ,spirit and ,conversation of the ,world4 ,yet it pleased ,god for some ,centuries to preserve that ,life in many1 whom he emboldened with ,zeal to stand and suffer for his ,name through the ten ,persecutions3 ,but these being over1 the ,meekness1 ,gentleness1 ,love1 ,long-suffering1 ,goodness1 and ,temperance of ,christianity began to be lost4 ,sidenote3 ,when ,men became ,christians by ,birth1 and not by ,conversion1 ,christianity came to be lost4 ,for after that the ,princes of the ,earth came to take upon them that ,profession1 and that it ceased to be a ,reproach to be a ,christian1 but rather became a ,means to ,preferment2 ,men became such by ,birth and ,education1 and not by ,conversion and ,renovation of ,spirit3 ,then there was none so vile1 none so wicked1 none so profane1 who became not a ,member of the ,church4 ,and the ,teachers and ,pastors thereof becoming the ,companions of ,princes1 and so being enriched by their ,benevolence1 and getting vast ,treasures and ,estates1 became puffed up1 and as it were drunken with the vain ,pomp and ,glory of this ,world3 ,and so marshalled themselves in manifold ,orders and ,degrees2 not without innumerable ,contests and ,altercations who should have the #gi,precedency4 ,so the ,virtue1 ,life1 ,substance1 and ,kernel of ,christian ,religion came to be lost1 and nothing remained but a ,shadow and ,image2 which dead ,image1 or ,carcase of ,christianity 7to make it take the better with the superstitious ,multitude of ,heathens that were engrossed in it1 not by any inward ,conversion of their ,hearts1 or by becoming less wicked or superstitious1 but by a little ,change in the ,object of their ,superstition7 not having the inward ,ornament and ,life of the ,spirit1 became decked with many outward and visible ,orders1 and beautified with the ,gold1 ,silver1 precious ,stones1 and the other splendid ,ornaments of this perishing ,world3 ,so that this was no more to be accounted the ,christian ,religion1 and ,christian ,church1 notwithstanding the outward ,profession1 than the dead ,body of a ,man is to be accounted a living ,man2 which1 however cunningly embalmed1 and adorned with ever so much ,gold or ,silver1 or most precious ,stones1 or sweet ,ointments1 is but a dead ,body still1 without ,sense1 ,life1 or ,motion4 ,sidenote3 ,in the ,church of ,rome are no less ,superstitions and ,ceremonies introduced1 than were either among ,jews or ,heathens4 ,for that ,apostate ,church of ,rome has introduced no fewer ,ceremonies and ,superstitions into the ,christian ,profession1 than were either among ,jews or ,heathens2 and that there is and hath been as much1 yea1 and more ,pride1 ,covetousness1 ,uncleanness1 ,luxury1 ,fornication1 ,profaneness and ,atheism among her ,teachers and chief ,bishops1 than ever was among any ,sort of ,people1 none need doubt1 that have read their own ,authors1 to wit1 ,platina and others4 #gi ,as was between the ,bishop of ,rome and the ,bishop of ,constantinople4 ,sidenote3 ,whether1 and what ,difference there is betwixt the ,protestants and ,papists in ,superstitions4 ,now1 though ,protestants have reformed from her in some of the most gross ,points and absurd ,doctrines relating to the ,church and ,ministry1 yet 7which is to be regretted7 they have only lopt off the ,branches1 but retain and plead earnestly for the same ,root1 from which these ,abuses have sprung4 ,so that even among them1 though all that ,mass of ,superstition1 ,ceremonies1 and ,orders be not again established1 yet the same ,pride1 ,covetousness and ,sensuality is found to have overspread and leavened their ,churches and ,ministry1 and the ,life1 ,power and ,virtue of true ,religion is lost among them2 and the very same ,death1 ,barrenness1 ,dryness and ,emptiness1 is found in their ,ministry4 ,so that in ,effect they differ from ,papists but in ,form and some ,ceremonies2 being with them apostatised from the ,life and ,power the true ,primitive ,church and her ,pastors were in3 ,so that of both it may be said truly 7without ,breach of ,charity7 that having only a ,form of ,godliness 7and many of them not so much as that7 they are ,deniers of1 yea1 ,enemies to1 the ,power of it4 ,and this proceeds not simply from their not walking answerably to their own ,principles1 and so degenerating that ,way1 which also is true2 but1 which is worse1 their laying down to themselves1 and adhering to certain ,principles1 which naturally1 as a cursed ,root1 bring forth these bitter ,fruits3 ,these therefore shall afterwards be examined and refuted1 as the contrary ,positions of ,truth in the ,proposition are explained and proved4 ,for as to the ,nature and ,constitution of a ,church#hj 7abstract from their ,disputes concerning its constant ,visibility1 ,infallibility1 and the ,primacy of the ,church of ,rome7 the ,protestants1 as in ,practice1 so in ,principles1 differ not from ,papists2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,protestant ,church how they become ,members thereof4 for they engross within the ,compass of their ,church whole ,nations1 making their ,infants ,members of it1 by sprinkling a little ,water upon them2 so that there is none so wicked or profane who is not a ,fellow-member2 no ,evidence of ,holiness being required to constitute a ,member of the ,church4 ,nay1 look through the ,protestant ,nations1 and there will no ,difference appear in the ,lives of the ,generality of the ,one1 more than of the ,other2 he1 who ruleth in the ,children of ,disobedience1 reigning in both3 ,sidenote3 ,christianity chiefly consists in the ,renewing of the ,heart4 ,so that the ,reformation1 through this ,defect1 is only in holding some less gross ,errors in the ,notion1 but not in having the ,heart reformed and renewed1 in which mainly the ,life of ,christianity consisteth4 #hj i4 e4 ,national4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,popish1 corrupt ,ministry all ,evils follow4 ,but the ,popish ,errors concerning the ,ministry1 which they have retained1 are most of all to be regretted1 by which chiefly the ,life and ,power of ,christianity is barred out among them1 and they kept in ,death1 ,barrenness and ,dryness3 ,there being nothing more hurtful than an ,error in this ,respect4 ,sidenote3 ,like ,people1 like ,priest4 ,hosea #d4 #i4 ,for where a false and corrupt ,ministry entereth1 all ,manner of other ,evils follow upon it1 according to that ,scripture ,adage1 ,like ,people1 like ,priest3 ,for by their ,influence1 instead of ministering ,life and ,righteousness1 they minister ,death and ,iniquity4 ,the whole ,backslidings of the ,jewish ,congregation of old are hereto ascribed3 ,the ,leaders of my ,people have caused them to err4 ,the whole ,writings of the ,prophets are full of such ,complaints2 and for this ,cause1 under the ,new ,testament1 we are so often warned and guarded to beware of false ,prophets1 and false ,teachers1 c4 ,what may be thought then1 where all1 as to this1 is out of ,order2 where both the ,foundation1 ,call1 ,qualifications1 ,maintenance1 and whole ,discipline are different from and opposite to the ,ministry of the ,primitive ,church2 yea1 and necessarily tend to the ,shutting out of a ,spiritual ,ministry1 and the bringing in and establishing of a ,carnal8 ,this shall appear by ,parts4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #a4 ,that then which comes first to be questioned in this ,matter1 is concerning the ,call of a ,minister2 to wit1 ,what maketh1 or how cometh a ,man to be1 a ,minister1 ,pastor1 or ,teacher in the ,church of ,christ8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,call of a ,minister and wherein it consisteth4 ,we answer2 ,by the inward ,power and ,virtue of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,for1 as saith our ,proposition1 ,having received the true ,knowledge of ,things spiritual by the ,spirit of ,god1 without which they cannot be known1 and being by the same in ,measure purified and sanctified1 he comes thereby to be called and moved to minister to others2 being able to speak1 from a living ,experience1 of what he himself is a ,witness2 and therefore knowing the ,terror of the ,lord1 he is fit to persuade ,men1 c4 #b ,cor4 v4 #aa4 and his ,words and ,ministry1 proceeding from the inward ,power and ,virtue1 reach to the ,heart of his ,hearers1 and make them approve of him1 and be subject unto him4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,our ,adversaries are forced to confess1 that this were indeed desirable and best2 but this they will not have to be absolutely necessary4 ,i shall first prove the ,necessity of it1 and then shew how much they err in that which they make more necessary than this divine and heavenly ,call4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,sidenote3 #a4 ,the ,necessity of an inward ,call to make a ,man a ,christian4 ,first1 ,that which is necessary to make a ,man a ,christian1 so as without it he cannot be truly one1 must be much more necessary to make a ,man a ,minister of ,christianity2 seeing the one is a ,degree above the other1 and has it included in it3 ,nothing less than he that supposeth a ,master1 supposeth him first to have attained the ,knowledge and ,capacity of a ,scholar4 ,they that are not ,christians1 cannot be ,teachers and ,ministers among ,christians4 ,but this inward ,call1 ,power and ,virtue of the ,spirit of ,god1 is necessary to make a ,man a ,christian2 as we have abundantly proved before in the second ,proposition1 according to these ,scriptures1 ,he that hath not the ,spirit of ,christ1 is none of his4 ,as many as are led by the ,spirit of ,god1 are the ,sons of ,god3 ,therefore this ,call1 ,moving and ,drawing of the ,spirit1 must be much more necessary to make a ,man a ,minister4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,the ,ministry of the ,spirit requires the ,operation and ,testimony of the ,spirit4 ,secondly1 ,all ,ministers of the ,new ,testament ought to be ,ministers of the ,spirit1 and not of the ,letter1 according to that of #b ,cor4 iii4 #f4 and as the old ,latin hath it1 ,not by the ,letter1 but by the ,spirit3 ,but how can a ,man be a ,minister of the ,spirit1 who is not inwardly called by it1 and who looks not upon the ,operation and ,testimony of the ,spirit as essential to his ,call8 ,as he could not be a ,minister of the ,letter who had thence no ,ground for his ,call1 yea1 who was altogether a ,stranger to and unacquainted with it1 so neither can he be a ,minister of the ,spirit who is a ,stranger to it1 and unacquainted with the ,motions thereof1 and knows it not to draw1 act1 and move him1 and go before him in the ,work of the ,ministry4 ,i would willingly know1 how those that take upon them to be ,ministers 7as they suppose7 of the ,gospel1 merely from an outward ,vocation1 without so much as being any ways sensible of the ,work of the ,spirit1 or any inward ,call therefrom1 can either satisfy themselves or others that they are ,ministers of the ,spirit1 or wherein they differ from the ,ministers of the ,letter8 ,for1 ,sidenote3 #c4 ,under the ,law the ,people needed not to doubt1 who should be ,priests and ,ministers4 ,thirdly1 ,if this inward ,call1 or ,testimony of the ,spirit1 were not essential and necessary to a ,minister1 then the ,ministry of the ,new ,testament would not only be no ways preferable to1 but in divers ,respects far worse than that of the ,law4 ,for under the ,law there was a certain ,tribe allotted for the ,ministry1 and of that ,tribe certain ,families set apart for the ,priesthood and other ,offices1 by the immediate ,command of ,god to ,moses2 so that the ,people needed not be in any ,doubt who should be ,priests and ,ministers of the holy ,things3 ,yea1 and besides this1 ,god called forth1 by the immediate ,testimony of his ,spirit1 several at divers ,times to teach1 instruct1 and reprove his ,people1 as ,samuel1 ,nathan1 ,elias1 ,elisha1 ,jeremiah1 ,amos1 and many more of the ,prophets3 ,but now under the ,new ,covenant1 where the ,ministry ought to be more spiritual1 the ,way more certain1 and the ,access more easy unto the ,lord1 our ,adversaries1 by denying the ,necessity of this inward and spiritual ,vocation1 make it quite otherways4 ,for there being now no certain ,family or ,tribe to which the ,ministry is limited1 we are left in ,uncertainty1 to choose and have ,pastors at a ,venture1 without any certain ,assent of the ,will of ,god2 having neither an outward ,rule nor ,certainty in this ,affair to walk by3 ,for that the ,scripture cannot give any certain ,rule in this ,matter1 hath in the third ,proposition concerning it been already shewn4 ,sidenote3 #d4 ,christ the ,door4 ,fourthly1 ,christ proclaims them all #ha,thieves and ,robbers1 that enter not by him the ,door into the ,sheepfold1 but climb up some other ,way2 whom the ,sheep ought not to hear3 ,but such as come in without the ,call1 ,movings1 and ,leadings of the ,spirit of ,christ1 wherewith he leads his ,children into all ,truth1 come in certainly not by ,christ1 who is the ,door1 but some other ,way1 and therefore are not true ,shepherds4 #ha ,john #aj4 #a4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,succession pleaded by the false ,church from ,christ and his ,apostles4 ,to all this they object the ,succession of the ,church2 alleging1 ,that since ,christ gave a ,call to his ,apostles and ,disciples1 they have conveyed that ,call to their ,successors1 having ,power to ordain ,pastors and ,teachers2 by which ,power the ,authority of ordaining and making ,ministers and ,pastors is successively conveyed to us2 so that such1 who are ordained and called by the ,pastors of the ,church1 are therefore true and lawful ,ministers2 and others1 who are not so called1 are to be accounted but ,intruders4 ,hereunto also some ,protestants add a ,necessity1 though they make it not a ,thing essential2 ,that besides this ,calling of the ,church1 every one1 being called1 ought to have the inward ,call of the ,spirit1 inclining him so chosen to his ,work3 ,but this they say is subjective and not objective2 of which before4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,as to what is subjoined of the inward ,call of the ,spirit1 in that they make it not essential to a true ,call1 but a ,supererogation as it were1 it sheweth how little they set by it3 ,since those they admit to the ,ministry are not so much as questioned in their ,trials1 whether they have this or not4 ,yet1 in that it hath been often mentioned1 especially by the ,primitive ,protestants in their ,treatises on this ,subject1 it sheweth how much they were secretly convinced in their ,minds1 that this inward ,call of the ,spirit was most excellent1 and preferable to any other2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,call of the ,spirit preferred to any other by ,primitive ,protestants4 and therefore in the most noble and heroic ,acts of the ,reformation1 they laid ,claim unto it2 so that many of the ,primitive ,protestants did not scruple both to despise and disown this outward#hb ,call1 when urged by the ,papists against them4 ,sidenote3 ,modern ,protestants denying the ,call of the ,spirit4 ,but now ,protestants1 having gone from the ,testimony of the ,spirit1 plead for the same ,succession2 and being pressed 7by those whom ,god now raiseth up by his ,spirit to reform those ,abuses that are among them7 with the ,example of their ,forefathers ,practice against ,rome1 they are not at all ashamed utterly to deny that their ,fathers were called to their ,work by the inward and immediate ,vocation of the ,spirit2 clothing themselves with that ,call1 which they say their ,forefathers had1 as ,pastors of the ,roman ,church4 ,for thus 7not to go further7 affirmeth ,nicolaus ,arnoldus1#hc in a ,pamphlet written against the same ,propositions1 called1 ,a ,theologick ,exercitation1 ,sect4 #dj4 averring1 ,that they pretended not to an immediate ,act of the ,holy ,spirit2 but reformed by the ,virtue of the ordinary ,vocation which they had in the ,church1 as it then was1 to wit1 that of ,rome1 c4 #hb ,succession4 #hc ,who gives himself out ,doctor and ,professor of ,sacred ,theology at ,franequer4 4 ,,ix4 ,sidenote3 ,absurdities ,protestants fall into1 by deriving their ,ministry through the ,church of ,rome4 ,many ,absurdities do ,protestants fall into1 by deriving their ,ministry thus through the ,church of ,rome4 ,as1 ,first1 ,they must acknowledge her to be a true ,church of ,christ1 though only erroneous in some ,things2 which contradicts their ,forefathers so frequently1 and yet truly1 calling her ,antichrist4 ,secondly1 ,they must needs acknowledge1 that the ,priests and ,bishops of the ,romish ,church are true ,ministers and ,pastors of the ,church of ,christ1 as to the essential ,part2 else they could not be fit ,subjects for that ,power and ,authority to have resided in2 neither could they have been ,vessels capable to receive that ,power1 and again transmit it to their ,successors4 ,thirdly1 ,it would follow from this1 that the ,priests and ,bishops of the ,romish ,church are yet really true ,pastors and ,teachers3 ,for if ,protestant ,ministers have no ,authority but what they received from them1 and since the ,church of ,rome is the same she was at that ,time of the ,reformation in ,doctrine and ,manners1 and she has the same ,power now she had then1 and if the ,power lie in the ,succession1 then these ,priests of the ,romish ,church now1 which derive their ,ordination from those ,bishops that ordained the first ,reformers1 have the same ,authority which the ,successors of the ,reformed have1 and consequently are no less ,ministers of the ,church than they are4 ,but how will this agree with that ,opinion which the ,primitive ,protestants had of the ,romish ,priests and ,clergy1 to whom ,luther did not only deny any ,power or ,authority1 but contrary-wise affirmed1 ,that it was wickedly done of them1 to assume to themselves only this ,authority to teach1 and be ,priests and ,ministers1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,luther affirmed1 that a ,woman might be a ,preacher4 ,for he himself affirmed1 ,that every good ,christian 7not only ,men1 but even ,women also7 is a ,preacher4 4 ,x4 ,sidenote3 ,the pretended ,succession of ,papists and ,protestants explained4 ,but against this vain ,succession1 as asserted either by the ,papists or ,protestants as a necessary ,thing to the ,call of a ,minister1 ,i answer2 ,that such as plead for it1 as a sufficient or necessary ,thing to the ,call of a ,minister1 do thereby sufficiently declare their ,ignorance of the ,nature of ,christianity1 and how much they are ,strangers to the ,life and ,power of a ,christian ,ministry1 which is not entailed to ,succession1 as an outward ,inheritance2 and herein1 as hath been often before observed1 they not only make the ,gospel not better than the ,law1 but even far short of it4 ,for ,jesus ,christ1 as he regardeth not any distinct particular ,family or ,nation in the gathering of his ,children2 but only such as are joined to and leavened with his own pure and righteous ,seed1 so neither regards he a bare outward ,succession1 where his pure1 immaculate1 and righteous ,life is wanting2 for that were all one4 ,he took not the ,nations into the ,new ,covenant1 that he might suffer them to fall into the old ,errors of the ,jews1 or to approve them in their ,errors1 but that he might gather unto himself a pure ,people out of the ,earth4 ,now this was the great ,error of the ,jews1 to think they were the ,church and ,people of ,god1 because they could derive their outward ,succession from ,abraham2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,jews ,error of ,abraham's outward ,succession4 whereby they reckoned themselves the ,children of ,god1 as being the ,offspring of ,abraham1 who was the ,father of the ,faithful4 ,but how severely doth the ,scripture rebuke this vain and frivolous ,pretence8 ,telling them1 ,that ,god is able of the ,stones to raise ,children unto ,abraham2 and that not the outward ,seed1 but those that were found in the ,faith of ,abraham1 are the true ,children of faithful ,abraham4 ,far less then can this ,pretence hold among ,christians1 seeing ,christ rejects all outward ,affinity of that ,kind3 #hd,these1 saith he1 are my ,mother1 ,brethren and ,sisters1 who do the ,will of my ,father which is in ,heaven3 ,and again2 ,he looked round about him1 and said1 ,who shall do the ,will of ,god1 these1 saith he1 are my ,brethren4 ,so then1 such as do not the ,commands of ,christ1 are not found clothed with his ,righteousness1 are not his ,disciples2 and that which a ,man hath not1 he cannot give to another3 ,and it is clear1 that no ,man nor ,church1 though truly called of ,god1 and as such having the ,authority of a ,church and ,minister1 can any longer retain that ,authority1 than they retain the ,power1 ,life1 and ,righteousness of ,christianity2 for the ,form is entailed to the ,power and ,substance1 and not the ,substance to the ,form4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,form of ,godliness is entailed to the ,power and ,substance1 and not the ,substance to the ,form4 ,so that when a ,man ceaseth inwardly in his ,heart to be a ,christian 7where his ,christianity must lie7 by turning to ,satan1 and becoming a ,reprobate1 he is no more a ,christian1 though he retain the ,name and ,form1 than a dead ,man is a ,man1 though he hath the ,image and ,representation of one1 or than the ,picture or ,statue of a ,man is a ,man3 ,and though a dead ,man may serve to a ,painter to retain some imperfect ,representation of the ,man1 that once was alive1 and so one ,picture may serve to make another by1 yet none of those can serve to make a true living ,man again1 neither can they convey the ,life and ,spirit of the ,man2 it must be ,god1 that made the ,man at first1 that alone can revive him4 ,sidenote3 ,succession interrupted4 ,as ,death then makes such ,interruption of an outward natural ,succession1 that no ,art nor outward ,form can uphold1 and as a dead ,man1 after he is dead1 can have no ,issue1 neither can dead ,images of ,men make living ,men3 ,so that it is the ,living that are only capable to succeed one another2 and such as die1 so soon as they die cease to succeed1 or to transmit ,succession4 ,so it is in spiritual ,things2 it is the ,life of ,christianity1 taking ,place in the ,heart1 that makes a ,christian2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,living ,members make the ,church3 ,life lost1 the ,church is ceased4 and so it is a ,number of such1 being alive1 joined together in the ,life of ,christianity1 that make a ,church of ,christ2 and it is all those that are thus alive and quickened1 considered together1 that make the ,catholick ,church of ,christ3 ,therefore when this ,life ceaseth in one1 then that one ceaseth to be a ,christian2 and all ,power1 ,virtue1 and ,authority1 which he had as a ,christian1 ceaseth with it2 so that if he hath been a ,minister or ,teacher1 he ceaseth to be so any more3 ,and though he retain the ,form1 and hold to the ,authority in ,words1 yet that signifies no more1 nor is it of any more real ,virtue and ,authority1 than the mere ,image of a dead ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,judas fell from his ,ministry by ,transgression4 ,and as this is most agreeable to ,reason1 so it is to the ,scripture's ,testimony2 for it is said of ,judas1 ,acts i4 #be4 ,that ,judas fell from his ,ministry and ,apostleship by ,transgression2 so his ,transgression caused him to cease to be an ,apostle any more3 ,whereas1 had the ,apostleship been entailed to his ,person1 so that ,transgression could not cause him to lose it1 until he had been formally degraded by the ,church 7which ,judas never was so long as he lived7 ,judas had been as really an ,apostle1 after he betrayed ,christ1 as before4 ,and as it is of one1 so of many1 yea1 of a whole ,church3 ,for seeing nothing makes a ,man truly a ,christian1 but the ,life of ,christianity inwardly ruling in his ,heart2 so nothing makes a ,church1 but the gathering of several true ,christians into one ,body4 ,now where all these ,members lose this ,life1 there the ,church ceaseth to be1 though they still uphold the ,form1 and retain the ,name3 ,for when that which made them a ,church1 and for which they were a ,church1 ceaseth1 then they cease also to be a ,church3 ,and therefore the ,spirit1 speaking to the ,church of ,laodicea1 because of her ,lukewarmness1 ,rev4 iii4 #af4 threateneth to spue her out of his ,mouth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,lukewarmness of the ,church of ,laodicea4 ,now1 suppose the ,church of ,laodicea had continued in that ,lukewarmness1 and had come under that ,condemnation and ,judgment1 though she had retained the ,name and ,form of a ,church1 and had had her ,pastors and ,ministers1 as no ,doubt she had at that ,time1 yet surely she had been no true ,church of ,christ1 nor had the ,authority of her ,pastors and ,teachers been to be regarded1 because of an outward ,succession1 though perhaps some of them had it immediately from the ,apostles4 ,from all which ,i infer1 ,that since the ,authority of the ,christian ,church and her ,pastors is always united1 and never separated from the inward ,power1 ,virtue1 and righteous ,life of ,christianity2 where this ceaseth1 that ceaseth also4 ,but our ,adversaries acknowledge1 ,that many1 if not most of those1 by and through whom they derive this ,authority1 were altogether destitute of this ,life and ,virtue of ,christianity3 ,therefore they could neither receive1 have1 nor transmit any ,christian ,authority4 #hd ,mat4 #ab4 #dh4 c4 ,mark #c4 #cc4 c4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if it be objected1 ,that though the ,generality of the ,bishops and ,priests of the ,church of ,rome1 during the ,apostasy1 were such wicked ,men2 yet ,protestants affirm1 and thou thyself seemest to acknowledge1 that there were some good ,men among them1 whom the ,lord regarded1 and who were true ,members of the ,catholick ,church of ,christ2 might not they then have transmitted this ,authority8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,protestants plead for a ,succession inherent4 ,i answer1 ,this saith nothing2 in respect ,protestants do not at all lay ,claim to their ,ministry1 as transmitted to them by a direct ,line of good ,men2 which they can never shew1 nor yet pretend to3 ,but generally place this ,succession as inherent in the whole ,pastors of the ,apostate ,church4 ,neither do they plead their ,call to be good and valid1 because they can derive it through a ,line of good ,men1 separate and observably distinguishable from the rest of the ,bishops and ,clergy of the ,romish ,church2 but they derive it as an ,authority residing in the ,whole3 ,for they think it ,heresy1 to judge that the ,quality or ,condition of the ,administrator doth any ,ways invalidate or prejudice his ,work4 ,this vain and pretended ,succession not only militates against1 and fights with the very manifest ,purpose and ,intent of ,christ in the gathering and calling of his ,church1 but makes him 7so to speak7 more blind and less prudent than natural ,men are in conveying and establishing their outward ,inheritances4 ,sidenote3 ,an ,estate void of ,heirship devolves to the ,prince1 none claims it1 but whom he sees meet to give it3 ,so the ,heirship of ,life is enjoyed from ,christ1 the true ,heir4 ,for where an ,estate is entailed to a certain ,name and ,family1 when that ,family weareth out1 and there is no lawful ,successor found of it1 that can make a just ,title appear1 as being really of ,blood and ,affinity to the ,family2 it is not lawful for any one of another ,race or ,blood1 because he assumes the ,name or ,arms of that ,family1 to possess the ,estate1 and claim the ,superiorities and ,privileges of the ,family3 ,but by the ,law of ,nations the ,inheritance devolves into the ,prince1 as being ,ultimus ,hres2 and so he giveth it again immediately to whom he sees meet1 and makes them bear the ,name and ,arms of the ,family1 who then are entitled to the ,privileges and ,revenues thereof4 ,so in like ,manner1 the true ,name and ,title of a ,christian1 by which he hath ,right to the heavenly ,inheritance1 and is a ,member of ,jesus ,christ1 is inward ,righteousness and ,holiness1 and the ,mind redeemed from the ,vanities1 ,lusts1 and ,iniquities of this ,world2 and a ,gathering or ,company1 made up of such ,members1 makes a ,church4 ,where this is lost1 the ,title is lost2 and so the true ,seed1 to which the ,promise is1 and to which the ,inheritance is due1 becomes extinguished in them1 and they become dead as to it3 ,and so it retires1 and devolves itself again into ,christ1 who is the righteous ,heir of ,life2 and he gives the ,title and true ,right again immediately to whom it pleaseth him1 even to as many as being turned to his pure ,light in their ,consciences1 come again to walk in his righteous and innocent ,life1 and so become true ,members of his ,body1 which is the ,church4 ,so the ,authority1 ,power and ,heirship are not annexed to ,persons1 as they bear the mere ,names1 or retain a ,form1 holding the bare ,shell or ,shadow of ,christianity2 but the ,promise is to ,christ1 and to the ,seed1 in whom the ,authority is inherent1 and in as many as are one with him1 and united unto him by ,purity and ,holiness1 and by the inward ,renovation and ,regeneration of their ,minds4 ,moreover1 this pretended ,succession is contrary to ,scripture ,definitions1 and the ,nature of the ,church of ,christ1 and of the true ,members4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,the ,house of ,god is no polluted ,nest2 no ,atheist nor ,pretender can rest there4 ,for1 ,first1 ,the ,church is the ,house of ,god1 the ,pillar and ,ground of ,truth1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ae4 ,but according to this ,doctrine1 the ,house of ,god is a polluted ,nest of all ,sort of ,wickedness and ,abominations1 made up of the most ugly1 defiled1 and perverse ,stones that are in the ,earth2 where the ,devil rules in all ,manner of ,unrighteousness4 ,for so our ,adversaries confess1 and ,history informs1 the ,church of ,rome to have been1 as some of their ,historians acknowledge2 and if that be truly the ,house of ,god1 what may we call the ,house of ,satan8 ,or may we call it therefore the ,house of ,god1 notwithstanding all this ,impiety1 because they had a bare ,form1 and that vitiated many ,ways also2 and because they pretended to the ,name of ,christianity1 though they were ,antichristian1 ,devilish1 and ,atheistical in their whole ,practice and ,spirit1 and also in many of their ,principles8 ,would not this infer yet a greater ,absurdity1 as if they had been something to be accounted of1 because of their ,hypocrisy and ,deceit1 and false ,pretences8 ,whereas the ,scripture looks upon that as an ,aggravation of ,guilt1 and calls it ,blasphemy1 ,rev4 ii4 #i4 ,of two wicked ,men1 he is most to be abhorred1 who covereth his ,wickedness with a vain ,pretence of ,god and ,righteousness3 ,even so these abominable ,beasts1 and fearful ,monsters1 who looked upon themselves to be ,bishops in the ,apostate ,church1 were never a ,whit the better1 that they falsely pretended to be the ,successors of the holy ,apostles2 unless to lie be commendable1 and that ,hypocrisy be the ,way to ,heaven4 ,yea1 were not this to fall into that ,evil condemned among the ,jews1 ,jer4 vii4 #d4 ,trust ye not in lying ,words1 saying1 ,the ,temple of the ,lord1 the ,temple of the ,lord1 the ,temple of the ,lord are these2 throughly amend your ,ways1 c4 as if such outward ,names and ,things were the ,thing the ,lord regarded1 and not inward ,holiness8 ,or can that then be the ,pillar and ,ground of ,truth1 which is the very ,sink and ,pit of ,wickedness1 from which so much ,error1 ,superstition1 ,idolatry1 and all ,abomination spring8 ,can there be any ,thing more contrary both to ,scripture and ,reason8 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,christ is the ,head1 his ,body undefiled4 ,secondly1 ,the ,church is defined to be the ,kingdom of the dear ,son of ,god1 into which the ,saints are translated1 being delivered from the ,power of ,darkness4 ,it is called the ,body of ,christ1 which from him by ,joints and ,bands having ,nourishment ministered and knit together1 increaseth with the ,increase of ,god1 ,col4 ii4 #ai4 ,but can such ,members1 such a ,gathering as we have demonstrated that ,church and ,members to be1 among whom they allege their pretended ,authority to have been preserved1 and through which they derive their ,call2 can such1 ,i say1 be the ,body of ,christ1 or ,members thereof8 ,or is ,christ the ,head of such a corrupt1 dead1 dark1 abominable stinking ,carcase8 ,if so1 then might we not as well affirm against the ,apostle1 #b ,cor4 vi4 #ad4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,fellowship hath ,christ with ,belial8 ,that ,righteousness hath ,fellowship with ,unrighteousness1 that ,light hath ,communion with ,darkness1 that ,christ hath ,concord with ,belial1 that a ,believer hath ,part with an ,infidel1 and that the ,temple of ,god hath ,agreement with ,idols8 ,moreover no ,man is called the ,temple of ,god1 nor of the ,holy ,ghost1 but as his ,vessel is purified1 and so be fitted and prepared for ,god to dwell in2 and many thus fitted by ,christ become his ,body1 in and among whom he dwells and walks1 according as it is written1 ,i will dwell in them1 and walk in them1 and ,i will be their ,god1 and they shall be my ,people4 ,it is therefore that we may become the ,temple of ,christ and ,people of ,god1 that the ,apostle in the following ,verse exhorts1 saying out of the ,prophet1 #he,wherefore come out from among them1 and be ye separate1 saith the ,lord1 and touch not the unclean ,thing1 and ,i will receive you2 and ,i will be a ,father unto you1 and ye shall be my ,sons and ,daughters1 saith the ,lord ,almighty4 ,but to what ,purpose is all this ,exhortation8 ,and why should we separate from the ,unclean1 if a mere outward ,profession and ,name be enough to make the true ,church2 and if the ,unclean and ,polluted were both the ,church and lawful ,successors of the ,apostles1 inheriting their ,authority1 and transmitting it to others8 ,yea1 how can the ,church be the ,kingdom of the ,son of ,god1 as contra-distinguished from the ,kingdom and ,power of ,darkness8 ,and what ,need1 yea1 what ,possibility of being translated out of the one into the other1 if those that make up the ,kingdom and ,power of ,darkness be real ,members of the true ,church of ,christ2 and not simply ,members only1 but the very ,pastors and ,teachers of it8 ,but how do they increase in the ,increase of ,god1 and receive spiritual ,nourishment from ,christ the ,head1 that are ,enemies of him in their ,hearts by wicked ,works1 and openly go into ,perdition8 ,sidenote3 ,priests frivolous ,distinction of ,enemies to ,god by ,practice1 and ,members of his ,church by ,office4 ,verily as no metaphysical and nice ,distinctions1 that though they were practically as to their own private ,states ,enemies to ,god and ,christ1 and so ,servants of ,satan2 yet they were1 by ,virtue of their ,office1 ,members and ,ministers of the ,church1 and so able to transmit the ,succession2 ,i say1 as such invented and frivolous ,distinctions will not please the ,lord ,god1 neither will he be deluded by such1 nor make up the glorious ,body of his ,church with such mere outside hypocritical ,shews1 nor be beholden to such painted ,sepulchres to be ,members of his ,body1 which is found1 pure1 and undefiled1 and therefore he needs not such false and corrupt ,members to make up the ,defects of it2 so neither will such ,distinctions satisfy truly tender and ,christian ,consciences2 especially considering the ,apostle is so far from desiring us to regard this1 that we are expresly commanded to turn away from such as have a ,form of ,godliness1 but deny the ,power of it4 ,for we may well object against these1 as the poor ,man did against the proud ,prelate1 that went about to cover his vain and unchristian-like ,sumptuousness1 by distinguishing that it was not as ,bishop but as ,prince he had all that ,splendor4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,answer of a poor ,rustick to a proud ,prelate4 ,to which the poor ,rustic wisely is said to have answered1 ,when the ,prince goeth to ,hell1 what shall become of the ,prelate8 ,and indeed this were to suppose the ,body of ,christ to be defective1 and that to fill up these defective ,places1 he puts counterfeit and dead ,stuff instead of real living ,members2 like such as lose their ,eyes1 ,arms1 or ,legs1 who make counterfeit ones of ,wood or ,glass instead of them4 ,but we cannot think so of ,christ1 neither can we believe1 for the ,reasons above adduced1 that either we are to account1 or that ,christ doth account1 any ,man or ,men a ,whit the more ,members of his ,body1 because though they be really wicked1 they hypocritically and deceitfully clothe themselves with his ,name1 and pretend to it2 for this is contrary to his own ,doctrine1 where he saith expresly1 ,john xv4 #a1 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1 #f1 c4 ,that he is the ,vine1 and his ,disciples are the ,branches2 that except they abide in him1 they cannot bear ,fruit2 and if they be unfruitful1 they shall be cast forth as a ,branch1 and wither4 ,sidenote3 ,a withered ,branch can draw no ,nourishment1 so has no ,life nor ,virtue4 ,now ,i suppose these cut and withered ,branches are no more true ,branches nor ,members of the ,vine2 they can no more draw ,sap nor ,nourishment from it1 after that they are cut off1 and so have no more ,virtue1 ,sap1 nor ,life3 ,what have they then to boast or glory of any ,authority1 seeing they want that ,life1 ,virtue1 and ,nourishment from which all ,authority comes8 ,so such ,members of ,christ as are become dead to him through ,unrighteousness1 and so derive no more ,virtue nor ,life from him1 are cut off by their ,sins1 and wither1 and have no longer any true or real ,authority1 and their boasting of any is but an ,aggravation of their ,iniquity by ,hypocrisy and ,deceit4 ,but further1 would not this make ,christ's ,body a mere ,shadow and ,phantasm8 ,yea1 would it not make him the ,head of a lifeless1 rotten1 stinking ,carcase1 having only some little outward false ,shew1 while inwardly full of ,rottenness and ,dirt8 ,sidenote3 ,a living ,head upon a lifeless ,body1 what a ,monster would that be8 ,and what a ,monster would these ,men make of ,christ's ,body1 by assigning it a real1 pure1 living1 quick ,head1 full of ,virtue and ,life1 and yet tied to such a dead lifeless ,body as we have already described these ,members to be1 which they allege to have been the ,church of ,christ8 ,again1 the ,members of the ,church of ,christ are specified by this ,definition1 to wit1 as being the sanctified in ,christ ,jesus1 #a ,cor4 i4 #b4 ,but this ,notion of ,succession supposeth not only some unsanctified ,members to be of the ,church of ,christ1 but even the ,whole to consist of unsanctified ,members2 yea1 that such as were professed ,necromancers and open ,servants of ,satan were the true ,successors of the ,apostles1 and in whom the ,apostolick ,authority resided1 these being the ,vessels through whom this ,succession is transmitted2 though many of them1 as all ,protestants and also some ,papists confess1 attained these ,offices in the 7so called7 ,church not only by such ,means as ,simon ,magus sought it1 but by much worse1 even by ,witchcraft1 ,traditions1 ,money1 ,treachery1 and ,murder1 which ,platina himself confesseth#hf of divers ,bishops of ,rome4 #he #b ,cor4 #f4 #ag1 #ah4 #hf ,in the ,life of ,benedict #d4 of ,john #af4 of ,sylvester #c4 of ,boniface #h4 of ,steph4 #f4 of ,joan #h4 ,also ,onuphrius's ,annotations upon this ,papess 7or ,popess7 towards the ,end4 4 ,,xi4 ,but such as object not this ,succession of the ,church1 which yet most ,protestants begin now to do1 distinguish in this ,matter1 affirming1 ,that in a great ,apostasy1 such as was that of the ,church of ,rome1 ,god may raise up some singularly by his ,spirit1 who from the ,testimony of the ,scriptures perceiving the ,errors into which such as bear the ,name of ,christians are fallen1 may instruct and teach them1 and then become authorized by the ,people's joining with and accepting of their ,ministry only4 ,most of them also will affirm1 ,that the ,spirit herein is subjective1 and not objective4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but they say1 ,that where a ,church is reformed 7such as they pretend the ,protestant ,churches are7 there an ,ordinary orderly ,call is necessary2 and that of the ,spirit1 as extraordinary1 is not to be sought after3 ,alleging1 that ,res aliter se habet in ecclesi constituend1 qum in ecclesi constitut2 that is1 ,there is a ,difference in the constituting of a ,church1 and after it is constituted4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,difference objected between ,constituting a ,church and one as ,constituted4 ,i answer1 ,this ,objection as to us saith nothing1 seeing we accuse1 and are ready from the ,scriptures to prove the ,protestants guilty of gross ,errors1 and needing ,reformation1 as well as they did and do the ,papists2 and therefore we may justly lay ,claim1 if we would1 to the same extraordinary ,call1 having the same ,reason for it1 and as good ,evidence to prove ours as they had for theirs4 ,as for that ,maxim1 viz4 ,that the ,case is different in constituting a ,church1 and a ,church constituted1 ,i do not deny it2 and therefore there may be a greater ,measure of ,power required to the one than to the other1 and ,god in his ,wisdom distributes the same as he sees meet2 but that the same immediate ,assistance of the ,spirit is not necessary for ,ministers in a gathered ,church as well as in gathering one1 ,i see no solid ,reason alleged for it3 ,for surely ,christ's ,promise was to be with his ,children to the ,end of the ,world1 and they need him no less to preserve and guide his ,church and ,children than to gather and beget them4 ,nature taught the ,gentiles this ,maxim1 ,non minor est virtus1 quam qurere1 parta tueri4 ,to defend what we attain1 requires no less ,strength than what is necessary to acquire it4 ,for it is by this inward and immediate ,operation of the ,spirit1 which ,christ hath promised to lead his ,children with into all ,truth1 and to teach them all ,things1 that ,christians are to be led in all ,steps1 as well last as first1 which relate to ,god's ,glory and their own ,salvation1 as we have heretofore sufficiently proved1 and therefore need not now repeat it4 ,sidenote3 ,it is a ,device of ,satan for ,men to put the ,spirit's ,leadings far off to former ,times4 ,and truly this ,device of ,satan1 whereby he has got ,people to put the immediate ,guidings and ,leadings of ,god's ,spirit as an extraordinary ,thing afar off1 which their ,forefathers had1 but which they now are neither to wait for nor expect1 is a great ,cause of the growing ,apostasy upon the many gathered ,churches1 and is one great ,reason why a dry1 dead1 barren1 lifeless1 spiritless ,ministry1 which leavens the ,people into the same ,death1 doth so much abound1 and is so much overspreading even the ,protestant ,nations1 that their ,preaching and ,worships1 as well as their whole ,conversation1 is not to be discerned from ,popish by any fresh living ,zeal1 or lively ,power of the ,spirit accompanying it1 but merely by the ,difference of some ,notions and ,opinions4 4 ,,xii4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,some unwise and unwary ,protestants do sometimes object to us1 ,that if we have such an immediate ,call as we lay ,claim to1 we ought to confirm it by ,miracles4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but this being an ,objection once and again urged against the ,primitive ,protestants by the ,papists1 we need but in short return the ,answer to it that they did to the ,papists1 to wit1 ,sidenote3 ,whether ,miracles be now necessary to confirm the ,gospel8 ,that we need not ,miracles1 because we preach no new ,gospel1 but that which is already confirmed by all the ,miracles of ,christ and his ,apostles2 and that we offer nothing but that which we are ready and able to confirm by the ,testimony of the ,scriptures1 which both already acknowledge to be true3 ,sidenote3 ,john ,baptist and divers ,prophets did none4 ,and that ,john the ,baptist and divers of the ,prophets did none that we hear of1 and yet were both immediately and extraordinarily sent4 ,this is the common ,protestant ,answer1 therefore may suffice in this ,place2 though1 if ,need were1 ,i could say more to this ,purpose1 but that ,i study ,brevity4 4 ,,xiii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,constitution of the ,independent ,church4 ,there is also another ,sort of ,protestants1 to wit1 the ,english ,independents1 who differing from the ,calvinistical ,presbyterians1 and denying the ,necessity of this ,succession1 or the ,authority of any ,national ,church1 take another ,way2 affirming1 ,that such as have the ,benefit of the ,scriptures1 any ,company of ,people agreeing in the ,principles of ,truth as they find them here declared1 may constitute among themselves a ,church1 without the ,authority of any other1 and may choose to themselves a ,pastor1 who by the ,church thus constituted and consenting1 is authorized1 requiring only the ,assistance and ,concurrence of the ,pastors of the neighbouring ,churches1 if any such there be2 not so much as absolutely necessary to authorize1 as decent for ,order's ,sake4 ,sidenote3 ,gifted ,brethren4 ,also they go so far as to affirm1 ,that in a ,church so constituted1 any gifted ,brother1 as they call them1 if he find himself qualified thereto1 may instruct1 exhort1 and preach in the ,church2 though1 as not having the ,pastoral ,office1 he cannot administer those which they call their ,sacraments4 ,to this ,i answer1 ,that this was a good ,step out of the ,babylonish ,darkness1 and no ,doubt did proceed from a real ,discovery of the ,truth1 and from the ,sense of a great ,abuse of the promiscuous ,national ,gatherings4 ,also this ,preaching of the gifted ,brethren1 as they called them1 did proceed at first from certain lively ,touches and ,movings of the ,spirit of ,god upon many2 but alas6 ,sidenote3 ,their ,loss and ,decay4 because they went not forward1 that is much decayed among them2 and the ,motions of ,god's ,spirit begin to be denied and rejected among them now1 as much as by others4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,scriptures give no ,call to ,persons ,individual4 ,but as to their pretended ,call from the ,scripture1 ,i answer1 ,the ,scripture gives a mere ,declaration of true ,things1 but no ,call to particular ,persons2 so that though ,i believe the ,things there written to be true1 and deny the ,errors which ,i find there testified against1 yet as to those ,things which may be my particular ,duty1 ,i am still to seek2 and therefore ,i can never be resolved in the ,scripture whether ,i 7such a one by ,name7 ought to be a ,minister8 ,and for the resolving this ,doubt ,i must needs recur to the inward and immediate ,testimony of the ,spirit1 as in the ,proposition concerning the ,scriptures is shewn more at large4 4 ,,xiv4 ,from all this then we do firmly conclude1 that not only in a general ,apostasy it is needful ,men be extraordinarily called1 and raised up by the ,spirit of ,god1 but that even when several ,assemblies or ,churches are gathered by the ,power of ,god1 not only into the ,belief of the ,principles of ,truth1 so as to deny ,errors and ,heresies1 but also into the ,life1 ,spirit1 and ,power of ,christianity1 so as to be the ,body and ,house of ,christ indeed1 and a fit ,spouse for him1 ,sidenote3 ,true ,ministers ,qualifications1 ,call and ,title4 that he who gathers them doth also1 for the preserving them in a lively1 fresh1 and powerful ,condition1 raise up and move among them by the inward immediate ,operation of his own ,spirit1 ,ministers and ,teachers1 to instruct and teach1 and watch over them1 who being thus called1 are manifest in the ,hearts of their ,brethren1 and their ,call is thus verified in them1 who by the feeling of that ,life and ,power that passeth through them1 being inwardly builded up by them daily in the most holy ,faith1 become the ,seals of their ,apostleship4 ,and this is answerable to another ,saying of the same ,apostle ,paul1 #b ,cor4 xiii4 #c4 ,sidenote3 ,their laying on of ,hands a ,mock to ,god and ,man2 a keeping the ,shadow1 whilst the ,substance is wanting4 ,since ye seek a ,proof of ,christ's ,speaking in me1 which to you-wards is not weak1 but is mighty in you4 ,so this is that which gives a true substantial ,call and ,title to a ,minister1 whereby he is a real ,successor of the ,virtue1 ,life1 and ,power that was in the ,apostles1 and not of the bare ,name3 ,and to such ,ministers we think the outward ,ceremony of ,ordination2 or laying on of ,hands not necessary1 neither can we see the ,use of it1 seeing our ,adversaries who use it acknowledge that the ,virtue and ,power of communicating the ,holy ,ghost by it is ceased among them4 ,and is it not then foolish and ridiculous for them1 by an apish ,imitation1 to keep up the ,shadow1 where the ,substance is wanting8 ,and may not they by the same ,rule1 where they see blind and lame ,men1 in ,imitation of ,christ and his ,apostles1 bid them see and walk8 ,yea1 is it not in them a ,mocking of ,god and ,men1 to put on their ,hands1 and bid them receive the ,holy ,ghost1 while they believe the ,thing impossible1 and confess that that ,ceremony hath no real ,effect8 ,having thus far spoken of the ,call1 ,i shall proceed next to treat of the ,qualifications and ,work of a true ,minister4 4 ,,xv4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #b4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,qualification of a ,minister4 ,as ,i have placed the true ,call of a ,minister in the ,motion of this ,holy ,spirit1 so is the ,power1 ,life1 and ,virtue thereof1 and the pure ,grace of ,god that comes therefrom1 the chief and most necessary ,qualification1 without which he can no ,ways perform his ,duty1 neither acceptably to ,god nor beneficially to ,men4 ,sidenote3 ,philosophy and ,school-,divinity will never make a ,gospel ,minister4 ,our ,adversaries in this ,case affirm1 that three ,things go to the making up of a ,minister1 viz4 #a4 ,natural ,parts1 that he be not a ,fool4 #b4 ,acquired ,parts1 that he be learned in the ,languages1 in ,philosophy and ,school ,divinity4 #c4 ,the ,grace of ,god4 ,the two first they reckon necessary to the ,being of a ,minister1 so as a ,man cannot be one without them2 the ,third they say goeth to the ,well-being of one1 but not to the ,being2 so that a ,man may truly be a lawful ,minister without it1 and ought to be heard and received as such4 ,but we1 supposing a natural ,capacity1 that one be not an ,ideot1 judge the ,grace of ,god indispensibly necessary to the very ,being of a ,minister1 as that without which any can neither be a true1 nor lawful1 nor good ,minister4 ,as for ,letter-learning1 we judge it not so much necessary to the ,well-being of one1 though accidentally sometimes in certain ,respects it may concur1 but more frequently it is hurtful than helpful1 ,sidenote3 ,a poor ,laick instructed the learned ,taulerus4 as appeared in the ,example of ,taulerus1 who being a learned ,man1 and who could make an eloquent ,preaching1 needed nevertheless to be instructed in the ,way of the ,lord by a poor ,laick4 ,i shall first speak of the ,necessity of ,grace1 and then proceed to say something of that ,literature which they judge so needful4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,first then1 as we said in the ,call1 so may we much more here1 if the ,grace of ,god be a necessary ,qualification to make one a true ,christian1 it must be a ,qualification much more necessary to constitute a true ,minister of ,christianity4 ,that ,grace is necessary to make one a true ,christian ,i think will not be questioned1 since it is by ,grace we are saved1 ,ephes4 ii4 #h4 ,sidenote3 ,god's ,grace alone doth constitute a true and lawful ,teacher4 ,it is the ,grace of ,god that teacheth us to deny ,ungodliness1 and the ,lusts of this ,world1 and to live godly and righteously1 ,tit4 ii4 #aa4 ,yea1 ,christ saith expresly1 ,that without him we can do nothing1 ,john xv4 #e4 and the ,way whereby ,christ helpeth1 assisteth1 and worketh with us1 is by his ,grace3 ,hence he saith to ,paul1 ,my ,grace is sufficient for thee4 ,a ,christian without ,grace is indeed no ,christian1 but an ,hypocrite1 and a false ,pretender4 ,then ,i say1 ,if ,grace be necessary to a private ,christian1 far more to a ,teacher among ,christians1 who must be as a ,father and ,instructor of others1 seeing this ,dignity is bestowed upon such as have attained a greater ,measure than their ,brethren4 ,even ,nature itself may teach as that there is more required in a ,teacher than in those that are taught1 and that the ,master must be above and before the ,scholar in that ,art or ,science which he teacheth others4 ,since then ,christianity cannot be truly enjoyed1 neither any ,man denominated a ,christian without the true ,grace of ,god1 therefore neither can any ,man be a true and lawful ,teacher of ,christianity without it4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,secondly1 ,no ,man can be a ,minister of the ,church of ,christ1 which is his ,body1 unless he be a ,member of the ,body1 and receive of the ,virtue and ,life of the ,head3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,sidenote3 ,who first must be a ,member of the ,body1 and then ,life is received1 and ,virtue from the ,head4 ,but he that hath not true ,grace can neither be a ,member of the ,body1 neither receive of that ,life and ,nourishment which comes from the ,head3 ,therefore far less can he be a ,minister to edify the ,body4 ,that he cannot be a ,minister1 who is not a ,member1 is evident2 because he who is not a ,member is shut out and cut off1 and hath no ,place in the ,body2 whereas the ,ministers are counted among the most eminent ,members of the ,body4 ,but no ,man can be a ,member unless he receive of the ,virtue1 ,life1 and ,nourishment of the ,head2 for the ,members that receive not this ,life and ,nourishment decay and wither1 and then are cut off4 ,and that every true ,member doth thus receive ,nourishment and ,life from the ,head1 the ,apostle expresly affirmeth1 ,ephes4 iv4 #af4 ,from whom the whole ,body being fitly joined together1 and compacted by that which every ,joint supplieth1 according to the effectual ,working in the ,measure of every ,part1 makes ,increase of the ,body unto the ,edifying of itself in ,love4 ,now this that thus is communicated1 and which thus uniteth the ,whole1 is no other than the ,grace of ,god2 and therefore the ,apostle in the same ,chapter1 ,ver4 #g4 saith1 ,but unto every one of us is given ,grace according to the ,measure of the ,gift of ,christ2 and ,ver4 #aa4 he sheweth how that by this ,grace and ,gift both ,apostles1 ,prophets1 ,evangelists1 ,pastors1 and ,teachers are given for the ,work of the ,ministry1 and edifying of the ,body of ,christ4 ,and certainly then no ,man destitute of ,grace is fit for this ,work1 seeing that all that ,christ gives are so qualified2 and these that are not so qualified1 are not given nor sent of ,christ1 are not to be heard1 nor received1 nor acknowledged as ,ministers of the ,gospel1 because his ,sheep neither ought nor will hear the ,voice of a ,stranger4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,sheep of ,christ1 neither ought1 nor will hear the ,stranger's ,voice4 ,this is also clear from #a ,cor4 xii4 throughout2 for the ,apostle in that ,chapter1 treating of the ,diversity of ,gifts and ,members of the ,body1 sheweth how by the ,workings of the same ,spirit in different ,manifestations or ,measures in the several ,members of the ,body the whole ,body is edified1 saying1 ,ver4 #ac4 ,that we are all baptized by the one ,spirit into one ,body2 and then1 ,ver4 #bh4 he numbers up the several ,dispensations thereof1 which by ,god are set in the ,church through the various ,workings of his ,spirit for the ,edification of the ,whole4 ,then if there be no true ,member of the ,body which is not thus baptized by the ,spirit1 neither any ,thing that worketh to the ,edifying of it1 but according to a ,measure of ,grace received from the ,spirit1 surely without ,grace none ought to be admitted to work or labour in the ,body1 because their ,labour and ,work1 without this ,grace and ,spirit1 would be but ineffectual4 4 ,,xvi4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #c4 ,thirdly1 ,that this ,grace and ,gift is a necessary ,qualification to a ,minister1 is clear from that of the ,apostle ,peter1 #a ,pet4 iv4 #aj1 #aa4 ,as every ,man hath received the ,gift1 even so minister the same one to another1 as good ,stewards of the manifold ,grace of ,god4 ,if any ,man speak1 let him speak as the ,oracles of ,god3 ,if any ,man minister1 let him do it as of the ,ability which ,god giveth2 that ,god in all ,things may be glorified through ,jesus ,christ2 to whom be ,praise and ,dominion for ever1 ,amen4 ,from which it appears1 that those that minster must minister according to the ,gift and ,grace received2 but they that have not such a ,gift1 cannot minister according thereunto4 ,sidenote3 ,the ministering must be by the ,gift and ,grace received4 ,secondly1 ,as good ,stewards of the manifold ,grace of ,god3 ,but how can a ,man be a good ,steward of that which he hath not8 ,can ungodly ,men1 that are not gracious themselves1 be good ,stewards of the manifold ,grace of ,god8 ,sidenote3 ,good ,stewardship of what8 ,of ,god's abounding ,grace1 which is the ,ability and ,stewardship received4 ,and therefore in the following ,verses he makes an exclusive ,limitation of such that are not thus furnished1 saying1 ,if any ,man speak1 let him speak as the ,oracles of ,god2 and if any ,man minister1 let him do it as of the ,ability that ,god giveth3 ,which is as much as if he had said1 they that cannot thus speak1 and thus minister1 ought not to do it3 ,for this ,if denotes a necessary ,condition4 ,now what this ,ability is1 is manifest by the former ,words1 to wit1 the ,gift received1 and the ,grace whereof they are ,stewards1 as by the immediate ,context and ,dependency of the ,words doth appear4 ,neither can it be understood of a mere natural ,ability1 because ,man in this ,condition is said not to know the ,things of ,god1 and so he cannot minister them to others4 ,and the following ,words shew this also1 in that he immediately subjoineth1 that ,god in all ,things may be glorified2 but surely ,god is not glorified1 but greatly dishonoured1 when natural ,men1 from their mere natural ,ability1 meddle in spiritual ,things1 which they neither know nor understand4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #d4 ,fourthly1 ,that ,grace is a most necessary ,qualification for a ,minister1 appears by those ,qualifications which the ,apostle expresly requires1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #b4 ,tit4 i4 c4 where he saith1 ,a ,bishop must be blameless1 vigilant1 sober1 of good ,behaviour1 apt to teach1 patient1 a ,lover of ,good ,men1 just1 holy1 temperate1 as the ,steward of ,god1 holding fast the faithful ,word as he hath been taught4 ,upon the other ,hand1 ,he must neither be given to ,wine1 nor a ,striker1 nor covetous1 nor proud1 nor self-willed1 nor soon angry4 ,sidenote3 ,how can a ,bishop have these ,virtues without the ,grace of ,god8 ,now ,i ask1 ,if it be not impossible that a ,man can have all these above-named ,virtues1 and be free of all these ,evils1 without the ,grace of ,god8 ,if then these ,virtues1 for the producing of which in a ,man ,grace is absolutely necessary1 be necessary to make a true ,minister of the ,church of ,christ according to the ,apostle's ,judgment1 surely ,grace must be necessary also4 ,sidenote3 ,whatsoever is done in the ,church without the ,ministry of ,god's ,spirit1 is vain and wicked4 ,concerning this ,thing a learned ,man1 and well skilled in ,antiquity1 about the ,time of the ,reformation1 writeth thus3 8,whatsoever is done in the ,church1 either for ,ornament or ,edification of ,religion1 whether in choosing ,magistrates or instituting ,ministers of the ,church1 except it be done by the ,ministry of ,god's ,spirit1 which is as it were the ,soul of the ,church1 it is vain and wicked4 ,for whoever hath not been called by the ,spirit of ,god to the great ,office of ,god and ,dignity of ,apostleship1 as ,aaron was1 and hath not entered in by the ,door1 which is ,christ1 but hath otherways risen in the ,church by the ,window1 by the ,favours of ,men1 c4 truly such a one is not the ,vicar of ,christ and his ,apostles1 but a ,thief and ,robber1 and the ,vicar of ,judas ,iscariot and ,simon the ,samaritan4 ,sidenote3 ,who is ,judas ,iscariot's ,vicar8 ,hence it was so strictly appointed concerning the ,election of ,prelates1 which holy ,dionysius calls the ,sacrament of ,nomination1 that the ,bishops and ,apostles who should oversee the ,service of the ,church should be ,men of most intire ,manners and ,life1 powerful in sound ,doctrine1 to give a ,reason for all ,things40 ,so also another1#hg about the same ,time1 writes thus3 8,therefore it can never be1 that by the ,tongues or ,learning any can give a sound ,judgment concerning the holy ,scriptures1 and the ,truth of ,god4 ,lastly10 saith he1 8the ,sheep of ,christ seeks nothing but the ,voice of ,christ1 which he knoweth by the ,holy ,spirit1 wherewith he is filled3 ,he regards not ,learning1 ,tongues1 or any outward ,thing1 so as therefore to believe this or that to be the ,voice of ,christ1 his true ,shepherd2 he knoweth that there is ,need of no other ,thing but the ,testimony of the ,spirit of ,god40 #hg ,franciscus ,lambertus ,avenionensis1 in his ,book concerning ,prophecy1 ,learning1 ,tongues1 and the ,spirit of ,prophecy4 ,argent4 excus4 ,anno #aeaf1 de ,prov4 ,cap4 #bd4 4 ,,xvii4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,against this absolute ,necessity of ,grace they object1 ,that if all ,ministers had the saving ,grace of ,god1 then all ,ministers should be saved2 seeing none can fall away from or lose saving ,grace4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but this ,objection is built upon a false ,hypothesis1 purely denied by us2 and we have in the former ,proposition concerning ,perseverance already refuted it4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,it may be objected to us1 ,that since we affirm that every ,man hath a ,measure of true and saving ,grace1 there needs no singular ,qualification either to a ,christian or ,minister2 for seeing every ,man hath this ,grace1 then no ,man needs forbear to be a ,minister for want of ,grace4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,we have above shewn that there is necessary to the making a ,minister a special and particular ,call from the ,spirit of ,god1 which is something besides the universal ,dispensation of ,grace to all1 according to that of the ,apostle1#hh ,no ,man taketh this ,honour unto himself1 but he that is called of ,god1 as was ,aaron4 ,moreover1 we understand by ,grace as a ,qualification to a ,minister1 not the mere ,measure of ,light1 as it is given to reprove and call him to ,righteousness2 ,sidenote3 ,all have ,god's ,grace1 which calls to ,righteousness1 but all are not so leavened into its ,nature as to bring forth ,fruits1 of a blameless holy ,life4 but we understand ,grace as it hath converted the ,soul1 and operateth powerfully in it1 as hereafter1 concerning the ,work of ,ministers1 will further appear4 ,so we understand not ,men simply as having ,grace in them as a ,seed1 which we indeed affirm all have in a ,measure2 but we understand ,men that are gracious1 leavened by it into the ,nature thereof1 so as thereby to bring forth those good ,fruits of a blameless ,conversation1 and of ,justice1 ,holiness1 ,patience1 and ,temperance1 which the ,apostle requires as necessary in a true ,christian ,bishop and ,minister4 #hh ,heb4 #e4 #d4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,they#hi object the ,example of the false ,prophets1 of the ,pharisees1 and of ,judas4 #hi ,so ,nic4 ,arnoldus ,sect4 #cb4 upon ,thesis #d4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but ,first1 ,as to the false ,prophets1 there can nothing be more foolish and ridiculous2 as if because there were false ,prophets1 really false1 without the ,grace of ,god1 therefore ,grace is not necessary to a true ,christian ,minister4 ,sidenote3 ,the false not the true ,prophets want the ,grace of ,god4 ,indeed if they had proved that true ,prophets wanted this ,grace1 they had said something2 but what have false ,prophets common with true ,ministers1 but that they pretend falsely that which they have not8 ,and because false ,prophets want true ,grace1 will it therefore follow1 that true ,prophets ought not to have it1 that they may be true and not false8 ,the ,example of the ,pharisees and ,priests under the ,law will not answer to the ,gospel ,times1 because ,god set apart a particular ,tribe for that ,service1 and particular ,families1 to whom it belonged by a lineal ,succession2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,service under the ,law was not purely ,spiritual1 but ,figurative2 for the ,performance of which1 as they behoved to be purified from their outward ,pollutions3 ,so the ,ministers of the ,gospel must be inwardly without ,blemish4 and also their ,service and ,work was not purely spiritual1 but only the ,performance of some outward and carnal ,observations and ,ceremonies1 which were but a ,shadow of the ,substance that was to come2 and therefore their ,work made not the ,comers thereunto perfect1 as appertaining to the ,conscience1 seeing they were appointed only according to the ,law of carnal ,commandment1 and not according to the ,power of an endless ,life4 ,notwithstanding as in the ,figure they were to be without ,blemish as to their outward ,man1 and in the ,performance of their ,work they were to be washed and purified from their outward ,pollutions1 so now1 under the ,gospel ,times1 the ,ministers in the ,anti-type must be inwardly without ,blemish in their ,souls and ,spirits1 being1 as the ,apostle requires1 blameless1 and in their ,work and ,service must be pure and undefiled from their inward ,pollutions1 and so clean and holy1 that they may offer up spiritual ,sacrifices acceptable to ,god by ,jesus ,christ1 #a ,pet4 ii4 #e4 ,as to ,judas1 the ,season of his ,ministry was not wholly ,evangelical1 as being before the ,work was finished1 and while ,christ himself and his ,disciples were yet subject to the ,jewish ,observances and ,constitutions1 and therefore his ,commission1 as well as that which the rest received with him at that ,time1 was only to the ,house of ,israel1 ,matt4 x4 #e1 #f4 by ,virtue of that ,commission1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,ministry of the ,disciples of ,christ before the ,work was finished1 was more ,legal than ,evangelical4 therefore the rest of the ,apostles were not impowered to go forth and preach after the ,resurrection1 until they had waited at ,jerusalem for the pouring forth of the ,spirit3 ,so that it appears ,judas's ,ministry was more legal than ,evangelical4 ,sidenote3 ,judas was immediately called of ,christ1 and preached freely1 which our ,adversaries will not do2 although they make him a ,pattern of their graceless ,ministry1 saying1 he had not the least ,measure of ,god's ,grace at that ,time4 ,secondly1 ,judas's ,case1 as all will acknowledge1 was singular and extraordinary1 he being immediately called by ,christ himself1 and accordingly furnished and impowered by him to preach1 and do ,miracles2 which immediate ,commission our ,adversaries do not so much as pretend to1 and so fall short of ,judas1 who trusted in ,christ's ,words1 and therefore went forth and preached1 without ,gold or ,silver1 or ,scrip for his ,journey2 giving freely as he had freely received2 which our ,adversaries will not do1 as hereafter shall be observed3 ,also that ,judas at that ,time had not the least ,measure of ,god's ,grace1 ,i have not as yet heard proved4 ,but is it not sad1 that even ,protestants should lay aside the eleven good and faithful ,apostles1 and all the rest of the holy ,disciples and ,ministers of ,christ1 and betake them to that one1 of whom it was testified that he was a ,devil1 for a ,pattern and ,example to their ,ministry8 ,alas6 it is to be regretted1 that too many of them resemble this ,pattern over-much4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 ,another ,objection is usually made against the ,necessity of ,grace1 #ij,that in ,case it were necessary1 then such as wanted it could not truly administer the ,sacraments2 and consequently the ,people would be left in ,doubts and infinite ,scruples1 or not knowing certainly whether they had truly received them1 because not knowing infallibly whether the ,administrators were truly gracious ,men4 #ij ,ibid4 ,nic4 ,arnoldus4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but this ,objection hitteth not us at all1 because the ,nature of that ,spiritual and ,christian ,worship1 which we according to the ,truth plead for1 is such as is not necessarily attended with these carnal and outward ,institutions1 from the administering of which the ,objection ariseth2 and so hath not any such ,absurdity following upon it1 as will afterwards more clearly appear4 4 ,,xviii4 ,sidenote3 ,what true ,learning is4 ,though then we make not ,human ,learning necessary1 yet we are far from excluding true ,learning2 to wit1 that ,learning which proceedeth from the inward ,teachings and ,instructions of the ,spirit1 whereby the ,soul learneth the secret ,ways of the ,lord1 becomes acquainted with many inward ,travails and ,exercises of the ,mind2 and learneth by a living ,experience how to overcome ,evil1 and the ,temptations of it1 by following the ,lord1 and walking in his ,light1 and waiting daily for ,wisdom and ,knowledge immediately from the ,revelation thereof2 and so layeth up these heavenly and divine ,lessons in the good ,treasure of the ,heart1 as honest ,mary did the ,sayings which she heard1 and ,things which she observed3 ,and also out of this ,treasure of the ,soul1 as the good ,scribe1 brings forth ,things new and old1 according as the same ,spirit moves1 and gives true ,liberty1 and as the ,glory of ,god requires1 for whose ,glory the ,soul1 which is the ,temple of ,god1 learneth to do all ,things4 ,sidenote3 ,the good ,learning which is necessary to a true ,minister4 ,this is that good ,learning which we think necessary to a true ,minister2 by and through which ,learning a ,man can well instruct1 teach1 and admonish in due ,season1 and testify for ,god from a certain ,experience2 as did ,david1 ,solomon1 and the holy ,prophets of old1 and the blessed ,apostles of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who testified of what they had seen1 heard1 felt1 and handled of the ,word of ,life1 #a ,john i4 #a4 ,ministering the ,gift according as they had received the same1 as good ,stewards of the manifold ,grace of ,god2 and preached not the uncertain ,rumours of ,men by ,hearsay1 which they had gathered merely in the ,comprehension1 while they were ,strangers to the ,thing in their own ,experience in themselves3 ,as to teach ,people how to believe1 while themselves were unbelieving1 or how to overcome ,sin1 while themselves are ,slaves to it1 as all ungracious ,men are2 or to believe and hope for an eternal ,reward1 which themselves have not as yet arrived at1 c4 4 ,,xix4 ,sidenote3 ,literature is first the ,knowledge of ,latin1 ,greek and ,hebrew4 ,but let us examine this ,literature1 which they make so necessary to the ,being of a ,minister2 as in the first ,place1 the ,knowledge of the ,tongues1 at least of the ,latin1 ,greek1 and ,hebrew4 ,the ,reason of this is1 ,that they may read the ,scripture1 which is their only ,rule1 in the ,original ,languages1 and thereby be the more capable to comment upon it1 and interpret it1 c4 ,that also which made this ,knowledge be the more prized by the ,primitive ,protestants1 was indeed the dark ,barbarity that was over the ,world in the ,centuries immediately preceding the ,reformation2 the ,knowledge of the ,tongues being about that ,time1 7until it was even then restored by ,erasmus and some others7 almost lost and extinct4 ,sidenote3 ,before the ,reformation the ,prayers of the ,people were in the ,latin ,tongue4 ,and this ,barbarity was so much the more abominable1 that the whole ,worship and ,prayers of the ,people were in the ,latin ,tongue2 and among that vast ,number of ,priests1 ,monks and ,friars1 scarce one of a ,thousand understood his ,breviary1 or that ,mass which he daily read and repeated3 ,the ,scripture being1 not only to the ,people1 but to the greater ,part of the ,clergy1 even as to the literal ,knowledge of it1 as a sealed ,book4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,zeal and ,endeavours of the first ,reformers commended4 ,i shall not at all discommend the ,zeal that the first ,reformers had against this ,babylonish ,darkness1 nor their pious ,endeavours to translate the holy ,scriptures3 ,i do truly believe1 according to their ,knowledge1 that they did it candidly3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,knowledge of ,languages commendable1 and ,schools necessary4 ,and therefore to answer the just ,desires of those that desire to read them1 and for other very good ,reasons1 as maintaining a ,commerce and ,understanding among divers ,nations by these common ,languages1 and others of that ,kind1 we judge it necessary and commendable that there be publick ,schools for the ,teaching and ,instructing such ,youth1 as are inclinable thereunto1 in the ,languages4 ,and although that ,papal ,ignorance deserved justly to be abhorred and abominated1 we see nevertheless1 that the true ,reformation consists not in that ,knowledge2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,papists ,literature and ,knowledge1 especially the ,jesuits4 because although since that ,time the ,papists1 stirred up through ,emulation of the ,protestants1 have more applied themselves to ,literature1 and it now more flourisheth in their ,universities and ,cloysters1 than before1 7especially in the ,ignatian or ,jesuitick ,sect7 they are as far now as ever from a true ,reformation1 and more hardened in their pernicious ,doctrines4 ,but all this will not make it a necessary ,qualification to a ,minister1 far less a more necessary ,qualification than the ,grace of ,god and his ,spirit2 because the ,spirit and ,grace of ,god can make up this ,want in the most ,rustick and ,ignorant2 but this ,knowledge can no ,ways make up the ,want of the ,spirit in the most ,learned and ,eloquent4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,spirit is the truest ,interpreter of the ,scriptures1 whether from the ,original ,languages1 or without them4 ,for all that which ,man1 by his own ,industry1 ,learning and ,knowledge in the ,languages can interpret of the ,scriptures1 or find out1 is nothing without the ,spirit2 he cannot be certain1 but may still miss of the ,sense of it3 ,whereas a poor ,man1 that knoweth not a ,letter1 when he heareth the ,scriptures read1 by the same ,spirit he can say1 ,this is true2 and by the same ,spirit he can understand1 open1 and interpret it1 if ,need be3 ,yea1 finding his ,condition to answer the ,condition and ,experience of the ,saints of old1 he knoweth and possesseth the ,truths there delivered1 because they are sealed and witnessed in his own ,heart by the same ,spirit4 ,and this we have plentiful ,experience of in many of those illiterate ,men1 whom ,god hath raised up to be ,ministers in his ,church in this ,day2 so that some such1 by his ,spirit1 have corrected some of the ,errors of the ,translators1 as in the ,third ,proposition concerning the ,scriptures ,i before observed4 ,sidenote3 ,a poor ,shoemaker1 that could not read1 refutes a ,professor of ,divinity's false ,assertions from ,scripture4 ,yea1 ,i know myself a poor ,shoemaker1 that cannot read a ,word1 who being assaulted with a false ,citation of ,scripture1 from a publick ,professor of ,divinity1 before the ,magistrate of a ,city1 when he had been taken up for preaching to some few that came to hear him2 ,i say1 ,i know such a one1 and he is yet alive1 who though the ,professor1 who also is esteemed a learned ,man1 constantly asserted his ,saying to be a ,scripture ,sentence1 yet affirmed1 not through any certain ,letter-knowledge he had of it1 but from the most certain ,evidence of the ,spirit in himself1 that the ,professor was mistaken2 and that the ,spirit of ,god never said any such ,thing as the other affirmed1 and the ,bible being brought1 it was found as the poor ,shoemaker had said4 4 ,,xx4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,logick and ,philosophy not needful to a ,preacher4 ,the second ,part of their ,literature is ,logick and ,philosophy1 an ,art so little needful to a true ,minister1 that if one that comes to be a true ,minister hath had it1 it is safest for him to forget and lose it2 for it is the ,root and ,ground of all ,contention and ,debate1 and the ,way to make a ,thing a great deal darker1 than clearer4 ,for under the ,pretence of regulating ,man's ,reason into a certain ,order and ,rules1 that he may find out 7as they pretend7 the ,truth1 it leads into such a ,labyrinth of ,contention1 as is far more fit to make a ,sceptick than a ,christian1 far less a ,minister of ,christ2 yea1 it often hinders ,man from a clear ,understanding of ,things that his own ,reason would give him2 and therefore through its manifold ,rules and divers ,inventions1 it often gives ,occasion for a ,man1 that hath little ,reason1 foolishly to speak much to no ,purpose2 seeing a ,man1 that is not very wise1 may notwithstanding be a perfect ,logician4 ,and then1 if ye would make a ,man a ,fool to purpose that is not very wise1 do but teach him ,logick and ,philosophy2 and whereas before he might have been fit for something1 he shall then be good for nothing1 but to speak ,nonsense2 for these ,notions will so swim in his ,head1 that they will make him extremely busy about nothing4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,use of ,logick is to see its ,emptiness4 ,the ,use that wise and solid ,men make of it1 is1 to see the ,emptiness thereof2 therefore saith one1 ,it is an ,art of ,contention and ,darkness1 by which all other ,sciences are rendered more obscure1 and harder to be understood4 ,if it be urged1 ,that thereby the ,truth may be maintained and confirmed1 and ,hereticks confuted2 ,i answer1 ,the ,truth1 in ,men truly rational1 needeth not the ,help thereof2 and such as are obstinate1 this will not convince2 for by this they may learn twenty ,tricks and ,distinctions1 how to shut out the ,truth3 ,and the ,truth proceeding from an honest ,heart1 and spoken forth from the ,virtue and ,spirit of ,god1 will have more ,influence1 and take sooner and more effectually1 than by a thousand ,demonstrations of ,logick2 as that ,heathen ,philosopher#iaib acknowledged1 who1 disputing with the ,christian ,bishops1 in the ,council of ,nice1 was so subtile1 that he could not be overcome by them2 but yet by a few ,words spoken by a simple old ,rustick1 was presently convinced by him1 and converted to the ,christian ,faith2 and being enquired how he came to yield to that ignorant old ,man1 and not to the ,bishops2 he said1 ,that they contended with him in his own ,way1 and he could still give ,words for ,words2 but there came from the old ,man that ,virtue1 which he was not able to resist4 ,this secret ,virtue and ,power ought to be the ,logick and ,philosophy wherewith a true ,christian ,minister should be furnished2 and for which they need not be beholden to ,aristotle4 ,sidenote3 ,natural ,logick useful4 ,as to natural ,logick1 by which rational ,men1 without that ,art and ,rules1 or sophistical ,learning1 deduce a certain ,conclusion out of true ,propositions1 which scarce any ,man of ,reason wants1 we deny not the ,use of it2 and ,i have sometimes used it in this ,treatise2 which also may serve without that dialectick ,art4 ,sidenote3 #c4 ,ethicks or the ,manner-,rules to ,christians not needful4 ,as for the other ,part of ,philosophy1 which is called ,moral1 or ,ethicks1 it is not so necessary to ,christians1 who have the ,rules of the holy ,scriptures1 and the ,gift of the ,holy ,spirit1 by which they can be much better instructed4 ,sidenote3 #d4 ,physicks1 and the ,metaphysicks make no ,preachers of the ,truth4 ,the ,physical and ,metaphysical ,part may be reduced to the ,arts of ,medicine and the ,mathematicks1 which have nothing to do with the ,essence of a ,christian ,minister4 ,and therefore the ,apostle ,paul1 who well understood what was good for ,christian ,ministers1 and what hurtful1 thus exhorted the ,colossians1 ,col4 ii4 #h4 ,beware lest any ,man spoil you through ,philosophy and vain ,deceit4 ,and to his beloved ,disciple ,timothy he writes also thus1 #a ,tim4 vi4 #bj4 ,o ,timothy1 keep that which is committed to thy ,trust1 avoiding profane and vain ,babblings1 and ,opposition of ,science1 falsely so called4 #ia ,an ,heathen ,philosopher disputing with the ,bishops in the ,council of ,nice1 was converted to the ,christian ,faith by an ignorant old ,man1 when they could not4 #ib ,luc ,osiandri ,epit4 ,hist4 ,eccles4 ,lib4 #b4 ,cap4 #e4 ,cent4 #d4 4 ,,xxi4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,the learned ,school ,divinity obnoxious2 ,a ,monster2 ,a ,letter-,knowledge ,heathenized4 ,the third and main ,part of their ,literature is ,school ,divinity1 a ,monster1 made up of some ,scriptural ,notions of ,truth1 and the ,heathenish ,terms and ,maxims2 being1 as it were1 the ,heathenish ,philosophy ,christianized1 or rather1 the literal external ,knowledge of ,christ ,heathenized4 ,it is ,man in his first1 fallen1 natural ,state1 with his devilish ,wisdom1 pleasing himself with some ,notions of ,truth1 and adorning them with his own sensual and carnal ,wisdom1 because he thinks the ,simplicity of the ,truth too low and mean a ,thing for him2 and so despiseth that ,simplicity1 wheresoever it is found1 that he may set up and exalt himself1 puffed up with this his monstrous ,birth4 ,it is the ,devil1 darkening1 obscuring1 and veiling the ,knowledge of ,god1 with his serpentine and worldly ,wisdom2 that so he may the more securely deceive the ,hearts of the ,simple1 and make the ,truth1 as it is in itself1 despicable and hard to be known and understood1 by multiplying a thousand difficult and needless ,questions1 and endless ,contentions and ,debates4 ,all which1 he who perfectly knoweth1 is not a ,whit less the ,servant of ,sin than he was2 but ten ,times more so1 in that he is exalted1 and proud of ,iniquity1 and so much the farther from receiving1 understanding1 or learning the ,truth1 as it is in its own naked ,simplicity2 because he is full1 learned1 rich1 and wise in his own ,conceit3 ,and so those that are most skilled in it1 wear out their ,day1 and spend their precious ,time about the infinite and innumerable ,questions they have feigned and invented concerning it4 ,a certain learned ,man called it1 ,a twofold ,discipline1 like the ,race of the ,centaurs1 partly proceeding from divine ,sayings1 partly from philosophical ,reasons4 ,sidenote3 ,its needless ,questions and endless ,janglings4 ,a thousand of their ,questions they confess themselves to be no-ways necessary to ,salvation2 and yet many more of them they could never agree upon1 but are1 and still will be1 in endless ,janglings about them4 ,the ,volumes that have been written about it1 a ,man in his whole ,age could scarce read1 though he lived to be very old2 and when he has read them all1 he has but wrought himself a great deal more ,vexation and ,trouble of ,spirit than he had before4 ,these certainly are the ,words multiplied without ,knowledge2 by which ,counsel hath been darkened1 ,job xxxviii4 #b4 ,they make the ,scripture the ,text of all this ,mass2 and it is concerning the ,sense of it that their voluminous ,debates arise4 ,but a ,man of a good upright ,heart may learn more in half an ,hour1 and be more certain of it1 by waiting upon ,god1 and his ,spirit in the ,heart1 than by reading a thousand of their ,volumes2 which by filling his ,head with many needless ,imaginations1 may well stagger his ,faith1 but never confirm it3 ,and indeed those that give themselves most to it1 are most capable to fall into ,error1 as appeareth by the ,example of ,origen1 who1 by his ,learning1 was one of the first1 that falling into this ,way of interpreting the ,scriptures1 wrote so many ,volumes1 and in them so many ,errors1 as very much troubled the ,church4 ,sidenote3 ,whereby ,arius fell into ,error and ,schism4 ,also ,arius1 led by this ,curiosity and human ,scrutiny1 despising the ,simplicity of the ,gospel1 fell into his ,error1 which was the ,cause of that horrible ,heresy which so much troubled the ,church4 ,methinks the ,simplicity1 ,plainness1 and ,brevity of the ,scriptures themselves1 should be a sufficient ,reproof for such a ,science2 and the ,apostles1 being honest1 plain1 illiterate ,men1 may be better understood by such ,kind of ,men now1 than with all that ,mass of scholastick ,stuff1 which neither ,peter1 nor ,paul1 nor ,john1 ever thought of4 4 ,,xxii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,apostasy1 and its dangerous ,consequence4 ,but this ,invention of ,satan1 wherewith he began the ,apostasy1 hath been of dangerous ,consequence2 for thereby he at first spoiled the ,simplicity of ,truth1 by keeping up the ,heathenish ,learning1 which occasioned such ,uncertainty1 even among those called ,fathers1 and such ,debate1 that there are few of them to be found1 who1 by ,reason of this ,mixture1 do not only frequently contradict one another1 but themselves also4 ,sidenote3 ,many of the ,fathers do not only contradict each other1 but themselves also1 and why8 ,and therefore when the ,apostasy grew greater1 he1 as it were1 buried the ,truth with this ,veil of ,darkness1 wholly shutting out ,people from true ,knowledge1 and making the ,learned 7so accounted7 busy themselves with idle and needless ,questions2 while the weighty ,truths of ,god were neglected1 and went1 as it were1 into ,disuse4 ,now1 though the grossest of these ,abuses be swept away by ,protestants2 yet the evil ,root still remains1 and is nourished and upheld2 and the ,science kept up1 as being deemed necessary for a ,minister3 ,for1 while the pure ,learning of the ,spirit of ,truth is despised and neglected1 and made ineffectual1 ,man's fallen earthly ,wisdom is upheld2 and so in that he labours and works with the ,scriptures1 being out of the ,life and ,spirit which those that wrote them were in1 by which only they are rightly understood1 and made ,use of4 ,sidenote3 ,merchandizing with the ,scriptures3 ,what it is4 ,see also #b ,pet4 #b4 #c4 ,and so he that is to be a ,minister1 must learn this ,art or ,trade of ,merchandizing with the ,scriptures1 and be that which the ,apostle would not be1 to wit1 a ,trader with them1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #ag4 ,that he may acquire a ,knack from a ,verse of ,scripture1 by adding his own barren ,notions and ,conceptions to it1 and his uncertain ,conjectures1 and what he hath stolen out of ,books2 for which ,end he must have of ,necessity a good many by him1 and may each ,sabbath-day1 as they call it1 or oftener1 make a ,discourse for an ,hour long2 ,sidenote3 ,and this they call the ,preaching of the ,word4 and this is called the ,preaching of the ,word3 ,whereas the ,gift1 ,grace1 and ,spirit of ,god1 to teach1 open1 and instruct1 and to preach a ,word in ,season1 is neglected1 and so ,man's ,arts and ,parts1 and ,knowledge1 and ,wisdom1 which is from below1 are set up and established in the ,temple of ,god1 yea1 and above the little ,seed2 which in ,effect is ,antichrist1 working in the ,mystery4 ,sidenote3 ,thus ,antichrist is established above the ,seed of the ,kingdom4 ,and so the ,devil may be as good and able a ,minister as the best of them2 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,devil may be a ,minister of the ,priests ,gospel4 for he has better ,skill in ,languages1 and more ,logick1 ,philosophy and ,school ,divinity1 than any of them2 and knows the ,truth in the ,notion better than they all1 and can talk more eloquently than all those ,preachers4 ,but what availeth all this2 ,is it not all but as ,death1 as a painted ,sepulchre1 and dead ,carcase1 without the ,power1 ,life and ,spirit of ,christianity1 which is the ,marrow and ,substance of a ,christian ,ministry8 ,and he that hath this1 and can speak from it1 though he be a poor ,shepherd1 or a ,fisherman1 and ignorant of all that ,learning1 and of all those ,questions and ,notions2 yet speaking from the ,spirit1 his ,ministry will have more ,influence towards the converting a ,sinner unto ,god1 than all of them who are learned after the ,flesh2 as in that ,example of the old ,man at the ,council of ,nice did appear4 4 ,,xxiii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,power of ,god by weak ,instruments restoring the ,simplicity of ,truth4 ,and if in any ,age1 since the ,apostles ,days1 ,god hath purposed to shew his ,power by weak ,instruments1 for the battering down of that ,carnal and ,heathenish ,wisdom1 and restoring again the ancient ,simplicity of ,truth1 this is it4 ,for in our ,day1 ,god hath raised up ,witnesses for himself1 as he did ,fishermen of old2 many1 yea1 most of whom1 are labouring and mechanick ,men1 who1 altogether without that ,learning1 have1 by the ,power and ,spirit of ,god1 struck at the very ,root and ,ground of ,babylon2 and in the ,strength and ,might of this ,power1 have gathered ,thousands1 by reaching their ,consciences1 into the same ,power and ,life1 who1 as to the outward ,part1 have been far more knowing than they1 yet not able to resist the ,virtue that proceeded from them4 ,of which ,i myself am a true ,witness2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,powerful ,ministry of illiterate ,men4 and can declare from certain ,experience1 because my ,heart hath been often greatly broken and tendered by that virtuous ,life that proceeded from the powerful ,ministry of those illiterate ,men3 ,so that by their very ,countenance1 as well as ,words1 ,i have felt the ,evil in me often chained down1 and the ,good reached to and raised4 ,what shall ,i then say to you1 who are ,lovers of ,learning1 and ,admirers of ,knowledge8 ,was not ,i also a ,lover and ,admirer of it1 who also sought after it1 according to my ,age and ,capacity8 ,but it pleased ,god1 in his unutterable ,love1 early to withstand my vain ,endeavours1 while ,i was yet but eighteen ,years of ,age2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,time of the ,author's first ,convincement4 and made me seriously to consider 7which ,i wish also may befall others17 #ic,that without ,holiness and ,regeneration1 no ,man can see ,god2 and that the ,fear of the ,lord is the ,beginning of ,wisdom1 and to depart from ,iniquity1 a good ,understanding2 and how much ,knowledge puffeth up1 and leadeth away from that inward ,quietness1 ,stillness1 and ,humility of ,mind1 where the ,lord appears1 and his ,heavenly ,wisdom is revealed4 ,if ye consider these ,things1 then will ye say with me1 ,that all this ,learning1 ,wisdom and ,knowledge1 gathered in this fallen ,nature1 is but as ,dross and ,dung1 in ,comparison of the ,cross of ,christ2 especially being destitute of that ,power1 ,life and ,virtue1 which ,i perceived these excellent 7though despised1 because illiterate7 ,witnesses of ,god to be filled with3 ,and therefore seeing1 that in and among them1 ,i1 with many others1 have found the ,heavenly ,food that gives ,contentment1 let my ,soul seek after this ,learning1 and wait for it for ever4 #ic ,job4 #bh4 #bh4 4 ,,xxiv4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #c4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,work of a ,minister4 ,having thus spoken of the ,call and ,qualifications of a ,gospel-,minister1 that which comes next to be considered1 is1 ,what his proper ,work is1 how1 and by what ,rule1 he is to be ordered8 ,our ,adversaries do all along go upon ,externals1 and therefore have certain prescribed ,rules and ,methods1 contrived according to their human and earthly ,wisdom3 ,we1 on the ,contrary1 walk still upon the same ,foundation1 and lean always upon the immediate ,assistance and ,influence of that ,holy ,spirit1 which ,god hath given his ,children1 to teach them all ,things1 and lead them in all ,things3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,holy ,spirit1 a ,spirit of ,order1 and not of ,confusion4 ,which ,spirit1 being the ,spirit of ,order1 and not of ,confusion1 leads us1 and as many as follow it1 into such a comely and decent ,order as becometh the ,church of ,god4 ,but our ,adversaries1 having shut themselves out from this immediate ,counsel and ,influence of the ,spirit1 have run themselves into many ,confusions and ,disorders1 seeking to establish an ,order in this ,matter4 ,sidenote3 ,popish ,orders and ,offices1 c4 ,for some will have ,first a chief ,bishop1 or ,pope1 to rule and be a ,prince over all2 and under him1 by ,degrees1 ,cardinals1 ,patriarchs1 ,archbishops1 ,priests1 ,deacons1 ,sub-deacons2 and besides these1 ,acoluthi1 ,tonsorati1 ,ostiarii1 c4 ,and in their ,theology 7as they call it7 ,professors1 ,bachelors1 ,doctors1 c4 ,and others would have every ,nation independent of another1 having its own ,metropolitan or ,patriarch2 and the rest in ,order subject to him1 as before4 ,others again are against all ,precedency among ,pastors1 and constitute their ,subordination not of ,persons1 but of ,powers3 ,as first the ,consistory1 or ,session2 then the ,class1 or ,presbytery2 then the ,provincial2 and then the ,national ,synod or ,assembly4 ,thus they tear one another1 and contend among themselves concerning the ,ordering1 ,distinguishing1 and making their several ,orders and ,offices2 ,sidenote3 ,wars and ,bloodshed about ,church ,government4 concerning which there hath been no less ,contest1 not only by ,way of verbal ,dispute1 but even by ,fighting1 ,tumults1 ,wars1 ,devastations1 and ,bloodshed1 than about the ,conquering1 ,overturning1 and ,establishing of ,kingdoms4 ,and the ,histories of late ,times are as full of the various ,tragedies1 acted on ,account of this ,spiritual and ,ecclesiastical ,monarchy and ,commonwealth1 as the ,histories of old ,times are of the ,wars and ,contests that fell out both in the ,assyrian1 ,persian1 ,greek and ,roman ,empires3 ,these last upon this ,account1 though among those that are called ,christians1 have been no less bloody and cruel than the former among ,heathens1 concerning their outward ,empires and ,governments4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,ground and ,cause thereof4 ,now all this1 both among ,papists and ,protestants1 proceedeth1 in that they seek in ,imitation to uphold a ,form and ,shadow of ,things1 though they want the ,power1 ,virtue and ,substance2 while for many of their ,orders and ,forms they have not so much as the ,name in the ,scripture4 ,but in ,opposition to all this ,mass of ,formality1 and ,heap of ,orders1 ,rules and ,governments1 we say1 ,the ,substance is chiefly to be sought after1 and the ,power1 ,virtue and ,spirit1 is to be known and waited for1 which is one in all the different ,names and ,offices the ,scripture makes ,use of2 as appears by #a ,cor4 xii4 #d4 7often before-mentioned7 ,there are ,diversities of ,gifts1 but the same ,spirit4 ,and after the ,apostle1 throughout the whole ,chapter1 hath shewn how one and the self-same ,spirit worketh in and quickeneth each ,member2 then in ,ver4 #bh4 he sheweth how thereby ,god hath set in the ,church1 ,first ,apostles1 ,secondly ,prophets1 ,teachers1 c4 ,and likewise to the same ,purpose1 ,ephes4 iv4 #aa2 he sheweth1 how by these ,gifts he hath given some ,apostles1 some ,prophets1 some ,evangelists1 some ,pastors1 some ,teachers1 c4 ,now it never was ,christ's ,purpose1 nor the ,apostles1 that ,christians should1 without this ,spirit and ,heavenly ,gift1 set up a ,shadow and ,form of these ,orders1 and so make several ,ranks and ,degrees1 to establish a carnal ,ministry of ,men's making1 without the ,life1 ,power and ,spirit of ,christ3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,work of ,antichrist and ,mystery of ,iniquity4 ,this is that ,work of ,antichrist1 and ,mystery of ,iniquity1 that hath got up in the dark ,night of ,apostasy4 ,but in a true ,church of ,christ1 gathered together by ,god1 not only into the ,belief of the ,principles of ,truth1 but also into the ,power1 ,life and ,spirit of ,christ1 the ,spirit of ,god is the ,orderer1 ,ruler and ,governor2 as in each ,particular1 so in the ,general4 ,sidenote3 ,such as the ,spirit sets apart to the ,ministry1 their ,brethren hear them4 ,and when they assemble together to wait upon ,god1 and to worship and adore him2 then such as the ,spirit sets apart for the ,ministry1 by its divine ,power and ,influence opening their ,mouths1 and giving them to exhort1 reprove1 and instruct with ,virtue and ,power2 these are thus ordained of ,god and admitted into the ,ministry1 and their ,brethren cannot but hear them1 receive them1 and also honour them for their ,work's ,sake4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,clergy and ,laicks4 ,and so this is not monopolized by a certain ,kind of ,men1 as the ,clergy 7who are to that ,purpose educated and brought up as other carnal ,artists7 and the rest to be despised as ,laicks2 but it is left to the free ,gift of ,god to choose any whom he seeth meet thereunto1 whether ,rich or ,poor1 ,servant or ,master1 ,young or ,old1 yea1 ,male or ,female4 ,sidenote3 ,women may preach4 ,and such as have this ,call1 verify the ,gospel1 by preaching not in ,speech only1 but also in ,power1 and in the ,holy ,ghost1 and in much ,fulness1 #a ,thess4 i4 #e4 and cannot but be received and heard by the ,sheep of ,christ4 4 ,,xxv4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if it be objected here1 ,that ,i seem hereby to make no ,distinction at all betwixt ,ministers and others2 which is contrary to the ,apostle's ,saying1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bi4 ,are all ,apostles8 ,are all ,prophets8 ,are all ,teachers8 c4 ,from thence they insinuate1 ,that ,i also contradict his ,comparison in that ,chapter1 of the ,church of ,christ with a human ,body2 as where he saith1 ,ver4 #ag4 ,if the whole ,body were an ,eye1 where were the ,hearing8 ,if the ,whole were ,hearing1 where were the ,smelling8 c4 ,also the ,apostle not only distinguisheth the ,ministers of the ,church in general from the rest of the ,members1 but also from themselves2 as naming them distinctly and separately1 ,apostles1 ,prophets1 ,evangelists1 ,pastors1 ,teachers1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,diversity of ,names makes no distinct ,offices2 but which may coincide1 or be together in one ,person4 ,as to the last ,part of this ,objection1 to which ,i shall first answer2 it is apparent1 that this ,diversity of ,names is not to distinguish separate ,offices1 but to denote the different and various ,operations of the ,spirit2 a ,manner of ,speech frequent with the ,apostle ,paul1 wherein he sometimes expatiates to the ,illustrating of the ,glory and ,praise of ,god's ,grace3 ,as in ,particular1 ,rom4 xii4 #f4 ,having then ,gifts differing according to the ,grace that is given us1 whether ,prophecy1 let us prophesy according to the ,proportion of ,faith2 or ,ministry1 let us wait on our ,ministring2 or he that teacheth1 on ,teaching2 or he that exhorteth1 on ,exhortation4 ,now none will say from all this1 that these are distinct ,offices1 or do not1 or may not coincide in one ,person1 as may all those other ,things mentioned by him in the subsequent ,verses1 viz4 ,of ,loving1 being kindly ,affectionated1 ,fervency of ,spirit1 ,hospitality1 ,diligence1 ,blessing1 ,rejoicing1 c4 which he yet numbers forth as different ,gifts of the ,spirit1 and according to this ,objection might be placed as distinct and separate ,offices1 which were most absurd4 ,secondly1 ,in these very ,places mentioned it is clear that it is no real ,distinction of separate ,offices2 because all acknowledge1 that ,pastors and ,teachers1 7which the ,apostle there no less separateth and distinguisheth1 than ,pastors and ,prophets1 or ,apostles7 are one and the same1 and coincide in the same ,office and ,person2 and therefore may be said so of the rest4 ,sidenote3 ,prophecy and ,prophesying1 its twofold ,signification4 ,for ,prophecy as it signifies the ,foretelling of ,things to come1 is indeed a distinct ,gift1 but no distinct ,office2 and therefore our ,adversaries do not place it among their several ,orders3 ,neither will they deny1 but that it both may be and hath been given of ,god to some1 that not only have been ,pastors and ,teachers1 and that there it hath coincided in one ,person with these other ,offices1 but also to some of the ,laicks3 ,and so it hath been found1 according to their own ,confession1 without the ,limits of their ,clergy4 ,sidenote3 ,to prophesy1 a ,privilege of ,teachers1 and of all the ,saints4 ,prophecy in the other ,sense1 to wit1 as it signifies a ,speaking from the ,spirit of ,truth1 is not only peculiar to ,pastors and ,teachers1 who ought so to prophesy2 but even a common ,privilege to the ,saints4 ,for though to instruct1 teach and exhort1 be proper to such as are more particularly called to the ,work of the ,ministry2 yet it is not so proper to them1 as not to be 7when the ,saints are met together1 as any of them are moved by the ,spirit7 common to others3 ,for some ,acts belong to all in such a ,relation2 but not only to those within that ,relation3 ,competunt omni1 sed non soli4 ,thus to see and hear are proper ,acts of a ,man2 seeing it may be properly predicated of him1 that he heareth and seeth3 ,yet are they common to other ,creatures also4 ,so to prophesy in this ,sense1 is indeed proper to ,ministers and ,teachers2 yet not so1 but that it is common and lawful to other ,saints1 when moved thereunto1 though it be not proper to them by ,way of ,relation3 ,because1 notwithstanding that ,motion1 they are not particularly called to the ,work of the ,ministry1 as appears by #a ,cor4 xiv4 where the ,apostle at large declaring the ,order and ordinary ,method of the ,church1 saith1 ,ver4 #cj1 #ca4 ,but if any ,thing be revealed to another that sitteth by1 let the first hold his ,peace2 for ye may all prophesy one by one1 that all may learn1 and all be comforted3 ,which sheweth that none is here excluded4 ,but yet that there is a ,subordination1 according to the various ,measures of the ,gift received1 the next ,verse sheweth3 ,and the ,spirits of the ,prophets are subject to the ,prophets3 ,for ,god is not the ,author of ,confusion1 but of ,peace4 ,now that ,prophesying1 in this ,sense1 may be common to all ,saints1 appears by ,ver4 #ci4 of the same ,chapter1 where speaking to all in general1 he saith1 ,wherefore1 ,brethren1 covet to prophesy2 and ,ver4 #a4 he exhorts them1 saying1 ,desire spiritual ,gifts1 but rather that ye may prophesy4 ,sidenote3 ,who are ,evangelists1 and whether any may term themselves so now-a-day4 ,secondly1 ,as to ,evangelists the same may be said2 for whoever preacheth the ,gospel is really an ,evangelist1 and so consequently every true ,minister of the ,gospel is one2 else what proper ,office can they assign to it1 unless they should be so foolish as to affirm that none were ,evangelists but ,matthew1 ,mark1 ,luke1 and ,john1 who wrote the ,account of ,christ's ,life and ,sufferings8 ,and then it were neither a particular ,office1 seeing ,john and ,matthew were ,apostles1 ,mark and ,luke ,pastors and ,teachers1 so that there they coincided in one4 ,and indeed it is absurd to think1 that upon that particular ,account the ,apostle used the ,word ,evangelist4 ,calvin acknowledgeth1 that such as preach the ,gospel in ,purity1 after some ,time of ,apostasy1 may be truly called ,evangelists1 and therefore saith1 that ,there were ,apostles in his ,time2 and hence the ,protestants1 at their first coming forth1 termed themselves ,evangelici1 or ,evangelicks4 ,sidenote3 ,who is an ,apostle4 ,lastly1 ,an ,apostle1 if we look to the ,etymology of the ,word1 signifies one that is sent2 and in ,respect every true ,minister is sent of ,god1 in so far he is an ,apostle2 though the ,twelve1 because of their being specially sent of ,christ1 were therefore called ,apostles ,greek3 kat' exochn3 1 or per eminentiam1 i4 e4 by ,way of ,excellency4 ,sidenote3 ,they were not limited to such a ,number4 ,and yet that there was no ,limitation to such a ,number1 as some foolishly imagine1 appears1 because after that ,number was filled up1 the ,apostle ,paul was afterwards so called2 therefore we judge that these are no distinct separate ,offices1 but only ,names used upon ,occasion to express the more eminent ,arising and ,shining forth of ,god's ,grace4 ,as if any ,minister of ,christ should now proselyte and turn a whole ,nation to the ,christian ,faith1 though he had no distinct ,office1 yet ,i doubt not but both ,papists and ,protestants would judge it tolerable to call such an one an ,apostle1 or an ,evangelist2 ,sidenote3 ,whether any ,man be called an ,apostle at this ,day4 for on this ,account the ,jesuits call some of their ,sect ,apostles of ,india and of ,japan2 and ,calvin testifies that there were ,apostles and ,evangelists in his ,time1 in respect to the ,reformation2 ,sidenote3 ,upon what ,account ,john ,knox was called the ,apostle of ,scotland4 upon which ,account also we have known ,john ,knox often called the ,apostle of ,scotland4 ,so that we conclude that ,ministers1 ,pastors1 or ,teachers do comprehend all1 and that the ,office is but one1 and therefore in that ,respect we judge there ought to be no ,precedency among them3 ,to prove which ,i shall not here insist1 seeing it is shewn largely1 and treated of by such as have denied the ,diocesan ,episcopacy1 as they call it4 4 ,,xxvi4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,as to the first ,part of the ,objection1 viz4 ,that ,i seem to make no ,distinction betwixt the ,minister and ,people1 ,i answer1 ,sidenote3 ,liberty to prophesy all have1 by the ,spirit4 ,if it be understood of a ,liberty to speak or prophesy by the ,spirit1 ,i say all may do that1 when moved thereunto1 as above is shewn2 but we do believe and affirm that some are more particularly called to the ,work of the ,ministry1 and therefore are fitted of the ,lord for that ,purpose2 whose ,work is more constantly and particularly to instruct1 exhort1 admonish1 oversee1 and watch over their ,brethren2 and that as there is something more incumbent upon them in that ,respect than upon every common ,believer1 so also1 as in that ,relation1 there is due to them from the ,flock such ,obedience and ,subjection as is mentioned in these ,testimonies of the ,scripture1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag4 #a ,thess4 v4 #ab1 #ac4 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 #a ,pet4 v4 #e4 ,also besides these who are thus particularly called to the ,ministry1 and constant ,labour in the ,word and ,doctrine1 there are also the ,elders1 who though they be not moved to a frequent ,testimony by ,way of ,declaration in ,words1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,elders take ,care for the ,widows1 the ,poor and ,fatherless4 yet as such are grown up in the ,experience of the blessed ,work of ,truth in their ,hearts1 they watch over and privately admonish the ,young1 take ,care for the ,widows1 the ,poor1 and ,fatherless1 and look that nothing be wanting1 but that ,peace1 ,love1 ,unity1 ,concord1 and ,soundness be preserved in the ,church of ,christ2 and this answers to the ,deacons mentioned ,acts vi4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,distinction of ,clergy and ,laity not to be found in ,scripture4 ,that which we oppose1 is the ,distinction of ,laity and ,clergy1 which in the ,scripture is not to be found1 whereby none are admitted unto the ,work of the ,ministry but such as are educated at ,schools on ,purpose1 and instructed in ,logick and ,philosophy1 c4 and so are at their ,apprenticeship to learn the ,art and ,trade of ,preaching1 even as a ,man learns any other ,art1 whereby all other honest mechanick ,men1 who have not got this ,heathenish ,art1 are excluded from having this ,privilege4 ,and so he that is a ,scholar thus bred up must not have any honest ,trade whereby to get him a ,livelihood1 if he once intend for the ,ministry1 but he must see to get him a ,place1 and then he hath his set ,hire for a ,livelihood to him4 ,sidenote3 ,their ,garb4 ,he must also be distinguished from the rest by the ,colour of his ,clothes2 for he must only wear ,black1 and must be a ,master of ,arts3 ,but more of this hereafter4 4 ,,xxvii4 ,as this ,manner of separating ,men for the ,ministry is nothing like the ,church in the ,apostles ,days1 so great ,evils have and do follow upon it4 ,for first1 ,parents seeing both the ,honour and ,profit that attends the ,clergy1 do allot their ,children sometimes from their ,infancy to it1 and so breed them up on ,purpose4 ,and others1 come to ,age1 upon the same ,account betake them to the same ,trade1 and having these natural and acquired ,parts that are judged the necessary ,qualifications of a ,minister1 are thereby admitted1 and so are bred up in ,idleness and ,pleasure1 thinking it a ,disgrace for them to work with their ,hands2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,clergy's ,study out of ,books2 the ,gift of ,god neglected4 and so just study a little out of their ,books1 to make a ,discourse once or twice a ,week during the running of an ,hour-glass2 whereas the ,gift1 ,grace1 and ,spirit of ,god1 to call and qualify for the ,ministry1 is neglected and overlooked4 ,and many covetous1 corrupt1 earthly1 carnal ,men1 having a mere ,shew and ,form1 but ,strangers to1 and utterly ignorant of1 the inward ,work of ,grace upon their ,hearts1 are brought in and intrude themselves1 and so through them ,death1 ,barrenness1 and ,darkness1 and by ,consequence ,superstition1 ,error1 and ,idolatry have entered and leavened the ,church4 ,and they that will narrowly observe1 shall find that it was thus the ,apostasy came to take ,place2 of the ,truth of which ,i could give many ,examples1 which for ,brevity's ,sake ,i omit4 ,thus the ,office1 ,reverence1 and ,respect due to it were annexed to the mere ,name1 so that when once a ,man was ordained a ,bishop or a ,priest1 he was heard and believed1 though he had nothing of the ,spirit1 ,power1 and ,life that the true ,apostles and ,ministers were in4 ,and thus in a short ,time the ,succession came to be of the ,name and ,title1 and the ,office was thereto annexed2 and not of the ,nature1 ,virtue1 and ,life2 which in ,effect made them to cease to be the ,ministry and ,ministers of ,christ1 but only a ,shadow and vain ,image of it2 which also decaying1 was in some ,ages so metamorphosed1 that not only the ,substance was lost1 but the very ,form wholly vitiated1 altered1 and marred2 ,sidenote3 ,the marred ,church compared to ,theseus's pieced ,boat4 so that it may be far better said of the pretended ,christian ,church1 as was disputed of ,theseus's ,boat 7which by the piecing of many new ,pieces of ,timber was wholly altered7 whether indeed it were the same or another8 ,but in ,case that the first had been of ,oak1 and the ,pieces last put in but of rotten ,fir1 and that also the ,form had been so far changed as to be nothing like the first1 ,i think it would have suffered no ,dispute1 but might have easily been concluded to be quite another1 retaining nothing but the ,name1 and that also unjustly4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,abuse following the ,distinction of ,laity and ,clergy4 ,secondly1 ,from this ,distinction of ,laity and ,clergy this ,abuse also follows1 that good1 honest1 mechanick ,men1 and others who have not learned the ,art and ,trade of ,preaching1 and so are not licentiated according to these ,rules they prescribe unto themselves2 such1 ,i say1 being possessed with a false ,opinion that it is not lawful for them to meddle with the ,ministry1 nor that they are any ,ways fit for it1 because of the ,defect of that ,literature1 do thereby neglect the ,gift in themselves1 and quench many ,times the pure ,breathings of the ,spirit of ,god in their ,hearts2 which1 if given ,way to1 might prove much more for the ,edification of the ,church than many of the conned ,sermons of the ,learned4 ,and so by this ,means the ,apostle's ,command and ,advice is slighted1 who exhorteth1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ai1 #bj4 not to quench the ,spirit1 nor despise ,prophesyings4 ,and all this is done by ,men pretending to be ,christians1 who glory that the first ,preachers and ,propagators of their ,religion were such ,kind of plain mechanick ,men1 and illiterate4 ,sidenote3 ,both ,protestants and ,papists exclude mechanick ,men from preaching1 who greatly contributed to the ,reformation4 ,and even ,protestants do no less than ,papists exclude such ,kind of ,men from being ,ministers among them1 and thus limit the ,spirit and ,gift of ,god2 though their ,fathers1 in ,opposition to ,papists1 asserted the ,contrary2 and also their own ,histories declare how that ,kind of illiterate ,men did1 without ,learning1 by the ,spirit of ,god1 greatly contribute in divers ,places to the ,reformation4 ,by this it may appear1 that as in ,calling and ,qualifying1 so in ,preaching and ,praying1 and the other particular ,steps of the ,ministry1 every true ,minister is to know the ,spirit of ,god by its ,virtue and ,life to accompany and assist him2 but because this relates to ,worship1 ,i shall speak of it more largely in the next ,proposition1 which is concerning ,worship4 ,the last ,thing to be considered and inquired into is1 concerning the ,maintenance of a ,gospel ,minister2 but before ,i proceed1 ,i judge it fit to speak something briefly concerning the ,preaching of ,women1 and to declare what we hold in that ,matter4 ,sidenote3 ,women's publick ,preaching and ,praying asserted4 ,seeing ,male and ,female are one in ,christ ,jesus1 and that he gives his ,spirit no less to one than to the other1 when ,god moveth by his ,spirit in a ,woman1 we judge it no ,ways unlawful for her to preach in the ,assemblies of ,god's ,people4 ,neither think we that of ,paul1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd4 to reprove the inconsiderate and talkative ,women among the ,corinthians1 who troubled the ,church of ,christ with their unprofitable ,questions1 or that1 #a ,tim4 ii4 #aa1 #ab4 that ,women ought to learn in ,silence1 not usurping ,authority over the ,man1 any ,ways repugnant to this ,doctrine2 because it is clear that ,women have prophesied and preached in the ,church1 else had that ,saying of ,joel been ill applied by ,peter1 ,acts ii4 #ag4 ,and seeing ,paul himself1 in the same ,epistle to the ,corinthians1 giveth ,rules how ,women should behave themselves in their publick ,preaching and ,praying1 it would be a manifest ,contradiction if that other ,place were taken in a larger ,sense4 ,and the same ,paul speaks of a ,woman that laboured with him in the ,work of the ,gospel3 ,and it is written that #id,philip had four ,daughters that prophesied4 ,and ,lastly1 ,it hath been observed1 that ,god hath effectually in this ,day converted many ,souls by the ,ministry of ,women2 and by them also frequently comforted the ,souls of his ,children2 which manifest ,experience puts the ,thing beyond all ,controversy4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 #d4 ,sidenote3 ,ministers ,maintenance4 ,but now ,i shall proceed to speak of the ,maintenance of ,ministers4 #id ,acts #ba4 #i4 4 ,,xxviii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,ministers ,food and their ,maintenance stated4 ,we freely acknowledge1 as the ,proposition holds forth1 that there is an ,obligation upon such to whom ,god sends1 or among whom he raiseth up a ,minister1 that1 if ,need be1 they minister to his ,necessities4 ,secondly1 ,that it is lawful for him to receive what is necessary and convenient4 ,to prove this ,i need not insist1 for our ,adversaries will readily grant it to us2 for the ,thing we affirm is1 that this is all that these ,scripture ,testimonies relating to this ,thing do grant1 ,gal4 vi4 #f4 #a ,cor4 ix4 #aa1 #ab1 #ac1 #ad4 #a ,tim4 v4 #af4 ,that which we then oppose in this ,matter is1 ,first1 ,that it should be constrained and limited4 ,secondly1 ,that it should be superfluous1 chargeable1 and sumptuous4 ,and ,thirdly1 ,the manifest ,abuse thereof1 of which ,i shall also briefly treat4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,against constrained ,maintenance4 ,as to the ,first1 our ,adversaries are forced to recur to the ,example of the ,law2 a ,refuge they use in defending most of their ,errors and ,superstitions1 which are contrary to the ,nature and ,purity of the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,they say1 ,god appointed the ,levites the ,tithes1 therefore they belong also to such as minister in holy ,things under the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,all that can be gathered from this is1 that as the ,priests had a ,maintenance allowed them under the ,law1 so also the ,ministers and ,preachers under the ,gospel1 which is not denied2 but the ,comparison will not hold that they should have the very same2 since1 ,first1 ,there is no express ,gospel ,command for it1 neither by ,christ nor his ,apostles4 ,sidenote3 ,tithes were appointed for the ,levites1 not for ,gospel ,preachers4 ,secondly1 ,the ,parity doth no ,ways hold betwixt the ,levites under the ,law1 and the ,preachers under the ,gospel2 because the ,levites were one of the ,tribes of ,israel1 and so had a ,right to a ,part of the ,inheritance of the ,land as well as the rest of their ,brethren2 and having none1 had this allotted to them in ,lieu of it4 ,next1 ,the tenth of the ,tithes was only allowed to the ,priests that served at the ,altar1 the rest being for the ,levites1 and also to be put up in ,store-houses1 for entertaining of ,widows and ,strangers4 ,but these ,preachers1 notwithstanding they inherit what they have by their ,parents1 as well as other ,men1 yet claim the whole ,tithes1 allowing nothing either to ,widow or ,stranger4 ,but as to the ,tithes ,i shall not insist1 because divers others have clearly and learnedly treated of them apart1 and also divers ,protestants do confess them not to be jure divino2 and the ,parity as to the ,quota doth not hold1 but only in general as to the ,obligation of a ,maintenance2 which ,maintenance1 though the ,hearers be obliged to give1 and fail of their ,duty if they do not1 yet that it ought neither to be stinted1 nor yet forced1 ,i prove2 ,sidenote3 ,reas4 #a4 ,the ,gospel freely to be preached1 without so much a ,year4 ,because ,christ1 when he sent forth his ,apostles1 said1 ,freely ye have received1 freely give1 ,mat4 x4 #h4 and yet they had ,liberty to receive ,meat and ,drink from such as offered them1 to supply their ,need4 ,which shews that they were not to seek or require any ,thing by ,force1 or to stint1 or make a ,bargain beforehand1 as the ,preachers as well among ,papists as ,protestants do in these ,days1 who will not preach to any until they be first sure of so much a ,year2 but on the contrary1 these were to do their ,duty1 and freely to communicate1 as the ,lord should order them1 what they had received1 without seeking or expecting a ,reward4 ,sidenote3 ,nic4 ,arnoldus his ,answer to ,freely ye have received1 c4 ,the ,answer given to this by ,nicolaus ,arnoldus1 ,exercit4 ,theolog4 ,sect4 #db1 #dc4 is not to be forgotten1 but indeed to be kept upon ,record for a perpetual ,remembrance of him and his ,brethren2 for he frankly answers after this ,manner1 ,we have not freely received1 and therefore are not bound to give freely4 ,the ,answer ,i confess is ingenuous and good2 for if those that receive freely are to give freely1 it would seem to follow by the ,rule of ,contraries1 that those that receive not freely ought not to give freely1 and ,i shall grant it2 only they must grant me1 that they preach not by and according to the ,gift and ,grace of ,god received1 nor can they be good ,stewards of the manifold ,grace of ,god1 as every true ,minister ought to be2 ,sidenote3 ,simon ,magus4 or else they have gotten this ,gift or ,grace by ,money1 as ,simon ,magus would have been compassing it1 since they think themselves not bound to give it without ,money again4 ,but to be plain1 ,i believe he intended not that it was from the ,gift or ,grace of ,god they were to preach1 but from their acquired ,arts and ,studies1 which have cost them much ,labour and also some ,money at the ,university2 and therefore1 as he that puts his ,stock into the publick ,bank expects ,interest again1 so these ,scholars1 having spent some ,money in learning the ,art of ,preaching1 think they may boldly say they have it not freely2 for it hath cost them both ,money and ,pains1 and therefore they expect both ,money and ,ease again4 ,and therefore1 as ,arnoldus gets ,money for teaching his young ,students the ,art and ,trade of ,preaching1 so he intends they should be repaid before they give it again to others4 ,sidenote3 ,all ,things are set to ,sale at ,rome4 ,to ,franequer applied4 ,it was of old said1 ,omnia venalia ,rom1 i4 e4 ,all ,things are set to ,sale at ,rome2 but now the same ,proverb may be applied to ,franequer4 ,and therefore ,arnoldus's ,students1 when they go about to preach1 may safely seek and require hereby1 telling the ,hearers their ,master's ,maxim1 ,nos gratis non accepimus1 ergo neque gratis dare tenemur4 ,but then they may answer again1 ,that they find them and their ,master to be none of his ,ministers1 who when he sent forth his ,disciples1 gave them this ,command1 ,freely ye have received1 freely give1 and therefore we will have none of your ,teaching1 because we perceive you to be of the ,number of those #iethat look for their ,gain from their ,quarter4 #ie ,isa4 #ef4 #aa4 4 ,,xxix4 ,sidenote3 ,reas4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,the ,scripture ,testimonies that urge this are in the same ,nature of those that press ,charity and ,liberality towards the ,poor1 ,sidenote3 ,mere voluntary ,deeds no ,man can stint them4 and command ,hospitality1 c4 but these are not nor can be stinted to a certain ,quantity1 because they are ,deeds merely voluntary1 where the ,obedience to the ,command lieth in the good ,will of the ,giver1 and not in the ,matter of the ,thing given1 as ,christ sheweth in the ,example of the ,widow's ,mite4 ,so that though there be an ,obligation upon ,christians to minister of outward ,things to their ,ministers1 yet there can be no ,definition of the ,quantity but by the ,giver's own ,consent1 and a little from one may more truly fulfil the ,obligation than a great deal from another4 ,and therefore as ,acts of ,charity and ,hospitality can neither be limited nor forced1 so neither can this4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be objected1 ,that ,ministers may and ought to exhort1 persuade1 yea and earnestly press ,christians1 if they find them defective therein1 to ,acts of ,charity and ,hospitality1 and so may they do also to the giving of ,maintenance4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,all this saith nothing for a stinted and forced ,maintenance1 for which there cannot so much as the ,shew of one solid ,argument be brought from ,scripture4 ,i confess ,ministers may use ,exhortation in this as much as in any other ,case1 even as the ,apostle did to the ,corinthians1 shewing them their ,duty2 ,sidenote3 ,paul's ,labour was1 that the ,gospel might be without ,charge4 but it were fit for ,ministers that so do 7that their ,testimony might have the more ,weight1 and be the freer of all ,suspicion of ,covetousness and ,self-interest7 that they might be able to say truly in the ,sight of ,god that which the same ,apostle subjoins upon the same ,occasion1 #a ,cor4 ix4 #ae1 #af1 #ag1 #ah4 ,but ,i have used none of these ,things2 neither have ,i written these ,things1 that it should be so done unto me3 ,for it were better for me to die1 than that any ,man should make my ,glorying void4 ,for though ,i preach the ,gospel1 ,i have nothing to glory of2 for ,necessity is laid upon me1 yea ,woe is unto me if ,i preach not the ,gospel4 ,for if ,i do this ,thing willingly1 ,i have a ,reward2 but if against my ,will1 a ,dispensation of the ,gospel is committed unto me4 ,what is my ,reward then8 ,verily that when ,i preach the ,gospel1 ,i may make the ,gospel of ,christ without ,charge1 that ,i abuse not my ,power in the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,reas4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,as there is neither ,precept nor ,example for this forced and stinted ,maintenance in the ,scripture1 so the ,apostle1 in his solemn ,farewel to the ,pastors and ,elders of the ,church of ,ephesus1 guards them against it1 ,acts xx4 #cc1 #cd1 #ce4 ,but if the ,thing had been either lawful or practised1 he would rather have exhorted them to be content with their stinted ,hire1 and not to covet more2 whereas he sheweth them1 first1 by his own ,example1 that they were not to ,sidenote3 ,paul coveted no ,body's ,silver or ,gold4 covet or expect any ,man's ,silver or ,gold2 secondly1 that they ought to work with their ,hands for an honest ,livelihood1 as he had done2 and lastly1 he exhorts them so to do from the ,words of ,christ1 because it is a more blessed ,thing to give than to receive2 shewing that it is so far from a ,thing that a true ,minister ought to aim at1 or expect1 that it is rather a ,burden to a true ,minister1 and ,cross to him1 to be reduced to the ,necessity of wanting it4 4 ,,xxx4 ,sidenote3 ,reas4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,if a forced and stinted ,maintenance were to be supposed1 it would make the ,ministers of ,christ just one with those ,sidenote3 ,no ,hireling fitting the ,gospel of ,christ4 ,hirelings whom the ,prophets cried out against4 ,for certainly if a ,man make a ,bargain to preach to ,people for so much a ,year1 so as to refuse to preach unless he have it1 and seek to force the ,people to give it by ,violence1 it cannot be denied that such a one preacheth for ,hire1 and so looks for his ,gain from his ,quarter1 yea and #ifprepares ,war against such as put not into his ,mouth2 but this is the particular special ,mark of a false ,prophet and an ,hireling1 and therefore can no ,ways belong to a true ,minister of ,christ4 #if ,mic4 #c4 #e4 ,sidenote3 ,moderate ,protestants and ,papists exclaim against the ,excess of the ,clergy's ,revenues4 ,next1 that a superfluous ,maintenance1 that is1 more than in ,reason is needful1 ought not to be received by ,christian ,ministers1 will not need much ,proof1 seeing the more ,moderate and ,sober1 both among ,papists and ,protestants1 readily confess it1 who with one ,voice exclaim against the excessive ,revenues of the ,clergy2 and that it may not want a ,proof from ,scripture1 what can be more plain than that of the ,apostle to ,timothy8 #a ,tim4 vi4 #g1 #h1 #i1 #aj4 where he both shews wherewith we ought to be content1 and also the ,hazard of such as look after more2 and indeed1 since that very ,obligation of giving ,maintenance to a ,minister is founded upon their ,need1 and such as have ,opportunity to work are commended rather in not receiving than in receiving1 it can no ,ways be supposed lawful for them to receive more than is sufficient4 ,and indeed1 were they truly pious and right1 though necessitous1 they would rather incline to take too little1 than be gaping after too much4 4 ,,xxxi4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,excess of the ,priests and ,bishops ,revenues4 ,now that there is great ,excess and ,abuse hereof among ,christians1 the vast ,revenues which the ,bishops and ,priests have1 both ,papists and ,protestants1 do declare2 since ,i judge it may be said without any ,hyperbole1 that some particular ,persons have more paid them yearly than ,christ and his ,apostles made use of in their whole ,life-time1 who yet wanted not what was needful as to the outward ,man1 and no ,doubt deserved it far better than those that enjoy that ,fulness4 ,but it is manifest these ,bishops and ,priests love their fat ,benefices1 and the ,pleasure and ,honour that attends them1 so well1 that they purpose neither to follow ,christ nor his ,apostles ,example or ,advice in this ,matter4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but it is usually objected1 ,that ,christians are become so hard-hearted1 and generally so little heed ,spiritual ,things1 that if ,ministers had not a settled and stinted ,maintenance secured them by ,law1 they and their ,families might starve for ,want of ,bread4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,this ,objection might have some ,weight as to a ,carnal ,ministry1 made up of natural ,men1 who have no ,life1 ,power1 nor ,virtue with them1 and so may insinuate some ,need of such a ,maintenance for such a ,ministry2 ,sidenote3 ,they wanted nothing whom ,god sent2 they laboured with their ,hands4 but it saith nothing as to such as are called and sent of ,god1 who sends no ,man a ,wayfaring upon his own ,charges2 and so go forth in the ,authority and ,power of ,god1 to turn ,people from ,darkness to ,light2 for such can trust to him that sendeth them1 and do believe that he will provide for them1 knowing that he requireth nothing of any but what he giveth ,power to perform2 and so when they return1 if he enquire1 can say they wanted nothing4 ,and such also when they stay in a ,place1 being immediately furnished by ,god1 and not needing to borrow and steal what they preach from ,books1 and take up their ,time that ,way1 fall a working at their lawful ,employments1 and labour with their ,hands1 as ,paul did when he gathered the ,church at ,corinth4 ,and indeed if this ,objection had any ,weight1 the ,apostles and ,primitive ,pastors should never have gone forth to convert the ,nations1 for fear of ,want4 ,doth not the ,doctrine of ,christ teach us to venture all1 and part with all1 to serve ,god8 ,can they then be accounted ,ministers of ,christ who are afraid to preach him lest they get not ,money for it1 or will not do it until they be sure of their ,payment8 ,what serves the ,ministry for but to perfect the ,saints1 and so to convert them from that ,hard-heartedness8 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but thou wilt say1 ,i have laboured and preached to them1 and they are hard-hearted still1 and will not give me any ,thing3 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,then surely thou hast either not been sent to them of ,god1 and so thy ,ministry and ,preaching hath not been among them in the ,power1 ,virtue1 and ,life of ,christ1 and so thou deservest nothing2 or else they have rejected thy ,testimony1 and so are not worthy1 and from such thou oughtest not to expect1 yea nor yet receive any ,thing1 if they would give thee1 but thou oughtest to shake off the ,dust from thy ,feet1 and leave them4 ,sidenote3 ,mat4 #aj4 #ad4 ,if they reject the ,testimony1 shake the ,dust from off thy ,feet4 ,and how frivolous this ,objection is1 appears1 in that in the darkest and most superstitious ,times the ,priests ,revenues increased most1 and they were most richly rewarded1 though they deserved least4 ,so that he that is truly sent of ,god1 as he needs not1 so neither will he1 be afraid of ,want1 so long as he serves so good a ,master2 neither will he ever forbear to do his ,work for that ,cause4 ,and indeed such as make this ,objection shew truly that they serve not the ,lord ,christ1 but their own ,belly1 and that makes them so anxious for want of ,food to it4 4 ,,xxxii4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,the many ,abuses ,priests ,maintenance brings4 ,but lastly1 ,as to the ,abuses of this ,kind of ,maintenance1 indeed he that would go through them all1 though he did it passingly1 might make of it alone a huge ,volume1 they are so great and numerous4 ,for this ,abuse1 as others1 crept in with the ,apostasy1 there being nothing of this in the ,primitive ,times3 ,then the ,ministers claimed no ,tithes1 neither sought they a stinted or forced ,maintenance2 but such as wanted had their ,necessity supplied by the ,church1 and others wrought with their ,hands4 ,but the ,persecutions being over1 and the ,emperors and ,princes coming under the ,name of ,christians1 the ,zeal of those great ,men was quickly abused by the ,covetousness of the ,clergy1 who soon learned to change their ,cottages with the ,palaces of ,princes1 and rested not until by ,degrees some of them came to be ,princes themselves1 nothing inferior to them in ,splendor1 ,luxury1 and ,magnificence2 a ,method of living that honest ,peter and ,john the ,fisherman1 and ,paul the ,tent-maker never coveted2 and perhaps as little imagined that ,men pretending to be their ,successors should have arrived to these ,things4 ,and so soon as the ,bishops were thus seated and constituted1 forgetting the ,life and ,work of a ,christian1 they went usually by the ,ears together about the ,precedency and ,revenues1 each coveting the chiefest and fattest ,benefice4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,protestants having forsaken the ,pope1 yet would not forsake the rich ,popish ,revenues4 ,it is also to be regretted to think how soon this ,mischief crept in among ,protestants1 who had scarce well appeared when the ,clergy among them began to speak at the old ,rate1 and shew that though they had forsaken the ,bishop of ,rome1 they were not resolved to part with their old ,benefices2 and therefore so soon as any ,princes or ,states shook off the ,pope's ,authority1 and so demolished the ,abbies1 ,nunneries1 and other ,monuments of ,superstition1 the reformed ,clergy began presently to cry out to the ,magistrates to beware of meddling with the ,church's ,patrimony1 severely exclaiming against making a lawful ,use of those vast ,revenues that had been superstitiously bestowed upon the ,church1 so called1 to the ,good and ,benefit of the ,commonwealth1 as no less than ,sacrilege4 ,sidenote3 #a4 ,the ,clergy's ,covetousness4 ,but by keeping up of this ,kind of ,maintenance for the ,ministry and ,clergymen1 so called1 there is first a ,bait laid for ,covetousness1 which is ,idolatry1 and of all ,things most hurtful2 so that for ,covetousness ,sake1 many1 being led by the ,desire of filthy ,lucre1 do apply themselves to be ,ministers1 that they may get a ,livelihood by it4 ,if a ,man have several ,children1 he will allot one of them to be a ,minister2 which if he can get it to be1 he reckons it as good as a ,patrimony3 ,so that a fat ,benefice hath always many ,expectants2 and then what ,bribing1 what ,courting1 what ,industry1 and shameful ,actions are used to acquire these ,things1 is too openly known1 and needs not to be proved4 ,sidenote3 ,the greedy ,kirk1 a ,proverb4 ,the ,scandal that by these ,means is raised among ,christians is so manifest1 that it is become a ,proverb1 that the ,kirk is always greedy4 ,whereby the ,gift and ,grace of ,god being neglected1 they have for the most ,part no other ,motive or ,rule in applying themselves to one ,church more than another but the greater ,benefice4 ,for though they hypocritically pretend1 at their accepting of and entering into their ,church1 that they have nothing before them but the ,glory of ,god and the ,salvation of ,souls2 yet if a richer ,benefice offer itself1 they presently find it more for ,god's ,glory to remove from the first1 and go thither4 ,and thus they make no ,difficulty often to change1 while notwithstanding they accuse us that we allow ,ministers to go from ,place to ,place1 and not to be tied to one ,place2 but we allow this not for the gaining of ,money1 but as moved of ,god4 ,for if a ,minister be called to minister in a particular ,place1 he ought not to leave it1 except ,god call him from it1 and then he ought to obey3 ,for we make the ,will of ,god inwardly revealed1 and not the ,love of ,money and more ,gain1 the ,ground of removing4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,the ,clergy's ,luxury4 ,secondly1 ,from this ,abuse hath proceeded that ,luxury and ,idleness that most of the ,clergy live in1 even among ,protestants as well as ,papists1 to the great ,scandal of ,christianity4 ,for not having lawful ,trades to work with their ,hands1 and being so superfluously and sumptuously provided for1 they live in ,idleness and ,luxury2 and there doth more ,pride1 ,vanity1 and worldly ,glory appear in their ,wives and ,children than in most others1 which is open and evident to all4 ,sidenote3 #c4 ,the ,clergy's ,cruelty4 ,thirdly1 ,they become hereby so glued to the ,love of ,money1 that there is none like them in ,malice1 ,rage1 and ,cruelty4 ,if they be denied their ,hire1 they rage like drunken ,men1 fret1 fume1 and as it were go mad4 ,a ,man may sooner satisfy the severest ,creditor than them2 the general ,voice of the ,poor doth confirm this4 ,for indeed they are far more exact in taking up the ,tithes of ,sheep1 ,geese1 ,swine1 and ,eggs1 c4 and look more narrowly to it than to the ,members of their ,flock3 ,they will not miss the least ,mite2 and the poorest ,widow cannot escape their avaricious ,hands4 ,sidenote3 ,poor ,widow's ,mite cannot escape the ,priest's greedy ,hands4 ,twenty ,lies they will hear unreproved2 and as many ,oaths a ,man may swear in their ,hearing without offending them2 and greater ,evils than all this they can overlook4 ,but if thou owest them aught1 and refusest to pay it1 then nothing but ,war will they thunder against thee1 and they will stigmatize thee with the horrible ,title of ,sacrilege1 and send thee to ,hell without ,mercy1 as if thou hadst committed the ,sin against the ,holy ,ghost4 ,of all ,people we can best bear ,witness to this2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,work of ,antichrist is ,fury1 ,envy1 ,malice4 for ,god having shewn us this corrupt and ,antichristian ,ministry1 and called us out from it1 and gathered us unto his own ,power and ,life1 to be a separate ,people1 so that we dare not join with1 nor hear these ,antichristian ,hirelings1 neither yet put into their ,mouths1 or feed them4 ,oh6 what ,malice1 ,envy1 and ,fury hath this raised in their ,hearts against us6 ,that though we get none of their ,wares1 neither will buy them1 as knowing them to be naught1 yet will they force us to give them ,money3 ,and because we cannot for ,conscience ,sake do it1 our ,sufferings have upon that ,account been unutterable4 ,yea1 to give ,account of their ,cruelty1 and several ,sorts of ,inhumanity used against us1 would make no small ,history4 ,these avaricious ,hirelings have come to that ,degree of ,malice and ,rage1 that several poor labouring ,men have been carried hundreds of ,miles from their own ,dwellings1 and shut up in ,prison1 some two1 some three1 yea1 some seven ,years together1 for the ,value of one ,pound ,sterling1 and less4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,widow for the ,tithe of ,geese about four ,years in ,prison4 ,i know myself a poor ,widow1 that for the ,tithes of her ,geese1 which amounted not to five ,shillings1 was about four ,years kept in ,prison1 thirty ,miles from her ,house4 ,yea1 they by ,violence for this ,cause have plundered of ,men's ,goods the ,hundred-fold1 and prejudiced much more2 yea1 ,hundreds have hereby spilt their innocent ,blood2 by dying in the filthy noisome ,holes and ,prisons4 ,sidenote3 ,some lost their ,lives in nasty ,holes1 some wounded by the ,priests1 c4 ,and some of the ,priests have been so enraged1 that ,goods thus ravished could not satisfy them2 but they must also satisfy their ,fury by beating1 knocking1 and wounding with their ,hands innocent ,men and ,women1 for refusing 7for ,conscience ,sake7 to put into their ,mouths4 ,the only ,way then soundly to reform and remove all these ,abuses1 and take away the ,ground and ,occasion of them1 is1 to take away all stinted and forced ,maintenance and ,stipends4 ,sidenote3 ,whoso heap ,teachers to themselves1 let them provide their ,stipend4 ,as whoever call or appoint ,teachers to themselves1 let them accordingly entertain them3 ,and for such as are called and moved to the ,ministry by the ,spirit of ,god1 those that receive them1 and taste of the ,good of their ,ministry1 will no ,doubt provide ,things needful for them1 and there will be no ,need of a ,law to force a ,hire for them3 ,for he that sends them1 will take care for them2 and they also1 having ,food and ,raiment1 will therewith be content4 4 ,,xxxiii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,difference between the ,ministry of the ,quakers and their ,adversaries4 ,the ,sum then of what is said is1 ,that the ,ministry that we have pleaded for1 and which also the ,lord hath raised up among us is1 in all its ,parts1 like the true ,ministry of the ,apostles and primitive ,church4 ,whereas the ,ministry our ,adversaries seek to uphold and plead for1 as it doth in all in ,parts differ from them1 so1 on the other ,hand1 it is very like the false ,prophets and ,teachers testified against and condemned in the ,scripture1 as may be thus briefly illustrated4 ,sidenote3 ,the true ,ministers ,call4 ,i4 ,the ,ministry and ,ministers we plead for1 are such as are immediately called and sent forth by ,christ and his ,spirit unto the ,work of the ,ministry3 ,so were the holy ,apostles and ,prophets1 as appears by these ,places1 ,matt4 x4 #a4 #e4 ,ephes4 iv4 #aa4 ,heb4 v4 #d4 #a4 ,but the ,ministry and ,ministers our ,opposers plead for1 are such as have no immediate ,call from ,christ2 to whom the ,leading and ,motion of the ,spirit is not reckoned necessary2 but who are called1 sent forth1 and ordained by wicked and ungodly ,men3 ,such were of old the false ,prophets and ,teachers1 as appears by these ,places1 ,jer4 xiv4 #ad1 #ae4 item4 ,chap4 xxiii4 #ba4 and xxvii4 #ae4 ,sidenote3 ,true ,ministers ,guide4 ,,ii4 ,the ,ministers we plead for1 are such as are actuated and led by ,god's ,spirit1 and by the ,power and ,operation of his ,grace in their ,hearts1 are in some ,measure converted and regenerate1 and so are good1 holy1 and gracious ,men3 ,such were the holy ,prophets and ,apostles1 as appears from #a ,tim4 iii4 #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1 #f4 ,tit4 i4 #g1 #h1 #i4 #b4 ,but the ,ministers our ,adversaries plead for1 are such to whom the ,grace of ,god is no needful ,qualification2 and so may be true ,ministers1 according to them1 though they be ungodly1 unholy1 and profligate ,men3 ,such were the false ,prophets and ,apostles1 as appears from ,mic4 iii4 #e4 #aa4 #a ,tim4 vi4 #e1 #f1 #g1 #h1 c4 #b ,tim4 iii4 #b4 #b4 ,pet4 ii4 #a1 #b1 #c4 ,sidenote3 ,true ,ministers ,work4 ,,iii4 ,the ,ministers we plead for1 are such as act1 move1 and labour in the ,work of the ,ministry1 not from their own mere natural ,strength and ,ability1 but as they are actuated1 moved1 supported1 assisted and influenced by the ,spirit of ,god1 and minister according to the ,gift received1 as good ,stewards of the manifold ,grace of ,god3 ,such were the holy ,prophets and ,apostles1 #a ,pet4 iv4 #aj1 #aa4 #a ,cor4 i4 #ag4 ii4 #c1 #d1 #e4 #ac4 ,acts ii4 #d4 ,matt4 x4 #bj4 ,mark xiii4 #aa4 ,luke xii4 #ab4 #a ,cor4 xiii4 #b4 #c4 ,but the ,ministers our ,adversaries plead for1 are such as wait not for1 nor expect1 nor need the ,spirit of ,god to actuate and move them in the ,work of the ,ministry2 but what they do they do from their own mere natural ,strength and ,ability1 and what they have gathered and stolen from the ,letter of the ,scripture1 and other ,books1 and so speak it forth in the ,strength of their own ,wisdom and ,eloquence1 and not in the ,evidence and ,demonstration of the ,spirit and ,power3 ,such were the false ,prophets and ,apostles1 as appears1 ,jer4 xxiii4 #cj1 #ca1 #cb1 #cd1 c4 #a ,cor4 iv4 #ah4 ,jude #af4 ,sidenote3 ,true ,ministers ,humility4 ,,iv4 ,the ,ministers we plead for1 are such as1 being holy and humble1 contend not for ,precedency and ,priority1 but rather strive to prefer one another1 and serve one another in ,love2 neither desire to be distinguished from the rest by their ,garments and large ,phylacteries1 nor seek the ,greetings in the ,market-places1 nor uppermost ,places at ,feasts1 nor the chief ,seats in the ,synagogues2 nor yet to be called of ,men ,master1 c4 ,such were the holy ,prophets and ,apostles1 as appears from ,matt4 xxiii4 #h1 #i1 #aj4 and xx4 #be1 #bf1 #bg4 #d4 ,but the ,ministers our ,adversaries plead for1 are such as strive and contend for ,superiority1 and claim ,precedency over one another2 affecting and ambitiously seeking after the fore-mentioned ,things3 ,such were the false ,prophets and ,apostles in ,time past1 ,matt4 xxiii4 #e1 #f1 #g4 ,sidenote3 ,true ,ministers ,free ,gift4 ,v4 ,the ,ministers we plead for1 are such as having freely received1 freely give2 who covet no ,man's ,silver1 ,gold1 or ,garments2 who seek no ,man's ,goods1 but seek them1 and the ,salvation of their ,souls3 ,whose ,hands supply their own ,necessities1 working honestly for ,bread to themselves and their ,families4 ,and if at any ,time they be called of ,god1 so as the ,work of the ,lord hinder them from the use of their ,trades1 take what is freely given them by such to whom they have communicated ,spirituals2 and having ,food and ,raiment1 are therewith content3 ,such were the holy ,prophets and ,apostles1 as appears from ,matt4 x4 #h4 ,acts xx4 #cc1 #cd1 #ce4 #a ,tim4 vi4 #h4 #e4 ,but the ,ministers our ,adversaries plead for1 are such as not having freely received1 will not freely give2 but are covetous1 doing that which they ought not1 for filthy ,lucre's ,sake2 as to preach for ,hire1 and divine for ,money1 and look for their ,gain from their ,quarter1 and prepare ,war against such as put not into their ,mouths1 c4 ,greedy ,dogs1 which can never have enough4 ,shepherds who feed themselves1 and not the ,flock2 eating the ,fat1 and clothing themselves with the ,wool2 making ,merchandize of ,souls2 and following the ,way of ,balaam1 that loved the ,wages of ,unrighteousness3 ,such were the false ,prophets and ,apostles1 ,isa4 lvi4 #aa4 ,ezek4 xxxiv4 #b1 #c4 #h4 ,mic4 iii4 #e4 #aa4 ,tit4 i4 #aj1 #aa4 #b ,pet4 ii4 #a1 #b1 #c4 #ad1 #ae4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,ministers ,life and ,qualification4 ,and in a ,word1 ,we are for a holy1 spiritual1 pure and living ,ministry1 where the ,ministers are both called1 qualified and ordered1 actuated and influenced in all the ,steps of their ,ministry by the ,spirit of ,god2 which being wanting1 we judge they cease to be the ,ministers of ,christ4 ,but they1 judging this ,life1 ,grace1 and ,spirit no essential ,part of their ,ministry1 are therefore for the upholding of an human1 carnal1 dry1 barren1 fruitless and dead ,ministry2 of which1 alas6 we have seen the ,fruits in the most ,part of their ,churches3 ,of whom that ,saying of the ,lord is certainly verified1 ,jer4 xxiii4 #cb4--;,i sent them not1 nor commanded them1 therefore they shall not profit this ,people at all1 saith the ,,lord4 ,,proposition ,,xi4 ,concerning ,,worship4 ,sidenote3 ,what the true ,worship is1 that is acceptable to ,god4 ,all true and acceptable ,worship to ,god is offered in the inward and immediate ,moving and ,drawing of his own ,spirit1 which is neither limited to ,places1 ,times1 nor ,persons4 ,for though we are to worship him always1 and continually to fear before him2 ,sidenote3 ,how to be performed4 yet as to the outward ,signification thereof1 in ,prayers1 ,praises1 or ,preachings1 we ought not to do it in our own ,will1 where and when we will2 but where and when we are moved thereunto by the ,stirring and secret ,inspiration of the ,spirit of ,god in our ,hearts2 which ,god heareth and accepteth of1 and is never wanting to move as thereunto1 when ,need is2 of which he himself is the alone proper ,judge4 ,all other ,worship then1 both ,praises1 ,prayers or ,preachings1 which ,man sets about in his own ,will1 and at his own ,appointment1 which he can both begin and end at his ,pleasure1 do or leave undone as himself seeth meet1 whether they be a prescribed ,form1 as a ,liturgy1 c4 or ,prayers conceived extempore by the natural ,strength and ,faculty of the ,mind1 they are all but ,superstition1 ,will-worship1 and abominable ,idolatry in the ,sight of ,god1 which are now to be denied and rejected1 and separated from1 in this ,day of his spiritual ,arising3 ,sidenote3 ,superstition and ,will-worship1 ,idolatry4 ,however it might have pleased him 7who winked at the ,times of ,ignorance1 with a ,respect to the ,simplicity and ,integrity of some1 and of his own innocent ,seed1 which lay as it were buried in the ,hearts of ,men under that ,mass of ,superstition7 to blow upon the dead and dry ,bones1 and to raise some ,breathings of his own1 and answer them2 and that until the ,day should more clearly dawn and break forth4 4 ,i4 ,the ,duty of ,man towards ,god lieth chiefly in these two ,generals4 #a4 ,in an holy ,conformity to the pure ,law and ,light of ,god1 so as both to forsake the ,evil1 and be found in the ,practice of those perpetual and moral ,precepts of ,righteousness and ,equity4 ,and #b4 ,in rendering that ,reverence1 ,honour and ,adoration to ,god1 that he requires and demands of us2 which is comprehended under ,worship4 ,of the former we have already spoken1 as also of the different ,relations of ,christians1 as they are distinguished by the several ,measures of ,grace received1 and given to every one2 and in that ,respect have their several ,offices in the ,body of ,christ1 which is the ,church4 ,now ,i come to speak of ,worship1 or of those ,acts1 whether private or publick1 general or particular1 whereby ,man renders to ,god that ,part of his ,duty which relates immediately to him3 ,and as ,obedience is better than ,sacrifice1 so neither is any ,sacrifice acceptable1 but that which is done according to the ,will of him to whom it is offered4 ,but ,men1 finding it easier to sacrifice in their own ,wills1 than obey ,god's ,will1 have heaped up ,sacrifices without ,obedience2 ,sidenote3 ,true ,worship and ,duty to ,god-wards corrupted4 and thinking to deceive ,god1 as they do one another1 give him a ,shew of ,reverence1 ,honour and ,worship1 while they are both inwardly estranged and alienated from his holy and righteous ,life1 and wholly ,strangers to the pure ,breathings of his ,spirit1 in which the acceptable ,sacrifice and ,worship is only offered up4 ,hence it is1 that there is not any ,thing relating to ,man's ,duty towards ,god1 which among all ,sorts of ,people hath been more vitiated1 and in which the ,devil hath more prevailed1 than in abusing ,man's ,mind concerning this ,thing3 ,and as among many others1 so among those called ,christians1 nothing hath been more out of ,order1 and more corrupted1 as some ,papists and all ,protestants1 do acknowledge4 ,as ,i freely approve whatsoever the ,protestants have reformed from ,papists in this ,respect2 so ,i meddle not at this ,time with their ,controversies about it3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,popish ,mass 7,idolatry7 denied1 with all their ,trumpery4 ,only it suffices me with them to deny1 as no ,part of the true ,worship of ,god1 that abominable ,superstition and ,idolatry the ,popish ,mass1 the ,adoration of ,saints and ,angels1 the ,veneration of ,relicks1 the ,visitation of ,sepulchres1 and all those other superstitious ,ceremonies1 ,confraternities1 and endless ,pilgrimages of the ,romish ,synagogue4 ,which all may suffice to evince to ,protestants1 that ,antichrist hath wrought more in this than in any other ,part of the ,christian ,religion2 ,sidenote3 ,if ,protestants have made a perfect ,reformation4 and so it concerns them narrowly to consider1 whether herein they have made a clear and perfect ,reformation2 as to which stands the ,controversy betwixt them and us4 ,for we find many of the ,branches lopt off by them1 but the ,root yet remaining2 to wit1 a ,worship acted in and from ,man's ,will and ,spirit1 and not by and from the ,spirit of ,god3 ,for the true ,christian and ,spiritual ,worship of ,god hath been so early lost1 and ,man's ,wisdom and ,will hath so quickly and throughly mixed itself herein1 that both the ,apostasy in this ,respect hath been greatest1 and the ,reformation herefrom1 as to the evil ,root1 most difficult4 ,therefore let not the ,reader suddenly stumble at the ,account of our ,proposition in this ,matter1 but patiently hear us explain ourselves in this ,respect1 and ,i hope 7by the ,assistance of ,god7 to make it appear1 that though our ,manner of ,speaking and ,doctrine seem most singular and different from all other ,sorts of ,christians2 yet it is most according to the purest ,christian ,religion1 and indeed most needful to be observed and followed4 ,and that there be no ,ground of ,mistake 7for that ,i was necessitated to speak in few ,words1 and therefore more obscurely and dubiously in the ,proposition itself7 it is fit in the first ,place to declare and explain our ,sense1 and clear the ,state of the ,controversy4 4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,worship here is spoken of4 ,and first1 let it be considered1 that what is here affirmed1 is spoken of the ,worship of ,god in these ,gospel-times1 and not of the ,worship that was under or before the ,law3 ,for the particular ,commands of ,god to ,men then1 are not sufficient to authorize us now to do the same ,things2 else we might be supposed at present acceptably to offer ,sacrifice as they did1 which all acknowledge to be ceased4 ,so that what might have been both commendable and acceptable under the ,law1 may justly now be charged with ,superstition1 yea1 and ,idolatry4 ,so that impertinently1 in this ,respect1 doth ,arnoldus rage against this ,proposition1 ,exercit4 ,theolog4 ,sect4 #dd4 saying2 ,that ,i deny all publick ,worship1 and that according to me1 such as in ,enoch's ,time publickly began to call upon the ,name of the ,lord2 and such as at the ,command of ,god went thrice up to ,jerusalem to worship2 and that ,anna1 ,simeon1 ,mary1 c4 were ,idolaters1 because they used the publick ,worship of those ,times2 such a ,consequence is most impertinent2 and no less foolish and absurd1 than if ,i should infer from ,paul's expostulating with the ,galatians for their returning to the ,jewish ,ceremonies1 that he therefore condemned ,moses and all the ,prophets as foolish and ignorant1 because they used those ,things3 ,the forward ,man1 not heeding the different ,dispensation of ,times1 ran into this ,impertinency4 ,sidenote3 ,ceremonies under the ,law were not essential to true ,worship4 ,though a spiritual ,worship might have been1 and no ,doubt was practised by many under the ,law in great ,simplicity2 yet will it not follow1 that it were no ,superstition to use all those ,ceremonies that they used1 which were by ,god dispensed to the ,jews1 not as being essential to true ,worship1 or necessary as of themselves for transmitting and entertaining an holy ,fellowship betwixt him and his ,people2 but in ,condescension to them1 who were inclinable to ,idolatry4 ,albeit then in this1 as in most other ,things1 the ,substance was enjoyed under the ,law by such as were spiritual indeed2 yet was it veiled and surrounded with many ,rites and ,ceremonies1 which it is no ,ways lawful for us to use now under the ,gospel4 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,true ,worship is not limited to ,place or ,person4 ,secondly1 ,albeit ,i say1 that this ,worship is neither limited to ,times1 ,places nor ,persons2 yet ,i would not be understood1 as if ,i intended the putting away of all set ,times and ,places to worship3 ,god forbid ,i should think of such an ,opinion4 ,nay1 we are none of those that forsake the ,assembling of ourselves together2 but have even certain ,times and ,places1 in which we carefully meet together 7nor can we be driven therefrom by the ,threats and ,persecutions of ,men7 to wait upon ,god1 and worship him4 ,sidenote3 ,necessity of ,meetings4 ,to meet together we think necessary for the ,people of ,god2 because1 so long as we are clothed with this outward ,tabernacle1 there is a ,necessity to the entertaining of a joint and visible ,fellowship1 and bearing of an outward ,testimony for ,god1 and seeing of the ,faces of one another1 that we concur with our ,persons as well as ,spirits3 ,to be accompanied with that inward ,love and ,unity of ,spirit1 doth greatly tend to encourage and refresh the ,saints4 ,sidenote3 #a4 ,will-worship doth limit the ,spirit of ,god4 ,but the ,limitation we condemn is1 that whereas the ,spirit of ,god should be the immediate ,actor1 ,mover1 ,persuader and ,influencer of ,man in the particular ,acts of ,worship1 when the ,saints are met together1 this ,spirit is limited in its ,operations1 by setting up a particular ,man or ,men to preach and pray in ,man's ,will2 and all the rest are excluded from so much as believing that they are to wait for ,god's ,spirit to move them in such ,things3 ,and so they neglecting that in themselves which should quicken them1 and not waiting to feel the pure ,breathings of ,god's ,spirit1 so as to obey them1 are led merely to depend upon the ,preacher1 and hear what he will say4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,true ,teaching of the ,word of ,god4 ,secondly1 ,in that these peculiar ,men come not thither to meet with the ,lord1 and to wait for the inward ,motions and ,operations of his ,spirit2 and so to pray as they feel the ,spirit to breathe through them1 and in them2 and to preach1 as they find themselves actuated and moved by ,god's ,spirit1 and as he gives ,utterance1 so as to speak a ,word in ,season to refresh weary ,souls1 and as the present ,condition and ,state of the ,people's ,hearts require2 suffering ,god by his ,spirit both to prepare ,people's ,hearts1 and also give the ,preacher to speak what may be fit and seasonable for them3 ,but he 7viz4 the ,preacher7 hath hammered together in his ,closet1 according to his own ,will1 by his human ,wisdom and ,literature1 and by stealing the ,words of ,truth from the ,letter of the ,scriptures1 and patching together other ,men's ,writings and ,observations1 so much as will hold him speaking an ,hour1 while the ,glass runs2 ,sidenote3 ,priests preach by ,hap-hazard their studied ,sermons4 and without waiting or feeling the inward ,influence of the ,spirit of ,god1 he declaims that by ,hap-hazard1 whether it be fit or seasonable for the ,people's ,condition1 or not2 and when he has ended his ,sermon1 he saith his ,prayer also in his own ,will2 and so there is an ,end of the ,business4 ,which customary ,worship1 as it is no ,ways acceptable to ,god1 so how unfruitful it is1 and unprofitable to those that are found in it1 the present ,condition of the ,nations doth sufficiently declare4 ,it appears then1 that we are not against set ,times for ,worship1 as ,arnoldus against this ,proposition1 ,sect4 #de4 no less impertinently allegeth2 offering needlesly to prove that which is not denied3 ,only these ,times being appointed for outward ,conveniency1 we may not therefore think with the ,papists1 that these ,days are holy1 and lead ,people into a superstitious ,observation of them2 being persuaded that all ,days are alike holy in the ,sight of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,whether ,days are holy4 ,and although it be not my present ,purpose to make a long ,digression concerning the ,debates among ,protestants about the first ,day of the ,week1 commonly called the ,lord's ,day1 yet forasmuch as it comes fitly in here1 ,i shall briefly signify our ,sense thereof4 4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,of the ,first ,day of the ,week1 commonly called the ,lord's ,day4 ,we1 not seeing any ,ground in ,scripture for it1 cannot be so superstitious as to believe1 that either the ,jewish ,sabbath now continues1 or that the first ,day of the ,week is the ,anti-type thereof1 or the true ,christian ,sabbath2 which with ,calvin we believe to have a more spiritual ,sense3 ,and therefore we know no moral ,obligation by the fourth ,command1 or elsewhere1 to keep the first ,day of the ,week more than any other1 or any ,holiness inherent in it4 ,but ,first1 forasmuch as it is necessary that there be some ,time set apart for the ,saints to meet together to wait upon ,god2 and that ,secondly1 it is fit at some ,times they be freed from their other outward ,affairs2 and that ,thirdly1 ,reason and ,equity doth allow that ,servants and ,beasts have some ,time allowed them to be eased from their continual ,labour2 and that ,fourthly1 it appears that the ,apostles and ,primitive ,christians did use the first ,day of the ,week for these ,purposes2 we find ourselves sufficiently moved for these ,causes to do so also1 without superstitiously straining the ,scriptures for another ,reason3 ,which1 that it is not to be there found1 many ,protestants1 yea1 ,calvin himself1 upon the fourth ,command1 hath abundantly evinced4 ,and though we therefore meet1 and abstain from working upon this ,day1 yet doth not that hinder us from having ,meetings also for ,worship at other ,times4 4 ,v4 ,thirdly1 ,though according to the ,knowledge of ,god1 revealed unto us by the ,spirit1 through that more full ,dispensation of ,light which we believe the ,lord hath brought about in this ,day1 we judge it our ,duty to hold forth that pure and spiritual ,worship which is acceptable to ,god1 and answerable to the ,testimony of ,christ and his ,apostles1 and likewise to testify against and deny not only manifest ,superstition and ,idolatry1 but also all formal ,will-worship1 which stands not in the ,power of ,god2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,worship in the ,apostasy4 yet1 ,i say1 we do not deny the whole ,worship of all those that have borne the ,name of ,christians even in the ,apostasy1 as if ,god had never heard their ,prayers1 nor accepted any of them3 ,god forbid we should be so void of ,charity6 ,the latter ,part of the ,proposition sheweth the ,contrary4 ,and as we would not be so absurd on the one ,hand to conclude1 because of the ,errors and ,darkness that many were covered and surrounded with in ,babylon1 that none of their ,prayers were heard or accepted of ,god1 so will we not be so unwary on the other1 as to conclude1 that because ,god heard and pitied them1 so we ought to continue in these ,errors and ,darkness1 and not come out of ,babylon1 when it is by ,god discovered unto us4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,popish ,mass or ,vespers4 ,the ,popish ,mass and ,vespers ,i do believe to be1 as to the ,matter of them1 abominable ,idolatry and ,superstition1 and so also believe the ,protestants2 yet will neither ,i or they affirm1 that in the ,darkness of ,popery no ,upright-hearted ,men1 though zealous in these ,abominations1 have been heard of ,god1 or accepted of him3 ,sidenote3 ,bernard and ,bonaventure1 ,taulerus1 ,tho4 ,kempis1 have tasted of the ,love of ,god4 ,who can deny1 but that both ,bernard and ,bonaventure1 ,taulerus1 ,thomas ,kempis1 and divers others have both known and tasted of the ,love of ,god1 and felt the ,power and ,virtue of ,god's ,spirit working with them for their ,salvation8 ,and yet ought we not to forsake and deny those ,superstitions which they were found in8 ,the ,calvinistical ,presbyterians do much upbraid 7and ,i say not without ,reason7 the ,formality and ,deadness of the ,episcopalian and ,lutheran ,liturgies2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,bishops ,liturgy4 and yet1 as they will not deny but there have been some good ,men among them1 so neither dare they refuse1 but that when that good ,step was brought in by them1 of turning the publick ,prayers into the vulgar ,tongues1 though continued in a ,liturgy1 it was acceptable to ,god1 and sometimes accompanied with his ,power and ,presence3 ,yet will not the ,presbyterians have it from thence concluded1 that the ,common ,prayers should still continue2 so likewise1 though we should confess1 that1 through the ,mercy and wonderful ,condescension of ,god1 there have been upright in ,heart1 both among ,papists and ,protestants1 yet can we not therefore approve of their ,way in the ,general1 or not go on to the upholding of that spiritual ,worship1 which the ,lord is calling all to1 and so to the testifying against whatsoever stands in the ,way of it4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,assemblies of ,worship in ,publick described4 ,fourthly1 ,to come then to the ,state of the ,controversy1 as to the publick ,worship1 we judge it the ,duty of all to be diligent in the ,assembling of themselves together 7and what we have been1 and are1 in this ,matter1 our ,enemies in ,great ,britain1 who have used all ,means to hinder our assembling together to worship ,god1 may bear ,witness7 and when assembled1 the great ,work of one and all ought to be to wait upon ,god2 and returning out of their own ,thoughts and ,imaginations1 to feel the ,lord's ,presence1 and know a ,gathering into his ,name indeed1 where he is in the ,midst1 according to his ,promise4 ,and as every one is thus gathered1 and so met together inwardly in their ,spirits1 as well as outwardly in their ,persons1 there the secret ,power and ,virtue of ,life is known to refresh the ,soul1 and the pure ,motions and ,breathings of ,god's ,spirit are felt to arise2 from which1 as ,words of ,declaration1 ,prayers or ,praises arise1 the acceptable ,worship is known1 which edifies the ,church1 and is well-pleasing to ,god4 ,and no ,man here limits the ,spirit of ,god1 nor bringeth forth his own conned and gathered ,stuff2 but every one puts that forth which the ,lord puts into their ,hearts3 ,and it is uttered forth not in ,man's ,will and ,wisdom1 but in the ,evidence and ,demonstration of the ,spirit1 and of ,power4 ,sidenote3 ,its glorious ,dispensation4 ,yea1 though there be not a ,word spoken1 yet is the true spiritual ,worship performed1 and the ,body of ,christ edified2 yea1 it may1 and hath often fallen out among us1 that divers ,meetings have past without one ,word2 and yet our ,souls have been greatly edified and refreshed1 and our ,hearts wonderfully overcome with the secret ,sense of ,god's ,power and ,spirit1 which without ,words hath been ministered from one ,vessel to another4 ,this is indeed strange and incredible to the mere natural and carnally-minded ,man1 who will be apt to judge all ,time lost where there is not something spoken that is obvious to the outward ,senses2 and therefore ,i shall insist a little upon this ,subject1 as one that can speak from a certain ,experience1 and not by mere ,hearsay1 of this wonderful and glorious ,dispensation2 which hath so much the more of the ,wisdom and ,glory of ,god in it1 as it is contrary to the ,nature of ,man's ,spirit1 ,will1 and ,wisdom4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,the silent waiting upon ,god obtained4 ,as there can be nothing more opposite to the natural ,will and ,wisdom of ,man than this silent ,waiting upon ,god1 so neither can it be obtained1 nor rightly comprehended by ,man1 but as he layeth down his own ,wisdom and ,will1 so as to be content to be throughly subject to ,god4 ,and therefore it was not preached1 nor can be so practised1 but by such as find no outward ,ceremony1 no ,observations1 no ,words1 yea1 not the best and purest ,words1 even the ,words of ,scripture1 able to satisfy their weary and afflicted ,souls3 ,because where all these may be1 the ,life1 ,power1 and ,virtue1 which make such ,things effectual1 may be wanting4 ,such1 ,i say1 were necessitated to cease from all ,externals1 and to be silent before the ,lord2 and #ig;being directed to that inward ,principle of ,life and ,light in themselves1 as the most excellent ,teacher1 which can never be removed into a ,corner1 came thereby to be taught to wait upon ,god in the ,measure of ,life and ,grace received from him1 and to cease from their own forward ,words and ,actings1 in the natural ,willing and ,comprehension1 and feel after this inward ,seed of ,life2 that1 as it moveth1 they may move with it1 and be actuated by its ,power1 and influenced1 whether to pray1 preach or sing4 ,and so from this ,principle of ,man's being silent1 and not acting in the ,things of ,god of himself1 until thus actuated by ,god's ,light and ,grace in the ,heart1 did naturally spring that ,manner of sitting silent together1 and waiting together upon the ,lord4 ,for many thus principled1 meeting together in the pure ,fear of the ,lord1 did not apply themselves presently to speak1 pray1 or sing1 c4 being afraid to be found acting forwardly in their own ,wills1 but each made it their ,work to retire inwardly to the ,measure of ,grace in themselves1 not being only silent as to ,words1 but even abstaining from all their own ,thoughts1 ,imaginations and ,desires2 so watching in a holy ,dependence upon the ,lord1 and meeting together not only outwardly in one ,place1 ,sidenote3 ,what it is to meet in ,jesus ,name4 but thus inwardly in one ,spirit1 and in one ,name of ,jesus1 which is his ,power and ,virtue1 they come thereby to enjoy and feel the ,arisings of this ,life1 which1 as it prevails in each ,particular1 becomes as a ,flood of ,refreshment1 and overspreads the whole ,meeting3 ,for ,man1 and ,man's ,part and ,wisdom1 being denied and chained down in every ,individual1 and ,god exalted1 and his ,grace in ,dominion in the ,heart1 thus his ,name comes to be one in all1 and his ,glory breaks forth1 and covers all2 and there is such a holy ,awe and ,reverence upon every ,soul1 that if the natural ,part should arise in any1 or the wise ,part1 or what is not one with the ,life1 it would presently be chained down1 and judged out4 ,and when any are1 through the ,breaking forth of this ,power1 constrained to utter a ,sentence of ,exhortation or ,praise1 or to breathe to the ,lord in ,prayer1 then all are sensible of it2 for the same ,life in them answers to it1 #ih;as in ,water ,face answereth to ,face4 ,this is that divine and spiritual ,worship1 which the ,world neither knoweth nor understandeth1 which the ,vulture's ,eye seeth not into4 ,sidenote3 ,advantages of silent ,meetings4 ,yet many and great are the ,advantages which my ,soul1 with many others1 hath tasted of hereby1 and which would be found of all such as would seriously apply themselves hereunto3 ,for1 when ,people are gathered thus together1 not merely to hear ,men1 nor depend upon them1 but #ii;all are inwardly taught to stay their ,minds upon the ,lord1 and wait for his ,appearance in their ,hearts2 thereby the forward ,working of the ,spirit of ,man is stayed and hindered from mixing itself with the ,worship of ,god2 and the ,form of this ,worship is so naked and void of all outward and worldly ,splendor1 that all ,occasion for ,man's ,wisdom to be exercised in that ,superstition and ,idolatry hath no ,lodging here2 and so there being also an inward ,quietness and ,retiredness of ,mind1 the ,witness of ,god ariseth in the ,heart1 and the ,light of ,christ shineth1 whereby the ,soul cometh to see its own ,condition4 ,and there being many joined together in the same ,work1 there is an inward ,travail and ,wrestling2 and also1 as the ,measure of ,grace is abode in1 an ,overcoming of the ,power and ,spirit of ,darkness2 and thus we are often greatly strengthened and renewed in the ,spirits of our ,minds without a ,word1 and we enjoy and possess the #ajj;holy ,fellowship and ,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ1 by which our inward ,man is nourished and fed2 which makes us not to dote upon outward ,water1 and ,bread and ,wine1 in our spiritual ,things4 ,now as many thus gathered together grow up in the ,strength1 ,power1 and ,virtue of ,truth1 and as ,truth comes thus to have ,victory and ,dominion in their ,souls1 then they receive an ,utterance1 and speak steadily to the ,edification of their ,brethren1 and the pure ,life hath a free ,passage through them1 and what is thus spoken edifieth the ,body indeed4 ,sidenote3 ,speaking to ,edification4 ,such is the evident ,certainty of that divine ,strength that is communicated by thus meeting together1 and waiting in ,silence upon ,god1 that sometimes when one hath come in that hath been unwatchful and wandering in his ,mind1 or suddenly out of the ,hurry of outward ,business1 and so not inwardly gathered with the rest1 so soon as he retires himself inwardly1 this ,power being in a good ,measure raised in the whole ,meeting1 will suddenly lay ,hold upon his ,spirit1 and wonderfully help to raise up the ,good in him1 and beget him into the ,sense of the same ,power1 to the ,melting and ,warming of his ,heart2 even as the ,warmth would take ,hold upon a ,man that is cold coming into a ,stove1 or as a ,flame will lay ,hold upon some little combustible ,matter being near unto it4 ,yea1 if it fall out that several met together be straying in their ,minds1 though outwardly silent1 and so wandering from the ,measure of ,grace in themselves 7which through the ,working of the ,enemy1 and ,negligence of some1 may fall out7 if either one come in1 or may be in1 who is watchful1 and in whom the ,life is raised in a great ,measure1 as that one keeps his ,place1 he will feel a secret ,travail for the rest in a ,sympathy with the ,seed which is oppressed in the other1 and kept from arising by their ,thoughts and ,wanderings2 ,sidenote3 ,a secret ,travail one for another in silent ,meetings4 and as such a faithful one waits in the ,light1 and keeps in this divine ,work1 ,god oftentimes answers the secret ,travail and ,breathings of his own ,seed through such a one1 so that the rest will find themselves secretly smitten without ,words1 and that one will be as a ,midwife through the secret ,travails of his ,soul to bring forth the ,life in them1 just as a little ,water thrown into a ,pump brings up the rest1 whereby ,life will come to be raised in all1 and the vain ,imaginations brought down2 and such a one is felt by the rest to minister ,life unto them without ,words4 ,yea1 sometimes when there is not a ,word in the ,meeting1 but all are silently waiting1 if one come in that is rude and wicked1 and in whom the ,power of ,darkness prevaileth much1 perhaps with an ,intention to mock or do ,mischief1 if the whole ,meeting be gathered into the ,life1 and it be raised in a good ,measure1 it will strike ,terror into such an one1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,mocker struck with ,terror when no ,word is spoken4 and he will feel himself unable to resist2 but by the secret ,strength and ,virtue thereof1 the ,power of ,darkness in him will be chained down3 ,and if the ,day of his ,visitation be not expired1 it will reach to the ,measure of ,grace in him1 and raise it up to the ,redeeming of his ,soul4 ,and this we often bear ,witness of1 so that we have had frequent ,occasion in this ,respect1 since ,god hath gathered us to be a ,people1 to renew this old ,saying of many1 #aja;,is ,saul also among the ,prophets8 ,for not a few have come to be convinced of the ,truth after this ,manner1 of which ,i myself1 in ,part1 am a true ,witness1 who not by ,strength of ,arguments1 or by a particular ,disquisition of each ,doctrine1 and ,convincement of my ,understanding thereby1 came to receive and bear ,witness of the ,truth1 but by being secretly reached by this ,life2 ,sidenote3 ,the true ,convincement4 for when ,i came into the silent ,assemblies of ,god's ,people1 ,i felt a secret ,power among them1 which touched my ,heart1 and as ,i gave ,way unto it1 ,i found the ,evil weakening in me1 and the ,good raised up1 and so ,i became thus knit and united unto them1 hungering more and more after the ,increase of this ,power and ,life1 whereby ,i might feel myself perfectly redeemed4 ,and indeed this is the surest ,way to become a ,christian1 to whom afterwards the ,knowledge and ,understanding of ,principles will not be wanting1 but will grow up so much as is needful1 as the natural ,fruit of this good ,root1 and such a ,knowledge will not be barren nor unfruitful4 ,after this ,manner we desire therefore all that come among us to be proselyted1 knowing that though ,thousands should be convinced in their ,understanding of all the ,truths we maintain1 yet if they were not sensible of this inward ,life1 and their ,souls not changed from ,unrighteousness to ,righteousness1 they could add nothing to us4 ,sidenote3 #a ,cor4 #f4 #ag4 ,the ,life of ,righteousness doth join us to the ,lord4 ,for this is that ,cement whereby we are joined as to the ,lord1 so to one another1 and without this none can worship with us4 ,yea1 if such should come among us1 and from that ,understanding and ,convincement they have of the ,truth1 speak ever so true ,things1 and utter them forth with ever so much ,excellency of ,speech1 if this ,life were wanting1 it would not edify us at all1 but be as sounding ,brass1 or a tinkling ,cymbal1 #a ,cor4 xiii4 #a4 #ig ,isa4 #cj4 #bj4 #ih ,prov4 #bg4 #ai4 #ii ,isa4 #aj4 #bj4 and #bf4 #c4 #ajj ,ephes4 #d4 #c4 #aja #a ,sam4 #aj4 #ab4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,our ,work and ,worship in our ,meetings4 ,our ,work then and ,worship is1 when we meet together1 for every one to watch and wait upon ,god in themselves1 and to be gathered from all ,visibles thereunto4 ,and as every one is thus stated1 they come to find the ,good arise over the ,evil1 and the ,pure over the ,impure1 in which ,god reveals himself1 and draweth near to every ,individual1 and so he is in the ,midst in the ,general1 whereby each not only partakes of the particular ,refreshment and ,strength which comes from the ,good in himself1 but is a ,sharer in the whole ,body1 as being a living ,member of the ,body1 having a joint ,fellowship and ,communion with all4 ,and as this ,worship is stedfastly preached and kept to1 it becomes easy1 though it be very hard at first to the natural ,man1 whose roving ,imaginations and running worldly ,desires are not so easily brought to ,silence4 ,and therefore the ,lord ,often-times1 when any turn towards him1 and have true ,desires thus to ,wait upon him1 and find great ,difficulty through the ,unstayedness of their ,minds1 doth in ,condescension and ,compassion cause his ,power to break forth in a more strong and powerful ,manner4 ,and when the ,mind sinks down1 and waits for the ,appearance of ,life1 and that the ,power of ,darkness in the ,soul wrestles and works against it1 then the good ,seed1 as it ariseth1 will be found to work as ,physick in the ,soul1 especially if such a weak one be in the ,assembly of divers others in whom the ,life is arisen in greater ,dominion1 and through the contrary ,workings of the ,power of ,darkness there will be found an inward ,striving in the ,soul as really in the ,mystery as ever ,esau and ,jacob strove in ,rebecca's ,womb4 ,sidenote3 ,esau and ,jacob strove in ,rebecca's ,womb4 ,and from this inward ,travail1 while the ,darkness seeks to obscure the ,light1 and the ,light breaks through the ,darkness1 which it always will do1 if the ,soul gives not its ,strength to the ,darkness1 there will be such a painful ,travail found in the ,soul1 that will even work upon the outward ,man1 so that ,often-times1 through the ,working thereof1 the ,body will be greatly shaken1 and many ,groans1 and ,sighs1 and ,tears1 even as the ,pangs of a ,woman in ,travail1 will lay hold upon it2 yea1 and this not only as to one1 but when the ,enemy1 who when the ,children of ,god assemble together is not wanting to be present1 to see if he can let their ,comfort1 hath prevailed in any ,measure in a whole ,meeting1 and strongly worketh against it by spreading and propagating his dark ,power1 and by drawing out the ,minds of such as are met from the ,life in them1 as they come to be sensible of this ,power of his that works against them1 and to wrestle with it by the ,armour of ,light1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,travail crowned with a victorious ,song4 sometimes the ,power of ,god will break forth into a whole ,meeting1 and there will be such an inward ,travail1 while each is seeking to overcome the ,evil in themselves1 that by the strong contrary ,workings of these opposite ,powers1 like the ,going of two contrary ,tides1 every ,individual will be strongly exercised as in a ,day of ,battle1 and thereby ,trembling and a ,motion of ,body will be upon most1 if not upon all1 which1 as the ,power of ,truth prevails1 will from ,pangs and ,groans end with a sweet ,sound of ,thanksgiving and ,praise4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,name of ,quakers whence it sprung4 ,and from this the ,name of ,quakers1 i4 e4 ,tremblers1 was first reproachfully cast upon us2 which though it be none of our ,choosing1 yet in this ,respect we are not ashamed of it1 but have rather ,reason to rejoice therefore1 even that we are sensible of this ,power that hath oftentimes laid hold of our ,adversaries1 and made them yield unto us1 and join with us1 and confess to the ,truth1 before they had any distinct or discursive ,knowledge of our ,doctrines1 so that sometimes many at one ,meeting have been thus convinced3 ,and this ,power would sometimes also reach to and wonderfully work even in little ,children1 to the ,admiration and ,astonishment of many4 4 ,,ix4 ,many are the blessed ,experiences which ,i could relate of this ,silence and ,manner of ,worship2 ,sidenote3 ,yet ,silence is no ,law1 but ,words may follow4 yet ,i do not so much commend and speak of ,silence as if we had bound ourselves by any ,law to exclude ,praying or ,preaching1 or tied ourselves thereunto2 not at all3 ,for as our ,worship consisteth not in ,words1 so neither in ,silence1 as ,silence2 but in an holy ,dependence of the ,mind upon ,god3 ,from which ,dependence ,silence necessarily follows in the first ,place1 until ,words can be brought forth1 which are from ,god's ,spirit4 ,and ,god is not wanting to move in his ,children to bring forth ,words of ,exhortation or ,prayer1 when it is needful2 so that of the many ,gatherings and ,meetings of such as are convinced of the ,truth1 there is scarce any in whom ,god raiseth not up some or other to minister to his ,brethren2 and there are few ,meetings that are altogether silent4 ,for when many are met together in this one ,life and ,name1 it doth most naturally and frequently excite them to pray to and praise ,god1 and stir up one another by mutual ,exhortation and ,instructions2 yet we judge it needful there be in the first ,place some ,time of ,silence1 during which every one may be gathered inwardly to the ,word and ,gift of ,grace1 from which he that ministereth may receive ,strength to bring forth what he ministereth2 and that they that hear may have a ,sense to discern betwixt the ,precious and the ,vile1 and not to hurry into the ,exercise of these ,things so soon as the ,bell rings1 as other ,christians do4 ,yea1 and we doubt not1 but assuredly know1 that the ,meeting may be good and refreshful1 though from the sitting down to the rising up thereof there hath not been a ,word as outwardly spoken1 and yet ,life may have been known to abound in each ,particular1 and an inward growing up therein and thereby1 yea1 so as ,words might have been spoken acceptably1 and from the ,life3 ,sidenote3 ,no absolute ,necessity for ,words1 though from the ,life at ,times4 ,yet there being no absolute ,necessity laid upon any so to do1 all might have chosen rather quietly and silently to possess and enjoy the ,lord in themselves1 which is very sweet and comfortable to the ,soul that hath thus learned to be gathered out of all its own ,thoughts and ,workings1 to feel the ,lord to bring forth both the ,will and the ,deed1 which many can declare by a blessed ,experience3 ,though indeed it cannot but be hard for the natural ,man to receive or believe this ,doctrine1 and therefore it must be rather by a sensible ,experience1 and by coming to make ,proof of it1 than by ,arguments1 that such can be convinced of this ,thing1 seeing it is not enough to believe it1 if they come not also to enjoy and possess it2 yet in ,condescension to1 and for the ,sake of1 such as may be the more willing to apply themselves to the ,practice and ,experience hereof1 if they found their ,understandings convinced of it1 and that it is founded upon ,scripture and ,reason1 ,i find a ,freedom of ,mind to add some few ,considerations of this ,kind1 for the ,confirmation hereof1 besides what is before mentioned of our ,experience4 4 ,x4 ,sidenote3 ,to wait and watch commanded in the ,scripture4 ,that to wait upon ,god1 and to watch before him1 is a ,duty incumbent upon all1 ,i suppose none will deny2 and that this also is a ,part of ,worship will not be called in ,question1 since there is scarce any other so frequently commanded in the holy ,scriptures1 as may appear from ,psalm xxvii4 #ad4 and xxxvii4 #g4 #cd4 ,prov4 xx4 #bb4 ,isa4 xxx4 #ah4 ,hosea xii4 #f4 ,zech4 iii4 #h4 ,matt4 xxiv4 #db4 and xxv4 #ac4 and xxvi4 #da4 ,mark xiii4 #cc4 #ce4 #cg4 ,luke xxi4 #cf4 ,acts i4 #d4 and xx4 #ca4 #a ,cor4 xvi4 #ac4 ,col4 iv4 #b4 #a ,thess4 v4 #f4 #b ,tim4 iv4 #e4 #a ,pet4 iv4 #g4 ,also this ,duty is often recommended with very great and precious ,promises1 as ,psalm xxv4 #c4 and xxxvii4 #i4 and lxix4 #f4 ,isa4 xlii4 #bc4 ,lam4 iii4 #be1 #bf4 ,they that wait upon the ,lord shall renew their ,strength1 c4 ,isa4 xl4 #ca4 ,now how is this waiting upon ,god1 or watching before him1 but by this ,silence of which we have spoken8 ,which as it is in itself a great and principal ,duty1 so it necessarily in order both of ,nature and ,time precedeth all other4 ,but that it may be the better and more perfectly understood1 as it is not only an outward ,silence of the ,body1 but an inward ,silence of the ,mind from all its own ,imaginations and ,self-cogitations1 let it be considered according to ,truth1 and to the ,principles and ,doctrines heretofore affirmed and proved1 that ,man is to be considered in a twofold ,respect1 to wit1 in his natural1 unregenerate1 and fallen ,state1 and in his spiritual and renewed ,condition2 from whence ariseth that ,distinction of the natural and spiritual ,man so much used by the ,apostle1 and heretofore spoken of4 ,also these two ,births of the ,mind proceed from the two ,seeds in ,man respectively1 to wit1 the good ,seed and the evil2 and from the evil ,seed doth not only proceed all ,manner of gross and abominable ,wickedness and ,profanity1 but also ,hypocrisy1 and those ,wickednesses which the ,scripture calls spiritual1 ,sidenote3 ,whence ,wickednesses arise that are spiritual4 because it is the ,serpent working in and by the natural ,man in ,things that are spiritual1 which having a ,shew and ,appearance of ,good1 are so much the more hurtful and dangerous1 as it is ,satan transformed and transforming himself into an ,angel of ,light2 and therefore doth the ,scripture so pressingly and frequently1 as we have heretofore had ,occasion to observe1 shut out and exclude the natural ,man from meddling with the ,things of ,god1 denying his ,endeavours therein1 though acted and performed by the most eminent of his ,parts1 as of ,wisdom and ,utterance4 ,also this spiritual ,wickedness is of two ,sorts1 though both one in ,kind1 as proceeding from one ,root1 yet differing in their ,degrees1 and in the ,subjects also sometimes4 ,the one is1 when as the natural ,man1 meddling with and working in the ,things of ,religion1 doth from his own ,conceptions and ,divinations affirm or propose wrong and erroneous ,notions and ,opinions of ,god and ,things spiritual1 and invent ,superstitions1 ,ceremonies1 ,observations1 and ,rites in ,worship1 from whence have sprung all the ,heresies and ,superstitions that are among ,christians4 ,sidenote3 ,from whence all ,heresies did spring4 ,the other is1 when as the natural ,man1 from a mere ,conviction of his ,understanding1 doth in the ,forwardness of his own ,will1 and by his own natural ,strength1 without the ,influence and ,leading of ,god's ,spirit1 go about either in his ,understanding to imagine1 conceive1 or think of the ,things of ,god1 or actually to perform them by preaching or praying4 ,sidenote3 ,true ,christianity1 wherein it consists not4 ,the ,first is a ,missing both in ,matter and ,form2 the ,second is a ,retaining of the ,form without the ,life and ,substance of ,christianity2 because ,christian ,religion consisteth not in a mere ,belief of true ,doctrines1 or a mere ,performance of ,acts good in themselves1 or else the bare ,letter of the ,scripture1 though spoken by a ,drunkard1 or a ,devil1 might be said to be ,spirit and ,life1 which ,i judge none will be so absurd as to affirm2 and also it would follow1 that where the ,form of ,godliness is1 there the ,power is also1 which is contrary to the express ,words of the ,apostle4 ,for the ,form of ,godliness cannot be said to be1 where either the ,notions and ,opinions believed are erroneous and ungodly1 or the ,acts performed evil and wicked2 for then it would be the ,form of ,ungodliness1 and not of ,godliness3 ,but of this more hereafter1 when we shall speak particularly of ,preaching and ,praying4 ,now though this last be not so bad as the former1 yet it hath made ,way for it2 for ,men having first departed from the ,life and ,substance of true ,religion and ,worship1 to wit1 from the inward ,power and ,virtue of the ,spirit1 so as therein to act1 and thereby to have all their ,actions enlivened1 have only retained the ,form and ,shew1 to wit1 the true ,words and ,appearance2 and so acting in their own natural and unrenewed ,wills in this ,form1 the ,form could not but quickly decay1 and be vitiated4 ,for the working and active ,spirit of ,man could not contain itself within the ,simplicity and ,plainness of ,truth1 but giving ,way to his own numerous ,inventions and ,imaginations1 began to vary in the ,form1 and adapt it to his own ,inventions1 until by ,degrees the ,form of ,godliness for the most ,part came to be lost1 as well as the ,power4 ,sidenote3 ,idolatry does hug its own ,conceivings4 ,for this ,kind of ,idolatry1 whereby ,man loveth1 idolizeth1 and embraceth his own ,conceptions1 ,inventions1 and ,product of his own ,brain1 is so incident unto him1 and feared in his fallen ,nature1 that so long as his natural ,spirit is the first ,author and ,actor of him1 and is that by which he only is guided and moved in his ,worship towards ,god1 so as not first to wait for another ,guide to direct him1 he can never perform the pure spiritual ,worship1 nor bring forth any ,thing but the ,fruit of the first1 fallen1 natural1 and corrupt ,root4 ,wherefore the ,time appointed of ,god being come1 wherein by ,jesus ,christ he hath been pleased to restore the true spiritual ,worship1 and the outward ,form of ,worship1 which was appointed by ,god to the ,jews1 and whereof the ,manner and ,time of its ,performance was particularly determined by ,god himself1 being come to an ,end1 ,sidenote3 ,no ,form of ,worship but the ,spirit prescribed by ,christ4 we find that ,jesus ,christ1 the ,author of the ,christian ,religion1 prescribes no set ,form of ,worship to his ,children1 under the more pure ,administration of the ,new ,covenant1#ajb save that he only tells them1 ,that the ,worship now to be performed is spiritual1 and in the ,spirit4 ,and it is especially to be observed1 that in the whole ,new ,testament there is no ,order nor ,command given in this ,thing1 but to follow the ,revelation of the ,spirit1 save only that general one of meeting together2 a ,thing dearly owned and diligently practised by us1 as shall hereafter more appear4 ,sidenote3 ,pray1 preach1 and sing in ,spirit4 ,true it is1 ,mention is made of the ,duties of ,praying1 ,preaching1 and ,singing2 but what ,order or ,method should be kept in so doing1 or that presently they should be set about so soon as the ,saints are gathered1 there is not one ,word to be found3 ,yea1 these ,duties1 as shall afterwards be made appear1 are always annexed to the ,assistance1 ,leadings1 and ,motions of ,god's ,spirit4 ,since then ,man in his natural ,state is thus excluded from acting or moving in ,things spiritual1 how or what ,way shall he exercise this first and previous ,duty of waiting upon ,god but by ,silence1 and by bringing that natural ,part to ,silence8 ,sidenote3 ,to wait on ,god1 by what it is performed4 ,which is no other ,ways but by abstaining from his own ,thoughts and ,imaginations1 and from all the ,self-workings and ,motions of his own ,mind1 as well in ,things materially good as evil2 that he being silent1 ,god may speak in him1 and the good ,seed may arise4 ,this1 though hard to the natural ,man1 is so answerable to ,reason1 and even natural ,experience in other ,things1 that it cannot be denied4 ,he that cometh to learn of a ,master1 if he expect to hear his ,master and be instructed by him1 must not continually be speaking of the ,matter to be taught1 and never be quiet1 otherwise how shall his ,master have ,time to instruct him8 ,sidenote3 ,a ,simile of a ,master and his ,scholar4 ,yea1 though the ,scholar were never so earnest to learn the ,science1 yet would the ,master have ,reason to reprove him1 as untoward and indocile1 if he would always be meddling of himself1 and still speaking1 and not wait in ,silence patiently to hear his ,master instructing and teaching him1 who ought not to open his ,mouth until by his ,master he were commanded and allowed so to do4 ,sidenote3 ,of a ,prince and his ,servant4 ,so also if one were about to attend a great ,prince1 he would be thought an impertinent and imprudent ,servant1 who1 while he ought patiently and readily to wait1 that he might answer the ,king when he speaks1 and have his ,eye upon him to observe the least ,motions and ,inclinations of his ,will1 and to do accordingly1 would be still deafening him with ,discourse1 though it were in ,praises of him2 and running to and fro1 without any particular and immediate ,order1 to do ,things that perhaps might be good in themselves1 or might have been commanded at other ,times to others4 ,would the ,kings of the ,earth accept of such ,servants or ,service8 ,sidenote3 ,to wait in ,silence4 ,since then we are commanded to wait upon ,god diligently1 and in so doing it is promised that our ,strength shall be renewed1 this ,waiting cannot be performed but by a ,silence or ,cessation of the natural ,part on our ,side1 since ,god manifests himself not to the outward ,man or ,senses1 so much as to the inward1 to wit1 to the ,soul and ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,the thinking busy ,soul excludes the ,voice of ,god4 ,if the ,soul be still thinking and working in her own ,will1 and busily exercised in her own ,imaginations1 though the ,matters as in themselves may be good concerning ,god1 yet thereby she incapacitates herself from discerning the still1 small ,voice of the ,spirit1 and so hurts herself greatly1 in that she neglects her chief ,business of waiting upon the ,lord3 ,nothing less than if ,i should busy myself1 crying out and speaking of a ,business1 while in the mean ,time ,i neglect to hear one who is quietly whispering into my ,ear1 and informing me in those ,things which are most needful for me to hear and know concerning that ,business4 ,and since it is the chief ,work of a ,christian to know the natural ,will in its own proper ,motions crucified1 that ,god may both move in the ,act and in the ,will1 the ,lord chiefly regards this profound ,subjection and ,self-denial4 ,sidenote3 ,religious ,speculations4 ,for some ,men please themselves as much1 and gratify their own sensual ,wills and ,humours in high and curious ,speculations of ,religion1 affecting a ,name and ,reputation that ,way1 or because those ,things by ,custom or otherways are become pleasant and habitual to them1 though not a ,whit more regenerated or inwardly sanctified in their ,spirits1 ,sidenote3 ,sensual ,recreations4 as others gratify their ,lusts in ,acts of ,sensuality1 and therefore both are alike hurtful to ,men1 and sinful in the ,sight of ,god1 it being nothing but the mere ,fruit and ,effect of ,man's natural and unrenewed ,will and ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,thoughts of ,death and ,hell to keep out ,sin are ,fig-leaves4 ,yea1 should one1 as many no ,doubt do1 from a ,sense of ,sin1 and ,fear of ,punishment1 seek to terrify themselves from ,sin1 by multiplying ,thoughts of ,death1 ,hell1 and ,judgment1 and by presenting to their ,imaginations the ,happiness and ,joys of ,heaven1 and also by multiplying ,prayers and other religious ,performances1 as these ,things could never deliver him from one ,iniquity1 without the secret and inward ,power of ,god's ,spirit and ,grace1 so would they signify no more than the ,fig-leaves wherewith ,adam thought to cover his ,nakedness4 ,and seeing it is only the ,product of ,man's own natural ,will1 proceeding from a ,self-love1 and seeking to save himself1 and not arising purely from that divine ,seed of ,righteousness which is given of ,god to all for ,grace and ,salvation1 it is rejected of ,god1 and no ,ways acceptable unto him2 since the natural ,man1 as natural1 while he stands in that ,state1 is1 with all his ,arts1 ,parts1 and ,actings1 reprobated by him4 ,sidenote3 ,denial of one's ,self4 ,this great ,duty then of waiting upon ,god1 must needs be exercised in ,man's denying ,self1 both inwardly and outwardly1 in a still and mere ,dependence upon ,god1 in abstracting from all the ,workings1 ,imaginations1 and ,speculations of his own ,mind1 that being emptied as it were of himself1 and so throughly crucified to the natural ,products thereof1 he may be fit to receive the ,lord1 who will have no ,co-partner nor ,co-rival of his ,glory and ,power4 ,and ,man being thus stated1 the little ,seed of ,righteousness which ,god hath planted in his ,soul1 and ,christ hath purchased for him1 even the ,measure of ,grace and ,life1 which is burdened and crucified by ,man's natural ,thoughts and ,imaginations1 receives a ,place to arise1 and becometh a holy ,birth and ,geniture in ,man2 ,sidenote3 ,the holy ,birth4 and is that divine ,air in and by which ,man's ,soul and ,spirit comes to be leavened2 and by waiting therein he comes to be accepted in the ,sight of ,god1 to stand in his ,presence1 hear his ,voice1 and observe the ,motions of his holy ,spirit4 ,and so ,man's ,place is to wait in this2 and as hereby there are any ,objects presented to his ,mind concerning ,god1 or ,things relating to ,religion1 his ,soul may be exercised in them without ,hurt1 and to the great ,profit both of himself and others2 because those ,things have their ,rise not from his own ,will1 but from ,god's ,spirit3 ,and therefore as in the ,arisings and ,movings of this his ,mind is still to be exercised in thinking and meditating1 so also in the more obvious ,acts of ,preaching and ,praying4 ,sidenote3 ,no ,quakers are against a meditating ,mind4 ,and so it may hence appear we are not against ,meditation1 as some have sought falsely to infer from our ,doctrine2 ,sidenote3 ,from ,nature's ,thoughts all ,errors rise4 but we are against the ,thoughts and ,imaginations of the natural ,man in his own ,will1 from which all ,errors and ,heresies concerning the ,christian ,religion in the whole ,world have proceeded4 ,but if it please ,god at any ,time1 when one or more are waiting upon him1 not to present such ,objects as give them ,occasion to exercise their ,minds in ,thoughts and ,imaginations1 but purely to keep them in this holy ,dependence1 and as they persist therein1 to cause his secret ,refreshment and the pure ,incomes of his holy ,life to flow in upon them1 then they have good ,reason to be content1 because by this1 as we know by good and blessed ,experience1 the ,soul is more strengthened1 renewed1 and confirmed in the ,love of ,god1 and armed against the ,power of ,sin1 than any ,way else2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,soul renewed1 by what8 ,the holy ,life of ,god4 this being a ,fore-taste of that real and sensible ,enjoyment of ,god1 which the ,saints in ,heaven daily possess1 which ,god frequently affords to his ,children here for their ,comfort and ,encouragement1 especially when they are assembled together to wait upon him4 #ajb ,if any object here1 ,that the ,lord's ,prayer is a prescribed ,form of ,prayer1 and therefore of ,worship given by ,christ to his ,children3 ,i answer1 ,first1 ,this cannot be objected by any ,sort of ,christians that ,i know1 because there are none who use not other ,prayers1 or that limit their ,worship to this4 ,secondly1 ,this was commanded to the ,disciples1 while yet weak1 before they had received the ,dispensation of the ,gospel2 not that they should only use it in praying1 but that he might shew them by one ,example how that their ,prayers ought to be short1 and not like the long ,prayers of the ,pharisees4 ,and that this was the ,use of it1 appears by all their ,prayers1 which divers ,saints afterwards made use of1 whereof the ,scripture makes mention2 for none made use of this1 neither repeated it1 but used other ,words1 according as the ,thing required1 and as the ,spirit gave ,utterance4 ,thirdly1 ,that this ought to be so understood1 appears from ,rom4 viii4 #bf4 of which afterwards ,mention shall be made at greater ,length1 where the ,apostle saith1 ,we know not what we should pray for as we ought1 but the ,spirit itself maketh ,intercession for us1 c4 ,but if this ,prayer had been such a prescribed ,form of ,prayer to the ,church1 that had not been true1 neither had they been ignorant what to pray1 nor should they have needed the ,help of the ,spirit to teach them4 4 ,,xi4 ,sidenote3 ,whatever ,man does act without the ,power of ,god1 is not accepted4 ,for there are two contrary ,powers or ,spirits1 to wit1 the ,power and ,spirit of this ,world1 in which the ,prince of ,darkness bears ,rule1 and over as many as are acted by it1 and work from it2 and the ,power or ,spirit of ,god1 in which ,god worketh and beareth ,rule1 and over as many as act in and from it4 ,so whatever be the ,things that a ,man thinketh of1 or acteth in1 however spiritual or religious as to the ,notion or ,form of them1 so long as he acteth and moveth in the natural and corrupt ,spirit and ,will1 and not from1 in1 and by the ,power of ,god1 he sinneth in all1 and is not accepted of ,god4 ,for hence both the #ajc,plowing and ,praying of the ,wicked is ,sin2 as also whatever a ,man acts in and from the ,spirit and ,power of ,god1 having his ,understanding and ,will influenced and moved by it1 whether it be ,actions religious1 civil1 or even natural1 he is accepted in so doing in the ,sight of ,god1 and is #ajd;blessed in them4 ,from what is said it doth appear how frivolous and impertinent their ,objection is1 that say they wait upon ,god in ,praying and ,preaching1 since ,waiting doth of itself imply a passive ,dependence1 rather than an acting4 ,sidenote3 ,to pray and preach without the ,spirit is ,offence to ,god4 ,and since it is1 and shall yet be more shewn1 that ,preaching and ,praying without the ,spirit is an ,offending of ,god1 not a ,waiting upon him1 and that ,praying and ,preaching by the ,spirit pre-supposes necessarily a silent ,waiting to feel the ,motions and ,influence of the ,spirit to lead thereunto2 and ,lastly1 that in several of these ,places where ,praying is commanded1 as ,matt4 xxvi4 #da4 ,mark xiii4 #cc4 ,luke xxi4 #cf4 #a ,peter iv4 #g4 ,watching is specially prefixed as a previous ,preparation thereunto2 we do well and certainly conclude1 that since ,waiting and ,watching are so particularly commanded and recommended1 and cannot be truly performed but in this inward ,silence of the ,mind from ,men's own ,thoughts and ,imaginations1 this ,silence is and must necessarily be a special and principal ,part of ,god's ,worship4 #ajc ,prov4 #ba4 #d4 #ajd ,ja4 #a4 #be4 4 ,,xii4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,this silent ,waiting the ,devil cannot counterfeit4 ,but ,secondly1 ,the ,excellency of this silent ,waiting upon ,god doth appear1 in that it is impossible for the ,enemy1 viz4 the ,devil1 to counterfeit it1 so as for any ,soul to be deceived or deluded by him in the ,exercise thereof4 ,now in all other ,matters he may mix himself with the natural ,mind of ,man1 and so by transforming himself he may deceive the ,soul1 by busying it about ,things perhaps innocent in themselves1 while yet he keeps them from beholding the pure ,light of ,christ1 and so from knowing distinctly their ,duty1 and doing of it4 ,for that envious ,spirit of ,man's eternal ,happiness knoweth well how to accommodate himself1 and fit his ,snares for all the several ,dispositions and ,inclinations of ,men2 if he find one not fit to be engaged with gross ,sins1 or worldly ,lusts1 but rather averse from them1 and religiously inclined1 he can fit himself to beguile such a one1 by suffering his ,thoughts and ,imaginations to run upon spiritual ,matters1 and so hurry him to work1 act1 and meditate in his own ,will4 ,for he well knoweth that so long as ,self bears ,rule1 and the ,spirit of ,god is not the principal and chief ,actor1 ,man is not put out of his ,reach2 ,sidenote3 ,altar1 ,prayers1 ,pulpit1 ,study1 cannot shut the ,devil out4 so therefore he can accompany the ,priest to the ,altar1 the ,preacher to the ,pulpit1 the ,zealot to his ,prayers1 yea1 the ,doctor and ,professor of ,divinity to his ,study1 and there he can chearfully suffer him to labour and work among his ,books1 yea1 and help him to find out and invent subtile ,distinctions and ,quiddities1 by which both his ,mind1 and others through him1 may be kept from heeding ,god's ,light in the ,conscience1 and waiting upon him4 ,there is not any ,exercise whatsoever1 wherein he cannot enter1 and have a chief ,place1 so as the ,soul many ,times cannot discern it1 except in this alone3 ,for he can only work in and by the natural ,man1 and his ,faculties1 by secretly acting upon his ,imaginations and ,desires1 c4 and therefore1 when he 7to wit1 the natural ,man7 is silent1 there he must also stand4 ,and therefore when the ,soul comes to this ,silence1 and as it were is brought to ,nothingness1 as to her own ,workings1 then the ,devil is shut out2 for the pure ,presence of ,god and ,shining of his ,light he cannot abide1 because so long as a ,man is thinking and meditating as of himself1 he cannot be sure1 but the ,devil is influencing him therein2 but when he comes wholly to be silent1 as the pure ,light of ,god shines in upon him1 then he is sure that the ,devil is shut out2 for beyond the ,imaginations he cannot go1 which we often find by sensible ,experience4 ,for he that of old is said to have come to the ,gathering together of the ,children of ,god1 is not wanting to come to our ,assemblies4 ,and indeed he can well enter and work in a ,meeting1 that is silent only as to ,words1 either by keeping the ,minds in various ,thoughts and ,imaginations1 or by stupifying them1 so as to overwhelm them with a ,spirit of ,heaviness and ,slothfulness3 ,but when we retire out of all1 and are turned in1 both by being diligent and watchful upon the one ,hand1 and also silent and retired out of all our ,thoughts upon the other1 as we abide in this sure ,place1 we feel ourselves out of his ,reach4 ,yea1 oftentimes the ,power and ,glory of ,god will break forth and appear1 just as the bright ,sun through many ,clouds and ,mists1 to the ,dispelling of that ,power of ,darkness2 which will also be sensibly felt1 seeking to cloud and darken the ,mind1 and wholly to keep it from purely waiting upon ,god4 4 ,,xiii4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,worship of the ,quakers not stopt or interrupted by ,men or ,devils4 ,thirdly1 ,the ,excellency of this ,worship doth appear1 in that it can neither be stopt nor interrupted by the ,malice of ,men or ,devils1 as all others can4 ,now ,interruptions and ,stoppings of ,worship may be understood in a twofold ,respect1 either as we are hindered from meeting1 as being outwardly by ,violence separated one from another2 or when permitted to meet together1 as we are interrupted by the ,tumult1 ,noise1 and ,confusion which such as are malicious may use to molest or distract us4 ,now in both these ,respects1 this ,worship doth greatly surpass all others3 ,for how far soever ,people be separate or hindered from coming together1 yet as every one is inwardly gathered to the ,measure of ,life in himself1 there is a secret ,unity and ,fellowship enjoyed1 which the ,devil and all his ,instruments can never break or hinder4 ,but1 ,secondly1 ,it doth as well appear1 as to those ,molestations which occur1 when we are met together1 what ,advantage this true and spiritual ,worship gives us beyond all others2 seeing in ,despite of a thousand ,interruptions and ,abuses1 one of which were sufficient to have stopt all other ,sorts of ,christians1 we have been able1 through the ,nature of this ,worship1 to keep it uninterrupted as to ,god1 and also at the same ,time to shew forth an ,example of our ,christian ,patience towards all1 even oftentimes to the ,reaching and ,convincing of our ,opposers4 ,for there is no ,sort of ,worship used by others which can subsist 7though they be permitted to meet7 unless they be either authorized and protected by the ,magistrate1 or defend themselves with the ,arm of ,flesh3 ,but we at the same ,time exercise ,worship towards ,god1 and also patiently bear the ,reproaches and ,ignominies which ,christ prophesied should be so incident and frequent to ,christians4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,worship of the ,papists soon interrupted4 ,for how can the ,papists say their ,mass1 if there be any there to disturb and interrupt them8 ,do but take away the ,mass-book1 the ,chalice1 the ,host1 or the ,priest's ,garments1 yea1 do but spill the ,water1 or the ,wine1 or blow out the ,candles 7a ,thing quickly done7 and the whole ,business is marred1 and no ,sacrifice can be offered4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,protestants the like1 and ,anabaptists4 ,take from the ,lutherans or ,episcopalians their ,liturgy or ,common-,prayer-,book1 and no ,service can be said4 ,remove from the ,calvinists1 ,arminians1 ,socinians1 ,independents1 or ,anabaptists1 the ,pulpit1 the ,bible1 and the ,hour-glass1 or make but such a ,noise as the ,voice of the ,preacher cannot be heard1 or disturb him but so before he come1 or strip him of his ,bible or his ,books1 and he must be dumb3 ,for they all think it an ,heresy to wait to speak as the ,spirit of ,god giveth ,utterance2 and thus easily their whole ,worship may be marred4 ,but when ,people meet together1 and their ,worship consisteth not in such outward ,acts1 and they depend not upon any one's ,speaking1 but merely sit down to wait upon ,god1 and to be gathered out of all ,visibles1 and to feel the ,lord in ,spirit1 none of these ,things can hinder them1 of which we may say of a ,truth1 ,we are sensible ,witnesses4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,sufferings of the ,quakers for their religious ,meetings4 ,for when the ,magistrates1 stirred up by the ,malice and ,envy of our ,opposers1 have used all ,means possible 7and yet in vain7 to deter us from meeting together1 and that openly and publickly in our own hired ,houses for that ,purpose1 both ,death1 ,banishments1 ,imprisonments1 ,finings1 ,beatings1 ,whippings1 and other such devilish ,inventions1 have proved ineffectual to terrify us from our holy ,assemblies4 ,and we having1 ,i say1 thus oftentimes purchased our ,liberty to meet1 by deep ,sufferings1 our ,opposers have then taken another ,way1 by turning in upon us the worst and wickedest ,people1 yea1 the very ,off-scourings of ,men1 who by all manner of inhuman1 beastly1 and brutish ,behaviour1 have sought to provoke us1 weary us1 and molest us1 but in vain4 ,it would be almost incredible to declare1 and indeed a ,shame1 that among ,men pretending to be ,christians1 it should be mentioned1 what ,things of this ,kind ,men's ,eyes have seen1 and ,i myself1 with others1 have shared of in ,suffering6 ,there they have often beaten us1 and cast ,water and ,dirt upon us2 there they have danced1 leaped1 sung1 and spoken all manner of profane and ungodly ,words2 offered ,violence and shameful ,behaviour to grave ,women and ,virgins2 jeered1 mocked and scoffed1 asking us1 ,if the ,spirit was not yet come8 ,and much more1 which were tedious here to relate3 ,and all this while we have been seriously and silently sitting together1 and waiting upon the ,lord4 ,so that by these ,things our inward and spiritual ,fellowship with ,god1 and one with another1 in the pure ,life of ,righteousness1 hath not been hindered4 ,but on the contrary1 the ,lord knowing our ,sufferings and ,reproaches for his ,testimony's ,sake1 hath caused his ,power and ,glory more to abound among us1 and hath mightily refreshed us by the ,sense of his ,love1 which hath filled our ,souls2 and so much the rather1 as we found ourselves gathered into the ,name of the ,lord1 which is the #ajestrong ,tower of the ,righteous2 whereby we felt ourselves sheltered from receiving any inward ,hurt through their ,malice3 ,and also that he had delivered us from that vain ,name and ,profession of ,christianity1 under which our ,opposers were not ashamed to bring forth those bitter and cursed ,fruits4 ,yea1 sometimes in the ,midst of this ,tumult and ,opposition1 ,god would powerfully move some or other of us by his ,spirit1 both to testify of that ,joy1 which notwithstanding their ,malice we enjoyed1 and powerfully to declare1 in the ,evidence and ,demonstration of the ,spirit1 against their ,folly and ,wickedness2 so as the ,power of ,truth hath brought them to some ,measure of ,quietness and ,stillness1 and stopt the impetuous ,streams of their ,fury and ,madness3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,rod of ,moses divided the ,sea3 ,the ,spirit maketh ,way through the raging ,waves4 ,that even as of old ,moses by his ,rod divided the ,waves of the ,red ,sea1 that the ,israelites might pass2 so ,god hath thus by his ,spirit made a ,way for us in the ,midst of this raging ,wickedness1 peaceably to enjoy and possess him1 and accomplish our ,worship to him3 ,so that sometimes upon such ,occasions several of our ,opposers and ,interrupters have hereby been convinced of the ,truth1 and gathered from being ,persecutors to be ,sufferers with us4 ,sidenote3 ,what brutish ,pranks did not that young ,fry of the ,clergy commit8 ,and let it not be forgotten1 but let it be inscribed and abide for a constant ,remembrance of the ,thing1 that in these beastly and brutish ,pranks1 used to molest us in our spiritual ,meetings1 none have been more busy than the young ,students of the ,universities1 who were learning ,philosophy and ,divinity 7so called7 and many of them preparing themselves for the ,ministry4 ,should we commit to ,writing all the ,abominations committed in this ,respect by the young ,fry of the ,clergy1 it would make no small ,volume2 as the ,churches of ,christ1 gathered into his pure ,worship in ,oxford and ,cambridge in ,england1 and ,edinburgh and ,aberdeen in ,scotland1 where the ,universities are1 can well bear ,witness4 #aje ,prov4 #ah4 #aj4 4 ,,xiv4 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,old ,covenant-worship doth differ from the ,new4 ,moreover1 in this we know1 that we are ,partakers of the ,new ,covenant's ,dispensation1 and ,disciples of ,christ indeed1 sharing with him in that spiritual ,worship1 which is performed in the ,spirit and in ,truth2 because as he was1 so are we in this ,world4 ,for the ,old ,covenant-worship had an outward ,glory1 ,temple and ,ceremonies1 and was full of outward ,splendor and ,majesty1 having an outward ,tabernacle and ,altar1 beautified with ,gold1 ,silver1 and precious ,stones2 and their ,sacrifices were confined to a particular ,place1 even the outward ,mount ,sion2 and those that prayed1 were to pray with their ,faces towards that outward ,temple3 ,and therefore all this was to be protected by an outward ,arm4 ,nor could the ,jews peaceably have enjoyed it1 but when they were secured from the ,violence of their outward ,enemies3 ,and therefore when at any ,time their ,enemies prevailed over them1 their ,glory was darkened1 and their ,sacrifices stopt2 and the ,face of their ,worship marred3 ,hence they complain1 lament1 and bewail the ,destroying of the ,temple1 as a ,loss irreparable4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,new ,covenant-worship is inward4 ,but ,jesus ,christ1 the ,author and ,institutor of the ,new ,covenant-worship1 testifies1 that ,god is neither to be worshiped in this nor that ,place1 but in the ,spirit and in ,truth3 #ajf;,and forasmuch as his ,kingdom is not of this ,world1 neither doth his ,worship consist in it1 or need either the ,wisdom1 ,glory1 ,riches or ,splendor of this ,world to beautify or adorn it2 nor yet the outward ,power or ,arm of ,flesh to maintain1 uphold1 or protect it2 but it is and may be performed by those that are spiritually-minded1 notwithstanding all the ,opposition1 ,violence1 and ,malice of ,men2 because being purely spiritual1 it is out of the ,reach of natural ,men to interrupt or obstruct it4 ,even as ,jesus ,christ1 the ,author thereof1 did enjoy and possess his spiritual ,kingdom1 while oppressed1 persecuted1 and rejected of ,men2 and as1 in despite of the ,malice and ,rage of the ,devil1 #ajg;he spoiled ,principalities and ,powers1 triumphing over them1 and through ,death destroyed him that had the ,power of ,death1 that is1 the ,devil2 so also all his ,followers both can and do worship him1 not only without the ,arm of ,flesh to protect them1 but even when oppressed4 ,for their ,worship being spiritual1 is by the ,power of the ,spirit defended and maintained2 ,sidenote3 ,carnal ,worships cannot stand without the ,arm of ,flesh4 but such ,worships as are carnal1 and consist in carnal and outward ,ceremonies and ,observations1 need a carnal and outward ,arm to protect and defend them1 else they cannot stand and subsist4 ,and therefore it appears1 that the several ,worships of our ,opposers1 both ,papists and ,protestants1 are of this ,kind1 and not the true spiritual and ,new ,covenant-worship of ,christ2 because1 as hath been observed1 they cannot stand without the ,protection or ,countenance of the outward ,magistrate1 neither can be performed1 if there be the least ,opposition3 ,for they are not in the ,patience of ,jesus1 to serve and worship him with ,sufferings1 ,ignominies1 ,calumnies1 and ,reproaches4 ,and from hence have sprung all those ,wars1 ,fightings1 and ,bloodshed among ,christians1 while each by the ,arm of ,flesh endeavoured to defend and protect their own ,way and ,worship3 ,and from this also sprung up that monstrous ,opinion of ,persecution2 of which we shall speak more at length hereafter4 #ajf ,john #ah4 #cf4 #ajg ,col4 #b4 #ae4 4 ,,xv4 ,sidenote3 ,,iv4 ,true ,worship in ,spirit established by ,christ4 ,but ,fourthly1 ,the ,nature of this ,worship1 which is performed by the ,operation of the ,spirit1 the natural ,man being silent1 doth appear from these ,words of ,christ1 ,john iv4 #bc1 #bd4 ,but the ,hour cometh1 and now is1 when the true ,worshippers shall worship the ,father in ,spirit and in ,truth3 ,for the ,father seeketh such to worship him4 ,god is a ,spirit1 and they that worship him1 must worship him in ,spirit and in ,truth4 ,this ,testimony is the more specially to be observed1 for that it is both the first1 chiefest1 and most ample ,testimony1 which ,christ gives us of his ,christian ,worship1 as different and contra-distinguished from that under the ,law4 ,for first1 he sheweth that the ,season is now come1 wherein the ,worship must be in ,spirit and in ,truth2 for the ,father seeketh such to worship him3 ,so then it is no more a ,worship consisting in outward ,observations1 to be performed by ,man at set ,times or ,opportunities1 which he can do in his own ,will1 and by his own natural ,strength2 for else it would not differ in ,matter1 but only in some ,circumstances from that under the ,law4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,reason ,christ gives for a ,worship in ,spirit4 ,next1 as for a ,reason of this ,worship1 we need not give any other1 and indeed none can give a better than that which ,christ giveth1 which ,i think should be sufficient to satisfy every ,christian1 to wit1 ,,god ,,is ,a ,,spirit1 and they that worship him1 must worship him in ,spirit and in ,truth4 ,as this ought to be received1 because it is the ,words of ,christ1 so also it is founded upon so clear a ,demonstration of ,reason1 as sufficiently evidenceth its ,verity4 ,for ,christ excellently argues from the ,analogy that ought to be betwixt the ,object1 and the ,worship directed thereunto3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,god is a ,spirit3 ,therefore he must be worshipped in ,spirit4 ,this is so certain1 that it can suffer no ,contradiction2 yea1 and this ,analogy is so necessary to be minded1 that under the ,law1 when ,god instituted and appointed that ceremonial ,worship to the ,jews1 because that ,worship was outward1 that there might be an ,analogy1 he saw it necessary to condescend to them as in a special ,manner1 to dwell betwixt the ,cherubims within the ,tabernacle1 and afterwards to make the ,temple of ,jerusalem in a ,sort his ,habitation1 and cause something of an outward ,glory and ,majesty to appear1 by causing ,fire from ,heaven to consume the ,sacrifices1 and filling the ,temple with a ,cloud3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,glory of the outward ,temple4 ,through and by which ,mediums1 visible to the outward ,eye1 he manifested himself proportionably to that outward ,worship which he had commanded them to perform4 ,so now under the ,new ,covenant1 he seeing meet in his heavenly ,wisdom to lead his ,children in a ,path more heavenly and spiritual1 and in a ,way more easy and familiar1 and also purposing to disappoint carnal and outward ,observations1 that his may have an ,eye more to an inward ,glory and ,kingdom than to an outward1 he hath given us for an ,example hereof the ,appearance of his beloved ,son1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 ,sidenote3 ,as ,moses did from outward1 so ,christ delivers us from inward ,slavery4 who 7as ,moses delivered the ,israelites out of their outward ,bondage1 and by outwardly destroying their ,enemies7 hath delivered and doth deliver us by suffering1 and dying by the ,hands of his ,enemies2 thereby triumphing over the ,devil1 and his and our inward ,enemies1 and delivering us therefrom4 ,he hath also instituted an inward and spiritual ,worship3 ,so that ,god now tieth not his ,people to the ,temple of ,jerusalem1 nor yet unto outward ,ceremonies and ,observations2 but taketh the ,heart of every ,christian for a ,temple to dwell in2 and there immediately appeareth1 and giveth him ,directions how to serve him in any outward ,acts4 ,since1 as ,christ argueth1 ,god is a ,spirit1 he will now be worshipped in the ,spirit1 where he reveals himself1 and dwelleth with the contrite in ,heart4 ,now1 since it is the ,heart of ,man that now is become the ,temple of ,god1 in which he will be worshipped1 and no more in particular outward ,temples1 7since1 as blessed ,stephen said1 out of the ,prophet1 to the professing ,jews of old1 ,the most ,high dwelleth not in ,temples made with ,hands7 as before the ,glory of the ,lord descended to fill the outward ,temple1 it behoved to be purified and cleansed1 and all polluted ,stuff removed out of it2 yea1 and the ,place for the ,tabernacle was overlaid with ,gold1 the most precious and cleanest of ,metals2 so also before ,god be worshipped in the inward ,temple of the ,heart1 it must also be purged of its own ,filth1 and all its own ,thoughts and ,imaginations1 that so it may be fit to receive the ,spirit of ,god1 and to be actuated by it4 ,and doth not this directly lead us to that inward ,silence1 of which we have spoken1 and exactly pointed out8 ,and further1 ,this ,worship must be in ,truth2 intimating1 that this spiritual ,worship1 thus actuated1 is only and properly a true ,worship2 as being that which1 for the ,reasons above observed1 cannot be counterfeited by the ,enemy1 nor yet performed by the ,hypocrite4 4 ,,xvi4 ,and though this ,worship be indeed very different from the divers established invented ,worships among ,christians1 and therefore may seem strange to many1 yet hath it been testified of1 commended and practised1 by the most pious of all ,sorts1 in all ,ages1 as by many evident ,testimonies might be proved4 ,so that from the professing and practising thereof1 the ,name of ,mysticks hath arisen1 as of a certain ,sect1 generally commended by all1 whose ,writings are full both of the ,explanation and of the ,commendation of this ,sort of ,worship2 ,sidenote3 ,a certain ,sect of ,mysticks among the ,papists1 their inward ,exercise4 ,see ,sancta ,sophia1 printed ,an4 ,dom4 #afeg4 where they plentifully assert this inward ,introversion and ,abstraction of the ,mind1 as they call it1 from all ,images and ,thoughts1 and the ,prayer of the ,will3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,english ,benedictines ,testimony for the spiritual ,worship1 against their ,masses and set ,devotions4 ,yea1 they look upon this as the ,height of ,christian ,perfection2 so that some of them1 though professed ,papists1 do not doubt to affirm1 ,that such as have attained this ,method of ,worship1 or are aiming at it1 7as in a ,book1 called ,sancta ,sophia1 put out by the ,english ,benedictines1 printed at ,doway1 ,anno #afeg4 ,tract4 ,i4 ,sect4 #b4 ,cap4 #e47 need not1 nor ought to trouble or busy themselves with frequent and unnecessary ,confessions1 with exercising corporal ,labours and ,austerities1 the using of vocal voluntary ,prayers1 the hearing of a ,number of ,masses1 or set ,devotions1 or ,exercises to ,saints1 or ,prayers for the ,dead1 or having solicitous and distracting ,cares to gain ,indulgences1 by going to such and such ,churches1 or adjoining one's ,self to ,confraternities1 or intangling one's ,self with ,vows and ,promises2 because such ,kind of ,things hinder the ,soul from observing the ,operations of the divine ,spirit in it1 and from having ,liberty to follow the ,spirit whither it would draw her4 ,and yet who knows not that in such ,kind of ,observations the very ,substance of the ,popish ,religion consisteth8 ,yet nevertheless1 it appears by this1 and many other ,passages1 which out of their ,mystick ,writers might be mentioned1 how they look upon this ,worship as excelling all other2 and that such as arrived hereunto1 had no absolute ,need of the others3 ,yea1 7see the ,life of ,balthazar ,alvares1 in the same ,sancta ,sophia1 ,tract4 ,,iii4 ,sect4 #a4 ,cap4 #g47 such as tasted of this1 quickly confessed1 that the other ,forms and ,ceremonies of ,worship were useless as to them2 neither did they perform them as ,things necessary1 but merely for ,order or ,example's ,sake4 ,and therefore1 though some of them were so overclouded with the common ,darkness of their ,profession1 yet could they affirm that this spiritual ,worship was still to be retained and sought for1 even though it should become necessary to omit their outward ,ceremonies4 ,sidenote3 ,bernard preferring the ,spirit above ,popish ,orders4 ,hence ,bernard1 as in many other ,places1 so in his ,epistle to ,william1 ,abbot of the same ,order1 saith1 ,take ,heed to the ,rule of ,god2 the ,kingdom of ,god is within you3 ,and afterwards1 saying1 ,that their outward ,orders and ,rules should be observed1 he adds2 ,but otherwise1 when it shall happen that one of these two must be omitted1 in such a ,case these are much rather to be omitted than those former3 ,for by how much the ,spirit is more excellent and noble than the ,body1 by so much are spiritual ,exercises more profitable than corporal4 ,is not that then the best of ,worships1 which the best of ,men in all ,ages1 and of all ,sects1 have commended1 and which is most suitable to the ,doctrine of ,christ8 ,i say1 ,is not that ,worship to be followed and performed8 ,and so much the rather1 as ,god hath raised a ,people to testify for it1 and preach it1 to their great ,refreshment and ,strengthening1 in the very ,face of the ,world1 and notwithstanding much ,opposition2 who do not1 as these ,mysticks1 make of it a ,mystery1 only to be attained by a few ,men or ,women in a ,cloister2 ,sidenote3 ,those ,mysticks did confine that ,mystery to a ,cloister4 or1 as their ,mistake was1 after wearying themselves with many outward ,ceremonies and ,observations1 as if it were the ,consequence of such a ,labour2 but who in the free ,love of ,god 7who respects not ,persons1 and was near to hear and reveal himself1 as well to ,cornelius1 a ,centurion and a ,roman1 as to ,simeon and ,anna2 and who discovered his ,glory to ,mary1 a poor ,handmaid1 and to the poor ,shepherds1 rather than to the ,high ,priests and devout ,proselytes among the ,jews7 in and according to his free ,love1 finding that ,god is revealing and establishing this ,worship1 and making many poor ,tradesmen1 yea1 young ,boys and ,girls1 ,witnesses of it1 do intreat and beseech all to lay aside their own ,will-worships1 and voluntary ,acts1 performed in their own ,wills1 and by their own mere natural ,strength and ,power1 without retiring out of their vain ,imaginations and ,thoughts1 or feeling the pure ,spirit of ,god to move and stir in them2 that they may come to practise this acceptable ,worship1 which is in ,spirit and in ,truth4 ,but against this ,worship they object4 4 ,,xvii4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,first1 ,it seems to be an unprofitable ,exercise for a ,man to be doing or thinking nothing2 and that one might be much better employed1 either in meditating upon some good ,subject1 or otherwise praying to or praising ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,that is not unprofitable1 which is of absolute ,necessity before any other ,duty can be acceptably performed1 as we have shewn this ,waiting to be4 ,moreover1 those have but a carnal and gross ,apprehension of ,god1 and of the ,things of his ,kingdom1 who imagine that ,men please him by their own ,workings and ,actings3 ,whereas1 as hath been shewn1 the first ,step for a ,man to fear ,god1 is to cease from his own ,thoughts and ,imaginations1 and suffer ,god's ,spirit to work in him4 ,sidenote3 ,we must cease to do ill1 ere we learn to do well4 #ajh;,for we must cease to do evil1 ere we learn to do well2 and this meddling in ,things spiritual by ,man's own natural ,understanding1 is one of the greatest and most dangerous ,evils that ,man is incident to2 being that which occasioned our first ,parents ,fall1 to wit1 a ,forwardness to desire to know ,things1 and a ,meddling with them1 both without and contrary to the ,lord's ,command4 #ajh ,isa4 #a4 #af1 #ag4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,sidenote3 ,set ,times and ,places for ,meetings4 ,secondly1 ,some object1 ,if your ,worship merely consists in inwardly retiring to the ,lord1 and feeling of his ,spirit arise in you1 and then to do outward ,acts as ye are led by it1 what need ye have publick ,meetings at set ,times and ,places1 since every one may enjoy this at ,home8 ,or should not every one stay at ,home1 until they be particularly moved to go to such a ,place at such a ,time2 since to meet at set ,times and ,places seems to be an outward ,observation and ,ceremony1 contrary to what ye at other ,times assert8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,first1 ,to meet at set ,times and ,places is not any religious ,act1 or ,part of ,worship in itself2 ,sidenote3 ,publick ,meetings their ,use and ,reason asserted4 but only an outward ,conveniency1 necessary for our seeing one another1 so long as we are clothed with this outward ,tabernacle3 ,and therefore our meeting at set ,times and ,places is not a ,part of our ,worship1 but a preparatory ,accommodation of our outward ,man1 in order to a publick visible ,worship2 since we set not about the visible ,acts of ,worship when we meet together1 until we be led thereunto by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,secondly1 ,god hath seen meet1 so long as his ,children are in this ,world1 to make use of the outward ,senses1 not only as a ,means to convey spiritual ,life1 as by ,speaking1 ,praying1 ,praising1 c4 which cannot be done to mutual ,edification1 but when we hear and see one another2 but also to entertain an outward1 visible ,testimony for his ,name in the ,world3 ,he causeth the inward ,life 7which is also many ,times not conveyed by the outward ,senses7 the more to abound1 when his ,children assemble themselves diligently together to wait upon him2 #ajiso that as ,iron sharpeneth ,iron1 the ,seeing of the ,faces one of another1 when both are inwardly gathered unto the ,life1 giveth ,occasion for the ,life secretly to rise1 and pass from ,vessel to ,vessel4 ,and as many ,candles lighted1 and put in one ,place1 do greatly augment the ,light1 and make it more to shine forth1 so when many are gathered together into the same ,life1 there is more of the ,glory of ,god1 and his ,power appears1 to the ,refreshment of each ,individual2 for that he partakes not only of the ,light and ,life raised in himself1 but in all the rest4 ,and therefore ,christ hath particularly promised a ,blessing to such as assemble together in his ,name1 seeing he will be in the ,midst of them1 ,matt4 xviii4 #bj4 ,and the ,author to the ,hebrews doth precisely prohibit the ,neglect of this ,duty1 as being of very dangerous and dreadful ,consequence1 in these ,words2 ,heb4 x4 #bd4 ,sidenote3 ,assembling of ourselves is not to be neglected4 ,and let us consider one another1 to provoke unto ,love1 and to good ,works2 not forsaking the ,assembling of ourselves together1 as the ,manner of some is2--,for if we sin wilfully1 after that we have received the ,knowledge of the ,truth1 there remaineth no more ,sacrifice for ,sins4 ,and therefore the ,lord hath shewn that he hath a particular ,respect to such as thus assemble themselves together1 because that thereby a publick ,testimony for him is upheld in the ,earth1 and his ,name is thereby glorified2 and therefore such as are right in their ,spirits1 are naturally drawn to keep the ,meetings of ,god's ,people1 and never want a spiritual ,influence to lead them thereunto3 ,and if any do it in a mere customary ,way1 they will no ,doubt suffer ,condemnation for it4 ,yet cannot the ,appointing of ,places and ,times be accounted a ,ceremony and ,observation1 done in ,man's ,will1 in the ,worship of ,god1 seeing none can say that it is an ,act of ,worship1 but only a mere ,presenting of our ,persons in order to it1 as is abovesaid4 ,which that it was practised by the ,primitive ,church and ,saints1 all our ,adversaries do acknowledge4 #aji ,prov4 #bg4 #ag4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,lastly1 ,some object1 ,that this ,manner of ,worship in ,silence is not to be found in all the ,scripture3 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,we make not ,silence to be the sole ,matter of our ,worship2 since1 as ,i have said above1 there are many ,meetings1 which are seldom altogether silent2 some or other are still moved either to preach1 pray1 or praise3 ,sidenote3 ,in waiting for the ,spirit's ,guidance1 ,silence is supposed4 ,and so in this our ,meetings cannot be but like the ,meetings of the ,primitive ,churches recorded in ,scripture1 since our ,adversaries confess that they did preach and pray by the ,spirit4 ,and then what ,absurdity is it to suppose1 that at some ,times the ,spirit did not move them to these outward ,acts1 and that then they were silent8 ,since we may well conclude they did not speak until they were moved2 and so no ,doubt had sometimes ,silence4 ,acts ii4 #a4 before the ,spirit came upon them1 it is said1--,they were all with one ,accord in one ,place2 and then it is said1 ,the ,spirit suddenly came upon them2 but no ,mention is made of any one speaking at that ,time2 and ,i would willingly know what ,absurdity our ,adversaries can infer1 should we conclude they were a ,while silent8 ,sidenote3 ,inst4 ,but if it be urged1 ,that a whole silent ,meeting cannot be found in ,scripture2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,supposing such a ,thing were not recorded1 it will not therefore follow that it is not lawful2 since it naturally followeth from other ,scripture ,precepts1 as we have proved this doth4 ,sidenote3 ,silent ,meetings are proved from ,scripture and ,reason4 ,for seeing the ,scripture commands to meet together1 and when met1 the ,scripture prohibits ,prayers or ,preachings1 but as the ,spirit moveth thereunto2 if ,people meet together1 and the ,spirit move not to such ,acts1 it will necessarily follow that they must be silent4 ,but further1 there might have been many such ,things among the ,saints of old1 though not recorded in ,scripture2 and yet we have enough in ,scripture1 signifying that such ,things were4 ,for ,job sat silent seven ,days with his ,friends together2 here was a long silent ,meeting3 ,see also ,ezra ix4 #d4 and ,ezekiel xiv4 #a4 and xx4 #a4 ,thus having shewn the ,excellency of this ,worship1 proving it from ,scripture and ,reason1 and answered the ,objections which are commonly made against it1 which1 though it may suffice to the ,explanation and ,proof of our ,proposition1 yet ,i shall add something more particularly of ,preaching1 ,praying1 and ,singing1 and so ,proceed to the following ,proposition4 4 ,,xviii4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,preaching1 as it is used both among ,papists and ,protestants1 is for one ,man to take some ,place or ,verse of ,scripture1 and thereon speak for an ,hour or two1 ,sidenote3 ,what ,preaching is with the ,protestants and ,papists4 what he hath studied and premeditated in his ,closet1 and gathered together from his own ,inventions1 or from the ,writings and ,observations of others2 and then having got it by ,heart1 7as a ,school-boy doth his ,lesson7 he brings it forth1 and repeats it before the ,people3 ,sidenote3 ,a studied ,talk an ,hour or two4 ,and how much the more fertile and strong a ,man's ,invention is1 and the more industrious and laborious he is in collecting such ,observations1 and can utter them with the ,excellency of ,speech and human ,eloquence1 so much the more is he accounted an able and excellent ,preacher4 ,sidenote3 ,true ,preaching by the ,spirit4 ,to this we oppose1 that when the ,saints are met together1 and every one gathered to the ,gift and ,grace of ,god in themselves1 he that ministereth1 being actuated thereunto by the ,arising of the ,grace in himself1 ought to speak forth what the ,spirit of ,god furnisheth him with2 not minding the ,eloquence and ,wisdom of ,words1 but the ,demonstration of the ,spirit and of ,power3 ,and that either in the ,interpreting some ,part of ,scripture1 in case the ,spirit1 which is the good ,remembrancer1 lead him so to do1 or otherwise ,words of ,exhortation1 ,advice1 ,reproof1 and ,instruction1 or the ,sense of some spiritual ,experiences3 ,all which will still be agreeable to the ,scripture1 though perhaps not relative to1 nor founded upon any particular ,chapter or ,verse1 as a ,text4 ,now let us examine and consider which of these two ,sorts of ,preaching is most agreeable to the ,precepts of ,christ and his ,apostles1 and the ,primitive ,church1 recorded in ,scripture8 ,for1 ,first1 as to their ,preaching upon a ,text1 if it were not merely customary or premeditated1 but done by the immediate ,motion of the ,spirit1 we should not blame it2 but to do it as they do1 there is neither ,precept nor ,practice1 that ever ,i could observe1 in the ,new ,testament1 as a ,part of the instituted ,worship thereof4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but they allege1 ,that ,christ took the ,book of ,isaiah1 and read out of it1 and spake therefrom2 and that ,peter preached from a ,sentence of the ,prophet ,joel4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 #a4 ,christ's and ,peter's ,speaking was not by ,premeditation4 ,i answer1 ,that ,christ and ,peter did it not but as immediately actuated and moved thereunto by the ,spirit of ,god1 and that without ,premeditation1 which ,i suppose our ,adversaries will not deny2 in which ,case we willingly approve of it4 ,but what is this to their customary conned ,way1 without either waiting for or expecting the ,movings or ,leadings of the ,spirit8 ,moreover1 that neither ,christ nor ,peter did it as a settled ,custom or ,form1 to be constantly practised by all the ,ministers of the ,church1 appears1 in that most of all the ,sermons recorded of ,christ and his ,apostles in ,scripture were without this1 as appears from ,christ's ,sermon upon the ,mount1 ,matt4 v4 #a4 c4 ,mark iv4 #a4 c4 and ,paul's ,preaching to the ,athenians1 and to the ,jews1 c4 ,as then it appears that this ,method of ,preaching is not grounded upon any ,scripture ,precept1 so the ,nature of it is contrary to the ,preaching of ,christ under the ,new ,covenant1 as expressed and recommended in ,scripture2 for ,christ1 in sending forth his ,disciples1 expresly mentioneth1 that they are not to speak of or from themselves1 or to forecast beforehand1 but that which the ,spirit in the same ,hour shall teach them1 as is particularly mentioned in the three ,evangelists1 ,matt4 x4 #bj4 ,mark xiii4 #aa4 ,luke xii4 #ab4 ,now if ,christ gave this ,order to his ,disciples before he departed from them1 as that which they were to practise during his ,abode outwardly with them1 much more were they to do it after his ,departure1 since then they were more especially to receive the ,spirit1 to lead them in all ,things1 and to bring all ,things to their ,remembrance1 ,john xiv4 #bf4 ,and if they were to do so when they appeared before the ,magistrates and ,princes of the ,earth1 much more in the ,worship of ,god1 when they stand specially before him2 seeing1 as is above shewn1 his ,worship is to be performed in ,spirit2 and therefore after their ,receiving of the ,holy ,ghost it is said1 ,acts ii4 #d4 ,they spake as the ,spirit gave them ,utterance1 not what they had studied and gathered from ,books in their ,closets in a premeditated ,way4 ,sidenote3 ,franciscus ,lambertus's ,testimony against the ,priests studied ,inventions and ,figments4 ,franciscus ,lambertus1 before cited1 speaketh well and sheweth their ,hypocrisy1 ,tract4 #e4 of ,prophecy1 ,chap4 #c4 saying1 8,where are they now1 that glory in their ,inventions1 who say1 ,a fine ,invention6 ,a fine ,invention6 ,this they call ,invention1 which themselves have made up2 but what have the ,faithful to do with such ,kind of ,inventions8 ,it is not ,figments1 nor yet ,inventions1 that we will have1 but ,things that are solid1 invincible1 eternal1 and heavenly2 not which ,men have invented1 but which ,god hath revealed3 ,for if we believe the ,scriptures1 our ,invention profiteth nothing1 but to provoke ,god to our ,ruin40 ,and afterwards1 8,beware1 7saith he7 that thou determine not precisely to speak what before thou hast meditated1 whatsoever it be2 for though it be lawful to determine the ,text which thou art to expound1 yet not at all the ,interpretation2 lest if thou so dost1 thou take from the ,holy ,spirit that which is his1 to wit1 to direct thy ,speech1 that thou mayest prophesy in the ,name of the ,lord1 void of all ,learning1 ,meditation1 and ,experience1 and as if thou hadst studied nothing at all1 committing thy ,heart1 thy ,tongue1 and thyself wholly unto his ,spirit1 and trusting nothing to thy former ,studying or ,meditation2 but saying with thyself1 in great ,confidence of the divine ,promise1 ,the ,lord will give a ,word with much ,power unto those that preach the ,gospel4 ,but above all ,things be careful thou follow not the ,manner of ,hypocrites1 who have written almost ,word for ,word what they are to say1 as if they were to repeat some ,verses upon a ,theatre1 having learned all their ,preaching as they do that act ,tragedies4 ,and afterwards1 when they are in the ,place of ,prophesying1 pray the ,lord to direct their ,tongue2 but in the mean ,time1 shutting up the ,way of the ,holy ,spirit1 they determine to say nothing but what they have written4 ,o unhappy ,kind of ,prophets1 yea1 and truly cursed1 which depend not upon ,god's ,spirit1 but upon their own ,writings or ,meditation6 ,why prayest thou to the ,lord1 thou false ,prophet1 to give thee his ,holy ,spirit1 by which thou mayest speak ,things profitable1 and yet thou repellest the ,spirit8 ,why preferrest thou thy ,meditation or ,study to the ,spirit of ,god8 ,otherwise why committest thou not thyself to the ,spirit80 4 ,,xix4 ,sidenote3 #b4 ,the ,words ,man's ,wisdom brings beget not ,faith4 ,secondly1 ,this ,manner of ,preaching as used by them 7considering that they also affirm1 ,that it may be and often is performed by ,men who are wicked1 or void of true ,grace7 cannot only not edify the ,church1 beget or nourish true ,faith1 but is destructive to it1 being directly contrary to the ,nature of the ,christian and ,apostolick ,ministry mentioned in the ,scriptures3 ,for the ,apostle preached the ,gospel not in the ,wisdom of ,words1 lest the ,cross of ,christ should be of none ,effect1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ag4 ,but this ,preaching1 not being done by the ,actings and ,moving of ,god's ,spirit1 but by ,man's ,invention and ,eloquence1 in his own ,will1 and through his natural and acquired ,parts and ,learning1 is in the ,wisdom of ,words1 and therefore the ,cross of ,christ is thereby made of none ,effect4 ,the ,apostles ,speech and ,preaching was not with enticing ,words of ,man's ,wisdom1 but in ,demonstration of the ,spirit and of ,power1 that the ,faith of their ,hearers should not stand in the ,wisdom of ,men1 but in the ,power of ,god1 #a ,cor4 ii4 #c1 #d1 #e4 ,but this ,preaching having nothing of the ,spirit and ,power in it1 both the ,preachers and ,hearers confessing they wait for no such ,thing1 nor yet are oftentimes sensible of it1 must needs stand in the enticing ,words of ,man's ,wisdom1 since it is by the mere ,wisdom of ,man it is sought after1 and the mere ,strength of ,man's ,eloquence and enticing ,words it is uttered2 and therefore no ,wonder if the ,faith of such as hear and depend upon such ,preachers and ,preachings stand in the ,wisdom of ,men1 and not in the ,power of ,god4 ,the ,apostles declared1 ,that they spake not in the ,words which ,man's ,wisdom teacheth1 but which the ,holy ,ghost teacheth1 #a ,cor4 ii4 #ac4 ,but these ,preachers confess that they are ,strangers to the ,holy ,ghost1 his ,motions and ,operations1 neither do they wait to feel them1 and therefore they speak in the ,words which their own natural ,wisdom and ,learning teach them1 mixing them in1 and adding them to1 such ,words as they steal out of the ,scripture and other ,books1 and therefore speak not what the ,holy ,ghost teacheth4 ,sidenote3 #c4 ,the ,church's ,method was to speak by ,revelation4 ,thirdly1 ,this is contrary to the ,method and ,order of the ,primitive ,church mentioned by the ,apostle1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cj1 c4 where in ,preaching every one is to wait for his ,revelation1 and to give ,place one unto another1 according as ,things are revealed2 but here there is no waiting for a ,revelation1 but the ,preacher must speak1 and not that which is revealed unto him1 but what he hath prepared and premeditated beforehand4 ,sidenote3 #d4 ,the ,spirit is shut out by ,priests from being the ,teacher4 ,lastly1 ,by this ,kind of ,preaching the ,spirit of ,god1 which should be the chief ,instructor and ,teacher of ,god's ,people1 and whose ,influence is that only which makes all ,preaching effectual and beneficial for the edifying of ,souls1 is shut out1 and ,man's natural ,wisdom1 ,learning1 and ,parts set up and exalted2 which no ,doubt is a great and chief ,reason why the ,preaching among the ,generality of ,christians is so unfruitful and unsuccessful4 ,yea1 according to this ,doctrine1 the ,devil may preach1 and ought to be heard also1 seeing he both knows the ,truth1 and hath as much ,eloquence as any4 ,but what avails ,excellency of ,speech1 if the ,demonstration and ,power of the ,spirit be wanting1 which toucheth the ,conscience8 ,we see that when the ,devil confessed to the ,truth1 yet ,christ would have none of his ,testimony4 ,and as these pregnant ,testimonies of the ,scripture do prove this ,part of ,preaching to be contrary to the ,doctrine of ,christ1 so do they also prove that of ours before affirmed to be conformable thereunto4 4 ,,xx4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if any object after this ,manner1 ,have not many been benefited1 yea1 and both converted and edified by the ,ministry of such as have premeditated their ,preaching8 ,yea1 and hath not the ,spirit often concurred by its divine ,influence with ,preachings thus premeditated1 so as they have been powerfully borne in upon the ,souls of the ,hearers to their ,advantage8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,though that be granted1 which ,i shall not deny1 it will not infer that the ,thing was good in itself1 more than because ,paul was met with by ,christ to the converting of his ,soul riding to ,damascus to persecute the ,saints1 that he did well in so doing4 ,sidenote3 ,paul persecuting was converted1 is therefore persecuting good8 ,neither particular ,actions1 nor yet whole ,congregations1 as we above observed1 are to be measured by the ,acts of ,god's ,condescension in ,times of ,ignorance4 ,but besides1 it hath oftentimes fallen out1 that ,god1 having a ,regard to the ,simplicity and ,integrity either of the ,preacher or ,hearers1 hath fallen in upon the ,heart of a ,preacher by his ,power and holy ,influence1 and thereby hath led him to speak ,things that were not in his premeditated ,discourse1 and which perhaps he never thought on before2 and those passing ,ejaculations and unpremeditated but living ,exhortations1 have proved more beneficial and refreshing both to ,preacher and ,hearers than all their premeditated ,sermons4 ,but all that will not allow them to continue in these ,things which in themselves are not approved1 but contrary to the ,practice of the ,apostles1 when ,god is raising up a ,people to serve him1 according to the primitive ,purity and ,spirituality2 yea1 such ,acts of ,god's ,condescension1 in ,times of ,darkness and ,ignorance1 should engage all more and more to follow him1 according as he reveals his most perfect and spiritual ,way4 4 ,,xxi4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,having hitherto spoken of ,preaching1 now it is fit to speak of ,praying1 concerning which the like ,controversy ariseth4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,prayer1 how the outward is distinguished from the inward4 ,our ,adversaries1 whose ,religion is all for the most ,part ,outside1 and such whose ,acts are the mere ,product of ,man's natural ,will and ,abilities1 as they can preach1 so can they pray when they please1 and therefore have their set particular ,prayers4 ,i meddle not with the ,controversies among themselves concerning this1 some of them being for set ,prayers1 as a ,liturgy1 others for such as are conceived extempore2 ,it suffices me that all of them agree in this1 ,that the ,motions and ,influence of the ,spirit of ,god are not necessary to be previous thereunto2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,priests set ,times to preach and pray1 deny the ,spirit4 and therefore they have set ,times in their publick ,worship1 as before and after ,preaching1 and in their private ,devotion1 as ,morning and ,evening1 and before and after ,meat1 and other such ,occasions1 at which they precisely set about the performing of their ,prayers1 by speaking ,words to ,god1 whether they feel any ,motion or ,influence of the ,spirit or not2 so that some of the chiefest have confessed that they have thus prayed without the ,motions or ,assistance of the ,spirit1 acknowledging that they sinned in so doing2 yet they said they looked upon it as their ,duty to do so1 though to pray without the ,spirit be ,sin4 ,we freely confess that ,prayer is both very profitable1 and a necessary ,duty commanded1 and fit to be practised frequently by all ,christians2 but as we can do nothing without ,christ1 so neither can we pray without the ,concurrence and ,assistance of his ,spirit4 ,but that the ,state of the ,controversy may be the better understood1 let it be considered1 ,first1 that ,prayer is twofold1 inward and outward4 ,sidenote3 ,what inward ,prayer is4 ,inward ,prayer is that secret ,turning of the ,mind towards ,god1 whereby1 being secretly touched and awakened by the ,light of ,christ in the ,conscience1 and so bowed down under the ,sense of its ,iniquities1 ,unworthiness1 and ,misery1 it looks up to ,god1 and joining with the secret ,shinings of the ,seed of ,god1 it breathes towards him1 and is constantly breathing forth some secret ,desires and ,aspirations towards him4 ,it is in this ,sense that we are so frequently in ,scripture commanded to pray continually1 ,luke xviii4 #a4 #a ,thess4 v4 #ag4 ,ephes4 vi4 #ah4 ,luke xxi4 #cf4 which cannot be understood of outward ,prayer1 because it were impossible that ,men should be always upon their ,knees1 expressing ,words of ,prayer2 and this would hinder them from the ,exercise of those ,duties no less positively commanded4 ,sidenote3 ,what outward ,prayer is4 ,outward ,prayer is1 when as the ,spirit1 being thus in the ,exercise of inward ,retirement1 and feeling the ,breathing of the ,spirit of ,god to arise powerfully in the ,soul1 receives ,strength and ,liberty by a superadded ,motion and ,influence of the ,spirit to bring forth either audible ,sight1 ,groans1 or ,words1 and that either in publick ,assemblies1 or in private1 or at ,meat1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,inward ,prayer necessary at all ,times4 ,as then inward ,prayer is necessary at all ,times1 so1 so long as the ,day of every ,man's ,visitation lasteth1 he never wants some ,influence1 less or more1 for the ,practice of it2 because he no sooner retires his ,mind1 and considers himself in ,god's ,presence1 but he finds himself in the ,practice of it4 ,sidenote3 ,outward ,prayer doth require a superadded ,influence4 ,the outward ,exercise of ,prayer1 as needing a greater and superadded ,influence and ,motion of the ,spirit1 as it cannot be continually practised1 so neither can it be so readily1 so as to be effectually performed1 until his ,mind be some ,time acquainted with the ,inward2 therefore such as are diligent and watchful in their ,minds1 and much retired in the ,exercise of this inward ,prayer1 are more capable to be frequent in the ,use of the ,outward1 because that this holy ,influence doth more constantly attend them1 and they being better acquainted with1 and accustomed to1 the ,motions of ,god's ,spirit1 can easily perceive and discern them4 ,and indeed1 as such who are most diligent have a near ,access to ,god1 and he taketh most ,delight to draw them by his ,spirit to approach and call upon him1 so when many are gathered together in this watchful ,mind1 ,god doth frequently pour forth the ,spirit of ,prayer among them and stir them thereunto1 to the edifying and building up of one another in ,love4 ,but because this outward ,prayer depends upon the inward1 as that which must follow it1 and cannot be acceptably performed but as attended with a superadded ,influence and ,motion of the ,spirit1 ,sidenote3 ,we cannot fix set ,times to speak and pray4 therefore we cannot prefix set ,times to pray outwardly1 so as to lay a ,necessity to speak ,words at such and such ,times1 whether we feel this heavenly ,influence and ,assistance or no2 for that we judge were a ,tempting of ,god1 and a ,coming before him without due ,preparation4 ,we think it fit for us to present ourselves before him by this inward ,retirement of the ,mind1 and so to proceed further1 as his ,spirit shall help us and draw us thereunto2 and we find that the ,lord accepts of this1 yea1 and seeth meet sometimes to exercise us in this silent ,place for the ,trial of our ,patience1 without allowing us to speak further1 that he may teach us not to rely upon outward ,performances1 or satisfy ourselves1 as too many do1 with the ,saying of our ,prayers2 and that our ,dependence upon him may be the more firm and constant1 to wait for the ,holding out of his ,sceptre1 and for his ,allowance to draw near unto him1 with greater ,freedom and ,enlargement of ,spirit upon our ,hearts towards him4 ,yet nevertheless we do not deny but sometimes ,god1 upon particular ,occasions1 very suddenly1 yea1 upon the very first turning in of the ,mind1 may give ,power and ,liberty to bring forth ,words or ,acts of outward ,prayer1 so as the ,soul can scarce discern any previous ,motion1 but the ,influence and ,bringing forth thereof may be as it were simul semel3 ,nevertheless that ,saying of ,bernard is true1 that all ,prayer is lukewarm1 which hath not an ,inspiration preceding it4 ,though we affirm that none ought to go about ,prayer without this ,motion1 yet we do not deny but such sin as neglect ,prayer2 ,sidenote3 ,such sin as are neglecting ,prayer4 but their ,sin is in that they come not to that ,place where they may feel that which would lead them thereunto4 ,and therefore we question not but many1 through ,neglect of this inward ,watchfulness and ,retiredness of ,mind1 miss many precious ,opportunities to pray1 and thereby are guilty in the ,sight of ,god2 yet would they sin if they should set about the ,act until they first felt the ,influence4 ,sidenote3 ,a forward and a careless ,servant answers not his ,duty4 ,for as he grosly offends his ,master that lieth in his ,bed and sleeps1 and neglects to do his ,master's ,business2 yet if such a one should suddenly get up1 without putting on his ,clothes1 or taking along with him those necessary ,tools and ,instruments1 without which he could not possibly work1 and should forwardly fall a doing to no ,purpose1 he would be so far thereby from repairing his former ,fault1 that he would justly incur a new ,censure3 ,and as one that is careless and otherways busied may miss to hear one speaking unto him1 or even not hear the ,bell of a ,clock1 though striking hard-by him1 so may many1 through ,negligence1 miss to hear ,god oftentimes calling upon them1 and giving them ,access to pray unto him2 yet will not that allow them1 without his ,liberty1 in their own ,wills to fall to ,work4 ,and ,lastly1 ,though this be the only true and proper ,method of ,prayer1 as that which is alone acceptable to ,god1 ,sidenote3 ,in ,times of ,darkness ,god did often hear their ,prayers4 yet shall we not deny but he oftentimes answered the ,prayers and concurred with the ,desires of some1 especially in ,times of ,darkness1 who have greatly erred herein2 so that some that have sat down in formal ,prayer1 though far wrong in the ,matter as well as ,manner1 without the ,assistance or ,influence of ,god's ,spirit1 yet have found him to take ,occasion therethrough to break in upon their ,souls1 and wonderfully tender and refresh them2 yet as in ,preaching1 and elsewhere hath afore been observed1 that will not prove any such ,practices1 or be a just ,let to hinder any from coming to practise that pure1 spiritual1 and acceptable ,prayer1 which ,god is again restoring and leading his ,people into1 out of all ,superstitions and mere empty ,formalities4 ,the ,state of the ,controversy1 and our ,sense thereof1 being thus clearly stated1 will both obviate many ,objections1 and make the ,answer to others more brief and easy4 ,sidenote3 ,first1 ,spiritual ,prayer proved from ,scripture4 ,i shall first prove this spiritual ,prayer by some short ,considerations from ,scripture1 and then answer the ,objections of our ,opposers1 which will also serve to refute their ,method and ,manner thereof4 4 ,,xxii4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,god's ,spirit must be felt to move the ,mind to ,prayer4 ,and ,first1 ,that there is a ,necessity of this inward ,retirement of the ,mind as previous to ,prayer1 that the ,spirit may be felt to draw thereunto1 appears1 for that in most of those ,places where ,prayer is commanded1 ,watching is prefixed thereunto1 as necessary to go before1 as ,matt4 xxiv4 #db4 ,mark xiii4 #cc4 and xiv4 #ch4 ,luke xxi4 #cf4 from which it is evident that this ,watching was to go before ,prayer4 ,now to what ,end is this ,watching1 or what is it1 but a ,waiting to feel ,god's ,spirit to draw unto ,prayer1 that so it may be done acceptably8 ,for since we are to #aajpray always in the ,spirit1 and cannot pray of ourselves without it acceptably1 this ,watching must be for this ,end recommended to us1 as preceding ,prayer1 that we may watch and wait for the seasonable ,time to pray1 which is when the ,spirit moves thereunto4 #aaj ,ephes4 #f4 #ah4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,we know not how to pray but as the ,spirit helps4 ,secondly1 ,this ,necessity of the ,spirit's ,moving and ,concurrence appears abundantly from that of the ,apostle ,paul1 ,rom4 viii4 #bf1 #bg4 ,likewise the ,spirit also helpeth our ,infirmities3 ,for we know not what we should pray for as we ought2 but the ,spirit itself maketh ,intercession for us with ,groanings which cannot be uttered4 ,and he that searcheth the ,hearts knoweth what is the ,mind of the ,spirit1 because he maketh ,intercession for the ,saints according to the ,will of ,god4 ,which first holds forth the ,incapacity of ,men as of themselves to pray or call upon ,god in their own ,wills1 even such as have received the ,faith of ,christ1 and are in ,measure sanctified by it1 as was the ,church of ,rome1 to whom the ,apostle then wrote4 ,secondly1 ,it holds forth that which can only help and assist ,men to pray1 to wit1 the ,spirit1 as that without which they cannot do it acceptably to ,god1 nor beneficially to their own ,souls4 ,thirdly1 ,the ,manner and ,way of the ,spirit's ,intercession1 with ,sighs and ,groans which are unutterable4 ,and ,fourthly1 ,that ,god receiveth graciously the ,prayers of such as are presented and offered unto himself by the ,spirit1 knowing it to be according to his ,will4 ,now it cannot be conceived but this ,order of ,prayer thus asserted by the ,apostle is most consistent with those other ,testimonies of ,scripture1 commending and recommending to us the ,use of ,prayer4 ,from which ,i thus argue1 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,if any ,man know not how to pray1 neither can do it without the ,help of the ,spirit1 then it is to no ,purpose for him1 but altogether unprofitable1 to pray without it3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore also the ,last4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,pray always in the ,spirit1 and ,watching thereunto4 ,thirdly1 ,this ,necessity of the ,spirit to true ,prayer appears from ,ephes4 vi4 #ah4 and ,jude #bj4 where the ,apostle commands to pray always in the ,spirit1 and ,watching thereunto2 which is as much as if he had said1 that we were never to pray without the ,spirit1 or ,watching thereunto4 ,and ,jude sheweth that such ,prayers as are in the ,holy ,ghost only1 tend to the ,building up of ourselves in our most holy ,faith4 ,sidenote3 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,man cannot call ,christ ,lord but by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,fourthly1 ,the ,apostle ,paul saith expresly1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #c4 ,that no ,man can say that ,jesus is the ,lord but by the ,holy ,ghost3 ,if then ,jesus cannot be thus rightly named but by the ,holy ,ghost1 far less can he be acceptably called upon4 ,hence the same ,apostle declares1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #ae4 that he will pray with the ,spirit1 c4 ,a clear ,evidence that it was none of his ,method to pray without it4 ,sidenote3 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,god will not hear the ,prayers of the ,wicked4 ,but ,fifthly1 ,all ,prayer without the ,spirit is ,abomination1 such as are the ,prayers of the ,wicked1 ,prov4 xxviii4 #i4 ,and the ,confidence that the ,saints have that ,god will hear them is1 if they ask any ,thing according to his ,will1 #a ,john v4 #ad4 ,so if the ,prayer be not according to his ,will1 there is no ,ground of ,confidence that he will hear4 ,now our ,adversaries will acknowledge that ,prayers without the ,spirit are not according to the ,will of ,god1 and therefore such as pray without it have no ,ground to expect an ,answer3 ,for indeed to bid a ,man pray without the ,spirit is all one as to bid one see without ,eyes1 work without ,hands1 or go without ,feet4 ,and to desire a ,man to fall to ,prayer ere the ,spirit in some ,measure less or more move him thereunto1 is to desire a ,man to see before he opens his ,eyes1 or to walk before he rise up1 or to work with his ,hands before he moves them4 4 ,,xxiii4 ,sidenote3 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,all ,sacrifice is ,sin1 not offered by the ,spirit4 ,but ,lastly1 ,from this false ,opinion of ,praying without the ,spirit1 and not judging it necessary to be waited for1 as that which may be felt to move us thereunto1 hath proceeded all the ,superstition and ,idolatry that is among those called ,christians1 and those many ,abominations wherewith the ,lord is provoked1 and his ,spirit grieved2 so that many deceive themselves now1 as the ,jews did of old1 thinking it sufficient if they pay their daily ,sacrifices1 and offer their customary ,oblations2 from thence thinking all is well1 and creating a false ,peace to themselves1 as the ,whore in the ,proverbs1 because they have offered up their ,sacrifices of ,morning and ,evening ,prayers4 ,and therefore it is manifest that their constant ,use of these ,things doth not a ,whit influence their ,lives and ,conversations1 but they remain for the most ,part as bad as ever4 ,yea1 it is frequent both among ,papists and ,protestants1 for them to leap as it were out of their vain1 light1 and profane ,conversations at their set ,hours and ,seasons1 and fall to their customary ,devotion2 and then1 when it is scarce finished1 and the ,words to ,god scarce out1 the former profane ,talk comes after it2 so that the same wicked profane ,spirit of this ,world actuates them in both4 ,if there be any such ,thing as vain ,oblations1 or ,prayers that are ,abomination1 which ,god heareth not 7as is certain there are1 and the ,scripture testifies1 ,isa4 lxvi4 #c4 ,jer4 xiv4 #ab47 certainly such ,prayers as are acted in ,man's ,will1 and by his own ,strength1 without ,god's ,spirit1 must be of that ,number4 4 ,,xxiv4 ,sidenote3 ,concerning ,joining in ,prayer with others4 ,let this suffice for ,proof4 ,i shall now proceed to answer their ,objections1 when ,i have said something concerning joining in ,prayer with others4 ,those that pray together with one ,accord use not only to concur in their ,spirits1 but also in the ,gesture of their ,body2 which we also willingly approve of4 ,it becometh those who approach before ,god to pray1 that they do it with bowed ,knees1 and with their ,heads uncovered1 which is our ,practice4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,but here ariseth a ,controversy1 ,whether it be lawful to join with others by those external ,signs of ,reverence1 albeit not in ,heart1 who pray formally1 not waiting for the ,motion of the ,spirit1 nor judging it necessary4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,we answer1 ,not at all2 and for our ,testimony in this ,thing we have suffered not a little4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,reason why we cannot join in ,prayer4 ,for when it hath fallen out1 that either accidentally1 or to witness against their ,worship1 we have been present during the same1 and have not found it lawful for us to bow with them thereunto1 they have often persecuted us1 not only with ,reproaches1 but also with ,strokes and cruel ,beatings4 ,for this ,cause they used to accuse us of ,pride1 ,profanity1 and ,madness1 as if we had no ,respect or ,reverence to the ,worship of ,god1 and as if we judged none could pray1 or were heard of ,god1 but ourselves4 ,unto all which1 and many more ,reproaches of this ,kind1 we answer briefly and modestly1 ,that it sufficeth us that we are found so doing1 neither through ,pride1 nor ,madness1 nor ,profanity1 but merely lest we should hurt our ,consciences2 the ,reason of which is plain and evident3 ,for since our ,principle and ,doctrine oblige us to believe that the ,prayers of those who themselves confess they are not actuated by the ,spirit are ,abominations1 how can we with a safe ,conscience join with them8 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,if they urge1 ,that this is the ,height of ,uncharitableness and ,arrogancy1 as if we judged ourselves always to pray by the ,spirit's ,motion1 but they never2 as if we were never deceived by praying without the ,motions of the ,spirit1 and that they were never actuated by it1 seeing albeit they judge not the ,motion of the ,spirit always necessary1 they confess nevertheless that it is very profitable and comfortable1 and they feel it often influencing them2 which that it sometimes falls out we cannot deny4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,to all which ,i answer distinctly1 ,if it were their known and avowed ,doctrine not to pray without the ,motion of the ,spirit1 and that1 seriously holding thereunto1 they did not bind themselves to pray at certain prescribed ,times precisely1 at which ,times they determine to pray1 though without the ,spirit1 then indeed we might be accused of ,uncharitableness and ,pride1 if we never joined with them2 and if they so taught and practised1 ,i doubt not but it would be lawful for us so to do1 unless there should appear some manifest and evident ,hypocrisy and ,delusion4 ,sidenote3 ,shall we confirm the ,hypocrites when praying8 ,but seeing they confess that they pray without the ,spirit1 and seeing ,god hath persuaded us that such ,prayers are abominable1 how can we with a safe ,conscience join with an ,abomination8 ,that ,god sometimes condescends to them1 we do not deny2 although now1 when the spiritual ,worship is openly proclaimed1 and all are invited unto it1 the ,case is otherwise than in those old ,times of ,apostasy and ,darkness2 and therefore1 albeit any should begin to pray in our ,presence1 not expecting the ,motion of the ,spirit2 yet if it manifestly appear that ,god in ,condescension did concur with such a one1 then according to ,god's ,will we should not refuse to join also2 but this is rare1 lest thence they should be confirmed in their false ,principle4 ,and although this seems hard in our ,profession1 nevertheless it is so confirmed by the ,authority both of ,scripture and right ,reason1 that many convinced thereof have embraced this ,part before other ,truths1 which were easier1 and1 as they seemed to some1 clearer4 ,among whom is memorable of late ,years ,alexander ,skein1 a ,magistrate of the ,city of ,aberdeen1 a ,man very modest1 and very averse from giving ,offence to others1 who nevertheless being overcome by the ,power of ,truth in this ,matter1 behoved for this ,cause to separate himself from the publick ,assemblies and ,prayers1 and join himself unto us2 who also gave the ,reason of his ,change1 and likewise succinctly1 but yet substantially1 comprehended this ,controversy concerning ,worship in some short ,questions1 which he offered to the publick ,preachers of the ,city1 and which ,i think meet to insert in this ,place4 ,sidenote3 ,some ,questions of ,a4 ,skein proposed to the ,preachers in ,aberdeen4 #a4 ,whether or not should an ,act of ,god's ,worship be gone about without the ,motions1 ,leadings1 and ,actings of the ,holy ,spirit8 #b4 ,if the ,motions of the ,spirit be necessary to every particular ,duty1 whether should he be waited upon1 that all our ,acts and ,words may be according as he gives ,utterance and ,assistance8 #c4 ,whether every one that bears the ,name of a ,christian1 or professes to be a ,protestant1 hath such an uninterrupted ,measure thereof1 that he may1 without waiting1 go immediately about the ,duty8 #d4 ,if there be an ,indisposition and ,unfitness at some ,times for such ,exercises1 at least as to the spiritual and lively ,performance thereof1 whether ought they to be performed in that ,case1 and at that ,time8 #e4 ,if any ,duty be gone about1 under ,pretence that it is in ,obedience to the external ,command1 without the spiritual ,life and ,motion necessary1 whether such a ,duty thus performed can in ,faith be expected to be accepted of ,god1 and not rather reckoned as a #aaa;,bringing of strange ,fire before the ,lord1 seeing it is performed at best by the ,strength of natural and acquired ,parts1 and not by the ,strength and ,assistance of the ,holy ,ghost1 which was typified by the ,fire that came down from ,heaven1 which alone behoved to consume the ,sacrifice1 and no other8 #aaa ,lev4 #af4 #a4 #f4 ,whether ,duties gone about in the mere ,strength of natural and acquired ,parts1 whether in ,publick or ,private1 be not as really1 upon the ,matter1 an ,image of ,man's ,invention as the ,popish ,worship1 though not so gross in the outward ,appearance8 ,and therefore whether it be not as real ,superstition to countenance any ,worship of that ,nature1 as it is to countenance ,popish ,worship1 though there be a ,difference in the ,degree8 #g4 ,whether it be a ,ground of ,offence or just ,scandal to countenance the ,worship of those whose professed ,principle it is neither to speak for ,edification1 nor to pray1 but as the ,holy ,ghost shall be pleased to assist them in some ,measure less or more2 without which they rather choose to be silent1 than to speak without this ,influence8 ,unto these they answered but very coldly and faintly1 whose ,answers likewise long ago he refuted4 ,sidenote3 ,we must not lose our ,witnessing for ,god4 ,seeing then ,god hath called us to his spiritual ,worship1 and to testify against the human and voluntary ,worships of the ,apostasy1 if we did not this ,way stand immoveable to the ,truth revealed1 but should join with them1 both our ,testimony for ,god would be weakened and lost1 and it would be impossible steadily to propagate this ,worship in the ,world1 whose ,progress we dare neither retard nor hinder by any ,act of ours2 though therefore we shall lose not only worldly ,honour1 but even our ,lives4 ,and truly many ,protestants1 through their ,unsteadiness in this ,thing1 for politic ,ends complying with the ,popish ,abominations1 have greatly scandalized their ,profession1 and hurt the ,reformation2 ,sidenote3 ,elector of ,saxony's ,scandal given to ,protestants4 as appeared in the ,example of the ,elector of ,saxony2 who1 in the ,convention at ,augsburgh1 in the ,year #aecj1 being commanded by the ,emperor ,charles the ,fifth to be present at the ,mass1 that he might carry the ,sword before him1 according to his ,place2 which when he justly scrupled to perform1 his ,preachers taking more ,care for their ,prince's ,honour than for his ,conscience1 persuaded him that it was lawful to do it against his ,conscience4 ,which was both a very bad ,example1 and great ,scandal to the ,reformation1 and displeased many2 as the ,author of the ,history of the ,council of ,trent1 in his first ,book1 well observes4 ,sidenote3 ,secondly1 ,objections against spiritual ,prayer answered4 ,but now ,i hasten to the ,objections of our ,adversaries against this ,method of ,praying4 4 ,,xxv4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,first1 ,they object1 ,that if such particular ,influences were needful to outward ,acts of ,worship1 then they should also be needful to inward ,acts2 to wit1 ,desire and ,love to ,god4 ,but this is absurd2 therefore also that from whence it follows4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,that which was said in the ,state of the ,controversy cleareth this2 because1 as to those general ,duties1 there never wants an ,influence1 so long as the ,day of a ,man's ,visitation lasteth2 during which ,time ,god is always near to him1 and wrestling with him by his ,spirit1 to turn him to himself2 so that if he do but stand still1 and cease from his evil ,thoughts1 the ,lord is near to help him1 c4 ,but as to the outward ,acts of ,prayer1 they need a more special ,motion and ,influence1 as hath been proved4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,they object1 ,that it might be also alleged1 that ,men ought not to do moral ,duties1 as ,children to honour their ,parents1 ,men to do right to their ,neighbours1 except the ,spirit move them to it4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,there is a great ,difference between these general ,duties betwixt ,man and ,man1 and the particular express ,acts of ,worship towards ,god3 ,the one is merely spiritual1 and commanded by ,god to be performed by his ,spirit2 the other answer their ,end1 as to them whom they are immediately directed to and concern1 though done from a mere natural ,principle of ,self-love2 even as ,beasts have natural ,affections one to another1 and therefore may be thus performed4 ,though ,i shall not deny1 but that they are not ,works accepted of ,god1 or beneficial to the ,soul1 but as they are done in the ,fear of ,god1 and in his ,blessing1 in which his ,children do all ,things1 and therefore are accepted and blessed in whatsoever they do4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,they object1 ,that if a wicked ,man ought not to pray without a ,motion of the ,spirit1 because his ,prayer would be sinful2 neither ought he to plow by the same ,reason1 because the #aab,plowing of the ,wicked1 as well as his ,praying1 is ,sin4 #aab ,prov4 #ba4 #d4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,this ,objection is of the same ,nature with the former1 and therefore may be answered the same ,way2 ,sidenote3 ,how ,acts of ,nature differ from the ,spirit's4 seeing there is a great ,difference betwixt natural ,acts1 such as ,eating1 ,drinking1 ,sleeping1 and seeking ,sustenance for the ,body 7which ,things ,man hath common with ,beasts7 and spiritual ,acts4 ,and it doth not follow1 because ,man ought not to go about spiritual ,acts without the ,spirit1 that therefore he may not go about natural ,acts without it4 ,the ,analogy holds better thus1 and that for the ,proof of our ,affirmation1 ,that as ,man for the going about natural ,acts needs his natural ,spirit2 so to perform spiritual ,acts he needs the ,spirit of ,god4 ,that the natural ,acts of the ,wicked and ,unregenerate are sinful1 is not denied2 though not as in themselves1 but in so far as ,man in that ,state is in all ,things reprobated in the ,sight of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,they object1 ,that wicked ,men may1 according to this ,doctrine1 forbear to pray for ,years together1 alleging1 ,they want a ,motion to it4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,the false ,pretences of wicked ,men do nothing invalidate the ,truth of this ,doctrine2 for at that ,rate there is no ,doctrine of ,christ1 which ,men might not set aside4 ,that they ought not to pray without the ,spirit1 is granted2 but then they ought to come to that ,place of ,watching1 where they may be capable to feel the ,spirit's ,motion4 ,sidenote3 ,that wicked ,men neglect the ,motions of the ,spirit to pray4 ,they sin indeed in not ,praying2 but the ,cause of this ,sin is their not ,watching3 ,so their ,neglect proceeds not from this ,doctrine1 but from their ,disobedience to it2 seeing if they did pray without this1 it would be a double ,sin1 and no ,fulfilling of the ,command to pray3 ,nor yet would their ,prayer1 without this ,spirit1 be useful unto them4 ,and this our ,adversaries are forced to acknowledge in another ,case3 ,for they say1 ,it is a ,duty incumbent on ,christians to frequent the ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper1 as they call it2 yet they say1 ,no ,man ought to take it unworthily3 ,yea1 they plead1 ,that such as find themselves unprepared1 must abstain2 and therefore do usually excommunicate them from the ,table4 ,now1 though according to them it be necessary to partake of this ,sacrament2 yet it is also necessary that those that do it1 do first examine themselves1 lest they eat and drink their own ,condemnation3 ,and though they reckon it sinful for them to forbear1 yet they account it more sinful for them to do it without this ,examination4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #e4 ,fifthly1 ,they object1 ,acts viii4 #bb4 where ,peter commanded ,simon ,magus1 that wicked ,sorcerer1 to pray2 from thence inferring1 ,that wicked ,men may and ought to pray4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,that in the citing of this ,place1 as ,i have often observed1 they omit the first and chief ,part of the ,verse1 which is thus1 ,acts viii4 ,ver4 #bb4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,sorcerer may pray1 but not without ,repentance4 ,repent therefore of this thy ,wickedness1 and pray ,god1 if perhaps the ,thought of thine ,heart may be forgiven thee3 ,so here he bids him first ,repent4 ,now the least ,measure of true ,repentance cannot be without somewhat of that inward ,retirement of the ,mind which we speak of3 ,and indeed where true ,repentance goeth first1 we do not doubt but the ,spirit of ,god will be near to concur with1 and influence such to pray to and call upon ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #f4 ,and ,lastly1 ,they object1 ,that many ,prayers begun without the ,spirit have proved effectual2 and that the ,prayers of wicked ,men have been heard1 and found acceptable1 as ,ahab's4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,this ,objection was before solved4 ,for the ,acts of ,god's ,compassion and ,indulgence at some ,times1 and to some ,persons1 upon singular extraordinary ,occasions1 are not to be a ,rule of our ,actions4 ,for if we should make that the ,measure of our ,obedience1 great ,inconveniences would follow2 as is evident1 and will be acknowledged by all4 ,next1 ,we do not deny1 but wicked ,men are sensible of the ,motions and ,operations of ,god's ,spirit oftentimes1 before their ,day be expired2 from which they may at ,times pray acceptably2 not as remaining altogether wicked1 but as entering into ,piety1 from whence they afterwards fall away4 4 ,,xxvi4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,of singing ,psalms4 ,as to the ,singing of ,psalms1 there will not be need of any long ,discourse2 for that the ,case is just the same as in the two former of ,preaching and ,prayer4 ,we confess this to be a ,part of ,god's ,worship1 and very sweet and refreshing1 when it proceeds from a true ,sense of ,god's ,love in the ,heart1 and arises from the divine ,influence of the ,spirit1 ,sidenote3 ,a sweet harmonious ,sound4 which leads ,souls to breathe forth either a sweet ,harmony1 or ,words suitable to the present ,condition2 whether they be ,words formerly used by the ,saints1 and recorded in ,scripture1 such as the ,psalms of ,david1 or other ,words2 as were the ,hymns and ,songs of ,zacharias1 ,simeon1 and the blessed ,virgin ,mary4 ,sidenote3 ,but formal ,singing has no ,ground in ,scripture4 ,but as for the formal customary ,way of ,singing1 it hath no ,foundation in ,scripture1 nor any ,ground in true ,christianity3 ,yea1 besides all the ,abuses incident to ,prayer and ,preaching1 it hath this more peculiar1 that oftentimes great and horrid ,lies are said in the ,sight of ,god3 ,sidenote3 ,profane ,singing of ,david's ,conditions refuted4 ,for all ,manner of wicked profane ,people take upon them to personate the ,experiences and ,conditions of blessed ,david2 which are not only false1 as to them1 but also as to some of more ,sobriety1 who utter them forth3 ,as where they will sing sometimes1 ,psalm xxii4 #ad4--,my ,heart is like ,wax1 it is melted in the ,midst of my ,bowels3 ,and ,ver4 #ae4 ,my ,strength is dried up like a ,potsherd1 and my ,tongue cleaveth to my ,jaws2 and thou hast brought me into the ,dust of ,death3 ,and ,psalm vi4 #f4 ,i am weary with my ,groaning1 all the ,night make ,i my ,bed to swim3 ,i water my ,couch with my ,tears3 ,and many more1 which those that speak know to be false1 as to them4 ,and sometimes will confess just after1 in their ,prayers1 that they are guilty of the ,vices opposite to those ,virtues1 which but just before they have asserted themselves endued with4 ,who can suppose that ,god accepts of such ,juggling8 ,and indeed such ,singing doth more please the carnal ,ears of ,men1 than the pure ,ears of the ,lord1 who abhors all ,lying and ,hypocrisy4 ,that ,singing then that pleaseth him must proceed from that which is ,,pure in the ,heart 7even from the ,word of ,life therein7 in and by which1 richly dwelling in us1 spiritual ,songs and ,hymns are returned to the ,lord1 according to that of the ,apostle1 ,col4 iii4 #af4 ,sidenote3 ,artificial ,musick4 ,but as to their artificial ,musick1 either by ,organs1 or other ,instruments1 or ,voice1 we have neither ,example nor ,precept for it in the ,new ,testament4 4 ,,xxvii4 ,but ,lastly1 ,the great ,advantage of this true ,worship of ,god1 which we profess and practise1 is1 that it consisteth not in ,man's ,wisdom1 ,arts or ,industry2 ,sidenote3 ,no ,splendor of this ,world attends this inward ,worship4 neither needeth the ,glory1 ,pomp1 ,riches1 nor ,splendor of this ,world to beautify it1 as being of a spiritual and heavenly ,nature2 and therefore too simple and contemptible to the natural ,mind and ,will of ,man1 that hath no ,delight to abide in it1 because he finds no ,room there for his ,imaginations and ,inventions1 and hath not the ,opportunity to gratify his outward and carnal ,senses3 ,so that this ,form being observed1 is not likely to be long kept pure without the ,power2 for it is of itself so naked without it1 that it hath nothing in it to invite and tempt ,men to dote upon it1 further than it is accompanied with the ,power4 ,sidenote3 ,the carnal ,worship pleases ,self4 ,whereas the ,worship of our ,adversaries1 being performed in their own ,wills1 is self-pleasing1 as in which they can largely exercise their natural ,parts and ,invention3 ,and so 7as to most of them7 having somewhat of an outward and worldly ,splendor1 delectable to the carnal and worldly ,senses1 they can pleasantly continue it1 and satisfy themselves1 though without the ,spirit and ,power2 which they make no ,ways essential to the ,performance of their ,worship1 and therefore neither wait for1 nor expect it4 4 ,,xxviii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,worship of the ,quakers4 ,so that to conclude1 ,the ,worship1 ,preaching1 ,praying and ,singing1 which we plead for1 ,is such as proceedeth from the ,spirit of ,god1 and is always accompanied with its ,influence1 being begun by its ,motion1 and carried on by the ,power and ,strength thereof2 and so is a ,worship purely spiritual3 ,such as the ,scripture holds forth1 ,john iv4 #bc1 #bd4 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #ae4 ,ephes4 vi4 #ah4 c4 ,sidenote3 ,our ,adversaries ,worship4 ,but the ,worship1 ,preaching1 ,praying and ,singing1 which our ,adversaries plead for1 and which we oppose1 ,is a ,worship which is both begun1 carried on1 and concluded in ,man's own natural ,will and ,strength1 without the ,motion or ,influence of ,god's ,spirit1 which they judge they need not wait for2 and therefore may be truly performed1 both as to the ,matter and ,manner1 by the wickedest of ,men1 ,such was the ,worship and vain ,oblations which ,god always rejected1 as appears from ,isa4 lxvi4 #c4 ,jer4 xiv4 #ab4 c4 ,isa4 i4 #ac4 ,prov4 xv4 #bi4 ,john ix4 #ca4 ,,proposition ,,xii4 ,concerning ,,baptism4 #aac;,as there is one ,lord1 and one ,faith1 so there is one ,baptism2 which is not the putting away the ,filth of the ,flesh1 but the ,answer of a good ,conscience before ,god1 by the ,resurrection of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and this ,baptism is a pure and spiritual ,thing1 to wit1 the ,baptism of the ,spirit and ,fire1 by which we are buried with him1 that being washed and purged from our ,sins1 we may walk in newness of ,life3 ,of which the ,baptism of ,john was a ,figure1 which was commanded for a ,time1 and not to continue for ever4 ,as to the ,baptism of ,infants1 it is a mere human ,tradition1 for which neither ,precept nor ,practice is to be found in all the ,scripture4 #aac ,ephes4 #d4 #e4 #a ,pet4 #c4 #ba4 ,rom4 #f4 #d4 ,gal4 #c4 #bg4 ,col4 #b4 #ab4 ,john #c4 #cj4 #a ,cor4 #a4 #ag4 4 ,i4 ,i did sufficiently demonstrate1 in the ,explanation and ,proof of the former ,proposition1 how greatly the ,professors of ,christianity1 as well ,protestants as ,papists1 were degenerated in the ,matter of ,worship1 and how much ,strangers to1 and averse from that true and acceptable ,worship that is performed in the ,spirit of ,truth1 because of ,man's natural ,propensity in his fallen ,state to exalt his own ,inventions1 and to intermix his own ,work and ,product in the ,service of ,god3 ,sidenote3 ,from whence ,idolatries and ,heathen ,superstitions did spring4 ,and from this ,root sprung all the idle ,worships1 ,idolatries1 and numerous superstitious ,inventions among the ,heathens4 ,for when ,god1 in ,condescension to his chosen ,people the ,jews1 did prescribe to them by his ,servant ,moses many ,ceremonies and ,observations1 as ,types and ,shadows of the ,substance1 which in due ,time was to be revealed2 which consisted for the most ,part in ,washings1 outward ,purifications and ,cleansings1 which were to continue until the ,time of ,reformation1 until the spiritual ,worship should be set up2 and that ,god1 by the more plentiful pouring forth of his ,spirit1 and guiding of that ,anointing1 should lead his ,children into all ,truth1 and teach them to worship him in a ,way more spiritual and acceptable to him1 though less agreeable to the carnal and outward ,senses2 yet1 notwithstanding ,god's ,condescension to the ,jews in such ,things1 we see that that ,part in ,man1 which delights to follow its own ,inventions1 could not be restrained1 nor yet satisfied with all these ,observations1 but that oftentimes they would be either declining to the other ,superstitions of the ,gentiles1 or adding some new ,observations and ,ceremonies of their own2 to which they were so devoted1 that they were still apt to prefer them before the ,commands of ,god1 and that under the ,notion of ,zeal and ,piety4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,pharisees the chiefest among the ,jews4 ,this we see abundantly in the ,example of the ,pharisees1 the chief ,sect among the ,jews1 whom ,christ so frequently reproves1 ,for making void the ,commandments of ,god by their ,traditions1 ,matt4 xv4 #f4 #i4 c4 ,this ,complaint may at this ,day be no less justly made as to many bearing the ,name of ,christians1 who have introduced many ,things of this ,kind1 partly borrowed from the ,jews1 which they more tenaciously stick to1 and more earnestly contend for1 than for the weightier ,points of ,christianity2 ,sidenote3 ,many ,things in ,christendom are borrowed from the ,jews and ,gentiles4 because that ,self1 yet alive1 and ruling in them1 loves their own ,inventions better than ,god's ,commands4 ,but if they can by any ,means stretch any ,scripture ,practice1 or conditional ,precept or ,permission1 fitted to the ,weakness or ,capacity of some1 or appropriate to some particular ,dispensation1 to give some ,colour for any of these their ,inventions2 they do then so tenaciously stick to them1 and so obstinately and obstreperously plead for them1 that they will not patiently hear the most solid ,christian ,reasons against them4 ,which ,zeal1 if they would but seriously examine it1 they would find to be but the ,prejudice of ,education1 and the ,love of ,self1 more than that of ,god1 or his pure ,worship4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,sacraments so many ,controversies4 ,this is verified concerning those ,things which are called ,sacraments1 about which they are very ignorant in ,religious ,controversies1 who understand not how much ,debate1 ,contention1 ,jangling1 and ,quarrelling there has been among those called ,christians3 ,so that ,i may safely say the ,controversy about them1 to wit1 about their ,number1 ,nature1 ,virtue1 ,efficacy1 ,administration1 and other ,things1 hath been more than about any other ,doctrine of ,christ1 whether as betwixt ,papists and ,protestants1 or among ,protestants betwixt themselves4 ,and how great ,prejudice these ,controversies have brought to ,christians is very obvious2 whereas the ,things contended for among them are for the most ,part but empty ,shadows1 and mere outside ,things3 ,as ,i hope hereafter to make appear to the patient and unprejudiced ,reader4 4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,name of ,sacrament 7not found in ,scripture7 is borrowed from the ,heathen4 ,that which comes first under ,observation1 is the ,name ,sacrament which it is strange that ,christians should stick to and contend so much for1 since it is not to be found in all the ,scripture2 but was borrowed from the military ,oaths among the ,heathens1 from whom the ,christians1 when they began to apostatize1 did borrow many superstitious ,terms and ,observations1 that they might thereby ingratiate themselves1 and the more easily gain the ,heathens to their ,religion2 which ,practice1 though perhaps intended by them for ,good1 yet1 as being the ,fruit of human ,policy1 and not according to ,god's ,wisdom1 has had very pernicious ,consequences4 ,i see not how any1 whether ,papists or ,protestants1 especially the latter1 can in ,reason quarrel with us for denying this ,term1 which it seems the ,spirit of ,god saw not meet to inspire the ,penmen of the ,scriptures to leave unto us4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,but if it be said1 ,that it is not the ,name1 but the ,thing they contend for2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,let the ,name then1 as not being scriptural1 be laid aside1 and we shall see at first ,entrance how much ,benefit will redound by laying aside this traditional ,term1 and betaking us to ,plainness of ,scripture ,language4 ,for presently the great ,contest about the ,number of them will vanish2 seeing there is no ,term used in ,scripture that can be made use of1 whether we call them ,institutions1 ,ordinances1 ,precepts1 ,commandments1 ,appointments1 or ,laws1 c4 that would afford ,ground for such a ,debate2 since neither will ,papists affirm1 that there are only seven1 or ,protestants only two1 of any of these aforementioned4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,if it be said1 ,that this ,controversy arises from the ,definition of the ,thing1 as well as from the ,name4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,the ,definition of ,sacrament agrees to many other ,things4 ,it will be found otherwise3 ,for whatever ,way we take their ,definition of a ,sacrament1 whether as an outward visible ,sign1 whereby inward ,grace is conferred1 or only signified1 this ,definition will agree to many ,things1 which neither ,papists nor ,protestants will acknowledge to be ,sacraments4 ,if they be expressed under the ,name of sealing ,ordinances1 as by some they are1 ,i could never see1 either by ,reason or ,scripture1 how this ,title could be appropriate to them1 more than to any other ,christian1 religious ,performance3 ,sidenote3 ,what sealing ,ordinance doth mean4 ,for that must needs properly be a sealing ,ordinance1 which makes the ,persons receiving it infallibly certain of the ,promise or ,thing sealed to them4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,if it be said1 ,it is so to them that are faithful2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,so is ,praying and ,preaching1 and doing of every good ,work4 ,seeing the ,partaking or ,performing of the one gives not to any a more certain ,title to ,heaven1 yea1 in some ,respect1 not so much1 there is no ,reason to call them so1 more than the other4 ,besides1 we find not any ,thing called the ,seal and ,pledge of our ,inheritance1 but the ,spirit of ,god4 ,it is by that we are said to be sealed1 ,ephes4 i4 #ad4 and iv4 #cj4 which is also termed the ,earnest of our ,inheritance1 #b ,cor4 i4 #bb4 and not by outward ,water1 or ,eating and ,drinking2 which as the wickedest of ,men may partake of1 so many that do1 do1 notwithstanding it1 go to ,perdition4 ,sidenote3 ,that outward ,washing doth not cleanse the ,heart4 ,for it is not outward ,washing with ,water that maketh the ,heart clean1 by which ,men are fitted for ,heaven3 ,and as that which goeth into the ,mouth doth not defile a ,man1 because it is put forth again1 and so goeth to the ,dunghill2 neither doth any ,thing which ,man eateth purify him1 or fit him for ,heaven4 ,what is said here in general may serve for an ,introduction1 not only to this ,proposition1 but also to the other concerning the ,supper4 ,of these ,sacraments 7so called7 ,baptism is always first numbered1 which is the ,subject of the present ,proposition2 in the ,explanation of which ,i shall first demonstrate and prove our ,judgment1 and then answer the ,objections1 and refute the ,sentiments of our ,opposers4 ,sidenote3 ,part ,i4 ,as to the first ,part1 these ,things following1 which are briefly comprehended in the ,proposition1 come to be proposed and proved4 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,i4 ,first1 ,there is but one ,baptism1 as well as but one ,lord1 one ,faith1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,,ii4 ,secondly1 ,that this one ,baptism1 which is the ,baptism of ,christ1 is not a ,washing with1 or ,dipping in ,water1 but a being baptised by the ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,,iii4 ,thirdly1 ,that the ,baptism of ,john was but a ,figure of this2 and therefore1 as the ,figure1 to give ,place to the ,substance2 which though it be to continue1 yet the other ceaseth4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,one ,baptism proved4 ,as for the ,first1 viz4 ,that there is but one ,baptism1 there needs no other ,proof than the ,words of the ,text1 ,ephes4 iv4 #e4 ,one ,lord1 one ,faith1 one ,baptism3 ,where the ,apostle positively and plainly affirms1 that as there is but one ,body1 one ,spirit1 one ,faith1 one ,god1 c4 so there is but one ,baptism4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,as to what is commonly alleged by ,way of ,explanation upon the ,text1 ,that the ,baptism of ,water and of the ,spirit make up this one ,baptism1 by ,virtue of the sacramental ,union2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,this ,exposition hath taken ,place1 not because grounded upon the ,testimony of the ,scripture1 but because it wrests the ,scripture to make it suit to their ,principle of ,water-baptism2 and so there needs no other ,reply1 but to deny it1 as being repugnant to the plain ,words of the ,text2 ,sidenote3 ,whether two ,baptisms make up the ,one4 which saith not1 ,that there are two ,baptisms1 to wit1 one of ,water1 the other of the ,spirit1 which do make up one ,baptism2 but plainly1 that there is one ,baptism1 as there is one ,faith1 and one ,god4 ,now as there go not two ,faiths1 nor two ,gods1 nor two ,spirits1 nor two ,bodies1 whereof the one is outward and elementary1 and the other spiritual and pure1 to the making up the one ,faith1 the one ,god1 the one ,body1 and the one ,spirit2 so neither ought there to go two ,baptisms to make up the one ,baptism4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,but ,secondly1 if it be said1 ,the ,baptism is but one1 whereof ,water is the one ,part1 to wit1 the ,sign2 and the ,spirit1 the ,thing signified1 the other2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,if ,water be the ,type1 the ,substance must remain4 ,i answer2 ,this yet more confirmeth our ,doctrine3 ,for if ,water be only the ,sign1 it is not the ,matter of the one ,baptism 7as shall further hereafter by its ,definition in ,scripture appear7 and we are to take the one ,baptism for the ,matter of it1 not for the ,sign1 or ,figure and ,type that went before4 ,even as where ,christ is called the one ,offering in ,scripture1 though he was typified by many ,sacrifices and ,offerings under the ,law1 we understand only by the one ,offering1 his offering himself upon the ,cross2 whereof though those many ,offerings were ,signs and ,types1 yet we say not that they go together with that ,offering of ,christ1 to make up the one ,offering3 ,so neither1 though ,water-baptism was a ,sign of ,christ's ,baptism1 will it follow1 that it goeth now to make up the ,baptism of ,christ4 ,if any should be so absurd as to affirm1 ,that this one ,baptism here was the ,baptism of ,water1 and not of the ,spirit2 that were foolishly to contradict the positive ,testimony of the ,scripture1 which saith the contrary2 as by what followeth will more amply appear4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,,ii4 ,secondly1 ,that this one ,baptism1 which is the ,baptism of ,christ1 is not a ,washing with ,water1 appears1 ,sidenote3 ,proof #a4 ,the ,difference between ,john's ,baptism and ,christ's4 ,first1 ,from the ,testimony of ,john1 the proper and peculiar ,administrator of ,water-baptism1 ,matt4 iii4 #aa4 ,i indeed baptize you with ,water unto ,repentance2 but he that cometh after me is mightier than ,i1 whose ,shoes ,i am not worthy to bear2 he shall baptize you with the ,holy ,ghost1 and with ,fire4 ,here ,john mentions two ,manners of baptizing1 and two different ,baptisms2 the one with ,water1 and the other with the ,spirit2 the one whereof he was the ,minister of2 the other whereof ,christ was the ,minister of3 ,and such as were baptized with the first1 were not therefore baptized with the second3 ,i indeed baptize you1 but he shall baptize you4 ,though in the present ,time they were baptized with the ,baptism of ,water2 yet they were not as yet1 but were to be1 baptized with the ,baptism of ,christ4 ,from all which ,i thus argue3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #a4 ,if those that were baptized with the ,baptism of ,water1 were not therefore baptized with the ,baptism of ,christ2 then the ,baptism of ,water is not the ,baptism of ,christ3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore also the ,last4 ,and again1 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #b4 ,if he1 that truly and really administred the ,baptism of ,water1 did notwithstanding declare1 that he neither could1 nor did1 baptize with the ,baptism of ,christ2 then the ,baptism of ,water is not the ,baptism of ,christ3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore1 c4 ,and indeed to understand it otherwise1 would make ,john's ,words void of good ,sense3 ,for if their ,baptisms had been all one1 why should he have so precisely contra-distinguished them8 ,why should he have said1 ,that those whom he had already baptized1 should yet be baptized with another ,baptism8 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be urged1 ,that ,baptism with ,water was the one ,part1 and that with the ,spirit the other ,part1 or ,effect only of the former2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,this ,exposition contradicts the plain ,words of the ,text4 ,sidenote3 ,one ,baptism is no ,part nor ,effect of the other4 ,for he saith not1 ,i baptize you with ,water1 and he that cometh after me shall produce the ,effects of this my ,baptism in you by the ,spirit1 c4 or he shall accomplish this ,baptism in you2 but1 ,he shall baptize you4 ,so then1 if we understand the ,words truly and properly1 when he saith1 ,i baptize you1 as consenting that thereby is really signified that he did baptize with the ,baptism of ,water2 we must needs1 unless we offer ,violence to the ,text1 understand the other ,part of the ,sentence the same ,way2 viz4 where he adds presently1 ,but he shall baptize you1 c4 that he understood it of their being truly to be baptized with another ,baptism1 than what he did baptize with3 ,else it had been ,nonsense for him thus to have contra-distinguished them4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #b4 ,secondly1 ,this is further confirmed by the ,saying of ,christ himself1 ,acts i4 #d1 #e4 ,but wait for the ,promise of the ,father1 which1 saith he1 ye have heard of me3 ,for ,john truly baptized with ,water1 but ye shall be baptized with the ,holy ,ghost1 not many ,days hence4 ,sidenote3 ,who were baptized by ,john were still to wait for ,christ's ,baptism with the ,spirit4 ,there can scarce two ,places of ,scripture run more parallel than this doth with the former1 a little before-mentioned2 and therefore concludeth the same ,way as did the other4 ,for ,christ here grants fully that ,john compleated his ,baptism1 as to the ,matter and ,substance of it3 ,john1 saith he1 truly baptized with ,water2 which is as much as if he had said1 ,john did truly and fully administer the ,baptism of ,water2 ,but ye shall be baptized with1 c4 ,this sheweth that they were to be baptized with some other ,baptism than the ,baptism of ,water2 and that although they were formerly baptized with the ,baptism of ,water1 yet not with that of ,christ1 which they were to be baptized with4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #c4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,baptism with the ,holy ,ghost and that with ,water differ4 ,thirdly1 ,peter observes the same ,distinction1 ,acts xi4 #af4 ,then remembered ,i the ,word of the ,lord1 how that he said1 ,john indeed baptized with ,water2 but ye shall be baptized with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the ,apostle makes this ,application upon the ,holy ,ghost's ,falling upon them2 whence he infers1 that they were then baptized with the ,baptism of the ,spirit4 ,as to what is urged from his calling afterwards for ,water1 it shall be spoken to hereafter4 ,from all which three ,sentences1 relative one to another1 first of ,john1 secondly of ,christ1 and thirdly of ,peter1 it doth evidently follow1 that such as were truly and really baptized with the ,baptism of ,water1 were notwithstanding not baptized with the ,baptism of the ,spirit1 which is that of ,christ2 and such as truly and really did administer the ,baptism of ,water1 did1 in so doing1 not administer the ,baptism of ,christ4 ,so that if there be now but one ,baptism1 as we have already proved1 we may safely conclude that it is that of the ,spirit1 and not of ,water2 else it would follow1 that the one ,baptism1 which now continues1 were the ,baptism of ,water1 i4 e4 ,john's ,baptism1 and not the ,baptism of the ,spirit1 i4 e4 ,christ's2 which were most absurd4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said further1 ,that though the ,baptism of ,john1 before ,christ's was administred1 was different from it1 as being the ,figure only2 yet now1 that both it as the ,figure1 and that of the ,spirit as the ,substance1 is necessary to make up the one ,baptism2 ,i answer2 ,this urgeth nothing1 unless it be granted also that both of them belong to the ,essence of ,baptism2 so that ,baptism is not to be accounted as truly administred1 where both are not2 which none of our ,adversaries will acknowledge3 ,but on the contrary1 account not only all those truly baptized with the ,baptism of ,christ1 ,sidenote3 ,water-baptism is not the true ,baptism of ,christ4 who are baptized with ,water1 though they be uncertain whether they be baptized with the ,spirit1 or not2 but they even account such truly baptized with the ,baptism of ,christ1 because sprinkled1 or baptized with ,water1 though it be manifest and most certain that they are not baptized with the ,spirit1 as being ,enemies thereunto in their ,hearts by wicked ,works4 ,so here1 by their own ,confession1 ,baptism with ,water is without the ,spirit4 ,wherefore we may far safer conclude1 that the ,baptism of the ,spirit1 which is that of ,christ1 is and may be without that of ,water2 as appears in that of ,acts xi4 where ,peter testifies of these ,men1 that they were baptized with the ,spirit1 though then not baptized with ,water4 ,and indeed the ,controversy in this1 as in most other ,things1 stands betwixt us and our ,opposers1 in that they oftentimes prefer the ,form and ,shadow to the ,power and ,substance2 by denominating ,persons as ,inheritors and ,possessors of the ,thing1 from their having the ,form and ,shadow1 though really wanting the ,power and ,substance2 and not admitting those to be so denominated1 who have the ,power and ,substance1 if they want the ,form and ,shadow4 ,this appears evidently1 in that they account those truly baptized with the one ,baptism of ,christ1 who are not baptized with the ,spirit 7which in ,scripture is particularly called the ,baptism of ,christ7 if they be only baptized with ,water1 which themselves yet confess to be but the ,shadow or ,figure4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,baptism of the ,spirit needeth no ,sprinkling or ,dipping in ,water4 ,and moreover1 in that they account not those who are surely baptized with the ,baptism of the ,spirit baptized1 neither will they have them so denominated1 unless they be also sprinkled with1 or dipped in ,water3 ,but we1 on the contrary1 do always prefer the ,power to the ,form1 the ,substance to the ,shadow2 and where the ,substance and ,power is1 we doubt not to denominate the ,person accordingly1 though the ,form be wanting4 ,and therefore we always seek ,first1 and plead for the ,substance and ,power1 as knowing that to be indispensibly necessary1 though the ,form sometimes may be dispensed with1 and the ,figure or ,type may cease1 when the ,substance and ,anti-type come to be enjoyed1 as it doth in this ,case1 which shall hereafter be made appear4 4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #d4 ,fourthly1 ,that the one ,baptism of ,christ is not a ,washing with ,water1 appears from #a ,pet4 iii4 #ba4 ,the like ,figure#aad whereunto even ,baptism doth also now save us 7not the putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh1 but the ,answer of a good ,conscience towards ,god7 by the ,resurrection of ,jesus ,christ4 ,so plain a ,definition of ,baptism is not in all the ,bible2 and therefore1 seeing it is so plain1 it may well be preferred to all the coined ,definitions of the ,school-men4 ,sidenote3 ,the plainest ,definition of the ,baptism of ,christ in all the ,bible4 ,the ,apostle tells us1 first negatively1 what it is not1 viz4 ,not a putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh3 ,then surely it is not a ,washing with ,water1 since that is so4 ,secondly1 ,he tells us affirmatively what it is1 viz4 ,the ,answer of a good ,conscience towards ,god1 by the ,resurrection of ,jesus ,christ2 where he affirmatively defines it to be the ,answer 7or ,confession1 as the ,syriack ,version hath it7 of a good ,conscience4 ,now this ,answer cannot be but where the ,spirit of ,god hath purified the ,soul1 and the ,fire of his ,judgment hath burned up the unrighteous ,nature2 and those in whom this ,work is wrought may be truly said to be baptized with the ,baptism of ,christ1 i4 e4 of the ,spirit and of ,fire4 ,whatever ,way then we take this ,definition of the ,apostle of ,christ's ,baptism1 it confirmeth our ,sentence3 ,for if we take the first or negative ,part1 viz4 ,that it is not a putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh1 then it will follow that ,water-baptism is not it1 because that is a putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh4 ,sidenote3 ,water-baptism shut out from the ,baptism of ,christ4 ,if we take the second and affirmative ,definition1 to wit1 ,that it is the ,answer or ,confession of a good ,conscience1 c4 then ,water-baptism is not it2 since1 as our ,adversaries will not deny1 ,water-baptism doth not always imply it1 neither is it any necessary ,consequence thereof4 ,moreover1 the ,apostle in this ,place doth seem especially to guard against those that might esteem ,water-baptism the true ,baptism of ,christ2 because 7lest by the ,comparison induced by him in the preceding ,verse1 betwixt the ,souls that were saved in ,noah's ,ark1 and us that are now saved by ,baptism2 lest1 ,i say1 any should have thence hastily concluded1 that because the ,former were saved by ,water1 this ,place must needs be taken to speak of ,water-baptism7 to prevent such a ,mistake1 he plainly affirms1 that it is not that1 but another ,thing4 ,he saith not that it is the ,water1 or the putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh1 as accompanied with the ,answer of a good ,conscience1 whereof the one1 viz4 ,water1 is the sacramental ,element1 administered by the ,minister2 and the other1 the ,grace or ,thing signified1 conferred by ,christ2 but plainly1 ,that it is not the putting away1 c4 than which there can be nothing more manifest to ,men unprejudicate and judicious4 ,moreover ,peter calls this here which saves ,greek3 antitypon3 1 the ,anti-type1 or the ,thing figured2 whereas it is usually translated1 as if the like ,figure did now save us2 thereby insinuating that as they were saved by ,water in the ,ark1 so are we now by ,water-baptism4 ,but this ,interpretation crosseth his ,sense1 he presently after declaring the contrary1 as hath above been observed2 and likewise it would contradict the ,opinion of all our ,opposers4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,protestants denying ,water-baptism its absolute ,necessity to ,men's ,salvation2 although the ,papists say1 ,none can be saved without it1 yet grant ,exceptions4 ,for ,protestants deny it to be absolutely necessary to ,salvation2 and though ,papists say1 none are saved without it1 yet in this they admit an ,exception1 as of ,martyrs1 c4 and they will not say that all that have it are saved by ,water-baptism2 which they ought to say1 if they will understand by ,baptism 7by which the ,apostle saith we are saved7 ,water-baptism4 ,for seeing we are saved by this ,baptism1 as all those that were in the ,ark were saved by ,water1 it would then follow1 that all those that have this ,baptism are saved by it4 ,now this ,consequence would be false1 if it were understood of ,water-baptism2 because many1 by the ,confession of all1 are baptized with ,water that are not saved2 but this ,consequence holds most true1 if it be understood as we do1 of the ,baptism of the ,spirit2 since none can have this ,answer of a good ,conscience1 and1 abiding in it1 not be saved by it4 #aad ,or1 as it should be translated1 ,whose ,model ,baptism does also now save us4 ,sidenote3 ,proof #e4 ,fifthly1 ,that the one ,baptism of ,christ is not a ,washing with ,water1 as it hath been proved by the ,definition of the one ,baptism1 so it is also manifest from the necessary ,fruits and ,effects of it1 which are three ,times particularly expressed by the ,apostle ,paul2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,effects and ,fruits of the ,baptism of ,christ4 as first1 ,rom4 vi4 #c1 #d4 where he saith1 ,that so many of them as were baptized into ,jesus ,christ1 were baptized into his ,death1 buried with him by ,baptism into ,death1 that they should walk in ,newness of ,life4 ,secondly1 to the ,galatians iii4 #bg4 he saith positively1 ,for as many of you as have been baptized into ,christ1 have put on ,christ4 ,and thirdly1 to the ,colossians ii4 #ab4 he saith1 ,that they were buried with him in ,baptism1 and risen with him through the ,faith of the ,operation of ,god4 ,it is to be observed here1 that the ,apostle speaks generally1 without any exclusive ,term1 but comprehensive of all4 ,he saith not1 ,some of you that were baptized into ,christ1 have put on ,christ1 but as many of you2 which is as much as if he had said1 ,every one of you that hath been baptized into ,christ1 hath put on ,christ4 ,whereby it is evident that this is not meant of ,water-baptism1 but of the ,baptism of the ,spirit2 ,sidenote3 ,which ,effects ,water-baptism wants4 because else it would follow1 that whosoever had been baptized with ,water-baptism had put on ,christ1 and were risen with him1 which all acknowledge to be most absurd4 ,now supposing all the visible ,members of the ,churches of ,rome1 ,galatia1 and ,colosse had been outwardly baptized with ,water 7,i do not say they were1 but our ,adversaries will not only readily grant it1 but also contend for it7 suppose1 ,i say1 the ,case so1 they will not say they had all put on ,christ1 since divers ,expressions in these ,epistles to them shew the contrary4 ,so that the ,apostle cannot mean ,baptism with ,water2 and yet that he meaneth the ,baptism of ,christ1 i4 e4 of the ,spirit1 cannot be denied2 or that the ,baptism wherewith these were baptized 7of whom the ,apostle here testifies that they had put on ,christ7 was the one ,baptism1 ,i think none will call in ,question4 ,now admit1 as our ,adversaries contend1 that many in these ,churches who had been baptized with ,water had not put on ,christ1 it will follow1 that notwithstanding that ,water-baptism1 they were not baptized into ,christ1 or with the ,baptism of ,christ1 seeing as many of them as were baptized into ,christ had put on ,christ1 c4 ,from all which ,i thus argue3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #a4 ,if the ,baptism with ,water were the one ,baptism1 i4 e4 the ,baptism of ,christ1 as many as were baptized with ,water would have put on ,christ3 ,but the ,last is false3 ,therefore also the ,first4 ,and again3 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #b4 ,since as many as are baptized into ,christ1 i4 e4 with the one ,baptism1 which is the ,baptism of ,christ1 have put on ,christ1 then ,water-baptism is not the one ,baptism1 viz4 the ,baptism of ,christ3 ,but the ,first is true3 ,therefore also the ,last4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,prop4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,proved4 ,thirdly1 ,since ,john's ,baptism was a ,figure1 and seeing the ,figure gives ,way to the ,substance1 although the ,thing figured remain1 to wit1 the one ,baptism of ,christ1 yet the other ceaseth1 which was the ,baptism of ,john4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,john's ,baptism was a ,figure of ,christ's4 ,that ,john's ,baptism was a ,figure of ,christ's ,baptism1 ,i judge will not readily be denied2 but in ,case it should1 it can easily be proved from the ,nature of it4 ,john's ,baptism was a being baptized with ,water1 but ,christ's is a ,baptizing with the ,spirit2 therefore ,john's ,baptism must have been a ,figure of ,christ's4 ,but further1 that ,water-,baptism was ,john's ,baptism1 will not be denied3 ,that ,water-baptism is not ,christ's ,baptism1 is already proved4 ,from which doth arise the ,confirmation of our ,proposition thus3 ,there is no ,baptism to continue now1 but the one ,baptism of ,christ3 ,therefore ,water-baptism is not to continue now1 because it is not the one ,baptism of ,christ4 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,john's ,baptism is ceased our ,opposers confess4 ,that ,john's ,baptism is ceased1 many of our ,adversaries confess2 but if any should allege it is otherwise1 it may be easily proved by the express ,words of ,john1 not only as being insinuated there1 where he contra-distinguisheth his ,baptism from that of ,christ1 but particularly where he saith1 ,john iii4 #cj4 ,he ,christ must increase1 but ,i ,john must decrease4 ,from whence it clearly follows1 that the ,increasing or taking ,place of ,christ's ,baptism is the ,decreasing or ,abolishing of ,john's ,baptism2 so that if ,water-baptism was a particular ,part of ,john's ,ministry1 and is no ,part of ,christ's ,baptism1 as we have already proved1 it will necessarily follow that it is not to continue4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,secondly1 if ,water-baptism had been to continue a perpetual ,ordinance of ,christ in his ,church1 he would either have practised it himself1 or commanded his ,apostles so to do4 ,but that he practised it not1 the ,scripture plainly affirms1 ,john iv4 #b4 ,and that he commanded his ,disciples to baptize with ,water1 ,i could never yet read4 ,as for what is alleged1 that1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai4 c4 where he bids them baptize1 is to be understood of ,water-baptism1 that is but to beg the ,question1 and the ,grounds for that shall be hereafter examined4 ,therefore to baptize with ,water is no perpetual ,ordinance of ,christ to his ,church4 ,this hath had the more ,weight with me1 because ,i find not any standing ,ordinance or ,appointment of ,christ necessary to ,christians1 for which we have not either ,christ's own ,practice or ,command1 as to obey all the ,commandments which comprehend both our ,duty towards ,god and ,man1 c4 and where the ,gospel requires more than the ,law1 which is abundantly signified in the #eth and #fth ,chapters of ,matthew1 and elsewhere4 ,besides1 as to the ,duties of ,worship1 he exhorts us to meet1 promising his ,presence2 commands to pray1 preach1 watch1 c4 and gives ,precepts concerning some temporary ,things1 as the ,washing of one another's ,feet1 the ,breaking of ,bread1 hereafter to be discussed2 only for this one ,thing of ,baptizing with ,water1 though so earnestly contended for1 we find not any ,precept of ,christ4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,gospel puts an ,end to carnal ,ordinances4 ,but to make ,water-baptism a necessary ,institution of the ,christian ,religion1 which is pure and spiritual1 and not carnal and ceremonial1 is to derogate from the ,new ,covenant ,dispensation1 and set up the legal ,rites and ,ceremonies1 of which this of ,baptism1 or ,washing with ,water1 was one1 as appears from ,heb4 ix4 #aj4 where the ,apostle speaking thereof saith1 that it stood only in ,meats and ,drinks1 and divers ,baptisms1 and carnal ,ordinances1 imposed until the ,time of ,reformation4 ,if then the ,time of ,reformation1 or the ,dispensation of the ,gospel1 which puts an ,end to the ,shadows1 be come1 then such ,baptisms and carnal ,ordinances are no more to be imposed4 ,for how ,baptism with ,water comes now to be a ,spiritual ,ordinance1 more than before in the ,time of the ,law1 doth not appear1 seeing it is but ,water still1 and a ,washing of the outward ,man1 and a putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh still3 ,and as before1 those that were so washed1 were not thereby made perfect1 as pertaining to the ,conscience1 neither are they at this ,day1 as our ,adversaries must needs acknowledge1 and ,experience abundantly sheweth4 ,so that the ,matter of it1 which is a ,washing with ,water1 and the ,effect of it1 which is only an outward ,cleansing1 being still the same1 how comes ,water-baptism to be less a carnal ,ordinance now than before8 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,if it be said1 ,that ,god confers inward ,grace upon some that are now baptized2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,so no ,doubt he did also upon some that used those ,baptisms among the ,jews4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,or if it be said1 ,because it is commanded by ,christ now1 under the ,new ,covenant2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,first1 ,that is to beg the ,question2 of which hereafter4 ,but ,secondly1 ,we find that where the ,matter of ,ordinances is the same1 and the ,end the same1 they are never accounted more or less spiritual1 because of their different ,times4 ,now was not ,god the ,author of the ,purifications and ,baptisms under the ,law8 ,was not ,water the ,matter of them1 which is so now8 ,was not the ,end of them to signify an inward ,purifying by an outward ,washing8 ,and is not that alleged to be the ,end still8 ,sidenote3 ,men are no more now than before by ,water-baptism inwardly cleansed4 ,and are the necessary ,effects or ,consequences of it any better now than before1 since ,men are now by the ,virtue of ,water-baptism1 as a necessary ,consequence of it1 no more than before made inwardly clean8 ,and if some by ,god's ,grace that are baptized with ,water are inwardly purified1 so were some also under the ,law2 so that this is not any necessary ,consequence or ,effect1 neither of this nor that ,baptism4 ,it is then plainly repugnant to right ,reason1 as well as to the ,scripture ,testimony1 to affirm that to be a spiritual ,ordinance now1 which was a carnal ,ordinance before1 if it be still the same1 both as to its ,author1 ,matter1 and ,end1 however made to vary in some small ,circumstances4 ,the ,spirituality of the ,new ,covenant and of its ,worship established by ,christ1 consisted not in such superficial ,alterations of ,circumstances1 but after another ,manner4 ,therefore let our ,adversaries shew us1 if they can1 without begging the ,question1 and building upon some one or other of their own ,principles denied by us1 wherever ,christ appointed or ordained any ,institution or ,observation under the ,new ,covenant1 as belonging to the ,nature of it1 or such a necessary ,part of its ,worship as is perpetually to continue2 which being one in ,substance and ,effects 7,i speak of necessary1 not accidental ,effects7 yet1 because of some small ,difference in ,form or ,circumstance1 was before carnal1 notwithstanding it was commanded by ,god under the ,law1 but now is become spiritual1 because commanded by ,christ under the ,gospel8 ,and if they cannot do this1 then if ,water-baptism was once a carnal ,ordinance1 as the ,apostle positively affirms it to have been1 it remains a carnal ,ordinance still2 and if a carnal ,ordinance1 then no necessary ,part of the ,gospel or ,new ,covenant ,dispensation2 and if no necessary ,part of it1 then not needful to continue1 nor to be practised by such as live and walk under this ,dispensation4 ,but in this1 as in most other ,things1 according as we have often observed1 our ,adversaries judaize1 and renouncing the glorious and spiritual ,privileges of the ,new ,covenant1 are sticking in and cleaving to the ,rudiments of the ,old1 both in ,doctrine and ,worship1 as being more suited and agreeable to their carnal ,apprehensions and natural ,senses4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,law distinguished from the ,gospel4 ,but we1 on the contrary1 travail above all to lay hold upon and cleave unto the ,light of the glorious ,gospel revealed unto us4 ,and the ,harmony of the ,truth we profess in this may appear1 by briefly observing how in all ,things we follow the spiritual ,gospel of ,christ1 as contra-distinguished from the ,carnality of the legal ,dispensation2 while our ,adversaries1 through rejecting this ,gospel1 are still labouring under the ,burden of the ,law1 which neither they nor their ,fathers were able to bear4 ,sidenote3 ,the outward ,baptism1 ,worship1 ,law1 distinguished from the inward4 ,for the ,law and ,rule of the ,old ,covenant and ,jews was outward1 written in ,tables of ,stone and ,parchment2 so also is that of our ,adversaries4 ,but the ,law of the ,new ,covenant is inward and perpetual1 written in the ,heart2 so is ours4 ,the ,worship of the ,jews was outward and carnal1 limited to set ,times1 ,places1 and ,persons1 and performed according to set prescribed ,forms and ,observations2 so is that of our ,adversaries4 ,but the ,worship of the ,new ,covenant is neither limited to ,time1 ,place1 nor ,person1 but is performed in the ,spirit and in ,truth2 and it is not acted according to set ,forms and ,prescriptions1 but as the ,spirit of ,god immediately actuates1 moves1 and leads1 whether it be to preach1 pray1 or sing2 and such is also our ,worship4 ,so likewise the ,baptism among the ,jews under the ,law was an outward ,washing with outward ,water1 only to typify an inward ,purification of the ,soul1 which did not necessarily follow upon those that were thus baptized2 but the ,baptism of ,christ under the ,gospel is the ,baptism of the ,spirit and of ,fire2 not the putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh1 but the ,answer of a good ,conscience towards ,god2 and such is the ,baptism that we labour to be baptized withal1 and contend for4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 ,but again1 ,if ,water-baptism had been an ,ordinance of the ,gospel1 then the ,apostle ,paul would have been sent to administer it2 but he declares positively1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ag4 ,that ,christ sent him not to baptize1 but to preach the ,gospel4 ,the ,reason of that ,consequence is undeniable1 because the ,apostle ,paul's ,commission was as large as that of any of them2 and consequently he being in special ,manner the ,apostle of ,christ to the ,gentiles1 ,sidenote3 ,,iv4 ,that ,water-baptism is no ,badge of ,christians1 like ,circumcision of the ,jews4 if ,water-baptism1 as our ,adversaries contend1 be to be accounted the ,badge of ,christianity1 he had more ,need than any of the rest to be sent to baptize with ,water1 that he might mark the ,gentiles converted by him with that ,christian ,sign4 ,but indeed the ,reason holds better thus1 that since ,paul was the ,apostle of the ,gentiles1 and that in his ,ministry he doth through all 7as by his ,epistles appears7 labour to wean them from the former ,jewish ,ceremonies and ,observations 7though in so doing he was sometimes undeservedly judged by others of his ,brethren1 who were unwilling to lay aside those ,ceremonies7 therefore his ,commission1 though as full as to the ,preaching of the ,gospel and ,new ,covenant ,dispensation as that of the other ,apostles1 did not require of him that he should lead those ,converts into such ,jewish ,observations and ,baptisms1 however that ,practice was indulged in and practised by the other ,apostles among their ,jewish ,proselytes2 for which ,cause #aae;he thanks ,god that he had baptized so few3 ,intimating that what he did therein he did not by ,virtue of his ,apostolick ,commission1 ,sidenote3 ,paul was not sent to baptize4 but rather in ,condescension to their ,weakness1 even as at another ,time he circumcised ,timothy4 #aae #a ,cor4 i4 #ad4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,our ,adversaries1 to evade the ,truth of this ,testimony1 usually allege1 ,that by this is only to be understood1 that he was not sent principally to baptize1 not that he was not sent at all4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but this ,exposition1 since it contradicts the positive ,words of the ,text1 and has no better ,foundation than the ,affirmation of its ,assertors1 is justly rejected as spurious1 until they bring some better ,proof for it4 ,he saith not1 ,i was not sent principally to baptize1 but ,i was not sent to baptize4 ,sidenote3 ,confir4 ,as for what they urge1 by ,way of ,confirmation1 from other ,places of ,scripture1 where not is to be so taken1 as where it is said1 #aaf;,i will have ,mercy1 and not ,sacrifice1 which is to be understood that ,god requires principally ,mercy1 not excluding ,sacrifice3 #aaf ,matt4 #i4 #ae4 ,hos4 #f4 #f4 ,sidenote3 ,refut4 ,i say this ,place is abundantly explained by the following ,words and the ,knowledge of ,god more than ,burnt-offerings2 by which it clearly appears that ,burnt-offerings1 which are one with ,sacrifices1 are not excluded2 but there is no such ,word added in that of ,paul1 and therefore the ,parity is not demonstrated to be alike1 and consequently the ,instance not sufficient1 unless they can prove that it ought so to be admitted here2 else we might interpret by the same ,rule all other ,places of ,scripture the same ,way1 as where the ,apostle saith1 #a ,cor4 ii4 #e4 ,that your ,faith might not stand in the ,wisdom of ,men1 but in the ,power of ,god1 it might be understood1 it shall not stand principally so4 ,how might the ,gospel1 by this ,liberty of ,interpretation1 be perverted8 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,if it be said1 ,that the ,abuse of this ,baptism among the ,corinthians1 in dividing themselves according to the ,persons by whom they were baptized1 made the ,apostle speak so2 but that the ,abuse of a ,thing doth not abolish it2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,it is true1 it doth not1 provided the ,thing be lawful and necessary2 and that no ,doubt the ,abuse abovesaid gave the ,apostle ,occasion so to write4 ,but let it from this be considered how the ,apostle excludes ,baptizing1 not ,preaching1 though the ,abuse mark proceeded from that1 no less than from the other4 ,for these ,corinthians did denominate themselves from those different ,persons by whose ,preaching 7as well as from those by whom they were baptized7 they were converted1 as by the #dth1 #eth1 #fth1 #gth1 and #hth ,verses of ,chap4 iii4 may appear3 ,sidenote3 ,that ,preaching is a standing ,ordinance1 and not to be forborne4 ,and yet to remove that ,abuse the ,apostle doth not say1 ,he was not sent to preach1 nor yet doth he rejoice that he had only preached to a few2 because ,preaching1 being a standing ,ordinance in the ,church1 is not1 because of any ,abuse that the ,devil may tempt any to make of it1 to be forborne by such as are called to perform it by the ,spirit of ,god3 ,wherefore the ,apostle accordingly1 ,chap4 iii4 #h1 #i4 informs them1 as to that1 how to remove that ,abuse4 ,but as to ,water-baptism1 for that it was no standing ,ordinance of ,christ1 but only practised as in ,condescension to the ,jews1 and by some ,apostles to some ,gentiles also1 therefore1 so soon as the ,apostle perceived the ,abuse of it1 he let the ,corinthians understand how little ,stress was to be laid upon it1 by shewing them that he was glad that he had administered this ,ceremony to so few of them2 and by telling them plainly that it was no ,part of his ,commission1 neither that which he was sent to administer4 ,sidenote3 ,query4 ,some ask us1 ,how we know that baptizing here is meant of ,water1 and not of the ,spirit2 which if it be1 then it will exclude ,baptism of the ,spirit1 as well as of ,water8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,such as ask the ,question1 ,i suppose1 speak it not as doubting that this was said of ,water-baptism1 which is more than manifest4 ,sidenote3 ,that which converts to ,christ is the ,baptism of the ,spirit4 ,for since the ,apostle ,paul's ,message was1 ,to turn ,people from ,darkness to ,light1 and convert them to ,god2 and that as many as are thus turned and converted1 7so as to have the ,answer of a good ,conscience toward ,god1 and to have put on ,christ1 and be risen with him in ,newness of ,life7 are baptized with the ,baptism of the ,spirit4 ,but who will say that only those few mentioned there to be baptized by ,paul were come to this8 ,or that to turn or bring them to this ,condition was not1 even admitting our ,adversaries ,interpretation1 as principal a ,part of ,paul's ,ministry as any other8 ,since then our ,adversaries do take this ,place for ,water-baptism1 as indeed it is1 we may lawfully1 taking it so also1 urge it upon them4 ,why the ,word ,baptism and ,baptizing is used by the ,apostle1 where that of ,water and not of the ,spirit is only understood1 shall hereafter be spoken to4 ,sidenote3 ,part #b4 ,i come now to consider the ,reasons alleged by such as plead for ,water-baptism1 which are also the ,objections used against the ,discontinuance of it4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #a4 ,first1 ,some object1 #aag,that ,christ1 who had the ,spirit above ,measure1 was notwithstanding baptized with ,water4 ,as ,nic4 ,arnoldus against this ,thesis1 ,sect4 #df4 of his ,theological ,exercitation4 #aag ,john #c4 #cd4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,so was he also circumcised2 it will not follow from thence that ,circumcision is to continue3 ,sidenote3 ,why ,christ was baptized by ,john4 ,for it behoved ,christ to fulfil all ,righteousness1 not only the ,ministry of ,john1 but the ,law also1 therefore did he observe the ,jewish ,feasts and ,rites1 and keep the ,passover4 ,it will not thence follow that ,christians ought to do so now2 and therefore ,christ1 ,matt4 iii4 #ae4 gives ,john this ,reason of his being baptized1 desiring him to suffer it to be so now2 whereby he sufficiently intimates that he intended not thereby to perpetuate it as an ,ordinance to his ,disciples4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,they object1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai4 ,go ye therefore and teach all ,nations1 baptizing them in the ,name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,this is the great ,objection1 and upon which they build the whole ,superstructure2 whereunto the first general and sound ,answer is1 by granting the whole2 ,sidenote3 ,what ,baptism ,christ doth mean in ,mat4 #bh4 but putting them to prove that ,water is here meant1 since the ,text is silent of it4 ,and though in ,reason it be sufficient upon our ,part that we concede the whole expressed in the ,place1 but deny that it is by ,water1 which is an ,addition to the ,text1 yet ,i shall premise some ,reasons why we do so1 and then consider the ,reasons alleged by those that will have ,water to be here understood4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #a4 ,the ,first is a ,maxim yielded to by all1 ,that we ought not to go from the literal ,signification of the ,text1 except some urgent ,necessity force us thereunto4 ,but no urgent ,necessity in this ,place forceth us thereunto3 ,therefore we ought not to go from it4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,that ,baptism which ,christ commanded his ,apostles was the one ,baptism1 id est1 his own ,baptism3 ,but the one ,baptism1 which is ,christ's ,baptism1 is not with ,water1 as we have already proved3 ,therefore the ,baptism commanded by ,christ to his ,apostles was not ,water-baptism4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,that ,baptism which ,christ commanded his ,apostles was such1 that as many as were therewith baptized did put on ,christ3 ,but this is not true of ,water-baptism3 ,therefore1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,arg4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,the ,baptism commanded by ,christ to his ,apostles was not ,john's ,baptism3 ,but ,baptism with ,water was ,john's ,baptism3 ,therefore1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,alleg4 #a4 ,but ,first1 ,they allege1 ,that ,christ's ,baptism1 though a ,baptism with ,water1 did differ from ,john's1 because ,john only baptized with ,water unto ,repentance1 but ,christ commands his ,disciples to baptize in the ,name of the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost2 reckoning that in this ,form there lieth a great ,difference betwixt the ,baptism of ,john and that of ,christ4 ,i answer1 ,in that ,john's ,baptism was unto ,repentance1 the ,difference lieth not there1 because so is ,christ's also2 yea1 our ,adversaries will not deny but that adult ,persons that are to be baptized ought1 ere they are admitted to ,water-baptism1 to repent1 and confess their ,sins3 ,and that ,infants also1 with a ,respect to and ,consideration of their ,baptism1 ought to repent and confess2 so that the ,difference lieth not here1 since this of ,repentance and ,confession agrees as well to ,christ's as to ,john's ,baptism4 ,but in this our ,adversaries are divided2 for ,calvin will have ,christ's and ,john's to be all one1 ,inst4 ,lib4 #d4 ,cap4 #ae4 ,sect4 #g1 #h4 yet they do differ1 and the ,difference is1 in that the one is by ,water1 the other not1 c4 ,secondly1 ,as to what ,christ saith1 in commanding them to baptize in the ,name of the ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1 ,i confess that states the ,difference1 and it is great2 but that lies not only in admitting ,water-baptism in this different ,form1 by a bare ,expressing of these ,words3 ,for as the ,text says no such ,thing1 neither do ,i see how it can be inferred from it4 ,sidenote3 ,of the ,name of the ,lord how taken in ,scripture4 ,for the ,greek is ,greek3 eis to onoma3 1 that is1 into the ,name2 now the ,name of the ,lord is often taken in ,scripture for something else than a bare ,sound of ,words1 or literal ,expression1 even for his ,virtue and ,power1 as may appear from ,psal4 liv4 #c4 ,cant4 i4 #c4 ,prov4 xviii4 #aj4 and in many more4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,baptism into the ,name1 what it is4 ,now that the ,apostles were by their ,ministry to baptize the ,nations into this ,name1 ,virtue1 and ,power1 and that they did so1 is evident by these ,testimonies of ,paul above-mentioned1 where he saith1 ,that as many of them as were baptized into ,christ1 have put on ,christ2 this must have been a ,baptizing into the ,name1 i4 e4 ,power and ,virtue1 and not a mere formal ,expression of ,words adjoined with ,water-baptism2 because1 as hath been above observed1 it doth not follow as a natural or necessary ,consequence of it4 ,i would have those who desire to have their ,faith built upon no other ,foundation than the ,testimony of ,god's ,spirit1 and ,scriptures of ,truth1 throughly to consider whether there can be any ,thing further alleged for this ,interpretation than what the ,prejudice of ,education and ,influence of ,tradition hath imposed4 ,perhaps it may stumble the unwary and inconsiderate ,reader1 as if the very ,character of ,christianity were abolished1 to tell him plainly that this ,scripture is not to be understood of baptizing with ,water1 and that this ,form of ,baptizing in the ,name of the ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1 hath no ,warrant from ,matt4 xxviii4 c4 ,sidenote3 ,whether ,christ did prescribe a ,form of ,baptism in ,matt4 #bh4 ,for which1 besides the ,reason taken from the ,signification of the ,name as being the ,virtue and ,power above expressed1 let it be considered1 that if it had been a ,form prescribed by ,christ to his ,apostles1 then surely they would have made use of that ,form in the administering of ,water-baptism to such as they baptized with ,water2 but though particular ,mention be made in divers ,places of the ,acts who were baptized1 and how2 and though it be particularly expressed that they baptized such and such1 as ,acts ii4 #da4 and viii4 #ab1 #ac4 #ch4 and ix4 #ah4 and x4 #dh4 and xvi4 #ae4 and xviii4 #h4 yet there is not a ,word of this ,form4 ,and in two ,places1 ,acts viii4 #af4 and xix4 #e4 it is said of some that they were baptized in the ,name of the ,lord ,jesus2 by which it yet more appears1 that either the ,author of this ,history hath been very defective1 who having so often ,occasion to mention this1 yet omitteth so substantial a ,part of ,baptism 7which were to accuse the ,holy ,ghost1 by whose ,guidance ,luke wrote it7 or else that the ,apostles did no ,ways understand that ,christ by his ,commission1 ,matt4 xxviii4 did enjoin them such a ,form of ,water-baptism1 seeing they did not use it4 ,and therefore it is safer to conclude1 that what they did in administering ,water-baptism1 they did not by ,virtue of that ,commission1 else they would have so used it2 for our ,adversaries ,i suppose would judge it a great ,heresy to administer ,water-baptism without that1 or only in the ,name of ,jesus1 without ,mention of ,father1 or ,spirit1 as it is expresly said they did1 in the two ,places above-cited4 ,sidenote3 ,alleg4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,they say1 ,if this were not understood of ,water-baptism1 it would be a ,tautology1 and all one with ,teaching4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i say1 ,nay3 ,baptizing with the ,spirit is somewhat further than teaching1 or informing the ,understanding2 ,sidenote3 ,how ,teaching and ,baptizing differ4 for it imports a ,reaching to1 and melting the ,heart1 whereby it is turned1 as well as the ,understanding informed4 ,besides1 we find often in the ,scripture1 that ,teaching and ,instructing are put together1 without any ,absurdity1 or needless ,tautology2 and yet these two have a greater ,affinity than ,teaching and ,baptizing with the ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,alleg4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,they say1 ,baptism in this ,place must be understood with ,water1 because it is the ,action of the ,apostles2 and so cannot be the ,baptism of the ,spirit1 which is the ,work of ,christ1 and his ,grace2 not of ,man1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,baptism with the ,spirit ascribed to godly ,men as ,instruments4 ,i answer2 ,baptism with the ,spirit1 though not wrought without ,christ and his ,grace1 is instrumentally done by ,men fitted of ,god for that ,purpose2 and therefore no ,absurdity follows1 that ,baptism with the ,spirit should be expressed as the ,action of the ,apostles4 ,for though it be ,christ by his ,grace that gives spiritual ,gifts1 yet the ,apostle1 ,rom4 i4 #aa4 speaks of ,,his imparting to them spiritual ,gifts2 and he tells the ,corinthians1 that ,,he had begotten them through the ,gospel1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #ae4 ,and yet to beget ,people to the ,faith1 is the ,work of ,christ and his ,grace1 not of ,men4 ,to convert the ,heart1 is properly the ,work of ,christ2 and yet the ,scripture oftentimes ascribes it to ,men1 as being the ,instruments3 ,and since ,paul's ,commission was1 ,to turn ,people from ,darkness to ,light 7though that be not done without ,christ co-operating by his ,grace7 so may also ,baptizing with the ,spirit be expressed1 as performable by ,man as the ,instrument1 though the ,work of ,christ's ,grace be needful to concur thereunto4 ,so that it is no ,absurdity to say1 ,that the ,apostles did administer the ,baptism of the ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,alleg4 #d4 ,lastly1 ,they say1 ,that since ,christ saith here1 that he will be with his ,disciples to the ,end of the ,world1 therefore ,water-baptism must continue so long4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,if he had been speaking here of ,water-baptism1 then that might have been urged2 but seeing that is denied1 and proved to be false1 nothing from thence can be gathered3 ,he speaking of the ,baptism of the ,spirit1 which we freely confess doth remain to the ,end of the ,world2 yea1 so long as ,christ's ,presence abideth with his ,children4 4 ,,ix4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #c4 ,thirdly1 ,they object the constant ,practice of the ,apostles in the ,primitive ,church1 who1 they say1 did always administer ,water-baptism to such as they converted to the ,faith of ,christ2 and hence also they further urge that of ,matt4 xxviii4 to have been meant of ,water2 or else the ,apostles did not understand it1 because in baptizing they used ,water2 or that in so doing they walked without a ,commission4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,that it was the constant ,practice of the ,apostles1 is denied2 for we have shewn1 in the ,example of ,paul1 that it was not so2 since it were most absurd to judge that he converted only those few1 even of the ,church of ,corinth1 whom he saith he baptized2 nor were it less absurd to think that that was a constant apostolick ,practice1 which he1 who was not inferior to the chiefest of the ,apostles1 and who declares he laboured as much as they all1 rejoiceth he was so little in4 ,but further2 the ,conclusion inferred from the ,apostles ,practice of baptizing with ,water1 to evince that they understood ,matt4 xxviii4 of ,water-baptism1 doth not hold3 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,apostles baptized4 ,for though they baptized with ,water1 it will not follow that either they did it by ,virtue of that ,commission1 or that they mistook that ,place2 nor can there be any ,medium brought1 that will infer such a ,conclusion4 ,as to the other insinuated ,absurdity1 ,that they did it without a ,commission2 it is none at all3 ,for they might have done it by a ,permission1 as being in use before ,christ's ,death2 and because the ,people1 nursed up with outward ,ceremonies1 could not be weaned wholly from them4 ,and thus they used other ,things1 as ,circumcision1 and legal ,purifications1 which yet they had no ,commission from ,christ to do3 ,to which we shall speak more at ,length in the following ,proposition1 concerning the ,supper4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if from the ,sameness of the ,word1 because ,christ bids them baptize1 and they afterwards in the ,use of ,water are said to baptize1 it be judged probable that they did understand that ,commission1 ,matt4 xxviii4 to authorize them to baptize with ,water1 and accordingly practised it2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,although it should be granted1 that for a ,season they did so far mistake it1 as to judge that ,water belonged to that ,baptism1 7which however ,i find no ,necessity of granting7 yet ,i see not any great ,absurdity would thence follow4 ,for it is plain they did mistake that ,commission1 as to a main ,part of it1 for a ,season2 as where he bids them ,go1 teach all ,nations2 since some ,time after they judged it unlawful to teach the ,gentiles2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,apostles did scruple the ,teaching the ,gentiles4 yea1 ,peter himself scrupled it1 until by a ,vision constrained thereunto2 for which1 after he had done it1 he was for a ,season 7until they were better informed7 judged by the rest of his ,brethren4 ,now1 if the ,education of the ,apostles as ,jews1 and their ,propensity to adhere and stick to the ,jewish ,religion1 did so far influence them1 that even after ,christ's ,resurrection1 and the ,pouring forth of the ,spirit1 they could not receive nor admit of the ,teaching of the ,gentiles1 though ,christ1 in his ,commission to them1 commanded them to preach to them2 what further ,absurdity were it to suppose1 that1 through the like ,mistake1 the chiefest of them having been the ,disciples of ,john1 and his ,baptism being so much prized there among the ,jews1 they also took ,christ's ,baptism1 intended by him of the ,spirit1 to be that of ,water1 which was ,john's1 and accordingly practised it for a ,season8 ,it suffices us1 that if they were so mistaken1 7though ,i say not that they were so7 they did not always remain under that ,mistake3 ,else ,peter would not have said of the ,baptism which now saves1 ,that it is not a putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh1 which certainly ,water-baptism is4 ,but further1 ,they urge much ,peter's baptizing ,cornelius2 in which they press two ,things1 ,first1 ,that ,water-baptism is used1 even to those that had received the ,spirit4 ,secondly1 ,that it is said positively1 ,he commanded them to be baptized1 ,acts x4 #dg1 #dh4 ,but neither of these doth necessarily infer ,water-baptism to belong to the ,new ,covenant ,dispensation1 nor yet to be a perpetual standing ,ordinance in the ,church4 ,sidenote3 ,whether ,peter's baptizing some with ,water makes it a standing ,ordinance to the ,church4 ,for ,first1 ,all that this will amount to1 was1 ,that ,peter at that ,time baptized these ,men2 but that he did it by ,virtue of that ,commission1 ,matt4 xxviii4 remains yet to be proved4 ,and how doth the ,baptizing with ,water1 after the ,receiving of the ,holy ,ghost1 prove the ,case1 more than the ,use of ,circumcision1 and other legal ,rites1 acknowledged to have been performed by him afterwards8 ,also1 it is no ,wonder if ,peter1 who thought it so strange 7notwithstanding all that had been professed before1 and spoken by ,christ7 that the ,gentiles should be made ,partakers of the ,gospel1 and with great ,difficulty1 not without an extraordinary ,impulse thereunto1 was brought to come to them1 and eat with them1 was apt to put this ,ceremony upon them2 which being1 as it were1 the particular ,dispensation of ,john1 the ,forerunner of ,christ1 seemed to have greater ,affinity with the ,gospel1 than the other ,jewish ,ceremonies then used by the ,church2 but that will no ways infer our ,adversaries ,conclusion4 ,secondly1 ,as to these ,words1 ,and he commanded them to be baptized2 it declareth ,matter of ,fact1 not of ,right1 and amounteth to no more1 than that ,peter did at that ,time1 pro hic nunc1 command those ,persons to be baptized with ,water1 which is not denied3 ,but it saith nothing that ,peter commanded ,water-baptism to be a standing and perpetual ,ordinance to the ,church2 neither can any ,man of sound ,reason say1 if he heed what he says1 ,that a ,command in ,matter of ,fact to particular ,persons1 doth infer the ,thing commanded to be of general ,obligation to all1 if it be not otherwise founded upon some positive ,precept4 ,why doth ,peter's commanding ,cornelius and his ,houshold to be baptized at that ,time infer ,water-baptism to continue1 more than his constraining 7which is more than commanding7 the ,gentiles in ,general to be circumcised1 and observe the ,law8 ,we find at that ,time1 when ,peter baptized ,cornelius1 it was not yet determined whether the ,gentiles should not be circumcised2 but on the contrary1 it was the most general ,sense of the ,church that they should3 ,and therefore no ,wonder if they thought it needful at that ,time that they should be baptized2 which had more ,affinity with the ,gospel1 and was a ,burthen less grievous4 4 ,x4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,they object from the ,signification of the ,word baptize which is as much as to dip and wash with ,water2 alleging thence that the very ,word imports a being baptized with ,water4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,this ,objection is very weak4 ,sidenote3 ,baptizing signifies ,dipping or ,washing with ,water4 ,for since baptizing with ,water was a ,rite among the ,jews1 as ,paulus ,riccius sheweth1 even before the ,coming of ,john2 and that the ,ceremony received that ,name from the ,nature of the ,practice1 as used both by the ,jews and by ,john2 yet we find that ,christ and his ,apostles frequently make use of these ,terms to a more spiritual ,signification4 ,circumcision was only used and understood among the ,jews to be that of the ,flesh2 but the ,apostle tells us of the ,circumcision of the ,heart and ,spirit made without ,hands4 ,so that though ,baptism was used among the ,jews only to signify a ,washing with ,water1 yet both ,john1 ,christ1 and his ,apostles1 speak of a being baptized with the ,spirit1 and with ,fire2 which they make the peculiar ,baptism of ,christ1 as contra-distinguished from that of ,water1 which was ,john's1 as is above shewn4 ,so that though ,baptism among the ,jews was only understood of ,water1 yet among ,christians it is very well understood of the ,spirit without ,water3 ,as we see ,christ and his ,apostles spiritually to understand ,things1 under the ,terms of what had been ,shadows before4 ,thus ,christ1 speaking of his ,body1 7though the ,jews mistook him7 said1 ,destroy this ,temple1 and in three ,days ,i will raise it up2 and many more that might be instanced4 ,but if the ,etymology of the ,word should be tenaciously adhered to1 it would militate against most of our ,adversaries1 as well as against us3 ,sidenote3 ,greek3 ,baptiz3 immergo1 intingo1 to plunge and dip in4 ,for the ,greek ,greek3 ,baptiz3 signifies immergo1 that is1 to plunge and dip in2 and that was the proper ,use of ,water-baptism among the ,jews1 and also by ,john1 and the primitive ,christians1 who used it2 whereas our ,adversaries1 for the most ,part1 only sprinkle a little ,water upon the ,forehead1 which doth not at all answer to the ,word ,baptism4 ,sidenote3 ,those that of old used ,water-baptism were dipped and plunged1 and those that were only sprinkled1 were not admitted to any ,office in the ,church1 and why4 ,yea1 those of old among ,christians that used ,water-baptism1 thought this ,dipping or ,plunging so needful1 that they thus dipped ,children3 ,and forasmuch as it was judged that it might prove hurtful to some weak ,constitutions1 ,sprinkling1 to prevent that ,hurt1 was introduced2 yet then it was likewise appointed1 that such as were only sprinkled1 and not dipped1 should not be admitted to have any ,office in the ,church1 as not being sufficiently baptized4 ,so that if our ,adversaries will stick to the ,word1 they must alter their ,method of ,sprinkling4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #e4 ,fifthly1 ,they object1 ,john iii4 #e4 ,except a ,man be born of ,water1 and of the ,spirit1 c4 hence inferring the ,necessity of ,water-baptism1 as well as of the ,spirit4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but if this prove any ,thing1 it will prove ,water-baptism to be of absolute ,necessity2 and therefore ,protestants rightly affirm1 when this is urged upon them by ,papists1 to evince the absolute ,necessity of ,water-baptism1 that ,water is not here understood of outward ,water2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,water that regenerates1 is mystical and inward4 but mystically1 of an inward ,cleansing and ,washing4 ,even as where ,christ speaks of being baptized with ,fire1 it is not to be understood of outward material ,fire1 but only of purifying1 by a ,metonymy2 because to purify is a proper ,effect of ,fire1 as to wash and make clean is of ,water2 where it can as little be so understood1 as where we are said to be saved by the ,washing of ,regeneration1 ,tit4 iii4 #e4 ,yea1 ,peter saith expresly1 in the ,place often cited1 as ,calvin well observes1 #aah,that the ,baptism which saves1 is not the putting away of the ,filth of the ,flesh4 ,so that since ,water cannot be understood of outward ,water1 this can serve nothing to prove ,water-baptism4 #aah ,in the #dth ,book of his ,instit4 ,c4 #ae4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,that ,water imports here necessitatem prcepti1 though not medii2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,that is first to take it for granted that outward ,water is here understood2 the contrary whereof we have already proved4 ,sidenote3 ,necessitas prcepti and medii urged4 ,next1 ,water and the ,spirit are placed here together1 ,except a ,man be born of ,water and the ,spirit where the ,necessity of the one is urged as much as of the other4 ,now if the ,spirit be absolutely necessary1 so will also ,water2 and then we must either say1 that to be born of the ,spirit is not absolutely necessary1 which all acknowledge to be false2 or else1 that ,water is absolutely necessary2 which1 as ,protestants1 we affirm1 and have proved1 is false3 ,else we must confess1 that ,water is not here understood of outward ,water4 ,for to say that when ,water and the ,spirit are placed here just together1 and in the same ,manner1 though there be not any ,difference or ,ground for it visible in the ,text1 or deducible from it1 ,that the ,necessity of ,water is here prcepti1 but not medii1 but the ,necessity of the ,spirit is both medii and prcepti1 is indeed confidently to affirm1 but not to prove4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #f4 ,sixthly and lastly1 ,they object1 ,that the ,baptism of ,water is a visible ,sign or ,badge to distinguish ,christians from ,infidels1 even as ,circumcision did the ,jews4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,this saith nothing at all1 unless it be proved to be a necessary ,precept1 or ,part of the ,new ,covenant ,dispensation2 it not being lawful for us to impose outward ,ceremonies and ,rites1 and say1 ,they will distinguish us from ,infidels4 ,sidenote3 ,circumcision a ,seal of the first ,covenant4 ,circumcision was positively commanded1 and said to be a ,seal of the first ,covenant2 but as we have already proved that there is no such ,command for ,baptism1 ,sidenote3 ,water-baptism falsely called a ,badge of ,christianity4 so there is not any ,word in all the ,new ,testament1 calling it a ,badge of ,christianity1 or ,seal of the ,new ,covenant3 ,and therefore to conclude it is so1 because ,circumcision was so1 7unless some better ,proof be alleged for it7 is miserably to beg the ,question4 ,sidenote3 ,which is the ,badge of ,christianity4 ,the ,professing of ,faith in ,christ1 and a holy ,life answering thereunto1 is a far better ,badge of ,christianity than any outward ,washing2 which yet answers not to that of ,circumcision1 since that affixed a ,character in the ,flesh1 which this doth not3 ,so that a ,christian is not known to be a ,christian by his being baptized1 especially when he was a ,child1 unless he tell them so much3 ,sidenote3 ,what the ,fathers say of ,water-baptism1 and of the ,sign of the ,cross4 ,and may not the ,professing of ,faith in ,christ signify that as well8 ,i know there are divers of those called the ,fathers1 that speak much of ,water-baptism1 calling it ,characterem ,christianitatis3 ,but so did they also of the ,sign of the ,cross1 and other such ,things1 justly rejected by ,protestants4 ,sidenote3 ,heathenish ,ceremonies introduced into the ,christian ,worship4 ,for the ,mystery of ,iniquity1 which began to work in the ,apostles ,days1 soon spoiled the ,simplicity and ,purity of the ,christian ,worship2 insomuch that not only many ,jewish ,rites were retained1 but many ,heathenish ,customs and ,ceremonies introduced into the ,christian ,worship2 as particularly that ,word ,sacrament4 ,so that it is a great ,folly1 especially for ,protestants1 to plead any ,thing of this from ,tradition or ,antiquity2 ,for we find that neither ,papists nor ,protestants use those ,rites exactly as the ,ancients did2 who in such ,things1 not walking by the most certain ,rule of ,god's ,spirit1 but doting too much upon ,externals1 were very uncertain4 ,for most of them all1 in the primitive ,times1 did wholly plunge and dip those they baptized1 which neither ,papists1 nor most ,protestants1 do3 ,yea1 several of the ,fathers accused some as ,hereticks in their ,days1 for holding some ,principles common with ,protestants concerning it2 as particularly ,augustine doth the ,pelagians1 for saying that ,infants dying unbaptized may be saved4 ,and the ,manichees were condemned1 for denying that ,grace is ,universally given by ,baptism2 and ,julian the ,pelagian by ,augustine1 for denying ,exorcism and ,insufflation in the ,use of ,baptism3 ,sidenote3 ,exorcism or ,adjuration4 ,all which ,things ,protestants deny also4 ,so that ,protestants do but foolishly to upbraid us1 as if we could not shew any among the ,ancients that denied ,water-baptism2 seeing they cannot shew any1 whom they acknowledge not to have been heretical in several ,things1 that used it2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,sign of the ,cross4 nor yet1 who using it1 did not also use the ,sign of the ,cross1 and other ,things with it1 which they deny4 ,sidenote3 ,many in former ,ages testified against ,water-baptism4 ,there were some nevertheless in the darkest ,times of ,popery1 who testified against ,water-baptism4 ,for one ,alanus1 ,page #ajc1 #ajd4 #ajg4 speaks of some in his ,time that were burnt for the denying of it3 ,for they said1 ,that ,baptism had no ,efficacy1 either in ,children or adult ,persons2 and therefore ,men were not obliged to take ,baptism3 ,particularly ten ,canonicks1 so called1 were burnt for that ,crime1 by the ,order of ,king ,robert of ,france4 ,and ,p4 ,pithus mentions it in his ,fragments of the ,history of ,guienne1 which is also confirmed by one ,johannes ,floracensis1 a ,monk1 who was famous at that ,time1 in his ,epistle to ,oliva1 ,abbot of the ,ausonian ,church3 8,i will1 saith he1 give you to understand concerning the ,heresy that was in the ,city of ,orleans on ,childermas-day2 ,sidenote3 ,ten ,canonicks burnt at ,orleans1 and why4 for it was true1 if ye have heard any ,thing1 that ,king ,robert caused to be burnt alive near fourteen of that ,city1 of the chief of their ,clergy1 and the more noble of their ,laicks1 who were hateful to ,god1 and abominable to ,heaven and ,earth2 for they did stifly deny the ,grace of holy ,baptism1 and also the ,consecration of the ,lord's ,body and ,blood40 ,the ,time of this ,deed is noted in these ,words by ,papir4 ,masson1 in his ,annals of ,france1 ,lib4 #c4 in ,hugh and ,robert1 ,actum ,aureli public anno ,incarnationis ,domini #ajbb4 ,regni ,roberti ,regis #bh1 ,indictione #e4 quando ,stephanus ,hresiarcha ,complices ejus damnati sunt et exusti ,aureli4 ,now for their calling them ,hereticks and ,manichees1 we have nothing but the ,testimony of their ,accusers1 which will no more invalidate their ,testimony for this ,truth against the ,use of ,water-baptism1 or give more ,ground to charge us1 as being one with ,manichees1 than because some1 called by them ,manichees1 do agree with ,protestants in some ,things1 that therefore ,protestants are ,manichees or ,hereticks1 which ,protestants can no ,ways shun4 ,for the ,question is1 ,whether1 in what they did1 they walked according to the ,truth testified of by the ,spirit in the ,holy ,scriptures8 ,so that the ,controversy is brought back again to the ,scriptures1 according to which1 ,i suppose1 ,i have already discussed it4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,baptism of ,infants an ,human ,tradition4 ,as for the latter ,part of the ,thesis1 denying the ,use of ,infant-baptism1 it necessarily follows from what is above said4 ,for if ,water-baptism be ceased1 then surely ,baptizing of ,infants is not warrantable4 ,but those that take upon them to oppose us in this ,matter1 will have more to do as to this latter ,part3 ,for after they have done what they can to prove ,water-baptism1 it remains for them to prove that ,infants ought to be baptized4 ,for he that proves ,water-baptism ceased1 proves that ,infant-baptism is vain3 ,but he that should prove that ,water-baptism continues1 has not thence proved that ,infant-baptism is necessary2 that needs something further4 ,and therefore it was a pitiful ,subterfuge of ,nic4 ,arnoldus against this1 to say1 ,that the ,denying of ,infant-baptism belonged to the ,gangrene of the ,anabaptists1 without adding any further ,proof4 ,,proposition ,,xiii4 ,concerning the ,,communion1 or ,,participation of the ,,body and ,,blood of ,,christ4 #aai,the ,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ is inward and spiritual1 which is the ,participation of his ,flesh and ,blood1 by which the inward ,man is daily nourished in the ,hearts of those in whom ,christ dwells4 ,of which ,things the ,breaking of ,bread by ,christ with his ,disciples was a ,figure1 which even they who had received the ,substance used in the ,church for a ,time1 for the ,sake of the ,weak2 #abj;even as abstaining from ,things strangled1 and from ,blood1 the ,washing one another's ,feet1 and the ,anointing of the ,sick with ,oil3 ,all which are commanded with no less ,authority and ,solemnity than the former2 yet seeing they are but ,shadows of better ,things1 they cease in such as have obtained the ,substance4 #aai #a ,cor4 #aj4 #af1 #ag4 ,john #f4 #cb4 #cc4 #ce4 #a ,cor4 #e4 #h4 #abj ,acts #ae4 #bj4 ,john #ac4 #ad4 ,james #e4 #ad4 4 ,i4 ,the ,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ is a ,mystery hid from all natural ,men1 in their first fallen and degenerate ,state1 which they cannot understand1 reach to1 nor comprehend1 as they there abide2 neither1 as they there are1 can they be ,partakers of it1 nor yet are they able to discern the ,lord's ,body4 ,and forasmuch as the ,christian ,world 7so called7 for the most ,part hath been still labouring1 working1 conceiving and imagining1 in their own natural and unrenewed ,understandings1 about the ,things of ,god and ,religion2 therefore hath this ,mystery been much hid and sealed up from them1 while they have been contending1 quarrelling and fighting one with another about the mere ,shadow1 ,outside1 and ,form1 but ,strangers to the ,substance1 ,life and ,virtue4 4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,body and ,blood of ,christ is spiritual4 ,the ,body then of ,christ1 which ,believers partake of1 is spiritual1 and not carnal2 and his ,blood1 which they drink of1 is pure and heavenly1 and not human or elementary1 as ,augustine also affirms of the ,body of ,christ1 which is eaten1 in his ,tractat4 ,psal4 xcviii4 ,except a ,man eat my ,flesh1 he hath not in him ,life eternal3 ,and he saith1 ,the ,words which ,i speak unto you are ,spirit and ,life2 understand spiritually what ,i have spoken4 ,ye shall not eat of this ,body which ye see1 and drink this ,blood which they shall spill1 who crucify me--,i am the living ,bread1 who have descended from ,heaven4 ,he calls himself the ,bread1 who descended from ,heaven1 exhorting that we might believe in him1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be asked then1 ,what that ,body1 what that ,flesh and ,blood is8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,it is that ,heavenly ,seed1 that divine1 spiritual1 celestial ,substance1 of which we spake before in the fifth and sixth ,propositions4 ,sidenote3 ,what the heavenly ,seed is1 whereby formerly1 and also now1 ,life and ,salvation was and is communicated4 ,this is that spiritual ,body of ,christ1 whereby and through which he communicateth ,life to ,men1 and ,salvation to as many as believe in him1 and receive him2 and whereby also ,man comes to have ,fellowship and ,communion with ,god4 ,this is proved from the #fth of ,john1 from ,verse #cb4 to the ,end1 where ,christ speaks more at large of this ,matter1 than in any other ,place3 ,and indeed this ,evangelist and beloved ,disciple1 who lay in the ,bosom of our ,lord1 gives us a more full ,account of the spiritual ,sayings and ,doctrine of ,christ than any other2 and it is observable1 that though he speaks nothing of the ,ceremony used by ,christ of breaking ,bread with his ,disciples1 neither in his evangelical ,account of ,christ's ,life and ,sufferings1 nor in his ,epistles2 yet he is more large in this ,account of the ,participation of the ,body1 ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 than any of them all4 ,for ,christ1 in this ,chapter1 perceiving that the ,jews did follow him for ,love of the ,loaves1 desires them 7,verse #bg7 to labour not for the ,meat which perisheth1 but for that ,meat which endureth for ever3 ,but forasmuch as they1 being carnal in their ,apprehensions1 and not understanding the spiritual ,language and ,doctrine of ,christ1 did judge the ,manna1 which ,moses gave their ,fathers1 to be the most excellent ,bread1 as coming from ,heaven2 ,christ1 to rectify that ,mistake1 and better inform them1 affirmeth1 ,first1 ,that it is not ,moses1 but his ,father1 that giveth the true ,bread from ,heaven1 ,ver4 #cb4 and #dh4 ,secondly1 ,this ,bread he calls himself1 ,ver4 #ce4 ,i am the ,bread of ,life3 ,and ,ver4 #ea4 ,i am the living ,bread1 which came down from ,heaven4 ,thirdly1 ,he declares that this ,bread is his ,flesh1 ,ver4 #ea4 ,the ,bread that ,i will give1 is my ,flesh2 and ,ver4 #ee4 ,for my ,flesh is ,meat indeed1 and my ,blood is ,drink indeed4 ,fourthly1 ,the ,necessity of partaking thereof4 ,ver4 #ec4 ,except ye eat the ,flesh of the ,son of ,man1 and drink his ,blood1 ye have no ,life in you4 ,and ,lastly1 ,the blessed ,fruits and necessary ,effects of this ,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ4 ,ver4 #cc4 ,this ,bread giveth ,life to the ,world4 ,ver4 #ej4 ,he that eateth thereof1 dieth not4 ,ver4 #eh4 ,he that eateth of this ,bread1 shall live for ever4 ,ver4 #ed4 ,whoso eateth this ,flesh1 and drinketh this ,blood1 shall live for ever4 ,ver4 #ef4 ,and he dwelleth in ,christ1 and ,christ in him4 ,ver4 #eg4 ,and shall live by ,christ4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,origin1 ,nature and ,effects of the ,body1 ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ4 ,from this large ,description of the ,origin1 ,nature1 and ,effects of this ,body1 ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 it is apparent that it is spiritual1 and to be understood of a spiritual ,body1 and not of that ,body1 or ,temple of ,jesus ,christ1 which was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 and in which he walked1 lived1 and suffered in the ,land of ,judea2 because it is said1 that it came down from ,heaven1 yea1 that it is he that came down from ,heaven4 ,now all ,christians at present generally acknowledge1 that the outward ,body of ,christ came not down from ,heaven2 neither was it that ,part of ,christ which came down from ,heaven4 ,and to put the ,matter out of ,doubt1 when the carnal ,jews would have been so understanding it1 he tells them plainly1 ,ver4 #fc4 ,it is the ,spirit that quickeneth1 but the ,flesh profiteth ,nothing4 ,sidenote3 ,solid ,reasons that it is his spiritual ,body ,christ speaks of4 ,this is also founded upon most sound and solid ,reason2 because it is the ,soul1 not the ,body1 that is to be nourished by this ,flesh and ,blood4 ,now outward ,flesh cannot nourish nor feed the ,soul2 there is no ,proportion nor ,analogy betwixt them2 neither is the ,communion of the ,saints with ,god by a ,conjunction and mutual ,participation of ,flesh1 but of the ,spirit3 #aba;,he that is joined to the ,lord is one ,spirit1 not one ,flesh4 ,for the ,flesh 7,i mean outward ,flesh1 even such as was that wherein ,christ lived and walked when upon ,earth2 and not ,flesh1 when transformed by a ,metaphor1 to be understood spiritually7 can only partake of ,flesh1 as ,spirit of ,spirit3 ,as the ,body cannot feed upon ,spirit1 neither can the ,spirit feed upon ,flesh4 ,and that the ,flesh here spoken of is spiritually to be understood1 appears further1 inasmuch as that which feedeth upon it shall never die3 ,but the ,bodies of all ,men once die2 yea1 it was necessary that the ,body of ,christ himself should die4 ,that this ,body1 and spiritual ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 is to be understood of that divine and heavenly ,seed1 before spoken of by us1 appears both by the ,nature and ,fruits of it4 ,first1 it is said1 ,it is that which cometh down from ,heaven1 and giveth ,life unto the ,world3 ,now this answers to that ,light and ,seed1 which is testified of1 ,john i4 to be the ,light of the ,world1 and the ,life of ,men4 ,sidenote3 ,this spiritual ,light and ,seed is as ,bread to the hungry ,soul4 ,for that spiritual ,light and ,seed1 as it receives ,place in ,men's ,hearts1 and ,room to spring up there1 is as ,bread to the hungry and fainting ,soul1 that is 7as it were7 buried and dead in the ,lusts of the ,world2 which receives ,life again1 and revives1 as it tasteth and partaketh of this heavenly ,bread3 ,and they that partake of it are said to come to ,christ2 neither can any have it1 but by coming to him1 and believing in the ,appearance of his ,light in their ,hearts2 by receiving which1 and believing in it1 the ,participation of this ,body and ,bread is known4 ,and that ,christ understands the same ,thing here by his ,body1 ,flesh and ,blood1 which is understood1 ,john i4 by the ,light enlightening every ,man1 and the ,life1 c4 appears2 for the ,light and ,life1 spoken of ,john i4 is said to be ,christ2 ,he is the true ,light3 ,and the ,bread and ,flesh1 c4 spoken of in ,john vi4 is called ,christ2 ,i am the ,bread of ,life1 saith he4 ,again1 ,they that received that ,light and ,life1 ,john i4 #ab4 obtained ,power to become the ,sons of ,god1 by believing in his ,name3 ,so also here1 ,john vi4 #ce4 ,he that cometh unto this ,bread of ,life shall not hunger2 and he that believes in him1 who is this ,bread1 shall never thirst4 ,sidenote3 ,christ's outward and spiritual ,body distinguished4 ,so then1 as there was the outward visible ,body and ,temple of ,jesus ,christ1 which took its ,origin from the ,virgin ,mary2 there is also the spiritual ,body of ,christ1 by and through which ,he that was the ,word in the ,beginning with ,god1 and was and is ,,god1 did reveal himself to the ,sons of ,men in all ,ages1 and whereby ,men in all ,ages come to be made ,partakers of eternal ,life1 and to have ,communion and ,fellowship with ,god and ,christ4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,patriarchs did eat of the ,body of ,christ4 ,of which ,body of ,christ1 and ,flesh and ,blood1 if both ,adam1 and ,seth1 and ,enoch1 and ,noah1 and ,abraham1 and ,moses1 and ,david1 and all the ,prophets and holy ,men of ,god1 had not eaten1 they had not had ,life in them2 nor could their inward ,man have been nourished4 ,now as the outward ,body and ,temple was called ,christ1 so was also his spiritual ,body1 no less properly1 and that long before that outward ,body was in ,being4 ,hence the ,apostle saith1 #a ,cor4 x4 #c1 #d4 ,that the ,fathers did all eat the same spiritual ,meat1 and did all drink the same spiritual ,drink3 ,for they drank of that spiritual ,rock that followed them1 and that ,rock was ,christ4 ,this cannot be understood otherwise than of this spiritual ,body of ,christ2 which spiritual ,body of ,christ1 though it was the saving ,food of the ,righteous both before the ,law and under the ,law2 yet under the ,law it was veiled and shadowed1 and covered under divers ,types1 ,ceremonies and ,observations2 yea1 and not only so1 but it was veiled and hid1 in some ,respect1 under the outward ,temple and ,body of ,christ1 or during the ,continuance of it2 so that the ,jews could not understand ,christ's ,preaching about it while on ,earth3 #abb;,and not the ,jews only1 but many of his ,disciples1 judging it an hard ,saying1 murmured at it2 and many from that ,time went back from him1 and walked no more with him4 ,i doubt not but that there are many also at this ,day1 professing to be the ,disciples of ,christ1 that do as little understand this ,matter as those did1 and are as apt to be offended1 and stumble at it1 while they are gazing and following after the outward ,body2 and look not to that by which the ,saints are daily fed and nourished4 ,sidenote3 ,the divine ,light of ,christ doth make the ,saints ,partakers of his ,body4 ,for as ,jesus ,christ1 in ,obedience to the ,will of the ,father1 did by the eternal ,spirit offer up that ,body for a ,propitiation for the ,remission of ,sins1 and finished his ,testimony upon ,earth thereby1 in a most perfect ,example of ,patience1 ,resignation and ,holiness1 that all might be made ,partakers of the ,fruit of that ,sacrifice2 so hath he likewise poured forth into the ,hearts of all ,men a ,measure of that divine ,light and ,seed wherewith he is clothed2 that thereby1 reaching unto the ,consciences of all1 he may raise them up out of ,death and ,darkness by his ,life and ,light1 and thereby they may be made ,partakers of his ,body1 and therethrough come to have ,fellowship with the ,father and with the ,son4 #aba #a ,cor4 #f4 #ag4 #abb ,john #f4 #fj4 #ff4 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,quest4 ,if it be asked1 ,how and after what ,manner ,man comes to partake of it1 and to be fed by it8 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer in the plain and express ,words of ,christ1 ,i am the ,bread of ,life1 saith he2 #abc;he that cometh to me shall never hunger2 he that believeth in me shall never thirst4 ,and again1 ,for my ,flesh is ,meat indeed1 and my ,blood is ,drink indeed4 ,so whosoever thou art that askest this ,question1 or readest these ,lines1 whether thou accountest thyself a ,believer1 or really feelest1 by a certain and sad ,experience1 that thou art yet in the ,unbelief1 and findest that the outward ,body and ,flesh of ,christ is so far from thee1 that thou canst not reach it1 nor feed upon it2 yea1 though thou hast often swallowed down and taken in that which the ,papists have persuaded thee to be the real ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 and hast believed it to be so1 though all thy ,senses told thee the ,contrary2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,lutherans and ,calvinists ,opinions of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ in the ,supper so called4 or 7being a ,lutheran7 hast taken that ,bread1 in and with and under which the ,lutherans have assured thee that the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ is2 or 7being a ,calvinist7 hast partaken of that which the ,calvinists say 7though a ,figure only of the ,body7 gives them who take it a real ,participation of the ,body1 ,flesh1 and ,blood of ,christ1 though they never knew how nor what ,way2 ,i say1 if for all this thou findest thy ,soul yet barren1 yea1 hungry1 and ready to starve1 for want of something thou longest for2 know that that ,light which discovers thy ,iniquity to thee1 which shews thee thy ,barrenness1 thy ,nakedness1 thy ,emptiness1 is that ,body which thou must partake of1 and feed upon3 ,but that till by forsaking ,iniquity thou turnest to it1 comest unto it1 receivest it1 though thou mayest hunger after it1 thou canst not be satisfied with it2 #abd;for it hath no ,communion with ,darkness1 nor canst thou drink of the ,cup of the ,lord1 and the ,cup of ,devils3 ,and be ,partaker of the ,lord's ,table1 and the ,table of ,devils1 #a ,cor4 x4 #ba4 ,sidenote3 ,how the inward ,man is nourished4 ,but as thou sufferest that small ,seed of ,righteousness to arise in thee1 and to be formed into a ,birth1 that new substantial ,birth1 which is brought forth in the ,soul1 supernaturally feeds upon and is nourished by this spiritual ,body2 yea1 as this outward ,birth lives not but as it draws in ,breath by the outward elementary ,air1 so this new ,birth lives not in the ,soul1 but as it draws in and breathes by that spiritual ,air or ,vehicle4 ,and as the outward ,birth cannot subsist without some outward ,body to feed upon1 some outward ,flesh1 and some outward ,drink1 so neither can this inward ,birth1 unless it be fed by this inward ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 which answers to it after the same ,manner1 by ,way of ,analogy4 ,and this is most agreeable to the ,doctrine of ,christ concerning this ,matter4 ,for as without outward ,food the natural ,body hath not ,life1 so also saith ,christ1 #abe;,except ye eat the ,flesh of the ,son of ,man1 and drink his ,blood1 ye have no ,life in you4 ,and as the outward ,body1 eating outward ,food1 lives thereby1 so ,christ saith1 #abf,that he that eateth him shall live by him4 ,so it is this inward ,participation of this inward ,man1 of this inward and spiritual ,body1 by which ,man is united to ,god1 and has ,fellowship and ,communion with him4 #abg;,he that eateth my ,flesh1 and drinketh my ,blood1 saith ,christ1 dwelleth in me1 and ,i in him4 ,this cannot be understood of outward eating of outward ,bread2 and as by this the ,soul must have ,fellowship with ,god1 so also1 so far as all the ,saints are ,partakers of this one ,body and one ,blood1 they come also to have a joint ,communion4 ,hence the ,apostle1 #a ,cor4 x4 #ag4 in this ,respect saith1 ,that they #abh;being many1 are one ,bread1 and one ,body2 and to the ,wise among the ,corinthians he saith1 ,sidenote3 ,the true spiritual ,supper of the ,lord4 ,the ,bread which we break is the ,communion of the ,body of ,christ4 ,this is the true and spiritual ,supper of the ,lord1 which ,men come to partake of1 by hearing the ,voice of ,christ1 and opening the ,door of their ,hearts1 and so letting him in in the ,manner abovesaid1 according to the plain ,words of the ,scripture1 ,rev4 iii4 #bj4 ,behold ,i stand at the ,door and knock2 if any ,man hear my ,voice1 and open the ,door1 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with me4 ,so that the ,supper of the ,lord1 and the supping with the ,lord1 and partaking of his ,flesh and ,blood1 is no ,ways limited to the ,ceremony of breaking ,bread and drinking ,wine at particular ,times1 but is truly and really enjoyed1 as often as the ,soul retires into the ,light of the ,lord1 and feels and partakes of that heavenly ,life by which the inward ,man is nourished2 which may be and is often witnessed by the ,faithful at all ,times1 though more particularly when they are assembled together to wait upon the ,lord4 #abc ,john #f4 #ce4 and #ee4 #abd #a ,cor4 #f4 #ad4 #abe ,john #f4 #ec4 #abf ,john #f4 #eg4 #abg ,john #f4 #ef4 #abh #a ,cor4 #aj4 ,verse #af4 4 ,,iv4 ,but what ,confusion the ,professors of ,christianity have run into concerning this ,matter1 is more than obvious2 who1 as in most other ,things they have done1 for want of a true spiritual ,understanding1 have sought to tie this ,supper of the ,lord to that ,ceremony used by ,christ before his ,death1 of breaking ,bread and drinking ,wine with his ,disciples4 ,sidenote3 ,man is not tied to the ,ceremony of breaking ,bread and drinking ,wine which ,christ did use with his ,disciples1 this only was a ,shadow4 ,and though they for the most ,part agree generally in this1 yet how do they contend and debate one against another6 ,how strangely are they pinched1 pained1 and straitened to make the spiritual ,mystery agree to that ,ceremony6 ,and what monstrous and wild ,opinions and ,conceptions have they invented1 to inclose or affix the ,body of ,christ to their ,bread and ,wine8 ,from which ,opinion not only the greatest1 and fiercest1 and most hurtful ,contests1 both among the ,professors of ,christianity in general1 and among ,protestants in particular1 have arisen2 ,sidenote3 ,what makes the ,christian ,religion hateful to the ,jews1 ,turks1 and ,heathens4 but also such ,absurdities1 irrational and blasphemous ,consequences have ensued1 as make the ,christian ,religion odious and hateful to ,jews1 ,turks1 and ,heathens4 ,the ,professors of ,christianity do chiefly divide in this ,matter into three ,opinions4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,papists ,faith of ,christ's ,flesh4 ,the ,first is of those that say1 ,the ,substance of the ,bread is transubstantiated into the very ,substance of that same ,body1 ,flesh1 and ,blood of ,christ1 which was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 and crucified by the ,jews2 so that after the ,words of ,consecration1 as they call them1 it is no more ,bread1 but the ,body of ,christ4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,lutherans ,faith4 ,the ,second is of such who say1 ,the ,substance of the ,bread remains1 but that also that ,body is in1 and with1 and under the ,bread2 so that both the ,substance of ,bread1 and of the ,body1 ,flesh1 and ,blood of ,christ1 is there also4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,calvinists ,faith4 ,the ,third is of those1 that1 denying both these1 do affirm1 ,that the ,body of ,christ is not there corporally or substantially1 but yet that it is really and sacramentally received by the ,faithful in the ,use of ,bread and ,wine2 but how or what ,way it is there1 they know not1 nor can they tell2 only we must believe it is there1 yet so that it is only properly in ,heaven4 ,it is not my ,design to enter into a ,refutation of these several ,opinions2 for each of their ,authors and ,assertors have sufficiently refuted one another1 and are all of them no less strong both from ,scripture and ,reason in refuting each their contrary ,parties ,opinion1 than they are weak in establishing their own4 ,for ,i often have seriously observed1 in reading their respective ,writings1 and so it may be have others1 that all of them do notably1 in so far as they refute the contrary ,opinions2 but that they are mightily pained1 when they come to confirm and plead for their own4 ,hence ,i necessarily must conclude1 that none of them had attained to the ,truth and ,substance of this ,mystery4 ,let us see if ,calvin1#abi after he had refuted the two former ,opinions1 be more successful in what he affirms and asserts for the ,truth of his ,opinion1 who1 after he hath much laboured in overturning and refuting the two former ,opinions1 plainly confesseth1 that he knows not what to affirm instead of them4 ,sidenote3 ,j4 ,calvin's faith of ,christ's ,flesh and ,blood uncertain4 ,for after he has spoken much1 and at last concluded1 ,that the ,body of ,christ is there1 and that the ,saints must needs partake thereof1 at last he lands in these ,words1 ,sect4 #cb4 8,but if it be asked me how it is8 ,i shall not be ashamed to confess1 that it is a ,secret too high for me to comprehend in my ,spirit1 or explain in ,words40 ,here he deals very ingenuously2 and yet who would have thought that such a ,man would have been brought to this ,streight in the ,confirming of his ,opinion8 considering that a little before1 in the same ,chapter1 ,sect4 #ae4 he accuseth the ,school-men among the ,papists1 and ,i confess truly1 ,sidenote3 ,the like the ,papists4 ,in that they neither understand nor explain to others how ,christ is in the ,eucharist1 which shortly after he confesseth himself he cannot do4 ,if then the ,school-men among the ,papists do neither understand nor yet explain to others their ,doctrine in this ,matter1 nor ,calvin can comprehend it in his ,spirit1 which ,i judge is as much as not to understand it1 nor express it in ,words1 and then surely he cannot explain it to others1 then no ,certainty is to be had from either of them4 ,there have been great ,endeavours used for ,reconcilement in this ,matter1 both betwixt ,papists and ,lutherans1 ,lutherans and ,calvinists1 yea1 and ,calvinists and ,papists1 but all to no ,purpose2 and many ,forms and ,manners of ,expressions drawn up1 to which all might yield2 which in the ,end proved in vain1 seeing every one understood them1 and interpreted them in their own ,way2 and so they did thereby but equivocate and deceive one another4 ,the ,reason of all this ,contention is1 because they had not a clear ,understanding of the ,mystery1 and were doting about ,shadows and ,externals4 ,for both the ,ground and ,matter of their ,contest lies in ,things extrinsick from1 and unnecessary to1 the main ,matter4 ,sidenote3 ,satan busies ,people in outward ,signs1 ,shadows1 and ,forms1 whilst they neglect the ,substance4 ,and this hath been often the ,policy of ,satan1 to busy ,people1 and amuse them with outward ,signs1 ,shadows1 and ,forms1 making them contend about that1 while in the mean ,time the ,substance is neglected2 yea1 and in contending for these ,shadows he stirs them up to the ,practice of ,malice1 ,heat1 ,revenge1 and other ,vices1 by which he establisheth his ,kingdom of ,darkness among them1 and ruins the ,life of ,christianity4 ,for there have been more ,animosities and ,heats about this one ,particular1 and more ,bloodshed and ,contention1 than about any other4 ,sidenote3 ,what hath been hurtful to the ,reformation4 ,and surely they are little acquainted with the ,state of ,protestant ,affairs1 who know not that their ,contentions about this have been more hurtful to the ,reformation than all the ,opposition they met with from their common ,adversaries4 ,sidenote3 ,two ,errors the ,ground of the ,contention about the ,supper4 ,now all those uncertain and absurd ,opinions1 and the ,contentions therefrom arising1 have proceeded from their all agreeing in two general ,errors concerning this ,thing2 which being denied and receded from1 as they are by us1 there would be an easy ,way made for ,reconciliation1 and we should all meet in one spiritual and true ,understanding of this ,mystery3 ,and as the ,contentions1 so would also the ,absurdities which follow from all the three fore-mentioned ,opinions1 cease and fall to the ,ground4 #abi ,inst4 ,lib4 #d4 ,cap4 #ag4 ,the ,first of these ,errors is1 ,in making the ,communion or ,participation of the ,body1 ,flesh1 and ,blood of ,christ to relate to that outward ,body1 ,vessel1 or ,temple1 that was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 and walked and suffered in ,judea2 whereas it should relate to the ,spiritual ,body1 ,flesh1 and ,blood of ,christ1 even that heavenly and celestial ,light and ,life1 which was the ,food and ,nourishment of the ,regenerate in all ,ages1 as we have already proved4 ,the ,second ,error is1 ,in tying this ,participation of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ to that ,ceremony used by him with his ,disciples in the ,breaking of ,bread1 c4 as if it had only a ,relation thereto1 or were only enjoyed in the ,use of that ,ceremony1 which it neither hath nor is4 ,for this is that ,bread which ,christ in his ,prayer teaches to call for1 terming it ,greek3 ton arton ton epiousion3 1 i4 e4 the ,super-substantial ,bread1 as the ,greek hath it1 and which the ,soul partakes of1 without any ,relation or necessary ,respect to this ,ceremony1 as shall be hereafter proved more at ,length4 ,these two ,errors being thus laid aside1 and the ,contentions arising therefrom buried1 all are agreed in the main ,positions1 viz4 ,first1 ,sidenote3 ,believers ,souls do really feed upon the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ4 ,that the ,body1 ,flesh1 and ,blood of ,christ is necessary for the nourishing of the ,soul4 ,secondly1 ,that the ,souls of ,believers do really and truly partake and feed upon the ,body1 ,flesh1 and ,blood of ,christ4 ,but while ,men are not content with the ,spirituality of this ,mystery1 going in their own ,wills1 and according to their own ,inventions1 to strain and wrest the ,scriptures to tie this spiritual ,communion of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ to outward ,bread and ,wine1 and such like carnal ,ordinances1 no ,wonder if by their carnal ,apprehensions they run into ,confusion4 ,but because it hath been generally supposed that the ,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ had some special ,relation to the ,ceremony of breaking ,bread1 ,i shall first refute that ,opinion1 and then proceed to consider the ,nature and ,use of that ,ceremony1 and whether it be now necessary to continue2 answering the ,reasons and ,objections of such as plead its ,continuance as a necessary and standing ,ordinance of ,jesus ,christ4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,i4 ,first1 ,it must be understood that ,i speak of a necessary and peculiar ,relation otherwise than in a general ,respect3 ,for inasmuch as our ,communion with ,christ is and ought to be our greatest and chiefest ,work1 we ought to do all other ,things with a ,respect to ,god1 and our ,fellowship with him2 ,sidenote3 ,that the ,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ has no special ,relation to the ,ceremony of breaking ,bread1 neither by ,nature nor ,precept4 but a special and necessary ,respect or ,relation is such as where the two ,things are so tied and united together1 either of their own ,nature1 or by the ,command of ,god1 that the one cannot be enjoyed1 or at least is not1 except very extraordinarily1 without the other4 ,thus ,salvation hath a necessary ,respect to ,holiness1 because without ,holiness no ,man shall see ,god2 and the ,eating of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ hath a necessary ,respect to our having ,life1 because if we eat not his ,flesh1 and drink not his ,blood1 we cannot have ,life2 and our feeling of ,god's ,presence hath a necessary ,respect to our being found meeting in his ,name by divine ,precept1 because he has promised1 ,where two or three are met together in his ,name1 he will be in the ,midst of them4 ,in like ,manner our receiving ,benefits and ,blessings from ,god has a necessary ,respect to our ,prayer1 because if we ask1 he hath promised we shall receive4 ,now the ,communion or ,participation of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ hath no such necessary ,relation to the breaking of ,bread and drinking of ,wine2 for if it had any such necessary ,relation1 it would either be from the ,nature of the ,thing1 or from some divine ,precept2 but we shall shew it is from neither3 ,therefore1 c4 ,first1 ,it is not from the ,nature of it2 because to partake of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ is a spiritual ,exercise1 and all confess that it is by the ,soul and ,spirit that we become real ,partakers of it1 as it is the ,soul1 and not the ,body1 that is nourished by it4 ,but to eat ,bread and drink ,wine is a natural ,act1 which in itself adds nothing to the ,soul1 neither has any ,thing that is spiritual in it2 because the most carnal ,man that is can as fully1 as perfectly1 and as wholly eat ,bread and drink ,wine as the most spiritual4 ,secondly1 ,their ,relation is not by ,nature1 else they would infer one another2 but all acknowledge that many eat of the ,bread and drink of the ,wine1 even that which they say is consecrate and transubstantiate into the very ,body of ,christ1 who notwithstanding have not ,life eternal1 have not ,christ dwelling in them1 nor do live by him1 as all do who truly partake of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ without the ,use of this ,ceremony1 as all the ,patriarchs and ,prophets did before this ,ordinance1 as they account it1 was instituted4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,patriarchs and ,prophets1 without this ,ceremony's ,use1 were true ,partakers of ,christ's ,flesh and ,blood4 ,neither was there any ,thing under the ,law that had any direct or necessary ,relation hereunto2 though to partake of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ in all ,ages was indispensably necessary to ,salvation4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,paschal ,lamb its ,end4 ,for as for the ,paschal ,lamb1 the whole ,end of it is signified particularly1 ,exod4 xiii4 #h1 #i4 to wit1 ,that the ,jews might thereby be kept in ,remembrance of their ,deliverance out of ,egypt4 ,secondly1 ,it hath not ,relation by divine ,precept2 for if it had1 it would be mentioned in that which our ,adversaries account the ,institution of it1 or else in the ,practice of it by the ,saints recorded in ,scripture2 but so it is not4 ,for as to the ,institution1 or rather ,narration1 of ,christ's ,practice in this ,matter1 we have it recorded by the ,evangelists ,matthew1 ,mark1 and ,luke4#acj ,in the first two there is only an ,account of the ,matter of ,fact1 to wit1 ,that ,christ brake ,bread1 and gave it to his ,disciples to eat1 saying1 ,this is my ,body2 and blessing the ,cup1 he gave it them to drink1 saying1 ,this is my ,blood2 but nothing of any ,desire to them to do it4 ,in the last1 after the ,bread 7but before the ,blessing1 or giving them the ,wine7 he bids them do it in ,remembrance of him4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,institution of the ,supper1 or ,narration of ,christ's ,practice therein4 ,what we are to think of this ,practice of ,christ shall be spoken of hereafter4 ,but what necessary ,relation hath all this to the ,believers partaking of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ8 ,the ,end of this for which they were to do it1 if at all1 is to remember ,christ2 which the ,apostle yet more particularly expresses1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bf4 to shew forth the ,lord's ,death2 but to remember the ,lord1 or declare his ,death1 which are the special and particular ,ends annexed to the ,use of this ,ceremony1 is not at all to partake of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ2 neither have they any more necessary ,relation to it than any other two different spiritual ,duties4 ,for though they that partake of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ cannot but remember him1 yet the ,lord and his ,death may be remembered1 as none can deny1 where his ,flesh and ,blood is not truly partaken of4 ,so that since the very particular and express ,end of this ,ceremony may be witnessed1 to wit1 the ,remembrance of the ,lord's ,death1 and yet the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ not partaken of1 it cannot have had any necessary ,relation to it1 else the ,partaking thereof would have been the ,end of it1 and could not have been attained without this ,participation4 ,but on the contrary1 we may well infer hence1 that since the positive ,end of this ,ceremony is not the ,partaking of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 and that whoever partakes of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ cannot but remember him1 that therefore such need not this ,ceremony to put them in ,remembrance of him4 #acj ,matt4 #bf4 #ag4 ,mark #ad4 #bb4 ,luke #bb4 #ai4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if it be said1 ,that ,jesus ,christ calls the ,bread here his ,body1 and the ,wine his ,blood1 therefore he seems to have had a special ,relation to his ,disciples partaking of his ,flesh and ,blood in the ,use of this ,thing2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,his calling the ,bread his ,body1 and the ,wine his ,blood1 would yet infer no such ,thing2 though it is not denied but that ,jesus ,christ1 in all ,things he did1 yea1 and from the ,use of all natural ,things1 took ,occasion to raise the ,minds of his ,disciples and ,hearers to ,spirituals4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,woman of ,samaria1 ,john #d4 #ad4 ,hence from the ,woman of ,samaria her drawing ,water1 he took ,occasion to tell her of that living ,water1 which whoso drinketh of shall never thirst2 which indeed is all one with his ,blood here spoken of2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,well1 the ,loaves1 the ,bread and ,wine1 ,christ takes ,occasion from1 to shew the inward ,feeling4 yet it will not follow that that ,well or ,water had any necessary ,relation to the living ,water1 or the living ,water to it1 c4 ,so ,christ takes ,occasion1 from the ,jews following him for the ,loaves1 to tell them of this spiritual ,bread and ,flesh of his ,body1 which was more necessary for them to feed upon2 it will not therefore follow that their following him for the ,loaves had any necessary ,relation thereunto4 ,so also ,christ here1 being at ,supper with his ,disciples1 takes ,occasion1 from the ,bread and ,wine which was before them1 to signify unto them1 ,that as that ,bread which he brake unto them1 and that ,wine which he blessed and gave unto them1 did contribute to the ,preserving and ,nourishing of their ,bodies1 so was he also to give his ,body and shed his ,blood for the ,salvation of their ,souls4 ,and therefore the very ,end proposed in this ,ceremony to those that observe it is1 to be a ,memorial of his ,death4 ,but if it be said1 ,that the ,apostle1 #a ,cor4 x4 #af4 calls the ,bread which he brake the ,communion of the ,body of ,christ1 and the ,cup the ,communion of his ,blood2 ,i do most willingly subscribe unto it2 but do deny that this is understood of the outward ,bread1 neither can it be evinced1 but the contrary is manifest from the ,context3 ,for the ,apostle in this ,chapter speaks not one ,word of that ,ceremony2 for having in the ,beginning of it shewn them how the ,jews of old were made ,partakers of the spiritual ,food and ,water1 which was ,christ1 and how several of them1 through ,disobedience and ,idolatry1 fell from that good ,condition1 he exhorts them1 by the ,example of those ,jews whom ,god destroyed of old1 to flee those ,evils2 shewing them that they1 to wit1 the ,corinthians1 are likewise ,partakers of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ2 of which ,communion they would rob themselves if they did ,evil1 because they could not drink of the ,cup of the ,lord and the ,cup of ,devils1 and partake of the ,lord's ,table and the ,table of ,devils1 ,ver4 #ba4 which shews that he understands not here the using of outward ,bread and ,wine2 because those that do drink the ,cup of ,devils1 and eat of the ,table of ,devils1 yea1 the wickedest of ,men1 may partake of the outward ,bread and outward ,wine4 ,sidenote3 ,the wickedest may take the outward ,bread and ,wine4 ,for there the ,apostle calls the ,bread one1 ,ver4 #ag4 and he saith1 ,we being many1 are one ,bread1 and one ,body2 for we are all ,partakers of that one ,bread4 ,now if the ,bread be one1 it cannot be the outward1 or the inward would be excluded2 whereas it cannot be denied but that it is the ,partaking of the inward ,bread1 and not the outward1 that makes the ,saints truly one ,body and one ,bread4 ,and whereas they say1 ,that the one ,bread here comprehendeth both the outward and inward1 by ,virtue of the sacramental ,union2 ,sidenote3 ,the sacramental ,union pretended1 a ,figment4 that indeed is to affirm1 but not to prove4 ,as for that ,figment of a sacramental ,union1 ,i find not such a ,thing in all the ,scripture1 especially in the ,new ,testament2 nor is there any ,thing can give a ,rise for such a ,thing in this ,chapter1 where the ,apostle1 as is above observed1 is not at all treating of that ,ceremony1 but only1 from the ,excellency of that ,privilege which the ,corinthians had1 as believing ,christians1 to partake of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 dehorts them from ,idolatry1 and partaking of the ,sacrifices offered to ,idols1 so as thereby to offend or hurt their weak ,brethren4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but that which they most of all cry out for in this ,matter1 and are always urging1 is from #a ,cor4 xi4 where the ,apostle is particularly treating of this ,matter1 and therefore1 from some ,words here1 they have the greatest ,appearance of ,truth for their ,assertion1 as ,ver4 #bg4 where he calls the ,cup the ,cup of the ,lord2 and saith1 ,that they who eat of it and drink it unworthily1 are guilty of the ,body and ,blood of the ,lord2 and ,ver4 #bi4 ,eat and drink their own ,damnation2 intimating hence1 that this hath an immediate or necessary ,relation to the ,body1 ,flesh1 and ,blood of ,christ4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,though this at first ,view may catch the ,unwary ,reader1 yet being well considered1 it doth no ,ways evince the ,matter in ,controversy4 ,as for the ,corinthians being in the ,use of this ,ceremony1 why they were so1 and how that obliges not ,christians now to the same1 shall be spoken of hereafter3 ,it suffices at this ,time to consider that they were in the ,use of it4 ,secondly1 ,that in the ,use of it they were guilty of and committed divers ,abuses4 ,thirdly1 ,that the ,apostle here is giving them ,directions how they may do it aright1 in shewing them the right and proper ,use and ,end of it4 ,these ,things being premised1 let it be observed1 ,that the very express and particular ,use of it1 according to the ,apostle1 is to shew forth the ,lord's ,death1 c4 ,but to shew forth the ,lord's ,death1 and partake of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 are different ,things4 ,he saith not1 ,as often as ye eat this ,bread1 and drink this ,cup1 ye partake of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ2 but1 ye shew forth the ,lord's ,death4 ,so ,i acknowledge1 ,that this ,ceremony1 by those that practise it1 hath an immediate ,relation to the outward ,body and ,death of ,christ upon the ,cross1 as being properly a ,memorial of it2 but it doth not thence follow that it hath any inward or immediate ,relation to ,believers communicating or partaking of the spiritual ,body and ,blood of ,christ1 or that spiritual ,supper spoken of ,rev4 iii4 #bj4 ,for though1 in a general ,way1 as every religious ,action in some ,respect hath a common ,relation to the spiritual ,communion of the ,saints with ,god1 so we shall not deny but this hath a ,relation as others4 ,now for his calling the ,cup the ,cup of the ,lord1 and saying1 ,they are guilty of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ1 and eat their own #aca;,damnation in not discerning the ,lord's ,body1 c4 ,i answer1 ,that this infers no more necessary ,relation than any other religious ,act1 and amounts to no more than this1 ,that since the ,corinthians were in the ,use of this ,ceremony1 and so performed it as a religious ,act1 they ought to do it worthily1 or else they should bring ,condemnation upon themselves4 ,now this will not more infer the ,thing so practised by them to be a necessary-religious ,act obligatory upon others1 than when the ,apostle saith1 ,rom4 xiv4 #f4 ,he that regardeth the ,day1 regardeth it unto the ,lord1 it can be thence inferred that the ,days that some esteemed and observed did lay an ,obligation upon others to do the same4 ,but yet1 as he that esteemed a ,day1 and placed ,conscience in keeping it1 was to regard it to the ,lord1 and so it was to him1 in so far as he dedicated it unto the ,lord1 the ,lord's ,day1 he was to do it worthily2 and if he did it unworthily1 he would be guilty of the ,lord's ,day1 and so keep it to his own ,damnation2 so also such as observe this ,ceremony of ,bread and ,wine1 it is to them the ,bread of the ,lord1 and the ,cup of the ,lord1 because they use it as a religious ,act2 and forasmuch as their ,end therein is to shew forth the ,lord's ,death1 and remember his ,body that was crucified for them1 and his ,blood that was shed for them1 if1 notwithstanding1 they believe it is their ,duty to do it1 and make it a ,matter of ,conscience to forbear1 if they do it without that due ,preparation and ,examination which every religious ,act ought to be performed in1 then1 instead of truly remembering the ,lord's ,death1 and his ,body and his ,blood1 they render themselves guilty of it1 as being in one ,spirit with those that crucified him1 and shed his ,blood1 though pretending with ,thanksgiving and ,joy to remember it4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,pharisees guilty of the ,blood of the ,prophets4 ,thus the ,scribes and ,pharisees of old1 though in ,memory of the ,prophets they garnished their ,sepulchres1 yet are said by ,christ to be guilty of their ,blood4 ,and that no more can be hence inferred1 appears from another ,saying of the same ,apostle1 ,rom4 xiv4 #bc4 ,he that doubteth is damned if he eat1 c4 where he1 speaking of those that judged it unlawful to eat ,flesh1 c4 saith1 ,if they eat doubting1 they eat their own ,damnation4 ,now it is manifest from all this1 that either the doing or forbearing of this was to another1 that placed no ,conscience in it1 of no ,moment4 ,so ,i say1 he that eateth that which in his ,conscience he is persuaded it is not lawful for him to eat1 doth eat his own ,damnation2 so he also that placeth ,conscience in eating ,bread and ,wine as a religious ,act1 if he do it unprepared1 and without that due respect wherein such ,acts should be gone about1 he eateth and drinketh his own ,damnation1 not discerning the ,lord's ,body1 i4 e4 not minding what he doth1 to wit1 with a special ,respect to the ,lord1 and by ,way of special ,commemoration of the ,death of ,christ4 #aca ,or ,judgment1 as the ,greek ,word properly signifies4 4 ,,vi4 ,having now sufficiently shewn what the true ,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ is1 how it is partaken of1 and how it has no necessary ,relation to that ,ceremony of ,bread and ,wine used by ,christ with his ,disciples2 ,sidenote3 ,,ii4 ,whether this ,ceremony be a necessary ,part of the ,new ,covenant1 and ,obligatory4 it is fit now to consider the ,nature and ,constitution of that ,ceremony 7for as to the proper ,use of it1 we have had ,occasion to speak before7 whether it be a standing ,ordinance in the ,church of ,christ obligatory upon all1 or indeed whether it be any necessary ,part of the ,worship of the ,new ,covenant ,dispensation1 or hath any better or more binding ,foundation than several other ,ceremonies appointed and practised about the same ,time1 which the most of our ,opposers acknowledge to be ceased1 and now no ,ways binding upon ,christians4 ,we find this ,ceremony only mentioned in ,scripture in four ,places1 to wit1 ,matthew1 ,mark1 and ,luke1 and by ,paul to the ,corinthians4 ,if any would infer any ,thing from the ,frequency of the mentioning of it1 that will add nothing2 for it being a ,matter of ,fact1 is therefore mentioned by the ,evangelists2 and there are other ,things less memorable as often1 yea1 oftener mentioned4 ,matthew and ,mark give only an ,account of the ,matter of ,fact1 without any ,precept to do so afterwards2 simply declaring1 #acb,that ,jesus at that ,time did desire them to eat of the ,bread1 and drink of the ,cup2 to which ,luke adds these ,words1 ,this do in ,remembrance of me4 ,if we consider this ,action of ,christ with his ,apostles1 there will appear nothing singular in it1 for a ,foundation to such a strange ,superstructure1 as many in their airy ,imaginations have sought to build upon it2 for both ,matthew and ,mark express it as an ,act done by him as he was eating4 ,sidenote3 ,the breaking of ,bread was no singular ,thing1 but a ,custom among the ,jews4 ,matthew saith1 ,and as they were eating2 and ,mark1 ,and as they did eat1 ,jesus took ,bread1 c4 ,now this ,act was no singular ,thing1 neither any solemn ,institution of a ,gospel ,ordinance2 because it was a constant ,custom among the ,jews1 ,sidenote3 ,p4 ,riccius4 as ,paulus ,riccius observes at ,length in his ,celestial ,agriculture1 that when they did eat the ,passover1 the ,master of the ,family did take ,bread1 and bless it1 and breaking it1 gave of it to the rest2 and likewise taking ,wine1 did the same2 so that there can nothing further appear in this1 than that ,jesus ,christ1 who fulfilled all ,righteousness1 and also observed the ,jewish ,feasts and ,customs1 used this also among his ,disciples only1 that as in most other ,things he laboured to draw their ,minds to a further ,thing1 so in the ,use of this he takes ,occasion to put them in ,mind of his ,death and ,sufferings1 which were shortly to be2 which he did the oftener inculcate unto them1 for that they were averse from believing it4 ,sidenote3 ,what it is to do this in ,remembrance of ,christ4 ,and as for that ,expression of ,luke1 ,do this in ,remembrance of me1 it will amount to no more than this1 that being the last ,time that ,christ did eat with his ,disciples1 he desired them1 that in their eating and drinking they might have ,regard to him1 and by the ,remembering of that ,opportunity1 be the more stirred up to follow him diligently through ,sufferings and ,death1 c4 ,but what ,man of ,reason1 laying aside the ,prejudice of ,education1 and the ,influence of ,tradition1 will say1 ,that this ,account of the ,matter of ,fact given by ,matthew and ,mark1 or this ,expression of ,luke1 to ,do that in ,remembrance of him1 will amount to these ,consequences1 which the ,generality of ,christians have sought to draw from it2 as calling it1 ,augustissimum ,eucharisti ,sacramentum2 venerabile ,altaris ,sacramentum2 the principal ,seal of the ,covenant of ,grace1 by which all the ,benefits of ,christ's ,death are sealed to ,believers2 and such like ,things8 ,but to give a further ,evidence1 how these ,consequences have not any ,bottom from the ,practice of that ,ceremony1 nor from the ,words following1 ,do this1 c4 let us consider another of the like ,nature1 as it is at ,length expressed by ,john1 ,chap4 xiii4 #c1 #d4 #h4 #ac1 #ad1 #ae4 ,sidenote3 ,christ's washing of ,feet1 and its ,manner related4 ,jesus riseth from ,supper1 and laid aside his ,garments1 and took a ,towel1 and girded himself3 ,after that1 he poureth ,water into a ,bason1 and began to wash the ,disciples' ,feet2 and to wipe them with the ,towel wherewith he was girded3 ,peter said unto him1 ,thou shalt never wash my ,feet2 ,jesus answered him1 ,if ,i wash thee not1 thou hast no ,part with me4 ,so after he had washed their ,feet1--he said1 ,know ye what ,i have done to you8 ,if ,i then your ,lord and ,master have washed your ,feet1 ye also ought to wash one another's ,feet3 ,for ,i have given you an ,example1 that ye should do as ,i have done to you4 ,as to which1 let it be observed1 that ,john relates this ,passage to have been done at the same ,time with the other of breaking ,bread2 ,sidenote3 ,compared with the breaking of ,bread4 both being done the ,night of the ,passover1 after ,supper4 ,if we regard the ,narration of this1 and the ,circumstances attending it1 it was done with far more ,solemnity1 and prescribed far more punctually and particularly than the former4 ,it is said only1 ,as he was eating1 he took ,bread2 so that this would seem to be but an occasional ,business3 ,but here he rose up1 he laid by his ,garments1 he girded himself1 he poured out the ,water1 he washed their ,feet1 he wiped them with a ,towel3 ,he did this to all of them2 which are ,circumstances surely far more observable than those noted in the other4 ,the former was a ,practice common among the ,jews1 used by all ,masters of ,families upon that ,occasion2 but this1 as to the ,manner1 and ,person acting it1 to wit1 for the ,master to rise up1 and wash the ,feet of his ,servants and ,disciples1 was more singular and observable4 ,in the breaking of ,bread1 and giving of ,wine1 it is not pleaded by our ,adversaries1 nor yet mentioned in the ,text1 that he particularly put them into the ,hands of all2 but breaking it1 and blessing it1 gave it the nearest1 and so they from ,hand to ,hand3 ,but here it is mentioned1 that he washed not the ,feet of one or two1 but of many4 ,he saith not in the former1 ,that if they do not eat of that ,bread1 and drink of that ,wine1 they shall be prejudiced by it2 but here he saith expresly to ,peter1 ,that if he wash him not1 he hath no ,part with him2 which being spoken upon ,peter's refusing to let him wash his ,feet1 would seem to import no less1 than not the ,continuance only1 but even the ,necessity of this ,ceremony4 ,in the former he saith1 as it were passingly1 ,do this in ,remembrance of me2 but here he sitteth down again1 he desires them to consider what he hath done1 tells them positively1 ,sidenote3 ,the washing one another's ,feet was left as an ,example4 ,that as he hath done to them1 so ought they to do to one another3 ,and yet again1 he redoubles that ,precept1 by telling them1 ,he has given them an ,example1 that they should do so likewise4 ,if we respect the ,nature of the ,thing1 it hath as much in it as either ,baptism or the breaking of ,bread2 seeing it is an outward ,element of a cleansing ,nature1 applied to the outward ,man1 by the ,command and the ,example of ,christ1 to signify an inward ,purifying4 ,i would willingly propose this seriously to ,men1 who will be pleased to make use of that ,reason and ,understanding that ,god hath given them1 and not be imposed upon1 nor abused by the ,custom or ,tradition of others2 ,whether this ,ceremony1 if we respect either the ,time that it was appointed in1 or the ,circumstances wherewith it was performed1 or the ,command enjoining the ,use of it1 hath not as much to recommend it for a standing ,ordinance of the ,gospel1 as either ,water-baptism1 or ,bread and ,wine1 or any other of that ,kind8 ,i wonder then what ,reason the ,papists can give1 ,why they have not numbered it among their ,sacraments1 except merely ,voluntas ,ecclesi ,traditio ,patrum4 #acb ,matt4 #bf4 #bf4 ,mark #ad4 #bb4 ,luke #bb4 #ai4 #a ,cor4 #aa4 #bc4 c4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if they say1 ,that it is used among them1 in that the ,pope1 and some other ,persons among them1 used to do it once a ,year to some poor ,people2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i would willingly know what ,reason they have why this should not be extended to all1 as well as that of the ,eucharist 7as they term it7 or whence it appears from the ,text1 that ,do this in ,remembrance of me should be interpreted that the ,bread and ,wine were every ,day to be taken by all ,priests1 or the ,bread every ,day1 or every ,week1 by the ,people2 and that that other ,command of ,christ1 ,ye ought to do as ,i have done to you1 c4 is only to be understood of the ,pope1 or some other ,persons1 to be done only to a few1 and that once a ,year8 ,surely there can be no other ,reason for this ,difference assigned from the ,text4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,protestants use not the washing of ,feet4 ,and as to ,protestants1 who use not this ,ceremony at all1 if they will but open their ,eyes1 they may see how that by ,custom and ,tradition they are abused in this ,matter1 as were their ,fathers in divers ,popish ,traditions4 ,for if we look into the plain ,scripture1 what can be thence inferred to urge the one1 which may not be likewise pleaded for the other2 or for laying aside the one1 which may not be likewise said against the ,continuance of the other8 ,if they say1 ,that the former1 of washing the ,feet1 was only a ,ceremony2 what have they1 whence they can shew1 that this breaking of ,bread is more8 ,if they say1 ,that the former was only a ,sign of ,humility and ,purifying2 what have they to prove that this was more8 ,if they say1 ,that one was only for a ,time1 and was no ,evangelical ,ordinance2 what hath this to make it such1 that the other wanted8 ,surely there is no ,way of ,reason to evade this2 neither can any ,thing be alleged1 that the one should cease1 and not the other2 or the one continue1 and not the other2 but the mere ,opinion of the ,affirmers1 which by ,custom1 ,education and ,tradition1 hath begotten in the ,hearts of ,people a greater ,reverence for1 and ,esteem of the one than the other2 which if it had fallen out to be as much recommended to us by ,tradition1 would no ,doubt have been as tenaciously pleaded for1 as having no less ,foundation in ,scripture4 ,but since the former1 to wit1 ,the washing of one another's ,feet1 is justly laid aside1 as not binding upon ,christians2 so ought also the other for the same ,reason4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,the breaking of ,bread not used now in the same ,manner as ,christ did4 ,but it is strange that those who are so clamorous for this ,ceremony1 and stick so much to it1 take ,liberty to dispense with the ,manner or ,method that ,christ did it in2 since none that ever ,i could hear of1 except some ,baptists who now do it1 use it in the same ,way that he did3 ,christ did it at ,supper1 while they were eating2 but the ,generality of ,protestants do it in the ,morning only by itself4 ,what ,rule walk they by in this ,change8 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,these are but ,circumstances1 and not the ,matter2 and if the ,matter be kept to1 the ,alteration of ,circumstances is but of small ,moment2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,what if it should be said the ,whole is but a ,circumstance1 which fell out at that ,time when ,christ eat the ,passover8 ,for if we have ,regard to that which alone can be pleaded for an ,institution1 viz4 these ,words1 ,do this in ,remembrance of me2 it doth as properly relate to the ,manner as ,matter4 ,for what may or can they evince in ,reason1 that these ,words1 ,do this1 only signify eat ,bread1 and drink ,wine1 but it is no ,matter when ye eat1 or how ye eat it2 and not as ye have seen me eat it at ,supper with you1 who take ,bread1 and break it1 and give it you2 and take the ,cup1 and bless it1 and give it you2 so do ye likewise8 ,and seeing ,christ makes no ,distinction in those ,words1 ,do this1 it cannot be judged in ,reason but to relate to the ,whole2 which if it do1 all those that at present use this ,ceremony among ,christians1 have not yet obeyed this ,precept1 nor fulfilled this ,institution1 for all their ,clamours concerning it4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,that the ,time and ,manner of doing it by ,christ was but accidentally1 as being after the ,jewish ,passover1 which was at ,supper2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,besides that it may be answered1 and easily proved1 ,that the ,whole was accidental1 as being the ,practice of a ,jewish ,ceremony1 as is above observed2 ,sidenote3 ,the breaking of ,bread was a ,jewish ,ceremony4 may it not the same ,way be urged1 ,that the drinking of ,wine is accidental1 as being the natural ,product of that ,country2 and so be pleaded1 ,that in those ,countries where ,wine doth not grow1 as in our ,nation of ,scotland1 we may make use of ,beer or ,ale in the ,use of this ,ceremony2 or ,bread made of other ,grain than that which ,christ used8 ,and yet would not our ,adversaries judge this an ,abuse1 and not right ,performing of this ,sacrament8 ,yea1 have not ,scruples of this ,kind occasioned no little ,contention among the ,professors of ,christianity8 ,sidenote3 ,contests between the ,greek and ,latin ,churches1 concerning the leavened and unleavened ,bread in the ,supper4 ,what great ,contest and ,strife hath been betwixt the ,greek and ,latin ,churches concerning the ,bread8 ,while the one will have it unleavened1 reckoning1 because the ,jews made use of unleavened ,bread in the ,passover1 that it was such ,kind of ,bread that ,christ did break to his ,disciples2 the other leavened3 ,therefore the ,lutherans make use of unleavened ,bread1 the ,calvinists of leavened4 ,sidenote3 ,farellus4 ,and this ,contest was so hot1 when the ,reformation was beginning at ,geneva1 that ,calvin and ,farellus were forced to fly for it4 ,but do not ,protestants1 by these ,uncertainties1 open a ,door to ,papists for their excluding the ,people from the ,cup8 ,will not ,do this infer positively1 ,that they should do it in the same ,manner1 and at the same ,time1 as ,christ did it2 as well as that they should use the ,cup1 and not the ,bread only8 ,or what ,reason have they to dispense with the one1 more than the ,papists have to do with the other8 ,oh6 ,what strange ,absurdities and ,inconveniencies have ,christians brought upon themselves1 by superstitiously adhering to this ,ceremony6 ,out of which ,difficulties it is impossible for them to extricate themselves1 but by laying it aside1 as they have done others of the like ,nature4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,clergy taking ,bread do bless1 and give it3 ,the ,laity must take and eat1 not bless it4 ,for besides what is above-mentioned1 ,i would gladly know how from the ,words they can be certainly resolved that these ,words ,do this must be understood to the ,clergy1 ,take1 bless1 and break this ,bread1 and give it to others2 but to the ,laity only1 ,take and eat1 but do not bless1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,that the ,clergy only were present2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,then will not that open a ,door for the ,popish ,argument against the ,administration of the ,cup to the ,people8 ,or may not another from thence as easily infer1 ,that the ,clergy only ought to partake of this ,ceremony2 because they were the ,apostles only then present1 to whom it was said1 ,do this8 ,but if this ,do this be extended to all1 how comes it all have not ,liberty to obey it1 in both blessing1 breaking1 and distributing1 as well as taking and eating8 ,sidenote3 ,hot ,contests about the ,manner of taking it1 and to whom to give it4 ,besides all these1 even the ,calvinist ,protestants of ,great ,britain could never yet accord among themselves about the ,manner of taking it1 whether sitting1 standing1 or kneeling2 whether it should be given to the ,sick1 and those that are ready to die1 or not8 ,which ,controversies1 though they may be esteemed of small ,moment1 yet have greatly contributed1 with other ,things1 to be the ,occasion1 not only of much ,contention1 but also of ,bloodshed and ,devastation2 so that in this last ,respect the ,prelatick ,calvinists have termed the ,presbyterians schismatical and pertinacious2 and they them again superstitious1 idolatrous1 and papistical4 ,who then1 that will open their ,eyes1 but may see that the ,devil hath flirted up this ,contention and ,zeal1 to busy ,men about ,things of small ,moment1 that greater ,matters may be neglected1 while he keeps them in such ado about this ,ceremony2 though they lay aside others of the like ,nature1 as positively commanded1 and as punctually practised2 and from the ,observation of which half so many ,difficulties will not follow8 4 ,,viii4 ,how then8 ,have we not ,reason1 not finding the ,nature of this ,practice1 to be obligatory upon us1 more than those others which our ,adversaries have laid aside1 to avoid this ,confusion2 since those that use it can never agree1 neither concerning the ,nature1 ,efficacy1 nor ,manner of doing it8 ,and this proceeds1 because they take it not plainly1 as it lies in the ,scripture2 but have so much intermixed their own ,inventions4 ,for would they take it as it lies1 it would import no more1 than that ,jesus ,christ at that ,time did thereby signify unto them1 that his ,body and ,blood was to be offered for them2 and desired them1 ,that whensoever they did eat or drink1 they might do it in ,remembrance of him1 or with a ,regard to him1 whose ,blood was shed for them4 ,now that the ,primitive ,church1 gathered immediately after his ,ascension1 did so understand it1 doth appear from their ,use and ,practice1 if we admit those ,places of the ,acts1 where breaking of ,bread is spoken of1 to have ,relation hereto2 ,sidenote3 ,by breaking of ,bread they had all ,things in common1 remembering the ,lord4 which as our ,adversaries do1 so we shall willingly agree to3 ,as ,first1 ,acts ii4 #db4 ,and they continued stedfastly in the ,apostles ,doctrine and ,fellowship1 and in breaking of ,bread1 c4 ,this cannot be understood of any other than of their ordinary eating2 for as nothing else appears from the ,text1 so the ,context makes it plain2 for they had all ,things in common3 ,and therefore it is said1 ,ver4 #df4 ,and they continuing daily with one ,accord in the ,temple1 and breaking ,bread from ,house to ,house1 did eat their ,meat with ,gladness and ,singleness of ,heart4 ,those who will not wilfully close their ,eyes1 may see here1 that the breaking being joined with their eating1 shews1 that nothing else is here expressed1 but that having all ,things in common1 and so continuing together1 they also did break their ,bread1 and eat their ,meat together3 ,in doing whereof1 ,i cannot doubt but they remembered the ,lord2 to follow whom they had1 with so much ,zeal and ,resignation1 betaken themselves4 ,this is further manifest from ,acts vi4 #b4 for the ,apostles1 having the ,care and ,distribution of that ,money1 which the ,believers1 having sold their ,possessions1 gave unto them1 and finding themselves overcharged with that ,burthen1 appointed ,deacons for that ,business1 that they might give themselves continually to ,prayer1 and to the ,ministry of the ,word2 not leaving that1 to serve ,tables4 ,sidenote3 ,deacons appointed for serving ,tables4 ,this cannot be meant of any sacramental ,eating1 or religious ,acts of ,worship2 seeing our ,adversaries make the ,distributing of that the proper ,act of ,ministers1 not of ,deacons3 ,and yet there can be no ,reason alleged1 ,that that breaking of ,bread1 which they are said to have continued in1 and to have done from ,house to ,house1 was other than those ,tables which the ,apostles served2 but here gave over1 as finding themselves overcharged with it4 ,now as the ,increase of the ,disciples did incapacitate the ,apostles any more to manage this2 so it would seem their further ,increase1 and dispersing in divers ,places1 hindered the ,continuance of that ,practice of having ,things in common3 ,but notwithstanding1 so far at least to remember or continue that ancient ,community1 they did at certain ,times come together1 and break ,bread together4 ,sidenote3 ,at ,troas the ,supper deferred till ,midnight4 ,hence it is said1 ,acts xx4 #g4 on ,paul's coming to ,troas1 ,that upon the fist ,day of the ,week1 when the ,disciples came together to break ,bread1 ,paul preached unto them1 ready to depart on the ,morrow1 and continued his ,speech until ,midnight4 ,here is no ,mention made of any sacramental ,eating2 but only that ,paul took ,occasion from their being together to preach unto them4 ,and it seems it was a ,supper they intended 7not a ,morning-bit of ,bread1 and ,sup of ,wine7 else it is not very probable that ,paul would from the ,morning have preached until ,midnight4 ,but the #aath ,verse puts the ,matter out of ,dispute1 which is thus3 ,when he therefore was come up again1 and had broken ,bread1 and eaten1 and talked a long ,while1 even till ,break of ,day1 so he departed4 ,this shews1 ,that the breaking of ,bread was deferred till that ,time2 for these ,words and when he had broken ,bread1 and eaten do shew1 ,that it had a ,relation to the breaking of ,bread before-mentioned1 and that that was the ,time he did it4 ,secondly1 ,these ,words joined together and when he had broken ,bread1 and eaten1 and talked shew1 it was no religious ,act of ,worship1 but only an ,eating for bodily ,refreshment1 ,sidenote3 ,they only did eat for refreshing the ,body4 for which the ,christians used to meet together some ,time2 and doing it in ,god's ,fear1 and ,singleness of ,heart1 doth notwithstanding difference it from the ,eating or ,feasting of profane ,persons4 ,sidenote3 ,by some called a ,love-feast4 ,and this by some is called a ,love-feast1 or a being together1 not merely to feed their ,bellies1 or for outward ,ends2 but to take thence ,occasion to eat and drink together1 in the ,dread and ,presence of the ,lord1 as his ,people2 which ,custom we shall not condemn4 ,but let it be observed1 ,that in all the ,acts there is no other nor further ,mention of this ,matter4 ,but if that ,ceremony had been some solemn ,sacrifice1 as some will have it1 or such a special ,sacrament as others plead it to be2 it is strange that that ,history1 which in many less ,things gives a particular ,account of the ,christians ,behaviour1 should have been so silent in the ,matter3 ,only we find1 ,that they used sometimes to meet together to break ,bread1 and eat4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,christians began by ,degrees to depart from the ,primitive ,purity4 ,now as the early ,christians began by ,degrees to depart from that primitive ,purity and ,simplicity1 so did they also to accumulate superstitious ,traditions1 and vitiate the innocent ,practices of their ,predecessors1 by the ,intermixing either of ,jewish or ,heathenish ,rites2 and likewise in the ,use of this1 ,abuses began very early to creep in among ,christians1 so that it was needful for the ,apostle ,paul to reform them1 and reprove them for it1 as he doth at large1 #a ,cor4 xi4 from ,ver4 #ag4 to the ,end3 ,sidenote3 #a ,cor4 #aa4 #ag4 ,which ,place we shall particularly examine1 because our ,adversaries lay the chief ,stress of their ,matter upon it2 ,sidenote3 ,concerning the ,supper of the ,lord 7so called7 explained4 and we shall see whether it will infer any more than we have above granted4 ,first1 ,because they were apt to use that ,practice in a superstitious ,mind beyond the true ,use of it1 so as to make of it some mystical ,supper of the ,lord1 he tells them1 ,ver4 #bj4 ,that their coming together into one ,place1 is not to eat the ,lord's ,supper2 he saith not1 ,this is not the right ,manner to eat2 but1 ,this is ,,not to eat the ,lord's ,supper2 because the ,supper of the ,lord is spiritual1 and a ,mystery4 ,secondly1 ,he blames them1 in that they came together for the ,worse1 and not for the ,better2 the ,reason he gives of this is1 ,ver4 #ba4 ,for in ,eating every one hath taken before his own ,supper2 and one is hungry1 and another is drunken4 ,sidenote3 ,why the ,custom of ,supping in common was used among ,christians4 ,here it is plain that the ,apostle condemns them in that 7because this ,custom of ,supping in ,general was used among ,christians to increase their ,love1 and as a ,memorial of ,christ's ,supping with the ,disciples7 they had so vitiated it1 as to eat it apart1 and to come full1 who had ,abundance2 and hungry1 who had little at ,home2 whereby the very ,use and ,end of this ,practice was lost and perverted3 ,and therefore he blames them1 that they did not either eat this in ,common at ,home1 or reserve their ,eating till they came all together to the publick ,assembly4 ,this appears plainly by the following ,ver4 #bb4 ,have ye not ,houses to eat and drink in8 ,or despise ye the ,church of ,god1 and shame them that have not8 ,where he blames them for their irregular ,practice herein1 in that they despised to eat orderly1 or reserve their ,eating to the publick ,assembly2 and so shaming such1 as not having ,houses1 nor ,fulness at ,home1 came to partake of the common ,table2 who1 being hungry1 thereby were shamed1 when they observed others come thither full and drunken4 ,those that without ,prejudice will look to the ,place1 will see this must have been the ,case among the ,corinthians3 ,for supposing the ,use of this to have been then1 as now used either by ,papists1 ,lutherans1 or ,calvinists1 it is hard making ,sense of the ,apostle's ,words1 or indeed to conceive what was the ,abuse the ,corinthians committed in this ,thing4 ,having thus observed what the ,apostle said above1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,rise of that ,custom4 because this ,custom of ,eating and ,drinking together some ,time had its ,rise from ,christ's ,act with the ,apostles the ,night he was betrayed2 therefore the ,apostle proceeds1 ,ver4 #bc4 to give them an ,account of that3 ,for ,i have received of the ,lord that which also ,i delivered unto you1 that the ,lord ,jesus1 the same ,night in which he was betrayed1 took ,bread1 c4 ,those that understand the ,difference betwixt a ,narration of a ,thing1 and a ,command1 cannot but see1 if they will1 ,that there is no ,command in this ,place1 but only an ,account of ,matter of ,fact2 he saith not1 ,i received of the ,lord1 that as he took ,bread1 so ,i should command it to you to do so likewise2 there is nothing like this in the ,place3 ,yea1 on the contrary1 ,ver4 #be4 where he repeats ,christ's imperative ,words to his ,apostles1 he placeth them so as they import no ,command2 ,this do ye1 as oft as ye drink it1 in ,remembrance of me3 ,and then he adds1 ,for as often as ye eat this ,bread1 and drink this ,cup1 ye do shew the ,lord's ,death till he come3 ,sidenote3 ,that ,as often imports no ,command of this ,supper4 ,but these ,words ,as often import no more a ,command1 than to say1 ,as often as thou goest to ,rome1 see the ,capitol1 will infer a ,command to me to go thither4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but whereas they urge the last ,words1 ,ye shew forth the ,lord's ,death till he come2 insinuating1 ,that this imports a necessary ,continuance of that ,ceremony1 until ,christ come at the ,end of the ,world to ,judgment2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,they take two of the chief ,parts of the ,controversy here for granted1 without ,proof4 ,first1 ,that as often imports a ,command2 the contrary whereof is shewn2 neither will they ever be able to prove it4 ,sidenote3 ,christ's outward and inward ,coming4 ,secondly1 ,that this ,coming is to be understood of ,christ's last outward ,coming1 and not of his inward and spiritual1 that remains to be proved3 ,whereas the ,apostle might well understand it of his inward ,coming and ,appearance1 which perhaps some of those carnal ,corinthians1 that used to come drunken together1 had not yet known2 and others1 being weak among them1 and inclinable to dote upon ,externals1 this might have been indulged to them for a ,season1 and even used by them who knew ,christ's ,appearance in ,spirit 7as other ,things were1 of which we shall speak hereafter7 especially by the ,apostle1 who became weak to the ,weak1 and all to ,all1 that he might save some4 ,sidenote3 ,to remember ,christ's ,death till he come to arise in the ,heart4 ,now those weak and carnal ,corinthians might be permitted the ,use of this1 to shew forth1 or remember ,christ's ,death1 till he came to arise in them2 for though such need those outward ,things to put them in ,mind of ,christ's ,death1 yet those who are dead with ,christ1 and not only dead with ,christ1 but buried1 and also arisen with him1 need not such ,signs to remember him3 ,and to such therefore the ,apostle saith1 ,col4 iii4 #a4 ,if ye then be risen with ,christ1 seek those ,things which are above1 where ,christ sitteth on the right ,hand of ,god3 ,but ,bread and ,wine are not those ,things that are above1 but are ,things of the ,earth4 ,but that this whole ,matter was a mere ,act of ,indulgence and ,condescension of the ,apostle ,paul to the weak and carnal ,corinthians1 appears yet more by the ,syriack#acc ,copy1 which ,ver4 #ag4 in his entering upon this ,matter1 hath it thus2 ,in that concerning which ,i am about to command you 7or instruct you7 ,i commend you not1 because ye have not gone forward1 but are descended unto that which is less1 or of less ,consequence3 ,clearly importing1 ,that the ,apostle was grieved that such was their ,condition1 that he was forced to give them ,instructions concerning those outward ,things2 and doting upon which1 they shewed they were not gone forward in the ,life of ,christianity1 but rather sticking in beggarly ,elements4 ,and therefore ,ver4 #bj4 the same ,version hath it thus1 ,when then ye meet together1 ye do not do it1 as it is just ye should do in the ,day of the ,lord1 ye eat and drink it3 ,therefore shewing to them1 ,that to meet together to eat and drink outward ,bread and ,wine1 was not the ,labour and ,work of that ,day of the ,lord4 ,but since our ,adversaries are so zealous for this ,ceremony1 because used by the ,church of ,corinth 7though with how little ,ground is already shewn7 how come they to pass over far more positive ,commands of the ,apostles1 as ,matters of no ,moment8 ,as ,first1 ,acts xv4 #bi4 where the ,apostles peremptorily command the ,gentiles1 ,sidenote3 ,to abstain from ,things strangled4 as that which was the ,mind of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,to abstain from ,things strangled1 and from ,blood3 ,and ,james v4 #ad4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,anointing with ,oil4 where it is expresly commanded1 ,that the ,sick be anointed with ,oil in the ,name of the ,lord4 #acc ,and likewise the other ,oriental ,versions1 as the ,arabick and thiopick1 have it the same ,way4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if they say1 ,those were only temporary ,things1 but not to continue2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,what have they more to shew for this2 there being no express ,repeal of them8 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if they say1 ,the ,repeal is implied1 because the ,apostle saith1 ,we ought not to be judged in ,meats and ,drinks2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i admit the ,answer3 ,but how can it be prevented from militating the same ,way against the other ,practice8 ,surely not at all3 ,nor can there be any ,thing urged for the one more than for the other1 but ,custom and ,tradition4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,as for that of ,james1 they say1 ,there followed a ,miracle upon it1 to wit1 ,the ,recovery of the ,sick2 but this being ceased1 so should the ,ceremony4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,though this might many ,ways be answered1 to wit1 ,that ,prayer then might as well be forborn1 to which also the ,saving of the ,sick is there ascribed2 yet ,i shall accept of it1 because ,i judge indeed that ,ceremony is ceased2 ,sidenote3 ,a ,ceremony ought to cease1 its ,virtue failing4 only methinks1 since our ,adversaries1 and that rightly1 think a ,ceremony ought to cease where the ,virtue fails1 they ought by the same ,rule to forbear the laying on of ,hands1 ,sidenote3 ,thus laying on of ,hands4 in ,imitation of the ,apostles1 since the ,gift of the ,holy ,ghost doth not follow upon it4 4 ,,ix4 ,but since we find that several ,testimonies of ,scripture do sufficiently shew1 ,that such external ,rites are no necessary ,part of the ,new ,covenant ,dispensation1 therefore not needful now to continue1 however they were for a ,season practised of old1 ,i shall instance some few of them1 whereby from the ,nature of the ,thing1 as well as those ,testimonies1 it may appear1 ,that the ,ceremony of ,bread and ,wine is ceased1 as well as those other ,things confessed by our ,adversaries to be so4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,ceremony of ,bread and ,wine is ceased4 ,the first is ,rom4 xiv4 #ag4 ,for the ,kingdom of ,god is not ,meat and ,drink1 but ,righteousness and ,peace1 and ,joy in the ,holy ,ghost3 ,here the ,apostle evidently shews1 ,that the ,kingdom of ,god1 or ,gospel of ,christ1 stands not in ,meats and ,drinks1 and such like ,things1 but in ,righteousness1 c4 as by the ,context doth appear1 where he is speaking of the ,guilt and ,hazard of judging one another about ,meats and ,drinks4 ,so then1 if the ,kingdom of ,god stand not in them1 nor the ,gospel1 nor ,work of ,christ1 then the eating of outward ,bread and ,wine can be no necessary ,part of the ,gospel-worship1 nor any perpetual ,ordinance of it4 ,another of the same ,apostle is yet more plain1 ,col4 ii4 #af4 the ,apostle throughout this whole second ,chapter doth clearly plead for us1 and against the ,formality and ,superstition of our ,opposers3 ,for in the ,beginning he holds forth the great ,privileges which ,christians have by ,christ1 who are indeed come to the ,life of ,christianity2 and therefore he desires them1 ,ver4 #f4 ,as they have received ,christ1 so to walk in him2 and to beware1 lest they be spoiled through ,philosophy and vain ,deceit1 after the ,rudiments or ,elements of the ,world2 because that in ,christ1 whom they have received1 is all ,fulness3 ,and that they are circumcised with the ,circumcision made without ,hands 7which he calls the ,circumcision of ,christ7 and being buried with him by ,baptism1 are also arisen with him through the ,faith of the ,operation of ,god4 ,here also they did partake of the true ,baptism of ,christ2 and being such as are arisen with him1 let us see whether he thinks it needful they should make use of such ,meat and ,drink as ,bread and ,wine1 to put them in ,remembrance of ,christ's ,death2 or whether they ought to be judged1 that they did it not2 ,ver4 #af4 ,let no ,man therefore judge you in ,meat and ,drink3 ,is not ,bread and ,wine ,meat and ,drink8 ,but why8 ,which are a ,shadow of ,things to come3 ,but the ,body is of ,christ4 ,sidenote3 ',tis but a ,sign and ,shadow they confess4 ,then since our ,adversaries confess1 ,that their ,bread and ,wine is a ,sign or ,shadow2 therefore1 according to the ,apostle's ,doctrine1 we ought not to be judged in the ,non-observation of it4 ,but is it not fit for those that are dead with ,christ to be subject to such ,ordinances8 ,sidenote3 ,and which do perish with the ,using4 ,see what he saith1 ,ver4 #bj4 ,wherefore if ye be dead with ,christ from the ,rudiments of the ,world1 why1 as though living in the ,world1 are ye subject to ,ordinances8 7,touch not1 taste not1 handle not3 ,which all are to perish with the ,using7 after the ,commandments and ,doctrines of ,men4 ,what can be more plain8 ,if this serve not to take away the absolute ,necessity of the ,use of ,bread and ,wine1 what can it serve to take away8 ,sure ,i am1 the ,reason here given is applicable to them1 which all do perish with the ,using2 since ,bread and ,wine perish with the ,using1 as much as other ,things4 ,but further1 ,if the ,use of ,water1 and ,bread and ,wine1 were that wherein the very ,seals of the ,new ,covenant stood1 and did pertain to the chief ,sacraments of the ,gospel and ,evangelical ,ordinances 7so called7 then would not the ,gospel differ from the ,law1 or be preferable to it4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,law was ,meats and ,drinks2 not so the ,gospel4 ,whereas the ,apostle shews the ,difference1 ,heb4 ix4 #aj4 in that such ,kind of ,observations of the ,jews were as a ,sign of the ,gospel1 for that they stood only in ,meats and ,drinks1 and divers ,washings4 ,but if the ,gospel-worship and ,service stand in the same1 where is the ,difference8 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,these under the ,gospel have a spiritual ,signification2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,so had those under the ,law2 ,god was the ,author of those1 as well as ,christ is pretended to be the ,author of these4 ,but doth not this contending for the ,use of ,water1 ,bread and ,wine1 as necessary ,parts of the ,gospel-worship1 destroy the ,nature of it1 as if the ,gospel were a ,dispensation of ,shadows1 and not of the ,substance8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,law has ,shadows1 the ,gospel brings the ,substance4 ,whereas the ,apostle1 in that of the ,colossians above-mentioned1 argues against the ,use of these ,things1 as needful to those that are dead and arisen with ,christ1 because they are but ,shadows4 ,and since1 through the whole ,epistle to the ,hebrews1 he argues with the ,jews1 to wean them from their old ,worship1 for this ,reason1 because it was typical and figurative2 is it agreeable to right ,reason to bring them to another of the same ,nature8 ,what ,ground from ,scripture or ,reason can our ,adversaries bring us1 to evince that one ,shadow or ,figure should point to another ,shadow or ,figure1 and not to the ,substance8 ,and yet they make the ,figure of ,circumcision to point to ,water-baptism1 and the ,paschal ,lamb to ,bread and ,wine4 ,but was it ever known that one ,figure was the ,anti-type of the other1 especially seeing ,protestants make not these their ,anti-types to have any more ,virtue and ,efficacy than the ,type had8 ,sidenote3 ,their ,sacraments confer not ,grace4 ,for since1 as they say1 and that truly1 ,that their ,sacraments confer not ,grace1 but that it is conferred according to the ,faith of the ,receiver1 it will not be denied but the ,faithful among the ,jews received also ,grace in the ,use of their ,figurative ,worship4 ,and though ,papists boast that their ,sacraments confer ,grace ex opere operato1 yet ,experience abundantly proveth the contrary4 4 ,x4 ,sidenote3 ,opposers claim a ,power to give their ,sacraments2 from whence do they derive it8 ,but supposing the ,use of ,water-baptism and ,bread and ,wine to have been in the ,primitive ,church1 as was also that of abstaining from ,things strangled1 and from ,blood1 the ,use of ,legal ,purification1 ,acts xxi4 #bc1 #bd1 #be4 and anointing of the ,sick with ,oil1 for the ,reasons and ,grounds before mentioned2 yet it remains for our ,adversaries to shew us how they come by ,power or ,authority to administer them4 ,it cannot be from the ,letter of the ,scripture1 else they ought also to do those other ,things1 which the ,letter declares also they did1 and which in the ,letter have as much ,foundation4 ,then their ,power must be derived from the ,apostles1 either mediately or immediately2 but we have shewn before1 in the tenth ,proposition1 that they have no mediate ,power1 because of the ,interruption made by the ,apostasy2 and for an immediate ,power or ,command by the ,spirit of ,god to administer these ,things1 none of our ,adversaries pretend to it4 ,we know that in this1 as in other ,things1 they make a ,noise of the constant ,consent of the ,church1 and of ,christians in all ,ages2 ,sidenote3 ,tradition no sufficient ,ground for ,faith4 but as ,tradition is not a sufficient ,ground for ,faith1 so in this ,matter especially it ought to have but small ,weight2 for that in this ,point of ,ceremonies and superstitious ,observations the ,apostasy began very early1 as may appear in the ,epistle of ,paul to the ,galatians and ,colossians2 and we have no ,ground to imitate them in those ,things1 whose ,entrance the ,apostle so much withstood1 so heavily regretted1 and so sharply reproved4 ,but if we look to ,antiquity1 we find that in such ,kind of ,observances and ,traditions they were very uncertain and changeable2 so that neither ,protestants nor ,papists do observe this ,ceremony as they did1 both in that they gave it to young ,boys1 and to little ,children3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,supper they gave to young ,boys and ,children4 ,and for aught can be learned1 the ,use of this and ,infant-baptism are of a like ,age1 though the one be laid aside both by ,papists and ,protestants1 and the other1 to wit1 ,baptism of ,infants1 be stuck to4 ,and we have so much the less ,reason to lay ,weight upon ,antiquity1 for that if we consider their ,profession of ,religion1 especially as to ,worship1 and the ceremonial ,part of it1 we shall not find any ,church now1 whether ,popish or ,protestant1 who differ not widely from them in many ,things1 ,sidenote3 ,dallus4 as ,dallus1 in his ,treatise concerning the ,use of the ,fathers1 well observeth and demonstrateth4 ,and why they should obtrude this upon us because of the ,ancients ,practice1 which they themselves follow not1 or why we may not reject this1 as well as they do other ,things no less zealously practised by the ,ancients1 no sufficient ,reason can be assigned4 ,nevertheless ,i doubt not but many1 whose ,understandings have been clouded with these ,ceremonies1 have notwithstanding1 by the ,mercy of ,god1 had some secret ,sense of the ,mystery1 which they could not clearly understand1 because it was sealed from them by their sticking to such outward ,things2 and that through that secret ,sense diving in their ,comprehensions they ran themselves into these carnal ,apprehensions1 as imagining the ,substance of the ,bread was changed1 or that if the ,substance was not changed1 yet the ,body was there1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,calvin's ingenuous ,confession commended4 ,and indeed ,i am inclinable very favourably to judge of ,calvin in this ,particular1 in that he deals so ingenuously to confess he neither comprehends it1 nor can express it in ,words2 but yet by a feeling ,experience can say1 ,the ,lord is spiritually present4 ,now as ,i doubt not but ,calvin sometimes had a ,sense of his ,presence without the ,use of this ,ceremony1 so as the ,understanding given him of ,god made him justly reject the false ,notions of ,transubstantiation and ,consubstantiation1 though he knew not what to establish instead of them1 if he had fully waited in the #acd,light that makes all ,things manifest1 and had not laboured in his own ,comprehension to settle upon that external ,ceremony1 by affixing the spiritual ,presence as chiefly or principally1 though not only1 as he well knew by ,experience1 there1 or especially to relate to it1 he might have further reached unto the ,knowledge of this ,mystery than many that went before him4 #acd ,ephes4 #e4 #ac4 4 ,,xi4 ,sidenote3 ,in ,tenderness of ,conscience1 ,god winketh at our ,ignorance4 ,lastly1 ,if any now at this ,day1 from a true ,tenderness of ,spirit1 and with real ,conscience towards ,god1 did practise this ,ceremony in the same ,way1 ,method1 and ,manner as did the ,primitive ,christians recorded in ,scripture1 ,i should not doubt to affirm but they might be indulged in it1 and the ,lord might regard them1 and for a ,season appear to them in the ,use of these ,things1 as many of us have known him to do to us in the ,time of our ,ignorance2 provided always they did not seek to obtrude them upon others1 nor judge such as found themselves delivered from them1 or that they do not pertinaciously adhere to them4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,day is dawned wherein ,god is risen1 and worshipped in ,spirit4 ,for we certainly know that the ,day is dawned1 in which ,god hath arisen1 and hath dismissed all those ,ceremonies and ,rites1 and is only to be worshipped in ,spirit1 and that he appears to them who wait upon him2 and that to seek ,god in these ,things is1 with ,mary at the ,sepulchre1 to seek the ,living among the ,dead3 ,for we know that he is risen1 and revealed in ,spirit1 leading his ,children out of these ,rudiments1 that they may walk with him in his ,light3 ,to whom be ,glory for ever4 ,amen4 ,,proposition ,,xiv4 ,concerning the ,,power of the ,,civil ,,magistrate in ,matters purely ,,religious1 and pertaining to the ,,conscience4 #ace,since ,god hath assumed to himself the ,power and ,dominion of the ,conscience1 who alone can rightly instruct and govern it1 therefore it is not lawful for any whosoever1 by ,virtue of any ,authority or ,principality they bear in the ,government of this ,world1 to force the ,consciences of others2 and therefore all ,killing1 ,banishing1 ,fining1 ,imprisoning1 and other such ,things which are inflicted upon ,men for the alone ,exercise of their ,conscience1 or ,difference in ,worship or ,opinion1 proceedeth from the ,spirit of ,cain the ,murderer1 and is contrary to the ,truth2 providing always1 that no ,man1 under the ,pretence of ,conscience1 prejudice his ,neighbour in his ,life or ,estate1 or do any ,thing destructive to1 or inconsistent with1 ,human ,society2 in which ,case the ,law is for the ,transgressor1 and ,justice is to be administered upon all1 without ,respect of ,persons4 #ace ,luke #i4 #ee1 #ef4 ,matt4 #g4 #ab1 #ac4 #bi4 ,tit4 #c4 #aj4 4 ,i4 ,liberty of ,conscience from the ,power of the ,civil ,magistrate hath been of late ,years so largely and learnedly handled1 that ,i shall need to be but brief in it2 yet it is to be lamented that few have walked answerably to this ,principle1 each pleading it for themselves1 but scarce allowing it to others1 as hereafter ,i shall have ,occasion more at length to observe4 ,it will be fit in the first ,place1 for clearing of ,mistakes1 to say something of the ,state of the ,controversy1 that what follows may be the more clearly understood4 ,sidenote3 ,what ,conscience is4 ,by ,conscience then1 as in the ,explanation of the fifth and sixth ,propositions ,i have observed1 is to be understood1 ,that ,persuasion of the ,mind which arises from the ,understanding's being possessed with the ,belief of the ,truth or ,falsity of any ,thing2 which though it may be false or evil upon the ,matter1 yet if a ,man should go against his ,persuasion or ,conscience1 he would commit a ,sin2 because what a ,man doth contrary to his ,faith1 though his ,faith be wrong1 is no ,ways acceptable to ,god4 ,hence the ,apostle saith1 #acf,whatsoever is not of ,faith1 is ,sin2 and he that doubteth is damned if he eat2 though the ,thing might have been lawful to another2 and that this ,doubting to eat some ,kind of ,meats 7since all the ,creatures of ,god are good1 and for the ,use of ,man1 if received with ,thanksgiving7 might be a ,superstition1 or at least a ,weakness1 which were better removed4 ,hence ,ames4 de ,cas4 ,cons4 saith1 ,the ,conscience1 although erring1 doth evermore bind1 so as that he sinneth who doth contrary to his ,conscience1#acg because he doth contrary to the ,will of ,god1 although not materially and truly1 yet formally and interpretatively4 #acf ,rom4 #ad4 #bc4 #acg i4 e4 ,as he supposeth4 ,so the ,question is ,first1 ,whether the ,civil ,magistrate hath ,power to force ,men in ,things religious to do contrary to their ,conscience2 and if they will not1 to punish them in their ,goods1 ,liberties1 and ,lives8 ,this we hold in the ,negative4 ,but ,secondly1 ,as we would have the ,magistrate to avoid this ,extreme of incroaching upon ,men's ,consciences1 so on the other ,hand we are far from joining with or strengthening such ,libertines as would stretch the ,liberty of their ,consciences to the ,prejudice of their ,neighbours1 or to the ,ruin of ,human ,society4 ,we understand therefore by ,matters of ,conscience such as immediately relate betwixt ,god and ,man1 or ,men and ,men1 that are under the same ,persuasion1 as to meet together and worship ,god in that ,way which they judge is most acceptable unto him1 and not to incroach upon1 or seek to force their ,neighbours1 otherwise than by ,reason1 or such other ,means as ,christ and his ,apostles used1 viz4 ,preaching and instructing such as will hear and receive it2 but not at all for ,men1 under the ,notion of ,conscience1 to do any ,thing contrary to the moral and perpetual ,statutes generally acknowledged by all ,christians2 in which ,case the ,magistrate may very lawfully use his ,authority2 as on those1 who1 under a ,pretence of ,conscience1 make it a ,principle to kill and destroy all the ,wicked1 id est1 all that differ from them1 that they1 to wit1 the ,saints1 may rule1 and who therefore seek to make all ,things common1 and would force their ,neighbours to share their ,estates with them1 and many such wild ,notions1 as is reported of the ,anabaptists of ,munster2 which evidently appears to proceed from ,pride and ,covetousness1 and not from ,purity or ,conscience2 and therefore ,i have sufficiently guarded against that in the latter ,part of the ,proposition4 ,but the ,liberty we lay claim to is such as the ,primitive ,church justly fought under the ,heathen ,emperors1 to wit1 for ,men of ,sobriety1 ,honesty1 and a peaceable ,conversation1 to enjoy the ,liberty and ,exercise of their ,conscience towards ,god and among themselves1 and to admit among them such as by their ,persuasion and ,influence come to be convinced of the same ,truth with them1 without being therefore molested by the ,civil ,magistrate4 ,thirdly1 ,though we would not have ,men hurt in their ,temporals1 nor robbed of their ,privileges as ,men and ,members of the ,commonwealth1 because of their inward ,persuasion2 yet we are far from judging that in the ,church of ,god there should not be ,censures exercised against such as fall into ,error1 as well as such as commit open ,evils2 and therefore we believe it may be very lawful for a ,christian ,church1 if she find any of her ,members fall into any ,error1 after due ,admonitions and ,instructions according to ,gospel ,order1 if she find them pertinacious1 to cut them off from her ,fellowship by the ,sword of the ,spirit1 and deprive them of those ,privileges which they had as ,fellow-members2 but not to cut them off from the ,world by the temporal ,sword1 or rob them of their common ,privileges as ,men1 seeing they enjoy not these as ,christians1 or under such a ,fellowship1 but as ,men1 and ,members of the ,creation4 ,hence ,chrysostom saith well1 7de ,anath47 ,we must condemn and reprove the evil ,doctrines that proceed from ,hereticks2 but spare the ,men1 and pray for their ,salvation4 4 ,,ii4 ,but that no ,man1 by ,virtue of any ,power or ,principality he hath in the ,government of this ,world1 hath ,power over the ,consciences of ,men1 is apparent1 ,sidenote3 ,conscience the ,throne of ,god4 because the ,conscience of ,man is the ,seat and ,throne of ,god in him1 of which ,god is the alone proper and infallible ,judge1 who by his ,power and ,spirit can alone rectify the ,mistakes of ,conscience1 and therefore hath reserved to himself the ,power of punishing the ,errors thereof as he seeth meet4 ,now for the ,magistrate to assume this1 is to take upon him to meddle with ,things not within the ,compass of his ,jurisdiction2 for if this were within the ,compass of his ,jurisdiction1 he should be the proper ,judge in these ,things2 and also it were needful to him1 as an essential ,qualification of his being a ,magistrate1 to be capable to judge in them4 ,but that the ,magistrate1 as a ,magistrate1 is neither proper ,judge in these ,cases1 nor yet that the ,capacity so to be is requisite in him as a ,magistrate1 our ,adversaries cannot deny2 or else they must say1 ,that all the ,heathen ,magistrates were either no lawful ,magistrates1 as wanting something essential to ,magistracy1 and this were contrary to the express ,doctrine of the ,apostle1 ,rom4 xiii4 or else 7which is more absurd7 that those ,heathen ,magistrates were proper ,judges in ,matters of ,conscience among ,christians4 ,as for that ,evasion that the ,magistrate ought to punish according to the ,church ,censure and ,determination1 which is indeed no less than to make the ,magistrate the ,church's ,hangman1 we shall have ,occasion to speak of it hereafter4 ,but if the chief ,members of the ,church1 though ordained to inform1 instruct1 and reprove1 are not to have ,dominion over the ,faith nor ,consciences of the ,faithful1 as the ,apostle expresly affirms1 #b ,cor4 i4 #bd4 then far less ought they to usurp this ,dominion1 or stir up the ,magistrate to persecute and murder those who cannot yield to them therein4 ,secondly1 ,this pretended ,power of the ,magistrate is both contrary unto1 and inconsistent with the ,nature of the ,gospel1 which is a ,thing altogether extrinsick to the ,rule and ,government of political ,states1 as ,christ expresly signified1 saying1 ,his ,kingdom was not of this ,world2 and if the propagating of the ,gospel had had any necessary ,relation thereunto1 then ,christ had not said so4 ,but he abundantly hath shewn by his ,example1 whom we are chiefly to imitate in ,matters of that ,nature1 that it is by ,persuasion and the ,power of ,god1 not by ,whips1 ,imprisonments1 ,banishments1 and ,murderings1 that the ,gospel is to be propagated2 and that those that are the ,propagators of it are often to suffer by the ,wicked1 but never to cause the ,wicked to suffer4 ,when he sends forth his ,disciples1 he tells them1 he sends them forth as #ach,lambs among ,wolves1 to be willing to be devoured1 not to devour3 ,he tells them of their being whipped1 imprisoned1 and killed for their ,conscience2 but never that they shall either whip1 imprison1 or kill3 ,and indeed if ,christians must be as ,lambs1 it is not the ,nature of ,lambs to destroy or devour any4 ,it serves nothing to allege1 that in ,christ's and his ,apostles ,times the ,magistrates were ,heathens1 and therefore ,christ and his ,apostles1 nor yet any of the ,believers1 being no ,magistrates1 could not exercise the ,power2 because it cannot be denied but ,christ1 being the ,son of ,god1 had a true ,right to all ,kingdoms1 and was righteous ,heir of the ,earth4 #aci,next1 as to his ,power1 it cannot be denied but he could1 if he had seen meet1 have called for ,legions of ,angels to defend him1 and have forced the ,princes and ,potentates of the ,earth to be subject unto him1 ,matt4 xxvi4 #ec4 ,so that it was only because it was contrary to the ,nature of ,christ's ,gospel and ,ministry to use any ,force or ,violence in the gathering of ,souls to him4 ,this he abundantly expressed in his ,reproof to the two ,sons of ,zebedee1 who would have been calling for ,fire from ,heaven to burn those that refused to receive ,christ3 ,it is not to be doubted but this was as great a ,crime as now to be in an ,error concerning the ,faith and ,doctrine of ,christ4 ,that there was not ,power wanting to have punished those ,refusers of ,christ cannot be doubted2 for they that could do other ,miracles1 might have done this also4 ,and moreover1 they wanted not the ,precedent of a holy ,man under the ,law1 as did ,elias2 yet we see what ,christ saith to them1 ,ye know not what ,spirit ye are of1 ,luke ix4 #ee4 ,for the ,son of ,man is not come to destroy ,men's ,lives1 but to save them4 ,here ,christ shews that such ,kind of ,zeal was no ,ways approved of him2 and such as think to make ,way for ,christ or his ,gospel by this ,means1 do not understand what ,spirit they are of4 ,but if it was not lawful to call for ,fire from ,heaven to destroy such as refuse to receive ,christ1 it is far less lawful to kindle ,fire upon ,earth to destroy those that believe in ,christ1 because they will not believe1 nor can believe1 as the ,magistrates do1 for ,conscience ,sake4 ,and if it was not lawful for the ,apostles1 who had so large a ,measure of the ,spirit1 and were so little liable to ,mistake1 to force others to their ,judgment1 it can be far less lawful now for ,men1 who as ,experience declareth1 and many of themselves confess1 are fallible1 and often mistaken1 to kill and destroy all such as cannot1 because otherwise persuaded in their ,minds1 judge and believe in ,matters of ,conscience just as they do4 ,and if it was not according to the ,wisdom of ,christ1 who was and is ,king of ,kings1 by outward ,force to constrain others to believe him or receive him1 as being a ,thing inconsistent with the ,nature of his ,ministry and spiritual ,government1 do not they grosly offend him1 who will needs be wiser than he1 and think to force ,men against their ,persuasion to conform to their ,doctrine and ,worship8 ,the ,word of the ,lord said1 ,not by ,power and by ,might1 but by the ,spirit of the ,lord1 ,zech4 iv4 #f4 ,but these say1 ,not by the ,spirit of the ,lord1 but by ,might and carnal ,power4 ,the ,apostle saith plainly1 #adj,we wrestle not with ,flesh and ,blood2 and the ,weapons of our ,warfare are not carnal1 but spiritual3 ,but these ,men will needs wrestle with ,flesh and ,blood1 when they cannot prevail with the ,spirit and the ,understanding2 and not having spiritual ,weapons1 go about with carnal ,weapons to establish ,christ's ,kingdom1 which they can never do3 ,and therefore when the ,matter is well sifted1 it is found to be more out of ,love to ,self1 and from a ,principle of ,pride in ,man to have all others to bow to him1 than from the ,love of ,god4 #ada;,christ indeed takes another ,method2 for he saith1 ,he will make his ,people a willing ,people in the ,day of his ,power2 but these ,men labour against ,men's ,wills and ,consciences1 not by ,christ's ,power1 but by the outward ,sword1 to make ,men the ,people of ,christ1 which they never can do1 as shall hereafter be shewn4 #ach ,matt4 #aj4 #af4 #aci ,matt4 #bh4 #ah4 #adj #b ,cor4 #aj4 #d4 #ada ,psal4 #aaj4 #c4 ,but ,thirdly1 ,christ fully and plainly declareth to us his ,sense in this ,matter in the ,parable of the ,tares1 ,matt4 xiii4 of which we have himself the ,interpreter1 ,ver4 #ch1 #ci1 #dj1 #da4 where he expounds them to be the ,children of the ,wicked ,one1 and yet he will not have the ,servants to meddle with them1 lest they pull up the ,wheat therewith4 ,now it cannot be denied but ,hereticks are here included2 and although these ,servants saw the ,tares1 and had a certain ,discerning of them2 yet ,christ would not they should meddle1 lest they should hurt the ,wheat3 ,thereby intimating1 ,that that ,capacity in ,man to be mistaken1 ought to be a ,bridle upon him1 to make him wary in such ,matters2 and therefore1 to prevent this ,hurt1 he gives a positive ,prohibition1 ,but he said1 ,nay1 ,ver4 #bi4 ,so that they who will notwithstanding be pulling up that which they judge is ,tares1 do openly declare1 ,that they make no ,scruple to break the ,commands of ,christ4 ,miserable is that ,evasion which some of our ,adversaries use here1 in alleging these ,tares are meant of ,hypocrites1 and not of ,hereticks6 ,but how to evince that1 seeing ,hereticks1 as well as ,hypocrites1 are ,children of the ,wicked ,one1 they have not any ,thing but their own bare ,affirmation1 which is therefore justly rejected4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if they say1 ,because ,hypocrites cannot be discerned1 but so may ,hereticks2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,this is both false and a begging of the ,question4 ,for those that have a spiritual ,discerning1 can discern both ,hypocrites and ,hereticks2 and those that want it1 cannot certainly discern either4 ,seeing the ,question will arise1 ,whether that is a ,heresy which the ,magistrate saith is so8 ,and seeing it is both possible1 and confessed by all to have often fallen out1 that some ,magistrates have judged that ,heresy which was not1 punishing ,men accordingly for ,truth1 instead of ,error2 there can be no ,argument drawn from the ,obviousness or ,evidence of ,heresy1 unless we should conclude ,heresy could never be mistaken for ,truth1 nor ,truth for ,heresy2 whereof ,experience shews daily the contrary1 even among ,christians4 ,but neither is this ,shift applicable to this ,place2 for the ,servants did discern the ,tares1 and yet were liable to hurt the ,wheat1 if they had offered to pull them up4 4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but they object against this ,liberty of ,conscience1 ,deut4 xiii4 #e4 ,where false ,prophets are appointed to be put to ,death2 and accordingly they give ,example thereof4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,the ,case no ,way holds parallel2 those particular ,commands to the ,jews1 and ,practices following upon them1 are not a ,rule for ,christians2 else we might by the same ,rule say1 ,it were lawful for us to borrow of our ,neighbours their ,goods1 and so carry them away1 because the ,jews did so by ,god's ,command2 or that it is lawful for ,christians to invade their ,neighbours ,kingdoms1 and cut them all off without ,mercy1 because the ,jews did so to the ,canaanites1 by the ,command of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if they urge1 ,that these ,commands ought to stand1 except they be repealed in the ,gospel2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i say1 ,the ,precepts and ,practices of ,christ and his ,apostles mentioned are a sufficient ,repeal3 ,for if we should plead1 ,that every ,command given to the ,jews is binding upon us1 except there be a particular ,repeal2 then would it follow1 ,that because it was lawful for the ,jews1 if any ,man killed one1 for the nearest ,kindred presently to kill the ,murderer1 without any ,order of ,law1 it were lawful for us to do so likewise4 ,and doth not this ,command of ,deut4 xiii4 #i4 openly order him who is enticed by another to forsake the ,lord1 though it were his ,brother1 his ,son1 his ,daughter1 or his ,wife1 presently to kill him or her8 ,thou shalt surely kill him1 thy ,hand shall be first upon him1 to put him to ,death4 ,if this ,command were to be followed there needed neither ,inquisition nor ,magistrate to do the ,business2 and yet there is no ,reason why they should shuffle by this ,part1 and not the other2 yea1 to argue this ,way from the ,practice among the ,jews1 were to overturn the very ,gospel1 and to set up again the carnal ,ordinances among the ,jews1 to pull down the spiritual ,ones of the ,gospel4 ,indeed we can far better argue from the ,analogy betwixt the figurative and carnal ,state of the ,jews1 and the real and spiritual ,one under the ,gospel2 that as ,moses delivered the ,jews out of outward ,egypt1 by an outward ,force1 and established them in an outward ,kingdom1 by destroying their outward ,enemies for them2 so ,christ1 not by overcoming outwardly1 and killing others1 but by suffering and being killed1 doth deliver his chosen ones1 the inward ,jews1 out of mystical ,egypt1 destroying their spiritual ,enemies before them1 and establishing among them his spiritual ,kingdom1 which is not of this ,world4 ,and as such as departed from the ,fellowship of outward ,israel were to be cut off by the outward ,sword1 so those that depart from the inward ,israel are to be cut off by the ,sword of the ,spirit3 ,for it answers very well1 ,that as the ,jews were to cut off their ,enemies outwardly1 in order to establish their ,kingdom and outward ,worship1 so they were to uphold it the same ,way3 ,but as the ,kingdom and ,gospel of ,christ was not to be established or propagated by cutting off or destroying the ,gentiles1 but by persuading them1 so neither is it to be upheld otherwise4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but ,secondly1 they urge1 ,rom4 xiii4 where the ,magistrate is said1 ,not to bear the ,sword in vain1 because he is the ,minister of ,god1 to execute ,wrath upon such as do ,evil4 ,but ,heresy1 say they1 is ,evil4 ,ergo4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but so is ,hypocrisy also2 yet they confess he ought not to punish that4 ,therefore this must be understood of moral ,evils1 relative to ,affairs betwixt ,man and ,man1 not of ,matters of ,judgment or ,worship2 or else what great ,absurdities would follow1 considering that ,paul wrote here to the ,church of ,rome1 which was under the ,government of ,nero1 an impious ,heathen1 and ,persecutor of the ,church8 ,now if a ,power to punish in ,point of ,heresy be here included1 it will necessarily follow1 ,that ,nero had this ,power2 yea1 and that he had it of ,god2 for because the ,power was of ,god1 therefore the ,apostle urges their ,obedience4 ,but can there be any ,thing more absurd1 than to say that ,nero had ,power to judge in such ,cases8 ,surely if ,christian ,magistrates be not to punish for ,hypocrisy1 because they cannot outwardly discern it2 far less could ,nero punish any ,body for ,heresy1 which he was uncapable to discern4 ,and if ,nero had not ,power to judge or punish in ,point of ,heresy1 then nothing can be urged from this ,place2 since all that is said here1 is spoken as applicable to ,nero1 with a particular ,relation to whom it was written4 ,and if ,nero had such a ,power1 surely he was to exercise it according to his ,judgment and ,conscience1 and in doing thereof he was not to be blamed2 which is enough to justify him in his persecuting of the ,apostles1 and murdering the ,christians4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,thirdly1 ,they object that ,saying of the ,apostle to the ,galatians1 v4 #ab4 ,i would they were even cut off which trouble you4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,but how this imports any more than a ,cutting off from the ,church1 is not1 nor can be shewn4 ,beza upon the ,place saith1 ,we cannot understand that otherwise than of ,excommunication1 such as was that of the incestuous ,corinthian4 ,and indeed it is ,madness to suppose it otherwise2 for ,paul would not have these cut off otherwise than he did ,hymenus and ,philetus1 who were ,blasphemers2 which was by giving them over to ,satan1 not by cutting of their ,heads4 ,the same ,way may be answered that other ,argument1 drawn from ,rev4 ii4 #bj4 where the ,church of ,thyatira is reproved for suffering the ,woman ,jezabel3 ,which can be no other ,ways understood1 than that they did not excommunicate her1 or cut her off by a ,church ,censure4 ,for as to ,corporal ,punishment1 it is known that at that ,time the ,christians had not ,power to punish ,hereticks so1 if they had had a ,mind to it4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,fourthly1 ,they allege1 ,that ,heresies are numbered among the ,works of the ,flesh1 ,gal4 v4 #bj4 ,ergo1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,that ,magistrates have ,power to punish all the ,works of the ,flesh1 is denied1 and not yet proved4 ,every ,evil is a ,work of the ,flesh1 but every ,evil comes not under the ,magistrate's ,cognizance4 ,is not ,hypocrisy a ,work of the ,flesh1 which our ,adversaries confess the ,magistrates ought not to punish8 ,yea1 are not ,hatred and ,envy there mentioned as ,works of the ,flesh8 ,and yet the ,magistrate cannot punish them1 as they are in themselves1 until they exert themselves in other ,acts which come under his ,power4 ,but so long as ,heresy doth not exert itself in any ,act destructive to human ,society1 or such like ,things1 but is kept within the ,sphere of those ,duties of ,doctrine or ,worship which stand betwixt a ,man and ,god1 they no ,ways come under the ,magistrate's ,power4 4 ,,iv4 ,but ,secondly1 ,this ,forcing of ,men's ,consciences is contrary to sound ,reason1 and the very ,law of ,nature4 ,for ,man's ,understanding cannot be forced by all the ,bodily ,sufferings another ,man can inflict upon him1 especially in ,matters spiritual and supernatural3 ,it is ,argument1 and evident ,demonstration of ,reason1 together with the ,power of ,god reaching the ,heart1 that can change a ,man's ,mind from one ,opinion to another1 and not ,knocks and ,blows1 and such like ,things1 which may indeed destroy the ,body1 but never can inform the ,soul1 which is a free ,agent1 and must either accept or reject ,matters of ,opinion as they are borne in upon it by something proportioned to its own ,nature4 ,to seek to force ,minds in any other ,manner1 is to deal with ,men as if they were ,brutes1 void of ,understanding2 and at last is but to lose one's ,labour1 and as the ,proverb is1 ,to seek to wash the ,black-moor white4 ,by that ,course indeed ,men may be made ,hypocrites1 but can never be made ,christians2 and surely the ,products of such ,compulsion 7even where the ,end is obtained1 to wit1 an outward ,assent or ,conformity1 whether in ,doctrine or ,worship7 can be no ,ways acceptable to ,god1 who desireth not any ,sacrifice1 except that which cometh throughly from the ,heart1 and will have no constrained ones3 ,so that ,men1 by constraining ,force1 are so far from being ,members of the ,church1 that they are made ten ,times more the ,servants of ,satan than before2 in that to their ,error is added ,hypocrisy1 the worst of ,evils in ,matters of ,religion1 and that which above all ,things the ,lord's ,soul most abhors4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but if it be said1 ,their ,error notwithstanding is thereby suppressed1 and the ,scandal removed2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,besides that this is a ,method no ,ways allowed by ,christ1 as is above proved1 surely the ,church can be no ,ways bettered by the ,accession of ,hypocrites1 but greatly corrupted and endangered2 for open ,heresies ,men may be aware of1 and shun such as profess them1 when they are separated from the ,church by her ,censures3 ,but secret ,hypocrites may putrefy the ,body1 and leaven it1 ere ,men be aware4 ,and if the ,dissenters prove resolute1 and suffer boldly for the ,opinions they esteem right1 ,experience sheweth that such ,sufferings often tend to the ,commendation of the ,sufferers1 but never of the ,persecutors4 ,for such ,suffering ordinarily breeds ,compassion1 and begets a ,curiosity in others to enquire the more diligently into the ,things for which they see ,men suffer such great ,losses so boldly2 and is also able to beget an ,opinion1 that it is for some ,good they do so suffer3 ,it being no ,ways probable that ,men will venture all merely to acquire ,fame2 which may as well be urged to detract from the ,reputation of all the ,martyrs1 unless some better ,arguments be brought against it than a ,halter or a ,faggot4 ,but supposing this ,principle1 ,that the ,magistrate hath ,power to force the ,consciences of his ,subjects1 and to punish them if they will not comply1 very great ,inconveniences and ,absurdities will follow1 and even such as are inconsistent with the ,nature of the ,christian ,religion4 ,for ,first1 ,it will naturally follow1 ,that the ,magistrate ought to do it1 and sinneth by ,omission of his ,duty1 if he do it not4 ,will it not then hence be inferred that ,christ was defective to his ,church1 who having ,power to force ,men1 and to call for ,legions of ,angels so to do1 did notwithstanding not exert that ,power1 but left his ,church to the ,mercy of the ,wicked1 without so necessary a ,bulwark8 ,secondly1 ,seeing every ,magistrate is to exercise his ,power according to the best ,understanding he hath1 being obliged so to do1 for the ,promoting of what he in ,conscience is persuaded to be ,truth1 will not this justify all the ,heathen ,emperors in their ,persecutions against ,christians8 ,will not this justify the ,spanish ,inquisition1 which yet is odious1 not only to ,protestants1 but to many moderate ,papists8 ,how can ,protestants in ,reason condemn the ,papists for persecuting them1 seeing they do but exercise a lawful ,power according to their ,conscience and best ,understanding1 and do no more to them than the ,sufferers profess they would do to them1 if they were in the like ,capacity8 ,which takes away all ,ground of ,commiseration from the ,sufferers3 ,whereas that was the ,ground which of old gained ,reputation to the ,christians1 that they being innocent1 suffered1 who neither had1 nor by ,principle could1 hurt any4 ,but there is little ,reason to pity one that is but dealt by according as he would deal with others4 ,for to say1 ,they have no ,reason to persecute us1 because they are in the ,wrong1 and we in the ,right1 is but miserably to beg the ,question4 ,doth not this ,doctrine strengthen the ,hands of ,persecutors every where1 and that rationally1 from a ,principle of ,self-preservation8 ,for who can blame me for destroying him that ,i know waits but for an ,occasion to destroy me1 if he could8 ,yea1 this makes all ,suffering for ,religion1 which of old was the ,glory of ,christians1 to be but of pure ,necessity2 whereby they are not led as ,lambs to the ,slaughter1 as was the ,captain of their ,salvation2 but rather as ,wolves catched in the ,snare1 who only bite not again because they are not able2 but could they get ,force1 would be as ready to lead those the same ,way that led them4 ,where is the ,faith and ,patience of the ,saints8 ,for indeed it is but a small ,glory to make a ,virtue of ,necessity1 and suffer because ,i cannot help it4 ,every ,thief and ,murderer would be a ,martyr at that ,rate3 ,experience hath abundantly proved this in these last ,centuries2 for however each ,party talk of positively obeying the ,magistrate in such ,cases1 and that the ,power resides in him1 yet it is apparent1 that from this ,principle it naturally follows1 ,that any ,party1 supposing themselves right1 should1 so soon as they are able1 endeavour at any ,rate to get uppermost1 that they might bring under those of another ,opinion1 and force the ,magistrate to uphold their ,way1 to the ,ruin of all others4 ,what ,engine the ,pope of ,rome used to make of his pretended ,power in this ,thing1 upon any ,pretence of ,dislike to any ,prince or ,state1 even for very small ,heresies in their own ,account1 to depose ,princes1 and set up their ,subjects against them1 and give their ,dominions to other ,princes to serve his ,interest1 they cannot be ignorant who have read the ,life of ,hildebrand2 and how ,protestants have vindicated the ,liberty of their ,consciences after this same ,manner is apparent4 ,they suffered much in ,france1 to the great ,increase and ,advantage of their ,party2 but as soon as they found themselves considerable1 and had gotten some ,princes upon their ,side1 they began to let the ,king know1 ,that they must either have the ,liberty of their ,consciences1 or else they would purchase it2 not by suffering1 but by fighting4 ,and the ,experience of other ,protestant ,states shews1 ,that if ,henry the #dth1 to please the ,papists1 had not quitted his ,religion1 to get the ,crown the more peaceably1 and so the ,protestants had prevailed with the ,sword1 they would as well have taught the ,papists with the ,faggot1 and led them to the ,stake3 ,so that this ,principle of ,persecution on all ,hands is the ,ground of all those ,miseries and ,contentions4 ,for so long as any ,party is persuaded that it is both lawful for them1 and their ,duty1 if in ,power1 to destroy those that differ from them1 it naturally follows they ought to use all ,means possible to get that ,power1 whereby they may secure themselves in the ,ruin of their ,adversaries4 ,and that ,papists judge it not unlawful to compel the ,magistrate1 if they be strong enough to do it1 to effect this4 ,experience shews it to be a known ,popish ,principle1 ,that the ,pope may depose an ,heretick ,prince1 and absolve the ,people from the ,oath of ,fidelity3 ,and the ,pope1 as is above said1 hath done so to divers ,princes2 and this ,doctrine is defended by ,bellarmine against ,barclay4 ,the ,french refused ,henry the ,fourth till he quitted his ,religion4 ,and as for ,protestants1 many of them scruple not to affirm1 ,that wicked ,kings and ,magistrates may be deposed1 and killed3 ,yea1 our ,scotch ,presbyterians are as positive in it as any ,jesuits1 who would not admit ,king ,charles the ,second1 though otherwise a ,protestant ,prince1 unless he would swear to renounce ,episcopacy2 a ,matter of no great ,difference1 though contrary to his ,conscience4 ,now how little ,proportion these ,things bear with the ,primitive ,christians1 and the ,religion propagated by ,christ and his ,apostles1 needs no great ,demonstration2 and it is observable1 that notwithstanding many other ,superstitions crept into the ,church very early1 yet this of ,persecution was so inconsistent with the ,nature of the ,gospel1 and ,liberty of ,conscience1 as we have asserted it1 such an innate and natural ,part of the ,christian ,religion1 that almost all the ,christian ,writers1 for the first three hundred ,years1 earnestly contended for it1 condemning the contrary ,opinion4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,athan4 in ,epist4 ad ,solit4 vit4 ,ag4 ibid4 ,thus ,athanasius2 8,it is the ,property of ,piety not to force1 but to persuade1 in ,imitation of our ,lord1 who forced no ,body1 but left it to the ,will of every one to follow him1 c4 ,but the ,devil1 because he hath nothing of ,truth1 uses ,knocks and ,axes1 to break up the ,doors of such as receive him4 ,but our ,saviour is meek1 teaching the ,truth2 whosoever will come after me1 and whosoever will be my ,disciple1 c4 but constraining none2 coming to us1 and knocking rather1 and saying1 ,my ,sister1 my ,spouse open to me1 c4 ,and entereth when he is opened to1 and retires if they delay1 and will not open unto him2 because it is not with ,swords1 nor ,darts1 nor ,soldiers1 nor ,armour1 that ,truth is to be declared1 but with ,persuasion and ,counsel40 ,and it is observable1 ,that they were the impious ,arians who first of all brought in this ,doctrine1 to persecute others among ,christians1 whose ,successors both ,papists and ,protestants are in this ,matter1 whom ,athanasius thus reproveth further3 ,sidenote3 ,athan4 ,apol4 #a de ,fuga ,sua1 ,tom4 #a4 8,where 7saith he7 have they learned to persecute8 ,certainly they cannot say they have learned it from the ,saints2 but this hath been given them1 and taught them of the ,devil4 ,the ,lord commanded indeed sometimes to flee1 and the ,saints sometimes fled2 but to persecute is the ,invention and ,argument of the ,devil1 which he seeks against all40 ,and after he saith1 8,in so far as the ,arians banish those that will not subscribe their ,decrees1 they shew that they are contrary to ,christians1 and ,friends of the ,devil40 ,sidenote3 ,hil4 contra ,aux4 8,but now1 ,o lamentable6 7saith ,hilarius7 ,they are the ,suffrages of the ,earth that recommend the ,religion of ,god1 and ,christ is found naked of his ,virtue1 while ,ambition must give ,credit to his ,name4 ,the ,church reproves and fights by ,banishment and ,prisons1 and forceth herself to be believed1 which once was believed because of the ,imprisonments and ,banishments herself suffered4 ,she that once was consecrated by the ,terrors of her ,persecutors1 depends now upon the ,dignity of those that are in her ,communion4 ,she that once was propagated by her banished ,priests1 now banisheth the ,priests4 ,and she boasts now1 ,that she is loved of the ,world1 who would not have been ,christ's if she had not been hated of the ,world40 ,sidenote3 ,jerome ,epist4 #fb4 ad ,tire4 8,the ,church 7saith ,jerome7 was founded by shedding of ,blood1 and by suffering1 and not in doing of ,hurt4 ,the ,church increased by ,persecutions1 and was crowned by ,martyrdom40 ,sidenote3 ,amb4 ,epist4 #cb4 ,tom4 #c4 ,ambrose1 speaking of ,auxentius1 saith thus1 8,whom he 7viz4 ,auxentius7 could not deceive by ,discourse1 he thinks ought to be killed with the ,sword1 making bloody ,laws with his ,mouth1 writing them with his own ,hands1 and imagining that an ,edict can command ,faith40 ,sidenote3 ,amb4 ,epist4 #bg4 ,and the same ,ambrose saith1 8,that going into ,france1 he would not communicate with those ,bishops that required that ,hereticks should be put to ,death40 #adb,the ,emperor ,martianus1 who assembled the ,council of ,chalcedon1 protests1 ,sidenote3 ,mon4 ,eg4 in acta ,concil4 ,chalced4 ,tom4 #b4 ,conc4 gen4 8,that he would not force nor constrain any one to subscribe the ,council of ,chalcedon against his ,will40 #adb ,mart4 ,epist4 ad ,archimand1 c4 #adc;,hosius ,bishop of ,corduba testifies1 8,that the ,emperor ,constans would not constrain any to be ,orthodox40 #adc ,hosi4 ,epist4 ad--,constit4 apud ,ath4 in ,eph4 ad solit4 vii4 ,tom4 #a4 #add;,hilarius saith further1 8,that ,god teacheth1 rather than exacteth1 the ,knowledge of himself1 and authorizing his ,commandments by the ,miracles of his ,heavenly ,works2 he wills not that any should confess him with a forced ,will1 c4 ,he is the ,god of the whole ,universe1 he needs not a forced ,obedience1 nor requires a constrained ,confession40 #add ,hil4 ,l4 #a4 ad ,const4 8#ade;,christ 7saith ,ambrose7 sent his ,apostles to sow ,faith2 not to constrain1 but to teach2 not to exercise coercive ,power1 but to extol the ,doctrine of ,humility40 #ade ,ambr4 ,comm4 in ,luc4 ,l4 #g4 ,hence ,cyprian1#adf comparing the old ,covenant with the new1 saith1 8,then were they put to ,death with the outward ,sword2 but now the ,proud and ,contumacious are cut off with the spiritual ,sword1 by being cast out of the ,church40 ,and this answers very well that ,objection before observed1 taken from the ,practice of the ,jews under the ,law4 #adf ,cypr4 ,epist4 #fb4 8#adg,see 7saith ,tertullian to the ,heathens7 if it be not to contribute to the ,renown of ,irreligion1 to seek to take away the ,liberty of ,religion1 and to hinder ,men their ,choice of ,god1 that ,i may not be admitted to adore whom ,i will1 but must be constrained to serve him whom ,i will not4 ,there is none1 nay not a ,man1 that desires to be adored by any against their ,will40 #adh;,and again1 8,it is a ,thing that easily appears to be unjust1 to constrain and force ,men to sacrifice against their ,wills2 seeing to do the ,service of ,god there is required a willing ,heart40 #adi;,and again1 8,it is an human ,right and natural ,power that every one worship what he esteems2 and one ,man's ,religion doth not profit nor hurt another4 ,neither is it any ,piece of ,religion to enforce ,religion2 which must be undertaken by ,consent1 and not by ,violence1 seeing that the ,sacrifices themselves are not required1 but from a willing ,mind40 #adg ,tertul4 ,apol4 ,c4 #bd4 #adh ,id4 ,apol4 ,c4 #bh4 #adi ,idem ad ,scapul4 ,c4 #b4 ,now how either ,papists or ,protestants1 that boast of ,antiquity1 can get by these plain ,testimonies1 let any rational ,man judge4 ,and indeed ,i much question if in any one ,point owned by them1 and denied by us1 they can find all the old ,fathers and ,writers so exactly unanimous4 ,which shews how contrary all of them judged this to be to the ,nature of ,christianity1 and that in the ,point of ,persecution lay no small ,part of the ,apostasy2 which1 from little to more1 came to that1 ,that the ,pope1 upon every small ,discontent1 would excommunicate ,princes1 absolve their ,subjects from obeying them1 and turn them in and out at his ,pleasure4 ,now if ,protestants do justly abhor these ,things among ,papists1 is it not sad that they should do the like themselves8 ,a ,thing that at their first ,appearance1 when they were in their primitive ,innocency1 they did not think on1 as appears by that ,saying of ,luther2 #aej,neither ,pope nor ,bishop1 nor any other ,man1 hath ,power to oblige a ,christian to one ,syllable1 except it be by his own ,consent4 ,and again1 ,i call boldly to all ,christians1 that neither ,man nor ,angel can impose any ,law upon them1 but so far as they will2 for we are free of all4 ,and when he appeared at the ,diet of ,spiers1 before the ,emperor1 in a particular ,conference he had before the ,archbishop of ,triers and ,joachim ,elector of ,brandenburgh1 when there seemed no ,possibility of agreeing with his ,opposers1 they asking him1 ,what ,remedy seemed to him most fit8 ,sidenote3 ,history of the ,council of ,trent4 ,he answered1 ,the ,counsel that ,gamaliel proposed to the ,jews1 to wit1 ,that if this ,design was of ,god1 it would stand2 if not1 it would vanish2 which he said ought to content the ,pope3 ,he did not say1 ,because he was in the ,right he ought to be spared4 ,for this ,counsel supposeth1 ,that those that are tolerated may be wrong2 and yet how soon did the same ,luther1 ere he was well secure himself1 press the ,elector of ,saxony to banish poor ,carolostadius1 because he could not in all ,things submit to his ,judgment8 ,and certainly it is not without ,ground reported1 ,that it smote ,luther to the ,heart2 so that he needed to be comforted1 when he was informed1 ,that ,carolostadius1 in his ,letter to his ,congregation1 stiled himself1 ,a ,man banished for ,conscience1 by the ,procurement of ,martin ,luther4 ,and since both the ,lutherans and ,calvinists not admitting one another to worship in those respective ,dominions1 sheweth how little better they are than either ,papists or ,arians in this ,particular4 #aea;,and yet ,calvin saith1 ,that the ,conscience is free from the ,power of all ,men3 ,if so1 why then did he cause ,castellio to be banished because he could not1 for ,conscience ,sake1 believe as he did1 ,that ,god had ordained ,men to be damned8 ,and ,servetus to be burned for denying the ,divinity of ,christ8 if ,calvin's ,report of him be to be credited8 ,which ,opinion1 though indeed it was to be abominated1 yet no less was ,calvin's ,practice in causing him to be burned1 and afterwards defending that it was lawful to burn ,hereticks2 by which he encouraged the ,papists to lead his ,followers the more confidently to the ,stake1 as having for their ,warrant the ,doctrine of their own ,sect-master2 which they omitted not frequently to twit them with1 and indeed it was to them unanswerable4 ,hence1 upon this ,occasion1 the judicious ,author of the ,history of the ,council of ,trent1 in his fifth ,book1 where giving an ,account of several ,protestants that were burned for their ,religion1 well and wisely observeth it1 as a ,matter of ,astonishment1 that those of the ,new ,reformation did offer to punish in the ,case of ,religion4 ,and afterwards1 taking ,notice that ,calvin justifies the ,punishing of ,hereticks1 he adds1 ,but since the ,name of ,heresy may be more or less restricted1 yea1 or diversly taken1 this ,doctrine may be likewise taken in divers ,senses1 and may at one ,time hurt those1 whom at another ,time it may have benefited4 #aej ,luth4 ,lib4 de ,captivitate ,babylon4 #aea ,calv4 ,inst4 ,l4 #c4 ,c4 #ai4 ,sect4 #ad4 ,sidenote3 ,protestant ,persecution strengthens the ,popish ,inquisition4 ,so that this ,doctrine of ,persecution cannot be maintained by ,protestants1 without strengthening the ,hands of ,popish ,inqusitors2 and indeed in the ,end lands in direct ,popery2 seeing1 if ,i may not profess and preach that ,religion1 which ,i am persuaded in my own ,conscience is true1 it is to no ,purpose to search the ,scriptures1 or to seek to choose my own ,faith by ,convictions thence derived2 since whatever ,i there observe1 or am persuaded of1 ,i must either subject to the ,judgment of the ,magistrate and ,church of that ,place ,i am in1 or else resolve to remove1 or die4 ,yea1 doth not this ,heretical and ,antichristian ,doctrine1 both of ,papists and ,protestants1 at last resolve into that cursed ,policy of ,mahomet1 who prohibited all ,reason or ,discourse about ,religion1 as occasioning ,factions and ,divisions8 ,and indeed those that press ,persecution1 and deny ,liberty of ,conscience1 do thereby shew themselves more the ,disciples of ,mahomet than of ,christ2 and that they are no ,ways ,followers of the ,apostle's ,doctrine1 who desired the ,thessalonians to prove all ,things1 and hold fast that which is good1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ba4 ,and also saith1 ,unto such as are otherwise minded1 ,god shall reveal it1 ,phil4 iii4 #ae4 not that by ,beatings and ,banishments it must be knocked into them4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,ground of ,persecution4 ,now the ,ground of ,persecution1 as hath been above shewn1 is an ,unwillingness to suffer2 for no ,man1 that will persecute another for his ,conscience1 would suffer for his own1 if he could avoid it1 seeing his ,principle obliges him1 if he had ,power1 by ,force to establish that which he judges is the ,truth1 and so to force others to it4 ,therefore ,i judge it meet1 for the ,information of the ,nations1 briefly to add something in this ,place concerning the ,nature of true ,christian ,sufferings1 whereunto a very faithful ,testimony hath been borne by ,god's ,witnesses1 which he hath raised up in this ,age1 beyond what hath been generally known or practised for these many ,generations1 yea1 since the ,apostasy took ,place4 ,yet it is not my ,design here in any wise to derogate from the ,sufferings of the ,protestant ,martyrs1 whom ,i believe to have walked in ,faithfulness towards ,god1 according to the ,dispensation of ,light in that ,day appearing1 and of which many were utter ,enemies to ,persecution1 as by their ,testimonies against it might be made appear4 ,sidenote3 ,what true ,suffering is4 ,but the true1 faithful and ,christian ,suffering is for ,men to profess what they are persuaded is right1 and so practise and perform their ,worship towards ,god1 as being their true ,right so to do2 and neither to do more in that1 because of outward ,encouragement from ,men2 nor any ,whit less1 because of the ,fear of their ,laws and ,acts against it4 ,thus for a ,christian ,man to vindicate his just ,liberty with so much ,boldness1 and yet ,innocency1 will in due ,time1 though through ,blood1 purchase ,peace2 as this ,age hath in some ,measure experienced1 and many are ,witnesses of it2 which yet shall be more apparent to the ,world1 as ,truth takes ,place in the ,earth4 ,but they greatly sin against this excellent ,rule1 that in ,time of ,persecution do not profess their own ,way so much as they would if it were otherwise2 and yet1 when they can get the ,magistrate upon their ,side1 not only stretch their own ,liberty to the utmost1 but seek to establish the same by denying it to others4 ,sidenote3 ,the innocent ,sufferings of the ,people called ,quakers4 ,but of this excellent ,patience and ,sufferings1 the ,witnesses of ,god1 in ,scorn called ,quakers1 have given a manifest ,proof3 ,for so soon as ,god revealed his ,truth among them1 without ,regard to any ,opposition whatsoever1 or what they might meet with1 they went up and down1 as they were moved of the ,lord1 preaching and propagating the ,truth in ,market-places1 ,highways1 ,streets1 and publick ,temples1 though daily beaten1 whipped1 bruised1 haled1 and imprisoned therefore4 ,and when there was any where a ,church or ,assembly gathered1 they taught them to keep their ,meetings openly1 and not to shut the ,door1 nor do it by ,stealth1 that all might know it1 and those who would might enter4 ,and as hereby all just ,occasion of ,fear of ,plotting against the ,government was fully removed1 so this their ,courage and ,faithfulness in not giving over their ,meeting together 7but more especially the ,presence and ,glory of ,god manifested in the ,meeting being terrible to the ,consciences of the ,persecutors7 did so weary out the ,malice of their ,adversaries1 that oftentimes they were forced to leave their ,work undone4 ,for when they came to break up a ,meeting1 they were obliged to take every ,individual out by ,force1 they not being free to give up their ,liberty by dissolving at their ,command3 ,and when they were haled out1 unless they were kept forth by ,violence1 they presently returned peaceably to their ,place4 ,yea1 when sometimes the ,magistrates have pulled down their ,meeting-houses1 they have met the next ,day openly upon the ,rubbish1 and so by ,innocency kept their ,possession and ,ground1 being properly their own1 and their ,right to meet and worship ,god being not forfeited to any4 ,so that when armed ,men have come to dissolve them1 it was impossible for them to do it1 unless they had killed every one2 for they stood so close together1 that no ,force could move any one to stir1 until violently pulled thence3 ,so that when the ,malice of their ,opposers stirred them to take ,shovels1 and throw the ,rubbish upon them1 there they stood unmoved1 being willing1 if the ,lord should so permit1 to have been there buried alive1 witnessing for him4 ,as this patient but yet courageous ,way of ,suffering made the ,persecutors ,work very heavy and wearisome unto them1 so the ,courage and ,patience of the ,sufferers1 using no ,resistance1 nor bringing any ,weapons to defend themselves1 nor seeking any ,ways ,revenge upon such ,occasions1 did secretly smite the ,hearts of the ,persecutors1 and made their ,chariot-wheels go on heavily4 ,thus after much and many kind of ,sufferings thus patiently borne1 which to rehearse would make a ,volume of itself1 which may in due ,time be published to the ,nations 7for we have them upon ,record7 a ,kind of negative ,liberty has been obtained2 so that at present1 for the most ,part1 we meet together without ,disturbance from the ,magistrate4 ,but on the contrary1 most ,protestants1 when they have not the ,allowance and ,toleration of the ,magistrate1 meet only in ,secret1 and hide their ,testimony2 and if they be discovered1 if there be any ,probability of making their ,escape by ,force 7or suppose it were by cutting off those that seek them out7 they will do it2 whereby they lose the ,glory of their ,sufferings1 by not appearing as the innocent ,followers of ,christ1 nor having a ,testimony of their ,harmlesness in the ,hearts of their ,pursuers1 their ,fury1 by such ,resistance1 is the more kindled against them4 ,as to this last ,part1 of resisting such as persecute them1 they can lay ,claim to no ,precept from ,christ1 nor any ,example of him or his ,apostles approved4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but as to the first ,part1 for fleeing and meeting secretly1 and not openly testifying for the ,truth1 they usually object that ,saying of ,christ1 ,matt4 x4 #bc4 ,when they persecute you in this ,city1 flee ye into another4 ,and ,acts ix4 #d4 ,that the ,disciples met secretly for fear of the ,jews4 ,and ,acts ix4 #be4 ,that ,paul was let out of ,damascus in a ,basket down by the ,wall4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,to all which ,i answer1 ,first1 ,as to that ,saying of ,christ1 it is a ,question if it had any further ,relation than to that particular ,message with which he sent them to the ,jews2 ,yea1 the latter ,end of the ,words seems expresly to hold forth so much2 ,for ye shall not have gone over the ,cities of ,israel till the ,son of ,man be come4 ,now a particular ,practice or ,command for a particular ,time will not serve for a ,precedent to any at this ,day to shun the ,cross of ,christ4 ,but supposing this ,precept to reach farther1 it must be so understood to be made use of only according as the ,spirit giveth ,liberty1 else no ,man that could flee might suffer ,persecution4 ,sidenote3 ,fleeing in ,time of ,persecution not allowed4 ,how then did not the ,apostles ,john and ,peter flee1 when they were the first ,time persecuted at ,jerusalem8 ,but1 on the contrary1 went the next ,day1 after they were discharged by the ,council1 and preached boldly to the ,people4 ,but indeed many are but too capable to stretch such ,sayings as these for ,self-preservation1 and therefore have great ,ground to fear1 when they interpret them1 that they shun to witness for ,christ1 for fear of ,hurt to themselves1 lest they mistake them4 ,as for that private ,meeting of the ,disciples1 we have only an ,account of the ,matter of ,fact1 but that suffices not to make of it a ,precedent for us2 and ,men's ,aptness to imitate them in that 7which1 for aught we know1 might have been an ,act of ,weakness7 and not in other ,things of a contrary ,nature1 shews that it is not a true ,zeal to be like those ,disciples1 but indeed a ,desire to preserve themselves1 which moves them so to do4 ,lastly1 ,as to that of ,paul's being conveyed out of ,damascus1 the ,case was singular1 and is not to be doubted but it was done by a special ,allowance from ,god1 who having designed him to be a principal ,minister of his ,gospel1 saw meet in his ,wisdom to disappoint the wicked ,counsel of the ,jews4 ,but our ,adversaries have no such ,pretext for fleeing1 whose ,fleeing proceeds from ,self-preservation1 not from immediate ,revelation4 ,and that ,paul made not this the ,method of his ,procedure1 appears1 in that at another ,time1 notwithstanding the ,persuasion of his ,friends1 and certain ,prophecies of his ,sufferings to come1 he would not be dissuaded from going up to ,jerusalem1 which according to the forementioned ,rule he should have done4 ,but ,lastly1 ,to conclude this ,matter1 ,glory to ,god1 and our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that now these twenty-five ,years1 since we were known to be a distinct and separate ,people1 hath given us faithfully to suffer for his ,name1 without shrinking or fleeing the ,cross2 and what ,liberty we now enjoy1 it is by his ,mercy1 and not by any outward ,working or ,procuring of our own1 but it is ,he has wrought upon the ,hearts of our ,opposers4 ,nor was it any outward ,interest hath procured it unto us1 but the ,testimony of our ,harmlesness in the ,hearts of our ,superiors3 ,for ,god hath preserved us hitherto in the patient ,suffering of ,jesus1 that we have not given away our ,cause by persecuting any1 which few if any ,christians that ,i know can say4 ,now against our unparalleled yet innocent and ,christian ,cause our malicious ,enemies have nothing to say1 ,but that if we had ,power1 we would do so likewise4 ,this is a ,piece of mere unreasonable ,malice1 and a ,privilege they take to judge of ,things to come1 which they have not by immediate ,revelation2 and surely it is the greatest ,height of harsh ,judgment to say ,men would do contrary to their professed ,principle if they could1 who have from their ,practice hitherto given no ,ground for it1 and wherein they only judge others by themselves3 ,such ,conjectures cannot militate against us1 so long as we are innocent4 ,and if ever we prove guilty of ,persecution1 by forcing other ,men by corporal ,punishment to our ,way1 then let us be judged the greatest of ,hypocrites1 and let not any spare to persecute us4 ,amen1 saith my ,soul4 ,,proposition ,,xv4 ,concerning ,,salutations and ,,recreations1 c4 #aeb,seeing the chief ,end of all ,religion is to redeem ,men from the ,spirit and vain ,conversation of this ,world1 and to lead into inward ,communion with ,god1 before whom if we fear always we are accounted happy2 therefore all the vain ,customs and ,habits thereof1 both in ,word and ,deed1 are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this ,fear2 such as taking off the ,hat to a ,man1 the ,bowings and ,cringings of the ,body1 and such other ,salutations of that ,kind1 with all the foolish and superstitious ,formalities attending them2 all which ,man hath invented in his degenerate ,state1 to feed his ,pride in the vain ,pomp and ,glory of this ,world3 ,as also the unprofitable ,plays1 frivolous ,recreations1 ,sportings1 and ,gamings1 which are invented to pass away the precious ,time1 and divert the ,mind from the ,witness of ,god in the ,heart1 and from the living ,sense of his ,fear1 and from that evangelical ,spirit wherewith ,christians ought to be leavened1 and which leads into ,sobriety1 ,gravity1 and godly ,fear2 in which as we abide1 the ,blessing of the ,lord is felt to attend us in those ,actions in which we are necessarily engaged1 in order to the taking ,care for the ,sustenance of the outward ,man4 #aeb ,ephes4 #e4 #aa4 #a ,pet4 #a4 #ad4 ,john #e4 #dd4 ,jer4 #aj4 #c4 ,acts #aj4 #bf4 ,matt4 #ae4 #ac4 ,col4 #b4 #h4 4 ,i4 ,having hitherto treated of the ,principles of ,religion1 both relating to ,doctrine and ,worship1 ,i am now to speak of some ,practices which have been the ,product of this ,principle1 in those ,witnesses whom ,god hath raised up in this ,day to testify for his ,truth4 ,it will not a little commend them1 ,i suppose1 in the ,judgment of sober and judicious ,men1 that taking them generally1 even by the ,confession of their ,adversaries1 they are found to be free of those ,abominations which abound among other ,professors1 such as are ,swearing1 ,drunkenness1 ,whoredom1 ,riotousness1 c4 and that generally the very ,coming among this ,people doth naturally work such a ,change1 so that many vicious and profane ,persons have been known1 by coming to this ,truth1 to become sober and virtuous2 and many light1 vain1 and wanton ,ones to become grave and serious1 as our ,adversaries dare not deny3#aec ,yet that they may not want something to detract us for1 cease not to accuse us for those ,things which1 when found among themselves1 they highly commend2 thus our ,gravity they call ,sullenness1 our ,seriousness1 ,melancholy1 our ,silence1 ,sottishness4 ,such as have been vicious and profane among them1 but by coming to us have left off those ,evils1 lest they should commend the ,truth of our ,profession1 they say1 ,that whereas they were profane before1 they are become worse1 ,in being hypocritical and spiritually proud4 ,if any before dissolute and profane among them1 by coming to the ,truth with us1 become frugal and diligent1 then they will charge them with ,covetousness3 ,and if any eminent among them for ,seriousness1 ,piety1 and ,discoveries of ,god1 come unto us1 then they will say1 ,they were always subject to ,melancholy and to ,enthusiasm2 though before1 when among them1 it was esteemed neither ,melancholy nor ,enthusiasm in an evil ,sense1 but ,christian ,gravity and ,divine ,revelation4 ,our ,boldness and ,christian ,suffering they call ,obstinacy and ,pertinacy2 though half as much1 if among themselves1 they would account ,christian ,courage and ,nobility4 ,and though thus by their ,envy they strive to read all relating to us backwards1 counting those ,things ,vices in us1 which in themselves they would extol as ,virtues1 yet hath the ,strength of ,truth extorted this ,confession often from them1 ,that we are generally a pure and clean ,people1 as to the outward ,conversation4 #aec ,after this ,manner the ,papists used to disapprove the ,sobriety of the ,waldenses1 of whom ,reinerius1 a ,popish ,author1 so writeth4 8,but this ,sect of the ,leonists hath a great ,shew of ,truth2 for that they live righteously before ,men1 and believe all ,things well of ,god1 and all the ,articles which are contained in the ,creed2 only they blaspheme and hate the ,church of ,rome40 ,but this1 they say1 is but in ,policy to commend our ,heresy4 ,but such ,policy it is1 say ,i1 as ,christ and his ,apostles made use of1 and all good ,christians ought to do2 yea1 so far hath ,truth prevailed by the ,purity of its ,followers1 that if one that is called a ,quaker do but that which is common among them1 as to laugh and be wanton1 speak at large1 and keep not his ,word punctually1 or be overtaken with ,hastiness or ,anger1 they presently say1 ,o this is against your ,profession6 ,as if indeed so to do were very consistent with theirs2 wherein though they speak the ,truth1 yet they give away their ,cause4 ,but if they can find any under our ,name in any of those ,evils common among themselves 7as who can imagine but among so many ,thousands there will be some ,chaff1 since of twelve ,apostles one was found to be a ,devil7 ,o how will they insult1 and make more ,noise of the ,escape of one ,quaker1 than of an hundred among themselves6 4 ,,ii4 ,but there are some singular ,things1 which most of all our ,adversaries plead for the ,lawfulness of1 and allow themselves in1 as no ,ways inconsistent with the ,christian ,religion1 which we have found to be no ,ways lawful unto us1 and have been commanded of the ,lord to lay them aside2 though the doing thereof hath occasioned no small ,sufferings and ,buffetings1 and hath procured us much ,hatred and ,malice from the ,world4 ,and because the ,nature of these ,things is such1 that they do upon the very ,sight distinguish us1 and make us known1 so that we cannot hide ourselves from any1 without proving unfaithful to our ,testimony2 our ,trials and ,exercises have herethrough proved the more numerous and difficult1 as will after appear4 ,these ,i have laboured briefly to comprehend in this ,proposition2 but they may more largely be exhibited in these six following ,propositions4 99 99 99 99 99 ,sidenote3 ,flattering ,titles4 ,i4 ,that it is not lawful to give to ,men such flattering ,titles1 as ,your ,holiness1 ,your ,majesty1 ,your ,eminency1 ,your ,excellency1 ,your ,grace1 ,your ,lordship1 ,your ,honour1 c4 nor use those flattering ,words1 commonly called ,,compliments4 ,sidenote3 ,hat and ,knee4 ,,ii4 ,that it is not lawful for ,christians to kneel1 or prostrate themselves to any ,man1 or to bow the ,body1 or to uncover the ,head to them4 ,sidenote3 ,apparel4 ,,iii4 ,that it is not lawful for ,christians to use ,superfluities in ,apparel1 as are of no ,use1 save for ,ornament and ,vanity4 ,sidenote3 ,gaming4 ,,iv4 ,that it is not lawful to use ,games1 ,sports1 ,plays1 nor among other ,things ,comedies among ,christians1 under the ,notion of ,recreations1 which do not agree with ,christian ,silence1 ,gravity1 and ,sobriety3 ,for ,laughing1 ,sporting1 ,gaming1 ,mocking1 ,jesting1 vain ,talking1 c4 is not ,christian ,liberty1 nor harmless ,mirth4 ,sidenote3 ,swearing4 ,v4 ,that it is not lawful for ,christians to swear at all under the ,gospel1 not only not vainly1 and in their common ,discourse1 which was also forbidden under the ,mosaical ,law1 but even not in ,judgment before the ,magistrate4 ,sidenote3 ,fighting4 ,,vi4 ,that it is not lawful for ,christians to resist ,evil1 or to war or fight in any ,case4 ,sidenote3 ,degrees of ,dignity and ,precedency allowed4 ,before ,i enter upon a particular ,disquisition of these ,things1 ,i shall first premise some general ,considerations1 to prevent all ,mistakes2 and next add some general ,considerations1 which equally respect all of them4 ,i would not have any judge1 ,that hereby we intend to destroy the mutual ,relation that either is betwixt ,prince and ,people1 ,master and ,servants1 ,parents and ,children2 nay1 not at all3 ,we shall evidence1 ,that our ,principle in these ,things hath no such ,tendency1 and that these natural ,relations are rather better established1 than any ,ways hurt by it4 ,next1 ,let not any judge1 ,that from our ,opinion in these ,things1 any ,necessity of levelling will follow1 or that all ,men must have ,things in common4 ,our ,principle leaves every ,man to enjoy that peaceably1 which either his own ,industry1 or his ,parents1 have purchased to him2 only he is thereby instructed to use it aright1 both for his own ,good1 and that of his ,brethren2 and all to the ,glory of ,god3 ,in which also his ,acts are to be voluntary1 and no ,ways constrained4 ,and further1 we say not hereby1 that no ,man may use the ,creation more or less than another3 ,for we know1 ,that as it hath pleased ,god to dispense it diversly1 giving to some more1 and some less1 so they may use it accordingly4 ,sidenote3 ,education differs accordingly4 ,the several ,conditions1 under which ,men are diversly stated1 together with their ,educations answering thereunto1 do sufficiently shew this3 ,the ,servant is not the same ,way educated as the ,master2 nor the ,tenant as the ,landlord2 nor the ,rich as the ,poor2 nor the ,prince as the ,peasant4 ,now1 though it be not lawful for any1 however great ,abundance they may have1 or whatever their ,education may be1 to use that which is merely superfluous2 yet seeing their ,education has accustomed them thereunto1 and their ,capacity enables them so to do1 without being profuse or extravagant1 they may use ,things better in their ,kind1 than such whose ,education hath neither accustomed them to such ,things1 nor their ,capacity will reach to compass them4 ,sidenote3 ,the lawful or unlawful ,use of the ,creation4 ,for it is beyond ,question1 ,that whatever ,thing the ,creation affords is for the ,use of ,man1 and the moderate ,use of them is lawful2 yet1 per accidens1 they may be unlawful to some1 and not to others4 ,as for ,instance1 ,he that by ,reason of his ,estate and ,education hath been used to eat ,flesh and drink ,wine1 and to be clothed with the finest ,wool1 if his ,estate will bear it1 and he use it neither in ,superfluity1 nor immoderately1 he may do it2 and perhaps1 if he should apply himself to feed1 or be cloathed as are the ,peasants1 it might prejudice the ,health of his ,body1 and nothing advance his ,soul4 ,but if a ,man1 whose ,estate and ,education had accustomed him to both coarser ,food and ,raiment1 should stretch himself beyond what he had1 or were used to1 to the manifest ,prejudice of his ,family and ,children1 no ,doubt it would be unlawful to him1 even so to eat or be clothed as another1 in whom it is lawful2 for that the other may be as much mortified1 and have denied himself as much in coming down to that1 which this aspires to1 as he1 in willing to be like him1 aspires beyond what he either is able1 or hath accustomed to do4 ,the safe ,place then is1 for such as have ,fulness1 to watch over themselves1 that they use it moderately1 and rescind all ,superfluities2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,rich to help the ,poor4 being willing1 as far as they can1 to help the ,need of those to whom ,providence hath allotted a smaller ,allowance4 ,let the ,brother of high ,degree rejoice1 in that he is abased2 and such as ,god calls in a low ,degree1 be content with their ,condition1 not envying those ,brethren who have greater ,abundance1 knowing they have received ,abundance1 as to the inward ,man2 which is chiefly to be regarded4 ,and therefore beware of such a ,temptation1 as to use their ,calling as an ,engine to be richer1 knowing1 they have this ,advantage beyond the ,rich and ,noble that are called1 that the ,truth doth not any ,ways abase them1 nay1 not in the ,esteem of the ,world1 as it doth the other2 but that they are rather exalted thereby1 in that as to the inward and spiritual ,fellowship of the ,saints1 they become the ,brethren and ,companions of the greatest and richest2 and in this ,respect1 ,let him of low ,degree rejoice that he is exalted4 ,these ,things premised1 ,i would seriously propose unto all such1 as choose to be ,christians indeed1 and that in ,nature1 and not in ,name only1 whether it were not desirable1 and would not greatly contribute to the ,commendation of ,christianity1 and to the ,increase of the ,life and ,virtue of ,christ1 if all superfluous ,titles of ,honour1 ,profuseness and ,prodigality in ,meat and ,apparel1 ,gaming1 ,sporting and ,playing1 were laid aside and forborn8 ,and whether such as lay them aside1 in so doing1 walk not more like the ,disciples of ,christ and his ,apostles1 and are therein nearer their ,example1 than such as use them8 ,whether the laying them aside would hinder any from being good ,christians8 ,or if ,christians might not be better without them1 than with them8 ,certainly the ,sober and ,serious among all ,sorts will say1 ,yea4 ,then surely such as lay them aside1 as reckoning them unsuitable for ,christians1 are not to be blamed1 but rather commended for so doing3 ,because that in ,principle and ,practice they effectually advance that1 which others acknowledge were desirable1 but can never make effectual1 so long as they allow the ,use of them as lawful4 ,and ,god hath made it manifest in this ,age1 ,that by discovering the ,evil of such ,things1 and leading his ,witnesses out of them1 and to testify against them1 he hath produced effectually in many that ,mortification and ,abstraction from the ,love and ,cares of this ,world1 who daily are conversing in the ,world 7but inwardly redeemed out of it7 both in ,wedlock1 and in their lawful ,employments1 which was judged could only be obtained by such as were shut up in ,cloisters and ,monasteries4 ,thus much in ,general4 4 ,,iii4 ,as to the first we affirm positively1 ,that it is not lawful for ,christians either to give or receive these ,titles of ,honour1 as1 ,your ,holiness1 ,your ,majesty1 ,your ,excellency1 ,your ,eminency1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,titles4 ,first1 ,because these ,titles are no ,part of that ,obedience which is due to ,magistrates or ,superiors2 neither doth the giving them add to or diminish from that ,subjection we owe to them1 which consists in obeying their just and lawful ,commands1 not in ,titles and ,designations4 ,sidenote3 ,under the ,law and ,gospel4 ,secondly1 ,we find not that in the ,scripture any such ,titles are used1 either under the ,law or the ,gospel3 ,but that in the speaking to ,kings1 ,princes1 or ,nobles1 they used only a simple ,compellation1 as ,o ,king6 and that without any further ,designation1 save perhaps the ,name of the ,person1 as1 ,o ,king ,agrippa1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,lying ,titles4 ,thirdly1 ,it lays a ,necessity upon ,christians most frequently to lie2 because the ,persons obtaining these ,titles1 either by ,election or hereditarily1 may frequently be found to have nothing really in them deserving them1 or answering to them3 ,as some1 to whom it is said1 ,your ,excellency1 having nothing of ,excellency in them2 and he who is called1 ,your ,grace1 appears to be an ,enemy to ,grace2 and he who is called1 ,your ,honour1 is known to be base and ignoble4 ,sidenote3 ,patents do not oblige to a ,lie4 ,i wonder what ,law of ,man1 or what ,patent ought to oblige me to make a ,lie1 in calling ,good1 ,evil2 and ,evil1 ,good8 ,i wonder what ,law of ,man can secure me1 in so doing1 from the just ,judgment of ,god1 that will make me account for every idle ,word8 ,and to lie is something more4 ,surely ,christians should be ashamed that such ,laws1 manifestly crossing the ,law of ,god1 should be among them4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,we ought in ,charity to suppose that they have these ,virtues1 because the ,king has bestowed those ,titles upon them1 or that they are descended of such as deserved them2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,charity destroys not ,knowledge3 ,i am not obliged by ,charity1 either to believe or speak a ,lie4 ,now it is apparent1 and cannot be denied by any1 but that those ,virtues are not in many of the ,persons expressed by the ,titles they bear2 neither will they allow to speak so to such1 in whom these ,virtues are1 unless they be so dignified by outward ,princes4 ,so that such as are truly virtuous1 must not be stiled by their ,virtues1 because not privileged by the ,princes of this ,world2 and such as have them not1 must be so called1 because they have obtained a ,patent so to be3 ,and all this is done by those1 who pretend to be his ,followers1 that commanded his ,disciples1 ,not to be called of ,men1 ,master2 and told them1 ,such could not believe1 as received ,honour one from another1 and sought not the ,honour which cometh from ,god only4 ,this is so plain1 to such as will indeed be ,christians1 that it needs no ,consequence4 ,sidenote3 ,your ,holiness1 ,your ,grace1 c4 ,fourthly1 ,as to those ,titles of ,holiness1 ,eminency1 and ,excellency1 used among the ,papists to the ,pope and ,cardinals1 c4 and ,grace1 ,lordship1 and ,worship1 used to the ,clergy among the ,protestants1 it is a most blasphemous ,usurpation4 ,for if they use ,holiness and ,grace1 because these ,things ought to be in a ,pope1 or in a ,bishop1 how come they to usurp that peculiarly to themselves8 ,ought not ,holiness and ,grace to be in every ,christian8 ,and so every ,christian should say1 ,your ,holiness1 and ,your ,grace1 one to another4 ,next1 how can they in ,reason claim any more ,titles1 than were practised and received by the ,apostles and ,primitive ,christians1 whose ,successors they pretend they are1 and as whole ,successors 7and no otherwise7 themselves1 ,i judge1 will confess any ,honour they seek is due to them8 ,now if they neither sought1 received1 nor admitted such ,honour nor ,titles1 how came these by them8 ,if they say they did1 let them prove it if they can3 ,we find no such ,thing in the ,scripture4 ,the ,christians speak to the ,apostles without any such ,denomination1 neither saying1 ,if it please ,your ,grace1 ,your ,holiness1 ,your ,lordship1 nor ,your ,worship2 they are neither called1 ,my ,lord ,peter1 nor ,my ,lord ,paul2 nor yet ,master ,peter1 nor ,master ,paul2 nor ,doctor ,peter1 nor ,doctor ,paul2 but singly ,peter and ,paul2 and that not only in the ,scripture1 but for some hundreds of ,years after3 ,so that this appears to be a manifest ,fruit of the ,apostasy4 ,for if these ,titles arise either from the ,office or ,worth of the ,persons1 it will not be denied but the ,apostles deserved them better than any now that call for them4 ,but the ,case is plain1 ,the ,apostles had the ,holiness1 the ,excellency1 the ,grace2 and because they were holy1 excellent1 and gracious1 they neither used1 nor admitted of such ,titles3 ,sidenote3 ,hypocrites want ,titles4 ,but these having neither ,holiness1 ,excellency1 nor ,grace1 will needs be so called1 to satisfy their ambitious and ostentatious ,minds1 which is a manifest ,token of their ,hypocrisy4 ,fifthly1 ,as to that ,title of ,majesty1 usually ascribed to ,princes1 we do not find it given to any such in the ,holy ,scripture2 but that it is specially and peculiarly ascribed unto ,god1 as #a ,chron4 xxix4 #aa4 ,job4 xxxvii4 #bb4 ,psal4 xxi4 #e4 and xxix4 #d4 and xlv4 #c4 and cxiii4 #a4 and xcvi4 #f4 ,isa4 ii4 #aj4 and xxiv4 #ad4 and xxvi4 #aj4 ,heb4 i4 #c4 #b ,pet4 i4 #af4 and many more ,places4 ,hence saith ,jude1 ,ver4 #be4 ,to the only wise ,god our ,saviour1 be ,glory and ,majesty1 c4 not to ,men4 ,we find in ,scripture the proud ,king ,nebuchadnezzar assuming this ,title to himself1 ,dan4 iv4 #cj4 who at that ,time received a sufficient ,reproof1 by a sudden ,judgment which came upon him4 ,therefore in all the ,compellations used to ,princes in the ,old ,testament1 it is not to be found1 nor yet in the ,new4 ,paul was very civil to ,agrippa1 yet he gives him no such ,title3 ,neither was this ,title used among ,christians in the primitive ,times4 ,sidenote3 ,eccles4 ,hist4 ,l4 #d4 ,p4 #dde4 ,hence the ,ecclesiastical ,history of the ,reformation of ,france1 relating the ,speech of the ,lord ,rochefort1 at the ,assembly of the ,estates of ,france1 held under ,charles the ,ninth1 in the ,year #aefj1 saith1 ,sidenote3 ,your ,majesty not used2 how taken ,notice of in #aefj4 ,that this ,harangue was well remarked1 in that he used not the ,word ,majesty invented by ,flatterers of late ,years4 ,and yet this ,author minded not how his ,master ,calvin used this flattering ,title to ,francis the ,first1 ,king of ,france2 and not only so1 but calls him ,most ,christian ,king1 in the ,epistle to his ,institutions2 though by his daily persecuting of the ,reformers1 it was apparent1 he was far from being such1 even in ,calvin's own ,esteem4 ,surely the ,complying with such vain ,titles1 imposed and introduced by ,antichrist1 greatly tended to stain the ,reformation1 and to render it defective in many ,things4 ,lastly1 ,all these ,titles and ,stiles of ,honour are to be rejected by ,christians1 because they are to seek the ,honour that comes from above1 and not the ,honour that is from below3 ,but these ,honours are not that ,honour that comes from above1 but are from below4 ,for we know well enough what ,industry1 and what ,pains ,men are at to get these ,things1 and what ,part it is that seeks after them1 to wit1 the proud1 insolent1 haughty1 aspiring ,mind4 ,sidenote3 ,the proud ,mind loves ,titles4 ,for judge1 ,is it the meek and innocent ,spirit of ,christ that covets that ,honour8 ,is it that ,spirit that must be of no ,reputation in this ,world1 that has its #aed;,conversation in ,heaven1 that comes to have ,fellowship with the ,sons of ,god8 ,is it that ,spirit1 ,i say1 that loves that ,honour1 that seeks after that ,honour1 that pleads for the ,upholding of that ,honour1 that frets1 and rages1 and fumes1 when it is denied that ,honour8 ,sidenote3 ,lucifer's ,spirit4 ,or is it not rather the lordly insulting ,spirit of ,lucifer1 the ,prince of this ,world1 he that of old affected and sought after this ,honour1 and loved not to abide in the submissive low ,place8 ,and so all his ,children are possessed with the same ambitious proud ,mind1 seeking and covering ,titles of ,honour1 which indeed belong not to them4 ,for let us examine1 #aee,who they are that are honourable indeed8 #aef;,is it not the righteous ,man8 ,is it not the holy ,man8 ,is it not the humble-hearted ,man1 the meek-spirited ,man8 ,and are not such those that ought to be honoured among ,christians8 ,now of these1 may there not be poor ,men1 ,labourers1 silly ,fishermen8 ,and if so1 how comes it that the ,titles of ,honour are not bestowed upon such8 ,but who are they that generally receive and look for this ,honour8 ,are they not the rich ,ones1 such as have abundance of the ,earth1 as be like the rich ,glutton1 such as are proud and ambitious1 such as are ,oppressors of the ,poor1 such as swell with ,lust and ,vanity1 and all ,superfluity of ,naughtiness1 who are the very ,abomination and ,plague of the ,nations8 ,are not these they that are accounted honourable1 that require and receive the ,titles of ,honour1 proud ,hamans8 ,now whether is this the ,honour that comes from ,god1 or the ,honour from below8 ,doth ,god honour such as daily dishonour him1 and disobey him8 ,and if this be not the ,honour that comes from ,god1 but the ,honour of this ,world1 which the ,children of this ,world give and receive one from another2 how can the ,children of ,god1 such as are ,christians indeed1 give or receive that ,honour among themselves1 without coming under the ,reproof of ,christ1 who saith1 ,that such as do cannot believe8 ,but further1 ,if we respect the ,cause that most frequently procures to ,men these ,titles of ,honour1 there is not one of a ,thousand that shall be found to be because of any ,christian ,virtue2 but rather for ,things to be discommended among ,christians3 ,as by the ,favour of ,princes1 procured by flattering1 and often by worse ,means4 ,yea1 the most frequent1 and accounted among ,men most honourable1 is ,fighting1 or some great martial ,exploit1 which can add nothing to a ,christian's ,worth3 ,since1 sure it is1 it were desirable there were no ,fightings among ,christians at all2 and in so far as there are1 it shews they are not right ,christians4 ,and ,james tells us1 ,that ,fighting proceeds from the ,lusts4 ,so that it were fitter for ,christians1 by the ,sword of ,god's ,spirit1 to fight against their ,lusts1 than by the ,prevalency of their ,lusts to destroy one another4 ,whatever ,honour any might have attained of old under the ,law this ,way1 we find under the ,gospel ,christians commended for ,suffering1 not for ,fighting2 neither did any of ,christ's ,disciples1 save one1 offer outward ,violence by the ,sword1 in cutting off ,malchus's ,ear2 for which he received no ,title of ,honour1 but a just ,reproof4 ,finally1 if we look either to the ,nature of this ,honour1 the ,cause of it1 the ,way it is conveyed1 the ,terms in which it is delivered1 it cannot be used by such as desire to be ,christians in good ,earnest4 #aed ,phil4 #c4 #bj4 #aee ,jerome1 in his ,epistle to ,celant1 admonisheth her1 ,that she was to be preferred to none for her ,nobility1 for the ,christian ,religion admits not of ,respect of ,persons2 neither are ,men to be esteemed because of their outward ,condition1 but according to the ,disposition of the ,mind1 to be esteemed either noble or base2 he that obeyeth not ,sin1 is free2 who is strong in ,virtue1 is noble1 ,let the ,epistle of ,james be read4 #aef #a ,sam4 #b4 #cj4 4 ,,iv4 ,now besides these general ,titles of ,honour1 what gross ,abuses are crept in among such as are called ,christians in the ,use of ,compliments1 wherein not ,servants to ,masters1 or others1 with ,respect to any such ,kind of ,relations1 but others1 who have no such ,relation do say and write to one another at every ,turn1 ,your humble ,servant1 ,your most obedient ,servant1 c4 ,such wicked ,customs have1 to the great ,prejudice of ,souls1 accustomed ,christians to lie2 and to use ,lying is now come to be accounted ,civility4 ,o horrid ,apostasy6 for it is notoriously known1 that the ,use of these ,compliments imports not any ,design of ,service1 neither are any such ,fools to think so2 for if we should put them to it that say so1 they would no doubt think we abused them2 and would soon let us know they gave us ,words in ,course1 and no more4 ,it is strange1 ,that such as pretend to ,scripture as their ,rule should not be ashamed to use such ,things2 since ,elihu1 who had not the ,scriptures1 could by the ,light within him 7which these ,men think insufficient7 say1 ,job4 xxxii4 #ba1 #bb4 ,let me not accept any ,man's ,person1 neither let me give flattering ,titles unto ,men4 ,for ,i know not to give flattering ,titles2 in so doing my ,maker would soon take me away4 ,a certain ancient devout ,man1 in the primitive ,time1 subscribed himself to a ,bishop1 ,your humble ,servant2 wherein ,i doubt not but he was more real than our usual ,complimenters2 and yet he was sharply reproved for it4#aeg #aeg ,this ,history is reported by ,casaubonus1 in his ,book of ,manners and ,customs1 ,p4 #afj4 8,in this last ,age he is esteemed an uncivil ,man1 who will not either to his ,inferior or ,equal subscribe himself ,servant4 ,but ,sulpitius ,severus was heretofore sharply reproved by ,paulinus1 ,bishop of ,nola1 because in his ,epistle he had subscribed himself his ,servant1 saying1 ,beware thou subscribe not thyself his ,servant1 who is thy ,brother2 for ,flattery is sinful1 not a ,testimony of ,humility to give these ,honours to ,men1 which are only due to the ,one ,lord1 ,master1 and ,,god40 ,but they usually object1 to defend themselves1 ,that ,luke saith1 ,most ,excellent ,theophilus2 and ,paul1 ,most ,noble ,festus4 ,i answer1 ,since ,luke wrote that by the ,dictates of the ,infallible ,spirit of ,god1 ,i think it will not be doubted but ,theophilus did deserve it1 as being really endued with that ,virtue3 ,in which ,case we shall not condemn those that do it by the same ,rule4 ,but it is not proved that ,luke gave ,theophilus this ,title1 as that which was derived to him1 either from his ,father1 or by any ,patent ,theophilus had obtained from any of the ,princes of the ,earth8 or that he would have given it him1 in ,case he had not been truly excellent3 ,and unless this be proved 7which never can7 there can nothing hence be deduced against us4 ,sidenote3 ,concerning the ,title ,paul gave to ,festus4 ,the like may be said of that of ,paul to ,festus1 whom he would not have called such1 if he had not been truly noble2 as indeed he was1 in that he suffered him to be heard in his own ,cause1 and would not give ,way to the ,fury of the ,jews against him2 it was not because of any outward ,title bestowed upon ,festus1 that he so called him1 else he would have given the same ,appellation to his ,predecessor ,felix1 who had the same ,office2 but being a covetous ,man1 we find he gives him no such ,stile4 4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,singular ,number to one ,person used in the ,latin4 ,it will not be unfit in this ,place to say something concerning the ,using of the ,singular ,number to one ,person2 of this there is no ,controversy in the ,latin4 ,for when we speak to one1 we always use the ,pronoun ,,tu1 and he that would do otherwise1 would break the ,rules of ,grammar4 ,for what ,boy1 learning his ,rudiments1 is ignorant1 that it is incongruous to say vos amas1 vos legis1 that is you lovest1 you readest speaking to one8 ,but the ,pride of ,man1 that hath corrupted many ,things1 refuses also to use this ,simplicity of speaking in the vulgar ,languages4 ,for being puffed up with a vain ,opinion of themselves1 as if the ,singular ,number were not sufficient for them1 they will have others to speak to them in the ,plural4 ,hence ,luther1 in his ,plays1 reproves and mocks this ,manner of speaking1 saying1 ,magister1 vos es iratus3 ,which ,corruption ,erasmus sufficiently refutes in his ,book of ,writing ,epistles3 ,concerning which likewise ,james ,howel1 in his ,epistle to the ,nobility of ,england1 before the ,french and ,english ,dictionary1 takes ,notice1 8,that both in ,france1 and in other ,nations1 the ,word ,,thou was used in speaking to one2 but by ,succession of ,time1 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,word ,you came to be used to a single ,person4 when the ,roman ,commonwealth grew into an ,empire1 the ,courtiers began to magnify the ,emperor1 7as being furnished with ,power to confer ,dignities and ,offices7 using the ,word ,you1 yea1 and deifying him with more remarkable ,titles20 ,concerning which ,matter1 we read in the ,epistles of ,symmachus to the ,emperors ,theodosius and ,valentinianus1 where he useth these ,forms of ,speaking1 8,vestra ternitas1 ,your ,eternity2 ,vestrum ,numen1 ,your ,godhead2 ,vestra ,serenitas1 ,your ,serenity2 ,vestra ,clementia1 ,your ,clemency4 ,so that the ,word ,you in the ,plural ,number1 together with the other ,titles and ,compellations of ,honour1 seem to have taken their ,rise from ,monarchical ,government2 which afterwards1 by ,degrees1 came to be derived to private ,persons40 ,the same is witnessed by ,john ,maresius1 of the ,french ,academy2 in the ,preface of his ,clovis3 8,let none wonder 7saith he7 that the ,word ,thou is used in this ,work to ,princes and ,princesses2 for we use the same to ,god3 ,and of old the same was used to ,alexanders1 ,csars1 ,queens and ,empresses4 ,the ,use of the ,word ,you1 when one ,person is spoken to1 was only introduced by these base ,flatteries of ,men of latter ,ages1 to whom it seemed good to use the ,plural ,number to one ,person1 that he may imagine himself alone to be equal to many others in ,dignity and ,worth2 from whence at last it came to ,persons of lower ,quality40 ,to the same ,purpose speaketh also ,m4 ,godeau1 in his ,preface to the ,new ,testament ,translation3 8,i had rather 7saith he7 faithfully keep to the express ,words of ,paul1 than exactly follow the polished ,stile of our ,tongue2 therefore ,i always use that ,form of calling ,god in the ,singular ,number1 not in the ,plural2 and therefore ,i say rather ,thou than ,you4 ,i confess indeed1 ,that the ,civility and ,custom of this ,world requires him to be honoured after that ,manner2 but it is likewise on the contrary true1 that the original ,tongue of the ,new ,testament hath nothing common with such ,manners and ,civility2 so that not one of these many old ,versions we have doth observe it4 ,let not ,men believe1 ,that we give not ,respect enough to ,god1 in that we call him by the ,word ,thou which is nevertheless far otherwise2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,word ,thou1 a greater ,honour to ,one than ,you4 for ,i seem to myself 7may be by the ,effect of ,custom7 more to honour his ,divine ,majesty1 in calling him after this ,manner1 than if ,i should call him after the ,manner of ,men1 who are so delicate in their ,forms of ,speech40 ,see how clearly and evidently these ,men witness1 ,that this ,form of ,speaking1 and these profane ,titles1 derive their ,origin from the base ,flattery of these last ,ages1 and from the delicate ,haughtiness of worldly ,men1 who have invented these ,novelties1 that thereby they might honour one another1 under ,i know not what ,pretence of ,civility and ,respect4 ,from whence many of the present ,christians 7so accounted7 are become so perverse1 in commending most wicked ,men1 and wicked ,customs1 that the ,simplicity of the ,gospel is wholly lost2 so that the giving of ,men and ,things their own ,names is not only worn out of ,custom1 but the doing thereof is accounted absurd and rude by such ,kind of delicate ,parasites1 who desire to ascribe to this ,flattery1 and abuse the ,name of ,civility4 ,moreover1 that this ,way of speaking proceeds from an high and proud ,mind1 hence appears1 because that ,men commonly use the ,singular ,number to ,beggars1 and to their ,servants2 yea1 and in their ,prayers to ,god4 ,thus the ,superior will speak to his ,inferior1 who yet will not bear that the ,inferior so speak to him1 as judging it a ,kind of ,reproach unto him4 ,so hath the ,pride of ,men placed ,god and the ,beggar in the same ,category4 ,i think ,i need not use ,arguments to prove to such as know congruous ,language1 ,that we ought to use the ,singular ,number speaking to one2 which is the common ,dialect of the whole ,scripture1 as also the most ,interpreters do translate it4 ,seeing therefore it is manifest to us1 that this ,form of speaking to ,men in the ,plural ,number doth proceed from ,pride1 as well as that it is in itself a ,lie1 we found a ,necessity upon us to testify against this ,corruption1 by using the ,singular equally unto all4 ,and although no ,reason can be given why we should be persecuted upon this ,account1 especially by ,christians1 who profess to follow the ,rule of ,scripture1 whose ,dialect this is2 ,sidenote3 ,scripture ,dialect the plain ,language4 yet it would perhaps seem incredible if ,i should relate how much we have suffered for this ,thing1 and how these proud ,ones have fumed1 fretted1 and gnashed their ,teeth1 frequently beating and striking us1 when we have spoken to them thus in the ,singular ,number3 ,whereby we are the more confirmed in our ,judgment1 as seeing that this ,testimony of ,truth1 which ,god hath given us to bear in all ,things1 doth so vex the serpentine ,nature in the ,children of ,darkness4 4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,bowing to ,men1 c4 ,secondly1 ,next unto this of ,titles1 the other ,part of ,honour used among ,christians is the ,kneeling1 ,bowing1 and ,uncovering of the ,head to one another4 ,i know nothing our ,adversaries have to plead for them in this ,matter1 save some few ,instances of the ,old ,testament1 and the ,custom of the ,country4 ,the first are1 ,such as ,abraham's bowing himself to the ,children of ,heth1 and ,lot to the two ,angels1 c4 ,but the ,practice of these ,patriarchs1 related as ,matter of ,fact1 is not to be a ,rule to ,christians now2 neither are we to imitate them in every ,practice1 which has not a particular ,reproof added to it3 ,for we find not ,abraham reproved for taking ,hagar1 c4 ,and indeed to say all ,things were lawful for us which they practised1 would produce great ,inconveniences obvious enough to all4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,custom of the ,nations no ,rule to ,christians4 ,and as to the ,customs of the ,nations1 it is a very ill ,argument for a ,christian's ,practice3 ,we should have a better ,rule to walk by than the ,custom of the ,gentiles2 the ,apostles desire us not to be #aeh;conformed to this ,world1 c4 ,we see how little they have to say for themselves in this ,matter4 ,let it be observed then1 ,whether our ,reasons for laying aside these ,things be not considerable and weighty enough to uphold us in so doing4 #aeh ,rom4 #ab4 #b4 ,first1 ,we say1 ,that ,god1 who is the ,creator of ,man1 and he to whom he oweth the ,dedication both of ,soul and ,body1 is over all to be worshipped and adored1 and that not only by the ,spirit1 but also with the ,prostration of ,body4 ,now1 ,kneeling1 ,bowing1 and ,uncovering of the ,head1 is the alone outward ,signification of our ,adoration towards ,god1 and therefore it is not lawful to give it unto ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,bowing is adoring1 and is only due to ,god4 ,he that kneeleth1 or prostrates himself to ,man1 what doth he more to ,god8 ,he that boweth1 and uncovereth his ,head to the ,creature1 what hath he reserved to the ,creator8 ,now the ,apostle shews us1 ,that the ,uncovering of the ,head is that which ,god requires of us in our worshipping of him1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #ad4 ,but if we make our ,address to ,men in the same ,manner1 where lieth the ,difference8 ,not in the outward ,signification1 but merely in the ,intention2 which opens a ,door for the ,popish ,veneration of ,images1 which hereby is necessarily excluded4 ,secondly1 ,men being alike by ,creation 7though their being stated under their several ,relations requires from them mutual ,services according to those respective ,relations7 owe not ,worship one to another1 but all equally are to return it to ,god3 ,because it is to him1 and his ,name alone1 that every ,knee must bow1 and before whose ,throne the four-and-twenty ,elders prostrate themselves4 ,therefore for ,men to take this one from another1 is to rob ,god of his ,glory3 ,since all the ,duties of ,relations may be performed one to another without these ,kind of ,bowings1 which therefore are no essential ,part of our ,duty to ,man1 but to ,god4 ,all ,men1 by an inward instinct1 in all ,nations have been led to prostrate and bow themselves to ,god4 ,and it is plain that this ,bowing to ,men took ,place from a slavish ,fear possessing some1 which led them to set up others as ,gods2 when also an ambitious proud ,spirit got up in those others1 to usurp the ,place of ,god over their ,brethren4 ,thirdly1 ,we see that ,peter refused it from ,cornelius1 saying1 ,he was a ,man4 ,are then the ,popes more1 or more excellent than ,peter1 who suffer ,men daily to fall down at their ,feet1 and kiss them8 ,sidenote3 ,peter and the ,angel refused ,bowing4 ,this ,reproof of ,peter to ,cornelius doth abundantly shew1 that such ,manners were not to be admitted among ,christians4 ,yea1 we see1 that the ,angel twice refused this ,kind of ,bowing from ,john1 ,rev4 xix4 #aj4 and xxii4 #i4 for this ,reason1 ,because ,i am thy ,fellow-servant1 and of thy ,brethren2 abundantly intimating that it is not lawful for ,fellow-servants thus to prostrate themselves one to another3 ,and in this ,respect all ,men are ,fellow-servants4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,if it be said1 ,john intended here a ,religious ,worship1 and not a ,civil2 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,this is to say1 not to prove3 ,neither can we suppose ,john1 at that ,time of the ,day1 so ill-instructed as not to know it was unlawful to worship ,angels2 only it should seem1 because of those great and mysterious ,things revealed to him by that ,angel1 he was willing to signify some more than ordinary ,testimony of ,respect1 for which he was reproved4 ,these ,things being thus considered1 it is remitted to the ,judgment of such as are desirous to be found ,christians indeed1 whether we are worthy of ,blame for waving it to ,men4 ,let those then that will blame us consider whether they might not as well accuse ,mordecai of ,incivility1 who was no less singular than we in this ,matter4 ,sidenote3 ,to forbear ,bowing to ,men is no ,incivility1 nor ,pride1 nor ,rudeness4 ,and forasmuch as they accuse us herein of ,rudeness and ,pride1 though the ,testimony of our ,consciences in the ,sight of ,god be a sufficient ,guard against such ,calumnies1 yet there are of us known to be ,men of such ,education1 as forbear not these ,things for want of that they call good ,breeding2 and we should be very void of ,reason1 to purchase that ,pride at so dear a ,rate1 as many have done the ,exercise of their ,conscience in this ,matter2 many of us having been sorely beaten and buffeted1 yea1 and several ,months imprisoned1 for no other ,reason but because we could not so satisfy the proud unreasonable ,humours of proud ,men1 as to uncover our ,heads1 and bow our ,bodies4 ,nor doth our innocent ,practice1 in standing still1 though upright1 not putting off our ,hats1 any more than our ,shoes1 the one being the ,covering of our ,heads1 as well as the other of our ,feet1 shew so much ,rudeness1 as their beating and knocking us1 c4 because we cannot ,bow to them1 contrary to our ,consciences3 ,which certainly shews less ,meekness and ,humility upon their ,part1 than it doth of ,rudeness or ,pride upon ours4 ,now suppose it were our ,weakness1 and we really under a ,mistake in this ,thing1 since it is not alleged to be the ,breach of any ,christian ,precept1 are we not to be indulged1 as the ,apostle commanded should be done to such as scrupled to eat ,flesh8 ,and doth not persecuting and reviling us upon this ,account shew them to be more like unto proud ,haman1 than the ,disciples or ,followers of the meek1 self-denying ,jesus8 ,and this ,i can say boldly1 in the ,sight of ,god1 from my own ,experience1 and that of many ,thousands more1 that however small or foolish this may seem1 yet we behoved to choose ,death rather than do it1 and that for ,conscience ,sake3 ,and that in its being so contrary to our natural ,spirits1 there are many of us1 to whom the ,forsaking of these ,bowings and ,ceremonies was as ,death itself2 which we could never have left1 if we could have enjoyed our ,peace with ,god in the ,use of them4 ,though it be far from us to judge all those to whom ,god hath not shewn the ,evil of them1 under the like ,hazard2 yet nevertheless we doubt not but to such as would prove faithful ,witnesses to ,christ's ,divine ,light in their ,consciences1 ,god will also shew the ,evil of these ,things4 4 ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,apparel in its ,vanity and ,superfluity disallowed4 ,the ,third ,thing to be treated of1 is the ,vanity and ,superfluity of ,apparel4 ,in which1 ,first1 ,two ,things are to be considered1 the ,condition of the ,person1 and the ,country he lives in4 ,we shall not say that all ,persons are to be clothed alike1 because it will perhaps neither suit their ,bodies nor their ,estates4 ,and if a ,man be clothed soberly1 and without ,superfluity1 though they may be finer than that which his ,servant is clothed with1 we shall not blame him for it3 ,the abstaining from ,superfluities1 which his ,condition and ,education have accustomed him to1 may be in him a greater ,act of ,mortification than the abstaining from finer ,clothes in the ,servant1 who never was accustomed to them4 ,as to the ,country1 what it naturally produces may be no ,vanity to the ,inhabitants to use1 or what is commonly imparted to them by ,way of ,exchange1 seeing it is without ,doubt that the ,creation is for the ,use of ,man4 ,so where ,silk abounds1 it may be worn as well as ,wool2 and were we in those ,countries1 or near unto them1 where ,gold or ,silver were as common as ,iron or ,brass1 the one might be used as well as the other4 ,the ,iniquity lies then here1 ,first1 ,when from a ,lust of ,vanity1 and a ,desire to adorn themselves1 ,men and ,women1 not content with what their ,condition can bear1 or their ,country easily affords1 do stretch to have ,things1 that from their ,rarity1 and the ,price that is put upon them1 seem to be precious1 and so feed their ,lust the more2 and this all sober ,men of all ,sorts will readily grant to be ,evil4 ,secondly1 ,when ,men are not content to make a true ,use of the ,creation1 whether the ,things be fine or coarse1 and do not satisfy themselves with what ,need and ,conveniency call for1 but add thereunto ,things merely superfluous1 such as is the ,use of ,ribbands and ,lace1 and much more of that ,kind of ,stuff1 as painting the ,face1 and plaiting the ,hair1 which are the ,fruits of the fallen1 lustful1 and corrupt ,nature1 and not of the ,new ,creation1 as all will acknowledge4 ,and though sober ,men among all ,sorts will say1 ,that it were better these ,things were not1 yet will they not reckon them unlawful1 and therefore do admit the ,use of them among their ,church-members3 ,but we do account them altogether unlawful1 and unsuitable to ,christians1 and that for these ,reasons3 ,sidenote3 ,the proper ,use of ,clothes4 ,first1 ,the ,use of ,clothes came originally from the ,fall4 ,if ,man had not fallen1 it appears he would not have needed them2 but this miserable ,state made them necessary in two ,respects3 #a4 ,to cover his ,nakedness2 #b4 ,to keep him from the ,cold2 which are both the proper and principal ,use of them4 ,now for ,man to delight himself in that which is the ,fruit of his ,iniquity1 and the ,consequence of his ,sin1 can be no ,ways lawful for him3 ,so to extend ,things beyond their real ,use1 or to superadd ,things wholly superfluous1 is a manifest ,abuse of the ,creation1 and therefore not lawful to ,christians4 ,secondly1 ,those that will needs so adorn themselves in the ,use of their ,clothes1 as to beset them with ,things having no real ,use or ,necessity1 but merely for ,ornament ,sake1 do openly declare1 ,sidenote3 ,not to please their ,lusts4 ,that the ,end of it is either to please their ,lust 7for which ,end these ,things are chiefly invented and contrived7 or otherwise to gratify a vain1 proud1 and ostentatious ,mind2 and it is obvious these are their general ,ends in so doing4 ,yea1 we see how easily ,men are puffed up with their ,garments1 and how proud and vain they are1 when adorned to their ,mind4 ,now how far these ,things are below a true ,christian1 and how unsuitable1 needs very little ,proof4 ,hereby those who love to be gaudy and superfluous in their ,clothes1 shew they concern themselves little with ,mortification and ,self-denial1 and that they study to beautify their ,bodies more than their ,souls2 which proves they think little upon ,mortality1 and so certainly are more nominal than real ,christians4 ,sidenote3 ,contrary to ,scripture4 ,thirdly1 ,the ,scripture severely reproves such ,practices1 both commending and commanding the contrary2 as ,isa4 iii4 how severely doth the ,prophet reprove the ,daughters of ,israel for their tinkling ,ornaments1 their ,cauls1 and their round ,tires1 their ,chains and ,bracelets1 c4 and yet is it not strange to see ,christians allow themselves in these ,things1 from whom a more strict and exemplary ,conversation is required8 ,christ desires us not to be anxious about our ,clothing1 ,matt4 vi4 #be4 and to shew the ,vanity of such as glory in the ,splendor of their ,clothing1 tells them1 ,that even ,solomon1 in all his ,glory1 was not to be compared to the ,lily of the ,field1 which ,to-day is1 and ,to-morrow is cast into the ,oven4 ,but surely they make small ,reckoning of ,christ's ,words and ,doctrine that are so curious in their ,clothing1 and so industrious to deck themselves1 and so earnest to justify it1 and so enraged when they are reproved for it4 ,the ,apostle ,paul is very positive in this ,respect1 #a ,tim4 ii4 #i1 #aj4 ,i will therefore in like ,manner also that ,women adorn themselves in modest ,apparel1 with ,shamefacedness and ,sobriety1 and not with broidered ,hair1 or ,gold1 or ,pearls1 or costly ,array1 but 7which becometh ,women professing ,godliness7 with good ,works4 ,to the same ,purpose saith ,peter1 #a ,pet4 iii4 #c1 #d4 ,whose ,adorning let it not be that outward ,adorning of plaiting the ,hair1 and wearing of ,gold1 or of putting on of ,apparel2 but let it be the hidden ,man of the ,heart1 in that which is not corruptible1 even the ,ornament of a meek and quiet ,spirit1 c4 ,here both the ,apostles do very positively and expresly assert two ,things4 ,first1 ,that the ,adorning of ,christian ,women 7of whom it is particularly spoken1 ,i judge1 because this ,sex is most naturally inclined to that ,vanity1 and that it seems that ,christian ,men in those ,days deserved not in this ,respect so much to be reproved7 ought not to be outward1 nor consist in the ,apparel4 ,sidenote3 ,plaiting the ,hair1 c4 ,secondly1 ,that they ought not to use the ,plaiting of the ,hair1 or ,ornaments1 c4 which was at that ,time the ,custom of the ,nations4 ,but is it not strange1 ,that such as make the ,scripture their ,rule1 and pretend they are guided by it1 should not only be so generally in the ,use of these ,things1 which the ,scripture so plainly condemns1 but also should attempt to justify themselves in so doing8 ,for the ,apostles not only commend the ,forbearance of these ,things1 as an ,attainment commendable in ,christians1 but condemn the ,use of them as unlawful2 and yet may it not seem more strange1 ,that in ,contradiction to the ,apostle's ,doctrine1 as if they had resolved to slight their ,testimony1 they should condemn those that out of ,conscience apply themselves seriously to follow it1 as if in so doing they were singular1 proud1 or superstitious8 ,this certainly betokens a sad ,apostasy in those that will be accounted ,christians1 that they are so offended with those who love to follow ,christ and his ,apostles1 in denying of1 and departing from1 the lying ,vanities of this perishing ,world2 and so doth much evidence their ,affinity with those who hate to be reproved1 and neither will enter themselves1 nor suffer those that would4 4 ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,sports1 c4 inconsistent with the ,gospel4 ,fourthly1 ,let us consider the ,use of ,games1 ,sports1 ,comedies1 and other such ,things1 commonly and indifferently used by all the several ,sorts of ,christians1 under the ,notion of ,divertisement and ,recreation1 and see whether these ,things can consist with the ,seriousness1 ,gravity1 and ,godly ,fear1 which the ,gospel calls for4 ,let us but view and look over the ,notions of them that call themselves ,christians1 whether ,papists or ,protestants1 and see if generally there be any ,difference1 save in mere ,name and ,profession1 from the ,heathen8 ,doth not the same ,folly1 the same ,vanity1 the same ,abuse of precious and irrevocable ,time abound8 ,the same ,gaming1 ,sporting1 ,playing1 and from thence ,quarrelling1 ,fighting1 ,swearing1 ,ranting1 ,revelling8 ,now how can these ,things be remedied1 so long as the ,preachers and ,professors1 and those who are the ,leaders of the ,people1 do allow these ,things1 and account them not inconsistent with the ,profession of ,christianity8 ,and it is strange to see that these ,things are tolerated every where2 the ,inquisition lays no ,hold on them1 neither at ,rome1 nor in ,spain1 where in their ,masquerades all ,manner of ,obscenity1 ,folly1 yea1 and ,atheism is generally practised in the ,face of the ,world1 to the great ,scandal of the ,christian ,name3 ,but if any ,man reprove them in these ,things1 and forsake their ,superstitions1 and come seriously to serve ,god1 and worship him in the ,spirit1 he becomes their ,prey1 and is immediately exposed to cruel ,sufferings4 ,doth this bear any ,relation to ,christianity8 ,do these ,things look any ,thing like the ,churches of the ,primitive ,christians8 ,surely not at all4 ,i shall first cite some few ,scripture ,testimonies1 being very positive ,precepts to ,christians1 and then see whether such as obey them can admit of these forementioned ,things4 ,the ,apostle commands us1 ,that whether we eat or drink1 or whatever we do1 we do it all to the ,glory of ,god4 ,sidenote3 ,by ,sports and ,games ,god is not glorified4 ,but ,i judge none will be so impudent as to affirm1 ,that in the ,use of these ,sports and ,games ,god is glorified3 ,if any should so say1 ,they would declare they neither knew ,god nor his ,glory4 ,and ,experience abundantly proves1 ,that in the ,practice of these ,things ,men mind nothing less than the ,glory of ,god1 and nothing more than the ,satisfaction of their own carnal ,lusts1 ,wills1 and ,appetites4 ,the ,apostle desires us1 #a ,cor4 vii4 #bi4 #ca4 ,because the ,time is short1 that they that buy should be as though they possessed not2 and they that use this ,world1 as not abusing it1 c4 ,but how can they be found in the ,obedience of this ,precept that plead for the ,use of these ,games and ,sports1 who1 it seems1 think the ,time so long1 that they cannot find ,occasion enough to employ it1 neither in taking ,care for their ,souls1 nor yet in the necessary ,care for their ,bodies2 but invent these ,games and ,sports to pass it away1 as if they wanted other ,work to serve ,god in1 or be useful to the ,creation8 ,the ,apostle ,peter desires us1 ,to pass the ,time of our ,sojourning here in ,fear1 #a ,pet4 i4 #ag4 ,but will any say1 ,that such as use ,dancing and ,comedies1 ,carding and ,dicing1 do so much as mind this ,precept in the ,use of these ,things8 ,where there is nothing to be seen but ,lightness and ,vanity1 ,wantonness and ,obscenity1 contrived to draw ,men from the ,fear of ,god1 and therefore no ,doubt calculated for the ,service of the ,devil4 ,there is no ,duty more frequently commanded1 nor more incumbent upon ,christians1 than the ,fear of the ,lord1 to stand in ,awe before him1 to walk as in his ,presence2 but if such as use these ,games and ,sports will speak from their ,consciences1 they can1 ,i doubt not1 experimentally declare1 ,that this ,fear is forgotten in their ,gaming3 ,and if ,god by his ,light secretly touch them1 or mind them of the ,vanity of their ,way1 they strive to shut it out1 and use their ,gaming as an ,engine to put away from them that troublesome ,guest2 and thus make merry over the ,just ,one1 whom they have slain and crucified in themselves4 ,but further1 if ,christ's ,reasoning be to be heeded1 who saith1 ,matt4 xii4 #ce1 #cf4 ,that the good ,man1 out of the good ,treasure of the ,heart1 bringeth forth good ,things2 and an evil ,man1 out of the evil ,treasure1 bringeth forth evil ,things1 and that of every idle ,word we shall give an ,account in the ,day of ,judgment1 it may be easily gathered from what ,treasure these ,inventions come2 and it may be easily proved1 that it is from the ,evil1 and not the ,good4 ,sidenote3 ,comedies a studied ,complex of idle lying ,words4 ,how many idle ,words do they necessarily produce8 ,yea1 what are ,comedies but a studied ,complex of idle and lying ,words8 ,let ,men that believe their ,souls are immortal1 and that there will be a ,day of ,judgment1 in which these ,words of ,christ will be accomplished1 answer me1 how all these will make ,account in that great and terrible ,day1 of all these idle ,words that are necessarily made use of about ,dancing1 ,gaming1 ,carding1 and ,comedies acting8 ,and yet how is it that by ,christians not condemning these ,things1 but allowing of them1 many that are accounted ,christians take up their whole ,time in them1 yea1 make it their ,trade and ,employment8 ,such as the ,dancing-masters and ,comedians1 c4 whose ,hellish ,conversations do sufficiently declare what ,master they serve1 and to what ,end these ,things contribute4 ,and it cannot be denied1 as being obviously manifest by ,experience1 ,that such as are ,masters of these ,occupations1 and are most delighted in them1 if they be not open ,atheists and ,profligates1 are such at best as make ,religion or the ,care of their ,souls their least ,business4 ,now if these ,things were discountenanced by ,christians1 as inconsistent with their ,profession1 it would remove these ,things2 for these ,wretches would be necessitated then to betake themselves to some honest ,livelihood1 if they were not fed and upholden by these4 ,and as hereby a great ,scandal and ,stumbling-block would be removed from off the ,christian ,name1 so also would that in ,part be taken out of the ,way which provokes the ,lord to with-hold his ,blessing1 and by ,occasion of which ,things the ,minds of many remain chained in ,darkness1 and drowned in ,lust1 ,sensuality1 and worldly ,pleasures1 without any ,sense of ,god's ,fear1 or their own ,soul's ,salvation4 ,many of those called ,fathers of the ,church1 and other serious ,persons1 have signified their ,regret for these ,things1 and their ,desires they might be remedied2 of whom many ,citations might be alleged1 which for ,brevity's ,sake ,i have omitted4 4 ,,ix4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,but they object1 ,that ,men's ,spirits could not subsist1 if they were always intent upon serious and spiritual ,matters1 and that therefore there is ,need of some ,divertisement to recreate the ,mind a little1 whereby it being refreshed1 is able with great ,vigour to apply itself to these ,things4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,though all this were granted1 it would no ,ways militate against us1 neither plead the ,use of these ,things1 which we would have wholly laid aside4 ,for that ,men should be always in the same ,intentiveness of ,mind1 we do not plead1 knowing how impossible it is1 so long as we are clothed with this ,tabernacle of ,clay4 ,but this will not allow us at any ,time so to recede from the ,remembrance of ,god1 and of our ,souls chief ,concern1 as not still to retain a certain ,sense of his ,fear2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,fear of ,god the best ,recreation in the ,world4 which cannot be so much as rationally supposed to be in the ,use of these ,things which we condemn4 ,now the necessary ,occasions in which all are involved1 in order to the ,care and ,sustentation of the outward ,man1 are a ,relaxation of the ,mind from the more serious ,duties2 and those are performed in the ,blessing1 as the ,mind is so leavened with the ,love of ,god1 and the ,sense of his ,presence1 that even in doing these ,things the ,soul carrieth with it that ,divine ,influence and ,spiritual ,habit1 whereby though these ,acts1 as of eating1 drinking1 sleeping1 working1 be upon the ,matter one with what the ,wicked do1 yet they are done in another ,spirit2 and in doing of them we please the ,lord1 serve him1 and answer our ,end in the ,creation1 and so feel and are sensible of his ,blessing3 ,whereas the ,wicked and ,profane1 being not come to this ,place1 are in whatsoever they do cursed1 and their ,ploughing as well as ,praying is ,sin4 ,now if any will plead1 that for ,relaxation of ,mind1 there may be a ,liberty allowed beyond these ,things1 which are of absolute ,need to the ,sustenance of the outward ,man1 ,i shall not much contend against it2 provided these ,things be not such as are wholly superfluous1 or in their proper ,nature and ,tendency lead the ,mind into ,lust1 ,vanity1 and ,wantonness1 as being chiefly contrived and framed for that ,end1 or generally experienced to produce these ,effects1 or being the common ,engines of such as are so minded to feed one another therein1 and to propagate their ,wickedness1 to the imprisoning of others2 seeing there are other innocent ,divertisements which may sufficiently serve for ,relaxation of the ,mind1 ,sidenote3 ,lawful ,divertisements4 such as for ,friends to visit one another2 to hear or read ,history2 to speak soberly of the present or past ,transactions2 to follow after ,gardening2 to use ,geometrical and ,mathematical ,experiments1 and such other ,things of this ,nature4 ,in all which ,things we are not to forget ,god1 in whom we both live1 and are moved1 ,acts xvii4 #bh4 as not to have always some secret ,reserve to him1 and ,sense of his ,fear and ,presence2 which also frequently exerts itself in the ,midst of these ,things by some short ,aspiration and ,breathings4 ,and that this may neither seem strange nor troublesome1 ,i shall clear it by one manifest ,instance1 answerable to the ,experience of all ,men4 ,it will not be denied but that ,men ought to be more in the ,love of ,god than of any other ,thing2 for we ought to love ,god above all ,things4 ,now it is plain1 that ,men that are taken with ,love1 whether it be of ,women1 or of any other ,thing1 if it hath taken a deep ,place in the ,heart1 and possess the ,mind1 it will be hard for the ,man so in ,love to drive out of his ,mind the ,person or ,thing so loved2 yea1 in his eating1 drinking1 and sleeping1 his ,mind will always have a ,tendency that ,way2 and in ,business or ,recreations1 however intent he be in it1 there will but a very short ,time be permitted to pass1 but the ,mind will let some ,ejaculation forth towards its ,beloved4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,love towards its ,beloved shuns its ,offence4 ,and albeit such a ,one must be conversant in those ,things that the ,care of this ,body and such like ,things call for2 yet will he avoid as ,death itself to do those ,things that may offend the ,party so beloved1 or cross his ,design in obtaining the ,thing so earnestly desired3 ,though there may be some small ,use in them1 the great ,design1 which is chiefly in his ,eye1 will so balance him1 that he will easily look over and dispense with such petty ,necessities1 rather than endanger the ,loss of the ,greater by them4 ,now that ,men ought to be thus in ,love with ,god1 and the ,life to come1 none will deny2 and the ,thing is apparent from these ,scriptures1 ,mat4 vi4 #bj4 ,but lay up for yourselves ,treasures in ,heaven4 ,col4 iii4 #b4 ,set your ,affection on ,things above1 c4 ,and that this hath been the ,experience and ,attainment of some1 the ,scripture also declares1 ,psalm lxiii4 #a4 #h4 #b ,cor4 v4 #d4 ,sidenote3 ,sports and ,plays draw ,men from the ,fear of ,god4 ,and again1 ,that these ,games1 ,sports1 ,plays1 ,dancing1 ,comedies1 c4 do naturally tend to draw ,men from ,god's ,fear1 to make them forget ,heaven1 ,death1 and ,judgment1 to foster ,lust1 ,vanity1 and ,wantonness1 and therefore are most loved1 as well as used1 by such ,kind of ,persons1 ,experience abundantly shews1 and the most serious and conscientious among all will scarcely deny2 which if it be so1 the ,application is easy4 4 ,x4 ,fifthly1 ,the ,use of ,swearing is to be considered1 which is so frequently practised almost among all ,christians2 not only profane ,oaths among the ,profane1 in their common ,discourses1 whereby the ,most ,,holy ,,name of ,,god is in a horrible ,manner daily blasphemed2 but also solemn ,oaths1 with those that have some ,shew of ,piety1 whereof the most ,part do defend ,swearing before the ,magistrate with so great ,zeal1 that not only they are ready themselves to do it upon every ,occasion1 but also have stirred up the ,magistrates to persecute those1 who1 out of ,obedience to ,christ1 their ,lord and ,master1 judge it unlawful to swear2 upon which ,account not a ,few have suffered ,imprisonment1 and the ,spoiling of their ,goods4 ,sidenote3 ,all ,swearing is forbidden-- ,but considering these clear ,words of our ,saviour1 ,matt4 v4 #cc1 #cd4 ,again1 ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old ,time1 ,thou shalt not forswear thyself but shalt perform unto the ,lord thine ,oaths4 ,but ,i say unto you1 ,,swear ,,not ,,at ,,all1 neither by ,heaven1 c4 ,but let your ,communication be yea1 yea2 nay1 nay2 for whatsoever is more than these cometh of ,evil4 ,as also the ,words of the ,apostle ,james v4 #ab4 ,but above all ,things1 my ,brethren1 swear not1 neither by ,heaven1 neither by the ,earth1 neither by any other ,oath2 but let your yea be yea1 and your nay1 nay1 lest ye fall into ,condemnation4 ,i say1 considering these clear ,words1 it is admirable how any one that professeth the ,name of ,christ can pronounce any ,oath with a quiet ,conscience1 far less to persecute other ,christians1 that dare not swear1 because of their ,master ,christ's ,authority4 ,for did any one purpose seriously1 and in the most rigid ,manner1 to forbid any ,thing comprehended under any ,general1 can they use a more full and general ,prohibition1 and that without any ,exception8 ,i think not4 ,for ,christ1 ,first1 proposeth it to us negatively1 ,swear not at all1 neither by ,heaven1 not by the ,earth1 nor by ,jerusalem1 nor by thy ,head1 c4 ,and again1 ,swear not by ,heaven1 nor by ,earth1 nor by any other ,oath4 ,secondly1 ,he presseth it affirmatively1 ,but let your ,communication be yea1 yea1 and nay1 nay2 for whatsoever is more than these1 cometh of ,evil4 ,and saith ,james1 ,lest ye fall into ,condemnation4 ,sidenote3 ,without ,exception4 ,which ,words both all and every one of them do make such a full ,prohibition1 and so free of all ,exception1 that it is strange how ,men that boast the ,scripture is the ,rule of their ,faith and ,life1 can counterfeit any ,exception6 ,certainly ,reason ought to teach every one1 that it is not lawful to make void a general ,prohibition coming from ,god by such ,opposition1 unless the ,exception be as clearly and evidently expressed as the ,prohibition3 ,neither is it enough to endeavour to confirm it by ,consequences and ,probabilities1 which are obscure and uncertain1 and not sufficient to bring ,quiet to the ,conscience4 ,for if they say1 ,that there is therefore an ,exception and ,limitation in the ,words1 because there are found ,exceptions in the other general ,prohibition of this ,fifth ,chapter1 as in the forbidding of ,divorcement1 where ,christ saith1 ,it hath been said1 ,whosoever shall put away his ,wife1 let him give her a ,writing of ,divorcement3 ,but ,i say unto you1 ,that whosoever shall put away his ,wife1 saving for the ,cause of ,fornication1 causeth her to commit ,adultery2 if1 ,i say1 they plead this1 they not only labour in vain1 but also fight against themselves1 because they can produce no ,exception of this general ,command of not ,swearing1 expressed by ,god to any under the ,new ,covenant1 after ,christ gave this ,prohibition so clear as that which is made in the ,prohibition itself4 ,sidenote3 ,also ,oaths before a ,magistrate4 ,moreover1 if ,christ would have excepted ,oaths made before ,magistrates1 certainly he had then expressed1 adding1 ,except in ,judgment1 before the ,magistrate1 or the like2 as he did in that of ,divorcement by these ,words1 ,saving for the ,cause of ,fornication3 ,which being so1 it is not lawful for us to except or distinguish1 or1 which is all one1 make void this general ,prohibition of ,christ2 it would be far less agreeable to ,christian ,holiness to bring upon our ,heads the ,crimes of so many ,oaths1 which by ,reason of this ,corruption and ,exception are so frequent among ,christians4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,concurrence of the ancient ,fathers therein4 ,neither is it to be omitted that without ,doubt the most learned ,doctors of each ,sect know1 ,that these fore-mentioned ,words were understood by the ancient ,fathers of the first three hundred ,years after ,christ to be a ,prohibition of all ,sorts of ,oaths4 ,it is not then without ,reason that we wonder that the ,popish ,doctors and ,priests bind themselves by an ,oath to interpret the ,holy ,scriptures according to the universal ,exposition of the ,holy ,fathers2 who nevertheless understood those controverted ,texts quite contrary to what these modern ,doctors do4 ,and from thence also do clearly appear the ,vanity and foolish ,certainty 7so to speak7 of ,popish ,traditions2 for if by the ,writings of the ,fathers1 so called1 the ,faith of the ,church of those ,ages may be demonstrated1 it is clear they have departed from the ,faith of the ,church of the first three ,ages in the ,point of ,swearing4 ,moreover1 because not only ,papists1 but also ,lutherans and ,calvinists1 and some others1 do restrict the ,words of ,christ and ,james1 ,i think it needful to make manifest the vain ,foundation upon which that ,presumption in this ,matter is built4 4 ,,xi4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,first1 ,they object1 ,that ,christ only forbids those ,oaths that are made by ,creatures1 and ,things created2 and they prove it thence1 because he numbers some of these ,things4 ,secondly1 ,all rash and vain ,oaths in familiar ,discourses2 because he saith1 ,let your ,communication be yea1 yea1 and nay1 nay4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #a4 ,to which ,i answer1 ,first1 ,that the ,law did forbid all ,oaths made by the ,creatures1 as also all vain and rash ,oaths in our common ,discourses1 commanding1 ,that ,men should only swear by the ,name of ,god1 and that neither falsely nor rashly2 for that is to take his ,name in vain4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #b4 ,secondly1 ,it is most evident that ,christ forbids somewhat that was permitted under the ,law1 ,sidenote3 ,to swear by ,god himself forbidden by ,christ4 to wit1 to swear by the ,name of ,god1 because it was not lawful for any ,man to swear but by ,god himself4 ,and because he saith1 ,neither by ,heaven1 because it is the ,throne of ,god2 therefore he excludes all other ,oaths1 even those which are made by ,god2 for he saith1 ,chap4 xxiii4 #bb4 ,he that shall swear by ,heaven1 sweareth by the ,throne of ,god1 and by him that sitteth thereon3 ,which is also to be understood of the rest4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 #c4 ,lastly1 ,that he might put the ,matter beyond all ,controversy1 he adds1 ,neither by any other ,oath3 ,therefore seeing to swear before the ,magistrate by ,god is an ,oath1 it is here without ,doubt forbidden4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,secondly1 ,they object1 ,that by these ,words ,oaths by ,god's ,name cannot be forbidden1 because the ,heavenly ,father hath commanded them2 for the ,father and the ,son are one1 which could not be1 if the ,son had forbid that which the ,father commanded4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,they are indeed one1 and cannot contradict one another3 ,sidenote3 ,oaths under the ,old ,covenant4 ,nevertheless the ,father gave many ,things to the ,jews for a ,time1 because of their ,infirmity under the ,old ,covenant1 which had only a ,shadow of good ,things to come1 not the very ,substance of ,things1 until ,christ should come1 who was the ,substance1 and by whose ,coming all these ,things vanished1 to wit1 ,sabbaths1 ,circumcision1 the ,paschal ,lamb3 ,men used then ,sacrifices1 who lived in ,controversies with ,god1 and one with another1 which all are abrogated in the ,coming of the ,son1 who is the ,substance1 ,eternal ,word1 and ,essential ,oath and ,amen1 in whom the ,promises of ,god are ,yea and ,amen3 ,who came that ,men might be redeemed out of ,strife1 and might make an ,end of ,controversy4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,thirdly1 ,they object1 ,but all ,oaths are not ,ceremonies1 nor any ,part of the ,ceremonial ,law4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,except it be shewn to be an eternal1 immutable1 and moral ,precept1 it withstands not2 neither are they of so old an ,origin as ,tithes1 ,sidenote3 ,tithes1 c4 unlawful now4 and the ,offering of the ,first ,fruits of the ,ground1 which by ,abel and ,cain were offered long before the ,ceremonial ,law1 or the ,use of ,oaths2 which1 whatever may be alleged against it1 were no ,doubt ,ceremonies1 and therefore no ,doubt unlawful now to be practised4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,fourthly1 ,they object1 ,that to swear by the ,name of ,god is a moral ,precept of continual ,duration1 because it is marked with his essential and moral ,worship1 ,deut4 vi4 #ac4 and x4 #bj4 ,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god1 and serve him alone3 ,thou shalt cleave to him1 and swear by his ,name4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,this proves not that it is a moral and eternal ,precept2 for ,moses adds that to all the ,precepts and ,ceremonies in several ,places2 as ,deut4 x4 #ab1 #ac4 saying1 ,and now1 ,israel1 what doth the ,lord thy ,god require of thee1 but to fear the ,lord thy ,god1 to walk in all his ,ways1 and to love him1 and to serve the ,lord thy ,god with all thy ,heart1 and with all thy ,soul2 to keep the ,commandments in the ,lord1 and his ,statutes1 which ,i command thee this ,day8 ,and ,chap4 xiv4 #bc4 the ,fear of the ,lord is mentioned together with the ,tithes4 ,and so also ,levit4 xix4 #b1 #c4 #f4 the ,sabbaths and ,regard to ,parents are mentioned with ,swearing4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,fifthly1 ,they object1 ,that solemn ,oaths1 which ,god commanded1 cannot be here forbidden by ,christ2 for he saith1 ,that they come from ,evil3 ,but these did not come from ,evil2 for ,god never commanded any ,thing that was ,evil1 or came from ,evil4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,there are ,things which are ,good because commanded1 and ,evil because forbidden2 other ,things are commanded because ,good1 and forbidden because ,evil4 ,sidenote3 ,oaths are ,evil1 because forbidden4 ,as ,circumcision and ,oaths1 which were ,good1 when and because they were commanded1 and in no other ,respect2 and again1 when and because prohibited under the ,gospel1 they are ,evil4 ,and in all these ,jewish ,constitutions1 however ceremonial1 there was something of ,good1 to wit1 in their ,season1 as prefiguring some ,good3 ,as by ,circumcision1 the ,purifications1 and other ,things1 the ,holiness of ,god was typified1 and that the ,israelites ought to be holy1 as their ,god was holy4 ,in the like ,manner ,oaths1 under the ,shadows and ,ceremonies1 signified the ,verity of ,god1 his ,faithfulness and ,certainty2 and therefore that we ought in all ,things to speak and witness the ,truth4 ,sidenote3 ,truth was before all ,oaths4 ,but the ,witness of ,truth was before all ,oaths1 and remains when all ,oaths are abolished2 and this is the ,morality of all ,oaths2 and so long as ,men abide therein1 there is no ,necessity nor ,place for ,oaths1 as ,polybius witnessed1 who said1 8,the ,use of ,oaths in ,judgment was rare among the ,ancients2 but by the growing of ,perfidiousness1 so grew also the ,use of ,oaths40 ,sidenote3 ,oaths supply presupposed ,defects of ,men's ,inconstancy4 ,to which agreeth ,grotius1 saying1 8,an ,oath is only to be used as a ,medicine1 in ,case of ,necessity3 ,a solemn ,oath is not used but to supply ,defect4 ,the ,lightness of ,men1 and their ,inconstancy1 begot ,diffidence2 for which ,swearing was sought out as a ,remedy40 ,basil the ,great saith1 8,that ,swearing is the ,effect of ,sin40 ,and ,ambrose1 8,that ,oaths are only a ,condescendency for ,defect40 ,chrysostom saith1 8,that an ,oath entered when ,evil grew1 when ,men exercised their ,frauds1 when all ,foundations were overturned3 ,that ,oaths took their ,beginning from the ,want of ,truth40 ,these and the ,like are witnessed by many others with the fore-mentioned ,authors4 ,but what ,need of ,testimonies1 where the ,evidence of ,things speaks itself8 ,for who will force another to swear1 of whom he is certainly persuaded that he abhors to lie in his ,words8 ,and again1 as ,chrysostom and others say1 8,for what ,end wilt thou force him to swear1 whom thou believest not that he will speak the ,truth80 4 ,,xii4 ,that then which was not from the ,beginning1 which was of no ,use in the ,beginning1 which had not its ,beginning first from the ,will of ,god1 but from the ,work of the ,devil1 occasioned from ,evil1 to wit1 from ,unfaithfulness1 ,lying1 ,deceit2 and which was at first only invented by ,man1 as a mutual ,remedy of this ,evil1 in which they called upon the ,names of their ,idols2 yea1 that which1 as ,jerome1 ,chrysostom1 and others testify1 was given to the ,israelites by ,god1 as unto ,children1 that they might abstain from the idolatrous ,oaths of the ,heathens1 ,jer4 xii4 #af4 whatsoever is so1 is far from being a moral and eternal ,precept4 ,and ,lastly1 whatsoever by its ,profanation and ,abuse is polluted with ,sin1 such as are abundantly the ,oaths of these ,times1 by so often swearing and forswearing1 far differs from any necessary and perpetual ,duty of a ,christian3 ,but ,oaths are so3 ,therefore1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,sixthly1 ,they object1 ,that ,god swore1 therefore to swear is good4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,athan4 in pass4 cruc4 ,dom4 ,i answer with ,athanasius2 8,seeing it is certain it is proper in ,swearing to swear by another1 thence it appears1 that ,god1 to speak properly1 did never swear but only improperly3 ,whence1 speaking to ,men1 he is said to swear1 because those ,things which he speaks1 because of the ,certainty and ,immutability of his ,will1 are to be esteemed for ,oaths40 ,compare ,psalm cx4 #d4 where it is said1 ,the ,lord did swear1 and it did not repent him1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,god swears not by another1 but by himself4 ,and ,i swore 7saith he7 by myself3 8,and this is not an ,oath2 for he did not swear by another1 which is the ,property of an ,oath1 but by himself4 ,therefore ,god swears not according to the ,manner of ,men1 neither can we be induced from thence to swear4 ,but let us so do and say1 and shew ourselves such by speaking and acting1 that we need not an ,oath with those who hear us2 and let our ,words of themselves have the ,testimony of ,truth3 ,for so we shall plainly imitate ,god40 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,seventhly1 ,they object1 ,christ did swear1 and we ought to imitate him4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,that ,christ did not swear2 and albeit he had sworn1 being yet under the ,law1 this would no ,ways oblige us under the ,gospel2 as neither ,circumcision1 or the ,celebration of the ,paschal ,lamb4 ,sidenote3 ,jerome ,lib4 ,ep4 ,part4 #c4 ,tract4 #a4 ,ep4 #b4 ,concerning which ,jerome saith1 8,all ,things agree not unto us1 who are ,servants1 that agreed unto our ,lord1 c4 ,the ,lord swore as ,lord1 whom no ,man did forbid to swear2 but unto us1 that are ,servants1 it is not lawful to swear1 because we are forbidden by the ,law of our ,lord4 ,yet1 lest we should suffer ,scandal by his ,example1 he hath not sworn1 since he commanded us not to swear40 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,eighthly1 ,they object1 ,that ,paul swore1 and that often1 ,rom4 i4 #i4 ,phil4 i4 #h4 saying1 ,for ,god is my ,record4 #b ,cor4 xi4 #aj4 ,as the ,truth of ,christ is in me4 #b ,cor4 i4 #bc4 ,i call ,god for a ,record upon my ,soul4 ,i speak the ,truth in ,christ1 ,i lie not1 ,rom4 ix4 #a4 ,behold1 before ,god ,i lie not1 ,gal4 i4 #bj4 and so requires ,oaths of others4 ,i obtest thee 7saith he7 before ,god and our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 #a ,thess4 v4 #bg4 ,i charge you by the ,lord1 that this ,epistle be read to all the ,brethren4 ,but ,paul would not have done so1 if all ,manner of ,oaths had been forbidden by ,christ1 whose ,apostle he was4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,to all which ,i answer1 ,first1 ,that the using of such ,forms of ,speaking is neither ,swearing1 nor so esteemed by our ,adversaries4 ,for when upon ,occasion1 in ,matters of great ,moment1 we have said1 ,we speak the ,truth in the ,fear of ,god1 and before him1 who is our ,witness1 and the ,searcher of our ,hearts1 adding such ,kind of serious ,attestations1 which we never refused in ,matters of ,consequence2 nevertheless an ,oath hath moreover been required of us1 ,sidenote3 ,the ,ceremonies of an ,oath4 with the ,ceremony of putting our ,hands upon the ,book1 the ,kissing of it1 the lifting up of the ,hand or ,fingers1 together with this common ,form of ,imprecation1 ,so help me ,god2 or1 ,so truly ,let the ,lord ,god ,almighty help me4 ,secondly1 ,this contradicts the ,opinion of our ,adversaries1 because that ,paul was neither before a ,magistrate that was requiring an ,oath of him1 nor did he himself administer the ,office of a ,magistrate1 as offering an ,oath to any other4 ,thirdly1 ,the ,question is not what ,paul or ,peter did1 but what their and our ,master taught to be done2 and if ,paul did swear 7which we believe not7 he had sinned against the ,command of ,christ1 even according to their own ,opinion1 because he swore not before a ,magistrate1 but in an ,epistle to his ,brethren4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,ninthly1 ,they object1 ,isa4 lxv4 #af4 where speaking of the ,evangelical ,times1 he saith1 ,that he who blesseth himself in the ,earth1 shall bless himself in the ,god of ,truth2 and he that sweareth in the ,earth1 shall swear by the ,god of ,truth2 because the former ,troubles are forgotten1 and because they are hid from mine ,eyes4 ,for behold ,i create new ,heavens1 and a new ,earth4 ,therefore in these ,times we ought to swear by the ,name of the ,lord4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,it is ordinary for the ,prophets to express the greatest ,duties of the ,evangelical ,times in ,mosaical ,terms1 as appears among others from ,jer4 xxxi4 #ch1 #ci1 #dj4 ,ezek4 xxxvi4 #be4 and #dj4 and ,isa4 xlv4 #bc4 ,i have sworn by myself1 that unto me every ,knee shall bow1 every ,tongue shall swear4 ,where the ,righteousness of the ,new ,jerusalem1 the ,purity of the ,gospel1 with its spiritual ,worship1 and the ,profession of the ,name of ,christ1 are expressed under ,forms of ,speaking used to the ,old ,jerusalem under the ,washings of the ,law1 under the ,names of ,ceremonies1 the ,temple1 ,services1 ,sacrifices1 ,oaths1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,swearing is expressed by ,confessing under the ,gospel4 ,yea1 that which the ,prophet speaks here of ,swearing1 the ,apostle ,paul interprets expresly of ,confessing1 saying1 ,rom4 xiv4 #aa4 ,for it is written1 ,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord1 every ,knee shall bow to me1 and every ,tongue shall confess to ,god3 ,which being rightly considered1 none can be ignorant but these ,words which the ,prophet writes under the ,law1 when the ceremonial ,oaths were in ,use1 to wit1 ,every ,tongue shall swear1 were by the ,apostle1 being under the ,gospel1 when those ,oaths became abolished1 expressed by1 ,every ,tongue shall confess4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,tenthly1 ,they object1 ,but the ,apostle ,paul approves ,oaths used among ,men1 when he writes1 ,heb4 vi4 #af4 ,for ,men verily swear by the greater1 and an ,oath for ,confirmation is to them an ,end of all ,strife4 ,but there are as many ,contests1 ,fallacies1 and ,differences at this ,time as there ever were2 therefore the ,necessity of ,oaths doth yet remain4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,the ,apostle tells indeed in this ,place what ,men at that ,time did1 who lived in ,controversies and ,incredulity2 not what they ought to have done1 nor what the ,saints did1 who were redeemed from ,strife and ,incredulity1 and had come to ,christ1 the ,truth and ,amen of ,god4 ,moreover1 he only alludes to a certain ,custom usual among ,men1 that he might express the ,firmness of the ,divine ,promise1 in order to excite in the ,saints so much the more ,confidence in ,god promising to them2 not that he might instigate them to swear against the ,law of ,god1 or confirm them in that2 no1 not at all3 ,for neither doth #a ,cor4 ix4 #bd4 teach ,christians the vain ,races1 whereby ,men oftentimes1 even to the ,destruction of their ,bodies1 are wearied to obtain a corruptible ,prize2 so neither doth ,christ1 who is the ,prince of ,peace1 teach his ,disciples to fight1 albeit he takes ,notice1 ,luke xiv4 #ca4 what it behoveth such ,kings to do who are accustomed to fight1 as prudent ,warriors therein4 ,secondly1 ,as to what pertains to ,contests1 ,perfidies1 and ,diffidences among ,men1 which our ,adversaries affirm to have grown to such an ,height1 that ,swearing is at present as necessary as ever1 that we deny not at all3 ,sidenote3 ,deceit among the ,false1 not the true ,christians4 ,for we see1 and daily ,experience teacheth us1 that all ,manner of ,deceit and ,malice doth increase among worldly ,men and false ,christians2 but not among true ,christians4 ,but because ,men cannot trust one another1 and therefore require ,oaths one of another1 it will not therefore follow1 ,that true ,christians ought to do so1 whom ,christ has brought to ,faithfulness and ,honesty1 as well towards ,god as one towards another1 and therefore has delivered them from ,contests1 ,perfidies1 and consequently from ,oaths4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,eleventhly1 ,they object1 ,we grant1 ,that among true ,christians there is not ,need of ,oaths2 but by what ,means shall we infallibly know them8 ,it will follow then that ,oaths are at present needful1 and that it is lawful for ,christians to swear2 to wit1 that such may be satisfied who will not acknowledge this and the other ,man to be a ,christian4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,truth was before ,oaths4 ,i answer1 ,it is no ,ways lawful for a ,christian to swear1 whom ,christ has called to his essential ,truth1 which was before all ,oaths1 forbidding him to swear2 and on the contrary1 commanding him to speak the ,truth in all ,things1 to the ,honour of ,christ who called him2 that it may appear that the ,words of his ,disciples may be as truly believed as the ,oaths of all the worldly ,men4 ,neither is it lawful for them to be unfaithful in this1 that they may please others1 or that they may avoid their ,hurt3 ,for thus the ,primitive ,christians for some ,ages remained faithful1 who being required to swear1 did unanimously answer1 ,i am a ,christian1 ,i do not swear4 ,what shall ,i say of the ,heathens1 some of whom arrived to that ,degree8 ,for ,diodorus ,siculus relates1 ,lib4 #af4 ,sidenote3 ,heathen ,testimonies against ,oaths4 8,that the giving of the ,right-hand was1 among the ,persians1 a ,sign of speaking the ,truth40 ,and the ,scythians1 as ,qu4 ,curtius relates1 said1 in their ,conferences with ,alexander the ,great1 8,think not that the ,scythians confirm their ,friendship by ,swearing2 they swear by keeping their ,promises40 ,stobus1 ,serm4 #c4 relates1 ,that ,solon said1 8,a good ,man ought to be in that ,estimation that he need not an ,oath2 because it is to be reputed a ,lessening of his ,honour if he be forced to swear40 ,pythagoras1 in his ,oration1 among other ,things hath this ,maxim1 as that which concerns the ,administration of the ,commonwealth3 8,let no ,man call ,god to witness by an ,oath1 no not in ,judgment2 but let every ,man so accustom himself to speak1 that he may become worthy to be trusted even without an ,oath40 ,basil the ,great commends ,clinias an ,heathen1 8,that he had rather pay three ,talents1 which are about three thousand ,pounds1 than swear40 ,socrates1 as ,stobus relates1 ,serm4 #ad4 had this ,sentence1 8,the ,duty of good ,men requires that they shew to the ,world that their ,manners and ,actions are more firm than ,oaths40 ,the same was the ,judgment of ,isocrates4 ,plato also stood against ,oaths in his ,judgment de ,leg4 #ab4 ,quintilianus takes ,notice1 8,that it was of old a ,kind of ,infamy1 if any was desired to swear2 but to require an ,oath of a ,nobleman1 was like an examining him by the ,hangman40 ,the ,emperor ,marcus ,aurelius ,antoninus saith1 in his ,description of a good ,man1 8,such is his ,integrity1 that he needs not an ,oath40 ,so also some ,jews did witness1 as ,grotius relates out of ,maimonides1 8,it is best for a ,man to abstain from all ,oaths40 ,the ,essenes1 as ,philo ,judus relates1 8,did esteem their ,words more firm than ,oaths2 and ,oaths were esteemed among them as needless ,things40 ,and ,philo himself1 speaking of the ,third ,commandment1 explains his ,mind thus1 viz4 8,it were better altogether not to swear1 but to be accustomed always to speak the ,truth1 that naked ,words might have the ,strength of an ,oath40 ,and elsewhere he saith1 8,it is more agreeable to natural ,reason altogether to abstain from ,swearing2 persuading1 ,that whatsoever a good ,man saith may be equivalent with an ,oath40 ,sidenote3 ,oaths abrogated by ,christ4 ,who then needs further to doubt1 but that since ,christ would have his ,disciples attain the highest ,pitch of ,perfection1 he abrogated ,oaths1 as a ,rudiment of ,infirmity1 and in ,place thereof established the ,use of ,truth8 ,who can now any more think that the holy ,martyrs and ancient ,fathers of the first three hundred ,years1 and many others since that ,time1 have so opposed themselves to ,oaths1 that they might only rebuke vain and rash ,oaths by the ,creatures1 or ,heathen ,idols1 which were also prohibited under the ,mosaical ,law2 and not also ,swearing by the true ,god1 in ,truth and ,righteousness1 which was there commanded8 ,sidenote3 ,the ,testimonies of the ,fathers against ,oaths and ,swearing4 ,as ,polycarpus1 ,justin ,martyr1 ,apolog4 #b4 and many ,martyrs1 as ,eusebius relates4 ,tertullian1 in his ,apol4 ,cap4 #cb4 ad ,scap4 ,cap4 #a4 of ,idolatry1 ,cap4 #aa4 ,clem4 ,alexandrinus1 ,strom4 ,lib4 #g4 ,origen1 in ,mat4 ,tract4 #be4 ,cyprianus1 ,lib4 #c4 ,athanasius1 in pass4 cruc4 ,domini ,christi4 ,hilarius in ,mat4 v4 #cd4 ,basilius ,magn4 in ,psalm xiv4 ,greg4 ,nyssenus in ,cant4 ,orat4 #ac4 ,greg4 ,nazianzenus in ,dialog4 contra juramenta4 ,epiphanius adversus ,heres4 ,lib4 #a4 ,ambros4 de ,virg4 ,lib4 #c4 ,idem in ,mat4 v4 ,chrysostom in ,genes4 ,homil4 #ae4 ,idem ,homil4 in ,act4 ,apost4 ,cap4 #c4 ,jerome ,epistol4 ,lib4 ,part4 #c4 ,ep4 #b4 ,idem in ,zech4 ,lib4 #b4 ,cap4 #h4 ,idem in ,mat4 ,lib4 #a4 ,cap4 #e4 ,augustinus de ,serm4 ,dom4 ,serm4 #bh4 ,cyrillus in ,jer4 iv4 ,theodoretus in ,deut4 vi4 ,isidorus ,pelusiota ,ep4 ,lib4 #a4 ,epist4 #aee4 ,chromatius in ,mat4 v4 ,johannes ,damascenus1 ,lib4 #c4 ,cap4 #af4 ,cassiodorus in ,psalm xciv4 ,isidorus ,hispalensis1 ,cap4 #ca4 ,antiochus in ,pandect4 ,script4 ,hom4 #fb4 ,beda in ,jac4 v4 ,haimo in ,apoc4 ,ambrosius ,ansbertus in ,apoc4 ,theophylactus in ,mat4 v4 ,paschasius ,radbertus in ,mat4 v4 ,otho ,brunsselsius in ,mat4 v4 ,druthmarus in ,mat4 v4 ,euthymius ,eugubinus ,bibliotheca vet4 ,patr4 in ,mat4 v4 ,oecumenius in ,jac4 ,cap4 #e4 ,ver4 #ab4 ,anselmus in ,mat4 v4 the ,waldenses1 ,wickliff1 ,erasmus1 in ,mat4 v4 and in ,jac4 v4 ,who can read these ,places and doubt of their ,sense in this ,matter8 ,and who1 believing that they were against all ,oaths1 can bring so great an ,indignity to the ,name of ,christ1 as to seek to subject again his ,followers to so great an ,indignity8 ,is it not rather ,time that all good ,men should labour to remove this ,abuse and ,infamy from ,christians8 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,lastly1 ,they object1 ,this will bring in ,fraud and ,confusion2 for ,impostors will counterfeit ,probity1 and under the ,benefit of this ,dispensation will lie without ,fear of ,punishment4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,there are two ,things which oblige a ,man to speak the ,truth3 ,first1 ,either the ,fear of ,god in his ,heart1 and ,love of ,truth2 for where this is1 there is no ,need of ,oaths to speak the ,truth2 ,sidenote3 ,the ,punishment of ,liars4 or1 ,secondly1 ,the ,fear of ,punishment from the ,judge4 ,therefore let there be the same1 or rather greater ,punishment appointed to those who pretend so great ,truth in ,words1 and so great ,simplicity in ,heart that they cannot lie1 and so great ,reverence towards the ,law of ,christ1 that for ,conscience ,sake they deny to swear in any wise1 if they fail2 and so there shall be the same good ,order1 yea1 greater ,security against ,deceivers1 as if ,oaths were continued2 and also1 by that more severe ,punishment1 to which these false ,dissemblers shall be liable4 ,hence wicked ,men shall be more terrified1 and good ,men delivered from all ,oppression1 both in their ,liberty and ,goods3 ,for which ,respect to tender ,consciences1 ,god hath often a ,regard to ,magistrates and their ,state1 as a ,thing most acceptable to him4 ,but if any can further doubt of this ,thing1 to wit1 if without ,confusion it can be practised in the ,commonwealth1 let him consider the ,state of the ,united ,netherlands1 and he shall see the good ,effect of it3 ,sidenote3 ,the ,united ,netherlands instanced4 ,for there1 because of the great ,number of ,merchants more than in any other ,place1 there is most frequent ,occasion for this ,thing2 and though the ,number of those that are of this ,mind be considerable1 to whom the ,states these hundred ,years have condescended1 and yet daily condescend1 yet nevertheless there has nothing of ,prejudice followed thereupon to the ,commonwealth1 ,government1 or good ,order2 but rather great ,advantage to ,trade1 and so to the ,commonwealth4 4 ,,xiii4 ,sixthly1 ,the last ,thing to be considered1 is ,revenge and ,war1 an ,evil as opposite and contrary to the ,spirit and ,doctrine of ,christ as ,light to ,darkness4 ,for1 as is manifest by what is said1 through ,contempt of ,christ's ,law the whole ,world is filled with various ,oaths1 ,cursings1 blasphemous ,profanations1 and horrid ,perjuries2 ,sidenote3 ,revenge and ,war contrary to ,christ4 so likewise1 through ,contempt of the same ,law1 the ,world is filled with ,violence1 ,oppression1 ,murders1 ,ravishing of ,women and ,virgins1 ,spoilings1 ,depredations1 ,burnings1 ,devastations1 and all ,manner of ,lasciviousness and ,cruelty3 ,so that it is strange that ,men1 made after the ,image of ,god1 should have so much degenerated1 that they rather bear the ,image and ,nature of roaring ,lions1 tearing ,tigers1 devouring ,wolves1 and raging ,boars1 than of rational ,creatures endued with ,reason4 ,and is it not yet much more admirable1 that this horrid ,monster should find ,place1 and be fomented1 among those ,men that profess themselves ,disciples of our peaceable ,lord and ,master ,jesus ,christ1 who by ,excellency is called the ,prince of ,peace1 and hath expresly prohibited his ,children all ,violence2 and on the contrary1 commanded them1 that1 according to his ,example1 they should follow ,patience1 ,charity1 ,forbearance1 and other ,virtues worthy of a ,christian8 ,hear then what this great ,prophet saith1 whom every ,soul is commanded to hear1 under the ,pain of being cut off1 ,matt4 v4 from ,verse #ch4 to the ,end of the ,chapter4 ,sidenote3 ,revenge forbidden by ,christ4 ,for thus he saith3 ,ye have heard that it hath been said1 ,an ,eye for an ,eye1 and a ,tooth for a ,tooth3 ,but ,i say unto you1 that ye resist not ,evil2 but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right ,cheek1 turn to him the other also4 ,and if any ,man will sue thee at the ,law1 and take away thy ,coat1 let him have thy ,cloak also4 ,and whosoever shall compel thee to go a ,mile1 go with him twain4 ,give to him that asketh thee2 and from him that would borrow of thee1 turn not thou away4 ,ye have heard that it has been said1 ,thou shalt love thy ,neighbour1 and hate thine ,enemy3 ,but ,i say unto you1 ,love your ,enemies1 bless them that curse you1 do good to them that hate you1 and pray for them which despitefully use you1 and persecute you1 that ye may be the ,children of your ,father which is in ,heaven4 ,for he maketh his ,sun to rise on the ,evil and on the ,good1 and sendeth ,rain on the ,just and on the ,unjust4 ,for if ye love them which love you1 what ,reward have ye8 ,do not even the ,publicans the same8 ,and if ye salute your ,brethren only1 what do you more than others8 ,do not even the ,publicans so8 ,be ye therefore perfect1 even as your ,father which is in ,heaven is perfect4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,law of ,christ more perfect than that of ,moses4 ,these ,words1 with ,respect to ,revenge1 as the former in the ,case of ,swearing1 do forbid some ,things1 which in ,time past were lawful to the ,jews1 considering their ,condition and ,dispensation2 and command unto such as will be the ,disciples of ,christ1 a more perfect1 eminent1 and full ,signification of ,charity1 as also ,patience and ,suffering1 than was required of them in that ,time1 ,state1 and ,dispensation by the ,law of ,moses4 ,this is not only the ,judgment of most1 if not all1 the ancient ,fathers1 so called1 of the first three hundred ,years after ,christ1 but also of many others1 and in general of all those who have rightly understood and propagated the ,law of ,christ concerning ,swearing1 as appears from ,justin ,martyr in ,dialog4 cum ,tryph4 ejusdemque ,apolog4 #b4 ,item ad ,zenam4 ,tertul4 de ,corona ,militis4 ,sidenote3 ,testimonies of the ,fathers against ,fighting4 ,it4 ,apolog4 ,cap4 #ba4 and #cg4 ,it4 ,lib4 de ,idolol4 ,cap4 #ag1 #ah1 #ai4 ,it4 ad ,scapulam4 ,cap4 #a4 ,it4 adversus ,jud4 ,cap4 #g4 and #i4 ,it4 adv4 ,gnost4 ,cap4 #ac4 ,it4 ad4 ,marc4 ,cap4 #d4 ,it4 ,lib4 de ,patientia ,c4 #f4 #aj4 ,orig4 cont4 ,celsum1 ,lib4 #c4 #e4 #h4 ,it4 in ,josuam ,hom4 #ab4 ,cap4 #i4 ,it4 in ,mat4 ,cap4 #bf4 ,tract4 #ce4 ,cyp4 ,epist4 #ef4 ,it4 ad ,cornel4 ,lactan4 de ,just4 ,lib4 #e4 ,c4 #ah4 ,lib4 #f4 ,c4 #bj4 ,ambr4 in ,luc4 xxii4 ,chrysost4 in ,mat4 v4 ,horn4 #ah4 ,it4 in ,mat4 xxvi4 ,hom4 #he4 ,it4 ,lib4 #b4 de ,sacerdotio4 ,it4 in #a ,cor4 xiii4 ,chromat4 in4 ,mat4 v4 ,jerome ad ,ocean4 ,it4 ,lib4 ,epist4 ,p4 #c4 ,tom4 #a4 ,ep4 #b4 ,athan4 de ,inc4 ,verb4 ,dei4 ,cyrill4 ,alex4 ,lib4 #aa4 in ,johan4 ,cap4 xxv4 #bf4 ,yea1 ,augustine1 although he vary much in this ,matter1 notwithstanding in these ,places he did condemn ,fighting1 ,epist4 #aeh1 #aei1 #afj4 ,it4 ad ,judices1 ,epist4 #bjc4 ,it4 ad ,darium1 4 ,lib4 #ba4 ,it4 ad ,faustum4 ,cap4 #gf4 ,lib4 #bb4 de ,civit4 ad ,marc4 ,cap4 #f4 as ,sylburgius relates4 ,euthym4 in ,mat4 xxvi4 and many others of this ,age4 ,erasmus in ,luc4 ,cap4 #c4 #bb4 ,ludov4 ,vives in ,introduc4 ad ,sap4 ,j4 ,ferus1 ,lib4 #d4 ,comment4 in ,mat4 vii4 ,luc4 xxii4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,laws of ,christ in the ,new ,testament are irreconcileable to ,persecution1 ,wars1 and ,fighting4 ,from hence it appears1 that there is so great a ,connexion betwixt these two ,precepts of ,christ1 that as they were uttered and commanded by him at one and the same ,time1 so the same ,way they were received by ,men of all ,ages1 not only in the first ,promulgation by the little ,number of the ,disciples1 but also after the ,christians increased in the first three hundred ,years4 ,even so in the ,apostasy1 the one was not left and rejected without the other2 and now again in the ,restitution1 and renewed ,preaching of the ,eternal ,gospel1 they are acknowledged as eternal and unchangeable ,laws1 properly belonging to the ,evangelical ,state and ,perfection thereof2 from which if any withdraw1 he falls short of the ,perfection of a ,christian ,man4 ,and truly the ,words are so clear in themselves1 that1 in my ,judgment1 they need no ,illustration to explain their ,sense3 ,for it is as easy to reconcile the greatest ,contradictions1 as these ,laws of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ with the wicked ,practices of ,wars2 for they are plainly inconsistent4 ,whoever can reconcile this1 ,resist not ,evil1 with resist ,violence by ,force3 again1 ,give also thy other ,cheek1 with strike again2 also ,love thine ,enemies1 with spoil them1 make a ,prey of them1 pursue them with ,fire and ,sword2 or1 ,pray for those that persecute you1 and those that calumniate you1 with persecute them by ,fines1 ,imprisonments1 and ,death itself2 and not only such as do not persecute you1 but who heartily seek and desire your eternal and temporal ,welfare3 ,whoever1 ,i say1 can find a ,means to reconcile these ,things1 may be supposed also to have found a ,way to reconcile ,god with the ,devil1 ,christ with ,antichrist1 ,light with ,darkness1 and ,good with ,evil4 ,but if this be impossible1 as indeed it is1 so will also the other be impossible2 and ,men do but deceive themselves and others1 while they boldly adventure to establish such absurd and impossible ,things4 4 ,,xiv4 ,nevertheless because some1 perhaps through ,inadvertency1 and by the ,force of ,custom and ,tradition1 do transgress this ,command of ,christ1 ,i shall briefly shew how much ,war doth contradict this ,precept1 and how much they are inconsistent with one another2 and consequently1 that ,war is no ,ways lawful to such as will be the ,disciples of ,christ4 ,for1 ,first1 ,christ commands1 ,that #aeiwe should love our ,enemies2 but ,war1 on the contrary1 teacheth us to hate and destroy them4 #aei ,matt4 #e4 #dc4 ,secondly1 ,the ,apostle saith1 ,that #afjwe war not after the ,flesh1 and that we fight not with ,flesh and ,blood2 but outward ,war is according to the ,flesh1 and against ,flesh and ,blood2 for the shedding of the one1 and destroying of the other4 #afj ,eph4 #f4 #ab4 ,thirdly1 ,the ,apostle saith1 ,that #afathe ,weapons of our ,warfare are not carnal1 but spiritual2 but the ,weapons of outward ,warfare are carnal1 such as ,cannon1 ,muskets1 ,spears1 ,swords1 c4 of which there is no ,mention in the ,armour described by ,paul4 #afa #b ,cor4 #aj4 #d4 ,fourthly1 ,because ,james testifies1 ,that #afb,wars and ,strifes come from the ,lusts1 which war in the ,members of carnal ,men2 but ,christians1 that is1 those that are truly ,saints1 have crucified the ,flesh1 with its ,affections and ,lusts2 therefore they cannot indulge them by waging ,war4 #afb ,jam4 #d4 #a4 ,gal4 #e4 #bd4 ,fifthly1 ,because the ,prophets ,isaiah and ,micah have expresly prophesied1 ,that #afc;in the ,mountain of the ,house of the ,lord1 ,christ shall judge the ,nations1 and then they shall beat their ,swords into ,plowshares1 c4 ,sidenote3 ,primitive ,christians most averse from ,war4 ,and the ancient ,fathers of the first three hundred ,years after ,christ did affirm these ,prophecies to be fulfilled in the ,christians of their ,times1 who were most averse from ,war2 concerning which ,justin ,martyr1 ,tertullian1 and others may be seen3 ,which need not seem strange to any1 since ,philo ,judus abundantly testifies of the ,essenes1 ,that there was none found among them that would make ,instruments of ,war4 ,but how much more did ,jesus come1 that he might keep his ,followers from fighting1 and might bring them to ,patience and ,charity8 #afc ,isa4 #b4 #d4 ,mic4 #d4 #c4 ,sixthly1 ,because the ,prophet foretold1 ,that #afdthere should none hurt nor kill in all the ,holy ,mountain of the ,lord2 but outward ,war is appointed for killing and destroying4 #afd ,isa4 #aa4 #i4 ,seventhly1 ,because ,christ said1 ,that #afe;his ,kingdom is not of this ,world1 and therefore that his ,servants shall not fight2 therefore those that fight are not his ,disciples nor ,servants4 #afe ,john #ah4 #cf4 ,eighthly1 ,because he reproved ,peter for the ,use of the ,sword1 saying1 #aff,put up again thy ,sword into his ,place3 ,for all they that take the ,sword1 shall perish with the ,sword4 ,concerning which ,tertullian speaks well1 ,lib4 de ,idol4 8,how shall he fight in ,peace without a ,sword1 which the ,lord did take away8 ,for although ,soldiers came to ,john1 and received a ,form of ,observation2 if also the ,centurion believed afterwards1 he disarmed every ,soldier in disarming of ,peter40 ,idem4 de ,coron4 ,mil4 asketh1 8,shall it be lawful to use the ,sword1 the ,lord saying1 ,that he that useth the ,sword1 shall perish by the ,sword80 #aff ,mat4 #bf4 #eb4 ,ninthly1 ,because the ,apostle admonisheth ,christians1 #afg,that they defend not themselves1 neither revenge by rendering ,evil for ,evil2 but give ,place unto ,wrath1 because ,vengeance is the ,lord's4 ,be not overcome of ,evil1 but overcome ,evil with ,good4 ,if thine ,enemy hunger1 feed him2 ,if he thirst1 give him ,drink4 ,but ,war throughout teacheth and enjoineth the quite contrary4 #afg ,rom4 #ab4 #ai4 ,tenthly1 ,because #afh;,christ calls his ,children to bear his ,cross1 not to crucify or kill others2 to ,patience1 not to ,revenge2 to ,truth and ,simplicity1 not to fraudulent ,stratagems of ,war1 or to play the ,sycophant1 which ,john himself forbids2 to flee the ,glory of this ,world1 not to acquire it by warlike ,endeavours2 therefore ,war is altogether contrary unto the ,law and ,spirit of ,christ4 #afh ,mark #h4 #ed4 4 ,,xv4 ,sidenote3 ,obj4 #d4 ,but they object1 ,that it is lawful to ,war1 because ,abraham did war before the giving of the ,law1 and the ,israelites after the giving of the ,law4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer as before1 #a4 ,that ,abraham offered ,sacrifices at that ,time1 and circumcised the ,males2 which nevertheless are not lawful for us under the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,israelites going to ,war enquired of the ,oracle of ,god4 #b4 ,that neither defensive nor offensive ,war was lawful to the ,israelites of their own ,will1 or by their own ,counsel or ,conduct2 but they were obliged at all ,times1 if they would be successful1 first to enquire of the ,oracle of ,god4 #c4 ,that their ,wars against the wicked ,nations were a ,figure of the ,inward ,war of the true ,christians against their ,spiritual ,enemies1 in which we overcome the ,devil1 the ,world1 and the ,flesh4 #d4 ,something is expresly forbidden by ,christ1 ,mat4 v4 #ch1 c4 which was granted to the ,jews in their ,time1 because of their ,hardness2 ,sidenote3 ,some ,things permitted in the ,old ,testament1 because of ,hardness of ,heart4 and on the ,contrary1 we are commanded that singular ,patience and ,exercise of ,love1 which ,moses commanded not to his ,disciples4 ,from whence ,tertullian saith well against ,marc4 8,christ truly teacheth a new ,patience1 even forbidding the ,revenge of an ,injury1 which was permitted by the ,creator40 ,and ,lib4 de ,patien4 8,the ,law finds more than it lost1 by ,christ saying10 ,love your ,enemies4 ,and in the ,time of ,clem4 ,alex4 ,christians were so far from ,wars1 that he testified that they had no ,marks or ,signs of ,violence among them1 saying1 8,neither are the ,faces of ,idols to be painted1 to which so much as to regard is forbidden3 ,neither ,sword nor ,bow to them that follow ,peace2 nor ,cups to them who are moderate and temperate10 as ,sylvius ,disc4 de ,rev4 ,belg4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,secondly1 ,they object1 ,that ,defence is of natural ,right1 and that ,religion destroys not ,nature4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,be it so2 but to obey ,god1 and commend ourselves to him in ,faith and ,patience1 is not to destroy ,nature1 but to exalt and perfect it2 to wit1 to elevate it from the natural to the supernatural ,life1 by ,christ living therein1 and comforting it1 that it may do all ,things1 and be rendered more than ,conqueror4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,thirdly1 ,they object1 ,that ,john did not abrogate or condemn ,war1 when the ,soldiers came unto him4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer1 ,what then8 ,the ,question is not concerning ,john's ,doctrine1 but ,christ's1 whose ,disciples we are1 not ,john's3 ,for ,christ1 and not ,john1 is that ,prophet1 whom we ought all to hear4 ,and although ,christ said1 #afi,that a greater than ,john the ,baptist was not among ,men born of ,women2 yet he adds1 ,that the least in the ,kingdom of ,god is greater than he4 ,but what was ,john's ,answer1 that we may see if it can justify the ,soldiers of this ,time8 ,for if it be narrowly observed1 it will appear1 that what he proposeth to ,soldiers doth manifestly forbid them that ,employment2 for he commands them #agjnot to do ,violence to any ,man1 nor to defraud any ,man2 but that they be content with their ,wages4 ,consider then what he dischargeth to ,soldiers1 viz4 ,not to use ,violence or ,deceit against any2 which being removed1 let any tell how ,soldiers can war8 ,for is not ,craft1 ,violence1 and ,injustice1 three ,properties of ,war1 and the natural ,consequences of ,battles8 #afi ,luke #g4 #bc4 #agj ,luke #c4 #ad4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,fourthly1 ,they object1 ,that ,cornelius1 and that ,centurion1 of whom there is ,mention made1 ,mat4 viii4 #e4 were ,soldiers2 and there is no ,mention that they laid down their military ,employments4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,neither read we that they continued in them4 ,but it is most probable that if they continued in the ,doctrine of ,christ 7and we read not any where of their ,falling from the ,faith7 that they did not continue in them2 especially if we consider1 that two or three ,ages afterwards ,christians altogether rejected ,war1 or at least a long ,while after that ,time1 if the ,emperor ,marc4 ,aurel4 ,anton4 be to be credited1 who writes thus3----8,i prayed to my ,country ,gods2 but when ,i was neglected by them1 and observed myself pressed by the ,enemy2 considering the ,fewness of my ,forces1 ,i called to one1 and intreated those1 who with us are called ,christians1 and ,i found a great ,number of them3 ,sidenote3 ,christians instanced1 that did not ,war4 ,and ,i forced them with ,threats1 which ought not to have been1 because afterwards ,i knew their ,strength and ,force30 ,therefore they betook themselves neither to the ,use of ,darts nor ,trumpets1 8for they use not so to do1 for the ,cause and ,name of their ,god1 which they bear in their ,consciences30 ,and this was done about an hundred and sixty ,years after ,christ4 ,to this add those ,words1 which in ,justin ,martyr the ,christians answer1 ,greek3 ou polemoumen tois echthrois3 1 that is1 ,we fight not with our ,enemies4 ,and moreover the ,answer of ,martin to ,julian the ,apostate1 related by ,sulpitius ,severus3 8,i am a ,soldier of ,christ1 therefore ,i cannot fight20 which was three hundred ,years after ,christ4 ,it is not therefore probable that they continued in warlike ,employments4 ,how then are ,vincentius ,lyrinensis and the ,papists consistent with their ,maxim1 8,that which always1 every where1 and by all was received10 c4 ,and what becomes of the ,priests1 with their ,oath1 8,that they neither ought nor will interpret the ,scripture1 but according to the universal ,consent of the ,fathers10 so called8 8,for it is as easy to obscure the ,sun at ,mid-day1 as to deny that the ,primitive ,christians renounced all ,revenge and ,war40 ,and although this ,thing be so much known2 yet it is as well known that almost all the modern ,sects live in the ,neglect and ,contempt of this ,law of ,christ1 and likewise oppress others1 who in this agree not with them for ,conscience ,sake towards ,god3 ,sidenote3 ,persecution for not bearing ,arms1 and not ,fasting and ,praying for ,victory4 ,even as we have suffered much in our ,country1 because we neither could ourselves bear ,arms1 nor send others in our ,place1 nor give our ,money for the buying of ,drums1 ,standards1 and other ,military ,attire4 ,and lastly1 ,because we could not hold our ,doors1 ,windows1 and ,shops close1 for ,conscience ,sake1 upon such ,days as ,fasts and ,prayers were appointed1 to desire a ,blessing upon1 and ,success for the ,arms of the ,kingdom or ,commonwealth under which we live2 neither give ,thanks for the ,victories acquired by the ,effusion of much ,blood4 ,by which forcing of the ,conscience1 they would have constrained our ,brethren1 living in divers ,kingdoms1 at ,war together1 to have implored our ,god for contrary and contradictory ,things1 and consequently impossible2 for it is impossible1 that two ,parties fighting together1 should both obtain the ,victory4 ,and because we cannot concur with them in this ,confusion1 therefore we are subject to ,persecution4 ,yea1 and others1 who with us do witness that the ,use of ,arms is unlawful to ,christians1 do look asquint upon us3 ,but which of us two do most faithfully observe this ,testimony against ,arms8 ,either they1 who at certain ,times1 at the ,magistrate's ,order1 do close up their ,shops and ,houses1 and meet in their ,assembly1 praying for the ,prosperity of their ,arms1 or giving ,thanks for some ,victory or other1 whereby they make themselves like to those that approve ,wars and ,fighting2 or we1 who cannot do these ,things for the same ,cause of ,conscience1 lest we should destroy1 by our ,works1 what we establish in ,words2 we shall leave to the ,judgment of all prudent ,men4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,fifthly1 ,they object1 ,that ,christ1 ,luke xxii4 #cf4 speaking to his ,disciples1 commands them1 ,that he that then had not a ,sword1 should sell his ,coat1 and by a ,sword3 ,therefore1 say they1 ,arms are lawful4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,i answer2 ,some indeed understand this of the outward ,sword1 nevertheless regarding only that ,occasion2 otherwise judging1 that ,christians are prohibited ,wars under the ,gospel4 ,among which is ,ambrose1 who upon this ,place speaks thus3 8,o ,lord6 ,why commandest thou me to buy a ,sword1 who forbiddest me to smite with it8 ,why commandest thou me to have it1 whom thou prohibitest to draw it8 ,unless perhaps a ,defence be prepared1 not a necessary ,revenge2 and that ,i may seem to have been able to revenge1 but that ,i would not4 ,for the ,law forbids me to smite again2 and therefore perhaps he said to ,peter1 offering two ,swords1 ,it is enough as if it had been lawful1 until the ,gospel-times1 that in the ,law there might be a ,learning of ,equity1 but in the ,gospel a ,perfection of ,goodness40 ,sidenote3 ,peter offered two ,swords4 ,others judge ,christ to have spoken here mystically1 and not according to the ,letter2 as ,origen upon ,mat4 xix4 saying1 ,if any looking to the ,letter1 and not understanding the ,will of the ,words1 shall sell his bodily ,garment1 and buy a ,sword1 taking the ,words of ,christ contrary to his ,will1 he shall perish2 but concerning which ,sword he speaks1 is not proper here to mention4 ,and truly when we consider the ,answer of the ,disciples1 ,master1 behold1 here are two ,swords2 understanding it of outward ,swords2 and again ,christ's ,answer1 ,it is enough2 it seems that ,christ would not that the ,rest1 who had not ,swords 7for they had only two ,swords7 should sell their ,coats1 and buy an outward ,sword4 ,who can think that1 ,matters standing thus1 he should have said1 ,two was enough8 ,but however it is sufficient that the ,use of ,arms is unlawful under the ,gospel4 ,sidenote3 ,object4 ,sixthly1 ,they object1 ,that the ,scriptures and old ,fathers1 so called1 did only prohibit private ,revenge1 not the ,use of ,arms for the ,defence of our ,country1 ,body1 ,wives1 ,children and ,goods1 when the ,magistrate commands it1 seeing the ,magistrate ought to be obeyed2 therefore although it be not lawful for private ,men to do it of themselves1 nevertheless they are bound to do it by the ,command of the ,magistrate4 ,sidenote3 ,answ4 ,sidenote3 ,christian ,magistrates ought to obey the ,command of their ,master ,christ4 ,i ,answer2 ,if the ,magistrate be truly a ,christian1 or desires to be so1 he ought himself1 in the first ,place1 to obey the ,command of his ,master1 saying1 ,love your ,enemies1 c4 and then he could not command us to kill them2 but if he be not a true ,christian1 then ought we to obey our ,lord and ,king1 ,jesus ,christ1 whom he ought also to obey3 ,for in the ,kingdom of ,christ all ought to submit to his ,laws1 from the highest to the lowest1 that is1 from the ,king to the ,beggar1 and from ,csar to the ,clown4 ,but alas6 ,where shall we find such an ,obedience8 ,sidenote3 ,lud4 ,vives against ,arms4 ,o desperate ,fall6 ,concerning which ,ludov4 ,viv4 writes well1 ,lib4 de ,con4 ,vit4 ,christ4 sub ,turc4 by ,relation of ,fredericus ,sylvius1 ,disc4 de ,revol4 ,belg4 ,p4 #he4 8,the ,prince entered into the ,church1 not as a true and plain ,christian1 which had indeed been most happy and desirable2 but he brought in with him his ,nobility1 his ,honours1 his ,,arms1 his ,ensigns1 his ,triumphs1 his ,haughtiness1 his ,pride1 his ,superciliousness2 that is1 ,he came into the ,house of ,christ1 accompanied with the ,devil2 and which could no ways be done1 he would have joined two ,houses and two ,cities together1 ,god's and the ,devil's1 which could not more be done1 than ,rome and ,constantinople1 which are distant by so long a ,tract both of ,sea and ,land4 7,what ,communion1 saith ,paul1 is there betwixt ,christ and ,belial87 ,their ,zeal cooled by degrees1 their ,faith decreased1 their whole ,piety degenerated2 instead whereof we make now use of ,shadows and ,images1 and 7as he saith7 ,i would we could but retain these40 ,thus far ,vives4 ,but ,lastly1 as to what relates to this ,thing1 since nothing seems more contrary to ,man's ,nature1 and seeing of all ,things the ,defence of one's self seems most tolerable1 as it is most hard to ,men1 so it is the most perfect ,part of the ,christian ,religion1 as that wherein the denial of ,self and entire ,confidence in ,god doth most appear2 and therefore ,christ and his ,apostles left us hereof a most perfect ,example4 ,sidenote3 ,concerning the present ,magistrates of the ,christian ,world4 ,as to what relates to the present ,magistrates of the ,christian ,world1 albeit we deny them not altogether the ,name of ,christians1 because of the publick ,profession they make of ,christ's ,name1 yet we may boldly affirm1 that they are far from the ,perfection of the ,christian ,religion2 because in the ,state in which they are 7as in many ,places before ,i have largely observed7 they have not come to the pure ,dispensation of the ,gospel4 ,and therefore1 while they are in that ,condition1 we shall not say1 ,that ,war1 undertaken upon a just ,occasion1 is altogether unlawful to them4 ,for even as ,circumcision and the other ,ceremonies were for a ,season permitted to the ,jews1 not because they were either necessary of themselves1 or lawful at that ,time1 after the ,resurrection of ,christ1 but because that ,spirit was not yet raised up in them1 whereby they could be delivered from such ,rudiments2 so the present ,confessors of the ,christian ,name1 who are yet in the ,mixture1 and not in the patient suffering ,spirit1 are not yet fitted for this ,form of ,christianity1 and therefore cannot be undefending themselves1 until they attain that ,perfection4 ,but for such whom ,christ has brought hither1 it is not lawful to defend themselves by ,arms1 but they ought overall to trust to the ,lord4 4 ,,xvi4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,conclusion4 ,but ,lastly1 to conclude1 ,if to give and receive flattering ,titles1 which are not used because of the ,virtues inherent in the ,persons1 but are for the most ,part bestowed by wicked ,men upon such as themselves2 if to bow1 scrape1 and cringe to one another2 if at every ,time to call themselves other's ,humble ,servants1 and that most frequently without any design of real ,service2 if this be the ,honour that comes from ,god1 and not the ,honour that is from below1 then indeed our ,adversaries may be said to be ,believers1 and we condemned as proud and stubborn1 in denying all these ,things4 #aga;,but if with ,mordecai1 to refuse to bow to proud ,haman1 and with ,elihu not to give flattering ,titles to ,men1 lest we should be reproved of our ,maker2 and if1 according to ,peter's ,example and the ,angel's ,advice1 to bow only to ,god1 and not to our ,fellow-servants2 and if to call no ,man ,lord nor ,master1 except under particular ,relations1 according to ,christ's ,command2 ,i say1 if these ,things are not to be reproved1 then are we not blameworthy in so doing4 #aga ,esther #c4 #e4 ,job #cb4 #ba1 #bb4 ,if to be vain and gaudy in ,apparel2 if to paint the ,face and plait the ,hair2 if to be clothed with ,gold and ,silver1 and precious ,stones2 and if to be filled with ,ribbands and ,lace be to be clothed in modest ,apparel2 and if these be the ,ornaments of ,christians2 and if that be to be humble1 meek1 and mortified1 then are our ,adversaries good ,christians indeed1 and we proud1 singular1 and conceited1 in contenting ourselves with what ,need and ,conveniency calls for1 and condemning what is more as superfluous2 but not otherwise4 ,if to use ,games1 ,sports1 ,plays2 if to card1 dice1 and dance2 if to sing1 fiddle1 and pipe2 if to use ,stage-plays and ,comedies1 and to lye1 counterfeit1 and dissemble1 be to fear always2 and if that be to do all ,things to the ,glory of ,god2 and if that be to pass our ,sojourning here in fear2 and if that be to use this ,world as if we did not use it2 and if that be not to fashion ourselves according to our former ,lusts2 to be not conformable to the ,spirit and vain ,conversation of this ,world2 then are our ,adversaries1 notwithstanding they use these ,things1 and plead for them1 very good1 sober1 mortified1 and self-denying ,christians1 and we justly to be blamed for judging them2 but not otherwise4 ,if the ,profanation of the holy ,name of ,god2 if to exact ,oaths one from another upon every light ,occasion2 if to call ,god to witness in ,things of such a ,nature1 in which no earthly ,king would think himself lawfully and honourably to be a ,witness1 be the ,duties of a ,christian ,man1 ,i shall confess that our ,adversaries are excellent good ,christians1 and we wanting in our ,duty3 ,but if the contrary be true1 of ,necessity our ,obedience to ,god in this ,thing must be acceptable4 ,if to revenge ourselves1 or to render ,injury1 ,evil for ,evil1 ,wound for ,wound1 to take ,eye for ,eye1 ,tooth for ,tooth2 if to fight for outward and perishing ,things1 to go a ,warring one against another1 whom we never saw1 nor with whom we never had any ,contest1 nor any ,thing to do2 being moreover altogether ignorant of the ,cause of the ,war1 but only that the ,magistrates of the ,nations foment ,quarrels one against another1 the ,causes whereof are for the most ,part unknown to the ,soldiers that fight1 as well as upon whose ,side the right or wrong is2 and yet to be so furious1 and rage one against another1 to destroy and spoil all1 that this or the other ,worship may be received or abolished2 if to do this1 and much more of this ,kind1 be to fulfil the ,law of ,christ1 then are our ,adversaries indeed true ,christians1 and we miserable ,hereticks1 that suffer ourselves to be spoiled1 taken1 imprisoned1 banished1 beaten1 and evilly entreated1 without any ,resistance1 placing our ,trust only in ,,god1 that he may defend us1 and lead us by the ,way of the ,cross unto his ,kingdom4 ,but if it be otherways1 we shall certainly receive the ,reward which the ,lord hath promised to those that cleave to him1 and1 in denying themselves1 confide in him4 ,and to sum up all1 if to use all these ,things1 and many more that might be instanced2 be to walk in the strait ,way that leads to ,life1 be to take up the ,cross of ,christ1 be to die with him to the ,lusts and perishing ,vanities of this ,world1 and to arise with him in ,newness of ,life1 and sit down with him in the heavenly ,places1 then our ,adversaries may be accounted such1 and they need not fear they are in the broad ,way that leads to ,destruction1 and we are greatly mistaken1 that have laid aside all these ,things1 for ,christ's ,sake1 to the crucifying of our own ,lusts1 and to the procuring to ourselves ,shame1 ,reproach1 ,hatred1 and ,ill-will from the ,men of this ,world3 ,not as if by so doing we judged to merit ,heaven1 but as knowing they are contrary to the ,will of ,him who redeems his ,children from the ,love of this ,world1 and its ,lusts1 and leads them in the ,ways of ,truth and ,holiness1 in which they take delight to walk4 ,,the ,,conclusion4 ,if in ,god's ,fear1 ,candid ,reader1 thou appliest thyself to consider this ,system of ,religion here delivered1 with its ,consistency and ,harmony1 as well in itself as with the ,scriptures of ,truth1 ,i doubt not but thou wilt say with me and many more1 that this is the spiritual ,day of ,christ's ,appearance1 wherein he is again revealing the ancient ,paths of ,truth and ,righteousness4 ,for thou mayest observe here the ,christian ,religion in all its ,parts truly established and vindicated1 as it is a living1 inward1 spiritual1 pure1 and substantial ,thing1 and not a mere ,form1 ,shew1 ,shadow1 ,notion and ,opinion1 as too many have hitherto held it1 whose ,fruits declare they wanted that which they bear the ,name of2 and yet many of those are so in ,love with their empty ,forms and ,shadows1 that they cease not to calumniate us for commending and calling them to the ,substance1 as we therefore denied or neglected the true ,form and outward ,part of ,christianity1 which indeed is1 as ,god the ,searcher of ,hearts knows1 a very great ,slander4 ,thus1 because we have desired ,people earnestly to feel after ,god near and in themselves1 telling them that their ,notions of ,god1 as he is beyond the ,clouds1 will little avail them1 if they do not feel him near2 hence they have fought maliciously to infer that we deny any ,god except that which is within us4 ,because we tell ,people1 ,that it is the ,light and ,law within1 and not the ,letter without1 that can truly tell them their ,condition1 and lead them out of all ,evil2 hence they say1 we vilify the ,scriptures1 and set up our own ,imaginations above them4 ,because we tell them1 ,that it is not their talking or believing of ,christ's outward ,life1 ,sufferings1 ,death1 and ,resurrection1 no more than the ,jews crying1 ,the ,temple of the ,lord1 the ,temple of the ,lord1 that will serve their ,turn1 or justify them in the ,sight of ,god2 but that they must know ,christ in them1 whom they have crucified1 to be raised1 and to justify them1 and redeem them from their ,iniquities3 ,hence they say1 ,we deny the ,life1 ,death1 and ,sufferings of ,christ1 ,justification by his ,blood1 and ,remission of ,sins through him4 ,because we tell them1 while they are talking and determining about the ,resurrection1 that they have more ,need to know the ,just ,one1 whom they have slain1 raised in themselves1 and to be sure they are ,partakers of the first ,resurrection2 and that this be1 they will be the more capable to judge of the ,second3 ,hence they say1 ,that we deny the ,resurrection of the ,body4 ,because when we hear them talk foolishly of ,heaven and ,hell1 and the last ,judgment1 we exhort them to come out of that hellish ,condition they are in1 and come down to the ,judgment of ,christ in their own ,hearts1 and believe in the ,light1 and follow it1 that so they may come to sit in the heavenly ,places that are in ,christ ,jesus3 ,hence they maliciously say1 that we deny any ,heaven or ,hell but that which is within us1 and that we deny any general ,judgment2 which ,slanders the ,lord knows are foully cast upon us1 whom ,god hath raised for this ,end1 and gathered us1 that by us he might confound the ,wisdom of the ,wise1 and bring to ,nought the ,understanding of the ,prudent2 and might1 in and by his own ,spirit and ,power in a despised ,people 7that no ,flesh might glory in his ,presence7 pull down that dead1 dark1 corrupt ,image1 and mere ,shadow and ,shell of ,christianity wherewith ,antichrist hath deceived the ,nations3 ,for which ,end he hath called us to be a ,first-fruits of those that serve him1 and worship him no more in the ,oldness of the ,letter1 but in the ,newness of the ,spirit4 ,and though we be few in ,number1 in ,respect of others2 and weak as to outward ,strength1 which we also altogether reject1 and foolish if compared with the wise ,ones of this ,world2 yet as ,god hath prospered us1 notwithstanding much ,opposition1 so will he yet do1 that neither the ,art1 ,wisdom1 nor ,violence of ,men or ,devils shall be able to quench that little ,spark that hath appeared2 but it shall grow to the consuming of whatsoever shall stand up to oppose it4 ,the ,mouth of the ,lord hath spoken it6 ,yea1 ,he that hath arisen in a small ,remnant shall arise and go on by the same ,arm of ,power in his spiritual ,manifestation1 until he hath conquered all his ,enemies1 until all the ,kingdoms of the ,earth become the ,kingdom of ,christ ,jesus4 ,unto ,him that hath begun this ,work1 not among the ,rich or ,great ,ones1 but among the ,poor and ,small1 and hath revealed it not to the ,wise and ,learned1 but unto the ,poor1 unto ,babes and ,sucklings2 even to ,him1 the ,only ,wise and ,omnipotent ,,god1 be ,honour1 ,glory1 ,thanksgiving1 and ,renown1 from henceforth and for ever4 ,amen4 ,hallelu-,,jah4 ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book4 ,a ,alanus1 #chf ,amandus ,polanus1 #bja ,ambrosius ,ausbertus1 #dhg ,ambrosius ,mediolanensis1 #ajb1 #ddj1 #dda1 #dhg1 #dij ,amesius1 #bja1 #dbf ,anselmus ,bishop of ,canterbury1 #dhg ,antiochus1 ibid ,apollinarius1 #aac ,athanasius1 #g1 #dci1 #dhb1 #dhg1 #dij ,augustinus ,bakerus1 #cbh ,augustinus1 #f1 #cc1 #fa1 #fb1 #gd1 #aba1 #afj1 #afb1 #ahg1 #bag1 #bbb1 #che1 #chh1 #chi ,author de ,vocat4 ,gentium1 #ajb ,b ,basil the ,great1 #dha1 #dhg ,beda1 #dhg ,bellarmine1 #agb1 #dch ,bernard1 #h1 #cbi1 #cda ,bertius1 #aii ,beza1 #ij1 #ahe1 #dcd ,borhus1 #ahe1 #aia ,bucerus1 #ahf ,buchanan1 #afb ,bullinger1 #ahd ,c ,calvin1 #bg1 #bh1 #bi1 #di1 #ej1 #eh1 #ij1 #ahg1 #aii1 #bgg1 #cjb1 #cgf1 #chc1 #cif1 #daa1 #dbc ,carolostadius1 #ddb ,casaubonus1 #dfj ,cassiodorus1 #dhg ,castellio1 #ddb ,catechism of ,westminster1 #bjd ,chamierus1 #ahe ,chemnitius1 #ahg ,christianus ,druthmarus1 #dhg ,chromatius1 #dhg1 #dij ,chrysostom1 #ajb1 #dbg1 #dha1 #dhg1 #dij ,cicero1 #aei ,claudius ,albertus ,inuncanus1 #aib ,clemens ,alexandrinus1 #f1 #g1 #adb1 #adc1 #afj1 #dhg1 #did ,conference of ,oldenb4 ,el4 ,d41 #bjb ,confession of ,augsburgh1 #bjb1 #bjb1 #bbf ---- the ,french ,churches1 #ej ---- ,faith of the ,churches of ,holland1 #ej ---- the ,divines at ,westminster1 #ej1 #eh1 #afh ,council of ,aszansic1 #bbb ---- ,carthage1 #ea ---- ,florence1 #ch ---- ,laodicea1 #ea ---- ,trent1 #hd1 #bja1 #dhe ,cyprian1 #dda1 #dhg1 #dij ,cyrillus ,alexandrinus1 #g1 #acj1 #ace1 #acf1 #dhg1 #dij ,d ,dallus1 #dbc ,diodorus1 ,siculus1 #dhd ,e ,epictetus1 #c ,epiphanius1 #fj1 #dhg ,erasmus1 #dfb1 #dhg1 #dij ,estius1 #aib ,eusebius1 #cg ,euthymius1 #dhg1 #dij ,eutyches1 #aac ,f ,forbes1 #ahf1 #ahg ,franciscus ,lambertus1 #bfj1 #cce ,fredericus ,sylvius1 #did1 #dih ,g ,gelasius1 #bbb ,gentiletus1 #bja ,gerardus ,vossius1 #acg1 #bjb1 #bbf ,godeau1 #dfb ,gregory the ,great1 #g ,gregorius ,nazianzenus1 #dhg ,gregorius ,nyssenus1 ibid ,h ,haimo1 #dhg ,hilarius1 #ddj1 #dhg ,hildebrand1 #dch ,himelius1 #aib ,history of the ,council of ,trent1 #ddb ---- ,reformation of ,france1 #deg1 #deh ,hosius1 #ddj ,hugo ,grotius1 #dha1 #dhf ,i ,james ,coret1 #aii ,james ,howel1 #dfb ,jerome1 #g1 #fj1 #fd1 #bbb1 #ddj1 #deh1 #dhb1 #dhg1 #dij ,johannes ,damascenus1 #dhg ,johannes ,ferus1 #dij ,johannes ,floracensis1 #chf ,johannes ,maresius1 #dfb ,john ,hus1 #ga ,isidorus ,hispalensis1 #dhg ---- ,pelusiota1 ibid ,justin ,martyr1 #adc1 #afj1 #dhg1 #dij1 #dib1 #die ,l ,lactantius1 #afa ,lucas ,osiander1 #ajd1 #afg ,ludovicus ,vives1 #afj1 #afa1 #dih ,luther1 #h1 #ajc1 #afe1 #afg1 #bdc1 #ddb1 #dfa ,m ,martianus1 #ddj ,martyr1 #ia ,melancthon1 #h1 #ahe1 #bbf ,musculus1 #aii ,n ,nicolaus ,arnoldus of ,franequer1 #bdb1 #bfb1 #bfc1 #bhd1 #bih1 #bii1 #cja1 #cgd1 #chg ,o ,oecumenius1 #dhg ,origen1 #i1 #bgj1 #dhg1 #dij ,otho ,brunsselsius1 #dhg ,p ,papirius ,masson1 #chi ,parus1 #ij1 #abh ,paschasius ,radbertus1 #dhg ,paulus ,riccius1 #chb1 #djf ,philo ,judus1 #dhf1 #dib ,phocylides1 #afj ,piscator1 #ia ,pithus1 #chf ,platina1 #beb ,plato1 #aei1 #dhf ,plotinus1 #aei ,polybius1 #dha ,polycarpus1 #cg1 #dhg ,prosper1 #aja1 #ajb ,pythagoras1 #aei1 #dhf ,q ,quintilianus1 #dhf ,quintus ,curtius1 #dhe ,r ,reinerius1 #dej ,richard ,baxter1 #aib1 #bja ,s ,seneca1 #aei ,smith1 ,doctor in ,cambridge1 #i ,stobus1 #dhf ,sulpitius ,severus1 #die ,synod ,arelatensian1 #ajb ---- of ,dort1 #ej1 #hi ,t ,tertullian1 #g1 #dda1 #dhg1 #dij1 #dib1 #did ,theophylactus1 #dhg ,thomas ,aquinas1 #cc ,thysius1 #ahd ,v ,victor ,antiochenus1 #acg ,vincentius ,lyrinensis1 #dif ,w ,waldenses1 #dhg ,wickliff1 ibid ,z ,zanchius1 #ij1 #ahd1 #ahh1 #bja ,zuinglius1 #hd1 #ia1 #aib ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things4 ,a ,abraham's ,faith1 #ai4 ,adam2 ,see ,man1 ,sin1 ,redemption4 ,what ,happiness he lost by the ,fall1 #gd4 ,what ,death he died1 #ge4 ,he retained in his ,nature no ,will or ,light capable of itself to manifest spiritual ,things1 ibid4 ,whether there be any ,reliques of the heavenly ,image left in him1 #gh1 #aag4 ,alexander ,skein's ,queries proposed to the ,preachers1 #cdg1 #cdh1 #che4 ,anabaptists of ,great ,britain1 #ci1 #cbb4 ,anabaptists of ,munster1 how their mischievous ,actings nothing touch the ,quakers1 #cf to #dj4 ,anicetus1 #cg4 ,anointing1 ,the ,anointing teacheth all ,things2 it is and abideth for ever a common ,privilege1 and sure ,rule to all ,saints1 #cd1 #ce4 ,antichrist is exalted when the ,seed of ,god is pressed1 #aah4 ,his ,work1 #bgc1 #bgd1 #bge1 #bgi1 #bhj4 ,antinomians1 their ,opinion concerning ,justification1 #age4 ,apostasy1 #bbd1 #bgj4 ,apostle1 who he is1 their ,number was not limited1 and whether any may be now-a-days so called1 #bge1 #bgf1 #bgg1 #bgh4 ,appearances2 ,see ,faith4 ,arians1 they first brought in the ,doctrine of ,persecution upon the ,account of ,religion1 #dci1 #ddj4 ,arius1 ,by what he fell into ,error1 #bgj4 ,arminians2 ,see ,remonstrants4 ,assemblings are needful1 and what ,sort1 #bii1 #cjj1 c4 ,see ,worship1 they are not to be forsaken1 #cda4 ,astrologer1 #dd1 #de4 ,aurelia1 ,there ten ,canonicks were burnt1 and why1 #che1 #chf4 ,b ,baptism is one1 its ,definition1 #cee1 #ceh to #cfd4 ,it is the ,baptism of ,christ1 and of the ,spirit1 not of ,water1 #cfe to #cfh4 ,the ,baptism of ,water1 which was ,john's ,baptism1 was a ,figure of this ,baptism1 and is not to be continued1 #cfg to #chg4 ,baptism with ,water doth not cleanse the ,heart1 #cei1 #cfi4 ,nor is it a ,badge of ,christianity1 as was ,circumcision to the ,jews1 #cgb1 #che4 ,that ,paul was not sent to baptize is explained1 #cgb to #cgd4 ,concerning what ,baptism ,christ speaks1 ,mat4 xxviii4 #bj4 it is explained1 #cgf1 #cgg4 ,how the ,apostles baptized with ,water is explained1 #cgh to #chb4 ,to ,baptize1 signifies to ,plunge1 and how ,sprinkling was brought in1 #chb1 #chc4 ,those of old that used ,water-baptism1 were ,plunged1 and they that were only ,sprinkled1 were not admitted to an ,ecclesiastical ,function1 and why1 #chc4 ,against the ,use of ,water-baptism many heretofore have testified1 #che1 #chf4 ,infant-baptism is a mere human ,tradition1 #cee1 #chg1 #chh4 ,bible1 ,the last ,translations always find ,fault with the first1 #fj4 ,birth1 ,the spiritual ,birth1 #dg4 ,holy ,birth1 #bag1 #bah4 ,see ,justification4 ,bishop of ,rome1 concerning his ,primacy1 #ch1 #ci4 ,how he abused his ,authority1 and by what he deposed ,princes1 and absolveth the ,people from the ,oath of ,fidelity1 #dch1 #ddb4 ,blood1 ,to abstain from ,blood and ,things strangled1 #dah1 #dai4 ,it hath been shed1 #cih4 ,blood of ,christ2 ,see ,communion4 ,body1 ,to bow the ,body2 ,see ,head4 ,books ,canonical and ,apocryphal2 ,see ,canon1 ,scripture4 ,bonaventure1 #cjb4 ,bow1 ,to bow the ,knee2 ,see ,uncover the ,head4 ,bread1 ,the breaking of ,bread among the ,jews1 was no singular ,thing1 #djf1 #daa4 ,it is now other ,ways performed than it was by ,christ1 #dja4 ,whether unleavened or leavened ,bread is to be used2 also it is hotly disputed about the ,manner of taking it1 and to whom it is to be given1 #daa1 #dab4 ,see ,communion4 ,c ,calvinists2 ,see ,protestants4 ,they deny ,consubstantiation1 #ch4 ,they maintain absolute ,reprobation1 ibid4 ,they think ,grace is a certain irresistible ,power2 and what ,sort of a ,saviour they would have1 #adg1 #bdh4 ,of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 #cic1 #cif4 ,they use leavened ,bread in the ,supper1 #daa4 ,canon1 ,whether the ,scripture be a filled up ,canon1 #fi1 #gj4 ,whether it can be proved by ,scripture that any ,book is ,canonical1 #gj1 #ga4 ,castellio banished1 #ddb4 ,ceremonies2 ,see ,superstition4 ,christ2 ,see ,communion1 ,justification1 ,redemption1 ,word4 ,he sheweth himself daily1 revealing the ,knowledge of the ,father1 #h4 ,without his ,school there is nothing learned but busy ,talking1 #i4 ,he is the ,eternal ,word1 #aa4 ,no ,creature hath access to ,god but by him1 #aa1 #ab1 #ac4 ,he is the ,way1 the ,truth1 and the ,life1 #ac4 ,he is the ,mediator between ,god and ,man1 #ab1 #agj4 ,he is ,god1 and in ,time he was made ,partaker of ,man's ,nature1 #ab4 ,yesterday1 ,to-day the same1 and for ever1 #bb4 ,the ,fathers believed in him1 and how1 ibid4 ,his ,sheep hear his ,voice and contemn the ,voice of a ,stranger1 #ea1 #beh1 #bfa4 ,it is the ,fruit of his ,ascension to send ,pastors1 #fc4 ,he dwelleth in the ,saints1 and how1 #aac4 ,his ,coming was necessary1 #aae4 ,by his ,sacrifice we have ,remission of ,sins1 #aae1 #aeb1 #agj4 ,whether he be1 and how he is in all ,men1 is explained1 #aae1 #aaf4 ,being formed within1 he is the formal ,cause of ,justification1 #afd1 #ahi4 ,by his ,life1 ,death1 c4 he hath opened a ,way for ,reconciliation1 #aij1 #aia1 #aib4 ,his ,obedience1 ,righteousness1 ,death and ,sufferings are ours2 and it is explained1 that ,paul said1 ,he filled up that which was behind of the ,afflictions of ,christ in his ,flesh1 #agc4 ,how we are ,partakers of his ,suffering1 #bac1 #bad1 #bae4 ,for what ,end he was manifested1 #bji1 #baj4 ,he delivers his own by suffering1 #baj4 ,concerning his outward and spiritual ,body1 #cij1 #cia4 ,concerning his outward and inward ,coming1 #dag4 ,christian1 ,how he is a ,christian1 and when he ceaseth so to be1 #e1 #aj1 #be1 #bf to #ca1 #bbj1 #bdd1 #bde1 #bdf1 #bdg1 #beg1 #beh4 ,the ,foundation of his ,faith1 #de4 ,his ,privilege1 #df4 ,when ,men are made ,christians by ,birth1 and not by coming together1 #bcf1 #bcg4 ,they have borrowed many ,things from ,jews and ,gentiles1 #cef1 #ceg4 ,they recoil by little and little from their first ,purity1 #dae1 #dih4 ,the ,primitive ,christians for some ,ages said1 ,we are ,christians1 we ,swear not1 #dhe4 ,and1 ,we are the ,soldiers of ,christ1 it is not lawful for us to fight1 #die1 #dif4 ,christianity is made as an ,art1 #aj4 ,it is not ,christianity without the ,spirit1 #bd to #bg1 #di1 #ej4 ,it would be turned into ,scepticism1 #bfg4 ,it is placed chiefly in the ,renewing of the ,heart1 #bch4 ,wherein it consists not1 #cac4 ,what is1 and is not1 the ,mark thereof1 #cga1 #cgb1 #che4 ,why it is odious to ,jews1 ,turks1 and ,heathens1 #cie4 ,what would contribute to its ,commendation1 #ded4 ,church1 ,without which there is no ,salvation2 what she is2 concerning her ,members1 ,visibility1 ,profession1 ,degeneration1 ,succession1 #bcb to #bee4 ,whatsoever is done in the ,church without the ,instinct of the ,holy ,spirit1 is vain and impious1 #afj4 ,the same may be said of her1 as was in the ,schools1 of ,theseus's ,boat1 #bhj4 ,in her ,corrections ought to be exercised1 and against whom1 #dbg4 ,she is more corrupted by the ,accession of ,hypocrites1 #dce1 #dcf4 ,the ,contentions of the ,greek and ,latin ,churches about unleavened or leavened ,bread in the ,supper1 #daa4 ,the ,lukewarmness of the ,church of ,laodicea1 #bdf4 ,there are introduced into the ,roman ,church no less ,superstitions and ,ceremonies than among ,heathens and ,jews1 #bcg4 ,circumcision1 a ,seal of the old ,covenant1 #cgc4 ,clergy1 #bge1 #bgf1 #bgi1 #bhi1 #bij1 #dab4 ,clothes1 ,that it is not lawful for ,christians to use ,things superfluous in ,clothes1 #dfg to #dgj1 #ejj4 ,comforter1 ,for what ,end he was sent1 #h4 ,commission1 ,the ,commission of the ,disciples of ,christ before the ,work was finished was more legal than evangelical1 #bfc4 ,communion1 ,the ,communion of the ,body and ,blood of ,christ is a spiritual and inward ,thing1 #chh4 ,that ,body1 that ,blood is a spiritual ,thing1 and that it is that heavenly ,seed1 whereby ,life and ,salvation was of old and is now communicated1 #chh1 #chi1 #cij4 ,how any becomes ,partaker thereof1 #cic to #cie4 ,it is not tied to the ,ceremony of breaking ,bread and drinking ,wine1 which ,christ used with his ,disciples1 this was only a ,figure1 #chh1 #cie to #djf4 ,whether that ,ceremony be a necessary ,part of the new ,covenant1 and whether it is to be continued1 #djf to #dbd4 ,spiritual ,communion with ,god through ,christ is obtained1 #ge4 ,community of ,goods is not brought in by the ,quakers1 #dbg1 #dec4 ,compliments2 ,see ,titles4 ,conscience2 ,see ,magistrate4 ,its ,definition1 what it is2 it is distinguished from the ,saving ,light1 #dah to #dba1 #dbf4 ,the good ,conscience1 and the hypocritical1 #bbf4 ,he that acteth contrary to his ,conscience sinneth2 and concerning an erring ,conscience1 #dbf4 ,what ,things appertain to ,conscience1 #dbg4 ,what ,sort of ,liberty of ,conscience is defended1 ibid4 ,it is the ,throne of ,god1 #dbh4 ,it is free from the ,power of all ,men1 #ddb4 ,conversion1 ,what is ,man's therein1 is rather a ,passion than an ,action1 #aba4 ,augustine's ,saying1 ibid4 ,this is cleared by two ,examples1 #abb1 #abc4 ,correction1 how and against whom it ought to be exercised1 #dbg4 ,covenant1 ,the ,difference betwixt the new and the old ,covenant ,worship1 #cb1 #bih1 #bii1 #cbd to #ccg1 #cfi to #cga4 ,see also ,law1 ,gospel4 ,cross1 ,the ,sign of the ,cross1 #che4 ,d ,dancing2 ,see ,plays4 ,days1 ,whether any be ,holy1 and concerning the ,day commonly called the ,lord's ,day1 #cja1 #dje4 ,deacons1 #dad4 ,death2 ,see ,adam1 ,redemption4 ,it entered into the ,world by ,sin1 #hc4 ,in the ,saints it is rather a ,passing from ,death to ,life1 #hd4 ,devil1 ,he cares not at all how much ,god be acknowledged with the ,mouth1 provided himself be worshipped in the ,heart1 #aj1 #adi4 ,he haunts among the ,wicked1 #baj4 ,how he may seem to be a ,minister of the ,gospel1 #bga to #bgc4 ,when he can work nothing1 #bbj1 #bba4 ,he keeps ,men in outward ,signs1 ,shadows1 and ,forms1 while they neglect the ,substance1 #cih1 #cii4 ,dispute1 ,the ,dispute of the ,shoemaker with a certain ,professor1 #bfj4 ,of an ,heathen ,philosopher with a ,bishop in the ,council of ,nice1 and of the unlettered ,clown1 #cfg1 #cfh4 ,divinity1 ,school-divinity1 #bef4 ,how pernicious it is1 #bfh to #bgi4 ,dreams2 ,see ,faith1 ,miracles4 ,e ,ear1 ,there is a spiritual and a bodily ,ear1 #h1 #bj4 ,easter is celebrated other ,ways in the ,latin ,church than in the ,eastern1 #cg4 ,the ,celebration of it is grounded upon ,tradition1 ibid4 ,elders1 #ag1 #bgi4 ,elector of ,saxony1 the ,scandal given by him1 #cdi4 ,eminency1 your ,eminency2 ,see ,titles4 ,enoch walked with ,god1 #baf4 ,epistle2 ,see ,james1 ,john1 ,peter4 ,esau1 #cji4 ,ethicks1 or ,books of moral ,philosophy1 are not needful to ,christians1 #bfh4 ,evangelist1 ,who he is1 and ,whether any now-a-days may be so called1 #bgg4 ,excellency1 your ,excellency2 ,see ,titles4 ,exorcism1 #che4 ,f ,faith1 ,its ,definition1 and what its ,object is1 #ah to #ba4 ,how far1 and how ,appearances1 outward ,voices1 and ,dreams were the ,objects of the ,saints' ,faith1 #ai1 #bj4 ,that ,faith is one1 and that the ,object of ,faith is one1 #bj4 ,its ,foundation1 #de4 ,see ,revelation1 ,scripture4 ,farellus1 #daa4 ,father2 ,see ,knowledge1 ,revelation1 #ah4 ,fathers1 so called1 they did not agree about some ,books of the ,scripture1 #ej1 #fj4 ,they affirm that there are whole ,verses taken out of ,mark and ,luke1 #fj4 ,concerning the ,septuagint ,interpretation1 and the ,hebrew ,copy1 #fj4 ,they preached universal ,redemption for the first four ,centuries1 #aja4 ,they frequently used the ,word ,merit in their ,doctrine1 #bjj1 #bja4 ,concerning the ,possibility of not sinning1 #bbb4 ,the ,possibility of falling from ,grace1 #bbf4 ,many of them did not only contradict one another1 but themselves also1 #bgj4 ,concerning ,baptism1 and the ,sign of the ,cross1 #che4 ,concerning an ,oath1 #dgh4 ,feet1 ,concerning the washing of one another's ,feet1 #djg to #daj4 ,franequer1 #bhd4 ,freely1 ,the ,gospel ought to be preached freely1 #ahc1 #bhd4 ,g ,games2 ,see ,sports4 ,gifted ,brethren1 #bed4 ,,god1 ,how he hath always manifested himself1 #d4 ,unless he speak within1 the ,preacher makes a ,rustling to no ,purpose1 #g1 #h4 ,none can know him aright1 unless he receive it of the ,holy ,ghost1 ibid4 ,god is to be sought within1 #h4 ,he is known by ,sensation1 and not by mere ,speculation and syllogistick ,demonstrations1 #h4 ,he is the ,fountain1 ,root1 and ,beginning of all good ,works1 and he hath made all ,things by his ,eternal ,word1 #ab4 ,god speaking is the ,object of ,faith1 #ah4 ,among all1 he hath his own chosen ,ones1 #f4 ,he delights not in the ,death of the ,wicked2 ,see ,redemption4 ,he hath manifested his ,love in sending his ,son1 #agj1 #aij1 #aia4 ,see ,justification4 ,he rewards the good ,works of his ,children1 #bja1 #bjb4 ,whether it be possible to keep his ,commandments1 #bjd1 #bje4 ,he is the ,lord1 and the only ,judge of the ,conscience1 #dbe1 #dbh4 ,he will have a free ,exercise1 #dce4 ,gospel2 ,see ,redemption4 ,the ,truths of it are as ,lies in the ,mouths of profane and carnal ,men1 #e1 #bh1 #bi4 ,the ,nature of it is explained1 #cb1 #cc4 ,it is distinguished from the ,law1 and is more excellent than it1 #cc1 #ec4 ,see ,covenant1 ,law4 ,whether any ought to preach it in this or that ,place1 is not found in ,scripture1 #bed1 #bee4 ,its ,works are distinguished from the ,works of the ,law1 #aie4 ,how it is to be propagated1 and of its ,propagation1 #dbi4 ,the ,worship of it is inward1 #cgj4 ,it is an inward ,power1 #ach1 #aci4 ,grace1 ,the ,grace of ,god can be lost through ,disobedience1 #bbd1 c4 ,saving ,grace 7see ,redemption7 which is required in the ,calling and ,qualifying of a ,minister2 ,see ,minister4 ,in some it worketh in a special and prevalent ,manner1 that they necessarily obtain ,salvation1 #abc1 #abd4 ,your ,grace2 ,see ,titles4 ,h ,hai ,eben ,yokdan1 #aff4 ,hands1 ,laying on of ,hands1 #bef1 #dai4 ,head1 ,of ,uncovering the ,head in ,salutations1 #ddi1 #dea1 #dfd1 #dfg1 #dii4 ,heart1 ,the ,heart is deceitful and wicked1 #eg1 #gf4 ,heathen1 ,albeit they were ignorant of the ,history1 yet they were sensible of the ,loss by the ,fall1 #aei4 ,some ,heathens would not swear1 #dhe4 ,heathenish ,ceremonies were brought into the ,christian ,religion1 #che4 ,henry ,,iv4 ,king of ,france1 #dch4 ,heresies1 whence they proceeded1 #cac4 ,hereticks1 #dca4 ,high2 ,see ,priest4 ,history of ,christ2 ,see ,quakers1 ,redemption4 ,holy of ,holies1 the ,high ,priest entered into it once a ,year1 #ag4 ,but now all of us at all ,times have access unto ,god1 #cc4 ,holiness1 your ,holiness2 ,see ,titles4 ,honour2 ,see ,titles4 ,hypocrite1 #dca1 #dce1 #dcf4 ,i ,jacob1 #cji4 ,james the ,apostle1 there were of old divers ,opinions concerning his ,epistle1 #ea4 ,idolatry1 #big1 #bih4 ,whence it proceeded1 #cee4 ,jestings2 ,see ,plays1 ,games4 ,jesuits2 ,see ,sect1 ,ignatian4 ,jesus2 ,see ,christ4 ,what it is to be saved1 and to be assembled in his ,name1 #acc1 #afh1 #cje4 ,jews1 ,among them there may be ,members of the ,church1 #bcc4 ,their ,error concerning the outward ,succession of ,abraham1 #bdd4 ,their ,worship is outward1 #cga4 ,illiterate2 ,see ,mechanicks4 ,indulgences1 #aff4 ,infants2 ,see ,sin4 ,iniquities1 ,spiritual ,iniquities1 or ,wickedness1 #cac4 ,inquisition1 #dcf4 ,inspiration1 where that doth not teach1 ,words without do make a ,noise to no ,purpose1 #g4 ,john the ,apostle1 concerning his second and third ,epistles1 and the ,revelation1 there were sometime divers ,opinions1 #ea4 ,john the ,baptist did not ,miracles1 #bed4 ,john ,hus is said to have prophesied1 #ga4 ,john ,knox1 ,in what ,respect he was called the ,apostle of ,scotland1 #bgh4 ,judas fell from his ,apostleship1 #bde4 ,who was his ,vicar1 #bfj4 ,his ,ministry was not purely evangelical1 #bfb1 #bfc4 ,he was called immediately of ,christ1 and who are inferior to him1 and plead for him1 as a ,pattern of their ,ministry1 #bfc4 ,justification1 ,the ,doctrine thereof is and hath been greatly vitiated among the ,papists1 and wherein they place it1 #afe1 #aff1 #afg1 #aij4 ,luther and the ,protestants with good ,reason opposed this ,doctrine1 though many of them ran soon into another ,extreme1 and wherein they place it1 and that they agree in one1 #afg1 #afh1 #agc4 ,it comes from the ,love of ,god1 #agj1 #aij4 ,to justify1 signifies to make really just1 not to repute just1 which many ,protestants are forced to acknowledge1 #ahj1 #aha1 #ahd to #ahh4 ,the ,revelation of ,christ formed in the ,heart is the formal ,cause of ,justification1 not ,works 7to speak properly7 which are only an ,effect1 and so also many ,protestants have said1 #afd1 #aff to #afi1 #ahj to #bjj4 ,we are justified in ,works1 and how1 #afd1 #agc1 #agd1 #aic to #bjj4 ,this is so far from being a ,popish ,doctrine1 that ,bellarmine and others opposed it1 #agb1 #bjj1 #bjb4 ,k ,kingdom of ,god1 #cbi1 #dai1 #dbh4 ,knowledge1 ,the ,height of ,man's ,happiness is placed in the true ,knowledge of ,god1 iii4 ,error in the ,entrance of this ,knowledge is dangerous1 #a4 ,superstition1 ,idolatry1 and thence ,atheism1 have proceeded from the false and feigned ,opinions concerning ,god1 and the ,knowledge of him1 #c4 ,the uncertain ,knowledge of ,god is divers ,ways attained1 but the true and certain one only by the inward and immediate ,revelation of the ,holy ,spirit1 #e4 ,it hath been brought out of ,use1 and by what ,devices1 #aj4 ,there is no ,knowledge of the ,father but by the ,son1 nor of the ,son but by the ,spirit1 #d1 #aa1 #ab1 #ac1 #ad1 #ae1 #af4 ,the ,knowledge of ,christ1 which is not by the ,revelation of his ,spirit in the ,heart1 is no more the ,knowledge of ,christ1 than the ,prating of a ,parrot1 which hath been taught a few ,words1 may be said to be the ,voice of a ,man1 #ae1 #af4 ,l ,laicks1 #bge1 #bgf4 ,laity1 #bgi1 #bhj4 ,lake of ,bethesda1 #abj4 ,law1 ,the ,law is distinguished from the ,gospel1 #cb1 #cc1 #cga4 ,the ,difference thereof1 #cc1 #bad4 ,see ,gospel4 ,under the ,law the ,people were not in any ,doubt who should be ,priests and ,ministers1 #bdj4 ,see ,minister of the ,law1 ,worship4 ,learning1 what true ,learning is1 #bfd4 ,letter1 ,the ,letter killeth1 quickeneth not1 #bad4 ,light1 ,the innate ,light is explained by ,cicero1 #aei1 #afj4 ,light of ,nature1 ,the ,errors of the ,socinians and ,pelagians1 who exalt this ,light1 are rejected1 #gd4 ,saving ,light2 ,see ,redemption4 ---- ,is ,universal2 it is in all1 #ajg4 ,it is a spiritual and heavenly ,principle1 #aab4 ,it is a ,substance1 not an ,accident1 #aac1 #aad4 ,it is supernatural and sufficient1 #aca1 #acf1 #acg4 ,it is the ,gospel preached in every ,creature1 #ach4 ,it is the ,word nigh in the ,mouth and in the ,heart1 #ada1 #adb4 ,it is the ingrafted ,word1 able to save the ,soul1 #ade4 ,testimonies of ,augustine and ,buchanan concerning this ,light1 #afb4 ,it is not any ,part of ,nature1 or ,reliques of the ,light remaining in ,adam after the ,fall1 #aag4 ,it is distinguished from the ,conscience1 #aai4 ,it is not a common ,gift1 as the ,heat of the ,fire1 and outward ,light of the ,sun1 as a certain ,preacher said1 #aea4 ,it may be resisted1 #ajh1 #aaa1 #abj1 #aba1 #bbb1 #bbd4 ,by this ,light or ,seed1 ,grace and ,word of ,god1 he invites all1 and calls them to ,salvation1 #adb1 #adc1 #add4 ,none of those to whom the ,history of ,christ is preached are saved1 but by the inward ,operation of this ,light1 #ade to #aej4 ,it is small in the first ,manifestation1 but it groweth1 #adf4 ,it is slighted by the ,calvinists1 ,papists1 ,socinians1 and ,arminians1 and why1 #adg4 ,none can put it to ,silence1 #adh4 ,there are and may be saved by the ,operation thereof1 who are ignorant of the ,history of ,christ1 #hg1 #hh1 #aji1 #aae1 #aaf1 #adc1 #aej to #aei4 ,an ,answer to the ,objection1 ,that none can be saved but in the ,name of ,jesus ,christ1 #aec4 ,literature1 ,human ,literature is not at all needful1 #bfe1 c4 ,liturgy1 #cjc1 #cbd4 ,logick1 #bfh4 ,lord1 ,there is one ,lord1 #bb4 ,love1 ,of a love ,feast1 #dae1 #daf4 ,lutherans2 ,see ,protestants ,they affirm ,consubstantiation1 #ch4 ,of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 #cie4 ,they use unleavened ,bread in the ,supper1 #daa4 ,m ,magistrate1 concerning his ,power in ,things purely religious1 and that he hath no ,authority over the ,conscience1 #dbe to #ddi4 ,nor ought he to punish according to ,church ,censure1 #dbh1 #dbi4 ,concerning the present ,magistrates of the ,christian ,world1 #dii4 ,mahomet prohibited all ,discourse and ,reasoning about ,religion1 #ddc4 ,he was an ,impostor1 #aai4 ,majesty1 ,your ,majesty2 ,see ,titles4 ,man2 ,see ,knowledge4 ,his ,spirit knoweth the ,things of a ,man1 and not the ,things of ,god1 #ad4 ,the carnal ,man esteemeth the ,gospel ,truths as ,lies1 #ae4 ,and in that ,state he cannot please ,god1 #be4 ,the new ,man and the old1 #df1 #aac4 ,the natural ,man cannot discern spiritual ,things2 as to the first ,adam1 he is fallen and degenerate1 #df1 #gc1 #he4 ,his ,thoughts of ,god and ,divine ,things in the corrupt ,state are evil and unprofitable1 #gc4 ,nothing of ,adam's ,sin is imputed to him1 until by evil-doing he commit his own1 #ge1 #hb4 ,in the corrupt ,state he hath no ,will or ,light capable of itself to manifest spiritual ,things1 #ge to #ha1 #afi4 ,he cannot when he will procure to himself ,tenderness of ,heart1 #abj4 ,whatsoever he doth1 while he doth it not by1 in1 and through the ,power of ,god1 he is not approved of ,god1 #bah1 #bai4 ,how the inward ,man is nourished1 #cij to #cie4 ,how his ,understanding cannot be forced by ,sufferings1 and how his ,understanding is changed1 #dce4 ,merchandise1 ,what it is to make ,merchandise with the ,scriptures1 #bga4 ,mass1 #big1 #bih1 #cjb1 #cbb1 #cdi4 ,mathematician1 #dd1 #de4 ,mechanicks1 #bhj4 ,they contributed much to the ,reformation1 #bha4 ,merit2 ,see ,justification4 ,metaphysicks1 #bfh4 ,minister of the ,gospel1 it is not found in ,scripture if any be called1 #ed1 #ee1 #bcf4 ,teachers are not to go before the ,teaching of the ,spirit1 #fc4 ,the ,popish and ,protestant ,errors concerning the ,grace of a ,minister are rejected1 #gc1 #hj1 #ha4 ,they are given for the perfecting of the ,saints1 c41 #baa4 ,concerning their ,call1 and wherein it is placed1 #bca1 #bci to #bee4 ,qualities1 #bcb1 #bef to #bgb4 ,orders and ,distinction of ,laity and ,clergy1 #bge to #bgi4 ,of separating ,men for the ,ministry1 ibid4 ,concerning the ,sustentation and ,maintenance of ,ministers1 and their ,abuse2 of the ,idleness1 ,riot1 and ,cruelty of ,ministers1 #cah to #cbi4 ,what ,kind of ,ministry and ,ministers the ,quakers are for1 and what ,sort their ,adversaries are for1 #bib to #bie4 ,minister of the ,law1 there was no ,doubtfulness concerning them under the ,law1 #bdj1 #bfa1 #bfb4 ,their ,ministry was not purely spiritual2 and while they performed it1 they behoved to be purified from their outward ,pollutions1 as now those under the ,gospel from their inward1 #bci1 #bdj1 #bib4 ,miracles1 whether they be needful to those who place their ,faith in objective ,revelation1 #ai1 #bj1 #bed4 ,moses1 #aeh1 #cbc1 #cbg1 #cee1 #chi4 ,munster2 ,see ,anabaptists4 ,their mischievous ,actings1 #cf4 ,musick1 #cec4 ,mystery of ,iniquity1 #bgd1 #cbh1 #cbi4 ,n ,name of the ,lord1 #cgf4 ,to ,anoint in the ,name of the ,lord1 #dah4 ,nero1 #dcc1 #dcd4 ,noah's ,faith had neither the ,scripture nor the ,prophecy of those going before him1 #ah4 ,it is said of him1 that he was a perfect ,man1 #baf4 ,number1 ,of using the singular ,number to one ,person1 #dfb1 #dfc4 ,o ,oath1 ,that it is not lawful to swear1 #dea1 #dgf to #dhh4 ,obedience is better than ,sacrifice1 #ee4 ,object of ,faith2 ,see ,faith4 ,oil1 ,to anoint with ,oil1 #chh1 #dah1 #dbb4 ,ordinance1 ,sealing ,ordinance1 #ceh4 ,p ,papists1 ,the ,rule of their ,faith1 #cg4 ,they are forced ultimately to recur unto the immediate and inward ,revelations of the ,holy ,spirit1 #de4 ,what ,difference there is betwixt the cursed ,deeds of those of ,munster and theirs1 #ci to #db4 ,they have taken away the second ,commandment in their ,catechism1 #ei4 ,they make ,philosophy the ,hand-maid of ,divinity1 #fd4 ,they exalt too much the natural ,power1 and what they think of the ,saving ,light1 #adg4 ,their ,doctrine concerning ,justification is greatly vitiated1 #afe4 ,concerning their ,manners and ,ceremonies1 #bce1 #bcf1 #bdg1 #bdh1 #bdi1 #bea1 #beb4 ,their ,literature and ,studies1 #bfe4 ,of the modern ,apostles and ,evangelists1 #bgg1 #bgh4 ,whom they exclude from the ,ministry1 #bha4 ,they must be sure of so much a ,year before they preach1 #bhc4 ,they do not labour1 #bij1 #bia4 ,the more moderate and sober of them exclaim against the excessive ,revenues of the ,clergy1 #bhg1 #bhh4 ,their ,worship can easily be stopped1 #cbb4 ,albeit they say1 ,none are saved ,without ,water-baptism1 yet they allow an ,exception1 #cfe4 ,of ,baptism1 #che1 #chf4 ,of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 #cif1 #cig4 ,of an ,oath1 #dhg1 #dhh4 ,parable of the ,talents1 #acj1 #ach4 ,of the ,vineyard intrusted1 #abh4 ,of the ,sower1 #acg1 #adj4 ,of the ,tares1 #dca1 #dcb4 ,paschal ,lamb1 the ,end thereof1 #djj4 ,patriarchs1 #cib1 #djj4 ,pelagians1 #gc4 ,how we differ from them1 #aba1 #che4 ,see ,light of ,nature4 ,pelagius denied that ,man gets an evil ,seed from ,adam1 and ascribes all to the ,will and ,nature of ,men3 ,he said1 that ,man could attain unto a ,state of not ,sinning by his mere natural ,strength1 without the ,grace of ,god1 #bbb4 ,persecution upon the ,account of ,religion1 #dci to #ddf4 ,see ,magistrate4 ,perseverance1 ,the ,grace of ,god may be lost through ,disobedience1 #bjc1 #bbd1 #bbf4 ,yet such a ,stability may in this ,life be attained1 from which there cannot be a total ,apostasy1 #bbg to #bcj4 ,peter1 ,whether he was at ,rome1 #ch4 ,he was ignorant of ,aristotle's ,logick1 #fd4 ,there were of old divers ,opinions concerning his second ,epistle1 #ea4 ,pharisees1 #cef1 #dje4 ,philosopher1 ,the ,heathen ,philosopher was brought to the ,christian ,faith by an illiterate ,rustick1 #bfg1 #bfh4 ,philosophy1 #bef1 #bfh4 ,physick1 #bfh4 ,plays1 whether it be lawful to use them1 #ddi1 #deb1 #dgj1 #dgf1 #ejj4 ,polycarpus1 the ,disciple of ,john1 #cg4 ,pray1 ,to pray for ,remission of ,sins1 #bbj4 ,concerning the ,lord's ,prayer1 #cae4 ,to pray without the ,spirit is to offend ,god1 #cai1 #dgd4 ,concerning the ,prayer of the ,will in ,silence1 #cbh4 ,see ,worship4 ,prayer1 ,the ,prayers of the ,people were in the ,latin ,tongue1 #bfe4 ,preacher2 ,see ,minister4 ,preaching1 ,what is termed the ,preaching of the ,word1 #bga1 #bgi1 #bii1 #cjj4 ,to preach without the ,spirit is to offend ,god1 #cai4 ,see ,worship4 ,it is a permanent ,institution1 #cgc4 ,it is learned as another ,trade1 #bgi4 ,predestinated1 ,god hath after a special ,manner predestinated some to ,salvation2 of whom1 if the ,places of ,scripture which some abuse be understood1 their ,objections are easily solved1 #abe4 ,priest1 ,under the ,law ,god spake immediately to the ,high ,priest1 #ag1 #cc4 ,priests2 ,see ,minister of the ,law1 #bci1 #bdj1 #bdc1 #bfb1 #cja4 ,profession1 ,an outward ,profession is necessary that any be a ,member of a particular ,christian ,church1 #bce4 ,prophecy1 ,and to prophesy1 what it signifies1 #bgf4 ,of the ,liberty of prophesying1 ibid4 ,prophets1 ,some ,prophets did not ,miracles1 #bed4 ,protestants1 the ,rule of their ,faith1 #cg4 ,they are forced ultimately to recur unto the immediate and inward ,revelation of the ,holy ,spirit1 #df4 ,what ,difference betwixt the execrable ,deeds of those of ,munster and theirs1 #ci to #db4 ,they make ,philosophy the ,hand-maid of ,divinity1 #fd4 ,they affirm ,john ,hus prophesied of the ,reformation that was to be1 #ga4 ,whether they did not throw themselves into many ,errors while they were expecting a greater ,light1 #ajf4 ,they opposed the ,papists not without good ,cause1 in the ,doctrine of ,justification2 but they soon ran into another ,extreme1 #afg1 #afh4 ,they say1 that the best ,works of the ,saints are defiled1 #agb4 ,whether there be any ,difference between them and the ,papists in ,superstitions and ,manners1 and what it is1 #bch1 #bci1 #beb4 ,what they think of the ,call of a ,minister1 #bda1 #bdf1 #beb to #bef4 ,it is lamentable that they betake them to ,judas for a ,pattern to their ,ministers and ,ministry1 #bfc4 ,their ,zeal and ,endeavours are praised1 #bfe4 ,of their ,school-divinity1 #bfh1 #bfi4 ,of the ,apostles and ,evangelists of this ,time1 #cgg4 ,whom they exclude from the ,ministry1 #bgi4 ,that they preach to none1 until they be first sure of so much a ,year1 #bhd4 ,the more moderate of them exclaim against the excessive ,revenues of the ,clergy1 #bhg1 #bhh4 ,though they had forsaken the ,bishop of ,rome1 yet they would not part with old ,benefices1 #bhi4 ,they will not labour1 #bij1 #bia4 ,whether they have made a perfect ,reformation in ,worship1 #big1 #bih4 ,their ,worship can easily be stopped1 #cbb4 ,they have given great ,scandal to the ,reformation1 #cdi4 ,they deny ,water-baptism to be absolutely necessary to ,salvation1 #bfe4 ,of ,water-baptism1 #chc to #chf4 ,of the ,flesh and ,blood of ,christ1 #cid to #cif4 ,they use not ,washing of ,feet1 #dji4 ,how they did vindicate ,liberty of ,conscience1 #dcf1 #dcg4 ,some affirm1 that wicked ,kings and ,magistrates ought to be deposed1 yea1 killed1 #dch4 ,how they meet1 when they have not the ,consent of the ,magistrate1 #ddf4 ,of ,oaths and ,swearing1 #dgg1 #dgh4 ,psalms1 ,singing of ,psalms1 #ceb4 ,q ,quakers1 i4 e4 ,tremblers1 and why so called1 #aej1 #caj4 ,they are not ,contemners of the ,scriptures1 and what they think of them1 #dh1 #ea1 #eb1 #fa1 #fb1 #fc4 ,nor of ,reason1 and what they think of it1 #aah1 #aai4 ,they do not say1 that all other secondary ,means of ,knowledge are of no ,service1 #aa4 ,they do not compare themselves to ,jesus ,christ1 as they are falsely accused1 #aac4 ,nor do they deny those ,things that are written in the ,holy ,scriptures concerning ,christ1 his ,conception1 c4 #aac1 #ahj4 ,they were raised up of ,god to shew forth the ,truth1 #ajg1 #adh1 #afa1 #bgb1 #caj4 ,their ,doctrine of ,justification is not ,popish1 #afe1 #agc1 #aib1 #bjb4 ,they are not against ,meditation1 #cah4 ,their ,worship cannot be interrupted1 #cba4 ,and what they have suffered1 #cba to #cbd4 ,how they vindicate ,liberty of ,conscience1 #ddd1 #dde4 ,they do not persecute others1 #ddc4 ,their ,adversaries confess1 that they are found for the most ,part free from the ,abominations which abound among others2 yet they count those ,things ,vices in them1 which in themselves they extol as notable ,virtues1 and make more ,noise about the ,escape of one ,quaker1 than of an ,hundred among themselves #dea4 ,they destroy not the mutual ,relation that is betwixt ,prince and ,people1 ,master and ,servant1 ,father and ,son1 nor do they introduce ,community of ,goods1 #deb4 ,nor say1 that one ,man may not use the ,creation more or less than another1 #dec4 ,r ,ranters1 ,the ,blasphemy of the ,ranters or ,libertines1 saying1 that there is no ,difference betwixt ,good and ,evil1 #bac4 ,reason1 ,what need we set up corrupt ,reason1 #bi4 ,concerning ,reason1 #ci1 #aah1 #aai4 ,rebecca1 #cji4 ,reconciliation1 ,how ,reconciliation with ,god is made1 #agd to #ahj4 ,recreations2 ,see ,plays4 ,redemption is considered in a twofold ,respect2 ,first1 ,performed by ,christ without us2 ,and ,secondly1 ,wrought in us1 #aga1 #agb4 ,it is universal3 ,god gave his only begotten ,son ,jesus ,christ for a ,light1 that whosoever believeth in him may be saved1 #he1 #aca1 #acb4 ,the ,benefit of his ,death is not less universal than the ,seed of ,sin1 #hf1 #hg4 ,there is scarce found any ,article of the ,christian ,religion that is so expresly confirmed in the ,holy ,scriptures1 #ie to #aja4 ,this ,doctrine was preached by the ,fathers 7so called7 of the first six hundred ,years1 and is proved by the ,sayings of some1 #aja1 #ajb1 #ajc4 ,those that since the ,time of the ,reformation have affirmed it1 have not given a clear ,testimony how that ,benefit is communicated to all1 nor have sufficiently taught the ,truth1 because they have added the absolute ,necessity of the outward ,knowledge of the ,history of ,christ2 yea1 they have thereby given the contrary ,party a stronger ,argument to defend their precise ,decree of ,reprobation1 among whom were the ,remonstrants of ,holland1 #hg1 #hh1 #ajc to #aje4 ,god hath now raised up a few illiterate ,men to be ,dispensers of this ,truth1 #ajg1 #ajh1 #adi1 #aej4 ,this ,doctrine sheweth forth the ,mercy and ,justice of ,god1 #ajh1 #abd4 ,it is the foundation of ,salvation1 #ajh4 ,it answers to the whole ,tenor of the ,gospel ,promises and ,threats1 ibid4 ,it magnifies and commends the ,merits and ,death of ,christ1 ibid4 ,it exalts above all the ,grace of ,god1 ibid4 ,it overturns the false ,doctrine of the ,pelagians1 ,semi-pelagians1 and others1 who exalt the ,light of ,nature1 and the ,freedom of ,man's ,will1 ibid4 ,it makes the ,salvation of ,man solely to depend upon ,god1 and his ,condemnation wholly and in every ,respect to be of himself1 #aji4 ,it takes away all ,ground of ,despair1 and seeds none in ,security1 ibid4 ,it commends the ,christian ,religion among ,infidels1 ibid4 ,it sheweth the ,wisdom of ,god1 ibid4 ,and it is established1 though not in ,words1 yet by ,deeds1 even by those ,ministers that oppose this ,doctrine1 ibid4 ,it derogates not from the ,atonement and ,sacrifice of ,jesus ,christ1 but doth magnify and exalt it1 #aae4 ,there is given to every one 7none excepted7 a certain ,day and ,time of ,visitation1 in which it is possible for them to be saved1 #ajg1 #abe to #acc4 ,the ,testimony of ,cyrillus concerning this ,thing1 #acj1 #aca4 ,it is explained what is understood and not understood by this ,day1 #aaa4 ,to some it may be longer1 to others shorter1 ibid4 ,many may outlive their ,day of ,visitation1 after which there is no ,possibility of ,salvation to them1 ibid4 ,some ,examples are alledged1 ibid4 ,the ,objections and those ,places of ,scripture which others abuse1 to prove that ,god incites ,men necessarily to sin1 are easily solved1 if they be applied to these ,men1 after the ,time of their ,visitation is past1 #aaa1 #abe4 ,there is given to every one a ,measure of the ,light1 ,seed1 ,grace1 and ,word of ,god1 whereby they can be saved1 #ajg1 #ajh1 #abe1 #acg to #add4 ,which is also confirmed by the ,testimonies of ,cyrillus and others1 #ace to #adc4 ,what that ,light is2 ,see ,light4 ,many though ignorant of the outward ,history1 yet have been sensible of the ,loss that came by ,adam1 which is confirmed by the ,testimonies of ,plato and others1 #aei1 #afj4 ,many have known ,christ within1 as a ,remedy to redeem them1 though not under that ,denomination1 witness ,seneca1 ,cicero1 and others1 #aei1 #afj1 #afa4 ,yet all are obliged to believe the outward ,history of ,christ to whom ,god bringeth the ,knowledge of it1 #aae4 ,reformation1 wherein it is not placed1 #bda1 #bdb4 ,mechanick ,men have contributed much to it1 #bhj1 #bha4 ,what hath been pernicious to it1 #cig4 ,relation2 ,see ,quakers4 ,religion1 ,the ,christian ,religion2 ,see ,christianity1 ,how it is made odious to ,jews1 ,turks1 and ,heathens1 #cie4 ,remonstrants of ,holland2 ,see ,arminians1 ,redemption4 ,they deny absolute ,reprobation1 #ch4 ,how we differ from them1 #aba4 ,they exalt too much the natural ,power and free ,will of ,man1 and what they think of the ,saving ,light1 #adg4 ,their ,worship can easily be stopped1 #cbb4 ,reprobation2 ,see also ,redemption4 ,what absolute ,reprobation is1 is described1 #hh1 #hi4 ,its ,doctrine is horrible1 impious1 and blasphemous1 #hi to #ic4 ,it is also so called by ,lucas ,osiander1 #ajd4 ,it is a new ,doctrine1 and ,augustine laid the first ,foundation thereof1 which ,dominicus1 ,calvin1 and the ,synod of ,dort maintained1 #hi1 #ajc1 #ajd4 ,also ,luther1 whom notwithstanding ,lutherans afterwards deserted1 #ajc1 #ajd4 ,it is injurious to ,god1 and makes him the ,author of ,sin2 proved by the ,sayings of ,calvin1 ,beza1 ,zanchius1 ,parus1 ,martyr1 ,zuinglius1 and ,piscator1 #ij1 #ia4 ,it makes the preaching of the ,gospel a mere ,mock and ,illusion1 #ib4 ,it makes the ,coming of ,christ1 and his ,propitiatory ,sacrifice to have been a ,testimony of ,god's ,wrath1 ibid4 ,it is injurious to ,mankind1 and makes his ,condition worse than the ,condition of ,devils1 ,beasts1 ,jews under ,pharaoh1 and the same which the ,poets applied to ,tantalus1 #ic4 ,revelation1 ,god always manifested himself by the ,revelations of the ,spirit1 iii4 #ad1 #ae1 #dc4 ,they are made several ,ways1 iii4 ,they have been always the formal ,object of ,faith1 and so remain1 ibid4 #ag to #ca4 ,and that not only subjectively1 but also objectively1 #ca1 #cb4 ,they are simply necessary unto true ,faith1 iii4 #d1 #cf1 #de4 ,they are not uncertain1 #cd1 #ce1 #cf4 ,yea1 it is horrible ,sacrilege to accuse them of ,uncertainty1 #bh4 ,the ,examples of the ,anabaptists of ,munster do not a ,whit weaken this ,doctrine1 #cf1 #ci1 #db4 ,they can never contradict the ,holy ,scripture1 nor sound ,reason1 iii4 #dc1 #fe4 ,they are evident and clear of themselves1 nor need they another's ,testimony1 iii4 #dc1 #dd4 ,they are the only1 sure1 certain1 and unmoveable ,foundation of all ,christian ,faith1 #de4 ,carnal ,christians judge them nothing necessary2 yea1 they are hissed out by the most ,part of ,men1 #e4 ,of old none were esteemed ,christians save those that had the ,spirit of ,christ2 but now-a-days he is termed an ,heretick who affirms that he is led by it1 #bh4 ,the ,testimonies of some concerning the ,necessity of these ,revelations1 #f to #i1 #bg1 #bh4 ,by whose and what ,devices they have been brought out of ,use1 #ajf4 ,revenge2 ,see ,war1 #dhh1 #dhi4 ,rule of ,faith and ,manners2 ,see ,scripture4 ,rustick1 ,the poor ,rustick's ,answer given to the proud ,prelate1 #bej4 ,he brought a ,philosopher unto the ,christian ,faith1 #bfh4 ,s ,sabbath1 #cja1 #cjb4 ,sacraments1 of their ,number1 ,nature1 c4 how much ,contention there hath been1 and that the ,word ,sacrament is not found in ,scripture1 but borrowed from the ,heathens1 #cef1 #ceg1 #che4 ,its ,definition will agree to many other ,things1 #ceh4 ,whether they confer ,grace1 #dba4 ,salvation1 ,without the ,church there is no ,salvation1 #bcc4 ,samaria1 ,the ,woman of ,samaria1 #djb4 ,sanctification2 ,see ,justification4 ,saxony1 ,the ,elector of ,saxony1 of the ,scandal he gave to the ,reformation1 by being present at that ,mass1 #cdi4 ,sceptick1 #bfg4 ,school1 ,without the ,school of ,christ nothing is learned but mere ,talk1 and a ,shadow of ,knowledge1 #f1 #g1 #h4 ,whether publick ,schools be necessary1 #bfe4 ,scriptures of ,truth1 whence they proceeded1 and what they contain1 #dh4 ,they are a ,declaration of the ,fountain1 and not the ,fountain itself1 ibid4 ,they are not to be esteemed the adequate primary ,rule of ,faith and ,manners1 but a secondary1 and subordinate to the ,spirit1 and why1 #dh to #gb1 #bee4 ,their ,certainty is only known by the ,spirit1 #dh1 #bce4 ,they testify that the ,spirit is given to the ,saints for a ,guide1 #dh1 #fa1 #ff1 #ga4 ,their ,authority depends not upon the ,church1 or ,council1 nor upon their intrinsick ,virtue1 but upon the ,spirit2 nor is it subjected to the corrupt ,reason of ,men1 but to the ,spirit1 #dh1 #fc4 ,the ,testimonies of ,calvin1 the ,french ,churches1 the ,synod of ,dort1 and the ,divines of ,great ,britain at ,westminster concerning this ,thing1 #di1 #ej4 ,the ,contentions of those that seek the ,certainty of the ,scriptures from something else than the ,spirit1 ibid4 ,divers ,opinions of the ,fathers 7so called7 concerning some ,books1 ibid4 ,concerning the ,taking away1 and the ,corruption of same ,places2 the ,translation1 ,transcription1 and various ,lections of the ,hebrew ,character1 and of the ,greek ,books1 the ,interpretation of the ,septuagint1 concerning the ,hebrew ,books1 and of admitting or rejecting some ,books1 #fj1 #fa4 ,of the ,difficulty in their ,explanation1 #fd1 #fe4 ,augustine's ,judgment concerning the ,authors of the ,canonical ,books1 and concerning the ,transcription and ,interpretation1 #fa1 #fb4 ,the ,use of them is very profitable and comfortable1 #ea1 #fc1 #fd4 ,the ,unlearned and ,unstable abuse them1 #fd4 ,there is no ,necessity of believing the ,scripture to be a filled up ,canon1 #fi4 ,many canonick ,books1 through the ,injury of ,time1 lost1 #gj4 ,whether it can be proved by ,scripture that any ,book is ,canonical1 #gj1 #ga4 ,they were some ,time as a sealed ,book1 #bfe4 ,to understand them there is ,need of the ,help and ,revelation of the ,holy ,spirit1 #f1 #g1 #h4 ,no ,man can make himself a ,doctor of them1 but the ,holy ,spirit1 ibid4 ,sect1 ,the ,ignatian ,sect loveth ,literature1 #bfe1 #bff4 ,they call those that are sent unto ,india ,apostles1 #bgh4 ,seed of ,righteousness1 #cag4 ,the ,seed of ,sin2 ,see ,sin1 ,redemption4 ,self-denial1 #caf4 ,semi-pelagians1 their ,axiom1 ,facienti quod in se est ,deus non denegat gratiam1 #ajc4 ,servant1 ,whether it be lawful to say1 ,i am your humble ,servant1 #dfj4 ,servetus1 #ddb1 #ddc4 ,shoe-maker1 he ,disputes with the ,professor1 #bff4 ,silence2 ,see ,worship4 ,simon ,magus1 #bhd4 ,sin2 ,see ,adam1 ,justification4 ,it shall not have ,dominion over the ,saints1 #ec4 ,the ,seed of ,sin is transmitted from ,adam unto all ,men1 but it is imputed to none1 no not to ,infants1 except they actually join with it by ,sinning1 #gc1 #ha to #hd4 ,and this ,seed is often called ,death1 #he4 ,original ,sin1 of this ,phrase the ,scripture makes no ,mention1 ibid4 ,by ,virtue of the ,sacrifice of ,christ2 we have ,remission of ,sins1 #aae1 #agj4 ,forgiveness of ,sin among the ,papists1 #aff4 ,a ,freedom from actual ,sin is obtained1 both when and how1 and that many have attained unto it1 #bjd to #bbc4 ,every ,sin weakens a ,man in his spiritual ,condition1 but doth not destroy him altogether1 #bjf4 ,it is one ,thing not to sin1 another ,thing not to have ,sin1 #baf1 #bag4 ,whatsoever is not done through the ,power of ,god is ,sin1 #cah4 ,singing of ,psalms1 #ceb4 ,socinians2 ,see ,natural ,light4 ,their ,rashness is reproved1 #bd4 ,they think ,reason is the chief ,rule and ,guide of ,faith1 #bd1 #be1 #cg4 ,albeit many have abused ,reason1 yet they do not say1 that any ought not to use it2 and how ill they argue against the inward and immediate ,revelations of the ,holy ,spirit1 #cf to #ci4 ,yet they are forced ultimately to recur unto them1 #dd1 #de4 ,they exalt too much their natural ,power1 and what they think of the ,saving ,light1 #adg4 ,their ,worship can easily be stopped1 #cbb4 ,son of ,god2 ,see ,christ1 ,knowledge1 ,revelation4 ,soul1 the ,soul hath its ,senses1 as well as the ,body1 #h4 ,by what it is strengthened and fed1 #cai1 #cih4 ,spirit1 ,the ,holy ,spirit2 ,see ,knowledge1 ,communion1 ,revelation1 ,scripture4 ,unless the ,spirit sit upon the ,heart of the ,hearer1 in vain is the ,discourse of the ,doctor1 #g1 #bj4 ,the ,spirit of ,god knoweth the ,things of ,god1 #ad4 ,without the ,spirit none can say that ,jesus is the ,lord1 #g1 #h1 #ad1 #ae4 ,he rested upon the seventy ,elders and others1 #ag4 ,he abideth with us for ever1 #bb1 #bc4 ,he teacheth and bringeth all ,things to remembrance1 and leads into all ,truth1 #bd1 #cj1 #ca1 #dh4 ,he differs from the ,scriptures1 #bd1 #be4 ,he is ,god1 ibid4 ,he dwelleth in the ,saints1 #be to #cj4 ,without the ,spirit ,christianity is no ,christianity1 #be1 #bf1 #cg1 #ea4 ,whatsoever is to be desired in the ,christian ,faith1 is ascribed to him1 #bf4 ,by this ,spirit we are turned unto ,god1 and we ,triumph in the ,midst of ,persecutions1 #bf4 ,he quickens1 c41 ibid4 ,an observable ,testimony of ,calvin concerning the ,spirit1 #bg1 #bh1 #bi1 #di1 #ej4 ,it is the ,fountain and ,origin of all ,truth and right ,reason1 #dc4 ,it gives the ,belief of the ,scriptures1 which may satisfy our ,consciences1 #ej4 ,his ,testimony is more excellent than all ,reason1 ibid4 ,he is the chief and principal ,guide1 #eh4 ,he reasoneth with and striveth in ,men1 #abg4 ,those that are led by the ,spirit love the ,scriptures1 #fb1 #bcd1 #bce4 ,he is as it were the ,soul of the ,church1 and what is done without him is vain and impious1 #bff4 ,he is the ,spirit of ,order1 and not of ,disorder1 #bgc4 ,such as the ,spirit sets apart to the ,ministry are heard of the ,brethren1 #bge4 ,it is the ,earnest of our ,inheritance1 #eh4 ,spiritual ,iniquities1 #cab4 ,spiritual ,discerning1 #dca4 ,stephen spake by the ,spirit1 #bf4 ,suffering1 ,how ,paul filled up that which was behind of the ,afflictions of ,christ2 how any are made ,partakers of the ,sufferings of ,christ1 and conformable to his ,death1 #baf4 ,superstition1 #bif4 ,whence ,superstitions sprung1 #cac1 #cee1 #chg4 ,supper2 ,see ,communion ,bread4 ,it was of old administred even to little ,children and ,infants1 #dbb4 ,t ,tables1 #dad4 ,talents1 ,one ,talent is not at all insufficient of itself2 the ,parable of the ,talents1 #acg1 #ach4 ,those that improved their ,talents well1 are called good and faithful ,servants1 #aid4 ,he that improved well his two ,talents1 was nothing less accepted than he that improved his five1 #bje4 ,talk2 ,see ,plays4 ,taulerus was instructed by the poor ,laick1 #beg4 ,he tasted of the ,love of ,god1 #cjb4 ,testimony2 ,see ,spirit4 ,theseus his ,boat1 #bhj4 ,thomas of ,kempis1 #cjb4 ,tithes were assigned to the ,levites1 but not to the ,ministers of this ,day1 #bhe4 ,titles1 ,it is not at all lawful for ,christians to use those ,titles of ,honour1 ,majesty1 c4 #deb1 #dee to #dfd4 ,tongue1 ,the ,knowledge of ,tongues is laudable1 #bfe4 ,tradition1 how insufficient it is to decide1 #ch4 ,it is not a sufficient ,ground for ,faith1 #dbb4 ,translations2 ,see ,bible4 ,truth1 ,there is a ,difference betwixt what one saith of the ,truth1 and that which the ,truth itself1 interpreting itself1 saith1 #f4 ,truth is not hard to be arrived at1 but is most nigh1 #g4 ,turks1 among them there may be ,members of the ,church1 #bcc1 #bcd4 ,v ,vespers1 #cjb4 ,voices1 ,outward ,voices2 ,see ,faith1 ,miracles4 ,w ,war1 ,that it is not lawful for ,christians to resist evil1 nor wage war1 #deb1 #dhh to #dig4 ,washing of ,feet1 #djh1 #dji4 ,william ,barclay1 #dch4 ,woman1 ,a ,woman may preach1 #bge1 #bha4 ,luther also1 #bdc4 ,word1 ,the ,eternal ,word is the ,son3 ,it was in the ,beginning with ,god1 and was ,god3 ,it is ,jesus ,christ1 by whom ,god created all ,things1 #ab1 #aac4 ,what ,augustine read in the ,writings of the ,platonists concerning this ,word1 #afa4 ,works are either of the ,law1 or of the ,gospel1 #aie4 ,see ,justification4 ,worship1 ,what the true and acceptable ,worship to ,god is1 and how it is offered1 and what the superstitious and abominable is1 #bid1 c4 ,the true ,worship was soon corrupted and lost1 #big4 ,concerning the ,worship done in the ,time of the ,apostasy1 #cjb1 #cdb4 ,of what ,worship is here handled1 and of the ,difference of the ,worship of the old and new ,covenant1 #bih1 #bii1 #cbd1 #cbe1 #cbf4 ,the true ,worship is neither limited to ,times1 ,places1 nor ,persons1 and it is explained how this is to be understood1 #bii1 #cjj1 #ccj1 #cca1 #ccb1 #cdj1 #cda1 #cdb1 #cgj1 #cga4 ,concerning the ,lord's ,day1 and the ,days upon which ,worship is performed1 #cja4 ,of the publick and silent ,worship1 and its ,excellency1 #cjc to #ccc4 ,of ,preaching1 #ccc to #cci4 ,of ,prayer1 #cci to #cea4 ,of ,singing of ,psalms1 and ,musick1 #ceb1 #cec4 ,what ,sort of ,worship the ,quakers are for1 and what ,sort their ,adversaries1 #ced4 ,,finis4 ,,errata4 ,page #e4 l4 #ag499 ,for knowing read know #i4 l4 #aj499 ,sou litself ,soul itself #ac4 l4 #e4 but by the ,son but the ,son #ac4 l4 #bi499 ,word ,world #bd4 l4 #aj499 in into #bi4 l4 #cj499 ,for ,from #di4 l4 #ba4 the ,belief that ,belief #gj4 l4 #i4 or nor #he4 l4 #f4 for which we for which ,cause we #aaa4 l4 #c499 of ,controversy of the ,controversy #aaf4 l4 #ab499 to us us to #abb4 l4 #f499 possible to possible for him to #abe4 l4 #bh499 for they for that they #adj4 l4 #f4 with ,god with thy ,god #aga4 l4 #a4 cannot can #baa4 l4 #bg499 ,peaching ,preaching #baf4 l4 #bc499 xi xii #bbj4 l4 #ca499 ,aburdity ,absurdity #bcj4 l4 #af499 ,man ,men #bgb4 l4 #ae4 proceedeth proceeded #bhj4 l4 #g4 ,work and ,grace ,work of ,grace #cae4 l4 #cc4 shall should #cai4 l4 #ab499 both doth #cbc4 l4 #e499 up us #cbd4 l4 #a4 some such #cbi4 l4 #ab4 may many #cdb4 l4 #bi4 leading ,people leading his ,people #cfd4 l4 #aa4 away the away of the #cfd4 l4 #bi4 away the away of the #cic4 l4 #d4 thereby may thereby they may #djh4 l4 #b499 shall should #dac4 l4 #ai4 marg4 common in remembring common1 remembring #dag4 l4 #bb4 ,outwards ,externals #dbd4 l4 #c4 providing provided #dbi4 l4 #a499 intimate imitate #dca4 l4 #c499 #db #da #dcg4 l4 #ac4 of the ,persecutors of ,persecutors #dci4 l4 #ae4 receive him not receive him #dej4 l4 #b4 those this #deb4 l4 #c4 a ,christian ,christians #ded4 l4 #aj4 doth in the other doth the other #dfj4 l4 #d4 ,ways ,way #dfj4 l4 #bj4 the their #dfd4 l4 #bj499 ,abram's ,abraham's #dfg4 l4 #h4 do doth #dfi4 l4 #ah4 severally severely #dgb4 l4 #d4 enjoy employ #dgd4 l4 #d499 ,time to ,time so to #dgi4 l4 #bh4 ,original ,origin #dhj4 l4 #c499 #ab1 and x4 #bb #ac1 and x4 #bj #dhb4 l4 #ca499 ix4 #aj xi4 #aj #dhg4 l4 #cb499 the ,christians ,christians #dij4 l4 #cj499 relatas relates #dig4 l4 #ca499 lawful unlawful #dii4 l4 #bd4 for most for the most #dii4 l4 #bf4 one another ,humble themselves each other's ,servant ,humble ,servants4 ,n4 ,b4 ,those marked with ,asterisks1 are corrected in some ,copies4 ,,transcriber',s ,,note ,archaic1 obsolete1 unusual and spellings and words have been maintained4 ,obvious misspellings have been fixed1 and some words and names have been standardized within the document4 ,the errata which are noted in the book have been applied and no further note of them will be made here4 ,sidenotes in the original book that were just citations have been converted to footnotes4 ,some programs will display the longer ,hebrew phrase on ,page #bah with the words in the correct order and some reversed4 ,unfortunately there does not appear to be a way to get uniformity in rendering4 ,the ,table of ,contents was inserted by the transcriber1 it was not in the original book4 ,changes to the text from the original book follow3 ,in the note to the ,king ,in this book3 ,these are the ,things that rendered the ,lives of ,originally3 ,these are the ,things that rendred the ,lives of ,page vii ,in this book3 ,as they then have falsely and erroneously ,originally3 ,as they then have falsly and erroneously ,page #g ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,jerome ,originally3 ,hieron4 ,page #g ,in this book3 ,the ,law 7saith ,jerome7 is ,spiritual1 ,originally3 ,the ,law 7saith ,hierom7 is ,spiritual1 ,page #g ,footnote #cd ,in this book3 ,jerome ,ep4 ,paulin4 #ajc4 ,originally3 ,hieron4 ,ep4 ,paulin4 #ajc4 ,page #ch ,in this book3 ,many have been deceived1 and erred grievously ,originally3 ,many have been deceived1 and erred griveously ,page #ch ,sidenote ,in this book3 #b4 ,of ,scripture4 ,originally3 7sidnote missing7 ,page #ch ,in this book3 ,here the ,lutherans and ,arminians grossly err ,originally3 ,here the ,lutherans and ,arminians grosly err ,page #dc ,in this book3 because some have falsely pretended to it ,originally3 because some have falsly pretended to it ,page #eg ,in this book3 ,threatenings in the ,scripture2 but who ,originally3 ,threatnings in the ,scripture2 but who ,page #eh ,sidenote ,in this book3 #a4 ,deaf ,people ,children1 and ,idiots instanced4 ,originally3 #a4 ,deaf ,people ,children1 and ,ideots instanced4 ,page #eh ,in this book3 in the ,case of deaf ,people1 ,children1 and ,idiots ,originally3 in the ,case of deaf ,people1 ,children1 and ,ideots ,page #fj ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,jerome ,epist4 #bh4 ad ,lucin4 p4 #bdg4 ,originally3 ,hieron4 ,epist4 #bh4 ad ,lucin4 p4 #bdg4 ,page #fj ,in this book3 ,of which ,transcribers ,jerome in his ,time ,originally3 ,of which ,transcribers ,jerom in his ,time ,page #fj ,in this book3 and particularly ,jerome1 exalting the ,certainty ,originally3 and particularly ,jerom1 exalting the ,certainty ,page #fd ,in this book3 ,whereof if ,jerome complained in his ,time1 ,originally3 ,whereof if ,jerom complained in his ,time1 ,page #fd ,in this book3 now twelve ,hundred ,years ago1 ,jerome ,epist4 #acd4 ,originally3 now twelve ,hundred ,years ago1 ,hierom4 ,epist4 #acd4 ,page #hg ,in this book3 ,as ,they have then falsely and erroneously ,originally3 ,as ,they have then falsly and erroneously ,page #ia ,in this book3 ordained to this twofold ,end2 ,originally3 ordained to this two-fold ,end2 ,page #aag ,in this book3 ,next there are those that lean to the ,doctrine ,originally3 ,next there are that lean to the ,doctrine ,page #aca ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,man's remaining in ,darkness1 the closing of his ,eyes4 ,originally3 ,man's remaining in ,darkness1 the closing his eyes4 ,page #acc ,in this book3 this1 may come therethrough to believe4 ,originally3 this1 may come there-through to believe4 ,page #aef ,sidenote ,in this book3 then that have this1 wherever they be1 they are saved4 ,originally3 then that have this1 where-ever they be1 they are saved4 ,page #aff ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,sepulchre in ,spain1 or to ,mary of ,loreto ,originally3 ,sepulchre in ,spain1 or to ,mary of ,loretto ,page #agj ,in this book3 ,we consider then our ,redemption in a twofold ,respect ,originally3 ,we consider then our ,redemption in a two-fold ,respect ,page #agc ,in this book3 also done in a qualified ,sense1 but no-ways to infer ,originally3 also done in a qualified ,sense1 but noways to infer ,page #ahj ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,posit4 #b4 ,by ,christ formed within we are justified4 ,originally3 ,posit4 #a4 ,by ,christ formed within we are justified4 ,page #ahb ,in this book3 doth beyond all ,question signify a making just2 ,originally3 doth beyond all ,question signify a make-ing just2 ,page #ahh ,in this book3 be understood as really being made righteous3 ,originally3 be understood a really being made righteous3 ,page #ahi ,in this book3 whether ye be in the ,faith2 prove your own selves3 ,originally3 whether ye be in the ,faith2 prove your ownselves3 ,page #aib ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,inuncunas4 ,originally3 ,inuncunan4 ,page #aib ,in this book3 ,so also affirmeth ,claudius ,albertus ,inuncanus1 ,originally3 ,so also affirmeth ,claudius ,albertus ,inuncunanus1 ,page #bja ,in this book3 is nevertheless a ,cause in some ,respect1 administering1 ,originally3 is nevertheless a ,cause in some ,respect1 administring1 ,page #bjc ,in this book3 pursued1 and condemned by ,god's holy ,witness in their ,originally3 pursued1 and condemed by ,god's holy ,witness in their ,page #bbb ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,jerome4 ,originally3 ,jerom4 ,page #bbb ,in this book3 ,concerning this ,possibility ,jerome speaks clearly ,originally3 ,concerning this ,possibility ,jerom speaks clearly ,page #bci ,in this book3 that this were indeed desirable and best2 ,originally3 that this were indeed desireable and best2 ,page #bdf ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,the ,lukewarmness of the ,church of ,laodicea4 ,originally3 ,the ,lukewarmness of he ,church of ,laodicea4 ,page #bdi ,in this book3 his ,vessel is purified1 and so be fitted and prepared ,originally3 his ,vessel is purified1 and so he fitted and prepared ,page #bei ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,the ministering must be by the ,gift and ,grace ,originally3 ,the ministring must be by the ,gift and ,grace ,page #bei ,in this book3 any ,man speak1 let him speak as the ,oracles of ,god2 ,originally3 any ,man speak1 let thim speak as the ,oracles of ,god2 ,page #bid ,in this book3 ambitiously seeking after the forementioned ,things ,originally3 ambitiously seeking after the forementioned ,things ,page #cje ,in this book3 watching in a holy ,dependence upon the ,lord1 ,originally3 watching in a holy ,dependance upon the ,lord1 ,page #caa ,in this book3 and there are few ,meetings that are altogether silent4 ,originally3 and there are few ,meetings that are alogether silent4 ,page #cbg ,sidenote ,in this book3 outward1 so ,christ delivers us from inward ,slavery4 ,originally3 outward1 so ,christ delivers his from inward ,slavery4 ,page #ccj ,in this book3 ,subject1 or otherwise praying to or praising ,god4 ,originally3 ,subject1 or otherwise praying to or praiseing ,god4 ,page #ccg ,in this book3 but what he hath prepared and premeditated beforehand4 ,originally3 but what he hath prepared and premeditated before-hand4 ,page #cci ,in this book3 that ,prayer is twofold1 inward and outward4 ,originally3 that ,prayer is two-fold1 inward and outward4 ,page #cfd ,in this book3 the coined ,definitions of the ,school-men4 ,originally3 the coined ,definitions of the ,schoolmen4 ,page #cgj ,in this book3 ,principles denied by us1 wherever ,christ appointed ,originally3 ,principles denied by us1 where-ever ,christ appointed ,page #cge ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,alleg4 #a4 ,originally3 ,alle4 #a4 ,page #chf ,in this book3 ,and ,p4 ,pithus mentions it in his ,fragments ,originally3 ,and ,p4 ,pithus mentions it in his ,fragments ,page #dab ,in this book3 ,i would gladly know how from the ,words ,originally3 ,i would glady know how from the ,words ,page #ddj ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,jerome ,epist4 #fb4 ad ,tire4 ,originally3 ,hieron4 ,epist4 #fb4 ad ,tire4 ,page #ddj ,in this book3 ,the ,church 7saith ,jerome7 was founded by shedding of ,originally3 ,the ,church 7saith ,hierom7 was founded by shedding of ,page #dfj ,footnote #aee ,in this book3 ,the ,church 7saith ,jerome7 was founded by shedding of ,originally3 ,the ,church 7saith ,hierom7 was founded by shedding of ,page #dff ,in this book3 might not as well accuse ,mordecai of ,incivility1 ,originally3 might not as well accuse ,mordicai of ,incivility1 ,page #dgf ,in this book3 but also have stirred up the ,magistrates to persecute ,originally3 but also have stired up the ,magistrates to persecute ,page #dgh ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,answ4 #b4 ,originally3 ,ans4 #b4 ,page #dgi ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,answ4 #c4 ,originally3 ,ans4 #c4 ,page #dha ,in this book3 that which1 as ,jerome1 ,chrysostom1 ,originally3 that which1 as ,hierom1 ,chrysostom1 ,page #dhb ,sidenote ,in this book3 ,jerome ,lib4 ,ep4 ,part4 #c4 ,tract4 #a4 ,ep4 #b4 ,originally3 ,hier4 ,lib4 ,ep4 ,part4 #c4 ,tract4 #a4 ,ep4 #b4 ,page #dhb ,in this book3 ,concerning which ,jerome saith1 8,all ,things agree not ,originally3 ,concerning which ,hierom saith1 8,all ,things agree not ,page #dhg ,in this book3 ,jerome ,epistol4 ,lib4 ,part4 #c4 ,ep4 #b4 ,originally3 ,hieronimus ,epistol4 ,lib4 ,part4 #c4 ,ep4 #b4 ,page #dhg ,in this book3 ,bibliotheca vet4 ,patr4 in ,mat4 v4 ,oecumenius in ,jac4 ,originally3 ,bibliotheca vet4 ,patr4 in ,mat4 v4 ,o,ecumenius in ,jac4 ,page #dij ,in this book3 ,jerome ad ,ocean4 ,it4 ,lib4 ,epist4 ,p4 #c4 ,tom4 #a4 ,ep4 #b4 ,originally3 ,hierom4 ad ,ocean4 ,it4 ,lib4 ,epist4 ,p4 #c4 ,tom4 #a4 ,ep4 #b4 ,page #dib ,footnote #afd ,in this book3 ,isa4 #aa4 #i4 ,originally3 ,isa4 #fe4 #bd4 ,page #ejj ,in this book3 then are our ,adversaries good ,christians indeed1 ,originally3 then are our ,adversaries good ,chirstians indeed1 ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book ,in this book3 ,bellarmine1 #agb1 #dch ,originally3 ,bellarmin1 #agb1 #dch ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book ,in this book3 ,confession of ,augsburgh1 #bjb1 #bjb1 #bbf ,originally3 ,confession of ,ausburgh1 #bjb1 #bjb1 #bbf ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book ,in this book3 ,council of ,aszansic1 #bbb ,originally3 ,council of ,aszansick1 #bbb ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book ,in this book3 ,haimo1 #dhg ,originally3 ,haymo1 #dhg ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book444and moved from ,h to ,j ,in this book3 ,jerome1 #g1 #fj1 #fd1 #bbb1 #ddj1 #deh1 #dhb1 #dhg1 #dij ,originally3 ,hierom1 #g1 #fj1 #fd1 #bbb1 #ddj1 #deh1 #dhb1 #dhg1 #dij ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book ,in this book3 ,nicolaus ,arnoldus of ,franequer1 #bdb1 #bfb1 #bfc1 #bhd1 ,originally3 ,nicholaus ,arnoldus of ,franequer1 #bdb1 #bfb1 #bfc1 #bhd1 ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book ,in this book3 ,oecumenius1 #dhg ,originally3 ,o,ecumenius1 #dhg ,a ,,table of the ,,authors cited in this ,,book ,in this book3 ,plato1 #aei1 #dhf ,originally3 ,plato1 #aei1 #ehf ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things ,in this book3 ,a ,originally3 7section title missing7 ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things under ,minister ,in this book3 ,concerning the ,sustentation and444 #cah to #cbi4 ,originally3 ,concerning the ,sustentation and444 #cah to #bbi4 ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things main entry ,philosopher ,in this book3 ,philosopher1 ,the ,heathen ,philosopher was brought to ,originally3 ,philosoher1 ,the ,heathen ,philosopher was brought to ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things under preaching ,in this book3 ,it is a permanent ,institution1 #cgc4 ,originally3 ,it is a permanant ,institution1 #cgc4 ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things under ,quakers ,in this book3 ,they do not persecute others1 #ddc4 ,originally3 ,they do no persecute others1 #ddc4 ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things main entry ,rebecca ,in this book3 ,rebecca1 #cji4 ,originally3 ,rebeckah1 #cji4 ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things under ,redemption ,in this book3 ,it commends the ,christian ,religion among ,infidels1 ,originally3 ,it commends the ,christian ,religion among ,infidals1 ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things under ,rustick ,in this book3 ,he brought a ,philosopher unto the ,christian ,faith1 #bfh4 ,originally3 ,he brought a ,philospher unto the ,christian ,faith1 #bfh4 ,a ,,table of the ,,chief ,,things main entry ,school ,in this book3 ,school1 ,without the ,school444 a ,shadow of ,knowledge1 ,originally3 ,school1 ,without the ,school444 a ,shadow of ,kowledge1